Contract awarded to upgrade Colombo Fort Railway Station

The Cabinet has granted approval to award the contract for upgrading passenger facilities at the Colombo Fort Railway Station to MAGA Engineering (Pvt) Ltd, the government said.

Kim vows to ‘irreversibly’ cement North Korea’s nuclear status

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has pledged to irreversibly cement his country’s status as a nuclear power while maintaining a hard-line stance toward South Korea, which he called the “most hostile” state, state media said Tuesday.

Court of Appeal dismisses SriLankan Airlines’ writ petition over salary cuts

A writ application filed by SriLankan Airlines Limited, challenging the determination of the Assistant Commissioner of Labour relating to salary reductions implemented in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, including those affecting pilots, has been dismissed by the Court of Appeal.

Bhutan Civil Aviation Director General visits Sri Lanka

The Director General of Civil Aviation of the Bhutan Civil Aviation Authority, Kinley Wangchuk, paid a courtesy visit to Capt. Daminda Rambukwella, Director General of Civil Aviation and CEO of the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL), to discuss opportunities for aviation development and training collaboration.

Opposition seeks intervention of foreign institutions to ensure law and order in Sri Lanka

A group of Opposition politicians, including Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, SLPP National Organiser Namal Rajapaksa and former President Ranil Wickremesinghe have sought the assistance of international organisations to re-establish the declining law and order in the country. All three leaders have signed a letter to international organisations, including the Office of the High Commission of Human Rights UN.

A/L 2026 registration begins

The Examinations Department has officially announced that applications for the General Certificate of Education (Advanced Level) Examination 2026 will be accepted online from March 24 to April 24, 2026.

Assets worth over Rs. 30 Mn frozen in drug probe

The Illegal Assets Investigation Division has frozen properties and financial assets worth over Rs. 30 million linked to suspected drug trafficking activities.

Thundershowers forecast for parts of the country tomorrow

The Department of Meteorology has issued a weather forecast tomorrow (March 25), warning of showers and thundershowers in certain areas of the country.

Oil back above $100 as conflicting claims emerge on US-Iran talks

The price of Brent crude oil has risen back above $100 a barrel, after plunging on Monday, as conflicting accounts of potential talks between US and Iran emerged.

Cabinet approves programme to accelerate QR-based digital payments

The Cabinet Ministers has approved a new programme to accelerate the implementation of QR-based digital payments as part of the Government’s efforts to promote the digital economy.

Rs. 750 mn allocated to continue concessional loan scheme for young entrepreneurs

The Government has decided to continue the concessional loan scheme introduced to create new entrepreneurs, with Rs. 750 million allocated in the 2026 Budget to further implement the programme.

Expert committee appointed to prepare framework for energy economy development

The Cabinet Ministers has approved the appointment of an expert committee to prepare a national framework for developing the energy economy, in line with the Government’s plans to achieve sustainable economic growth.

Iranian media says energy infrastructure in the country attacked

US-Israeli strikes have targeted two gas facilities and a pipeline, hours after Trump stepped back from his threat to attack power infrastructure, Iranian media is reporting.

National Steering Committee to oversee education reforms appointed

The Cabinet Ministers has approved the appointment of a National Steering Committee for Education Reforms to ensure the continuous implementation and proper regulation of the ongoing education reform process.

Sanitary napkin programme for schoolgirls to continue

The Government has decided to continue the programme to provide sanitary napkins to schoolgirls this year, with the aim of supporting the uninterrupted education of female students who have reached puberty.

Gold prices fall after record surge amid global tensions, inflation

Global gold prices have declined in recent days after reaching historic highs earlier this year, as rising inflation, geopolitical tensions and financial market pressures continue to influence the international market.

Demand for vegetables drops amid fuel price hike: Traders

The demand for vegetables has declined due to the fuel price increase and the overall decline in business, a trader attached to the Manning Market said.

US bans new foreign-made consumer internet routers

The US has banned new foreign-made consumer internet routers over national security concerns.

Commercial High Court issues interim injunctions against several Blue Ocean Group companies

The Colombo Commercial High Court has issued several interim injunctions against Blue Ocean Legand Pvt Ltd, Blue Ocean Waves and Link Engineering, which are companies affiliated to the property developer Blue Ocean Group.

Public services at ID office resume this morning

The Department for Registration of Persons announced today that all public services which were suspended due to a sudden breakdown of the computer system, have resumed from 11 am today.

Grant relief package for poor, middle class: Sajith

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa today urged the government to come up with a relief package for the poor and the middle class.

Strict fuel, energy saving rules imposed for government offices amid crisis

The government has introduced strict guidelines on the use of fuel and electricity in government institutions with immediate effect, warning of possible fuel supply disruptions due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

Kananathan eyes gains for Sri Lankan businesses in Kenya as Kenya–China zero-tariff trade takes off

Former diplomat Ambassador Kananathan was among the distinguished international and regional dignitaries who witnessed a historic trade milestone yesterday, as Kenya officially flagged off its first consignment of exports to China under a newly established zero-duty access framework.

Iran sends waves of missiles into Israel, dismisses Trump’s talk of negotiations as ’fake news’

Iran launched multiple waves of missiles at Israel, the Israeli military said, after U.S. President Donald Trump postponed a threat to bomb the Islamic Republic’s power grid because of what he described as productive talks with Iranian officials.

Cement prices surge amid current crisis

The price of a bag of cement has risen sharply due to the ongoing economic crisis, building material sellers confirmed.

Chinese woman found murdered in Kohuwala

A 26-year-old Chinese woman was found murdered in the Kalubowila area of Kohuwala on Monday (23), police said.

Bhutan, Sri Lanka discuss strengthening air services and aviation training cooperation

Director General of Civil Aviation of the Bhutan Civil Aviation Authority, Kinley Wangchuk, paid a courtesy call on Director General of Civil Aviation and Chief Executive Officer of the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka, Capt. Daminda Rambukwella, to discuss strengthening cooperation in the aviation sector.

Women drugged, robbed and dumped in wells: Five arrested

The Kokkadicholai Police, in coordination with the Eastern Province Crimes Division, have arrested five suspects, including a woman, in connection with a chilling series of robberies that left one woman dead and another hospitalised after being thrown into a well.

Suspect who threatened motorists with machete remanded

A suspect who allegedly behaved in a manner that posed a threat to vehicles and passengers travelling along the Millawana–Melsiripura road has been remanded in custody until March 31, 2026, after being produced before the Kurunegala Magistrate’s Court.

UN chief warns of ‘climate chaos’ as WMO reports record heat and deepening planetary imbalance

’’Climate chaos is rewriting the rules of weather,” UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned on World Meteorological Day, as new data confirmed accelerating global warming driven by record greenhouse gas levels.