Increased radiation and lack of wind make Sri Lanka warmer: Met. Department

“Radiation coming from the sun and the radiation that is being emitted from the Indian Ocean and from the surface of the land had made the country warmer these days,” Department of Meteorology Director Merril Mendis told Daily Mirror.

Nalinda warns against doctors’ interference in Ministry activities

Amidst the Government Medical Officers’ Association’s (GMOA) trade union action, Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa yesterday warned that doctors’ Trade Union has no right to unduly interfere in the activities of the Health Ministry claiming that they must focus on trade union activities.

Drinking water problem likely due to sea water seepage

The Irrigation Department yesterday warned of possible drinking water problems in some areas as sea water is seeping into the Kelani, Kalu and Nilwala Rivers due to decreased water levels.

‘Pinibara Yame’ dispute ends with justice for lyricist Lucian Bulathsinhala

In a significant ruling affirming the rights of authors and creators, and reinforcing the legal protections afforded under Sri Lankan law, the Supreme Court has ordered Torana Music Distributors (Pvt.) Ltd. to pay Rs. 1 million in damages to veteran artist Lucian Bulathsinhala for infringing his economic rights in the lyrics of the song ‘Pinibara Yame’.

Russian military transport plane crashes in Crimea, killing 29

A Russian An-26 military transport plane crashed into a cliff in Crimea, killing 29 people on board, due to a ​possible technical malfunction, Russia’s defence ministry said early on Wednesday, according to ‌news agencies.

Pope Leo urges Trump to find ’off-ramp’ to end Iran war

Pope Leo ​urged U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday to look ‌for an ’’off-ramp’’ to end the Iran war, in a rare direct appeal from the pontiff as the regional conflict expands.

176,527 qualify for university with 62.64% pass rate

A total of 176,527 candidates, including 146,405 school applicants and 30,122 private applicants, have qualified to apply for university admission at the 2025 General Certificate of Education (Advanced Level) Examination, achieving an overall pass rate of 62.64%.

Five kingpins control Sri Lanka’s drug trade from Dubai, Europe

Despite thousands of arrests related to drug possession and small-scale dealing, Sri Lanka’s narcotics trade is largely controlled by just five main drug kingpins, the police revealed yesterday.

Iran threatens Meta, Google, Apple and other US tech companies: ‘From now on…’

Tensions in the Middle East have reached a critical level. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has threatened major American technology and aerospace companies, including Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp-parent company Meta, Google and Apple, with an attack and urged the staff to evacuate their office in the region.

Trump says the US could end the Iran war in two to three weeks

President Donald Trump said the United States could end its military attacks on Iran within two to three weeks and ​Tehran did not have to make a deal as a prerequisite for the conflict to wind down.

Iran willing to end war if guarantees prevent repeat attacks: Pezeshkian

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said his country had the ’’necessary will’’ to end the ongoing war with Israel and the United States, but was seeking guarantees that the conflict would not be repeated.

Govt. plans phased para-tariff removal to sharpen export competitiveness

The government is preparing to gradually remove para-tariffs in a structural trade reform aimed at lowering costs for exporters and improving the country’s competitiveness, as policymakers push to strengthen export-led industrial growth.

Maldives-based Sun Siyam Group eyes expansion in Sri Lanka

Maldivian hospitality company Sun Siyam Resorts is looking to expand its footprint in Sri Lanka with a new property in the pipeline, aiming to capitalise on combined dual-destination travel packages.

Record entrepreneur loans expected in 2026: Handunneththi

Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Minister Sunil Handunneththi, announced that 2026 will witness the highest number of loans granted to entrepreneurs in recent history, as part of the government’s efforts to strengthen the industrial sector.

Three teenagers charged with murder after girl stabbed to death in Leeds

Three teenagers have been charged with the murder of a 16-year-old who was stabbed to death in Leeds.

Three million Indian officials to begin counting world’s largest population

More than 3 ​million Indian officials are to spend a year counting every single ‌person in the world’s most populous nation, a mammoth task delayed in part by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Russia, Sri Lanka discuss strengthening parliamentary ties

Parliamentary leader of the ruling United Russia party in the State Duma, Vladimir Vasilyev, met with Sri Lanka’s Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development and Leader of the House, Bimal Rathnayake, during a meeting held at the State Duma.

Two disused train compartments catch fire near Galle station

Two out-of-service train compartments parked near the Galle Railway Station caught fire today.

Sri Lankan injured in Dubai Shrapnel incident

Four individuals including a Sri Lankan in Dubai have sustained injuries caused by falling debris from a successful interception.

Supreme Court revives indictments against ex-Minister Tennakoon

The Supreme Court today set aside the judgment delivered by the Court of Appeal in 2020, which quashed the operation of indictments filed against former Minister Janaka Bandara Tennakoon before the Kandy High Court over an alleged murder committed in 1999.

Suspect arrested over Kahawatta gem businessman’s murder

Police have taken a suspect into custody in connection with the murder of a gem businessman in Kahawatta.

Trump urges countries seeking oil to go to Strait of Hormuz and ’just take it’

President Donald Trump on Tuesday urged countries that did not help in the U.S.-Israeli strikes on ​Iran to buy American oil and go to ‌the Strait of Hormuz and ’’just TAKE it.’’

Market ends mixed amid volatility and index rebalancing pressure

The Colombo Stock Exchange experienced a highly volatile session on 31st March 2026, with the market oscillating between gains and losses throughout the day. Early optimism was supported by positive global cues following updates from the U.S. President regarding developments in the ongoing geopolitical situation, which initially lifted investor sentiment and pushed the market into positive territory.

Sri Lanka Coast Guard rescues 18 tourists from drowning in March

The Sri Lanka Coast Guard successfully rescued 18 local and foreign tourists from drowning during lifesaving operations carried out across several coastal areas in March 2026.

Discussions with electricity trade unions progress successfully

A key discussion between trade union representatives of the Ceylon Electricity Board and chairpersons of newly established state-owned electricity companies was held yesterday (30) at the Labour Ministry, under the patronage of Labour Deputy Minister Mahinda Jayasinghe.

Russian deputy foreign minister arrives in Sri Lanka

Andrey Rudenko, Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister, arrived in Sri Lanka today on an official visit.

China bans entombing cremated remains in empty flats

Chinese authorities have banned entombing cremated remains in cheap apartments, a practice that had gained popularity as mourners took advantage of the subdued housing market to dodge rising funeral costs.

Johnston Fernando’s sons granted bail

The Negombo High Court today (31) granted bail to four suspects, including two sons of former Minister Johnston Fernando, who had been remanded over the alleged misuse of a Lanka Sathosa lorry.

Sri Lanka to offer free tourist visas for 39 countries

Sri Lanka will introduce a six-month programme granting free tourist visas to passport holders from 39 selected countries in a bid to boost the country’s tourism industry.

CPC allows fuel for all vehicles tomorrow under QR system

The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) announced that fuel will be available tomorrow (April 1) for both odd- and even-numbered vehicles under the existing QR quota system.