CSE plunges amid fuel shortage fears, recovers part of early losses

The market began the week on a sharply negative note on 16th March 2026, as intensifying concerns over a potential fuel shortage in the local market triggered panic selling at the Colombo Stock Exchange.

Dubai airport resumes some flights after drone attack caused fuel tank blaze

Dubai’s ​international airport was gradually resuming flights on Monday after a fuel tank fire caused by a drone attack forced ‌a temporary suspension, spotlighting the challenge for regional carriers grappling with the Middle East crisis.

Judicial Service Commission directs courts to use online hearings for remand extensions amid fuel rationing

The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has issued a circular instructing judges to make use of online or virtual platforms wherever feasible, particularly when extending the remand periods of prisoners, in order to help reduce fuel consumption in the country.

Special programme introduced to provide fuel for agricultural activities

The government has introduced a special mechanism to issue fuel required for famers for their agricultural activities, the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation said today.

Agreement reached on joint-Neketh Seettuwa for New Year

All groups of astrologers who had dissagreement on the auspicious times designated for performing Sinhala New Year rituals have agreed for a joint-Neketh Seettuwa, the Ministry of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs said today.

Discussions still underway to implement work-from-home system

Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government Prof. Chandana Abeyratne said that no final decision has been made so far regarding the implementation of a work-from-home system for public servants and that discussions are still ongoing.

Fuel ship carrying 35,000 MT arrives in Sri Lanka

A ship carrying 35,000 MT of fuel arrived in Sri Lanka today (16), and arrangements have been made to begin unloading the fuel on the same day, Managing Director of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC), Mayura Netthikumarage, said.

India hopeful Iran talks will ease Hormuz route for its ships

Indian Foreign Minister S Jaishankar has said he is hopeful that talks with Iran are beginning to ease shipping disruptions for the country’s vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.

QR code system planned for tourism service providers

The Government is planning to introduce a special QR code system for individuals and institutions engaged in the tourism industry, Deputy Tourism Minister Ruwan Ranasinghe said.

Gammanpila vows to reveal Easter Sunday attack mastermind on March 31

Former Member of Parliament Udaya Gammanpila said that they intend to publicly disclose the identity of the true mastermind behind the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks on March 31.

Kanchana credits teams behind National Fuel Pass QR

Former Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera has credited the development of the National Fuel Pass QR-based system to teams from the Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA), Dialog Axiata, and Millennium IT.

Pakistan lodge official complaint about Bangladesh’s review at end of chase

Following Pakistan’s loss in the third and final ODI against Bangladesh in Dhaka on Sunday, the team management lodged an official complaint with the match referee, Neeyamur Rashid. The incident in question is the on-field umpire Kumar Dharmasena’s decision to allow Bangladesh to take an LBW review on the penultimate ball of the third ODI.

One Battle After Another’s big night: Key takeaways from the 2026 Oscars

As anticipated, it ended up being One Battle After Another’s night at the 98th annual Academy Awards, with the political thriller carting away six Oscars out of a total of 13 nominations.

Scooter carrying scooter in search of fuel goes viral

An unusual scene was reported from Mahiyanganaya where two men were seen carrying one scooter on another while searching for petrol, as fuel shortages continue in the area.

Public warned against fake websites offering fuel QR codes

Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) Managing Director Mayura Neththikumara, has warned the public about fraudulent attempts related to the National Fuel Pass QR system.

Ten killed in fire at India hospital intensive care unit

Ten people have been killed after a fire broke out in the trauma centre of a government hospital in the eastern Indian state of Odisha.

Reduce fuel taxes to maintain price stability: Former CPC Chairman

Former Chairman of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation, Mohomed Uwais Mohomed, says the government should consider reducing taxes on petroleum products to keep fuel prices stable in Sri Lanka.

Oil prices keep rising as Trump seeks coalition to reopen Strait of Hormuz

Oil prices are continuing to rise as markets see no end in sight to the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Police clarifies legal powers to stop vehicles

The Sri Lanka Police issued a public clarification regarding the specific legal provisions that grant officers the authority to stop motor vehicles and request documentation from drivers.

Mannar woman arrested over drug money laundering

The Illegal Assets Investigation Division has arrested a suspect under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act for allegedly assisting in the disposal of assets obtained through drug trafficking.

Sri Lanka should create fair, transparent, open, stable environment for FDI attractions- Chinese envoy

Chinese Ambassador Qi Zhenhong emphasised that Sri Lanka should think about creating a fair, transparent, open, and stable environment for the attraction of foreign investment.

Sixty wild elephants run amok destroying cultivation in A’pura

A herd of more than 60 wild elephants that raided cultivated land and home gardens in the Paniyankadawala area in Anuradhapura caused extensive damage to crops much to the anxiety of the farmers.

GMOA says fuel quota insufficient for medical services

The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) says the fuel quota issued under the QR code system is not sufficient for doctors to carry out their duties.

Govt. looks for alternatives on auspicious times for New Year rituals

Amids controversy over the auspicious timing designated for performing Sinhala New Year rituals, Deputy Minister of Buddhist Affairs Gamagedara Dissanayake said yesterday that the government is considering an alternative if a consensus cannot be reached with the astrologers.

No decision yet to close schools or launch distance learning amid fuel queues

The Education Ministry has not taken any decision to suspend school activities or introduce distance learning programs due to the fuel queues that emerged following the reimplementation of the QR code system.

QR code fuel system will increase burden on people – Consumer Rights Group

The re-imposition of the QR code system for fuel distribution will increase the burden on the public amidst the rising cost of living, Chairman of the National Movement for Consumer Rights Protection (NMCRP) Ranjith Vithanage said.

No power cuts despite diesel price hike” – Government assures amid public doubts

The Power and Energy Ministry said that there would be no power cuts in the country despite the recent increase in diesel prices, dismissing concerns that the higher fuel costs could disrupt electricity generation.

Brother of Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala dies in road accident

Public Security Ananda Wijepala’s brother Kurukulasuriya Mudiyanselage Piyasena died after being admitted to the Galgamuwa Base Hospital with injuries following a road accident in the early hours of yesterday (15), the police said.

Navy maintains high alert following Iranian frigate incident

The Sri Lanka Navy had been put on high alert within the country’s territorial waters to ensure continued stability and safety following the sinking of the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena near Galle, Deputy Defence Minister Aruna Jayasekera said.

Netanyahu posts video in response to Iran rumours that he is dead

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu posted a video of himself getting a cup of coffee and chatting with his aide ​on Sunday, after rumours that he was dead or injured ‌were aired by Iranian state media and spread online in Iran.