Category: Local News

Renovated SERRIC Sensory Garden opens for children of military families

The renovated children’s park and new Sensory Garden at the Senehasa Education, Resource, Research and Information Centre (SERRIC), which strengthen care and therapy services for children with special needs from military families, were inaugurated yesterday (December 17) by Deputy Minister of Defence Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd).



Sri Lanka rescues and repatriates 25 nationals trafficked in cybercrime centers in Myanmar

The Embassy and Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka in Bangkok, working closely with Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, and the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Myanmar, has successfully rescued and repatriated 25 Sri Lankan nationals who were trafficked into cybercrime centers in Myawaddy, Myanmar, with their safe return to Sri Lanka completed on December 16, 2025.



Police Sergeant arrested for taking Rs. 3,200 bribe to return driving licence in Chilaw

A Police Sergeant serving as the Acting Officer-in-Charge (Traffic) at the Chilaw Headquarters Police Station was arrested on December 17, 2025 for allegedly accepting a Rs. 3,200 bribe to return a motorcyclist’s driving licence without taking legal action.



Sri Lanka Army Engineers restore connectivity following Nayaru bridge collapse

Sri Lanka Army Engineers have restored essential connectivity following the complete collapse of the Nayaru main bridge in Mullaitivu, which was severely damaged by intense flooding caused by Cyclone Ditwah.



China pledges full support for Sri Lanka’s recovery after Cyclone Ditwah

China has pledged its fullest support to Sri Lanka’s efforts to rebuild public life after the destruction caused by Cyclone Ditwah, with senior Chinese leader Wang Dongming expressing confidence that the country will return to normal swiftly under President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s leadership.



Sri Lanka reviews progress on digital integration in agriculture sector

A progress review meeting on the implementation of interoperability among digital systems in Sri Lanka’s agriculture sector was held yesterday (December 16) at the Govijana Mandiraya, according to a statement by Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation, K.D. Lal Kantha.



STF recovers firearm, ammunition linked to Kehelbaddara Padme

A foreign-manufactured pistol, two magazines used for T-56 weapons, and 267 rounds of live T-56 ammunition belonging to organized underworld criminal “Kehelbaddara Padme” were recovered by officers of the Police Special Task Force (STF) Kelaniya Camp.



Police Constable arrested for soliciting Rs. 10,000 bribe

A police constable serving at Nilaveli Police Station was arrested yesterday (December 16) for soliciting a bribe of Rs. 10,000 in exchange for providing a police clearance report.



Sri Lanka Parliament to consider Rs. 500 Billion disaster relief budget

Cabinet Spokesperson and Minister of Health and Mass Media, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, announced that a supplementary budget estimate of Rs. 500 billion will be presented to the Parliament of Sri Lanka tomorrow (December 18).



HNB contributes Rs. 100 Million to ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund

Hatton National Bank (HNB) has contributed Rs. 100 million to the ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund, which was launched to support communities affected by Cyclone Ditwah.



Former Minister C.B. Rathnayake granted bail

Former Minister C.B. Rathnayake, who had been in remand custody, was today (December 16) ordered by Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama to be released on bail.



Six suspects arrested in Bulnewa house burglary, stolen Prado and cash recovered

Six suspects aged between 34 and 48 were arrested on December 14, 2025 in the Kurunegala, Mawathagama, and Wilgamuwa areas over a burglary in the Bulnewa area.



Sri Lanka floods destroy over one Million vital documents

More than one million birth and marriage certificates have been destroyed in Sri Lanka due to landslides and floods caused by Cyclone Ditwah, the Registrar General’s Department confirmed.



Tamil Nadu sends 950 tonnes of relief to Sri Lanka following Cyclone Ditwah

The Government of Tamil Nadu dispatched 950 metric tonnes of relief items to Sri Lanka on December 6, 2025, to assist those affected by Cyclone Ditwah.



Pakistan donates humanitarian aid to support disaster relief in Sri Lanka

A consignment of humanitarian relief supplies donated by the Government of Pakistan for disaster relief in Sri Lanka was officially received yesterday (December 15) at the Colombo International Container Terminal (CICT) of the Colombo Port.



Sri Lanka grants special leave to public officers affected by floods

The Sri Lanka government has decided to grant special leave to public officers who were unable to report for duty due to waterlogging, floods, landslides, and road blockages caused by Cyclone Ditwah.