EP Governor’s Office - Two officials arrested with T-56 bullets

Two officials, reportedly attached to the Eastern Province Governor’s secretariat staff, were arrested after they were found in possession of forty eight T56 bullets at a political office on Telecom Road, Kattankudy last morning, a Kattankudy police officer said.

Vital documents belonging to Thoweed Jama’at found

The Gampola Police today recovered video visuals and vital documents including the training of suicide bombers and the teaching of Hashan Zaharan the leader of the Thawheed Jama’at Organization from a shoe shop in which suicide bombers Mohamed Ibrahim Zahid Abdul Haq and Ibrahim Sadik Abdul Haq had hidden themselves.

Police curfew in Kalmunai from 8 pm

The police curfew would be reimposed in the Kalmunai, Sammanthurai and Chawalakade areas from 8.00 pm to 6.00 am tomorrow, police said.

Re-scrutinised 2018 A/L results released

The Examinations Department today announced that the GCE A/L examination results-2018 that had been sent for re-scrutiny had been released today and could be viewed and downloaded from its website http://www.doenets.lk.

Bathiudeen’s coordinating secy arrested in Wedithalathivu

Four men including a coordinating secretary of Minister Rishad Bathiudeen were arrested by the Adampan police following the discovery of 10 detonators during a search in Wedithalathivu, Mannar on Monday.

Cardinal returns bullet-proof vehicle

Archbishop of Colombo, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith said today he had returned the bullet-proof vehicle given to him by the government.

US believes terrorists may be plotting more attacks in SL

The US believes members of the militant group blamed for Sri Lanka’s Easter Sunday attacks may be at large and planning more assaults, US Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Alaina Teplitz has told Reuters on Tuesday.

'Cheap shot': NZ slams SL-Christchurch link terror claim

New Zealand’s Deputy Prime Minister has criticised suggestions that Sri Lanka’s Easter Sunday bombings were retaliation for the Christchurch mosque shootings, saying his country is being misused, The Age reported today.

Wanted lorry taken into custody in Polonnaruawa

A suspicious lorry which was wanted over the Easter Sunday terror attacks was taken into custody at Sungavila in Polonnaruwa this morning, police said.

President instructs TRC to lift ban on social media

President Maithripala Sirisena has instructed the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC) Director General to lift the social media ban with immediate effect, the Government Information Department said today.

Kotte Municipal Councillor, his brother arrested in Rajagiriya

Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte Municipal Council member H. M. Ali Usuman and his brother were arrested with three swords in Rajagiriya.

Raids in Kerala over ISIS links, three suspects questioned

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Sunday searched the houses of at least four people in north Kerala as part of the international probe into the Easter Day suicide bombings in Sri Lanka.

'They appeared to be a normal family': Zahran’s father-in-law Abdul speaks

Mohammed Hussein Abdul Cader, 54, has identified himself as the father-in-law of National Thowheed Jamath (NTJ) leader Mohammed Cassim Mohod Zahran. His daughter, Abdul Cader Fathima Zadiya, was injured in the gun battle and suicide blasts in Sainthamaruthu, near Kalmunai, when security forces clashed with the group recently.

Govt. responsible for homeland security collapse: SLPP

Asserting that the government’s blame game on the Easter Sunday bombings was unacceptable, the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) said yesterday the government should act as one to ensure the security of people.

Discussions underway to appoint SF as Law and Order Minister

Discussions are ongoing among government allies to establish a full-time Law and Order Ministry and appoint Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka in charge of it, UNP Chairman and Minister Kabir Hashim told journalists yesterday.

CTA will ensure safety of terrorists than apprehending them: MR

Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday said the proposed Counter Terrorism Act (CTA) would provide security to terrorists than enabling action against them.

IS chief speaks on video, praises SL suicide bombers

The Islamic State group’s elusive chief Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi has purportedly appeared for the first time in five years in a propaganda video released on Monday (Apr 29) by the militant organisation and referred to last week’s deadly attack in Sri Lanka.

Overall Operational Command, Colombo established

All Army, Navy, Air Force and Police areas within the Western Province and Puttalam District have been placed under command to the Overall Operational Command - Colombo for operational purposes with immediate effect, the Army Headquarters said.

Police curfew in Kalmunai from 6 pm

The police curfew would be reimposed in the Kalmunai, Sammanthurai and Chawalakade areas from 6.00 pm to 8.00 am tomorrow, police said.

Suspected NTJ intelligence member detained for 72 hours

A suspected member of the proscribed National Tawheed Jamaat (NTJ) movement was detained by Keselwatta Police in Colombo for 72 hours for further questioning in a bid to ascertain whether he has any link with the banned outfit.

Sri Lanka ‘reaches out’ for NSG help from India

Sri Lanka has sought assistance from the India’s National Security Guard (NSG) for operations as well as investigation against local terror threats, the Economic Times reported.

Kottegoda appointed Defence Secretary

Retired General Shantha Kottegoda was appointed as the Secretary of Defence a short while ago, President’s Media Division said.

Amend PTA instead of introducing CTA: Cardinal

Amending the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) was better than bringing in a new Counter-Terrorism Act (CTA), Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith said today.

IGP sent on compulsory leave

Following the appointment of C.D. Wickremeratne as the acting Inspector General of Police, IGP Pujith Jayasundara has been sent on compulsory leave, sources said.

C.D. Wickremerathne Acting IGP

Senior DIG C.D. Wickremerathne had been appointed as Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) by President Maithripala Sirisena today, President’s Media Unit said.

An accomplice of Zahran arrested in Medawachchiya

An accomplice of National Thowheed Jamath’s leader Zahran Hashim was arrested at Rambewa in Medawachchiya on Sunday, police said.

13 foreigners arrested over visa violation

Thirteen foreign nationals have been arrested in the Mount Lavinia, Welikada, Dehiwala and Nawagamuwa areas over visa violations yesterday, police said.

Govt. intelligence obtains information on possible attack on Buddhist temples

The Government Intelligence Service has received information on an attack targeting the Buddhist temples by the National Thawheeth Jamaath (NTJ), using female bombers.

139 JMI members presently in SL

A recent survey by the security forces intelligence wings have revealed that there are 45 Jamathei Millathu Ibraheem (JMI) mosques throughout the country with a membership of about 139.

Attacks would have been prevented if new Counter Terrorism Bill was passed -PM

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday said the Easter Sunday attacks would have been prevented if the new Counter Terrorism Bill which provides for territorial jurisdiction was passed in Parliament without delay.