CEB technician dies while on field duty in Kurunegala

A 41-year-old line technician of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), Anuruddha Kumara, died on Wednesday while carrying out restoration work in the Kurunegala area.

One-third of Colombo CCTV cameras non-functional

Nnearly one-third of CCTV cameras installed across Colombo are non-functional, severely undermining the city’s surveillance, traffic monitoring, and public safety operations, a recent audit of the Sri Lanka Police has revealed.

No reason to panic but be aware: Met. Department

There is no reason for panic about the Northeast monsoon as it will not bring in heavy rains though it is expected to become more active within the coming days, the Department of Meteorology said yesterday.

Sri Lanka must lead the global fight for a fair climate loss and damage framework

Climate change is no longer a distant concern, it is the harsh reality Sri Lanka is forced to confront again and again. Floods, tsunamis, droughts, economic crises, and once again floods, this vicious cycle keeps returning, each time with greater intensity. A small island like ours cannot endure this indefinitely, and we are not alone in this struggle.

Did we prepare ?

First of all, this level of severe weather has never been experienced by nearly 80% of our country in our history, from the time we started to keep records or in ancient times. It may have happened during our king’s time but there is no record of such events. So, this is the first time that we are seeing this level of rainfall going back 100s of years.

Eight year old child stranded at Kottawa bus stand

A eight year old boy stranded at the Kottawa main bus stand was taken charge of by the police in the early hours of last morning.

Admissions-2026 open for S. Thomas’ College, Gurutalawa

S. Thomas’ College, Gurutalawa (STCG) — the largest residential school campus in Sri Lanka — is now accepting applications for Nursery and Grade 1 for the 2026 academic year, with a limited number of vacancies available from Grades 2 to 11.

Japan Disaster Relief Medical team arrives in Sri Lanka

A Japan Disaster Relief (JDR) Medical Team comprising doctors, medical experts, relief personnel and rescue specialists, arrived in Colombo last night to strengthen emergency humanitarian operations.

Cyclone Ditwah cause Rs.190 billion damage to highways

Sri Lanka’s highway network has sustained damages roughly estimated at a staggering Rs.190 billion following the recent weather-induced disasters such as floods, earth-slips and landslides, an official said.

Sripada pilgrimage season begins

The Sripada pilgrimage season for 2025/26 commenced today on Unduwap full moon poya day after taking the caskets of sacred relics, the image of the deity and the royal regalia from the Sripada Rajamaha Vihara in Galpottawala in procession to Sri Padasthanaya.

Cyclone leaves only 30% of railway network operational

Only 30 percent of Sri Lanka’s railway network is currently operational following the extensive damage caused by the recent cyclone, Commissioner General of Essential Services B.K. Prabath Chandrakeerthi said.

Youth hacks two to death in Norochcholai

Two individuals have been hacked to death by a youth in Norochcholai, police said.

Sri Lanka to receive sixth tranche of Extended Fund Facility within two weeks: IMF

The International Monetary Fund announced that Sri Lanka is expected to receive swift access to approximately USD 350 million, the sixth tranche of the Extended Fund Facility, within two weeks.

Cyclone Ditwah to trim GDP growth by 0.5%-0.7%: FCR

Cyclone Ditwah, which struck Sri Lanka in late November, causing widespread flooding and landslides, is projected to shave off approximately 0.5 percent to 0.7 percent from the country’s real GDP growth, according to a flash note released by First Capital Research (FCR).

US provides $2 million emergency life-saving assistance to Sri Lanka

In response to the severe impact of Tropical Cyclone Ditwah, the United States is providing $2 million in emergency life-saving assistance for people in need in Sri Lanka, the office of the spokesman said.

Capital goods lead turnover as market indices decline

The Colombo Stock Exchange witnessed subdued sentiment today, even as the Capital Goods sector dominated overall activity by contributing 39% of total turnover and generating LKR 1.46 billion. AEL.N emerged as the day’s top contributor, recording LKR 282 million in turnover with 3.9 million shares changing hands.

SJB to take action against Kandy Councillors for blocking relief efforts

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said that the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) will take strict disciplinary action against members of the Kandy Municipal Council who reportedly obstructed relief efforts by volunteers in the district.

Convene national level meeting: Opposition parties

Around 35 Opposition political parties which met former President Ranil Wickremesinghe today, urged the government to convene a national level meeting of political, religious and other civil leaders to discuss the current disaster situation.

Ravi responds to Prime Minister over Treasury Bond issue

Former Minister of Finance and current Member of Parliament, Ravi Karunanayake, today moved to correct what he described as misleading statements made by the Prime Minister in Parliament regarding the 2015 Treasury Bond issue.

SC reopens case on foreign broker’s eligibility for NITF tender

A legal fight over whether an international broker can take part in Sri Lanka’s reinsurance procurement has taken a fresh turn after the Supreme Court cleared the path for the District Court to decide the matter independently.

One injured in Kosgama shooting

A 40-year-old man travelling in a three-wheeler was injured in a shooting incident in the Boralugoda area in Kosgama this evening (03). He was rushed to the Avissawella Hospital for treatment.

Police launch probe into 57 fake social media posts

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has launched an investigation under emergency regulations after police identified 57 social media posts containing fake news, disinformation, rumours, and unverified updates that have circulated in recent days.

Make Christmas deeply spiritual through love and concern for those in needy: Cardinal

Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith today urged all Catholics in the Archdiocese and in Sri Lanka to make this year’s Christmas deeply spiritual through concern for the needy and those who have been affected by the recent disaster.

38 fuel stations damaged due to floods: Minister

Some 38 fuel stations have been damaged due to the flood situation in the country, Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody said today.

YouTube says it will comply with Australia’s teen social media ban

Google’s YouTube shared a ’’disappointing update’’ to millions of Australian users and content creators on Wednesday, saying it will comply with a world-first teen social media ban by locking out users aged under 16 from their accounts within days.

Adverse weather: Death toll climbs to 479

The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) reported that the death toll from the ongoing adverse weather conditions across Sri Lanka has risen to 479, with 350 people still reported missing as at 4.00 pm today.

Commuters will be allowed to use train tickets to travel by bus: Minister

Commuters will be allowed to use train tickets to travel by busses on a temporary basis, Minister of Transport Bimal Ratnayake told Parliament today.

Bangladesh delivers urgent aid to Sri Lanka

Bangladesh dispatched a humanitarian relief consignment to Sri Lanka this afternoon (03 December) to support ongoing recovery efforts following the devastation caused by the recent adverse weather conditions.

UAE sends new relief shipment to Sri Lanka

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has dispatched another consignment of humanitarian relief to Sri Lanka, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said today.

Over 20,000 blood donations received following Ditwah

The National Blood Bank expressed its gratitude to the citizens of Sri Lanka for their overwhelming response to calls for blood donations following Cyclone Ditwah.