CID mistake identity of one suspect

Police spokesman Ruwan Gunasekara today acknowledged that the CID has mistaken the identity of one of the six suspects when releasing their photos to the police.

Refrain from gathering for mosque prayers tomorrow: Minister

Muslim Religious Affairs Minister Abdul Haleem today requested the members of the Muslim community to refrain from gathering for congregational prayers tomorrow as a sign of solidarity with the Catholic Community and to protest against the barbarism of ruthless terrorists.

Suspicious lorry seized from Wattala

A suspicious lorry bearing the number WP DAE 4197 was taken into custody by the police in Nayakakanda, Wattala this evening, police said.

Easter Sunday terror attack: Police seek public support to trace suspects

The CID today released photographs of the suspects wanted in connection with Easter Sunday’s bomb attacks.

Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando resigns

Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando has tendered his resignation to President Maithripala Sirisena today, sources said. Earlier, the President called for the resignation of the defence secretary and IGP Pujith Jayasundara.

Only passengers allowed to enter BIA terminal bldg

Only air passengers are allowed to enter the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) terminal building due to the current situation, the Airport and Aviation Services limited said.

Police curfew from 10.00 pm to 4.00 am

The police curfew will be re-imposed for the fifth day across the island from 10.00 pm to 4.00 am tomorrow, the police said.

Sri Lanka halts low season visa-free plan after bombings

Sri Lankan Government said it was suspending plans to grant citizens of 39 countries visa-free entry during the country’s tourism low season after Easter Sunday terror attacks, AFP reported today.

Sri Lanka bomber had visa in Australia: Aussie PM

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has confirmed that one of the suicide bombers involved in the Sri Lankan bombings spent time in Australia, Nine News Australia said today.

Three suspects arrested with 21 hand grenades

Three suspects were arrested along with a van, 21 locally made low powerful hand grenades and six swords during a raid carried out by the Colombo Crime Division (CCD) and the Special Task Force (STF) personnel in Modara today.

Four labourers die after falling into cesspit

Four labourers attached to the Vavuniya Urban Council died after they fell into a cesspit while working at a cattle barn in Vavuniya today, police said.

Public advised not to panic as operations underway

The police advise the general public not to panic as the security forces are conducting search operations across the country.

BIA entrance road re-opened

The entrance road to the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) which was previously closed following the tensions that erupted after a suspicious vehicle was found near the entrance check point to the airport this morning , had been re-opened for public.

Explosion in Pugoda

An explosion was reported in a garbage dump behind the Pugoda Magistrate’s Court this morning, police said.

Drones, unmanned aircraft banned within Sri Lankan airspace - CAA

The use of all drones and unmanned aircraft within Sri Lankan airspace would be suspended with effect from today until till further notice, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said.

If Govt. informed me of terror attack: Would have cancelled Easter services: Cardinal

I would have cancelled all the masses and services during Holy Week if the government had informed me of an imminent terror attack, Archbishop of Colombo, Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, said yesterday.

Curbing extremism in SL: Asgiriya Mahanayakes want amnesty for intelligence officers

While stating that military intelligence officers had rendered a yeoman service to to help defeat the separatist LTTE, the Mahanayake Theras of the Asgiriya Chapter requested the government to grant an amnesty to intelligence officers in order to curb extremism in the country.

Kiriella calls for parliamentary select committee

Leader of the House Lakshman Kiriella yesterday called for the appointment of a parliamentary select committee to look into the failure of communication of the prior warnings that were made by foreign intelligence on last Sunday’s terrorist attacks.

Stop foreign forces entering the country: Dinesh

Opposition MP Dinesh Gunawardane yesterday told the government that it should not by any circumstance allow foreign security forces to enter this country at this moment.

May, Khan speak to PM

British Prime Minister Theresa May spoke to Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on Tuesday night over the telephone to express her condolences, the PM’s office said.

Mujibur, Salley and Bathiudeen should be questioned: Wimal

Opposition MP Wimal Weerawansa today said MP Mujibur Rahman, Western Province Governor Azath Salley and Minister Rishard Bathiudeen should be questioned for instigating extremism.

FBI already in SL investigating Sunday’s bombings

A team of the Federal Investigation Bureau (FBI) of the United States is already on the ground in Sri Lanka to conduct investigations into the serial bombings on Easter Saturday, a spokesman said today.

Most suicide bombers come from educated middle class families

State Minister of Defense Ruwan Wijewardene today confirmed that most of the suicide bombers, who carried out a suicide bombing campaign on Easter Sunday are well educated and come from maybe middle or upper-middle class families.

Parliament passes emergency regulations

Emergency Regulations which provides provisions to the armed forces to ensure peace was passed in Parliament without a vote today.

Easter Sunday tragedy consequence of a weak Govt.: SF

The Easter Sunday tragedy is a consequence of a weak government, Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka told Parliament today.

Police curfew from 10.00 pm to 4.00 am

The police curfew will be imposed for the fourth day across the island from 10.00 pm to 4.00 am tomorrow, the police said.

Prez calls for all party conference

An all party conference would be convened at the Presidential Secretariat tomorrow under the chair of the President to discuss the current situation and future steps which should be taken, the President’s Media Unit (PMD) said.

Wijeyadasa requests Prez to arrest Defence Sec., IGP

MP Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe today wrote to President Maithripala Sirisena and requested him to immediately arrest Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando and IGP Pujitha Jayasundara.

Prez tells Defence Secretary, IGP to resign

President Maithripala Sirisena is reported to have informed Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando and IGP Pujith Jayasundara to resign from their offices, sources said.

One of nine suicide bombers a woman: Minister

One of the nine bombers that detonated explosives on Easter Sunday was a woman, State Minister of Defence Ruwan Wijewardene has said on Wednesday.