Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education Dr Harini Amarasuriya has issued an Extraordinary Gazette notification today (24) appointing Senior Professor R M U S K Rathnayaka as the Competent Authority of the University of Ruhuna to discharge the duties of the Vice Chancellor with effect from Monday 25th November 2024.

All academic and non-academic trade unions affiliated with the University of Ruhuna commenced a  strike from November 19, demanding the immediate removal of the university’s Vice Chancellor Senior Professor Sujeewa Amarasena.

Following a successful intelligence-sharing operation between the Sri Lanka Navy and the Maldivian Coast Guard, a Sri Lankan fishing trawler carrying about 344 kg of crystal methamphetamine and about 124 kg of cocaine was seized by Maldivian Coast Guard on 23rd November 2024.

The operation also led to the apprehension of 05 suspects in connection to the incident.

The Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) Colombo, established at the Navy Headquarters, was alerted in the early hours of 23rd November by the Maldivian Coast Guard’s MRCC regarding the Sri Lankan multi-day fishing trawler Ashen Putha (Reg. No. IMUL–A–0924–MTR) which  had reportedly entered the Maldivian Exclusive Economic
Zone, prompting Maldivian authorities to request verification on whether the trawler was experiencing mechanical issues or distress.

The Navy promptly reviewed its records on the trawler upon receiving the information. Based on available intelligence, it was identified that the multi-day fishing trawler was linked to drug trafficking.

Acting swiftly with the instructions of the commander of the Navy Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera, the Navy shared this intelligence with the Maldivian Coast Guard to facilitate coordinated action.

Based on intelligence provided by the Sri Lanka Navy, the Maldivian Coast Guard launched a special search operation on 23rd November, targeting the multi-day trawler that had entered the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone. The operation uncovered approximately 344 kg of
crystal methamphetamine and about 124 kg of cocaine onboard.

The trawler, along with five (05) suspects and narcotics, was subsequently seized by the Maldivian Coast Guard.

The suspects apprehended in this operation were identified as residents of Dondra and Trincomalee, aged between 21 and 37. The Navy Intelligence and the Maldivian Intelligence Units are jointly investigating whether this narcotic consignment was destined for Sri Lanka or
another country in the region.

The Navy actively collaborates with regional maritime stakeholders to exchange information and conduct operations aimed at apprehending individuals involved in drug trafficking under the pretense of engaging in the fishing industry.

Warning for low pressure area over South-East Bay of Bengal Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre at 04.00 p.m. on 24th November 2024 for the period until 04.00 p.m. 25th November 2024  for the land and the deep and shallow sea areas around the island

The Department of Meteorology has warned that the low pressure area over the southeast Bay of Bengal is likely to intensify into a depression over the southwest Bay of Bengal by November 25. The system is expected to further develop and move closer to the east coast of the island.

Very heavy showers above 150 mm are likely at some places in Eastern province and heavy showers above 100 mm are likely at some places in Northern, North-central, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambantota district due to the influence of the aforementioned system.

Advisories:

For Sea Area
 The deep and shallow sea areas off the coasts extending from Mannar to Hambantota via Kankasanthurai, Trincomalee, Batticaloa and Pottuvil will be very rough to high as the wind speed can be increased up to (60-70) kmph at times. Very heavy showers or thundershowers are likely in these areas.

Action suggested for the Sea area:

 Naval and fishing communities are warned not to venture to the sea areas off the coasts extending from Mannar to Hambantota via Kankasanthurai, Trincomalee, Batticaloa and Pottuvil, from 24th November, until further notice.

 Requested to be attentive about future advisories issued by the Department of Meteorology in this regard.

Action suggested for the Land area:

 General public is requested to be vigilant regarding impending extreme weather situation from November 24th to November 26th.

 For emergency assistance contact the local disaster management authorities.

 Requested to be attentive about future advisories issued by the Department of Meteorology in this regard.