(UDHAYAM, COLOMBO) – UPDATE: The number of deaths reported due to the collapse of a part of the Meetotamulla garbage dump, had risen to 30. The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said that 30 others are still missing.
Reportedly, 11 individuals injured and 228 families were affected by the garbage site collapse.
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(UDHAYAM, COLOMBO) – As rescue and relief operations, led by hundreds of Army troops of Sri Lanka Light Infantry Regiment, Commandos, Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment, Gemunu Watch, together with Navy, Air Force, Police, STF and Disaster Management Centre personnel are in full swing at Meetotamulla where a total of 26 dead bodies have been so far recovered as the dusk fell on Sunday (16).
A high level meeting summoned this evening at the Disaster Management Centre by the President instructed all authorities, including the Army to take immediate steps to provide all affected residents with alternative housing arrangements until permanent houses are built elsewhere.
Security Forces, Police and STF personnel after cordoning off the area and preventing crowds that were thronging the area for a casual sight of the scene are busy round the clock removing debris, rescuing those trapped and buried alive and also recovering dead bodies as bereaved families went on guiding the troops to specific locations where their houses stood a few days earlier before the tragedy struck. Heavy machinery, tractors and vehicles of the Army and sister services continue to remove heaps of garbage from affected areas and assist the crowds with sanitary and immediate health facilities.
A large stock of meal packets for breakfast, lunch and dinner are continuously supplied to the affected families by the Army in close coordination with Divisional Secretariats in the area. Major General Sudantha Ranasinghe, Commander, Security Force Headquarters – West on behalf of the Commander of the Army attended the Presidential meeting at the DMC, together with the 14 Division General Officer Commanding.
