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Lanka should be ready for Cyber-Warfare – Subramanian Swamy

Published

4 years ago

2021/10/17

Lanka may be a small island compared to China, Russia, the US or India, yet if Sri Lanka develops expertise, the country would be equal to all other countries when it comes to cyber-warfare, said Eminent scholar and Member of Indian Parliament, Dr Subramanian Swamy.

Speaking at the Security Salon on “National Security in the 21st Century” conducted by the Institute of National Security Studies (INSS) at the Nandimithra Auditorium of the Ministry of Defence, in Colombo on Wednesday Dr Swamy said: “National Security in the 21st century is not about advancing armies or aeroplanes flying above… and no country is big or small. All countries are superpowers or nothing, according to their preparation to meet cyberwarfare,” he stated, underscoring the need for countries to work out their objectives, priorities, strategy, and resource mobilisation that he termed the “four pillars” of national security.

There is no such thing called a ‘Big Country’ or a ‘Small Country’ in the new domain & new structure of national security, especially when it comes to cyber-warfare, he said.

He said if Sri Lanka takes on the determination to be a cyberwar capable country in the next 15 years, Sir Lanka will become one of the world powers.

‘The problem with cyber warfare is, you just don’t know where they are. Today, if a rocket is fired you can track it. But, in cyber warfare you have absolutely no idea until someone claims responsibility for it,” said the BJP MP adding there is no longer a frontline or captured territory in cyber-warfare.

Sri Lanka must have an objective to develop cyber tools and use it for its defence, he said.

Dr Swamy said that China was responsible for the March 2021, two-hour blackout in Bombay (Mumbai).

“Don’t push us too hard, or the lights will go out again, was the Chinese announcement,” said Dr Swamy.

As a priority, Sri Lanka must have cyber security, with its new area on currency as well, as currency like Bitcoin have made governments irrelevant, he said.

“When it comes to cyber currency, there is no way that a government can control it. Yet, people have already started making billions from it. That capacity of its misuse is enormous,” he added noting that it is the same with cyber technology, where if it falls into the hands of a terrorist, there will be no way of knowing where they are attacking from.

The education you get should be more oriented toward learning about cyber warfare, said Dr Swamy.

“We need to give up the concept of Big-Strong nations, Global Powers, and so on. These wars may be bilateral. But multilateral wars with cyber-warfare will mean the end of the earth,” he added, noting there will be no way to save the earth, though we survived during World War I and II.

“World War III will be the last war we will ever be fighting if it happens,” he warned.

Countries must get together and pool resources to develop each other’s cyber warfare capabilities or intelligence capability including education, he added.

“A Prime Minister should not be a person who does not understand cyber warfare. He needs to be well aware,” he said commenting on global leadership, adding future politicians must also be aware.

Dr Subramanian Swamy, an economist, said if Sri Lanka makes the correct economic policies, the resources will not be a problem.

Sri Lanka must be cyber technology savvy to survive as a nation, or you will be at the mercy of those who are, said the BJP Strongman.

“I don’t think the 21st Century Security should worry you. We are potentially able to develop a system that is superior to everybody else,” he remarked.

“I think the civil society needs to be educated in the essentials of the army,” he noted while adding that the present-day military has also become cyber dependent.

The Security Saloon was chaired by Defence Secretary Gen. Kamal Gunaratne and moderated by Prof. Rohan Gunaratna, Director General, INSS.

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Landslide early warnings issued to the Districts of Badulla, Kandy, Matale and Nuwara Eliya

Published

8 hours ago

2026/01/8

Priyan

The Landslide Early Warning Center of the National Building Research Organisation [NBRO] has issued landslide early warnings to the districts of Badulla, Kandy, Matale and Nuwara Eliya for the next 24 hours commencing at 1200hrs today [08]

Accordingly
LEVEL II AMBER landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Ududumbara in the Kandy District, Wilgamuwa in the Matale District, and Nildandahinna and Walapane in the Nuwara Eliya District.

LEVEL I YELLOW landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Meegahakiwula, Welimada, Kandaketiya, Lunugala, Badulla, Passara, Uva Paranagama and Hali_Ela in the Badulla District, Ambanganga Korale in the Matale District, and Mathurata and Hanguranketha in the Nuwara Eliya District.

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Warning for deep depression over South-east Bay of Bengal Sea area

Published

14 hours ago

2026/01/8

Priyan

Deep depression Track. [Source: RSMC]

Warning for deep depression over South-east Bay of Bengal Sea area.
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre, Department of Meteorology at 10.30 a.m. on 08 January 2026 for the period until 10.30 a.m. 09 January 2026

The depression in the Bay of Bengal to the southeast of Sri Lanka has intensified into a deep depression and is centered near latitude 5.4°N and longitude 85.3°E, about 420 km southeast of Pottuvil at 05.30 a.m. today (08th). The above system is currently (10:00 a.m.) located about 300 km southeast of Pottuvil.

It is very likely to move west-northwestwards across the southwest Bay of Bengal and cross the Sri Lanka coast between Hambantota and Kalmunai between 5.30 p.m. to 11.30 p.m. on Friday [9th January 2026].

Hence, showery, and windy condition over the island, particularly in the Northern, NorthCentral, Eastern, Uva and Central provinces is expected to enhance from today (08th).

For the Land area:

DAMAGE EXPECTED:
• Damage to huts, temporary shelters and light structures
• Destroy the roof tops/ sheets etc.
• Damage to power and communication lines.
• Breaking of tree branches and uprooting of large avenue trees.
• Damage to paddy crops, banana, papaya trees and orchards.
• Damage to harbor yachts
• Flash flood
• Sea water inundation in low lying areas in the near coast.

Action suggested for the Land area:
• Coastal hutment dwellers are advised to move to safer places. Other people in the affected areas to remain indoors.
• People living in hilly areas (particularly landslide prone areas) and low lying areas in river basins are requested to be vigilant.
• Drivers and people using roads in the hilly areas are requested to be vigilant.
• Beware of fallen trees and power lines.
• Avoid using wired telephones and connected electric appliances during thunderstorms.
• General public is requested to be vigilant regarding impending extreme weather situation.
• For emergency assistance contact the local disaster management authorities.
• Requested to be attentive about future advisories issued by the Department of Meteorology in this regard.

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Showers above 100 mm are likely at some places in the Eastern and Uva provinces and showers about 50-75 mm in other areas

Published

20 hours ago

2026/01/8

Priyan

WEATHER FORECAST FOR 08 JANUARY 2026
Issued at 05.30 a.m. on 08 January 2026 by the Department of Meteorology

The depression over the Bay of Bengal, located to the southeast of Sri Lanka, was centered near latitude 5.3°N and longitude 86.0°E, about 490 km southeast of Pottuvil, at 11:30 p.m. yesterday (07). It is expected to move west-northwestwards and towards the eastern coast of the island during next 24 hours. This system is likely to intensify further into a deep depression during the next 12 hours.

Cloudy skies can be expected over most parts of the island.
Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in the Northern, North-central, Eastern, Uva, Central and Southern provinces. Showers or thundershowers may occur at several places elsewhere in the Island after 1.00 p.m. Heavy showers above 100 mm are likely at some places in the Eastern and Uva provinces. Fairly Heavy showers about (50 – 75) mm are likely at some places in the other areas of the island.

Strong winds about (50-60) kmph can be expected at times over the Eastern slopes of the central hills, the Northern, North-central, North-western and Eastern provinces and in Hambantota, Gampaha, Colombo and Monaragala districts.

The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.