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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..

(0)Comments | December 19, 2025 2:57 pm

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..

(0)Comments | December 19, 2025 1:12 pm

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..

(0)Comments | December 19, 2025 10:56 am

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..

(0)Comments | December 19, 2025 10:14 am

‘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..

(0)Comments | December 19, 2025 3:39 pm

Suspected gunman in Brown University shooting found dead, official says

The suspect in the mass shooting at Brown University last weekend is dead, a U.S. attorney said, as authorities investigate whether the same person killed a Massachusetts Institute of Technology professor two days after the rampage at Brown. MORE..

(0)Comments | December 19, 2025 9:30 am

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..

(0)Comments | December 19, 2025 2:15 pm

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..

(0)Comments | December 19, 2025 4:26 pm

IMF Executive Board to review Sri Lanka’s US$ 200 mln emergency financing request today

The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is scheduled to review the government’s request for emergency financial assistance amounting to SDR 150.5 million (approximately USD 200 million) under the Rapid Financing Instrument (RFI) today (19), according to the IMF Executive Board calendar. MORE..

(0)Comments | December 19, 2025 9:31 am

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..

(0)Comments | December 19, 2025 4:02 pm

Landslides reported in Udadumbara and Walapane; Residents urged to remain vigilant

The National Building Research Organization (NBRO) has confirmed that several landslides have occurred in the Udadumbara area of Kandy, following rainfall exceeding 300 millimeters over the past 48 hours. MORE..

(0)Comments | December 19, 2025 12:25 pm

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..

(0)Comments | December 19, 2025 4:37 pm

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..

(0)Comments | December 19, 2025 12:02 pm

Violence breaks out in Bangladesh after death of youth protest leader

Violence has erupted in Bangladesh following the death of a prominent leader of the youth movement that ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. MORE..

(0)Comments | December 19, 2025 6:47 am

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..

(0)Comments | December 19, 2025 3:07 pm

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..

(0)Comments | December 19, 2025 7:10 am

Trump suspends green card lottery program that let Brown University, MIT shootings suspect into US

President Donald Trump suspended the green card lottery program on Thursday that allowed the suspect in the Brown University and MIT shootings to come to the United States. MORE..

(0)Comments | December 19, 2025 11:27 am

Highest rainfall in past 24 hours recorded in Udadumbara

The highest rainfall recorded during the 24-hour period ending at 6.00 a.m. today (19) was reported from the Udadumbara area, according to the Disaster Management Centre (DMC). MORE..

(0)Comments | December 19, 2025 8:08 am

National Hospital’s Deputy Director Dr. Bellana suspended from duties

Measures have been taken to suspend the official duties of Dr. Rukshan Bellana, who served as the Deputy Director of the Colombo National Hospital. MORE..

(0)Comments | December 19, 2025 9:05 am

GovPay surpasses Rs. 2 billion in digital transactions in 2025 – Digital Economy Ministry

GovPay, Sri Lanka’s Government Digital Payment Platform, has concluded the year 2025 by surpassing Rs. 2 billion in total digital transaction value, marking a major milestone in the country’s digital transformation journey, the Ministry of Digital Economy said. MORE..

(0)Comments | December 19, 2025 11:25 am

Fairly heavy rainfall expected in parts of the island today

Showers will occur at times in Eastern, Uva and Central provinces and in Polonnaruwa and Hambantota districts, today (19), the Department of Meteorology said. MORE..

(0)Comments | December 19, 2025 6:27 am

Seven dead in fatal plane crash including former NASCAR driver Greg Biffle

Seven people were killed Thursday in the crash of a Cessna 550 business jet in Statesville, North Carolina, including former NASCAR driver Greg Biffle, NASCAR said. MORE..

(0)Comments | December 19, 2025 6:40 am

‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund surpasses Rs. 4.2 billion – Finance Secretary

The ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund, established by the government to provide relief to those affected by recent disasters caused by Cyclone Ditwah, has received a total of Rs. 4,286 million to date, Finance Secretary Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma said. MORE..

(0)Comments | December 19, 2025 12:42 pm

Two former Members of Parliament pass away

Former Anuradhapura District Member of Parliament Janak Mahendra Adikari and former Deputy Minister of Rehabilitation and Prison Reforms, S. C. Muthukumarana, have reportedly passed away. MORE..

(0)Comments | December 18, 2025 9:27 am

Julie Chung praises Starlink, Microsoft, and MIT for disaster relief efforts in Sri Lanka

US Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Julie Chung, highlighted the support of American companies and institutions for Sri Lanka’s recovery efforts following Cyclone Ditwah. MORE..

(0)Comments | December 18, 2025 10:36 am

Over 93,000 tourists visit Sri Lanka in first two weeks of December

The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) has reported that over 93,000 tourists have arrived in the country during the first two weeks of December 2025. MORE..

(0)Comments | December 18, 2025 12:05 pm

PM Harini appreciates timely assistance by China for disaster response efforts

Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya has expressed her appreciation for the timely assistance extended by the Government of China during Sri Lanka’s recent disaster response efforts. MORE..

(0)Comments | December 18, 2025 7:10 am

ADB mobilizes $40M emergency trade finance support for Sri Lanka following Cyclone Ditwah

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has launched a $40 million emergency assistance facility under its Trade and Supply Chain Finance Program (TSCFP) to support Sri Lanka’s recovery from the devastation of Cyclone Ditwah. MORE..

(0)Comments | December 18, 2025 1:59 pm

Multiple reservoirs at full capacity; Downstream residents urged to stay alert

The Mahaweli Authority has announced that the Victoria, Randenigala, and Rantembe reservoirs have reached spill levels due to the prevailing heavy rainfall. MORE..

(0)Comments | December 18, 2025 11:44 am

The Oscars to leave ABC and stream on YouTube starting in 2029

The Academy Awards will begin streaming exclusively on YouTube in 2029, the latest big change in Hollywood. MORE..

(0)Comments | December 18, 2025 10:13 am

Fairly heavy rainfall above 75 mm expected in parts of the island today

The prevailing showery conditions are expected to continue over the Northern and Eastern parts of the island due to the influence of the Easterly wave, the Department of Meteorology stated. MORE..

(0)Comments | December 18, 2025 5:55 am

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..

(0)Comments | December 18, 2025 2:40 pm

Opposition seeks probe on failure to minimise damage from Cyclone Ditwah

A proposal seeking to establish a Parliamentary Select Committee to conduct a comprehensive review of the alleged lack of preparedness to minimise the damage caused by Cyclone Ditwah has been submitted to the Speaker of Parliament. MORE..

(0)Comments | December 18, 2025 1:33 pm

Heavy rains worsen conditions for displaced Gazans, UN warns

Heavy rains over the past week have compounded the already dire living conditions of the hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, UN agencies say. MORE..

(0)Comments | December 18, 2025 6:19 am

Police warn against misuse of ‘119’ hotline; Legal action against offenders

Sri Lanka Police says it has observed significant misuse of the ‘119’ emergency hotline by certain members of the public, prompting the need for greater public awareness and enforcement action. MORE..

(0)Comments | December 18, 2025 4:41 pm

Case against Namal Rajapaksa over ‘Krrish’ deal to be recalled in February

The Colombo High Court today (18) ordered that the case filed against Member of Parliament Namal Rajapaksa in connection with the controversial ‘Krrish’ project deal be recalled on February 16, 2026. MORE..

(0)Comments | December 18, 2025 11:07 am

Magistrate’s decision to reject plaint against Deshabandu was unlawful - Colombo HC rules

The Colombo High Court has ruled that the decision of the former Colombo Chief Magistrate to reject a private complaint filed against then Senior DIG Deshabandu Tennakoon was contrary to the law. MORE..

(0)Comments | December 18, 2025 2:32 pm

Disciplinary inquiry on several police officers over negligence in probing MP Asoka Ranwala’s accident

Sri Lanka Police have confirmed that several officers were found negligent in performing their duties regarding the road accident involving former Speaker and National People’s Power (NPP) Gampaha District Member of Parliament, Asoka Ranwala. MORE..

(0)Comments | December 18, 2025 10:49 am

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..

(0)Comments | December 18, 2025 3:21 pm

Supplementary sum of Rs. 500B to be presented to Parliament today

A supplementary estimate of Rs. 500 billion is to be presented to Parliament today (18) to restore the livelihoods of those affected by the sudden disaster situation. MORE..

(0)Comments | December 18, 2025 8:41 am

Speaker endorses certificate on three key Bills

The Speaker of the Parliament, Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne announced to the House today that he endorsed the certificate on three Bills yesterday (17). MORE..

(0)Comments | December 18, 2025 11:39 am

Suspects remanded for setting fire to wild elephant in Mihinthale

The Anuradhapura Magistrate’s Court has ordered that the three suspects arrested in connection with the alleged torture and setting fire to a wild elephant in the Sippukulama area of Mihintale be remanded until December 24. MORE..

(0)Comments | December 18, 2025 4:56 pm

Level 3 landslide warnings issued to residents of seven DS areas in Kandy and Nuwara Eliya

Level 3 ‘Red’ landslide warnings have been issued to residents of seven Divisional Secretariat areas in the Kandy and Nuwara Eliya districts. MORE..

(0)Comments | December 18, 2025 6:52 am

NBRO warns public to avoid unstable areas following heavy rainfall in Udadumbara

The National Building Research Organization (NBRO) has reported that the Udadumbara area in the Kandy District has received over 200 mm of rainfall, raising serious concerns over landslide risks in the region. MORE..

(0)Comments | December 18, 2025 12:44 pm

Three suspects arrested in connection with torturing and setting fire to wild elephant in Mihinthale

A total of three individuals have been arrested in connection with the alleged torture and setting fire to a wild elephant in Seeppukulam, Mihinthale, police said. MORE..

(0)Comments | December 18, 2025 8:02 am

Port workers among 5 arrested with illegally imported cigarettes worth Rs. 330 mln

The Excise Department’s Special Investigation Unit has seized a total of 2,030,000 sticks of illegally imported cigarette, estimated to be worth around Rs. 330 million, in the Wellampitiya area. MORE..

(0)Comments | December 18, 2025 11:11 am

Putin says Russia will take more land in Ukraine if Europe sinks peace moves

President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday Russia would take more land in Ukraine by force if Kyiv and European politicians whom he cast as “young pigs” did not engage over U.S. proposals for a peace settlement. MORE..

(0)Comments | December 18, 2025 9:07 am

Ex-podcaster Dan Bongino stepping down as FBI deputy director

Dan Bongino has said he will leave his role as the FBI’s deputy director in January. MORE..

(0)Comments | December 18, 2025 11:27 am

Kuliyapitiya Crimes OIC transferred after assault video goes viral on social media

The Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the Crimes Division of the Kuliyapitiya Police Station has been transferred in relation to an allegation of assaulting a person. MORE..

(0)Comments | December 18, 2025 7:46 am

EU provides over €2.35 mln humanitarian assistance to Sri Lanka

The European Union (EU) has allocated a total of Euro 2.35 million of financial assistance to Sri Lanka. MORE..

(0)Comments | December 18, 2025 3:57 pm

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