Eastern Railway Service to Batticaloa resumes
Sri Lanka Railways has announced the schedule for the resumption of the Eastern Railway Service up to Batticaloa from Wednesday (24 Dec). According to the Railway Department, train operations between Gal Oya and Batticaloa are scheduled to recommence from tomorrow….
Disaster management reforms discussed at Premadasa–Jaishankar meeting
Sri Lanka’s Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa met India’s External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar on Tuesday at India House in Colombo, holding discussions focused on disaster relief, transparency, and long-term disaster management cooperation. During the meeting, Premadasa expressed appreciation to…
Ella Three-Wheeler drivers protest ride-hailing services
Three‑wheeler drivers in Ella have raised objections to ride‑hailing taxis in the area, claiming the services severely affect their livelihoods, making an appeal to the Ella Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman to resolve the conflict. Speaking to the media, they said ordinary…
SriLankan Airlines Launches Post–Cyclone Ditwah Destination Recovery Campaign
SriLankan Airlines has launched a one-month international destination promotion campaign on 16 December 2025, aimed at restoring global confidence in Sri Lanka following Cyclone Ditwah and reaffirming the country’s readiness to welcome travellers. The campaign will run across Meta and…
Suraksha student insurance scheme extended with expanded benefits
The Cabinet has approved the continuation of the Suraksha Student Insurance Programme for the 2025–2026 academic year, along with a series of amendments to expand coverage and improve access. The programme, implemented through Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation General Ltd, covers…
NPP accused of Budget vote irregularities in Negombo & Horana
Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Kavinda Jayawardena has accused the Negombo Municipal Council of misconduct during the passage of its budget, claiming the vote was bypassed despite opposition objections. Speaking to the media, Jayawardena said SJB councillors had raised concerns…
Cabinet bans single-use plastics in Sri Pada sensitive zone
The Cabinet has approved a series of strict measures to minimise the use of polythene and plastic within the Sri Pada environmentally sensitive zone during the annual pilgrimage season. Sri Pada, which attracts large numbers of pilgrims for nearly six…
Cabinet approves new advisory bodies for seven local industry sectors
Sri Lanka’s Cabinet of Ministers has approved the establishment of seven new consultancy committees aimed at strengthening and promoting local production industries, the government said. The decision expands an existing framework of 20 consultancy boards already operating in the industrial…
Indian FM Jaishankar meets PM Harini
Visiting Indian Minister of External Affairs, Subramaniam Jaishankar, met with Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya at the Temple Trees in Colombo today (23 Dec). Minister S. Jaishankar is currently in Sri Lanka as the Special Envoy of Indian Prime Minister Shri…
US regulator approves pill form of Wegovy weight-loss drug
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a pill version of the weight-loss drug Wegovy, according to pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk. It is the first pill of its kind to receive approval from the regulator, marking a new…