US to assist Sri Lanka in landslide rescue and relief efforts

The US State Department has confirmed that it has received an official request from the Government of Sri Lanka for assistance in rescue and relief efforts at the site of a major landslide that has devastated the village of Koslanda- Meeriya Bedda in northern Badulla district.

US Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Michele Sison, has requested the assistance from Washington, State Department spokesperson Jen Psaki said at the media briefing on Thursday.

"The ambassador - our ambassador on the ground has exercised her authority to declare a disaster and request assistance from Washington," the Colombo Page quoted Psaki, as saying.

Psaki further said that the State Department is currently working with USAID's Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance to respond quickly.

On Wednesday, Psaki said that no specific request for assistance in search and rescue operations had come from Colombo.

According to the Disaster Management Center of Sri Lanka over 100 people are still missing, but the authorities say that the number of missing could be higher and hopes of their survival are fading.

Minister of Disaster Management Mahinda Amaraweera, who visited the area on Thursday, said he doesn't expect any survivors.

Inclement weather and possibility of more landslides in nearby hills are hampering rescue and recovery efforts.