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.

Public urged to take precautions as post-flood diseases surge

Health officials have raised concerns over a rise in leptospirosis (rat fever), diarrhoea, chikungunya, dengue and various skin infections in the aftermath of recent floods across several parts of Sri Lanka.

Nearly 70 countries pledge humanitarian aid to Sri Lanka: Minister

Nearly seventy countries have already offered to provide humanitarian aid to Sri Lanka in the wake of the disaster situation in the country, Ports and Civil Aviation Minister Anura Karunathilake said today.

November records 2.1 mn tourists

The month of November has recorded around 2.1 million tourists for the year so far.

Fourth U.S. Coast Guard cutter transferred to Sri Lanka

A fourth U.S. Coast Guard cutter is being transferred to the Sri Lanka Navy, US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung said today.

Appoint Parliamentary Select Committee to probe allegations of failure to prevent disaster: Namal

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP Namal Rajapaksa today urged the Speaker to appoint a Parliamentary Select Committee to investigate into the allegations of the failure to prevent the devastation caused by the adverse weather in the country.

Stop promoting infant formula, promote breastfeeding only

The Health Ministry has urged mothers not to feed infants with powdered milk, bottled milk or any forms of supplementary food, despite the challenging conditions created by the recent adverse weather.

SLAF has only four helicopters: Deputy Minister

The Sri Lankan Air Force (SLAF) had only four helicopters for use during the recent disaster, Deputy Minister of Defence Aruna Jayasekera told Parliament today.

Airbus to inspect some planes over ’quality issue’ with panels

Airbus has confirmed an unspecified number of its aircraft will undergo inspections after a ’’supplier quality issue’’ with metal panels used on some A320 planes was identified.

Navy divers repair flood-damaged water plants

In the aftermath of severe weather, the Sri Lanka Navy has launched a comprehensive, island-wide Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) programme to deliver essential services to affected communities.

‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund must get Parliament approval: Harsha

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Harsha de Silva said today that a fund called ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ cannot be established without Parliamentary approval and urged the government to get it approved by Parliament.

WHO allocates US$175,000 to strengthen health response in flood-hit Sri Lanka

The World Health Organization (WHO) has allocated US$175,000 in emergency funds to support critical health services for communities affected by severe flooding and landslides across all 25 districts of Sri Lanka.

Police told to act against those insulting President, Ministers

Deputy Minister Sunil Watagala has directed the police to invoke emergency regulations to take action against individuals carrying out defamatory social media campaigns targeting the President and several government Ministers.