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Showers and Thundershowers Expected Across Several Parts of the Island
The Department of Meteorology says that showers are expected at intervals in the Northern, North-Central and Eastern provinces, as well as in the Matale and Nuwara Eliya districts today (01).
According to the forecast, fairly heavy rainfall exceeding 50 millimeters may occur at isolated locations in the Northern Province and in the Trincomalee and Batticaloa districts.
Several rounds of showers are also anticipated in the Uva and North-Western provinces, while other parts of the island may experience showers or thundershowers after 2.00 p.m. Heavy rainfall above 50 millimeters is possible in some of these areas as well.
Meanwhile, misty conditions are expected during the early morning hours in parts of the Western, Sabaragamuwa and Central provinces, along with the Galle and Matara districts.
The Meteorology Department urges the general public to take necessary precautions to reduce potential damage caused by localized strong winds and lightning associated with thundershowers.
Showers and Thundershowers Forecast Across Several Parts of the Island
The Department of Meteorology forecasts intermittent showers in the Northern, North-Central, Eastern and Central provinces.
Fairly heavy rainfall exceeding 50 mm is expected at some locations in the Mullaittivu, Trincomalee, Polonnaruwa and Matale districts.
Several spells of showers are also likely in the Uva and North-Western provinces.
Showers or thundershowers are expected at several places in other parts of the island after 2.00 p.m., with fairly heavy rainfall above 50 mm possible in some areas.
Misty conditions may occur during the early morning hours in parts of the Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces, as well as in the Galle and Matara districts.
The general public is advised to take necessary precautions to minimise damage caused by temporary localised strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.
At sea, showers or thundershowers are expected in the coastal areas from Pottuvil to Kankasanthurai via Batticaloa and Trincomalee. Similar conditions may develop in other sea areas around the island during the evening or night.
Winds will be north-easterly at speeds of 30–40 kmph. However, wind speeds may increase to 45–50 kmph at times in the sea areas off the coast from Kalutara to Mannar via Colombo and Puttalam, and from Hambantota to Pottuvil.
The sea areas off the coast from Kalutara to Mannar via Colombo and Puttalam, and from Hambantota to Pottuvil, will be fairly rough at times. Other sea areas around the island will remain moderate.
The Department of Meteorology also warns that temporarily strong gusty winds and very rough sea conditions may occur during thundershowers.
Andrew should testify to US Congress, Starmer suggests after new photos
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has suggested that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor should testify before the US Congress over his dealings with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
"In terms of testifying, I have always said anybody who has got information should be prepared to share that information," he told reporters.
"You can't be victim-centred if you're not prepared to do that," he said. "Epstein's victims have to be the first priority."
The PM's comments come after the latest release of files related to Epstein, which include images appearing to show Mountbatten-Windsor kneeling over a female lying on the ground.
BBC News has approached the former prince for comment. He has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.
Democrats in Congress asked Mountbatten-Windsor to answer questions as part of their Epstein investigation in November.
At the time, Starmer said the invite was a matter for Mountbatten-Windsor to consider "personally".
On Friday, the US Department of Justice released over three million pages of documents related to Epstein, six weeks after a deadline mandated in a law signed by US President Donald Trump.
No context is supplied for the photos of Mountbatten-Windsor kneeling over the unidentified woman.
In two of the images, he is seen touching the person, who is fully clothed, on her stomach. Another image shows him staring directly at the camera.
The photographs appear to match the interior of Epstein's New York City mansion. BBC Verify has found the decor seen in the photos appears to be consistent with other images of the townhouse's interior.
The pictures are likely to put further pressure on Mountbatten-Windsor, who has faced years of scrutiny over his past friendship with Epstein. He has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.
Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly known as Prince Andrew and the Duke of York, was stripped of his royal titles in October after increasing scrutiny over his links to Epstein.
Separate emails released on Friday also suggest Epstein invited Mountbatten-Windsor to have dinner with a 26-year-old woman, in an email exchange between Epstein and "The Duke".
He says that the woman would be in London in August 2010.
"The Duke" replies that he would be in Geneva "until the morning of the 22nd but would be delighted to see her" before asking: "Will she be bringing a message from you? Please give her my contact details to get in touch."
He asks Epstein whether there is "any other information you might know about her that might be useful to know?"
Epstein replies that "she [is] 26, russian, clevere [sic] beautiful, trustworthy and yes she has your email".
The messages were exchanged in August 2010, two years after the billionaire Epstein pleaded guilty to soliciting a minor.
He was given an 18-month sentence after forging a deal with prosecutors where he was able to go on "work release" to his office for 12 hours a day, six days a week. He was released on probation after 13 months.
Mountbatten-Windsor has repeatedly denied all wrongdoing in relation to Epstein, and said he did not "see, witness or suspect any behaviour of the sort that subsequently led to his arrest and conviction".
The emails in the latest release of documents do not indicate any wrongdoing. The BBC has contacted Mountbatten-Windsor for a response.
The latest release of files also appears to suggest that Epstein had been helping Sarah Ferguson - Andrew's ex-wife and the former Duchess of York - financially for 15 years.
In 2009, Ferguson was in correspondence with Epstein, giving him details of business ideas she had.
Describing a series of meetings she had with well-known brands following "your lunch", she writes: "Thank you Jeffrey for being the brother I have always wished for."
In the same year, she also requested £20,000 ($27,384) for a rent payment, claiming she needed it "today."
"The landlord has threatened to go to the newspapers if I don't pay. Any brainwaves?" she asked.
Emails included in the latest release show that Epstein wanted Ferguson to release a statement saying he was "not a pedo" and that she had been "duped" into believing false allegations about him by civil plaintiffs' attorneys from Florida.
In the exchange in 2011, Epstein asks publicist Mike Sitrick to "draft a statement in an ideal world Fergie would put out".
"She knows what she was told was based on false hoods [sic]... She should out the newspapers on the offering of money for stories."
Sitrick responds to Epstein's request for the statement saying: "With pleasure."
Ferguson has been approached for comment.
Speaking to reporters, Starmer was also asked about Epstein sending £10,000 ($13,692) to Lord Mandelson's partner Reinaldo Avila da Silva in 2009, according to the documents released by the US Department of Justice on Friday.
Lord Mandelson was appointed as the UK's ambassador to the US in December 2024 but was sacked less than a year later, when it emerged he had sent supportive messages to Epstein following the conviction.
In an email to Epstein, da Silva sets out the costs of an osteopathy course, provides his bank details and thanks the financier for "anything you can help me with".
Epstein replies a few hours later saying: "I will wire your loan amount immediately" and the following day da Silva writes: "Just a brief note to thank you for the money which arrived in my account this morning."
Asked for a response, Lord Mandelson said he had been "very clear" about his relationship with Epstein in interviews with the BBC.
"I have nothing more to add," said the Labour peer.
Asked by reporters about Lord Mandelson, Starmer said he "was removed as ambassador in relation to the further information that came to light in September of last year".
"I've nothing more to say in relation to Peter Mandelson."
More than 2,000 videos and 180,000 images are included in the latest release. Many of the documents are heavily redacted, with some files showing pages which are entirely blacked-out.
Democratic members of the US House Judiciary Committee have asked the Department of Justice for immediate arrangements to view the full case files, according to the BBC's US media partner CBS.
The formal inquiry said the need to review the files is "urgent", partly due to a forthcoming public committee hearing with Attorney General Pam Bondi.
It says the panel has questions over why the justice department has only released half of the estimated pages related to Epstein.
Being named or pictured in the files is not an indication of wrongdoing. Many of those identified in other releases have denied any wrongdoing in relation to Epstein.
(Source:BBC)
President Declares Key Services Essential Following Cyclone Ditwah
In response to the post-disaster situation triggered by Cyclone Ditwah, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has extended the declaration of several services as essential public services under the Essential Public Services Act, No. 61 of 1979.
The decision was formalised through a Gazette Extraordinary, which mandates the uninterrupted continuation of services provided by public corporations, government departments, local authorities, and co-operative societies that are vital to the life and well-being of the public.
According to the Schedule attached to the Order, the essential services include electricity supply; fuel distribution, including petroleum products and gas; healthcare services covering hospitals, nursing homes, and similar institutions; public transport for passengers and goods; and the facilitation and maintenance of transport and tourism infrastructure such as roads, railways, airports, ports, bridges, and highways.
The declaration also covers water supply and drainage services; the supply, protection, and distribution of food and essential commodities; the full range of services carried out by District and Divisional Secretariats and their field officers; ambulance services; state banking and insurance services, including the Central Bank of Sri Lanka; and services provided by local authorities such as water, electricity, sewerage, waste disposal, fire-fighting, and emergency response.
In addition, irrigation services, telecommunications and media services, land reclamation and development of low-lying areas, as well as agricultural and agricultural insurance services, have been designated as essential.
The Gazette states that the measure aims to ensure continuity of critical services necessary for public safety, survival, and recovery during the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah.
The Order, signed by Secretary to the President Dr. N. S. Kumanayake, came into effect on 28 January 2026.
GMOA to Intensify Strike Action from February 2 Over Unresolved Demands
The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) has announced that it will escalate its ongoing trade union action from Monday, February 2, following what it describes as an unsatisfactory response from authorities regarding its key demands.
The GMOA first launched continuous trade union measures across all government hospitals on January 26 to highlight a series of unresolved issues presented to the government. At a Central Committee meeting on the same day, the association gave the Minister of Health a 48-hour deadline to provide concrete solutions.
However, the Ministry of Health has reportedly failed to offer satisfactory resolutions. In response, the GMOA’s Executive Committee held an emergency meeting on January 31 and confirmed that the intensified strike measures will go into effect from 8:00 a.m. on February 2.
The association has outlined the following actions:
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Doctors will suspend issuing prescriptions or recommendations for medicines and medical equipment unavailable within the hospital.
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Recommendations for patients to undergo external laboratory tests when such facilities are not available in the hospital will also be suspended.
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Participation in health camps and clinics organized by political groups will be withdrawn.
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Doctors will not be assigned to new hospital wards or units unless the officially approved number of medical officers is in place.
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Examination of patients will be limited to settings with adequate facilities and support staff to ensure safety and privacy.
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Specialist doctors will provide services only at the hospitals they are officially attached to, withdrawing coverage from other hospitals lacking specialist personnel.
The GMOA emphasized that these measures are being implemented to protect both medical professionals and patient safety, while pressing the government to address the ongoing concerns.
Father kills teenage daughter with sharp weapon over mobile phone dispute
A 14-year-old girl was allegedly killed by her father with a sharp weapon following a dispute over a mobile phone last night (30), according to police.
The deceased has been identified as a resident of Delkada, Uragasmanhandiya, said police.
Preliminary investigations indicate that during an altercation between the father and daughter, the suspect attacked her with a billhook.
The victim was admitted to Elpitiya Hospital with critical injuries and later succumbed to her injuries while receiving treatment.
The suspect has been taken into police custody, and the body of the deceased has been placed in the mortuary at Elpitiya Hospital, police stated.
Further investigations are being carried out by the Uragasmanhandiya Police.
(Source - Adaderana.lk)
Govt. hard-pressed between disaster response and IMF programme
The government is encountering difficulties in funding its disaster response amid tight fiscal constraints, since the IMF stresses that spending must comply with the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA), Daily Mirror learns.
In its latest statement, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) emphasised the importance of transparent, well-prioritised expenditure in disaster recovery, as otherwise it could undermine hard-won gains in fiscal discipline under the ongoing reform programme.
“As Sri Lanka starts rebuilding, the authorities are committed to safeguard the gains that were achieved on fiscal and debt sustainability, strengthen public investment management, including project reprioritisation and implementation, and ensure spending is executed transparently and in compliance with the Public Financial Management Act. They are determined to continue strengthening social safety nets to protect the poor and vulnerable, who are disproportionately affected by the cyclone," IMF Mission Chief Evan Papageorgiou said after the recent visit.
However, the IMF has assured the fullest cooperation in rebuilding. Meanwhile, the government's efforts for an international donor conference have not yet yielded.
Asked for a comment, leading Economist Prof. Rohan Samarajeewa said that the cyclone poses difficult choices between debt sustainability and disaster response.
The massive infrastructure damage must be repaired quickly if the economy is not to stall. The approved supplementary estimate included Rs. 250 billion for infrastructure restoration. While the World Bank/GFDRR-supported Global Rapid Post-Disaster Damage Estimation is not yet available, it is unlikely that this sum will be enough to build back better, for example, to not just rebuild roads but also support the slopes to prevent repetition of landslides and road damage, he said in a written response.
(Source - DailyMirror)
Coastal line train delays expected today and tomorrow – Railway Dept
Sri Lanka Railways has announced that trains operating on the Coastal Line between Colombo Fort and Wellawatte railway stations may experience delays of about 15 minutes today (31) and tomorrow (01) due to essential maintenance work to upgrade the signaling system.
The upgrade is aimed at increasing the frequency of train operations on the up and down tracks, according to Sri Lanka Railways.
Sri Lanka Railways regrets any inconvenience caused to commuters and requests the public’s understanding during this period.
(Source - Adaderana.lk)
Advisory issued for severe lightning
An ‘Amber’ advisory has been issued by the Department of Meteorology for severe lightning in the Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces, and in Galle and Matara districts.
The advisory issued at 12.00 noon today (31) will be effective until 11.00 p.m.
Accordingly, thundershowers accompanied with severe lightning are likely to occur at some places in the Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Galle and Matara districts.
There may be temporary localized strong winds during thundershowers, it added.
The general public has been requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning activity.
(Source - Adaderana.lk)
Strict ban on bringing cigarettes into Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka Customs has reiterated that it is strictly prohibited for any passenger arriving from abroad to bring cigarettes, warning that offenders will face severe penalties under the law.
In line with this, 232,804,000 foreign cigarettes seized over the last four months were burned and destroyed today at the Kerawalapitiya Waste-to-Energy Power Plant.
The seized stock, valued at Rs. 305 million, would have cost the government Rs. 271 million in lost tax revenue if allowed into the local market.
The operation was overseen by senior officials, including the heads of the Bandaranaike International Airport security divisions and Sri Lanka Customs Media Spokesperson and Director of Customs, Wandana Punchi Hewa.
Sri Lanka Customs emphasized that all passengers must comply with the ban to avoid strict legal action.
(Source - Daily mirror)
Gold becomes less affordable as imports remain limited
In the wake of recent global market trends where gold prices climbed past the USD 5,500 per ounce mark, the Sri Lankan domestic gold market is currently sustained largely through auctions of pawned jewellery conducted by banks and financial institutions, as commercial gold imports have virtually halted due to prohibitive import duties, the Daily Mirror learns.
This change in the local supply chain comes amid significant fluctuations in the global market. Global gold prices, which had been on a record-breaking trajectory fuelled by intensifying U.S.-Iran tensions and ongoing global conflicts, experienced a sharp correction yesterday compared to earlier this week.
After climbing past the staggering USD 5,500 per ounce mark on January 29 and nearing USD 5,600, global spot prices took a sudden downturn. Market data indicate that prices dropped to USD 5,100 per ounce on January 30. Despite this dip, the overall trend remains historically high, driven by investors seeking safe-haven assets in a geopolitically unstable world.
In par with the global market movements, the local price of a 24-karat gold sovereign (8 grams) is currently priced at Rs. 400,000, while a 22-karat sovereign hovers between Rs. 368,000 and Rs. 370,000.
Speaking to Daily Mirror, Head of the Jewellery Segment of the Sri Lanka Gem and Jewellery Association (SLGJA), Sellakumar Kandasamy, said that prices have been rising steadily throughout January. This follows a sharp surge that began last December due to the rise of gold prices globally and instability in the US economy. However, he said that domestic prices decreased yesterday due to the volatility in the international market.
The volatility has been stark. By January 29, a 24-karat gold sovereign had reached a peak of Rs. 420,000, rising from Rs. 397,000 recorded on January 26 and Rs. 368,425 at the start of the month. Similarly, a 22-karat gold sovereign had climbed to Rs. 397,000, compared to Rs. 367,000 just three days earlier and Rs. 340,400 at the beginning of the year.
"The domestic gold market is currently sustained largely through auctions of pawned jewellery conducted by banks and financial institutions, as commercial gold imports have virtually halted. Steep import duties have rendered imports unviable," Kandasamy said.
He further warned that this dynamic could dampen retail demand, as gold becomes increasingly unaffordable for consumers.
Amidst this turmoil, last year, Sri Lanka’s gem and jewellery industry has renewed its call to the government to reduce the import duty on gold from 15% to 5%. The industry argues this is necessary to offset soaring world market prices that have fuelled local prices to unprecedented levels, disrupted supply, and left small jewellers struggling to survive.
The current duty, implemented in April 2018 to slow down a rapid spike in gold imports and discourage smuggling to countries like India, has reportedly hurt legitimate businesses while doing little to curb illegal movement, according to industry representatives.
(Source - DailyMirror)
Apple to make foldable iPhone, Nikkei Asia reports
Apple is shifting its production focus to three high-end iPhone models for 2026, including its first-ever foldable iPhone, while delaying the launch of the standard iPhone 18 to the first half of 2027, Nikkei Asia reported Friday, citing four sources familiar with the matter.
The US tech company is expected to unveil the foldable device alongside two non-folding flagship models featuring upgraded cameras and larger displays in the second half of 2026. The decision is part of a revised marketing strategy and response to supply chain constraints, the report said.
Apple aims to optimize resource allocation and boost profitability amid rising costs for memory chips and other materials. The delay also helps reduce production risks associated with the complex manufacturing process required for its foldable device.
“Supply chain smoothness is one of the key challenges for this year, and the marketing strategy change also played a part in the decision,” an executive from an iPhone supplier told Nikkei Asia.
(Source:Newswire)
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