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Around 80 bodies recovered after US submarine sunk Iranian warship
Around 80 bodies recovered after US submarine sunk Iranian warship
About 80 bodies have been recovered so far from the Iranian naval ship IRIS Dena, which sank off the coast of Sri Lanka following an attack by a U.S. military submarine, Sri Lanka’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Arun Hemachandra told Ada Derana. MORE..
| March 4, 2026 7:31 pm
US confirms submarine sank Iranian warship in Indian Ocean with torpedo
US confirms submarine sank Iranian warship in Indian Ocean with torpedo
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth says that in the Indian Ocean, the US sank “an Iranian warship that thought it was safe in international waters”. MORE..
| March 4, 2026 6:55 pm
Sri Lanka-Iran ties broadened significantly under Khamenei’s tenure: FM Vijitha Herath
Sri Lanka-Iran ties broadened significantly under Khamenei’s tenure: FM Vijitha Herath
Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Vijitha Heath today visited the Iranian Embassy in Colombo to offer his condolences to the Islamic Republic of Iran on the recent passing of its Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. MORE..
Sri Lanka Navy reveals more information after Iranian ship sinks off southern coast
Sri Lanka Navy reveals more information after Iranian ship sinks off southern coast
The Sri Lanka Navy has provided further details regarding the Iranian ship which reportedly sank off Sri Lanka’s southern coast. MORE..
| March 4, 2026 6:08 pm
Spain’s PM says ‘no to the war’ in Iran despite Trump’s trade threat
Spain’s PM says ‘no to the war’ in Iran despite Trump’s trade threat
Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez again criticized the US and Israel’s military actions in Iran, standing firm on Wednesday against trade threats from Washington and warning that the war in the Middle East risked “playing Russian roulette” with millions of lives. MORE..
Iran postpones state funeral for Khamenei
Iran postpones state funeral for Khamenei
Iran announced that a state funeral for supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, which had been planned for Wednesday evening in Tehran, was postponed “in anticipation of unprecedented turnout,” state television reported. MORE..
President reviews economic impact of Middle East conflict on Sri Lanka, directs urgent preventive measures
President reviews economic impact of Middle East conflict on Sri Lanka, directs urgent preventive measures
A high-level discussion was held today (04) at the Presidential Secretariat under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to examine the potential impact of the current war situation in the Middle East on Sri Lanka’s economy and to identify the urgent measures required to manage it effectively. MORE..
Cabinet approves fertilizer subsidies for 2026 ‘Yala’ season
Cabinet approves fertilizer subsidies for 2026 ‘Yala’ season
The Cabinet of Ministers has granted approval to provide financial assistance to farmers cultivating paddy fields for the 2026 Yala season to purchase fertilizers. MORE..
Cabinet nod to gazette bill seeking to abolish ‘Chief of Defence Staff’ post
Cabinet nod to gazette bill seeking to abolish ‘Chief of Defence Staff’ post
The Cabinet of Ministers has granted approval to publish in the Government Gazette the draft bill seeking to repeal the Chief of Defence Staff Act No. 35 of 2009. MORE..
Sri Lanka President condemns violence, assures support in phone call with UAE President
Sri Lanka President condemns violence, assures support in phone call with UAE President
President of Sri Lanka Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated that he held a phone call with the President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, to express his sadness over the recent attacks suffered by the Emirates. MORE..
‘Geography is permanent, but peace is a choice’: Ali Sabry on Middle East crisis
‘Geography is permanent, but peace is a choice’: Ali Sabry on Middle East crisis
Sri Lanka’s former Justice Minister Ali Sabry has expressed concern over rising tensions in the Middle East, urging restraint and dialogue amid escalating regional instability. MORE..
Govt to remove CESS levy on over 2,600 HS codes
Govt to remove CESS levy on over 2,600 HS codes
The government has decided to remove the CESS levy on goods and material imported under 2,600 identified HS codes over a four-year period. MORE..
Israel says it has begun a new wave of strikes on Tehran
Israel says it has begun a new wave of strikes on Tehran
A large explosion has been reported in eastern Tehran, according to Iranian state media and an AFP news agency reporter in the city. MORE..
China calls for immediate stop to military operations in Middle East
China calls for immediate stop to military operations in Middle East
Regarding the Iran situation, a Chinese spokesperson said on Wednesday that China calls for an immediate stop to military operations, preventing further escalation of tensions, and resuming dialogue and negotiations to uphold peace and stability in the Middle East. MORE..
32 Iranians rescued from warship “IRIS Dena” admitted to Karapitiya Hospital
32 Iranians rescued from warship “IRIS Dena” admitted to Karapitiya Hospital
A total of 32 Iranians who were rescued from the Iranian warship “IRIS Dena” by the Sri Lanka Navy earlier today (04) have been admitted to the Karapitiya Hospital. MORE..
| March 4, 2026 12:43 pm
Iran to hold three-day ‘farewell ceremony’ for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
Iran to hold three-day ‘farewell ceremony’ for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
Iran will hold a three-day “farewell ceremony” for its late leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei starting at 10 p.m. Wednesday (1830 GMT) at Tehran’s Imam Khomeini prayer ground, according to state media. MORE..
Israel says whoever is chosen as Iran’s next supreme leader will be ‘a target for elimination’
Israel says whoever is chosen as Iran’s next supreme leader will be ‘a target for elimination’
Israel’s defense minister on Wednesday threatened whoever Iran picks to be the country’s next supreme leader, saying he will be “a target for elimination.” MORE..
SLTDA takes policy decision to refrain from LGBTQ-focused tourism in Sri Lanka, AG tells court
SLTDA takes policy decision to refrain from LGBTQ-focused tourism in Sri Lanka, AG tells court
The Attorney General informed the Court of Appeal today (04) that the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) has taken a policy decision to refrain from conducting tourism promotion programs specifically targeting the LGBTIQ community in Sri Lanka. MORE..
US State Department orders non-emergency staff and families in Pakistan’s Lahore and Karachi to leave
US State Department orders non-emergency staff and families in Pakistan’s Lahore and Karachi to leave
The U.S. State Department has ordered non-emergency staff and their families working in the consulates in Lahore and Karachi to leave the country due to safety concerns. MORE..
Around 180 sailors were onboard the distressed Iranian naval ship ‘IRIS Dena’ off Galle- FM
Around 180 sailors were onboard the distressed Iranian naval ship ‘IRIS Dena’ off Galle- FM
Around 180 individuals were on board the Iranian Navy vessel ‘IRIS Dena’, which was in distress about 40 nautical miles off the coast of Galle this morning (04). MORE..
| March 4, 2026 11:59 am
SriLankan Airlines announces resumption of limited Middle East operations
SriLankan Airlines announces resumption of limited Middle East operations
SriLankan Airlines informs passengers that it is resuming limited operations to the Middle East. MORE..
35 persons rescued from distressed Iranian vessel off Galle
35 persons rescued from distressed Iranian vessel off Galle
The Sri Lanka Navy says 35 individuals have been rescued from an Iranian vessel in distressed off Sri Lanka’s southern seas. MORE..
| March 4, 2026 11:19 am
Iran’s IRGC say they have ‘complete control’ over Strait of Hormuz
Iran’s IRGC say they have ‘complete control’ over Strait of Hormuz
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps say they control the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route for oil and gas, and any vessels seeking to pass through the waterway risk damage from missiles or stray drones. MORE..
Gold prices in Sri Lanka drop by Rs. 13,000
Gold prices in Sri Lanka drop by Rs. 13,000
Gold prices in Sri Lanka have recorded a sharp decline of Rs. 13,000, driven by a downward trend in the global gold market, according to latest market data. MORE..
Trump orders oil tanker insurance support, says US Navy could escort ships in Gulf
Trump orders oil tanker insurance support, says US Navy could escort ships in Gulf
The U.S. Navy could begin escorting oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz if necessary, President Donald Trump said on Tuesday, adding he had ordered the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation to provide political risk insurance and financial guarantees for maritime trade in the Gulf. MORE..