Rugby’s easter parade, sevens no longer an appetiser

It looks as if the recent inter-club rugby Sevens tournament will mark the curtain-closer of the 2025-26 rugby season. Interestingly, there was a time in Sri Lanka’s rugby history when the inter-club rugby Sevens tournament was considered the curtain-raiser of the season.

Bimal Rathnayake admits substandard coal imports

Minister Bimal Rathnayake has acknowledged that substandard coal had been imported to Sri Lanka, stating that the company responsible has already paid fines amounting to up to USD 2 million.

CSE slides sharply amid renewed geopolitical uncertainty

The Colombo Stock Exchange witnessed a notable downturn on 26th March 2026, as renewed uncertainty surrounding developments in the Middle East weighed heavily on investor sentiment. Following two consecutive sessions of strong gains, the market reversed course, with selling pressure dominating throughout the session and driving the indices sharply lower.

Trump urges Iran to act quickly on ceasefire plan

U.S. President Donald Trump warned Iran ​on Thursday to ’’get serious’’ about a deal to end nearly four weeks of fighting, after its foreign minister said Tehran was reviewing the U.S. proposal but that there were ‌no talks on winding down the war.

Russia agrees to supply refined fuel to Sri Lanka

Russian Deputy Minister of Energy, Roman Marshavin, currently on an official visit to Sri Lanka, has agreed to supply refined fuel to the country following discussions with local authorities.

Registration of Persons Department halts all public services until further notice

All public services at the Department of Registration of Persons will not be operational from tomorrow (27) until further notice, the Department announced today (26).

Trade Minister urges written request for butter import duty revision amid bakery price concerns

Trade Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe today (26) requested bakery industry professionals to submit their proposals in writing for consideration of revising the import duty on butter, citing the impact of palm oil and butter prices on bakery products.

NIC one-day service suspended after system failure

The computer system of the Department for Registration of Persons has reportedly crashed once again today (26), disrupting several essential public services.

Israel says strike killed Iran guards Navy Chief

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz announced on Thursday that an Israeli airstrike had killed Alireza Tangsiri, commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards’ navy.

’No exit strategy’: Germany criticises Israel-US war on Iran

German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius sharply criticised the US and Israel’s war on Iran on Thursday, saying the conflict lacks a clear strategy.

President to discuss fuel supply, energy security with Russian Deputy Energy Minister

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake is scheduled to meet visiting Russian Deputy Energy Minister Roman Marshavin this evening at the Presidential Secretariat, with discussions centering on strengthening bilateral cooperation in the energy sector, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

Over 1,000 complaints over fuel QR Code fraud; several arrested

The Digital Economy Ministry says it has received more than 1,000 complaints regarding fraudulent activities involving the use of other persons’ QR codes to obtain fuel.

Trump claims Iran proposed making him Supreme Leader: I said, ’No, thank you’

US President Donald Trump on Thursday doubled down on his claim that he is in talks with Iran to end the nearly month-long war, even as Tehran flatly denied any negotiations were underway.

Over 6.2 Mn QR codes issued after reintroduction of National Fuel Pass System

More than 6.2 million people have obtained QR codes after the reimposition of the QR-based National Fuel Pass system, Digital Economy Ministry Advisor Sumudu Rathnayaka said.

Three former DMT officials arrested over vehicle racket

The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption arrested three former officials of the Department of Motor Traffic over their alleged involvement in an illegal vehicle registration racket.

Suresh Sallay returns to CID after hospitalisation

Major General (Retired) Suresh Sallay, the former head of the State Intelligence Service, who had been admitted to the National Hospital in Colombo due to an illness related to his ear, was brought back to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) today after receiving treatment.

24-hour help line launched for fishing and aquaculture fuel issues

A 24-hour help line has been launched to assist the fishing sector and industries such as seafood processing and aquaculture with fuel supply issues.

‘Ratama Ekata’ operation: 89 red-notice criminals to be repatriated

Security forces in Sri Lanka are taking steps to repatriate 89 criminals who have been issued international red notices under the ongoing ‘Ratama Ekata’ national operation targeting drugs and organised crime.

Fertilizer shortage threatens Yala paddy cultivation: Farmers’ Union warns

A severe fertilizer shortage could jeopardize paddy cultivation during the upcoming Yala season, National Farmers’ Union Chairman Anuradha Tennakoon warned.

Will study and come up with in Parliament on Iranian vessel issue: Ravi K

Opposition MP Ravi Karunanayake, who was one-time Minister of Foreign Affairs, said today he will come up with a statement in Parliament after finding the real facts on the Iranian vessel issue.

Oil prices rise higher as Iran denies US talks, dimming deescalation hopes

Oil prices have climbed higher amid fading hopes of deescalation in the Iran war following Tehran’s denial that talks with the United States are under way.

Russia’s Deputy Energy Minister arrives in Sri Lanka

The Deputy Minister of Energy of Russia, Roman Marshavin, arrived in the country on a three-day official visit this morning.

Hormuz route opened for India: Iranian FM

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Thursday said that they have permitted the passage of vessels for friendly countries, including India, through the Strait of Hormuz.

At least 24 people die after bus plunges into Bangladesh river

A bus carrying about 40 people plunged into a river in central Bangladesh as it was driving onto a ferry, leaving at least 24 people dead, authorities said on Thursday.

Iran readies law to charge tolls in strait of Hormuz: ’ships must pay for security’

Iran is preparing legislation to impose toll charges on vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz, according to an Al Jazeera report citing Iranian news agencies Fars and Tasnim.

Tehran issues warning to regional neighbour if Iranian island occupied

A senior official in Tehran has warned that intelligence reports suggest that “Iran’s enemies” ⁠are planning to occupy an Iranian island with support ‌from an unnamed country in the region.

Police warn public of fake discount airline ticket scams

Sri Lanka Police have issued a warning to the public over fraudulent messages circulating on social media offering airline tickets at unusually low or special discounted rates.

5,000 in final stage of kidney disease; 300 transplants in a year

A total of 5,000 patients have been reported in the final stage of kidney disease, while 300 kidney transplants have been carried out in a year, the Health Promotion Bureau said.

Government of Sri Lanka has insulted Iran: Opposition

The government of Sri Lanka has insulted Iran by denying the remark made by the Iranian Ambassador in Colombo that the vessel IRIS Dena received an official invitation from Sri Lanka to visit the island nation.

Fuel, and supplies are sufficient till mid-May: CPC claims

Amid public worries about fuel, Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) Managing Director Mayura Netthikumara said there is enough fuel, and supplies are safe until mid-May.