U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Hooker to arrive today

United States Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, Allison Hooker will travel to Sri Lanka today (December 11).

Two Sri Lankan-Origin Stars in Australia U19 World Cup Squad

Australia has named its squad for the ICC U19 World Cup 2026, with Nitesh Samuel and Naden Cooray, both of Sri Lankan origin, earning call-ups after stellar performances at the Under-19 National Championships.

Lionel Messi in India: Full GOAT Tour Schedule, Ticket Information and Programme Details for Sri Lankan Fans

Lionel Messi is all set to arrive in Hyderabad on December 13 as part of his G.O.A.T India Tour 2025, creating massive excitement among football fans across the country.

Australia, UNFPA step in to protect women, girls after Ditwah

Australia has partnered with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) to deliver urgent humanitarian assistance aimed at protecting women and girls affected by the widespread floods and landslides triggered by Cyclone Ditwah — one of the most destructive climate disasters to impact Sri Lanka in recent years.

LGBTQ+ events to go ahead at World Cup game despite Egypt and Iran objections

Plans to celebrate LGBTQ+ rights and freedoms in Seattle during the World Cup next summer will continue despite objections from the Egyptian and Iranian football federations over the “Pride Match” due to take place in the city.

Registrar General to issue death certificates for over 200 missing persons of Cyclone ‘Ditwah’

The Registrar General’s Department said that death registration certificates will be issued for 203 individuals reported missing following the landslides and floods triggered by Cyclone Ditwah.

New compensation package to convince relocation from landslide zones – Minister

Claiming that people in landslide prone areas have been reluctant to move out as the compensation was not sufficient, Environment Minister Dhammika Patabedi said yesterday the government was expecting that the people will now move out as a sufficient compensation package was proposed by the government.

Cyclone Ditwah Sri Lanka Live Updates – Death Toll, Floods, Landslides, International Aid and Government Alerts

Sri Lanka is now confronting one of its gravest natural disasters in recent memory, as Cyclone Ditwah and the resulting weather system continue to unleash relentless rain, flash floods and landslides across the island.

Former CBSL governor Cabraal ordered to pay Rs. 1.84 billion compensation, released on conditions

Former Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal was released on conditions in connection with the Greek bond case, while the three other accused were released unconditionally by Colombo High Court Judge Mohammed Mihal yesterday.

Distribution of aid, compensation after Ditwah: Officials face public pressure

Officials involved in distributing relief and compensation in the aftermath of Cyclonic Storm Ditwah, which left severe destruction across Sri Lanka are increasingly coming under pressure from multiple fronts, Daily Mirror learns.

US seizes oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela, Trump says

US forces have seized an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela, President Donald Trump said, marking a sharp escalation in Washington’s pressure campaign against Nicolás Maduro’s government.

Search operations for the missing to continue

Search operations at landslide sites will continue unless family members or relatives of those missing request otherwise, or the government takes a policy decision to discontinue them, an official said yesterday.

Trump launches $1m ’gold card’ immigration visas

President Donald Trump has launched a scheme offering fast-tracked US visas to wealthy foreigners who can pay at least $1m (£750,000).

Excise officer arrested for allegedly soliciting Rs. 2 million bribe

An Excise Sergeant attached to the Narcotics Bureau of the Excise Department was arrested by officers of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) on charges of soliciting a bribe of Rs. 2 million.

Nuwara Eliya supermarket fined Rs. 500,000 for overpricing bottled water

The Nuwara Eliya Magistrate’s Court has imposed a fine of Rs. 500,000 on a supermarket along Glenfall Road after it was found guilty of selling bottled drinking water at a price higher than the government-approved rate.

US drops bid to preserve FIFA bribery convictions

The US government has moved to drop its case against a former Fox broadcasting executive involved in the FIFA corruption scandal that plunged the world’s footballing body into crisis.

Major rivers remain at normal levels; No flood threat detected

All major rivers across the country are flowing at normal levels with no risk of minor or major flooding, according to the latest hydrology update issued at 6.30 a.m. today (11).

806 people evacuated in Badulla due to landslide threat

Badulla District Secretary Prabath Abeywardena says 806 residents from 238 families have been evacuated across the district due to the heightened risk of landslides triggered by the onset of the northeast monsoon.

Madueke double at Brugge helps Arsenal keep 100% record

Noni Madueke scored twice as Arsenal beat Club Brugge to maintain their 100% record in the Champions League and all but secure their place in the knockout phase.

Insurance payouts kick off as Cyclone Ditwah leaves trail of destruction

The insurance companies in Sri Lanka have mobilised swiftly to provide relief following the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah, with the authorities confirming that the compensation payments for minor property damage have already begun.

WTA signs with Mercedes in 'most significant deal in our history'

The Women’s Tennis Association has announced a long-term partnership with Mercedes-Benz which has the potential to be the largest in women’s sport.

Smriti Mandhana makes first comment since wedding cancellation, 'don’t love anything more than cricket'

Smriti Mandhana is well and truly back not only on the field and but also in the public eye after confirming that her wedding is called off. In an event, she came up with a statement stating that she doesn’t love anything more than cricket.

Two buildings collapse in Morocco’s Fez killing 22 people

At least 22 people have been killed and a further 16 injured after two buildings collapsed in the Moroccan city of Fez.

Pope Leo the XIV pledges solidary with disaster victims of Sri Lanka

Pope Leo the XIV has pledged the Vatican’s solidarity with the Sri Lankan people who were affected by the recent disaster, Charge’ d’Affaires of the Vatican Embassy in Colombo Rev. Monsignor Roberto Lucchini revealed today.

Man arrested for dumping trash bag on expressway

A 35-year-old van driver was arrested this afternoon for dumping a trash bag on the Katunayake Expressway, police said.

Unauthorised filling of Muthurajawela led to floods in Gampaha town: Cardinal

Unauthorised filling of the Muthurajawela wetlands and pollution led to the flooding of Gampaha town during the recent floods, Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith said today.

Flight carrying disaster relief arrives from Russia

A Russian IL-76 cargo aircraft carrying disaster relief supplies arrived in Sri Lanka this afternoon to support communities displaced by Cyclone Ditwah.

Prolonged detention, two percent conviction rate, grim human rights Issue, says Wajira

United National Party (UNP) Chairman Wajira Abeywardena said that though a person can be held under arrest or detained for a prolonged period until investigations are completed, yet Sri Lanka’s conviction rate stands at only two percent—implying that the vast majority of those arrested ultimately experience violations of their rights.

Microsoft, MillenniumIT ESP to support data collection on damages caused by Cyclone

The Department of National Planning has launched a programme to collect information and data on businesses and properties damaged by Cyclone Ditwah, Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma said.

Nobel Peace Prize winner’s daughter accepts award on her behalf

The daughter of María Corina Machado, the winner of this year’s Nobel Peace Prize, has said her mother is determined to live in a free Venezuela and would ’’never give up on that purpose’’ as she accepted her mother’s award.