News Archive

Ex-MP Sajin Vass Gunawardena further remanded

Former Member of Parliament Sajin Vass Gunawardena, who was arrested by officers of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), has been further remanded. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 24, 2026  12:43 pm

Bahrain pushes UN-backed action for Hormuz shipping

Bahrain has put forward a draft U.N. Security Council resolution that would authorise countries to use “all necessary means” - diplomatic language for force - to protect commercial shipping in and around the Strait of Hormuz, according to a text seen by Reuters on Monday. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 24, 2026  2:08 pm

Cabinet nod to appoint expert committee to develop energy economy

The Cabinet of Ministers has granted approval to the proposal to appoint an expert committee to prepare a national framework to develop the energy economy.

(0)Comments | March 24, 2026  2:24 pm

Sri Lankan gold prices drop sharply by Rs. 38,000 over past week

In line with global market trends, gold prices in the local market have decreased by Rs. 5,000 today, bringing the total decline to approximately Rs. 38,000 compared to the previous week. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 24, 2026  11:11 am

Bus fares could be revised again in July based on global fuel trends

It is possible for bus fares to be revised once again under the national bus fare policy scheduled to be implemented in July, Cabinet Spokesperson Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa stated. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 24, 2026  2:37 pm

Explosion reported at Valero refinery in Texas, shelter advisory issued

An explosion was reported Monday at the Valero refinery in Port Arthur, Texas, according to local media. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 24, 2026  7:33 am

Ex-SriLankan Airlines Chief Nishantha Wickramasinghe granted bail

The Colombo Magistrate’s Court has ordered the release on bail of former SriLankan Airlines Chairman Nishantha Wickramasinghe, who was arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) on charges of corruption.

(0)Comments | March 24, 2026  5:08 pm

All services resume at Dept. of Registration of Persons

All public services at the Department for Registration of Persons, which were temporarily suspended today (24) due to a system failure, have now resumed. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 24, 2026  11:32 am

Suspect known as ‘Walpola Lala’ nabbed with ‘Ice’ and sharp weapons

A 38-year-old suspect, identified as Sumithra Arachchige Lalantha Gunawardena, also known as “Walpola Lala,” has been arrested by the Mulleriyawa Police in connection with a series of housebreakings and possession of illicit goods. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 24, 2026  9:57 am

Cement prices increased

The price of cement has been increased by approximately Rs. 150 to Rs. 175 by manufacturing companies. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 24, 2026  12:26 pm

Iran sends waves of missiles into Israel, dismisses Trump’s talk of negotiations as ‘fake news’

Iran launched multiple waves of missiles at Israel, the Israeli military said, after U.S. President Donald Trump postponed a threat to bomb the Islamic Republic’s power grid because of what he described as productive talks with Iranian officials. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 24, 2026  10:42 am

Air India Group to operate 24 flights to West Asia today; several routes remain suspended

The Air India Group said it will operate a total of 24 scheduled and non-scheduled flights to and from the West region on Tuesday, while services to several destinations remain temporarily suspended, according to an Air India press release. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 24, 2026  8:59 am

Sri Lanka begins talks with Russian Govt. to secure fuel supplies

Formal government-level talks have already begun to secure fuel supplies from Russia, according to Cabinet Spokesman Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 24, 2026  4:00 pm

Cabinet greenlights fee-free QR payments

The Cabinet of Ministers has granted approval for a proposal aimed at promoting QR code-based digital payments by ensuring that no additional charges are levied on either the sender or the receiver for transactions valued below Rs. 5,000. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 24, 2026  3:03 pm

Fairly heavy showers expected in parts of the island today

Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in Western, Southern, Uva and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya districts after 2.00 pm, today (24), the Department of Meteorology said. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 24, 2026  6:31 am

ADB Chief highlights private sector investment as key to Sri Lanka’s growth

The President of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Masato Kanda, who is currently on an official visit to Sri Lanka, has underscored the critical role of private sector investment in shaping the country’s next phase of economic growth, following a roundtable discussion with private sector leaders in Colombo.MORE..

(0)Comments | March 24, 2026  9:56 am

Trump’s claim of talks with Iran might be for “markets to calm down,” former senior US official says

US President Donald Trump’s claim that the US has renewed discussions with Tehran might be a move to calm markets as oil prices surge, former US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Joel Rubin told told CNN on Tuesday. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 24, 2026  3:40 pm

FM Vijitha Herath, India’s Jaishankar hold talks on impact of regional tensions

India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar stated that he held a productive discussion with Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath on the implications of the ongoing West Asia conflict. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 24, 2026  10:40 am

US embassy in Muscat lifts shelter in place order

The US Embassy in Muscat has lifted a stay in place order for citizens in Oman’s capital. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 24, 2026  7:17 am

Guidelines issued to optimise fuel use in state-owned vehicles

The Commissioner-General of Essential Services, B.K. Prabhath Chandrakeerthi, has issued comprehensive guidelines aimed at optimising fuel consumption across state-owned vehicles. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 24, 2026  4:14 pm

Online applications for 2026 A/L exam open from today

Applications for the 2026 G.C.E Advanced Level (A/L) Examination will be accepted online from today (24) to April 24, 2026, the Commissioner General of Examinations has announced. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 24, 2026  3:55 pm

WMO warns climate emergency as earth hits record heat

On March 23, 2026, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) delivered a stark warning: Earth’s climate has entered uncharted territory, with heat accumulating at record rates and the consequences expected to last for centuries, if not millennia. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 24, 2026  9:20 am

Registration of Persons Dept. temporarily halts services over system failure

Due to a system failure, steps have been taken to temporarily suspend public services at the Department for Registration of Person (ID Office) today (24). MORE..

(0)Comments | March 24, 2026  8:25 am

Instagram now lets users reorder carousels after posting

Instagram announced a much-anticipated update for carousel posts, with users now able to rearrange their posts within a carousel after publishing. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 24, 2026  11:49 am

Iran names new Supreme National Security Council secretary

Iran has named a former Iranian Revolutionary Guard commander as the new secretary of the country’s Supreme National Security Council, replacing Ali Larijani, who was killed in an airstrike. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 24, 2026  4:39 pm

Jury finds that Bill Cosby sexually assaulted woman in 1972 and awards her nearly $60 million

A civil jury in California found Monday that Bill Cosby was liable for drugging and sexually assaulting a woman in 1972 and awarded her $59.25 million. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 24, 2026  10:06 am

At least 34 killed in Colombia military plane crash, governor says

At least thirty-four people were ⁠killed on Monday when a Colombian Air Force plane carrying 125 people crashed ⁠just after takeoff, the governor of Colombia’s ⁠Putumayo department said. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 24, 2026  6:35 am

Airstrikes on Iraq’s Shi’ite PMF site kill 15 including Anbar commander

Airstrikes targeting a site belonging to Iraq’s Shi’ite Popular Mobilization Forces in the western province of Anbar killed at least 15 fighters, including the PMF’s Anbar operations commander, and wounded 30 others, security and health sources told Reuters early on Tuesday. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 24, 2026  1:35 pm

Man arrested for hoarding and reselling 1,820L of diesel in Serunuwara

An individual has been arrested in the Serunuwara area for hoarding and reselling approximately 1,820 litres of diesel without a valid license. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 24, 2026  11:21 am

Global oil prices move back above $100 a barrel

The price of Brent crude has moved back above $100 a barrel, after plunging on Monday. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 24, 2026  8:49 am

Recent fuel price hike based on fuel pricing formula, says CPC

The recent increase in fuel prices in Sri Lanka has been implemented strictly according to the official fuel pricing formula, Dr. Mayura Neththikumarage, the Managing Director of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) emphasized.

(0)Comments | March 24, 2026  5:02 pm

Court to decide on arrest warrants in SriLankan Airbus deal probe on April 2

The Colombo Magistrate’s Court has announced that its order on whether to issue arrest warrants for the wife of former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SriLankan Airlines, Kapila Chandrasena, and Shamindra Rajapaksa... MORE..

(0)Comments | March 24, 2026  12:08 pm

Guidelines issued to conserve fuel and energy across state sector

The Commissioner General of Essential Services has issued a comprehensive set of guidelines on the prudent use of fuel and energy to all Ministry Secretaries, Provincial and District Secretaries, as well as heads of government and statutory institutions. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 24, 2026  6:40 am

Presidential Suite at Jayewardenepura Hospital opened to public

The special ward at the Sri Jayewardenepura General Hospital, which had until now been reserved exclusively for the use of the Executive President, has been opened for the general public for medical treatment from today (24), the President’s Media Division stated. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 24, 2026  4:24 pm

Food security a top priority, President directs action on fertiliser stocks

Ensuring food security in the country and people remains a top priority of the government, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has emphasised. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 24, 2026  4:30 pm

GTA 6 price officially confirmed for November 2026 launch

Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick quietly confirms the price of Grand Theft Auto VIwhile promising one highly controversial feature will not be a part of it. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 24, 2026  10:09 am

Chief Inspector Linton de Silva transferred with immediate effect

Chief Inspector Linton de Silva, who served as the Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the Western Province North Crimes Division, has been transferred with immediate effect. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 24, 2026  11:21 am

Case against MP Chamara Sampath to be taken up in April

The Colombo High Court has ordered that the case filed by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) against Member of Parliament Chamara Sampath Dassanayake be taken up on April 30, 2026. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 24, 2026  2:48 pm

Vehicle parking fee collection in Colombo resumes today – CMC

The Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) has resumed the collection of vehicle parking fees across its jurisdiction from today (23). MORE..

(0)Comments | March 23, 2026  9:24 am

Asian stock markets tumble

Major Asian stock markets fell sharply on Monday after the US and Iran threatened to intensify hostilities as the war enters its fourth week. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 23, 2026  7:00 am

Saudi Aramco cuts oil supply to Asia for second month in April

Saudi Aramco, the world’s top oil exporter, has cut crude supply to Asian buyers for a second month in April, two sources with knowledge of the matter said on Monday, after the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran disrupted trade via the Strait of Hormuz. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 23, 2026  9:28 am

ADB Chief arrives in Sri Lanka on official visit

The President of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Masato Kanda arrived in Sri Lanka on an official visit this morning (23). MORE..

(0)Comments | March 23, 2026  9:54 am

Showers expected in certain parts of the island

Showers or thundershowers may occur at several places in Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Galle, Matara and Nuwara-Eliya districts after 2.00 pm, today (23), the Department of Meteorology said. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 23, 2026  6:32 am

Bus fare revision proposal to be presented to Cabinet today

The proposal to increase bus fares is scheduled to be presented to the Cabinet today (23). MORE..

(0)Comments | March 23, 2026  6:50 am

Americans urged to exercise increased caution ‘worldwide’

The US State Department has issued an updated caution to Americans across the world due to the ongoing tensions in the Middle East. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 23, 2026  6:37 am

Macron calls for ‘‘halt to attacks on energy facilities’‘ in talks with Saudi Crown Prince

French Prime Minister Emmanuel Macron on Monday held talks with Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 23, 2026  7:42 am

Several private bus operators suspend services amid delay in fare revision

Severe queues were reported at major bus terminals this morning (23) after several private bus associations withdrew from operations pending a formal revision of bus fares. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 23, 2026  8:48 am

North Korea’s Kim Jong Un reappointed as president of state affairs

North Korea has re-elected Kim Jong Un as president of state affairs, state media reported on Monday (Mar 23). MORE..

(0)Comments | March 23, 2026  9:23 am

Increased heat exposure can raise concerns over child dehydration - Health Officials

Health officials have urged parents to pay special attention to protecting children from dehydration amid the prevailing extreme heat conditions. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 23, 2026  8:30 am

Dollar rises as escalating Middle East war spurs haven demand

The dollar rose on Monday as escalating retaliatory threats in the Middle East conflict curbed risk appetite and lifted demand for safe-haven assets. MORE..

(0)Comments | March 23, 2026  8:52 am