15 people die in landslide in upcountry

[TamilNet, Friday, 12 January 2007, 17:17 GMT]
At least 15 people were killed in a landslide in Walapane in Sri Lankas Central Province, Friday, caused by heavy rains. About 1000 families have been displaced, local police officials said.

Three helicopters were dispatched to the affected area to rescue persons trapped in landslide at Walapane and elsewhere. However, they returned as they were unable to land due to bad weather.

Sri Lanka Central province has experinced heavy rains since Thursday.

Several roads are under floodwater and reported impassable, sources said.