Seven killed, over 20,000 affected following heavy rain in Sri Lanka

By APD writer Easwaran

**COLOMBO, Nov. 30 (APD) ** -- Seven people have been reported dead, over 20,000 affected and five people are missing as of Thursday afternoon following heavy rains.

Several families among those affected have been displaced in various parts of the country.

The military has been deployed to assist in the rescue and recovery operations.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said that the affected families will be given compensation.

Heavy rain and strong winds resulted in schools being closed on Thursday, some passenger planes being diverted and train services along some lines coming to a halt.

Sri Lanka’s Education Ministry said that schools in the Western, Southern and Central Provinces were closed as a result of the heavy rain.

The electricity supply was also disrupted in parts of Colombo.

Landslide warnings were also issued to sever areas including Galle and Matara in the south and Nuwara Eliya in the central hills.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)