News Archive

Ex-Ministers Mahindananda and Nalin Fernando produced before court

Former ministers Mahindananda Aluthgamage and Nalin Fernando, who were sentenced to rigorous imprisonment and appealed against their convictions on corruption charges, have been produced before the Supreme Court by prison officials. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 9, 2026  10:11 am

Govt’s responsibility to ensure women’s rights are realized in everyday life, not just in laws – PM

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that it is the responsibility of the government to ensure that the political, economic, and social rights of women are not confined merely to laws or written documents, but are realized in the daily lives of every woman in the country. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 9, 2026  9:22 am

19-year-old arrested over reckless motorcycle riding video circulating on social media

A 19-year-old youth has been arrested by Police in connection with a video circulated on social media showing a motorcycle being ridden in a reckless and dangerous manner. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 9, 2026  7:44 am

Mainly dry weather expected in most parts of the island today

Mainly dry weather will prevail over the island, except for showers or thundershowers that may occur at a few places in Rathnapura, Kaluthara, Galle and Matara districts after 2.00 pm, today (09), the Department of Meteorology said. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 9, 2026  7:12 am

Dollar surges as US-Iran war pushes oil past $100 a barrel

The dollar took another leg higher on Monday, jumping to a three-month peak on the euro as oil surged past $100 a barrel, stocks slid and investors headed for safety as protracted war in the Middle East threatened to disrupt global energy supplies. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 9, 2026  6:46 am

Youth arrested with ‘Ice’ during vehicle inspection in Dodangoda

During a vehicle inspection operation conducted under the island-wide anti-drug operation, a suspect involved in Crystal Methamphetamine (commonly known as ‘Ice’) drug trafficking across Dodangoda and surrounding areas has been arrested by Dodangoda Police. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 9, 2026  11:55 am

Sri Lanka to decide fate of Iranian sailors after diplomatic meeting

A discussion is scheduled to be held today (09) between government authorities and officials of the Iranian Embassy in Sri Lanka regarding the next steps to be taken concerning the Iranian sailors currently in Sri Lankan custody. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 9, 2026  2:27 pm

24-year-old businessman arrested with foreign-manufactured cigarettes at BIA

A Sri Lankan passenger has been arrested at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) by officers of the Airport Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) while attempting to smuggle a consignment of foreign-manufactured cigarettes into the country. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 9, 2026  8:06 am

Trump says ending war will be ‘mutual’ decision with Netanyahu

Donald Trump has said a decision on when to end the war with Iran will be a “mutual” one that he will make with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, The Times of Israel reports. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 9, 2026  8:50 am

Bus strike on 143 Hanwella–Colombo route

Private bus operators on the Hanwella–Colombo Route (143) have reportedly commenced a strike. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 9, 2026  10:58 am

Iran names Khamenei’s hardline son Mojtaba as new supreme leader

Iran on Monday named Mojtaba Khamenei to succeed his father Ali Khamenei as Supreme Leader, signaling that hardliners remain firmly in charge in Tehran a week into its conflict with the United States and Israel. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 9, 2026  5:08 am

CEB dissolved; six new companies take over operations

The six new companies established through the dissolution of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) have officially come into effect today (09), following the conclusion of the Board’s tenure as of midnight yesterday. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 9, 2026  11:04 am

Iran conflict forces central banks into sharp policy rethink

The escalating crisis in the Middle East has dramatically changed the outlook for global central banks, with the huge supply shock posing a difficult trade-off between underpinning growth and countering inflation. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 9, 2026  2:00 pm

Jennifer Runyon, ‘Ghostbusters’ and ‘Charles in Charge’ actress, dies at 65

Jennifer Runyon, an actress known for her roles in ‘‘Ghostbusters’’ and the CBS sitcom ‘‘Charles in Charge,’’ died March 6. She was 65. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 9, 2026  8:41 am

Huge fire in Scotland triggers train chaos as historic building partially collapses

A massive fire near one of Scotland’s busiest train stations has engulfed a historic building in Glasgow, causing it to partially collapse. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 9, 2026  9:47 am

Oil is now up 25% and on track for a record daily jump

Oil prices surged more than 25% on Monday to their highest levels since mid-2022. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 9, 2026  11:18 am

Qatar condemns Iranian attack on residential facility in Saudi Arabia’s Al-Kharj

The government of Qatar has strongly condemned an attack attributed to Iran that targeted a residential facility in Al-Kharj, a city in Saudi Arabia, resulting in the deaths of two civilians and leaving several others injured. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 9, 2026  2:46 pm

South Korea introduces first fuel price cap in 30 years as oil soars past $100

South Korea will impose its first fuel price cap in almost 30 years as global jitters deepen over spiraling oil prices. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 9, 2026  1:37 pm

Over 3,600 road accidents reported in Sri Lanka within first two months of 2026 - Police

Sri Lanka Police stated that more than 3,600 road accidents have been recorded within the first two months of the year. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 9, 2026  8:39 am

SC to hear Pillayan’s FR petition challenging arrest on March 18

The Supreme Court has ordered that the Fundamental Rights (FR) petition filed by former State Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan, alias Pillayan, be called on March 18. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 9, 2026  2:45 pm

China says it opposes any targeting of new Iran Supreme leader

China said Monday that Iran’s decision to name Mojtaba Khamenei as its new supreme leader following the killing of his father was a domestic matter, and it opposed any attempt to target him. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 9, 2026  2:18 pm

Indian national arrested with over 2.7 kg of ‘Kush’ at BIA

A foreign passenger has been arrested earlier today (09) by officers of the Airport Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) while attempting to leave the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) with a stock of ‘‘Kush’‘ cannabis. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 9, 2026  9:06 am

At least 32 injured in Bahrain after drone attack - state media

At least 32 people were injured in Bahrain after an Iranian drone attack near the capital, according to a report by the state owned Bahrain News Agency. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 9, 2026  8:17 am

G7 to discuss joint release of emergency oil reserves

G7 finance ministers will discuss a possible joint release of petroleum from reserves co-ordinated by the International Energy Agency, in an emergency meeting on Monday aimed at tackling the surge in oil prices following the conflict in the Gulf. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 9, 2026  11:43 am

IMF warns war could push global inflation higher

The International Monetary Fund is warning the Middle East conflict poses risks for global inflation and has made energy security a top concern. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 9, 2026  11:06 am

Iran launches first missiles at Israel under new leader

Iran has launched its first wave of missiles under its new leader Mojtaba Khamenei, state broadcaster IRIB said in a post on its Telegram channel. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 9, 2026  7:13 am

Iranian army says at least 104 killed in US attack on Iranian warship off Sri Lanka’s coast

The Iranian army said on Sunday that at least 104 people were killed and 32 were wounded in an attack by ⁠the U.S. on an Iranian warship off Sri Lanka’s coast last week. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 9, 2026  6:55 am

Bruno Mars’ ‘The Romantic’ becomes his first to debut at No. 1 on albums chart

Bruno Mars’s latest album “The Romantic” has debuted at No. 1 on the albums chart, making it his first full-length project to bow atop the tally. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 9, 2026  12:32 pm

Ex-MP Sajin Vass Gunawardena arrested by Bribery Commission

Former Member of Parliament Sajin Vass Gunawardena has been arrested by officials of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) over allegations of earning illegal assets worth Rs. 243.8 million. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 9, 2026  2:21 pm

PM Harini departs for Manila to attend ADB International Women’s Day events

The Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, departed for Manila, Philippines, at midnight yesterday (8 March) to undertake an official visit at the invitation of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), to participate in events marking International Women’s Day. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 9, 2026  11:27 am

Sri Lanka in “much better position” to handle oil price shocks - CBSL Governor

The Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe has assured the public that Sri Lanka is now in a “much better position” to withstand global economic shocks, including rising oil prices and geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 9, 2026  10:18 am

China’s Middle East envoy in Saudi Arabia to mediate Iran war

The Chinese government’s special envoy for Middle East affairs Zhai Jun has visited Saudi Arabia as part of his mediation of the US-Israel war with Iran, saying Beijing is willing to work with Riyadh to make “unremitting efforts to maintain peace and stability in the Gulf region”. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 9, 2026  1:35 pm

Prohibition orders issued for 15 defective vehicles in Horana

Prohibition orders have been issued for fifteen defective vehicles identified during a special inspection operation conducted within the Horana Police division, the Horana Police announced. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 9, 2026  1:17 pm

No injuries after explosion reported near U.S. Embassy in Norway, local police say

Norwegian police reported on Sunday an explosion near the U.S. Embassy in the capital Oslo, but said there were no casualties. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 8, 2026  8:01 am

Over 1,300 killed and 100,000 displaced as humanitarian toll mounts

The humanitarian crisis within the Islamic Republic has reached a critical stage as the current hostilities persist, with significant casualties and mass displacement reported across the country. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 8, 2026  11:22 am

Rapper-turned-politician Balen Shah’s RSP sweeps Nepal election, set to form govt

Rapper-turned-politician Balendra Shah’s RSP is all set to form the next government in Nepal after securing a sweeping victory in the crucial general election on Saturday, decimating the established parties in the politically-fragile country. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 8, 2026  7:29 am

President Dissanayake calls for expanding women’s entrepreneurship in digital and green economy

On the occasion of International Women’s Day, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake highlighted that International Women’s Day is an opportunity to recognize the vital role women play in Sri Lanka’s economic, political, social, and cultural development. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 8, 2026  8:31 am

22 Iranian sailors discharged from hospital, transferred to SLAF’s Koggala base

Twenty-two out of 32 Iranian sailors rescued following the sinking of the Iranian warship ‘IRIS Dena’ have been transferred to the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) base in Koggala after being discharged from the Karapitiya Hospital yesterday (07). MORE..

(0)Comments | March 8, 2026  10:45 am

Israeli military warns it will ‘pursue every successor’ of Iran’s Khamenei

Israel’s military has issued a warning to Iran that it will continue pursuing every successor of the country’s deceased supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 8, 2026  2:04 pm

Over 102 kg of heroin found aboard fishing trawler seized by Navy in southern seas

Over 102 kilograms of the narcotic substance heroin have been recovered from the intercepted local multi-day fishing trawler that was seized by the Sri Lanka Navy, last night (07), in the deep seas off the southern coast of Sri Lanka. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 8, 2026  12:12 pm

US denies IRIS Dena was ‘unarmed’, says US forces planned for Sri Lanka’s life-saving support to survivors

The United States Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) has rejected claims that the Iranian warship ‘IRIS Dena’, which was sunk in a submarine attack near Sri Lankan waters, was unarmed, stating that the vessel was a legitimate military target under the Law of Armed Conflict. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 8, 2026  7:49 am

US affirms respect for Sri Lanka’s sovereignty in handling Iranian ship and crew

The U.S. State Department’s Spokesperson has stated that Washington respects Sri Lanka’s sovereignty in handling the situation involving the Iranian warship ‘IRIS Bushehr’ and its crew. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 8, 2026  10:44 am

Narcotics haul seized from fishing trawler estimated to be worth around Rs. 2.8 billion

The Deputy Minister of Defence, Aruna Jayasekara, stated that the estimated street value of the narcotics haul seized aboard the multi-day fishing trawler intercepted by the Sri Lanka Navy on suspicion of drug trafficking in southern waters is nearly Rs. 2.8 billion. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 8, 2026  1:07 pm

Two suspects arrested with ‘Ice’ in Kurunegala and Padukka

Two suspects have been arrested by police in separate locations on charges related to the possession of Crystal Methamphetamine (commonly known as ‘Ice’). MORE..

(0)Comments | March 8, 2026  9:16 am

Four Sri Lankans injured in ongoing Middle East Conflict

A total of four Sri Lankans have reportedly been injured due to the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Arun Hemachandra stated. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 8, 2026  1:36 pm

Apple’s cheapest ever MacBook unveiled

Apple has unveiled the MacBook Neo, a new entry-level laptop designed to bring the Mac experience to a wider audience with a significantly lower starting price. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 8, 2026  1:43 pm

Trump tells Britain he does not need its help to win Iran war

President Donald Trump said on Saturday that Britain is giving “serious thought” to sending two aircraft carriers to the Middle East, but added that the U.S. does not need them to win the war with Iran, in the latest clash between the military allies. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 8, 2026  7:03 am

‘‘Women are vital social partners’’: PM Harini urges a thriving nation where women lead with dignity

As the world marks International Women’s Day, Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya has extended greetings to all women in Sri Lanka and around the world. She highlighted this year’s UN theme, ‘‘Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls...’’ MORE..

(0)Comments | March 8, 2026  8:41 am

Mainly dry weather expected in most parts of the island today

Except for showers or thundershowers that may occur at a few places in Southern province and Rathnapura district after 2.00 pm, mainly dry weather will prevail over the other areas of the island, today (08), the Department of Meteorology said. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 8, 2026  6:53 am

Fire breaks out at shop in Maharagama

A fire has reportedly broken out at a shop in Maharagama town. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 8, 2026  10:13 am