Religious leaders June 1 held services for 22 schoolchildren killed in a recent landslide in Sri Lanka’s Ratnapura Diocese.
The death toll from recent floods and landslides caused by torrential rains in the area left at least 104 people dead and another 99 missing, according to the government's Disaster Management Center. More than 185,000 have been displaced, seeking shelter in churches, temples and schools.
The interreligious prayer service was held at Kalupahana and Denswatte estate for the students killed as well as others who died and "to give thanks for families that luckily escaped" the landslide, said S.P. Anthonymuthu, a Legion of Mary member who organized the event with the help of a Buddhist monk.
"We also distributed dry rations, clothes and stationery items for 200 families affected by the disaster," said Anthonymuthu.