President Ranil Wickremesinghe has directed officials to refrain from permitting new construction in the Kelani river valley to regulate the river water levels. 

Additionally, the President instructed officials to promptly halt illegal landfills in these areas and to relocate the Mulleriyawa and IDH hospitals to alternative locations.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe embarked on an observation tour of the Kolonnawa, Kelaniya and Ambatale areas to assess the welfare of individuals affected by the floods and other disasters resulting from adverse weather conditions. Following this tour, he participated in a discussion held at the Kolonnawa Sedawatta Weheragoda Rajamaha Viharaya, where he issued instructions.

During his visit, the President also inspected the Ambatale Galwana Purana Rajamaha Viharaya, where displaced individuals are sheltered, as well as the Sedawatta Weheragoda Purana Rajamaha Viharaya. Additionally, he visited the security centres of Kolonnawa Terence S. Silva College and Wellampitiya Community College to inquire about the well-being of the people and instructed officials to address their needs promptly and continuously.

The President instructed the Kolonnawa Divisional Secretary to initiate food distribution for flood-affected individuals in the Kolonnawa area starting tonight. Additionally, he emphasized the importance of prioritizing the health and sanitation needs of these individuals.

He further emphasized the importance of swiftly relocating individuals from flood-prone areas, suggesting the utilization of aqueducts to divert the floodwaters.

Senior Advisor to the President on National Security and Chief of Presidential Staff Sagala Ratnayaka, emphasized the necessity of implementing a specialized program to safeguard the homes and property of individuals residing in shelters during the disaster.

During a discussion held at the Kolonnawa Divisional Secretary’s Office, he further highlighted the potential for implementing mobile patrols with the involvement of community police.

Mr. Sagala Ratnayaka also advised the army to adhere to strict hygiene protocols while providing food to people in the disaster-stricken areas. He instructed officers to ensure the provision of clean drinking water to the affected individuals.

He also directed the establishment of a temporary relief centre operated by the Tri-force officers to provide essential relief to the people until the disaster situation ends. Furthermore, he underscored the importance of initiating a special program immediately to control epidemic diseases such as dengue, rat fever (Leptospirosis) and diarrhoea that may arise after the flood situation recedes.

He mentioned that the President has instructed to rebuild all the houses that were completely damaged due to the disaster situation, with government assistance and the involvement of the armed forces.

Present at the discussion were Minister of Public Security Tiran Alles,  State Minister of Defence Premitha Bandara Tennakoon, Members of Parliament Rear Admiral Sarath Weerasekera, Premnath C. Dolawatte, S.M Marikkar, Senior Advisor to the President on National Security and Chief of Staff to the President Sagala Ratnayaka, Director General of Trade Unions to the President Saman Ratnapriya, Army Commander Lt. Gen. Vikum Liyanage, Air Force Commander Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa, Navy Commander Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera and Inspector General of Police Deshbandu Tennakoon.

(President’s Media Division)