Govt. deprived of more than Rs 3 bn revenue due to dishonoured cheques

COLOMBO (News1st): Sri Lanka’s tax authority has been deprived of revenue worth more than Rs 3 billion by last year due to dishonoured cheques, the national audit office has found. The number of dishonoured cheques received by the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) had risen from...

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Range Bandara’s stark revelation

Colombo (News 1st): Amidst the unrest that was reported in Prisons in the country today and yesterday, a stark revelation related to these incidents were made at several media briefings held today. Former UNP MP – Palitha Range Bandara at a media briefing said that a particular...

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For the first time in Sri Lanka’s history Cabinet meets through video technology

Colombo (News 1st); For the first time in the history of Sri Lanka, the Cabinet meeting was held on Monday (30) through video technology. President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa from the Presidential Secretariat and Ministers from their offices joined in  and the meeting was...

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Uruwarige Vannilaththo informs authorities on deforestation in the Ampara District

Leader of the Indigenous community in Sri Lanka Uruwarige Vannilaththo handed over an epistle regarding the deforestation taking place in the Ampara District. Dambana Tribal Leader Uruwarige Vannila Aththo, who represented the Bimtenna Environmental protection organization...

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Low pressure system in Bay of Bengal likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm

Colombo (News 1st); The low-pressure area in the south-east Bay of Bengal has concentrated into a depression lay centered 750 km southeast to Trincomalee. The system is very likely to intensify into a deep depression during the next 12 hours and likely to intensify further...

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Police constable killed in a hit and run posthumously promoted

COLOMBO (News 1st): Police Constable Ratnayake bearing the badge number 76013, attached to the Kobeigane Police who was killed in a hit and run on Saturday night (Nov. 28), has been promoted to the rank of Police Sergeant posthumously, Police Spokesperson DIG Ajith Rohana...

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Dr. Sudarshani Fernandopulle is the New State Minister of COVID-19 Prevention

Colombo (News 1st); Dr. Sudarshani Fernandopulle,was appointed as the State Minister of Primary Health Care, Epidemiology and Coronavirus Disease Control. The new State Minister was sworn in before President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa at the Presidential Secretariat on Monday evening...

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Kandy tremors: Observed level of seismicity not harmful to Victoria dam

COLOMBO (News 1st): The magnitude of the tremor reported from Aluthwatta, Ambakotte, and Digana areas on Sunday night (Nov. 29) was recorded at below 2.0 on the Ritcher Scale, the Geological Survey & Mines Bureau said. The tremor was also recorded as a very minor tremor...

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IGP instructs CID to investigate the Mahara Prison Riot

Colombo (News 1st); The Inspector General of Police instructed the Criminal Investigations Department to conduct immediate investigations into the Mahara Prison Riot, said Police Spokesperson DIG Ajith Rohana on Monday (30). 59 prisoners were injured in the Mahara Prison...

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Defence Secretary instructs IGP to probe Mahara Prison unrest

COLOMBO (News 1st): Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Maj. Gen. (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne has instructed the Inspector General of Police (IGP), C.D. Wickramaratne to probe into the tense situation escalated at the Mahara Prison on Sunday (Nov. 29), the Ministry of Defence...

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State audit exposes massive irregularities in Batticaloa Campus

COLOMBO (News1st): The auditor general has called for legal action against officers at the Bank of Ceylon and Mahaweli authority over a multitude of irregularities in establishing Batticaloa Campus Pvt. Ltd. The national audit office, in a report published last week, highlighted...

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Measures underway to prevent elephants from consuming polythene

COLOMBO (News 1st): Measures are underway to broaden the initiatives followed to prevent elephants from consuming polythene, M.K. Bandula Harischandra, the Secretary to the Ministry of Wildlife and Forest Conservation said on Monday (Nov. 30). Elephants consuming polythene...

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10 Sri Lankans evacuated from Tigray in Ethiopia, scheduled to arrive in Sri Lanka today

COLOMBO (News 1st): A group of 10 Sri Lankans evacuated from the war-torn Tigray region in Ethiopia, are scheduled to arrive in the island on Monday (Nov. 30), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. According to the Foreign Ministry, the arrival of the other Sri Lankans evacuated...

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High time to probe tremors felt in Kandy: Prof. Athula Senaratne

COLOMBO (News 1st): Minor tremors were reported from the Aluthwatta, Ambakotte, and Digana areas on Sunday night (Nov. 29), according to area residents. “The tremors were felt at around 8:45 – 8:50 last night, and we are worried about our safety,” the area residents told News...

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Health sector focused on preventing COVID-19 home deaths

COLOMBO (News 1st): A special programme is underway to prevent deaths of those who die at their residences after being exposed to COVID-19, health authorities said. Another ambulance service is in operation in addition to the 1990 Ambulance Service for this purpose. This service...

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‘Unseen force responsible for Mahara Prison Riots’; State Minister

Colombo (News 1st);  The Government is responsible for the protection of the prisoners held by the state, said MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake in Parliament on Monday (30), in his comments on the Mahara Prison Riots. The prisoners requested to be subject to PCR tests...

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Mahara Prison Riot was pre-planned to defame the government; Weerawansa

Colombo (News 1st); Minister Wimal Weerwansa told Parliament the Mahara Prison Riot was not the result of congestion or overcrowding in the prison. He said according to an intelligence report, an underworld figure known as Chathuranga, a close associate of the slain underworld...

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Colombo HC lifts travel ban on Basil Rajapaksa

Colombo (News 1st); Two cases filed with the Colombo High Court against Former Minister Basil Rajapaksa and Former Director-General of the Divineguma Development Department Kithsiri Ranawaka over the misappropriation of public funds to purchase GI pipes & to print almanacs...

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Government to impose control price for surgical face masks

Colombo (News 1st); The Government is to impose a control price for a face mask, said the Secretary to the State Ministry of Pharmaceutical Production, Supply and Regulation. Rohitha Uduwawala speaking to News 1st said the decision will be made with the objective of boosting...

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Mahara Prison Riots : 08 prisoners dead and 50 injured

Mahara Prison Riots :  08 Prisoners Dead / 50 Prisoners Injured / 02 Prison Officers Injured Police Special Task Force set up a perimeter around the Mahara Prison 02 Prison Officers were held hostage and were rescued Prisoners planned a mass escape, says State Minister....

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Basil Rajapaksa & 03 others acquitted and released

Colombo (News 1st);  Former Minister Basil Rajapaksa and 3 others were acquitted and released by the Colombo High Court in the case filed over the misappropriation of public funds to distribute roofing sheets during the run up to the 2015 Presidential Election. The Attorney...

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06 prisoners dead and over 02 dozen injured in Mahara Prison violence

Colombo (News 1st);  06 prisoners have died and 35 were injured following the unrest at the Mahara Prison, confirmed the Police Spokesperson to News 1st. Earlier, an unrest was reported from within the Mahara Prison on Sunday (29) evening, said Police Spokesperson...

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Several dead and scores injured in Mahara Prison violence; fire rages within prison walls

Colombo (News 1st): 04 bodies and 25 injured personnel moved to the Ragama Teaching Hospital following the unrest at the Mahara Prison, confirmed the Hospital Director to News 1st. Earlier, an unrest was reported from within the Mahara Prison on Sunday (29) evening, said...

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07 COVID-19 deaths confirmed on Sunday (29); raising death toll in SL to 116

Colombo (News 1st);  07 COVID-19 deaths were confirmed on Sunday (29), reported the Department of Government information quoting the Director General of Health Services. The death toll in Sri Lanka is now at 116, a statement added. The details of the confirmed COVID-19...

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12th Leopard death reported from Matale

COLOMBO (News1st): Sri Lanka recorded its 12th death of a leopard due to snare traps in a year on Sunday, stoking concerns among animal conservationists. The leopard had died in the Yatawatte area in the central city of Matale, officials said. Animal conservationists have warned...

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Unrest at Mahara Prison

Colombo (News 1st); Unrest reported within the Mahara Prison as reports suggest shots were also fired, said Sri Lanka Police. Await Further Details. Unrest at Mahara Priso...

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COVID-19 cases at prisons top 1000

COLOMBO (News1st): The number of COVID-19 infections at Sri Lanka’s prisons rose to 1,091 after 183 cases were detected on Sunday. All new cases were inmates of the Mahara Prison. According to the Prisons Department, 386 COVID-19 patients have been reported from Welikada Prison...

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487 people tested positive for COVID-19 on Saturday (28)

Colombo (News 1st):  As of Sunday morning (29), a total of 487 more persons were confirmed positive to COVID-19 in the past 24 hours. Among them, are 223 persons from Colombo region, 78 persons from Gampaha area and 15 from Kandy region, stated the National Operations...

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Special Deposit Account scheme extended until 2021

COLOMBO (News1st): Sri Lanka has extended a fixed-deposit scheme to attract foreign currency to the country, that lapsed in October, by six months, a state notice showed. Locals and foreigners were initially allowed to deposit cash worth up to USD 15,000 by opening Special...

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Schools in Dambulla closed for a week

Colombo (News 1st); All schools in the Dambulla Education Zone will be closed for a week from tomorrow (30), authorities announced. Schools in Dambulla closed for a wee...

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Low pressure in the Bay of Bengal to intensify

COLOMBO(News 1st): The low-pressure area in the south-east Bay of Bengal is likely to intensify into a depression during the next 36 hours and likely to intensify further, issuing a weather advisory to the Department of Meteorology stated. The system is likely to move nearly...

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More expatriates return to the island on a special repatriation flight

COLOMBO(News 1st); 372 more Sri Lankan expatriates returned to the island on a special repatriation flight this morning. 292 people were repatriated from UAE while 4 Sri Lankans were repatriated from Sydney, Australia and 7 Sri Lankans returned to the island from Doha, according...

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70 arrested for not wearing face masks

COLOMBO(News 1st): 70 people have been arrested for not wearing face masks and not maintaining distance within the past 24 hours. 866 people have been arrested so far and that further raids will be carried out in this regard, Police Media Spokesperson DIG Ajith Rohana said. 70...

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60 dengue patients reported from Batticaloa Last week

COLOMBO (News 1st): Due to the current rainy condition in the island, there is an increased risk of the spread of dengue, the National Dengue Control Unit of the Ministry of Health stated. A rapid rise in dengue in the Eastern Province is noticed due to rains, the Director...

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Multiple Police areas in Colombo & Gampaha released from isolation

Colombo (News 1st); The Department of Government Information quoting Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva, the Army Commander and Head of the National Operation Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO) announced the isolation of multiple areas will be lifted with...

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India’s National Security Adviser Ajith Doval meets the President

Colombo (News 1st); India’s National Security Adviser Ajith Doval, called on President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the Presidential Secretariat on Saturday evening (28). The President and the Indian Defense Adviser engaged in a highly productive discussion aimed at further enhancing...

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02 COVID-19 deaths reported on Saturday (28)

Colombo (News 1st);  02 COVID-19 deaths were confirmed on Saturday (28) by the Director General of Health Services, reported the Department of Government Information. Accordingly, the death toll in Sri Lanka as a result of COVID-19 rose to 109. The details of Saturday’s...

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Token Strike launched by Wildlife Trade Unions, concludes

COLOMBO(News1st): The islandwide token strike launched by officials attached to eight Wildlife Trade Unions yesterday (27), concluded today(28). Officials attached to the Wild Elephant Unit of the North Western Zone who temporarily halted their operations due to the token strike...

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Dambulla Viking beats Kandy Tuskers in LPL

COLOMBO(News1st): The maiden Lanka Premier League is in full flow as the first double-header of the tournament took place today (28). The first game of the day was played between the Dambulla Viking and Kandy Tuskers while the second game was to be played between the Colombo...

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Fitch downgrade unacceptable – Ministry of Finance

The Ministry of Finance issued a statement on the rating action taken by Fitch Ratings, to downgrade Sri Lanka’s long term foreign currency issuer default rating to “CCC”. The statement reads, “We do not accept this downgrade as it fails to recognize the robust policy framework...

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Research being conducted to develop antigen test kits which detect COVID-19

Colombo (News 1st): Professor Upul Dissanayake, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Peradeniya says, research is being conducted to develop antigen test kits to detect COVID-19. ” The progress on the research to develop an antigen test kit for COVID-19 has been a success...

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‘Sena’ caterpillar continues to wreak havoc in the country

COLOMBO (News 1st): While COVID-19 continues to grip the nation, the Sena caterpillar menace which poses a significant threat to the livelihoods of farming communities still prevails in the country. Maize farmers in Pannalgama, Ampara are facing severe difficulties due to this...

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Sri Lanka, India & the Maldives agree to strengthen cooperation on Maritime Security

COLOMBO (News 1st): The 4th National Security Adviser (NSA) Level Trilateral Meeting on Maritime Security Cooperation between India, the Maldives, and Sri Lanka was held in Colombo on Saturday (Nov. 28), with the participation of India’s National Security Adviser – Ajit Doval,...

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Free mobile clinics in Colombo Municipality to continue till mid-December

COLOMBO (News 1st): The free mobile clinics conducted since November 16th in line with the prevailing COVID-19 situation will be conducted till mid-December taking into account the requests of the people, the Colombo Municipal Council informed. The Health Curative Department...

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COVID-19 cases connected to prisons rise to 908

COLOMBO (News 1st): The total number of COVID-19 cases connected to prisons has risen to 908, prison officials said on Saturday (Nov. 28). This was after 87 new cases were confirmed on Saturday (Nov. 28), connected to prisons. A majority of COVID-19 cases are connected to the...

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Operations at Peliyagoda Fish Market to resume once Health Ministry gives the go-ahead

COLOMBO (News 1st): The Government has paid its attention on the re-opening of the Peliyagoda Fish Market, State Minister Kanchana Wijesekera said on Saturday (Nov. 28). The Health authorities conducted an inspection at the premises this morning, in order to expedite the re-opening...

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Information to be collected on 2020 GCE O/L syllabus completion

COLOMBO (News 1st): The time period granted to collect information from teachers on the completion of the syllabus of students sitting for the GCE Ordinary Level examination this year has been extended, education authorities said. The information in this regard will be collected...

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Bus services to return to normalcy from Monday (30): SLTB

COLOMBO (News 1st): The operation of buses will return to normalcy from Monday (Nov. 30), the Sri Lanka Transport Board said on Saturday (Nov. 28). Passengers will be allowed to travel according to the number of seats, A.S.P. Weerasuriya, the Superintendent of Operations at...

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An unidentified body discovered from Diyawanna Oya: Police

COLOMBO (News 1st): A body of an unidentified individual was discovered from the Diyawanna Oya in Battaramulla on Saturday morning (Nov. 28), Sri Lanka Police said. According to Police, the victim was around 50-years-old, and the body was discovered following information received...

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GoSL to conduct repatriation of Sri Lankans daily: Lt. Gen. Shavendra Silva

COLOMBO (News 1st): The Government of Sri Lanka has taken measures to conduct the repatriation of Sri Lankans daily, authorities said. Around 300 repatriated Sri Lankans arrive in the island daily, and the rate of Sri Lankans repatriated daily will be increased to 500 in the...

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