Mar 4 (AD) Attorney General informed the Court of Appeal today that the SL Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) has taken a policy decision to refrain from conducting tourism promotion programs specifically targeting the LGBTIQ community in SL. This was conveyed during the hearing of a petition seeking an order to invalidate a letter previously issued by the Chairman of SLTDA to a NGO. Letter in question had granted approval for a project aimed at promoting LGBTQ-centered tourism more..

Mar 4 (NW) Public Utilities Commission of SL (PUCSL) has presented evidence confirming that the coal imported by the govt from South Africa is of poor quality, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said in a special statement today. He noted that the SJB had repeatedly warned the government, the President, and the subject minister about the inferior quality of South African coal. PUCSL’s latest report, comparing Russian and South African coal, has now reaffirmed these concerns, he said. more..

Mar 4 (NW) A discussion was held this morning at the Presidential Secretariat under the leadership of Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake regarding the possible impact on SL’s economy due to the current war situation in the Middle East and the urgent measures that should be taken to manage it. Prez pointed out that although future developments cannot be predicted, continuous attention must be paid to new developments more..

Mar 4 (DM) UNP MP Ravi Karunanayake raised serious concerns over Sri Lanka’s continued below-target inflation, questioning whether official economic indicators reflect the rising cost of living faced by the public. Raising the matter in Parliament, Karunanayake said the Central Bank of SL (CBSL) has submitted several deviation reports confirming that quarterly headline inflation has remained below the lower bound of the 5% target for five consecutive reporting cycles. more..

Mar 4 (AD) Former Minister Ali Sabry has expressed concern over rising tensions in the Middle East, urging restraint and dialogue amid escalating regional instability. Sabry extended his thoughts and prayers to the people of UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Lebanon, and Iran, describing the situation as a deeply troubling moment for the region. He noted that ordinary citizens across these nations are being drawn into a dangerous cycle of war, violence, and insecurity through more..

Mar 4 (DN) India has taken steps to provide research, innovation and technical assistance for the advancement of SL’s digitalization project. Under this, India will support SL-India digital cooperation and SL’s journey towards becoming a regional technology hub. With the aim of further strengthening digital cooperation between SL and India, a delegation including the Deputy Minister Eranga Weeraratne, engaged in a special more..

Mar 4 (Island) Dialog Axiata marks World Hearing Day 2026 by offering free hearing tests throughout March at the Ratmalana Audiology Centre (RAC), reaffirming its commitment to expanding access to hearing care services across SL. Aligned with the 2026 global theme, From communities to classrooms: hearing care for all children, the initiative supports greater awareness of early detection and timely intervention, while making hearing screening services accessible to more..

Mar 4 (EN) Cabinet have approved a proposal to remove cess and non-tariff barriers imposed on 2,634 imported goods in stages, minister Nalinda Jayatissa said. “We will remove the cess on around 2,634 goods in stages through to 2029, while protecting domestic industries,” he said. The phased approach will see the para tariffs removed from 25%, to 50%, upto 100%, he said. Cess is planned to be removed in phases with the aim of ensuring a level playing field for all stakeholders and more..

Mar 4 (Island) Court of Appeal bench, comprising Justice Dhammika Ganepola and Justice Adithya Patabendige, has granted interim relief to Tuk Tuk Rental (Pvt) Ltd, to continue to operate in terms of the existing legal framework, regardless of the declaration that foreigners could not drive three-wheelers on the basis of having international driving permits. The petitioner moved court recently in the wake of Police Headquarters declaration that international driving permit holders more..

Mar 4 (NW) A meeting between PM Harini Amarasuriya and officials of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) was held at the Ministry of Education this week (2), during which ADB officials informed the Prime Minister about the Human Resource Development for Education Project (HRDEP). During this discussion, attention was focused on improving the quality of advanced-level education and curriculum design, strengthening the quality and efficiency of the workforce in the edu sector, more..

Mar 4 (DM) One-week closure of Middle East airspace will deny Sri Lanka US$ 15 million in tourism revenue, as around 30% of arrivals take place through that region, an official said. SL tourism authorities have assessed the possible implications for the tourism industry following the escalation of the war situation in the Middle East after the US and Israel attacked Iran, which retaliated with a barrage of missile strikes more..

Mar 4 (DM) Iranian warship that sank off SL’s southern coast had been attacked by a foreign submarine while it was outside Sri Lankan waters, defense sources confirmed. The frigate IRIS Dena, carrying around 180 crew members, went down about 25 miles south of SL after issuing a distress call at dawn, SL authorities said. At least 101 sailors are reported missing, while 78 others were injured in the incident. During a session in Parliament, Foreign Minister Vajitha Herath confirmed that more..

Mar 4 (Island) Court of Appeal yesterday ordered that a petition filed by former Deputy Secretary General of Parliament, Chaminda Kularatne, seeking the issuance of a writ order to nullify the decision to suspend him without conducting a fair inquiry, be taken up for consideration on 18 March. Petition was taken up yesterday before a bench comprising President of the Court of Appeal Rohantha Abeysuriya and Justice Priyantha Fernando. The petitioner, Chaminda Kularatne, was present more..

Mar 4 (DM) A nationwide survey has found that 71% of women in SL have felt unsafe in public places due to the presence of alcohol users, prompting strong calls for govt intervention. The study, conducted to mark International Women’s Day 2026 by the ADIC, gathered responses from 1,157 women over the age of 15 across all 25 districts. According to the findings, 77% of respondents said they felt most unsafe on public transport, more..

Mar 4 (NW) TPA Leader, MP Mano Ganesan has urged Govt of India to simplify the process of granting Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) status to recent Indian-origin Malaiyaha Tamils living in SL who wish to obtain it. Ganesan also called for restructuring the Ceylon Estate Workers Education Trust (CEWET), which operates under the Indian High Commission in SL, by expanding its mandate to meet the current social and developmental needs of Indian-Origin Tamil Malaiyaha community. more..

Mar 4 (Island) Former Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris, in a letter to Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake, has asked how the NPP govt intends to address the fallout from the ongoing war in the Middle East. Prof. Peiris has requested the Prez to place in the public domain some basic information in respect of the govt’s approach to these troubling issues and enable informed participation by the public. Text of the letter dated 03 March: “I am writing to you, as a former Foreign Minister, more..

Mar 4 (NW) Thirty-two Iranian naval personnel rescued from the distressed warship IRIS Dena off the coast of Galle are currently receiving treatment at the Karapitiya Teaching Hospital, hospital authorities said. Director of the Karapitiya Teaching Hospital, Specialist Dr. S.D.U.M. Ranga told Newswire, one of the patients is in critical condition while seven others have sustained moderate injuries. The remaining patients are reported to have minor injuries. more..

Mar 4 (Island) Govt is in the process of drafting a new Tourism Act to address legal loopholes that currently prevent the prosecution of foreign nationals who engage in unauthorised activities while on tourist visas. Speaking at a certificate awarding ceremony for the Vocational Initiative for Sustainable Ambassadors in Tourism (VISA) project at the Royal Kandyan Hotel, Suranjith Wavita, a member of the Presidential Task Force for Tourism Development, stated that current Tourism Act no. 38 of 2005 more..

Mar 4 (NW) Several bodies suspected to be of the personnel of the Iranian vessel were found, SL Navy spokesman Buddhika Sampath said. “Though it was beyond our waters, it is within our search and rescue region. We are the first responders as per the international obligations,” he said. “We found people floating in the water and rescued them. Later on, we found upon inquiring that they belonged to the Iranian ship. more..

Mar 4 (NW) UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan today received a phone call from SL Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who condemned the blatant Iranian attacks targeting the UAE and several Arab countries. UAE media WAM reported that Pre Dissanayake had further affirmed Sri Lanka’s solidarity with the UAE in the measures it is taking to safeguard its sovereignty, security, territorial integrity, and the safety of its people. more..

Mar 4 (FT) The Northern Gateway Initiative transforms the Northern Province of SL into a strategic economic powerhouse. Govt of India should with the Govt of SL launch the Palk Strait Corridor Excellence Program. This initiative replicates the high-growth, industry-driven models of Southern Indian states to leverage India’s finance and markets, turning the North into a permanent bridge for bilateral prosperity. Northern Province must be reimagined as a Frontier Province, more..

Mar 4 (DM) The bulk of the 15,839 public sector vacancies approved by the Cabinet will be absorbed by the defence and public security sectors, according to details of the latest recruitment drive. The decision follows recommendations by a committee appointed under the leadership of the Secretary to the PM to review the public service recruitment process and prioritise essential vacancies. Out of the total approvals, more..

Mar 4 (AD) The Cabinet has granted approval to provide financial assistance for fertilizers to farmers cultivating paddy fields for the 2026 Yala season. At its meeting held on 2025-08-18, Cabinet granted approval to provide fertilizer subsidies to farmers cultivating paddy lands for the 2025/26 Maha season and decided to continue the programme for the 2026 Yala season as well. Accordingly, the proposal presented by the Minister of Agriculture was approved, providing Rs. 25,000 per hectare more..

Mar 4 (NW) Cabinet has approved the recruitment of 15,839 vacancies across ministries and provincial councils, following recommendations made by a committee appointed under the leadership of the Secretary to the PM to review the public service recruitment process. The committee, established with Cabinet approval on 30 Dec 2024, was tasked with identifying needs, priorities, and timelines for essential recruitments. Requests submitted by ministries to fill vacancies in departments more..

Mar 4 (DM) When the case against former Colombo Division DIG Udith Liyanage, his wife and seven others for attempting to dig up a treasure and aiding and abetting it was taken up before Anuradhapura Magistrate Siyapath Wickremeratne, the former DIG’s wife and seven others including an exorcist who pleaded guilty were fined Rs.100, 000 each. However, the other two suspects, former DIG Udith Liyanage and a soldier Pathmasiri Disanayake who pleaded not guilty were further remanded. more..

Mar 4 (FT) Little girls died first. Over a hundred of them. Felled by a missile on a warm sunny morning. On the first day of Israel-America’s illegal war against Iran. The Shajareh Tayyebeh elementary school in Minab was hit by an Israeli/American missile on 28 February. There were 170 students in the school that morning. 108 of them were killed, girls aged between seven and twelve. UNESCO condemned the massacre as a grave violation of international humanitarian law. more..

Mar 4 (FT) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday assured Parliament that SL has sufficient fuel stocks at present, despite the escalating conflict in the Middle East, and outlined a schedule of incoming shipments to ensure uninterrupted supply. Addressing the House, the Prez said diesel stocks are adequate for 33 days under prevailing consumption levels, while petrol inventories are sufficient for 28 days. more..

Mar 4 (DM) Israel–Iran war has entered its fourth day with sustained air strikes, expanding missile exchanges and mounting casualties across the Middle East, as the conflict widens into a regional crisis with global economic consequences. The confrontation began with coordinated United States–Israeli strikes on Iranian military, nuclear and leadership targets on Saturday. Tehran responded with waves of ballistic missiles and drones targeting Israel/US military facilities across the Gulf, more..

Mar 4 (NW) Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) has strongly denounced the recent attacks carried out by the US and Israel against Iran, describing them as violations of international law and conventions. In a statement, the party said the strikes were launched under the contested claim of nuclear threats, despite ongoing diplomatic engagement and without credible evidence. It noted that this was the second time military aggression had occurred, even as negotiations continued. more..

Mar 4 (FT) SL’s tourism industry has stormed into 2026 with record-breaking momentum, welcoming 279,328 visitors in February, whilst recording the highest monthly arrival figure ever in the country’s history. The figure surpasses the previous highest monthly figure of 253,169 recorded in Dec 2018 and edges past 252,033 in Feb 2019 as well as 277,327 arrivals in Jan 2026, which were boosted by the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup more..

Mar 4 (AD) The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has raised concerns over rising energy prices and disruptions to global trade following the escalating conflict in the Middle East, warning that the situation could intensify uncertainties in the global economy. In a statement published on its website on Tuesday, the Washington-based global financial institution said it is closely monitoring developments in the region as tensions involving the US, Israel and Iran continue to escalate. more..

Mar 4 (Island) Sri Lanka’s export sector is bracing for fresh turbulence as the escalating conflict involving Iran and parts of the Middle East begins to send shockwaves through global trade, shipping and energy markets. Though geographically distant from the conflict zone, SL’s exporters are far from insulated. Industry leaders warn that higher freight costs, rising oil prices and increased trade risks could erode margins and disrupt key markets if hostilities intensify. more..