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Rehabilitation efforts under way : Flood toll rises to 264

by Nadira Gunatilleke

According to latest reports, 264 persons have been killed while another 500 persons are reported missing due to the floods in several districts of the country during past few days, Social Welfare Ministry Secretary Ms.Vijayalakshmi Jegarasasingam said.

She said that according to the reports 23,936 houses have been completely damaged displacing 175,896 families. The number of partly damaged houses is 26,251.

The highest number of deaths have been reported from Ratnapura and the number is 137. Eighty persons have been killed in Matara district while another 22 were killed in the Hambantota district. In Galle district, 17 persons were killed while another eight persons died due to floods in the Kalutara district. The Automobile Association (AA) said that all the roads are now clear for traffic and only some rural roads in Kamburupitiya are still under water. The main roads in this area are also open for traffic. Relief and rehabilitation efforts are now underway, with government officials studying the damage caused to public and private property.

Duty Forecaster, Meteorology Department said that at present Sri Lanka is experience South West Monsoon rains. Western, Southern and Sabaragamuwa provinces will experience showers from time to time. Rain has not been reported from Ratnapura and Kalutara districts during past twenty four hours.

Sri Lanka is not experiencing the impact of the recent cyclone any more. But predictions cannot be made for the next few days.

Meanwhile, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Ravi Karunanayake said yesterday that the divisional secretariats, police and Gramasevaka officers are empowered to assist the newly formed Consumers Affairs Authority in crushing down the overpricing and other unscrupulous trade practices reported in flood affected areas.

Following reports of black market operations in Ratnapura, Akuressa, Deniyaya and other flood affected areas, the ministry said that some unscrupulous traders are attempting to create a food shortage by hiding the stocks available and said that his ministry will take stern action such offenders.

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