Court orders arrest of Major General & soldiers for obstruction of duties & assault

COLOMBO (News 1st); Court ordered Sri Lanka Police to arrest and produce a Sri Lanka Army Major General and several soldiers who obstructed the duties of Wildlife Officers at the Minneriya National Park and made death threats while assaulting one forest officer. The Habarana...

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Protest over issues in online education

COLOMBO (News1st): A protest was staged in Kurunegala today, citing several demands including necessary facilities for online education, and funding allocated for education. Parents and teachers in and around Kurunegala participated in the protest which was staged opposite...

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Kanya D’Almeida from Sri Lanka wins Commonwealth Short Story Prize

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lankan author Kanya D’Almeida has won the 2021 Commonwealth Short Story Prize. The Commonwealth Foundation announced D’Almeida’s win in an online award ceremony on 30 June which featured readings from Zambian author Mubanga Kalimamukwento, Sri Lankan...

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Nursing trade unions will go on sick leave for two days

COLOMBO (News 1st); Nursing trade unions will go on sick leave on Thursday (01) & Friday (02) citing several demands. These trade unions are the Public Services United Nurses Union (PSUNU), Government Nursing Officers’ Association, and the All Ceylon Nursing Employees Union....

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47 COVID-19 deaths confirmed for Tuesday (29)

COLOMBO (News 1st); 47 COVID-19 deaths were confirmed for Tuesday (29), confirmed the Director-General of Health Services on Wednesday (30). 47 COVID-19 deaths confirmed for Tuesday (29...

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200+ marine animals died due to marine pollution caused by X-Press Pearl

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka’s Attorney General’s Department told the Colombo Magistrate’s Court that over 200 marine animals died following the X-Press Pearl disaster due to marine pollution caused by chemicals in the sea area and NOT due to natural reasons as mentioned by...

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Death-Row inmates call off hunger strike

COLOMBO (News 1st); Death-Row inmates who were protesting at the Mahara and Welikada Prisons have decided to call off their hunger strike and protest on Wednesday (30). According to Prisons Commissioner & Spokesperson Chandana Ekanayake, the prisoners decided to call off...

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Rs. 262 Billion spent on COVID control by Sri Lankan Government

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Sri Lankan government has spent Rs. 262 Billion on COVID-19 control measures, it was revealed on Wednesday (30). Finance Secretary S. R. Attygalle revealed the expenditure on COVID control during a review meeting at Temple Trees chaired by the Prime...

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176 sea turtles dead following X-Press Pearl disaster, AG tells Court

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Attorney General told the Colombo Magistrate’s Court that 176 sea turtles, 20 dolphins, and 04 whales had died following the X-Press Pearl disaster in the seas off the coast of Colombo. 176 sea turtles dead following X-Press Pearl disaster, AG tells...

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FR filed against hand-over or lease of state property to Selandiva

COLOMBO (News 1st); A fundamental rights application was filed with the Supreme Court on Wednesday (30) requesting an order be made on the Finance Secretary preventing any state-owned property from being handed over or leased to Selendiva Investments or Selendiva Leisure Investments....

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Sri Lanka lifts ban on passenger arrivals from several gulf countries

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Civil Aviation Authority on Wednesday (30) confirmed that the decision NOT to allow passengers from several Gulf countries to disembark in Sri Lanka has been reversed subject to conditions. Passengers from Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Oman,...

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COVID-19 Tests for Zoo animals in Sri Lanka

COLOMBO (News 1st): A decision has been reached to conduct COVID-19 Antigen Tests on all animals at Zoological gardens in the country, the Ministry of Wildlife and Conservation said. “Instructions were issued to obtain the required Antigen Test Kits in this regard. If the infected...

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UOC claims first international mooting title for Sri Lanka

The team representing the Faculty of Law, University of Colombo emerged Champions at the Global Rounds of the 19th John H. Jackson Moot Court Competition 2021. The John H. Jackson Moot Court Competition is the premier International Moot Court Competition organized annually...

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Rs. 100,000/- fine on traders selling rice at high prices – Agriculture Minister

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka has decided to slap a Rs. 100,000/- fine on traders who sell rice at exorbitant prices. Agriculture Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage told reporters on Wednesday (30) said that Sri Lanka has sufficient stocks of rice for a period of 06 months from...

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Wedding party of 20 quarantined at home: Police

COLOMBO (News 1st): The Public Health Inspectors (PHIs) ordered 20 people who organised and attended a wedding in violation of the COVID-19 health guidelines, to undergo mandatory quarantine in Panadura, Sri Lanka Police said. “Panadura-North Police conducted a raid jointly...

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Army Engineers refurbish more vehicles for Army fleet

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Sri Lanka Army Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (SLEME), making great strides in the repairs of unserviceable Army vehicle fleet and thereby saving a fair chunk of foreign exchange as per specific instructions given by the Army Chief, added another...

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17 arrested in Mt. Lavinia Child sex trafficking ring

COLOMBO (News 1st): Sri Lanka Police have so far arrested 17 suspects in connection with the case of procuration and human trafficking of a 15-year-old girl in Mount Lavina. A 15-year-old girl was sexually exploited by an individual in Mount Lavinia via social media outlets...

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03rd COVID wave resulted in over 2,400 deaths in Sri Lanka – NOCPCO

COLOMBO (News 1st); A total of 2,421 COVID-19 deaths were reported in Sri Lanka since the 15th of April 2021, considered as the 03rd COVID wave in the island nation, said the National Operations Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO). According to the NOCPCO, only...

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Colombo records over 300 COVID cases on Tuesday (29);

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka recorded a total of 1,717 COVID-19 cases on Tuesday (29), said the National Operations Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO) on Wednesday (30). 08 of these cases were those who tested positive for the coronavirus after returning from...

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FULL LIST: Army & MoH vaccination centers for Wednesday (30)

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Sri Lanka Army and the Ministry of Health will operate multiple vaccination centers across the country on Wednesday (30).   FULL LIST: Army & MoH vaccination centers for Wednesday (30...

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Workers in camouflage uniforms NOT members of PLA, Chinese Embassy tells MOD

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Defence on Tuesday (29) stated that  following a query made by the  Defence Secretary Gen. Kamal Gunaratne (Retd), the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Sri Lanka, has affirmed that the Chinese employees who were...

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Multiple areas isolated & several others released from isolation

COLOMBO (News 1st);  06 Grama Niladhari Divisions in Moneragala, Kegalle, Kalutara & Galle isolated with immediate effect, said Army Commander General Shavendra Silva on Wednesday (30), adding that 05 Grama Niladhari Divisions in Kalutara, Gampaha, Matale...

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Gampaha and Kalutara top Monday’s (28) COVID numbers

COLOMBO  (News 1st); Sri Lanka recorded 1,890 COVID-19 cases on Monday (28), said the National Operations Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO) on Tuesday (29). 1,850 of these cases were from the Post-Avurudu Cluster while the remaining 40 were those...

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Large Whale Shark washes up on Sri Lanka’s east coast

COLOMBO (News 1st); A 15-feet long Whale Shark washed up on the Kallarawa beach in Trincomalee on Tuesday (29). Locals suspect the Whale Shark may have died on Monday (28) after it was trapped in a fishing net. The Trincomalee Wildlife Office is conducting an investigation. Large...

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‘CID & Military probe says NO issue in wearing camouflage clothing’ – Keheliya

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka’s Military and the Criminal Investigations Department have conduct investigations with regard to the presence of camouflage-clad foreign personnel at the Chinese Joint Venture to dredge and clean up the ancient Tissamaharama Wewa. Cabinet Spokesperson...

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DGHS guidelines on MODERNA vaccine to be issued soon

COLOMBO (News 1st): Sri Lanka’s National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) on Monday (Jun. 28) granted approval for the emergency use of the MODERNA vaccine manufactured in the United States of America. “The National Advisory Committee on Communicable Diseases (NACCD) at...

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Road accidents claim 12 lives in 24 hours: Police

COLOMBO (News 1st): Fatal road accidents have claimed the lives of 12 people in a 24-hour window that ended on Tuesday morning (Jun. 29), Sri Lanka Police said. “Eight deaths were reported due to accidents that occurred on Monday (Jun. 21), and the remaining four victims were...

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Locals take to streets against politician for assault

COLOMBO (News 1st); Locals in Mahiyanganaya took to the streets to oppose the conduct of the local government chairman who reportedly assaulted a group of protestors on Sunday (27). The JVP-led protest on Sunday (28) saw locals demand authorities to construct a road as per...

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40% of MV X-PRESS PEARL’s plastic reached Sri Lanka’s coast

COLOMBO (News 1st): Only 40 percent of the plastic onboard the MV X-PRESS PEARL vessel had washed ashore along Sri Lanka’s coastal line, the Ministry of Environment revealed. Definite details on the rest of the 60 percent of plastic that was onboard the shipwreck are yet to...

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Around 150 dead Sea Turtle washed ashore since X-PRESS PEARL disaster

COLOMBO (News 1st): Marine creatures including 150 dead Sea Turtles and 15 Dolphins have washed ashore along the coastal line of Sri Lanka, in the aftermath of the MV X-PRESS PEARL disaster, the Department of Wildlife Conservation said on Tuesday (Jun. 29). According to the...

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143 vaccination centers by Health Ministry on Tuesday (29)

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka’s Health Ministry will operate 143 vaccination centers across the country on Tuesday (29).   143 vaccination centers by Health Ministry on Tuesday (29...

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Two million Sinopharm Vaccines to Sri Lanka in July

COLOMBO (News 1st): Another consignment of TWO million doses of China’s Sinopharm vaccines will reach Sri Lanka by next week, the Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka said. “#Sinopharm has confirmed that 2 million doses of its anti-#COVID19 #vaccine procured by #SriLanka will be delivered...

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Three arrested over murder of an Exorcist: Police

COLOMBO (News 1st): The Divisional Crime Detective Bureau of Nugegoda Division (DCDB-Nugegoda) arrested three suspects in connection with the murder of a 54-year-old Exorcist, whose body was found floating in the Kelani river. The body of a male with limbs bound was discovered...

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31 arrested for violating inter-provincial travel restriction

COLOMBO (News 1st): Sri Lanka Police arrested 31 people who were travelling to Colombo from Eravur via a bus, in violation of the inter-provincial travel restriction. The group was arrested during an inspection at the Miriswatte junction in Gampaha, Police Spokesperson Senior...

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One arrested with Heroin worth over Rs. 10.1 million

COLOMBO (News 1st): Sri Lanka Police arrested a 27-year-old suspect in Mattakkuliya along with a stock of Heroin worth over Rs. 10.1 million. According to Police, 1 kg and 71 grams of Heroin was discovered from the suspect’s possession. Moreover, a car belonging to the suspect...

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Tuk Tuks to face new regulations from NTC

COLOMBO (News 1st): A decision has been reached to regulate three-wheelers island-wide, the National Transport Commission (NTC) said. This decision was reached to ensure that a better service is provided to the commuters, Commander (Retd.) Nilan Mirinda, the Director-General...

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02 arrested over abduction & torture case in Balagolla

COLOMBO (News 1st): Sri Lanka Police arrested two more suspects in connection with the abduction and torture of two people in the Balagolla area in Kandy. According to Police, the two suspects are residents of Atampitiya in Kandy. Moreover, more than 09 grams of Heroin was...

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Ambulance Drivers in WP on Trade Union Action today (29)

COLOMBO (News 1st): The Ambulance drivers in the Western Province have launched a trade union action by refraining from overtime services, citing several demands. The trade union action was launched demanding authorities to implement the circular issued by the Health Ministry,...

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Discussions on relief for Tourism sector affected by COVID-19

COLOMBO (News 1st): A special discussion will be held on Tuesday (Jun. 29) to provide relief to those engaged in the tourism sector who have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Officials of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, the Secretary to the Ministry of Tourism, and representatives...

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Sinopharm 01st dose for those over 60-years in WP

COLOMBO (News 1st): The first dose of the Sinopharm vaccine will be administered to those aged over 60-years, who are residing in the Western province, starting on Tuesday (Jun. 29), the Ministry of Health said. “The COVID-19 vaccination drive will be carried out at all Medical...

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Passengers with travel history to multiple Middle-Eastern countries not allowed to enter Sri Lanka

COLOMBO (News 1st); In accordance with instructions received from the National Operations Centre for Prevention of COVID- 19 Outbreak (NOCPCO) Task Force, due to the Covid-19 pandemic situation all online and offline airlines are directed that passengers with a travel history...

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11 GN Divisions in 05 Districts released from isolation

COLOMBO (News 1st); The isolation status of 11 Grama Niladhari Divisions cross 05 districts was lifted on Tuesday (29) morning, said Army Commander General Shavendra Silva. 11 GN Divisions in 05 Districts released from isolatio...

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Delta variant detected from Colombo construction site

COLOMBO (News 1st); Three people have tested positive for the Delta variant of the coronavirus from a construction site in Colombo, confirmed Dr. Asela Gunawardena, the Director-General of Health Services said. Earlier, five people with the DELTA variant were detected from...

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02 GN Divisions in Colombo & Gampaha isolated

COLOMBO (News 1st); 02 Grama Niladhari Divisions in the Colombo and Gampaha Districts were isolated with immediate effect, said Sri Lanka’s Army Commander General Shavendra Silva on Tuesday (29). 02 GN Divisions in Colombo & Gampaha isolate...

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‘Prosecute those who dredged Tissamaharama Wewa by violating the law’ ; Ven. Pahiyangala Thero

COLOMBO (News 1st); Activist believe that those who commenced an operation to dredge and clean-up the ancient Tissamaharama Wewa should be prosecuted for violating the law in the country. The Chinese Joint Venture to dredge and clean-up the Tissamaharama Wewa was stopped in...

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(PICTURES) Farmers protests rage across Sri Lanka

COLOMBO (News 1st); Farmers across many areas in Sri Lanka for the second consecutive week protested against the shortage of fertilizer in the country. On Monday (27) protests took place in Diyathalawa, Sapugolla, Pahalakadurugama, Dambagolla, Bandarawela, and Nochchiyagama...

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Mendis, Dickwella and Gunathilake face suspension

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka Cricket said that Vice-Captain Kusal Mendis, Wicket Keeper – Batsman Niroshan Dickwella, and Batsman Danushka Gunathilaka will be flown back to Sri Lanka, with immediate effect. This decision was taken following a preliminary inquiry conducted...

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Green Light to administer Pfizer or Moderna as 02nd dose for AstraZeneca

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Health Ministry’s National Advisory Committee on Communicable Diseases has given the green light to use the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines as the second COVID-19 vaccine dose for those who already received the AstraZeneca vaccine. This...

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41 COVID-19 deaths confirmed for Sunday (27); DG Health Services

COLOMBO (News 1st); 41 COVID-19 deaths were confirmed for Sunday (27), said the Director-General of Health Services on Monday (28). 41 COVID-19 deaths confirmed for Sunday (27); DG Health Service...

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Delta variant detected in Polgasowita, says MOH; Health Ministry unaware

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Kahathuduwa Medical Officer for Health (MOH) on Monday (28) said a person who tested for COVID-19 in Jayaliyagama, Polgasowita was classified as one with the Delta Variant. ‘The patient with the Delta COVID variant was detected on Sunday (27). We mobilized...

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