December 16, Colombo (LNW): The National Council for Disaster Management has endorsed a major housing initiative aimed at resettling families who were left homeless by recent disasters, as well as those currently living in areas identified as highly vulnerable to landslides.

The decision was taken at a council meeting held yesterday and chaired by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

Minister of Housing and Water Supply Dr. Susil Ranasinghe said the National Housing Development Authority has been assigned responsibility for designing and carrying out the proposed housing schemes. The projects will focus on providing safe and permanent homes for displaced families and relocating residents from dangerous locations.

He noted that District Secretaries and local government bodies have already submitted assessments to the Commissioner General of Essential Services, detailing housing needs and identifying suitable state or alternative lands for resettlement in high-risk districts.

Following these evaluations, the National Housing Development Authority, together with the Urban Development Authority, has been instructed to move swiftly and begin the initial stage of construction for families who have lost their homes and those requiring urgent relocation to safer areas.

December 16, Colombo (LNW): A Japanese emergency medical unit has wrapped up its humanitarian deployment in Sri Lanka and returned home after delivering vital healthcare services to flood-affected communities.

The 31-member team, deployed under Japan’s Disaster Relief (JDR) programme, arrived in the country in early December and spent close to two weeks operating a temporary field hospital at the Chilaw Police Grounds. During this period, the team provided a wide range of medical services to residents in Chilaw and neighbouring areas, including outpatient consultations, diagnostic testing, pharmacy support and essential clinical treatment.

On Monday morning, Health Secretary Dr Anil Jasinghe met the delegation at the Ministry of Health and Mass Media to formally recognise their contribution. In a statement, the Ministry said the professionalism, coordination and technical expertise of the Japanese team played a key role in strengthening Sri Lanka’s emergency health response during a critical period.

Team leader Iwase Kiichiro expressed appreciation to Sri Lankan authorities for their cooperation, describing the mission as another chapter in the long-standing partnership and goodwill between Japan and Sri Lanka.

The group comprised doctors, nurses, pharmacists, laboratory technicians, radiology specialists and disaster response coordinators, and operated in line with internationally accepted emergency medical standards. The Ministry of Health also maintained close oversight of the field hospital throughout the mission to ensure seamless coordination with local health services.

Officials said the presence of the JDR medical team helped ease pressure on local hospitals and ensured timely treatment for thousands affected by the flooding, underscoring the value of international cooperation in times of crisis.

December 16, Colombo (LNW): Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has stepped up its humanitarian assistance to Sri Lanka by handing over a large shipment of emergency shelter materials to the Disaster Management Centre (DMC).

The consignment, delivered earlier this week, includes 1,000 insulated family tents and 1,500 heavy-grade plastic sheets designed to withstand cold and wet conditions. MSF said the shelters are intended to offer displaced households a safer and warmer living space, particularly in hill country areas where temperatures drop sharply.

In a statement, the organisation noted that improved shelter is vital to protecting vulnerable families from severe weather and preventing the spread of illness in temporary settlements.

The latest delivery forms part of MSF’s ongoing response to the widespread flooding and landslides triggered by Cyclone Ditwah, which have disrupted the lives of more than 1.8 million people nationwide. Alongside shelter support, MSF teams are working with local authorities and community partners to address urgent needs related to sanitation, health services and essential supplies.

To date, the organisation has also provided 500 emergency relief packs and an equal number of dry food ration kits to families forced from their homes. Preparations are under way to distribute maternity kits and dignity kits in the coming days, aimed at safeguarding maternal health and personal wellbeing in evacuation centres.

David Croft, MSF’s Emergency Coordinator in Sri Lanka, said the provision of winterised tents was a key priority as families face prolonged displacement. He added that MSF remains committed to adjusting its support in line with evolving needs and strengthening cooperation with national and local agencies to ensure aid reaches those most affected.

December 16, Colombo (LNW): Former minister C. B. Rathnayake, who was taken into custody by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption in connection with an ongoing inquiry, has been granted bail by the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court.

The court ordered his release on two sureties of Rs. 2 million each, while also enforcing a ban on overseas travel as a condition of bail.

Rathnayake had been held on remand following his arrest earlier this month, after reporting to CIABOC to give a statement related to the investigation.

The inquiry is continuing, and the former minister is required to comply with all court-imposed conditions as proceedings move forward.

December 16, Colombo (LNW): The National Building Research Organisation has announced that areas previously flagged as vulnerable to landslides and rockfalls have now returned to stable conditions following the severe weather triggered by Cyclone Ditwa.

NBRO Director General Eng. Dr Asiri Karunawardena said more than 1,200 locations across the Central, Sabaragamuwa and Kurunegala provinces were classified as high risk during the period of intense rainfall. He confirmed that those sites have since stabilised and no longer pose an immediate danger.

With the situation improving, the organisation has shifted its attention to surveying fresh locations that could become hazardous if weather patterns change. As a precaution, teams have already begun clearing unstable rocks from slopes known to be prone to falling debris.

Monitoring remains active in districts such as Kandy, Badulla, Nuwara Eliya, Matale, Kegalle and Kurunegala, where ground conditions are being closely observed.

Dr Karunawardena stressed that although the immediate threat has diminished, continued surveillance and early intervention are vital to minimise the risk of future geological incidents.

December 16, Colombo (LNW): The Government has authorised a special leave arrangement for public sector employees who were unable to attend work as a result of flooding, landslides and transport disruptions caused by recent adverse weather.

A circular issued on Monday by the Secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government has been sent to ministry secretaries, provincial chief secretaries and heads of government institutions outlining the decision.

Under the directive, state employees who could not report for duty due to the breakdown of public transport links, blocked roads or other disaster-related obstacles linked to Cyclone Ditwah will be eligible for this concession.

Affected officers must submit a written application to the head of their institution explaining the reason for their absence. The request should be supported by a recommendation from the relevant Grama Niladhari and endorsed by the Divisional Secretary.

Institutional heads have been instructed to carefully review each application and, if satisfied with its validity, forward it to the respective head of department for approval covering the actual period of absence.

The Ministry clarified that this special leave facility will be limited to absences recorded during November and December only, and will not extend beyond this timeframe.

December 16, Colombo (LNW): The Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education has once again underlined that schools must not hold third-term examinations for students in Grades 6 to 10 during the 2025 academic year.

In a fresh communication circulated to provincial authorities and school heads, the Ministry stressed that this decision is not optional and must be enforced uniformly across all schools.

Officials were reminded that earlier guidelines on the matter remain fully in force and that any deviation from them will not be permitted.