News
Extreme weather claims lives of three persons since Sunday
By Norman Palihawadane
The inclement weather,prevailing in the country since Sunday morning, has claimed the lives of three persons and injured another, police said yesterday
Due to the prevailing rain situation, Level 1 and Level 2 Landslide Early Warnings have been issued to 20 divisional secretariat divisions in the districts of Galle, Kalutara, Kegalle, and Ratnapura.
Nawalapitiya Police said that a 62-year-old person died on Sunday (03) when a mound of earth collapsed on him due, to bad weather, while he was laying a foundation for a parapet wall.
Meanwhile, a person who went to bathe in the Gin Ganga fell into the water and drowned. Also, a father of three died on Sunday (03) after falling from Rakwana Duli Falls.
Five vehicles were damaged when a kohomba tree fell on the Our Lady of Sorrows Church at Ja-Ela. An elderly woman was seriously injured and hospitalized after the roof of her house collapsed in Kamburugoda, Bandaragama.
The Colombo District Disaster Management Unit says that many people were affected in a number of Grama Niladhari divisions in Kolonnawa, Deans Road in Maradana, Grandpass South, Madampitiya and Wanathamulla Grama Niladhari divisions as the rain water did not drain quickly after heavy down pours on Sunday morning flooding the areas.
Vehicular traffic was also disrupted in Colombo and in many parts of the island due to fallen trees.
The Meteorology Department said due to activation of the South West Monsoon, rain conditions are expected in the South West part of the country.
Showers, or thundershowers, will occur at times in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Central and North-western provinces. Fairly heavy showers, above 50mm, are likely at some places in the Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in the districts of Galle, Matara and Nuwara-Eliya.
Heavy rain has been falling on the western slopes of the central hills since Saturday midnight. The water level of Maskeliya Oya has risen rapidly due to heavy rains in Miriakotte and Sri Pada Reserve, where Maskeliya Oya originates, which mainly supplies water to the Maussakelle Reservoir. The water level of the Gartmore Waterfall and Moray Falls, which supply water to the Maussakelle Reservoir, has also risen.
The water level in Keselgamu Oya has risen due to heavy rains falling since Sunday morning in Bogawanthalawa, Mahaeliya Reserve, which is the main water catchment area of Castlereagh Reservoir. Due to the overflow of Keselgamu Oya, which mainly flows into the Castlereagh Reservoir, many roads, leading to Bogawanthalawa and Kotiagala estates, have been flooded.
Due to the heavy rains and strong winds that are falling intermittently on the western slopes of the central hills these days, there is a risk of trees falling and mounds of earth collapsing on the Hatton-Colombo and Hatton-Nuwara Eliya main road. Police are requesting motorists to exercise caution when travelling on those roads.
The Irrigation Director’s Office says that the water level of the Gin Ganga is rising, with the further activation of the upper fed areas of the river due to the ongoing torrential rains.
Gin Ganga Irrigation Engineer Piumi de Silva said the water level of the Baddegama water gauge had increased to 3.73 meters at 9 am Sunday, raising the risk of a minor flood situation in the Baddegama area. Due to this, the low-lying cultivated lands and many byways in the areas of Agaliya, Mulkada, Pathawelivitiya, Bambarahikada, Navakkada, etc., on both sides of the river, were flooded.
Meanwhile, the water level in the Thavalama water gauge has increased to 2.92 meters, the Engineer said.
As part of the official visit to London for the 43rd Commonwealth of Learning (COL) Board of Governors Meeting 2026, the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, held discussions with academic experts from the British Council on Wednesday [20 May 2026].
The discussions focused on strengthening cooperation in education, particularly in the areas of teacher training, English language programmes, education frameworks, and language acquisition skills.
The British Council shared international experience and highlighted its ongoing engagement in Sri Lanka, while expressing readiness to support the country through technical assistance, teacher development initiatives, and policy collaboration.
Discussions also included views on improving quality assurance, expanding research collaboration, and enhancing learning opportunities.
The Prime Minister appreciated the British Council’s continued engagement in Sri Lanka and reiterated the importance of deepening partnerships.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division’
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, who is currently on an official visit to the United Kingdom, met with members of the Sri Lankan community living in London on Wednesday [20th] and engaged in cordial discussions.
Despite the event being held on a weekday, it was notable that nearly one thousand Sri Lankans representing the Sinhala, Tamil, and Muslim communities attended with great enthusiasm.
Addressing the gathering, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that despite natural disasters and international crises, the present government has succeeded in stabilizing the country’s economy while providing relief to the people. She further noted that Sri Lanka’s political culture has now undergone a positive transformation that is irreversible.
Minister of Women and Child Affairs Saroja Paulraj, addressing the event, stated that a governance system has now been established in the country where all communities are treated equally and the benefits of economic development are shared fairly among all citizens.
Moving away from the traditional method of political gatherings, the event also provided an open platform for members of the Sri Lankan community to directly raise questions and express their views to the Prime Minister and the Minister.
Commenting on the organization of the event, the organizing committee stated that all expenses, including dinner, were borne by the participants themselves. The organizers further remarked that it is unsurprising that opposition groups, accustomed to organizing such events through the misuse of public funds, appear unsettled by this transparent process.
The occasion was attended by the Minister of Women and Child Affairs Saroja Paulraj and Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Nimal Senadheera.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya currently undertaking an official visit to London, United Kingdom, to participate in the 43rd Commonwealth of Learning (COL) Board of Governors Meeting 2026 held a bilateral meeting with the Yvette Cooper MP, Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom ON Wednesday [20]. The Prime Minister was accompanied by Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Nimal Senadheera, along with officials from the Sri Lankan High Commission.
During the meeting, the Prime Minister conveyed Sri Lanka’s appreciation to the United Kingdom for the support extended in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwa, including ongoing rebuilding and recovery assistance. The Prime Minister also commended the United Kingdom’s support in facilitating increased bilateral trade and exports for Sri Lanka.
The Prime Minister briefed the UK delegation on Sri Lanka’s recent economic developments and policy priorities, the Government’s commitment to advancing human rights and reconciliation, as well as Sri Lanka’s positive growth trajectory.
The two sides also exchanged views on current global geopolitical developments, challenges in the energy sector, and the importance of enhancing regional connectivity and long-term energy security.
Both sides also emphasised the importance of strengthening structured academic mobility frameworks while ensuring fairness, clarity, and integrity within migration systems.
They also reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening bilateral cooperation between the two countries in areas of mutual interest.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
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