Three ancient Bodhisattva statues located in Budupatangala

COLOMBO (News1st): Three centuries-old Bodhisattva statues were located on a slab of rock at an archaeological site in Budupatangala, archaeologists said on Monday. The culture of sculpting Bodhisattva statues with that of Lord Buddha was endemic to Ruhuna,” Senior Professor...

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President says Cost of Living will be reduced

COLOMBO (News1st): President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has said that the Cost of Living would be reduced by implementing the appropriate policy decisions to uplift the economy. During a meeting with the cabinet Cost of Living committee, the President had said that the steps taken...

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Political platform heated over 19th amendment

COLOMBO (News1st): Professor G.L. Peiris has refuted claims that abolishing the 19th constitutional amendment is a treacherous act. The education minister, on Sunday, said a myth is being spread stating that the proposed new amendment would affect people’s rights and democracy....

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Action delayed over bond scam suspects : D.E.W Gunasekara

COLOMBO (News1st): Former Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) chairman D.E.W. Gunasekara has lamented over the delay in taking action against the suspects involved in the central bank bond scam. “Five years have passed and the punishment is yet to be given,” Gunasekara,...

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Web Journalist Desmond Chathuranga De Alwis arrested

Colombo (News 1st);  Web Journalist Desmond Chathuranga De Alwis was arrested by the Criminal Investigations Department on Monday (31) evening. The CID arrest De Alwis as his residence located at Boralesgamuwa on the outskirts of Colombo. Mobile Phones and Laptops owned...

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(VIDEO) AGs Department releases CCTV footage of Sampayo’s purported arrest

Colombo (News 1st); The Ex-Superintendent of the Negombo Prison Anurudhdha Sampayo and 03 others charged with engaging in various malpractices within the Negombo Prison were released on strict bail conditions on Monday (31) by Negombo Chief Magistrate Rajindra Jayasuriya....

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Two provincial governors swapped

COLOMBO (News 1st): Two provincial governors have been swapped between their positions, the president’s office said in a statement on Monday (31). North Western Province governor M.J.M. Muzammil has been transferred to the Uva Province, according to the statement. It added...

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Premalal Jayasekera not suitable to sit & vote in Parliament; AG

Colombo (News 1st); Attorney General Dappula De Livera said Premalal Jayasekara who was elected to Parliament and is currently on death row is unsuitable to be seated in Parliament or cast his vote. State Counsel Nishara Jayaratne, the Coordinating Officer to the Attorney...

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SL and US express commitment to expand bilateral defense relations; US Defence Ministry

Colombo (News 1st); Sri Lanka and the United States have expressed their commitment to expanding bilateral defense relations and to advancing shared interests, reported the US Department of Defence. It added, the Secretary of Defense Dr. Mark T. Esper spoke with Sri Lankan...

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Ranil Wickremesinghe leaves PCoI after providing statement to Police Unit

Colombo (News 1st); Former Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe was at the Police Unit of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry appointed to investigate the 2019 April 21st Terror Attacks on Monday (31). The Ex-PM left the commission premises after providing a statement...

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Acting IGP noticed by PCoI to make appearance on 03rd September

Colombo (News 1st); Acting Inspector General of Police C.D Wickramaratne was issued notice by the Presidential Commission of Inquiry appointed to probe incidents of political victimization on the 03rd of September. Acting IGP noticed by PCoI to make appearance on 03rd Sept...

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6,901 people in 67 tri-service-managed QCs are still in quarantine.

Colombo (News 1st); 6,901 people in 67 tri-service-managed QCs are still in quarantine, said the National Operation Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO) 17 more expatriates were confirmed positive to COVID-19 on Sunday (30) making the total number of COVID-19...

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75% reduction in Dengue cases compared to 2019: NDCU

COLOMBO (News 1st): The rate of Dengue patients recorded in the country so far this year, has reduced by about 75% compared to that of last year, the National Dengue Control Unit said. “There is usually a gradual increase in the rate of Dengue patients in the months of...

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‘Pichche Faiz’: accomplice of ‘Kanjipani Imran’ arrested in Maligawatte

COLOMBO (News 1st): An underworld gang member engaged in smuggling Heroin was arrested in Leemolawatta in Maligawatte, Sri Lanka police said. The suspect Mohamed Faiz alias ‘Pichche Faiz’ is an accomplice of Underworld gang leaders, ‘Kanjipani Imran’ and ‘Leemolawatte...

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Police Narcotic Bureau officers charged with drug trafficking, further remanded

Colombo (News 1st); The 13 officers attached to the Police Narcotic Bureau arrested on drug trafficking charges were further remanded until the 14th of September by Colombo Chief Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne on Monday (31). The Criminal Investigations Department was ordered...

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Constitutional Amendments before 2021 Budget; State Minister

Colombo (News 1st); The 19th Amendment to the Constitution will be removed and constitutional amendments which benefit the country will be presented before the 2021 Budget is produced, said State Minister Kanaka Herath on Sunday (30). Kanaka Herath is the State Minister...

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Police uncover details of drug distribution network operated from India

Colombo (News 1st); A raid by the Sapusgaskanda Police uncovered details of a drug distribution network operated from India by ‘Kimbula-Ele Guna’, a leader of an organized crime syndicate and his brother Suresh. 08 suspects connected to this drug distribution network were...

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19th Amendment to the Constitution must go, says State Minister

Colombo (News 1st); Sarath Weerasekera, the State Minister of Provincial Councils & Local Government said a report on whether the Provincial Councils actually benefit the country will be produced to the government in due course. ” There is a view in the society which...

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Real Electricity Mafia is in Diyawannawa; Energy Minister Alahapperuwam

Colombo (News 1st); The real Electricity Mafia exists in Diyawannawa ( Parliament ), said Energy Minister Dullas Alahapperuma. Speaking over the weekend, the Minister said it is this mafia that is not allowing the implementation of a National Power General Plan. ” It does not...

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COVID-19 cases surpass 3000 in Sri Lanka

COLOMBO (News 1st): Sri Lanka on Sunday (Aug 30), surpassed the 3000 mark in COVID-19 cases after 17 people tested positive for the virus, health officials said. “12 returnees from the United Arab Emirates, three returnees from the Maldives, and two Indian sailors were...

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Two more Sri Lankans injured in Beirut explosion: SL Embassy in Lebanon

COLOMBO (News 1st): Another two Sri Lankans were reported injured in the massive explosion that rocked the capital of Beirut in Lebanon on August 4th, Sri Lankan embassy officials in Lebanon confirmed on Monday (Aug 31). Thereby, the total number of Sri Lankans injured...

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Three arrested in Bambalapitiya for possession of narcotic ICE

COLOMBO (News 1st): Three suspects were arrested in Bambalapitiya for the possession of narcotic known as ICE, police said. 481 grams of the drug were seized from the suspects’ possession, police noted on Monday (Aug 31). Further investigations are underway. Three arrested...

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Committee inquiring Haragama tremor, to locate epicenter

COLOMBO (News 1st): A team consisting of two seismology scientists have been assigned to map the Thalathu-oya and surrounding areas in Kandy, where a tremor was reported on Saturday night (Aug 29), the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau said on Monday (Aug 31). “Through mapping,...

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Chinese Embassy responds to US sanctions on Chinese companies

COLOMBO (News1st): The Chinese Embassy in Colombo has hit back at sanctions imposed by the US on 24 Chinese companies including the entity involved in constructing the Colombo Port City. The US had imposed these sanctions making it illegal for American companies to export products...

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One arrested for attempting to sexually abuse tourist

COLOMBO (News1st): A person who attempted to sexually abuse a British tourist has been arrested in Matara, police said. The suspect had attempted to abuse the woman by entering her room at a lodge in the area, CCTV footage showed. He had been in the lodge for an hour before...

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CBSL officials create awareness of online transaction systems

COLOMBO (News1st): Central bank officials created awareness of online transaction systems in Matale, as part of the Gammadda door-to-door initiative. Officials had provided a clear explanation of business transactions carried out using the QR Code technology. The central bank...

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Army officer injured in accident

COLOMBO (News1st): An army officer attached to the Asgiriya Maha Viharaya was severely injured in an accident on Sunday. The accident had taken place when a motor vehicle had crashed onto the temple after the driver had lost control due to speeding. “Nothing happened although...

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New leader appointed for Communist Party

COLOMBO (News1st): Dr J. Weerasinghe has been appointed as the leader of the Communist Party of Sri Lanka, the party said in a statement on Sunday. The new appointment comes in the wake of the former minister. D.E.W Gunasekara’s resignation from the position. Gunasekara, the...

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Arjuna expresses willingness to take over as UNP leader

COLOMBO (News1st): Former minister Arjuna Ranatunga has said he is willing to take over as United National Party (UNP) leader if the party wishes to offer him the post. “Four members nominated themselves for the post during the Working Committee meeting. I also put forward...

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Committee inquiring Haragama tremor, begins observation visits

COLOMBO (News 1st): The committee appointed to inquire into the tremor reported in the areas of Thalathu-oya in Kandy on Saturday night (Aug 29),  assumes that three incidents could have triggered the tremor felt by the area residents. “One of the causes could have...

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28 arrested in Akmeemana for organizing a Facebook party: SL Police

COLOMBO (News 1st): Sri Lanka Police arrested 28 people for organizing a Facebook party in the Rathjambugaha area in Akmeemana, police said on Sunday (Aug 30). According to Police, 12 g of Heroin was also discovered in the possession of six suspects among those arrested....

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Gammadda continues to walk the length and breadth of Sri Lanka

COLOMBO (News 1st): The 5th Edition of the Gammadda Door-to-Door initiative together with the University of Peradeniya is underway for the 2nd day on Sunday (Aug 30), with multiple teams deployed across the country to document and highlight the issues faced by rural Sri...

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Four arrested in several areas for possession of Heroin: SL Police

COLOMBO (News 1st): Two suspects engaged in smuggling Heroin were arrested in Embulgama, Sri Lanka Police said on Sunday (Aug 30). One suspect was arrested with 20g & 500 mg of Heroin and following the interrogation of the said suspect, another individual was arrested,...

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Suspect arrested in Pesalai along with a stock of smuggled Turmeric

COLOMBO (News 1st): A suspect was arrested in the Thullikudirippu area along the Mannar – Talaimannar road of the Pesalai Police jurisdiction, along with a stock of illegally smuggled Turmeric. The stock of Turmeric was suspected to have been smuggled into the country from...

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Rate of HIV among boys aged 19 to 25 increase: National STD/AIDS Control Programme

COLOMBO (News 1st): The rate of HIV/AIDS prevalence among boys aged 19 to 25 in the country has risen, the National STD/AIDS Control Programme said. This was revealed based on the diagnostic data from National clinics of STD and AIDS Control Clinics across the island; and there...

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NCPA receives over 4000 complaints of child abuse cases so far this year

COLOMBO (News 1st): During the course of this year, 4484 complaints of child abuse cases in Sri Lanka were received so far, the National Child Protection Authority said on Sunday (Aug 30). A total of 8558 complaints on such incidents were received last year, according to Prof....

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Committee probing illegal clearance of Ramsar wetland, begins field observations

COLOMBO (News 1st): The committee appointed to probe the illegal bulldozing of the Ramsar wetland in Anawilundawa Sanctuary in Puttalam, has commenced field observations in the area, forest conservation officials said. The committee was appointed by Subject Minister...

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Inquiry into tremor felt in Kandy, launched

COLOMBO (News 1st): The Geological Survey and Mines Bureau launched a special inquiry into the tremor felt in the Thalathu-oya police jurisdiction in Kandy at around 8:30 pm on Saturday night (Aug 29). The investigation will be conducted by a specialist team consisting...

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Tremor felt in Haragama, Kandy; no reason to panic – Geological Survey & Mines Bureau

Colombo (News 1st);  A tremor was felt in the Haragama locality in Kandy at around 08:30 Saturday (29) evening. The Chairman of the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau Anura Walpola speaking to News 1st said the tremor felt in Haragama, Kandy may not be a natural occurrence....

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“What we have is a rubbish constitution which was amended 19 times” ; Speaker

Colombo (News 1st); Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abyewardena has said it is time to prepare and introduce a fair constitution which would not require any amendments at least for the next five decades. “What we have is a rubbish constitution which has been subject to amendments on 19...

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President says road construction must not harm Sinharaja

COLOMBO (News 1st): President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has stressed that the construction of the road in the borders of the Sinharaja rain forest must not damage the environment. A controversy had arisen over the extension of the Neluwa – Lankagama road amidst concerns it could...

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Ruwan Wijewardene says willing to take over as UNP leader

COLOMBO (News1st): Former United National Party (UNP) lawmaker Ruwan Wijewardene has said he is willing to take over as party leader, after its crushing defeat at the parliamentary election. “I am confident that we can lead the UNP to victory by restructuring and strengthing...

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People’s woes surface during Gammadda’s Door-to-Door initiative

COLOMBO (News1st): The Gammadda team, on Saturday, embarked on its fifth door-to-door campaign to listen to the problems of the people. The University of Peradeniya and the Central Bank will be a part of this initiative this year. The Gammadda team touring Baduraliya met...

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Land acquisition for project in Dehigama raises concerns

COLOMBO (News1st): A move by a private company to acquire 65,000 acres of land for a project in Dehigama has drawn severe condemnation due to the environmental impact of the project. “They haven’t obtained the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) clearance yet,” Samantha Vidyaratna,...

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Sand mining in Anamaduwa raises concerns

COLOMBO (News1st): A large scale sand mining racket on a 50-acre land in Anamaduwa has raised concerns due to environmental destruction in the area. Area residents said unidentified groups had smuggled out teak from the area before moving to sand mining after identifying the...

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Two arrested for illegally transporting gold by sea

COLOMBO (News1st): Two suspects were arrested for illegally transporting gold in the Northern seas, the Navy said. The arrest had been carried out by the Navy and the Department of Coast Conservation. Five kilograms of gold that were being transported by the suspects were seized...

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Two family members of Kudu Roshan arrested

COLOMBO (News1st): Two family members of Kudu Roshan, a suspect in the murder of underworld leader Ranale Samayan were arrested on Saturday, police said. The arrest was made after six grams of heroin and cash worth Rs 460,000 were seized during a search...

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Businessman and Bulldozer operator remanded for clearing protected wetlands

A Shrimp businessman & bulldozer operator suspected of destroying a section of the Anawilundawa Ramsar wetlands were remanded until 04th September, said Sri Lanka Police. A 35-year-old shrimp businessman was arrested from Udappuwa for his suspected involvement in bulldozing...

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Underworld hit-man ‘Indra’ shot dead by Police during an escape attempt

COLOMBO (News 1st): Underworld hit-man and close aide of the slain underworld leader ‘Samayan’, identified as Kanattagamage Indunil Vajira Kumara alias ‘Indra’ was shot dead by Police late Friday (28) night as he attempted to escape from custody. ‘Indra’ was recently arrested...

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Shrimp businessman arrested over destruction of Ramsar wetlands

COLOMBO (News 1st):  A 35-year-old shrimp businessman was arrested from Udappuwa for his suspected involvement in bulldozing an area of the Anawilundawa Ramsar Wetlands, Sri Lanka Police said on Saturday (Aug 29).  At least an acre of a Ramsar wetland in Anawilundawa,...

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