News & market updates

Cyclone Ditwah has killed 366 people, left 367 missing and affected 1,151,776 individuals across 25 districts, the Disaster Management Centre reported. More than 316,000 families are impacted, 218,526 people are displaced in 1,564 safety centres, with shortages of clean water, medical care and fuel and damaged access routes.

SLT-MOBITEL has launched a free '247 Helpline' with the University of Colombo to provide round-the-clock medical advice for communities affected by Cyclone Ditwah; callers on any mobile network can dial 247 for timely guidance on flood-related health issues.

Binance Charity pledged LKR ~61.6 million (USD 200,000) to the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society to support immediate relief and early-recovery efforts for communities hit by Cyclone Ditwah. Funds will be used for food, clean water, hygiene kits, medical supplies, temporary shelter materials and cash grants.

Cyclone Ditwah exposed critical gaps in Sri Lanka’s health and disaster response — at least 355 dead and over 200,000 displaced — with hospitals and access routes flooded or cut off. The authors call for integrated emergency coordination platforms, climate–health surveillance, and digital fortification of the health system.

The Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council urged Commonwealth nations to support Sri Lanka's recovery after Cyclone Ditwah, which has killed over 300 people, left hundreds missing and thousands homeless. CWEIC said its Strategic Partners in Sri Lanka stand ready to assist.

The Disaster Management Centre reports 998,918 people across 25 districts have been affected by severe weather linked to Cyclone Ditwah, with 51,228 families (180,499 people) sheltered in 1,275 safety centres as flood and landslide impacts continue.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake declared a State of Public Emergency and issued Emergency (Miscellaneous Provisions and Powers) Regulations No.1 of 2025, allowing authorities to requisition private property and vehicles, mobilise essential-service workers, and exercise search, seizure and detention powers.

President Anura Dissanayake said Sri Lanka has Rs30 billion available for immediate disaster response and can seek further funds via supplementary estimates if needed. Cyclone Ditwah has downed power lines, blocked major roads and bridges, and flooded farmland including recently sown rice paddies.

Bybit will donate $100,000 to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka to support relief, shelters and essential supplies after Cyclone Ditwah's severe flooding in Sri Lanka, which killed 123 people and displaced over 44,000.

The Government launched an official donation portal, 'Stand with Sri Lanka' (https://donate.gov.lk), to channel international and domestic contributions for Cyclone Ditwah relief, stating 100% of donations will go directly to emergency aid including food, water, medical care and shelter.

Japan is sending a 4-member team including JICA staff and medical personnel to Sri Lanka to assess Cyclone Ditwah damage and coordinate relief; the cyclone has killed 159, 203 are missing and 833,000 people were affected.

Access to Gampola and Kandy has been restored after Cyclone Ditwah; relief teams and the military are working to restore electricity (expected by evening) and water (within three days) while roads remain partially blocked and fuel supplies are being sent.

The Irrigation Department warned Kelani River levels have risen to 2.83m and could reach historic highs, and authorities have designated R. Premadasa Stadium as an emergency relief centre for up to 3,000 people. Officials said intense rainfall and increased upstream releases keep the flood threat high for the next 24 hours.

Nawaloka Hospitals Plc (NHL.N0000) was named Sri Lanka’s ‘Leading Hospital in AI and Innovation’ at the GlobalHealth Asia Pacific Awards 2025, driven by its introduction of the country’s first AI-powered Emergency Radiology Unit.

Hayleys Lifesciences and Hemas (via Hemas Hospitals) joined a Sri Lankan delegation to MEDICA 2025 in Düsseldorf to seek partnerships, engage on regulatory standards and explore digital health and export opportunities.

BMH Hospitals and Med Connect Sri Lanka concluded the 13th consecutive Sri Lanka’s largest scoliosis awareness walkathon on 23 November to promote early screening and timely treatment for scoliosis. The event included a walk from Independence Square to J R Jayewardane Centre and an annual conference for families, schools and healthcare professionals.

eChannelling PLC won the Silver Award for Online Brand of the Year at the SLIM Brand Excellence Awards 2025. The recognition highlights the company’s role in advancing digital healthcare and reinforces its brand credibility in Sri Lanka’s tech-enabled health sector.

Commercial Bank of Ceylon held a Pensioners' Day in Gampaha for more than 250 pensioners, offering health checks, information and on-site applications for its Pension Loan product. Asiri Hospital ran a free medical camp and presentations covered the bank's pensioner financial facilities and repayment terms to age 74.

Speakers at an OPA seminar said the 2026 National Budget targets growth, development and debt sustainability through fiscal discipline, digitisation, export promotion and infrastructure spending. Panelists flagged positive fiscal trends but warned of weak real incomes, low employment, stalled reserves and monetary policy challenges.

The Sri Lanka–Canada Business Council led a trade and investment mission across Canada (28 Oct–14 Nov) that opened pathways for cooperation in tourism, agriculture, IT, finance, education and research, and explored an investment forum and diaspora-led initiatives including an OCSL visa discussion.

Lanka Hospitals Corporation PLC has appointed Dr. U.D.P. Ratnasiri, a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist with over 32 years' experience, as an Independent Non-Executive Director. He brings expertise in complex obstetric care and leadership roles in international professional bodies.

A Vietnamese embassy delegation visited Jaffna to promote economic, trade, investment and tourism linkages and explore cooperation in agribusiness, aquaculture, agro-processing, tourism, logistics, industrial zones and renewable energy.

Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said the government will expand pharmaceutical price controls to cover 200 more medicines, after reinstating controls and reducing prices on 350 essential drugs (e.g. Paclitaxel 100mg cut from Rs.42,000 to Rs.26,332).

INSEE Cement ran annual medical camps at its Ruhunu and Puttalam plants and the Aruwakkaru quarry, providing essential healthcare services to more than 1,190 community members in collaboration with Asiri Hospital Galle and Digasiri Hospital Puttalam.

Nufloe opened in Colombo in 2025 as Sri Lanka’s first fully equipped Balanced Body® Pilates studio, combining full-apparatus Pilates with in-house SLMC-registered physiotherapy for rehabilitation. The studio also launched a mobile app for bookings and class management.

Hatton National Bank won the Best Corporate Citizen Sustainability Award 2025 at the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce awards on 19 November. Multiple shortlisted firms were recognised across categories, including Commercial Bank, Hemas, Talawakelle, Elpitiya and Kelani Valley Plantations, Dilmah, Dipped Products, Haycarb, Hayleys, DFCC, Teejay Lanka, Singer and Softlogic Life Insurance.

International Institute of Health Sciences (IIHS) opened admissions for the next intake of five flagship healthcare programmes. Programmes include Advanced Diplomas in General Nursing, Physiotherapy and Biomedical Sciences, a Foundation in Biological Sciences, and a Deakin University 1+2 Diploma pathway with international degree links.

IIHS's Kerawalapitiya and Welisara campuses now give Gampaha district students easier access to internationally accredited healthcare programmes, with admissions open. Programmes include Advanced Diplomas in General Nursing, Physiotherapy and Biomedical Sciences plus foundation and diploma pathways, with articulation agreements with Deakin University, University of Surrey and Metropolia.

Hatton National Bank won the 'Best Corporate Citizen Sustainability Award 2025' at the 22nd BCCS Awards. Listed companies from the shortlist recognised at the event include Commercial Bank, Hemas, DFCC (Green Bond project), Talawakelle TE (Category B winner), Elpitiya, Kelani Valley, Dilmah, Dipped Products, Haycarb, Teejay, Hayleys, Nawaloka Hospitals, Singer and Softlogic Life Insurance.