News
WB assistance for green, resilient, and inclusive development in Lanka, Maldives, and Nepal
Countries worldwide are navigating their way out of the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, while facing the adverse effects of climate change. The world needs innovative approaches to build back better, mitigate and adapt to the biggest development challenges of our time, according to a World Bank report.
The WB said: Mindful of this need, the World Bank Group has been engaging with the governments of Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka to help increase access to and use of digital technologies and pave the way for a green, resilient, and inclusive development (GRID).
In the Maldives, the World Bank is working to understand climate change and support adaptation better. Its work in Sri Lanka is helping build more resilient public services. In Nepal, the World Bank aim to mobilize private capital to close digital access gaps in rural and mountainous regions.
Digital technologies have played a major role in the government’s response to COVID-19. It has allowed governments to continue functioning and deliver services to their people. With support from the World Bank, the Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA) in Sri Lanka has been leading efforts to build resilience by enhancing its government network and providing Government agencies with the digital tools and services to work remotely and deliver public services.
For example, ICTA plans to roll out a digital Forms.gov.lk solution as a new contactless solution for the public and businesses to fill and submit relevant documents to obtain public services digitally. A secure and robust government-wide email and collaboration service with video conferencing facilities is also in the works. ICTA is also enhancing the capacity of the government cloud infrastructure (LGC 2.0) to support more services, as the agency continues to shift its services online. A disaster recovery site will also be established for LGC 2.0 so that critical data is not lost in times of exogenous shocks, including natural disasters such as flooding and cyclones. These investments will help Sri Lanka build back better, ensuring that the Government is positioned to continue its operations and deliver services in the face of future shocks.
Maldives faces existential risks with climate change and rising sea levels. While engaging in global discussions on decarbonisation, it is also looking to diversify its economy beyond tourism and fisheries, while decentralising service delivery beyond the crowded capital city of Malé. For all of these, Maldives is looking at using digital tools.
Nepal had been working towards realizing its vision of a digital economy—captured in the 2019 Digital Nepal Framework—to create an engine of growth and expand service delivery across its challenging terrain. The pandemic has accelerated those plans, as the digital divides across urban and rural areas and among households at different income levels became starkly evident. For example, two-thirds of Nepal’s schoolchildren could not access remote learning during school closures, often due to limited access to devices or networks.
Looking forward from these excellent examples, we hope that a growing base of knowledge can help chart pathways out of the pandemic and its effects, while preparing for other challenges by building back better on solid digital foundations. The experiences of countries such as the sMaldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, suggest that meaningful execution of the GRID approach serves the people and their nations.
The warning mentioned in the flood warning message No. 01 issued for the Aththanagalu Oya basin on 22.05.2026 at about 5.30 am will be extended for the next 48 hours.
It is requested that residents in the area and vehicle drivers running through those areas pay high attention in this regard by the . Disaster Management Authorities are requested to take adequate precautions in this regard
Heavy and persistent rains lashed several parts of Sri Lanka yesterday, triggering flooding, transport disruptions, flight diversions and multiple disaster warnings as water levels rose in key river basins and low-lying urban areas.
The worst affected situation was reported along the Colombo–Avissawella main road, where floodwaters submerged sections of the highway, bringing vehicular movement to a standstill at several points, including the Puwakpitiya-Thummodara junction, the Seethawaka Botanical Garden area, and parts of Yatiyantota. Traffic was also severely disrupted along the Delgoda–Belumahara road at Udupila, and the Gampaha–Miriswatta road, due to inundation, while movement on the Divulapitiya–Mirigama route was restricted for light vehicles, following flooding at Ullalapitiya.
In the Kelani River Valley, rising water levels, following heavy rainfall in the catchment areas, prompted warnings of possible minor flooding within the next 48 hours. The Irrigation Department cautioned that areas, including Hanwella, Seethawaka, Dompe, Padukka, Homagama, Biyagama, Kaduwela, Kolonnawa, Kelaniya, Wattala and Colombo, could be affected. The flood alert, issued at 10:00 am yesterday, remains valid for 48 hours, until Sunday morning.
Meanwhile, the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) issued landslide warnings covering six districts—Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara, Kegalle, Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura. Red alerts were issued for Dehiowita, in Kegalle and Ratnapura, while amber and yellow warnings were declared for several vulnerable divisions, including Seethawaka, Padukka, Attanagalla, Ingiriya, Bulathsinhala, Ruwanwella, Kuruwita, Ayagama, Pelmadulla, Yatiyantota, Ambagamuwa, Eheliyagoda, Nivithigala and Kalawana.
In the civil aviation sector, poor visibility and heavy rain around Katunayake forced the diversion of around six inbound flights, bound for Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), to Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport, as a precautionary measure.
The Department of Meteorology reported that the highest rainfall recorded was 336.5 mm in Pambegama, Kegalle, between Thursday morning and Friday morning, underscoring the intensity of the ongoing weather system.
Authorities have urged the public, in affected districts, to remain vigilant, avoid flood-prone roads, and adhere to disaster warnings as adverse weather conditions are expected to persist.
by Norman Palihawadane and Chaminda Silva
Twenty-one alleged underworld operatives, deported from Dubai, were taken into custody by the CID, upon their arrival at the Mattala International Airport yesterday, Police said.
The suspects, including alleged organised crime figures, known as “Mahawatta Chamara” and “Kudu Duminda,” were arrested within the airport premises, shortly after disembarking from several inbound flights that had been diverted to Mattala, due to adverse weather conditions affecting operations at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), in Katunayake.
Police said the group had been residing overseas for an extended period while allegedly continuing to direct organised criminal activities and narcotics trafficking operations in Sri Lanka.
According to law enforcement authorities, the deportees were among a group of wanted criminal suspects linked to underworld networks and ongoing investigations into organised crime activities.
Senior Police officials stated that “Mahawatta Chamara” is expected to be handed over to the Central Crime Investigation Bureau for further investigations, while inquiries into the activities and alleged criminal links of the remaining suspects are also continuing.
Police sources said the deportees arrived in the country during the early hours of yesterday after flights originating from Dubai were rerouted to the Mattala Airport.
Authorities have not yet disclosed the specific charges pending against the suspects, but investigators believe several of them maintained operational ties to criminal syndicates involved in drug trafficking and other organised crimes, despite being based overseas.
The CID has commenced extensive investigations to determine the extent of the suspects’ alleged involvement in underworld activities and their connections to ongoing criminal operations in the country.
by Norman Palihawadane
Everest record holder warns of Nepal danger as two Indian mountaineers die
Angkrish Raghuvanshi ruled out of IPL 2026 with concussion, finger fracture
Sunrisers Hyderabad win big but Royal Challengers Bengaaluru, Gujarat Titans seal top two spots
Flood warning issued to the Aththanagalu Oya basin extended until 0600AM on Monday [25]
About 100 mm rainfall likely at some places in the Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Galle and Matara districts
Torrential rains cause havoc countrywide
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
Sunday Island 27 December – Headlines
#SundayIsland 17th December – Headlines
Sunday Island – 28th March
Sunday Island Headlines – 21 March
Sunday Island – 21st February – Headlines
-
Features6 days agoSri Lankan Airlines Airbus Scandal and the Death of Kapila Chandrasena and my Brother Rajeewa
-
News6 days agoKapila Chandrasena case: GN phone records under court scrutiny
-
News6 days agoRupee slide rekindles 2022 crisis fears as inflation risks mount
-
Features3 days agoOctopus, Leech, and Snake: How Sri Lanka’s banks feast while the nation starves
-
Business6 days agoExpansion of PayPal services in Sri Lanka officially announced
-
News2 days agoSteps underway to safeguard Sri Lanka’s maritime heritage
-
News6 days agoCourt orders further arrests in alleged USD 42 Mn NDB fraud case
-
Opinion2 days agoMurder of Ehelepola family, Bogambara Wewa and Sightings of Wangediya