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As complaints against errant officers pour in, Environment Minister orders setting up of flying squad

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By Ifham Nizam

Plans are afoot to set up a special emergency unit attached to the Ministry of Environment to respond to public complaints.

Environment Minister Mahinda Amaraweera has instructed the Secretary to the Ministry of Environment, Dr. Anil Jasinghe to take steps to set up a Special Internal Investigation Unit within the Ministry.

Amaraweera yesterday said that at a discussion with the Secretary and other Additional Secretaries, the Minister of Environment should set up the flying squad to investigate complaints received from the public by the Ministry.

He said that although there were several investigating officers at present, their activities were not being carried out in a satisfactory manner.

According to Minister Amaraweera, the Ministry receives a lot petitions from the public regarding the misconduct of a number of District Officers attached to the four main institutions affiliated to the Ministry of Environment. Complaints from the public often said that certain officials solicited bribes.

The institutions affiliated to the Ministry of Environment are the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau, the Central Environmental Authority, GSMB Technical Services Pvt. Ltd. and the Carbon Fund.

Minister Amaraweera said that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa had ordered that raids be carried out with the assistance of the police, and the armed forces personnel to prevent environmental destruction.

Therefore, he had instructed the officials to establish this Special Investigation Unit expeditiously, Amaraweera said, asking the public to send in their complaints.



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IMF Executive Board approves US$206 Million in Emergency Financial Support for Sri Lanka

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The IMF Executive Board approved emergency financing under the Rapid Financing Instrument (RFI),  providing Sri Lanka with immediate access to SDR 150.5 million (about US$206 million,
equivalent to 26 percent of quota) to help Sri Lanka address the urgent needs arising from the catastrophic Cyclone Ditwah and preserve macroeconomic stability.

 

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Navy clears major bridge obstructions in Peradeniya and Lewella

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In response to severe weather impacts, the Sri Lanka Navy conducted a diving and technical assistance operation on Friday (19 Dec 25) to clear major debris obstructing vital infrastructure.

Heavy rainfall caused a significant rise in the water level of the Mahaweli River, washed  large quantities of debris, including logs and bamboo, downstream. These  remain lodged in the Diyakapanathota in Gatambe, Peradeniya and Lewella bridges, obstructing the smooth flow of water.

Acting promptly upon request, a Navy diving team executed a coordinated operation in collaboration with the Road Development Authority. The team removed the accumulated debris, restoring normal water flow through the bridges.

 

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Landslide early warnings issued to the districts of Badulla, Kandy, Kurunegala, Matale and Nuwara-Eliya extended till 8AM on Sunday (21)

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The Landslide Early Warning Centre of the National Building Research Organization (NBRO) has extended the Landslide Early Warning issued to the districts of Badulla,  Kandy,  Kurunegala,  Matale and Nuwara-Eliya till  08:00AM on Sunday (21st December 2025)

The LEVEL III RED landslide early warnings issued to the Divisional Secetaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Medadumbara, Doluwa, Ududumbara and Minipe in the Kandy district,  and Nildandahinna, Hanguranketha, Mathurata and
Walapane have been extended.

LEVEL II AMBER   landslide early warnings have also been issued to the Divisional Secetaries Divisions  and surrounding areas of Soranathota, Hali_Ela, Passara,  Meegahakivula, Badulla, Lunugala and  Kandeketiya in the Badulla district,  Thumpane, Harispattuwa, Udapalatha, Kundasale, Akurana, Poojapitiya, Udunuwara, Pathadumbara, Pasbage Korale, Gangawata Korale, Hatharaliyadda, Yatinuwara, Ganga Ihala Korale, Panvila, Pathahewaheta and Deltota in the Kandy district,  Rideegama in the Kurunegala district,  Ukuwela, Naula, Matale, Ambanganga Korale, Rattota, Pallepola, Wilgamuwa, Yatawatta and Laggala Pallegama in the Matale district,  and Nuwara-Eliya in the Nuwara-Eliya district.

LEVEL I YELLOW landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secetaries Divisions and surrounding areas of  Uva Paranagama, Welimada, Haputhale, Haldummulla, Ella and
Bandarawela in the Badulla district, Alawwa, Mallawapitiya,
Polgahawela and Mawathagama in the Kurunegala district,  and Kothmale East, Ambagamuwa Korale, Kothmale West, Thalawakele and Norwood in the Nuwara-Eliya district.

 

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