Sri Lanka to Reopen Schools Nationwide After Cyclone Ditwah, With Special Measures for Affected Areas

Schools across Sri Lanka that were closed due to the disaster situation caused by Cyclone Ditwah are scheduled to reopen island-wide on December 16, the Ministry of Education has announced. In preparation for the reopening, the Ministry has directed principals, teachers, and non-academic staff to report to their schools on December 15 to carry out…

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Australia Strengthens Ties with Sri Lanka During High-Level Visit

Australia’s Assistant Minister for Citizenship, Customs and Multicultural Affairs, and International Education, Julian Hill, has concluded a two-day visit to Sri Lanka aimed at deepening cooperation across border security, education, and humanitarian support. In a statement shared on X, the Australian High Commission highlighted that the visit reaffirmed Australia’s solidarity with Sri Lanka as the…

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Sri Lanka Reschedules 2025 A/L Exams to January 2026 Following Severe Weather Disruptions

Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Education has announced that the 2025 G.C.E. Advanced Level (A/L) examinations—previously postponed due to adverse weather and widespread flooding—will now take place from January 12 to January 20, 2026. The Department of Examinations has released an updated timetable reflecting the revised schedule. According to the announcement, students affected by the disaster…

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Australia and UNFPA Step Up Emergency Support for Women and Girls Affected by Cyclone Ditwah in Sri Lanka

Australia has partnered with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) to deliver urgent humanitarian assistance aimed at protecting women and girls across Sri Lanka following catastrophic floods and landslides caused by Cyclone Ditwah — one of the most severe climate-related disasters to hit the island in recent years. The Australian Government has contributed AUD 500,000…

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Sri Lanka Teachers’ Union Calls for Urgent Financial Relief for Educators Hit by Disasters

The Ceylon Teachers’ Union (CTU) has called on the Sri Lankan government to immediately introduce a concessional relief programme for teachers and school principals affected by the recent floods and landslides across the country. CTU General Secretary Joseph Stalin said a large number of educators have been severely impacted by the disaster and are struggling…

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Sri Lanka to Reopen Most Schools from December 16 After Flood Disruptions

Sri Lanka will reopen the vast majority of its schools for academic activities on Tuesday, December 16, following disruptions caused by recent floods and landslides, the Ministry of Education announced. According to Education Secretary Nalaka Kaluwewe, 9,929 out of the country’s 10,076 schools across the Western, Southern, Northern, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern and North-Central provinces will resume…

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Sri Lanka Welcomes Over 50,000 Tourists in December, Annual Arrivals Cross 2.15 Million

Sri Lanka recorded 50,222 international tourist arrivals in December so far, according to data released by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA). India remained the island nation’s largest source market for the month, accounting for 10,453 visitors, or 21% of total arrivals. This was followed by Russia with 5,420 visitors, Germany with 4,822, the…

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Sri Lanka Mobilises Nearly Rs. 1.9 Billion for Post-Cyclone Recovery as Fast-Track Insurance Payouts Begin

Sri Lanka’s post-disaster recovery drive, the “Rebuilding Sri Lanka” programme launched in response to the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah, has secured a total of Rs. 1.893 billion (approximately USD 6 million) in funding, according to the Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma. The funds have been mobilised…

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Sri Lanka Government Pledges Full Support to Rebuild Flood-Hit University of Peradeniya

Sri Lankan Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya has assured full government support to restore the University of Peradeniya after severe flooding caused extensive damage to the country’s largest and oldest university. The Prime Minister visited the Peradeniya campus to assess the impact of floods that struck on 27 November, meeting student representatives and heads of…

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