Full implementation of 13A, early Provincial Council elections are critical – Jaishankar

President Ranil Wickremesinghe as the Minister of Finance, Economic Stabilization and National Policy has instructed the Treasury Secretary to only provide provisions for essential government expenses in order to maintain public services until the state revenue situation improves.The list of expenditure to be funded include salaries, debt servicing, pensions, medical supplies for hospitals, subsidies for low-income groups, scholarships, farmers’ pensions, school nutrition programs, payments for war heroes and disabled soldiers, utility payments, food supplies for hospitals and prisons, among others.This move is expected to have a significant impact on the economy, as it will prioritize the most important needs of the people and prevent funds from being misused. The Treasury has stressed the importance of sticking to the list of essential expenditure, as releasing funds for any other purpose could negatively impact the people and slow down the country’s economic recovery.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe delivering his Government’s Policy Statement following the ceremonial opening of the parliament session said that the country needs media reforms, and for this purpose a national policy on mass media is being prepared."In order to succeed in economic, social and political reforms, it is essential to make the community aware, based on accurate facts. The main role of making the society aware belongs to the media," said the President in Parliament.He also said that journalists should be given national and international level training in that regard. "In 1993, as the Prime Minister, I appointed a Committee with Dr.

Paul Rudd is sharing the great news regarding Jeremy Renner‘s recovery!

The tourism minister said that approximately 6.19 million foreign tourists were received in India during 2022. “This is a four-fold increase in the number of arrivals over the last year.” New Delhi: Despite the severe effects of Covid-19 pandemic on the tourism sector, India saw a boost in foreign tourist arrivals in 2022, said tourism minister G Kishan Reddy said on Wednesday. Addressing the inaugural session of the 1st Tourism Working Group meeting under India’s G20 presidency, the minister said that approximately 6.19 million foreign tourists were received in India during 2022.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Military and Police Units equipped in riot gear were seen stationed at multiple locations in Fort, Colombo as Trade Unions launched protests against the governments' unjust tax regime.Trade Unions in Sri Lanka have declared Wednesday the 8th of February as a day for protests.Trade Unions are protesting against the government's failure to address the medicine shortage, and the unjust tax regime imposed by the government.The Government Medical Officers Association, a party to the Professionals' Trade Union Collective launched a 24-hour token strike across all Private and State hospitals.The Federation of University Teachers' Association also decided to engage in a one-day token strike.Trade Unions from the electricity, water supply, petroleum and port sectors organized joint protests in Fort, Colombo on Wednesday (8) afternoon.Port sector trade unions announced a work-to-rule action in the morning, and joined the protest in the afternoon.The water supply, petroleum and power supply sector trade unions announced that they will take sick leave on Wednesday (8) and join the protest without reporting to work.Activities across hospitals, universities, divisional secretaries, and other sectors affected by the trade union action launched by the Professionals' Trade Union CollectiveHowever, the Ceylon Electricity Board Technological Engineers and Superintendent Union stated that although they support the protest against the unjust tax regime, they will be taking necessary measures to supply electricity without disruption. A.G.U.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Non-cash benefits were removed from the PAYE tax category, said President’s Trade Union Director General Saman Ratnapriya on Wednesday (8).A Senior Official from the Finance Ministry also confirmed that the relevant circular was issued.The government's controversial new tax law, the Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill, was passed in Parliament and the new tax regime imposed an extraordinary maximum 36% tax bracket on monthly income, with the lowest bracket starting at 6% for those earning over Rs.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe said that if the country continues according to the existing plan, Sri Lanka can rise out of bankruptcy by 2026.While delivering his Government’s Policy Statement following the ceremonial opening of the parliament session, President Wickremesinghe said that people will realize the importance of the present unpopular decisions in two to three years."Due to the measures taken, we have been successful in reducing the burden gradually. Now there is stability in the economy. People are comfortable.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Fort Magistrate's Court rejected a request by the police to issue an order preventing protests against the unjust tax regime, from proceeding to several roads in Fort, Colombo.Sri Lanka Police had requested an order preventing the protests in Colombo from entering the Fort Police Jurisdiction, and this request was turned down by Fort Magistrate Thilina Gamage on Wednesday (8).While rejecting the request, the Fort Magistrate noted that those engaged in the protests have the right to engage in peaceful protests and marches, as per the provisions of the constitution.The Magistrate however ordered for Sri Lanka Police to act as per the powers vested in them if any party is found to be behaving in an unruly manner.At the same time, the court also rejected a request made by the Cinnamon Gardens Police to issue an order preventing protestors from entering into several roads in Colombo.Sri Lanka Police requested the Colombo Chief Magistrate to issue an order preventing protestors from entering Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Hector Kobbekaduwa Mawatha, Mahagamasekera Mawatha, Thurstan Road, and Ernest De Silva Mawatha.While rejecting the request, the Colombo Chief Magistrate ordered for Sri Lanka Police to act as per the powers vested in them if any party is found to be behaving in an unruly manner.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Maha Sangha have launched a protest march against the decision to fully implement the 13th Amendment to the Constitution.The protest march is organized by the Bhikku Collective representing the three main Buddhist Sects.Before the protest march, a Sangha convention took place at the Perakumba Pirivena in Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte on Wednesday (8) against the full implementation of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution.When the protest march reached the Polduwa Junction on Parliament Road, police obstructed the monks and others from proceeding forward.  

COLOMBO (News 1st); Trade Unions in Sri Lanka have declared Wednesday the 8th of February as a day for protests.Trade Unions will be protesting against the government's failure to address the medicine shortage, and the unjust tax regime imposed by the government.They are expected to gather at Hyde Park in Colombo on Wednesday (8) afternoon.The Government Medical Officers Association, a party to the Professionals' Trade Union Collective said that a 24-hour token strike will be launched on Wednesday across all Private and State hospitals.The Federation of University Teachers' Associations also decided to engage in a one-day token strike.Trade Unions from the electricity, water supply, petroleum and port sectors are preparing for a joint protest in Fort, Colombo on Wednesday (8) afternoon.Port sector trade unions have announced a work-to-rule action in the morning, and are to join the protest in the afternoon.The water supply, petroleum and power supply sector trade unions announced that they will take sick leave on Wednesday (8) and join the protest without reporting to work.Activities across hospitals, universities, divisional secretaries, and other sectors affected by the trade union action launched by the Professionals' Trade Union CollectiveHowever, the Ceylon Electricity Board Technological Engineers and Superintendent Union stated that although they support the protest against the unjust tax regime, they will be taking necessary measures to supply electricity without disruption. A.G.U.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Colombo High Court on Tuesday (7) sentenced to death a father of two who was found guilty of killing a young man suspected of having an affair with his wife.He was accused of stabbing the man 16-times resulting in his death.Colombo High Court Judge Nawaratne Marasinghe sentenced the accused Asika Maduka to death after the prosecution proved the charges against the accused beyond reasonable doubt.The Attorney General had filed the case against the accused for killing Sadun Prasad in Mutuwal on the 12th of March 2018.The complaint noted that the accused was an employee at a local government institution, and on one particular day he had returned home to find his wife missing.The complaint also noted that the accused had started searching for his wife in his three-wheeler and during the search he had seen his wife traveling in a three-wheeler with the victim.It also noted that the accused had chased after them, and had an argument with both his wife and the victim.The complaint further noted that thereafter, the lifeless body of the victim was found on the street.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Government Medical Officers Association, a party to the Professionals Trade Union Collective said that a 24-hour token strike will be launched on Wednesday (8) across all Private and State hospitals.Trade Unions in Sri Lanka have declared Wednesday the 8th of February as a day for protests.Trade Unions will be protesting against the government's failure to address the medicine shortage, and the unjust tax regime imposed by the government.They are expected to gather at Hyde Park in Colombo on Wednesday (8) afternoon.Dr Chamil Wijesinghe, the spokesperson for the GMOA said that the strike will NOT affect emergency treatment services, Children's hospitals, maternity hospitals, cancer hospitals, tri-forces hospitals, kidney treatment, etc. The token strike will commence at 8 AM on Wednesday (8) and will continue to the following day.

Employees' Trust Provident Fund Act No. 46 of 1980 enables the implementation of said proposal. 

Jeremy Clarkson has revealed that the amount of traffic to his Diddly Squat Farm shop prevented people from getting to the local health centre for their Covid vaccinations.

Covid-linked joint pain can bother you for months and mostly people report of knee pain In the last three years, most of us have learned to live with COVID. Today, we know what to avoid and how to cope with it in case we get infected. But the disease is still a threat as we still don't know much about the long-term effect of the virus, i.e.

  A statement noted that the Paris Club members held a meeting on January 25, 2023, in the presence of representatives from Hungary, Saudi Arabia, the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development and India, as well as from the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, to provide financing assurances to support the approval by the IMF Executive Board of the envisaged IMF program for Sri Lanka, which would allow to restore the country’s macroeconomic stability.They examined the macroeconomic and financial situation of Sri Lanka, including its long-term debt sustainability, and the need for a debt treatment by all bilateral creditors to both fill the financing gap and to ensure Sri Lanka’s debt sustainability in line with the proposed Extended Fund Facility."We acknowledge that the Sri Lankan authorities had the opportunity to present Sri Lanka’s economic and financial situation to their creditors, which underscored the need for debt treatment from all creditors.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to revise the base year of the National Consumer Price Index.

Gemma Collins has revealed that an ambulance was called to her home last night (Monday) following a health scare.

• Ministry of Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils, and Local Government • Ministry of Education • Ministry of Health • Ministry of Agriculture • Ministry of Plantation Industries • Ministry of Defense • Ministry of Public Security • Ministry of Irrigation • Ministry of Urban Development and Housing

the desired objectives of those Project Offices and Project Management Units have been achieved and whether they should be continued. The committee has recommended to close down 55 existing Project Management Units, to suspend the activities of 32 others and to run 46 Project Management Units with minimum staff. Cabinet Spokesperson Minister Bandula Gunawardena said the matter was extensively discussed in cabinet, and as per the request made by the Ministers the President had agreed to reach a decision on closing down all 55 project offices in the future.Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal presented by the President in his capacity as the Minister of Finance Economic Stabilization and National Policies to implement the recommendations of the committee report.

GEMMA Collins has revealed an ambulance rushed to her home in a late night health scare. The podcast and TV star, 42, shared a picture of a paramedic in her kitchen on Instagram and wrote: "Thank you to all the amazing people that helped me this evening." She followed it with a picture of the ambulance outside and added a message in favour of the ongoing nursing and ambulance service strikes.

We must ensure that those targets are met. Therefore, the Government of Sri Lanka instructed the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Minister for Environment to sound out other developing countries with whom they spoke last time on how a joint action plan could be made. Perhaps, a meeting of the heads of government, of the concerned countries could be convened in the UAE, prior to the next conference.That is the only way that we can achieve results and we must go hard on it as there is no halfway house.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Ali Sabry, PC said that the country is ready to deploy a contingent of 300 military personnel for relief efforts in Turkiye.The contingent will include personnel from the Sri Lanka Engineers Corps and the Sri Lanka Army Medical Corps.Minister Ali Sabry said that on the instructions of the President he contacted the Foreign Minister of Turkiye and offered assistance for search & rescue"We recall when the Tsunami struck us in 2004,Türkiye provided immediate humanitarian assistance & built a housing complex for those who lost their houses," tweeted the Minister.The Sri Lankan Embassy in Turkiye said that it has not been able to access information with regard to the Sri Lankan woman who was reported missing following the devastating earthquakes.A Senior Officer attached to the mission said that the mobile device of the Sri Lankan woman was traced.The Officer also noted that earlier it was reported that the building in which was living had collapsed, however, reports later suggested that she had vacated the premises before the earthquakes.Foreign Minister Ali Sabry, PC said that a contingent of 300 military personnel are ready to be deployed to Turkiye, as soon as a request for help is made.The contingent will include Sri Lanka Army Engineers and personnel from the Medical Corps.On Monday (6)  Foreign Minister Ali Sabry said 9 Sri Lankans were residing in the region. 8 people have been contacted.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka Police said that mobile patrols will be increased in areas where ATMs are located.Police Spokesperson SSP Nihal Thalduwa speaking to News 1st said that legal action will be instituted against all suspects linked to ATM thefts in the recent past.Recently, a man had looted the money placed inside an ATM in Kurunegala under the guise of repairing the device

Health insurance policies come with different term... moreHealth insurance policies come with different terms and conditions, which can be confusing for policyholders.

NEW DELHI : In a major relief to small suppliers, the Centre on Monday asked various ministries to refund the performance security, bid security and liquidated damages forfeited or deducted during the COVID-19 pandemic. The move gives effect to finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s announcement on 1 February in her budget speech that in cases of failure by micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to execute contracts during the Covid period, 95% of the forfeited amount relating to bid or performance security, will be returned to them by the government and state-owned companies. The minister said in her speech that this would provide relief to MSMEs.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Laugfs Gas announced that it has increased the prices of its domestic gas cylinders.The price hike will come into effect from midnight on Monday (06).The price of a 12.5 kg gas cylider was increased by Rs. 200 to Rs.5,280. The price of a 5 kg cylinder was increased by Rs.

COLOMBO (News1st) – Social media activist, Darshana Handungoda who was arrested by the CID last night was granted bail by the Fort Magistrate's Court. He was arrested at the Bandaranaike International Airport, upon arrival from Dubai.

This took place in the presence of President Ranil Wickremesinghe at the Presidential Office. Meanwhile, High Court Judge M. A. R. Marikkar was also sworn in as an appellate court judge before the President.

Colombo (News1st) – Imagine having to risk your life and the lives of your family, just to get to work, or to school, or to rush a patient to hospital.Imagine living a life where you have to make a daily choice between possibly being killed by herds of wild elephants or falling to your death off a rickety wooden bridge with rotting planks that could give way at any moment.This may not be easy for people who live in cities to understand. But this is the harsh daily reality for the 300 families who live in the villages of Pussalavinna and Sooriyapokuna in the Dehiaththakandiya region, on the border of the Maduru Oya National Park.This bridge is the shortest route for children to go to school and connects the two villages to the town. The dilapidated state of this bridge has left the 300 families living here in dire straits because they must gamble with their lives every time they cross this bridge when it rains. Residents who have been battered for decades by the Human Elephant Conflict, don't have a proper road to travel on.

The level of homelessness in Dumfries and Galloway is higher than it was before the pandemic.

Gemma Atkinson was left terrified when she gave birth for the first time in July 2019, as severe complications led to her haemorrhaging, and concerned doctors were forced to perform an emergency C-section.The experience was so traumatic that the 38-year-old initially vowed never to give birth again, so when fans noticed that she seemed to be "breathless" during her Instagram videos while pregnant with baby number two, they spoke up.One fan urged Gemma to have her iron levels checked, only for the star to hit back and reassure her that breathlessness was "common" in pregnancy.The message from a concerned fan read: "Have u had your iron levels checked missus u sound a bit breathless, that can be a sign of low iron in pregnancy [ask] your midwife to run some bloods for u x (sic)."Gemma, who revealed last month that she was expecting her first baby boy with Strictly Come Dancing pro Gorka Marquez, sparked alarm due to the level of trauma she'd endured the first time around.The presenter replied: "I've been asked this a lot.Thanks for concern", but then added: "My bloods are checked regularly as is my [blood pressure]."Both before and during pregnancy (because I find it amazing how our bodies work) my results are spot-on and luckily have been for years," she continued."In fact, [at] my last blood pressure check a week ago I was told 'Gosh you are as chilled as you look'…"She then added that the tell-tale signs everyone had been so concerned about were actually "common"."Breathlessness is common in pregnancy due to everything shifting and moving about to make room," she wrote."I'm across my health and in very good hands with my midwife too."Gemma originally shared her baby news just weeks earlier, confessing on Instagram that

Scientists believe that there are less chances of another wave given that a large number of India’s population has been exposed to the virus and vaccinated and have thus developed hybrid immunity. New Delhi: India reported 91 new coronavirus infections in the last 24 hours, while the country’s active caseload remained unchanged at 1,817, according to an update by the health ministry on Monday. Total reported cases climbed to 4.46 crore (4,46,83,454), while death toll stands at 5,30,745.

A doctor is being probed over the alleged theft of thousands of pounds of protective equipment at the height of the Covid pandemic.

Social media activist Dharshana Handungoda has been arrested last night by the Criminal Investigation Department.He was arrested at the Bandaranaike International Airport, upon arrival from overseas.

Colombo (News1st) – Billionaire businessman Onesh Subasinghe has been found dead in an apartment in Jakarta Indonesia.This was confirmed to News1st by Sri Lanka's Ambassador to the Republic of Indonesia Admiral Professor Jayanath Colombage. He said that a police investigation is underway in Jakarta Indonesia.When News1st reached out Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Director Public Diplomacy said the ministry was "looking into the matter".Onesh Subasinghe was the Managing Director of Opex Holding (Pvt) Ltd, a family business.

Colombo (News 1st) – Litro Gas has announced that it will increase prices from midnight tonight. A 12.5kg cylinder will be up by LKR334; a 5kg cylinder by LKR134, and a 2.3kg cylinder by LKR61.

LOVE Island star Olivia Attwood is ‘set to return’ to the I’m A Celebrity jungle after being forced to leave just days into her time on the show last year. She was told to leave the jungle after a routine blood test showed she was "dangerously anaemic" and she was rushed to A&E.

 

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka says that a special probe has been launched into the firing of water cannons and tear gas on silent protestors who led a Satyagraha opposite the Elphinstone hall in Maradana on Friday (03).The HRCSL says that the preliminary investigations have begun in this regard as teams from the commission had visited the scene on the day of the incident and on Saturday (04).The Commission added that a preliminary report is to be submitted to them on Monday (06).The Satyagraha was organized by social and civil rights activists who were engaging in a silent protest against the 75th Independence Day celebrations that were held at huge public expense.During this silent protest, it was reported that another group had arrived and had created a heated situation with those engaged in the silent protest.It was following this that the police intervened in removing the protestors from the site of the Satyagraha using water cannons and tear gas.03 individuals who were arrested following the incident were granted bail after being produced before the Maligakanda Magistrate Court, yesterday (04).Meanwhile, the 75th Independence Day celebrations were held in Colombo on Saturday (04) at Galle Face Green.

Laura Hamilton, 40, has admitted she was left “frightened” by the state of her skin when she got it professionally scanned today.The A Place in the Sun presenter said that, despite always wearing factor 50 sunscreen, she was shocked by the amount of damage to the skin on her face.Laura took to Instagram to share her experience of getting her skin scanned in view of her 175,000 followers.“This was insane…” she captioned the clip, tagging @toniobagiuk and @liftingspiritsx.“Happy Saturday!” Laura told her followers. “Hope you’re having a good weekend so far.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Nugegoda Magistrate's Court has issued an order against the Convener of the Inter University Students' Federation Wasantha Mudalige, Convener of the Inter University Bhikku Federation Ven.

Under the Covid vaccination drive, more than 220.56 crore vaccine doses have been administered to people across the country so far. In the last 24 hours, around 1,60,769 vaccine doses were administered New Delhi India has reported 128 new Covid cases in the last 24 hours, according to the union health ministry data. The total number of Covid cases reached 4.47 crore, with 530,745 Covid-related deaths since the onset of the Covid pandemic.

Sri Lanka's President and Prime Minister issued statements to mark the 75th Independence Day.In his message, President Ranil Wickremesinghe says there is a new economic and social reform agenda before the country with the objectives focusing first on recovery and then on renewed development. The Head of State stated it is imperative for us to unite in its implementation so that we can emerge with a high level of economic prosperity. He pledged to make the extremely difficult though vital decisions to achieve this goal with courage and determination. Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena in his message to mark the 75th Independence Day said "today, we not only celebrate our freedom, but also pay tribute to the ones who fought for it, to the ones who held a vision for our country, and to the ones who sacrificed themselves for the same." The Premier says the bravery, heroic acts as well as untold miseries suffered by our forefathers during their struggle for freedom of the Motherland must not be allowed to fade away from our memories.The Prime Minister adds the government has taken a series of measures to ensure recovery of the economy, and increase agricultural production to attain self-sufficiency and food security. Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa also issued a statement to mark the 75th Independence Day. He stated "despite the fact that Sri Lanka has been independent for 75 years, we have failed to make that independence meaningful on national, social, educational, and religious levels."The Opposition Leader stated being trapped in "narrow chauvinism and communalism" is not the way to experience true freedom.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – India’s Minister of External Affairs Dr S. Jaishankar met with Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe on Friday (20) morning where both sides had agreed to implement a joint program between Sri Lanka and India.President Ranil Wickremesinghe welcomed the Indian External Affairs Minister at the President's Office where the duo engaged in cordial discussions.Prior to the official meeting, President Wickremesinghe hosted the visiting Indian External Affairs Minister Dr Jaishankar for breakfast and tea at his official residence at Paget Road, Colombo.During the official meeting held between the President and Indian Foreign Minister Dr S.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The bilateral agreement related to raising the limit of the High Impact Community Development Project (HICDP) implemented in Sri Lanka with the support of the Government of India was signed during the meeting between Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. Jaishankar and Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe in Colombo on Friday (20).The Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, Mahinda Siriwardena, signed the agreement on behalf of Sri Lanka and the Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Gopal Baglay signed on behalf of India.This agreement guides many community development projects in Sri Lanka with the support of the Government of India.This agreement related to community development projects in Sri Lanka was signed in May 2005.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – India's External Affairs Minister  Dr. S.

COLOMBO (News 1st) –  India's External Affairs Minister Dr. S.