SL needs ADB support for rebuilding after Cyclone Ditwah: Sajith tells ADB rep

Sri Lanka needs more support from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to make a comeback after the recent disaster, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa told ADB Country Representative Takafumi Kadon.

Nawalapitiya–Kandy road reopened after cyclone damage

The Nawalapitiya–Kandy main road, which was damaged by Cyclone Ditwa, was reopened to traffic today (15) after being closed for 18 days, the Road Development Authority (RDA) said.

Safety concerns mount for females in evacuation centres after Ditwah

Conditions in evacuation centres set up following Cyclone Ditwah have raised serious safety concerns, as overcrowding and the lack of privacy increase the risk of violence against vulnerable groups, particularly adolescent girls, elderly women, and women with disabilities, humanitarian agencies point out.

Govt. to call for international donor conference

The government is planning to convene an international donor conference to seek assistance for rebuilding the disaster-hit country, Foreign Affairs Minister Vijitha Herath told the Daily Mirror.

NMRA temporarily withdraws Ondansetron injections amid safety concerns

The National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) has temporarily withdrawn four batches of the Ondansetron injection, a critical medicine used to prevent vomiting and nausea in young children, pregnant women, and patients undergoing surgery or anesthesia, with immediate effect.

Ditwah forces importation of some rice varieties?

The devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah may force the Government to import some varieties of rice, Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation K. D. Lal Kantha hinted over the weekend.

Father hires daughter for prostitution

An individual who lured his 13 year old daughter to engage in prostitution and seven individuals who raped her were arrested by Nindavur Police in Ampara. The statement of the victim revealed that she had been raped by twelve individuals and that she engaged in prostitution at the instigation of her father for more than five months.

Blood sample of Asoka Ranwala sent to Govt. Analyst

The blood sample report of former Speaker and NPP MP Asoka Ranwala, who was involved in a road accident in Sapugaskanda last week, has been sent to the Government Analyst’s Department (GAD) for official analysis to determine whether he was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident, the Daily Mirror learns.

At least 17 dead and 20 injured after school bus crashed off cliff in Colombia

At least 17 people were killed and 20 were injured after a school bus carrying children and adults crashed off a cliff in northern Colombia.

At least 15 killed in shooting at Jewish festival at Sydney’s Bondi Beach

Two gunmen have attacked a Jewish festival at Sydney’s popular Bondi Beach, killing at least 15 people and wounding dozens, according to Australian authorities.

Schools girls’ basketball finals left in limbo amid repeated postponements

Sri Lanka’s all-island schools girls’ basketball competitions have come under scrutiny as the Under-15 Girls’ A Division final for 2024 and the Under-17 Girls’ A Division final for 2025 remain unplayed, leaving young athletes waiting for closure for more than a year in some instances.

Kandy wake up late to demolish Police

Unbeaten league champions, Kandy Sports Club produced a commanding second-half revival to overcome Police Sports Club by 49 points (9 tries, 2 conversions) to 17 points (2 tries, 2 conversions, 1 penalty) in their Inter-Club League encounter at the Nittawela Rugby Stadium, turning a nervy contest into a decisive statement of intent.

India donates essential drugs, dry food to Sri Lanka

The Indian government has donated a consignment of essential drugs and dry food items to Sri Lanka.

Rains to increase from December 16: Met. Dept.

The Meteorology Department said that showery conditions are expected to enhance to some extent over the island from December 16, 2025.

TPA calls for urgent meeting with President

Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) leader MP Mano Ganesan, in a letter addressed to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, has sought a meeting with him to discuss disaster challenges facing the Malaiyaha (up-country) Sri Lankan community.

Bondi Beach shooting: At least 10 killed and several injured in park attack

Police say at least 10 people have been killed in a shooting near a Jewish gathering at Sydney’s Bondi Beach.

Defence Ministry issues guidelines on disaster-affected empowerment program

The Ministry of Defence has issued guidelines in connection with the circular on implementing the disaster-affected empowerment program.

UNFPA launches USD 8.3Mn appeal to support women affected by Ditwah

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has launched a USD 8.3 million humanitarian appeal to provide urgent assistance to women and girls affected by Cyclone Ditwah, which caused severe flooding and landslides across Sri Lanka.

Thailand declares curfew along coast as Cambodia border fighting spreads

Thailand announced a curfew in its southeastern Trat province on Sunday as fighting with Cambodia spread to coastal areas of a disputed border region, two days after U.S. President and would-be peacemaker Donald Trump said the sides had agreed to stop.

Three dead in Bondi Beach shooting

At least three people were killed and six injured as gunmen opened fire at a Hanukkah party on Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia on Sunday.

Kandy Deputy Mayor’s daughter among 27 arrested at Facebook-organised drug party

Twenty-seven persons, including the 26-year-old daughter of Kandy Deputy Mayor Ruwan Kumara of the National People’s Power, who were arrested with narcotics following a police raid on a party organised through social media in Teldeniya, were released on bail.

Jerome Fernando Charity Foundation launches islandwide flood relief initiative

The Prophet Jerome Fernando Charity Foundation has launched a major island-wide flood relief initiative to support affected families and individuals.

Ditwah destroys over 6,000 houses

The total number of houses completely destroyed across Sri Lanka due to the calamity triggered by Cyclone Ditwah has exceeded 6,000, according to the latest report issued by the Disaster Management Centre (DMC).

UAE relief teams conclude humanitarian mission in Sri Lanka

UAE relief teams have concluded their humanitarian mission in Sri Lanka as part of the urgent response launched by the United Arab Emirates, under the directives of President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, to support those affected by Cyclone Ditwah and the landslides that struck the country.

Sri Lankan passenger arrested for smuggling whiskey at BIA

A 28-year-old Sri Lankan businessman from Minuwangoda was arrested yesterady for attempting to bring a stock of foreign-made whiskey into the country illegally.

Foreign tourists flock to Sripada to witness sunrise

With favorable weather conditions in the mornings, a large number of foreign tourists have been visiting the Sripada shrine to watch the sunrise.

Starlink donates 100 satellite units to boost Sri Lanka’s disaster response

The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development says US-based Starlink has donated 100 satellite internet units to assist disaster management activities in the country.

Education should not burden children after disasters: Prime Minister

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya said that education should not be a burden for children as the country recovers from recent disasters. She stressed that the mental and emotional well-being of students should be a top priority to create a safe and supportive school environment.

’Ditwah’ leaves 2.2 million people affected across Sri Lanka

The total number of people affected by Cyclone Ditwah has risen to 2.2 million, with 1.7 million people severely impacted, according to the latest figures released by the Disaster Management Centre.

Oil leak reported at Colombo Port during crude oil transfer

A leak has been reported in a pipeline while a ship was unloading crude oil at the Colombo Port.