Dec 28 (TM) It has been almost a month since Cyclone Ditwah bruised Sri Lanka. The heavy rains have ceased, flood water levels have receded, and those displaced by the disaster cling to hope, some while living in temporary shelters. In the seeming calm, the nation slowly awakens to a new year around the corner. The whole country appears to be coming back to life gradually. According to DMC reports, 66,132 people are still residing more..

Dec 28 (Island) Pressure is mounting on Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake to ensure that an Auditor General is appointed without further delay. But he has remained unmoved. He is determined to wear down the Constitutional Council (CC) and appoint one of his party loyalists as Auditor General. The CC has rejected his nominees—and rightly so; they are not eligible. Former Executive Presidents went all out to railroad the CC into rubber-stamping their decisions. more..

Dec 28 (Island) A telling Christmas cartoon in a Canadian newspaper shows the American Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents apprehending and attacking Santa Claus as he lands in the US presumably without a visa. For their part, ICE agents have gone a step worse and got one of their men to be a fake Santa, with an ICE logo, in an advertisement that promises US immigrants a payment of $3,000 and free flight home for Christmas if they would voluntarily more..

Dec 28 (SO) The devastating natural disaster caused by Cyclone Ditwah, which struck Sri Lanka from Nov 17 and continued into the first week of December, triggered one of the largest international humanitarian responses the country has witnessed in recent decades. While the cyclone caused immense human, economic, and infrastructural damage, it also highlighted the strong international standing and diplomatic credibility of SL under the Govt led by Prez Anura Kumara. more..

Dec 28 (CT) The arena of SL politics has for some time been largely influenced by the rule of the jungle. Also, it has been mostly characterized by the notion that the end justifies the means. Political actors are masters of duplicity. Grinning mugs imploring support in the run-up to elections, promising sun, moon, and heaven in return, turn into hubristic frowns once comfortably ensconced in office. Once the rain ceases, the umbrella is no longer needed has been the tragic reality. more..

Dec 28 (ST) When India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar visited the country this week, his office allocated time from his busy engagement with Tamil political leaders from North and Upcountry. For some time now, this has been the norm whenever a top-ranking official from the neighbouring country visits. During these discussions, northern political leaders regularly express concerns and aspirations, particularly more..

Dec 28 (ST) My dear Vraie, I thought of writing to you after hearing that the first budget of the maalimaawa chaps at the CMC was defeated by 3 votes. You spoke after that, close to tears, telling your fellow councillors that what was really defeated was not the maalimaawa’ chaps budget, but the budget of their conscience. Vraie, you shouldn’t be shocked by what happened at all. In fact, it was quite predictable. It is quite surprising the powers that be in Pelawatte didn’t see it coming. more..

Dec 28 (ST) The year 2025 of the Gregorian calendar ends next week—a year of mixed happenings and emotions for the people swept asunder by a devastating natural disaster, over and above a delicate economy. Factor in a fledgling govt desperate to make a mark despite the odds that include political setbacks at elections and then Cyclone Ditwah. Last year, we separated the mixed bag of events of that year, and so we will summarise it for 2025. The Good: The Govt continued more..

Dec 28 (TM) As the curtains draw on another year and the nation gears to welcome another undoubtedly challenging year, Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake (AKD) and his NPP Govt will have to brace for a new year with amplified challenges due to the need for balancing post-Ditwah rebuilding efforts and the ongoing economic recovery path. Balancing these two challenging issues would be a challenge for any govt in power and more..

Dec 28 (TM) SL’s much-touted economic recovery has always rested on fragile ground, sustained less by resilience than by a narrow window of fiscal discipline, external goodwill, and public endurance. Cyclone Ditwah has now brutally exposed just how thin that margin truly was. While headline projections still speak of stabilisation and growth, the underlying numbers tell the more sobering story of a country walking a tightrope between recovery and relapse, with the climate disaster threatening to more..

Dec 28 (SO) With 2025 ending in a few days, the entire world is focused on what 2026 will be like. Perhaps, the biggest challenge facing the world is resolving the Ukraine War, which will enter its fourth year in February if no solution is found before then. US Prez Donald Trump is due to meet Ukrainian Prez Volodymyr Zelensky today (Sunday) in Florida at Mar-a-Lago, a.k.a. the Winter White House to discuss the 28-Point Ukraine Peace Plan. Confirmation of planned top-level talks more..

Dec 27 (CT) Former Minister Douglas Devananda was arrested by the CID on Friday in connection with an investigation into the alleged transfer of a firearm to an organised criminal, Police said. The arrest relates to allegations that a pistol issued to Devananda had later been found in the possession of underworld figure Makandure Madush. Responding to the arrest, EPDP Spokesman S. Srikanth said that there appeared to be more..

Dec 27 (NW) Media Minister Nalinda Jayatissa denied allegations that the govt is suppressing media freedom, stating that criticism from all forms of media is permitted but action is required against the spread of false information. “There is absolutely no media suppression. Social, electronic, and print media are free to criticize us and point out our weaknesses,” Jayatissa said, responding to recent claims of media restrictions. However, he expressed concern over what he described as more..

Dec 27 (CT) An unfounded sense of fear is spreading among pregnant women over the use of the drug Ondansetron, Consultant Obstetrician Dr. Amila Ranasinghe claimed. He said the concern had arisen following the deaths of three women who had reportedly received Ondansetron after undergoing surgical procedures. He explained that the drug is prescribed by doctors to pregnant women who suffer from severe vomiting during the early weeks of pregnancy, and that it is administered either more..

Dec 27 (DN) Thousands of people gathered at Galle Face Green on Christmas day to celebrate Christmas, as a carnival organized at the premises attracted families, tourists, and large crowds throughout the day. While the festive atmosphere was welcomed by the public, a serious issue regarding inadequate sanitary facilities caused significant inconvenience, particularly to women and children. Despite the large number of attendees, only two toilets were made available more..

Dec 27 (NW) SL today (26) observed the 21st anniversary of the devastating 2004 tsunami, with commemorations held across the country to remember those who lost their lives in the tragedy and other disasters. Accordingly, commemorating National Safety Day, a remembrance programme for those who died in the 2004 tsunami was held this morning (26) in front of the Peraliya Tsunami Memorial in Galle. From 9.25 am to 9.27 am, a two‑minute silence was observed in memory more..

Dec 27 (Island) SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa has alleged that the current govt is attempting to suppress freedom of expression and media freedom to lead the country towards authoritarian rule. Premadasa said that in a democratic country, the four main pillars safeguarding democracy are the legislature, executive, judiciary and independent media, but, at present, the govt is using the police to violate more..

Dec 27 (NW) Police Constable attached to the Sooriyakanda Police Station, who was arrested following an alleged altercation involving NPP MP Shantha Pathma Kumara, is calling for an impartial investigation, claiming he has been left without an income and his family is struggling to survive. He had filed a complaint with the Human Rights Commission sub office in Ratnapura earlier today. The Constable, who was released on bail and suspended from duty, revealed that he had more..

Dec 27 (NW) A media briefing to raise awareness about the One Million Volunteers programme conducted by the National Youth Services Council was held at Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports. At the briefing, details were shared about the programmes scheduled to take place in the Badulla District under the One Million Volunteers initiative. Accordingly, on tomorrow (27) and the day after (28), nearly 1,000 youth volunteers are expected to carry out a series of programmes in the Badulla District. more..

Dec 27 (DN) A bomb threat sent to the official email address of the Kandy District Secretariat, claiming a vehicle bomb was set to detonate inside the premises, caused disruption yesterday. However, the Police stated that further investigation into the email and the information it contained revealed it to be a hoax. It was discovered that the message was a fabricated version of an intelligence report issued by Indian Intelligence Services in 2021, which had been sent to the District Secretariat. more..

Dec 27 (DM) Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) continued its positive momentum on Friday, with both key indices closing firmly in green territory, supported by higher trading volumes and improved turnover levels. Despite the stronger activity, investor sentiment remained measured, as the absence of clear positive signals from the broader macroeconomic environment kept risk appetite in check. ASPI advanced 109.79 points (+0.50%) to close at 22,068.84, while S&P SL20 gained more..

Dec 27 (EN) Inflation measured by the SL Christmas cake, widely acclaimed to be the world’s most delicious, rich, decadent and interesting confection of its kind, has risen by 4.4% in 2025, amid rupee depreciation, an analysis of retail prices show. The cost of 11 key ingredients rose to 15,180 rupees by 2025, up from 14,744 in 2024 with rupee inflating 5.3%. In the 12 month to November, the rupee fell from 290.90 rupees more..

Dec 27 (Island) Vegetable prices at the Peliyagoda Manning Wholesale Market surged to unusually high levels yesterday, raising concerns among consumers as the festive season drives up demand. The situation is expected to persist over the next few days, a spokesman for the Manning Market said. A sharp increase in the number of buyers visiting the wholesale market, ahead of upcoming festivities, had resulted in a sudden spike in demand, prompting wholesale traders to raise more..

Dec 27 (AD) Panadura North Police have arrested a total of seven youths for engaging in illegal motorcycle racing involving monetary bets. The suspects are residents of Moratuwa, Egodauyana, and Panadura, and are aged between 18 and 22 years. The arrests followed multiple complaints from local residents regarding high-speed motorcycle races conducted at night along the Old Galle Road. Residents reported that the activity caused severe public nuisance due to excessive noise. more..

Dec 27 (ABC) For Upul Rathgama, who grew up in Colombo, drowning once seemed like a distant danger — something that happened far from home, near the sea. Then it happened next door. "You can drown in two inches of water, not many people know this." Drowning is SL's second-leading cause of accidental death, after road accidents. Nearly 80% of those deaths occur not at beaches, but at homes & other waterways more..

Dec 27 (Island) Supporting families with medically supervised care for elderly individuals in the comfort of their own homes, SLT-MOBITEL and eChannelling PLC, in partnership with medical experts from Golden Years Care, have introduced eHomecare’, Sri Lanka’s first doctor‑led elderly‑care service. The pioneering initiative is designed to address a growing societal need. The service launched by eChannelling, Sri Lanka’s leading digital healthcare solutions provider, brings together more..

Dec 27 (AD) A Member of the PS representing the NPP has been arrested by Mundalama Police today (26) in connection with the alleged verbal abuse and intimidation of a female Grama Niladhari officer. The suspect is the elected representative for the Mangalaeliya Division of the Puttalam Pradeshiya Sabha. According to a complaint lodged by the Grama Niladhari officer, the incident dates back to Dec 5. She stated that while travelling by motorcycle on disaster management duties, more..

Dec 27 (NW) Fraud complaints have been lodged with the Kollupitiya Police against the organisers of the postponed Ne-Yo concert in Colombo. Two complaints — including one from Cinnamon Grand Colombo over unpaid dues — have been recorded against the organisers, Brown Boy Presents. The complaints are to be referred to the Colombo FIB for further investigations. Concert, scheduled for Dec 28 at the Sugathadasa Outdoor Stadium, was called off citing unforeseen circumstances. more..

Dec 27 (EN) Sri Lanka and Vietnam officials explored deeper ties in health, trade, and tourism sectors when they met officially this week, the government said. The discussions, held at the Ministry of Health and Mass Media, centered on strengthening the longstanding diplomatic relations between the two countries and exploring new avenues for bilateral cooperation. Vietnam’s Ambassador to SL, Trinh Thi Tam, commended the island nation’s recent progress across more..

Dec 27 (SO) Aarathi Ilango had long nurtured the dream of becoming a doctor since her childhood. Today, as a third-year medical student at the University of Jaffna, her growing fascination with psychiatry, coupled with the stories and struggles of people in the North in the post-war era had deepened her resolve to heal not just the body, but the mind. “When they see a film, song, or anything related to the war on television, old memories more..

Dec 27 (ST) Ride for Ceylon, the globally recognised endurance cycling initiative, announced details of its landmark 10th anniversary ride, set to take place from March 11 to 14, 2026. The four-day, event, which covers a distance of over 450kms is a charity cycling event that unites riders from around the world to conquer the journey from Colombo to Manipay, Jaffna, raising crucial funds for the Manipay Green Memorial Hospital. The 2026 Ride will kick off after its 10th annual gala more..

Dec 27 (CI) Shafali Verma continued her superb form, cracking a 42-ball 79 as India brushed aside Sri Lanka once again to win the third T20I in Thiruvananthapuram and complete a series victory. The template was familiar and ruthlessly executed: win the toss, bowl, restrict Sri Lanka, and then stroll through the chase. Just as in the first two matches, India were clinical. Renuka Singh spearheaded the bowling, with support from Deepti Sharma, to keep Sri Lanka to 112 for 7 before more..