Exams Halted, Death Toll Rises, and Essential Services Declared. Country reels as floods, landslides and rising rivers force mass evacuations; relief efforts extended to overseas Sri Lankans.
Sri Lanka is facing one of its most disruptive weather disasters in recent years as Cyclone Ditwah and a deepening low-pressure system continue to unleash torrential rains across all 25 districts. Rising floodwaters, lethal mudslides, and swollen rivers have brought the country to a near standstill, forcing the postponement of national examinations, large-scale evacuations, and the declaration of essential services under emergency regulations.
The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) confirmed today (28) that 69 people have died due to the severe weather, while another 34 remain missing. More than 219,000 people from 61,175 families have been affected over the past several days, with the numbers rising as heavy rain falls overnight.
A/L Exam Postponed Indefinitely as Country Enters Emergency Mode
In one of the most significant disruptions to national life, the Commissioner General of Examinations announced that the 2025 G.C.E. Advanced Level Examination has been postponed until further notice.
A special press briefing held in Colombo this afternoon confirmed the decision. Authorities had initially postponed only the papers scheduled for November 27, 28 and 29, shifting them to December 07, 08 and 09. But with weather conditions worsening, officials acknowledged that continuing the exam cycle was unsafe and impractical.
The indefinite postponement affects hundreds of thousands of students and invigilators nationwide. Education officials noted that many schools are inaccessible, flooded, or being used as temporary shelters for displaced families.
“This is a decision taken for the safety of students,” the Commissioner General said, stressing that new exam dates will only be announced once weather conditions stabilise.
Tens of Thousands Displaced; Troops Race Against Rising Waters
Government troops, police, and volunteers have been deployed across the island to assist with the evacuation of trapped families, particularly in the central hills, Sabaragamuwa, Gampaha, Kurunegala, and parts of the North Central Province.
According to the DMC: 18,443 people from 5,890 families are currently housed in 266 temporary shelters
Read more – https://lankasara.com/news/red-alert-deep-depression-become-cyclone-within-12-hours/
