Massive volunteer operations are underway across Sri Lanka to support families displaced and trapped by the floods. Community groups, temples, kovils, mosques, churches, restaurants, and ordinary citizens have come together to cook meals, deliver supplies, and reach those cut off by rising waters. According to the Disaster Management Centre, 833,985 persons from 234,503 families across 25 districts have been severely affected due to inclement weather conditions. (Newswire) The post Volunteer operations underway to support disaster affected families appeared first on Newswire.
The Sri Lankan Report
ECONOMYNEXT – Cyclone Ditwah had made 206 major road impassable and damaged 10 bridges, Director General of Sri Lanka’s Road Development Authority, Wimal Kandamby said as the cost of the disaster is still being assessed. Road are being cleared of rockfalls to allow traffic to resume traffic, he told Sri Lanka’s state-run Rupavahini. There are active rockfalls in the road from Kurunegala to Kandy which is being cleared to keep the road open, he said. Some road were damaged and may take some time to repair. The damaged bridges will be opened for traffic by installing Bailey Bridges (steel bridges…
Assistant Secretary of the National Disaster Relief Services Centre (NDRSC), Jayatissa Munasinghe stated that the allowance for dry rations for displaced persons has been increased. Addressing the media, Munasingeh said the weekly payment of Rs. 1,800 provided to an individual for dry rations has been increased to Rs. 2,100, while the amount of Rs. 3,600 provided weekly to a family of five has been increased to Rs. 10,500. Accordingly, he pointed out that Divisional Secretaries and District Secretaries are empowered to provide dry rations within this revised limit. He further explained that, under the President’s instructions, the revised rates for…
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s president has met with the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce to get the cooperation of the country’s business community in providing disaster relief, and ensure the industrial sector is not hampered, his media division said. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake briefed the business community on the current situation in the country, as well as on the rescue and relief efforts, and “drew attention to the support that could be extended by the business sector in these endeavours,” the PMD said. The challenges faced by the industrial sector amid this emergency situation and the urgent measures required “to ensure…
The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has requested rooftop solar system owners to voluntarily switch off their solar inverters today until 3:00 PM due to the significantly low demand observed in the system. The CEB has made the appeal to ensure the reliable and stable operation of the national grid during this emergency situation. “Your support is sincerely appreciated in helping to ensure a continuous and secure power supply for the entire nation,” it added. The request comes as power supply has been severely affected due to the inclement weather experienced in Sri Lanka. (Newswire) The post OFF Your solar :…
The Department of Irrigation has warned that water levels in the Mavil Aru tank sluice have breached safety levels. As such, authorities urge residents in surrounding low-lying areas to evacuate immediately and move to designated safe locations. It was reported earlier that the Mavil Aru sluice was under pressure due to heavy inflows from the Mahaweli River. (Newswire) The post Mavil Aru Tank breaches safety levels; Evacuation urged appeared first on Newswire.
ECONOMYNEXT – A dam in Mavil Aru in Trincomalee is Eastern Sri Lanka has been breached in multiple locations after Cyclone Ditwah hit the island, media reports said. Authorities are attempting to close the breaches but residents below the dam have been asked to evacuate from last night, state-run Rupavahini tv station said. There are around 10 places where water is leaking and attempts are being made to repair the breaches, he said. Residents have been asked to move to safe location in Temples, a regional correspondent of the channel said. (Colombo/Nov30/2025)
Sri Lanka Police have requested the public not to visit unsafe and damaged locations, affected by inclement weather. Issuing a statement, the Police said several roads have been damaged due to the prevailing adverse weather conditions. The Road Development Authority has already commenced urgent work to restore these roads to normal condition. The Police said, however, it has been observed that members of the public are visiting the affected sites, warning that such visits are extremely unsafe. Therefore, the Police have requested the public to refrain from visiting damaged roads and other unsafe areas until restoration work is completed. (Newswire)…
The High Commission of India in Colombo has commenced facilitating the swift return home of the Indian passengers stranded in Sri Lanka. According to the Indian High Commission, evacuation flights by the Indian Air Force and commercial airlines are being facilitated today. “Every stranded Indian will reach home at the earliest”, the High Commission added. Several Indian passengers were stranded following the impact of the adverse weather conditions experienced in Sri Lanka. (Newswire) The post India begins evacuation of passengers stranded in SL appeared first on Newswire.
The Department of Irrigation says major and minor flood warnings issued to several areas remain effective as of 03.30 am today. According to the department, major flood warnings have been issued to the Hanwella and Glenclose areas due to the rising water levels of the Kelani River. Major flood warnings also remain for the Millakanda area (Kalu Ganga), Badalagama area (Maha Oya), and Dunamale area (Attanugalu Oya). Minor flood warnings are issued to Nagalgam Street (Kelani River), Patupaula and Ratnapura (Kalu Ganga), and Horowpathana (Yan Oya). Flood alerts remain in the Norwood area (Kelani River), Magura (Kalu Ganga), Thalgahagoda (Nilawala…
The Department of Meteorology says the highest rainfall in the last 24 hours ending at 06.00 am today has been reported in the Pulliyam Pokkunai area in Kilinochchi, recording 274 mm of rain. The next highest rainfall has been recorded in the Mannar District, with 210 mm of rain in Portkerny and 208 mm of rain in the Marichchukaddi areas. 193.5 mm of rain has been reported in the Madhu DS Office and 181.5 mm of rain has been recorded in the Dunamale area in Kegalle during this period. (Newswire) The post Highest rainfall in last 24 hrs recorded in…
A total of 159 persons are reported dead and 203 are reported missing due to inclement weather conditions in Sri Lanka. According to the Disaster Management Centre, 159 deaths have been reported in 12 districts in the four days between 26-30 November. The highest number of deaths have been reported in the Badulla and Kandy districts, 52 each, while 18 deaths were reported in Matale. The DMC says 122,822 persons from 34,198 families have been placed at 919 temporary shelters currently. (Newswire) The post Extreme weather : 159 dead, 203 missing – DMC appeared first on Newswire.
ECONOMYNEXT – A flood alert has been issued for low lying areas of Malabe, Athurigiriya and Battaramulla by the Colombo District Secretary, Prasanna Ginige, state-run Rupavahini said as water level in the Kelani River continues to rise. Kaduwela, Athurigiriya-Malabe, from Malab to Battaramulla resident in low areas are advised to evacuate immediately. Malabe model school (Ard-dar-sher Vid-yar-ler-yer), and Pittugala Yashodara Maha Vidyalaya is ready to accommodate evacuees. There is danger of Ambatale bund overflowing, an earlier notice said. Water levels in the canal along Chandrika Kumaratunga Mawatha which is connected to the Ambatale area is rising, and EconomyNext reporter said.…
Airport authorities on Sunday advised passengers traveling through Bandaranaike International Airport to use the Colombo–Katunayake Expressway as several access roads remain flooded due to adverse weather conditions across the country. Officials said the expressway currently provides the safest and most reliable route to reach the airport. Passengers were also asked not to bring visitors into the terminal in order to reduce congestion during the ongoing weather emergency. Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Private) Ltd. said it is working to maintain normal operations despite the difficult conditions and requested the public’s cooperation. (Newswire) The post Travel advisory for passengers departing…
Nagalagam Street recorded a sharp rise in water levels early this morning, crossing into major flood stage as the Kelani River reached 7.05 feet at 6.06 a.m., according to official data. The rise marks the most critical point downstream, with authorities warning of increasing risk to surrounding low-lying city areas. The water level had hovered around minor flood stage for several hours before climbing steadily overnight and breaching the major flood threshold at dawn. Emergency officials said residents along the lower Kelani belt should remain prepared for potential evacuations as more water from upstream continues to move towards Colombo. Further…
ECONOMYNEXT – Japan is sending team to Sri Lanka to assess the Cyclone Ditwah damage along with disaster relief, the Japanese embassy in Colombo said. “The team, which consists of 4 members including JICA staff and medical personnel, will monitor medical needs on the ground, and coordinate the possible dispatch of a JDR (Japan Disaster Response) team,” the statement said. “The Government of Japan has also decided to provide emergency relief goods including tents and blankets to the affected people through JICA. “In light of the humanitarian perspective and the close relationship with the people of Sri Lanka, Japan has…
The Ambatale flood control barrier has begun to overflow as water levels of the Kelani River continue to rise rapidly, Colombo District Secretary said today. According to officials, the situation presents a significant risk to surrounding low-lying communities, prompting an urgent evacuation order for residents in the Malabe–Kaduwela stretch and adjacent vulnerable areas. The post Ambatale Flood Barrier Overflows: Immediate Evacuation Warning appeared first on Newswire.
Police have arrested two women and thirty-three men during a special operation carried out by the Welikada Police yesterday. The suspects, all aged between 20 and 35, were taken into custody on New Jayawira Mawatha in Athul Kotte. According to police, the group was found in possession of several types of narcotics, including hashish, heroin, ice, tablets and cannabis. The operation was conducted under the supervision of the Officer-in-Charge of the Welikada Police, OIC Saman Jayasingha. (Newswire) The post 35 youths detained over drug party amid national disaster appeared first on Newswire.
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka will extend visas free to tourists stranded by Cyclone Ditwah, and has also negotiated a waiver of date change fees with airlines, the Indian Ocean island’s Tourism Development Authority said. Airline flexibility, including “full waiver of flight cancellation and date change fees for tourists compelled to reschedule their flights due to weather disruptions” and ‘”flexible rebooking policies to allow affected passengers to adjust travel dates with minimal hassle.” The SLTDA said “a passenger’s declaration of being affected by the weather is sufficient to qualify for the waiver.” The statemen did not mention the specific airlines that…
A landslide in the Reddapola area of Welimada late Saturday night led to the rescue of three foreign tourists who had been trapped, the Sri Lanka Army said. According to the Army, troops launched an urgent operation shortly after midnight on November 29 following a local alert about a group stranded by the landslide. Soldiers were able to safely evacuate all individuals, including a Mexican tourist and two Argentine tourists. The three women are currently sheltered safely at a nearby mosque, officials said. Emergency teams continue to monitor the area as heavy rain and unstable ground conditions persist across the…