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Eid-ul-Fitr to be celebrated in Sri Lanka on Saturday
Eid-ul-Fitr to be celebrated in Sri Lanka on Saturday
The Muslim community of Sri Lanka will celebrate ‘Eid-ul-Fitr’ festival on Saturday (21), as the new crescent moon for the month of ‘Shawwal’ was not sighted today (19), according to the Colombo Grand Mosque.
Iran intensifies attacks on oil and gas facilities in Gulf after Israeli strike on key gas field
Iran intensifies attacks on oil and gas facilities in Gulf after Israeli strike on key gas field
Iran intensified its attacks on oil and gas facilities around the Gulf on Thursday, dramatically raising the stakes in a war that is sending shock waves through the global economy. MORE..
US objectives in Iran have not changed, Hegseth says
US objectives in Iran have not changed, Hegseth says
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Thursday that the United States’ objectives in the war against Iran have not changed since strikes started on February 28. MORE..
World Happiness Report 2026: Sri Lanka ranked among world’s unhappiest countries
World Happiness Report 2026: Sri Lanka ranked among world’s unhappiest countries
Sri Lanka has been ranked among the least happy countries globally, with the island nation’s rankling dropping one place to 134th, according to the World Happiness Report 2026, published on Thursday. MORE..
Parliament to debate no-confidence motion against Energy Minister on April 10
Parliament to debate no-confidence motion against Energy Minister on April 10
The Parliamentary Business Committee has decided to hold the debate on a no-confidence motion against Minister of Energy Kumara Jayakody on April 10, according to the Department of Communications of Parliament. MORE..
Court urges amicable settlement in petition filed by ex-Deputy Sec. Gen of Parliament
Court urges amicable settlement in petition filed by ex-Deputy Sec. Gen of Parliament
The Court of Appeal of Sri Lanka has directed both parties to consider the possibility of reaching an amicable settlement in the petition filed by former Deputy Secretary General of Parliament, Chaminda Kularatne, challenging his suspension from duty. MORE..
Iran considers levying transit fees on ships in Hormuz Strait, lawmaker says
Iran considers levying transit fees on ships in Hormuz Strait, lawmaker says
Iran is considering a proposal to levy transit fees on vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz, a lawmaker said on Thursday, a potential bid to monetise Tehran’s newfound grip over the critical waterway through which a fifth of global oil and liquefied gas passes. MORE..
Banks to maintain uninterrupted services; public urged to use digital channels
Banks to maintain uninterrupted services; public urged to use digital channels
The Sri Lanka Banks’ Association (SLBA) has assured the public that banks will continue to operate on all five weekdays as an essential service, despite the temporary measures introduced to conserve fuel and energy resources. MORE..
FBI reportedly investigating former US counterterrorism chief who resigned over Iran war
FBI reportedly investigating former US counterterrorism chief who resigned over Iran war
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is investigating former counterterrorism official Joe Kent, who resigned in protest over the Iran war, US media reported Wednesday. MORE..
Iran’s envoy to UN blames UAE for providing territory to US for attacks
Iran’s envoy to UN blames UAE for providing territory to US for attacks
Iran’s UN envoy, Amir Saeid Iravani, has formally notified the UN Secretary-General and Security Council that the UAE is ‘‘internationally responsible’‘ for providing its territory to the US for attacks, reported state Media. MORE..
US Special Envoy calls on Sri Lanka President to discuss bilateral ties and regional developments
US Special Envoy calls on Sri Lanka President to discuss bilateral ties and regional developments
The United States Special Representative for South and Central Asia, and US Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, who is currently visiting Sri Lanka, met with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake this morning (19) at the Presidential Secretariat. MORE..
Adani’s Colombo Terminal handles over 1 million containers in first year
Adani’s Colombo Terminal handles over 1 million containers in first year
A rapid first-year ramp-up at the Port of Colombo in Sri Lanka underscores the expanding global footprint of India’s Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZ), highlighting both the growing importance of the Indian Ocean region in global trade flows and its emerging role in the blue economy. MORE..
Ex-SriLankan CEO claims Rs. 60 mln in Airbus bribes paid to ex-President Mahinda: court told
Ex-SriLankan CEO claims Rs. 60 mln in Airbus bribes paid to ex-President Mahinda: court told
The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) today (19) has informed the Colombo Magistrate’s Court that it has been uncovered that funds allegedly received as bribes from the Airbus aircraft deal had been handed over by former SriLankan Airlines CEO, Kapila Chandrasena to former President Mahinda Rajapaksa... MORE..
Former SriLankan CEO Kapila Chandrasena further remanded
Former SriLankan CEO Kapila Chandrasena further remanded
Former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SriLankan Airlines, Kapila Chandrasena, who was arrested over a bribery allegation, has been further remanded until April 02 by the Colombo Magistrate’s Court. MORE..
Arab nations condemn Iran’s ‘deliberate attacks’ in joint statement
Arab nations condemn Iran’s ‘deliberate attacks’ in joint statement
Arab nations have issued a joint statement in response to Iran’s attacks, following a meeting of foreign affairs ministers in Riyadh on Wednesday. MORE..
All April fuel shipments confirmed; No fuel supply issues – CPC
All April fuel shipments confirmed; No fuel supply issues – CPC
The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) has explained that all fuel orders relevant to the month of April were confirmed yesterday (18). MORE..
No-confidence motion against Energy Minister submitted to Speaker
No-confidence motion against Energy Minister submitted to Speaker
The no-confidence motion against Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody signed by Opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) has been handed over to the Speaker, a short while ago.
QR code-related issues for fuel to be resolved by tomorrow - Minister Bimal
QR code-related issues for fuel to be resolved by tomorrow - Minister Bimal
Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development Bimal Rathnayake says that issues faced by the public in obtaining QR codes for fuel will be addressed within today (19), and are expected to be fully resolved by tomorrow (20). MORE..
| March 19, 2026 11:50 am
Sri Lanka reports 8,500–9,500 TB cases annually, Western Province most affected
Sri Lanka reports 8,500–9,500 TB cases annually, Western Province most affected
The National Programme for Tuberculosis Control and Chest Diseases (NPTCCD) has reported that Sri Lanka records between 8,500 and 9,500 tuberculosis (TB) cases each year. MORE..
Cathay Pacific suspends all flights to Dubai and Riyadh
Cathay Pacific suspends all flights to Dubai and Riyadh
Airline Cathay Pacific has cancelled all flights to and from Dubai and Riyadh up until 30 April, which it says is a result of the ‘‘developing situation’’ in the Middle East. MORE..
Businessman arrested for illegally hoarding over 600L petrol in Polonnaruwa
Businessman arrested for illegally hoarding over 600L petrol in Polonnaruwa
A businessman has been arrested in the Meegaswewa area of Polonnaruwa for illegally hoarding 604 litres of petrol without a valid license. MORE..
Oil jumps 4% as strikes continue
Oil jumps 4% as strikes continue
The price of Brent crude shot up by 4% to $112 (£84.34) a barrel in early trade in Asia. MORE..
US Special Envoy Sergio Gor arrives in Sri Lanka
US Special Envoy Sergio Gor arrives in Sri Lanka
U.S. Special Envoy for South and Central Asia, Sergio Gor, has arrived in Sri Lanka for an official visit, according to the US Embassy in Colombo. MORE..
New feature introduced to resolve issues during vehicle QR code re-registration
New feature introduced to resolve issues during vehicle QR code re-registration
A new feature has been added to the system starting today (19) to address the difficulties faced by the public when trying to obtain the QR code of a previously registered vehicle, especially in cases where the mobile phone number used for the original registration is no longer in use. MORE..
President Anura Kumara and Qatar Amir discuss regional developments and bilateral concerns
President Anura Kumara and Qatar Amir discuss regional developments and bilateral concerns
The Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani of Qatar has received a phone call from President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka Anura Kumara Dissanayake, to discuss regional developments and bilateral concerns. MORE..