Masses won’t be held this Saturday and Sunday

Sunday masses in the Colombo Archdiocese have been cancelled due to security concerns, the Archbishop’s House said today.

Artillery shell defused in Kilinochchi

The Army Soldiers had recovered an artillery shell abandoned in a garbage dump on a byroad on the Kilinochchi-Paranthan Junction and defused it in a controlled explosion.

Two persons arrested with 28 white skirts

Two Muslims were arrested in Anuradhapura, while they were transporting 28 white skirts in a van from Thihariya last evening, the Police said.

UK probes possible links between SL suicide bomber and British extremist group

British Intelligence services are investigating possible links between a Sri Lanka suicide bomber and an extremist group launched in Britain by a notorious hate preacher, The Telegraph reported.

SL to obtain US $ 100mn loan from China for Port City

Sri Lanka plans to obtain a US $ 100 million interest-free loan facility from China Development Bank (CDB) to expand the proposed Port Access Elevated Highway to Marine Drive through Colombo Port City.

Father, son nabbed with illegal drugs

Following a tip-off, an elderly man and his son were taken into STF custody along with a stock of illegal drugs worth of Rs.4 million when their house was raided at Wolfendhal Street in Colombo.

Assets of terrorists to be frozen: Police

The assets of the terrorists involved in the eight terror attacks across the country had been identified and the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) was conducting measures to freeze their assets, Police Spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekera said yesterday.

Bad politicians encouraged NTJ to flourish: Patali

While saying that Zahran Hashim who is deemed to be the leader of National Tawheed Jamath (NTJ), should have been nipped in the bud in 2014, Megapolis and Western Development Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka said some bad politicians had encouraged the NTJ to come to the strong position that they are in now.

Special circular issued to ensure security in schools

The Education Ministry Secretary had been advised by its Minister to issue a special circular which aims at assuring the safety of school children and the school community at large.

Special US economic corridor from Trinco to Colombo: Wimal

National Freedom Front (NFF) Leader Wimal Weerawansa yesterday said the government was making arrangements to allow the US to operate a special economic corridor stretching from Trincomalee to Colombo.

Swords may have been used to clear shrubs: Haleem

The caches of swords found from several mosques may have been used to clear shrubs surrounding those mosques, Muslim Religious Affairs Minister M. H. A. Haleem said.

Postponing polls citing security reasons bring dire results: EC

Asserting that it was inappropriate to talk about elections at this trying time, Election Commission’s Chairman Mahinda Desapriya said it would be horrendous if any attempt were made to postpone elections citing security reasons.

Will free SL from terrorism: President

President Maithripala Sirisena said yesterday he would fulfil the task of eliminating terrorism from the country even if it meant putting his life at stake.

Don’t let foreign military in, trust ours: MR

When fighting terrorism, Sri Lanka should place its trust in the country’s military and intelligence services without allowing outsiders to have a claim in the country, Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa said today.

Sharia University linked to EP Governor Hisbullah? - Ashu

There is a possible linkage between Eastern Province Governor M. L. A. M. Hisbullah to Batticaloa Campus Private Ltd., which has been identified as a sharia university, UNP MP Ashu Marasinghe charged today.

Sangakkara 1st non-British President of MCC

Former national cricket captain Kumar Sangakkara was today announced as the next President of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), becoming the first non-British to hold the post in the MCC’s history.

Defeating incumbent regime solution to present crisis: JVP

Defeating the present administration is one solution to the present crisis which Sri Lanka is facing but there are few other steps that should be taken to push the country out the crisis totally, Janatha Vimkuthi Peramuna (JVP) said today.

Four Chinese scientists killed in SL blasts: Embassy

Four Chinese oceanic scientists were killed during the Easter explosion in Sri Lanka, the Chinese Embassy in Colombo said on Tuesday.

Easter Sunday attack: Prez receives interim report

The interim report of the three-member investigation committee which was appointed to look into the Easter Sunday terror attacks had been submitted to President Maithripala Sirisena today.

Unreservedly committed to the fight against terrorism: UK

The British Government has consistently made clear its unreserved determination to fight the scourge of terrorism, the British High Commission (BHC) in Colombo said today.

Julian Assange sentenced to 50 weeks in jail

Wikileaks co-founder Julian Assange has been sentenced to 50 weeks in jail for breaching his bail conditions, BBC reported today.

More security for religious places, schools

Additional personnel would be deployed to ensure the safety of all religious places and schools as required, the President’s Media Division said.

Sri Lanka cable TV operators block Peace TV in wake of bombings

Two of Sri Lanka’s major cable TV operators, Dialog and SLT, have removed controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik’s Peace TV from their channel list.

Saudi embassy advises its citizens to leave SL

Saudi Arabia advised its nationals to leave Sri Lanka, Al-Ekhbariya state TV reported on Tuesday, citing the Kingdom’s embassy in Colombo.

Do not travel together- Intelligence warning to leaders

The state intelligence services have warned the leaders of the country not to travel together during the coming few weeks.

World should be on alert following threat by ISIS leader: PM

The whole world should be on alert with relevant security alerts following the threat by ISIS leader Abū Bakr al-Baghdadi yesterday, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe stressed last evening.

Teaching at Madrasas - Deport the 800 foreign Islamic clerics: Patali

Megapolis and Western Development Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka yesterday called for the deporting of 800 foreign Islamic clerics who were engaged in religious teaching at various Madrasas.

Limit foreign assistance only to obtain intelligence: SLPP

The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) yesterday said seeking foreign assistance should only be limited to obtain intelligence to fight terrorism and not for any internal affairs of the country.

Easter Sunday attacks - Expert committee to submit report on Monday

The three-member expert committee appointed by President Maithripala Sirisena to look into Easter Sunday’s suicide bomb attacks is to submit its report to President Maithripala Sirisena next Monday.

Cardinal wants Britain to be vary of Islamic extremists

Referring to a statement made by a pro extremist Islamic Group in Britain that they would teach a lesson to all Sri Lankans, Archbishop of Colombo, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith told a news conference today the British Government should be keep a close tab on these groups.