Mar 7 (Reuters) US is pressing Sri Lanka's govt not to repatriate the survivors ​from the Iranian warship it sank this week, as well as the crew of a second Iranian ship ‌that is in SL custody, according to an internal State Dept cable seen by Reuters on Friday. A US submarine sank the IRIS Dena warship in the Indian Ocean about 19 nautical miles off Sri Lanka's southern port city of Galle on Wednesday, killing dozens of sailors and more..

Mar 7 (DM) The Israel–Iran conflict continues to ripple through Sri Lanka’s maritime, diplomatic and economic spheres, with the island now managing the aftermath of a naval disaster in its Exclusive Economic Zone and responding to the presence of another Iranian military vessel near its waters. On the seventh day of the crisis, Sri Lanka has taken new humanitarian and security decisions while domestic political debate, economic concerns and international diplomacy intensify. more..

Mar 7 (DM) The US–Israeli war against Iran entered its seventh day on Friday with explosions continuing across Iran, Israel and several Middle Eastern countries as both sides pressed ahead with missile strikes, drone attacks and air raids. Washington and Tel Aviv say their campaign — codenamed Operation Epic Fury — has significantly weakened Iran’s military capabilities, while Tehran continues retaliatory attacks on US-linked targets across the region. more..

Mar 7 (Island) S.B.M.S.B. Sallay, wife of retired Major General Suresh Sallay, has raised serious concerns over the circumstances surrounding her husband’s detention by the CID under the Prevention of Terrorism Act. In a letter addressed to the CID Director, she said restrictions had been imposed on family visits and consultations with lawyers, while requests to provide food from home had also been refused. more..

Mar 7 (AD) Two individuals have died and another 2 persons are reported missing while another 23 were rescued after a boat capsized today (6) in Gurunagar Jetty in Jaffna, police said. Investigations revealed that the group involved in the accident was travelling in a trawler from the Gurunagar Jetty to attend a feast at a church located on Palaitivu Island. The boat had reportedly capsized approximately 50 metres into the journey, causing the passengers to fall into the water, more..

Mar 7 (Island) SJB MP Mujibur Rahuman told Parliament that the Iranian naval vessel that sank off SL’s southern coast had sought permission to dock at the Port of Galle, but the govt had failed to respond in time. Rahuman said the Iranian Navy ship had participated in a multinational naval training exercise in India along with representatives from 74 countries, including SL. He said the vessel had left India, after the exercise, but altered its course due to escalating Middle East tensions more..

Mar 7 (FT) The 15th Sri Lankan Edition of the Textile Series of Exhibitions officially opened at the Sri Lanka Exhibition & Convention Centre (SLECC) yesterday, bringing together global textile technology providers, apparel manufacturers and industry leaders to strengthen Sri Lanka’s textile and garment sector. The inauguration ribbon- cutting ceremony was attended by Minister Sunil Handunnetti and Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe who graced the occasion as chief guests. more..

Mar 7 (FT) SL’s national poverty line increased to Rs. 16,730 per person per month in Jan 2026, up from Rs. 16,334 a year earlier, according to official district-level estimates. Poverty line represents the minimum monthly expenditure required for an individual to meet basic food and non-food needs and is used as the benchmark for measuring poverty in the country. Data show a broadly similar pattern across districts, with most recording increases of roughly Rs380–Rs430 compared with Jan '25 more..

Mar 7 (FT) President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said the Central Bank of SL has presented the Govt with a scenario-based assessment of the possible economic impact of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, including a worst-case outcome which authorities do not expect to materialise. Prez said CB had submitted its projections the previous day outlining potential responses of financial market under different developments in the conflict. more..

Mar 7 (FT) A SL-invented medical device designed for the non-invasive early detection of cardiovascular conditions using Artificial Intelligence was successfully piloted at the King Hamad American Mission Hospital in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The initiative was facilitated by the Embassy of SL in Bahrain, in collaboration with the Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA) under the Ministry of Digital Economy of SL. The device, marketed under the trademark JENDO, more..

Mar 7 (DN) India secured their place in the ICC mens T-20 world cup final after edging past England by sevens runs in a thrilling high scoring semi final in Mumbai. This fighting victory puts India on the brink of creating history as they prepare to face NZ in the final which will be played on Mach 8 Sunday at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, commencing at 7pm. This is the first time India will play NZ in a T-20 final. The hosts are looking to become the first country to win three titles more..

Mar 7 (Island) TONIK, a new hospitality venture under Sri Lanka’s Acorn Group, has unveiled its vision to place culture, storytelling and design at the heart of island exploration, positioning itself as the next Sri Lanka hospitality brand to achieve global recognition. Built on the Acorn Group’s decades of expertise across aviation, travel, logistics and leisure in multiple Asian markets, TONIK aims to elevate Sri Lanka’s tourism by translating the soul of destinations into curated experiences. more..

Mar 7 (FT) Colombo stock market yesterday ended the four-day week in red, weighed down by index-heavy banking and diversified holdings stocks. This meant that the CSE failed to sustain a two-session rally following Tuesday’s record single-day plunge on panic selling induced by the Mideast conflict. During the week, ASPI declined 4.34% or 1,032.15 points and S&P SL20 was down 4.14% or 275.22 points. Foreign investors were net sellers in the week on a net outflow of Rs.791.2 million. more..

Mar 7 (FT) Sri Lanka Tourism yesterday hosted a special brunch for foreign tourists stranded in the country due to the ongoing Middle East crisis, as part of efforts to support visitors affected by widespread flight disruptions and airport closures in the region. The brunch was organised by SLTDA as a gesture of goodwill aimed at offering comfort, reassurance and hospitality to visitors who have had to extend their stay in SL until more..

Mar 7 (FT) The opening of the Harvest Centre, a technology incubation centre specifically established for the Southern Province at the Faculty of Agriculture, Uni of Ruhuna was held recently. It is expected to develop and nurture entrepreneurship, innovation, research commercialisation and start-ups in the Southern Province through this Harvest Centre. Centre is an outcome of a collaborative effort of the Science and Technology Ministry and the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ruhuna more..

Mar 7 (ST) The illegal squatters who had been living in unauthorised buildings (houses) alongside the banks of the estuary of the Deduru Oya were removed by the Coast Conservation Dept, according to a court order issued by the Chilaw Magistrate. The squatters had set up illegal buildings, violating the 14th clause mentioned in Section 28(1) of the Coast Conservation Act. As such the department had instructed the squatters to stop their unauthorised constructions and remove the buildings. more..

Mar 7 (FT) In a landmark judgment on the scope of the Right to Information Act, Court of Appeal has held that a private television broadcaster can be considered a public authority under certain circumstances and is therefore subject to the provisions of the RTI law. Ruling arose from a dispute between Asia Broadcasting Corporation (Pvt) Ltd, which operates Hiru TV, and the mother of a murder suspect who sought information more..

Mar 7 (FT) SL Shippers’ Council (SLSC) has warned that escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East are beginning to disrupt global shipping routes, raising concerns over potential impacts on SL’s trade and supply chains. Council said some shipping lines have already begun adjusting schedules, suspending routes and imposing risk-related surcharges following the recent escalation involving US, Israel & Iran, developments that could lead to higher freight costs & delays for SL exporters more..

Mar 7 (FT) A crew member of the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) vessel JS Onami, a Takanami-class destroyer operating in the western waters off Colombo, has been brought ashore due to the need for urgent medical attention, the SL Navy said. The evacuation was coordinated by the Colombo Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Center, with assistance from the SL Navy. The crew member was subsequently transferred to Colombo National Hospital for further treatment, more..

Mar 7 (Island) Bombay cannot quite match Colombo when it comes to Test venues. Colombo boasts four Test grounds, while Bombay has three. India’s first ever Test match in 1933 was staged at the historic Bombay Gymkhana, but international cricket soon shifted down the road to the Cricket Club of India, a stone’s throw away, before finally settling along the sweeping Marine Drive at the Wankhede Stadium, which now hosts all men’s international fixtures. Gymkhana and the CCI, meanwhile, more..

Mar 7 (FT) A high-level business promotion program held on 27 Feb in Bremen brought together major trade chambers, business associations, and prominent German companies, providing an opportunity to further strengthen bilateral relations between SL and Germany, explore prospects in the German market, and promote SL Expo 2026 as a key international trade event. At the invitation of OAV Bremen and the Bremen Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Minister Vijitha Herath and more..

Mar 7 (FT) SL’s tea industry is facing severe disruptions as the ongoing military conflict in the Middle East has effectively halted shipments to one of its largest export markets, with exporters estimating revenue losses of between $ 10 million and $ 15 million per week. Tea Exporters Association said exporters currently hold confirmed orders from buyers across the region, but are unable to fulfil them due to logistical challenges, more..

Mar 7 (FT) In the latest escalation of the crisis in the Middle East, Iran has closed the Strait of Hormuz. SL imports nearly all of its oil and gas, relying heavily on the Middle East, with major suppliers being Oman, Iraq, UAE & Bahrain. The country relies on imported crude for its single, aging refinery and imports refined products (diesel) via the spot market. A significant portion of these supplies must pass through the Strait of Hormuz making the country’s energy security highly vulnerable more..

Mar 7 (FT) If geography were any sort of destiny in the revolving atlas of geopolitics, Sri Lanka’s would be a curious one. We sit astride some of the busiest maritime highways like a genial innkeeper on a global trade route: smiling, neutral, and hoping that the caravans keep coming on the silk roads. But sometimes, hosting those very caravans could court trouble for this legendary stopover on the Maritime Silk Route: Ibn Battuta, Marco Polo, IRIS Dena and those Iranian dead more..

Mar 7 (Island) Parliament yesterday voted to extend the State of Emergency, with 108 ayes and eight nays. Most of the Opposition MPs were not present in the House, as usual. Such is their dedication to the discharge of their legislative duties. The same goes for the govt MPs who were absent. The govt and the Opposition are making a strong case, albeit unwittingly, for doing away with the MPs’ attendance allowance. The Opposition has rightly decried the extension of the State of Emergency, more..

Mar 7 (CT) Did the Ceylonese Govt at the time of the Independence Act agree to have the Standard (a flag used as the symbol of a person, group, or organisation) of Sri Wickrama Rajasinghe on the flag when our national flag was finalised? This was keeping with the proposal made by Sinna Lebbe, the MP of Batticaloa. MP Lebbe rose in parliament and said: “This house is of the opinion that the Royal Standard of King Sri Wickrama Rajasinhe which depicts a yellow lion holding a sword in more..

Mar 7 (SO) SL Navy said last week that, after bringing On Board Security Team (OBST) facilitation under full State control, it completed 404 operations between Oct 3, 2025 and Feb 25, 2026, earning more than USD 598,000 in foreign exchange credited to the Govt’s Consolidated Fund. The Navy said the service includes the supervised storage and transfer of weapons used by these teams on merchant vessels. more..

Mar 7 (FT) In moments of geopolitical tension, the conduct of states is often measured not merely by their declarations, but by the calmness and clarity of their actions under pressure. SL’s decision to disembark the crew of the Iranian vessel Bushehr at Colombo Port while transferring the vessel to Trincomalee reflects precisely such a moment of strategic maturity. At first glance, the move appears humanitarian. At a deeper level, however, it represents a carefully calibrated decision more..

Mar 7 (DM) Two weeks ago, hundreds of Buddhist monks descended on Colombo to protest against the alleged govt disrespect of the religion and the clergy. There are three ways to view the Maha Sanga Convention– the first salvo of the Buddhist clergy, or at least an influential section within it, against the govt. The first, and most convenient, approach is to term it an effort by a section of monks to revive the declining fortunes of the Rajapaksa dynasty. In many ways, it sounds convincing, more..

Mar 7 (TM) SL’s long-standing promise of free education is once again under scrutiny, as parents across the country complain of increasing financial demands from Govt schools, despite repeated assurances from authorities that such collections are not permitted. From annual school development fees of nearly Rs. 10,000 per student to Rs. 15,000 collections for smart boards and digital classrooms, parents say more..

Mar 7 (DM) SL Govt facing multiple issues that have stemmed from the missile attack by US and Israeli forces on Iran on Feb 28 and the latter’s retaliation targeting Israel and the US bases in nine countries in the Middle East that has now grown into a regional war. It was the US and Israel that started the attacks while the negotiations between the US and Iranian representatives in Oman on the Iranian nuclear programme were ongoing. The two countries did the same in June last year as well while more..

Mar 7 (CT) Second anniversaries of the Prez and Parliamentary polls are fast approaching. A major promise by NPP was the eradication of corruption and waste. The opposition has set about taunting the Govt for its failure to rope in the major perpetrators, and has only trapped some sprats, while the major sharks are romping around. This is not fair and the Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake has plausibly explained that 75* years of laxity and nurture of criminals cannot be cleared in just 2 years. more..