Proposal passed to remove Mangala’s name from a street in Puhulwella

A proposal presented by the Kirinda-Puhulwella Pradeshiya Sabha to remove the name of ‘Mangala Samaraweera Pedasa’ and replace it as ‘Lindagawa Watta Mawatha’ in Puhulwella, Matara, was passed today with a majority of three votes.

US Secretary of State Pompeo to visit SL

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is to make a brief visit to Sri Lanka end of this month, US State Department said.

CPC ups Petrol 92 by Rs. 3, LIOC by Rs. 7

The price of petrol (Octane 92) was increased by the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) by Rs. 3 a litre from midnight today while the Lanka Indian Oil Corporation (LIOC) increased it by Rs. 7 in addition to increasing Petrol Euro 3 also by Rs. 7.

Spirit of Sri Lanka cannot be defeated by acts of terrorism: Modi

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi who is visiting Sri Lanka on Sunday said that Sri Lanka is not going to bow down in face of terrorism and the spirit of the island nation cannot be defeated by acts of terrorism.

Intelligence Chief Sisira Mendis resigns

Chief of the State Intelligence Service, former DIG Sisira Mendis, who testified before the Parliamentary Select committee on the Easter Sunday attacks, has resigned citing health reasons, a senior defence official confirmed.

Summoning intelligence officers before PSC can’t be approved: Prez

President Maithripala Sirisena said summoning intelligence officers before a Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) and revealing intelligence information before it cannot be approved.

SriLankan Airlines world’s most punctual airline

The SriLankan Airlines has been named as the world’s most punctual airline with 90.75 per cent of its flights in May 2019 being ‘on-time’ throughout its route network, SriLankan Airlines said.

Prez told me not to attend NSC meeting convened by PM - Hemasiri Fernando

Former Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando said yesterday that he did not inform the President on the intelligence information on the imminent suicide attack on Easter Sunday because he assumed that the Firector of the State Intelligence Services (SIS) must have informed the President on the matter, as it has been the practice

No politician, priest or social media can decide who is guilty: Mangala

Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera today said the Constitution does not give power to any politicians, priests or social media platforms to decide who is guilty or innocent of any crime, including terrorism.

MS agrees to appoint UNP MP as State Minister of Law and Order

Sounding what appears to be a conciliatory note, President Maithripala Sirisena is reported to have agreed to appoint two members of the United National Party (UNP) one of them as the Minister of Media and the other as the State Minister of Law and Order.

Colombo Archdiocese condemns Mangala’s tweet

The Archdiocese of Colombo today condemned the tweet posted by Minister Mangala Samaraweera saying, ‘Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith had fanned the flames of hatred and communalism by visiting Athuraliye Rathana Thera who was fasting in Kandy’.

Country belongs to people, not to its rulers: Cardinal

Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith who visited MP Ven. Athuraliye Ratana Thera during his fast unto death said the problem would not have blown out of proportion today if President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe had acted against those who discreetly aided and abetted the terrorist attacks.

Police chief blames president for failing to prevent SL attacks

Sri Lanka’s suspended police chief has petitioned the Supreme Court, accusing President Maithripala Sirisena of failing to prevent the Easter bombings that killed 258 people, the AFP reported today.

Akkaraipattu man impersonating as SLA major, arrested in Moratuwa

A suspect who had been impersonating a major of the Sri Lankan Army Intelligence, has been arrested by the STF at Soysapura in Moratuwa yesterday.

President says undecided whether to run in upcoming poll

President Maithripala Sirisena said today that he had not decided on seeking another term in an election that is due by year-end, Reuters reported.

Extremists replacing Sinhala signboards with those in Arabic: Prelate

A group of extremists has been active in fixing signboards with Arabic names to Muhudu Maha Vihara Mawatha and other streets in the town, said Ven. Warakapola Indrasiri Nayake Thera, Eastern Province Sangha Nayake and Chief Incumbent of Muhudu Maha Viharaya in Pottuvil.

NSC not met for two months prior to Easter attack: CNI reveals

Chief of National Intelligence (CNI) former DIG Sisira Mendis today revealed that the National Security Council (NSC) had not convened for two months after it was last met on February 19, 2019 prior to the April 21 terrorist attack.

Three new ministers sworn in

Three new ministers, including one state minister, were sworn in before President Maithripala Sirisena at the President’s residence in Colombo today.

PM seeks bullet-proof vehicle for MR

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe is reported to have yesterday sought Cabinet approval to purchase a bullet proof vehicle for Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa.

President cancels Hizbullah’s teacher transfers in East

The Provincial Education Department has cancelled the transfers of Muslim teachers to Tamil schools in the Eastern Province given by Governor M.L.A.M. Hizbullah.

ISIS boat reportedly sets off from SL, Kerala Coast on high alert

The Kerala coast has been put on high alert following intelligence reports that boats carrying 15 ISIS terrorists had set off from Sri Lanka to the Lakshadweep islands, police said Saturday, the NDTV reported.

MR, Modi reiterate commitment to strengthen ties

Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had reiterated their commitment to strengthen ties and work towards the mutual benefit of both nations.

Funds worth Rs.one bn in bank accounts of those arrested in Horowpathana

It was revealed that there were funds amounting to Rs. one billion in the bank accounts belonging to the five suspects, who were arrested in Horowpathana yesterday on suspicion of having links with the National Thowheed Jama’at (NTJ) and its leader Zahran Hashim, a senior police official told the Daily Mirror.

Five accomplices of Zahran arrested in Horowpathana

Five suspects, who are alleged to have maintained connections with the National Thowheed Jamaath (NTJ) and its leader Zahran Hashim, were arrested in Horowpathana today, police said.

I won’t call myself a Buddhist, but one who follows Buddhist Philosophy: Mangala

Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera told parliament today that he would not call himself a Buddhist but a person who follows the Buddhist Philosophy.

Criminal probe against IGP, fmr. Defence Secy- AG

The Attorney General (AG) has directed the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to launch a comprehensive probe against top security officials including former Defence Secretary, IGP, State Intelligence Chief, Commanding Officer of the Special Task Force and the Senior DIG of the Western Province, informed sources said.

Prez instructs not to close roads for VIP movements

President Maithripala Sirisena has instructed law enforcement agencies not to close roads in a manner which would inconvenience the public when the VIPs were on the move.

Wellampitiya OIC transfered with immediate effect

The officer in charge of Wellampitiya Police Division has been transferred based on the requirement of the National Police Commission (NPC), with immediate effect, police said

Bathiudeen willing to resign from all positions if found guilty

Minister of Industry and Commerce, Resettlement of Protracted Displaced Persons, Co-operative Development and Vocational Training and Skills Development Rishad Bathiudeen had informed the government parliamentary group that he is willing to resign from all positions if he is found guilty by any investigation.

Arrested Hansard officer brought to parliament

Mohamed Naushad Jalaldeen, the 42-year old senior indexing officer attached to the Hansard Department of Parliament, was brought to parliament for investigations today.