Easter Sunday attack: Committee submits final report to prez

The three-member investigation committee which was appointed by President Maithripala Sirisena to look into the Easter Sunday attacks, submitted its final report to the President this morning, President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

Prez shirks responsibility by abolishing PSC: JVP

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) alleged today that President Maithripala Sirisena was trying to stop information on Easter Sunday attacks being revealed through the Parliament Select Committee (PSC) instead of admitting his shortcomings and rectifying them.

Three acting ministers appointed

Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce Buddhika Pathirana, was sworn in as Acting Minister of Industry and Commerce, Resettlement, Co-operative Development and Vocational Training and Skills Development, before President Maithripala Sirisena today.

Kiriella mooted as latest bidder for presidency?

A move is underway within a section of the United National Party (UNP) to promote Public Enterprise Development Minister Lakshman Kiriella, as the presidential candidate of the party; it is learnt, with a section of the Kandy-based Buddhist clergy particularly keen on Minister Kiriella as the candidate.

India shares phone numbers of five Lankans linked to IS

In the wake of the Easter Sunday bombings which killed more than 250 people, India has shared with Sri Lanka phone numbers of five Lankans suspected to be associated with Islamic State (IS).

Traffic lane law to be strictly implemented from today

Bus lane and traffic lane rules will be strictly implemented across all major cities from today, police said.

One has to face many bouncers in the game of politics: MR

Opposition Leader and former President Mahinda Rajapaksa said that in the game of politics one had to face many bouncers. “In the game of politics, one has to face many bouncers. So, he has to make sure you protect your head from these bouncers,” he quipped.

Divided leadership to blame for Easter Sunday carnage: Expert

An international terrorism expert yesterday blamed the failure to avert the Easter Sunday bombings on the absence of collective leadership in the country and said security and intelligence agencies should not be held responsible for the debacle.

Religious Reconciliation Board to be set up: PM

A Religious Reconciliation Board comprising of members nominated by the religious leaders, would be set up to resolve various issues among religious groups in the country, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said over the weekend.

President, visiting Indian PM hold bilateral talks

President Maithripala Sirisena held bilateral talks with visiting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday said the visit would have a positive impact on Sri Lanka’s economic, tourism and trade sectors.

This PSC is not what we expected: MR

Opposition LeaderMahinda Rajapaksa said the Parliament Select Committee (PSC) appointed to look into the Easter Sunday attacks was not the PSC they expected.

Three arrested for attempting to extort Rs.100 mn from Chief Incumbent of the Rangiri Dambulla

Three suspects were arrested for trying to extort Rs. 100 million from the Chief Incumbent of the Rangiri Dambulla Raja Maha Viharaya and custodian of the Sri Vishnu Devalaya, the Police said.

Spirit of Sri Lanka cannot be defeated by acts of terrorism: Modi

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi who is visiting Sri Lanka on Sunday said that Sri Lanka is not going to bow down in face of terrorism and the spirit of the island nation cannot be defeated by acts of terrorism.

Modi pays tribute to vicitims of Easter terror attack

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday visited St. Anthony’s Shrine in Kochchikade - one of the sites of the horrific Easter Sunday attacks - soon after his arrival in Sri Lanka.

Chancellor of Ruhuna University passes away

Chancellor of Ruhuna University and Chief Sanghanayaka of Southern Sri Lanka, Most Venerable Aggamaha Panditha Pallaththara Sri Sumanajothi Thero passed away this morning at the age of 95.

Modi arrives

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Sri Lanka a short while ago to make a brief stopover on his way back to India from the Maldives.

NIA shares with Sri Lanka numbers of five Lankans linked to IS

In the wake of the Easter Sunday bombings which killed more than 250 people, India has shared with Sri Lanka phone numbers of five Lankans suspected to be associated with Islamic State (IS).

Visit to Maldives, Sri Lanka will reinforce ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy- Modi

On the eve of his departure to the Maldives and Sri Lanka, kicking off his first overseas visit after the elections, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the visit brings together two key policies of ‘Neighbourhood First’ and SAGAR (Security And Growth for All in the Region).

Suspect arrested over murder of ‘Minuwangoda Kalu Ajith’

A suspect was arrested by the STF at Ekala over the murder of Krishantha Ajith Kumara, alias ‘Minuwangoda Kalu Ajith’.

Traditional sawmills will not be banned-Govt

The Ministry of Environment today said that traditional sawmills will not be banned under the proposed amendments and that only mobile sawmills will be banned with effect from December 31, 2022.

MR asks SL Muslims to stop Arabisation of their culture

The Leader of the Opposition and former Sri Lankan President, Mahinda Rajapaksa, on Saturday called upon the island’s Muslim community to stop the Arabisation of their culture and return to the traditional Sri Lankan Muslim culture.

No need to adhere to circular on dress code – PM’s office

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said that there is no need to adhere to the recently issued circular on the dress code of the public offices as the government has decided to amend it.

Muslim MPs meet MR

The Muslim parliamentarians, who recently resigned from their ministerial portfolios, held discussions with former President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the official residence of the former President this morning.

SL engages UN on new counter-terrorism strategy

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe is reported to have met Executive Director of the Counter Terrorism Directorate of the United Nations, Michele Coninsx and her team yesterday and discussed the preparation of a counter-terrorism strategy.

Intelligence Chief Sisira Mendis resigns

Chief of the State Intelligence Service, former DIG Sisira Mendis, who testified before the Parliamentary Select committee on the Easter Sunday attacks, has resigned citing health reasons, a senior defence official confirmed.

I too would have resigned if I was a minister: Faizer

UPFA MP Faizer Musthapha yesterday said he would have resigned from his post if he was a minister of this government.

President disputes PSC probe

President Maithripala Sirisena summoned an emergency Cabinet meeting on Friday evening (7) and registered his protest over the activities of the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) probing the Easter Sunday terrorist attack. He had asked that the PSC activities be terminated accordingly.

PCoI - CEB mismanagement causes Rs.100 Bn loss: Patali

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has incurred a Rs.100 billion loss because of the failure to manage and distribute its services efficiently, Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka yesterday told the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) as they continue investigating corruption in the government.

SL Navy takes over P 625 ship from China

The official taking over ceremony of a P 625 ship to the Sri Lanka Navy from the Republic of China, was held under the patronage of the Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Navy, Rear Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenna at the Shanghai Dockyard in China on Wednesday (6).

Don’t ban carpenter-workshops and chainsaws: MR

Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday urged President Maithripala Sirisena to reconsider the decision to ban ’wadu madu’ or carpenter-workshops and chainsaws.