Toll in Sri Lanka rains rises to 63

Colombo, May 20: The toll in the torrential rains and landslides in Sri Lanka on Friday rose to 63, the Disaster Magement Centre here said. The island tion’s central Kegalle district has so far reported the highest number of deaths with 34 people killed after two massive landslides on Tuesday and Wednesday, Xinhua news agency reported. Rescue teams have recovered 16 bodies in Arayake while 144 are still buried under the debris. The landslide which struck on Tuesday evening, buried three villages and has been recorded as the worst in Sri Lanka’s history. Teams have also recovered 14 bodies from Bulathkohupitiya and are searching for 15 other people trapped under the debris when a landslide struck on Wednesday morning destroying six rows of houses. (IANS)