Protests called off following talks with officials

Colombo (News 1st): Protests were held opposite the Presidential Secretariat based on several demands. The protests concluded following talks with the President’s Secretary and representatives of the Prime Minister’s Office. A group of individuals claiming to have been sacked...

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Democracy won’t assist in developing Sri Lanka: H.D. Karunaratne

Colombo (News 1st): Senior Economist H.D. Karunaratne says that democracy in Sri Lanka will not assist in developing the country and regular elections will hinder the consistency in the economy. A public lecture titled “Entrepreneurial Thinking & Public Sector Reforms –...

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Podujana Eksath Perumana to amend party constitution

Colombo (News 1st): The Podujana Eksath Perumana convened last night (Jan 30), and decided to amend its party constitution. The decision to amend the constitution targets their objective to form an alliance with the SLPP. The Podu Jana Eksath Peramuna that convened last evening...

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Wildlife officer’s body to be brought home

Colombo (News 1st): The remains of a Wildlife officer who was killed in a wild elephant attack will be brought to his home tonight (Jan 31). The officer had died during an operation in the Tambuttegama area. A six-day long operation was carried out near the Kuda Gal Vihara...

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Telephone conversation between old and new PM

Colombo (News 1st): In a telephone conversation with Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe had announced he would seek Indian assistance to bring-down face masks to Sri Lanka to combat the coronavirus. The content of the conversation disclosed at...

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Sajith Premadasa gets sweeping powers in new alliance

Colombo (News 1st): Parliamentarian Nalin Bandara spoke about powers that will be vested with Sajith Premadasa when leading the proposed alliance. An agreement has also been reached to nominate Sajith Premadasa as the Prime Ministerial candidate in addition to vesting him with...

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Sri Lanka and Pakistan will engage in more business : Minister Wimal Weerawansa

Colombo (News 1st): A lifestyle exhibition was held at the BMICH today (Jan 31) which showcased Pakistan’s culture and traditions. The event was organized by the Pakistani High Commission and saw the participation of several dignitaries including Pakistani High Commissioner...

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Chinese nationals in Sri Lanka advised to confine themselves

Colombo (News 1st): The Department of Immigration and Emigration has taken steps to send a letter of advice to Chinese nationals who are in Sri Lanka with residence visas. Controller General of Immigration and Emigration Pasan Ratnayake noted that accordingly...

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MCC is not as transparent as claimed: Pubudu Jagoda

Colombo (News 1st): Propaganda Secretary of the Frontline Socialist Party Pubudu Jagoda expressed these views regarding the Millenium Challenge Corporation Compact. “MCC is an institution established to provide aid to many countries in the world. However, it is not as transparent...

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At the root of drug trafficking is politicians: State Minister Vidura Wickremenayake

Colombo (News 1st): Heroin with a street value Rs. 2 billion was discovered from Bandaragama yesterday (Jan 30). Speaking regarding this at a program in Kalutara State Minister Vidura Wickremenayake noted that these narcotics are being used by the younger generation of the...

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Bandaragama Heroin Raid: suspects to be questioned

Colombo (News 1st): The Panadura Magistrate has allowed the police up to 7 days to question suspects arrested during a raid in Bandaragama that resulted in the discovery of 192kg of heroin. The Peliyagoda Special Crimes Operations Unit seized 192 kilograms of heroin with a...

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Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage permitted to travel overseas

Colombo (News 1st): The Permanent High Court Trial at Bar permitted Minister Mahindannda Aluthgamage to travel overseas for official purposes from the 10th to the 25th of February. The Trial at Bar ordered the Registrar to release the defendant’s passport and ordered for the...

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April Attacks: 6 suspects remanded till February 14th

Colombo (News 1st): 06 people including Mohamed Ibrahim, the father of the suicide bomber responsible for the attack on the Shangri-La Hotel on the 21st of April were remanded until 14th February by Colombo Additional Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali Jayasundara. The 06 suspects...

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Aircraft to Wuhan to airlift Sri Lankan students

Colombo (News 1st)L Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi confirmed an aircraft left Sri Lanka this evening (Jan31), to airlift a group of Sri Lankan students trapped in Wuhan, China which is in lockdown since the first case of the coronavirus outbreak was reported. Speaking...

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15 schools closed for Independence day rehearsals

Colombo (News 1st): 15 government, Private and International Schools in the Colombo district will be closed on the 3rd of February, due to Independence Day celebration rehearsals. According to the Ministry of Public Administration, Home Affairs and Local Government the final...

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Sajith Premadasa recieves sweeping powers in the new alliance

Colombo (News 1st) – Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has been vested with a whole slew of new powers through the UNP Working Committee meeting that was held at Sirikotha on Thursday (Jan 30). According to MP Nalin Bandara Jayamaha, the working committee had approved Sajith...

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Agriculture Ministry shifted to Govi Jana Mandiraya

Colombo (News 1st) – The Ministry of Agriculture that was located inside a privately held building in Rajagiriya, was relocated to the Govi Jana Mandiraya in Battaramulla today. The relocation of the Agriculture ministry commenced this morning, following religious observances....

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Special aircraft to Wuhan to be deployed soon – Acting Ambassador K.Yoganadan

Colombo (News 1st) – The Embassy of Sri Lanka in China states that discussions pertaining to the extraction of the 33 Sri Lankan students in Wuhan China have been successful. Acting Ambassador K.Yoganadan they would be able to deploy a special aircraft to bring these students...

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Pathfinder Study on Managing Foreign Policy & Relations with UN System handed over to President

Colombo (News 1st) – A ‘Study on Managing Foreign Policy & Relations with the UN System, ’ prepared by the  Pathfinder Foundation was Presented to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa recnetly at the Presidential Secretariat. Through the study the Pathfinder Foundation, a...

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2 police officers summoned before 4/21 commission

Colombo (News 1st) – 2 Police officers have been summoned before the Presidential Commission to investigate the April 21st terror attack. The police officers that have been summoned are the ASP in charge of Mawanella and the OIC of the Kadawatha Police. The Presidential commission...

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Foreign minister of Luxembourg arrives in Sri Lanka

Colombo (News 1st) – Jean Asselborn, the Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of Luxembourg arrived in the country last night (Jan 30). Asselborn and his delegation was welcomed at the BIA by Foreign Secretary Ravinatha Aryasinghe.  According to...

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Protest continues opposite the Presidential Secretariat

Colombo (News 1st) – The protest launched opposite the Presidential Secretariat citing a number of demands, continue to take place today. According to our reporters in the area, the protestors have blocked the flow of vehicular traffic along the Galle face road heading out...

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WHO declares Coronavirus as a global emergency

Colombo (News 1st) – The new coronavirus has been declared a global emergency by the World Health Organization, as the outbreak continues to spread outside China. The concern is that it could spread to countries with weaker health systems. At least 213 people have died from...

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CBSL reduces both SDR and SLR rates in first monetary policy review for 2020

COLOMBO (News 1st):- The Central Bank announced its first monetary policy review for 2020 this year, reduced key policy interest rates citing the need to support an economic recovery and forecasted a growth rate of 4% for 2020. The Central Bank today (January 30) in its first...

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Sajith Premadasa appointed to lead alliance at upcoming election; RW continues to lead UNP

COLOMBO (News 1st):- United National Party Working committee has decided to nominate Sajith Premadasa as the Prime Ministerial candidate, the leadership of the alliance to face the upcoming election and also to appoint him as the chairman of the Election Nomination Board. Issuing...

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Ranil suggests importing face masks from India

COLOMBO (News 1st):- Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and the United National Party leader Ranil Wickremesinghe engaged in a telephone conversation with regard to the Coronavirus yesterday (January 29). Parliamentarian Kavinda Jayawardena said that the UNP leader had suggested...

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Relatives of SL students trapped in Wuhan appeals at UN office

COLOMBO (News 1st):- Relatives of students trapped in the Chinese city of Wuhan which is the epicenter of the Coronavirus outbreak, appealed at the United Nations office in Colombo to intervene and cater to the requirements of the students. In response, Foreign Secretary...

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Chinese government expediting request for a special flight to evacuate Sri Lankans in Wuhan

COLOMBO (News 1st):-  Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Relations Ravinatha Aryasinha says the Chinese Government is expediting the request made for a special aircraft landing in Wuhan City which will allow the evacuation of the Sri Lankan students and their family...

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Government to take over estates?

COLOMBO (News 1st):- Quoting Cabinet Spokesman Bandula Gunawardene, the Government Information Department website states that estates of all plantation companies that fail to pay the Rs. 1000 daily minimum wage to its employees will be taken over by the government.   Government...

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Ranil to remain UNP leader

COLOMBO (News 1st):- The UNP working committee meeting chaired by Party Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe at the Sirikotha party headquarters ended a short while ago. In protest against the decision to remove Ajith P. Perera, Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka, Imitiaz Bakeer Markar and...

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Validity of uniform vouchers extended

COLOMBO (News 1st):- Issuing a media release, the Ministry of Education has extended the validity period of the vouchers which were issued for the purchase of uniforms and school shoes. Thereby, the vouchers which were set to expire on the 31st of January has been extended...

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50 year old arrested with 13000 illegal cigarattes

COLOMBO (News 1st):- A 50-year-old individual was arrested with over 13,000 cigarettes of different varieties. The arrest was made in a special raid carried out by the Police STF in North Batagama, Ja-Ela. The value of the cigarettes discovered from the suspects’ possession...

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Over 30 UNP members boycott working committee meeting

Colombo (News 1st) – 30 to 40 members of the United National Party Working Committee have decided to boycott the working committee meeting set for today. According to internal party sources, the group had decided to boycott the meeting due to actions taken to disrupt the...

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Sri Lanka need not fear of Chinese Visitors, says Chinese Embassy

COLOMBO (News 1st):- The Government Information Department issued a statement on further clarifications made by the Chinese Embassy in Colombo on the Coronavirus which has affected many countries. The statement notes the Chinese authorities have established an all-dimensional...

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First case of coronavirus confirmed in India; student tested positive in Kerala

“Patient has been tested positive for Coronavirus in Kerala, India and is in isolation at the hospital. The patient is currently being closely monitored,”a PIB statement said. The first confirmed case of Novel Coronavirus has been reported from Kerala where a student studying...

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Party seniors not invited to UNP working committee meeting

Colombo (News 1st) – It has been revealed that a number of UNP seniors have not been invited to attend the UNP Working Committee which is scheduled to begin at 3pm today. Former UNP Minister Imthiaz Bakeer Markar speaking to News1st that he has not been invited to the meeting....

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Multiple protests in Colombo cause road closures and heavy traffic

Colombo (News 1st) – The section of the road from the NSA Roundabout on Galle Road to the Galle Face roundabout has been closed by police following a protest organized by Government Workers including those attached to the Central Cultural Fund. These employees demand their...

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Rs 130bn supplementary estimate to be submitted to Parliament

Colombo (News 1st) – The Government plans on presenting a proposal for a supplementary estimate of Rs 130 billion in order to facilitate the payment of arrears from the previous government. The proposal is to be presented in Parliament next week. Co-Cabinet spokesperson...

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Navy arrests 4 Indian nationals for smuggling gold

Colombo (News 1st) – The Sri Lanka Navy apprehended 04 Indian nationals with a stock of gold being smuggled via sea, during a patrol conducted in the sea area off Kudiramalai on 29th January 2020. The Navy discovered 41 gold biscuits being concealed on a suspicious fishing...

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18 live hand grenades discovered in Puthukudiyiruppu

Colombo (News 1st) – A raid conducted by the Sri Lanka Navy and the Police STF on Wednesday (Jan 29) in the Puthukudiyiruppu area led to the discovery of 18 live hand grenades. The hand grenades had been buried on the side of the road at the time of discovery. According to...

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17 suspected Coronavirus patients at the IDH, 5 discharged after negative tests

Colombo (News 1st) – 17 suspects Coronavirus patients have been admitted to the Infectious Diseases Hospital (IDH) in Angoda. According to officials at the Ministry of Health, 6 patients were admitted to the IDH over the past 24 hours. 5 patients who were receiving treatment...

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Police recover 192kg of heroin from Horana

Colombo (News 1st) – The Peliyagoda Police Special Crimes Division has recovered a haul of 192kg of Heroin, during a raid conducted in the Horana area. According to the Police 3 suspects (2 women, 1 man) were arrested with the haul of drugs. The police also took into...

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6 tested patients do not have Coronavirus – Dr. Anil Jasinghe

Colombo (News 1st) – The Medical Research Institute (MRI) has cleared 6 patients who were believed to have contracted the Coronavirus. Director-General of Health Services Dr. Anil Jasinghe speaking to News1st stated that the MRI tested 6 samples yesterday and that none of them...

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UNP working Committee to meet today

Colombo (News 1st) –  The working committee of the United National Party is set to convene at 3PM today at the Party HQ in Sirikotha, under the auspices of Party Leader Ranil Wickramasinghe While the tenure of the Working Committee elapsed on the 31st of December, it is...

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Legal action initated against opportunistic vendors

Colombo (News 1st) – The Consumer Affairs Authority stated that legal action has been filed against 4 stores that sold face masks above the maximum retail price. A senior official stated that 4 shops in Ratnapura and Colombo have been subject to legal action. Raids were...

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12 hour water cut for Maharagama and Boralesgamuwa

Colombo (News 1st) – The Water Board has announced that the Maharagama and Boralesgamuwa Municipal Areas will face a 12-hour water cut from 8 AM today (Jan 30). The water cut is being experienced due to the essential maintenance work being carried out by the Lanka Electricity...

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A new power plant to be constructed every 2 years : State Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage

Colombo (News 1st): State Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage expressed the following views with regard to the government’s future power generation plans, during a media briefing today (Jan 29). “The Ministry of Power has no plan to amend the act to construct power plants in...

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SL Defence Ministry to regularize private security agencies

Colombo (News 1st): The Defence Ministry in Sri Lanka says it will regularize private security services by introducing minimum wage for security guards, registration of new security firms and renewal of licenses. Defence Secretary Maj. Gen. (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne said plans...

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Wickremesinghes and Rajapaksas will protect each other when in power: Wasantha Samarasinghe

Colombo (News 1st): Former Chairman of the Committee on Public Enterprises Sunil Handunnetti last week requested not to undermine the forensic audit reports of the Bond Scam. He made these remarks upon considering matters raised by the government with regard to the institutions...

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Forensic Audit shows my innocence: MP Ravi Karunanayake

Colombo (News 1st): MP Ravi Karunanayake called on the Chief Prelates of the Asgiriya and Malwatte Chapters earlier today. MP Karunanayake who arrived at the Malwatte Mahaviharaya early this morning first visited the Chief Prelate Most Venerable Thibbatuwe Sri Sumangala Thero....

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