Mar 5 (DM) Nearly 35,000 new cancer cases and 19,145 cancer-related deaths are reported annually in SL, placing cancer among the leading causes of mortality in the country, according to data published by the National Cancer Control Programme in 2022. Addressing the 78th AGM of SL Cancer Society (SLCS), President of the SLCS, Anoja Karunaratne, said cancer remains a major public health challenge globally as well as in SL, with a significant impact on individuals, families & national health system. more..

Mar 5 (NW) Minister of Fisheries, Ramalingam Chandrasekar, has requested all fishing communities in the country not to engage in fishing activities beyond SL’s maritime boundary. He pointed out that this decision was taken considering the risky situation prevailing within int'l maritime boundaries. Minister made the statement while speaking in Parliament regarding the Iranian warship that was sunk by a US attack and another Iranian vessel currently positioned within SL’s maritime more..

Mar 5 (Island) The final investigation report on the alleged sexual harassment of a female officer, attached to Parliament, was tabled in the House yesterday, with findings concluding that no such harassment had occurred. Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne informed the MPs that the report was presented during yesterday’s sitting and that a copy had been placed in the Parliamentary Library for reference. more..

Mar 5 (Island) Dept of Wildlife Conservation has failed in its management of electric fences erected to curb human–elephant conflict, and the system cannot be treated as a universal remedy, Environmental Scientist Hemantha Withanage said. Withanage charged that many electric fences installed across the country lack scientific planning, proper technical standards and sustained maintenance. “Electric fences are not a cure-all. You cannot resolve human–elephant conflict more..

Mar 5 (FT) There is not a single person who has ever walked in this earth has been spoken well of by everyone. This includes even the great reformers like Gautama Buddha, Prophets Jesus and Mohammed. Each of them had those who envied them, spoke ill of them or disliked them. The world witnessed both mourning and joyous celebrations throughout Iraq on the execution of the Iraqi Prez Saddam Hussein by hanging on 30 Dec 2006. He was convicted of crimes against humanity more..

Mar 5 (AD) The second Iranian vessel is also not currently within SL’s territorial waters, but is located in the Exclusive Economic Zone close to SL’s maritime boundary, according to Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa. Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa revealed that another Iranian ship was positioned near the Port of Colombo. Responding to this, Minister stated that the govt possesses far more info more..

Mar 5 (EN) Sri Lanka is set to establish a new independent regulatory body to oversee the microfinance and moneylending sector, in a bill presented to parliament this week to amend the Microfinance Act No. 06 of 2016, Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Anil Jayantha said. “As you know, even though various efforts were made through the Microfinance Act No. 06 of 2016, it still had been unable to regulate the microfinance industry within those existing frameworks,” more..

Mar 5 (AD) SJB MP Nalin Bandara claims that two coal grinding machines (pulverizers) at the Norochcholai Power Plant have become inoperative. Speaking in Parliament today, the MP alleged that as a result of this one unit of the power plant is currently operating at a reduced capacity. He further noted, “There is a serious situation at the Norochcholai Power Plant. Two coal grinding machines have stopped functioning. Because of this, one plant is operating at a lower capacity. more..

Mar 5 (TM) The NBRO announced that air quality has worsened once again across several parts of SL today. The organization cited wind patterns and pollution originating from South Asian countries as key factors contributing to the current conditions. This morning, Chilaw recorded the highest Air Quality Index (AQI) at 167, significantly above the safe threshold of below 50. Other areas experiencing elevated pollution levels include Battaramulla (AQI 160), Galle (AQI 154), more..

Mar 5 (FT) When the United and Israel flex their military muscles against Iran, the world divides itself with practised precision: those who exclaim, About time! – and those who sigh... Not again? The question ricocheting from Washington to Wellawatte is disarmingly simple: Does Iran have a nuclear weapons program? Or is it the ghost of another question that haunted us not so long ago: Did Iraq have weapons of mass destruction? We know how that blockbuster ended: more..

Mar 5 (TM) Sri Lanka’s ambitions for stability, economic progress, and its longstanding diplomatic push to see the Indian Ocean Region remain a Zone of Peace faced an unpleasant shock yesterday morning when an Iranian warship sank off the southern coast. International media reports that a US Navy submarine torpedoed the vessel. The incident brings to Sri Lanka’s doorstep the dynamic war which is being waged by Israel, more..

Feb 5 (DM) As the Israel–Iran conflict enters its fifth day, Sri Lanka is managing growing economic, aviation, diplomatic and security repercussions from the crisis. While geographically distant from the war zone, Sri Lanka’s strong labour, tourism, trade and aviation ties with the Middle East mean developments in the region are producing significant ripple effects, from stock market volatility and flight cancellations to maritime rescue operations in Sri Lankan waters. more..

Feb 5 (DM) Israel–Iran war has entered its fifth day with sustained air strikes, expanding missile exchanges and mounting casualties across the Middle East, as the conflict widens into a regional crisis with global economic consequences. The confrontation began with coordinated US–Israeli strikes on Iranian military, nuclear and leadership targets on Saturday. Tehran responded with waves of ballistic missiles and drones targeting Israel and US military facilities across the Gulf, more..

Mar 5 (TM) A report by the Public Utilities Commission of SL (PUCSL) has revealed that the use of recently imported coal at the Lakvijaya Power Plant in Norochcholai led to reduced electricity generation, increased coal consumption, higher fly ash discharge and elevated noxious gas emissions, while creating operational concerns including potential non-compliance with Environmental Protection Licence (EPL) conditions. more..

Mar 5 (FT) Cabinet Spokesperson and Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa yesterday said Sri Lanka must neither serve as an intermediary for hostile interests nor become a victim of the escalating conflict in the Middle East, stressing that the country’s position is firmly anchored in peace and diplomacy. He underscored that Sri Lanka stands ready to support efforts aimed at ending hostilities, whether through formal diplomatic channels or other appropriate interventions. more..

Feb 5 (NW) At least 109 Sri Lankans are stranded at an airport in Saudi Arabia, while another 22 remain stranded at an airport in Oman amid disruptions linked to the conflict in the Middle East, Minister Vijitha Herath said. He said some of those stranded in Oman may have already returned to SL on an Oman Air flight that arrived early Wednesday. Minister said the govt is working in line with security restrictions imposed by the affected countries and safety measures implemented by airlines. more..

Feb 5 (NW) Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath and Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa visited the Iranian Embassy in Colombo on Wednesday to express condolences following recent developments linked to the ongoing conflict in the region. Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath met with the Iranian Ambassador and conveyed SL’s sympathy to the Iranian people, following the reported death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The minister extended his deepest condolences more..

Mar 5 (DM) SL’s corporate sector faces a patchwork of opportunities and risks as the March 2026 conflict in Iran sends shockwaves through global energy markets, shipping routes and domestic financial flows, according to First Capital Research. Ripple effects are already reshaping the business dynamics, presenting short-term gains for some while testing resilience across the board. Shipping disruptions are creating immediate winners. The rerouted vessels increase traffic through more..

Feb 5 (Island) Judge of the SC Justice Kumudini Wickramasinghe has recently presented a stark analysis of the legal profession’s gender disparity, noting that in spite of women entering the legal field in substantial numbers, their representation dwindles at senior levels. She has highlighted critical statistics and the fact that only two women currently serve in the SC, none in the Court of Appeal, and that there has never more..

Mar 5 (FT) Norway State Secretary/Deputy Foreign Minister Andreas Motzfeldt Kravik signalled a push for a modern, forward-looking partnership with Sri Lanka, emphasising stronger trade, maritime cooperation, and green energy collaboration. In an exclusive interview during his two-day official visit, Kravik said the visit was aimed at setting new priorities and revitalising political engagement after several years without a high-level Norwegian delegation. more..

Mar 5 (Island) At its 2026 Social Sustainability Programme Kick-Off, the UN Global Compact Network Sri Lanka convened business leaders to advance the translation of global ambition into practical corporate action on inclusion, integrity and human rights. On 24 Feb, the UN Global Compact Network Sri Lanka (Network Sri Lanka) convened business leaders at Barefoot Garden Café for its 2026 Social Sustainability Programme Kick-Off, delivered in collaboration with Good Life X. more..

Mar 5 (ST) Attorney General has directed the CID to open investigations against persons held responsible by the Presidential Commission for the Easter Sunday attacks. Accordingly, CID has been directed to study the commission’s recommendations and take action. Among those named by the commission are then-Prez Maithripala Sirisena, then-PM Ranil Wickremesinghe, then-defence secretary Hemasiri Fernando, then-IGP Pujith Jayasundara, and then-senior police more..

Mar 5 (TM) SriLankan Airlines informed passengers they are resuming limited operations to the Middle East. Accordingly, flights UL231 (Colombo–Dubai) and UL232 (Dubai–Colombo) operated yesterday, with all necessary safety measures in place, it said. The first flight to resume operations following the suspension caused by the ME conflict departed from BIA on Tuesday afternoon (3), bound for Dubai. Airport officials confirmed that the FitsAir flight 8D 821 took off at 1.20 p.m. for Dubai. more..

Feb 5 (TM) A special discussion was held yesterday at the Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure to assess the impact of the ongoing war situation in the Middle East on SL’s tea industry and to explore measures to safeguard the sector. The meeting, chaired by Minister Samantha Vidyarathna, brought together officials from key institutions and representatives of the tea industry to examine the challenges already emerging more..

Mar 5 (NW) Renovation work at the Pettah Central Bus Stand is progressing rapidly and is expected to be completed within the first two weeks of April, Ministry Of Transport, Highways & Urban Development reports. The project is being carried out under the supervision of the Ministry of Transport, Highways and Urban Development as a key initiative under the national Clean Sri Lanka program. Labour support for the renovation is being provided by the SL Air Force. more..

Mar 5 (CI) Opener Hasini Perera's second T20I fifty, on the back of two wickets apiece by left-arm spinners Sugandika Kumari and Inoka Ranaweera, capped off another strong effort by SL as they beat West Indies by nine wickets to seal the three-match T20I series 2-0. Captain Chamari Athapaththu won the toss and elected to field in Grenada, and much like in the second T20I, the spinners strangled the West Indies batters. Sugandika was introduced into the attack in the third over more..

Mar 5 (ST) Litro Gas Terminal Lanka has moved to stabilise cooking gas supplies amid panic stemming from a shortage of gas from privately held Laugfs Gas. State-owned Litro confirmed that 38,000 metric tonnes of LP gas have been secured to ensure supply throughout March. Chairman of Litro Gas Lanka Channa Gunawardana, said that “28,000 metric tonnes of gas were ordered for February. Continuous supply of new cylinders more..

Mar 5 (FT) PM Dr. Harini Amarasuriya last week emphasised that enhancing energy efficiency is an essential factor in strengthening the country’s economy, and that it is not merely about limiting consumption but about making a distinctive contribution to the national development process. PM made these remarks while addressing the SL National Energy Efficiency Awards Ceremony, organised jointly by the SL Sustainable Energy Authority and the Ministry of Power & Energy, more..

Mar 5 (FT) The Regional Exporters Networking Forum for the Southern Province, organised by the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), was successfully held in Matara recently. The primary objectives of the forum were to identify challenges faced by regional exporters and to explore new export opportunities. Minister Sunil Handunneththi, participated as the Chief Guest, providing exporters with a special opportunity to directly present their issues to the Minister. more..

Mar 5 (NW) President’s Counsel Saliya Pieris has warned that Sri Lanka cannot be under any illusion that it is immune from the ongoing war in the Middle East, stressing that the country’s economy faces both short‑term and long‑term risks from the crisis. He noted that global oil prices have already risen steeply and natural gas production has been restricted, developments that will inevitably affect Sri Lanka in the coming months. Pieris highlighted possible consequences, including more..

Mar 5 (FT) A Bill to amend the Social Security Contribution Levy (SSCL) Act No. 25 of 2022 has been gazetted following the Budget 2026 proposals, introducing several changes including a lower registration threshold and revisions to the levy treatment on motor vehicles, according to a briefing by KPMG Sri Lanka. The Bill was published in the Gazette Extraordinary dated 27 February 2026 and issued on 3 March 2026 by the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development. more..