Issued at 2.00 p.m. on 06 January 2026
Weather conditions in the sea areas around Sri Lanka are expected to become increasingly unsettled during the next 24 hours, as a low-pressure area in the Bay of Bengal, located to the southeast of the island, is likely to intensify into a depression, according to the Department of Meteorology. This developing system is expected to move west-northwestwards towards the eastern coast of Sri Lanka, influencing marine weather conditions across several sea areas surrounding the island. Naval and fishing communities have been advised to closely monitor future forecasts and official bulletins as the system continues to evolve.
Showery conditions are expected to prevail in several sea areas, particularly off the coast extending from Kankasanthurai to Matara via Trincomalee and Pottuvil. These areas are likely to experience periods of rain throughout the day, with cloudy skies dominating much of the time. In the remaining sea areas around the island, showers or thundershowers may occur at several places, especially during the evening or night hours, as atmospheric instability increases due to the influence of the developing low-pressure system.
Wind conditions are also expected to strengthen over surrounding sea areas. Winds will be mainly north-easterly, with speeds generally ranging between 30 and 40 kilometres per hour. However, wind speeds may increase at times, reaching between 50 and 60 kilometres per hour in the sea areas off the coast extending from Beruwala to Matara via Colombo, Puttalam, Kankasanthurai, Trincomalee and Pottuvil. These stronger winds may result in reduced visibility during showers and cause choppy conditions in open waters, particularly along the western, northwestern, northern, eastern and southeastern sea routes.
Sea conditions are expected to be rough at times in the sea areas off the coast extending from Beruwala to Matara via Colombo, Puttalam, Kankasanthurai, Trincomalee and Pottuvil, due to the combined effect of strong winds and increased wave activity. In the other sea areas around the island, the sea is expected to be moderate, although conditions may change temporarily during periods of showers or thundershowers.
In addition, wave heights may increase to about 2.5 to 3.0 metres in the sea areas off the coast extending from Kankasanthurai to Pottuvil via Trincomalee. This increase in wave height is confined to sea areas only and does not apply to land areas. Marine users are advised to remain attentive to changing sea conditions as the low-pressure system continues to intensify and move closer to the island.