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.

SC continues hearing of carrom board case appeals

The hearings into the appeal applications filed by former Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage and former Lanka Sathosa Chairman Nalin Fernando, challenging the legality of the High Court judgement that convicted and sentenced them in connection with the controversial carrom board case, were taken up before the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka yesterday for the second consecutive day.

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.

Police Iftar ceremony to be held for 10th time on March 12

The annual Police Iftar ceremony, organized by the Sri Lanka Police Buddhist and Religious Affairs Association for Muslim officers serving in the Sri Lanka Police, will be held for the 10th consecutive year on March 12.

14 Muslim civil society organisations urge President to abandon PSTA

Fourteen Muslim national level community organisations has written to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake saying the proposed ‘Protection of the State from Terrorism’ (PSTA) draft law is more draconian than the existing Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act (PTA), which the NPP in its election manifesto pledged to abolish altogether without referring to a replacement.

Inter-University Marshal Officers’ cricket tournament on March 14

The fellowship and the cricket tournament organised by the Inter University Marshal Officers Services Association is to be held on March 14, 2026, at the Colombo University grounds, starting from 8 am. Marshal Officers of all state universities are expected to participate in the tournament.

SL loses Rs 8.4Bn from nine shipments of inferior-quality coal

Sri Lanka has lost Rs 8.4 billion (Rs 8,497 million) from nine shipments of inferior-quality coal, while the country could lose a total of Rs 114 billion if the alleged scam continues for a year, a conference was told yesterday.

Leopards spotted inside Peradeniya University, safety notice issued

According to an internal memo issued by the Office of the Vice-Chancellor, the decision was taken at a University Safety Committee meeting held on March 4, after recent sightings and related incidents were reported within the campus.

Well known journalist passes away

Well known journalist Sajeewa Wijeweera passed away after an illness over the weekend.

Oil barrels and debris washed ashore on Sri Lanka’s southern coast after IRIS Dena attack

Several oil barrels and suspicious debris have washed ashore along Sri Lanka’s southern coastline a few days after the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena was torpedoed and sunk by the United States Navy submarine in seas off the coast of Galle.

Kataragama Basnayake Nilame asks Govt. permission to sell a portion of gold offered by devotees

The Basnayake Nilame of the Kataragama Devala had sought the government’s permission to sell a portion of gold received as offerings from the devotees and handover a portion of the revenue to the state, Minister of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Minister Hiniduma Sunil Senevi has revealed. The Minister had come out with this information in response to a question raised by MP Ajith P. Perera in Parliament.

Security of Sri Lankans in the northern region of Israel ensured: Ambassador

Steps have been taken to ensure the safety of Sri Lankans residing in Northern Israel, Sri Lankan Ambassador in Israel said yesterday.

U.S. Pacific Command recognizes Sri Lanka acted according to international law

The US Indo-Pacific Command has recognized that Sri Lanka provided life-saving support to survivors of the Iranian warship IRIS Dena in accordance with the Law of Armed Conflict or the International Humanitarian Law.

At least 25 schools in Kandy district face landslide threat

At least 25 schools in the Kandy district have been found to be vulnerable to landslide risks, Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya informed Parliament yesterday.

International Women’s Day: Nurturing Strong and Confident Daughters

A daughter is not merely the darling of the family and a sweet child full of voluble talk, brought up amid love and affection like a bud. She should possess many other traits and distinctive characteristics that build up her personality

Driving sustainability in Sri Lankan industries : Responsible Care Members’ Day Conference & Responsible Care Excellence Awards 2026 on March 09

The Lanka Responsible Care Council (LRCC) will host its bi-annual Responsible Care Members’ Day Conference and Responsible Care Excellence Awards on Monday, March 09, 2026 at The Barnhouse, Panadura.

Two schoolboys killed in lorry accident at Madurankuliya

Two schoolchildren were killed after being hit by a lorry in the Kilamaduchenai area of Kadayamotte in Madurankuliya, police said.

Calf and she elephant rescued from well

Podi Lassi’s house in Homagama prohibited for use by IAI Division of CID

The use of a house at Maya Mawatha in Homagama, alleged to have been owned by the underworld gangster Janith Madushanka De Silva alias Poli Lassi, was prohibited by the Illegal Assets Investigation Division of the CID yesterday.

Experts warn of health risks to children as air quality turns unhealthy

With air pollution levels in Colombo rising to unhealthy levels, health experts are raising alarm over the potential impact on public health, particularly on children.

CID yet to report facts to court on detention of retired Major General Suresh Sallay

The Colombo Fort Magistrate Isuru Neththikumara stated yesterday that the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has not yet reported facts to Court regarding the retired Major General Suresh Sallay, who is currently being detained and questioned under the Prevention of Terrorism Act.

109 Sri Lankans stranded in Saudi & 22 in Oman Airports

At least 109 Sri Lankans are stranded in Saudi Arabia Airport while 22 were stranded in Oman Airport, Minister of Foreign Affairs Vjitha Herath said while assuring that some of them might have already returned to Sri Lanka.

PUSCL confirms possible power cuts as a result of inferior quality coal

The report of the Public Utilities Commission has confirmed that there is a risk of power cuts as a result of inferior coal, it was reported yesterday.

4,000-5,000 people totally visually impaired in Sri Lanka

A survey conducted by the Gift of Vision Organisation has revealed that between 4,000 and 5,000 people in the country are victims of total blindness, and that it is 2.7 per cent of the population.

We condole the passing of Khamenei, urge restraint and condemn GoSL’s stance: Rauff Hakeem

Leader of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress, Rauff Hakeem, expresses deep concern over the most ferocious, unprovoked, unilateral US–Israel strike on Iran, which reportedly resulted in the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and several high-ranking state defence officials.

Don’t come to Israel: Sri Lankan Ambassador

Whilst highlighting that international flights to and from Israel have been suspended, the Sri Lankan Ambassador in Israel, Nimal Bandara, yesterday advised Sri Lankans who are hoping to come into that country to postpone their journeys.

SL should adopt a neutral foreign policy as its importance grows with the Middle East conflict: Former MP

Sri Lanka should adopt a neutral foreign policy in the wake of its importance growing with the disruption of the Strait of Hormuz after the conflict in the Middle East, a former MP said yesterday.

SCO Secretary-General meets Ambassador of Sri Lanka in China

On March 2, 2026, in Beijing, the Secretary-General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, Nurlan Yermekbayev, met with the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka to the People’s Republic of China, Majintha Jayesinghe.

Grey market fuel sellers becoming active amid panic buying: Fuel Distributors

Grey market businessmen engaged in selling fuel at black market prices are becoming active amid panic buying across the nation, the Ceylon Fuel Distributors Association warned yesterday.

After Sallay, Gotabaya Rajapaksa is the next - Ex MP

Former Minister and National Freedom Front (NFF) leader Wimal Weerawansa yesterday alleged that the arrest of Major General (rtd) Suresh Sallay is a politically motivated move aimed at appeasing elements of the Tamil diaspora