PM Harini calls drug crisis a national priority

Sri Lanka’s government has revived long-abandoned rice warehouses in the Marandagahamula wholesale rice complex after nearly 13 years, filling them with rice stocks as part of a program aimed at strengthening national food security and stabilizing market prices.

Sri Lanka currently has a four-month surplus of rice, Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development Wasantha Samarasinghe said, assuring that plans are in place to import essential goods in required quantities and to modernize 10 oil tanks in Trincomalee.

An urgent meeting was held today (March 13) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Colombo between Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath and Russian Ambassador Levan S. Dzhagaryan to discuss obtaining fuel from Russia for Sri Lanka.

The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) informed the Colombo Magistrate’s Court today (March 13) that investigations into the suspects, including former State Minister Shasheendra Rajapaksa, have been completed.

Two officers from the Fire and Emergency Rescue Division of the Trincomalee Municipal Council were arrested for allegedly accepting a Rs. 20,000 bribe in connection with issuing a fire safety certificate for a tourist restaurant in Kantale.

A Community Correction Officer attached to the Valaichchenai Magistrate’s Court was arrested by bribery investigators at around 9:30 AM today (March 13, 2026) for allegedly accepting a Rs. 10,000 bribe to avoid reporting a community service violation to court.

Sri Lanka has received more than 623,000 foreign tourists so far in 2026, according to the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA).

Sri Lanka Police say 654 kilograms of narcotics were found aboard a multi day fishing trawler that was taken into custody by the Sri Lanka Navy in waters south of Sri Lanka.

Former Chief Executive Officer of SriLankan Airlines, Kapila Chandrasena, was arrested at around 6:30 PM today (March 12, 2026) by investigators of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) over allegations that he accepted a bribe during the purchase of Airbus aircraft.

Four officers who previously served and are currently serving at the Department of Motor Traffic have been remanded until March 20, 2026 after being arrested over allegations including the fraudulent registration of motor vehicles.

The Sri Lanka Navy has seized narcotics worth an estimated Rs. 10 billion from two multi-day fishing trawlers intercepted in international waters off the Southern coast, Deputy Minister of Defence Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd) confirmed today (March 12).

A dedicated priority bus service for persons with disabilities will begin next month in Sri Lanka, aiming to protect their mobility rights and improve access to public transport.

Internet Media Action (IMA) has expressed serious concern over the arrest of veteran journalist Sandaruwan Senadheera, who was taken into custody at Bandaranaike International Airport yesterday (March 11), after returning to Sri Lanka following nearly 16 years of political asylum in the United Kingdom.

Sri Lanka has secured fuel stocks until the end of April 2026, with four shipments scheduled to arrive from India and Singapore between April 14 and April 30, according to the Chairman of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation.