The Department of Meteorology says that showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in Sabaragamuwa, Central, Eastern and Uva provinces and in Polonnaruwa and Hambantota districts during the afternoon or night today (April 19).

The department noted that fairly heavy falls of above 50 mm are likely at some places in these areas.

Showers may occur in Western province and in Galle, Matara and Puttalam districts in the morning.

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.

The ‘Siri Dalada Vandanawa’, the special exposition of the Sacred Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha, which commenced yesterday (April 18), continues today (April 19) for its second day.

Accordingly, devotees have been given the opportunity to pay their respects to the Sacred Tooth Relic today from 12 noon to 5:30 p.m.

Media reports indicate that nearly 100,000 devotees had worshipped the Sacred Tooth Relic yesterday (April 18).

Many devotees stayed in long queues overnight, lighting oil lamps and can be seen waiting to pay their homage today.

Kandy Municipal Commissioner Indika Kumari Abeysinghe stated that due to the unexpectedly large turnout on the first day, several pre-planned arrangements had to be adjusted.

In addition to the facilities provided by the Kandy Municipal Council for the devotees who come to worship the Sacred Tooth Relic, temples and mosques in the area have also been opened for the devotees, she further stated.

Meanwhile, as of early this morning, one of the queues of devotees waiting to pay homage had reportedly extended more than 8 km – from near Kandy’s Red Bridge area (Rathu Bokkuwa) to the Ketawala area along the Thalathuoya road.

Local residents had treated the devotees who had waited in queues all night with tea and water and had also provided accommodation to some devotees at their homes.

Traffic on the Beragala–Wellawaya road has been disrupted due to earth slips near the Viharagala area (184 km post), the Disaster Management Centre reported.  

The Badulla District Deputy Director has alerted relevant authorities to clear the debris and restore normal traffic flow.  

Motorists are advised to use the Ella–Wellawaya road as an alternative route until the road is cleared. Authorities are working to resolve the issue promptly.  

Stay tuned for further updates.