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..

Mar 17 (NW) As Sri Lanka marks the 30th anniversary of its historic 1996 Cricket World Cup victory, match-winner Aravinda de Silva has reflected on the pressure, strategy and unique mindset that helped the team secure its first global title. Speaking about the semi-final against India in Calcutta, Aravinda said the atmosphere at the packed Eden Gardens stadium remains one of the most unforgettable experiences of his career. more..

Mar 17 (AD) Most of the issues related to the QR code system used for obtaining fuel have been resolved, Minister Nalinda Jayatissa has stated. Minister noted that owners of vehicles who already had a QR code and whose registration number has not changed can continue to use the same QR code without any problems. However, in cases where a vehicle’s registration number has been updated, provisions were made for the owner to obtain a new QR code and this process has also more..

Mar 17 (FT) Increasing tax revenue is a key plank of the IMF program. Since May 2022 the Govt has introduced new taxes, adjusted rates and significantly expanded the tax net. Number of income tax files has more than tripled, from 333,313 in 2022 to 1,093,134 in 2024, while VAT registrations doubled, from 10,604 to 21,227 in the same period. These measures have produced a sharp increase in collections: tax revenues grew 55% in 2023, a further 25% in 2024. more..

Mar 17 (AD) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake emphasised that each Ministry must have a practical plan in place for fuel conservation, noting that it should be a sustainable, data-driven process that ensures minimal energy consumption. Prez further instructed that a report on this matter be submitted promptly at the ministerial level. Prez issued these instructions while attending a meeting with the committee appointed to oversee more..

Mar 17 (DM) In light of the media coverage concerning ongoing court proceedings in Sri Lanka related to allegations of financial fraud involving the use of Binance accounts by certain individuals, Binance, an Abu Dhabi Global Markets licensed exchange with a fully KYC-ed user base globally, said these allegations pertain solely to the actions of specific parties. The statement said Binance takes action alongside law enforcement to combat fraudulent or illegal activities and more..

Mar 17 (AD) The Ministry of Education stated that, as govt schools are closed on Wednesdays which have been declared as public holidays, a request has been made for government-approved private schools to also remain closed on those days. Accordingly, govt-approved private schools have been notified to close on Wednesdays. Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Nalaka Kaluwewa, further stated that a request has been made for int'l schools to follow the same procedure. more..

Mar 17 (AD) The final provincial public consultation session for verbal submissions on the proposal submitted by the CEB to revise electricity tariffs for the second quarter of 2026 will be held in Colombo tomorrow by the Public Utilities Commission of SL (PUCSL). The session is scheduled to take place at the BMICH (Levender Hall) from 8.30 a.m. to 4 p.m. PUCSL initiated a series of public consultation sessions on the proposed revision of electricity tariffs for the year 2026, more..

Mar 17 (Island) OzLanka Journalists’ Consortium officially launched its international digital news platform www.ozlankanews.com at a special ceremony held at Cinnamon Life at City of Dreams last weekend. The portal was ceremonially inaugurated by Matthew Duckworth, High Commissioner for Australia in SL in the presence of media professionals, diplomats, and invited guests. Speaking at the launch event Australian High Commissioner in SL told that he needed to more..

Mar 17 (AD) The govt has released the Avurudu Nekath Seettuwa for this year’s Sinhala and Tamil New Year. Accoridngly, Sri Lankans celebrate the dawn of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year on April 14. The New Year, known as Aluth Avurudda in Sinhala, and Puththandu in Tamil, is celebrated by both communities by observing various rituals and customs. According to traditional astrological belief, the Sun completes its movement across more..

Mar 17 (NW) SC ordered that a lawyer practicing in Kekirawa be removed from the roll of attorneys after finding her guilty of violating professional ethics. The court also convicted the lawyer of contempt of court for violating a previous order issued in relation to the same matter. She was sentenced to one year in prison, which was suspended for 5 years. In addition, the court imposed a fine of Rs. 25,000, with a further six-month jail term to be imposed if the fine is not paid. more..

Mar 17 (EN) SL will amend the Colombo Port City regulatory framework to allow passengers arriving from abroad to purchase goods from its duty-free shopping complex on two occasions within 4 days of arrival, minister Nalinda Jayatissa said. Colombo Port City (Guidelines on the Grant of Exemptions or Incentives to Businesses of Strategic Importance – Duty-Free Operations) Regulations No. 1 of 2024 is a regulatory framework under the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Act, No. 11 of 2021. more..

Mar 17 (AD) A total of 134 foreign nationals, including 126 Chinese nationals, four from Myanmar, and four Taiwanese, were arrested during a joint operation conducted by SL Army intelligence units and the Dept of Immigration & Emigration. The suspects were allegedly involved in a large-scale organized online scam ring operating across several guest houses in the A'pura and Mihintale areas. The operation was launched following a tip-off more..

Mar 17 (DM) Public transport services in SL will be limited on Wednesdays declared as govt public holidays, Essential Services Commissioner General Prabath Chandrakeerthi said today. Speaking on the decision, Chandrakeerthi said the move aligns with the closure of government offices and the absence of students from schools on these days. He added that requests have also been made to the private sector to minimize commuting on Wednesdays. Discussions have been held with CCC more..

Mar 17 (AD) Another fuel shipment ordered by Sri Lanka has arrived at the Colombo Port, amid the energy crisis caused by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, Ministry of Ports and Civil Aviation have confirmed. Ministry stated that the fuel ship, Seafrontier, is registered in Hong Kong. According to the Ministry, part of the fuel carried by the ship was offloaded this morning at the Kerawalapitiya fuel storage facility. Another portion of the shipment was delivered this afternoon more..

Mar 17 (FT) The availability and price of fuel is what the war brings to mind. The Govt appears to be addressing availability issues by asking for supplies from Russia and India. It has yet to decide on the affordability problem. India is reported to have obtained Iranian approval for two LNG tankers to cross the strait, possibly in return for repatriating sailors. Sri Lanka has not so far shown it can change or even shape what is happening in the Gulf, though it also has Iranian sailors. more..

Mar 17 (DM) Ella Tourism Zone has been hit owing to the Middle East military conflict, much to the anxiety of thousands of people, who depended on the income from providing services to the foreign tourists. They said that Ella, a main tourist destination in the country, which experiences a heavy influx of tourists during the tourism season, has turned a ghost town in recent times sans tourists. This has been a severe blow on tourist hotels, lodges, restaurants, and more..

Mar 17 (AD) Secretary to Ministry of Education, Nalaka Kaluwewe, has announced that all govt schools will remain closed on Wednesdays due to the ongoing fuel supply crisis. He further stated that this decision was taken in line with the govt’s move to grant leave to public sector employees every Wednesday. Prez emphasized that, in light of the current challenges, measures are being implemented to manage energy efficiently more..

Mar 17 (DM) Minister Eranga Weeraratne has assured the public that all technical obstacles in the newly upgraded QR fuel system will be resolved by today, allowing citizens to obtain fuel without difficulty. He said the govt has introduced the QR code-based fuel distribution system to protect the country’s fuel reserves and ensure uninterrupted supply amid ongoing global political uncertainties. He highlighted that managing fuel consumption has become crucial due to volatile world markets more..

Mar 17 (TM) Some school activities are already affected due to ongoing fuel-related difficulties, Ceylon Teachers’ Union (CTU) President Priyantha Fernando said, warning the situation could disrupt both teachers’ and students’ school attendance if urgent solutions are not introduced. He said many teachers depend on private transport, particularly motorcycles, to travel to school, and the amount of fuel currently available to them is not sufficient for their weekly travel needs. more..

Mar 17 (TM) Deputy Health Minister, Dr. Hansaka Wijemuni, reassuring concerned health trade unions (TUs), said that the fuel quota being issued per week with the quick response (QR) code-based system would be further amended by CPC to accommodate the requirement of various fields of work. Dr. Wijemuni said that a basic circular containing the various fuel quotas allocated under QR code had been issued for the moment. more..

Mar 17 (DM) Sri Lanka has turned to the US for domestic gas purchases instead of depending on the Middle East for supplies, and a shipment that has already been imported is currently stored at anchorage in the Maldives waters due to the lack of sufficient storage facilities in the country, an official said. In SL, the domestic Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) market is dominated by two main retailers- Litro Gas Lanka Limited and LAUGFS Gas PLC. Litro Gas Chairman Channa Gunawardana more..

Mar 17 (DN) Sri Lankan women’s cricketer Harshitha Samarawickrama is among the three ICC Player of the Month nominees list which was released by ICC yesterday. The left hand top order batter Harshitha who successfully performed at the recently concluded Sri Lankan – West Indies women’s ODI series in West Indies has been shortlisted with Pakistan all rounder Fathima Sana and Indian bowler Arundhati Reddy for the ICC women’s Player of the Month award. more..