News
Sluice gates opened as heavy rains spark flood alerts countrywide
Widespread heavy rainfall has prompted authorities to open sluice gates at multiple reservoirs and issue a series of flood warnings across several districts, disrupting transport and placing thousands on alert.
In Moneragala, two spill gates of the Weheragala reservoir were opened by one foot and four more by six inches after water levels rose sharply, Assistant Director of the District Disaster Management Centre (DMC) Ravindra Kumara said. The Menik Ganga has now reached spill level, prompting warnings to pilgrims heading to Kataragama and Sella Kataragama to avoid entering the river.
Traffic along the Wellawaya–Wewelakandura road was also hampered after the Alikota Ara reservoir reached capacity and its spill gates were opened, submerging parts of the route. Officials said water levels in the area rose rapidly due to persistent downpours.
Meanwhile, the Department of Irrigation cautioned of potential flooding within the next 48 hours in low-lying areas of the Mahaweli River Basin. Heavy rainfall in upstream catchments has put several Divisional Secretariat divisions — including Kinniya, Muttur, Kantale, Seruvila, Welikanda, Medirigiriya, Lankapura, Thamankaduwa and Dimbulagala — at heightened risk.
Sections of the Batticaloa–Polonnaruwa road, especially near Gallella, and access routes to the Somawathiya Raja Maha Vihara may become inundated. Devotees have been advised to postpone visits until conditions improve. Residents close to the Mahaweli River have been urged to remain on high alert.
In a separate advisory, a red flood warning was issued for downstream areas of the Gal Oya following intense rainfall that pushed the Senanayake Samudraya in Inginiyagala to full capacity. Authorities warn that opening the spill gates could trigger major flooding downstream, affecting communities in Damana, Ampara, Eragama, Addalaichenai, Sammanthurai, Nintavur, Karaitivu, Sainthamaruthu, Kalmunai and Navithanveli, as well as low-lying zones near the South Eastern University in Oluvil.
Disaster Management authorities have called for immediate preparedness and urged the public, particularly motorists and residents in vulnerable areas, to take precautionary measures as adverse weather conditions persist.
News
Establishment of an Institutional Framework to Inagurate Upper Hydro Catchment Areas Management Authority
Policy approval of the Cabinet of Ministers was granted at their meeting held on 08.06.2026 to establish the Upper Hydro Catchment Areas Management Authority for identification and
execution of a formal and long – lasting remedy to secure the central hills including the upper hydro catchment areas enabling them to sustain amidst extreme weather conditions
due to natural calamities and human activities as well as to be used for the sustainable development of the country.
Accordingly, a concept paper has been prepared including
institutional structure, activities, powers, active subject area as well as administrative and coordination mechanism for the proposed authority by an expert technical committee appointed by the Secretary to the President.
Based on the said concept paper, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the President to instruct the Legal Draftsman to prepare a draft bill including legal provisions required for the establishment of Upper Hydro Catchment Areas Management Authority.
News
Introduction of Flora and Fauna (Regulation of actions of the Indigenous Community within the nominated areas) Regulations
With the objective of securing the traditional livelihood and the eco system of the indigenous community, it has been recognized the necessity of introducing a formal regulation methodology to secure their engagement in livelihood activities by being more sensitive to the existing laws.
Thereby, the Fauna and Flora (regularizing) regulations under the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance (Authority 469) have been prepared so that nominated activities within the prescribed area to a member of the indigenous community
who has been registered for securing the rights acquired from law or custom or usage or traditional stance to execute an act within a certain state land that is fundamental to the survival of the indigenous community permission can be granted
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the Minister of Environment to publish the said regulations in the government gazette notification and thereby submit to the Parliament for its concurrence.
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