Government carries out round the clock relief operation by deploying over 28000 service personnel

Four Helicopters and 28 Boats deployed

Government has put in place a round the clock service to provide water, food and shelter on a priority basis to all flood victims with the participation of tri services personnel. More than 28,000 Tri services and Police personnel have been deployed in all affected districts with boats and helicopters at their disposals.

Director General of Government Information Prof Ariyarathna Athugala says that Rs 49 million has been disbursed to Government Agents of the Batticaloa, Trincomalee , Ampara and Polonnaruwa districts. Batticaloa being the worst hit district has been provided 25 million. All district secretaries and divisional secretaries have been given the authority to provide cooked meals to 195,000 people staying at 493 Welfare centres in all affected districts.

Further, Sri Lanka Army operates Four Helicopters from Ratmalana Air Port to continuously transport cooked meals from Colombo directly to welfare centres which are marooned by flood water. In addition to it Sri Lanka Navy has also deployed Naval Boats to take cooked meals to the centres from respective Kachcheries as well in addition to rescue operations carried out by it.

Meanwhile Disaster Management Centre has mobilized all its resources that are in the non affected districts to assist the ongoing operation. Water Pumps and water purification tanks have also been sent to Batticaloa and Ampara district. Three water purification tanks with the capacity of 5000 liters each will be used to provide drinking water facilities.

Following the request made by the government for public assistance several International Non- Government Organizations and local and foreign Non- Government Organizations have come forward to assist the affected people. As the government has given top priority to provide relief to affected people by mobilizing all relevant resources there is no shortage of food or shelter to any affected people. The Health authorities have also mobilized medical officers and allied staff inclusive of Public Health inspectors to affected areas.