News

The Vadduvakal Bridge in Mullaitivu has suffered severe structural damage after rising floodwaters caused the bridge to break apart in two separate locations, the Road Development Authority (RDA) confirmed today.

Officials said the collapse has cut off a key route used by residents and essential services, creating major transport difficulties in the region. Engineering teams have been dispatched to inspect the damage and determine the stability of the remaining structure.The RDA has advised motorists and pedestrians to keep away from the affected area due to safety risks. Restoration work will begin once water levels recede and conditions are safe for repairs.

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe has taken steps to convene all party leaders to discuss the steps to be taken in the face of the adverse situation that faces Sri Lanka following Cyclone "Ditwa".

All party leaders are scheduled to meet at the former President's Political Office on Flower Road on Wednesday (3). United National Party Chairman Vajira Abeywardena said that the steps to be taken in the future will be decided at the party leaders' meeting, following discussions based on the experience gained in successfully facing previous natural disasters under Ranil Wickremesinghe's leadership.

Vajira Abeywardena said that Ranil Wickremesinghe is expected to brief party leaders at this meeting on the steps taken during the floods of 2003 and 2016 and the post-flood period. Vajira Abeywardena said that this is the first time that all political party leaders in and outside Parliament are being convened in one place after this natural disaster.

The inmates of the Welikada prison have donated their lunch today to the people in Colombo, who were affected by the adverse weather.

The dry food used for the preparation of the inmates' lunch has been donated following a request by the inmates from the prison authorities.

The dry food included 750 kgs of rice, 100 kgs of chick pea, 100 kgs of cowpea (Black-eyed peas), 100 kgs of sugar and 100 kgs of dhal and several other items.

The food items were handed over to the Deputy Mayor of the Colombo Municipal Council Hemantha Kumara today.

(Source - Daily Mirror) 

New Zealand has pledged NZ$1 million to support emergency humanitarian relief efforts in Sri Lanka in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah, which has caused widespread devastation across the island.

Announcing the contribution, the New Zealand government extended its heartfelt condolences to the families affected by the disaster. Officials stated that New Zealand’s thoughts are with the people of Sri Lanka during this challenging and emotional period.

The funding will be directed toward immediate humanitarian needs, including emergency supplies, relief coordination, and support for affected communities as recovery operations continue.

Sri Lanka has welcomed the assistance as the country works to restore essential services and provide urgent aid to thousands impacted by the cyclone.

The Chilaw General Hospital has been closed indefinitely after heavy rainfall triggered severe flooding that left the facility almost completely underwater, Hospital Director Dr. Sumith Attanayake announced.

According to Dr. Attanayake, more than five feet of water has engulfed the hospital grounds, halting all medical operations and causing major disruptions to patient care.In response to the emergency, the Sri Lanka Air Force deployed helicopters to transfer critically ill patients to Colombo and Puttalam hospitals. Once water levels receded slightly, other patients were shifted to Wariyapola and Kurunegala hospitals for continued treatment.

The flooding has also damaged key equipment, including the hospital’s CT scanner, and several wards remain inundated, creating serious challenges for restoring services.Dr. Attanayake stated that the hospital will resume operations only after essential repairs and cleanup work are completed, though a specific timeframe cannot yet be given. He urged the public to avoid bringing any patients to the hospital until further notice.

China has expressed its solidarity with Sri Lanka in the aftermath of the destructive floods and landslides triggered by Cyclone Ditwah, pledging assistance to help the country rebuild.

The Red Cross Society of China has provided emergency financial aid amounting to USD 100,000 to the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society, while additional assistance from the Chinese government is expected to follow.

Meanwhile, the Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Sri Lanka together with the Overseas Chinese Association has also contributed to relief efforts. The two organisations have pledged Rs. 10 million to support communities severely affected by the disaster.

The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) has called on the public to cooperate when operating drones in areas affected by the ongoing disaster response.Authorities warned that unregulated drone flights can interfere with Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) missions, posing serious risks to air operations conducted by the SLAF and other emergency response agencies.

The SLAF emphasized that such incidents could endanger the lives of aircrew, jeopardize critical air assets, and put people on the ground at significant risk, urging the public to follow guidelines and avoid flying drones near relief operations.

The southern embankment of the Kelani River has reached its maximum water level, prompting authorities to issue an immediate alert for residents living in nearby low-lying and flood-prone areas.

L.S. Suriya Bandara, Director of the Hydrology Unit of the Irrigation Department, urged residents in vulnerable zones to move to safer locations without delay. He stressed that anyone remaining in risk areas should act promptly to avoid danger.

Bandara also cautioned the public against visiting the flood protection bund for sightseeing, warning that such actions could put lives at serious risk given the unstable conditions.

Officials stated that the situation is under continuous observation and that all necessary precautionary measures have been implemented to ensure public safety.

The Sri Lankan government has introduced a new mechanism allowing citizens and organisations to contribute donations through the ‘GovPay’ digital payment platform.

This initiative aims to streamline the collection of funds to provide relief and support for communities affected by the recent adverse weather conditions across the country. Authorities encourage the public to use the platform to assist in ongoing disaster response and recovery efforts.

Security forces have extended logistical support to airline staff who were stranded in areas hit by recent floods. Officers were deployed to transport the affected crew members out of flooded zones, ensuring their safety.

Authorities confirm that all personnel have now been moved to secure locations and have resumed their duties at their respective workstations.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reports that more than 15,000 houses have been destroyed and significant infrastructure has been severely impacted following Cyclone Ditwah, which brought some of Sri Lanka’s worst flooding since the early 2000s.

According to initial assessments, over 200 roads are still inaccessible, at least 10 bridges have been damaged, and parts of the railway network and national power grid have been affected. OCHA notes that detailed evaluations are ongoing as authorities work to restore essential services and reach affected communities.

As a voluntary project of the Faculty of Engineering Students’ Union of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, a website has been created to help “locate” your loved ones who are missing due to the prevailing tragic situation, and to “assist in finding” the loved ones of other Sri Lankans.

We kindly request everyone to use this platform responsibly and with good intentions. Please also note that the responsibility for any information posted on the website lies solely with the individual who publishes it.

http://disaster.sufoeusj.org/

Engineering Faculty Students’ Union
University of Sri Jayewardenepura