Houthi leader hails US-Iran truce as ‘major victory’ for Tehran

The leader of Yemen’s Houthis, Abdel-Malik al-Houthi, has described the recently agreed ceasefire between the US and Iran as a “great victory” for Tehran and the so-called “axis of resistance”, a network of Iran-aligned groups across the Middle East.

US plans to automatically register men for military draft eligibility

Young American men could be automatically registered for eligibility for the military draft as soon as December, ending decades of self-registration.

Hormuz at near standstill as Iran warns ships to keep to its waters

Ship traffic through the Strait of Hormuz stood at well below 10% of normal volumes on Thursday ​despite a U.S.-Iran ceasefire as Tehran asserted its control by warning ships to keep to its territorial waters while doing so.Hundreds of tankers ‌and other ships have been stuck inside the Gulf since the Iran war began on Feb 28, cutting global oil supply by 20% in the world’s biggest-ever supply disruption.

Electric wheelchairs donated to war-disabled veterans

A special programme to donate modern electric wheelchairs to war-disabled veterans was held today at the Ranaviru Seva Authority (RSA) office.

Brazil’s Laura Cardoso makes T20I history with nine-wicket haul

Laura Cardoso etched her name into the record books, becoming the first player in either men’s or women’s T20I cricket to pick up nine wickets in a single innings.

New Year kevili table cost increases by 7% from 2025 to 2026

The cost of ingredients required to prepare a traditional “kevili” table for the Sinhala and Tamil New Year has increased by 7.0% in 2026 compared to 2025, and by 2.5 times compared to 2019—prior to the pandemic and economic crisis.

Lebanon PM asks Pakistan to confirm country’s inclusion in truce talks

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has asked his Pakistani counterpart to confirm Lebanon’s inclusion in the Iran war ceasefire, a day after Israeli strikes on the country killed more than 200 people.

Excise seizes Rs.20Mn worth imported booze kept for Avurudu

A large stock of imported foreign liquor worth over Rs.20 million, kept ready for distribution during the Avurudu season, was seized by the Department of Excise from a location in Wellawatta this week.

Islamabad locks down for first US-Iran talks as Israeli attacks on Lebanon jeopardise truce

Israel bombed more targets in Lebanon on Thursday, putting the U.S.-Iran ​ceasefire into further jeopardy after the biggest Israeli attacks on its neighbour of the war killed more than 250 people and threatened to torpedo Donald Trump’s truce.

Market slides amid early selling pressure, partial recovery fails to lift indices

The Colombo Stock Exchange witnessed a subdued and cautious trading session on 09th March 2026, as early selling pressure weighed heavily on market performance despite a modest recovery later in the day. The ASPI declined sharply during the first hour of trading, reflecting weak investor sentiment at the open.

Government to modernize public transport for safety and convenience

The government’s objective is to transform public transportation into a safe, technologically advanced service that can be used with convenience by all citizens.

CAA launches action against overpricing in trains and canteens

The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) has launched strict legal action against traders engaging in overpricing and failing to display price information in trains and railway station canteens.

Record lottery prize to be awarded tomorrow

The Ministry of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Co-operative Development is preparing to award the largest lottery prize in its history, with a winning cheque exceeding Rs. 620 million.

FSP challenges legality of coal tenders, plans court action

The Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) has raised serious allegations over the awarding of two coal tenders, claiming that both long-term and emergency contracts are illegal and calling for legal intervention.

PHI conduct surprise inspections in Nuwara Eliya ahead of spring festival

Public Health Inspectors (PHI) conducted surprise inspections across Nuwara Eliya town on April 9, targeting restaurants, bakeries, and wholesale and retail shops ahead of the upcoming Spring Festival, in a bid to ensure quality and safety for consumers.

NASA Artemis II astronauts prepare to end moon mission in ’fireball’ re-entry

Four astronauts traveling back to Earth from the far side of the moon on NASA’s Artemis II mission spoke of their emotions as they wrapped up ​the unprecedented flight and prepared to re-enter the atmosphere in a ’’fireball’’, during their first press conference from space on Wednesday.

Tesla is developing a new smaller, cheaper EV, sources say.

Tesla is developing an all-new smaller, cheaper electric SUV, four people familiar with the matter told Reuters.

Oil prices rise as concerns grow over ’fragile’ US-Iran ceasefire

Global oil prices have risen as concerns grow over whether a fragile US-Iran ceasefire will hold after Israel launched a wave of strikes on Lebanon.

Public urged to brace for rising heat as amber advisory issued

Residents across multiple provinces have been alerted to expect heightened heat conditions following an Amber-level warm weather advisory issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre at 3:30 p.m. today (9).

Illegal quartz mining site in Wellawaya raided; Equipment and minerals seized

An unauthorized quartz mining operation in the Kotikambokka area of Alikota Ara in Wellawaya was raided by officers of the Sri Lanka Police Special Task Force in collaboration with the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau (GSMB), officials said.

Israel launches fresh strikes on Lebanon after huge attacks jeopardise truce

Israel bombed more targets in Lebanon on Thursday, putting the Middle ​East ceasefire in further jeopardy after its biggest attacks of the war on its neighbour killed more than 250 people and threatened to torpedo Donald Trump’s truce from the outset.

Iran war doubles Russia’s main oil revenue to $9 bln in April: Reuters

Russia will see revenue from its biggest ‌single oil tax double to $9 billion in April due to the oil and gas crisis triggered by the U.S. and Israeli attack on Iran, Reuters calculations showed on Thursday.

Education Ministry warns against high-cost school events

The Education Ministry has issued a directive urging schools to exercise financial prudence when organizing festivals and other celebrations, following concerns over excessive spending that may place an additional burden on parents.

Fundamental rights petition seeks levy on single-use polythene bags

A Fundamental Rights petition has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking the immediate introduction of a regulated levy on single-use polythene bags, along with a structured mechanism to promote environmentally friendly alternatives.

Sri Lankan-origin student elected to French City Council at 18

A French student of Sri Lankan origin, Bilaal Lookman, has been elected as a municipal councillor in his hometown of Guyancourt, on the outskirts of Paris, at just 18 years old, making him one of the youngest elected officials in France.

QR-based tea fertilizer system surpasses 2024/25 in 6 months

The distribution of subsidized tea fertilizer through Sri Lanka’s new QR-based system has shown significant progress within six months since its launch on October 1, surpassing performance recorded in the 2024/2025 period.

Specialist doctors not supporting GMOA strike: AMS

The Association of Medical Specialists (AMS) said the specialist doctors will not join the 48-hour island-wide strike, which was launched by the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA).

Parliament approves extension of emergency

Parliament approved the resolution to extend the emergency by a majority of 110 votes with 137 members voting in favour and 27 against.

Spain condemns Israeli attacks on Lebanon, reopens Tehran embassy

Spain’s Foreign Minister Jose Manuel ​Albares on Thursday accused Israel of violating ‌international law and a newly brokered two-week ceasefire in the Middle East by carrying out airstrikes ​on Lebanon on Wednesday.

IMF stresses need for trade liberalisation, digitisation, regulatory streamlining to unlock growth in Sri Lanka

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) stressed today that Sri Lanka must also continue with trade liberalisation, digitalisation, regulatory streamlining, and labour market modernisation to unlock durable, inclusive growth.