Rain to Continue Across Sri Lanka on October 23; Southwest Wet Weather Expected Until October 27

COLOMBO, October 22, 2026 — Rain is expected across Sri Lanka throughout October 23, while wet weather in the southwestern parts of the country is likely to persist until October 27, according to the Department of Meteorology.

Director of the Department’s Forecasting Division, Meril Mendis, said a low-pressure area near Sri Lanka had shifted northwestwards and was gradually moving westwards, bringing rainfall to several parts of the island.

Addressing a special media briefing at the Department of Government Information today, he said the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) was currently influencing weather conditions over Sri Lanka, causing persistent rain in several areas.

Some locations have already recorded heavy rainfall exceeding 100 mm, with rain expected to continue across the island tomorrow.

Mendis said another low-pressure area could form near the Andaman Islands by October 23 under the influence of the ITCZ and could subsequently strengthen into a depression.

Although that system is not expected to affect Sri Lanka directly, the associated wind flow is likely to sustain rainy conditions in the southwestern parts of the island until October 27.

He also highlighted the possibility of a low-pressure system over the deep-sea areas of the Bay of Bengal developing into a depression.

Those engaged in fishing in the deep-sea areas of the Bay of Bengal, particularly operators of multi-day fishing vessels, were urged to remain vigilant and closely follow weather advisories issued by the Department of Meteorology over the coming days.