The death toll following the collapse of a section of the garbage dump in Meethotamulla has increased to 19 as more bodies have been recovered, military spokesman Brigadier Roshan Seneviratne said.
Five children are among the deceased, he said. The number of females among the victims has now increased to seven.
Twelve persons are still receiving treatment at the Colombo National hospital, according to police.
Dozens of homes collapsed after heavy rains overnight caused the garbage mountain to shift, officials said. It further destabilised after a fire broke out, triggering landslides that buried dwellings.
A contingent of Army personnel of the 14 Division of the Security Force Headquarters - West (SFHQ-West), including Officers rushed to the garbage dump at Meetotamulla 14 April afternoon.
Troops of the Sri Lanka Light Infantry, Commandos, Gemunu Watch and Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment are currently carrying out those relief operations, Sri Lanka Army said.
Earlier today Sri Lanka Police confirmed that so far around 145 houses had sustained damages while a total of 625 persons belonging to 180 families have been displaced by the disaster.
