Network MTV Channel Country Sri Lanka | Owned by Capital Maharaja | |
Launched October 1, 2003 (2003-10-01) Slogan We Report. You Decide
Your Life. Our News Language English, Sinhala, Tamil | ||
News First (News 1st) is a Sri Lankan news network, owned by the Capital Maharaja Organization Ltd. News1st primarily broadcasts news live on 3 TV Channels (Sirasa TV, Shakthi TV, MTV Sports)and 5 Radio Channels (Sirasa FM, Yes FM, Shakthi FM, Y FM and Legends FM), 3 News Websites in Sinhala, English & Tamil languages and all social media platforms; Facebook, Twitter, Mobile App and up to date SMS News Alerts.
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Village Council (Gammedda)
News 1st initiated “Gammedda” programme to invigorate the Village Council fora, by taking it to the masses, and strengthening the fundamentals of democracy by instilling the ideal that the relevant authorities and highest echelons of government are directly responsible to the people.
Construction Clinic (Danamuthu Sayanaya)
News 1st, S-Lon Construction Clinic called Danamuthu Sayanaya is another initiative carried out with the participation of the renowned architects, builders, engineers in the country where these professionals provide advice free of charge.
News 1st Classroom (Media Workshop)
News 1st Outreach reaches out to each of young life, to nurture the youth with media literacy and communication, to make a better future through News 1st Classroom.
Dawasa Political Programme
Dawasa is a program which is focused on the current political situation in Sri Lanka where two expert journalists in the field of politics will share their views, along with News 1st presenter Roshan Watala. It goes on to express the comments, impressions and drawbacks faced by the general public on social media such as Facebook and Twitter.
UNCA Award
A news documentary series telecasted on News1st, based on International Water Day was awarded the Silver medal at the United Nations Correspondents Association Awards which was held in United States in 2013. Director English News Shameer Rasooldeen and Executive Producer Zulfick Farzan of News1st compiled the award winning story.
News 1st Digital
News 1st Digital is the official web news provider under the Capital Maharaja Organization umbrella in association with the Maharaja television and broadcasting services. News 1st Digital launched its website, newsfirst.lk in 2007. newsfirst.lk is Sri Lanka's 1st trilingual website and provides latest news updates and breaking news in English, Sinhala and Tamil for local, business, political, life style, entertainment and sports news. In August 2013 newsfirst.lk English website was awarded a Silver medal at Bestweb.lk Awards. In August 2014 newsfirst.lk English website was awarded a Silver medal at Bestweb.lk Awards while the bronze medal was awarded to newsfirst.lk Tamil website.
Attack on the premises at Depanama in 2009
On 6 January 2009, News 1st’s studio complex, MTV/MBC Radio/TV station was attacked and burned by unidentified gunmen. The attackers fled after inflicting targeted damage to the station’s main centre. Within hours, the attack was widely condemned by local and international groups. It also sparked intense discussion and debate online as to who did it, and why. Opposition political parties and media organisations accused the then government of being responsible for the attack.
Attack on the Head Office in Colombo, 2010
On 22 March 2010, a group of protesters held a march at the head office of the MTV/Sirasa media network in central Colombo against American rap singer Akon's show, scheduled to be held in Colombo, which The Capital Maharaja Organization Ltd played a main role organizing. Protesters stoned the building causing minor damage.