Hot News
Ex-SriLankan CEO claims Rs. 60 mln in Airbus bribes paid to ex-President Mahinda: court told
Ex-SriLankan CEO claims Rs. 60 mln in Airbus bribes paid to ex-President Mahinda: court told
The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) today (19) has informed the Colombo Magistrate’s Court that it has been uncovered that funds allegedly received as bribes from the Airbus aircraft deal had been handed over by former SriLankan Airlines CEO, Kapila Chandrasena to former President Mahinda Rajapaksa... MORE..
Former SriLankan CEO Kapila Chandrasena further remanded
Former SriLankan CEO Kapila Chandrasena further remanded
Former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SriLankan Airlines, Kapila Chandrasena, who was arrested over a bribery allegation, has been further remanded until April 02 by the Colombo Magistrate’s Court. MORE..
Arab nations condemn Iran’s ‘deliberate attacks’ in joint statement
Arab nations condemn Iran’s ‘deliberate attacks’ in joint statement
Arab nations have issued a joint statement in response to Iran’s attacks, following a meeting of foreign affairs ministers in Riyadh on Wednesday. MORE..
All April fuel shipments confirmed; No fuel supply issues – CPC
All April fuel shipments confirmed; No fuel supply issues – CPC
The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) has explained that all fuel orders relevant to the month of April were confirmed yesterday (18). MORE..
No-confidence motion against Energy Minister submitted to Speaker
No-confidence motion against Energy Minister submitted to Speaker
The no-confidence motion against Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody signed by Opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) has been handed over to the Speaker, a short while ago.
QR code-related issues for fuel to be resolved by tomorrow - Minister Bimal
QR code-related issues for fuel to be resolved by tomorrow - Minister Bimal
Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development Bimal Rathnayake says that issues faced by the public in obtaining QR codes for fuel will be addressed within today (19), and are expected to be fully resolved by tomorrow (20). MORE..
| March 19, 2026 11:50 am
Sri Lanka reports 8,500–9,500 TB cases annually, Western Province most affected
Sri Lanka reports 8,500–9,500 TB cases annually, Western Province most affected
The National Programme for Tuberculosis Control and Chest Diseases (NPTCCD) has reported that Sri Lanka records between 8,500 and 9,500 tuberculosis (TB) cases each year. MORE..
Cathay Pacific suspends all flights to Dubai and Riyadh
Cathay Pacific suspends all flights to Dubai and Riyadh
Airline Cathay Pacific has cancelled all flights to and from Dubai and Riyadh up until 30 April, which it says is a result of the ‘‘developing situation’’ in the Middle East. MORE..
Businessman arrested for illegally hoarding over 600L petrol in Polonnaruwa
Businessman arrested for illegally hoarding over 600L petrol in Polonnaruwa
A businessman has been arrested in the Meegaswewa area of Polonnaruwa for illegally hoarding 604 litres of petrol without a valid license. MORE..
Oil jumps 4% as strikes continue
Oil jumps 4% as strikes continue
The price of Brent crude shot up by 4% to $112 (£84.34) a barrel in early trade in Asia. MORE..
US Special Envoy Sergio Gor arrives in Sri Lanka
US Special Envoy Sergio Gor arrives in Sri Lanka
U.S. Special Envoy for South and Central Asia, Sergio Gor, has arrived in Sri Lanka for an official visit, according to the US Embassy in Colombo. MORE..
New feature introduced to resolve issues during vehicle QR code re-registration
New feature introduced to resolve issues during vehicle QR code re-registration
A new feature has been added to the system starting today (19) to address the difficulties faced by the public when trying to obtain the QR code of a previously registered vehicle, especially in cases where the mobile phone number used for the original registration is no longer in use. MORE..
President Anura Kumara and Qatar Amir discuss regional developments and bilateral concerns
President Anura Kumara and Qatar Amir discuss regional developments and bilateral concerns
The Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani of Qatar has received a phone call from President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka Anura Kumara Dissanayake, to discuss regional developments and bilateral concerns. MORE..
Trump threatens to ‘massively blow up’ major Iranian gas field
Trump threatens to ‘massively blow up’ major Iranian gas field
US President Donald Trump has just issued a long Truth social post about the attack on the South Pars oil field in Iran, saying the US ‘‘knew nothing’’ of the Israeli attack - and threatening an escalation if Iran retaliates against Qatar again. MORE..
No-confidence motion against Energy Minister to be submitted to Speaker today
No-confidence motion against Energy Minister to be submitted to Speaker today
A motion of no-confidence against Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody, signed by opposition Members of Parliament, will be handed over to the Speaker of Parliament today (19). MORE..
Saudi Arabia says reserves right to respond after Iran attacks Riyadh, east
Saudi Arabia says reserves right to respond after Iran attacks Riyadh, east
Saudi Arabia reiterated that its immediate priority in the ongoing Iran conflict is to halt attacks targeting Gulf countries, with Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud stressing that the Kingdom is focused on protecting regional stability, Al Jazeera reported. MORE..
Pentagon is seeking more than $200bn for Iran war – report
Pentagon is seeking more than $200bn for Iran war – report
The Pentagon has asked the White house to approve more than $200bn (£151bn) in order to fund the war in Iran, a senior administration official has told the Washington Post. MORE..
Fuel distribution to follow ‘odd-even’ number plate system starting today
Fuel distribution to follow ‘odd-even’ number plate system starting today
The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) has announced that, starting today (19), fuel quotas issued through the QR system will be distributed based on the last digit of the vehicle number plate. MORE..
Macron calls for halt to strikes on civilian infrastructure
Macron calls for halt to strikes on civilian infrastructure
French President Emmanuel Macron says that there must be ‘‘a moratorium’‘ on strikes that target civilian infrastructure, following the attacks on areas that produce gas in Iran and Qatar. MORE..
Fairly heavy showers expected in parts of the island today
Fairly heavy showers expected in parts of the island today
Showers or thundershowers will occur at most places of the island after 1.00 pm, today (19), the Department of Meteorology said. MORE..
TV Derana’s Chathura Alwis wins ‘People’s TV Presenter of the Year Award’ for 8th consecutive year
TV Derana’s Chathura Alwis wins ‘People’s TV Presenter of the Year Award’ for 8th consecutive year
TV Derana’s Chathura Alwis has been once again honoured as the People’s Television Presenter of the Year at the 2026 SLIM-KANTAR People’s Awards. MORE..
| March 19, 2026 6:46 am
Oil nears $110 a barrel after gas field strike
Oil nears $110 a barrel after gas field strike
Oil prices leapt to nearly $110 a barrel after Iranian media reported an airstrike hitting a facility on the world’s largest natural gas field. MORE..
Qatar says Iran attacked LNG hub; UAE shuts gas facilities
Qatar says Iran attacked LNG hub; UAE shuts gas facilities
Qatar’s state oil giant QatarEnergy said on Wednesday that Iranian missile attacks on Ras Laffan, the site of the country’s core LNG processing operations, caused “extensive damage”, while the UAE shut gas facilities after intercepting missiles early on Thursday. MORE..
Govt vows strict action against illegal fuel distribution
Govt vows strict action against illegal fuel distribution
The Department of Government Information stated that legal action has been initiated against fuel station owners who operate in violation of prescribed fuel distribution guidelines. MORE..
White House says China agreed to postpone Trump’s Beijing trip
White House says China agreed to postpone Trump’s Beijing trip
The White House said on Wednesday that China had agreed to postpone U.S. President Donald Trump’svisit to Beijing, originally scheduled in just two weeks. MORE..