Repatriation of Iranian sailors’ bodies underway

The bodies of 84 Iranian sailors who were killed when the vessel IRIS Dena was sunk by a US torpedo in international waters off Sri Lanka’s southern coast are scheduled to be repatriated to Iran today.

Court warns funds leaving Sri Lanka through Cryptocurrency

Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodagamage observed that due to loopholes in actions carried out by state financial institutions under the Foreign Exchange Act, money in Sri Lanka is being transferred overseas through cryptocurrency transactions.

Former SriLankan Airlines CEO arrested

Former SriLankan Airlines Chief Executive Officer Kapila Chandrasena has been arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) over the alleged acceptance of a USD 2 million bribe linked to the Airbus aircraft procurement deal.

Royal College student seriously injured after fall from school building

A 15-year-old student of Royal College Colombo was seriously injured after falling from a three-storey building on the school premises last morning (11), police said.

Govt. can guarantee continuous energy supply for only two months if war continues: President

Claiming that hardly anyone can predict the future developments if the Middle East war continues for more than two months, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said the government can guarantee continuous energy supply only for two months if the Middle East tensions went beyond two months.

Sri Lanka in talks with India, China for emergency oil purchases amid Gulf crisis

In a bid to ward off a possible fuel-related crisis due to the widening conflict in the Gulf, the government, through the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC), is in talks with India and China for oil purchases, an official said.

SC reserves judgment in carrom board case

The Supreme Court today reserved its judgment in the appeals filed by former Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage and former Lanka Sathosa Chairman Nalin Fernando, challenging the legality of the High Court judgment that convicted and sentenced them in connection with the controversial carrom board case.

Police launch CID probe into Madush killing

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has begun an investigation into the shooting death of underworld gang leader Makandure Madush, who was killed by two unknown gunmen while in the custody of the Colombo Crimes Division in 2020.

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.

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.

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.

Limit travel and fuel purchases, CPC chairman tells public

Chairman of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC), D.J. Rajakaruna has urged the public to reduce non-essential travel and use fuel sparingly in view of the energy challenges arising from the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East.

Sri Lanka grants fee visa extensions for foreigners affected by Middle East flight cancellations

The Sri Lanka government has approved visa extensions on a fee basis for foreign nationals unable to leave the country due to flight cancellations to the Middle East, caused by the ongoing military situation in the region.

Low number of Israeli tourists in Arugam Bay amid off-season and regional tensions

The number of Israeli tourists currently staying in Arugam Bay remains low due to the off-season, although security measures in the area continue to remain tight, a senior police officer said.

National carrier takes new route via Afghanistan, Azerbaijan for European destinations

Following the closure of Middle Eastern airspace, SriLankan Airlines, the national carrier, has adopted an alternative route through Afghanistan and Azerbaijan for its European destinations, an official said.

EDL takes over CEB’s electricity distribution under power reforms

Electricity Distribution Lanka (Private) Limited (EDL) has officially taken over electricity distribution responsibilities previously handled by the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), as part of the power sector reforms introduced through the Electricity Act No. 36 of 2024.

Sajin Vass arrested

Former Member of Parliament Sajin Vass Gunawardena has been arrested by officers of the Bribery Commission on charges of amassing illegal assets worth Rs. 243.8 million.

Possible fuel shortage looms if urgent steps not taken, Union warns

Concerns are mounting in Sri Lanka over a potential fuel shortage after April, despite government assurances of adequate reserves. Ananda Palitha, Convener of the Samagi Joint Trade Union Alliance, said that recent remarks by Trade Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe regarding fuel sufficiency have instead fueled public anxiety.

Leopards spotted inside Peradeniya University, safety notice issued

The University of Peradeniya has issued a safety notice to students and staff following several reported leopard sightings within the university premises.

U.S. respects Sri Lanka’s decision on Iranian warship incident

The United States has said it respects Sri Lanka’s sovereignty in handling matters related to the Iranian warship IRIS Bushehr and its crew.

Trump rejects settling Iran war, raises prospect of killing all its potential leaders

U.S. President Donald Trump said he is not interested in negotiating with Iran and raised the possibility that the Iran war would only end once Tehran no longer has a functioning military or any remaining leadership in power.

Sri Lanka won’t back any side in Iranian vessel incident – Vijitha Herath

Sri Lanka is handling the recent vessel incident involving Iranian personnel strictly in accordance with international law and does not intend to support any side, Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath said on Saturday.

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.

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.

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.

Sri Lanka to restructure CEB with six successor companies

Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody has issued an Extraordinary Gazette Notification paving the way for the establishment of six successor companies by transferring the functions and duties of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB).

Sri Lanka rescues second Iranian vessel lingering near its waters

After a thorough assessment of the situation, Sri Lanka decided yesterday evening to extend humanitarian assistance to the second Iranian ship lingering near its 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.

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).

US strikes Iranian warship within Sri Lanka's Exclusive Economic Zone

In the midst of the Middle East war escalating, over 100 people are missing, and dozens of others have been wounded after an Iranian warship, IRIS Dena- a Moudge-class frigate from the Southern Fleet of Iran Navy- sank within the Exclusive Economic Zone of Sri Lanka following a torpedo strike by a U.S. submarine.