Unauthorised filling of Muthurajawela led to floods in Gampaha town: Cardinal

Unauthorised filling of the Muthurajawela wetlands and pollution led to the flooding of Gampaha town during the recent floods, Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith said today.

Flight carrying disaster relief arrives from Russia

A Russian IL-76 cargo aircraft carrying disaster relief supplies arrived in Sri Lanka this afternoon to support communities displaced by Cyclone Ditwah.

Prolonged detention, two percent conviction rate, grim human rights Issue, says Wajira

United National Party (UNP) Chairman Wajira Abeywardena said that though a person can be held under arrest or detained for a prolonged period until investigations are completed, yet Sri Lanka’s conviction rate stands at only two percent—implying that the vast majority of those arrested ultimately experience violations of their rights.

Microsoft, MillenniumIT ESP to support data collection on damages caused by Cyclone

The Department of National Planning has launched a programme to collect information and data on businesses and properties damaged by Cyclone Ditwah, Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma said.

Nobel Peace Prize winner’s daughter accepts award on her behalf

The daughter of María Corina Machado, the winner of this year’s Nobel Peace Prize, has said her mother is determined to live in a free Venezuela and would ’’never give up on that purpose’’ as she accepted her mother’s award.

Preschools and early childhood centers set to reopen from Dec 16

The National Secretariat for Early Childhood Development, under the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs, has announced that all preschools and early childhood development centers deemed safe will reopen from December 16, 2025.

A/L exams to resume in January for subjects affected by adverse weather

The Examinations Department has announced that the 2025 GCE Advanced Level (A/L) examination will resume in January 2026 to cover the subjects that could not be held due to adverse weather conditions.

Jaffna Magistrate asks former President to submit affidavit on death threats

The Jaffna Magistrate ordered former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to submit an affidavit on the death threats he is currently facing before February 6, 2026. This order was given as Rajapaksa informed the court that he was unable to appear before the magistrate courts because of death threats.

European Union commits Euro 1.8 million in response to floods in Sri Lanka

In response to the devastating floods that have hit Sri Lanka, the European Union has committed Euros 1.8 million in emergency assistance for the most affected areas. This funding will serve to provide essential relief to the most vulnerable communities.

Former Continental Insurance Deputy Chairman arrested

The former Deputy Chairman of Continental Insurance Lanka Limited, Ganearachchige Deshankar Chaminda de Silva, was arrested by officers of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC).

Sperm from donor with cancer-causing gene was used to conceive almost 200 children

A sperm donor who unknowingly harboured a genetic mutation that dramatically raises the risk of cancer has fathered at least 197 children across Europe, a major investigation has revealed.

Mental health crisis looms in flood-hit areas, health experts warn

The Health Promotion Bureau has raised concerns over a potential surge in mental health issues among those affected by the recent floods.

Yellow anaconda calf still missing; social media reports false, Says Dehiwala Zoo

The Dehiwala Zoo has denied social media reports claiming that the yellow anaconda calf that went missing last Sunday has been found. The calf remains unaccounted for, Dehiwala Zoo Deputy Director Kasun Hemantha said.

Daisy Forrest to face mental evaluation before JMO tomorrow

The Deputy Solicitor General informed the Colombo High Court today that Daisy Forrest, the grandmother of Yoshitha Rajapaksa who is facing charges under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, is scheduled to be examined tomorrow by the Colombo Judicial Medical Officer to determine whether she is mentally fit to stand trial.

Education Ministry extends deadline for grade 6 applications

The Education Ministry has announced that the deadline for submitting Grade 06 applications following the re-survey of the Grade 05 Scholarship Examination results has been extended due to the current disaster situation.

‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ secures over Rs. 1.8Bn support

The Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Dr Harshana Suriyapperuma, stated that Rs. 1,893 million has been received in financial assistance from domestic contributors, Sri Lankans living overseas and various organisations, for the ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ initiative launched to rebuild the country following the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah.

Lal Kantha lashes out over lack of NBRO clarity

Minister K.D. Lal Kantha expressed strong frustration, warning that Kandy “may even have to be relocated” amid continuing red-level landslide alerts issued by the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO).

143km of Sri Lanka’s coastline polluted, cleanup to take weeks

The Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) reports that 143 kilometres of Sri Lanka’s coastline has been polluted following severe flooding triggered by Cyclone Ditwah.

Pirith sermon for flood victims at Gangaramaya

Over 5,000 houses destroyed, 639 dead in extreme weather

More than 5,000 houses have been completely destroyed, while 86,882 homes have been partially damaged due to the ongoing adverse weather conditions, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) reported.

NBRO clarifies process behind landslide early warnings

The National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) has outlined the scientific process behind issuing landslide early warnings, noting that alerts are generated using rainfall forecasts from the Meteorology Department along with real-time data from automated rain gauges placed in high-risk areas.

Sri Lankan commuters to get more real-time info on Google Maps: Bimal

Commuters will now be able monitor information on their travel more accurately, with Google updating details on 12,000km of the country’s main roads on its Google Maps service.

The Students Visa announces Official Agent–Principal Partnership with University of East Anglia

Sri Lanka’s fastest-growing and most trusted international education advisory firm, The Students Visa (TSV) recently announced its Official Agent–Principal partnership with the world-leading University of East Anglia (UEA) in the UK.

Over 8,000 state-issued firearms remain unlicensed under crop protection scheme, court told

The writ petition challenging the Defence Ministry’s decision to issue 13,207 firearms to farmers in December 2024 for crop protection was taken up before the Court of Appeal, where it was revealed that only 5,000 of these firearms have been formally licensed.

Strict law enforcement for human settlements in disaster prone hill country

In the wake of cyclone Ditwah that triggered landslides, the government is planning strict implementation of the laws and regulations related to creation of human settlements in hazard-prone areas of the mountainous districts, an official said.

A cyclone that left testing our President!

When you and your government won the elections last year, both local and international circles were stunned by the sheer magnitude of the victory. A map of Sri Lanka painted almost entirely in the NPP’s maroon colour sent a clear message from the people - they were exhausted by a corrupt system that enriched those in power while draining taxpayers to their last rupee.

Disaster hits Puttalam’s prawn industry

Export of prawns, which has been a lucrative business that brings in much needed foreign exchange to Sri Lanka, has come to a standstill due to the disaster situation that had hit the nation, two industrialists in the Puttalam District said yesterday.

Sri Lanka highlights its diversity in tourism in Holiday Expo Gent 2025, Belgium

Sri Lanka Embassy in Belgium together with the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau participated in the Holiday Expo Gent held from November 28 to 01 December 2025 at Flanders Expo in Belgium, for the second consecutive time, a statement from the mission said.

Office trains from Rambukkana, Polgahawela and Kurunegala resume tomorrow

The Railways Department announced that several office trains on the Main Line will resume operations from tomorrow (10), following the completion of urgent repair work in the Bujjomuwa area.

Bean prices surge as carrot prices fall across key economic centres

The price of beans at the Dambulla Dedicated Economic Centre has surged past Rs. 1,000 per kilogram, while the centre simultaneously reports a gradual decline in the price of carrots.