Mar 23 (TM) Following US-Israel attacks on Iran and the inability of the attackers to contain conflict, SL is grappling with a familiar difficulty, as the island is once again pushed into a fuel crisis. For many Sri Lankans, the situation seems like an eerie déjà vu, with memories of the foreign currency crisis-induced fuel shortages of the recent past coming to mind. It seems that SL has not learnt from its past or is moving too slowly in doing so. more..

Mar 23 (DM) Tehran has repeatedly caught Washington off guard, launching attacks on U.S.-aligned Arab nations, effectively blocking the Strait of Hormuz, and most recently deploying long-range ballistic missiles with a range of 4,000 kilometers, a stunning setback for U.S. and Israeli military experts, according to their own statements to Wall Street analysts. There is no clear evidence that the CIA or U.S. military intelligence have let down Donald Trump. more..

Mar 23 (GV) Most of the business of the UN are so routine they barely make the news. Like the UN Commission on the Status of Women’s annual vote on Agreed Conclusions. For 30 years, the vote had been a mere formality. Consensus was the name of the game. After extensive deliberations, delegates would agree on a final document. Those member countries with reservations would abstain. Year 2026 was different. At first, normalcy prevailed. After extensive deliberations, member countries more..

Mar 23 (SO) In an interview, Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath outlined how the Govt is seeking to maintain a policy of strict neutrality despite mounting geopolitical pressures. Emphasising principles of non-alignment, impartiality and territorial integrity, he discussed Sri Lanka’s response to recent maritime incidents, its approach to international law, and efforts to diversify trade and strengthen regional cooperation. more..

Mar 23 (ST) The war raging in West Asia and its adverse impact on Sri Lanka was uppermost in the minds of lawmakers as the conflict entered its third week. The war also messed up the House’s agenda for the week, as the govt’s decision to declare Wednesday a holiday for the public sector to conserve fuel forced the Committee on Parliamentary Business to cancel Parliament sittings that had earlier been scheduled for Wednesday (18). Highlighting the extent of the challenges more..

Mar 23 (DM) As tensions rise in the Middle East and global uncertainty becomes the new normal, Sri Lanka once again finds itself watching events unfold with a sense of helplessness. A conflict thousands of miles away begins to push up fuel prices. Shipping routes become uncertain. The cost of living creeps up. And as always, it is the ordinary citizen who feels the pressure first. This is not new. It is a pattern we have lived through time and again. Every global crisis, whether it is a war, more..

Mar 22 (ST) Iran war’s impact on Sri Lanka really hit home last Sunday (15) when the people woke up to the news that the NPP govt had implemented the QR code system for fuel distribution. In the preceding days, govt had been under growing pressure to revert to the QR system owing to the strain on fuel supplies in the midst of the war in West Asia. The system, first introduced under the previous govt of Prez Ranil more..

Mar 22 (ST) The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) effected a sharp fuel price revision from midnight yesterday, marking the second increase in less than two weeks as international oil prices soared. The increase was also the biggest price revision after the country’s economic crisis in the 2022/23 period. Accordingly, the price of a litre of Octane 92 petrol has been increased by Rs 81 from Rs 317 to Rs 398. Octane 95 has been increased by Rs 90 from Rs 365 to Rs 455 per litre. more..

Mar 22 (ST) Uni of Wolverhampton has informed the CID that it had invited former Prez Ranil Wickremesinghe to attend the 2023 graduation ceremony at the university, where his wife Maithree Wickramasinghe was conferred an honorary professorship. The confirmation has been sent in response to a query made by the CID from the university in accordance with an order given by the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court. The university’s vice-chancellor has also informed the CID more..

Mar 22 (AD) CPC has announced a revision of fuel prices, effective from midnight today (21). The price of auto diesel has been increased by Rs. 79 to Rs. 382 per litre, and the price of super diesel has been increased by Rs. 90 to Rs. 443 per litre. Meanwhile, price of petrol 92 octane has also been increased by Rs. 81 to Rs. 398 per litre. The price of kerosene has increased by Rs. 60 to Rs. 255 per litre, and petrol 95 octane more..

Mar 22 (EN) SL is working with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to develop a unified national database for missing persons, aimed at addressing long-standing fragmentation in state records, Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara said. He told parliament that the lack of a credible, consolidated database has been a significant challenge, with information currently scattered across various agencies. “The govt accepts that the absence of a fully credible more..

Mar 22 (NW) Fuel quotas issued under the QR code system have been increased with effect from Saturday night, CPC said. According to the revised allocation, the weekly fuel quota for cars has been increased from 15 litres to 25 litres, while three-wheelers will now receive 20 litres, up from 15 litres. Vans will receive 50 litres, an increase from 40 litres, while lorries will continue to receive only 200 litres under the new revision. Motorcycles will now be allocated 8 litres, up from 5 litres, more..

Mar 22 (AD) A shooting incident has been reported near the Heenwala wildlife outpost in Kirinda, within the boundaries of the Yala National Park. Shooting was carried out by a group that arrived in a motor vehicle earlier today (21). Upon hearing the gunshots, officers stationed at the Heenwala wildlife outpost rushed to the scene; however, police stated that the vehicle had already fled the area by the time they arrived. Police suspect that the shooting was carried out in connection more..

Mar 22 (PMD) Eid-ul-Fitr, celebrated upon the sighting of the new moon following a month of fasting observed by Muslims across the world, is one of the most significant occasions in the Islamic religious calendar. Fasting during Ramadan, which constitutes one of the five pillars of Islam, reflects the importance of distancing oneself from worldly desires and embracing a virtuous way of life founded on sacrifice and self-restraint. The observance of Ramadan conveys a number of profound more..

Mar 22 (TM) The closure of parts of Middle Eastern airspace has prompted preliminary discussions on the potential use of the loss-making Mattala Rajapaksa Int'l Airport (MRIA) as a contingency hub for Gulf carriers. A detailed discussion on the matter is scheduled for tomorrow, following a number of int'l carriers seeking more access to the Bandaranaike Int'l Airport (BIA). Minister Anura Karunathilaka said that airlines such as Qatar Airways, Emirates, more..

Mar 22 (Hindu) Redeveloping the Second World War-era oil tank farms in Trincomalee district is the permanent solution to the energy crisis, Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath said, adding that the govt was taking steps to expedite the project backed by India and the UAE. “Temporary solutions are not sustainable, we need a long-term strategy to deal with oil storage and distribution given the global energy situation,” Mr. Herath said, reiterating his recent Parliament address. more..

Mar 22 (ST) Sri Lanka’s long-troubled fuel sector is once again under scrutiny, as policymakers and energy analysts push for a decisive break from the QR rationing system and loss-making price controls. A new reform model centred on market-driven pricing and targeted cash subsidies is emerging as the most viable path to ensure stability, equity, and fiscal discipline, several energy experts and policy analysts said. This matter was discussed at a high-level meeting chaired by President. more..

Mar 22 (ST) While panic retail selling is often blamed for immediate volatility in the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE), institutional selling, especially by Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs), is often the primary driver of major declines in highly capitalised stocks. Foreigners have steadily been net sellers on the CSE, with net foreign selling exceeding Rs. 51 billion in 2020 and continuing into 2024 and 2025. CSE experienced a significant decline, driven by several factors more..

Mar 22 (SO) French Govt will support SL’s economic recovery through renewed investor interest and by recommencing its Agence Française de Développement (AFD) projects, the Ambassador of France to SL, Rémi Lambert, said in Colombo last week. He said on the sidelines of the Pathfinder Foundation Ambassadors’ Forum, that the early restoration of peace in the Middle East and the continuation of SL’s economic reform process are vital for economy of the country to flourish. more..

Mar 22 (TM) A sharp escalation in global Jet A-1 fuel prices, driven by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, has doubled aviation fuel costs and pushed airfares to nearly twice their previous levels. Deputy Minister Janitha Kodithuwakku confirmed that while prices had surged significantly in the int'l market, SL’s fuel reserves and incoming shipments were expected to maintain uninterrupted operations. more..

Mar 22 (DM) Sri Lanka and Brazil have agreed to significantly enhance bilateral trade, setting an ambitious target of reaching US$1 billion by 2030, following the second round of bilateral political consultations held in Colombo. The high-level discussions took place at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, co-chaired by Ministry Secretary Aruni Ranaraja and Brazil’s Secretary for Asia and the Pacific, Ambassador Susan Kleibank. more..

Mar 22 (ST) The newly elected Executive Committee of Sri Lanka Athletics (SLA) is in the process of completing its administrative transition from the Ministry of Sports, but has already set its sights on more pressing priorities, including athlete welfare, upcoming local and international competitions, and the completion of outstanding documentation, according to Secretary Madhawa Senarath. He said that SLA is now in the process of addressing its core tasks of structuring plans for the athletes more..

Mar 22 (ST) In a significant restructuring of the country’s cricket development setup, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has carried out a sweeping overhaul of its coaching infrastructure at the High Performance Centre (HPC), with a massive reshuffling across roles. The recommendations, which came not from the HPC’s own leadership but directly from the Executive Committee, have seen the same familiar faces being moved around more..

Mar 22 (ST) The 121st Lovers’ Quarrel between traditional rivals Richmond College, Galle and Mahinda College, Galle, ended in a high-scoring draw. Both sides produced commendable batting performances over the three days, ensuring that bowlers had little margin for dominance on a placid surface. On the final day, Mahinda, in reply to Richmond’s first innings total of 315, resumed from their overnight score of 90 for 2 and went on to post an imposing 332 for 9 declared. more..

Mar 22 (ST) The IPL participation of Wanindu Hasaranga, Matheesha Pathirana and Eshan Malinga and in the balance as they are yet to complete their rehabilitation programmes due to injuries. Malinga dislocated his left shoulder during the England series played prior to the T20 World Cup in February and his expected date of return to play is on March 25. He has to go through the mandatory physical performance test to obtain the No Objection Certificate (NOC) required to more..

Mar 22 (SO) As highlighted in our editorial, it is difficult to predict the trajectory of wars once they begin. A war can end in a day (Anglo-Zanzibar War 1896), six-days (Arab-Israeli War of 1967), six years (World War II) or even 100 years (England-France 1337-1453). Russia-Ukraine War is still on, after four years. Israel is still waging war on Gaza, 3 years after the events of Oct 7, 2023. Israel has been involved in quite a few conflicts since its creation out of Palestinian lands in 1948. more..

Mar 22 (Island) Autobiography of Mr. Ranjit Fernando, launched last month, offers a fascinating peek behind the curtain into how a clutch of SL’s finest cricketers were groomed in their formative years. Mr. Fernando was in charge when the SL U-19 side toured Australia in 1984 under the captaincy of Aravinda de Silva, a team that read like a who’s who of future stars, featuring Roshan Mahanama, Asanka Gurusinha and Jerome Jayaratne among others. Aussies had Mark Taylor, Waugh more..

Mar 22 (ST) Bakery Owners’ Association president N.K. Jayawardena explained that he used many ways to reach the ministers and deputy ministers of the govt to create a mechanism to provide fuel for bakeries so they could operate their diesel ovens and power generators. He had first sent letters to both Trade Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe and Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe explaining their plight; more..

Mar 22 (ST) It was near yet far for St. Joseph’s, as St. Peter’s, in pursuit, held on to force a draw in the 92nd Battle of the Saints big match, which concluded at the SSC ground yesterday. The Josephians were cruising while the Peterites were in dire straits at 75 for 5 in their run chase. However, two valuable knocks, including 56 by Joshua Sebastian, who shared two brief but crucial stands of 45 runs for the sixth wicket with Shavidu Silva and 24 runs with skipper Emosh Peterson, more..

Mar 22 (Island) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake is often seen in Parliament, making special statements and long speeches in defence of his govt. It is being argued in some quarters that no other Prez attended Parliament so frequently. This, however, is a moot point. We once commented on Prez Mahinda Rajapaksa’s regular presence in Parliament, asking whether he was trying to remind the Legislature that he was the boss. Why should the Presidents attend and address Parliament regularly? more..

Mar 22 (ST) My dear Mahinda maama and Namal baby, I thought of writing to you when I heard your names being mentioned again in an investigation, due to an affidavit submitted by someone implicated in the Airbus scandal. When will all these people let you get on with your lives and do your usual job of engaging in politics, was my first thought. That, however, is not to be. I suppose that is only to be expected when the person in custody is the former boss of our airline. more..

Mar 22 (CT) Now in its third week and still no end sight, Trump’s Iran’s war is showing a tedious pattern of tragic-comic episodes. The human tragedy continues under relentless aerial assaults in Iran and under both aerial and ground assaults in Lebanon. Israel, now in a hurry to destroy as much it can of its enemy assets before Trump lapses into war withdrawals, is picking its spots at will; three of its latest scalps could not have come at higher echelons of the Iranian regime. more..