One killed; houses damaged by bad weather

One person had been killed Welimada and at least 316 houses had been partially damaged due to strong winds and showers in the Badulla, Nuwara-Eliya and the Ratnapura Districts on Saturday, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said.

The deceased, a security officer in Welimada, had been crushed to death by a falling tree.

The Assistant Director of the DMC Pradeep Kodippili said 198 houses in the Nuwara-Eliya District, 100 in the Badulla District and 18 in the Ratnapura District had been damaged.

Meanwhile, the Department of Meteorology said that monsoonal wind speeds may strengthen at times in the sea area around the country.(DS)