Sri Lanka President Maithripala Sirisena on Thursday denied reports that he had prior knowledge of the Easter Sunday bombings in which luxury hotels and churches were targetted in the country on April 21.

According to Colombo Page, President`s Media Division issued a statement in on April 8 in which it stated that he had convened a monthly meeting with the Inspector General of Police and other senior police officers. However, in the over two-hour long meeting, none of the police officers informed the President about the threats.&nbsp;

Neither the Defence Secretary nor the Inspector General of Police nor any other officer had informed the President about a warning letter received from a friendly foreign country about the impending April 21 terrorist attack, the statement said.

The statement came after Defence Secretary, General Shantha Kottegoda, and Chief of State Intelligence Service, Sisira Mendis, gave evidence before the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) on Thursday, the report added.

The PSC, which was appointed to inquire into the Easter Sunday terrorist attacks, met for the first time yesterday at the parliament complex.

Sri Lanka President Maithripala Sirisena on Thursday denied reports that he had prior knowledge of the Easter Sunday bombings in which luxury hotels and churches were targetted in the country on April 21.

Sri Lanka President Maithripala Sirisena on Thursday denied reports that he had prior knowledge of the Easter Sunday bombings in which luxury hotels and churches were targetted in the country on April 21. According to Colombo Page, President`s Media Division issued a statement in on April 8 in which it stated that he had convened a monthly meeting with the Inspector General of Police and other senior police officers. However, in the over two-hour long meeting, none of the police officers informed the President about the threats. Neither the Defence Secretary nor the Inspector General of Police nor any other officer had informed the President about a warning letter received from a friendly foreign country about the impending April 21 terrorist attack, the statement said. The statement came after Defence Secretary, General Shantha Kottegoda, and Chief of State Intelligence Service, Sisira Mendis, gave evidence before the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) on Thursday, the report added. The PSC, which was appointed to inquire into the Easter Sunday terrorist attacks, met for the first time yesterday at the parliament complex.

Sri Lankan President denies reports he was informed about Easter Sunday attacks

Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena addresses a press conference. Watch this video to know more.

Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena addresses press conference

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held bilateral meeting with Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena. PM Modi began bi-lateral interactions after taking oath as the 15th Prime Minister of India. Last night he met Kyrgyzstan President Sooronbay Jeenbekov. Several BIMSTEC leaders arrived in India to take part in PM Modi’s oath-taking ceremony. Watch this video to know more.

PM Modi holds bilateral meeting with Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/after-taking-oath-pm-modi-holds-bilateral-talks-with-kyrgyzstan-president-223008">Prime Minister Narendra Modi</a> Friday held separate meetings with Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena, Nepalese Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli and Bhutanese Prime Minister Lotay Tshering, exploring ways to further strengthen bilateral ties.

A day after taking charge as prime minister for a second term, Modi also held extensive talks with Bangladesh President Abdul Hamid and PM of Mauritius Pravind Jugnauth.

The foreign leaders came to India to attend Modi's swearing-in ceremony.

In the meeting between Modi and Sirisena, both leaders noted that terrorism and extremism continue to pose threat to humanity and expressed commitment for closer bilateral cooperation for peace and security in South Asia and the Indian Ocean region, the external affairs ministry said.

Sri Lanka was hit by a wave of bombings last month in which over 250 people were killed.&nbsp;

Watch: All-new Narendra Modi govt to hold its first Cabinet meet

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"Modi warmly thanked President Sirisena for his gesture of attending the ceremony and also for his good wishes. He conveyed his government's continued commitment to further foster friendly bilateral ties with Sri Lanka," the MEA said.

On the meeting between Modi and Jugnauth, it said both leaders agreed to work together to achieve the shared vision of security and growth of the two countries and the Indian Ocean region.

"Prime Minister Modi thanked Prime Minister Jugnauth and reiterated his commitment to further strengthening the fraternal and enduring bilateral ties between the two countries in all spheres," said the MEA.&nbsp;

Modi also held talks with his Nepal counterpart K P Sharma Oli during which both leaders expressed their commitment in further deepening relations.

On Modi's talks with Bhutanese PM Tshering, the MEA said the two leaders discussed bilateral commitments and agreed to further solidify the traditionally strong ties.

The prime minister also held a bilateral meeting with Bangladesh President Abdul Hamid during which they exchanged views on matters of mutual interest.&nbsp;

In his first engagement after being sworn in, the prime minister held a meeting with Kyrgyz President Sooronbay Jeenbekov, who attended the oath taking ceremony as the Chair of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.

"Recalling that India and Kyrgyzstan have warm and friendly relations, the Prime Minister expressed satisfaction at the strengthening of bilateral cooperation over the years," the MEA said.

India invited leaders of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) countries as well as Jeenbekov and Jugnauth for Modi's swearing-in ceremony.

Besides India, BIMSTEC comprises Bangladesh, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Nepal and Bhutan.

In 2014, Modi had invited all SAARC leaders, including the then Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for his swearing-in ceremony, in a major initiative to reach out to the neighbourhood.&nbsp;

However, this time, the BIMSTEC leaders were invited, which was seen as an attempt to avoid inviting Pakistan for the event.

Founded in 1997, BIMSTEC currently represents over 1.5 billion people and having a combined gross domestic product of $3.5 trillion.&nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday held separate meetings with Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena, Nepalese Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli and Bhutanese Prime Minister Lotay Tshering, exploring ways to further strengthen bilateral ties.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday held separate meetings with Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena, Nepalese Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli and Bhutanese Prime Minister Lotay Tshering, exploring ways to further strengthen bilateral ties. A day after taking charge as prime minister for a second term, Modi also held extensive talks with Bangladesh President Abdul Hamid and PM of Mauritius Pravind Jugnauth. The foreign leaders came to India to attend Modi's swearing-in ceremony. In the meeting between Modi and Sirisena, both leaders noted that terrorism and extremism continue to pose threat to humanity and expressed commitment for closer bilateral cooperation for peace and security in South Asia and the Indian Ocean region, the external affairs ministry said. Sri Lanka was hit by a wave of bombings last month in which over 250 people were killed. Watch: All-new Narendra Modi govt to hold its first Cabinet meet × "Modi warmly thanked President Sirisena for his gesture of attending the ceremony and also for his good wishes. He conveyed his government's continued commitment to further foster friendly bilateral ties with Sri Lanka," the MEA said. On the meeting between Modi and Jugnauth, it said both leaders agreed to work together to achieve the shared vision of security and growth of the two countries and the Indian Ocean region. "Prime Minister Modi thanked Prime Minister Jugnauth and reiterated his commitment to further strengthening the fraternal and enduring bilateral ties between the two countries in all spheres," said the MEA. Modi also held talks with his Nepal counterpart K P Sharma Oli during which both leaders expressed their commitment in further deepening relations. On Modi's talks with Bhutanese PM Tshering, the MEA said the two leaders discussed bilateral commitments and agreed to further solidify the traditionally strong ties. The prime minister also held a bilateral meeting with Bangladesh President Abdul Hamid during which they exchanged views on matters of mutual interest. In his first engagement after being sworn in, the prime minister held a meeting with Kyrgyz President Sooronbay Jeenbekov, who attended the oath taking ceremony as the Chair of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. "Recalling that India and Kyrgyzstan have warm and friendly relations, the Prime Minister expressed satisfaction at the strengthening of bilateral cooperation over the years," the MEA said. India invited leaders of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) countries as well as Jeenbekov and Jugnauth for Modi's swearing-in ceremony. Besides India, BIMSTEC comprises Bangladesh, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Nepal and Bhutan. In 2014, Modi had invited all SAARC leaders, including the then Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for his swearing-in ceremony, in a major initiative to reach out to the neighbourhood. However, this time, the BIMSTEC leaders were invited, which was seen as an attempt to avoid inviting Pakistan for the event. Founded in 1997, BIMSTEC currently represents over 1.5 billion people and having a combined gross domestic product of $3.5 trillion.

PM holds bilateral talks with BIMSTEC leaders; focus on boosting ties

Sri Lanka's central bank cut its main lending rate Friday in a bid to revive the island's economy, which was battered by the<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/nia-team-in-sri-lanka-to-help-in-easter-bombings-case-will-seek-more-details-of-probe-222514"> Easter suicide bombings </a>that killed 258 people.

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka said the rate at which it lent to commercial banks was reduced by 50 basis points to 8.5 per cent to encourage borrowing and mitigate the fallout from the bombings which have scared off tourists.

Forty-five foreigners were among the dead from the April 21 suicide attacks against three Christian churches and three luxury hotels that also left nearly 500 people wounded.&nbsp;

"The Easter Sunday attacks have affected confidence and sentiments of economic agents, particularly disrupting tourism and related activities," the bank said.

"Although normalcy is gradually returning to economic activity, a lower than initially projected growth could be anticipated during 2019."

Sri Lanka's economic growth slowed to 3.2 per cent last year from 3.4 per cent in 2018 but had been expected to pick up in 2019 till the devastating attacks carried out by a homegrown jihadist group.

Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera said Thursday that he expected losses of $1.5 billion this year because of cancellations by foreign tourists after the bombings.

He said the government was subsidising loans to hotels.

The central bank said it did not expect an increase in inflation as a result of the latest rate cut.

"Inflation is likely to remain in the desired 4.0 to 6.0 per cent range in 2019 and beyond, supported by appropriate policy measures," the bank said.

Two weeks ago, the International Monetary Fund released a delayed loan instalment to Sri Lanka, helping the government efforts.

The global lender released $164 million under a three-year $1.5 billion bailout that was suspended in October during a power struggle between the president and the prime minister.&nbsp;

The months-long row was resolved after the Supreme Court ruled that President Maithripala Sirisena had violated the constitution by sacking Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe's government.

During the crisis, three international credit rating agencies downgraded the country's debt making it more expensive to borrow abroad.

Official figures show that Sri Lanka will have to repay a record $5.9 billion in foreign loans in 2019. Officials say about two-thirds of it has already been paid.

Sri Lanka's central bank cut its main lending rate Friday in a bid to revive the island's economy, which was battered by the Easter suicide bombings that killed 258 people.

Sri Lanka's central bank cut its main lending rate Friday in a bid to revive the island's economy, which was battered by the Easter suicide bombings that killed 258 people. The Central Bank of Sri Lanka said the rate at which it lent to commercial banks was reduced by 50 basis points to 8.5 per cent to encourage borrowing and mitigate the fallout from the bombings which have scared off tourists. Forty-five foreigners were among the dead from the April 21 suicide attacks against three Christian churches and three luxury hotels that also left nearly 500 people wounded. "The Easter Sunday attacks have affected confidence and sentiments of economic agents, particularly disrupting tourism and related activities," the bank said. "Although normalcy is gradually returning to economic activity, a lower than initially projected growth could be anticipated during 2019." Sri Lanka's economic growth slowed to 3.2 per cent last year from 3.4 per cent in 2018 but had been expected to pick up in 2019 till the devastating attacks carried out by a homegrown jihadist group. Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera said Thursday that he expected losses of $1.5 billion this year because of cancellations by foreign tourists after the bombings. He said the government was subsidising loans to hotels. The central bank said it did not expect an increase in inflation as a result of the latest rate cut. "Inflation is likely to remain in the desired 4.0 to 6.0 per cent range in 2019 and beyond, supported by appropriate policy measures," the bank said. Two weeks ago, the International Monetary Fund released a delayed loan instalment to Sri Lanka, helping the government efforts. The global lender released $164 million under a three-year $1.5 billion bailout that was suspended in October during a power struggle between the president and the prime minister. The months-long row was resolved after the Supreme Court ruled that President Maithripala Sirisena had violated the constitution by sacking Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe's government. During the crisis, three international credit rating agencies downgraded the country's debt making it more expensive to borrow abroad. Official figures show that Sri Lanka will have to repay a record $5.9 billion in foreign loans in 2019. Officials say about two-thirds of it has already been paid.

Sri Lanka cuts rates to boost economy after Easter attacks

Sri Lanka's military has detained nearly 100 suspects during four days of search operations against remnants of an Islamist group blamed for the Easter attacks that killed 258, officials said Sunday.

Some 3,000 military personnel were deployed in and around the capital as well as other key towns for cordon-and-search activities that began on Thursday, a military official said.

In the first three days, security forces took 87 suspects into custody and they were handed over to the police for further investigations, he added.

"The number of people detained could be around 100 by now," a security official said adding that almost all were taken in for possessing drugs and in some cases illegal weapons.

A few were also detained along with video and other propaganda material of the local jihadi group, the<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-president-bans-ntj-two-other-islamist-extremist-organisations-218736"> National Thowheeth Jama'ath</a> (NTJ) which has been blamed for the April 21 bombings.

The Islamic State group has also claimed a role in the attacks.

Several parts of the capital were also targeted in search operations by troops on Sunday.

Similar raids were carried out in North Western Province, north of Colombo, where anti-Muslim riots this month left one man dead and left hundreds of Muslim-owned shops, homes and mosques destroyed.

Security forces have arrested scores of suspects in connection with the April 21 bombings of three hotels and three churches, as well as over what appeared to be organised violence against the island's Muslim minority.

While authorities say the immediate jihadist threat has been blunted, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lankan-president-pardons-firebrand-buddhist-monk-220824">President Maithripala Sirisena</a> on Wednesday extended for one month the 30-day state of emergency imposed after the suicide bombings.

Sirisena said the move was to maintain "public security", with the country still on edge after the Easter attacks.&nbsp;

Christians make up 7.6 per cent and Muslims 10 per cent of mainly Buddhist Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka's military has detained nearly 100 suspects during four days of search operations against remnants of an Islamist group blamed for the Easter attacks that killed 258, officials said Sunday.

Sri Lanka's military has detained nearly 100 suspects during four days of search operations against remnants of an Islamist group blamed for the Easter attacks that killed 258, officials said Sunday. Some 3,000 military personnel were deployed in and around the capital as well as other key towns for cordon-and-search activities that began on Thursday, a military official said. In the first three days, security forces took 87 suspects into custody and they were handed over to the police for further investigations, he added. "The number of people detained could be around 100 by now," a security official said adding that almost all were taken in for possessing drugs and in some cases illegal weapons. A few were also detained along with video and other propaganda material of the local jihadi group, the National Thowheeth Jama'ath (NTJ) which has been blamed for the April 21 bombings. The Islamic State group has also claimed a role in the attacks. Several parts of the capital were also targeted in search operations by troops on Sunday. Similar raids were carried out in North Western Province, north of Colombo, where anti-Muslim riots this month left one man dead and left hundreds of Muslim-owned shops, homes and mosques destroyed. Security forces have arrested scores of suspects in connection with the April 21 bombings of three hotels and three churches, as well as over what appeared to be organised violence against the island's Muslim minority. While authorities say the immediate jihadist threat has been blunted, President Maithripala Sirisena on Wednesday extended for one month the 30-day state of emergency imposed after the suicide bombings. Sirisena said the move was to maintain "public security", with the country still on edge after the Easter attacks. Christians make up 7.6 per cent and Muslims 10 per cent of mainly Buddhist Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka detain nearly 100 in anti-Islamist swoops

Bank accounts of 41 terror suspects in Sri Lanka having links with the outlawed Islamist extremist group National Thawheed Jammath (NTJ) that was behind the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lankan-parliament-approves-committee-to-investigate-easter-bombings-220887">Easter Sunday bombings</a> in the country have been frozen, according to a media report.

Police spokesman Ruwan Gunasekara said that the suspects are under the custody of the Terrorist Investigations Department (TID) and the Criminal Investigations Department (CID).

Nine suicide bombers, including a woman, carried out a series of devastating blasts that tore through three churches and three luxury hotels, killing 258 people and injuring over 500 others.

The accounts have a total amount of Rs 134 million ($759,335) which was in addition to Rs 14 million ($79,333) seized from the possession of the suspects at the time of their arrest, Gunasekara was quoted as saying by the Times Online on Friday.

Meanwhile, the CID has also launched an investigation into assets worth Rs 7 billion ($ 30 million) belonging to the suspects, he said.

The IS terror group claimed the attacks, but the government blamed the local NTJ for the bombings.

Meanwhile, Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena on Wednesday extended by a month the state of emergency imposed in the wake of the deadly blasts, citing "public security".

The emergency law gives police and the military extensive powers to arrest, detain and interrogate suspects without court orders.

Sri Lanka initially imposed the emergency on April 23 to crack down on the nine suicide bombers.&nbsp;

Bank accounts of 41 terror suspects in Sri Lanka having links with the outlawed Islamist extremist group National Thawheed Jammath (NTJ) that was behind the Easter Sunday bombings in the country have been frozen, according to a media report.

Bank accounts of 41 terror suspects in Sri Lanka having links with the outlawed Islamist extremist group National Thawheed Jammath (NTJ) that was behind the Easter Sunday bombings in the country have been frozen, according to a media report. Police spokesman Ruwan Gunasekara said that the suspects are under the custody of the Terrorist Investigations Department (TID) and the Criminal Investigations Department (CID). Nine suicide bombers, including a woman, carried out a series of devastating blasts that tore through three churches and three luxury hotels, killing 258 people and injuring over 500 others. The accounts have a total amount of Rs 134 million ($759,335) which was in addition to Rs 14 million ($79,333) seized from the possession of the suspects at the time of their arrest, Gunasekara was quoted as saying by the Times Online on Friday. Meanwhile, the CID has also launched an investigation into assets worth Rs 7 billion ($ 30 million) belonging to the suspects, he said. The IS terror group claimed the attacks, but the government blamed the local NTJ for the bombings. Meanwhile, Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena on Wednesday extended by a month the state of emergency imposed in the wake of the deadly blasts, citing "public security". The emergency law gives police and the military extensive powers to arrest, detain and interrogate suspects without court orders. Sri Lanka initially imposed the emergency on April 23 to crack down on the nine suicide bombers.

Sri Lanka freezes bank accounts of 41 terror suspects

Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena will attend Prime Minister Narendra Modi's swearing-in ceremony scheduled to be held in New Delhi. Watch full video to know more.

Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena to attend Modi's swearing-in ceremony

Sri Lanka is in advanced talks with India and Japan to construct a container terminal at the port in Colombo, next to a Chinese terminal built as part of Beijing's Belt and Road Initiative, government officials said.

The involvement of India and Japan is the latest sign that Sri Lanka wants to neutralise the growing influence of China, which has poured money into the South Asian island under its mammoth Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) infrastructure plan, to the alarm of other Asian powers.

A source close to the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka said a framework for the terminal project will be "signed soon", while another source said the project would cost about $500 million and India and Japan will nominate companies that will handle the containers from their respective countries.

"The deal is being negotiated among Sri Lanka, India and Japan," Sudarshana Gunawardana, an official in Sri Lankan Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/lanka-pm-ranil-wickremesinghe-appeals-to-parents-to-send-their-children-to-school-without-fear-220203/amp">Ranil Wickremesinghe</a>'s office told Reuters. The Sri Lankan government will have a 51 per cent stake in the terminal, he said.

Chinese firms have a mandate to operate Colombo International Container Terminals (CICT) and develop another terminal on a 269-hectare plot of reclaimed land there.

This is not the first time that Sri Lanka has held talks with India and Japan to develop a container terminal.

A previous proposal for a terminal, with the state-run Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) owning a 15% stake and the remainder held by a consortium of firms from Japan, India and Sri Lanka was scuttled last year after a backlash from trade unions.

Trade unions protested against the privatisation of state assets including those being developed by Chinese firms, a dispute that led to President Maithripala Sirisena sacking Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe in October. Wickremesinghe was reinstated later after a court ruling.

A spokesman at SLPA said the company was unaware of the latest talks given they are being conducted between the governments.

"All the flashpoints are defused in the new deal compared to the earlier one," one Sri Lankan government source privy to the discussions said.

The three countries will set up a company to operate the terminal after the Sri Lankan cabinet approves the deal. Japan will provide a 40-year soft loan with a 0.1 per cent interest rate with a 10-year grace period, this source said.

A diplomat at the Japanese embassy in Colombo also confirmed negotiations on the port terminal were taking place.

"Japanese funding will be decided later once the framework is finalised," the diplomat said.

The sources and diplomats declined to be identified as they are not authorised to speak to the media.

India has been trying to counterbalance China's growing influence in Sri Lanka, which New Delhi has long considered its own backyard. India accounts for around 70 percent of the transshipment business in Colombo port.

China has also taken over a new $1.5 billion port city in Hambantota, in southeast Sri Lanka - which sits on a key east-west global shipping route - after Sri Lanka was unable to service debt payments.

However, Sri Lanka has also signed an agreement with a subsidiary of an Indian firm for a $3.85 billion oil refinery near the Chinese controlled port in Hambantota, and India is in advanced talks with Sri Lankan authorities for a joint venture to operate a Chinese-built airport in Hambantota.

Sri Lanka is in advanced talks with India and Japan to construct a container terminal at the port in Colombo, next to a Chinese terminal built as part of Beijing's Belt and Road Initiative, government officials said.

Sri Lanka is in advanced talks with India and Japan to construct a container terminal at the port in Colombo, next to a Chinese terminal built as part of Beijing's Belt and Road Initiative, government officials said. The involvement of India and Japan is the latest sign that Sri Lanka wants to neutralise the growing influence of China, which has poured money into the South Asian island under its mammoth Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) infrastructure plan, to the alarm of other Asian powers. A source close to the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka said a framework for the terminal project will be "signed soon", while another source said the project would cost about $500 million and India and Japan will nominate companies that will handle the containers from their respective countries. "The deal is being negotiated among Sri Lanka, India and Japan," Sudarshana Gunawardana, an official in Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe's office told Reuters. The Sri Lankan government will have a 51 per cent stake in the terminal, he said. Chinese firms have a mandate to operate Colombo International Container Terminals (CICT) and develop another terminal on a 269-hectare plot of reclaimed land there. This is not the first time that Sri Lanka has held talks with India and Japan to develop a container terminal. A previous proposal for a terminal, with the state-run Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) owning a 15% stake and the remainder held by a consortium of firms from Japan, India and Sri Lanka was scuttled last year after a backlash from trade unions. Trade unions protested against the privatisation of state assets including those being developed by Chinese firms, a dispute that led to President Maithripala Sirisena sacking Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe in October. Wickremesinghe was reinstated later after a court ruling. A spokesman at SLPA said the company was unaware of the latest talks given they are being conducted between the governments. "All the flashpoints are defused in the new deal compared to the earlier one," one Sri Lankan government source privy to the discussions said. The three countries will set up a company to operate the terminal after the Sri Lankan cabinet approves the deal. Japan will provide a 40-year soft loan with a 0.1 per cent interest rate with a 10-year grace period, this source said. A diplomat at the Japanese embassy in Colombo also confirmed negotiations on the port terminal were taking place. "Japanese funding will be decided later once the framework is finalised," the diplomat said. The sources and diplomats declined to be identified as they are not authorised to speak to the media. India has been trying to counterbalance China's growing influence in Sri Lanka, which New Delhi has long considered its own backyard. India accounts for around 70 percent of the transshipment business in Colombo port. China has also taken over a new $1.5 billion port city in Hambantota, in southeast Sri Lanka - which sits on a key east-west global shipping route - after Sri Lanka was unable to service debt payments. However, Sri Lanka has also signed an agreement with a subsidiary of an Indian firm for a $3.85 billion oil refinery near the Chinese controlled port in Hambantota, and India is in advanced talks with Sri Lankan authorities for a joint venture to operate a Chinese-built airport in Hambantota.

Sri Lanka in talks with India, Japan to build container terminal in Colombo

Sri Lanka's president granted amnesty to a firebrand Buddhist monk on Wednesday, four days after holding talks with him at the country's main prison, officials said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-president-sirisena-extends-emergency-by-month-220647">President Maithripala Sirisena </a>pardoned Galagodaatte Gnanasara days after releasing 762 other convicts to mark Vesak which commemorates the birth, enlightenment and passing away of the Buddha.

"The President has pardoned the monk and he should walk out of prison by tomorrow or the day after," an official source said.

Gnanasara's Bodu Bala Sena, BBS or the Buddhist Force, urged their supporters to assemble outside the main Welikada prison on Thursday afternoon to receive him.

On Saturday, Sirisena reportedly had lengthy talks with Gnanasara who is serving a six-year jail term for contempt of court.

Many had expected Gnanasara to be released on Saturday along with the 762 other convicts, but he was not among those freed.

Gnanasara has been serving concurrent jail sentences extending up to six years over his disruptive behaviour in court and intimidating a woman litigant in 2016.

He has long been accused of instigating hate crimes against minority Muslims in the Buddhist-majority country. The monk has denied involvement in anti-Muslim riots in 2014 that left four people dead.

His BBS was not linked to anti-Muslim riots that left at least one dead after April 21 suicide bombings blamed on Islamic extremists and which killed 258 people.

Gnanasara had maintained close ties with Wirathu, an extremist monk based in Myanmar, whose hate speech has stoked religious tensions in that country.

Wirathu visited Sri Lanka as a guest of Gnanasara shortly after the 2014 anti-Muslim riots in Sri Lanka's coastal town of Aluthgama, and the duo vowed to fight what they called the threat to Buddhism from Islamic jihadists.

Sri Lanka's president granted amnesty to a firebrand Buddhist monk on Wednesday, four days after holding talks with him at the country's main prison, officials said.

Sri Lanka's president granted amnesty to a firebrand Buddhist monk on Wednesday, four days after holding talks with him at the country's main prison, officials said. President Maithripala Sirisena pardoned Galagodaatte Gnanasara days after releasing 762 other convicts to mark Vesak which commemorates the birth, enlightenment and passing away of the Buddha. "The President has pardoned the monk and he should walk out of prison by tomorrow or the day after," an official source said. Gnanasara's Bodu Bala Sena, BBS or the Buddhist Force, urged their supporters to assemble outside the main Welikada prison on Thursday afternoon to receive him. On Saturday, Sirisena reportedly had lengthy talks with Gnanasara who is serving a six-year jail term for contempt of court. Many had expected Gnanasara to be released on Saturday along with the 762 other convicts, but he was not among those freed. Gnanasara has been serving concurrent jail sentences extending up to six years over his disruptive behaviour in court and intimidating a woman litigant in 2016. He has long been accused of instigating hate crimes against minority Muslims in the Buddhist-majority country. The monk has denied involvement in anti-Muslim riots in 2014 that left four people dead. His BBS was not linked to anti-Muslim riots that left at least one dead after April 21 suicide bombings blamed on Islamic extremists and which killed 258 people. Gnanasara had maintained close ties with Wirathu, an extremist monk based in Myanmar, whose hate speech has stoked religious tensions in that country. Wirathu visited Sri Lanka as a guest of Gnanasara shortly after the 2014 anti-Muslim riots in Sri Lanka's coastal town of Aluthgama, and the duo vowed to fight what they called the threat to Buddhism from Islamic jihadists.

Sri Lanka President Sirisena pardons firebrand Buddhist monk

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-likely-to-miss-full-year-growth-target-after-easter-bombings-junior-minister-220476">Sri Lankan </a>President Maithripala Sirisena Wednesday extended by a month the state of emergency imposed in the wake of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/too-early-to-assess-sri-lanka-economic-damage-from-easter-bombings-imf-219527">deadly Easter Sunday bombings</a> that killed nearly 260 people.

The president issued a special gazette notification extending the state of emergency by a month, citing "public security".

The emergency law gives police and the military extensive powers to arrest, detain and interrogate suspects without court orders.

Sri Lanka initially imposed the emergency on April 23 to crack down on the nine suicide bombers who attacked three churches and as many luxury hotels April 21, killing more than 258 people and injuring 500 others.

The ISIS terror group claimed the attacks, but the government blamed the local Islamist extremist group National Thawheed Jammath (NTJ) for the Easter Sunday bombings.

Following the deadly blasts, anti-Muslim riots broke out in the north of the capital as a backlash against the attacks.

The riots killed one person and caused extensive damage to homes, businesses and mosques.

Sri Lanka faced condemnation for the communal violence which was a fresh backlash from the Easter Sunday attack.

Police say they have arrested over 80 suspects in connection with the attack.

Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena Wednesday extended by a month the state of emergency imposed in the wake of the deadly Easter Sunday bombings that killed nearly 260 people.

Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena Wednesday extended by a month the state of emergency imposed in the wake of the deadly Easter Sunday bombings that killed nearly 260 people. The president issued a special gazette notification extending the state of emergency by a month, citing "public security". The emergency law gives police and the military extensive powers to arrest, detain and interrogate suspects without court orders. Sri Lanka initially imposed the emergency on April 23 to crack down on the nine suicide bombers who attacked three churches and as many luxury hotels April 21, killing more than 258 people and injuring 500 others. The ISIS terror group claimed the attacks, but the government blamed the local Islamist extremist group National Thawheed Jammath (NTJ) for the Easter Sunday bombings. Following the deadly blasts, anti-Muslim riots broke out in the north of the capital as a backlash against the attacks. The riots killed one person and caused extensive damage to homes, businesses and mosques. Sri Lanka faced condemnation for the communal violence which was a fresh backlash from the Easter Sunday attack. Police say they have arrested over 80 suspects in connection with the attack.

Sri Lanka President Sirisena extends emergency by month

After coming under fire for not acting on warnings about Easter bombings that <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-president-maithripala-sirisena-vows-to-eliminate-terrorism-threat-219949">killed more than 250 people</a>, Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena is now facing criticism over his leadership in the aftermath of the Islamist attacks.

On Monday last week, just as anti-Muslim riots were spreading in apparent reprisal for the attacks, Sirisena embarked on a three-day trip to key financier China, leaving some Sri Lankans feeling abandoned.

Going ahead with his son's wedding on May 9 also struck some as an affront to families still in mourning after the April 21 bombings, claimed by Islamic State, which struck churches and hotels.

That leaves Sirisena in a weak position ahead of this year's presidential election, voters and analysts say, potentially paving the way for former wartime defence chief Gotabaya Rajapaksa to take over.

Sirisena's allies say he did the best he could in a volatile situation, citing measures like temporarily shutting down social media and deploying the army to stem violence in the multi-ethnic, Buddhist-majority island.

But that rings hollow to voters like 56-year-old construction worker Sunil, who voted for Sirisena in 2015 amid hopes the career politician would combat corruption but now feels the president has not focused on governing.

"The president has no time for this because he is busy going all over the place," said Sunil on a recent morning in Colombo, vowing never to vote for Sirisena again.

Sirisena's trip to China, where he met President Xi Jinping, was pre-planned and beneficial to the nation, coordinating secretary Shiral Lakthilaka told Reuters.

Sirisena returned to Sri Lanka on Thursday and only addressed attacks on Muslim homes and shops on Friday, five days after the violence erupted.

Some disgruntled Sri Lankans were also frustrated that Sirisena's son's wedding went ahead. It was originally scheduled to be held in the Shangri-La, which was bombed, and ultimately celebrated at the Hilton Colombo.

Sirisena, one user identified as @sankadon tweeted, "can't even postpone the extravagant wedding at least (for) the tears and blood of the people who lost their lives due to his inability".

Spokesman Ekanayake pushed back at the criticism, saying the wedding was scaled down and that Sirisena did not attend all the festivities.

Election year

The criticism comes on top of accusations that government paralysis due to a feud between Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe prevented warnings about the attacks from being disseminated.

Both men, who fell out after a political crisis in October, say they were not privy to the warnings.

Sirisena was in Singapore with family when the attackers struck. He returned to Colombo 15 hours later, appointed a panel to probe defence lapses and replaced both the police chief and the defence secretary.

There are no political polls in Sri Lanka, but analysts said Sirisena was on the back foot in elections that must be held by December.

"President Sirisena does not have a fighting chance," said Eurasia analyst Akhil Bery.

Wickremesinghe is also seen as a lame duck due to disappointment over the economy under his watch. His allies say two more popular politicians from the United National Party, Speaker Karu Jayasuriya or Housing Minister Sajith Premadasa, could run instead.

To be sure, Sirisena's chances of re-election prior to the attack were also seen as slim, but he had been vying for an alliance with former president Mahinda Rajapaksa.

That now seems impossible, with Rajapaksa's brother, Gotabaya, who is running for office, doubling down on criticism that the attacks happened because the government dismantled intelligence networks he built up during Sri Lanka's 25-year civil war with Tamil rebels.

"Sirisena had the idea of contesting, but there is no chance at all (of winning), especially after the attack," said political commentator Kusal Perera.

Autorickshaw driver Shantha, who did not provide a surname, has switched from supporting Sirisena to backing Rajapaksa.

"We did not see quick decisions to bring the situation in the country back under control," Shantha, 37, said of the government. "I will vote only if Gotabaya Rajapaksa contests." 
&nbsp;

After coming under fire for not acting on warnings about Easter bombings that killed more than 250 people, Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena is now facing criticism over his leadership in the aftermath of the Islamist attacks.

After coming under fire for not acting on warnings about Easter bombings that killed more than 250 people, Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena is now facing criticism over his leadership in the aftermath of the Islamist attacks. On Monday last week, just as anti-Muslim riots were spreading in apparent reprisal for the attacks, Sirisena embarked on a three-day trip to key financier China, leaving some Sri Lankans feeling abandoned. Going ahead with his son's wedding on May 9 also struck some as an affront to families still in mourning after the April 21 bombings, claimed by Islamic State, which struck churches and hotels. That leaves Sirisena in a weak position ahead of this year's presidential election, voters and analysts say, potentially paving the way for former wartime defence chief Gotabaya Rajapaksa to take over. Sirisena's allies say he did the best he could in a volatile situation, citing measures like temporarily shutting down social media and deploying the army to stem violence in the multi-ethnic, Buddhist-majority island. But that rings hollow to voters like 56-year-old construction worker Sunil, who voted for Sirisena in 2015 amid hopes the career politician would combat corruption but now feels the president has not focused on governing. "The president has no time for this because he is busy going all over the place," said Sunil on a recent morning in Colombo, vowing never to vote for Sirisena again. Sirisena's trip to China, where he met President Xi Jinping, was pre-planned and beneficial to the nation, coordinating secretary Shiral Lakthilaka told Reuters. Sirisena returned to Sri Lanka on Thursday and only addressed attacks on Muslim homes and shops on Friday, five days after the violence erupted. Some disgruntled Sri Lankans were also frustrated that Sirisena's son's wedding went ahead. It was originally scheduled to be held in the Shangri-La, which was bombed, and ultimately celebrated at the Hilton Colombo. Sirisena, one user identified as @sankadon tweeted, "can't even postpone the extravagant wedding at least (for) the tears and blood of the people who lost their lives due to his inability". Spokesman Ekanayake pushed back at the criticism, saying the wedding was scaled down and that Sirisena did not attend all the festivities. Election year The criticism comes on top of accusations that government paralysis due to a feud between Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe prevented warnings about the attacks from being disseminated. Both men, who fell out after a political crisis in October, say they were not privy to the warnings. Sirisena was in Singapore with family when the attackers struck. He returned to Colombo 15 hours later, appointed a panel to probe defence lapses and replaced both the police chief and the defence secretary. There are no political polls in Sri Lanka, but analysts said Sirisena was on the back foot in elections that must be held by December. "President Sirisena does not have a fighting chance," said Eurasia analyst Akhil Bery. Wickremesinghe is also seen as a lame duck due to disappointment over the economy under his watch. His allies say two more popular politicians from the United National Party, Speaker Karu Jayasuriya or Housing Minister Sajith Premadasa, could run instead. To be sure, Sirisena's chances of re-election prior to the attack were also seen as slim, but he had been vying for an alliance with former president Mahinda Rajapaksa. That now seems impossible, with Rajapaksa's brother, Gotabaya, who is running for office, doubling down on criticism that the attacks happened because the government dismantled intelligence networks he built up during Sri Lanka's 25-year civil war with Tamil rebels. "Sirisena had the idea of contesting, but there is no chance at all (of winning), especially after the attack," said political commentator Kusal Perera. Autorickshaw driver Shantha, who did not provide a surname, has switched from supporting Sirisena to backing Rajapaksa. "We did not see quick decisions to bring the situation in the country back under control," Shantha, 37, said of the government. "I will vote only if Gotabaya Rajapaksa contests."

China trip, son's wedding: Sri Lanka president Sirisena faces backlash in Easter bombings aftermath

Sri Lanka's president marked the 10th anniversary of the end of a protracted war with Tamil rebels Sunday by vowing to crush terrorist responsible for Easter bombings that killed 258 people.

Maithripala Sirisena said Sri Lankan security forces and intelligence units could use their experience in defeating separatist Tamil guerrillas a decade ago to meet the new challenge from religious extremists.

The government has blamed a local jihadist group for the April 21 attacks against three churches and three luxury hotels that also left 500 injured and shattered a fragile decade-long peace in the island of 21 million people.

"With experience from a war that lasted over three decades, we are now compelled to meet a completely different threat," Sirisena told a commemoration ceremony.

"We have been able to arrest all those who were behind the Easter attacks. Some have been killed in confrontations," he said.

"This gives me confidence that we can completely eliminate the threat from international terrorism."

Muslims account for 10 per cent of the population in the mainly Buddhist nation, which has been under a state of emergency since the attacks that were also claimed by the Islamic State group.

Army chief Mahesh Senanayake said the military was paying tribute to around 28,000 soldiers who died in the war that ended on May 18, 2009, with the killing of Tamil Tiger leader Velupillai Prabhakaran.

Some 5,000 government troops and police are also listed as missing since the end of the insurgency.

Sri Lankan forces have been accused of killing about 40,000 Tamil civilians in the final months of the conflict, a charge successive governments have denied. Nearly 16,000 others are also reported missing, according to the newly established Office of Missing Persons.&nbsp;

The official remembrance ceremonies in Colombo took place a day after members of the 2.5-million-strong Tamil community mourned their war dead in the northeastern coastal district of Mullaittivu where the rebels mounted their unsuccessful last stand.

Hundreds of Tamils gathered at a public park Saturday to light lamps and offer flowers before a makeshift memorial showing photographs of hundreds of men and women who went missing, in many cases after being captured or surrendering to troops.

Sri Lanka's president marked the 10th anniversary of the end of a protracted war with Tamil rebels Sunday by vowing to crush terrorist responsible for Easter bombings that killed 258 people.

Sri Lanka's president marked the 10th anniversary of the end of a protracted war with Tamil rebels Sunday by vowing to crush terrorist responsible for Easter bombings that killed 258 people. Maithripala Sirisena said Sri Lankan security forces and intelligence units could use their experience in defeating separatist Tamil guerrillas a decade ago to meet the new challenge from religious extremists. The government has blamed a local jihadist group for the April 21 attacks against three churches and three luxury hotels that also left 500 injured and shattered a fragile decade-long peace in the island of 21 million people. "With experience from a war that lasted over three decades, we are now compelled to meet a completely different threat," Sirisena told a commemoration ceremony. "We have been able to arrest all those who were behind the Easter attacks. Some have been killed in confrontations," he said. "This gives me confidence that we can completely eliminate the threat from international terrorism." Muslims account for 10 per cent of the population in the mainly Buddhist nation, which has been under a state of emergency since the attacks that were also claimed by the Islamic State group. Army chief Mahesh Senanayake said the military was paying tribute to around 28,000 soldiers who died in the war that ended on May 18, 2009, with the killing of Tamil Tiger leader Velupillai Prabhakaran. Some 5,000 government troops and police are also listed as missing since the end of the insurgency. Sri Lankan forces have been accused of killing about 40,000 Tamil civilians in the final months of the conflict, a charge successive governments have denied. Nearly 16,000 others are also reported missing, according to the newly established Office of Missing Persons. The official remembrance ceremonies in Colombo took place a day after members of the 2.5-million-strong Tamil community mourned their war dead in the northeastern coastal district of Mullaittivu where the rebels mounted their unsuccessful last stand. Hundreds of Tamils gathered at a public park Saturday to light lamps and offer flowers before a makeshift memorial showing photographs of hundreds of men and women who went missing, in many cases after being captured or surrendering to troops.

Sri Lanka president Maithripala Sirisena vows to eliminate terrorism threat

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-sirisena-says-wont-step-down-leave-or-be-intimidated-in-crushing-terrorism-217856">Sri Lanka President Maithripala Sirisena</a> Saturday granted amnesty to 762 convicts to mark a key Buddhist anniversary but resisted calls to release a firebrand Buddhist monk.

Addressing inmates at the main Welikada prison, Sirisena promised financial support to re-integrate them in society but made no reference to monk Galagodaatte Gnanasara, whose release was demanded Friday by the Buddhist hierarchy.

Sri Lanka has declared two days of holidays for nation-wide celebrations of Vesak, or the commemoration of the birth, enlightenment and passing away of the Buddha.

Those who benefited from the amnesty had been serving short jail terms for minor offences and none had been convicted of murder or rape, officials said.

The 762 released Saturday included several women.

"An increase in the prison population is a sign of the declining moral value of any country," Sirisena said in a nationally televised ceremony.

He said Sri Lanka's prison system was designed to accommodate 11,000 inmates but as of Saturday, there were 24,332 convicts as well as remand prisoners in judicial custody.&nbsp;

Many Buddhist leaders had urged Sirisena to grant a special amnesty to monk Gnanasara on Vesak day.&nbsp;

Since December, Gnanasara has been serving concurrent jail sentences extending up to six years over his disruptive behaviour in court and intimidating a woman litigant.

He has long been accused of instigating hate crimes against minority Muslims in the Buddhist-majority country. The monk has denied involvement in anti-Muslim riots in 2014 that left four people dead.

His Bodu Bala Sena (BBS), or Buddhist Force, was not linked to the recent anti-Muslim riots that came after the April 21 suicide bombings blamed on Islamic extremists.

Gnanasara had maintained close ties with Wirathu, an extremist monk based in Myanmar, whose hate speech has stoked religious tensions in that country.

Wirathu visited Sri Lanka as a guest of Gnanasara shortly after the 2014 anti-Muslim riots at Sri Lanka coach

Sri Lanka President Maithripala Sirisena Saturday granted amnesty to 762 convicts to mark a key Buddhist anniversary but resisted calls to release a firebrand Buddhist monk.

Sri Lanka President Maithripala Sirisena Saturday granted amnesty to 762 convicts to mark a key Buddhist anniversary but resisted calls to release a firebrand Buddhist monk. Addressing inmates at the main Welikada prison, Sirisena promised financial support to re-integrate them in society but made no reference to monk Galagodaatte Gnanasara, whose release was demanded Friday by the Buddhist hierarchy. Sri Lanka has declared two days of holidays for nation-wide celebrations of Vesak, or the commemoration of the birth, enlightenment and passing away of the Buddha. Those who benefited from the amnesty had been serving short jail terms for minor offences and none had been convicted of murder or rape, officials said. The 762 released Saturday included several women. "An increase in the prison population is a sign of the declining moral value of any country," Sirisena said in a nationally televised ceremony. He said Sri Lanka's prison system was designed to accommodate 11,000 inmates but as of Saturday, there were 24,332 convicts as well as remand prisoners in judicial custody. Many Buddhist leaders had urged Sirisena to grant a special amnesty to monk Gnanasara on Vesak day. Since December, Gnanasara has been serving concurrent jail sentences extending up to six years over his disruptive behaviour in court and intimidating a woman litigant. He has long been accused of instigating hate crimes against minority Muslims in the Buddhist-majority country. The monk has denied involvement in anti-Muslim riots in 2014 that left four people dead. His Bodu Bala Sena (BBS), or Buddhist Force, was not linked to the recent anti-Muslim riots that came after the April 21 suicide bombings blamed on Islamic extremists. Gnanasara had maintained close ties with Wirathu, an extremist monk based in Myanmar, whose hate speech has stoked religious tensions in that country. Wirathu visited Sri Lanka as a guest of Gnanasara shortly after the 2014 anti-Muslim riots at Sri Lanka coach

Sri Lanka frees convicts to mark Buddhist anniversary

Sri Lankan government has banned three Islamist extremist groups, including the National Thowheeth Jama'ath (NTJ) that carried out the country's worth terror attack on Easter Sunday in which over 250 people were killed.

President Maithripala Sirisena issued an extraordinary gazette banning a number of extremist organisations on Monday. He also prohibited the use of drones in the country until further notice.

According to the Gazette the National Thowheed Jamaath (NTJ), the Jamaathe Millaathe Ibrahim (JMI), and the Willayath As Seylani (WAS) organisations have been banned.

On April 21, nine suicide bombers, including a woman, carried out a series of devastating blasts that tore through three churches and as many luxury hotels, killing 258 people, including 44 foreigners 10 of the Indians, and injuring over 500 others.

The Islamic State terror group claimed the attacks, but the government blamed local<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/muslim-cleric-wanted-for-airing-extremist-views-arrested-by-lankan-authorities-218101"> Islamist extremist group</a> National Thowheeth Jamaath (NTJ).

Over 1,000 have been arrested since the attacks. Sri Lanka's police say they have either killed or arrested all those responsible for the bombings.

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Sri Lanka has a population of 21 million which is a patchwork of ethnicities and religions, dominated by the Sinhalese Buddhist majority.

Muslims account for 10 per cent of the population and are the second-largest minority after Hindus. Around seven per cent of Sri Lankans is Christians.&nbsp;

On Monday, the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lankan-government-playing-politics-over-crisis-namal-rajapaksa-to-wion-214981">Sri Lankan government </a>enforced a countrywide curfew and blocked social media platforms to stop people inciting violence as communal violence spread to new areas in the island nation in the worst unrest since Easter Sunday bombings.

Police also fired tear gas at mobs attacking mosques and shops owned by Muslims in various parts of the country.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, Sirisena has also prohibited the use of drones in the country until further notice.

"The navigation of an unmanned aircraft or drone in or over the territory of Sri Lanka by any person other than a member of Triforces or police is prohibited until further notice," another Gazette notification said.&nbsp;

Earlier, Sri Lankan Civil Aviation Authority banned the use of drone and unmanned aircraft following the devastating terror attack on Easter Sunday.&nbsp;

Sri Lankan government has banned three Islamist extremist groups, including the National Thowheeth Jama'ath (NTJ) that carried out the country's worth terror attack on Easter Sunday in which over 250 people were killed.

Sri Lankan government has banned three Islamist extremist groups, including the National Thowheeth Jama'ath (NTJ) that carried out the country's worth terror attack on Easter Sunday in which over 250 people were killed. President Maithripala Sirisena issued an extraordinary gazette banning a number of extremist organisations on Monday. He also prohibited the use of drones in the country until further notice. According to the Gazette the National Thowheed Jamaath (NTJ), the Jamaathe Millaathe Ibrahim (JMI), and the Willayath As Seylani (WAS) organisations have been banned. On April 21, nine suicide bombers, including a woman, carried out a series of devastating blasts that tore through three churches and as many luxury hotels, killing 258 people, including 44 foreigners 10 of the Indians, and injuring over 500 others. The Islamic State terror group claimed the attacks, but the government blamed local Islamist extremist group National Thowheeth Jamaath (NTJ). Over 1,000 have been arrested since the attacks. Sri Lanka's police say they have either killed or arrested all those responsible for the bombings. × Sri Lanka has a population of 21 million which is a patchwork of ethnicities and religions, dominated by the Sinhalese Buddhist majority. Muslims account for 10 per cent of the population and are the second-largest minority after Hindus. Around seven per cent of Sri Lankans is Christians. On Monday, the Sri Lankan government enforced a countrywide curfew and blocked social media platforms to stop people inciting violence as communal violence spread to new areas in the island nation in the worst unrest since Easter Sunday bombings. Police also fired tear gas at mobs attacking mosques and shops owned by Muslims in various parts of the country. Meanwhile, Sirisena has also prohibited the use of drones in the country until further notice. "The navigation of an unmanned aircraft or drone in or over the territory of Sri Lanka by any person other than a member of Triforces or police is prohibited until further notice," another Gazette notification said. Earlier, Sri Lankan Civil Aviation Authority banned the use of drone and unmanned aircraft following the devastating terror attack on Easter Sunday.

Sri Lanka President Sirisena bans National Thowheeth Jama'ath, two other Islamist extremist organisations

Sri Lanka President Maithripala Sirisena on Saturday said the security forces would <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/lanka-suicide-bombers-visited-kashmir-kerala-for-some-sorts-of-training-army-chief-215900">"eradicate terrorism"</a> and restore stability before a presidential election due for year-end, reported news agency Reuters.

Promising to bring to heel all militants linked to the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sri-lanka-catholics-turn-to-tv-mass-amid-bomb-threat-215842">Easter Sunday</a> suicide attacks, he said "We have already identified all active members of the group and it's a case of now arresting them."

"Elections cannot be postponed, therefore before the elections I will bring about stability and I will eradicate terrorism," Sirisena told in an interview.

The president said there were a further 25 to 30 "active members" linked to the bombings still at large and that he believed Islamic State was behind the April 21 attacks.

Nine suicide bombers, including a woman, carried out a series of devastating blasts that tore through three churches and three luxury hotels on April 21, killing 253 people and injuring over 500 others.&nbsp;

(With inputs from Reuters)

Sri Lanka President Maithripala Sirisena on Saturday said the security forces would "eradicate terrorism" and restore stability before a presidential election due for year-end, reported news agency Reuters.

Sri Lanka President Maithripala Sirisena on Saturday said the security forces would "eradicate terrorism" and restore stability before a presidential election due for year-end, reported news agency Reuters. Promising to bring to heel all militants linked to the Easter Sunday suicide attacks, he said "We have already identified all active members of the group and it's a case of now arresting them." "Elections cannot be postponed, therefore before the elections I will bring about stability and I will eradicate terrorism," Sirisena told in an interview. The president said there were a further 25 to 30 "active members" linked to the bombings still at large and that he believed Islamic State was behind the April 21 attacks. Nine suicide bombers, including a woman, carried out a series of devastating blasts that tore through three churches and three luxury hotels on April 21, killing 253 people and injuring over 500 others. (With inputs from Reuters)

Sri Lanka president Sirisena promises to 'eradicate terrorism', bring stability before election

Terrorists in Sri Lanka are believed to be planning attacks on bridges in Colombo, authorities said, as they warned several conspirators in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-aims-to-reopen-schools-next-week-amid-tensions-215461">Easter Sunday bombings</a> that killed over 250 people still at large.

Police confirmed they had instructed stations around Colombo to deploy <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-foreign-minister-cancels-sri-lanka-visit-amid-security-concern-215456">additional officers and asked</a> the navy to deploy more vessels on rivers, following leaks of police intelligence reports warning bridges into the capital were at risk of attack.

Sri Lanka's military has also set up a special command centre to coordinate anti-jihadist operations, while the army said more troops have been deployed for search operations.

Additional troops conducted searches overnight and seized explosives and weapons from several locations, although these were from criminal groups and not jihadists, official sources said.

"Extensive cordon and search operations of the army and sister services across the country with assistance of the police are continuing in search of terrorists, hideouts, explosives, weapons and other warlike items... with the deployment of more and more troops as required," the army said in a statement.

Authorities had information about a small group of radicals who may be trying to stage more strikes, said health minister and government spokesman Rajitha Senaratne, who added that the crackdown on extremists after the Easter bombings had been largely successful.

"You can't say the threat is over, but the situation is well under control... better than what we expected."

But the government was also still on the hunt for "four terrorists" involved in the Easter attacks who were still at large, Senaratne said.

The Catholic Church announced Thursday that they had called off the resumption of Sunday services following information of a "specific threat" against two of their locations just outside the capital.

Catholic schools which were due to reopen after an extended Easter holiday will now be put off indefinitely.

Public schools are due to reopen on Monday under tight security.

Sri Lankan authorities have admitted that there was a failure to act on advance intelligence warnings of the deadly Easter Sunday attacks against churches and luxury hotels.

Senaratne said the country's minority Muslim community had helped authorities root out extremists in the weeks since.

"Everyone is giving information. They come forward to give a lot of information," he said.

Sri Lanka was also receiving international help, with foreign intelligence services working alongside their local counterparts, Senaratne added.

"We have already received foreign assistance from the US, UK and from India. There are other countries also which have offered intelligence services," he said.

Soon after the attacks, President Maithripala Sirisena said he believed there were 140 Islamic State-inspired jihadists in Sri Lanka and he had ordered security forces to track them down.

Since then, authorities have been carrying out nationwide cordon-and-search operations and have detained hundreds of people. Some have been released after questioning.

The Easter attacks were blamed on the local National Thowheeth Jama'ath (NTJ) whose leader was among the suicide bombers. The group had pledged an oath of allegiance to the Islamic State group.

Terrorists in Sri Lanka are believed to be planning attacks on bridges in Colombo, authorities said, as they warned several conspirators in the Easter Sunday bombings that killed over 250 people still at large.

Terrorists in Sri Lanka are believed to be planning attacks on bridges in Colombo, authorities said, as they warned several conspirators in the Easter Sunday bombings that killed over 250 people still at large. Police confirmed they had instructed stations around Colombo to deploy additional officers and asked the navy to deploy more vessels on rivers, following leaks of police intelligence reports warning bridges into the capital were at risk of attack. Sri Lanka's military has also set up a special command centre to coordinate anti-jihadist operations, while the army said more troops have been deployed for search operations. Additional troops conducted searches overnight and seized explosives and weapons from several locations, although these were from criminal groups and not jihadists, official sources said. "Extensive cordon and search operations of the army and sister services across the country with assistance of the police are continuing in search of terrorists, hideouts, explosives, weapons and other warlike items... with the deployment of more and more troops as required," the army said in a statement. Authorities had information about a small group of radicals who may be trying to stage more strikes, said health minister and government spokesman Rajitha Senaratne, who added that the crackdown on extremists after the Easter bombings had been largely successful. "You can't say the threat is over, but the situation is well under control... better than what we expected." But the government was also still on the hunt for "four terrorists" involved in the Easter attacks who were still at large, Senaratne said. The Catholic Church announced Thursday that they had called off the resumption of Sunday services following information of a "specific threat" against two of their locations just outside the capital. Catholic schools which were due to reopen after an extended Easter holiday will now be put off indefinitely. Public schools are due to reopen on Monday under tight security. Sri Lankan authorities have admitted that there was a failure to act on advance intelligence warnings of the deadly Easter Sunday attacks against churches and luxury hotels. Senaratne said the country's minority Muslim community had helped authorities root out extremists in the weeks since. "Everyone is giving information. They come forward to give a lot of information," he said. Sri Lanka was also receiving international help, with foreign intelligence services working alongside their local counterparts, Senaratne added. "We have already received foreign assistance from the US, UK and from India. There are other countries also which have offered intelligence services," he said. Soon after the attacks, President Maithripala Sirisena said he believed there were 140 Islamic State-inspired jihadists in Sri Lanka and he had ordered security forces to track them down. Since then, authorities have been carrying out nationwide cordon-and-search operations and have detained hundreds of people. Some have been released after questioning. The Easter attacks were blamed on the local National Thowheeth Jama'ath (NTJ) whose leader was among the suicide bombers. The group had pledged an oath of allegiance to the Islamic State group.

Terrorists planning attacks on bridges in Colombo: Police

Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena has assured hoteliers that the government will give them maximum financial relief to revive the lucrative tourism industry hit by the country's worst terror attack on<a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/father-two-brothers-of-sri-lanka-suicide-bombings-mastermind-killed-in-gun-battle-214078&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjKssT0lPfhAhUe7HMBHal5CKcQFjACegQIDxAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw2ouH99LwR5FmTef3zOQCIc"> Easter Sunday that killed 253 people, including 40 foreigners.</a>

Tourism accounts for about five per cent of Sri Lanka's economy, with India, Britain and China being the main markets.

India is the largest source market for <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-on-alert-for-attacks-by-militants-dressed-in-uniforms-214411">Sri Lanka</a>, which received 2.3 million tourists from around the world in 2018.

Around 450,000 Indian tourists visited Sri Lanka last year and the island nation was expecting the total Indian tourist arrivals to cross one million in 2019.

President Sirisena acknowledged during his meeting on Monday with the country's hoteliers that the tourism and hotel industries were worst hit after the string of powerful blasts ripped through three churches and as many luxury hotels on Easter Sunday, killing 253 people and injuring more than 500 others.

The bombs tore through three five-star hotels in Colombo: the Cinnamon Grand, the Shangri La and the Kingsbury. Forty foreigners, including 11 Indian nationals, died in the attacks.

Sirisena requested Central Bank Governor Indrajit Coomaraswamy to provide "maximum financial relief" immediately to the hoteliers, Sunday Times reported.

Hotels Association President Sanath Ukwatte said hoteliers had invested large sums of money in the development of the hotels and requested the government to provide a moratorium or waiver on the capital and interest for a period of at least two years.

During the meeting, the hoteliers also asked the government to hire the services of a professional public relations and communications unit to send out one message to the world.

President Sirisena agreed to appoint a Cabinet sub-committee to look into the requirements of the hoteliers, the report said.

The meeting was also attended by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, Ministers, ministry officials and members of the industry.

The Easter Sunday blasts were the first time that tourists were specifically targeted.

Following the bombings, the US, Britain, Australia, India and Israel warned their nationals against visiting Sri Lanka.

Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera recently told reporters that tourism will be the worst affected.

"We expect a 30 per cent drop in arrivals and that means a loss of about $1.5 billion in foreign exchange," Samaraweera said, adding that the country could take up to two years to fully recover from the deadly bombings which shattered a decade of peace in the country.

Mount Lavinia Hotel south of the capital, a popular site for the tourists, has said there have been a large number of cancellations.

Galle Face Hotel top official Chandra Mohotti also said, "there will be huge cancellations".

In his first reaction to Sunday's blasts, Prime Minister Wickremesinghe said the tourism industry will be hit by the blasts.

"There will be a downward trend, Tourism will get affected. There may be fund outflows," Wickremesinghe said.

The industry officials said the rebound from the attacks would depend on the security measures to be adopted.

Sri Lanka's tourism industry faced a difficult time until a decade ago due to the three-decade civil war with the LTTE which claimed at least 100,000 lives.

However, in recent years the island nation has emerged as a top tourist destination in Asia.

Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena has assured hoteliers that the government will give them maximum financial relief to revive the lucrative tourism industry hit by the country's worst terror attack on Easter Sunday that killed 253 people, including 40 foreigners.

Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena has assured hoteliers that the government will give them maximum financial relief to revive the lucrative tourism industry hit by the country's worst terror attack on Easter Sunday that killed 253 people, including 40 foreigners. Tourism accounts for about five per cent of Sri Lanka's economy, with India, Britain and China being the main markets. India is the largest source market for Sri Lanka, which received 2.3 million tourists from around the world in 2018. Around 450,000 Indian tourists visited Sri Lanka last year and the island nation was expecting the total Indian tourist arrivals to cross one million in 2019. President Sirisena acknowledged during his meeting on Monday with the country's hoteliers that the tourism and hotel industries were worst hit after the string of powerful blasts ripped through three churches and as many luxury hotels on Easter Sunday, killing 253 people and injuring more than 500 others. The bombs tore through three five-star hotels in Colombo: the Cinnamon Grand, the Shangri La and the Kingsbury. Forty foreigners, including 11 Indian nationals, died in the attacks. Sirisena requested Central Bank Governor Indrajit Coomaraswamy to provide "maximum financial relief" immediately to the hoteliers, Sunday Times reported. Hotels Association President Sanath Ukwatte said hoteliers had invested large sums of money in the development of the hotels and requested the government to provide a moratorium or waiver on the capital and interest for a period of at least two years. During the meeting, the hoteliers also asked the government to hire the services of a professional public relations and communications unit to send out one message to the world. President Sirisena agreed to appoint a Cabinet sub-committee to look into the requirements of the hoteliers, the report said. The meeting was also attended by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, Ministers, ministry officials and members of the industry. The Easter Sunday blasts were the first time that tourists were specifically targeted. Following the bombings, the US, Britain, Australia, India and Israel warned their nationals against visiting Sri Lanka. Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera recently told reporters that tourism will be the worst affected. "We expect a 30 per cent drop in arrivals and that means a loss of about $1.5 billion in foreign exchange," Samaraweera said, adding that the country could take up to two years to fully recover from the deadly bombings which shattered a decade of peace in the country. Mount Lavinia Hotel south of the capital, a popular site for the tourists, has said there have been a large number of cancellations. Galle Face Hotel top official Chandra Mohotti also said, "there will be huge cancellations". In his first reaction to Sunday's blasts, Prime Minister Wickremesinghe said the tourism industry will be hit by the blasts. "There will be a downward trend, Tourism will get affected. There may be fund outflows," Wickremesinghe said. The industry officials said the rebound from the attacks would depend on the security measures to be adopted. Sri Lanka's tourism industry faced a difficult time until a decade ago due to the three-decade civil war with the LTTE which claimed at least 100,000 lives. However, in recent years the island nation has emerged as a top tourist destination in Asia.

Sri Lankan President Sirisena assures hoteliers maximum financial help to revive tourism

It looks like Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena on Monday suspended defiant police chief Pujith Jayasundara and named his successor as well as a new defence secretary as part of the revamping of the security establishment following the country's worst terror attack.

Sri Lanka Blasts: Sri Lankan police chief sent on leave after a week of blasts

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/live-lok-sabha-polls-fourth-phase-polling-underway-in-nine-states-214251">Live Lok Sabha polls: 72 Lok Sabha seats in 9 states go to polls in phase 4</a>

Congress candidate from Mumbai North, Urmila Matondkar cast her vote at a polling booth in Bandra while veteran actress Shubha Khote exercised her franchise at a polling booth in Juhu, Mumbai.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/spain-pm-pedro-sanchez-win-snap-polls-marked-by-far-right-gains-214244">Spain PM Pedro Sanchez wins snap polls marked by far-right gains</a>

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's Socialists won snap elections Sunday without the necessary majority to govern solo in a fragmented political landscape marked by the far-right's entry into parliament.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/post-easter-attacks-sri-lanka-president-sirisena-bans-face-covering-214265">Post Easter attacks, Sri Lanka President Sirisena bans face covering</a>

Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena on Sunday announced a ban on face covering, a week after Islamist militants carried out coordinated suicide bombings that killed 253 people.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-military-spending-up-for-first-time-in-seven-years-sipri-214258">US military spending up for first time in seven years: SIPRI</a>

US military spending has risen for the first time in seven years, reflecting Trump administration policy, according to a new report released Monday by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/i-was-face-to-face-with-california-synagogue-shooter-rabbi-yisroel-goldstein-214268">I was face to face with California synagogue shooter: Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein</a>

A 19-year-old man who authorities said gave himself up to police shortly after carrying out a deadly shooting in a Southern California synagogue filled with Sabbath worshippers is also under investigation for a mosque arson.

Live Lok Sabha polls: 72 Lok Sabha seats in 9 states go to polls in phase 4 Congress candidate from Mumbai North, Urmila Matondkar cast her vote at a polling booth in Bandra while veteran actress Shubha Khote exercised her franchise at a polling booth in Juhu, Mumbai.

Live Lok Sabha polls: 72 Lok Sabha seats in 9 states go to polls in phase 4 Congress candidate from Mumbai North, Urmila Matondkar cast her vote at a polling booth in Bandra while veteran actress Shubha Khote exercised her franchise at a polling booth in Juhu, Mumbai. Spain PM Pedro Sanchez wins snap polls marked by far-right gains Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's Socialists won snap elections Sunday without the necessary majority to govern solo in a fragmented political landscape marked by the far-right's entry into parliament. Post Easter attacks, Sri Lanka President Sirisena bans face covering Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena on Sunday announced a ban on face covering, a week after Islamist militants carried out coordinated suicide bombings that killed 253 people. US military spending up for first time in seven years: SIPRI US military spending has risen for the first time in seven years, reflecting Trump administration policy, according to a new report released Monday by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). I was face to face with California synagogue shooter: Rabbi Yisroel Goldstein A 19-year-old man who authorities said gave himself up to police shortly after carrying out a deadly shooting in a Southern California synagogue filled with Sabbath worshippers is also under investigation for a mosque arson.

News brief: Big stories of the day

Sri Lankan security officials have warned that <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-president-sirisena-appoints-new-acting-police-chief-jayasundara-sent-on-compulsory-leave-214376">Islamist militants</a> behind Easter Sunday's suicide bombings are planning imminent attacks and could be dressed in military uniforms.

The militants were targeting five locations for attacks on Sunday or Monday, security sources said.

"There could be another wave of attacks," the head of ministerial security division (MSD), a unit of the police, said in a letter to lawmakers and other officials, seen by Reuters on Monday.

"The relevant information further notes that persons dressed in military uniforms and using a van could be involved in the attacks."

There were no attacks on Sunday, and security across Sri Lanka has been ramped up, with scores of suspected Islamists arrested since the April 21 attacks on hotels and churches that killed more than 250 people, including 40 foreign nationals.

Two cabinet ministers and two opposition lawmakers confirmed to Reuters that they were aware of the latest security alert.

"We have been informed about this by the MSD," Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne said.

Authorities suspect members of two little known groups - National Thawheedh Jamaath (NTJ) and Jammiyathul Millathu Ibrahim - of carrying out the Easter attacks, though Islamic State has claimed responsibility.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said a tight-knit group of people were involved, mostly close friends and families. They mostly spoke face-to-face, possibly to evade electronic surveillance.

"They (the group) were small enough that they were not using normal communications, instead of meeting each other," Wickremesinghe told Reuters.

He added the coordinated bombings, the type of explosives used and the tightly guarded plot suggested the bombers had guidance.

"IS (Islamic State) has claimed, we also felt there have to be some international links," he said.

President Maithripala Sirisena said on Monday he had appointed Chandana Wickramaratne, the second in command at the police, as acting police chief.

Over the weekend, two sources at the president's office told Reuters that Pujith Jayasundara, the police chief during the attacks, was refusing the president's request to step down.

It was not immediately possible to contact Jayasundara on Monday.

In India, police said they had raided the homes of three people in the southern state of Kerala, close to Sri Lanka, in connection with their links to Islamic State. They did not say if there was any connection to the attacks in Sri Lanka.

Sri Lankan security officials have warned that Islamist militants behind Easter Sunday's suicide bombings are planning imminent attacks and could be dressed in military uniforms.

Sri Lankan security officials have warned that Islamist militants behind Easter Sunday's suicide bombings are planning imminent attacks and could be dressed in military uniforms. The militants were targeting five locations for attacks on Sunday or Monday, security sources said. "There could be another wave of attacks," the head of ministerial security division (MSD), a unit of the police, said in a letter to lawmakers and other officials, seen by Reuters on Monday. "The relevant information further notes that persons dressed in military uniforms and using a van could be involved in the attacks." There were no attacks on Sunday, and security across Sri Lanka has been ramped up, with scores of suspected Islamists arrested since the April 21 attacks on hotels and churches that killed more than 250 people, including 40 foreign nationals. Two cabinet ministers and two opposition lawmakers confirmed to Reuters that they were aware of the latest security alert. "We have been informed about this by the MSD," Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne said. Authorities suspect members of two little known groups - National Thawheedh Jamaath (NTJ) and Jammiyathul Millathu Ibrahim - of carrying out the Easter attacks, though Islamic State has claimed responsibility. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said a tight-knit group of people were involved, mostly close friends and families. They mostly spoke face-to-face, possibly to evade electronic surveillance. "They (the group) were small enough that they were not using normal communications, instead of meeting each other," Wickremesinghe told Reuters. He added the coordinated bombings, the type of explosives used and the tightly guarded plot suggested the bombers had guidance. "IS (Islamic State) has claimed, we also felt there have to be some international links," he said. President Maithripala Sirisena said on Monday he had appointed Chandana Wickramaratne, the second in command at the police, as acting police chief. Over the weekend, two sources at the president's office told Reuters that Pujith Jayasundara, the police chief during the attacks, was refusing the president's request to step down. It was not immediately possible to contact Jayasundara on Monday. In India, police said they had raided the homes of three people in the southern state of Kerala, close to Sri Lanka, in connection with their links to Islamic State. They did not say if there was any connection to the attacks in Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka on alert for attacks by militants dressed in uniforms

Sri Lanka President Maithripala Sirisena on Monday appointed&nbsp;Chandana Wickramaratne as new acting police chief, news agency Reuters reported.

The Sri Lankan president sent Pujith Jayasundara on "compulsory leave"&nbsp;after he&nbsp;remained defiant and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-police-chief-resigns-over-bombings-sirisena-213620">refused to quit as the country's police chief</a>.&nbsp;

Jayasundara was asked to resign in the wake of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-lifts-nationwide-night-curfew-214164">deadly bombings in Sri Lanka</a> in which at least 253 people died on April 21.

Jayasundara had refused to quit taking responsibility for the intelligence failure that led to the massive Easter Sunday bombings.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/sri-lanka-blasts-terror-groups-banned-property-seized-214008/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Meanwhile, Sirisena announced a ban on face covering. The restriction will take effect from today.

Sri Lanka on Sunday lifted the nationwide night curfew which was imposed after the island nation was rocked with eight blasts.

Police also said they have arrested one more person suspected to be involved in the Easter blasts.

The Special Task Force and Army troops, following a tip-off, raided a house in Kalmunai city at Sainthamarudu on Friday night, leading to a heavy exchange of fire with armed militants. As many as 15 people, including six children and three women, were killed in the shootout.&nbsp;

The authorities revised the death toll to 253, from the previous figure of 359, explaining that some of the badly mutilated bodies had been double-counted.

Sri Lanka President Maithripala Sirisena on Monday appointed Chandana Wickramaratne as new acting police chief, news agency Reuters reported. The Sri Lankan president sent Pujith Jayasundara on "compulsory leave" after he remained defiant and refused to quit as the country's police chief.

Sri Lanka President Maithripala Sirisena on Monday appointed Chandana Wickramaratne as new acting police chief, news agency Reuters reported. The Sri Lankan president sent Pujith Jayasundara on "compulsory leave" after he remained defiant and refused to quit as the country's police chief. Jayasundara was asked to resign in the wake of deadly bombings in Sri Lanka in which at least 253 people died on April 21. Jayasundara had refused to quit taking responsibility for the intelligence failure that led to the massive Easter Sunday bombings. Meanwhile, Sirisena announced a ban on face covering. The restriction will take effect from today. Sri Lanka on Sunday lifted the nationwide night curfew which was imposed after the island nation was rocked with eight blasts. Police also said they have arrested one more person suspected to be involved in the Easter blasts. The Special Task Force and Army troops, following a tip-off, raided a house in Kalmunai city at Sainthamarudu on Friday night, leading to a heavy exchange of fire with armed militants. As many as 15 people, including six children and three women, were killed in the shootout. The authorities revised the death toll to 253, from the previous figure of 359, explaining that some of the badly mutilated bodies had been double-counted.

Sri Lanka President Sirisena appoints new acting police chief; Jayasundara sent on 'compulsory leave'

The Sri Lankan government on Saturday banned National Thawheed Jammath (NTJ) and Jamathei Millathu Ibraheem (JMI) - the groups responsible for last week's <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sri-lanka/15-dead-as-tips-lead-sri-lanka-forces-to-islamist-hideout-213951">Easter Day attacks</a> in the country that killed over 250 people.

Sri Lankan president Maithripala Sirisena's media division in a statement said, "President of Sri Lanka Maithripala Sirisena, in terms of powers vested in him as the under Emergency Regulations No. 01 of 2019, has taken steps to ban the organizations National Thawheed Jammath (NTJ) &amp; Jamathei Millathu Ibraheem (JMI) in Sri Lanka after Easter blasts".&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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Breaking: Sri Lanka bans, National Thawheed Jammath (NTJ) &amp; Jamathei Millathu Ibraheem (JMI), groups responsible for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SriLankaAttacks?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SriLankaAttacks</a> on sunday <a href="https://t.co/laHqhWfs7g">https://t.co/laHqhWfs7g</a>
— Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) <a href="https://twitter.com/sidhant/status/1122147449273864192?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 27, 2019</a></blockquote>
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The Sri Lankan government has also approved a compensation package for those impacted by the terror attacks. The Sri Lankan cabinet has approved Sri Lankan Rs 1 million to the next of the kin of those who died or anyone suffering lifetime disability and Sri Lankan Rs 500,000 for those who suffered injuries.&nbsp;

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Sri Lankan govt's compensation package for those impacted by <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SriLankaAttacks?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SriLankaAttacks</a> 
--Sri Lankan Rs 1 million to next of the kin of those who died 
--Sri Lankan Rs 500,000 for those who suffered injuries <a href="https://t.co/yXcctQJNmD">pic.twitter.com/yXcctQJNmD</a>
— Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) <a href="https://twitter.com/sidhant/status/1122154312539336706?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 27, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Need to work more closely: India

Minister of State, Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju, in an interview to WION, said, "we have a very good understanding of sharing of information and intelligence. It's a natural course of understanding. Despite that, incidents take place, we need to work more closely." Rijiju was responding to a query on the lapses despite intelligence information being shared with Sri Lanka.&nbsp;

Calling the incident "disturbing", he said, if "anything happens in Sri Lanka it will have some kind of ramifications in India too. Same as anything happens in India will have its impact on its neighbours. Naturally, we have to be more aware."

US helps Sri Lanka

The Americans are also helping Sri Lankans in the aftermath of the incident. The US embassy in Sri Lanka in a statement said, "US experts are already working closely with their Sri Lankan partners on fulfilling short term, specific objectives related to the recent attacks and to bring the perpetrators to justice."

United States' Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is helping Sri Lankan authorities probe the terror attack.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of External Affairs on Saturday issued a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indian-nationals-are-advised-not-to-undertake-non-essential-travel-to-sri-lanka-ministry-of-external-affairs-issues-advisory-213929">travel advisory for Indian nationals to Sri Lanka</a> and directed people "not to undertake non-essential travel".&nbsp;

The MEA, in a release, stated that those who would need to travel to the neighbouring country and are not in a situation to avoid it can contact the High Commission of India in Colombo.&nbsp;

The Sri Lankan government on Saturday banned National Thawheed Jammath (NTJ) and Jamathei Millathu Ibraheem (JMI) - the groups responsible for last week's Easter Day attacks in the country that killed over 250 people.

The Sri Lankan government on Saturday banned National Thawheed Jammath (NTJ) and Jamathei Millathu Ibraheem (JMI) - the groups responsible for last week's Easter Day attacks in the country that killed over 250 people. Sri Lankan president Maithripala Sirisena's media division in a statement said, "President of Sri Lanka Maithripala Sirisena, in terms of powers vested in him as the under Emergency Regulations No. 01 of 2019, has taken steps to ban the organizations National Thawheed Jammath (NTJ) & Jamathei Millathu Ibraheem (JMI) in Sri Lanka after Easter blasts". Breaking: Sri Lanka bans, National Thawheed Jammath (NTJ) & Jamathei Millathu Ibraheem (JMI), groups responsible for #SriLankaAttacks on sunday https://t.co/laHqhWfs7g — Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) April 27, 2019 × The Sri Lankan government has also approved a compensation package for those impacted by the terror attacks. The Sri Lankan cabinet has approved Sri Lankan Rs 1 million to the next of the kin of those who died or anyone suffering lifetime disability and Sri Lankan Rs 500,000 for those who suffered injuries. Sri Lankan govt's compensation package for those impacted by #SriLankaAttacks --Sri Lankan Rs 1 million to next of the kin of those who died --Sri Lankan Rs 500,000 for those who suffered injuries pic.twitter.com/yXcctQJNmD — Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) April 27, 2019 × Need to work more closely: India Minister of State, Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju, in an interview to WION, said, "we have a very good understanding of sharing of information and intelligence. It's a natural course of understanding. Despite that, incidents take place, we need to work more closely." Rijiju was responding to a query on the lapses despite intelligence information being shared with Sri Lanka. Calling the incident "disturbing", he said, if "anything happens in Sri Lanka it will have some kind of ramifications in India too. Same as anything happens in India will have its impact on its neighbours. Naturally, we have to be more aware." US helps Sri Lanka The Americans are also helping Sri Lankans in the aftermath of the incident. The US embassy in Sri Lanka in a statement said, "US experts are already working closely with their Sri Lankan partners on fulfilling short term, specific objectives related to the recent attacks and to bring the perpetrators to justice." United States' Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is helping Sri Lankan authorities probe the terror attack. Meanwhile, the Ministry of External Affairs on Saturday issued a travel advisory for Indian nationals to Sri Lanka and directed people "not to undertake non-essential travel". The MEA, in a release, stated that those who would need to travel to the neighbouring country and are not in a situation to avoid it can contact the High Commission of India in Colombo.

Sri Lanka blasts: President Sirisena bans groups responsible for ghastly suicide bombings; India says need to work closely

Sri Lanka's police chief has refused a request by President Maithripala Sirisena to step down following suicide bombings on churches and hotels, two sources at the president's office said on Saturday, deepening the rift at top levels of government.

Sirisena, facing criticism over the failure to thwart the attacks, blamed the inspector general of police Pujith Jayasundara and defence secretary Hemesiri Fernando for not sharing advance warnings of the attacks with him.

Fernando resigned earlier in the week, but Jayasundara was holding on, the two officials said.&nbsp;

"He has refused to resign despite the president's request," one of the sources said. Under Sri Lanka's constitution, only parliament can remove the police chief through a lengthy process designed to shield officers from political interference.

The attacks in which more than 250 people were killed have exposed the divisions between Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, with both saying they had not seen warnings given by India's spy service about impending strikes on churches and the Indian embassy including one just hours before the attacks.

Jayasundara, the police chief, was handpicked for the job by Wickremesinghe. The first source at the president`s office said Sirisena was still expecting him to turn in his papers. The second source confirmed the situation. 
Both sources declined to be identified as they were not authorised to speak with media.

Jayasundara did not answer his phone or email seeking comments. An officer at the police department said the police chief had not resigned but did not come to work on Saturday. 
&nbsp;

Sri Lanka's police chief has refused a request by President Maithripala Sirisena to step down following suicide bombings on churches and hotels, two sources at the president's office said on Saturday, deepening the rift at top levels of government.

Sri Lanka's police chief has refused a request by President Maithripala Sirisena to step down following suicide bombings on churches and hotels, two sources at the president's office said on Saturday, deepening the rift at top levels of government. Sirisena, facing criticism over the failure to thwart the attacks, blamed the inspector general of police Pujith Jayasundara and defence secretary Hemesiri Fernando for not sharing advance warnings of the attacks with him. Fernando resigned earlier in the week, but Jayasundara was holding on, the two officials said. "He has refused to resign despite the president's request," one of the sources said. Under Sri Lanka's constitution, only parliament can remove the police chief through a lengthy process designed to shield officers from political interference. The attacks in which more than 250 people were killed have exposed the divisions between Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, with both saying they had not seen warnings given by India's spy service about impending strikes on churches and the Indian embassy including one just hours before the attacks. Jayasundara, the police chief, was handpicked for the job by Wickremesinghe. The first source at the president`s office said Sirisena was still expecting him to turn in his papers. The second source confirmed the situation. Both sources declined to be identified as they were not authorised to speak with media. Jayasundara did not answer his phone or email seeking comments. An officer at the police department said the police chief had not resigned but did not come to work on Saturday.

Sri Lanka police chief refusing to quit despite president Sirisena's request: Report