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.

President responds to criticisms of govt’s handling of Ditwah

Acknowledging shortcomings in Sri Lanka’s disaster preparedness and response mechanisms, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated that Cyclone Ditwah exposed long-standing weaknesses that the government is now moving to correct.

Land cracked due to lies uttered by government: Thalatha

Former Minister Thalatha Athukorala said today that she believes that the land cracked because of the lies uttered by the government.

Hambantota Port grants extra 5 demurrage-free days for vehicle clearance in December

The Hambantota International Port Group (HIPG) has announced a special concession for vehicle importers, offering an additional five free days for clearing imported vehicles in December 2025.

A storm to hit Sri Lanka

A storm that developed in the Bay of Bengal area is expected to hit Sri Lanka, bringing rainfall of 75 mm, particularly to the northern, eastern and north-central provinces, according to the Department of Meteorology.

DHS detains Sri Lankan-born U.S. Professor, calls him ‘sex offender’

U.S. immigration agents said they arrested a Ferris State University professor originally from Sri Lanka who has a criminal history that includes death threats and conviction in a case involving a juvenile, the Detroit news reported.

President directs speedy repairs of Cyclone-hit roads in Nuwara Eliya

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has instructed officials to fast-track funding for the repair of roads, culverts, and embankments damaged in the Nuwara Eliya District, with all restoration work to be completed before the end of the year.

Rotten food sneaks into markets after floods

Health authorities are facing a massive challenge in preventing spoiled and unsafe food from reaching markets in the aftermath of the recent extreme weather conditions that caused widespread flooding across Sri Lanka.

PHIs bust distribution of flood-damaged rice

Public Health Inspectors (PHIs) have uncovered an illegal racket involving the processing and distribution of flood-damaged rice deemed unfit for consumption in the Harispattuwa area of the Kandy District.

CBSL issues advisory on handling flood-affected currency notes

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) issued a public advisory on how to handle wet or flood affected currency notes, in the aftermath of the recent floods that devastated the country.

Urgency looms as forecasted showers could affect rescue operations

While rescue and evacuation operations continue across the country, officials remain alert as predicted showers could pose challenges on the ongoing operations in the coming days.

Opposition claims to sue government over disaster absurd: SF

Former Member of Parliament Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka said the opposition’s move to sue the government for failing to prevent the disaster is absurd and claimed that the situation would have been the same even if the previous rulers had been in power.

Cyclone Ditwah cause Rs.190 billion damage to highways

Sri Lanka’s highway network has sustained damages roughly estimated at a staggering Rs.190 billion following the recent weather-induced disasters such as floods, earth-slips and landslides, an official said.

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.

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.

Cancel IMF agreement, talk to Trump, bring in new budget: Sajith

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa today called for a new programme to rebuild the nation after the recent disaster and therefore cancel the IMF agreement and go for a fresh agreement.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Vegetable stocks arrive; Ministry calls for unhindered transport

The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation said that large quantities of vegetables are now being collected from key supply regions in the Badulla District, including Welimada and Keppetipola.

Kelani River maintains critical flood level; Residents urged to evacuate

The Kelani River continues to rage at Nagalgam Street, maintaining a critical flood level of 8.45 feet, the Irrigation Department said.

Floods cost ailing SL economy dearly

In the wake of massive floods that have ravaged one-third of the country, Sri Lanka requires Rs. 31 billion as of November 28 for the restoration of agriculture, irrigation tanks, and damaged canals, according to a communication from the Foreign Ministry.

President declares key services as essential amid disaster

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has issued an extraordinary gazette notification declaring several critical services as essential services.

Nearly 1,000 prison escapes in last six years; 554 prisoners still at large

Serious security lapses have been reported in Sri Lankan prisons, with 995 prisoners or suspects escaping custody over the past six years, and 554 of them still not rearrested, according to a recent audit.

Daisy Forrest’s mental status questioned; High Court orders fresh medical review

Colombo High Court judge Udesh Ranatunga today directed the Colombo Chief Judicial Medical Officer to obtain a specialist psychiatric report to determine whether Daisy Forrest, the grandmother of Yoshitha Rajapaksa’s and a co-accused in the money laundering case is mentally fit to stand trial.

Sri Lankan student in Bengaluru blackmailed after video call by insta ’friend’

A 24-year-old Sri Lankan national in Bengaluru has fallen victim to an online sextortion racket involving an unidentified individual who first contacted him through Instagram.

UDA to lease Pettah Floating Market to Japanese for $160 million

The Urban Development Authority (UDA) is preparing to lease the Pettah Floating Market Complex to a Japanese investor for US$160 million.

Man questioned over Easter bombings seeks asylum in UK

A suspected man questioned over bombings that killed 269 people in Sri Lanka is seeking asylum in the UK.

Talent without brain or shame: Arjuna slams Sri Lanka cricket team

Former Sri Lanka cricket captain Arjuna Ranatunga criticised the current national team, saying the players possess talent but lack the brains to play intelligently and the shame to accept defeat gracefully.