Man killed by a leopard in Ampara

COLOMBO (News 1st): The body of a person who is believed to have been killed by a leopard was found in Panama Kudumbigala, Ampara. According to the Police, the individual is believed to have been dragged out and killed by a leopard while he was inside a hut last night....

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COVID-19 DEATHS PASS 200 MARK WITH 05 NEW FATALITIES

Colombo (News 1st); 05 COVID-19 deaths were confirmed on Thursday (31), raising the total number of fatalities in Sri Lanka to 204, said the Director-General of Health Services. Death Reported Date Male/ Female Area/Locality Age Cause of Death (COD) 28th December Male Darga...

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NAVY SEIZES DRUGS WORTH RS. 60MN IN SEAS OFF GALLE

Colombo (News 1st); Sri Lanka Navy successfully seized a consignment of narcotics valued at over Rs. 60 Million from a trawler in the seas off the Galle Fisheries Harbour on Thursday (31). Sri Lanka Navy Spokesperson Captain Indika De Silva speaking to News 1st said 5.9...

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KATTANKUDY IN ISOLATION AS COVID-19 CASES SURGE

Colombo (News 1st); Authorities have decided to place Kattankudy in Batticaloa under isolation following the detection of 48 COVID-19 cases in the area. Health Services Director of the Eastern Province Dr. A. Lathaharan speaking to News 1st said restrictions were imposed...

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VICTIMS CAN BE BURIED OR CREMATED AS PER FAMILY’S WISH

Colombo (News 1st);  College of Community Physicians of Sri Lanka has said that each citizen should be allowed to be cremated or buried as per his/her and the family’s desire within the strict guidelines recommended by the Ministry of Health. Issuing their Position Paper...

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SL EXAPTS CLAIM UNJUST TREATMENT IN REPATRIATION

Colombo (News 1st); Sri Lankan expatriate workers stranded in the Middle-East urge the government to take immediate measures to repatriate them to the island. “I cannot die here, I have children to take care of,” said one Sri Lankan woman employed in Kuwait, eager to return...

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02 MORE UKRAINIANS TEST COVID POSITIVE

Colombo (News 1st); 02 more tourists from Ukraine have tested positive for COVID-19 and the total number of infected Ukrainians in Sri Lanka has risen to 05, confirmed authorities. A total of 394 Ukrainians arrived in Sri Lanka on two separate occasions and following their...

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GENERAL SHAVENDRA SILVA HONOURED WITH MILITARY SALUTE

Colombo (Sri Lanka Army); General Shavendra Silva, Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army, symbolically received a fitting tribute to his devoted role after he upon his due advancement into four-star rank General arrived at the Army HQ premises in conformity...

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CBSL ISSUES UNCIRCULATED COIN TO MARK 70TH ANNIVERSARY

Colombo (News 1st); To mark its 70th Anniversary, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka has decided to issue an uncirculated commemorative coin in the denomination of Rupees 20 with the following key features. The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) commenced operations in August...

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FISHMONGERS TESTED AT RANDOM FOR COVID-19

Colombo (News 1st); 80 people were subject to random COVID-19 tests at 10 locations in the Western Province. Police Spokesperson DIG Ajith Rohana speaking to News 1st said a majority of them were fishmongers. Only one person of the 80 people who were subject to COVID-19...

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ONE ESCAPEE FROM COVID-19 TREATMENT FACILITY ARRESTED

Colombo (News 1st); One of the five COVID-19 patients who fled from the Gallella COVID-19 treatment facility was arrested by the Madapme Police and health authorities on Thursday (31) afternoon. The suspect was identified as a 27-year-old Kavidu Madushan who was initially...

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SLTB BUSES REPAIRED & RE-ADDED TO SERVICE RURAL AREAS

Colombo (News 1st); 273 buses of the Sri Lanka Transport Board, which were taken out of service due to dilapidation were repaired and re-added to the passenger transport system on Thursday (31). President Gotabaya Rajapaksa graced the occasion at Galle Face Green and these...

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MATALE HOSPITAL WARD CLOSED DUE TO COVID-19

Colombo (News 1st); The Respiratory Ward of the Matale General Hospital was closed on Thursday (11) after two COVID-19 cases were detected from the ward. Deputy Director of the Hospital Dr. Prasad Jayasundara speaking to News 1st said the ward was subject to a disinfection...

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SLFP READY TO GO SOLO IF TREATED UNFAIRLY – SIRISENA

Colombo (The Hindu); Former President Maithripala Sirisena had said if the ruling party allocates a fair share of seats due to the Sri Lanka Freedom Party there will be no problem in going to polls together with the government. In an interview with The Hindu, former President...

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133 COVID-19 CASES FROM COLOMBO IN PAST 24 HRS

Colombo (News 1st);  133 COVID-19 cases were reported from the Colombo District on Wednesday (30), said the National Operation Center for the Prevention of the COVID-19 Outbreak on Thursday (31). 83 of these cases were from an apparel establishment. A total of 639 COVID-19...

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800,000 PENDING CASES IN SRI LANKAN COURTS

Colombo (News 1st);  The Ministry of Justice said around 6000 Government Analyst’ reports are pending adding the backlog was in existence over the past 06 months. These are reports are those which need to be directed to the courts, said the Justice Ministry. In addition,...

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RECTIVATE PROVINCIAL COUNCILS; SLFP TO REQUEST GOVT.

Colombo (News 1st); The Central Committee of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party had decided to propose to the government to reactive the provincial councils until the Provincial Council Elections are held. General Secretary of the SLFP State Minister Dayasiri Jayasekera speaking...

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POLICE SERGEANT STABBED IN MAHAWA

Colombo (News 1st);  A 52-year-old Police Sergeant was stabbed on Wednesday (30) night in the Mahawa Town, said Sri Lanka Police. According to Police Spokesperson DIG Ajith Rohana, the Police Sergeant and another officer were on patrol in the Mahawa Town on Wednesday (30)...

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50 FATALITIES FROM MOTOR ACCIDENTS IN DECEMBER

Colombo (News 1st); A special traffic operation is underway across the country since the 20th of December, in order to arrest indisciplined drivers and this operation will continue until the 05th of January 2021. 82 drunk drivers were arrested on Wednesday (30) and a total...

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COVID TESTS AT W/PROVINCE EXITS DETECT 16 PATIENTS

Colombo (News 1st); Randon COVID-19 tests conducted at the exit points of the Western Province resulted in the detection of 16 COVID-19 positive patients from 940 people who were tested on Wednesday (30). Since the 18th of December 2020 to-date 11,926 people were subject...

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BREAKOUT FROM COVID TREATMENT CENTER – MANHUNT UNDERWAY

Colombo (News 1st);  05 COVID-19 patients and prisoners have escaped from the COVID-19 treatment facility located in Gallella in Polonnaruwa, said Sri Lanka Police on Thursday (31). Police Spokesperson DIG Ajith Rohana said the break-out had taken place at 03:30 AM on...

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COVID-19 FATALITIES IN SRI LANKA RISES TO 199

Colombo (News 1st); The Director-General of Health Services confirmed four (04) deaths caused by Covid-19 virus infection on Wednesday (30). Accordingly, the total number of deaths due to Covid-19 infection in Sri Lanka rose to 199. Death Reported Date Male/ Female Area/Locality...

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Wild elephant issue continues ravaging Hambantota

COLOMBO (News 1st): An individual lost his life, once again due to the wild elephant issue. The deceased, a 25 year old father of one, a resident of Walsapugala Hambanthota, died while being transported to the Hambanthota hospital. According to our correspondent the victim...

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Sri Lanka in the need to catch up as countries ramp up Covid 19 vaccination

The Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine has been approved for use in the UK, with the first doses due to be given on Monday (4th) amid rising coronavirus cases. The UK is the first country to approve the Oxford University/AstraZeneca vaccine. The vaccine is cheaper and easier to distribute...

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RE-OPENING SCHOOLS IN W/PROVINCE FURTHER DELAYED

Colombo (News 1st); Education Minister Professor G. L. Peiris on Wednesday (30) said the re-opening of schools in the Western Province will be further delayed. Schools that are not located in the Western Province and isolated areas will re-open on the 11th of January 2021,...

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EXPATS ALLEGE UNJUST TREATMENT UPON REPATRIATION

Colombo (News 1st); Sri Lankans being repatriated to the country allege they are denied the opportunity to undergo quarantine at a hotel of their choosing and at an affordable cost. A Sri Lankan expatriate who returned to the country with his Israeli employer said upon...

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SRI LANKA AND INDIA DISCUSS FISHING WARS

Colombo (News 1st); Sri Lanka has underlined the need to address the matter of illegal fishing in the Sri Lankan waters by Indian fishermen, which resulted in the loss of livelihood and damage to fishing equipment of local fishermen at the 4th Meeting of Sri Lanka- India...

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Case between MTV Channel PVT LTD and George Steuart Health PVT LTD taken up

Colombo (News 1st); The case filed at the Colombo District Court by George Steuart Health (Private) Limited against MTV Channel (Private) Limited was taken up today, before Additional District judge Honourable Lakmali De Silva. Appearing on behalf of MTV Channel (Private)...

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MAHARA PRISON RIOT REPORT SUBMITTED TO JUSTICE MINISTER

Colombo (News 1st); The complete report of the committee appointed to probe the Mahara Prison Riot was handed over to Minister of Justice Ali Sabri by the members of the committee on Wednesday (30). Former High Court Judge & Chairman of the Special Committee probing...

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04 DEAD MAHARA PRISONERS TO BE CREMATED AT GOVT. EXPENSE

Colombo (News 1st);  Wattala Magistrate Buddhika Sri Ragala ordered the Director-General of Health Services to cremate the bodies of 04 other prisoners, among the 11 killed in the Mahara Prison Riot, at the expense of the Sri Lankan Government. These 04 prisoners...

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RATNAPURA HOSPITAL WARD CLOSED DUE TO COVID-19

Colombo (News 1st); One ward at the Ratnapura Hospital was closed on Wednesday (30) after 01 Doctor, 04 hospital staff & 09 patients tested positive for COVID-19. RATNAPURA HOSPITAL WARD CLOSED DUE TO COVID-1...

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KOSGAMA POLICE AREA RELEASED FROM ISOLATION

Colombo (News 1st); The isolation status of the Kosgama Police area was lifted on Wednesday (30) with immediate effect, announced the Government Information Department. KOSGAMA POLICE AREA RELEASED FROM ISOLATIO...

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CELEBRATE NEW YEAR WITH THE FAMILY ONLY

Colombo (News 1st); New year celebrations must be restricted to family members only, urged Sri Lanka Police. Police Spokesperson DIG Ajith Rohana said police officers in civil attire would be deployed to all buses leaving the Western Province tomorrow. He urged the general...

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SCHOOLS TO RE-OPEN IN JAN; EXCEPT FOR W/PROVINCE AND ISOALTED ZONES

Colombo (News 1st); Academic activities from Grades 01 to 13 at schools, excluding those in the Western Province and isolated zones, will commence from the 11th of January 2021, said the Education Ministry. Education Secretary Professor Kapila Perera speaking to News 1st...

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450 PRISONERS TO HAVE COMMUTED SENTENCES

Colombo (News 1st); Authorities have identified 450 prisoners whose sentences would be commuted. State Minister of Prison Management & Prisoners’ Rehabilitation Lohan Ratwatte said the list of names was forwarded to the President for approval. Once the President gives...

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‘THALWATTE KELUM’ ARRESTED IN STF RAID

Colombo (News 1st); A member of a crime syndicate Saravana Gedara Kelum Udaya Kumara also known as ‘Thalwatte Kelum’ was arrested by the Police Special Task Force in Batuwatte, Ragama. The STF said a US-made firearm similar to a revolver was seized from the possession...

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13 TEST POSITIVE IN RANDOM COVID TESTS

Colombo (News 1st); Sri Lanka Police said 13 people tested positive for COVID-19 following random tests carried out at various locations. Police Spokesperson DIG Ajith Rohana speaking to News 1st said from the 18th of December to-date, 74 people tested positive for COVID-19...

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04 Mn SRI LANKANS TO RECEIVE COVID VACCINE IN 2021

Colombo (News 1st); The Government has planned to provide the COVID-19 vaccine to 04 million Sri Lankans in March 2021, and the first to receive it would be high-risk individuals. One of the COVID-19 vaccines currently produced globally will be imported to the country...

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RETIRED ARMY PERSONNEL TO FORM SPECIAL PRISON UNIT

Colombo (News 1st); Retired Sri Lanka Army personnel will be assigned to form a special unit to provide security for prisons across Sri Lanka. Prisons Commissioner General Thushara Upuldeniya speaking to News 1st said the Cabinet of Ministers had approved the plan and...

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03 UKRANIANS IN SRI LANKA TESTED POSITIVE TO COVID-19

Colombo (News 1st); Three tourists who arrived in Sri Lanka from Ukraine recently have tested positive for COVID-19, confirmed Deputy Director-General of Public Health Services Dr. Hemantha Herath on Wednesday (30). These three Ukrainians tested positive for the coronavirus...

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10 BUSES FAILED TO FOLLOW QUARANTINE REGS

Colombo (News 1st); Legal action will be instituted against 10 passenger transport buses for transporting passengers exceeding the seating capacity, said the National Transport Commission. NTC Director-General Commander (Rtd) Nilan Miranda speaking to News 1st said operations...

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INTERNATIONAL EXPERTS TO STUDY VICTORIA DAM

Colombo (News 1st); An international committee of experts is to assist in the process to ascertain the present state of the Victoria Dam. Wasantha Bandara Palugaswewa, the Secretary to the State Ministry of Canals and Common Infrastructure Development in Settlements in...

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BASEMENT IN DUPLICATION ROAD FLOODS KILLING ONE

Colombo (News 1st); A man in his 50’s was found dead inside the basement of a construction site located down Duplication Road in Colpetty, following heavy rains, said Sri Lanka Police on Wednesday (30). The construction worker died after the basement was flooded following Tuesday’s...

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3,000 new homes for middle income earners

COLOMBO (News 1st): Contracts to construct houses for middle income earning families were handed over at the Urban Development Authority today. 3000 houses are scheduled to be constructed under this initiative. The project will be implemented in Colombo, Gampaha, and Kandy...

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All steps taken to prevent new COVID strain from entering Sri Lanka – Gen. Shavendra Silva

COLOMBO (News 1st): General Shavendra Silva assured the general public that all steps have been taken to prevent the new strain of the COVID-19 virus from entering Sri Lanka. He made these remarks while speaking to the media after paying homage to the Temple of the Sacred...

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ALI SABRY REFUTES REPORTS ON RESIGNATION

Colombo (News 1st); Justice Minister Ali Sabry on Tuesday (29) said there is no truth to the reports which claim he had resigned from his post. The Minister was responding to a question posed by News 1st on the reports circulating on social media of his possible resignation. ALI...

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COVID-19 FATALITIES IN SRI LANKA RISES TO 195

Colombo (News 1st);  A 45-year-old male from Wellampitiya was confirmed to have died of COVID-19, reported the Government Information Department on Tuesday (29) quoting the Director General of Health Services. The deceased had passed away on the 28th of December while...

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EXTREME WEATHER : TORRENTIAL DOWNPOUR SLAMS COLOMBO

Colombo (News 1st); Colombo and suburbs experienced a torrential downpour on Tuesday (29) evening, with reports suggesting several roads were inundated due to flood waters. Further, many roads in the suburbs of Colombo experienced heavy traffic as a result of the heavy downpour,...

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200,000 SELF-EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES BY 2021

COLOMBO (News 1st): The government has decided to create 200,000 self-employment opportunities by next years, Basil Rajapaksa, the Chairman of the Presidential Task Force in charge of Economic Revival and Poverty Eradication said on Sunday (Dec. 29). He made this statement...

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GCE A/L STUDENTS NEGLECTED: CEYLON TEACHERS UNION

COLOMBO (News 1st): The Educational Publications Department has failed to issue appropriate school textbooks for students following the GCE Advanced Level, Ceylon Teachers’ Union charged on Tuesday (Dec. 29). The Educational Publications Department in a report said it had not...

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