Sugar consumption in Sri Lanka three times higher than WHO recommendation

Average sugar consumption in Sri Lanka is more than three times higher than the level recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO), raising concerns over growing oral health risks, a dental specialist has warned.

Michael Jackson accused of child sex trafficking in new lawsuit

Four siblings who were long-time friends of Michael Jackson are accusing the late pop star of being a ’’serial child predator’’ who preyed upon then when they were as young as ’’seven or eight’’ years old in a new bombshell lawsuit filed last week in California.

Before Dena, India another Iran ship with 183 crew dock in Kochi

Days before the sinking of IRIS Dena by a US submarine south of Sri Lanka, India was approached by Iran to take in another Iranian ship, IRIS Lavan, which was also in the region for the International Fleet Review. According to government sources, India gave permission to the ship to safely dock at the Kochi port on March 1 and accommodated its 183 crew members at the naval facilities there.

Unusual smoke billows from Lak Wijeya plant, people worried over environmental problem

Residents of the area expressed concern about environmental pollution caused by the unusual emission of white smoke emanating from the Lak Wijeya thermal power complex at Norochcholai, a phenomenon suspected to be the result of the use of substandard coal.

Tehran’s Mehrabad Airport on fire as airstrikes target Iran

Airstrikes hit the Iranian capital in the early hours of Saturday, state media reported, APA reports citing CNN.

U.S. pressing Sri Lanka not to repatriate Iranian crew and survivors from sunken ship, memo says

The United States is pressing Sri Lanka’s government not to repatriate the survivors from the Iranian warship ‌it sank this week, as well as the crew of a second ​Iranian ship that is in Sri Lankan custody, according to an internal ⁠State Department cable seen by Reuters.

Sri Lanka well placed to weather Middle East conflict: AKD

Sri Lanka’s economy is resilient enough to withstand potential fallout from the escalating Middle East conflict, a confident President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said this week, outlining contingency plans to safeguard foreign workers, tourism, trade and financial stability if the crisis deepens.

Sri Lanka holds talks on fate of Iranian naval crew as repatriation may take time

Sri Lankan diplomatic missions have begun formal discussions with Iranian authorities regarding the fate of the IRIS Bushehr and surviving crew members, following the sinking of its sister ship IRIS Dena after a torpedo attack by a United States submarine off the coast of Galle.

War risk disrupts Sri Lanka’s tea shipping routes

The escalating conflict in the Middle East is beginning to disrupt one of the global tea trade’s most critical corridors, with the exporters in Sri Lanka, India and Kenya warning of mounting logistical and financial pressures as the shipping routes through the region become increasingly risky.

Local apparel sector eyes tech upgrades, supply-chain integration at textile expo

Sri Lanka’s apparel industry is stepping up efforts to strengthen supply-chain integration and adopt new manufacturing technologies as the global sourcing patterns shift, the industry leaders said at the opening of a major textile sourcing exhibition in Colombo.

Secondary market sees limited activity as yield curve remains stable

The secondary market recorded limited activity with thin volumes, while some mixed trading was observed in the longer tenures.

Sri Lanka Army honours the composers of the Army song

The Sri Lanka Army honoured the composers of the Army Song, including Ven. Rambukkana Siddhartha Thero, the lyricist; Sangeet Visharad Victor Rathnayake, the music composer and Major General S.D. Thennakoon, the senior officer who conceptualised and coordinated the Army Song, at a ceremony held at Army Headquarters on 6 March 2026. The Army Song was released on 10 October 1999 to mark the 50th Anniversary of the Sri Lanka Army.

Australia says no change to Sri Lanka travel advice

The Australian High Commission in Colombo today rejected claims circulating online that Sri Lanka has been classified as a high-risk travel destination for Australians, clarifying that there has been no change to Australia’s travel advisory for the island.

‘No deal with Iran except unconditional surrender,’ Trump says

Donald Trump has stressed that any deal with Iran must result in the country’s “unconditional surrender”, setting maximalist war objectives for the United States.

Court of Appeal rules private television broadcaster subject to RTI Act

In a landmark judgment on the scope of the Right to Information Act, the Court of Appeal has held that a private television broadcaster can be considered a “public authority” under certain circumstances and is therefore subject to the provisions of the RTI law.

Jaishankar, Vijitha Herath hold talks in New Delhi

India’s External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar held talks with Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath in New Delhi today, with discussions focusing on bilateral relations and the regional situation.

50 Israeli jets strike, destroy Iran Supreme Leader’s underground military bunker

The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) on Friday shared footage showing air strikes on the underground military bunker that was sometimes used by Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. IDF claimed that 50 Israeli jets dismantled the underground military bunker in Tehran.’’50 Israeli Air Force fighter jets dismantled Ali Khamenei’s underground military bunker beneath the Iranian regime’s leadership compound in Tehran,’’ IDF said sharing the ariel footage.

Minister Kumara Jayakody faces High Court indictment

The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption has filed indictments before the Colombo High Court against former Deputy Procurement Manager of Lanka Fertilizer Company Limited and present Minister of Power, Kumara Jayakody, over an alleged act of corruption.

US eases sanctions on Russian oil sales to India during Iran conflict

The US government has temporarily eased sanctions to allow India to buy Russian oil currently stranded at sea, amid escalating tensions in the Middle East.

State of emergency extended by another month

The resolution to extend the state of emergency by another month was approved by Parliament by a majority of 100 votes, with 108 MPs voting in favour and 8 against.

Qatar warns war will force Gulf to stop energy exports

Qatar expects all Gulf energy producers to shut down exports within weeks if the Iran conflict continues and drives oil to $150 a barrel, ​the country’s Energy Minister Saad al-Kaabi told the Financial Times in an interview ‌published on Friday.

U.S. Embassy in Sri Lanka issues notice to Americans

The United States Embassy in Sri Lanka has issued a notice to American citizens in the country following major global air travel disruptions caused by airspace closures in the Middle East.

IGP orders tight control over drones

The Sri Lanka Police has issued a warning to prevent the misuse of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), commonly known as drones, in activities that could threaten national security or be used to carry out terrorist attacks.

Middle East conflict triggers global market volatility and raises economic risks for Sri Lanka

Rising tensions in the Middle East following a US–Israel military campaign against Iran are sending shockwaves through global markets. Oil prices have surged, shipping routes face disruptions and investors are shifting toward safe haven assets. For Sri Lanka, the escalating conflict could have significant economic consequences, affecting energy costs, tourism, remittances and key export industries.

Minister orders probe into Jaffna boat accident

Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources, Ramalingam Chandrasekar, has instructed the Sri Lanka Navy and all relevant agencies to conduct an immediate investigation into the boat accident reported in Jaffna.

Trump on rising gas prices during Iran operation: ’If they rise, they rise’

President Donald Trump said on Thursday he was not concerned about rising U.S. gas prices driven by the widening Iran conflict, telling Reuters ​in an exclusive interview that the U.S. military operation was his priority.

Frigate sunk by US off Sri Lanka coast had no weapons: Iran MFA

Two days after a US submarine torpedoed and sank an Iranian warship off Sri Lanka’s coast, Iran on Friday warned that the attack on an “unarmed ship cannot go with impunity,” reports Greater Kashmir.

“No blood for oil” protest held in Colombo

A protest under the theme “No Blood for Oil” was held in Colombo, condemning the recent military attacks on Iran by the United States and Israel.

Gulf carriers resume limited flights, but missile fire fuels uncertainty

Emirates and ​Etihad Airways were resuming limited flight schedules to key global cities from their United Arab Emirates hubs on Friday, though the threat of missile fire piled pressure ‌on airlines as they scramble to accommodate travellers.

Absolute lies on Middle East war being spread through social media: Minister

News being spread on social media that Iran is to stop providing fuel to Sri Lanka is far from being the truth, Minister of Justice Harshana Nanayakkara told Parliament today.