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Tourist arrivals nearing 700,000 in 2026

Tourist arrivals nearing 700,000 in 2026

Nearly 700,000 tourists have visited Sri Lanka so far this year, the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) announced. MORE..

| March 26, 2026  2:52 pm
Chief of Iran’s elite naval force, responsible for Hormuz blockade, killed: Israel

Chief of Iran’s elite naval force, responsible for Hormuz blockade, killed: Israel

The commander of Iran’s elite naval force, Alireza Tangsiri, has been killed in a strike in southern Iran, an Israeli official said, the latest high-profile casualty in the war that’s now in its fourth week. MORE..

| March 26, 2026  2:38 pm
Ex-NIE Director faces contempt of court charges in Scholarship Exam paper leak case

Ex-NIE Director faces contempt of court charges in Scholarship Exam paper leak case

A charge sheet has been handed over today to IGS Premathilaka, the former Director of the National Institute of Education, who is accused of contempt of court for failing to implement a court order issued in relation to fundamental rights petitions filed over the leaking of three questions from the 2024 Scholarship Examination paper. MORE..

| March 26, 2026  2:22 pm
Dedicated number introduced to report issues in fishing industry

Dedicated number introduced to report issues in fishing industry

The Ministry of Fisheries has introduced a hotline, 011 432 3389, to report issues encountered in obtaining fuel for the fishing industry. MORE..

| March 26, 2026  2:17 pm
More than 1,000 complaints filed over misuse of fuel QR system

More than 1,000 complaints filed over misuse of fuel QR system

The Ministry of Digital Economy states that it has received more than 1,000 complaints regarding fraudulent activities involving the use of other individuals’ QR codes to obtain fuel. MORE..

| March 26, 2026  2:17 pm
Nepal report recommends prosecution of ex-PM Oli over deadly 2025 uprising

Nepal report recommends prosecution of ex-PM Oli over deadly 2025 uprising

A Nepal government-backed report into the deadly September 2025 uprising has recommended the prosecution of ex-prime minister KP Sharma Oli and other officials. MORE..

| March 26, 2026  1:26 pm
Sri Lanka’s total exports reach USD 1.4 billion in February: EDB

Sri Lanka’s total exports reach USD 1.4 billion in February: EDB

Sri Lanka’s total exports, including both merchandise and services, reached US$ 1,401.78 million in February 2026, reflecting a notable year-on-year growth of 4.22% compared to February 2025, according to the Sri Lanka Export Development Board. MORE..

| March 26, 2026  1:20 pm
Two dead, three injured in Abu Dhabi after missile interception debris

Two dead, three injured in Abu Dhabi after missile interception debris

Abu Dhabi authorities have responded to an incident in Sweihan Street, where falling debris from a successfully intercepted ballistic missile caused casualties and property damage. MORE..

| March 26, 2026  1:01 pm
India urges households to reduce reliance on LP Gas

India urges households to reduce reliance on LP Gas

India is urging households to increase their reliance on piped natural gas (PNG) as the country reels from the energy fallout of the war – a move that could transform cooking habits for tens of millions of people. MORE..

| March 26, 2026  12:48 pm
Ex-President Maithripala Sirisena holds talks with Iranian Ambassador

Ex-President Maithripala Sirisena holds talks with Iranian Ambassador

A meeting has been held between former President Maithripala Sirisena and the Iranian Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Dr. Alireza Delkhosh in Colombo. MORE..

| March 26, 2026  12:43 pm
Trump tells advisors he wants Iran conflict to end in coming weeks: Report

Trump tells advisors he wants Iran conflict to end in coming weeks: Report

A Wall Street Journal report has suggested that US President Trump has told associates in recent days that he wants to avoid a protracted war in Iran and that he hopes to bring the conflict to an end in the coming weeks. MORE..

| March 26, 2026  12:16 pm
‘A Nation United’ campaign achieves major breakthroughs in drug seizures and criminal arrests: Officials

‘A Nation United’ campaign achieves major breakthroughs in drug seizures and criminal arrests: Officials

During the five months since the launch of the ‘A Nation United’ national campaign, a total of 1,911 individuals addicted to drugs have been successfully rehabilitated, the Police Media Spokesperson, Assistant Superintendent of Police F. U. Wootler stated. MORE..

video | March 26, 2026  11:46 am
Hormuz route opened for India: Iran FM Araghchi

Hormuz route opened for India: Iran FM Araghchi

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Thursday said that they have permitted the passage of vessels for friendly countries, including India, through the Strait of Hormuz. MORE..

| March 26, 2026  11:22 am
Russia’s Deputy Energy Minister arrives in Sri Lanka

Russia’s Deputy Energy Minister arrives in Sri Lanka

The Deputy Minister of Energy of Russia, Roman Marshavin has arrived in the country on a three-day official visit. MORE..

| March 26, 2026  11:15 am
South Korea confirms easing of US sanctions on Russian oil

South Korea confirms easing of US sanctions on Russian oil

South Korea confirmed it has been granted permission to import certain Russian energy products under the US’ relaxing of sanctions, following some conditions, as the global fuel crisis grows. MORE..

| March 26, 2026  10:53 am
Iran drafts law to impose tolls for transiting Strait of Hormuz

Iran drafts law to impose tolls for transiting Strait of Hormuz

The Iranian parliament is working on a draft bill to charge a fee in exchange for providing security to ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, according to the semi-official Fars news agency. MORE..

| March 26, 2026  10:50 am
Oil moves higher after Iran rejects direct US talks

Oil moves higher after Iran rejects direct US talks

Global oil prices are trading higher on Thursday morning in Asia after Iran’s foreign minister said the country has ‘‘no intention of negotiating for now’’ with the US. MORE..

| March 26, 2026  10:33 am
Former SIS Chief Suresh Sallay returns to CID after receiving treatment at National Hospital

Former SIS Chief Suresh Sallay returns to CID after receiving treatment at National Hospital

The former Head of the State Intelligence Service, Major General (Retired) Suresh Sallay, who was admitted to the Colombo National Hospital following a sudden illness, has been discharged. MORE..

| March 26, 2026  10:20 am
G7 allies meet against backdrop of wars in Ukraine and Iran, with unpredictable US

G7 allies meet against backdrop of wars in Ukraine and Iran, with unpredictable US

Foreign ministers from the world’s leading Western democracies meet in France this week against the backdrop of wars in Iran and Ukraine, economic uncertainty, and mounting unease over an increasingly unpredictable U.S. foreign policy. MORE..

| March 26, 2026  10:12 am
Nearly 300 U.S. troops injured in US-Iran conflict: CENTCOM

Nearly 300 U.S. troops injured in US-Iran conflict: CENTCOM

The number of U.S. military personnel wounded in Operation Epic Fury continues to rise as the campaign against Iran approaches its fourth week. MORE..

| March 26, 2026  9:52 am
18 bodies recovered after bus plunges into Bangladesh’s Padma River

18 bodies recovered after bus plunges into Bangladesh’s Padma River

At least 18 bodies have been recovered after a passenger bus with about 50 people onboard plunged into the mighty Padma River in Bangladesh on Wednesday while it was boarding a ferry, said officials. MORE..

| March 26, 2026  9:48 am
Two Sri Lankans arrested with over 10 kg of ‘Kush’ cannabis at BIA

Two Sri Lankans arrested with over 10 kg of ‘Kush’ cannabis at BIA

Two Sri Lankans have been arrested by officers of the Sri Lanka Customs Narcotics Control Division at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) for attempting to smuggle a consignment of ‘Kush’ cannabis. MORE..

| March 26, 2026  9:13 am
Iran Speaker warns “enemies are preparing to occupy” Kharg Island

Iran Speaker warns “enemies are preparing to occupy” Kharg Island

Iran’s powerful parliament speaker warned on Wednesday about the possible invasion of an Iranian island with the support of an unnamed regional country. MORE..

| March 26, 2026  9:01 am
Teacher union criticizes inquiry into absence from Tangalle meeting chaired by PM

Teacher union criticizes inquiry into absence from Tangalle meeting chaired by PM

The Hambantota District Ceylon Teachers’ Association has strongly condemned a request from the Zonal Education Office of Tangalle seeking an explanation for teachers’ absence from a recent meeting held in Tangalle. MORE..

| March 26, 2026  8:41 am
Iran war timeline is “approximately 4 to 6 weeks”: White House

Iran war timeline is “approximately 4 to 6 weeks”: White House

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt has reiterated that the timeline for the war with Iran is still four to six weeks when asked if the conflict will end before President Donald Trump’s planned trip to China in mid May. MORE..

| March 26, 2026  8:17 am