Mar 12 (DM) With the aim of safeguarding the mobility rights of persons with disabilities who have so far received little attention within SL’s public transport system, Ministry of Transport and Highways together with the Clean SL programme will launch a dedicated priority bus service next month for persons with disabilities. The programme is being implemented in line with the govt’s vision of building a country that guarantees equal opportunities and protects human dignity for all. more..

Mar 12 (NW) Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa convened an urgent meeting with foreign policy experts, former diplomatic officials and academics to discuss the national security and economic implications of the escalating crisis in the Middle East. During the discussion, Premadasa noted that SL is still navigating a fragile recovery following the damage caused by Cyclone Ditwah, which he said resulted in economic losses exceeding USD 4.1 billion and affected nearly four percent of the country’s GDP. more..

Mar 12 (TM) The food industry is reeling in the wake of the recent fuel and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) price hikes, with businesses grappling to contain the fallout. Food industry associations across the country are actively taking measures to address the situation, The Daily Morning learns. President of All Ceylon Canteen Owners' Association, Harshana Rukshan, announced that canteens across the country would see a price hike starting today. more..

Mar 12 (FT) Leaders of several Opposition parties met in Colombo yesterday under the theme Protecting Democracy, Rule of Law and the Sovereignty of the People, amid calls for greater coordination among political groups outside Govt. In a message sent to the gathering, former Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe said Opposition parties must work together to address the challenges currently facing the country, noting that unity was essential if the Opposition was to succeed. more..

Mar 12 (AD) Former Prez Mahinda Rajapaksa stated that the ongoing conflict in the Middle East could have a significant impact on the future of SL. He made these remarks while speaking to journalists following the unveiling ceremony of the newly constructed sacred pinnacle of the Noble Stupa at the Siri Mangalaramaya Viharaya in Akurugoda, Tissamaharama. Former Prez Rajapaksa raised several concerns regarding the current political climate in the country and global situation more..

Mar 12 (TM) The Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) has launched round-the-clock monitoring operations in the Southern coastal area to assess any potential damage to the Ocean and marine life following the incidents of the country receiving two Iranian vessels within Sri Lanka’s search and rescue region. The surveillance, which has been in effect since 7 March, includes deep-sea inspections and diving exercises near coral reefs to evaluate adverse impacts. more..

Mar 12 (DM) A 15-year-old student of Royal College Colombo was seriously injured after falling from a three-storey building on the school premises last morning, police said. The incident occurred around 7:15 a.m, police said. The student, a resident of Hokandara, reportedly attempted to enter a closed classroom on the upper floor of the building through a window. Preliminary investigations revealed that the classroom had been locked at the time as many students had left to join a motorcade more..

Mar 12 (AD) Sri Lanka’s Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa stated that the opposition is hoping to propose a new initiative titled PSOP (Peace, Stability, Order and Prosperity) aimed at promoting regional and global peace while addressing key socio-economic challenges. Speaking in an exclusive interview with India Today, Premadasa emphasized the need for international cooperation and a renewed global approach to maintain stability amid growing geopolitical tensions. more..

Mar 12 (NW) Recently imported coal has not caused any damage to the machinery at the Lakvijaya Coal Power Plant in Norochcholai, Chairman of the COPE, MP Nishantha Samaraweera said. He noted that the plant is operating properly, and although there has been some reduction in electricity generation, it does not pose a problem for the country’s current energy needs. MP further stated that the plant has sufficient coal stocks for future requirements, more..

Mar 12 (DM) BYD, in partnership with its authorised distributor John Keells CG Auto (JKCG Auto), officially launched the BYD SEALION 8 on March 10. Unveiled at a special launch event held at the Cinnamon Lakeside, the SEALION 8 launch marks the arrival of BYD’s flagship seven-seat plug-in hybrid electric SUV to the local market. Notably, Sri Lanka is among the first countries in the world to introduce the model, including the high-performance DM-p (Dual Mode Performance) variant. more..

Mar 12 (AD) Sri Lanka has been endorsed for a project under the Kunming Biodiversity Fund (KBF), positioning the country among the first globally to move into large-scale implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. The milestone marks a significant step in translating global biodiversity commitments into coordinated national action. KBF project proposal was formally signed by Mr. K.R. Uduwawala, Secretary, Ministry of Environment, and Mr. Vimlendra Sharan, more..

Mar 12 (AD) More than 200 new buses are scheduled to be integrated into the Sisu Sariya school transport service this year as part of efforts to further streamline the service. This was confirmed by Deputy Minister Madhura Seneviratne, along with officials of the National Transport Commission (NTC). Sisu Sariya bus service is jointly implemented by Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education and Ministry of Transport. more..

Mar 12 (EN) Sri Lanka Parliament’s committee on high posts has approved the appointments of 10 new envoys. The Committee on High Posts approved: Dharshana M Perera as high commissioner-designate to Malaysia. Dhammika Fernando as high commissioner-designate of Sri Lanka to Kenya. D M S P Dassanayake as ambassador and permanent representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations in Geneva. Dayani Mendis as ambassador and permanent representative-designate of Sri Lanka to Austria. more..

Mar 12 (AD) Minister of Science and Technology Prof. Chrishantha Abeysena and MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam participated in the Open Govt Partnership Regional Learning Exchange Roundtable held in Bangkok, Thailand. The special international conference was organized by the Westminster Foundation for Democracy of the UK. The event was attended by senior policymakers and representatives from SL, Indonesia, Maldives, and Thailand, Ministry of Science and Technology stated. more..

Mar 12 (AD) ​PM Dr. Harini Amarasuriya who was on an official visit to Manila, Philippines following the invitation of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), has returned to SL. She landed at the BIA, last night. During her visit, PM delivered a keynote address at the International Women’s Day event hosted at the ADB Headquarters in Manila. On the sidelines of the event, the PM also held bilateral meetings with several Ministers of the Govt of the Philippines to further strengthen cooperation more..

Mar 12 (DM) ​Sri Lanka’s ambitions to transform into a vibrant regional economic hub would remain stunted unless the current capital restrictions and exchange controls are systematically rolled back, former CB Governor Dr. Indrajit Coomaraswamy warned. He emphasised that while the country has made painful but necessary strides in macroeconomic stabilisation, these foundational improvements must now translate into a more open financial architecture. more..

Mar 12 (AD) The value of the stock of narcotics seized from the two intercepted trawlers in seas off the Southern coast is estimated to be Rs. 10 billion, Deputy Minister Aruna Jayasekara confirmed. The two multi-day fishing trawlers suspected of transporting narcotics and weapons were brought to Dikkowita Harbour today after being seized by the SL Navy in international waters. Deputy Minister said the seizure was the result of a carefully planned operation. more..

Mar 12 (AM) A woman has filed a petition in the Colombo District Court seeking a legal declaration that SL cricketer Chamika Karunaratne is the father of her child. The petitioner, Sewwandi Senadheera, has requested the court to recognise Karunaratne as the father of her minor son, Aryan Karunaratne, who was born on 29 Sept 2025. She has also sought an order directing the issuance of a birth certificate confirming the child’s paternity and a court directive for a DNA test to establish the claim. more..

Mar 12 (DM) A gazette has been issued officially enacting new legislation that introduces severe penalties—including the death penalty and life imprisonment—for drug-related crimes committed on the high seas. The Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Act, No. 7 of 2026, was passed by the Parliament of Sri Lanka and published as a supplement to the Gazette on March 6, 2026, strengthening the country’s fight against international maritime drug smuggling. more..

Mar 12 (DM) In a bid to ward off a possible fuel-related crisis due to the widening conflict in the Gulf, the govt, through the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC), is in talks with India and China for oil purchases, an official said. Oil prices reached almost US $120 a barrel on Monday amid fears that the conflict would cause lengthy disruption to energy supplies from the Middle East, but dropped back to around $93 yesterday. more..

Mar 12 (NW) Four former and current officials of the Department of Motor Transport (DMT), who were arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption, have been remanded after being produced before the court. Considering the facts presented regarding further investigations into the suspects, Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama ordered that the four suspects be remanded until 20th March. It is reported that these arrests were made following more..

Mar 12 (DM) A Fundamental Rights petition filed by Attorney-at-Law Achala Seneviratne, challenging the alleged failure on the part of the police to conduct a fair investigation into several complaints she made regarding interference with her professional duties, has been dismissed by the Supreme Court. While dismissing the application, the Supreme Court observed that it was unable to find that the conduct of the respondent parties amounted to unequal treatment under Article 12(1) or more..

Mar 12 (FT) Recent news that SL’s official foreign reserves have increased to around $7 billion has been widely presented as a sign of economic recovery. In many ways, it is. Rebuilding of reserves after the severe depletion experienced during the SL Economic Crisis represents an important step toward restoring macroeconomic stability and rebuilding external confidence. Yet when placed in a broader international context, the number itself also reveals the limits of SL’s financial buffer. more..

Mar 12 (FT) There can be no auspicious moment to celebrate life, foster humanity and work towards peace or prosperity. Sadly, we live in times where the energies of violence unleashed have sent tremors of anxiety and foreboding to all corners of the world even as they maim, kill and destroy. One can only hope that sanity will soon prevail and that there will be a cessation of hostilities before more innocent lives are lost. In moments such as this the world would do well to remember that more..

Mar 12 (NF) Former Director of the State Intelligence Service, Retired Major General Suresh Salley, who is currently detained under the PTA, is facing allegations that are directly connected to the Easter Sunday attacks, Colombo Fort Magistrate Isuru Neththikumara stated. He noted that these matters do not relate to dereliction of duty or any other unrelated issues, but concern direct links to Easter Sunday bombings. more..

Mar 12 (AD) LAUGFS Gas PLC has announced an increase of domestic LPG cylinder refill prices with effect from midnight today (11). Accordingly, the price of a 12.5 kg domestic LPG cylinder has been increased by Rs. 300, raising the new price in the Colombo District to Rs. 4,630, from the previous price of Rs. 4,330. Meanwhile, the price of a 5 kg LPG cylinder has been increased by Rs. 120, bringing the new price to Rs. 1,862, compared to the previous price of Rs. 1,742. more..

Mar 12 (FT) Economic Monitoring Committee convened on Tuesday to closely monitor the potential economic fallout from the escalating conflict in the Middle East and to assess risks and discuss urgent policy responses. The Committee, established on a Cabinet proposal submitted by Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake, had reviewed the possible impact of the volatile global environment on the country’s economy and explored measures required to stabilise markets and more..

Mar 12 (DN) One-time Power & Energy Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka accused the NPP Govt of having dealt a devastating blow to the country’s energy security and the people’s economy. Speaking to the media in Colombo at a briefing organised by the joint Opposition, Ranawaka said the Public Utilities Commission of SL (PUCSL) has presented a very systematic investigative report on the environmental and financial damage more..

Mar 12 (FT) All Ceylon Bakery Owners Association (ACBOA) has raised concerns over growing difficulties in obtaining key energy sources including diesel, petrol, kerosene, and gas, warning that the situation is affecting bakery operations across the country. ACBOA Chairman N.K. Jayawardena urged the Govt to introduce a mechanism to ensure uninterrupted fuel supplies for the sector. Despite the challenges, Jayawardena said bakery owners do not expect to increase product prices at present. more..

Mar 12 (FT) Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) Chairman Dr. Parakrama Dissanayake convened a special meeting with senior port officials, terminal operators, and representatives of global shipping lines to review measures to ensure uninterrupted operations at the Port of Colombo amid developments in the Middle East. The discussion brought together the authority’s top management with shipping industry stakeholders, including terminal operators, shipping agents, and more..

Mar 12 (DN) Royal College, Colombo and S. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia renew their historic rivalry in the 147th Battle of the Blues, the annual three-day cricket encounter which begins today at the SSC. The match, played for the D.S. Senanayake Shield, carries a proud tradition, and both teams will be eager to produce competitive cricket and push for a decisive result over the three days. Royal, led by Rehan Peiris, field a well-balanced side and appear to hold a slight more..

Mar 12 (FT) Sri Lanka is further strengthening its global trade partnerships in preparation for Sri Lanka Expo 2026, the country’s flagship international trade exhibition scheduled to be held from 18–21 June 2026 at the BMICH. As part of these effort, a high-level delegation led by Minister Sunil Handunneththi, together with Ministry Secretary Thilaka Jayasundara, EDB Chairman and CEO Mangala Wijesinghe held a series of discussions with foreign diplomatic missions in Sri Lanka more..