Dec 3 (NW) Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa urged the govt to withdraw the current budget and present a revised spending plan tailored to support the more than 1.5 million people affected by Cyclone Ditwah. Premadasa said the existing budget does not reflect the country’s post-disaster realities and called for a short delay to prepare a new relief-focused budget. He said SL should convene an international donor conference to secure urgent humanitarian and recovery assistance. more..

Dec 3 (NW) The govt has decided to provide an initial grant of Rs. 25,000 for cleaning houses damaged by the prevailing disaster situation, according to the Colombo District Coordinating Committee. Accordingly, the distribution of the Rs. 25,000 initial grant money given by the govt for cleaning houses damaged by floods in the Thimbirigasyaya Divisional Secretariat Division of Colombo District was carried out under the patronage of PM Harini Amarasuriya, yesterday. more..

Dec 3 (TM) Indian Air Force (IAF) has expanded its humanitarian assistance to SL, delivering a fully equipped Para Field Hospital and critical relief supplies to areas devastated by floods and landslides. An IAF C-17 aircraft arrived in Colombo carrying the modular hospital complete with ambulances, trauma units, and operating theatres along with 73 medical and support personnel. The hospital, airlifted from Agra, will begin operations tomorrow (4) in the worst-affected regions. more..

Dec 3 (NW) China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) Port City Colombo (Pvt) Ltd. has deployed its full fleet of critical disaster-response machinery to assist emergency repair operations along one of Sri Lanka’s most vital transport corridors, as the country races against time to restore access to devastated communities after Cyclone Ditwah. Responding to the urgent need for immediate intervention, CHEC has mobilised 12 heavy-duty machines and a team of skilled personnel more..

Dec 3 (AD) Police Media Spokesman, ASP F.U. Wootler, declared that stern legal action will be taken against individuals circulating false or misleading information during the state of emergency currently in effect across Sri Lanka. The police spokesman said that the President has imposed a state of emergency to ensure the safety and welfare of all citizens, and that the govt is committed to maintaining more..

Dec 3 (UCAN) Churches and temples in SL have been turned into emergency relief camps for thousands left stranded by Cyclone Ditwah, which brought heavy rains, flooding, and landslides across the island nation. The disaster, called the most challenging in the nation’s history by Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake, has so far killed 465 people, while 366 are still missing. “We are sheltering some 175 Buddhists, Muslims, and Christians since the day after (Nov 29) the deadly cyclone struck,” more..

Dec 3 (EN) The Asian Development Bank has approved a 100 million US dollar policy loan for Sri Lanka and a 2.5 million dollar technical assistance grand linked to power sector reforms and expansion of renewable energy. This second subprogram of ADB’s Power Sector Reforms and Financial Sustainability Program is linked to unbundling the Ceylon Electricity Board in to into independent successor companies for generation, transmission, system operation, and distribution. more..

Dec 3 (CT) Cargills has once again extended its support to the people of SL in a time of national hardship, stepping forward to assist families affected by the recent floods through its Heart for the Nation programme. As an immediate relief measure, Cargills has dispatched 10,000 dry-ration packs to the most severely impacted areas, ensuring that essential supplies reach the families who need them most. All distributions are being carried out in close coordination with govt agencies more..

Dec 3 (TM) US govt yesterday handed over to SL authorities the Ex-USCG Decisive, a former US Coast Guard Cutter at a ceremony held in Baltimore, Maryland. The transfer of the vessel was in discussion for several years and is the latest contribution by the US to improve SL’s maritime security capabilities. It is learnt that part of the vessel's crew has already arrived in the US for training, and that the vessel is expected to sail for home port in the first quarter of next year. more..

Dec 3 (CT) A powerful show of solidarity emerged from Matara following the devastation in the Badulla District. A team of 826 volunteers travelled from Matara to support the rebuilding of the affected areas, contributing not only their labour but also essential machinery, including backhoe loaders, excavators, chainsaws, water bowsers, and other clearing equipment. The group comprised members of the Red Star org more..

Dec 3 (EN) UK has announced 675,000 pounds, roughly 890,000 dollars, in humanitarian support to families in SL affected by Cyclone Ditwah. This will be delivered through humanitarian partners on the ground, including the Red Cross, UN agencies and local civil society organisations, the British HC said. “The funding will enable humanitarian partners to deliver essential supplies including shelter materials, clean water and sanitation facilities, to meet immediate needs of affected families.” more..

Dec 3 (EN) SL’s mobile operators have restored 2,800 out of 4,000 towers which were put out of commission by hurricane Ditwah, Deputy Minister Eranga Weeraratne said. SL has around 16,000 mobile base stations. The remaining 949, inactive due to power outages, are being restored to functionality as soon as possible, he said. Fibre backbone of the country was ripped in 11 locations and they were fixed, he said. “Due to landslides and flooding, provincial fibre connections more..

Dec 3 (DM) 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 stocks of vegetables were being received at the economic centre. He said the retail traders and the consumers did not have to buy vegetables for exorbitant prices. He requested them to depend on the Dambulla Economic Centre for their requirements of vegetables. more..

Dec 3 (CT) Pakistani High Commission in Colombo rejected social media claims that relief bags sent by Pakistan to SL contained expired food items. Adeel Sattar, Pakistan’s Press and Cultural Attaché, clarified that the bags did not contain rice at all. Instead, they were filled with essential supplies such as mineral water, biscuits, milk cartons, and other daily necessities, all of which were purchased locally in SL and packed into bags that had originally been brought from Pakistan. more..

Dec 3 (NW) Archbishop of Colombo, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, has urged Sri Lankans to mark this Christmas with compassion and restraint as the country continues to grapple with the aftermath of one of its worst natural disasters in recent history. In a Christmas message, Archbishop of Colombo said more than one and a half million people have been displaced and an uncounted number remain buried under rubble & earth more..

Dec 3 (ANI) Indian High Commissioner to SL Santosh Jha called on Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Upendra Dwivedi on Wednesday to discuss ways to enhance the strategic partnership between India and SL. The Indian Army posted on X, saying that the discussions focused on regional security dynamics and strengthening diplomatic and defence cooperation through deeper civil-military engagement. The Army said the meeting also covered India's continued role more..

Dec 3 (NW) As part of TikTok’s continued efforts to promote safety and factual awareness on its platform, the guide will provide verified information to counter misinformation trends surrounding natural disasters. Users in SL searching for flood-related updates on TikTok will now see a prominent banner urging them to verify information through credible sources. This guide connects users directly with the DMC of SL, from where users in SL can access verified information regarding more..

Dec 3 (NF) US has reaffirmed its commitment to stand with SL during one of its most challenging times. In response to the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah, US govt announced the delivery of critical disaster response items aimed at saving lives and supporting recovery efforts. According to US State Dept, assistance package includes shelter materials, emergency communications equipment, water sanitation systems, health supplies & humanitarian relief essentials. more..

Dec 3 (NW) Bangladesh dispatched a humanitarian relief consignment to Sri Lanka this afternoon to support ongoing recovery efforts following the devastation caused by the recent adverse weather conditions. The shipment of relief arrived at 1:00 pm aboard a Bangladesh Air Force C-130 aircraft. The cargo included 1,000 mosquito nets, 500 food packets, 10 tents and 20 pieces each of torch lights, gum boots, vests, gloves and hats, along with 125 boxes of essential medicines. more..

Dec 3 (FT) SL must shift from post-crisis stabilisation to fast, investment-led growth by dismantling trade barriers, improving productivity and mobilising private capital, World Bank Country Manager for SL Gevorg Sargsyan told the SL Economic & Investment Summi. In a wide-ranging presentation, Sargsyan said the country had made tremendous achievements in stabilising the economy, but warned that growth remained more..

Dec 3 (NW) The National Blood Bank has extended its gratitude to the citizens of Sri Lanka for the blood donations made in the wake of the disaster due to Cyclone Ditwah. Director of the National Blood Bank, Dr. Lakshman Edirisinghe, said over 20,000 blood donations have been received within a span of three days. Dr. Lakshman Edirisinghe said an appeal was made to the public for the daily requirement of 1500 blood donations, but the response has exceeded the required amount. more..

Dec 3 (NW) The Ministry of Higher Education has announced an extra allowance of the Mahapola Scholarship for university students affected by the severe weather disaster. According to the ministry, another monthly allowance, in addition to the allowance paid on November 28, will be provided to affected university students. The Ministry of Higher Education said that the extra monthly allowance of the Mahapola Scholarship will be paid on Dec 5. more..

Dec 3 (AD) Two more aircraft carrying humanitarian assistance from the UAE have arrived at the BIA this afternoon. The C-17 aircraft, two of the largest military transport aircraft operated by the UAE Air Force, had arrived at the BIA from Abu Dhabi. The consignment includes vehicles intended for disaster relief operations and food rations to be distributed to communities affected by the recent cyclone. Officials from the Embassy of the UAE in SL, SL’s Ministry of Defense, Disaster Management Center more..

Dec 3 (DM) Sri Lankan Air Force (SLAF) had only four helicopters for use during the recent disaster, Deputy Minister of Defence Aruna Jayasekera told Parliament. He said the SLAF had only two Bell 212 and two Mi17 helicopters to be used for rescuing disaster affected people during the last few days. "It is the lack of necessary aircraft which made the govt to use VIP helicopters for rescue work, " Deputy Minister said. He said the military has done its utmost to rescue affected people. more..

Dec 3 (DN) In the wake of this national crisis, the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC) together with the generous support of its members have been working closely with Govt agencies to coordinate urgent relief efforts. The unwavering resilience of Sri Lankans is evident in moments such as these. It is a pivotal time for the nation to come together, pooling the country’s collective strength to restore lives, livelihoods, and stability, more..

Dec 3 (AD) Apple CEO Tim Cook has announced that the company will make donations to relief and rebuilding efforts across several Asian countries including in Sri Lanka that were hit by floods, landslides and strong winds in recent days. The Apple CEO noted storms across Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia and SL have devastated communities and thoughts are with those affected. Devastating rainfall across several Asian countries has reportedly killed more than 1,300 people more..

Dec 3 (DM) Sri Lanka is currently grappling with one of the most severe flooding events in recent memory. With vast tracts of land submerged, lives lost, and critical infrastructure severely damaged, the immediate humanitarian crisis is escalating. The transition from emergency response to systematic recovery and reconstruction must be swift, strategic, and sustainable. This article outlines the critical next steps the govt must prioritize to safeguard its people and rebuild the nation. more..

Dec 3 (FT) In Sept 2020, a 5-storied house in Buwelikada, Kandy, collapsed, killing three people. The victims were neighbours in a house below, a young couple and their infant daughter. Public outcry and demands by the Bar Association (one of the victims was a lawyer) compelled the police to act. The owner of the house, Anura Lewke, a former Basnayake Nilame of the Dodanwala Natha Devalaya, was arrested and remanded. According to media reports, Lewke’s house had been more..

Dec 3 (FT) Ditwah has left. Chaos reigns. Yet there is life. Amidst the carnage, confusion and consternation, life lessons remain. These three short notes are not a comprehensive capture of the fallout from a tropical cyclone system and its impact on a brave little island nation and her people. But subjective though they may be, these prove to the writer first (and hopefully, my handful of readers) that there is always faith, hope and charity. And also, X: here be dragons. more..