COLOMBO - At least three farmers were killed in north central Sri Lanka due to lightning, police said Tuesday.

The three aged 19, 32 and 66, respectively, were struck by lightning Monday evening when they were busy in the paddy field in north central province's Aralaganwila area.

All died on admission to the hospital.

The meteorological department has been releasing frequent warnings on the possibility of thunder and lightning of a life threatening nature from the beginning of this month.

The island is expecting continuous heavy rains which is set to continue until the end of next month, officials said.

The heavy rains are caused by the inter tropical convergence zone where winds from northern and southern hemispheres come together and become active over the island.