COLOMBO (News 1st): Joint Cabinet Spokesman Minister (Dr) Ramesh Pathirana stated that no decision was taken at the Cabinet meeting held yesterday (30) on extending the lockdown. Minister (Dr) Ramesh Pathirana stated this at a media briefing held at the Government Information Department today (31). He said that the Government is acting on the advice of […]
COLOMBO (News 1st); Joint-Cabinet Spokesperson & Minister (Dr) Ramesh Pathirana says that Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa has urged the Cabinet to limit government spending and cut down on unnecessary expenses. The Minister of Finance Basil Rajapaksa has clarified the economic situation of the country at the Cabinet meeting yesterday (30). Accordingly, the Minister of Finance […]
Cut down on State Expenses, Basil tells Cabinet to maintain strict financial discipline
COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka’s National Medicine Regulatory Authority has granted approval to a private company to import REGEN-COV, an antibody cocktail designed to produce resistance against COVID-19. This was announced by State Minister (Professor) Channa Jayasumana on Tuesday (31) as a response to repeated calls by opposition leader Sajith Premadasa to import this medicine. […]
Green Light to import REGEN-COV, says Prof. Channa Jayasumana
COLOMBO (News 1st) A Female Elephant named Surangi from Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, has given birth two baby elephants. The Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage in its facebook page said that ‘Both pups are male’. The first calf is born at 4 am and the second calf after 10 am. This is the first semi-domesticated twin elephant birth […]
Elephant gives birth to twins at Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage
COLOMBO (News 1st); The Sri Lankan Cabinet of Ministers decided to lease over 100,000 acres of land in Anuradhapura to a private company for an Aloe Vera Project. Cabinet approval was granted for the ‘Dry Zone Rural Economic Development Aloe Vera Project’ to commence a herbal medicine manufacturing industry from the Aloe Vera plant for […]
COLOMBO (News 1st): The Ministry of Health says that there is a risk of the spread of dengue due to the monsoon rains. Dr. Lakshmi Somatunga, Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Health stated that public should be taking steps to prevent the spread of dengue, such as cleaning their backyards and destroying dengue breeding grounds. […]
COLOMBO (News 1st); The Teachers & Principals Trade Union Alliance have rejected the Cabinet decisions on solving their issues. On Tuesday (31), it was announced that the Cabinet of Ministers had decided to issue a gazette notification before 20th November 2021 declaring teacher service, teacher advisory service and principal services as closed or inclusive services. In addition […]
Teachers & Principals reject cabinet decision on their issues
COLOMBO (News 1st): The Cabinet of Ministers have decided to provide an indigenous medicine box prepared by the Department of Ayurveda for dissemination amongst every family in the country. The proposal for the relevant decision has been submitted by the State Minister of Ayurveda, Sisira Jayakody. The decision has been reached in view of the COVID-19 […]
COLOMBO (News 1st): The Cabinet of Ministers have approved a proposal made by the Minister of Power to call for local and foreign investors interested in financing several solar power and wind power projects. The decision has been reached in view of the target set up by the Government to meet 70% of the country’s electricity demand by […]
Cabinet greenlight for proposals on renewable energy projects
COLOMBO (News 1st); The National Red List of Sri Lanka was finalized after 10 years. The last time a National Red List was released was back in 2012. The first list of threatened flora of Sri Lanka was prepared by Prof. B.A. Abeywickrama in 1987. This list was reproduced by Wijesinghe et al., in 1987 […]
COLOMBO (News 1st): Another 498 persons were arrested for violating the lockdown regulations yesterday (30). Accordingly, the total number arrested for violating lockdown regulations so far is 62,085. In addition, 1,739 people and 805 vehicles were inspected at the 13 roadblocks set up at the entry and exit points in the Western Province, the Police added. […]
COLOMBO (News 1st): State Minister Channa Jayasumana says that Sri Lanka surpassed the previous record of the highest number of vaccines administered in a single day, by vaccinating 571,589 persons yesterday (30). Accordingly, a total of 20 million (20,126,990) jabs have been administered as of today (31). On Monday (30) 11,951 persons were inoculated with the […]
COLOMBO (News 1st): Four mutations of COVID-19 found in Western Province, researchers at the University of Sri Jayawardenapura says. University of Sri Jayawardenapura researchers including Prof. Neelika Malavige, Dr. Chandima Jeewandara from the Allergy, Immunology and Cell Biology Unit of the Department of Immunology Molecular and Molecular Medicine released a report confirming the discovery of […]
Delta is the major variant in the Western Province – J’pura University report
COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka’s Cabinet of Ministers had decided to issue a gazette notification before 20th November 2021 declaring teacher service, teacher advisory service and principal services as closed services. In addition it was decided to implement the salary revisions recommended by the Cabinet Sub-Committee to eliminate the salary anomalies of teachers and principals, […]
Cabinet approves to make teachers & principals salary revisions through the budget
COLOMBO (News 1st): Former President Maithripala Sirisena has clarified his stance on the project to build a jogging track on the Polonnaruwa Parakrama Samudra tank bund which is currently under controversy. In a statement, former President Maithripala Sirisena said that much care should be taken when embarking on any project on a vast reservoir such as […]
Former President clarifies stance on Parakrama Samudhraya construction
COLOMBO (News 1st): Milinda Moragoda, newly appointed High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, officially assumed duties at the Sri Lankan High Commission in New Delhi, yesterday (30). Officials from the High Commission welcomed the new High Commissioner and assumed duties with the blessings of the Maha Sangha. The Maha Sangha, including the Chief Prelates, participated in the […]
Milinda Moragoda assumes duties as High Commissioner to India
COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka Army on Tuesday (31) announced that it will continue operating vaccination centers and mobile vaccination fleets to administer the COVID-19 vaccine. The d Mobile COVID-19 Vaccination Fleet that prioritizes the vaccination of the elderly, sick, handicapped and feeble sections in society, is a combined effort of the Sri Lanka Army Medical […]
Vaccine at Your Doorstep program by Army operational on Tuesday (31); Call 1906 to register
COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lankan authorities on Tuesday (31) announced that 522 vaccination centers will be open for the administration of vaccines against COVID-19.
522 Vaccination Centers open in 23 Districts on Tuesday (31)
COLOMBO (News 1st); The President has issued an Extraordinary Gazette declaring the enforcement of the emergency regulation on the supply of essential food items. The Emergency Regulation for the supply of essential food items will come into effect from midnight on Monday (30), said the President’s Media Division. These regulations are aimed at preventing the concealment […]
Extraordinary Gazette on Emergency Regulations for the supply of essential foods issued
(Reuters) – The United States completed the withdrawal of its forces from Afghanistan on Monday, ending 20 years of war that culminated in the militant Taliban’s return to power. Forced into a hasty and humiliating exit, Washington and its NATO allies carried out a massive but chaotic airlift over the past two weeks, but still […]
U.S. completes withdrawal of forces from Afghanistan after 20-year war
COLOMBO (News 1st); 15,000 doses of the Russian Sputnik Vaccine reached the island early on Tuesday (31). Army Commander General Shavendra Silva said that these doses will be used as the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine administered in the Kandy District.
15,000 Sputnik doses reach Sri Lanka & will be used as 02nd dose in Kandy
COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lankan authorities have seized a fishing trawlers with more than 250 kg of heroin early on Tuesday (31) morning. According to Sri Lanka Police the drug bust was made following information ascertained by the State Intelligence Service. Accordingly, the Police Narcotic Bureau together with the Sri Lanka Navy carried out the […]
Over 250 kg of heroin seized from fishing trawler in Southern Seas
COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lankans today started purchasing 01 kg of Brown Sugar for an extra Rs.10/- from Sathosa. The Rs. 130/- MRP for Brown Sugar from Sathosa was announced by State Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanna as a measure to control the prices increase in the local market. However, until the announcement was made 01 kg […]
People in line to buy Brown Sugar from Sathosa for extra Rs. 10/-
COLOMBO (News 1st); The Emergency Regulation for the supply of essential food items will come into effect from midnight on Monday (30), said the President’s Media Division. These regulations are aimed at preventing the concealment of stocks of Paddy, Rice, Sugar and other essential food items as well as charging high prices for goods. Major […]
COLOMBO (News 1st); Dr. Jayaruwan Bandara, the Former Health Ministry Spokesperson has been summoned to appear at the Criminal Investigations Department on Tuesday (31). Police Spokesperson SSP Nihal Thalduwa told News 1st that he is being summoned with regard to an investigation on misleading the general public by stating false information during an interview with […]
COLOMBO (News 1st); 216 COVID-19 deaths were confirmed for Sunday (29), said the Director General of Health Services on Monday (30). Accordingly, the total number of fatalities in the island increased to 8,991.
216 COVID-19 deaths confirmed for Sunday (29) & Total fatalities at 8,991
COLOMBO (News 1st): Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa says that the Rapid Antigen and PCR tests being sold for the price declared by the Government gazette is a scam. In a statement, the Opposition Leader expresses his distaste for Rapid Antigen and PCR tests being sold for Rs. 6,500 and Rs. 2,000 when they are imported […]
COLOMBO (News 1st): Sri Lanka Cricket has named their squad for the ODI and T20I cricket series against South Africa. Accordingly, 22 players are included in the squad, which was approved by the Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksa. The team is led by Dasun Shanaka and the vice captain is Dananjaya de Silva. The pool of players […]
COLOMBO (News 1st); Captain of the Sri Lankan Paralympics team & Gold Medalist, Sergeant Dinesh Priyantha Herath was promoted to to Warrant Officer-1 by the Army Commander with approval from the President & Secretary of Defence on Monday (30). Dinesh Priyantha Herath made history by winning the first-ever Gold Medal in the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. […]
COLOMBO (News 1st): A fire had broken out at a private wind farm in the Narakkalliya area in Norochcholai, yesterday (29). Norochcholai Police said that the fire started at around 8.30 p.m. on one of the towers attached to the wind turbine of the power plant. The fire had spread to the lower area after the […]
COLOMBO (News 1st): External Affairs Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris walked out of a press conference when inquired about the reduction in Samurdhi benefits. Speaking at a media briefing held at the party headquarters today (30), the Foreign Affairs Minister said that an international group is using the Easter Sunday Attack to attack the country’s economy. Prof. […]
Easter Attacks being used to destabilize economy, says GL; walks out when asked about Samurdhi
Sri Lanka’s Samitha Dulan Kodithuwakku won the bronze medal in the Men’s Javelin Throw – F64 at the Tokyo Paralympics on Monday (30). He won bronze with a Personal Best of 65.61 m Samitha Dulan Kodithuwakku stood 4th in the World Para Athletic Championships in Dubai in 2019 and won a bronze medal at the […]
Sri Lanka wins 02nd Paralympics Medal – BRONZE for Samitha Dulan
COLOMBO (News 1st): The Ministry of Environment states that a Cabinet paper will be submitted to the Cabinet today (30) to ban 07 single use plastic and polythene related products. This was stated by the Minister in charge of the subject Mahinda Amaraweera. The items to be banned include plastic drinking straws, spoons, drinking cups, forks, […]
COLOMBO (News 1st): The Ministry of Health urges the public not to go out of the house except for a matter of emergency, in order to get the proper results of the lockdown mechanism. The Deputy Director of Public Health Services of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Susie Perera, a community medicine specialist, pointed out that […]
COLOMBO (News 1st): The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says that seven more Sri Lankans remain to be evacuated from Afghanistan. In a release, the Ministry says that 66 Sri Lankans have been evacuated as of today (30), while 21 Sri Lankans have opted to remain in the country for the time being. Moreover, the Ministry […]
COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka’s State Minister of Consumer Protection admitted that the sugar import tax reduction did not benefit the consumers 100%. He said if the Rs. 50 tax was not dropped to 25 cents, the prices of sugar would have increased even further, than it is today. Speaking to reporters on Sunday (29), […]
Sugar tax reduction did not benefit consumers 100% – Lasantha Alagiyawanna
COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka Army on Monday (30) announced that it will continue operating vaccination centers and mobile vaccination fleets to administer the COVID-19 vaccine. The deployment of this fleet plus an ambulance on standby would administer the vaccine against COVID-19 visiting doorsteps of applicants only after those who need this mobile service register […]
Army’s Vaccination at Doorstep program operational on Monday (30); Call 1906 to register
COLOMBO (News 1st): Tudor Gunasekera, the first Sri Lankan Ambassador to Poland, has died of a COVID-19. He was 86 years old at the time of his death. He was elected from Mahara in 1977 as a Member of Parliament from the United National Party.
COLOMBO (News 1st): A decision is to be taken at the Cabinet meeting today (30) regarding the report submitted by the Ministerial Sub-Committee on Teacher-Principal Salary Anomalies. Minister Mahinda Amaraweera, Member of the Ministerial Subcommittee stated that he hopes a positive decision in this regard will be taken. Meanwhile, the Secretary of the Ceylon Teachers Union, […]
COLOMBO (News 1st): Many dignitaries have extended congratulations to Dinesh Priyantha, the Sri Lankan javelin thrower who set a new world record and won a gold medal at the Tokyo Paralympics today (30). Accordingly, the President, Prime Minister, Leader of the Opposition, Sports and Youth Minister and many others have extended their well wishes. Congratulations Dinesh […]
COLOMBO (News 1st): Former MP and JVP member Sunil Handunetti says that the Government is taking revenge on the people by raising the cost of living. The MP, speaking to the media yesterday (29), pointed out that the Government is responsible for the sugar scam; ” They declared the MRP for Sugar last year, issuing […]
COLOMBO (News 1st): Samagi Jana Balawegaya MP Harsha de Silva has slammed the Government for the results of its economic decisions, citing the Cabinet proposal to implement a rationing system for essential food and items. The proposal, proposed by the Minister of Trade, Bandula Gunawardena, is being mooted by the Cabinet today (29). MP de […]
COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka’s Dinesh Priyantha won the first Gold Medal for Sri Lanka at the Tokyo Paralympics after he set a new World Record in the Men’s F46 Javelin Throw with a distance of 67.79m. No one can beat that – Herath Mudiyanselage takes gold for Sri Lanka 🤩 #ParaAthletics#Gold Dinesh Priyan Herath Mudiyanselage […]
COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka’s Dinesh Priyantha set a new world record with the distance of 67.79 in the F46 Men’s Javelin Throw at the Tokyo Paralympics on Monday (30).
COLOMBO (News 1st); 124,020 doses of the Pfizer Vaccine purchased by the State Pharmaceuticals Corporation reached the island early on Monday (30). According to State Minister (Professor) Channa Jayasumana another 15,000 doses of the Sputnik Component 02 will reach the island on Tuesday (31).
Over 100,000 Pfizer doses reach SL; Consignment of Sputnik V to reach SL on Tuesday (31)
COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lankan authorities announced that 423 vaccination centers will operate on Monday (30).
The 3,000 year-old system that still serves its people. Sri Lanka’s hydraulic heritage must be understood in order to be protected; the ancient Philosophy of Water and Soil Conservation in an Island-Civilization that was the amongst the greatest in the world. This essay will introduce you to the very basic principals upon which our Hydraulic […]
The Worlds Greatest Ancient Water Civilization – A Special Editorial by Chevaan Daniel
COLOMBO (News 1st): Professor Manuj Weerasinghe of the Department of Community Medicine at the Colombo Medical Faculty says that there is a risk of the Delta variant spreading to other Districts as well. He said that because it can be seen that the Delta virus spreading rapidly in homes, whole families have become infected. “The problem […]
Delta variant spreading to other Districts: Prof. Manuj Weerasinghe
COLOMBO (News 1st): Sources state that the Government is planning to bring tourists from Israel, Russia and European countries to Sri Lanka. According to reports, tourists are also expected to arrive from France in November. However, it has been noted that Israel is one of the countries with the highest percentage of COVID-19 infected persons […]
COLOMBO (News 1st); 192 COVID-19 deaths were confirmed for Saturday (28), said the Director General of Health Services on Sunday (29). The total number of COVID-19 deaths in Sri Lanka increased to 8,775.
192 COVID deaths confirmed for Saturday (28); Total Fatalities: 8,775
The Department of Meteorology says showers or thundershowers are likely in parts of the Northern, North-central, Eastern and Uva provinces t...
