Pakistan to close schools, take other measures to cut energy as oil spikes

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif ‌said on Monday that schools would close for two weeks and office workers would work more from home as he announced a range of measures to cut fuel use and government spending to cope ​with surging oil prices due to the Iran war.

Australia grants asylum to five Iranian women footballers

Australia has agreed to provide visas to five members of the Iranian women’s football team, allowing them to stay in the country, as they could face punishment upon their return home for not singing the Iranian national anthem before their first match at an Asian Cup tournament.

Two men charged with using weapon of mass destruction near New York City mayor’s home

Two men face charges of providing material support to a terrorist organization and using a weapon of mass destruction after a pair of homemade bombs were tossed during protests near New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s home Saturday, court documents show.

Opposition to bring in no faith motion against Energy Minister: Marikkar

The Opposition is to bring in a no faith motion against Minister of Power and Energy Kumara Jayakody next week, MP S.M. Marikkar told a media briefing today.

Iran says oil blockade will continue until attacks end, Trump threatens to hit harder

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said on Tuesday they would not allow ’’one litre of oil’’ to be shipped ​from the Middle East if U.S. and Israeli attacks continue, prompting a warning from President Donald Trump that the U.S. would hit Iran much harder if it ‌blocked exports from the vital energy-producing region.

School transport fees to increase by 5% following fuel price hike

School transport fees will be increased by five per cent following the government’s recent decision to raise fuel prices, the All Island School Children’s Transport Association said.

Sri Lanka Navy seizes fishing vessel suspected of carrying drugs, weapons

The Sri Lanka Navy has seized a multi-day fishing vessel suspected of transporting drugs and weapons during a special naval operation conducted in deep waters south of Sri Lanka.

Oil prices fall after Trump warns Iran over Strait of Hormuz

Oil prices fell on Tuesday after US President Donald Trump warned Iran to not block a shipping route crucial to global energy supplies.

No bus fare revision despite diesel price hike: NTC

The National Transport Commission (NTC) says there will be no revision in bus fares despite the recent increase in diesel prices.

G7 to take ’necessary measures’ to support energy supplies

G7 nations have said they are ready to take ’’necessary measures’’ to support the global supply of energy after the US-Israel war with Iran sent oil prices surging.

IRIS Dena attack: Iranian sailors died due to multiple injuries, drowning

The head of the team of Judicial Medical Officers who performed the postmortem on the bodies of Iranian navy personnel, Prof. U.C.P.Perera said the death had occurred to them due to multiple injuries and drowning

Low number of Israeli tourists in Arugam Bay amid off-season and regional tensions

The number of Israeli tourists currently staying in Arugam Bay remains low due to the off-season, although security measures in the area continue to remain tight, a senior police officer said.

National carrier takes new route via Afghanistan, Azerbaijan for European destinations

Following the closure of Middle Eastern airspace, SriLankan Airlines, the national carrier, has adopted an alternative route through Afghanistan and Azerbaijan for its European destinations, an official said.

Viking Sky cruise ship calls in Colombo with 700 tourists

The luxury cruise liner Viking Sky called at the Port of Colombo yesterday, bringing around 700 international travellers to Sri Lanka, as part of its voyage from Thailand to the Maldives, adding fresh momentum to the island’s cruise tourism segment.

Sri Lanka Investment Forum 2026 to spotlight green, tech-driven growth

Sri Lanka will host ‘Invest in Sri Lanka’ Investment Forum 2026 on March 30, as the country seeks to convert its improving macroeconomic stability into fresh foreign investment and long-term growth opportunities.

Samsung Sri Lanka opens pre-orders for Galaxy S26 series

Samsung Sri Lanka has officially opened pre-orders for the highly anticipated Galaxy S26 Series, introducing its most advanced AI-powered smartphones yet to customers across the island.

Regulatory void leaves virtual asset sector exposed to financial crimes

Sri Lanka’s financial landscape is facing new challenges, as an unregulated virtual asset market opens potential avenues for financial crimes.

Week begins on a negative note

Indices closed in red as a result of price losses in counters such as Commercial Bank, Hatton National Bank and John Keells Holdings with the turnover crossing Rs. 5.8 Bn.

Fuel prices increased

The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) has announced a revision of fuel retail prices with effect from tonight (09).

Civil Aviation Authority refutes social media posts on charter flight to Rome

Refuting social media reports that SriLankan Airlines flight UL 1213 departed to bring a Government Minister back to the country, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said today the Minister mentioned in these reports had already returned to Sri Lanka several days ago.

Over 2,000 CEB employees apply for VRS

Head of the CEB Transformation Task Force, Pubudu Niroshan Hedigalla said today that a total of 2,153 employees of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) have applied for the Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS).

EDL takes over CEB’s electricity distribution under power reforms

Electricity Distribution Lanka (Private) Limited (EDL) has officially taken over electricity distribution responsibilities previously handled by the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), as part of the power sector reforms introduced through the Electricity Act No. 36 of 2024.

Sajin Vass Gunawardena remanded

Former Parliamentarian Sajin Vass Gunawardena, who was arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption over allegations of illegally acquiring assets worth Rs. 243.8 million, was today remanded till March 24 by Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama.

CEB restructuring should have been done with utmost care: Sajith

The restructuring of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) should have been done with utmost diligence, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said today.

Gary Kirsten appointed Sri Lanka men’s head coach

Gary Kirsten has been appointed as the new head coach of the Sri Lanka national men’s cricket team, Sri Lanka Cricket said. His appointment will take effect from April 15, 2026.

New Secretary appointed to Ministry of Plantation, Community Infrastructure

Gunadasa Samarasinghe has been appointed as the new Secretary to the Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure, President’s Media Division (PMD)said.

Global Tensions Trigger Sharp Sell-Off; CSE Ends Deep in the Red

The Colombo market suffered a sharp decline on 09th March 2026, as escalating conflict in the Middle East sparked fears of a global fuel supply shock, prompting panic selling across the CSE. The ASPI plunged 818 points intraday, and despite a modest recovery, closed 797 points lower, reflecting widespread caution among investors.

Putin congratulates new supreme leader

Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulates Mojtaba Khamenei on his appointment as Iran’s new leader, the Kremlin says.

Electricity trade unions launch strike over job security concerns

Twenty-five electricity trade unions have launched strike duties from 3 p.m. today, demanding the signing of a collective agreement and assurances on employee rights in the aftermath of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) restructuring.

China says it opposes any targeting of new Iran leader

China said on March 9 that Iran’s decision to name Mr Mojtaba Khamenei as its new supreme leader following the killing of his father was a domestic matter, and it opposed any attempt to target him.