According to the Meteorological Department, the annual temperature of the country varies between 26.5 °C to 28.5 °C. El- Nino could be one of the reasons for the increase in intense heat. Usually, the sun is directly over Sri Lanka during February and March.

At present, the country was in between the North East monsoon season and the inter monsoon season, adding that the North East monsoon was almost over and inter monsoonal rains would begin soon.

Because of the Global atmospheric circulation, the wind flow over the country had been rather dry, while cloud cover these days was lacking which added to the intense heat from the sun. The country was expecting the inter monsoon to rains to start within next week. When it starts, the heat would reduce, but not completely, considering the prevailing temperature.

Normal weather conditions would begin with the South West monsoon beginning towards the latter part of May, Department added.