President Mahinda Rajapaksa visited landslide affected Miriyabedda area in Haldummulla at 9.30 this morning (October 30). He visited the landslide affected area with Minister of Disaster Management, Mahinda Amaraweera and discussed rescue and relief operations.

President Rajapaksa expressed his sympathies to the landslide victims and bereaved families in Haldummulla of Badulla District.

Offering his "deep condolences' for the victims of the massive early morning landslide today place in the Miriyabedda village in Haldummulla, the President said he has instructed officials to provide immediate relief to those affected by the landslide.

He ordered the Disaster Management Minister Mahinda Amaraweera, Chief Minister of the Uva Province Sashendra Rajapaksa and the Defense Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa to take immediate and optimum necessary action to search and rescue the people and immediately provide all facilities required by the victims.

The Disaster Management Center (DMC) confirmed that the number of confirmed deaths due to the landslide stood at ten. More than 150 persons still remained missing, according to the DMC's situation report. A total of 150 houses had been fully damaged due to the landslide. Persons belonging to 57 families who were displaced due to the landslide are currently being housed in two camps, the DMC further said.

Source: www.priu.gov.lk