- President Anura Kumara Dissanayake instructs officials to provide immediate relief to disaster-affected areas by gathering on-site information and strengthening grassroots-level mechanisms: emphasises ensuring shelter, food, water, and sanitation for affected populations, with a focus on the Northern and Eastern Provinces: also directs support for students facing Advanced Level exams and fishermen at sea.
- Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa criticises the government for ignoring the people’s mandate and following former President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s path: accuses the government of failing to deliver promised relief, including reducing electricity and fuel prices, while becoming subservient to IMF directives: emphasises the need for tax reforms to ease the public’s burden and criticises the government’s lack of transparency and meaningful reforms.
- Geethanath Cassilingham, a Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) member, criticises Northern Province MPs from the National People’s Power (NPP) for failing to assist those affected by Cyclone Fengal: With over 250,000 people impacted by severe floods, accuses the NPP MPs of prioritising photo opportunities over providing aid, while the SLPP has actively delivered relief: calls for responsible governance from lawmakers.
- The Department of Meteorology issues a “Red” advisory for Sri Lanka, warning of a deep depression in the southwest Bay of Bengal, expected to intensify into a cyclonic storm: The system will bring heavy showers, strong winds, and rough sea conditions, especially in the Northern, Eastern, and Central provinces: Affected communities are advised to stay alert, avoid coastal areas, and follow future advisories.
- The National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) issues updated landslide warnings for nine districts, including Red Notices for divisional secretariats in Kandy, Matale, Nuwara Eliya, and Kegalle: Following rainfall of over 150 mm in the past 24 hours, residents are urged to stay alert and evacuate to safe areas to avoid the risks of landslides, rockfalls, and ground subsidence.
- Australia offers technical support to Sri Lanka in areas such as national security, maritime affairs, digitalisation, vocational education, public sector modernisation, and energy: During a meeting with Sri Lanka’s Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Australia’s High Commissioner Paul Stephens expresses support for Sri Lanka’s corruption-free governance approach and the “Clean Sri Lanka” initiative, emphasising the 75-year bilateral relationship.
- On November 26, the Central Bank’s Monetary Policy Board decided to ease its monetary policy by setting the Overnight Policy Rate (OPR) at 8.00%, reducing it by 50 basis points: This decision was based on favorable inflation trends, better-than-expected external developments, and the need to support economic growth while aiming for an inflation target of 5%.
- Dr. Kapila Kannangara, Director of Health Services for Sabaragamuwa, reports Ratnapura District has seen the highest number of leptospirosis cases this year, with 1,882 infections and 22 deaths: High-risk areas include Eheliyagoda and Kiriella: warns of severe complications from untreated leptospirosis and advised taking Doxycycline as a preventive measure before fieldwork to reduce infection risk.
- President Anura Kumara Dissanayake appoints new Secretaries to two key ministries: Mr. K.R. Uduwawala will serve as Secretary to the Ministry of Environment, and Mr. Y.L. Mohamed Nawawi will be Secretary to the Ministry of Science and Technology: The appointment letters were handed over on November 27 by Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake.
- On the first day of the Test in Durban, Sri Lanka’s seamers, led by Vishwa and Asitha Fernando, made early inroads, reducing South Africa to 80 for 4 before rain halted play: Vishwa was particularly impressive, taking the wicket of Tony de Zorzi: Temba Bavuma survived two close calls, and despite Sri Lanka’s disciplined bowling, play was called off early due to rain.
