Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya has made a false statement that the Central Bank was under his purview during his tenure as Finance Minister in 2015, MP Ravi Karunanayake told Parliament today.
The Sri Lankan Report
ECONOMYNEXT – The UK has announced 675,000 pounds, roughly 890,000 dollars, in humanitarian support to families in Sri Lanka affected by Cyclone Ditwah. This will be delivered through humanitarian partners on the ground, including the Red Cross, UN agencies and local civil society organisations, the British High Commission said in a statement. “The funding will enable humanitarian partners to deliver essential supplies including shelter materials, clean water and sanitation facilities, to meet immediate needs of affected families.” Acting British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Theresa O’Mahony told Minister of Foreign Affairs Vijitha Herath the UK is committed to supporting recovery…
ECONOMYNEXT – Ajith Fernando will become chairman of Sri Lanka’s Hemas Holdings effective January 1, following the retirement of Husein Esufally on December 31, the company said. Fernando is a veteran in investment banking with over 30 years of experience, the company said. Murtaza Esufally, current Chairman of the Healthcare cluster, has been appointed deputy chairman, effective January 1, after Anura Ekanayake, deputy chairman, retires on December 31. Husein Esufally has served Hemas for over four decades in various leadership capacities including Group Chief Executive Officer and Chairman. (Colombo/Dec3/2025)
The Kaduwela–Battaramulla road, which was temporarily closed due to flooding, has been reopened to traffic from this morning, police said.
Apple CEO Tim Cook has announced that the company will contribute to relief and rebuilding efforts across several Asian countries—including Sri Lanka—following days of severe flooding, landslides, and powerful winds.
lt;strong gt;By Chandani Kirinde lt;/strong gt; Sri Lanka is open to obtaining technical assistance through the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), including that of forensic experts, to expedite investigations into past crimes in the country, a senior government source said yesterday. Such cooperation would include assistance to identify the victims o…
President Anura Kumara Dissnayake will address the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on Wednesday, where he will reiterate Sri Lanka rsquo;s unwavering support for the inalienable right of the Palestinian people to statehood. President Dissanayake, accompanied by Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath, will leave for New York on Monday to attend the UNGA rsquo;s 80th session, which is expected to…
Photo courtesy of Thilina Kaluthotage Sri Lanka is once again grappling with the devastating consequences of a natural disaster that, despite weeks of scientific forecasts, struck a nation structurally unprepared to withstand it. Cyclone Ditwah, which made landfall in late November 2025, has become the country’s most destructive calamity since the 2004 tsunami. With fatalities surpassing 400, thousands still missing and more than one million people affected, this tragedy is not merely a force of nature it is a reflection of long standing systemic vulnerabilities. For decades, Sri Lanka has struggled to translate scientific warnings, administrative planning and national unity…
The government has decided to provide Rs. 25,000 for educational activities for each school child affected by floods and landslides. The President’s Media Division stated that this amount has been decided to be provided from the President’s Fund. Schools were closed, and the 2025 GCE Advanced Level Examination was postponed halfway through due to the impact of Cyclone Ditwah in Sri Lanka. (Newswire) The post Govt to grant Rs. 25,000 for school children affected by disaster appeared first on Newswire.
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has announced the schedule for the Sri Lanka National Women’s Team’s upcoming tour of India. According to the SLC, the Sri Lanka Women’s Team will tour India in December 2025 to play a five-match T20 International series. The series will begin in Visakhapatnam, which will host the first two T20Is. The team will then travel to Thiruvananthapuram for the remaining three matches of the tour. (Newswire) The post Sri Lanka Women’s tour of India schedule announced appeared first on Newswire.
Senior officials of the World Bank and the StAR institution, which operates under the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, have expressed agreement to provide the necessary technical and expert assistance for the process of re‑assigning assets existing in foreign countries that are considered to have been earned through crime. A special discussion on this matter was held last afternoon (02) at the Ministry of Justice and National Integration, under the patronage of Minister of Justice Harshana Nanayakkara. The World Bank and the StAR institution under the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime have expressed agreement to provide…
Sri Lanka’s Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa on Wednesday urged the government to withdraw the current budget and present a revised spending plan tailored to support the more than 1.5 million people affected by Cyclone Ditwah. Speaking in Parliament, Premadasa said the existing budget does not reflect the country’s post-disaster realities and called for a short delay to prepare a new relief-focused budget. He said Sri Lanka should convene an international donor conference to secure urgent humanitarian and recovery assistance. Premadasa added that if the government is unable to organize such a conference, the opposition is prepared to take the lead…
All major flood alerts that were in effect across Sri Lanka have now been removed, according to the latest update issued by the Irrigation Department on Wednesday morning. The department’s 9:30 am report showed that water levels in major rivers have continued to recede, with no river currently at major flood level. Only the Kelani River at Nagalagam Street remains on alert level, though the water level is falling. Hydrology officials said rainfall in the past 24 hours has dropped to minimal levels across all monitored stations, helping river conditions stabilize after days of flooding triggered by Cyclone Ditwah. The…
The World Health Organization has released US$175,000 in emergency funds to support life-saving health services for people affected by severe flooding and landslides across all 25 districts of Sri Lanka. The funds will be used to deploy rapid response medical and public health teams to provide trauma care, first aid, referrals for hospital treatment, and support for pregnant women, children, and the elderly. Teams will also conduct medical stocktaking, assess health and medicine needs, review water quality, and evaluate sanitation, food safety, and environmental health risks. As the lead agency for the health sector response, WHO is supporting the Joint…
The Sri Lankan Rupee has depreciated further against the US Dollar at commercial banks in Sri Lanka today (03 Dec), compared to Tuesday. At Seylan Bank, the buying rate of the US Dollar has increased from Rs. 305.35 to Rs. 305.50, while the selling rate has also increased from Rs. 310.60 to Rs. 310.75. According to NDB Bank, the buying and selling rates of the US Dollar have increased from Rs. 307.50 to Rs. 307.55 and from Rs. 312 to Rs. 312.05, respectively. People’s Bank reports that the buying rate of the US Dollar has increased from Rs. 305.10 to…
Deputy Minister of Public Security, Sunil Watagala, has instructed the Police to take action against those spreading defamatory statements about the President on social media during the prevailing disaster situation. During a meeting with Police officials, Sunil Watagala ordered the Police to initiate action under the provisions of emergency law. “Spreading false and defamatory statements during a disaster situation is a punishable offence. The President is being badly slandered on social media. Arrest those responsible under the emergency law and initiate legal action against them,” the Deputy Minister said, issuing the directive. However, in his recent state address, President Anura…
The name of Naina Thambi Marrikkar Mohamed Thahir has been gazetted for appointment as a Member of Parliament of the Tenth Parliament of Sri Lanka. The gazette notification has been issued to fill the parliamentary seat left vacant following the resignation of Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) National List MP Muhamudu Ismail Muththu Muhammad. The Gazette notification is issued by the National Election Commission, dated December 02. (Newswire) The post SJB’s Mohamed Thahir gazetted as new MP appeared first on Newswire.
An arrest warrant has been issued against former minister Wimal Weerawansa. The Colombo Magistrate’s Court issued the warrant due to his failure to appear in court in connection with a case. The case pertains to the alleged misuse of 40 government vehicles provided to the National Freedom Front by the Presidential Secretariat, causing a loss of Rs. 9 million to the government. (Newswire) The post Arrest warrant issued for Wimal Weerawansa appeared first on Newswire.
The United Nations and humanitarian agencies warn that food security in Sri Lanka is deteriorating sharply following Cyclone Ditwah, with more than 1.5 million people now living in districts classified as moderate to high food-insecurity risk. According to the UN-supported Joint Rapid Needs Assessment released on Tuesday, the cyclone has destroyed crops, flooded farmland, damaged fishing and livestock sectors, and severely disrupted market access, raising concerns about worsening shortages and rising prices across the island. The report says major food supply chains have been hit hard, with around 200 roads and 10 bridges damaged, reducing the flow of vegetables, grains…
An emergency Cabinet meeting has been convened today (03) at 05.00 pm under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. The Director General of Government Information, H. S. K. J. Bandara, announced the meeting. The Cabinet meeting is scheduled to be held at the Presidential Secretariat. (Newswire) The post President AKD convenes emergency Cabinet meeting appeared first on Newswire.