Water released from Samanala Wewa to Udawalawe

Published

2 years ago

August 8, 2023

editor

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) said that the release of water from the Samanala Wewa to the Udawalawe Reservoir commenced at around 2.30 am today (08).

It said that 120 megawatts are being added to the national grid while the water is being released into the Udawalawe Reservoir at a maximum capacity of 42 cubic meters per second.

The CEB said the water level of Samanala Wewa was recorded as 13% this morning.

CEB General Manager Rohan Seneviratne said that until yesterday (07), there was minor electricity production from the Samanala Wewa due to the lower levels of water in the lake.

However, based on a request made to release more water to the farmers, the production of electricity will be increased from today and more water will be released from the reservoir.

The general manager said that since there is no use of releasing water without being properly utilised, the water will be released by generating electricity.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Power and Energy said that they will have to purchase emergency power from the privately-owned power plants due to the decision to release water from the Samanala Wewa.

Accordingly, a capacity of about 100 megawatts will have to be purchased from Matara and Embilipitiya power plants in the future, a senior official of the ministry said.

Landslide warnings issued for 07 districts

Published

46 minutes ago

June 16, 2025

editor

The National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) has issued landslide warnings for seven districts due to ongoing adverse weather conditions.

A Level-2 warning has been issued for the Ayagama and Ratnapura areas in the Ratnapura District.

Level-1 warnings have been issued for the following Divisional Secretariat Divisions:

Colombo District: Padukka
Galle District: Elpitiya
Kalutara District: Walallawita, Agalawatte, Palindanuwara, Bulathsinhala, and Mathugama
Kandy District: Ganga Ihala Korale
Kegalle District: Yatiyanthota, Deraniyagala, Dehiowita
Nuwara Eliya District: Ambagamuwa
Ratnapura District: Pelmadulla, Eheliyagoda, Nivitigala, Kuruwita, Elapatha, and Kalawana

Showers expected in parts of the island today

Published

1 hour ago

June 16, 2025

editor

Showers have been predicted at times in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Southern and North-western provinces today (June 16), according to the Department of Meteorology.

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

A few showers may occur in the Northern province and in the Anuradhapura district as well.

Strong winds of about 40-50kmph can be expected at times over the Western slopes of the central hills and in the Northern, North-central, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern and Northwestern provinces and in the Trincomalee district.

The general public has also been requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds.

News

19-yr.-old dies after hotel elevator collapses

Published

2 hours ago

June 16, 2025

editor

Moratuwa Police launched an investigation after a 19-year-old youth had died after an electric elevator at a hotel collapsed on June 14.

The deceased is a resident of Arukgoda in Panadura, and was an employee at the Bolgoda Hotel in Moratuwa.

According to reports, the elevator, which was reportedly designated solely for the use of hotel employees, had given away when the youth was inside, injuring him critically. He was rushed to the Panadura Base Hospital but was pronounced dead upon admission.

The management of the hotel has lodged a complaint with the Moratuwa Police regarding the incident. Further investigations are underway to determine the exact cause of the elevator collapse.