News
Country grapples with one of its worst weather disasters
The country is grappling with one of its worst weather disasters in recent years. Torrential rains and landslides have so far claimed more than 40 lives, left 14 others missing, and displaced thousands more across 17 districts. The hardest-hit areas include Badulla, Kegalle, and Nuwara Eliya Districts, with Badulla alone recording 18 fatalities.
According to the latest reports as of last night, over 4,000 individuals from 1,158 families have been affected. Three houses were destroyed while 381 sustained partial damage. At least 131 displaced residents are currently accommodated in five safe locations. Ten people have also sustained injuries.
Authorities have urged the public to remain vigilant and report any emergencies through the 117 hotlines, as relief efforts continue with cooked meals, dry rations, and medical assistance prioritised for affected communities.
Rail services along the Eastern and Matale lines have been suspended or severely delayed due to submerged tracks, landslides, and fallen trees, while the Kelani Valley Line has experienced further delays. Motorists have been advised to avoid the Colombo–Kandy and Kandy–Nuwara Eliya main roads, which remain closed due to ground instability. The Polonnaruwa–Batticaloa road has been closed until safety assessments are completed.
In a dramatic incident in Kumbukkana, a passenger bus became trapped in rising floodwaters. Emergency teams successfully rescued all 23 passengers without serious injuries. Authorities warn that sudden floods are likely to continue throughout the day.
The National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) has issued red-alert landslide warnings for eight high-risk districts, urging residents of hillside and flood-prone areas to remain on high alert and be prepared for immediate evacuation. Rugam in Batticaloa District recorded over 300 millimetre of rainfall in a short period, intensifying the risk of landslides and flash floods.
Meteorologists say a deep low-pressure zone dominating the country continues to strengthen, drawing moisture from surrounding seas and causing repeated heavy rainfall over central, Uva, Sabaragamuwa, and eastern regions. Rainfall exceeding 200 mm is projected in several districts, further heightening the risk of floods and landslides.
Ongoing rainfall has undermined critical infrastructure. The right side of the Bentota old bridge has collapsed, and engineers are assessing the damage. Reservoirs, including Senanayake Samudra, have reached full capacity, prompting flood warnings for downstream communities.
The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has advised households to report outages and downed power lines through its CEBCare app or web portal to speed up restoration efforts.
The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) continues to coordinate with local authorities, the Tri-Forces, police, and district officials to ensure timely relief and evacuation measures.
Officials urge the public to avoid unnecessary travel, especially in hilly or flood-prone areas, to report emergencies promptly via the 117 hotline and to keep essential supplies ready and remain attentive to official warnings.
With relief operations underway and warnings in place, authorities continue to stress the need for vigilance as Sri Lanka faces a prolonged period of heavy rains and accompanying landslide threats, especially in high elevations.
By Norman Palihawadane, Chaminda Silva, Pradeep Prasanna Samarakoon
Latest News
Heat Index at Caution Level in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa and Eastern provinces during the day time
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 24 April 2026, valid for 25 April 2026.
Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa and
Eastern provinces during the day time.
The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.
Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.
ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.
Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.
The Opposition yesterday called for the entire Cabinet-of-Ministers to accept responsibility for the coal scam. Addressing the media at the Flower Road Office of UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, former Foreign Minister Prof. G. L. Peiris emphasised that Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody’s resignation, in the wake of the damning report issued by the National Audit Office (NAO), has now implicated the entire Cabinet-of-Ministers.
Prof. Peiris asserted that Jayakody, who had been indicted in the Colombo High Court over alleged corruption, during the Yahapalana administration, stepped down after the NPP failed to suppress the truth on the coal scam.
The ex-Minister declared that Jayakody’s resignation, the first since the formation of new government, with a super majority in Parliament, was a devastating setback for the current dispensation.
The internationally recognised legal scholar said that a future government would move courts against the entire NPP Cabinet. Referring to the NAO report submitted to Parliament, Prof. Peiris emphasised that there was absolutely no ambiguity regards allegations directed at the Energy Ministry. The NAO report proved that the Indian company, Trident Champhar, that won the major contract, didn’t even have the required registration.
Prof. Peiris said that the coal scam was three times bigger than the Treasury bond scams, perpetrated during the Yahapalana time (SF)
The Colombo High Court yesterday ordered that the case, filed under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act against Yoshitha Rajapaksa, son of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, and his grand-aunt Daisy Forrest Wickramasinghe, be recalled on June 10.
The case was taken up before High Court Judge Rashmi Singappuli.
At the hearing, State Counsel informed the court that a related case, on similar charges, had been filed before High Court No. 08. The court was further informed that a revised indictment has been directed to be filed in that case, necessitating the submission of a revised indictment in the present case as well.
State Counsel requested time to report on the progress of those proceedings.
Accordingly, the judge ordered that the case be called on June 10 and directed that progress be reported on that date.
The case pertains to three indictments filed by the Attorney General alleging that between March 31, 2009, and December 12, 2013, the accused had committed an offence under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act by depositing over Rs. 59 million in three private banks, the source of which could not be explained.
Showers expected in the Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Galle, Matara, Kandy, Nuwara-Eliya and Puttalam districts after 2.00 pm
Heat Index at Caution Level in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa and Eastern provinces during the day time
Opposition holds NPP Cabinet responsible for coal scam, three times bigger than bond fraud
Case against Yoshitha and Daisy Forrest postponed
Three-judge bench rejects request by ex-IGP Pujith
Johnston gets bail after four months
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