At least four soldiers were killed and 59 others were wounded when lightening struck a group of solders near a military based in the country's north-central Polonnaaruwa district on Tuesday evening, officials said.

"A group of soldiers was engaged in a routine training exercise when a lightening hit them, leaving four soldiers killed and 59 wounded at the Katukaliyawa Army camp in Minneriya on Tuesday around 5.30 pm. (local time)," Military Spokesman Brig. Udaya Nanayakkara was quoted by the Indo-Asian News Service (IANS) as saying.

The spokesman also said that the wounded soldiers were rushed to the nearby Polonnaruwa base hospital. "Of the 59 wounded, one soldier is admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU)."

Heavy rain experienced with lightening in the area since afternoon causing minor flood situation in the district, according to reports.