Dec 12 (Island) Ambassador (Retd.) Esala Weerakoon has observed that “it is time for us to consider a South Asian Climate Compact —a renewed, collective commitment to safeguard our environment, protect our people, and uphold climate justice. Such a compact would reflect our shared vulnerabilities, our shared responsibilities, and our shared aspirations”. Ambassador Weerakoon, a former – Secretary General of the SAARC and Foreign Secretary of SL made this more..

Dec 12 (NW) SL batter Kusal Mendis has undergone emergency surgery in Dubai after being diagnosed with bladder stones, sources said on Friday Mendis, who was taking part in the ongoing ILT20 tournament, required immediate medical intervention and is currently recovering following the procedure. As a result, he will miss the remainder of the ILT20 season. His franchise is expected to make a replacement announcement in due course. Further updates on Mendis’ recovery and return more..

Dec 12 (AD) DMC reports that more than 5,700 houses have been completely destroyed due to the severe adverse weather conditions experienced recently across the country. Highest number of houses damaged has been reported from the Kandy District, with 1,568 houses completely destroyed and 14,111 houses partially damaged. Nuwara Eliya District has reported the second-highest number of houses damaged, more..

Dec 12 (NF) As Sri Lanka begins to recover from the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has called for urgent, targeted support to smallholder farmers and fishers, warning that their rapid return to production is critical for national food security and rural livelihoods. “Cyclone Ditwah has brought hardship to many families across Sri Lanka, and our thoughts remain with all those who have lost loved ones, homes, and livelihoods,” more..

Dec 12 (Island) A ceremony to felicitate veteran Sri Lankan artistes now domiciled in the United Kingdom was held last Sunday in London. The event, Avarjana, took place at the White Hill Centre in Chesham and was organised single-handedly by Mudith de Silva, with support from Jayantha Sarath Kumara. The artistes honoured at the ceremony were Punya Heendeniya, Gamini Abeysinghe, Wimal Alahakoon, Lilani Perera, Anoma Wattaladeniya, Sriyani Fonseka & Kamalangani Perusinghe. more..

Dec 12 (AD) The govt has announced that, in light of the nationwide prevailing disaster situation and the upcoming festive season, arrangements have been made to provide a nutrition allowance of Rs. 5,000 to pregnant mothers. This allowance, which will be provided only once, will be given to pregnant mothers who were registered at maternal clinics on or before 30 Nov 2025. The distribution will take place through the Divisional Secretariat offices from 16 Dec, under a program of more..

Dec 12 (NW) Defending champion Australia has named a 15-player squad for the upcoming ICC Under-19 Men’s Cricket World Cup 2026, including two newcomers of SL heritage, Nitesh Samuel and Naden Cooray. The squad, which will be led by Victoria’s Oliver Peake, features three uncapped players rewarded for their performances at the recent Under-19 Male National Championships in Perth. Samuel and Cooray earned selection after standout tournaments. more..

Dec 12 (FT) SL Tourism Advisory Committee Chairman Dileep Mudadeniya stressed that nation branding and destination marketing are fundamentally different, whilst urging the policymakers and industry stakeholders to clearly understand this distinction when shaping SL’s long-term tourism strategy. He made these remarks recently during a panel discussion organised by Australia’s Market Development Facility more..

Dec 12 (CNA) Singapore govt will contribute US$100,000 (S$129,000) as seed money to support the Singapore Red Cross' (SRC) public fundraising efforts for the humanitarian crisis resulting from the recent cyclone in SL. The contribution will supplement the SRC’s pledge of S$50,000 to support the immediate needs of affected communities in SL. Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan have also written to more..

Dec 12 (NW) SL Police have issued an official statement regarding a road accident involving NPP MP Ashoka Ranwala in the Sapugaskanda Police area on Thursday night. According to the police, the accident occurred at around 7.40 p.m. on Dec 11 near the Denimulla junction on the road stretching from Galvala Junction to Power House Junction. A jeep driven by MP Ranwala collided with a motorcycle travelling ahead of it, police said. Police said that while attempting to steer the jeep more..

Dec 12 (AD) Former Speaker and NPP MP Asoka Ranwala, who was involved in a vehicular collision in Sapugaskanda last night, has been arrested by the police. Police said he was taken into custody on charges of dangerous driving and failing to prevent an accident. PM is currently receiving treatment at the Colombo National Hospital and remains under police custody. Accident occurred yesterday when the jeep in which more..

Dec 12 (DM) Sinopec has mobilised to support relief efforts by donating 75,000 litres of bottled drinking water to the flood-affected regions. The initiative was launched nationwide through Sinopec’s filling stations network located in areas deeply impacted by the disaster. With many parts of the country facing disruptions to essential services, access to safe drinking water has emerged as a priority need. After ensuring uninterrupted fuel supply to its filling station network, more..

Dec 12 (NW) Minister K.D. Lal Kantha has called for scientific and practical proposals to address access issues in areas affected by Cyclone Ditwah, particularly the Meemure area. Responding to criticism over a proposal to open an old route through the Knuckles Reserve, the Minister questioned whether the protection of World Heritage status should take precedence over immediate humanitarian needs. “Now the World Heritage is in pieces. The flood destroyed the barrier more..

Dec 12 (FT) SL’s microfinance and money lending sector is poised for a major transformation with the introduction of the Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority Act 2025. This landmark legislation replaces the Microfinance Act No. 6 of 2016, introducing a far more comprehensive and structured regulatory framework aimed at protecting borrowers, strengthening institutions, and enhancing transparency across the financial ecosystem. Microfinance has long played a vital role more..

Dec 12 (FT) SL’s 2025 floods, intensified by Cyclone Ditwah, have forced the country into one of the most consequential fiscal conversations of the decade: how to finance resilience at a scale that matches the growing magnitude of climate loss. This is no longer an environmental debate. It is an economic one. The scale of the damage and the cost of rebuilding now position SL among the clearest examples of why developing economies cannot adapt to climate extremes without massive, predictable more..

Dec 12 (FT) UN & humanitarian partners yesterday launched a Humanitarian Priorities Plan (HPP) seeking $ 35.3 million (around Rs. 10.9 billion) to scale-up life-saving assistance for communities devastated by Cyclone Ditwah. Plan aims to support 658,000 of the most vulnerable people between Dec 2025 and April 2026, as SL grapples with what the UN describes as its worst natural disaster in at least two decades. more..

Dec 12 (Island) Commissioner General of Examinations, Indika Liyanage has said that GCE A/L exam answer scripts have not been damaged by the recent weather disasters. Examinations Dept has said that the public could get in touch with the Department via 1911 or through telephone numbers: 0112 78 45 37, 0112 78 66 16 or 0112 78 42 08 regarding any issue pertaining to the examination. Such matters can also be reported via fax at 0112 78 44 22 or via the Examinations Dept’s email more..

Dec 12 (NW) Govt confirmed that the inaugural Sri Lankan Day national programme, scheduled to take place from Dec 12 to 14, has been postponed in light of the severe cyclone disaster and ongoing recovery efforts across the country. The event, which was to be held across the Colombo Municipal Council Grounds, Viharamahadevi Park, and surrounding main roads, was designed as a large-scale national celebration featuring four zones with the participation of both public and private sectors. more..

Dec 12 (TM) The NBRO has inspected a total of 494 landslide-prone sites following recent heavy rainfall. The public has meanwhile requested inspections for an additional 2,198 locations. Meanwhile, although weather conditions have improved, Level Three (Red) Landslide evacuation warnings remain in effect for 37 DS Divisions (Udapalatha, Gangawata Korale, Udadumbara, Doluwa, Minipe, more..

Dec 12 (AD) The Colombo High Court today (11) ordered that the case filed by CIABOC against former Fisheries Minister Rajitha Senaratne and two other accused—regarding alleged losses caused to the govt by leasing the Mutwal Fisheries Harbor to a private company in 2014—be taken up again on January 29, 2026. The case was called today (11) before High Court Judge Mohamed Mihal. During the hearing, the Bribery Commission informed Court that it sought permission to amend more..

Dec 12 (FT) Lanka Thriposha Ltd, on Wednesday paid Rs. 100 million in dividends to the General Treasury, reinforcing the State-owned nutrition provider’s financial contribution despite recent speculation about its future. The cheque was officially handed over to Deputy Minister Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando by Thriposha Chairman Amal Attanayake and senior company officials. Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe was also present at the occasion. Dr. Fernando dismissed more..

Dec 12 (NW) SL racing prodigy Yevan David has dedicated his historic Euroformula Open triumph to the nation, presenting his championship trophies to Minister of Sports Sunil Kumara Gamage in Colombo. David, who delivered a breakthrough performance in the 2025 Euroformula Open Championship, became the first Sri Lankan to win the Rookie Championship while also finishing second overall in the series. His achievements mark a major milestone for SL in int'l motorsport. more..

Dec 12 (FT) SL Export Development Board (EDB), in collaboration with the SL Embassy in Berlin, Germany, has organised SL’s participation at Productronica 2025 which was held from 18–21 Nov, at the Messe München Trade Fair Center in the Messestadt Riem, Germany. EDB has earlier organised a SL Pavilion at Productronica in 2019 for the first time. Productronica 2025 Messe München is a World’s leading Biennial Trade Fair with Innovative Solutions and products for entire value chain more..

Dec 12 (Island) The CIABOC has initiated an inquiry into the shifting of the Agriculture Ministry situated at Rajamalwatte, to a building belonging to the D.P. Jayasinghe Group of Companies, at Rajagiriya, during the Yahapalana govt. The building was rented for a five-year period at a cost of over Rs 1 bn by the yahapalana govet within months after the then President Maithripala Sirisena declared opened the 10-storey building complex. more..

Dec 12 (DN) SL U-17 cricket team aims to maintain their momentum in the deciding one-day game against Bangladesh U-17 today at Chattogram Cricket Stadium. Bangladesh U-17 won the first game by 78 runs, but SL bounced back to level the series with a six-wicket victory in the second game. The team now seeks to end the tour on a high note, with batsmen and bowlers needing consistent performances to secure the series. In the first one-dayer, SL’s batsmen struggled to reach more..

Dec 12 (FT) The visiting US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Allison Hooker has conveyed to Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake that the US has drawn its attention to restarting tariff negotiations with SL. While affirming that the US stands ready to provide any necessary support to assist SL’s post-Ditwah recovery, Hooker expressed support for enhancing tourism between the US and SL, as well as for the growth of trade and maritime operations between the two nations. more..

Dec 12 (HRW) Sri Lanka is suffering a series of floods and landslides brought upon by Cyclone Ditwah this past November. Climate experts believethe intensity of seasonal storms, which also recently devastated Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia, are likely to have been supercharged by rising sea temperatures. SL authorities and civil society organizations are now struggling to bring relief to millions of affected people. more..

Dec 12 (NW) The Illegal Assets Investigation Division has launched a probe into properties allegedly acquired by a 52-year-old drug trafficker from Thanamalwila, Hambegamuwa, following a complaint filed by the Police Narcotics Bureau under the Prevention of Money Loundering Act. Police said the suspect has previous records relating to narcotics possession and drug trafficking, and has been arrested and produced before courts by several police stations across the country. more..

Dec 12 (ST) The caring nature of Sri Lankans was on display again during the floods which affected domestic pets and urban wildlife. While some people fled to safety with their pets, others abandoned them. Welfare organisations and some residents, using makeshift boats, tyre tubes, and boats, rescued the abandoned pets, risking nervous reactions from animals in panic. Some animals had fled to higher ground, while others were stuck in balconies, concrete slabs of partly built more..

Dec 12 (DM) NPP MP and former Speaker Asoka Ranwala was hospitalised this evening following a road accident in the Sapugaskanda area, police said. Accident occurred in the Deniyamulla area in Sapugaskanda when the MP’s vehicle collided with a car. MP was reported to have been driving his vehicle at the time of the incident and was admitted to the Ragama Hospital for treatment. A woman and a child travelling in the car also sustained minor injuries and received medical attention. more..

Dec 12 (FT) National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) has warned of fraudulent moves of certain individuals and organisations offering help for displaced children due to the Ditwah disaster and requests to inform about such offers to the NCPA’s hotline. “The Authority has noticed about messages circulating on social media claiming that certain individuals or organisations are willing to take full responsibility for the education, food, and more..