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Delhi restricts vehicles, office attendance in bid to curb pollution

Delhi restricts vehicles, office attendance in bid to curb pollution

Authorities in India’s capital Delhi rolled out strict measures on Wednesday in an attempt to curb pollution, including a ban on vehicles not compliant with latest emission control norms and regulating attendance in private and government offices. MORE..

| December 17, 2025  9:51 pm
IOM appeals for $7.3 million to support cyclone-affected communities in Sri Lanka

IOM appeals for $7.3 million to support cyclone-affected communities in Sri Lanka

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has launched an appeal for USD 7.3 million to support more than 100,000 people affected by Cyclone Ditwah in Sri Lanka, where the storm has displaced over 280,000 people and damaged or destroyed more than 81,000 homes,...MORE..

| December 17, 2025  9:04 pm
Suspect in ‘Ganemulla Sanjeewa’ murder released on bail

Suspect in ‘Ganemulla Sanjeewa’ murder released on bail

Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanka S. Bodaragama today (17) granted bail to a suspect who had been arrested and remanded in custody in connection with the murder of underworld figure Sanjeewa Kumara Samararatne, also known as ‘Ganemulla Sanjeewa’. MORE..

| December 17, 2025  7:19 pm
Turkish Airlines flight forced to turn back after technical issue departs BIA

Turkish Airlines flight forced to turn back after technical issue departs BIA

The Turkish Airlines flight which was forced to make an emergency landing at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake due a technical issue with the landing gear, has departed from the BIA after the completion of repairs. MORE..

| December 17, 2025  7:06 pm
Canada to provide over USD 2 million in humanitarian assistance to Sri Lanka

Canada to provide over USD 2 million in humanitarian assistance to Sri Lanka

Canada has announced more than USD 2 million in humanitarian aid to support emergency relief efforts in Sri Lanka following the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah, which resulted in loss of life and extensive damage to houses, infrastructure and local economies. MORE..

| December 17, 2025  6:45 pm
Heavy showers above 100mm likely in several provinces - Met Dept.

Heavy showers above 100mm likely in several provinces - Met Dept.

The prevailing showery conditions are expected to continue over the Northern and Eastern parts of the island due to the influence of the Easterly wave, the Department of Meteorology stated. MORE..

| December 17, 2025  6:26 pm
Two including 2-yr-old killed in fatal accident at Dehiattakandiya

Two including 2-yr-old killed in fatal accident at Dehiattakandiya

A 33‑year‑old woman and her 2‑year‑old son have died following a head‑on collision involving a bus and a three‑wheeler in the Muwagammana area in the Dehiattakandiya Police Division on the Polonnaruwa -Mahiyanganaya main road today (17).

| December 17, 2025  5:30 pm
Sri Lanka forecasts 5% growth in 2026, aided by post-cyclone reconstruction

Sri Lanka forecasts 5% growth in 2026, aided by post-cyclone reconstruction

Sri Lanka expects its economy to expand by more than 5% next year, matching this year’s pace and significantly outstripping IMF projections, partly driven by reconstruction efforts following Cyclone Ditwah, a senior minister told Reuters on Wednesday. MORE..

| December 17, 2025  4:46 pm
Govt to present Rs. 500B supplementary sum to Parliament tomorrow

Govt to present Rs. 500B supplementary sum to Parliament tomorrow

A Supplementary estimate of Rs. 500 billion is to be presented to the Parliament tomorrow (18) to restore the livelihoods of those affected due to the sudden disaster situation. MORE..

| December 17, 2025  3:27 pm
Turkey-bound aircraft forced to make emergency landing at BIA undergoing maintenance work – official

Turkey-bound aircraft forced to make emergency landing at BIA undergoing maintenance work – official

A Turkish Airlines flight, which was forced to make an emergency landing at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) due to a technical fault, is scheduled to depart for Istanbul, Turkey, at 10:00 p.m. tomorrow (18), according to the airline’s official website. more..

| December 17, 2025  2:54 pm
China reaffirms full support for Sri Lanka’s economic and social development

China reaffirms full support for Sri Lanka’s economic and social development

The visiting Vice Chairman of the National People’s Congress of China, Wang Dongming called on President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat this morning (17). MORE..

| December 17, 2025  2:40 pm
Strike launched after doctor at Badulla Teaching Hospital was assaulted by three-wheeler driver

Strike launched after doctor at Badulla Teaching Hospital was assaulted by three-wheeler driver

A doctor at the Badulla Teaching Hospital has reportedly been assaulted by a three-wheeler driver. MORE..

| December 17, 2025  2:07 pm
FM accepts US$ 2.5 million grant assistance from Japan

FM accepts US$ 2.5 million grant assistance from Japan

Minister of Foreign Affairs Vijitha Herath today accepted the US$ 2.5 million grant assistance from the Government of Japan. MORE..

| December 17, 2025  1:49 pm
Prison officers fire warning shots to prevent inmates from escaping Galle Prison

Prison officers fire warning shots to prevent inmates from escaping Galle Prison

Prison officers fired warning shots into the air after two remand inmates at the Galle Prison attempted to escape. MORE..

| December 17, 2025  1:42 pm
Govt extends pension payment period for farmers affected by Cyclone Ditwah

Govt extends pension payment period for farmers affected by Cyclone Ditwah

The government has decided to extend the payment period for farmer pensions until December 31 considering the impact caused by the cyclone Ditwah in Sri Lanka. MORE..

| December 17, 2025  1:10 pm
Probe launched to arrest person responsible for torturing and setting fire to wild elephant in Mihintale

Probe launched to arrest person responsible for torturing and setting fire to wild elephant in Mihintale

Investigations have been launched into a video circulating on social media that allegedly shows a man torturing and setting fire to a wild elephant in the Ambagahawala area of Seeppukulama, Mihintale, according to the Department of Wildlife Conservation. MORE..

| December 17, 2025  12:36 pm
Doctors at Anuradhapura Hospital launch strike citing lack of adequate security

Doctors at Anuradhapura Hospital launch strike citing lack of adequate security

Doctors attached to the Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital have launched a strike, citing the lack of adequate security. MORE..

| December 17, 2025  12:35 pm
Missing yellow anaconda hatchling found at Dehiwala Zoo

Missing yellow anaconda hatchling found at Dehiwala Zoo

The Yellow Anaconda hatchling which was reported missing from the Dehiwala National Zoological Gardens recently, has been recovered. MORE..

| December 17, 2025  12:27 pm
Naveed Akram charged with 15 counts of murder over Bondi shooting

Naveed Akram charged with 15 counts of murder over Bondi shooting

Naveed Akram, the surviving suspect in Sunday’s mass shooting at Bondi Beach in Sydney, has been charged with 59 offences, including 15 counts of murder and one of committing a terrorist act, according to the New South Wales Police. MORE..

| December 17, 2025  11:53 am
IMF Executive Board to review Sri Lanka’s US$ 200 million emergency financing request on Friday

IMF Executive Board to review Sri Lanka’s US$ 200 million emergency financing request on Friday

The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is scheduled to review the government’s request for emergency financial assistance amounting to approximately USD 200 million under the Rapid Financing Instrument on Friday (19), according to the IMF Executive Board calendar. MORE..

| December 17, 2025  11:16 am
Police constable taken into custody with ‘Ice’ while in uniform

Police constable taken into custody with ‘Ice’ while in uniform

A police constable attached to the Dematagoda Police has been arrested in Dematagoda by officers of the Police Narcotics Bureau. MORE..

| December 17, 2025  10:41 am
PM Harini assures to address salary concerns of govt translators

PM Harini assures to address salary concerns of govt translators

Officials of the Government Translators’ Service Union met with Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya at the Prime Minister’s Office to discuss several issues including salary concerns. MORE..

| December 17, 2025  10:27 am
75kg of Kerala cannabis seized from boat in Maradankerni

75kg of Kerala cannabis seized from boat in Maradankerni

An individual has been taken into custody near a forested area along the Manalkadu, Maradankerni coastline with a stock of Kerala cannabis. MORE..

| December 17, 2025  10:03 am
EU humanitarian aid worth EUR 500,000 arrives in Sri Lanka

EU humanitarian aid worth EUR 500,000 arrives in Sri Lanka

A special cargo flight carrying 69,000 kilograms of disaster relief humanitarian aid, valued at around EUR 500,000, arrived at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake early this morning (17) from Germany and Luxembourg. MORE..

| December 17, 2025  9:29 am
15-hour water cut in Mahara and Gampaha today

15-hour water cut in Mahara and Gampaha today

A 15-hour water cut will be in effect for residents of Mahara and Gampaha from 4:00 p.m. today, the National Water Supply and Drainage Board has announced. MORE..

| December 17, 2025  8:57 am