23 killed, 68,000 displaced in Sri Lanka floods

Colombo, Dec 20 (IANS) Twenty-three people were killed and over 68,000 families were displaced in floods in Sri Lanka, an official said Thursday. Heavy rains lashed for the fifth day Thursday in several parts of the country. Fifteen others were missing, Xinhua reported. Relief workers were struggling to get aid to the affected people in 11 districts. The navy, army and the police were deployed for relief work. More than 15,000 acres of paddy crops were damaged.