Informed sources said, Minister Rishard Bathiudeen had told the United National Front (UNF) Parliamentary group meeting yesterday (21), if all Parliamentarians in the Government urge him to resign from his Ministerial portfolio, he will do so and sit in the Opposition as an independent.

The NFF charges that the JVP has moved a no-confidence motion against the government with an intention to save Minister Rishard Bathiudeen.

Weeping Sri Lankan Catholics lit candles and prayed in a memorial service outside a bombed church on Tuesday, one month after Easter bombings by Islamist militants killed more than 250 people.

The Government Analyst’s Department said today the DNA tests had matched and confirmed the identity of the suicide bombers including that of Mohomad Zaharan, police spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekera said.

Former DIG Nalaka de Silva, who was arrested in connection with the alleged VIP assassination plot, was released on bail by the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court today.

The governments of Japan, India and Sri Lanka have agreed to develop a container terminal at the Port of Colombo, which has attracted major investment from China under its Belt and Road initiative, a Japanese newspaper reported.

The no-confidence motion (NCM) against the government was handed over to the Speaker by the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) a short while ago.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday said the Government will not grant permission to operate Sharia Universities and Madrasa Schools will be brought under the Education Ministry.

The first set of Afghan and Pakistani refugees were resettled in Jaffna yesterday.

The State Intelligence Service (SIS) officers, in Ampara, arrested National Thowheed Jamaath (NTJ) leader Zaharan Hashim’s Kalmunai leader Siyam, on Sunday, and four other members yesterday.

Army Commander Lieutenant General Mahesh Senanayake today requested parents to send their children to schools from tomorrow without any fear.

President Maithripala Sirisena on Sunday asked the security forces to use their experience in defeating separatist Tamil guerrillas a decade ago to meet the new challenge from Islamist militants linked to ISIS and responsible for last month’s serial bombings that killed 258 people.

Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) will be handing over a no-confidence motion against the government, said the JVP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

A Parliament staff member has been arrested by Police on Saturday over suspicion of aiding activities of extremist organisations.

A group of United National Party parliamentarians has decided to present a proposal to Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe requesting him to allow them to exercise their right of conscience in using their votes for the No-Confidence Motion against Minister Rishad Bathiudeen.

The United States and Sri Lanka have agreed to expand military-to-military cooperation, the governments announced in a joint statement issued following high level talks in Washington.