News Archive

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..

(0)Comments | March 5, 2026  7:06 am

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..

(0)Comments | March 5, 2026  10:42 am

Iran says US tanker on fire in Gulf

Iranian state television says its naval fighters have hit a US tanker this morning in the northern Gulf. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 5, 2026  1:55 pm

WHO says it has verified 13 attacks on health sites in Iran

The World Health Organization (WHO) chief said on Thursday that it has verified 13 attacks on health infrastructure in Iran amid a U.S.-Israeli campaign and it was checking reports that four medics were killed and 25 ⁠others injured. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 5, 2026  8:37 pm

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..

(0)Comments | March 5, 2026  10:20 am

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..

(0)Comments | March 5, 2026  6:17 am

87 bodies recovered after Iranian Ship sinks near Sri Lankan waters following US attack

The bodies of 87 individuals who were on board the Iranian vessel ‘IRIS Dena’, which sank after being attacked by the United States in seas off southern Sri Lanka, have now been recovered. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 5, 2026  11:40 am

Iran’s internet blackout hits 120 hours

Iran’s internet blackout has now passed 120 hours, with connectivity in the country flatlining at around 1% of its typical levels, according to independent watchdog organization NetBlocks. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 5, 2026  3:27 pm

European countries to deploy military assets to Cyprus after Iranian attack on UK base

Italy, Spain, France and the Netherlands will send naval assets to ⁠protect Cyprus in the coming days, Rome’s ⁠Defence Minister Guido Crosetto told parliament on Thursday. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 5, 2026  5:27 pm

MP claims two coal grinding machines not working at Norochcholai Power Plant

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Member of Parliament (MP) Nalin Bandara claims that two coal grinding machines (pulverizers) at the Norochcholai Power Plant have become inoperative. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 5, 2026  5:04 pm

FM Vijitha Herath says Israel’s FM assured safety of Sri Lankans in Israel

Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath says he held a phone call with Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar today (05) regarding the well-being of over 29,000 Sri Lankan nationals currently residing in Israel. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 5, 2026  6:11 pm

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.

(0)Comments | March 5, 2026  5:45 am

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..

(0)Comments | March 5, 2026  9:00 am

Female lawyer sentenced to 12 years in prison for preparing forged deeds

A female attorney, convicted of preparing forged deeds, has been sentenced to 12 years in prison by the Colombo High Court today (05). MORE..

(0)Comments | March 5, 2026  1:17 pm

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..

(0)Comments | March 5, 2026  9:48 am

ASP Rohan Olugala assumes duties as Director of Walana Anti-Vice Unit

Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Rohan Olugala has officially assumed duties today (05) as the Director of the Central Anti-Vice Striking Unit in Panadura. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 5, 2026  2:40 pm

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..

(0)Comments | March 5, 2026  9:15 am

Fisheries Minister’s request to all Sri Lankan fishermen

Fisheries Minister Ramalingam Chandrasekar today (05) urged all Sri Lankan fishermen not to venture into sea areas beyond Sri Lanka’s maritime borders, considering the current situation in the country’s waters and international waters. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 5, 2026  4:05 pm

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.

(0)Comments | March 5, 2026  6:55 am

Israel to attack Iran’s underground missile sites in second phase of war: report

Israel’s war in Iran is entering a second phase that will see its fighter jets attacking ballistic missile sites buried deep underground, two sources familiar with Israel’s military campaign said. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 5, 2026  7:21 pm

Another Iran Ship in Sri Lankan waters? Sajith demands clarification from Govt.

Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa today (05) in Parliament that information has been received indicating that another Iranian vessel is near the Port of Colombo within Sri Lanka’s maritime boundary, and that the government must make a clear statement regarding the matter. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 5, 2026  10:59 am

Sri Lanka will remain neutral during ongoing Middle East conflict – President

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake today announced the stance of the Government of Sri Lanka pertaining to the ongoing Middle East conflict. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 5, 2026  10:17 pm

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..

(0)Comments | March 5, 2026  9:37 am

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..

(0)Comments | March 5, 2026  7:55 am

Israel’s main airport reopens

Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport has been reopened after it was shut down five days ago at the start of the joint Israeli and US military strikes on Iran. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 5, 2026  12:28 pm

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..

(0)Comments | March 5, 2026  10:56 am

Power outages reported across Sri Lanka

A technical fault in the electricity supply system between Anuradhapura and Vavuniya resulted in power outages in several areas across the island, according to the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB). MORE..

(0)Comments | March 5, 2026  1:18 pm

US committed ‘atrocity,’ will ‘bitterly regret’: Iranian FM on attack on warship IRIS Dena in Indian Ocean

Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi on Thursday accused the United States of committing an “atrocity” after a US submarine sank the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Sri Lanka. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 5, 2026  2:24 pm

Over 200 onboard second Iranian vessel being brought ashore; ship to be moved to Trinco – President

A total of 208 individuals who are onboard a second Iranian Navy ship “IRIS Bushehr” near Sri Lanka’s territorial waters are being brought ashore to Colombo at present, says President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 5, 2026  9:59 pm

National Care Policy essential to achieve fair society that values women’s labour and care economy – PM

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya has stated that establishing a National Care policy is essential in achieving a fair society where it values women’s labour and a care economy. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 5, 2026  7:55 pm

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..

(0)Comments | March 5, 2026  6:34 am

Customs detects over 52kg of narcotics in air cargo sent from Malaysia

Sri Lanka Customs officers attached to a warehouse in Peliyagoda have detected over 52kg of narcotics concealed in assorted food packages shipped from Malaysia through air cargo. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 5, 2026  12:23 pm

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..

(0)Comments | March 5, 2026  5:48 am

Ex-SLAF officer files petition challenging Suresh Sallay’s 90-day detention order

A retired officer of the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) has filed a Fundamental Rights petition challenging the 90-day detention order on arrested former head of the State Intelligence Service (SIS), Major General (Retired) Suresh Sallay, under the Prevention of Terrorism Act. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 5, 2026  3:49 pm

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..

(0)Comments | March 5, 2026  7:32 am

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..

(0)Comments | March 5, 2026  8:23 am

UK sending four extra Typhoon jets to Qatar, PM Starmer says

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Thursday that four additional Typhoon fighter jets would be sent to Qatar as the conflict in the Middle East escalates, insisting that the UK has the right plan for defence. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 5, 2026  8:28 pm

Property worth Rs. 30 million linked to major organised criminal frozen - Police

The Illegal Assets Investigation Division of Sri Lanka Police has taken steps to freeze a property valued at approximately Rs. 30 million that is allegedly linked to proceeds generated from drug trafficking. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 5, 2026  6:21 pm

India rejects report claiming US using its ports for Iran strikes

India has rejected a report that claimed that the US was using its ports to strike Iran. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 5, 2026  12:48 pm

President Anura Kumara’s special press conference

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake is currently addressing a special press conference at the Presidential Secretariat on the Middle-East conflict and the recent incident regarding an Iranian navy ship which sank near Sri Lanka. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 5, 2026  9:44 pm

Indian Navy says it responded to distress call of Iranian ship IRIS Dena, deployed aircraft, vessel

The Indian Navy has sent its aircraft and ships to augment the search and rescue efforts for IRIS Dena that was hit by an American torpedo Wednesday while it was on its voyage back to Iran after participating in exercise MILAN and the International Fleet Review in Visakhapatnam. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 5, 2026  8:47 pm

US Senate blocks effort to force Donald Trump to end Iran strikes

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

(0)Comments | March 5, 2026  5:49 am

Sri Lanka expressed grave concern over escalation of hostilities: FM on phone call with Iran’s FM

Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath has held a phone call with the Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi yesterday (04) to discuss the rapidly evolving situation in the Middle East. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 5, 2026  5:19 pm

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..

(0)Comments | March 5, 2026  10:47 am

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..

(0)Comments | March 5, 2026  10:04 am

Govt considering appointing interim committee for Sri Lanka Cricket – Sports Minister

Sports Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage says the government is considering transferring the administration of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) to an interim committee in the future, as part of efforts to address long-standing issues in the country’s cricket administration. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 5, 2026  3:58 pm

Another Iranian vessel near Sri Lanka’s Exclusive Economic Zone, Cabinet Spokesman

The second Iranian vessel is also not currently within Sri Lanka’s territorial waters, but is located in the Exclusive Economic Zone close to Sri Lanka’s maritime boundary, according to Cabinet Spokesman Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 5, 2026  12:30 pm

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..

(0)Comments | March 5, 2026  8:42 am

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..

(0)Comments | March 5, 2026  6:37 am

‘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..

(0)Comments | March 5, 2026  8:21 am