Mar 25 (DM) Against the backdrop of disruptions to global oil supply, Sri Lanka expects to finalize an oil purchase deal with Russia next week, an official said. Earlier, Minister Vijitha Herath held discussions with Russian Ambassador Levan S. Dzhagaryan, on the possibility of purchasing Russian fuel to navigate the current energy crisis. After that, the Russian Embassy in Colombo forwarded Sri Lanka’s request to Moscow for consideration by the Russian authorities. more..

Mar 25 (TM) Bus fares could be revised once again under the national bus fare policy scheduled to be implemented in July, Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said. He said that any future revision would depend on developments linked to the ongoing conflict in the ME. Responding to a query on whether fares could be increased again, he noted that certain decisions may have to be taken depending on how the situation evolves, and that such decisions would be made at the appropriate time. more..

Mar 25 (AD) CID has apprehended 29 major drug suppliers responsible for trafficking narcotics into SL, according to the Deputy Minister of Public Security, Sunil Watagala. He made these remarks while participating in the Ratama Ekata – National Operation programme held in Trincomalee. He explained that the illegal trade consists of two primary components: the supply chain and consumer demand. more..

Mar 25 (TM) SL Tea Board reports a surge in demand for Ceylon Tea from Middle Eastern countries amid ongoing regional tensions. Chairman Raj Obeyesekere said increased stockpiling of food in the region has driven demand, while prices have stabilized after an initial dip. The average auction price last week stood at Rs. 1,153 per kilogram, with unsold volumes remaining within normal levels. Exports to countries such as Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Iran have faced disruptions due to more..

Mar 25 (Island) The landmark Supreme Court verdict finding that the fundamental rights of Mohamed Rifai Suhail have been violated has once again exposed the dark reality surrounding Sri Lanka’s law enforcement machinery and freedom of expression, Internet Media Action (IMA) said It said as an Internet Media Action (IMA) group standing for rights in the internet and social media space, we are deeply concerned about the serious democratic crisis emerging through this incident. more..

Mar 25 (AD) SL’s workers’ remittances have not seen a reduction despite the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, Governor of the CB, Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe stated. He said based on currently available data, they have not seen a decline in remittances. According to Governor they have in fact observed a slight increase in remittances in the past few days. He added that he has not seen any inquiries or more..

Mar 25 (Island) Former Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris yesterday said that Sri Lanka’s response to US sinking of the unarmed Iranian frigate, just outside the country’s territorial waters, on 04 March, should now be re-examined against the backdrop of Iranian declaration that the NPP govt invited the ill-fated IRIS Dena and two other vessels to visit Colombo. Prof. Peiris was responding to Iranian Ambassador Dr. Alireza Delkhosh statement made at his Colombo residence on Monday. more..

Mar 25 (AD) Around 60% of children admitted to grade one classes in schools across Nuwara Eliya have been found to have poor oral health, according to Maskeliya Medical Officer of Health (MOH) Dr. M.H A.M. Irshan. He made these remarks while participating in an oral health awareness exhibition held at the Maskeliya MOH office premises in conjunction with World Oral Health Day. Dr. Irshan noted that the situation was identified through a clinical survey, describing it as more..

Mar 25 (FT) Integrated financial services conglomerate Janashakthi Ltd, (JXG) yesterday unveiled its next growth wave to be powered by the Rs. 5 billion Initial Public Offering (IPO). The IPO, which opens on 9 April offers 500 million shares or a 21.74% stake in the family owned entity at Rs. 10 per share. JXG comprises four listed companies including First Capital Holdings PLC, Janashakthi Insurance and Janashakthi Finance. The Company intends to utilise nearly Rs. 4 billion from IPO more..

Mar 25 (DM) Zonal Education Office in Tangalle has instructed all school principals in the Tangalle Education Zone to submit reports explaining the non-participation of teachers at a special meeting held on March 15, 2026, at the Tangalle Town Hall under the patronage of PM Harini Amarasuriya. In a circular issued by the Zonal Education Director W.A.S.D Kalyani on Monday, principals were informed that the meeting had been organized for teachers in the Tangalle Education Zone and more..

Mar 25 (Island) A looming power crisis is casting an ominous shadow over the country, with engineers warning that the current no power cut situation may not last beyond the Sinhala and Tamil New Year due to worsening diesel shortages and ongoing coal-related disruptions. A senior electrical engineer, attached to CEB Engineers Union, cautioned that while authorities appear to be managing the system for now, more..

Mar 25 (NW) The Cabinet Sub-Committee appointed to ensure the orderly functioning of the public service convened for the second time, under the patronage of Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya. During the meeting, held at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday (24), extensive discussions were held on the immediate measures required to ensure the uninterrupted delivery of govt services to the public and to address the challenges faced by public servants. more..

Mar 25 (EN) Commercial Bank won the Gold Award for Excellence in Digital Payments under the banks category at SL’s LankaPay Technnovation Awards held on Tuesday. Bank of Ceylon won the Silver, with Hatton National Bank securing the Bronze. LOLC won its 7th consecutive Gold in the non-bank financial institutions category, with LB Finance the runner up. In the FinTech category, Dinnovation won Gold while MegaPay received the Merit Award. 56 awards, under 12 categories were awarded more..

Mar 25 (Island) Opposition sources alleged yesterday that the National People’s Power (NPP) was trying to further delay Provincial Council polls. Sources said that the govt couldn’t justify its actions under any circumstances. The SJB-led Opposition and the NPP have failed to reach a consensus on conducting PC polls with the latter proposing that the parliament should consult the Attorney General & Elections Commission. more..

Mar 25 (FT) The escalating conflict involving Iran, the US, and Israel represents a global energy stress test with profound implications for international fuel and LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) security. At the heart of this vulnerability is the Strait of Hormuz, a maritime chokepoint responsible for the passage of approximately 20% of the world’s oil and gas supply. Disruptions in this region trigger immediate global shockwaves, including price spikes exceeding $100 per barrel, more..

Mar 25 (FT) There is a particular kind of complacency that thrives in world politics: the belief that war can be geographically contained. It reassures distant capitals, comforts markets and allows policymakers to speak as though violence were a regional inconvenience rather than a systemic force. The reported Iranian missile launch towards Diego Garcia should bury that illusion. What happened was not simply another dramatic episode in an already volatile confrontation. more..

Mar 25 (AD) The CPC has revealed that fuel orders for the country currently exceed actual requirements by around 10%. However, the CPC stressed that there is no risk of a shortage if emergency stockpiling is avoided. Dr. Mayura Neththikumarage, Managing Director of CPC stated that the country has adequate fuel reserves to meet demand at least until mid-May. He emphasized that the current challenges are not due to a lack of fuel, but rather to hoarding and mismanagement of distribution. more..

Mar 25 (EN) Japan has provided 181,837 dollars (55.7 million rupees) for a project implemented by the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of SL (TRCSL) to provide radio equipment under the scheme Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP). The project will support establishment of reliable networks that enable real-time coordination among rescue teams and relevant agencies by providing high-quality equipment made in Japan, including HF radios, more..

Mar 25 (NW) Brito Fernando has been awarded the Per Anger Prize 2026 for his work seeking truth and justice for the tens of thousands of people who have disappeared involuntarily in SL. According to Sweden’s civil rights watchdog, Civil Rights Defenders, the Per Anger Prize is the Swedish Govt’s international prize for human rights and democracy. Brito Fernando is the founder and chair of Families of the Disappeared (FoD), more..

Mar 25 (AD) A warm weather advisory has been issued for residents of the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern and North-Western provinces and in the Anuradhapura, Mannar, Vavuniya, and Monaragala districts. Accordingly, the heat index, the temperature felt by the human body, is likely to increase up to the Caution Level at some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern and North-Western provinces and in the Anuradhapura, Mannar, Vavuniya and Monaragala districts tomorrow. more..

Mar 25 (NW) A group of Vietnamese nationals engaged in fraudulent money transactions via the internet was arrested on Tuesday (24), it was reported. According to the Police Media Division, the 09 suspects had arrived in Sri Lanka on tourist visas and were engaged in online fraud. The suspects were arrested from a house in the Godakanda area, under the Poddala Police Division. Police seized a computer, a laptop, and 84 mobile phones from the suspects during the operation. more..

Mar 25 (DM) With a crucial field visit scheduled for next week, the SL govt is advancing discussions with major Gulf carriers to utilise Mattala Rajapaksa Int'l Airport (MRIA) as an alternative transit hub amid escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Following a meeting held this week, Minister Bimal Rathnayake formally wrote to the airlines inviting them to inspect the southern facility, aiming to capitalise on the sudden shift in more..

Mar 25 (AD) The Bodhi Buddhagaya Award Ceremony, organized by the Magadh Buddhagaya Foundation to honour distinguished individuals who have made meaningful contributions to society in line with Buddhist teachings, was held at Wat Pathum Khongkha Ratchaworawihan. The ceremony was graced by the Chief Guest, Most Venerable Maha Ratchamangklamuni (Thongchai Dhammadhajo), Member of the Supreme Sangha Council of Thailand, more..

Mar 25 (AD) The former Head of the State Intelligence Service, Major General (Retired) Suresh Sallay has been admitted to the Colombo National Hospital following a sudden illness. Former SIS Chief Suresh Sallay is being held under a 90-day detention order to interrogate his links to the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks. Meanwhile, reports indicate that family members had requested permission to visit him to check on his condition, but approval has not been granted. more..

Mar 25 (Island) Vanni MP Ravikaran (ITAK) has rejected a parliamentary fuel distribution arrangement that involved the military. The MP has said he will not accept services from the same military structure responsible for the disappearances of Tamils as it will be a betrayal of both his political convictions and the community he represented. In a letter dated 22 March, addressed to the Secretary General of Parliament, MP Ravikaran has suggested alternatives to the proposed arrangement. more..

Mar 25 (FT) It is tempting – and dangerously so at that – to think that wars fought in distant deserts over faraway skies will remain there forever. That the flames consuming West Asia for over three weeks will flicker out before the embers of a conflict which is clearly not of our making drift over the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). And despite the trumpery – er, temporary – truce. But history has never been so obliging, or blasé, or based on the whims of madmen; or worse, fools. more..

Mar 25 (TM) Cabinet Spokesperson Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa and the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) yesterday issued conflicting statements on whether the latest fuel price revision was based on the fuel pricing formula. Responding to questions at the weekly Cabinet media briefing, Dr. Jayatissa stated the recent price increase was not determined using the pricing formula, citing the unprecedented surge in global oil prices. more..

Mar 25 (DM) The public has been urged to use electricity sparingly as Sri Lanka grapples with record-high power demand driven by prevailing dry weather conditions, Chairman of the National System Operator (Pvt) Ltd, Pradeep Perera said. Sri Lanka recorded its highest-ever electricity demand last Monday (16), with peak demand reaching 3,089 megawatts. Since then, daily demand has remained around 3,000 megawatts, indicating sustained pressure on the national grid. more..

Mar 25 (EN) Sri Lanka expressed gratitude for Iran’s offer to supply oil in the event of Colombo requests, but said the country has no ship to explore the offer. Iran’s Ambassador to SL said on Monday that the oil rich nation was ready to provide fuel and other necessary goods to Sri Lanka if it requests them as the island nation grapples with fuel shortages and expensive essential goods. Already the country has implemented fuel rationing. Nalinda Jayatissa, the Cabinet Spokesman and more..

Mar 25 (TM) Opposition parties have written to international professional organisations to alert the latter with regard to the alleged grave situation of threats to the life and safety of professionals in Sri Lanka, specifically relating to the security of lawyers and the public. The letter signed by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and former Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe, and addressed to the International Bar Association, more..

Mar 25 (AD) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake has emphasised the importance of expeditiously destroying seized drug stocks in order to build public confidence in the govt’s programme to eradicate the drug menace and underlined the need to establish a formal and efficient process to achieve this objective. A meeting was held today (24) between Prez Dissanayake and the committee appointed to amend legislation to remove legal obstacles to the swift destruction of seized narcotics. more..

Mar 25 (AD) Jaffna Municipal Council has submitted a report to the Court of Appeal outlining the measures taken and those planned to reduce air pollution in the Jaffna Peninsula. The report was presented when a petition filed by Dr. Uma Sukhi Nadarajah, a medical practitioner in Jaffna was taken up, requesting that a proper program be implemented to minimize air pollution in Jaffna. The petition was taken up today (24) before a bench comprising Justice Rohantha Abeysuriya, more..