International

March 30, 2025 9:36 PM

Sri Lanka: Eid ul Fitr to be celebrated on March 31, confirms Colombo Grand Mosque

In Sri Lanka, the Colombo Grand Mosque has announced that Eid ul Fitr will be celebrated in the island on Monday, 31st of March, following the sighting of the crescent moon for Shawwal. In a statement, the mosque said that the crescent was sighted on Sunday, as confirmed by reports from Hilaal su...

March 30, 2025 9:04 PM

Iran rejects direct negotiations with United States over its nuclear programme

Iran's president today said that the Islamic Republic has rejected direct negotiations with the United States over its rapidly advancing nuclear programme, offering Tehran's first response to President Donald Trump's letter to the country's supreme leader. President Masoud Pezeshkian in his response...

March 30, 2025 5:39 PM

Syria’s interim President announces new transitional government

Syria's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa announced a new transitional government dominated by close allies, replacing caretaker authorities in place since the ouster of longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad. The new transitional government was sworn in yesterday, nearly four months after the Assad fa...

March 30, 2025 5:06 PM

Turkiye Detains Swedish Journalist Over Alleged PKK Links, Insulting Prez Erdogan

Turkish authorities said yesterday that they arrested a Swedish journalist dispatched to cover ongoing nationwide protests on charges of terrorism and insulting the president. Turkiye accused Joakim Medin of taking part in a rally in Stockholm in January 2023 attended by supporters of the Kurdistan ...

March 30, 2025 4:55 PM

Pakistan: Balochistan govt bans night travel on key national highways

In Pakistan, the government in Balochistan province has banned night-time travel across several key national highways amid a worsening law and order situation in the area where multiple terrorist attacks have occurred on vehicles in recent weeks. The volatile province faced several targeted attac...

March 30, 2025 4:29 PM

Indigo commences direct flights between Tiruchirappalli and Jaffna

Leading Indian flyer Indigo commenced direct flights between Tiruchirappalli and Jaffna. Jaffna already connects Chennai through daily flights, which has provided much-needed connectivity for people of both countries. According to the flight schedule, IndiGo will operate flights six days a week, ...

March 30, 2025 4:17 PM

Indian Investments Boost Sri Lankan Economy, Says Indian CEO Forum President

President of Indian CEO forum Kishore Reddy in Sri Lanka has said that Indian investments in the island nation in the recent years have contributed immensely to the local economy. Speaking to our correspondent, Mr. Reddy said that this is due to the positive image of Indian growth created by Prime ...

March 30, 2025 4:09 PM

Indian Consulate General in Jaffna launches Hindi language course at University of Vavuniya

The Consulate General of India in Jaffna has launched a Hindi language course at the University of Vavuniya, catering to growing interest in the language. The course was inaugurated jointly by Indian Consul General Sai Murali and Vice-Chancellor Prof. Atputharajah. The initiative aims to enhance ...

March 30, 2025 2:15 PM

China, Japan, and South Korea Agree to Strengthen Trade Ties

China, Japan and South Korea have agreed to boost trade cooperation in a meeting held in Seoul on Sunday. In a statement released after the meeting the trade ministers of the three countries agreed to closely cooperate for a comprehensive and high-level talks on a trilateral free trade agreement dea...

March 30, 2025 4:50 PM

Myanmar Earthquake Death Toll Rises to Over 1,700; Many Still Trapped Under Debris

In earthquake-hit Myanmar, its military chief has said that the death toll has risen to more than 1700. As per the media reports, the death toll may rise further as many of those trapped under debris haven't received help yet. Due to a lack of resources, broken communication channels and civil con...