Sri Lanka, Sept. 19 -- The Department of Meteorology has issued a statement forecasting rain and thunderstorms across much of the country today (19).

Occasional showers or thunderstorms are expected in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Northern, and North-Western provinces, as well as the Galle and Matara districts.

Showers or thunderstorms are also likely in the Eastern and Uva provinces and the Hambantota district after one p.m.

Some areas in the Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and the Galle and Matara districts could experience moderately heavy rainfall of over 50 millimetres.

The department also warns of occasional winds of between 30 and 40 kilometres per hour in the western slopes of the Central hills, the North-Central and...