News
Patali: FBI has identified Easter Sunday mastermind, main source of funding
United Republican Front (URF) leader Patali Champika Ranawaka yesterday said that the Federal Bureau of Investigation of the US has identified Maulavi (Islamic preacher) Mohamad Ibrahim Mohamad Naufer as the mastermind behind the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks.
Addressing the media at his Narehenpita office, the former Minister pointed out that the FBI had also identified the Ibrahim family as the main source of funding for the Eastern Sunday suicide attackers. Ranawaka said that Ibrahim had been granted bail though two of his sons carried out suicide attacks and his pregnant daughter-in-law triggered a blast at their Dematagoda residence when police raided the place a couple of hours after the attacks on churches and hotels.
Underscoring the importance of the FBI findings made in respect of four deaths caused by the blasts and action filed against three persons, including Maulavi Naufer, Ranawaka said that the NPP government’s narrative was contrary to that of the US.
Ranawaka said that the FBI had extensively used technical data to link Maulavi Naufer and the ISIS as well as other parties.
The former Minister said that he intended to reveal the Ibrahims links with politicians and political parties.
According to him, the government couldn’t reveal those involved before 21 April, as promised by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, because his administration was also involved to a certain extent. Ranawaka also found fault with former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa for obstucting and discouraging those investigating the Easter Sunday carnage, after having promised to restore national security in the wake of suicide attacks. (SF)
The Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution furnished by the Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development to accept 08 used low floorboard buses offered as a grant by the Government of Japan.
News
Payment of the financial subsidy for fertilizer to farmers cultivating paddy lands for the Yala season 2026.
While approval has been granted at the Cabinet meeting held on 18.08.2025 to pay the financial subsidy for fertilizer to farmers cultivating paddy lands for the Maha season 2025/26, the programme is planned to be continued for the Yala season 2026 as well.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution furnished by the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation to pay a financial subsidy of Rupees 25,000/- per hectare and for a maximum of 02 hectares per farmer for paddy cultivation and to pay Rupees 15,000/- per hectare for field crops cultivated in paddy lands[maximum of 02 hectares per farmer]
News
Ministerial Committee appointed to submit recommendations on proposed program to mitigate loss of crops to wild animals
The rural agricultural livelihood and food security have been severely impacted due to the damage caused by wild animals such as elephants, wild boars, monkeys, toque macaque, squirrels, and peacocks roaming around human habitats and cultivated lands.
Animal-human conflicts and property destruction have mostly been reported around these areas, and serious social and economic issues have also arisen.
Therefore, the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land, and Irrigation has prepared a comprehensive program based on the opinions of all stakeholders, including the public, university community, farmers’ organizations, environmentalists, non-governmental organizations which work for environmental issues, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Agrarian Development, and other relevant organizations.
Taking into consideration the report submitted by the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land, and Irrigation, the Cabinet of Ministers has decided to appoint a ministerial committee with the participation of other relevant ministers, chaired by the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land, and Irrigation, to submit appropriate recommendations on how the aforementioned program should be implemented by further reviewing the proposals included in the said program and incorporating new proposals.
Cabinet nod to accept Japanese government grant of 08 used low floorboard buses
Payment of the financial subsidy for fertilizer to farmers cultivating paddy lands for the Yala season 2026.
Ministerial Committee appointed to submit recommendations on proposed program to mitigate loss of crops to wild animals
New Zealand elect to bowl first at Eden Gardens
Cabinet approves import of Maize to meet shortfall
Cabinet nod for the removal of Cess tax imposed on imported good
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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