The US Embassy in Sri Lanka has issued a warning to the public about a recent surge in fake social media accounts impersonating embassy officials.
In a statement, the Embassy urged social media users to exercise caution and verify the authenticity of any account claiming to represent the U.S. Embassy or its staff.

“We encourage social media users and followers of U.S. Embassy Sri Lanka’s official accounts to verify the authenticity of any account claiming to represent the Embassy or its officials, avoiding engagement with or reliance on information from impersonator profiles,” the statement notes.

The verified accounts include:

Ambassador Julie Chung on X (formerly Twitter): @USAmbSL
U.S. Embassy Sri Lanka on X: @USEmbSL
Instagram: @USEmbSL
Facebook: facebook.com/Colombo.USEmbassy

The Embassy stressed that Ambassador Chung only maintains an official presence on X, and any accounts bearing her name on Facebook, Instagram, or Telegram are fake.

The Department of Meteorology says that, South-West monsoon conditions are gradually getting established over the island and accordingly showers or thundershowers will occur at times in Western, Sabaragamuwa, North-western and Central provinces and in Galle and Matara districts today (May 21).

Fairly heavy falls above 50 mm are likely at some places in Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Galle, Matara, Puttalam, Nuwara-Eliya and Kandy districts.

A few showers may occur in the North-central province.

Showers or thundershowers may occur at a few places in Uva province and in Ampara district during the evening or night.

Fairly strong winds of about 30-40 kmph can be expected at times over Western slopes of the central hills and in Northern, North-central, North-western and Southern provinces and in Trincomalee district.

The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.

More than 1,400 employees of the NEXT garment factory in the Katunayake Free Trade Zone were abruptly left jobless after the company announced its immediate closure via a WhatsApp message late on May 19.

The factory, operational for nearly 40 years, cited rising costs and persistent financial losses as reasons for shutting down. A company statement revealed that 1,416 out of 2,825 workers were affected, while employees in other divisions would retain their jobs.

Workers were offered a severance package of two months’ salary, but trade unions argue the closure breached labor agreements and was executed without proper notice.

“This is an unjust dismissal—workers deserve fair treatment and consultation,” said a union representative, demanding government intervention.

The sudden shutdown has sparked protests, with employees calling for legal action and better compensation. The Ministry of Labour is expected to review the case amid growing concerns over worker rights in Sri Lanka’s export sector.