Apr 30 (Island) PM Ranil Wickremesingehe was attempting to make Sri Lanka a police state by pushing for the proposed Counter Terrorism Act (CTA) using the Easter Sunday bombings as a pretext, Chairperson of SLPP, G.L Peiris warned. He said that PM speaking to Sky News had said that SL laws were not adequate to deal with terrorism. "He later tells local media that P'ment is dragging its feet in passing CTA. more..

Apr 30 (DM) In the wake of the Easter Sunday terrorist attacks, a question has emerged regarding the inadequacy of the existing laws to combat terrorism, and whether new laws should be brought in to counter international terrorism. PM Ranil Wickremesinghe told Skynews that there were no laws in Sri Lanka to arrest those who joined foreign terrorist groups and returned to the country. Attorney-at-Law Thishya Weragoda said that those who joined foreign terrorist organisations more..

Apr 30 (DM) With the experience, the SL security forces have gained during the more than the thirty-year-long war against the LTTE, the Sri Lankan chapter of the terrorist group that is behind the massacres in three churches and three luxury hotels on Easter Sunday would most probably be wiped out or contained very soon. The terrorists seem to be dedicated towards their deadly objectives, but not having the necessary military acumen for a long war against the battle-hardened SL Armed forces. more..

Apr 30 (DM) On Friday, the imam of a Sufi mosque in Saindamarudu was alerted by the locals about a suspicious crowd in a house in the neighbourhood housing scheme called, Bolivia village. That is an exclusively Muslim housing scheme of 400 houses built after the Indian Ocean tsunami. The owner of one of the houses there had given his residence on rent to a man who claims to be a telecom engineer from Kattankudy; more..

Apr 30 (DM) More than 100 Govt and Opposition MPs have sought additional security, on the grounds that they are facing a security threat, a senior Police officer said. A few of them have also requested that security be provided to their immediate family members as well. He said some of the requests have already been approved and, therefore, additional policemen and vehicles have been provided to them. more..

Apr 30 (CT) Attorney-at-Law Premnath C. Dolawatte, in a letter, urged President Sirisena to take immediate steps to ban the Islamic State (IS) terror organisation in Sri Lanka. Dolawatte said that he cannot agree with recent claims made by PM that there are insufficient laws in Sri Lanka to arrest and prosecute members of foreign terrorist organisations. “Wickremesinghe is wrong. There are necessary provisions in the Constitution for more..

Apr 30 (Island) PM Ranil Wickremesinghe is trying to fish in troubled water by rushing forth with controversial laws that can curtail political movements, trade unions and civil organisations standing against his govt, says the JVP. JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday said: "The PM is trying to bring forward the Counter Terrorism Bill in the guise of ensuring public safety. more..

Apr 30 (DN) The clergy and the people are not happy about the manner in which the govt is conducting investigations into the deadly Easter Sunday bombings, the Archbishop of Colombo His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith and the Chancellor of the University of Sri Jayawardanepura Dr. Ittapana Dhammalankara Maha Nayake Thera said during a joint media briefing convened at Bishop’s House more..

Apr 30 (GDI) Prez Sirisena has issued the gazette notification amending Emergency Regulations to include the ban on garments covering the face. Amendments to the Emergency Regulations made by the President under section 5 of the Public Security Ordinance (Chapter 40) says "No person shall wear in any public place any garment, clothing or such other material concealing the full face which will in any manner more..

Apr 30 (AP) The checkpoints started just outside of an east Sri Lanka village, the strictest seen in the days after Islamic State-aligned militants launched suicide attacks that killed over 250 people. The trucks stopped first, soldiers digging through crates and produce. Buses disgorged their passengers. Cars lined up single file so soldiers could open their hoods to inspect engine blocks and pull everything out of trunks. more..

Apr 30 (CT) Minister of Buddha Sasana, Gamini Jayawickrema Perera said that the Govt is currently considering the imposing of a ban on pandals, Vesak lanterns and the conducting of Vesak Zones countrywide, to mark the 2019 Vesak Poya Day, to avoid people from converging in large numbers to view such attractions. The 2019 Vesak Full Moon Poya Day falls on 18 May (a Saturday). In the history of SL, Govt has never imposed more..

Apr 30 (AAP) New Zealand's deputy PM has criticised suggestions Sri Lanka's Easter Sunday bombings were retaliation for the Christchurch mosque shootings, saying his country is being misused. Sri Lanka's junior minister for defence, Ruwan Wijewardene, last week said early investigations had revealed the bombing of churches and hotels that killed 253 people had been in revenge for shootings at two NZ mosques more..

Apr 30 (LBO) Access to social media and messaging apps is being restored in Sri Lanka on the ninth day after the services were blocked as a security measure following a series of terror attacks, according to the latest NetBlocks network data. The restoration appears to be in progress and is as yet only partially in effect at the time of writing. Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, YouTube, Viber, Snapchat and Facebook Messenger, more..

Apr 30 (CT) On Sunday Prez Sirisena banned the use of the burqa and niqab face covers, effective from yesterday. This was in the context of the Easter Sunday suicide bomb attacks led by suspected local Islamist terrorists with the backing of international Islamist terror organisations such as ISIS, which bombings killed and wounded hundreds in targeted church and five star hotel attacks, an extension of that perennial war against the white man and Christians, dating back to 11th century AC more..

Apr 30 (FT) As heads roll (or not, in a prime case), and political ambition among other ignoble motives sees state responses to last Sunday’s carnage descend from the supercilious to the surreal, many questions remain in the minds of SL’s average citizens. Among these is the simple but subversive query: Cui bono? (Who benefits?). While speculation ranges from the sublime to the ridiculous, it behoves us as islanders in a once again riven nation to piece together the puzzle – more..

Apr 30 (CT) We know that the Bar Association of SL (BASL) does not put in demands for the benefit of the Lawyers only. In fact they hardly do that. They mostly speak for the others. That’s in Court and outside through the BASL. This is where they differ from some other professional congregations. They do not object to large numbers joining as Lawyers unlike some others. During the JVP insurrection in 1989-90 BASL filed thousands of FR applications in Court that were successful. more..

Apr 30 (AD) The van bearing No 250-5680, which is believed to have transported explosives and suspects to Sainthamaruthu, has been taken into the custody of the Kekirawa Police. The vehicle in question was seized at Ihala Puliyankulama in Maradankadawala today. The vehicle owner, who was arrested by the police, revealed that the van was taken to Kalmunai area as per a request made by a clergyman. Arrestee was identified as Abu Salley Nazar residing in Maradankadawala. more..

Apr 30 (FT) Colombo’s streets slowly regain a sense of normalcy, as people feel more secure on the measures undertaken to degrade terrorist’s capacity to harm. People return to work, shops re-open as the city recovers from the collective trauma that made public feel anxious about national security as the series of events unfolded last week. Confidence in travelling to work safely increased from 10% on 23 April more..

Apr 30 (DN) Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte Municipal Council member H.M. Ali Usman has been arrested by the Police at a house in Nawala, Rajagiriya yesterday. According to the Police, he has been arrested along with a CD containing Army combats and other equipment Police also said that, Municipal Council Member’s brother, Raja Mohideen Sultan, was also taken into custody while in possession of 3 swords and a machete knife. Police is conducting further investigations into the incident. more..

Apr 30 (DM) Archbishop of Colombo, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith said today he had returned the bullet-proof vehicle given to him by the govt. “I told the govt that I can ensure my security without a bullet-proof vehicle,” he said and pointed out that he was not aware that it was a bullet proof vehicle. “I am sure the God will protect me. If I am to be killed by someone, I am ready to face it as well,” the Cardinal said. Venerable Omlpe Sobitha Thera who welcomed the decision made by the Cardinal, more..

Apr 30 (Reuters) U.S. ambassador said that some of the Islamist militants behind Easter Sunday bombings that killed more than 250 people were likely still at large and could be planning more attacks. SL security forces also said they were maintaining a high level of alert amid intelligence reports that the militants were likely to strike before the beginning of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, which is due to begin next Monday. more..

Apr 30 (AD) All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC) says that no Coordinating Secretary of ACMC Leader, Minister Rishad Bathiudeen have been arrested in Mannar, contrary to such speculations in the social media today. ACMC also denies that the arrested individual is part of Minister Bathiudeen’s staff. It has been reported that this individual was arrested with a number of detonators during a search operation on the night of April29. “Even though this individual, Mohamed Zanus, more..

Apr 30 (NR) Minister Vajira Abeywardena has instructed Dept of Immigration & Emigration to take prompt action to deport all foreign nationals who are engaged in employment in the country without a valid visa. The decision was taken after information was uncovered that several foreigners without a valid visa, are employed at religious schools and establishments in the island. PM has held discussions with Ministers Vajira Abeywardena & AHM Haleem pertaining to the matter. more..

Apr 30 (DM) Four men including a coordinating secretary of Minister Rishad Bathiudeen were arrested by the Adampan police following the discovery of 10 detonators during a search in Wedithalathivu, Mannar on Monday. 47-year-old Mohamed Zanus believed to be on of the minister's coordinating secretaries, Wedithalathivu Rural Bank Manager and two other businessmen were among those arrested. more..

Apr 30 (CT) The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) continued with its battle against demand pull inflation and its pursuit of maintaining a low interest rate regime for the second market day in running yesterday (29) by retiring Rs 8,696 million worth of Govt of Sri Lanka’s (GoSL’s) face value money printing (FVMP) liabilities and simultaneously increasing the market’s net excess liquidity (NEL) by 99.8% (Rs 25,520 million) to Rs 51,093 million yesterday. more..

Apr 30 (DM) Mohammed Hussein Abdul Cader, 54, has identified himself as the father-in-law of National Thowheed Jamath (NTJ) leader Mohammed Cassim Mohod Zahran. His daughter, Abdul Cader Fathima Zadiya, was injured in the gun battle and suicide blasts in Sainthamaruthu, near Kalmunai, when security forces clashed with the group recently. "I learnt that Fathima and some others were involved in the suicide blasts in Kalmunai the other day. After the explosions, more..

Apr 30 (AD) For the first time amidst the recent ISIS attacks that shock Sri Lanka and all communities of the island nation, SL’s one of leading transportation services app owning company PickMe Chairman who also served as a director on the board of country’s largest conglomerate John Keells Holdings before - Ajit Gunewardene in a public statement confirmed that there is a false allegation circulating on social media and more..

Apr 30 (DN) Minister of Finance Mangala Samaraweera will lead the Sri Lankan Delegation to the 52nd Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the Asian Development Bank to be held in Nadi, Fiji from 2nd to 5th May 2019. The Annual Meeting of the ADB Board of Governors provide opportunities for member govts to interact with ADB staff, nongovernment organizations (NGOs), and representatives of observer countries, international organizations, and the private sector. more..

Apr 30 (AD) The very severe Cyclonic Storm FANI over southwest Bay of Bengal to the Northeast of SL, is likely to intensify further into an Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm during next 12 hours. It is very likely to move north and north-eastwards till 01st May evening and thereafter recurve north north-eastwards towards Odisha Coast, India. The Cyclonic Storm FANI was located near latitude 12.3N, Longitude 86.2E at 08.30 a.m. of 30th April, about 680 km northeast of Trincomalee, more..

Apr 30 (AD) Batticaloa Campus Sri Lanka (BCSL) in Punanai should be brought under the authority of the govt, says the National University Teachers’ Associations (NUTA). Secretary of NUTA Professor Channa Jayasumana stated this speaking at a press conference. Batticaloa Campus was not initially registered as a university but a vocational training centre when it was constructed in 2013, he said. more..

Apr 30 (ES) We avoided being blown up in the Shangri-La hotel in Colombo last week by a little over 24 hours. Had I made our booking there a day earlier it could have been us at the buffet when the suicide bomber pulled the ripcord, striking his blow against what Islamic State called citizens of the Crusader coalition by murdering a roomful of hotel workers and tourists having breakfast on Easter Sunday. As it was, we were 80 miles away when the hotels and churches more..

Apr 30 (DFN) More than 80% of bookings to SL were cancelled following the terror attacks on Easter Sunday. Suicide bombers killed 253 people, including 42 foreign nationals, in attacks art luxury hotels and housing complexes on 21 April. In the days following the bombings, more people in key SL tourist markets cancelled flights to the country than had booked them on the same day the previous year. Figures from ForwardKeys revealed 86.2% of flights to the country were cancelled, more..

Apr 30 (ET) At least one of the men who set off bombs in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday trained with the terror group ISIS, according to a new report. Jameel Mohammed Abdul Latheef was identified by authorities as one of the bombers. The bombings at hotels and churches in and around Colombo on April 21 left hundreds dead and hundreds of others wounded. Latheef traveled to Raqqa, Syria, in 2014, when it was more..

Apr 30 (AD) President Sirisena says the report of the special committee appointed to probe the terror attacks on Easter Sunday will be made public. On Apr 21st, in the wake of the attacks, the President appointed a special committee headed by a Supreme Court judge to conduct an inquiry into the explosions and their background. The Committee will study other reasons that pave the way for these incidents as well and it will submit its report within two weeks to the President. more..

Apr 30 (CT) General Secretary of BBS, imprisoned monk Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera claimed that terrorists are planning to carry out suicide attacks on some 50-odd temples throughout the country. The imprisoned monk, Gnanasara Thera was produced at the Homagama Court yesterday in connection with his Contempt of Court case. After the hearing of the case the monk, before boarding the Black Maria, to be taken back to prison, made a special comment to the press. more..

Apr 30 (AFP) SL's Catholic Church said public Mass will resume on Sunday amid tight security, two weeks after Easter Sunday bombings killed 253 people at three churches and three luxury hotels. Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith said the Church was closely monitoring govt investigations into the April 21 suicide attacks and wanted to be sure of the security situation before returning to daily services. "On 5th of May we are going to begin Masses" more..