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Minor Flood Warning Issued for Kuda Ganga Basin Amid Rising Water Levels

Authorities have issued a minor flood warning for several low-lying areas surrounding the Kuda Ganga sub-basin of the Kalu River as continuous rainfall raises concerns over possible flooding during the next 48 hours.

The Department of Irrigation stated that significant rainfall had been recorded in the upstream catchment areas of the Kuda Ganga basin by 8.00 a.m. today, resulting in rising water levels at hydrological monitoring stations along the Kalu Ganga.

Based on the latest river observations and prevailing weather conditions, officials warned that a minor flood situation may develop in low-lying regions surrounding the Kuda Ganga and Maguru Ganga valleys.

The affected areas include the Bulathsinhala, Madurawala, and Palinda Nuwara Divisional Secretariat divisions, where residents have been urged to remain alert as water levels continue to rise.

Authorities also cautioned that roads running through flood plains near the Kuda Ganga and Magura Ganga may become inundated, creating hazardous travel conditions for motorists.

Residents living in vulnerable low-lying areas, along with commuters using these routes, have been advised to exercise extreme caution over the coming days.

The Irrigation Department further called on disaster management authorities to take necessary precautionary measures to reduce potential risks and ensure public safety as the weather situation develops.

 
 
 
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River Levels Begin to Recede Across Sri Lanka, But Officials Warn of Possible Reversal

Water levels in several major river basins across Sri Lanka have begun to recede following reduced rainfall over the past 24 hours, according to the Irrigation Department.

Director of the Hydrology and Disaster Management Division, L.S. Sooriyabandara, stated that water levels in the Nilwala Ganga, Gin Ganga, Kalu Ganga, and Attanagalu Oya basins are gradually decreasing, with most areas showing a downward trend.

However, he noted that water levels remain high at Millakanda on the Kalu Ganga, marking one of the few exceptions amid the overall improvement.

Despite the easing situation, officials cautioned that the progress may be temporary, as the Department of Meteorology has forecast further rainfall in the coming days.

Meanwhile, reservoir conditions remain closely monitored, with 18 of the country’s 73 major reservoirs currently spilling water. In addition, 18 medium-sized reservoirs are also discharging excess water, reflecting the continued strain on water management systems even as river levels show signs of decline.

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Red Warning Issued as Intense Rainfall Threat Looms Over Several Provinces

Sri Lanka’s weather authorities have issued a red warning for heavy rainfall as a persistent low-pressure system continues to influence weather conditions across the island, raising concerns over flooding and weather-related damage in multiple regions.

According to the Department of Meteorology, the low-pressure area situated northeast of Sri Lanka remains active, although current forecasts indicate that it is expected to gradually move away from the country within the next 36 hours.

Despite signs of weakening, the system is expected to bring intense rainfall to several provinces. Weather officials warn that very heavy showers of nearly 150 mm could occur in parts of the Western Province, Sabaragamuwa Province, and North Western Province.

In the Southern Province, particularly in the Galle District and Matara District, heavy rainfall exceeding 100 mm is also expected.

Authorities have urged the public to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions against possible risks caused by heavy rain, gusty winds, and lightning associated with thundershowers.

Emergency officials continue to monitor the evolving weather situation as the island braces for another period of severe rainfall.

 
 
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Red Rain Warning Issued as Heavy Showers Threaten Multiple Provinces in Sri Lanka

A red warning for heavy rains has been issued by the Department of Meteorology, with the advisory coming into effect at 9.30 a.m. today (14) and remaining valid until 8.30 a.m. tomorrow (15).

According to the Department, a low-pressure area located northeast of Sri Lanka continues to persist. It is expected to move away from the island and gradually weaken over the next 36 hours.

The warning highlights the likelihood of heavy showers exceeding 100mm in several areas, including the Western Province, Sabaragamuwa Province, and North Western Province. Similar intense rainfall is also expected in the districts of Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Galle, and Matara.

Authorities have urged the public to take adequate precautions to minimize possible damage caused by heavy rain, strong winds, and lightning during thundershowers.

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Adverse Weather Leaves 88 Houses Damaged Across Sri Lanka

Persistent adverse weather conditions sweeping across Sri Lanka have left a trail of destruction in several districts, with dozens of families facing difficult conditions as heavy rains continue to impact daily life.

According to the Disaster Management Centre (DMC), a total of 88 houses have suffered partial damage across seven districts due to the prevailing weather situation.

The worst-affected area is the Kalutara District, where 40 houses were reported damaged. The Batticaloa District recorded the second-highest number with 25 affected houses.

Meanwhile, nine houses were damaged in the Ratnapura District, while five houses each were affected in the Galle District and Colombo District. The Monaragala District also reported damage to four houses.

As conditions remain unstable, authorities have moved vulnerable residents to safer locations. The DMC stated that 104 individuals from 29 families are currently staying at two safety centres established for those displaced by the ongoing weather conditions.

Disaster management officials continue to monitor the situation closely as unsettled weather persists in several parts of the island.

 
 
 
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‘Gampaha Ousmand’ arrested for aiding Ganemulla Sanjeewa killing

Ousmand Gunasekara, alias ‘Gampaha Ousmand’, has been arrested by the Colombo Crime Division (CCD) for allegedly aiding and abetting the killing of notorious underworld figure and organised criminal Sanjeewa Kumara Samararatne, alias ‘Ganemulla Sanjeewa’, and for allegedly supplying firearms used to carry out the murder.

“Ganemulla Sanjeewa” was shot dead inside the Colombo No. 05 Magistrate’s Court inside the Aluthkade Courts Complex by an individual disguised as an attorney while he was being produced before the court by prison officials on February 19, 2025.

Police stated that the suspect was arrested last night (13) in the Sri Bodhi Road area in Gampaha based on information obtained from suspects currently held under detention orders in connection with the murder.

Investigations have revealed that the murder plot had allegedly been orchestrated in collaboration with organised criminals operating overseas, and that the suspect had aided the crime by providing the firearms required to carry out the killing.

Police further stated that a foreign-manufactured repeater shotgun, two magazines and 10 rounds of ammunition were recovered from the suspect’s possession at the time of his arrest.

The arrested suspect has been identified as a 69-year-old resident of Gampaha.

Further investigations into the murder are being conducted by the Colombo Crime Division (CCD).

(Adaderana.lk)

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Colombo High Court Rejects Defence Objection in Money Laundering Case Against Yoshitha Rajapaksa

The Colombo High Court today (14) rejected a preliminary objection raised by the defence in a case filed against Yoshitha Rajapaksa, son of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, clearing the way for the trial to proceed.

The ruling was delivered by Colombo High Court Judge Udesh Ranatunga, according to an Ada Derana reporter.

In delivering the order, the judge stated that the defence argument claiming the conspiracy charge against the defendant could not be maintained was without basis. The court further held that there was no impediment to proceeding with the relevant charge.

Following the ruling, the indictment was read out in open court to the defendant, Yoshitha Rajapaksa. Appearing from the dock, he pleaded not guilty to the charges levelled against him, the Ada Derana report said.

With the plea recorded, proceedings officially commenced before the Colombo High Court, marking the start of the trial under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

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One Dead, 62 Families Affected as Severe Weather Continues to Lash Country

An individual has died and 62 families across four districts have been affected due to the prevailing adverse weather conditions, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) confirmed.

The fatality was reported from the Koralai Pattu South Divisional Secretariat Division in the Batticaloa District, according to the DMC.

In its latest situation report issued at 10.00 p.m., the DMC stated that 17 Divisional Secretariat divisions across four districts have been impacted by the ongoing disaster situation triggered by severe weather.

A total of 203 individuals belonging to 62 families have been affected so far, while 17 people have been accommodated at safe shelters for protection. The DMC also reported that 39 houses have been damaged due to the adverse conditions.

Meanwhile, the Department of Meteorology has issued a red warning for heavy rainfall across several parts of the country, warning that showery conditions are expected to continue due to a low-pressure area near Sri Lanka.

Very heavy showers exceeding 150mm are likely in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, and Northwestern provinces, as well as in the Galle and Matara districts, the Met. Department stated.

Heavy rainfall of around 100mm is also expected in other areas of the island.

Authorities have urged the public to remain cautious and take necessary precautions to reduce the risk of damage caused by heavy rain, strong winds, and lightning during thundershowers as unsettled weather conditions continue to affect the country.

 
 
 
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Sri Lanka Moves Closer to New Animal Welfare Law After Over a Century of Outdated Protection

Sri Lanka’s long-awaited Animal Welfare Bill, designed to replace the country’s 119-year-old animal protection law, has reached its final stage before being presented to the Cabinet, according to animal rights activists.

Members of the Animal Welfare Coalition (AWC) say the proposed Animal Welfare Act is the result of years of sustained campaigning and advocacy against animal cruelty, aimed at strengthening legal protections for animals.

As part of efforts to accelerate the process, veterinarian Chamith Nanayakkara and Madushanka Fernando, executive members of the council, recently held discussions with Dr. Dhammika Patabendi to move the legislation forward.

According to the council, the Environment Minister has already assured that recommendations from the Ministry of Environment have been submitted, and steps are now underway to forward the draft bill to the Cabinet through the Ministry of Agriculture in the near future.

Activists also noted that several recommendations made by animal welfare groups during earlier committee discussions have been included in the latest draft. This information was reportedly confirmed through Right to Information Act disclosures obtained from Parliament, the Ministry of Agriculture, and the Attorney General’s Department.

Once Cabinet approval is granted, the bill is expected to be gazetted for public review before being presented to Parliament. Citizens will also have the opportunity to challenge any provisions before the Supreme Court, while further amendments may still be introduced during the parliamentary committee stage.

Animal welfare advocates have emphasized the urgency of updating the existing legal framework, pointing out that the current law still imposes a maximum fine of just Rs. 100 for killing a dog inhumanely.

They argue that such penalties are no longer adequate to address cruelty cases and are calling for broad support from all groups opposing animal abuse to ensure the swift enactment of the new law.

 
 
 
 
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Five Students Injured in School Incident in Eppawala; Suspect Arrested

A student of a leading government school in Eppawala has allegedly attacked five fellow students with a sharp weapon, leaving them injured and prompting a police investigation into the incident.

The injured students were admitted to the Eppawala Divisional Hospital. Hospital sources confirmed that their condition is not critical.

All five victims are Grade 12 students following the Advanced Level Technology stream at the same school. Police stated that the suspect is also a Grade 12 student from the Science stream of the same institution.

According to sources, the incident is believed to have stemmed from a dispute that occurred a few days earlier between the suspect and one of the injured students. It is reported that a subsequent confrontation led to an act of retaliation involving the use of a sharp weapon.

Investigations further suggest that although the suspect targeted one student, four others were injured when they attempted to intervene during the incident.

The student accused of bringing the weapon onto the school premises and injuring the five students has been arrested by Eppawala Police along with the weapon used in the attack, according to Ada Derana reporter.

Police in Eppawala continue to conduct further investigations into the incident.

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‘Miraculous’: 11 plane crash survivors rescued at sea off Florida

All 11 people aboard a private airplane that crashed at sea off central Florida survived the wreck and were rescued from their lifeboat hours later by a U.S. Air Force Reserve team, U.S. Coast Guard and Air Force officials said on Wednesday.

“For all those people to survive is pretty miraculous,” Air Force Major Elizabeth Piowaty, commander of one of the aircraft involved in the rescue, told reporters at a news briefing a day after Tuesday’s crash.

The ill-fated plane, a twin-engine turboprop flying from the Bahamas with 11 adults on board, ⁠went down in the Atlantic about 80 miles (129 km) off Melbourne, Florida, activating an emergency locator signal that was picked up by the Coast Guard.

Piowaty’s HC-130J Combat King II, a plane designed for combat search and rescue, was already airborne on a training mission when the search was initiated, and her crew immediately joined the operation, according to the Coast Guard.

The major said her team spotted the life raft as a thunderstorm was approaching and dropped a package of food, water and additional flotation to sustain the survivors until rescuers could reach them in the water.

By then the survivors “had already been in the raft for about five hours, and we could tell ⁠just by looking at them they were in distress, physically, mentally, emotionally,” Air Force Captain Rory Whipple, one of the pararescuers, recalled at the briefing.

The survivors ultimately were hoisted to safety by the crew of a hovering rescue helicopter, dispatched from the Air Force Reserve’s 920th Rescue Wing from a base near Melbourne, and were flown to Melbourne Orlando International ⁠Airport for medical attention, officials said.

Whipple said the crew managed to get all 11 survivors into the helicopter with nine hoists, completing the rescue with just five minutes of fuel left before they would have reached the point of needing to ⁠refuel mid-air or land immediately.

Air Force and Coast Guard officials said they had no immediate information about the extent of injuries and medical conditions of the survivors.

Bahamian authorities were investigating the cause of the crash, but ⁠the aircraft was reported to have experienced engine failure, according to the Coast Guard. The agency said the plane reportedly left Marsh Harbour in the Bahamas and was headed for Freeport on Grand Bahama Island, a distance of about 100 miles.

Source: Reuters

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Harsha de Silva Reaffirms Commitment to Centre-Right Camp, Rules Out Defection

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Member of Parliament Harsha de Silva has dismissed speculation surrounding his political future, firmly stating that he has no intention of leaving the centre-right political camp.

In a special statement shared via his official Facebook account, the parliamentarian reaffirmed his commitment to working towards building a developed Sri Lanka, emphasizing that his political journey will continue within the same ideological space.

MP Dr. de Silva noted that he entered politics at a young age driven by a vision of seeing Sri Lanka become a developed nation, adding that no member of his family had previously been involved in politics.

He stressed that his decisions are not guided by narrow political gain and suggested that his political path within the centre-right movement could even extend toward a future leadership role.

The parliamentarian also voiced criticism of the current government, stating that it lacks a forward-looking economic vision. He argued that Sri Lanka cannot achieve meaningful progress through inward-looking policies and must remain engaged with the global economy.

Addressing recent rumours, Dr. de Silva denied claims that he had engaged in discussions about joining the government, and alleged that certain groups were attempting to create internal divisions within the Samagi Jana Balawegaya through propaganda efforts.

He further stated that he would intensify his political struggle against the current administration in pursuit of economic prosperity for the country, while continuing to support constructive policy initiatives where necessary.

Concluding his statement, Dr. de Silva said he remains ready to take on any major responsibility in the national interest, adding that “the country needs a new era.”

 
 
 
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