Several major rivers across the island have risen to minor flood levels following rainfall experienced in many parts of the country over the past 24 hours, the Department of Irrigation warned.

Russian and Ukrainian negotiators agreed to a major prisoner exchange at two days of peace talks in Abu Dhabi that ended on Wednesday, but US mediators said differences remained on major issues, including territory.

Saudi Arabia said debris from two ballistic missiles intercepted by its air defences fell ​in the Mecca region on Wednesday, as the ‌kingdom and Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi movement exchanged attacks in an escalating conflict.

Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in the Northern and Eastern provinces, today (12), the Department of Meteorology said.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, in his capacity as Minister of Finance, is scheduled to present the government's 2027 Budget proposals to parliament today (12).

The Badulla-Bandarawela main road, which was completely obstructed near the 6th km post in Uduwara due to an earthslip, has now been reopened for traffic movement, the Disaster Management Center (DMC) said.

The Government of Sri Lanka today welcomed the decision of the Public Prosecution of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia not to pursue further proceedings in the case concerning Sri Lankan national Anojan Sivarasa and to formally close the case.

Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath says that Sri Lankan national Anojan Sivarasa, who was facing charges in Saudi Arabia, has been released as the Public Prosecution of Saudi Arabia has decided to discontinue the case against him.

The Badulla-Bandarawela main road has been completely obstructed for traffic movement near the 6th km post area in Uduwara due to an earthslip, according to the Disaster Management Centre (DMC). 

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism says that a large number of Sri Lankan nationals are currently facing various difficulties after travelling to countries including Malaysia, Dubai and Oman on Visit Visas, based on promises of employment.

More than 300 schools in Italy were evacuated on Wednesday ‌after hoax bomb alerts in several European nations, the latest in a series of threats and cyberattacks on supermarkets, blood banks, air traffic and TV broadcasters.

Heavy rainfall has reportedly caused flooding on several roads in Colombo, resulting in severe traffic congestion.

The National Building Research Institute (NBRI) has extended landslide early warnings for several areas across the country due to the prevailing adverse weather conditions.

The Department of Meteorology has issued an Amber-level weather advisory warning of severe lightning in several areas across the island.

Sri Lanka Police have raised concerns over a significant increase in fatal and serious road accidents reported across the country, attributing many of the incidents to excessive speeding and reckless driving.

Addressing the historic First BIMSTEC Health Ministers’ Meeting in Colombo on Wednesday, India's Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Jagat Prakash Nadda, reaffirming India’s commitment to building a healthier, safer and more resilient Bay of Bengal region.

The Colombo High Court has ordered that the case filed against three defendants, including alleged major drug trafficker Shiran Basik, be called for a further pre-trial conference on January 25, 2027.

The general public should not assess the 2027 Budget solely on the basis of welfare benefits or tax concessions, but should instead consider its overall economic direction and the transformation it seeks to achieve, Deputy Minister of Finance Anil Jayantha Fernando has said.