Hot News

Saudi Aramco shuts Ras Tanura refinery after drone strike

Saudi Aramco shuts Ras Tanura refinery after drone strike

Saudi Arabia’s state oil giant Aramco shut its Ras Tanura refinery following a drone strike, an industry source said on Monday, after Tehran launched strikes across the region in response to the U.S.-Israeli attack on Iran.

| March 2, 2026  2:16 pm
Millions in Iran without internet for more than 48 hours

Millions in Iran without internet for more than 48 hours

Iran’s internet blackout has now lasted for more than 48 hours, according to cybersecurity watchdog NetBlocks, as the war enters its third day. MORE..

| March 2, 2026  1:54 pm
Kuwait says several US warplanes have crashed in the country today

Kuwait says several US warplanes have crashed in the country today

Kuwait’s Ministry of Defense said “several United States military aircraft crashed” on Monday and that “all crews survived.” MORE..

| March 2, 2026  1:48 pm
QR system for fuel unnecessary, CPC Chairman asserts

QR system for fuel unnecessary, CPC Chairman asserts

The QR system should only be used to limit fuel distribution in the event of a fuel shortage in the country, the Chairman of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC), D.J. Rajakaruna stated. MORE..

| March 2, 2026  1:39 pm
SriLankan Airlines announcement on cancelled flights

SriLankan Airlines announcement on cancelled flights

SriLankan Airlines has announced that due to the continued closure of airspace in certain parts of the Middle East, the SriLankan Airlines flights scheduled to operate today (02) have been cancelled. MORE..

| March 2, 2026  12:46 pm
Suspected drone strike hits British air base in Cyprus

Suspected drone strike hits British air base in Cyprus

A drone strike hit Britain’s Royal Air Force base of Akrotiri in Cyprus overnight, causing limited damage and no casualties, the island’s president and Britain’s defence ministry said on Monday. MORE..

| March 2, 2026  12:26 pm
Sri Lanka grants 2-week visa extension for foreigners stranded due to flight restrictions

Sri Lanka grants 2-week visa extension for foreigners stranded due to flight restrictions

Sri Lanka’s Cabinet Spokesperson and Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa stated that, due to flight restrictions caused by the Middle East conflict, the visa validity period for foreigners stranded in the country will be extended by two weeks. MORE..

| March 2, 2026  12:13 pm
Police urge students and parents to uphold discipline at inter-school cricket tournaments

Police urge students and parents to uphold discipline at inter-school cricket tournaments

Sri Lanka Police have issued an advisory for students, parents, and alumni attending annual inter-school cricket tournaments, emphasizing the importance of discipline, safety, and respect for public order. MORE..

| March 2, 2026  11:54 am
Iran ‘will not negotiate with US’: Top Iranian official

Iran ‘will not negotiate with US’: Top Iranian official

Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani denied Monday claims that Tehran had sought to restart negotiations with Washington, declaring that Iran will not engage in talks with the US. MORE..

| March 2, 2026  11:50 am
115 flights between Sri Lanka and Middle East cancelled; Cancellations continue today

115 flights between Sri Lanka and Middle East cancelled; Cancellations continue today

All flights from Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) to the Middle East scheduled for today (01 March) have also been cancelled due to the ongoing conflict in the region. MORE..

| March 2, 2026  11:25 am
Funds allocated for provincial school infrastructure; PM urges submission of development requests

Funds allocated for provincial school infrastructure; PM urges submission of development requests

Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya stated that the necessary financial allocations for the development of infrastructure in provincial schools have been provided to all provinces. MORE..

| March 2, 2026  11:24 am
Iran FM: Oman events not intentional; military units now independent and isolated, acting on prior directives

Iran FM: Oman events not intentional; military units now independent and isolated, acting on prior directives

Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi has said that recent incidents in Oman were not deliberate, stressing that Tehran did not intend to widen the conflict across the Gulf. MORE..

| March 2, 2026  10:57 am
As Israel bombs Tehran, ‘series of blasts’ over Jerusalem

As Israel bombs Tehran, ‘series of blasts’ over Jerusalem

A series of loud blasts were heard above Jerusalem following sirens on Sunday evening, AFP journalists reported, after the Israeli military said it had detected missiles launched from Iran. MORE..

| March 2, 2026  10:38 am
Iraqi militia claims drone attack targeting US troops in Baghdad

Iraqi militia claims drone attack targeting US troops in Baghdad

An Iraqi Shiite militia claimed a drone attack Monday targeting U.S. troops at the airport in Iraq’s capital, Baghdad, further widening the retaliation over the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. MORE..

| March 2, 2026  9:17 am
GMOA withdraws from ‘Arogya’ Project, cites lack of transparency and political motives

GMOA withdraws from ‘Arogya’ Project, cites lack of transparency and political motives

The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) has announced that it will withdraw from the “Arogya” project launched by the Ministry of Health with effect from today (02). MORE..

| March 2, 2026  9:08 am
US, Arab nations slam Tehran’s drone, missiles strikes after US-Israel joint military action on Iran

US, Arab nations slam Tehran’s drone, missiles strikes after US-Israel joint military action on Iran

The United States and six Arab nations on Monday issued a strongly worded statement condemning Iran’s recent missile and drone attacks across West Asia, calling them ‘indiscriminate’, ‘reckless’, and a dangerous escalation that threatens regional stability. MORE..

| March 2, 2026  8:50 am
Israel strikes Beirut’s southern suburbs after Hezbollah attacks

Israel strikes Beirut’s southern suburbs after Hezbollah attacks

Israel carried out heavy airstrikes on the Hezbollah-controlled southern suburbs of Beirut on Monday, after the Iran-backed group launched missiles and drones towards Israel in retaliation for the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. MORE..

| March 2, 2026  8:15 am
Govt launches special programme to safeguard tourists and migrant workers amid Middle East crisis

Govt launches special programme to safeguard tourists and migrant workers amid Middle East crisis

In view of the unrest that has arisen in the Middle East and the Gulf region, the Government has launched a series of special operations to look into the safety and welfare of foreign tourists currently in Sri Lanka, as well as to ensure the protection and well-being of Sri Lankan migrant workers overseas. MORE..

| March 2, 2026  7:59 am
Youth who attended music concert at Colombo Port City found dead

Youth who attended music concert at Colombo Port City found dead

A male body has been discovered while floating in the sea near the Colombo Port City, police said. MORE..

| March 2, 2026  7:40 am
Gulf states say they reserve right to respond to Iranian ‘aggression’

Gulf states say they reserve right to respond to Iranian ‘aggression’

Gulf states vowed to defend themselves against Iranian attacks, including by “responding to the aggression” if need be, after the Gulf Cooperation Council convened via video-link on Sunday to formulate a unified response. MORE..

| March 2, 2026  7:37 am
Sri Lankan woman held for obtaining Indian passport with forged documents

Sri Lankan woman held for obtaining Indian passport with forged documents

A 28-year-old Sri Lankan woman was arrested at Chennai International Airport for obtaining an Indian passport with forged documents and attempting to travel abroad. MORE..

| March 2, 2026  7:21 am
Israel hits Tehran again after killing Khamenei, leadership council takes over

Israel hits Tehran again after killing Khamenei, leadership council takes over

Israel launched a new wave of strikes on Tehran on Sunday and Iran responded with more missile barrages, a day after the killing of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei pitched the Middle East and the global economy into deepening uncertainty. MORE..

| March 2, 2026  7:08 am
Trump says combat operations in Iran will continue until all objectives achieved

Trump says combat operations in Iran will continue until all objectives achieved

U.S. President Donald Trump warned on Sunday that combat operations in Iran were continuing and would carry on until all of Washington’s objectives are achieved. MORE..

| March 2, 2026  6:46 am
UK’s Starmer says US can use British bases for defensive strikes against Iran missiles

UK’s Starmer says US can use British bases for defensive strikes against Iran missiles

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Sunday that his country has accepted a U.S. request to use British bases for defensive strikes against Iranian missiles in storage depots or launchers. MORE..

| March 2, 2026  6:33 am
Mainly dry weather expected in most parts of the island

Mainly dry weather expected in most parts of the island

Mainly dry weather will prevail in the most parts of the island, today (02), the Department of Meteorology said. MORE..

| March 2, 2026  6:31 am