Joining foreign terror outfits not against SL law: PM

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has told Sky News that the government was aware of Sri Lankans who had joined Islamic State (IS) had returned but they could not be arrested as joining a foreign terrorist organisation is not against the law.

Shangri-La suicide bomber obtained empty cartridges discarded by army

Insaf Ahmed, the suicide bomber who blew himself up at Shangri-La Hotel in Colombo, had obtained used cartridges cast aside by the Army through the Industrial Development Board (IDB). This information had been obtained by our sister paper ’Lankadeepa’ by utilising the Right to Information Act.

Islamic fanatics threaten Sufi Mosques

The Police Department has circulated a warning letter in the internet and social media websites. It says some Islamic fundamentalists led by Mohamed Zahran were planning yet another spate of bombings today targeting the traditional Sufi Mosques know as ’Kuppu Palli’ or Auliya mosques.

Man shot dead by three gunmen in Mulleriyawa

A 38-year-old businessman was killed when three gunmen who arrived on two motorbikes opened fire at him in Mulleriyawa last night, police said.

Vital info on terror attacks revealed by arrested suspects

Security authorities have extracted vital information from the terrorist suspects arrested in connection with the series bombings on Easter Sunday.

Champika proposes action plan to counter fundamentalist terrorism

Megapolis Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka yesterday submitted a 10-point action plan that should be carried out by both the Muslim community and the Government to curb the terrorist threat posed by Islamic fundamentalists.

ACJU decries terror, no Muslim burial for terrorists

All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama (ACJU) organisation yesterday claimed that the individuals who committed this barbaric attack on innocent civilians did not belong to them and they do not accept their bodies.

Govt. to set up JOC to tackle terrorism

President Maithripala Sirisena has told party leaders yesterday that arrangements have been made to set up a Joint Operation Command (JOC) to tackle the latest terrorist threat and that the entire security establishment would be overhauled.

Remove face veil whenever necessary: ACJU

The All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama (ACJU) organisation today (25) requested Muslim females to cooperate and identify themselves and remove their face veil whenever necessary taking into account the emergency situation and the heightened security prevailing in the country.

Actual death toll 253 not 359: DG health services

Director General of Health Services Specialist Dr. Anil Jasinghe issuing a statement said the number of persons who had lost their lives in the Easter Sunday bomb blasts is 253 and not 359 as stated by several sources.

CID mistake identity of one suspect

Police spokesman Ruwan Gunasekara today acknowledged that the CID has mistaken the identity of one of the six suspects when releasing their photos to the police.

Refrain from gathering for mosque prayers tomorrow: Minister

Muslim Religious Affairs Minister Abdul Haleem today requested the members of the Muslim community to refrain from gathering for congregational prayers tomorrow as a sign of solidarity with the Catholic Community and to protest against the barbarism of ruthless terrorists.

Suspicious lorry seized from Wattala

A suspicious lorry bearing the number WP DAE 4197 was taken into custody by the police in Nayakakanda, Wattala this evening, police said.

Easter Sunday terror attack: Police seek public support to trace suspects

The CID today released photographs of the suspects wanted in connection with Easter Sunday’s bomb attacks.

Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando resigns

Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando has tendered his resignation to President Maithripala Sirisena today, sources said. Earlier, the President called for the resignation of the defence secretary and IGP Pujith Jayasundara.

Only passengers allowed to enter BIA terminal bldg

Only air passengers are allowed to enter the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) terminal building due to the current situation, the Airport and Aviation Services limited said.

Police curfew from 10.00 pm to 4.00 am

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

Sri Lanka halts low season visa-free plan after bombings

Sri Lankan Government said it was suspending plans to grant citizens of 39 countries visa-free entry during the country’s tourism low season after Easter Sunday terror attacks, AFP reported today.

Sri Lanka bomber had visa in Australia: Aussie PM

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has confirmed that one of the suicide bombers involved in the Sri Lankan bombings spent time in Australia, Nine News Australia said today.

Three suspects arrested with 21 hand grenades

Three suspects were arrested along with a van, 21 locally made low powerful hand grenades and six swords during a raid carried out by the Colombo Crime Division (CCD) and the Special Task Force (STF) personnel in Modara today.

Four labourers die after falling into cesspit

Four labourers attached to the Vavuniya Urban Council died after they fell into a cesspit while working at a cattle barn in Vavuniya today, police said.

Public advised not to panic as operations underway

The police advise the general public not to panic as the security forces are conducting search operations across the country.

BIA entrance road re-opened

The entrance road to the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) which was previously closed following the tensions that erupted after a suspicious vehicle was found near the entrance check point to the airport this morning , had been re-opened for public.

Explosion in Pugoda

An explosion was reported in a garbage dump behind the Pugoda Magistrate’s Court this morning, police said.

Drones, unmanned aircraft banned within Sri Lankan airspace - CAA

The use of all drones and unmanned aircraft within Sri Lankan airspace would be suspended with effect from today until till further notice, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said.

If Govt. informed me of terror attack: Would have cancelled Easter services: Cardinal

I would have cancelled all the masses and services during Holy Week if the government had informed me of an imminent terror attack, Archbishop of Colombo, Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, said yesterday.

Curbing extremism in SL: Asgiriya Mahanayakes want amnesty for intelligence officers

While stating that military intelligence officers had rendered a yeoman service to to help defeat the separatist LTTE, the Mahanayake Theras of the Asgiriya Chapter requested the government to grant an amnesty to intelligence officers in order to curb extremism in the country.

Kiriella calls for parliamentary select committee

Leader of the House Lakshman Kiriella yesterday called for the appointment of a parliamentary select committee to look into the failure of communication of the prior warnings that were made by foreign intelligence on last Sunday’s terrorist attacks.

Stop foreign forces entering the country: Dinesh

Opposition MP Dinesh Gunawardane yesterday told the government that it should not by any circumstance allow foreign security forces to enter this country at this moment.

May, Khan speak to PM

British Prime Minister Theresa May spoke to Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on Tuesday night over the telephone to express her condolences, the PM’s office said.