Landslides triggered by the monsoon rains have reports 32 people missing. At last count, 6 bodies had been recovered with 330 people affected by the landslide (watch the news for more updates on numbers). The Sri Lanka Army has been deployed to help rescue and help search for those still buried under the walls of mud. Also affected by the mudslide is Gampola and the train service from Badulla to Colombo.
image courtesy of www.foxnews.comIMPORTANT The NBRO has advised government agencies to issue extreme weather warnings as there is a risk to future landslides in these areas: Kandy, Badulla, Nuwara Eliya, Matale, Ratnapura and Kegalle Districts. Possibilities of landslides, rockfalls etc. On a general note, avoid traveling upcountry until this incessant weather eases up.
The disaster site is in Haldulmmulla, 190km from ColomboSeveral initiatives have begun to reach out to those who have been affected. If you are looking for a place to donate contact:
Dialog users can donate to #Koslanda relief from their phones. Type dhp <space> <the donation amount> and send to 77000. You can donate Rs. 5-2,500. Dialog will match your donation 1:1. Funds go to the Ministry Of Disaster Relief.
SocialServices.lk headed by Shihan Haniff, are collecting the following items: clothes – skirts, ladies blouses, sarees, sarongs, trousers, blankets, underclothing for both women and children; medicine: Piriton, cards of Panadol; torches, batteries, sanitary nappies for children and sanitary napkins for women, feeding bottles, food: biscuits, tinned food (non perishable food items) and bottled water. You can drop off the items at: B11, Samapura H.S, Forbes Lane, Colombo 10. For further information contact Shihan Haniff on 077 238 1981.
LEADS is specifically asking for hygiene pack – Tooth paste, tooth brush, soap, face towel, slippers, pain relief balm, Sanitary napkins, non – food items (adult & children’s) – under wear, warm cloth, bed sheets, T- shirts, shorts, frocks, brassiers, dry rations – rice, dhal sugar, tea leaves, soya meat, sprats, flour. In addition a children trauma recovery pack will be put together. LEADS is looking for Tamil speaking or bilingual volunteers for this initiative which they anticipate will need to be carried out at least a month. Please contact Dave on 077 366 0928 or Doirdre on 077 318 7652
Sri Lanka Red Cross Society has also mobilized teams to aid in the relief of the landslides. They are currently in the process of installing mobile toilets at the Poonagala School where some of the survivors are camped at. They’ve got a branch close to the loacation so If you want to help out with their efforts you can contact them on 0117651200 or 552 224 496.
Sarvodaya is also collecting items and organizing relief. You can call them up for more information on 112 647 159, 115 550 756, 112 655 255.
B.H. Edirisooriya Community Service Foundation, No 6, German Railway Quarters, Bangalawa Road, Baldemulla, Ratmalana. Contact Danesh 077 336 6488.
Capital Maharaja has started Sirasa Shakthi Sahana Yathra to help the victims at Koslanda. You can drop off instant noodles, biscuits, milk powder, sanitary items, and clothing items along with sheets, pillows and blankets. You could also contribute by providing lorries to transport the collected items to those affected at their Head Office situated in Colombo at Braybrooke Place Colombo 2, the Stein Studios in Ratmalana and The Vivekananda Centre at New Chetty Road. For further information you could contact our hotline 011- 4 896 896
MAS Intimates is collecting dry rations, used clothes (good condition), water bottles, medicine and sanitary items. Drop off items at Transport division,
Unichela Pvt Ltd, 124, Horana Road, Panadura before the 7th of November 2014 or at MAS Intimates (PVT) LTD 7th Lane, Off Borupana Road, Kandawala, Ratmalana by3rd November.
STITCH is looking out for volunteers who could help with the cleaning and cooking (teams of 12 volunteers to stay at least 2 days at a time). Also you can hand over dry rations and clothes (particularly for children). For more details please contact Prathiba on 077 985 1851.
Christ Church of the Living Savior is collecting toiletries such as toothbrushes, toothpaste and soap. They will be heading off to Koslanda on Saturday morning. You can drop off these items at the Cathedral Of The Christ the Living Savior Bauddhaloka Mawatha Colombo 7.
Muslim Aid Sri Lanka is collecting towels, blankets, and clothing for children and adults. You can contact them on 0777522499 or 0112076160. Their drop off point is located at No. 22, School Lane, Nawala Rd, Rajagiriya (MASL office).
Charity Apple is a registered non profit also providing relief to those affected. You can make a pledge here for clothing They are also looking for assistance in cooking and cleaning. If you wish to donate Account Name: Rotary Club of Colombo, Account Number: 076010128195, Bank: Hatton National Bank OR go here for online donations. For further information contact Charity Apple on 0774951361 25, Simon Hewavitara Road, Colombo 3.
Consortium of Humanitarian Agencies (CHA) is collecting portable generators with light towers – to continue search operations, gloves and masks for rescuers, 5 liter water bottles, foldable mattresses for the displace, towels and bed sheets, sanitary kits, clothes for children including school uniforms.
Cash donation are accepted during 8:30 AM to 5 PM. CHA will provide a receipt in return. Cheque’s can be written in favor of “CONSORTIUM OF HUMANITARIAN AGENCIES”. Used clothing will not be accepted. All items can be dropped off at CHA No. 86, Rosmead Place Colombo 07.
Drizzling Foundation is collecting non perishable food items, bottled drinking water, clothes, undergarments, towels, blankets, disposable nappies, footwear and milk powder. You can drop them off in the following areas closest to you: Bambalapitya, Kollupitiya area 116, Galle Road, Colombo 7. Call Arafath 077 375 3743, Wellapmpitiya: 203/8, Avissawella Road, Wennwatte, Wellampitiya. Call Nashad 077 111 3698 Wattala 698/40, Geoffrey Bawa Garden, Negombo Road, Mabola, Wattala. Ayaz 075 905 8058.
A group of people from the NDB Investment Bank are hoping to visit Meeriyabedda, Koslanda. If anyone would like to contribute or drop off anything before the 5th of November, contact Kaushini Laksumanage on 077 012 6653 who will also arrange parking at the Bank.
The HR department of SimCentric Technologies is collecting dry rations, instant noodles, water bottles and clothing. You can drop it off at their office on the 3rd floor, Alnitak Building, No.752/5, Dr.Danister De Silva Mawatha, Colombo 09, on or before 4th November. You can contact them on 077-357 6559 (Sampath)/ 011-436 8968 (Hashani).
Leapset is coordinating with Drizzling Foundations and SocialServices.lk . If you would like to hand over any donations or contributions, they have a drop off point at Leapset Engineering, #59, Flower Road, Colombo 07. Leapset will hand over to Drizzling Foundations and Socialservices.lk on the 5th by 4 pm.
Salvage Sri Lanka is having a Kids Clothes Drive from the 4th – 10th November. Drop off the clothes at 61/5 Ward Place, Colombo 07 between 10 am to 4 PM.
If anyone wishes to help the affected contact the Methodist Headquarters for further information Rev. Dr. A. W. Jebanesan, Methodist Headquarters, 252 Galle Road, Colombo 3. 011 2 573280.
We will update this article as more Drop Centers open. If you have any information on relief efforts you would like to share please email ed@yamu.lk.
