News Archive

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

‘If they rise, they rise’: Trump says he’s not concerned about rising gas prices amid Iran war

US President Donald Trump said he is not worried about rising petrol prices in the United States during the ongoing conflict involving Iran, saying the military campaign remains his main focus, according to Reuters. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 6, 2026  2:34 pm

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

IGP instructs police to monitor drone activities over national security concerns

The Inspector General of Police has issued instructions to all police stations regarding taking necessary measures to prevent the possibility of drones being used to collect sensitive information related to national security and to launch terrorist attacks. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 6, 2026  9:22 pm

UK cops arrest 4 in Iran spying probe

British police arrested four men Friday on suspicion of aiding Iranian intelligence services. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 6, 2026  2:58 pm

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

South Korea says it will receive 6 million barrels of oil from UAE

South Korea says it reached an agreement with the United Arab Emirates to receive 6 million barrels of crude oil, aiming to stabilize energy prices spiked by the escalating war in the Middle East. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 6, 2026  1:18 pm

‘‘Sri Lanka fallen into a wartime-like situation" – Deputy Minister

Deputy Minister of Public Security Sunil Watagala stated in Parliament today (06) that the country has fallen into a wartime-like situation, despite it being an undesirable development. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 6, 2026  7:26 pm

Sri Lanka’s foreign reserves surpass USD 7 billion mark

Sri Lanka’s official reserve assets increased by 6.6% to USD 7,284 million in February 2026, compared to USD 6,832 million recorded in January 2026. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 6, 2026  4:35 pm

Qatar energy minister warns war will force Gulf to halt energy exports within weeks

Qatar expects all Gulf energy producers to shut down exports within weeks if the Iran conflict continues and drives oil to $150 a barrel, the country’s Energy Minister Saad al-Kaabi told the Financial Times in an interview published on Friday. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 6, 2026  5:10 pm

Minister orders immediate probe into Jaffna boat accident

The Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources, Ramaligam Chandrasekar, has instructed authorities to conduct an immediate investigation into the boat accident reported in Jaffna, today (06),with the involvement of the Sri Lanka Navy and all relevant agencies, in order to determine the root causes of the incident. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 6, 2026  4:31 pm

Assets worth Rs. 20M belonging to fugitive underworld figure ‘Kudu Salindu’ frozen

Assets worth nearly Rs. 20 million belonging to notorious underworld figure and drug kingpin Salindu Malshitha Gunaratne, also known as “Panadura Kudu Salindu”, who is currently hiding abroad, have been frozen. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 6, 2026  2:09 pm

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

US moving thousands of people out of Middle Eastern countries, Trump says

President Donald Trump on Friday said the U.S. is moving thousands of people out of various countries throughout the Middle East amid the military conflict between the U.S., Israel and Iran. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 6, 2026  9:40 pm

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

PM calls for immediate solutions for people remaining in displacement camps after Cyclone Ditwah

The Presidential Task Force for Rebuilding Sri Lanka has convened yesterday (05) at the Presidential Secretariat under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 6, 2026  7:56 pm

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

50 Israeli jets struck Khamenei’s underground military bunker; IDF shares video

The Israeli Defence Forces on Friday shared footage showing air strikes on the underground military bunker where Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was reportedly present before he was killed. IDF claimed that 50 Israeli jets dismantled the underground military bunker in Tehran. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 6, 2026  5:37 pm

India’s tech state Karnataka bans social media for children under 16

The southern Indian state of Karnataka, home to the tech hub of Bengaluru, has banned the use of social media by those under ⁠the age of 16, state Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said on Friday, becoming the first in India to do so. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 6, 2026  12:27 pm

PM Harini rejects opposition’s claims that emergency regulations threaten democracy

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya has rejected the opposition’s allegations that the enforcement of emergency regulations has led to repression in the country, stating that such claims are baseless. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 6, 2026  4:08 pm

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

COPA approves forwarding DMT progress report to Attorney General for further action

The Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) has approved forwarding the report on the progress of implementing the directives issued at the COPA meetings held on 10 March and 21 March 2025 with regard to the Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) to the Attorney General... MORE..

(0)Comments | March 6, 2026  2:17 pm

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

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

India gave safe harbour to another Iranian ship days before ‘IRIS Dena’ was sunk – report

Days before the Iranian naval vessel IRIS Dena was sunk off the coast of Sri Lanka in a US strike, India had allowed another Iranian ship to dock at Kochi after Tehran sought urgent assistance due to technical problems, government sources said. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 6, 2026  10:07 pm

Trump says there will be no deal with Iran except ‘unconditional surrender’

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday there would be no deal struck with Iran except ‘‘unconditional surrender,’‘ a week after ⁠launching war with Israel against Tehran. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 6, 2026  8:42 pm

Britney Spears arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence

Britney Spears was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs near her Southern California home and released, authorities said. A statement from Spears’ representative calls the arrest “inexcusable.” MORE..

(0)Comments | March 6, 2026  2:33 pm

Indonesia to ban social media for children under 16

Indonesia will ban social media for children under 16, Communication and Digital Affairs Minister Meutya Hafid said Friday. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 6, 2026  4:01 pm

UNP wants govt to seek assurances of no further US military actions near Sri Lankan waters

The United National Party (UNP) has expressed concern over the Sri Lankan government’s continued silence regarding the sinking of an Iranian vessel by a U.S. submarine within the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). MORE..

(0)Comments | March 6, 2026  12:53 pm

Warm weather expected to continue until mid-April: Met Dept.

The Department of Meteorology says that the extremely warm weather conditions currently prevailing in many parts of the island is expected to continue until mid-April. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 6, 2026  1:52 pm

AG urged to consider allowing lawyer to meet Pillayan for pending FR petition

The Supreme Court today (06) has informed the Attorney General to consider the possibility of granting access to an attorney of former State Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias Pilleyan... MORE..

(0)Comments | March 6, 2026  7:21 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

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

Iran’s FM thanks Sri Lanka for helping rescue sailors after US strike

Iranian media reported that Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi held separate phone calls with Sri Lankan and Indian counterparts. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 6, 2026  3:53 pm

Iran says warship sunk by US was ‘unarmed’ and on ceremonial mission

Two days after a US submarine torpedoed and sank an Iranian warship off Sri Lanka’s coast, Iran on Friday warned that the attack on an “unarmed ship cannot go with impunity.” MORE..

(0)Comments | March 6, 2026  4:15 pm

Gulf carriers resume limited flights, but missile fire fuels uncertainty

Emirates and Etihad Airways were resuming limited flight schedules to key global cities from their United Arab Emirates hubs on Friday, though the threat of missile fire piled pressure on airlines as they scramble to accommodate travellers. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 6, 2026  12:46 pm

SL Navy assists in emergency evacuation of Japanese military ship’s crew member

A crew member of the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) vessel JS Ōnami, a Takanami-class destroyer operating in the western waters off Colombo, has been brought ashore due to the need for urgent medical attention, the Sri Lanka Navy said. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 6, 2026  9:34 pm

Oman’s Foreign Minister assures welfare and well-being of Sri Lankans

Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath says he spoke with Foreign Minister of Oman, Badr Albusaidi, in phone call today (06) regarding the evolving regional situation. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 6, 2026  2:56 pm

Michael Jackson accused of child sex trafficking in new lawsuit

Four adult siblings who spent time with the late Michael Jackson are accusing him of being a “serial child predator” and suing his estate for child sex trafficking, claiming that he abused them when they were minors. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 6, 2026  1:22 pm

‘Sathosa’ case against ex-minister Johnston: Further hearing on March 18

The Colombo High Court has ordered the case filed against former Minister Johnston Fernando and two others, over deploying of ‘Sathosa’ employees for political activities, be called again for the further examination of evidence on March 18, 2026. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 6, 2026  4:45 pm

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

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

Parliament approves extension of State of Public Emergency

The proposal for the extension of the State of Public Emergency has been approved by the Parliament, by a majority of 100 votes. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 6, 2026  5:43 pm

Nepal’s rapper-mayor Balendra Shah poised to become prime minister

After Nepal’s historic youth-led uprising last September killed 77 people and forced then-Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli to resign, a 35-year-old rapper-turned-politician posted a typically terse message to millions of followers on social media. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 6, 2026  10:30 pm

JP posts will no longer be granted on political grounds – Justice Minister

The Minister of Justice and National Integration, Harshana Nanayakkara, stated that the post of Justice of the Peace (JP) will no longer be granted based on political considerations. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 6, 2026  10:52 am

Coming weeks decisive for Sri Lanka due to global developments - Deputy Defense Minister

Sri Lanka’s Deputy Minister of Defense Aruna Jayasekera stated in Parliament today (06) that the coming weeks could be a decisive period for the country due to escalating military tensions in the Middle East. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 6, 2026  12:50 pm

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

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

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