COLOMBO (News 1st) – A media briefing was held in Colombo today(July 31) to confirm the cabinet decision which was taken, granting free on arrival visa to 45 countries. Kishu Gomes, Chairman of Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau noted that in May our numbers went down to 37,000 tourists marking a daily average of 1260 and […]
Tourism on the recovery: Additional measures to revive tourism
COLOMBO (News 1st) – Parliamentarian Wimal Weerawansa noted that officials of the American Secret Service had met a number of suspects in the custody of the Terrorist Investigation Division in connection to the April 21st terror attacks. He added that two FBI agents arrived at the Welisara Naval base at around 9.30 am on the 24th of […]
Two FBI agents question April 21st attack suspects in Sri Lankan jurisdiction?
COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Court of Appeal issued an interim injunction order preventing the imported garbage found at Katunanyake Free Trade Zone and the containers in the Colombo Port, from being taken to any internal location in the country today(July 31). President of the Court of Appeal Yasantha Kodagoda and Justice Arjuna Obeysekara also issued […]
Garbage shipment: Court of Appeal orders not to move the garbage inland
Colombo (News1st) – An individual had been arrested in Kiridigala, Balangoda for allegedly assaulting a Police Officer who was on traffic duty this morning. ( 31 July) The police stated that the suspect had been riding a motorcycle under the influence of alcohol. The injured police officer is currently being treated in the Balangoda Hospital. […]
COLOMBO (News 1st) – At a media briefing this morning His Eminence, Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith Archbishop of Colombo said that the commissions appointed to investigate into 04/21 attacks failed to deliver. His Eminence noted that the commission appointments were biased and politicized and therefore the Cardinal requested the appointment of an unbiased commission. His Eminence […]
I will not meet any presidential candidate : Archbishop of Colombo
Colombo (News1st) – Three persons including the chairman of the Padiyathalawa Pradeshiya Sabha have been arrested. According to the police the suspects were arrested for allegedly assaulting an employee of the Pradeshiya Sabha. The police noted that the suspects have been produced before the Dehiattakandiya Magistrate.
Colombo (News 1st): Lotus Road has been temporarily closed due to a protest by unemployed graduates. Police said, that as a result, traffic congestion was seen opposite the Fort Railway station. Police request motorists to use alternate routes.
Colombo (News 1st): Six Indian nationals were taken into custody by the Customs while attempting to smuggle gold to Chennai. According to the customs, the gold weighing 737 grams is worth over Rs. 5.8 million. Meanwhile, a Sri Lankan national was also taken into custody by the Customs for attempting to smuggle foreign currency to […]
Six Indians taken into custody while attempting to smuggle gold worth over Rs. 5 mn
Colombo (News 1st): Steps have been taken to call in applications from qualified Sri Lanka Education Administrative Service and Sri Lanka Principals Service to fill the vacant posts of National School Principals. This is following order given by the Educational Services Committee of the Public Service Commission. The Ministry of Education noted that the model application will be released […]
Steps taken to fill vacancies for principals at national schools
Colombo (News 1st): The suspect who was arrested yesterday, Mohommed Abdul Cader Azeem had alleged connections to the now-banned National Thawheed Jamath Organization and he is to be produced before court today (July 31). The police said that a detention order will be requested from the court to further interrogate the suspect. Mohammed Abdul Cader […]
COLOMBO (News 1st): Archbishop of Colombo His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith speaking at a media briefing held at the Bishops house today (July 31) noted that reports on the April 21st attacks compiled by the various commissions have been swept under the carpet. He requested an impartial committee to be appointed to investigate into the […]
Colombo (News 1st): 67 suspects including 2 women remain in custody in connection with the April 21st terror attacks. Police said 31 suspects were in the custody of the Colombo Crimes Division, while 36 were in the custody of the Terrorist Investigation Division. According to the police they are currently being questioned on the way […]
Colombo (News1st) – The Court of Appeal has issued an interim injunction order preventing the foreign waste found in the Colombo Port and Katunanyake Free Trade Zone from being taken to any internal location in the country. President of the COA Yasantha Kodagoda, and Justice Arjuna Obeysekara also issued an order preventing the containers from […]
Colombo (News 1st): Six people have been injured due to an accident that occurred near the 18th milepost along the Mahiyangana – Badulla main road. According to the police the accident took place when a three-wheeler traveling from Badulla to Meegahakivula veered off the road. Police suspect that the accident may have been caused by […]
Six injured in an accident along Mahiyangana – Badulla main road
Colombo (News 1st): According to the Ministry of Education, the second term of all government and government approved Sinhala and Tamil medium schools will end tomorrow (August 01). The Ministry added, the 3rd term will commence on the 2nd of September. Meanwhile, all seminars, lectures and tuition classes for the G.C.E. A/L examinations was banned […]
Colombo (News 1st): The Presidential Commission appointed to probe fraud and corruption has called for a Valuation Report into the loss incurred from storing paddy at the Mattala Airport. An official at the Commission said the matter will be referred to a team of Police officials attached to the Commission and a team from the […]
PCoI calls for report into loss caused by storing paddy at the Mattala Airport
Colombo (News 1st): The Chief suspect behind yesterday’s (July 30) discovery of a large haul of narcotic pills at the Central Mail Exchange, has been identified according to officials investigating the discovery. An official said special investigations were being conducted to arrest the suspect, believed to be a resident of Colombo. A suspect was arrested […]
Reuters: Romania’s interior minister resigned on Tuesday (July 30) after the murders of two teenage girls in the southern town of Caracal triggered protests over authorities’ inadequate handling of the case. His announcement came a day after dozens of teenagers marched in Caracal carrying banners which read: “Hello, 112, I’m Alexandra and I want to […]
Reuters: Bayern Munich soundly beat Fenerbahce Istanbul 6:1 on Tuesday (July 30) as the German Champions looked on aggressive form in their Audi Cup semi-final game. The tournament hosts will now face English club Tottenham Hotspur for the final held on the Germans’ home turf. Spurs beat Real Madrid earlier in the day to set […]
Bayern Munich smash Fenerbahce to reach Audi Cup final with Tottenham
Reuters: Brad Pitt, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Margot Robbie brought glamour to London for the premiere of ‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood’ on Tuesday (July 30). The film directed by Quentin Tarantino arrives in Europe after it opened in North America raking in $40 million dollars, a career-best for Tarantino. Set in the late 1960s […]
Brad Pitt, Leonardo DiCaprio and Margot Robbie praise director Quentin Tarantino
Reuters: The second case of Ebola was detected in the eastern Congolese city of Goma on Tuesday (July 30), the Provincial Minister of North Kivu, Valerien Mbalikwirand, said. The case increases concern the virus could establish a foothold in the densely populated area close to the Rwandan border. Goma’s first Ebola case was detected in […]
Reuters: Police and ambulances raced to a shooting at a food festival in California on Sunday (July 28), with four people reported dead and several injured, and video posted on social media showing people at the event running for cover as shots rang out. Police chief Scot Smithee said four people had been killed including […]
Four dead in California shooting, including suspected gunman
COLOMBO (News 1st) Your Wednesday Morning Brief 1. Parliament is set to convene at 10.30 am today (July 31). 2. A suspect was arrested with 3050 narcotic pills with a street value of around Rs. 15 million at the Central Mail Exchange. 3. All tuition classes and seminars pertaining to the scholarship exam to be […]
Colombo (News 1st): Speaking on Newsline this morning Journalist Malinda Seneviratne noted that he thinks Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe gave an assurance to the Bar Association that all these agreements with the United States will not be signed within this year so it might happen January 1st if he is still in power. He added […]
Colombo (News 1st): 6,315 drunk drivers have been arrested by the Police during an operation conducted over the past 25 days. Media spokesperson of Police, SP Ruwan Gunesekara noted that an islandwide operation to apprehend drunk drivers was initiated on the 5th of this month. 179 drunk drivers have been arrested over the past 24 […]
Colombo (News 1st): The Colombo High Court today (July 30) sentenced a heroin smuggler to death. The suspect is Jesmin Rizwan, a resident of Maligawatta. The defendant who was found guilty for the possession of 321 grams of heroin and smuggling heroin, was sentenced to death by the Colombo High Court Judge Vikum Kaluarachchi. He […]
Colombo (News 1st): The Department of Examinations states that all seminars, lectures and tuition classes pertaining to the G.C.E. A/L examinations, will be suspended from midnight today (July 30). It added all tuition classes and seminars pertaining to the scholarship exam will be suspended from midnight tomorrow (July 31). The suspension will be in effect […]
Extra classes for G.C.E. A/L examinations suspended from midnight today
COLOMBO (News 1st): Details about an attempt to change laws and regulations of higher education was revealed during a media briefing convened by University Lecturers’ Association today (July 30). The Higher Education (Quality Assurance and Accreditation) bill was also explained during the media briefing. Chairman of the University Lecturers’ Association Dr Dileepa Witharana noted that […]
Colombo (News 1st): Supreme Court ordered the Sri Lanka Medical Council to register 82 SAITM graduates in order to facilitate them to practice medicine. The order was handed down after examining a petition filed by 3 graduates of the Malabe SAITM private medical college. The petition was examined by the bench comprising Supreme Court Justices, […]
Supreme Court orders the Sri Lanka Medical Council to register 82 SAITM medical degree holders
Rustic means appropriate to the country as in plainness or sturdiness. In a modern world that emphasizes the disposable, the mass-produced, and the cheap, the notion of something rustic suggests an authentic, natural, rough-hewn quality that many gardeners crave. Whether it’s vintage garden furniture find at a flea market, a DIY trellis, or a touch […]
COLOMBO (News 1st) – A mother and son were brutally murdered using sharp objects in the Jayanthinagar area in Kilinochchi. Further investigations have commenced over the incident.
COLOMBO (News 1st) – The details of the suspects who hijacked a van in Mattegoda area have come to light. The suspect who was shot by army personnel, succumbed to his injuries while receiving treatment at the National Hospital. The deceased suspect is Podagodage Priyantha, a 47-year-old resident of Kirindigala, Balangoda. The other suspect who fled […]
Colombo(News1st) – The meeting of the cabinet members took place under the auspices of President Maithripala Sirisena, this morning (30th July). Following the meeting, MP Gamini Jayawickrama Perera spoke to the media. Few questions regarding the garbage containers were directed at him to which he made several statements. He stated that he is not aware […]
“The law will take steps to send it back” – MP Gamini Jayawickrama Perera on the garbage crisis
Colombo(News1st) – Deputy Minister Buddhika Pathirana was appointed as the new State Minister of Industry & Commerce, Resettlement of Protracted Displaced Persons, Co-operative Development and Vocational Training & Skills Development yesterday. The Minister commenced his duties at his office without any sort of welcoming celebration standing by his statement “my appointment will be of no […]
“My appointment will be of no cost to the ministry” – New State Minister Buddhika Pathirana
COLOMBO (News 1st) – The most important person in India, Prime Minister, Narendra Modi is to feature on Discovery’s survival show “Man vs Wild” with Bear Grylls in a special episode which is to be aired on August 12th. The special episode was shot in the Jim Corbett National Park and the show focuses on an adventurous […]
Indian Premier Modi to feature in “Man vs Wild” with Bear Grylls
COLOMBO (News 1st) – Mayor of the Matale Municipal Council, Daljith Aluwihare shared his thoughts on the UNP and upcoming elections. Daljith Aluwihare noted that if the UNP does not present the ideal presidential candidate, the UNP will be done for. He added that he is not to criticize openly and they would not stand a […]
Leaders who are not in touch with people are useless- Mayor of Matale
Reuters – Hungary expects to have to introduce two more economic stimulus programs next year as growth slows in the European Union, its main trading partner, Prime Minister Viktor Orban stated on Saturday (July 27). Orban’s economic policy has focused on maintaining an economic growth rate exceeding the European Union average by 2 percentage points. […]
Hungary PM Orban flags more economic stimulus plans for 2020
COLOMBO (News 1st) – Operations including academic activities of several universities have been interrupted as a result of the token strike being carried out by university non-academic staff. The co-chairperson of the committee Dhammika Priyantha stated that they have 11 demands including, resolution of salary anomalies, the increase of the Monthly Compensatory Allowance (MCA), implementation […]
COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Sri Lanka Navy has arrested 6 Indian nationals while transporting 2,379Kg of Beedi leaves on an Indian vessel. According to the Navy, the arrests have been made in the seas Northwest of Sri Lanka. The Beedi leaves were discovered when the Sri Lanka Navy inspected a suspicious vessel sailing from international […]
Reuters – Indian and Pakistani troops exchanged heavy fire along the border in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir, injuring three civilians, including a ten-day-old infant and a woman, on Sunday (July 28). Firing reportedly began on Sunday afternoon in Shahpur and Saujiyan sector of Poonch district, along the de-facto border, Line of Control (LoC), between […]
Three civilians including infant injured in border firing in Kashmir
COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Supreme court ordered the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) to register 82 SAITM graduates in order to facilitate them to practice medicine. The order was delivered following the examination of a petition filed by three graduates of SAITM. The petition was examined by a bench compromising of justices Buveneka Aluvihare, […]
COLOMBO (News 1st) – A member of the banned extremist group known as the National Thawheed Jamaath has been arrested in the Kekunagolla area at Katupotha. According to the Police, the name of the arrested suspect is Muhammadu Abdul Cader Cassim and he is a 28-year-old resident of Katupotha. Police added the suspect had received weapons […]
COLOMBO (News 1st) – Parliamentarian Duminda Dissanayake has been summoned to testify before the Presidential Commission appointed to probe fraud and corruption, today at 9.30 am(July 30). He has been called to testify as part of an inquiry being carried out regarding the building which houses the Ministry of Agriculture. It has been revealed that the […]
Agriculture Ministry Building : Duminda Dissanayake to testify before the PCoI
COLOMBO (News 1st) – The suspect who was shot by the Army following the hot pursuit of a hijacked van succumbed to his wounds at the National Hospital. A suspect was injured and another escaped when the Army opened fire at the van in Pinwatte, Panadura which had been hijacked from the Mattegoda area. The suspected […]
Van chase on Galle road : Suspect succumbs to gunshot wounds
COLOMBO (News 1st) – The University Trade Union Joint Committee has engaged in a strike due to several demands. The chairperson of the committee Dhammika Priyantha has stated that they have 11 demands including, resolving of salary anomalies, the increment of MCA allowance, implementation of an open examination when recruiting employees for the universities, update […]
COLOMBO (News 1st) – Your Tuesday Morning Brief 1. Several Muslim ministers who resigned from office were reinstated by the President at his official residence. 2. Department of Examinations states that all seminars and extra classes in relation to the GCE A/L examination are prohibited from midnight of July 29th. 3. Sri Lanka Police was […]
COLOMBO (News 1st) – State Counsel Charuka Ekanayake appearing for the Attorney General stated at the Court of Appeal today (July 29) that over 1000 undeclared freight containers are held by the Ports Authority. The Appeal Court ordered the Director-General of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority to open all suspected freight containers and investigate if they contain […]
Garbage scam : 5 year old document rendered Customs powerless?
COLOMBO (News 1st) – Maharu Ferosh Hettiarachchi, a Director of Blue Mountain arrested for property fraud was granted bail by the Kesbewa Magistrate’s Court today(July 29). However, as cases against him were still in progress at other courts, the suspect was placed under remand custody. Attorney’s representing the aggrieved parties requested for a report on the […]
Blue Mountain scam:”Government should seize assets before legal proceedings”-Janaka Edirisinghe
COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Cabinet, State and Deputy Ministers who recently resigned from their posts were sworn in before President Maithripala Sirisena at his official residence. Accordingly, Rauf Hakeem was sworn in as Minister for City Planning, Water Supply and Higher Education. Rishad Bathiudeen was sworn in as Minister of Industry and Commerce, Resettlement of […]
COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Moneragala District Development Committee meeting was held amidst a protest staged by local farmers. The protesting farmers obstructed the entrance of the Moneragala District Secretariat, claiming that they had not received any compensation, including compensation for the crop damage caused by the Sena caterpillar menace. The protestors’ attempt to submit […]
Farmers attempt to obstruct Moneragala District Development Committee demanding compensation
The Department of Meteorology says showers or thundershowers are likely in parts of the Northern, North-central, Eastern and Uva provinces t...
