6 killed in Sri Lanka as heavy rain triggers landslides, floods

At least six persons were killed and three others injured as heavy rain, landslides and flash floods battered parts of Sri Lanka over the past two days, officials said on Tuesday.

The adverse weather has affected five districts, with incessant downpours triggering landslides, flooding and strong winds, disrupting normal life and forcing nearly 1,900 people into relief centres.

Police said three women, aged 83, 58 and 47, and a 22-year-old man were killed when a mound of earth collapsed onto a house in the Polpitiya-Morahenagama area. In a separate incident, a 53-year-old man died after falling into the Mahaweli River while crossing a bridge on the Watawala-Gnanandagama road.

Police also said a 67-year-old man was killed after a mound of earth collapsed onto a roadside shop in Solangkanda Janaudana village in Nawalapitiya.