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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..
Magistrate’s decision to reject plaint against Deshabandu was unlawful - Colombo HC rules
Magistrate’s decision to reject plaint against Deshabandu was unlawful - Colombo HC rules
The Colombo High Court has ruled that the decision of the former Colombo Chief Magistrate to reject a private complaint filed against then Senior DIG Deshabandu Tennakoon was contrary to the law. MORE..
ADB mobilizes $40M emergency trade finance support for Sri Lanka following Cyclone Ditwah
ADB mobilizes $40M emergency trade finance support for Sri Lanka following Cyclone Ditwah
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has launched a $40 million emergency assistance facility under its Trade and Supply Chain Finance Program (TSCFP) to support Sri Lanka’s recovery from the devastation of Cyclone Ditwah. MORE..
Opposition seeks probe on failure to minimise damage from Cyclone Ditwah
Opposition seeks probe on failure to minimise damage from Cyclone Ditwah
A proposal seeking to establish a Parliamentary Select Committee to conduct a comprehensive review of the alleged lack of preparedness to minimise the damage caused by Cyclone Ditwah has been submitted to the Speaker of Parliament. MORE..
NBRO warns public to avoid unstable areas following heavy rainfall in Udadumbara
NBRO warns public to avoid unstable areas following heavy rainfall in Udadumbara
The National Building Research Organization (NBRO) has reported that the Udadumbara area in the Kandy District has received over 200 mm of rainfall, raising serious concerns over landslide risks in the region. MORE..
Over 93,000 tourists visit Sri Lanka in first two weeks of December
Over 93,000 tourists visit Sri Lanka in first two weeks of December
The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) has reported that over 93,000 tourists have arrived in the country during the first two weeks of December 2025. MORE..
Multiple reservoirs at full capacity; Downstream residents urged to stay alert
Multiple reservoirs at full capacity; Downstream residents urged to stay alert
The Mahaweli Authority has announced that the Victoria, Randenigala, and Rantembe reservoirs have reached spill levels due to the prevailing heavy rainfall. MORE..
Speaker endorses certificate on three key Bills
Speaker endorses certificate on three key Bills
The Speaker of the Parliament, Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne announced to the House today that he endorsed the certificate on three Bills yesterday (17). MORE..