Three more JMI members arrested

Kidnapped fishermen return

The six Sri Lankan fishermen who were kidnapped by Somali pirates last year, returned to the island this morning, the fisheries department said. Airport officials said that statements were recorded from the fishermen at the airport before they were handed over to officials from the fisheries department to be reunited with their families. Last week an EU Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) Spanish warship, ESPS “Infanta Elena” under French command rescued the Sri Lankan fishermen and their fishing vessel f

26 Apr, 2012

SLMC threatens to withdraw

The Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) will decide on Saturday if it will continue to be part of the government following the controversy over the move to relocate a mosque in Dambulla. A spokesman for the SLMC told the Colombo Gazette today the party High Command has decided that if the mosque is relocated then the SLMC should withdraw from the government. The spokesman said that if the government fails to reverse the decision to relocate the mosque then the SLMC will meet on Saturday and decid

25 Apr, 2012

Muslims stage hartal in the East

Muslims staged a hartal in the Eastern province today against the decision by the government to relocate the Dambulla mosque owing to pressure from some Buddhist monks. Most Muslim shops in Kattankudy, Batticaloa and in Ampara were shut while public transport was also affected as a result of the hartal. Meanwhile the All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama and the Muslim Council of Sri Lanka urged the Muslim community not to take part in violent protests or demonstrations over the Dambulla mosque issue.

26 Apr, 2012