Colombo, April 16 (NIA) – Japan is expected to send a team of experts to assist Sri Lanka in its rescue efforts following the garbage mountain collapse in Meetotamulla, local media reported here Sunday.
Citing sources, the local Daily Mirror newspaper said that Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe had in a telephone conversation with Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe had condoled over the death of lives lost in the tragedy and said that Japan would provide assistance to Sri Lanka in providing relief to the affected people.
The death toll from the Meetotamulla tragedy rose to 21 by Sunday morning as rescue teams continued with their efforts to search for more people believed to be trapped under the rubble.
Disaster Management Center Spokesperson, Pradeep Kodippilli said that tri forces along with rescue teams were continuing the clear the area and residents were being relocated to safer locations.
Police said many residents had evacuated their homes before the disaster because the heavy rains on the previous day had caused garbage slides and damaged the foundations of many homes.
Deputy Foreign Minister Harsha De Silva said the state would bear the funeral expenses of the victims and forces had begun relocating people who were under threat.
De Silva said that no more garbage would also be dumped at this site and two temporary sites had been identified.