April Attacks: Latest News

COLOMBO (News 1st); President’s Counsel Mohan Weerakoon told the media on Tuesday (19) that Senior DIG Nilantha Jayawardena, who was the former head of State Intelligence, should be held responsible for failing to take necessary action with regard to the 2019 April Attacks, despite receiving information about the attacks beforehand.“The court records show that Nilantha Jayawardena in his evidence said that what he received on the 3rd of April from Indian Intelligence was just information and that it was NOT intelligence information,” said PC Weerakoon at the President’s Media Center.“He says that thereafter addressed letters to the Inspector General of Police, the Chief of National Intelligence, and others regarding this on the 7th of April, and on the 9th of April Chief of National Intelligence (CNI) Sisira Mendis had sent a letter to the IGP to take necessary action on the 9th of April,” said President’s Counsel Mohan Weerakoon.He said that the then-IGP (Pujith Jayasundara) has acted on the letter and notified all about the information.“During the cross-examination, Nilantha Jayawardena said that the information became intel material on the evening of 20th April 2019,” said the President’s Counsel adding that when questioned about it, Nilantha Jayawardena responded by saying that the person who sent the information on the 4th of April, sent another WhatsApp message to him on the 20th of April.The President’s Counsel said that when questioned Senior DIG Jayawardena on whether he made any attempt to verify the information between the 4th of April & the 20th of April, the latter had responded in the negative.He also went on to note that when he questioned SDIG Jayawardena as to why he did not divulge the information at

COLOMBO (News 1st) – New Zealand has advised its citizens to Exercise increased caution in Sri Lanka due to the impacts of the economic crisis, the potential for civil unrest and the risk of terrorism.The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade for New Zealand in its official portal noted that Sri Lanka has stabilised somewhat since the widespread shortages and associated large protests and consequent changes in political leadership in mid-2022. There are still sporadic shortages of basic goods including medicines and some food due to the economic position of the country and living conditions of Sri Lankans, which have significantly deteriorated in the past year. It added that there is a restricted/limited supply of fuel including diesel, petrol and cooking gas, which is being rationed. The rationing system has reduced queues but there may occasionally be difficulties or delays obtaining specific types of fuel, particularly outside of Colombo.It added that Travellers should ensure they have transport plans and contingency plans in place ahead of any journeys to or around Sri Lanka. It also advises New Zealanders in Sri Lanka to avoid protests, demonstrations, political rallies and events, large crowds and queues. On Terrorism, New Zealand says there is an ongoing threat of terrorism in Sri Lanka.It added that in response to the 2019 April Attacks, the country’s security presence has increased, and security has since improved across the country.More details on : https://www.safetravel.govt.nz/sri-lanka

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Head of Sri Lanka’s Catholic Church, His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, the Archbishop of Colombo claimed that certain political leaders, who were well aware of the 2019 Terror Attacks, used it for their political advantage.He reiterated that the 2019 April 21st Attacks or the Easter Attacks was a conspiracy.“The 2019 April Attacks may be over. But, today we can see that those in powerful places are attempting to put the entire blame on Muslim Extremists and cover up the truth.