The National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) has declared the Meethotamulla site a danger zone and has asked that residents are evacuated from the vicinity.

Accordingly the residents of over 150 houses have been asked to move with immediate effect. 

The death toll from the Meethotamulla tragedy has reached 31 – several more are still missing.

Tri-forces are still engaged in search operations for the missing, while the government has made preparations to release an amount of Rs. 100, 000 for life and up to Rs. 2.5 million for property as part of an insurance scheme for disaster.

The compensation amount paid by the government for the victims of the Meethotamulla disaster has not been divulged by the government as yet, Disaster Management Minister Anura Priyadharshana Yapa said today.