The Sri Lanka Coast Guard (SLCG) rescued ten local and foreign tourists from drowning during lifesaving operations conducted across several coastal regions from 24th to 27th December 2025.
The Sri Lankan Report
All-rounder Shadab Khan has returned to the T20I side as the Men’s National Selection Committee named a 15-member squad for the three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka, scheduled to take place later next month. Salman Ali Agha, who featured in a record 34 T20I matches — the most by a Pakistan player in this year will continue to lead the side in the forthcoming series.
International R&B star Ne-Yo has issued an apology to his Sri Lankan fans following the postponement of his scheduled concert in Colombo.
A ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia has come into effect along the border, where almost three weeks of deadly clashes have forced nearly one million people from their homes.
Commenting on a video clip that is being circulated on social media where she and others are seen merry making, former MP Hirunika Premachandra said the clip shows a party which was held way back in October this year.
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa on Sunday donated medical equipment worth Rs. 4.65 million to the Mahiyanganaya Base Hospital in the Badulla District under the Samagi Jana Balawegaya’s “Husma” programme. The donation included a Dialog+ single-pump hemodialysis machine valued at Rs. 3.8 million and a Bluedot RO System 600Gpd water purification unit worth Rs. 760,000. The equipment was provided to strengthen treatment facilities for kidney patients at the hospital. Addressing the event, Premadasa said access to quality healthcare is a fundamental right and stressed the need to ensure essential medical services are available to patients in regional hospitals. (Newswire) The post…
Ten foreign women from three countries were arrested during a raid on a premises allegedly operating as a brothel under the guise of an Ayurvedic massage parlour in Kollupitiya.
ECONOMYNEXT – Kazakhstan’s Air Astana has started flying to Sri Lanka, starting from Christmas day carrying tourists for the 2025/2026 winter season, the tourist promotion office said, as the island recovers from the effects of cyclone Ditwah. Arrivals up to December 25 were up 2.05 percent to 195,394, from 191,465 last year. Sri Lanka had welcomed 2,298,987 tourist arrivals to December 2025, up 15 percent from a year earlier, based on tourist office data. Air Astana will operate two flights a week on Monday and Thursday, from Almaty, the capital of Kazakhstan, to Bandaranaike International Airport, Colombo. Each flight will…
The funeral arrangements for veteran singer Latha Walpola have been announced. Her remains will lie in state at Jayaratne Restpect Home, Borella, from 4:00 PM on December 28 through December 30 for public respects. On December 31, the remains will be at Independence Square, Colombo, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM for state honours. In accordance with her final wish, the burial will take place at Borella Cemetery. The funeral will be conducted with full state sponsorship. (NewsWire) The post Latha Walpola’s funeral arrangements announced appeared first on Newswire.
Sri Lanka’s tourism industry is showing a full recovery, with visitor arrivals in 2025 edging close to pre-pandemic and pre-Easter attack levels, according to the latest statistics. A total of 2,298,987 tourists have arrived in the country so far in 2025, approaching the 2,333,796 arrivals recorded in 2018, the last peak year before the Easter Sunday attacks and the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted travel. The upward momentum has been particularly evident in December. Between December 1 and 25 alone, Sri Lanka welcomed 195,394 visitors, highlighting sustained demand during the traditional peak season. Christmas Day marked a notable milestone, with 11,111 arrivals…
Sri Lanka’s primary healthcare system is set to be strengthened through reforms centred on the role of the family physician, following discussions held at the Ministry of Health and Mass Media. The meeting was chaired by Nalinda Jayatissa, Minister of Health and Mass Media, and attended by officials of the College of General Practitioners of Sri Lanka. During the discussion, CGPSL officials presented a series of proposals aimed at modernising primary healthcare services, including the introduction of electronic health records for all citizens, digitalisation of services, and the appointment of trained, full-time family physicians to manage primary care centres. Proposals…
International R&B star Ne-Yo has apologised to Sri Lankan fans following the cancellation of his scheduled concert in Colombo. In a social media post, the singer said he was “looking forward to rocking out” with his Sri Lankan fanbase but was unable to proceed due to “unforeseen circumstances.” He expressed his “deepest apologies” and assured fans that he hopes to return to Sri Lanka soon. “Let’s try this again soon. All love and respect,” Ne-Yo said, adding that he looks forward to seeing fans at another time. The concert, which was scheduled to be held on December 28, was called…
A host of key players have missed selection as Pakistan announced their T20I squad for next month’s three-match series in Sri Lanka. Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf and Mohammad Rizwan will skip the series as they feature in Australia’s domestic Big Bash League, with uncapped keeper-batter Khawaja Nafay winning a maiden call-up as part of the 15-player squad. Pakistan squad: Salman Ali Agha (c), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmad, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Nafay, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan, Usman Tariq Series schedule: First T20I, January…
Kollupitiya Police have arrested 10 foreign women from three countries during a raid on a premises allegedly operating as a brothel under the guise of an Ayurvedic massage centre. Police said the raid was carried out at a location along Galle Road in Kollupitiya, following information received by the Officer-in-Charge of the Kollupitiya Police Station. Officers also recovered a quantity of duty-free cigarettes from the possession of one of the arrested women, police said. Kollupitiya police are conducting further investigations (NewsWire) The post Ten foreign women arrested in raid on Kollupitiya spa appeared first on Newswire.
Sri Lanka are set to recall former captain Charith Asalanka along with Matheesha Pathirana, Dunith Wellalage and Dhananjaya de Silva for the upcoming three-match home T20 International series against Pakistan next month, the Sunday Times reported. Asalanka’s recall follows his absence from the recent Pakistan Tri-Series and the subsequent loss of the T20I captaincy, with selectors opting to back his experience despite modest returns this year. Pathirana is expected to strengthen the bowling after his strong performances in the ILT20, while Wellalage also returns after missing the Tri-Series. Test captain Dhananjaya de Silva is set for a surprise comeback to…
Three people were seriously injured when a car collided with an express train running from Beliatta to Maradana near the Kosgama–Piyagama area on Saturday (27) afternoon, police said. Kosgoda Police said the injured were admitted to Balapitiya and Karapitiya Teaching Hospitals for treatment. The victims include a father, his son, and a relative who were traveling in the car. Police said the vehicle entered the railway crossing despite warning signals, including traffic lights and a safety bell, being fully operational at the time. The impact caused the car to be thrown off the tracks. Kosgoda Police are conducting further investigations.…
WEATHER FORECAST FOR 28 DECEMBER 2025 Issued at 05.30 a.m. on 28 December 2025 Several spells of showers will occur in Northern, North-central, Eastern, Uva and Central provinces and in Hambantota district. Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in Sabaragamuwa province and in Galle, Matara and Kaluthara districts after 2.00 p.m. Fairly heavy falls above 50 mm are likely at some places in these areas. Fairly strong winds of about 40 kmph can be expected at times over Eastern slopes of the central hills, Northern, North-central and North-western provinces and in Hambantota, Monaragala and Trincomalee districts. Misty conditions…
ECONOMYNEXT – Premium vehicle, costing up to 300 million rupees including a Bentley, Ferrari and Mercedese Maybachs have registered in Sri Lanka according to an analysis of registry data by JB Securities, a Colombo-based brokerage. In November 2025, a pre-owned Bentley Continental GT and a pre-owned Ferrari 296 GTB and one brand Mercedes-Maybach GLS SUV and one Maybach S580 sedan. “All these vehicles are in the LKR 200-300 mn range,” J B Securities said in a note to clients. “Thanks are due to these buyers, whose purchases have contributed substantially to the Treasury—around two-thirds of the street value of these…
Colombo Mayor Vraie Cally Balthazar on Saturday detailed the process behind the preparation of the Colombo Municipal Council’s 2025 budget, which is set to be resubmitted for a second reading on Dec. 31 after it was defeated during a council vote on Dec. 22. In a statement issued following the setback, the mayor said the budget was not merely a collection of figures but a document reflecting the council’s performance and outlining development plans for the coming year. She noted that the 2023/24 period saw no elected council, with municipal administration carried out under a commissioner system, making the preparation…
Kandy Sports Club has strongly rejected claims made by Sri Lanka Rugby following the A-Division League match against CH & FC, insisting that no match official was assaulted or physically harmed during or after the fixture. In a statement posted on Facebook and addressed to Sri Lanka Rugby, the club said all match officials and visiting players were safely escorted to their dressing rooms immediately after the final whistle, with senior club officials personally ensuring their safety. Kandy SC acknowledged spectator dissatisfaction with refereeing decisions but stressed that supporters showed restraint and did not harm any official. The club alleged…