Showers or thundershowers will occur in Northern, North-Central, Eastern, Central and Uva provinces today (11),the Met Department has said. Heavy rain falls above 100 mm are likely at some places in the Northern, North-Central and Eastern provinces. Fairly heavy falls, about 75 mm, are likely at some places in Central and Uva provinces.

Showers or thundershowers may occur at several places in the other areas of the country after 1.00 p.m. Fairly heavy falls above 50 mm are likely at some places in these areas.

Fairly strong winds of about (30-40) kmph can be expected at times over the Northern, North-Central and North-Western provinces and in the Trincomalee district and the Eastern slopes of the central hills.

Misty conditions can be expected at some places in the Sabaragamuwa, Central and Southern provinces during the early hours of the morning.

The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimise damages caused by temporary localised strong winds and lightning during thunderstorms.

The Attorney General yesterday (10) told the Colombo High Court that Daisy Forrest, great-aunt of Yoshitha Rajapaksa and defendant in a money-laundering case, was to undergo a psychiatric evaluation by the Colombo Judicial Medical Officer on Thursday (11).

State Counsel Oswald Perera conveyed the update when the matter was taken up before High Court Judge Rashmi Singappuli.

Perera noted that a related trial against the accused was currently underway before the Colombo High Court No. 08. During those proceedings, counsel for Forrest claimed she was not mentally fit to stand trial, prompting the court to order a specialist medical report through the JMO.

The State Counsel confirmed that Forrest was expected to under go the evaluation, in line with the court directive. He said the prosecution would determine her fitness to stand trial after reviewing the report, and requested that the case be postponed until then.

Judge Singappuli ordered the case to be recalled on 09 February, 2026.

The Attorney General informed the court that the defendants had violated the Prevention of Money Laundering Act by depositing more than Rs. 59 million, purportedly earned unlawfully between March 2009 and December 2013, in three accounts.

By A.J.A. Abeynayake

The ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ initiative, launched to help the country recover from the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah, has so far received Rs. 1,893 million in contributions from domestic donors, overseas Sri Lankans and a range of institutions, according to Finance Ministry Secretary Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma.

Dr. Suriyapperuma said the Insurance Regulatory Commission, together with the heads of all insurance firms, had met recently to hammer out a compensation framework for cyclone-hit businesses and properties.

Dr. Suriyapperuma said that the insurers mentioned they had already rolled out fast-track payout systems for affected homes, businesses and families. Immediate payments for minor property damage are under way, while compensation for major losses will follow once required assessments are completed. However, insurers have agreed to release part-payments upfront, even before full evaluations are finalised, he added.