Colombo (News 1st): CCTV footage has been extremely useful for the investigations being conducted into Easter Sunday’s terror attacks. Five sets of women’s white clothes were found at the house where suicide bombers detonated their explosives in Saindamaruthu. More details have come to the light regarding these sets of clothes. Three women wearing burqas had […]
Colombo (News 1st): Minister Dr Rajitha Senaratne expressing his views at a media briefing in Colombo today (April 30) noted that the information they have received shows that it was Gotabaya Rajapaksa who supported organizations like National Thowheed Jamath and Bodu Bala Sena. He added that the latest information they received was about the murder in Batticaloa […]
“Gota supported organizations such as NTJ” – Rajitha Senaratne
Colombo (News 1st): The investigations into the terrorist attack has lead to the arrest of a number of provincial councillors. Kotte Municipal Councillor Haja Mohideen Ali Usman Police arrested Kotte Municipal councillor Haja Mohideen Ali Usman yesterday (April 29), for the possession of 3 swords, a machete, a CD containing footage of army battles, 2 […]
Colombo (News 1st): Search operations were conducted in several areas across the country today (April 30). Several members of the National Thawheed Jamath organization, alleged to be responsible for the Easter Sunday serial bombings, along with military equipment, were taken into custody in several areas including Wariyapola, Sungavila, Anuradhapura and Ihala Puliyankulama. Koswatta During a […]
Colombo (News 1st): Sadiq Abdul Haq and Shahid Abdul Haq, wanted by the Criminal Investigations Department in connection with the Easter Sunday Terror Attacks were arrested in Nawalapitiya. The shoe shop in Gampola owned by their uncle, which was used as their hideout, was searched by security forces once again this morning (April 30). Police […]
More evidence at Gampola shoe shop; Abdul Haq brothers’ hideout
Colombo (News 1st): The case filed against the beneficial owner of Perpetual Treasuries Limited Arjun Aloysius, its Chairman Geoffrey Aloysius and 06 others was postponed to May 29th by Colombo Chief Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne. Earlier, they were arrested over the case filed on the Central Bank Treasury Bond Scam. When the case was taken up […]
Colombo (News 1st) – For the first time in more than 200 years, a Japanese emperor has abdicated the Chrysanthemum Throne. He will remain as the emperor till midnight today and his eldest son, Crown Prince Naruhito san 59, will be inaugurated as the 126th emperor on Wednesday, ushering in the Reiwa era- meaning order and harmony – will […]
Colombo (News 1st): The 05 men who were arrested for transporting 273.6 kilograms of heroin in the Eastern seas were remanded until May 7th by Colombo Chief Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne. They were arrested by the Sri Lanka Navy and handed over to the Police Narcotics Bureau for investigations. They were produced in court today (April […]
Colombo (News 1st): Court today (April 30) granted permission to detain and interrogate the two suspects from the National Thawheed Jamaath, who were arrested from Messenger Street, Kotahena by the Intelligence Bureau in Colombo. The duo will be detained until May 2nd. Police seized several CDs, a laptop and several mobile phones from the suspects at […]
Court grants permission to detain and interrogate 2 NTJ suspects
Colombo (News 1st): A close contact of the leader of National Thowheed Jamath, terrorist Zahran Hashmi was arrested during a search operation carried out along Ashroff road in Marandamuna, Kalmunai. Police Special Task Force said three books believed to be religious books, mobile phones, sim cards, and several other pieces of equipment were seized from […]
Colombo (News 1st) – According to Maheel Bandara Dehideniya and Venerable Rathkarawwe Jinarathana Thero, the conveners of the Inter University Students’ Federation, noted that the circular issued by the Ministry of Education in relation to the safety of students do not contain proper security protocols that safeguard students. Maheel Bandara noted that 2019 25th circular was supposed to […]
Reuters – Far-right fascist saluting activists clashed with police in Milan on Monday (April 29), as demonstrators gathered to commemorate the 1975 killing of a neo-fascist activist by left-wing militants. The fascist salute, as well as other forms of pro-fascist propaganda, are illegal in Italy but only when they are seen as part of an effort […]
Far right fascist saluting activists clash with police in Milan
Colombo (News 1st) – Two suspects convicted for murder were sentenced to death by the Colombo High Court today. Colombo High Court judge Vikum Kaluarachchi gave this verdict on 2 individuals who are residents of Pethiyagoda, Kelaniya. They were indicted on June 24th 2006 for assaulting and murdering a person with a sword.
COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Examination Department has issued the recorrected results of 2018 A/L examination. Candidates can access their results through doenets.lk
COLOMBO (News 1st) – A suspicious van has been seized by the Police, in the Ihala Puliyankulama area in Maradankadawala, Kekirawa. Police added that the van is believed to have been used to transport people connected to the Kalmunai explosion. The van which bears the registration number 250 – 5680 has been taken into Police custody […]
COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Sri Lanka Navy along with Ministry of Environment in the Southern Province organized a programme to clean the area surrounding the Gin Ganga yesterday(April 29). The cleaning was carried out near the Wakwella bridge and Mulkada bridges. Keerthi Tennakoon, Governor of Southern Province noted that the bridges were strewn with garbage […]
COLOMBO (News 1st) Security analyst, retired Lt. Colonel Susantha Seneviratne shared his opinion on the discovery of gas masks at the blast site in Saindaramathu. He noted that the terrorists could have used it to manufacture bombs rather than devising a bio attack. He supported his opinion referring to the history of ISIS attacks. ISIS […]
COLOMBO (News 1st) – A group of UNP members convened at the Temple Trees yesterday(April 29), under the auspices of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. Speaking to the media following the meeting, UNP MP, Hesha Vithanage noted that a decision was made to forward a letter to the President bearing the signatures of UNP MPs and ministers, […]
Sarath Fonseka for Defence Minister? Arjuna Ranatunga ready to resign
Colombo (News 1st) – A person was injured in a shooting in Belummahara, around 3:45 this morning. The police media division stated that police officers who were on duty this morning had fired in the sky while attempting to stop an individual who was carrying a suspicious bag. According to police, the bullet ricocheted on a […]
Colombo (News 1st ) – There’s no end to the elephant threat in Hambantota. Villagers are continuing to face difficulties due to constant elephant threats. Our correspondent stated that the locals in Siribopura are threatened by the 5 elephants roaming in the area. The wild elephants have also destroyed the cultivations in the area. Recently […]
COLOMBO (News 1st) – U.S. Ambassador in Sri Lanka, Alaina B. Teplitz, speaking to Reuters has said that the United States believes some members of the Easter Sunday attack group in Sri Lanka may be at large. The report notes that there is ‘active planning’ for more attacks in Sri Lanka.
COLOMBO (News 1st) – Despite the national security crisis being toned down to an extent Sri Lankan security forces are continuing to carry out search operations throughout the country. Kanagarayam Military equipment and explosives, were discovered during a search operation conducted in the Kanagarayam area. The Special Task Force noted that they were wrapped in […]
COLOMBO (News 1st) – A truck wanted in connection with the Easter Sunday terror attack has been taken into custody at Polonnaruwa. Police media spokesperson, SP Ruwan Gunasekara said, the truck bearing the number plate, EP PX-299 was taken into custody along with three suspects.
Colombo (News1st) – Issuing a media release the Department of Government Information notes that President Maithripala Sirisena has informed the Director General of the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka to lift the temporary ban that was imposed on social media platforms and messaging apps. The temporary ban came into effect following last Sunday’s deadly […]
Reuters – Islamic State’s media network on Monday published a threatening video message purporting to come from its leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in what would be his first appearance since declaring the jihadists’ now-defunct “caliphate” five years ago. In the 18-minute video from the Al Furqan network, a bearded man with Baghdadi’s appearance says the Easter […]
Sri Lankan Easter attack is a response for losses in Syria-ISIS leader; Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi
COLOMBO (News 1st) – According to the Met. Department, the severe cyclonic storm ‘FANI’ over southwest Bay of Bengal to the Northeast of Sri Lanka, was located around 640 km northeast of Trincomalee as at 2.30am today. The met department predicts that the storm is likely to intensify further into a very severe cyclonic storm during next […]
Colombo (Colombo) – A close affiliate of easter bomber Zaharan Hashmi was arrested during a raid in the Maradamune area in Kalmunei. According to the Police STF, the suspect was in possession of what is believed to be 3 religious books, several sim cards, a mobile phone, and several other items at the time of […]
COLOMBO (News 1st) – A US Army veteran who was allegedly plotting a large-scale terror attack near Los Angeles as revenge for the recent mass shootings in Christchurch, New Zealand, has been arrested, authorities said today(April 30). Mark Steven Domingo, aged 26, who had combat experience in Afghanistan and professed to be Muslim, faces federal terror-related […]
Colombo (News 1st ) – Police curfew imposed in the police divisions of Chawalakade, Sammanthurai and Kalmunai was lifted at 8:00 this morning. Curfew was imposed at 6:00pm yesterday. Continuous search operations are still underway in the areas of Kalmunai, Sainthamaruthu and surrounding villages where an explosion took place on the 26th evening.
Reuters – Former U.S. Vice President Joe Biden officially kicked off his White House campaign on Monday (April 29) by hosting a union event in Pittsburgh just hours after securing his first labour endorsement. Biden told Teamsters members who attended his first event as a 2020 contender that restoring a vibrant middle class would be the […]
COLOMBO (News 1st) – Principals across the island have been informed to establish security councils at their schools. Secretary to the Ministry of Education, Nihal Ranasinghe noted that all the instructions required to ensure the safety of school premises before commencing the second school term have already been issued. He added that assistance has been sought […]
COLOMBO (News 1st) – Your Tuesday Morning Brief Senior DIG C.D. Wickremeratne was appointed as the acting IGP last morning (April 29) while Inspector General of Police Pujith Jayasundara was sent on compulsory leave. Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa notes that Sri Lanka can handle the current crisis on its own. Police Terrorist Investigation Unit […]
COLOMBO (News 1st): Senior DIG C.D. Wickremeratne was appointed as the Acting IGP this morning (April 29) while Inspector General of Police Pujith Jayasundara has been sent on compulsory leave. Police media spokesperson SP Ruwan Gunasekera confirmed to News 1st that IGP Pujith Jayasundara has been officially informed of the matter. Senior DIG Wickremeratne previously […]
COLOMBO (News 1st): Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa has spoken to CNN News18 regarding the recent terror attacks in Sri Lanka. Speaking on the way the matter was handled in the political arena, the former President said; “Everybody is playing politics. As far as I know, the law is there. And they can act.” When questioned […]
COLOMBO (News 1st): The preacher who led Mohamed Zahran was arrested today (April 29). Zahran is the Easter Sunday attack’s main suspect. He was arrested during an operation conducted by the Police Terrorist Investigation Unit. According to Police, the preacher had encouraged Mohamed Zahran to carry out the attacks. During investigations into the suspects behind […]
COLOMBO (News 1st): The 46 swords which were found in a mosque in Slave Island had been brought to the location just three days before the raid on Friday, April 26. Three individuals, including the Mowlavi of the mosque and UNP Colombo Municipal councillor Noordeen Mohamed Thajudeen, were arrested in connection to the ongoing investigations. […]
COLOMBO (News 1st): Police curfew was re-imposed in Kalmunai, Samanthurai and Chawalakadai from 6.00 this evening (April 29). According to police media spokesperson SP Ruwan Gunesekara, the curfew will be imposed in the said areas until 8.00 am tomorrow (30). Police search operations Security forces including the police and Sri Lanka Army conducted special search […]
COLOMBO (News 1st): The Police Special Task Force, The Intelligence Services Operations Centre and the Police Organized Crimes Division raided a home in Dematagoda beside the one in which explosions took place last Sunday (April 21). During the raid, Police arrested the elder brother of the terrorists who attacked the Shangri-La and Cinnamon Grand Hotels. […]
Police raids across Sri Lanka : Anti-aircraft shells among findings
COLOMBO (News 1st) – The curfew that was imposed in Sammanthurai, Chawalakade, and Kalmunai police divisions at 5 pm yesterday(April 28) was lifted at 8 am today(April 29). Search operations across the island led to the apprehension of several suspects. Theliyagonna Muslim Village, Kurunegala The Police, Army and the Special Task force conducted a joint search […]
COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Archbishop of Colombo, His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith urged all parties to unite to resolve the current crisis in the country. Venerable Iththapana Dhammalankara Thero, Mahanayake of the Kotte Sri Kalyani Samagi Dharma Sangha Council shared that politicians are attempting to pin the responsibility of the catastrophe on each other instead […]
Politicians need to think of national security-Cardinal Ranjith
COLOMBO (News 1st) – Deputy Minister Buddhika Pathirana shared his views on terrorism at an event held in Matara yesterday(April 28). The event was organized to present admissions for the 23rd batch of students conducted by the Samadi People Development Foundation. Indian Counsel General Prem Kumar Nair also attended the event as a special guest. Buddhika […]
COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Jaffna District All Religious Summit was held at the Sri Naga Vihara yesterday (April 28). Following are the views expressed by the incumbent of the Naga Vihara, Venerable Meegahajadure Sirivimala Thero. The Thero noted that Sri Lanka needs to unite as a nation in order to avoid future attacks of this […]
Terrorism should not bare a ethnic face-Ven. Sirivimala Thero
COLOMBO (News 1st) – A special transport plan is underway following the Easter Sunday terror attack. Chief of Operations at the Sri Lanka Transport Board Nihal Hidelearachchi stated that all bus drivers and conductors were instructed on the security rules. Nihal Hidelearachchi warned the people to be cautious about the person who sits next to […]
COLOMBO (News 1st) – The met department states that the cyclonic storm ‘FONI’ over southeast Bay of Bengal to the east of Sri Lanka is likely to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm during next 12 hours and further intensify into a very severe cyclone in the following 24 hours. The system is very likely to […]
COLOMBO (News 1st) – Colombo Chief Magistrate, Lanka Jayaratne has granted permission to the Keselwatte Police to detain and question National Thowheed Jamath Colombo district organizer Mohammad Farook Mohammad Fawaz, for 72 hours in connection to terrorist activities. The magistrate ordered the police to present the suspect before Court once against after the 72 hours […]
National Thowheed Jamath Colombo organizer to be detained for 72 hours
COLOMBO (News 1st): President Maithripala Sirisena appointed General Shantha Kottegoda, WWV, RWP, RSP, VSV, USP as the Secretary of Defence a short while ago. Gen. Kottegoda was the 17th Commander of the Sri Lanka Army.
Reuters – Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez looks set to regain power after his Socialists overcame a historic challenge by right-wing nationalists in elections on Sunday (April 28), a result he portrayed as a morale booster for the European Union. The Socialists gained seats in one of Spain’s most hotly contested elections in decades, which featured […]
COLOMBO (News 1st) – Experts into the terrorist investigation sphere state, stern action must be taken against all active radical organizations, in order to eradicate terrorism from the country. Professor of Security Studies at the Nanyang Technology University in Singapore, Dr Rohan Gunaratne noted that new laws and regulations must be formulated to prevent foreign radical […]
COLOMBO (News 1st) – All faculty examinations scheduled to be held today (April 29), have been postponed indefinitely. The Ministry of Education stated that exams dates will be informed later. The Ministry added both schools and universities will resume academic activities on May 6th.
COLOMBO (News 1st) – Several search operations were carried out across the island, yesterday(April 28). Two key suspects behind the Easter Sunday attacks were arrested in Nawalapitiya. The suspects are siblings, Mohammad Sadik Abdul-Haq and Mohammad Shaheed Abdul-Haq. Officers of the Western Province Intelligence Unit arrested the Secretary of the National Thowheed Jamath, Mohamed Farook Mohamed Pawas. […]
The Department of Meteorology says showers or thundershowers are likely in parts of the Northern, North-central, Eastern and Uva provinces t...
