Newspaper
Daily FT
New tourism survey to steer industry based on realities: Deputy Minister
TOURISM Deputy Minister Prof. Ruwan Ranasinghe said the latest survey conducted in collaboration with the Market Development Facility (MDF) Australia and the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) revealed critical gaps in tourism data systems, underscoring the need for stronger research, better methodologies, and modern technology to guide decision-making in the industry.
1 min |
December 03, 2025
Daily FT
Cyclone Ditwah: A national tragedy and test of Sri Lanka's resolve
CYCLONE Ditwah struck Sri Lanka on 27 November with a ferocity that quickly overwhelmed communities, infrastructure and emergency services. Official reports in the days that followed documented widespread flooding, catastrophic landslides and the collapse of critical services, leaving hundreds dead, many more missing and millions displaced. The precise toll is still being assessed as rescue and recovery operations continue, but there is no question that the scale of the disaster places it among the most severe to hit Sri Lanka in recent memory.
6 min |
December 03, 2025
Daily FT
LB Finance donates Rs. 5 m for disaster relief
THE President’s Media Division has announced that LB Finance PLC has donated Rs. 5 million to support ongoing humanitarian assistance efforts.
1 min |
December 03, 2025
Daily FT
Skipper Rehan Peiris puts Sri Lanka in command on day one with century
SRI Lanka took the honours on the opening day of the first 3-day Under-17 match against Bangladesh with skipper Rehan Peiris striking a superb unbeaten century to put his side in command at Mirpur yesterday.
1 min |
December 03, 2025
Daily FT
TMC sets stage for transformative growth with Northern Investment Summit
To build groundwork for transformative initiative, TMC delegation visits Northern Province engaging in high-impact meetings and fostering strong public—private collaboration
3 min |
December 03, 2025
Daily FT
Short notes on a tropical cyclone
DITWAH has left. Chaos reigns. Yet there is life. Amidst the carnage, confusion and consternation, life lessons remain.
2 min |
December 03, 2025
Daily FT
Fifa set to use VAR for corners at World Cup
FIFA is set to press ahead with plans to have VAR checks on the awarding of corner kicks at the 2026 World Cup despite domestic leagues rejecting the idea for the wider game.
2 min |
December 03, 2025
Daily FT
From proactive risk reduction to reactive crisis:
· Sri Lanka's disaster governance failure during Cyclone Ditwah
6 min |
December 03, 2025
Daily FT
Leaving people behind in rebuilding Sri Lanka post-most challenging natural disaster
AS predicted, the \"Cyclone Ditwah\" has already turned into an opportunity seeking game in Sri Lanka. While most of the public, young and old, are focused on addressing the immediate disaster response in the form of providing redress for victims, a 'Group of Business Sector Leaders - All Men\" have been appointed by the Government to manage the funds for rebuilding Sri Lanka.
6 min |
December 03, 2025
Daily FT
Nepal extends $ 200,000 as relief assistance in Sri Lanka in solidarity
THE Government of Nepal yesterday expressed its profound sorrow and deepest sympathies to the Government and people of Sri Lanka over the recent devastating floods that have claimed numerous lives and caused extensive damage across the country.
1 min |
December 03, 2025
Daily FT
Initial Ditwah economic cost likely to reach 1-3% of GDP: First Capital CEO
Calls for bold capital-market solutions, issuance of national Infrastructure Bond to rebuild Sri Lanka Suggests investment banks should collaborate on effort at zero fee, placing national interest above commercial returns
2 min |
December 03, 2025
Daily FT
Largest South Korean Buddhist delegation arrives
THE largest South Korean Buddhist delegation to ever visit Sri Lanka comprising 130 lay and ordained monks arrived on Monday for a 10-day visit to the country.
1 min |
December 03, 2025
Daily FT
Sri Lanka Economic and Investment Summit focuses on Ditwah, reforms and growth
The conversation then shifted to the quality of the recovery, with attention on whether recent stabilisation is translating into durable, investment-driven expansion.
10+ min |
December 03, 2025
Daily FT
CBSL and SLAASMB sign MoU to sharpen scrutiny on banking and financial institutions
THE Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) and the Sri Lanka ‘Accounting and Auditing Standards Monitoring Board (SLAASMB) have formally executed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a comprehensive framework for
1 min |
December 03, 2025
Daily FT
India grants Pakistan overflight clearance to deliver aid to SL
INDIA yesterday granted permission for Pakistani relief aircraft carrying aid to Sri Lanka to cross its airspace.
1 min |
December 02, 2025
Daily FT
Modi phones AKD to reassure support
INDIAN Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a telephone conversation with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday.
1 min |
December 02, 2025
Daily FT
Ditwah death toll rises to 366, over 1.1 m people affected
366 deaths, 367 people missing, Disaster Management Centre reports, Highest casualties from Kandy, Badulla and Nuwara Eliya, Gampaha, Colombo and Puttalam report highest number of affected individuals
2 min |
December 02, 2025
Daily FT
Commonwealth business council expresses solidarity with Sri Lanka
THE Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC) has conveyed its condolences to Sri Lanka over the loss of life and extensive damage caused by Cyclone Ditwah, urging all Commonwealth nations to support the country’s recovery as the scale of devastation continues to unfold.
1 min |
December 02, 2025
Daily FT
InsureMe share price rockets on CSE debut
INSUREME Insurance Brokers Ltd. debuted on the Colombo Stock Exchange yesterday via an introductory listing on the Empower Board at Rs. 442 per share.
1 min |
December 02, 2025
Daily FT
Tourist arrivals top 2.1 m mark with November boost
SRI Lanka's tourism surpassed 2.1 million arrivals in the first 11 months, whilst November recorded the highest number of visitors since March 2025.
1 min |
December 02, 2025
Daily FT
Tourism weathers Cyclone Ditwah, remains 75% operational
THASL President Asoka Hettigoda calls for rapid recovery support from insurance companies, banks Asserts recovery assistance should prioritise SLTDAregistered establishments than extending blanket support to unregistered operators Calls for immediate implementation of visa-free scheme for 47 countries under emergency provisions and requests to temporarily import vegetables, as supply of fresh produce has dropped sharply Commends Govt.'s swift interventions so far, including free-visa extensions granted to tourists whose visas expired, full fee waivers offered to airlines for cancellations and date changes Seeks greater assistance from Finance Ministry to expedite insurance claims, banks to extend financial facilities
2 min |
December 02, 2025
Daily FT
CSE falls steeply in Ditwah's wake, opens December in red
THE Colombo stock market yesterday opened December and a new week with a steep decline in the wake of Cyclone Ditwah which ravaged the country over the weekend.
1 min |
December 02, 2025
Daily FT
BOI says operations largely stabilised across free trade zones
THE Board of Investment (BOI) yesterday confirmed that all Free Trade Zones (FTZs) have resumed near-full operations, with only limited disruptions reported in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah, “We have successfully kept the impact to a minimum.
1 min |
December 02, 2025
Daily FT
Messi, Inter Miami defeat New York to reach first MLS Cup final
INTER Miami Coach Javier Mascherano hailed Lionel Messi as \"extraordinary\" after the Argentinian superstar steered the club into their first Major League Soccer (MLS) Cup final with a 5-1 thrashing of New York City FC on Saturday.
1 min |
December 02, 2025
Daily FT
Opposition walks out, accuses Govt. of ignoring advance warning about Ditwah
Opposition MPs accuse Govt. of refusing debate and not acting on Met. and Irrigation Department warnings issued on 12 Nov.
1 min |
December 02, 2025
Daily FT
Customs announces procedure for overseas aid consignments
THE Government has introduced measures to streamline the receipt and distribution of humanitarian aid from overseas donors as severe weather continues to disrupt communities across the country.
2 min |
December 02, 2025
Daily FT
Isak scores first goal as Liverpool defeat West Ham in Premier League
LIVERPOOL' record signing Alexander Isak scored his first English Premier League goal for the Reds as the under-pressure football champions snapped a woeful run of form with a much-needed 2-0 win at West Ham United on Sunday.
1 min |
December 02, 2025
Daily FT
Govt. announces robust post-disaster rebuilding fund
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake announces Joint Management Committee, comprising both public and private sector representatives; Cabinet approves move, Admits Cyclone Ditwah damage far greater than what is visible, Emphasises Treasury alone cannot bear full financial burden of recovery Directs funds for reconstruction to be mobilised through multiple channels, including local contributions, Sri Lankan expatriates, foreign Govt.s, international organisations and business associations, World Bank commissioned to conduct Global Rapid Post-Disaster Damage Estimation, Govt. expects to receive GRADE assessment within approximately two weeks
2 min |
December 02, 2025
Daily FT
Ranithma finishes runner-up at Welsh International Open 2025
SRI Lanka’s national women’s champion Ranithma Liyanage delivered one of the finest performances of her young career after finishing as the runner-up at the Welsh International Open 2025 in Cardiff.
1 min |
December 02, 2025
Daily FT
China donates $ 1 m in cash; $ 1.4 m in supplies
CHINESE Government yesterday announced further support to Sri Lanka in its efforts to ensure relief to victims of the Cyclone Ditwah.
1 min |