The ‘Level-3’ (Red) landslide evacuation warning issued for multiple areas in seven districts has been extended.
Accordingly, the National Building and Research Organisation (NBRO) states that the landslide warning will remain in effect until 02:00 a.m. tomorrow (29).
The Irrigation Department warns that a major flood situation is likely to occur within the next 48 hours in the low-lying areas of the Kelani River valley.
Heavy rainfall is currently being experienced in many areas of the Kelani River Basin’s catchment.
According to the Department, the increased volume of water being released from reservoirs in the upper catchment, together with river water-level readings from gauging stations, indicates a high risk of major flooding in several areas.
The areas at risk include the Divisional Secretariat Divisions of Eheliyagoda, Norwood, Yatiyantota, Galigamuwa, Ruwanwella, Bulathkohupitiya, Dehiowita, Seethawaka, Dompe, Padukka, Homagama, Kaduwela, Biyagama, Kolonnawa, Kelaniya, Wattala, and Colombo.
The Department urges residents in these areas, as well as motorists and passengers travelling through affected regions, to remain highly vigilant and take all necessary precautions to protect life and property.
Disaster Management Authorities have also been requested to take necessary action.
The Railway Department has announced that train services on all routes have been suspended after 6:00 a.m. today (28) due to the prevailing adverse weather conditions.
The announcement was issued by the Additional General Manager (Operations) of Sri Lanka Railways, Chandrasena Bandara.
The Cyclonic Storm “Ditwah” [Pronunciation: Ditwah] is centered near latitude 8.1°N and longitude 81.2°E, about 50km South of Trincomalee. It is very likely to move north-northwestwards. The general public is kindly requested to be attentive about future advisories issued by the Department of Meteorology in this regard.
Due to the influence of this system, prevailing heavy showers and strong winds over the island are expected to continue.
Cloudy skies can be expected over most parts of the island and Intermittent showers and thundershowers will occur over most parts of the island.
Very heavy falls above 200 mm are likely at some places in Northern, North-central, Central, North-western, Sabaragamuwa and Western provinces and, above 150 mm are likely at some places in Trincomalee, Badulla Galle and Matara districts. Fairly heavy falls above 75 mm are likely at some places in the other areas of the island.
Very strong winds at times about (60-70) kmph and gusting up to (80-90) kmph can be expected over the most parts of the island.
The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by heavy showers and strong winds.
November 27, Colombo (LNW): The Department of Irrigation has cautioned that severe flooding could develop within the next 24 hours in low-lying areas along the Mahaweli River, particularly within the Yatinuwara and Gangawata Korale Divisional Secretariat divisions.
A red-level warning was issued after sustained heavy rainfall was recorded across the river’s upper catchment, with gauge readings monitored by the department showing a steady rise in water levels.
Officials warned that the combination of continued rain and increasing river flow presents a significant threat to communities situated close to the riverbanks.
Residents living near the Mahaweli in the affected divisions have been urged to remain on high alert, prepare for rapid evacuation if necessary, and take all appropriate safety measures. Disaster response teams have been requested to activate precautionary plans and be ready for immediate deployment.
In a separate advisory, the department also signalled the possibility of minor flooding in the Kelani River valley, particularly in the Ruwanwella Divisional Secretariat area. An amber warning was issued after notable rainfall was observed in the upper sections of the Kelani basin early this morning. Hydrological data suggests that vulnerable low-lying zones could experience inundation within the coming day.
Authorities have called on motorists and residents in these areas to exercise extreme caution, while disaster management units have been instructed to remain prepared for any escalation in conditions.
November 27, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka’s worsening weather crisis has now claimed 47 lives, according to the latest update from the Disaster Management Centre (DMC).
Officials say that 37 of these fatalities were recorded within just the past two days, underscoring the speed at which the situation has deteriorated.
A further 21 people are still unaccounted for as rescue teams continue operations across multiple districts.
In total, 5,893 individuals from 1,729 households have been affected by the heavy rains, landslides and flooding that have swept through much of the country. Several districts remain on high alert as more unstable ground conditions are being reported.
Badulla has emerged as one of the worst-hit regions, with District Secretary Prabhat Abeywardena confirming that 23 residents have died due to landslides, while five others remain missing. Search operations are ongoing in treacherous terrain.
Kandy, too, is grappling with severe repercussions. Around 20 people have been reported missing following a major landslide in Gangoda. DMC Director General, Major General (Retired) Sampath Kotuwegoda, explained that a group of residents had gathered in a single home, seeking shelter from the risk of slope failures, when the property itself was engulfed by a landslide. Three bodies have since been recovered.
Meanwhile, Nuwara Eliya has reported six fatalities linked to landslides. District Secretary Thushari Tennakoon confirmed that all ten Divisional Secretariat areas within the district have been impacted, with authorities continuing to monitor areas deemed vulnerable to further incidents.
Emergency teams across the central and hill-country districts remain on standby as meteorologists warn of continued instability in the coming days.
By: Staff Writer
November 27, Colombo (LNW): The Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) expansion, long stalled due to economic crisis and procurement issues, is scheduled to restart in mid-2026, with construction potentially commencing by the middle of the year. The high-profile Phase II Stage 2 project, financed with support from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), is designed to increase the airport’s annual passenger handling capacity from 6 million to 16 million and includes the construction of a new Terminal 2. Completion is targeted for the end of 2027.
Originally halted in 2022 amid Sri Lanka’s debt restructuring and tender delays, the project resumed funding after a JICA agreement in July 2024. The loan terms are currently being renegotiated, reflecting changed economic conditions.
The construction is expected to span 30 months, with the tender for the remaining work Package “A1”open to eligible international bidders under Japanese Official Development Assistance (ODA) guidelines.
A previous contractor had completed only a fraction of the work before the suspension, leaving the airport struggling with congestion as it handled 8.5 million travelers in 2024, well above its designed capacity.
Despite its strategic importance, the tender process has been plagued by controversy, highlighting weaknesses in Sri Lanka’s procurement framework. Bid evaluation for leading contenders, including the Sojitz-L&T consortium and Taisei Corporation, has been repeatedly delayed, with technical committees requesting clarifications that have extended timelines far beyond initial expectations.
Allegations have surfaced of unethical practices, including a last-minute extension of the bidding deadline and the submission of a Power of Attorney (POA) that lacked local attestation, a fundamental legal requirement.
Experts have criticized these lapses as favoritism toward powerful bidders, warning that they risk undermining both public trust and the credibility of national infrastructure projects.
The High-Level Procurement Committee eventually intervened to disqualify Sojitz-L&T, yet further attempts were reportedly made to overturn this decision, including advice from the Attorney General’s Office suggesting temporary validity for the POA a move that procurement specialists say contravenes standard rules.
These procedural irregularities, combined with repeated delays and backroom interventions, underscore the fragility of Sri Lanka’s procurement system and raise concerns that the BIA expansion, a project crucial to the nation’s transport infrastructure and economic recovery, could fall victim to political and institutional interference.
While resuming construction offers the promise of modern facilities, expanded capacity, and improved service for millions of travelers, ensuring transparency and adherence to the law remains critical for the project’s ultimate success.
By: Staff Writer
November 27, Colombo (LNW): The Sri Lankan government has positioned Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a cornerstone of its economic transformation, but the financial backing in the Budget 2026 appears inadequate to realize these ambitions, according to several IT experts and industry leaders.
With only Rs. 3 billion earmarked for AI development, national data platforms, and government-managed data centres, analysts warn that the country risks missing another critical technological opportunity. A leading AI researcher described the allocation as “deeply unrealistic,” noting that even feasibility studies would consume a large portion of the funds. Industry benchmarks indicate that a single mid-scale data centre typically requires Rs. 20-40 billion, far outstripping the total budget allocation.
Beyond the central AI fund, the government has proposed Rs. 500 million in incentives for international data-centre investors, including subsidized land, reduced initial electricity rates, and green-energy support. Another Rs. 750 million is slated for AI and cloud innovation, research centres, and scholarships. Plans to streamline approvals for digital towers, offer tax exemptions, and establish Virtual Special Economic Zones aim to attract export-oriented tech enterprises.
Despite these initiatives, industry leaders argue they remain far below global standards. “Sri Lanka lacks large-scale data centres, national AI cloud infrastructure, and high-performance computing capabilities. Until these gaps are addressed, AI goals risk being political slogans rather than economic strategy,” warned the CEO of a leading tech company. Even within government circles, there is quiet acknowledgment of the problem. A senior Finance Ministry official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said: “The allocation will not build infrastructure; it will only support planning. AI sells politically, but practically, the budget falls short.”
Regulatory progress has been notable, however. The Personal Data Protection Amendment Act No. 22 of 2025 provides legal clarity essential for attracting hyper-scale data centre investors. Additionally, the upcoming Digital Economy Act, the creation of a Digital Economy Authority, and a Cabinet-level Digital Economy Council promise a unified approach to digital governance for the first time.
Sri Lanka’s geographic location is another strategic advantage. With the landing of the SEA-ME-WE 6 submarine cable and robust regional connectivity through BBG, SMW4, MSC, and Bharat-Lanka cables, the island could serve as a low-latency data and disaster-recovery hub for India, Southeast Asia, and Europe. Yet, industry experts caution that this potential is contingent on modern infrastructure, reliable renewable energy, and a skilled workforce.
History suggests that the country has repeatedly missed technological waves due to underinvestment and policy inconsistencies. As one industry leader noted, “If we fail now, Sri Lanka will spend the next decade importing AI while the rest of Asia develops it.” Experts urge urgent investment, talent development, and a commitment to treating AI as a national economic priority, warning that the 2026 AI push could join a long list of missed opportunities without decisive action.
By: Staff Writer
November 27, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka is moving forward with a crucial electricity transmission initiative designed to enhance the national power network and boost renewable energy capacity.
The long-delayed Norochcholai–Wariyapola Transmission Development Project will create a robust high-capacity corridor connecting Puttalam and Wariyapola, aimed at easing network congestion and improving the reliability of electricity supply in the North Western Province.
The project has been identified as a top priority under the Ceylon Electricity Board’s Long-Term Transmission Plan 2025-2034. It is expected to significantly expand the country’s capacity to integrate renewable energy, with the potential to channel more than 750 MW of wind and solar power into the national grid.
The North Western Province, particularly the Puttalam region, has been recognized as a key renewable energy hub due to its strong wind and solar resources. However, existing transmission infrastructure has limited the ability to fully harness these resources, leading to curtailment and grid instability.
Energy officials emphasize that the development will provide multiple benefits to the public. By strengthening the main transmission backbone, the project will ensure a more stable and reliable electricity supply, reducing the frequency of power interruptions.
This improved reliability is expected to benefit households, businesses, and industries in the region while also encouraging further investment in renewable energy projects. Additionally, the enhanced network will help accommodate fluctuating outputs from renewable sources, supporting a cleaner, more sustainable energy mix for the country.
The estimated cost of the project is Rs. 24.06 billion, with the Government actively pursuing financing from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB). Experts highlight that the investment will not only support energy security but also create employment opportunities during construction and operation phases, fostering local economic development.
Government officials underline that the Norochcholai–Wariyapola Transmission Development Project aligns with Sri Lanka’s broader energy strategy, which seeks to significantly increase renewable energy generation by 2030.
By expanding the transmission network and reducing bottlenecks, the initiative is expected to provide long-term benefits for both the energy system and the communities it serves, paving the way for a more sustainable and resilient national grid.
By: Staff Writer
November 27, Colombo (LNW): The Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka (SEC) has issued a strong warning to investors about Blue Ocean Securities Ltd., highlighting the rising threat posed by unlicensed securities companies that exploit unsuspecting investors through deceptive operations.
According to the SEC, Blue Ocean Securities lacks legal authority to trade in securities in Sri Lanka and its Chief Analyst and assistant are unregistered investment advisors. International checks confirmed that the firm is not licensed by the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), further underscoring the global reach of its fraudulent activity.
Fake securities companies like Blue Ocean typically use a sophisticated modus operandi designed to appear credible. They lure investors with promises of unusually high returns, often claiming expertise in high-demand stocks or niche financial products.
These entities create professional-looking websites, reports, and social media profiles, sometimes even claiming fictitious partnerships with international financial institutions. WhatsApp groups, Telegram channels, and other online communication platforms are often used to directly solicit funds and provide “market tips,” giving the illusion of insider knowledge.
Experts say that such firms target both retail and institutional investors, exploiting gaps in public awareness. The schemes often rely on psychological pressure, including urgent calls to invest immediately, fear of missing out, or guarantees of rapid profits.
Once funds are deposited, investors frequently find no transparency, no trading activity, and no access to their money, highlighting the high-risk nature of engaging with unlicensed operators.
The SEC is actively coordinating with law enforcement authorities to investigate Blue Ocean Securities and prevent further victimization. Investors are urged not to deposit money, share personal financial information, or join any communication channels associated with the company. Only licenced stockbrokers should be used for securities transactions, and a CDS account must be opened before trading.
Analysts warn that the rise of such fraudulent firms threatens the integrity of Sri Lanka’s capital markets, undermining public trust and potentially deterring genuine investors. Heightened investor vigilance, regulatory enforcement, and broad public awareness campaigns are crucial to mitigating these risks.
The SEC encourages investors and media outlets to share scam alerts widely, helping to expose unlicensed operators and protect the financial ecosystem.
