Turkish Airlines increases flight frequency to Colombo amidst crisis in Middle East

Amidst flight disruptions, Turkish Airlines has decided to increase the frequency of flights between Istanbul and Colombo by two additional flights per week to assist stranded tourists and enable travellers’ access to Sri Lanka, Daily Mirror learns.

Doctors want Saturday declared off-day amid fuel crisis

The Association of Medical Specialists (AMS) has called for Saturday to be declared an off day, as the ongoing fuel crisis is placing severe strain on them.

Switch on fans when leaving pets at home, vets urge public

As temperatures soar, veterinarians are warning that Sri Lanka’s animals are facing a silent heat crisis, with dehydration posing a serious threat to pets, farm animals and even birds.

Only rain gods can save Sri Lanka from power crisis

Amidst disruption to global fuel supply, power generation is set to be a challenging task for Sri Lanka unless it rains sufficiently in the areas where the major hydropower reservoirs are located, an official said.

Hospital bed shortage may worsen amid ageing population, doctors warn

Sri Lanka’s hospital system currently has nearly 85,000 beds, but the capacity may not be sufficient to meet future health demands, the Doctors’ Trade Union Alliance for Medical and Civil Rights warned, raising concerns over the growing elderly population and rising number of patients requiring specialised treatment.

Iran’s foreign minister says there are no negotiations with US

Iran’s foreign minister says the country is not currently negotiating with the US to end the war and ’’does not intend’’ to do so.

Central Bank resists rate hike

The Central Bank left its key policy rate, the Overnight Policy Rate, unchanged at 7.75 percent yesterday, at its second policy meeting for the year.

Man arrested over dangerous tricycle driving, animal cruelty

A man was arrested by Chilaw Police following a road accident involving a tricycle driven in a dangerous manner on the Chilaw–Kurunegala road, police said.

Limited water capacity amid dry weather, NWSDB warns

The National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) says the limited capacity of water treatment plants has become a concern due to the increased demand for pipe-borne water during the current dry weather conditions.

Iran rejects US proposal, lays out five conditions for ending imposed war: Source

Iran has responded negatively to an American proposal aimed at ending the ongoing imposed war, insisting that it will only occur on Tehran’s own terms and timeline, a senior political-security official told Press TV on Wednesday.

Iran military claims it fired missiles at USS Abraham Lincoln carrier

Iran fired cruise missiles at the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier, the military said in a statement carried by state television, warning of further launches when the strike group’s ships come in range.

US 15-point plan reaches Tehran as Iran publicly scoffs at diplomacy

Iran has received a US 15-point proposal via Pakistan aimed at opening a path toward a ceasefire, a senior Iranian source told Reuters on Wednesday, though the venue for any talks was still under discussion and Tehran publicly denied that negotiations with Washington had begun.

Suspect arrested for fuel QR code fraud in Nittambuwa

A suspect has been arrested in Nittambuwa by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for allegedly overriding the fuel QR code of a woman’s vehicle and fraudulently obtaining fuel by generating a new QR code using the vehicle’s data.

Sanjeewa Dharmaratne appointed Acting IGP

Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police Sanjeewa Dharmaratne has been appointed as the Acting Inspector General of Police.

CSE extends rally as strong buying momentum drives sharp gains

The Colombo Stock Exchange extended its upward momentum on 25th March 2026, building on the previous session’s strong rebound as investor optimism continued to strengthen. Elevated turnover and share volumes signaled a clear return of positive sentiment, with increased participation supporting the market’s sustained upward trajectory.

No reason for rice price hike; sufficient stocks available: Deputy Minister

Agriculture and Livestock Deputy Minister Namal Karunaratne has assured that there is no reason to increase rice prices for the New Year season, as the country has sufficient stocks.

Iran’s military rejects Trump’s talk of negotiation, Israel and Iran launch airstrikes

Israel and Iran exchanged airstrikes on Wednesday, as Iran’s military rejected President Donald Trump’s assertion the U.S. was in negotiations to end the war which has roiled energy and financial markets, saying the U.S. is negotiating with itself.

All examinations to be conducted as scheduled: Cabinet Sub-Committee decides

The Cabinet Sub-Committee Appointed to Streamline the Public Service has decided to ensure that examinations are conducted as scheduled.

Police stop outdoor class in Hatton on public holiday

Hatton police intervened today to stop an outdoor class conducted by two teachers on a public holiday declared by the government.

Australia to restrict entry to some Iranian visa holders

The federal government will temporarily restrict some Iranian visitor visa holders from entering the country for six months, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke has announced.

Railway union urges no train fare hike

The Sri Lanka Railway Station Masters’ Union (SLRSMU) today requested the government not to revise train fares, stating that a large number of people have turned to railway transport for their daily travel due to the rising cost of living.

Suresh Sallay admitted to National hospital

Major General (Retired) Suresh Sallay, the former Head of the State Intelligence Service (SIS), has been admitted to the Colombo National Hospital following a sudden illness, sources said.

Nine Vietnamese arrested in Poddala fraud bust

Nine Vietnamese nationals were arrested in the Godakanda area of Poddala on Tuesday (24) for allegedly engaging in online financial fraud, police said.

Water levels in Castlereagh, Maussakelle reservoirs drop sharply amid dry weather

The water levels of the Castlereagh and Maussakelle reservoirs are rapidly declining due to the dry weather conditions prevailing in the central hills, an official in charge of the reservoirs said.

Construction industry in severe crisis due to rising material prices: Construction Association

The construction industry is facing a severe crisis due to the rapid increase in the prices of construction-related materials, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Construction Association (SLCA) Susantha Liyanarachchi said.

Provide relief packages for the micro, SMEs: Sajith

While highlighting that the micro, small and medium enterprises have been severely affected by the fuel price hike, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa today urged the government to come up with a relief package for them.

Iran stops pak-bound ship from crossing Hormuz over lack of permission

A Pakistan-bound container ship has been stopped from crossing the Strait of Hormuz by Iranian forces amid the escalating war in the Middle East. The vessel, SELEN, sailing from the United Arab Emirates’ Sharjah anchorage toward Karachi, was forced to reverse course at the entrance to the crucial waterways due to the absence of transit authorisation, according to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

Ranil will have to take over country to manage present crisis: Rathnapriya

Claiming that all the crisis situations faced by Sri Lanka in the past were managed by former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, former UNP MP Saman Rathnapriya said today the present crisis situation faced by the country will also have to be managed by Wickremesinghe.

Kim Jong Un uses Iran war to justify North Korea’s decision to keep its nuclear weapons

North Korea’s Kim Jong Un has said the United States’ war with Iran proves his country made the right decision to keep its nuclear weapons.

Sharp temperature contrast across island as Nuwara Eliya drops to 7.8°C

Sri Lanka experienced a marked contrast in minimum temperatures today (25), with Nuwara Eliya recording the country’s lowest at 7.8°C, the Department of Meteorology said.