Kelani rising: Emergency power cuts in Colombo

Emergency power cuts had been imposed in several areas in Colombo following water level rising in the Kelani river, the Ceylon Electricity Board said.

Move away from banks of Kelani River: DMC

The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) has warned those living near the banks of the Kelani River to leave their homes and move to places of safety in the wake of the fast rising water level of the river.

Call 117 for emergency assistance

A hotline with No: 117 has been set up by the Disaster Management Ministry so that those affected by the adverse weather and seeking assistance or in case of an emergency could contact the 24-hour operation room.

Vass Gunawardena’s wife granted bail

The wife of former DIG Vass Gunawardena, Shyamali Priyadarshani Perera, who was remanded for the illegal possession and transportation of firearms, was granted bail today by the Colombo High Court.

NPC commemorates civilians in Wellamulli Waikkal

The seventh death anniversary of the civilians who died during the war was held at Wellamulli Waikkal in Mullaitivu today with the participation of Northern Provincial Chief Minister C.V. Wigneswaran.

Update: 13 bodies recovered in Aranayake, 3 in Bulathkohupitiya

Brigadier Jayaweera said the 150 people, who were successfully rescued in Aranayake, were relocated to six camps.

Two boys killed in Wattala floods

Two boys aged 16 and 9, suspected to be flood victims, died on admission to the Colombo North Teaching Hospital today, Police said.

16 missing in another landslide

Sixteen people including five men, 10 women and a six-month-old infant went missing and at least 100 people were displaced due to a landslide at Kalupahana Estate in Bulathkohupitiya last night.

Ranil’s picture should be hung at SLFP HQ: Mervyn

Former minister Mervyn Silva, who recently established an organisation named "Joint Opposition", said a picture of Premier Ranil Wickremesinghe should be hung at SLFP Headquarters, as he had helped to create the present government.

Emergency Relief Operations Room established

In view of the worsening weather across the country, an emergency Operations Room (Ops Room) functioning around the clock has been established at the Office of the Chief of Defence Staff (OCDS) at building No 5, BMICH, Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 7 with effect from today evening on a directive issued by the Ministry of Defence.

All schools in Sabaragamuwa Province closed

All schools in the Sabaragamuwa Province will be closed until the flood situation improves, the authorities said.

Eight schools closed in Panvila

Eight schools in the Panvila Educational Zone in Wattegama have been closed until further notice due to the prevailing adverse weather, Provincial Director of Education E.T.P.K. Ekanayake said.

Landslide displaces 450, injures 16 in Aranayake

About 450 persons from 200 families were displaced and 16 sustained injuries when a landslide occurred in the interior of Aranayake, Mawanella this evening, police said.

Landslide buries several houses in Aranayake

A landslide has buried several line houses at Aranayake in Mawanella this evening, Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said.  

SriLankan to cut staff to look pretty for a business partner

Sri Lanka’s national carrier is gearing up to shed some weight by way of a human resource restructuring programme to ensure the “bride is ready” for a prospective match, according to the debt-laden airline’s chairman.

UK updates travel advisory on SL following bad weather

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office of the UK today updated its travel advisory on Sri Lanka warning its people to seek local advice and leave plenty of time to reach a destination over the next few days due to floods.  

Met. Dept. handicapped without technology

The Meteorology Department is handicapped without the latest digital technology for weather forecast resulting in the inability to mitigate disasters such as the one currently being faced by the country.

Eight killed, eight missing, 207, 576 affected

The death toll, in the floods, landslides and strong winds that have ravaged the country during the past few days, has risen to eight leaving some 207, 500 people from 47, 922 families badly affected, the  Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said.

Two bodies recovered from Kadugannawa landslide area

Two bodies of a woman aged 45 and a ten-year-old boy have been recovered during the search operations after the landslides in Kadugannawa, Kandy today.

NWP schools closed until further notice

All schools in the North Western Province would remain closed from tomorrow until further notice due to the prevailing adverse weather, Provincial Education Minister Sandya Kumara Rajapaksa announced today.

Helicopter to rescue trapped people in Thabbowa

Rescue teams of the Air Force and Navy had been deployed to Thabbowa, Puttalam to rescue civilians trapped on a block of land due to floods following the torrential rains, Navy Spokesman Captain Akram Alavi said.

Beyonce brand Ivy Park denies ‘slavery’ in Lankan factory

Beyonce’s workout clothing line, Ivy Park, has denied claims by The Sun newspaper of running a sweatshop in its Sri Lanka factory, the Irish Examiner reported today.

RTI will make Sri Lanka a better place: US

US Ambassador Atul Keshap said yesterday that enshrining citizens’ Right to Information (RTI) will give Sri Lankans the tools to make their country a better place and prevent any return to an era of secrecy and a lack of accountability.

No tolls for some E01 entrances today- RDA

Motorists will be allowed to use the Southern Expressway entrances between Kottawa to Kadawatha free-of-charge today due to the prevailing weather condition, the Road Development Authority (RDA) said.

India can’t be trusted as genuine trade partner: GMOA

GMOA President Dr. Anuruddha Padeniya said yesterday that his organisation was not against India but that the country can’t be trusted as a genuine trade partner.  

Six missing after landslide in Kadugannawa

Six individuals are missing after a landslide in Kadugannawa, Kandy early today, the Disaster Management Center (DMC) said.

Spiritual leader Ravi Shankar arrives in SL

A renowned global spiritual leader, philanthropist, humanitarian and the founder of the Art of Living Foundation, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar arrived in the country last night at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA).

SL agrees to provide land to Indian MP for Sita temple

India's Madhya Pradesh government will soon start the construction of a grand temple of Sita, wife of Lord Rama, in Sri Lanka at the place where she underwent agni pariksha (an ordeal of fire). The island nation has agreed to provide a piece of land for the purpose.

Wimal hits out at Mervyn's mask

Former Minister Mervyn Silva’s formation of the ‘actual joint opposition’ was a pre-Vesak mask performance scripted by President Maithripala Sirisena, the National Freedom Party (NFF) claimed yesterday.

Rosy's FR petition dismissed

The Supreme Court today refused to grant leave to proceed with the rights petition filed Rosy Senanayake seeking a recount of preference votes polled in the Colombo District at last year's general election.