Category: Local News

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.

Leader of “Mahasohon Balakaya” Amith Weerasinghe, who was in remand custody, has been granted bail by the Colombo Additional Magistrate.

The government has taken measures to establish a special fund for children left disabled or orphaned due to the Easter Sunday bombings.

All Muslim Ministers, Deputy Ministers and State Ministers will resign from their positions with immediate effect. This was revealed by SLMC Leader Rauff Hakeem.

Ven. Athuraliye Rathana Thera a short while ago ended the fast which he began demanding the resignation of Governors Azath Salley, M. L. A. M. Hizbullah and Minister Rishad Bathiudeen.

His Eminence Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith visited MP Ven. Athuraliye Rathana thero to inquire of the Thera’s wellbeing, at the site he is engaged in a protest fast.

Western province Governor Azath Salley and Eastern province Governor M.L.A.M Hizbulla have resigned from their positions.

Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa held discussions with Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe at the Temple Trees this morning.

CCTV footage of the Easter Province Governor M. L. A. M. Hizbullah meeting several persons who could be identified as Saudi Arabian nationals at a hotel in Pasikudah has been uncovered.

All shops in Kandy town will be closed today in support of MP Ven. Athuraliye Rathana Thera who began a fast-unto-death campaign outside the Sri Dalada Maligawa in Kandy on May 31, the Kandy Sinhala Traders Front said.

While Indian security agencies have not found evidence of bomber Zahran Hashim or his aides having visited India before the Easter Sunday attacks, it is learned that Sri Lankan investigators are working on leads pointing to Hashim’s travel to the Maldives in the recent past.

The Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) has requested rebel MP Ven. Athureliye Rathana to engage in what it calls collective action against those who assist and sponsor terrorism instead of taking unilateral actions.