May 12 (ST) The Muslim Religious and Cultural Affairs Ministry has presented to the Govt a bill called the Madrasa Education Regulatory Act that seeks to set up a Board with powers of regulation, registration, supervision, control and development of education within Madrasas in Sri Lanka. The Sunday Times obtained a copy of the draft which is seen as a move towards addressing a longstanding vacuum in Madrasa regulation. more..

May 12 (CT) Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa, said in Parliament that before inviting tourists to the country, the Govt should establish an environment in which local people can go back to their normal lifestyles which they had before the Easter Sunday terror attacks. “It is true that our tourist industry has suffered a deadly blow by these terror attacks, but we have to rebuild it. During the Parliamentary debates in the past few days, our MPs presented several useful proposals more..

May 12 (SCMP) It’s tense in Sri Lanka nowadays. Scarcely a day passes that the army does not discover a cache of arms, ammunition or other combat related material, such as radio-frequency jammers, in a mosque or nearby one. Even in a country almost inured to violence due to the nearly 30-year conflict between armed forces and the LTTE, such discoveries have left people stunned with fear because of what they suggest: terror and Islamic State. more..

May 12 (ST) At least a section of the govt – those with the Presidency – appear to believe that the worst is over after the April 21 Easter Sunday carnage. This has in no small measure fueled euphoria and even overconfidence in them. In reality, the armed forces and the police through a coordinated campaign against IS-backed terrorists are slowly but surely, unravelling those behind a ruthless network, their financial operations more..

May 13 (Island) The govt and security apparatus (together with the Sate) can respond to information, seized arms and explosives and intervene in events. However in the long run it is the Muslim community and Muslims alone that can defeat jihadism; that is Wahhabism-Salafism, Islamic State infiltration and false prophets. Only the people can defeat these intrusions; the State is incapable of comprehending doctrine. There has to be a plan of action that Muslims & their leaders organise & execute. more..

May 13 (GV) The nexus between Madrasah education and Islamic extremism have been in the global discussions ever since the emergence of the Taliban in Afghanistan. This phenomenon emerged in Afghanistan in Post-Soviet Occupation era where those who fought against the Soviets got engulfed in a bitter civil war between factions upon the exit of the Soviets. This brought lawlessness and anarchy in the country. It was about this time that Taliban (plural for taleb, which means student) more..

May 13 (SO) A recent compliment offered by former US Ambassador to Colombo Robert. O. Blake Jr. on the management of the intelligence services by former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa has drawn the spotlight on to the long and complex relationship between the American diplomat and the American citizen who often dealt with him on behalf of Sri Lanka’s govt. While relationships between diplomats and more..

May 13 (CT) Islamophobia is a term that gained currency in the 1980s in British English. It referred to prejudices against the Islam and Muslim people that had begun to spread in the UK since the 1970s. As a cultural, intellectual and political phenomenon, Islamophobia began to spread throughout the Western world after the 9/11 attacks in the US. The Christian Right in America has been the leading force that promoted Islamophobia as a new strand of political ideology in the world. more..

May 13 (GV) The worship had just reached the Anamnesis, the affirmation of God’s intervention in history, when the police arrived. The officer was courteous but firm. The service had to be terminated and the people dispersed. Beyond this he remained tight-lipped. Pictures on people’s smartphones said the rest. Unbelievable scenes of death and havoc were to change all expectations of Easter harmony for Sri Lankans. When it became known that an extremist Islamist group was responsible, more..

May 13 (CT) Professor of Security Studies at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Nanyang Technology Uni, Singapore, Dr. Rohan Gunaratna will be the keynote speaker on the title Restore Harmony and Rebuild Trust, arranged by the Sri Lanka Muslim Civil Society at the SL Foundation Institute (SLFI) today (12). He tells Ceylon Today that the SL Govt failed to criminalise hate speech and incitement to violence, more..

May 13 (ST) With the shadow of tragedy looming over a still stunned nation in the wake of the Easter Sunday atrocities, there is a curiously stark contrast at play in Sri Lanka. Even as politicians shriek, lie and pontificate for partisan advantage, the triumph of the human spirit soars above this ugly cacaphony. Buddhist priests in vivid yellow robes join in sweeping the debris within the precincts of the devastated Katuwapitiya Church, a mosque offers its halls for Catholics to hold prayers more..

May 13 (ST) The clouds of Easter Sunday’s tragedy, heavy with the blood of the innocents, haven’t still drifted away. And even as tears continue to fall to soak the ground with exquisite sorrow and make the Moss Rose bloom in the memory of the dead, the outpouring of mass national grief has also served to sprout the weeds of hate. Anti-Muslim phobia is on the rise and, before it becomes a pestilence on a peaceful bed of roses, it must be nipped in the bud. Uprooted from the soil. The sooner the better. more..

May 13 (CT) What happened on Easter Sunday is unforgivable and our rage and condemnation is beyond imagination. The nation should be complimented for their patience and maturity and the civilized way, they conducted themselves without allowing their baser instincts to take control over their rational thinking. Both Cardinal and Army Commander spoke in a balanced manner looking beyond the terror movement of the barbarians who carried out these dastardly attacks, more..

May 13 (Island) In the old story of the New Testament, Easter was the end of agony. It marked the glory of resurrection, yet another fable in humankind’s vain attempt to get past death. In Post- Easter SL, on the other hand, there is no glory, only agony; endless questions and loads of blame. Who is to blame? That is the question. There are indeed too many to blame, but too few to offer credible answers and even fewer, if any, to put anything right. more..

May 13 (ST) Did a onetime intelligence operative, forced to leave the service due to allegations of corruption, bring pressure on the Wellampitiya Police to play down investigations into the nine suspects linked to the pro-IS terror group’s bombings in SL? The Police Special Investigations Unit (SIU), now probing the background to why the Police did not object to bail for the suspects, is to question him in this regard. more..

May 13 (Island) Prez Sirisena, who once likened his executive powers to a sword (like King Arthur’s Excalibur?), has resorted to sabre-rattling. Speaking, at a public meeting, in Ampara, on Saturday, he said he would not resign despite calls, in some quarters, for him to do so. He thundered that he would not rest until terrorism was wiped out. If words were weapons, our yahapalana knights in shining armour would rid the entire world of the scourge of terror before one could say ISIS! more..

May 13 (Island) Playing in his third World Cup, former skipper Angelo Mathews is keen to take up more responsibility as the team’s senior-most batsman. In the previous two editions of cricket’s showpiece event, Mathews’ role was different as SL’s batting heavily relied on the big three – Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene and T.M. Dilshan. Now with all three retired and other senior players like Upul Tharanga and Dinesh Chandimal not part of the squad, he will have to shoulder more..

May 13 (SO) Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya is likely to call for an inquiry into allegations made by UPFA MP Udaya Gammanpila in Parliament last week, claiming that an official at the US Embassy in Colombo had sought information about ongoing trials against former Rajapaksa era officials while several judges were in Washington DC last month. On Friday (10), Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya convened more..

May 13 (DN) Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) is planning to have a professional Sevens squad with about 20 contracted players training for three years to target a medal at the Asian Games in 2022. They have submitted a proposal to the National Olympic Committee and Sports Ministry requesting funds for this ambitious long-term project for the XIX Asiad to be held in Hangzhou, China. “We have seen our chances of winning a medal in Asian Games is much higher if we have a professional more..

May 13 (FT) The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) and the London Stock Exchange (LSE) on Friday signed a MoU, aimed at facilitating the dual listing of dollar bonds issued by the Govt of SL, on both exchanges. The MoU will immensely strengthen Sri Lanka debt market offering as a gateway to a global exchange with truly world class regulation, technology and depth of market participants. This initiative provides investors the ability to invest in securities that are also listed in more..

May 13 (CI) In a deeply tactical and wildly chaotic final, Lasith Malinga turned around a horror night in an exceptional final over to hand Mumbai Indians their fourth IPL title. The match went this way and that - both batting sides arguably underperformed, technology gave the third umpire a nightmare, catches went down and run-outs were missed - before it came down to Chennai Super Kings needing nine to win off the final over. more..

May 13 (SLN) A team of Naval personnel rescued 10 fishermen distressed at Southern seas today (11). Accordingly, a crew of a Inshore Patrol Craft attached to the Southern Naval Command rescued 10 fishermen distressed at the seas off Ambalangoda, due to capsizing their craft. This one day fishing craft had left the Hikkaduwa fishing harbour today morning and just after receiving information about the incident, a naval craft on petrol promptly reacted for rescue mission more..

May 13 (Island) Indian tourist traffic to Sri Lanka is expected to resume from Wednesday (15), SriLankan Airlines’ Regional Manager for North India, Nepal and Bangladesh Chinthaka Weerasinghe said. Soon after the Easter Sunday blasts rocked the island on April 21, Govt of India had issued an advisory, asking Indians to visit SL only if it is essential. Thereafter, tourist traffic from India saw a 50% drop. "But the situation is getting better and better in SL on a daily basis. more..

May 13 (CT) Ajanthan Rasakumaran (41), who was taken into custody by the CID over the pre-dawn double murder of two Police Constables on 30 Nov 2018 at the Vavunathivu Police post, was released following a confession made by Zahran Hashim – the Islamic extremist ring leader’s driver Mohamed Sharif Adam Lebbe alias Gaffoor (53). Gaffoor admitted that it was they who were behind the two murders. more..

May 13 (FT) The first session of political consultations between Sri Lanka and Turkey was convened on 10 May at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Colombo. A new roadmap for enhanced cooperation in prioritised sectors between Sri Lanka and Turkey was identified at the first formal session of bilateral consultations. The head of delegation of SL and Foreign Secretary Ravinatha Aryasinha, welcoming the Turkish delegation to the consultations, reaffirmed SL’s commitment to more..

May 13 (EN) SL's security authorities or intelligence have not confirmed that any incident planned to take place on May 13, police spokesman Nuwan Gunasekera said. He said no information received by authorities is discarded and all information thoroughly probed and action is being taken to tighten security. "But security forces or intelligence units have not confirmed this information," he said. SL's state schools, which were closed after Easter Sunday bombings re-opened last week, more..

May 13 (FT) Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera will chair a crucial meeting with the Central Bank and commercial banks CEOs today, to address concerns raised by the travel and tourism industry over the financial relief package announced last week and subsequent directive by the monetary regulatory. Easter Sunday terror attacks-battered tourism industry on Friday strongly opposed the apparent failure by the CB to more..

May 13 (Island) Ceylon Teachers Union (CTU), yesterday, protested the appointment of 3,850 sports instructors to schools stating that those appointments had been given to UNP henchmen. It said that the basic qualification for that position was passes in six subjects at GCE O/L examination and at least the third place at a district level schools sports event, but all such criteria had been ignored, the CTU said. "The appointment letters are to be handed over today at Temple Trees more..

May 13 (DN) SL Tourism will soon formulate a US $ 100 million insurance fund to pay compensation to any tourist who suffer injury or death while visiting SL, said Minister John Amaratunga. He said that they will offer this tourism insurance scheme with SL Insurance. Amaratunge said that due to travel advisories from 38 countries in the aftermath of Easter Sunday bombings on April 21, tourists who visit Sri Lanka are not eligible to receive insurance from their respective countries. more..

May 13 (FT) The main suspect in the abduction of journalist Keith Noyahr in May 2008, Major Prabath Bulathwatte, who also led the shadowy military intelligence unit suspected to have been behind the 2009 murder of The Sunday Leader Editor Lasantha Wickrematunge, has been restored to active service, Army Commander Lt. Gen Mahesh Senanayake said. Making the shocking revelations during a television interview more..

May 13 (CT) None of the Buddhist or Catholic Parliamentarians knew about the Easter Sunday (21 April) massacre, but some Muslim Ministers must have known and hidden the information from others, claimed State Minister Ranjan Ramanayake. Addressing the media, in front of the Colombo High Court on 8 May, Ramanayake said that except for Ministers Harin Fernando and Mano Ganesan none of the others knew because if they knew they definitely would not allow this happen. more..

May 13 (Island) A number of foreign security personnel continued to remain in the country and the govt would restore normalcy soon with their assistance, PM Ranil Wickremesinghe said. "Foreign security personnel are in Sri Lanka because their citizens have been killed by the Easter Sunday bombings. We will obtain their help to secure the country," he said. Wickremesinghe said that some countries had issued travel advisories, warning their citizens not to visit Sri Lanka. more..

May 13 (Island) All officials who received prior information about the Easter Sunday bombings but did not take any action to prevent them should be removed along with the country’s leadership, Archbishop of Colombo, Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith said at the Sunday mass at St. Lucia’s Cathedral, Kotahena, yesterday. Mass was held to commemorate those killed in Easter Sunday attacks and invoke blessings on the injured. more..

May 13 (AD) The govt has imposed a temporary ban on social media platforms such as Whatsapp and Facebook, stated Govt Information Dept. This measure has been taken owing to the false propaganda carried out by the social media and the unrest which had occurred in several areas yesterday. Curfew was imposed in the Chilaw, Kuliyapitiya, Bingiriya, & Dummalasuriya police divisions. The curfew in Chilaw was lifted at 4 am today (13) while the curfew in the other more..

May 13 (DN) The Primary section of govt schools will begin today for the second term as scheduled. The commencement of the Primary section was postponed by a week due to security reasons following the Easter Sunday terror attack. Accordingly Grade 1 to 5 classes in all schools will commence today, the Education Ministry said. Security measures have already been taken to ensure the safety of students and staff by the security forces and the police. more..

May 13 (Reuters) Several dozen people threw stones at mosques and Muslim-owned stores and a local man was beaten in the town of Chilaw on SL’s west coast on Sunday in a dispute that started on Facebook, sources said. Three weeks ago in SL Islamist bombers blew themselves up in four hotels and three churches, killing more than 250 people. Since then Muslim groups say they have received dozens of complaints more..

May 13 (CT) Steps have been taken to tighten security across the country today (13), according to an unconfirmed information circulating in society, that there would be a possible terrorist attack in Colombo. According to the information, National Towheed Jama’at (NTJ) which is believed to be responsible for the Easter Sunday terrorist attacks, has planned a series of terror strikes in Nawala, Wellawatta, Panchikawatta and Fort Railway Station between 9 a.m and 1p.m today. more..

May 13 (Island) The slow reaction by Chilaw police to disperse a crowd that had gathered near a Thowheed Jamath prayer centre in Wattakkuliya, Chilaw resulted in unrest and property damage yesterday. Earlier a group of youth had informed the Chilaw Police that some persons were inside the prayer centre that had been abandoned some time back. Since the police did not arrive there to investigate the complaint, crowd had attacked prayer centre, damaging it, an eyewitness said. more..

May 13 (CT) SL authorities have arrested a Saudi-educated scholar for what they claim are links with Zahran Hashim, the suspected ringleader of the Easter Sunday bombings, throwing a spotlight on the rising influence of Salafi-Wahhabi Islam on the island's Muslims. Mohamed Aliyar, 60, is the founder of the Centre for Islamic Guidance, which boasts a mosque, a religious school and a library in Zahran's hometown more..