Strong winds and heavy rains lash out across the island

The Department of Meteorology, in a weather alert issued on Wednesday night, warned naval and fishing communities to be vigilant as wind speeds could increase up to 70 to 80 km per hour at times. Strong winds and heavy rains lashed out across the country causing destruction, especially in the southern province.

Very heavy rains, strong winds and rough seas could be expected in the deep and shallow sea areas around the island, particularly in the western and southern sea areas, the department said.

It said the low pressure area in the vicinity of Sri Lanka had developed in to a depression and it is expected to develop further and move away from the island along the southern coast within the next 12 hours.

Electricity failures were experienced in many areas in Colombo and the southern districts on Wednesday evening while strong winds and lightening had uprooted trees across many main roads.

The Road Development Authority requested motorists to drive slowly and refrain from travelling on roads where trees had been uprooted.