The disaster management authorities, with the support of the police, will evict people residing in areas declared red zones of vulnerability to natural disasters such as earth- slips or landslides, an official said.

The decision was taken after five people who occupied their lands regardless of warnings were buried alive in a landslide.

According to Director General of the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) Maj. Gen (RTD). Sudantha Ranasinghe, such families would be evicted as a measure for saving their lives from impending danger. Defence Secretary Maj. GEN.(RTD) Kamal Gunaratne has issued a gazette notification in this regard.(KELUM BANDARA)