President visits flood victims in Colombo suburbs, directs officials to expedite relief work

President Maithripala Sirisena Sunday made an observation visit to the flooded suburbs of capital Colombo and inquired into the issues of the flood victims in those areas.

President Sirisena visited the Wellampitiya, Meethotamulla and Kolonnawa areas in Colombo and inquired into the needs of the displaced people.

First, he arrived in the Vidyawardana Vidyalaya in Wellampitiya and met the victims there. The people informed the President about their problems and shortcomings. Paying attention to the issues faced by those flood victims, the President ordered the officials to streamline the relief work.

President Sirisena also met the displaced people sheltered at Meethotamulla, Dharmodaya temple and Kolonnawa, Naagawanarama Temple. Inquiring about their welfare the President advised them to use the state mechanism strongly for relief activities.

He also inspected the subsidies provided to them and further checked about the shortfalls of the relief services.

After listening to the requests of the flood victims, President Sirisena instructed officials in the relevant sections to look into the needs of the people and directed to carry on the ongoing relief services in a systematic and proper manner.

The President ensured the affected people that the Government is committed to perform every task for the welfare of the victims.

According to the latest situation report by the Disaster Management Centre 145,198 people are displaced in Colombo district.

Meanwhile, the Department of irrigation and waterways said that the flood levels in Colombo and its suburbs are gradually receding.