Sri Lanka moves to protect essential services amid Middle East war fears

A vessel carrying 35,000 metric tons of petrol and diesel is scheduled to arrive in Sri Lanka tomorrow (March 16), according to the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CEYPETCO).

The QR Code system for vehicles came into effect for fuel distribution in Sri Lanka from 6:00 AM today (March 15), with authorities announcing that fuel will not be issued at any filling station without a registered QR code.

Sri Lanka’s drug problem must be treated as a national priority with real results at ground level, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya said while reviewing a new national strategy to manage substance use disorders.

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).