Textile shop owner who discreetly filmed women in fitting room arrested

A businessman who secretly placed a camera in the fitting room of his clothing outlet in the Thalawathugoda area and watched women trying on clothes was arrested by Thalangama Police yesterday.Police examined the suspect’s mobile phone and found 201 video clips of young women changing their clothes.

Post-flood operations to continue despite North-East monsoon

Despite the northeast monsoon being just around the corner, post-flood operations, including relief programmes, rescue, evacuation, and rehabilitation activities, will continue uninterrupted, officials stressed.

Post disaster recovery: government in consultation with IMF

The government will carry out its post- disaster economic recovery plan in consultation with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), an official said yesterday.

RDA needs one and half years to reconstruct bridges

The Road Development Authority (RDA ) will need at least one and half years to reconstruct major bridges damaged in the recent disasters triggered by cyclone Ditwah, an official said yesterday.

Underworld Hides behind disaster relief

Sri Lanka is witnessing a surge in violent incidents, including shootings, as some individuals appear to be taking advantage of the chaos following Cyclone Ditwah, which caused widespread flooding, landslides, and over 600 deaths across the country.

No institution was prepared for recent disaster: President

No institution was prepared to face the recent disaster, as none had drawn up plans to respond to an emergency of such scale, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake told Parliament yesterday.

Tourism body appeals for warmer welcomes: ‘Ayubowan’, king coconuts and bananas to reassure visitors

The Sri Lanka Institute of National Tourist Guide Lecturers (SLINTGL) has issued an emotional appeal to the public, urging citizens to go beyond standard hospitality by greeting every tourist with a warm

Tea industry hit hard; damaged machinery will take months to function again

In the wake of the natural disaster that took place in Sri Lanka last week, the tea industry was hit hard and may take months to recover to normal as machinery that has been destroyed has to be sent abroad to

Independent LG member’s hand bitten by NPP politician over flood-relief distribution

An 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

Children at the centre of danger after Ditwah - Experts warn

With the Ditwah cyclone finally behind us and floodwaters slowly receding, health experts warn children are at the centre of danger owing to the rise in post-disaster illnesses.

Cyclone Ditwah inflicts economic loss three times the tsunami damage

The economic loss of Cyclone Ditwah is roughly estimated at around US $ 6 to 7 billion - more than three times the damage caused by the 2004 tsunami, an official said yesterday.

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.

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.

PHIs on alert to stop disaster-hit meat entering markets : One-week meat ban imposed in Mannar

A one-week ban on the sale of meat has been imposed in the Mannar District following the death of large numbers of livestock during recent floods.

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.

Public urged to stay alert as increased rainfall forecast from Dec. 4

The Department of Meteorology has warned that monsoon conditions are expected to gradually establish across Sri Lanka over the next few days Issuing a statement last evening, the department said that from

Over 275,000 children affected in Sri Lanka - UNICEF

Over 275,000 children are among the 1.4 million people affected by Cyclone Ditwah, which made landfall on the East Coast early on 28 November, UNICEF said yesterday.

Price of vegetables declining

The prices of all varieties of vegetables at the Dambulla Economic Centre were subject to a sharp decline by last morning. President of Dambulla Economic Centre Trader Association C. S. Siriwardene said large

Floods recede in some areas but risks still remain: DMC

Floods were receding in some areas but risks still remained as the Northeast Monsoon is expected to set in later during the coming days. Risks of floods remained especially in the areas in the vicinity of

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.

Floods: no one spared

People rescue a goat stranded due to floods in Wellampitiya, Colombo.

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.

Floods cost ailing SL economy dearly

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

Vegetable prices triple, fish costs double amid supply shortages

Prices of essential food items soared across the country yesterday morning as ongoing adverse weather and disaster conditions severely disrupted supply chains.

Weather-induced devastation:  unfathomable or warnings ignored

Despite forecasts of torrential downpours above 150 mm by the Meteorology Department, the failure in the pre-assessment of possible impact reduced space for the mitigation of damage this time, the Daily Mirror learns.

Hundreds dead, hundreds missing

The weather-induced disasters claimed as many as 334 lives, as reported by yesterday evening, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said. It is feared that the death toll will increase further, making it the worst natural disaster after the 2004 tsunami. The DMC said 370 people are still reported missing. Kandy and Badulla remain the worst-hit districts with 88 and 71 deaths reported, respectively.

Understanding the flood aftermath: What public should be aware of now

Sri Lanka is now deep inside a disaster that continues to evolve. Floods have swept through major districts, rivers have crossed dangerous levels, landslides have crushed homes, and thousands have taken shelter in safe centres.

SC affirms foreign university graduates are proud citizens of this country too

The Supreme Court, in a judgment relating to a Fundamental Rights petition filed by 66 graduates holding bachelor’s degrees from various foreign universities, observed that just as much as those who graduate from State universities, foreign university graduates too are proud citizens of this country.

Bond scam has cost more than Rs 7 billion to CB and EPF

It is assumed that the famous bond scam of 2015 has cost more than 7 billion to the Central Bank (CB) and EPF though the total impact on it to the national economy is yet to be computed, Parliament was informed yesterday.

Woman remanded over alleged deliberate killing of street dog in Pannipitiya

A woman arrested over the death of a street dog allegedly run over intentionally in Pannipitiya has been remanded until December 9 by the Homagama Magistrate’s Court.