Muslim leaders call for Sri Lankan identity

While expressing solidarity with the victims of the Easter Sunday terror attacks and those affected by the recent spate of violence, prominent Sri Lankan Muslim leaders today called for one united Sri Lankan identity.

Police IP and Sergeant sentenced to jail for accepting bribes

An Inspector of Police and a Police sergeant found guilty of accepting a bribe, were imposed jail terms after a lengthy trial by Colombo High Court today

Close associate of terrorists arrested in Mabole

Mohammed Rizwan, described by the police as a close associate of the terrorists involved in the Easter Sunday attacks, was arrested in the Mabole area in Wattala by the Western Province Intelligence Division officers yesterday.

Presidential pardon to 762 prisoners on Vesak Day

A total of 762 prisoners would be released on presidential pardons in view of the Vesak Poya which falls on Saturday, the Justice and Prison Reforms Ministry said today.

EU urges Govt. to uphold rule of law

The European Union (EU) has called on the Government to ensure that the rule of law is upheld and that the law is applied equally to all instigators and perpetrators of communal violence.

NCM against Bathiudeen submitted to Speaker

The no-confidence motion signed by 64 opposition MPs against Industry and Commerce Minister Rishad Bathiudeen, was handed over to Speaker Karu Jayasuriya a short while ago, MP Udaya Gammanpila said.

President returns

President Maithripala Sirisena arrived in the country this morning after concluding his visit to China.

Probe underway on Rs.4mn remitted by three ISIS members

The Terrorist Investigation Division (TID) informed Colombo Additional Magistrate Thanuja Jayatunga yesterday that investigations were ongoing into the Rs.4 million remitted to Sri Lanka by three Sri Lankans allegedly involved in training with ISIS terrorists in Syria.

Lankan teen contesting Italian LG election

A 19-year-old Sri Lankan named Hinsara Mudalige Pawani Hanasika Perera is contesting for the Florence City Council at the Italian Local Government elections, it was reported.

Don’t let fear get in the way of Vesak: Ruwan

Acting Defence Minister Ruwan Wijewardene advised devotees to engage in religious observances this Vesak season without any fear as necessary security arrangements have been made.

Rioters to be charged under ICCPR regulations: PM

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has ordered the police to charge those involved in riotous acts on May 12 and 13 under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) Act and emergency regulations, it is learnt.

Undergrad remanded for posting false rumour on FB

A university student remanded till May 23 by Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court for publishing a false post on Facebook stating that the flight en route to China with President Maithripala Sirisena on board had crashed.

JO to support NCM against Bathiudeen

The Joint Opposition or the Mahinda Rajapaksa faction of the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) decided to support the No-Confidence Motion against Industry and Commerce Minister Rishad Bathiudeen, who is in the centre of controversy these days over allegations that he gave political patronage to the terrorists who carried out the Easter Sunday bomb attacks on April 21.

Pool Attendant’s negligence caused children to fall sick

Cinnamon Gardens Police today produced the Pool Manager and the Pool Attendant of CR&FC’s Swimming Pool over an alleged negligence of the pool attendant which caused five children to fall sick with serious breathing difficulties, the Police told the Colombo Chief Magistrate today.

Man rearranged van seats found near St. Anthony’s church arrested: Police

The officers of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) arrested the suspect who was involved in rearranging the seats of the white van which was found parked near the St. Anthony’s Shrine in Kochchikade.

Interim Order preventing new Director Board to Litro Gas

The Colombo Commercial High Court today issued an interim order till May 28 preventing the functioning of new Director Board appointed to the Litro Gas Lanka by Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera.

No police curfew today

Police curfew will not be imposed today except for the North Western Province and Gampaha Police Division, Police said.

Dan Priyasad released on bail

Nawa Sinhale National Organisation Director Dan Priyasad was released on two sureties of Rs.500,000 each by Colombo Additional Magistrate Priyantha Liyanage today.

Police curfew in NWP, Gampaha from 7 p.m - 4 a.m tomorrow

Police curfew will be imposed in the North Western Province and in the Gampaha Police Division from 7 p.m. today until 4 a.m. tomorrow (16), the police said.

Liquor shops to be closed for Vesak

Liquor shops across the country will be closed from May 17 to May 20 in view of the Vesak celebrations, Excise Department said.

MR urges politicians not to aggravate ‘sensitive’ situation

Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa today urged all members of any political party, including that of his, to maintain law and order and not to aggravate the already sensitive situation.

SL lifts Travel ban imposed on British groom

A Briton whose bride died on their honeymoon two days after arriving in Sri Lanka was allowed to return home after a court lifted a travel ban Wednesday, the Daily Mail reported.

Amith Weerasinghe remanded

Mahasohon Balakaya leader Amith Weerasinghe was remanded till May 28 by Colombo Additional magistrate Shalani Perera today.

Head-on collision kills three, injures six

A man, his wife and daughter were killed and another six injured in a head-on collision between a van and a lorry in Madatugama, Kekirawa this afternoon, police said.

May 20 declared Public Holiday

As the Vesak Full Moon Poya Day is falling on the weekend, the Government had declared May 20 as a Government (Public) Holiday, Home Affairs Minister Vajira Abeywardane said.

Kuliyapitiya SP among three SPs transferred

Three superintendents of police (SP), including Kuliyapitiya Division SP, Oshan Hewavitharana, have been transferred, the police said.

Army launches probe to trace suspected military member

The Army has launched a special investigation to identify a person on a video clip showing a suspected military member watching a group of violent saboteurs in Thunmodara.

Helicopters deployed to monitor violence: SLAF

The Air Force would deploy helicopters day and night to assist with controlling illegal assemblies and acts of violence in the country, SLAF Spokesman Group Captain Gihan Seneviratne said yesterday.

TID now under purview of CID Chief

The Terrorist Investigation Division (TID) which was under the purview of IGP has been assigned to Senior DIG Ravi Seneviratne who is also the Chief of the CID.

Sri Lanka is a Sinhala Buddhist country: Mano

Referring to Minister Mangala Samaraweera’s statement that Sri Lanka was not a Sinhala Buddhist country, National Integration, Official Languages, Social Progress and Hindu Religious Affairs Minister Mano Ganesan said yesterday that Sri Lanka was a Sinhala Buddhist country.