India, Aug. 5 -- Floods and mudslides triggered by heavy rains have left at least seven people dead in Sri Lanka's tea-growing mountainous regions and forced the closure of some schools, officials said on Tuesday.

Heavy downpours over the last two days flooded homes, fields and roads in many parts of the country. The mountainous areas in the central region are the worst hit, according to the government's Disaster Management Centre.

At least five people died after being buried in mudslides that overran two houses in the central region, while two others died in floods, said Pradeep Kodippili, the centre's spokesperson. Three others have been injured. He said 291 houses had been damaged and nearly 3,500 people have been evacuated.

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