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Govt. to introduce priority bus service for persons with disabilities from April
Govt. to introduce priority bus service for persons with disabilities from April
The government has decided to launch a priority bus service for persons with disabilities starting next month. MORE..
Three crew members ‘believed trapped’ aboard Thai ship attacked in Gulf: Shipping firm
Three crew members ‘believed trapped’ aboard Thai ship attacked in Gulf: Shipping firm
Three crew members were “believed to be trapped” aboard a Thai bulk carrier that was hit by two projectiles on Wednesday (Mar 10) while travelling through the crucial Strait of Hormuz, the vessel’s owner said. MORE..
US intelligence says Iran government is not at risk of collapse, say sources
US intelligence says Iran government is not at risk of collapse, say sources
U.S. intelligence indicates that Iran’s leadership is still largely intact and is not at risk of collapse any time soon after nearly two weeks of relentless U.S. and Israeli bombardment, according to three sources familiar with the matter. MORE..
Proposal to appoint new Ambassadors to Israel and Iran approved
Proposal to appoint new Ambassadors to Israel and Iran approved
The Parliamentary Committee on High Posts has approved the proposal to appoint Prof. M.I. Fazeeha Azmi as the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Iran. MORE..
Residents told to evacuate after ‘high risk explosive’ found in Christchurch, NZ
Residents told to evacuate after ‘high risk explosive’ found in Christchurch, NZ
Residents have been evacuated from a suburb near Christchurch Airport after a ‘‘high-risk explosive’’ was found. MORE..
Around 1,800 cases of leptospirosis reported so far this year
Around 1,800 cases of leptospirosis reported so far this year
Around 1,800 cases of leptospirosis have been reported so far this year, according to the Epidemiology Unit of the Ministry of Health. MORE..
| March 12, 2026 10:22 am
US to release 172 million barrels of oil to stabilise markets as Middle East conflict escalates
US to release 172 million barrels of oil to stabilise markets as Middle East conflict escalates
The United States Department of Energy announced its plan to offload 172 million barrels from the strategic petroleum reserve ‘‘beginning next week,’‘ following significant volatility in oil prices triggered by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. MORE..
300 to 400 slums destroyed after massive fire breaks out in Indian capital
300 to 400 slums destroyed after massive fire breaks out in Indian capital
A fire broke out at a fish market late at night on Wednesday in Matiala village in Uttam Nagar, Delhi. It started around 11:50 pm when vendors were packing up their stalls. Flames quickly spread to several nearby slums, threatening the homes of many families. MORE..
Five Tamil Nadu fishermen arrested for infiltrating Sri Lankan waters
Five Tamil Nadu fishermen arrested for infiltrating Sri Lankan waters
The Sri Lanka Navy has arrested five fishermen from Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu for infiltrating Sri Lankan waters. MORE..
Pentagon tells Congress the Iran war cost at least US$ 11 billion in first six days
Pentagon tells Congress the Iran war cost at least US$ 11 billion in first six days
Sen Chris Coons, the top Democrat on the subcommittee that deals with defense appropriations, indicated on Wednesday that the war in Iran cost at least US$ 11 billion in the first six days, according to early estimates. MORE..
UNICEF says more than 1,100 children injured or killed since Iran war began
UNICEF says more than 1,100 children injured or killed since Iran war began
The UN children’s agency (UNICEF) says the “intensifying conflict” between the United States, Israel and Iran is creating a “catastrophic” situation for millions of children across the Middle East. MORE..
Abandoned pets become ‘hidden victims’ of Iran-US war
Abandoned pets become ‘hidden victims’ of Iran-US war
In a shocking result of the conflict between Iran and the US and Israel, which has seen missiles falling down in the Gulf states, thousands of pets have been abandoned. MORE..
Oil tops $100 again despite historic release of reserves
Oil tops $100 again despite historic release of reserves
Oil prices surged past $100 per barrel again overnight, three days after it hit a four-year high, as the US and Israel’s war with Iran continues to have a historic impact on global fuel supplies. MORE..
Iran tells world to get ready for oil at $200 a barrel as it fires on merchant ships
Iran tells world to get ready for oil at $200 a barrel as it fires on merchant ships
Iran said the world should be ready for oil at $200 a barrel as its forces hit merchant ships on Wednesday and the International Energy Agency recommended a massive release of strategic reserves to dampen one of the worst oil shocks since the 1970s. MORE..
US-Iran tensions could impact emerging market economies, Fitch Ratings warns
US-Iran tensions could impact emerging market economies, Fitch Ratings warns
Emerging market economies may experience increased economic and financial strain due to the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran, global credit rating agency Fitch Ratings has cautioned. MORE..
Four arrested with 19,060 litres of diesel in Biyagama
Four arrested with 19,060 litres of diesel in Biyagama
Four individuals have been arrested with a large quantity of illegally collected diesel during a raid in Biyagama, police stated. MORE..
Iran sets conditions for ending war with US and Israel
Iran sets conditions for ending war with US and Israel
Iran’s president Masoud Pezeshkian said on Wednesday that the only way to end the war with the United States and Israel is the recognition of Iran’s legitimate rights, the payment of reparations, and firm international guarantees against future aggression.
Sri Lanka’s tourist arrivals in 2026 surpass 600,000
Sri Lanka’s tourist arrivals in 2026 surpass 600,000
The number of tourist arrivals in Sri Lanka in 2026 has crossed the 600,000-mark, the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) stated. MORE..
Donald Trump claims “we won” in Iran
Donald Trump claims “we won” in Iran
US President President Donald Trump claimed in remarks Wednesday that “we won” in the war with Iran, without providing substantial evidence of his claim. MORE..
Showers above 50 mm likely in some areas today
Showers above 50 mm likely in some areas today
A few showers may occur in the Uva province and in the Batticaloa, Ampara, and Hambantota districts today (12), the Department of Meteorology stated. MORE..
UN Security Council demands Iran halt attacks on Gulf states
UN Security Council demands Iran halt attacks on Gulf states
The UN Security Council on Wednesday called for Iran to halt its attacks on Gulf states, in a resolution that did not mention US or Israeli strikes on Iran, prompting Tehran’s ambassador to decry a “blatant misuse” of the international body. MORE..
One dead, 38 rescued from oil tankers ablaze in Gulf as Iran claims responsibility
One dead, 38 rescued from oil tankers ablaze in Gulf as Iran claims responsibility
The head of Iraq’s ports company told CNN on Thursday that it had rescued 38 crew members of two foreign oil tankers left ablaze in the Persian Gulf after coming under attack in Iraq’s territorial waters – but at least one person has died.
US Generals tell Donald Trump destroying Iranian vessel near Sri Lanka was ‘fun’
US Generals tell Donald Trump destroying Iranian vessel near Sri Lanka was ‘fun’
US President Donald Trump said he questioned the decision to sink an Iranian warship off the coast of Sri Lanka. MORE..
U.S. military tells civilians to avoid port facilities where Iranian navy operating
U.S. military tells civilians to avoid port facilities where Iranian navy operating
The US military on Wednesday warned civilians to leave port facilities where Iranian naval forces are operating, adding that US forces could not guarantee their safety. MORE..
Sri Lankan man found guilty of exposing himself to staff at asylum seeker hotel in UK
Sri Lankan man found guilty of exposing himself to staff at asylum seeker hotel in UK
A Sri Lankan man has been found guilty of exposing himself after assaulting two members of staff at a Southampton hotel for asylum seekers in England. MORE..