Tensions escalated dramatically on March 5, 2026, as the United States and Israel launched coordinated strikes on Iran, triggering retaliatory explosions across Tehran, Sanandaj, and beyond.
At least 22 Iranian sailors from the IRIS Dena, which sank after being torpedoed, have been discharged from a Sri Lankan hospital. Another 10 remain under treatment, while arrangements are being made to repatriate the bodies of 84 sailors recovered after the incident.
The vessel sank on March 4, 2026, approximately 20 nautical miles west of Galle, after reportedly being struck by a torpedo from a United States submarine.
'India was not obliged to protect the Iranian ship.' 'Once the Iranian ship left Indian waters, she was on her own.' 'Guilt tripping India is wrong.'
Cyclone Ditwah exits Sri Lanka after causing widespread destruction and over 120 deaths, heading towards the Indian coast. Heavy rains and high winds are expected to continue.
India's concerns over a planned naval exercise between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in the strategically important waters of Trincomalee led to the shelving of the drills weeks ago. The exercise was planned as part of regular engagements between the two navies, but India expressed its apprehensions to the Sri Lankan government. Trincomalee, situated on Sri Lanka's northeastern coast, is considered a significant hub in the Indian Ocean region, particularly for India's maritime security interests. The Pakistani Navy's close cooperation with China's PLA Navy has raised concerns in New Delhi about any Pakistani warship presence in Trincomalee. This incident follows previous diplomatic rows between India and Sri Lanka over the docking of Chinese vessels at Sri Lankan ports. India has been actively supporting Sri Lanka's development of Trincomalee's energy infrastructure and has recently signed a defense pact with the country to boost military cooperation.
'Granting the country's highest civilian honour to Prime Minister Modi was surprising as it indicated the government was going out of its way to have India as a close partner.'
Sri Lanka's National People's Power of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Friday swept the parliamentary elections by winning a two-thirds majority, and also dominating the Jaffna electoral district -- the heartland of the nation's Tamil minority.
'The Indian government is better prepared this time and has reached out to all contenders and not putting all eggs in one basket.'
Sri Lanka selectors left out batsman Thilina Kandamby, the vice-captain in the one-day international series against England, from the pool of 20 players for next month's ODI and Twenty20 home series against Australia.
Sri Lanka have included two uncapped players, middle-order batsman Thilina Kandamby and stumper Kaushal Silva, in their Test squad, for the team's tour of India starting next month.
TV footage showed gunmen with backpacks firing at the convoy as they fled from the scene, with several vehicles damaged and unexploded grenades lying around. None of the attackers were killed or captured, Lahore police chief Haji Habibur Rehman said
A blunt Indian bowling attack stood exposed as Sri Lanka Board President's XI put up a mammoth 432 for five on the opening day of the three-day warm-up game in Colombo on Tuesday. The Sri Lankan top order treated the Indian attack disdainfully and opener Upul Tharanga (116), Thilina Kandambi (101) and Thilan Samaraweera (102) smashed quick-fire centuries to have the number one Test side on the mat.
Having made the most of his last minute inclusion in the Sri Lankan squad with three Indian wickets, rookie left-arm pacer Chanaka Welegedara said its Sachin Tendulkar's prize scalp which he cherishes most.
Nishantha Ranatunga, brother of Sri Lanka Cricket chairman Arjuna Ranatunga, has been appointed the new manager of the Sri Lanka team.
Thilina Kandamby and Angelo Mathews hit half-centuries to help Sri Lanka recover from a top order collapse and post a respectable 212 against England in a Group B match of the ICC Champions Trophy at the Wanderers in Johannesburg, on Friday. Left-hander Kandamby, playing in only his 20th ODI, showed great maturity with a solid knock of 53 from 82 deliveries before he was run out after a misunderstanding with partner Angelo Mathews, who stroked 51 from 70 deliveries.
Sri Lanka produced a clinical display to crush Pakistan by 129 runs in the second one-dayer and level the three-match cricket series 1-1, in Karachi on Wednesday. Put in to bat, the islanders first amassed 290 runs for eight wickets. The Sri Lankan bowlers then complemented the effort of their batting colleagues by skittling out Pakistan for 161 in 34.5 overs for a series-equalling victory.
Zimbabwe suffered a humiliating nine-wicket defeat to Sri Lanka after being bowled out for just 67 in the second one-day international in Harare on Saturday. Spinner Ajantha Mendis took four for 15 and was ably assisted by pacemen Farveez Maharoof (three for 26) and Thilina Thushara (two for 17).
The Indians dismissed Sri Lanka Board XI for a modest 224 on a rain-truncated first day of the three-day warm-up match in Colombo. In reply, the tourists were 4 for the loss of Gautam Gambhir's wicket.
Sri Lanka Board President's XI took their first innings total to 500 for five declared on the second day of their three-day match.
The fast bowler was included in Sri Lanka's 14-man squad for the ICC Champions Trophy.
Just as they were about a kilometre away from the stadium, Taufel says, he heard something that sounded like firecrackers.
Cricket teams have previously abandoned tours amid outbreaks of violence.
Faisalabad Wolves rode on skipper Misbah-ul-Haq's unbeaten 93 to beat Kandurata Maroons by 10 runs and post a consolation win in an inconsequential qualifying match of the Champions League Twenty20 in Mohali, on Friday.
London Olympics bronze-medallist MC Mary Kom led the charge as six Indian boxers stormed into the final with comprehensive wins to remain in hunt for all the 10 medals on offer at the 12th South Asian Games, in Shillong, on Sunday.
The boxers hardly broke a sweat while scooping all the seven gold medals up for grabs, while the shooters ended their campaign with an outstanding tally of 25 gold medals to ensure India's reign at the top remained unchecked in the 12th South Asian Games in Guwahati on Monday. On the penultimate day of competition, the Indian was perched at the top with 289 medals (173 gold, 86 silver and 30 bronze).
Barring Sri Lanka's Kumar Sangakkara, all players have declared their allegiances to IPL franchises over their respective countries' domestic sides ahead of the upcoming Champions League Twenty20.
