News
Disaster warnings for much of the country after two lives were lost last weekend to freak weather
By Ifham Nizam
Torrential rains that wreaked havoc on some parts of the country during the weekend have claimed two lives and affected 83 people of 25 families, besides damaging 18 houses.
According to weather forecaster Indika Pushpakumara the two deaths were reported from the Eastern Province.
The Department of Meteorology yesterday forecast showers or thundershowers at several places in Sabaragamuwa, Central, Uva, North-central and Eastern provinces for this evening or tonight. Several spells of showers may occur in the Western province and in Galle, Matara and Puttalam districts.
The National Building Resources Organisation (NBRO) has also issued a landslide warning to residents in Badulla, Bandarawela, Ella, Haldummulla, Hali Ela and Welimada divisional secretariat divisions and surrounding areas in the Badulla District; Padukka and Seethawaka divisional secretariat divisions and surrounding areas in the Colombo District; Agalawatta, Bulathsinhala, Dodangoda, Ingiriya, Mathugama, Palindanuwara and Walallawita divisional secretariat divisions and surrounding areas in the Kalutara District; Ganga Ihala Korale, Gangawata Korale and Udadumbara divisional secretariat divisions and surrounding areas in the Kandy District; Bulathkohupitiya, Dehiowita, Deraniyagala, Ruwanwella, Warakapola and Yatiyanthota divisional secretariat divisions and surrounding areas in the Kegalle District;
Alawwa, Mawathagama, Narammala, Polgahawela and Rideegama divisional secretariat divisions and surrounding areas in the Kurunegala District; Laggala Pallegama, Matale, Rattota and Ukuwela divisional secretariat divisions and surrounding areas in the Matale District Ambagamuwa, Kotmale and Walapane divisional secretariat divisions and surrounding areas in the Nuwara-Eliya District; and Ratnapura and Eheliyagoda divisional secretariat divisions and surrounding areas in the Ratnapura District.
The public is also warned to take adequate precautions to minimise damages caused by temporary localised strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.
Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in the sea areas off the coast extending from Puttalam to Hambantota via Colombo and Galle.
Showers or thundershowers may also occur at a few places in the other sea areas around the island during the evening or night.
Winds will be Westerly and wind speed will be 20-30 kmph. Wind speed can increase up to35-45 kmph at times in the sea areas off the coast, extending from Galle to Hambantota via Matara and in the deep sea areas off the coast, extending from Puttalam to Galle via Colombo.
The Galle to Hambantota via Matara and in the deep sea areas off the coast extending from Puttalam to Galle via Colombo will be fairly rough at times. The other sea areas around the island will be slight to moderate.
Temporarily strong gusty winds and very rough seas can be expected during thundershowers.
Latest News
Heat Index at Caution Level in the Northern, North-central, North-western and Eastern provinces and in Hambantota and Monaragala districts during the day time
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 04 May 2026, valid for 05 May 2026.
The Heat index, the temperature felt on the human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Northern, North-central, North-western and Eastern provinces and in Hambantota and Monaragala districts during the day time.
The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.

Effect of the heat index on the human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.
ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.
Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.
Latest News
Maldivian President plants a sapling to mark 60 years of Sri Lanka–Maldives Diplomatic Relations
President of the Maldives, Dr Mohamed Muizzu, who is on a State Visit to Sri Lanka at the invitation of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, planted a sapling this afternoon (04) at Viharamahadevi Park in Colombo to commemorate 60 years of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and the Maldives.
Upon arrival at the Viharamahadevi Park in Colombo, President Dr Mohamed Muizzu was warmly received by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Children lined both sides of the pathway holding the national flags of the two countries and paid tribute to the visiting Maldivian President.
Among those present at the occasion were Deputy Speaker Rizvi Salih, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath and the Mayor of Colombo, Vraie Cally Balthazaar, along with several other dignitaries.
[President’s Media Division (PMD)]
News
Sri Lanka and Maldives strengthen ties with productive bilateral talks
Following the bilateral meeting between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu of the Maldives, who is currently on a State visit to Sri Lanka, official-level bilateral discussions between the delegations of the two countries were held this morning (04) at the Presidential Secretariat.
The discussions commenced after the formal welcome ceremony accorded to President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu earlier this morning within the Presidential Secretariat premises.
Extending a warm welcome to the Maldivian President, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake expressed his appreciation for accepting the invitation to visit Sri Lanka.
President Dissanayake noted that President Muizzu’s visit, taking place as the two nations mark 61 years of diplomatic relations, reflects the strong partnership, mutual trust and longstanding friendship between Sri Lanka and the Maldives. The President further expressed confidence that the visit would mark a new phase in bilateral relations.
The two leaders engaged in extensive discussions on ways to further expand and diversify multifaceted cooperation, including economic, cultural and social ties, in a manner that delivers mutual benefits to the people of both countries.
Key areas of focus included tourism promotion, educational cooperation, youth and sports development, challenges faced by both nations in the fisheries sector within the Indian Ocean region, education and vocational training, as well as defence training and broader security cooperation.
Representing the Government of Sri Lanka were Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning, Anil Jayantha Fernando, Minister of Science and Technology, Krishantha Abeysena; Deputy Speaker Rizvie Salih, Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retired), Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (covering Europe, North America, East Asia and Oceania, Southeast Asia and Central Asia, South Asia, the Middle East and Legal Affairs) M. R. K. Lenagala, Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to the Maldives, Mohamed Rizvi Hassan and Director (South Asia and SAARC) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Mahesha Jayawardena.
The Maldivian delegation included Minister of Foreign Affairs Iruthisham Adam, Minister of Economic Development and Trade, Mohamed Saeed, Minister of Fisheries, Agriculture and Marine Resources, Ahmed Shiyam, Minister of Homeland Security and Technology, Ali Ihusaan, Chief of Staff to the President, Abdulla Fayaz, Principal Secretary to the President on Foreign Relations, Mohamed Naseer; Chief Government Spokesperson, Mohamed Hussain Shareef, High Commissioner of the Maldives to Sri Lanka,Masood Imad; Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Chief of Protocol , Mohamed Shahudy, Deputy Minister at the President’s Office, Mr Mohamed Hassaan and Minister Counsellor at the Maldives High Commission in Sri Lanka, Mr. Ismail Mamdhooh.
[President’s Media Division (PMD)]
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