President Ranil Wickremesinghe has ordered several measures to mitigate flooding caused by the inundation of the Kelani river, as well as the relocation of Mulleriyawa and Infectious Disease Hospitals.
The President issued these orders during his visit to the communities affected by the recent floods in Kolonnawa, Kelaniya, and Ambatale on Monday.
The President instructed officials to be vigilant of illegal landfills and new constructions in the area, which contribute to the increased flood risk. He also ordered the relocation of two major hospitals, the Mulleriyawa Hospital and the Infectious Disease Hospital (IDH) to alternative locations.
In a post on ‘X’, the President stated that the relevant Divisional Secretaries have been instructed to initiate food distribution and prioritize the health and sanitation needs of flood-affected individuals. Swift relocation from flood-prone areas and the use of aqueducts to divert floodwaters were also recommended.
Funding will be allocated for relief efforts, cleaning operations, epidemic prevention measures (such as dengue), and the repair of damaged infrastructure, including bridges, bays, and roads, the President said. He assured that houses completely destroyed by the disaster will be rebuilt with government support within the next two months. (Newswire)
I visited Kolonnawa, Kelaniya, and Ambatale to assess the welfare of those affected by the floods. Officials have been directed to be vigilant about illegal landfills and any new construction in the Kelani River valley that could contribute to increased flooding risks. I ordered… pic.twitter.com/xP4XevVWGP
— Ranil Wickremesinghe (@RW_UNP) June 3, 2024