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India arrests IS member connected with Zahran Hashim

Published

1 year ago

December 29, 2022

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The National Investigation Agency (NIA) of India arrested a member of Islamic State (IS) who was in touch with Zahran Hashim, the mastermind of 2019 Easter Day bombings in Sri Lanka, Hindustan Times said.

The IS member was arrested for his alleged links with suspects in the October 23 blast in Tamil Nadu’s Coimbatore.

The federal agency also arrested another man, identified as Sanofar Ali, for allegedly taking part in plans to carry out terror attacks in the country.

NIA officers familiar with the developments said IS member Sheikh Hidayatullah was allegedly in touch with Maulvi Zahran bin Hashim, the mastermind of the deadly Easter Sunday bombings in Sri Lanka on April 21, 2019 that claimed over 250 lives.

Both Hidayatullah and Sanofar Ali were arrested from Tamil Nadu, an NIA officer said.

According to NIA officers cited above, Hidayatullah, who has been propagating IS ideology since 2017, was earlier arrested along with Azharuddin in June 2019. He was released on bail in 2020. Azharuddin from Ukkadam and leader of Kerala-Tamil Nadu IS module is currently in jail for the Sri Lanka bombings.

All the above accused were inspired by Hashim, who masterminded and executed the Sri Lanka bombings — in which 252 people were killed — and planned to carry out similar attacks in two south Indian states at that time.

News

Damitha Abeyratne & husband granted bail

Published

1 hour ago

April 24, 2024

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Actress Damitha Abeyratne and her husband were granted bail on the orders of the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court today (April 24).

Accordingly, the couple was released on a surety of Rs. 5 million each.

The actress and her spouse were arrested on April 04.

The Computer Crimes Division of the CID initiated an investigation into the alleged defrauding of Rs. 3 million by the couple on the promise of employment in South Korea. Subsequently, the CID informed the court that Abeyratne and her husband would be named as suspects of the relevant case.

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Uma Oya project launched (Video)

Published

2 hours ago

April 24, 2024

editor

President of the Islamic Republic of Iran – Dr. Ebrahim Raisi and Sri Lankan President – Ranil Wickremesinghe have jointly inaugurated the Uma Oya Multipurpose Development Project (UOMDP) a short while ago.

This project is one of the largest irrigation projects in Sri Lanka following the Mahaweli Development Project.

(Video – PMD)

News

SLFP crisis : 2 more court orders

Published

2 hours ago

April 24, 2024

editor

The Colombo District Court today (April 24) delivered an injunction preventing former President Maithripala Sirisena from functioning as the chairman of Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP).

The order was issued with regard to a complaint filed by former SLFP executive committee member Montague Sarathchandra.

Accordingly, the injunction will be effective until the conclusion of the trial.

Meanwhile, the court order preventing the SLFP Executive Committee from ousting its members Mahinda Amaraweera, Duminda Dissanayake, and Lasantha Alagiyawanna from their respective party positions has also been extended.

Accordingly, the interim injunction will be in place until May 08 on the orders of the Colombo District Court.

Colombo District Judge Sandun Withana delivered this extension when a complaint filed by the three MPs was taken up this morning (24).