Badly injured wild elephant roams village after being hit by speeding train

A wild elephant that was struck by a speeding train early this morning on the Polonnaruwa–Batticaloa main railway line is now wandering through the village of Manikwela with severe leg injuries, wildlife officials said.

Special Chinese flight deployed to remove 126 nationals from Sri Lanka

A total of 126 Chinese nationals, including six women who were arrested for visa violations, were removed from Sri Lanka to China last night via the Bandaranaike International Airport.

Oil rises above $115 and Asia shares slide as Iran war enters fifth week

Global oil prices jumped and stocks fell sharply on Monday morning in Asia after the US-Israel war entered its fifth week.

President’s hospital room at SJH to be made available to patients at Rs. 70,000 per night

A proposal to offer the room previously reserved for the President at the Sri Jayewardenepura Hospital to patients at a daily rate of Rs. 70,000 has been submitted for approval to the hospital’s Board of Directors, hospital sources said.

Sri Lanka to invite Russian investors to Colombo Port City

The Sri Lankan government will this week make an invitation to the Russian Foreign Ministry for its investors to explore the possibility of investing in the Colombo Port City, which the Sri Lankan government is now trying to promote amongst international investors amidst the Middle Eastern turmoil.

Australia’s fuel excise cut after petrol, diesel prices soar

The Australian Government will once again cut the local fuel excise tax by half across the next three months, amid sky-high bowser prices.

Suspect ‘Midigama Chuti’ extradited from Oman to Sri Lanka

Prabhath Madusanka, alias “Midigama Chuti,” an alleged member of an organized criminal gang, was brought back to Sri Lanka early this morning following his arrest in Oman.

Trump says he got ’gift’ from Iran’s Ghalibaf, hints at Kharg seizure for taking oil

US President Donald Trump has indicated that America could ’’take the oil in Iran’’ and seize the Kharg Island-- Tehran’s main oil export hub-- as war in the Middle East continued into its fifth week.

Nestle says 12 tonnes of KitKat stolen, may cause shortage

A huge shipment of Nestle’s crunchy KitKat chocolate bars was stolen in Europe, the brand says, warning that the heist risked causing shortages in stores right before Easter.

Shops and restaurants in Egypt told to close early as energy crisis deepens

Shops, restaurants and cafes in Egypt have been told to close early as part of a raft of temporary measures to combat soaring energy prices caused by the Iran war.

March tourist arrivals surpass 150,000 as Middle East crisis threatens 200,000 target

Sri Lanka’s tourism sector has crossed the 150,000 mark for March, but the industry is grappling with a sudden contraction that threatens the newly revised monthly target of 200,000 arrivals.

Pakistan hosts regional powers for Iran talks, with focus on Hormuz proposals

Pakistan ​hosted talks with Turkey, Egypt and Saudi Arabia on Sunday as part of its efforts to broker ‌an end to the Iran war, with initial discussions focused on proposals to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to shipping, sources familiar with the matter said.

’Remember these two criminals’: Iran names US officers responsible for Minab school strike

Iran on Sunday named US Navy Officers Commander Leigh R Tate and Executive Officer Jeffrey E York of the USS Spruance, as responsible for a missile strike on a school in Minab which claimed 168 lives.

“Surakimu Lanka” national programme launched for energy security

The national programme titled “Surakimu Lanka”, designed to encourage the public to use energy sparingly, was officially launched today, President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

Tehran says army is ‘waiting’ for US ground invasion and vows to set Trump’s troops ‘on fire’

Iranian armed forces are waiting for a ground invasion by US troops and are ready to “set them on fire and punish their regional partners forever” speaker of Iran’s parliament, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said on Sunday.

Technical officer arrested for Rs. 50,000 bribe

A Technical Officer attached to the Welisara Sub-Office of the Wattala Pradeshiya Sabha was arrested by officials from the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) on charges of soliciting and accepting a bribe.

Two new suspects arrested over foiled Bank of America bomb plot in Paris

French police have arrested two more people over an apparent bid to place a homemade explosive device outside the Paris headquarters of Bank of America, prosecutors told AFP on Sunday.

Applications called for 453 medical officer posts

The Ministry of Health has called for applications from 453 medical graduates who successfully completed their internship training on July 4, 2025, for appointments to Grade I Medical Officer positions.

Pakistan secures Iran deal to send 20 ships through Strait of Hormuz

Iran has agreed to allow 20 Pakistani-flagged vessels to transit the Strait of Hormuz, in what Islamabad has called a meaningful step towards easing one of the worst energy crises in modern history.

’Grateful for India’s swift support’: President

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said he is grateful for India’s swift support in supplying 38,000 MT of fuel.

Houthis threaten to choke off second vital fuel route as they target Israel in missile attack

The Houthis raised the stakes in the Middle East conflict on Saturday with a threat to cripple the global economy by blocking a second vital oil shipping route.

Consider model similar to India’s recent fuel tax adjustment: Namal tells government

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP Namal Rajapaksa called upon the government to consider a model similar to India’s recent fuel tax adjustment.

Awareness session on new online system at Colombo Port on March 31

An awareness session will be held on March 31, to educate the trading community and other stakeholders on a new online mechanism aimed at preventing malpractices at the NCT Exit Gate of the Colombo Port.

Sri Lanka Police calls for applications for 100 legal officer posts

The Sri Lanka Police has invited applications for the recruitment of 100 qualified lawyers to the position of Assistant Superintendent of Police (Legal Officers), as announced in Government Gazette No. 2477 dated February 20, 2026.

Sajith thanks India for supplying fuel to SL

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa thanked India for its decision to supply fuel to Sri Lanka.

SL could have obtained fuel from Russia earlier if more associated with BRICS: Namal

Sri Lanka would have been able to obtain fuel from Russia much earlier if it was associated more with BRICS, the internal organization which comprises Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa said.

Two Australian states to offer free transport as fuel prices rise

Two Australian states will temporarily offer free public transport to ease the effects of rising fuel costs, as prolonged hostilities in the Middle East increase supply risks.

Police warn of burglary risks as nights get warmer

The Sri Lanka Police has issued a public advisory urging homeowners to remain vigilant and take precautions to prevent burglaries during the prevailing warm weather.

Three arrested over school assault circulated on social media

Three students have been arrested in connection with an assault involving schoolchildren in the Hatton area, after video footage of the incident circulated on social media.

Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister to visit Sri Lanka

Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko is scheduled to visit Sri Lanka on March 31, 2026, to participate in the 11th round of bilateral political consultations between Sri Lanka and the Russia.