Category: Featured Headlines

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.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Monday (01) to convey condolences and pledge further assistance as Sri Lanka continues to grapple with widespread destruction caused by Cyclone Ditwah.

Prime Minister Modi reaffirmed India’s solidarity with Sri Lanka and assured continued support through Operation Sagar Bandhu, under which Indian rescue teams and relief supplies have already been dispatched to affected regions.

He noted that India remains committed to helping its neighbor navigate the crisis.

President Dissanayake thanked Modi for India’s rapid response, including the deployment of emergency personnel and humanitarian aid.

He said Sri Lankans greatly appreciate the timely and effective support provided since the cyclone made landfall.

Modi also assured that India would maintain its assistance in line with Vision MAHASAGAR and its role as the region’s “first responder” during emergencies.

He pledged continued cooperation as Sri Lanka moves from immediate relief to rehabilitation, restoration of essential services, and rebuilding of livelihoods.

Both leaders also agreed to stay in close contact to coordinate ongoing relief and recovery efforts.

Sri Lanka Police have announced dedicated telephone numbers on which stranded tourists can seek help, as rescue efforts continue after Cyclone Ditwah wrecked havoc countrywide.

Due to the severe weather conditions impacting various parts the island, foreign tourists in the country may be facing difficulties or disruptions to their travel plans, a Police statement said.

“Should any foreign national or group encounter distress, require assistance, or face challenges in reaching the airport as a result of the prevailing disaster situation, the Sri Lanka Police stands ready to provide immediate support, protection, and necessary guidance.”

Foreign tourists are advised to contact the following designated officers and hotlines for assistance:

Director, Police Tourism Division
Mobile
071-8591894

OIC, Police Tourism Division
Landline
011-2421070
Mobile
071-8591895

OIC, Airport Police
Landline
011-2251475
Mobile
071-8591640

OIC, Airport Tourism Police
Mobile
071-8596057

The Sri Lanka Police remains committed to ensuring the safety welfare, and uninterrupted travel of all visitors during this period, the Police Media Division said.

India has granted rapid clearance for Pakistan’s aid flight carrying relief material to cyclone-hit Sri Lanka, foreign media reported today.

Indian media quoting officials confirmed that the request for overflight was submitted by Pakistan at approximately 1300 hrs (IST) on Monday, seeking same-day permission to fly over Indian airspace. Given the purpose of the request–to provide humanitarian assistance to Sri Lanka–India processed the request.

Permission was officially granted and communicated to the Government of Pakistan through official channels at 1730 hrs (IST) on Monday, with the clearance processed within a minimal four-hour notice period, Indian officials said.

Officials emphasised that this clearance was a purely humanitarian gesture.

Sri Lanka has suffered from massive floods caused by Cyclone Ditwah. Over 350 people have been confirmed dead across Sri Lanka as authorities continue to battle rising floodwaters in parts of the capital, Colombo.

India has sent 53 tons of relief material to Sri Lanka under Operation Sagar Bandhu as part of its emergency response to Cyclone Ditwah.

According to an official release, India has handed 9.5 tons of emergency rations from two Indian Navy Ships in Colombo; deployed three Indian Air Force aircraft for airlifting another 31.5 tons of relief materials including tents, tarpaulins, blankets, hygiene kits, ready-to-eat food items, medicines and surgical equipment, two BHISHM cubes along with five persons medical team for on-site training, and 80 persons special Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) to assist in rescue efforts.

Additionally, New Delhi has dispatched another 12 tons of relief supplies on board Indian Navy Ship Sukanya (at Trincomalee), bringing the total to 53 tons.