Category: Local News

Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa said today that the Government deliberately used the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) against armed forces personnel to bring down the morale of the entire security establishment.

President Maithripala Sirisena has met Bodu Bala Sena General Secretary Ven. Galagodaththe Gnanasara Thera at the Welikada Prison Hospital on Saturday.

Deputy Leader of the United National Party, Minister Sajith Premadasa, dropped a bombshell by demanding the Government to push democracy and human rights concerns aside for at least a little while, and give priority to defeating terrorism and ensuring national security in the face of a global terrorist threat.

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.

Public Enterprise Minister Lakshman Kiriella said yesterday that the Prevention of Terrorism Act introduced in 1979, based on the British model, was outdated and even the United Kingdom had updated its legislation.

Colombo: India has offered full support to Sri Lanka in dealing with the common threat of “Jihadi terrorism” following the deadly Easter Sunday suicide bombings that killed nearly 260 people, including 11 Indians.

I extend best wishes to all celebrating Vesak, a sacred occasion to millions around the world. On this day marking the Birth, Enlightenment and Passing of the Buddha, all of us, Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike, can reflect on his life and draw inspiration from his teachings, states United Nations Secretary General António Guterres in a Vesak message.

Secretary of the Government Medical Officers Association, Haritha Aluthge commented on the controversial Batticaloa campus.

Eastern Provincial Governor, MLAM Hizbullah says that the private education institute known as Batticaloa University located at Punani cannot be taken over by the Government.

Sri Lanka’s economy remains vulnerable to adverse shocks and the economy is expected to recover gradually in 2019, while downside risks remain, the International Monetary Fund said in its staff report released Thursday following the Fifth Review under the Extended Fund Facility.

Two members of the National Thowheed Jamath organization believed to have maintained close ties with the terrorist Zahran Hashim have been arrested from Paththawa, Horowpothana.

The Muslim community is prepared to look at themselves critically and rectify any shortcomings, said the Minister of Highways and Road Development, Kabir Hashim yesterday (16).

Sri Lanka’s army on Thursday defended its decision to reinstate an intelligence official arrested in 2017 on suspicion he attacked journalists, saying he is the right person to investigate the Easter bombings claimed by Islamic State.

A total of 762 prisoners would be released on presidential pardon in view of the Vesak Poya which falls on Saturday, the Justice and Prison Reforms Ministry said today.

A close associate of terrorists involved the Easter Sunday Attacks named Mohammed Rizwan has been taken into custody in Mabola, Wattala.

The European Union has expressed concern over the recent incidents of communal violence that occurred following the Easter Sunday terrorist attacks.