President convenes urgent Cabinet meeting

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has convened an urgent meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers this afternoon, the Government Information Department said.

COPF needs proper support of Parliament: Harsha

The Committee on Public Finance (COPF) needs the support of Parliament to resolve certain issues, its Chairman Harsha de Silva told Parliament today.

22 districts declared national disaster zones

A special gazette has been issued declaring 22 districts severely affected by Cyclone Ditwah as national disaster areas.

Drone aid mission brings relief to stranded residents in Wellampitiya

The situation in the Wellampitiya area on Monday, where rising floodwaters, blocked roads and left residents stranded, motivated four citizens and a drone operations company to step up to the challenge and deliver dry rations to residents in need.

Govt. must have a ’’Multi-Phased Action Plan’’ for Sri Lanka’s Flood Crisis and Recovery

Sri Lanka is currently grappling with one of the most severe flooding events in recent memory. With vast tracts of land submerged, lives lost, and critical infrastructure severely damaged, the immediate humanitarian crisis is escalating. The transition from emergency response to systematic recovery and reconstruction must be swift, strategic, and sustainable.

Kaduwela–Battaramulla Road reopened

The Kaduwela–Battaramulla road, which was temporarily closed due to flooding, has been reopened to traffic from this morning, police said.

Apple to support relief efforts in flood-hit Sri Lanka

Apple CEO Tim Cook has announced that the company will contribute to relief and rebuilding efforts across several Asian countries—including Sri Lanka—following days of severe flooding, landslides, and powerful winds.

Damaged communication networks to be fully restored by tomorrow: Eranga Weeraratne

The telephone and internet communication networks disrupted due to the recent disaster are expected to be fully restored by tomorrow, Deputy Minister of Digital Economy, Eranga Weeraratne said.

CBSL assures SL’s economic ‘shock absorbers’ intact

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) is ready to deploy its full suite of macroeconomic shields, fiscal, monetary and external, to cushion the economy against sudden shocks, Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe said.

Court of Appeal fixes order on BYD intervention petition for December 10

The Court of Appeal today re-fixed for December 10 the delivery of its order on the intervention petition filed by a Vehicle Importers Association, which is seeking permission to intervene in the writ petitions filed by John Keells CG Auto (Pvt) Ltd, the authorised distributor of BYD vehicles in Sri Lanka.

CSE sees broad-based recovery after recent losses

The Colombo Stock Exchange witnessed a strong recovery on Tuesday (02nd December 2025), as the ASPI rebounded by 219.51 points (+1.00%) to close at 22,241.57, following yesterday’s panic-induced sell-off.

IOC president calls for end to 'finger-pointing' in doping fight

International Olympic Committee president Kirsty Coventry and her World Anti-Doping Agency counterpart on Tuesday called for unity in the fight against performance-enhancing drugs following a fracture with the United States.

Fifa set to use VAR for corners at World Cup

Fifa is set to press ahead with plans to have VAR checks on the awarding of corner kicks at the 2026 World Cup despite domestic leagues rejecting the idea for the wider game.

India rejects Pakistan’s claim of delayed clearance for SL relief flight

India rejected Pakistan’s accusation that New Delhi had delayed granting overflight clearance for a Pakistani aircraft carrying humanitarian aid to Sri Lanka, calling the allegation “ridiculous” and “misinformation.”

Port City Colombo extends Rs. 10Mn, on-ground support for Cyclone Ditwah relief

CHEC Port City Colombo (Pvt) Ltd. has donated Rs. 10 million to the Government’s newly established ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund and has mobilised on-ground assistance to support recovery efforts, following one of the most devastating natural disasters to hit the country.

Rainfall expected to increase from Thursday

The Department of Meteorology says the Northeast Monsoon is expected to gradually establish over the island in the coming days, bringing increased rainfall to several regions.

Initial grant to restore sanitation, clean houses increased to Rs. 25,000

The Ministry of Finance has approved an increase in the assistance granted for cleaning flood-affected houses and property from Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 25,000.

UAE’s second batch of humanitarian aid arrives in Sri Lanka

The second batch of humanitarian aid donated by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) arrived in Sri Lanka this afternoon to support communities severely affected by the recent disaster, President’s Media Division (PMD)said.

Parliament website re-launched; people can now engage directly with MPs

People are now able to engage directly with the MPs through the new Parliament website, which was inaugurated by Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne recently.

Over 150 water supply systems hit by islandwide adverse weather: NWSDB

The adverse weather conditions affecting the island have severely disrupted water supply operations across multiple districts, the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) said.

Former Minister C.B. Rathnayake remanded

Former Minister C.B. Rathnayake, who was arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption over an offence said to have been committed under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, was remanded till December 16 by Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama.

Massive price hike for vegetables — Current prices by some vendors

Vegetable prices in Sri Lanka have surged dramatically after the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah destroyed crops. With supply down, local vendors have been forced to raise prices sharply.

CMC suspends parking fees until Dec. 5

The Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) said that parking fees within Colombo city limits will be temporarily suspended to assist residents affected by Cyclone Ditwah.

Ex-England player arrested on suspicion of attempted rape

A former England and Premier League footballer has been arrested on suspicion of attempted rape.

Salah a top professional after being dropped - Slot

Liverpool manager Arne Slot described forward Mohamed Salah as a ’’top professional’’ for his response to being dropped.

Former England batter Robin Smith dies aged 62

Nicknamed ’Judge’, Smith played 62 Tests between 1988 and 1996, scoring 4,236 runs at an average 43.67, including nine centuries.

Chilaw Hospital OPD to reopen

The Outpatients’ Department (OPD) of the Chilaw District General Hospital, which was temporarily closed due to adverse weather conditions, will reopen to the public tomorrow (03), hospital authorities said.

Over 275,000 children affected in Sri Lanka following Cyclone: UNICEF

UNICEF Sri Lanka has warned that more than 275,000 children have been affected by the devastating Cyclone Ditwah, which struck the East Coast on 28 November.

Dambulla to Host Sri Lanka–Pakistan T20 Clash in January

Sri Lanka will host a three-match T20 series against Pakistan in January, the cricket board announced on Tuesday.

A/L exam to resume in early January

The Education Ministry has decided to conduct the rest of the GCE Advanced Level examination in early January 2026, Ministry Secretary Nalaka Kaluwewa said.