Oil surges, stocks slide as conflict grips Middle East

Oil prices surged on Monday and shares slid as military conflict in the Middle East looked set to last weeks, threatening to upend a global economic recovery and perhaps reignite inflation.

Putin slams killing of Iran’s Khamenei but offers little beyond condolences so far

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday condemned the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as a ’’cynical’’ murder but he offered little in public to Moscow’s ally beyond condolences.

No fuel shortage: Lanka IOC says stocks sufficient for weeks

Lanka IOC PLC has assured the public that it maintains adequate and sufficient stocks of Petrol and Diesel across all its supply locations islandwide, dismissing concerns of any potential shortage.

Oil jumps 10% on Iran conflict and could spike to $100 a barrel, analysts say

Brent crude jumped 10% to about $80 a barrel over the counter on Sunday, oil traders said, while analysts predicted that prices could climb as high as $100 after U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran plunged the Middle East into a new war.

US military says three of its troops killed in first Iran operation casualties

Three U.S. service members have been killed and another five have been seriously wounded, in the first casualties of the unfolding U.S. operations against Iran, the U.S. military said on Sunday.

BIA, Mattala ready for emergency landings if requested: Minister

Ports and Civil Aviation Minister Anura Karunathilake said today the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) and the Mattala Airport are prepared if any flight to the Middle East requests for emergency landing.

Government to act tough on those hoarding fuel: Minister

Power and Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody warned that legal action will be taken against individuals for hoarding stocks of fuel unnecessarily and against fuel stations if fuel is issued for barrels, cans or bottles as per the country’s law.

Putin says killing of Khamenei is 'cynical' murder

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday condemned the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as a ’’cynical’’ murder but he offered little in public to Moscow’s ally beyond condolences.

Electricity tariff hike looms amid coal tender dispute: Ravi Karunanayake

Former Finance Minister and Member of Parliament Ravi Karunanayake has charged that the government’s claim that coal was imported through a proper tender procedure for the first time in history is “a complete lie,” warning that the proposed electricity tariff hike will further burden the public.

Iran prepared for ‘all scenarios’ including Khamenei’s death: parliament speaker

Iran has prepared for “all scenarios,” including the way forward, after the death of supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei following US and Israeli strikes, its parliament’s speaker said Sunday.

At least 10 killed in Karachi clashes during march towards US Consulate after Khamenei strike

Edhi Welfare Organisation’s information wing confirmed that nine people have been killed and several injured near Mai Kolachi Road during the firing and unrest. They were transferred to the Civil Hospital Trauma Center.

Mainly dry weather to prevail over most parts of the island

The Meteorology Department has forecast mainly dry weather conditions across most parts of the island over the next 36 hours.

Oil tanker hit off Oman coast after drones strike Duqm port

A Palau-flagged oil tanker was hit off Oman’s Musandam peninsula on Sunday injuring four people, the country’s maritime security centre said, following drone strikes on the Gulf country’s commercial port of Duqm.

Public warned of financial fraud using Industry Ministry name

The Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Ministry has warned the public about a financial fraud being carried out using a fake letterhead of the Ministry.

Three days needed to restore fuel supply: Tanker owners

The Sri Lanka Petroleum Private Tanker Owners’ Association (SLPPTOA) says it will take at least three days to recover from the fuel shortage and normalise distribution across the country due to ongoing panic buying.

Namal urges calm amid global tensions

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) National Organiser Namal Rajapaksa has issued a statement highlighting the impact of global conflicts on Sri Lanka, urging preparedness, dialogue, and the protection of citizens both at home and abroad.

Colombo air quality turns ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’

Air quality in Colombo dropped to “unhealthy” levels this afternoon, according to real-time Air Quality Index (AQI) data published by IQAir.

QR code may return if fuel hoarding continues: Deputy Minister

The QR code system will be reintroduced only if the public begins hoarding fuel, Deputy Minister of Energy Muhammadu Ilyas Muhammadu Arkam said.

Protest demands resignation of Sri Lanka Cricket Board

A protest was held outside the headquarters of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) yesterday (28), with demonstrators demanding the resignation of the cricket board over the national team’s continued string of poor performances.

UAE condemns Iran’s missile attacks, calls for diplomatic solutions

The United Arab Emirates Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) has strongly condemned what it described as blatant Iranian missile attacks targeting the United Arab Emirates and several brotherly nations in the region, calling the actions a flagrant violation of national sovereignty and international law.

Kyiv says Russia accepted US plan for Ukraine security guarantees

Russia said at recent talks in Geneva it would accept the U.S. proposal for Ukraine’s post-war security guarantees, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s chief of staff said on Saturday.

Protests erupt in Jammu and Kashmir over killing of Iran Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei

Protests broke out across parts of Jammu and Kashmir after Iran confirmed the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Iranian state media reported that the Ayatollah died in the early hours of Saturday during the joint military strikes carried out by Israel and the United States.

No fuel shortages; stocks secured until May, says CPC

The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) said that there will be no delays in receiving fuel stocks ordered up to April and May, assuring the public that supplies remain stable despite tensions in the Middle East.

Over 50 flights cancelled at BIA amid Middle East conflict

A total of 54 flights scheduled to arrive and depart from Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) have been cancelled due to the ongoing war situation in the Middle East, the Airport Officer-in-Charge said.

Etihad Airways suspends Abu Dhabi departures amid Middle East tensions

In an unprecedented disruption to air travel linked to escalating US–Israel military strikes on Iran, Etihad Airways has announced the temporary suspension of all departures from Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport until 2:00 p.m. UAE time on Sunday, March 01, 2026.

SriLankan Airlines cancels all Middle East flights amid ongoing tensions

SriLankan Airlines announced that all flights to destinations in the Middle East have been cancelled today due to the prevailing situation in the region.

Dubai airport, iconic Burj Al Arab hotel damaged in Iranian missile strikes

Dubai’s international airport and its landmark Burj Al Arab hotel sustained damage as overnight Iranian retaliatory attacks spread across the Gulf states and the wider Middle East, reaching beyond U.S. bases and interests.

Iran president, 2 officials to lead transition after Khamenei’s death: state TV

Iranian state media reported on Sunday that a temporary leadership council will oversee the country’s transitional phase following the assassination of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in accordance with constitutional provisions governing succession.

What we know so far: Supreme Leader Khamenei killed, as Iran launches retaliatory strikes

Iran’s state media has confirmed that Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has been killed, after attacks across Iran by Israel and the US, which began on Saturday morning local time.

Assembly of experts to decide successor to Iran’s Supreme Leader

The process of selecting a successor to Iran’s Supreme Leader rests solely with the country’s powerful constitutional body known as the Assembly of Experts, according to Iran’s Constitution.