Vehicle registrations slip in February after strong start to year

Vehicle registrations eased in February after the strong momentum seen at the start of the year, with declines across several passenger vehicle segments even as overall activity remained relatively high following the reopening of vehicle imports.

Lower daily spend keeps Sri Lanka tourism revenue in check

Sri Lanka’s tourism earnings in February 2026 dipped 4.9 percent year-on-year to US$ 352 million, the Central Bank reported, marking the sixth decline in eight months despite a surge in arrivals.

Israel says it is planning at least three more weeks of military campaign in Iran

IDF Spokesman Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin says the Israeli military has plans for at least three more weeks of operations in Iran, during which thousands of targets would be struck.

UK looking at all options to secure Strait of Hormuz, says Miliband

The UK is looking at ’’any options’’ - including working with the US and allies - to secure key oil shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz, Ed Miliband has said.

Some MPs used state-funded overseas trips for shopping, U.S. Chief Sanghanayake claims

The Chief Judicial Sanghanayake of the United States and Chief Incumbent of the Maryland International Buddhist Temple, Katugastota Uparathana Thera said he had previously met several Members of Parliament and ministers who had gone shopping during official overseas visits at the expense of public funds.

Govt considers work-from-home to save fuel

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake held a high-level discussion today with Ministry Secretaries and Heads of Institutions to address the challenges in maintaining essential services following the escalating conflict in the Middle East.

Sri Lanka Navy’s conducts deep-sea drug raid

The Sri Lanka Navy has carried out another successful deep-sea drug raid, apprehending five suspects and seizing a local multi-day fishing vessel carrying a suspected drug container off the southern coast near Dewundara.

Public advised on steps to obtain fuel under restored QR system

The Ministry of Digital Economy has issued a public notice outlining the process for obtaining fuel following the full restoration of the National Fuel Pass (QR) system.

No fuel shortage despite QR system, CPC says

Despite the introduction of the QR code system for fuel distribution, there is no fuel shortage in the country, said Managing Director of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation, Mayura Neththikumara.

Bank closures reported across Gulf countries after Iran warns civilians to stay 1 km away

Some international banks in the Middle East have shut branches and evacuated offices after Iran warned that banks and economic centres linked to the United States and Israel could become targets.

Cultural Affairs Ministry fails to come up with auspicious times for Sinhala Tamil New Year: Opposition MP

The Ministry of Cultural Affairs has failed to come up with a proper timetable which outlines auspicious times for various activities in connection with the Sinhala and Tamil New Year traditions, MP Ajith P. Perera told a briefing today.

US, China economic chiefs to meet in Paris to clear path to Trump-Xi summit

Top U.S. and Chinese economic officials are set to launch a new round of talks in Paris on Sunday to iron out kinks in their trade truce and clear a ​smooth path for U.S. President Donald Trump’s trip to Beijing to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the end of March.

Fuel queues return as QR code system relaunched today

Long queues were reported at several filling stations across Sri Lanka today after the Government reintroduced the National Fuel Pass (QR code) system with effect from 6.00 a.m.

Iran’s foreign minister says there is no problem with supreme leader

Iran’s foreign minister said Saturday that there was “no problem” with the Islamic Republic’s new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei after US officials reported he was wounded.

Govt working to resolve issues with fuel QR code system

The Department of Government Information said that steps are already being taken to quickly address issues that have arisen following the reintroduction of the fuel QR code system.

Trump says Iran is ready to negotiate a ceasefire but he’s not ready to make a deal

President Donald Trump said Saturday that he’s not ready to make a deal to end the war with Iran despite the country’s willingness to do so “because the terms aren’t good enough yet,” but declined to say what those terms would be.

Swiss reject two flyover requests from US for flights related to Iran war, permits three others

The Swiss ​government said on Saturday that ‌it discussed requests by U.S. military and official aircraft to fly over the country, ​and based on its law ​of neutrality, rejected two Iran-related war ⁠flights but permitted three others.

Namal calls for regional dialogue after Iranian ship sinking near Sri Lanka

Sri Lankan politician Namal Rajapaksa has called for stronger regional cooperation after the sinking of an Iranian ship near Sri Lankan waters, warning that the incident could threaten stability in the Indian Ocean.

F1 cancels Bahrain & Saudi Arabia Grands Prix

The Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grand Prix weekends in April have been cancelled as a result of the war in the Middle East.

Trump urges UK and other nations to send warships to Strait of Hormuz

Donald Trump has urged the UK and other nations to send warships to the Strait of Hormuz to help secure the key shipping route out of the Middle East.

QR code fuel system to be implemented from today

The government has decided to implement the National Fuel Authorization System using QR codes for fuel distribution with effect from 6.00 a.m. today (March 15), the Ministry of Energy announced.

Iran, Sri Lanka discuss rescue of crew after US strike on ship

Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi has discussed US and Israeli “military aggression” during a phone call with Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath.

Over 120,000 suspects arrested in nationwide anti-drug operation

A total of 120,752 suspects have been arrested during the nationwide drug prevention operation carried out from October 30, 2025, to March 12, 2026, Police said.

Trump threatens to hit Kharg Island oil network, Iran signals defiance

U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to strike the oil infrastructure of Iran’s Kharg Island hub ​unless Tehran stopped attacking vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, a warning that could further roil markets coping with a historic supply disruption.

Nearly 3,000 student nurses recruited

A total of 2,918 students were recruited for nursing training with the aim of strengthening the country’s health workforce and improving the quality of healthcare services.

Iran warns UAE over US ‘hideouts’ after Kharg Island strike

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has warned the United Arab Emirates that locations used by the United States could become “legitimate targets” following US strikes on Iran’s Kharg Island.

150 investigators appointed to probe misconduct in state institutions

A new pool of 150 investigative officers has been created to strengthen the investigation of misconduct in government institutions, the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government announced.

Heavy evening showers forecast for next 36 hours

The Meteorology Department has forecast showers and thundershowers in several parts of the country during the next 36 hours, with fairly heavy rainfall expected in some areas.

Drug menace must be treated as national priority: PM

Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya said that addressing the country’s growing drug problem must be treated as a national priority and should deliver tangible results at the ground level.

North Korea fires ballistic missiles as US-South Korea hold military drills

North Korea has fired multiple ballistic missiles from its west coast as the United States and South Korean forces stage their annual military exercises, according to Japanese and South Korean defence forces.