Schools closed for two more days

All schools across the island would remain closed for two more days until Wednesday due to the ongoing terror situation, the Education Ministry said.

40 killed, over 250 injured from explosions in Colombo

At least 40 people were killed and more than 250 were injured in explosions reported in Colombo this morning, a hospital source said.

25 killed in Batticaloa church explosion

At least 25 people admitted to the Batticaloa Teaching Hospital from the explosion at Zion Church in Batticaloa were declared dead, a hospital source said.

Emergency meeting called

An emergency meeting had been called over the bomb explosions reported across the country, Minister Dr. Harsha De Silva said a short while ago. In a tweet, he said Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe was on his way from Bentota.

Police urges public not to gather at explosion sites

Police urged the public to stay indoors and not to gather at the explosion sites, and outside the national hospitals where the injured are being brought in.

Explosions in Kochchikade, Katuwapitiya and Colombo

At least six explosions were reported this morning at three churches in Kochchikade, Katana, and Batticaloa and three five-star hotels in Colombo, police said.

‘Pas Anura’ and ‘Bole’ arrested over assault on PC

Two suspects were arrested by the Akmeemana Police last night on charges of attempted murder and assault of a police constable.

Swiss court verdict on 13 LTTE financiers challenged

The Swiss Federal Court must decide whether the Tamil Tigers are a criminal group – following a complaint from the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) of Switzerland, the Swissinfo reported.

Man arrested in counterfeit notes raid in Kotmale

A suspect had been arrested with counterfeit currency notes valued over Rs. 200,000 during a raid in Kotmale this morning.

Voters’ lists to be issued from May 15

The Election Commission said it would begin issuing voters’ lists from the 15th of next month.

Youth hacked to death in Horana

A 20-year-old youth was hacked to death by four men at Horana Town this morning, police said.

PCoI on SriLankan airlines - I resigned due to pressure: Ex-air hostess

SriLankan airlines former senior air hostess, Yasantha Naomi Alwis informed the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) on irregularities at SriLankan that she had to resign from the permanent staff in 2012 because of the pressure imposed by the company’s Human Resources Division over her pregnancy.

New regulations on importing buses

The Ministry of Transport has decided to enact regulations on maintaining standards when it comes to importing passenger buses in the future.

Officials told to make schools dengue-free before reopening

The Education Ministry has instructed the relevant officials to conduct a countrywide dengue prevention campaign in schools prior to reopening for the second term.

Excise Dept. to set up Special Ops Room

The Excise Department which regulates all laws pertaining to the sale, possession and production of liquor will set up its first Special Operations Room at its headquarters before June this year, sources said.

SLPP plans vehicle parade from Trinco targeting May Day

A vehicle parade organised by the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) would kick off from Trincomalee on April 26 and would arrive in Colombo on May 1 to flex muscle on the party’s May Day celebrations, an MP said.

A ’coup’ emerged and died within the UNP: MR

Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa said today a political coup was about to happen but it died within the United National Party (UNP) itself.

17-year-old killed by lightning strike

A 17-year-old youth was killed after being struck by lightning at Vishwamadu in Puthukkudiyiruppu this afternoon, police said.

Man arrested with heroin in Wattala

A 35-year-old man was arrested with 1.37 kilos of heroin at Dikovita in Wattala this afternoon, police said.They said the suspect was arrested based on the information received by the Wattala Police around 2.30 pm today.

I was not involved in team selection: Harin

Sports minister Harin Fernando said he was not involved in selecting the team for the 2019 World Cup and that there were selectors paid by Sri Lanka Cricket to do that job.

PNB recovers 3 kgs of heroin near expressway entrance

Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) officials have recovered three kilos of heroin worth over Rs.35 million near the Kurundugahahethekma Entrance of the Southern expressway last night.

50-year-old suspect extradited from Dubai released

The 50-year-old suspect Piyal Pushpakumara Rajapaksha, who was deported from Dubai last morning and detained by the CID for further questioning, had been released today, Police Spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekera said.

CCD arrests one of two suspects deported from Dubai

The 22-year-old suspect Mohammad Afreed Mohammad Inham, who was deported from Dubai last morning, was arrested by the officials of the Colombo Crime Division (CCD) this morning, police said.

SL improves ranking: Ranked between Uganda, Zimbabwe

Sri Lanka has further improved its press freedom, and ranked in between Uganda and Zimbabwe in the latest version of the World Press Freedom Index compiled by Reporters Without Borders.

Ravi proposes Cabinet to resolve the dispute

Power and Energy Minister Ravi Karunanayake in a Cabinet paper has proposed to the Cabinet on April 2, 2019 that the dispute between the Public Utilities Commission (PUCSL) and Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) should be resolved amicably without seeking legal action, informed sources said.

UNP lawyers express concern

Lawyers attached to the UNP want to clear some matters with regard to the appointment of President’s Counsel, party sources said yesterday.

Leopard drags away labourer in Kumana

A person was killed and other sustained serious injuries when a leopard attacked a group of labourers working at the Kumana National Park and dragged a man away last afternoon, Panama Police said.

Mob attack on A’pura Church: Six individuals issued notices

Six individuals had been issued notices to appear in court on May 5 over their alleged involvement in the attack on a Methodist prayer centre at Anuradhapura on March 31, police said.

State has violated rights of differently-abled: SC

In a landmark judgment, the Supreme Court today ruled that the State and its agencies have violated the fundamental right to equality guaranteed by the Constitution to persons with disabilities, for the breach and failure to comply with the provisions of the Disabled Persons (Accessibility) Regulations.

Met Dept. forecasts heavy showers

A low-level atmospheric disturbance has set in the vicinity of Sri Lanka which will bring heavy showers and high winds, the Department of Meteorology said today.