Sri Lankan military fly monks to pray for rain — Dawn
The Sri Lanka Air Force flew Buddhist monks over drought-hit areas to pray for rain. Dawn reports.
Prayers during the flight
On Saturday evening, three monks in saffron robes recited prayers, appealing to the gods to end the drought. They were transported aboard a Y-12 aircraft, a spokesperson for the country's Air Force said.
Military personnel sprayed blessed water from five-liter plastic bottles during the flight. In an Air Force statement, the sortie was described as a symbolic act of compassion amid the hardships the country is experiencing because of dry weather.
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Forecasters' warning
Sri Lanka's Meteorological Department warned that both severe drought and heavy rainfall could affect the country during the rest of the year. The agency also warned of likely heavy downpours in other parts of the country.
Sri Lanka, with a population of about 22 million people, is predominantly an agricultural country. According to the Meteorological Department, it is facing the worst El Niño phenomenon.
