Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation Anura Karunathilake announced that all flights unable to land at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) during severe weather conditions will be diverted to Trivandrum or Cochin airports in India.
The Sri Lankan Report
The flood warning issued for the Maduru Oya Basin has been extended for an additional 48 hours, the Irrigation Department said.
The National Building Research Organization (NBRO has issued Red Alerts calling for the immediate evacuation of several Divisional Secretariat areas across Badulla, Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala, Matale, Monaragala, and Nuwara Eliya districts due to the heightened risk of landslides.
Sri Lanka remains safe and fully open for travel and tourism despite seasonal rainfall affecting certain parts of the country, the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) said in a media release issued today. The SLTDA assured international visitors that major tourist destinations across the island continue to operate as normal, with hotels, transport services and tourist attractions functioning without disruption. Authorities are closely monitoring weather conditions and have implemented comprehensive safety measures in coordination with tourism partners and relevant state agencies to ensure the safety and comfort of travelers. Tourists have been encouraged to rely on official weather updates…
The National Movement for Consumer Rights today called on parliament ministers to contribute one month of their salary to support people affected by the ongoing extreme weather across the country.
The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) has requested people living along Sri Lanka’s Eastern Coast to remain vigilant and be prepared for any possible disaster situations, as adverse weather conditions continue to affect the region. The Director General of the Disaster Management Centre : Special Media Statement The post Current situation: Urgent Special Statement appeared first on Newswire.
Sri Lankan Ambassador to Türkiye, Niluka Kadurugamuwa, met with the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Türkiye, Beris Ekenci today at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Ankara, marking yet another important step forward in strengthening the longstanding and friendly diplomatic relationship between the two nations.
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s average tourist spends has fallen to 148 dollars a day a based on a new survey from 171 dollars earlier, though independent travelers and small groups stay twice as long and spend more as a result, a survey has found. The lower spend compared to 2018 level is partly due to currency depreciation and also due to changing behaviours of international tourists, Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority Chairman Buddika Hewasam said. There was a trend towards looking for immersive experiences and lower priced options after the Covid pandemic, to which the industry will have to adapt,…
A developing weather system over the southwest Bay of Bengal and the Sri Lanka coast intensified into a low-pressure area on Thursday morning, according to updates from the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The system is expected to strengthen further within the next 12 hours, though officials confirm that Odisha faces no threat at this stage.
Kandy city has recorded 180 mm of rainfall in the past 24 hours, prompting authorities to warn of potential landslides in the upper hilly areas, the Kandy Municipal Council said.
The number of deaths reported due to the ongoing adverse weather conditions across the country has risen to 39, according to the Disaster Management Centre (DMC).
The Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) has announced the temporary closure of several national parks across Sri Lanka due to ongoing heavy rains.
A decision has been taken to declare a holiday for all state institutions tomorrow (28), except for essential services, the Ministry of Public Administration announced. The ministry said the move is aimed at ensuring public safety and minimising disruptions amid the prevailing situation. However, institutions providing essential services, including health, security, and emergency response units, will continue to function as usual. Further instructions will be issued if required, the statement added. The post State Institutions Closed Tomorrow Except Essential Services appeared first on Newswire.
An Emergency Disaster Situation has been declared for the Kandy district due to the prevailing adverse weather conditions, the Kandy District Secretary said today.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has instructed Members of Parliament representing both the Government and the Opposition to urgently intervene in their respective districts to ensure the safety of the public and provide relief to those affected, as severe weather conditions and heavy rainfall are expected to intensify over the next two days.
The Road Development Authority (RDA) has announced that all expressways in Sri Lanka will temporarily operate free of charge due to the severe weather conditions affecting the country. The decision has been taken to ease traffic flow and support emergency travel as heavy rains and flooding continue to disrupt transportation. The RDA said toll collection has been suspended with immediate effect and will remain so until further notice. Motorists are advised to exercise caution as certain stretches may still be affected by adverse weather. The post No Toll Charges on Expressways Until Further Notice appeared first on Newswire.
Heavy rains across Sri Lanka have destroyed around 600,000 acres of rice and vegetable crops, raising concerns over vegetable shortages and price hikes during the festive season, warned Anuradha Tennakoon, Chairman of the National Farmers’ Union.
The Ministry of Education has instructed all international schools across Sri Lanka to temporarily close with immediate effect, due to the prevailing adverse weather conditions affecting the country. The directive was issued by the Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, Nalaka Kaluwewa, in view of ensuring the safety and wellbeing of students amid the ongoing situation. The Ministry stressed that the protection of children remains its highest priority and urged all relevant school authorities to fully cooperate and act responsibly in implementing the closure. (Newswire) The post Ministry directs temporary closure of all international schools…
The Meteorology Department has issued a high alert covering all districts and surrounding sea areas due to an active weather system affecting the island.
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Finance has issued a circular directing all State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) to overhaul their processes for donations, sponsorships, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities, and indirect business-related promotional expenses, while increasing their limits, a government document showed. The Public Enterprises Circular, dated November 19 and circulated to statutory boards, SOE boards, and state banks, introduces a revised framework aimed at ensuring such expenditures align strictly with national development objectives, institutional mandates, and transparent governance standards. The new directive subject to some strict conditions will allow a member of a SOE board of director to spend Rs.…