More than 31,000 people across Sri Lanka have been affected by worsening weather conditions, as the southwest monsoon intensifies ahead of its full establishment, raising fears of renewed flooding in vulnerable low-lying areas, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) has warned.

The DMC has said 31,072 individuals from 7,983 families have already been impacted by persistent rain, strong winds and rising water levels across multiple districts, with the situation most severe in the Gampaha District where 15,313 people from 3,950 families have been affected and one death reported.

Officials have cautioned that the scale of disruption could worsen as the southwest monsoon is expected to fully establish over the island around May 26–27, bringing heavier and more sustained rainfall to the southwestern region.

At present, 18 safety centres are in operation, sheltering 1,724 displaced persons from 446 families. One person has been injured and 859 houses have been partially damaged. Two houses have been destroyed.

The Department of Meteorology has forecast increased rainfall over the coming days, warning that conditions are likely to deteriorate further as monsoon activity strengthens.

Flood-hit areas remain widespread, with river systems still under pressure despite a brief easing in rainfall on Saturday. The Kelani River has returned to normal levels, but minor flooding persists along the Kalu River basin, particularly in the Millakanda area, where tributary water levels remain elevated.

Low-lying areas in Bellapitiya, Horana, continue to be inundated, while traffic on the Bulathsinhala–Kalutara road remains disrupted due to flooding in Diyakaduwa. Authorities have also flagged continued risk in Putupawula and Ellagawa along the Kalu River.

The Attanagalu Oya basin is also slowly receding, though residents in Dunamale have been urged to remain on alert. Several homes in Ja-Ela remain underwater, with residents alleging that delayed repairs to a damaged canal embankment worsened the flooding.

In a fresh blow to infrastructure, the Swarna Hansa Podi Ela bridge in Ja-Ela collapsed on Saturday evening, further disrupting local transport links, while the main Ja-Ela–Gampaha bus route remains submerged in parts of Yakkaduwa.

Meteorologists have warned that rainfall is expected to intensify again from May 26 to 28, when the southwest monsoon is likely to be formally declared over Sri Lanka, raising the risk of further flooding and landslides in already saturated areas.

by Norman Palihawadane and Chaminda Silva

Police said a suspect wanted in connection with the murder of an elderly couple inside a shop in Dickoya town, Hatton, had been arrested on Saturday evening (23).

The arrest was made in the Bogawantalawa police area. Acting on a tip-off, the police arrested him while he was hiding in a house on a tea estate.

Police said stolen gold jewellery had been recovered.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect, originally from Badulla, had been residing in Dickoya after his marriage.

Earlier on Saturday, Hatton Police released CCTV footage of the suspect and sought public assistance to trace and arrest him.

According to police, the suspect allegedly slit the throat of the elderly woman and killed her husband using a sharp weapon on Thursday (21) before fleeing with gold jewellery valued at around 18 sovereigns, including a necklace and earrings.

Investigations further revealed that the suspect had arrived in Dickoya town on the morning of May 21 and visited several jewellery shops claiming he intended to purchase a gold necklace, while loitering in the area.

Police said that around 1.15 pm, he entered the couple’s shop and remained concealed inside the premises before allegedly carrying out the attack.

Hatton Police added that the suspect is believed to have committed the murders and left the shop around 5.30 pm the same day before going into hiding.

by Norman Palihawadane

Police are conducting investigations to ascertain whether the 21 suspects deported from the United Arab Emirates have links to Sri Lankan politicians.

DIG in charge of the Colombo Crime Division (CCD), Nishantha de Zoysa, said five of the deportees had been identified as hardcore criminals and two were wanted under Interpol Red Notices.

Among those deported are drug traffickers Wanathe Kudu Duminda and Mahawatte Chamara. Police said the two suspects had been arrested during a party in Dubai before being deported.

Investigators said Kudu Duminda is suspected to be the mastermind behind the Borella shooting on August 8, 2025, in which two persons were killed and three others injured. He has been handed over to the Colombo Crime Division for further investigations.

Police said five close associates of the suspect were also among those deported.

Another deportee identified as Raju Aiya, a former Army deserter allegedly linked to organised criminal activities, is also under investigation. Police said the suspects’ connections were being examined through bank account records and telephone data analysis.

Authorities said information gathered so far had helped uncover details relating to several unsolved crimes, including killings reported from different parts of the country.

Mahawatte Chamara has been handed over to the CID for further interrogation.

Police further stated that many of the remaining suspects had been arrested in Dubai over allegations of recording and circulating footage on social media related to missile and drone attacks carried out by Iran in the UAE.

According to investigators, Dubai authorities confiscated cash, gold jewellery and other belongings from the suspects during their detention prior to deportation.

Two women were also among the deportees and were handed over to the respective police stations where cases have been filed against them for further investigations.

DIG de Zoysa said the deportations were carried out through coordinated investigations and diplomatic efforts involving both local and foreign authorities.

He added that between 68 and 70 suspects had so far been repatriated to Sri Lanka under similar operations, while authorities had secured 226 additional Interpol Red Notices against suspects believed to be hiding overseas, including 90 identified organised criminals.

The wanted suspects are believed to be residing in countries including the UAE, India, Indonesia, Russia and Thailand.

Police also disclosed that 272 firearms had been recovered during recent anti-crime operations, including 83 T-56 assault rifles, one M16 rifle, 113 pistols and 75 revolvers.

by Norman Palihawadane