HK police can now demand phone passwords under new national security rules

Hong Kong police can now demand phone or computer passwords from those who are suspected of breaching the wide-ranging National Security Law (NSL).

Three-wheeler fares increased after fuel price revision

Three-wheeler fares have been increased following the recent government-announced fuel price revision.

FR petition challenging Suresh Sallay’s arrest and detention fixed for September

A Fundamental Rights petition challenging the legality of the arrest and detention of former Director of the State Intelligence Service, Suresh Sallay, in connection with the Easter Sunday attacks, was fixed for support by Supreme Court.

Iran Defence Council issues Strait of Hormuz order for ‘non-hostile countries’

Iran’s high-level security body Defence Council has said in a statement that the ‘‘only way for non-hostile countries’‘ to pass through Strait of Hormuz is ‘‘coordination with Iran’‘.

Australia’s ABC staff to go on strike for first time in 20 years

Staff at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) will go on strike on Wednesday for the first time in 20 years, after rejecting a pay rise offer.

Bakery prices rise by Rs. 10 amid fuel cost surge

Bakery product prices across the country are set to increase by Rs. 10 from midnight today, following rising production and distribution costs triggered by the recent fuel price hike, the Bakery Owners’ Association said.

Bus fares could rise over 10% amid diesel price surge: IPPBA warns

The Inter-Provincial Private Bus Association (IPPBA) has warned that bus fares may need to increase by more than 10 percent following the latest national fuel price revision, IPPBA President Sarath Vijitha Kumara said.

Severe thunderstorm and lightning warning for Sabaragamuwa, Galle and Matara

The Meteorology Department has issued a warning for residents of Sabaragamuwa Province and the Galle and Matara districts following forecasts of thundershowers accompanied by severe lightning after 1.00 p.m. today (23).

North Korea’s Kim Jong Un reappointed as president of state affairs, KCNA says

North Korean leader ​Kim Jong Un was reappointed as president of state affairs, ‌state media KCNA reported on Monday, after the isolated nation convened the first session of its Supreme People’s Assembly a day earlier.

Bus shortages persist as NTC seeks fare hike approval

Despite some buses operating today (23), passengers continue to face disruptions in several areas, National Transport Commission (NTC) Director General Dr. Nilan Miranda said. Bus services on expressways remain completely suspended, forcing commuters to rely on ordinary roads.

Iran pledges oil, essential supplies to Sri Lanka amid regional tensions

Iranian Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Dr. Alireza Delkhosh reaffirmed Iran’s commitment to supporting Sri Lanka as a ’’friend country,’’ stating that Tehran is ready to provide essential supplies, including oil, should the need arise.

Refinery to be shut down after mid-April due to crude oil issue : CPC

Even though assurance was given by the government that no power cuts will be imposed soon, the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) chairman D.J Rajakaruna said yesterday that the refinery which produces furnace oil and naphtha for power generation, will have to be shut down by middle of April due to unavailability of crude oil.

Delivery of postal parcels to be done every other day.

The Department of Posts yesterday said the delivery of postal parcels will be done every other day.

Opposition MP to raise privilege issue against Minister for showing his middle finger

Opposition MP Ajith P. Perera yesterday said he will raise a privilege issue against Minister of Justice Harshana Nanayakkara for showing his middle finger during sessions last week.

World could face worst energy crisis in decades, IEA chief warns

The war in the West Asia could see the world face its worst energy crisis in decades, International Energy Agency chief Fatih Birol warned on Monday (March 23, 2026), describing the situation as “very severe”.

Fuel price hike threatens decline in agriculture sector

Sri Lanka’s agriculture sector is at risk of a significant decline due to rising production costs triggered by the recent fuel price increase, Chairman of the National Farmers’ Union Anuradha Tennakoon has warned.

ADB President arrives in Sri Lanka

President of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Masato Kanda, arrived in Sri Lanka on an official visit this morning (23).

Air Canada express plane, truck collide on New York’s LaGuardia Airport runway, many injured

New York’s LaGuardia Airport was closed to incoming flights after a plane coming from Canada’s Montreal reportedly collided with a ground vehicle. Several people are feared to have been injured after an incoming Air Canada Express CRJ-900 flight and a fire engine collided on runway 4 of the airport, according to the flight-tracking website FlightRadar24.

Nearly 50% of adults have never visited a dentist – Health officials

Nearly 50 percent of Sri Lanka’s adult population has never visited a dental clinic, health officials reveal.

US issues worldwide security alert urging Americans to exercise ’increased caution’ amid Iran war

The US State Department issued a worldwide security alert Sunday urging American citizens, particularly those in the Middle East, to exercise ’’increased caution.’’

Rear Admiral qualifies for three Guinness World Records

Retired Rear Admiral Princely Liyanage has qualified for three Guinness World Records following an extraordinary endurance feat on a manual treadmill.

153 individuals found to have used illegal QR codes

Around 153 phone numbers have been identified for illegally downloading QR codes, Cabinet Spokesman Nalinda Jayatissa said yesterday.

Thousands of fish in Kelani River dying

Residents of the area said thousands of fish in the Kelani ganga in close proximity to the Ambatale water treatment plant had been dying over the last several days.

Germany has a shortage of workers - so it’s turning to India for help

Germany is continuing to struggle with a shortage of skilled workers, as elderly staff retire, and there are not enough young candidates to fill their roles. To try to alleviate the problem the country is increasingly turning to workers from India.

Retired Army Brigadier arrested over housing scam

A retired Brigadier of the Sri Lanka Army, who served as Project Director of the Urban Development Authority’s Colombo Urban Regeneration Project, has been arrested by officers of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption over allegations of corruption.

Musk says SpaceX and Tesla to build advanced chip factories in Austin

SpaceX and Tesla (TSLA.O), will ‌build two advanced chip factories at a sprawling facility in Austin, Texas, one to power cars and humanoid robots, and another designed for artificial intelligence data centers in space, CEO ​Elon Musk said on Sunday.

Three Gulf airlines seek Mattala as contingency plan, Govt yet to firm up

In the midst of the widening conflict in the Middle East, three Gulf airlines have sought a request for the use of the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA) as a hub, but the government is yet to firm up the decision, an official said.

Iran threatens to retaliate against Gulf energy and water after Trump ultimatum

Iran warned it would strike energy and water infrastructure across the Gulf if U.S. President Donald Trump follows through on his threat to attack its electricity grid, raising fears of mass disruption in a region heavily dependent on desalination ​for drinking water.

8,931 days and counting: PM Modi is India’s longest-serving head of government

Narendra Modi has become India’s longest-serving head of an elected government, completing 8,931 days in office across his tenures as chief minister and prime minister.

Pakistan’s T20 cricket league cuts venues, crowds due to Gulf crisis

Pakistan’s Twenty20 league will be held on schedule from March 26 but without crowds and only at two venues to save resources due to the Gulf crisis, the country’s cricket chief announced Sunday.