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.

The ongoing T20 World Cup reaches a fever pitch as India and Pakistan meet today at Colombo’s Premadasa Stadium. Both teams have won their first two matches, making this encounter decisive for securing a Super Eight berth. The match follows earlier tensions after Pakistan initially announced a boycott in support of Bangladesh’s non-participation, prompting ICC intervention and a subsequent agreement to proceed as scheduled.

India, the defending champion, enters the match in strong form after defeating the United States and Namibia. Pakistan also arrives unbeaten, with victories over the Netherlands and the United States. India may miss opener Abhishek Sharma due to illness, while Pakistan reports no injuries. Key duels include Kuldeep Yadav versus Babar Azam and Hardik Pandya against Usman Tariq, whose bowling action has drawn attention.

Historically, India has dominated this rivalry, winning 13 of 16 T20 meetings and seven of eight in World Cups. The match carries not only sporting significance but also symbolic weight, reflecting the enduring intensity of the India-Pakistan cricket rivalry.

Former cricketer Michael Clarke has predicted that India will defeat Pakistan in their upcoming World Cup match in Sri Lanka. Writing on February 15, 2026, Clarke said India are in top form while Pakistan are struggling to find consistency. He noted that Pakistan have overcome some off-field issues but argued that these would not help them overcome India’s dominance. According to Clarke, Pakistan can only win if India make mistakes.

Clarke emphasized that the match will not be easy because playing conditions in Sri Lanka differ from those in India. He expects the pitch to offer more turn and slower pace, making high scores unlikely. A total of around 190 runs could be a challenging target, he suggested. The buildup to the India-Pakistan encounter has intensified public interest, with discussions about the match dominating World Cup coverage.

Clarke added that both teams have previously won against each other, but India’s current form gives them the upper hand. The heightened anticipation surrounding the fixture has made it one of the most talked-about contests of the tournament.

Sri Lanka’s capital Colombo has transformed into a cricket festival ahead of the India-Pakistan clash in the ongoing T20 World Cup. The high-voltage match, scheduled for February 15 at the Premadasa Stadium, saw all 35,000 tickets sell out rapidly, reflecting the intensity of fan excitement. Reuters reported that hotel rates, normally between 100 and 150 dollars per night, have surged to as high as 660 dollars, with most rooms fully booked. Airfares from Chennai to Colombo have risen to between 623 and 756 dollars, while Delhi-Colombo flights are up nearly 50 percent, reaching 666 dollars.

According to Colombo travel agencies, bookings spiked immediately after the match venue was confirmed, especially from Indian cities. Nalin Jayasundera, president of Sri Lanka Inbound Tour Operators, said most foreign fans are arriving on all-inclusive packages costing 1,500–2,000 dollars, covering tickets, hotels, and transport. Tourism, Sri Lanka’s third-largest foreign exchange earner, is seeing a boost after recent economic and natural disasters. Tourism chief Buddhika Hewawasam noted that 20 percent of the first 100,000 visitors in ten days came for this match, strengthening Colombo’s confidence as a neutral venue.

Before the first ball is bowled, Sri Lanka appears to be the economic winner, while fans celebrate a cross-border cricket festival of emotion and rivalry.

The much-anticipated India-Pakistan T20 World Cup match, set for February 15 at Colombo’s Premadasa Stadium, faces new uncertainty due to weather concerns. According to a Geo TV report, there is a 65 percent chance of rain on Sunday evening, with thunderstorms expected around 6 p.m. local time. The match is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m., and officials fear that rain could disrupt play.

Under ICC T20 regulations, both teams must play at least five overs each for a result to be declared. If overs are reduced, the DLS method will determine the outcome. As this is a group-stage match, no reserve day has been allocated, meaning that if the game is abandoned, both sides will share points.

Earlier, the fixture itself had been in doubt after Pakistan initially boycotted the match in protest over Bangladesh’s absence from the World Cup. The Pakistan Cricket Board reversed its decision on February 9 following a meeting in Lahore with ICC representatives and Bangladesh Cricket Board president Aminul Islam Bulbul, ending more than a week of uncertainty.

Sri Lanka defeated Oman by 105 runs in a Group B match of the T20 World Cup, securing their second consecutive victory and moving closer to the Super Eight stage. Batting first after losing the toss, Sri Lanka posted 225 for 5 in 20 overs, the highest team total of the tournament so far. Kusal Mendis scored 61 off 45 balls, Pawan Rathnayake hit 60 off 28, and captain Dasun Shanaka added 50 off 20 balls.

In reply, Oman struggled from the start, losing three wickets for 36 runs in the powerplay and finishing at 120 for 9 in 20 overs. Mohammad Nadeem remained unbeaten on 53 from 56 balls, while Wasim Ali contributed 27. For Sri Lanka, Maheesh Theekshana and Dushmantha Chameera took two wickets each. Rathnayake was named Player of the Match.

With this win, Sri Lanka lead Group B with four points and a net run rate of +3.125, followed by Australia and Zimbabwe. Oman and Ireland remain winless after two matches.