Power Cuts: 2 hours & 20 minutes this week, 1 hour on Poya Day

Colombo (News 1st) – FACE THE NATION: Towards more youth in politics. Watch Live on 4th January at 9:30 p.m. on TV1. Livestreaming on Facebook and Youtube.

RUTH Langsford has opened up on husband Eamonn Holmes' chronic health problems admitting it has "been a terrible time". The presenter spoke about Eamonn's battle to get well on ITV's Loose Women after fans became concerned for him.

GEORGIA MAY FOOTE has been flooded with support by fans after revealing she wakes up 'in agony' every day. The ex-Coronation Street star asked for help from her Instagram followers after getting sick and tired of waking up in pain.

Sharon Osbourne has had multiple procedures over the years in a bid to boost her self-confidence with tweaks to her body.

Colombo (News 1st) – NEWSLINE: Sri Lanka heads towards local polls. Watch Live on 4th January at 8:30 p.m. on TV1. Livestreaming on Facebook and Youtube. 

This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text.

The Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN), Kanni Wignaraja who is currently in Sri Lanka, appreciated the efforts taken by President Ranil Wickremesinghe and his Government in resolving the economic crisis in the country. Wignaraja reiterated the U.N’s financial and technical support for Sri Lanka during this recovery period.This was revealed at the meeting held between the President and the Delegation headed by Assistant Secretary-General of the UN at the Presidential Secretariat on Wednesday (4).The discussions focused on the economic reforms, with the delegation recognizing that these difficult decisions would have to be taken in order to ensure long-term recovery and growth in the country.The President also briefed the visiting delegation on the political reforms in the country, including the establishment of the Constitutional Council in Parliament and the ongoing discussions with the other political parties, regarding a resolution to the ethnic issues in Sri Lanka.

A new Covid strain nicknamed 'the Kraken' is sparking concern around the world.XBB.1.5, a subvariant of Omicron, is already dominant in parts of the US. Now it has started to sweep across the UK and Telangana.XBB.1.5 is a mutated version of Omicron XBB, a strain that was first detected in India in August. Concern about XBB.1.5 is largely based on how it is currently surging in the US.But it has also already been spotted in Britain and other countries around the globe.Experts are concerned XBB.1.5's rapid rise in the US could be caused by mutations that help it to better infect people and dodge protection from vaccination and prior infections.The XBB15 Covid super variant, which is behind the recent wave of Covid infections across the United States and United Kingdom, has made its way to Telangana.The latest genomic sequencing data by Hyderabad-based genetic laboratories attached to Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomic Consortium (INSACOG) have reported 3 XBB15 positive cases in Telangana.Between December and January 2, a total of six XBB14 infections have been reported in India out of which three were from Telangana, two from Maharashtra and one XBB15 infection was from Gujarat.– Input from Agencies

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka Railways has decided to add a new train named 'Seethawaka Odyssey' to operate on the Kelani Valley route, in an effort to boost tourism in the country.The 'Seethawaka Odyssey' will be added to service within the next two weeks.The 'Seethawaka Odyssey' will operate from Fort, Colombo to the Waga Railway Station and will make stops at a number of attractions along the route.Passengers will be able to witness a number of waterfalls including the Ranmudu Ella, Kumari Ella, and Goraka Ella, as well as a number of other tourist attractions including the Seethawaka Wet Zone Botanic Gardens.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka's Transport Minister Bandula Gunawardena said that bus fares on the Southern Expressway will be reduced by 10%, and bus operators are expected to pass this benefit on to the passengers.Speaking to reporters in Colombo on Wednesday (4), the Minister also said that with effect from midnight the Semi-Luxury Bus service from Kataragama to Colombo, that is operating on the Galle Road, will be terminated."There will be no Semi-Luxury Bus anymore. Following the termination of this service, the Rs.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe visited the Embassy of the Holy See (Vatican Apostolic Nunciature) in Colombo on Wednesday (04) to express his condolences on the demise of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI who was called to rest on Saturday (31) morning in the Mater Ecclesia Monastery in the Vatican.Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI from Germany, was called to rest at age of 95, after having served for more than eight years as Pope from 2005 to 2013.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Ministry of Fisheries launched a modified multiday fishing vessel in Colombo to improve the quality of fish and reduce postharvest loss in the Fisheries sector.The FAO in a statment said that fish products are an important source of animal protein for Sri Lanka and the sector contributes about 1.1 percent to Sri Lanka’s GDP.  However, studies by the National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA) indicate that the fish quality loss in some harbours is at 60 – 70 percent.Some of the issues contributing to these losses include the lack of an adequate cooling system in multi-day fishing vessels that use weeks-old ice to maintain low temperatures and the captured harvest not being handled or stored properly by fishers, which reduces the quality of the overall harvest and damage the bottom layer of stored fish. To address this issue FAO, together with the Ministry of Fisheries and NARA, modified the design of a multi-day fishing vessel as a pilot project to introduce new boat designs that provide an economically viable solution to minimize the quality loss of fish harvests. By reducing the existing post-harvest losses, the investment for the proposed new design can be recovered within 3.5 years.The modified multi-day vessel features a pilot coolant system in fish holds and storage as well as a modified fish holding facility to minimize the physical damage to fish due to overload.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – A Sri Lankan court has ordered the guarantors for Najeem Mohammed Imran alias Kanjipani Imran to appear in court.Kanjipani Imran, who is a leading drug trafficker in the country, had fled to India and is now preparing to enter Pakistan from there.Imran's mother, brother, and another individual are listed as guarantors.Kanjipani Imran faces serious charges in Sri Lanka including murder, and he was released on a Rs.

Covid-19 update: Active caseload declined by 12 in a day and now comprises 0.01 per cent of the total infections. India has recorded 175 fresh Covid-19 cases in the past 24 hours, taking the active tally to 2,570, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Wednesday.  Active caseload declined by 12 in a day and now comprises 0.01 per cent of the total infections, the data showed.  The tally of Covid cases in India is crore while the death toll is 5,30,707, data updated at 8 am stated.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka's Former Power and Energy Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka has dismissed claims made by the present Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera over the profits made by the Ceylon Electricity Board.On Tuesday (3), Minister Wijesekera tweeted that the Ceylon Electricity Board was making operating profits during October & November each year due to the increase in hydropower usage.Wijesekera stressed that the operational profits were not due to the tariff adjustments made in August 2022, and states that the CEBs own financial statements from 2017 to 2022 highlight the false and misleading comments made by the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka and Former Minister Champika Ranawaka.However, in response to the Minister, Former Minister Champika Ranawaka pointed out that if the tariff was not increased in October 2022 the Ceylon Electricity Board would be making a loss of a whopping Rs.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The National Election Commission announced that the notice calling for nominations for 340 Local Government Institutions will be released by the District Secretaries on Wednesday (4).A Senior Official at the Election Commission said that nominations will be accepted two weeks after the notice is published.The notice will include the date of accepting nominations, location, bonds, candidates, female representation among other matters.Members for Local Government Institutions need to be appointed by the 20th of March, and for that elections needs to take place before the 10th of March 2023.Commissioner General of Elections Saman Sri Ratnayake speaking to News 1st said that the Election Commission plans to conduct the election before the 10th of March 2023.The Election Commission said that the necessary preparations are being made for the election,however, a retire military officer had filed an application with the Supreme Court seeking an order to prevent the elections from taking place.Retired Sri Lanka Army Colonel W. M.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe has instructed the Chairmen of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) and SriLankan Airlines to submit a report on awarding bonuses to employees, despite making losses.The President has requested their reasons to justify the payment of bonuses despite the Ministry of Finance having informed not to pay bonuses to loss-making corporations and boards.The President's Secretary Saman Ekanayake said that the chairpermen of the two institutions are expected to submit their justifications.The President's Secretary also said that the President received information that the awarding bonuses to employees was done in violation of the Finance Ministry circular.The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation has paid two months’ salaries to its employees as bonuses and SriLankan Airlines has paid 100,000 rupees as bonus to each of its employees as bonus for 2022.

COLOMBO (News 1st) : Sri Lanka Police has given immediate transfers to a number of senior ranks, including several Senior DIGs.The Police Media Division said that the Public Services Commission approved the appointment of Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police Nilantha Jayawardena to the post of Senior DIG in-charge of Administration.The Senior DIG in charge of the Northern Province Priyantha Weerasuriya was appointed as the Senior DIG in charge of the Central Province.Senior DIG Sanjeewa Dharmaratne who served in the Central Province was appointed as the Senior DIG in charge of the Sabaragamuwa Province.Senior DIG S. C.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The National Election Commission announced that the nominations for the Local Government Election will be accepted from the 18th to the 21st of January.Nominations for the Local Government Election will be accepted until 12 noon on the 21st of January.Commissioner General of Elections Saman Sri Ratnayake speaking to News 1st said that bonds can be placed until 12 noon on the 20th of January 2023.The National Election Commission announced that the notice calling for nominations for 340 Local Government Institutions were released by the District Secretaries on Wednesday (4).The notice will include the date of accepting nominations, location, bonds, candidates, female representation among other matters.Members for Local Government Institutions need to be appointed by the 20th of March, and for that elections needs to take place before the 10th of March 2023.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Convenor of the Inter University Students Federation Wasantha Mudalige who was placed under remand custody after being detained under the Prevention of Terrorism Act addressed an open letter to the people of Sri Lanka.The letter states that the Aragalaya must be chosen to ensure the right to life, and that the student movement is ready to make any sacrifice to achieve this. In his letter, Wasantha Mudalige says that while the real terrorists roam free, the people who have been branded as terrorist languish in prison. He says that the 1st of January was his 135th day in prison after fighting for the welfare of the society and calling for economic and political change in the country. He added that there are many more people who fought for the same cause languishing in jail. He further points out that the lives of people in the middle class have collapsed due to the crisis, and says that the situation would completely wipe out a middle-class in society.Wasantha Mudalige says that the aspirations of the People's struggle have not yet been accomplished, and adds that the Ranil Rajapaksa Junta continue to act as they did before. Wasantha Mudalige further states that the government has launched a massive smear campaign to discredit the people's struggle with the intention of covering up their own failures and ineptitude. He points out that all people must unite despite such smear campaigns launched by the government. In his open letter, Wasantha Mudalige adds that this is only the begining of the Aragalaya and that the people's struggle is far from over. 

Renee Elise Goldsberry started off a hilarious social media thread after she mis-read a posting from her friend Laura Benanti Monday.Laura, 43, who is co-starring with Jennifer Lawrence in the upcoming, No Hard Feelings, shared the results from a positive Covid test on social media, writing, 'Happy New Year? (I tested the day of the ballet and was negative…I also wore my mask so everyone is safe, don’t worry!)'Renee apparently only saw the 'positive' and 'test' part of the message, and wrote and enthusiastic 'AAAAAAH! Congratulations!' - believing it to be a pregnancy announcement. Funny: Renee Elise Goldsberry started off a hilarious social media thread after she mis-read a posting from her friend Laura Benanti MondaySeveral well wishers were a little confused by the comment and questioned if she had read it correctly.

India on Tuesday reported 134 new coronavirus infections and no deaths in the last 24 hours, as per the health ministry. New Delhi: Protected by herd immunity and early vaccination, Indians appear to have escaped the havoc being wreaked by the BF.7 Omicron sub-variant in China and some other countries. At the moment, the most prevalent variant in India is the XBB, accounting for 63.2% of cases, according to the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Consortium on Genomics (INSACOG).

Trigger warning: suicideThe mental wellbeing of Love Island contestants has increasingly taken center stage in as more and more Islanders have been subjected to trolling and criticism during and after the show has aired.Questions about whether the show bosses were doing enough to prepare and protect their came under fire after former Love Island and Celebs Go Dating contestant Mike Thalassitis took his own life in 2019.Thalassitis is the second former Love Island contestant to die by suicide after appearing on the show. Sophie Gradon died in June 2018 and , who hosted the show, took her own life in 2020.

Myalgia is regarded as ‘top’ symptom for COVID and is now widely reported. With new COVID strains striking at regular intervals and the symptoms related to infection also changing over time, it is now hard to identify the disease.

MOLLY-MAE Hague has revealed her heartbreak over a family members health battle. The reality star - who is currently pregnant with her first child with boyfriend Tommy Fury - said she was worried for her grandmother's declining health.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Indian media have reported that Najeem Mohammed Imran alias Kanjipani Imran, who is a leading drug trafficker in the country, had fled to India and is now preparing to enter Pakistan from there.However, the main question is, how did he fled to India after his release on bail.Indian Intelligence put Tamil Nadu on High Alert following information that one of Sri Lanka’s notorious drug lords ‘Kanjipani’ Imran had entered India through the coastal Rameswaram.An Intelligence alert said Imran had managed to enter the coastal town on Christmas eve along with another individual.Kanjipani Imran faces serious charges in Sri Lanka including murder, and he was released on a Rs.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The National Election Commission announced that the notice calling for nominations for 340 Local Government Institutions will be released by the District Secretaries on Wednesday (4).A Senior Official at the Election Commission said that nominations will be accepted two weeks after the notice is published.The notice will include the date of accepting nominations, location, bonds, candidates, female representation among other matters.Members for Local Government Institutions need to be appointed by the 20th of March, and for that elections needs to take place before the 10th of March 2023.Commissioner General of Elections Saman Sri Ratnayake speaking to News 1st said that the date to call for nominations for the Local Government Election will be announced on or before Thursday (5).He said that the Election Commission plans to conduct the election before the 10th of March 2023.The Election Commission said that the necessary preparations are being made for the election,however, a retire military officer had filed an application with the Supreme Court seeking an order to prevent the elections from taking place.Retired Sri Lanka Army Colonel W. M.

The latest statistics from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) show that in August 2022 there were 5.6 million people across the UK receiving financial support through Universal Credit, a benefit intended to help those out of work or on a low income with daily living costs.

A West Lothian dad has been honoured with an OBE for helping in the fight against covid.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation announced on Tuesday (3) that the duty on Petrol and Diesel was increased.The duty on a liter of Petrol increased from Rs. 27/- to Rs.

Adele, 34, has been taking Las Vegas by storm since mid November, and will continue to croon for fans until March - but her rescheduled concert dates have been far from easy, as she admitted onstage recently.The Set Fire To The Rain singer has been battling a secret bout of sciatica, and is now forced to "waddle" around the stage.She let slip the impact that the painful nerve condition has had on her after fans spotted her struggling to walk smoothly."I’ve got two more, I’ve just got to get over to the other side of the stage," she announced as she attempted to hand out T-shirt launchers to the audience.She added: "I have to waddle these days as I have really bad sciatica.”According to the NHS website, the condition is most commonly caused by a slipped disc which compresses the sciatic nerve, and it causes intense shooting pain that flows from the lower back all the way down to the feet.Numbness, tingling, and pins and needles sensations are among the other uncomfortable symptoms.Sufferers typically recover within around six weeks but Adele hasn't been so lucky - in fact, the songstress previously admitted that she has endured back pain for years.Shockingly, she admitted that she had slipped her first disc due to sneezing aggressively at the age of 15 - and it was the same way that subsequent discs "flew out", too.She lamented that, by the time she had a C-section, her core had become "useless"."I’ve been in pain with [it] for, like, half of my life, really," she agonised to The Face."It flares up, normally due to stress or from a stupid bit of posture."Adele has certainly been through her fair share of stress in life, including a painful divorce from charity boss Simon Konecki, who is the father of her son Angelo, now

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The President has issued an extraordinary gazette declaring several essential services.1. All services connected to the supply of electricity, 2.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to set up an entity attached to the treasury to expedite the restructuring process of State Owned Enterprises.Cabinet Spokesperson Bandula Gunawardena told reporters that this entity will facilitate the process of restructuring the SOEs.The 2023 Sri Lankan budget noted the urgency of restructuring State-Owned Enterprises, and a Unit dedicated unit was established at the Ministry of Finance with the specific task of restructuring SOEs.The Cabinet has given the green light to set up a parent company attached to the treasury, where the Treasury Secretary will hold 100% of all shares, to expedite the restructuring process of State Owned Enterprises.

This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The All Ceylon Egg Producers Association warns that if the government goes ahead with its decision to import eggs, the local producers would step away from the industry.The Chairman of the All Ceylon Egg Producers Association speaking to News 1st said that importing eggs would put the local industry at risk.,However, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to import eggs, Minister of Trade Nalin Fernando said on Monday (2) evening.In December 2022, as a solution to the high price of eggs, a special program was launched by the Government to sell eggs at the price of Rs. 55/ in the Colombo and Gampaha districts.Eggs were sold for Rs.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Chairman of the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka Janaka Ratnayake said it is not the appropriate time to go ahead with the proposed electricity tariff hike.Speaking to the staff on the first working day of 2023 Ratnayake said that on multiple occasions the political authority had attempted to do away with the independence of the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka.He said that if the Cabinet gives the green light to a proposal that is harmful to the people, the PUCSL will not hesitate to reject the decision, adding if the tariff hike is requested according to accepted norms, it would be considered."The PUCSL is at a challenging moment," he said.

Colombo (News 1st) – Former President of Sri Lanka Gotabaya Rajapaksa has applied for restoration of his US citizenship, the Hindustan Times reported. Quoting a foreign newspaper, the Hidustan Times reported, "This comes as he failed to get asylum in any country. Gotabaya Rajapaksa had fled Sri Lanka in July last year.

State Pension provides essential financial support for nearly 12.5 million older people across the UK, including 981,399 living in Scotland. This regular payment is available for those who have reached the UK Government’s eligible retirement age, which is now 66 for both men and women, and have paid at least 10 years worth of National Insurance Contributions.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka Railways said that multiple train operations scheduled for Monday (2) evening are likely to be cancelled.A Senior Official at Sri Lanka Railways said that the shortage of staff had led to a situation of trains likely being cancelled.Ten office trains scheduled for Monday (2) morning were cancelled.The Railways Control Room said that these trains were to operate on the Kelani Valley, Coastal, Puttlam and Main routes.Around 30,000 Public Sector employees retired on the 31st of December last year, and around 500 workers from Sri Lanka Railways also went on retirement.Railway Trade Unions said that this has put multiple operations at Sri Lanka Railways in limbo.However, Sri Lanka Railways was granted permission to re-employ on a contract basis around 300 essential service employees who were set to retire at 60 years of age on 31 December 2022.Permission was granted based on the recommendations made by the Committee led by the Prime Minister's Secretary, as well as the President's Secretary.Sri Lanka Railways said that these employees will be in service on contract basis.

Captain Lee Rosbach announced he was leaving the 197ft yacht St. David due to persistent mobility issues on Monday's episode of Below Deck, calling it 'one of the most humbling experiences of my life.'The 73-year-old great grandfather - whose No. 1 fan is Christina Applegate - was forced to use crutches to get around the vessel due to nerve damage he suffered after undergoing back surgery ahead of season 10.'My injury, it's getting worse.

Colombo (News 1st) – Rotary International's  President, Jennifer Jones, arrived in Sri Lanka on Sunday (11th) on a 4-day visit. She is the first woman President in the 115-year history of Rotary.Ms.

The minister was speaking at the Health Ministers’ Conclave held on the occasion of Universal Health Coverage Day. New Delhi: “The Community Health Officers (CHOs) are the pivotal link operating at the cutting edge and delivering primary health care services at the grassroots. They are the health army at the field.

COLOMBO (News 1st): The Real-time Air Quality Index (AQI) of Colombo as of 12:00 noon on Saturday (Dec. 10) is at 167, which is considered unsafe and anyone could experience negative health effects from pollution in the air."It is important to prevent the exposure to such toxic gases, particals and air pollutants.

Danniella Westbrook has given fans a health update after she was rushed to hospital - and says she was just 'hours away from a cardiac arrest'.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The United Nations (UN) team in Sri Lanka and non-governmental organisations revised and extended their joint Humanitarian Needs and Priorities (HNP) Plan, which aims to provide life-saving assistance to 3.4 million people amid Sri Lanka’s worst economic crisis since independence.Since June, the HNP has been responding to the Government's request for UN-backed multi-sector support for Sri Lanka's debt and food and medicine shortages."Governments and donor agencies have helped the humanitarian community reach over 1 million of the country's most vulnerable people with cash, food, school meals, medicine, protection, and livelihood support," said the UN in a statement.The HNP—aligned with appeals from other UN agencies—has raised US $79 million for Sri Lanka thanks to landmark support from the U.S and USAID, Australia, Japan including JICA, the UN Central Emergency Relief Fund (CERF), as well as Canada, Denmark, Norway, New Zealand, Italy, EU, Switzerland, France, and with additional support from the UK, Germany, Thailand, Sweden, Georgia, Latter Day Saint Charities and private individuals and organizations."We are immensely appreciative of the solidarity the international community has shown with the people of Sri Lanka, including through their generous contributions to the HNP.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The shortage of fertilizer has severely affected tea-small holders in Sri Lanka.The tea-small holders in Akuressa, Matara said that the authorities have not shown any interest to address the issue, as the lives of many workers depend on this industry.They further say that they have to buy fertilizers at high prices and sell the leaves at low prices, leaving them at a loss.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) has approved power cuts of 2 hours and 20 minutes on 05th December as follows;Groups ABCDEFGHIJKLPQRSTUVW: 1-hour during daytime 1-hour 20-minutes during the night

Covid-19 update: The death toll has climbed to 5,30,6278 with one fatality being reported from Odisha, data updated at 8 am stated. India has logged 226 new Covid infections in a day taking the tally of cases to 4.46 crore while active caseload has declined by 68 to reach 4,529, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Sunday.