News

Sri Lankan extremist shot dead after stabbing attack at New Zealand supermarket

Published

5 years ago

2021/09/5

PM says man was “a known threat to New Zealand”

Police in New Zealand shot and killed a “violent extremist” after he stabbed and wounded at least six people in an Auckland supermarket on Friday. New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said the incident was a “terrorist attack” carried out by a Sri Lankan national who was under police surveillance.

The man, who has not been identified, was a supporter of the Islamic State (IS) terrorist group, Ardern said.

Police killed the man within 60 seconds of the attack.

“What happened today was despicable, it was hateful, it was wrong,” Ardern said in a news conference. “It was carried out by an individual, not a faith.”

“Of the six wounded people, three are in a critical condition and one is in a serious condition”, health officials said.

A St John spokesperson told 1 NEWS five ambulances and three rapid response units were called to the scene at 2.40pm. “Police deliberately distracted the man to get his attention, who in turn charged at the officers. It is understood the officers then shot him.” he said. At a press conference Friday, Jacinda Ardern went on to say that the man was “a known threat to New Zealand”.

Ardern said the man was a Sri Lankan national who arrived in New Zealand in October 2011 but became a person of interest from 2016.

He was inspired by ISIS, Ardern said, and had a violent ideology.

The reasons he is known to agencies is subject to court suppression orders, but the Prime Minister said it was her view that it was in the public interest to share as much information as possible.

By law, he was not able to be kept in prison.

Police Commissioner Andrew Coster provided more detail, saying the man was “under heavy surveillance over concerns about his ideology”.

He travelled from Glen Eden to New Lynn closely watched by surveillance teams and tactical teams.

“When the commotion started, two police tactical operators moved to the scene and engaged him. When he approached with a knife he was shot and killed.

“The reality is when you are surveilling someone over 24 hour periods its not possible to be close to him all the time,” Coster said.

Ardern said there will be “multiple inquiries” into the incident.

Coster said police were unaware of any intent of Friday’s terrorist attack nor the extent of it.

“Based on our surveillance what we could tell is that he was undertaking what appeared to be a normal shopping expedition.

“However clearly we have been concerned about his ideology and that’s why he was under surveillance and with a company of tactical teams.

Coster said the man had been very “surveillance conscious and surveillance teams working with an offender over an extended period of weeks need to maintain sufficient distance for that surveillance to remain effective.

He said teams were “as close as possibly could be without compromising the surveillance operation”.

Ardern says suppression orders are in place over the man’s criminal history but says she’s preparing a timeline over “the man’s interactions with agencies and the law”.

“I think it’s in everyone’s best interest” to share that with you, Ardern said.

She said she was confident the man was a lone-wolf offender. She said he was known to “multiple agencies” and was “personally aware of him”.

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Heat Index at Caution Level in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern and Southern provinces and in Monaragala district.

Published

3 hours ago

2026/04/21

Priyan

Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
at 3.30 p.m. on 20 April 2026, valid for 21 April 2026

The Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern and Southern provinces and in Monaragala district.

The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.

Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.

ACTION REQUIRED

Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.

Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.

Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.

Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.

Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.

Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.

Latest News

Advisory for Severe Lightning issued for all provinces of Sri Lanka

Published

9 hours ago

2026/04/20

Priyan

Advisory for Severe Lightning
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 12.00 noon 20 April 2026 valid for the period until 11.00 p.m. 20 April 2026

Thundershowers accompanied with severe lightning are likely to occur most places in the island after 1.00 p.m.

There may be temporary localized strong winds during thundershowers. General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning activity.

ACTION REQUIRED:

The Department of Meteorology advises that people should:

 Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.

 Avoid open areas such as paddy fields, tea plantations and open water bodies during thunderstorms.

 Avoid using wired telephones and connected electric appliances during thunderstorms.

 Avoid using open vehicles, such as bicycles, tractors and boats etc.

 Beware of fallen trees and power lines.

 For emergency assistance contact the local disaster management authorities.

News

Indian Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan meets Prime Minister

Published

10 hours ago

2026/04/20

Priyan

The Vice President of India, C.P. Radhakrishnan, who is currently on a two-day official visit to Sri Lanka, held a bilateral discussion with Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya on Sunday (19) morning at Temple Trees.

Upon his arrival at Temple Trees, the Indian Vice President was received by Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya. The Prime Minister also extended her congratulations to C.P. Radhakrishnan on his appointment as the Vice President of India.

During the meeting, the Vice President noted that this is his first official visit to Sri Lanka and expressed his appreciation for the warm welcome and hospitality extended to him during his stay.

The occasion was attended by the Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel; Members of Parliament Dr. K. Laxman and Dr. Medha Vishram Kulkarni; Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri; and the High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, Santosh Jha, and representing the Government of Sri Lanka the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath; Minister of Sports Sunil Kumara Gamage; Minister of Women and Child Affairs Saroja Savithri Paulraj; Secretary to the Prime Minister Pradeep Saputhanthri; Secretary to the Ministry of Finance Harshana Suriyapperuma; Secretary to the Ministry of Education Nalaka Kaluwewa; and several other officials.