Colombo — Tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka fell sig

India granted docking permission to Iranian naval vessels following their participation in multinational maritime events earlier this year, even as regional tensions intensified after a United States submarine sank one of the ships in the Indian Ocean. The Iranian vessels IRIS Lavan, IRIS Bushehr and IRIS Dena had taken part in the Milan 2026 multilateral naval exercise and the International Fleet Review held in Visakhapatnam in February, events designed to highlight cooperation among dozens of

India has granted emergency docking permission to an Iranian naval vessel at Kochi and arranged accommodation for its crew after the ship reported technical difficulties, according to government sources. The Iranian vessel, identified as IRIS Lavan, arrived at Kochi on 4 March after receiving approval from Indian authorities earlier this month. Government officials said the request from Iran was received on 28 February 2026, stating that the ship required urgent docking due to technical issu

A devastating submarine attack on an Iranian military vessel off the southern coast of Sri Lanka has resulted in a major maritime crisis, with at least 101 people feared missing and 78 others reported injured. The incident, which occurred on the morning of March 4, 2026, has led to significant concerns and confusion, with varying casualty figures being reported. The vessel has since sunk, but questions over the cause of the attack and the true extent of the damage remain unclear. Ac

Sri Lanka’s captain, Dasun Shanaka, has made a heartfelt request to the government following his team’s disappointing exit from the 2026 T20 World Cup. After being knocked out of the Super Eights by New Zealand, Shanaka blamed the "negative environment created outside" for their underwhelming performances. He urged the government to help shield players from criticism to protect their mental health. Shanaka expressed his sorrow for not delivering a victory that would make Sri Lan

Pakistan’s T20 World Cup journey faces a significant challenge after a narrow two-wicket loss to England in their second Super 8 match, leaving them with just one point from two games. Harry Brook's stellar 100 guided England to a win, securing their place in the semi-finals, while Pakistan's hopes now depend on a win against Sri Lanka and favorable results from other teams in their group. For Pakistan to make it to the semi-finals, they must win their final Super 8 match against

A fresh political spat has erupted between Andhra Pradesh IT Minister Nara Lokesh and Sakshi, reigniting their long-standing rivalry. Over the years, Sakshi has frequently published critical reports targeting Lokesh, while he has consistently responded with sharp counterattacks. The latest controversy surrounding his private trip to Sri Lanka has once again placed both sides in the spotlight. The issue began after Lokesh traveled to Sri Lanka to watch the high-voltage India vs Pakis

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has reportedly urged the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to reconsider its decision to boycott the India-Pakistan match in the 2026 T20 World Cup. In a formal letter sent to the PCB, SLC expressed concerns over the severe financial losses that could result from the boycott. The India-Pakistan fixture is one of the most lucrative matches in world cricket, drawing massive global viewership and contributing significantly to the revenue generated during International Cricket

The fate of the Asia Cup 2025 hangs in uncertainty as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), along with several other member boards, has decided to boycott the upcoming Asian Cricket Council (ACC) meeting scheduled for July 24 in Dhaka, Bangladesh. This development stems from ongoing political tensions between India and Bangladesh, which have now spilled over into the cricketing sphere. According to high-l

A 21-year-old woman from the United Kingdom has been arrested in Sri Lanka for allegedly smuggling a large quantity of "kush" — a dangerous synthetic drug made from toxic chemicals and ground-up human bones. Charlotte May Lee, a former flight attendant from south London, was apprehended earlier this month at Colombo’s Bandaranaike International Airport after authorities discovered over 100 pounds (approximately 45 kg) of the drug in her suitcases. The haul, estimated to

In a firm stance on refugee policies, the Supreme Court of India today denied a Sri Lankan national’s request to remain in the country, stating, "India is not a dharmashala (free shelter) that can entertain refugees from all over the world." The remark came from Justice Dipankar Datta, who was sitting on a bench alongside Justice K Vinod Chandran, while hearing the plea of a man convicted under anti-terror laws. The petitioner, a Sri Lankan Tamil, was arrest

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has embarked on a three-day diplomatic visit to Southeast Asia, beginning with Thailand where he is attending the 6th BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) Summit. Following his engagements in Thailand, PM Modi will travel to Sri Lanka to further deepen bilateral relations with the island nation. Upon his arrival in Thailand, PM Modi was warmly received by members of the Indian community, highlighting the strong c

Sri Lanka’s cricket team pulled off a stunning 174-run win over Australia in the second and final ODI in Colombo, securing a series sweep with a 2-0 victory. Australia, chasing 282, were bowled out for a paltry 107, their lowest-ever total in Asia. The collapse was dramatic, as they lost their final seven wickets for just 28 runs.   Australia made several changes in their lineup, experimenting ahead of next week’s Champions Trophy. Despite using a variety of

Australia’s latest Test match against Sri Lanka in Galle is set to feature a new face in the squad, with 21-year-old left-arm spinning allrounder Cooper Connolly making his Test debut. The match comes after Australia’s dominant win in the first Test, where they triumphed by an innings and 242 runs. Connolly, who has yet to claim a wicket in his first-class career, will provide an additional spin option on a dry surface expected to produce significant turn. He replaces offspinner T

Adani Group has issued a statement refuting claims that its 484 MW wind power projects in Sri Lanka, located in Mannar and Pooneryn, have been cancelled. The company clarified that the recent decision by the Sri Lankan Cabinet to reevaluate the tariff approved in May 2024 is part of a routine review process, especially with the new administration in place. The reevaluation aims to align the terms with the country’s evolving energy policies. The company emphasized its commitmen

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has finalized a hybrid model for next year's Champions Trophy, allowing India to play its matches in Dubai, while Pakistan will co-host the event in the UAE. The decision, reached after informal discussions between ICC President Jay Shah and the Board of Directors, including Pakistan's representatives, is a major step toward resolving venue concerns in international cricket. The 2025 Champions Trophy will be held in the UAE and Pakistan, with In

Sri Lanka has committed to completing its foreign debt restructuring by the end of December 2023, aiming to address its $46 billion external debt. After defaulting on debt in April 2022, the country has been working on rebuilding its finances with help from an IMF bailout. Deputy Minister Anil Jayantha Fernando confirmed that debt restructuring, which has been delayed for over two years, is critical for the country's economic recovery. The restructuring includes international sovereign bo

In a surprising turn of events, Sri Reddy, once a controversial figure in Andhra Pradesh politics for her abusive attacks on leaders from the TDP (Telugu Desam Party) and JSP (Jana Sena Party), has issued a public apology to key political figures, including Chandrababu Naidu, Lokesh, and Pawan Kalyan. Known for her harsh and often vulgar social media posts and videos aimed at these leaders, Sri Reddy's past actions were part of a broader wave of hostility from the YSR Congress Party (YSRC

Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Sri Lanka's newly elected Marxist President, is charting a careful course in the midst of geopolitical tensions between India and China. With the country grappling with a severe financial crisis since 2019, which culminated in a sovereign default in 2022, Dissanayake's administration is focused on rebuilding ties with various global partners while avoiding being "sandwiched" between the two regional powers. In a recent interview with T