Dissolved Parliament will not be reconvened: President’s Secretary

COLOMBO (News 1st): In a letter to former Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, Secretary to the President Dr. P.B. Jayasundara said that the dissolved Parliament will not be reconvened. The letter has been drafted under the instructions of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. “The...

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Sri Lanka’s 2/3rd of COVID-19 positive patients “Asymptomatic”

COLOMBO (News 1st): Sri Lanka administering Hydroxychloroquine to COVID-19 patients although there is limited evidence available on the effectiveness of the medicine, authorities said adding that country’s 2/3rd of coronavirus positive patients are “Asymptomatic”. “Out...

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Over 20,000 PCR Tests conducted in Sri Lanka – Health Official

COLOMBO (News 1st): Sri Lanka has conducted more than 20,000 PCR tests and the number of tests are being increased with the number of COVID-19 cases in the country, while experts pointed that authorities should rely on the PCR testing instead of antibody testing for diagnosis...

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04 new cases reported today: Health Ministry

COLOMBO (News 1st): As of 6:30 pm on Thursday, the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases has risen to 653. The Ministry of Health said 04 new cases were confirmed today among people quarantined from Suduwella. Based on data at the Epidemiology Unit of the Ministry of Health,...

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Sri Lanka Human Rights commission: police violate constitution by arresting social media critics

COLOMBO (News 1st): The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka in a letter addressed to the Acting Inspector General of Police said the arrests made over critisizing public sector officials and policies across social media is in violation of the constitution. In a letter...

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Cabinet decisions taken to revive the COVID-19 impacted economy

COLOMBO (News 1st): The cabinet of ministers met on Wednesday and took several decisions including measures to revive the Covid-19 impacted economy with several relief measures to farmers and industries. One of the decisions was to establish a special loan scheme to assist...

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China to support Sri Lanka’s post COVID-19 Economic Revival

COLOMBO (News 1st): China on Wednesday reaffirmed its support for Sri Lanka to overcome its future challenges that arise due to the COVID-19 pandemic, to rebuild the island nation’s economy in the post-pandemicic situation. The Acting Ambassador and Chargé d’affaires of the...

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14 drug addicts among those who tested positive for COVID-19 in Sri Lanka

Colombo (News 1st); 14 people who tested positive for COVID-19 so far were found to have been addicted to drugs and narcotic substances. Deputy Police Chief Ajith Rohana speaking at the National Operations Centre for Preventing COVID-19 said the situation which was detected...

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Police officers test Negative for COVID-19

COLOMBO (News 1st): Sri Lanka Police reached a decision to direct all police officers present at a particular site, for PCR tests in the event a police officer comes in to contact with a COVID-19 patient. Police Spokesperson, SP Jaliya Senaratne speaking at the Police Headquarters...

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SL Airlines issues travel notice for students in Australia and UK

COLOMBO (News 1st): National carrier SriLankan Airlines requested students in United Kingdom and Australia who wish to be repatriated to register. “Students holding Sri Lankan passports in the United Kingdom or Australia who wish to be repatriated to Sri Lanka, are kindly advised...

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Civil Aviation Authority invites Drone Operators to join the fight against COVID-19

COLOMBO (News 1st): The Civil Aviation Authority has extended an invitation to drone operators to join the fight against COVID-19. Accordingly, the CAA invites drone operators having the potential capability and interest to offer drone technology services at this hour...

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People requested to bring a pen when visiting post offices

COLOMBO (News 1st): Post offices island-wide will open on Monday the 04th of May for official purposes. “It is mandatory to bring a pen when coming to the post office to sign relevant papers,” said Ranjith Ariyaratne, the Post Master General on Thursday (30th April). Once post...

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Government to Restrict Importation of some Agricultural Crops

COLOMBO (News 1st): The government has imposed restrictions on the importation of some agricultural crops amid the sharp depreciation of the rupee currency. The government has restricted the importation of Corn, Green gram, Peanut, Dried chilli, Black gram (Undu), Turmeric,...

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Can U.K. Prime Minister’s new born baby be infected with the Coronavirus?

COLOMBO (News 1st): U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his fiancé Carrie Symonds announced the birth of a son yesterday. A spokeswoman for the Premire and his partner said both mother and baby are “doing very well”. The newborn son of Boris Johnson, whose name has yet to...

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Millions of Indian migrants to return to their home states

COLOMBO (News 1st): India has said millions of people stranded by a nationwide lock down can now return to their home states. According to a notice issued by India’s Home Ministry, people will need to be screened for symptoms at both source and destination, and be quarantined....

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Update: Total recoveries in Sri Lanka at 139 – Global recoveries exceed 1 million

COLOMBO (News 1st): Total number of COVID-19 recoveries worldwide has exceeded the 1 Million mark. Total number of cases on a global scale is at a staggering 3,222,392. 228,270 people worldwide has succumbed to the virus. Meanwhile, in Sri Lanka, the Ministry of Health said...

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PM invites former MPs for a meeting on May 4th

COLOMBO (News 1st): The Prime Minister has invited all former members of the 8th Parliament for a meeting at Temple Trees on Monday, 04th May. The meeting which is scheduled to held at 10 am will be headed by Prime Minister, Mahinda Rajapaksa. “The prevailing situation...

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BCG Vaccine boosts immunity: Joint Cabinet Spokeserperson Dr. Pathirana

COLOMBO (News 1st): “Countries, where people had been administered the BCG vaccination, have better immunity to fight against the Virus,” says Joint Cabinet Spokesperson, Dr. Ramesh Pathirana. He was speaking at the cabinet media briefing today. Medical professionals have opined...

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Renowned Bollywood actor Rishi Kapoor dies aged 67

COLOMBO (News 1st): Bollywood actor Rishi Kapoor, famed for his romantic roles, has died at the age of 67 due to a cancer. He was part of the Kapoor acting dynasty which has long dominated Bollywood, the Hindi film industry. The actor made a huge splash in 1973 with his first...

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The risk of Dengue to intensify in the coming days: Health Authorities

COLOMBO (News 1st): Health authorities warn that there is a possibility, the risk of Dengue may increase in the coming days, especially in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Southern and North Western provinces. “The risk of Dengue has intensifed as the South-West Monsoon...

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World health experts will meet Thursday to assess COVID-19 pandemic

(UN News): International health experts will convene on Thursday to evaluate the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic and advise on updated recommendations, the head of the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Wednesday during his latest virtual press conference from Geneva....

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National Election Commission to convene on Saturday

COLOMBO (News 1st): The National Election Commission will convene on Saturday (2nd May). “The meeting will convene at 10:00 am,” said Saman Sri Rathnayake, the Commissioner General of the National Elections Commission. Secretaries of Politicals parties have also been called...

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Former Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera addresses a letter to the President

COLOMBO (News 1st): The government’s ability to make financial allocations will not be interrupted under the provisions of Article 150 part 3 of the constitution, Former Minister Susil Premajayantha said. Premjayantha said that there is no need for parliament to be reconvened...

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Sri Lanka’s COVID-19 infections rises to 649

COLOMBO (News1st): The number of COVID-19 patients in Sri Lanka rose to 649 on Wednesday, health officials said, after 30 people tested positive for the virus. Seven people have died after contracting the disease which started spreading in the country on March 11, while 136...

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Burden of leptospirosis severely underestimated in Sri Lanka – study

COLOMBO (News1st): The burden of the leptospirosis disease in Sri Lanka has been underestimated by a massive discrepancy in government figures, a medical study that can be confirmed by News1st, has shown. This week, a navy officer died due to leptospirosis, thrusting the disease...

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Sri Lanka declares island-wide curfew from tomorrow

COLOMBO (News1st): The government has announced that a curfew will be imposed in all districts except for the high-risk zones from Thursday until May 4, sending the country into an island-wide curfew. “The curfew which will be imposed at 8 pm on April 30 will be in effect until...

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48 drug addicts in Colombo ordered to self quarantine

Colombo (News 1st); DIG Ajith Rohana said on Wednesday, it was observed by the Intelligence Services and health officials that many of those who tested positive for COVID-19 from congested areas in Colombo were addicted drugs and other illegal substances and they were...

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41,700 arrested so far, for violating the curfew & 10,700 vehicles seized

Colombo (News 1st) 41,700 people were arrested by Sri Lanka Police, ever since the curfew was first imposed, for curfew violations while 10,700 vehicles were seized. Deputy Police Chief Ajith Rohana speaking at the National Operations Centre for Preventing COVID-19 said...

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SLDB auction worth 62 million dollars undersubscribed

COLOMBO (News1st): A 62 million dollar auction of Sri Lanka Development Bonds was undersubscribed on Wednesday with only bids worth USD 18 million coming from investors, Central Bank data showed. In March, a similar Sri Lanka Development Bonds of 220 million dollar auction...

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Homagama Base Hospital added to list of hospitals providing treatment for COVID-19

Colombo (News 1st); Three people tested positive for COVID-19 and they are sailors from the Welisara Naval Complex of the Sri Lanka Navy. Director-General of Health Services Dr. Anil Jasinghe speaking at the National Operations Centre for Preventing COVID-19 said a majority...

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226 sailors tested positive for COVID-19 & 3609 people undergoing quarantine

Colombo (News 1st); 226 sailors from the Sri Lanka Navy tested positive for COVID-19 and 147 of them were detected from the Welisara Naval Complex and the other 79 were sailors who had gone on leave. Acting Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Sri Lanka Army, Lieutenant...

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Import restrictions relaxed for raw materials

COLOMBO (News1st): Sri Lanka’s regulatory body for imports and exports has relaxed the import restrictions announced this month, to assist in bringing down raw materials from overseas. The finance ministry suspended the importation of 156 products in mid-April to curtail foreign...

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Don’t discriminate security forces personnel and their families, request from Defence Secretary

Colombo (News 1st);  Defence Secretary Retired Major General Kamal Gunaratne requested the public not to discriminate against security forces personnel and their families. The Defence Secretary said naval personnel who are now confined to the Welisara Naval Complex...

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Only use your credit card to make purchases from a reliable website; SL-CERT

Colombo (News 1st); The Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Readiness Team said an online credit card scam is taking place in Sri Lanka under the guise of home delivery. SL-CERT said it is receiving continuous complaints regarding such websites and requests the general public...

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Robot which can diagnose 200 diseases presented to the Prime Minister

COLOMBO (News1st): The government has drawn attention towards developing a locally manufactured robot that can provide medical advice, as part of efforts to combat COVID-19. This was after Pamuditha Premachandra, the founder of Nextbots – a robotics company, had demonstrated...

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MOH and 09 PHIs tested negative for COVID-19

Colombo (News 1st); The Medical Officer of Health or MOH for the Central Colombo Number 02 Office and 09 Public Health Inspectors were directed to self-quarantine. The move was as they were involved in the detection of COVID-19 patients from Bandaranaike Mawatha in Colombo...

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Sri Lanka removes ceiling prices on sugar

COLOMBO (News1st): Sri Lanka has removed the ceiling imposed on wholesale and retail prices on sugar to assist importers as the Sri Lankan rupee depreciated amidst a spike in world market prices. The consumer affairs authority (CAA), on Tuesday, reversed maximum prices imposed...

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Four private hospitals to conduct testing for COVID-19

COLOMBO (News1st): Four private hospitals have agreed to conduct 100 tests daily to detect COVID-19 patients, upon a request made by the government, amid calls to scale up testing. These tests “will be confined to samples sent by the government only”, the Association of Private...

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Bollywood actor Irrfan Khan dead at 53

Indian National Award-winning actor and cancer warrior Irrfan Khan, died in Mumbai after battling a medical complication arising from colon infection. He was 53 and is survived by his wife Sutapa Sikdar and two sons Babil and Ayan. News of his death was confirmed by Khan’s...

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Schools will only be opened after all necessary health measures are implemented

Colombo (News 1st); The Ceylon Teachers’ Union raised concerns over the health security at schools which would be used to house returning military personnel. Joseph Stalin, General Secretary of the Ceylon Teachers’ Union said at a time when military personnel and health...

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All military camps to be inspected by Special Presidential Task Force

Colombo (News 1st); The Special Presidential Task Force to ensure health security at tri-forces camps decided to inspect all military installations in the country. Governor of the Western Province Marshal of the Air Force Roshan Goonetileke who leads the Task Force speaking...

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31 people including 21 sailors tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday

Colombo (News 1st);  A total of 31 people tested positive for the Coronavirus on Tuesday in Sri Lanka. Acting Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Sri Lanka Army, Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva speaking to News 1st said 08 gallant navy sailors who were on leave...

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More than 41,500 arrested, since curfew was imposed, for violations

Colombo (News 1st);  Sri Lanka Police arrested 554 people during the 24-hour window which ended at 06 AM today for violating the curfew and seized 159 vehicles. Police Spokesperson SP Jaliya Senaratne said in total 41,557 people were arrested for curfew violations and...

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Govt. relaxes curfew restrictions for lawyers

COLOMBO (News1st): Lawyers have been granted special provisions to attend court sessions when the curfew is lifted, the President’s Office said, relaxing measures to limit people on the streets during this period. Last week, the government announced a mechanism which would...

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Sri Lanka’s economic growth to slide for fifth successive year : CBSL

COLOMBO (News1st): Sri Lanka’s central bank has predicted that the country’s economic growth will decline to 1.5 percent in 2020, due to the impact of the novel coronavirus, recording the decline for the fifth consecutive year. “…the economy is likely to be impacted severely...

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Second batch of Chinese Aid to combat COVID-19 handed over to Sri Lanka

Colombo (News 1st); The second batch of Chinese Government Aid was handed over to Sri Lanka by Chargé d’affaires of the Chinese Embassy Hu Wei. This includes 20,000 test kits, 10,000 KN95 masks, 100,000 surgical masks, 10,000 PPE coverall, 1,000 protective goggles and...

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206 Sri Lanka Navy sailors and contacts tested positive for COVID-19; DG Health Services

Colombo (News 1st); 08 people tested positive for the Coronavirus on Tuesday, 05 of them are Sri Lanka Navy Sailors who were on leave and the other 03 are from the Punani Quarantine Facility. Director-General of Health Services Dr. Anil Jasinghe speaking at the National...

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SLAF designed “Passenger Disinfection Chamber” commissioned at BIA

Colombo (News 1st); The Aeronautical Engineering Support Wing at Sri Lanka Air Force Base Ratmalana developed, fabricated, and installed a “Passenger Disinfection Chamber” at the Arrivals Terminal of the Bandaranayake International Airport. This new “Passenger Disinfection...

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164 Sri Lankans return from Bangalore, India and directed to 21-day quarantine

Colombo (News 1st);  164 Sri Lankans returned to the island from India aboard a special repatriation flight operated by SriLankan Airlines today. Admiral Jayanath Colombage, the Additional Secretary to the President for Foreign Relations speaking to News 1st said the flight...

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50 stranded Pakistanis repatriated from Sri Lanka

Colombo (News 1st); The Pakistan High Commission in Colombo coordinated with the Government of Pakistan and local Sri Lankan Authorities for the successful return of 50 stranded Pakistanis via Sri Lankan Airlines flight UL-1185. The group left Colombo on Tuesday morning. Deputy...

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