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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..

| March 16, 2026  11:18 am
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..

| March 16, 2026  11:17 am
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..

| March 16, 2026  9:50 am
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..

| March 16, 2026  9:47 am
‘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..

| March 16, 2026  9:08 am
123kg of heroin worth over Rs. 3 billion found on seized fishing trawler off Dondra

123kg of heroin worth over Rs. 3 billion found on seized fishing trawler off Dondra

Approximately 123 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..

video | 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..

video | March 16, 2026  7:21 am
Fire contained in vicinity of Dubai airport after drone attack, flights suspended

Fire contained in vicinity of Dubai airport after drone attack, flights suspended

The Dubai Media Office said on Monday that authorities were dealing with a fire resulting from a drone attack in the vicinity of the Dubai International Airport, adding that no injuries were reported. MORE..

| March 16, 2026  7:14 am
Trump says he expects China to help secure Strait of Hormuz

Trump says he expects China to help secure Strait of Hormuz

Following his comments on Nato, Donald Trump also spoke to the Financial Times about his upcoming summit in Beijing with China’s President Xi Jinping. MORE..

| March 16, 2026  6:40 am
Showers expected in parts of the island today

Showers expected in parts of the island today

Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in Central, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, North-western and Uva provinces after 2.00 pm, today (15), the Department of Meteorology said. MORE..

| March 16, 2026  6:39 am
Netanyahu posts video in response to online rumours that he is dead

Netanyahu posts video in response to online rumours that he is dead

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu posted a video of himself getting a cup of coffee and chatting with his aide on Sunday, after rumours that he was dead or injured ‌were aired by Iranian state media and spread online in Iran. MORE..

video | March 16, 2026  12:00 am
Iran denies asking for ceasefire or talks after Trump claims it wants deal to end war

Iran denies asking for ceasefire or talks after Trump claims it wants deal to end war

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Iran was not interested in talks with the United States, pushing back on US President Donald Trump’s stance that Tehran wants a deal to end the war. MORE..

| March 15, 2026  10:46 pm
India and Sri Lanka’s ports should be complementary rather than competitive: Senasinghe

India and Sri Lanka’s ports should be complementary rather than competitive: Senasinghe

Highlighting the strategic importance of the Indian Ocean, Sri Lankan Member of Parliament Sujeewa Senasinghe delivered a keynote address at the NXT Conclave 2026 in new Delhi on the future of sea trade and transshipment between India and Sri Lanka. MORE..

| March 15, 2026  10:33 pm
Lebanon says 850 killed in two weeks of Israel-Hezbollah war

Lebanon says 850 killed in two weeks of Israel-Hezbollah war

Lebanon’s health ministry said on Sunday that Israeli attacks have killed 850 people in the country during two weeks of war between Israel and Hezbollah. MORE..

| March 15, 2026  8:54 pm
Average US gas prices reach $3.70 — up almost 24% since start of Iran war

Average US gas prices reach $3.70 — up almost 24% since start of Iran war

US gas prices reached an average of $3.70 a gallon today, according to AAA, a near 24% increase since the war in Iran began on February 28. MORE..

| March 15, 2026  7:15 pm
No shortage of fuel expected until end of next month, fuel to be issued with police supervision – CPC

No shortage of fuel expected until end of next month, fuel to be issued with police supervision – CPC

Fuel will only be distributed through the QR code system at filling stations from now on, with the assistance and supervision of police, the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) has announced. MORE..

| March 15, 2026  6:52 pm
Pope Leo calls for ceasefire in Middle East amid ‘horrific violence of war’

Pope Leo calls for ceasefire in Middle East amid ‘horrific violence of war’

Pope Leo XIV has called for a ceasefire in the Middle East conflict as Israel and Iran continue to trade blows and the death toll across the region mounts. MORE..

| March 15, 2026  6:36 pm
Warm weather advisory issued for several provinces and districts

Warm weather advisory issued for several provinces and districts

A warm weather advisory has been issued for residents of the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern and North-western provinces and in THE Monaragala, Mannar, Anuradhapura and Vavuniya districts. MORE..

| March 15, 2026  6:21 pm
Israel to continue Iran campaign for at least three more weeks

Israel to continue Iran campaign for at least three more weeks

The Israeli military is planning at least three more weeks of its campaign against Iran with “thousands of targets” remaining, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) military spokesperson told CNN Sunday. MORE..

| March 15, 2026  6:03 pm
Four more members of Iran’s women’s soccer team withdraw Australia asylum claims

Four more members of Iran’s women’s soccer team withdraw Australia asylum claims

Four more members of the Iranian women’s soccer squad withdrew their asylum requests to the Australian government after facing pressure from Tehran, two sources close to the team have said. MORE..

| March 15, 2026  5:34 pm
Possible increase in prices of imported goods amid Middle East conflict – Dy Minister

Possible increase in prices of imported goods amid Middle East conflict – Dy Minister

Deputy Minister of Trade RM Jayawardena has warned that Sri Lanka may experience a rise in the prices of imported goods due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and disruptions in fuel transportation. MORE..

| March 15, 2026  5:18 pm
Oil poised for further gains as Middle East conflict threatens export facilities

Oil poised for further gains as Middle East conflict threatens export facilities

Oil prices could extend gains at Monday’s open as the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran entered a third week, putting oil infrastructure at risk and keeping the Strait of Hormuz shut in the world’s largest supply disruption. MORE..

| March 15, 2026  4:55 pm
President reviews energy supply measures amid Middle East conflict

President reviews energy supply measures amid Middle East conflict

A special discussion has been held at the President’s Office this afternoon (15) on the next steps to be taken amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. MORE..

| March 15, 2026  4:36 pm
Navy intercepts another multi-day fishing vessel carrying suspected narcotics

Navy intercepts another multi-day fishing vessel carrying suspected narcotics

Five suspects have been taken into custody by the Sri Lanka Navy along with a local multi-day fishing vessel that was transporting a stock of sacks suspected to contain narcotics.

| March 15, 2026  4:16 pm
New curriculum will be introduced for preschools next year: PM Harini

New curriculum will be introduced for preschools next year: PM Harini

A new curriculum will be introduced for preschools in 2027, while steps will also be taken to train teachers accordingly and to regulate preschools through a regulatory authority, the Prime Minister, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated. MORE..

| March 15, 2026  4:11 pm