Ad hoc food donations lead to wastage while the needy remain unattended

Several pictures circulating on social media and complaints from locals residing in flood-affected areas reveal that food distributions by independent donors have been conducted in an ad hoc manner, without assessing the situation or determining the exact number of people who require food.

No more cyclonic storm, but rain will continue: Met. Department

Sri Lanka will continue to experience showers this month as the Northeast Monsoon remains activated, an official from the Department of Meteorology said yesterday.

Coast Guard ship Huravee offers disaster relief supportin Sri Lanka

The Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) Coast Guard ship Huravee has made its first official visit to Sri Lanka, joining the country’s 75th Navy anniversary celebrations and offering readiness to provide humanitarian and disaster relief support amid ongoing floods.

Fallen SLAF pilot posthumously promoted to Group Captain

Wing Commander Nirmal Siyambalapitiya, who lost his life in the recent helicopter crash in Lunuwila, Wennappuwa, has been posthumously promoted to the rank of Group Captain, the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) said.

Flight carrying humanitarian assistance arrives from UAE

A flight carrying humanitarian assistance from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for those affected by the recent disaster situation in Sri Lanka arrived in the country early this morning, President’s Media Division (PMD)said.

Putin extends condolences to Sri Lankan President

Russian President Vladimir Putin has extended his condolences to Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake following the recent floods and landslides that have caused significant loss of life and widespread destruction across the island nation.

Duty free mechanism introduced for overseas disaster relief donations

The Government has introduced a more convenient procedure to expedite the clearance and distribution of all material aid sent to the country, free of all tariffs and charges.

India opens up airspace for Pakistan’s aid flight to cyclone hit Sri Lanka

India has granted rapid clearance for Pakistan’s aid flight carrying relief material to cyclone-hit Sri Lanka, foreign media reported today.

Resettle flood affected people in safe areas: Cardinal

Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith urged authorities to resettle flood affected people in safe areas which do not go under water.

IPL 2026 Auction: 3 Sri Lankans among top INR 2 Crore picks

Matheesha Pathirana, Maheesh Theekshana, and Wanindu Hasaranga are among 46 players entering the 2026 IPL auction at the maximum base price of INR 2 crore. The long list of 1,355 registered cricketers was shared with franchises on Monday following the November 30 registration deadline.

Ireland name squad for ICC Men’s Under-19 World Cup

Olly Riley will lead the squad as Reuben Wilson is set to make his third appearance in the marquee event.

Government to import frozen vegetables

The Government has decided to import frozen vegetables that comply with the standards of the Department of Agriculture, Commissioner General of Essential Services B.K. Prabath Chandrakeerthi said today.

Legal action to be taken against traders for selling goods at higher prices

The Commissioner General of Essential Services announced today that legal action will be taken against any business or individual who employs unfair or malicious trading practices by increasing prices, unnecessarily hoarding or concealing consumer goods while taking advantage of the current disaster situation.

Man shot dead in Chinabay

A 59-year-old man was shot dead by two unidentified men who arrived on a motorcycle at the 5th Mile Post in Chinabay, Trincomalee a short while ago.

WHO warning over shortage of obesity jabs

Fewer than one in 10 people who could benefit from obesity jabs like Wegovy are able to get them, warns the World Health Organization as it releases its first guidance on the drugs.

Modi holds telephone conversation with Anura Kumara Dissanayake

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a telephone conversation with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake regarding the current situation.

ASPI suffers heavy losses amid heightened uncertainty

The Colombo Stock Exchange endured a sharp sell-off, as heightened uncertainty stemming from the recent unrest in the country severely dented investor confidence. The market opened on a deeply bearish note, with widespread panic selling dominating early trading. Within the first 30 minutes, the ASPI plunged by over 830 points before recovering nearly 511 points of the initial losses through late-morning bargain hunting.

November train season tickets valid until December 7

The Railways Department has announced that the validity period of monthly and quarterly train season tickets for November 2025 has been extended until December 7, 2025.

Bangladesh to send relief, rescue team to Sri Lanka

Bangladesh will dispatch emergency relief supplies and a rescue team to disaster-stricken Sri Lanka on December 3, subject to weather conditions, following the directive of the Chief Adviser Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus amid severe floods and landslides caused by Cyclone Ditva.

Video: Helicopter wreckage removed after Lunuwila crash

The wreckage of an Air Force Bell 212 helicopter that crashed in the Lunuwila area of Wennappuwa has been removed from the site.

New Zealand contributes NZ$ 1 million to support emergency humanitarian relief

New Zealand has contributed New Zealand dollars one million to support emergency humanitarian relief through an international humanitarian partner.

Management Committee of ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund appointed

Cabinet approval has been granted to establish the ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund, aimed at rebuilding the country following the severe devastation caused by Cyclone ‘Ditwah’, one of the worst natural disasters in Sri Lanka’s recent history.

Adverse weather leaves 366 dead, 367 missing

The nationwide toll from the ongoing adverse weather has surged sharply, with 366 deaths and 367 people reported missing as of 5.00 p.m. today, according to the Disaster Management Centre (DMC).

UK provides $890,000 in emergency aid to Sri Lanka after cyclone Ditwah

As Sri Lanka begins to recover from the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah, the United Kingdom has pledged $890,000 (£675,000) in urgent humanitarian support.

Discussion underway with World Bank to assess damage, financial requirements for reconstruction: President

The government has begun discussions with the World Bank to prepare a detailed assessment of the damage across sectors and the financial requirements for reconstruction, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said.

LPL 2026 gets new July–August dates

Sri Lanka Cricket has confirmed that the sixth edition of the Lanka Premier League will be played from 8 July to 8 August 2026. The revised dates follow the postponement of the tournament, which was initially scheduled for December 2025.

Over 100 roads disrupted by floods and landslides: RDA

The Road Development Authority (RDA) has reported that heavy rainfall and flooding have disrupted transportation on at least 108 roads across the country in recent days.

Police urge public to stop sharing false news amid crisis

Strict legal action will be taken against individuals who irresponsibly circulate false or unethical information at a time when the nation is united in responding to the ongoing disaster, police said.

Chilaw Hospital shut down after severe flooding

The Chilaw General Hospital has been temporarily closed until further notice after heavy rains triggered severe flooding across the premises.

Landslide towns partially accessible

At least one access road has been opened to landslide-affected towns, the Road Development Authority (RDA) Director General, Eng. K.W. Kandamby said.