PM should resign after crippling intelligence services: Rathana Thera

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe should resign after admitting that his actions had crippled the military intelligence services as well as the work done by the security forces in the name of safeguarding human rights, MP Ven. Athuraliye Rathana Thera said yesterday.

Some ministers & Mujibur said I was lying: Wijeyadasa

MP Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe said today some ministers and UNP MP Mujibur Rahman cursed him saying he was lying when he warned in November 18, 2016 of a possible attack by Thawheed Jama’at (TJ) and said they should take the responsibility for the loss of lives in the recent attack.

Heads of all security forces to be changed within 24 hours: Prez

The Police, Tri-Forces and Security Forces would be restructured within a week and expected to change the heads of all security forces within the next 24 hours, President Maithripala Sirisena said today.

At least 45 children killed in SL attacks: UN

At least 45 children were among the more than 320 people killed in the suicide bomb attacks in Sri Lanka, the United Nations said Tuesday.

Terror attack: Not fair to blame IGP: SF

UNP MP Sarath Fonseka said today the governments that were in office since 2010 should be held responsible for the series of terror attacks on Easter Sunday and pointed out that it was not fair to blame only the IGP.

Police curfew from 9.00 pm to 4.00 am

The police curfew will be imposed for the third day across the island from 9.00 pm to 4.00 am tomorrow, the police said.

Islamic state claims responsibility for SL bombings

Islamic state has claimed responsibility for coordinated bombings in Sri Lanka which killed 321 people and injured about 500 others, the group’s AMAQ news agency said on Tuesday.

India warns SL about more terror attacks

Indian security agencies had alerted Sri Lanka that another National Thowheeth Jamaath (NTJ) team led by Jal al-Quital alias Rilwan Marzag could carry out more attacks, Hindustan Times reported today.

Ashu presents private member motion to ban burqa

UNP MP Ashu Marasinghe today presented a private member motion to parliament to ban burqa in Sri Lanka.

Syrian among those detained over terror attacks

Sri Lankan police have detained a Syrian among 40 people who are being questioned about the Easter Sunday attacks on churches and hotels, Hindustan Times reported quoting government and military sources.

Will eradicate terrorism with int’l assistance: PM

Making a special statement in parliament, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe a short while ago said the government would eradicate terrorism with the assistance offered by the international community.

Police advised to be on high alert

All police stations and personnel in Colombo have been advised to be on high alert after it was reported that an explosive laden van and a lorry were circulating in Colombo, sources said.

All extremist groups should be banned immediately: Ruwan

All extremist organizations including Thowheed Jamath should be banned immediately and the members should be brought to book with their properties confiscated and assets frozen, State Minister of Defence Ruwan Wijewardene told parliament today.

MR blasts govt. for diluting intelligence services

Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa today slammed the government for weakening the intelligence services over the years.

It was a retaliation to Christchurch attack: Ruwan

State Minister of Defence, Ruwan Wijewardene in parliament said that the Easter Sunday terror attacks were carried out by an Islamist terrorist group in retaliation to the Christchurch attack in New Zealand.

Govt. mulling over burqa ban?

With interrogation of suspects and other evidence pointing to the involvement of a large number of women in Easter Sunday attacks, the government has yesterday initiated moves in view of a possible ban of burqa and niqab in Sri Lanka, a highly placed government source said.

Masterminds should get punishment they deserve: Putin

In a message to Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena, his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin reassured that Russia was Sri Lanka’s partner in combatting terrorism and said he expected “masterminds and perpetrators of such a heinous and cynical crime get the punishment they deserve.”

School second term to start on Monday: Minister

All government schools across the island would remain closed until next Sunday (28) due to the ongoing terror situation, Education Minister Akila ViraJ Kariyawasam said.

Motorists urged to paste contact, name on windscreens: Police

Motorists are advised to display their names and contact telephone number on the windscreen to identify the vehicles clearly, the Police Spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekera said.

CMC pledges Rs.25mn to rebuild Kochchikade Church

Colombo Mayor Rosy Senanayake yesterday said the Municipal Council would pledge Rs.25 million to bring the St. Anthony’s Church, Kochchikade to its former glory.

UN Security Council condemns terrorist attacks in Sri Lanka

The UN Security Council has condemned the series of heinous and cowardly terrorist attacks that took place across Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday, which resulted in nearly 300 killed and hundreds more wounded.

Guidelines by Army to be issued to all hotels

A security briefing to all the Colombo city hotels and some suburban hoteliers had been held yesterday, the Chairman of both Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) and Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB), Kishu Gomes said.

Death toll rises to 321

The death toll from the Easter Sunday terror attacks has increased to 321 by this morning with 500 people have been injured, State Minister of Defence Ruwan Wijewardene said.

Amal Perera deported from Dubai

Six more individuals including Singer Amal Perera who were arrested along with notorious drug kingpin Makandure Madush in Dubai were deported this morning, police spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekera said.

Batticaloa terror attack: Children among the dead

Majority of those who were killed and injured following the bomb attack which took place at Zion Church in Batticaloa on Sunday, had been identified as children, Batticaloa hospital sources said. Sources said 29 deaths had been reported so far while about 140 injured.

A respectable history which assured safety of all Lankans marred: Gota

Former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa yesterday said he was shocked to witness a respectable history which ensured the safety of all Sri Lankans while strengthening the intelligence service of Sri Lanka to the level of world’s leading intelligence services, being marred.

Attacks of this magnitude were not expected: Defence Secy.

Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando said yesterday the Defence Ministry never expected an attack of this magnitude except for some isolated incidents in certain places.

Int’l authorities warned of Easter Sunday attacks: Govt.

The government today admitted that foreign intelligence authorities warned of imminent terrorist attacks on Easter Sunday.

Stand committed to confront terrorism together: Pompeo

Mike Pompeo, the US Secretary of State, today said the US grieves with the people of Sri Lanka and that they stand committed to confront terrorism together.

Suicide bomber previously arrested for vandalism: Kabir

One of the suicide bombers who blew himself up in an attack last Sunday had been a suspect who was arrested a few months ago in connection with an incident in Mawanella in which Buddha statues were damaged, Highways Minister Kabir Hashim said at a press conference held today.