IMF Executive Board approves US$206M in emergency financial support for Sri Lanka
The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved a disbursement of SDR150.5 million (about US$206 million, equivalent to 26 percent of quota) for Sri Lanka under the Rapid Financing Instrument (RFI). MORE..
- Somawathiya-Sungavila road to remain closed for vehicles
- Not possible to abolish executive presidential system without introducing new constitution - PM
- Showers expected in several provinces tomorrow
- Rs. 50,000 allowance for 3 months for over 17,000 homes impacted by disaster: President
- Rs. 500 billion Supplementary Estimate approved in Parliament
- Detention order issued on Sampath Manamperi extended
- Flood warning extended for low-lying areas of Mahaweli River Basin
- No traces of alcohol in samples obtained from MP Asoka Ranwala - Police
- 2 dead, 6 injured after man stabs people, throws smoke grenade at Taiwan metro station
- IMF Executive Board approves US$206M in emergency financial support for Sri Lanka
Hot News
2 dead, 6 injured after man stabs people, throws smoke grenade at Taiwan metro station
Two people were killed and six others injured after a man carried out a stabbing attack and threw a smoke grenade at a metro station in Taiwan on Friday, local media reported. MORE..
No traces of alcohol in samples obtained from MP Asoka Ranwala - Police
The Police Spokesman has stated that no traces of alcohol were detected in the blood and urine samples obtained from former Speaker and National People’s Power (NPP) Parliamentarian Asoka Ranwala. MORE..
Flood warning extended for low-lying areas of Mahaweli River Basin
The Department of Irrigation has announced that the flood warning issued for several low-lying areas along the Mahaweli River Basin has been extended for a further 24 hours. MORE..
Detention order issued on Sampath Manamperi extended
Sampath Manamperi, who is currently in the custody of the Police Western Province North Crimes Division over allegations of concealing two containers of raw materials allegedly used in the production of the drug “Ice” (crystal methamphetamine) and possession of weapons, was produced before the Walasmulla Magistrate’s Court today (19). MORE..
Rs. 500 billion Supplementary Estimate approved in Parliament
The Supplementary Estimate of Rs. 500 billion to restore the livelihoods of those affected by the sudden disaster situation and to rebuild destroyed infrastructure, presented to Parliament yesterday for the approval of Parliament, was approved in Parliament today (19). MORE..
Rs. 50,000 allowance for 3 months for over 17,000 homes impacted by disaster: President
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake says that families of a 17,648 homes identified as completely destroyed, partially damaged or designated as unsafe by the NBRO after the recent disaster, will be provided with a monthly allowance of Rs. 50,000 for three months. MORE..
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December 19, 2025 6:11 pm
Showers expected in several provinces tomorrow
Several spells of showers will occur in the Eastern, Uva and Central provinces and in Polonnaruwa and Hambantota districts tomorrow (20), according to the Department of Meteorology. MORE..
Not possible to abolish executive presidential system without introducing new constitution - PM
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that steps are being taken to abolish the Executive Presidency and establish a parliamentary system of government, including the appointment of a President without executive powers. MORE..
Somawathiya-Sungavila road to remain closed for vehicles
Vehicular movement along the Somawathiya - Sungavila main road has been further suspended after the roadway leading to the historic Somawathiya Chaitya was inundated by rising floodwater. MORE..
President to attend parliamentary debate on supplementary estimate
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake is scheduled to attend parliament today (19) and deliver a special statement, according to the President’s Media Division. MORE..
Earthquake jolts northern Afghanistan
A 5.3-magnitude earthquake struck parts of Afghanistan early on Friday, including the capital Kabul, according to the US Geological Survey. MORE..
‘Unofficial Magistrate’: BASL condemns Kaduwela Mayor’s claim
The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) today expressed its deep concern regarding the treatment of an Attorney-at-Law who “faced obstruction and hindrance” while representing an Animal Welfare Association at an inquiry conducted by the Mayor of the Kaduwela Municipal Council, Ranjan Jayalal Perera. MORE..
CoPF approves supplementary estimate of Rs. 500 billion
The Committee on Public Finance (CoPF) has approved a supplementary estimate of Rs. 500 billion to restore the livelihoods of those affected by the sudden disaster, the Department of Communication of Parliament said in a statement. MORE..
Over 29,000 businesses affected by Cyclone Ditwah – Industry Ministry
The Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development has revealed that 29,649 places of business including registered export manufacturing factories across Sri Lanka have been affected by Cyclone Ditwah. MORE..
Train services to resume between Badulla and Ambewela from tomorrow
The Department of Railways has decided to operate train services between Badulla and Ambewela along the Upcountry Railway Line from tomorrow (20). MORE..
No traces of alcohol in samples obtained from MP Asoka Ranwala - Police
The Police Spokesman has stated that no traces of alcohol were detected in the blood and urine samples obtained from former Speaker and National People’s Power (NPP) Parliamentarian Asoka Ranwala. MORE..
Flood warning extended for low-lying areas of Mahaweli River Basin
The Department of Irrigation has announced that the flood warning issued for several low-lying areas along the Mahaweli River Basin has been extended for a further 24 hours. MORE..
Detention order issued on Sampath Manamperi extended
Sampath Manamperi, who is currently in the custody of the Police Western Province North Crimes Division over allegations of concealing two containers of raw materials allegedly used in the production of the drug “Ice” (crystal methamphetamine) and possession of weapons, was produced before the Walasmulla Magistrate’s Court today (19). MORE..
Rs. 500 billion Supplementary Estimate approved in Parliament
The Supplementary Estimate of Rs. 500 billion to restore the livelihoods of those affected by the sudden disaster situation and to rebuild destroyed infrastructure, presented to Parliament yesterday for the approval of Parliament, was approved in Parliament today (19). MORE..
Rs. 50,000 allowance for 3 months for over 17,000 homes impacted by disaster: President
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake says that families of a 17,648 homes identified as completely destroyed, partially damaged or designated as unsafe by the NBRO after the recent disaster, will be provided with a monthly allowance of Rs. 50,000 for three months. MORE..
Showers expected in several provinces tomorrow
Several spells of showers will occur in the Eastern, Uva and Central provinces and in Polonnaruwa and Hambantota districts tomorrow (20), according to the Department of Meteorology. MORE..
Not possible to abolish executive presidential system without introducing new constitution - PM
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that steps are being taken to abolish the Executive Presidency and establish a parliamentary system of government, including the appointment of a President without executive powers. MORE..
Somawathiya-Sungavila road to remain closed for vehicles
Vehicular movement along the Somawathiya - Sungavila main road has been further suspended after the roadway leading to the historic Somawathiya Chaitya was inundated by rising floodwater. MORE..
President to attend parliamentary debate on supplementary estimate
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake is scheduled to attend parliament today (19) and deliver a special statement, according to the President’s Media Division. MORE..
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Plantation Minister reveals extent of Cyclone Ditwah's impact on plantation sector (English)
Technology
Facebook tests £9.99 monthly subscription for sharing more than two links
Facebook is testing placing a limit on how many links some users can share when they post on the social media platform. MORE..
TikTok signs deal to sell US unit to American investor-led venture
TikTok signs deal to sell US unit to American investor-led venture
TikTok’s Chinese owner, ByteDance, signed binding agreements with three major investors to sell just over 80% of the company’s U.S. assets to American and global investors to avoid a U.S. government ban, TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew told employees on Thursday. MORE..
Dialog launches Sri Lanka’s largest 5G network, connecting over 1.5 million subscribers
Dialog launches Sri Lanka’s largest 5G network, connecting over 1.5 million subscribers
Dialog Axiata PLC today announced the commercial launch of Dialog 5G Ultra, marking a major milestone in the country’s digital evolution and its transition into the 5G era. MORE..
Japanese bride weds AI groom after breaking off her engagement; ChatGPT persona proposed to her
Japanese bride weds AI groom after breaking off her engagement; ChatGPT persona proposed to her
In a unique ceremony that signals the deepening emotional bonds between humans and artificial intelligence, a Japanese woman, Yurina Noguchi, recently married an AI-generated persona named Lune Klaus Verdure. MORE..
Entertainment
Keith Lee named ‘creator of the year’ at first-ever US TikTok awards
Content creators across dance, music, sports, fashion, entertainment and education gathered in Hollywood on Thursday for the first U.S. TikTok Awards, featuring Labubu dolls launched from a T-shirt cannon, a giant selfie challenge, skits, and viral moment reenactments. MORE..
Wiz Khalifa sentenced to nine months jail in Romania for smoking cannabis on stage
Wiz Khalifa sentenced to nine months jail in Romania for smoking cannabis on stage
A Romanian court has sentenced Wiz Khalifa to nine months in prison for smoking cannabis on stage. MORE..
Warner Bros favours Netflix offer over $108bn Paramount bid
Warner Bros favours Netflix offer over $108bn Paramount bid
Warner Bros Discovery has told its shareholders to reject Paramount Skydance’s $108.4bn (£80.75bn) takeover bid. MORE..
Peter Arnett, Pulitzer-winning war correspondent who reported from Vietnam to Baghdad, dies at 91
Peter Arnett, Pulitzer-winning war correspondent who reported from Vietnam to Baghdad, dies at 91
Peter Arnett, the renowned journalist who reported from the front lines of some of the most dangerous wars of the modern era, has died at the age of 91. MORE..
Exchange Rates
Country |
Buying |
Selling |
|---|---|---|
USA
U.S.Dollar |
305.6312 | 313.2461 |
UK
Sterling Pound |
407.7429 | 420.4025 |
Europe
Euro |
357.0250 | 368.6381 |
Switzerland
Swiss Franc |
381.8565 | 397.0444 |
Canada
Canadian Dollar |
220.5062 | 228.4700 |
Australia
Australian Dollar |
199.9872 | 209.1430 |
Singapore
Singapore Dollar |
235.0225 | 244.3739 |
Japan
Japanese Yen |
1.9543 | 2.0201 |
Country |
Currency |
Rate |
|---|---|---|
Bahrain
|
Dinar | 821.4630 |
Kuwait
|
Dinar | 1,009.1434 |
Oman
|
Rial | 804.4472 |
Qatar
|
Riyal | 84.9911 |
Saudi Arabia
|
Riyal | 82.5723 |
UAE
|
Dirham | 84.3339 |
Sports
U19 Asia Cup: India beat Sri Lanka to set up final vs Pakistan
India Under-19 delivered a commanding performance in the Asia Cup semi-final, defeating Sri Lanka U19 by eight wickets to book their place in the tournament final. MORE..
Rory McIlroy wins BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2025
Golfer Rory McIlroy has been voted BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2025 after clinching the career Grand Slam and playing a key role in Europe’s Ryder Cup win. MORE..
Dasun Shanaka to captain Sri Lanka T20 team until 2026 World Cup
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) Chief Selector Pramodya Wickremesinghe has confirmed that Dasun Shanaka will continue as the captain of the Sri Lanka T20I squad until the conclusion of the 2026 T20I World Cup. MORE..
Bangladesh postpones BPL opening ceremony over security concerns
Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) president Aminul Islam said on Wednesday that the board has decided to postpone the opening ceremony of the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) due to security concerns. MORE..
India v SA T20 abandoned because of ‘excessive fog’
The fourth T20 between India and South Africa was abandoned on Wednesday because of “excessive fog” at Ekana Stadium in Lucknow. MORE..
