UPDATE: The death toll following the collapse of a section of the garbage dump in Meethotamulla has increased to 19 as more bodies have been recovered, military spokesman Brigadier Roshan Seneviratne said.
Five children are among the deceased, he said. The number of females among the victims has now increased to seven.
Twelve persons are still receiving treatment at the Colombo National hospital, according to police.
Dozens of homes collapsed after heavy rains overnight caused the garbage mountain to shift, officials said. It further destabilised after a fire broke out, triggering landslides that buried dwellings.
A contingent of Army personnel of the 14 Division of the Security Force Headquarters - West (SFHQ-West), including Officers rushed to the garbage dump at Meetotamulla yesterday afternoon.
Troops of the Sri Lanka Light Infantry, Commandos, Gemunu Watch and Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment are currently carrying out those relief operations, Sri Lanka Army said.
On a Presidential directive, hundreds of tri service personnel, Policemen, Special Task Force (STF) personnel are currently engaged in relief operations after evacuating the victims as well as their valuables from affected houses in close coordination with the workforce of the Disaster Management Centre (DMC).
Earlier today Sri Lanka Police confirmed that so far around 145 houses had sustained damages while a total of 625 persons belonging to 180 families have been displaced by the disaster.
The displaced persons have been provided temporary shelter at the Terrence N De Silva Maha Vidyalaya in Kolonnawa and nearby community centers and relief measures have been taken, a statement said.
The police, tri-force and the Disaster Management Center (DMC) together launched rescue operations yesterday while four teams comprising police and tri-forces personnel are carrying out excavations at Nagahamulla, Neilgewatta, Daham Mawatha and 23 Watta areas under the supervision of four ASPs.
Power supply to the area was cut off as a precautionary measure and troops are braving the obstacles to evacuate and provide relief to the affected victims.
Military Spokesman Brigadier Roshan Senevirathne requested area residents and relatives of the local inhabitants to provide information (of the victims/affected) to officials at the special information centre established at the Meethotamulla Sri Rahula vidyalaya.
