Rains hit search for landslide victims in Lanka

Villages in Aranayake district in the hilly Kegalle region yesterday were hit by the landslides which buried at least 80 houses. Officials said of the over 150 people missing, 17 bodies have been found while the search was ongoing. 

Several people still remain unaccounted for, state administrative officials in the area said. President Maithripala Sirisena visited the site yesterday and ordered immediate rescue and relief action.

The Disaster Management Centre confirmed the death toll in the flood-hit areaswas 43 on Thursday. A total of 286 houses have been completely destroyed.