Protest against ISIS

A group of people staged a protest in Puttalam against ISIS terrorists today.

Against Bathiudeen and Hizbullah

The ’Ravana Balaya Organisation’ yesterday lodged a complaint against Minister Rishad Bathiudeen and Eastern Province Governor M. L.A.M. Hizbullah to the Police Headquarters.

All set to commemorate ‘Decade of Peace’

A media briefing headed by Army Commander Lieutenant General Mahesh Senanayaka to inform about the arrangements made to pay tribute to the memory of fallen war heroes in the series of ‘Dasawarshabhishekaya’ (Decade of Peace) ceremonies, was held at the Sri Lanka Electrical Mechanical and Engineering (SLEME) Regimental Headquarters in Colombo today.

Satyagraha against extremism, violence

A ’Satyagraha’ organised by an organisation called ‘Api Minissu’ (We are humans) was held in front of the Viharamahadevi Park today demanding the government to establish unity among communities and to put an end to extremism and violence in the country. Pix by Damith Wickramasinghe

Ready to celebrate Vesak

Sri Lankans are preparing to celebrate Vesak which falls over the weekend. Despite the security concerns, people are seen purchasing Vesak decorations from stalls set up at roadsides in Colombo. This year Vesak festival in Sri Lanka is being celebrated on a low-key with additional security provided following the recent suicide bomb attacks at churches and hotels on Easter Sunday. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

Ruwan calls on Mahanyake Theras

Acting Defense Minister Ruwan Wijewardene and Speaker Karu Jayasuriya called on the Asgiriya and Malwathu chapter Mahanayayake Theras on yesterday. They were accompanied by State Minister of Finance, Eran Wickramaratne. Pix by Chamil Rupasinghe

CMC recruits over 100 new employees

Colombo Mayor Rosy Senanayake handed over appointment letters to 111 Management Assistant (Non-Technical) Service Supervisors in the work, field, health, market and veterinary sectors at an event held at the Municipal Council today. Pix by Nisal Baduge

A network of extremism expands

A Reuters investigation has pieced together a network of characters directly involved in the attacks or targeted in the police raids that followed, who largely managed to stay under the radar as they plotted the deadliest attack in Sri Lanka since the end of a civil war 10 years ago.

Colombo deserted

Colombo City was seen deserted yesterday with only a handful of people at Fort Railway Station and in Main Street of Pettah. However, Vesak decorations were also seen despite the prevailing situation in the country.

Proposals to counter terrorism and extremism

The SLFP parliamentary group has presented a set of proposals to quell the new form of terrorism and extremism and to promote interfaith and inter-ethnic harmony. The proposals include the close monitoring of social media and prescribing of face veils like the burqa and full-face helmets. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

PM visits strife torn areas in NWP

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe visited the areas in Kuliyapitiya that have been marred by violence. He visited the Hettipola Mosque, Kuliyapitiya and Panduwanuwara. Ministers Kabir Hashim, Rauff Hakeem, Akila Viraj Kariyawasma, State Ministers J. C Alawathuwala and Faizal Cassim accompanied the Prime Minister. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Aftermath of unrest

Police curfew was imposed in the North Western Province after incidents of violence were reported in several areas. Roads of Giriulla, Narammala, Kuliyapitiya and Hettipola were seen abandoned during the curfew. Pix by Kushan Pathiraja

Lifetime of effort up in flames

PM meets Ittapane Dhammalankara Thera

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe met Venerable Ittapane Dhammalankara Thera to discuss the prevailing situation in the country.

Weapons buried in a land at Kuda-Oya

Several firearms and ammunition buried in a land at Kuda-Oya in Wellawaya were recovered by the Kuda Oya Police and the army personnel today.

PM distributes appointment letters

A ceremony organised by the Education Ministry was held at Temple Tress under the patronage of Prime Mister Ranil Wickremesinghe to mark the distribution of appointment letters to some 3,000 sports instructors.

Getting ready for Vesak

Some people are seen preparing for the upcoming Vesak festival amidst uncertainties prevailing in the country in the aftermath of the Easter Sunday terror attack.

What a last over from Malinga!

Lasith Malinga is lifted by his teammates after he defends nine runs off the last over. Lasith Malinga held his nerves yet again and delivered a yorker to trap Shardul Thakur legbefore with CSK needing 2 runs to win off the last ball. Mumbai Indians win by 1 run, beat CSK for the fourth time in this season and the third time in an IPL final.

Preparing for Vesak

Amidst un-fading intensity of Easter Sunday carnage, a group of employees of a self-owned business in Dematagoda were seen busy preparing for the upcoming Vesak festival by stitching Buddhist flags for sale. Pix by Nisal Baduge

Catholics holds Sunday mass after Easter attacks

Sri Lankan Catholic devotees pray during a mass at the St. Theresa’s church as the Catholic churches hold services again after the Easter attacks in Colombo today.Thousands of Catholics attended mass in Sri Lanka’s capital Colombo on May 12 amid tight security to prevent a repeat of Easter bomb attacks that killed 258 people. AFP

SLNC unveils action plan on eradicating IS from Sri Lanka

The Sri Lanka National Council (SLNC) unveiled its five-point national action plan on eradicating Islamic State (IS) terrorism from Sri Lanka. The National Council’s Chairman Ven. Athuraliye Rathana Thera, His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, Islamic and Hindu religious leaders were present at the event.

Sajith in talks with Cardinal

The progress review meeting on the renovation of the churches which were damaged due to the terror attacks, was held between Colombo Archbishop Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith and Housing, Construction and Cultural Affairs Minister Sajith Premadasa at the Catholic Archbishop’s House in Borella.

Hartal against Hizbullah

Several hartals were staged in Trincomalee and suburbs this morning demanding the removal of Eastern Province Governor M. L. A. M. Hizbullah. Pix by Amadoru Amarajeewa

Catholic Bishops’ conference

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference was held yesterday under the patronage of Colombo’s Archbishop His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith at its headquarters in Borella amidst the participation of Bishops of respective dioceses. President Maithripala Sirisena was also seen attending meeting.

PM calls on Mahanayake Theras

Can you spot the snow leopard?

Security tightened…

Baggage of the visitors to the Galadari Hotel in Colombo is seen thoroughly checked by the Commandos with the assistance of sniffer dogs. Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana

Another recovery in Maligawatte

A haul of swords and kris knives were recovered at a public well, adjacent to R. Premadasa Cricket Stadium in Maligawatte today. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

1990 App to save lives

’1990 Suva Seriya’ today launched its new Emergency Dispatch Management (EDM) and the unique 1990 mobile app to enable faster dispatching and management of ambulance movements. The App was launched by the Parliamentarian Dr. Harsha De Silva. The 1990 app, which is available for both Android and iOS, would enable persons with smartphones to call the service faster and easy by just touching one button. Pix by Damith Wickramasinghe

JVP meets Muslim community leaders

Members of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) today met with leaders of the Muslim community at the JVP headquarters in Pelawattha to discuss the prevailing situation of the country. Pix Damith Wickramasinghe