Gold prices retreat as Trump threatens further attacks on Iran

Gold retreated from two-week highs ‌on Thursday after U.S. President Donald Trump said that Washington would continue its military campaign in Iran in the coming weeks, pushing crude prices sharply higher and dampening hopes of interest rate cuts.

Unexplained wealth presumed bribery, says CIABOC

The Director General of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) Ranga Dissanayake said that all public officials are legally required to declare their assets and liabilities, warning that failure to comply will result in strict legal consequences.

Former Minister Mahinda Wijesekera passes away

Former Minister Mahinda Wijesekera, a prominent political figure in Sri Lanka’s southern region, passed away this morning (02).

Open warrant issued on Shamindra Rajapaksa

Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama today issued open warrants for the arrest of Shamindra Rajapaksa, son of former Minister Chamal Rajapaksa, and Priyanka Niyomali Wijenayake, wife of Kapila Chandrasena, who have been named as suspects in the alleged bribery incident related to the purchase of Airbus aircraft.

Nasa declares ’we’re back in the business’ as Artemis II now racing towards the Moon

Nasa has declared it’s ’’back in the business’’ of sending mankind to the Moon after the historic launch of the Artemis II rocket.

175,000+ tourists visit Sri Lanka in March

Sri Lanka welcomed 175,661 tourists during the first 29 days of March 2026, the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) said.

Extreme heat can worsen chronic diseases: health experts warn

The prevailing heat condition must not be neglected by the people specially by those who suffer from chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart diseases and cancers as their health condition may worsen and even cause death, a health expert said yesterday.

Sri Lanka, Russia should not restrict energy deals according to US’s wish - Russian Deputy FM

Visiting Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister of Russia Andrey Rudenko said yesterday that Sri Lanka and Russia should not restrict support deals on energy when the United States allows it but to build it on a solid legal and economic foundation.

Call for probe as Keheliya-era officials remain in Health Ministry

Specialist Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa has called for an immediate investigation into Sri Lanka’s health sector, alleging that officials appointed during the tenure of former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella continue to hold key positions, contributing to a worsening crisis.

NATO chief to visit Washington next week as Trump threatens exit from alliance

NATO ​Secretary-General Mark Rutte will visit Washington next ‌week for what a spokesperson for the military alliance called a ’’long-planned visit’’ that comes after President Donald Trump blasted European ​allies over differences on the Iran war.

Fatal illusion of cheap medicine: how Supreme Court ruling exposes rot in Sri Lanka’s health procurement

In the complex ecosystem of national healthcare, the pill a patient swallows is the final link in a long, often invisible chain of science, manufacturing logistics, and regulation. For Sri Lanka, industry experts have long warned that this chain is structurally unsound, stretched to a breaking point by a misplaced national fixation on the price of medicine over its quality, efficacy, and safety.

Excise revenue up over 60% on liquor sticker system

The Excise Department of Sri Lanka has recorded a revenue growth of over 60 percent over the past three years, attributing the increase primarily to the implementation of security stickers on liquor bottles.

‘We have all the cards’: Trump says US war on Iran ‘nearing completion’

Donald Trump used a primetime address to the nation on Wednesday evening to declare the month-long war in Iran a success “nearing completion”, despite a spiraling conflict that has caused economic turmoil across the globe, fractured transatlantic alliances and eroded the president’s approval ratings.

Magnitude 7.4 quake hits off Indonesia’s Ternate, tsunami warning lifted

A magnitude 7.4 earthquake has hit the ⁠Northern Molucca Sea off the coast of the city of ⁠Ternate, in Indonesia, killing at least one person and triggering a tsunami warning that was subsequently lifted.

GMOA announces fresh islandwide token strike

The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) has announced a fresh islandwide one-day token strike scheduled for April 2, citing the authorities’ failure to address alleged irregularities in the medical transfer process.

NASA set to launch Artemis II Moon mission

Nasa is aiming for a 1 April launch for the first crewed mission around the Moon in more than 50 years.

Fuel allowance based on March prices, no increase in allocations: Deputy Minister

The recent decision regarding fuel allowances for Ministers, Deputy Ministers, Members of Parliament and senior government officials does not constitute an increase in benefits, Deputy Minister Arun Hemachandra clarified.

U.S. Embassy expands social media checks for nonimmigrant visa applicants

The U.S. Embassy in Sri Lanka has issued an update regarding its visa services, announcing an expansion of social media presence review requirements for nonimmigrant visa applicants.

Argentina designates Iran’s IRGC a terrorist organization, aligning with US

Argentina has designated Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary ​Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization, its presidential ‌office said in a statement on Tuesday, following a push from the Trump administration for allies to ​do so.

School principal arrested over alleged abuse of student

A school principal in the Akuramboda area has been arrested in connection with an alleged abuse incident involving a student.

Oil price falls and markets rally after Trump says Iran war over in ‘two to three weeks’

Oil prices tumbled and stock markets rallied across the world on Wednesday after Donald Trump said the war in Iran would end in “two to three weeks”.

Over 320kg of heroin seized in naval operation

The Sri Lanka Navy has recovered 298 parcels of heroin, weighing over 320 kilograms, on board a multi-day fishing trawler, which was intercepted and subsequently escorted to the Dikowita Fisheries Harbour for further inspection.

Judge temporarily halts construction of Trump’s White House ballroom

A US judge has temporarily halted President Donald Trump’s White House ballroom construction project, ruling that proper procedures were not followed before the project began.

Google is finally letting you change your Gmail address

For years, your Gmail address has been something you were effectively stuck with; whether it reflected your teenage obsessions, early internet humour, or a questionable combination of numbers and nicknames. That is now finally starting to change.

Follow Australia, India; give concessions to people: Joint Opposition

Representatives of a number of opposition political parties today urged the government to follow other countries such as India and Australia and give concessions to the people by slashing taxes on fuel.

Fuel supplies from Russia assured, says CPC

Sri Lanka has secured fuel supplies from Russia, the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) stated.

Govt. to unveil tough new law to dismantle crime gangs

The government is to introduce a new law within the next two weeks aimed at targeting and dismantling organized crime networks.

Patients face double whammy as doctors strike again

Public are reeling from a double blow as the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) launched a nationwide token strike yesterday (31), compounding the hardships already triggered by global tensions.

Those who called for the execution of JR have failed to bring a change today

Those who pasted posters calling for the execution of late President J. R. Jayewardene in the 1980s have failed to change the policies of Mr. Jayewardene though they have remained in power for more than a year, a senior media personality said.

Street lights shutdown may trigger accidents, security risks – motorcyclists warn

The Ceylon Motorcyclists Association (CMA) has raised concerns over the government’s decision to switch off street lights from 6.00 p.m. to 10.00 p.m., warning that it could negatively impact public safety and security.