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Water to Udawalawe Reservoir from Monaragala

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The farmers of Monaragala have agreed to give some amount of water to the paddy fields cultivated under the Udawalawe Reservoir which are being wilted due to the lack of water, the Ministry of Agriculture said.

Ministry Secretary Gunadasa Samarasinghe said that according to a request made by the Director of Irrigation in Monaragala, part of the water from 11 lakes in Monaragala District would be directed to the Udawalawe Reservoir through Weli Oya Dam.

Accordingly, the Ministry said that 1,200 acre-feet of water is being released into the Udawalawe Reservoir daily.

The Ministry Secretary said that even though this is a small amount of water, it will be able to save some part of the paddy fields which are facing the severe drought.

Meanwhile, Minister of Agriculture Mahinda Amaraweera said that due to the drought, the water level of the Udawalawe Reservoir has decreased to two percent, and 65,000 acres of paddy fields are at risk of being damaged.

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SL athletes shine at Taiwan Open: Lekamge claims silver, Yodhasinghe takes bronze 

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Sri Lankan athletes delivered strong performances at the 2025 Taiwan Open Athletics Championship, with Nadeesha Lekamge securing a silver medal in the women’s javelin throw and Chamod Yodhasinghe earning bronze in the men’s 100m sprint.  

Lekamge’s Season-Best Throw Secures Silver  

Nadeesha Lekamge recorded a season’s best throw of 56.62 meters, finishing just behind India’s Annu Rani (56.82m), who took gold. 

Lekamge’s performance highlights her consistent form ahead of upcoming international competitions.  

Yodhasinghe’s Speed Earns Bronze in 100m 

Chamod Yodhasinghe clocked 10.38 seconds in the men’s 100m finals, securing third place behind Australia’s Jiseph Ayoade (10.34s) and Japan’s Bruno Dede (10.36s). 

The Sri Lankan sprinter had earlier impressed in the heats with a 10.29-second run, showcasing his potential on the international stage.  

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Philippines grants 5-year residency visas for Sri Lankans married to Filipinos

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In a major relief for Sri Lankans married to Filipino citizens, the Philippine government has officially begun issuing 5-year Temporary Residence Visas (TRVs), replacing the previous 2-year permits.

The move follows years of advocacy by the Sri Lankan community in the Philippines, who faced difficulties due to frequent renewals and prolonged passport retention by authorities. Many struggled with travel restrictions, especially for business and emergencies.

Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to the Philippines, Chanaka Talpahewa, prioritized the issue upon assuming office, engaging in high-level discussions with top Philippine officials, including the Vice President, Foreign Secretary, and key ministers. His persistent efforts led to the policy change, easing bureaucratic hurdles for binational families.

The extended visa validity reflects deepening Sri Lanka-Philippines relations, offering stability to Sri Lankan expatriates. Previously, the short-term TRVs caused financial and logistical strain, with families facing repeated paperwork and delays.

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Over 3,000 Sri Lankan troops arrested!

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The Ministry of Defence says that approximately 3,000 members of the Sri Lankan armed forces have been taken into custody for failing to report for duty without formally resigning.

The arrests were made during the period from February 22 to the present, as part of a coordinated operation conducted jointly by the tri-forces and the police.

Among those detained, 2,261 are members of the Sri Lanka Army.

The Ministry stated that the operation aims to enforce military regulations and ensure discipline within the armed forces by taking action against those who have gone absent without leave (AWOL).

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