Three from same family killed in Nawalapitiya landslide

Three members of one family were killed when a landslide buried a house on Old Railway Yard Road in Nawalapitiya this morning (28), police said.

President directs officials to ensure unrestricted rescue and relief operations

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has directed District Secretaries to carry out rescue and relief operations without allowing financial limitations to impede urgent assistance for communities affected by the ongoing severe weather.

Pakistan expresses solidarity with Sri Lanka amid severe weather crisis

The Government and people of Pakistan have expressed their deepest solidarity with Sri Lanka in the wake of the ongoing severe weather crisis caused by cyclonic conditions and unprecedented heavy rainfall affecting large parts of the country.

India responds to Sri Lanka’s request for flood relief: Deploys INS Vikrant helicopters

India has agreed to deploy helicopters from its aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, currently docked in Colombo, to support Sri Lanka’s ongoing rescue and relief operations as Cyclonic Storm Ditwah causes severe weather across the island.

Peradeniya University closed until further notice

Severe weather conditions have forced authorities in Peradeniya to activate heightened safety measures as the overflowing Mahaweli River has inundated several low-lying areas, including parts of the Royal Botanic Gardens.

Over 65,000 electricity disruptions reported in Sri Lanka

Severe weather across Sri Lanka has caused widespread electricity disruptions, with more than 65,000 power outages reported nationwide.

Sri Lanka seeks help from Indian warship in Colombo

Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha, said that Sri Lanka has requested assistance from the Indian warship currently docked in Colombo, including the use of its aircraft, for ongoing rescue and relief operations amid the severe weather caused by Cyclonic Storm Ditwah.

Flooding blocks Kaduwela exits on Southern Expressway

The Kaduwela exits of the Southern Expressway (E01), for vehicles arriving from Kadawatha, have been flooded, the Transport, Highways and Urban Development Ministry announced.

SJB MP resigns

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) National List MP Ismail Muththu Mohamed has resigned from Parliament with immediate effect.

Sri Lanka launches global diplomatic push for flood relief, PM to brief foreign envoys

A diplomatic briefing will be held today, 28 November 2025, at the Prime Minister’s Office, led by the Prime Minister, to update Colombo-based Heads of Mission on the Government’s ongoing emergency flood-relief operations and recovery efforts.

Three dead after car plunges into Saindamarudu canal

Three people died after a car veered off the road and plunged into the Boralaweli Canal in Saindamarudu earlier yesterday.

Central Province cut off due to damaged connecting highways

The Central Province remains completely cut off from the rest of the country due to extensive damages to key highways, an official said.

Navy evacuates residents as floods worsen in Mahawa and Eluwankulam

Evacuation operations are underway in Mahawa, Kurunegala, and Eluwankulam, Puttalam after severe flooding affected several communities this morning. The Sri Lanka Navy has deployed multiple relief teams to assist residents stranded by rising water levels.

Evacuation of flood affected people in North, East becomes problematic

Evacuation of flood affected people in the North and the East is problematic as people in these areas are refusing to leave their homes, MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam said today.

Fallen trees and flooding block several roads in Colombo

Several parts of Colombo have been impacted by the adverse weather conditions sweeping across the island, with reports of flooding and fallen trees disrupting road access, the Police said.

Leave for all police officers cancelled

Leave for all ranks of police officers have been cancelled until November 30 due to the disaster situation in the country, Police spokesman ASP F.U. Wootler said.

Bus with 70 passengers stranded on Kalawewa Bridge

A bus carrying approximately 70 passengers has been stranded for nearly an hour and a half on the Kalawewa Bridge along the Anuradhapura–Puttalam road., Parliament was informed today (28).

District Secretaries instructed to obtain services of private boats if needed: Nalinda

The government has instructed the District Secretaries to obtain the services of private boats if the boats assigned by the Sri Lanka Navy for relief work are not sufficient, Chief Government Whip Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said today.

Major flood warning issued for Kalu River Basin

The Irrigation Department has issued an urgent warning of a major flood risk in several low-lying areas of the Kalu River Basin, citing continuous heavy rainfall and rapidly rising water levels. The situation is expected to worsen over the next few hours.

Namal urges SLPP leaders to support weather-affected communities

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) National Organizer Namal Rajapaksa has urged all SLPP Electoral Organizers and Village Leaders to extend their fullest support to communities affected by the ongoing adverse weather.

Colombo-bound flights to be diverted to Mattala, Cochin or Trivandrum

Colombo- bound flights will be diverted to the Mattala international airport, or Cochin and Trivandrum in India in case of difficulties in landing due to the inclement weather conditions, Minister Aruna Karunatilake said.

Allocate at least Rs. 15 billion for disaster relief: Harsha

The funds allocated for disaster relief are not sufficient as at least Rs. 15 billion is needed for relief, especially for capital expenditure, MP Harsha de Silva told Parliament today.

Over 20,000 troops deployed to rescue people affected by severe weather

The President has directed the Army to provide immediate assistance to those impacted by the prevailing adverse weather conditions across the island. Over 20,500 Army personnel have already been deployed to carry out rescue operations.

Provide essential services to foreign tourists hit by disaster situation: President tells Tourism Authority

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has instructed the Tourism Authority to take necessary measures to efficiently provide essential services to foreign tourists facing difficulties due to the prevailing emergency disaster situation in the country.

Major flood risk along Attanagalu Oya

The Irrigation Department has issued a warning of potential major flooding in low-lying areas surrounding the Attanagalu Oya.

SriLankan Airlines issues passenger travel advisory

Colombo, November 28, 2025 – SriLankan Airlines has issued a travel advisory urging passengers scheduled to fly today to check the latest flight updates before heading to the airport, as adverse weather continues to affect many parts of the island.

Sri Lanka likely to urge for international help

The government has called for an urgent meeting headed by Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya this evening and will discuss whether an international appeal should be made for assistance as thousands remain severely affected from the cyclonic storm.

Rs. 1.2 billion allocated for disaster relief

The government has allocated Rs. 1.2 billion (one point two billion rupees) for disaster relief services, officials confirmed.

Cyclonic storm ‘Ditwah’ moves closer to Trincomalee

The Meteorology Department announced that Cyclonic Storm Ditwah [pronounced Dit-wah] is currently positioned approximately 50 kilometres south of Trincomalee.

Matale records highest rainfall: Over 540 mm in 24 hours

Sri Lanka experienced exceptionally heavy rainfall in the 24 hours ending at 6.00 a.m. today (28 November 2025), with Gammaduwa in the Matale District recording the highest rainfall at 540.6 mm, according to official observations.