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UN raises alarm over continued detention of Rohingya refugees in Sri Lanka
The United Nations Resident Representative to Sri Lanka, Marc-André Franche, has voiced concern over the continued detention of a group of Rohingya refugees from Myanmar in Sri Lanka.In a statement, Franche noted that in December 2024, a group of 116 Rohingyas had arrived in Sri Lanka by sea and have since remained in detention in Mullaitivu.
While commending the Government and the Sri Lanka Navy for rescuing the refugees and providing humanitarian assistance, he urged the authorities to grant the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) access in line with Sri Lanka’s long-standing agreement, and to proceed with their registration.
“The UNHCR has reiterated its offer to proceed with registration so they can be released from detention. As underlined to the Sri Lankan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and in keeping with the call of the United Nations Secretary-General to continue protecting the Rohingya people, we recall that prolonged detention infringes their rights and is an obstacle to durable solutions,” he said.
Franche further observed that as the UN marks eight years since the forced mass displacement from Myanmar’s Rakhine State, Rohingya communities both inside and outside the country are facing an even greater deterioration of already dire circumstances.
Lakbima Rice Mills (Pvt) Ltd, based in Polonnaruwa, has contributed Rs. 100 million to the Government’s ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund, established to provide relief to communities affected by Cyclone Ditwa.
The donation cheque was handed over this morning (13) at the Presidential Secretariat to Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the President, by Dudley Sirisena, Chairman of the Araliya Group of Companies.
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Advisory for severe lightning issued to the Districts of Kaluthara, Rathnapura, Galle and Matara
Advisory for Severe Lightning
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
at 12.30 p.m. 13 December 2025 valid for the period until 11.00 p.m. 13 December 2025 for Kaluthara, Rathnapura, Galle and Matara Districts
The public are warned that thundershowers accompanied with severe lightning are likely to occur at some places in the Kaluthara, Rathnapura, Galle and Matara Districts.
There may be temporary localized strong winds during thundershowers.
General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning activity.
ACTION REQUIRED:
The Department of Meteorology advises that people should:
Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.
Avoid open areas such as paddy fields, tea plantations and open water bodies during thunderstorms.
Avoid using wired telephones and connected electric appliances during thunderstorms.
Avoid using open vehicles, such as bicycles, tractors and boats etc.
Beware of fallen trees and power lines.
For emergency assistance contact the local disaster management authorities.
Based on the prevailing disaster situation and the upcoming festive season, arrangements have been made to provide a nutrition allowance worth Rs. 5,000 to pregnant mothers.
This allowance, which will be provided only once, will be given to pregnant mothers who were registered at maternal clinics on or before 30 November 2025.
The distribution will take place through the Divisional Secretariat offices from 16 December, as a program of the National Secretariat for Early Childhood Development, which is affiliated with the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs.
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