Garbage dump collapses -- 40 houses damaged ... 7 injured ... several people missing

A part of a large garbage dump where garbage is disposed in Meetotamulla in Kolonnawa area was subjected to a landslide at about 3 pm today (14). As a consequence several houses in the vicinity were submerged and residents of the houses have gone missing while the houses were damaged in the process.

Before the garbage dump came under landslide, a part of it had caught fire, it was reported. Accompanying the landslide a tense situation has developed in the area, it was reported. There had
been about 100 houses at this spot and with a part of it collapsing, around 40 houses were damaged, it is learned. 7 injured people have already been dispatched to National Hospital for treatment. It is understood that some people were covered by the landslide and that they have not been rescued so far. It is also reported that a Bacho machine which had been lying at the top part of the garbage dump had caught fire during the fire which erupted.

The Air Force mentions that a 212 Bell Helicopter belonging to the Sri Lankan Air Force had been used to douse the fire. 6 fire extinguishing vehicles have been deployed to the location of the tragedy, it was reported. The President Media Unit announces that the President has issued instructions to the Ministry of Disaster Management and the Inspector General of Police to mediate immediately in this connection and provide relief to victims in distress and to bring the existing situation under control. The government has further made a request from the public to abstain from visiting the place of the tragedy as it would be a stumbling block for operations of recueing victims in distress and for providing relief to them. Search operations for those covered by the garbage dump have already commenced.