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.

Bohra funds drive Bambalapitiya Railway Station upgrade

The modernization of the Bambalapitiya Railway Station commenced today (March 19) under a public-private partnership, with significant financial backing from the Dawoodi Bohra community.

Japan PM to hold ’difficult’ talks with Trump as Iran conflict looms large

Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is on her way to what she expects will be a ’’very difficult’’ meeting with US leader Donald Trump, days after his calls for allies to help secure the war-stricken Strait of Hormuz went largely unanswered.

No faith motion on Energy Minister to be taken up on April 10

Parliament has decided to take up the debate on the no faith motion against Minister of Power and Energy Kumara Jayakody on April 10, 2026.

Ex-SriLankan CEO claims he was threatened to involve Mahinda and Namal’s names

Lawyers for former SriLankan Airlines CEO Kapila Chandrasena have released an affidavit stating that his earlier statement to the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption was obtained under alleged intimidation and he was threatened to include the names of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and MP Namal Rajapaksa in his statement.

Iran considers levying transit fees on ships in Hormuz Strait, lawmaker says

Iran is considering a proposal to levy transit fees on vessels passing ​through the Strait of Hormuz, a lawmaker ‌said on Thursday, a potential bid to monetise Tehran’s newfound grip over the critical waterway through ​which a fifth of global oil ​and liquefied gas passes.

Airbus bribery case: Evidence on warrant request to be heard on March 24

The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) informed court that former SriLankan Airlines Board Director Shaminthra Rajapaksa and the suspect’s wife, Priyanka Niyomali, have been named as suspects in the case.

Tehran intensifies strikes on gulf energy facilities after Israel hits Iranian gas field

Iran intensified its attacks on its Gulf Arab neighbors’ energy infrastructure Thursday, setting Qatari liquified natural gas facilities ablaze as it hit back following an Israeli attack on its main natural gas field, a major escalation in the Mideast war that has sent global fuel prices soaring.

US special representative for South and Central Asia meets President

The United States Special Representative for South and Central Asia, and United States Ambassador to India, Mr Sergio Gor, who is currently visiting Sri Lanka, met with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake this morning (19) at the Presidential Secretariat.

No crisis in the country: Deputy Minister

Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando said today there is no crisis in the country as some factions are trying to show.

Lankadeepa wins SLIM-Kantar People’s Award for 20th time

Wijeya Newspapers ’Lankadeepa’ was named the Most Popular Newspaper of the Year at the prestigious SLIM-Kantar People’s Awards last evening, marking its 20th win at the annual event.

Explosive Airbus bribery claim: Rs. 60 Mn allegedly paid to Mahinda Rajapaksa

The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption today informed the Colombo Magistrate’s Court that former SriLankan Airlines Chief Executive Officer Kapila Chandrasena had stated, in a statement to the Commission, that a sum of Rs. 60 million received as a bribe in the controversial 2016 Airbus transaction was handed over to then President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Ranil Wickremesinghe’s surgery successful: Ravi K

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe has undergone a successful surgery abroad, Opposition MP Ravi Karunanayake told Parliament today.

Sri Lanka among world’s least Happy Nations in 2026 report

Sri Lanka has been ranked among the least happy countries in the latest World Happiness Report 2026, placing 134th out of 147 nations with a score of 4.0, highlighting ongoing concerns over the country’s overall well-being.

Pentagon wants $200 billion for Iran war. It’s nearly 50% of Tehran’s GDP

The Pentagon is reportedly seeking over $200 billion from the US Congress to fund President Donald Trump’s war of choice in Iran. If approved, the war funds will boost the US military campaign that began on February 28 and ramp up the production of weapons used during the conflict, according to a report by The Washington Post.

No faith motion against Energy Minister handed over to Speaker

The Opposition handed over the no confidence motion against Minister of Power and Energy Kumara Jayakody to Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne today.

Cathay suspends Dubai flights until April 30 over Middle East war

Hong Kong aviation giant Cathay Pacific has suspended flights to and from Dubai until the end of April over the war in the Middle East.

Filling station in Colombo demands Rs. 3,000 to issue fuel without QR code: MP

A certain filling station in Thimbirigasyaya had wanted Rs. 3,000 to issue fuel without a QR code from a vehicle owner, MP G.D. Sooriyabandara told Parliament today.

Fuel issue hits banana growers?

As Opposition MP B. Ariyawansa revealed that local banana growers are affected by the fuel crisis as the Sinhala New Year draws near, Deputy Minister Namal Karunaratne assured that the government will provide redress to the growers.

Trump threatens to ’entirely blow up’ Iran’s largest gas field if it attacks Qatar’s LNG again

Trump has vowed to “blow up the entirety” of Iran’s South Pars gas field if Tehran moves to attack Qatari gas fields again. The warning comes after Iran, in response to an Israeli attack on its gas field, struck Qatar’s largest Ras Laffan facility, sparking global outrage.

U.S. special envoy Gor’s travel to Sri Lanka

U.S. Special Envoy for South and Central Asia Sergio Gor will visit Sri Lanka and Maldives from March 19 to 24 for high-level engagements focused on advancing cooperation in the Indian Ocean region. While in Sri Lanka, Special Envoy Gor will meet with senior leaders to reaffirm the importance of the U.S.-Sri Lanka relationship and strengthen cooperation in key sectors.

President holds talks with Qatar Emir over regional tensions

Amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake held a phone conversation with His Highness the Emir of Qatar to discuss the regional situation and its wider implications, the President’s Media Division said.

Sri Lanka on an economic volcano: Harin

Sri Lanka may be sitting on an economic volcano as the Middle East conflict would bring down its foreign remittance, tourism and devaluation of the rupee, a prominent figure in the previous government said yesterday.

Global vessel shortage hits Sri Lanka fuel imports amid Middle East crisis

The shortage of vessels amid the Middle East crisis has hampered fuel imports for Sri Lanka, with the government now trying to discourage consumption as much as possible.

Fuel prices set to rise again

Fuel prices in Sri Lanka are likely to rise once more by the end of this month or early next month, according to informed sources at the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC).

Oil crosses $110 a barrel after gas field strike

Oil prices rose above $110 (£82.78) a barrel after Iranian media reported an airstrike hitting a facility on the world’s largest natural gas field.

New system introduced to recover vehicle fuel QR codes

A new method has been introduced from today (March 19) to help vehicle owners retrieve previously registered fuel QR codes when the mobile phone number used for the original registration is no longer in use or belongs to someone else.

US intelligence chief says Iran’s regime ’intact’ but ’degraded’

The top intelligence official in the US said on Wednesday that the Iranian regime was ’’intact’’ but ’’largely degraded’’.

Labubu movie in the works as viral toys attempt film crossover

The hugely popular Labubu dolls will soon star in their own feature film, Chinese toy company Pop Mart and Sony Pictures have announced.