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.

Suspected handler taken in

A suspected handler of the suicide bombers was arrested in Enderamulla, Wattala last night, informed sources said.

MR meets former defence heads

Leader of the Opposition Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday met the former defence chiefs led by former defence secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa to discuss the prevailing security situation in the country.

Some people taking advantage of country’s situation: Duminda

SLFP National Organiser Duminda Dissanayake today said that it is pathetic to see some people taking advantage of the problematic situation prevailing in the country for mere personal political mileage.

Covering the face banned from tomorrow

Covering the face in order to avoid the identification of a person will be banned with effect from tomorrow (29), to ensure the public safety, the President’s Office said.

Many politicians go all-out for elections, forgetting national security: MR

Former President and Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa today told reporters that many Sri Lankan politicians put all their energy into winning elections, while forgetting national security.

Two injured in Kalmunai blast identified as Zahran’s wife, child

The woman and the child who were injured in the Saindamarudu blasts at Kalmunai on Friday night had been identified as the wife and the daughter of Mohamed Zahran, the mastermind of Easter Sunday terror attacks, police said.

Elder brother of hotel bombers arrested at Mahawila

Mohamed Ibrahim Mohamed Ifran Ahmed, the elder brother of two suicide bombers, who blew themselves up at two hotels had been arrested by the STF during a raid in Dematagoda this morning, the Police said.

Gemstones, cash over Rs. 45 mn found in Dematagoda safe house

The CID recovered three gemstones worth more than Rs. 30 million from the house at Mahawila Scheme in Dematagoda where several explosions occurred on Sunday, Police Spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekera said.

Spreading false information liable to severe punishment: Military

Individuals or groups spreading false and sensitive information that could stir up inter-communal violence would be punished severely under the prevailing Emergency Regulations, Military Spokesman Brigadier Sumith Atapattu said.

Man arrested with six homemade bombs in Daulagala

A 57-year old man was arrested with six homemade bombs from a mosque that comes under the purview of the National Thowheed Jamaath at Wahunkowa in Daulagala last night.

Police curfew in East lifted

The indefinite police curfew which was imposed in Kalmunai, Sammanthurai and Chawalakade was lifted at10 am today, Police Spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekera said.

Two wanted suspects arrested in Nawalapitiya over Easter Sunday attacks

Two suspects, wanted over Easter Sunday attacks, were arrested in Nawalapitiya this morning, police said.

IS says its fighters behind police clashes in Sri Lanka

The Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for three men who blew themselves up in clashes with Sri Lankan police, the militant group said in a statement.

Reconsider travel to Sri Lanka due to terrorism: US

The US Department of State on Friday ordered the departure of all school-age family members of US government employees in Kindergarten through 12th grade, from Sri Lanka.

Vavunathiwu cop murders: Radical Islamists arrested, weapons recovered

Three suspects allegedly radical Islamist extremists and two weapons of the two Policemen killed at a checkpoint in Vavunathiwu on November 29, 2018 were recovered by officers of the Criminal Investigations Department today.

President bans National Thawheed Jammath

President Maithripala Sirisena, as per the powers vested in him under the emergency regulations no 1 of 2019, has taken steps to ban National Thawheed Jammath (NTJ) and Jamathei Millathu Ibraheem (JMI) in Sri Lanka, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

Driver of main suspect in Sunday’s bomb attacks arrested

The driver of the main suspect in the Sunday’s bomb attacks Mohamed Sahran, was arrested in Kaththankudy and handed over to the CID, police said.

Negombo Deputy Mayor arrested

Negombo Deputy Mayor Mohomad Anzar was taken into police custody with a sword, a knife and 38 mobile phone batteries today, police said.

Police curfew from 10.00 pm to 4.00 am

Police curfew will be re-imposed from 10.00 pm today to 4.00 am tomorrow, police said.

Govt. assessing damage to economy: Mangala

The government is in the process of assessing the damage caused to the overall economy, the industry, financial and banking sector and to tourism from the Easter Sunday terrorist attack, Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera said.

Ban Madarasa Islamic Schools: CBK

Former President Chandrika Kumaratunga yesterday called for the banning of Madarasa Islamic Schools in Sri Lanka saying the children are taught extremism in those institutions.

Recovery of 46 swords: UNP Colombo MC arrested

UNP Colombo Municipal Councillor Noordeen Mohomad Thajudeen was arrested over the recovery of 46 swords at Slave Island yesterday, police said.

US approves US$480mn grant to SL

The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) of the US Government has approved a grant of US$480 million to Sri Lanka at its board meeting held on April 25, 2019 in Washington DC, subject to Congressional Notification, the Finance Ministry said in a statement.

Gun battle in Kalmunai: 15 including suicide bomber killed

At least 15 persons including suicide bomber were killed following the explosion that took place in a house in Kalmunai where a gun battle also occurred last night.

Rishad denies allegations, vouched for Mujibur, Asath

While rejecting allegations levelled against him, Minister Rishad Bathiudeen yesterday vouched that neither Mujibur Rahman nor Azath Salley had any involvement in extremist terror outfits but said he can’t keep track of daily activities of each and everyone he interacts with.

ACJU says informed Defence Secretary in January

All Ceylon Jammiyathul Ulama (ACJU) President Sheik M.I.M. Rizwi Mufti said yesterday he gave details about the National Thowheeth Jamaath (NTJ) Leader Mohamed Zahran to former Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando in January this year.

Will take legal action against MPs, monks who tarnish my name: Salley

Western Province Governor Azath Salley yesterday promised to take legal action against MPS and Buddhist monks for tarnishing his name and making false statements that he attempted to make use of his influence to release two suspects connected to the Mawanella incident.

PM apologises: says govt. takes collective responsibility

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday expressed regrets over the government’s failure to prevent the Easter Sunday attacks.