A ceremony was held at the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) in Colombo to formally hand over humanitarian and search‑and‑rescue equipment donated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter‑day Saints, strengthening Sri Lanka’s rapid response and rescue operations.

The donation, initiated by the Church in Los Angeles at the request of the Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Los Angeles, is part of ongoing efforts to bolster disaster preparedness and emergency response, particularly in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah in November 2025.

According to the Consul General of Sri Lanka in Los Angeles, the equipment includes generators, emergency relief kits, chainsaws, VHF communication sets, and hydraulic cutting tools. 

Officials said these resources will enhance the DMC’s capacity to conduct search‑and‑rescue missions during floods, landslides, and other disasters, while ensuring faster delivery of humanitarian assistance to affected communities.

Sri Lanka’s Consul General in Los Angeles, Achini Perera, visited the Church to express appreciation for the donation, delivering a letter of thanks from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to Matthew Ball, Director of International and Public Affairs of the Church. 

The letter recognized the organization’s contribution to strengthening Sri Lanka’s disaster preparedness and emergency response capacity.  

The meeting was also attended by representatives of the Church and Rekha Mallikarachchi, Minister (Commerce) of the Consulate General. (Newswire)

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The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) has warned that even distributing purified seawater to meet drinking water needs may become necessary if the forecasted El Niño anomaly impacts Sri Lanka as predicted.

At a media briefing on Wednesday (10), Additional Secretary K.G.B. Dharmatilaka said the expected El Niño condition could be severe at an unprecedented level, posing risks of depletion of the country’s main water sources. 

He stressed the urgent need for preparedness, noting that the National Disaster Services Centre has only a limited number of water bowsers available for emergency distribution.

Dharmatilaka cautioned that existing resources may be insufficient if prolonged drought sets in. “This El Niño condition could dry up water sources, leaving no sources to obtain water. I think we may even have to consider purifying and distributing seawater,” he added. 

Meanwhile, the United Nations Meteorological Agency has already warned of the possibility of the strongest El Niño condition in a decade. #

Sri Lanka’s Department of Meteorology has also said the country could face drought conditions in July-August as a result, with rainfall expected to decline sharply.

Officials said there could be issues related to the supply of drinking water and agricultural activities. 

“However, an increase in rainfall could be expected in October and November. There is a possibility of tornadoes and heavy rains. Then again, we can expect warm weather from January to April,” they said. 

El Niño, a natural phenomenon caused by higher‑than‑normal sea surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean, disrupts global weather patterns and often reduces rainfall in regions such as Sri Lanka, India, and Australia, leading to severe droughts. (Newswire)

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A total of 22,236 persons from 5,803 families across eight (08) districts in Sri Lanka have been severely affected by adverse weather conditions between May 22-25, according to the Disaster Management Centre (DMC).

The DMC states that 1,507 individuals from 379 families have been placed in 21 temporary safety shelters, while 248 persons remain with their relatives.

As of 06.00 am today (25), one person has been reported dead in Gampaha and one person injured in Colombo.

A total of 860 houses have sustained partial damage, while two houses have been completely damaged. (Newswire)

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The death toll due to adverse weather conditions in Sri Lanka has increased to two, as of 06.00 am today (15).

According to the Disaster Management Centre (DMC), the second death was reported in the Chankanai area in Jaffna.

Previously, one person was reported in the Koralepatthua South area in Batticaloa. 

A total of 3,475 persons from 113 families across 08 districts have been severely affected by inclement weather.

The DMC states that 104 persons from 29 families have been placed in two temporary safety shelters. 

Further, 88 houses have been partially damaged due to bad weather conditions. (Newswire)

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A total of 3,475 persons from 1,113 families across seven (07) districts have been severely affected due to the adverse weather conditions in Sri Lanka. 

According to the Disaster Management Centre (DMC), 1,310 persons from 489 families have been placed in eight (08) temporary safety shelters. 

The DMC further states that one death has been reported from Koralepatthu South in the Batticaloa District. 

A total of 88 houses and one business have been partially damaged, as of 10.00 am today (14). 

 Situation_Report – DMC (Newswire)

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One death has been reported in Batticaloa due to inclement weather conditions experienced in Sri Lanka. 

According to the situation report released by the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) at 10.00 am today, the death was reported in Koralepatthu South. 

A total of 203 persons from 62 families across the Ratnapura, Galle, Monaragala, and Batticaloa districts have been severely affected due to adverse weather. 

Seventeen (17) individuals from 07 families in the Ratnapura District have been moved to a temporary safety shelter.

The DMC reports that 39 houses have sustained partial damage, while one small/ medium enterprise has also sustained damage due to inclement weather. (Newswire)

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The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) says there is no effect on Sri Lanka from the magnitude 7.4 earthquake that hit the ⁠Northern Molucca Sea off the coast of the city of ⁠Ternate, Indonesia.

The DMC said there was no risk to Sri Lanka, despite Tsunami warnings being issued to several neighbouring countries. 

The earthquake struck on Thursday, killing at least one person, causing waves of up to 2.5 feet and triggering a tsunami warning that was subsequently lifted.

The US Geological Survey (USGS) said the tremor hit at a shallow depth of 35 kilometres in the Molucca Sea between the Sulawesi and Maluku island groups in the early morning.

One person was killed when a building collapsed in the city of Manado in North Sulawesi province.

The Hawaii-based Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre (PTWC) initially said hazardous tsunami waves were possible within 1,000 kilometres (621 miles) of the epicentre along the coasts of Indonesia, the Philippines and Malaysia.

Within half an hour of the quake, waves up to 75 centimetres were recorded in North Minahasa and 20 centimetres in Bitung, both in the north of Sulawesi island, according to Indonesia’s BMKG geological agency.

Thirty-centimetre waves were also logged in North Maluku province.

The PTWC lifted its warning just over two hours after the tremor, saying the tsunami threat “has now passed.” (Newswire/Al Jazeera)

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The Disaster Management Centre (CMC) says inter‑religious programmes are planned to be held at the district level for this year’s “National Safety Day” programme, considering the situation in Sri Lanka due to Cyclone Ditwah.

Issuing a statement, the DMC said that the main commemoration ceremony of “National Safety Day” will be held on December 26, 2025, from 8.30 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. at the Peraliya Tsunami Memorial in Galle.

On “National Safety Day,” to remember those who died in the tsunami and other disasters, a two‑minute silence will be observed across the island from 9.25 a.m. to 9.27 a.m. 

The public is requested to observe two minutes of silence nationwide on December 26, 2025, from 9.25 a.m. to 9.27 a.m., in memory of those who lost their lives in the tsunami and various disasters.

In the 2004 tsunami disaster, more than 35,000 people in Sri Lanka lost their lives, while over 5,000 individuals went missing, and property worth billions was also destroyed. December 26 has been declared “National Safety Day” each year since 2005, with the nation commemorating all those who died in the tsunami and other disasters, with public participation. (Newswire)

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The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) has informed District Secretaries to take steps to relocate residents living in vulnerable areas of Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala, and Matale districts to safe centres.

The DMC stated that this directive was issued based on red notices released by the National Building Research Organization.

With the prevailing rainy weather conditions, the NBRO has issued landslide red notices for identified risk areas within Divisional Secretariat divisions of Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala, and Matale districts.

Accordingly, the DMC has instructed District Secretaries to relocate residents of these areas to safe centres between December 9 and December 19.

The DMC further noted that District Secretaries, NBRO officials, Divisional Secretaries, Grama Niladharis, Sri Lanka Police, and other relevant parties should coordinate the evacuation process.

The areas where people are to be relocated to safe centres are listed below:

Kandy District – 

Hatharaliyadda, Yatinuwara, Ududumbara, Pathahewaheta, Medadumbara, Pasbage Korale, Deltota, Pujapitiya, Gangaihala Korale, Panvila, Gangawata Korale, Udapalatha, Harispattuwa, Kundasale, Minipe, Doluwa, Thumpane, Akurana, Udunuwara, and Pathadumbara.

Kegalle District – 

Kegalle, Galigamuwa, Mawanella, Bulathkohupitiya, Aranayake, Yatiyantota, Rambukkana, and Warakapola.

Kurunegala District – 

Mawathagama, Mallawapitiya, and Ridigama.

Matale District – 

Naula, Wilgamuwa, Pallepola, Ambanganga Korale, Laggala, Pallepola, Ukuwela, Rattota, Matale, and Yatawatta. (Newswire)

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The death toll due to the recent disaster situation in Sri Lanka has risen to 635 as of 12.00 pm today. 

According to the Disaster Management Centre, 192 people remain missing due to the impact of Cyclone Ditwah. 

A total of 1,766,103 persons from 512,123 families across 25 districts are severely affected due to the disaster situation. 

The DMC states 69,861 persons from 22,218 families have been placed in 690 temporary shelters.

Furthermore, 5,325 houses have been fully damaged, and 81,163 houses were partially damaged during this period. (Newswire)

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A total of 366 deaths have been reported in Sri Lanka due to adverse weather, in the 06 days from November 26 to December 01.

According to the Disaster Management Centre (DMC), 367 people are reported missing as of 06.00 pm today.

A total of 1,151,776 persons from 316,366 families across 25 districts have been severely affected.

The DMC states that 218,526 individuals from 61,612 families remain at 1,564 safety shelters as of today. (Newswire)

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The Disaster Management Centre has issued the telephone numbers of District Disaster Management Coordinating Units (DDMCU) for the public to contact for assistance amidst the inclement weather in Sri Lanka. 

The public is urged to reach out to the relevant units via the below mentioned telephone numbers;

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A total of 123 deaths have been reported so far in 12 districts due to the adverse weather conditions experienced in Sri Lanka. 

According to the Disaster Management Centre (DMC), 51 deaths have been reported in the Kandy District, the highest, as of 09.00 am today. 

A total of 35 deaths have been reported in the Badulla District, 09 in Kegalle, 08 in Matale, 06 in Nuwara Eliya, 03 in Kurunegala, and 02 in Monaragala.

01 death each have been reported in the Anuradhapura, Jaffna, Hambantota, and Galle Districts.

According to the DMC, 130 persons are reported missing during this period.

A total of 43,925 persons from 13,690 families affected by adverse weather have been placed in 488 temporary shelters. (Newswire)

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The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) has reported that 30 deaths occurred over the two days of November 26 and 27 as a result of the adverse weather conditions affecting Sri Lanka.

According to the DMC, 19 of the deaths were reported in the Badulla District, 01 each in the Kurunegala and Galle Districts, 04 in the Nuwara Eliya District, and 05 in the Ampara District. 

The deaths have occurred due to landslides, flooding, and other weather-related disasters reported in the said areas. 

Meanwhile, a total of 40 disaster-related deaths have been reported across Sri Lanka due to the adverse weather conditions experienced between November 16-27. 

Twenty-one (21) persons are reported missing, while 10 have sustained injuries during this period.

A total of 5893 individuals from 1729 families in 20 districts have been severely affected due to inclement weather in Sri Lanka. (Newswire)

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The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) reports that 39 disaster‑related deaths have occurred so far due to the prevailing adverse weather conditions in Sri Lanka.

Seventy‑nine Divisional Secretariat divisions across 17 districts have been affected.

In these areas, 4,008 individuals belonging to 1,158 families have been impacted, while 14 persons are still reported missing, according to the Centre.

Meanwhile, 10 individuals have sustained injuries due to the disasters, and 131 persons from 41 families have been temporarily sheltered in five relief centres.

The DMC further stated that 472 individuals from 136 families are currently staying with relatives as a result of the disaster situation.

Furthermore, three people have lost their lives in a landslide that occurred in the Gangoda area of Kandy today (27).

The Disaster Management Centre stated that at least 17 more individuals are reported missing.

Moreover, the Disaster Management Centre reports that the number of deaths in the Nuwara Eliya District due to the adverse weather conditions has risen to six.

It further stated that three persons in the district are reported missing.

Meanwhile, the Police state that three persons have gone missing after a house in the Pussellawa–Taldena area of Badulla was swept away by a landslide. (Newswire)

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A total of 31 persons have been reported dead due to various disaster situations reported due to the inclement weather conditions experienced in Sri Lanka from 17-27 November 2025.

According to the Disaster Management Centre (DMC), 14 individuals are reported missing, and 10 have sustained injuries during this period. 

A total of 4008 persons from 1158 families in 17 districts have been severely affected due to the prevalent inclement weather. 

The DMC states 131 individuals from 41 families have been currently placed at 05 temporary shelters, while 472 persons from 136 families have been relocated to their relatives’ houses. (Newswire)

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An Indian Ocean tsunami preparedness exercise is scheduled to be conducted tomorrow across five selected locations in Sri Lanka, in line with World Tsunami Awareness Day.

The Disaster Management Centre has requested the public not to panic or misinterpret the drill as an actual tsunami threat.

This exercise, conducted under official UNESCO guidelines, will involve five Grama Niladhari divisions selected from the districts of Batticaloa, Jaffna, Galle, and Kalutara.

According to the Disaster Management Centre, the main national drill will commence at 8:30 am in the Kalutara district. (Newswire)

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Two individuals have been reported dead due to the adverse weather conditions experienced in Sri Lanka between 18th and 21st October 2025.

According to the Disaster Management Centre, the deaths were reported in the Anuradhapura and Kegalle districts, due to drowning. 

A total of 747 persons from 187 families in 16 districts have been affected due to the inclement weather conditions. 

The DMC says 152 houses have sustained partial damage due to the adverse weather conditions experienced during this period. (Newswire)

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A tsunami warning has not been issued to Sri Lanka following the magnitude 3.9 tremor reported off the coast of Trincomalee today, the Disaster Management Centre said.

According to the DMC, a magnitude 3.9 tremor was reported in the sea area 60 km off North East of Trincomalee at 4.06 pm.

The DMC further said that, however, no tsunami warning has been issued for the coastline. (Newswire)

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One person has been reported dead and one missing due to various disasters reported as a result of inclement weather experienced in Sri Lanka from 25 February to 02 March 2025.

According to the Disaster Management Centre, 716 persons from 176 families in four districts have been severely affected due to adverse weather conditions.

Meanwhile, 3834 persons from 1282 families in two districts have been severely affected due to drought conditions.

According to the DMC, people in the Ratnapura and Kalutara Districts have been severely affected by the drought. (Newswire)

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