The publisher archive

Every report, in one place.

Browse the complete available article index, newest first. Open any report for its metadata and original publisher link.

752 available reportsPage 26 of 38

Single ReportNewsFirstSep 23, 2026, 10:10 PM

Maithri Gunaratne-Led Group Withdraws From 22A Protest

COLOMBO (Newsfirst) - Former Governor Maithri Gunaratne-led Free Action Center For The Protection of Democracy has decided to withdraw from the protest planned for tomorrow by a group including the Opposition Leader against the 22nd Constitutional Amendment, which contains proposals including the extension of the retirement age of Supreme Court judges. The Free Action Center For The Protection of…

English

Open report →

Single ReportNewsFirstSep 23, 2026, 6:54 PM

Sri Lanka Gazettes New Anti-Terror Bill to Replace PTA After 47 Years

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Protection of the State from Terrorism Bill, introducing a new legal framework to combat terrorism, has been published in the Gazette. A notable feature of the Bill, presented by the Ministry of Justice and National Integration, is the proposal to repeal the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act No. 48 of 1979, or the PTA, which has been in force for nearly 47…

English

Open report →

Single ReportNewsFirstSep 23, 2026, 6:49 PM

Don’t Weaken Key Anti-Corruption Safeguards, Says IMF

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka should ensure that recent progress in its fight against corruption is not weakened by proposed legislative changes, the International Monetary Fund's Mission Chief for Sri Lanka, Evan Papageorgiou, has said, while praising the country for making significant advances in governance and anti-corruption reforms in recent years. Papageorgiou said the country has taken…

English

Open report →

Single ReportNewsFirstSep 23, 2026, 6:36 PM

Easter Sunday Convict Claims ‘Real Culprits Are Still Free’ After 200-Year Sentence

COLOMBO (News 1st); One of the convicts sentenced in the Easter Sunday attacks case told open court that those truly responsible for the 2019 terror attacks remain at large and that he is prepared to provide evidence if given the opportunity to assist in delivering justice. The statement was made by the sixth accused, Mohamed Anwar Mohamed Riskan alias Abu Thariq, after he was convicted and…

English

Open report →

Single ReportNewsFirstSep 23, 2026, 4:36 PM

Export Earnings Surpass US$12 Billion in First Eight Months

COLOMBO (News 1st): Sri Lanka's total export earnings have surpassed the US$12 billion mark during the first eight months of 2026, reflecting continued growth in both goods and services exports, according to the Export Development Board (EDB). The EDB stated that total export revenue recorded during the January to August period increased by 4.26 percent compared to the corresponding period last…

English

Open report →

Single ReportNewsFirstSep 23, 2026, 3:48 PM

Will Sri Lanka Need Another IMF Program? Here's What the IMF Says

COLOMBO (News 1st); As Sri Lanka moves closer to the conclusion of its current IMF-backed economic reform program, the International Monetary Fund says discussions are already turning to what comes next, while emphasizing that any decision on a future arrangement must ultimately come from the Sri Lankan Government. Speaking on the possibility of a new IMF program after the current Extended Fund…

English

Open report →

Single ReportNewsFirstSep 23, 2026, 2:35 PM

Can Sri Lankans Expect Tax Relief? IMF Responds

COLOMBO (News 1st); The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has proposed the development of a comprehensive Medium-Term Revenue Strategy as the foundation for any future tax reforms, while acknowledging growing calls for tax relief from Sri Lanka’s middle-income earners amid the country’s improving fiscal position. The issue was raised during a media interaction when News 1st journalist Zulfick…

English

Open report →

Single ReportNewsFirstSep 23, 2026, 2:26 PM

Namal Further Remanded Until 30th

COLOMBO (News 1st): Member of Parliament Namal Rajapaksa has been remanded again until the 30th. This order was issued after he was produced before Fort Magistrate Pasan Amarasena today in connection with a case filed by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) under money laundering charges.

English

Open report →

Single ReportNewsFirstSep 23, 2026, 2:02 PM

CID Seeks More Statements In Case Against Gota's Ex-Secretary

COLOMBO (News1st); Sugeeshwara Bandara, the former private secretary to former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, was further remanded until October 7 after being produced before Fort Magistrate Pasan Amarasena. The suspect was previously arrested and remanded by the Central Crimes Investigation Bureau in connection with an investigation into the alleged receipt of salary payments for two positions…

English

Open report →

Single ReportNewsFirstSep 23, 2026, 12:30 PM

President Presents Appointment Letters To Three High Court Judges

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake presented letters of appointment to three new High Court Judges, including Perumal Sivakumar, Anandhi Kanagaratnam, and Gnanesa Lalith Kannangara, at the Presidential Secretariat.

PoliticsEnglish

Open report →

Single ReportNewsFirstSep 23, 2026, 12:03 PM

Drug Shipment Routed Through Courier Service Detected

A large consignment of narcotics imported into Sri Lanka via a private courier service was taken into police custody following a joint operation with Customs officials. The inquiry, conducted by the Western Province North Crimes Division based on information from an arrested suspect, led officers to the shipment where 3 kilograms and 599 grams of Kush and 2 kilograms and 409 grams of Hashish were recovered.

LocalEnglish

Open report →

Single ReportNewsFirstSep 23, 2026, 11:49 AM

Harak Kata and Kehelbaddara Padme Clash Inside Prison

COLOMBO (News 1st); An altercation has reportedly broken out inside prison between organized crime figure Nandun Chinthaka Wickremeratne, better known as "Harak Kata," and Mandinu Padmasiri, alias "Kehelbaddara Padme." The Department of Prisons said the clash resulted in injuries to Kehelbaddara Padme, who was subsequently admitted to the prison hospital for treatment.

English

Open report →

Single ReportNewsFirstSep 23, 2026, 10:39 AM

IMF Calls for Tax Reforms, Stable Inflation Target and Anti-Corruption Safeguards

The IMF praised Sri Lanka's economic resilience and strong recent growth while urging continued reforms on taxation, inflation targeting, energy pricing, public investment and anti-corruption safeguards. Discussions with Sri Lankan authorities on the Seventh Review of the Extended Fund Facility programme are continuing toward a staff-level agreement.

BusinessEnglish

Open report →

Single ReportNewsFirstSep 23, 2026, 9:51 AM

New Chinese Envoy Calls on Defence Secretary, Reaffirms Bilateral Cooperation

Chinese Ambassador Wei Huaziang visited Sri Lanka’s Defence Secretary Sampath Thuyacontha to discuss further strengthening defence ties and bilateral cooperation between the two nations.

PoliticsEnglish

Open report →

Single ReportNewsFirstSep 23, 2026, 9:25 AM

Man Arrested Over Illegal Transfer of Rs. 24.8 Bn Worth of USD

Sri Lankan police arrested a suspect in Kotikawatta for allegedly illegally transferring US dollars worth approximately Rs. 24.8 billion overseas through five illegal companies. The Financial Crimes Investigation Division is conducting extensive investigations.

LocalEnglish

Open report →

Single ReportNewsFirstSep 23, 2026, 8:57 AM

CBSL Freezes Assets of Six Companies Over Deposit Concerns

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has frozen assets of six companies and their directors under the Finance Business Act, alleging unauthorized finance business activities and deposit-taking. The freezing orders were confirmed by the High Court of Colombo, and investigations are ongoing. CBSL warns the public to only deposit money with legally authorized institutions.

BusinessEnglish

Open report →

Single ReportNewsFirstSep 23, 2026, 7:36 AM

Rs. 17.2 Billion Supplementary Estimate For Electricity Bill Relief

A supplementary estimate of Rs. 17.213 billion for public electricity bill relief is set to be presented to Sri Lanka’s Parliament for approval, with funds to come from the Ministry of Energy.

PoliticsEnglish

Open report →

Single ReportNewsFirstSep 23, 2026, 7:23 AM

India–Sri Lanka Step Up Joint Efforts to Curb Cross-Border Drug Trafficking

A senior police officer announced that a delegation from India's Narcotics Control Bureau, including its Director General, will visit Sri Lanka to implement measures against cross-border drug trafficking. The visit will include meetings with Sri Lanka's Inspector General of Police and Attorney-at-Law Priyantha Weerasooriya, along with joint training and intelligence sharing to create a joint action plan aimed at eradicating drug trafficking between the two nations.

PoliticsEnglish

Open report →

Single ReportNewsFirstSep 23, 2026, 7:18 AM

New Online Appointment System for Driving Licence Medical Exams From Tomorrow

Sri Lanka's National Transport Medical Institute launches a new digital appointment system for driving licence medical exams starting tomorrow, allowing free reservations via telephone with plans to expand slots.

LocalEnglish

Open report →

Single ReportNewsFirstSep 23, 2026, 12:00 AM

UPDATE: Up to 260 Years in Prison for Easter Sunday Attack Convicts

COLOMBO (News 1st);The Permanent Trial-at-Bar on Tuesday imposed rigorous imprisonment terms ranging from 200 to 260 years on 15 individuals convicted under 23,270 charges, including conspiracy and aiding and abetting the 2019 Easter Sunday terrorist attacks. The sentences were handed down by the three-judge bench comprising Navarathna Marasinghe, Ramanathan Kannan and Sujeewa Nissanka, following…

English

Open report →