Mar 18 (NW) Health sector trade unions have raised concerns over the govt’s recent measures, calling for holiday allowances and a dedicated fuel quota to maintain essential services. Co-convener of Health Services Trade Union Alliance, Ravi Kumudesh, said health workers required proper compensation if they are expected to report to duty on designated public holidays. “If we are required to work on a holiday such as Wednesday, the govt must pay the relevant holiday allowance,” he said. more..

Mar 18 (NW) British Airways has announced the launch of direct flights between London Gatwick and Colombo, marking a significant boost for SL’s tourism sector ahead of the winter 2026 season. The airline confirmed that flights to Colombo will commence on Oct 23, operating three times a week as part of its expanded winter schedule. The route will run for the winter season, offering direct connectivity between the UK and SL. Welcoming the development, British High Commissioner more..

Mar 18 (DM) SL’s economic activities were seen holding up in February before the war broke out at the end of the month, as seen from the Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) data, but the economy is currently feeling the brunt of the Iran war which broke out at the end of February. PMI for manufacturing activities was at 56.8 index points, slightly higher than the 56.1 index points in January but the services PMI fell to 54.4 index points more..

Mar 18 (Island) As Sri Lanka marked the 30th anniversary of their Cricket World Cup triumph, the odds they overcame remain the stuff of cricketing folklore. Barely 15 years into their journey as a full member of the ICC, they didn’t just compete – they turned the game on its head, blindsiding the cricketing world with a brand of cricket that was as audacious as it was effective. With field restrictions in place for the first 15 overs, Sri Lanka cashed in like seasoned pros at the top of their game. more..

Mar 18 (Island) One of the most anticipated school cricket encounters in the south, the Lovers’ Quarrel between Richmond College and Mahinda College returns with high expectations as the 2026 edition gets underway at the iconic Galle Int'l Stadium on Thursday. ‎Despite its rich legacy and passionate following, the series has been locked in draws, with no outright winner emerging over the past six years. While such streaks are not uncommon in Sri Lanka’s school cricket circuit, more..

Mar 18 (FT) Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa told Parliament that the Prez AKD-led NPP Govt has no scenario planning to deal with the crisis influenced by the war in the Middle East. He said at a time when the country faces a series of grave challenges, Prez or the PM should have made a statement to Parliament and the people on how to confront the existing crises — yet instead of doing so, they are merely offering advice on more..

Mar 18 (DM) Sri Lanka’s tourism sector is aggressively pivoting toward the Indian Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) market, positioning the island as a lucrative alternative to Dubai for regional corporate travellers, as escalating tensions in the Middle East cause a temporary dip in European arrivals. The industry, which was on a strong recovery trajectory, is now recalibrating its strategies to mitigate the fallout from global flight disruptions. more..

Mar 18 (ST) MSC, one of the largest container carrier shipping lines, has declared end of voyage asking shippers and consignees to take responsibility for goods dropped off at ports bound for war-affected West Asia. Notifications have already been sent to the industry declaring end of voyage on all shipments currently under MSC’s custody and care, whether located ashore or at sea, and destined for ports in the Arabian Gulf. All cargo discharged at the ports are to be picked up more..

Mar 18 (DN) Traditional rivals St. Joseph’s College Colombo and St. Peter’s College Bambalapitiya will meet in their 92nd Battle of the Saints annual cricket encounter which is scheduled to be played from March 19 to 21 at the SSC grounds. The Big Match is fought out for the Rev. Fr. Maurice LeGoc Trophy and no doubt it’s going to be a closely contested affair since the two teams are evenly balanced. Both teams will have a positive approach to bring about a result. more..

Mar 18 (ST) The Colombo Fraud Bureau (CFB) has informed the Mount Lavinia Magistrate’s Court that it has yet to receive advice from the Attorney General on whether to name Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe and two others as suspects in the case involving the alleged fraudulent leasing of a building belonging to National Workers’ Congress in Dehiwala using a forged deed. CFB explained this to Mount Lavinia Magistrate Pasan Amarasena when the case was taken up recently. more..

Mar 18 (DM) The Middle East war is flaring up, with the world economy reeling under its impact in terms of surging fuel prices, disruption to navigation and air travel, etc. Sri Lanka, a country still with a fragile economy, has taken a major hit, with tourism revenue amounting to US$ 500,000 at risk. Spike in global fuel prices has resulted in the reintroduction of QR codes for the rationalisation of retail sales. more..

Mar 18 (GV) Maritime spaces have long been considered as arenas where diplomacy, law and strategic competition intersect. Naval engagements conducted beyond territorial waters are not merely expressions of military capability, they are also governed by a complex framework of international legal obligations designed to regulate conduct at sea and prevent escalation of conflict between states. In recent years, however, increasing geopolitical rivalry in the Indian Ocean has tested resilience more..

Mar 18 (Island) Long lines of vehicles are still seen outside filling stations despite the introduction of the QR-based fuel quota system. They show no signs of going away any time soon. Teething problems associated with the QR-controlled fuel rationing have persisted longer than usual for three reasons—some system flaws, difficulties faced by filling station workers in scanning some QR codes, especially the old ones issued in 2022, and a supply shortfall that has made many pumps run dry. more..

Mar 18 (Island) A recent panel discussion at the Uni of Peradeniya examined the implications of the Supreme Court’s judgement on ragging, in which the Court recognised that preventing ragging requires not only criminal penalties imposed after an incident occurs but also systems and processes within universities that enable victims to speak up and receive support. Bringing together perspectives from law, university administration, psychology and students, discussion sought to understand more..

Mar 18 (DM) For years, political agitators have opposed the joint development of the World War II British oil tank farm in Trincomalee. The pretext has always been defending energy security, although irony should not be lost on the discerning onlooker. Now, as the country lingers in long fuel queues, here are a few issues deserving their somber reflection under the scorching heat. Trincomalee tank farm deserves a special mention because, had the Sri Lankan authorities developed a fraction of more..

Mar 18 (CT) What is happening signals what could be called SL’s urban moment — a point where the country must face the challenges of urban change and the risks of neglecting proper planning. Cities are not random clusters of buildings and roads; they are intricate systems that need careful management. Yet, urban planning seldom takes a main role in national policy talks. Instead, decisions influencing the future of cities more..

Mar 18 (TM) Sri Lanka is no stranger to energy crises. The memory of 2022 is still fresh, etched into the national psyche through images of endless queues, shuttered businesses, and anxious households counting down their last litres of fuel or cooking gas. No Govt that has taken office since can credibly claim inexperience. The causes may differ, but the consequences are painfully familiar. This time, the trigger is largely external. Global instability, particularly in the Middle East, more..

Mar 18 (ST) In the last couple of months or more, one has heard or read so much about the president of the United States. Most of it has come from his own mouth, which understandably destroys any value it might have had initially. Naturally, President Trump’s capacity to emulate Aesop is too much to expect. That is not to say he cannot spin a quick tale or two in a couple of minutes, outclassing Aesop. Rather, the problem here is that Trump has been more erratic than a fast bowler and more..

Mar 18 (TM) Under the scorching sun on 1 March, a group of journalists walked through the buffer zone of the Hambantota Managed Elephant Reserve (MER) in Kapapuwewa, Orukengala, where thick smoke hung heavily in the air. Fires had been set to the scrub forests, making it difficult to breathe as charred patches of land stretched across the dry landscape. “They (authorities and solar power companies) more..

Mar 18 (DM) Sri Lanka has never had a shortage of holidays. From religious observances to full moon days, from national commemorations to long weekends that quietly stretch into unofficial breaks, we have built a culture that celebrates pause far more easily than it embraces productivity. Now, with Wednesdays declared a holiday in response to a global fuel crisis, a difficult question confronts us. Can an already fragile economy afford yet another interruption to its working week? more..

Mar 18 (DM) In SL, significant progress in human resource development has not led to increased women’s participation in the workforce. Although the country has nearly closed the gender gap in education and health, only one in three women is active in the labour market. Female labour force participation in SL is 29.8%, compared with the male labour force participation rate of nearly 70%. Of the 29.8% of women who participate in the workforce, almost half are active in the informal sector. more..

Mar 17 (AD) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake reiterates SL will not take any sides during the ongoing conflict in the Middle East between Iran and the US and Israel. Prez made this assertion while addressing a special press conference concerning the current situation in SL. Prez noted that SL has clearly made its stance pertaining to the on-going conflict. Prez said conflict will have a major bearing on the energy sector and therefore the govt has already appointed a surveillance committee more..

Mar 17 (EN) Cabinet had approved awarding a tender for building a power transmission line from Mannar to Mullikulam to JSL & Fentons Joint Venture – Intend (Jyoti Structure Ltd, India and Hayleys Fentons Ltd, SL), for 2,269.18 million rupees. “They were selected as a contractor for the construction of a 28 km long 220 kV double circuit transmission line from Mannar grid substation to Mullikulam grid Substation under the Mullikulam Wind Power Transmission Project,” more..

Mar 17 (AD) Majority of technical and registration-related issues associated with the fuel QR code system have now been successfully resolved, Managing Director of CPC, Mayura Neththikumarage has announced. According him, nearly all eligible users have already obtained their QR codes, with only around 10,000 individuals yet to complete the process. In total, more than 400,000 QR codes have been issued so far, more..

Mar 17 (NW) Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) has officially launched Sith Suwa Purawara, an initiative aimed at enhancing emotional well-being and expanding access to counselling and support services for residents of Colombo. Sith Suwa Purawara was launched last week, and is being implemented in collaboration with the SL Police, SL Foundation Institute, and Women In Need (WIN). This multi-stakeholder partnership reflects a shared commitment to strengthening more..

Mar 17 (FT) Global Biz Connect 2026, cross-industry networking platform, recently brought together business executives, entrepreneurs, and diaspora representatives to examine emerging growth opportunities in Sri Lanka›s stabilising economic environment. Jointly organised by Junior Chamber Int'l (JCI) Colombo Mid Town and the Old Nalandians’ Association of Australia (ONAA), the event served as a high-level platform connecting credible SL enterprises and int'l markets. more..

Mar 17 (DM) Unlike sky rise buildings that dominate the skyline in Colombo, it is electric fences of various shapes and sizes that dominate much of the landscape in Galgamuwa today. With frequently occurring encounters between humans and elephants, former is taking all precautions to protect their lives and those of their loved ones, sometimes at the cost of jumbo lives. In response to the aggravating conflict, construction of SL’s more..

Mar 17 (NF) Former Prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa today appeared before the CIABOC, where he recorded a statement. The statement was obtained in connection with an ongoing probe into allegations that several housing units in a housing complex had been unlawfully allocated to a number of individuals. Commission had earlier summoned the former Prez to appear on Feb 13. However, he informed the Commission in writing that he would be travelling to Singapore on that date and requested more..

Mar 17 (EN) Sri Lanka needs to sustain its fiscal consolidation efforts and strengthen external sector buffers to safeguard macrofinancial stability, the Central Bank said in a statement. Sri Lanka’s economic recovery has been disrupted by the ongoing Middle East crisis followed by Cyclone Ditwah-hit disaster in the last quarter of 2025. The Central Bank said the country’s private sector credit has expanded with the govt’s fiscal consolidation having given more space. more..

Mar 17 (DM) Cabinet has approved a proposal by the Prez to establish four special committees to address the economic and social impacts of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Committees have been tasked with recommending immediate measures to minimize disruptions to the local economy and public life. An Energy Committee, chaired by the Minister of Foreign Affairs will oversee urgent procurement activities to ensure a stable supply of fuel, gas, and coal, while also more..

Mar 17 (AD) The law is being strictly enforced regarding filling stations dispensing fuel outside the QR system, and steps are being taken to suspend their licenses, Chairman of the CPC, D.J. Rajakaruna stated. He urged the general public to continuously provide information to police or the CPC about such fuel stations. Meanwhile, Chairman D.J. Rajakaruna further stated that until a petroleum shipment is confirmed to arrive, there is some risk in fuel supply to the country. more..