Sri Lanka’s security has become fragile: Sajith

Sri Lanka’ s security has become fragile because of the Middle East conflict, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said today.

Pope Leo condemns using God to justify war

Pope Leo XIV on Sunday rejected claims that God justifies war during a Palm Sunday Mass, as the Iran war entered its second month.

Some countries have sought permission to use Lankan ports for military purposes - Sajith

We have information that some countries have sought permission to use Sri Lankan ports for military purposes, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said yesterday.

Tractor illegally transporting sand kills sergeant before fleeing

A police sergeant died and another received serious injuries when a suspicious tractor transporting sand knocked them down and sped away at a police check point in Kodikamam.

Indian fuel shipment arrives at Colombo Port

An Indian vessel carrying a consignment of fuel reached the Colombo Port yesterday, the Ports and Civil Aviation Ministry said.

No impact on tea exports despite Middle East war

Despite the ongoing war on Iran by the U.S and Israel, Sri Lanka’s tea exports to Iran, U.A.E. and Iraq has not been hit to the feared level, Colombo Tea Traders Association’s Chairman, Lushan De Silva said.

Invitation to use MRIA; Govt to follow up with three airlines - Minister

The government will follow up with three Middle East airlines - Qatar Airways, Emirates and Gulf Air - regarding the invitation for the use of the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA), a minister said.

Doctors warn public not to delay Rabies treatment

In the wake of a recent uptick in rabies-related incidents and concern over animal bites, health experts are urging the public not to ignore the deadly threat posed by rabies.

Special security and traffic programmes for festive season to be implemented from April 1

Special security and traffic arrangements will be implemented from April 1 in line with the upcoming Sinhala and Tamil New Year, police said.

Easter Sunday attacks to be debated in Parliament for sixth time

Parliament is to debate the Easter Sunday attacks for the sixth time on April 9, making it one of the most frequently debated topics in the House in recent years. The Parliament media unit said the matter will be taken up for debate on April 9.

NPP MP involved in Chilaw road accident

A motor vehicle driven by National People’s Power (NPP) Puttalam District Parliamentarian Muhammad Faizal veered off the road and crashed onto a wall at Bandarawatta in Chilaw late last night.

Russia to ban gasoline exports from April 1

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak on Friday instructed the energy ministry to draft a resolution banning gasoline exports from April 1, the Russian government said.

Sri Lankan Origin Athithiya Anantharajah appointed Deputy Mayor in Paris

Twenty-five-year-old French politician of Sri Lankan origin Athithiya Anantharajah has been appointed Deputy Mayor (maire adjoint) of Pontault-Combault, a suburb on the outskirts of Paris.

Badly injured wild elephant roams village after being hit by speeding train

A wild elephant that was struck by a speeding train early this morning on the Polonnaruwa–Batticaloa main railway line is now wandering through the village of Manikwela with severe leg injuries, wildlife officials said.

Special Chinese flight deployed to remove 126 nationals from Sri Lanka

A total of 126 Chinese nationals, including six women who were arrested for visa violations, were removed from Sri Lanka to China last night via the Bandaranaike International Airport.

Oil rises above $115 and Asia shares slide as Iran war enters fifth week

Global oil prices jumped and stocks fell sharply on Monday morning in Asia after the US-Israel war entered its fifth week.

President’s hospital room at SJH to be made available to patients at Rs. 70,000 per night

A proposal to offer the room previously reserved for the President at the Sri Jayewardenepura Hospital to patients at a daily rate of Rs. 70,000 has been submitted for approval to the hospital’s Board of Directors, hospital sources said.

Sri Lanka to invite Russian investors to Colombo Port City

The Sri Lankan government will this week make an invitation to the Russian Foreign Ministry for its investors to explore the possibility of investing in the Colombo Port City, which the Sri Lankan government is now trying to promote amongst international investors amidst the Middle Eastern turmoil.

Australia’s fuel excise cut after petrol, diesel prices soar

The Australian Government will once again cut the local fuel excise tax by half across the next three months, amid sky-high bowser prices.

Suspect ‘Midigama Chuti’ extradited from Oman to Sri Lanka

Prabhath Madusanka, alias “Midigama Chuti,” an alleged member of an organized criminal gang, was brought back to Sri Lanka early this morning following his arrest in Oman.

Trump says he got ’gift’ from Iran’s Ghalibaf, hints at Kharg seizure for taking oil

US President Donald Trump has indicated that America could ’’take the oil in Iran’’ and seize the Kharg Island-- Tehran’s main oil export hub-- as war in the Middle East continued into its fifth week.

Nestle says 12 tonnes of KitKat stolen, may cause shortage

A huge shipment of Nestle’s crunchy KitKat chocolate bars was stolen in Europe, the brand says, warning that the heist risked causing shortages in stores right before Easter.

Shops and restaurants in Egypt told to close early as energy crisis deepens

Shops, restaurants and cafes in Egypt have been told to close early as part of a raft of temporary measures to combat soaring energy prices caused by the Iran war.

March tourist arrivals surpass 150,000 as Middle East crisis threatens 200,000 target

Sri Lanka’s tourism sector has crossed the 150,000 mark for March, but the industry is grappling with a sudden contraction that threatens the newly revised monthly target of 200,000 arrivals.

Pakistan hosts regional powers for Iran talks, with focus on Hormuz proposals

Pakistan ​hosted talks with Turkey, Egypt and Saudi Arabia on Sunday as part of its efforts to broker ‌an end to the Iran war, with initial discussions focused on proposals to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to shipping, sources familiar with the matter said.

’Remember these two criminals’: Iran names US officers responsible for Minab school strike

Iran on Sunday named US Navy Officers Commander Leigh R Tate and Executive Officer Jeffrey E York of the USS Spruance, as responsible for a missile strike on a school in Minab which claimed 168 lives.

“Surakimu Lanka” national programme launched for energy security

The national programme titled “Surakimu Lanka”, designed to encourage the public to use energy sparingly, was officially launched today, President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

Tehran says army is ‘waiting’ for US ground invasion and vows to set Trump’s troops ‘on fire’

Iranian armed forces are waiting for a ground invasion by US troops and are ready to “set them on fire and punish their regional partners forever” speaker of Iran’s parliament, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said on Sunday.

Technical officer arrested for Rs. 50,000 bribe

A Technical Officer attached to the Welisara Sub-Office of the Wattala Pradeshiya Sabha was arrested by officials from the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) on charges of soliciting and accepting a bribe.

Two new suspects arrested over foiled Bank of America bomb plot in Paris

French police have arrested two more people over an apparent bid to place a homemade explosive device outside the Paris headquarters of Bank of America, prosecutors told AFP on Sunday.