Nepalis vote in first election since Gen Z uprising for change

Millions of Nepalis have voted in the country’s first general election since violent youth-led protests toppled the government last September.

Market Extends Rally as Strong Volumes Signal Renewed Confidence

The Colombo market continued its upward trajectory on 05th March 2026, building on the previous session’s recovery with stronger momentum. Improved turnover and a significant increase in share volumes underscored strengthening investor sentiment. The presence of sizeable block trades further signaled growing confidence among value investors, offering a constructive outlook for near-term market stability.

US-Israeli Strike Destroys 12,000-Seat Azadi Stadium Hall in Tehran

A 12,000-seat indoor arena within Tehran’s Azadi Sports Complex was destroyed in a US-Israeli airstrike today, marking the latest in a series of criminal attacks targeting Iranian infrastructure.

Female attorney jailed over forged Borella land deeds

A female lawyer who was found guilty of preparing forged deeds was today sentenced to six years’ imprisonment by Colombo High Court Judge Lanka Jayaratne.

Millions of Cubans plunged into darkness as fuel crisis deepens

Millions of people were left without power in Cuba on Wednesday - the latest in a string of blackouts to hit the island as it struggles with fuel shortages worsened by pressure from the US.

Vijitha Herath telephones Iranian Foreign Minister; expresses grave concern over escalation of hostilities

Foreign Miniter Vijitha Herath said he telephoned Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on the rapidly evolving situation in the Middle East.

Met Dept issues heat advisory

The Department of Meteorology has issued a warm weather advisory for March 6, 2026, highlighting potential health risks due to elevated heat conditions. The warning specifically targets Sabaragamuwa province and the districts of Kurunegala, Gampaha, and Monaragala, where the heat index is expected to reach a “Caution” level.

New explosions heard over Qatar, Bahrain

New explosions have been heard over Qatar and Bahrain amid Iranian missile strikes across the region, News.Az reports, citing Al Jazeera.

Iranian drones hit airport in Azerbaijan’s exclave as US-Israel war widens

An Iranian drone attack has targeted Azerbaijan’s autonomous Nakhchivan exclave, opening yet another front in the ongoing war launched by the United States and Israel and the retaliation from Tehran.

Iran’s internet plummets to 1% as blackout enters fifth day

’’Iran’s internet blackout has now exceeded 120 hours with connectivity still flatlining around 1% of ordinary levels,’’ Netblocks said in a message posted on social media platform X.

Wimal questions Govt. over alleged U.S. influence regarding Iranian vessel

Former Member of Parliament and National Freedom Front (NFF) leader Wimal Weerawansa has raised serious concerns regarding the Sri Lankan government’s handling of an Iranian naval vessel currently stationed near the island’s territorial waters.

Sri Lanka deliberates on Iranian vessel near territorial waters

Sri Lankan authorities are currently discussing the steps to be taken regarding another Iranian vessel lingering near the country’s territorial waters, a source said.

School students educated on dangers of narcotics

School students were educated on the dangers of narcotic drugs as part of a series of awareness programmes being carried out under the National Mission for the Nation Together initiative, the Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government Ministry said.

Fishermen requested not to go beyond Sri Lankan territorial waters

Fisheries Minister Ramalingam Chandrasekar today requested Sri Lankan fishmen not to intrude into International waters violating Sri Lanka’s territorial waters.

Bodies of Iranian sailors kept on ice as mortuary exceeds capacity

Several bodies of Iranian sailors killed in the sinking of the warship IRIS Dena are being kept on ice outside the Karapitiya Hospital mortuary after the facility exceeded its storage capacity, hospital sources said.

Middle East instability threatens over half of Sri Lanka’s tea exports: Planters’ Association

The ongoing military instability in the Middle East could place more than half of Sri Lanka’s tea exports at risk, Chairman of the National Tea Planters Association Saman Geeganage has warned.

SriLankan Airlines to operate extra Colombo–London flight on March 8

SriLankan Airlines will operate an additional flight between Colombo and London on March 8, 2026 to assist passengers affected by flight cancellations caused by the ongoing situation in the Middle East.

Iran requests return of all bodies from IRIS Dena to Tehran

The Iranian authorities have requested Sri Lanka to hand over all the bodies of the sailors who died in the attack onboard the IRIS Dena so they can be repatriated for final rites.

Jamie Siddons appointed Head Coach of Sri Lanka Women’s Cricket team

Sri Lanka Cricket has appointed former Australian cricketer Jamie Siddons as the Head Coach of the Sri Lanka National Women’s Team.

Communist Party of Sri Lanka condemns attack on Iranian warship off southern coast

The Communist Party of Sri Lanka condemned the illegal sinking of the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena by the US Navy within the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of Sri Lanka.

‘IRIS Dena was Indian Navy guest, hit without warning’: Iran warns US of bitter regret

A day after a US submarine sunk an Iranian Navy warship off the coast of Sri Lanka, the Foreign Minister of Iran, Sayed Abbas Araghchi, has warned that the US would ’’pay bitterly’’ for targeting a ship in international waters.

CEB denies employees’ involvement in alleged assault

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has denied reports circulating in certain media outlets claiming that a group of its employees assaulted an individual.

Power cuts reported in multiple areas

A technical fault in the electricity supply system between Anuradhapura and Vavuniya triggered power cuts in multiple areas across the island, the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) said.

Fuel shortage threatens paddy harvest of 800,000 acres – Farmers’ Union

The Chairman of the National Farmers’ Union, Anuradha Tennakoon, has warned that this year’s harvesting operations are at serious risk as the government reportedly has fuel stocks sufficient for only one month, while at least eight million litres of diesel are required to harvest around 800,000 acres of paddy fields.

Namal urges govt to clarify stance on Iranian vessel seeking port call

National Organiser of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Namal Rajapaksa has called on the government to immediately clarify its position regarding another Iranian vessel that is reportedly within Sri Lanka’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and seeking permission to make an urgent port call.

India slams ’baseless’ claim of US using its ports

The widening US-Iran conflict has now reached the Indian Ocean, but India has made it clear that it will not be pulled into the war narrative.

Attack on Iranian ship within Sri Lanka’s Exclusive Economic Zone a death blow to Sri Lanka’s sovereignty: Sajith

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said today that military action cannot be carried out within an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of a country according to international laws and that the attack on the Iranian warship within Sri Lanka’s Exclusive Economic Zone is a death blow to Sri Lanka’s sovereignty.

Netanyahu ‘fears US and Iran holding secret talks’

Benjamin Netanyahu is reportedly concerned the US is holding secret talks with Iran behind his back.

Customs seize Rs. 536m hashish, ICE in air cargo

Lanka Customs officers attached to the Laksiri Seva (UPB) Warehouse have intercepted a major consignment of illegal narcotics concealed in food packages during the inspection of air cargo shipments from Malaysia.

Another Iranian vessel in Sri Lanka’s Exclusive Economic Zone: Nalinda

Chief Government Whip, Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said today there is another Iranian vessel within Sri Lanka’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).