02nd dose of AstraZeneca will be administered for one week – Health

COLOMBO (News 1st); The second dose of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine will be administered from 01st August 2021 at 20 designated locations, said Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi on Saturday (31). ‘These locations will be located in the Western Province,’ she said adding...

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Pathologists take 09 hours to perform second post-mortem on Ishalini’s exhumed remains

COLOMBO (News 1st); The second postmortem in respect of 16-year-old Jude Kumar Ishalini, the domestic aide who died while employed at Ex-Minister Rishad Bathiudeen’s residence, was performed for 09 hours on Saturday (31). Police Spokesperson Senior DIG Ajith Rohana speaking...

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Over 700,000 AstraZeneca doses arrive in Sri Lanka

COLOMBO (News 1st); 728,460 AstraZeneca vaccine doses from Japan arrived in Sri Lanka under the COVAX facility a short while ago today (31). Another similar consignment is scheduled to reach the island next Saturday (07) as well, State Minister Channa Jayasumana stated. The...

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Yupun Abeykoon placed 6th at Tokyo Olympics

COLOMBO (News 1st); South Asia’s fastest runner, Yupun Abeykoon placed 6th in the 3rd heat at the Men’s 100m event at Tokyo Olympics today (31). Abeykoon clocked at 10.32 seconds, however was not qualified for the next round at the Olympics. Yupun Abeykoon placed 6th at Tokyo...

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All areas released from isolation

COLOMBO (News 1st); All areas which were under isolation so far, have been released from isolation today (31), Army Commander Shavendra Silva says. The move came along with the decision to lift the last isolation imposed in the island, in Wadamarachchi North in Point Pedro. All...

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Prisons engage in production of organic fertilizer to combat shortage

COLOMBO (News 1st); An operation to produce organic fertilizer with the labour contribution of inmates is currently underway at selected prisons around the country in areas such as Batticaloa, Wariyapola, Watareka, Pallekele, Thaldena, Weerawila and Anuradhapura, Prisons...

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Hyacinth Wijeratne: Suspect of accident remanded until 03 October

COLOMBO (News 1st); According to investigations conducted after the accident involving deceased actress Hyacinth Wijeratne, it was revealed that she was sitting at the rear seat of the vehicle, SDIG Ajith Rohana says. The Police Spokesperson further stated that the driver,...

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500+ COVID cases from Gampaha in 24 hours; 2,460 COVID-19 cases on Friday (30) in Sri Lanka

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka recorded a total of 2,460 COVID-19 infections on Friday (30) said the National Operation Centre for Prevention of COVID 19 Outbreak (NOCPCO) on Saturday (31). Gampaha recorded the highest number of 535 COVID-19 cases during that period, said the...

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SriLankan Airlines resumes flights to the Russian capital, Moscow

COLOMBO (News 1st); SriLankan Airlines resumed flights to the Russian capital, Moscow with a weekly scheduled flight between Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) and Moscow’s Domodedovo Airport (DME), 30th July 2021. Accordingly, SriLankan would commence its flights to...

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Inter-Province Bus & Train services to resume operations

COLOMBO (News 1st); Inter-Province Bus and Train services will resume operations tomorrow (01), State Minister of Vehicle Regulation, Bus Transport Services and Train Compartments and Motor Car Industry, Dilum Amunugama says. The State Minister emphasized that the bus...

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Over 300 Community Vaccination Centers open on Saturday (31)

COLOMBO (News 1st); More than 300 vaccination centers are open across the island on Saturday (31), said Sri Lankan authorities.   Over 300 Community Vaccination Centers open on Saturday (31...

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Isuru Udana retires from International cricket

COLOMBO (News 1st): Sri Lanka’s 33-year all rounder Isuru Udana announced in a statement that he is retiring from International Cricket with immediate effect. “I believe the time has come for me to make way for the next generation of players,’’ said Udana whilst notifying...

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Circular to summon all public servants to work, issued

COLOMBO (News 1st): Ministry of Public Services, Provincial Councils and Local Government has issued a circular to call all public servants to work as usual from next week onwards. The Ministry stated that the circular was issued following instructions from the Secretary to...

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AstraZeneca second dose from Sunday (01) at Vihara Maha Devi Park

COLOMBO (News 1st) Second dose of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine will be administered at Vihara Maha Devi Park on Sunday (01) and at both Vihara Maha Devi Park & Diyatha Uyana on Monday (02), said Army Commander General Shavendra Silva on Saturday (31)   AstraZeneca...

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Welikada officials seize parcels of drugs thrown over prison wall

COLOMBO (News 1st): Four parcels containing prohibited substances have been seized by Welikada Prison officials after they were thrown over the boundary wall of the prison on 28,29 and 30 July. The parcels were found to have been thrown over the wall of the prison from...

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One suspect identified for uploading obscene content

COLOMBO (News 1st): Sri Lanka Police have launched investigations to apprehend a suspect from Kandy who had been identified for uploading inappropriate and obscene content to cyberspace. The Police Children and Women Bureau is conducting further investigations with regard to...

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COVID-19 infected mothers can breastfeed via safe methods

COLOMBO (News 1st): Mothers who are infected with COVID-19 still have the ability to breastfeed via safe methods, Dr. Chitramali de Silva, Director of Sri Lanka Family Health Bureau says. She mentioned this in commemoration of the National Breastfeeding week, which is...

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Over 500K COVID vaccine doses administered on Friday (30)

COLOMBO (News 1st): More than 500,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses were administered in Sri Lanka for the second consecutive day, on Friday (Jul. 30), the State Ministry of Production, Supply, and Regulation of Pharmaceuticals said. According to State Minister Prof. Channa Jayasumana,...

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Over 700,000 AstraZeneca jabs to Sri Lanka today (31)

COLOMBO (News 1st): A consignment of 728,460 AstraZeneca vaccine doses provided to Sri Lanka by Japan under the COVAX facility of the World Health Organisation (WHO) will reach Sri Lanka on Saturday evening (Jul. 31), State Minister Prof. Channa Jayasumana told News 1st. Another...

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Non-biodegradable lunch sheets to be prohibited from tomorrow

COLOMBO (News 1st): Lunch sheets made of non-biodegradable polythene will be banned from tomorrow (01), The Minister of Environment, Mahinda Amaraweera states. The Minister said that the manufacture, transportation, and the sale of all types of lunch sheets made out of non-biodegradable...

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Popular actress Hyacinth Wijewardena dies in tragic accident

COLOMBO (News 1st): Popular actress Hyacinth Wijeratne passed away due to a road accident in the Lindula area yesterday (30), Police Spokesperson SDIG Ajith Rohana stated. He said that the vehicle in which she was traveling had fallen into a precipice at the Nuwara Eliya –...

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Road accidents claim 12 lives within 24 hours

COLOMBO (News 1st): A rise in deaths causes by road accidents has been recorded lately, Police Media Spokesperson SDIG Ajith Rohana says. He stated this while adding that 12 deaths have been caused due to road accidents within the last 24 hours. Accordingly, seven motorcyclists,...

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Narcotics worth Rs. 9 Billion seized so far in 2021

COLOMBO (News 1st): Sri Lanka Police have seized narcotic substances worth Rs. 09 billion so far this year. More than 15,000 suspects were arrested since January this year, for the possession of narcotic substances such as Heroin and ICE, Police Spokesperson Senior DIG Ajith...

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56 COVID-19 deaths confirmed for Thursday (29)

COLOMBO (News 1st);  56 COVID-19 deaths were confirmed for Thursday (29), said the Director-General of Health Services on Friday (30). 56 COVID-19 deaths confirmed for Thursday (29...

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Blue Sapphire weighing 80 kg discovered from a mine in Rakwana

COLOMBO (News 1st); A blue sapphire weighing approximately 80 kilograms was discovered from a mine in Rakwana, Ratnapura on Friday (30). The licensed mine is owned by Ex-Deputy Minister Earl Gunasekara. Speaking to News 1st Earl Gunasekara said the gemstone will be put up for...

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Chemicals & fuel from X-Press Pearl contaminated the ocean – Govt Analyst

COLOMBO (News 1st); A Government Analyst’s report has revealed that Sri Lanka’s ocean was contaminated with chemicals and fuel from the X-Press Pear container ship, which is now a wreck sitting in the ocean bed not far from Colombo’s coast. Deputy Solicitor General Madhawa...

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Second dose important to prevent reduction of antibodies against COVID

COLOMBO (News 1st); A Sri Lankan study has revealed that neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) also know as the ‘good’ antibodies had significantly reduced in those who obtained the AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD vaccine after 04 weeks of administering the first dose. 553 voluntary participants...

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Scholarships & Awards for rural piriven students

COLOMBO (News 1st); The awarding of scholarships, computers, educational equipment, and gift vouchers to monks and laypersons studying in pirivens in remote areas took place on Friday (30). The event was graced by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Educational equipment will be...

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Nanjing: New virus outbreak worst after Wuhan

(BBC); A Covid outbreak first discovered in the Chinese city of Nanjing has spread to five provinces and Beijing, with state media calling it the most extensive contagion after Wuhan. Almost 200 people have been infected since the virus was first detected at the city’s busy...

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All public sector employees will return to work from 02nd August

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Secretary to the President has instructed that steps be taken to call all public sector employees to work as usual from the 2nd of August with strict adherence to the COVID-19 Preventive Health Guidelines. The President’s Media Division stated that the...

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Delta variant appears to spread as easily as chickenpox

Washington (CNN)The Delta coronavirus variant surging across the United States appears to cause more severe illness and spread as easily as chickenpox, according to an internal document from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The document — a slide presentation...

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Over 700,000 AstraZeneca jabs to reach SL on Saturday (30)

COLOMBO (News 1st): A consignment is over 700,000 AstraZeneca vaccine doses are set to reach the island on Saturday (Jul. 31), the National Operation Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO) said. “Once this consignment of AstraZeneca vaccines is brought to the country,...

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Army Commander’s League T20 Cricket Tournament on Saturday (31)

COLOMBO (News 1st); The second edition of the Army Commander’s League T20 Cricket Tournament will kick off from 31st July to 8th August at the Army Cricket Ground of international standards at Dombagoda, adhering to strict health guidelines. Major General Sanjaya Wanasinghe,...

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Sri Lanka vs South Africa Tour announced

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka Cricket announced that the National Team of South Africa will be in Sri Lanka to play a white-ball series during September 2021. The tour will consist of a 03 Match ODI and a 03 match T20I series. The tour will take place under a Bio-Bubble Environment,...

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Significant rise in Cyberbullying cases in Sri Lanka: SLCERT

COLOMBO (News 1st): There is an increasing trend in the rate of pornographic and inappropriate content being released to cyberspace against the backdrop of children being directed to online learning methods, the Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Response Team (SLCERT) warned. Around...

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Phase 02 of the Kanugahawewa Renovation Project completed by SLAF

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Kanugahawewa Renovation Project which came to life as a result of the “Gama Samaga Pilisandara” program by the President, saw the completion of its second phase on Thursday (29). This project was taken over by the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal...

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3,715 COVID-19 deaths in Sri Lanka from the 15th of April 2021

COLOMBO (News 1st); 3,715 people died of COVID-19 in Sri Lanka from the 15th of April 2021, said the National Operations Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO) on Friday (30). A total of 4,324 people have died of COVID-19 in the country since the first wave in...

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396 COVID cases from Gampaha in 24 hours; 2,370 infections across the island

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka recorded a total of 2,370 COVID-19 cases on Thursday (29) said the National Operations Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO) on Friday (30). Gampaha recorded the highest number of 396 COVID-19 infections during the 24 hour period...

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Court orders to release Sarana Gunawardena from 08 cases

COLOMBO (News 1st); Colombo Chief Magistrate Buddhika Sri Ragala on Friday (30) ordered to release Ex-Deputy Minister Sarana Gunawardena from the charges in 08 cases filed against him by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption. Assistant Director...

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4,700 complaints on Child Abuse during first half of 2021 – NCPA

COLOMBO (News 1st); The National Child Protection Authority said it received 4,700 complaints on child abuse and incidents of cruelty during the first half of 2021. Its Chairperson Mudith Vidanapathirana speaking to News 1st said 73 complaints relate to the use of children...

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THREE strains of Dengue virus spreading across Sri Lanka

COLOMBO (News 1st): The second and third strains of the Dengue virus are rapidly spreading across the island at present, the National Dengue Control Unit said. This was revealed following joint scientific investigations conducted by the National Dengue Control Unit, the Medical...

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40 kg of heroin worth Rs. 400 Mn seized from Bandaragama

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Kalutara Range Crime Division of Sri Lanka Police arrested one person for the possession of 40 kg heroin in Bandaragama. Investigations revealed that the drugs belong to a wanted Sri Lankan drug trafficker who fled to Dubai and is operating a drug ring...

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Ishalini’s body exhumed for second post-mortem

COLOMBO (News 1st); The body of 16-year-old Jude Kumar Ishalini, the domestic aide who died while employed at the residence of Ex-Minister Rishad Bathiudeen, was exhumed on Friday (30), as per a court order. Court ordered for the exhumed body of 16-year-old Jude Kumar Ishalini...

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Over 500,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses administered on Thursday (29)

COLOMBO (News 1st); Over 500,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses were administered on Thursday (29) said the Epidemiology Unit of the Ministry of Health. Accordingly, for the first time in Sri Lanka 515,830 vaccines doses were administered. Vaccination Details Below : Over 500,000 COVID-19...

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273 Community Vaccination Centers operating on Friday (30)

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka authorities have decided to operate 273 Community Vaccination Centers on Friday (30).   273 Community Vaccination Centers operating on Friday (30...

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Sri Lanka Beat India By 7 Wickets, Win Series 2-1

Sri Lanka won the third and final T20I of the three-match T20I series against India by seven wickets and clinched the series 2-1 on Thursday (29). Wanindu Hasaranga was the top performer with the ball for Sri Lanka and he was also the Player of the Match and Player of the Series....

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CBSL prints record Rs 213.48 in a single day

COLOMBO (News1st): The central bank has printed 213.48 billion rupees on Tuesday, central bank data show, the highest amount to be printed by the country so far this year. The money had been printed a day after Sri Lanka settled a USD 1 billion bond payment....

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Health trade unions warn against Delta variant

COLOMBO (News1st): Health trade unions have warned that the spread of the highly contagious Delta COVID-19 variant may force the country into a lockdown. “Ten percent of the infected cases are of the delta variant. The situation portrayed by the data is dangerous,” Dr....

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Inquiry Committee recommends to ban Kusal, Dhanushka and Dikwella

COLOMBO (News 1st); A 05-member committed by Sri Lanka Cricket has recommended to hand out 2 year bans each for Dhanushka Gunathilaka and Kusal Mendis while Niroshan Dickwella would be handed a ban of 18 months from all forms of Cricket. In addition to the ban, the committee...

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Chief suspect in Mt. Lavinia Child Sex Trafficking case linked to drug trafficking

COLOMBO (News 1st); Detectives investigating the sexual exploitation of a 15-year-old girl from Mount Lavinia told the Colombo Additional Magistrate that the chief suspect in the scandal was linked to drug trafficking and generated money through illegal means. Investigations...

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