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- Sri Lanka Unveils Low-Interest MSME Loan Scheme to Support Disaster-Hit Enterprises
Sri Lanka’s Cabinet has approved a new relief initiative offering loans at a 3 percent interest rate with a six-month grace period to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) impacted by recent disasters, Minister Nalinda Jayatissa announced. He said the programme a revamped lending facility titled RE-MSME PLUS will be launched in 2026 to support the revival of around 130,000 affected entrepreneurs, providing… Read more: Sri Lanka Unveils Low-Interest MSME Loan Scheme to Support Disaster-Hit Enterprises - CABRAAL COURT ORDER IN FULL
The financial chronicle has obtained full copy of the court order in the Cabraal case. It would be noted that whilst Court had not imposed a condition CIABOC has mentioned their decision in page 3 paragraph 3 & 4. Cabraal’s lawyer Dilan Ratnayake PC has stated that his client is not agreeable to pay any… Read more: CABRAAL COURT ORDER IN FULL - Sri Lanka sees vegetable demand drop after Cyclone Ditwah
Vegetable demand in Sri Lanka has dropped sharply in the period following Cyclone Ditwah, according to a regional agricultural official who briefed President Anura Kumara Dissanayake during his visit to the Nuwara Eliya District. Prices initially spiked when access roads were blocked, but later fell as supply routes reopened and consumer demand weakened. The Deputy… Read more: Sri Lanka sees vegetable demand drop after Cyclone Ditwah - Governor Cabraal: Case Withdrawn whilst CIABOC Leaves Door Open to File Action if Reimbursement not Paid
A veritable storm of sorts unrelated to Cyclone Ditwa struck earlier this morning. It was pointed out by some that Governor Cabraal had been discharged ‘conditionally’. Others stated that there were no conditions attached. Mr Cabraal speaking to the press said he “always had faith in judicial process”. The crux of the matter was that… Read more: Governor Cabraal: Case Withdrawn whilst CIABOC Leaves Door Open to File Action if Reimbursement not Paid - UN launches USD35Mn Humanitarian Plan to aid Cyclone survivors in Sri Lanka
The United Nations today (11) launched its Humanitarian Priorities Plan, aiming to raise USD 35 million over the next four months, to support efforts to restore the lives of Sri Lankans affected by Cyclone Ditwah. The plan aims to reach 658,000 of the most vulnerable people between December 2025 and April 2026, following a formal… Read more: UN launches USD35Mn Humanitarian Plan to aid Cyclone survivors in Sri Lanka - Health Authorities Warn of Eye Infection Risk in Flood-Affected Areas
The Health Promotion Bureau has issued a warning that eye infections, particularly conjunctivitis, could spread more easily in the wake of recent floods due to overcrowding in temporary shelters and public spaces. Officials stressed the importance of good hygiene to protect against infection and limit transmission. Conjunctivitis, commonly known as sore eyes, is highly contagious… Read more: Health Authorities Warn of Eye Infection Risk in Flood-Affected Areas - Government Unveils Fresh Credit Lifeline for MSMEs Hit by Recent Disasters
The government has announced a revamped financial support initiative aimed at helping micro, small and medium-sized enterprises regain their footing after the recent wave of natural disasters. The new facility, titled RE–MSME PLUS, brings together several existing state-backed lending programmes previously known as SMILE-III, E- FRIEND-II and RE-MSME into a single, more flexible scheme intended… Read more: Government Unveils Fresh Credit Lifeline for MSMEs Hit by Recent Disasters - Sri Lanka to launch special program to protect children affected by disaster
Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Women and Child Affairs on Wednesday announced a special program aimed at safeguarding children affected by the recent floods and landslides. Deputy Minister of Women and Child Affairs Namal Sudarshana said that more than 100,000 children have been seriously affected nationwide, with the highest number reported in Puttalam District, where 43,000… Read more: Sri Lanka to launch special program to protect children affected by disaster - UNDP says 1.1 million hectares in Sri Lanka submerged after Cyclone Ditwah
Cyclone Ditwah has caused one of the largest flood events in Sri Lanka’s recent history, submerging 1.1 million hectares, roughly 20 per cent of the country’s land mass, and directly exposing 2.3 million people to cyclone-driven flooding, according to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The cyclone made landfall on Sri Lanka’s eastern coast on… Read more: UNDP says 1.1 million hectares in Sri Lanka submerged after Cyclone Ditwah - Cabraal hails case withdrawal:“always had faith in judicial process”
Former Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal welcomed the withdrawal of a bribery case filed against him over the Central Bank’s controversial investment in Greek sovereign bonds in 2011. Speaking to the media, Cabraal said he was happy with the court’s decision. “Many tried to exert immense psychological pressure on me with this allegation. But… Read more: Cabraal hails case withdrawal:“always had faith in judicial process” - Russia sends aid to Sri Lanka after devastating cyclone
Russia has sent a planeload of humanitarian aid to Sri Lanka after the island nation was struck by Cyclone Ditwah in late November, Russia’s RIA news agency reported early on Wednesday, citing Shobini Gunasekera, Colombo’s ambassador to Moscow. “A plane carrying 35 tonnes of humanitarian aid has already departed for Sri Lanka,” Gunasekera told the… Read more: Russia sends aid to Sri Lanka after devastating cyclone - Cabraal and three others acquitted and released from the Greek bond caseColombo High Court Judge Mohamed Mihail today (10) ordered the release and acquittal of former Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal and three other accused in the case related to the Greek bond transaction, following the withdrawal of the indictment by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption. The Bribery Commission had filed… Read more: Cabraal and three others acquitted and released from the Greek bond case
- Floods : PM Harini bans unauthorized constructions in Colombo
Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya has stated that there will be no permission granted for unauthorized constructions within the Colombo District, nor any form of residential developments that endanger the public by being carried out under the guise of a development agenda. The Prime Minister made these remarks while addressing the media at the conclusion of… Read more: Floods : PM Harini bans unauthorized constructions in Colombo - THE MANTRA FOR ANY NEWSROOM
The Justices note that free speech includes the freedom to criticize government, ‘criticism of government however unpalatable, it cannot be restricted or penalized unless it is intended or has a tendency, to undermine the security of the state or public order or to incite the commission of an offence. (From the order of the Supreme… Read more: THE MANTRA FOR ANY NEWSROOM - Sri Lanka records over 50,000 tourist arrivals in Dec so far
Sri Lanka has recorded 50,222 tourist arrivals so far in December, according to the latest data from the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA). Of that total, 10,453 visitors, about 21%, arrived from India. Other key source markets this month include Russia (5,420), Germany (4,822), the United Kingdom (3,823), and France (2,627). The SLTDA also… Read more: Sri Lanka records over 50,000 tourist arrivals in Dec so far - Insurance companies begin compensation process for Cyclone Ditwah losses
Insurance companies in Sri Lanka have begun compensating individuals and businesses affected by Cyclone Ditwah, the Ministry of Finance announced. Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma, said the Insurance Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka had recently convened a meeting with the heads of all insurance companies to establish… Read more: Insurance companies begin compensation process for Cyclone Ditwah losses - Cyclone Ditwah has left our railway network in a state of devastation.
Out of our total 1,593 km railway track, only 478 km remain operational, which is approximately 30% of our network. Affected Lines: • Colombo-Badulla Line: Open till Rambukkana, with bus transport available for Kandy to Colombo sector • Northern Line: Polgahawella to KKS, Gal Oya to Trinco, and Gal Oya to Batticaloa lines are out… Read more: Cyclone Ditwah has left our railway network in a state of devastation. - DMC orders evacuation in high-risk areas, including Kandy, Kegalle
The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) has informed District Secretaries to take steps to relocate residents living in vulnerable areas of Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala, and Matale districts to safe centres. The DMC stated that this directive was issued based on red notices released by the National Building Research Organization. With the prevailing rainy weather conditions, the… Read more: DMC orders evacuation in high-risk areas, including Kandy, Kegalle - Sri Lanka to Rebuild 764 Damaged Religious Sites After Cyclone Ditwah
Sri Lanka’s government has pledged to restore and reconstruct 764 religious places damaged in the wake of Cyclone Ditwah, including Buddhist temples, Hindu kovils, Catholic churches and mosques, according to a report by the Daily Mirror on Tuesday. Minister of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Sunil Senevi told a press briefing that 379 Buddhist… Read more: Sri Lanka to Rebuild 764 Damaged Religious Sites After Cyclone Ditwah - NBRO Expands Landslide Mapping to Strengthen Disaster Preparedness Across Sri Lanka
The Landslide Research and Risk Management Division (LRRMD) of the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) has intensified its landslide hazard zonation mapping initiative, now covering 13 districts identified as highly vulnerable to slope failures. The program initially focused on 10 landslide-prone districts—Kalutara, Galle, Hambantota, Nuwara Eliya, Matale, Kandy, Kegalle, Ratnapura, Matara and Badulla—but has since… Read more: NBRO Expands Landslide Mapping to Strengthen Disaster Preparedness Across Sri Lanka - Sri Lanka Announces Comprehensive Relief Package for Victims of Cyclone Ditwah
The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development has issued Budget Circular No. 08/2025 introducing an extensive relief and empowerment program for families and sectors affected by the recent disaster declared under Gazette Extraordinary No. 2464/30 on 28 November 2025. The program includes multiple cash allowances aimed at supporting devastated households, farmers, fisheries, schools and… Read more: Sri Lanka Announces Comprehensive Relief Package for Victims of Cyclone Ditwah - Over 2.3 Million Sri Lankans Affected as Cyclone Ditwah Floodwaters Submerge One-Fifth of Island — UNDP
Colombo — New geospatial analysis by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) reveals that flooding triggered by Cyclone Ditwah inundated over 1.1 million hectares — nearly 20 percent of Sri Lanka — displacing or exposing roughly 2.3 million people, more than half of them women. UNDP The comprehensive study, based on disaster-related data from the Government… Read more: Over 2.3 Million Sri Lankans Affected as Cyclone Ditwah Floodwaters Submerge One-Fifth of Island — UNDP - Sri Lanka Faces Rs.190 Billion Bill to Rebuild Roads and Bridges Damaged by Cyclone Ditwah
Sri Lanka will require an estimated 190 billion rupees to reconstruct key roads and bridges destroyed by Cyclone Ditwah, according to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. He revealed that preliminary assessments by the Road Development Authority (RDA) show extensive nationwide damage requiring urgent investment. Speaking at a meeting with officials in Nuwara Eliya, President Dissanayake said that while about… Read more: Sri Lanka Faces Rs.190 Billion Bill to Rebuild Roads and Bridges Damaged by Cyclone Ditwah - Supreme Court slams Police brutality; urges government intervention
In a strongly worded judgement condemning police violence, the Supreme Court has ruled that the fundamental rights of a lorry driver were violated by two officers of the Thalatuoya Police Station in Kandy, reiterating that the time has come for the Government to urgently address the systemic problem of police brutality. A three-judge bench comprising… Read more: Supreme Court slams Police brutality; urges government intervention - Paramount launches hostile bid for Warner Bros Discovery
Paramount Skydance on Monday launched a hostile bid worth $108.4 billion for Warner Bros Discovery in a last-ditch effort to outbid Netflix and create a media powerhouse that would challenge the dominance of the streaming giant. Netflix had emerged victorious on Friday from a weeks-long bidding war with Paramount and Comcast, securing a $72 billion equity deal for… Read more: Paramount launches hostile bid for Warner Bros Discovery - Sri Lanka Fully Accessible: Post-Cyclone Ditwah Recovery Confirms Nation’s Resilience For International Visitors
Following the destructive path of Cyclone Ditwah, which impacted the island nation last month and tragically resulted in the loss of more than 600 lives, a crucial update concerning the complete restoration of visitor access has been formally released. It was confirmed by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) that road links connecting major urban centers and primary tourism destinations have… Read more: Sri Lanka Fully Accessible: Post-Cyclone Ditwah Recovery Confirms Nation’s Resilience For International Visitors - US Disaster Airlift Marks Sharp Shift from Past Secrecy
The arrival of two U.S. Air Force C-130J Super Hercules aircraft in Sri Lanka with full media visibility and an unusually high-profile diplomatic presence marks a striking departure from Washington’s historically discreet approach to military disaster assistance on the island. While past U.S. military deployments for emergency relief have often been conducted with minimal publicity… Read more: US Disaster Airlift Marks Sharp Shift from Past Secrecy - Moves to Overhaul Troubled Non-Bank Finance Sector
The draft amendments now open for public comments until 30 November 2025—seek to seal long-standing regulatory gaps, strengthen supervision, and prevent a repeat of the high-profile collapses that have battered confidence in the sector in recent years. The FBA, introduced in 2011 to replace the outdated Finance Companies Act, was designed to regulate licensing, governance,… Read more: Moves to Overhaul Troubled Non-Bank Finance Sector - Massive Aid Shipment from China Arrives to Support Flood-Hit Communities in SriLanka
A substantial shipment of humanitarian aid from China, valued at approximately Rs. 400 million, reached Sri Lanka today to assist communities affected by recent natural disasters. The cargo plane landed at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake this morning, having flown directly from Shanghai. The Boeing 747 freighter, carrying over 84 tonnes of relief supplies,… Read more: Massive Aid Shipment from China Arrives to Support Flood-Hit Communities in SriLanka - Cyclone Ditwah Devastates Crop Lands; Government Announces Compensation Package
Cyclone Ditwah has caused severe destruction across Sri Lanka’s agricultural sector, wiping out extensive paddy and vegetable lands at the start of the Maha 2025/26 season. According to Agriculture Secretary D.P. Wickremesinghe, the cyclone has completely destroyed 108,000 hectares of rice paddies, along with 11,000 hectares of other field crops and 6,600 hectares of maize, posing a major setback… Read more: Cyclone Ditwah Devastates Crop Lands; Government Announces Compensation Package