VFS Global extends support to Sri Lanka’s flood relief efforts

Reaffirming its long-standing partnership with Sri Lanka, VFS Global has extended support to the country’s official flood relief efforts, offering financial assistance and mobilising employees to help affected families.

Tourism sector shows resilience after recent disaster

The FIFA World Cup 2026 draw is here - this is how it will work

Pots, quadrants, confederation constraints, group position grids... the 2026 World Cup finals draw on Friday is not going to be a straightforward affair.

'I was rescued by war heroes’: Archchuna

Jaffna District MP Ramanathan Archchuna said today that he was rescued by the war heroes when he was caught in the floods.

Tanzanian woman gives birth at BIA

A 29-year-old Tanzanian woman gave birth at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) after arriving from Dubai this morning.

Court suspends unauthorised production of novella ’Mai Maara Prasangaya’

The Colombo Commercial High Court issued several enjoining orders against several vendors and booksellers engaged in the unauthorised reproduction and public distribution of the novella ’Mai Maara Prasangaya’ authored and published by popular novelist Mahinda Prasad Masimbula.

Independent Local Government member’s hand bitten by NPP politician

A National People’s Power (NPP) politician allegedly bit the hand of an independent Local Government member during a dispute over the distribution of lunch packets to flood victims in Kaduwela, MP D.V. Chanaka revealed in Parliament today.

Severe lightning warning issued for 15 districts

The Department of Meteorology has issued a red alert for severe lightning in parts of the country, including the Western and Sabaragamuwa Provinces, and the Galle and Matara districts, effective until 11.00 p.m. today.

India sets up field hospital in Mahiyanganaya for flood-hit communities

A fully operational field hospital has been established in Mahiyanganaya, near Kandy, by an Indian medical team to support flood-affected communities with urgent healthcare needs.

Putin says Russia will take Donbas by force or Ukraine’s troops will withdraw

President Vladimir Putin has warned again that Ukrainian troops must withdraw from Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region or Russia will seize it, rejecting any compromise over how to end the war in Ukraine.

Puttalam Line Train Services Extended to Nattandiya

Train services on the Puttalam line will now be extended to Nattandiya following the completion of repair work between Kochchikade and Nattandiya, the Railways Department said.

SLTB allows train season ticket holders to use SLTB buses temporarily

The Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) has announced that commuters holding train season tickets can temporarily travel on SLTB buses following the suspension of train services due to the recent cyclone.

NTC takes action against bus crew for endangering passengers in floods

The National Transport Commission (NTC) has disciplined the Monaragala-Colombo bus owner, driver, and conductor for putting passengers at risk while traveling through flooded areas in Kumbukkana.

Government to relocate displaced people in safer locations: Minister

The government has paid special attention on relocating the displaced people in safer locations rather than settling them in their original locations, Minister of Public Security Ananda Wijepala said today.

Cyclone Ditwah damages 416 factories: Government allocates Rs. 3 billion for immediate assistance

The Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Ministry has reported that 416 manufacturing and export factories across Sri Lanka have been affected by Cyclone Ditwah. The ministry has proposed providing 25% of the total damages to the affected factories immediately.

Meteorological Department head threatened by Defence Secretary: MP

The Defence Secretary has summoned the head of the Meteorological Department to his office and had threatened him, asking him to refrain from making statements to the media, Opposition MP Ranjith Madduma Bandara told Parliament today.

Rupees 10 billion allocated for cash compensation for disaster hit people: Minister

A sum of Rs. 10 billion has been allocated to pay cash compensation to all disaster affected persons, Minister of Public Security Ananda Wijepala told Parliament today.

Police recover $19k Fabergé egg swallowed by NZ man

A diamond-studded locket swallowed by a New Zealand man who tried to steal it has been ’’recovered’’, police say.

Over 28,000 tri-forces personnel deployed for nationwide relief operations

More than 28,300 tri-forces personnel have been deployed across the country to support rescue and relief efforts following the severe floods and landslides triggered by recent adverse weather, the Special Disaster Operations Media Centre said.

US widens travel ban to more than 30 countries, Noem says

The US plans to expand the number of countries covered by its travel ban to more than 30, US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said on Thursday (Dec 4).

Government using emergency regulations to suppress social media: Kabir

The Opposition today alleged that the government is using the emergency regulations to suppress social media instead of using them for the benefit of the affected people.

Man who killed ex-Japan PM Shinzo Abe apologises to his family

The man accused of assassinating former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe has apologised to the ex-leader’s family for the first time.

'X Press Pearl' case before Singaporean courts temporarily halted: Minister

The X Press Pearl case which was pending before Singaporean courts has been halted temporarily, Minister of Justice Harshana Nanayalkara told Parliament today.

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