Farmers can begin Maha cultivation without a doubt: Minister Amaraweera

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Private vehicles will no longer be allowed to enter the Yala National Park without a guide from the Department of Wildlife.Mahinda Amaraweera, Sri Lanka's Minister of Agriculture, Wildlife & Forest Resources Conservation told News 1st that this decision is temporary and will be in effect until the investigation on the reckless joy-riding incident inside the Yala National Park is complete.He said that the Department of Wildlife will report the matter to the Tissamaharama Court to institute necessary legal action.In addition, the Ministry of Agriculture, Wildlife & Forest Resources Conservation is conducting its own investigation on the six tour guides, and one forest ranger who were present at the time of the reckless joy-riding incident inside the Yala National Park.A total of seven Park Rangers have been interdicted until the investigations are over, and they are charged with dereliction of duty, and for their direct or indirect involvement in the incident.The matter was also raised during Wednesday's (26) cabinet briefing, and Minister Bandula Gunawardena.

The country’s active caseload has declined to 19,798, while the total tally of covid cases has risen to 4.46 crore so far New Delhi: India reported 2,208 new covid cases in the last 24 hours, as per the union health ministry data on Friday. The country’s active caseload has declined to 19,798 while the total tally of covid cases has risen to 4.46 crore so far. The death toll has increased to 5,28,999 so far with 12 fatalities reported in a day.

The manager of a Scots nursery where a baby boy choked to death has been convicted of failing to ensure children were adequately monitored during mealtimes.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Former Parliamentarian Ranjan Ramanayake was turned away from the Bandaranaike International Airport by Immigration and Emigration Department officials on Friday (28) morning.Airport Immigration and Emigration said the former politician was turned away based on a court order barring overseas travel.Ranjan Ramanayake speaking to News 1st said that an overseas travel ban was imposed on him with regard to case filed over the distribution rice during the COVID-19 pandemic era.Ramanayake said the case was concluded and the overseas travel ban was lifted, however the relevant agencies had not been informed of the matter.He said that action will be taken on Friday (28) to resolve the matter, adding that he was to fly to the United States of America to attend an event.

By paying a nominal add-on premium, employees can upgrade their cover, which can even be continued in a personal capacity post-employment Employee benefits insurtech Healthysure has partnered ManipalCigna Health Insurance to launch India’s first flexi top-up insurance which allows employees to personalize and upgrade their corporate health insurance plans. By paying a nominal add-on premium, employees can upgrade their cover, which can even be continued in a personal capacity post-employment. They are thus able to eliminate the need of buying independent personal health cover and also save up to 90% of premium spending.

Justin Bieber and Shawn Mendes are investing time in their spiritual side…

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Minister of State for Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya says in a statement that there is no other option but to raise taxes in a situation where 4 million of the 6.8 million families living in the country are demanding various subsidies. The relevant announcement further states that the people also have a responsibility to keep the poor people of the country alive. The announcement also emphasized that there is a huge deficit between the government's income and expenditure and to cover it, as inflation is close to 100 per cent, money cannot be printed anymore, so taxes should be levied as much as possible. 

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Inter-University Student Federation and the Inter-University Bhikku Federation staged a protest opposite the Terrorist Investigation Division in Narahenpita. The protest was staged demanding to protect the lives of Venerable Galwewa Siridhamma Thero and the convener of the Inter-University Student Federation, Wasantha Mudalige. A strong police force was deployed opposite the Terrorist Investigations Division in Narahenpita ahead of the protest by student activists.Watch Here:   

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Minister of State for Finance Ranjith Siyambalapiya says in a statement that there is no other option but to raise taxes in a situation where 4 million of the 6.8 million families living in the country are demanding various subsidies. The relevant announcement further states that the people also have a responsibility to keep the poor people of the country alive. The announcement also emphasized that there is a huge deficit between the government's income and expenditure and to cover it, as inflation is close to 100 per cent, money cannot be printed anymore, so taxes should be levied as much as possible. 

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Colombo Chief Magistrate Nandana Abeyasinghe issued notice on the OIC of the Criminal Investigations Department to appear in court on the 10th of December.The OIC of the CID has been summoned to show cause for the failure of the CID to conduct an investigation into the complaint filed regarding the dual citizenship of State Minister Diana Gamage. Appearing for Lakmal Herath Attorney-at-Law Gunarathne Vanninayake said that his client had lodged a complaint at the CID stating that State Minister Diana Gamage had concealed the fact that she has a British Passport and applied for a Sri Lankan passport. The counsel added that the CID had failed to investigate this complaint. The Counsel further pointed out that although a responsible public official had testified that the State Ministers' NIC and Birth Certificates are forgeries no further investigations have been conducted. After considering the facts the Colombo Chief Magistrate Nandana Amarasinghe issued notice on the OIC of the CID to appear in court on the 10th of next month.   

COLOMBO (News 1st) – A special petition was filed with the Supreme Court today challenging the Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill that was added to the Parliament agenda on the 21st of October 2022.The petition was filed by Athula Saranga Ranaweera, a General Manager of a leading private company in Sri Lanka and seeks a determination from the Supreme Court that the Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill is inconsistent with the constitution of the country.The petitioner has named the Attorney General as the respondent.The petitioner claims that if the Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill is passed it would cause grave injustice to the professionals and the general public.Therefore, the petitioner is seeking a Supreme Court determination on the Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill stating that clauses 15, 16, 22, 29,36, and 39 must be removed from the Bill or a Special Majority is required in Parliament for the passage of the Bill.The petition was filed through Attorneys H.M.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Bar Association of Sri Lanka says that the enactment of the 21st Amendment must not be used as an excuse or mechanism to discontinue Chairpersons and members of Commissions whose services helped establish public faith in such Institutions. The Bar Association went on to note that the 21st Amendment to the Constitution regrettably does not completely restore the status quo ante which prevailed prior to the 20th Amendment to the Constitution and does not place adequate checks and balances on the powers of the Executive President. It noted that the 20th Amendment to the Constitution rolled back the checks and balances which were introduced by the 19th Amendment on the exercise of executive power.The Bar Association of Sri Lanka calls upon the President, Prime Minister, Speaker, Leader of the Opposition, and all political parties represented in Parliament, to firstly ensure the integrity of nominations to the Constitutional Council and to ensure that such nominations are devoid of partisanship and in a manner that will inspire public confidence.The BASL noted that for this purpose, it is important to ensure that the non-ex-officio members of the Constitutional Council appointed from among Members of Parliament and from among non-Members of Parliament be done in a transparent and open manner and to also ensure that those appointed will be acceptable to the members of the public and be persons of the highest integrity and reputation.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Ceylon Electricity Board on Thursday (27) said that the 2.5% Social Security Contribution Tax will be added to the monthly electricity bill with effect from 1st October 2022.As per the Social Security Tax Act, electricity supply by Ceylon Electricity Board is subject to the Social 2.5% Security Contribution Tax.Accordingly, the Ceylon Electricity Board will charge the said tax from the 1st of October, 2022.The Chairman of the Public Utilities Commission Janaka Ratnayake said that the PUCSL suggested the Ministry of Finance exempt electricity consumption from this tax. The Ministry of Finance has informed the PUCSL that according to the relevant Act, the electricity supply of the Ceylon Electricity Board is subject to this tax.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Two chartered flights of essential medicines gifted by China will arrive in  Colombo on Thursday (27).The Chinese Embassy in Colombo said that the value of the essential medicines is 35 million RMB (1.8 billion LKR). The two chartered flights carrying essential medicines donated by China to Sri Lanka both departed Chengdu in North West China for Colombo earlier on Thursday (27th).The Chinese Embassy said that in June, and September 2022 China donated 23 Million RMB (1.2 bln LKR) worth of medicines to Sri Lanka.With a total volume of 151.25 cubic meters and a weight of 28.64 metric tons, the consignment consists of:1) 15,000 vials of Human Albumin Solution; 2) 330,300 doses of Rabies Vaccine for Human Use (Vero Cell) Freeze-dried; 3) 7,500 vials of 23-Valent Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine (PPSV23); 4) 22,020 vials of Human Immunoglobulin (ph4) for IV use; 5) 170,240 syringes of Recombinant human granulocyte Colony-Stimulating factor injection.The consignments will be officially handed over to Sri Lankan authorities later on Thursday (27).

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The need for peaceful co-existence and unity among the races is felt more strongly than at any time in history, in our country where different races live together and children in all parts of the island are working together without discrimination, Defence Secretary General Kamal Gunaratne said on Wednesday (26).The National Cadet Corps (NCC), including in the North and Eastern Provinces, is doing silent service to build harmony among nationalities supporting the government's program after lasting peace was restored in the country.The Defence Secretary made these remarks while gracing as the Chief Guest of the passing out parade of NCC Hermann Loos & De Soyza Championship – 2022 held at the NCC Training Centre at Rantembe.The Defence Secretary also said there is an opinion in society that children who are engaged in cadet activities during school period acquire leadership qualities, discipline, the persistent performance of their duties, the ability to face challenges and live with self-confidence when socializing as adults and it reflects well through them.He congratulated the cadets who won the national championship as well as all the other cadet platoons who competed very well in the competition. He also paid his gratitude to their parents for directing their children to the training activities of the NCC and for being a great strength to them.General Gunaratne in his address said that our children should be prepared to face the emerging world as future employment sector is undergoing a massive transformation and accordingly, digital technology methods such as artificial intelligence, intelligent automation, robotics etc.

Irvine will be the site of a national mental health facility for 12-18-year-olds with complex difficulties requiring a high level of care.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The budget for the year 2023 will be presented to Parliament on the 14th of November 2022.The decision was reached when the Parliamentary Committee on Business met on Thursday (27) morning.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – An extraordinary gazette was issued increasing the Companies' Regulations and Societies regulations fees.The extraordinary gazette was issued by President Ranil Wickremesinghe, as the Minister of Finance, Economic Stabilization and National Policies.The extraordinary gazette on increasing the Companies' Regulations and Societies' regulations fees was issued on Wednesday (26).The fee for the registration of a Private Limited Company has been increased to Rs. 4,600.00/- from Rs. 4,000/-.The new fee for the registration of a Public Limited Company is Rs.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka's Health Ministry said that the number of Dengue cases reported in Sri Lanka has increased threefold compared to 2021.So far in 2022, more than 62,000 Dengue cases have been reported.Director of the National Dengue Control Unit, Dr Sudath Samaraweera says 60 people have died from Dengue this year, adding that a majority of the victims were children and those below the age of 50 years.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – President Ranil Wickremesinghe issued an extraordinary gazette moving the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka and related institutions from the purview of the Defence Ministry to the Ministry of Technology. 

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Ministry of Agriculture announced that a vessel carrying 12,500 MT of fertilizer reached the country last night (26).The additional secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture Mahesh Gammanpili said that the vessel reached Sri Lanka from China.The unloading of urea fertilizer is scheduled to commence on Thursday (27) morning.The stock of urea fertilizer was moved to Sri Lanka under the World Bank loan assistance.The Ministry further said that the stock of urea fertilizer will be distributed to the farmers in Ampara and Batticaloa districts.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Select Committee of Parliament to look into and report to Parliament its recommendations to ensure gender equity and equality with special emphasis on looking into gender based discriminations and violations of women’s rights in Sri Lanka held discussions regarding the progress of drafting the proposed Bill entitled “Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment” followed by a presentation to review findings on the implementation of the multi sectoral National Action Plan to address Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) 2016-2020.These discussions were held at the said Select Committee chaired by (Dr.) Sudarshani Fernandopulle, Member of Parliament recently (20).The Select Committee members agreed to send the draft inclusive of all recommendations discussed at the Select Committee to the expert committee assigned for the purpose within two weeks under the purview of the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs.The Select Committee also acknowledged the progress of the implementation of the multi sectoral National Action Plan to address Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) 2016-2020 and directed and requested the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs to incorporate contextualized initiatives to the new plan.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Committee on Parliamentary Business will convene today (27) under the leadership of Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena.The meeting is scheduled to commence at 11.30 AM at the Parliament.Discussions will focus on the future proceedings of Parliament. Reportedly, the Budget presentation and the Budget debate will also be taken up for discussion during the meeting.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Department of Meteorology says that several spells of Showers will occur in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central and North-Western provinces and Galle and Matara districts.Showers or thundershowers may occur at a few places in the Uva province and Ampara and Hambantota districts during the afternoon or night.The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.Condition of Rain:A few showers will occur in the sea areas off the coast extending from Colombo to Matara via Galle.Winds:Winds will be north-westerly or variable in direction.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – As recommended by the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL), the power cut has been reduced to 2 hours on the 27th & 28th of October as follows;Groups ABCDEFGHIJKLPQRSTUVW: 1-hour during daytime 1-hour during the night

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The General Secretary of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna, Attorney-at-Law Sagara Kariyawasam emphasized that dual citizens should be allowed to enter the Parliament. Speaking at a press conference held at the party headquarters, Kariyawasam stressed this point taking into example the newly appointed British Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak.Pointing out that the concept of a global village is now prevalent in the world, the SLPP General Secretary said that instead, some parties are attempting to drag the country back into tribalism.He said that England, as a country where Protestant Christianity is used as the official religion, a Hindu of Indian origin was appointed as the Prime Minister, which speaks for the UK's acceptance towards those of a different origin, in contrast to that of Sri Lanka. "The question of whether we, as a country are moving towards tribalism, I think was best answered for those who brought amendments such as the 22nd Amendemnt, by England last week," he said.However, the question remains, wheter the example taken by Kariyawasam is comparable to the situation in Sri Lanka? The current British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was born on the 12th of May 1980 at the Southampton Hospital in Britain . Which means he was a British citizen by Birth.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka has recommended not to extend the detention order issued against Wasantha Mudalige and Ven. Galwewa Siridhamma.The HRCSL said that any futher investigations that the police may need to conduct can be carried out successfully and expeditiously without the continued detention of these persons.It asserts that the arrest, detention, and continued incarceration of the convener of the Inter University Student Federation (IUSF), Wasantha Mudalige, and the convener of the Inter University Bhikku Federation (IUBF), Ven.

Grammy-nominated actress Selma Blair and her service dog Scout were surrounded by ladies as they headed inside Skylight Books in LA's Los Feliz neighborhood on Tuesday.The Michigan-born 50-year-old was scheduled to host a 3:30pm reading/signing for her memoir Mean Baby: A Memoir of Growing Up, which was released back on May 24.Selma was wearing a b&w-patterned blouse, black slacks, and pink peep-toe heels for the ticketed event. All smiles: Grammy-nominated actress Selma Blair and her service dog Scout were surrounded by ladies as they headed inside Skylight Books in LA's Los Feliz neighborhood on TuesdayBlair (born Beitner) appeared to be in great spirits following her October 17 exit from Dancing with the Stars.'Oh the places I've been! But I never considered I would be in a dance rehearsal space for a live @disneyplus ballroom dance show,' the Far More actress - who boasts 3.5M social media followers - wrote on Instagram that same day.

Selena Gomez has COVID.The Calm Down singer shared the news on her Instagram stories on Wednesday morning as she was seen laying on a sofa with a fur blanket over her as her dogs rested nearby.In her caption, the 30-year-old Wizards Of Waverly Place vet told her followers that they need to take COVID seriously because it is still out there. Ill at home: Selena Gomez has COVID. The singer shared the news on her Instagram stories on Wednesday morning as she was seen laying on a sofa with a fur blanket over her as her dogs rested nearby'I'm not going to be on Fallon tonight,' her noted began.'I ended up getting covid but am resting and feeling ok.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – While the SLPP General Secretary says that dual citizens should be allowed to make decisions on behalf of the people of Sri Lanka, the United National Party took a different stance.The Vice President of the UNP, Akila Viraj Kariyawasam said that he opposed dual citizens taking seats in the Parliament, and Sri Lanka should only be ruled by Sri Lankans who care and think about the country.Otherwise, he pointed out, any dual citizen has the right to go to a different country in the future and act in the way that they desire without facing repercussions of their actions. Meanwhile, SJB MP S.M.

Humza Yousaf has been branded the "worst health secretary since devolution" by Labour in a row over how prepared the NHS is for winter.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – MP Dilan Perera says that the Government will not be able to stop any allegations against it with regard to human rights violations. Speaking to media, the Freedom Peoples Congress MP said that Venerable Galwewa Siridhamma Thero, who was visited by HRCSL personnel, was observed to have been unwell on 24th October. However, the Terrorism Investigation Division (TID) only took the Thero to the hospital on 25th, which by that time, his platelet count and blood pressure were already low. "Therefore, the arrests made under the Prevention of Terrorism Act is wrong. If we can't pay attention to their health condition at least after the arrest, we will not be able to stop the accusations of human rights violations," he added.Earlier today, a senior official attached to the National Hospital of Sri Lanka confirmed that Ven.

COLOMBO (News 1st)- Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe has instructed the security forces to conduct an investigation in an impartial manner in to the recent incident inside the Yala National Park where a fleet of Off-Road vehicles were seen performing doughnut inside the park premises.Cabinent Spokesperson & Minister Bandula Gunawardena said that the President also instructed to penalize those accountable.Nine people and seven jeeps that were involved in the Yala Fiasco over the weekend, that received widespread condemnation, were produced to the Tissamaharama District Court on Wednesday (26) after they surrendered to the Yala National Park Rangers Office earlier in the day.The Magistrate ordered for the suspects to be released on a personal bail of Rs. 500,000/- each.In the meantime, a three-member Committee was appointed to conduct further investigations on the Wildlife officials who have been temporarily suspended for failing to prevent incident from taking place.This committee will be chaired by an Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Wildlife and Forest Resource Conservation.A total of seven Park Rangers have been interdicted until the investigations are over, and they are charged with dereliction of duty and for their direct or indirect involvement in the incident.The matter was also raised during Wednesday's (26) cabinet briefing, and Minister Bandula Gunawardena.

Nine people and seven jeeps that were involved in the Yala Fiasco over the weekend, that received widespread condemnation, were produced to the Tissamaharama District Court on Wednesday (26) after they surrendered to the Yala National Park Rangers Office earlier in the day.The Magistrate ordered for the suspects to be released on a personal bail of Rs. 500,000/- each.In the meantime, a three-member Committee was appointed to conduct further investigations on the Wildlife officials who have been temporarily suspended for failing to prevent incident from taking place.This committee will be chaired by an Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Wildlife and Forest Resource Conservation.A total of seven Park Rangers have been interdicted until the investigations are over, and they are charged with dereliction of duty and for their direct or indirect involvement in the incident.The matter was also raised during Wednesday's (26) cabinet briefing, and Minister Bandula Gunawardena.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka issued a clarification regarding the implementation of the Social Security Contribution Tax on electricity bills. As per the Social Security Tax Act, electricity supply by Ceylon Electricity Board is subject to Social Security Contribution Tax.Accordingly, the Ceylon Electricity Board will charge the said tax from the 1st of October, 2022 on the purchase of electricity by the parties including consumers who receive electricity from the Ceylon Electricity Board. "As the electricity tariffs were revised recently, we suggested the Ministry of Finance exempt electricity consumption from this tax. The Ministry of Finance has informed us that according to the relevant Act, the electricity supply of the Ceylon Electricity Board is subject to this tax.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka's Ministry of Health is preparing to establish a database by spending almost a billion rupees, however no progress has been made with regard to the infamour #DataScam.The approval of the National Medicnes Regulatory Authority is essential for every medicine and medical device imported to Sri Lanka.With the COVID-19 pandemic, most of these activities take place online, and an advertisement published by the NMRA on October 15th, 2020 confirmed this.The functions of the NMRA were carried out online using the Lanka Government Cloud for uploading important data related to medicinesand medical devices.However, the data belonging to the NMRA which was available on the Lanka Government Cloud suddenly went missing, and later it was revealed that it was deliberate deletion.A complaint on data going missing from the NMRA Cloud was filed with the CID on July 23rd, 2021.A software engineer attached to the private company that managed the NMRA system was accused of deleting the data.However, the database did not even have the minimum security measure or a backup facility.The issue went to the Courts on 6th October 2021 where the gravity of the missing data was disclosed.Senior Deputy Solicitor General (DSG) Dileepa Peiris revealed at the Colombo Chief Magistrate's Court that medicine racketeer made undue advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic that was spreading across Sri Lanka at the time.In court it was revealed that the systems operator from the private company that managed the NMRA cloud had deleted data for a period of seven long hours.Senior Deputy Solicitor General (DSG) Dileepa Peiris emphasized that all those involved in this crime should be thoroughly investigated and brought to justice as they are

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Board of Directors of the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE), in consultation with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka (SEC) have decided to extend the trading hours with effect from 01st November 2022.Accordingly trading hours will be as follows from November onward; Pre-open session – 09:30 a.m.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa says incentives must be given to industries that generate dollars for Sri Lanka, in order to boost the economy."We can't resolve these issues by putting pressure on the economy. A program to boost the economy is mandatory.

Earlier, it was said that the incident was an accident involving the explosion of a gas-powered car. Sources now indicate that Mubeen was not driving a gas vehicle, but a petrol vehicle and the early triggering of the cylinder could have been an accident.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Coconut cultivations across multiple districts have been severely affected due to the Coconut White Fly infestation.The Coconut White Fly, which was reported for the first time from the Kegalle district in 2019, is currently widespread in several districts.The Assistant Director of the Coconut Research Institute, Dr.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Foreign Employment Bureau said that five Sri Lankan expatriates who had gone to Saudi Arabia to work as domestic aides will be repatriated soon.The Spokesperson Deputy General Manager Gamini Senarath Yapa said that the group departed Sri Lanka via the same Foreign Employment agency, and were trapped in a province some 1,200 km away from the Capital Riyadh.He said that the Sri Lankan Embassy in Saudi Arabia is coordinating the activities to repatriate them to Sri Lanka.Writer: Teena Marian

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekera says that the new tariff rates will be applied only to New Roof Top Solar Systems."There will be no change of rates for already signed Power Purchasing Agreements & systems in use.", Minister Wijesekara said.Cabinet approval was granted to revise Roof Top Solar Tariff Rates.Two tiers' current tariff rates of Rs 22 & Rs 15.50 will be revised to a flat rate of Rs 37 for less than 500KW & Rs 34.50 for above 500KW RoofTop Solar for 20 years.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Ambassador of Qatar to Sri Lanka Jassim Bin Jabir Jassim Al Sorour called on the Chairperson Justice Rohini Marasinghe and other officials of the Commission of the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) today (26).Upon hearing of the work carried out by the HRCSL from the Chairperson, the Ambassador of Qatar to Sri Lanka made assurances to communicate with the Chairperson of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI), and the Chairperson of the Qatar National Human Rights Commission, Maryam Abdullah Al Attiyah of the same. The Ambassador also stated unequivocally that he would disseminate the word about the good work carried out by the HRCSL at large.Writer: Teena Marian

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The first ever nationwide survey of financial literacy by the Central Bank has found that 42% of Sri Lankan adults are financially illiterate.‘Financial Literacy Survey Sri Lanka – 2021’, a publication of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, is now available for public access.The Regional Development Department of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, with the assistance of the International Finance Corporation (IFC) – under the IFC-DFAT Women in Work program – conducted the first-ever countrywide Financial Literacy Survey in Sri Lanka, as part of the implementation of the National Financial Inclusion Strategy of Sri Lanka. The key objective of the survey was to assess the level of financial literacy across the population to formulate appropriate policy measures.The survey focused on the elements of knowledge, attitudes, and behavior within the concept of financial literacy and this publication consists of the key survey findings.The survey findings reveal that 57.9 percent of adults are financially literate in Sri Lanka. Further, the findings imply that the level of financial literacy varies across different segments of the population, suggesting the need for targeted policy interventions. For instance, despite gender parity in education, the survey notes gender disparity in financial literacy.This publication is a useful collection of information for those who are interested in the field of financial inclusion.Writer: Teena Marian

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Ministerial Consultative Committee on Public Security focused on terminating the service of police officers who have not fulfilled required medical standards.The matter was discussed at the first meeting of the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Public Security held in Parliament recently under the chairmanship of Minister of Public Security Tiran Alas.The Members of Parliament who were present said that there are many officers in the police service who are not in good health condition for a long time and they do not engage in difficult duties following the submission of medical certificates.It was discussed at the meeting that some of these officers are not suffering from health problems and because of this, officers who are always performing their duties properly are getting inconvenienced.Thus, the Inspector General of Police pointed out that there are about 4,000 police officers who are not at the standard level of health condition for a long period of time. Accordingly, Minister Tiran Alas advised that the police department should prepare the necessary proposal regarding the removal of police officers who are not at the standard level of health condition for a long period of time and send it to the ministry. Also, the Inspector General of Police pointed out that a large number of police officers will retire this year and therefore there will be vacancies of about 16,000 police officers this year.Also, there was a discussion on the reported incidents of police officers using drugs.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Six people who were involved in reckless driving inside the Yala National Park over the weekend and flouting the park rules have surrendered to the Wildlife Officers. The group was produced to the Tissamaharama Magistrate's Court on Wednesday (26) along with seven vehicles.In the meantime, a three-member Committee was appointed to conduct further investigations on the Wildlife officials who have been temporarily suspended for failing to prevent incident from taking place.Secretary to the Ministry of Wildlife and Forest Resource Conservation Chandra Herath said the Committee was appointed to investigate the officials' dereliction of duty , failure to inform senior officials about the incident, and for their direct or indirect involvement in the incident.The Committee will be chaired by the Additional Secretary of the Ministry.The Ministry is also expected to make a formal request from the Inspector General of Police to arrest all members of the group involved in the incident.Over 100 of off-roader enthusiasts in 33 jeeps entered the Yala National Park on Saturday, 22nd October and performed various manouvers that caused harm to the wildlife.Several videos of a fleet of vehicles entering the Yala National Park harassing the wildlife went viral on social media, attracting widespread condemnation from netizens.Writer: Zulfick Farzan

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Government of China donated another 500 Metric Tonne of rice (50,000 packs) for needy students in Sri Lanka.This shipment of 50,000 packs donated by China to Sri Lanka reached Colombo Port on Tuesday (25) aborad the Vessel NAVIOS JASMINE and will soon be distributed to the students.Another 500 MT will arrive next week, bringing the Chinese Aid tally to 6,000 MT, said the Chinese Embassy in Colombo.The embassy said that the rice is suopplied from COFCO, a Chinese state-owned food processing holding company.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Minister of Agriculture Mahinda Amaraweera says that the tender to import 25,000 MT of urea required for the maha season will be submitted to the cabinet on Monday (10) for approval.The fertilizer stock is set to be imported under World Bank assistance.Under the same assistance, the Ministry of Agriculture stated that it has planned to import 45,000 MT of potassium as well.