News Archive

British tourist killed in train accident near Wadduwa

An 82-year-old British tourist has died after being struck by a train this evening (09) while standing on a railway bridge between the Wadduwa and Pinwatta railway stations. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 9, 2026  6:00 pm

SriLankan Airlines announces resumption of daily flights to Riyadh and Dubai

SriLankan Airlines has announced that it will resume daily flights to Riyadh and Dubai following the suspension of regular flights amidst the on-going conflict in the Middle East. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 9, 2026  3:32 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

Iran says no room for ceasefire talks while military attacks continue

Iran said on Monday there was no room to discuss a ceasefire while military attacks by the United States and Israel continue. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 9, 2026  4:02 pm

Sri Lanka to decide fate of Iranian sailors after diplomatic meeting

A discussion is scheduled to be held today (09) between government authorities and officials of the Iranian Embassy in Sri Lanka regarding the next steps to be taken concerning the Iranian sailors currently in Sri Lankan custody. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 9, 2026  2:27 pm

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

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

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

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

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

Warm weather advisory issued for three provinces

A warm weather advisory has been issued for residents of the Western, North-western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and the Monaragala district. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 9, 2026  4:54 pm

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

Russian President Putin congratulates Iran’s new supreme leader

Russian President Vladimir Putin has written to Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei to congratulate him, according to the Kremlin. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 9, 2026  4:29 pm

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

Investigation further suggests it was the US that struck an Iranian school, killing 165

The investigative group Bellingcat says newly released video “appears to contradict” U.S. President Donald Trump’s claim that Iran was responsible for an explosion at an Iranian school that killed over 165 people at the start of the war raging in the Mideast. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 9, 2026  4:50 pm

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

Increased Mahapola scholarship allowance to be credited from tomorrow

The increased Mahapola Higher Education Scholarship allowance, introduced under the 2026 Budget proposal, will be credited to students’ bank accounts starting tomorrow (10). MORE..

(0)Comments | March 9, 2026  6:11 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

Qatar condemns Iranian attack on residential facility in Saudi Arabia’s Al-Kharj

The government of Qatar has strongly condemned an attack attributed to Iran that targeted a residential facility in Al-Kharj, a city in Saudi Arabia, resulting in the deaths of two civilians and leaving several others injured. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 9, 2026  2:46 pm

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

Ex-MP Sajin Vass Gunawardena remanded

Former Member of Parliament Sajin Vass Gunawardena, who was arrested by officials of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption earlier today has been remanded. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 9, 2026  4:32 pm

58-year-old woman involved in drug trafficking arrested in Hatton

A woman who had been involved in drug trafficking in Hatton for several years has been arrested by the Special Investigation Unit of the Hatton Police Division. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 9, 2026  5:48 pm

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 trade unions to withdraw from all services for 24 hours

Around 25 trade unions attached to the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) have decided to withdraw from all services for 24 hours from 3:00 p.m. today (09). MORE..

(0)Comments | March 9, 2026  3:06 pm

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

SC to hear Pillayan’s FR petition challenging arrest on March 18

The Supreme Court has ordered that the Fundamental Rights (FR) petition filed by former State Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan, alias Pillayan, be called on March 18. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 9, 2026  2:45 pm

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

Lebanon “ready to resume negotiations” with Israel, says prime minister

Lebanon’s government is “ready to resume negotiations” with Israel, the country’s prime minister told local media Monday, as Israeli attacks on the country persisted overnight. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 9, 2026  5:55 pm

President receives blessings from Ven. Ittapana Dhammalankara Thero

The Most Venerable Ittapana Dhammalankara Mahanayake Thera, the Mahanayake of the Kotte Sri Kalyani Samagri Dharma Maha Sangha Sabha and the Chancellor of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura met President Anura Kumara Dissanayake this afternoon (09) at the Presidential Secretariat. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 9, 2026  5:20 pm

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

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

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

CBSL Governor shares insights on navigating economic crisis at ‘Asia in 2050’ conference

The Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL), P. Nandalal Weerasinghe, participated in a high-level discussion on the Asia-Pacific’s evolving role in the global economy at the Asia in 2050 Conference held recently. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 9, 2026  3:29 pm

One killed, two injured after Iranian missile hits central Israel

An individual has been killed and two others sustained injuries in an Iranian missile attack in central Israel, Israeli medics said Monday. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 9, 2026  4:23 pm

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

USS Abraham Lincoln spotted in Arabian sea

The aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln was seen on weekend off the coast of Oman, sailing northwest in the direction of the Strait of Hormuz. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 9, 2026  5:09 pm

Donald Trump says he will grant asylum for Iranian women’s soccer players if Australia does not

President Donald Trump said he would grant asylum to Iranian women’s soccer players who fled their team’s hotel during the Women’s Asian Cup in Australia. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 9, 2026  8:42 pm

US gas prices up 50 cents since the war with Iran started

US gas prices edged up about 3 cents in the latest reading from AAA. That was the smallest increase in the past week, lifting the price for a gallon of regular to $3.48. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 9, 2026  5:30 pm