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The Sri Lankan Report
SriLankan Airlines flights UL218 and UL226 are diverted to Trivandrum, UL254 to Cochin, and UL230,UL192 and UL266 to Mattala due to adverse weather. The post 6 SriLankan Airlines flights diverted : Update appeared first on Newswire.
The U.S. Embassy in Sri Lanka has issued a weather alert warning U.S. citizens of potential risks posed by Cyclonic Storm “Ditwah,” currently located approximately 50 km south of Trincomalee. The embassy advised U.S. government personnel in Sri Lanka to exercise caution, limit non-essential travel, and monitor local weather updates. It also urged the general public to follow instructions from the Department of Meteorology and local authorities, and to prepare emergency supplies. Despite the weather conditions, the U.S. Embassy in Colombo remains open. Any operational changes or updates to consular services will be communicated as necessary. For assistance, the U.S.…
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s President and party leaders are having an emergency meeting at the Ministry of Defence on the prevailing disaster situation, the president’s media division said. Cyclone Ditwah has killed 56 in Sri Lanka and people were warned off river valleys as flood waters continued to rise Friday in the coastal plains with authorities forecasting more rains. Schools are closed and government offices are also shut, other than essential services. The government has allocated 1.2 billion rupees for disaster relief services, a government statement said. The president has informed Government Agents to request funds as needed. Sri Lanka’s…
The Sri Lanka Navy has evacuated 37 persons who were trapped by a landslide in the Unuwinna area of Maoya-Kosgalanda, Hanguranketha, yesterday (27). According to the Navy, the collapse of an earth mound had blocked the only road to the Unuwinna Village in Maoya, stranding 17 families. The Navy relief team, assisted by local residents, safely guided all the individuals, including 18 children, to secure locations. (Newswire) The post Navy evacuates 37 persons trapped due to landslide appeared first on Newswire.
Photo courtesy of Tsem Rinpoche A few weeks ago I embarked on a 16 hour journey by air from Colombo to Toronto. I carried one book with me, a tradition I keep even when I go on a 10 minute drive. The book I had this time was Hasini Haputhanthri’s and Sujeewa de Silva’s Shared Sanctities, the revised and enlarged second edition. With the very many books I have read over the years, especially on this genre of conserving and sharing a common ground for heritage, I found this work a moving and creative masterpiece that needs a closer attention.…
A group of persons who had been trapped following flooding in Anuradhapura and in Polonnaruwa have been rescued by the Sri Lanka Air Force. One person who had been trapped on a coconut tree since yesterday (27), following flooding caused by the overflow of the Kalawewa in Anuradhapura, and six persons stranded this morning (28) on the Manampitiya bridge in Polonnaruwa, were safely rescued by a Bell‑212 helicopter. According to the Air Force, the helicopter used belongs to the No. 7 Helicopter Squadron of the Sri Lanka Air Force base at Hingurakgoda. The rescued persons have been transferred to safe…
A sum of Rs. 1.2 billion has already been allocated for disaster relief services in Sri Lanka, the Government Information Department said. According to the Director General of the Department, H.S.K.J. Bandara, in addition, Rs. 30 billion has been set aside in the 2025 budget for emergency requirements. During an online discussion held with all District Secretaries, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has informed them to request funds as needed. The President has further instructed all parties to carry out disaster relief activities efficiently and without any hindrance. (Newswire) The post Rs. 1.2B allocated for disaster relief; Rs. 30B set aside…
The Railway Department has announced that train services on all routes will be suspended after 6 a.m. today (28) due to the prevailing adverse weather conditions experienced across the country.
The Colombo-Kandy main road between the 88 and 89 km posts in Meepitiya in Kegalle has been temporarily closed. According to the DMC, the road closure is due to the risk of landslides as a result of the prevalent inclement weather conditions. The DMC requests drivers to use alternative roads. (Newswire) The post Road closure on the Colombo-Kandy main road appeared first on Newswire.
Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Ismail Muththu Mohamed announced his resignation from Parliament in a statement delivered in the House today (Nov. 28). The post SJB MP Ismail Muththu Mohamed resigns appeared first on Newswire.
ECONOMYNEXT – Cyclone Ditwah has killed 56 in Sri Lanka and people were warned off river valleys as flood waters continued to rise Friday in the coastal plains with authorities forecasting more rains. Schools are closed and government offices are also shut, other than essential services. Flood waters are rising in the Kelani River and the resident in the Colombo District along the river were asked to evacuate to higher ground. Atthanagalu Oya in Gampaha was also at flood level. Many reservoirs are spilling, the Department of Irrigation said. RELATED : Sri Lanka stock market to close early on Cyclone…
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s rupee was quoted at 307.90/308.20 to the US dollar in the spot market Friday, weaker from 308.05/15 the previous day, dealers said, while bond yields remained steady. A bond maturing on 15.03.2028 was quoted at 9.05/13 percent. A bond maturing on 15.12.2028 was quoted at 9.15/25 percent. A bond maturing on 15.06.2029 was quoted at 9.45/53 percent. A bond maturing on 15.09.2029 was quoted at 9.50/57 percent, up from 9.50/55 percent. A bond maturing on 15.10.2029 was quoted at 9.50/60 percent. A bond maturing on 01.07.2030 was quoted at 9.55/60 percent, down from 9.59/64 percent. A…
The Irrigation Department has warned of a major flood risk within the next few hours in low-lying areas of the Kalu River Basin due to heavy rainfall and rising water levels. According to the department, areas at risk include; Ratnapura District: Pelmadulla, Nivithigala, Ratnapura, Kuruwita, Ayagama, Elapatha Kalutara District: Kalutara, Ingiriya, Horana, Dodangoda, Millaniya, Bulathsinhala, Palindanuwara, Madurawala, Agalawatta Residents and road users in these areas are urged to remain highly vigilant, move to safer locations if necessary, and follow instructions issued by authorities. (Newswire) The post Kalu River Basin : Flood warnings issued to Ratnapura and Kalutara Districts appeared first…
The highest rainfall in the last 24 hours ending at 06.00 am today has been reported in the Gammaduwa area in Matale, recording 540.60 mm of rainfall. According to the Disaster Management Centre, between 403 mm and 442 mm of rainfall has been recorded in the Alkaduwa and Kandenuwara areas in the Matale District, Kotmale area in the Nuwara Eliya District, Dotheloya Estate in the Kegalle District, and in the Nillambe and Marassana areas in the Kandy District. Between 300 mm and 399 mm of rainfall has been recorded in some areas in the Matale, Nuwara Eliya, and Kandy Districts. …
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s Colombo Stock Exchange will close around noon on Friday due to the current onslaught of Cyclone Ditwah, it said in a statement. “Please note that the market will be closed at 12.30 PM on 28th November 2025 (Today) in view of the current adverse weather conditions prevailing in the country.” The All Share Price Index was trading down 0.52 percent, or 117.65 points, at 22,544.44 and the S&P SL20 was down 0.61 percent, or 38.37 points, at 6,230.08 shortly after open. Market turnover was 220 million. (Colombo/Nov28/2025)
The Cyclonic Storm “Ditwah” is centred near latitude 8.1°N and longitude 81.2°E, about 50km South of Trincomalee, as of 08.00 am today. According to the Department of Meteorology, it is very likely to move north-northwestwards. Due to the influence of this system, prevailing heavy showers and strong winds over Sri Lanka are expected to continue. Intermittent showers and thundershowers will occur over most parts of the island. (Newswire) The post Cyclonic Storm Ditwah in SL : 8.00 am Update appeared first on Newswire.
SriLankan Airlines has advised passengers booked to travel today (28) to check the latest flight status before proceeding to the Katunayake Airport. Flight status can be checked via www.srilankan.com or via the hotline 1979 (within Sri Lanka) or +94117 771979 (international). Meanwhile, it is reported that the Katunayake Airport is experiencing delays in both arriving and departing flights due to adverse weather in Sri Lanka. According to the Airport Duty Manager, several aircraft have been diverted to Kochi, Trivandrum, and Mattala. (Newswire) The post Extreme weather : Update from SriLankan Airlines appeared first on Newswire.
The National Building Research Organization (NBRO) has extended the landslide warnings issued to 13 districts, effective until 02.00 am tomorrow. According to the NBRO, red alerts have been issued to several areas in the Badulla, Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala, Matale, Monaragala, and Nuwara Eliya districts. Meanwhile, amber alerts have been issued to some areas in the Badulla, Colombo, Galle, Kegalle, Kurunegala, Monaragala, and Ratnapura districts. Yellow alerts have been issued to areas in the Gampaha, Hambantota, Matara, and Ratnapura districts. (Newswire) The post Landslide warning to 13 districts extended until tomorrow appeared first on Newswire.
Chairman of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Governance, Justice and Civil Protection, MP Najith Indika, says the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board must take the lead in streamlining the procurement process and easing existing legal barriers related to importing equipment used to test drivers for drug use. These matters were taken up during a meeting of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Governance, Justice and Civil Protection held in Parliament under the chairmanship of MP Najith Indika recently (20). The Committee reviewed the progress of the 2025 budget proposals and special project implementations of the Ministry of Public Security & Parliamentary…