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Earthquake jolts northern Afghanistan
Earthquake jolts northern Afghanistan
A 5.3-magnitude earthquake struck parts of Afghanistan early on Friday, including the capital Kabul, according to the US Geological Survey. MORE..
‘Unofficial Magistrate’: BASL condemns Kaduwela Mayor’s claim
‘Unofficial Magistrate’: BASL condemns Kaduwela Mayor’s claim
The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) today expressed its deep concern regarding the treatment of an Attorney-at-Law who “faced obstruction and hindrance” while representing an Animal Welfare Association at an inquiry conducted by the Mayor of the Kaduwela Municipal Council, Ranjan Jayalal Perera. MORE..
CoPF approves supplementary estimate of Rs. 500 billion
CoPF approves supplementary estimate of Rs. 500 billion
The Committee on Public Finance (CoPF) has approved a supplementary estimate of Rs. 500 billion to restore the livelihoods of those affected by the sudden disaster, the Department of Communication of Parliament said in a statement. MORE..
Over 29,000 businesses affected by Cyclone Ditwah – Industry Ministry
Over 29,000 businesses affected by Cyclone Ditwah – Industry Ministry
The Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development has revealed that 29,649 places of business including registered export manufacturing factories across Sri Lanka have been affected by Cyclone Ditwah. MORE..
Train services to resume between Badulla and Ambewela from tomorrow
Train services to resume between Badulla and Ambewela from tomorrow
The Department of Railways has decided to operate train services between Badulla and Ambewela along the Upcountry Railway Line from tomorrow (20). MORE..
‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund surpasses Rs. 4.2 billion – Finance Secretary
‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund surpasses Rs. 4.2 billion – Finance Secretary
The ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund, established by the government to provide relief to those affected by recent disasters caused by Cyclone Ditwah, has received a total of Rs. 4,286 million to date, Finance Secretary Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma said. MORE..
Landslides reported in Udadumbara and Walapane; Residents urged to remain vigilant
Landslides reported in Udadumbara and Walapane; Residents urged to remain vigilant
The National Building Research Organization (NBRO) has confirmed that several landslides have occurred in the Udadumbara area of Kandy, following rainfall exceeding 300 millimeters over the past 48 hours. MORE..
Trump suspends green card lottery program that let Brown University, MIT shootings suspect into US
Trump suspends green card lottery program that let Brown University, MIT shootings suspect into US
President Donald Trump suspended the green card lottery program on Thursday that allowed the suspect in the Brown University and MIT shootings to come to the United States. MORE..
GovPay surpasses Rs. 2 billion in digital transactions in 2025 – Digital Economy Ministry
GovPay surpasses Rs. 2 billion in digital transactions in 2025 – Digital Economy Ministry
GovPay, Sri Lanka’s Government Digital Payment Platform, has concluded the year 2025 by surpassing Rs. 2 billion in total digital transaction value, marking a major milestone in the country’s digital transformation journey, the Ministry of Digital Economy said. MORE..
Dasun Shanaka to captain Sri Lanka T20 team until 2026 World Cup
Dasun Shanaka to captain Sri Lanka T20 team until 2026 World Cup
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) Chief Selector Pramodya Wickremesinghe has confirmed that Dasun Shanaka will continue as the captain of the Sri Lanka T20I squad until the conclusion of the 2026 T20I World Cup. MORE..
IMF Executive Board to review Sri Lanka’s US$ 200 mln emergency financing request today
IMF Executive Board to review Sri Lanka’s US$ 200 mln emergency financing request today
The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is scheduled to review the government’s request for emergency financial assistance amounting to SDR 150.5 million (approximately USD 200 million) under the Rapid Financing Instrument (RFI) today (19), according to the IMF Executive Board calendar. MORE..
Suspected gunman in Brown University shooting found dead, official says
Suspected gunman in Brown University shooting found dead, official says
The suspect in the mass shooting at Brown University last weekend is dead, a U.S. attorney said, as authorities investigate whether the same person killed a Massachusetts Institute of Technology professor two days after the rampage at Brown. MORE..
National Hospital’s Deputy Director Dr. Bellana suspended from duties
National Hospital’s Deputy Director Dr. Bellana suspended from duties
Measures have been taken to suspend the official duties of Dr. Rukshan Bellana, who served as the Deputy Director of the Colombo National Hospital. MORE..
Highest rainfall in past 24 hours recorded in Udadumbara
Highest rainfall in past 24 hours recorded in Udadumbara
The highest rainfall recorded during the 24-hour period ending at 6.00 a.m. today (19) was reported from the Udadumbara area, according to the Disaster Management Centre (DMC). MORE..
Violence breaks out in Bangladesh after death of youth protest leader
Violence breaks out in Bangladesh after death of youth protest leader
Violence has erupted in Bangladesh following the death of a prominent leader of the youth movement that ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. MORE..
Seven dead in fatal plane crash including former NASCAR driver Greg Biffle
Seven dead in fatal plane crash including former NASCAR driver Greg Biffle
Seven people were killed Thursday in the crash of a Cessna 550 business jet in Statesville, North Carolina, including former NASCAR driver Greg Biffle, NASCAR said. MORE..
Fairly heavy rainfall expected in parts of the island today
Fairly heavy rainfall expected in parts of the island today
Showers will occur at times in Eastern, Uva and Central provinces and in Polonnaruwa and Hambantota districts, today (19), the Department of Meteorology said. MORE..
53-year-old man stabbed to death in Kotahena
53-year-old man stabbed to death in Kotahena
A 53-year-old man has been stabbed to death this evening (18) in the 6th Lane area of Kotahena, police said. MORE..
US announces $11 billion arms package for Taiwan, largest ever
US announces $11 billion arms package for Taiwan, largest ever
The Trump administration announced on Wednesday $11.1 billion in arms sales to Taiwan, the largest ever U.S. weapons package for the island which is under increasing military pressure from China. MORE..
Flood warning issued for several low-lying areas of Mahaweli River Basin
Flood warning issued for several low-lying areas of Mahaweli River Basin
The Irrigation Department has issued a flood warning valid for the next 48 hours for several low-lying areas along the Mahaweli River Basin due to rainfall received since last night (17) in certain catchment areas. MORE..
Two Sri Lankan fishing vessels seized by Maldivian Coast Guard after foreign intelligence tip
Two Sri Lankan fishing vessels seized by Maldivian Coast Guard after foreign intelligence tip
Two Sri Lankan 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, Maldivian media reported today. MORE..
Schools in Central Province closed tomorrow and Monday
Schools in Central Province closed tomorrow and Monday
A decision has been taken to close all schools in the Central Province on Friday (December 19) and Monday due to the prevailing inclement weather conditions, says the Chief Secretary of the Central Province. MORE..
Suspects remanded for setting fire to wild elephant in Mihinthale
Suspects remanded for setting fire to wild elephant in Mihinthale
The Anuradhapura Magistrate’s Court has ordered that the three suspects arrested in connection with the alleged torture and setting fire to a wild elephant in the Sippukulama area of Mihintale be remanded until December 24. MORE..
Police warn against misuse of ‘119’ hotline; Legal action against offenders
Police warn against misuse of ‘119’ hotline; Legal action against offenders
Sri Lanka Police says it has observed significant misuse of the ‘119’ emergency hotline by certain members of the public, prompting the need for greater public awareness and enforcement action. MORE..
EU provides over €2.35 mln humanitarian assistance to Sri Lanka
EU provides over €2.35 mln humanitarian assistance to Sri Lanka
The European Union (EU) has allocated a total of Euro 2.35 million of financial assistance to Sri Lanka. MORE..