Police Media Spokesman ASP F. U. Wootler warned that strict legal action will be taken against individuals who circulate false and unethical news at this moment, when the entire nation is united in facing the disaster situation. He noted that several complaints have already been lodged with the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) regarding the circulation of news that causes fear and unrest among the public, and that the Computer Crimes Division has commenced investigations into these complaints. ASP Wootler made these remarks while addressing a media briefing held today (01) at the Tri-Forces Headquarters. He further pointed out that, while…
Posts published in “News”
The Road Development Authority (RDA) has released an updated list of roads closed to traffic as of Dec. 1, 2025, due to the ongoing disaster situation. The closures have been enforced in response to flooding, landslides, rockfalls, and other disaster-related hazards affecting various parts of the country. According to the list 8 stretches of road in the Eastern Province, 15 in the Central Province, 11 in the Uva Province, 05 in the North Central, 10 in the Sabaragamuwa Province, 10 in the North Western Province, 12 in the Northern Province and 38 roads in the Northern Province have faced closures.…
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka has granted a special one-month grace period for holders of driving licenses which are to expire from November 25-December 25 this year, Police said, as Cyclone Ditwah-related disasters have damaged public infrastructure making it difficult for them to renew licenses at the Department of Motor Traffic. The Commissioner of Motor Traffic has informed that a special grace period has been granted for holders of driving licenses which expire from November 25, 2025 to December 25, 2025 for the renewal, the Police Media Division said in a statement. Driving with a license expiring during this period will…
ECONOMYNEXT – The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce says it will proceed with its planned Sri Lanka Economic and Investment Summit as it would serve as an essential forum to discuss strategies and rebuilding. “The summit now serves as an essential forum to collectively reflect on the road to recovery, discuss strategies to strengthen national resilience, and reaffirm our shared commitment to rebuilding a stronger and more stable Sri Lanka.” The private sector has a critical role to play in this effort, the chamber said, will help by mobilising its networks and resources to contribute to long-term sustainable development. The full…
Sri Lanka Police says legal action will not be initiated for traffic violations involving individuals with expired driving licences between 25 November 2025 to 25 December 2025. Issuing a statement, the Police said it has been observed that, owing to the prevailing adverse weather and natural disaster situation in Sri Lanka, many drivers have been unable to renew their driving licences on time, resulting in difficulties in continuing their driving activities. Accordingly, the Department of Motor Traffic has decided to grant a special concessionary period for the renewal of expired driving licences. As per the circular issued, from 25 November…
The National Disaster Relief Services Centre has urged the public to remain vigilant about the increased risk of infectious and vector-borne diseases as floodwaters and waterlogging begin to recede. Reiterating the heightened risk of infectious and vector-borne diseases as floodwaters recede, Assistant Secretary of the Centre, Jayatissa Munasinghe, said the health sector is already implementing necessary preventive measures. He further stated that each Divisional Secretariat has already been allocated Rs. 50 million to provide immediate relief to people affected by the disaster. Assistant Secretary Munasinghe made these remarks at a media briefing held today (01) at the Defence Headquarters. He…
WEATHER FORECAST FOR 02 DECEMBER 2025 Issued at 2.00 p.m. on 01 December 2025 Several spells of showers will occur in Northern, Western, Sabaragamuwa and Southern provinces and in Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya districts. Showers or thundershowers may occur at a few places in Uva, North-Central and Eastern provinces after 2.00 p.m. The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers. The post Weather today: Rain expected for several areas after 2 PM appeared first on Newswire.
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has announced that the sixth edition of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) will be held from 8th July to 8th August 2026. The new dates for the sixth edition were finalized following the postponement of the tournament, which was originally scheduled to be held in December 2025. The postponement was made considering the broader requirement of preparing the ‘Host Venues’ well in advance for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, which will be co-hosted by Sri Lanka and India during February-March 2026. With this decision, the five-team tournament, Sri Lanka’s topmost domestic T20 competition, will…
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka energy firm WindForce said its wholly owned subsidiary, Diya Janani (Pvt) Ltd, has entered into a standard power purchase agreement (SPPA) with the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) to build a 6.5MWdc/5MWac floating solar power project on the Dambuluoya Reservoir. The project is estimated to cost 1,176 million rupees. “This project represents one of the first and largest floating solar development in the private sector in Sri Lanka,” the company said in a stock exchange filing. WindForce said its capital structure for the project is 80:20 debt to equity (from the project cost). (Colombo/Dec1/2025)
A security manager at a prominent hotel in Colombo has been arrested for allegedly assaulting trainee hotel students, it was reported. The security manager was arrested yesterday after a complaint was filed at the Colombo Fort Police Station. The arrest comes after video footage on social media showed the man slapping two trainees inside a room and addressing a group of trainees in an abusive manner. (Newswire) The post Colombo hotel employee arrested for alleged assault of trainees appeared first on Newswire.
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s People’s Leasing & Finance PLC said it will issue up to 150 million debentures to raise a total of 15 billion rupees. The listed, rated, unsecured, subordinated, redeemable debentures will be issued at 100 rupees each, and carry a term of five years. The issue is approved by the central bank, and will be subject to required regulatory approvals. The company intends to list the debentures on the Colombo Stock Exchange, it said in a stock exchange filing. (Colombo/Dec1/2025)
INS Sukanya, the lead vessel of the Sukanya-class patrol vessels of the Indian Navy, has entered Sri Lankan waters with necessary relief materials. In a post on ‘X”, Minister of External Affairs of India, S. Jaishankar said INS Sukanya has entered Trincomalee with relief materials. The relief materials are part of Operation Sagar Bandhu, which was launched by India to bolster relief efforts in Sri Lanka, in the wake of Cyclone Ditwah. According to Minister Jaishankar, over 27 tonnes of relief material have been delivered by air and sea to Colombo. Two Urban Search and Rescue Teams comprising 80 National…
Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe has taken steps to convene all party leaders to discuss the steps to be taken in the face of the adverse situation that faces Sri Lanka following Cyclone “Ditwa”. Issuing a statement, the United National Party Chairman Vajira Abeywardena said all party leaders are scheduled to meet at the former President’s Political Office on Flower Road on Wednesday (3). According to Vajira Abeywardena, the steps to be taken in the future will be decided at the party leaders’ meeting, following discussions based on the experience gained in successfully facing previous natural disasters under Ranil Wickremesinghe’s leadership.…
The Sri Lankan Rupee has depreciated slightly against the US Dollar today (01 Dec), compared to last Friday. According to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, the buying rate of the US Dollar has increased from Rs. 304.24 to Rs. 304.39. Meanwhile, the selling rate of the Sri Lankan Rupee has increased from Rs. 311.80 to Rs. 311.94. The Sri Lankan Rupee has changed slightly against a basket of foreign currencies, including the Gulf currencies. The Sri Lankan Rupee has shown a depreciation of Rs. 04 on the first working day of December 2025, compared to the first working day…
The government has introduced a mechanism to make donations through the ‘GovPay’ digital payment platform with the aim of providing relief to the people affected by the adverse weather conditions in Sri Lanka. This system has now been introduced in a convenient and transparent manner to enable donations to the Disaster Relief Fund established by the Ministry of Finance. Through the government payment gateway, ‘GovPay’, anyone can instantly make donations at any time. The donated funds are credited to the fund in real-time, allowing contributions to be made easily from home or anywhere else. The Ministry of Digital Economy emphasized…
The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) has requested the cooperation of the public when operating drones in areas affected by the ongoing disaster situation, warning that unregulated drone operations during Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) missions pose a significant risk to air operations conducted by the SLAF and other response agencies. Issuing a statement, the SLAF said that the presence of drones, whether authorized or unauthorized, in active airspace can interfere with flight paths, disrupt critical rescue and relief missions and may lead to tragic aircraft accidents. Such incidents endanger the lives of aircrew members, jeopardize valuable air assets…
A tense situation arose in Parliament today after the Opposition walked out of the Chambers accusing the government of failing to provide an opportunity to hold a discussion on the policy measures required to be taken in view of the disaster situation in Sri Lanka. Addressing the Parliament, Opposition MP Kabir Hashim said the disaster had occurred despite the Department of Meteorology having warned of adverse weather and possible calamities. He pointed out that despite the warnings, the government had failed to pay attention or take the necessary measures to prevent the disaster. The MP further pointed out that the…
ECONOMYNEXT – The death toll of Cyclone Ditwah is rising in Sri Lanka. Hundreds more have gone missing. Tens of thousands have been rendered homeless. People have lost their lives. Thousands mourn the loss of friends and families. And an entire population grieves and wonders when and how livelihoods will be restored, the displaced provided alternative housing. They wonder how long food, medical, power and communications infrastructure will remain disrupted. This is not the first tragedy that has struck Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka has known floods, droughts, landslides although none of it in the scales unleashed by Cyclone Ditwah. Sri…
The Ministry of Transport has announced the reopening of several roads that were affected due to the inclement weather experienced in Sri Lanka. Accordingly, the Ella-Wellawaya, Padeniya-Anuradhapura, and Kurunegala- Trincomalee Roads are currently open for vehicular movement. Meanwhile, several roads in the Badulla District have also been reopened for traffic. It is also reported that the Kandy- Jaffna A9 Road has also been opened for traffic. Several of the roads were previously closed after being blocked due to floods and landslides following adverse weather conditions in the areas. (Newswire) The post Adverse weather : Several affected roads reopened for traffic…
The Sri Lankan Rupee remains steady against the US Dollar at commercial banks in Sri Lanka today (01 Dec), compared to last week. At Seylan Bank, the buying rate of the US Dollar is Rs. 305, while the selling rate is Rs. 310.25. According to NDB Bank, the buying and selling rates of the US Dollar are Rs. 307.05 and Rs. 11.55, respectively. People’s Bank reports that the buying rate of the US Dollar is Rs. 305.05 and the selling rate is Rs. 311.78. At Commercial Bank, the buying and selling rates of the US Dollar are Rs. 302.75 and…