IMF Insists on Creditor Assurances to Unlock $2.9 Billion Sri Lanka Bailout – Report

BEIJING - China said Wednesday it will take measures against U.S. entities related to the downing of a suspected Chinese spy balloon off the American East Coast.At a daily briefing, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin gave no details and did not identify the targets of the measures.China says the balloon was a unmanned weather airship that was accidentally blown off course and accuses the U.S.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Hambantota High Court on Wednesday (15) sentenced four Police Officer to death over the murder of an individual back in 2005.The Crimes OIC of the Humangama Police, a Retired Police Constable, a Police Constable attached to the State Intelligence Service and currently at the Hambantota Harbor Police, and Former Police Constable attached to the Tissamaharama Police who was dishonorably discharged from service, were sentenced to deaht by the Hambantota High Court Judge Priyantha Liyanage.The accused had carried out a raid on the 29th of June 2005 to arrest a suspect responsible for three robberies in Matarawatte, Debarawewa in Tissamaharama.Initial police investigations revealed that the accused had surrounded the house of the suspect at midnight on that day, and following his arrest had instructed him to run off and then opened fire at him.The deceased was identified as Loku Hennadige Amila Mahesh, a resident of Matarawatte.This is incidentally the first time in Sri Lankan history that four police officers were sentenced to death at the same time.

PHILADELPHIA - The Philadelphia Eagles may have lost the Super Bowl, but that doesn't mean our beloved Birds didn't have a parade-worthy season!FOX 29 decided to celebrate our home team with a 5-mile "Hurts Parade," kicking off from City Hall to Lincoln Financial Field Wednesday morning.Mike Jerrick started his march at 7 a.m.

EAST PALESTINE, Ohio - The Ohio village upended by a freight train derailment and the intentional burning of some of the hazardous chemicals on board has invited affected residents to a town hall meeting Wednesday evening to discuss lingering questions.And there are still plenty — about the huge plumes of smoke, the persisting odors, the reports of sick or dead animals, the potential impact on drinking water, all the cleaning up. Even as school has resumed and trains are rolling by again, things aren't the same.In and around East Palestine, near the Pennsylvania state line, people are asking whether the air and water around them is safe for people, pets and livestock.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe said that the government will not give into the demands of protestors.He noted that just, because certain groups strike demanding the removal of certain officials, the government will not remove anyone arbitrarily as there is a procedure that has to be followed and the government will follow the rules and act accordingly.He was addressing the launch of the Centre for Governance and Public Policy (C-GaPP) at the Sri Lanka Technological Campus (SLTC) Research University at the Trace City in Colombo on Wednesday (15).He said that the responsibility to address such issues rests to a large extent with the Universities. The President noted that even at the point of the new Centre for Governance and Public Policy (C-GaPP) being inaugurated at the Sri Lanka Technological Campus (SLTC) Research University, two strikes were in progress. One was staged at the Ruhuna University demanding the removal of the Vice Chancellor and another one demanded the removal of the General Manager of a state Corporation.President Wickremesinghe further stated that the removal of the General Manager is a matter of the government. “Just, because there is a strike we will not remove him.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Two special US Air Force planes landed at the Katunayake Airport late on Tuesday (14) evening and left on Wednesday (15) afternoon.News 1st contacted the US Embassy in Colombo for details on arrival of these planes, and those on board, and the mission said it has no comment regarding the inquiry. Sources at the Katunayake International Airport told News 1st that these two special US Air Force planes reached Sri Lankan from a US Military Base in Greece.One aircraft landed in Sri Lanka at 6:58 PM on Tuesday (14), and the other landed at 7:10 PM the same night.These aircraft were identified as C-17 Globe masters.The C-17 is capable of rapid strategic delivery of troops and all types of cargo to main operating bases or directly to forward bases in the deployment area.It was reported that 29 personnel, including a high-level delegation from the United States of America arrived aboard these planes.The Daily Mirror had reported that the delegation included US Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs Jedidiah Royal.The two US Air Force planes left Sri Lanka on Wednesday (15) afternoon.

(Reuters) – Sri Lanka and India will sign a pact to link their power grids and start negotiations on an upgraded trade agreement within two months, a Sri Lankan diplomat said on Wednesday (15), as the island nation seeks a way out of its worst economic crisis in decades.India has provided some $4 billion in assistance to its southern neighbour since the crisis hit early last year, but Sri Lanka is now seeking to enhance trade and investments as it moves to close a $2.9 billion loan from the International Monetary Fund, the country's envoy to New Delhi told Reuters."We have to have growth, otherwise basically the economy will shrink," Milinda Moragoda, the Sri Lankan High Commissioner to India said."As far as growth is concerned, India offers that prospect. So we will have to move on that.

LOS ANGELES - The California resident and winner of the record-breaking $2.04 billion Powerball jackpot has come forward and was identified by officials during a press conference Tuesday, per California law.According to California Lottery officials, the single winning ticket for the Nov. 7 drawing was purchased by Edwin Castro and sold in Los Angeles County at Joe’s Service Center located at 15 W.

Indian Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal on Tuesday (14) met Sri Lanka's High Commissioner Milinda Moragoda and discussed support for economic recovery through bilateral trade expansion.During the discussion between Minister Goyal and High Commissioner Moragoda, which was held in a very cordial manner, a wide range of issues pertaining to the areas of bilateral trade and commerce, particularly aiming at the economic recovery in Sri Lanka, was discussed, read High Commission of Sri Lanka press release.Mechanisms relating to the expansion of bilateral trade, the ways to establish and promote rupee trade between Sri Lanka and India as a means of economic recovery in Sri Lanka, and the possibility of further bilateral integration in the textiles and garment sector were among the key issues discussed between the Indian Commerce Minister and the Sri Lankan High Commissioner.Moragoda thanked India for the unprecedented support that it has extended to Sri Lanka to mitigate the negative impact of the economic crisis.Recalling India's timely issuance of financial assurances to the IMF, the first creditor to do so, High Commissioner Moragoda emphasized the key role that India could play in the recovery phase of the Sri Lankan economy, added the press release.India sent financing assurances to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), becoming the first of Sri Lanka's creditors to officially back the crisis-hit island nation's debt restructuring programme.This takes Sri Lanka one step closer to getting a crucial USD 2.9-billion package from the IMF, made contingent on "receiving financing assurances from Sri Lanka's official creditors and making a good faith effort to reach a collaborative agreement with private

COLOMBO (News 1st); Postal Voting for the upcoming Local Government Election will go ahead as planned on the 22nd, 23rd, and 24th of February 2023, confirmed the Chairman of the National Election Commission Attorney Nimal Punchihewa on Wednesday (15).He said that the distribution of the ballot papers for Postal Voting was delayed, though the distribution process was scheduled to commence on Tuesday (14).However, the Government Printer said that an issue arose regarding the provision of the ballot papers for the Postal Vote due to funding issues.In the meantime, the National Election Commission and the Government Printer had engaged in a series of talks and based on those discussions the Government Printers is expected to deliver the ballot papers for postal voting in the coming days.Moreover, Election Monitors have decided to take legal action against the conduct of the Government Printer for failing to deliver the ballot papers.Election Monitors said that the Government Printer has taken an unconstitutional decision to not deliver the ballot papers.Rohana Hettiarachchi, the Executive Director of the People's Action for Free & Fair Elections (PAFFREL) said the National Election Commission must also take legal action against the Government Printer.Secure packages containing the ballot papers for postal voting were to be handed over to Sri Lanka Post on Wednesday (15), however as the ballot papers were not delivered, the process was suspended indefinitely as per a decision reached by the National Election Commission on Tuesday (14). 

Emmerdale spoilers follow. April Windsor is having second thoughts about her plot to protect dad Marlon Dingle in Emmerdale. The teen has been terrified that Marlon's health may suffer if he gets too involved with the family's search efforts to find Paddy, as Dr Liam recently warned Marlon stress could set back his stroke recovery.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Three 16-year-old boys were arrested for beating a 34-year-old man to death with a helmet in Aluthgama.Sri Lanka Police said that the incident took place at the Kurundippita Junction in Galmatte, Aluthgama.The three teenagers had beaten to man to death with their helmets over a verbal dispute.Sri Lanka Police said that the victim succumbed to his injuries en route to the hospital, and he was identified as a resident of Walagedara, Kurundippita.a

High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to India, Milinda Moragoda met with the Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister of India Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday (14) at the Ministry of Finance in New Delhi, as the latest of a series of meetings he has had with her since November 2021.The meeting between the Finance Minister of India and the High Commissioner of Sri Lanka took place just ahead of the first meeting of the G20 Finance Ministers scheduled to be held on 24-25 February 2023 in Bengaluru, chaired by Minister Sitharaman.During the discussion, High Commissioner Moragoda once again thanked Minister Sitharaman for the unprecedented emergency assistance that India has extended to Sri Lanka and for the timely issuance of India’s financial assurances to the International Monetary Fund, concerning the country’s debt restructuring process.The High Commissioner also thanked India and Minister Sitharaman for the assistance being provided to Sri Lanka in the present economic recovery phase, in particular for the necessary regulations and approvals that are being set in place to facilitate rupee trade between the two countries. The discussion also focused on the ways and means to utilize the available resources in the 1 billion USD Indian line of credit to import urgently required essential pharmaceuticals, which are in short supply in Sri Lanka.

COLOMBO (News 1st); A 43-year-old man was gunned down in Elpitiya on Tuesday (14) night.Sri Lanka Police said that a gunman had entered a store in Uragaha, Elpitiya and opened fire at the victim.A police investigation is underway.

As the search continues for an unidentified object shot down over Yukon by a U.S. fighter jet this past weekend, Canada’s defence minister says it will be “difficult” to find.

train derailment released toxic chemicals into the environment nearly two weeks ago. However, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has warned contaminated soil may not have been disposed of properly.A broken axle sent nearly 50 train cars, including 10 carrying vinyl chloride spiraling off the tracks on Feb. 3.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lankan Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said that any agreement inked by Sri Lanka must be transparent.Premadasa was speaking at the SJB Economic Summit 'The Blue Print' in Colombo on Tuesday (14), and said the International Monetary Fund agreement is integral to Sri Lanka to come out of bankruptcy."Where we will differ is the way we negotiate, the substance, and the issues. We will be taking a pro-people, pro-business approach, he said.Sajith Premadasa also went on to note that the present executive presidency, together with the Prime Minister has manipulated and connived to prevent the election from being held, because they lack a mandate.The Opposition Leader said that the SJB will work with everyone, and not do anything that is detrimental to the interest of any country."What we will do is, we will promote our national interests.

 COLOMBO (News 1st); The Sri Lankan who died in the earthquakes in Turkiye on the 6th of February was buried in Hatay/Antakya in Turkiye, confirmed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday (14).The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Ankara had been working to ascertain the welfare of the sixteen Sri Lankans who were living in the area affected by the earthquake and tremors, in coordination with the  Türkiye authorities. It was confirmed that 15 of them, contacted by the Embassy are safe, while a Sri Lankan female who was living in Hatay/Antakya Province in Türkiye, was reported missing. The Embassy was able to confirm the fate of the Sri Lankan concerned and also noted the unfortunate death of the missing Sri Lankan.The identity of the deceased Sri Lankan is withheld at the request of the family. Burial of the human remains of the deceased already took place in Hatay/Antakya, in line with regulations imposed by the health authorities, said the Foreign Ministry.Death toll from earthquakes went past 37,000.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Walana Anti-Vice Unit arrested a man for the possession of a pair of elephant tusks.Police said that the suspect was preparing to sell the elephant tusks for approximately Rs.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka has not been able to make payments for two coal shipments that reached the Island.Shehan Sumanasekara, the Chairman /MD of Lanka Coal Company (Pvt) Ltd said that the two shipments reached the country on Friday (10), and Saturday (11), and it has not been able to settle the payments.The coal shipment that reached Sri Lanka before these two shipments were unloaded on Monday (13).The Chairman /MD of Lanka Coal Company (Pvt) Ltd said though the Ceylon Electricity Board made a certain amount of funds available on Monday (13), it was not sufficient for coal procurement.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The National Election Commission has informed the Political Party Secretaries that it will not be able to direct the ballot papers for Postal Voting tomorrow (15), as previously planned. This was revealed by the Secretaries of the Political Parties who met with the National Election Commission on Tuesday (14) morning.Earlier, Chairman of the National Election Commission Attorney Nimal Punchihewa speaking to News 1st said that the current state of affairs surrounding the election will be discussed at the meeting. Election Monitors were also summoned for this meeting.The Secretaries of the Political Parties  revealed that the National Election Commission is yet to decide on whether or not the Local Government Election will be held on the 9th of March 2023. They also noted that the National Election Commission is likely to face an issue concerning the Ballot Papers required for postal voting.Palitha Range Bandara, the General Secretary for the United National Party told reporters that the UNP has never called for a delay in elections."How can one even ask for funds from President Ranil Wickremesinghe, after he took over a country that was literally bankrupt," he told the media while leaving the National Election Commission premises.He said that based on the meeting with the NEC it is likely the election would be delayed."If the government says it does not have the funds, if the Government Printer says it cannot print the ballot papers without payment, it is the National Election Commission that needs to decide on the matter," he added.Ranjith Madduma Bandara, the General Secretary of the Samagi Jana Balavegaya told reporters that the National Election Commission had given an undertaking to go ahead with

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka's Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal to ban the importation, domestic manufacture, sale and local use of a series of plastic products with effect from 1st of June 2023.The decision comes based on a recommendation made by the Committee of Experts that was appointed to inquire into Single Use Plastic/ Polythene Control Proposals regarding the import, domestic production, sale and local use of 7 Single Use Plastic/Polythene products.The following plastic products will be banned from June• Single-use plastic drinking straws and stirrers • Single-use plastic plates, cups (except yoghurt cups), spoons, forks and knives, including yoghurt spoons made of plastic • Plastic garlands • String Hopper moulds made of plastic  

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka's Cabinet of Ministers on Monday (13) granted approval to import eggs to Sri Lanka from India.A Senior Government Minister said that permission was granted on the recommendation that the imported eggs do not contain bird flu.Accordingly, permission was granted to import eggs for a period of two months.The Senior Government Minister said the imported eggs will not be released to the local market, instead would be directly sent to industries that use eggs on mass scale.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka has decided to create several new Elephant Corridors in an attempt to solve the Human Elephant Conflict.The Ministry of Wildlife and Forest Resources Conservation said that the elephant corridors will be constructed by clearing certain sections of forest lands that have been designated to be used to solve the Human Elephant Conflict.Wildlife Secretary R. M.

The Indian film industry has lost an estimated 2.4 crore (24 million) audience to the pandemic, which they hope to rebuild in 2023, Ormax said About 12.2 crore (122 million) people in India watched at least one film in a theatre in the 12 months ended December 2022, against 14.6 crore (146 million) in the January to March 2020 period, just before the onset of the pandemic, according to a report by media consulting firm Ormax. Hence, the Indian film industry has lost an estimated 2.4 crore (24 million) audience to the pandemic, which they hope to rebuild in 2023, Ormax said. The report titled Sizing The Cinema: 2023, is based on research conducted among 15,000 Indian audiences across urban and rural India.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Japanese Government has decided to award a grant of USD 38 Million for an uninterrupted essential and emergency health service, said Cabinet Spokesperson Minister Bandula Gunawardena on Tuesday (14).Speaking to reporters during the weekly briefing to announce Cabinet Decision, the Minister said under Japan's Economic and Social Development Programme to Sri Lanka the funds will be made available for the purchase of fuel, especially diesel, which is of paramount importance to the country's health sector.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Three leading local car dealers have decided to recall a large number of vehicles over faulty airbags and for upgrades.The Commissioner General of the Department of Motor Traffic Nishantha Anurudhdha Weerasinghe told News 1st that discussions are underway with all other dealers to rectify the faulty airbag issue.Millions of vehicles ranging from a variety of makes and models across the world are being recalled due to faulty airbags made by a Japanese auto parts maker.The Commissioner General of the Department of Motor Traffic Nishantha Anurudhdha Weerasinghe told News 1st that vehicles that fall under the recall category are currently in use in Sri Lanka.He said that a special meeting will take place on Tuesday (14) with local car dealers to address the issue.It has now been confirmed that vehicles with defective airbags that can increase the risk of injury, fail to protect occupants, or cause a driver to crash have been sold across the world, and these include Sedans and SUBs.Although vehicles belonging to the relevant make and models have been recalled overseas to rectify the issue, in Sri Lanka, those vehicles continue to operate in the streets.The Commissioner General of the Department of Motor Traffic Nishantha Anurudhdha Weerasinghe said that local vehicle importers have decided to recall 47 vehicle models with faulty airbags to rectify the issue.These include the following:Honda: 33 Models from 9 vehicle types Mitsubishi: 8 Models from 3 vehicle types Toyota: 6 ModelsHowever, across the world, over 100 vehicle models have been recalled to rectify the airbag issue, and they include the following:Mazda: 7 vehicle categories Benz: 10 vehicle categories Mitsubishi: 6 vehicle categories Subaru: 5

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka's Cabinet of Ministers on Monday (13) approved a proposal submitted by President Ranil Wickremesinghe aimed at reducing the difficulties faced by the people and providing immediate relief in the face of the current economic situation.Accordingly, the Cabinet has approved a measure to provide 10 kg of rice to 02 million low-income families each in March and April. This will provide immediate relief to families in need and help improve their overall well-being.It has also been decided that the gratuity arrears owed to 18,000 retired government servants will be paid out in instalments using liquid cash.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka has announced a certified price for paddy purchasing during the Maha Cultivation Season.Agriculture Secretary Gunadasa Amarasekera speaking to News 1st said that the Finance Ministry has issued the relevant circular for this purpose.Accordingly, a kilogram of paddy with moisture will be purchased for Rs. 88/- and a kilogram of dry paddy will be purchased for Rs.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The National Council informed officials of the Ceylon Electricity Board and the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka hold discussions before the Public Utilities Commission takes the final decision on the 15th of February regarding the electricity tariff.Accordingly, the officials of both parties agreed to meet this afternoon (13) for the purpose of discussing this matter.The Chairman of the Electricity Board said that if the required percentage is not allowed to be increased in a background where the Electricity Board is demanding a 60% increase in electricity tariffs, it will have to face a serious crisis. Accordingly, he pointed out that due to the lack of money even to import coal in the future, there is a risk for longer power cuts.The officials of the Public Utilities Commission said that arrangements are being made to announce the final decision on the electricity increase on the 15th of February.

(Reuters) – Officials from China, India, Saudi Arabia and Group of Seven nations will participate in a first virtual meeting of a new sovereign debt roundtable on Friday, the International Monetary Fund said on Monday, confirming an earlier Reuters report.The roundtable will also include officials from countries that have requested debt treatments under the Group of 20 common framework – Ethiopia, Zambia and Ghana – as well as middle-income countries such as Sri Lanka, Suriname and Ecuador, which have faced their own debt crises, three sources had earlier said.The meeting will be co-chaired by the IMF, the World Bank and India, the current leader of the Group of 20, and comes a week before G20 finance officials are due to gather in Bengaluru, India, from Feb. 23-25.

Wynonna Judd gave fans cause for concern during a concert in Dayton on Friday, when she had to pause the show after suddenly getting dizzy mid-song.In video taken during the incident, Judd can be seen telling the audience, «Hang on a second. I am really dizzy. Could somebody come up here please?»As a crew member came up to help steady her, Judd explained, «I'm really dehydrated and I'm having a hard time, so hang on a second... This has never happened before.»After considering whether or not to leave the stage, Judd opted to finish the song, telling the audience, «If I faint, just take a lot of pictures!»Judd carried on for the rest of the tune, and eventually decided to perform while seated on a stool.

The opera of Hanover, Germany, is seen on October 27. Hanover is one of the venues that will be used to stage the FIFA World Cup Germany 2006.

transplant surgery booked in September 2021 but, barely a week after securing the date, the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) postponed her operation – along with thousands of other surgeries so they could reassign staff amid COVID-19 pressures on the health system. Read more: More people in Saskatchewan died waiting for surgery during COVID-19 than before: data Read next: Part of the Sun breaks free and forms a strange vortex, baffling scientists Bailey finally received the transplant last November, nearly four years after she was first diagnosed with kidney failure.“(I) didn’t think it was going to happen, for the struggle that I was going through,” she said. “There’s not even a word for it.

Saskatchewan RCMP are warning the public of an unusually high number of scam calls involving cryptocurrency being reported across the province in 2022.

many CD rips along with other audio such as interviews, with much being associated with my work with The Ongoing History of New Music.When streaming started to take off in Canada around 2010, most believed that this would be the end of music piracy. Why would you bother to steal something when you could: (a) pay a modest monthly fee and have all the music you could possibly want; and (b) sign up for the free tier on Spotify and for the price of having to listen to a few ads, pay nothing at all for all the music in the universe?Piracy was conquered.

Colombo (News1st) – The National Election Commission said on Monday (13) that the Government Printer has stated that if funds are not provided ballot papers will not be printed, posing a fresh hurdle to the upcoming Local Government Elections scheduled to be held on the 9th of March.There was no immediate comment from the Government Printer.Opposition parties have repeatedly accused the government of attempting to prevent the elections from being held, while government officials have continuously stated that there is a shortage of funds for the elections due to the country's economic situation.There is also a case currently before the Supreme Court with regard to the elections that has been scheduled to be taken up on the 23rd of February.

paycheck to paycheck in December came in at 64%, according to the report. That figure equated to about 166 million and marked a 3% jump year-over-year.In December 2021, 61% were living that way, the report said.The report, conducted in collaboration with PYMNTS, polled over 3,900 consumers in the U.S. The surveys took place Dec.

Manatū Hauora has welcomed its latest commissioned research into the impacts of COVID-19. The Ngā Kawekawe o Mate Korona Impacts of COVID-19 report, compiled by Te Hikuwai Rangahau Hauora – Health Services Research Centre at Victoria University, focuses on Māori, Pacific peoples, people with lived experience of disability and those with Long COVID.

COVID — a move doctors and advocates say is a crucial first step to better understanding, treating and destigmatizing a growing problem.The new fee code came into effect on Jan. 13.

-level officials, according to the Financial Times. The figure, which accounts for 18% of the population, includes 37 million people who were infected on Tuesday alone. Sun reported that the rate of infection continues to rise and that more than half the population of Beijing and Sichuan have already been infected, two people familiar with the matter said.Beijing abruptly dropped its "zero-COVID" policy, which mandated lockdowns and widespread testing when even just a few cases had been detected.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The strike launched by a group of Railway workers was called off on Monday (13) afternoon.A group of Railway Drivers had launched a trade union action citing that an officer at Sri Lanka Railways had instituted disciplinary action against a group of fellow railway workers.The General Manager of Railways said that the strike was called off following a discussion.Indika Dodangoda – Convener of the Union Federation to Uplift Sri Lanka Railways – told News 1st that the strike was called off following a reasonable solution being provided to the issue. However, 23 train operations were cancelled on Monday (13) morning due to the strike.A large number of people who were hoping to return to work following the weekend were severely inconvenienced due to a strike action launched by a group of Train Drivers on Monday (13) morning.A large number of commuters put their lives on the line as they were seen clinging to the trains to get to work.A group of Train Drivers had decided to go on an unannounced strike on Monday (13) morning against the conduct of a Work Supervisor who was very strict concerning the time reporting to work, and time leaving work.

An initial shipment of 600 metric tons of fortified rice funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) arrived in Sri Lanka last week to support the Government of Sri Lanka’s national school meal program.According to a Crop and Food Security Assessment Mission report by U.N.’s World Food Program (WFP) and the Food and Agriculture Organization, nearly thirty percent of the Sri Lankan population is currently facing food insecurity.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka Police arrested 31 people from Biyagama for the possession of Party Drugs.They were arrested while partying at a hotel in Bandarawatte, Biyagama and the gathering was organized via Facebook.The suspects are residents of Mattakkuliya, Mutuwal, Wellampitiya, Maradana, Grandpass, Peliyagoda and Kelaniya.The suspects will be produced to the Mahara Magistrate's Court.

COLOMBO (News1 st) – Can the old forests of Sri Lanka be restored to its former glory keeping in mind the economical benefits it provided to humans living among it? News 1st's Dhisal Kapuge files this report in hopes of finding answers to that question. WATCH FULL VIDEO:  

COLOMBO (News 1st) – A Custom official said that 206 Live star tortoises were being smuggled out of Sri Lanka to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.The star tortoises were seized by Sri Lanka Custom's Biodiversity, Cultural and National Heritage Protection Division on Saturday(11) at the BIA based on intelligence.The tortoises were placed inside six boxes labeled "Dried Sea Foods" after being placed inside cloth sacks. 

COLOMBO (News 1st) – A massive rescue operation to save 14 beached pilot whales was underway in the coastal town of Kalpitiya, Sri Lanka.The pilot whales had washed up on the Kudawa beach in Kandakuliya early on Saturday (11).Three of the whales were confirmed dead by Sri Lanka Police.Efforts to rescue the remaining 11 were underway, led by Sri Lanka Navy, police, and wildlife officers. 

COLOMBO (News 1st); The World Food Program in a recent report has revealed that the vulnerable households in Sri Lanka are bearing the brunt of the food crisis.According to the December assessment results, 33% of households are food insecure. In 2019, food insecurity levels in the country stood at 9.1%.