Sri Lanka officials say 151 people have been killed in floods and landslides and the state-run disaster management centre said 111 people were still missing after the worst torrential rains since 2003.
The Foreign Ministry said that in coordination with the Disaster Management Ministry, an appeal had been made to the United Nations and neighbouring countries to provide assistance “especially in the areas of search and rescue operations”.
India is sending three Navy ships with supplies and other aid, the first of which arrived in Colombo on Saturday night. Officials said deaths were reported from the western coastal district of Kalutara, the central southern district of Ratnapura and the southern district of Matara.
Sri Lankan military and rescue teams have used boats and helicopters, but officials said access to some areas was very difficult. The early rainy season downpours have forced many families from their homes and affected nearly 500,000 people across the nation.
