News

Easter Sunday carnage: SLPP MP calls for probe into attempts to divert public attention

Published

4 years ago

2021/03/10

By Shamindra Ferdinando

SLPP lawmaker Sanjeewa Edirimanne yesterday (9) said a probe had to be held into efforts to divert public attention by blaming 2019 Easter attacks on the then SLPP presidential candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa and SLPP founder Basil Rajapaksa.

Responding to The Island queries after he and several other SLPP lawmakers lodged a complaint at the police headquarters in respect of a statement made by Kurunegala District SJB MP Asoka Abeysinghe over the weekend, the Kalutara District MP asserted that in the wake of the release of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PcoI) report on the National Thowheed Jamaat (NTJ) attacks, the breakaway UNP faction was busy propagating lies.

Lawmaker Edirimanne said that MP Abeysinghe wasn’t the first Opposition member to direct accusations at the government over the Easter Sunday carnage.

Last November the CID questioned SJB MP Eran Wickremaratne as regards his accusations. The CID recorded the former UNP State Minister’s statement in the wake of the State Intelligence Service (SIS) lodging a complaint over certain claims he made at a media conference given on Nov 12.

The CID dealt with the MP’s claim pertaining to the funding of the Easter Sunday attackers, the threat on Easter Sunday bomber Zahran Hashim’s widow Abdul Cader Fathima Hadiya and her being detained at the Tangalle prison.

MP Edirimanne said that ‘Sri Lanka’s Easter Tragedy: When the Deep State Gets Out of Its Depth’ authored by Rajan Hoole raised the alleged involvement of some sections of the security apparatus in the 2019 attacks and anti-Muslim violence in May same year. The author asserted that the interested parties carried out Easter Sunday attacks and then inspired violence as part of an overall strategy to help Gotabaya Rajapaksa win the election. The MP said that it had been brought to the notice of security authorities.

Edirimannae alleged that the SJB was now making a desperate bid to distance itself from the Easter Sunday carnage and the UNP.

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Voting commences to elect members for 339 local government authorities

Published

3 hours ago

2025/05/6

Priyan

Voting commenced at 7.00am to elect members to 339 local councils in the island.

Voting is being held at 13,579 polling centers and will end at 4.00 p.m.

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President holds talks with Vietnamese President

Published

3 hours ago

2025/05/6

Priyan

Vietnamese President Luong Cuong warmly welcomed President Anura Kumara Disanayake during an official ceremony held in Hanoi on Monday (05) morning

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake was accorded a ceremonial welcome with full military honours upon his arrival at the Presidential Palace of Vietnam. He also took part in the inspection of the Tri-Forces Guard of Honour and the playing of the national anthems of Vietnam and Sri Lanka. The two leaders then introduced members of their respective delegations before proceeding for bilateral discussions during which both nation assessed their progress, explored avenues for future collaboration and signed Memoranda of Understanding.

Vietnam and Sri Lanka have upheld robust and enduring ties since they established diplomatic relations in 1970. and this visit aims to strengthen political trust and foster effective collaboration across multiple sectors between the two nations.

Sri Lanka and Vietnam engage in annual bilateral trade, primarily in exports, totalling around US$200 million. Both nations aspire to elevate this trade to US$1 billion in the near future.

President Dissanayake’s visit highlights Sri Lanka’s deep commitment to its longstanding friendship with Vietnam and demonstrates a mutual resolve to enhance collaboration in traditional sectors while exploring new opportunities in digital transformation, the digital economy, energy transition, artificial intelligence and connectivity.

[PMD]

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Heat index is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern, Northern, North-western, and North-central provinces and Monaragala district

Published

4 hours ago

2025/05/6

Priyan

Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology At 3.30 p.m. 05 May 2025, valid for 06 May 2025

The public are warned that the Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern, Northern, North-western, and North-central provinces and 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.