Army undertakes rescue operations in flood-hit Sri Lanka

Hundreds of Sri Lanka Army soldiers have been deployed to carry out rescue and relief operations after floods and landslides resulted from torrential rains over most parts in the country claimed at least six lives and displaced thousands of people.

The army troops were deployed on the directions of the Commander of the Army and the Ministry of Defense, reports the Colombo Page.

The Lankan Army carried out rescue operations at Dennis Worth Estate, in Deraniyagala where several line houses of an estate were washed away in a landslide.

At least three people were missing in the landslide yesterday morning and two bodies were later recovered.

More than 60 Army personnel are still engaged in rescue and relief operations with the assistance of residents in the area.

Meanwhile, troops have been sent to Diyawanna Oya area as the rising water levels threatened to inundate the Parliament complex.

President Maithripala Sirisena had yesterday instructed the tri-forces and police to act immediately to provide relief to people affected by the island wide floods, earth slips and gusty winds.

According to the Disaster Management Center (DMC) on Monday evening six people were confirmed dead, two missing and nine others injured.

According to reports, people displaced by the floods and landslides reached 31,851, while over 89,000 people were affected by the adverse weather.