Security talks between U.S and Russia set for Jan 10th

COLOMBO(News 1st); Security talks between U.S and Russian Officials is set to take place on January 10th, as tensions over Ukraine build between the two countries, according to a Biden administration spokesperson. Russia has alarmed the West with its military buildup in Ukraine,...

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Harshana goes gas hunting

COLOMBO (News 1st); SJB MP Harshana Rajakaruna was seen on Tuesday (28) visiting several stores to purchase a gas cylinder. Subsequently, speaking to media, MP Rajakaruna said that people have to stay in line for three to four hours at a time if they want to purchase...

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Fire erupts at Mattakkuliya boat yard

COLOMBO (News 1st);  A fire has erupted at a boat yard in Mattakkuliya on Tuesday (28). The fire brigade have deployed four vehicles to douse the fire, which erupted at around 1:30 p.m., the Fire Brigade stated.    Fire erupts at Mattakkuliya boat yar...

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Govt changing Secretaries to cover up economic inabilities: MP Ashok

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Government is changing Ministry Secretaries and Presidential Secretariats to cover up their economical inabilities, alleges Samagi Jana Balawegaya Member of Parliament, Ashok Abeysinghe. Speaking during a press conference held on Tuesday (28), the SJB...

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Current Govt has a Cabinet without a single proper opinion: Saman Ratnapriya

COLOMBO (News 1st); The current Government has a Cabinet without a single proper opinion, says former Parliamentarian Saman Ratnapriya. Speaking on the occasion of the Government summoning the Secretary to the Finance Ministry S.R. Attygalle and the CBSL Governor Ajith Nivard...

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Owner of overcrowded Bangladeshi ferry arrested

COLOMBO(News 1st);Hum Jalal Sheikh, the owner of the overcrowded ferry in Bangladesh that caught fire mid river on Friday(24) was arrested by the Bangladeshi Police on Monday(27). The tragic incident claimed 39 lives and left many injured, investigators attributed the death...

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Private aircraft makes emergency landing in Kimbulapitiya

COLOMBO (News 1st); A private aircraft has made an emergency landing in Kimbulapitiya, Negombo on Monday (27) afternoon. Sri Lanka Air Force Spokesperson Group Captain Dushan Wijesinghe speaking to News 1st said all four people on board sustained injuries and were hospitalized....

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China’s Xi sends New Year wishes to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa

COLOMBO (News 1st); Chinese President Xi Jinping has sent his New Year wishes to Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and the people of the island nation. According to the Chinese Embassy in Colombo, Ambassador Qi Zhenhong conveyed the greetings on Monday (27) morning at...

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Station Masters to continue strike, as talks fail with Railways GM

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Sri Lanka Station Masters’ Union said that talks with the General Manager of Railways to end the ongoing trade union action, failed on Monday (27). The Trade Union said the strike action will continue. Sri Lankan train passengers once again on Monday...

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Sri Lanka to commence Omicron testing to determine spread

COLOMBO (News 1st); The University of Sri Jayawardenapura said it will commence testing on Tuesday (28) to determine the spread of the Omicron COVID-19 variant in Sri Lanka. Dr. Chandima Jeewandara, the head of the Department of Immunology and Molecular Biology at Sri Jayewardenepura...

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1,400 flights grounded due to global Omicron Surge

COLOMBO(News 1st);As the week begins, there have been more Covid-19 related airline cancellations around the world, rounding off a horrible holiday season for thousands of travelers. Close to 1,400 flights were canceled on Monday(27), with Chinese and US destinations taking...

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Train passengers travel for free as Union Strike costs Department Rs. 5 Mn per day

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lankan train passengers once again on Monday (27) received an opportunity to travel for free, as Station Masters continued their strike action for the fourth consecutive day. Sri Lanka Railways said that the strike cost the department Rs. 5 Million per...

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Sialkot lynching: Pakistan Senate passes resolution condemning mob attack

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Pakistani Senate on Friday (24) unanimously passed a resolution condemning the shameful act of mob attack on Sri Lankan citizen Priyantha Kumara in Sialkot, Radio Pakistan reports. The resolution was moved by the Leader of the House in the Senate Shahzad...

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Police officers killed in Thirukkovil Shooting posthumously promoted by IGP

COLOMBO (News 1st); The four police officers who were killed when a fellow Police Sergeant opened fire at the Thirukkovil Police Station were posthumously promoted with effect from the 24th of December 2021. The following promotions were made by the Inspector General of Police:...

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Process to recall gas will take time: State Minister

COLOMBO (News 1st); The process to recall and release gas cylinders will take some time, says State Minister of Consumer Protection Lasantha Alagiyawanna. Speaking with regard the gas issue, the State Minister said that only about a thousand gas cylinders can be recalled...

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Ministers begging for oil from other countries: Tilvin

COLOMBO (News 1st); Ministers are begging for oil from other countries all over the world while the economic crisis worsens, says the General Secretary of the JVP Tilvin Silva. Speaking to media, Silva said that at the moment, the Government has a total share of foreign...

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CPC to import 90,000MT crude oil from Singapore

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation says it will import 90,000 metric tons of fuel on credit from a supplier in Singapore next month. Ceylon Petroleum Corporation chairman Sumith Wijesinghe said 90,000 metric tons of crude oil are due to arrive on January...

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Other countries have not had an economic tsunami as Sri Lanka: MP Eran

COLOMBO (News 1st); Countries beaten and battered worse by COVID-19 have not had an economic tsunami as much as Sri Lanka had, says Samagi Jana Balawega MP Eran Wickremaratne. Addressing a media briefing held in Colombo on Sunday (26), the MP expressed his views regarding...

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Bus fares to increase from Wednesday (29)

COLOMBO (News 1st); State Minister of Transportation, Dilum Amunugama says that bus fares will be slightly increased from next Wednesday (29) subject to several amendments. Previously, the National Transport Commission said that steps will be taken to submit a report...

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Rs. 05 Mn daily loss due to strike action launched by Railway Station Masters

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Department of Railways is incurring a loss of Rs. 05 million per day due to the continuous strike action launched by the Sri Lanka Railway Station Masters’ Association, says the General Manager of Railways, Dhammika Jayasundara. The Sri...

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Thirukkovil Police shooting: Special investigation under IGP orders underway

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Special Investigation Unit of the Police Headquarters has commenced an investigation into the Four Police personnel who were killed in a shooting at the Thirukkovil Police Station in Ampara on Friday (24). The Police Media Spokesperson, SSP Nihal...

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People in rural areas cannot afford a single meal: MP Chandima

COLOMBO (News 1st); Today most people in rural areas are worried whether they can have at least one meal, says Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna MP Chandima Weerakkody. Speaking of the economic crisis in Galle on Sunday (26), the SLPP MP said that the Government needs to implement...

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Foul play in removal of Agri Secretary: Vijitha Herath

COLOMBO (News 1st); National People’s Power MP Vijitha Herath alleges that the previous Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Prof. Udith K. Jayasinghe was removed from his position due to the revelations made by him with regard to the fertilizer crisis. Expressing...

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South African Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu has died

South Africa (News 1st); South African Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu has died at the age of 90. Tutu, the last surviving South African laureate of the Nobel Peace Prize, died in Cape Town. President Cyril Ramaphosa said: “The passing of Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu is...

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Cardinal once again calls for Justice on Easter Attacks

COLOMBO (News 1st); His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith, the Archbishop of Colombo has once again called for justice over the Easter attacks, during Christmas Mass held on Friday (24). During the service held at the Basilica of Our Lady of Lanka in Ragama, His Eminence noted...

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Pope Francis encourages people to ‘return to origins’ on Christmas eve

(News 1st); At the Mass during the Night for the Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord, Pope Francis reflected on how God comes into the world in littleness, as a tiny infant, drawing near to us to touch our hearts. The Pope celebrated the Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica...

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Election better alternative than economic crisis: MP Vidura

COLOMBO (News 1st); State Minister of National Heritage, Performing Arts and Rural Arts Promotion, Vidura Wickramanayaka says that an election is a better alternative than facing the economic crisis. The State Minister, speaking at an event on Saturday (25) stated that...

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‘Lebanon will take 6-7 years to recover from financial crisis’: President Aoun

(News 1st): Lebanon needs “six to seven years” to emerge from the crisis it is currently in, the country’s President Michel Aoun has said.  Lebanon is in the third year of an economic meltdown that began in 2019 when the financial system collapsed under the weight...

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Gandara OIC arrested over sexual misconduct

COLOMBO (News 1st); The OIC of Gandara Police had been arrested over allegations of sexual misconduct. Police said that the OIC was arrested on suspicion of attempting to molest a female Police Constable. The suspect has been arrested following an investigation into a...

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Reports on sand mining off Batticaloa seas false: MoD

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Ministry of Defence has denied reports published on alleged mining in the seas off the coast of Batticaloa by a barge anchored in the seas near Batticaloa. Issuing a press release, the Ministry stated that the barge had been anchored off Batticaloa due...

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Public funds not in President’s pocket: Lands Minister

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Minister of Lands, S.M. Chandrasena says that although the country has run out of dollars, neither President Gotabaya Rajapaksa nor the Cabinet Ministers are in possession of the country’s funds. Speaking during an event held on Saturday (25), the Minister...

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Special buses added for passengers on Christmas Day

COLOMBO (News 1st); The National Transport Commission (NTC) says that special buses have been added to transport for the convenience of passengers on Christmas Day. Its Director General, Nilan Miranda urged passengers to adhere to health guidelines on buses in the face...

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Home cooked meals for inmates for Xmas

COLOMBO (News 1st); Relatives of prison inmates have been given the opportunity to give out food parcels to inmates for Christmas. The Prison Media Spokesperson, Chandana Ekanayake stated that the opportunity will be given until Sunday (26) for relatives to handover the...

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Fishermen hit hardest by fuel price increase

COLOMBO (News 1st); The fuel price increase had hit the fishing industry the hardest, said fishermen to SJB MP Dilip Wedaarachchi, who visited Orruwella, Thangalla to inquire into the plight of fishermen. The fishermen, speaking to the MP stated that the prices of fuel...

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Sialkot factory hires another Sri Lankan for Priyantha Kumara’s position

COLOMBO (News 1st); Rajco Industries in Sialkot, Pakistan have recruited another Sri Lankan to the post held by the Late Priyantha Kumara, who was lynched by a mob in early December 2021. This was disclosed when Maulana Tariq Jamil, a popular Pakistani scholar, and religious...

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Railway Station Masters on strike, free ride for passengers

COLOMBO (News 1st); The trade union action launched by the Sri Lanka Railway Station Masters’ Association continues on Friday (24) as well. Chairman of the Railway Station Masters’ Association, Sumedha Somaratne said Railway Station Masters will refrain from accepting parcels...

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Police vigilant on COVID violators

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka Police have launched an operation in search of people who fail to comply with COVID-19 health guidelines during the festive season. Police Spokesperson Attorney-at-Law SSP Nihal Thalduwa said the police officers on duty including intelligence...

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Fire on ferry kills 38 and injures 100 in Bangladesh

(News 1st): A crowded ferry transporting around 500 people caught fire on Friday (24) in Southern Bangladesh, where 38 people lost their lives and 100 were injured, local Bangladeshi officials stated. As it sailed from Dhaka to Barguna, the three-storey Obhijan 10 ferry boat...

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Terrorizing wild elephant herd driven away from Mahiyanganaya

COLOMBO (News 1st); Wildlife Officers from Mahiyanganaya were deployed to carry out a special operation to drive away a herd of wild elephants who were seen roaming on the banks of the Mahaweli River in Welithuduwala, Mahiyanganaya. Locals claim that this particular herd causes...

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Sri Lanka U-19s victorious in Asia Cup opener

Sri Lanka Under 19s kick-started the Junior Asia Cup Cricket tourney with a crushing 274 run win against Kuwait today (23). Lankan skipper Dunith Wellalage won the toss and opted to bat first in Sharjah and the lion cubs posted an impressive 323 for the loss of 5 wickets in...

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Attempted abortion cause for 13-year-old’s death in Mullaithivu – Police

COLOMBO (News 1st); Investigations surrounding the death of 13-year-old Yogarasa Nidarshana, from Mullaithivu have now revealed more startling details. Sri Lanka Police said the suspects arrested over her death, are being detained and interrogated. The body of Yogarasa Nidarshana...

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President at 77th Anniversary of International Civil Aviation

COLOMBO (News 1st); The 77th Anniversary of International Civil Aviation was celebrated under the patronage of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka, Katunayake on Thursday (23). Seventy-seven years ago in 1944, after World War II, the Chicago...

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Sri Lankan PM Rajapaksa on 2-day pilgrimage in Tirupati

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa left for India on a 2-day pilgrimage to the temple city of Tirupati on Thursday (23). The Sri Lankan premier was accorded a warm welcome by the officials of the Chittoor district administration led by deputy chief...

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Order preventing Chinese Fertilizer payment, extended

COLOMBO (News 1st); The court order on People’s Bank and the local agent for Chinese Organic Fertilizer preventing payment for the rejected fertilizer shipment, was extended to the 6th of January 2022. The Colombo Commercial High Court ruled that the order on whether or not...

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Australia to support Sri Lanka in becoming an educational hub

COLOMBO (News 1st); Australian Minister of Home Affairs Karen Andrews informed President Gotabaya Rajapaksa that assistance will be provided to Sri Lanka to become an educational hub in the region. Minister Andrews pointed out that this will be enabled by establishing educational...

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NASA’s space telescope to lift off on Christmas day

COLOMBO(News 1s): The launch of NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope, has been postponed until Christmas day, poised for blastoff between 7.20am and 7.52am EST (1220-1253 GMT). The delay was a result of poor weather at the launch site, the international space agency stated. The...

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US warrants the sale of Javelin missiles to Lithuania as Russia tension mounts

COLOMBO(News 1st): The potential sale of Javelin anti-tank missiles to Lithuania has been warranted by the US State Department, in a deal of Javelin missiles valued at $125 million, the Pentagon announced on Tuesday(21). The entire package of 230 Javelin anti-tank missiles...

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Generator issue cause for Tuesday’s (21) power cut – Ministry

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Ministry of Power said that the supply of electricity to certain areas was disrupted on Tuesday, due to an issue in generator three at the Lakvijaya Power Plant. The spokesperson for the Ministry of Power Sulakshana Jayawardena told News 1st that...

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‘By controlling supply, forex outflow for fuel reduced’ – Cabraal

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka’s Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal had said that by controlling the supply, the outflow of foreign exchange for fuel will also be reduced. The Department of Government Information quoting the Central Bank Governor tweeted that the country...

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New Ambassadors and High Commissioners present credentials to President

COLOMBO (News 1st); Seventeen newly accredited envoys to Sri Lanka including 11 newly appointed Ambassadors and six High Commissioners presented their credentials to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the President’s House on Tuesday (21). The new Ambassadors were appointed from...

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