Dec 19 (FT) While the Govt and insurance industry regulator have urged insurers to expedite Ditwah-related settlements, Fitch Ratings has said that the exposure to flood and landslide risks were in fact limited. Motor insurance accounted for 46.8% of total general insurance premiums in the third quarter of 2025, remaining the dominant segment. Health insurance followed with a 15.2% share, while Strike, Riot and Civil more..

Dec 19 (NW) A delegation of the TNPF has met TN Chief Minister M.K. Stalin in Chennai and handed over a letter urging India to press SL to move away from its unitary state structure and adopt a federal system, the party said. TNPF leader and Jaffna District MP Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam said the delegation requested the TN Chief Minister to persuade India’s central government to exert pressure on Colombo, arguing that only a federal system would allow Tamils to fully enjoy more..

Dec 19 (FT) The Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Ministry disclosed new data compiled by the Industrial Disaster Support Centre (IDSC), highlighting the extensive impact of Cyclone Ditwah on the country’s manufacturing sector and underscoring the urgency of the relief measures now being rolled out. Accordingly, IDSC has received 29,649 data entries and inquiries related to disaster impacts, with information collection concluding after 2 p.m. on 16 December. more..

Dec 19 (TM) Citizens’ Power Against Bribery, Corruption & Waste organisation has lodged a complaint with the CIABOC, requesting a full investigation into the importation of allegedly substandard medicines and action against those responsible. Organisation’s Prez, Kamantha Thushara said complaint was filed following reports that two people had died after receiving a particular injection, which was withheld by NMRA. more..

Dec 19 (Island) The Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the United Nations in New York, under the leadership of Sri Lanka’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Jayantha Jayasuriya, PC, marked the 70th anniversary of Sri Lanka’s membership in the United Nations through a series of activities, underscoring the country’s longstanding commitment to international cooperation, principled multilateralism, and inclusive global engagement, the Foreign Ministry said. more..

Dec 19 (Island) SJB leader Sajith Premadasa accused the govt of having gagged the Meteorology Dept officials, who, he said, had been placed under virtual house arrest. He claimed that they had been barred from speaking to the media. Speaking in Parliament, Premadasa said withholding information from the public was unacceptable. He insisted that the Met Dept and international agencies had repeatedly issued warnings about extreme weather events between Nov 11 and 26. more..

Dec 19 (FT) The Civil Appellate High Court of the Western Province by Order dated 11 December 2025, refused to issue Leave to Appeal and Interim Orders against Home Lands’ landmark Pentara Residences project in Thummulla, Colombo. In refusing the interim reliefs sought with costs, the Civil Appeals Court held that the District Court was justified in declining to consider an enjoining order and in deciding to hear both parties on the application for interim injunction. more..

Dec 19 (DN) Transport and Highways Deputy Minister Dr. Prasanna Gunasena informed Parliament that train services to the North and East will be fully resumed from Jan 1, 2026. He also informed Parliament that steps have been taken to commence train services to Talaimannar from February 1, 2026. He made this statement while addressing the House during the debate on the current disaster situation in the country that took place in Parliament yesterday. more..

Dec 19 (NW) UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe says he is prepared to step down from the party leadership at any time if his position becomes an obstacle to unity between UNP and SJB. During Wednesday’s Executive Committee meeting at Sirikotha, the UNP headquarters in Pitakotte, Ranil Wickremesinghe stated he would have no objection to stepping down as party leader if a merger with the SJB is agreed upon. more..

Dec 19 (TM) Public Health Inspectors’ Union (PHIU) stated they are continuing raids across the country to curb the sale of goods damaged by recent floods, and have already taken legal action against those involved. PHIU Secretary, D.S. Muthukuda said that PHIs have taken into custody stocks of goods that were damaged during the floods, cleaned, and then put back on sale. Legal proceedings have been initiated against the relevant individuals, and further action will be taken against anyone more..

Dec 19 (EN) SL is on track to get the first liquefied petroleum gas consignment from Swiss-based Geogas Trading, which had won an internally competitive bid, on Jan 5, Minister Vijitha Herath said. “There will be no shortage of LPG,” he said. “The agreements had been signed.” It has won a contract to supply 380,000 metric tonnes of LPG, plus or minus 20 percent, during 2026 to Litro Gas. Geogas won an international competitive tender by bidding 15 cents below the next bidder, more..

Dec 19 (FT) SJB MP S.M. Marikkar tore into the Govt’s Rs. 500 billion Supplementary Estimate for post-Ditwah recovery in 2026. “The estimates show an allocation of Rs. 250 billion for bridges, railways, roads and highways, irrigation, schools, and hospitals,” MP said, joining the debate at the special Parliamentary session to approve the Rs. 500 billion recovery spending plan. “However, the Sectoral Oversight Committee (SOC) I chair in this Parliament earlier this week was told that more..

Dec 19 (DN) Board of Investment of SL (BOI) has planned to attract about two billion US dollars of domestic and foreign investments in the country next year to strengthen the industrial sector, said BOI Chairman Arjuna Herath. He also stated that it was possible to bring in about US$ 1 billion of investment by the end of this year as targeted. Based on this year’s success, BOI of Sri Lanka has planned to bring in between US$ 1.5 and US$ 2 billion of investment next year (2026), and more..

Dec 19 (FT) Economic think tank Verité Research has cautioned that SL’s move to seek emergency financing from the IMF under the Rapid Financing Instrument (RFI) could prove costly in the current debt context, urging policymakers to weigh alternative funding options for post-cyclone recovery. In a detailed analysis, Verité Research Executive Director Dr. Nishan de Mel, a critic of SL’s handling of debt repayments during COVID-19 crisis more..

Dec 19 (ST) SL’s shipping economy is likely to face significant challenges following the 2025 flood catastrophe. The country’s ports, particularly the Port of Colombo, plays a crucial role in the nation’s economy, and the recent floods have caused substantial damage to some infrastructure and disrupted daily operations due to continued adverse weather, says Nilud Fernando, a professional in international shipping and logistics. He said “The country’s shipping economy is expected to more..

Dec 19 (DN) SL U-19, led by Vimath Dinsara, will look to bounce back when they face unbeaten India in the Asia Cup semi-final today at the ICC Academy Grounds in Dubai. India enter the contest as firm favourites based on their dominant performances, but SL’s bowling unit has shown enough form to pose a genuine challenge. SL recorded back-to-back victories over Nepal and Afghanistan through solid all-round displays, but their batting faltered in the final group match, resulting in a 39-run defeat more..

Dec 19 (DM) Number of vehicles registered with the Motor Vehicles Dept in Nov slid to 43,810 units, from 48,081 units in Oct. This is as the sharply higher demand seen during the initial months of reopening vehicle imports is fizzling while people will have to put up higher upfront payments for the vehicles they now want to purchase from November onwards. With Nov data, SL has seen 311,592 vehicles being registered in first 11 months. more..

Dec 19 (FT) The Airport and Aviation Services (SL) Ltd, (AASL) has registered a strong financial turnaround in 2025, posting a profit of Rs. 19.06 billion, reflecting an increase of Rs. 5.02 billion compared to the previous year. This was revealed during the company’s 2025 progress review meeting conducted under the patronage of Minister Anura Karunathilaka, with the participation of Deputy Minister Janitharuwan Kodithuwakku and Ministry Secretary W.W.S. Mangala at BIA. more..

Dec 19 (NW) Cricket legend Mahela Jayawardena has issued a public warning against fraudulent advertisements circulating on social media that use artificial intelligence to falsely portray him endorsing financial schemes. He said the advertisements are completely fake and urged the public not to fall victim to such scams. “Please do not believe these things. I have nothing to do with any investment or financial promotions. These videos are created using AI and are meant to mislead people,” more..

Dec 19 (Island) Sri Lanka stands on the brink of an economic transformation, powered not by traditional exports, but by the vast, untapped mineral wealth lying beneath its soil and off its shores. According to a comprehensive new business report launched by the Pathfinder Foundation in collaboration with the Australian Trade and Investment Commission, on 17th Dec in Colombo, Sri Lanka’s mineral sector holds a staggering unrealised export potential of up to USD 2 billion. more..

Dec 19 (DM) SL’s hospitality sector is witnessing a swift return to normalcy following the passage of Cyclone Ditwah, with industry leaders confirming that operational disruptions were minimal and booking trends are already rebounding. The sentiments were expressed at a media briefing at the Crystal Lounge, Nüwa, City of Dreams Sri Lanka, to announce the launch of the One Love Reggae Festival. Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts Chief Operating Officer Kamal Munasinghe more..

Dec 19 (FT) The Govt yesterday raised approximately Rs. 10 billion from SL’s 5G spectrum auction, with Dialog Axiata PLC and SLT-Mobitel, a unit of Sri Lanka Telecom, emerging as the sole bidders and being awarded spectrum licences. The spectrum certificates were handed over at a ceremony attended by Digital Economy Deputy Minister Eranga Weeraratne and TRCSL Director-General Bandula Herath. more..

Dec 19 (EN) Sampath Bank said it plans to issue up to 200 million debentures to raise a total of 20 billion rupees. Basel III compliant-Tier 2, listed, rated, unsecured, subordinated, redeemable debentures and/or Green and/or Sustainability Bonds with a non-viability conversion feature will be issued at 100 rupees each. The debentures will be issued in one or more issuances within two years from the date of obtaining shareholder approval at an Extraordinary General Meeting, the bank said. more..

Dec 19 (GV) As a country seeking to address the legacy of its past war and armed conflicts, SL must roll back the overbroad and dangerous laws that have been repeatedly abused to the detriment of its citizens. The Prevention of Terrorism Act of 1979 (PTA), which has wreaked havoc in the lives of Sri Lankans, particularly minority communities, for 45 years, is the most emblematic of these laws. Successive govts have been under domestic and int'l pressure to repeal this draconian law. more..

Dec 19 (Island) Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has accused the govt of interfering with the ongoing disaster relief programmes. Speaking in Parliament, he produced what he described as documentary proof to support his claim that disaster victims were required to have their applications for compensation endorsed by the heads of the Prajashakthi committees controlled by the JVP apparatchiks. Several other Opposition MPs have levelled the same allegation against govt in Parliament. more..

Dec 19 (Island) During a discussion at the RCSS in Sri Lanka on 9 Dec, Dr. Neil DeVotta, Professor at Wake Forest University, North Carolina, USA commented on the “gravity of a geopolitical contest that has already reshaped global politics and will continue to mould the future. For Sri Lanka – positioned at the heart of the Indian Ocean, economically fragile, and diplomatically exposed- his analysis was neither distant nor abstract. It was a warning of the world taking shape around us” more..

Dec 19 (TM) Methamphetamine users in SL are predominantly young males with high rates of dependence, polysubstance use including nicotine and heroin, and significant psychiatric morbidity, specifically substance-induced psychosis and depressive disorder. These findings were made in a non-peer reviewed research paper on Methamphetamine use and psychiatric morbidity in SL: Sociodemographic insights from a tertiary more..

Dec 19 (TM) Cyclone Ditwah swept across SL with destructive intensity, leaving communities submerged, livelihoods disrupted and thousands displaced from their homes. As families struggled to secure food, shelter and safe water, the well-being of pregnant mothers, infants, young children, the elderly and people with disabilities emerged as one of the most urgent humanitarian priorities. These groups face heightened vulnerabilities in emergencies, and safeguarding their more..

Dec 19 (DM) Unsuspecting Sri Lankans often fall prey when getting into land deals. There are still some visuals of billboards circulating on social media platforms which carry advertisements of lands for sale in areas which are prone to floods. There is a billboard, submerged two thirds by flood water, which states that the land on sale is the best available in the area. The question posed now is whether the fourth generation of children is ready to let go of land in areas vulnerable to suffer more..

Dec 19 (TM) Relations between Sri Lanka and Japan have entered a new chapter in terms of security, defence, and economic cooperation following a recent State visit by the SL President to Tokyo, Ambassador of Japan to SL Isomata Akio told The Sunday Morning late last month, before Ditwah Cyclone struck the island. Sharing his views about the visit and the state of bilateral relations between the two nations, Isomata said that more..

Dec 19 (CT) Cyclone Ditwah left some glaring gaps that need to be filled through social and economic development. Apart from the invaluable lives lost, the damage caused by the cyclone is often measured by the extent of infrastructure development required to recover from the devastation. Understandably, this is a costly affair, and the Govt has already released figures showing the scale of loss the cyclone inflicted on some of the major ministries. However, the authorities now find themselves at more..

Dec 19 (DM) The police always face the allegation that law enforcement is not even-handed. The saying ‘one law for the rich and another for the poor’ is commonly heard among the ordinary folks. Or else, they would say big fish escape, small fish get caught. With the politicisation of the police service, people started doubting fairness in law enforcement. The current govt pledged to end politicisation of the law enforcement agencies. At times, the police are used to fear taking action against more..