After visiting the home of state minister Ruwan Wijewardena, the PM looked for several of his past friends, inquiring about them by their names.

In his facebook page, he said one of his main tasks after being elected the MP for Biyagama in 1977 was to solve the issue of flooding of the area.

The PM said that during yesterday's visit, he got to know that several of his past friends have been affected by the floods.

He blamed the inundation of their homes for the haphazard construction of buildings and roads and reclamation of low-lying areas during the past few years.

The PM added that he has instructed officials to take remedial action as soon as possible.