Negombo Deputy Mayor arrested

Negombo Deputy Mayor Mohomad Anzar was taken into police custody with a sword, a knife and 38 mobile phone batteries today, police said.

Police curfew from 10.00 pm to 4.00 am

Police curfew will be re-imposed from 10.00 pm today to 4.00 am tomorrow, police said.

Govt. assessing damage to economy: Mangala

The government is in the process of assessing the damage caused to the overall economy, the industry, financial and banking sector and to tourism from the Easter Sunday terrorist attack, Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera said.

Ban Madarasa Islamic Schools: CBK

Former President Chandrika Kumaratunga yesterday called for the banning of Madarasa Islamic Schools in Sri Lanka saying the children are taught extremism in those institutions.

Recovery of 46 swords: UNP Colombo MC arrested

UNP Colombo Municipal Councillor Noordeen Mohomad Thajudeen was arrested over the recovery of 46 swords at Slave Island yesterday, police said.

US approves US$480mn grant to SL

The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) of the US Government has approved a grant of US$480 million to Sri Lanka at its board meeting held on April 25, 2019 in Washington DC, subject to Congressional Notification, the Finance Ministry said in a statement.

Gun battle in Kalmunai: 15 including suicide bomber killed

At least 15 persons including suicide bomber were killed following the explosion that took place in a house in Kalmunai where a gun battle also occurred last night.

Rishad denies allegations, vouched for Mujibur, Asath

While rejecting allegations levelled against him, Minister Rishad Bathiudeen yesterday vouched that neither Mujibur Rahman nor Azath Salley had any involvement in extremist terror outfits but said he can’t keep track of daily activities of each and everyone he interacts with.

ACJU says informed Defence Secretary in January

All Ceylon Jammiyathul Ulama (ACJU) President Sheik M.I.M. Rizwi Mufti said yesterday he gave details about the National Thowheeth Jamaath (NTJ) Leader Mohamed Zahran to former Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando in January this year.

Will take legal action against MPs, monks who tarnish my name: Salley

Western Province Governor Azath Salley yesterday promised to take legal action against MPS and Buddhist monks for tarnishing his name and making false statements that he attempted to make use of his influence to release two suspects connected to the Mawanella incident.

PM apologises: says govt. takes collective responsibility

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday expressed regrets over the government’s failure to prevent the Easter Sunday attacks.

Gota says will run for president, tackle radical Islam

Former defence secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa said he would run for president in elections this year and would stop the spread of Islamist extremism by rebuilding the intelligence service and surveilling citizens, Reuters said yesterday.

Three suspects arrested with 1kg of C-4 explosives

Three suspects were taken into Sri Lanka Navy custody with one kilogram of C-4 explosives and a three-wheeler near the Wellawatte railway station today, Navy Spokesman Isuru Suriyabandar said.

Transfers of senior police officers stayed

The transfer of 13 senior police officers, including two Senior DIGs by the National Police Commission (NPC), has been suspended because of the ongoing investigation by a president commission into the Easter Sunday attack.

2,882 Army deserters discharged during amnesty

Some 2,882 Army deserters, including two officers will receive their discharge letters within four days, the Army said today.

Those who weakened military and intelligence services responsible: Prez

President Maithripala Sirisena today charged that the responsibility of the Easter Sunday carnage should be borne by all sections of the government that weakened the security forces and intelligence services by putting intelligence officers behind bars.

Police curfew in Kalmunai until further notice

Police Curfew was imposed in Kalmunai, Chawalakade & Samanthurai police areas until further notice, police said.

Stock of metal balls, gelatnite sticks, IS uniforms seized

A stock of more than 150 gelatnite sticks, IS uniforms, a large stock of metal balls, a drone, a suspicious van and a laptop were recovered during a search operation in Samanthurai today.

Schools, universities to reopen on May 6

The National Security Council (NSC) last night decided to extend the reopening date of all schools and universities till May 6, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

Police curfew from 10.00 pm to 4.00 am

The police curfew will be re-imposed for the sixth day across the island from 10.00 pm to 4.00 am tomorrow, the police said.

Don’t withdraw army from North: Anandi Shashidharan

Former Northern Provincial Council Minister Anandi Shashidharan has requested that the security provided to the North be strengthened and that the army should not be removed from there because of the prevailing situation.

Religious reconciliation must be given priority: MR

Former president Mahinda Rajapaksa said today priority should be given to religious reconciliation in the country.

Zahran, one of the Shangri-La suicide bombers: DMI

Head of the Directorate of Military Intelligence (DMI), Brigadier Chula Kodituwakku said today the suspected mastermind behind the Easter Sunday suicide attacks, Zahran Hashim, was one of the two suicide bombers who exploded themselves at the Shangri-La hotel.

Police record statement from Bathiudeen’s brother

Police yesterday released Industry & Commerce Minister Rishad Bathiudeen’s brother after recording a statement from him last night, police said.

One suicide bomber probed by Australia in 2014

The Sri Lankan suicide bomber who studied at a Melbourne university was one of the subjects of a terrorism investigation by Australian security authorities after intelligence emerged linking him to Islamic State (IS) operative Neil Prakash, the Australian reported today.

Weapons recovered from mosque at Slave Island

A suspect was arrested and more than 40 swords, Kris knives and several uniforms similar to those worn by the Army were recovered from a mosque at Palliyaweediya in Slave Island this morning, police said.

CC approves Chulantha Wickramaratne as Auditor General

The Constitutional Council (CC) has approved Additional Auditor General Chulantha Wickramaratne as the next Auditor General, Speaker’s media unit said.

CC approves Jayantha Jayasuriya as Chief Justice

The Constitutional Council (CC) has unanimously approved the nomination of Attorney General Jayantha Jayasuriya as the next Chief Justice, parliamentary sources said.

IGP will resign today: President

Addressing the heads of media institutions, President Maithripala Sirisena said that the IGP Pujith Jayasundara will resign today.

Suspect arrested in Dharga Town over links with IS

A 23-year-old man from Dharga Town in Aluthgama has been arrested last night by police for allegedly maintaining interactions with the Islamic State (IS) through social media platform of Facebook, police said.