Constiution of proposed Sri Lanka Podujana alliance to be approved on Tuesday

COLOMBO (News1st):- The constitution of the proposed Sri Lanka Podujana Alliance will be approved on Tuesday (August 3). Minor political parties have joined Sri Lanka Podujana Permuna in forming this proposed alliance. The new alliance will be established with parties including...

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Hatton declaration in supporting Sajith Premadasa during presidential election, unanimously approved

COLOMBO (News 1st):- The Conference of the National People’s Council in Hatton was held at the Dickoya Town Hall today (August 31). The Citizens’ Conference of the Hatton Zone of the National People’s Council was held today with the participation of youth and workers in the...

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“19th amendment created the rift between PM and President” – DEW Gunasekara

COLOMBO (News 1st):- The Sri Lanka Muslim Congress says, it will take legal action against any party, who attempts to abolish presidency prior to the presidential election. General Secretary of the SLMC, Nizam Kariyappar said, that those who are incapable of being elected to...

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“PM is making fairy tale statements, when people are struggling to make ends meet” – Convenor of National Peoples Council

COLOMBO (News 1st):- Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe attended several events which were held in Kuliyapitiya today (August 31). The foundation stone for the National Education Science Faculty to be constructed in Narangala, Kuliyapitiya was laid under the auspices of the...

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“We will request Supreme Court to hold PC elections after the Presidential elections”: Mahinda Deshapriya

COLOMBO (News 1st):- Chairman of the Elections Commission Mahinda Deshapriya said that the provincial council elections cannot be held prior to the Presidential elections. Attending a radio program on Sirasa FM, the Chairman said that he did not receive the relevant reports...

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Trump’s assistant resigns, said things that were “a little bit hurtful” – Trump

REUTERS:- U.S. President Donald Trump said his longtime executive assistant Madeleine Westerhout had a “bad night” when she allegedly shared details about the first family at a dinner with reporters. Westerhout abruptly resigned on Thursday (August 29) after Politico reported...

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Ten teens shot after high school football game in Alabama – police

REUTERS:- Ten teenagers were shot following a high school football game in Mobile, Alabama on Friday (August 30), according to police. Mobile Police Department Chief Lawrence Battiste said the victims were between the ages of 15 and 18. He said the injured were taken to local...

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Crackdown in Dambulla: 17 arrested

COLOMBO (News 1st):- In an operation carried out in Dambulla, 17 individuals have been arrested. The police said that out of the arrested individuals, eight were arrested for the possession of cannabis, while seven others were arrested over driving under the influence. Among...

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Strong winds damage houses in Puttalam – DMC

COLOMBO (News 1st):- The Disaster Management Centre states that a large number of houses have been damaged due to the strong winds in Adigama, Puttalam. Assistant Director of the DMC, M. M. R. N. K. Alahakoon said that a small child sustained injuries due to the winds that...

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Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam summoned before the PCOI

COLOMBO (News 1st):- Minister of Education Akila Viraj Kariyawasam has once again been summoned to appear before the Presidential Commission inquiring into allegations regarding financial irregularities at state institutions for the past four years. The Minister was summoned...

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42,518 dengue patients recorded islandwide

COLOMBO (News 1st):- The Ministry of Health states that 42,518 people have reportedly been infected with dengue within the past year. The Epidemiology Unit of the Ministry said that 8839 patients are from the Colombo district, with 6601 patients reported from Gampaha and 4130...

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52 year old person clubbed to death in Periyamaduwa

COLOMBO (News 1st):- A 52-year-old person has been murdered in Pallama, Periyamaduwa. The police said that the murder was a result of an escalated dispute with his son. The son had reportedly clubbed his father to death. The deceased is a resident of Periyamadu. The son has...

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Vehicular traffic in Seenigama limited

COLOMBO (News 1st):- Vehicular traffic in Seenigama along the Galle-Colombo main road will be limited from today (August 31) till the 4th of next month. The decision was taken to facilitate the annual procession of the historic Seenigama Devalaya. Thereby, traffic will be limited...

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Fishing vessel with 5 onboard goes missing

Colombo (News 1st): A fishing vessel which set sail from Kudawella fisheries harbour has gone missing. Assistant Director of the Search Operations Unit of the Fisheries Department Padmapriya Tissera said that the vessel named “Nishadi” carrying five fishermen left...

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Suspect arrested with cigarettes worth Rs. 600,000 at BIA

Colombo (News 1st): A suspect who attempted to smuggle 10,000 cigarettes worth Rs. 600,000 into the country was arrested at the Bandaranaike International Airport. Customs arrested the 30-year-old Sri Lankan who arrived from Dubai.         Suspect arrested...

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Elpitiya PS Elections will be held in 1st week of October

Colombo (News 1st): Elections Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya says they hope to hold the Elpitiya Pradeshiya Sabha Elections during the first week of October. The Supreme Court yesterday (August 31) issued an order on the National Elections Commission to immediately hold an...

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Central province governor inspects Katugastota garbage dump

Colombo (News 1st): The Governor of the Central Province Keerthi Tennakoon inspected the Thekkawatte garbage dump in Katugastota based on a request made by the area residents. The residents allege that 150 tonnes of garbage is dumped in the area and they are facing severe environmental...

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12 schools will not re-open on Monday

Colombo (News 1st): Twelve schools that are being used as paper marking centres will not reopen for the third term this Monday (September 2). According to the Education Ministry, they will reopen on September 16th. The schools closed till September 16th are: Royal College,...

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Special traffic plan in Bambalapitiya till September 10th

Colombo (News 1st): Police said a special traffic plan will be put in place in Bambalapitiya starting today (August 31) until September 10th. This is due to an international convention which is to be held near the Bambalapitiya Railway Station. Accordingly, vehicles travelling...

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“UNP candidate will be named after election is gazetted”: Akila Viraj Kariyawasam

Colombo (News 1st): Legal secretary of the UNP, Nissanka Nanayakkara says, the presidential candidate of the UNP, should be named after the election commission declares a presidential election. He noted that Article 9 of the party constitution states “The nomination board...

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Minister Sujeewa Senasinghe writes to UNP General Secretary

Colombo (News 1st): Minister Sujeewa Senasinghe in a letter to the general secretary of the UNP Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam has questioned him how a group had held discussions with the president on abolishing the executive presidency without prior approval from the Central...

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Chairman of United Lawyers’ Association requests Ranil to step down as UNP leader

Colombo (News 1st): Attorney at law Upul Jayasuriya, Chairman of the United Lawyers’ Association, convening a media briefing today (August 30) noted that there are more than 22 vacancies in the Central Working Committee of the UNP and all appointments are made by the leader...

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Special traffic plan for Bambalapitiya from tomorrow

Colombo (News 1st): According to the Police a special traffic plan will be put in place in Bambalapitiya from tomorrow (August 31) until the 10th of September. This is due to an international convention which is to be held near the Bambalapitiya Railway Station. Accordingly,...

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MPs meet with Prime Minister for a 2-hour long discussion

Colombo (News 1st): A group of MP’s including Ministers from the UNP met with the Prime Minister today (August 30) at Temple Trees. Chairman of the UNP Kabir Hashim, Secretary Akila Viraj Kariyawasam, Ravi Karunanayaka, Ranjith Madduma Bandara, Sarath Fonseka, Daya Gamage,...

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3 arrested with over 2 Kg of Kerala Ganja in Mannar

Colombo (News 1st): 03 suspects have been arrested for the possession of 2kg and 650g of Kerala cannabis in Udayapuram, Mannar. The arrests were made during a raid conducted by the Sri Lanka Navy and the Mannar Special Task Force (STF), The suspects have been identified...

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Vehicle travel in Seenigama to be restricted from tomorrow

COLOMBO (News1st):- Vehicular traffic in Seenigama along the Galle-Colombo main road will be limited from tomorrow (August 31) till the 4th of next month. The decision was taken to facilitate the annual procession of the historic Seenigama Devalaya. Thereby, traffic will be...

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“Sajith is the the guardian of all Sri Lankans”: Ruwan Kasthuriarachchi

Colombo (News 1st): A media briefing was convened in Ehaliyagoda yesterday (August 29), calling for Minister Sajith Premadasa to be named as the Candidate for the upcoming presidential election. The media briefing was convened by the Former Opposition leader of the Ehaliyagoda...

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Dankotuwa motor collission claims two lives

COLOMBO (News 1st):- Two people have reportedly died in an accident in Dankotuwa. The accident occurred when a private bus traveling towards Giriulla collided with a three-wheeler that was plying towards Negombo. The bus driver who had lost control of the vehicle had crashed...

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Ulapane Sumangala thero files complaint against Bathiudeen, Kiriella and Rauf Hakeem

COLOMBO (News1st) – Convenor of the National Council Venerable Ulapane Sumangala Thero filed a complaint with the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption today (August 30). The complaint was filed against Ministers Rishad Bathiudeen, Lakshman Kiriella,...

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SC orders elections commission to hold elections to elect members for Elpitiya PS

COLOMBO (News1st):- The Supreme Court today (August 30) issued an order to the National Elections Commission to immediately hold an election to elect members for the Elpitiya Pradeshiya Sabha. The Supreme Court delivered the order with regard to a petition filed by the Secretary...

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Garbage trucks attacked once again enroute to Aruwakkalu

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Stones have reportedly been hurled at garbage trucks transporting garbage from Colombo to Aruwakkalu once again, early this morning (August 30). Today’s attack was reported from Wanathawilluwa. The stone attack on garbage trucks this morning caused considerable...

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Case against Gotabaya to be taken up daily from the 15th of October

COLOMBO (News 1st):- The Permanent High Court Trial at Bar today (August 30)  decided to take up the case filed against the former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa and 06 others, over the construction of the D.A.Rajapaksa Memorial and Museum, daily from the 15th of...

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General Manager of SPC and SLRC Accountant summoned before PCOI

COLOMBO (News 1st):- The General Manager of the State Pharmaceutical Corporation and the Accountant of the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation have been summoned to appear before the Presidential Commission probing into allegations of financial irregularities at state institutions...

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Sea erosion worsens with windy weather

COLOMBO (News 1st):- The Department of Coast Conservation states that the level of sea erosion continues to increase due to the prevailing windy conditions. Director-General of the Department, Prabath Chandrakeerthi says that this situation is at its worse in Kaluthara and...

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Yala park to be closed for two months from September 1st

COLOMBO (News 1st):- The Department of Wildlife Conservation states that the Yala National Park will remain closed from September 1st to October 31st. Publicity officer at the Department Hasini Sarachchchandra said that the decision has been taken due to the prevailing dry...

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Over 100mm rainfall in most parts of the country

COLOMBO (News 1st):- The Department of Meteorology states that heavy rainfall of over 100mm could be expected from the Sabaragamuwa and Western provinces and in most areas of the Nuwara Eliya, Galle, and Matara districts. Further, the wind speed across the island is forecasted...

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Fire erupts in Maragala mountain once again

COLOMBO (News 1st):- A fire has erupted once again in the Maragala mountain reserve in Monaragala. Assistant Director-General of the Disaster Management Centre of the Monaragala district, A. H. Raveendra Kumara states that this is the fifth fire reported due to the prevailing...

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14 year old dies in elephant attack

COLOMBO (News 1st):- A 14-year-old has died in an elephant attack in Parawattu-Pitti in Samanthurai. The police said that the boy died last evening (August 29). 14 year old dies in elephant attac...

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Water levels of Kalu Ganga rising: Ratnapura residents requested to be vigilant

COLOMBO (News 1st):- The Department of Irrigation states that the water level in the Ratnapura area of the Kalu Ganga is continuously increasing due to the prevailing rain. Director of the Hydrology Division of the Department, Mala Athuwala says that the normal flood level...

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Special traffic plan in Bambalapitiya from August 30th to September 10th

COLOMBO (News 1st):- A special traffic plan will be in effect from tomorrow (August 31) till September 10th in Bambalapitiya due to an international conference due to be held near the Bambalapitiya railway station. Police Media Spokesperson SP Ruwan Gunasekara said that a practice...

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Sri Lanka to import 70,000 MT of corn due to low domestic produce

COLOMBO (News 1st):- The Department of Agriculture has decided to import 70,000 metric tonnes of corn. Director-General of the Department, W.M.W. Weerakoon states that although the expected harvest for the year was 350,000 metric tonnes that the actual produce is only 270,000...

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EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW TODAY

COLOMBO (News 1st):- Your Friday Morning Brief 1. A special traffic plan will be in effect from tomorrow (August 31) till the 10th of next month in Bambalapitiya due to an international conference that is due to be held near the Bambalapitiya railway station. 2. A very strange...

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Minister Ravi Karunanayake summoned to CID on Bond Scam

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Colombo Chief Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne has ordered that Minister of Power and Energy Ravi Karunanayake appear before the CID within two weeks of today, to record further statements. The Magistrate has made the order citing the fact that the Minister...

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UNP led alliance has already laid their foundation?

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Speaking at a media briefing convened at Temple Trees today, Minister Rajitha Senaratne spoke on the proposed UNP led Alliance. Rajitha Senaratne that the constitution of the alliance was discussed at a meeting at Temple Trees. He noted that the discussion...

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Colombo Defence Seminar themed ‘Evolving Military Excellence in the Contemporary Security Landscape’ shoots off today

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Colombo Defence Seminar held for the ninth consecutive year began at the BMICH under the theme ‘Evolving Military Excellence in the Contemporary Security Landscape’. The military expects around 800 participants to attend the Defence Seminar including...

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We will give what the public wants-Deputy Minister Nalin Bandara

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Minister of Finance Mangala Samaraweera spoke of several tasks which were carried out by the current government for the well being of the country and the people of it today (August 29). Mangala Samaraweera noted that several projects were introduced...

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Sameer Rasooldeen is The Capital Maharaja Organisation Ltd’s Executive of the Year

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sameer Rasooldeen, General Manager of A.F. Jones was named the Executive of the Year at the 42nd annual convention of The Capital Maharaja Organisation Limited which is currently underway at the Stein Studios in Ratmalana. The EOTY award honours the top...

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Several defence heads call on Navy Commander

Colombo (News 1st): Defence heads from a number of countries called on the Commander of the Navy Vice Admiral Piyal de Silva in Colombo yesterday (August 28). Defence Attaché for the Embassy of Nigeria in Sri Lanka The Defence Attaché for the Embassy of Nigeria in Sri Lanka,...

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Highest number of dengue patients reported from Colombo district

Colombo (News1st) – A Dengue Eradication Program scheduled to continue for the next three days, has been launched in the Western Province today (29 August). National Dengue Eradication Unit Community Specialist Dr Prashila Samaraweera stated that the program will be implemented...

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9th Colombo Defence Seminar from today

Colombo (News 1st): The Colombo Defence Seminar held for the ninth consecutive year began at the BMICH under the theme ‘Evolving Military Excellence in the Contemporary Security Landscape’. The military expects around 800 participants to attend the Defence Seminar including...

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