Dec 17 (AD) Investigations have been launched into a video circulating on social media that allegedly shows a man torturing and setting fire to a wild elephant in the Ambagahawala area of Seeppukulama, Mihintale, according to the Department of Wildlife Conservation. The Dept stated that details surrounding the death of the elephant are scheduled to be presented to court today. Dept noted that the suspect responsible for setting fire to the elephant has not yet been apprehended. more..

Dec 17 (EN) Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has warned the general public of ongoing scams attempting to swindle money from potential investors in share market. The market regulator has already identified Bule Ocean Securities Limited and Gladius South Asia involved in scams. Tushara Jayaratne, the deputy director general of the SEC said the Blue Ocean has been involved in asking investors to start trading through an app named BOMate. “From this app, you can’t trade shares. more..

Dec 17 (AD) The Yellow Anaconda hatchling which was reported missing from the Dehiwala National Zoological Gardens recently, has been recovered. The hatchling was found inside an iron box within the Reptilium of the zoo, less than 24 hours after the zoo keeper in charge of the relevant section was interdicted in connection with its disappearance. The hatchling, measuring between 1.5 and 2 feet in length, was the only Yellow Anaconda in the Dehiwala Zoo. more..

Dec 17 (FT) It is a well-established principle that income tax is imposed on net income, after allowing deductions for expenses incurred in the production of income, losses and outgoings, as well as qualifying payments, including donations made to the Govt, subject to the provisions of the Inland Revenue Act, No. 24 of 2017 (the Act). Accordingly, people affected by Cyclone Ditwah may claim deductions for losses arising from the disaster for income tax purposes under Section 19 of the Act. more..

Dec 17 (FT) Sri Lanka is confronting a moment of profound national crisis. The devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah, marked by widespread flooding, landslides, and the displacement of more than a million people, has collided with the pressures of a sovereign debt crisis and a fragile post-default recovery. As in many countries facing climate-induced disasters, the scale of the emergency has reignited debate about what a Govt can afford to do, how it should pay for it, and more..

Dec 17 (FT) Three major State agencies face an estimated Rs. 216 billion infrastructure funding requirement following damage caused by the Ditwah-related natural disasters, officials told a Parliament Oversight Committee. Three agencies are RDA, CEB & Water Board, highlighting the scale of the recovery challenge confronting public finances. Govt has asked Parliament to approve a supplementary estimate more..

Dec 17 (NW) Turkish Airlines flight TK 733 from Colombo to Istanbul landed safely at BIA at 12:28 a.m. following the reported technical issue. Airport authorities confirm all passengers and crew are safe. Airport officials say there is no disruption to other flights at BIA, despite the emergency situation involving the Turkish Airlines aircraft. A Turkish Airlines passenger flight bound for Istanbul reported a landing gear malfunction shortly after departing BIA on Tuesday night, more..

Dec 17 (Island) The govt has granted special leave to state officials who were unable to report to work due to floods, landslides, and road blockages. The relevant circular was issued yesterday by the Secretary to the Ministry of Public Admin, PCs and LG to all Ministry Secretaries, Provincial Chief Secretaries, and Heads of Depts. Accordingly, special leave will be granted to officials who were unable to report to work due to disruptions to public transport services between their place of more..

Dec 17 (TM) In an attempt to address the concerns raised about overcrowding, the lack of privacy and safety related concerns of females in evacuation centres established following the cyclone Ditwah and associated disasters, the authorities are moving from large, crowded shelters to temporary, family-based housing units, said Deputy Health Minister, Dr. Hansaka Wijemuni. He stated that evacuation centres are no longer more..

Dec 17 (FT) Cabinet on Monday approved a near-doubling of the cost estimate for the Lower Malwathu Oya Multi-Purpose Development Project to Rs. 47.18 billion and extended its completion deadline to 31 Dec 2030, underscoring both the scale of the country’s development ambitions in the Northern Province and the fiscal realities reshaping long-delayed infrastructure projects. Originally launched in 2016, project was designed to address chronic water scarcity in Lower Malwathu Oya Valley, more..

Dec 17 (TM) In the wake of calls by the Electricity Consumers Association (ECA) for Public Utilities Commission of SL (PUCSL) to announce clear deadlines for electricity tariff revision proposals, the latter stated that there is no scope for it to impose such requirements by law. PUCSL Director Jayanat Herat said that tariff revisions are guided by Govt policy and that the Commission’s role begins only after a proposal is submitted. “We have not received a tariff revision proposal so far. more..

Dec 17 (AD) A foreign-manufactured firearm and a stock of ammunition have been recovered based on information revealed during the interrogation of an underworld gang member known as Kehelbaddara Padme, who is currently being held under a detention order. Officers of the CID uncovered that a firearm and other property belonging to the suspect had been concealed in the country under the custody of another organized criminal who is currently overseas. more..

Dec 17 (TM) A Police Sergeant has been interdicted for allegedly maintaining close contact with the female suspect, Nanda Kumar Thakshee, who is currently being held under a 90-day detention order (DO) in connection with the murder of organised crime figure Sanjeewa Kumara Samararatne, also known as Ganemulla Sanjeewa, at the Aluthkade court complex. Police investigations revealed that the Sergeant and the suspect exchanged gestures and communicated using sign language, more..

Dec 17 (TM) Plantation and Community Infrastructure Ministry stated Govt has a comprehensive plan to support estate sector families affected by Cyclone Ditwah and assured that all forms of relief and assistance would be provided without delay. Deputy subject Minister Sundaralingam Pradeep said that the Govt was already extending financial support to affected children through existing allowance schemes, more..

Dec 17 (NW) Minister of Power Kumara Jayakody says SL has prepared a draft National Electricity Policy as part of a broader national energy strategy aimed at meeting current and future needs while addressing sector challenges. A committee of experts,consisting of Prof. Mohan Munasinghe, Prof. Arulampalam Atputharajah, Prof. Wijendra Bandara, Dr. M.M. Gunathilaka, Engineer Shavindranath Fernando, and President’s Counsel Milinda Gunatilaka, was appointed by the Cabinet more..

Dec 17 (DM) SL construction sector recorded a robust double-digit growth of 12.2% in the third quarter of 2025, maintaining its recovery momentum and catalysing broader activity across the real estate and professional services sectors. According to provisional estimates, the construction industry generated Rs. 499.9 billion in Gross Value Added (GVA) at current prices during the quarter ending Sept 30, 2025. This performance secured a 6% share of SL’s total GDP for the period. more..

Dec 17 (DN) SL Under-19 team, captained by Vimath Dinsara, looks to maintain its winning momentum against Bangladesh in the final Group match of the Asia Cup today at the ICC Academy Grounds in Dubai. Both SL and Bangladesh recorded back-to-back victories to secure semi-final spots. SL tops the points table with a net run rate of 1.848, while Bangladesh sits second with 1.558. This match will decide the group leader ahead of the semi-finals. SL’s narrow two-wicket victory more..

Dec 17 (Island) The second edition of the National Short ‎Track Athletics Championships will be held at the 200 metres track of the Sugathadasa Stadium on Jan 3, 2026. The event scheduled for a 1 pm start is limited to a few track and field events generally held at indoor stadiums. It will be the first track and field event of the year and will be held when Sri Lanka Athletics is governed under a convening committee. ‎Sri Lanka Athletics is without an elected body after Sports Ministry’s attempt to conduct election more..

Dec 17 (FT) The anticipated tourism rebound is edging into its final, decisive stretch of 2025 with arrivals now firmly above 2.2 million as of first half of the month, but the arithmetic of the final weeks suggests the industry will need an exceptional December to meaningfully exceed its lower-end ambitions. SL welcomed 93,031 visitors in the first 2 weeks of Dec, a 4.2% increase from 89,317 recorded over the same period last yr. more..

Dec 17 (DM) Initial Public Offering (IPO) of Wealth Trust Securities Limited (WTS) opens today, inviting the public to subscribe for 71,548,244 Ordinary Voting Shares at an Issue Price of Rs. 7 per share. Through the Issue, WTS seeks to raise a total of Rs. 500,837,708, with the Company’s shares expected to be listed on the Diri Savi Board of the CSE. WTS is a Primary Dealer authorised by the Central Bank of SL, and is also licensed by the SEC as a Stock Broker (Debt) and Stock Dealer (Debt). more..

Dec 17 (ST) An elite 8-member team from the 2nd Commando Regiment of the SL Army spearheaded a dramatic rescue of a 3-month-old infant under extremely challenging conditions from the remote Meemure area. This 8-member team had found a 3-month-old infant and her grandmother while searching a house in the Karambaketiya village on Dec 3. Infant was in an extremely weak state at the time she was found as she had been separated from her mother and was in need of mother’s milk. more..

Dec 17 (FT) Sri Lanka’s tea production declined in November 2025, reversing the marginal gains seen a month earlier, although cumulative output for the year to date remained ahead of last year’s levels. Provisional data show November production at 21.45 million kilos (Mnkg), a decrease of 1.28 Mnkg from 22.73 Mnkg recorded in Nov 2024. All elevations recorded negative variances year-on-year. Compared to November 2023, however, output increased by 1.67 Mnkg from 19.78 Mnkg. more..

Dec 17 (CI) SL has named a young squad for the forthcoming T20Is against India, bringing in the likes of 17-year-old ambidextrous spinner Shashini Gimhani, 23-year-old seamer Kawya Kavindi, while 19-year-old Rashmika Sewwandi has also been named. Captain Chamari Athapaththu also has some experienced hands in her ranks for the series, with spinner Inoka Ranaweera, 39, also in the squad, alongside a top order that has now had significant exposure at the top level. more..

Dec 17 (ST) Amid mounting public concern over the agricultural impact of Cyclone Ditwah and fluctuating market prices of paddy and field crops, experts insist that SL will not face an imminent food shortage. Despite an estimated loss of more than 100,000 hectares of paddy and over 11,000 hectares of other field crops following the cyclone, CEO of HARTI Prof. A.L. Sandika said food security was not under threat. more..

Dec 17 (Island) Charles Sturt Uni is expanding its international presence with a new campus in SL, opening doors for students to access globally recognised Australian qualifications closer to home.  The campus will be delivered in partnership with Prospects Education. Students will initially be offered courses in business and early childhood education, with disciplines such as information technology, psychology, engineering and health earmarked for future expansion.  more..

Dec 17 (FT) SL’s technology services sector (including IT, BPM & tech services) is entering a phase of pay normalisation, with companies moving away from crisis-era salary hikes and sharpening their focus on performance- and skill-based rewards, according to SLASSCOM Compensation and Benefits Survey Report 2025. The survey, covering IT, BPM and tech-enabled businesses, shows incremental budgets settling into more sustainable levels, even as competition for skilled more..

Dec 17 (Island) Colombo Port is always in the news for the wrong reasons. More than 300 container trucks loaded with cargo are waiting within its premises due to a clearance delay, according to a report we published yesterday. The Container Transport Vehicle Owners’ Association has urged the govt to take action to eliminate the port delays forthwith. It has warned that there will be a shortage of essential commodities soon if delays persist. Additional expenditure incurred by more..

Dec 17 (DM) SL, once envisioned as a potential economic powerhouse in South Asia, has navigated a tumultuous path since its independence in 1948. The narrative has shifted from one of high promise being second only to Japan in economic metrics post-independence to one dominated by economic mismanagement, deep-seated corruption, political instability, and catastrophic events. Recurrent crises, from insurrections and the Easter Sunday attacks to the devastating economic collapse of 2022, more..

Dec 17 (CT) Sri Lanka’s National Physical Plan (NPP) was conceived as the country’s highest-level spatial blueprint—a long-term, technocratic roadmap intended to guide land use, infrastructure, environmental conservation, and regional development across a 30-year horizon. Instead of responding to political winds, it was designed to be the compass that directs govts, ensuring that the country’s physical growth remains coherent, more..

Dec 17 (ST) If the satirical writing of the British poet who penned the words above is not appreciated by those in this country, at least his thoughts have proved to be prophetic even centuries later. Over the years the words of Alexander Pope have shown that we in SL seemed determined to follow the first words of Pope’s saying but not the rest of what he said in that sentence: “Whate’er is best administered is best.” For those in this country who followed SL’s political antics but wisely kept away from it, more..

Dec 17 (CT) It has been several days since the accident involving the former Speaker of the Parliament and NPP MP Asoka Ranwala, and while expressing concern over the safe recovery of those injured from the collision, information revealed regarding the actions of the Police in investigating the particulars of the case paint a picture that is not helpful for the NPP Govt and its administration. Of course, matters are made worse when considering the fact that the incident involved Ranwala, more..