No statement issued on state officials’ duties during disaster: Bribery Commission

The Bribery Commission denied issuing any statements as circulated in social media on how state officials should work during the disaster situation.

At least 300 Buddhist monks stranded at Anuradhapura Bikkhu University: Minister

Operations are underway to rescue 300 Buddhist monks stranded at the Anuradhapura Bikkhu University, Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe said today.

DMC urges immediate evacuation from dangerous areas

The Disaster Management Centre (DMC), along with District and Divisional Secretariats, has reported that some residents are not evacuating high-risk areas despite continuous warnings.

Emergency declared Islandwide: Minister

An islandwide emergency has been declared, Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe told the media.

Muslim school holidays extended due to adverse weather

The Education Ministry has announced that school holidays given for all Muslim schools have been extended until further notice.

Flood warning extended for Deduru Oya Basin

The flood warning for the Deduru Oya Basin, has been extended for an additional 48 hours.

21 people reported Missing in Thulhiriya

The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) has reported that 21 people are missing in the Monrovia Estate, located in the Thulhiriya area behind the Warakapola Magistrate Court. Authorities are currently coordinating search and rescue efforts to locate the missing individuals.

Critical flood warning issued for low-lying areas along Mahaweli River

The Irrigation Department has issued a critical flood warning for several low-lying areas along the Mahaweli River following heavy rainfall in the river’s catchment areas.

SriLankan Airlines issues special notice to pilots and cabin crew

SriLankan Airlines has issued a special announcement requesting all pilots and cabin crew members to urgently contact the Airline Crew Control Centre (CCC), following disruptions to communication systems caused by the prevailing situation in the country.

15 dead, 50 injured in Kothmale landslide

A sudden landslide in the Rambodagala area of Kothmale has claimed the lives of 15 people, authorities reported a short while ago.

Rising Kelani river could disrupt Western Province water supply

The National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) has warned that water supply in the Western Province could be disrupted if the Ambathale Water Treatment Plant (WTP) is affected by rising Kelani River levels.

U.S. commits USD 2 million for urgent relief efforts in Sri Lanka

The United States has committed USD 2 million to support relief efforts in Sri Lanka, according to Ambassador Julie Chung.

Tourism hotline activated for visitors amid bad weather

Sri Lanka Tourism has activated its 24-hour emergency hotline 1912 to assist visitors affected by the current severe weather.

Colombo Port operations temporarily halted due to severe weather

The Colombo Port has temporarily suspended all operations due to adverse weather conditions, the Ports Authority confirmed.

33 people rescued from Giribawa area by air force

A total of 33 people stranded in the Giribawa area of Galgamuwa were rescued a short while ago by an Air Force MI-17 helicopter.

Entrance roads to Hanwella restricted amid rising floods

All entrance roads to Hanwella town have been restricted due to severe flooding, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) confirmed.

Meteorology Department website temporarily unavailable

The Meteorology Department has announced that its official website is temporarily offline due to technical issues.

US stands ready to support relief efforts in Sri Lanka

The United States has extended deepest condolences to the people of Sri Lanka as Cyclone Ditwah continues to produce severe weather, flooding, and landslides.

Anuradhapura Prison inmates relocated due to flooding

The Prisons Department said that all inmates at Anuradhapura Prison have been transferred to a temporary detention center at a local school and to Polonnaruwa Prison following severe flooding.

Major landslide blocks Welimada-Nuwara Eliya road; two bodies recovered

A landslide near Keppetipola Police Station in Welimada has blocked the Welimada-Nuwara Eliya road. The Army and Police are currently conducting search operations, and two bodies have been recovered so far.

China says support to Sri Lanka victims on the way

The Embassy of China in Sri Lanka expressed heartfelt condolences to the victims and extended sincere sympathies to the bereaved families and all those affected by the recent floods in Sri Lanka.

Broken fiber and power futages disrupt Sri Lanka communication networks: Deputy Minister

The Deputy Minister of Digital Technology, Eranga Weeraratne, has attributed widespread communication problems across Sri Lanka to broken fiber cables and power outages caused by ongoing adverse weather conditions.

BIA launches mobile app for real-time flight information

Passengers and the general public can now access the latest flight information for Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) through the newly introduced BIA Mobile App, airport authorities announced.

Digital Ministry moves to stop spread of weather misinformation

The government is working with relevant institutions to identify and remove fake social media posts and news items that mislead the public with false information related to the ongoing adverse weather conditions, Deputy Minister of Digital Economy Eranga Weeraratne said.

Massive landslide reported in Ankumbura, Kandy

A large landslide was reported this morning in the Ankumbura, Galkotuwa area in the Kandy District, local police confirmed.

Government issues updated payment instructions for disaster relief contributions

The Government has issued updated Payment Instructions for Disaster Relief Contributions as certain contributors have experienced difficulties when transferring funds to the designated Central Bank accounts during the ongoing national relief efforts, President’s Media Division (PMD)said.

Flight delays and cancellations hit BIA

Several flights arriving and departing from Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) have been delayed or cancelled dueto the prevailing bad weather, leaving many passengers stranded.

All passengers rescued from bus swept away by floodwaters on Kala Oya bridge

All passengers trapped in the bus that was swept away by floodwaters on the Kala Oya Bridge along the Anuradhapura–Puttalam road have been successfully rescued, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) confirmed.

Airbus issues major A320 recall, threatening global flight disruption

Europe’s Airbus (AIR.PA) said on Friday it was ordering immediate repairs to 6,000 of its widely used A320 family of jets in a sweeping recall affecting more than half the global fleet, threatening upheaval during the busiest travel weekend of the year in the United States and disruption worldwide.

Severe weather claims 123 lives as thousands displaced: DMC

Sri Lanka continues to grapple with the devastating impact of recent adverse weather, with the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) confirming that the death toll has risen to 123 over the past few days. Authorities also report that 130 people remain missing as rescue and relief operations continue.