Sri Lanka takes charge of Iranian vessel Iris Bushehr and 208 crew amid ongoing conflict

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) today (March 05) took steps to name former head of the State Intelligence Service, Major General (Retd) Suresh Sallay, who is currently in detention, as the third suspect in a case being heard before the Fort Magistrate’s Court in connection with the Easter Sunday attacks.

Sri Lanka has expressed grave concern over the escalating conflict in the Middle East while seeking assurances for the safety of more than 29,000 Sri Lankans living in Israel.

Sri Lanka has significantly reduced the cost of printing driving licences after cancelling a previous tender and introducing a new system, resulting in savings of more than Rs. 1,133 per licence.

The Sri Lanka Navy says the bodies of 84 personnel believed to have been on board the Iranian warship IRIS Dena, which sank in international waters about 40 nautical miles off Galle, have been recovered and transported to the Karapitiya Teaching Hospital.

A retired Chief Clerk of the Ministry of Health was arrested on March 4, 2026, for allegedly accepting Rs. 20 million in bribes to release ministry rent payments without delay.

A businessman from Colombo 12 was arrested by the Bribery Commission yesterday morning (March 03) for allegedly soliciting and accepting a Rs. 5 million bribe to help secure bail for a remanded suspect and prevent the arrest of the suspect’s family members.

A U.S. military strike sank an Iranian warship off Sri Lanka’s coast, triggering a major rescue operation in which Sri Lanka’s Navy saved 32 sailors and recovered several bodies, according to U.S. and Sri Lankan officials.

Sri Lanka President Anura Kumara Dissanayake today (March 04) reviewed the possible economic impact of the ongoing Middle East war and ordered urgent measures to protect fuel, gas, food supplies, tourism and investment while controlling inflation.

At least 32 crew members were rescued after an Iranian Navy vessel, identified as IRIS Dena, sent a distress call early this morning while sinking about 40 nautical miles off Galle, triggering a rapid joint rescue operation by the Sri Lanka Navy and Air Force.

A 36 year old man was arrested with 390 liters of illegally stockpiled diesel during a raid carried out by Pulmoddai Police in Pulmoddai town last night (March 03).

Sri Lanka has planned a special mechanism to repatriate its citizens from the Middle East if a high risk situation arises in the region, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

Sri Lanka records 279,328 tourist arrivals in February 2026, marking a 16.2 percent increase from last year, according to official data.

Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake told Parliament today (March 03) that no armed conflict benefits any community and warned that modern military technology makes the need for peace more urgent than ever.

A businessman has been arrested in Buthpitiya, Gampaha for stockpiling 400 liters of diesel, as special police teams launch islandwide operations against fuel hoarding.