Over one million displaced by Lanka flooding, 23 killed

Colombo, Jan 13 (PTI) More than one million peoplehave been displaced by the flooding in Sri Lanka, killing atleast 23 people during a week of devastation caused by monsoonfloods, with the centre and east of the country worst hit.

Over one million people across the country wereaffected by floods after continuous rain and strong windsacross the country killed at least 23 persons.

More than 325,000 persons have been left homeless inrecent flooding in Sri Lanka, Disaster Management Centre (DRC)said today.

The DRC said the displaced people have beenaccommodated at 591 temporary relief camps.

The meteorological department officials told PTI thechances for continuation of bad weather still prevails.

The eastern province affected by the bloody civil warfor decades was the worst affected. The eastern district ofBatticaloa, which saw bloody fighting in the country''s ethnicconflict in 2009, was badly affected after heavier than usualseasonal rains.

The government has deployed service personnel withhelicopters and naval boats to assist the flood victims.

Rs.139 million has been allocated so far for relief suppliesand operations.

The government has appealed to the people "to joinhands and help them (the victims) at this hour of need withoutany discrimination or petty considerations."

Army, Navy and Air Force personnel are working aroundthe clock to provide water, food and shelter on a prioritybasis to all flood victims.

Sri Lankan officials estimated the loss of around Rs30 billion in recent flooding in the country.