Heavy rain in Sri Lanka leaves 16 dead, thousands displaced

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — At least 16 people have died in floods and mudslides in Sri Lanka following more than a week of heavy rain. The disaster management center says more than 5,000  people have been displaced from their homes and have taken shelter in relatives’ homes or in government-run relief centers. Most deaths resulted from drowning and lightning strikes. At least one person is reported missing. The months of October and November are usually the northeastern monsoon season in Sri Lanka. However, higher-than-usual rainfall has been reported in most parts of the country this year.