Bambalapitiya Marine Drive accident injures five

Five persons were injured and hospitalised following a road accident on the Bambalapitiya Marine Drive at around 2:30 a.m. today.

Boat seized with ICE, heroin in Kalpitiya

The Sri Lanka Navy seized a boat that was transporting heroin and Crystal methamphetamine (ICE) in the seas off Kalpitiya last night.

‘Ayubowan’, king coconuts and bananas to reassure visitors

The Sri Lanka Institute of National Tourist Guide Lecturers (SLINTGL) has issued an emotional appeal to the public, urging citizens to go beyond standard hospitality by greeting every tourist with a warm ‘Ayubowan’ or offering simple gestures like a king coconut or banana, to help the industry rebound from recent weather setbacks.

CBSL requests all licensed banks to provide temporary debt relief to affected individuals, businesses

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has requested all licensed banks to provide temporary debt relief and fresh financial support to individuals and businesses whose income has been directly affected due to the Ditwah cyclone.

Archives appeals for nationwide freezer support

The Department of National Archives yesterday made an urgent public appeal for access to freezer facilities as Sri Lanka faces an unprecedented crisis caused by severe flooding that has damaged vast quantities of vital public records.

Three hospitals extensively damaged

Three hospitals – Chilaw Base Hospital, Mahiyanganaya and Wattegama hospitals- have sustained extensive damage from the latest disasters induced by cyclone Ditwah and another 100 small hospitals have been submerged by the floodwaters, an official said.

Weekend Sports Guide: Premier League Action, The Ashes and a Title-Deciding F1 Finale

Sri Lankan sports fans have plenty to look forward to this weekend, with key Premier League fixtures, more play from The Ashes, and a Formula 1 finale that will crown this year’s world champion. Here’s a simple look at what’s coming up, with all times listed for Sri Lanka.

England start World Cup against Croatia, Scotland to face Brazil

England will begin their World Cup 2026 campaign against Croatia, while Scotland have been drawn alongside Brazil at next summer’s tournament.

Trump all smiles as he wins FIFA's new peace prize

United States President Donald Trump received the inaugural Fifa Peace Prize before the draw for the 2026 Fifa World Cup.

IMF considers US 200 million under Rapid Financing Instrument for Sri Lanka

The International Monetary Fund ( IMF) is considering Sri Lanka’s request for US $ 200 million under the Rapid Financing Instrument (RFI), according to Evan Papageorgiou, its Mission Chief for Sri Lanka.

Ball rolled into pitch forces WBBL match to be called off

Bizarrre scenes in Adelaide during the innings break in the Strikers-Hurricanes clash saw the match abandoned, a result that keeps alive the Strikers’ finals hopes

Fully damaged houses to get Rs. 5 million as compensation: President

The government will provide Rs. 5 million as compensation for fully damaged houses, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake announced today.

Government planning to get IMF sixth tranche increased: President

The government has negotiated with the International Monitory Fund (IMF) to increase the amount of the sixth tranche which was due in December this month, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said today.

Budget 2026 passed

Budget 2026 was passed with a majority of 157 votes with 158 MPs voting for and one member voting against.

Market faces sharp decline amid disaster concerns

The Colombo Stock Exchange witnessed another challenging session on Thursday, as investor sentiment was weighed down by adverse weather conditions and ongoing assessments of the disaster’s impact. Caution prevailed in the market, with muted trading volumes and turnover reflecting investors’ hesitancy amid uncertainty.

WHO issues guidance on handling dead animals after floods

The World Health Organization (WHO) Sri Lanka has issued public health guidelines on the safe management of dead animals found during or after flooding, following recent adverse weather conditions across the country.

Fakhar Zaman found guilty of breaching ICC Code of Conduct

Pakistan batter, Fakhar Zaman has been fined 10 per cent of his match fee after he was found guilty of breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct during the Tri-Series final against Sri Lanka on 29 November.

Netflix to buy Warner Bros film and streaming businesses for $72bn

Netflix has agreed to buy the film and streaming businesses of Warner Bros Discovery for $72bn (£54bn) in a major Hollywood deal.

President says emergency laws will not be used to curb free expression

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake assured Parliament today that emergency regulations will not be invoked to suppress freedom of expression or criticism of the government.

Inclement weather claims 607 deaths, over two million affected

A total of 607 persons have died while 214 remain missing due to the severe weather, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said.

Give priority to international donor conference: SJB

The government should give priority to holding an international donor conference in order to get assistance from foreign countries to rebuild the nation, an Opposition MP said today.

Sri Lankans have shown solidarity with disaster affected people by donating blood

The Sri Lankan people have shown solidarity with the disaster hit people by generously donating blood, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake told Parliament today.

Maldives donates 14 containers of Tuna to Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka received a consignment of canned tuna as relief for the people affected by the adverse weather from the Maldives today, reflecting the strong partnership and regional solidarity between the two nations.

Korea pledges USD 500,000 in emergency relief for Sri Lanka’s cyclone-hit communities

The Government of the Republic of Korea has pledged USD 500,000 to support emergency relief efforts in Sri Lanka following the severe impact of tropical cyclone Ditwah.

Court rejects former Mahaweli Authority Director General’s anticipatory bail application

Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama today rejected the anticipatory bail application filed by former Director General of the Sri Lanka Mahaweli Authority, Keerthi B. Kotagama.

CBSL issues advisory on handling flood-affected currency notes

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) issued a public advisory on how to handle wet or flood affected currency notes, in the aftermath of the recent floods that devastated the country.

Beat forest officer remanded over Rs. 10,000 bribe

A beat forest officer suspected of accepting a bribe of Rs. 10,000 to issue a permit related to cutting timber was today remanded till December 12 by Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama.

Partially, fully damaged houses to get maximum Rs. 2.5 million compensation: Deputy Minister

Deputy Minister of Defence Aruna Jayasekera said the government will provide compensation subject to a maximum of Rs. 2.5 million to houses that have been partially or fully damaged due to recent disaster.

VFS Global extends support to Sri Lanka’s flood relief efforts

Reaffirming its long-standing partnership with Sri Lanka, VFS Global has extended support to the country’s official flood relief efforts, offering financial assistance and mobilising employees to help affected families.

The FIFA World Cup 2026 draw is here - this is how it will work

Pots, quadrants, confederation constraints, group position grids... the 2026 World Cup finals draw on Friday is not going to be a straightforward affair.