Dec 3 (TM) The DMC reported that the number of deaths caused by the ongoing disaster situation affecting all 25 Districts of the island has risen to 465. The highest number of deaths has been reported from the Kandy District, accounting for 118. The DMC also confirmed that at least 366 individuals remain missing as search and relief operations continue across multiple Districts. Tri-Forces have meanwhile intensified rescue and more..

Dec 3 (DM) Central Bank of SL (CBSL) is ready to deploy its full suite of macroeconomic shields, fiscal, monetary and external, to cushion the economy against sudden shocks, Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe said. Speaking to a fully packed audience comprising of business leaders and govt officials at the SL Economic and Investment Summit 2025, that went ahead as scheduled in Colombo yesterday, the governor helped somewhat ease growing concerns over the economic fallout more..

Dec 3 (EN) State-run Litro Gas Lanka has awarded a contract to supply next year’s liquefied petroleum gas to Swiss-based Geo Gas Trading SA, which sources products from the US. Cabinet had approved the award of contract to supply 380,000 metric tonnes plus or minus 20 percent to Geo Gas Trading SA after winning an international competitive bid, a post-cabinet statement said. Litro Chairman Channa Gunawardana said Geo Gas Trading sourced most of their supplies from US. more..

Dec 3 (FT) PM Harini Amarasuriya yesterday delivered an unvarnished account of the scale of destruction caused by the recent cyclone and flooding, while assuring the business community that the Govt’s reform agenda and economic stabilisation path will not be derailed. Speaking during a fireside chat at the SL Economic Summit, PM outlined the immediate humanitarian challenges, the extensive infrastructure damage, & medium-term more..

Dec 3 (EN) Sri Lanka’s Finance Ministry has more than doubled disaster relief payments to people affected in the floods and landslides after the devastating Cyclone Ditwah killed more than 400 people amid increasing criticism over the govt handling of early disaster warning. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake addressing the nation on Sunday said the devastation was the most challenging disaster in the country and expressed his condolences for the families. more..

Dec 3 (EN) SL is looking to relax food import controls PM Harini Amarasuriya said, after widespread flooding of key farming areas by Cyclone Ditwah which has swept away crops. There is also transport disruption blocking food transport. “This is a time when the cost of food increases,” PM told an economic forum organized by CCC. “We are looking at relaxing certain import regulations to enable the food supply to continue uninterrupted and for us to be able to manage prices as well.” more..

Dec 3 (FT) As SL faces rapidly worsening conditions triggered by a cyclonic storm, WHO provided $ 175,000 as emergency funds to support essential health services, while continuing to work with national authorities and humanitarian partners to reach life-saving interventions to the millions of affected people across the country. WHO Representative-Designate to SL Dr. Rajesh Pandav said, “The funds will be used for rapid response teams to support essential health services for more..

Dec 3 (DM) Colombo Stock Exchange witnessed a strong recovery on Tuesday (2), as the ASPI rebounded by 219.51 points (+1%) to close at 22,241.57, following yesterday’s panic-induced sell-off. The S&P SL20 also moved firmly into green, gaining 51.92 points (+0.85%) to finish at 6,137.79. The market initially surged, reaching an intraday high of 446 points during the first half of trading, spurring positive momentum. However, profit-taking in latter part of session trimmed some gains, more..

Dec 3 (FT) In a powerful symbol of resilience and recovery, SL yesterday welcomed the luxury cruise ship Mein Schiff 06, operated by TUI Cruises, carrying over 2,000 int'l passengers to the Colombo Port. SL Tourism said this marks the first major tourist movement since last week’s natural disaster, sending a clear message to the world: SL is safe, open, and ready to embrace visitors once again. Passengers, predominantly German more..

Dec 3 (DM) Caring for communities affected by the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah, SLT-Mobitel has introduced the free 247 Helpline, in collaboration with the Uni of Colombo, offering round-the-clock medical advice. The service connects callers to a dedicated panel of medical professionals available 24/7 to provide guidance during this challenging period. Anyone experiencing flood-related injuries, fever, waterborne illnesses, breathing difficulties or any other health concerns more..

Dec 3 (AD) SL Dawoodi Bohra community has made a financial donation of Rs. 10 million to assist the govt’s relief programme for people affected by the adverse weather conditions in the country. The cheque was handed over to the Secretary to the President, Nandika Kumanayake, by the Chairman of the SL Dawoodi Bohra Community, Ibrahim Jaffer Zaini, on behalf of the Leader of the Worldwide Bohra Community, His Holiness Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin, at the Presidential Secretariat more..

Dec 3 (TM) Acting SL T20I captain Dasun Shanaka emerged as the highest overseas buy at the auction of the 12th edition of the 2026 Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) held on Sunday (30 Nov), drawing a price of LKR 16 million (US$ 55,000) for Dhaka Capitals. Shanaka who led Sri Lanka at the recently concluded T20I tri-series in Pakistan which also included Zimbabwe, and where the Lankans emerged runners-up, was also among seven SL players who were bought at the auction. more..

Dec 3 (CI) Pakistan will begin their build-up to the 2026 T20 World Cup with a three-match T20I series in SL next year, during early January. The Salman Agha-led side will travel to Dambulla in SL, where all three matches will be played on Jan 7, 9 and 11. The short tour is Pakistan's first white-ball assignment of the new year, and the PCB said it "will provide the side with valuable match practice ahead of next year's global event". Pakistan are playing all their World Cup games in SL. more..

Dec 3 (FT) Govt is in talks with the insurance and banking sectors to help households, SMEs and businesses hit by Cyclone Ditwah while keeping the 2026 macroeconomic trajectory and reform agenda intact, Treasury Secretary Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma told the SL Economic & Investment Summit. He acknowledged concerns that the poorest households, those who have lost homes and small and medium enterprises are less more..

Dec 3 (AD) The SJB has decided to nominate Naina Thambi Marrikkar Mohamed Thahir to fill the vacancy created in Parliament following the resignation of Ismail Muththu Muhammathu last week. Accordingly, the Election Commission has issued a gazette extraordinary declaring Marrikkar Mohamed Thahir a MP under Section 64(5) of the Parliamentary Elections Act, No. 1 of 1981, as amended by Section 6 of the Elections (Special Provisions) Act, No. 35 of 1988. more..

Dec 3 (FT) Local ride-hailing giant PickMe has activated its full digital and logistical network to support nationwide relief efforts as Sri Lanka confronted one of its most devastating flood disasters in recent memory. With hundreds dead, thousands displaced, and rescue operations still underway, the company has launched a three-pronged emergency initiative to mobilise citizen donations, coordinate deliveries, and assist rescue teams navigating submerged regions. more..

Dec 3 (FT) SLTDA Chairman Buddhika Hewawasam yesterday made a strong appeal to the private sector, investors and global partners not to focus solely on post-cyclone relief support, but to actively encourage travellers to visit SL during the ongoing peak season. “The best assistance right now is not donations, it is the tourists. Tourism is the quickest way to revive the economy. The hotels, operators, and communities are ready to more..

Dec 3 (DN) Skipper Rehan Peiris made a superb unbeaten knock of 114 as SL Under 17s finished the day one in a commanding position of 183 for 2 wickets in their second three day cricket fixture against Bangladesh Under 17s played at Bashundara Sport Complex, Dhaka, yesterday. Bangladesh U17’s decided to bat first but they were skittled out for 122 in their first innings just in 30.3 overs during the first session of the day. SL already have a 61-run lead with 8 wickets in hand more..

Dec 3 (FT) Justice for All, a good governance activist group, yesterday stressed the need for collective political leadership in the wake of Cyclone Ditwah. Following the full statement issued by Prof. Jayadeva Uyangoda, Dr. Jayampathy Wickramaratne PC, Eran Wickramaratne, A.M. Faaiz, M.A Sumanthiran PC, Saliya Peiris PC, Shanakiyan Rasamanickam MP, Bhavani Fonseka, Ermiza Tegal, Nadishani Perera, Jerusha Crosette-Thambiah, Ravinthran Niloshan, and more..

Dec 3 (FT) Hemas Holdings announced upcoming changes to its Board of Directors, reflecting the Group’s commitment to strong governance and a seamless leadership transition. Husein Esufally, who has served Hemas for over four decades in various leadership capacities including Group CEO and Chairman, will retire from the Board with effect from 31 Dec. Under his stewardship, Hemas evolved into one of SL’s most respected and diversified conglomerates, delivering consistent value more..

Dec 3 (FT) Management Club (TMC) has announced the Northern Investment Summit (NIS), a landmark initiative in Jan 2026 aimed at unlocking the full potential of the Northern Province and positioning it as one of the country’s most promising investment frontiers. Summit’s core purpose is to generate widespread awareness of the region’s immense potential, attract both local and foreign investors and create a unified platform for dialogue between Govt Authorities, State Agencies, more..

Dec 3 (TM) With the economy gradually stabilising, the streets of Colombo are returning to the congestion they were known for. The traffic in the capital shows little sign of slowing. Despite efforts by the Govt to address the issue with traffic regulation, congestion occurs for commuters and pedestrians alike. Heavy traffic during rush hour, especially on rainy days, has become a familiar ordeal for Colombo’s residents. more..

Dec 3 (Island) Normally a cyclone develops at a minimum distance of 500 km from the equator, but Cyclone Ditwah broke this norm; it began in the southern sea, near Sri Lanka, located about 650 km north of the equator. Cyclone Ditwah, which swept through Sri Lanka, has caused serious damages to the country. The torrential rainfall has saturated the entire country and the subsequent accumulation of surface water in river basins, triggering massive floods and landslides due to soil saturation, more..

Dec 3 (Island) A story about poetry has come like a ray of sunshine amidst dark clouds hovering above SL. Actually, it is about the use of poetry to dupe AI models. The Guardian (UK) has reported on an experiment conducted by a group of researchers from Italy’s Icaro Lab, as part of an initiative by an ethical AI company called DexAI, to test the efficacy of the guardrails on AI systems. They succeeded in making the AI models respond to harmful prompts, with help of 20 poems they themselves wrote. more..

Dec 3 (ST) So the party is over. I mean the weeks-long talkathon at the Diyawanna Oya abode. For that relief, much thanks. The more one listens to our MPs and advice emanating from the thinking apparatus of supporting staff, the more I recall a biting saying of Napoleon Bonaparte. “In politics, he said, stupidity is not a handicap.” Leaving our representatives (of the people, that is), for both I started writing about but could not conclude, both for short time & space. . I return to the subject of NPP’s claim more..

Dec 3 (CT) Built on a slope, paid with lives: This week’s devastation — floods and landslides triggered by Cyclone Ditwah — laid bare a truth too long ignored: when we carve, concrete and crowd our hills without science, the hills fight back. The heavy rains exposed fragile slopes, toppled homes and killed neighbors in the central highlands and around Colombo. Experts have repeatedly warned that unregulated construction, tree clearing and excavations on steep terrain dramatically more..

Dec 3 (GV) On the morning of Nov 30, a desperate message surfaced from Pattiyagama, Deltota, one of many remote hill country communities devastated by Cyclone Ditwah. The message, typed in haste under failing phone signal, described a level of isolation and fear echoing across the island. “There is no current here and the network is also bad. Roads are still blocked. No one has come yet. Food items cost very high. more..

Dec 3 (DM) Cyclone Ditwah has passed. But the damage it has caused is irreversible. With over 400 recorded deaths and more people still marked as missing, the Cyclone had affected over a million people in the country. Following the 2004 tsunami, people became aware of the extent of a natural disaster. In fact the name tsunami itself was unheard of for a majority of people in the country. It was following the tsunami that policymakers started taking disaster management more seriously. more..

Dec 3 (DM) As Sri Lanka reels from the worst-ever natural disaster since the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, there are legitimate questions about whether a better organised pre-emptive disaster response could have saved many hundreds of lives lost to landslides and floods in the wake of Cyclone Ditwah. As of 10 am yesterday, the death toll had risen to 410, and another 336 were still missing, according to the DMC. The districts and areas where the highest number of deaths and more..

Dec 3 (TM) If there are no major external shocks, Sri Lanka may be able to muddle through and meet its debt repayment obligations by 2028 as pledged by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, says Advocata CEO Dhananath Fernando. “But the world is full of uncertainties. Our economy is still vulnerable. A shock can disrupt cash flows, trigger rating downgrades, and increase borrowing costs sharply. Debt servicing becomes easier more..

Dec 3 (TM) Cyclonic storm Ditwah, one of the most devastating weather events to hit SL in recent years, has already taken more than 400 lives. Hundreds more remain missing or injured. While the death toll can be certified with relative accuracy, the true number of missing persons remains uncertain and the lack of clarity around this issue shows one of the most serious challenges that the country must confront in the aftermath of the disaster. Beyond the immediate tragedy, the unresolved status of more..

Dec 3 (CT) There is no doubt that Cyclone Ditwah has caused the most -serious damage the country has seen in at least two decades, and the scale of loss has been devastating with more than 360 lives taken, homes destroyed and entire villages swallowed by landslides. Nevertheless, the disaster has not shaken the humanity of the people, because even before the rains stopped, there was a quiet but determined movement of support from those who were not affected as they came together to more..