Dec 18 (DM) The Colombo High Court on Dec 10 permitted the CIABOC to withdraw the indictments filed against former Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal in connection with the controversial Greek bond transaction, subject to stringent conditions recommended by the CIABOC. Colombo High Court Judge Mohammed Mihal granted permission under Section 67(1) of the Anti-Corruption Act, allowing the withdrawal of more..

Dec 18 (SLN) SL Navy has successfully concluded specialized diving and technical operations to clear vital infrastructure obstructed by severe flooding from Cyclone Ditwah, while continuing extensive Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations across the island. Adverse weather from the cyclone caused a significant rise in the Mahaweli River, sweeping large quantities of debris, including logs and tree remains, into key bridges. This obstruction posed a dual threat, more..

Dec 18 (DM) SL’s mineral export potential is as much as US $ 778 million annually where the realized amount is only US $ 389 million as estimated by the ITC Export Potential Map, a report compiled by the Pathfinder Foundation says. The report says that primary data suggests that the potential could increase even up to US $ 2 billion with more investments in downstream space. Australian High Commissioner Matthew Duckworth said investing in minerals and renewable more..

Dec 18 (NW) The world‑famous beverage from SL, Ceylon Tea, is set to enter a new era with the infusion of Biotechnology 4.0, marking a knowledge‑based export drive for the country’s botanical market. A major milestone in this science‑led industrialization was reached this week when the BOI granted formal approval for a state‑of‑the‑art botanical extraction facility by Natex Extracts (Pvt) Ltd. The project, backed by foreign direct investment (FDI) of USD 1.5 million more..

Dec 18 (TE) Two SL fishing vessels were seized near Kelaa in Haa Alifu Atoll yesterday during an operation conducted by the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) based on intelligence shared by foreign sources. MNDF said today that the vessels were detained by the Coast Guard for illegally entering the Maldives’ Special Economic Zone (SEZ). The seizure was carried out during a joint surveillance operation involving the Coast Guard and Air Corps, following intelligence more..

Dec 18 (TM) Former National Olympic Committee (NOC) President Hemasiri Fernando asserted that the Sports Minister has the authority to remove any head of a sports body and clear the decks for elections. “The current Minister of Sports, if he wants to, must act now,” he said in reference to the long overdue annual election to the NOC for the 2025-29 term. “He (Minister) removed former NOC General Secretary Maxwell de more..

Dec 18 (Island) More than 10,000 tonnes of garbage have accumulated in the Gampola town area following the recent flooding, and steps are currently being taken to remove it, Central Provincial Local Govt Commissioner Chamila Attapattu has said. Responding to growing public concern over lack of waste removal in the town, Attapattu said the situation had arisen after floods, caused by the overflowing of the Mahaweli River. She noted that Gampola was a densely populated more..

Dec 18 (AD) A decision has been taken to close all schools in the Central Province on Friday (19) and Monday due to the prevailing inclement weather conditions, says the Chief Secretary of the Central Province. Met Dept has forecast that showers will occur at times in Eastern, Uva & Central provinces and in Polonnaruwa and Hambantota districts with fairly heavy rainfall above 75 mm likely at some places in the these areas. It said fairly strong winds of about 40 kmph can be expected more..

Dec 18 (NW) SL has taken a significant step toward strengthening its national cybersecurity framework, with the SL Computer Emergency Readiness Team (SLCERT) convening its first stakeholder consultation under Ministry of Digital Economy to discuss the country’s path to ratifying the UN Convention against Cybercrime. Acting Secretary to the Ministry of Digital Economy, Varuna Sri Danapala, chaired the stakeholder consultation attended by officials from Foreign Ministry more..

Dec 18 (CT) The foundation stone for a new passenger terminal building at Jaffna Int'l Airport was laid on Monday, marking a key milestone in the Rs 700 million airport expansion project. The ceremony, held at the airport premises, included multi-religious observances and was attended by Jaffna Int'l Airport Manager Saman Amarasinghe, Deputy Airport Manager Sanjeewa Amarapathi, and senior officials of Airport & Aviation Services (SL) Ltd, including its Deputy Chairman and engineering staff. more..

Dec 18 (FT) Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa issued a strong appeal to the media and the public to act responsibly and avoid spreading confusion over recent weather events, including the Cyclone Ditwah, warning that misinformation risks undermining the country’s recovery efforts at a critical moment. Clarifying speculation surrounding the sequence of weather disturbances, he said public discourse had wrongly conflated more..

Dec 18 (NW) SL Police have reiterated that the 119 emergency telephone service must be used strictly for reporting genuine emergencies, warning that misuse of the hotline is a punishable offence under the Penal Code. Issuing a statement, the Police Department said that the 119 emergency telephone service is intended only for reporting emergencies. Police emphasize that this service must be used strictly for urgent situations and genuine emergencies, and that all calls are monitored. more..

Dec 18 (EN) Only one third of SL’s railway system is operable, deputy minister of transport Prasanna Gunasena told parliament. “The railways department got harmed the most. We can only use about 1/3 of the entire system,” Gunasena said detailing the damages. “Landslides and rock falls damaged 91 places on railway tracks.” 73 larger bridges were damaged, he said, and 38 smaller culverts. Trees or branches had fallen on tracks in 149 places. Another 177 places were damaged or obstructed more..

Dec 18 (FT) In early November 2025, Minister Sunil Hadunhetti stated in Parliament that beneficiaries of the Aswesuma program should be ashamed for taking taxpayer money through the Govt and characterised it as a form of legalised begging. He was widely criticised for this statement. In response to a press release by the Law and Society Trust which expressed disappointment in the Minister’s statement, he offered an explanation to LST about his reasoning for this statement. more..

Dec 18 (FT) The constitution anticipates that the Sri Lankan Parliament shall have full control over public finance. It exercises this power primarily through scrutinising, amending and approving the annual Budget. In practice, however, the Budgeting system has long been infected by inconsistencies and inaccuracies in the numbers presented to Parliament. Figures in the Budget speech, the estimates and other supporting documents released alongside the Budget often do not align. more..

Dec 18 (FT) Govt said the proposed Rs. 500 billion Supplementary Estimate for post-Cyclone Ditwah recovery will be funded through reallocated capital spending, excess revenue, Treasury resources, and external assistance, while remaining fully within the 2026 debt ceiling and the available fiscal space. Deputy Minister Dr. Anil Jayantha said the scale of destruction caused by the worst natural disaster in over two decades more..

Dec 18 (NW) Three people were arrested after a wild elephant died from severe burn injuries sustained when villagers attempted to chase it away using fire, police said. The 40-year-old elephant, known as Amba Bo, was found critically injured on Monday morning lying in the front yard of a house near the Abagaha Wela junction in the Seepukulama area. Wildlife veterinarians from the Anuradhapura Pandulagama division rushed to treat the animal, but it succumbed to its injuries later. more..

Dec 18 (DN) Health Services Director General Dr. Asela Gunawardena stated that Health authorities have launched investigations into two deaths reported at the Infectious Diseases Hospital (IDH), and stressed that it has not yet been conclusively established that the incidents were caused by the drug Ondansetron. NMRA Chairman Dr. Ananda Wijewickrama stated that on December 12, following information received indicating possible contamination in the drug, immediate steps more..

Dec 18 (TM) Govt plans to expedite the programme to provide plots of land to families living in estate housing, taking into account the difficulties faced by the estate community sector, particularly in the aftermath of recent natural disasters, stated the Plantations & Community Infrastructure Ministry. Deputy Minister Sundaralingam Pradeep said that long-discussed proposal to allocate land to estate sector more..

Dec 18 (DM) Jaffna International Trade Fair (JITF), Northern SL’s largest multitrade exhibition, would be held from Jan 23 to 25, 2026, marking its 16th consecutive year as a key commercial platform for the region, the organisers said. Organised by Lanka Exhibition and Conference Services in association with the Chamber of Commerce and Industries of Yarlpanam, the event will take place at the Muttraweli Ground in Jaffna. The organisers said the fair aims to deepen business connectivity, more..

Dec 18 (DN) Minister Kumara Jayakody said that attention has been drawn to develop energy sector and related fields with Vietnam, a close friend of SL, which is maintaining rapid economic growth. “Vietnam, which has gone through difficult and challenging times like SL, is experiencing the fastest economic growth and a country that we can also take as an example. Therefore, it is our hope to further develop new investment and technology exchange relations in energy sector with more..

Dec 18 (FT) The Govt has decided to convene an international donor conference in January to mobilise additional financial support for the country’s post-disaster recovery following Cyclone Ditwah. Finance and Planning Deputy Minister Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando told journalists yesterday the decision was taken at the most recent meeting of the Rebuilding Sri Lanka initiative, as authorities assess the scale of damage and financing needs arising from the cyclone. more..

Dec 18 (NW) Cricket legend Kumar Sangakkara on Wednesday urged international travelers to return to SL, framing tourism as a vital engine for the island’s recovery following its worst flooding in decades. In a video message shared across social media, the former national captain addressed the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah, which struck in late November. The storm triggered widespread landslides and flooding that affected 2.2 million people across all 25 districts and more..

Dec 18 (FT) Govt expressed confidence in securing $ 200 million from IMF under the Rapid Financing Instrument (RFI), as it moves to manage urgent foreign exchange needs following the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah, whilst keeping its broader debt restructuring program on track. Deputy Minister Dr. Anil Jayantha said SL is confident of receiving around $ 200 million under the RFI, stressing that the request is fully justified more..

Dec 18 (Island) Norway is providing more than USD 2.4 million to assist those affected by severe flooding in SL. “Norway is contributing emergency assistance to people who have lost both their homes and livelihoods in SL. A rapid response is crucial to ensure that those affected have shelter, food, healthcare and support to rebuild their communities,” said Norway’s Minister of Int'l Development, Åsmund Aukrust. UN estimates that nearly 11 million people have been impacted by catastrophic floods more..

Dec 18 (AD) PM Harini Amarasuriya has expressed her appreciation for the timely assistance extended by the Govt of China during SL’s recent disaster response efforts. This was conveyed during an official meeting held between Wang Dongming, the Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC) of China and PM Amarasuriya at the Parliament complex. During the meeting, the long-standing bilateral relations between SL and China and areas for more..

Dec 18 (SO) Only about 40% of tourist accommodations in Sri Lanka operate within the formal sector, while nearly 60% remain informal, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority and the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, Buddhika Hewawasam told the Sunday Observer recently. He said the authorities have stepped up efforts to regulate informal accommodation providers as part of a broader push to improve standards and support the tourism sector’s recovery. more..

Dec 18 (DN) During the period from May to Nov 2025, Waters Edge has achieved stable and robust growth in profitability compared to the corresponding period in 2024. The statement notes that this monthly performance is a result of the proper implementation of business plans and the optimal utilization of market opportunities. Notably, the 264% increase in profitability from June to Nov 2025 compared to the same period in 2024 is highlighted as a factor reflecting the economic strength more..

Dec 18 (FT) Capital market regulator is in discussion with the Finance Ministry on mobilising long-term funding through infrastructure bonds to support large-scale reconstruction following Cyclone Ditwah, SEC Chairman Prof. Hareendra Dissabandara said. He said the Govt’s limited fiscal resources had heightened the need to leverage capital market instruments to finance infrastructure rebuilding. “Govt has limited resources to more..

Dec 18 (ST) Some government bodies are discarding waste in a manner that is detrimental to the environment disregarding instructions by the Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) and the Central Environmental Authority (CEA), in the aftermath of the trail of destruction left behind by cyclone Ditwah. The Sunday Times observed that some municipal councils had dumped waste in wetland areas, with the latest being the Kurukupaluwa mangrove, in Puttalam District. more..

Dec 18 (FT) The Ceylon Biscuits Ltd (CBL) products were officially launched in Saudi Arabia by the Ambassador of SL to the Kingdom Ameer Ajwad on 10 December 2025 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Riyadh. SL’s CBL Group in collaboration with Aamalcom Trading Ltd, of Saudi Arabia brings CBL’s popular range of biscuits, chocolates, confectioneries, and snacks to consumers across the Kingdom. Launching the CBL products, Ambassador Ajwad pointed out that more..