News Archive

Israel says it has begun a new wave of strikes on Tehran

A large explosion has been reported in eastern Tehran, according to Iranian state media and an AFP news agency reporter in the city. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 4, 2026  1:48 pm

Iran to hold three-day ‘farewell ceremony’ for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

Iran will hold a three-day “farewell ceremony” for its late leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei starting at 10 p.m. Wednesday (1830 GMT) at Tehran’s Imam Khomeini prayer ground, according to state media. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 4, 2026  12:31 pm

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..

(0)Comments | March 4, 2026  10:38 am

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..

(0)Comments | March 4, 2026  7:11 am

32 Iranians rescued from warship “IRIS Dena” admitted to Karapitiya Hospital

A total of 32 Iranians who were rescued from the Iranian warship “IRIS Dena” by the Sri Lanka Navy earlier today (04) have been admitted to the Karapitiya Hospital. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 4, 2026  12:43 pm

US says Iran firing fewer missiles, US strikes to expand inland

Iran is firing fewer missiles than it did at the start of the war on Feb 28, the top US general said on March 4, as he argued Iran’s military capabilities were greatly diminished as the United States expands its strikes inside Iran. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 4, 2026  9:58 pm

SriLankan Airlines announces resumption of limited Middle East operations

SriLankan Airlines informs passengers that it is resuming limited operations to the Middle East. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 4, 2026  11:40 am

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..

(0)Comments | March 4, 2026  9:55 am

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..

(0)Comments | March 4, 2026  8:20 am

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..

(0)Comments | March 4, 2026  8:53 am

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..

(0)Comments | March 4, 2026  8:19 am

‘Geography is permanent, but peace is a choice’: Ali Sabry on Middle East crisis

Sri Lanka’s former Justice Minister Ali Sabry has expressed concern over rising tensions in the Middle East, urging restraint and dialogue amid escalating regional instability. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 4, 2026  2:50 pm

Spain’s PM says ‘no to the war’ in Iran despite Trump’s trade threat

Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez again criticized the US and Israel’s military actions in Iran, standing firm on Wednesday against trade threats from Washington and warning that the war in the Middle East risked “playing Russian roulette” with millions of lives. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 4, 2026  5:45 pm

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..

(0)Comments | March 4, 2026  10:40 am

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..

(0)Comments | March 4, 2026  10:05 am

TikTok won’t protect DMs with controversial privacy tech, saying it would put users at risk

TikTok will not introduce end-to-end encryption (E2EE) - the controversial privacy feature used by nearly all its rivals - arguing it makes users less safe. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 4, 2026  2:39 pm

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..

(0)Comments | March 4, 2026  9:18 am

Sri Lanka Navy reveals more information after Iranian ship sinks off southern coast

The Sri Lanka Navy has provided further details regarding the Iranian ship which reportedly sank off Sri Lanka’s southern coast. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 4, 2026  6:08 pm

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..

(0)Comments | March 4, 2026  7:50 am

US State Department orders non-emergency staff and families in Pakistan’s Lahore and Karachi to leave

The U.S. State Department has ordered non-emergency staff and their families working in the consulates in Lahore and Karachi to leave the country due to safety concerns. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 4, 2026  12:11 pm

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..

(0)Comments | March 4, 2026  11:59 am

Govt to remove CESS levy on over 2,600 HS codes

The government has decided to remove the CESS levy on goods and material imported under 2,600 identified HS codes over a four-year period. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 4, 2026  2:37 pm

President reviews economic impact of Middle East conflict on Sri Lanka, directs urgent preventive measures

A high-level discussion was held today (04) at the Presidential Secretariat under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to examine the potential impact of the current war situation in the Middle East on Sri Lanka’s economy and to identify the urgent measures required to manage it effectively. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 4, 2026  4:57 pm

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..

(0)Comments | March 4, 2026  11:13 am

SLTDA takes policy decision to refrain from LGBTQ-focused tourism in Sri Lanka, AG tells court

The Attorney General informed the Court of Appeal today (04) that the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) has taken a policy decision to refrain from conducting tourism promotion programs specifically targeting the LGBTIQ community in Sri Lanka. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 4, 2026  12:15 pm

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..

(0)Comments | March 4, 2026  10:39 am

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..

(0)Comments | March 4, 2026  10:08 am

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..

(0)Comments | March 4, 2026  5:43 am

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..

(0)Comments | March 4, 2026  7:29 am

Around 80 bodies recovered after US submarine sunk Iranian warship

About 80 bodies have been recovered so far from the Iranian naval ship IRIS Dena, which sank off the coast of Sri Lanka following an attack by a U.S. military submarine, Sri Lanka’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Arun Hemachandra told Ada Derana. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 4, 2026  7:31 pm

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..

(0)Comments | March 4, 2026  11:19 am

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..

(0)Comments | March 4, 2026  9:47 am

Iran postpones state funeral for Khamenei

Iran announced that a state funeral for supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, which had been planned for Wednesday evening in Tehran, was postponed “in anticipation of unprecedented turnout,” state television reported. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 4, 2026  5:06 pm

Cabinet nod to gazette bill seeking to abolish ‘Chief of Defence Staff’ post

The Cabinet of Ministers has granted approval to publish in the Government Gazette the draft bill seeking to repeal the Chief of Defence Staff Act No. 35 of 2009. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 4, 2026  4:04 pm

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..

(0)Comments | March 4, 2026  7:27 am

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..

(0)Comments | March 4, 2026  8:02 am

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..

(0)Comments | March 4, 2026  10:58 am

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..

(0)Comments | March 4, 2026  5:45 am

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..

(0)Comments | March 4, 2026  6:17 am

NATO destroys Iranian missile heading for Turkey, frontrunner for supreme leader emerges

The powerful son of Iran’s slain supreme leader emerged on Wednesday as a frontrunner to succeed him as the U.S. stepped up its military campaign against Tehran and NATO air defences destroyed a missile heading from Iran into Turkish airspace. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 4, 2026  10:36 pm

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..

(0)Comments | March 4, 2026  8:23 am

Israel says whoever is chosen as Iran’s next supreme leader will be ‘a target for elimination’

Israel’s defense minister on Wednesday threatened whoever Iran picks to be the country’s next supreme leader, saying he will be “a target for elimination.” MORE..

(0)Comments | March 4, 2026  12:29 pm

China calls for immediate stop to military operations in Middle East

Regarding the Iran situation, a Chinese spokesperson said on Wednesday that China calls for an immediate stop to military operations, preventing further escalation of tensions, and resuming dialogue and negotiations to uphold peace and stability in the Middle East. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 4, 2026  1:21 pm

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..

(0)Comments | March 4, 2026  9:34 am

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..

(0)Comments | March 4, 2026  11:04 am

Sri Lanka President condemns violence, assures support in phone call with UAE President

President of Sri Lanka Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated that he held a phone call with the President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, to express his sadness over the recent attacks suffered by the Emirates. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 4, 2026  3:18 pm

US confirms submarine sank Iranian warship in Indian Ocean with torpedo

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth says that in the Indian Ocean, the US sank “an Iranian warship that thought it was safe in international waters”. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 4, 2026  6:55 pm

Cabinet approves fertilizer subsidies for 2026 ‘Yala’ season

The Cabinet of Ministers has granted approval to provide financial assistance to farmers cultivating paddy fields for the 2026 Yala season to purchase fertilizers. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 4, 2026  4:40 pm

Sri Lanka-Iran ties broadened significantly under Khamenei’s tenure: FM Vijitha Herath

Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Vijitha Heath today visited the Iranian Embassy in Colombo to offer his condolences to the Islamic Republic of Iran on the recent passing of its Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 4, 2026  6:18 pm

Iran says Strait of Hormuz closed, warns it will attack ships trying to pass

A commander of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard said Monday that the Strait of Hormuz has been closed and warned that any vessel attempting to pass could be targeted, Iranian ⁠media reported. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 3, 2026  6:40 am