Dec 11 (NW) SL will introduce a consolidated loan program to support micro, small and medium-scale entrepreneurs affected by recent disasters, govt announced, as part of a wider effort to revive the MSME sector. Proposed scheme, named RE–MSME Disaster Relief, brings together several existing concessionary loan facilities, including SMILE III for industrial and production investments, E-FRIEND II for environmentally friendly financing, and the current RE–MSME program financed by govt. more..

Dec 11 (Island) Investigations have revealed that the govt’s controversial easing of environmental regulations appears closely aligned with the interests of a small but powerful coalition of politically connected investors, environmentalists have alleged. The move weakens key Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) requirements and accelerates approvals for high-risk projects, has triggered a storm of criticism from environmental scientists, civil society groups and more..

Dec 11 (NW) The Integrated Task Force of the Shatrujeet Brigade of the Indian Army yesterday restored an essential communication infrastructure in the Mahiyanganaya region, one of the worst-affected areas near Kandy. According to the Indian HC, following Cyclone Ditwah, a major disruption had occurred in the Mahiyanganaya region, where the cyclone severely damaged the Optical Fibre Cable (OFC) network, more..

Dec 11 (DM) The decision to release Former CB Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal from the Greek Bonds case, under strict conditions, reflects how Sri Lanka’s justice system is evolving under the new Anti-Corruption Act, Former Minister Ali Sabry said. Sabry noted that Section 67 of the Anti-Corruption Act, No. 9 of 2023 allows indictments to be withdrawn before judgment—not as leniency, but through a structured process that can require restitution, public apology, accountability more..

Dec 11 (CT) Tourist Police have arrested several Chinese nationals suspected of operating a cybercrime and extortion racket in Dharga Town, Aluthgama, following a complaint from a Chinese man who said his wife had been taken hostage. Officers seized approximately 200 mobile phones, 50 SIM cards and 13 laptops during the operation, according to the Tourist Police. ASP Prabath Vidanagama, Acting Director of the Police Tourist Division, said the complainant had alleged more..

Dec 11 (NW) Sri Lanka is set to deepen cooperation with the Maldives through two new MoUs approved by the Cabinet of Ministers, focusing on postgraduate medical education and youth and sports development. One MoU is to be signed between the University of Colombo and the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Maldives to expand collaboration in postgraduate education. Under the agreement, Sri Lanka will provide training for Maldivian medical officers & dental surgeons, more..

Dec 11 (EN) Sri Lanka is offering an UDA land at Perahera Mawatha, Kollupitiya, Col 3, on a 99-year lease basis for a mixed development project, minister Nalinda Jayatissa said. The cabinet approved a proposal to look for investors for the land measuring 2 roods, 23.1 perches, to implement a mixed development project, including residential development. “The cabinet has approved inviting investment proposals for the use of the relevant land for hotel or commercial purposes, more..

Dec 11 (NW) Sri Lanka has approved the purchase of a new fleet of vehicles to strengthen the island’s primary health care system, supported by a USD 150 million World Bank financing agreement aimed at improving community-level services from 2024 to 2028. The govt said the project focuses on preventing and managing non-communicable diseases, expanding elderly and palliative care, and boosting resilience to climate-related more..

Dec 11 (DM) Cyclone Ditwah left Sri Lanka facing a national disaster of extraordinary scale. In a matter of days, the storm triggered lethal landslides, unprecedented flooding and the collapse of critical infrastructure that millions rely on. Entire districts were cut off, thousands were displaced and the economic impact continues to grow. The numbers tell the story of a country confronting one of its most severe crises in recent memory. The storm left a devastating human toll. more..

Dec 11 (NW) Mahiyanganaya Base Hospital, one of the health facilities hardest hit by the flooding triggered by Cyclone Ditwah, has returned most services to normal while urgent repairs continue on several critical units, officials said following an on-site inspection. Deputy Minister Dr. Hansaka Wijemuni and Health and Media Ministry Secretary Dr. Anil Jasinghe visited the hospital to assess the damage and review ongoing recovery efforts. Hospital sustained significant losses to more..

Dec 11 (CT) Colombo Additional Magistrate Oshadhi Maharachchi, yesterday, issued a warrant for the arrest of Ven. Uvathenne Sumana Thera, the Chief Incumbent of the Sri Bodhirajarama Temple in Maligawatta, for failing to appear in Court in connection with an alleged fraud of nearly Rs 60 million involving a coconut oil company in Dematagoda. The warrant was issued after the Court took into consideration the monk’s absence in four cases linked to several complaints more..

Dec 11 (Island) The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence is a global campaign observed annually from 25 Nov to 10 Dec, beginning on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and concluding on Human Rights Day. The campaign aims to raise awareness and inspire collective action to end all forms of violence against women and girls. This year, in line with this, UNDP, together with its key partners through ongoing flagship project initiatives, more..

Dec 11 (ICC) The ICC today announced the opening of ticket sales for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, pricing entry-level tickets at historic lows to drive accessibility for the pinnacle event. Sales will begin at 18h45 IST with prices starting at just ₹100 (approx $1.11) at some venues in India and LKR1000 (approx $3.26) in Sri Lanka. The landmark 10th edition of the tournament will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, more..

Dec 11 (NW) Several former Cabinet Ministers have been questioned by the Bribery Commission in connection with an investigation regarding the leasing of a building in the Rajagiriya area for the functioning of the Ministry of Agriculture. Opposition MP Gayantha Karunathilaka appeared before the CIABOC this morning to provide a statement in this regard. Karunathilaka, who served as a Cabinet Minister at the time of the incident, was summoned by the Commission to give a statement. more..

Dec 11 (PMD) Secretary to the Treasury, Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma stated that the Dept of National Planning has launched a programme to collect information and data on businesses and properties damaged by Cyclone Ditwah. Secretary to Ministry of Finance further noted that this information will be compiled in coordination with Divisional Secretariats and other relevant institutions. Dr. Suriyapperuma added that teams will visit the affected locations to gather the data more more..

Dec 11 (DM) Germany has announced emergency aid worth approximately €500,000 to support SL in the wake of the devastating impact of Cyclone Ditwah. The assistance has been provided under European Union Civil Protection Mechanism (EU UCPM) as part of the collective EU emergency response. Initial needs were identified through the EU Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO). Financed by the German Federal Foreign Office and delivered via the Federal Agency more..

Dec 11 (TM) Dept of Motor Traffic (DMT) has met its revenue targets for the year with the rise in vehicle imports seen this year, Motor Traffic Commissioner General Kamal Amarasinghe said. Accordingly, the dept was given a target of Rs. 16 billion and it has surpassed this figure by recording Rs. 17.8 billion as of 30 November. Amarasinghe further stated that the Treasury has set a revenue target of Rs. 18 billion for next year, adding that the DMT is fully capable of achieving that target. more..

Dec 11 (AD) Cabinet of Ministers has granted approval to the recruitment of 2,284 personnel to the state sector to fill existing vacancies. Cabinet previously granted approval to implement the recommendations of the committee appointed to review the recruitment process of the state service and to manage existing staff requirements. A committee comprising officials and headed by the Secretary to the PM more..

Dec 11 (EN) SL’s cabinet has approved the transfer of a land and constructions meant for a Kinniya Uni of Vocational Technology (UNIVOTEC) in Trincomalee, to Ministry of Tourism, minister Nalinda Jayatissa said. Kinniya education institution was to be built on a 12-acre land belonging to the Land Reform Commission in the Uparu Grama Niladhari Division of the Kinniya DS in the Trincomalee District. So far, 25.45 million rupees has been spent on the construction work for the college. more..

Dec 11 (BR) Pakistan announced on Thursday that it had dispatched an additional 200 tons of humanitarian relief supplies to SL, which will reach the cyclone-hit country on Dec 13. Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry said that the decision came after he met with SL leaders in Colombo and an evaluation of the situation onsite. The minister visited SL on PM Shehbaz Sharif’s instructions to convey Pakistan’s solidarity after Cyclonic Storm Ditwah. more..

Dec 11 (DM) TPA leader Mano Ganesan today took to the govt's disaster relief matrix and questioned how the plantation community fits into it. “I acknowledge the relief allowances announced by President Anura Kumra Dissanayake on Dec 5, the final day of the Budget debate. I chose not to join the opposition walkout, opting instead to hear the Prez out in good faith. However, I still don’t see where the most marginalised plantation community fits into the relief matrix,” Ganesan said. more..

Dec 11 (FT) Canary Wharf Holdings Ltd, based in Singapore, marked a major milestone on the 27 Nov, with the successful announcement event of Colombo Gateway One to be developed within Port City Colombo, an extension of Colombo’s existing Central Business District. The event, held at Port City Colombo’s Sales Gallery, welcomed leading corporates and high-net- worth individuals reflecting strong investor interest and enthusiasm for the project. Canary Wharf Holdings more..

Dec 11 (AD) The UN today launched its Humanitarian Priorities Plan to support SL’s efforts to provide immediate life-saving assistance and restore normalcy to the lives of people affected by Cyclone Ditwah. The UN, along with local and international partners, are accordingly seeking to mobilise US$35 million in the next four months to provide immediate life-saving assistance, UN Resident Coordinator in SL, Marc-André more..

Dec 11 (DM) The Cabinet has approved the establishment of two new wind power plants each with a capacity of 50 megawatts in Mullikulum, Mannar, as part of the govt’s push to generate 70% of SL’s electricity from renewable energy by 2030. The approval follows a decision made on 10 February 2025 to invite proposals from private-sector developers for the Mullikulum Wind Power Park, a 100MW project to be implemented under a Build–Own–Operate model with more..

Dec 11 (NF) Colombo witnessed a pivotal diplomatic engagement as U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Allison Hooker met with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to reinforce the strategic partnership between the two nations. The discussions centered on deepening maritime cooperation, including last week’s transfer of a U.S. vessel to Sri Lanka, a move aimed at strengthening maritime security while fully respecting Sri Lanka’s sovereignty. more..

Dec 11 (Reuters) The deadly storms that devastated Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand in late November were supercharged by higher sea temperatures and made worse by rapid deforestation, scientists said. Tropical Cyclone Senyar devastated large parts of Southeast Asia after forming in the Malacca Strait, killing nearly 1,200, including 969 on the Indonesian island of Sumatra. At least $3 billion in relief funds more..

Dec 11 (PMD) The Deputy Registrars of Malwatta and Asgiriya chapters commended the govt, led by the Prez, for its initiative to rebuild the lives of the people and restore the country following the recent disaster, expressing their blessings for these efforts. The remarks were made by Deputy Registrar of the Malwathu Maha Viharaya Chapter of the Siyamopali Maha Nikaya, Rajakiya Panditha Darshanapath Venerable Mahawela Rathanapala Thero, Deputy Registrar of the Asgiriya Chapter of more..

Dec 11 (NW) SL’s centuries-old practice of Kithul Madeema, the traditional method of tapping sap from the kithul palm, has been added to UNESCO’s List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding. Known locally as Kithul Madeema or Kithul Kapeema, the practice is deeply rooted in rural SL communities. It involves collecting sap from the Caryota urens tree, commonly known as the kithul palm, found in forests and home gardens. Process requires significant skill and care. more..

Dec 11 (FT) The recent cyclone has left behind more than damaged homes and broken infrastructure. It has left wounded childhoods, shattered families, and a generation of children staring into an uncertain future. Among the most vulnerable are those who have lost their parents — children whose sense of safety, belonging, and hope has been cruelly stripped away. At a remembrance concert organised by Union Bank of Colombo, SL Institute of Directors, and Port City, His Lordship Bishop Valence more..

Dec 11 (FT) The Ditwah Cyclone ranks second only to the Dec 2004 Tsunami in terms of damage to housing in Sri Lanka’s recent history. According to the govt’s Disaster Management Centre, as of 9 December 2025, 86,488 houses were partially or fully damaged due to Ditwah. This is only slightly fewer than the nearly 100,000 houses affected by the 2004 Tsunami. The Govt has announced a redevelopment program to assist affected families in rebuilding their homes in safer locations. more..