Swiss Staffer Detention: Embassy issues an official statement

Colombo (News 1st): The Embassy of Switzerland to Sri Lanka issued an official statement with reference to the incident that transpired recently. The statement read “A serious security incident involving a local employee of the Embassy of Switzerland in Colombo occurred. The...

Read More

Swiss Staffer Detention: HRCSL calls for a thorough and impartial investigation

Colombo (News 1st): The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka has called on Acting Inspector General of Police C.D. Wickremeratne to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation, into the incident where an employee of the Switzerland Embassy was abducted. Writing a letter...

Read More

Cabinet paper to provide political freedom: Minister Janaka Bandara Tennakoon

Colombo (News 1st): Minister of State Administration, Internal Affairs, Provincial Council and Local Government Janaka Bandara Tennakoon expressed the following views in Badulla today (November 30). Minister Janaka Bandara Tennakoon said when the previous government took...

Read More

CRIB to be reformed with a scoring system

Colombo (News 1st): Sri Lanka will reform the Credit Information Bureau listing (CRIB) with a scoring system for lenders, instead of listing customers as bad debtors. Deputy Governor of the Central Bank H.A. Karunaratne expressed the following views. H.A. Karunaratne: We...

Read More

Canada announces $2 million support for landmine clearance in Northern Sri Lanka

Colombo (News 1st): While reaffirming its commitment to mine action under the Ottawa Convention, Canada has announced $8.3 million to support mine-affected communities including Sri Lanka. Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs François-Philippe Champagne, and Karina Gould, Minister...

Read More

6th day of international campaign against gender-based violence

Colombo (News 1st): Today marks the 6th day of the international campaign “16 days of activism against gender-based violence”. According to a study commissioned by the United Nations Population Fund, 90% of women in Sri Lanka have been subjected to sexual harassment on public...

Read More

A woman and child killed in wild elephant attacks

Colombo (News 1st): A woman and a child were killed in elephant attacks that took place in Polonnaruwa and Matale within a 48 hour period. Residents say that if immediate action is not taken against the wild elephant menace, this could escalate to a catastrophic level. The...

Read More

Defence Secretary tours Kandy

Colombo (News 1st): Defence Secretary Retired Major General Kamal Guneratne arrived in Kandy today (November 30). Upon his arrival in the ancient city, the Defence Secretary paid homage to the Temple of the Tooth Relic and thereafter worshipped the Sacred Tooth Relic. Following...

Read More

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s India tour comes to an end

Colombo (News 1st): President Gotabaya Rajapaksa is due to arrive in the island tonight (November 30), following the completion of his two-day official state visit to India. Indian President Ram Nath Kovind said visiting India, as President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s first official...

Read More

Special raids launched by Consumer Affairs Authority

Colombo (News 1st): The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) states that special raids have been launched to nab vendors selling food that is not suitable for the festive season. The Assistant Director of the CAA Priyantha Wijesinghe stated that the raids will be carried out in...

Read More

Special dengue eradication program before O/L

Colombo (News 1st): The Ministry of Health states that a special dengue eradication program is being implemented today (November 30) and tomorrow (December 1) surrounding the GCE Ordinary Level examination centres. Director of the National Dengue Eradication Unit, specialist...

Read More

Heavy rain advisory issued for 5 provinces

Colombo (News 1st): The Meteorological Department issuing a Rain Advisory today (November 30) noted that heavy showers about 100-150 mm are likely at some places in the Northern, North-central, North-Western, Sabaragamuwa and Central provinces and in the Trincomalee district....

Read More

Former President Maithripala Sirisena promises rebirth in politics

Colombo (News 1st) – Former President Maithripala Sirisena says he is not done serving the people of the country. Attending a felicitation ceremony in Polonnaruwa today, the former head of state noted that even though some believe the this is the end of his political career,...

Read More

Swiss Embassy hands over information on staffer abduction to the CID

Colombo (News 1st): The Swiss Embassy has handed over information regarding the abduction of one of its employees to the Criminal Investigation Department. Police Media Spokesperson SSP Ruwan Gunasekara noted that the CID had requested the Swiss Ambassador to provide information...

Read More

6 underworld criminals nabbed in STF raids

Colombo (News 1st) – 6 individuals attached to 2 organised criminal gangs were apprehended by the Police STF during raids conducted this morning. According to the Police, the arrested suspects are linked to crimes such as murder, extortion and illegal sand mining. The Police...

Read More

Sajith calls on the President not to betray his mandate

Colombo (News 1st) – United National Party MP Sajith Premadasa has requested President Gotabaya Rajapaksa not to betray the mandate given to him by the people of this country. Issuing a release, MP Sajith Premadasa said that certain events in the country have instilled...

Read More

13 Sri Lankan fishermen arrested in Maldives

Colombo (News 1st) – 13 Sri Lankan fishermen have been arrested by Maldivian authorities according to the Department of Fisheries. Asst. Director of the Department’s search operations unit, Padmapriya Thissera notes that they have begun discussions with the Government of Maldives...

Read More

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa meets Indian President Ram Nath Kovind

Colombo (News 1st): President Gotabaya Rajapaksa was given a ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi this morning. The President was awarded a military guard of honour after he was greeted by his Indian counterpart Ram Nath Kovind. While congratulating the...

Read More

Fuel price formula will be abolished: State Minister Rohitha Abeygunewardena

Colombo (News 1st): State Minister of Energy Rohitha Abeygunewardena affirmed once again, that the fuel price formula will be abolished. He noted that there is no need for a government to increase and reduce the price of fuel when fuel prices in the world markets change. He...

Read More

Government assures Suraksha Insurance will not be abolished

Colombo (News 1st): The Government assured that the Suraksha Students Insurance will not be abolished. Ranjith Siyambalapitiya assuming duties as State Minister of Educational Services, explained the student welfare program. He said; “Within two weeks after schools reopen,...

Read More

CBSL to maintain its accommodative monetary policy

Colombo (News 1st): The Central Bank has decided to maintain its accommodative monetary policy with the Standing Deposit Facility Rate and the Standing Lending Facility Rate, at their current levels of 7% and 8%, respectively. With the intention of boosting economic growth,...

Read More

Swiss embassy incident is a conspiracy against the govt. : State Minister Vasudeva Nanayakkara

Colombo (News 1st): Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa says a complaint with regard to the alleged incident where a Sri Lankan employee of the Embassy of Switzerland was abducted, has not been received yet. The Prime Minister added that the Criminal Investigation Department has...

Read More

Ministry secretaries receive instructions on State Institutions

Colombo (News 1st): Presidential secretary P.B. Jayasundara in a letter to all Ministry secretaries has conveyed instructions regarding the management of public enterprises, state institutions, and state-owned commercial enterprises The letter calls on the ministry secretaries...

Read More

UNP is in need of new leadership: MP Ajith P Perera

Colombo (News 1st): MP Ajith P Perera expressed the following views at a media briefing regarding the future of the United National Party. He noted that new leadership is needed for the UNP and for the opposition. He added that everyone who voted for them and the ones who didn’t...

Read More

Forensic Audit Report submitted to the COPE

Colombo (News 1st): The Forensic Audit Report prepared by International Experts on the Central Bank Treasury Bond Scam was submitted to the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE). Speaking to News 1st today Chairman of COPE  Sunil Handunnetti noted that they have received...

Read More

Iraqi PM to resign after deadly anti-government protests

* The article originally appeared on www.aljazeera.com Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi has said he will submit his resignation to the country’s parliament after a day of intense bloodshed amid mass anti-government demonstrations. Abdul Mahdi’s decision, announced in a...

Read More

4 reforms to uplift Sri Lankan Rugby

Colombo (News 1st) – The Inter-Club Rugby League set to kick off this evening with the Navy SC taking on Havelock SC while CH & FC takes on the Army SC. 8 clubs will be vying for the league crown this year with Kandy seeking to retain its championship for the 6th consecutive...

Read More

Loans should be replaced with Foreign investments: State Min. Keheliya Rambukwella

Colombo (News 1st): State Minister of Investment Promotion Keheliya Rambukwella speaking about the garbage issue noted that importing garbage is not an investment to the country. However, he added that garbage has now become a commercial product and what is important is knowing...

Read More

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa thanks India for $400mn LOC to develop infrastructure and economy

Colombo (News 1st) – Following the meeting between President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Indian Premier Narendra Modi, the two heads of state hosted a joint media briefing. Addressing the briefing President Gotbaya Rajapaksa noted that his meeting with PM Modi was very cordial and...

Read More

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa meets Indian PM Narendra Modi

Colombo (News 1st) – President Gotabaya Rajapaksa who is on an official visit to India met with Indian Premier Narendra Modi and President Ram Nath Kovind today. In a tweet, the Indian premier noted that he was happy to receive President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on his first...

Read More

Deshapriya requests to step down from Chairman of NEC

Colombo (News 1st) – The Speaker’s office notes that Mahinda Deshapriya has submitted a request to the President to step down from the position of Chairman of the Elections Commission. Responding to the request, the Speaker as the Chairman of the Constitutional Council...

Read More

SC issues order preventing overseas travel for Jude Anthony Jayamaha

Colombo (News 1st) – The  Supreme Court has issued an interim injunction preventing overseas travel for Jude Anthony Jayamaha. Jayamaha was convicted of the infamous Royal Park murder and was sentenced to death in 2012 before he received a Presidential pardon on the...

Read More

Party leaders to meet in December to discuss General Election

Colombo (News 1st) – All registered political party leaders have been requested to attend a meeting at the National Elections Commission on the 4th of December. The meeting which is set to take place at 10am will be chaired by the Chairman of the Commission, Mahinda Deshapriya....

Read More

Government to ban oil palm cultivations

Colombo (News 1st) – Minister of Plantation Industries Dr. Ramesh Pathirana states that the Cabinet of Ministers has decided to ban the cultivation of oil palm. The Minister stated that the decision was reached at the recent cabinet meeting and added that the Government would...

Read More

Northern railway line operations restored

Colombo (News 1st) – Operations along the Northern Railway line which were disrupted due to the derailing of the Yal Devi train have been restored. The Railway control room notes that services to Anuradhapura, Jaffna, and KKS began, as usual, this morning. The Northern Railway...

Read More

3rd School term ends today

Colombo (News 1st) – The 3rd term of academic activities at Government schools ends today. Schools will commence academic activities for the new year on the 2nd of January. Education officials have informed School administrations to conduct cleaning activities at their respective...

Read More

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to meet Indian PM Modi today

Colombo (News 1st) – President Gotabaya Rajapaksa is due to meet Indian President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi today on his official two-day visit to India. President’s Media Director General Mohan Samaranayake said the welcome ceremony for President Rajapaksa...

Read More

Two arrested with 124 counterfeit notes

Colombo (News 1st) – The Police arrested two men for the possession of 124 counterfeit Rs 5000 notes from Kurunegala and also seized a computer used for the printing of these fake notes. Police said the suspects had used the fake notes to purchase groceries from a store in...

Read More

Comprehensive investigation into the alleged detention of Swiss embassy staffer: PM Mahinda Rajapaksa

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa stated that a comprehensive investigation into the alleged incident that took place at the office of the Swiss Embassy will continue, even without a complaint being lodged in this regard. Mahinda Rajapaksa, Prime Minister...

Read More

Candlelight vigil in memory of Yvonne Jonsson

COLOMBO (News 1st) – A candlelight vigil was held in memory of Yvonne Jonsson at the Women’s International Hall last evening. Yvonne Jonsson who had dual Sri Lankan and Swedish nationality was killed in the stairwell of the Colombo apartment building her family was living on...

Read More

Income TAX for monthly earnings over Rs 250K

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Cabinet co-spokesperson Minister Bandula Gunawardena convened a special media briefing today (November 28) to enlighten further on the tax concessions. Minister Bandula Gunawardena noted that from this day onwards the P-A-Y-E Tax will not be in effect in...

Read More

Opposition leadership crisis : Resolution in 48 hours – Mano Ganeshan

COLOMBO(News 1st) – The Speaker stated the post of an opposition leader will only come into effect when he makes an official announcement on the matter at the next Parliamentary session in keeping with Parliamentary tradition. He added that this will only be carried out after...

Read More

Uniform vouchers to be distributed in the 2nd week of January

COLOMBO(News 1st) – Minister of Education Dullas Alahapperuma made a statement about uniforms to school students. Dullas Alahapperuma, Minister of Education, Sports and Youth Affairs: “School vacation season starts tomorrow (November 29) and uniform vouchers were due to...

Read More

Do not be misled by people who cliam they have ties with the president-PMD

COLOMBO(News 1st) – The President’s Media Division said it received reliable reports with evidence to claim that certain individuals and groups are attempting to exploit the public by using various means to falsify that they have close contact with President Gotabaya Rajapaksa....

Read More

Tabs for students and Suraksha program suspended

COLOMBO(News 1st) – Joint Cabinet Spokesperson Minister Bandula Gunawardena addressing a media briefing said the provision of tabs for school students and the Suraksha Insurance scheme have been temporarily suspended until a proper investigation is carried out. Tabs for students...

Read More

Gammadda: Drinking water for students of Sudarshana Maha Vidyalaya

COLOMBO(News 1st) – Gammadda, a movement aimed at rural development and uplifting rural communities in Sri Lanka by providing practical and effective solutions to the issues faced by them, commenced another project today(November 28). The project was aimed at providing drinking...

Read More

Former Maldivian president Abdullah Yameen sentenced for 5 years in prison

COLOMBO(News 1st) – Maldivian media reports that Former Maldivian president Abdullah Yameen Abdul Gayyoom has been found guilty of money laundering. A five-judge bench unanimously concurred that Yameen is guilty on the charge of laundering state funds for personal gain. Yameen...

Read More

35-year-old sentenced to death for murder

Colombo (News 1st): A 35-year-old man was sentenced to death by Colombo High Court Judge Dhammika Ganepola for hacking to death a youth down Station Road in Ratmalana. The murder took place on the 10th of July 2003 and the defendant Devasiri Susantha Priyadarshana was sentenced...

Read More

Basil Rajapaksa permitted to travel to USA

Colombo (News 1st): The Colombo High Court today (November 28) granted permission for Minister Basil Rajapaksa to travel to the United States of America from the 05th of December till the 07th of March 2020 for medical reasons. High Court judge Gihan Kulantunga thereby ordered...

Read More

UNP wins the 2020 budget of Weligama Urban Council

Colombo (News 1st): The UNP won the 2020 budget of the Weligama Urban Council. The budget was presented this morning by the Chairman of the Weligama Urban Council Rehan Jayawickrema. 9 members from the UNP and 3 members from the SLFP voted in favor of the budget. The only member...

Read More