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.

Secretary General of the UNWTO called on the global community to offer its unwavering support to Sri Lanka through Tourism at this critical moment noting that hotels, beaches and other sites of interests are open as usual.

HIKKADUWA, Sri Lanka – Sipping fresh coconut water while sunbathing on deserted Hikkaduwa beach, Alexi Konchayenko, a sports trainer from Ukraine, struck a stoical note.

The no-confidence motion signed by 66 opposition MPs against Industry and Commerce Minister Rishad Bathiudeen, was handed over to Speaker Karu Jayasuriya a short while ago, MP Udaya Gammanpila said.

The Prime Minister has ordered Police to take action in terms of the International Convenant on Civil and Political Rights Act (ICCPR) and the Emergency regulations against persons involved in acts of violence, the Prime Minister’s office said in a statement yesterday.

The UPFA lawmakers yesterday met at the Wijerama residence of Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa to discuss the current situation with the focus on ways and means to defuse the situation and also decide on a No Confidence Motion (NCM) against All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC) leader Rishad Bathiudeen over his alleged links with the perpetrators of the Easter Sunday bombings.

International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) says it condemns the series of the acts of violence directed against the Muslim community in the aftermath of the Easter attacks on 21 April in Sri Lanka directed at churches and other places.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Wednesday met with Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena in Beijing.

Police Media Spokesperson SP Ruwan Gunasekara stated that police curfew will be imposed in the north-western province and Gampaha police division from 7 pm till 4 am tomorrow.

The Government has declared Monday the 20th of May as a special public holiday.