News

Govt. trying to arrest Gota & Salley over Easter Sunday bombings – Gammanpila

Published

4 months ago

February 3, 2025

editor

Pivithuru Hela Urumaya leader – Udaya Gammanpila has alleged that the government is attempting to create a new plot with regard to the mastermind of the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings.

As a part of this narrative, the government is planning to arrest former Chief of Intelligence Maj. Gen. Suresh Sallay and former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, he charged.

Speaking at a media briefing today (Feb. 03) Gammanpila stated that the government is now engaged in an elaborate plan by raising allegations that Sri Lanka’s intelligence services carried out the bombings with the objective of bringing Gotabaya Rajapaksa to power.

Gammanpila referenced a three-member presidential investigation committee, comprising a former Supreme Court judge, a former Air Force commander, and a President’s Counsel, which he said had dismissed allegations made by a UK-based Channel 4 documentary linking Sri Lanka’s intelligence agencies to the attacks. He accused the government of ignoring the report and pushing a misleading narrative.

He also alleged that Asad Maulana, the key witness in the alleged government plot, faces multiple criminal accusations, including fraud and identity deception. Gammanpila claimed the government was facilitating Maulana’s return to Sri Lanka to obtain a statement against intelligence officials while suppressing investigations into his alleged crimes.

News

COVID subvariants spreading in Asia detected in Sri Lanka

Published

9 hours ago

May 31, 2025

editor

The Medical Research Institute of Sri Lanka has confirmed that the COVID-19 variant currently spreading in the Asian region has also been identified in the country.

Dr. Jude Jayamaha, a specialist in viral diseases at the Medical Research Institute, stated that patients infected with the Omicron subvariants LF.7 and XFG are being reported locally.

Dr. Jayamaha explained that this finding was confirmed through research conducted on biological samples collected from several hospitals across the island.

However, he emphasized that there is no need for undue fear regarding these COVID-19 variants.

Health authorities have also stressed the importance of vulnerable groups—such as pregnant mothers, the elderly, and those with chronic illnesses—following health guidelines, including wearing face masks and avoiding crowded places.

Dr. Jayamaha reiterated that new COVID-19 variants emerge periodically, and health authorities are continuously monitoring the situation, so the public should remain calm.

(newswire.lk)

(This story, originally published by newswire.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

News

Anudi misses out from Miss World Quarter-Finals

Published

9 hours ago

May 31, 2025

editor

The Miss World organization has announced its quarter-finalists, selecting 40 contestants from across Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas.

Sri Lanka’s Anudi Gunasekara, was not selected in the top 40, despite being recognized for her impressive performances in the Multimedia and Head-to-Head challenges.

The top 40 consisted of 10 contestants each from Asia & Oceania, Europe, Africa and the Americas.