Category: Breaking News

The Terrorism Investigation Division (TID), on Friday (17), informed Colombo Additional Magistrate Lahiru Silva that an inquiry has been initiated into 15 suspects identified as having allegedly provided financial and logistical support to extremists linked to the Easter attacks, and worked to expand ISIS terrorist networks within the country.

The TID told the Court that complaints have been filed against 15 individuals, and a formal investigation has commenced based on a complaint received by the Head of the Terrorism and Financial Investigation Division.

According to the investigation, these suspects are alleged to have assisted members of the organisation responsible for the Easter attacks by facilitating extremist lectures and providing financial support, including assistance to foreign ISIS-affiliated terrorist organisations attempting to establish a presence locally.

Investigating officers told the Court that some of these suspects had already been indicted before the High Court in connection with their alleged role in supporting the Easter Sunday terror attacks in 2019.

The inquiry will also examine their participation in Al-Qaeda and ISIS-related extremist lectures, as well as any financial contributions made to these terrorist groups.

After reviewing the submissions, the Additional Magistrate instructed the TID to ensure rapid progress in the investigation and to submit regular updates to the Court.

Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar met Sri Lankan Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya in New Delhi this (16) morning, marking a key engagement during her maiden official visit to India.

In a social media post, Jaishankar said he was “pleased” to meet the Sri Lankan Prime Minister and reaffirmed India’s continued support to Sri Lanka, with discussions centered on strengthening cooperation in education and capacity building.

PM Amarasuriya’s visit includes scheduled talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as well as visits to Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) and Hindu College, reflecting a strong focus on educational collaboration.

U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung has clarified that the U.S. Department of State’s travel advisory for Sri Lanka remains unchanged at Level 2.

Posting on X (formerly Twitter), Ambassador Chung stated,

“The U.S. Department of State regularly issues travel advisory updates to allow U.S. citizens to make informed international travel decisions.”

She further noted that,

“The Travel Advisory issued for Sri Lanka on October 9 remains at Level 2–there was no change to the advisory level.”

The Level 2 advisory indicates that U.S. citizens are advised to exercise increased caution while traveling in Sri Lanka.

The Kopai Police Station has been temporarily removed from its current location, police sources confirmed.

The station had been operating from eight houses belonging to private civilians.

The Jaffna District Court, has ordered that seven of these houses be returned to their rightful owners.

The fiscal officer has returned the relevant properties to their owners yesterday (15).

The Jaffna Police Station will continue to accept complaints from residents in the affected area. For security reasons, the Kopai Police Station’s armoury has been transferred to the Jaffna Police Station.

A senior police officer stated that measures are underway to re-establish the Kopai Police Station within approximately two months.

The Court of Appeal today (15) dismissed the writ application filed in 2018 by Nagananda Kodituwakku and Malinda Seneviratne concerning the resettlement of Muslims in Sri Lanka’s Northern Province.

The matter, which had been pending for nearly seven years, saw repeated delays in conclusion despite several directives from the court.

Counsel for MP Rishad Bathiudeen, Attorney-at-Law Hejaaz Hizbullah argued that the case lacked merit and had been pursued primarily for media publicity rather than legal grounds.

He requested the court to dismiss the application due to the petitioner’s continuous failure to proceed.

Agreeing with this submission, the Court of Appeal dismissed the writ petition today.

While reiterating government’s assurance to hold the Provincial Council elections next year, Minister Lal Kantha said the election will be held next year either under the old system or after enacting a new electoral system.

He told the media that the government can hold the elections under the old system after amending the previous Bill passed in Parliament.

“We have a two-thirds majority and can pass a legislation to hold the PC elections under the old system,” he said.

Responding to a question whether the opposition alliance would be a challenge to the government at the elections, the Minister said the opposition alliance will never be an issue or challenge to the government.

“We have the Executive Presidency which is running smoothly and 159 MPs who are functioning properly. A new political culture has been established. People have a good understanding about the National People’s Power (NPP) government and the NPP administered local bodies. So, we have no challenge at the upcoming PC elections,” he added.