Newsfirst
 Official logo | |
| Country | Sri Lanka |
|---|---|
| Broadcast area | Sri Lanka (Nationwide) Worldwide (Online) |
| Network | MTV Channel (Pvt) Ltd MBC Networks |
| Headquarters | 45/3, Braybrooke Place, Colombo 02, Sri Lanka |
| Programming | |
| Languages | Sinhala, Tamil, English |
| Picture format | 1080i (HDTV) |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Capital Maharaja Group |
| Sister channels | Television: Sirasa TV Shakthi TV TV 1 Radio: Sirasa FM Shakthi FM Yes FM Y FM Legends FM Real Radio |
| History | |
| Launched | October 1, 2003 |
| Links | |
| Website | www |
| Availability | |
| Streaming media | |
| Web Streaming | Live Web Stream |
| Social Media | YouTube |
News 1st (also stylized as NewsFirst) is a Sri Lankan news service and multimedia division owned by the Capital Maharaja Group and operated through its media subsidiaries, MTV Channel (Pvt) Ltd and MBC Networks.[1]
First established as a radio and television news unit in 1995, the network produces trilingual news programming in Sinhala, Tamil, and English.[2] It broadcasts across three national television channels (Sirasa TV, Shakthi TV, and TV 1), five radio networks (Sirasa FM, Shakthi FM, Yes FM, Y FM, and Legends FM), three language-specific web portals, and various social media platforms.
History
[edit source]Origins and establishment (1995–2000s)
[edit source]News 1st was launched on 6 November 1995 as the centralized news division of The Capital Maharaja Organisation Limited (CMG), led by co-founders Rajandram Maharaja and R. Rajamahendran.[3] Established during Sri Lanka's civil war and amidst a historically state-dominated broadcast media landscape, the service was created to provide independent, trilingual news coverage across Sinhala, Tamil, and English.[3]
The news gathering and production operations were integrated across the group's television and radio subsidiaries, operated by MTV Channel (Pvt) Ltd and MBC Networks.[3] In addition to broadcasting on MTV (later rebranded as TV 1), the network expanded its television reach following the launch of Sirasa TV for Sinhala-speaking audiences and Shakthi TV on 20 October 1998 for Tamil-speaking audiences.[3] Radio news distribution was simultaneously integrated into FM stations including Sirasa FM, Shakthi FM, and Yes FM.[3]
Digital expansion and citizen initiatives (2007–present)
[edit source]On 10 October 2007, News 1st launched its digital arm, initially operating under the domain name ethalaya.com before rebranding to newsfirst.lk.[3] It was recognized as Sri Lanka's first dedicated trilingual news website, offering real-time news articles and video bulletins in Sinhala, Tamil, and English.[3] In the following years, the division expanded into mobile news delivery via SMS breaking news alerts, dedicated mobile applications, and online video streaming.[3]
To expand regional news coverage, the network developed a nationwide network of provincial correspondents and launched the "U-Reporter" citizen journalism platform, enabling community members across the island to submit news reports and local footage.[4]
In 2016, News 1st launched "Gammedda" (meaning "village council"), a public service and grassroots advocacy initiative designed to identify infrastructure, water, and socioeconomic challenges in rural Sri Lankan villages and connect communities with donors and governmental authorities.[4][5]
Broadcasting and operations
[edit source]Television
[edit source]News 1st produces and broadcasts live daily news bulletins, breaking news updates, and current affairs programming across three free-to-air television channels owned and operated by MTV Channel (Pvt) Ltd:[3][6]
- Sirasa TV: Serves Sinhala-language audiences with early morning, mid-day, and flagship prime-time evening bulletins.
- Shakthi TV: Delivers Tamil-language news programming tailored for northern, eastern, and plantation-sector demographics in Sri Lanka.
- TV 1: Broadcasts English-language news updates, interviews, and current affairs coverage.
Radio
[edit source]Audio news operations are centrally produced and synchronized across five FM radio stations managed by sister company MBC Networks:[3]
- Sirasa FM (Sinhala)
- Shakthi FM (Tamil)
- Yes FM (English)
- Y FM (Sinhala/English bilingual)
- Legends FM (English)
The network broadcasts hourly short updates alongside main morning and evening news broadcasts across all five stations.[3]
Regional correspondents and citizen journalism
[edit source]News 1st utilizes a centralized news desk model based at the Capital Maharaja headquarters in Colombo, supported by a nationwide network of regional correspondents stationed across all 25 administrative districts of Sri Lanka.[3]
To cover rural developments and grassroots issues, the network operates the "U-Reporter" citizen journalism initiative.[4] The system allows members of the public to submit eyewitness video footage, photographs, and field reports regarding infrastructure challenges, weather emergencies, and local civic issues directly to the central newsroom for editorial verification and broadcast.[4]
Key initiatives and programs
[edit source]Public service and community outreach
[edit source]- Gammadda (Village Council): Conceptualized by Capital Maharaja Group co-founder R. Rajamahendran, Gammadda is a major grassroots community development and public forum initiative. Originally launched as a town-hall-style television program (Janatha Mandapaya) to bring rural grievances to the attention of national authorities, it has since expanded into a nationwide humanitarian and rural development campaign. Through its "Door-to-Door" assessment phases, the initiative identifies critical community needs—such as clean drinking water, rural infrastructure, and educational resources—and facilitates development projects by connecting affected villages with private donors and state administrative bodies.
- News 1st Classroom: A corporate social responsibility (CSR) outreach program aimed at youth and students across Sri Lanka's provinces. The initiative conducts free regional media workshops focused on improving media literacy, basic journalism skills, and communication among school children and young adults.
- Danamuthu Sayanaya (Construction Clinic): Conducted in partnership with the local PVC manufacturer S-Lon, this initiative functions as a mobile advisory clinic. The program brings together certified architects, civil engineers, and professional builders to provide free technical advice and consultation to the public regarding housing and construction projects.
Current affairs programming
[edit source]- Dawasa: A flagship current affairs program broadcast by the network, focusing on the contemporary political and socioeconomic landscape in Sri Lanka. The program features panel debates, expert commentary from political journalists, and integrates public sentiment by highlighting audience feedback gathered via social media platforms.
Attacks, safety of journalists, and controversies
[edit source]Due to its critical coverage of government administration, military affairs, and political corruption, News 1st and its parent network have faced political scrutiny, physical attacks on broadcast infrastructure, and violence against field journalists.
2009 Depanama studio complex bombing
[edit source]On 6 January 2009, an armed group of 15 to 20 masked individuals raided the main studio and transmission complex of MTV/MBC in Depanama, Pannipitiya. The assailants held security and technical staff at gunpoint, destroyed control rooms, edit suites, and broadcast equipment, and detonated explosives—including a Claymore mine—causing extensive structural damage.
The attack temporarily knocked news broadcasts off the air, though transmission was restored within hours using emergency backup infrastructure. The incident drew widespread condemnation from media freedom organizations, including the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), and UNESCO. Two days after visiting the bombed facility to express solidarity, prominent newspaper editor Lasantha Wickrematunge was assassinated in Attidiya. Official investigations into the studio attack yielded no criminal convictions.
2022 protest assaults
[edit source]During the 2022 Sri Lankan political crisis, News 1st field reporters and camera crews experienced physical violence while covering live anti-government demonstrations.
On 9 July 2022, a News 1st reporting team—including anchor Sarasi Peiris, camera operator Warun Sampath, digital correspondent Janith Mendis, and journalist Judin Sinthujan—was physically assaulted by personnel from the Police Special Task Force (STF) while broadcasting live outside the private residence of then-Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. When a secondary backup team arrived to evacuate their injured colleagues, security forces targeted them with tear gas and physical force.
Eight news personnel were hospitalized with head and body injuries. The live broadcast of the assault led to immediate public outcry, and the STF officer commanding the unit, Senior Superintendent Romesh Liyanage, was subsequently suspended pending an internal police investigation. The assault was condemned by local media trade unions and international press watchdogs.
Editorial independence and state pressure
[edit source]Over successive administrations, News 1st has faced political pressure and legislative threats regarding its coverage. In 2023, media rights groups raised concerns over proposed state broadcast regulation bills, citing potential risks to the editorial independence of private news outlets like News 1st.
Awards and recognition
[edit source]News 1st, its digital platforms, and its broadcast journalists have received several local and international awards for television reporting, current affairs programming, and digital news delivery.
International honors
[edit source]- UNCA Awards (2013): News 1st received the Silver Medal at the United Nations Correspondents Association (UNCA) Awards in New York for an investigative news documentary series produced for World Water Day. The awarded feature was compiled by English News Director Shameer Rasooldeen and Executive Producer Zulfick Farzan.[7]
National broadcasting awards
[edit source]- Raigam Tele Awards: The division has won major honors at Sri Lanka's annual Raigam Tele'es, including "Best News Network" (2020) and "Best News Bulletin of the Year" (2022). Network staff and programming have also received individual awards for Best News Presenter (across Sinhala, Tamil, and English languages), Best Current Affairs Host, and Best TV Documentary (such as Wasgamu Vismaya in 2022).[8][9]
- Sumathi Awards: The network has earned multiple accolades at the annual Sumathi Awards, particularly within the Television Investigative Reporting and Current Affairs categories.[10]
Digital and web recognitions
[edit source]- BestWeb.lk Awards: The group's trilingual news website (newsfirst.lk) has received multiple recognitions in the media category at the annual BestWeb.lk competition organized by the LK Domain Registry. These include Silver awards for the English news portal in 2013 and 2014, and a Bronze award for the Tamil news portal in 2014.[11]
See also
[edit source]References
[edit source]- ↑ "News 1st Overview". Media Ownership Monitor Sri Lanka. Retrieved 2026-07-26.
- ↑ "News 1st marks 25 years of serving the people". News 1st. 6 November 2020. Retrieved 2026-07-26.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 "News 1st". Media Ownership Monitor Sri Lanka. Retrieved 2026-07-26.
- 1 2 3 4 Diehl, Caroline (February 2021). Impact Media — building common cause: A review of how civil society 'social impact media' is structured (PDF) (Report). Winston Churchill Memorial Trust. Retrieved 2026-07-26.
- ↑ "Gammedda 100 days: Towards a better nation". News 1st. 20 July 2016. Retrieved 2026-07-26.
- ↑ "About Us". News 1st. Retrieved 2026-07-26.
- ↑ "News 1st wins UNCA Silver Award". News 1st. 19 December 2013. Retrieved 2026-07-26.
- ↑ "News 1st wins 'Best News Network' at Raigam Tele Awards". News 1st. 26 March 2022. Retrieved 2026-07-26.
- ↑ "News1st wins Best News Bulletin of the Year at Raigam Tele Awards 2022". News 1st. 25 March 2023. Retrieved 2026-07-26.
- ↑ "Sumathi Awards - Television Honors". Sumathi Group. Retrieved 2026-07-26.
- ↑ "Past Winners - BestWeb.LK". LK Domain Registry. Retrieved 2026-07-26.