Topic: Sri Lanka — Neutral reports only
--------------------------------------------------------------------
[2025-12-17 19:06 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]
Source: Daily News
Snippet: Acting on information received by the Army Intelligence Unit, a raid carried out in the Manalkadu area of Jaffna on Monday (16) led to the seizure of 75 kilograms and 210 grams of Kerala cannabis illegally smuggled into Sri Lanka from India by sea.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
[2025-12-17 18:44 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]
Source: Daily News
Snippet: Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has announced the appointment of R. Sridhar as the Fielding Coach of the national team until the completion of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
[2025-12-17 18:27 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]
Source: Daily News
Snippet: Airport and Aviation Services Sri Lanka, along with SriLankan Airlines as the ground handler, made all arrangements to ensure a safe return of a Turkish Airlines flight to Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) last night after a technical issue with its landing gear, officials said.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
[2025-12-17 18:07 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]
Source: Daily News
Snippet: For centuries, Sri Lanka has been celebrated as the world’s most radiant source of sapphires, whose rare blue stones have adorned royalty, global icons and collectors across generations. From icons such as the late Princess Diana’s engagement ring, Ceylon sapphires have long symbolised purity, depth and enduring love. DINIDU takes this legacy forward with contemporary craftsmanship, transforming the island’s most coveted treasures into bold, breathtaking pieces that can be viewed in the exquisite DINIDU blue sapphire ring collection, reflecting heritage,
--------------------------------------------------------------------
[2025-12-17 17:09 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]
Source: Daily News
Snippet: Hiruki de Silva of Killer Whale Aquatics (KWA) produced a stunning swim to break a decade-old women’s 100m individual medley national record on the final day of the HNB National and Junior National Short Course Swimming Championship, which concluded at the Isipathana College Swimming Pool Complex in Colombo yesterday.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
[2025-12-17 15:00 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]
Source: Daily News
Snippet: Over 1500 shuttlers including most of the high ranking players are expected to take part in 73rd National Badminton Championship which will worked off from today to December 23 at S. Thomas’ College Indoor Stadium, Mt Lavinia. The seven-day event conducted by the Sri Lanka Badminton (SLB).
--------------------------------------------------------------------
[2025-12-17 14:17 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]
Source: Daily News
Snippet: The Government of Japan has extended an Emergency Grant of 2.5 million USD to Sri Lanka to support communities affected by the recent cyclone.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
[2025-12-17 13:33 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]
Source: Daily News
Snippet: Sri Lankan musician Mohomed Iqbal has been awarded third place at the Eleventh Viet Nam External Information Awards for his song ‘Sing Song of Love, Peace and Friendship’, celebrating the long-standing friendship between Viet Nam and Sri Lanka on the occasion of the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
[2025-12-17 07:00 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]
Source: Daily News
Snippet: The draft National Electricity Policy prepared in accordance with the Sri Lanka Electricity Act No. 14 of 2025 was submitted to Minister of Energy Kumara Jayakody, by the committee appointed for the purpose.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
[2025-12-17 07:00 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]
Source: Daily News
Snippet: The world witnessed another horrific act of terrorism when at least 16 people, including a shooter, were killed, and as many as 42 others were hospitalised after 50-year-old Sajid Akram and his 24-year-old son Naveed Akram opened fire on a crowd at a Hanukkah event at Sydney’s Bondi Beach on Sunday evening.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
[2025-12-17 07:00 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]
Source: Daily News
Snippet: Sri Lanka Under-19 team, captained by Vimath Dinsara, looks to maintain its winning momentum against Bangladesh in the final Group match of the Asia Cup today (17) at the ICC Academy Grounds in Dubai.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
[2025-12-17 06:58 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]
Source: Daily News
Snippet: CBC Finance Ltd, a subsidiary of the Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC commemorated its listing on the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) by way of the issuance of LKR 1.5 bn worth of debentures by the ceremonial ringing of the market opening bell on the CSE trading floor.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
[2025-12-17 06:58 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]
Source: Daily News
Snippet: The Sri Lanka women’s cricket team, led by Chamari Athapaththu, will depart for India today (17) to take part in the five-match T20 International series, which begins on December 21 in Visakhapatnam.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
[2025-12-17 06:56 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]
Source: Daily News
Snippet: Port City Colombo was having conversations with half a dozen investors and those investments will transpire to further USD 600 to 850 million which will crystallize over the next three to four years, CHEC Port City Colombo Deputy Managing Director Thulci Aluwihare told the economic summit held recently in Colombo.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
[2025-12-17 06:56 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]
Source: Daily News
Snippet: Former Sri Lanka leg-spinner D. S. de Silva, a key member of the country’s inaugural Test team in 1982, passed away in London yesterday at the age of 83 following a brief illness, his family confirmed. Funeral arrangements will be announced later.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
[2025-12-17 06:55 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]
Source: Daily News
Snippet: Cabinet of Ministers on Monday (15) approved the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Agency (Pvt) Ltd (SLFEA) and Japan’s Enterprise United Cooperative (EUC) to expand employment opportunities for Sri Lankan youth in Japan.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
[2025-12-17 06:52 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]
Source: Daily News
Snippet: Sri Lanka’s tourism sector continued its steady recovery in 2025, with total international tourist arrivals reaching 2,103,593, reflecting a clear increase from 2,053,465 arrivals in 2024, according to the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) official monthly arrival statistics.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
[2025-12-17 06:52 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]
Source: Daily News
Snippet: Sri Lanka’s top-ranked golfer in the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR), Dhanushan Kumar, made a steady start on the opening day of the 39th Bangladesh Amateur Golf Championship at the Kurmitola Golf Club in Dhaka yesterday.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
[2025-12-17 06:52 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]
Source: Daily News
Snippet: Our sister paper Dinamina, turns 116 years today. It is the oldest mainstream Sinhala daily in publication. The Dinamina with a legacy spanning over a century, has played a pivotal role in representing and fostering the cultural and artistic heritage of Sri Lanka.Throughout its long history, Dinamina has laid down writing rules and styles, pioneering accuracy in journalism and creating an ideal platform for unbiased debates on language use.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
[2025-12-17 06:50 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]
Source: Daily News
Snippet: Cyclone Ditwah did not feel like an unpredictable act of nature for the families across Sri Lanka who lost homes, loved ones, and livelihoods. It felt like something far more familiar: the consequence of a crisis they did not create.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
[2025-12-17 06:43 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 90]
Source: Daily News
Snippet: Freedom is more than a constitutional right – it is a lived experience shaped by opportunity, responsibility and sacrifice. A nation’s freedom and sovereignty are secured through the enduring service of those brave men, who wear the uniform with dignity. We are protected by the generations who gallantly stood watch over Sri Lanka, so the rest of us can live in peace, united as a country, with a deeper sense of national security.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
[2025-12-17 06:36 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]
Source: Daily News
Snippet: The newly appointed Canada’s High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Isabelle Catherine Martin called on Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya at Temple Trees on Monday (15).
--------------------------------------------------------------------
[2025-12-17 06:35 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]
Source: Daily News
Snippet: Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Boderagama yesterday (16) ordered the release, on Bail of former Minister C.B. Ratnayake, who was remanded in custody in connection with an incident in which he allegedly amassed assets worth nearly Rs 20 million, over a period of two years, the method of which could not be disclosed.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
[2025-12-17 06:34 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]
Source: Daily News
Snippet: The High Level Committee for Foreign Relief Aid (supplies) Coordination (HL-FRAC), chaired by Defence Deputy Minister Major General (Retd) Aruna Jayasekara, convened its third meeting at its Secretariat located at the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) in Colombo on Monday (December 15).
--------------------------------------------------------------------
[2025-12-17 06:34 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]
Source: Daily News
Snippet: An all-night Pirith chanting followed by an almsgiving to 100 members of the Maha Sangha was held at the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC) yesterday to mark its centenary celebrations under the patronage of the Anunayake of the Malwatte Chapter Most Ven. Dimbulkumbure Wimaladhamma Thera and Anunayake Thera of Asgiriya Chapter Most Ven.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
[2025-12-17 06:34 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]
Source: Daily News
Snippet: The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Romania, led by Ambassador Madurika Joseph Weninger, recently held a strategic meeting with the Chief of Police, General Inspectorate for Immigration (IGI), Tiberiu Giurea, to address critical concerns affecting Sri Lankan migrant workers. The discussions focused on illegal recruitment, fraudulent visa practices, work-permit and residence-document compliance, repatriation, and overall worker protection.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
[2025-12-17 06:33 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]
Source: Daily News
Snippet: SLT-MOBITEL and eChannelling PLC, in partnership with medical experts from Golden Years Care, have introduced eHomecare’, Sri Lanka’s first doctor-led elderly-care service.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
[2025-12-17 06:33 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]
Source: Daily News
Snippet: Bishop of Trincomalee Christian Noel Emmanuel visited the Sri Lankan Embassy in Poland on December 11 and met with the Sri Lankan Ambassador to Poland, Priyangika Dharmasena. His visit aimed to understand the needs of the Sri Lankan Catholic community, while also experiencing Poland’s spiritual growth through meetings with clergy and visits to shrines.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
[2025-12-17 06:33 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]
Source: Daily News
Snippet: Norway is providing more than US$ 2.4 million to assist those affected by severe flooding in Sri Lanka.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
[2025-12-17 06:32 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]
Source: Daily News
Snippet: SLASSCOM has released its 2025 Compensation and Benefits Survey Report, a comprehensive industry benchmark on salaries, benefits and workforce trends across Sri Lanka’s IT, BPM and tech-enabled sectors.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
[2025-12-17 06:32 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]
Source: Daily News
Snippet: Port City Colombo marked the start of the festive season with its annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, held under the theme ‘Lights of Hope’, in alignment with the Western Province’s initiative.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
[2025-12-17 06:32 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]
Source: Daily News
Snippet: National Development Bank PLC (NDB) has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Toyota Lanka, reinforcing the Bank s commitment to offering customers convenient, flexible and affordable leasing solutions for some of the world s most trusted vehicles.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
[2025-12-17 06:32 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]
Source: Daily News
Snippet: AIA Sri Lanka has been recognised in CEO Magazine’s special edition, ‘Sri Lanka’s Top 25 Most Valuable Brands for 2025,’ an acknowledgment of the company’s exceptional brand strength, market leadership and strategic vision.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
[2025-12-17 06:32 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]
Source: Daily News
Snippet: Hatch, the nation’s award-winning startup hub and a driving force behind Sri Lanka’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, is advancing its boldest initiative yet, the creation of the country’s first Innovation District in Colombo 01.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
[2025-12-17 06:32 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]
Source: Daily News
Snippet: Charles Sturt University is expanding its international presence with a new campusin Sri Lanka, opening doors for students to access globally recognised Australian qualifications closer to home.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
[2025-12-17 06:32 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]
Source: Daily News
Snippet: Curtin University Colombo introduced two pioneering programmes the Bachelor of Science in Data Science, specialising in Artificial Intelligence and the Master of Artificial Intelligence.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
[2025-12-17 06:32 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]
Source: Daily News
Snippet: Four boxers representing Sri Lanka in the 2025 Men’s Boxing World Championship 2025 in Dubai, made the biggest breakthrough in the history of boxing in the country and managed to enter the last 16 round. They arrived at the Katunayake Airport yesterday.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
[2025-12-17 06:32 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]
Source: Daily News
Snippet: Samesh Thathsara, right arm off spinner of Thelijjawila Central College claimed 9 wickets for 7 runs against Anura Vidyalaya Matara in their first round fixture of the Under 13 division 3 inter schools cricket tournament conducted by Sri Lanka Schools Cricket Association and sponsored by Sri Lanka Cricket.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
[2025-12-17 06:32 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]
Source: Daily News
Snippet: Sri Lanka’s Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva, Himalee Arunatilaka who is concurrently accredited to the Holy See, presented credentials to Pope Leo XIV, at a ceremony held at the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican on December 6.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
[2025-12-17 06:32 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]
Source: Daily News
Snippet: The Sri Lanka Hajj Committee donated Rs. 5 million to the Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Ministry for the reconstruction of religious places affected by the recent disaster. The relevant cheque was handed over by Committee Chairman Riyaz Mihlar to Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Minister, Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi at his Ministry recently.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
[2025-12-17 06:31 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]
Source: Daily News
Snippet: Dialog Finance PLC, Sri Lanka’s emerging Fintech leader, has partnered with Softlogic Life Insurance PLC to integrate a best-in-class Internet Payment Gateway (IPG) enabling clients to seamlessly settle insurance premiums through Softlogic Life’s website using Visa, Mastercard, or Amex cards.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
[2025-12-17 06:30 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]
Source: Daily News
Snippet: The Market Readiness and International Market Access Workshop for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the Information Technology sector, organised by the Information and Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA), was held yesterday (16) at the ICTA Auditorium.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
[2025-12-17 06:30 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]
Source: Daily News
Snippet: The Cabinet of Ministers on Monday (15) approved the allocation of Rs. 150 million from the ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ Project to the Judicial Service Commission to support the implementation of the e-Court Project, as part of the Government’s efforts to digitalise the judicial system, Health and Mass Media Minister Dr.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
[2025-12-17 06:30 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]
Source: Daily News
Snippet: The Asian Regional Debt Management Conference organized by the Asian Development Bank annually will be co-hosted by Sri Lanka in 2026.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
[2025-12-17 06:30 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]
Source: Daily News
Snippet: Purchasing Managers’ Indices indicate expansions in both Manufacturing and Services activities in November 2025 with Sri Lanka Purchasing Managers’ Index for Manufacturing (PMI – Manufacturing) recording an index value of 55.5 in November 2025.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
[2025-12-17 06:30 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]
Source: Daily News
Snippet: The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) conducted the International Research Symposium – 2025 during December 08-10, 2025 under the theme of “Stability for Prosperity” at the CBSL John Exter International Conference Hall, to mark the 75th Anniversary of the CBSL.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
[2025-12-17 06:30 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]
Source: Daily News
Snippet: Foreign remittances from Lankan migrant workers are set to reach an All-Time High in the current year according to our main story yesterday, quoting Central Bank statistics. It said US$ 7.1 billion was received from Lankan migrant workers from January to November 2025 — a 20 percent increase over 2024 earnings.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
[2025-12-17 06:30 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]
Source: Daily News
Snippet: Sri Lanka’s most Trusted and Innovative media services provider
--------------------------------------------------------------------
[2025-12-17 06:30 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]
Source: Daily News
Snippet: The ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund, launched to support communities affected by Cyclone Ditwah and to facilitate national recovery efforts, continues to attract generous support from local and international organizations, the business community and philanthropists.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
[2025-12-17 06:30 UTC+10:00] [General] [Factuality: 100]
Source: Daily News
Snippet: The ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund, established to restore the livelihoods of people affected by Cyclone Ditwah and to rebuild the country in the aftermath of the disaster, continues to receive daily contributions from local and international organizations, business entities and philanthropists.
--------------------------------------------------------------------