COLOMBO: Thousands of Sri Lanka’s tsunami refugees living in makeshift shelters were evacuated on Tuesday to higher ground after torrential rains lashed the country for a second consecutive day.

Heavy rains have affected 20,000 families scattered throughout the country The worst-hit regions were the Tamil Tigers-controlled Killinochchi and Mullaittivu.

The Western Province, which includes the capital Colombo, the central province of Ratnapura and the southern Galle district were also affected. All roads in Colombo were clogged as potholes made driving difficult.

The refugees fear further displacement as the Meteorological Department has forecast more showers.

“Those living in temporary tsunami shelters have been badly hit. For the moment we have housed them in schools and churches,” an official said.

Authorities evacuated over 8,000 families from transitional tsunami camps in the Mullaittivu and Vadamarachi districts over the last 48 hours.