More than 150 people are feared dead after they were buried under two landslides in central Sri Lanka.

Thirty-five people are confirmed to have died after torrential rains caused three villages to be submerged, and forced 196,000 to flee their homes near the town of Aranayaka, 100km northeast of the capital, Colombo.

Rescue searches are continuing, after more than 350 people were brought to safety early this morning.

The Red Cross has set up a welfare camp for survivors.