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Caritas, the social arm of the Catholic church in Sri Lanka has swung into action rushing aid to thousands of people affected by floodwaters and landslides that have so far left at least 58 people dead and 132 missing.  Heavy rains have lashed the island nation since last weekend, flooding the Sri Lankan capital of Colombo and large parts of the country's central region.   Over 400,000 people have been affected by the natural disaster and those who have been displaced are being temporally housed in 611 schools, churches, temples and other buildings, said the government.  

Caritas is assisting flood victims through its 13 branches.  Father George Sigamoney, national director of Caritas Sri Lanka, said that much of the relief assistance is about providing urgently needed items."  According to Prasanna Prasad Kumara, the administration officer of Caritas Anuradhapura said their officials were mobilized to help with the immediate needs of the affected.   Father Rohan De Alwis, the director of Caritas Colombo, said that they have already informed parish priests to take initiatives to help people. "Apart from the field officers mobilized in all parts of the diocese, self-help groups and their networks are playing an active role in providing shelter and preparing food for the displaced," said Father Alwis.

Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith of Colombo has expressed his condolences to those affected and made an open invitation for well wishers to support Caritas' ongoing efforts to provide assistance.  Caritas has made a request to Sri Lankan Catholics to contribute dry rations or cash to help those affected by the flooding.

Soldiers resumed searching for the missing Friday, but held little hope of finding survivors. The search effort was halted intermittently as continuing rain threatened to trigger more landslides.   In the capital, electricity has been shut down in flooded areas to prevent electrocutions, and schools were closed across the country. Tens of thousands have been evacuated from homes across the island to some 594 shelters.

The Indian navy said it was sending two ships with aid to Colombo. On Thursday, Sri Lanka's Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera had said there was an urgent need for water purification tablets, water pumps and drinking water.

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