Flood-hit wild elephants pose threat to flood-hit people

The disaster-affected people in Polonnaruwa area are now facing the danger of wild elephants, a crisis worsened after the forest reserves in the low-lying areas of the Mahaweli B Zone, including Polonnaruwa were submerged after heavy rain.

Weekend Sports Guide for Sri Lankans

Sri Lankan sports fans have a packed week ahead, with Premier League football spread across several nights, international T20 cricket in India, the Under-19 Asia Cup continuing in Dubai, and global attention on the World Darts Championship in London.

20 per cent reduction in vegetable production: Official

Commissioner General of Essential Services Prabath Chandrakeerthi said that there is only a 20 per cent reduction in vegetable production due to the weather-related disasters as per statistics available from the districts such as Nuwara-Eliya, and therefore it is not a major issue.

Salah in Liverpool squad for Brighton match

Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah is in the squad for Saturday’s Premier League match against Brighton after positive talks with head coach Arne Slot on Friday.

Japan sets up mobile field hospital in Chilaw to aid flood victims

Japan’s Disaster Relief Team (JDR) has established a fully equipped mobile field hospital at the Chilaw Police Grounds to provide urgent medical care to communities affected by recent flooding.

Sri Lankans have the highest IQ in South Asia

As of 2025, Sri Lankans have the highest average IQ levels in South Asia with an average IQ level of 102, which has also been ranked in the top 12 countries with the highest average IQ level in the world, according to the data from International IQ Test (IIT).

Continental Insurance CEO arrested

The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) has arrested the Chief Executive Officer of Continental Insurance Lanka Limited, Mailanarachchilage Don Wenceslaus Gerald Lazarus Gunadasa over allegations of bribery.

Former Speaker Ashoka Ranwala granted bail

Former Speaker and NPP Parliamentarian Ashoka Ranwala, arrested in connection with a vehicular collision in Sapugaskanda on the night of December 11, has been granted bail.

EU set to indefinitely freeze Russian assets, removing obstacle to Ukraine loan

The European Union looked set on Friday to indefinitely freeze Russian central bank assets held in Europe, removing a big obstacle to using the cash to help Ukraine defend itself against Moscow’s invasion.

Former Beliatta chairman arrested over alleged financial misconduct

Former Beliatta Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman Cyril Munasinghe has been arrested in connection with an ongoing investigation into alleged financial irregularities during his tenure.

Minister calls for practical solutions to aid Meemure

Minister K. D. Lal Kantha has urged the submission of scientific and practical proposals to improve access to areas affected by Cyclone Ditwah, with a particular focus on the remote Meemure region.

Psychiatrists issue mental health guidance after Cyclone Ditwah

The Sri Lanka College of Psychiatrists has released a statement offering mental health support to people affected by Cyclone Ditwah, which caused severe disruption across the country.

Sri Lanka thanks China for support after Ditwah

Foreign Affairs Minister Vijitha Herath met Yang Wanming, President of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism today (12).

Meteorologists say cyclone alerts were issued on time

The Sri Lanka Association of Meteorologists says officials of the Department of Meteorology followed proper Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) when issuing alerts ahead of Cyclone Ditwah, allowing fishing and naval communities to take early precautions and save lives.

Call for dialogue with all relevant parties on Universities Amendment Bill: Sajith

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa today urged the government to call for a dialogue with all relevant parties on the proposed Universities Amendment Bill which has already been tabled in Parliament.

Devindya Oshini becomes first Sri Lankan to reach No. 1 in World Chess Rankings

Sri Lanka’s rising chess star, W.I.M. Devindya Oshini Gunawardhana, has made history by climbing to World No. 1 in the Under-13 Girls’ Chess Rankings, becoming the first Sri Lankan player to reach the top spot in any global age category.

India frees up visas for Chinese professionals in key step to boost ties

India has cut red tape to speed business visas for Chinese professionals, two officials said, a major step to boost ties between the Asian giants and end chronic delays that cost output worth billions of dollars because of scarce technicians.

Ashoka Ranwala arrested

Former Speaker and MP Ashoka Ranwala has been arrested in connection with the accident in Sapugaskanda last night.

Rs. 5,000 one-time nutrition allowance for pregnant mothers

In view of the prevailing disaster situation and the upcoming festive season, arrangements have been made to provide a nutrition allowance of Rs. 5,000 to pregnant mothers, the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs said.

Police request for Ashoka Ranwala’s alcohol test following accident

Police said today that medical reports for the drivers, including former Speaker and MP Ashoka Ranwala, involved in the accident in Sapugaskanda last night, have been requested to determine whether they were under the influence of alcohol.

997 arrested in ‘Ratam Ekata’ operation

Nearly 1,000 anti-drug operations were conducted across the country yesterday under the ‘Ratam Ekata’ nationwide crackdown, police said.

Sri Lanka’s traditional Kithul tapping added to UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list

Sri Lanka’s traditional practice of Kithul Madeema/Kithul Kapeema, an ancient indigenous technology for extracting sap from the Kithul (Caryota urens), has been inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Avoid trips and picnics due to dangerous weather: NBRO

Senior Geologist at the National Building Research Organization (NBRO), Dr. Wasantha Senadheera, warned the public to avoid trips and picnics as the country remains in a dangerous situation due to the prevailing extreme weather.

Grade 12 GIT exam rescheduled for January 11

The General Information and Technology (GIT) examination for Grade 12 students has been rescheduled to January 11, 2026, the Examinations Department announced today.

Bulgarian government resigns after mass protests

Bulgaria’s government has resigned following weeks of street protests against its economic policies and its perceived failure to tackle corruption.

34 major reservoirs still overflowing, water levels rise in several rivers

As of today, 34 major reservoirs in the country are still overflowing, with the capacity of major and medium-sized reservoirs under the Irrigation Department reaching around 80%, Irrigation Director (Hydrology and Disaster Management) Engineer L.S. Suriyabandara said.

Finance Ministry revises excise fees

The government has moved to overhaul excise licensing charges, with the Finance Ministry issuing Excise Notification No. 03/2025 to introduce a revised fee structure.

Sri Lanka’s upcountry geography altered by cyclone Ditwah

Sri Lanka’s upcountry geography has changed in certain areas due to landslides triggered by cyclone Ditwah, warranting revision of the land-use map series in view of several areas severely, Surveyor General N.K.U. Rohana said.

Thousands of lives saved as people evacuated well in advance: Minister

Amidst claims of the opposition that the government failed to act on prior warnings on the disaster situation, Cabinet Spokesman Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said yesterday people in landslide prone areas were warned well in advance to evacuate by the Disaster Management Centre (DMC), police and security forces, based on forecast of the Meteorology Department, which saved thousands of lives.

Night-time travel to Nuwara Eliya discouraged due to landslide risk

Nuwara Eliya District Secretary Thushari Tennakoon urged motorists to avoid travelling on any road leading to Nuwara Eliya during night-time due to the heightened risk of landslides.