The Islamic State group’s elusive chief Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi has purportedly appeared for the first time in five years in a propaganda video released Monday by the jihadist organisation.

Presidential hopeful, former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa says he is not a citizen of the United States anymore.

Sri Lankan security officials have warned that Islamist militants behind Easter Sunday’s suicide bombings are planning attacks and could be dressed in uniform, as the archbishop of Colombo complained about insufficient security around churches.

The Colombo Magistrates Court has granted approval to the Keselwatte Police to detain and question National Thowheed Jamath Colombo district organizer Mohammad Farook Mohammad Fawaz, for 72 hours in connection to terrorist activities.

Former Army Commander General Shantha Kottegoda has been appointed as the new Secretary of Defence, President’s Media Division said.

The Government Intelligence Service has received information on an attack targeting the Buddhist temples by the National Thawheeth Jamaath (NTJ), using female bombers.

Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police Chandana Wickremaratne has been appointed as the Acting Inspector General of Police.

The United States Government says it continues to assist Sri Lankan authorities in the aftermath of the horrific attacks that occurred in the country on Easter Sunday.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe while expressing sincere regret to the people over the lapse on the part of the government, yesterday said that he did not receive this critical information prior to the attack.

Opposition leader Mahinda Rajapaksa has requested former security force chiefs to compile and hand over a report on combatting extremism taking their experience into account.

An individual has been taken been into custody along with an air rifle and six swords during a search conducted last night (28) at Raddolugama.

Covering the face to avoid identification of one’s self has been banned by President Maithripala Sirisena under Emergency Regulations.

The father and two brothers of the suspected mastermind of Sri Lanka’s Easter Sunday bombings were killed when security forces stormed their safe house two days ago…

Mohamed Ibrahim Mohamed Ifran Ahmed, the elder brother of two suicide bombers, who blew themselves up at two hotels had been arrested by the STF during a raid in Dematagoda this morning, the Police said.

Three gems worth Rs.30 million and Rs.10 million in foreign currency has been found from the residence in Dematagoda where a suicide bombing was reported last Sunday.

Churches across Sri Lanka suspended Sunday mass as security concerns remained high a week after suicide bombers killed over 250 in churches and hotels across the island nation.