COLOMBO (News 1st) – Army Commander Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva has been appointed as the acting Chief of Defense staff by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Army Commander Shanvedra Silva was appointed as the acting Chief of Defense Staff as Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratna retired from office today.
Army Commander Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva appointed as the acting Chief of Defense staff
COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Switzerland Embassy in Sri Lanka says that the Embassy hopes for a swift return to an environment conducive to resuming the positive cooperation between Switzerland and Sri Lanka. In a statement to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the embassy said: “Switzerland and Sri Lanka have maintained excellent relations for decades, […]
Embassy of Switzerland hopes for a swift return to a positive cooperation
COLOMBO (News 1st) – Minister Susil Premajayantha was questioned about the digitalization of the public sector at a media briefing in Colombo today (December 31). Journalist: Medical history will be added to the NIC and our NIC will be added to this database. Since we don’t have data protection methods, someone can sneak into the system? […]
Experts to digitize the public services : Susil Premajayantha
COLOMBO (News 1st) – Joint cabinet spokesperson, Minister Bandula Gunawardena noted that plans were drafted to increase the number of university admission by 25%(181 000 students) compared to the previous year. He added that 300 universities are planned to be constructed in the next 5 years representing every divisional secretariat for this purpose under the supervision […]
University admission to be increased by 25%: Bandula Gunawardena
COLOMBO (News 1st) – The total outstanding foreign debt of the government has increased by 60% during the past decade. Economists point out, the government will have to obtain more debt, to repay the existing foreign debt. By the end of 2009, an average of US$ 1bn was paid out as foreign debt repayment annually. […]
Debt will paid using consolidated funds: Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena
COLOMBO (News 1st) – Former Minister Dr Rajitha Senaratne is further hospitalized and is currently under medical treatment. Leader of the United National Party Ranil Wickremesinghe visited the parliamentarian and inquired into his health. UNP MPs and family were also seen visiting the parliamentarian at the private hospital in Narahenpita today. Journalist: Don’t you think the […]
A prisoner can only be kept in a government hospital : Udaya Gammanpila
COLOMBO (News 1st) – Parliamentarian Ashok Abeysinghe challenged the Government today (December 31). UNP MP Ashok Abeysinghe: “Are they re-investigating the Thajudeen case? What about the bag of gems. What about the CSN case and the Siriliya Account? No one talks of these. Ekneligoda’s murder, Keith Noir’s case, and Lasantha Wikcremetunge’s case. No one speaks […]
COLOMBO(News 1st) – Convening a media briefing today (December 31) the Cabinet spokesperson Minister Bandula Gunawardena stated that the tax relief that government accorded will be in effect from tomorrow (January 1). Economic service tax, Debt tax of financial institutions and Banks, Capital Tax on the basis of the Profit of the Stock Market, Payee […]
COLOMBO (News 1st) – Senior DIG in charge of the Central Province, S.M.Wickremesinghe retired from his position today (December 31). An event to bid farewell to the DIG was held at the Police grounds in Kandy yesterday. Senior DIG S.M.Wickremesinghe was appointed to the position, following the retirement of N.K. Ilangakoon. Although S.M.Wickremesinghe’s name was […]
COLOMBO (News 1st) – Former Minister Rishad Bathiudeen expressed the views regarding the controversial resettlement in Mannar during an event held in Mattakuliya today. Rishad Bathiudeen noted that the resettlement in Mannar occurred during the Rajapaksa government. He added that the resettlement was aided by the Rajapaksas and after the operation was carried out they […]
Rajapaksas helped me with resettlements in Mannar : Rishad Bathiudeen
COLOMBO (News 1st) – Dozens of protesters broke into the US embassy compound in Iraqi capital Baghdad on Tuesday after smashing a main door and setting fire to a reception area, prompting tear gas and sounds of gunfire. Witnesses at the scene reported flames rising from inside the compound and at least three US soldiers […]
COLOMBO(News 1st) – The Ministry of Buddashasana and Cultural Affairs states a special survey will be carried out on the historical sites in the Northern and Eastern provinces. Secretary to the ministry MKB Harischandra said that based on the instructions of the Minister of Buddashasana and Cultural Affairs, they would conduct a joint survey with […]
COLOMBO(News 1st) – A Special Law Enforcement Unit has been to crack-down on criminal organizations operating from Avissawella to Wellampitiya. This unit will be supervised by the DIG in charge of the Western and Northern Division. According to the Ministry of Defence, the objective of setting up this unit is to dismantle an extortion racket where […]
COLOMBO(News 1st) – Chief of Defence Staff Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne retired from his position, today(December 31). A ceremony to mark the occasion was held at the BMICH in Colombo. Commanders of the forces, acting Inspector General of Police and several other dignitaries attended the event. CDS Admiral Wijegunarathna joined the Sri Lanka Navy in November 1980 […]
Chief of Defence Staff Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne retires
COLOMBO(News 1st) – The Sri Lanka Transport Board says it has taken steps to import 2,000 new buses. An official attached to the SLTB said the new buses will arrive in the country within the first three months of next year. He added, the SLTB is facing a deficit of 1,650 buses at present. An official […]
COLOMBO(News 1st) – According to the annual labor force survey issued by the department of statistics, unemployment in Sri Lanka has increased to 4.4% in 2018, from 4.2% in 2017. A reduction in the employed population is mainly due to the reduction in female labour participation. The highest rate of unemployment was in the Eastern […]
Colombo (News 1st) – One person has been arrested in Settikulam, Vavuniya for the possession of 1 KG of Heroin. The arrest was made during a joint raid carried out by the Police and Army. The value of the Heroin is estimated to be Rs. 10 million. The arrested individual is a 24-year-old resident of […]
Colombo (News 1st) – The Former Chairman of the State Pharmaceutical Corporation, Dr. Rumi Mohammed has been arrested in connection to the white van press conference. He was arrested after he surrendered to the CID this morning. Dr. Mohammed allegedly paid Rs 1 million each to two individuals to appear at a press conference and level […]
Former SPC Chairman arrested in connection to white van accusers
Colombo (News 1st) – An individual was stabbed to death with the use of a sharp weapon in the Malayalapuram area in Kilinochchi. According to the Police, the victim is a 38-year-old area resident. The Police added that the murder is believed to have occurred due to a personal dispute. Further investigations are currently underway. […]
Colombo (News 1st) – A motor accident that occurred in close proximity to the Ranwala junction in Warakapola, along the Colombo-Kandy main road, claimed the lives of 4 persons. According to the Police the accident, which occurred early this morning, was between a lorry and a three-wheeler. The deceased have been identified as Air force […]
Colombo (News 1st) – Two suspects that were receiving treatment at the Panadura base hospital under Police protection have fled the hospital. According to the Police, one of the suspects was arrested for stealing spare parts from vehicles while the other had been arrested on a drug charge. The Police added that they were hospitalized […]
COLOMBO (News 1st) – The CID today (December 30) recorded a statement from former Minister Rishad Bathiudeen regarding the April 21st attacks. After providing a statement for almost three hours, the former minister speaking to the media assured that he is not even remotely connected to the attacks and is providing his fullest support to the […]
Former Minister Rishad Bathiudeen provides a statement to the CID
COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Government Medical Officers Association today (December 30) provided a statement to the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption with regard to an investigation on alleged fraud and corruption said to have taken place at the Health Ministry during Rajitha Senaratne’s tenure as the subject Minister. Dr Haritha Aluthge, the […]
COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Colombo Chief Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne ordered that former minister Dr Rajitha Senaratne be granted bail when the matter was taken up earlier today. Rajitha Senaratne was remanded on the 27th of December over a case filed by the Criminal Investigations Department with regard to the controversial ‘white-van’ press conference. MP […]
COLOMBO (News 1st) – Registrar of the Asgiriya Chapter of the Siam Sect, Ven. Medagoda Dhammananda Thero, making a statement to the media today stated that monks should not contest the forthcoming parliamentary elections. Ven. Medagama Dhammananda Thero stated that there is an increase of Buddhist monks attempting to enter Parliament. Thero emphasized that monks must […]
Not appropriate for clergy to contest at the general election : Ven. Medagama Dhammananda Thero
COLOMBO (News 1st) – Garnier Banister Francis, the employee of the Embassy of Switzerland who was allegedly abducted, was released on bail earlier today (December 30). The order was given when her case was taken up by Colombo Chief Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne. Garnier Banister Francis was remanded by officials of the Criminal Investigations Department, based […]
Swiss embassy staffer granted bail under strict bail conditions
COLOMBO (News 1st) – The report of the Presidential Commission to probe the Central Bank Treasury Bond Scam was handed over to former President Maithripala Sirisena exactly two years ago. The Presidential Commission led by former Supreme Court Justice KT Chitrasiri made several key recommendations on instituting possible action against those responsible. 4 years and […]
COLOMBO (News 1st) – President Gotabaya Rajapaksa spoke about the importance of collecting people’s information by one National Data Centre at a special meeting. The meeting was held at the Presidential Secretariat today. The discussion was held between the President and several senior officials of the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology this morning. President […]
One data center for all the registration functions: President Gotabaya Rajapaksa
COLOMBO (News 1st) – UNP MP Palitha Range Bandara spoke at a media briefing which was held at the UNP Headquarters Sirikotha today. Palitha Range Bandara stated that this was a government that was formed through deceit and it will end that way as well. He added that the government made a false claim to the […]
This is a government that was formed through deceit: Range Bandara
COLOMBO (News 1st) – 350,000kg of expired rice was discovered from a Sathosa storage facility in Hingurakgoda today. The stock was discovered following an inspection carried out by the All Ceylon Farmers Federation. A group including the national organizer of the All Ceylon Farmers Federation, inspected the Sathosa warehouse today. Stocks of paddy were still […]
COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka must repay US$ 4.8 billion as external foreign debt next year. This is thus far, the largest debt repayment in the history of Sri Lanka. As per Central Bank statistics, outstanding central government debt increased to Rs. 12,863.5 bn by the end of August 2019. Accordingly, the total debt […]
COLOMBO(News 1st) – P.S.M. Charles was sworn in today, as the New Governor of the Northern Province before President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. She was the Former Customs Director-General.
Reuters – German cabin crew will go on strike from Monday to Wednesday next week at Lufthansa’s budget airline Germanwings, the UFO labour union said on Friday (December 27). The strike is an escalation of a months-long dispute with Lufthansa and its subsidiaries over pay and pensions. Lufthansa management and UFO last month agreed to […]
German cabin crew union says to strike next week at Germanwings
Reuters – Tokyo 2020 organizers will take “emergency countermeasures” after asbestos was found at the water polo venue for next year’s Games after initially opting against treating it when it was discovered two years ago, Asahi newspaper reported on Monday (December 30). Asbestos, which was once widely used in fireproofing and insulation, has been linked […]
Reuters – Thousands of residents and holidaymakers have been told to evacuate a swathe of Victoria as soaring temperatures and strong winds fanned massive bushfires in the Australian state on Monday (December 30). With the mercury set to top 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) in Melbourne, authorities urged an estimated 30,000 tourists to leave East […]
Thousands evacuated from Australian tourist haven as bushfires rage
The Fortune Business Insight estimated that the global blockchain technology market size is expected to reach USD 21,070 million by the end of 2025, with a compound annual growth rate of 38.4%, showing a promising start for the upcoming technology. In a blockchain, transactions can be thought of as “blocks”, once verified by a network, […]
A Block to be Unchained? – Blockchain Implementation in Sri Lanka
Colombo (News 1st) – The Swiss Embassy staffer that was allegedly abducted and questioned, has been released on bail by the Colombo Magistrate’s court. The case was taken up before Colombo Chief Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne today. The embassy staffer was arrested on the 16th of this month by the CID based on the instructions of […]
Colombo (News 1st) – Former Minister Rajitha Senaratne has been granted bail by the Colombo Magistrate’s Court. Senaratne was released on 2 suerties of Rs 500,000 after he was produced before court today. The Colombo Magistrate’s court also extended the overseas travel ban imposed on the former minister and called on him to hand over his […]
Colombo (News 1st) – A fully equipped, state of the art veterinary hospital has been constructed in the premises of the Dehiwala Zoo. According to the Department of National Zoological Gardens, the two-storyed hospital is due to be declared open in the coming days. The hospital also comes equipped with special machinery to assist in […]
Colombo (News 1st) – The Department of Railways notes that steps will be taken to recruit 180 individuals into the Railway Security Service. Superintendent of Railway Security, Anura Premaratne noted that the recruitments will be made based on the written examination that was held yesterday. Pr4emaratne added that around 9000 candidates sat for the exam […]
Colombo (News 1st) – 10 people suffered injuries in a motor accident that occurred in the Irattaperiyakulam area in Vavuniya. According to the Police, the accident occurred when a bus plying from Tangalle to Jaffna veered off the road. The injured were admitted to the Vavuniya hospital for treatment.
COLOMBO (News 1st) – President Gotabaya Rajapaksa met with Heads of Local Government Institutions today (December 29) at his official residence. Addressing the meeting the President said, it is the responsibility of the representatives of the people to act in a way that would fulfil the expectations of the people. The President pointed out that […]
We need a strong parliament to discard the 19th amendment : President Gotabaya Rajapaksa
COLOMBO (News 1st) – The latest research revealed information regarding the possibility of plastic waste in the ocean might end up in human bodies. According to research done by the World Wild Life Fund and the Newcastle University in Australia, per week, all humans around the world on average consume an amount of plastic which […]
People consume plastic equal to a credit card in size weekly : World Wild Life Fund
COLOMBO(News 1st) – Will the position of speaker change at the new parliamentary session? State Minister Vasudeva Nanayakkara made an open invitation to Speaker Karu Jayasuriya on the matter. Vasudeva Nanayakkara, State Minister of Water Supply Facilities noted that although the President and Prime Minister have changed, the speaker has not. He added that the Speaker […]
Speaker should comprehend the public mandate: Vasudeva Nanayakkara
COLOMBO (News 1st) – The order to transfer Dr Rajitha Senaratne who is currently at a private hospital in Colombo, to the Prison’s hospital was halted. Chief Medical Officer of the Prison’s Hospital, arrived at the private hospital in Narahenpita, to inquire into the health condition of Dr Rajitha Senaratne. The Department of Prisons instructed the […]
COLOMBO (News 1st) – The first foreign investment under the new government of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa will be launched soon. Issuing a release, the Ministry of Finance, Economy and Policy Development said US$ 250 million mixed project of a 30 storied commercial tower with 700 residences will be built. This investment will be made on […]
COLOMBO (News 1st) – Former Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka who was released on bail recently, appeared before the Colombo Crimes Division today (December 29). According to an order issued by the Colombo Magistrate’s Court, the minister must appear before the CCD every last Sunday of the month. Patali Champika Ranawaka, who was remanded on a […]
COLOMBO (News 1st) – Representatives from the opposition as well as from the ruling faction urge the government to take legal action against the perpetrators behind the Central Bank Bond Scam. Rose Fernando, Katana Electoral Organizer to the UNP noted that everybody expected President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to bring the bond scam culprits before the law and it […]
Whoever is responsible for the bond scam should be punished : Rose Fernando, Katana UNP Organizer
COLOMBO (News 1st) – State Minister Vasudeva Nanayakkara spoke about views expressed with regard to the language of the national anthem today (December 29). He expressed these views at a media briefing in Eheliyagoda. Vasudeva Nanayakkara, State Minister of Water Supply Facilities stated that the constitution ensures the right of the Tamil people to sing the […]
Singing the anthem in Tamil will help them be a part of us : Vasu
COLOMBO (News 1st) – A gem miner in the Uda-Karawita area in Nivithigala, Ratnapura, died inside the mine. Police suspect the death occurred due to inhaling toxic gas. It has been revealed that the mine worker who had been working at a gem mine in the 12th post area of Udakarawita had entered the mine […]
The Department of Meteorology says showers or thundershowers are likely in parts of the Northern, North-central, Eastern and Uva provinces t...
