Foreigner bitten by monkey, performer arrested

A gypsy who staged a performance by a macaque and a cobra in Unawatuna beach ended up in a police cell when a tourist in his audience was bitten by the macaque.

Navy seizes foreign cigarettes and cosmetics in Delft seas

The Sri Lanka Navy has recovered a large consignment of foreign cigarettes and other contraband items during a special search operation carried out in the seas south of Delft, Jaffna, yesterday.

Vegetable shortage expected, prices set to rise - traders warn

Some stocks of vegetables that survived the recent cyclone are currently reaching the market but there will be a shortage soon, a trader attached to the Manning Market said yesterday.

Indian drone technology firm offers support for Sri Lanka’s disaster response

An Indian technology company specialising in drone operations for disaster response and geospatial mapping has offered technical assistance to Sri Lanka to strengthen its disaster-management capacities.

National Education Management System to launch in January

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya revealed that the Ministry of Education has begun implementing a National Education Management System, which is expected to be launched in January.

Pahala Kadugannawa closed again as night-time rock blasting continues

The Colombo–Kandy main road has been closed once again from the Pahala Kadugannawa area from last evening until further notice, police said, as large rocks posing a risk are being blasted at night.

Nissanka powers Gulf Giants to winning start

Gulf Giants began their ILT20 campaign with a statement win over the MI Emirates in Dubai as they chased down the target of 164 in just 14.4 overs with six wickets to spare. Pathum Nissanka (81 off 42) led the charge while Azmatullah Omarzai (39* off 16) played a blinder of a cameo to comfortably seal the win for the Giants. Earlier, T20 veteran Kieron Pollard scored 50 off 33 deliveries to take MI Emirates to 163 for 6, which was eventually well

Cyclone Ditwah inflicts economic loss three times the tsunami damage

The economic loss of Cyclone Ditwah is roughly estimated at around US $ 6 to 7 billion - more than three times the damage caused by the 2004 tsunami, an official said yesterday.

Children at the centre of danger after Ditwah - Experts warn

With the Ditwah cyclone finally behind us and floodwaters slowly receding, health experts warn children are at the centre of danger owing to the rise in post-disaster illnesses.

Urgency looms as forecasted showers could affect rescue operations

While rescue and evacuation operations continue across the country, officials remain alert as predicted showers could pose challenges on the ongoing operations in the coming days.

Government urges public to use official channels for student relief donations

The Ministry of Education said that donations made to official government designated accounts will fall only under the supervision of the Ministry, together with the Ministry of Higher Education and the Ministry of Vocational Education.

India won’t accept humiliation: Putin slams Trump over oil trade tariffs

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday slammed Donald Trump’s administration for pressuring its trading partner India to cut back energy trade with Moscow, warning that it would backfire on Washington.

N. Mohammed Thahir sworn in as national list MP

N. Mohamed Thahir was sworn in as a national list MP before Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne today.

President thanks China for disaster relief support

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has extended his deep appreciation to President Xi Jinping, the Government, and the people of China for their solidarity and generous support to Sri Lanka following the recent severe weather.

Kaspersky advocates proactive cybersecurity shift for Sri Lanka amid rising threats

Sri Lanka’s rapid adoption of digital technologies has ushered in tremendous opportunities for economic growth and innovation, but this accelerated digitization has simultaneously exposed critical vulnerabilities in software and infrastructure that cybercriminals are eagerly exploiting.

’Rebuilding Sri Lanka Fund’ receives over Rs. 697 million so far

The ’Rebuilding Sri Lanka Fund’ has received more than Rs. 697 million as donations so far, Secretary to the Ministry of Finance Harshana Suriyapperuma said today.

85% of damaged power connections restored: CEB

Around 85 percent of power connections disrupted due to the emergency disaster situation have now been restored, out of approximately 3.9 million affected consumers, Deputy General Manager of the Ceylon Electricity Board Noel Priyantha said.

Maldives pledges full support for Sri Lanka’s rebuilding efforts

Maldivian President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has assured that the Maldives will extend its fullest support to Sri Lanka in providing relief to those affected by Cyclone Ditwa and throughout the rebuilding process.

247 km of roads, 40 bridges damaged: President calls for rapid repairs

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has directed authorities to give urgent priority to repairing damaged road infrastructure to restore normalcy and ensure uninterrupted transport services in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah.

Russia’s Putin arrives in India for summit talks with PM Modi

Russian President Vladimir Putin landed in New Delhi on Thursday, where he was received by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the airport, beginning the Russian leader’s first visit to old friend India since the start of the war in Ukraine nearly four years back.

Adverse weather death toll rises to 481; 345 still missing

The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said that the death toll from the severe adverse weather conditions affecting the country has climbed to 481 as of 6.00 p.m. today (04).

Bangladesh tribunal issues arrest warrant for Hasina’s son over July Uprising charges

A special tribunal in Bangladesh on Thursday issued an arrest warrant for Sajib Wajed Joy, the expatriate son of deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina, just a month after sentencing his mother to death on charges of committing crimes against humanity.

Korea to provide $1.5m in humanitarian aid to flood-hit Vietnam, Thailand, Sri Lanka

South Korea will provide a total of $1.5 million worth of humanitarian aid to Vietnam, Thailand and Sri Lanka to support recovery efforts following deadly floods and landslides that struck the three countries, the foreign ministry said Thursday.

Sri Lanka faces egg shortage after cyclone, Bakery Association warns

A potential countrywide egg shortage following the deaths of an estimated 3 million egg-laying hens due to the recent cyclone and floods affecting Sri Lanka.

Indian relief flight arrives with Bailey bridge units and engineering teams

A special Indian Air Force C-17 Globemaster aircraft carrying Bailey bridge components and specialist personnel landed in Sri Lanka this afternoon (04) to support ongoing disaster recovery efforts across the country.

Sri Lanka Cricket donates Rs. 300 million to ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund’

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has donated Rs. 300 million to the government’s ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund to aid ongoing relief and reconstruction efforts following Cyclone Ditwah.

159 schools in Central Province damaged, 115 serving as displacement camps

A total of 159 schools in the Central Province have been damaged due to the recent disaster, Deputy Minister of Transport Prasanna Gunasena said.

Veteran actor Nihal Fernando passes away at 71

Veteran actor Nihal Fernando has passed away at the age of 71, leaving behind a legacy of memorable performances in stage plays, films, and teledramas.

Kandy main road closed again due to rockfall risk

The section of the Kandy Main Road from Ganethenne to Kadugannawa Police Station has been closed again following a rockfall incident, the Kegalle District Secretary confirmed.

Give priority to international donor conference: SJB

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