DNA report proves Zahran killed in Shangri-La blast

DNA investigations have confirmed that it was National Thawheed Jamaat (NTJ) leader Mohamed Zahran Hashim - one of the two suicide bombers - who was killed in the Colombo Shangri-La hotel blast on Easter Sunday, Government Analyst’s department sources said.

Madrasas to come under Education Ministry: PM

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday Madrasas would be placed under the purview of the Education Ministry.

State Minister Niroshan will vote against Rishard

State Minister for National Policies and Economic Affairs Niroshan Perera said that he would use his vote in favour of the No-confidence motion (NCM) handed over to the Speaker by the Joint Opposition against Minister, Rishard Bathiudeen, if he does not resign from his ministerial post.

Sound reaction over VIP movements

Motorists in several locations in Colombo displayed their anger by honking their vehicle horns after they were forced to stop to facilitate VIP movements on roads. Two videos circulating on social media showed motorists honking their vehicle horns.

Controversy swirls around efforts to defer presidential poll

Controversy swirls in political circles about reports on President Maithripala Sirisena’s move to seek an advisory opinion from the Supreme Court (SC) in terms of Article 129 whether he could serve in office till June 20, 2020, thereby postponing the presidential election otherwise scheduled for later this year.

Conducting a training camp in Kurunegala: 6 arrested

A total of six suspects had been arrested for their alleged involvement in a training camp and connivance of instigating violence in the Kurunegala District, police spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekera said.

Concerns over purchasing 400MWs of power from Turkish firm

Controversy surrounds Power and Energy Minister Ravi Karunanayake’s move to award another 400MWs of emergency power to a Turkish company, the Daily Mirror learns.

Easter Sunday attack: 3 suspects nabbed in Kalmunai

Another three suspects who had connections to the Easter Sunday attack on April 21 had been arrested this evening in Kalmunai by the Ampara police officers, Police said.

Presidential poll between Nov. 9 and Dec. 9: EC

The Elections Commission (EC) was determined to announce the presidential poll in mid-October and hold the election between November 9 and December 9, its Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya said.

Police waiting for Madumadawa

Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) deputy leader Madumadawa Aravinda has failed to appear at the Minuwangoda Police Station at two instances – today and yesterday– despite summons being issued to be present to provide a statement in connection with his alleged presence during a tense situation that erupted in Minuwangoda on May 13, police said.

Surveillance cameras to beef up security in schools: Akila

As an additional security measure, CCTV cameras will be installed in schools countrywide, Education Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam said today.

Foreign influence on domestic appointments: MR

Opposition leader Mahinda Rajapaksa said foreign nations influenced Sri Lanka when making certain appointments in the country.

Easter Sunday attack: 89 suspects arrested

A total of 89 suspects had been arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and the Terrorist Investigations Division (TID) on charges of maintaining links with the terrorists who orchestrated the suicide bomb attacks on Easter Sunday, Police Spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekera said.

Defence Ministry permits to detain Hansard officer

The Defence Ministry today permitted a special police team of the Kurunegala Police to detain the senior indexing officer attached to the Hansard Department of Parliament for three months for questioning. The ministry has made the directives under the emergency regulations.

Army Chief requests parents to send children to schools

Army Commander Lieutenant General Mahesh Senanayake today requested parents to send their children to school from tomorrow - saying the security had been ensured in the country.

JVP to bring in no faith motion against Govt.

The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) would bring in a no faith motion against the Government, Party leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake told a news briefing today.

UNP Muslim MPs to vote against NCM

UNP Muslim MPs have decided to vote against the no confidence motion that have been brought against Minister Rishad Bathiudeen.

Hansard officer in parliament arrested for aiding and abetting Zahran

A senior indexing officer attached to the Hansard Department of Parliament who had aided and abetted suicide bomber Zahran Hashim as a leading activist of the National Thawheed Jamaath (NTJ) was arrested by a special police team in Kurunegala on Saturday.

No confidence motion against Minister Bathiudeen not valid: Minister Kiriella

The no confidence motion against Minister Rishad Bathiudeen handed over by the joint opposition contain an error which could compel Speaker Karu Jayasuriya to reject it, Leader of the House Lakshman Kiriella said yesterday.

Our intelligence services are capable of tackling religious extremism: Prez

The separatist terrorism, waged for 26 years by the LTTE could not be defeated even by the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) comprising 100,000 soldiers but was defeated by our own heroic soldiers and as such, our intelligence services, soldiers and the police have the capability and resolve to wipe out religious extremist terrorism in the same manner, President Maithripala Sirisena said today.

Govt. brought down military morale: MR

Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa said today that the Government deliberately used the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) against armed forces personnel to bring down the morale of the entire security establishment.

Kuwait Embassy in SL among several websites under cyber attack

The Kuwait Embassy in Sri Lanka and at least ten other websites (.lk and .com) had come under a cyber-attack, the Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Readiness Team (SLCERT) said.

President visits Gnanasara Thera at Prison Hospital

President Maithripala Sirisena has met Bodu Bala Sena General Secretary Ven. Galagodaththe Gnanasara Thera at the Welikada Prison Hospital on Saturday.

Sri Lankan security experts to return after Scotland series

The two security men travelling with the Sri Lanka Cricket team are likely to return home after the Scotland series, the Deccan Chronicle reported.

38 senior army officers promoted

Thirty eight senior Army officers including 9 officers of the Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force (SLAVF) have been promoted by President Maithripala Sirisena in the wake of the commemoration of National War Heroes’ Day, the Army said.

Gotabaya Rajapaksa confirms presidential run

Former defence secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa, accused by rights groups of war crimes during the final months of Sri Lanka’s long-running civil war a decade ago, has confirmed he plans to run for the presidency in the wake of the Easter Sunday attacks that have shattered the country’s uneasy peace.

Australian PM Scott Morrison claims historic win

Australia’s Liberal National coalition government under Prime Minister Scott Morrison has won a historic victory, taking his party for a third term in government against all expectations.

I’m provided with only 10 security personnel: Ruwan

Responding to various reports, State Minister of Defence, Ruwan Wijewardene said he has been provided with 10 security personnel and two backup vehicles.

Gnanasara Thera not in list: Official

A senior official attached to the Prisons Department said yesterday the name of Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera was not in the list of prisoners who were to be granted presidential pardon.

Decade of peace marred by resurgence of terrorism: Gota

A decade of peace, which was an occasion worthy of celebration, has been marred by the resurgence of terrorism in Sri Lanka which has impacted all of us once again, former defence secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa said.