Apr 26 (Island) SLPP Chairman Prof. G.L. Peiris, yesterday, urged the govt to review its controversial decision to repeal the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). Prof. Peiris, who held foreign affairs portfolio after the conclusion of the war, said that the Easter Sunday suicide bombing campaign should prompt a comprehensive review of yahapalana policies in respect of security and proposed security sector reforms. more..

Apr 26 (FT) Tea exports for the first quarter of 2019 has exceeded Rs. 5 billion when compared to the same period last year, with Iraq emerging as the leading importer of Ceylon Tea, John Keells tea brokers said yesterday. Releasing its latest tea report, John Keells said the other major importers of Sri Lanka’s tea were Turkey, Russia and Iran. Sri Lanka harvested a crop of 28.1Mkgs during the month of March, recording a marginal decrease of its previous year’s crop of 28.6Mkg. more..

Apr 26 (AJ) Entire families attending Easter Mass, a mother and daughter enjoying breakfast on the Christian holy day, a newlywed man on honeymoon - these are the victims of the devastating bomb blasts that rocked churches and hotels in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday. Scores of children, many of them from the same family, are among the 359 people killed when the coordinated assaults hit a church and three hotels in Sri Lanka's capital, Colombo, and the towns of Negombo, more..

Apr 26 (BBC) The family of one victim who died in Sunday's bomb blasts in Sri Lanka say his actions helped save lives. Ramesh Raju stopped a man with a backpack from entering the Zion church full of worshippers. If the attacker had entered there would have been many more casualties. A large white poster hangs outside Chrishanthini Ramesh's house in the town of Batticaloa on Sri Lanka's east coast. more..

Apr 26 (EN) Ministry of Finance said the Treasury had paid 84.5 billion rupees in overdue payments for projects and procurements done by govt ministries. The payment amounted to 85% of overdue payments totalling 99.4 billion rupees due at 31 Dec 2018. Treasury Secretary R.H.S. Samaratunga said there are some shortcomings in the balance and action will be taken to pay it off once the shortcoming are cleared. The delay in paying was partly because of uncertainty triggered by more..

Apr 26 (DN) One hundred and eighty people are still receiving medical treatment at several state hospitals after the Easter Sunday suicide bomb attacks, Health Services Director General Dr. Anil Jasinghe said. According to Dr. Jasinghe, 35 patients are still in the ICUs. A total of 84 patients are being treated at the National Hospital of Sri Lanka (NHSL) of which 21 patients are in the ICU. Seven out of the 31 patients at the Baticaloa hospital are in the ICU. more..

Apr 26 (Island) Easter Sunday carnage has compelled the US Navy and the SL Navy to call off what a senior official called relatively a high profile military exercise at the China managed Hambantota port. Military sources said that both USN and SLN felt they couldn’t go ahead with the Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training Exercise (CARAT) – 2019 though the first wave of suicide bombings blamed on more..

Apr 26 (MFA) As at Thursday, number of foreign nationals who have been identified as killed is 40. The fatalities were: 1 from Bangladesh, 2 from China, 11 from India, 3 from Denmark, 1 from Japan, 1 from the Netherlands, 1 from Portugal, 2 from Saudi Arabia, 2 from Spain, 1 from Switzerland, 2 from Turkey, 6 from the UK, 1 from USA, 2 holding US and UK nationalities, 1 holding Swiss and Dutch nationalities, 1 holding Dutch and SL nationalities, and 2 holding Australian and SL nationalities. more..

Apr 26 (Island) Police have found a lorry bearing the registration number WP DAE 4197 allegedly belonging to those responsible for multiple attacks on Easter Sunday. Police headquarters said that the vehicle had been taken into custody following the interrogation of a person taken at Navagampura, Wellampitiya. Police earlier sought public assistance to locate several vehicles allegedly used by members of National Thawheed Jamath (NTJ) The police are conducting further investigation. more..

Apr 26 (AFP) Authorities in Sri Lanka on Thursday lowered the death toll in a spate of Easter bombings by more than 100 to 253, admitting some of the badly mutilated bodies had been erroneously double-counted. The toll revision will boost the pressure on a government already under fire over its apparent failure to act on intelligence about the attacks, and follows the resignation of a top defence official. more..

Apr 26 (AD) The police have issued a statement correcting a mistake made by misidentifying one of the females listed among the photos of the suspects which were released to the media this afternoon (25). The statement said, the female suspect by the name Abdul Kadar Fathima Kadiya is wanted by the police, however, the photo attached to this name in the previous release is not the image of the said suspect. Six suspects, namely, Sadiq Abdul Haq, Fathima Latifa, Shaid Abdul Haq, more..

Apr 26 (Island) IGP Pujith Jayasundara has instructed senior police officers to be vigilant as there is a plan by terrorists who carried out the Easter bombings to attack mosques with tombs of saints (avuliya mosques). IGP issued these instructions after the CID had warned that there was reliable information that those mosques would be targeted. The IGP has instructed DIGs in charge of Prez Security, Special Security and PM security to ensure the safety of their charges as well. more..

Apr 26 (DM) Security authorities have extracted vital information from the terrorist suspects arrested in connection with the series bombings on Easter Sunday. A person arrested in Dambulla has been identified as the second-in-command of the terror network operated by Thowheed Jama'at. Investigations have also revealed that military training for the assailants was provided by a person called Army Mohideen while more..

Apr 26 (DM) As Sri Lankans wake up each day praying for peace and a trouble-free day there is still no room to shut our minds from the thought that terrorism still haunts this island nation. Schools are temporary closed and we have some solace that our children are safe being at home, But for how long can parents keep them behind closed doors? We have to start waking up to the reality that SL is not a safe place anymore after the series of bombings which took place on Easter Sunday. more..

Apr 26 (DM) In the aftermath of multiple bomb attacks on Easter Sunday for which the Islamic State claimed responsibility, Daily Mirror, spoke to several parties on strengthening the harmony among the different ethnic and religious groups. The explosions on Sunday have claimed 359 lives so far and injured many more leaving a country mourning, devastated and in fear of further explosions. The people the Daily Mirror, spoke to said that the recent string of massive violence should not be reflective of more..

Apr 26 (DM) So many heartbreaking stories about victims of gruesome terrorist attacks, that took place on Easter Day, are heard via the media these days. The more intimately affected – those families and friends currently dealing with the aftermath of the attack and the loss of their loved ones- are struggling to decide on starting their normal lives again. Even though Anusha Kumari, her husband Dulip Shantha along with 14-yr old more..

Apr 26 (DM) “We understand how sad and angry they must be feeling for the loss of their relatives. But, we also hate terrorism. We love peace and freedom which is why we came to peace-loving Sri Lanka,” Hafza, a Pakistani national, said. Hafza is a Christian seeking asylum in Sri Lanka. She left Pakistan as she married a Christian; a taboo in Pakistan. In fear of family outrage, she came to Sri Lanka to start a new life. more..

Apr 26 (Island) Ministry of Education officials inflated the number of GCE A/L students and teachers eligible for tablet computers in 2017, the Presidential Commission was informed, yesterday. Senior Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Mahesh Hewawitharana told the PCOI that in the first estimate officials had stated that 113,340 students, 2,820 principals and 5,000 teachers were eligible to receive the tabs. more..

Apr 26 (EN) Sri Lanka plans to round Islamist extremists numbering over 130 who carried out devastating bombings in Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday in a short time. President Maithripala Sirisena said. "Very good progress is being made," Sirisena flanked by military chief Mahesh Senanayake told reporters Friday. "We plan to end their activities here in a short time." The leader of the group, Zahran Hashim, more..

Apr 26 (EN) Sri Lanka's largest superannuation fund, the 2.3 trillion rupee Employees' Provident Fund beat most mutual funds in terms of returns in 2018, but the interest paid to members fell to 9.54% in 2018, the lowest since 2008, data shows. Return on investments of the portfolio was 10.4% in 2018, down from 11.8% the previous year, and interest paid to member accounts was 9.54%, the lowest since 2008, more..

Apr 26 (TA) The Sri Lankan suicide bomber who studied at a Melbourne university was one of the subjects of a ­terrorism investigation by Australian security authorities after ­intelligence emerged linking him to ­Islamic State operative Neil Prakash. The Australian can reveal that Abdul Lathief Jameel Mohamed, one of nine suicide bombers ­responsible for a string of attacks across Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday, more..

Apr 26 (AFP) An extremist leader considered a central figure in SL's Easter suicide bombings died in the attacks, president said Friday as the police chief became the latest figure to quit over the failure to prevent the massacre. With the country still on edge, heavy security was put in place for Friday prayers at mosques, but authorities revised down the bombings' toll to 253 dead from 359, saying some badly mutilated bodies had been more..

Apr 26 (AP) Govt dysfunction and an intelligence failure that preceded the Easter Sunday bombings in Sri Lanka are traced to simmering divisions between the president and prime minister after a weekslong political crisis that crippled the country last year. The govt has admitted to a lapse of intelligence after officials failed to act upon near-specific information received from foreign agencies. Suicide bombers exploded themselves more..

Apr 26 (AD) The Constitutional Council has unanimously approved the appointment of Attorney General Jayantha Jayasuriya as the new Chief Justice of Sri Lanka. Meanwhile the council has also approved the President’s nomination for the position of Auditor General. The Constitutional Council, chaired by Speaker Karu Jayasuriya, convened this morning at the Parliament complex, Speaker’s Office said. more..

Apr 26 (Hindu) IGP Pujith Jayasundara resigned over failures which led to the attacks on three hotels and three churches on Sunday that claimed 253 lives. Police chief resigned from his post on Friday, two days after President Sirisena asked him to step down over the security establishment’s failure to avert the deadly Easter bombings. Sirisena, who is also the defence minister, said IGP Pujith Jayasundara resigned over failures more..

Apr 26 (FT) To SL Christians, Easter this year was a day of God where demons reigned. It can be considered an unfortunate day in which the country was plunged again into the uncivilised wretchedness that prevailed in the country during the violent conflicts and the internal civil war. The number of people killed by these ruthless suicide attacks is over 350 while the number injured exceeds 500. Though the attack had been launched by a group of extremist Muslim youths in Sri Lanka, more..

Apr 26 (CT) Following the Easter Sunday’s genocide, the country has not yet returned to normalcy. Fears of sporadic attacks are still lingering in the hearts of people. According to intelligence reports, terrorists have planned many attacks on Christian churches and places where locals as well as foreigners throng on a large scale. Hence the public are warned to stay away from such places and gatherings. Law enforcement agencies, however, keep the public informed ahead of more..

Apr 26 (EN) Sri Lanka is able to meet remaining foreign debt obligations in 2019, with most of the payments due for the year already made, Treasury Secretary R H S Samaratunga said as the country reeled from a devastating attack by Islamist extremists. In 2019 Sri Lanka had US$ 5.9 billion of foreign debt and domestic dollar denominated debt to be repaid. "Most of the payments had been made," he said. more..

Apr 26 (EN) SL has resources meet contingencies after Easter bombing and the rupee has been one of the top performing currencies in the region in 2019, Minister Mangala Samaraweera said. "We have resources to meet contingencies because we have been able to lay a stable foundation, things are not as bad as they could have been," Samaraweera said. He said the rupee had been strong this year and is one of the best performing currencies in the region in recent months, more..

Apr 26 (Island) Acting on a tip-off, Mount Lavinia police and SLAF bomb disposal squad, yesterday examined a bag left behind by a woman at Quarry road, Mount Lavinia and found no explosives in it. The bag contained some clothes, police said. The video footage on the CCTV camera at a nearby house shows with the woman two bags and returning with one. Police believe it was a red herring to mislead the security apparatus. The police are looking for the woman who is believed more..

Apr 26 (AD) Prez Sirisena says he would not excuse himself from the lapse in the part of intelligence information sharing and the govt should bear the responsibility for failing to prevent the attacks on Easter Sunday. He stated this during a meeting with the heads of local media organisations at the Prez’s House today. On 4th of April, a foreign country had informed the state intelligence services of possible attacks, more..

Apr 26 (DN) I have no connection with Zahran who is identified as one of the suicide bombers involved in the Easter Sunday attacks. This is a baseless allegation against me intended to tarnish my good name, said Eastern Province Governor Dr. M.L.A.M. Hisbullah. Following the fabricated allegation against him being spread on social media in connection with the suicide bomber Sahran, Hisbullah said that he strongly condemns the brutal attacks at the churches and hotels in the country. more..

Apr 26 (DN) The case against MP Hirunika Premachandra for her alleged involvement in the abduction of a youth using a Defender was yesterday fixed for trial by Colombo High Court. MP was not present in court yesterday and her lawyer informed court that his client was hospitalised over her pregnancy. Accordingly, the case was fixed for trial on July 15 by High Court Judge Shashi Mahendran. Witnesses in the case were advised to appear in courts on the next trial date as well. more..

Apr 26 (AFP) Hundreds of Dutch tourists will be flown home in the coming days from SL in the wake of the Easter bombings, according to the guarantee scheme governing Dutch tour operators. Following the attacks, which killed 253 people, around 500 Dutch visitors who remain in SL will be flown home within days, director of the Calamiteitenfonds group said. "We are currently in consultations with affiliated organisations" more..

Apr 26 (AD) The Police Headquarters says that Special Operations Rooms have been established in each province in the country, in order to share national security-related information with the public. The release said that during an emergency situation the people can obtain information relevant to their area through these Special Operations Rooms while in addition to this the public can also notify these SORs regarding information pertaining to the security situation. more..

Apr 26 (AD) Balangoda Court has granted permission to detain and further interrogate the youth, who was arrested while in possession of a rough map of the road to the Parliament, 6 Parliament passes and a cab. Balangoda Police had carried out a search at the said youth’s house acting on a tip-off received by them and discovered a tablet device, 03 mobile phones, 13 SIM cards, 02 T-56 bullets, and several credit cards at the house. Police had deployed a Police Canine more..

Apr 26 (EN) Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), a U.S. govt aid agency, has approved a grant of 480 million US dollars to Sri Lanka, the biggest grant funding ever received by the island, the finance ministry said. It said in a statement the grant was approved by MCC at its board meeting held on the 25th of April 2019 in Washington D.C. Sri Lanka will get the grant for three projects in the transport & land sectors more..

Apr 26 (GT) Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest skyscraper, lit with an image of Sri Lanka's national flag in solidarity with the country following the April 21 ‘terrorist’ attacks in hotels and churches celebrating Easter that killed more than 250 people. The Burj Khalifa’s official page on Instagram said, “BurjKhalifa lights up in solidarity with #SriLanka. Here’s to a world built on tolerance and coexistence…” Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai, said on Twitter, more..

Apr 26 (DN) Having though to strengthen the safety of school population the Education Ministry has issued a circular bearing No. 25/2019 to ensure safety of students, teachers and the non-academic staffers. With this circular, which issued in addition to the earlier circular 17/2011, a comprehensive security plan will be in force in and around school premises to ensure the safety of students, teachers and the non-academic staffers. Under the guidance of this circular measures will be taken more..

Apr 26 (AJ) In Dematagoda, a diverse neighbourhood in Colombo, residents are still struggling to understand how a wealthy Muslim family who had lived in the area for 25 years turned into killers. More than 250 people were killed in a series of coordinated bombings at churches and hotels on Easter Sunday, blamed on a local Muslim hardline group - National Thowheed Jamath (NTJ). Prez Sirisena on Friday said police are hunting for more..