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Case against Hirunika Premachandra and 14 others to be recalled in August
Case against Hirunika Premachandra and 14 others to be recalled in August
The Colombo Magistrate’s Court today (16) ordered that the complaint filed against former Member of Parliament Hirunika Premachandra and 14 others, over allegations that the suspects caused public inconvenience, be taken up again on August 17, 2026. MORE..
Brent crude trades near $105 as Iran attacks more Gulf targets, while shares are mixed
Brent crude trades near $105 as Iran attacks more Gulf targets, while shares are mixed
Brent crude oil traded near $105 per barrel on Monday as Gulf countries reported more attacks by Iran with the war entering its third week, while share prices were mixed. MORE..
Bribery Commission files indictments against ex-MP Sajin Vass Gunawardena
Bribery Commission files indictments against ex-MP Sajin Vass Gunawardena
Indictments were filed before the Colombo High Court today (16) against former Member of Parliament Sajin Vass Gunawardena over allegations of corruption. MORE..
“Mastermind behind Easter attack will be revealed on March 31” - claims Gammanpila
“Mastermind behind Easter attack will be revealed on March 31” - claims Gammanpila
The leader of the Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU), former Member of Parliament Udaya Gammanpila, stated that his party is ready to reveal the mastermind behind the Easter attacks to the country on March 31, 2026. MORE..
| March 16, 2026 11:56 am
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..
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..
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..
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..
‘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..
133kg of heroin worth over Rs. 3 billion found on seized fishing trawler off Dondra
133kg of heroin worth over Rs. 3 billion found on seized fishing trawler off Dondra
Approximately 133 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..
| 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..
| 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..
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..
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..
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..
| 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..
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..
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..
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..
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..
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..
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..
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..
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..
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..