Ageing population reaches 18%, calls for stronger health systems

Nearly 18 percent of Sri Lanka’s population is now aged 60 years and above, reflecting a clear trend of population ageing, Population Association of Sri Lanka (PASL), President Prof. Manori Weeratunga, said.

Four Cricket Giants Ready for War

After four thrilling weeks of action, the Men’s T20 World Cup has reached its decisive stage, with India, South Africa, England and New Zealand powering into the semi-finals.

Jayasuriya cornered as Cricket fiefdom continues

Besieged coach Sanath Jayasuriya has found himself trapped or poised to backtrack after telling the media he will throw in the towel after the T20 World Cup match against Pakistan last Saturday and then deciding to stay on for talks with Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) that has become the fiefdom of a chosen few headed by Shammi Silva who is now into his seventh year at the helm, years longer than the term of the Head of State.

Over 13,000 dengue cases reported in two months

Sri Lanka has logged a total of 13,416 dengue cases so far this year, the National Dengue Control Unit (NDCU) said.

Opposition Leader calls for urgent meeting of Opposition parties on Middle East crisis

Leader of the Opposition, Sajith Premadasa, has convened an urgent meeting of all opposition party leaders and MPs to discuss the escalating conflict in the Middle East, the Opposition Leader’s office said today.

CPC compelled to release over 5.2 Mn litres of fuel

The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) has released over 5.2 million litres of fuel by 9.44 a.m. today in response to panic buying, its Chairman D.J. Rajakaruna said.

500 receive free cataract surgeries at Gampola Hospital

A total of 500 patients affected by the recent Dithwa cyclone received free cataract surgeries during a special two-day programme held on February 28 and March 1 at the Gampola District General Hospital.

Sri Lanka to be affected if Middle East crisis is prolonged: Opposition

Sri Lanka will be adversely affected if the conflict in the Middle East is prolonged, the Opposition said yesterday.

Sri Lankan government to issue condolence on death of Iranian state leaders, officials: Nalinda

The government will issue a message of condolence on all the deaths, including Iranian state leaders and officials who were killed in the ongoing war, Cabinet Spokesman Nalinda Jayatissa said today.

No immediate need to introduce QR system for fuel supply: Nalinda

Cabinet Spokesman Nalinda Jayatissa said today that no immediate need has arisen to introduce the QR code for fuel supply as there has been no issue in fuel supply.

Sri Lankans sharply divided on abolishing executive presidency : research reveals

Sri Lankan population appear to be sharply divided on abolishing of the executive presidency, a research has revealed.

Namal says, “We standby Iran at this hour of need”

SLPP MP, Namal Rajapaksa expressed shock over the reported assassination of former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in air strikes describing him as a close friend of Sri Lanka.

SriLankan halts Dubai, Doha, Riyadh flights

SriLankan Airlines has announced the cancellation of several flights scheduled to operate today due to the continued closure of airspace in certain parts of the Middle East.

Farmers protest handing over of Economic Centres to Private companies

While registering their protest against the government’s move to hand over the Economic Centres to private companies, vegetable farmers say the government which promised to uplift farmers by bringing down the cost of production has taken steps to handover the economic centres to a private company which would not benefit the farmers in any manner.

Heavy influx of pilgrims and tourists at Sripadastana

Heavy influx of pilgrims and tourists turned up at Sripadastana yesterday with the advent of the long weekend.

Doctors withdraw services from new primary health care units

The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) has escalated its ongoing trade union action by withdrawing doctors from duties at the newly established Primary Health Care Units.

CPC halts fuel sales to bottles and cans to curb black market

The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) has ordered all fuel stations to stop dispensing fuel into bottles and cans with immediate effect until further notice.

Any impact on fuel prices will be reflected locally after April : Official

Any impact of the current crisis in the global fuel supply will be reflected in local pricing only after April, an official said yesterday.

Fire in the Strait of Hormuz will burn households in Colombo

The escalation of military conflict in the Middle East and the subsequent closure of the Strait of Hormuz represent a systemic shock to the global economy with profound implications for Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka stands for world peace: Nalinda

Sri Lanka will not approve war in any form and that Sri Lanka stands for world peace, Cabinet Spokesman, Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said today.

UK will allow US to use bases to strike Iranian missile sites, PM says

The UK has agreed to a US request to use British military bases for ’’defensive’’ strikes on Iranian missile sites, Sir Keir Starmer has said.

Male body found floating near Colombo Port City

A 24-year-old man was found dead while floating in the sea near the Colombo Port City, police said.

Crowds worldwide rage or celebrate after Iran strikes; 23 killed in Pakistan

Demonstrations against the U.S.-Israeli bombing campaign in Iran turned violent in Pakistan and Iraq on Sunday, while in other parts of the world Iranian exiles took to the streets to celebrate the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Oil surges, stocks slide as conflict grips Middle East

Oil prices surged on Monday and shares slid as military conflict in the Middle East looked set to last weeks, threatening to upend a global economic recovery and perhaps reignite inflation.

Putin slams killing of Iran’s Khamenei but offers little beyond condolences so far

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday condemned the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as a ’’cynical’’ murder but he offered little in public to Moscow’s ally beyond condolences.

No fuel shortage: Lanka IOC says stocks sufficient for weeks

Lanka IOC PLC has assured the public that it maintains adequate and sufficient stocks of Petrol and Diesel across all its supply locations islandwide, dismissing concerns of any potential shortage.

Oil jumps 10% on Iran conflict and could spike to $100 a barrel, analysts say

Brent crude jumped 10% to about $80 a barrel over the counter on Sunday, oil traders said, while analysts predicted that prices could climb as high as $100 after U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran plunged the Middle East into a new war.

US military says three of its troops killed in first Iran operation casualties

Three U.S. service members have been killed and another five have been seriously wounded, in the first casualties of the unfolding U.S. operations against Iran, the U.S. military said on Sunday.

BIA, Mattala ready for emergency landings if requested: Minister

Ports and Civil Aviation Minister Anura Karunathilake said today the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) and the Mattala Airport are prepared if any flight to the Middle East requests for emergency landing.

Government to act tough on those hoarding fuel: Minister

Power and Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody warned that legal action will be taken against individuals for hoarding stocks of fuel unnecessarily and against fuel stations if fuel is issued for barrels, cans or bottles as per the country’s law.