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Dire weather forecast for Sri Lanka

Published

2 years ago

2024/02/17

Drought threatens until mid-April, urgent health and environmental measures required

Weather in Sri Lanka will be drier than usual until mid-April due to El Niño and The Indian Ocean Dipole, Director General of Meteorology, Athula Karunanayake said. According to Karunanayake the country’s Met Department predicted these developments in 2023 and had urged the government to take the necessary steps to manage water and other resources. He added that the Met Department will be fully modernized in 2024 with a loan from the World Bank, and that with this, predictive capabilities will increase dramatically.

February, March and April are months when schools hold sports meets and there are also marathons and bicycle races during New Year festivals, Consultant Paediatrician at the Lady Ridgeway Hospital, Dr. Deepal Perera said.

Those who take part in these events must make sure that they are properly dehydrated, he mentioned.Dr. Perera said dehydration can be a life-threatening situation.

“The moment your urine takes on a darker hue, you must understand your body doesn’t have enough water. Water alone is not enough. You also lose sodium when you sweat. You can put a bit of salt or lime juice into your water.”

Children must be taught that they should drink more water.

Dr. Perera went on to say that this is also a time when people are prone to skin diseases. Therefore, people must try to spend some time in water, take showers frequently, etc.

“Those who are prone to skin diseases must try to spend 20 minutes in water during the morning and in the evening. People must wear loose clothing, too. Otherwise, you will see a lot of heat strokes,” he said.

Sri Lanka’s air quality sees a substantial degradation between November and January each year, Senior Scientist at the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO), Sarath Premasiri said. This is a development that began a few years ago.

“We are keeping an eye out to see if this reaches dangerous levels. We have to collect air quality data from across the country, and we have already established mechanisms to do so.”

Premasiri said that initially they collected data only in Colombo. From 2000 to 2012, air pollution in Colombo saw an increase. The data was used to put limitations on industries and other sources of pollution.

“The air quality in main towns has somewhat improved with these measures for a while. However, again, we are facing a problem. As you know, we get monsoon winds in two seasons. During North Western monsoons, we get a lot of polluted air. This is why we are seeing bad air quality in the above-mentioned months,” he said.

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Heat Index at Caution Level in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern and Southern provinces and in Monaragala district

Published

7 hours ago

2026/04/16

Priyan

Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 15 April 2026, valid for 16 April 2026.

The Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern
and Southern provinces and in Monaragala district.

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

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Indonesian Navy Sailing Ship KRI BIMA SUCI – 945 makes port call in Colombo

Published

11 hours ago

2026/04/15

Priyan

The Indonesian Navy Sailing Ship KRI BIMA SUCI – 945 arrived at the Port of Colombo on a goodwill visit on 15 Apr 2026 and was welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) in compliance with time-honoured naval traditions.

The vessel’s arrival is a key highlight of the ASEAN Plus Cadet Sail (APCS) – 2026 programme , accompanying a diverse contingent of Navy cadets from 26 different nations alongside their Indonesian counterparts.

The ship is commanded by Commander SUGENG HARIYANTO. Meanwhile, Officer Under-trainees of the Sri Lanka Navy are expected to participate in various programmes aboard the
ship and naval personnel observe its operational functions during its stay in the island.

Furthermore, the ship’s crew is scheduled to take part in programmes organized by the Sri Lanka Navy to enhance camaraderie between the two navies, as well as visit several tourist attractions in the country.

News

PM initiates children into learning at the auspicious time while observing New Year traditional customs and rituals

Published

11 hours ago

2026/04/15

Priyan

The Sinhala and Tamil New Year cultural festival, organized by the Ministry of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, was held on Tuesday (14) in Gampaha under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, with the performance of traditional auspicious customs and rituals.

In accordance with tradition, during the Punya Kalaya (inauspicious time), the Prime Minister visited the Medagama Sri Sunandarama Viharaya in Gampaha and participated in religious observances and received blessings from Venerable Thunmodara Samitha Thero, a member of the Karaka Sangha Sabha of the Sri Lanka Ramanna Maha Nikaya and the Chief Incumbent of the Medagama Sri Sunandarama Dharmaduta Piriven Viharaya.

The traditional observances of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year cultural festival were held at the residence of Darshana Weerasinghe in Gampaha. Marking the auspicious time for commencing work, and upon the invitation of the host family, the Prime Minister planted a sapling within the premises. Concurrently, Minister of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, joined the PM.

Subsequently, the Prime Minister joined children in engaging in traditional folk games.

At the auspicious time for engaging work and educational activities, the PM participated with children in reading and writing, guiding them and symbolically marking the commitment to advancing the educational development of the nation’s children.

Thereafter, the Prime Minister and other distinguished guests observed the traditional customs of exchanging greetings, transactions and gifts with the host family, and joined them to partake in the customary New Year meal.

Extending New Year greetings to all citizens, the Prime Minister expressed her gratitude to all Sri Lankans, both at home and abroad, for their contributions in overcoming and effectively managing the various challenges faced by the country.

Speaking at the occasion, Minister Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi stated that the Sinhala and Tamil New Year festival symbolizes renewal and purity, and reflects the energy of the sun. He also conveyed his wishes for a peaceful and prosperous New Year for all.

The occasion was attended by the Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning and Minister of Labour, Dr. Anil Jayantha; Deputy Minister of Labour, Mahinda Jayasinghe; Member of Parliament for the Gampaha District, Ruwan Mapalagama; along with the Gampaha District Secretary, Mayor, Divisional Secretaries, and a large number of government officials.

(Prime Minister’s Media Division)