Threatening letters to Bloomberg test positive for ricin

New York deputy police commissioner Paul Browne said yesterday, that Preliminary tests indicate ricin was found in letters sent this past weekend to New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

Browne said the letters to Bloomberg contained a threat to the mayor and mentioned the debate on gun laws.

The suspicious material found in the two letters was a "pink-orange oily substance," he said, adding that it was the second of two tests that showed what appeared to be trace amounts of ricin.

The substance is being tested at the National Bio-forensic Analysis Centre in Maryland, with conclusive results expected by Friday.

Remains of deceased UNP MP Jayalath Jayawardhana brought to the island this dawn.

The remains of deceased UNP MP Jayalath Jayawardhana were brought to the island this dawn.

Our Airport reporter said that the remains were flown to the country by a special plane belonging to the Emirates Airlines.

He said further that UNP General Secretary Thiss Attanayake and a group of family members had gathered at the airport to receive the remains.

A family relative told our news team that by now the remains are laid at a private funeral parlour in Colombo.

The MP had passed away while undergoing treatment in a hospital in Singapore.

The funeral of the late MP is scheduled to be held on June 3rd.

The remains of the late parliamentarian taken to the MP’s home at Weligampitiya in Ja-ela this dawn, will be kept there for public respect till Monday morning.

Subsequently the remains of MP Jayalath Jayawardhana are scheduled to be taken to the Weligampitiya Catholic church and buried at the Weligampitiya Catholic cemetery after the performing of religious rites.

Opposition Leader clarifies powers vested within head of state

Opposition Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe states that the powers vested in the head of state should come under discussion.

Wickremesinghe made this observation today during a function which was held at party headquarters Sirikotha, to mark the launch of the new draft constitution unveiled by the party via its official web site

Letter sent to Barack Obama similar to Bloomberg threats

A suspicious letter sent to US President Barack Obama is "similar" to two poisoned letters mailed to New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg this week.

The US Secret Service said the letter to Obama was intercepted and was being tested by FBI investigators.

The letters to Bloomberg referred to his support for stricter gun control.

One was delivered to the Washington DC office of Bloomberg's gun control group Mayors Against Illegal Guns

Thailand Prime Minister arrives in the island today.

Prime Minister of Thailand Yingluck Shinawatra will arrive in Sri Lanka on a two day official visit today.

A special ceremony will take place at the Presidential Secretariat where the visiting Prime Minister is to hold bilateral talks with President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Prime Minister Shinawatra is expected to ink several agreements with Sri Lanka at the Presidential Secretariat today.

Shinawatra will also address Parliament today.

Shinawatra is expected to call on the Mahanayake Thera of Asgiriya Chapter and Mahanayake of the Malawatte Chapter as well.