Mar 10 (AD) Cabinet has granted approval to the proposal to appoint a Committee on Economic Surveillance to review potential economic impacts on Sri Lanka from the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The proposal to establish the committee was presented by the President and received Cabinet approval. The committee will be chaired by Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando, who serves as the Deputy Minister of Finance and more..

Mar 10 (NF) Cabinet has approved an emergency measure to extend visas for tourists who have been unable to leave the country due to widespread flight cancellations across the Middle East since Feb 28. According to the proposal submitted by the Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs, several travellers who were scheduled to depart before the expiry of their visas were stranded after airlines suspended services to the Middle East because of the ongoing regional conflict. more..

Mar 10 (NW) Cabinet has approved a proposal to raise the financial assistance provided to families relocated from high‑risk landslide zones under the resettlement program. According to the govt, currently, each beneficiary family receives up to Rs. 1.6 million to construct a new house. With the latest decision, this amount will be increased to Rs. 2.5 million per house. The proposal was presented by the Prez in his capacity as Minister of Defence, highlighting the need to strengthen support more..

Feb 10 (NW) CIABOC has arrested former DIG of CID Prasad Ranasinghe, in connection with an inquiry into the theft of a valuable archaeological artefact. According to the Commission, investigation concerns the disappearance of a historic moonstone located near the entrance gate of the palace of King Sri Vira Parakrama Narendra Sinha, the last monarch of the Kandyan Kingdom, at the Udawatta archaeological site in Kundasale. Ranasinghe is accused of exerting undue influence to more..

Feb 10 (EN) Cabinet has approved a relief package to support the re-cultivation of export crops — tea, rubber, and coconut — following weather damage in late 2025, minister Nalinda Jayatissa said. Under the new relief scheme, the govt will provide financial assistance to farmers based on the extent of their damaged land. The maximum relief amounts a hectare are as follows: Coconut: Up to 750,000 rupees a hectare; Tea: Up to 500,000 rupees a hectare; Rubber: Up to 400,000 rupees more..

Feb 10 (FT) Tourism sector has crossed the 600,000 visitor mark for 2026, maintaining overall growth momentum despite a sudden slowdown in early March caused by the escalating conflict in the Middle East and widespread disruptions to global aviation routes. During the first eight days of March, SL welcomed 47,646 visitors, reflecting a 30.5% decline compared to the same period in 2025 as flight cancellations, more..

Feb 10 (AD) A group of astrologers has questioned the govt as to why information and data related auspicious times was obtained from them if the Avurudu Nekath Seettuwa, the table of auspicious times for this year’s Sinhala and Tamil New Year, is not to be published. Astrologer Ravishanka Senanayake, addressing the media, claimed that this situation had arisen due to an arbitrary decision made by the Secretary to the Ministry of Cultural Affairs. more..

Feb 10 (NW) National Transport Commission (NTC) states that although diesel prices have increased, there will be no revision of bus fares. Director General of NTC, Nilan Miranda, said that although diesel prices were increased from midnight yesterday, it will not have any impact on bus fare revisions. Therefore, the existing fares will continue as they are, he further noted. CPC increased the price of auto diesel by Rs. 22 per litre and Lanka super diesel by Rs. 24 per litre. more..

Feb 10 (AD) Chairman of the CPC, D.J. Rajakaruna, has requested the public to reduce non-essential travel and use fuel sparingly in order to manage the energy crisis arising from the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East. “This is not a normal situation; it is a very grave condition,” he warned. CPC chairman urged the public to act collectively by reducing non-essential travel, limiting fuel purchases to essential needs, and more..

Feb 10 (Island) Embassy of SL in Bangkok participated in the 59th Red Cross Charity Bazaar, one of Thailand’s major annual fundraising events organised by the Thai Red Cross Society, held from February 26 to March 1 at Siam Paragon in Bangkok. The event was presided over by Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn and attended by members of the diplomatic corps, govt officials, private sector representatives and the public. The charity bazaar serves as a key platform to raise funds more..

Feb 10 (CT) Sprinter Isuru Lakshan has been banned until 30 Oct 2027 for Failure to Submit to Sample Collection, SL Anti-Doping Agency (SLADA) announced. “Former national champion and South Asian junior medallist in the 400m event, Isuru Lakshan, has been sanctioned until 30 Oct 2027 for Failure to Submit to Sample Collection, in accordance with anti-doping regulations. During the period of ineligibility, the athlete is prohibited from participating in any sport related activities, more..

Mar 10 (AD) Ministry of Health states that the Fifth National Oral Health Survey in SL will commence today. Ministry further states that the survey will be conducted until the end of Nov 2026. Survey will be carried out across all districts of the island, with data collection scheduled to take place in selected schools and households. Meanwhile, the Principal Investigator of the National Oral Health Survey, Specialist Dr. Nilantha Ratnayake, has requested the public to extend their cooperation to doctors more..

Mar 10 (AD) The govt of SL was not informed in advance about the strike carried out by the US on an Iranian warship in seas close to Sri Lanka’s maritime boundary. Minister Nalinda Jayatissa stressed that U.S. defense authorities had not issued any prior notification to SL regarding the attack. Minister explained that when two countries are involved in a military confrontation, it is generally unlikely that one country would notify a third country before launching an attack against the other. more..

Mar 10 (Island) Prof. Priyanga Dunusinghe has warned that Sri Lanka could face a catastrophic situation due to a rapid and sharp drop in revenue caused by the escalating Gulf war. Professor in Economics in the Dept of Economics, Uni of Colombo, Dunusinghe said that that drop in remittances from the Middle East, as well as exports, should be examined against the backdrop of runaway oil prices. more..

Mar 10 (FT) Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week SL (MBFW Sri Lanka) has unveiled an ambitious three-year strategic roadmap through 2028, signalling strong institutional confidence in the country’s fashion and creative economy. The announcement confirms key long-term partnerships and provides the market with forward visibility as the platform continues to position Colombo as an emerging creative capital in South Asia. The upcoming editions of MBFW Sri Lanka are scheduled for: more..

Mar 10 (NW) Ministry of Transport, together with Department of Motor Traffic (DMT), today signed an agreement with a new company to restart the printing of vehicle number plates. The agreement was signed by the Commissioner General of the DMT, Secretary of the Ministry of Transport, and the Board of Directors of the relevant private company. Speaking at the occasion, Commissioner General of the DMT, Kamal Amarasinghe, stated that according to the agreement, more..

Mar 10 (AD) The govt has clarified the reasons behind the recent increase in fuel prices despite earlier assurances that sufficient fuel reserves were available in the country. Minister Nalinda Jayatissa claimed that fuel consumption in the country had risen sharply over the past several days, leading to a reduction in existing reserves. As a result, new fuel shipments had to be ordered, which arrived at significantly higher global more..

Mar 10 (NW) President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Monday said the govt aims to build a comfortable, safe, efficient, and reliable public transport system, as 541 new appointments were granted to the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB). The President made these remarks while attending a ceremony at Temple Trees where appointment letters were presented to 199 newly recruited bus drivers and 342 conductors representing all districts of the country. Dissanayake said the govt is currently formulating more..

Mar 10 (FT) On 11 Feb, I joined an executive briefing on the $50 million Sri Lanka Digital Transformation Project, financed by the World Bank and implemented by GovTech Sri Lanka. World Bank Senior Digital Specialist and Task Team Leader for the project Anna Metz spoke at the meeting, as well as GovTech CEO Sanjaya Karunasena, who outlined the Government’s broader digital ambitions. I asked two questions. Despite sustained, and significant issues with sound for more..

Mar 10 (FT) Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) form an integral part of the national and global economy, playing an important role in the circulation of capital and development of the region. In spite of the different criteria for the definition of SMEs, they have generally been defined as non-subsidiary, independent, and autonomous economic entities, where the number of personnel employed is less than a specified number, and they also meet specific criteria for their turnover & balance more..

Mar 10 (AD) The Cabinet has granted approval to the proposal to implement a project for the digitalization of the operational activities of the Right to Information Commission. The Right to Information Commission, which was established under the provisions of the Right to Information Act No. 12 of 2016, examines and comes to decisions for the appeals submitted by the general public. The overall process, including examining the appeals, is being documented due to the limited facilities more..

Mar 10 (TM) SL has enough essential food stocks to last at least one and a half months despite mounting concerns over the escalating Middle East conflict, Deputy Minister R.M. Jayawardhana said. Rice, wheat flour, sugar and dhal are currently available in imported stocks already in the country, while onions, lentils, canned fish and spices sourced largely from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Canada & Australia continue to more..

Mar 10 (NW) Electricity Distribution Lanka (Pvt) Ltd (EDL) has assumed responsibility for electricity distribution functions previously carried out by the CEB, under the power sector reforms introduced through the Electricity Act No. 36 of 2024. In a public notice issued to customers and stakeholders, EDL said the transition forms part of broader reforms aimed at restructuring the country’s electricity sector. According to the notice, EDL has been empowered to implement operational reforms and more..

Mar 10 (EN) As of March 9, 2026, the global energy landscape has been jolted by a sudden and sharp spike in oil prices. With Brent crude surging past $110 a barrel following intensified geopolitical friction in West Asia and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, ripples are being felt across the Indian Ocean. For SL, a nation that has spent the last four years painstakingly climbing out of its worst economic collapse, this external shock is a critical test of its newfound, yet fragile, stability. more..

Mar 10 (FT) Transparency International SL (TISL) yesterday said it has sought information from several public authorities regarding the procurement of coal for the Norochcholai Lakvijaya Coal Power Plant. The requests were submitted to key institutions involved in the procurement, oversight, and handling of coal shipments, including Lanka Coal Company (LCC), Energy Ministry, more..

Mar 10 (DM) Following the closure of Middle Eastern airspace, SriLankan Airlines, the national carrier, has adopted an alternative route through Afghanistan and Azerbaijan for its European destinations, an official said. The airspace in the Middle East mostly remain closed due to the widening conflict that started with the US-Israeli attack on Iran. Iran has fired at US bases in the region, leading to the disruption of flight operations to and through the region. more..

Mar 10 (AD) Civil Aviation Authority of SL (CAASL) has rejected claims circulating on social media regarding the SriLankan Airlines flight UL 1213 that departed from Colombo to Rome. The authority said that the information being shared online is false and without factual basis. According to the statement, flight UL 1213 departed for Rome today with the objective of enabling passengers who had planned and booked travel to Europe and beyond via the Middle East to travel directly to Rome. more..

Mar 10 (DM) Ceylon Planters’ Provident Society (CPPS), one of the first private provident funds established in Sri Lanka, marks its centenary on 10 March 2026 – a hundred years since the Society was officially inaugurated in Kandy to provide members of the planting profession with a secure retirement. What began as a voluntary retirement savings scheme with 331 members in its first year has grown into a robust, legally mandated provident fund serving over 1,700 members today. more..

Mar 10 (DN) Head of the CEB Transformation Task Force, Pubudu Niroshan Hedigalla said today that a total of 2,153 employees of the CEB have applied for the Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS). He told reporters that no employees will lose their jobs after the dissolution of the CEB and that all the employees will be entitled to the facilities and perks enjoyed by them under the CEB. "Only the name of the institution they used to work at will be changed," he said. more..

Mar 10 (AD) The Ceypetco has announced a significant revision of fuel prices effective from midnight today (9) in the wake of rising global fuel prices owing to the Middle East conflict. Accordingly, the price of Auto Diesel has been increased by Rs. 22 to Rs. 303 per litre while Super Diesel has been hiked by Rs. 24 to Rs. 353 per litre. Petrol 92 Octane has been increased by Rs. 24 and Petrol 95 Octane by Rs. 25 more..

Mar 10 (ST) Today will be the final day to witness the special air show and exhibition at the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) Base Ratmalana held in celebration of its 75th anniversary. Offering the public a rare opportunity to witness aerial displays and learn about the country’s aviation capabilities, the programme includes a special aerial display by SLAF aircraft, an exhibition area featuring a series of educational and technological display booths and more. On Friday Prez Anura Kumara more..

Mar 10 (ST) Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation General Ltd (SLICGL) has launched Adventure Plus, the first‑of‑its‑kind personal accident cover designed exclusively for tourists visiting Sri Lanka. Adventure Plus provides medical coverage, accident protection, and emergency evacuation for higher-risk pursuits such as hiking, cycling, water sports, and jungle activities, protection that tourists cannot access through their existing insurance, regardless of provider. more..