Apr 29 (AD) Certain Arabic and Madrasa schools teach extremism, stated former President Chandrika Kumaratunga. She mentioned this attending the all-party conference chaired by Prez Sirisena on Friday. Former Prez stated that she personally knows such institutes and that those institutes teach extremism. It is the responsibility of the Education Ministry to make inquiries into these educational institutes. She also charged that neither the current govt nor the previous govt did any such investigations. more..

Apr 29 (AD) Six persons have been arrested over an attempt to plant false evidence against a Muslim household in Mahawelgama in Wellawaya. Reportedly, the house owner had been returning from a visit to the mosque, he had observed a group of people behaving in a suspicious manner. He had then reported to police regarding this. The Police who had arrived at the scene had seized 6 individuals along with explosives in their possession, stated Ada Derana reporter. more..

Apr 29 (Island) Archbishop of Colombo Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, yesterday, told a special Sunday mass conducted at the main chapel in the Bishop’s House, Borella that in the name of the God people can not destroy other human beings. Cardinal asserted: "If we do that, it is contrary to the God’s wishes." Sirasa provided live telecast of Sinhala and Tamil masses shared with all other television stations in the wake of more..

Apr 29 (FT) Second part of the book on the JVP’s second insurgency during the reign of terror (1986-1990) which claimed 60,000 lives will be launched at the Sri Sambuddhathwa Jayanthi Mandiraya, Thunmulla Junction, Colombo 5, today at 3 p.m. Written by Dharman Wickremaratne, this true story is titled Satanin Satana (from battle to battle). Comprising 1,024 pages with 75 chapters and 1,347 photographs, it is priced at Rs. 2,500. It can be bought at the reduced price of Rs. 2000 more..

Apr 29 (FT) China has reiterated a call to the Sri Lanka Government to further strengthen the security of the Chinese Embassy, institutions, enterprises and its citizens, including the site security of the Sino-SL economic and trade cooperation projects. The request has been made in a note sent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Defence and the Police Hq, stating that the security situation in Sri Lanka was continuing to be critical and hence more security was needed for Chinese interests more..

Apr 29 (FT) A top military official has said that the wife and a daughter of the mastermind of Easter Sunday bombings Zahran Hashim are believed to be injured at the shootout and suicide blasts at the safe house in Sainthamaruthu in Ampara, on Friday. 15 people, including six children and three women were found dead during the attack that erupted at a house in the tsunami housing scheme called Bolivia Village more..

Apr 29 (EN) Sri Lanka has uncovered evidence showing that two policemen killed in Nov 2018 and other crimes, following the arrest of the driver of suicide bomber Mohamed Zahran, police said. Using information provided by the driver Mohammed Shariff Adam Lebbe, alias Gaffoor Mama police had recovered a revolver that had been seized from a policeman killed at a checkpoint in Vavunathivu roadblock in Nov 30, 2018. The revolver had been recovered from a safe house in Ninthavur. more..

Apr 29 (ET) Sri Lanka — stunned by a spate of terror attacks— has sought assistance from India’s elite anti-terror commandos for operations as well as investigation against local terror cells. Colombo has informally reached out to New Delhi over dispatching NSG commandos, sources said. India, however, as a matter of principle does not want to send troops to a foreign land out of own volition and would rather wait for a formal request. A crack team of counter-terror NSG commandos has been put on more..

Apr 29 (EN) President Maithripala Sirisena has banned face coverings, invoking emergency law his office said, effectively outlawing attire like niqab and burqa following suicide attacks on churches and hotels on Easter Sunday. Prez said the regulation will come into effect from April 29. Any face coverings which can be a threat to national or public security, and make it difficult to indentify persons will be banned, the statement said. more..

Apr 29 (DM) In the aftermath of the crushing of the LTTE by the armed forces of this country, the people of Sri Lanka firmly believed a genuine peaceful era had dawned, and the country would settle into a peaceful era which existed in the pre-JR Jayawardena era. Sadly that was not to be, instead we watched in shock, shame and silence as all of a sudden, a hate campaign commenced against other minority groups in the country namely the Muslims and Christians. more..

Apr 29 (DM) As recent events have shown, religious extremism is going to be the biggest challenge of our times. In every part of the world, extremists hijack religion to push their evil agendas, be it ISIS in the Middle East, Shiv Sena in India or the Bodu Bala Sena in Sri Lanka. Nor is the danger localized, as the Easter Sunday carnage showed, extremism is insidious and far-reaching with groups like ISIS spreading their menacing tentacles to other parts of the world including our island. more..

Apr 29 (DM) Easter Sunday is celebrated by Christians, both Catholic and Protestant, as the day on which the crucified Jesus Christ rose from the dead. It is a joyful day on which Christians sing jubilantly – Death, where is your sting? Grave, where is your victory? He’s alive, He’s alive, He is risen! In a cruel twist of fate, this year’s Easter on April 21 turned out to be a day of tragedy and sorrow. more..

Apr 29 (DM) The Human Rights Commission (HRC) of Sri Lanka has urged all citizens to refrain from engaging in hate speech or inciting violence, and to act responsibly against all forms of extremism, in the aftermath of the Easter Sunday terror attacks on churches and hotels that killed over 250 persons and injured hundreds more. Issuing a statement on 26 April, the HRC said the main challenge ahead was to restore normalcy, more..

Apr 29 (ST) Cabinet is expected to discuss next week a proposal by Minister Ravi Karunanayake to award a Turkish company a tender to provide electricity from two power-ships to be anchored in the Galle harbour and at Kerawalapitiya. Minister Karunanayake’s proposal is backed by Turkish Amb. Tunca Özçuhadar. Karunanayake has informed his ministerial colleagues that it is unlikely that the CEB can produce more..

Apr 29 (ST) Security at the BIA has been stepped up for passengers departing the country The security plans that were visible at the entrance to the airport was the first checkpoint where vehicles were checked before entering the Departure terminal. At the checkpoint Air Force personnel with sniffer dogs, inspected baggage and vehicles. After which passengers were dropped off near a hut erected near Departure terminal. more..

Apr 29 (AD) A Fundamental Rights (FR) petition has been filed accusing the govt of infringing the fundamental rights of the people by failing to prevent the Easter Sunday terrorist attacks on churches and hotels even when intelligence information had forewarned. The petition has been filed by Attorney-at-Law Nagananda Kodituwakku, who is currently under a three-year restraining order preventing him from practising as a lawyer. more..

Apr 29 (DM) Amending the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) was better than bringing in a new Counter-Terrorism Act (CTA), Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith said today. Cardinal said this in response to a statement made by PM Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday that the Easter Sunday bombings could have been averted had the Counter-Terrorism Act was in force. “It is easier to amend the remaining legislation rather than more..

Apr 29 (CT) Muslims in the country have pledged to eradicate terrorism, according to State Minister H.M.M. Harees, who praised the villagers in Sainthamaruthu for providing information to Security Forces about the terrorist hideout in the area. Speaking at a press briefing at the Kalmunai Municipal Council yesterday, he elaborated on the present situation after the recent attack and raids in the Ampara District. more..

Apr 29 (FT) PM Ranil Wickremesinghe called for the speedy presentation of the proposed Counter-Terrorism Act (CTA) to Parliament and said a slew of other measures would be taken to increase security and stamp out extremism with the consultation of the Muslim community. PM, releasing a statement, said that investigations into the Easter Sunday attacks were proceeding well and said it was important to more..

Apr 29 (AD) IGP Pujith Jayasundara has been handed Compulsory Leave over investigations on the Easter Day attacks. Meanwhile, Senior DIG C. D Wickramaratne has been appointed the Acting IGP. On 24th April, Prez Sirisena requested IGP Pujith Jayasundara and Defense Secretary Hemasiri Fernando to hand over their resignations owing to the failure to prevent the Easter Day bombing despite receiving prior warnings more..

Apr 29 (DM) The Govt Intelligence Service has received information on an attack targeting the Buddhist temples by the National Thawheeth Jamaath (NTJ), using female bombers. The officers of the govt intelligence service have found white pairs of skirts and blouses from the house which was raided after the explosion in Sainthamaradu area. On Mar 29, Muslim women had spent Rs.29,000 to purchase 9 sets of such clothes more..

Apr 29 (FT) The gruesome killing of unsuspecting civilians in Sri Lanka by an extreme Islamic group connected to Islamic State or IS last week has been roundly condemned by local – religious, political, and civic – as well as global leaders. The message delivered by all of them had one common plea: This is the work of an extreme group and it should not be used to castigate a particular religion or faith. In other words, everybody expected the masses to behave rationally and act beyond more..

Apr 29 (CT) As Sri Lankans are now gradually recovering from the deadly blow they experienced exactly a week ago on Easter Sunday, it is important to look into the speedy action carried out by the Police sleuths and the Armed Forces personnel in thwarting the terrorist network and nabbing the notorious lot as much as possible within one week. Easter Sunday horror had created a demoralised state in the country and made the countrymen to be in a clueless state thinking what would more..

Apr 29 (CT) Eleven Bangladeshi workers, who are employed at a copper factory in Wellampitya, on the Avissawella Road, owned by M.I. Inshaf Ahamed, who blew himself up at Shangri-La, are stranded and unable to return to their country. The stranded workers said that that their immediate boss, the manager cum accountant, who was arrested over the incident, is the one who gives them daily allowances for food. more..

Apr 29 (AD) Police curfew will be re-imposed in Sammanthurai, Kalmunai and Chawalakade areas from 6 p.m. this evening to 8 a.m. tomorrow. Security concerns remained high after extremist militants opened fire and set off explosives at Sainthamaruthu in Kalmunai as the security forces closed in to raid their safe house on Friday (26). Police curfew was imposed in Sammanthurai, Kalmunai and Chawalakade areas with immediate effect until further notice. more..

Apr 29 (NR) Minister Thalatha Athukorale says reports stating PM Ranil Wickremesinghe and Minister Mangala Samaraweera strongly opposed the Cabinet proposal to ban the burqa, are incorrect. Minister said PM only advised her to inform Muslim clerics prior to making such a decision. Minister Athukorale condemned groundless accusations directed at PM and Finance Minister by certain parties based on unsubstantiated details. Minister said she presented a proposal before Cabinet more..

Apr 29 (EN) Sri Lanka's listed private banks have reduced deposit rates after the central bank directed banks and finance companies to cut deposit rates, officials said. Sampath Bank has reduced its 12-month fixed deposit rate to 10.5%, down by 150 basis points from 12%, but its 3-month rate was up 16 basis points to 9.84% from 10%. Commercial Bank cut its 12-month FD rate by 50 basis points to 10.5%, and more..

Apr 29 (CT) Ministry of Defence, in a Media release issued on Saturday, signed by Military Spokesman, Brigadier Sumith Atapattu, appealed to the general public to desist from propaganda activities that could incite communal passions and mislead the Security Forces, now engaged in security operations. The release stated: Publication of false and misleading stories, images and information and the conduct of media provocations, by various interested sections/ individuals/ organisations, more..

Apr 29 (DN) A total of 14,652 dengue cases and fifteen dengue deaths had been reported from all parts of the country within this year by April 26th, the Epidemiology Unit sources said. According to the sources, the highest number of dengue cases, 3233 had been reported from the Colombo district while the second highest number, 1841 had been reported from the Gampaha district. The third highest number of dengue cases, 1739 had been reported from the Jaffna district. more..

Apr 29 (LBO) Vehicle registrations rebounded on most categories in March recording a total of 35,150 units up from 29,837 units the previous month due to the higher number of working days in March compared to Feb. Total motor cars recorded 2,961 units in March up from 2,347 units in February and significantly down from 6,207 units 12 months ago. Brand new cars recorded 422 units in March up from 434 units in Feb and more..

Apr 29 (FT) Tourism Ministry Development Advisory Body led by business leader Harry Jayawardane met on Friday to discuss the immediate challenges facing the industry after the Easter Sunday terror attacks. Sources said that the industry expressed concern given the several adverse travel advisories following the incident and the need for the Government to speak in one voice, thereby giving confidence to the world. A security update and the security measures needed by the sector more..

Apr 29 (DN) Security forces have commenced investigations into the bunker that was uncovered inside a three-storey house in Jaffna. The bunker was found in a special operation carried out by the police Special Task Force officers and the police. The police said that the bunker is 25 meters in height and 5 feet in width. The bunker has a secure door covered with metal sheets and was provided with electricity. A person has been arrested and is being interrogated. more..

Apr 29 (AJ) Sri Lanka's decision to ban face coverings a week after more than 250 people were killed in a series of coordinated attacks on Easter Sunday has drawn a mixed response, with activists saying the move violated Muslim women's right to practice their religion freely. The law that takes effect from Monday did not specifically name burqas, niqabs or hijab worn by many Muslim women. more..

Apr 29 (EN) Heavy rains have been forecast over parts of Sri Lanka from the influence of a cyclone in the Bay of Bengal which is expected to intensify as it moves off the island’s east coast. Meteorology Dept said the cyclonic storm FANI over southeast Bay of Bengal to the east of Sri Lanka was located about 580 km east of Batticaloa. “It is likely to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm during next 12 hours and further intensify into a very severe cyclonic storm in the subsequent 24 hours. more..

Apr 29 (DM) Leader of the Opposition Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday met the former defence chiefs led by former defence secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa to discuss the prevailing security situation in the country. “I met with the former defense chiefs to discuss the current situation that has arisen with the national security. Requested them to provide me with a report with measures that can be taken both short term and long term with regards to current situation country faces,” more..

Apr 29 (FT) Questions are being raised about how much President Maithripala Sirisena knew about warnings provided by foreign intelligence agencies ahead of the Easter Sunday bombings that left at least 253 people dead and injured more than 450. State Intelligence Service (SIS) Director Senior DIG Nilantha Jayawardena provided detailed reports to the President on at least three occasions, authoritative and multiple more..

Apr 29 (Island) Senior engineers, while expressing fear over the waste of money due to emergency power purchases, said that with the onset of monsoon rains in May and a reduction in the consumption of electricity due to the prevailing situation in the country, the CEB could maintain steady power supply till December. A senior engineer told The Island that the CEB did not have to depend on the barge mounted power generator at an enormous cost. more..

Apr 29 (SLN) A programme to clean the St. Anthony's Church in Kochchikade, which came under a terrorist suicide attack, was successfully carried out at the church premises today (27). Under the directives of Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne and guidance of Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Piyal De Silva a group consisting over 100 naval officers and sailors were deployed for the task which was supervised by Deputy Chief of Staff and more..

Apr 29 (AFP) The two brothers zoomed around the Sri Lankan capital in flashy cars and pursued thriving careers, now their neighbours are struggling to understand how the pair turned to radical Islam and became suicide bombers. Barely five hours after the Easter Sunday attacks on three churches and three hotels that left 253 dead, businessman Mahanama Jayamanne had just settled for a nap when he was jolted by more..

Apr 29 (AJ) After coordinated Easter Sunday bombings of churches and hotels in Sri Lanka killed more than 250 people, SL govt quickly did what many govts now do in times of crisis: it cited the threat of misinformation and temporarily shut down social media. But there's a complex debate to be had on the benefits of a social media shutdown versus the costs. Millions of people couldn't contact friends and family, because, in Sri Lanka, social media platforms are the internet itself. more..