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PM commends diplomatic community for immediate support after floods, admits continuing challenges
PM commends diplomatic community for immediate support after floods, admits continuing challenges
A special briefing for the diplomatic community in Sri Lanka was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, chaired by Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya together with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath. MORE..
CBSL issues circular directing banks to provide relief for disaster-affected businesses
CBSL issues circular directing banks to provide relief for disaster-affected businesses
The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has issued a new circular directing all licensed banks to provide relief measures to individuals and businesses whose income or operations have been directly affected by the current adverse conditions. MORE..
IMF considering $200 million emergency aid for cyclone-hit Sri Lanka
IMF considering $200 million emergency aid for cyclone-hit Sri Lanka
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) said on Friday that it is considering an emergency request from Sri Lanka for about $200 million in rapid financial assistance, as the island nation struggles to recover from the sweeping devastation left by Cyclone Ditwah. MORE..
2026 Budget passed in Parliament
2026 Budget passed in Parliament
The Third Reading of the 2026 Appropriation Bill was passed with a majority of 157 votes in Parliament, a short while ago. MORE..
Vote on third reading of 2026 Budget underway
Vote on third reading of 2026 Budget underway
The vote on the Third Reading of the Appropriation Bill for 2026 is currently underway in Parliament, marking the final stage of this year’s Budget process. MORE..
President announces relief measures for people affected by weather disaster
President announces relief measures for people affected by weather disaster
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake says that Rs. 10,500 million has already been released by the Treasury in response to the recent weather disaster in the country, and that a Rs. 50 billion supplementary estimate was submitted today (05) for the same purpose. MORE..
Property tax will not be imposed in 2026 - President
Property tax will not be imposed in 2026 - President
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake says that the proposed property tax will not be imposed in 2026. MORE..
1.7 million affected by severe weather in Sri Lanka; over 5,000 homes completely destroyed
1.7 million affected by severe weather in Sri Lanka; over 5,000 homes completely destroyed
Delivering a special statement in Parliament today, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake revealed the extensive scale of destruction caused by the recent severe weather conditions across the country. MORE..
‘Red’ landslide warnings issued to several areas in five districts
‘Red’ landslide warnings issued to several areas in five districts
‘Level-3’ (Red) landslide early warnings have been issued to multiple areas in five districts by the National Building and Research Organisation (NBRO). MORE..
Met. Dept warns of increased rainfall on December 9, 10, and 11
Met. Dept warns of increased rainfall on December 9, 10, and 11
The Department of Meteorology says that rainfall in certain parts of the island is expected to increase on December 9, 10, and 11 due to the Northeast monsoon conditions establishing in the island. MORE..
Egypt offers sincere condolences to Sri Lanka over deadly floods
Egypt offers sincere condolences to Sri Lanka over deadly floods
Egypt has extended its sincere condolences to the government and people of Sri Lanka over the victims of the recent floods that hit the country and caused hundreds of casualties. MORE..
Strict action against traders selling unsafe food in disaster-affected areas
Strict action against traders selling unsafe food in disaster-affected areas
The Public Health Inspectors’ Union of Sri Lanka (PHIU) says that strict punitive measures will be taken against traders found selling food unsuitable for human consumption in areas affected by the recent adverse weather conditions in Sri Lanka. MORE..
Parliamentary committee calls for international cooperation to boost agri & plantation sectors
Parliamentary committee calls for international cooperation to boost agri & plantation sectors
International cooperation should be sought for the development of the agriculture and plantation sectors, Chair of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Agriculture and Resource Sustainability, Member of Parliament Hector Appuhamy, stated. MORE..
Sri Lanka signs USD 100M loan and USD 3M grant agreements with ADB
Sri Lanka signs USD 100M loan and USD 3M grant agreements with ADB
The Government of Sri Lanka held discussions with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to mobilize a policy-based loan amounting to USD 100 million to implement the Power Sector Reforms and Financial Sustainability Program (Subprogram 2). MORE..
Train operations on Puttalam line extended to Nattandiya
Train operations on Puttalam line extended to Nattandiya
The Railway Department announces that train services on the Puttalam line will now operate up to Nattandiya, following the completion of repair work necessitated by recent flooding in Sri Lanaka. MORE..
PM Harini highlights Sri Lanka’s quick recovery and digital plans after floods
PM Harini highlights Sri Lanka’s quick recovery and digital plans after floods
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya said that despite the recent devastation caused by severe flooding and landslides, Sri Lanka continues to recover rapidly due to the exceptional strength and solidarity demonstrated by the people. MORE..
Putin and Modi discuss trade, peace in New Delhi summit
Putin and Modi discuss trade, peace in New Delhi summit
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi began summit talks in New Delhi on Friday, as New Delhi rolled out the red carpet for the Russian leader and Modi told him India supported peace efforts in Ukraine. MORE..
Advisory issued for severe lightning
Advisory issued for severe lightning
An ‘Amber’ advisory has been issued by the Department of Meteorology for severe lightning in the Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Galle and Matara districts. MORE..
Train season tickets valid on SLTB buses amid disaster situation
Train season tickets valid on SLTB buses amid disaster situation
The Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) announced that, due to the prevailing disaster situation in the country, passengers holding train monthly season tickets will be permitted to travel on SLTB buses. MORE..
Indian medical team sets up fully operational field hospital in Mahiyanganaya
Indian medical team sets up fully operational field hospital in Mahiyanganaya
A fully operational field hospital has been established in Mahiyanganaya near Kandy by an Indian medical team, providing essential trauma care, surgical capability, ambulances, and other critical medical services to flood-affected communities. MORE..
Govt to launch joint loan programme for new entrepreneurs in January - Minister
Govt to launch joint loan programme for new entrepreneurs in January - Minister
A joint programme by the Ministry of Finance and the banks to provide loan facilities for new entrepreneurs is planned to be launched in January next year, Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Sunil Handunneththi stated. MORE..
Man arrested for preparing forged documents in Panadura
Man arrested for preparing forged documents in Panadura
A person, who had allegedly prepared forged documents, including fake identity cards, has been arrested by officers of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC). MORE..
Indian envoy discusses reconstruction needs with Sri Lanka’s Housing Minister after Cyclone Ditwah
Indian envoy discusses reconstruction needs with Sri Lanka’s Housing Minister after Cyclone Ditwah
Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha met Sri Lanka’s Housing and Construction minister to discuss reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts following Cyclone Ditwah, which has killed 486 people so far in the island nation. MORE..
Putin says Russia will take Donbas by force or Ukraine’s troops will withdraw
Putin says Russia will take Donbas by force or Ukraine’s troops will withdraw
President Vladimir Putin has warned again that Ukrainian troops must withdraw from Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region or Russia will seize it, rejecting any compromise over how to end the war in Ukraine. MORE..
Highest rainfall in past 24 hours recorded in Akuressa
Highest rainfall in past 24 hours recorded in Akuressa
The highest rainfall recorded during the past 24 hours has been reported from the Akuressa area along the Nilwala River, according to L.S. Sooriyabandara, Director of Irrigation (Hydrology & Disaster Management). MORE..