Sri Lanka closes some schools as heavy rains trigger floods and mudslides, killing 5

Sri Lanka has closed schools in its tea-growing mountainous regions as heavy rains triggered floods and mudslides that left five people dead and three wounded, officials sayByBHARATHA MALLAWARACHI Associated PressCOLOMBO, Sri Lanka -- Sri Lanka closed schools in its tea-growing mountainous regions Tuesday as heavy rains triggered floods and mudslides that left five people dead and three wounded, officials said.Heavy downpours over the last two days have wreaked havoc in many parts of the country, flooding homes, fields and roads. The mountainous areas in the country’s central region are the worst affected by the severe weather, according to the government’s Disaster Management Center.So far, five people have died after being buried in mudslides that overran two houses in the central region, while three others were wounded and two people have gone missing, said Pradeep Kodippili, the center's spokesperson.Kodippili said rains and floods damaged 129 houses and that nearly 2,000 people were evacuated.Navy and army troops have been deployed to rescue people trapped in the floods and help them move to safe places.Local television channel Hiru TV showed troops and civilians rescuing peop...