Three struck dead by lightning

Three persons have been killed after lightning struck them while working in open fields this afternoon, reports the Polonnaruwa Police.

Two such deaths have been reported from the Madurangala area within the Welikanda police area in the Polonnaruwa district and one from Masenpura, also in the Polonnaruwa district. All three are reportedly workers engaged in their activities in the open farmlands.

Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department and the Disaster Management Centre have been issuing warnings to the public to desist from staying in open areas during the current thundershowers. The seasonal down pour is normally accompanied by thunder and lightning in the months of April to May.