China owned port in sri lanka could alter trade routes

By Mujib Mashal The New York Times Kai Schultz Tues., May 7, 2019 WERAPITIYA, SRI LANKA—Tucked away behind a ridge, surrounded by lush mountains where 45 bird species chirp, is a luxury resort that sells peace of mind for about $900 a night. The resort, Santani, opened in 2017 here in Sri Lanka, and quickly received a series of accolades for hotels and spas. Rooms spread across 50 acres were booked continuously, often by celebrities and business tycoons. The influx of jobs and cash transformed the nearby village. The owner purchased 70 additional acres and made plans for an expansion. But those plans are now on hold and cancellations are piling up — at Santani and across Sri Lanka. Last month, bombings on Easter Sunday at churches and at hotels popular with foreign tourists left more than 250 people dead. Britain, India, the United States and several other countries warned their citizens to stay away, citing the possibility of further attacks. The … [Read more...] about How bombings in Sri Lanka devastated a growing tourism industry

By Krishan Francis The Associated Press Tues., May 7, 2019 COLOMBO, Sri Lanka - Two bomb experts were among the suicide attackers who struck churches and hotels on Easter in Sri Lanka and all those directly involved in the bombings are either dead or under arrest, police said. Acting police chief C.D. Wickramaratne also said in a statement that explosives the Islamic State-linked group stocked for use in more attacks have been seized. The bombings killed 257 people and wounded hundreds at three churches and three hotels. Seven suicide bombers died at their targets while another exploded his device later at a guesthouse after it failed to detonate at a leading tourist hotel. A ninth killed herself to avoid capture by police at her home. Police have detained 73 suspects for investigation since the bombings and have seized stocks of explosives, improvised explosive devices and hundreds of swords. They also found $140,000 in cash in bank accounts connected to the group … [Read more...] about All directly involved in Sri Lanka attacks dead or arrested

By Bharatha Mallawarachi The Associated Press Thu., May 2, 2019 COLOMBO, Sri Lanka - Catholic services are being cancelled for a second weekend in Sri Lanka’s capital after the government warned of more possible attacks by the same Islamic State-linked group that carried out Easter suicide bombings that killed 257 people. Rev. Edmund Tillakaratne, spokesman for the Colombo diocese, said Thursday that Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith had cancelled all Sunday services in the diocese based on the latest security reports. Last week, Muslims were told to stay home for Friday prayers and all of Sri Lanka’s Catholic churches were closed. Instead of the usual Sunday Mass, Ranjith delivered a homily before clergy and national leaders at his residence that was broadcast on television. Sri Lanka’s Muslim leaders, however, were encouraging believers to return to mosques for Friday prayers, according to N.M. Ameen, president of the Muslim Council of Sri Lanka. Ameen … [Read more...] about Catholic services in Sri Lanka capital cancelled for second week