World Bank Group announces US$120 Million in emergency support for Sri Lanka

The 16th meeting of the National Council for Disaster Management was held this morning (December 15) at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo under the leadership of Sri Lanka President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

The Colombo Magistrate’s Court today (December 15) ordered the release on bail of Dhammika Ranatunga, the former Chairman of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC), who was arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC).

Sri Lanka has strongly condemned the recent terrorist attack at Bondi Beach in Australia, which targeted a Jewish Hanukkah gathering.

The Commissioner General of Essential Services, Prabath Chandrakeerthi, has said that around 400 million dollars will be needed to rebuild Sri Lanka’s railway system, which was destroyed by Cyclone Ditwah.

The Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) has arrested a 34-year-old drug trafficker from Wattala, who is considered one of the country’s major drug dealers.

A consignment of essential medicines and dry food items donated by the Government of India was officially handed over to Sri Lanka yesterday afternoon (December 14) at the Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake.

Sri Lanka President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated that the recent disaster dealt a severe blow to an economy that was being rebuilt steadily and systematically.

Sri Lanka President Anura Kumara Dissanayake affirmed that the Government will never allow violations of the rights of the fishing community, emphasizing the State’s firm commitment to protecting both land resources and the coastline.

A 28-year-old man from the Rambukkana area was arrested early this morning (December 14) at the arrival terminal of Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake for possession and trafficking of 2 kilograms and 308 grams of heroin.

Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has instructed officials to give top priority to restoring the livelihoods of communities affected by the disaster.

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka has reported that the total remittances sent to the country from overseas employment have surpassed USD 7 billion in 2025.

An Extraordinary Gazette has been issued announcing that the Parliament of Sri Lanka will be summoned to meet on December 18, 2025, at 9:30 a.m.

The Government of Sri Lanka and the Government of Italy renewed the Bilateral Agreement for the Mutual Recognition of Driving Licenses on December 12, 2025, in Rome, Italy.

Former Speaker and National People’s Power Member of Parliament Asoka Ranwala, who was arrested over a vehicle accident in Sapugaskanda last night (December 11), was granted bail this evening (December 12).