More than 35 people were hospitalised following a head-on collision between two privately-owned buses in Matara yesterday morning.Six persons sustained serious injuries and are currently receiving treatment at the Matara Hospital, police added.

Police Spokesman SSP K.B. Manathunga said that there was a rising number of road accidents involving privately-owned buses in recent times. In response, police have intensified legal actions against passenger bus drivers who violate traffic regulations.

SSP Manathunga announced on Saturday that the government has approved the recruitment of an additional 10,000 police officers. This move aims to strengthen efforts in preventing road accidents, as well as supporting broader anti-crime and anti-drug operations.

Investigations into the cause of the collision are ongoing, SSP Manatunga said. (RK)

Text and Pic by Dinasena Rathugamage

A 25-year-old elephant that had been struggling in pain and hunger for 14 days due to suspected severe gunshot injuries died on Saturday near the Iranamadukulam tank in Kilinochchi.

Villagers who noticed the injured elephant informed Wildlife officers about its condition. Although a team of officials rushed to the location and attempted to treat the elephant, its condition was critical due to severe injuries and its extreme weakness, making recovery impossible.

 Wildlife officers said that the elephant was about 25 years of age and they suspected that the elephant’s injuries had been caused by a gunshot. A post-mortem examination is scheduled to determine the exact cause of death. The Kilinochchi Police and Wildlife officials have launched an investigation into the death of the elephant.

Authorities yesterday (19) issued early landslide and flood warnings expected to affect multiple districts and provinces.

The National Building and Research Organization (NBRO) issued landslide warnings, effective until Monday morning (20) for the districts of Badulla, Kandy, Kurunegala, and Matale. These districts are located in the Central, Uva, and Northwestern provinces.

The Irrigation Department also issued flood warnings for low-lying areas in the Eastern and North Central provinces, particularly in the Mahaweli River Basin, Sri Lanka’s largest river. The warning remains effective until Tuesday morning (21) as heavy rainfall continues in its catchment areas.

According to the Meteorology Department, the North-Eastern monsoon is currently active, and rain is expected to persist in the coming days. The Disaster Management Centre reported that by Sunday morning, 910 people had already been affected by adverse weather conditions. (RK)