The Government has drawn attention to providing compensation of Rs. 10,000 per coconut tree, along with coconut saplings, to farmers whose coconut trees were destroyed by the recent Cyclonic Storm Ditwah.
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ECONOMYNEXT – Hurricane Diwah had hit at least 13,698 businesses in Sri Lanka based on complaints received so far by a support centre set up by the ministry of industries, the Department of Government Information said. This was made up of 5,639 micro enterprises, 4,636 small businesses, 2,986 medium businesses and, 437 large businesses. Industries that were hit by Cyclone Ditwah could call the number 0712,666,660 to reach the Industry Disaster Support Centre. There is a website – https://www.industry.gov.lk/web/industry-disaster-support-center/ – where businesses could upload comprehensive information. Cyclone Ditwah inundated 20 percent of Sri Lanka and damage leaving 834 dead or…
Minister Bimal Rathnayake on Saturday (13) inspected the “Yaka Palama” bridge in Peradeniya, Kandy District, which was damaged due to the recent extreme weather conditions caused by Cyclone Ditwah. During the visit, the minister stressed the need for an urgent damage assessment of the bridge, noting that debris and waste accumulated around the structure must be removed promptly to facilitate a proper technical evaluation. Rathnayake held discussions with officials from several institutions, including the Sri Lanka Land Development Corporation, Department of Conservation, Sri Lanka Railways, Road Development Authority, and the Sri Lanka Army and Navy, on coordinated interventions required to…
What was billed as a historic, celebratory moment during Lionel Messi’s Kolkata stop on the GOAT Tour spiralled into chaos at the Vivekananda Yuvabharati Krirangan on Friday, with allegations of serious mismanagement overshadowing the Argentine legend’s brief appearance.
The Department of Meteorology has issued a warning for residents in Kalutara, Rathnapura, Galle, and Matara districts as thundershowers accompanied by severe lightning are likely to occur in some areas.
The previous government completed the concept paper for the establishment of an international climate change university in Sri Lanka, and a Cabinet paper was presented at that time to seek approval for land demarcation for the project, an official attached to the then Climate Change secretariat said.
Sri Lanka is seeking official information from Iranian authorities following reports that crew members from the island nation were among 18 sailors detained after Iran seized a foreign oil tanker in the Sea of Oman. Iranian media reported that judicial authorities impounded the tanker on December 12 off the port city of Jask in southern Hormozgan Province, alleging it was carrying around 6 million litres of smuggled fuel. Sri Lanka’s Foreign Deputy Minister Arun Hemachandra said Colombo’s diplomatic missions in Iran and Oman had reached out to the relevant authorities for clarification. “In regard to the reported detention of crew…
Almas Holdings Pvt Limited, a leading investment holding company active in the Capital Market and Real Estate sectors, has pledged a total of Rs 225 million to support flood relief and rebuilding efforts in Sri Lanka.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has instructed officials to give top priority to restoring the livelihoods of communities affected by the disaster. He emphasized the need to expedite compensation payments for damages and to take immediate measures to revive the agriculture, fisheries and industrial sectors. The President further directed that all compensation payments for crop damage be completed before December 25. These instructions were issued during a special District Coordinating Committee meeting held this morning (13) at the Puttalam District Secretariat. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake described the recent cyclone as one of the largest disasters the entire country has faced in…
The Ministry of Women and Child Affairs has urged the public and media institutions to refrain from sharing photographs, video footage, or personal information of children affected by the ongoing disaster situation. The ministry warned that the dissemination of such material could compromise the identity and privacy of affected children, and may result in images and personal details falling into the hands of traffickers and other criminal elements who misuse them. It stressed that legal action will be taken against individuals who use such information to engage in child exploitation, trafficking, or related offences. The public are also requested to…
A circular issued by the Ministry of Public Administration has approved a special annual advance of up to Rs. 4,000 for public officers, payable beginning January 1 and ending February 28, 2026. The advance applies to all permanent public officers and temporary or casual staff with at least three months continuous service and prospects of remaining in service through the year. Temporary or casual employees must have a permanent public servant as guarantor. Officers with prior defaults on special loan repayments are not eligible. The advance must be recovered in 10 equal monthly instalments with 8 % annual interest, and…
Lakbima Rice Mills (Pvt) Ltd, based in Polonnaruwa, has contributed Rs. 100 million to the Government’s ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund, established to provide relief to communities affected by Cyclone Ditwa. The donation cheque was handed over this morning (13) at the Presidential Secretariat to Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the President, by Mr. Dudley Sirisena, Chairman of the Araliya Group of Companies. (Newswire) The post Rs 100 million donation from Dudley Sirisena’s company for ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund appeared first on Newswire.
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s average coconut price slumped 1.5 percent at the weekly auction this week, data on its site showed. The average price of 1,000 nuts dropped from 114,559.44 rupees to 112,740.72. The nuts offered rose from 278,887 to 409,302 nuts at the auction. The number of nuts sold rose to 278,343 from 174,894 a week earlier. In the local market, the wholesale price for a large nut was 170-180 rupees, while small nuts were 140-160 a piece on December 11. The Farmgate price in Kurunegala was 100-110 rupees a nut. The retail price for a nut was 176-189…
American President Donald Trump’s nominee for US ambassador to Sri Lanka told lawmakers that Washington will prioritise maritime security, economic reforms and countering China’s growing footprint in the Indian Ocean nation, as Sri Lanka seeks recovery from its 2022 economic crisis and a devastating cyclone this year. Testifying before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, nominee Eric Meyer said Sri Lanka’s strategic location along major global shipping lanes makes it central to US efforts to promote “a free and open Indo-Pacific” and to counter “adversarial influences, including China’s growing presence in the region.” “Sri Lanka sits astride some of the world’s…
Thundershowers accompanied with severe lightning are likely to occur at some places in Kaluthara, Rathnapura, Galle and Matara Districts. There may be temporary localized strong winds during thundershowers. General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning activity. The post Severe Lightning alert issued for 4 districts appeared first on Newswire.
Football icon Lionel Messi virtually unveiled his 70-foot statue from Salt Lake stadium, with West Bengal Minister Sujit Bose and Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan present at the event on Saturday. Messi is currently with Shah Rukh Khan as the ceremony at Yuva Bharati Krirangan gets underway. VIDEO | Kolkata: Football icon Lionel Messi to virtually unveil his 70-foot statue from Salt Lake stadium, with West Bengal Minister Sujit Bose and Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan present at the event.#LionelMessi #Kolkata #Football (Full VIDEO available on PTI Videos –… pic.twitter.com/dqISIwMgl4 — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 13, 2025…
Almas Holdings Pvt Ltd has pledged Rs. 225 million towards flood relief and rebuilding efforts following the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah, with a major portion directed to the government’s ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ President’s Fund. The company, a long-term investment holding firm operating in the capital market and real estate sectors, made the pledge through its subsidiary Almas Equities Pvt Ltd, a licensed stockbroker regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Colombo Stock Exchange. Almas Holdings Chairman Imtiaz Buhardeen on Friday handed over a cheque for Rs. 100 million to President’s Secretary Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake at the…
ECONOMYNEXT – The UN Food and Agriculture Organization said it had assessed Cyclone Ditwah’s impacts on Sri Lanka’s crops, livestock, inland and marine fisheries, and aquaculture, and is working with the government to support smallholder paddy and vegetable farmers and fishing communities. “We stand ready to collaborate closely with the Government, bilateral partners, and multilateral agencies to ensure that recovery assistance is evidence-based, climate-resilient, and directed at those who need it most,” Vimlendra Sharan, FAO Representative for Sri Lanka and the Maldives, said in a statement. Sharan visited affected communities in Kurunegala, Anuradhapura, Puttalam and Chilaw. “FAO also utilizes satellite…
Mr. Ruwan Galapitiya, the Deputy Mayor of Kandy, Sri Lanka, visited the UAE Relief Team stationed in the region to review the field efforts being implemented by the UAE in support of families affected by the recent floods and landslides. During the visit, the Deputy Mayor was briefed on the progress of search and rescue operations, the teams’ operational workflow, and the ongoing distribution of humanitarian aid. The UAE team comprises representatives from the Joint Operations Command, the UAE International Aid Agency, the Emirates Red Crescent, and the Abu Dhabi Civil Defense Authority. Mr. Galapitiya commended the UAE’s role, its…
Opposition MP Ajith P. Perera has raised fresh questions over the Bribery Commission decision allowing the withdrawal of bribery charges against former Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal and four others, citing submissions made by Cabraal’s legal team opposing the payment condition imposed by the Bribery Commission. In a Facebook post, Perera questioned why the Commission proceeded with a conditional withdrawal when Cabraal’s lawyer had informed court that the defence does not agree with the requirement to pay compensation and maintained that the case should be withdrawn outright on the basis that the charges cannot be sustained in law. Perera…