Five persons died and 12 were injured in a motor accident in Kolakanawaadiya along the Batticaloa – Welikanda road.

The Parliament Select Committee (PSC) probing the Easter Sunday carnage was told yesterday that prior intelligence reports on the terror attacks by Zahran Hazhim’s group had not been provided to the police station in the Kattankudi area, where the National Thowheed Jamaath (NTJ) operated from.

The three staff members, attached to Minister Lakshman Kiriella’s ministry who were arrested at the Central Mail Exchange with defamatory letters have been granted bail as per the order of the Fort magistrate Ranga Dissanayake.

The Cabinet of Ministers convened after a break of two weeks for the weekly Cabinet meeting.

The number of complaints filed against Dr Mohamed Shafi over alleged illegal sterilizations has amounted to 1,003.

The Terrorist Investigation Division stated that 29 suspects are being interrogated in connection with the 04/21 terror attacks.

United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa, yesterday (17), alleged that extremists not only have injected fear into the minds of people, but also invaded Parliament.

Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne today said he would not allow the import of foreign cigarettes to Sri Lanka as long as he is the Minister of Health.

Our aim is to emulate the dignified royal tradition of the Lichchavi Kings, whereby people would meet peacefully, discuss issues peacefully and disperse peacefully, to ensure good governance and build a united and prosperous nation, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said yesterday.

51 suspects were arrested when the Police raided a party in the Belihuloya area in Balangoda yesterday.

A meeting between President Maithripala Sirisena and the Russian President Vladimir Putin was held on Saturday (15).

Speaker of the Parliament Karu Jayasuriya says that he is willing to consider taking up presidential candidacy if he is invited by the United National Party (UNP).

“Poson Poya which falls on today marks the introduction of Buddhism in Sri Lanka with the arrival of Arahath Mahinda 2,326 years ago. This day we celebrate in grandeur manner with much devotion and honour as it symbolises the initial foot print of Buddhism in this country together with a civilization founded on Buddhism for generations to come,” President Maithripala Sirisena states in his Poson Message.

“Sri Lanka is a unique example in the history of the world, of a society that was revitalised by cultural, political and religious reforms that stemmed from the introduction of Buddhist philosophy,” Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe states in his Poson message.