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05/02/2026

Government to Toughen Laws on Drug-Using Drivers and Conductors: Seatbelts to Become Mandatory in Long-Distance Buses Nationwide

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka has officially begun accepting applications from graduates currently employed in the state...
05/02/2026

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka has officially begun accepting applications from graduates currently employed in the state sector for the competitive examination conducted to recruit teachers to the government teaching service.

According to Deputy Minister of Education Madhura Senewiratne, applications can be submitted online from today until the 19th.

The examination aims to fill the Sinhala, Tamil, and English medium teacher vacancies that currently exist across National and Provincial Schools.

Meanwhile, a separate recruitment examination has been scheduled for graduates who are not employed in the public sector.

Applications for this category will open on the 20th of this month, with the online portal accepting submissions from 9:00 AM on the 20th until 9:00 PM on March 5.

COLOMBO (News 1st): Sri Lanka witnessed a burst of excitement on Wednesday (4) as the Korean pop group “SWEET‑CH” arrive...
05/02/2026

COLOMBO (News 1st): Sri Lanka witnessed a burst of excitement on Wednesday (4) as the Korean pop group “SWEET‑CH” arrived in Sri Lanka, drawing the attention of fans, cultural enthusiasts, and curious onlookers at the Bandaranaike International Airport.

The group is in the country ahead of their much‑anticipated musical performance scheduled for the 7th of this month in Colombo, marking a significant milestone in Sri Lanka’s entertainment scene.

The concert has been organized in tandem with a major Korean Cultural Exhibition and Festival, bringing together music, art, and cultural exchange under one vibrant umbrella.

What makes this even more noteworthy is that this will be the first-ever dedicated K‑Pop concert to be held in Sri Lanka — a moment many fans have long been waiting for.

Members of SWEET‑CH waved warmly and posed for a few photos before being escorted out.

05/02/2026

COLOMBO (News 1st); Three Sri Lankan businessmen have been arrested at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), Katunayake, after they were found smuggling a massive stock of illegal foreign ci******es valued at over Rs. 12.8 million.

The arrests took place in the early hours on Thursday (5) when the trio arrived in the country on a flight from the United Arab Emirates.

According to the Airport Narcotics Control Unit, the suspects had attempted to smuggle the contraband through six pieces of luggage, which contained 424 cartons holding a staggering 84,800 foreign-made ci******es.

The arrested suspects are 61, 42, and 18 years old, and all three are residents of the Negombo and Kottaramulla areas.

Following their initial questioning, the suspects were released on police bail, but authorities confirmed they are far from being cleared.

They are scheduled to be produced before the Negombo Magistrate’s Court on the 11th of February.

******es

05/02/2026

Colombo Goes K‑Pop!: SWEET:CH Arrives in Sri Lanka for Historic First Concert

COLOMBO (News 1st); A tragic incident at the Helamuthu Sevana housing complex in Mutuwal has claimed the life of a seven...
05/02/2026

COLOMBO (News 1st); A tragic incident at the Helamuthu Sevana housing complex in Mutuwal has claimed the life of a seven‑year‑old child, after a section of a cement ceiling from the building’s seventh floor suddenly collapsed.

The child, who suffered critical injuries, passed away while receiving treatment at the Intensive Care Unit of the National Hospital in Colombo.

According to initial reports, the boy had been standing near a shop close to the housing complex with his grand-mother when fragments of the concrete slab broke off and fell, striking him with force.

Police confirmed that investigations are underway to determine the cause of the collapse.

COLOMBO (News 1st); A newly released dataset for 2024–2025 by Sri Lanka’s Department of Census and Statistics has reveal...
05/02/2026

COLOMBO (News 1st); A newly released dataset for 2024–2025 by Sri Lanka’s Department of Census and Statistics has revealed striking disparities in teacher distribution across the country’s government school system.

According to the report, a staggering 3,126 government schools currently operate with fewer than 10 teachers.

Shockingly, even one National School falls into this category.

The report further shows that 4,263 schools have between 10 and 25 teachers, indicating that a majority of schools still function with limited staff strength.

The Department’s data notes that 3,816,234 students are enrolled across government schools in Sri Lanka.

Of this total: 50.5% are girls. That equals 1,927,614 female students

The report also highlights a stark contrast within the system: 1,576 schools in Sri Lanka have fewer than 50 students.

Meanwhile, 36 schools boast a student population of over 4,000.


COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka has recorded its highest-ever monthly vehicle import volume, following the government’s de...
05/02/2026

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka has recorded its highest-ever monthly vehicle import volume, following the government’s decision to lift the long‑standing import ban that had been in place since 2019.

According to Motor Traffic Commissioner General Kamal Amarasinghe, around 55,000 vehicles were registered in January this year, marking an unprecedented surge in imports.

The influx has also boosted state revenue significantly. Amarasinghe confirmed that the government earned over Rs. 3.5 billion in January alone through taxes and related fees associated with the newly registered vehicles.

Sri Lanka had halted vehicle imports in 2019, citing economic pressures and the need to manage foreign exchange reserves.

The policy remained in place for nearly five years until the Cabinet granted approval in October 2024 to re‑open imports under a three‑phase system.

Under this phased approach, the government initially relaxed restrictions for specific vehicle categories, eventually allowing the resumption of private-use vehicle imports, marking the first time in half a decade that individuals were permitted to bring in personal vehicles.

05/02/2026

Colombo Traffic Alert!: Police Announce Major Road Closures for Grand Exposition

COLOMBO (News1st): In a historic milestone for Sri Lanka, Samudika Jayaratne will assume duties as the Auditor General o...
05/02/2026

COLOMBO (News1st): In a historic milestone for Sri Lanka, Samudika Jayaratne will assume duties as the Auditor General of Sri Lanka this morning at the National Audit Office.

Samudika Jayaratne will make history as the first female to ever hold this prestigious position in the country.

Jayaratne brings a wealth of expertise to her new role as the 42nd Auditor General of Sri Lanka.

Samudika Jayaratne is a seasoned professional with a background in banking, finance, insurance, taxation, treasury services, and debt management.

She began her career at the Auditor General’s Department in 2003.

Over the years, Jayaratne has served in various capacities across numerous government institutions, building a reputation for technical proficiency and leadership.

05/02/2026

පාර්ලිමේන්තු සජීව විකාශය | parliament live | பாராளுமன்ற அமர்வு நேரலை | Newsfirst - 05.02.2026

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