Over 200,000 people are affected by the floods in the northern, eastern and central provinces

The epidemiology unit of Sri Lanka health ministry says that 16 people were killed and 143 more infected by H1N1 virus since late September.

14 infants and 86 children less than 10 years of age are among those affected, it said.

While Colombo is the most affected district with 105 confirmed patients, Gampaha, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya and Galle are also badly affected.

On Monday, Maldives government advised its citizens to stay away from Sri Lanka unless its necessary.

Floods

Meanwhile, two children were killed, two injured and over 216,000 people are affected by the floods caused by continuous heavy rain in north, east and central provinces.

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Pradeep Kodippili, Assistant Director of Disaster Management Centre told BBC Sandeshaya that more than 112 houses were completely destroyed and over 800 houses were partially damaged in the floods.

But journalists say over 212,000 are affected in Batticaloa district alone. Flood affected told BBC Sandeshaya that in Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu, government’s figure of nearly 48,000 is an underestimate.

Kodippili said more than 4400 internally displaced people (IDPs) are in 18 camps in the north and east.

The government has allocated over Rs. 60m to the District Secretaries to provide relief to the affected, Mr Kodippili added.

“Overall, the Disaster Management ministry has allocated more than Rs 330m this year for flood affected,” he said.