• Ill-fated Air Force heli flight co-pilot testifies of both him and the deceased realising a tech. defect pre-crash  
• Death toll 639 with 203 missing, 86,040 from 27,145 fams in 878 relief centres

A landslide was reported in Bogahapathana, Meegahakiula, yesterday (10). Despite the landslide, no casualties have been reported from the location. Although the authorities took steps to evacuate the residents from the area, it is reported that several families have remained and have not arrived at the designated safe centres.

Further, the highlands surrounding the Ambokka village within the Pallepola Divisional Secretariat area in Matale, have reportedly become increasingly unstable following the recent heavy rains. Accordingly, the villagers are urging the authorities to seek the immediate involvement of the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) to assess the area’s safety and provide clear public guidance. A recent landslide in the village resulted in the loss of seven members of the same family. Although the remains were recovered, the affected site remains fully covered in earth, and the residents report that even the remnants of the house cannot be located. Following the devastation, the villagers have stated that the family’s dog assisted responders by guiding them to the area where its owners were trapped. Approximately 80 families have been evacuated due to the continuing threat of landslides and are currently sheltered in a nearby temple and in the homes of relatives. Officials have been visiting frequently to advise residents to remain at safety shelters until the situation stabilises. However, villagers express concern that ongoing evacuation notices have been issued without a formal geological assessment or written report. With the school term approaching, they are requesting that the authorities provide a clear and comprehensive disaster risk report for Ambokka as soon as possible.

Moreover, heavy vehicles have been barred from using the road over the Kotmale Dam, the Mahaweli Development Authority (MDA) has announced. Regarding recent rumours about opening the dam’s sluice gates, the MDA Director General, H.M.J. Herath clarified that these claims are false. He said that engineers responsible for the Dam are opening the sluice gates based on scientific data. He made these remarks to the media following an inspection of the Dam sluice and a meeting held at the MDA’s office in Kotmale. He added that in the future, an alternative method will be implemented to notify the public before opening the sluice gates, different from the current procedure.

Also, Nuwara Eliya District Parliamentarian Manjula Suraweera Arachchi has stated that the MDA plans to resettle people on 55 hectares (ha) of land under its Authority.

The NBRO has extended landslide warnings issued to several areas based on current ground conditions and weather forecasts. Accordingly, level three red evacuation notices have been issued to residents of 40 Divisional Secretariat Divisions (DSDs) across four Districts (the Kandy District - Udapalatha, Gangawata Korale, Udadumbara, Doluwa, Minipe, Pathahewaheta, Medadumbara, Deltota, Akurana, Ganga Ihala Korale, Pathadumbara, Yatinuwara, Thumpane, Udunuwara, Harispattuwa, Poojapitiya, Pasbage Korale, Panwila, Hatharaliyadda, and Kundasale, the Kegalle District - Mawanella, Rambukkana, Aranayaka, Bulathkohupitiya, Galigamuwa, Yatiyanthota, and Warakapola, the Kurunegala District - Rideegama, Mallawapitiya, and Mawathagama, and the Matale District - Naula, Rattota, Ambanganga Korale, Ukuwela, Wilgamuwa, Yatawatta, Matale, Pallepola, and Laggala-Pallegama). Senior Geologist at the NBRO, Dr. Wasantha Senadheera stated: “Many houses in these areas have been monitored, and homeowners have been provided with reports on the risk level. Residents in these homes must exercise particular caution. This does not mean that the entire DSD is unsafe; there are safe locations within these Divisions.” He further explained: “Residents whose houses are located near slopes must remain extremely careful. Any increase in rainfall requires vigilance, as living in mountainous areas carries inherent risks.” To date, landslides have claimed 458 lives, with 698 earthslips and landslides and 37 rockfalls reported across the country, he said. The NBRO also confirmed that level two be alert amber landslide warnings have been issued to residents in 32 DSDs in five Districts (the Badulla District - Badulla, Haputale, Hali-Ela, Kandaketiya, Passara, Meegahakivula, Uva Paranagama, Welimada, Lunugala, Ella, Bandarawela, Soranathota, and Haldummulla, the Kegalle District - Dehiowita, Deraniyagala, Ruwanwella, and Kegalle, the Kurunegala District - Polgahawela, and Alawwa, the Nuwara Eliya District - Nuwara Eliya, Ambagamuwa Korale, Talawakelle, Norwood, Kotmale West, Kotmale East, Walapane, Hanguranketha, Nildandhahinna, and Mathura, and the Ratnapura District - Kahawatta, Godakawela, and Kolonna) while level one be alert yellow warnings have been issued to residents of 17 DSDs in three Districts (the Gampaha District - Attanagalla, Divulapitiya, and Mirigama, the Kurunegala District – Narammala, and the Ratnapura District - Kiriella, Ratnapura, Eheliyagoda, Kuruwita, Elapatha, Ayagama, Balangoda, Kalawana, Imbulpe, Nivithigala, Openayake, Pelmadulla, and Kalthota). These conditions may change depending on future rainfall.

Meanwhile, the co-pilot of the Air Force Bell 212 aircraft that crashed into the Gin Oya in Lunuwila, Wennappuwa, Flight Lieutenant Eranga Chamara Ekanayake, has stated in Court that both the main pilot and he realised that there was a technical defect in the aircraft before it crashed. He made this statement before the Marawila Magistrate’s Court during the inquiry into the crash that resulted in the death of the main pilot. The Bell 212, which was engaged in relief operations to support those affected by the disaster, crashed into the said Oya on 30 November of this year (2025). The accident claimed the life of the main pilot, Wing Commander Nirmal Siyambalapitiya, a 41-year-old officer. The case related to the aircraft crash was taken up for examination at the Court on Tuesday (9). Providing testimony before Court, Ekanayake stated: “On 30 November, at around 5 p.m., we took off from the Katunayake Air Force Base in a Bell 212 helicopter according to orders received from the Air Force to deliver dry rations to disaster-affected people. While flying over Wennappuwa, as we lowered the aircraft to some extent, the people on the Gin Oya bridge and in the surrounding area waved their hands requesting assistance. It was not possible to land the aircraft on the bridge or on the road due to the large crowd gathered there and the presence of high-voltage power lines nearby. However, we dropped a parcel containing dry rations to the people who were signaling to us. While attempting to land the aircraft at a suitable location, both Siyambalapitiya and I felt that there was a technical defect in the aircraft. As the main pilot attempted to maneuver the helicopter safely to a proper landing point, the aircraft suddenly plunged into the Oya. With great difficulty, three other Air Force personnel and I escaped from the aircraft and quickly removed the harness of the trapped main pilot and rushed him to the Marawila Base Hospital.” After considering the evidence presented, Marawila Magistrate Dinidu Samarasinghe instructed that investigations be continued in a formal manner and ordered that the case be recalled on a later date to review the progress of the investigations.

Elsewhere, the death toll due to the adverse weather conditions experienced in the country over the past few days has climbed to 639, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) has confirmed. Another 203 individuals remain missing. The extreme weather impacted all 25 Districts, affecting a total of 1,824,771 people from 529,741 families. Of these, 86,040 individuals from 27,145 families are currently sheltered in 878 relief centres. A total of 5,350 houses have been destroyed, while another 86,882 houses have sustained partial damage as a result of the disaster.