Dec 13 (FT) PM Harini Amarasuriya said Govt was committed to rolling out a slew of reforms to help the export sector bridge the competitiveness gap between local producers and global markets. She reiterated that Govt is taking steps to strengthen local exporters by making trade facilitation, Customs procedures, and investment approvals more efficient, and by improving export services. PM made these remarks more..

Dec 13 (CT) Deputy Solicitor General (DSG) Janaka Bandara, on Friday, informed Colombo HC Judge Muhammed Mihal that the prosecution is prepared to prove the charges filed by CIABOC against former Finance Minister and MP Ravi Karunanayake and Perpetual Treasuries Director Arjun Joseph Aloysius beyond a reasonable doubt. Opening the prosecution’s submissions at the commencement of the trial, DSG said the first accused, Karunanayake, had resided with his wife and daughters more..

Dec 13 (DM) People in landslide prone areas have been reluctant to move out as they have been given only Rs. 400,000 as compensation to build a house and another Rs. one million to purchase a land. Claiming that people in landslide prone areas have been reluctant to move out as the compensation was not sufficient, Environment Minister Dhammika Patabedi said the govt was expecting that the people will now move out as a sufficient compensation package was proposed by the govt. more..

Dec 13 (FT) Sri Lanka yesterday marked a major step toward modernising its disaster management capabilities with the launch of the GeoAI for Disaster Resilience initiative at the Taj Samudra Hotel, Colombo. The program brings together Artificial Intelligence and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to strengthen early warning systems, improve emergency response and enhance long-term planning. more..

Dec 13 (NF) The Attorney General informed the Supreme Court that the Cabinet has decided to allow women to be recruited for all positions in the Sri Lanka Railway Service. This announcement was made by the Senior State counsel, appearing on behalf of the Attorney General, during the hearing of a fundamental rights petition filed by two women challenging a Gazette notification that previously restricted women from applying for Station Master positions. more..

Dec 13 (FT) Int'l Finance Corporation (IFC) says SL must reposition itself globally as a sustainable, export-driven, and outward-looking investment destination, while fixing long-standing issues around policy predictability and the business environment to unlock its full potential. Speaking at the SL Economic Summit, IFC’s South Asia Regional Director Imad Fakhoury outlined why the institution continues to maintain a strong and diversified presence in the country despite recent economic shocks. more..

Dec 13 (DM) SL placed its export sector at the centre of its economic revival agenda on Thursday as the govt honoured the nation’s top performers at the 27th Presidential Export Awards, underscoring the industry’s role in driving growth, innovation and global competitiveness. Held at the BMICH, under the patronage of PM Harini Amarasuriya, ceremony recognised 107 exporters for their contributions in the 2024/25 financial year. Considered the highest national accolade for export excellence, more..

Dec 13 (NW) CIABOC arrested former Beliatta PS Chairman Cyril Munasinghe on Dec 12 in connection with an ongoing investigation into alleged financial misconduct during his tenure. The arrest is related to suspected misappropriation of Rs. 36,001,344.94 between Jan 1 and Dec 31, 2012. The arrest was made under Section 23(a) of the Bribery Act, the Bribery Commission said in a statement. Officials from the Commission took Munasinghe into custody at approximately this morning. more..

Dec 13 (DM) As of 2025, Sri Lankans have the highest average IQ levels in South Asia with an average IQ level of 102, which has also been ranked in the top 12 countries with the highest average IQ level in the world, according to the data from International IQ Test (IIT). The research done was based on data from 1,352,763 participants worldwide who took the same IQ test on the website, and substantial research on the subject of more..

Dec 13 (FT) Colombo stock market yesterday experienced another volatile trading session before ending the week in green and extending its rally to five days. During the week, ASPI has gained 1,011.18 points or 4.7% and the S&P SL20 was up 172.03 points or 2.9%. The market gained Rs. 320.65 billion in value, regaining 75.6% of the Rs. 424 billion that was wiped out the previous week. Yesterday, ASPI closed on the up, gaining 0.22% or 48.98 points to 22,508.26 and more..

Dec 13 (FT) Canadian Govt has expressed strong support for Rebuilding SL program and signalled its readiness to provide assistance, particularly for the recovery of the agriculture sector following the widespread devastation caused by recent extreme weather. Canadian High Commissioner Isabelle Martin conveyed this assurance during a meeting with Minister Dr. Anil Jayantha at the Ministry of Finance yesterday. She said Canada greatly appreciates Govt’s structured recovery plan more..

Dec 13 (DM) Sri Lanka’s rising chess star, W.I.M. Devindya Oshini Gunawardhana, has made history by climbing to World No. 1 in the Under-13 Girls’ Chess Rankings, becoming the first Sri Lankan player to reach the top spot in any global age category. Oshini began her chess journey at Ferguson Girls’ High School, Ratnapura, before moving to Wycherley International School, Colombo 07 to further develop her talent. more..

Dec 13 (Island) China Harbour Engineering Company Ltd South Asia & Southeast Asia, working in close coordination with the SL Army, the RDA, local authorities and surrounding communities, has recently completed the emergency clearing of the A5 highway, restoring a vital transportation link that had been severely obstructed by landslides and debris in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah. The work was carried out from 04th December to 10th December over a continuous seven-day period. more..

Dec 13 (NW) The Govt of SL and the Govt of Italy formally renewed the Bilateral Agreement for Mutual Recognition of Driving Licenses between Italy and Sri Lanka on Friday (12) in Rome, Italy. The Ambassador of SL to Italy, Satya Rodrigo, signed the agreement on behalf of the Govt of SL while the Deputy Minister and Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Maria Tripodi, signed the agreement on behalf of the Government of Italy. more..

Dec 13 (EN) Global economic uncertainty complicates central banking, the governor of the CB has said, urging for greater research and collaboration. “The world is now navigating a landscape shaped by overlapping and multiple shocks from escalating geopolitical tensions, rising protectionism, leading to geoeconomic fragmentation and rapidly evolving patterns of trade and finance,” Nandalal Weerasinghe told the 14th Annual Int'l Research Conference. more..

Dec 13 (DN) Bangladesh U-17s sealed a comfortable 5-wicket victory over SL U-17s in the third and final one-day match at the Chattogram Stadium yesterday, clinching the three-match series 2–1. Bangladesh produced a superb all-round performance to take the series, bouncing back strongly after losing the second match on Tuesday. Left-arm paceman Rahman Akash was the star of the day, delivering a match-winning spell of 4 for 21 in his 10 overs. In-form batter Adrito Ghosh more..

Dec 13 (SO) “Although many declared it impossible to build a road, I was not discouraged. I was determined to create a path that would allow vehicles to reach the top of Ambuluwawa Mountain. The terrain was extremely challenging, purely rocky with a dangerously steep slope and even the surveyors believed it could not be done. However, I was informed of a skilled road-builder from Narangwita, experienced in more..

Dec 13 (ST) Fruits and vegetables cultivated by farmers of Kalpitiya have been destroyed due to the heavy downpours and the devastating floods. According to the farmers, 15000 acres of cultivated land have been destroyed, causing millions of Rupees’ worth of damages. The farmers pointed out that though they experienced several floods this year, this was the most virulent, the floodwaters sweeping away all their farmlands. Karamba, Sathepola, Nirmalapula, Nawakkaduwa, more..

Dec 13 (FT) The Norwegian Govt said it is providing more than $ 2.4 million to assist those affected by severe flooding in Sri Lanka. “Norway is contributing emergency assistance to people who have lost both their homes and livelihoods in Sri Lanka. A rapid response is crucial to ensure that those affected have shelter, food, healthcare and support to rebuild their communities,” said Norway’s International Development Minister Åsmund Aukrust. The United Nations estimates that more..

Dec 13 (ST) BOI, in the aftermath of the cyclone, is actively engaged in efforts to restore full operations in all free trade zones, is in discussions with potential investors who have expressed commitment to investing in the country, focusing on strategies to retain these investments. BOI Chairman Arjuna Herath said that they plan to discuss with investors who have committed to investing in the country especially since they need to make initial commitments for the potential investments. more..

Dec 13 (NW) SL migrant housed in a government-funded asylum hotel denied charges of abducting, raping, and assaulting a 15-year-old girl in West London. Yashin Himasara, 20, appeared via video link at Isleworth Crown Court from HMP Wormwood Scrubs. Himasara confirmed his name and date of birth before entering pleas. Himasara pleaded not guilty to seven charges, including kidnapping, rape, assault by penetration, assault by beating, sexual activity with a child, and two counts of more..

Dec 13 (CT) Colombo High Court’s decision this week to release former CB Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal from the long-running Greek Bond case marked a striking turn in a saga that has hovered over SL’s public discourse for more than a decade. On the surface, the withdrawal of the indictment appeared to vindicate Cabraal’s insistence that the 2011 investment in Greek sovereign bonds was above board. Yet, the conditions underpinning more..

Dec 13 (IPS) Cyclone Ditwah, which made landfall in SL on 28 Nov, is considered the country’s worst natural disaster since the deadly 2004 tsunami. It intensified the northeast monsoon, bringing torrential rainfall, massive flooding, and 215 severe landslides across seven districts. The cyclone left a trail of destruction, killing nearly 500 people, displacing over a million, destroying homes, roads, and railway lines, and disabling critical infrastructure including 4,000 transmission towers. more..

Dec 13 (SO) The recent triple cyclone (Ditwah, Senyar & Koto) that devastated parts of Indonesia, SL, Malaysia and Thailand, is a manifestation of a rare phenomenon, especially in the Southern Hemisphere, where storms are less frequent in any case. Seeing three cyclones at once is a significant meteorological event, not a common occurrence. The recent triple cyclone was also significant in another aspect – they formed near the Equator, where storms are generally rare. more..

Dec 13 (Island) NPP MP and former Speaker Asoka Ranwala was arrested yesterday over a road accident, where an infant and two women were injured, in Sapugaskanda. He has been charged with dangerous driving and failure to prevent an accident, according to media reports quoting the police. He was in the National Hospital Colombo, at the time of going to press. An attempt is being made in some quarters to have the public believe that the law applies to everyone equally under more..

Dec 13 (CT) Any other Prez in centre-left, ex-rebel, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, would have done it – and of course, there is no knowing if he did it. But believers like Presidents Mahinda Rajapaksa, Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Ranil Wickremesinghe would have by now gone beyond consulting their favourite (!) astrologers about the movement of their stars over the past decade, post-LTTE war. They would have checked if their presidency was doomed. That way, aspirants Sajith Premadasa and more..

Dec 13 (SO) Cyclone Ditwah brought heavy rain and strong winds across Sri Lanka last week. Many areas faced flooding, landslides, damage to homes, and disruptions to transport and power. In the middle of this hardship, local people organised volunteer donation centres and community kitchens. People collected food, medicine, clothing and cleaning items, cooked meals, and delivered them to affected families. more..

Dec 13 (DM) Chelliah Rajadurai, a veteran politician of SL -- perhaps the oldest among former Parliamentarians -- passed away on Dec 7, 2025 at the age of 98. Rajadurai hailing from Batticaloa was a colourful personality who served as an MP, Mayor, Cabinet minister and High Commissioner in an eventful political career. His political importance was such that SL’s Constitution was amended so that Rajadurai could exit from the opposition and join the Government of the day without much hassle. more..

Dec 13 (DM) Cyclone Ditwah that was formed in Southwest Bay of Bengal on Nov 26 and made landfall in SL on Nov 28 has claimed at least 635 lives, leaving another around 200 persons disappeared by Dec 9. The numbers might slightly rise up. Around 2.1 million people belonging to about 600,000 families have been affected by the unprecedented heavy rain of over 500 mm in some places, and resultant massive floods in downstream areas of various rivers and landslides in more..

Dec 13 (TM) When Cyclone Ditwah ripped across SL late last month, it left a trail of destruction that pushed many areas to a standstill. Homes were damaged, neighbourhoods were inundated, power and water supply systems collapsed, and thousands were forced into temporary shelters as rains continued to batter already flooded Districts. In the midst of that chaos, Govt moved to declare a state of emergency and activated several more..

Dec 13 (DM) In November Cyclone Ditwah hit our country in all its fury. With wind speeds of over 80 kmph, it brought with it 150–500 mm of rainfall for three consecutive days, triggering the worst landslides and flooding in the country in 20 years. Power outages, floods/wash away of major roads and landslides resulted. DMC & UN reports confirmed the cyclone destroyed or damaged more than 86,000 homes. The report added that around 188,000 people had taken shelter in govt-run shelters. more..

Dec 13 (CT) Every major disaster produces two floods. One is physical. The other is informational. After Cyclone Ditwah, SL has experienced both. As rivers rose and reservoirs entered high inflow operations, a familiar pattern re-emerged. Opposition-driven media ecosystems began circulating claims that spill gates were opened without warning that dams had breached, that engineers should’ve predicted spill timings to the minute, and in the most extreme cases, more..