Category: Local News

Poverty in Sri Lanka cannot be eliminated without addressing its structural causes, Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development and Chairman of the Kotte Coordination Committee, Chathuranga Abeysinghe, said.

Sri Lanka has sought urgent Chinese assistance to repair flood damaged railway lines and bridges, while also proposing the installation of electric vehicle charging stations nationwide, during a meeting held today (December 29) between Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath and Chinese Ambassador Qi Zhenhong.

Sri Lanka has set a new record today (December 29) for the highest number of tourist arrivals within a single year.

Sri Lanka has been ranked as the fifth best place to visit in Asia for 2026 by U.S. News & World Report, placing the island alongside top destinations such as Mount Fuji, Tokyo, Palawan, and Seoul.

The Department of Agriculture has submitted a report on relief assistance and compensation payments for paddy and other crops damaged in Sri Lanka by Cyclone Ditwah.

The State of Public Emergency in Sri Lanka has been extended from today (December 28), through an extraordinary gazette notification issued to ensure public safety and the continued supply of essential services across the country.

The second reading of the Colombo Municipal Council Budget 2025 will be held on December 31, 2025 and the budget was prepared through a transparent and inclusive process involving councillors, municipal institutions, staff members, and public review, Mayor of Colombo Vraie Cally Balthazaar said today (December 28).

Three foreign nationals who were swimming and were swept away by strong sea currents at the Hikkaduwa and Ahungalla beaches were rescued by the Sri Lanka Police Lifeguard Unit on December 27, 2025.

Veteran singer Latha Walpola has passed away today (December 27) at the age of 91.

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has obtained a 72-hour detention order under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) to further question former Minister Douglas Devananda, who was arrested yesterday in connection with a missing pistol.

The National Disaster Relief Services Centre (NDRSC) of the Ministry of Defence has announced that a Rs. 50,000 grant for obtaining kitchen equipment for families affected by the disaster has been fully disbursed to 3,665 families.

The Government of Sri Lanka will provide Rs. 500,000 to each household affected by disaster-related housing damage without conducting individual assessments, Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Ananda Wijepala said.

An email claiming that bombs had been hidden at five locations within the Kandy District Secretariat premises led to a full day security search yesterday (December 26), but no explosive materials were found.

Two separate sea rescue operations were carried out by the Hikkaduwa Police Lifeguard Unit on December 26, 2025, saving four foreign nationals, including a mother and her 14 year old son, after they were caught in strong sea currents while swimming at beaches in the Hikkaduwa Police Division.

Former Minister Douglas Devananda has been arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) today (December 26) in connection with an investigation conducted by its Homicide Investigation Division.

Revenue of Rs. 54 million was recorded from Sri Lanka’s expressways on Christmas Day (December 25).