News Archive

Iran launches missiles at Israel as attacks in Middle East commence for sixth day

Iran launches missiles at Israel as attacks in Middle East commence for sixth day

Iran launched missiles at Israel earlier this morning (05) as aerial attacks in the Middle East commenced for a sixth day after an American submarine sank an Iranian warship in south of Sri Lanka and Iran threatened the destruction of military and economic infrastructure across the region. MORE..

Middle East Conflict: No serious injuries to any Sri Lankans residing in affected countries – Officials

Middle East Conflict: No serious injuries to any Sri Lankans residing in affected countries – Officials

A meeting to review the measures currently in place to ensure the safety and welfare of the tourists and Sri Lankan migrant workers, as well as the next steps to be taken in response to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, was held this afternoon (04) at the Presidential Secretariat under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

Benjamin Netanyahu ‘fears US and Iran holding secret talks’

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is reportedly concerned the US is holding secret talks with Iran behind his back. MORE..

Drone that struck military airbase in Cyprus was not launched from Iran, UK says

Drone that struck military airbase in Cyprus was not launched from Iran, UK says

The UK’s Ministry of Defence has ruled out Iran as the source of the drone that struck RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus on Sunday night, though it said the unmanned aircraft bore the hallmarks of Tehran’s signature Shahed design — the low-cost drones Russia has used extensively against Ukraine, as SkyNews reports. MORE..

Qatar evacuating residents “in vicinity” of US Embassy

Qatar evacuating residents “in vicinity” of US Embassy

Authorities in Qatar are evacuating residents living “in the vicinity” of the US Embassy as a “temporary precautionary measure,” the interior ministry said.

‘Game of Thrones’ movie in development at Warner Bros.

‘Game of Thrones’ movie in development at Warner Bros.

Warner Bros. is officially developing a new movie set in the world of ‘Game of Thrones,’ according to The Hollywood Reporter. MORE..

Showers expected in several areas after 2pm today

Showers expected in several areas after 2pm today

Showers or thundershowers are expected at a few places in the Uva and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in the Hambantota, Nuwara-Eliya and Ampara districts after 2.00 p.m. today (05), the Department of Meteorology stated. MORE..

Nepal goes to polls in first general election since government-toppling Gen Z protests last year

Nepal goes to polls in first general election since government-toppling Gen Z protests last year

Nepalese on Thursday morning (March 5, 2026) started to reach polling booths to cast their vote in crucial general elections, the first since a violent Gen Z-led protest that toppled the K. P. Sharma Oli-led government last year. MORE..

Explosion reported near tanker off Kuwait, crew safe, UKMTO says

Explosion reported near tanker off Kuwait, crew safe, UKMTO says

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations says it received a report of an incident 30 nautical miles southeast of Kuwait’s Mubarak Al Kabeer. MORE..

Two Indian nationals arrested at BIA with over 3kg of ‘Kush’ and hashish

Two Indian nationals arrested at BIA with over 3kg of ‘Kush’ and hashish

Two Indian nationals who attempted to smuggle a consignment of narcotics into the country have been arrested by officers of the Customs Narcotics Control Unit yesterday (04). MORE..

Businessman remanded over Rs. 5 mln bribery charges

Businessman remanded over Rs. 5 mln bribery charges

A businessman has been arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) over allegations of accepting a bribe amounting to Rs. 5 million. MORE..

Ex-President Ranil expresses condolences over the passing of Iran’s Supreme Leader

Ex-President Ranil expresses condolences over the passing of Iran’s Supreme Leader

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe visited the Embassy of Iran in Colombo this morning (05) to express condolences over the passing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of Iran. MORE..

Majority of US Senate blocks effort to force Trump to end strikes

Majority of US Senate blocks effort to force Trump to end strikes

A majority of U.S. senators have voted against a bipartisan war powers resolution seeking to halt the military campaign against Iran.

Canada PM Carney says he can’t rule out military participation in Iran war

Canada PM Carney says he can’t rule out military participation in Iran war

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said on Thursday (Mar 5) that he couldn’t rule out his country’s military participation in the escalating war in the Middle East. MORE..

Oil price up nearly 2% in early Asian trade

Oil price up nearly 2% in early Asian trade

Oil prices rose nearly 2 per cent in early Asian trade on Thursday (Mar 5), off the back of persistent worries about supplies because of the Middle East conflict.

Group of 200 Indian tourists home-bound after evacuating UAE

Group of 200 Indian tourists home-bound after evacuating UAE

A group of 200 Indian tourists has managed to evacuate the United Arab Emirates after a trip to visit the country’s Hindu temples left them stranded as the war broke out. MORE..

Sajith seeks clarification on reports of another Iranian ship in Sri Lankan waters

Sajith seeks clarification on reports of another Iranian ship in Sri Lankan waters

Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa today requested a clarification on reports that another Iranian vessel is in Sri Lankans waters. MORE..

Sri Lanka recovers 84 bodies from Iranian Ship sunk in US strike

Sri Lanka recovers 84 bodies from Iranian Ship sunk in US strike

The bodies of 84 individuals who were on an Iranian vessel that sank after a US attack in southern waters beyond Sri Lanka’s maritime boundary have been recovered, the Sri Lanka Navy has announced. MORE..

Donald Trump rates Iran war ‘15 out of 10’

Donald Trump rates Iran war ‘15 out of 10’

United States President Donald Trump on Wednesday (Mar 4) rated the US performance in the war with Iran as a 15 on a scale of 10, saying the Islamic Republic’s leaders were rapidly being killed, and vowing to push on. MORE..

FM discusses Middle East conflict with regional Ministers

FM discusses Middle East conflict with regional Ministers

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Vijitha Hearth has held discussions with several foreign ministers of gulf countries pertaining to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. MORE..

Nalinda Jayatissa named chair of Parliament Committee on Cyclone Ditwah preparedness

Nalinda Jayatissa named chair of Parliament Committee on Cyclone Ditwah preparedness

Minister of Health and Mass Media Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa has been named the Chairman of the Parliament Committee appointed to conduct a comprehensive study on the lack of preparedness to face Cyclone Ditwah last year. MORE..

US will have “complete and total dominance” over Iranian airspace soon, White House says

US will have “complete and total dominance” over Iranian airspace soon, White House says

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Wednesday that the United States will have “complete and total dominance” over Iranian airspace in the next few hours. MORE..

Bribery Commission arrests retired Health Ministry official and businessman

Bribery Commission arrests retired Health Ministry official and businessman

A retired Chief Clerk of the Ministry of Health has been arrested by the Bribery Commission on charges of accepting a bribe exceeding Rs. 20 million. MORE..

Qatar Airways to operate relief flights to European cities

Qatar Airways to operate relief flights to European cities

Qatar Airways has just announced it will operate relief flights from the Middle East to several European cities on Thursday. MORE..

Two more vessels attacked off UAE, Oman: UKMTO

Two more vessels attacked off UAE, Oman: UKMTO

Another two vessels appear to have come under attack in the Mideast Gulf, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said today. MORE..

Sri Lankan woman arrested for using forged documents to obtain Indian passport

Sri Lankan woman arrested for using forged documents to obtain Indian passport

A 48-year-old Sri Lankan woman was arrested by the Central Crime Branch (CCB) of the city police for allegedly using forged documents to obtain an Indian passport and attempting to travel to Sri Lanka. MORE..

Suspect arrested for selling diesel at inflated prices in Pulmoddai

Suspect arrested for selling diesel at inflated prices in Pulmoddai

An individual has been apprehended for selling diesel at inflated prices without a valid license at a retail outlet in Pulmoddai. MORE..

Navy deploys vessels to rescue distressed ship in Southern Seas

Navy deploys vessels to rescue distressed ship in Southern Seas

A rescue mission has been launched by the Sri Lanka Navy after a distress call was received from an Iranian ship approximately 40 nautical miles off the Galle Harbour. MORE..

Final report on alleged sexual harassment incident in parliament tabled

Final report on alleged sexual harassment incident in parliament tabled

The final investigation report into the alleged sexual harassment incident involving a female officer of Parliament has been tabled. MORE..

Canadian PM Carney says he supports Iran strikes ‘with regret’

Canadian PM Carney says he supports Iran strikes ‘with regret’

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has called for parties involved in the war in Iran to de-escalate hostilities quickly - and said while he supports the strikes, it is a position he takes “with regret”. MORE..

Gunman linked to Jinthupitiya shooting arrested with narcotics

Gunman linked to Jinthupitiya shooting arrested with narcotics

The gunman involved in the shooting and killing of an individual and injuring two children in Jinthupitiya recently has been arrested. MORE..

Around 180 sailors were onboard the distressed Iranian naval ship ‘IRIS Dena’ off Galle- FM

Around 180 sailors were onboard the distressed Iranian naval ship ‘IRIS Dena’ off Galle- FM

Around 180 individuals were on board the Iranian Navy vessel ‘IRIS Dena’, which was in distress about 40 nautical miles off the coast of Galle this morning (04). MORE..

Iran’s IRGC say they have ‘complete control’ over Strait of Hormuz

Iran’s IRGC say they have ‘complete control’ over Strait of Hormuz

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps say they control the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route for oil and gas, and any vessels seeking to pass through the waterway risk damage from missiles or stray drones. MORE..

Oil prices rise 1% as Iran crisis disrupts Middle East supply

Oil prices rise 1% as Iran crisis disrupts Middle East supply

Oil prices rose 1% on Wednesday as the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran disrupted Middle East supplies, but the pace of gains slowed from past sessions after President Donald Trump raised the possibility of the U.S. Navy escorting vessels through the Strait of Hormuz. MORE..

Fire breaks out at transformer in front of Kalutara District Secretariat

Fire breaks out at transformer in front of Kalutara District Secretariat

A fire has broken out today in a transformer located in front of the Kalutara District Secretariat, said Ada Derana reporter. MORE..

IMF warns Iran war could hurt global economy

IMF warns Iran war could hurt global economy

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has raised concerns over rising energy prices and disruptions to global trade following the escalating conflict in the Middle East, warning that the situation could intensify uncertainties in the global economy. MORE..

More than 1,000 civilians killed in Iran since war began, rights group reports

More than 1,000 civilians killed in Iran since war began, rights group reports

More than 1,000 people, including children, have been killed in Iran since the war began on Saturday, according to US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA). MORE..

35 persons rescued from distressed Iranian vessel off Galle

35 persons rescued from distressed Iranian vessel off Galle

The Sri Lanka Navy says 35 individuals have been rescued from an Iranian vessel in distressed off Sri Lanka’s southern seas. MORE..

PM Harini holds talks with ADB on education sector reforms

PM Harini holds talks with ADB on education sector reforms

A meeting between Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya and officials of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) was held at the Ministry of Education to discuss the Human Resource Development for Education Project (HRDEP). MORE..

CIA station in Saudi Arabia damaged in Monday’s suspected Iranian drone strike

CIA station in Saudi Arabia damaged in Monday’s suspected Iranian drone strike

The CIA station in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, was also hit in Monday’s suspected Iranian drone strike on the US Embassy there, according to a source familiar with the matter. MORE..

UK to stop issuing study visas for Myanmar, Afghanistan, Cameroon and Sudan

UK to stop issuing study visas for Myanmar, Afghanistan, Cameroon and Sudan

The British government announced on Tuesday (Mar 3) that it would stop issuing education visas to nationals from Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar and Sudan and work visas for Afghans as part of its broader clampdown on asylum seekers. MORE..

Trump orders oil tanker insurance support, says US Navy could escort ships in Gulf

Trump orders oil tanker insurance support, says US Navy could escort ships in Gulf

The U.S. Navy could begin escorting oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz if necessary, President Donald Trump said on Tuesday, adding he had ordered the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation to provide political risk insurance and financial guarantees for maritime trade in the Gulf. MORE..

Trump’s national security team pushes war on Iran in Congress

Trump’s national security team pushes war on Iran in Congress

US President Donald Trump’s top national security advisers spent much of the day on Tuesday making the case to Congress for the U.S.-Israel war on Iran, describing a rapidly evolving operation and leaving open the possibility of sending in American troops, Democrats and Trump’s fellow Republicans said. MORE..

Sri Lanka records highest-ever monthly tourist arrivals in February

Sri Lanka records highest-ever monthly tourist arrivals in February

The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) has reported that a total of 279,328 tourists arrived in Sri Lanka in February 2026. MORE..

Heavy traffic on Colombo–Piliyandala road after lorry and school van crash

Heavy traffic on Colombo–Piliyandala road after lorry and school van crash

Heavy traffic congestion has been reported along the Colombo–Piliyandala Road due to an accident that occurred at Rattanapitiya this morning, police stated. MORE..

PUCSL hands over report on substandard coal shipments to Sectoral Oversight Committee

PUCSL hands over report on substandard coal shipments to Sectoral Oversight Committee

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) has handed over its report on investigations into the importation of nine coal shipments for the Lakvijaya Coal Power Plant in Norochcholai. MORE..

Gold prices in Sri Lanka drop by Rs. 13,000

Gold prices in Sri Lanka drop by Rs. 13,000

Gold prices in Sri Lanka have recorded a sharp decline of Rs. 13,000, driven by a downward trend in the global gold market, according to latest market data. MORE..

Iranian missile hits largest US military base in Middle East, Qatar says

Iranian missile hits largest US military base in Middle East, Qatar says

Qatar says an Iranian ballistic missile has struck Al Udeid Air Base, the largest US military installation in the Middle East, but did not cause any casualties. MORE..

Iran launches second wave of missiles toward Israel

Iran launches second wave of missiles toward Israel

Israel’s military said early Wednesday that Iran had launched missiles toward the country for the second time in less than two hours. MORE..

Fair weather to prevail across the country; Misty conditions expected in some places

Fair weather to prevail across the country; Misty conditions expected in some places

Mainly dry weather will prevail in most parts of the island today (04), the Department of Meteorology stated. MORE..