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 which lies in Anuradhapura and Vavuniya Districts. The proposed Lower Malwathu Oya reservoir […]
Lower Malwathu Oya Reservoir Project begins; Chinese firm leads construction
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 filed by Bathiudeen was called up in the presence of Colombo […]
Court extends order on Wimal preventing him from commenting on Rishad
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 Sri Lanka Police as to how the two tanker trucks seized in Dankotuwa with suspected carcinogenic coconut […]
Court reprimands cops for releasing tanker trucks to customs, disregarding order
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, and Retired Sub-Inspector Nawaratne Premathilake, were […]
Ex-CID Chief returned to remand custody over false evidence case
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 was made by Colombo Chief High Court Judge Damith Thotawatte on Wednesday (31). The case was filed against […]
Evidence examination in GI Pipe case against Basil fixed for 29th Sepember
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 appearing for the Attorney General requested that bail be denied to the defendants. The […]
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 Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Monday (29). […]
China willing to work with Sri Lanka to enhance Belt and Road cooperation
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 the importation of 6000 swords to Sri Lanka. Senior State Counsel Dr. Avanti Perera appearing for the […]
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 request made by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, to the Chinese President, Xi […]
Chinese COVID vaccine arrives in SL; Officially handed over to President
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 of insurgents at Saliyapura, GR Regimental Centre. The final FTX […]
(VIDEO) ‘Shake Hands – 1’ Mock Onslaught Against Enemy Hideout
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 the Treasury and once the money is received the payment will be made
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. 31). “Based on information received by the CID regarding the suspect’s bank accounts, it […]
Hacker arrested in Jaffna for stealing money from overseas accounts
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 cannot make any allegation on corruption within the […]
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 production capacity,” said Weerawansa at the launch of a Made in Sri Lanka […]
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 of Rs. 45 Billion required by the government. […]
CBSL accepts only Rs. 10 Bn, after offering Rs. 45 Bn in T-Bills
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 in the Matara District is considered a death trap to many, due to its present […]
(VIDEO) Matara bridge turns into death trap; locals plead for urgent repairs
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 ready, Court of Appeal President Arjuna Obeysekera and […]
Decision on Ranjan’s petition against vacating parliamentary seat on 05th
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 district since the 04th of October 2020. 22 COVID-19 cases were reported […]
39 COVID infections from Ratnapura; 139 from across SL on Tuesday (30)
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 Tuesday (Mar. 30) will continue till midnight today (Mar. 31), Chinthaka Bandara, the Chairman […]
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). The report was scheduled to be handed over to the President on […]
April 21st Attacks: Cabinet Sub-Committee report to President on Monday (05)
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 rice at higher prices will continue across the island, the CAA’s Investigation […]
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 to administer the Sinopharm jab to Chinese […]
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 today (31), Sri Lanka Police said. According to Police, […]
Substandard Coconut Oil Bowsers to Customs today (31): Police
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 Oil (Pvt) Ltd. According to the police, investigations have shown that the oil was part […]
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 2013, while the bids of four entities had been opened on […]
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 completely opposed the program in the lagoon which is taking place while destroying the mangroves ecosystem […]
(VIDEO) Lanza clashes with Devani Jayathilake over lagoon program
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, especially their report on clinical research,” said the Minister adding once the approval […]
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 SLFP supported the government, it cannot remain silent in the face of the people of […]
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 of China handed over the vaccines. The gift of vaccines was made […]
China gifts 600,000 doses of COVID vaccine; Professional body raises Red Flag
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 as per the provisions of the Strategic Development Projects Act No.14 of 2008,” he said. The Minister went […]
Tax exemptions given to attract investors to Port City ; Gammanpila
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 views on the current status of bilateral relations and the development of future cooperation between […]
New Vietnamese Ambassador meets President; discusses boosting relations
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 Health Care, Epidemics, and COVID Disease Control speaking to News 1st said it was decided […]
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 seized coconut oil belongs to the consignment of carcinogenic coconut recently undercovered in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka […]
Tanker trucks with substandard coconut oil seized from Dankotuwa
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 / Ewariwatte Road / Thelangapatha / […]
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 bail of Rs. 100,000. The Traffic Police Constable who […]
Pannipitiya Police Assault; Constable remanded & lorry driver bailed
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. According to a Gazette Extraordinary issued by the Ministry on […]
Polythene & plastic ban comes into effect from Wednesday (31)
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 of the Special Presidential Commission of Inquiry, appointed to implement the Decisions and Recommendations of above PCoI […]
Implementation of PCoI recommendations, delayed – AG tells Court
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 Minister Udaya Gammanpila said the project will be carried out as a public-private partnership covering […]
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 said he believes Sri Lanka can be transformed into the business center of […]
Port City will be governed by President-appointed body; Gammanpila
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 Commission had filed the case against Former Attorney General & Former Chief Justice, […]
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 towards the fish market along the Colombo – Negombo Road. A Police Constable upon […]
Person with disability who attempted to runover cops, arrested
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 Kottawa to Colombo and knocked down the Traffic OIC of Maharagama, IP Maithripala, who was […]
Pannipitiya Assault; Police Constable Arrested & Police Force condemns assault
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 remaining 9,047 are returnees from overseas. The National Operations Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 […]
9,740 people are currently undergoing quarantine for COVID-19
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. Also, the CAA said it will conduct islandwide operations to nab errant […]
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 the sustainable development of Sri Lanka and will stand firm for Sri Lanka in the […]
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 General of Health Services confirmed five deaths caused by Covid-19 virus infection […]
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 during a media briefing, the State Minister said goods more than 3500 of 5000 […]
HS Codes or Harmonized System to be subject to strict scrutiny
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 for COVID-19. Justice Kodagoda had recused himself from considering the petition citing personal reasons. The application […]
Justice Kodagoda recuses from hearing FR on cremation of 21-day-old infant
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 Pvt. Ltd is based in Tamil Nadu, India. Indian Ocean Garnet Sands […]
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 identified as one attached to the Maharagama Police Station. Police […]
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 said the SLFP wishes to contest the polls as per the Mixed-Member electoral system. However, […]
The Department of Meteorology says showers or thundershowers are likely in parts of the Northern, North-central, Eastern and Uva provinces t...
