Latest Sri Lanka News and Top Stories

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.

The import levy on big onions has been increased by Rs 20 per kilo, the Minister of Agriculture P. Harrison has said.

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.