Four people have been arrested in South Korea for allegedly hacking over 120,000 video cameras in homes and businesses and using the footage to make sexually exploitative materials for an overseas website.
The Sri Lankan Report
The Health and Mass Media Ministry has urged residents affected by recent floods to seek immediate treatment to protect against leptospirosis. People are advised to contact their local Medical Officer of Health or Public Health Inspector to receive a full course of free leptospirosis medication.
Former Sri Lankan ambassador Kananathan has called on the government to urgently reform its policy on overseas relief donations, describing current regulations as outdated, restrictive, and obstructive to humanitarian aid.
The flood warning issued for the Mahaweli River Basin has been extended for another 48 hours, the Irrigation Department said.
Teams from India’s National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the country’s specialised agency for search and rescue and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR), have carried out rescue operations in Badulla this morning, working in coordination with Sri Lankan authorities.
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s inflation was 2.1 percent over the 12-months to October 2025, unchanged from September, and consumer prices rose only 2.16 percent over the 38 months from September 2022, when the central bank’s deflationary policy started showing up in the balance of payments. In the 12 months to October 2025, the widely watched Colombo Consumer Price Index deflated 0.2 percent, dropping to 193.4 points from 193.8. The food and non-alcoholic beverages dropped 0.6 percent to 238.6 points from 240. Food prices have deflated 3.31 percent since September 2022. Sri Lanka central bank has missed its controversial 5 percent…
India pledges continued support as PM Modi speaks with Sri Lankan President after Cyclone Ditwah Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a telephone conversation on Monday with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, expressing condolences over the loss of lives and widespread devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah. PM Modi conveyed that the people of India stand in solidarity with Sri Lanka during this difficult period and assured continued assistance under Operation Sagar Bandhu. He said India would keep supporting ongoing rescue and relief efforts as Sri Lanka begins rehabilitation, restores services, and works to rebuild affected communities. President Dissanayake expressed…
Cabinet approval has been granted to establish the ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund, aimed at rebuilding the country following the severe devastation caused by Cyclone ‘Ditwah’, one of the worst natural disasters in Sri Lanka’s recent history. The Fund is to be established as a statutory fund under the Presidential Secretariat and its Management Committee will comprise representatives from both the public and private sectors. Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando, Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning, will serve as the Chairman of the Committee, while Mr. G. M. R. D. Aponsu, Senior Additional Secretary to the President, will…
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka Cabinet has approved a proposal to establish the ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund, aimed at rebuilding the country following the severe devastation caused by Cyclone ‘Ditwah’, the government said. The cost of the damage due to the disaster, which is one of the worst natural disasters in Sri Lanka’s recent history, is yet to be know. However, some analysts estimate it much more than the rebuilding cost spent after Tsunami devastation in 2004. The Fund is to be established as a statutory fund under the Presidential Secretariat and its Management Committee will comprise representatives from both the…
A total of 366 deaths have been reported in Sri Lanka due to adverse weather, in the 06 days from November 26 to December 01. According to the Disaster Management Centre (DMC), 367 people are reported missing as of 06.00 pm today. A total of 1,151,776 persons from 316,366 families across 25 districts have been severely affected. The DMC states that 218,526 individuals from 61,612 families remain at 1,564 safety shelters as of today. (Newswire) The post Adverse weather : 366 dead & 367 missing in Sri Lanka appeared first on Newswire.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake says the government has begun discussions with the World Bank to prepare a detailed assessment of the damage caused across sectors due to adverse weather and the financial requirements for reconstruction. The President revealed that the World Bank has already been commissioned to conduct the Global Rapid Post-Disaster Damage Estimation (GRADE) and that the government expects to receive the GRADE assessment within approximately two weeks. He further said that the government has decided to initiate a medium and long term recovery programme, integrating both the public and private sectors, to mobilize resources for rebuilding the country’s…
ECONOMYNEXT – Bybit, a cryptocurrency exchange said it is offering 100,000 dollars to Sri Lanka as humanitarian aid after the Indian Ocean island was hit by cyclone Ditwah. Bybit claimed it was “in touch with the Central Bank of Sri Lanka” to donate 100,000 dollars for relief operations . “This collaboration ensures that assistance reaches those who need it most and aligns with national priorities during this critical moment,” the company said. “As communities face the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah, we stand in solidarity with them and are committed to contributing to relief and recovery efforts together with credible local…
The Government of China has announced cash and relief donations to support Sri Lanka, which has faced large-scale disaster due to the impact of Cyclone Ditwah. According to the Chinese Embassy in Colombo, the Government of China has granted a cash donation of USD 1 million. The Government of China has also provided RMB 10 million worth of relief supplies. (Newswire) The post China grants USD 1 million donation to support Sri Lanka appeared first on Newswire.
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s rupee closed at 308.55/65 to the US dollar in the spot market Monday, weaker from 308.00/20 on Friday, dealers said, while bond yields edged up on the short end. A bond maturing on 15.12.2026 was quoted flat at 8.20/30 percent. A bond maturing on 15.09.2027 was quoted at 8.80/90 percent, up from 8.80/85 percent. A bond maturing on 15.03.2028 was quoted at 9.15/25 percent, from 9.12/18 percent. A bond maturing on 15.12.2029 was quoted at 9.53/65 percent, up from 9.50/55 percent. A bond maturing on 01.11.2033 was quoted at 10.45/55 percent, up from 10.40/50 percent. (Colombo/Dec1/2025)
The overall rate of inflation, as measured by the Colombo Consumer Price Index (CCPI) on a year-on-year basis, in November 2025 was recorded at 2.1%, unchanged from October 2025. According to the Department of Census and Statistics, food inflation increased to 3.0% in November, from the 3.5% recorded in October. Meanwhile, non-food inflation increased to 1.7% in November, up from 1.4% in October. Full report : https://www.statistics.gov.lk/WebReleases/CCPI_20251201E (Newswire) The post No change in CCPI- based inflation in November 2025 appeared first on Newswire.
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka will set up recovery fund with joint public and private sector representatives, to rebuild infrastructure with the World Bank tasked with assessing the Cyclone damage, a statement from the President’s office said. The government has begun discussions with the World Bank to prepare a detailed assessment of the damage across sectors and the financial requirements for reconstruction. The World Bank has been commissioned to conduct the Global Rapid Post-Disaster Damage Estimation (GRADE). The government expects to receive the GRADE assessment within two weeks. The extend of the damage is far greater than what is visible on…
The government has announced measures to facilitate the receipt and distribution of humanitarian assistance from overseas donors, with adverse weather conditions continuing to affect communities across Sri Lanka. Officials confirmed that a simplified process has been introduced to ensure the expeditious clearance and delivery of relief consignments. All import taxes and levies on such donations have been exempted to speed up the flow of aid to affected areas. The government said that detailed guidelines have been issued to assist donors in dispatching consignments smoothly, covering Customs clearance and distribution procedures. These measures are aimed at ensuring that humanitarian assistance reaches…
The Opposition says it intends to file a criminal case against the government over the current disaster situation in Sri Lanka. Addressing the media today, SJB MP S.M. Marikkar said the disaster situation was an incident as serious as the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks. “Similar to the criminal case filed against the Rajapaksas for bankrupting the nation, we will file a case against the current government, as they are responsible for every citizen that died in the disaster,” he said. MP Marikkar added that the case will be filed over the failure of the government to take the necessary measures,…
ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) registered a two-month low, following the destructive Cyclone Ditwah, as selling pressure was seen in the market, brokers said. “Market dropped by over 600 points, mainly due to the flood situation,” Ranjan Ranatunga, Assistant Vice President – Research at First Capital said. Ranatunga said that investors are currently in an assessing stance. He believes this downtrend will continue. “In my opinion, I think we will continue to see selling pressure,” he said. The broader All Share Price Index (ASPI) closed 3.04 percent, or 690.76 points down at 22,022.06 while the more liquid…
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…