SLFP in a state of disappointment; says General Secretary

Colombo (News 1st);  General Secretary of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party Dayasiri Jayasekara said the party is “disappointed” Appearing on the “Ilakkaya” Program on Sirasa TV the SLFP General Secretary said the party is disappointed as SLFP supporters, provincial councilors,...

Read More

Complaint filed against Ex-President over 2019 April Attacks

Colombo (News 1st); A movement named ‘The Catholic Expression’ filed a complaint with the Criminal Investigations Department on Wednesday (30) against Ex-President Maithripala Sirisena with regard to the 2019 April Attacks. A statement from the movement noted the complaint...

Read More

Asgiri Chapter concerned with 20th Amendment

Colombo (News 1st); The Asgiri Chapter of the Siam Sect warned, if the amendments recommended by the committee which revisited the 20th Amendment to the Constitution are not made before the 20th Amendment is actually passed in Parliament, it could lead to serious complications....

Read More

Development cooperation is our top most priority – President tells new envoys

Colombo (News 1st);  Explaining Sri Lanka’s policy towards the Indian Ocean during the discussion with the new envoys based in Colombo President said the Indian Ocean should be a free zone open to every country.    Five decades ago, it was Sri Lanka that proposed...

Read More

Ex-President’s decisions not disputed at NSC; Ex-Police Chief tells PCoI

Colombo (News 1st); Former IGP Pujith Jayasundara said former President Maithripala Sirisena’s decisions had not been disputed during National Security Council meetings. He made these remarks at the presidential commission probing the April 21st attacks on Wednesday (30)....

Read More

Two people arrested for pelting stones at Sajith Premadasa’s meeting

Colombo (News 1st); Sri Lanka Police said two people were arrested for pelting stones at a meeting attended by Sajith Premadasa, the Opposition Leader on Tuesday (29) night. Stones were pelted at a meeting attended by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa on Tuesday (29)...

Read More

Rs. 30 Million stolen at gunpoint in Katana

Colombo (News 1st); A gang of robbers made a get-away with more than Rs. 30 Million from a businessman’s house in the ‘Akkara Panaha (50 Acre)’ area in Katana. Sri Lanka Police said 05 masked and armed robbers had broken into the residence and looted the money at gunpoint at...

Read More

‘Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi’ Blessings Invoked Symbolically on Army Flags in Anuradhapura

Colombo (News 1st); The annual Flag Blessing ceremony ahead of the 71st Army Anniversary took place in Anuradhapura as hundreds of Army soldiers-turned flag-bearers, remained lined up in the Welimaluwa (lower-layer) precincts at the most sacred Anuradhapura ‘Jaya Sri Maha...

Read More

No 13th Amendment or Provincial Councils; Rear Admiral Sarath Weerasekera

Colombo (News 1st);  State Minister of Provincial Councils & Local Government Rear Admiral (Dr.) Sarath Weerasekera said he completely opposes the 13th Amendment & the Provincial Council system based on policy decisions. The State Minister further said he opposes...

Read More

Web journalist Desmond De Alwis granted bail

Colombo (News 1st); Colombo Chief Magistrate Mohamed Mihar on Wednesday (30) ordered for web journalist Desmond Chathuranga De Alwis to be released on a cash bail of Rs. 25,000/- and two surety bails of Rs. 500,000/- each/. The suspect was also ordered by the Chief Magistrate...

Read More

2021 Budget to be presented on 17th November 2020: State Min. Ajith Nivard Cabraal

COLOMBO (News 1st): The budget for the year 2021 will be presented on the 17th of November 2020, State Minister of Money & Capital Market and State Enterprise Reforms, Ajith Nivard Cabraal said. This was revealed at a media briefing held in Colombo today (Sept. 30). 2021...

Read More

4000 factories on the Kelani river banks do not have proper approvals

Colombo (News 1st); The Ministry of Environment revealed around 4000 factories located on the banks of the Kelani River from Kaduwela to Peliyagoda were set up without necessary environment-related approvals. The matter was subject to discussion between environmental activists...

Read More

CEA announces week for collection of E-Waste

COLOMBO (News 1st): The Central Environment Authority has announced a week for the collection of electronic waste, across the island, officials said. “The e-waste collection will be held islandwide, from 5th to 10th October,” Ajith Weerasundara, the Director of the...

Read More

Stones pelted at Sajith Premadasa’s meeting in Moratuwa

Colombo (News 1st); Stones were pelted at a meeting attended by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa on Tuesday (29) night in Katubedda, Moratuwa. The Opposition leader was attending a meeting to appreciate the support extended by the Samagi Jana Balavegaya activists. Stones...

Read More

MINUSMA Force Commander Compliments SL Convoy in Mali

Colombo (News 1st); Force Commander in Mali United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), Lieutenant General Dennis Gyllensporre called at the Sri Lankan Combat Convoy Company, deployed in landlocked Mali in West Africa and received...

Read More

Government Printing Department to undertake State Printing Ops.

Colombo (News 1st);  The Cabinet of Ministers decided that all Government and Semi-Government Institutions which do not have printing presses under the relevant Ministries should carry out such printing work from the Government Printing Department Not exceeding 25% of...

Read More

“Stop illegal deforestation of Elahera-Giritale Sanctuary”: Minister C.B. Rathnayake

COLOMBO (News 1st): Minister of Wildlife & Forest Conservation – C.B. Rathnayake has ordered to immediately stop the illegal deforestation in the Elahera-Giritale Sanctuary, wildlife officials said. This was during an inspection visit to the wildlife reserve yesterday...

Read More

University cut-off marks to be released within next two weeks: UGC

COLOMBO (News 1st): The cut-off marks for students selected for universities this year will be announced within the next two weeks, the University Grants Commission said. “Prior to releasing the cut off marks, a discussion will be held with the participation of all the Vice-Chancellors...

Read More

05 involved in a drug distribution network arrested in Maharagama: Police

COLOMBO (News 1st): Sri Lanka Police arrested five suspects including two women who were part of a drug distribution network for the possession of 1.1 kg of heroin, police said on Wednesday (Sept. 30). The arrests were made during a raid conducted in Maharagama. The stock...

Read More

Govt. to introduce “Certificate of Road-worthiness” instead of Emission Certificate

COLOMBO (News 1st): The Government has decided to issue a “Certificate of Road-worthiness” instead of the “Emission Certificate,” with effect from 01st January 2021, State Minister Dilum Amunugama said. This certificate will determine whether the vehicle is geared for...

Read More

Supreme Court to conclude hearing petitions against 20A by Friday

COLOMBO (News1st): Attorney General Dappula De Livera submitted to court today a document that included committee stage amendments the government is planning on making to the 20th amendment to the constitution. The document was submitted to the court when 39 fundamental...

Read More

Sri Lanka to amend microfinance act – state minister

COLOMBO (News1st): Sri Lanka’s microfinance act would be amended to suit modern developments, state minister Shehan Semasinghe said on Tuesday. “…the relevant state authorities and other stakeholders are not displaying a favourable approach on this,” the state microfinance...

Read More

Fifth edition of Gammadda door-to-door campaign draws to a close

COLOMBO (News1st): For five years, Gammadda has walked across the length and breadth of Sri Lanka to lend an ear to the problems faced by the people. Today saw the final day of the fifth edition of the Gammadda door-to-door initiative. Sri Lanka is made up of over 14,000...

Read More

Six arrested for damaging forest in Kantale

COLOMBO (News1st): Six suspects have been arrested for causing damages to a forest in Kantale following a News1st revelation on Monday. News1st reported how several acres had been cleared in the Kinniya area in the Trincomalee district, by cutting down at least 1000...

Read More

Legality on President’s verbal circulars must be studied : Udaya Gammanpila

COLOMBO (News1st): The legality of the president’s statement stating that his verbal orders would be considered as circulars must be studied, joint cabinet spokesman Udaya Gammanpila said. “This is a new concept, the president presented this concept and now it is the duty...

Read More

Imthiaz Bakeer Markar raises concerns over 20A

COLOMBO (News1st): Parliamentarian Imthiaz Bakeer Markar has raised questions on the entity that has exerted influence over presenting the 20th amendment in parliament without making revisions. Markar pointed out that Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa had appointed a committee...

Read More

New constitution cannot contain any amendment including 13th; Ven. Abhayatissa Thero

Colombo (News 1st);  Venerable (Professor) Medagoda Abhayatissa Thero says the Provincial Council system, which has met its end, should not be revived. Further, he questioned the right of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to dictate terms with regard to the implementation...

Read More

Buwelikada building owner remanded until 13th October

Colombo (News 1st);  Anura Lewke, the owner of the five-storey building in Buwelikada, Kandy which collapsed recently, was remanded until the 13th of October by the Kandy Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday (29). He was summoned to Police this morning and was thereafter arrested....

Read More

State Intelligence prioritized other matters above National Security; Ex-IGP tells PCoI

Colombo (News 1st); Ex-IGP Pujith Jayasundara testifying at the Presidential Commission of Inquiry probing the 2019 April Attacks claimed, the State Intelligence Service (SIS) had been prioritizing other matters instead of matters pertaining to the National Security even...

Read More

‘Extremely powerful force supported Zahran Hashim’; Mujibur tells PCoI

Colombo (News 1st); An extremely powerful force supported Zahran Hashim and his associates to carry out the bombings because said Parliamentarian Mujibur Rahman on Monday (28) evening. In his testimony to the Presidential Commission of Inquiry probing the 2019 April, Terror...

Read More

Indian Police tracing Chanuka Thananayake, Angoda Lokka’s aide

Colombo (News 1st); The Crime Branch-CID of Coimbatore has formed a special team to trace the whereabouts of Chanuka Thananayaka, a close aide of Sri Lankan underworld don Angoda Lokka, who was recently confirmed dead by Indian authorities. A special team formed in Madurai,...

Read More

15 year old girl found dead in a canal in Nanu-Oya, Nuwara Eliya

Colombo (News 1st);  Sri Lanka Police discovered the body of a 15-year-old girl along a canal located close to a series of line-houses in Nanu-Oya, Nuwara Eliya on Tuesday (29) morning. The parents were alarmed to find their daughter missing at 02:50 AM and had alerted...

Read More

Warrant issued to arrest Patali Champika’s driver regarding 2016 accident

Colombo (News 1st); The Colombo High Court on Tuesday (29) issued a warrant for the arrest of Thusith Dilum Kumara, the driver of Ex-Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka, as he failed to appear in court. The warrant was issued by Colombo High Court Judge Damith Totawatte...

Read More

Cabinet approves working capital requirement for secure rice stocks

Colombo (News 1st); The Cabinet of Ministers granted approval for a working capital requirement for the maintenance of secure stocks of rice from October 2020 to January 2021. According to a statement from the Government Information Department, the rice requirement during...

Read More

Cabinet nod to draft legislation to enforce Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention

Colombo (News 1st); The Cabinet of Minister granted approval to draft legislation to enforce the Mine Ban Treaty. Joint Cabinet Spokesperson Udaya Gammanpila speaking at the Cabinet Briefing on Tuesday (29) said the Justice Minister given the green light to instruct the...

Read More

Sri Lanka Customs conducts separate investigations on waste-filled containers

Colombo (News 1st); Sri Lanka Customs said it will make submissions to the court on the 15th of October over the repatriation of 21 waste containers to the UK. The department noted separate investigations are underway over these containers and 242 other waste containers that...

Read More

6,882 people in 75 tri-service-managed QCs are still in Quarantine

Colombo (News 1st);  6882 people in 75 tri-service-managed QCs are still in quarantine, said the National Operation Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO). It went on to note 46,330 individuals have been sent back home after completing the mandatory quarantine...

Read More

NBRO issues landslide early warning for two districts

Colombo (News 1st);  The National Building Research Organization has issued early landslide warnings to the Kegalle District (Dehiowita) and Ratnapura District (Kuruwita). These warnings will be in effect for the next 24 hours. NBRO issues landslide early warning for two...

Read More

Owner of building in Kandy which collapsed killing three, arrested

Colombo (News 1st); The owner of the house in Buwelikada, Kandy which collapsed on the 20th of September and resulted in the deaths of three people, was arrested by Sri Lanka Police on Tuesday (29) morning. According to Sri Lanka Police Anura Lewke was summoned to the...

Read More

New Diamond oil leak affects marine life in Sri Lankan water; NARA

Colombo (News 1st); The National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA) said the oil slick reported following the leak from the distressed MT New Diamond crude oil tanker, has negatively impacted the turtles in the sea area. Teams observed a change in...

Read More

Moody’s downgrading unwarranted says Ministry of Finance

Colombo (News 1st); Following Moody’s downgrading on Sri Lanka’s Sovereign rating yesterday, the Ministry of Finance responded claiming the rating action is unwarranted and the downgrade ”failed to do justice to the ground reality of the ongoing rapid economic recovery backed...

Read More

No talks about MCC at this moment; PM tells Media Heads

Colombo (News 1st); Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa on Tuesday (29) confirmed there is no discussion at this point on the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) agreement. Speaking to the heads of media institutions in Colombo the Prime Minister added an apartment complex...

Read More

GoSL to introduce amendments to 20A at committee stage discussions; AG tells SC

Colombo (News 1st); The Attorney General’s Department informed the Supreme Court the Government of Sri Lanka plans to introduce several amendments to the proposed draft 20th Amendment to the Constitution, at committee stage discussions in Parliament. The Attorney General...

Read More

AKD tells PCoI Ex-PMs statement on National Executive Council, is false

Colombo (News 1st);  Leader of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Monday (28) said the evidence provided by Ex-Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe claiming the Anti-Corruption Committee was established with National Executive Council, is false. Dissanayake...

Read More

Will wild elephants encroach into cities due to unorganized development activities?

COLOMBO (News1st): An elephant was walked through Braybrooke Street in Colombo as part of a News 1st exercise to highlight the human-elephant conflict. This was after two people were killed due to a wild elephant attack in the Devagiriya area in Galgamuwa on Sunday. Nimal...

Read More

President insists local production of high-quality fabrics

COLOMBO (News1st):  President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has stated that large and small scale local manufacturers should immediately start producing high-quality fabrics. Upon visiting the Industrial Estate in Dankotuwa, the President had inquired the possibility of assigning...

Read More

Gammadda door-to-door campaign continues

COLOMBO (News1st): Around 300 families earning a living through the pottery industry in Minuwangoda have been hit due to difficulties in obtaining raw materials, our Gammadda team learnt during its door-to-door campaign. The individuals whom our Gammadda team met today,...

Read More

Valuable flora in Chunnakkadu reserve destroyed

COLOMBO (News1st): An organized group is destroying valuable flora in the Chunnakkadu reserve, a News1st investigation has found. Nearly 200 plants including Weera, Palu, Kaluwara, Kohomba have already been cut down in the reserve near the Kantale sluice canal area. Area...

Read More

Sri Lanka must implement 13A to achieve reconciliation : Modi

COLOMBO (News1st): Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has insisted that Sri Lanka must implement its 13th constitutional amendment to achieve peace and reconciliation. He had expressed these views during a meeting with Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa on Saturday, Amith...

Read More

Committee to be appointed to study microfinance – Shehan Semasinghe

COLOMBO (News1st): A committee will be appointed to obtain information regarding microfinance, state minister Shehan Semasinghe said. “This would include officers from the treasury, the central bank, our ministry, and representatives of money-lending unions,” the microfinance...

Read More