Dec 15 (NF) World Bank Group has announced up to US$120 million in emergency support for Sri Lanka, responding to the Govt’s urgent request following the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah. This funding, repurposed from ongoing projects, will accelerate recovery and restore essential services and infrastructure in the hardest-hit areas—including health care, water, education, agriculture, and connectivity. more..

Dec 15 (NW) Ministry of Education on Monday announced a revised school calendar covering the period from December to March, outlining reopening dates, examination-related closures and special measures introduced following recent natural disasters. Schools in the Western, Southern, Northern, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern and North Central provinces will reopen on Tuesday (16). However, 640 schools in the Uva, North Western and Central provinces will remain closed more..

Dec 15 (BBC) A brother and sister from Sheffield are hoping to bring Sri Lankan coffee to the UK and give something back to the country of their ancestors. Samantha and Sampath Erabadda said the lightbulb moment for their fledgling venture came during a visit to the tiny village of Erabadda where their father, Eric, grew up. On a family holiday in 2019, they discovered a coffee tree growing in their grandparent's garden, sparking a business idea they hope can support farmers in Sri Lanka more..

Dec 15 (AD) A defect in the braking system has been observed in the vehicle of former Speaker and NPP MP Asoka Ranwala which was involved in an accident on Thursday in Sapugaskanda. Medical report of MP Asoka Ranwala, who was involved in the accident in which at least three people sustained injuries, has not yet been received by police according to Police Media Spokesperson ASP F.U. Wootler. more..

Dec 15 (DM) SL should not delay in organizing an int'l Donor Conference in the aftermath of one of the worst natural calamities the country has experienced in its modern history—an event now widely considered to be more devastating than the 2004 tsunami. Initial assessments estimate the damage at over USD 7 billion, with the figure expected to increase as comprehensive evaluations continue. Former Envoy stressed that while the international community has responded with immediate more..

Dec 15 (FT) Hettigoda Group has been honoured with two prestigious accolades for the groundbreaking project, Exploring the Bioactivity of Siddhalepa Asamodagam Spirit, at the recent SLTC Research and Innovation Awards 2025, highlighting the company’s dedication to scientific rigour and advancement in traditional medicine. Siddhalepa was honoured with the coveted Outstanding Research Collaboration Award in Healthcare, Wellness and Life Science Research. more..

Dec 15 (PA) Emirates and Dubai Humanitarian have established an airbridge to Sri Lanka, transporting urgent relief aid to support those affected by the devastating Cyclone Ditwah. For the next two weeks, Emirates will offer over 100 tonnes of cargo space free of charge across its daily passenger flights to SL, enabling Dubai Humanitarian and its associates to transport emergency supplies across affected areas, via Colombo. The first shipments departed Dubai Int'l Airport on Tuesday (9) more..

Dec 15 (NW) SLC today declared open a new Indoor Training Complex at the National High Performance Center, marking the completion of another key facility at the country’s Elite Training Center of Cricket. The state-of-the-art, seven-wicket indoor facility has been built to international standards and comprises two wickets dedicated to Spin bowling, two wickets for Fast bowling, and three general-purpose wickets. Designed to facilitate uninterrupted training under varying climatic conditions, more..

Dec 15 (AD) SL Computer Emergency Readiness Team (CERT) has issued a warning to the general public regarding a rise in frauds conducted via social media. Over the past few weeks, there has been an increase in attempts to commit online and financial scams through social media platforms. Therefore, the public has been urged to exercise extreme caution when using social media. CERT highlights that cybercriminals more..

Dec 15 (TM) Govt Radiological Technologists’ Association (GRTA) said the damage caused to medical imaging equipment by floods triggered by Cyclone Ditwah is being assessed, with preliminary estimates indicating losses amounting to several million rupees. GRTA President, Chanaka Dharmawickrama said that several medical equipment have been severely affected at major hospitals, and that the possibility of repairing them is currently under review. more..

Dec 15 (AD) Special police security arrangements have been made in urban areas and places of worship in view of the upcoming festive season, Police Media Spokesperson, ASP F.U. Wootler stated. An additional 2,500 police personnel have been deployed for the operation in the Western Province alone. In view of the festive season, IGP has issued a special directive to all police stations to ensure security in cities, at places of worship and in areas with large public gatherings, more..

Dec 15 (Island) Newly appointed SL Ambassador to South Korea, M.K. Pathmanaathan, has thanked President Lee Jae Myun for hosting over 37,000 Sri Lankan workers who make a significant contribution to Sri Lanka’s economy, noting their satisfaction with employment opportunities in Korea. Pathmanaathan expressed SL’s deep appreciation to the Republic of Korea when he had the opportunity to speak with the South Korean leader after presenting his Letter of Credence on 11 December. more..

Dec 15 (AD) The Rs. 5,000 nutrition allowance proposed for expectant mothers in view of the prevailing disaster situation and the upcoming festive season will be disbursed from tomorrow. The distribution ceremony of the nutrition allowance will be symbolically held under the leadership of Minister Saroja Savithri Paulraj, at 9:30 a.m. tomorrow at the MOH office in Wellawatta. The allowance, which will be provided only once, will be given to expectant mothers who were registered at more..

Dec 15 (Island) Civil society activist Oshala Herath has said that regardless of the political party one represents, all MPs should abide by the law of the land. Herath said so when The Island sought his response to a report that he was planning to move court against Deputy Minister Eranga Weeraratne. Deputy Minister of Digital Economy, accused of holding the top positions at Omobio (Pvt) and Eimsky Business Solutions (Pvt) Ltd, more..

Dec 15 (NF) To keep the public informed and safe during ongoing disaster recovery efforts, the Ministry of Transport and Highways has unveiled a new digital platform: road-lk.org. This initiative comes at a critical time when several roads across the country remain under repair following severe floods, landslides, and infrastructure damage caused by recent extreme weather events. Portal offers real-time updates on the status of roads nationwide, including those currently under development, more..

Dec 15 (Island) SJB MP Mujibur Rahuman yesterday complained of a bid to intimidate him. Rahuman said that there had been several instances of unidentified persons, sometimes posing as CID as well as intelligence personnel, visiting his house, as well as the residences of his relatives, and inquiring whether he was there. Responding to The Island query, Rahuman said that he brought the matter to the notice of senior DIG Asanka Karawita, head of the CID and FCID and would take up this matter more..

Dec 15 (NW) Sri Lanka’s inbound tourism is undergoing a structural shift, with visitor spending moving beyond traditional urban centres toward emerging destinations, according to the Mastercard Economics Institute’s Economic Outlook 2026. Commenting on the findings, Sandun Hapugoda, Country Manager for SL and Maldives at Mastercard, said the data shows a clear evolution in travel patterns when comparing 2025 with pre-pandemic 2019 levels. more..

Dec 15 (Island) George Keyt Foundation (GKF) has extended meaningful support to the Govt of SL’s disaster relief efforts following the severe devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah. The text of the press release issued by the GKF: “In 2023, Foundation undertook its first major fundraiser in recent years by issuing 30 numbered limited edition prints of Kangodi Rangi, a painting by George Keyt entrusted to the Foundation. Twenty-eight prints were acquired by donors to support more..

Dec 15 (AD) Former Chairman of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CEYPETCO), Dammika Ranatunga, who was arrested by the CIABOC earlier today has been granted bail. The order was issued by Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama after considering submissions made by the officials of the Bribery Commission and the counsels representing lawyers Dammika Ranatunga. Magistrate ordered Dammika Ranatunga more..

Dec 15 (NF) Pakistan handed over a sea consignment of 200 tons of humanitarian relief goods to the Govt of SL, reaffirming the enduring friendship and strong bilateral ties between the two nations. The shipment, dispatched by Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), arrived at the Colombo Int'l Container Terminal (CICT) at Colombo Port. The relief package includes family tents, blankets, quilts, life jackets, inflatable boats, de-watering pumps, camping lamps, more..

Dec 15 (Island) The govt has appealed to India for immediate help to overcome the serious shortage of life-saving drugs and injections. SL High Commission in New Delhi confirmed the appeal made by the govt. The following is the text of statement issued by the SL mission in New Delhi: “The Foreign Secretary of India, Vikram Misri, over the weekend handed over a consignment of urgently required essential medicines to SL’s HC to India, Mahishini Colonne, in New Delhi. more..

Dec 15 (DN) Ransalu Handloom Industry National Awards, organized by the Dept of Textile Industries with the aim of promoting the local handloom industry, was held on Friday at the BMICH in Colombo under the patronage of Minister Sunil Handunnetti. Dept of Textile Industries, which operates under the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, organizes this national handloom textile competition annually in collaboration with the 9 Provincial Industries more..

Dec 15 (FT) Unilever Sri Lanka pushed back against the long-held argument that the country’s population of 22 million restricts investment opportunities, insisting that the country offers a far more compelling case when viewed through the lens of value generation, consumer behaviour, and category development. Unilever SL Marketing Director Imeshika Kariyawasam said despite economic turbulence, Sri Lanka continues to be viewed positively within Unilever’s global system. more..

Dec 15 (AD) The Dept of Inland Revenue (IRD) has exceeded its revenue target, generating an additional Rs. 50 billion in tax revenue. In a statement, Deputy Minister Anil Jayantha Fernando noted that minimizing wastage and enhancing taxpayer confidence were key reasons the IRD was able to surpass its revenue targets. Speaking at a ceremony held today at the headquarters of the department to handover more..

Dec 15 (AD) Landslides are a natural phenomenon that occur across the world due to factors such as rainfall, earthquakes, volcanic activity among others. However, in Sri Lanka, landslides occur primarily as a result of rainfall, according to Senior Geologist Dr. Wasantha Senadeera of the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO). Dr. Senadeera stated that landslide warning notices are issued under three stages, namely Level One, Level Two, and Red Evacuation Notices. more..

Dec 15 (AD) SL Customs has inaugurated a Technical Committee on Rules of Origin (TCRO) in a bid to modernize the country’s trade governance and improve transparency in the administration of Rules of Origin, according to an official statement issued today. According to the statement from Sri Lanka Customs, the committee is co-established by the Customs and the Department of Commerce. Accordingly, the appointment fulfills SL’s obligations under Article 3 of the WTO Trade Facilitation more..

Dec 15 (EN) Sri Lanka’s gross domestic product expanded in the third quarter of 2025, with agriculture growing 3.6%, manufacturing 8.1% and services 3.5%. Sri Lanka’s central bank has provided stability in 2025 providing a strong foundation for economic agents to operate. Though the rupee has started to weaken, lower imports of intermediate goods were fundamental to the reported growth in some of more..

Dec 15 (CT) United General Employees Union wrote to IGP Priyantha Weerasuriya, seeking urgent intervention following a series of brutal attacks on employees of the Road Development Authority (RDA). In its letter, the union said that such incidents have created an unsafe working environment for road development workers, many of whom are now fearful of reporting to work sites. Attacks have reportedly targeted RDA employees engaged in continuous repair work on road networks more..

Dec 15 (DM) Former Chairman of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC), Dhammika Ranatunga, was arrested today (15) by officers of the CIABOC in connection with an ongoing investigation. According to the CIABOC, the arrest was made this morning in connection with allegations related to the cancellation of three long-term fuel procurement tenders scheduled for the period 2017–2018. It is alleged that the cancelled tenders were replaced with spot tenders more..

Dec 15 (FT) If you didn’t know you were scanning the news these days, you might well suspect that you’ve stumbled into newscurry. To the sensitive reader, the time has been a parade of pages and memes masquerading as headlines. The presidency distances itself from the draconian dimensions of Emergency regulations ahead of a social/social media backlash. A former president evicted from her official residence by this regime gives them a handsome handout to aid govt’s rebuilding more..

Dec 15 (FT) My series on unsung heroes of the Central Bank is not complete if I do not write on N.M. Jayasekera, the unknown computer programmer even within the Bank. That is understandable because even his family members did not know about his achievements. He left us a few weeks ago and when I attended his funeral, his wife was surprised to learn that he had retired from the Bank as a Deputy Head of Department in the Bank’s Information Technology Department. more..