Ex-SriLankan CEO claims Rs. 60 mln in Airbus bribes paid to ex-President Mahinda: court told
The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) today (19) has informed the Colombo Magistrate’s Court that it has been uncovered that funds allegedly received as bribes from the Airbus aircraft deal had been handed over by former SriLankan Airlines CEO, Kapila Chandrasena to former President Mahinda Rajapaksa... MORE..
- US Special Envoy calls on Sri Lanka President to discuss bilateral ties and regional developments
- Iran’s envoy to UN blames UAE for providing territory to US for attacks
- FBI reportedly investigating former US counterterrorism chief who resigned over Iran war
- Banks to maintain uninterrupted services; public urged to use digital channels
- Iran considers levying transit fees on ships in Hormuz Strait, lawmaker says
- Court urges amicable settlement in petition filed by ex-Deputy Sec. Gen of Parliament
- Parliament to debate no-confidence motion against Energy Minister on April 10
- World Happiness Report 2026: Sri Lanka ranked among world’s unhappiest countries
- US objectives in Iran have not changed, Hegseth says
- Iran intensifies attacks on oil and gas facilities in Gulf after Israeli strike on key gas field
Hot News
Iran intensifies attacks on oil and gas facilities in Gulf after Israeli strike on key gas field
Iran intensified its attacks on oil and gas facilities around the Gulf on Thursday, dramatically raising the stakes in a war that is sending shock waves through the global economy. MORE..
US objectives in Iran have not changed, Hegseth says
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Thursday that the United States’ objectives in the war against Iran have not changed since strikes started on February 28. MORE..
World Happiness Report 2026: Sri Lanka ranked among world’s unhappiest countries
Sri Lanka has been ranked among the least happy countries globally, with the island nation’s rankling dropping one place to 134th, according to the World Happiness Report 2026, published on Thursday. MORE..
Parliament to debate no-confidence motion against Energy Minister on April 10
The Parliamentary Business Committee has decided to hold the debate on a no-confidence motion against Minister of Energy Kumara Jayakody on April 10, according to the Department of Communications of Parliament. MORE..
Court urges amicable settlement in petition filed by ex-Deputy Sec. Gen of Parliament
The Court of Appeal of Sri Lanka has directed both parties to consider the possibility of reaching an amicable settlement in the petition filed by former Deputy Secretary General of Parliament, Chaminda Kularatne, challenging his suspension from duty. MORE..
Iran considers levying transit fees on ships in Hormuz Strait, lawmaker says
Iran is considering a proposal to levy transit fees on vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz, a lawmaker said on Thursday, a potential bid to monetise Tehran’s newfound grip over the critical waterway through which a fifth of global oil and liquefied gas passes. MORE..
Banks to maintain uninterrupted services; public urged to use digital channels
The Sri Lanka Banks’ Association (SLBA) has assured the public that banks will continue to operate on all five weekdays as an essential service, despite the temporary measures introduced to conserve fuel and energy resources. MORE..
FBI reportedly investigating former US counterterrorism chief who resigned over Iran war
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is investigating former counterterrorism official Joe Kent, who resigned in protest over the Iran war, US media reported Wednesday. MORE..
Iran’s envoy to UN blames UAE for providing territory to US for attacks
Iran’s UN envoy, Amir Saeid Iravani, has formally notified the UN Secretary-General and Security Council that the UAE is ‘‘internationally responsible’‘ for providing its territory to the US for attacks, reported state Media. MORE..
US Special Envoy calls on Sri Lanka President to discuss bilateral ties and regional developments
The United States Special Representative for South and Central Asia, and US Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, who is currently visiting Sri Lanka, met with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake this morning (19) at the Presidential Secretariat. MORE..
Adani’s Colombo Terminal handles over 1 million containers in first year
A rapid first-year ramp-up at the Port of Colombo in Sri Lanka underscores the expanding global footprint of India’s Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZ), highlighting both the growing importance of the Indian Ocean region in global trade flows and its emerging role in the blue economy. MORE..
Former SriLankan CEO Kapila Chandrasena further remanded
Former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SriLankan Airlines, Kapila Chandrasena, who was arrested over a bribery allegation, has been further remanded until April 02 by the Colombo Magistrate’s Court. MORE..
Arab nations condemn Iran’s ‘deliberate attacks’ in joint statement
Arab nations have issued a joint statement in response to Iran’s attacks, following a meeting of foreign affairs ministers in Riyadh on Wednesday. MORE..
All April fuel shipments confirmed; No fuel supply issues – CPC
The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) has explained that all fuel orders relevant to the month of April were confirmed yesterday (18). MORE..
No-confidence motion against Energy Minister submitted to Speaker
The no-confidence motion against Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody signed by Opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) has been handed over to the Speaker, a short while ago.
US objectives in Iran have not changed, Hegseth says
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Thursday that the United States’ objectives in the war against Iran have not changed since strikes started on February 28. MORE..
World Happiness Report 2026: Sri Lanka ranked among world’s unhappiest countries
Sri Lanka has been ranked among the least happy countries globally, with the island nation’s rankling dropping one place to 134th, according to the World Happiness Report 2026, published on Thursday. MORE..
Parliament to debate no-confidence motion against Energy Minister on April 10
The Parliamentary Business Committee has decided to hold the debate on a no-confidence motion against Minister of Energy Kumara Jayakody on April 10, according to the Department of Communications of Parliament. MORE..
Court urges amicable settlement in petition filed by ex-Deputy Sec. Gen of Parliament
The Court of Appeal of Sri Lanka has directed both parties to consider the possibility of reaching an amicable settlement in the petition filed by former Deputy Secretary General of Parliament, Chaminda Kularatne, challenging his suspension from duty. MORE..
Iran considers levying transit fees on ships in Hormuz Strait, lawmaker says
Iran is considering a proposal to levy transit fees on vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz, a lawmaker said on Thursday, a potential bid to monetise Tehran’s newfound grip over the critical waterway through which a fifth of global oil and liquefied gas passes. MORE..
Banks to maintain uninterrupted services; public urged to use digital channels
The Sri Lanka Banks’ Association (SLBA) has assured the public that banks will continue to operate on all five weekdays as an essential service, despite the temporary measures introduced to conserve fuel and energy resources. MORE..
FBI reportedly investigating former US counterterrorism chief who resigned over Iran war
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is investigating former counterterrorism official Joe Kent, who resigned in protest over the Iran war, US media reported Wednesday. MORE..
Iran’s envoy to UN blames UAE for providing territory to US for attacks
Iran’s UN envoy, Amir Saeid Iravani, has formally notified the UN Secretary-General and Security Council that the UAE is ‘‘internationally responsible’‘ for providing its territory to the US for attacks, reported state Media. MORE..
US Special Envoy calls on Sri Lanka President to discuss bilateral ties and regional developments
The United States Special Representative for South and Central Asia, and US Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, who is currently visiting Sri Lanka, met with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake this morning (19) at the Presidential Secretariat. MORE..
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Sri Lanka to dispense fuel for vehicles on 'odd–even' basis amid fuel crisis (English)
Technology
X outage: Elon Musk’s Twitter goes down, thousands affected
X, formerly Twitter, has suffered a major global outage. The massive downtime on Wednesday (18) has been knocked the social media offline, rendering thousands of users in India and the US unable to access posts, photos and videos. MORE..
Brazil starts to restrict minors’ access to social media
Brazil starts to restrict minors’ access to social media
Brazil began implementing new measures on Tuesday (Mar 17) to restrict minors’ access to social media and prevent them from viewing violent or illegal content. MORE..
Amazon launches 1-hour shipping in US cities to challenge Walmart
Amazon launches 1-hour shipping in US cities to challenge Walmart
Amazon is ramping up its speedy delivery service by offering 1-hour and 3-hour shipping in markets across the U.S., including Los Angeles and Chicago, in its latest efforts to stave off e-commerce competition from its biggest rival Walmart. MORE..
Google Maps reinvents navigation with AI-powered ‘Ask Maps’
Google Maps reinvents navigation with AI-powered ‘Ask Maps’
Google Maps just got a major upgrade that could make the world’s most popular navigation app even better. MORE..
Entertainment
Pop Mart and Sony team up for Labubu film to expand viral toy’s reach
Labubu’s toothy grin will be coming to the big screen after toy maker Pop Mart and Sony Pictures Entertainment announced plans to develop a feature film based on the ugly-cute monster. MORE..
US judge orders Trump administration to reopen Voice of America
US judge orders Trump administration to reopen Voice of America
A judge in the US has ruled that the effective closure of the Voice of America (VOA) last year was “illegal” and that hundreds of its journalists should be reinstated. MORE..
Oscars 2026: Winners list in full
Oscars 2026: Winners list in full
Hollywood’s best and brightest have been honoured with the most coveted awards in the movie industry, the Oscars. MORE..
‘One Battle After Another’ wins six Oscars, including best picture
‘One Battle After Another’ wins six Oscars, including best picture
Paul Thomas Anderson’s darkly comic action thriller One Battle After Another has claimed the Academy Award for Best Picture, capping a dominant night that saw the film secure six Oscars in total. MORE..
Exchange Rates
Country |
Buying |
Selling |
|---|---|---|
USA
U.S.Dollar |
307.5807 | 315.1228 |
UK
Sterling Pound |
407.5119 | 420.1819 |
Europe
Euro |
351.9053 | 363.3203 |
Switzerland
Swiss Franc |
385.8202 | 401.2405 |
Canada
Canadian Dollar |
222.7468 | 230.8913 |
Australia
Australian Dollar |
214.7605 | 224.2392 |
Singapore
Singapore Dollar |
238.3779 | 247.6472 |
Japan
Japanese Yen |
1.9199 | 1.9841 |
Country |
Currency |
Rate |
|---|---|---|
Bahrain
|
Dinar | 823.7411 |
Kuwait
|
Dinar | 1,015.1308 |
Oman
|
Rial | 808.5924 |
Qatar
|
Riyal | 85.3812 |
Saudi Arabia
|
Riyal | 82.9138 |
UAE
|
Dirham | 84.7513 |
Sports
Iran continuing World Cup preparations but will not play in US, says soccer chief
The Iranian national team are continuing to prepare for the World Cup finals and have no intention of pulling out of the tournament even if they will not travel to the United States, soccer chief Mehdi Taj said on Wednesday. MORE..
AFCON: Senegal stripped of title, Morocco crowned champions
Morocco have been declared the winners of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after the Confederation of African Football (Caf) overturned the result of the final following Senegal’s controversial walk-off. MORE..
Iran negotiating with FIFA to move World Cup games to Mexico from US
Iran’s football federation is in discussions with FIFA about moving their World Cup matches from the United States to Mexico due to concerns about the safety of their players, Iranian football president Mehdi Taj said on Monday. MORE..
Spain v Argentina ‘Finalissima’ match cancelled due to Middle East conflict
The ‘Finalissima’ clash between Euro 2024 winners Spain and world champions Argentina set to take place on March 27 in Qatar has been cancelled, UEFA said on Sunday. MORE..
F1 cancels Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix due to war in Middle East
Formula One has confirmed next month’s races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia will not take place as FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem said the sport ‘‘will always place the safety and wellbeing of our community and colleagues first." MORE..
