COLOMBO, May 14 -- Sri Lanka's Department of Meteorology on Thursday (14) issued red alert for heavy rainfall exceeding 100 millimetres in several parts of the country, as a low-pressure system northeast of the island continues to trigger severe weather conditions.

The advisory, issued at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, effective until 8.30 a.m. Friday (15) covers the Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-Western Provinces, as well as the districts of Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Galle and Matara.

The Department of Meteorology said the low-pressure area, which has contributed to intense rainfall and strong winds in recent days, still persists northeast of Sri Lanka but is expected to gradually move away and weaken over the next 36 hours.

"Therefore, the general...