News
Navy intercepts 02 dinghies and 01 traditional boat and seizes more than 1076kg of Tendu leaves
Separate search operations conducted by the Sri Lanka Navy in the beach area of Urimune on the Delft Island and in Kudawa Lagoon, Kalpitiya on 28th and 29th August 2024 led to the interception of 02 dinghies and 01 traditional boat with more than 1076kg (wet weight) of smuggled Tendu leaves.
The Navy conducts regular search operations and patrols in the coastal areas to prevent the influx of a wide range of illegal items into the island.
As an extension of these efforts, SLNS Wasaba in the Northern Naval Command recovered about 34kg and 500g (wet weight) of Tendu leaves in a parcel, washed ashore at the Urimune beach, on 28th August.
Moreover, SLNS Vijaya in the Northwestern Naval Command recovered 33 sacks stuffed with about 1042kg (wet weight) of Tendu leaves, after searching 02 dinghies and a traditional boat at the Kudawa Lagoon on 29th August. Accordingly, the consignment of Tendu leaves and boats were taken into naval custody.
The stock of Tendu leaves held by SLNS Wasaba has been kept in the safe custody of the Navy, until legal action gets underway. Meanwhile, the consignment of Tendu leaves and boats held by SLNS Vijaya will be handed over to the Excise Special Unit in Northwestern Province for legal action.
Latest News
Advisory for severe lightning issued to the Districts of Kaluthara, Rathnapura, Galle and Matara
Advisory for Severe Lightning
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
at 12.30 p.m. 13 December 2025 valid for the period until 11.00 p.m. 13 December 2025 for Kaluthara, Rathnapura, Galle and Matara Districts
The public are warned that thundershowers accompanied with severe lightning are likely to occur at some places in the Kaluthara, Rathnapura, Galle and Matara Districts.
There may be temporary localized strong winds during thundershowers.
General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning activity.
ACTION REQUIRED:
The Department of Meteorology advises that people should:
Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.
Avoid open areas such as paddy fields, tea plantations and open water bodies during thunderstorms.
Avoid using wired telephones and connected electric appliances during thunderstorms.
Avoid using open vehicles, such as bicycles, tractors and boats etc.
Beware of fallen trees and power lines.
For emergency assistance contact the local disaster management authorities.
Based on the prevailing disaster situation and the upcoming festive season, arrangements have been made to provide a nutrition allowance worth Rs. 5,000 to pregnant mothers.
This allowance, which will be provided only once, will be given to pregnant mothers who were registered at maternal clinics on or before 30 November 2025.
The distribution will take place through the Divisional Secretariat offices from 16 December, as a program of the National Secretariat for Early Childhood Development, which is affiliated with the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs.
The Situation Report released by the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) at 6:00 AM today (13th December 2025) confirms that 640 persons have died and another 211 persons are missing due to flooding and landslides that took place in Sri Lanka within the past two weeks.
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