Search and rescue operations carried out in Meethotamulla will be completed within next 72 hours, Military Spokesman Brigadier Roshan Seneviratne said. He said a special team of experts has been deployed to ascertain of a possible second collapse. Brigadier Seneviratne said 30 excavators and dump trucks are used in the search and rescue mission.
He also said the special information centre established in the area only receives minimum solid information which is helpful for the rescue missions.
A total of 1,541 displaced are currently provided shelter at the Terrence N De Silva Maha Vidyalaya in Kolonnawa. Speaking to the Daily News, several of the displaced said they are provided with all necessary sanitary and other facilities. The victims include 343 families. As of Sunday (16), 145 houses had been damaged while 625 persons belonging to 180 families had been displaced. Brigadier Seneviratne said it is difficult to assess the complete damage caused, even after comparing the satellite photographs taken then and now.
Meanwhile, in a press release by the President’s Media Division stated that President Maithripala Sirisena has instructed responsible officials to provide relief measures to the victims of the Meetotamulla incident without any financial restraints.
The instructions were directed at a special meeting held at the Ministry of Disaster Management, chaired by President Maithripala Sirisena.
President Sirisena has called for an accurate assessment report within five days on the victimized families and damaged properties, in order to compensate the victims.
The main focus of the special meeting was re-location of the Meethotamulla garbage dump.
President Sirisena has also given directions to expedite the process of temporarily relocating the residents near the garbage mount. Three storage buildings belonging to the Paddy Marketing Board are to be used as temporary settlements for the victims. Special directions were given by President Sirisena to furnish all three buildings with sanitary and other facilities.
President Sirisena has also given directions to take an accurate assessment of the properties belonging to victims and to launch an efficient program to provide security to the houses and properties. He has also requested for the meeting to be held every three days.
The next special meeting in this regard will be held next Wednesday (19) at the Ministry of Disaster Management.