Sri Lanka’s State Minister of Defence, Premitha Bandara Tennakoon, announced today that at least 12 people have died and over 87,000 have been impacted by recent floods ravaging the South Asian nation.
At a press conference, Tennakoon identified the Western, Sabaragamuwa, and Southern provinces as the most severely affected regions. Districts including Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara, Ratnapura, Kegalle, Galle, and Matara have borne the brunt of the disaster.
The minister confirmed 12 fatalities – four in Matara, five in Ratnapura, and three in Colombo. Search efforts continue for five missing individuals.
Over 23,700 people displaced by the floods have sought refuge in 119 evacuation and relief centers established by authorities.
The Department of Meteorology forecasts continued showers or thunderstorms in the affected provinces.
