Former Olympic champion Dujardin continues dressage comeback after whipping ban

Former Olympic dressage champion Charlotte Dujardin made her return to high-level competition in Britain on Thursday following the one-year ban over a horse-whipping controversy that led to her withdrawal from the Paris Games.

Deaths due to substandard medicine; NMRA faces legal action

The Medical and Civil Rights Professional Association of Doctors (MCPA) had initiated legal action against the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA), raising serious concerns about patient safety, an official said.

Flood waste cleanup halfway complete, CEA says

The Central Environmental Authority (CEA) has announced major progress in clearing waste generated by recent floods, signaling a positive step in post-disaster recovery efforts.

119 being used for water, power complaints: Police warn over misuse of hotline

Sri Lanka Police have raised concerns over the misuse of the 119 emergency hotline, which is dedicated to reporting crimes, emergencies, and urgent public safety information.

Historic Mihintale Vihare structures at risk due to heavy rains

The Geological Survey and Mines Bureau (GSMB) has warned that two structures at the historic Mihintale Viharaya are at risk of collapse and subsidence following recent heavy rains.

Market drifts lower amid cautious trade

The CSE closed lower on Thursday, as the market traded sideways for most of the session amid subdued turnover and lower trading volumes. Investor sentiment remained cautious, with participants closely monitoring the economic impact of the recent cyclone and the pace of recovery across listed entities.

Mahamaya Girls’ College in Kandy closed indefinitely due to landslide risk

Mahamaya Girls’ College in Kandy has been closed indefinitely following landslides in the area above the school caused by heavy rainfall.

Daily Mirror warns public of fake article circulating on social media

An article currently being shared on social media platforms bearing the Daily Mirror logo is fake.

UN commends Sri Lanka’s disaster response efforts

The Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd), met with the United Nations Resident Coordinator to Sri Lanka, Marc-André Franche, at the office of the Deputy Minister of Defence to review ongoing disaster response efforts, institutional reforms, and the coordination of international humanitarian assistance.

Mahindra India donates Rs. 100 million to Rebuilding Sri Lanka Fund

Mahindra India donated Rs. 100 million to the Rebuilding Sri Lanka Fund this afternoon at the Ministry of Labour.

Flood alert issued for low-lying areas along Mahaweli River

The Irrigation Department has warned of possible flood conditions in several low-lying areas along the Mahaweli River during the next 48 hours due to rainfall received since last night in parts of the river’s catchment areas.

No compensation received by flood victims yet, Claims Namal

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) National Organiser and MP Namal Rajapaksa, has alleged that despite assurances from the government, no compensation has so far been received by people affected by recent adverse weather conditions.

Three injured in Hunnasgiriya landslide

The Disaster Management Center have issued warnings for drivers travelling on the Kandy-Mahiyanganaya road due to the risk of landslides following heavy rainfall in the mountainous areas of Ududumbara and Hunnasgiriya.

Schools in Central Province close till December 29

All schools in the Central Province will remain closed from tomorrow (19) due to adverse weather conditions.

Kumara Rangahara 2025 of Mahinda College to be held on Saturday

Kumara Rangahara 2025, a colourful variety concert showcasing the aesthetic talents of students of the Primary Section of Mahinda College, Galle, will be held on the 20th at 3:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. at the Auditorium of the Faculty of Medicine, Karapitiya.

Two Sri Lankan fishing boats captured in Maldivian waters

The Maldivian Coast Guard on Wednesday captured two Sri Lankan fishing boats found within the Maldives’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

Possible opening of Moragahakanda Reservoir spill gates

Authorities have warned of the potential opening of the spill gates at the Moragahakanda Reservoir due to rising water levels, following heavy rainfall and inflows from surrounding catchment areas.

Starlink supported SL to restore communication during the disaster: Deputy Minister

Starlink supported Sri Lanka to restore its communication network which was broken down by Cyclone Ditwah, Deputy Minister of Digital Economy Eranga Weeraratne told Parliament today.

Three suspects remanded over Mihintale elephant death case

Three suspects connected to the death of an elephant in the Seeppukulam area have been remanded till December 24 by the Anuradhapura Magistrate’s Court.

Lawyer discharged with warning after admitting professional misconduct

An Attorney-at-Law was today discharged subject to a formal warning by the Supreme Court after pleading guilty to an act of professional misconduct, with the court cautioning him to exercise greater diligence in the future to avoid conduct that could undermine the integrity of the legal profession and the administration of justice.

Cyclone Ditwah floods pollute 200 nautical miles of Sri Lankan coastline

The Marine Environmental Protection Authority (MEPA) has reported severe ocean pollution along 200 nautical miles of Sri Lanka’s coastline following landslides and floods caused by Cyclone Ditwah. Tons of organic plant debris and other waste have been washed into the ocean, posing a serious threat to the country’s fishing industry, MEPA Chairman Samantha Gunasekara warned.

No gas shortage, says Vijitha

Refuting claims that a gas shortage is imminent, Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath said today that there will be no shortage, as the first shipment under the new supplier, Geogas Trading SA of Switzerland, is scheduled to arrive in Sri Lanka by January 5, 2026.

US announces $11bn weapons sale to Taiwan

The Trump administration has announced a huge arms sale worth around $11bn (£8.2bn) to Taiwan, which includes advanced rocket launchers, self-propelled howitzers and a variety of missiles.

European Union provides over €2.35Mn in humanitarian aid to Sri Lanka

The European Union has allocated more than €2.35 million in humanitarian assistance to Sri Lanka in response to the impact of Tropical Cyclone Ditwah, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

397 elephants die in Sri Lanka in 2025, human-elephant conflict a major cause

The Department of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) has reported a total of 397 elephant deaths in 2025, with the majority linked to human-elephant conflicts, underscoring the growing severity of the issue across the country.

Five arrested with illegally imported cigarettes worth Rs. 330 Mn

Five suspects, including three employees of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority, have been arrested with a consignment of illegally imported cigarettes valued at approximately Rs. 330 million.

Public urged to exercise caution as landslide risk rises

In light of the increased risk of landslides in areas showing early signs of slope failure, the National Building Research Organization (NBRO) has urged the public to exercise caution, particularly in Udadumbara in the Kandy District.

Take the disaster seriously: Namal

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP Namal Rajapaksa today urged the government to be more serious and focus on providing relief to the disaster affected people.

Myanmar regime claims Aung San Suu Kyi ‘in good health’ despite son’s fears

Military-ruled Myanmar has said the country’s jailed Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi is “in good health” amid concerns about the health of the pro-democracy leader who was removed from power by a coup in 2021.

Damaged roads will be restored with soil protection: Deputy Minister

Claiming that the country’s road network has been constructed without paying attention to soil protection, Deputy Minister Prasanna Gunasena said today that the government is planning to restore the damaged roads with soil protection.