A third rescue attempt to save 28 people trapped on the rooftop of a farm building in Vithikuliya, Nikaweratiya, has failed due to the dangerous water surge from the Deduru Oya.
Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala, speaking to the Timesonline, said he is currently at Vithikuliya near the edge of the Deduru Oya, where the situation has become extremely risky.
According to the Minister, workers at the farm were instructed several times to leave the place earlier, but they refused because they wanted to stay with their animals. “Now it has become very difficult to rescue them because of the fast-moving water and the darkness,” he said.
He added that the roof of the building is also slowly going underwater, increasing the danger to the trapped group. Rescue teams tried three times to reach them by boat, but each time the strong water level swept the boats away.
Authorities are now trying urgently to bring in helicopters, as boats can no longer be used in the area due to the powerful water flow.
The United States has told Sri Lanka that the disposition of the Iranian naval vessel IRIS Bushehr and its crew is a matter for Colombo to resolve under its own laws and international obligations, while signalling it is in active talks with Sri Lanka to contain Iran’s threat to US interests.
The Editor, of Lankaenews website Sandaruwan Senadheera was arrested at the Bandaranaike International Airport while returning from UK.
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