Sri Lanka continues to receive significant international support following the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah, which has resulted in hundreds of deaths and left hundreds of thousands displaced across the country. According to the President’s Office, as recovery operations intensify, nations across the world have expressed solidarity, while several key allies have mobilised direct relief assistance on the ground. India has taken a leading role in immediate emergency response efforts. Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed heartfelt condolences to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and reaffirmed that India “stands firmly beside Sri Lanka and its people in this difficult hour,” pledging continued…
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The Pakistan National Team will tour Sri Lanka in January 2026 to play a three-match T20I series. All matches will be played at the RDICS in Dambulla. The post Dates announced for Sri Lanka Vs Pakistan T20I series in Dambulla appeared first on Newswire.
Photo courtesy of Thilina Kaluthotage On the morning of November 30, 2025, a desperate message surfaced from Pattiyagama, Deltota, one of many remote hill country communities devastated by Cyclone Ditwah. The message, typed in haste under failing phone signal, described a level of isolation and fear echoing across the island. “There is no current here and the network is also bad. Roads are still blocked. No one has come yet. Food items cost very high. No one came to see if we are alive or dead. Relatives got caught in the flood and were buried at the spot. Not sure…
ECONOMYNEXT – Wealth Trust Securities, a licensed primary dealer, is raising 500 million rupees, selling 71.54 million shares at 7 rupees per share to boost its capital and plans to expand the reach of government securities, officials said. WTS had a core capital of 6.25 billion rupees by September 30, which was above the central bank requirement of 2.5 billion rupees. By January 2026, capital has to be increased to 4.0 billion rupees and 5.0 billion by January 2027. “Although WTS already exceeds these thresholds, the Company intends to proactively raise additional capital to further strengthen its buffer, thereby providing…
ECONOMYNEXT – Pakistan has said its relief operation initiated November 29, including a fully-equipped Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team, field hospitals, highly trained sniffing dogs and nearly 200 tons of life-saving supplies, has remained stranded due to a delay by India in granting flight clearance to its C-130 aircraft. India has given approval for Pakistan flight on Monday (1), however, the Pakistan High Commission in Colombo said the diplomatic clearance was granted at 1800 hours on December 1 through its Embassy in Islamabad. “The clearance was valid for around 6 Hours for the Pakistan’s assisted Emergency and relief aircraft…
Former Minister C. B. Rathnayake has been arrested after appearing before the Bribery Commission to give a statement. The post Former Minister CB Ratnayake arrested appeared first on Newswire.
The Department of Meteorology states that the rumours spreading about a possible new cyclone in Sri Lanka in the coming days are false. Meteorologist Malith Fernando said that while rainy weather conditions can be expected on December 4th and 5th, no significant impact is anticipated. Meanwhile, health authorities have requested parents not to take children to view flood‑affected areas. Specialist at Lady Ridgeway Children’s Hospital, Dr. Deepal Perera, emphasized that following floods, various diseases may spread, and therefore, children’s safety must be protected. (Newswire) The post Met Department dismisses New Cyclone rumours appeared first on Newswire.
ECONOMYNEXT – Revenue collected by Sri Lanka Customs jumped around 16.7 percent in November compared to the monthly target, the official data showed, despite the clearance was paralysed in the last four days of the month due to Cyclone Ditwah-hit disaster. The total revenue by end November has already reached around 107 percent of the full year target, the government data showed. Sri Lanka Customs has set a revenue target of 2,115 billion rupees for this year, 36.2 percent higher than last year’s 1,553 million rupees. The monthly target for November this year was 210 billion rupees, but the government…
Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith urged authorities to resettle flood affected people in safe areas which do not go under water.
The Agricultural and Agrarian Insurance Board, under the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands, and Irrigation, has planned to implement an expedited compensation process as instructed by the subject Minister, for crop damages caused by Cyclone Ditwah and floods that affected all 25 districts of the island. Issuing a statement, the Agricultural and Agrarian Insurance Board said that through this process, damages to compulsory insured crops such as paddy, maize, big onions, potatoes, chilies, and soya beans will be assessed and compensation payments provided. As it is currently not possible to obtain a clear understanding of the extent of damage, farmers…
The United National Party (UNP) on Tuesday accused the government of failing to activate Sri Lanka’s National Disaster Management Plan during last week’s severe flooding, saying the omission contributed to the scale of devastation reported across the country. In a special statement, dated 02 December 2025, the party said the Disaster Management Council is legally required to formulate and implement the National Disaster Management Plan under the Disaster Management Act No. 13 of 2005, but key procedures outlined in the plan were not followed. According to the document, the plan requires constant coordination with technical agencies such as the Department…
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s Hatton National Bank said it plans a debenture sale to raise 10 billion rupees. Initially 50 million listed, rated, unsecured, redeemable, senior sustainable bonds for tenors of 5-year and 7-year will be offered at 100 rupees each. Another 50 million will be offered in the event of an over subscription of the initial issue, the bank said. The Colombo Stock Exchange has approved in principle an application for listing the debt securities. (Colombo/Dec2/2025)
On behalf of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council, we extend our sincere condolences to the President and people of Sri Lanka for the tragic loss of life and the widespread destruction caused by Cyclone Ditwah. With the death toll now exceeding 300, hundreds more people missing, and thousands left without homes or livelihoods, the impact on your nation is devastating, and affecting all parts of the country. As Commonwealth friends, we acknowledge the suffering that Sri Lanka has already endured through natural disasters; floods, droughts, landslides, and the 2004 tsunami. Sri Lanka has survived through the extraordinary efforts of…
Wing Commander Nirmal Siyambalapitiya, the commanding pilot of the Sri Lanka Air Force Bell 212 helicopter, which met with an accident during emergency relief efforts in Lunuwila, has been posthumously promoted. According to the Sri Lanka Air Force, in recognition of his distinguished service, he was posthumously promoted from the rank of Wing Commander to Group Captain, effective 30 November 2025. His remains are scheduled to be placed at his residence in Lunuwila today, and will be taken to his residence in Ratmalana this evening (02 Dec). The late Nirmal Siyambalapitiya’s final rites will be conducted with full Air Force…
Sri Lanka says the death toll from the island-wide disaster has risen to 410 as of 10.00 am today (02 Dec). According to the Disaster Management Centre’s latest update, 336 people remain missing across all 25 districts. (Newswire) The post Cyclone Ditwah : Death toll increases to 410 in Sri Lanka appeared first on Newswire.
ECONOMYNEXT – Sampath Jude Fernando has been appointed group chief executive officer of Melstacorp PLC with effect from December 1, the company said in a stock exchange filing. A brief profile of Fernando, as provided by the company, follows: Mr. Jude Fernando joined Melstacorp PLC on December 1, 2025, and is the Group Chief Executive Officer of Melstacorp PLC. He brings with him over 32 years of experience in senior positions across many industries, particularly in Finance, Supply Chain Management, Sales and Marketing, and International Marketing. His previous roles include Managing Director of Hemas Pharmaceuticals (Private) Limited and Hemas Surgical…
Police state that the arrival of large numbers of relief teams has obstructed road‑clearing operations in disaster‑affected areas. Expressing gratitude for the relief teams’ efforts, Police Media Spokesperson ASP F. U. Wootler noted that in some districts, the influx of heavy vehicles into areas where road repairs are underway has disrupted the work. He further said that certain motorcyclists visiting affected sites to observe and record videos have also hindered officials engaged in duties. The Police Media Spokesperson emphasized that such situations pose risks to those arriving and requested relief teams to coordinate with the respective Divisional Secretaries to deliver…
Former Minister C. B. Ratnayake appeared before the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption this morning (02). It is reported that he was summoned to provide a statement in connection with an ongoing investigation by the Commission. (Newswire) The post Former Minister questioned by Bribery Commission appeared first on Newswire.
A group of 826 individuals from Matara arrived in Badulla yesterday (01), intending to rebuild the affected areas in the Badulla District due to Cyclone Ditwah. According to the Badulla District Secretariat, showing solidarity with the affected people, the group brought not only their labour but also essential machinery and tools for reconstruction, including: Backhoe Loaders Excavators Chainsaws Water Bowsers Cleaning equipment The relief team included members of the Red Star Organization, various volunteer groups, social activists, and media teams. (Newswire) The post Over 800 volunteers from Matara join Badulla rebuilding effort appeared first on Newswire.
– Cyclone Ditwah exposed critical gaps in Sri Lanka’s health and disaster response systems. – Health and disaster agencies lack integrated dashboards and real-time data, forcing frontline workers to rely on informal, siloed information during emergencies. – Building integrated coordination platforms and climate-health surveillance systems can create climate-resilient health systems. As Sri Lanka currently counts human and economic costs of Cyclone Ditwah, the images are both disturbing and somewhat familiar: flooded hospitals, access roads buried by landslides, evacuation centres overflowing with displaced families, and officials in health and disaster management services scrambling to meet everyone’s needs. The death toll is…