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.

Madrasas to come under Education Ministry: PM

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday Madrasas would be placed under the purview of the Education Ministry.

Hansard officer in parliament arrested for aiding and abetting Zahran

A senior indexing officer attached to the Hansard Department of Parliament who had aided and abetted suicide bomber Zahran Hashim as a leading activist of the National Thawheed Jamaath (NTJ) was arrested by a special police team in Kurunegala on Saturday.

Our intelligence services are capable of tackling religious extremism: Prez

The separatist terrorism, waged for 26 years by the LTTE could not be defeated even by the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) comprising 100,000 soldiers but was defeated by our own heroic soldiers and as such, our intelligence services, soldiers and the police have the capability and resolve to wipe out religious extremist terrorism in the same manner, President Maithripala Sirisena said today.

Gotabaya Rajapaksa confirms presidential run

Former defence secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa, accused by rights groups of war crimes during the final months of Sri Lanka’s long-running civil war a decade ago, has confirmed he plans to run for the presidency in the wake of the Easter Sunday attacks that have shattered the country’s uneasy peace.

Dayasiri gives statement over incidents in NW Province

UPFA MP Dayasiri Jayasekara arrived at the Office of Deputy Inspector General (Colombo Division) to give a statement over the recent violent incidents in the North Western Province.

Soldier in Nattanidiya video not at fault: Army Commander

Army Commander Mahesh Senanayake said yesterday the soldier who was seen in a CCTV video as having made a hand gesture to a mob during a violent incident that occurred in Nattanidiya in Thummodara last Monday, and was found to be not at fault.

Muslim leaders call for Sri Lankan identity

While expressing solidarity with the victims of the Easter Sunday terror attacks and those affected by the recent spate of violence, prominent Sri Lankan Muslim leaders today called for one united Sri Lankan identity.

Probe underway on Rs.4mn remitted by three ISIS members

The Terrorist Investigation Division (TID) informed Colombo Additional Magistrate Thanuja Jayatunga yesterday that investigations were ongoing into the Rs.4 million remitted to Sri Lanka by three Sri Lankans allegedly involved in training with ISIS terrorists in Syria.

Wellampitiya Police OIC demands inquiry

Wellampitiya Police OIC Gamini Senarath Hewawithana has complained to the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) demanding an inquiry against Colombo Magistrate Court Judge Priyantha Liyanage over the release of nine employees on bail of the copper factory in Wellampitiya.

Arrested software engineer key in Easter attacks

The software engineer suspected by authorities of having provided technical and logistical support to the Easter Sunday suicide bombers was monitored by Indian intelligence agencies three years ago for links with Islamic State suspects, Reuters reported on Tuesday quoting investigators.

Namal Kumara, Amith Weerasinghe arrested

Leader of the Mahasohon Balakaya, Amith Weerasinghe and Anti-Corruption Force Operations Director Namal Kumara were arrested today, police said.

Easter bombs had explosives not used before by LTTE or military, source

The explosives used by the suicide bombers for the Easter Sunday attacks had been improvised by the terrorists which neither the military nor the LTTE had used before, sources said.

Will not hesitate to use maximum force: Army Commander

In the wake of violence being reported in some areas, Army Commander Mahesh Senanayake in a hard-hitting statement said yesterday that the armed forces would not hesitate to use minimum or maximum force to stem any violence.