6:51 PM

New CM of the EastPillaiyan:

New CM of the EastChandrakanthan alias Pilleyan,Leader of the Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Eastern Provincial Council, before President Mahinda Rajapakse today (26th) evening.

1:53 PM

Colombo bomb blast: 8 killed and 90 injured

Nine Police personnel were killed and over 90 casualties reported, following the LTTE suicide bomb attack near Lake House at around 12noon, today (May 16).

According to the available information, a motor bike riding LTTE suicide bomber fitted with a bomb rammed into a bus carrying Riot Control Police, opposite the Sambodiya Temple, located in the Lotus Road, killing at least 6 riot police personnel, 3 civilians and injuring around 90 people.

The police personnel were on their way to provide additional security as the swearing-in ceremony of the Eastern Province Chief Minister, which is to take place as scheduled today at 4:00 p.m.

According to the Dr. Hector Weerasinghe, Director of National Hiopital the bodies of killed 8 person are now lying the Colombo National Hospital mortuary and about 90 persons were injured. He added that a total of 17 police personnel were injured.The Director National Hospital, out of the injured persons, 20 are in a critical stage.

According to our reporter the causality figures continues to rise.

1:32 PM

Bomb Blast Photo

According to the available information, a motor bike riding LTTE suicide bomber had rammed into a bus carrying Police personnel at the Ceramic Junction, near Sambuddhaloka temple.


















1:11 PM

8 killed -90 injured


A bomb exploded near Lake House at around 12noon, today (May 16). According to the available information, a motor bike riding LTTE suicide bomber had rammed into a bus carrying Police personnel at the Ceramic Junction, near Lake House. Six Police personnel and three civilian were killed and over 90 casualties reported, following the LTTE suicide bomb attack near Lake House at around 12noon, today

Director General National Hospital Dr. Hector Weerasinghe exclusively speaking to Media said that, over 90 people have been already admitted to the National hospital. Many civilians are among the casualties reported.

12:34 PM

Suicide bomb explosion near Lake House

A bomb exploded near Lake House at around 12noon, today (May 16). According to the available information, a motor bike riding LTTE suicide bomber had rammed into a bus carrying Police personnel at the Ceramic Junction, near Lake House.


UPDATE:

Over 90 casualties were reported following the LTTE suicide bomb attack near Lake House at around 12noon, today (May 16).

7:29 AM

New East Provincial Council CM to be sworn in at 4 PM today

The latest reports reveal that the new Chief Minister of the Eastern Province will be sworn in today at 4 PM Sri Lanka time. At present President Mahinda Rajapakse is meeting all the 18 newly elected UPFA members of the East Provincial Council.

The meeting is said to be a formal one for the newly elected members to get acquainted with the leadership of the UPFA as well as each others who are elected from different groups which are allied with the UPFA.

Furthermore it is learnt that UPFA leaders have not finalized the appointment of the two bonus seats in the Provincial council. News-Lanka learns that one seat will be given to TMVP to nominate someone from Trincomalee and another seat might go for a Sinhalese from Batticaloa.

When the Muslim leaders met the President Mahinda Rajapakse yesterday, it is learnt that they have put forward their proposals and President and the other UPFA leaders have agreed to consider today their proposals favorably.

The Muslim leaders who participated in the meeting were, A. L. M. Athaullah, Abdul Risath Bathiyutheen, Ameer Ali Sihabdeen, M. N. Abdul Majeed, M. M. Musthapha, K. Abdul Baiz, Faizer Mustapha, Hussein Bhaila, S. Nijamudeen, M.H. Mohomed, and A. H. M. Fowzie

On the Government side along with President Mahinda Rajapakse, his senior advisor Basil Rajapakse, Maithripala Srisena, Susil Premajayantha, Nimal Siripala de Silva, Champika Ranawaka, John Seneviratne, Rajitha Senaratne, Dallas Alahapperuma, Presidential Advisor A.H.M. Azwar also participated in the meeting.

News-Lanka learns that President Mahinda Rajapakse is expected to anounce the Chief Minister designate by 3 PM today (Sri Lanka time) and the new Chief Minister would be sworn in at the Temple trees by 4 PM today.