News Archive

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

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

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

Dubai authorities confirm “minor incident” successfully contained after debris falls from interception

Dubai authorities have confirmed a minor incident linked to regional security developments, emphasising that the situation remains under full control. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 7, 2026  1:05 pm

EU countries joining US, Israel attacks would become Iran’s “legitimate target”, Deputy Minister says

European Union member states that join the U.S. and Israel attacks on Iran would become “legitimate targets” for Iran, Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi said in an interview with TV station France 24. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 7, 2026  7:07 am

Massive blasts near Mehrabad Airport in Tehran, Iran, after Israeli airstrikes

Dramatic footage circulating on social media shows large explosions and fires near Mehrabad International Airport in Tehran following a new wave of Israeli airstrikes on the Iranian capital in the early hours of March 7. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 7, 2026  8:18 am

FM Vijitha Herath and India’s Jaishankar discuss regional developments

Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath stated that he held a “warm and constructive” meeting with India’s External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 7, 2026  9:35 am

Rashmika Mandanna wins Best Actress at Telangana Gaddar Awards for ‘The Girlfriend’

Rashmika Mandanna has recently won the Best Actress title at the Telangana Gaddar Awards for her stellar performance in The Girlfriend. The distinguished state accolade that highlights her increasing impact on Telugu cinema. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 7, 2026  3:49 pm

Iranian assembly to meet ‘within one day’ to choose new supreme leader

Iran’s assembly of experts will be meeting within a day to choose a new supreme leader. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 7, 2026  9:51 pm

Pokémon condemns White House for using its imagery

Pokémon Company International has condemned the White House’s use of its imagery, including a tiny version of the popular character Pikachu, in a meme posted online with the phrase “Make America Great Again”. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 7, 2026  6:59 am

Earthquake of magnitude 4.1 hits west of Bandar Abbas in Iran

An earthquake of magnitude 4.1 has hit the west of Bandar Abbas in Iran on Saturday morning, as informed by the United States Geological Survey (USGS). MORE..

(0)Comments | March 7, 2026  10:35 am

23 rounds fired at house linked to ‘Batuwatte Chamara’ now operating as elderly home

Further details have emerged regarding the shooting incident reported early this morning (07) at the residence of the wife of an alleged organized criminal figure known as ‘Batuwatte Chamara’. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 7, 2026  9:57 am

Pakistani found guilty of Iran-linked plot to kill Trump, US officials

Asif Raza Merchant allegedly sought to hire a hitman to assassinate a politician or a government official in the United States, prosecutors established during the trial in a federal court in Brooklyn. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 7, 2026  12:02 pm

Iranian president apologizes to Gulf countries over attacks

Iran’s president has said that a demand by the United States for an unconditional surrender is a “dream that they should to take to their grave”. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 7, 2026  1:25 pm

Suspect nabbed with 368kg of foreign-origin cannabis worth over Rs. 73 million

In a combined operation, the Sri Lanka Navy and the Kayts Police have seized a consignment of foreign-origin cannabis weighing approximately 368kg at the Suruvil beach area of Kayts Island, Jaffna. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 7, 2026  7:33 pm

Saudi air defenses deter drone attacks on Aramco’s Shayba field, missile threat on air base

Saudi Arabia’s air defenses have stopped a new wave of airstrikes, this time targeting Aramco’s Shaybah field, the Ministry of Defense said early Saturday. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 7, 2026  10:00 am

Sri Lanka’s workers’ remittances exceed USD 1.4 bln in first two months of 2026

Sri Lanka received USD 729 million in workers’ remittances in February 2026, according to the latest figures released by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL). MORE..

(0)Comments | March 7, 2026  11:46 am

India’s foreign minister confirms an Iranian naval ship has docked in Kochi

India’s foreign minister said Saturday that an Iranian naval vessel has docked in India, after a U.S. submarine sank an Iranian warship and another vessel sought assistance from Sri Lanka. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 7, 2026  2:54 pm

23 dead in Nairobi flooding after heavy rains

At least 23 people have been killed in Nairobi after heavy rain overnight caused severe flooding in Kenya’s capital city. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 7, 2026  7:00 pm

Mainly dry weather expected in most part of the island today

Mainly dry weather will prevail over the island today (07), the Department of Meteorology stated. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 7, 2026  6:34 am

Oil price at two-year high after Qatar warns all Gulf production could stop within days

Oil prices have risen to their highest level in more than two years, after Qatar’s energy minister warned he expects all oil and gas exporters in the Gulf to stop production within days. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 7, 2026  8:33 am

Chief custodian of Kataragama Devalaya passes away

The Chief Lay Custodian (Kapu Dhurandhara) of the Ruhunu Maha Kataragama Devalaya, Somipala T. Ratnayake, has reportedly passed away at the age of 87.

(0)Comments | March 7, 2026  8:03 pm

US pressing Sri Lanka not to repatriate Iranian crew and survivors from sunken ship – report

The United States is pressing Sri Lanka’s government not to repatriate the survivors from the Iranian warship it sank this week, as well as the crew of a second Iranian ship that is in Sri Lankan custody, according to an internal State Department cable seen by Reuters on Friday. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 7, 2026  6:44 am

Sri Lanka must brace for rising global prices amid Middle East tensions – Trade Minister

Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security, and Cooperative Development, Wasantha Samarasinghe, stated that global price increases are beyond domestic control and that a reduction in the supply of fuel and gas will inevitably lead to a surge in prices. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 7, 2026  10:05 pm

Sri Lankan Ambassador urges vigilance for nationals in Northern Israel

The Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Israel, Nimal Bandara, has called attention to the safety of Sri Lankans serving in the northern region of Israel amid the current conflict situation. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 7, 2026  11:02 am

Iran-Israel war: Explosion heard over Dubai airport

An explosion was heard over Dubai airport on Saturday followed by a cloud of smoke in the air, a witness told AFP, as Iran pressed attacks across the Gulf. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 7, 2026  11:40 am

Ransilu Jayathilake wins historic gold for Sri Lanka at Arnold Sports Festival

Sri Lankan powerlifter Ransilu Jayathilake has made history by winning a gold medal at the Arnold Sports Festival held in the United States, marking a significant milestone for Sri Lanka in the competition’s 37-year history. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 7, 2026  2:59 pm

No sides taken in Iranian vessel incident, Sri Lanka acting under international law: FM

Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath on Saturday said the government is handling the recent vessel incident involving Iranian personnel in accordance with international law, and does not intend to support any side in the incident. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 7, 2026  3:25 pm

Energy Ministry dismisses ‘false’ reports of future power cuts

The Ministry of Energy has urged the public not be misled by false and misleading reports claiming that power cuts would be imposed in the future due to various issues including the coal supply at the Lakvijaya Coal Power Plant in Norochcholai. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 7, 2026  2:51 pm

Shooting reported at house of ‘Batuwatte Chamara’s’ wife in Ja-Ela

A shooting incident was reported this morning (07) at the residence of the wife of alleged organized criminal figure known as ‘Batuwatte Chamara’. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 7, 2026  7:41 am

Warm weather advisory issued for several provinces and districts

The Department of Meteorology has issued a warm weather advisory for residents of Sabaragamuwa, North-Western, and North-Central provinces, as well as Colombo, Gampaha, Vavuniya, Mannar, Hambantota, and Monaragala districts. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 7, 2026  4:56 pm

Navy seizes fishing trawler with suspected narcotics haul in southern seas; 6 arrested

The Sri Lanka Navy, during a special search operation conducted in the deep seas off the southern coast of Sri Lanka, intercepted a local multi-day fishing trawler transporting a stock of sacks suspected to contain narcotics, along with six suspects aboard. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 7, 2026  9:14 pm

Trump says Iran ‘will be hit very hard’ today, threatens to expand targets

U.S. President Donald Trump said Iran would be “hit very hard” on Saturday and that he was considering widening the areas and groups of people ⁠being, targeted, without providing details. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 7, 2026  6:13 pm

SJB to move no-confidence motion against Energy Minister

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) says it will move a no-confidence motion against Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody in Parliament next week. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 7, 2026  12:58 pm

Sri Lanka must stand firm, no matter what anyone demands – Opposition Leader

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa says that at a time when Sri Lanka is facing many challenges and risks today, the country’s policy should be to work for world peace and that the national aspiration needs to be to protect the population, protect national security, and uphold international human rights laws. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 7, 2026  5:36 pm

Salary commission to be appointed to address public sector salary disparities - PM

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that a salary commission will be established this year to address salary discrepancies in the principal service as well as several other sectors within the public service. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 6, 2026  11:36 am

Showers expected in several areas today

Showers or thundershowers are likely at a few places in the Southern Province and in Rathnapura, and Kaluthara districts today (05) during evening or night, the Department of Meteorology stated. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 6, 2026  6:34 am

India gets 30-day waiver from US to buy Russian oil amid Iran war

India’s access to crucial energy supplies received a temporary boost on Friday after US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced a 30-day waiver allowing Indian refiners to purchase Russian oil. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 6, 2026  8:26 am

Two dead, 2 missing after boat capsizes in Gurunagar Jetty in Jaffna

(UPDATED) Two individuals have died and another 02 persons are reported missing while another 23 were rescued after a boat capsized today (6) in Gurunagar Jetty in Jaffna, police said. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 6, 2026  11:30 am

US military says it has sunk over 30 Iranian ships so far

The U.S. military said on Thursday it has sunk over 30 Iranian ships so far during the US and Israel’s war against Iran, ⁠including an Iranian drone ship that is on fire. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 6, 2026  8:43 am

Trump wants say on Iran’s next leader as war intensifies

U.S. President Donald Trump claimed the right to join Iran in deciding its next leader as the war escalated on Thursday, with U.S. and Israeli jets hitting areas across the country and Gulf cities coming under renewed bombardment. MORE...

(0)Comments | March 6, 2026  6:42 am

Gazette issued to restructure CEB from March 9, establish successor companies

A Gazette Extraordinary has been issued by Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody transferring the functions and duties of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) with effect from March 09. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 6, 2026  7:59 am

UNICEF warns of rising child deaths in Iran war

UNICEF called on all parties in the Iran conflict to protect civilians, warning that children were increasingly bearing the toll of the fighting with reports of rising casualties. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 6, 2026  11:43 am

Japan Foreign Minister confirms two Japanese detained in Iran

Two Japanese nationals are currently detained in Iran, but Japan is in contact with them, Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said Friday. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 6, 2026  10:04 am

35-year-old arrested at BIA with over 11 kg of ‘Kush’ and Hashish

A suspect has been arrested by officers of the Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) at the Arrival Terminal of Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in possession of 11 kilograms of ‘Kush’ and Hashish. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 6, 2026  10:54 am

Trump fires Kristi Noem as homeland secretary after storm over shootings, spending

U.S. President Donald Trump fired Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on Thursday after months of controversy, including the fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens by federal officers in Minneapolis and lawmakers’ questions over a $220 million advertising contract. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 6, 2026  7:17 am

Trump tells Iran’s armed forces to surrender or face ‘absolutely guaranteed death’

US President Donald Trump called on Iran’s armed forces on Thursday to surrender or face the consequences and urged the nation’s diplomats to request asylum at their postings around the world. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 6, 2026  7:10 am

US operation to ‘surge dramatically’, Hegseth says, as Israel declares next phase of war

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth warned on Thursday that US military operations in Iran are “about to surge dramatically”. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 6, 2026  6:56 am

Goal of eliminating Khamenei set in November: Israel Katz

The Israeli government decided to eliminate Iran’s former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei as early as November, with initial intentions to execute the mission approximately six months thereafter, according to a report by The Jerusalem Post citing Defence Minister Israel Katz. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 6, 2026  10:59 am

204 crew members of Iranian ship ‘IRIS Bushehr’ brought to Colombo Port: SL Navy

A total of 204 crew members of the Iranian navy vessel ‘IRIS Bushehr’, near Sri Lanka’s territorial waters, have been safely evacuated by the Sri Lanka Navy and brought to the Colombo Port, according to the Sri Lanka Navy. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 6, 2026  7:35 am