Colombo, Safar 29, 1436, Dec 21, 2014, SPA -- Heavy rains set off floods across three provinces in Sri Lanka, leaving more than 40,000 people displaced, dpa cited local authorities as saying Sunday. Northern, north-central and eastern provinces were hit by floods that came after two days of rain, forcing thousands to take refuge in schools, temples and community halls, officials in the provinces said. The worst-hit area was Batticaloa district, 300 kilometres east of the capital, where some 30,000 persons were affected. Anuradhapura district, 180 kilometres north-east of Colombo, was also badly hit. --SPA 10:50 LOCAL TIME 07:50 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/w