Author: Buzzer Editorial

A gazette extraordinary has been issued declaring 22 districts as “National Disaster Affected Areas.”In accordance with the provisions of Section 9 of Part II of the Registration of Deaths (Temporary Provisions) Act, No. 19 of 2010, 22 administrative districts in the country affected by landslides and floods resulting from the effects of Cyclone Ditwah in November have been declared as “National Disaster Affected Areas” through the gazette.The gazette has been issued by Registrar General Sasidevi Jaladeepan.

The telephone and internet communication networks disrupted due to the recent disaster are expected to be fully restored by tomorrow (04), the Deputy Minister of Digital Economy, Eranga Weeraratne has stated.The Ministry of Digital Economy, the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission and all telecommunication service providers are working tirelessly to restore services, the Deputy Minister noted.Expressing his views further, the Deputy Minister stated:“Due to landslides and flooding, provincial fibre connections were disrupted at 11 locations. With the direct intervention of the Ministry, we managed to restore services at 9 of these within 24 hours. At present, all provincial connections are operational, ensuring…

The death toll due to the adverse weather conditions experienced in the country in the past few days has climbed to 465, the Disaster Management Center (DMC) has confirmed.The highest number of deaths have been reported from the Kandy District, accounting for 118.The DMC also confirmed that at least 366 individuals remain missing as search and relief operations continue across multiple districts.According to the latest data, a total of 1,558,919 individuals from 437,507 families in 25 districts have been affected by the effects of Cyclone “Ditwah”.Many areas continue to experience challenges due to flooding and landslides, the DMC noted.Due to…

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya has decided to nominate Naina Thambi Marrikkar Mohamed Thahir to fill the vacancy created in Parliament following the resignation of Muhammathu Ismail Muththu Muhammathu last week.Accordingly, the Election Commission has issued a gazette extraordinary declaring Naina Thambi Marrikkar Mohamed Thahir a Member of Parliament under Section 64(5) of the Parliamentary Elections Act, No. 1 of 1981, as amended by Section 6 of the Elections (Special Provisions) Act, No. 35 of 1988.Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Parliamentarian Ismail Muththu Mohamed announced his resignation from his position as a Member of Parliament on November 28.

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the establishment of the ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund, which aims to rebuild the country after the immense damage caused by Cyclone ‘Ditwa’, one of the worst natural disasters in Sri Lanka’s recent history.The fund is to be established as a statutory fund under the Presidential Secretariat, and its Management Committee will comprise representatives from the government and private sectors.Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning, Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando, will serve as its Chairman, while Senior Additional Secretary to the President, G.M.R.D. Aponso will serve as the Convener of the Committee.Other…

The National Transport Commission (NTC) has issued a special advisory to bus employees providing public transport services, due to the adverse weather conditions affecting the island.According to the announcement, several key instructions have been issued for bus drivers and conductors:In areas where roadblocks have been imposed due to severe weather, drivers and conductors are instructed to strictly follow the directives issued by police officers on duty.Buses must not, under any circumstance, enter areas where road visibility or road alignment is unclear due to flooding.When alternative routes are used owing to weather-related disruptions, passengers must be informed accordingly. If buses are…

The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) reports that 46 deaths have been recorded within the past 72 hours as adverse weather conditions continue to affect the island.According to the DMC, the total number of fatalities reported from 16 November to date has risen to 56, while 21 persons have been reported missing.The ongoing severe weather conditions across the country have so far affected 43,991 individuals from 12,313 families, according to the DMC.The DMC further reports that four houses have been completely destroyed, while 666 houses have been reported as partially damaged.

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Parliamentarian Ismail Muththu Mohamed has announced his resignation from his position as a Member of Parliament.He made the announcement during a statement delivered in Parliament today (28).

The Kaduwela exit of the Southern Expressway has been reportedly inundated, causing disruption to motorists travelling from the Kadawatha direction. Accordingly, the Ministry of Transport, Highways and Urban Development has advised motorists to use alternative routes.

The heavy rainfall currently affecting the Kalu Ganga basin, along with data analysis conducted by the Irrigation Department, indicates that a major flood situation is likely to occur within the next few hours.Accordingly, low-lying areas in the Ratnapura District, including Pelmadulla, Nivitigala, Ratnapura, Kuruwita, Ayagama, and Elapatha, as well as the Kalutara District, covering the Kalutara, Ingiriya, Horana, Dodangoda, Millaniya, Bulathsinhala, Palindanuwara, Madurawala, and Angalawatte Divisional Secretariat Divisions, are expected to be affected.The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) urges residents, drivers, and passengers living in or traveling through these areas to exercise extreme caution.