Mar 4 (DM) One-week closure of Middle East airspace will deny Sri Lanka US$ 15 million in tourism revenue, as around 30% of arrivals take place through that region, an official said. SL tourism authorities have assessed the possible implications for the tourism industry following the escalation of the war situation in the Middle East after the US and Israel attacked Iran, which retaliated with a barrage of missile strikes more..

Mar 4 (DM) Iranian warship that sank off SL’s southern coast had been attacked by a foreign submarine while it was outside Sri Lankan waters, defense sources confirmed. The frigate IRIS Dena, carrying around 180 crew members, went down about 25 miles south of SL after issuing a distress call at dawn, SL authorities said. At least 101 sailors are reported missing, while 78 others were injured in the incident. During a session in Parliament, Foreign Minister Vajitha Herath confirmed that more..

Mar 4 (Island) Court of Appeal yesterday ordered that a petition filed by former Deputy Secretary General of Parliament, Chaminda Kularatne, seeking the issuance of a writ order to nullify the decision to suspend him without conducting a fair inquiry, be taken up for consideration on 18 March. Petition was taken up yesterday before a bench comprising President of the Court of Appeal Rohantha Abeysuriya and Justice Priyantha Fernando. The petitioner, Chaminda Kularatne, was present more..

Mar 4 (DM) A nationwide survey has found that 71% of women in SL have felt unsafe in public places due to the presence of alcohol users, prompting strong calls for govt intervention. The study, conducted to mark International Women’s Day 2026 by the ADIC, gathered responses from 1,157 women over the age of 15 across all 25 districts. According to the findings, 77% of respondents said they felt most unsafe on public transport, more..

Mar 4 (NW) TPA Leader, MP Mano Ganesan has urged Govt of India to simplify the process of granting Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) status to recent Indian-origin Malaiyaha Tamils living in SL who wish to obtain it. Ganesan also called for restructuring the Ceylon Estate Workers Education Trust (CEWET), which operates under the Indian High Commission in SL, by expanding its mandate to meet the current social and developmental needs of Indian-Origin Tamil Malaiyaha community. more..

Mar 4 (Island) Former Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris, in a letter to Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake, has asked how the NPP govt intends to address the fallout from the ongoing war in the Middle East. Prof. Peiris has requested the Prez to place in the public domain some basic information in respect of the govt’s approach to these troubling issues and enable informed participation by the public. Text of the letter dated 03 March: “I am writing to you, as a former Foreign Minister, more..

Mar 4 (NW) Thirty-two Iranian naval personnel rescued from the distressed warship IRIS Dena off the coast of Galle are currently receiving treatment at the Karapitiya Teaching Hospital, hospital authorities said. Director of the Karapitiya Teaching Hospital, Specialist Dr. S.D.U.M. Ranga told Newswire, one of the patients is in critical condition while seven others have sustained moderate injuries. The remaining patients are reported to have minor injuries. more..

Mar 4 (Island) Govt is in the process of drafting a new Tourism Act to address legal loopholes that currently prevent the prosecution of foreign nationals who engage in unauthorised activities while on tourist visas. Speaking at a certificate awarding ceremony for the Vocational Initiative for Sustainable Ambassadors in Tourism (VISA) project at the Royal Kandyan Hotel, Suranjith Wavita, a member of the Presidential Task Force for Tourism Development, stated that current Tourism Act no. 38 of 2005 more..

Mar 4 (NW) Several bodies suspected to be of the personnel of the Iranian vessel were found, SL Navy spokesman Buddhika Sampath said. “Though it was beyond our waters, it is within our search and rescue region. We are the first responders as per the international obligations,” he said. “We found people floating in the water and rescued them. Later on, we found upon inquiring that they belonged to the Iranian ship. more..

Mar 4 (NW) UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan today received a phone call from SL Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who condemned the blatant Iranian attacks targeting the UAE and several Arab countries. UAE media WAM reported that Pre Dissanayake had further affirmed Sri Lanka’s solidarity with the UAE in the measures it is taking to safeguard its sovereignty, security, territorial integrity, and the safety of its people. more..

Mar 4 (FT) The Northern Gateway Initiative transforms the Northern Province of SL into a strategic economic powerhouse. Govt of India should with the Govt of SL launch the Palk Strait Corridor Excellence Program. This initiative replicates the high-growth, industry-driven models of Southern Indian states to leverage India’s finance and markets, turning the North into a permanent bridge for bilateral prosperity. Northern Province must be reimagined as a Frontier Province, more..

Mar 4 (DM) The bulk of the 15,839 public sector vacancies approved by the Cabinet will be absorbed by the defence and public security sectors, according to details of the latest recruitment drive. The decision follows recommendations by a committee appointed under the leadership of the Secretary to the PM to review the public service recruitment process and prioritise essential vacancies. Out of the total approvals, more..

Mar 4 (AD) The Cabinet has granted approval to provide financial assistance for fertilizers to farmers cultivating paddy fields for the 2026 Yala season. At its meeting held on 2025-08-18, Cabinet granted approval to provide fertilizer subsidies to farmers cultivating paddy lands for the 2025/26 Maha season and decided to continue the programme for the 2026 Yala season as well. Accordingly, the proposal presented by the Minister of Agriculture was approved, providing Rs. 25,000 per hectare more..

Mar 4 (NW) Cabinet has approved the recruitment of 15,839 vacancies across ministries and provincial councils, following recommendations made by a committee appointed under the leadership of the Secretary to the PM to review the public service recruitment process. The committee, established with Cabinet approval on 30 Dec 2024, was tasked with identifying needs, priorities, and timelines for essential recruitments. Requests submitted by ministries to fill vacancies in departments more..

Mar 4 (DM) When the case against former Colombo Division DIG Udith Liyanage, his wife and seven others for attempting to dig up a treasure and aiding and abetting it was taken up before Anuradhapura Magistrate Siyapath Wickremeratne, the former DIG’s wife and seven others including an exorcist who pleaded guilty were fined Rs.100, 000 each. However, the other two suspects, former DIG Udith Liyanage and a soldier Pathmasiri Disanayake who pleaded not guilty were further remanded. more..

Mar 4 (FT) Little girls died first. Over a hundred of them. Felled by a missile on a warm sunny morning. On the first day of Israel-America’s illegal war against Iran. The Shajareh Tayyebeh elementary school in Minab was hit by an Israeli/American missile on 28 February. There were 170 students in the school that morning. 108 of them were killed, girls aged between seven and twelve. UNESCO condemned the massacre as a grave violation of international humanitarian law. more..

Mar 4 (FT) Prez Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday assured Parliament that SL has sufficient fuel stocks at present, despite the escalating conflict in the Middle East, and outlined a schedule of incoming shipments to ensure uninterrupted supply. Addressing the House, the Prez said diesel stocks are adequate for 33 days under prevailing consumption levels, while petrol inventories are sufficient for 28 days. more..

Mar 4 (DM) Israel–Iran war has entered its fourth 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 United States–Israeli strikes on Iranian military, nuclear and leadership targets on Saturday. Tehran responded with waves of ballistic missiles and drones targeting Israel/US military facilities across the Gulf, more..

Mar 4 (NW) Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) has strongly denounced the recent attacks carried out by the US and Israel against Iran, describing them as violations of international law and conventions. In a statement, the party said the strikes were launched under the contested claim of nuclear threats, despite ongoing diplomatic engagement and without credible evidence. It noted that this was the second time military aggression had occurred, even as negotiations continued. more..

Mar 4 (FT) SL’s tourism industry has stormed into 2026 with record-breaking momentum, welcoming 279,328 visitors in February, whilst recording the highest monthly arrival figure ever in the country’s history. The figure surpasses the previous highest monthly figure of 253,169 recorded in Dec 2018 and edges past 252,033 in Feb 2019 as well as 277,327 arrivals in Jan 2026, which were boosted by the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup more..

Mar 4 (AD) The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has raised concerns over rising energy prices and disruptions to global trade following the escalating conflict in the Middle East, warning that the situation could intensify uncertainties in the global economy. In a statement published on its website on Tuesday, the Washington-based global financial institution said it is closely monitoring developments in the region as tensions involving the US, Israel and Iran continue to escalate. more..

Mar 4 (Island) Sri Lanka’s export sector is bracing for fresh turbulence as the escalating conflict involving Iran and parts of the Middle East begins to send shockwaves through global trade, shipping and energy markets. Though geographically distant from the conflict zone, SL’s exporters are far from insulated. Industry leaders warn that higher freight costs, rising oil prices and increased trade risks could erode margins and disrupt key markets if hostilities intensify. more..

Mar 4 (NW) Minister Bimal Rathnayake met with members of the SL community in Rome on March 1 during an official visit to Italy. The minister arrived in Rome to formally convey an invitation from Prez Anura Dissanayake to Pope Leo XIV for an official visit to SL. The invitation is to be extended during a meeting with the Under-Secretary for Relations with States at the Vatican, Monsignor Mihăiţă Blaj. The community meeting, organized by the Rome Executive Committee of the NPP, more..

Mar 4 (NW) Residents and estate workers staged a large protest outside Dickoya Hospital following allegations that three hospital employees had sexually abused the body of a young woman inside the mortuary. The demonstration was triggered by claims that three minor staff members had allegedly entered the mortuary at night and abused the corpse of a woman who reportedly died by suicide last week. Protesters also raised suspicions over the circumstances of the incident, more..

Mar 4 (DM) ​SL’s apparel sector is urgently calling for a level playing field in the global market, prompting the govt to accelerate its pursuit of new free trade agreements (FTAs) and preferential trade agreements (PTAs). Speaking at the official press conference announcing the 15th SL Edition of the Textile Series of Exhibitions in Colombo recently, industry leaders and govt officials outlined the critical hurdles and strategies required to achieve more..

Mar 4 (FT) Market participants’ confidence in SL’s financial system remained positive over the next 12 months, but declined over the medium term, according to Central Bank's latest Systemic Risk Survey for the first half of 2026. The survey was conducted prior to the US Supreme Court’s decision on the Trump administration’s tariff policy and its aftermath. The survey results were released just as the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran which plunged the global economy into uncertainty more..

Mar 4 (NW) Police have arrested a suspect for illegally storing a large stock of diesel at a farm in the Gomarangalla area under the Galenbindunuwewa Police Division. Officers of the Galenbindunuwewa Police conducted a raid on 03 March following information received regarding the illegal storage of fuel. During the operation, Police discovered 10 barrels containing approximately 1,900 litres of diesel that had been stockpiled unlawfully at a livestock farm in the area. more..

Mar 4 (TM) A dispute has emerged between the Education Ministry and the Ceylon Teachers’ Union (CTU) over the issue of schools collecting money from parents, with the union alleging that existing circulars effectively permit the practice despite official assurances to the contrary. The controversy follows the Ministry’s recent statement that there is no need to issue a new circular to prevent schools from collecting funds from parents. However, the CTU claims that two circulars more..

Mar 4 (DN) Renowned Swedish Master Chef and celebrated television personality Per Morberg, together with famous Swedish Master Baker Martin, visited SL on a special culinary and trade mission aimed at strengthening ties between SL and the Nordic region. The duo, who have jointly authored 14 cookery books published in Sweden, are widely respected culinary figures across Scandinavia. During their visit, they entered into a strategic partnership with a SL company to produce more..

Mar 4 (Island) Minister Ananda Wijepala told Parliament that special police intelligence units had been established in every province to detect irregularities and corrupt dealings, involving police officers, and to ensure swift disciplinary action. Minister said the units operating under the Police Special Bureau, were tasked with compiling regular intelligence reports on key officers while monitoring their conduct. more..

Mar 4 (TM) International postal services from SL have been disrupted due to the escalating conflict in the Middle East, with consignments already collected now stranded amid widespread flight cancellations. Postmaster General S.R.W.M.R.P. Sathkumara confirmed that several consignments accepted on 27 Feb remain undelivered as a result of the ongoing crisis in the region. He said the situation in the Middle East has led to restrictions on the dispatch of goods to certain destinations, more..

Mar 4 (DN) SL’s champion javelin thrower Rumesh Tharanga secured another victory in Australia, winning the Hobart Track Classic gold medal with a throw of 80.12m recently. Just two weeks earlier, the 22‑year‑old opened his season with an impressive 83.07m throw to claim the Perth Track Classic title and he has shown his continues form to perform well. With a personal best of 86.50m, Tharanga was among the top 8 at last year’s World C'ships and is currently ranked 9th in the world. more..