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A fully equipped field hospital has been deployed to Mahiyanganaya by an Indian medical team to assist residents suffering from the severe flooding in the region. The temporary medical facility is capable of delivering trauma care, conducting surgeries, and providing ambulance services, ensuring comprehensive treatment for those affected.

In a message shared on X, the High Commission of India in Colombo noted that the hospital was established to offer immediate and life-saving medical support directly within one of the most heavily impacted areas. The initiative is part of India’s ongoing humanitarian assistance to Sri Lanka following the recent disaster.

Akuressa has logged the highest rainfall in the country over the past 24 hours, with 125 mm recorded in the area near the Nilwala River, according to L.S. Sooriyabandara, Director of Irrigation (Hydrology & Disaster Management).In a statement issued this morning (05), he noted that rainfall reported from other regions remained within normal limits, and that river levels across the island have not shown any significant increase.

The Irrigation Department also confirmed that major reservoirs are operating within their usual spill levels, with no unusual overflow reported so far.

With more rain expected in the coming days, authorities plan to issue updates based on data gathered from monitoring stations across each river basin. The public has been advised to remain calm and to rely solely on verified information from official channels rather than circulating rumours.

The Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) has announced a temporary travel arrangement allowing commuters with valid train monthly season tickets to use them on SLTB buses, introduced in response to the prevailing disaster situation across the country.

Under this measure, train season ticket holders can board any ordinary SLTB service, though the exemption does not extend to super luxury buses.

The SLTB confirmed that all bus crews and operational teams have been instructed to facilitate the initiative to ensure uninterrupted travel for affected passengers.

The Parliament’s Department of Communication announced that the third reading vote on the 2026 Appropriation Bill - Sri Lanka’s 80th national budget - will be conducted this evening (05) at 6 p.m.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, serving as Minister of Finance, delivered the second reading of the 2026 Budget in Parliament on November 7, 2025. The proposal received approval during the vote held on November 14, securing a majority of 118 votes. A total of 160 MPs supported the Budget, while 42 voted against it and eight members chose to abstain.Although the third reading debate was allotted 17 days, parliamentary sittings were interrupted multiple times due to severe weather across the country.

Additionally, the Parliamentary Communication Department confirmed that a supplementary estimate has been submitted to allocate relief funds for those affected by Cyclone ‘Ditwah’.

Sri Lanka’s financial system is taking on a critical role in the national response to Cyclone Ditwah and the floods that swept across multiple districts, displacing thousands and devastating homes, agriculture, and small businesses. As authorities rush to stabilise communities and restore functioning markets, the Treasury is engaging the banking and insurance sectors to mobilise liquidity, accelerate claims settlements, and cushion vulnerable groups from further economic shock.

Treasury Secretary Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma told the Sri Lanka Economic and Investment Summit that the Government is working closely with financial institutions to ensure households, SMEs, and businesses receive swift relief. With rural families, micro-entrepreneurs, and small industries bearing the brunt of the disaster, the challenge lies in preventing a secondary economic collapse triggered by loan defaults, uninsured losses, and disrupted income streams.

According to Dr. Suriyapperuma, banks and insurers have already been approached to evaluate the scale of exposure within their portfolios. The Treasury is pushing for temporary moratoria, flexible repayment schedules, concessional recovery loans, and fast-tracked insurance payouts. He is expected to meet the insurance regulator and industry leaders this week to coordinate sector-wide responses, emphasising the urgency of getting businesses back on their feet.

Emergency fiscal measures are also being activated. Nearly Rs. 30 billion from pre-provisioned disaster reserves has been earmarked for immediate relief, while Rs. 7.5 billion has already been released to support housing repairs and reconstruction. Spending authority has been decentralised, allowing District Secretaries to use up to Rs. 50 million and Ministry Secretaries Rs. 150 million without bureaucratic delays.

A rapid damage assessment is underway with World Bank assistance, expected to deliver initial figures within two weeks. Early estimates indicate massive loss to housing, roads, agriculture, and small-scale industries sectors heavily dependent on bank credit.

Financial institutions, telecom operators, and private-sector partners have also stepped in, contributing to relief funds that have already surpassed Rs. 300 million, with over 100,000 individual transactions, many in foreign currency. Banks have opened special donation windows and are preparing concessional loan schemes for affected customers.

Customs has simplified clearance procedures for disaster-relief consignments, while the Government has approved a multi-stakeholder Rebuilding Sri Lanka Fund to channel private and state financing into long-term reconstruction.

Despite the scale of destruction, Dr. Suriyapperuma insists the 2026 macroeconomic reform path remains intact, arguing that strong financial discipline and anti-corruption measures created the fiscal buffers needed to withstand shocks of this magnitude. He stressed that SMEs  the backbone of employment  will remain at the centre of the recovery strategy, supported by multilateral partners already coordinating with the Treasury.

While the cyclone’s economic fallout is significant, the Government maintains that with coordinated public–private action and disciplined financial management, the disaster will not derail Sri Lanka’s recovery trajectory

The Department of Meteorology reports that the Northeast monsoon is gradually settling over Sri Lanka, bringing increased rainfall to several parts of the island.

According to the forecast, intermittent showers are expected throughout the day in the Northern, North-Central, Eastern and Uva provinces, as well as in the Matale district. Other regions are likely to see showers or thundershowers developing after 1:00 p.m.

Rainfall exceeding 75 mm is possible in isolated locations within the Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces, along with the Galle and Matara districts.

Early morning mist is also anticipated in areas of the Western, Central, Sabaragamuwa, Uva and North-Central provinces, as well as the Kurunegala district.

The Meteorology Department has advised the public to take necessary safety measures to minimize risks associated with sudden strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.

Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) has called for uncompromising financial transparency as the Government rolls out billions of rupees in emergency assistance following the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah.

The organisation warned that Sri Lanka’s history of disaster-response failures marked by weak oversight, slow delivery, and opaque spending must not be repeated as the country embarks on one of its largest rapid-relief operations in years.

In a detailed statement issued yesterday, TISL emphasised that public funds released in the aftermath of a national calamity often pass through fast-tracked procurement channels, creating heightened risks of misuse. With significant sums now being deployed within days, TISL stressed that “vigorous oversight is essential to prevent new injustice or inequality.”

The appeal comes after President Anura Kumara Dissanayake announced a Rs. 30 billion reserve for immediate relief and reconstruction.

The Government has also increased District Secretariats’ expenditure authority to Rs. 50 million and removed restrictive circulars that previously slowed emergency responses. In addition, a special reconstruction fund has been established, with agencies instructed to commence fundraising to restore damaged infrastructure.

While acknowledging that public officials are working under immense pressure, TISL underscored that emergency conditions must not weaken principles of responsible financial management. It urged ministries and district offices to prioritise transparency and efficiency, arguing that public confidence in state institutions depends on clean and accountable use of relief allocations.

The organisation welcomed the appointment of the Rebuilding Sri Lanka Fund’s Management Committee but cautioned that the fund’s legitimacy depends on broad representation.

TISL insisted that gender diversity and civil society participation are essential, noting that women experience the effects of disasters differently and that community-level organisations bring vital perspectives and independent oversight.

It also demanded complete disclosure of all committee members’ beneficial ownership interests and independent audits to prevent corruption or conflicts of interest.

Concerns raised by civil society groups were brought directly to the President on 29 November during a special consultation.

Representatives highlighted the need for clear instructions enabling district and divisional authorities to collaborate with CSOs, gaps in Tamil-language communication, and the importance of maintaining dignity in relief distribution drawing lessons from the COVID-19 response.

They also stressed smoother facilitation of inbound aid and expressed unease over potential risks linked to the current emergency declaration.

The President agreed to appoint focal points within the Presidential Secretariat or relevant ministries to ensure continuous coordination with civil society. TISL noted that effective implementation of these commitments will be vital for a fair and accountable recovery process.

As Sri Lanka moves into a complex reconstruction phase, TISL urged both officials and citizens to act responsibly and provide accurate information to prevent misallocation of relief.

Reaffirming its long-standing role in public accountability, the organisation said it stands ready to support all recovery efforts that ensure integrity in the use of public funds and enable affected communities to rebuild with dignity and trust.

The search for missing Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 will resume on December 30, Malaysia's transport ministry said on Wednesday, more than a decade after the Beijing-bound flight disappeared in one of the world's greatest aviation mysteries. Flight MH370, a Boeing 777, was carrying 227 passengers and 12 crew when it vanished en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing in 2014. Multiple search operations for the plane have been conducted since then but all proved fruitless.

The most recent search in the southern Indian Ocean was suspended in April after just a few weeks due to poor weather conditions. Exploration firm Ocean Infinity has confirmed it would recommence seabed operations for 55 days, conducted intermittently, the transport ministry said. "The search will be carried out in targeted area assessed to have the highest probability of locating the aircraft," it said in a statement. No precise location of the search area has been given. Malaysian investigators initially did not rule out the possibility that the aircraft had been deliberately taken off course. Debris, some confirmed and some believed to be from the aircraft, has washed up along the coast of Africa and on islands in the Indian Ocean.

The resumed search will be in accordance with the terms and conditions agreed upon between the government and Ocean Infinity for restarting the MH370 wreckage search, the ministry said. Malaysia will pay the firm $70 million if substantive wreckage is found during the search on the seabed of an area in the southern Indian Ocean covering 15,000 sq km (5,790 sq miles). Ocean Infinity had conducted prior searches for the plane up until 2018 but failed to find substantive wreckage. A 495-page report into the disappearance in 2018 said the Boeing 777's controls were likely deliberately manipulated to go off course, but investigators could not determine who was responsible and stopped short of offering a conclusion on what happened, saying that depended on finding the wreckage. Investigators have said there was nothing suspicious in the background, financial affairs, training and mental health of both the captain and co-pilot.

More than 150 Chinese passengers were on the flight. Others included 50 Malaysians as well as citizens of France, Australia, Indonesia, India, the United States, Ukraine and Canada, among others. Relatives have demanded compensation from Malaysia Airlines, Boeing, aircraft engine maker Rolls-Royce and the Allianz insurance group, among others.

(Source - reuters)

Sri Lanka’s latest attempt to reclaim wealth illicitly moved overseas has triggered cautious optimism, but experts warn that the path ahead is riddled with legal, political, and bureaucratic hurdles. While international partners such as the Stolen Asset Recovery Initiative (StAR) have pledged technical support, the effectiveness of the campaign will ultimately depend on the country’s own governance reforms.

For years, stolen-asset recovery has remained a politically sensitive issue in Sri Lanka. Successive governments have announced high-profile investigations, but few have resulted in actual retrieval of funds. A lack of evidence, missing documentation, weak case-building, and deliberate obstruction by politically exposed persons (PEPs) have all contributed to repeated failures.

The arrival of StAR support is expected to boost credibility, but experts note that global assistance alone cannot compensate for domestic institutional weaknesses. Sri Lanka’s fragmented investigative system  with the Bribery Commission, Police, FIU, and AG’s Department working in silos  has historically slowed progress.

The proposed inter-agency task force may help unify operations, but its effectiveness will rely heavily on clear mandates and political insulation.

A more challenging barrier lies in international legal procedures. Many foreign jurisdictions, particularly in Europe and the Middle East, require extensive, meticulously documented proof linking assets to criminal conduct.

 Sri Lankan agencies have struggled to meet these evidentiary standards due to years of poor record-keeping, slow prosecutions, and incomplete asset declarations.

Compounding this problem is the lack of political continuity. Asset recovery initiatives often lose momentum when governments change. Investigations into politically sensitive figures are frequently abandoned, raising concerns about selective enforcement and undermining investor confidence.

Furthermore, domestic legislation itself requires strengthening. While the Proceeds of Crime Recovery Act is a step forward, lawyers argue that the Anti-Corruption Act and Assets and Liabilities Act must be updated to improve asset disclosure, protect whistleblowers, and enable faster freezing orders. Without these reforms, Sri Lanka may not be able to meet international cooperation requirements.

Despite these challenges, the current push comes at a time when the country urgently needs revenue. With public debt high and recovery from natural disasters ongoing, even partial asset repatriation could provide relief. Civil society organisations stress that genuine asset recovery must prioritize transparency, non-selective investigations, and consistent enforcement.

Whether Sri Lanka can finally break the cycle of unfulfilled promises remains to be seen. But with renewed global support and growing public demand for accountability, the country faces a crucial test in its fight against corruption.

Israeli forensic services concluded that remains handed over by Hamas on Tuesday were not those of the last two hostages in Gaza, the office of Israel's prime minister said.

Hamas had handed over remains described by the Red Cross as those of one of the last two deceased hostages still in Gaza, in line with commitments made under a U.S.-backed October ceasefire deal.

Israeli forces said they sent for forensic testing the remains they described as "findings".

"The findings brought yesterday for examination from the Gaza Strip are not linked to any of the deceased hostages," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said in a statement on Wednesday.

The identification had been made at the National Center for Forensic Medicine, it added.

The Al Quds Brigades - the armed wing of the Hamas-allied Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement - said later on Wednesday it was searching for a body of a hostage in northern Gaza, along with a team from the Red Cross.

It did not say which of the two remaining deceased hostages it was searching for.

The two are Israeli police officer Ran Gvili and Thai national Sudthisak Rinthalak, both kidnapped during Hamas' October 7, 2023 attack on Israel that touched off two years of devastating war in Gaza.

The Geneva-based Red Cross has acted as an intermediary between Gaza militant groups and Israel throughout the war triggered by Hamas' attack, helping to pave the way for the release of living hostages and the handover of remains.

(Source - reuters)

Sri Lanka’s economic recovery already strained by two years of contraction, rising living costs, and fiscal compression has been dealt a severe new blow by Cyclone Ditwah and the resulting floods.

As the Government grapples with nationwide devastation, the Finance Ministry yesterday convened a high-level donor forum bringing together bilateral partners, multilateral institutions, lending agencies, and diplomatic missions to coordinate emergency support and chart the path toward reconstruction.

Co-chaired by Central Bank Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe and Treasury Secretary Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma, the forum revealed the scale of damage across housing, agriculture, transport, irrigation systems, and community infrastructure.

Preliminary internal assessments indicate that Sri Lanka may face losses equivalent to 1%–3% of GDP, suggesting a reconstruction requirement in the range of Rs. 350-1,050 billion a figure that could rise once comprehensive ground surveys conclude. Several districts remain inaccessible, further delaying robust verification of economic and social losses.

Given Sri Lanka’s limited fiscal space and stagnant revenue streams, external support has become indispensable. Development partners reaffirmed strong backing, with the IMF confirming that US$350 million under the Extended Fund Facility’s sixth tranche could be made available within two weeks providing crucial liquidity for imports and early-stage restoration.

 Multilateral agencies and donor nations have begun dispatching relief consignments, including food, drinking water, hygiene supplies, medical kits, and emergency shelter materials. Some countries have already deployed specialist disaster-response teams.

The World Bank has initiated a rapid damage assessment, while development partners agreed to repurpose portions of existing loan portfolios toward bridge repairs, road rehabilitation, irrigation restoration, and housing reconstruction.

 Discussions also focused on mobilising new concessional financing and grant support for long-term rebuilding.

The Government urged partners to promote travel to Sri Lanka to help stabilise tourism, which is likely to experience short-term disruption following widespread flooding.

Authorities emphasised the need for a blend of immediate humanitarian assistance and medium-term concessional financing to prevent a derailment of the broader economic recovery plan.

Despite the growing support, the road ahead is steep. Rebuilding thousands of homes, restoring agricultural losses, repairing national highways and rural roads, and replacing damaged public facilities will require a multi-year programme and billions of rupees in investment.

 Effective coordination, transparent spending frameworks, and robust monitoring will be critical to maintaining donor confidence.

As Sri Lanka navigates yet another crisis layered upon economic fragility, international partners have signalled solidarity. The challenge now lies in converting this support into a coherent, well-governed reconstruction programme capable of restoring livelihoods and preventing deeper economic scarring.

The National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) has assured the public that drinking water quality across the country remains safe, despite the extensive flooding and landslides triggered in recent days.

According to NWSDB Chairman Chandana Bandara, continuous water supply has been ensured in 13 of the 22 disaster-affected districts. He added that routine water quality monitoring has been strengthened, and no contamination risks have been detected so far.

The board also noted that efforts are underway to restore supply in the remaining districts experiencing disruptions due to damaged infrastructure and restricted access.