SL isn’t a Sinhala Buddhist country, a country of Sri Lankans: Mangala

Sri Lanka was not a Sinhala Buddhist country but a country belonging to all those who had taken Sri Lanka as their motherland, Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera said yesterday.

Ruwan appointed acting Defence Minister

State Minister of Defence, Ruwan Wijewardene was appointed as the acting Defence Minister until President Maithripala Sirisena returns from China, the Director General of Government Information Department said.

Firearms, ammos found buried in a land at Kuda Oya

Several firearms and ammunition buried in a land at Kuda-Oya in Wellawaya were recovered by the Kuda Oya Police and the army personnel today.

Woman arrested with suspected map

A woman allegedly involved in extremist activities was arrested by the STF at Madatugama in Kekirawa yesterday.

President leaves for China

President Maithripala Sirisena left for China on a three-day official visit this morning.

Social media blocked

Social media platforms including WhatsApp, facebook and YouTube have been temporarily blocked in Sri Lanka, the Government Information Department said.

Easter Sunday’s bombings: Not only officials but also country’s leaders responsible - Cardinal

Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith said on Saturday (11) that it is not only the officers but also the country’s leadership should be held responsible for the failure to prevent Easter Sunday’s bomb attacks.

Police curfew in Kuliyapitiya, Bingiriya & Dummalasuriya

Police curfew was imposed within the Kuliyapitiya, Bingiriya and Dummalasuriya police areas with immediate effect until 6 am on Monday (13) following a tense situation in the Kuliyapitiya area, police said.

Ministers or MPs who support terror groups will not be protected: PM

Government will not protect any minister or any parliamentarian who associates with terror groups, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said over the weekend.

MR scuttling bill on terror: Kiriella

Leader of Opposition Mahinda Rajapaksa was making contradicting statements on Counter-Terrorism Bill (CTB), Minister of Public Enterprise Lakshman Kiriella alleged today.

Police curfew imposed in Chilaw

Police curfew was imposed within the Chilaw Police Division with immediate effect until 4 a.m. tomorrow following a tense situation.

Bangladesh unlikely to tour Sri Lanka in July

Bangladesh cricket authorities said Saturday they are unlikely to proceed with a planned tour to Sri Lanka in July citing fears that the country could be hit by another attack after last month’s devastating Easter bombings.

Navy rescues 10 fishermen distressed at sea

Ten Sri Lankan fishermen, whose boat capsized off Ambalangoda had been rescued by the Navy on Saturday.

Moulavi arrested for inciting extremism

A 47-year-old moulavi was arrested by the CID at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) on charges of using social media platform to air extremist views.

Two killed in head-on collision in Kottawa

Two persons were killed and three others were injured when a jeep and a bus collided head-on at Malwarawa in Kottawa on the High-Level Road this morning, police said.

SriLankan has 80 pregnant air hostesses who aren’t flying: Ex HR Head

There are around 80 pregnant air hostesses who are not allowed to fly after the SriLankan management decided to change a rule which forbids them from having babies until six months after they join the airline, former Head of Human Resources, Pradeep Kekulawala informed the SriLankan Airlines Commission last Thursday.

Education Ministry must monitor Madrasas: Harsha

Non-Cabinet Minister of Economic Reforms and Public Distribution, Harsha de Silva said yesterday Madrasas or Muslim religious schools should be monitored by the Ministry of Education - like what happens with Pirivenas.

Prez warns against attempts to take political advantage of present situation

Remarks made by certain persons for petty political advantage has become a hindrance to the process of restoring normalcy and national harmony, President Maithripala Sirisena said.

I’m prepared to prove my innocence: Rishad Bathiudeen

All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC) Leader and Industry and Commerce Minister, Rishad Bathiudeen said were attempts to accuse him falsely regarding his recent visit to Oman and incidents that took place recently, but that he was prepared to face them and prove his innocence.

Virtusa employee arrested over suspected links to attacks

Sri Lankan police on Friday said they had arrested an employee of information technology services company Virtusa Corp in Colombo in connection with Easter Sunday bombings that killed more than 250 people.

Navy opens fire at a speeding car, one killed

A 34-year-old person died when Navy personnel at a road block opened fire at a speeding car which had failed to heed orders to stop at Hunupitiya in Wattala, last night, police said.

British newlywed banned from flying home after his bride dies during honeymoon

Sri Lankan police have banned a British newlywed from returning home after his wife died from dehydration on their honeymoon, the Daily Mail reported.

IMF extends funding programme until June 2020

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) said it had decided to extend the funding programme to Sri Lanka by an additional year which would mean until June 2020.

Govt. willing if requested by Opposition: Kiriella

The government is prepared to move a motion to remove IGP Pujith Jayasundara from office if the Opposition make such a request, House Leader and Minister Lakshman Kiriella said yesterday.

Charges served on Gnanasara Thera

The Police Organized Crime Prevention Division (POCPD) yesterday charged Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera at the Colombo Magistrate’s Court for obstructing a police officer from performing his duties at Welikada.

Court wants DNA report of Zahran’s daughter

Colombo Fort Magistrate Ranga Dissanayake today allowed the prosecution to obtain a DNA report using a blood sample obtained from Zahran Hashim’s daughter for the investigators to confirm the identity of the Shangri-La Hotel suicide bomber.

MR wants PSC to probe Easter Sunday attacks

Opposition leader Mahinda Rajapaksa today urged the government to appoint a Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) with full powers to probe the Easter Sunday attack, ascertain the historical background behind it and recommend the steps to be taken to prevent such disasters in the future.

Fuel price hike from midnight today

The prices of fuel would be increased with effect from midnight today, the Finance Ministry said.

General Amnesty period extended by another week

The General Amnesty period declared for Army deserters to receive their legal discharge, has been extended by the Army Headquarters by another week considering the need for more to receive their discharge.

Nobel Peace Prize - Several MPs want Cardinal nominated

Several government and opposition MPs said today the Archbishop of Colombo should be nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for the role he played in calming the people after the Easter Sunday attacks.