Ditwah disaster exposes plantation communities’ vulnerability, says TPA

The recent floods and landslides caused by the Ditwah disaster have once again underscored Sri Lanka’s vulnerability to recurring climate-related emergencies, with plantation communities in the hill country bearing a disproportionately high impact, Democratic People’s Front–Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) Vice President Barath Arullsamy said yesterday.

Japan prepares to restart world’s biggest nuclear plant, 15 years after Fukushima

Japan took the final step to allow the world’s largest nuclear power plant to resume operations with a regional vote on Monday, a watershed moment in the country’s return to nuclear energy nearly 15 years after the Fukushima disaster.

New Education Reforms bound to create conflicts between parents and children: Cardinal

The Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith has warned that the new education reforms proposed by the government could create conflict between parents and children and weaken family bonds.

Ondansetron tested before importation :Doctors’ Trade Union Alliance

The controversial Ondansetron Injection, which was later identified as containing a bacterial toxin, had undergone laboratory testing before being imported to Sri Lanka and was cleared at the time, Chairman of the Doctors’ Trade Union Alliance for Medical and Civil Rights, Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa, said.

Sri Lanka weighs Indian company’s request for global testing of its drug

Amid the ongoing probe into the withdrawn batches of the Ondansetron and request of the relevant Indian company to send samples for global testing, fresh concerns have been raised over Sri Lanka’s continued absence of a World Health Organization (WHO)-accredited laboratory for drug testing.

Special operations room set up for festive season security

The Secretary to the Ministry of Defence has directed the activation of a special Operations Room at the Army Headquarters to ensure public safety and security during the festive season.

Air quality remains slightly unhealthy across Sri Lanka

Air quality across Sri Lanka continues to remain slightly unhealthy, according to real-time Air Quality Index (AQI) data.

Rainfall expected to decrease in coming days – Met Department

The Department of Meteorology said that the prevailing rainy weather conditions across the island are expected to decrease over the next few days.

Sri Lankan economy still remains vulnerable: IMF

Sustained adherence to the reform agenda has underpinned a robust economic recovery, price stability, substantial revenue-based fiscal consolidation, and progress in rebuilding foreign exchange reserves, but the economy remains vulnerable, and GDP has not recovered to its pre-crisis level, according to an IMF official.

US pursues third oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela

The United States is pursuing another oil tanker in international waters near Venezuela, a US official told Al Jazeera, as Washington intensifies a pressure campaign against the government of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

Gibbon at Dehiwala Zoo dies after 22 years

A White-handed Gibbon, the primate who lived in the Dehiwala Zoo for 22 years, has died, according to a statement from the Environment Ministry.

CID probes leak of VMS data used to track drug-running vessels

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has launched a comprehensive investigation on the instructions of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) following information that the Vessels Monitoring System (VMS) used to track multi-day fishing vessels and boats transporting drug consignments in the open seas, along with sensitive computer data of the Police Narcotics Bureau, has reportedly fallen into the hands of drug traffickers.

Impact on World Heritage Sites, UNESCO assistance sought

The UNESCO support is now in process for the assessment of damages to world heritage sites after disasters caused by Cyclone Ditwah, the Daily Mirror learns.

Sri Lanka seeks sniffer dogs from EU to find the missing

The government has requested European Union to dispatch a pack of sniffer dogs to assist in the discovery of remains of those buried alive in landslides triggered by cyclone Ditwah, an official said yesterday.

Showroom manager shot dead in Ambalangoda

A manager of an electronics showroom in the Ambalangoda town was shot dead this morning (22), police said.

The offer to lend not a compulsion to borrow, says Verité chief

Dr. Nishan de Mel, Executive Director of Verité Research has urged the government to evaluate the “hidden costs” of the IMF’s Rapid Financing Instrument (RFI) before committing to the debt.

Sri Lanka Customs initiates major technological overhaul of its vehicle clearance protocols

Sri Lanka Customs has initiated a major technological overhaul of its vehicle clearance protocols to seal a loophole that previously allowed the tampering of motor vehicle data during registration.

Rights groups condemn new record number of executions in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia has surpassed its record for the number of executions carried out annually for a second year in a row.

Five arrested during protest outside Tissa Viharaya in Jaffna

Five individuals were arrested after they behaved violently during a protest outside the Tissa Rajamaha Viharaya in Kankesanthurai, Jaffna.

Ministry probes colours award controversy at Sirimavo Bandaranaike Vidyalaya

The Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education has requested a detailed report from the principal of Sirimavo Bandaranaike Vidyalaya following an incident at a recent colours award ceremony that has sparked widespread public debate.

Still not too late to amend EFF agreement with IMF

It is still not too late for the government to get the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) amended with the International Monetary Fund(IMF) agreement considering the situation faced currently, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said today.

National progress cannot be achieved through suspicion, mistrust of one another: President

National progress cannot be achieved through suspicion and mistrust of one another, but only when everyone fulfils the responsibilities entrusted to them with steadfast determination, unity of purpose and resilience in the face of any challenge, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said today.

Imran Khan calls for nationwide protests after court hands him 17-year sentence In Toshakhana-II case

As a court sentenced him to jail in the Toshakhana-II case, former prime minister Imran Khan on Saturday issued a call for a nationwide protest besides announcing his intention to challenge the verdict in the Islamabad High Court.

Suspect arrested with over 8 kgs of ‘Ice’

A team of officers from the Elpitiya Divisional Criminal Investigation Bureau arrested a suspect in possession of a large stock of the drug ‘Ice’ during a raid conducted today.

India express train kills seven elephants crossing tracks

Seven wild Asian elephants, including calves, were killed when a high-speed train collided with a herd crossing the tracks in north-eastern India, local officials say.

Train services between Kankesanthurai and Anuradhapura to resume

Train services between Kankesanthurai and Anuradhapura on the Northern Railway line are scheduled to resume from tomorrow (22), according to the Sri Lanka Railways Department.

Mirissa fishing vessel goes missing with five on board

A multi-hull fishing vessel that departed from the Mirissa Fisheries Harbour in Matara has been reported missing, with five fishermen on board.

Probe launched after police officer allegedly attacked by group including NPP MP

The Kolonna Police Station in Embilipitiya has launched an investigation following allegations that a group, including Ratnapura District National People’s Power (NPP) MP Shantha Padmakumara, had attacked a police officer while he was returning home after completing his duty.

Indian company seeks international testing of drug in question, says ready to bear cost

The Indian pharmaceutical company Maan Pharmaceutical (Pvt) Ltd., has informed Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Health that it is willing to bear the full cost of testing the withdrawn batches of the Ondansetron injection at an internationally recognised laboratory.

Railway Department to expand ticket refund facility

Sri Lanka Railways will expand its ticket refund facility beyond Colombo from December 25, 2025, Transport Minister Bimal Ratnayake said.