Colombo, April 19 (NIA) – Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe, on Wednesday promised to provide houses to the victims who were affected by a garbage mountain collapse in Meetotamulla, just outside the capital on Friday.
Wickremesinghe who cut short an official visit to Vietnam and returned back to the island country on Wednesday morning visited the Meetotamulla site where rescue efforts are continuing to search for more bodies buried under mounds of rubbish.
The 300 foot Garbage dumped collapse on Friday evening burying hundreds of houses and displacing over 1000 people. So far troops have been able to recover 32 bodies buried under the rubble.
Over 1000 troops have been deployed in the rescue and search missions since Friday evening.
Wickremesinghe, on Wednesday visited the site of the tragedy and promised to put in all efforts to help the victims. He also said the government would remove the garbage dump from the area as soon as possible.
Wickremesinghe and President Maithripala Sirisena are also expected to meet later on Wednesday to discuss the compensation which would be offered to the families of the victims.
At least 5 people are believed to be still missing since Friday and officials said the search would continue till such time all the bodies are recovered.
