Mar 17 (FT) Former Ceylon Petroleum Corporation Chairman Mohamed Uvais has urged the Govt to consider reducing fuel taxes to help stabilise prices as global oil markets face mounting uncertainty. Uvais warned that disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz could worsen if another key shipping route between Yemen and the African continent is also affected. He noted that Sri Lanka, which imports all of its petroleum requirements, remains highly exposed to global supply shocks. more..

Mar 17 (FT) Ceylon Chamber of Commerce said that it has made several recommendations to the Govt to urgently address the economic risks from the escalating Middle East Crisis. Chamber said: The evolving global situation and the escalating conflict in the Middle East requires coordinated measures to safeguard economic stability. The Ceylon Chamber remains ready to work with the Government in addressing potential economic risks and has outlined detailed policy recommendations. more..

Mar 17 (DM) Sri Lanka is actively pivoting towards high-value, experiential travel by heavily promoting its untapped marine tourism sector, with a strategic focus on shipwreck diving. Recognising the growing global demand for immersive and sustainable underwater experiences, the local tourism authorities and SL Navy have partnered to showcase the island’s rich maritime heritage to the adventure seekers and more..

Mar 17 (FT) Consumer Sentiment Index, done by Prosoft Research and Insights, has declined slightly to 86 in Feb 2026, down from 89 in January. Despite the rapid recovery in consumer sentiment observed in Dec 2025 and Jan 2026 following Ditwah, the decline in February could indicate a renewed fluctuation in sentiment. After the strong recovery seen in Dec and Jan, consumer sentiment in February appears to have been negatively affected by remaining gaps in recovery efforts, more..

Mar 17 (DM) SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa charged that instead of increasing fuel prices, the govt should reduce alleged commissions and inefficiencies if there is no corruption at present, and provide relief to the public. He said that in the past ministers were accused of earning large commissions from fuel transactions, and if such practices have stopped now, the benefit should be passed on to the people by lowering prices. He said the govt should have introduced the fuel QR system much earlier more..

Mar 17 (FT) Sri Lanka’s inbound tour operators yesterday said the tourism industry is experiencing noticeable cancellations due to the Mideast crisis and warned that the country must urgently pivot its strategy towards alternative regional markets. SLAITO said authorities should focus on strengthening connectivity with non-conflict regional destinations to sustain tourist arrivals during the ongoing geopolitical uncertainty. more..

Mar 17 (Island) The CID has recorded statements from the Vice-Chancellor and the Registrar of the University of Jaffna regarding ongoing investigation into Independence Day protests by students where the national flag was lowered and a black flag raised in its place. Officers from the CID visited the university recently to question and record their statements. Earlier, University Grants Commission (UGC) instructed the university administration to conduct an inquiry into the incident. more..

Mar 17 (Island) Today marks the 30th anniversary of SL’s unforgettable World Cup triumph. Ask any Sri Lankan where they were on the 17th March 1996 and chances are they will recall it in vivid detail. It was a red-letter day for a small island nation that punched above its weight, became world champions and changed the course of its cricket forever. ‎‎It had been a crazy, turbulent month. Central Bank bombing had shaken the country to its core, crippling the economy and casting a shadow over more..

Mar 17 (FT) SL Association of Manufacturers and Exporters of Rubber Products (SLAMERP) recently celebrated its 40th Anniversary, marking four decades of contribution to the growth and global recognition of Sri Lanka’s value-added rubber products industry. The commemorative event brought together key industry leaders, Govt officials, and stakeholders to reflect on the association’s journey since its establishment in 1986. Over the past four decades, SLAMERP has evolved from more..

Mar 17 (ST) A foreign company has been contracted to tow the Iranian naval vessel IRIS Bushehr to Trincomalee, Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath said. The vessel was supposed to have been moved to Trincomalee harbour last week but has continued to remain at the outer anchorage of the Colombo port after having developed engine trouble. The IRIS Bushehr weighs over 5000 tonnes and also contains some 2000 tonnes of fuel, Minister Herath said, adding that due to engine problems, more..

Mar 17 (ST) Amid assurances of continuing fuel supplies and adequate stocks, public concern has grown over the price increase and the cost of living. CPC Chairman Janaka Rajakaruna and the govt have assured there are no fuel shortages and stocks are adequate for 40 days. Two price revisions came in quick succession. Govt defended the move, saying it was meant to prevent a large margin of increase the next time more..

Mar 17 (ST) Even before the annual March heat had begun to set in, Lankans felt the scorching heat of a distant war strike home with brutal effect on Tuesday when the govt dramatically raised oil prices sky-high despite assuring the public, only last week, that there would be no necessity to increase fuel prices since it had enough stocks to last two months. And, what’s more, to further bolster public confidence, they told the public: Rest assured, there will be no interruption to our oil supply flow, more..

Mar 17 (DM) The SL Govt is apparently preparing for the repercussions of the long-drawn-out war in the West Asia or a war covering other regions as well, as the belligerent parties - the US and Israel on the one hand and Iran on the other - are not showing signs restraints. Despite the leaders of the govt having assured that the country has oil stocks sufficient for the next six weeks, the authorities increased the price apparently to cover the future spiraling price hikes in the world market due to the main war more..

Mar 17 (Island) The escalating conflict in the Middle East is of such magnitude, with loss of life, destruction of cities, and global energy shortages, that it is diverting attention worldwide and in SL, from other serious problems. Barely four months ago SL experienced a cyclone of epic proportions that caused torrential rains, accompanied by floods and landslides. Immediate displacement exceeded one million people, though the number of deaths was about 640, with 200 others reported missing. more..

Mar 17 (TM) Over a week has passed since the sinking of the Iranian naval vessel IRIS Dena off the coast of Galle. While both the Sri Lankan and Indian authorities have been silent on the matter, in the past several days US President Donald Trump has commented on this incident. Speaking to reporters, Trump outlined that when he questioned his generals as to why they killed the sailors rather than capture them, the response was, Sir, it’s a lot more fun. more..

Mar 17 (TM) The ongoing military action against Iran by allies Israel and the United States came close to home in the first week of March, with a US Navy submarine torpedoing an Iranian warship, the IRIS Dena, outside SL’s territorial waters on 4 March. The torpedo also sank SL’s laidback attitude to geopolitics, thrusting the Govt into its first serious foreign policy test, especially with another Iranian warship seeking refuge at the Colombo Port. more..

Mar 17 (GV) The current global energy landscape is shaped by two major geopolitical conflicts: Russia-Ukraine war, which began in 2022, and the Iran-Israel conflict that has recently escalated again in the Middle East. Both conflicts have significant implications for global energy systems, affecting supply routes, production & prices. Iran-Israel conflict threatens not only the Middle East but the entire global energy system. Days after the latest escalation, oil prices in SL began to rise more..

Mar 17 (DM) The US is well known for many things, among them is the under-17s indulging in violence, including murder and mass shootings. Children are increasingly ill-mannered, whiny, selfish, arrogant, rude, defiant and violent, according to Psychology Today. Such disgraceful behaviour in young children predicts serious problems later in life, psychologists Jacob Azerrad and Paul Chance say in that journal. “As adolescents, they are more likely to drop out of school, use drugs, engage in delinquency more..

Mar 17 (TM) Sri Lanka is once again attempting to revive offshore oil and gas exploration after several years of stalled progress, with the Govt now moving to hire a consultant to attract int'l investors to explore petroleum reserves believed to lie beneath its territorial waters. In recent months, lawmakers have begun laying the groundwork for a new licensing round centred on the Mannar Basin, including the appointment of more..

Mar 17 (TM) SL’s sudden decision to revive the QR-based fuel rationing system last Sunday has once again reminded the public of the fragile confidence that still surrounds the country’s fuel supply. What was introduced by the Govt as a precautionary measure to prevent panic buying and stockpiling quickly triggered the very anxiety it sought to control. The move came in response to the tensions in the ME, which immediately raised fears of possible disruptions to global energy supplies. more..

Mar 17 (Island) US President Donald Trump and Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu prematurely claimed victory in their war on Iran immediately after killing Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and inflicting heavy damage on the Iranian military bases and economic nerve centres. Trump even snubbed UK PM Keir Starmer, when the latter decided to send a warship to the Gulf region belatedly; he said the US and Israel had already won the war and therefore he did not need British help. more..

Mar 16 (DM) Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has issued a circular instructing judges to make use of online or virtual platforms wherever feasible, particularly when extending the remand periods of prisoners, in order to help reduce fuel consumption in the country. The circular, which applies to all High Court judges, Judicial Officers and Presidents of Labour Tribunals, provides guidance on the functioning of courts in light of the prevailing fuel rationing introduced by the Govt. more..

Mar 16 (DN) SL’s investment climate has improved under the present Govt, but still requires significant elevation in policy consistency, bureaucratic efficiency and speedy approval of proposals to boost investor confidence, Chinese Ambassador to SL Qi Zhenhong said. He said SL needs One-Stop Shops (OSS) for investment and should fast track the approval process for investment proposals. He highlighted the mechanisms adopted in this regards at Shanghai and added foreign investors more..

Mar 16 (AD) Approximately 133 kg of heroin have been found aboard the multi-day fishing trawler seized by SL Navy in seas south of Dondra, according to Deputy Minister Aruna Jayasekara. The vessel was brought to the Dikkowita Fisheries Harbour a short while ago, where an official inspection was carried out. Upon inspection, a total of six sacks containing 123 packets of heroin weighing 133 kg were found on board more..

Mar 16 (AD) President of the Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association (LPBOA), Gemunu Wijeratne, stated that private passenger buses are currently facing numerous difficulties in obtaining fuel from depots belonging to Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB). He noted that if fuel distribution continues through SLTB depots, the number of buses operating daily could be limited to 50%. Pointing out that there are nearly 13,000 private buses operating across Sri Lanka, more..

Mar 16 (AD) Farmers will be provided with 15 litres of fuel per acre for harvesting and 20 litres per acre for ploughing (land preparation) without the need for a QR code, according to the Commissioner General of the Dept of Agrarian Development, Dhammika Ranatunga. The Department of Agrarian Development has announced that fuel will be supplied to farmers outside the standard QR-based quota system. Ranatunga stated that the CPC has granted its concurrence for this initiative. more..

Mar 16 (AD) The Government has decided to declare Wednesdays of every week as a holiday for government sector employees with effect from March 18, after taking into consideration the current fuel situation in Sri Lanka. The announcement was made by the Commissioner General of Essential Services, who stated that the decision had been taken in view of the prevailing fuel constraints in the country. more..

Mar 16 (EN) Sri Lanka is exploring positioning its capital city as the gaming hub using innovative technology mainly from Chinese firms, the Deputy Tourism Minister said. SL’s gaming and integrated resort sector has rapidly transformed from a fragmented collection of small-scale clubs into a multibillion-dollar engine for high-end tourism. The island nation inaugurated a two-day Global Game Connect (GGC) 2026 summit, which commenced Monday at Cinnamon Life’s City of Dreams, more..

Mar 16 (AD) Chairman of the National Transport Commission (NTC), P. A. Chandrapala, stated that arrangements are being made to provide a weekly fuel quota ranging from 60 to 360 litres for passenger transport buses. He noted that the exact quantity of fuel allocated will be determined based on the distance travelled by each bus. He further stated that until the proposed systematic framework is fully implemented, the fuel requirements of private buses will continue to be supplied through more..

Mar 16 (DM) Power & Energy Ministry said that there would be no power cuts in the country despite the recent increase in diesel prices, dismissing concerns that the higher fuel costs could disrupt electricity generation. Ministry officials said no decision had been taken to impose power cuts at present, stressing that the country currently has adequate fuel supplies to maintain electricity generation. According to officials, sufficient stocks of diesel and furnace oil are being supplied by more..

Mar 16 (DM) Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC) has formally handed over its historical records to the National Archives Dept of SL, placing over a century of the nation’s commercial history into the care of the country’s official custodians of heritage. The historical archive being handed over spans from the CCC’s founding in 1839 to 1973 and includes correspondence, meeting minutes, reports, ledgers and publications that chronicle the development of trade, enterprise and industry in SL. more..