Tuesday Mar 03, 2026
Tuesday Mar 03, 2026
Tuesday, 3 March 2026 03:47 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
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| Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa |
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has convened an urgent meeting with all Opposition party leaders and MPs to discuss the escalating conflict in the Middle East.
The emergency session will take place today at the Office of the Leader of the Opposition within the Parliamentary Complex.
The primary focus of the meeting is to address the safety and well-being of Sri Lankans currently working in the affected region.
Additionally, the group will assess the potential knock-on effects this crisis could have on Sri Lanka in the near future, with the ultimate goal of formally advising the Government on the necessary next steps.
Oil prices soar, stock markets fall amid regional conflict
Crude oil prices have risen sharply, while stocks are down, as investors weigh the fallout of the US-Israeli attacks on Iran.
Brent crude rose as much as 13% in Asia yesterday morning before stabilising later in the day, with the international benchmark up by about 5%, at $ 76.48 per barrel, as of midday Tokyo time.
Asian stock markets opened lower, with Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index and Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 down about 2% and 1.5%, respectively.
In the US, stock futures, which are traded outside of regular market hours, racked up significant losses, signalling a choppy day ahead on Wall Street.
Futures tracking the benchmark S&P 500 and tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite were both down about 0.7%.
