Category: News

His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, the Archbishop of Colombo has once again called for justice over the Easter attacks, during Christmas Mass held on Friday (24).

During the service held at the Basilica of Our Lady of Lanka in Ragama, His Eminence noted that 260 people were killed in the Easter attacks, and questioned the purpose of taking away their lives.

“What did they lose their lives for? Was it because of conflicts between religions? Religions are not meant to kill people. In fact, religions exist to keep people alive. If a religion kills people, that religion is useless,” he stated.

He said the main reason as to why the true perpetrators responsible for the heinous 2019 April Attacks are not be exposed, is because selfishness reigns supreme among the masses, and therefore it is paramount for a social transformation.

His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, the Archbishop of Colombo says that a change of attitude is needed in the country.

Moreover, His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith also said that it is the duty of all, including the citizens and politicians, to put the spiritual principles we believe in first.

Four police officers were shot dead when an officer assigned to the Thirukkovil Police station opened fire at a group of officers on duty at the police station.

The injured included the OIC of the Thirukkovil police station and they were all admitted to the Thirukkovil and Akkarepattu hospitals.

The shooting was carried out by a police sergeant who later surrendered to the Ethimale Police station with two T-56 assault rifles and 19 rounds of ammunition after the shooting.

The shooting took place around 10.30 last night. Three persons were killed on the spot while another police constable who was receiving treatment at the Kalmunai Hospital died on admission to the hospital.

The OIC had left the police station on some duty at the time of the shooting.

When the OIC arrived at the police station, the suspect sergeant had also shot at the police jeep in which the OIC had arrived. At that moment, the jeep lost control and crashed into a nearby building, police said.

A Police Sergeant, two constables and a Police constable driver were killed in the shooting while the OIC and two other constables are receiving treatment at the hospitals.

Police Spokesman SSP Nihal Thalduwa said the arrested suspect was handed over to the Ampara Police for further investigations.

He said a special team had been appointed to conduct further investigations and to identify the motive of the shooting under the direction of Senior DIG in charge of the Easter Province.

While asserting that its product was cleared of harmful bacteria including Erwinia, the Chinese company that is involved in the fertilizer dispute with Sri Lanka said it would complain to the international rating agencies against Sri Lankan state banks over the default of payment, a spokesman said.

The spokesman said the ship carrying 20,000 tons of organic fertilizer manufactured by Seawin Biotech does not contain harmful bacteria, according to the latest test report in Singapore.

The company says the company ‘Seawin Biotech’ is preparing to complain to the top three international credit rating agencies -Standards & Poor’s rating, Moody’s Investors Service and Fitch rating against the state banks of Sri Lanka.

“We will share the relevant evidence of the case with these three institutions to remind other international investors of the relevant risks,” she said.

Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa offered prayers at the ancient hill shrine of Lord Venkateswara at Tirumala on Friday (24).

Rajapaksa accompanied by his wife Shiranthi flew to India on Thursday (23) afternoon on a more than 24-hour long spiritual journey to the hills, a temple official said, according to India media.

After an overnight stay at a heavily guarded guest house on the hills, the Lankan Prime Minister, clad in traditional attire visited the shrine at the crack of dawn and paid his obeisance to the presiding deity of Lord Venkateswara, a temple official told PTI.

Rajapaksa also made an offering in the ‘hundi’ (offering box) at the shrine.

Earlier, upon arrival at the ‘Mahadwaram’ of the shrine, Rajapaksa was accorded a grand traditional reception by Vedic priests along with top functionaries of the shrine, the official said.

After worship, the high priests of the shrine, amid chanting of Vedic hymns, bestowed blessings upon the Rajapaksa couple at the sprawling Sri Ranganayaka Mandapam at the hill shrine, the official said.

Amids claims of some Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLPP) politicians of a possible aligning with the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) in a future election, the JVP today dismissed any such possibility claiming that they were not ready to align with the two main parties or anyone who had been part of them.

JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva told media that the JVP was not ready to join hands with those who contributed to the debacle the country was put into by being in the two main parties while enjoying ministry portfolios.

“Some members in the government are finding ways to get away when the government is in trouble. We will not allow those who abandon the sinking ship. The JVP has no connection with those who were in the two main parties and contributed to the destruction of the country,” he said.

When asked that some politicians were claiming that they were fraud and corruption-free, he said they should show it in practice rather than in words.

Mr. Silva said they were inviting the provincial level members of the main parties to join hands with the JVP and people who really want to change this failed political system.

While taking part in a protest organised by the JVP in Maharagama against the rising cost of living and fuel prices, he said the government should reduce fuel prices without further burdening the people.

“People who are finding it difficult to make ends meet were further burdened due to the increase in the fuel prices. The government should clarify as to why the fuel prices were increased when the fuel prices are on the decline in the global market?” he questioned.