News Archive

SC resumes hearing of appeals by ex-ministers Mahindananda and Nalin Fernando for second day

The hearing of the appeal filed by former ministers Mahindananda Aluthgamage and Nalin Fernando, challenging the prison sentences imposed on them over corruption charges, has been commenced for the second day today (10) before the Supreme Court. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 10, 2026  10:44 am

School van charges raised by 5% with effect from today

With the recent surge in fuel prices, the All Ceylon School Children’s Transport Association has decided to increase school transport fees by 5%, effective from today (10). MORE..

(0)Comments | March 10, 2026  10:17 am

Five Iranian women’s soccer players granted humanitarian visas in Australia

Australia on Tuesday granted humanitarian visas to five Iranian women’s soccer team players after they sought asylum fearing persecution in their home nation. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 10, 2026  10:18 am

Oil prices fall after Trump signals that war will end soon

Global oil prices fell in early Tuesday morning trading in Asia. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 10, 2026  6:45 am

Strike delays restoration of power disruptions in several areas

The restoration of the prevailing electricity disruptions in Colombo 9, Colombo 14, and several areas in Gampaha is expected to take some time due to an ongoing strike launched by trade unions.

(0)Comments | March 10, 2026  7:31 am

US has not ‘won enough’ yet, Trump says as he claims war will be over ‘pretty quickly’

Donald Trump has said the US has not “won enough” in Iran, as he claimed that the conflict will be over “pretty quickly” during a press conference. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 10, 2026  6:39 am

Trump warns of ‘death, fire, and fury’ if Iran disrupts global oil passageway

President Trump has issued another warning to Iran about disrupting shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 10, 2026  8:12 am

‘We will decide when to end war, not US’: Iran’s sharp response to Trump

Tehran has responded to US President Donald Trump’s remark about ending the war in Iran, saying it will be the one who will “determine” when the military actions against American and Israeli targets cease. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 10, 2026  8:22 am

Fifth National Oral Health Survey in Sri Lanka begins today – Health Ministry

The Ministry of Health states that the Fifth National Oral Health Survey in Sri Lanka will commence today (10). MORE..

(0)Comments | March 10, 2026  9:38 am

Navy seizes fishing trawler suspected of carrying narcotics haul and weapons

A multi-day fishing trawler transporting a stock of sacks suspected to contain narcotics and weapons was seized during a special operation conducted in the deep seas off the southern coast of Sri Lanka. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 10, 2026  10:33 am

France to deploy nearly a dozen warships, mulls Hormuz mission, Macron says

France is sending about a dozen naval vessels, including its aircraft carrier strike group, to the Mediterranean, Red Sea, and potentially the Strait of Hormuz, as part of defensive support for allies threatened by the Middle East conflict. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 10, 2026  6:55 am

Woman arrested with 100g of ‘Ice’ in Rathmalana

A woman has been arrested in the Rathmalana area for the possession of 100 grams of Crystal Methamphetamine, commonly known as ‘Ice’, police said. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 10, 2026  9:36 am

No revision of bus fares despite fuel price hike - NTC

The National Transport Commission (NTC) has announced that bus fares will not be revised despite the recent increase in fuel prices. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 10, 2026  8:28 am

UAE condemns Iran’s attempted ballistic missile strike on Turkey

The United Arab Emirates strongly condemned on Monday Iran’s attempt to target Turkey with a ballistic missile, marking the second such incident in less than a week. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 10, 2026  6:50 am

Putin, in a phone call with Trump, shares proposals to end Iran war quickly

Russian President Vladimir Putin, in a telephone conversation on Monday with U.S. President Donald Trump, put forward proposals for a quick settlement of the conflict around Iran, Kremlin foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov said. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 10, 2026  7:49 am

Mainly dry weather expected in most parts of the island

A few showers are likely in Northern Province and in Trincomalee and Anuradhapura districts, today (10), the Department of Meteorology said. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 10, 2026  7:03 am

UK parliament votes to reject social media ban for under-16s

A ban on social media for under-16s has been rejected by members of parliament in the UK. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 10, 2026  11:25 am

Australia to send missiles to UAE, deploy military surveillance aircraft

Australia will deploy a military surveillance aircraft to the Middle East and send missiles to the United Arab Emirates but will not put troops on the ground in Iran, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Tuesday. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 10, 2026  9:10 am

Iran says oil blockade will continue until attacks end, Trump threatens to escalate strikes

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said on Tuesday they would not allow “one litre of oil” to be shipped from the Middle East if US and Israeli attacks continue, prompting a warning from President Donald Trump that the US would hit Iran much harder if it blocked exports from the vital energy-producing region. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 10, 2026  11:29 am

Another gunman arrested over Jinthupitiya shooting incident

Another gunman involved in the shooting that killed a man and injured two children in Jinthupitiya recently has been arrested. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 10, 2026  7:22 am

Trump says ending war will be ‘mutual’ decision with Netanyahu

Donald Trump has said a decision on when to end the war with Iran will be a “mutual” one that he will make with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, The Times of Israel reports. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 9, 2026  8:50 am

Huge fire in Scotland triggers train chaos as historic building partially collapses

A massive fire near one of Scotland’s busiest train stations has engulfed a historic building in Glasgow, causing it to partially collapse. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 9, 2026  9:47 am

Mainly dry weather expected in most parts of the island today

Mainly dry weather will prevail over the island, except for showers or thundershowers that may occur at a few places in Rathnapura, Kaluthara, Galle and Matara districts after 2.00 pm, today (09), the Department of Meteorology said. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 9, 2026  7:12 am

Bus strike on 143 Hanwella–Colombo route

Private bus operators on the Hanwella–Colombo Route (143) have reportedly commenced a strike. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 9, 2026  10:58 am

Ex-Ministers Mahindananda and Nalin Fernando produced before court

Former ministers Mahindananda Aluthgamage and Nalin Fernando, who were sentenced to rigorous imprisonment and appealed against their convictions on corruption charges, have been produced before the Supreme Court by prison officials. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 9, 2026  10:11 am

Over 3,600 road accidents reported in Sri Lanka within first two months of 2026 - Police

Sri Lanka Police stated that more than 3,600 road accidents have been recorded within the first two months of the year. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 9, 2026  8:39 am

CEB dissolved; six new companies take over operations

The six new companies established through the dissolution of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) have officially come into effect today (09), following the conclusion of the Board’s tenure as of midnight yesterday. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 9, 2026  11:04 am

South Korea introduces first fuel price cap in 30 years as oil soars past $100

South Korea will impose its first fuel price cap in almost 30 years as global jitters deepen over spiraling oil prices. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 9, 2026  1:37 pm

Iran conflict forces central banks into sharp policy rethink

The escalating crisis in the Middle East has dramatically changed the outlook for global central banks, with the huge supply shock posing a difficult trade-off between underpinning growth and countering inflation. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 9, 2026  2:00 pm

Oil is now up 25% and on track for a record daily jump

Oil prices surged more than 25% on Monday to their highest levels since mid-2022. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 9, 2026  11:18 am

Jennifer Runyon, ‘Ghostbusters’ and ‘Charles in Charge’ actress, dies at 65

Jennifer Runyon, an actress known for her roles in ‘‘Ghostbusters’’ and the CBS sitcom ‘‘Charles in Charge,’’ died March 6. She was 65. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 9, 2026  8:41 am

Iranian army says at least 104 killed in US attack on Iranian warship off Sri Lanka’s coast

The Iranian army said on Sunday that at least 104 people were killed and 32 were wounded in an attack by ⁠the U.S. on an Iranian warship off Sri Lanka’s coast last week. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 9, 2026  6:55 am

Iran names Khamenei’s hardline son Mojtaba as new supreme leader

Iran on Monday named Mojtaba Khamenei to succeed his father Ali Khamenei as Supreme Leader, signaling that hardliners remain firmly in charge in Tehran a week into its conflict with the United States and Israel. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 9, 2026  5:08 am

China’s Middle East envoy in Saudi Arabia to mediate Iran war

The Chinese government’s special envoy for Middle East affairs Zhai Jun has visited Saudi Arabia as part of his mediation of the US-Israel war with Iran, saying Beijing is willing to work with Riyadh to make “unremitting efforts to maintain peace and stability in the Gulf region”. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 9, 2026  1:35 pm

PM Harini departs for Manila to attend ADB International Women’s Day events

The Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, departed for Manila, Philippines, at midnight yesterday (8 March) to undertake an official visit at the invitation of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), to participate in events marking International Women’s Day. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 9, 2026  11:27 am

At least 32 injured in Bahrain after drone attack - state media

At least 32 people were injured in Bahrain after an Iranian drone attack near the capital, according to a report by the state owned Bahrain News Agency. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 9, 2026  8:17 am

China says it opposes any targeting of new Iran Supreme leader

China said Monday that Iran’s decision to name Mojtaba Khamenei as its new supreme leader following the killing of his father was a domestic matter, and it opposed any attempt to target him. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 9, 2026  2:18 pm

Indian national arrested with over 2.7 kg of ‘Kush’ at BIA

A foreign passenger has been arrested earlier today (09) by officers of the Airport Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) while attempting to leave the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) with a stock of ‘‘Kush’‘ cannabis. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 9, 2026  9:06 am

G7 to discuss joint release of emergency oil reserves

G7 finance ministers will discuss a possible joint release of petroleum from reserves co-ordinated by the International Energy Agency, in an emergency meeting on Monday aimed at tackling the surge in oil prices following the conflict in the Gulf. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 9, 2026  11:43 am

IMF warns war could push global inflation higher

The International Monetary Fund is warning the Middle East conflict poses risks for global inflation and has made energy security a top concern. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 9, 2026  11:06 am

Iran launches first missiles at Israel under new leader

Iran has launched its first wave of missiles under its new leader Mojtaba Khamenei, state broadcaster IRIB said in a post on its Telegram channel. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 9, 2026  7:13 am

24-year-old businessman arrested with foreign-manufactured cigarettes at BIA

A Sri Lankan passenger has been arrested at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) by officers of the Airport Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) while attempting to smuggle a consignment of foreign-manufactured cigarettes into the country. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 9, 2026  8:06 am

Bruno Mars’ ‘The Romantic’ becomes his first to debut at No. 1 on albums chart

Bruno Mars’s latest album “The Romantic” has debuted at No. 1 on the albums chart, making it his first full-length project to bow atop the tally. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 9, 2026  12:32 pm

Ex-MP Sajin Vass Gunawardena arrested by Bribery Commission

Former Member of Parliament Sajin Vass Gunawardena has been arrested by officials of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) over allegations of earning illegal assets worth Rs. 243.8 million. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 9, 2026  2:21 pm

Sri Lanka in “much better position” to handle oil price shocks - CBSL Governor

The Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe has assured the public that Sri Lanka is now in a “much better position” to withstand global economic shocks, including rising oil prices and geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 9, 2026  10:18 am

Govt’s responsibility to ensure women’s rights are realized in everyday life, not just in laws – PM

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that it is the responsibility of the government to ensure that the political, economic, and social rights of women are not confined merely to laws or written documents, but are realized in the daily lives of every woman in the country. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 9, 2026  9:22 am

19-year-old arrested over reckless motorcycle riding video circulating on social media

A 19-year-old youth has been arrested by Police in connection with a video circulated on social media showing a motorcycle being ridden in a reckless and dangerous manner. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 9, 2026  7:44 am

Prohibition orders issued for 15 defective vehicles in Horana

Prohibition orders have been issued for fifteen defective vehicles identified during a special inspection operation conducted within the Horana Police division, the Horana Police announced. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 9, 2026  1:17 pm

Dollar surges as US-Iran war pushes oil past $100 a barrel

The dollar took another leg higher on Monday, jumping to a three-month peak on the euro as oil surged past $100 a barrel, stocks slid and investors headed for safety as protracted war in the Middle East threatened to disrupt global energy supplies. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 9, 2026  6:46 am

Youth arrested with ‘Ice’ during vehicle inspection in Dodangoda

During a vehicle inspection operation conducted under the island-wide anti-drug operation, a suspect involved in Crystal Methamphetamine (commonly known as ‘Ice’) drug trafficking across Dodangoda and surrounding areas has been arrested by Dodangoda Police. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 9, 2026  11:55 am