Sri Lankan floods 'affect hundreds of thousands'
19/05/2010
Almost 200,000 people have been affected by floods in western and southern Sri Lanka.
At least three individuals have been confirmed dead and three more are missing, Irin News reports.
Heavy monsoon rainfall for four consecutive days has caused flash floods and landslides in regions including Colombo, Gampaha and Kalutara.
Celebrations to mark the army's victory over the Liberation Tigers of Tamil have been cancelled due to the storms.
Pradeep Kodippily, assistant director of the Disaster Management Centre, told the news provider: "It is a very tough situation for us … the water levels vary between affected districts."
The industry figure reported that more than 192,000 people had been troubled by the conditions, including minor displacements and evacuations.
Last month, the World Health Organisation suggested humanitarian agencies should not focus all their efforts on bringing aid to displaced people in Sri Lanka's northern territories as individuals in the country's eastern districts also required help.
Written by John Curtis
