News
Flood warnings issued
By Ifham Nizam
The Irrigation Department yesterday issued a minor flood warning, citing significant rainfall in the upstream areas of the Gin Ganga basin.Accordingly, minor flooding may be experienced in the low-lying areas belonging to the Divisional Secretariats of Welivitiya – Divithura, Baddegama, Kotopola, Hikkaduwa, Niagama, Neluwa, Thavalama, Akmeemana, Nagoda, Elpitiya, Bope Poddala and Galle Four Gravets Divisional Secretariat, within the next 24 hours till today.
The Irrigation Department also advised the residents and drivers of vehicles passing through those areas to pay close attention to the weather changes, and water levels.
The Meteorology Department has issued an Amber alert for heavy rains and strong winds, citing that showers will occur at times in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-Western provinces, and in the districks of Kandy, Nuwara-Eliya, Galle and Matara.Heavy showers, above 100 mm, may occur at some places in the Sabaragamuwa Province and in the districks of Kandy, Nuwara-Eliya, Galle and Matara as well, the Department said.
Meanwhile, the highest rainfall was recorded at 149mm for Kotapola area, followed by 127mm for Deniyaya and 118mm for Neluwa.The Department adds that strong winds, about (50-60) kmph can be expected at times over the western slopes of the Central hills, and the Western and Southern provinces due to the active south-west monsoon condition.Strong winds of about 50-60 kmph can be expected at times in the western slopes of the Central hills, and the Western and Southern provinces.
The public is advised to take adequate precautions to minimise damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.Strong winds are expected at times in the western and southern sea areas for the next few days due to the active Southwest Monsoon condition.Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in the sea areas off the coast, extending from Puttalam to Hambantota, via Colombo and Galle.
Winds will be westerly to south-westerly and wind speed will be 30-40 kmph. Wind speed can increase up to 60-70 kmph in the sea areas off the coast, extending from Colombo to Pottuvil via Galle and Hambantota.The wind speed can increase up to 50-60 kmph in the sea areas off the coast, extending from Puttalam to Colombo.
The sea areas off the coast, extending from Colombo to Pottuvil via Galle and Hambantota, will be very rough. The sea areas off the coast, extending from Puttalam to Colombo, will be rough. The other sea areas around the island will be moderate.
Swell waves are expected to increase (about 2.5 – 3.5 m) in the sea areas off the coast extending from Puttalam to Pottuvil via Colombo, Galle and Hambantota. It is possible for nearshore sea areas off the coast, extending from Puttalam to Matara via Colombo and Galle, to experience surges due to swell waves.
The fishing and naval communities are advised not to venture out into the sea areas off the coast extending from Colombo to Hambantota via Galle within the next 24 hours.
A sum of LKR. 9,687,462, raised from day’s salary officers of the Police Department, has been donated to the ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund, established to support the recovery of communities affected by Cyclone Ditwah and to assist in rebuilding the country following the disaster.
To date, officers of the Police Department have contributed over LKR. 74 million to the ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund through three such contributions of one day’s salary.
The donation was presented on Wednesday (22) afternoon at the Presidential Secretariat by the Personal Assistant to the Inspector General of Police, Senior Superintendent of Police C. C. Bamunuarachchi, to the Secretary to the President, Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake.
Chief Inspector Udaya Kumara, Officer-in-Charge of the Police Secretariat, was also present on the occasion.
[Presidents Media Division]
Latest News
Heat Index at Caution Level in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, and Eastern provinces and in Monaragala district during the day time
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 26 April 2026, valid for 27 April 2026.
The Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, and Eastern provinces and in Monaragala district 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 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.
Opposition and SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa has called for the appointment of a Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) to investigate the illegal diversion of Treasury funds, amounting to US$2.5 million to a third-party account.
Premadasa has said both the chairmanship and a majority of the Committee’s membership should be held by the Opposition to ensure impartiality.
The government has not only failed to account for the loss of US$2.5 million but also deliberately withheld information from Parliament, the Committee on Public Finance (COPF) and the public, Premadasa has told the media, accusing the ruling party of seeking to deflect responsibility by initiating an internal departmental inquiry, which he describes as a biased process designed to justify predetermined conclusions.
The Opposition Leader has said only a transparent and independent probe could establish the facts, adding that such an investigation could be effectively carried out through a Parliamentary Select Committee led by the Opposition.
He has also warned that the alleged failure to inform Parliament about the missing funds amounted to a serious breach of accountability.
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Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in most parts of the island after 1.00 pm
Heat Index at Caution Level in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, and Eastern provinces and in Monaragala district during the day time
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