May 3 (DN) All manner of denials, passing the buck, sheer carelessness and inattention to dutiful responsibility accompanied the aftermath and followed the Easter Sunday terrorist attack. The consequences of the suicide bomb blasts have been devastating, tragic with loss of over two hundred and fifty lives and many injured in addition to traumatic shock to many children near and far and destruction to property of hundreds of millions of rupees. The elimination of Prabhakaran by Armed Forces more..

May 3 (CT) The horrifying sadness engulfing our nation notwithstanding, we observe, once again, the ruthless play of the power- game by our senior politicians. In a country like where I live (Australia) competing political parties would have come together, eschewed the blame -game and united themselves to collectively find an agreed strategy in order to prevent this from ever happening again. Not so in SL. To begin with, the power -game offered fertile ground for the emergence of Muslim more..

May 3 (CT) Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) carnage on Easter Sunday is the most unexpected of any attacks on SL in recent times. Shockingly, it is surrounded by controversies and denials by those responsible to prevent it. The attacks on the nationally prominent churches and uptown international hotels on Easter Sunday morning, synchronously killing over 200 people, and injuring more than 500 using suicide bombers more..

May 3 (DN) Sri Lanka continued to be under a cloud of fear and heightened vigilance as the fallout from the Easter Sunday bomb blasts that killed 253 persons continued last week, leading to many investigations and raids while taking a toll on senior officials of the defence establishment. The death toll, previously thought to be 359, was revised by the Director General of Health Services, Dr. Anil Jasinghe. “When persons are killed as a result of bomb blasts, victims suffer mutilation and more..

May 3 (CT) Recall the Colombo Telegraph story I reported on 10 Sept. 2018 of a Tamil family abused by Police OIC Kanakarayankulam named Thamintha Sinthu taking the side of a Muslim trader to whom they had leased their land. The trader had opened an eating house named Dawood Restaurant on the leased land. When the landowner Vasanthakumar refused to renew the lease upon its expiry, and asked the trader to vacate, the OIC Thamintha Sinthu arrested Vasanthakumr, more..

May 3 (SO) Sri Lankans are still in shock from last Sunday’s harrowing incidents in the country. For the first time in SL’s history was a large scale terrorist attack on innocent people worshiping at churches. The other target were people enjoying breakfast at hotels. Both these soft targets of the attackers brought down a calamity of immeasurable magnitude. As the investigations revealed members from a group of religious extremists more..

May 3 (GV) Many supposed Muslims are in custody for suspected links with terrorism. Many swords found, including in the suburban Slave Island mosque. Many explosives scattered everywhere. Women killing themselves, the unborn and their offspring, without a moment of hesitation. After all this, no matter how true, it is not enough for Muslims to quote Quranic verses and say that Islam does not support extremism or terrorism. Perhaps it’s even offensive to many non-Muslims. more..

May 3 (Island) The number of visitors to the Dehiwala Zoo has fallen below 10, owing to the deteriorating security situation in the country, according to a report. It is unfortunate that more than 250 men, women and children perished in terrorist bomb blasts, and the people are living in fear of more terror strikes, but it is heartening that the animals imprisoned for no fault of theirs have been able to spend some time without being troubled by the sight and noise of thronging crowds. more..

May 3 (SO) The Friday Forum expresses solidarity with everyone who has condemned the brutal attacks on churches where people had gathered for worship on Easter Sunday, and on three hotels serving Easter Sunday breakfast that day. We stand together with our fellow citizens and offer our condolences to families, friends and visitors to our country for the loss of lives and injuries suffered in this cruel violence. We also express our condolences to the families of police officers more..

May 3 (Island) The return of terrorism to SL on Easter Sunday after the lapse of nearly a decade is a day of infamy in the history of SL because of its scale and spread. The whole nation is trying to understand the motivations that drove a group of radicalized individuals to engage in such a dastardly attack. Just as much as such a group was motivated enough to vent their anger for whatever reason, there always will be other groups with other motivations to resort to similar acts in future. more..

May 3 (DM) It was almost a decade ago that countries across Europe began wrestling with the issue of the Muslim veil – in its various forms. The debate encapsulated religious freedom, female equality, secular traditions and even fears of terrorism. The conversation explored the multiculturalism in Europe, as many argued that there needed to be a greater effort to assimilate ethnic and religious minorities. more..

May 3 (CT) Sri Lanka’s recent record of ODI defeats have come to haunt them once more as they find themselves at a new low slipping to a record 9th in ICC ODI rankings following annual updates in which the series’ results from 2015-16 are removed, and the outcomes from 2016-17 and 2017-18 are weighted at 50%. India and England have retained their top positions in the team rankings for Tests and ODIs, respectively. India’s lead over NZ in the Test Team Rankings have narrowed from 8 to 2 more..

May 3 (FT) The tourism industry yesterday met with the airlines operating to Sri Lanka to discuss a strategy to achieve a faster revival post-Easter Sunday terror attacks. The meeting was productive with exchange of views from both sides on concerns and challenges. Airlines had emphasised that before they could extend support, Sri Lanka will have to address the adverse travel advisories by talking to the diplomatic missions in Sri Lanka as well as SL foreign missions overseas. more..

May 3 (EN) Sri Lanka's Ceylon Chamber of Commerce has criticized the govt for the serious lapses in national security over Easter Sunday's carnage, calling for immediate steps to restore public and investor confidence. "The available information points to a serious lack of coordination, incompetence and ineffectiveness in handling national security," the chamber said in a letter addressed to President and PM. more..

May 3 (Island) Cassandra cheered and hoorayed when a friend who had held high positions in his professional life but now retired, phoned her on Tuesday (30) to announce triumphantly that Field Marshall Sarath Fonseka had been appointed Minister in charge of law and order. He added it was high time and he was the best person for this all important job at this juncture. So Cass waited patiently to listen to TV news. No announcement of such an appointment, though President was more..

May 3 (Island) New National record holder in the men’s triple jump Shreshan Dananjaya is the only male athlete selected for the forthcoming Asian Grand Prix conducted by the Asian Athletics Association. While the Asian organisers have dropped several names submitted by the Athletics Association of SL for the June event, somewhat disappointing performances at last week’s Asian Athletics Championship have also prompted local officials to consider trimming the team, more..

May 3 (DN) Minister Harin Fernando revealed that three police personnel including the Assistant Superintendent of Police will be sent along with the SL cricket team that leaves for England for the World Cup on May 7. The Minister making these remarks at a special press conference held at the Ministry of Sports yesterday said this decision was taken in order to provide security to the cricketers who are leaving well ahead of the World Cup due to the present situation in the country that more..

May 3 (CT) Sri Lanka dominated Malaysia Barbarians in their first match during the Malaysian tour which started off yesterday. Sri Lanka fifteens’ outfit led by Omalka Gunarathne the number 8 put on a superb show as they defeated the Malaysia Barbarians by 55 points to 14 points. SL scored 9 tries, 2 conversions and 2 penalties while Malaysia Barbarians scored two tries and two conversions. Sri Lanka started the game well with their second row Sajith Saranga going over the line more..

May 3 (CT) Hard on the heels of his numerous promises last December – as yet to be fulfilled – Sports Minister Harin Fernando delivered another list of sweetened schemes for consumption by the gullible, including fantastic new stadia, state-of-the-art synthetic tracks, a super pools, etc. etc. Among these pie-in-the-sky plots, plans and proposals was his statement that the Sports Ministry will be handing over management of more..

May 3 (CT) It’s no secret that the recently elected office bearers of SLC are all backed by its former president Thilanga Sumathipala who seem to be running the show behind the curtain at SLC now. Several member federations of SLC have written to the Sports Minister Harin Fernando seeking clarification into the legality of Sumathipala officially participating at the Executive Committee meetings sitting as the former president. “We have sought clarification from SLC regarding that more..

May 3 (NR) Minister Mangala Samaraweera says the threat of terrorism to any South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation country is no doubt a threat to the entire region. Speaking at the SAARC Finance Ministers meeting held on the sidelines of the 52nd Annual meeting of ADB in Fiji, Minister Samaraweera said Sri Lanka supports Irish initiative to mitigate climate change in smaller oceanic states. Minister said “It is therefore in all of our interest to collaborate and coordinate more..

May 3 (EN) Sri Lanka's soft-pegged central bank has made a 137 billion rupee profit by busting the currency from 153 to 182 to the US dollar in 2018 in the course of following polices involving real effective exchange rate targeting and printing money to keep rates down. A soft-pegged central bank is the most dangerous monetary authority compared to others that follow non-contradictory policy such as hard pegged agencies or fully floating ones. more..

May 3 (Island) Colombo's wholesale trade has plunged hugely in the aftermath of the Easter Sunday bomb attacks, wholesale traders in Pettah said. According to these wholesalers most lorries that come from the outstations carrying essential goods are not arriving in Colombo currently because of security considerations and risk factors. Consequently, there is a shortage of essential food items in local retail markets. 'We are now in the process of discussing with govt authorities to more..

May 3 (DM) Minister Vajira Abeywardana yesterday instructed the Controller of Emigration and Immigration to take steps to deport all foreigners remaining in the country without visas and those overstaying their visas, under the prevailing security situation. He has given these instructions following a discussion held with PM Ranil Wickremesinghe and Minister M.H.A. Haleem on Wednesday. It has been agreed during the discussion that a national policy has to be formulated on more..

May 3 (Island) Recent revelation that those responsible for the Easter Sunday carnage had killed two police constables in the early hours of Nov 30, 2018 at Vavnativu in the East has exposed a serious intelligence lapses. Authoritative sources said that law enforcement authorities and the Directorate of Military Intelligence (DMI) seemed to have been clueless as regards the alleged involvement of Muslim extremists in more..

May 3 (DN) President Maithripala Sirisena yesterday instructed the authorities concerned to gazette amendments to the Excise Ordinance with immediate effect. The President has given these instructions at a meeting on drug prevention and mitigation of crimes held at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday. At the meeting, the President had emphasised to carry forward the national drive to make the country free from drugs while enforcing the law strictly against the drug offences. more..

May 3 (CT) A team of Intelligence and CID officers have reportedly visited the Prison Hospital to meet the General Secretary of BBS, Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera to obtain details about the activities of Islamic extremists in SL. Monks attached to the BBS said Ven. Gnanasara Thera had been speaking about Islamic extremism in Sri Lanka since 2014. Many people dismissed his claims but now everyone knows that what he said about Islamist extremism was true, the monks said. more..

May 3 (HRW) SL President Maithripala Sirisena has ordered a ban on face coverings in public as one of a number of emergency measures imposed following the Easter Sunday bombings that killed more than 250 people and injured hundreds. The ban, which took effect Apr 29, prohibits any face covering “that may hinder one’s identify [from being] ascertained,” and cites such coverings as a potential security threat. more..

May 3 (AD) Police have discovered over 800 artillery shells have been discovered at a private factory manufacturing steel wires at Ekala, Ja-Ela. The discovery was made during a search operation carried out based on information received by officers of the Negombo Division Crimes Unit. Police officers also found over 100 empty shells of bullets used for T-56 assault rifles at the location. Police are conducting further investigations. more..

May 3 (DM) All vehicles entering and exiting the Northern region are being subjected to rigorous inspection after the intelligence services had received information that 20 explosive laden vehicles had entered the North from the South, the Army said. Army sources said 12 motorcycles, two vans, two cabs, two cars, one three-wheeler and one buddy lorry were among the 20 vehicles. Most of these vehicles had been registered under a name of one of the suicide bombers involved in more..

May 3 (AJ) SL's Catholic cardinal has received foreign information that attempts would be made this week to attack a church. According to a letter he sent to church officials that appeared on social media on Thursday, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith - archbishop of Colombo - said he was closing churches and Catholic schools throughout Sri Lanka and cancelling public congregations for mass until further notice. more..

May 3 (DN) The sister of National Thawheed Jamaath (NTJ) Leader ISIS terrorist Mohamed Zaharan Hasheem was arrested by the Batticaloa Police at her house at Kappal Aleem Road, New Kaththankudy. The Suspect Muhammadu Hashim Madaniiya had Rs. 2 million cash in her possession at the time of arrest. When other members of Zaharan’s family died in the attack at Saindamarudu she was resident at the Kappal Aleem Road house. Meanwhile, a part of an Army uniform and more..

May 3 (DM) Three suspects were arrested with at least 600 letters containing defamatory remarks against the President at the Central Mail Exchange (CME) in Pettah. The suspects were taken into custody by the Fort Police along with letters containing defamatory remarks against the President that incited ethnic hatred. The suspects, Sampath Kumara (28), Dhanusha Priyadarshana (41) and Kavindu Weerasena (24) were identified as residents of Waththegama, Alawwa, Polgolla more..

May 3 (AFP) Soldiers guarded the gate, but Colombo's landmark Gangaramaya temple was virtually empty, a potent sign of anxiety felt by SL's majority Buddhist community since Easter Sunday suicide attacks. The normal stream of faithful and tourists has fallen to a trickle since the April 21 attacks on churches and hotels that killed more than 250 people. Many of SL's 15 million Buddhists fear they too could become a jihadist target. more..

May 3 (DM) One week has gone by since the brutal massacre of innocent people on Easter Sunday. Whatever happened, has happened and we can do very little to undo that. Many opinions have been expressed on the fact that everyone who is responsible to provide security to masses whether Political or otherwise has failed the nation. But this article is not about the common blame game. In a previous article I have demanded accountability. Whether the right people have been held to more..

May 3 (DM) The security situation in the country fell to such a low ebb during the Easter Sunday carnage that it was hard to believe that this was a country that once defeated the world’s most ruthless terrorist outfit. This country has everything from clean drinking water, fish in plenty, vegetables, spices and a flourishing tea industry, but lacks two vital things; a responsible Govt and a sound security establishment. Right now all Sri Lankans are living with the thought of the next possible attack more..

May 3 (DM) Thawheed, a household word in SL and Christian communities around the world these days is not alien to Muslims. In fact, the concept of Thawheed is the foundation of Islam. In a way, it is what Islam is all about. Thawheed is nothing but accepting the oneness of God or monotheism. It means believing in Allah alone as God. It means believing that Allah is One with no partner or associate in His Lordship, divinity more..

May 3 (DN) In the aftermath of the Easter Sunday terror attacks, the occupancy rate of hotels has declined by 70% countrywide, Hotels Association of SL (THASL) President Sanath Ukwatte said. He said substantial percentage of booking cancellation was reported because of the travel advisories issued by various foreign countries following the incident. “Hotels industry is in jeopardy and we are faced with serious issues” more..