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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..
Navy deploys vessels to rescue distressed ship in Southern Seas
Navy deploys vessels to rescue distressed ship in Southern Seas
A rescue mission has been launched by the Sri Lanka Navy after a distress call was received from an Iranian ship approximately 40 nautical miles off the Galle Harbour. MORE..
Oil prices rise 1% as Iran crisis disrupts Middle East supply
Oil prices rise 1% as Iran crisis disrupts Middle East supply
Oil prices rose 1% on Wednesday as the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran disrupted Middle East supplies, but the pace of gains slowed from past sessions after President Donald Trump raised the possibility of the U.S. Navy escorting vessels through the Strait of Hormuz. MORE..
Iran launches second wave of missiles toward Israel
Iran launches second wave of missiles toward Israel
Israel’s military said early Wednesday that Iran had launched missiles toward the country for the second time in less than two hours. MORE..
Fire breaks out at transformer in front of Kalutara District Secretariat
Fire breaks out at transformer in front of Kalutara District Secretariat
A fire has broken out today in a transformer located in front of the Kalutara District Secretariat, said Ada Derana reporter. MORE..
Final report on alleged sexual harassment incident in parliament tabled
Final report on alleged sexual harassment incident in parliament tabled
The final investigation report into the alleged sexual harassment incident involving a female officer of Parliament has been tabled. MORE..
Trump’s national security team pushes war on Iran in Congress
Trump’s national security team pushes war on Iran in Congress
US President Donald Trump’s top national security advisers spent much of the day on Tuesday making the case to Congress for the U.S.-Israel war on Iran, describing a rapidly evolving operation and leaving open the possibility of sending in American troops, Democrats and Trump’s fellow Republicans said. MORE..
PM Harini holds talks with ADB on education sector reforms
PM Harini holds talks with ADB on education sector reforms
A meeting between Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya and officials of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) was held at the Ministry of Education to discuss the Human Resource Development for Education Project (HRDEP). MORE..
PUCSL hands over report on substandard coal shipments to Sectoral Oversight Committee
PUCSL hands over report on substandard coal shipments to Sectoral Oversight Committee
The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) has handed over its report on investigations into the importation of nine coal shipments for the Lakvijaya Coal Power Plant in Norochcholai. MORE..
Canadian PM Carney says he supports Iran strikes ‘with regret’
Canadian PM Carney says he supports Iran strikes ‘with regret’
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has called for parties involved in the war in Iran to de-escalate hostilities quickly - and said while he supports the strikes, it is a position he takes “with regret”. MORE..