Heavy rains, gusting winds in Sri Lanka's southern coast kill seven people

Strong winds lashed coastal areas in Sri Lanka's Matara and Galle districts today splitting trees, blocking roads and damaging houses, National Disaster Management Center announced.



Three people have been killed by falling trees in the coastal town of Matara, while bodies of four fishermen who went fishing were recovered, a spokesman for the National Disaster Management Center said.

Term tests were postponed and schools were closed in these areas, Education Department sources said. Several school buildings have sustained damages, sources added.

Strong winds have damaged about 1,000 homes in the area, the spokesman said.

Army, Police and the Disaster Management Center is engaged in clearing the area, says the National Disaster Management Center.

Meanwhile, flooding has been reported in Anuradhapura, Jaffna, Ampara, Mannar and Batticaloa districts due to heavy rains, the Center stated.

Two disappearances of persons have also reported from Thanthirimale and Siyambalanduwa areas.