News Archive

Trump wants say on Iran’s next leader as war intensifies

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...

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..

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..

204 crew members of Iranian ship ‘IRIS Bushehr’ brought to Colombo Port: SL Navy

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..

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..

Gazette issued to restructure CEB from March 9, establish successor companies

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..

Showers expected in several areas today

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..

FM Vijitha Herath says Israel’s FM assured safety of Sri Lankans in Israel

FM Vijitha Herath says Israel’s FM assured safety of Sri Lankans in Israel

Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath says he held a phone call with Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar today (05) regarding the well-being of over 29,000 Sri Lankan nationals currently residing in Israel. MORE..

Female lawyer sentenced to 12 years in prison for preparing forged deeds

Female lawyer sentenced to 12 years in prison for preparing forged deeds

A female attorney, convicted of preparing forged deeds, has been sentenced to 12 years in prison by the Colombo High Court today (05). MORE..

WHO says it has verified 13 attacks on health sites in Iran

WHO says it has verified 13 attacks on health sites in Iran

The World Health Organization (WHO) chief said on Thursday that it has verified 13 attacks on health infrastructure in Iran amid a U.S.-Israeli campaign and it was checking reports that four medics were killed and 25 ⁠others injured. MORE..

Israel’s main airport reopens

Israel’s main airport reopens

Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport has been reopened after it was shut down five days ago at the start of the joint Israeli and US military strikes on Iran. MORE..

Group of 200 Indian tourists home-bound after evacuating UAE

Group of 200 Indian tourists home-bound after evacuating UAE

A group of 200 Indian tourists has managed to evacuate the United Arab Emirates after a trip to visit the country’s Hindu temples left them stranded as the war broke out. MORE..

87 bodies recovered after Iranian Ship sinks near Sri Lankan waters following US attack

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..

Iran’s internet blackout hits 120 hours

Iran’s internet blackout hits 120 hours

Iran’s internet blackout has now passed 120 hours, with connectivity in the country flatlining at around 1% of its typical levels, according to independent watchdog organization NetBlocks. MORE..

European countries to deploy military assets to Cyprus after Iranian attack on UK base

European countries to deploy military assets to Cyprus after Iranian attack on UK base

Italy, Spain, France and the Netherlands will send naval assets to ⁠protect Cyprus in the coming days, Rome’s ⁠Defence Minister Guido Crosetto told parliament on Thursday. MORE..

MP claims two coal grinding machines not working at Norochcholai Power Plant

MP claims two coal grinding machines not working at Norochcholai Power Plant

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Member of Parliament (MP) Nalin Bandara claims that two coal grinding machines (pulverizers) at the Norochcholai Power Plant have become inoperative. MORE..

Bribery Commission arrests retired Health Ministry official and businessman

Bribery Commission arrests retired Health Ministry official and businessman

A retired Chief Clerk of the Ministry of Health has been arrested by the Bribery Commission on charges of accepting a bribe exceeding Rs. 20 million. MORE..

Nalinda Jayatissa named chair of Parliament Committee on Cyclone Ditwah preparedness

Nalinda Jayatissa named chair of Parliament Committee on Cyclone Ditwah preparedness

Minister of Health and Mass Media Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa has been named the Chairman of the Parliament Committee appointed to conduct a comprehensive study on the lack of preparedness to face Cyclone Ditwah last year. MORE..

Middle East Conflict: No serious injuries to any Sri Lankans residing in affected countries – Officials

Middle East Conflict: No serious injuries to any Sri Lankans residing in affected countries – Officials

A meeting to review the measures currently in place to ensure the safety and welfare of the tourists and Sri Lankan migrant workers, as well as the next steps to be taken in response to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, was held this afternoon (04) at the Presidential Secretariat under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

Drone that struck military airbase in Cyprus was not launched from Iran, UK says

Drone that struck military airbase in Cyprus was not launched from Iran, UK says

The UK’s Ministry of Defence has ruled out Iran as the source of the drone that struck RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus on Sunday night, though it said the unmanned aircraft bore the hallmarks of Tehran’s signature Shahed design — the low-cost drones Russia has used extensively against Ukraine, as SkyNews reports. MORE..

Explosion reported near tanker off Kuwait, crew safe, UKMTO says

Explosion reported near tanker off Kuwait, crew safe, UKMTO says

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations says it received a report of an incident 30 nautical miles southeast of Kuwait’s Mubarak Al Kabeer. MORE..

Sri Lanka will remain neutral during ongoing Middle East conflict – President

Sri Lanka will remain neutral during ongoing Middle East conflict – President

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake today announced the stance of the Government of Sri Lanka pertaining to the ongoing Middle East conflict. MORE..

ASP Rohan Olugala assumes duties as Director of Walana Anti-Vice Unit

ASP Rohan Olugala assumes duties as Director of Walana Anti-Vice Unit

Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Rohan Olugala has officially assumed duties today (05) as the Director of the Central Anti-Vice Striking Unit in Panadura. MORE..

Iran launches missiles at Israel as attacks in Middle East commence for sixth day

Iran launches missiles at Israel as attacks in Middle East commence for sixth day

Iran launched missiles at Israel earlier this morning (05) as aerial attacks in the Middle East commenced for a sixth day after an American submarine sank an Iranian warship in south of Sri Lanka and Iran threatened the destruction of military and economic infrastructure across the region. MORE..

Fisheries Minister’s request to all Sri Lankan fishermen

Fisheries Minister’s request to all Sri Lankan fishermen

Fisheries Minister Ramalingam Chandrasekar today (05) urged all Sri Lankan fishermen not to venture into sea areas beyond Sri Lanka’s maritime borders, considering the current situation in the country’s waters and international waters. MORE..

Oil price up nearly 2% in early Asian trade

Oil price up nearly 2% in early Asian trade

Oil prices rose nearly 2 per cent in early Asian trade on Thursday (Mar 5), off the back of persistent worries about supplies because of the Middle East conflict.

Israel to attack Iran’s underground missile sites in second phase of war: report

Israel to attack Iran’s underground missile sites in second phase of war: report

Israel’s war in Iran is entering a second phase that will see its fighter jets attacking ballistic missile sites buried deep underground, two sources familiar with Israel’s military campaign said. MORE..

India rejects report claiming US using its ports for Iran strikes

India rejects report claiming US using its ports for Iran strikes

India has rejected a report that claimed that the US was using its ports to strike Iran. MORE..

US committed ‘atrocity,’ will ‘bitterly regret’: Iranian FM on attack on warship IRIS Dena in Indian Ocean

US committed ‘atrocity,’ will ‘bitterly regret’: Iranian FM on attack on warship IRIS Dena in Indian Ocean

Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi on Thursday accused the United States of committing an “atrocity” after a US submarine sank the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Sri Lanka. MORE..

Over 200 onboard second Iranian vessel being brought ashore; ship to be moved to Trinco – President

Over 200 onboard second Iranian vessel being brought ashore; ship to be moved to Trinco – President

A total of 208 individuals who are onboard a second Iranian Navy ship “IRIS Bushehr” near Sri Lanka’s territorial waters are being brought ashore to Colombo at present, says President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. MORE..

National Care Policy essential to achieve fair society that values women’s labour and care economy – PM

National Care Policy essential to achieve fair society that values women’s labour and care economy – PM

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya has stated that establishing a National Care policy is essential in achieving a fair society where it values women’s labour and a care economy. MORE..

US will have “complete and total dominance” over Iranian airspace soon, White House says

US will have “complete and total dominance” over Iranian airspace soon, White House says

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Wednesday that the United States will have “complete and total dominance” over Iranian airspace in the next few hours. MORE..

Customs detects over 52kg of narcotics in air cargo sent from Malaysia

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..

FM discusses Middle East conflict with regional Ministers

FM discusses Middle East conflict with regional Ministers

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Vijitha Hearth has held discussions with several foreign ministers of gulf countries pertaining to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. MORE..

Ex-SLAF officer files petition challenging Suresh Sallay’s 90-day detention order

Ex-SLAF officer files petition challenging Suresh Sallay’s 90-day detention order

A retired officer of the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) has filed a Fundamental Rights petition challenging the 90-day detention order on arrested former head of the State Intelligence Service (SIS), Major General (Retired) Suresh Sallay, under the Prevention of Terrorism Act. MORE..

Donald Trump rates Iran war ‘15 out of 10’

Donald Trump rates Iran war ‘15 out of 10’

United States President Donald Trump on Wednesday (Mar 4) rated the US performance in the war with Iran as a 15 on a scale of 10, saying the Islamic Republic’s leaders were rapidly being killed, and vowing to push on. MORE..

Sri Lanka recovers 84 bodies from Iranian Ship sunk in US strike

Sri Lanka recovers 84 bodies from Iranian Ship sunk in US strike

The bodies of 84 individuals who were on an Iranian vessel that sank after a US attack in southern waters beyond Sri Lanka’s maritime boundary have been recovered, the Sri Lanka Navy has announced. MORE..

UK sending four extra Typhoon jets to Qatar, PM Starmer says

UK sending four extra Typhoon jets to Qatar, PM Starmer says

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Thursday that four additional Typhoon fighter jets would be sent to Qatar as the conflict in the Middle East escalates, insisting that the UK has the right plan for defence. MORE..

Property worth Rs. 30 million linked to major organised criminal frozen - Police

Property worth Rs. 30 million linked to major organised criminal frozen - Police

The Illegal Assets Investigation Division of Sri Lanka Police has taken steps to freeze a property valued at approximately Rs. 30 million that is allegedly linked to proceeds generated from drug trafficking. MORE..

Iran says US tanker on fire in Gulf

Iran says US tanker on fire in Gulf

Iranian state television says its naval fighters have hit a US tanker this morning in the northern Gulf. MORE..

Power outages reported across Sri Lanka

Power outages reported across Sri Lanka

A technical fault in the electricity supply system between Anuradhapura and Vavuniya resulted in power outages in several areas across the island, according to the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB). MORE..

Indian Navy says it responded to distress call of Iranian ship IRIS Dena, deployed aircraft, vessel

Indian Navy says it responded to distress call of Iranian ship IRIS Dena, deployed aircraft, vessel

The Indian Navy has sent its aircraft and ships to augment the search and rescue efforts for IRIS Dena that was hit by an American torpedo Wednesday while it was on its voyage back to Iran after participating in exercise MILAN and the International Fleet Review in Visakhapatnam. MORE..

US Senate blocks effort to force Donald Trump to end Iran strikes

US Senate blocks effort to force Donald Trump to end Iran strikes

A majority of U.S. senators have voted against a bipartisan war powers resolution seeking to halt the military campaign against Iran. MORE..

Sri Lanka expressed grave concern over escalation of hostilities: FM on phone call with Iran’s FM

Sri Lanka expressed grave concern over escalation of hostilities: FM on phone call with Iran’s FM

Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath has held a phone call with the Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi yesterday (04) to discuss the rapidly evolving situation in the Middle East. MORE..

Govt considering appointing interim committee for Sri Lanka Cricket – Sports Minister

Govt considering appointing interim committee for Sri Lanka Cricket – Sports Minister

Sports Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage says the government is considering transferring the administration of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) to an interim committee in the future, as part of efforts to address long-standing issues in the country’s cricket administration. MORE..

Another Iranian vessel near Sri Lanka’s Exclusive Economic Zone, Cabinet Spokesman

Another Iranian vessel near Sri Lanka’s Exclusive Economic Zone, Cabinet Spokesman

The second Iranian vessel is also not currently within Sri Lanka’s territorial waters, but is located in the Exclusive Economic Zone close to Sri Lanka’s maritime boundary, according to Cabinet Spokesman Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa. MORE..

Nepal goes to polls in first general election since government-toppling Gen Z protests last year

Nepal goes to polls in first general election since government-toppling Gen Z protests last year

Nepalese on Thursday morning (March 5, 2026) started to reach polling booths to cast their vote in crucial general elections, the first since a violent Gen Z-led protest that toppled the K. P. Sharma Oli-led government last year. MORE..

Showers expected in several areas after 2pm today

Showers expected in several areas after 2pm today

Showers or thundershowers are expected at a few places in the Uva and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in the Hambantota, Nuwara-Eliya and Ampara districts after 2.00 p.m. today (05), the Department of Meteorology stated. MORE..

‘Game of Thrones’ movie in development at Warner Bros.

‘Game of Thrones’ movie in development at Warner Bros.

Warner Bros. is officially developing a new movie set in the world of ‘Game of Thrones,’ according to The Hollywood Reporter. MORE..

Qatar evacuating residents “in vicinity” of US Embassy

Qatar evacuating residents “in vicinity” of US Embassy

Authorities in Qatar are evacuating residents living “in the vicinity” of the US Embassy as a “temporary precautionary measure,” the interior ministry said.