Cabinet approves commemorative stamps for 50 years of Sri Lanka–Saudi ties

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a proposal to issue two commemorative stamps celebrating the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and Saudi Arabia.

Cabinet approves release of Yala paddy stocks to market

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved steps to mill and release paddy stocks purchased during the last Yala season by the Paddy Marketing Board (PMB) using funds allocated for 2025.

Cabinet approves key appointments in state departments

The Cabinet Ministers has approved appointments to two senior positions in Sri Lanka’s state administrative services, following recent vacancies.

Judicial digitalisation project gets Cabinet nod

The Government has identified the digitalisation of Sri Lanka’s judicial system as a national priority, with the aim of improving efficiency, transparency and access to justice.

NPP will take disciplinary action against Ranwala if he has cheated on doctorate: Nalinda

The National People’s Power (NPP) will take disciplinary action against former Speaker Ashoka Ranwala if he has cheated on his doctorate, Health Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said.

Passenger arrested at BIA with Rs. 285,000 cigarettes

A Sri Lankan passenger attempting to smuggle a consignment of foreign-made cigarettes valued at Rs. 285,000 through the Green Channel at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) was arrested by airport Customs officers this morning.

Trump files $5bn defamation lawsuit against BBC over Panorama speech edit

US President Donald Trump has filed a $5bn (£3.7bn) lawsuit against the BBC over an edit of his 6 January 2021 speech in a Panorama documentary.

Sri Lanka Ambassador meets Bahrain crown prince

The Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Kingdom of Bahrain, Shanika Dissanayake, met His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Bahrain, at the Gudaibiya Palace in Manama on Sunday (14).

Indian aid ship arrives in Colombo after Cyclone Ditwah

Another ship carrying Indian humanitarian assistance under Operation Sagar Bandhu has arrived at the Colombo Port to support Sri Lanka’s relief efforts following Cyclone Ditwah.

Security beefed up for Ashes Adelaide Test after Bondi shooting

Police armed with rifles will be part of a beefed up security presence at the third Test between Australia and England at Adelaide Oval after the Bondi Beach shooting attacks, officials said, while flags will be flown at half-mast.

Former Minister C. B. Rathnayake granted bail

Former Minister C. B. Rathnayake, who was in remand following his arrest by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), has been granted bail by the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court.

Sri Lanka Singers’ Association scoffs rumors on singer Latha Walpola

The Sri Lanka Singers’ Association today scoffed the rumors that are being circulated on social media that popular signer Latha Walpola has passed away.

Coconut Board calls for info on damaged coconut trees by December 25

The Coconut Cultivation Board has called on the public to provide information on coconut trees destroyed by Cyclone Ditwah by 25 December.

Cyclone Ditwah leaves thousands homeless across Sri Lanka

Cyclone Ditwah has caused widespread destruction in Sri Lanka, completely destroying 6,200 houses and partially damaging 96,545 others, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) reported.

Dominant Sabalenka wins back-to-back WTA awards

World number one Aryna Sabalenka has been voted the Women’s Tennis Association player of the year for a second successive season.

262 quarries in landslide-prone areas to undergo re-survey: GSMB

The Geological Survey and Mines Bureau (GSMB) has announced plans to conduct a re-scientific survey of 262 quarries operating in areas affected by landslides following Cyclone “Ditwah.”

Cop suspended over alleged biscuit-sharing with key suspect

A police sergeant has been suspended over alleged inappropriate conduct involving Takshi Nandakumara, a suspect currently being held on a 90-day detention order in connection with the killing of organised criminal Ganemulla Sanjeewa inside the Hulftsdorp court complex.

Special leave granted to public officers affected by “Ditwah” cyclone in November

The Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government has announced the granting of special leave to public officers who were unable to report for duty in November 2025 due to the impacts of the “Ditwah” cyclonic storm.

No government aid and no officials for Walapane landslide victims, 18 days on

Survivors of a deadly landslide in Napatawala village in Walapane say no government aid has reached them and no officials have visited, 18 days after Cyclone Ditwa triggered the disaster that buried five homes and killed a woman.

Over 600 HIV cases in nine months

Sri Lanka faces a worrying upswing in HIV/AIDS cases, with over 600 new infections and 13 deaths reported in the first nine months of 2025.

Rob Reiner’s son Nick arrested for murder after director and wife found dead

A son of film director Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner has been arrested and booked on suspicion of murder after the couple were found dead in their Los Angeles home.

Attempts at trafficking, exploiting disaster-hit children on the rise

In the wake of Cyclone Ditwah, the Women and Child Affairs Ministry warned of increased attempts by certain elements for child trafficking and exploitation, a spokesperson said.

Trump urges Xi to free Hong Kong’s Jimmy Lai

US President Donald Trump says he has asked Chinese leader Xi Jinping to ’’consider’’ releasing Jimmy Lai, the Hong Kong pro-democracy tycoon who was earlier this week found guilty under the city’s controversial national security law.

Previously identified landslide risks now subside, NBRO monitoring continues

The National Building Research Organization (NBRO) has confirmed that all previously identified landslide and rockfall risk areas have now subsided.

No term tests for grades 6–10, says Education Ministry

The Education Ministry has directed all principals and relevant school officials not to conduct term tests for students in grades 6 to 10 for the third term of the 2025 academic year.

Over 1 million birth and marriage certificates destroyed by Cyclone Ditwa

The Registrar General’s Department has confirmed that the birth and marriage registration certificates of over one million people have been destroyed due to the landslides and floods caused by Cyclone Ditwah.

Five injured in Southern Expressway accident

Five people, including two foreign women, were injured in an accident on the Southern Expressway near the 168th kilometre post when a luxury van carrying foreign nationals collided with a small lorry travelling ahead of it.

Sri Lanka records 5.4% positive growth rate in 3rd quarter of 2025

The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) rate for the third quarter of year 2025 has been reported as 5.4 percent of the positive growth rate, the Department of Census and Statistics (DCS) of Sri Lanka said.

Donations cross $1.1 million for Bondi Beach ‘hero’ Ahmed al Ahmed who disarmed shooter

Donations have poured in from across Australia for a man who wrestled a gun from one of the alleged attackers during the mass shooting at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, with the total now crossing $1.1 million ($744,000), Reuters reported.

Sri Lanka receives 200 metric tonnes of humanitarian relief from Pakistan

A consignment of humanitarian relief supplies donated by the Government of Pakistan for disaster relief in Sri Lanka was officially received today at the Colombo International Container Terminal (CICT), Colombo Port.