News Archive

QR Code system implemented for fuel distribution

The QR Code system for vehicles will be implemented for fuel distribution with effect from 6.00 am today (Sunday, 15 March), Sri Lanka’s Energy Ministry announced. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 15, 2026  1:52 am

Sarvajana Balaya prepares ‘Avurudu Nekath Seettuwa’ after govt delay

Through the intervention of Sarvajana Balaya, measures were taken today (14) to prepare an “Avurudu Nekath Seettuwa,” the table of auspicious times for this year’s Sinhala and Tamil New Year, for the public. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 14, 2026  2:03 pm

Govt establishes new pool of officers to probe public sector misconduct

The government of Sri Lanka has taken steps to establish a new pool of investigation officers to conduct preliminary inquiries into misconduct within public sector institutions. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 14, 2026  2:55 pm

Israel says Iran war entering ‘decisive phase’

Israel said the war against Iran was entering its “decisive phase” on Saturday, as explosions rocked cities across the Middle East, with strikes on the US embassy in Baghdad and a major Emirati energy facility. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 14, 2026  5:47 pm

Workshop held to raise awareness among govt executive officers on use of AI

A special workshop aimed at raising awareness among government executive officers on the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to transform the public service into a more productive and efficient institution was held at the auditorium of the Ratnapura District Secretariat. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 14, 2026  3:01 pm

Formal investigation before eviction of Divulapathana residents – AG tells SC

The Attorney General has informed the Supreme Court that a formal investigation will be conducted regarding the residents of Divulapathana village in the Eastern Province—a predominantly Sinhalese area currently under the Mahaweli Authority—and that steps will be taken to provide them with appropriate relief prior to any eviction. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 14, 2026  10:55 am

Missile strikes helipad inside US Embassy compound in Baghdad

A missile struck a helipad inside the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, two security officials said. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 14, 2026  10:02 am

Titanic actress Kate Winslet to join ‘The Lord of The Rings’ new movie

Oscar-winning actress Kate Winslet is reportedly set to join the cast of the upcoming Middle-earth filmThe Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum, marking a major addition to the beloved fantasy franchise. The film will be directed by Andy Serkis, who is also expected to reprise his iconic role as Gollum. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 14, 2026  12:17 pm

Tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka drop by about 30% amid Middle East crisis

Deputy Minister of Tourism Ruwan Ranasinghe says that tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka have declined by about 30% due to the ongoing military situation in the Middle East. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 14, 2026  7:44 am

Harry Styles breaks his own sales record as new album hits number one

Harry Styles has topped the UK album charts for a third time with his latest album, Kiss All The Time. Disco Occasionally. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 14, 2026  12:57 pm

US offers $10m reward for information on top Iranian leaders

The United States is offering a reward of up to $10 million for information about senior Iranian military and intelligence officials, including its new Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 14, 2026  6:25 am

Ten suspects granted 7-day detention over southern sea drug and weapons haul

Ten suspects arrested in connection with a large-scale narcotics and weapons seizure aboard two multi-day fishing trawlers in the seas off the southern coast of Sri Lanka have been issued seven-day detention orders after being produced before the Hulftsdorp (Aluthkade) Courts Complex. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 14, 2026  9:06 am

Iranian FM thanks Sri Lanka for rescuing crew of ‘IRIS Dena’ and repatriation of 84 bodies

The Foreign Minister of Iran, Seyed Abbas Araghchi, has held a telephone conversation with Sri Lanka’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Vijitha Herath, yesterday (13). MORE..

(0)Comments | March 14, 2026  7:48 pm

Sri Lanka achieves significant economic growth in 2025 – Dy Minister

According to global economic data, Sri Lanka has achieved high growth in the year 2025, stated the Deputy Minister of Trade, Commerce, and Food Security, R. M. Jayawardena. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 14, 2026  3:53 pm

Two Development Officers arrested for hoarding Cyclone Ditwah relief supplies

Two female Development Officers have been arrested by the Aranayake Police for allegedly hoarding a stock of relief supplies intended for families affected by Cyclone Ditwah in the Aranayake Divisional Secretariat Division, at their residences. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 14, 2026  9:53 pm

Iran warns of strikes on regional US-linked oil firms after American attack on crucial oil export hub

After US forces struck military targets on Iran’s main oil hub, Kharg Island, Iran’s Armed Forces’ unified combatant command warned on Saturday that any attack on the country’s oil and energy infrastructure would trigger retaliatory strikes...MORE..

(0)Comments | March 14, 2026  8:28 am

Trump says US will open Strait of Hormuz ‘one way or the other’

US President Donald Trump says that ‘‘one way or the other, we will soon get the Hormuz Strait OPEN, SAFE, and FREE!’’ MORE..

(0)Comments | March 14, 2026  8:39 pm

US orders 2,500 Marines and an amphibious assault ship to Mideast after almost 2 weeks of war

The American military has ordered 2,500 Marines and an amphibious assault ship to the Middle East, a U.S. official said Friday, in a major addition of forces in the region after nearly two weeks of war with Iran. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 14, 2026  6:38 am

Online education deemed unsuitable for children aged 3–5: Ministry

The Ministry of Women and Child Affairs has formally advised parents against permitting children aged between 3 to 5 years from engaging in online education programs. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 14, 2026  3:11 pm

‘‘Have to damage these bases so they cannot attack’‘: Representative of Iran’s Supreme Leader clarifies strikes on Gulf nations

The representative of Iran’s Supreme Leader in India, Abdul Majid Hakeem Ilahi, on Saturday defended Iran’s attacks on neighbouring Gulf countries amid the West Asia conflict, saying that the strikes are aimed at US-backed bases used against Tehran and are part of self-defence measures taken by the regime. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 14, 2026  9:16 pm

France’s president says Paris ready to host direct Israel-Lebanon talks

French President Emmanuel Macron posted on X that he spoke with the president, prime minister and parliament speaker of Lebanon, and that everything must be done to prevent the country from sinking into chaos. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 14, 2026  4:53 pm

Games with loot boxes to get minimum 16 age rating across Europe

Games which feature loot boxes will soon be given an age rating of 16 across Europe, including in the UK, under a host of changes by the European video game ratings organisation. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 14, 2026  8:54 am

Lanka IOC pledges to ensure Sri Lanka’s energy security, continuous fuel supply

Lanka IOC has stated that it will ensure Sri Lanka’s energy security and maintain a continuous supply of fuel to achieve that objective. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 14, 2026  11:27 am

Trump says US bombed Iran’s Kharg Island, threatens its oil infrastructure

President Donald Trump said Friday the US military had heavily bombed targets on Iran’s Kharg Island, which handles almost all of Iran’s crude exports, and he threatened to hit the island’s oil infrastructure. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 14, 2026  7:09 am

Iran warns US ‘hideouts’ in UAE are legitimate targets

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has informed the United Arab Emirates that US “hideouts” are “legitimate targets” after the US struck the Kharg island. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 14, 2026  4:36 pm

Japanese delegation visits Sri Lanka to strengthen tourism promotion

A Japanese delegation comprising 11 members, who arrived in Sri Lanka for tourism promotion under the coordination of Connaissance De Ceylan, one of the country’s leading tourism companies, has visited the Presidential Secretariat this morning (14). MORE..

(0)Comments | March 14, 2026  6:36 pm

Peradeniya ‘Yakaa Paalama’ restoration faces significant delays, warns Station Masters’ Association

The Sri Lanka Railway Station Masters’ Association has raised serious concerns over delays in the reconstruction of the Peradeniya Railway Bridge (famously known to locals as the ‘Yakaa Paalama’ – Devil’s Bridge), warning that the project is unlikely to be completed on time. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 14, 2026  12:43 pm

Warm weather expected to continue until May-end

The Department of Meteorology has forecast that the prevailing hot weather conditions affecting several districts are likely to continue until May 25. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 14, 2026  2:11 pm

Suspect arrested with firearms and ammunition in Kaduwela

A suspect has been arrested with a cache of firearms and live ammunition in the Weliwita area of the Kaduwela Police Division. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 14, 2026  11:00 am

North Korea fires possible missile towards sea during US-South Korea drills

North Korea fired a projectile towards the sea on Saturday, South Korea and Japan said, with Tokyo saying it may have been a ballistic missile, while the U.S. and South Korea conducted military drills. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 14, 2026  10:47 am

Deadly US attack on warship in Indian Ocean will not go unanswered: Iran army chief

Amir Hatami, commander-in-chief of the Iranian army, has warned that the killing of 104 crew members from the IRIS Dena, one of the country’s newest warships, in the Indian Ocean upon returning from a military exercise, “will not go unanswered”. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 14, 2026  12:52 pm

IRIS Lavan still docked at Kochi; non-essential crew left with other stranded Iranians: India’s MEA

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) of India on Saturday said that the Islamic Republic of Iran Ship (IRIS) Lavan continues to remain docked at Kochi in Kerala, while non-essential crew members departed India on a chartered flight arranged by Iranian authorities along with other stranded Iranian nationals.MORE..

(0)Comments | March 14, 2026  7:18 pm

Fairly heavy showers expected in parts of the island today

Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North-western and Uva provinces and in Galle, Matara, Mannar and Anuradhapura districts after 2.00 p.m. today (14), the Department of Meteorology said. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 14, 2026  6:54 am

One-fifth of Australian teens still use TikTok, SnapChat after social media ban

One-fifth of Australian teenagers under 16 were still using social media two months after the country banned platforms from allowing minors, industry data showed, raising questions about the effectiveness of age-gating methods they are using. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 13, 2026  8:35 am

Corruption probe against Shasheendra Rajapaksa concluded: Bribery Comm. informs court

The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) informed the Colombo Magistrate’s Court today that investigations into former State Minister Shasheendra Rajapaksa and other suspects, who are currently out on bail in connection with a corruption allegation, have been concluded. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 13, 2026  12:07 pm

US carrying out rescue effort after military aircraft crash in Iraq

A U.S. military refueling aircraft crashed in western Iraq on Thursday, in an incident U.S. Central Command said involved another aircraft but was not the result of hostile or friendly fire. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 13, 2026  7:00 am

US allows countries to buy Russian oil stranded at sea for 30 days

The United States issued a 30-day license for countries to buy Russian oil and petroleum products currently stranded at sea in what Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said was a step to stabilize global energy markets roiled by the Iran war. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 13, 2026  6:48 am

Over 650kg of Ice & heroin, seized from fishing vessel escorted to Dikkovita Harbour

A total of 654 kilograms of narcotics, comprising 478 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine (ICE) and 176 kilograms of heroin, were recovered from the multi-day fishing vessel that was escorted by the Sri Lanka Navy to the Dikkovita Fisheries Harbour yesterday, said police. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 13, 2026  8:19 am

Compensation process begins for farmers affected by crop damage in 2025/26 ‘Maha Season’

The Agricultural and Agrarian Insurance Board has announced that damage assessment activities have already commenced in the relevant districts for the release of compensation to farmers affected by crop damage during the 2025/2026 ‘Maha season’. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 13, 2026  10:30 am

Rapper-politician Balendra Shah’s party wins Nepal election

The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has won a landslide in Nepal’s election - the first held since last year’s youth-led protests toppled the then government. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 13, 2026  8:03 am

Sri Lanka’s largest groundwater source discovered in Pitabeddara

The National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) says it has discovered the largest groundwater source in Sri Lanka thus far during tube well drilling carried out near the Pitabeddara Police Station. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 13, 2026  12:15 pm

Netflix announces KPop Demon Hunters sequel

Netflix has announced a sequel to KPop Demon Hunters, the streaming platform’s most watched movie of all time. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 13, 2026  8:57 am

Showers expected in parts of the island today

Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and Northwestern provinces and in Galle, Matara, Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya districts after 2.00 pm today (13), the Department of Meteorology said. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 13, 2026  6:42 am

Public urged to be vigilant over online ads during festive period – CERT

The Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Readiness Team (SL CERT) has issued a public advisory urging people to exercise caution when engaging with online advertisements as the festive season approaches. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 13, 2026  8:53 am

Iran-backed Iraqi group claims responsibility for downing US military aircraft

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella group of Iran-backed armed factions, claimed ⁠responsibility for downing a U.S. military refueling aircraft in western Iraq on Thursday. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 13, 2026  7:43 am

Netanyahu threatens Iran new leader, says government collapse uncertain

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday issued a veiled threat to kill Iran’s new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei even as he acknowledged that Israel’s joint air war with the U.S. may not lead to a collapse of Tehran’s clerical government. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 13, 2026  10:14 am

‘Watch what happens’: Trump issues new threat to Iran

U.S. President Donald Trump issued a new threat online to Iran, writing: “Watch what happens to these deranged scumbags today.” MORE..

(0)Comments | March 13, 2026  10:30 am

Advisory issued for severe lightning

An ‘Amber’ advisory has been issued by the Department of Meteorology for severe lightning in the Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and Galle and Matara districts. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 13, 2026  1:33 pm

Operation Epic Fury: 6,000 targets, 90 Iranian vessels hit, claims US

The United States has struck about 6,000 targets in Iran and damaged or destroyed more than 90 Iranian vessels, including over 60 ships and at least 30 minelayers, as part of the ongoing Operation Epic Fury, according to an official U.S. military fact sheet released on Wednesday. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 13, 2026  7:07 am

Low-floor buses for persons with disabilities to be deployed before Sinhala and Tamil New Year

Additional Secretary to the President (Clean Sri Lanka Programme), Engineer S.P.C. Sugeeshwara, stated that plans are underway to deploy the low-floor buses, imported for the benefit of persons with disabilities, ahead of the upcoming Sinhala and Tamil New Year. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 13, 2026  1:28 pm