News

The International Atomic Energy Agency says Iran has reported that a projectile hit a nuclear power in the southwest of the country.

In a statement, the IAEA, a UN body that oversees nuclear technologies, said Iran reported the incident at the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant on Tuesday evening.

“No damage to the plant or injuries to staff reported,” the statement noted. “Director General Rafael Grossi reiterates [his] call for maximum restraint during the conflict to prevent risk of a nuclear accident.”

Source: adaderana.lk

The government of Sri Lanka has implemented a weekly holiday on Wednesdays for public sector employees starting today (18), as part of measures to address ongoing fuel supply constraints.

According to Prabath Chandrakeerthi, the decision applies not only to government offices but also extends to schools, universities, and the judicial sector. Authorities have additionally requested that both state-approved schools and private tuition classes suspend their activities on Wednesdays.

However, key sectors such as healthcare, ports, water supply, and electricity services will continue to function without interruption, as they are classified as essential services.

In terms of transport, the Department of Railways announced that train services will operate on a reduced schedule similar to Saturdays. This includes 29 trains on the main line, 17 on the upcountry route, and 33 along the coastal line. Additional services will include five trains on the Kelani Valley line, nine on the Puttalam line, and six operating on the Batticaloa and Trincomalee lines.

Meanwhile, the Sri Lanka Transport Board confirmed that bus services will continue across the island. While some schedules have been adjusted, buses will be deployed based on passenger demand to ensure continued public transportation.

Tehran has confirmed that its top security official Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, has been killed.

The Supreme National Security Council of Iran announced the death of Larijani in a statement early Wednesday local time, describing him as having been killed and “martyred” following a lifetime of public service.

It comes after Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said Larijani had been “eliminated” Monday night.

The council said Larijani, who had emerged as one of the most important figures in Iran in recent months, died alongside several others, including his son and security personnel.

The statement praised Larijani’s long political career, describing him as a figure who “until the very last moments of his life” worked toward the advancement of Iran and called for unity in the face of external threats.

Earlier Tuesday, Iran also confirmed the head of its Basij paramilitary force, Gholamreza Soleimani, had been killed in what it called “a terrorist attack by the American-Zionist enemy.”

Funerals for both Larijani and Soleimani will be held on Wednesday, according to Iran’s semi-official Mehr news agency.

Iran’s Fars news agency said President Masoud Pezeshkian expressed “deep sorrow and regret” at Larijani’s death.

“I saw nothing from him but benevolence, insight, companionship, and foresight,” Fars quoted him as saying. “Undoubtedly, it is very difficult to compensate for this loss.”

Source:adaderana.lk

Israel’s Minister of Defence Israel Katz says Ali Larijani has been killed.

In a statement, Katz says he was just informed of the top Iranian security official’s death following Israeli strikes overnight.

Source:ADaderana.lk

Iran has launched an attack on an air base in the Middle East where Australian soldiers are stationed, starting a fire that damaged Australian medical and accommodation facilities.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese revealed that an Iranian projectile hit a road just outside the Al Minhad Air Base in the United Arab Emirates about 9:15am AEDT today.

It is not clear if it was a missile or drone strike, but Mr Albanese said it started a fire which caused “minor damage” to an accommodation block and medical facility.

“I can confirm that no Australian personnel were injured, and everyone is absolutely safe at this point in time,” Albanese said.

“There was minor damage to an accommodation block and a medical facility due to a small fire that was created as a result of that projectile hitting a road leading up to that base.”

More than 100 Australian military personnel are based at Al Minhad, which also hosts British and a small number of United States personnel.

While the base is owned by the UAE, Australia uses it as its primary military, logistics, surveillance and training hub in the Middle East.

It has been an operational hub for the Australian Defence Force (ADF) since 2003, but the Australian presence was scaled down following the withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.

ADF personnel travelling in and out of the broader region often arrive and depart from Al Minhad.

The ABC has been told that the Wedgetail aircraft deployed to the Middle East last week by the government was not at the base when the projectile landed.

Base struck in early days of conflict

It is the second time that the base has been targeted during the war, with an Iranian drone strike hitting the facility in the first few days of the conflict.

That strike caused no damage to Australian facilities.

In response to a question on whether the Al Minhad Air Base was being targeted by Iran, Mr Albanese said: “The Iranian regime is engaging in random attacks right across the region. We know that is the case.”

The UAE has been a target for heavy bombardment from Iran throughout the conflict, with the the country’s defence ministry estimating nearly 1,700 drones and missiles targeted the country in the first week of the war.

It estimated 90 per cent were intercepted before reaching their target.

Al Minhad is one of a number of Western military bases within the UAE.

The US shares the Al Dhafra Air Base with the UAE, located south of Abu Dhabi, which defence experts say is a critical facility for American forces in the region.

(Source:adaderana.lk)

Israel targeted Ali Larijani, the head of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, in a Tehran strike on Monday night, according to an Israeli Military spokesperson.

The Israeli military is still awaiting the results of the strike, known as a battle damage assessment, to determine if Larijani was killed.

On Tuesday morning, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir said, “We recorded significant achievements in Iran last night.”

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) carried out a wave of simultaneous strikes on Monday evening against the cities of Tehran, Shiraz and Tabriz. The IDF made no mention of targeting Larijani, instead naming missile production sites and command centers as the goals.

“Alongside the ongoing damage and erosion of military capabilities and industrial production capacities, we are acting against elements of the Revolutionary Guards and the regime’s repression apparatus,” Zamir said at a situation assessment.

Israel also targeted senior figures in Palestinian Islamic Jihad, an Iran-backed militant group in Gaza, in a separate attack a few days ago, the Israeli source told CNN.

Source:adaderana.lk

Iranian army chief Amir Hatami has threatened to launch a “decisive” retaliation for the killing of security chief Ali Larijani in an Israeli air strike.

“At the appropriate time and place, a decisive, deterrent, and regretful response will be given to the criminal America and the bloodthirsty Zionist regime,” Hatami says in a statement.

He adds that Larijani and the deaths of other “martyrs will be avenged”.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, which is separate from the army, says it has already launched missiles at central Israel “in revenge” for Larijani’s death, AFP news agency reports.

Source:adaderana.lk

Public transport across Sri Lanka, including train services, will operate on a limited schedule on Wednesdays, which have been designated as government holidays.

The announcement was made by Nalinda Jayatissa, who stated that the reduction in services is in line with ongoing efforts to manage the prevailing situation in the country.

According to officials, the scaled-back operations are expected to affect multiple modes of public transport, with adjustments being made to accommodate reduced demand and conserve resources.

Authorities are expected to provide further details on revised timetables and service availability in the coming days.

Australia has introduced a new legislation under the Migration Amendment (2026 Measures No. 1) Act 2026, allowing a temporary ban for a specified group of travellers to travel to the country during international crises.

The new law introduces a mechanism known as ”Arrival Control Determinations”, which allows the Minister for Immigration to temporarily pause the ability to travel to Australia for those who are outside Australia and hold certain temporary visas.

The legislation officially commenced in March 2026, giving the Government a new tool to manage migration risks during major international conflicts or emergencies.

While the law is now in force, no specific group or nationality has been affected so far.

What the New Law Means

The key feature of the legislation is the Arrival Control Determinations.

These determinations allow the Minister of Immigration to temporarily ban the travel validity of certain temporary visas when there’s a crisis outside Australia, such as conflicts, that concern the Australian Government that visa holders may not comply with their visa conditions, especially the requirement to leave Australia when their visa expires.

In practice, this acts like a temporary “stop sign” for specific groups of travellers.

If activated, Australian visa holders who are affected can not use their visa to travel to Australia until the ban is lifted.

The law gives the Australian Government rights to respond quickly to international conflicts, humanitarian crises, or geopolitical instability.

When the Law Came Into Effect

The legislation commenced in two stages:

• 13 March 2026: Section 1 to 3 of the Act became law

• 14 March 2026: Schedule 1, which contains the actual arrival control powers, came into effect.

From 14 March onward, the Minister of Immigration now has the legal authority to activate temporary travel restrictions if required.

Who Could be Affected?

The legislation is designed to target specific groups rather than imposing a travel ban that applies to everyone.

People who could potentially be affected by the travel ban include:

• Those who are outside Australia

• Temporary visa holders

• Travellers who fall into a specific class or group defined by the Minister

Australian temporary visas that could be impacted include:

• Visitor visas

• Student visas

• Temporary work visas

• Business visitor visas

If an Arrival Control Determination is issued, affected visa holders would temporarily lose the ability to use their visa to travel to Australia.

Who Is Exempt from the Travel Ban?

The law also includes several important protections.

The following groups will not be affected by an Arrival Control Determination:

• Australian citizens and permanent residents: these individuals retain their right to enter Australia.

• People already in Australia: if a person is already in the country when the restriction begins, their visa remains valid.

• Close family members of Australians: this includes spouses, de facto partners, and dependent children of Australian citizens or permanent residents.

• Parents of children under 18 in Australia: parents of minors living in Australia are also exempt.

• Humanitarian visa holders: people holding protection visas, temporary safe haven visas, or certain refugee-related visas are exempted from the travel ban.

These exemptions are designed to protect family unity and humanitarian obligations.

What Happens to the Visa During the Travel Ban?

If a visa holder is affected by an Arrival Control Determination, their visa is not cancelled.

Instead, the visa temporarily “ceases to be in effect” for travel purposes.

This means the person cannot use the visa to:

• Board a flight to Australia

• Enter the country during the restriction period

However, the visa will automatically become valid again once the restriction ends, with the note that the visa itself has not expired.

How Long Can the Travel Ban Last?

The legislation sets strict limits on the duration of these travel bans.

An Arrival Control Determination can remain in effect for no more than six months at a time.

If the Australian Government believes restrictions are still necessary after that period, a new determination would be issued.

This ensures the measure remains temporary rather than permanent.

Can Someone Still Travel If They Have Urgent Reasons?

Yes, they can.

Affected visa holders may apply for a Permitted Travel Certificate, which allows them to request an exemption from the temporary travel ban.

Here is how to request a Permitted Travel Certificate:

• The Criteria: you must show compelling or compassionate reasons for you to travel to Australia, including urgent need for medical treatment, attending the funeral of a close family member, or other significant personal reasons.

• The Application: you must apply through the Department of Home Affairs (usually through the ImmiAccount portal or a specific emergency form released at the time).

• The Decision: the Minister of Immigration will review your case. If they’re not satisfied that you’ve met the criteria, the application will not be approved.

• The Result: if granted, the certificate will reactivate your visa just for you, so you can travel to Australia normally.

This mechanism is designed to accommodate special or urgent circumstances.

Which Countries Could Be Affected?

The legislation itself does not name any specific countries or nationalities.

Instead, it gives the Minister of Immigration the power to identify specific groups later if a crisis occurs.

However, during the parliamentary discussions about the law, the Australian Government indicated that the ongoing conflict in the Middle East was the key factor behind the introduction of these powers.

Media reports and policy discussions have referenced potential concerns involving travellers from regions affected by conflict, including Iran, Lebanon, and Israel.

Importantly, these references do not mean a restriction currently exists.

They simply illustrate the type of geopolitical situation the law is intended to address.

Current Status of the Law

As of now:

• The legislation is fully in force

• The Minister of Immigration has not issued any Arrival Control Destination

• No nationality or visa group is currently subject to travel restrictions

In other words, the legal framework now exists, but no temporary travel ban has been activated.

Why the Government Introduced These Powers

The Australian Government has stated that the new powers are designed to allow faster responses to international crises.

In situations where large-scale displacement or instability occurs, the Australian Government may become concerned that individuals arriving on temporary visas could overstay or seek to remain in Australia beyond their visa conditions.

The Arrival Control Determinations give the Australian Government a temporary migration management tool while broader policy responses are considered.

What This Means for Visa Holders and Travellers

For most travellers and visa holders, the new law does not change anything immediately.

However, it introduces an additional risk factor for individuals travelling from regions experiencing significant conflict or instability.

Temporary visa holders who are currently outside Australia should be aware that:

• Travel ban could be implemented quickly during international crises

• The ban would apply only to specific groups as identified by the Minister of Immigration

• The temporary visas would generally reactivate once the ban ends

At the same time, strong exemptions remain in place to protect families, humanitarian visa holders, and citizens of Australia.

Source:adaderana.lk

Oil prices eased on Wednesday to pare back some of Tuesday’s sharp gains after the Iraqi government and Kurdish authorities reached a deal to resume oil exports via Turkey’s Ceyhan port, providing modest relief to concerns about Middle East supplies.

But with no signs of a de-escalation of the Iran conflict, which has left oil exports from the Middle East largely halted, Brent futures prices have settled above $100 per barrel for the prior four consecutive sessions. After rising more than 3% on Tuesday, Brent futures edged back 67 cents, or 0.65%, to $102.75 a barrel by 0209 GMT on Wednesday. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude ⁠dropped $1.18, or 1.23%, to $95.03.

Iraqi’s oil minister Hayan Abdel-Ghani said oil flows from Ceyhan were expected to start at 0700 GMT on Wednesday, according to state media. Two oil officials said last week that Iraq was seeking to pump at least 100,000 barrels per day of crude through the port.

“While it all helps and buys some time, the 100,000 bpd is not a huge game changer as Iraq has still lost about two million barrels per day,” said IG market analyst Tony Sycamore.

Oil production from Iraq’s main southern oilfields, where most of its crude is produced and exported, has plunged 70% to just 1.3 million bpd, sources said on March 8, as ⁠the Iran conflict effectively shut the vital Strait of Hormuz through which some 20% of global oil passes.

Iran confirmed on Tuesday that its security chief Ali Larijani had been killed in an Israeli attack. He is the most senior figure targeted since the U.S.-Israeli war’s first day.

A senior Iranian official said Iran’s new supreme leader had rejected de-escalation offers conveyed ⁠by intermediary countries.

The United States military said Tuesday it had targeted sites along Iran’s coastline near the Strait of Hormuz because Iranian anti-ship missiles posed a risk to international shipping there.

Larijani’s death and the U.S. military’s strikes on Iranian coastal positions ⁠near the Strait of Hormuz raised some hopes that the conflict could end sooner, said Mingyu Gao, chief researcher for energy and chemicals at China Futures.

U.S. crude stocks rose by 6.56 million barrels in the week ended ⁠March 13, market sources said, citing API figures on Tuesday.

A Reuters poll showed that U.S. crude oil stockpiles were expected to have risen by about 380,000 barrels in the week to March 13.

Source:adaderana.lk

The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday issued a strong statement condemning the recent escalation of violence in the Middle East blaming the United States and Israel for what it described as a ‘‘treacherous and unprovoked attack on Iran’‘ and calling for an immediate end to hostilities.

The ministry accused Washington and Tel Aviv of instigating an ‘‘unprecedented spiral of violence’‘ that has caused extensive civilian casualties and widespread damage to infrastructure across the region.

According to the official text, the toll of victims from what Moscow terms ‘‘American-Israeli aggression’‘ now runs into ‘‘hundreds and thousands,’‘ with significant harm inflicted on civilian infrastructure. 

The statement points to the Strait of Hormuz, a vital artery for global maritime trade, which it says has been effectively paralysed by ongoing retaliatory Iranian strikes. Once viewed as a relatively stable and prosperous region, the Persian Gulf now faces ‘‘chaos and uncertainty,’‘ with economic effects being felt far beyond the immediate conflict zone.

The ministry sharply criticised the continuing intensification of mutual hostility, arguing that rather than seeking avenues for de-escalation and a return to diplomatic negotiations, the parties involved are escalating with ‘‘increasingly lethal and destructive strikes.’‘ It voiced particular concern over the ongoing attacks on civilian facilities and infrastructure, underlining that such actions must stop in order to prevent further death and suffering among innocent populations in Arabian Gulf states and Iran.

In its call to action, the statement reiterated Moscow’s ‘‘resolute call to all parties for an immediate cessation of hostilities and a shift of the situation onto a political and diplomatic track.’‘ The ministry emphasised that political negotiation, not military confrontation, is the only path to a sustainable resolution of the crisis.

The Russian government also expressed its readiness to contribute, ‘‘within the scope of its available capabilities,’‘ to efforts aimed at reaching a long-term and durable settlement of the conflict. 

This echoes separate diplomatic efforts by Russian officials, including phone calls between President Vladimir Putin and Iran’s leadership, in which Moscow reiterated support for de-escalation and political solutions amid the widening Middle East crisis.

The statement comes against the backdrop of a broader international reaction to the crisis, with global leaders and organisations urging restraint, emphasising the danger of further escalation, and warning of profound economic and humanitarian repercussions should the conflict deepen further. 

Source: adaderana.lk