‘We have all the cards’: Trump says US war on Iran ‘nearing completion’

Donald Trump used a primetime address to the nation on Wednesday evening to declare the month-long war in Iran a success “nearing completion”, despite a spiraling conflict that has caused economic turmoil across the globe, fractured transatlantic alliances and eroded the president’s approval ratings.

Magnitude 7.4 quake hits off Indonesia’s Ternate, tsunami warning lifted

A magnitude 7.4 earthquake has hit the ⁠Northern Molucca Sea off the coast of the city of ⁠Ternate, in Indonesia, killing at least one person and triggering a tsunami warning that was subsequently lifted.

GMOA announces fresh islandwide token strike

The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) has announced a fresh islandwide one-day token strike scheduled for April 2, citing the authorities’ failure to address alleged irregularities in the medical transfer process.

NASA set to launch Artemis II Moon mission

Nasa is aiming for a 1 April launch for the first crewed mission around the Moon in more than 50 years.

Fuel allowance based on March prices, no increase in allocations: Deputy Minister

The recent decision regarding fuel allowances for Ministers, Deputy Ministers, Members of Parliament and senior government officials does not constitute an increase in benefits, Deputy Minister Arun Hemachandra clarified.

U.S. Embassy expands social media checks for nonimmigrant visa applicants

The U.S. Embassy in Sri Lanka has issued an update regarding its visa services, announcing an expansion of social media presence review requirements for nonimmigrant visa applicants.

Argentina designates Iran’s IRGC a terrorist organization, aligning with US

Argentina has designated Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary ​Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization, its presidential ‌office said in a statement on Tuesday, following a push from the Trump administration for allies to ​do so.

School principal arrested over alleged abuse of student

A school principal in the Akuramboda area has been arrested in connection with an alleged abuse incident involving a student.

Oil price falls and markets rally after Trump says Iran war over in ‘two to three weeks’

Oil prices tumbled and stock markets rallied across the world on Wednesday after Donald Trump said the war in Iran would end in “two to three weeks”.

Over 320kg of heroin seized in naval operation

The Sri Lanka Navy has recovered 298 parcels of heroin, weighing over 320 kilograms, on board a multi-day fishing trawler, which was intercepted and subsequently escorted to the Dikowita Fisheries Harbour for further inspection.

Judge temporarily halts construction of Trump’s White House ballroom

A US judge has temporarily halted President Donald Trump’s White House ballroom construction project, ruling that proper procedures were not followed before the project began.

Google is finally letting you change your Gmail address

For years, your Gmail address has been something you were effectively stuck with; whether it reflected your teenage obsessions, early internet humour, or a questionable combination of numbers and nicknames. That is now finally starting to change.

Follow Australia, India; give concessions to people: Joint Opposition

Representatives of a number of opposition political parties today urged the government to follow other countries such as India and Australia and give concessions to the people by slashing taxes on fuel.

Fuel supplies from Russia assured, says CPC

Sri Lanka has secured fuel supplies from Russia, the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) stated.

Govt. to unveil tough new law to dismantle crime gangs

The government is to introduce a new law within the next two weeks aimed at targeting and dismantling organized crime networks.

Patients face double whammy as doctors strike again

Public are reeling from a double blow as the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) launched a nationwide token strike yesterday (31), compounding the hardships already triggered by global tensions.

Those who called for the execution of JR have failed to bring a change today

Those who pasted posters calling for the execution of late President J. R. Jayewardene in the 1980s have failed to change the policies of Mr. Jayewardene though they have remained in power for more than a year, a senior media personality said.

Street lights shutdown may trigger accidents, security risks – motorcyclists warn

The Ceylon Motorcyclists Association (CMA) has raised concerns over the government’s decision to switch off street lights from 6.00 p.m. to 10.00 p.m., warning that it could negatively impact public safety and security.

Increased radiation and lack of wind make Sri Lanka warmer: Met. Department

“Radiation coming from the sun and the radiation that is being emitted from the Indian Ocean and from the surface of the land had made the country warmer these days,” Department of Meteorology Director Merril Mendis told Daily Mirror.

Nalinda warns against doctors’ interference in Ministry activities

Amidst the Government Medical Officers’ Association’s (GMOA) trade union action, Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa yesterday warned that doctors’ Trade Union has no right to unduly interfere in the activities of the Health Ministry claiming that they must focus on trade union activities.

Drinking water problem likely due to sea water seepage

The Irrigation Department yesterday warned of possible drinking water problems in some areas as sea water is seeping into the Kelani, Kalu and Nilwala Rivers due to decreased water levels.

‘Pinibara Yame’ dispute ends with justice for lyricist Lucian Bulathsinhala

In a significant ruling affirming the rights of authors and creators, and reinforcing the legal protections afforded under Sri Lankan law, the Supreme Court has ordered Torana Music Distributors (Pvt.) Ltd. to pay Rs. 1 million in damages to veteran artist Lucian Bulathsinhala for infringing his economic rights in the lyrics of the song ‘Pinibara Yame’.

Russian military transport plane crashes in Crimea, killing 29

A Russian An-26 military transport plane crashed into a cliff in Crimea, killing 29 people on board, due to a ​possible technical malfunction, Russia’s defence ministry said early on Wednesday, according to ‌news agencies.

Pope Leo urges Trump to find ’off-ramp’ to end Iran war

Pope Leo ​urged U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday to look ‌for an ’’off-ramp’’ to end the Iran war, in a rare direct appeal from the pontiff as the regional conflict expands.

176,527 qualify for university with 62.64% pass rate

A total of 176,527 candidates, including 146,405 school applicants and 30,122 private applicants, have qualified to apply for university admission at the 2025 General Certificate of Education (Advanced Level) Examination, achieving an overall pass rate of 62.64%.

Five kingpins control Sri Lanka’s drug trade from Dubai, Europe

Despite thousands of arrests related to drug possession and small-scale dealing, Sri Lanka’s narcotics trade is largely controlled by just five main drug kingpins, the police revealed yesterday.

Bak Poya observed

Iran threatens Meta, Google, Apple and other US tech companies: ‘From now on…’

Tensions in the Middle East have reached a critical level. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has threatened major American technology and aerospace companies, including Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp-parent company Meta, Google and Apple, with an attack and urged the staff to evacuate their office in the region.

Trump says the US could end the Iran war in two to three weeks

President Donald Trump said the United States could end its military attacks on Iran within two to three weeks and ​Tehran did not have to make a deal as a prerequisite for the conflict to wind down.

Iran willing to end war if guarantees prevent repeat attacks: Pezeshkian

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said his country had the ’’necessary will’’ to end the ongoing war with Israel and the United States, but was seeking guarantees that the conflict would not be repeated.