The United States has announced an immediate allocation of USD 2 million to support Sri Lanka’s emergency relief efforts as the country continues to reel from the severe impacts of Cyclone Ditwah. US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung said communities across the island are facing “difficult days” with heavy rains and widespread flooding affecting many areas. She stated that the United States stands in solidarity with Sri Lanka during this crisis and reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to assisting affected families. According to the Ambassador, the funding will go towards urgent relief operations, reflecting the long-standing partnership between the two nations…
The Sri Lankan Report
The group of passengers who were trapped on the roof of a flooded bus in Kala Oya, Anuradhapura have been rescued and are currently receiving treatment at Nochchiyagama Hospital. One of the survivors recounted that the bus, which was travelling from Pulmudai to Colombo, entered heavily flooded waters despite warnings. Passengers had urged the driver not to proceed, but their protests were ignored, he said. The bus eventually stalled as water levels rose, forcing passengers to seek safety on the roof. Three Navy personnel reached the bus and assisted the group onto the roof, before guiding them to the top…
The Disaster Management Centre has issued the telephone numbers of District Disaster Management Coordinating Units (DDMCU) for the public to contact for assistance amidst the inclement weather in Sri Lanka. The public is urged to reach out to the relevant units via the below mentioned telephone numbers; The post DMC issues District Hotlines for weather emergencies appeared first on Newswire.
Sri Lanka Tourism has announced an emergency hotline to assist tourists in Sri Lanka affected by the prevalent inclement weather conditions. The Sri Lanka Tourism Emergency and Assistance Centre could be contacted via the hotline 1912. The emergency hotline is operational 24/7, Sri Lanka Tourism said, issuing a notice. (Newswire) The post 24/7 Emergency hotline introduced for tourists in Sri Lanka appeared first on Newswire.
The Government has informed the public and the international donor community that certain contributors have experienced difficulties when transferring funds to the designated Central Bank accounts during the ongoing national relief efforts due to adverse weather. The President’s Office said that to ensure smooth and uninterrupted receipt of donations, donors facing such issues are advised to direct their contributions in LKR to the following Bank of Ceylon account. Account Name: Deputy Secretary to the Treasury Account Number: 2026450 Bank: Bank of Ceylon In addition, donors who wish to make contributions directly to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka’s foreign currency…
ECONOMYNEXT – Cyclone Ditwah has killed 123 people and 130 are missing the Indian Ocean Island’s Disaster Management Centre said, as low lying areas near the coast are under flood alert as water flow down rivers. Telephone contact with some of the hardest hit hill country towns including Gampola, in the Kandy district, and some towns are out of telephone contact for days. The highest reported death toll so far of 51 is from the Kandy district. The missing is 67. In the Western province, flood water is the Colombo and Gampaha districts are still rising and many have been…
The Department of Immigration and Emigration has announced special visa facilitation measures for all foreign nationals affected by the adverse weather conditions currently prevailing in Sri Lanka. The department said that foreigners who were scheduled to depart Sri Lanka on or after 28th November, but were unable to do so due to flight cancellations or travel difficulties caused by the weather, will be exempted from visa extension fees and overstay penalties. Issuing a statement, the department said this measure is intended to support travelers who experienced unavoidable delays beyond their control. In addition, short-term Tourist or Business Visa holders and…
A total of 123 deaths have been reported so far in 12 districts due to the adverse weather conditions experienced in Sri Lanka. According to the Disaster Management Centre (DMC), 51 deaths have been reported in the Kandy District, the highest, as of 09.00 am today. A total of 35 deaths have been reported in the Badulla District, 09 in Kegalle, 08 in Matale, 06 in Nuwara Eliya, 03 in Kurunegala, and 02 in Monaragala. 01 death each have been reported in the Anuradhapura, Jaffna, Hambantota, and Galle Districts. According to the DMC, 130 persons are reported missing during this…
Sri Lanka Navy says the operation to rescue passengers of a bus that was trapped due to floods on the Kala Oya bridge on the Anuradhapura–Puttalam road has been completed. According to the Navy, all 67 passengers have been rescued. The passengers had taken refuge on the roof of the bus after the vehicle was trapped due to floods on the Kala Oya bridge due to heavy rainfall. Meanwhile, some of the rescued persons have been admitted to Nochchiyagama Regional Hospital. (Newswire) The post All 67 passengers of Kala Oya bus rescued appeared first on Newswire.
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s construction sector expanded at a slower rate in October, registering a value of 64.3 on a Purchasing Managers Index compiled by the central bank. This reading “follows last month’s peak, indicating a sustained positive outlook for construction activities,” the central bank said. With many respondents reporting an increase in government-funded projects, New Orders rose from 68.9 in September to 67.1 in October. The Employment sub index rose at a slower rate from 55.4 in September to 52.9 in October. The Quantity of Purchases sub index expanded, registering 58.6 in October from 56.8 in September. This reflected…
Sri Lanka Police has established the IGP Special Operations Unit to provide information on the Emergency Disaster Situation. According to the Police, due to the unexpected severe weather conditions impacting the island, numerous areas have experienced heavy rainfall, flooding, strong winds, and landslides. Evacuation notices have been issued to residents in several affected regions. To ensure effective coordination during this emergency and to deliver essential assistance, an IGP Special Operations Unit has been set up at Police Headquarters under the direct supervision of the Inspector General of Police (IGP). Police officers at stations island wide have been organized into teams…
The Government of Maldives has decided to extend relief assistance to Sri Lanka through financial support of USD 50,000 and a donation of 25,000 cases of tuna cans. The Maldivian Government has taken this decision to extend humanitarian and relief assistance on behalf of the Maldivian people to the people of Sri Lanka, in response to the widespread devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah. According to a statement from the Maldivian Foreign Ministry, this gesture is a demonstration of solidarity with its close neighbour and the friendly people of Sri Lanka. The Maldives hopes that this modest donation will contribute towards…
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s imports hit 2,156 million US dollars in October 2025, up from 2,048 million US dollars in September, with strong credit growth driving investment goods and vehicle purchases. Gross dollar inflows made up of gross exports of 1,149 million, remittances of 712 million and gross services including tourism of 495 million dollars were 2,357 million US dollars, 200 million higher than imports of 2,157 million US dollars. The trade balance topped a billion US dollars to 1,007 million dollars. Other than hard goods exports, Sri Lankan citizens earn remittances and other services such as tourism estimated at…
Sri Lanka Police has introduced emergency Telephone Numbers for the public to inform about disaster situations due to the adverse weather conditions in the country. According to the Police, due to the prevailing adverse weather conditions across the island, a large number of people have been injured or affected by landslides, floods, and strong winds. In such emergencies, the public may inform the operation rooms of the 47 police divisions located throughout the island. The telephone numbers of these operation rooms are as follows: The post Sri Lanka Police issues emergency hotlines amid severe weather appeared first on Newswire.
The Department of Irrigation has issued major flood warnings to several areas due to a rise in the water levels of several rivers, effective from 09.30 am today (29). According to the Irrigation Department, major flood warnings have been issued in the Hanwella and Glenclose areas due to a rise in the water level of the Kelani River. Major flood warnings have also been issued to the Millakanda area due to a rise in the water level of the Kalu Ganga, the Badalgama and Girulla areas due to rising water levels in the Maha Oya, and the Dunamale area due…
Thousands of Airbus planes have been grounded after it was discovered that intense solar radiation could interfere with onboard flight control computers, leading to delays around the world. Around 6,000 A320 planes are thought to be affected, half the European firm’s global fleet, but it is understood most will be able to fly again after undergoing a quick software update. The UK’s aviation regulator said there would be “some disruption and cancellations to flights” though the impact at airports appears to be limited. Airbus said it discovered the issue after an investigation into an incident in which a plane flying…
Sri Lanka Navy says at least 40 passengers of a bus that was trapped due to floods on the Kala Oya bridge on the Anuradhapura–Puttalam road have been safely rescued. According to the Navy, around 60 passengers, including a female foreigner, were among those who had taken refuge on the roof of the bus. Operations to rescue others are still continuing, the Navy added. Meanwhile, reports state the rescued persons have been admitted to Nochchiyagama Regional Hospital. (Newswire) The post At least 40 passengers rescued from storm-struck Bus on Kala Oya Bridge appeared first on Newswire.
Photo courtesy of War Child Today is the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People Looking back at the crime of Israeli occupation, the world bears a heavy burden of responsibility because it could not stop the genocide, mass killings, inhumane oppression and destruction of Palestine throughout seven decades. The Israeli violence and occupation took a horrendous turn after October 7, 2023. The visuals that are broadcast around the world have shown the true face of the Zionist scourge. It marks more than 750 days of cruelty, mass murder, destruction and occupation, which is live streamed on mobile phones.…
The highest rainfall reported in the last 24 hours as of 06.00 AM today has been recorded in the Nillambe area in the Kandy District, recording 431.2 mm of rain. According to the Disaster Management Centre, over 250 mm of rain has been recorded in the Dotheloya Estate area in Kegalle (277.8), Pokkanai in Kilinochchi (274), and the Manikdhiwela area in Kandy (266.2). Between 200 mm- 250 mm of rainfall has been recorded in some areas of the Nuwara Eliya, Kegalle, Gampaha, and Kurunegala Districts. Between 180mm and 200 mm of rainfall has been reported in some areas of the…
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has appealed to foreign governments, international financial institutions, and global organisations to extend urgent support to Sri Lanka as the country continues to grapple with the widespread devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah. Issuing a special statement, Premadasa expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives, destruction of homes, and displacement of thousands of people. He said the Opposition stands firmly with all affected communities and will do everything possible to help ease their suffering. Premadasa stated that the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), Samagi Jana Sandhanaya, and the wider Opposition are prepared to mobilise every available resource—local…