Kim Jong Un, daughter watch North Korea’s cruise missile tests

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and his teenage daughter observed tests of strategic cruise missiles fired from a warship, state media reported on Wednesday (March 11, 2026), as North Korea threatened responses to U.S.-South Korean military drills.

Leptospirosis cases rise in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka reports around 13,000 cases of leptospirosis (rat fever) within a year, with nearly 300 deaths recorded, according to the Health Promotion Bureau.

India’s Supreme Court allows passive euthanasia in landmark ruling

In a landmark first for India, the Supreme Court has permitted the withdrawal of artificial life support for a 32-year-old man who has been in a coma for more than 12 years.

Iran’s new supreme leader ‘safe and sound’ despite war injury reports — president’s son

Iran’s new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei is “safe and sound” despite reports of an injury on the opening day of US-Israeli strikes on the country, says the son of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.

Facebook-owner buys ’social media network for AI’ Moltbook

Meta, the owner of Instagram and Facebook, has bought Moltbook, a social media networking platform for artificial intelligence (AI) bots to speak to each other.

Afghanistan’s white-ball series against Sri Lanka postponed

The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) announces that the Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka bilateral series, originally scheduled to commence on 13 March in the United Arab Emirates, has been rescheduled to the last quarter of 2026 due to logistical challenges, including flight constraints arising from the ongoing regional situation.

Court orders handover of bodies of 84 Iranian sailors to embassy

The Chief Magistrate of Galle, Sameera Dodangoda, has ordered the Director of Galle National Hospital to hand over the bodies of 84 Iranian sailors currently kept at the hospital to officials of the Embassy of Iran in Sri Lanka.

Bakery product prices remain unchanged

The All Ceylon Bakery Owners Association says bakeries across the country are facing difficulties obtaining key energy sources such as diesel, petrol, kerosene and gas, but there are no plans to increase bakery product prices at present.

SriLankan Airlines to increase Melbourne flights to 10 per week

SriLankan Airlines has announced plans to increase its weekly flights between Colombo and Melbourne to 10 services, effective from August 2, in response to growing travel demand.

CTB bus stolen by private bus conductor

A private bus conductor was arrested last morning by Bandarawela Police on suspicion of stealing a SLTB bus which had been parked at the Bandarawela main bus stand for the night.

Heat Index to reach ‘caution level’ in several areas today

The Department of Meteorology has warned that the heat index, the temperature felt on the human body, is likely to increase to ‘Caution Level’ in several parts of the country today(11), the Meteorology Department said.

UN research vessel to conduct marine survey in Sri Lankan waters

The United Nations-flagged research vessel R/V Dr. Fridtjof Nansen is scheduled to arrive in Sri Lanka today to carry out a marine scientific survey in the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

Drought affects tea cultivation

The prevailing dry weather has severely affected tea cultivation in the central hills much to the anxiety of the planters and the tea smallholders.

Panic buying led to premature fuel price increase – CPC Chairman

While urging the public to limit fuel consumption, Chairman of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation D. J. Rajakaruna said the recent rise in fuel prices had been significantly influenced by panic buying, with many consumers purchasing fuel in large quantities over the past few days due to fears of a possible shortage.

YouTube opens deepfake detection tool to politicians and journalists

YouTube on Tuesday started offering a free tool to government officials, journalists and political candidates to help them identify and remove AI-generated videos that resemble their appearance.

Death penalty, life imprisonment introduced for high seas drug crimes

A gazette has been issued officially enacting new legislation that introduces severe penalties—including the death penalty and life imprisonment—for drug-related crimes committed on the high seas.

Sallay running rat fever risk: MP

Former State Intelligence Services (SIS) Chief Suresh Sallay who is under detention order is running a risk of being infected with rat fever, Opposition MP Dayasiri Jayasekara said yesterday.

Cabraal denies paying Rs. 1.84 Billion in Greek Bond case

Former Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal has refuted recent social media claims suggesting that he paid Rs. 1.84 billion in connection with the controversial Greek bond case.

A 1,300-pound Nasa spacecraft to re-enter Earth’s atmosphere

A more than1,300-pound (600kg) Van Allen Probe spacecraft is expected to re-enter Earth’s atmosphere almost 14 years after its launch, Nasa says.

Children’s drugs in shortage? Health authorities break silence

Amid concerns among parents about a shortage of medicines for children, the health authorities have denied that there is any serious shortage at the hospitals.

Pope Leo fires San Diego bishop accused of stealing $250,000

Pope Leo has accepted the resignation of a Catholic bishop in ​San Diego who was arrested by ‌local authorities on suspicion of stealing $250,000 from his congregation, the Vatican announced on Tuesday.

Government rules out shutdown of economic activities over fuel prices

While some countries are taking various measures to reduce fuel consumption amidst sky-rocketing fuel prices due to the tension in the Middle East, Cabinet Spokesman Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said yesterday Sri Lanka is not expecting to reduce fuel consumption by contracting economic activities.

US says it destroyed 16 Iranian mine-laying boats near Hormuz strait

The US said it took out more than a dozen mine-laying Iranian vessels Tuesday, and the Islamic Republic vowed to block the region’s oil exports, saying it would not allow ’’even a single liter’’ to be shipped to its enemies.

Electricity workers warned to return to duty immediately

Employees involved in maintaining Sri Lanka’s national electricity transmission system have been instructed to report to duty immediately, warning that failure to do so would be treated as a serious disciplinary offence.

Govt. and pvt. sector align on PPPs to secure future of Sri Lankan healthcare

The Sri Lankan government has signaled a strong commitment to expanding public-private partnerships (PPPs) within the healthcare sector, aligning with industry leaders who view collaborative governance as the key to unlocking the country’s medical potential.

SLFFA announces leadership transition to guide Sri Lanka’s logistics sector

The Sri Lanka Logistics & Freight Forwarders Association (SLFFA) has announced a transition in its leadership with effect from 6 March 2026.

Litro gas prices increased

Litro Gas Lanka has announced a revision of domestic gas cylinder prices with effect from midnight on March 10, 2026, citing rising gas prices in the global market.

Trump says he doesn’t believe Iran’s new supreme leader ’can live in peace’

US President Donald Trump said he doubts Iran’s newly appointed Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei can coexist peacefully with Washington, reiterating his dissatisfaction with Tehran’s choice of leadership.

Energy Minister agrees to key union demands, Presidential talks on salary hike within two days

The Energy Minister has agreed to several proposals submitted by electricity trade unions during a discussion held today (10) with the boards of four newly established power sector companies following the restructuring of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB).

Iran says bodies of sailors killed near Sri Lanka to be repatriated

Iran has announced that the bodies of dozens of sailors who were killed when the vessel IRIS Dena was attacked and sunk near Sri Lanka will soon be returned to the country.