• Deceased Air Force hero pilot promoted 

• Army searches for fam. under Kandapola landslide, foreigners in N’Eliya rescued by Air Force 

• Influx of large nos. of relief teams to disaster areas impedes rd. restoration work, Police request relief teams to coordinate aid distributions via OICs/Spl. Disaster Ops. Centre 
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• Office of Essential Services Comm. Gen. permits LG body-LG body goods/staff utilisation

• Rs. 25,000 for restoration of each house to habitable, hygienic condition 



• Kelani floodwater levels gradually lowering; however, caution and vigilance urged 

• Southern Expressway Athurugiriya entrance opened 

The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) reported that the number of deaths caused by the ongoing disaster situation affecting all 25 Districts of the island has risen to 465. The highest number of deaths has 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.

The Tri-Forces have meanwhile intensified rescue and relief operations across the country as heavy rains and rising flood levels impacted the livelihoods of thousands of families. Over the past two days as of Monday (01), the Army, Navy and Air Force have jointly expanded ground, water and air-based assistance. The Army has deployed large teams for search and rescue and infrastructure restoration, clearing blocked roads, reinforcing tank bunds, and relocating stranded civilians to safe locations. Troops in the Polonnaruwa, Vanni, Western and Central regions rescued dozens of people trapped by sudden floods, while emergency shelters continue to support displaced families. The Navy has provided extensive assistance across the Eastern, North Central, Northern, Western and Sabaragamuwa Provinces. In the past 48 hours, Naval teams have supported more than a thousand flood-affected individuals through evacuations, relief transportation and the distribution of essentials. Over 10,000 people have been assisted since the start of its emergency response. The Air Force has conducted aerial rescue missions and delivered critical supplies using helicopters and transport aircraft. Recent operations include airlifting stranded civilians in Mahawa and facilitating the arrival of relief consignments and specialised rescue personnel from India to strengthen national response efforts. The Tri-Forces remain fully mobilised, working closely with the disaster management agencies and the local authorities.

The Army has launched a search operation to locate a family reported missing following a landslide in the Chandirigama area of Kandapola, caused by heavy rainfall in the area. According to reports, a mother, her two children, and their grandmother have been missing since the incident. Troops from the Third Battalion of the Sinha Regiment in Nuwara Eliya commenced the search operation on Monday. The house had collapsed due to heavy rain that struck the area on 27 November , and residents reported that the family was inside the home at the time. Search operations are currently underway, the Police said.

Twenty-one foreigners who were displaced due to the flood situation in the Nuwara Eliya area have been rescued. They were rescued by an MI-17 helicopter of the Number Six Helicopter Squadron of the Air Force based at Anuradhapura on Monday afternoon and subsequently taken to the Air Force Base in Katunayake.

Meanwhile, the pilot of the Bell 212 helicopter that crashed in Lunuwila on the afternoon of 30 November while engaged in rescue operations for people affected by the adverse weather conditions has been posthumously promoted by the Air Force. Accordingly, Wing Commander Nirmal Siyambalapitiya, the Captain Pilot who made the sacrifice during the Lunuwila incident, has been posthumously promoted to the rank of Group Captain. Siyambalapitiya died while receiving treatment at the Marawila Base Hospital. Since 30 November morning, the Bell 212 helicopter had been carrying out an extensive mission to deliver food supplies and relief items to people affected by the disaster. The accident occurred while distributing food and other essential items to a group gathered near the Lunuwila bridge. Due to people standing on the bridge, it became unstable, and while attempting a safe landing, the accident occurred. Four other individuals who were onboard the helicopter at the time are currently receiving treatment at the Marawila Hospital.

Elsewhere, the Police have stated the presence of a large number of relief teams in disaster-hit areas is impeding ongoing road restoration efforts. Police Media Spokesperson, Assistant Superintendent of Police and attorney F.U. Wootler noted that the influx of vehicles into Districts where road repairs are currently underway is obstructing the work being carried out. He further observed that certain motorcyclists who stop to observe and video-record the disaster sites are disrupting the duties of the personnel operating in these areas. He stressed that this situation also poses safety risks to those entering the affected zones. Accordingly, he advised all relief teams to contact the Officers-in-Charge (OICs) of the respective Police divisions to properly coordinate the distribution of aid to the public. He further urged members of the public to contact the Disaster Operations Centre to arrange the delivery of assistance. The Police Special Operations Centre contact numbers are: 0718595884, 0718595883, 0718595882, 0718595881 and 0718595880.

Moreover, the Office of the Commissioner General of Essential Services is taking necessary decisions under emergency regulations, to deal with the ongoing disaster situation in the country, the Commissioner General of Essential Services, Prabath Chandrakeerthi said. He made this statement during a media briefing held in Colombo on Monday. The Government has meanwhile decided to increase the amount provided to residents to restore each landslide or flood-hit houses to a habitable and hygienic condition from Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 25,000. The Finance Ministry Secretary, Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma confirmed this. Accordingly, Section 5(2) of Circular 1(2025) will be amended to provide Rs. 25,000 as a deposit to restore each affected home to a habitable and hygienic condition, regardless of ownership. Chandrakeerthi added: “Efforts have been made to provide this allowance even to those in estate houses. This has been organised to be distributed through all Divisional Secretariat offices. As an office, we make decisions based on the powers granted under the Emergency Regulations.” He noted that according to the Local Government (LG) authorities regulations, there is no authority to take goods from one LG body or to send employees to another LG body for work. However, under the powers granted to the said Office, the office has been given permission for such actions to be carried out, Chandrakeerthi added. 

The water level of the Kelani River has now dropped to a minor flood level, the Irrigation Department has announced. The water level at the Nagalagam Street gauge on the Kelani River was 6.9 feet at 2 p.m. yesterday (02) and had decreased to 6.75 feet by 3 p.m. Similarly, the water level at the Hanwella gauge was 7.14 feet at 2 p.m., dropping to 7.07 feet by 3 p.m., though it remains at a dangerous level. Additionally, the water levels are also falling in other water bodies, including the Kalu Ganga and Malwathu Oya. At the Thanthirimale gauge on the Malwathu Oya, the water level was 8.24 feet at 2 p.m. and had dropped to 8.19 feet at 3 p.m. However, it has been reported that the Malwathu Oya is still experiencing major flood conditions. The Director of Irrigation (Hydrology and Disaster Management) at the Department, L.S. Sooriyabandara stated: “Although the flood has decreased somewhat at this time, it still remains at a very dangerous level. The existing dangers have not yet disappeared. Going to check them or performing such tasks can be very risky. Furthermore, the entry of floodwaters from the upper areas to Colombo and the lowlands has not completely stopped, but, it is gradually decreasing. In particular, the Kaduwela area and its surrounding regions are still submerged under floodwaters. Therefore, this situation will continue for a while, perhaps for another short period or another day. Hence, it is necessary to remain vigilant regarding this.” Meanwhile, the Elgama gauge on the Kalu River recorded a level of 10.40 feet at 2 a.m., decreasing to 10.30 feet by 3 a.m., yet still remaining within the danger zone. Furthermore, the Thanthirimale gauge on the Malwathu Oya measured 8.98 feet at 2 a.m., dropping slightly to 8.95 feet by 3 a.m., but the major flood situation continues. 

Also, the Athurugiriya entrance of the Southern Expressway, which was closed due to flooding caused by the adverse weather, has now been reopened. Accordingly, motorists are now able to use this entrance for travel.