Sajith calls for two days debate on Middle Eastern conflict

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa today called for a two day debate on the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

Air Arabia suspends flights amid regional tensions

Air Arabia has announced a temporary suspension of its flights to and from the United Arab Emirates amid the ongoing regional situation.

Emergency extension debate on Friday

Party leaders have decided to take up the debate on the proclamation issued by the President to extend the emergency by another month on Friday, March 6 2025.

President extends invitation to Pope to visit Sri Lanka

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has extended an invitation to His Holiness Pope Leo XIV to undertake an official visit to Sri Lanka.

SriLankan Airlines ready to assist stranded Europe-bound passengers

Notwithstanding escalating tensions in the Middle East, SriLankan Airlines said it is continuing to operate its European routes as scheduled and stands ready to facilitate passengers travelling to London and other European destinations it serves, if requests are made amid widespread flight cancellations.

Iran Embassy in Colombo opens condolence book

The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Colombo has announced that a book of condolence will be opened following the reported death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

205 flights to and from BIA cancelled amid Middle East conflict

Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation Anura Karunathilaka today said that 205 flights to and from Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake were cancelled on March 3 due to the ongoing war situation in the Middle East.

Over 700 organised criminals arrested within 17 months: Minister

Some 723 organised criminals, including gunmen have been arrested between January 1, 2025 and 31 May 2025, Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala said today.

Settle payments for area correspondents: Media Ministry tells media institutions

Media institutions have been asked to settle payments due to their area correspondents, Minister of Mass Media Nalinda Jayatissa told Parliament today.

Laugfs Gas agrees to maintain continuous supply: Minister

Trade Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe said today that Laugfs Gas has agreed to provide gas supply continuously where they have entered into an agreement with Geogas Trading S.A. to purchase 10,000 tonnes monthly.

Senior lawyer S.K Sangakkara passed away

Senior lawyer S.K. Sangakkara, father of former Sri Lanka cricketer Kumar Sangakkara, has passed away, family sources said.

Russia says war could backfire by spurring Iran and Arab nations to seek nuclear weapons

Russia warned on Tuesday that the war launched by the U.S. and Israel against Iran could result in the very outcome they were seeking to prevent, by spurring both ​Iran and its Arab neighbours to seek to acquire nuclear weapons.

US urges citizens to immediately leave over a dozen Middle East countries

The US Department of State has urged all Americans to immediately depart more than a dozen countries in the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia and Qatar, amid escalating US-Israeli strikes against Iran.

Police tighten security around foreign missions and tourist hotels amid Middle East tensions

The Sri Lanka Police has implemented special security measures to safeguard foreign diplomatic missions in the capital and hotels accommodating tourists in the wake of tensions in the Middle East, the Daily Mirror learns.

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.