14 bodies found after Sri Lanka landslide

Fourteen bodies have been found after a massive landslide hit central Sri Lanka, and authorities say more than 150 people remain missing.

The landslide smashed into a row of plantation homes in a mountainous area in Haldummulla town in Badulla district early Wednesday, Xionhua reported.

The 14 bodies were found at the site, police spokesman Ajith Rohana said.

Police, army and the state-run Disaster Management Center (DMC) were involved in rescue operations.

At least 120 houses have been destroyed and several people are believed to be trapped under the rubble, a DMC officer said.

"There were more than 150 families in that village. At least 500 men, women and children are believed to be trapped," he added.

Officials said it seemed unlikely they will find anyone alive given the scale of the disaster.

Air force spokesperson Gihan Seneviratne said a Bell 212 rescue helicopter had been deployed for rescue work.