The Department of Meteorology says that showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Southern, Eastern, North-central and Uva provinces during the afternoon or night today (April 18).

Fairly heavy rainfall of above 50 mm are likely at some places in these areas, the dep. added.

A few showers may occur in the coastal areas of Western province and in Galle, Matara and Puttalam districts in the morning too.

The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.

Misty conditions can be expected at some places in Central, Sabaragamuwa, and Uva provinces and in Ampara and Batticaloa districts during the morning.

Meanwhile, today’s (April18) heat index – the temperature felt by the human body — remains at a cautionary level, according to the dep.

Sri Lanka Police Headquarters has announced that steps have been taken to implement a special security program in view of the upcoming Easter celebrations.

As Easter services are scheduled to be held on April 18 and April 20, 2025, special police security will be deployed to ensure the safety of devotees on those dates.

Acting IGP Priyantha Weerasooriya has issued instructions to all Senior Deputy Inspectors General of Police (Senior DIGs) in charge of all provinces, Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs), and Officers-in-Charge (OICs) in this regard.

Accordingly, the Acting IGP has further instructed officers to identify churches expected to attract large crowds as well churches where major religious services are held, to ensure security in and around those locations. 

The Police, Special Task Force (STF), and tri-forces personnel are to be deployed to ensure security during the Easter celebrations.

A warm weather advisory has been issued for residents of the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Southern and Eastern provinces and in Rathnapura and Monaragala districts.

The heat index – the temperature felt by the human body — is expected to rise to the ‘Caution Level’ in several areas tomorrow (April 18), according to the Department of Meteorology.