A cross-party group of opposition MPs on Tuesday visited several disaster-affected areas in the Kandy district, which has suffered some of the worst damage from the recent extreme weather.
The delegation joined ongoing relief efforts, met with local authorities, and inspected the major landslide site in Mawathura, Ihalagama, Gampola. Officials and residents told the MPs that of the 35 people initially reported missing, only about 22 bodies have been recovered so far.
Residents expressed frustration over what they described as a lack of meaningful government involvement in the search and excavation operations. Many families said they were forced to raise their own funds and hire private machinery to continue recovering the remains of their loved ones.
The visiting MPs were also informed that several other affected areas in the district had yet to receive any official presence, leaving communities to manage rescue, recovery, and relief efforts almost entirely on their own.
The group called for urgent government intervention and proper coordination to support families still searching for missing persons amid widespread devastation. (Newswire)
