At least 103 people have been killed and nearly 500,000 displaced in Sri Lanka following flooding and mudslides triggered by monsoon rains, the government says.A further 113 people have been reported missing, a spokesman said.Military boats and helicopters have been sent to help rescue operations.The flooding is believed to be the worst since May 2003 when a similarly powerful south-west monsoon destroyed 10,000 homes and killed 250 people.Rescuers had set up 185 camps for displaced people and the town of Matara in the south of the island was being evacuated because of the risk of flooding, the spokesman said.Earlier, the head of military rescue operations Major General Sudantha Ranasinghe told the BBC that troops had reached all the affected areas and the risk to life had receded."There is no danger to life now, it is a matter of providing food, water and looking into sanitation," he said.One of the worst affected areas was the south-western district of Kalutara. At least five mudslides had been reported there, police said.Sri Lanka's Disaster Management Centre (DMC) also issued evacuation notices to residents along the Kelani river, which flows through the capital Colombo, amid fears that it was about to burst its banks.An Indian navy ship carrying medical teams and emergency relief supplies has arrived in response to a Sri Lankan government plea for help."The (foreign) ministry will continue to monitor the flood situation and seek assistance as required in consultation with the ministry of disaster management," the government said in a statement.</s>New Delhi: With floods and landslides causing widespread devastation in Sri Lanka, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said India stands by the people of the island nation and that ships are being rushed with relief material.

He condoled the death of 90 people due to rain-triggered floods and landslides in Sri Lanka.

"We stand with our Sri Lankan brothers and sisters in their hour of need", he said in a tweet.

Modi said Indian ships are being dispatched with relief material.

"The first ship will reach Colombo tomorrow morning. The second will reach on Sunday. Further assistance on its way," he said in a series of tweets.

Heavy floods and landslides triggered by the worst rainfall since 1970s have killed over 90 people and left 110

 missing in Sri Lanka, officials said on Friday, warning the situation could get worse.</s>Sri Lankan residents look on from a building surrounded by floodwaters in Bulathsinhala in Kalutara district on May 27, 2017. (LAKRUWAN WANNIARACHCHI/AFP/Getty Images)

A Sri Lankan man stands in floodwaters in Bulathsinhala in Kalutara district on May 27, 2017. (LAKRUWAN WANNIARACHCHI/AFP/Getty Images)

Sri Lankan villagers watch as military rescue workers search for survivors at the site of a mudslide in Bellana village in Kalutara on May 26, 2017. (LAKRUWAN WANNIARACHCHI/AFP/Getty Images)

Sri Lankan villagers watch as military rescue workers search for survivors at the site of a mudslide in Bellana village in Kalutara on May 26, 2017. (LAKRUWAN WANNIARACHCHI/AFP/Getty Images)

Villagers load a coffin containing a landslide victim onto an army armoured personnel carrier being used in rescue operations at Bulathsinhala in Kalutara district on May 27, 2017. (LAKRUWAN WANNIARACHCHI/AFP/Getty Images)

A Sri Lankan couple make their way through floodwaters in Bulathsinhala in Kalutara district on May 27, 2017. (LAKRUWAN WANNIARACHCHI/AFP/Getty Images)

Sri Lankan villagers load coffins of landslide victims onto an army armoured personnel carrier being used in rescue operations during major flooding in Bulathsinhala in Kalutara district on May 27, 2017. (LAKRUWAN WANNIARACHCHI/AFP/Getty Images)

Sri Lankan residents are evacuated through floodwaters in Bulathsinhala in Kalutara districton May 27, 2017. (LAKRUWAN WANNIARACHCHI/AFP/Getty Images)

Sri Lankan villagers load coffins of landslide victims onto an army armoured personnel carrier being used in rescue operations during major flooding in Bulathsinhala in Kalutara district on May 27, 2017. (LAKRUWAN WANNIARACHCHI/AFP/Getty Images)

A Sri Lankan commuter pushes his motorbike through floodwaters on an expressway in the suburb of Athurugeriya in the capital Colombo on May 26, 2017. (ISHARA S. KODIKARA/AFP/Getty Images)

Sri Lankan residents make their way through floodwaters in the suburb of Kaduwela in capital Colombo on May 26, 2017. (ISHARA S. KODIKARA/AFP/Getty Images)

A Sri Lankan resident sits by a building surrounded by floodwaters in the suburb of Kaduwela in the capital Colombo on May 26, 2017. (ISHARA S. KODIKARA/AFP/Getty Images)

A Sri Lankan military rescue worker looks on during the search for survivors at the site of a mudslide in Bellana village in Kalutara on May 26, 2017. (LAKRUWAN WANNIARACHCHI/AFP/Getty Images)

Sri Lankan military rescue workers and villagers search for survivors at the site of a mudslide in Bellana village in Kalutara on May 26, 2017. (LAKRUWAN WANNIARACHCHI/AFP/Getty Images)

Sri Lankan military rescue workers and villagers search for survivors at the site of a mudslide in Bellana village in Kalutara on May 26, 2017. (LAKRUWAN WANNIARACHCHI/AFP/Getty Images)

Sri Lankan villagers load coffins of landslide victims onto an army armoured personnel carrier being used in rescue operations during major flooding in Bulathsinhala in Kalutara district on May 27, 2017. (LAKRUWAN WANNIARACHCHI/AFP/Getty Images)

Sri Lankan villagers sit on an army armoured personnel carrier being used in rescue operations during major flooding in Bulathsinhala in Kalutara district on May 27, 2017. (LAKRUWAN WANNIARACHCHI/AFP/Getty Images)

Stranded Sri Lankan flood victims waits to be evacuated at Wehangalla village in Kalutara district, Sri Lanka, Saturday, May 27, 2017. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)

Sri Lankan flood victims carry an elderly woman as she is evacuated from a flood-hit area in Wehangalla village in Kalutara district, Sri Lanka, Saturday, May 27, 2017. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)

Stranded Sri Lankan flood victims ask for a ride to a passing boat at Agalawatte in Kalutara district, Sri Lanka, Saturday, May 27, 2017. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)

Sri Lankans watch military rescue efforts at the site of a landslide at Bellana village in Kalutara district, Sri Lanka, Friday, May 26, 2017. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)

Stranded Sri Lankan flood victims wait to be evacuated at Wehangalla village in Kalutara district, Sri Lanka, Saturday, May 27, 2017. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)

Sri Lankan villagers prepare to bury victims of a landslide at a cemetery in Bellana village, in Kalutara district in, Sri Lanka, Saturday, May 27, 2017. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)

Sri Lankan military rescue workers and villagers search for survivors at the site of a mudslide in Bellana village in Kalutara on May 26, 2017. (LAKRUWAN WANNIARACHCHI/AFP/Getty Images)

Sri Lankan military rescuers and villagers stand on the debris of a house that was destroyed in a landslide in Bellana village in Kalutara district, Sri Lanka, Friday, May 26, 2017. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)

AGALAWATTE, Sri Lanka — Sri Lanka’s military said Saturday that it is doubtful any missing people will be found alive two days after torrents of mud triggered by heavy rain covered homes in southern and western parts of the country, killing 100 people and leaving 99 others missing.

The Disaster Management Center said more than 27,000 people have been displaced by the landslides.

“I have my doubts” that any survivors will be found, said army Maj. Gen. Sudantha Ranasinghe, who is heading the search and rescue mission. He said that mounds of earth and rocks crashed down in such a way that people could hardly survive, and that most of the affected places were still inundated.

“In landslides, it’s difficult to find survivors after two days, and today is the second day,” Ranasinghe said.

The army, navy and air force were continuing to try to reach marooned villagers and evacuate those living in areas prone to mudslides, he said.

There were still difficulties in reaching some areas to deliver emergency aid and the air force has been lowering supplies from the air.

An airman died after falling while trying to get a villager into a helicopter, Ranasinghe said.

The military used large armoured vehicles and boats to transport people to safety. But some remained trapped in interior villages where boats have been unable to reach.

At an intersection close to Agalawatte, 98 kilometres (60 miles) south of Colombo, Sri Lanka’s capital, four bodies in coffins were kept in a house, awaiting boats to be taken to a temple where displaced people have taken refuge.

Five members of the same family who were buried in a mudslide — a husband and wife and their three teenage daughters — were laid to rest in a common grave Saturday afternoon. The family’s eldest son was the only survivor because he was not at home when the disaster occurred.

Residents of Wehangalla village near Agalawatte were marooned as floodwaters swamped most of the buildings up to the roof. They had fled to higher terrain, but four people among them died in a mudslide and three others were missing. They complained that government aid still had not reached the area and they were surviving on food provided by those in nearby villagers.

Muslim fishermen from the nearby coastal town of Beruwala came with their boats to help evacuate those stranded while observing the Ramadan fast.

Sri Lanka’s government appealed to the United Nations as well as other countries for help with rescue and relief measures.

Mudslides have become common during the monsoon season in Sri Lanka, a tropical Indian Ocean island nation, as land has been heavily deforested to grow export crops such as tea and rubber. Last May, a massive landslide killed more than 100 people in central Sri Lanka.</s>Colombo: Indian medical teams and emergency relief arrived in Sri Lanka on Saturday as the monsoon-related death toll reached 100 and authorities warned of more flooding in low-lying areas.

Meanwhile, India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi today condoled the loss of lives and property in Sri Lanka due to heavy flooding and landslides.

"India condoles the loss of lives and property in Sri Lanka due to flooding and landslides. We stand with our Sri Lankan brothers and sisters in their hour of need," the Prime Minister said.

A ship carrying medical supplies docked in Colombo today, sent by India to help deal with the worst flooding in the island`s western and southern regions in 14 years after record rainfall.

India is sending another ship due to arrive on Sunday after Sri Lanka issued an international appeal for help.

Meanwhile, the official Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said today that the death toll from floods and a string of landslides had climbed to 100 while the number of missing since Friday`s deluge had been revised down to 90 from 110.

Forty other people are in a hospital.

Authorities issued fresh evacuation orders for those living downstream of two major rivers, citing a risk of flooding even though the rains had subsided.

"The monsoon has firmly established and we could have evening showers at a lesser intensity", metrological department chief SR Jayasekera said.

The flooding is the worst since May 2003 when 250 people were killed and 10,000 homes destroyed after a similarly powerful Southwest monsoon, officials said.

The DMC said the monsoon ended a prolonged drought that had threatened agriculture as well as hydropower generation.

The rains have filled reservoirs used for hydroelectric projects after low supplies had raised fears of power shortages in June.

But officials said most reservoirs were now so full they were in danger of spilling over and flooding communities living downstream.

Friday`s flooding was caused by rivers bursting their banks, but unusually heavy rain triggered more than a dozen landslides burying homes on mountain slopes.

By Friday evening over 60,000 people had been driven out of their homes while nearly 500 homes had been either damaged or destroyed.

Most of the deaths have occurred due to mountainsides collapsing on homes, authorities say.</s>(AGALAWATTE, Sri Lanka) — Sri Lanka has appealed for outside help as the death toll from floods and mudslides rose Saturday to 100 with 99 others missing.

The Disaster Management Center said more than 27,000 people have been displaced.

The military used large armored vehicles and boats to transport people to safety. But some remained trapped in interior villages where boats have been unable to reach.

At an intersection close to Agalawatte, 98 kilometers (60 miles) south of Colombo, the capital, four bodies in coffins were kept in a house, awaiting boats to be taken to a temple where displaced people have taken refuge.

Separately, five members of the same family who were buried in a mudslide — a husband and wife and three teenage children — were laid to rest in a common grave Saturday afternoon. The family's eldest son was the only survivor because he was not at home when the disaster occurred.

Residents of Wehangalla village near Agalawatte were marooned as floodwaters swamped most of the buildings up to the roof. They had fled to higher terrain, but four people among them died in a mudslide and three others are missing. They complained that government aid still had not reached the area and they were surviving on food provided by those in nearby villagers.

Muslim fishermen from the nearby coastal town of Beruwala came with their boats to help evacuate those stranded while observing the Ramadan fast.

Sri Lanka's government appealed to the United Nations as well as other countries for help with rescue and relief measures.

Mudslides have become common during the monsoon season in the tropical Indian Ocean island as land has been heavily deforested to grow export crops such as tea and rubber.

Last May, a massive landslide killed more than 100 people in central Sri Lanka.</s>Sri Lankan residents look on from a building surrounded by floodwaters in Bulathsinhala in Kalutara district on May 27, 2017. (LAKRUWAN WANNIARACHCHI/AFP/Getty Images)

A Sri Lankan man stands in floodwaters in Bulathsinhala in Kalutara district on May 27, 2017. (LAKRUWAN WANNIARACHCHI/AFP/Getty Images)

Sri Lankan villagers watch as military rescue workers search for survivors at the site of a mudslide in Bellana village in Kalutara on May 26, 2017. (LAKRUWAN WANNIARACHCHI/AFP/Getty Images)

Sri Lankan villagers watch as military rescue workers search for survivors at the site of a mudslide in Bellana village in Kalutara on May 26, 2017. (LAKRUWAN WANNIARACHCHI/AFP/Getty Images)

Villagers load a coffin containing a landslide victim onto an army armoured personnel carrier being used in rescue operations at Bulathsinhala in Kalutara district on May 27, 2017. (LAKRUWAN WANNIARACHCHI/AFP/Getty Images)

A Sri Lankan couple make their way through floodwaters in Bulathsinhala in Kalutara district on May 27, 2017. (LAKRUWAN WANNIARACHCHI/AFP/Getty Images)

Sri Lankan villagers load coffins of landslide victims onto an army armoured personnel carrier being used in rescue operations during major flooding in Bulathsinhala in Kalutara district on May 27, 2017. (LAKRUWAN WANNIARACHCHI/AFP/Getty Images)

Sri Lankan residents are evacuated through floodwaters in Bulathsinhala in Kalutara districton May 27, 2017. (LAKRUWAN WANNIARACHCHI/AFP/Getty Images)

Sri Lankan villagers load coffins of landslide victims onto an army armoured personnel carrier being used in rescue operations during major flooding in Bulathsinhala in Kalutara district on May 27, 2017. (LAKRUWAN WANNIARACHCHI/AFP/Getty Images)

A Sri Lankan commuter pushes his motorbike through floodwaters on an expressway in the suburb of Athurugeriya in the capital Colombo on May 26, 2017. (ISHARA S. KODIKARA/AFP/Getty Images)

Sri Lankan residents make their way through floodwaters in the suburb of Kaduwela in capital Colombo on May 26, 2017. (ISHARA S. KODIKARA/AFP/Getty Images)

A Sri Lankan resident sits by a building surrounded by floodwaters in the suburb of Kaduwela in the capital Colombo on May 26, 2017. (ISHARA S. KODIKARA/AFP/Getty Images)

A Sri Lankan military rescue worker looks on during the search for survivors at the site of a mudslide in Bellana village in Kalutara on May 26, 2017. (LAKRUWAN WANNIARACHCHI/AFP/Getty Images)

Sri Lankan military rescue workers and villagers search for survivors at the site of a mudslide in Bellana village in Kalutara on May 26, 2017. (LAKRUWAN WANNIARACHCHI/AFP/Getty Images)

Sri Lankan military rescue workers and villagers search for survivors at the site of a mudslide in Bellana village in Kalutara on May 26, 2017. (LAKRUWAN WANNIARACHCHI/AFP/Getty Images)

Sri Lankan villagers load coffins of landslide victims onto an army armoured personnel carrier being used in rescue operations during major flooding in Bulathsinhala in Kalutara district on May 27, 2017. (LAKRUWAN WANNIARACHCHI/AFP/Getty Images)

Sri Lankan villagers sit on an army armoured personnel carrier being used in rescue operations during major flooding in Bulathsinhala in Kalutara district on May 27, 2017. (LAKRUWAN WANNIARACHCHI/AFP/Getty Images)

Stranded Sri Lankan flood victims waits to be evacuated at Wehangalla village in Kalutara district, Sri Lanka, Saturday, May 27, 2017. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)

Sri Lankan flood victims carry an elderly woman as she is evacuated from a flood-hit area in Wehangalla village in Kalutara district, Sri Lanka, Saturday, May 27, 2017. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)

Stranded Sri Lankan flood victims ask for a ride to a passing boat at Agalawatte in Kalutara district, Sri Lanka, Saturday, May 27, 2017. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)

Sri Lankans watch military rescue efforts at the site of a landslide at Bellana village in Kalutara district, Sri Lanka, Friday, May 26, 2017. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)

Stranded Sri Lankan flood victims wait to be evacuated at Wehangalla village in Kalutara district, Sri Lanka, Saturday, May 27, 2017. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)

Sri Lankan villagers prepare to bury victims of a landslide at a cemetery in Bellana village, in Kalutara district in, Sri Lanka, Saturday, May 27, 2017. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)

Sri Lankan military rescue workers and villagers search for survivors at the site of a mudslide in Bellana village in Kalutara on May 26, 2017. (LAKRUWAN WANNIARACHCHI/AFP/Getty Images)

Sri Lankan military rescuers and villagers stand on the debris of a house that was destroyed in a landslide in Bellana village in Kalutara district, Sri Lanka, Friday, May 26, 2017. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)

AGALAWATTE, Sri Lanka — Sri Lanka’s military said Saturday that it is doubtful any missing people will be found alive two days after torrents of mud triggered by heavy rain covered homes in southern and western parts of the country, killing 100 people and leaving 99 others missing.

The Disaster Management Center said more than 27,000 people have been displaced by the landslides.

“I have my doubts” that any survivors will be found, said army Maj. Gen. Sudantha Ranasinghe, who is heading the search and rescue mission. He said that mounds of earth and rocks crashed down in such a way that people could hardly survive, and that most of the affected places were still inundated.

“In landslides, it’s difficult to find survivors after two days, and today is the second day,” Ranasinghe said.

The army, navy and air force were continuing to try to reach marooned villagers and evacuate those living in areas prone to mudslides, he said.

There were still difficulties in reaching some areas to deliver emergency aid and the air force has been lowering supplies from the air.

An airman died after falling while trying to get a villager into a helicopter, Ranasinghe said.

The military used large armoured vehicles and boats to transport people to safety. But some remained trapped in interior villages where boats have been unable to reach.

At an intersection close to Agalawatte, 98 kilometres (60 miles) south of Colombo, Sri Lanka’s capital, four bodies in coffins were kept in a house, awaiting boats to be taken to a temple where displaced people have taken refuge.

Five members of the same family who were buried in a mudslide — a husband and wife and their three teenage daughters — were laid to rest in a common grave Saturday afternoon. The family’s eldest son was the only survivor because he was not at home when the disaster occurred.

Residents of Wehangalla village near Agalawatte were marooned as floodwaters swamped most of the buildings up to the roof. They had fled to higher terrain, but four people among them died in a mudslide and three others were missing. They complained that government aid still had not reached the area and they were surviving on food provided by those in nearby villagers.

Muslim fishermen from the nearby coastal town of Beruwala came with their boats to help evacuate those stranded while observing the Ramadan fast.

Sri Lanka’s government appealed to the United Nations as well as other countries for help with rescue and relief measures.

Mudslides have become common during the monsoon season in Sri Lanka, a tropical Indian Ocean island nation, as land has been heavily deforested to grow export crops such as tea and rubber. Last May, a massive landslide killed more than 100 people in central Sri Lanka.</s>Colombo/New Delhi: An Indian Navy ship with relief materials reached Colombo on Saturday as the death toll from the worst floods since 2003 in Sri Lanka climbed to 100 and authorities warned of more rains.

The disaster management centre issued an urgent evacuation warning for residents living along the Kelani River and within the Divisional Secretariats of Kollonnawa, Kaduwela, Wellampitiya, Kelaniya, Biyagama, Sedawatte, Dompe, Hanwella, Padukka and Avissawella.

At least 200,382 people belonging to 52,603 families were affected in 14 districts. Further, 12,007 people belonging to 2,937 families were relocated to 69 safe locations as of Saturday morning, it said.

The death toll rose to 100 while 99 others were missing, it said.

Sri Lanka's tri-forces personnel including more than 1,000 Army troops were engaged in the rescue and relief operations.

A Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) airman died after falling from a helicopter during a flood rescue operation in Neluwa area in Galle.

The Meteorology Department said that rain and windy conditions are expected to continue.

"Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Central and North-western provinces," it said.

Sri Lanka's Ministry of Foreign Affairs in coordination with the Ministry of Disaster Management, appealed to the United Nations, International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG) and neighbouring countries to provide assistance to affected people, especially in the areas of search and rescue operations.

India in response dispatched three Navy ships with emergency supplies to help Sri Lanka in the rescue and relief operations.

INS Kirch diverted to Colombo to render immediate assistance in flood relief operations, arrived in Colombo Port on Saturday. Indian High Commissioner Taranjit Singh Sandhu handed over the relief items brought by INS Kirch to foreign minister Ravi Karunanayake.

Two more Indian Navy ships — INS Shardul and INS Jalashwa — have also left for Sri Lanka with relief materials including food, medicines and water.

Medical and diving teams along with boats and helicopters are also being sent on board INS Jalashwa to assist Sri Lanka in rescuing people from flood-hit area, Indian Navy spokesperson Captain DK Sharma said.

The flooding is the worst since May 2003 when 250 people were killed and 10,000 homes destroyed after a similarly powerful Southwest monsoon, officials said.

Sri Lanka, which has been heavily deforested for cash crops, often witnesses landslides during the monsoon season.

Last year, more than 100 people were killed in a massive landslide in the country.</s>(AGALAWATTE, Sri Lanka) — Sri Lanka has appealed for outside help as the death toll from floods and mudslides rose Saturday to 100 with 99 others missing.

The Disaster Management Center said more than 27,000 people have been displaced.

The military used large armored vehicles and boats to transport people to safety. But some remained trapped in interior villages where boats have been unable to reach.

At an intersection close to Agalawatte, 98 kilometers (60 miles) south of Colombo, the capital, four bodies in coffins were kept in a house, awaiting boats to be taken to a temple where displaced people have taken refuge.

Separately, five members of the same family who were buried in a mudslide — a husband and wife and three teenage children — were laid to rest in a common grave Saturday afternoon. The family's eldest son was the only survivor because he was not at home when the disaster occurred.

Residents of Wehangalla village near Agalawatte were marooned as floodwaters swamped most of the buildings up to the roof. They had fled to higher terrain, but four people among them died in a mudslide and three others are missing. They complained that government aid still had not reached the area and they were surviving on food provided by those in nearby villagers.

Muslim fishermen from the nearby coastal town of Beruwala came with their boats to help evacuate those stranded while observing the Ramadan fast.

Sri Lanka's government appealed to the United Nations as well as other countries for help with rescue and relief measures.

Mudslides have become common during the monsoon season in the tropical Indian Ocean island as land has been heavily deforested to grow export crops such as tea and rubber.

Last May, a massive landslide killed more than 100 people in central Sri Lanka.</s>Sri Lanka has appealed for outside help as the death toll from floods and mudslides on Saturday rose to 100 with 99 others missing.

The Disaster Management Center said more than 2,900 people have been displaced.

The military used large armored vehicles and boats to transport people to safety. But some remained trapped in interior villages that boats have been unable to reach.

At an intersection close to Agalawatte, 60 miles south of the capital Colombo, four bodies in coffins were kept in a house, awaiting boats to be taken to a temple where displaced people have taken refuge.

Residents of Wehangalla village near Agalawatte were marooned as floodwaters swamped most of the buildings up to the roof. They had fled to higher terrain, but four people among them died in a mudslide and three others are missing. They complained that government aid still had not reached the area and they were surviving on food provided by nearby villagers.

The Sri Lankan government appealed to the U.N and other countries for help with rescue and relief measures.

Mudslides have become common during the monsoon season in the tropical Indian Ocean island as land has been heavily deforested to grow export crops such as tea and rubber.

Last May, a massive landslide killed more than 100 people in central Sri Lanka.

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India bans sale of cows for slaughter, a move designed to appease conservative Hindus</s>Sri Lanka has appealed for outside help as the death toll from floods and mudslides on Saturday rose to 100 with 99 others missing.

The Disaster Management Center said more than 2,900 people have been displaced.

The military used large armored vehicles and boats to transport people to safety. But some remained trapped in interior villages where boats have been unable to reach.

At an intersection close to Agalawatte, 98 kilometers (60 miles) south of capital Colombo, four bodies in coffins were kept in a house, awaiting boats to be taken to a temple where displaced people have taken refuge.

Residents of Wehangalla village near Agalawatte were marooned as floodwaters swamped most of the buildings up to the roof. They had fled to higher terrain but four people among them died in a mudslide and three others are missing. They complained that government aid still had not reached the area and they were surviving on food provided by those in nearby villagers.

The Sri Lankan government appealed to the U.N and other countries for help with rescue and relief measures.

Mudslides have become common during the monsoon season in the tropical Indian Ocean island as land has been heavily deforested to grow export crops such as tea and rubber.

Last May, a massive landslide killed more than 100 people in central Sri Lanka.
At least 126 people are dead, and 97 missing, after mudslides and floods caused by heavy rain in Sri Lanka. Over 100,000 people have been displaced.