President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated that the recent disaster dealt a severe blow to an economy that was being rebuilt steadily and systematically and that in the face of such a challenge, It is the duty of every citizen not to withdraw or remain in hopelessness, but to come together with unwavering determination to restore the nation.

President Dissanayake paid heartfelt tribute to the Sri Lanka Navy for its immense contribution during the disaster, particularly commending its courageous rescue operations at the Kala Oya, where naval personnel risked their own lives to give hope to those trapped by fear of death and saved a large number of lives. He expressed deep gratitude for the Navy’s selfless service and honoured the naval personnel who made the supreme sacrifice while rescuing others.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake made these remarks while addressing the commissioning and passing-out parade held Saturday (13) afternoon  at the Trincomalee Naval and Maritime Academy.

Upon his arrival at the Trincomalee Naval and Maritime Academy, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, was received with full naval honours.

At the ceremony, eight directly commissioned officers of Intake 2024/03, thirty-three officers of the 40th intake of the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University and twenty-five officers of the 65th cadet intake of the Trincomalee Naval and Maritime Academy were commissioned.

Awards were presented to senior sailors who demonstrated outstanding performance during training and ceremonial swords were presented to the newly commissioned officers by the President.

The President  paid tribute to the naval officers who made the ultimate sacrifice while saving lives in the face of the disaster.

The President also commended the Sri Lanka Navy for its vital role in combating the drug menace, which he described as one of the greatest challenges facing the country today. He reaffirmed the Government’s firm commitment to take every necessary measure to protect the nation from drug trafficking and called upon all citizens to unite in safeguarding the motherland from this threat.

Emphasising the importance of responsibility and duty, President Dissanayake stated that although he himself as the President, the Commander of the Navy and all other officers bear different responsibilities according to their positions, each responsibility is equally vital for a stable and strong state. The President stressed that the nation can move forward only when everyone faithfully discharges the duties entrusted to them and that no profession or responsibility should be regarded as secondary, as each contributes to nation-building.

Expressing appreciation to those who chose to join the Sri Lanka Navy an institution known for its discipline, courage and honour, the President urged the newly commissioned officers to carry out the responsibilities placed upon their shoulders with dedication from today onward. He extended his best wishes to all officers for a successful and distinguished professional career.

The event was attended by Governor of the Eastern Province, Jayantha Lal Ratnasekera, Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General Aruna Jayasekara (retired), Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd), Army Commander Lieutenant General Lasantha Rodrigo, Navy Commander Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda, Air Force Commander Air Marshal Vasu Bandu Edirisinghe, Inspector General of Police Attorney Priyantha Weerasuriya, senior officers of the Navy and the parents of the newly commissioned officers participated in this event.

The Landslide Early Warning Center of the National Building Research Organisation [NBRO] has issued landslide early warnings to the Districts of Badulla, Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala, Matale, Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura valid until 1600hrs on 14th December 2025.

Accordingly,
LEVEL III RED warnings are in force in the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Ududumbara, Medadumbara, Ganga Ihala Korale, Pathadumbara, Panvila, Udapalatha, Doluwa, Deltota and Minipe in the Kandy district, and Rideegama in the Kurunegala district.

LEVEL II AMBER warnings are in force in the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Uva Paranagama, Passara, Welimada, Haputhale, Lunugala, Soranathota, Ella, Kandeketiya, Bandarawela, Meegahakivula, Badulla, Hali_Ela and Haldummulla in the Badulla district, Harispattuwa, Pathahewaheta, Thumpane, Udunuwara, Poojapitiya, Hatharaliyadda, Gangawata Korale, Yatinuwara, Kundasale, Akurana and Pasbage Korale in the Kandy district, Rambukkana, Yatiyanthota, Aranayaka, Kegalle, Bulathkohupitiya, Mawanella, Warakapola and Galigamuwa in the Kegalle district, Polgahawela, Mallawapitiya, Alawwa and Mawathagama in the Kurunegala district, Ukuwela, Naula, Wilgamuwa, Matale, Laggala Pallegama, Rattota, Ambanganga Korale, Yatawatta and Pallepola in the Matale district, Walapane, Hanguranketha, Nuwara Eliya, Kothmale East, Mathurata, Nildandahinna, Thalawakele, Norwood, Kothmale West and Ambagamuwa Korale in the Nuwara Eliya district, and Kahawaththa, Kolonna and Godakawela in the Ratnapura district.

LEVEL I YELLOW warnings are in force in the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Dehiowita, Deraniyagala and Ruwanwella in the Kegalle district, and Kalawana, Kuruwita, Elapatha, Ayagama, Kiriella, Balangoda, Openayake, Imbulpe, Ratnapura, Kaltota, Eheliyagoda, Pelmadulla and Nivithigala in the Ratnapura district.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake affirmed that the Government will never allow the violation of the rights of the fishing community, emphasizing the State’s firm commitment to protecting both land resources and the coastline.

The President also stated that the Government will address the challenges faced by fishing communities across the country through discussion and constructive engagement, ensuring sustainable solutions while safeguarding livelihoods.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake made these remarks while attending a Special District Coordination Committee Meeting held on Saturday  (13) afternoon at the Mannar District Secretariat, convened to review on-going efforts to restore normalcy to public life and rehabilitate infrastructure in the Mannar District following the recent disaster.

Highlighting the urgent need for a permanent solution to flooding in the Mannar District, the President instructed officials to proceed with the proposed flood control project after conducting comprehensive studies to ensure its long-term effectiveness.

Special attention was drawn to the severe impact of the disaster on the fishing sector. It was revealed that approximately 12,000 fishermen are currently unable to engage in fishing activities due to flooding and adverse weather conditions.

The President directed that dry ration packs be provided for one week to fishing families who, although not directly affected by floods, have lost their livelihoods due to unfavourable weather conditions.

Additionally, discussions were held on engaging with the Chinese Embassy to distribute a stock of fishing gear donated by the Government of China to fishermen affected by the disaster.

Attention was also focused on illegal land encroachments within the water catchment area of the Yodha Wewa Sanctuary. The President instructed that strict legal action be taken against individuals obstructing the placement of boundary markers around the reservoir.

It was reported that 70 families in the Mannar District have lost their homes due to the disaster. Discussions were held on rebuilding these houses and identifying suitable land for resettlement. A committee will be appointed to identify the required land within the next two weeks.

The meeting also addressed the expansion of facilities at Mannar Base Hospital and other hospitals, along with restoring health services and normalizing educational activities in the district.

The President further instructed that the Rs. 15,000 assistance provided by the Treasury for schoolchildren be disbursed promptly through Divisional Secretaries, based on recommendations from Grama Niladhari officers.

Extensive discussions were also held on reconstruction of damaged roads and bridges, restoration of water and electricity supply, rehabilitation of irrigation systems, compensation for losses in agriculture and livestock sectors and supporting affected communities to restart their livelihoods without delay

The meeting was attended by Deputy Minister of Cooperative Development and Chairman of the Vanni District Coordination Committee Upali Samarasinghe, Northern Province Governor N. Vethanayahan, Members of Parliament S. Thilaganathan, M. Jegatheeswaran, T. Ravikaran, Sathiyalingam, Selvam Adaikkalanathan, Kader Mastan and Rishad Bathiudeen, along with other government and opposition parliamentarians.

Also present were the Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Northern Province Chief Secretary D. Murugesan, Mannar District Secretary K. Kanageswaran, senior government officials, and representatives of the security forces.