Dairy farmers in Rambakan Oya crippled due to forest destruction

The livelihoods of dairy farmers have fallen from bad to worse with the destruction of the forests in Rambakan Oya. These Farmers in the area have no place to herd their cattle. The main livelihood of the residents of the Mahaoya Divisional Secretariat is dairy farming. According...

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Revelation on large scale deforestation at world heritage site, the Knuckles mountain Range

COLOMBO(News 1st): Construction of a building has begun in the Pitawala Pathana area located in the Knuckles mountain range. Environmental Organizations claim that endemic species of fauna and flora have been destroyed, due to those engaged in the construction activities cutting...

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Nuga tree close to the Crudia Zeylanica tree set ablaze

COLOMBO(News 1st): A Nuga tree planted in 1996 located close to the Crudia Zeylanica tree that was recently saved while at the brink of destruction, has been set ablaze. The tree had been planted commemorating the construction of the Japan Friendship Bridge built-in 1996 in...

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Child beaten to death at a witchcraft ritual centre

COLOMBO(News 1st): Mohamed Rinath Fathima Rizka, a resident of Kanduboda was taken to a witchcraft ritual centre after she was said to have been possessed by a demonic spirit. According to area residents said the shaman at the witchcraft ritual centre had assaulted the child...

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PM attends Yathiwara Abiman Felicitation ceremony

COLOMBO(News 1st): Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa attended an event held at the Hambantota divisional secretariat yesterday (27th). The Yathiwara Abiman Felicitation ceremony of the Sasanarakshaka Bala Mandalaya of the Hambantota district, was held yesterday, under the auspices...

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(PICTURES) Indian aircraft in Sri Lanka for Galle Face aerobatic display

Colombo (News 1st); Indian Air Force planes have arrived in Sri Lanka to take part in an aerobatic display at Galle Face.  The Sri Lanka Air Force is celebrating its 70th Anniversary on 02nd of March and the presentation of the President’s Colours to the...

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Severance compensation for workmen increases to Rs. 2.5 Mn

COLOMBO (News1st): The formula for the payment of compensation to a workman has been increased from Rs. 1.25 Mn to Rs. 2.5 Mn. The Commissioner-General of Labour Prabath Chandrakeerthi had amended the sum of compensation paid to employees under the Termination of Employment...

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Police jeep hits a three-wheeler; 2 dead, 3 injured

COLOMBO (News1st): “Two people were killed while three others were injured when a police jeep collided with a three-wheeler in Katumuluwa Katupotha this morning”, Police Spokesperson DIG Ajith Rohana said. The accident occurred at the 10th-mile post along the Wariyapola-Kalugamuwa...

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Suspect arrested in Elpitiya for illegal possession of a firearm

COLOMBO (News1st): A 36-year-old suspect has been arrested for the possession of a firearm in Poojyagallana in Elpitiya. The weapon, a 12 bora firearm was manufactured overseas. The raid was carried out based on information received by the Anti-Corruption Unit of the Elpitiya...

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All set for the 2020 G.C.E Ordinary Level Examination

COLOMBO (News1st): All arrangements for the 2020 G.C.E Ordinary Level Examination have been made, The Department of Examinations said. The examination will be held in 4,513 examination centres starting tomorrow, the 01st of March till the 10th of March. A total of 622,352 candidates...

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Child beaten to death at witchcraft treatment centre

COLOMBO (News1st):  A 09-year-old girl was allegedly beaten to death with a cane at a witchcraft treatment centre in Delgoda in Kanduboda, Police Media Spokesman DIG Ajith Rohana said. The 09-year-old was taken to a treatment centre situated in the vicinity of her house...

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62 COVID cases from Ratnapura on Saturday (27) & 59 cases from Jaffna

Colombo (News 1st); 62 COVID-19 cases were reported from the Ratnapura District on Satuday (27) raising the total number of coronavirus infections reported from the district to 2370, said the National Operations Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO). The...

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(PICTURES) Rocky leads cops to heroin hiding spot in Weligama

Colombo (News 1st); The Police Narcotic Bureau has successfully identified several locations in Dostara-Watte in the Weligama Police area, which was used to hide the heroin which was recently seized from Horana. ‘Rocky’ a Police K-9 Unit was called in to the site by the...

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Price of coconuts to decline in the next 02 months

COLOMBO (News1st): The price of coconuts will decline within the next two months, the Ministry of Coconut Industries said. The production of coconut has declined, as a result of inadequate rainfall, Secretary to The Ministry of Coconut Industries, Tissa Hewavitharana said....

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460 COVID-19 cases reported in Sri Lanka on Saturday (27)

Colombo (News 1st); 460 COVID-19 cases were reported in Sri Lanka on Saturday (27), said the Department of Government Information. 425 of these cases were from the Peliyagoda Cluster while the remaining 35 infections were returnees from overseas. Zero COVID-19 fatalities...

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441,976 people jabbed with COVID-19 vaccine in Sri Lanka

Colombo (News 1st);  35,343 people were given the COVID-19 vaccine on Saturday (26), as part of the Sri Lankan government’s immunization drive against the virus. In total 441,976 people have been jabbed since the 29th of January 2021, said the Epidemiology Unit of the...

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Rambakan Oya destruction worsens human-elephant conflict

COLOMBO(News 1st): The path taken by Elephants through the Rambakanoya is no more. This fate has befallen the Rambakan Oya area after private companies erected electric fences as they please to surround their plantations. Farmers in the area allege that lands on which elephants...

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President speaks about vaccination drive

COLOMBO(News1st): President Gotabaya Rajapaksa reassured the public that the COVID-19 inoculation program is being conducted in a systematic manner. The President expressed these views while participating in a Gama Sadamaga Pilisandarak program held in the Kivulekada area in...

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Dahaiyagala forest destruction continues

COLOMBO(News1st): The illegal clearing of the Bogahapattiya forest in the Dahaiyagala reserve, which belongs to the Udawalawe National Park, has not ended yet. A group of civil society activists including the Secretary of the National Bhikku Front Ven. Wakamulle Uditha Thero...

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Present the report for the debate – Kiriella

COLOMBO(News1st): Chief Opposition Whip MP Lakshman Kiriella has requested that all documents from the second to the fifth volume of the report of the Presidential Commission that probed the April 21 attack be submitted for the debate. The debate would not be successful without...

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Remains of missing hiker found in Narangala Ridge

Colombo (News 1st); A group of private hikers from Awissawella area who had climbed the Narangala Ridge in Badulla on Friday (26) for night camping despite DMC warning against doing so, found one of them dead after falling a 700 ft precipice. At first, the team on finding that...

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COVID-19 BURIALS WILL ONLY BE PERMITTED FOLLOWING THE ISSUANCE OF GUIDELINES

Colombo (News 1st); Burials of COVID-19 victims will only be permitted following the issuance of the relevant guidelines, Director General Health Services Dr. Asela Gunawardena said. “Steps are underway to find suitable burial grounds, following which the relevant committee...

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Decline in hydro power generation

Colombo (News 1st) : With the gradual decline in hydropower generation, there are signs of problems with uninterrupted power supply. Due to the dry weather 74% of the electricity generation will have to be generated from coal and diesel thermal power plants, the Ministry...

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SUSPECT ARRESTED FOR POSSESSION OF ICE

Colombo (News 1st); The Special Task Force of the Konagala Camp led by SSP Silvester arrested a suspect for the possession of Rs.170,000 and 750 grams of ICE in Ragama on Friday (26), Police Spokesperson DIG Ajith Rohana said. The team has also arrested another female...

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151 COVID patients from Colombo on Friday (26); 30 from Colombo 01

Colombo (News 1st); 151 Coronavirus patients were detected from the Colombo district on Friday (26), said the National Operations Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO). 30 of these cases were reported from Fort (Colombo 01) while 24 cases were reported from...

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Guidelines for COVID burials to be released next week

Colombo (News 1st); The necessary guidelines with respect to the burial of people who die of COVID-19 will be announced next week, said the Ministry of Health on Saturday (27). Director General of Health Services Dr. Asela Gunawardena said the committee of experts will...

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(PICTURES) Japanese MSDF destroyer leaves Sri Lanka

Colombo (News 1st); The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) ship ‘Setogiri’ that arrived at the port of Hambantota on 25th February 2021, left the island on Friday (26) ‘Setogiri’ is a destroyer serving with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and this 137m long...

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497 COVID-19 cases reported in Sri Lanka on Friday (26),

Colombo (News 1st);  497 COVID-19 cases were reported in Sri Lanka on Friday (26), said the Department of Government Information. 487 of these cases were from the Peliyagoda Cluster and the other 10 cases were returnees from overseas, it added. 497 COVID-19 cases reported...

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Endangered plant species to be protected via special national program

Colombo (News 1st); The Ministry of Wildlife stated that a national program will be launched to protect plants that have been identified as endangered under the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance . Secretary to the Ministry Bandula Harischandra stated that steps...

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COVID fatalities in Sri Lanka climbs to 464 on Friday (26)

Colombo (News 1st); The Director General of Health Services confirmed five (05) deaths caused by Covid-19 virus infection on Friday (26). Accordingly, the total number of deaths due to Covid-19 infection in Sri Lanka is 464, and the details of Friday’s victims are as follows;...

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Concerns grow on PCoI report on April 21 attacks

COLOMBO (News1st): Diverse views have been expressed against the report of the presidential commission that probed the 2019 April 21st attacks. “The individuals who were directly linked to the attacks and those who had abetted the bombings, need to be uncovered,” Mahinda...

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Galawalayaya residents lament loss of lands near Rambakan Oya

COLOMBO (News1st): Residents of Galawalayaya have lamented the loss of their lands near the Rambakan Oya that have been given to external parties for cultivation projects. Lands spanning over 1000 acres in the vicinity of the Rambakan Oya in Galawalayaya had been accquired...

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Gampaha PHI’s withdraw from vaccination drive

COLOMBO (News1st): Public Health Inspectors (PHI) in Gampaha have decided to withdraw from the government COVID-19 vaccination drive, citing a lack of preparedness over the matter. “…the vaccination plan was altered due to the ad-hoc decisions made by health authorities,” Saminda...

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Khan welcomes Sri Lanka’s reversal of cremation policy

COLOMBO (News1st): Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has welcomed the government’s decision to reverse its mandatory cremation policy of COVID-19 deceased. “I thank the Sri Lankan leadership & welcome the Sri Lankan govt’s official notification allowing the burial option...

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Dambulla residents lament clearing of lands

COLOMBO (News1st):  Residents of Wewala in Dambulla are lamenting that authorities have failed to prevent the clearing of state-owned lands in the area. “There is no one we can talk to. Informing the Police, Wildlife Department or the Grama Niladhari office does not serve...

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Artefacts in Galenbindunuwewa at risk

COLOMBO (News1st): Artefacts in Galenbindunuwewa that have missed the eye of archaeologists are facing a risk at present. These artefacts at the Andagala reserve have been destroyed while clearing lands in the area. “The ruins of a staircase were present here. This area contained...

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Ex-Snr DIG Anura Senanayake no more

Colombo (News 1st); Former Senior DIG In-charge of the Western Province Anura Senanayake passed away on Friday (26) at his residence. Police Spokesperson DIG Ajith Rohana speaking to News 1st said the late Senanayake was battling an illness of a prolonged period. Anura...

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05 police officers interdicted over assault on law student

Colombo (News 1st); 05 police officers attached to the Peliyagoda Police station were interdicted following an incident of an assault on a law student inside the police station. Sri Lanka Police said Senior DIG In-charge of the Western Province Deshabandu Tennakoon had...

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First batch of vaccines under COVAX to reach SL by Sunday

Colombo (News 1st); The first batch of COVID-19 vaccines under the COVAX partnership for Sri Lanka will arrive on the island before the 28th of February, announced the Health Ministry. Deputy Director-General of Public Health Services, Dr. Hemantha Herath speaking to News...

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Police officers interdicted for assaulting law student

Colombo (News 1st); Minister of Public Security, Retired Admiral Sarath Weerasekara said the Inspector General of Police was ordered to interdict the police officers responsible for assaulting a law student at the Peliyagoda Police premises. The IGP was also ordered to...

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PCoI on April Attacks did not focus on Sarah; SLFP Ex-Co slams report

Colombo (News 1st); The Executive Council of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party pointed out the report of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry on the 2019 April 21st Attacks had not directed its attention towards suicide bomber Achchi Mohammdu Mohammadu Hasthun’s wife Pulasthini...

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INTERPOL Red Notice on 24 wanted Lankan drug traffickers

Colombo (News 1st); Sri Lanka’s law enforcement agencies seized over 1,610 kilograms of heroin in 2020 alone, said Police Spokesperson DIG Ajith Rohana. The main busts are as follows: 22nd January 2020 170 kg 29th February 2020 74 kg 05th March 2020 365 kg 12th March 2020...

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466 COVID-19 cases reported in Sri Lanka on Thursday (25)

Colombo (News 1st); 466 COVID-19 cases were reported in Sri Lanka on Thursday (25), reported the Department of Government Information. 464 of these cases were from the Peliyagoda Cluster, while the other cases were returnees from overseas. 466 COVID-19 cases reported in...

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COVID-19 fatalities in Sri Lanka climb to 459 on Thursday (25)

Colombo (News 1st); The Director General of Health Services confirmed two (02) deaths caused by Covid-19 virus infection today. Accordingly, the total number of deaths due to Covid-19 infection in Sri Lanka is 459 and the details of Thursday’s victims are as follows: 01.The...

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NSC meetings not called after political crisis : Ranil

COLOMBO (News1st): Former prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has said that the then president Maithripala Sirisena had not convened National Security Council meetings after the political crisis in October 2018. “After he dismissed me as Prime Minister, when Mahinda Rajapaksa...

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SWAT opens fire to stop suspected drug trafficking car

Colombo (News 1st); Police Special Task Force personnel fired shots into the sky in order to stop a car suspected of transporting drugs on Thursday (25) evening in Wattala. Sri Lanka Police said STF personnel were in pursuit of a car in Wattala and had opened fire into...

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Horana heroin part of ‘Harak Kata’s drug operation; Police

Colombo (News 1st); Police investigations have revealed the 45 kilograms of heroin seized from Horana on Wednesday (24) night, were part of a drug trafficking ring operated by two leading traffickers from Dubai. Deputy Police Chief Ajith Rohana speaking to reporters on...

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SLFP rejects PCoI report on 2019 April Attacks

Colombo (News 1st); The Executive Committee of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party on Thursday (25) unanimously decided to reject the report of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry appointed to investigate the 2019 April 21st Attacks. The proposal on rejecting the report was...

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Final PCoI report on April Attacks was manipulated; Ven. Chandrasiri Thero

Colombo (News 1st); The final report of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry appointed to probe the 2019 April 21st Attacks was subject to last-minute changes, alleged Venerable Hunupitiye Chandrasiri Thero, the Propaganda Secretary of the Ape Jana Bala Party. “This...

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SPECIAL REPORT : Disappearing Forests: Rambakan Oya, the latest victim

Colombo (News 1st); State bodies in-charge of forest land management were not consulted when lands from the Rambakan Oya forest reserve were released for private investments, an investigation had revealed.  The Rambakan Oya forest reserve is surrounded...

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