Hot News
Wednesdays declared holiday for govt employees, schools & unis; private sector urged to do same
Wednesdays declared holiday for govt employees, schools & unis; private sector urged to do same
The Government has decided to declare Wednesdays of every week as a holiday for government sector employees with effect from March 18, 2026, after taking into consideration the current fuel situation in Sri Lanka. MORE..
| March 16, 2026 7:13 pm
Over 250kg of cocaine seized from fishing trawler intercepted off Beruwala
Over 250kg of cocaine seized from fishing trawler intercepted off Beruwala
The Sri Lanka Navy has revealed that the multi-day fishing trawler intercepted in the sea area off Beruwala and brought to the Dikkowita Harbour this evening (16) was discovered to be carrying over 250 kilograms of cocaine. MORE..
Weekly fuel quota for passenger buses to be increased
Weekly fuel quota for passenger buses to be increased
The Chairman of the National Transport Commission (NTC), P. A. Chandrapala, stated that arrangements are being made to provide a weekly fuel quota ranging from 60 to 360 litres for passenger transport buses. MORE..
| March 16, 2026 5:31 pm
Starmer says UK will not be drawn into wider Iran war
Starmer says UK will not be drawn into wider Iran war
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Britain would not be drawn into a wider war in Iran but would work with allies including those in Europe to reopen the key Strait of Hormuz, although he acknowledged that it would not be easy. MORE..
Only 50% of private buses will operate if fuel supplied through SLTB depots - LPBOA
Only 50% of private buses will operate if fuel supplied through SLTB depots - LPBOA
The President of the Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association (LPBOA), Gemunu Wijeratne, stated that private passenger buses are currently facing numerous difficulties in obtaining fuel from depots belonging to the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB). MORE..
Vehicle importers raise concerns over QR code–based fuel quota system
Vehicle importers raise concerns over QR code–based fuel quota system
President of the Vehicle Importers’ Association of Sri Lanka (VIASL), Prasad Manage, says that vehicle importers have encountered difficulties due to the QR code–based fuel quota system introduced by the government for fuel distribution. MORE..
QR-based fuel quota system not necessary if public conserves fuel – Dy Minister
QR-based fuel quota system not necessary if public conserves fuel – Dy Minister
The Deputy Minister of Industries and Entrepreneurship Development, Chathuranga Abeysinghe, stated that a QR code-based fuel quota system would not be necessary if the public uses fuel sparingly in light of the current crisis. MORE..
| March 16, 2026 3:46 pm
China calls for immediate cease to military operations, after Trump’s comments
China calls for immediate cease to military operations, after Trump’s comments
China has responded after President Trump earlier, in an interview with UK newspaper the Financial Times, threatened to delay a summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping if Beijing doesn’t send help to secure the Strait of Hormuz. MORE..
School events should not place financial burden on parents – PM Harini
School events should not place financial burden on parents – PM Harini
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that school events should be organized in a manner that does not place a financial burden on parents. MORE..
Farmers to receive fuel for harvesting and ploughing without QR code
Farmers to receive fuel for harvesting and ploughing without QR code
Farmers will be provided with 15 litres of fuel per acre for harvesting and 20 litres per acre for ploughing (land preparation) without the need for a QR code, according to the Commissioner General of the Department of Agrarian Development, Dhammika Ranatunga. MORE..
Sri Lanka Tourism Alliance unveils ‘Love Sri Lanka, Always’ campaign
Sri Lanka Tourism Alliance unveils ‘Love Sri Lanka, Always’ campaign
The Sri Lanka Tourism Alliance has launched its new tactical campaign burst, “Love Sri Lanka, Always,” an evocative global initiative designed to reposition the island as a destination to discover and rediscover throughout the year across select international markets. MORE..
Final agreement reached on unified ‘Avurudu Nekath Seettuwa’– Minister
Final agreement reached on unified ‘Avurudu Nekath Seettuwa’– Minister
The Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious, and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, stated that both parties have reached an agreement to publish a unified set of auspicious times (“Avurudu Nekath Seettuwa”) for this year’s Sinhala and Tamil New Year. MORE..
| March 16, 2026 1:03 pm
Dubai airport resumes some flights after drone attack spotlights risks
Dubai airport resumes some flights after drone attack spotlights risks
Dubai’s international airport was gradually resuming flights on Monday, authorities said, after a fire caused by a drone attack forced a temporary suspension, further disrupting traffic in one of the world’s busiest air travel hubs. MORE..
CPC confirms arrival of new fuel tanker, warns public about fraudulent QR code websites
CPC confirms arrival of new fuel tanker, warns public about fraudulent QR code websites
The Managing Director of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC), Mayura Neththikumara stated that a fuel tanker arrived in Sri Lanka this morning (16), and arrangements have been made to commence unloading of its cargo within the day. MORE..
Case against Hirunika Premachandra and 14 others to be recalled in August
Case against Hirunika Premachandra and 14 others to be recalled in August
The Colombo Magistrate’s Court today (16) ordered that the complaint filed against former Member of Parliament Hirunika Premachandra and 14 others, over allegations that the suspects caused public inconvenience, be taken up again on August 17, 2026. MORE..
Brent crude trades near $105 as Iran attacks more Gulf targets, while shares are mixed
Brent crude trades near $105 as Iran attacks more Gulf targets, while shares are mixed
Brent crude oil traded near $105 per barrel on Monday as Gulf countries reported more attacks by Iran with the war entering its third week, while share prices were mixed. MORE..
Bribery Commission files indictments against ex-MP Sajin Vass Gunawardena
Bribery Commission files indictments against ex-MP Sajin Vass Gunawardena
Indictments were filed before the Colombo High Court today (16) against former Member of Parliament Sajin Vass Gunawardena over allegations of corruption. MORE..
“Mastermind behind Easter attack will be revealed on March 31” - claims Gammanpila
“Mastermind behind Easter attack will be revealed on March 31” - claims Gammanpila
The leader of the Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU), former Member of Parliament Udaya Gammanpila, stated that his party is ready to reveal the mastermind behind the Easter attacks to the country on March 31, 2026. MORE..
| March 16, 2026 11:56 am
Govt should lower fuel taxes to stabilize prices - Former CPC Chairman
Govt should lower fuel taxes to stabilize prices - Former CPC Chairman
The former Chairman of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC), Mohamed Uvais, stated that the government should consider reducing taxes imposed on fuel in order to maintain price stability as much as possible. MORE..
At least 10 patients killed in hospital fire in India’s Odisha
At least 10 patients killed in hospital fire in India’s Odisha
At least 10 people were killed in a fire that broke out in the trauma care unit of a hospital in the eastern Indian state of Odisha on Monday, officials said. MORE..
Two suspects arrested with ‘Ice’ and heroin in Kotadeniyawa and Ahungalla
Two suspects arrested with ‘Ice’ and heroin in Kotadeniyawa and Ahungalla
An individual has been arrested in Kotadeniyawa for the possession of narcotic substances heroin and Crystal Methamphetamine (‘Ice’). MORE..
Trump says that he’s asked ‘about 7’ countries to join coalition to police Iran’s Strait of Hormuz
Trump says that he’s asked ‘about 7’ countries to join coalition to police Iran’s Strait of Hormuz
President Donald Trump said Sunday that he has demanded about seven countries send warships to keep the Strait of Hormuz open, but his appeals have brought no commitments as oil prices soar during the Iran war. MORE..
‘Unacceptable attacks’: French President Macron urges Iran to halt strikes after call with Iranian President Pezeshkian
‘Unacceptable attacks’: French President Macron urges Iran to halt strikes after call with Iranian President Pezeshkian
French President Emmanuel Macron said he urged Iran to end attacks across the Middle East and called for restoring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz during a phone call with Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian. MORE..
133kg of heroin worth over Rs. 3 billion found on seized fishing trawler off Dondra
133kg of heroin worth over Rs. 3 billion found on seized fishing trawler off Dondra
Approximately 133 kilograms of heroin have been found aboard the multi-day fishing trawler seized by the Sri Lanka Navy in seas south of Dondra, according to Deputy Minister of Defence Aruna Jayasekara. MORE..
| March 16, 2026 8:09 am
Multi-day fishing trawler with suspected narcotics brought to Dikkowita Harbour
Multi-day fishing trawler with suspected narcotics brought to Dikkowita Harbour
The multi-day fishing trawler seized by the Sri Lanka Navy while transporting several sacks suspected to contain narcotics in seas south of Dondra is currently being brought ashore to the Dikkowita Fisheries Harbour. MORE..
| March 16, 2026 7:21 am