Mar 18 (FT) Global shipping disruptions, rather than fuel availability or foreign exchange, have emerged as the primary risk to SL’s energy security despite stocks being sufficient into May, Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody told Parliament yesterday, underscoring the constraints posed by the escalating Middle East conflict. Making a special statement, Minister said inventories and confirmed shipments remain adequate under more..

Mar 18 (AD) The govt has decided to grant a weekly holiday to public sector employees every Wednesday starting today, until further notice, in response to ongoing fuel supply challenges. The Commissioner General of Essential Services, Prabath Chandrakeerthi stated that the holiday will also apply to schools, universities, and the judicial sector. In addition, govt has requested that both state-approved schools and private tuition classes suspend activities for the day. more..

Mar 18 (DM) Investigations into the recent seizure of over 123kg of heroin in international waters south of SL have uncovered a direct link to the notorious overseas-based drug trafficker and organised criminal, Paravi Suda. The multi-day fishing trawler, carrying a narcotics consignment valued at over Rs. 3 billion was intercepted by the Sri Lanka Navy during a special operation. The vessel and its five-member crew were brought to the Dikkowita Fisheries Harbour on Monday more..

Mar 18 (TM) Chairperson of the CPC, D.J. Rajakaruna announced the weekly fuel quota issued to the public under the QR code–based system will remain valid until 12 midnight on Saturday every week and will be refreshed every Sunday. He stated the CPC expects the QR code–based fuel quota system to reduce the country’s fuel consumption by 20%. The daily diesel consumption in the country currently stands at more..

Mar 18 (Island) Parliamentary Business Committee yesterday decided that Parliament would not convene today, in line with the govt’s directive declaring Wednesday a holiday for the public service. According to the parliamentary calendar, sittings had initially been scheduled for today, but the decision was revised following the policy announcement made earlier this week. The govt on Monday declared that all Wednesdays would be observed as a public holiday for state sector. more..

Mar 18 (DM) President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has invited the Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) for an urgent meeting next week, extending the invitation to TPA Leader Mano Ganesan, MP, during a phone conversation. According to Barath Arullsamy, Vice President of the Democratic People’s Front (DPF–TPA), the return of queues highlights a growing gap between govt assurances and ground realities. “The Prez told Parliament there is sufficient fuel stock and no need to panic. more..

Mar 18 (NW) Dr. Nishan de Mel, Executive Director of Verité Research, has proposed 3 practical measures to reduce fuel queues and save time, while maintaining the current total fuel allocation. Presenting the recommendations, Dr. de Mel said the focus should be on improving efficiency in distribution rather than increasing fuel quotas. First proposal is to introduce a timing restriction system, where access to fuel stations is staggered based on the last digit of a vehicle’s number plate more..

Mar 18 (DN) The inaugural ceremony of the A Village That Raises the Nation Community Productivity Model Village Project, organized by the National Productivity Secretariat under the Ministry of Industries and Entrepreneurship Development, was held this morning at the Sivdevgama Community Hall, Kalutara. Inaugural event was held under the patronage of the Minister Sunil Handunnetti, and the Sivdevgama village belonging to the Maharekma Grama Niladhari Division more..

Mar 18 (DM) Fearing a possible fuel shortage stemming from the ongoing Middle East conflict, the govt has introduced a national fuel quota for vehicles. However, in a decisive move to protect the country’s hospitality sector, tourism officials have rolled out a dedicated priority fuel system and assured an uninterrupted supply of LP gas, in an effort to guarantee a comfortable and seamless travel experience for international visitors. more..

Mar 18 (Island) CIABOC yesterday recorded a statement from former Prez Gotabaya Rajapaksa on the allocation of a house for a maid working at the residence of the then Chief Justice Mohan Peiris, PC. Gotabaya Rajapaksa, in his capacity as the Secretary to the Ministry Defence and Urban Development, allegedly authorised the allocation of the house on the recommendation of the CJ during Prez Mahinda Rajapaksa’s second term. Rajapaksa govt brought in Peiris as the Chief Justice more..

Mar 18 (FT) In a bid to curb the misuse of digital money transfer platforms for illegal activities, the Cabinet of Ministers on Monday approved the establishment of a consolidated data-sharing system integrating the Central Bank, SL Police and the Department of Registration of Persons. The move follows recommendations submitted by a Special Committee appointed earlier with Cabinet approval and Chaired by the Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Ministry Secretary. more..

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..