A powerful storm coupled with heavy rains hit several parts of Sri Lanka, killing at least seven persons and affecting nearly 20,000 people, authorities said on Thursday.
The storm also disrupted air traffic and other essential services.
The schools in the Central, Western and Southern provinces were closed.
Many houses were partially damaged, mainly in the central hill districts, and power supplies have been hit.
At least seven people have been killed.
The Colombo National Hospital officials said at least 15 people had been treated for injuries.
Addressing Parliament, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said that he had directed officials to pay each family affected by bad weather Sri Lankan rupees 10,000 as emergency assistance.
The military has been deployed to assist in the rescue and recovery operations.
The severe weather was caused due to a depression in the south-western regions which later developed into a deep depression.
In the landslide-prone central hill areas, measures have been taken to evacuate people, disaster management officials said.
