President Maithripala Sirisena yesterday praised the work of the Sri Lanka Army, Navy and Air Force; commending them for going ‘over and beyond their mandate’ in providing relief to disaster struck citizens.

Addressing a specially convened meeting at the Ratnapura District Secretariat the President said more funds for disaster relief would be allocated to Ratnapura if needed.

Ratnapura is worst hit by the floods and landslides with 77 deaths recorded in the area, followed by Kalutara, which recorded 54 deaths.

The President was accompanied to Ratnapura by ministers W. D.J. Seneviratna and Thalatha Athukorala, Deputy Minister Karunarathna Paranavitana and other officials.