Lower Malwathu Oya Reservoir Project begins; Chinese firm leads construction

Colombo (News 1st); Construction work on the proposed Lower Malwathu Oya reservoir project commenced on Wednesday (31) in Tantirimale. The project will be carried out by a Chinese company, and the Proposed Malwathu Oya Reservoir will be located across Malwathu Oya at Kappachchi...

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Court extends order on Wimal preventing him from commenting on Rishad

Colombo (News 1st); The order issued on Minister Wimal Weerawansa preventing him from making false and malicious statements causing defamation to MP Rishad Bathiudeen was further extended to the 12th of April by the Colombo District Court. The order was made when an application...

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Court reprimands cops for releasing tanker trucks to customs, disregarding order

Colombo (News 1st); The two tanker trucks suspected to contain substandard coconut oil and were seized in Divulapitiya were handed over to Sri Lanka Customs on Wednesday (31) were investigations. Also on Wednesday (31), Marawila Magistrate Rakitha Abeysinghe questioned...

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Ex-CID Chief returned to remand custody over false evidence case

Colombo (News 1st); Ex-Director of the Criminal Investigations Department Shani Abeysekera and two others arrested for concealing and fabricating false evidence in a case were returned to remand custody, where they will remain until the 07th of April. Ex-Director of the CID Shani Abeysekera, Former Ambilitiya Police Sub-Inspector Mohana Mendis,...

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Evidence examination in GI Pipe case against Basil fixed for 29th Sepember

Colombo (News 1st); The evidence examination in the case filed against former Minister of Economic Development Basil Rajapaksa & Former Director-General of the Divineguma Development Department Kithsiri Ranawaka, will commence on the 29th of September 2021. The order...

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2016 Bond Scam suspects further remanded

Colombo (News 1st); The 07 defendants charged with criminal misappropriation at the 31st March 2016 Central Bank Treasury Bond Scam were remanded to the 01st of April, by the Colombo Permanent High Court Trial-at-Bar on Wednesday (31). The Senior Additional Solicitor General...

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China willing to work with Sri Lanka to enhance Belt and Road cooperation

Colombo (News 1st);  Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday (29) said China is willing to work with Sri Lanka to enhance Belt and Road cooperation and contribute to the economic revival of Sri Lanka in the post-pandemic era. Xi made the remarks during a phone call with...

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02 CID teams probing sword imports; AG tells CA

Colombo (News 1st); The Attorney General’s Department on Wednesday (31) informed the Court of Appeal that two Special Police Teams led by an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) of the Criminal Investigations Department are conducting investigations with regard to...

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Chinese COVID vaccine arrives in SL; Officially handed over to President

Colombo (News 1st); 600,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, gifted by China to Sri Lanka were officially handed over to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa by Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Qi Zhenhong on Wednesday (31). The gift of vaccines was made in response to a written...

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(VIDEO) ‘Shake Hands – 1’ Mock Onslaught Against Enemy Hideout

Colombo (News 1st); The Gajaba Regiment (GR)-initiated ‘Shake Hands – 1’, the joint Field Training Exercise (FTX) that got underway hand in hand with members of the Pakistan Army for 15 days, reached its climax on Tuesday (30) when troops rehearsed mock attacks on hideouts...

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Protest at Exams Dept. against delayed OT payment

Colombo (News 1st); A large number of employees attached to the Department of Examinations protested inside the premises against the delay in over-time payments. Commission General of Examination Sanath B. Pujitha said the funds required for OT payment was requested from...

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Hacker arrested in Jaffna for stealing money from overseas accounts

COLOMBO (News 1st): The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on Tuesday (Mar. 30) arrested a 41-year-old resident of Chavakachcheri in Jaffna, for an offence committed under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, Sri Lanka Police said on Wednesday (Mar....

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(VIDEO) “Johnston says Sugar-Coconut Oil Scams are lies”

Colombo (News 1st); Sri Lankan Minister Johnston Fernando said the allegations on a Sugar Scam and Coconut Oil Scam, are all false. “There is an attempt to only tarnish the image of the President for the wrongs that are not committed by him,” said Fernando adding the opposition...

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Wimal warns of those who try to ruin local production

Colombo (News 1st); There are those in government who continue to operate like late Minister Felix Dias and Former President J. R. Jayawardena in order to discourage local production, warned Minister Wimal Weerawansa. ‘The 1977 open economy is what ruined Sri Lanka’s local...

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CBSL accepts only Rs. 10 Bn, after offering Rs. 45 Bn in T-Bills

Colombo (News 1st);  The Central of Sri Lanka had failed to sell 77 percent of Treasuries offered at the 30th March Treasury Bill Auction, while a sharp rise in interest rates was also observed. The Treasury Bill auction was held on Tuesday (30) to secure short-term loans...

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(VIDEO) Matara bridge turns into death trap; locals plead for urgent repairs

Colombo (News 1st);  Every day, people living in the villages of Pilikannahena, Ittagalhena, Thalgastenne, and Kahawinna risk their lives to cross the only bridge linking them with the mainland. This Wooden Bridge located in the Rotumba (West) Grama Niladhari Division...

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Decision on Ranjan’s petition against vacating parliamentary seat on 05th

Colombo (News 1st); The Court of Appeal decision on the application filed by Ranjan Ramanayake seeking an order preventing any action on his parliamentary seat will be delivered on the 05th of April. The decision was to be announced on Wednesday (31), however, as it was not...

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39 COVID infections from Ratnapura; 139 from across SL on Tuesday (30)

Colombo (News 1st);  139 COVID-19 cases were reported from Sri Lanka on Tuesday (30), said the Department of Government Information. The highest number of 39 COVID-19 cases were reported from the Ratnapura District and a total of 3,192 infections were reported from the...

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Postal workers launch trade union action by reporting sick

COLOMBO (News 1st): The postal workers have launched an island-wide trade union action by reporting sick, citing several objections against the decisions reached by the Department of Posts, postal trade unions said. The island-wide trade union action launched at midnight on...

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April 21st Attacks: Cabinet Sub-Committee report to President on Monday (05)

COLOMBO (News 1st): The final report of the Cabinet Sub-Committee appointed to study the recommendations of the final report of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry to Probe 2019 April 21st Attacks, will be handed over to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Monday (April 05)....

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Rice Prices: CAA files legal action against 2000 vendors

COLOMBO (News 1st): During the course of this year, legal action was instituted against 2000 vendors who sold rice at prices exceeding the government-imposed controlled price, the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) said on Wednesday (Mar. 30). The raids to nab traders who sell...

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Sinopharm COVID-19 jabs from China to SL today (31)

COLOMBO (News 1st): A consignment of 600,000 doses of the Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine manufactured in China that was handed over to Dr. Palitha Kohona, the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to China on Tuesday (Mar. 31), will arrive in Sri Lanka today (Mar. 31). A decision has been reached...

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Substandard Coconut Oil Bowsers to Customs today (31): Police

COLOMBO (News 1st): The two bowsers of substandard Coconut oil seized by Sri Lanka Police in the Divulapitiya area will be handed over to Sri Lanka Customs on Wednesday (Mar. 31) for further investigations. The two bowsers will be handed over to Customs officials in Colombo...

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Police seize two bowsers of substandard oil

COLOMBO (News1st): The Dankotuwa police had recovered two bowsers of substandard oil after launching an operation yesterday, based on a tip-off received by their emergency unit. The two bowsers containing 55,000 litres of substandard coconut oil belongs to Edirisinghe Edible...

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Audit exposes misdeeds of Sri Lanka Cricket

COLOMBO (News1st): An audit carried out by the National Audit Office revealed several irregularities that had taken place as Sri Lanka Cricket handed over broadcasting rights between 2013 and 2020. Bids for handing over broadcasting rights had been called on the 14th of February...

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(VIDEO) Lanza clashes with Devani Jayathilake over lagoon program

Colombo (News 1st);  Sri Lanka’s State Minister of Rural Roads and other Infrastructure, Nimal Lanza, verbally clashed with Gampaha District Forest Officer Devani Jayathilake on Tuesday (30) at a meeting on the Negombo Lagoon Development Project. Devani Jayathilake had...

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Sinopharm vaccine will first be given to Chinese in SL

Colombo (News 1st); The Chinese Sinopharm vaccine will first be given to Chinese nationals in Sri Lanka, said Joint Cabinet Spokesperson & Minister, Dr. Ramesh Pathirana on Tuesday (30). “Currently there is an issue with regard to the translation of the Chinese material,...

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‘SLFP will form a future government’ – Maithripala Sirisena

Colombo (News 1st); “The Sri Lanka Freedom Party will form a government in the future,” said Former President Maithripala Sirisena on Tuesday (30) adding the SLFP will explore the political sphere for progressive political parties. The Former President said though the...

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China gifts 600,000 doses of COVID vaccine; Professional body raises Red Flag

Colombo (News 1st); 600,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, gifted by China to Sri Lanka were handed over to Dr. Palitha Kohona, the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to China on Tuesday (30). Chen Song, Deputy Director-General of the Asia Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs...

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Tax exemptions given to attract investors to Port City ; Gammanpila

Colombo (News 1st); The government decided to award tax exemptions with regard to the Colombo Port City, to attract investments and business opportunities, said Joint-Cabinet Spokesperson & Minister, Udaya Gammanpila on Tuesday (30). “Tax exemptions will be awarded...

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New Vietnamese Ambassador meets President; discusses boosting relations

Colombo (News 1st); The newly appointed Ambassador of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to Sri Lanka Ho Thi Thanh Truc presented her credentials to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Tuesday morning (30). President Rajapaksa and the new Vietnamese Ambassador thereafter exchanged...

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Public urged to limit their mobility during festive season

Colombo (News 1st); Sri Lanka’s health sector has decided not to allow games, festivals, carnivals, and musical shows to be organized during the upcoming festive season, given the risk posed by COVID-19. Dr. Sudarshini Fernandopulle, Sri Lanka’s State Minister of Primary...

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Tanker trucks with substandard coconut oil seized from Dankotuwa

Colombo (News 1st); Sri Lanka Police tracked-down two tanker trucks transporting substandard coconut oil from Dankotuwa. 55,000 liters of substandard coconut was oil discovered from the tanker trucks, said Sri Lanka Police. Investigations are underway to determine if the...

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18-hour water cut for Wanawasala & surrounding areas

Colombo (News 1st); An 18-hour water cut will be in effect from 10 PM on Wednesday (31) to 04 PM on Thursday (01) for multiple areas, said the National Water Supply and Drainage Board. The areas that will be affected are : Wanawasala / Oliyamulla / Wattala – Negombo Road...

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Pannipitiya Police Assault; Constable remanded & lorry driver bailed

Colombo (News 1st); The Traffic Police Constable who was filmed assaulting a lorry driver in Pannipitiya on Monday (29), was remanded to the 05th of April by the Nugegoda Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday (30). The lorry driver in question was ordered to be released on a surety...

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Polythene & plastic ban comes into effect from Wednesday (31)

Colombo (News 1st); The Ministry of Environment had decided to prohibit the use of 04 different types of plastic and polythene products in the country. Environment Secretary Dr. Anil Jasinghe speaking to News 1st the ban will come into effect from the 31st of March 2021....

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Implementation of PCoI recommendations, delayed – AG tells Court

Colombo (News 1st); The Attorney General informed the Court of Appeal on Tuesday (30) that the government had decided NOT to implement the recommendations made by the Presidential Commission of Inquiry on incidents of Political Victimization, until the recommendations...

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04 elevated railway tracks to address Colombo’s traffic jam

Colombo (News 1st); In a bid to further reduce the traffic congestion in Colombo and its suburbs, the cabinet approved the proposal for the construction of 04 elevated railway tracks within the Colombo City limits to address traffic congestion. Joint-Cabinet Spokesperson...

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Port City will be governed by President-appointed body; Gammanpila

Colombo (News 1st); Although the Colombo Port City is under a separate governing body, the power to appoint the said body will be vested with the President, it was revealed at the cabinet media briefing on Tuesday (30). Joint-Cabinet Spokesperson Minister Udaya Gammanpila...

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Ex-CJ Mohan Peiris & 02 others acquitted and released

Colombo (News 1st); Colombo Chief Magistrate Buddhika Sri Ragala on Tuesday (30) ordered to acquit and release Former Attorney General & Former Chief Justice, Mohan Peiris and two others from the charges mentioned in the case filed by the bribery commission. The Bribery...

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Person with disability who attempted to runover cops, arrested

Colombo (News 1st); Sri Lanka Police arrested a physically challenged person for attempted murder. According to DIG Ajith Rohana, a special police team of Western Province – North Traffic Division had conducted a special operation on Monday (29) afternoon at the junctions...

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Pannipitiya Assault; Police Constable Arrested & Police Force condemns assault

Colombo (News 1st); The Traffic Police Constable who was filmed assaulting a lorry driver in Pannipitiya on the High-Level Road was arrested on Monday (29) evening, said Police Spokesperson DIG Ajith Rohana. According to the investigations the lorry was traveling from...

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9,740 people are currently undergoing quarantine for COVID-19

Colombo (News 1st); A total of 9,740 people are currently undergoing quarantine for COVID-19 in Sri Lanka, said the National Operations Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO). Among them, 693 are those who were identified from the local community while the...

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Branded coconut oil to be tested ; CAA

Colombo (News 1st); Sri Lanka’s Consumer Affairs Authority has decided to obtain samples from coconut oil available in the market under various brand names. These samples will be obtained from across the Colombo District and will be tested to determine if they are carcinogenic....

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China & Sri Lanka agree to jointly advance cooperation

Colombo (News 1st); The President’s of Sri Lanka and China have agreed to strengthen and enhance mutually beneficial bilateral cooperation in all fields. In a phone conversation with President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Chinese President Xi Jinping noted he will continue to support...

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251 COVID infections & 05 fatalities on Monday (29)

Colombo (News 1st);  215 COVID-19 cases were reported in Sri Lanka on Monday (29), said the Department of Government Information. 151 of these cases were from the Peliyagoda Cluster, 15 from the Prison Cluster while the remaining 49 were returnees overseas. The Director...

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HS Codes or Harmonized System to be subject to strict scrutiny

Colombo (News 1st); During the next few years, goods belonging to HS Codes that are currently inspected by customs, will not be released to the market until final inspection test is carried out, State Minister of Consumer Protection Lasantha Alagiyawanna said. Speaking...

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Justice Kodagoda recuses from hearing FR on cremation of 21-day-old infant

Colombo (News 1st); Supreme Court Judge Yasantha Kodagoda on Monday (29) announced in open court that he would recuse himself from considering the Fundamental Rights application filed challenging the cremation of a 21-day old infant, who had reportedly tested positive...

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Kirinda Mineral Sands extractions leads to more controversy

Colombo (News 1st); It is reported that Indian Ocean Garnet Sands Company Pvt. Ltd had signed a memorandum of understanding with a welfare association in Kirinda for the extraction of mineral sands from the area. The parent company of Indian Ocean Garnet Sands Company...

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Traffic Cop filmed assaulting lorry driver interdicted

Colombo (News 1st); The Minister of Public Security has ordered for the interdiction of a Police Constable who was filmed assaulting a lorry driver in Pannipitya on Monday (29) morning. Sri Lanka Police said the Police Officer seen assaulting a person on a busy road, was...

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Government factions undecided on PC elections

Colombo (News 1st);  The key factions in the government are yet to reach an understanding over the Provincial Council Elections, especially about how the election will be held. General Secretary of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party Dayasiri Jayasekera speaking to reporters...

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