Category: Featured Headlines

31 members of the Japan Disaster Relief Medical team arrived in Sri Lanka.

They will begin 2 weeks of emergency medical support in Chilaw working closely with local authorities to provide vital emergency services.

Japanese Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Akio Isomata said the arrival of the team tonight and its deployment to the affected areas is a testament to the strong bond of friendship between Japan and Sri Lanka.

He added that it shows Japan’s unwavering commitment to extending a helping hand to the people of Sri Lanka in need.

The Government of Australia has announced an additional $2.5 million for Sri Lanka, increasing Australia’s response to the impacts of Cyclone ‘Ditwah’ to $3.5 million.

Australia is engaging with all affected countries including Sri Lanka, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam, with support to be provided through Australian NGOs and the United Nations as requested to meet urgent needs, a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

This brings Australia’s total assistance to over $14 million since October, supporting local and international partners to provide urgent lifesaving assistance to affected communities.

In recent weeks, Australia’s close partners in the region have experienced the devastating impacts of cyclones, floods, earthquakes and landslides.

Communities in Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam have all been affected, the Ministry said.

Australia’s support is providing emergency relief supplies, shelter, food, water and sanitation, and it is meeting the needs of displaced communities, including support for health and education, and prioritizing the needs of the most vulnerable, including women, girls and people with disability.

The Australian government announced that it will continue to work with countries and communities in the region as a steadfast and reliable partner across the Indo-Pacific.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong:

“Our thoughts are with all those affected by the recent floods and devastation in Southeast Asia and Sri Lanka. We are working with our partners in the region to deliver life-saving assistance to accelerate their response.

“Australia is committed to supporting our neighbours in good times and bad – we are a partner our region can count on.”

Sri Lanka’s government expects full restoration of telephone and internet services by Thursday following severe disruptions caused by recent flooding and landslides, Deputy Minister of Digital Economy Eranga Weeraratne said.

Weeraratne said that the Ministry of Digital Economy, the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission, and service providers have been working around the clock to bring networks back online.

The floods and landslides initially damaged provincial fibre connections at 11 locations, with nine sites restored within 24 hours.

Remaining points are now being managed through alternative fibre paths, making provincial connections largely operational.

Power failures and fibre damage had rendered over 4,000 main transmission towers inactive.

Around 2,800 towers have been restored, leaving 949 still offline, mainly due to ongoing power outages.

The Tri-Forces are assisting by providing rapid access to telecom towers and supporting power restoration.

The hardest-hit districts remain Nuwara Eliya, Badulla, Puttalam, and Vavuniya, with Nuwara Eliya and Kandy experiencing the most persistent connectivity issues.

Weeraratne expressed confidence that more than 75% of connectivity will be restored in Nuwara Eliya and Puttalam by Thursday morning, with Kandy expected to rise from 65% to approximately 70%.

With over 80% of disruptions already addressed, authorities say full restoration of telecommunication services across the country is on track for Thursday.

Rebuilding Sri Lanka’s damaged bridges emerged as a top priority during a high-level discussion between Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya and Wiebe Jakob De Boer, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, who paid a courtesy call on the Prime Minister on December 2, 2025.

The Ambassador conveyed the Netherlands’ willingness to assist in reconstructing bridges destroyed by recent floods and landslides.

The meeting also focused on Disaster Risk Reduction, strengthening infrastructure, and promoting sustainable development.

The Prime Minister and the Ambassador underscored the need for resilient rebuilding, improved long-term planning, and targeted support for disaster-affected communities.

They explored future cooperation in flood management, inclusive development, and strategic investments to ensure stability and sustainability.

The United Nations (UN) stands ready to support relief and response efforts in Sri Lanka, Secretary General of the United Nations António Guterres said.

He said in a post on X, “Deeply saddened by the loss of life caused by severe flooding & landslides in Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Thailand & Malaysia. My heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims & my solidarity to all those affected.”

He said the UN stands ready to support relief and response efforts.

The death toll from Cyclone Ditwah that left a trail of destruction in Sri Lanka climbed to 410, with 336 people still missing, according to the latest Disaster Management Center (DMC) report.

The cyclone’s fury has left 1,466,615 people affected across 25 districts, turning homes into rubble and forcing thousands into shelters.

The central highlands have borne the brunt of the tragedy: Kandy reports 88 deaths and 150 missing, while Nuwara Eliya records 75 fatalities and 62 missing persons.

Coastal and northern districts, including Puttalam, Mannar, and Gampaha, also face severe devastation.

In total, 407,594 families have been impacted, with 20,271 homes completely destroyed and 64,483 partially damaged.

Relief efforts are underway, with 233,015 people currently in safety centers, as authorities race against time to provide food, clean water, and medical care.

Officials warn of heightened disease risks as floodwaters stagnate, and recovery is expected to be a long, arduous process.