According to the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Colombo, the northeast monsoon brought heavy rains in the eastern part of Sri Lanka with the dawn of the New Year. 29,288 families in seven administrative districts, namely Trincomalee, Vavuniya, Batticaloa, Polonnaruwa, Ampara, Badulla and Mannar, were affected by heavy floods. Two deaths had been reported to the Ministry of Social Services (MSS), the lead agency of the Government, which has been providing relief to the affected people. A larger number of people have been reportedly affected in Mulaitivu district. IFRC reported that damage to paddy fields was thought to be significant and that the traditional irrigation system of tanks and reservoirs (approximately 20,000 throughout the island) had been damaged by the floods in certain areas.
Adverse weather conditions were also reported from Matale, an area in the central hills of Sri Lanka. On 4 January, strong winds with heavy rainfall caused damage to a number of homes and telecommunication facilities. Two deaths due to fallen trees were reported. A similar incident of strong winds had been reported in Ratnapura, the southern part of the hills.
The Government has allocated SRL Rs. 6 million (approximately USD 91,100) for relief operations. The Sri Lankan Red Cross Society's staff and volunteers are working in the affected areas to help ensure assistance to flood victims. According to the Meteorological Department, weather conditions are improving.