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U.S. to send 1,000 soldiers to Middle East to be available for Iran operations
U.S. to send 1,000 soldiers to Middle East to be available for Iran operations
Approximately 1,000 US soldiers with the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division are expecting to deploy in coming days to the Middle East, according to two sources familiar with the matter, adding to the growing military firepower in the region as the Trump administration says it is in talks with Iran to end the conflict.
Education must go beyond knowledge dissemination to empower individuals: PM Harini
Education must go beyond knowledge dissemination to empower individuals: PM Harini
The Prime Minister, Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education Dr. Harini Amarasuriya participated as the Chief Guest in the international conference on ‘Transforming TVET Systems for climate resilience and green jobs’.
Showers expected in several areas after 2pm today
Showers expected in several areas after 2pm today
Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Galle and Matara districts after 2.00 pm.
Donald Trump cites progress with Iran, US proposes plan to end war
Donald Trump cites progress with Iran, US proposes plan to end war
US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday (Mar 24) the US was making progress in its efforts to negotiate an end to war with Iran, including winning an important concession from Tehran, while a source confirmed that Washington had sent Iran a 15-point settlement proposal.
Iran war starts to hit global economy, business surveys show
Iran war starts to hit global economy, business surveys show
The Iran war is already taking a toll on major economies around the world, according to business surveys on Tuesday which showed how a surge in energy prices and rising uncertainty were dampening activity and pushing inflation expectations higher. MORE..
Over 690,000 senior citizens to receive March Aswesuma benefits
Over 690,000 senior citizens to receive March Aswesuma benefits
The Welfare Benefits Board has issued a notice regarding the March allowance for senior citizens over 70 years of age under the first phase of the Aswesuma welfare benefit scheme. MORE..
81,000 sites including hospitals damaged since Iran war began: Red Crescent
81,000 sites including hospitals damaged since Iran war began: Red Crescent
Pirhossein Kolivand, the head of the Iranian Red Crescent Society has detailed extensive damage to civilian infrastructure caused by recent attacks, describing them as “alarming acts and war crimes” by Israeli and U.S. forces. MORE..
President AKD and Indian PM Modi reaffirm commitment to work closely amidst conflict in Middle East
President AKD and Indian PM Modi reaffirm commitment to work closely amidst conflict in Middle East
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi have discussed the evolving situation in the Middle East during a phone conversation, with particular focus on disruptions affecting global energy security. MORE..
Jaffna MC submits report on air pollution control measures
Jaffna MC submits report on air pollution control measures
The Jaffna Municipal Council has submitted a report to the Court of Appeal outlining the measures taken and those planned to reduce air pollution in the Jaffna Peninsula. MORE..
Court freezes properties and accounts worth Rs. 30 mln of suspected drug trafficker
Court freezes properties and accounts worth Rs. 30 mln of suspected drug trafficker
Assets worth over Rs. 30 million purchased using illegally earned money by a drug trafficker have been frozen by court. MORE..
QatarEnergy declares force majeure on LNG contracts after missile attacks damage facilities
QatarEnergy declares force majeure on LNG contracts after missile attacks damage facilities
QatarEnergy has declared force majeure on liquefied natural gas contracts with Italy, Belgium, South Korea, and China following missile attacks on its Ras Laffan production hub last week. MORE..
President pushes for prompt destruction of seized drugs to boost public confidence
President pushes for prompt destruction of seized drugs to boost public confidence
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has emphasised the importance of expeditiously destroying seized drug stocks in order to build public confidence in the government’s programme to eradicate the drug menace and underlined the need to establish a formal and efficient process to achieve this objective. MORE..
Pakistan offers to host peace talks to end US-Israeli war on Iran
Pakistan offers to host peace talks to end US-Israeli war on Iran
Pakistan’s prime minister said on Tuesday he was willing to host talks between the United States and Iran on ending the war, a day after President Donald Trump postponed threats to bomb Iranian power plants after what he called “productive” talks. MORE..
No power cuts despite record demand, officials call for energy savings
No power cuts despite record demand, officials call for energy savings
Sri Lanka recorded its highest-ever electricity demand last Monday (16) as the prevailing dry weather continues to strain the national power system, according to Dr. B.L. Pradeep Priyadarshana Perera, Chairman of the National System operator (Pvt.) Ltd. MORE..
Philippines declares energy emergency over Middle East conflict risks
Philippines declares energy emergency over Middle East conflict risks
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr on Tuesday declared a state of national energy emergency in response to the Middle East conflict and what he called an “imminent danger” posed to the country’s energy supply. MORE..
ADB increases Sri Lanka’s allocation to $480 Mn; $200 Mn to be released promptly
ADB increases Sri Lanka’s allocation to $480 Mn; $200 Mn to be released promptly
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has agreed to increase the allocation approved for Sri Lanka for this year from USD 380 million to USD 480 million and to promptly release USD 200 million in view of the prevailing situation. MORE..
Individual arrested for allegedly hoarding 6,600 litres of diesel in Gonapola
Individual arrested for allegedly hoarding 6,600 litres of diesel in Gonapola
An individual has been arrested for allegedly hoarding large quantities of fuel using a bowser truck by the Walana Anti-Vice Squad in Gonapola. MORE..
Lebanon declares Iranian ambassador persona non grata amid Israeli attacks
Lebanon declares Iranian ambassador persona non grata amid Israeli attacks
Lebanon has withdrawn accreditation from the Iranian ambassador and declared him persona non grata, demanding his departure from Lebanon by Sunday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Tuesday. MORE..
Ex-SriLankan Airlines Chief Nishantha Wickramasinghe granted bail following arrest
Ex-SriLankan Airlines Chief Nishantha Wickramasinghe granted bail following arrest
The Colombo Magistrate’s Court has ordered the release on bail of former Chairman of SriLankan Airlines Nishantha Wickramasinghe, who was arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) on charges of corruption. MORE..
Recent fuel price hike based on fuel pricing formula, says CPC
Recent fuel price hike based on fuel pricing formula, says CPC
The recent increase in fuel prices in Sri Lanka has been implemented strictly according to the official fuel pricing formula, Dr. Mayura Neththikumarage, the Managing Director of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) emphasized.
Iran names new Supreme National Security Council secretary
Iran names new Supreme National Security Council secretary
Iran has named a former Iranian Revolutionary Guard commander as the new secretary of the country’s Supreme National Security Council, replacing Ali Larijani, who was killed in an airstrike. MORE..
Food security a top priority, President directs action on fertiliser stocks
Food security a top priority, President directs action on fertiliser stocks
Ensuring food security in the country and people remains a top priority of the government, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has emphasised. MORE..
Presidential Suite at Jayewardenepura Hospital opened to public
Presidential Suite at Jayewardenepura Hospital opened to public
The special ward at the Sri Jayewardenepura General Hospital, which had until now been reserved exclusively for the use of the Executive President, has been opened for the general public for medical treatment from today (24), the President’s Media Division stated. MORE..
Guidelines issued to optimise fuel use in state-owned vehicles
Guidelines issued to optimise fuel use in state-owned vehicles
The Commissioner-General of Essential Services, B.K. Prabhath Chandrakeerthi, has issued comprehensive guidelines aimed at optimising fuel consumption across state-owned vehicles. MORE..
Sri Lanka begins talks with Russian Govt. to secure fuel supplies
Sri Lanka begins talks with Russian Govt. to secure fuel supplies
Formal government-level talks have already begun to secure fuel supplies from Russia, according to Cabinet Spokesman Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa. MORE..