Dec 23 (AD) Cabinet has granted approval to implement measures aimed at minimizing the use of polythene and plastic within the Sri Pada highly sensitive ecosystem during the annual pilgrimage season. The Sri Pada pilgrimage season runs for six months annually from December and a huge quantity of decaying and non – decaying waste disposed by the pilgrims and other individuals who visit during that period is collected in the area, according to Cabinet Spokesman more..

Dec 23 (AD) Ministry of Education has announced revised school calendar for govt and govt-approved private schools. Accordingly, Sinhala and Tamil schools will remain closed for December holidays from today until Jan 4, 2026. Muslim schools will be closed for December holidays from Dec 27 to Jan 4, 2026. Issuing a statement, Ministry of Education stated that all schools are scheduled to commence the first phase of the first term of the 2026 academic year on Monday, Jan 5, 2026. more..

Dec 23 (AD) The External Affairs Minister of India, Dr. Subramaniam Jaishankar, met with the PM of SL, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, at Temple Trees today. Minister Jaishankar is currently in SL as the Special Envoy of Indian PM Narendra Modi. During the meeting, the Minister of External Affairs of India reaffirmed readiness to extend support for SL, including assistance in rebuilding railways, bridges, and strengthening of agricultural sector more..

Dec 23 (Island) President, Academy of Health Professionals, Ravi Kumudesh, yesterday (22), alleged that the National Medicines Regulatory Authority’s (NMRA) decision to suspend several batches of Ondansetron Injection USP 8 mg/4 mL (Batch Nos: OD24021E, OD25009E, OD25024E, OD25023E), following suspicions of patient complications, and a few reported deaths, seemed to be a bid to cover-up the latest public health sector crisis. Kumudesh said so responding to more..

Dec 23 (AD) A total of 1,025 suspects were arrested during island-wide raids conducted yesterday under the Nation United - National Drive campaign aimed at eradicating narcotics from the country. During these operations, the police obtained detention orders against 22 suspects, while 20 others were sent to rehabilitation. The objective of this initiative is to comprehensively curb the widespread drug trafficking prevailing in the country through a multifaceted strategy. more..

Dec 23 (AD) India will provide a USD 450 million package to assist in the reconstruction of areas affected by Cyclone Ditvah in SL, Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar announced. Dr. Jaishankar stated that the package comprises a USD 350 million concessionary line of credit and USD 100 million in grants, aimed at supporting the rebuilding of cyclone-affected regions in SL. Dr. S. Jaishankar, speaking as Special Envoy of more..

Dec 23 (NW) An arrest warrant has been issued against MP Ramanathan Archchuna. The Colombo Magistrate’s Court issued the warrant due to his failure to appear in court in connection with a case related to exerting influence on a police officer on duty. Colombo Magistrate Isuru Neththikumara today ordered MP Archchuna to be taken into custody and produced before court. It is reported that MP Archchuna is accused of having interfered with the duties of a Colombo Police officer. more..

Dec 23 (NW) The Cabinet has approved the continuation of the Suraksha Student Insurance Programme for the 2025–2026 academic year, along with a series of amendments to expand coverage and improve access. The programme, implemented through SL Insurance Corporation General Ltd, covers approximately four million students enrolled in govt schools, govt-approved private schools, pirivenas and assisted special schools. It provides health, accident and life insurance benefits more..

Dec 23 (NW) Cabinet has approved the establishment of seven new consultancy committees aimed at strengthening and promoting local production industries. The decision expands an existing framework of 20 consultancy boards already operating in the industrial and entrepreneurship development sector. The new committees will focus on indigenous and traditional medicine, confectionery production, traditional handicrafts, poultry-related industries, ornamental fish more..

Dec 23 (CT) Investigations into the explosion of an oil pipeline used to transport fuel from deep waters near the Colombo Port to the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) have revealed that responsibility lies with both the vessel involved and the CPC, according to Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) Chairman, Samantha Gunasekara. Gunasekara said, the findings emerged from an ongoing inquiry into the incident, which occurred in the early hours of 14 December. more..

Dec 23 (DM) More than 2,200 employees who applied for the CEB's Voluntary Retirement Scheme are facing growing anxiety and uncertainty as the programme continues to be delayed, applicants said. The affected employees have written to the Minister of Energy urging authorities to immediately announce a confirmed date for the scheme, warning that the prolonged delay has disrupted their future plans and caused more..

Dec 23 (Island) Members of the SL community in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area made a generous donation of USD 10,000 on 18 Dec to the Rebuilding Sri Lanka fund established by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka in support of the ongoing flood relief efforts, according to Foreign Ministry. The USD 10,000 was raised by the SL community of Washington D.C. by organizing the Rebuild Sri Lanka: Food Bazaar, held on 14 Dec at the Washington D.C. Buddhist temple premises, more..

Dec 23 (NW) SJB MP Kavinda Jayawardena has accused the Negombo Municipal Council of misconduct during the passage of its budget, claiming the vote was bypassed despite opposition objections. Jayawardena said SJB councillors had raised concerns about both the conduct of the council and shortcomings in the budget proposal. However, the Mayor of Negombo announced that the budget had been passed and left the council chambers without conducting a formal vote. more..

Dec 23 (DM) Jerome Fernando is not an unknown name is Sri Lanka. He is a name that has caught attention in the religious world and beyond as thousands of people follow his preachings and believe he is the modern day chosen Prophet of God. In a first of its kind exclusive interview, Jerome said he had his first encounter with God when he was only 16 years old and since then has been preaching his story to the world. more..

Dec 23 (NW) A new brief by the ILO sheds light on the devastating impact of Cyclone Ditwah, which made landfall in SL on 26 Nov, bringing catastrophic rains and causing landslides in large parts of the country. Most severe flooding took place in Northern and Eastern districts, with landslides particularly affected central areas, where many tea plantations are located. The brief combined remote sensing data on flood extent, population, agriculture and nightlight with labour force survey data more..

Dec 23 (DM) Despite the setback, CMC Mayor Vraie Cally Balthazaar said the budget would proceed to a second reading, during which amendments could still be proposed if necessary. Mayor Balthazaar emphasized that her mandate remains unchanged and said the budget is expected to come into effect within two weeks, allowing planned development projects and municipal services to move forward without disruption. She said the budget was prepared through an extensive consultative more..

Dec 23 (AD) Train operations on the Eastern Railway Line up to Batticaloa will resume tomorrow (24), the Department of Railways has announced. Accordingly, passengers traveling from Colombo Fort to Batticaloa, should use the Train No. 7083, which departs from the Colombo Fort station at 6 a.m. to Trincomalee. They will be required to board Train No. 6011 from the Gal Oya Railway Station, which is scheduled for Batticaloa at 12.40 p.m., Department said. more..

Dec 23 (EN) Cost of maintaining a domestic cash buffer by overborrowing, which was said to have been around 1.2 trillion by November costs about an extra 2% to maintain, parliament’s CoPF was told. “There is a margin of about 2% between the borrowing and the return we get,” Additional Director General Damitha Rathnayake said. “So we are downsizing it.” It was not clear whether the 2% was an average cost or the marginal cost of over-issuing longer term bonds and under-selling more..

Dec 23 (CT) Ministry of Health has formally abolished a 42-year-old administrative requirement that mandated spousal consent for individuals seeking sterilisation procedures, citing the need to align medical practices with fundamental human rights. The landmark change was enacted through a circular issued by Director General of Health Services, Asela Gunawardena. The directive effectively rescinds a 1983 amendment that more..

Dec 23 (Island) Amidst the ongoing controversy over the suspension of several batches of Indian manufactured Ondansetron Injection USP 8 mg/4 mL over safety fears, Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa undertook a visit to New Delhi. Indian HC in Colombo said: ‘Minister Dr. Jayatissa led a delegation to India from 17–19 Dec to participate in the 2nd WHO Traditional Medicine Global Summit held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. Summit was jointly organized by WHO and Ministry of more..

Dec 23 (NW) Rahul Sharma, a 24-year-old former under-19 Hong Kong cricketer and current exercise physiologist based in Melbourne, is set to run the length of Sri Lanka in a week to raise funds for childhood cancer research. Sharma plans to start his run on December 24 from Point Pedro at the northern tip of the island and finish at Dondra Head in the south by December 30. The challenge spans 574 kilometers (356.7 miles), requiring him to cover roughly 100 kilometers per day. more..

Dec 23 (Island) Sri Lanka’s share of the T20 World Cup will go ahead without disruption despite a recent cyclone and severe flooding that left large parts of the country battered and bruised. Tournament organisers confirmed that matches scheduled in the island nation will proceed as planned, with SL co-hosting the sport’s showpiece event alongside India. Three venues in SL will stage games during the competition. more..

Dec 23 (NW) SL Police on Tuesday announced a special traffic plan for central Colombo on Dec 24, anticipating heavy crowds and vehicle congestion as large numbers of people are expected to visit the Galle Face area to celebrate Christmas. Police said the temporary traffic arrangements will be enforced mainly around Fort, Pettah, Kollupitiya, Bambalapitiya, Maradana, Kompannavidiya and Cinnamon Gardens, where congestion is expected to peak during the evening hours. more..

Dec 23 (FT) Showcasing SL’s readiness to re-enter the global entertainment arena, the three-time Grammy award-winning R&B star Ne-Yo is set to kick off his South Asia tour from Colombo on 28 Dec. The show, produced by Brown Boy Presents, marks one of the biggest international performances the country has hosted in years. For an industry that has struggled with instability, inconsistent infrastructure, and limited global exposure, the event is a statement that the market is ready to grow again. more..

Dec 23 (FT) SL is living through one of the most devastating flood disasters in its recent history, with torrential rains from Cyclone Ditwah triggering landslides, river overflows and widespread inundation across all 25 districts. By mid-December, official figures from the DMC indicated 640 deaths and 211 missing as assessments still continue. More than 2 million people have been affected, with hundreds of thousands displaced and tens of thousands of homes destroyed or damaged, more..

Dec 23 (FT) Sri Lanka’s recent natural disaster has evolved beyond a humanitarian emergency into a systemic economic shock, affecting households, businesses, infrastructure, public finances, and growth prospects simultaneously. With approximately 17,648 housing units identified as uninhabitable by the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO), large-scale displacement and livelihood disruption have placed significant pressure on the economy. more..

Dec 23 (FT) Cyclone Ditwah has inflicted an estimated $ 4.1 billion (Rs. 1.3 trillion) in direct physical damage to buildings, agriculture, and critical infrastructure across SL, equivalent to around 4% of GDP, according to the highly anticipated Global Rapid Post-Disaster Damage Estimation (GRADE) report released yesterday by the WB. The cyclone, among the most intense and destructive in SL’s recent history, severely affected more..

Dec 23 (NW) Ruling NPP has lost the budget vote at the Colombo Municipal Council, dealing a political setback to the party despite it continuing to control the council. Although the NPP did not secure an outright majority at the LG election, it was able to form the administration of the Colombo MC with the support of smaller groups. However, the council’s budget was defeated after the joint opposition voted against it. 60 councillors voted against the budget while 57 supported it. more..

Dec 23 (TM) Vedda Chieftain, Uruwarige Wannila Aththo said the Vedda community is facing serious economic hardship following Cyclone Ditwah, despite not being directly affected by floods or landslides caused by the disaster. He said the impact of the cyclone has been felt indirectly, particularly through the sharp decline in tourism, which is the main source of income for many families in the community. “There were no floods or landslides in our areas, but the effects of more..

Dec 23 (DM) SL’s exports rose 5.56% year-on-year (YoY) in Nov 2025 to US $ 1.36 billion, supported by a steady growth in both merchandise shipments and services earnings, as the exporters sustained momentum amid the fragile global trade conditions. Total exports in November, including merchandise and services, reached an estimated US $ 1.36 billion, reflecting what the authorities described as the effectiveness more..

Dec 23 (DM) Toll collection at the Kerawalapitiya Interchange on the Colombo Outer Expressway will be discontinued from today. This change ends the inconvenience faced by drivers who previously had to obtain and pay for two tickets at separate locations. The RDA has taken this step to prevent unnecessary traffic congestion. Vehicles entering the Katunayake Expressway from the Outer Circular Road can now proceed without stopping at the Kerawalapitiya Interchange. more..

Dec 23 (TM) Environment Ministry has detailed the damage to elephant fences caused by the cyclonic disaster Ditwah. Deputy Minister Anton Jayakody said that 838 km of electric fences have been destroyed by the floods and their aftermath. The number of damaged electric fence units is nearly 148. Electric fences all over the country have been damaged, with the most damage reported from the Polonnaruwa District. DWC is actively restoring the damaged electric fences, more..