Category: Local News

Former Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando, yesterday, told the parliamentary select committee probing the Easter Sunday carnage that the President had specifically told him not to invite the Prime Minister, the State Minister of Defence and the IGP to National Security Council meetings from Nov 13, 2018.

One of the bombers at Cinnamon Grand Hotel Colombo on Easter Sunday, Mohammed Ibrahim Inshaf, has been identified as a main suspect in a case currently being heard before the Colombo Magistrates Court over the theft of a container with aluminum, brass and iron valued at 6.2 million rupees.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Pujith Jayasundara testifying at the Special Parliamentary Select Committee stated that the President has asked him not to attend the National Security Council meetings.

Sri Lanka’s government will introduce five-year jail terms for those caught spreading fake news and hate speech on social media, the government said Wednesday, following a surge in online vitriol and disinformation after the Easter suicide attacks.

Former Minister Parliamentarian MHM Haleem says all Muslim Ministers representing the government signed one letter informing the President of their decision to resign of Ministerial portfolios.

Three persons have been electrocuted to death at around 7.30 a.m. this morning (06) due to an illicit electric cable near a field at Gonakamulla, Thalagahagama in Akuressa police division.

President’s Secretary Udaya R. Seneviratne, yesterday, said that none of the Muslim Ministers who, on Monday, announced that they would resign from the Cabinet had tendered their resignation letters.

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.

The Maha Sangha of all Buddhist Chapters has requested all Muslim political leaders to take up their official responsibilities once again.

Former Chief Minister of Southern Province, Shan Wijayalal De Silva was sworn in as the Governor of the Eastern Province before President Maithripala Sirisena a short while ago, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

Former Minister Rishad Bathiudeen says he did not step down from his post in fear of the No Confidence Motion presented against him.

Nava Sama Samaja Party Leader Dr. Vickramabahu Karunaratne yesterday (4) said Athuraliye Rathana Thera should be arrested for creating political unrest in the country by fasting unto death demanding the removal two governors and a Minister.

Former head of Terrorist Investigation Division Senior DIG Nalaka de Silva yesterday told the Parliamentary Select Committee probing the Easter Sunday carnage that he had been aware of the subversive activities of Islam fanatics led by Zahran group since 2013.

Acts like the fast-unto-death campaign launched by Ven. Athuraliye Rathana Thera could push the moderate Muslims in the country towards extremism, Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera said yesterday.

Mr. A. J. M. Muzammil was sworn in as the new Governor of the Western Province before President Maithripala Sirisena.

Australian Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton is warning human smugglers and people seeking to enter Australia by boat not to do so, emphasizing that the government continues to enforce the country’s tough border protection policy.