Huge landslide in Aranayaka -- Update 3

Huge landslide in Aranayaka -- Update 3

Major General Mr. Sudantha Ranasingha the Commander of the Army who was in charge of operational activities confirmed that the number of victims who died and those who were missing as a consequence of the landslide which occured in the
Mawanella - Saamasara mountain tragedy total to 137 . This he announced after checking information about those who were residing.

By now dead bodies of 17 people have been found while about 120 individuals have disappeared without a trace which he said has been confirmed. It has been reported that an extent of close upon 60 acres of the Saamasara mountain have totally been destroyed by the landslide and the total number of houses destroyed is estimated at 66. Because of this landslide the entire hamlet has been shifted and both hamlets Elangapitiya and Pallebage which were situated near the mountain have been shifted 500 meters down from where they stood prior to the landslide.

The President too made a visit to this locality today to issue advice with the intention of looking into necessary action that should be taken in relation to those who were rendered helpless and to regulate search operations of those who were missing. Over 450 members of the army have engaged in these operations and approximately 1047 people belonging to 300 families have been retained at safe locations. Video clips secured from a helicopter this afternoon depicting as to how the Aranayaka Saamasara mountain stood, from below