India strengthened their position in the opening Test against Sri Lanka on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, after setting the hosts a challenging target of 372 runs. The visitors were bowled out for 193 in their second innings, but their strong first-innings advantage ensured that Sri Lanka were left facing a difficult fourth-innings chase. Earlier in the match, India had posted an imposing 462 in their first innings, putting significant pressure on the Sri Lankan batting lineup. The hosts

A new India global opinion survey shows striking differences in how the country is viewed worldwide. Sri Lanka records the strongest favourable opinion, while the UK, Kenya and Germany also show strong goodwill. Pakistan stands at the opposite end, giving India its lowest rating among the 36 countries surveyed. Sri Lanka Sri Lanka emerged as the most India-friendly country in Pew Research Cente

Sri Lanka cybercrime networks are facing greater scrutiny after the suspected murder of a Chinese national exposed possible links to transnational scam operations. Police raids, foreign arrests and concerns over tourist visa abuse suggest fraud groups may be shifting into the country. Sri Lanka Cybercrime Networks Expand Sri Lanka is confronting an increase in suspected online scam operations as international criminal groups search for n

Sri Lanka prison unrest in Negombo has drawn national attention after violent clashes inside the overcrowded jail reportedly left 19 people dead and more than 50 injured. The unrest began on Sunday after tensions between inmate groups escalated into a wider security crisis, forcing prison officers and police units to intervene. Authorities are now investigating what triggered the violence, how it spread so quickly and whether long-running problems inside the prison contr

The war in West Asia and disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz have triggered widespread supply chain instability across South Asia, affecting energy security, economic stability, and regional cooperation. Countries across the subcontinent, heavily reliant on hydrocarbon imports from West Asia, are facing rising costs, reduced industrial competitiveness, and increased household expenditures as critical supply routes remain constrained. Fuel shortages and economic strain acros

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

The Indian Navy launched a coordinated search and rescue operation in the Indian Ocean after the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena sank near Sri Lanka earlier this week. The incident triggered a rapid maritime rescue response involving Indian naval aircraft and ships, working alongside Sri Lankan authorities to locate survivors and support ongoing recovery efforts. According to naval officials, the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in Colombo received a distress signal from the Iranian warship early on March 4. At the time, the vessel was operating roughly 20 nautical miles west of the coastal city of Galle, within Sri Lanka’s designated search and rescue zone. Sri Lankan naval units initiated rescue operations immediately after receiving the alert. The Indian Navy soon joined the operation by deploying a long-range maritime patrol aircraft at around 1000 hours to assist Sri Lanka’s ongoing search effort. Another aircraft equipped with air-droppable life rafts was kept on standby to provide additional support if required. The Indian naval ship INS Tarangini, which was already operating in nearby waters, was redirected to the incident location and reached the search area by approximately 1600 hours on the same day. To further strengthen the maritime rescue mission, INS Ikshak sailed from Kochi and continues to remain in the region to assist in the humanitarian effort. Naval authorities described the deployment as a measure aimed at aiding shipwrecked personnel and supporting regional cooperation in emergency response operations. Coordination between the Indian Navy and Sri Lankan authorities remains ongoing as search operations continue in the surrounding waters. Meanwhile, the United States confirmed that the sinking of the Iranian frigate resulted from a military strike. US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth stated that the operation was conducted under direct orders from President Donald Trump and described it as a decisive action carried out as part of a joint effort with Israel. The Iranian warship had reportedly been returning from a naval exercise in Visakhapatnam, India, when it was struck in the Indian Ocean, nearly 2,000 nautical miles from Iranian territory. Initial reports indicate that approximately 87 sailors were killed in the incident, while Sri Lankan rescue teams managed to save 32 survivors. Several crew members remain missing and are feared dead as search and recovery operations continue across the maritime zone.

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

Sri Lanka has recently elected Anura Kumara Dissanayake as its new President in a historic presidential election, marking a significant recovery from the economic turmoil experienced in 2022. Dissanayake, a leftist leader with Marxist ideology, achieved a remarkable feat, securing 42.3% of the votes despite lacking prior political experience in high-ranking positions. In the 2019 presidential elections, Dissanayake garnered less than 3% of the vote, indicating a stark contrast to hi