Kelaniya DS explains the suffering undergone by record number of victims due to floods there and the causes

By Jude Denzil Pathiraja

Kelaniya Divisional Secretary (DS) Nadishani Amarasinghe yesterday said that 8,600 families in 31 Grama Niladhari Divisions had been affected by the recent floods.

The total number of persons affected by the floods was over 39,000, she said.

People living in Pattiya North, Pattiya West, Welegoda and Meegahawatte Grama Niladhari Divisions were severely affected as they had to be evacuated to temporary shelters.

The DS said that it was the first time in known history, such a large number of people had been affected by floods in the Kelaniya area.

Unplanned reclaiming of low-lying areas and paddy fields, laying concrete on many rural roads were the main causes for the situation, she said.