Wimal: Sinister move to blame JO MPs

There was a sinister move to blame two Opposition MPs for the violence in Kandy, Joint Opposition MP Wimal Weerawansa told Parliament yesterday.

Lack of progress in SL: UN could use universal jurisdiction

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Prince Zeid Al-Hussein yesterday said he was alarmed by recent violent incidents in Sri Lanka and said he would encourage UN Member States to explore the use of universal jurisdiction in the absence of progress in accountability and transitional justice in Sri Lanka.

Call for all-party conventions: JHU tells Prez

Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) General Secretary Minister Champika Ranawaka today requested President Maithripala Sirisena to call for all-party and multi-religious conventions in the wake of the tense situation in the country.

Help Desk to crackdown acts of sabotage

A 24-hour help desk has been established at the office of the Chief of Defence Staff where any information that the public believes could be helpful to the government to help crackdown on acts of sabotage or any action thought to endanger national security could be reported.

Muslim MPs may vote against PM if not violence controlled: Harees

Muslim Ministers and MPs would be compelled to vote in favour of a No-Confidence Motion against Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, in the event such a motion was brought if the Government was unable to control violence against Muslims in Kandy, Deputy Minister H. M. M. Harees told Parliament today.

Enforced Disappearances Bill passed in Parliament

International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance Bill was today passed in Parliament with fifty-three votes in favour.

Police curfew in Kandy till 4 p.m. tomorrow

The Police curfew re-imposed in the Kandy Administrative District would end at 4 p.m. tomorrow, the Police said today. In a statement, Police Chief Pujith Jayasundera said it was prohibited for the people, except for State officials, Police officers and tri-forces personnel, to be at public places such as roads and parks during the curfew.

Stand together, be wise: Cricket legends request

Cricket legends Sanath Jayasuriya and Kumar Sangakkara today condemned the recent acts of violence reported in the country and requested the people to stay together and to stand strong at tough times.

Access restricted to certain social media: Minister

Telecommunications Minister Harin Fernando today said extraordinary measures were taken to restrict access to certain social media websites and phone messaging applications.

Govt. asks Kandy residents to stay at home

The Government today requested people in the Kandy District to be at their houses maintaining peace, since curfew had been declared in the district with immediate effect.   

UN urges immediate action against perpetrators

The United Nations in Sri Lanka today urged authorities to take immediate action against perpetrators who ignite violence and requested the government to ensure that appropriate measures are swiftly taken to restore normalcy in affected areas.

Kandy schools closed until further notice

All the schools in the Kandy Administrative District would be closed until further notice, Education Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam said a while ago.

Social media blocked: TRCSL

Social media platforms including Facebook and phone messaging applications such as WhatsApp had been blocked as requested by the Defence Ministry to prevent transmitting fake news or rumours that instill a fear psychosis or a threat to communal harmony,the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) said.

I don’t want the next generation to go through another civil war: Mahela

Former Sri Lankan batsman Mahela Jayawardana today strongly condemned the recent acts of violence and stated that everyone involved must be brought to justice regardless of race, religion or ethnicity.

US, UK, Aus. issue travel advisories on SL

The United States, Britain and Australia had issued travel advisories regarding Sri Lanka, following the violence in the Kandy District and the declaration of State of Emergency for a period of one week.

Three top police teams sent to Kandy

Three police teams comprising three DIGs and three SPs had been sent to the Kandy area on the instruction of IGP Pujith Jayasundara, Police said.

Police curfew re-imposed in Kandy

The Police curfew has been re-imposed in the Kandy administrative district with immediate effect until further notice, Police Spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekara said.

Lankan critically injured in machete attack in Paris restaurant

A 35-year-old man of Sri Lankan origin has suffered horrific injuries to his head and arm after two assailants, armed with a machete and a saber, stormed an Indian restaurant in Paris’ 10th arrondissement.

Severed head found in Keselwatta flat

A severed head of a man was found at a flat in Bandaranayake Mawatha in Keselwatta this morning, Police said.

Emergency in Kandy: Top UN official to visit SL

UN political chief Jeffrey Feltman will visit Sri Lanka this week, the UN spokesman said Tuesday, after anti-Muslim riots prompted the government to declare a state of emergency.

More powers for Police, Tri-Forces

Following the imposition of the State of Emergency, the Police and Tri-forces had been empowered to arrest anyone who creates violence or communal disharmony with the arrested being either sentenced to 20 years imprisonment or sentenced to life imprisonment, Police Spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekara said.

State of Emergency: No immediate impact on tourism - SLTDA

While claiming that there is no immediate impact on tourism sector from the declaration of State of Emergency, the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) yesterday said it has backup plans for any tour plan disruptions.

Not a political conspiracy, shows UNP’s inaction: MR

Former President and MP Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday rejected the reports of Digana violence stemming from a political conspiracy and said the incident reflects the inaction of the UNP. “This is not a political conspiracy. It reflects the inaction of the UNP. They are not keen on resolving the matter and the government has deviated from its responsibilities. There is no one to turn to,”

JVP lashes out at Govt. over racism

JVP leader and Chief Opposition Whip Anura Kumara Dissanayake said yesterday the government declared a state of emergency to suppress the peoples' struggle for their rights.He said the general law was sufficient to take action against those who carry out violence."The government has failed to address the burning issues of the people, and protests are a blessing to

Inaction of law on time aggravated the situation: Champika

Inaction of Law and Order institutions had aggravated the recent clashes into chaos, Megapolis and Western Development Minister Champika Ranawaka said today.

Govt. used Digana violence to divert attention: Wimal

Joint opposition MP Wimal Weerawansa said yesterday MP Dilum Amunugama had requested Central Province (CP) DIG to provide security in the Digana area following the death of the youth, but the DIG had rejected it saying the situation was under control.

All schools in Kandy closed tomorrow: CM

All government schools in the Kandy administrative district will be closed tomorrow in the wake of a tense situation reported in several areas in the Kandy District, Central Province Chief Minister Sarath Ekanayake said today.

Inter-communal violence needs to be taken seriously: BHC

British High Commissioner (BHC) in Sri Lanka James Dauris today said recent inter-communal violence needs to be a serious concern for everyone in Sri Lanka. “I am sure that people in every community will be looking to religious, community and political leaders to stand up against the spreading of mistrust and hate,” he tweeted.

32 killed in Russian plane crash in Syria

A Russian military plane has crashed in Syria killing 26 passengers and six crew members, the BBC reported.

Police curfew re-imposed in Kandy till 6 am tomorrow

The Police curfew which was lifted at 6 pm today in Kandy District would be reimposed from 8 pm until 6 am tomorrow, Police said.   The curfew was imposed following the tense situation in the Teldeniya and Pallekela police divisions.