Public warned of fake relief messages circulating after Ditwah

The Ministry of Women and Child Affairs has urged the public to beware of fraudulent messages circulating on social media claiming to offer relief to those affected by Cyclone Ditwah.

School staff to report on Dec 15; Relaxed dress policy for disaster-hit areas

Principals, teachers, and non-academic staff of all schools reopening on December 16 have been instructed to report for duty on December 15, the Ministry of Education announced today.

President responds to criticisms of govt’s handling of Ditwah

Acknowledging shortcomings in Sri Lanka’s disaster preparedness and response mechanisms, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated that Cyclone Ditwah exposed long-standing weaknesses that the government is now moving to correct.

Most schools to reopen on Dec 16; 147 remain closed due to disaster impact

The Education Ministry has announced that all schools across the country except those affected by recent disaster conditions will reopen on December 16, following a review of the prevailing situation.

A/L exam rescheduled for January 2026; O/L dates announced

The Ministry of Education has announced that the postponed 2025 GCE Advanced Level Examination will now be conducted in January 2026.

Interest-free student loan application period extended to Dec 15

The Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education Ministry has announced an extension for the 10th phase of the Interest-Free Student Loan Scheme.

Samurdhi Banks to be audited from 2026

Audits of the Samurdhi Community-Based Banks and Samurdhi Community-Based Bank Societies have been newly assigned to the Auditor General from 2026 onwards, the Communications Department of Parliament said.

Lithuania declares state of emergency over balloons from Belarus

Lithuania’s government on Tuesday declared a state of emergency over smuggler balloons originating in Belarus that have disrupted aviation, and asked parliament to allow the military to operate alongside police and border guards.

President Dissanayake thanks Donald Trump for emergency assistance

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake took to X, formerly known as Twitter, today to thank US President Donald Trump for the flood-relief aid and emergency assistance in the wake of the devastation caused in Sri Lanka by Cyclone Ditwah last month.

At least 20 dead in Jakarta fire

A fire broke out at a seven-storey building in Indonesia’s capital on Tuesday, with 20 people confirmed dead, police said.

Motorcycles lead vehicle registrations in 2025, DMT reports

Motorcycles have emerged as the most registered vehicles in Sri Lanka so far this year, the Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) said.

UAE sends 8th humanitarian aid flight to Sri Lanka

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) today dispatched its eighth humanitarian aid flight to Sri Lanka, delivering 27 metric tons of relief supplies for those affected by Cyclone Ditwah.

Pakistani PM sends Maritime Minister to Sri Lanka as gesture of solidarity

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has sent his government’s Maritime Affairs Minister Muhammad Junaid Anwar on a two day visit to Sri Lanka to express solidarity in the aftermath of cyclone Ditwah that inflicted heavy damages.

Tourist arrivals top 2.1 million for 2025, SLTDA reports

Sri Lanka has welcomed 2,128,639 tourists so far this year, the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) announced, marking a strong performance for the recovering tourism sector.

Warning of cyclones is not opposition’s job : Marikkar

Warning of impending cyclones is not the opposition’s job, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP S.M. Marikkar said today.

Land cracked due to lies uttered by government: Thalatha

Former Minister Thalatha Athukorala said today that she believes that the land cracked because of the lies uttered by the government.

UN allocates $4.5 Mn to support Sri Lanka’s cyclone response

The United Nations has allocated US$4.5 million (LKR 1.38 billion) from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) to strengthen Sri Lanka’s response to Cyclone Ditwah, which made landfall on November 28.

Over 2,000 Sri Lanka Navy personnel promoted

A total of 2,086 personnel, including 17 officers and 2,069 senior and junior sailors, were promoted or advanced to their next respective ranks and rates on the occasion of the Sri Lanka Navy’s 75th anniversary, which falls today.

One-fifth of Sri Lanka inundated by cyclone Ditwah, UNDP analysis

An estimated 2.3 million people – more than half of them women – were living in areas flooded by Cyclone Ditwah that struck Sri Lanka on 28 November. New geospatial analysis from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) shows floodwaters from the cyclone inundated more than 1.1 million hectares – almost 20 percent of the country’s land area – and caused significant damage to homes, infrastructure and essential services.

12 Sri Lankans shortlisted for 2026 IPL auction

Twelve Sri Lankan players have been included in the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) Player Auction shortlist released by the Board of Control for Cricket in India today.

Horton Plains roads closed to public, reserved for tourists only

The Department of Wildlife Conservation has reimposed restrictions on vehicle movement through Horton Plains National Park, closing the roads to regular traffic from Sunday (7).

New Basnayake Nilame appointed to Kataragama Devala

Arachchige Thilina Madusanka was appointed as the Basnayake Nilame of the Ruhunu Kataragama Maha Devala.

Former Foreign Employment Bureau chairman Mohamed Hilmi granted bail

Former Chairman of the Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Bureau, Mohamed Hilmi, who had been in remand custody over allegations of corruption, was released on bail by Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama today.

DMC orders evacuation in landslide-prone areas in four districts

The Disaster Management Center (DMC) has instructed District Secretaries to evacuate residents living in landslide-prone areas of Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala, and Matale to designated safe centers, following Level 3 (Red) landslide warnings issued by the National Building Research Organization (NBRO).

Hambantota Port grants extra 5 demurrage-free days for vehicle clearance in December

The Hambantota International Port Group (HIPG) has announced a special concession for vehicle importers, offering an additional five free days for clearing imported vehicles in December 2025.

Inter-religious programs launched to pray for victims of Cyclone Ditwah

A series of inter-religious programs will be held across Sri Lanka from today (09) to seek blessings for those affected by Cyclone Ditwah and the floods, and to offer prayers for those who lost their lives, Minister of Buddhism, Religious and Cultural Affairs Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi said.

Northeast monsoon brings heavy showers across several provinces

The Northeast monsoon is gradually establishing over Sri Lanka, bringing showers and thundershowers to several regions of the island, the Meteorology Department said.

Indian Met. Dept. warned Sri Lanka about Cyclone Ditwah weeks in advance

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) had shared information about Cyclone Ditwah with Sri Lanka as early as November 13, Indian media reports have revealed.

Post-flood operations to continue despite North-East monsoon

Despite the northeast monsoon being just around the corner, post-flood operations, including relief programmes, rescue, evacuation, and rehabilitation activities, will continue uninterrupted, officials stressed.

Several groups to sue Government for failing to issue advance warnings on cyclone Ditwah

Several political parties, civil groups, environmental organizations and public movements are preparing to take legal action against the government, accusing authorities of failing to issue timely warnings about the risks posed by Cyclone Ditwah and neglecting essential safety measures.