Sri Lanka has reinstated fuel rationing and raised fuel prices by about 33 percent following the outbreak of war between the United States, Israel, and Iran on February 28. Iran’s decision to halt most traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for 20 percent of global oil and gas, has severely disrupted supplies to the island nation, which imports 60 percent of its energy needs through the strait. The government has introduced a QR-based rationing system similar to that used during the 2022 economic crisis, limiting weekly fuel allocations for vehicles and implementing a no-work-on-Wednesday policy to conserve fuel.

Officials say the government is absorbing part of the international price increase, resulting in monthly losses of $63 million. Bus fares have risen by more than 12 percent, while liquefied petroleum gas prices are up 8 percent. Negotiations are under way with Russia for fuel imports, and Sri Lanka has declined Iran’s offer due to lack of transport capacity. Experts warn that continued disruption could raise food prices by 15 percent and threaten food security, as fertiliser supplies are also affected.

President Anura Dissanayake’s administration is expanding storage capacity and pursuing agreements with India and the UAE to renovate facilities, but economists caution that the crisis’s duration remains unpredictable.

Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake announced that his country has taken a neutral position regarding the ongoing conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the United States. Speaking in parliament after a meeting with U.S. Ambassador to India Sergio Gor, he dismissed accusations that Sri Lanka was favoring any side in the conflict.

Dissanayake addressed criticism suggesting that Sri Lanka delayed permission for an Iranian ship due to a defense agreement with the United States. He clarified that both Iran and the United States had recently requested permission for their naval vessels to dock in Sri Lankan ports, and the government refused both requests to maintain neutrality.

The president emphasized that rejecting both sides’ requests demonstrated Sri Lanka’s commitment to a balanced foreign policy amid rising regional tensions.

Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake told parliament on Friday, March 20, 2026, that the country had rejected a US request to deploy two fighter jets at a civilian airport in southern Sri Lanka. The United States had sought permission in late February to station the aircraft, equipped with anti-ship missiles, transferred from a base in Djibouti. Dissanayake said the decision was made to maintain Sri Lanka’s neutral stance.

The president also revealed that on the same day, Iran and India had requested permission for three Iranian warships to dock at Colombo Port after completing joint naval exercises. He explained that granting permission to one side would have required allowing the other, so both requests were denied. His statement received applause from the 225-member parliament.

Earlier in March, a US attack near Sri Lanka’s southern coast sank an Iranian warship, killing at least 84 sailors. Sri Lanka’s navy rescued 32 survivors, and another Iranian vessel was later allowed to enter Sri Lankan waters for safety reasons, with 219 sailors currently sheltered in Colombo.

Sri Lankan cricket legend Sanath Jayasuriya has shared a message of interfaith harmony during the holy month of Ramadan. The former national team star joined his Muslim friends in fasting and shared a photo on social media showing him at an iftar table with Farveez Maharoof and others, waiting for the Maghrib call to prayer. The post, made on Tuesday evening, highlighted his long-standing tradition of fasting with friends since his playing days.

Jayasuriya’s gesture received widespread praise on social media, where many described it as a symbol of brotherhood, empathy, and mutual respect. The act was seen as a reflection of how the spirit of Ramadan extends beyond religious rituals to embrace shared humanity and compassion.

Currently involved in coaching, Jayasuriya is awaiting new professional opportunities after leaving his role with the Sri Lankan national team. Reports suggest he may join Bangladesh’s coaching panel, though no official confirmation has been made.

The Sri Lankan government has announced a four-day workweek to save fuel, designating every Wednesday as a public holiday. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said the country must be prepared for difficult times while maintaining hope. Under the new directive, schools and universities will operate four days a week, while essential services such as hospitals, police, and immigration will continue as usual. Wednesday was chosen to avoid a continuous three-day office closure.

The government has also made a national fuel pass mandatory for drivers, setting allocations of 15 liters for private cars and 5 liters for motorcycles. Many citizens have criticized these limits as insufficient. A similar measure was implemented during the 2022 economic crisis. Other Asian countries have also taken steps to address fuel shortages, including Thailand, Myanmar, Bangladesh, the Philippines, and Vietnam.

The global energy crisis has intensified after U.S. and Israeli airstrikes in Iran pushed oil prices to nearly 100 dollars per barrel, further straining regional economies.

A Sri Lankan court has ordered the transfer of 84 bodies of Iranian sailors to the Iranian embassy in Colombo. The sailors were recovered from the Iranian warship IRIS Dena, which sank on March 4 following a reported torpedo strike by a U.S. submarine near Sri Lanka. The incident left 104 crew members dead, while 32 others were rescued by Sri Lankan authorities.

According to Iran’s military website, the bodies of 84 sailors have been identified and will soon be repatriated to Iran. Sri Lankan divers have been unable to locate the remaining 20 missing crew members, whom Iran’s armed forces have described as “immortal.” The Dena frigate had participated in India’s Global Fleet Review 2026 naval exercise in February, just weeks before the conflict began.

Former Indian foreign secretary Kanwal Sibal commented that the tragedy might have been avoided if Iran had not been invited to the exercise, noting that the ships were unarmed under the event’s rules. Iran has warned that the United States will deeply regret the attack.

Sri Lanka has announced plans to issue free one-month visas to Iranian sailors rescued from outside its territorial waters. Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala said the temporary visa arrangement aims to assist the sailors while they await repatriation to Iran. On Saturday, 204 sailors from the Iranian warship IRIS Bushehr were brought to a Sri Lankan naval base after the vessel experienced mechanical failure and sought assistance.

Earlier in the week, the Iranian warship IRIS Dena sank near the Sri Lankan coast following a torpedo attack by a U.S. submarine, killing more than 80 sailors. The Sri Lankan Navy reported rescuing 32 survivors and recovering 87 bodies from the incident. The attack marks the first time since World War II that a warship has been sunk by a submarine torpedo.

Sri Lanka’s decision to provide temporary visas reflects its humanitarian response to the crisis while coordination continues for the sailors’ return to Iran.

Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake announced that the country’s navy rescued 208 crew members from the Iranian ship IRIS Bushehr, which was anchored within Sri Lanka’s exclusive economic zone near Colombo port. The ship had requested permission to enter Sri Lankan waters, and following discussions between the Iranian embassy and the Sri Lankan government, the ship’s captain decided to proceed with the rescue. The rescued personnel include 53 officers, 84 cadets, 48 senior sailors, and 23 sailors, who are being brought to Colombo port before being transferred to the Trincomalee area.

The rescue follows an earlier incident on March 4, when another Iranian vessel, IRIS Dena, was reportedly attacked near Sri Lanka’s coast. The United States claimed responsibility for sinking that ship with a submarine torpedo. Sri Lanka’s navy rescued 32 people from the Dena and admitted them to Galle National Hospital for treatment. Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath later confirmed that 84 bodies had been recovered from the incident, with the remains also taken to the same hospital.

The coordinated rescue operations highlight Sri Lanka’s ongoing maritime response efforts following consecutive Iranian naval incidents near its waters.

An Iranian naval frigate reportedly sank off the coast of Sri Lanka following an attack from a submarine, according to Sri Lankan authorities. The incident occurred early in the morning when the vessel, identified as IRIS Dena, sent a distress signal. Sri Lanka’s navy and air force were deployed to assist in the rescue operation after receiving the alert.

Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath told parliament that the ship had 180 people on board. Thirty injured sailors were rescued and taken to a hospital in Galle port for treatment. Authorities confirmed that 32 people have been located so far, while the fate of the remaining 150 crew members remains uncertain.

Rescue efforts are ongoing as Sri Lankan forces continue to search the area for survivors. Officials have not yet provided details on the source of the submarine attack or the current condition of the wreckage.

An Iranian Navy vessel has reportedly sunk near the coast of Sri Lanka, according to Sri Lankan authorities. After receiving a distress signal from the ship identified as 'IRIS Dena' early in the morning, Sri Lanka deployed naval and air force units to rescue the crew. The vessel had 180 people on board, and 30 injured sailors were rescued and taken to a hospital in the port city of Galle for treatment.

Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Wijitha Herath informed parliament about the incident, confirming the distress signal and the ongoing rescue efforts. The cause of the sinking remains unknown, and no official explanation has been provided by either government.

A member of the opposition in Sri Lanka questioned whether the ship might have been attacked as part of ongoing hostilities involving Iran, the United States, and Israel, but the government did not respond to that query.

Sri Lanka’s World Cup campaign ended in the Super Eight stage after a 61-run defeat to New Zealand at Colombo’s Premadasa Stadium. Despite starting the tournament with three consecutive wins at home, the hosts suffered their third straight loss, becoming the first team to exit the Super Eight. New Zealand, batting first, scored 168 for seven, led by a 47-ball 84-run partnership between captain Mitchell Santner and Cole McConchie. Sri Lanka were bowled out for 107 in reply.

Mahish Theekshana and Dushmantha Chameera each took three wickets for Sri Lanka, while Rachin Ravindra claimed four for 27 for New Zealand and was named player of the match. Kamindu Mendis (31) and Dunith Wellalage (29) offered brief resistance for the hosts but could not prevent a heavy defeat.

With three points from two matches, New Zealand strengthened their position in the semifinal race, while Sri Lanka’s elimination also made Pakistan’s qualification path more difficult.

Sri Lanka’s former intelligence chief, retired Major General Suresh Sallay, has been arrested in connection with the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings that killed around 279 people. According to police sources cited by Al Jazeera, Sallay was detained early morning in a suburban area of the capital. Investigators said he was arrested on charges of aiding and conspiring in the deadly attacks.

Sallay was promoted to head of the State Intelligence Service after Gotabaya Rajapaksa became president in 2019. The Easter Sunday attacks targeted three churches and three luxury hotels, injuring more than 500 people and killing 45 foreign nationals. Initially, a local armed group was blamed, but Sallay later faced allegations of involvement in planning the attacks.

A 2023 report by Britain’s Channel 4 alleged that Sallay met with the attackers and allowed the bombings to proceed to influence that year’s presidential election in favor of Rajapaksa.

Pakistan and New Zealand will open the Super Eights stage of the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup on Saturday, February 21, at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Both teams, considered dark horses for the title, are looking to make a strong start in this crucial phase of the tournament. Pakistan enter the match after a commanding 102-run victory over Namibia that secured their Super Eights berth, while New Zealand finished their group stage with an eight-wicket win against Canada.

Pakistan’s Shadab Khan expressed confidence that his side could go on to win the World Cup, calling their recent performance a sign of progress after earlier setbacks, including a heavy defeat to India. He cautioned, however, that the Super Eights will be tougher, with England and co-hosts Sri Lanka also awaiting Pakistan. New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner is expected to return after illness, with spin likely to play a key role in Colombo’s conditions.

This will be the 50th T20 meeting between the two nations, with Pakistan narrowly leading the head-to-head record 24–23. Both sides hope to establish early momentum in their pursuit of the title.

Sri Lanka’s parliament has voted to abolish pension benefits for its members, fulfilling a key election pledge of the ruling leftist government. The vote took place on Tuesday, with 154 lawmakers supporting the bill and only two opposing it, while the rest were absent. Previously, legislators were entitled to a pension after serving a five-year term. Under the new law, payments to those already receiving or eligible for pensions have also been halted.

The reform follows President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s 2024 election victory, which was based on promises of economic restructuring amid a prolonged financial crisis. Since taking office, Dissanayake has successively removed housing, vehicle, and security privileges for members of parliament. The pension cancellation marks another step in his administration’s effort to reduce state expenses and demonstrate fiscal discipline.

The move is presented as part of the government’s broader plan to overcome the economic crisis and restore public confidence in political accountability.

The much-anticipated India–Pakistan T20 World Cup match, scheduled for this evening, faces fresh uncertainty due to adverse weather conditions. The game is set to begin at 7:30 p.m., with the toss planned for 7 p.m., but the Sri Lankan Meteorological Department has forecast heavy rainfall during that period. A low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal has created a 70 percent chance of rain, raising concerns about whether the match can start on time.

According to forecasts, moderate rain may begin between 6 and 7 p.m., intensifying around the toss. Although the rain may ease later, the time required to make the field playable remains uncertain. If the rain persists, the match could be delayed, shortened, or even abandoned, in which case both teams would receive one point each. Both India and Pakistan currently have four points from two wins, with India leading on net run rate.

Fan excitement remains high, with flight and hotel prices to Colombo soaring. However, all eyes are now on the skies as cricket fans hope the weather allows the marquee contest to proceed as planned.