ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s mobile operators have restored 2,800 out of 4,000 towers which were put out of commission by hurricane Ditwah, Deputy Minister of Digital Economy, Eranga Weeraratne said. Sri Lanka has around 16,000 mobile base stations. The remaining 949, inactive due to power outages, are being restored to functionality as soon as possible, he said. The fibre backbone of the country was ripped in 11 locations and they were fixed, he said. “Due to landslides and flooding, provincial fibre connections were disrupted at 11 locations. “We managed to restore services at 9 of these.” All provincial connections are…
The Sri Lankan Report
A special Gazette notification has been issued designating 22 districts affected by landslides and floods caused by Cyclone Ditwah as national disaster areas. The gazette has been issued in accordance with the provisions of Section 9 of Part II of the Registration of Deaths (Temporary Provisions) Act, No. 19 of 2010, dated 02 December 2025. (Newswire) The post Special Gazette designates 22 districts as national disaster areas appeared first on Newswire.
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Maldives, Abdulla Khaleel, says the total contribution from the Maldivian government, individuals and private sectors have collectively surpassed USD 1.1 million for disaster-hit Sri Lanka. Abdulla Khaleel said Sri Lanka and its people hold a special place in the hearts of Maldivians, and the country remains with Sri Lanka which is confronting the devastating effects of Cyclone Ditwah, including the landslides and flooding that have brought immense hardship across several regions. In a letter to Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath, he said the Maldives is deeply moved by the resilience and unity demonstrated…
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has announced humanitarian assistance for disaster-hit Sri Lanka. “We are immediately dispatching urgently needed humanitarian assistance to support our Sri Lankan brothers and sisters and will continue to offer whatever help we can, as Sri Lanka recovers from this calamity,” he said in a post on ‘X’. PM Sharif announced the relief assistance following a phone call with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake last evening (02 Dec). Meanwhile, the Pakistani Foreign Ministry announced that Pakistan has dispatched 200 tons of humanitarian assistance to Sri Lanka via sea cargo to support relief efforts following the devastating cyclone…
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka President Anura Disssanayake has convened an emergency cabinet meeting at 500 on Wednesday, the state information office said. Sri Lanka is recovering from a Cyclone which flooded large areas and has left 465 dead and 366 missing so far. There is also extensive damage to the road network. (Colombo/Dec03/2025)
Sri Lanka has welcomed the luxury cruise ship Mein Schiff 06, operated by TUI Cruises, carrying more than 2,000 international passengers to the Colombo Port, the first major tourist movement since last week’s natural disaster. According to Sri Lanka Tourism, the arrival of the cruise ship on Tuesday (02 Dec) sends a clear message to the world that Sri Lanka is safe, open, and ready to embrace visitors once again. Passengers, predominantly German nationals, expressed admiration for Sri Lanka’s hospitality and praised the personal engagement of Tourism Minister Vijitha Herath, who visited the ship to meet guests and hear their…
Photo courtesy of Uniting World Today is the International Day of Persons with Disabilities Varuni has had to use crutches from childhood. She met all her developmental milestones except walking on time and even that delay shortened once she received the crutches she needed. When it was time for school, she met a new barrier. The principal of the nearest school refused to admit her because of the way she walked. At their next attempt at entering a school, her father began the interview apologetically. “My daughter has a problem with her leg.” The principal stopped him gently. “Does she…
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s rupee was quoted at 308.85/309.00 to the US dollar in the spot market Wednesday, weaker from 308.80/90 on Tuesday, dealers said, while bond yields recovered on the shorter tenors and were somewhat steady on the longer tenors. A bond maturing on 15.03.2028 was quoted at 9.18/20 percent, down from 9.20/25 percent. A bond maturing on 15.06.2029 was quoted at 9.53/58 percent. A bond maturing on 01.07.2030 was quoted flat at 9.65/75 percent. A bond maturing on 15.03.2031 was quoted at 9.95/10.10 percent. A bond maturing on 15.12.2032 was quoted at 10.35/40 percent, down from 10.35/45 percent.…
A farmer who was airlifted to safety by the Sri Lanka Air Force after spending nearly 24 hours clinging to the top of a coconut tree to escape floodwaters has recounted the dramatic rescue. The man, whose fields were submerged following the overflow of Kala Wewa, had rushed out early Friday after hearing that his cattle were in danger. Wading into the flood, he managed to untie and guide several cows to safety. However, when he returned to rescue the remaining animals, he found them floating, barely alive, struggling to stand. “I told my son not to come. I’d go…
Showers or thundershowers may occur at several places in the Northern, North-Central and Eastern provinces and in the Badulla and Matale districts after 2.00 pm today. According to the Department of Meteorology, misty conditions can be expected at some places in the Western, Central, Sabaragamuwa, Uva and Southern provinces and in the Kurunegala and Ampara districts in the morning. The public is requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damage caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers. Meanwhile, showers will occur at a few places in the sea areas off the coast extending from Trincomalee to Mannar…
The Ministry of Finance, in consultation with the National Procurement Commission, has issued new guidelines to facilitate government spending aimed at restoring normalcy in public life following the recent disaster. The circular instructs all government officials to act promptly in carrying out restoration efforts, in accordance with the existing national procurement framework. The guidelines outline specific spending limits for key government officials: •Chief Accounting Officers are authorized to approve expenditures up to Rs. 750 million. •Department Heads may approve up to Rs. 400 million. •Ministry Secretaries and Chief Secretaries are permitted to spend up to Rs. 150 million. •Department Heads,…
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s vegetable prices have collapsed at the main fresh produce exchange in Dambulla, a media report said as farmers rushed to bring in supplies after prices spiked in the immediate after math of Cyclone Ditwah. High prices give incentives for farmers to harvest fresh food – even a little early – and transport contractors and collectors to pay higher prices to bring goods to market. “A large number of farmers have come to the market,” one trader told Sri Lanka’s Derana Television. “Prices are substantially lower. Green chillies was 200 rupees in the morning, it is now…
The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) is ready to deploy its full suite of macroeconomic shields, fiscal, monetary and external, to cushion the economy against sudden shocks, Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe said.
The Court of Appeal today re-fixed for December 10 the delivery of its order on the intervention petition filed by a Vehicle Importers Association, which is seeking permission to intervene in the writ petitions filed by John Keells CG Auto (Pvt) Ltd, the authorised distributor of BYD vehicles in Sri Lanka.
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s state-run Litro Gas Lanka has awarded a contract to supply next year’s liquefied petroleum gas to Swiss-based Geo Gas Trading SA, which sources products from the United States. Sri Lanka’s cabinet of minister had approved the award of contract to supply 380,000 metric tonnes plus or minus 20 percent to Geo Gas Trading SA after winning an international competitive bid, a post-cabinet statement said. Litro Chairman Channa Gunawardana said Geo Gas Trading sourced most of their supplies from the United States. “It is a new company we are working with for the first time,” he said.…
The Colombo Stock Exchange witnessed a strong recovery on Tuesday (02nd December 2025), as the ASPI rebounded by 219.51 points (+1.00%) to close at 22,241.57, following yesterday’s panic-induced sell-off.
International Olympic Committee president Kirsty Coventry and her World Anti-Doping Agency counterpart on Tuesday called for unity in the fight against performance-enhancing drugs following a fracture with the United States.
Fifa is set to press ahead with plans to have VAR checks on the awarding of corner kicks at the 2026 World Cup despite domestic leagues rejecting the idea for the wider game.
India rejected Pakistan’s accusation that New Delhi had delayed granting overflight clearance for a Pakistani aircraft carrying humanitarian aid to Sri Lanka, calling the allegation “ridiculous” and “misinformation.”
CHEC Port City Colombo (Pvt) Ltd. has donated Rs. 10 million to the Government’s newly established ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund and has mobilised on-ground assistance to support recovery efforts, following one of the most devastating natural disasters to hit the country.