Dec 10 (TM) Total number of houses completely destroyed across SL due to the severe disaster situation caused by Cyclone Ditwah has surpassed 5,000. A total of 5,325 houses have been completely destroyed by the disaster so far. Kandy District has recorded the highest number of completely damaged houses, amounting to 1,815. Nuwara Eliya District has reported the second-highest number of houses destroyed, more..

Dec 10 (AD) Russia has dispatched a consignment of 35 metric tons of humanitarian aid to Sri Lanka following the impact of Cyclone Ditwah. The shipment arrived this afternoon at BIA on a special cargo flight. The consignment includes a mobile power station, vegetable oil, sugar, rice, and tents. The Ilyushin IL-76—Russia’s largest cargo aircraft—transported the aid and landed at BIA at 1:10 p.m. today. Russian Ambassador to SL, Levan Dzhagaryan; Minister Anura Karunathilaka; more..

Dec 10 (CT) The Biyagama area, which was severely affected by the recent floods, suffered extensive damage, generating a large volume of waste across residential, commercial, warehouse and industrial zones. As displaced residents began returning to their homes, the accumulation of garbage along roadsides emerged as one of the most critical challenges, creating severe foul odours and serious public health risks. A similar situation was reported following last year’s floods, more..

Dec 10 (NF) It was a day steeped in pride and tradition as the Sri Lanka Navy marked its 75th anniversary with a historic relocation to the state-of-the-art Defence Headquarters Complex (DHQC) in Akuregoda. The ceremonial occupation of the Navy Headquarters at Block No. 3 wasn’t just a move—it was a bold statement of progress and unity. The event unfolded with military precision and cultural grace. more..

Dec 10 (NW) The former Deputy Chairman of Continental Insurance Lanka Ltd, Chaminda de Silva, was arrested on Tuesday by officers from the CIABOC. He is accused of facilitating a bribe of Rs. 6,415,050 to D.H.L.W. Jayamanna, a former official of the Govt Analyst’s Department, who was previously arrested on bribery charges. Bribery Commission said that the payment resulted in an undue benefit to the private insurance company and that de Silva supported & enabled offense. more..

Dec 10 (NW) A Disaster Information Centre was launched by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa today at the Opposition Leader’s Office located in Colombo, to collect information from areas affected by adverse weather conditions. Primary objective of the mission is to gather information from disaster-affected areas at the Grama Niladhari Division level. Facilities have been provided for affected individuals to directly report their problems and needs to this information centre via telephone & more..

Dec 10 (TM) The Housing, Construction & Water Supply Ministry stated the majority of lands donated to the Govt’s proposed housing schemes for the displaced from the floods and landslides has come from the regions of Kandy and Nuwara Eliya. Donations have also been received from Colombo suburbs and other areas. Deputy subject Minister T.B. Sarath said that “donations are being channeled through Ministers, around 20 acres have been donated through me," he claimed. more..

Dec 10 (AD) Ministry of Education has decided that the subjects of the 2025 GCE A/L exam, which were postponed due to the adverse weather conditions in SL, will now be conducted from Jan 12 to Jan 20, 2026. Accordingly, Commissioner General of Examinations has released the amended timetable for the 2025 A/L exam. The announcement from the Exams Dept also states that if school candidates affected by the disaster are unable to appear for the examination at their designated exam centre, more..

Dec 10 (AD) In the wake of cyclone Ditwah that triggered landslides, the govt is planning strict implementation of the laws and regulations related to creation of human settlements in hazard-prone areas of the mountainous districts, an official said. According to the mapping of hazard zones prior to the latest disaster, as much as 50% of the landmass of Badulla District had been identified as vulnerable to landslides in the event of heavy rain. more..

Dec 10 (AD) The Rebuilding Sri Lanka programme, initiated to restore the country following the damage caused by Cyclone Ditwah, has received a total of Rs. 1,893 million in funding from domestic sources, overseas Sri Lankans, and various institutions. The Secretary to the Ministry of Finance further mentioned that a discussion was held, led by the Insurance Regulatory Commission of SL and attended by the heads of all insurance companies, to establish a compensation framework for more..

Dec 10 (NW) FSP member Pubudu Jagoda says the deforestation operation in the Knuckles mountain range is officially underway. Jagoda said that the Kandy District Secretariat issued a letter in this regard yesterday following discussions with Minister Lal Kantha. “When Gotabaya was destroying Sinharaja, the justification given was the transport needs of the surrounding villages. This govt is saying the same thing; the only difference is the name of the forest and the names of the villages. more..

Dec 10 (NW) Sriyani Dress Point, one of SL’s leading fashion retail chains, has made a substantial contribution of Rs. 20 million to the Govt’s Rebuild Sri Lanka Fund, established to support communities devastated by Cyclone Ditwah. The donation was presented at the Presidential Secretariat, where Mr. M. Selvaraj, Chairman of Sriyani Dress Point, handed over the cheque to Dr. Nandika Kumanayake, Secretary to the President. The ceremony was attended by the company’s more..

Dec 10 (AD) Google Maps has commenced updating information pertaining SL’s road network covering around 12,000 km, Minister Bimal Ratnayake has stated. Accordingly, information pertaining to A, B, and C-class roads in SL are expected to be updated. The initiative introduces six types of condition alerts, including lane closures and construction notices, to help travelers plan their journeys more efficiently. The new feature is expected to reduce travel delays, improve more..

Dec 10 (NW) Former CB Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal welcomed the withdrawal of a bribery case filed against him over CB’s controversial investment in Greek sovereign bonds in 2011. Cabraal said he was happy with the court’s decision. “Many tried to exert immense psychological pressure on me with this allegation. But that didn’t affect me. I had faith in the judicial process, and I’m happy the case has been withdrawn,” he said, more..

Dec 10 (EN) The UK has promised 1 million pounds, or 1.3 million dollars, in aid for Cyclone Ditwah victims, following Acting High Commissioner Theresa O’Mahony’s visit to the Sri Lanka Red Cross operations in Gampaha. “This funding will help deliver emergency supplies and life-saving assistance to those who need it most,” the British High Commission said. The funding will be delivered through humanitarian partners. O’Mahony toured the Red Cross warehouse more..

Dec 10 (AD) Highlands surrounding the Ambokka village within the Pallepola Divisional Secretariat area in Matale, have reportedly become increasingly unstable following recent heavy rains. Accordingly, villagers are urging authorities to seek the immediate involvement of the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) to assess the area’s safety and provide clear public guidance. A recent landslide in the village resulted in the tragic loss of seven members of the same family. more..

Dec 10 (CT) A wildlife management programme has been launched at Mattala International Airport following incidents of animals entering the airport premises and disrupting operations. Owing to the airport’s proximity to protected wildlife areas, there is an ongoing risk of animals straying into airport boundaries, creating safety hazards. As a result, airport authorities have taken precautionary measures to prevent wildlife from entering operational zones. more..

Dec 10 (AD) Australia and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) have partnered to deliver urgent humanitarian assistance to protect women and girls across Sri Lanka, affected by catastrophic floods and landslides triggered by Cyclone Ditwah, one of the most devastating climate-related disasters to strike the island nation in recent years. A contribution of AUD 500,000 from the Govt of Australia will reinforce life-saving sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services, more..

Dec 10 (EN) Japan, one of the first nations to offer relief to Sri Lanka after Cyclone Ditwah left a trail of destruction, is using shock and awe to treat survivors of the devastating floods. In the coastal town of Chilaw, hours before sunrise, men, women, and children patiently queue to enter Tokyo’s disaster medical camp, which complements the Chilaw base hospital as it recovers from the flood devastation. more..

Dec 10 (NW) Islamic Relief Committee (ISRC), a long-standing humanitarian organization in Sri Lanka, has expanded its emergency response efforts with a series of free medical camps for families affected by recent flooding and Cyclone Ditwa. The organization, accredited this year by the UN through ECOSOC and a member of the Union of NGOs of the Islamic World, said the initiative is being carried out in coordination with govt health authorities to ensure timely treatment for more..

Dec 10 (AD) Heavy vehicles have been barred from using the road over the Kotmale Dam, Mahaweli Development Authority (MDA) has announced. Meanwhile, Nuwara Eliya District MP Manjula Suraweera Arachchi stated that the Mahaweli Development Authority has decided to resettle individuals on 55 hectares of land under its authority. Meanwhile, regarding recent rumors about opening the Kotmale Dam’s sluice gates, Director General of the MDA, H.M.J. Herath clarified that more..

Dec 10 (CT) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake instructed the Nuwara Eliya District Secretary, Thushari Tennakoon, to provide govt tourist resorts in the area for the use of Nuwara Eliya Hospital staff—including doctors and nurses—whose dormitories were affected by the recent cyclone, floods and landslides. Prez directed the Director of the Nuwara Eliya Hospital, Dr. Nihal Weerasuriya, to make the request in writing to the District Secretary, assuring that the matter would then be resolved. more..

Dec 10 (AD) Attorney General informed the Colombo High Court today that Daisy Forrest, the grandmother of Yoshitha Rajapaksa and a defendant in a case filed under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, is scheduled to undergo a psychiatric medical report tomorrow by the Colombo Judicial Medical Officer. The disclosure was made by State Counsel Oswald Perera when the case was called before Colombo HC Judge Rashmi Singappuli. State Counsel Perera noted that more..

Dec 10 (AD) Former Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal has been released from the case pertaining to the 2012 purchase of Greek Bonds, subject to conditions, Ada Derana reporter said. The Colombo High Court has also ordered that the other three accused in the case be acquitted and released unconditionally. The order was issued by the Colombo High Court after the CIABOC withdrew the charges, subject to certain conditions. more..

Dec 10 (DM) Dear Mr. Prez, When you and your govt won the elections last year, both local and int'l circles were stunned by the sheer magnitude of the victory. A map of SL 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. Your two-thirds majority was not just a political feat, it was a plea from the nation for something drastically different. more..

Dec 10 (CT) MP Jeevan Thondaman, yesterday, said natural disasters cannot be prevented, and no one should be blamed for them, adding that the President has already taken necessary measures to assist victims. He joined MP Namal Rajapaksa in Nuwara Eliya to distribute books and dry rations, stressing that the most urgent need in the plantation areas is land for families to build their own homes. Speaking at the District Coordination Committee (DCC) meeting, Thondaman said he had more..

Dec 10 (FT) Intrepid Travel Asia–Australia Managing Director Natalie Kidd said Sri Lanka must urgently decide the kind of tourism future it wants and embed strong systems of sustainable destination management if it is to protect its natural assets, strengthen competitiveness and fully capitalise on rising global demand. Kidd, who leads operations for the world’s largest adventure travel company across over 120 destinations, more..

Dec 10 (NW) PM Harini Amarasuriya has stated that there will be no permission granted for unauthorized constructions within the Colombo District, nor any form of residential developments that endanger the public by being carried out under the guise of a development agenda. The Prime Minister made these remarks while addressing the media at the conclusion of the Colombo District Disaster Management Committee meeting held at the Colombo District Secretariat yesterday (09). more..

Dec 10 (EN) Sri Lanka’s daily egg output has slumped around 30% after Cyclone Ditwah killed around 500,000 layer chicken Ajith Gunasesekera, President of the All Island Poultry Association said. In Sri Lanka usually consumes around 900,000 eggs are consumed, but lately production had risen to around 110,000 leading to reduced prices, he said. Due to strong production retail egg prices ranged around 22 to 25 to 28 rupees based on size and farmgate prices 21 to 22 rupees. more..

Dec 10 (FT) Cyclone Ditwah, which swept across SL at the end of November, caused massive damage to the country, the extent of which need not be mentioned here, as all are aware of it by now. Heated arguments went on among many parties with regard to how this destruction could have been mitigated and who should take responsibility. Although there may have been shortcomings in several aspects of how we responded to Ditwah, this article highlights a critical area that urgently more..

Dec 10 (FT) Disasters, irrespective of God-made or man-made do more than destroy lives, properties and infrastructure; they expose the strength or weakness of a nation’s governance. Two decades apart, SL has confronted two major calamities that demanded emergency funding and decisive leadership: the Helping Hambantota episode of 2004, which became a national scandal, and the Rebuilding SL Fund of 2025, established in response to the devastating floods and landslides more..