May 11, Colombo (LNW): Health authorities in Sri Lanka are raising the alarm over a significant spike in dengue infections, with over 19,000 cases recorded in the first four and a half months of 2025.

The National Dengue Control Unit (NDCU) has warned that unless immediate preventative measures are taken, the country could face a wider public health crisis in the coming months.

The latest figures show a steady month-on-month increase, with January seeing 4,936 infections, followed by 3,665 in February.

March registered a similar figure at 3,770, but the number jumped considerably in April, reaching 5,175. By the 10th of May alone, 1,669 new cases had already been reported, indicating the likelihood of another surge if the current trend continues.

Ten districts have been identified as high-risk zones due to persistently high case numbers. These include urban and semi-urban areas such as Colombo, Gampaha, and Kalutara in the Western Province, alongside districts from other parts of the island including Ratnapura, Kandy, Batticaloa, Trincomalee, Matale, Galle, and Matara.

These regions are now under intensified surveillance and targeted vector control operations.

Officials from the NDCU attribute the rise in cases to a combination of prolonged rainy weather, inadequate waste disposal, and public complacency in eliminating mosquito breeding grounds.

With the Aedes aegypti mosquito—responsible for transmitting the dengue virus—thriving in stagnant water, authorities are urging citizens to be vigilant in maintaining clean surroundings, particularly during the monsoon season.

Health experts have reiterated that dengue is not simply a seasonal nuisance but a recurring public health threat that can become deadly if left unaddressed.

They have appealed to the public to take basic but critical actions, such as regularly emptying water containers, cleaning gutters, covering water storage tanks, and disposing of old tyres and bottles that collect rainwater.

Meanwhile, local government bodies are ramping up awareness campaigns and inspection drives in both residential and commercial areas.

Mobile medical units and emergency response teams are also being prepared in high-incidence regions to respond swiftly to potential outbreaks.

Medical professionals are advising individuals showing early symptoms of dengue—such as high fever, severe headaches, pain behind the eyes, muscle and joint pain, and skin rashes—to seek medical attention promptly.

Delays in treatment, particularly in cases that progress to dengue haemorrhagic fever, can be fatal.

May 11, Colombo (LNW): President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has expressed profound sorrow over the tragic bus accident that took place in the early hours of Saturday (11) in the Gerandi Ella area of Kotmale, which resulted in the deaths of at least 21 passengers and left over 35 others injured.

The vehicle, travelling from Kataragama to Kurunegala via Nuwara Eliya, reportedly plunged into a deep precipice along the Nuwara Eliya–Gampola main road, in what authorities are calling one of the deadliest road accidents in recent years.

In a statement issued by the President’s Media Division, the Head of State extended his condolences to the bereaved families and instructed both the security forces and health sector personnel to ensure that all necessary medical facilities be mobilised without delay.

Hospitals in the surrounding regions have been directed to prioritise emergency care for the injured.

President Dissanayake also acknowledged the alarming frequency of road accidents across the country, describing the current trend as a serious national concern that requires urgent intervention.

He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to enhancing road safety, not only through stricter enforcement of existing laws but also through initiatives aimed at reshaping public attitudes towards responsible driving.

As part of this broader agenda, the President indicated that the government will roll out a new road safety initiative under the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme. While specific details have yet to be released, officials close to the administration suggest the project will focus on both punitive and preventative measures, including education campaigns and enhanced traffic monitoring systems.

Initial investigations into Saturday’s crash are still ongoing, but police have stated that the bus appears to have veered off the road before tumbling down the steep hillside. The precise cause has not yet been officially determined, though early reports point to the possibility of driver fatigue, mechanical failure, or excessive speed as potential factors.

Emergency response teams, including police, military personnel, and ambulance services, were deployed swiftly to the scene and worked under challenging conditions to retrieve the injured and deceased. Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos and devastation, with rescue operations extending into the afternoon.

With the number of casualties mounting and public concern deepening, the tragedy has reignited calls for a more systematic overhaul of Sri Lanka’s road safety protocols.

Road traffic incidents remain one of the leading causes of unnatural deaths in the country, with rural roads such as those in the Central Highlands being particularly prone to fatal accidents due to poor visibility, sharp bends, and inadequate safety infrastructure.

President Dissanayake’s remarks suggest that while long-term strategies are being formulated, the government also intends to take immediate steps to curtail further loss of life. Analysts say the effectiveness of these interventions will depend heavily on political will, institutional coordination, and community engagement—particularly in high-risk areas.

May 11, Colombo (LNW): Public sector employees in Sri Lanka will now be eligible for a higher distress loan, with the ceiling increased from Rs. 250,000 to Rs. 400,000.

The Ministry of Public Administration confirmed that the new limit will come into effect from 1 May 2025, marking a significant policy adjustment aligned with the 2025 Budget’s commitment to improve the financial well-being of state workers.

The change stems from recent adjustments to the minimum basic salaries of public servants, which were announced in the national budget earlier this year.

The updated loan cap has been formalised through Public Administration Circular 10/2025, issued on 25 March, and was prepared in consultation with the General Treasury.

Under the revised terms, the distress loan granted to a public officer will now be calculated based on their updated basic salary, providing access to greater financial relief during times of personal or family emergencies.

This move is expected to benefit a wide cross-section of state employees, including teachers, administrative officers, and health workers, many of whom have been facing increased cost-of-living pressures.

Government departments and public institutions have been directed to facilitate the processing of applications under the new ceiling and to ensure that requests are prioritised based on genuine need.

The Ministry has also advised accounting officers and administrative heads to adopt transparent and efficient procedures to manage loan disbursements fairly.

May 11, Colombo (LNW): Dr Tilak Siyambalapitiya has reportedly stepped down from his role as Chairman of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), according to informed sources.

His resignation is believed to have been formally submitted amidst a backdrop of persistent institutional and structural challenges facing the country’s power sector.

Appointed on 26 September last year by the administration of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Dr Siyambalapitiya’s tenure marked a period of heightened public scrutiny over electricity pricing, regulatory reforms, and national energy sustainability.

May 11, Colombo (LNW): A tragic road accident in the central highlands of Sri Lanka has claimed the lives of at least fifteen individuals after a passenger bus veered off the Nuwara Eliya–Gampola main road and plunged into a deep precipice in the Garandiella area of Ramboda early this morning (11 May).

Emergency services responded to the scene shortly after the incident, with police confirming that over 35 people sustained injuries of varying severity. The wounded were promptly transported to nearby hospitals, where several remain in critical condition.

The ill-fated bus, operated by the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB), was reportedly travelling from Kataragama to Kurunegala, passing through the hill country town of Nuwara Eliya. The route, known for its steep inclines and sharp bends, can pose considerable danger, particularly in poor weather or under low visibility.

While the exact cause of the accident has yet to be formally established, preliminary accounts suggest that the bus may have lost control while navigating a sharp bend.

Investigations are underway to determine whether driver error, mechanical failure, or hazardous road conditions contributed to the incident.

Footage and photographs from the crash site show a mangled vehicle at the base of a steep slope, surrounded by emergency personnel and concerned bystanders.

The scale of the wreckage has drawn widespread public attention and raised fresh concerns about road safety standards, especially on mountainous routes that are frequented by long-distance public transport.

Authorities are expected to review transport safety protocols following this latest tragedy, which adds to a growing list of fatal road accidents involving state-operated buses.

Calls for stricter regulation, improved driver training, and more rigorous vehicle inspections have been renewed in the wake of the disaster.

May 11, Colombo (LNW): Well-known Sri Lankan actress Semini Iddamalgoda has been arrested by officers of the Welikada Police in connection with a series of unresolved legal matters.

According to police sources, the arrest stems from seven outstanding warrants issued against her, reportedly linked to allegations involving financial misconduct.

While details surrounding the nature and timeline of the alleged offences remain limited, authorities have confirmed that the warrants relate to complaints of financial irregularities, which had been under investigation for some time.

Her apprehension was carried out earlier today following coordination between various units within the police service.