Rare dugong carcass washes ashore in Mannar

The Department of Wildlife Conservation reported that the carcass of a rare dugong (Dugong dugon) was found washed ashore on the Pesalai beach along the Mannar coast on November 30.

DMT to launch mobile services to assist owners of flood-submerged vehicles

The Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) announced that it will introduce district-wise mobile services to assist vehicle owners whose documents were lost or damaged after their vehicles were submerged in the recent floods.

Magazine Prison inmates donate today’s lunch to flood affected

The inmates of the New Magazine Prison, Colombo have donated their lunch today to the people in Colombo, who were affected by the Ditwah cyclone.

Rehan Jayawickrama resigns from Samagi Jana Balawegaya

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Weligama electoral organiser and former Mayor of Weligama Rehan Jayawickrama has tendered his resignation from the party.

Taxpayers granted grace period to file Income Tax Returns

The Inland Revenue Department has further extended the deadline for all registered income tax payers to submit their Income Tax Returns for the Assessment Year 2024/2025 till December 31.

No institution had prepared for recent disaster: President

No institution was prepared to face the recent disaster, as none had drawn up plans to respond to an emergency of such scale, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake told Parliament yesterday.

FIFA World Cup 2026 Draw - Groups, Teams, Format

Sri Lankan football fans have been following the global build up to the FIFA World Cup 2026 draw, and the long wait ended in Washington, DC where the tournament groups were officially revealed. After weeks of political attention surrounding the event and the presence of United States President Donald Trump, the focus finally returned to the sport.

Tea industry hit hard; damaged machinery will take months to function again

In the wake of the natural disaster that took place in Sri Lanka last week, the tea industry was hit hard and may take months to recover to normal as machinery that has been destroyed has to be sent abroad to repair and damage to roads may affect the distribution of tea exports, according to an official from the Colombo Tea Traders Association.

Legendary architect Frank Gehry dies aged 96

Frank Gehry, one of the most influential architects of the last century, has died aged 96. Gehry was acclaimed for his avant garde, experimental style of architecture. His titanium-covered design of the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain, catapulted him to fame in 1997.

Govt. under fire for failure to mitigate disaster damage despite prior warnings

The government is under fire for its alleged failure to mitigate and manage the impact of Cyclone Ditwah, despite prior warnings from relevant agencies. By November 25, the Department of Meteorology and the Irrigation Department had given prior notice in this regard.

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.