The Landslide Early Warning Center of the Building Research Organisation [NBRO| has issued Landslide Early Warnings to the Districts of Badulla and Moneragala valid upto 2130 hrs today [10th May 2026]

Accordingly,
Level I [Yellow] landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Passara in the Badulla district and Badalkumbura and Wellawaya in the Monaragala District.

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya emphasized that alongside developing the necessary infrastructure for the digitalization of Sri Lanka’s education system, it is equally essential to develop quality educational content and provide proper training for teachers.

The Prime Minister made these remarks during a discussion held at the Prime Minister’s Office on Friday [May 08]  with representatives of Rotary International and a group of professionals from Sri Lanka’s software industry, facilitated by the Digital Task Force.

The Prime Minister pointed out that smart classrooms should not be limited to merely displaying YouTube videos, but must instead focus on creating high-quality digital educational content aligned with the national curriculum. She further stressed the importance of delivering all educational materials through an official government platform such as “e-Thaksalawa,” rather than through various private platforms, ensuring consistency and quality standards.

Prime Minister Dr. Amarasuriya also highlighted the need to implement digital training programmes centered around the 20 National Colleges of Education responsible for teacher training. She noted that familiarizing approximately 6,000 trainee teachers annually with digital technology could bring about a qualitative transformation within the school system.

During the discussion, it was revealed that steps are being taken to establish smart classrooms in 100 selected schools. Under the first phase, facilities will be provided to 50 schools, while the remaining 50 schools will receive the facilities in a later phase. Representatives of Rotary International stated that they are prepared to provide digital learning platforms to the Government free of charge and support the creation of educational content using modern technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Attention was also drawn to the importance of establishing a formal agreement-based mechanism between the Government and the private sector to ensure the long-term sustainability of these projects. Both parties held discussions on managing practical challenges such as electricity costs and internet connectivity expenses in schools while implementing the process in a systematic manner.

The Prime Minister further stated that a five-year plan for the digital transformation of the education system will be finalized in the near future and requested Rotary representatives to contribute in line with the priorities identified within the plan.

The discussion was attended by the Secretary to the Prime Minister, Pradeep Saputhanthri, Additional Secretary to the Prime Minister A.B.M. Ashraf, officials from the Ministries of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, representatives of the Digital Task Force, and officials from Creative Software and Cambio Software Engineering.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]

The Sri Lanka Navy demonstrated its commitment to maritime safety and assisted to bring ashore an injured fisherman and rushed him for urgent medical attention on Friday (08 May 26).

The fisherman was aboard a local multiday fishing trawler off the south coast and the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) Colombo coordinated the retrieval of the fisherman.

Reportedly, the multi-day fishing trawler had set sail from the Galle Fisheries Harbour on 03 May with 07 fishermen. While engaged in fishing activities approximately 81 nautical miles off the south coast, one of the crew members suffered an injury.
Following a formal request for assistance, through MRCC Colombo, the Merchant Vessel ‘MT MAUI’ sailing in the nearby sea area had been informed to retrieve the patient.

In a rapid response, the Navy dispatched a craft attached to the Southern Naval Command to the designated sea area where the Merchant Vessel was to bring the fisherman ashore. Upon transferring the injured fisherman from the Merchant Vessel, naval personnel provided essential first aid to the injured person before swiftly bringing him to the Galle Harbour. Ensuring the patient received the necessary specialized care without delay, the Navy safely transferred the fisherman to the National Hospital, Galle.

Meanwhile, the Navy remains alert to such emergencies affecting the fishing and naval communities, in close coordination with MRCC Colombo.