Sri Lanka’s COVID-19 infections reach 1631

COLOMBO (News1st) : Sri Lanka’s coronavirus cases rose to 1631 on Sunday after 11 people tested positive for the virus. Nine people who returned from overseas and two navy personnel were among the new infections, the health ministry said. Meanwhile, 20 people recovered from...

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Ranil urges Sri Lanka to enter into free trade deal with India

COLOMBO (News1st): Former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has said Sri Lanka must enter into a free trade agreement with India, in a bid to mitigate the economic impact of the coronavirus. “…the new free trade agreement with India; we must go into that, we have no option,”...

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Sajith hits out at Mt. Lavinia beach project ; urges more relief for the people

COLOMBO (News1st): Former opposition leader Sajith Premadasa has criticized the beach nourishment project in Mount Lavinia, urging the government to prioritize people over infrastructure development amidst the coronavirus. “Are projects such as land reclamation on the Mount...

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35-year-old man killed in Ambalantota over a dispute

A person has been murdered in Bogaha junction, in Ambalantota with a sharp object. The victim was a 35-year-old resident from that area and the incident had taken place following a dispute, the Police said. The Suspect had fled the scene and further investigations are being...

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Locusts attack multiple farmlands in Kurunegala – measures taken to contain the spread

Colombo (News 1st); Hundreds of thousands of locusts have attacked multiple farmlands in Mawathagama, Kurunegala in the North West of Sri Lanka. The worst affected is the Francisco Estate, where hundreds if maize, plantain, guava, and mango cultivations fell victims to...

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Outdated websites vulnerably to cyber attacks, IT group warns

COLOMBO (News1st): Several outdated Sri Lankan websites are vulnerable to cyber attacks, a local IT group has warned, after three state-managed websites came under attack on Saturday. “The government must pay special attention towards the security of Sri Lankan websites,” the...

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Dr Sanjiva Weerawarana resigns from ICTA alleging mismanagement

A leading IT professional in the country Dr Sanjiva Weerawarana has resigned from the Board of the Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA), Sri Lanka alleging mismanagement. “I can’t watch an Rs. 9B tender for driving licenses or an Rs. 3B tender for issuing...

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Gymnasiums instructed to ensure equipment is placed 04 feet apart

Colombo (News 1st);  Recently, the guidelines to carry out public life and professional activities avoiding the spread of Covid-19, titled “Combat Covid-19 with a New Style of Life”, were released. Gymnasiums were also issued with special instructions to re-open. Accordingly,...

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Austrian Grand Prix to start off F1 Season

Austrian officials announced yesterday that the 2020 Austrian Grand Prix has been given the green light to start off the Formula 1 season. Having seen the first ten races of the 2020 season either cancelled or postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, F1 officials have long targeted...

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No data breach occured in cyber-attack attempts – SLCERT

Colombo (News 1st); Sri Lanka CERT|CC has confirmed a couple of websites in Sri Lanka were defaced by a group of activists. The Defence Ministry is a statement on Sunday quoted the Chief Executive Officer of the Sri Lanka CERT|CC Lal Dias stating the ultimate goal...

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SpaceX & NASA sent 2 astronauts into orbit

The private rocket company SpaceX has sent two NASA astronauts into orbit. It is the first time since the retirement of the shuttles nine years ago that an American crew has made the journey from US territory. Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken are trialling a new capsule system and...

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Weddings allowed to be conducted from 1st of June.

Hotels will be allowed to conduct weddings from the 01st of June onwards, the Ministry of Tourism and Aviation said. Hotels will be allowed to accommodate only one-third of the reception hall’s capacity while maintaining 1.5 meters of social distancing among people, Secretary...

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Practical & effective methods should be followed when reopening schools : Health Ministry

The Ministry of Health has instructed the relevant authorities to prepare practical and effective methodology to reopen schools. The Ministry has issued circulars to all provincial and zonal education directors, with guidelines in this regard, Secretary to the Ministry M.H.M....

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UPDATE: No. of COVID-19 cases in Sri Lanka rises to 1620

The number of COVID-19 cases recorded in the country rose to 1,620 with the discovery of 62 new patients yesterday. This brings the number of patients currently under medical treatment to 829, the Ministry of Health said. So far, 781 patients have made recovered and discharged...

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GMOA recommends on-arrival testing to prevent second coronavirus wave

COLOMBO (News1st) : A medical officers body has recommended on-arrival testing for those arriving in Sri Lanka from overseas, as part of a five point recommendation to prevent a second wave of coronavirus cases. “A clear and efficient plan is required to prevent the virus...

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Sri Lanka’s coronavirus cases rises to 1566

COLOMBO (News1st) : Sri Lanka’s coronavirus cases rose to 1566 after eight people tested positive for the virus on Saturday, health ministry statistics showed. According to official figures, 27 patients had recovered from the virus on Saturday, bringing the total number of...

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Philippine Navy ships in Colombo to repatriations its citizens stranded in Sri Lanka

Colombo (News 1st); Two Philippine Navy ships arrived at the Colombo Harbour to repatriate with a group of Philippine nationals stranded in Sri Lanka. The Defence Ministry website said Sri Lanka Navy assisted diplomatic repatriation mission, carried out due to the pandemic,...

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Sajith hits out at move to suspend UNP members

COLOMBO (News1st): Former opposition leader Sajith Premadasa has lashed out at the United National Party (UNP)’s move to suspend 99 members including himself, on charges of promoting another party. The UNP, on Friday, said it had suspended the members who had obtained nominations...

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Maldives willing to do PCR tests in advance on Sri Lankans to be repatriated

Colombo (News 1st); The Foreign Ministry says the greatest vulnerability in terms of repatriation was in the Maldives, particularly in Greater Male where a red alert has been declared by the Maldivian Government, which has explicitly requested foreign governments to evacuate...

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Among those who returned from Kuwait are those who surrendered under general amnesty

Colombo (News 1st); Approximately 42,000 people from 123 countries were seeking to return to Sri Lanka, according to statistics available as of 27th May 2020. The Foreign Ministery stated of these figures, migrant workers amounted to 34,881 of which 20,893 are living in...

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Leopard trapped in a snare in Yatiyanthota

COLOMBO (News1st) : A leopard was trapped in a snare in Yatiyanthota on Friday, hours before a rare black leopard, which was rescued from a snare, had died, sparking outrage in the island. Upon being notified, wildlife officers had taken steps to tranquilize and rescue...

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NDCU to implement dengue eradication program amidst spike in cases

COLOMBO (News1st) : A special dengue eradication program will be implemented in six districts next week, the health ministry said, with cases expected to spike due to rainy conditions in the coming weeks. The program will take place in the districts of Colombo, Gampaha,...

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303 repatriates from Australia and India return to the island

Two SriLankan Airlines flights returned to the Island this morning carrying 303 Sri Lankans who were stranded in Australia and India. One flight carrying, 18 military personnel attached to the three armed forces landed at the BIA at 4.45 this morning from Mumbai, India. The...

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South-west monsoon gradually establishing over the country : Met Department

The South-west monsoon is gradually establishing over the country, issuing a weather advisory for today the Met Department stated. Showers will occur at several places in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North-Western and southern provinces. Fairly heavy rainfalls above 50 mm...

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18 hour water cut for several areas in Colombo

An 18-hour water cut will be in effect for a few places in the Colombo today, The water board stated. The water cut is imposed due to an essential repair in the main Pipeline, running from the Ambatale water treatment plant to the Maligakanda area. The water cut will be in...

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33 trains added into operation starting from the 1st of June : Railway Department

33 trains will be added into operation from the 1st of June, the Railway Department stated. 19,593 people have registered with the Railways department to travel for work, General Manager of Railways, Dilantha Fernando stated. According to the SLTB, plans have been drawn to...

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Curfew in effect in the Nuwara-Eliya district today

Curfew will be in effect in the Nuwara Eliya district today. According to the President’s Media Division, curfew will be in effect as previously stated for the other districts from tomorrow onwards. Additionally, curfew will be in effect on the 04th and 05th of June as well...

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Sri Lanka’s COVID-19 cases rise to 1548

COLOMBO (News1st): The number of COVID-19 patients in Sri Lanka rose to 1548 after 18 people tested positive for the virus on Friday, the health ministry said. Among the 18 patients who tested positive for the virus, 11 were expatriates who returned to the country, while seven...

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PC M.A. Sumanthiran to make submissions on behalf of all of petitioners on Monday

COLOMBO (News1st): Intervening petitioners in the fundamental rights applications filed challenging the proclamation issued by the President dissolving the Parliament continued to make submissions in court today. Appearing for the intervening petitioner Professor Sudath Liyanage,...

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STF has a major role to counter terror and drugs – Defence Secretary

Colombo (News 1st);  Defence Secretary Maj.Gen. (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne said the Special Task Force, commonly known as the STF, has a major role to play in countering extremism and organised crimes, including drug mafia. Addressing the STF troops during his maiden visit...

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“Ready to beg for money to fund construction”, Bandula Gunawardena on Homagama Cricket Stadium

Colombo (News 1st); ” I have not abandoned the idea of constructing Sri Lanka’s largest cricket stadium “, said Joint Cabinet Spokesperson Minister Bandula Gunawardena today adding he is even ” ready to beg for money to fund construction “. Speaking at the weekly Cabinet...

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Indian companies ready to invest in Sri Lanka, Indian HC tells President

Colombo (News 1st);  High Commissioner of India Gopal Baglay said noted Indian companies are ready to invest in the priority sectors identified by the Government of Sri Lanka. According to a statement from the India High Commission in Colombo, the High Commissioner...

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Injunction on enforcing Capital Punishment extended by Supreme Court

Colombo (News 1st); The Supreme Court extended to the 15th of October the interim injunction order, issued suspending the enforcement of the decision taken by Former President Maithripala Sirisena, to execute heroin traffickers sentenced to death by the High Court. The...

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India pledges to support Sri Lanka’s economic recovery

COLOMBO (News1st): India has agreed to increase its participation in Sri Lanka’s post-COVID-19 economic recovery, and to strengthen defence and security cooperation, the Indian High Commission to Sri Lanka said. The agreement had been reached during a meeting between President...

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Researchers warn Android users of a new malware

COLOMBO (News1st): Security researchers have warned users of Android versions 9.0 and earlier, about a malware that can steal sensitive data including passwords, using a malicious app. StrandHogg 2.0, can trick a user into providing login details, by displaying a malicious...

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170 stranded Indian nationals leave Sri Lanka in a special Air India flight

Colombo (News 1st);  170 Indian Nationals stranded in Sri Lanka were flown out of the country in a special Air India flight and were subject to medical screening and emigration formalities. This is incidentally the first repatriation flight by India from Sri...

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Donald Trump aims to limit legal protections of social media

US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order aimed at removing some of the legal protections given to social media platforms, the BBC reported. The new executive order gives regulators the power to pursue legal actions against firms such as Facebook and Twitter for...

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Unidentified gunmen shoot at a hotel in Moratuwa

COLOMBO (News1st): Unidentified gunmen opened fire at a hotel in Soysapura, Moratuwa, at 12:30 am on Friday, police said, but no casualties or injuries were reported. At least 12 gunshots were fired by a group which had arrived in a car, and later fled the scene, preliminary...

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Since 30th April no COVID-19 cases from the community: DGHS

COLOMBO (News 1st): There were no new COVID-19 cases reported from the community since April 30 and the spread of the virus in the Sri Lanka Navy cluster has been contained, Director General of Health Services, Dr. Anil Jasinghe said on Friday (May 29). Dr. Jasinghe said that...

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Sri Lanka blames Kuwait for violating the International Regulations of Health

COLOMBO (News 1st): Sri Lanka Health Ministry on Friday blamed Kuwait for acting in violation of the World Health Organisation’s – International Health Regulations (IHR), by returning foreign nationals infected with COVID-19 back to their home countries. According to Dr. Jasinghe...

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Rare Black Leopard recently rescued from a snare dies

Colombo (News 1st); The Rare Black Leopard recently rescued from a snare in an estate in Nallaththanniya, a remote village in the Central Province, has died. The Rare Black Leopard was receiving treatment at the Elephant Transit Home in Udawalawa, under the care of wildlife...

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Navy personnel at Gaffor Building never had contact with outsiders; Sri Lanka Navy

Colombo (News 1st); Sri Lanka Navy said the Gaffor Building in Fort, Colombo was temporarily acquired for renovation purposes and as only used to cater to essential services for the Sri Lanka Navy following the COVID-19 outbreak. Navy Spokesperson Lt. Commander Isuru Sooriyabandara...

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Raids will be carried out starting today in search of traders who sell rice over the set maximum retail price : CAA

The Consumer Affairs Authority (or CAA) said raids will be carried out starting today in search of traders who sell rice over the set maximum retail price. It said several groups have been deployed in this regard. The CAA said strict legal action will be filed against traders...

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UK could offer ‘path to citizenship’ for Hong Kong’s British passport holders

The UK could offer British National (Overseas) passport holders in Hong Kong a path to UK citizenship if China does not suspend plans for a security law in the territory, UK Foreign Secretary, Dominic Raab said. There are 300,000 British National Overseas passport holders...

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Majority of over 700 confirmed COVID-19 cases among Sri Lanka Navy personnel: Army Commander

COLOMBO (News 1st): As of Friday (May 29), Sri Lanka has recorded 1,530 confirmed cases of COVID-19, with over 700 infected Sri Lanka Navy personnel, more than 400 foreign returnees and 416 among the society. “The last case reported from the society was on the 30th of April,”...

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South-West monsoon condition establish over the island: Met Department

COLOMBO (News 1st): The South-West monsoon condition is gradually establishing over the country, according to the Department of Meteorology. “As a result, the prevailing showery condition over the South-Western part of the island is expected to continue further,” the Met Department...

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General public advised to place appointments before visiting National Eye Hospital

COLOMBO (News 1st): The National Eye Hospital has requested the general public to place an appointment before visiting the clinics at the hospital. The general public can contact the National Eye Hospital via the following hotlines to place an appointment: 011 7 682 741 011...

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277 Sri Lankans repatriated from Belarus arrives in SL

COLOMBO (News 1st): A batch of 277 Sri Lankans with a majority of Sri Lanka students repatriated from Belarus have arrived in the island. “This morning we got a flight from Belarus. The 277 passengers are being transferred to Quarantine centres, manned by Sri Lanka Army” said...

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Gaffoor Building in Colombo declared as isolated facility

COLOMBO (News1st): The Gaffoor Building in Colombo has been declared as an isolated facility, with 200 navy personnel to undergo quarantine after a navy officer in the building tested positive for COVID-19. On Wednesday, a navy officer who had been lodged in the building had...

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Sajith urges govt. to suspend dairy heifer imports

COLOMBO (News1st): Former opposition leader Sajith Premadasa has urged the government to suspend the importation of dairy heifers from Australia, as such efforts have proven futile in the past. The cabinet of ministers, this week, approved a proposal to import 2500 dairy heifers,...

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