Fox Resorts; a CMG member receives another international accolade

COLOMBO (News1st): Fox Kandy and Fox Jaffna were awarded the Trip Advisor Travellers Choice Awards for 2021. The criteria considered in bestowing this accolade are based on guest reviews of the hotels. The award placed Fox Kandy and Fox Jaffna in the top 10% of hotels reviewed across the world. This is Fox Jaffna’s second […]

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Only first Sputnik jab to be administered?

COLOMBO (News1st): Concerns have raised on whether consent had been obtained to administered only one dose of the Sputnik vaccine in the Kandy district. This was after a rubber stamp on the consent form handed over to those receiving the Sputnik vaccine in the Kandy District read that: “I consent to only receive the first dose […]

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LankaClear receives new chairman

COLOMBO (News1st): Dr Kenneth de Zilwa has been appointed as the chairman of LankaClear, which serves as Sri Lanka’s National Payment Network. Central Bank Governor Prof. W.D. Lakshman has appointed Dr. Kenneth de Zilwa as the chairman of LankaClear for three years with effect from the 1st of June. Dr. De Zilwa serves as a Senior […]

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Namal appointed to Presidential Task Force to transform country’s economy

COLOMBO (News 1st); Minister Namal Rajapaksa was appointed to the Presidential Task Force to transform Sri Lanka’s economy into a green socio-economy with sustainable solutions to climate change. The President has made the appointment via an Extraordinary Gazette issued on the 28th of May. According to the notification, the following Ministers and State Ministers were […]

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UDA to acquire valuable Colombo property; Activists concerned over process

COLOMBO (News 1st); Valuable properties and buildings in Colombo are now being vested with the Urban Development Authority. A gazette published by the President on the 19th of May showed that a seven-acre plot of land on which Milco Sri Lanka is located has been vested with the Urban Development Authority. The land, which has […]

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X-PRESS PEARL fire is unfortunate, but poses no threat; Speaker

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka’s Parliament Speaker believes there is no threat from the X-Press Pearl fire, dubbed as Sri Lanka’s worst marine environment disaster. “The incident was unfortunate and we will have to face this challenge though it is beyond our control,” said the Speaker on Monday (31). X-Press Feeders, the operators of the […]

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CID grills X-PRESS PEARL Captain & Engineers

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Criminal Investigations Department grilled the Captain, Chief Engineer, and the Second Chief Engineer of the MV X-PRESS PEARL on Monday (31) over the onboard fire. On Sunday (30), CID detectives visited the Wellawatte Hotel where the captain and crew are under-going quarantine. However, statements were not recorded on Sunday as the […]

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UNP Working Committee wants Ranil Wickremesinghe in Parliament

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Working Committee of the United National Party on Monday (31) has unanimously agreed to appoint party leader Ranil Wickremesinghe to the UNPs National List Seat in Parliament. This was confirmed to News 1st by the General Secretary of the United National Party Palitha Range Bandara.

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Kurunegala ASP transferred over Mayor’s birthday party at police premises

COLOMBO (News 1st); Two police teams are investigating the incident where the Kurunegala Mayor’s birthday celebration was held at the Kurunegala Police premises over the weekend. Police Spokesperson DIG Ajith Rohana speaking to News 1st said the Assistant Superintendent of Police in charge of the area was transferred. “It was observed the police officers had […]

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Colombo Port City Economic Commission Appointed

COLOMBO (News 1st); President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has appointed the Colombo Port City Economic Commission on Monday (31). Chairman : Gamini Marapana, PC Members : – Treasury Secretary S. R. Attygalle – Secretary to the Ministry of Water Supply Dr. Priyath Bandu Wickrama – Ex-BOI Chairman Saliya Wickramasuriya – Kushan Kodituwakku – Managing Director – Orel […]

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Joe Lara, ‘Tarzan: The Epic Adventures’ Star, Dies in Plane Crash at 58

Joe Lara, the star of 1996’s “Tarzan: The Epic Adventures,” died when a small plane crashed into a Tennessee lake, according to local authorities and the Associated Press. He was 58. His wife, author, and faith-based diet program founder Gwen Lara, was also involved in the crash, along with five others. The Associated Press reported […]

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FULL LIST: Authorities release details of Sunday’s (30) COVID detected areas

COLOMBO (News 1st); Authorities released details of Sunday’s (30) COVID detected areas

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Passengers from Vietnam not allowed to enter Sri Lanka

COLOMBO (News 1st); All passengers with a travel history to Vietnam, including transit, in the past 14 days will not be permitted to disembark in Sri Lanka with immediate effect until further notice. The announcement comes from the Director-General of Civil Aviation, Capt. Themiya Abeywickrama to all airlines. Vietnam detected a Covid variant that appears […]

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Chandimal Jayasinghe & Piumi Hansamali granted bail

COLOMBO (News 1st); Chandimal Jayasinghe, Sri Lanka’s famous pageant director and actress Piumi Hansamali who were arrested for hosting a birthday party, were released on personal bail of Rs. 01 Million each. Police Spokesperson DIG Ajith Rohana said the suspects had hosted a birthday party at a hotel in Colombo on Sunday (30) night. The […]

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Police to probe letters issued by companies requesting staff to report to work

COLOMBO (News 1st); Major traffic congestion was reported on Monday (31) morning along all roads leading to Colombo. Police Spokesperson DIG Ajith Rohana speaking to News 1st said officers manning roadblocks at the Colombo City had observed that some employers had issued letters requesting staff to report to work without a valid reason and police […]

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Chandimal Jayasinghe & Piumi Hansamali arrested

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Colombo Fort Police arrested Chandimal Jayasinghe, Sri Lanka’s famous make-up artist and actress Piumi Hansamali for the violation of quarantine laws. Police Spokesperson DIG Ajith Rohana said the suspects had hosted a birthday party at a hotel in Colombo on Sunday (30) night. The suspects will be produced at the Colombo […]

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FULL LIST: Army and Health Ministry Vaccination centers for Monday (31)

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Sri Lanka Army and Health Officials released details of vaccination centers that will operate on Monday (31).  

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02nd Sinopharm dose from June 08th; Army Commander

COLOMBO (News 1st); The second dose of the Sinopharm vaccine will be administered from the 08th of June 2021, said Army Commander General Shavendra Silva on Monday (31). He said the general public can obtain the second dose of the vaccine from the very location that they obtained the first dose of the Chinese COVID-19 […]

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Sea marshal service weapons dropped into the sea; Navy launches investigation

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Sri Lanka Navy said an investigation is currently underway over an incident where 36 weapons and ammunition, that were taken to provide security to a vessel anchored off the Galle Seas, had dropped into the ocean. Navy Spokesperson Captain Indika De Silva speaking to News 1st said the weapons and ammunition […]

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2,859 COVID-19 infections on Sunday (30)

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka recorded a total of 2,859 COVID-19 infections on Sunday (30). 2,849 of these cases were from the Post-New Year Cluster while the remaining 10 cases were those who tested positive after returning from overseas.

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CID launches investigations into X-PRESS PEARL

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Criminal Investigations Department appointed a 10-member team of detectives to investigate the incidents surrounding the MV X-PRESS PEARL container ship. The team includes 03 Chief Inspectors & an Assistant Superintendent of Police and the investigations are taking place on the instructions of the Director and the DIG of the Criminal Investigations […]

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48 arrested on Sunday (30) for traveling by bus, violating quarantine laws

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Inginiyagala Police arrested 48 people for violating the Quarantine Law on Sunday (30) while traveling from Akkaraipattu to Colombo in a passenger bus. Police Spokesperson DIG Ajith Rohana speaking to News 1st said the Driver and the Conductor were also arrested. Legal action will be taken against the passengers, driver, conductor, […]

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SLFP not pleased with government’s handling of X-PRESS PEARL; Dayasiri

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Sri Lanka Freedom Party has reprimanded the government over its handling of the X-PRESS PEARL disaster. “This is a totally unnecessary issue for the country,” SLFP General Secretary Dayasiri Jayasekera said, adding that the Sri Lanka Port Authority must be grilled for allowing such a vessel to anchor in Sri Lankan […]

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36 COVID-19 deaths confirmed on Sunday (30), Death toll in Sri Lanka climbs to 1,441

COLOMBO (News 1st);  The Director General of Health Services confirmed 07 deaths that occurred on Sunday (30 May) due to Covid-19 virus infection. Apart from that, 29 Covid – 19 deaths that occurred between the 2nd and 29th May were also confirmed. Of them 01 death each was reported on the 2nd, 6th, 7th, 11th, 12th […]

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(VIDEO) China’s urban waste is Sri Lanka’s organic fertilizer?

COLOMBO (News 1st); The JVP alleged that the government is attempting to import China’s urban waste labeling it as Organic Fertilizer. JVPs Vijitha Herath on Sunday (30) said the government is paving the way for business associates to achieve various objectives through this scheme. Vijith Herath said that the garbage that is to be imported […]

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Ranil wants Govt. to prepare legislation to control pandemic

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka’s Former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has called on the Cabinet, headed by the President, to prepare a draft with a set of common policies to control the pandemic. “No one else should be allowed to coordinate this. Discuss this Cabinet-led draft with non-government party leaders and the Opposition in Parliament […]

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INTERPOL aware of two mercury-laden vessels : Prof. Chandima

COLOMBO (News1st): Professor Chandima Wijegunawardana of the Princess Nourah University in Riyadh has said that the INTERPOL had been aware of the presence of two mercury-laden vessels in the Indian Ocean. “That vessel is carrying more than 15,000 barrels and containers comprising mercury and oil mixed with other chemicals,” Wijegunawardena said. “The INTERPOL had informed […]

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Ven. Baddegama Samitha Thero bids adieu

COLOMBO (News1st): Former Parliamentarian and former representative of the Southern Provincial Council Venerable Baddegama Samitha thero passed away this morning while receiving treatment at a private hospital in Matara. The venerable thero who was 68 years of age at the time of his demise had been admitted to hospital after contracting COVID-19. Although he had […]

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Suspicion behind selling lands in Colombo

COLOMBO (News1st): Opposition lawmaker Vijitha Herath has said that there is a connection between selling off lands in Colombo when the Port City Bill has been passed. “There is an ulterior motive behind this. That is why these are taking place,” Herath said on Sunday. He made these remarks in reference to the Special Purpose Vehicle […]

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Letter of Intent for WCT signed

COLOMBO (News1st): A weekend newspaper has reported that the Letter of Intent on vesting India’s Adani Group with a stake in the terminal had been signed on the 3rd of May. According to reports, 51% of the ownership of the West Container Terminal of Colombo port will be given to India’s Adani Port Group, 34% will […]

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Are Sinopharm jabs sold at a higher rate to SL?

COLOMBO (News1st): Concerns have raised on whether the Sinopharm vaccine had been sold to Sri Lanka at a higher rate compared to Bangladesh. On the 27th of this month, Shah Ali Farhad the special assistant to the Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina in a tweet said, the Bangladesh cabinet had approved a proposal to […]

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First jab to provide immunity for six months

COLOMBO (News1st): The World Health Organization said that the first dose of the AstraZeneca jab will provide immunity for six months against COVID-19. Previously, the global health body had recommended that the second dose must be administered between 8 to 12 weeks of receiving the jab. The World Health Organization had noted that the first […]

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Navy markswoman Tehani Egodawela qualified for Tokyo Olympics

COLOMBO (News 1st); Leading Woman Communicator Tehani Egodawela, serving in the Sri Lanka Navy, has qualified for Tokyo Olympics in the women’s 10m air rifle 0.177 event. Tehani Egodawela is a Leading Woman Communicator who has been representing the Sri Lanka Navy Musketry Pool since 2011 and has been selected as the best shooter 07 times, […]

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(PICTURES) Firefighting efforts continue to contain fire on board X-PRESS PEARL

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka Air Force released new images of the blazing X-PRESS PEARL on Sunday (30) afternoon.  

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More than 72,000 COVID cases reported in May 2021 – NOCPCO

COLOMBO (News 1st); A total of 72,447 COVID-19 cases were reported in Sri Lanka during the month of May 2021, said the National Operations Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO).

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Chemicals from X-PRESS PEARL cause for dead marine life; Environment Minister

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka’s Environment Minister on Sunday (30) said marine species and birds have died as a result of the chemical debris from the blazing MV X-PRESS PEARL container ship. Minister Mahinda Amaraweera speaking to News 1st said the The National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA) is already conducting tests on […]

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COVID vaccines administered across 08 districts on Sunday (30); Vaccination schedule

COLOMBO (News 1st); Health Authorities have released details of Sunday’s Vaccination schedule.

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Grade One admission for 2022 at Government Schools now Open

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka’s Education Ministry on Sunday (30) issued instructions related to the admission of children to Grade One in Government Schools for the Year 2022. Download the application here: Grade 01 English (2) final ammended on 28 may (1) (1)

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Venerable Baddegama Samitha Thero passes away

COLOMBO (News 1st); Former Member of Parliament and Former Member of the Southern Provincial Council Venerable Baddegama Samitha Thero passed away Sunday morning (30). The late Thero was being treated at a private hospital in Matara. He was 68 years old at the time of his passing and was recently hospitalized with a coronavirus infection. […]

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793 people died of COVID-19 since 15th April 2021 – NOCPCO

COLOMBO (News 1st); 793 people have died of COVID-19 since the 15th of April 2021 (Post-New Year Cluster), said the National Operations Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO). 463 of these victims were males and the remaining 330 were females, it added. Only 13 deaths were reported during the 01st wave of COVID-19 while […]

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Gampaha records 541 COVID cases on Saturday (29); Colombo records 442 infections

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Gampaha District recorded the highest number of 541 COVID infections on Saturday (29), said the National Operations Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO). Full District Breakdown below: 

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Police to record statements from X-PRESS PEARL crew on Monday (31)

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka Police will record statements from the crew of the ill-fated X-PRESS PEARL container ship on Monday (31). “They were undergoing quarantine as per the health guidelines and their quarantine period ends today (30),” said Police Spokesperson DIG Ajith Rohana adding the investigation is carried out by the Colombo Harbour Police. […]

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914 people arrested for violating quarantine laws on Saturday (29).

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka Police arrested 914 people for violating the quarantine rules and regulations on Saturday (29), the highest number of arrests made in a single day. Police Spokesperson DIG Ajith Rohana speaking to News 1st said a total of 17,300 people were arrested since the 30th of October 2020 for violating the […]

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Army releases locations of Vaccination Centers for Sunday (30)

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka Army will operate vaccination centers across 06 separate districts on Sunday (30).

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2,800+ COVID cases reported in Sri Lanka on Saturday (29)

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka recorded a total of 2,882 COVID infections on Saturday (29). 2,827 of these cases were from the Post-New Year Cluster and the remaining 55 cases were those tested positive after returning from overseas.

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42 COVID deaths confirmed on Saturday (29); 10 of them had died at their homes

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Director General of Health Services confirmed 06 deaths that occurred on Saturday (29 May) due to Covid-19 virus infection. Apart from that, 36 Covid – 19 deaths that occurred between 14th and 28th May were also confirmed. Of them 01 death on May 14, 02 deaths on May 19, 01 death […]

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(VIDEO) Sri Lanka Air Force drops another 425 kg of DCP to contain X-Press Pearl fire

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka Air Force dropped another 425 kilograms of Dry Chemical Powder on to the burning X-Press Pearl container ship on Saturday (29). Sri Lanka Air Force Spokesperson Group Captain Dushan WIjesinghe said the relevant other parties were informed of the situation on board the vessel as well. Firefighting efforts of the […]

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Over 21,000 people vaccinated against COVID-19 on Saturday (29)

COLOMBO (News 1st); More than 21,000 people were given the first dose of the Chinese Sinopharm vaccine on Saturday (29), said the Epidemiology Unit of the Ministry of Health. At the same time the second dose of the COVISHIELD vaccine was administered to 512 people on Saturday (29), it added.

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People’s Bank head office to be relocated

COLOMBO (News1st): The foundation laying ceremony for the new head office of the People’s Bank was held under the auspices of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday. The foundation stone was laid in a land area located near the Ibbanwala junction. The plaque of the building was unveiled using state-of-the-art technology by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa […]

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Why is Bangladesh’s currency swap important?

COLOMBO (News1st): The Bangladesh Bank, which is the central bank of Bangladesh recently approved in principle a 200 million US Dollar currency swap with the Central Bank of Sri Lanka. What exactly is the significance of a bilateral currency swap and what is in it for Sri Lanka? WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF A CURRENCY […]

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