With the temperatures rising significantly, the sun will come directly above Sri Lanka between April 5 and 15 and will be above Colombo and the suburbs on April 7.  

A Met Department spokesman said the sun will come directly over Madhu Modara in Kamburupitiya on April 5 while it will come directly over Chunnakam in Jaffna on April 15.

Popular science writer and amateur astronomer Anura C. Perera said although the sun was in the southern hemisphere a few days ago, it is moving towards the north and came to be exactly on the equator on March 21.

“With this movement the sun will be above our country for 10 days from April 5 to 15. It will appear to be exactly above Sri Jayawardenapura on April 7,” he said.

The sun will be exactly above Ratmalana at 12.12 pm. on April 7. “On this day those living around the capital city will be able to see the phenomenon of the disappearance of the shadow around noon. If you are in the open you will be able to see your shadow disappearing around 12.12 pm. on that day. Similarly the shadows of the buildings will also disappear for a moment,” he said.

Since it is difficult to see your own shadow disappearing, you can watch what happens to the shadow of someone else. In the alternative you can see this phenomenon by using a broomstick or an iron bar or some other thing. You may fix it little earlier and watch how the shadow becomes shorter and shorter and disappear completely at 12.12 pm.

“Although the sun comes directly overhead at Sri Jayawardenapura on April 7 this could be observed all over Sri Lanka from Dondra to Point Pedro from April 5 to 15. Even if you are not living closer to the capital city, you can observe this disappearance of the shadow on the day when the Sun comes directly overhead at your location. I hope our Astrologers will be able to find an auspicious time for ‘The New Year’ based on this phenomenon,” he said.

High temperatures were recorded in many areas in Sri Lanka with the highest temperature of 37.3 degrees C recorded from Mattala. In addition temperature in Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Maha Iluppallama , and Kurunegala  exceeded 36 degrees C.

However the Meteorology Department was optimistic about rains and predicted a few showers in the coming days. (Yohan Perera)