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.

Mujibur, Salley and Bathiudeen should be questioned: Wimal

Opposition MP Wimal Weerawansa today said MP Mujibur Rahman, Western Province Governor Azath Salley and Minister Rishard Bathiudeen should be questioned for instigating extremism.

FBI already in SL investigating Sunday’s bombings

A team of the Federal Investigation Bureau (FBI) of the United States is already on the ground in Sri Lanka to conduct investigations into the serial bombings on Easter Saturday, a spokesman said today.

Most suicide bombers come from educated middle class families

State Minister of Defense Ruwan Wijewardene today confirmed that most of the suicide bombers, who carried out a suicide bombing campaign on Easter Sunday are well educated and come from maybe middle or upper-middle class families.

Parliament passes emergency regulations

Emergency Regulations which provides provisions to the armed forces to ensure peace was passed in Parliament without a vote today.

Easter Sunday tragedy consequence of a weak Govt.: SF

The Easter Sunday tragedy is a consequence of a weak government, Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka told Parliament today.

Police curfew from 10.00 pm to 4.00 am

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

Prez calls for all party conference

An all party conference would be convened at the Presidential Secretariat tomorrow under the chair of the President to discuss the current situation and future steps which should be taken, the President’s Media Unit (PMD) said.

Wijeyadasa requests Prez to arrest Defence Sec., IGP

MP Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe today wrote to President Maithripala Sirisena and requested him to immediately arrest Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando and IGP Pujitha Jayasundara.

Prez tells Defence Secretary, IGP to resign

President Maithripala Sirisena is reported to have informed Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando and IGP Pujith Jayasundara to resign from their offices, sources said.

One of nine suicide bombers a woman: Minister

One of the nine bombers that detonated explosives on Easter Sunday was a woman, State Minister of Defence Ruwan Wijewardene has said on Wednesday.

Another controlled explosion at Gas Works Street

The Special Task Force (STF) personnel carried out another controlled explosion of a suspicious motorbike which had been left unattended at Gas Works Street in Pettah, police said.

US denies warning Sri Lanka about terror attacks

US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Alaina Teplitz has told the CNN that the US did not provide Sri Lanka with advance intelligence regarding imminent attacks prior to Easter Sunday.

Controlled explosion carried out at Thimbirigaskatuwa

The Special Task Force (STF) personnel carried out a controlled explosion after they found a suspicious parcel near a restaurant at Thimbirigaskatuwa in Katana this morning, police said.

NZ says no intelligence linking SL attacks to Christchurch

New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern today said that they were not aware of any intelligence suggesting that Easter Sunday attack in Sri Lanka was in retaliation for deadly shootings on a mosques in Christchurch, Reuters reported.

Tissa Attanayake discharged from ‘forged document’ case

Former General Secretary of UNP, Tissa Attanayake, was discharged from the case filed against him for allegedly preparing forged documents, by Colombo High Court Judge Vikum Kaluarachchi today.

Controlled explosion carried out to open suspicious bike’s seat

The Special Task Force (STF) personnel carried out a controlled explosion to open up the seat of a suspicious motorbike near the Savoy Cinema at Wellawatta this morning, Police Spokesman Ruwan Gunasekara said.

Batti bomber ‘Umar’ targeted St. Mary’s Cathedral

The Batticaloa suicide bomber had reportedly targeted the St. Mary’s Catholic Cathedral, but failed in his attempt as the Easter mass had ended early.

Easter Sunday terror attack: 18 more arrested

Eighteen suspects had been nabbed by the police on suspicion of having connection with the Easter Sunday terror attack on Sunday (21), during search operations conducted in several areas yesterday, police said.

Death toll rises to 359

The death toll from the Easter Sunday terror attacks has increased to 359 by this morning, police said.

Singer Amal Perera released after questioning

Singer Amal Perera and two others who were detained by the CID had been released after questioning them for over 24 hours, Police said.

I can’t remove IGP, he is a CC appointee: Prez

President Maithripala Sirisena was reported to have told the government that he could not remove Inspector General of Police (IGP) Pujith Jayasundara because he was appointed on a decision of the Constitutional Council.

Bomb attacks - Govt. to set up security committees

The government is reported to have re-introduced another wartime measure such as the setting up of security committees at district levels in the aftermath of the series of bombings that killed 321 people and wounded some 500.

PM should resign after crippling intelligence services: Rathana Thera

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe should resign after admitting that his actions had crippled the military intelligence services as well as the work done by the security forces in the name of safeguarding human rights, MP Ven. Athuraliye Rathana Thera said yesterday.