Three persons were killed and 175,000 from 40,000 families were displaced in three districts following the lashing rains experienced yesterday morning. Initial reports said that 160 houses had been damaged by floods.

Three persons who had gone for a swim in a river at Divulapitiya were drawn in by the currents.

Heavy rains accompanied by lightning and thunder would continue for the next 24 hours as pre-monsoon showers lashed the Western, Sabaragamuwa and Southern Provinces, the Meteorology Department Duty Forecaster, said yesterday...