IMF sees Port City as important part of economy

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka says that those arrested for protesting in Nugegoda CANNOT be charged under the PTA.54 persons who were engaged in the protest on Thursday (31) night at Mirihana, Nugegoda have been arrested by Sri Lanka Police. Police stated that a woman was among them.Two Police & army buses, a jeep, a three-wheeler, and two motorcycles were damaged, during the protest. Police said that five officers were injured in the protest.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka has expressed interest in an IMF-supported financial program, announced, IMFs Spokesperson Gerry Rice.“We will initiate program discussions with the authorities, including during the Finance Minister’s visit to Washington, DC in April,” he added. Sri Lanka has expressed interest in an IMF-supported financial program. We will initiate program discussions with the authorities, including during the Finance Minister’s visit to Washington, DC in April.

While the dollar value may be low–some of the items stolen in a Vancouver break-in are priceless to their young owner. He is pleading for your help to get them back.

International Legion of Territorial Defence of Ukraine, the official channel for foreign fighters, will only consider recruits with combat experience. The Ukrainian military is now urging those without military experience to stay at home.“Our main priority is combat experience and all of them have to understand their role and place,” Anton Myronovych, a spokesperson for Ukraine’s Armed Forces, tells Global News.“We don’t need mercenaries who think they may make some money or something like that.”This phenomenon has also raised questions about what will happen when these people return home.For Canadian foreign fighters, in particular, Veteran Affairs has said it bears no responsibility for physical or psychological injuries acquired by anyone, since Global Affairs has advised against travel to Ukraine.On February 27, three days after Russia launched its invasion, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy issued a call for foreign volunteers to help fight for his country’s freedom — an international legion that would operate as part of Ukraine’s military.The next day, he signed a decree waiving visas for any foreigners who wished to join the fight and launched a website outlining how to apply to the newly created International Legion.In the month since, thousands of foreigners have applied to be part of the group.

Texas man was arrested on Wednesday after police found human remains in his home while responding to a wellness call.The remains are believed to be of the man’s son, police say.In a press release, the New Boston Police Department wrote that they received a request for a wellness call from a neighbour.When authorities arrived at the address Wednesday evening, a man named David McMichael answered the door. Trial set for Florida man charged with human smuggling after family found frozen in Manitoba According to the police report, when officers asked McMichael if he knew why they were there, “McMichael advised them it was because he had a body in his kitchen.”McMichael reportedly told police the body belonged to his son, who died in May 2018.

NEW BRITAIN, Conn. - Investigators in Connecticut believe they've pinpointed a batch of school cafeteria milk tainted with sanitizer that sickened several children in New Jersey this week.The Connecticut Department of Agriculture said its investigating Guida’s Dairy in New Britain regarding its 1% low-fat half-pint milk cartons with a sell by date of APR 11. State investors believe the issue is limited to milk within a specific time range of 4:30 and 7:30 and code stamped on the cartons. They said the batch had "limited distribution in New Jersey." Out of an abundance of caution, Guida’s Dairy has asked all its institutional customers with 1% lowfat half pint milk cartons with a sell-by date of APR 11 to dispose the product. The New Jersey Department of Health’s Public Health on Wednesday encouraged public schools to remove Guida's 1% Lowfat Milk from circulation in their cafeterias.

PHILADELPHIA - The Philadelphia Board of Education will announce Friday which of its three finalists will be the next superintendent of Philadelphia's public schools. Following a six-month search, the School District of Philadelphia narrowed its candidates to John L. Davis Jr., Krish Mohip, and Tony B. Watlington Sr.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka has imposed a police curfew on multiple police sectors in the Capital City of Colombo until further notice.These areas are:COLOMBO CENTRAL DIVISIONPettah / Keselwatta / Dam Street / Wolfendhal Street / Fort / Slave Island / Maradana / MaligawattaCOLOMBO NORTH DIVISIONColombo Harbour / Fore shore / Modara / Kotahena / Mattakkuliya / Bloemendhal / Grandpass / Dematagoda / Mihijaya sewanaCOLOMBO SOUTH DIVISIONColpetty / Bambalapitiya / Kirulapone / Wellawatta / Narahenpita / BMICH / Borella / Cinnamon GardenNUGEGODA DIVISIONMirihana / Maharagama / Boralesgamuwa / Wellampitiya / Thalangama / Welikada / Nawagamuwa / Mulleriyawa / Homagama / Kottawa / Athurugiriya / Padukka / Hanwella / Gothatuwa / Meepe / Kaduwela / MalabeMOUNT LAVINIA DIVISIONMount Lavinia / Piliyandala / Angulana / Dehiwala / Kohuwala / Moratuwa / Kahathuduwa / Moratumulla / Egoda Uyana / KesbewaKELANIYA DIVISIONKelaniya / Kandana / Wattala/ Mahabage / Sapugaskanda / Biyagama / Meegahawatta / Ja – Ela / Ragama / Kiribathgoda / Kadawatha / EnderamullaAuthorities were compelled to impose a curfew after ugly scenes were witnessed on Thursday (31) night during protests against a mismanaged economy and rising cost of living.Scuffles broke out between protestors and security forces on Thursday (31) night when a peaceful protest proceeded towards the Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s residence on the outskirts of the city, in Mirihana.Heavy police presence was witnessed in the area at first, and thereafter the Riot Police, Police Special Task Force, Sri Lanka Army, and Sri Lanka Navy personnel were called in to control the situation and prevent the protestors from proceeding towards the President’s house.It is still unclear if

A football helmet lies on the ground while members of the Floral Park High School football team are in the background practicing for the 2015 season, on the morning of August 19, 2015.(Photo by Thomas A. Ferrara/Newsday via Getty Images) COLUMBUS, Ohio - Youth tackle football has become a particularly controversial topic due to the mix of benefits and risks it offers — and a new study proves just how divided America is on the subject."Football plays a prominent role in American culture," a co-author wrote.

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Bruce Willis is being showered with love and support after being diagnosed with aphasia. Some of the 67-year-old actor's closest colleagues and friends — from Haley Joel Osment, Sir Anthony Hopkins and Sylvester Stallone to John Travolta, Lucy Liu and Maria Shriver — posted touching tributes and throwback photos wishing him the best following his long and successful career in Hollywood.Osment, the former child star who appeared opposite Willis in the 1999 thriller, said he struggled to find the right words for someone he's looked up to for so long, before paying homage to the actor on Instagram.«He's a true legend who has enriched all of our lives with a singular career that spans nearly half a century,» Osment wrote in part.

Rock duo Royal Blood's Saturday night date at Manchester's AO Arena has been postponed after frontman Mike Kerr tested positive for Covid, it's been confirmed. In a social media announcement, Kerr said he 'cannot sing a single note' following a gig on Wednesday night at the O2 Arena in London.

Ukraine had refused to carry out orders, sabotaged their own equipment and accidentally shot down one of their own aircraft.Russia’s Feb. 24 invasion of Ukraine has killed thousands of people, displaced millions and raised fears of a wider confrontation between Russia and the United States.

Anna Maria Tolomello, 48 (Bucks County District Attorney's Office)PHILADELPHIA - The owner of a Bucks County pizzeria has been charged with murder after authorities say she shot and killed her longtime partner earlier this month. Anna Maria Tolomello, 48, is accused of fatally shooting Giovanni Gallina, 65, inside a home they shared in the Chalfont section of Hilltown Township. The two also owned Pina’s Pizza in New Britain. She faces several charges including criminal homicide, abuse of corpse, and related offenses. Authorities say their investigation began when Gallina’s son informed them that he had not heard from his father since March 16.

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Royal Blood have postponed their upcoming tour dates in the UK, Ireland and France after frontman Mike Kerr tested positive for COVID-19.The two-piece played the sixth show of their latest UK tour in London last night (March 30), and had been due to perform next in Leeds tomorrow (April 1).In a statement shared on their social media channels this afternoon (March 31), Kerr confirmed that he had tested positive for COVID-19 following last night’s London gig.“I’m heartbroken to write this, but despite being fully protected and taking precautions, I have tested positive for COVID following last night’s show at The O2,” he wrote.“This morning I’ve woken up to discover I have lost my voice. Unfortunately, this isn’t something I can ‘power through’, I currently cannot sing a single note.

FILE IMAGE - Maxar satellite imagery closeup of Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine on March 10, 2022. Satellite image (c) 2022 Maxar Technologies.

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WASHINGTON - President Joe Biden is preparing to order the release of up to 1 million barrels of oil per day from the nation's strategic petroleum reserve, according to two people familiar with the decision, in a bid to control energy prices that have spiked as the U.S. and allies have imposed steep sanctions on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine.The announcement could come as soon as Thursday, when the White House says Biden is planning to deliver remarks on his administration's plans to combat rising gas prices.

'Serving the community since 1903' reads a proud proclamation on its website. Now Salford Lads Club, a jewel in Greater Manchester's cultural crown and a vital asset for the city's youth, has secured much-needed funding to continue doing just that.

Rules surrounding free universal testing will be changing from Friday, April 1 and will see a lot of people being forced to pay for lateral flow tests. It comes as Health Secretary Sajid Javid announced that Covid will be treated like any other respiratory infection such as the common cold or influenza.

FILE IMAGE - President Joe Biden delivers remarks regarding COVID-19 in the South Court Auditorium at the White House on March 30, 2022. (Photo by Demetrius Freeman/The Washington Post via Getty Images) WASHINGTON - President Joe Biden is commemorating Transgender Day of Visibility by celebrating prominent transgender Americans and advocating against what his administration terms "dangerous anti-transgender legislative attacks" that have passed in statehouses across the country.Biden on Thursday is announcing new measures aimed at making the federal government more inclusive for transgender people, including a new "X" gender marker on U.S.

KYIV, Ukraine - A convoy of buses headed to Mariupol on Thursday in another attempt to evacuate people from the besieged port city, while Russia pressed its attacks in several parts of Ukraine ahead of a planned new round of talks aimed at ending the fighting.After the Russian military agreed to a limited cease-fire in the area, the Red Cross said its teams were traveling to Mariupol with relief and medical supplies and hoped to help pull civilians out of the beleaguered city on Friday. Previous attempts at establishing a similar humanitarian corridor have fallen apart.Russian forces, meanwhile, shelled suburbs of the capital that Ukraine recently retook control of, a regional official said.

HOLLYWOOD, CA - March 27, 2022. Chris Rock and Will Smith onstage during the show at the 94th Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 27, 2022. (Myung Chun / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) PHILADELPHIA - Will Smith’s hometown has been added to the list of stops along Chris Rock’s ‘Ego Death World Tour’ after the ‘Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’ actor slapped him in the face at Sunday’s Academy Awards ceremony. Rock, 57, will be in Philadelphia performing at The Met on North Broad Street on Friday Sept.

Three-hour Doppler radar loop of the United States. (FOX Weather) In Nashville, Tennessee, paneling fell five stories from the side of a downtown hotel Wednesday evening and onto a roof of a building below. The fire department warned the debris could become airborne as high winds continued, and some hotel guests were moved to other parts of the building due to concerns that the roof would become unstable.

ORLANDO, Fla. - The family who took Tyre Sampson to ICON Park the night he died spoke exclusively to FOX 35 News about the tragedy. "Even though it wasn’t my brother, it still feels that way. I still experienced it that way. That experience, that’s never going to go away.

LEVITTOWN, Pa. - A Pennsylvania state trooper will be laid to rest Thursday after he, another trooper were killed by a suspected drunk driver on as they assisted a man on I-95 in Philadelphia last week. A funeral will be held for Trooper Martin F. Mack III beginning at 11 a.m.

A high school has closed to two full year groups for the second time this term because of positive Covid cases among staff. We reported last week how pupils in Years 8 and 9 at Fred Longworth High School, in Tyldesley, Wigan, were told to 'remain at home with immediate effect'.

DDMA lifted all Covid restrictions in the wake of significant improvement in the Covid situation in the city. However, wearing of masks in public places, including buses and metro trains continued.

Covid-19 cases, India on Thursday recorded 1,225 new cases in the last 24 hours, according to Union Health Ministry data. Additionally, India's Covid-19 deaths witnessed a steep decline in cases with 28 deaths recorded in the last 24 hours, the updated data revealed. The active caseload on Thursday stood at 14,307, as per Health Ministry data.

SAN JOSE, COSTA RICA - MARCH 30: Kellyn Acosta #23 of the United States during a FIFA World Cup qualifier game between Costa Rica and USMNT at Estadio Nacional de Costa Rica on March 30, 2022 in San Jose, Costa Rica. (Photo by Brad Smith/ISI Photos/G SAN JOSE, Costa Rica (AP) - The United States men are returning to the World Cup after the trauma of missing the 2018 tournament, clinching a berth for this year’s championship in Qatar on Wednesday despite a 2-0 loss to Costa Rica on the final night of qualifying.Juan Pablo Vargas got behind Walker Zimmerman and headed Brandon Aguilera’s corner kick past goalkeeper Zack Steffen in the 51st minute, and Anthony Contreras knocked in a cross off a scramble in the 59th after Steffen couldn’t hold onto a free kick.A sellout crowd of about 35,000 in National Stadium came to life, but the Americans’ 5-1 rout of Panama at home last weekend gave them a huge goal-difference margin over Costa Rica.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has unveiled his latest blueprint to get greener. From the carbon tax to zero-emission vehicles, Abigail Bimman breaks down what’s in the 271-page climate plan, how Ottawa hopes to pull it off, and the concerns over the multi-billion dollar timeline.

Will Smith slapped his face at the Oscars Sunday night."How was your weekend?" Rock asked the sold-out crowd at the Wilbur, a theater of 1,200 seats in South Boston. "I had a whole list of jokes before this week happened."Since the shocking incident at the Oscars, sales for "Chris Rock Ego Death World Tour 2022" have skyrocketed, soaring to over $1000 per ticket.

TAMPA, Fla. - Bruce Arians told his coaching staff and players that he is stepping aside as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach. To take his place, the Bucs promoted Defensive Coordinator Todd Bowles to head coach.Arians will be stepping into a new role as the team's Senior Football Consultant, according to team officials. He said the decision is not prompted by health issues and has been working with the Glazer Family and General Manager Jason Licht on a potential succession plan.  "I have spent most of the last 50 years of my life on the sidelines as a football coach in one form or another.

Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine were 68% less likely to be hospitalized during the Omicron wave in the United States than unvaccinated children, according to a study published on Wednesday.

PHILADELPHIA - A Ukrainian cathedral in Northern Liberties is offering sanctuary to two women who fled their war-torn homeland of Ukraine as the Russian invasion continues. Alla Pukhtetska and Veronika Matviienko arrived at the Saint Nicholas Orthodox Cathedral Wednesday night after being picked up by Vice President and Choir Director Susan Guz, and Bishop Lukeat JFK Airport. They will live in the rectory of the church and are likely to be joined by others as church member have raised $20,000 to help refugees.The women lived in Kiev and worked together in a cathedral there. They told FOX 29's Jeff Cole that they feared they would be killed in the bombardment of the city."I was afraid not to have time to escape," Pukhtetska said.

The Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield will today host a media briefing to provide updates on the response to the Omicron outbreak.

LOS ANGELES - After hosting the 2022 Oscars alongside co-hosts Regina Hall and Wanda Sykes, comedian Amy Schumer is speaking out about that onstage viral debacle between Chris Rock and Will Smith.In an Instagram post, Schumer started by joking that "the best way to unpack what happened is to stream my series @lifeandbethhulu." She goes on to address "what happened," saying "But for real. Still triggered and traumatized," she continued. "I love my friend @chrisrock and believe he handled it like a pro.

The USFL is a new, independent American football league controlled by FOX Sports through NSFL HoldCo, LLC, a new business entity. (Source: USFL) The USFL, NFL Films and FOX Sports are teaming up to produce "United By Football: A Season in the USFL," a 13-episode series that will capture the fascinating athlete personalities and the unique circumstances they find themselves in as they pursue their dreams in a new professional spring football league. The one-hour series premiere airs Saturday, April 16 at 6:30 p.m.

WASHINGTON - NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope has announced an extraordinary new benchmark: the detection of the farthest individual star to date."We’ve certainly seen galaxies further away, but that is the new record-holder for the most distanced star that we know of," NASA astronomer Jane Rigby told FOX Television Stations Group.The find is a huge leap further back in time from the previous single-star record holder, detected by Hubble in 2018.According to the space agency, the newly detected star is so far away that its light has taken 12.9 billion years to reach Earth. This means the star existed within the first billion years after the universe’s birth in the big bang.NASA announced an extraordinary new benchmark: the detection of the farthest individual star to date.

This photo taken February 4, 2019 shows Kareem Abdul-Jabbar at the Hollywood Reporter's 7th Annual Nominees Night in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by JEAN-BAPTISTE LACROIX / AFP) / ALTERNATE CROP (Photo by JEAN-BAPTISTE LACROIX/AFP via Getty Imag LOS ANGELES - NBA legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar did not hold back in his response to the slap that echoed around the world after Will Smith smacked Chris Rock, writing that the incident on the Oscars stage "perpetuated stereotypes about the Black community."Abdul-Jabbar wrote a column titled "Will Smith Did a Bad, Bad Thing," which was posted to his Substack account.He shared that he first met Smith when he appeared on an episode of "Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" in 1994."I like him.

Bruce Willis' daughters Rumer and Scout Willis were captured out in Los Angeles on Wednesday after revealing their famous father has been diagnosed with thedegenerative brain condition aphasia.Because of the devastating diagnosis, the 67-year-old Hollywood icon is stepping away from the spotlight and the acting career that 'has meant so much to him,' as per a statement published by the family earlier in the day.The sisters, 33 and 30 respectively, put on brave faces as they reportedly attended a Coachella pre-party held at Infinity house. Spotted:Bruce Willis' daughters Rumer and Scout Willis were captured out in Los Angeles on Wednesday after revealing their famous father has been diagnosed with the degenerative brain condition aphasiaRumer and Scout were photographed seemingly arriving to the event, with the eldest Willis sister rocking a white sundress and Scout opting for a psychedelic sweater and black shorts.Scout appeared to be in a jovial mood while Rumer strolled along the sidewalk with her cellphone pressed to her ear.

Tom Parker of The Wanted visits SiriusXM Studios on May 31, 2013, in New York City. (Robin Marchant/Getty Images) Tom Parker of the band The Wanted has died.

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SAN ANTONIO - Country music star Eric Church is canceling his San Antonio show on Saturday to attend the Final Four game between UNC and Duke.The "Drink In My Hand" singer had been scheduled to perform at the AT&T Center on Saturday night, according to KSAT, but he said he will instead be at the game to cheer on the North Carolina Tar Heels. UNC takes on Duke just before 8 p.m.

A gas pump at a Philadelphia gas station was filled with bullet holes a following a shooting that killed a 28-year-old man over the weekend. PHILADELPHIA - Law enforcement sources tell FOX 29 that a man shot to death at a Philadelphia gas station over the weekend is the same man who drove himself to River's Casino in a bullet-riddled car nearly a month ago. Sources tell FOX 29's Steve Keeley that the 28-year-old man was killed late Sunday night in a hail of gunfire at the Sunoco Gas Station on the 5600 block of Ridge Avenue. Officers from the Philadelphia Police Department followed a trail of blood about half a block away and found the unnamed victim suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.

Premier Dennis King has tested positive for COVID-19.King posted on social media today that he developed mild symptoms on Monday and stayed home from the office and the legislature the following day.

SeQuoya Bacon-Jones, 9, was shot and killed in Trenton on March 25.  (Family photo)TRENTON, N.J. - Authorities in Mercer County announced an arrest in connection to the death of a Trenton 9-year-old who was shot and killed on March 25. Police responded to reports of gunfire at 7:27 p.m. after arguments and fights broke out amongst a large group, officials say. When police arrived, SeQuoya Bacon-Jones was found suffering from gunshot wounds, according to police. Authorities say several people and Bacon-Jones' mother were around her providing aid. RELATED: Trenton community mourns 9-year-old girl killed in shootingMedics transported Bacon-Jones to Capital Health Regional Medical Center where she was stabilized in surgery.