The death toll from one of Hong Kong’s worst fires in peacetime has risen to at least 44, authorities have said, with hundreds of others still unaccounted for.
The Sri Lankan Report
An emergency disaster situation has been declared in the Kandy District due to the prevailing adverse weather in the area, according to the Kandy District Secretary. Meanwhile, the death toll in the two landslides reported in two separate areas in Kandy has risen to 05. Two individuals were reported dead in the Pathahewaheta area, while three persons were reported dead in the Udumbura area, with their bodies having been recovered as of now. Furthermore, the Kandy-Mahiyanganaya main road, commonly referred to as the 18 hairpin bend road, has been closed until further notice due to adverse weather conditions. The Department…
The depression over south-east of Sri Lanka has intensified into a deep depression and is centered near latitude 6.7°N and longitude 82.1°E, about 120 km south-east of Batticaloa. It is very likely to move nearly north-northwestwards and intensify further into a Cyclonic storm during the next 12 hours. The post Cyclonic storm during the next 12 hours : 1 PM Weather update appeared first on Newswire.
Three individuals from the same family have been reported dead after a car fell into a flooded canal in Ampara today. According to the Police, the accident had occurred in the Sainthamaruthu area. The deceased have been identified as an elderly man, his wife, and his granddaughter. It is reported that the accident may have occurred due to the inclement weather experienced in the area. (Newswire) The post Three killed as car topples into canal in Sainthamaruthu appeared first on Newswire.
The Sri Lankan Rupee has depreciated further against the US Dollar today (27), compared to Wednesday. According to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, the buying rate of the US Dollar has increased from Rs. 304.20 to Rs. 304.22. Meanwhile, the selling rate of the Sri Lankan Rupee has increased from Rs. 311.75 to Rs. 311.78. The Sri Lankan Rupee has also depreciated against a basket of foreign currencies, including the Gulf currencies. (Newswire) The post Today’s CBSL official exchange rates appeared first on Newswire.
The Police have sought public support to locate two individuals wanted in connection with the disappearance of a man from the Grandpass area. According to the Police, a woman had filed a complaint claiming that her son, a resident of the Sedawatte area in Grandpass, had been missing since October 11. Preliminary investigations have revealed that the missing man was last seen at a party with two individuals and has been missing since then. The two individuals who had participated in the party are reported not to be in their areas of residence since the day of the party, while…
Gross Income crosses LKR 284.4 billion. Reports an ‘all-time high’ profit after tax of LKR 28.8 billion. Assets, deposits and net loans expands to LKR 3.6 trillion, LKR 3.2 trillion and LKR 1.6 trillion respectively. All Currency and Rupee Liquidity Coverage over 234.2% and 287.0%, respectively. Total Capital Adequacy ratio was strong at 16.0% with Tier I being 11.5%. People’s Bank announced its financial performance for the nine months ended September 30, 2025, delivering the best-ever results in the institution’s history. With 7 out of 10 Sri Lankans banking with People’s Bank and 1 out…
The Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe, says vehicle imports are currently declining and that next year is expected to be a normal year for imports, including vehicles. He pointed out that with the relaxation of import restrictions, the previously high demand has now begun to ease. The CBSL Governor made the remarks while speaking at a press briefing held yesterday (26) in connection with the final monetary policy review for 2025 “After vehicle imports were opened, in July, there was a sudden increase in the opening of Letters of Credit (LCs), which led to…
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s apparel and made-up articles exports recorded a marginal decline of 0.05 percent in October 2025 compared with October 2024, the Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF) said. “Sri Lanka’s apparel sector continues to hold steady despite challenging global conditions.” Shipments to the USA, UK and other markets fell by 1.92 percent, 11.99 percent and 9.84 percent respectively, it said. However, exports to the EU grew by 12.53 percent during the month. “The strong growth in EU markets and the positive cumulative performance reflect the industry’s resilience, ongoing investments in competitiveness, and our commitment to meeting the needs…
Train services on the Kelani Valley line have been disrupted after trees fell at two places between Narahenpita and Baseline Road Railway Stations.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake today instructed public representatives in affected districts to intervene swiftly to prevent loss of life and to provide relief to those impacted by the prevalent inclement weather conditions. The President gave these instructions, taking into account the heavy rainfall expected to intensify over the next two days, creating severe weather risks in Sri Lanka. The directive was issued during a special discussion held this morning (27) at the Parliament premises to review the emergency disaster situation and relief services arising from the adverse weather conditions across the country. He directed Members of Parliament to visit their…
The Meteorology Department has warned that several regions of the island are expected to experience extremely heavy rainfall exceeding 200 mm as the current weather system intensifies, accompanied by strong winds.
The Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) says the online driving licence service is temporarily unavailable, and measures are being taken to rectify the situation. According to the DMT Commissioner General, the online system is unavailable due to the adverse weather conditions experienced in the country. As such, licences will be issued offline at the Werahera and District Offices, the DMT Commissioner General added. (Newswire) The post Online Licence Service Down, Notice from DMT appeared first on Newswire.
The Commissioner General of Examinations has issued a special announcement stating that the G.C.E. Advanced Level (A/L) Examination 2025 scheduled for today (27) and tomorrow (28) will not be held due to the severe disaster situation caused by adverse weather across the country.
About the Author: Chathura Kotagama is a Sri Lankan business strategist and higher-education leader. He writes frequently on leadership, growth, and organizational strategy. Sales has quietly been the most influential profession on Earth.Not always respected. Not always understood. But always — always — the engine that moved humanity forward. From the first Ford automobile to Elon Musk’s dream of Mars, nothing truly advanced until someone sold a belief, a possibility, a dream. Products change. Technology evolves. But influence, trust, persuasion and human connection remain timeless. The Truth about AI and the Future of Sales AI is brilliant. It can write,…
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ECONOMYNEXT – Farmers in several districts in Sri Lanka who changed cultivation practice with Chinese advice have boosted pineapple output 300 percent and export grade mangoes 90 percent, the Food and Agricultural Organization said. Pineapple yields had tripled to 55 tones a hectare with high density planting, with 25,000 to 32,000 plants per acre against 4,000 traditionally. Advanced pruning and fruit bagging techniques increased export-grade mango production to 90 percent. Technical support came from the Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences (CATAS) in a project between Ministry of Agriculture of Sri Lanka, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United…
The Sri Lankan Rupee remains steady against the US Dollar at commercial banks in Sri Lanka today (27), compared to Wednesday. At Seylan Bank, the buying rate of the US Dollar remains unchanged at Rs. 304.65, while the selling rate is also unchanged at Rs. 309.90. People’s Bank reports that the buying rate of the US Dollar has increased from Rs. 304.46 to Rs. 304.55, while the selling rate has also increased from Rs. 311.17 to Rs. 311.27. At Commercial Bank, the buying rate of the US Dollar remains unchanged at Rs. 302.75, while the selling rate is also unchanged…
The National Tsunami Early Warning Centre says there is no Tsunami threat to Sri Lanka due to the magnitude 6.6 earthquake that occurred in the Indian Ocean off Northern Sumatra, Indonesia, at 10:26 am today (27). According to the Earthquake Information Bulletin, the tremor was recorded at a depth of 25 km, with preliminary coordinates at latitude 2.68°N and longitude 96.07°E. Requesting people living near and along the coastal areas around Sri Lanka to remain vigilant, the National Tsunami Early Warning Centre said, however, there is no Tsunami threat to Sri Lanka. (Newswire) The post NO Tsunami Threat for…