Flooding Forces 11,000 From Homes

At least 11,000 people have been forced to leave their homes in eastern Sri Lanka after floods swept through three cities, state-run radio reported. People were fleeing the communities of Batticaloa, Amparai and Polonnaruwa and taking refuge in schools, hospitals and public buildings in safer areas, the broadcast said. Heavy rains lashed the region, damaging huts and harming crops, lagoon fish and prawn yields. Officials said the flooding was caused by a low-pressure system over the southern part of the country.