Hot News
Global oil prices, which had climbed on Thursday, drop after Trump’s latest comments
Global oil prices, which had climbed on Thursday, drop after Trump’s latest comments
The Nasdaq index, where many tech firms are listed, dropped nearly 2.4%, weighed down in part by a sharp slide in sales of Meta shares, after back-to-back juries found against the company in closely watched court cases in the US. MORE..
Trump extends pause on striking Iran’s energy plants by 10 days
Trump extends pause on striking Iran’s energy plants by 10 days
US President Donald Trump on Thursday (Mar 26) pushed back his deadline for strikes on Iran’s energy assets to Apr 6, saying it was at Tehran’s request and that talks were “going very well”. MORE..
Sri Lankan arrested at BIA for smuggling 38 exotic pets
Sri Lankan arrested at BIA for smuggling 38 exotic pets
A Sri Lankan passenger who attempted to smuggle 38 exotic pets estimated to be worth nearly Rs. 1 million into the country, in violation of the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance (FFPO) and the Animal Diseases Act, was arrested in the early hours of today (26) at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake. MORE..
Magnitude 6.2 earthquake strikes off Japan’s Honshu
Magnitude 6.2 earthquake strikes off Japan’s Honshu
An earthquake of magnitude 6.2 struck off the east coast of Japan’s largest island, Honshu, on Thursday, the German Research Centre for Geosciences said. MORE..
Russia prepared to standby Sri Lanka as true friend in challenging times - Dy Energy Minister tells President
Russia prepared to standby Sri Lanka as true friend in challenging times - Dy Energy Minister tells President
Russian Deputy Minister of Energy, Roman Marshavin emphasised that Russia is prepared to support Sri Lanka in facing any challenges arising from the Middle East conflict. MORE..
US proposal to end war is ‘one-sided’, door to diplomacy still open, Iranian official says
US proposal to end war is ‘one-sided’, door to diplomacy still open, Iranian official says
Iran’s initial response to the U.S. proposal to end the war, which was conveyed to Pakistan, was that it was “one-sided and unfair”, a senior Iranian official told Reuters on Thursday, adding that a path forward might still be found if realism prevailed in Washington. MORE..
Appeals Court orders fresh trial in ex-MP Raviraj murder, sets aside acquittals
Appeals Court orders fresh trial in ex-MP Raviraj murder, sets aside acquittals
The Court of Appeal has set aside the judgment delivered by the Colombo High Court acquitting five defendants, including Sri Lanka Navy personnel, in connection with the killing of former TNA Member of Parliament Nadaraja Raviraj in 2006. MORE..
Bakery owners hold talks with Trade Minister over price hike concerns
Bakery owners hold talks with Trade Minister over price hike concerns
A discussion was held today (26) between the Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Co-operative Development, Wasantha Samarasinghe, and local bakery manufacturers and bakery owners. MORE..
3 Chinese nationals held for producing ketamine in Dhaka flat, smuggling to Sri Lanka
3 Chinese nationals held for producing ketamine in Dhaka flat, smuggling to Sri Lanka
Three Chinese nationals have been arrested for producing the illegal drug ketamine in a makeshift laboratory inside a flat in Dhaka, Bangladesh and smuggling it to Sri Lanka concealed within sound equipment. MORE..
Services suspended at Registration of Persons Dept. until further notice
Services suspended at Registration of Persons Dept. until further notice
All services at the Department for Registration of Persons (ID Office), including the one-day National Identity Card (NIC) service at the main office in Battaramulla and all provincial offices, will be suspended from tomorrow (27)...MORE..
Russia agrees to supply refined fuel to Sri Lanka following talks - official
Russia agrees to supply refined fuel to Sri Lanka following talks - official
Russian Deputy Minister of Energy, Roman Marshavin, who is currently on a visit to Sri Lanka, has agreed to supply refined fuel to Sri Lanka during discussions with Sri Lankan officials, according to an official. MORE..
Over 2.7 million new QR codes issued since March 15 - Ministry
Over 2.7 million new QR codes issued since March 15 - Ministry
More than 6.2 million people have registered for the National Fuel Pass system and obtained new QR codes since March 15, when the government re-introduced fuel distribution through ‘QR’ codes to manage fuel usage. MORE..
At least 24 killed as bus plunges into Padma river in Bangladesh; search on for missing
At least 24 killed as bus plunges into Padma river in Bangladesh; search on for missing
At least 24 people were killed and several others remain missing after a bus plunged into a river in Bangladesh while attempting to board a transport ferry, officials said on Thursday (March 26, 2026). MORE..
President Dissanayake to meet Russia’s Deputy Energy Minister
President Dissanayake to meet Russia’s Deputy Energy Minister
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake is scheduled to meet with visiting Russian Deputy Energy Minister Roman Marshavin this evening (26) at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo, with discussions centering on strengthening bilateral cooperation in the energy sector. MORE..
Registration of Persons Dept. temporarily suspends services due to system failure
Registration of Persons Dept. temporarily suspends services due to system failure
All services at the Department of Registration of Persons (ID Office) have been temporarily suspended following an unexpected breakdown in the computer system at its main office, the department stated. MORE..
CID ordered to produce former SIS chief Suresh Sallay before court
CID ordered to produce former SIS chief Suresh Sallay before court
The Colombo Fort Magistrate has ordered the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to produce the former Head of the State Intelligence Service, Major General (Retired) Suresh Sallay, who is currently in CID custody under detention orders, before the court on April 22. MORE..
Three former DMT officials arrested by Bribery Commission
Three former DMT officials arrested by Bribery Commission
Three former officials of the Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) have been arrested over multiple charges including allegations of fraudulently registering several vehicles, the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) stated. MORE..
Sri Lanka seek to attract visitors from countries unaffected by Middle East conflict
Sri Lanka seek to attract visitors from countries unaffected by Middle East conflict
A special discussion was held today (26) in a bid to address the challenges faced by those in the tourism sector owing to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. MORE..
Deputy Minister orders police to raid illegal fuel stockpiles
Deputy Minister orders police to raid illegal fuel stockpiles
Police have been instructed to carry out raids on locations where fuel has been illegally stockpiled by individuals amidst the energy crisis owing to the conflict in the Middle East. MORE..
Internet blackout continues in Iran
Internet blackout continues in Iran
A government-imposed digital blackout in Iran has entered its 27th day, according to internet monitoring group NetBlocks. MORE..
Tourist arrivals nearing 700,000 in 2026
Tourist arrivals nearing 700,000 in 2026
Nearly 700,000 tourists have visited Sri Lanka so far this year, the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) announced. MORE..
Chief of Iran’s elite naval force, responsible for Hormuz blockade, killed: Israel
Chief of Iran’s elite naval force, responsible for Hormuz blockade, killed: Israel
The commander of Iran’s elite naval force, Alireza Tangsiri, has been killed in a strike in southern Iran, an Israeli official said, the latest high-profile casualty in the war that’s now in its fourth week. MORE..
Ex-NIE Director faces contempt of court charges in Scholarship Exam paper leak case
Ex-NIE Director faces contempt of court charges in Scholarship Exam paper leak case
A charge sheet has been handed over today to IGS Premathilaka, the former Director of the National Institute of Education, who is accused of contempt of court for failing to implement a court order issued in relation to fundamental rights petitions filed over the leaking of three questions from the 2024 Scholarship Examination paper. MORE..
Dedicated number introduced to report issues in fishing industry
Dedicated number introduced to report issues in fishing industry
The Ministry of Fisheries has introduced a hotline, 011 432 3389, to report issues encountered in obtaining fuel for the fishing industry. MORE..
More than 1,000 complaints filed over misuse of fuel QR system
More than 1,000 complaints filed over misuse of fuel QR system
The Ministry of Digital Economy states that it has received more than 1,000 complaints regarding fraudulent activities involving the use of other individuals’ QR codes to obtain fuel. MORE..
























