News
Sluice gates opened as heavy rains spark flood alerts countrywide
Widespread heavy rainfall has prompted authorities to open sluice gates at multiple reservoirs and issue a series of flood warnings across several districts, disrupting transport and placing thousands on alert.
In Moneragala, two spill gates of the Weheragala reservoir were opened by one foot and four more by six inches after water levels rose sharply, Assistant Director of the District Disaster Management Centre (DMC) Ravindra Kumara said. The Menik Ganga has now reached spill level, prompting warnings to pilgrims heading to Kataragama and Sella Kataragama to avoid entering the river.
Traffic along the Wellawaya–Wewelakandura road was also hampered after the Alikota Ara reservoir reached capacity and its spill gates were opened, submerging parts of the route. Officials said water levels in the area rose rapidly due to persistent downpours.
Meanwhile, the Department of Irrigation cautioned of potential flooding within the next 48 hours in low-lying areas of the Mahaweli River Basin. Heavy rainfall in upstream catchments has put several Divisional Secretariat divisions — including Kinniya, Muttur, Kantale, Seruvila, Welikanda, Medirigiriya, Lankapura, Thamankaduwa and Dimbulagala — at heightened risk.
Sections of the Batticaloa–Polonnaruwa road, especially near Gallella, and access routes to the Somawathiya Raja Maha Vihara may become inundated. Devotees have been advised to postpone visits until conditions improve. Residents close to the Mahaweli River have been urged to remain on high alert.
In a separate advisory, a red flood warning was issued for downstream areas of the Gal Oya following intense rainfall that pushed the Senanayake Samudraya in Inginiyagala to full capacity. Authorities warn that opening the spill gates could trigger major flooding downstream, affecting communities in Damana, Ampara, Eragama, Addalaichenai, Sammanthurai, Nintavur, Karaitivu, Sainthamaruthu, Kalmunai and Navithanveli, as well as low-lying zones near the South Eastern University in Oluvil.
Disaster Management authorities have called for immediate preparedness and urged the public, particularly motorists and residents in vulnerable areas, to take precautionary measures as adverse weather conditions persist.
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya participated in a high-level dialogue titled “Tourism as Soft Power and Diplomatic Capital” held at the Euronews Hub, Piz Buin Davos, on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum on January 20.
The session explored how tourism functions as a strategic instrument of diplomacy by strengthening international trust, cultural exchange, and regional cooperation through mobility and people-to-people engagement. The Prime Minister shared the panel with Mr. Kuban Omiraliyev, Secretary General of the Organization of Turkic States and Mr. Meshari Alnahar – CEO Aseer Investment Company, Saudi Arabia.
Addressing global trends, the Prime Minister emphasized that Sri Lanka is an example of hope, recovery and resilience in a world of conflict demonstrating how tourism can play a critical role in a changing global environment particularly amid climate shocks, geopolitical instability, and uneven economic recovery. She noted that tourism is not only an economic sector but also a vital diplomatic bridge that supports livelihoods, builds relationships and connects people.
Drawing on Sri Lanka’s recent experience, she highlighted the country’s strong tourism recovery despite multiple crises, including the impact of Cyclone Ditwah. Transparent crisis management and strategic engagement with international partners helped sustain visitor confidence, resulting in record tourist arrivals even in challenging circumstances.
The Prime Minister also underscored the importance of green and climate friendly tourism infrastructure and underlined that Sri Lanka welcomes long term investment in tourism. She pointed out that tourism supports millions of jobs worldwide and that inclusive policies are essential to ensure fair opportunities, particularly for women and vulnerable communities.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
During an operation conducted in the dark hours of 20 Jan 26, the Sri Lanka Navy seized two (02) Indian fishing boats and apprehended seven (07) Indian fishermen while they were poaching in Sri Lankan waters, off Kovilan, Jaffna.
The seized boats and Indian fishermen was to be handed over to the Fisheries Inspector of Myliddy, Jaffna for onward legal proceedings.
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya participated in a series of high-level bilateral meetings on January 20 on the sidelines of the 56th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland.
The Prime Minister attended a productive bilateral meeting with Mr. Jozef Síkela, European Commissioner for International Partnerships. During the discussion, both sides focused on strengthening Sri Lanka–EU cooperation and advancing mutual interests.
Prime Minister Amarasuriya also met with Mr. Masato Kanda, President and Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), at the WEF Congress Centre. The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss ongoing engagement and future collaboration between Sri Lanka and the ADB.
In addition, the Prime Minister held discussions with Mr. Hassan El Houry, Chairman of Menzies Aviation, where opportunities for collaboration in aviation services and connectivity were explored.
The Prime Minister also participated in a high-level dialogue at the Global Tourism Forum held at the Euronews Hub, Piz Buin, Davos, as part of the World Economic Forum engagements.
Dr. Anil Jayantha, Minister of Labour, and the Deputy Minister of Finance were also present at these meetings.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
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