Mar 20 (TM) In a bid to quell mounting public concern over fuel supplies, the CPC yesterday assured that shipments have now been secured to meet demand through April, while firmly denying that recent price hikes are linked to any outstanding debt. CPC Managing Director Dr. Mayura Neththikumara said that five fuel shipments for next month were confirmed on Wednesday (18), ensuring uninterrupted availability. more..

Mar 20 (Island) Peradeniya uni administration has advised the university community to remain vigilant after several cattle reared at the livestock farm of its Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, were killed and eaten by leopards. When inquired about the matter, Vice Chancellor of the Uni, Prof. Terrence Madhujith, said advisory notices have been issued to the university community following several incidents where leopards from the Hanthana area entered the cattle sheds at night and more..

Mar 20 (FT) A high-level discussion on the economic fallout from the escalating conflict in the Middle East was held yesterday at the Presidential Secretariat under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, with a focus on safeguarding energy supplies and protecting the country’s export sector. Officials examined the widening global energy crisis triggered by disruptions to international supply networks and assessed possible fuel market trends in the months ahead. more..

Mar 20 (AD) An IMF team is scheduled to visit Sri Lanka from March 26 to April 9 to hold policy discussions and aims to complete the combined Fifth and Sixth reviews under SL’s EFF Arrangement. This was announced by the Director of the Communications Dept of the IMF, Julie Kozack. “The debt restructuring is nearly complete, and gross international reserves have been increasing significantly. more..

Mar 20 (NW) An anti-war exhibition and conference highlighting the humanitarian, political, and economic impacts of the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran was held in Colombo today. The event, titled The Story Within Blood and Tears, was organised by the National Freedom Front at the SL Foundation Institute. Organisers said the exhibition aimed to present an analytical perspective on the crises triggered by the war, with a focus on its human cost. more..

Mar 20 (FT) SL Shippers’ Council yesterday urged the Govt to look into the increasingly deteriorating conditions for both exports and importers from the impacts of the Middle East war. Issuing a statement, the Council said it wished to draw the Govt’s urgent attention to the growing challenges faced by exporters and importers due to the ongoing fuel shortage in the country. The current situation is beginning to significantly disrupt manufacturing operations, logistics movements, more..

Mar 20 (NW) Supreme Court has ruled that the arrest and detention of student activist Wasantha Mudalige under the PTA violated his fundamental rights. Ruling was delivered by SC Justice Sobhitha Rajakaruna, with the concurrence of Justices Arjuna Obeyesekere and Priyantha Fernando, following a petition filed on behalf of Mudalige by Attorney-at-Law Manjula Balasuriya. Mudalige, the former convener of the IUSF, was arrested after a protest held on Aug 18, 2022, during the Aragalaya more..

Mar 20 (TM) Yesterday (19) saw two of Lanka’s iconic big matches kick start in Colombo and the south coast. In Galle – Mahinda College won the toss and elected to bowl first against Richmond College in the 121st Lovers' Quarrel at the iconic Galle International Stadium. At the end day-1 yesterday (19) Richmond scored 203/4 in 88 overs. The lads from Richmond Hill missed out on two valuable big match centuries. Ravindu Randinu shined with the bat scoring a well composed more..

Mar 20 (TM) Restaurants and eateries are urging the Govt to allow local businesses to open letters of credit (LCs) to import liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), warning that worsening shortages are already disrupting operations and could severely impact both households and the food industry. The call was made by All Ceylon Restaurant and Eatery Owners Association President Harshana Rukshan, who said more..

Mar 20 (NW) Norway has expressed willingness to support Sri Lanka in developing renewable energy through wind, solar and ocean wave power, officials said. The proposal was discussed during a meeting between Minister K.D. Lal Kantha and Norwegian Honorary Consul Sturle Harald Pedersen at the Agriculture Ministry on Wednesday (18). Pedersen said Sri Lanka could utilise multiple renewable energy sources, including wind, solar and tidal energy, to strengthen its energy production. more..

Mar 20 (NW) A student from a boys’ school in Malabe has been praised for his honesty after returning a bag containing a large sum of cash that he had mistakenly picked up. According to the school principal, the boy reported the matter along with the vice principal, stating that he had gotten off a bus carrying the wrong bag, which contained bundles of cash. Upon inspection, the school authorities found the money and a bank passbook inside, after which the bag was sealed. more..

Mar 20 (DM) National Chamber of Exporters (NCE) brought together some of the country’s leading voices in digital and social media marketing at its pinnacle forum Business Conversion and Global Reach through Social Media Platforms, held at Cinnamon Grand Colombo. These experts in optimising social media strategy, discussed the full spectrum of how SL exporters can use conversion marketing to win international customers. The session was moderated by LINERasia more..

Mar 20 (DM) A 23-year-old female student from the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Colombo was miraculously rescued today, after falling down the precipice at World’s End in Horton Plains National Park. The student reportedly slipped and fell nearly 50 feet while attempting to take a selfie at the edge of the famous viewpoint. The incident occurred during the morning hours when the student was visiting the national park with a group of fellow undergraduates. more..

Mar 20 (TM) A new feature introduced yesterday aims to resolve difficulties faced by the public in obtaining fuel QR codes, particularly where the mobile number used for the original vehicle registration is no longer in use. Many users, especially those who had purchased vehicles or changed phone numbers, were unable to reset or override existing registrations and re-register under new numbers. more..

Mar 20 (FT) National Savings Bank Group (NSB) said its operating profit (before all taxes) surged by 55% to reach Rs. 59 billion as of end-2025, while Profit After Tax (PAT) recorded a corresponding increase of 61% to Rs. 28.2 billion. The detailed financial information that follows pertains to the performance of the bank, which accounts for the predominant share of NSB Group’s operations. PAT of the bank surged by 69% reflecting sustained momentum in net interest income, more..

Mar 20 (ST) Ambewela Dairy Farms, recently welcomed Minister K.D. Lalkantha and also the Deputy Minister Dr. Madhura Senevirathne to its farm. This special visit was made with the objective of reviewing the comprehensive development drive at Ambewela, propelling the farm towards significant advancements. During the visit, the management committee took the opportunity to highlight the transformation of Ambewela Farm since its establishment in 1943 & privatisation in 2001. more..

Mar 20 (ST) Are they children of a lesser god, is the devastating concern of numerous parents scattered across Sri Lanka who are struggling to bring up their precious sons and daughters affected by Inherited Metabolic Disorders. The combined incidence of Inherited Metabolic Disorders worldwide is 1 in 784 or 1 in 1000. Therefore, with the total number of births in Sri Lanka in 2024 being 228,091, the estimated more..

Mar 20 (Island) Sri Lanka’s apparel industry has earned its place in the global market through consistency, trust, and a strong reputation for ethical manufacturing. Over many years, we have shown that SL can deliver quality, compliance, and reliability at a level that global brands value. That foundation remains one of our greatest strengths. But the next chapter for this industry cannot be built on reputation alone. It has to be built on growth that is measurable, broader in base, and more..

Mar 20 (FT) SriLankan Airlines and the Govt have effectively concluded the restructuring of the airline’s $ 175 million International Sovereign Bond (ISB) with near-unanimous investor participation and an agreed 16% haircut, marking a decisive step in resolving one of the remaining external debt obligations linked to the State. The transaction, which exchanges defaulted airline debt for new Govt-issued Bonds alongside a cash component, reduces the outstanding claim while extending maturities. more..

Mar 20 (Island) SL’s already fragile economic recovery—still reeling from the aftermath of the 2019 SL Easter Bombings, the pandemic, and the 2022 financial collapse—is now under renewed strain as the ongoing Iran war sends shockwaves through global energy, trade, and financial systems, experts warn Chartered Interior Architect and economic commentator Prof. Rohan de Silva cautioned that the Iran conflict is not an isolated external shock but a multiplier crisis that could severely more..

Mar 20 (FT) Forbes Marshall Lanka, has won the Gold Flame in the Energy Efficiency Improvement category of the Best Energy Services Company Award at the SL National Energy Efficiency Awards 2025. The awards ceremony was held on 24 Feb 2026 at BMICH, organised by SL Sustainable Energy Authority. PM Harini Amarasuriya, the chief guest, noted that reducing energy waste is a national economic priority, not merely a matter of limiting consumption. more..

Mar 20 (FT) The unfolding disruptions caused by the Middle East crisis are impacting industries differently, business leaders weighed in yesterday. SL’s tourism sector is losing between $ 80-100 million a month due to cancellations triggered by the Middle East conflict, Hotels Association of SL (THASL) President Asoka Hettigoda said, as private sector leaders across apparel, tea, and rubber industries outlined more..

Mar 20 (FT) The Cabinet of Ministers this week approved a proposal to implement a Rs. 646 million grant-funded project aimed at strengthening post-review monitoring of industrial wastewater and improving data-driven environmental policymaking, with a special focus on the Kelani River. The initiative, spearheaded by the Central Environmental Authority (CEA) in collaboration with the Uni of Moratuwa and Tohoku Uni, has received financial backing from the JICA more..

Mar 20 (DM) Energy security is a topic that has been discussed for years, if not decades. It is sensible for any govt, policymakers and independent analysts to engage in it. Indeed, reams have been written on the subject. Still, rhetoric has not been translated into action here, and Sri Lanka remains highly vulnerable to external shocks. With the Middle East war, triggered after the US-Israel attack on Iran, continuing to rage, Sri Lanka - which entirely imports its fuel requirements more..

Mar 20 (Island) US Prez Donald Trump, driven by his MAGA dream, may have expected the bombing of Iran to scare the rival world powers, but the explosions in the Gulf have apparently shaken Washington instead. The Pentagon has asked for more than USD 200 billion from the White House for its war on Iran. Trump is now left with no alternative but to keep on pouring tax money into an endless war, much to the consternation of the public at home, with midterm elections due in Nov '26. more..

Mar 20 (ST) With the West Asian conflict swirling around us, in addition to other distractions, some serious stuff confronting sections of the population seems to have been conveniently put on the back burner. One such issue is the Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority Act 2026 passed in Parliament on March 4, which Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Dr. Anil Jayantha has said is aimed at protecting borrowers from exploitation and to ensure financial stability. more..

Mar 20 (TM) On the invitation of India, Iran (IRI) despatched a three-ship flotilla to the Indian Ocean where the IRI Ship IRIS Dena was to participate in India’s International Fleet Review at Visakhapatnam (Vizag) in Bay of Bengal (BoB) on 18 Feb. Thereafter, the ship was engaged in the 13th edition of the annual Naval exercise of the Indian Navy called MILAN 2026 from 18-25 Feb. As per the event web page, 74 countries participated more..

Mar 20 (CT) Had the Omayyad soldiers led by Abdul Rahman won at the Battle of Tours against the Carolingian troops under Charles Martel in 732, speculated Edward Gibbon in his multi-volume Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, the Arabian fleet might have sailed without a naval combat into the mouth of the Thames. Perhaps the interpretation of the Koran would now be taught in the schools of Oxford, and her pulpit might demonstrate to a circumcised people the sanctity and truth more..

Mar 20 (DM) Story of the German pocket battleship Admiral Graf Spee in 1939 remains one of the most cited lessons in the law of neutrality. During her commerce-raiding mission in the South Atlantic and Indian Ocean between Sept and Dec 1939, Graf Spee sank nine merchant ships totalling over 50,000 GRT. Her actions forced the British to deploy multiple hunting groups across vast oceans, culminating in the Battle of the River Plate, where British cruisers HMS Exeter, HMS Ajax & HMNZS Achilles more..

Mar 20 (DM) To commemorate the 30th anniversary of SL’s historic 1996 ICC Cricket World Cup victory, and to mark the signing of a MOU between the Sri Lanka Cricket Foundation (SLCF) and Indira Cancer Trust (ICT), a ceremony was held on March 17 at the Indira Cancer Trust premises in Maharagama Set against this historic backdrop, MOU was signed to establish a partnership and give hope to children enduring critical illnesses more..

Mar 20 (GV) Although SL’s civil war ended almost 17 years ago, many issues facing the minority Tamil community in the North are still unaddressed including putting in place a genuine power sharing mechanism, heavy militarisation, large tracts of land remaining in the hands of the military, drug use and unemployment of youth and the taking over of Hindu religious sites in the name of Buddhism. While the NPP secured a significant proportion of the Northern vote at the prez and parliamentary elections more..

Mar 20 (Island) Today marks a truly historic and momentous occasion in the realm of transdisciplinary diplomacy in our country. We gather here with a twofold purpose of profound national and global significance: the establishment of the Science Diplomacy Forum, and the launch of the volume Science Diplomacy: National, Regional and Global Approaches in a Changing World. This volume brings together valuable and timely contributions from internationally renowned experts more..