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‘War upon our shores’: Namal calls Indian Ocean the new global ‘economic highway,’ warns of global system collapse

‘War upon our shores’: Namal calls Indian Ocean the new global ‘economic highway,’ warns of global system collapse

Sri Lankan MP Namal Rajapaksa, speaking at WION’s World Pulse summit on Wednesday (Mar 18), said the global system is undergoing a major transformation, adding that “global institutions are being tested like never before.” MORE..

| March 18, 2026  4:11 pm
Iranian intelligence minister killed, Israel says

Iranian intelligence minister killed, Israel says

Iran’s intelligence minister, Esmaeil Khatib, has been killed overnight, according to the Israeli defence minister, Israel Katz. MORE..

| March 18, 2026  3:55 pm
Actions underway to launch Grade 6 educational reforms in 2027

Actions underway to launch Grade 6 educational reforms in 2027

Steps have been taken to monitor the progress of the new education reform process introduced for Grade One, according to the Prime Minister’s Media Division. MORE..

| March 18, 2026  3:37 pm
Vehicle parking fees in Colombo suspended until further notice – CMC

Vehicle parking fees in Colombo suspended until further notice – CMC

The Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) has announced the suspension of vehicle parking fee collection across its jurisdiction until further notice. MORE..

| March 18, 2026  3:04 pm
Public warned on emerging online financial scams exploiting names of reputable institutions

Public warned on emerging online financial scams exploiting names of reputable institutions

Sri Lanka Police states that despite continuous public awareness efforts regarding fraudulent activities and financial crimes carried out through the internet and modern technology, the number of complaints related to such scams is steadily increasing. MORE..

| March 18, 2026  2:30 pm
Advisory issued for severe lightning

Advisory issued for severe lightning

An ‘Amber’ advisory has been issued by the Department of Meteorology for severe lightning in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North-Central, Southern, Uva, North-Western provinces and Mannar district. MORE..

| March 18, 2026  1:58 pm
Air Force warns against unauthorized drone use

Air Force warns against unauthorized drone use

Both local and foreign nationals have been warned against operating drones within Sri Lanka without proper authorization, the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) has announced. MORE..

| March 18, 2026  12:52 pm
Four killed, 40 injured following accident involving two buses in Weerawila

Four killed, 40 injured following accident involving two buses in Weerawila

At least four individuals have been killed in a head-on collision involving two buses along the Ambalantota–Kataragama road in Weerawila, police stated. MORE..

video | March 18, 2026  12:31 pm
Public advised to resolve QR code issues before visiting filling stations

Public advised to resolve QR code issues before visiting filling stations

The Filling Station Owners’ Association has advised the general public to resolve any issues related to their QR codes prior to visiting filling stations, with the regulation being enforced strictly from today (18). MORE..

video | March 18, 2026  12:16 pm
WhatsApp service introduced to register for National Fuel Pass

WhatsApp service introduced to register for National Fuel Pass

The Ministry of Digital Economy has introduced a special WhatsApp number to assist with registering for the National Fuel Pass (QR code). MORE..

| March 18, 2026  11:53 am
Sri Lanka to dispense fuel for vehicles on ‘odd–even’ basis

Sri Lanka to dispense fuel for vehicles on ‘odd–even’ basis

Owners of vehicles will be allowed to purchase fuel under an odd–even number plate system from today (19), according to the Managing Director of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC), Dr. Mayura Neththikumarage. MORE..

| March 18, 2026  11:46 am
Govt introduces new fuel management system to support fisheries sector

Govt introduces new fuel management system to support fisheries sector

The Secretary to the Ministry of Fisheries, Aquatic, and Ocean Resources, Dr. B. K. Kolita Kamal Jinadasa, has announced the implementation of a new fuel management system aimed at ensuring the continued sustainability of the fisheries sector. MORE..

| March 18, 2026  11:33 am
Naval escorts could make tankers a target for Iran, warns UN maritime chief

Naval escorts could make tankers a target for Iran, warns UN maritime chief

Naval escorts will not guarantee safe passage for oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz and could even present a target for Iran as it attempts to leverage control of the vital shipping lane, the head of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has warned. MORE..

| March 18, 2026  11:23 am
Minister assures uninterrupted fuel supply to operators in tourism industry

Minister assures uninterrupted fuel supply to operators in tourism industry

The Deputy Minister of Tourism, Prof. Ruwan Ranasinghe has assured that the tourism industry will remain safeguarded against any potential fuel disruptions affecting other sectors of the country. MORE..

| March 18, 2026  10:58 am
Two LP gas ships arrive in Sri Lanka

Two LP gas ships arrive in Sri Lanka

Two liquefied petroleum gas carriers docked this morning (18) at the Thaldiyawatta gas unloading jetty in Uswetakeiyawa. MORE..

video | March 18, 2026  10:33 am
Duo arrested with over 10kg of ‘Kush’ at BIA

Duo arrested with over 10kg of ‘Kush’ at BIA

Two Sri Lankans have been arrested at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) this morning while attempting to smuggle a stock of ‘Kush’ cannabis worth Rs. 105 million into the country. MORE..

| March 18, 2026  9:55 am
INTERPOL: 45,000 malicious IP addresses taken down in international cyber operation

INTERPOL: 45,000 malicious IP addresses taken down in international cyber operation

An international cybercrime operation targeting phishing, malware and ransomware has seen the INTERPOL take down more than 45,000 malicious IP addresses and servers, the organisation has announced. MORE..

| March 18, 2026  9:44 am
Australia announces temporary travel ban for specified group of visitors

Australia announces temporary travel ban for specified group of visitors

Australia has introduced a new legislation under the Migration Amendment (2026 Measures No. 1) Act 2026, allowing a temporary ban for a specified group of travellers to travel to the country during international crises. MORE..

| March 18, 2026  9:14 am
Oil prices drop as Iraqi and Kurdish authorities agree to export deal

Oil prices drop as Iraqi and Kurdish authorities agree to export deal

Oil prices eased on Wednesday to pare back some of Tuesday’s sharp gains after the Iraqi government and Kurdish authorities reached a deal to resume oil exports via Turkey’s Ceyhan port, providing modest relief to concerns about Middle East supplies. MORE..

| March 18, 2026  8:54 am
Iran’s army chief threatens ‘decisive’ retaliation for killing of Larijani

Iran’s army chief threatens ‘decisive’ retaliation for killing of Larijani

Iranian army chief Amir Hatami has threatened to launch a “decisive” retaliation for the killing of security chief Ali Larijani in an Israeli air strike. MORE..

| March 18, 2026  8:49 am
Australian facilities damaged in Iranian attack on Middle East air base

Australian facilities damaged in Iranian attack on Middle East air base

Iran has launched an attack on an air base in the Middle East where Australian soldiers are stationed, starting a fire that damaged Australian medical and accommodation facilities. MORE..

| March 18, 2026  8:25 am
Israel extends re-entry visas for Sri Lankans and overseas workers

Israel extends re-entry visas for Sri Lankans and overseas workers

Visas of workers who have left Israel for vacation or other purposes have been extended until April 30, 2026, Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Israel, Nimal Bandara stated. MORE..

| March 18, 2026  8:17 am
British Airways to resume flights to Colombo

British Airways to resume flights to Colombo

British Airways has announced that it will resume flights to Colombo in October. MORE..

| March 18, 2026  7:53 am
Two killed in Iranian strike on Tel Aviv

Two killed in Iranian strike on Tel Aviv

Two people have been killed during an Iranian missile attack that struck “several” sites around Tel Aviv, local police said. MORE..

| March 18, 2026  7:38 am
Batch of US-donated TH-57 Sea Ranger helicopters leaves for Sri Lanka

Batch of US-donated TH-57 Sea Ranger helicopters leaves for Sri Lanka

The United States Government has commenced transferring a total of 10 TH-57 Sea Ranger helicopters to the Sri Lanka Air Force, the Sri Lankan Embassy in Washington D.C. stated. MORE..

| March 18, 2026  7:16 am