Central Bank’s decision to reduce interest rates : Adverse effects on banks

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Last week the Central Bank reduced interest rates on rupee-denominated loans and deposits. However, industry experts have expressed their concerns citing the possibility of lower profits and marking. Speaking exclusively to News 1st, an industry expert...

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SLFP decisive meeting : Final decision on upcoming election

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Central Working Committee of the SLFP is currently holding a decisive meeting at the official residence of the President. The meeting is chaired by President Maithripala Sirisena. According to our reporter at the location, attending this meeting has...

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US aircraft lands at Katunayake again

COLOMBO (News 1st) – An aircraft belonging to the controversial Western Global Airlines of the United States of America has arrived at the Bandaranaike International Airport. This particular airline company is certified by the US Department of Transportation and carries...

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Petition seeking stay order on Gotabaya Rajapaksa to be heard

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Court of Appeal ordered to submit information on the NIC and passport obtained by SLPP Presidential Election Candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa. The Court of Appeal issued the order to the Minister and Secretary of Home Affairs, Controller General of...

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Protest by war veterans, a publicity stunt by opposition : Minister Sajith Premadasa

COLOMBO (News 1st) – A group of disabled soldiers who were protesting opposite the Fort Railway station for the past 20 days called off their fast today. UNP Presidential candidate Sajith Premadasa met with the disabled soldiers who were protesting opposite the Fort Railway...

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Dual playmakers continue as all three Barretts to start for NZ

Reuters – Beauden Barrett will start at fullback for New Zealand, alongside brothers Jordie and Scott, against Canada in Oita ,coach Steve Hansen announced on Monday (September 30) as he continues to develop his dual playmaker role with Richie Mo’unga. The Barretts will...

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Presidential Elections : Deadline for applications for postal voting extended

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The National Elections Commission had extended the period to accept applications for Postal Voting for the Presidential Election to October 4th. Although the deadline was set for today, the NEC had decided to extend the deadline following discussions....

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Uma Oya: Main tunnel from Dayaraba to Randeniya complete

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Uma Oya Project Director Sunil de Silva said construction of the main tunnel from Dayaraba to Randeniya is complete. The tunnel is 15.4 kilometres in length and construction commenced in 2014. Uma Oya: Main tunnel from Dayaraba to Randeniya comple...

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28-year-old arrested with 15 kilos of KG

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Police has arrested a 28-year-old for the possession of 15 kg of Kerala ganja in Saithamaruthu. The suspect will be produced at the Kalmunai Magistrate’s Court today (September 30).   28-year-old arrested with 15 kilos of K...

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Veterans call of their protest after 20 days

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The injured veterans who were protesting opposite the Fort Railway Station for 20 days have decided to call off their protest. This morning UNPs Presidential Election Candidate, Minister Sajith Premadasa spoke with the injured veterans and promised...

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Thundershowers and lightning till 9pm

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The MET Department has issued severe lightning warnings for land areas until 9 pm today(Septemeber 30). Thundershowers accompanied by severe lightning are likely to occur at several places in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Uva, North-western and North-central...

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UNP candidate Sajith Premadasa meets protesting war veterans

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Today marks the 18th day of the protest by the injured war veterans. UNP Presidential Election Candidate, Minister Sajith Premadasa visited the veterans today to inquire into their well-being. Minister Sajith Premadasa spoke with the injured veterans...

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COA orders Home Affairs minister to handover docs. on Gota

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Court of Appeal has ordered the Minister of Home Affairs, the secretary to the ministry, the Controller of Immigration & Emigration, and the Commissioner-General of Registration of Persons to produce all the details on Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s NIC and...

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Railway strike continues: Public remain stranded

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Department of Railways, Railway Operations Superintendent Gamini Seneviratne stated that they managed to operate 09 office trains this morning, amidst the trade union action launched by railway department employees. Around 30 scheduled office...

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Deadline for postal voting applications, today

Colombo (News1st) – Today marks the final day for accepting postal voting applications for the Presidential election. Postal voting will take place on the 30th and 31st of October. However, Director-General of the Elections Commission, Saman Sri Rathnayake noted that they might...

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All UNP electoral organisers summoned to Sirikotha

  Colombo (News1st) – All electoral organisers of the UNP from across the country have been summoned to party headquarters Sirikotha today for a meeting which commences at 10.30am. According to the reports, Party leader PM Ranil Wickremesinghe and presidential candidate...

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Crucial SLFP Central Committee meeting set for today

Colombo (News1st) – A crucial meeting of the SLFP Central Committee is due to be held today under the auspices of President Maithripala Sirisena. SLFP spokesperson MP Weerakumara Dissanayake noted that a number of decisions are due to be taken in the presidential election....

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SLPP-SLFP alliance undecided due to issue in the common symbol : President

COLOMBO (News 1st):- The Kurunegala District convention of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party was held in Hettipola today (September 29). The Kurunegala convention under the theme “Theeranaya Hari Athata” was held under the auspices of President Maithripala Sirisena. Addressing the...

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“I know the right time to come forward and to step down” – Sajith Premadasa

COLOMBO (News 1st):- The Kolonnawa electorate organizer S.M Marikkar had organized a special electoral council meeting in support of UNP’s presidential candidate Sajith Premadasa with the participation of several ministers and parliamentarians. Addressing the people gathered,...

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How did the wild elephants die?

COLOMBO (News1 st):- According to the wildlife officials poisoning of the food or water sources had caused the death of the six cow elephants in the Thumbikulama reserve in Hiriwadduna Digampathana, Habarana. Meanwhile, an operation was conducted in the Thumbikulama forest...

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“We begin the uprising of the educated in the country” – Former Army Commander General Mahesh Senanayake

COLOMBO (News 1st):- Former Army Commander General Mahesh Senanayake was declared as the presidential candidate of the National People’s Movement including civil societies at an event held in the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium today (September 29). The event themed “Rata Rakumata...

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“Sovereignty and freedom of the country is lost” : Gotabaya Rajapakse

COLOMBO (News 1st):- The party convention of the Lanka Sama Samaja Party was held in Colombo today (September 29). The motion to support the presidential candidate of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna Gotabaya Rajapaksa was passed at the convention. The convention was held at...

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UNP extends invitation to SLFP

COLOMBO (News 1st):- The United National Party has invited the Sri Lanka Freedom Party to hold discussions regarding the upcoming presidential election. General Secretary of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party Dayasiri Jayasekera was questioned by the media regarding this today. To...

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“Anyone willing to join with the UNP candidate is welcome” – UNP MP Thushara Indunil

COLOMBO (News 1st): – UNP MP Thushara Indunil says that he will warmly welcome the opposition parties that will support the UNP presidential candidate. Journalist:- We found out yesterday that Minister Sajith Premadasa had called the general secretary Dayasiri Jayasekara asking...

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“How can a sick person who left the military now take over the country?” – Tilvin Silva on Gotabaya’s candidacy

COLOMBO (News 1st):- General Secretary of the JVP Tilvin Silva commented on the present presidential candidates of the country at a recent event in Hambantota. He said that ever since the day that Gotabaya Rajapaksa was announced that they continue to hide their candidate except...

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Bandula stresses that Sajith must clarify government’s agreement with IMF

COLOMBO (News 1st):- UPFA MP Bandula Gunawardena commented on the current economic situation of the country. MP Bandula Gunawardene said that it has been estimated that the economic growth of Sri Lanka will drop to 2.7% this year and that since 2005 this economic growth rate...

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CEB strikes another blow at the country’s economy with uncessary power purchase

COLOMBO (News 1st):- Although the CEB called for tenders for the purchase of 100MW under the label of Supplementary Electrical power, the Minister annulled it. However, in March the CEB had in addition to purchasing 100MW of power also entered into an agreement in violation...

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Cabinet paper to rectify wage anomalies of non-academic staff

COLOMBO (News 1st):- The Ministry of Higher Education states that a cabinet paper will be presented requesting that the wage anomalies of the non-academic staff of state universities be revised. Secretary of the Ministry, M. M. P. K. Mayadunne states that the cabinet paper...

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800 new teacher recruits for the Western province

COLOMBO (News 1st):- 800 graduates have been recruited for teaching in the Western province based on the results of the recent teaching examinations. Director of Western Province Education, Sri Lal Nonis says that the appointments have been made to the primary sections and...

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Carcasses of seven elephants identified: Cause of death suspected to be poisoning

COLOMBO (News 1st):- Investigations conducted so far have identified that the seven elephants who died in the Habarana, Digampathaha, Hiriwadunna, and Thumbikulama reserves were all poisoned. The Vet Surgeon in charge of the Anuradhapura zone of the Wildlife Department, Chandana...

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Former Army Commander Mahesh Senanayake enters presidential race

COLOMBO (News 1st):- Former Army Commander General Mahesh Senanayake has been named as the Presidential candidate of the National People’s Movement (NPM) and other civil societies. His candidacy was declared at an event themed “Rata Rakumata, Rata Nagumata” which is currently...

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Kolonnawa Balamandala meeting to support Sajith Premadasa

COLOMBO (News 1st) – A special meeting of the UNP Kolonnawa Balamandala is underway. The meeting was held in order to extend their support to the presidential candidate of the UNP, Sajith Premadasa.   Kolonnawa Balamandala meeting to support Sajith Premadas...

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Hunting accident claims the life of a 13-year-old

COLOMBO (News 1st) – A 13-year-old child was killed when a locally manufactured gun discharged accidentally. According to the police, the child and three others were in a hunting party when the accident occurred. The severely injured child succumbed to his wounds upon admission...

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Economy severely affected by strikes

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Economists state that strike actions of the public sector have imposed adverse effects on the economy of the country. They further noted that strikes has hampered the growth rate of the economy. Senior Lecturer of Economics, Wayamba University Aminda...

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Seven treasure hunters arrested in Kobeigane

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Seven suspects who were treasure hunting in Kobeigane, Pahala Baladora had been arrested based on a tip-off received by the police. According to the police, the suspects are residents of Mulleriya, Ambanpola, Kegalle and Kimbissa. They are to be produced...

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Fifty-two cocaine capsules retrieved from an abdomen of 52-year-old

COLOMBO (News 1st) – 52 capsules of cocaine were retrieved from the abdomen of a 50-year-old Brazilian female at the Bandaranaike International Airport. According to the Police, the woman was smuggling the cocaine from Doha to Sri Lanka and was taken into custody after...

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Strike action islandwide continues

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Strike action launched by trade unions of several fields in the public sector are still underway. The strike launched by the employees of the Railway Department is on for the 4th consecutive day. Railway drivers, regulators, station masters and Supervisors...

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Fire at shops in Nayakakanda, Wattala

COLOMBO (News 1st) – A fire erupted in a row of shops in Nayakakanda, Hendala, Wattala this morning. The Colombo Fire Brigade stated that the fire was contained following the deployment of two service vehicles.   Fire at shops in Nayakakanda, Wattal...

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Discussions to resolve salary anomalies on Monday

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Cabinet sub-committee appointed to look into problems regarding salary discrepancies of state employees engaged in the strike action was convened yesterday (September 28). It has been decided to discuss salary anomalies with trade union representatives...

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Spike in state institute appointments

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Election Monitoring Organizations state that appointments in the state institutes have spiked following the declaration of the presidential election. Executive Director of the PAFFREL, Rohana Hettiarachchi noted that they have received 16 complaints in...

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Carcasses of seven elephants discovered; remains to be sent to the Analyst Department

COLOMBO (News 1st):- The remains of another three elephants, suspected to have died of food poisoning, were found today (September 28) increasing the total count to seven. For the onlookers, it was heartbreaking to see how this elephant calf remained close to his mother, who...

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Sri Lanka welcomes proposal for Maldives’ re-admission to Commonwealth

Colombo (News 1st): Foreign Secretary Ravinatha Aryasinha has welcomed the proposal for the re-admission of the Maldives to the Commonwealth, reiterating that Sri Lanka fully supports the fast track procedure to allow the Maldives to participate fully at CHOGM 2020 in Rwanda....

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CEB on another run to purchase power in violation of the Electricty Act

Colombo (News 1st): Exaggerating facts regarding the Lak Wijaya coal power plant in Norochcholai, the Minister of Power and Renewable Energy submitted a cabinet memorandum on the 10th of this month. The purpose of this cabinet memorandum is to construct a fourth coal power...

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C.V. Vigneswaran’s take on UNP Presidential Candidate

Colombo (News 1st): Former Chief Minister of Northern Province C.V. Vigneswaran says he is personally happy that Minister Sajith Premadasa has been picked as the UNP’s Presidential Candidate. Responding to a question raised by journalists, the former Chief Minister said: “He...

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3 bases for Sajith’s presidential campaign : Rajitha Senaratne

Colombo (News 1st): Minister Dr Rajith Senaratne expressed the following views at Kadawata today (September 28), regarding election propaganda activities that have been planned for Minister Sajith Premadasa’s presidential campaign. He noted that they will conduct our election...

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Milinda Moragoda calls on presidential candidates to bring in 5 year ban on campus politics

COLOMBO (News 1st):- Founder of the PathFinder Foundation and former Minister Milinda Moragoda called on presidential candidates to consider including a 5-year ban on university and campus political activities in their policy platforms. Issuing a release the former minister...

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Gotabaya Rajapaksa was in power for 10 years: Bimal Ratnayaka

Colombo (News 1st): National Organiser of Janatha Vimukthi Permauna Bimal Ratnayaka expressing his views at the opening of District Operations Centre of the National People’s Power Movement in Trincomalee pointed out that Gotabaya Rajapaksa was the vice president of Sri Lanka...

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Seven trains turns to Fort despite strike : Railway Department

COLOMBO (News 1st): – The Railway Department said that seven trains operated to Fort, Colombo this morning (September 28) despite the strike action. Superintendent of Railways Gamini Seneviratne said that trains from Kandy, Mahawa, Veyangoda, Galle, Avissawella, and Chilaw...

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Bombs go off as Afghan presidential election begins

REUTERS:- At least five bombs went off in Afghanistan’s eastern city of Jalalabad on Saturday (September 28) killing one and wounding several others, media reports said, as presidential elections got underway across the country. Video obtained by Reuters showed people running...

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South Africa put 50 points on Namibia as they rack up the highest score of the World Cup

REUTERS: South Africa’s electric wing Makazole Mapimpi scored two tries as they eased to a nine-try 57-3 win over neighbours Namibia, but it was a far from polished performance in their Rugby World Cup Pool B clash at the City of Toyota Stadium on Saturday. Billed the...

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