Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar met President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in Colombo today (23), conveying a message of solidarity and goodwill from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Speaking after the meeting, Dr. Jaishankar said India’s assistance builds on its role as a first responder under Operation Sagar Bandhu, through which emergency relief was […]
The 16th meeting of the National Council for Disaster Management was held today (15) at the Presidential Secretariat under the leadership of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. During the meeting, a Cabinet Memorandum was presented regarding the establishment of a National Integrated Disaster Management Mechanism and proposed amendments to the Sri Lanka Disaster Management Act, No. […]
Sri Lanka is reeling from one of its worst natural disasters in recent years, as torrential rains trigger catastrophic floods and landslides across the country. The human toll continues to rise, with 159 confirmed deaths and 203 people still missing. According to the latest update from the Disaster Management Center (DMC), 833,985 individuals from 234,503 […]
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a pre-cyclone watch for the coasts of north Tamil Nadu, including Chennai, Puducherry, and south Andhra Pradesh, as a cyclonic storm continues to intensify over the Bay of Bengal. The weather system, officially named Cyclonic Storm ‘Ditwah’ (pronounced Dit-wah), strengthened from a deep depression positioned over the southwest […]
A Level Three Red Alert Landslide Evacuation Warning has been issued for several high-risk areas as continuous heavy rainfall heightens the threat of slope failures. The National Building Research Organization (NBRO) announced that residents in the following Divisional Secretariat Divisions must evacuate immediately: NBRO urged all residents living in identified landslide-prone zones to follow evacuation […]
A pilot project enabling passengers to purchase bus tickets using bank cards was launched today at the Makumbura Multimodal Transport Centre, under the patronage of Transport Minister Bimal Rathnayake. The initiative, jointly implemented by the Ministry of Digital Technology and the Ministry of Transport, marks a significant step in the government’s ongoing efforts to modernize […]
Authorities have announced the reopening of the Colombo–Kandy main road near Lower Kadugannawa following temporary travel restrictions imposed earlier for safety reasons. According to Kegalle Additional District Secretary Dilip Nishantha, the decision was made after officials implemented essential safety measures to mitigate risks identified in the area. The stretch of road, known for its susceptibility […]
A fresh controversy erupted in Parliament today as Minister and Chief Government Whip Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa questioned the legitimacy of MP Namal Rajapaksa’s law degree, citing a series of investigative reports published online. Addressing the House, Dr. Jayatissa referenced detailed exposés by journalist Nirmala Kannangara, which allege significant inconsistencies in Rajapaksa’s academic records from the […]
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has announced a major boost to Sri Lanka’s defence capabilities, confirming that the country will acquire two C-130 aircraft and 10 helicopters as part of an ongoing military modernisation program supported by international partners. Speaking during the parliamentary debate on budget allocations for the Ministry of Defence and Public Security, the […]
SLPP founder Basil Rajapaksa has been ordered to appear before the Matara Magistrate’s Court on Friday, November 21, over a case related to the alleged illegal acquisition of land using Rs. 50 million in unlawfully obtained funds. The court-issued summons requires his presence for the hearing, but it remains uncertain whether the former minister will […]
