Showery conditions are expected to further develop in the South-western part of the country today.

President Maithripala Sirisena says the people have to face disastrous situations like flooding and landslides because the politicians focus only on preferential vote base instead of development necessities.

As of noon yesterday the death toll, as a result of the natural disasters caused by cyclone ‘Mora’, had risen to 203, according to information provided by the Disaster Management Centre.

The ruling party MPs are to donate their month’s salary for the disaster relief programme launched by the government, Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam said yesterday.

Under the new Cabinet reshuffle, four State Ministers and three Deputy Minister were sworn in before President Maithripala Sirisena today (31st May) at the Presidential Secretariat.

Heavy rains, highways buried under landslides and roads submerged under water are hampering efforts to get food, water and medicines to thousands of flood survivors in Sri Lanka, government officials and aid workers said on Tuesday.

President Maithripala Sirisena has taken the necessary measures to suspend the purchase of vehicles for all ministers and MPs until the end of the year, government sources revealed.

Thousands of survivors of devastating floods and landslides in Sri Lanka are at risk of potentially fatal diseases such as dengue fever, charities warned on Monday as the death toll from the disaster continued to rise.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe left for the United States on Saturday on a private visit, sources close to his office said yesterday.

An Air Force helicopter, involved in the relief effort has crashed in Baddegama this morning, Air Force Spokesman said.

Landslides and floods in Sri Lanka have killed at least 151 people and the country faces the risk of more mudslides as torrential rains continue, officials said on Sunday.

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday sent messages of condolences to President Maithripala Sirisena over the devastating floods and landslides in the country in which 151 people have been killed.

The Chinese Embassy in a statement released yesterday said Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang sent messages of condolence to Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe respectively over the tragic loss of life and property following the heavy rains that led to severe floods and landslides recently.

The number of people known to have been killed in floods and landslides in Sri Lanka rose to 122, officials said on Saturday, as the country appealed for international assistance.

Floods and landslides in Sri Lanka have killed at least 91 people while more than 100 are missing after torrential rain, officials said on Friday, as soldiers fanned out in boats and in helicopters to help with rescue operations.

More than six people in five houses were reportedly buried in a landslide in Baduraliya due to heavy rains, police said.