News Archive

Three landslides reported in Kurunegala; 9 dead, 24 missing

Kurunegala District has been severely affected by landslides in three locations, resulting in 9 deaths and 24 people reported missing, authorities confirmed. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 29, 2025  5:19 pm

Landslide strikes near Kotmale; Dozens trapped

A landslide has reportedly occurred near Rambadagama in Kotmale, affecting the middle section of the village between the Nuwara Eliya–Pudalu Oya roads. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 29, 2025  8:54 am

Highest rainfall in past 24 hours recorded in Nillambe, Kandy

According to the Disaster Management Centre (DMC), the highest rainfall recorded during the past 24 hours has been reported from Nillambe in Kandy, with rainfall levels recording 431 mm. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 29, 2025  7:22 am

Two toll-free hotlines to report about women and children in distress

Two toll-free telephone numbers have been made available for the public to report information and seek assistance for women and children in distress, the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs announced. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 29, 2025  8:27 pm

IGP Special Operations Unit launched to provide updates on emergency disaster situation

The Police Media Division has reported that due to unexpected severe weather conditions affecting the island, several areas have experienced heavy rainfall, flooding, strong winds, and landslides. Evacuation notices have been issued to residents in multiple affected regions. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 29, 2025  12:46 pm

RDA workers caught in accident while clearing earth mound

A group of Road Development Authority (RDA) workers, who had been dispatched to remove an earth mound that had collapsed onto the Welimada–Nuwara Eliya main road in the Gawarammana area, met with an accident during the operation. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 29, 2025  3:03 pm

High-risk flood situation in low-lying areas of Maha Oya within next 24 hours

The Irrigation Department has issued a high-risk flood warning for the low-lying areas of the Maha Oya Basin for the next 24 hours. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 29, 2025  10:07 am

Cyclone “Ditwah”: Red alert issued for Tamil Nadu coastal districts

Cyclone “Ditwah” is gradually moving away from Sri Lanka towards the Bay of Bengal region and Tamil Nadu, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has stated. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 29, 2025  5:58 am

Special circular issued to all health workers amidst prevailing disaster situation

The Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Mass Media have declared a state of emergency within the health sector for one week until December 4 in order to ensure uninterrupted health services to the public. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 29, 2025  5:51 am

Cyclone Ditwah heads towards Tamil Nadu as fresh alerts issued, flights cancelled

With Cyclone Ditwah steadily advancing towards the north Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts, Indian authorities have stepped up preparedness on multiple fronts, from large-scale relief operations to flight cancellations and district-wide holiday notifications for schools and colleges. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 29, 2025  10:37 am

Cyclone Ditwah: Heavy rains lash Tamil Nadu; flight, train services disrupted

Heavy rainfall lashed parts of Tamil Nadu on Saturday, with Cyclone Ditwah inching towards the southern state. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 29, 2025  7:26 pm

03 women trapped at Malwathu Oya Railway Bridge rescued by SLAF helicopter

Three women who were trapped at the Malwathu Oya Railway Bridge in Anuradhapura have been safely rescued through an air operation. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 29, 2025  4:22 pm

Met. Department warns of continued indirect effects following Cyclone Ditwah

The Director General of the Department of Meteorology, Athula Karunanayake, stated that although the direct effects of the cyclone have subsided as it has moved away from the island, the indirect effects will continue. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 29, 2025  2:59 pm

Japan to dispatch assessment team and emergency aid to Sri Lanka

The Government of Japan has announced that it will dispatch an assessment team to Sri Lanka through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), following the massive damage caused by the cyclone ‘Ditwah.’ MORE..

(0)Comments | November 29, 2025  10:42 pm

Hong Kong mourns victims of fire that killed 128 and counting

Hong Kong’s leaders oversaw a ceremony on Saturday to mourn the at least 128 people killed in a high-rise apartment complex fire, a toll that is likely to rise further with 200 others still unaccounted for days after the tragedy. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 29, 2025  6:28 pm

Closure of Muslim schools extended amid severe weather

The Ministry of Education has announced that the closure of all Muslim schools, which had been in effect since November 27 due to the prevailing adverse weather conditions across the island, has been extended until December 05. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 29, 2025  3:45 pm

At least 40 rescued from bus stranded on Kala Oya Bridge

Security forces personnel have successfully rescued at least 40 people, including a foreign woman, who had climbed onto the rooftop of a nearby residence after the bus they were travelling in was trapped by floodwaters on the Kala Oya Bridge along the Anuradhapura–Puttalam road. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 29, 2025  9:15 am

Australian prime minister becomes first to wed in office

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has married his partner Jodie Haydon, becoming the country’s first leader to marry while in office. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 29, 2025  5:08 pm

Indonesia flood death toll climbs to 303 amid cyclone devastation, disaster agency says

The death toll from floods and landslides following cyclonic rains in the Indonesian island of Sumatra has risen to 303, the head of the country’s disaster mitigation agency said on Saturday, up from a previous figure of 174 dead. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 29, 2025  10:00 pm

Landslide reported in Ankumbura; many persons reported missing

A landslide has occurred in the Ankumbura area, within the Alawathugoda Police Division, as a result of the prevailing adverse weather conditions. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 29, 2025  12:57 pm

Latest on Cyclone “Ditwah”

The Cyclonic Storm “Ditwah” is currently centered near latitude 8.8°N and longitude 80.8°E, about 60km West-northwest of Trincomalee, according to the update issued by the Department of Meteorology at 2:00 a.m. today. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 29, 2025  5:23 am

Indian rescue team arrives to assist flood victims in Sri Lanka

An Indian rescue team arrived in Sri Lanka this morning (29) to support ongoing relief efforts following severe weather conditions in the country. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 29, 2025  9:35 am

High-risk flood situation in lower Mahaweli River basin; residents urged to evacuate

The Irrigation Department reports that, due to the heavy rainfall received in the Mahaweli River catchment areas and current water level readings at the Manampitiya gauging station, the major flood situation in low-lying areas of the lower Mahaweli River basin is expected to escalate to a critical flood level. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 29, 2025  1:27 pm

Major landslide strikes Welimada; Two bodies recovered

A major landslide has occurred near Keppetipola Police Station in Welimada, resulting in the closure of the Welimada–Nuwara Eliya road. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 29, 2025  12:46 pm

US pledges $2 million to support Sri Lanka flood relief efforts

The United States has pledged $2 million to assist urgent relief efforts in Sri Lanka, following the severe impact of Cyclone Ditwah, which has caused heavy rains and flooding across many areas. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 29, 2025  2:00 pm

132 dead and 171 missing amid severe weather in Sri Lanka

According to the Disaster Management Centre (DMC), a total of 132 deaths have been reported so far, while 171 individuals remain missing due to the ongoing adverse weather conditions affecting the country. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 29, 2025  3:29 pm

11 dead, 14 rescued after elderly home flooded in Pannala

According to police, a total of 11 residents of an elderly home in Nalawalana, Pannala Police Division, have died due to flooding caused by the ongoing severe weather. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 29, 2025  5:15 pm

At least 21 missing following landslide in Thulhiriya

At least 21 persons have been reported missing following a landslide in the Monroviyawatte area of Thulhiriya in Warakapola, the police confirmed. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 29, 2025  3:38 pm

Death toll due to Cyclone Ditwah increases to 123, another 130 missing

The number of deaths reported owing to adverse weather conditions across the country in the past few days has increased to 123, the Disaster Management Centre noted.

(0)Comments | November 29, 2025  10:06 am

President monitors live rescue of bus stranded on Kala Oya Bridge

The individuals who were stranded in a bus after it was struck by floodwaters on the Kala Oya Bridge along the Anuradhapura–Puttalam road are currently sheltering on the roof of a nearby residence. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 29, 2025  7:49 am

Indian aircraft with 12 tons of humanitarian aid arrives in BIA

An Indian aircraft carrying approximately 12 tons of humanitarian aid arrived at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake this morning (29), the External Affairs Minister of India, Dr. S. Jaishankar, announced. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 29, 2025  7:48 am

Water supply affected to several areas owing to submerged plants

The National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) says several of its water sources and purification plants have been submerged due to the prevailing flood situation. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 29, 2025  5:43 am

Warning issued over possible disruption to Colombo water supply

The National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) has announced that the operations of the Ambatale Water Treatment Plant may be affected due to the rising water level of the Kelani River. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 29, 2025  12:48 pm

SriLankan Airlines advises all crew to contact Control Centre amid prevailing situation

SriLankan Airlines has announced that, due to the prevailing adverse weather situation in the country, communication disruptions have hindered contact with a number of pilots and cabin crew members. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 29, 2025  1:46 pm

Sri Lanka’s death toll from adverse weather rises to 153

The Disaster Management Center (DMC) reports that the death toll thus far resulting from the recent adverse weather conditions has risen to 153. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 29, 2025  6:31 pm

Death toll owing to adverse weather climbs to 159 with over 203 missing

The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) reports that 159 deaths have been recorded so far as adverse weather conditions continue to affect the island. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 29, 2025  9:10 pm

Water levels rise in Attanagalu Oya; Flood risk persists in Gampaha District

The Irrigation Department has reported that the water level of the Attanagalu Oya in the Gampaha District continues to rise. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 29, 2025  10:30 am

All passengers rescued from flood-stranded bus on Kala Oya Bridge

Security forces personnel have successfully rescued all 67 passengers, including a foreign woman, who had climbed onto the rooftop of a nearby residence after the bus they were travelling in was trapped by floodwaters on the Kala Oya Bridge along the Anuradhapura–Puttalam road, the Sri Lanka Navy Spokesman confirmed. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 29, 2025  11:02 am

Operations at Colombo Port temporarily suspended

Operations at the Colombo Port have been temporarily suspended. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 29, 2025  5:13 am

Directive issued for all prison officers amid disaster situation

The Commissioner General of Prisons has instructed prison officers who are unable to reach their designated workplaces due to the ongoing disaster situation in the country to report immediately to the nearest prison. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 29, 2025  10:09 am

Special visa measures for foreigners affected by adverse weather in Sri Lanka

The Department of Immigration and Emigration has announced special visa facilitation measures for foreign nationals impacted by the ongoing adverse weather conditions in Sri Lanka. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 29, 2025  10:45 am

Train services on main line suspended due to bad weather

The railway authorities have announced that trains scheduled to operate on the Main Line this morning will be suspended due to flooding affecting several sections of the track, including Daraluwa and Gampaha. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 29, 2025  8:56 am

Death toll due to Cyclone Ditwah climbs further

The death toll reported so far from Badulla and Kandy due to the severe weather affecting the country has risen to 85, according to data from the Disaster Management Centre and respective district secretaries. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 29, 2025  4:59 am

All 33 persons trapped in Giribawa rescued by SLAF helicopter

All 33 individuals who were trapped in the Giribawa area of Rajanganaya have been successfully rescued by a Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) Mi-17 helicopter, the Air Force announced. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 29, 2025  12:29 pm

Prevailing rainy conditions will considerably reduce by tomorrow – Met. Department

The prevailing rainy weather conditions will reduce considerably by tomorrow (30), the Department of Meteorology has announced. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 29, 2025  6:37 am

Sri Lanka declares State of Public Emergency

The President of Sri Lanka, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, has issued an Extraordinary Gazette declaring a State of Public Emergency across the country. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 29, 2025  3:03 pm

Access roads to Nuwara Eliya and Anuradhapura cities obstructed

Road Development Authority (RDA) Director General Wimal Kandambi stated that many roads and bridges across the country have been severely damaged due to floods and landslides caused by the prevailing adverse weather conditions in Sri Lanka. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 29, 2025  7:27 pm

“Manusath Derana” flood relief programme continues for second day

The Manusath Derana “Flood Relief” programme, launched to support those affected by the prevailing adverse weather, continues for the second consecutive day today (29). MORE..

(0)Comments | November 29, 2025  1:50 pm

Several BIA-bound flights diverted due to adverse weather

At least three flights bound to Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) have been diverted to the prevailing adverse weather conditions. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 28, 2025  5:19 am

Red Alert: Critical flood situations in low-lying areas of 6 major rivers

The Irrigation Department warned that that critical flood situations have already developed in the low-lying areas of the relevant river basins of six major rivers, and that water levels are expected to rise further. MORE..

(0)Comments | November 28, 2025  12:00 am