Mattala Airport field visit set for next week as Gulf carriers weigh alternative transit hubs

With a crucial field visit scheduled for next week, the Sri Lankan government is advancing discussions with major Gulf carriers to utilise Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA) as an alternative transit hub amid escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, Mirror Business learns.

Teachers’ absence at PM meeting: Tangalle education zone seeks explanation

The Zonal Education Office in Tangalle has instructed all school principals in the Tangalle Education Zone to submit reports explaining the non-participation of teachers at a special meeting held on March 15, 2026, at the Tangalle Town Hall under the patronage of Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya.

'Illustrious' Salah to leave Liverpool at the end of the season

Mohamed Salah will leave Premier League champions Liverpool at the end of the season, the Egypt forward announced on Tuesday as he started a farewell to what the club called nine ’’illustrious’’ years at Anfield.

India-US consortium buys IPL Royal Challengers Bengaluru for $1.7bn

A consortium of investors, including US asset management giant Blackstone, on Tuesday announced the takeover of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), one of the founding clubs of Indian Premier League, for nearly $1.8 billion.

Modi, President Dissanayake discuss West Asia crisis, energy security

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a telephone conversation with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, during which they discussed the evolving situation in West Asia, with a particular focus on disruptions impacting global energy security.

Blow to Italian PM Giorgia Meloni as she suffers referendum defeat

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has conceded defeat in a government-promoted referendum to reform the justice system.

Iran arrests 466 over online activities amid war with US and Israel

Iranian authorities announced on Tuesday the arrest of 466 people accused of seeking to destabilise the country through their online activity, state media reported, as the war with the US and Israel ground on.

President pushes fast-track law to destroy seized narcotics

A meeting between Anura Kumara Dissanayake and a special committee tasked with removing legal barriers to the rapid destruction of seized narcotics was held at the Presidential Secretariat.

Use electricity sparingly as record demand hits 3,089 MW

The public has been urged to use electricity sparingly as Sri Lanka grapples with record-high power demand driven by prevailing dry weather conditions.

Philippines declares energy emergency over Iran conflict

The Philippines has declared a state of national energy emergency, citing the ’’imminent danger’’ posed to the country’s fuel supplies by the conflict in the Middle East.

ADB raises Sri Lanka allocation to USD 480m, releases USD 200m

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has agreed to increase the allocation approved for Sri Lanka for this year from USD 380 million to USD 480 million and to promptly release USD 200 million in view of the prevailing situation, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

Fuel price hike based on pricing formula – CPC

The recent fuel price increase was implemented in line with the pricing formula, said Managing Director of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation, Mayura Neththikumara.

Ex-SriLankan chairman arrested for using airline funds to pay Minister’s fuel bills

A former Chairman of SriLankan Airlines was arrested this morning (24) by officers of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) over alleged corruption.

Rajasthan Royals sold in a massive US$1.6 billion deal ahead of IPL 2026

Rajasthan Royals has been acquired by Kal Somani for a whopping price of US$1.6 billion, making it one of the most valued franchises in the Indian Premier League. The deal has been closed with only a few days left before the commencement of the 2026 edition of the marquee T20 tournament. Notably, Somani was a minority shareholder in the franchise earlier but has now gained full ownership.

Contract awarded to upgrade Colombo Fort Railway Station

The Cabinet has granted approval to award the contract for upgrading passenger facilities at the Colombo Fort Railway Station to MAGA Engineering (Pvt) Ltd, the government said.

Kim vows to ‘irreversibly’ cement North Korea’s nuclear status

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has pledged to irreversibly cement his country’s status as a nuclear power while maintaining a hard-line stance toward South Korea, which he called the “most hostile” state, state media said Tuesday.

Court of Appeal dismisses SriLankan Airlines’ writ petition over salary cuts

A writ application filed by SriLankan Airlines Limited, challenging the determination of the Assistant Commissioner of Labour relating to salary reductions implemented in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, including those affecting pilots, has been dismissed by the Court of Appeal.

Bhutan Civil Aviation Director General visits Sri Lanka

The Director General of Civil Aviation of the Bhutan Civil Aviation Authority, Kinley Wangchuk, paid a courtesy visit to Capt. Daminda Rambukwella, Director General of Civil Aviation and CEO of the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL), to discuss opportunities for aviation development and training collaboration.

Opposition seeks intervention of foreign institutions to ensure law and order in Sri Lanka

A group of Opposition politicians, including Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, SLPP National Organiser Namal Rajapaksa and former President Ranil Wickremesinghe have sought the assistance of international organisations to re-establish the declining law and order in the country. All three leaders have signed a letter to international organisations, including the Office of the High Commission of Human Rights UN.

A/L 2026 registration begins

The Examinations Department has officially announced that applications for the General Certificate of Education (Advanced Level) Examination 2026 will be accepted online from March 24 to April 24, 2026.

Assets worth over Rs. 30 Mn frozen in drug probe

The Illegal Assets Investigation Division has frozen properties and financial assets worth over Rs. 30 million linked to suspected drug trafficking activities.

Thundershowers forecast for parts of the country tomorrow

The Department of Meteorology has issued a weather forecast tomorrow (March 25), warning of showers and thundershowers in certain areas of the country.

Oil back above $100 as conflicting claims emerge on US-Iran talks

The price of Brent crude oil has risen back above $100 a barrel, after plunging on Monday, as conflicting accounts of potential talks between US and Iran emerged.

Cabinet approves programme to accelerate QR-based digital payments

The Cabinet Ministers has approved a new programme to accelerate the implementation of QR-based digital payments as part of the Government’s efforts to promote the digital economy.

Rs. 750 mn allocated to continue concessional loan scheme for young entrepreneurs

The Government has decided to continue the concessional loan scheme introduced to create new entrepreneurs, with Rs. 750 million allocated in the 2026 Budget to further implement the programme.

Expert committee appointed to prepare framework for energy economy development

The Cabinet Ministers has approved the appointment of an expert committee to prepare a national framework for developing the energy economy, in line with the Government’s plans to achieve sustainable economic growth.

Iranian media says energy infrastructure in the country attacked

US-Israeli strikes have targeted two gas facilities and a pipeline, hours after Trump stepped back from his threat to attack power infrastructure, Iranian media is reporting.

National Steering Committee to oversee education reforms appointed

The Cabinet Ministers has approved the appointment of a National Steering Committee for Education Reforms to ensure the continuous implementation and proper regulation of the ongoing education reform process.

Sanitary napkin programme for schoolgirls to continue

The Government has decided to continue the programme to provide sanitary napkins to schoolgirls this year, with the aim of supporting the uninterrupted education of female students who have reached puberty.

Gold prices fall after record surge amid global tensions, inflation

Global gold prices have declined in recent days after reaching historic highs earlier this year, as rising inflation, geopolitical tensions and financial market pressures continue to influence the international market.