Lanka Sathosa launches nationwide New Year discount drive with up to 40% off essentials

A special islandwide sales promotion campaign offering discounts of up to 40% on essential goods was launched today (20) by Lanka Sathosa, targeting relief for consumers ahead of the Sinhala and Hindu New Year season.

Ravi K raises concerns on air transport, airport capacity

UNP MP Ravi Karunanayake raised a series of questions in Parliament seeking clarity on the current state of Sri Lanka’s aviation sector, including airline operations, passenger volumes, airport capacity, and the collection of embarkation taxes.

IRGC spokesman killed in strike, Iran says

The spokesperson for Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Ali Mohammad Naini, has been killed in strikes launched by the US and Israel, Iranian state media reports.

Govt needs facts, not praise: Deputy Media Minister

Deputy Minister of Mass Media Dr. Kaushalya Ariyaratne has called on both mainstream and social media to report the country’s current situation responsibly, said that the government does not require praise but expects accurate and factual reporting.

PHIs warn of service disruptions over fuel access issues

Public Health Inspectors (PHIs) have raised serious concerns over difficulties in obtaining fuel for official duties, warning that essential public health services could be disrupted if immediate solutions are not provided.

Sri Lanka refused US request to land two fighter jets in Mattala: President

Sri Lanka refused the request by three Iranian ships to come to Sri Lanka on a goodwill visit and the request by the United States to land its two fighter jets in Mattala, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake told Parliament today.

Sri Lanka ready to welcome and support refugees from India: Minister Bimal Rathnayake

Sri Lanka is ready to receive and support all those forced to flee the country during the civil war and now living as refugees in Tamil Nadu, Cabinet Minister and Leader of the House Bimal Rathnayake told The Hindu, urging the Governments of India and Tamil Nadu to refrain from using refugees as “a tool for political propaganda”.

President addresses Parliament

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake is currently addressing Parliament, providing an update on the state of the nation and the ongoing international developments.

Over 2,000 went missing during final stages of Sri Lankan civil war: Minister

Some 2,764 persons have gone missing during the final stages of the civil war in 2009, but it is debatable, Minister of Justice Harshana Nanayakkara told Parliament today.

Court orders Bribery Commission to record statement from Duminda Silva

Colombo Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama today directed the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption to record a statement from former parliamentarian Duminda Silva, who is currently on death row, on March 23 at 10 a.m.

Trump 24-karat gold coin approved by hand-picked federal panel

A commemorative gold coin bearing the image of US President Donald Trump has been approved by a federal arts commission.

Sri Lanka economy stable but vulnerable to global shocks: IMF

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has confirmed that it will conduct a combined fifth and sixth review of Sri Lanka’s Extended Fund Facility (EFF) during an upcoming mission to Colombo, scheduled from March 26 to April 9, 2026.

Uproar in Parliament after Minister shows middle finger to Opposition MP

Parliament went into chaos after Minister of Justice Harshana Nanayakkara showed his middle finger to MP Ajith P. Perera who raised an oral question.

US considers lifting sanctions on some Iranian oil

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

Missile lands next to presenter during live report from Lebanon

Footage from Russian state broadcaster RT has captured the moment a missile lands just a few feet from where its reporter was broadcasting in southern Lebanon.

Oil storage complex abandoned

A massive fuel storage complex near Thalawakele Railway Station for storing diesel and kerosene has been left to the mercy of the jungle for several decades.

Heavy social media use linked to falling youth happiness: Report

The World Happiness Report 2026 has flagged serious concerns about how social media is affecting young people’s wellbeing around the world.

Sri Lanka lacks storage facilities for excess fuel shipments for April

While long queues are still witnessed in most parts of the country, Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) sources yesterday said that while all fuel shipments ordered for April have been confirmed, Sri Lanka is facing a severe shortage of storage facilities to store the fuel and may not be able to place any further orders.

Meta will pay TikTokers and YouTubers up to $3,000 for Facebook posts

Meta has launched a Creator Fast Track program to lure creators from TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram to Facebook, promising participants three months of fixed payouts, additional reach for Reels, and faster access to monetization.

Supreme Court rules foreign divorces must meet local law

In a significant ruling, the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka has held that the recognition of a foreign judgement granting a divorce in Sri Lanka must strictly comply with domestic statutory provisions, thereby limiting the grounds for divorce to adultery after marriage, malicious desertion, or incurable impotence at the time of marriage.

Teenager among first to be executed over Iran’s anti-government protests

Iran has executed three men accused of killing police officers during anti-government protests in January, state media say, the first hangings to be carried out in relation to the demonstrations.

Blasts heard over Jerusalem as Israel confirms strike on Iran gas field

Explosions were heard over Jerusalem as fresh strikes were reported in Iran’s capital, Tehran, amid rapidly escalating tensions in the region. Iranian state television said at least four waves of missiles were launched in quick succession, signaling a sharp intensification of hostilities.

Tourist arrivals drop 18% in early March as transit disruptions bite

Following a historic start to the year, Sri Lanka’s tourism sector is experiencing a notable deceleration, recording a steep 18.4 percent drop in international visitors during the first half of March 2026, a

Government developing Trinco oil tank farm to face global energy crisis: Vijitha

Claiming that no government had taken steps to develop fuel storage capacity to face a global energy crisis, Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath said today the National People’s Power (NPP) government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with India, Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to construct a multi-product pipeline and to develop the Trincomalee oil tank farm as an energy hub to face a global energy crisis.

Shawwal moon not sighted; Ramadan to complete 30 days

The crescent moon marking the beginning of the Islamic month of Shawwal was not sighted on Thursday (March 19), according to official announcements.

Medical student rescued after falling off World’s End while taking selfie

A 23-year-old female student from the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Colombo was miraculously rescued today, after falling down the precipice at World’s End in Horton Plains National Park. The student reportedly slipped and fell nearly 50 feet while attempting to take a selfie at the edge of the famous viewpoint.

Iran floats Hormuz transit tolls as Persian Gulf states warn of military response

Iran is considering charging transit fees on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, a lawmaker said on Thursday, as officials in Tehran stepped up rhetoric over the strategic waterway after this week’s attacks on energy sites in the Persian Gulf.

SC rules Wasantha Mudalige’s rights violated by unlawful arrest under PTA

The Supreme Court has declared that the fundamental rights of former Inter University Students’ Federation (IUSF) convener Wasantha Mudalige were violated by the Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the Peliyagoda Police Station through his unlawful arrest and detention in 2022.

President pushes measures to manage fuel prices

A discussion on the economic challenges arising from the ongoing conflict situation in the Middle East and the forward measures required to address them was held this morning (19) at the Presidential Secretariat under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

US objectives in Iran have not changed, Hegseth says

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said on Thursday that ​the United States’ objectives in the ‌war against Iran have not changed since strikes started on February 28.