Mar 27 (DM) A shipment of 38,000 metric tonnes (MT) of petroleum products is scheduled to arrive in Colombo on March 28, following high-level discussions between Sri Lanka and India aimed at addressing recent fuel supply disruptions. The consignment includes 20,000 MT of diesel and 18,000 MT of petrol, and comes in the wake of a telephone conversation held on March 24 between Indian PM Narendra Modi and SL President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. more..

Mar 27 (DM) Two Mobile Mercury Analyzers worth Rs. 1.8 million have been donated to the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) under the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to strengthen consumer safety measures and test mercury levels in cosmetic products, including skin lightening creams. The machines were officially handed over today at the Ministry of Trade in the presence of Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe and CAA Director General Samantha Karunaratne, along with more..

Mar 27 (AD) Sri Lanka’s health authorities have warned that a significant rise in environmental temperatures is currently being experienced, primarily due to a combination of climatic factors. These include the relative proximity of equatorial regions to the sun, increased atmospheric humidity, higher levels of water vapor, and reduced wind speeds, said Dr. Anil Jasinghe, Secretary to the Ministry of Health and Mass Media. more..

Mar 27 (DM) A man was arrested by Chilaw Police following a road accident involving a tricycle driven in a dangerous manner on the Chilaw–Kurunegala road, police said. The accident had occurred on March 22 at around 6.30 p.m. in the Thitthakade area when a tricycle travelling along the road collided with an oncoming car. Investigations by the Traffic Division of the Chilaw Police revealed that the tricycle had been driven without proper permission to use the road. more..

Mar 27 (AD) Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) says a special programme has been implemented to safeguard consumers ahead of the upcoming festive season. CAA Director Asela Bandara stated that these special raids are being carried out from March 20 to April 30. He also stated that the officers of the CAA have been briefed and deployed for relevant duties to safeguard consumers, paying attention to the upcoming festive season and potential market changes due to the ongoing ME conflict. more..

Mar 27 (AD) Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody has been served indictments before the Colombo High Court in connection with allegations of corruption. The indictments were served before Colombo High Court Judge Rashantha Godawela. Minister Jayakody appeared before the court in response to a summons previously issued by the court. Following the serving of indictments, the judge ordered the defendant’s release on more..

Mar 27 (EN) SriLankan Airlines has recorded a boost in revenue following the rollout of a new Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) powered management system, the airline said on Friday. The carrier said it had implemented a next-generation Origin and Destination revenue management platform to automate pricing and inventory. The system uses predictive analytics to offer real-time seat availability, allowing the airline to adjust prices dynamically based on more..

Mar 27 (AD) Lanka Confectionery Manufacturers Association (LCMA) has announced that prices of biscuits, ice cream, chocolate, and other confectionery products will not be increased until May. This was stated by representatives of the association during a discussion held yesterday with the Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe. The meeting was convened to discuss the impact of the ongoing Middle East conflict on the confectionery industry in the country and how decisions taken by more..

Mar 27 (OL) A 43-year-old Czech monk staying as a meditation practitioner at the Bambaragasthalawa Forest Hermitage in the Panama Police Division has died after reportedly being bitten by a leopard. The investigation was launched by Panama Police on the morning of March 26, after the Panama Police Station received a complaint about the monk’s death. The monk had been residing at the Bambaragasthalawa Forest Hermitage as a meditation practitioner at the time of incident. more..

Mar 27 (NF) For years, clean drinking water was not a basic right for hundreds of families in rural SL, it was a daily struggle, a distant hope, and a painful reminder of inequality. Today, that long-standing hardship has been transformed into dignity, security, and renewed hope. Through yet another impactful community-driven initiative by Gammadda, a life-changing solution has reached the people of Naegampaha village, in the Galnewa Divisional Secretariat of the A'pura District. more..

Mar 27 (DM) Despite recent efforts to formalize its gaming industry through a new regulatory authority and aggressive taxation, Sri Lanka is at severe risk of falling behind global competitors due to glaring blind spots in its digital oversight and a lack of technological readiness. International gaming experts speaking at the SPiCE South Asia 2026 conference held in Colombo this week issued a stark warning that local authorities are prioritizing more..

Mar 27 (NW) Embassy of SL in The Hague has announced that an eight‑member delegation, including six tea growers from the Netherlands, Portugal, France, Spain, and Belgium, is visiting SL from 23 to 30 March. The initiative marks a significant step in fostering collaboration between European tea producers and SL’s renowned tea industry. The study and exchange tour is organized by Deirdre Deprettere, founder of Cup of Tea Travel, and Karlijn Dapper, founder of Dapper more..

Mar 27 (AD) Commissioner General of Essential Services, Prabath Chandrakeerthi has requested teachers to suspend all tuition classes held on Wednesdays. However, he clarified that this is not a mandatory order, but rather a request made in light of the current situation. This statement was made in response to inquiries regarding issues that have arisen concerning the conduct of tuition classes on Wednesdays. The govt has recently taken several special decisions aimed at allocating more..

Mar 27 (FT) Colombo Dockyard PLC has delivered the 10th vessel in the Misje Eco Bulker newbuilding series, with Misje EcoBulk AS of Norway Owner Roald Misje naming the vessel Misje Kandy, inspired by the last capital of the SL monarchy as a tribute to Colombo Dockyard, the SL shipbuilder and the local owners’ representative site team. The ceremonial breaking of the milk pot in accordance with the SL traditions by CDPLC more..

Mar 27 (DM) The Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Readiness Team (SLCERT) has conducted a Cyber Safety Awareness Programme for Members of Parliament, aimed at promoting the secure and responsible use of digital technologies in national governance. The programme was organised in response to the growing reliance on digital platforms in policymaking, governance and public communication, highlighting the need for stronger cybersecurity awareness among lawmakers. more..

Mar 27 (NW) The Police have appealed to the public for assistance in locating a Chinese national wanted in connection with the murder of a Chinese woman in Kohuwala on 23 March 2026. According to police, the victim, who was residing on rent in a house at a residential complex in the Kohuwala Police Division, was fatally stabbed with a knife. The Mount Lavinia Division Criminal Investigation Unit has launched an investigation into the crime. The suspect, identified as Wang Huiyin, more..

Mar 27 (NW) Minister Anura Karunathilaka inspected the ongoing construction of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority’s new administrative building, the Maritime Facilitation Centre (MFC). Deputy Minister Janitha Kodithuwakku, Ministry Secretary W.W.S. Mangala, senior officials, SLPA Chairman Parakrama Dissanayake, and Managing Director Ganaka Hemachandra joined the inspection. The new complex is being built at the Colombo Fort Canal Yard premises after several SLPA buildings more..

Mar 27 (AD) Following India’s decision to cut special excise duties on petrol and diesel, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, has urged the govt to do the same on fuel prices here and provide relief to the public. He said the Narendra Modi-led govt has decided to reduce the Special Additional Excise Duty on petrol and completely remove it for diesel in order to cushion the hardship on the Indian consumer. He further stated it is high time for AKD to keep up to his election promise and follow suit. more..

Mar 27 (DM) Supreme Court today held former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella and several top health sector officials accountable for violating the Fundamental Rights of the people over a controversial drug procurement deal that caused serious public harm. Delivering its judgment in a Fundamental Rights petition filed by Transparency International SL, Supreme Court 3-judge-bench comprising Chief Justice more..

Mar 27 (NW) The SLTDA reports that 151,693 tourists arrived in the country between 1st and 25th March. India emerged as the leading source market, contributing 39,424 visitors. UK and the Russia followed with 13,967 and 13,272 tourists, respectively. China ranked fourth with 12,166 arrivals, while Germany brought in 10,523 visitors. Other notable contributors included Australia (8,522), France (7,237), the United States (4,638), Japan (3,915), and Bangladesh (3,432). more..

Mar 27 (AD) The Welfare Benefits Board has issued a notice regarding the publication of the qualified beneficiary list under the second phase of the Aswesuma Welfare Benefits Payment Scheme, as well as the opportunity to submit appeals and objections. Accordingly, the second beneficiary list under the second phase of the Samurdhi Welfare Benefits scheme has been displayed at all Divisional Secretariat offices across the country from today (27), the Board stated. more..

Mar 27 (NW) A peaceful protest was held at Gandhi Park in Batticaloa today, as residents and relatives of victims demanded swift justice following a series of brutal crimes in the area. The demonstration was sparked by the murder of a woman whose body was found in a well in the Kokkadicholai Police Division on March 20, and the attempted murder of another woman who survived a similar attack. Opposition MP Shanakiyan more..

Mar 27 (DM) The National Youth Corps has opened a new modern shooting range at its Weeraketiya Training Center, aiming to improve the sports skills of youth and schoolchildren in Sri Lanka’s Southern Province. The facility was officially opened by Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Sunil Kumara Gamage. The initiative is expected to help develop young athletes and provide opportunities to reach international standards in shooting sports. Several officials attended the event, including more..

Mar 27 (AD) A warm weather advisory has been issued for residents of the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Eastern, North-western, Northern and North-central provinces and in Monaragala district. Accordingly, the heat index, the temperature felt by the human body, is likely to increase up to the ‘Caution Level’ at some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Eastern, North-western, Northern and North-central provinces and in Monaragala districts tomorrow (28). more..

Mar 27 (FT) When Cyclone Ditwah swept across Sri Lanka in November 2025, affecting over 2 million people, it was the latest chapter in a pattern of intensifying climate-related hazards reshaping the island’s risk landscape. Rising temperatures, erratic rainfall and frequent extreme weather events are no longer projections – they are lived realities. Average temperatures in the country could rise by 1.5 to 3.4°C within this century. more..

Mar 27 (FT) From World’s Emptiest to the Gulf’s Lifeboat: How a bold SL Proposal is testing the limits of Mattala (MRIA) amid the great Persian Gulf airspace crisis. In the silence of the world’s emptiest terminal, even birds treat the horizontal stabiliser as a perch. Today, this isolation is being reframed as a wartime lifeboat for the Gulf’s aviation giants. In the heat that blankets southern Sri Lanka, Mattala Rajapaksa Int'l Airport (MRIA)—just 18 km from the Port of Hambantota— more..

Mar 27 (Island) Colombo High Court has issued summons on Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody to appear in court today to serve indictment in a corruption case filed by the CIABOC. Action has been taken under Section 70 of the Bribery Act. The losses suffered by the govt have been estimated at Rs. 8,859,708. National List MP Jayakody is the first NPP minister or politician at any level to be indicted for corruption. more..

Mar 27 (TM) The Govt yesterday signalled the need to import key rice varieties, including samba and keeri samba, as shortages and black market activity threaten supplies ahead of the festive season. Commissioner General of Essential Services (CGES) Prabath Chandrakeerthi said that black market prices have been observed for samba and keeri samba rice, and that even at these inflated prices, the rice varieties are difficult to obtain. He added the Committee on Food Safety, more..

Mar 27 (DM) SL’s hospital system currently has nearly 85,000 beds, but the capacity may not be sufficient to meet future health demands, the Doctors’ Trade Union Alliance for Medical & Civil Rights warned, raising concerns over the growing elderly population and rising number of patients requiring specialized treatment. Chairman of the alliance, Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa, said around half of the hospital beds are in institutions managed by the Central Govt, while the rest are in hospitals more..

Mar 27 (TM) Sustainable Energy Authority (SEA) warned yesterday that if electricity consumption during peak demand hours is not reduced, the cost of electricity generation would continue to increase, and that a rise in electricity tariffs would eventually become unavoidable. SEA Chairperson, Dr. Wijendra Bandara said they are still in the process of assessing the public response to the request made 2 days ago, urging consumers more..

Mar 27 (DM) Sri Lanka is expected to face the EL Nino phenomenon by May this year where a dry spell could occur resulting in severe heat, a climatologist warned. Climatologist Malith Fernando said that Sri Lanka could face the phenomenon by early May this year. “El Nino is actually an index which is to do with heat. Sri Lanka will experience the phenomenon by May if the index exceeds .5 “ he said. “It could prevent the Southwest Monsoon if it becomes active by May” he added. more..

Mar 27 (TM) A delegation of the IMF arrived in the country yesterday, and is to remain in Sri Lanka until 9 April to complete the combined Fifth and Sixth reviews under Sri Lanka’s Extended Fund Facility (EFF) arrangement, as confirmed by IMF Director of Communications Department Julie Kozack. During the visit, the IMF delegation will hold discussions with Sri Lanka authorities on economic policies, and the potential impact of the Middle East conflict on the economy. more..