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**By APD writer Jamila Husain **
COLOMBO, May 26 (APD) - At least 23 people have been killed while several reported missing due to floods and landslides reported across Sri Lanka on Friday, the police said.
Seven landslides have been reported from the Kalutara and Ratnapura districts in southern and south central Sri Lanka in the early hours of Friday and the police say the death toll might rise further.
In the Ratnapura district, which is known as Sri Lanka's city of gems, five landslides were reported from different locations in the early hours of Friday which killed 10 people.
The Disaster Management Center said that Ratnapura town which holds a very large population was inundated due to the overflowing of the Kalu River and emergency evacuations were onging to get people to safer locations.
Several rescue and search teams have been deployed in the landslide hit areas to save those trapped under the mud.
In Bulathsinhala, Kalutara, the death toll from two landslides reported on Friday morning rose to nine while 30 have been reported missing the police said.
Rescue teams are at the site conducting search operations.
Sri Lanka's Disaster Management Center on Friday issued a flood and landslide warnings in several areas of the country, following hours of heavy rains and strong winds.
The tri forces have been deployed to evacuate thousands living close to river banks as water levels in the rivers have risen.
The sluice gates of major reservoirs have been opened leading to mass evacuations.
Landslide warnings and major flood warnings have been issued in six districts - Hambantota, Kegalle, Ratnapura, Galle, Matara and Kalutara, DMC Spokesperson Pradeep Kodippilli said.
(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)
