Global vessel shortage hits Sri Lanka fuel imports amid Middle East crisis

The shortage of vessels amid the Middle East crisis has hampered fuel imports for Sri Lanka, with the government now trying to discourage consumption as much as possible.

Fuel prices set to rise again

Fuel prices in Sri Lanka are likely to rise once more by the end of this month or early next month, according to informed sources at the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC).

Oil crosses $110 a barrel after gas field strike

Oil prices rose above $110 (£82.78) a barrel after Iranian media reported an airstrike hitting a facility on the world’s largest natural gas field.

New system introduced to recover vehicle fuel QR codes

A new method has been introduced from today (March 19) to help vehicle owners retrieve previously registered fuel QR codes when the mobile phone number used for the original registration is no longer in use or belongs to someone else.

US intelligence chief says Iran’s regime ’intact’ but ’degraded’

The top intelligence official in the US said on Wednesday that the Iranian regime was ’’intact’’ but ’’largely degraded’’.

Labubu movie in the works as viral toys attempt film crossover

The hugely popular Labubu dolls will soon star in their own feature film, Chinese toy company Pop Mart and Sony Pictures have announced.

Fuel security under fire, 18-day diesel stock, petrol for 1½ months - Union warns

Fresh controversy has erupted over the country’s fuel reserves after trade unions warned that Sri Lanka has diesel stocks for only about 18 days, despite having the capacity to store enough fuel for nearly three months, while petrol stocks are sufficient for about one and a half months.

Frenchman to coach Sri Lanka Sevens team

Sri Lanka Rugby will sign up with former France international and Sevens coach Thierry Janeczek on a six-month deal to prepare the national team for a medal at the upcoming Asian Games in Japan scheduled for October 2026.

Former Cricket Secretary rips open Ex-Minister’s conscience

Former Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) secretary Nishantha Ranatunga has conveyed to ex-Sports Minister Navin Dissanayake that what he (Minister) did in 2015 by preventing him (Ranatunga) from contesting an election of office bearers of SLC paved the way for the gradual demise of the national team on the international stage.

Iranian footballers return home after dropping Australian asylum bids

Five members of Iran’s national women’s football team who dropped their bids for Australian asylum have returned to the country with the rest of the squad.

Nalinda Jayatissa holds talks with Meta to tackle social media misinformation

A special discussion was held today between the Minister of Health and Mass Media, Nalinda Jayatissa, and representatives of Meta to explore practical measures to prevent the spread of misinformation on social media platforms.

Sri Lanka faces 5,000 undiagnosed TB cases: Health officials

Sri Lanka continues to battle a significant number of undiagnosed tuberculosis (TB) cases, with around 5,000 patients yet to be identified, health officials warned today.

75 mm showers expected in several areas

Showers exceeding 75 mm are expected at some places in the Central, Sabaragamuwa and Uva Provinces, as well as in the Ampara District, the Department of Meteorology said.

Motorists urged to verify identity of vehicle when refuelling

The Department of Motor Traffic has requested motorists to produce either the Vehicle Revenue License, the Vehicle Registration Certificate, the Vehicle Insurance Certificate or the Vehicle Emission Test Certificate to correctly verify the identity of the vehicle when refuelling.

Ukraine faces missile shortage due to Middle East war, says Zelensky

Volodymyr Zelensky has said Ukraine will face a deficit of missiles it is using to fight Russia due to the war in the Middle East.

1,000 cataract patients to receive surgery on March 21–22

A special programme to restore vision to 1,000 patients suffering from cataracts will be carried out on March 21 and 22, National Eye Hospital Director Dr. Jayaruwan Bandara said.

MPs begin signing no-confidence motion against Power and Energy Minister

Members of Parliament have begun signing the no-confidence motion against Minister of Power and Energy, Kumara Jayakody, sources from the Opposition Leader’s office said today.

Restructure CPC loans, grant fuel concession to people: Opposition MP

Opposition MP Dayasiri Jayasekara today urged the government to restructure the debts of Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) and thereby extend the repayment period from 2029.

China pledges stronger cooperation with Sri Lanka to crack down on Telecom and online fraud

The Chinese Government says it will continue to strengthen law enforcement cooperation with Sri Lanka to combat telecom and online fraud, following the recent arrest of several foreign suspects, including Chinese nationals, by Sri Lankan authorities.

Iran’s parliament speaker says returning women footballers will be welcomed home

Iran’s Parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf says returning members of Iran’s women’s football team will be embraced by the public.

Sri Lanka on “perfect path” to boost Trincomalee tank capacity: Govt.

Sri Lanka is on the perfect path toward increasing the storage capacity of oil tanks in Trincomalee as part of a long-term strategy to strengthen the country’s energy security, Cabinet Spokesman Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said.

JR Jayewardene sought $1 million from Mossad for election campaign, document reveals

Declassified documents from Israel’s Foreign Ministry have revealed that former Sri Lankan President Junius Richard Jayewardene had requested $1 million from Israel’s intelligence agency Mossad to finance his election campaign in 1987.

Israeli media claim Iran’s intelligence minister targeted in attack on Tehran

Israel’s Channel 12 is reporting Israeli air strikes have targeted Iran’s Intelligence Minister Esmail Khatib.

Iran strikes Tel Aviv with cluster warheads in retaliation for killing of security chief

A defiant Iran said Israel’s killing of security chief Ali Larijani and other key officials would not hinder its operations with replacements swiftly appointed, as Israel launched a swathe of strikes against Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Namal highlights strategic importance of Indian ocean

SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa today underscored Sri lanka’s pivotal role in the Indian Ocean during the WION Global Summit, highlighting the island nation’s strategic significance in global trade and security.

President urges electric vehicle users to charge their vehicles during daytime

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday urged electric vehicle users to charge their vehicles during daytime in a move to save electricity.

Iran launches ‘revenge’ missile attack on Israel after assassinations

Iran has fired deadly cluster missiles at central Israel in what it says is “revenge” for Israel’s assassination of its security chief Ali Larijani, as the war the United States and Israel triggered against Iran rages towards a third week.

Tragic bus collision in Weerawila raises road safety concerns

At least four people were killed and around 40 others injured in a head-on collision involving two Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) buses along the Ambalantota–Kataragama road, police confirmed.

Lawyer disenrolled for chewing court documents

The Supreme Court ordered the disenrolment of a female Attorney-at-Law after she pleaded guilty to tearing and chewing two pages of a case record at the Kekirawa District Court in 2023.

Parking fee collection temporarily suspended in Colombo City

The Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) has announced the temporary suspension of parking fees for vehicles entering Colombo City, effective immediately and until further notice.