Buffy the Vampire Slayer actor Nicholas Brendon dies aged 54

US actor Nicholas Brendon, renowned for his starring role in the cult TV series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, has died aged 54.

Three weeks in, Iran war escalates beyond Trump’s control

President Donald Trump ends the third week of the Iran war confronting a crisis that seems to be slipping out of his hands: Global energy prices are surging, the United States stands isolated from allies and more ​troops are preparing to deploy despite his promise the war would be only a ’’short excursion.’’

Depot fuel shortages disrupt private bus services

Sri Lanka’s already strained public transport system is facing fresh uncertainty as fuel distribution inconsistencies at depot level begin to disrupt private bus operations across the country.

Sri Lanka, Brazil agree to boost trade to US$1 billion by 2030

Sri Lanka and Brazil have agreed to significantly enhance bilateral trade, setting an ambitious target of reaching US$1 billion by 2030, following the second round of bilateral political consultations held in Colombo.

Amber alert issued for severe lightning in four districts

The Department of Meteorology has issued an Amber advisory warning of severe lightning in several parts of the country.

Presidential Secretariat uses over 600 vehicles: PM

The Presidential Secretariat currently uses 634 vehicles, Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya revealed in Parliament yesterday.

Next 48 hours crucial for hospital sector

The next 48 hours have been identified as critical by health workers, including doctors, who warn that Sri Lanka’s hospital system could face severe disruption or even collapse within the coming week if urgent solutions are not implemented to address fuel and transportation issues.

Font size of Daily Mirror angers NPP Deputy Minister

The concern from Deputy Minister of Mass Media, Kaushalya Ariyarathne, over Daily Mirror’s “big fonts” and front-page headlines, while the country tremors at the brink of a power crisis, is a glaring example of irresponsibility and vanity. The ignorance is bright, albeit not enough to keep an entire country away from probable blackouts.

President meets party leaders on energy crisis

A meeting between Anura Kumara Dissanayake and party leaders was held yesterday afternoon (20) at Parliament to discuss pressing national concerns.

Iran fires 2 ballistic missiles towards US, UK military bases in Diego Garcia

Iran launched two intermediate-range ballistic missiles toward Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, but neither struck the US–UK military base, the Wall Street Journal reported Friday, citing US officials.

Elephant calf dies after falling into trench made for laying railway signal cables

A two-month-old baby elephant had fallen into a trench dug for railway signal cables at Horiwila, between Kekirawa and Habarana Railway Stations, and died despite the herd’s attempts to save it.

Wife is not a maid’’: Indian Supreme Court to man seeking divorce over household chores

Emphasising that household chores should be shared between husband and wife, Supreme Court on Friday observed that times have changed and a husband must share the burden of work.

President hints imminent fuel price hike

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday stressed the need to increase fuel prices due to the escalating fuel prices in the world market, saying that if prices were not increased, fuel supply by the private sector would be affected.

United Airlines to cut more flights as it eyes oil above $100 through 2027

United Airlines, is cutting more ​unprofitable flights over the next two quarters as it prepares for a prolonged period of high jet fuel prices due to the Iran war, ‌even as strong travel demand has allowed U.S. carriers to raise fares.

National security not a blanket to deny information: Appeal Court

The Court of Appeal has ruled that invoking national security cannot serve as a “blanket or unreviewable justification” to deny access to information, in a significant judgement reinforcing the principles of transparency under the Right to Information Act No. 12 of 2016.

SriLankan Airlines’ bond exchange clears with 97% approval

Sri Lanka has moved a step closer to closing a critical chapter in its external debt restructuring, with the national carrier securing near-unanimous creditor backing for its long-delayed bond workout, in a deal that signals both fiscal discipline and renewed investor alignment.

US lifts sanctions on some Iranian oil as gas prices soar

The US has lifted sanctions on some Iranian oil, as it scrambles to contain the impact of its war in Iran on energy markets.

New microfinance authority law comes into force replacing 2016 Act

Sri Lanka has formally brought its fragmented microfinance and money lending industry under a new regulatory umbrella, with Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne endorsing the Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority Bill, paving the way for its immediate implementation.

Govt launches programme to assess fuel needs in food transport sector

A special data collection programme has been launched by the government to identify the fuel requirements of transport service providers engaged in the wholesale food distribution sector, amid challenges stemming from the ongoing global war situation.

Immigration nabs 77 overstaying foreigners in Negombo

The Department of Immigration and Emigration today took 77 foreigners into custody for violating visa regulations by remaining in the country beyond their permitted stay.

Trump calls NATO ’’cowards’’ over lack of support in Iran war

President Donald Trump assailed NATO allies on Friday over their lack of support for ​the U.S.-Israel war against Iran, calling the longtime U.S. ‌allies ’’cowards.’’

Chuck Norris, film star and martial artist, dies aged 86

Actor and martial artist Chuck Norris, known for his roles in Way Of The Dragon and Missing In Action, has died after a sudden hospitalisation.

CSE extends gains as positive sentiment lifts indices on favorable market developments

The Colombo Stock Exchange continued its recovery momentum on 20th March 2026, as improved investor sentiment supported a strong upward movement throughout the session. The market maintained a steady positive trajectory from the opening bell, driven by renewed confidence following recent volatility, with the ASPI recording a notable gain of 375.72 points by the close.

SLC makes fitness test mandatory for IPL 2026 NOCs

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has announced that players seeking to participate in the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) will only be granted No Objection Certificates (NOCs) upon successfully passing the board’s mandatory Physical Performance Test.

Teenage daughter of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un drives tank at military drill

The teenage daughter of North Korea’s leader Kim Jong-un was seen driving a tank alongside her father during a military training exercise, adding to speculation that she is being groomed as his successor.

Systematic fuel supply mechanism planned for container trucks

A systematic procedure is being prepared to ensure an adequate fuel supply for container trucks, as part of efforts to ease congestion at the Colombo Port and maintain the smooth flow of imports and exports.

FIFA fines Israeli FA for anti-discrimination rules breaches

FIFA fined the Israeli Football Association (IFA) 150,000 Swiss francs ($190,700) on Thursday for ’’multiple breaches’’ of its anti-discrimination obligations.

Cabinet Committee meets to ensure uninterrupted public service

The first meeting of the Cabinet Committee appointed to ensure the continuity and systematic functioning of the public service was held yesterday (19) at the Presidential Secretariat under the patronage of Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya.

Iran hits Kuwaiti oil refinery as Israel renews attacks on Tehran

Drones have struck Kuwait’s largest oil refinery for the second day as Iran launched a sweeping assault on energy infrastructure across the Gulf, while explosions boomed over Tehran from Israeli attacks as the country marked the Persian New Year.

CPC assures weekend fuel supply, denies closure rumors

The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) siad that fuel distribution to dealers will continue uninterrupted tomorrow and the day after, despite circulating rumors of a potential shutdown.