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..

Dec 11 (TM) Land and Irrigation Ministry stated the relevant irrigation officials took all possible steps to manage reservoir systems well during the heavy rainfall brought on by Cyclone Ditwah, both by protecting the reservoirs and minimising any harm caused to nearby communities. The remarks come amid allegations that water was not released early enough and that sluice gates were later opened suddenly without giving more..

Dec 11 (DM) All major rivers across the country are flowing at normal levels with no risk of minor or major flooding, according to the latest hydrology update issued at 6.30 am today (11). Hydrology & Disaster Management Division reports that key river basins—including the Kelani, Kalu, Mahaweli, Gin, Nilwala and Walawe—remain well below their respective flood alert thresholds. Water level readings taken between 5 am and 6 am confirmed stable conditions, with only slight more..

Dec 11 (Island) Jaffna High Court yesterday ordered former Prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa to present evidence of alleged threats to his life, after he failed to appear in court for the hearing of the case concerning the abduction of brothers Lalith Kumar Veeraraju and Kugan Muruganandan 14 years ago. The court set 06 February, 2026, as the date for him to submit details regarding these threats. The case, which marks over a decade of legal proceedings into enforced disappearances in Jaffna, more..

Dec 11 (DM) The insurance companies in SL have mobilised swiftly to provide relief following the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah, with the authorities confirming that the compensation payments for minor property damage have already begun. Insurance Regulatory Commission of SL convened a meeting with all insurers to establish a mechanism for supporting the affected businesses and property owners, according to Treasury Secretary Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma. more..

Dec 11 (NW) An individual who allegedly threw a bag of waste onto the Colombo–Katunayake Expressway has been arrested by the Seeduwa Police. The incident occurred this evening (10) near the 19 km post of the expressway, when mobile patrol officers observed the driver of a passenger van travelling from Colombo toward Katunayake throwing a waste-filled bag onto the highway. Following the observation, officers notified the Seeduwa sub-station, which subsequently arrested suspect more..

Dec 11 (CT) The economic fallout from the recent adverse weather conditions has begun to impact consumers severely, with vegetable prices fluctuating wildly across the market. Traders at the Colombo Manning Market attribute these severe disruptions directly to the prevailing adverse weather conditions following Cyclone Ditwah. They noted that the market is currently receiving less than 40% of its typical daily vegetable stocks more..

Dec 11 (ST) A JICA-funded project to install a Doppler radar – a vital weather forecasting instrument – is expected to be finished by 2027 after years of delays. A Doppler radar uses waves to detect precipitation, while also measuring its movement and speed, revealing wind direction and intensity, etc, giving meteorologists vital information for severe weather warnings. Sunday Times first reported in 2017 that JICA has agreed to fund the procurement and installation of two Doppler more..

Dec 11 (NW) SL Police has issued a clarification regarding a video circulating on social media which claims that residents of Mandaramnuwara protested against the Mandaramnuwara Police during a relief distribution operation. The video has been shared alongside misleading interpretations suggesting that the police had clashed with residents or interfered with aid distribution. The clarification follows an internal report obtained from the OIC of the Mandaramnuwara Police. more..

Dec 11 (DN) Two promising cricketers Sharujan Shanmuganathan of Tamil Union and Pulindu Perera of Nugegoda SC came to the highlight when they scored their maiden first class centuries in the opening week of the Major Cub 3-day cricket tournament conducted by SLC. Both Sharujan and Pulindu were at the same U-19 National team which participated in last year’s Asia Cup as well as World Cup. Two potential batsmen Sharujan from St. Benedict’s College Kotahena and more..

Dec 11 (CT) Mora Racing, a leading SL Karting Team, proudly announces its significant strides in developing motorsports talent from the entry-level to international formula racing. The team, whose name Mora (meaning shark in Sinhalese) was chosen to give the team a distinct local identity while competing globally, was founded in 2023 following the post-covid reintroduction of karting in Sri Lanka. The foundation of the team was built on expertise in two-stroke engine mechanics, more..

Dec 11 (FT) SL’s tax exemptions and concessions reached Rs. 285.7 billion in the first six months of 2025, equal to 57% of the total tax expenditure recorded since April 2023, according to the latest Tax Expenditure Statement published by Ministry of Finance in November. Data shows that the scale of foregone revenue remains substantial despite efforts to broaden the tax base and meet revenue objectives under economic recovery program. more..

Dec 11 (DN) SL Under-19 skipper Vimath Dinsara says the upcoming Under-19 Asia Cup in Dubai will be an ideal buildup for the 2026 ICC Under-19 World Cup. The tournament begins tomorrow and continues until the 21st, while the World Cup is scheduled from January 15 to February 6 in Zimbabwe and Namibia. Sri Lanka, five-time runners-up in the Asia Cup, have never won the title. Dinsara believes this is the moment to claim their maiden c'ship ahead of the World Cup. more..

Dec 11 (FT) London-based The Financial Times publication The Banker magazine has honoured Hatton National Bank (HNB) with the prestigious Bracken Award as the Bank of the Year SL 2025. This recognition was based on the bank’s strength and its position as one of the country’s most resilient and future-focused financial institutions. Annual awards by The Banker evaluate global banks on financial strength, innovation, governance & long-term strategic performance. more..

Dec 11 (FT) Export Development Board (EDB) of SL is set to organise the country’s largest-ever Business-to-Business (B2B) pavilion at the prestigious Gulfood International Trade Fair 2026, scheduled to take place from 26-30 January 2026, in Dubai, UAE. A special media briefing was held today at the Export Development Board (EDB), presided over by EDB Chairman Mangala Wijesinghe concurrent with the pre-fair workshop held to inform exporters participating in the exhibition. more..

Dec 11 (FT) Hemas Holdings PLC has been recognised among Forbes Asia’s 200 Best Under A Billion companies for 2025, ranking as one of the region’s top performing organisations. Selected from over 19,000 organisations, this recognition highlights businesses with under $ 1 billion in revenue that demonstrate consistent growth, innovation, and stability. The ranking reflects Hemas’ consistency in generating long-term value for shareholders over the last three years. more..