One dead as Sri Lankan capital, suburbs hit by floods

COLOMBO - At least one person drowned and more than 260,000 were affected by floods Thursday as heavy rains hit Sri Lanka’s capital and surrounding areas, interrupting the power supply, a government spokesman said.

“We have received the highest rainfall in 18 years in Colombo,” the spokesman said.

He said the city had received more than 440 millimetres of rain overnight.

Eleven emergency shelters had been erected to accommodate displaced people while rescue boats had been sent to those marooned, the spokesman said.

Weather forecasters said the rains were likely to continue.

The Parliament building, located in the suburbs, was also flooded.

Lawmakers and staff had to be transported to the building by the military, and Thursday’s session was restricted to eight minutes.

The government closed down schools and granted permission to public servants to stay away from work while private businesses were short-staffed as people struggled to reach work.