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Flood & landslide warnings issued as possible cyclone moves closer to SL

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The Department of Meteorology warns that the deep depression over the southwest Bay of Bengal, which was located 110 km to the east of Trincomalee at around 11.30 a.m. today (27), is likely to move closer to the east coast of Sri Lanka and further intensify into a cyclonic storm during the next few hours.

Under the influence of the system, cloudy skies will prevail over most parts of the island while very heavy showers and strong gusty winds can be expected in Northern, North-central, Eastern, Northwestern and Central provinces, it said.

Issuing a “Red” advisory, it said showers or thundershowers will occur at times in Northern, North-central, Central, Western and North-western provinces and in Trincomalee, Batticaloa and Kegalle districts.

Very heavy showers above 150 mm are likely at some places while showers will occur at times elsewhere of the island too. Fairly heavy showers above 75 mm are likely at some places, the department said.

The warning further said that the deep and shallow sea areas around the island will be rough to very rough as the wind speed can be increased up to 60-70 kmph at times. Very heavy showers or thundershowers are likely at some places areas around the island.

The swell waves (about 2.5–3.0 m) height may increase in the sea areas off the coast extending from Batticaloa to Kankasanthurai via Trincomalee (this is not for land area).

The Met. Department said there is a possibility that near shore sea areas off the coast extending from Batticaloa to Kankasanthurai via Trincomalee may experience surges due to swell waves.

Naval and fishing communities are warned not to venture to the deep and shallow sea areas around the island until further notice. They are also requested to be attentive about future advisories issued by the Department of Meteorology in this regard.

The general public is requested to be vigilant regarding impending extreme weather situation from November 26 to 27 and to contact the local disaster management authorities for emergency assistance.

They are also requested to be attentive about future advisories issued by the Department of Meteorology in this regard.

Flood warnings
The Irrigation Department has issued a flood warning for several low-lying areas of Kelani River Basin, effective until 10:30 a.m. on November 29, 2024.

Similarly, another flood warning has been issued for several low-lying areas Kala Oya Basin effective until 9:30 a.m. on November 29, 2024.

It states that considerable rainfall has occurred in some of the upstream and middle reach catchment areas of Kala Oya Basin as of 8.00 a.m. today (27).

In addition to that, the Rajanganaya Reservoir which is maintained by the Irrigation Department is spilling with a discharge rate of 10000 cubic feet /sec currently.

Meanwhile, there is a possibility of increasing the spill discharge of the Rajanganaya reservoir, the department said.

Leave cancelled
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands, and Irrigation directed Department of Irrigation and Mahaweli Authority engineers managing reservoirs to remain at their workplaces as heavy rains persist.

Accordingly, leave for these officials were, and they are tasked with assisting Divisional Secretaries and ensuring safety measures for residents near overflowing reservoirs.

The Ministry also instructed a committee to monitor the situation and inform the public in high-risk areas, including Akkaraipattu and the Nilwala River, of potential hazards.

Landslide warnings extended
Meanwhile, the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) has extended the ‘Level 3 (Red)’ Landslide Early Warning  issued to several divisional secretariat divisions (DSDs) in Kandy, Matale and Nuwara-Eliya districts urging the residents of these areas to evacuate to safer locations. 

Accordingly, the Level -3 warning, valid for the next 24 hours, has been issued for the following divisional secretariat divisions and surrounding areas:

Kandy District – Harispattuwa, Medadumbara, Kandy Four Gravets or Gangawata Korale, Ududumbara, Doluwa,  Yatinuwara, Udapalatha, Pathahewaheta, Udunuwara, Pathadumbara and Delthota 

Matale District – Ukuwela, Yatawatta, Rattota, Wilgamuwa, Ambanganga Korale, Laggala Pallegama, Pallepola, Naula and Matale 

Nuwara Eliya District – 
Walapane Divisional Secretariat Division (DSD) and surrounding areas

The warning states that since the rainfall within the past 24 hours has exceeded 150 mm in the above areas, residents are advised to evacuate toe safer locations in the rain continues to avoid the risk of landslides, slope failures, rock falls, cutting failures and ground subsidence. 

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Passengers jump from plane’s wing after fire alert on Spain flight, triggers panic

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Wildfires have broken out on an island and in towns near Athens in Greece, with blazes also being sparked in Turkey and Syria.

The Hellenic Fire Service and local authorities said that two villages – Tsakeoi and Limnionas – had been evacuated on the island of Evia after the blaze started late on Friday.

One fire service official said more than 160 firefighters, 46 trucks and five aircraft were deployed in southern Evia to put out the fire.

Southern Evia, to the east of Athens, was one of several regions in Greece placed on high alert for wildfires over gale-force winds forecast for today.

Images from Koropi, a town to the southwest of Athens, also show houses burnt down and helicopters dropping water on burning forests.

It marks the latest wildfires to break out in Greece – where blazes are common during the summer – as it tackles strong winds and dry conditions amid an early summer heatwave in southern Europe.

Officials have linked the conditions to at least nine deaths across the continent.

A wildfire broke out in Achlia on the island of Crete on Wednesday, forcing thousands of residents and tourists to evacuate – with some taken to a nearby basketball arena and hotels in safer parts of the island.

The fire service official told Reuters on Friday that the fire in Crete was largely contained.

Meanwhile, blazes have also broken out on Turkey’s west coast – the latest in a series of blazes which started in late June – as well as its southerly neighbour Syria.

At least five fires have been reported in Izmir after extreme heat, strong winds and low humidity. Two people have been killed by the blazes, while tens of thousands have been evacuated.

Fires also flared on both sides of the Turkish-Syrian border on Friday, with a new blaze reported near the town of Dortyol in Turkey’s border province of Hatay.

According to Syria’s Civil Defence, wildfires have spread across large parts of mountainous areas in the Latakia province.

The government department added that conditions have hampered efforts to bring the fire under control, and noted unexploded ordnance could be in some of the areas affected.

Source: SKY NEWS

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CBSL extends Perpetual Treasuries suspension for six months

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The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has decided to extend the suspension of Perpetual Treasuries Limited (PTL) from carrying on the business and activities of a Primary Dealer for a further period of six months.

The extension is with effect from 4.30 p.m. on 05th July 2025, in order to continue the investigations being conducted by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka.

The suspension has been extended by CBSL acting in terms of the Regulations made under the Registered Stock and Securities Ordinance and the Local Treasury Bills Ordinance.

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Kataragama Basnayake Nilame pressured over complaint against Kapuwas’ donation misuse

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It has been reported that Dishan Wickramaratne Gunasekara – the Basnayake Nilame of the historic Ruhunu Kataragama Maha Devalaya, is facing pressure including from several parties including political circles to withdraw his complaint lodged against the custodians (Kapu Mahattaya) of the devalaya.

The issue had arisen after it was discovered that some custodians were collecting money into their own tills instead of allowing them to be deposited in the official donation box.

Public discussion about the transparency of the temple’s donations intensified after the Basnayake Nilame had begun using a portion of the funds for community projects like hospital construction.

Traditionally, devotees often handed donations directly to the custodians, but the Basnayake Nilame had urged the public via media to place offerings only in the official donation box managed by the Ministry of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs.

He subsequently arranged a proper audit of all such donations for the first time.

In response, some custodians had reportedly begun pressuring devotees near the official box to hand over donations to them instead.

Upon learning of this, the Basnayake Nilame had lodged a complaint with the Kataragama Police, arguing that diverting funds from the official box amounts to fraudulent misappropriation.

Acting on the complaint, police arrested 02 custodians who were collecting offerings near the official box.

However, other custodians then surrounded the police station and pressured the officers to release the arrested individuals, resulting in their release.

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