President attends Abe’s State Funeral

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa says that President Ranil Wickremesinghe will continue to have the support of Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna to move the country forward.The former President and former Prime Minister, attending a public meeting held in Kalutara, said that he believed that President Wickremesinghe has returned to a 'better path'.SLPP MP Rohitha Abeygunawardena organized the public rally under the theme, "Let's rise together from Kalutara", at his coordination office which was burned down previously.Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and many MPs of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna attended the event.The former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa speaking at the event said that despite Sri Lanka facing many challenges today, the party has the strength to overcome those challenges, and should go forward with programs that the people of the country needs. "I believe that the duty of a government is to understand the needs of the people and fulfill their needs. Therefore, we say that today we have taken steps to fulfill that role.

COLOMBO (News 1st) –  Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe has said that social media carries positive as well as negative information, which is one of the major problems that the entire world is facing.Ranil Wickremesinghe visited a workshop organized for the Media Secretaries of the Cabinet Minister, State Ministers, and Governor on Friday (7) in Colombo."Unlike Print and electronic media, currently we are all facing social media problems. It carries positive as well as negative information, which is one of the major problems that the entire world is facing.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – President Ranil Wickremesinghe has instructed to expedite the program to provide welfare benefits to 3.1 million low-income families in Sri Lanka.This program has been planned to cover all the districts of the country under the theme ‘Don’t Leave Anyone Behind’. Under this program, the benefits will be available for the families or individuals receiving benefits under Samurdhi, Elderly Persons, Disabled Persons, and Kidney Disease Assistance Program. People who are on the waiting list expecting subsidies as well as people who are affected by the current economic crisis and who are expecting government welfare benefits will also receive this benefit, the Minister revealed.Minister also said that calling for applications has already started and the closing date has been extended to October 15.The relevant application form can be downloaded via the www.wbb.gov.lkBy calling for new applications, the government hopes to include all eligible beneficiaries and to provide benefits to all those who deserve benefits through the Social Welfare Benefit Board, the Minister further said.Denying the rumor that has been circulating among the public regarding the cut-down of the allowances according to the agreements with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), he said the government needs to organize the data in a correct system. It needs to include the group who are currently receiving welfare benefits as well as the group who are not receiving welfare benefits but are expecting. We expect to gather all the information and give the allowance to the necessary, appropriate, and correct individual."We are united in the national responsibility that no one should be left behind.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe told Parliament on Thursday (6) that he hopes to visit New Delhi to brief Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sri Lanka's postion.However, he did not specify when he would fly to India in his special statement to the Parliament.Noting that Sri Lanka is slowly reaching stability, the President said that a majority in Sri Lanka support the efforts that have been made, while there are some who are against it."They will not support the recovery of an ailing economy, and are waiting for the economy to breathe its last. They believe that when the people start to die in hunger, they can obtain power over the dead.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka's President Ranil Wickremesinghe said that the IMF staff-level agreement cannot be released until the IMF Executive Board ratifies it and until Sri Lanka reaches agreements with its main creditors.He told Parliament that the Minister of Justice is in the process of introducing a new corruption law that will include the provisions of the United Nations that have been referred to in the IMF Staff Level Agreement.He was responding to Opposition Legislator M. A.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe said that Sri Lanka hopes to reach a common agreement with creditor nations including Japan, China & India.He told Parliament on Thursday (6) that the country already commenced dialogues with Ambassadors from other countries, that have already provided debt to Sri Lanka.President Wickremesinghe said that after reaching an agreement with the creditor nations, and private lenders Sri Lanka will be able to secure an IMF assurance.The President said thereafter, Sri Lanka will be able to access bridging finace with lenders like the World Bank, and the Asian Development Bank.He said that Sri Lanka hopes to access around USD 1 Billion through bridging finace.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Japan has said that it is ready to assist Sri Lanka in the Credit Reconciliation process, President Ranil Wickremesinghe told the Parliament on Thursday (6) morning.He also said that Japan has agreed to co-chair the summit in negotiation with the Debit countries,The President further said that the Asian Development Bank has agreed to provide USD 500 Million loan to Sri Lanka.All steps have been taken to provide fertilizer & seeds required for upcoming Maha season, President Wickremesinghe also told the Parliament.Watch Here:  

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe has issued an Extraordinary Gazette placing several state institutions under the Ministry of Public Security.According to the Gazette, the Department of Registration of Persons, the Department of Immigration and Emigration, and the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board have been placed under the purview of the Public Security Ministry.Read Gazette here: 

COLOMBO (News 1st) –  Guðni Th. Jóhannesson, President of Iceland congratulating President Ranil Wickremesinghe on his election as the President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, has further assured to strengthen the bond of friendship between the two countries.He also expressed confidence that the people of Sri Lanka will successfully deal with the economic challenges while preserving the social harmony, which must be quintessential to Sri Lanka, said the President's Media Division on Tuesday (4).President Guðni Th.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission congratulating President Ranil Wickremesinghe on his election as the President of the Democratic of Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka has assured its support to the government of Sri Lanka for the efforts to overcome the crisis successfully.Issuing a statement, Ursula von der Leyen noted that at a time of unprecedented challenges faced by the people of Sri Lanka, the European Union remains committed to support Sri Lanka’s efforts to overcome the crisis successfully, including the necessary reforms that will bring the country back to a path of inclusive prosperity and lasting national reconciliation.She further stated that in this process, freedom of expression and assembly, dialogue among all stakeholders, as well as respect for the rule of law and fundamental rights will remain essential.She has also made a reference to the assessment by the European Union on the progress made by Sri Lanka on GSP+ commitments.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The President and the Minister of Defence, Ranil Wickremesinghe has issued an extraordinary gazette revoking the order issued declaring the High Security Zones. On Friday (23), Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe declared multiple areas in Colombo as High Security Zones.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – MP Namal Rajapaksa has reiterated his commitment to recontest the upcoming elections via a broad alliance.Speaking at a program held in Bandarawela, the MP said that current President Ranil Wickremesinghe has succeeded in stabilizing the economy, as well as in going forward with the IMF staff agreement, and the SLPP will extend its support in this regard.He further emphasized the importance of ensuring that law and order prevails within the country, preventing incidents such as murders and other crimes from taking place in Sri Lanka.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – President Ranil Wickremesinghe arrived in the island on Saturday (01) morning, concluding his official visit to Japan and the Philippines.President Wickremesinghe attended the funeral of the former Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe during his official visit.Thereafter, President Ranil Wickramasinghe also visited the Philippines to preside over a meeting of the Asian Development Bank Governors.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – President Ranil Wickremesinghe says that his mission is to create a developed country for the future generations of this land.The full statement is as follows:The contemporary world that adults live in is not the world children see. It is very simple and delicate.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – President Ranil Wickremesinghe proposed to establish an International University on Climate Change in Sri Lanka with the support of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in order to enable students from any country in the world to engage in educational activities.President Wickremesinghe made this proposal during a meeting with the President of the Asian Development Bank Masatsugu Asakawa, held this morning (30) at the Asian Development Bank Headquarters in Manila.The ADB President welcomed President Wickremesinghe upon his arrival at the ADB Headquarters.President Wickremesinghe, who expressed his gratitude to the President of the Asian Development Bank for the emergency assistance provided to Sri Lanka in the past, discussed the further strengthening of the long-standing relationship between Sri Lanka and the ADB.The ADB President assured President Ranil Wickremesinghe that he would continue to cooperate with Sri Lanka.President Wickremesinghe also briefed the President of the Asian Development Bank on Sri Lanka’s engagement with the International Monetary Fund.Meanwhile, President Ranil Wickremesinghe also engaged in a discussion with professionals working at the Asian Development Bank.

Tokyo, Japan (Kyodo) – Japan is prepared to "do its part" over Sri Lanka's debt issue, but other creditors, such as China and India, should also be involved in efforts to resolve it, Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki said Thursday (29).Suzuki made the remarks after meeting with Ranil Wickremesinghe, president of Sri Lanka, which has reached a preliminary agreement with the International Monetary Fund on a $2.9 billion loan as the Asian nation needs to restructure its massive debt.Suzuki said he urged Sri Lanka during Thursday's meeting to provide the necessary information, make its own efforts to get China, India and other creditors involved and boost transparency."Japan will do its part if such preconditions are met," Suzuki told reporters without elaborating in the Philippine capital Manila, where he attended a meeting of the Asian Development Bank.During his visit to Japan, the Sri Lankan president met Wednesday with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and discussed the debt issue. The leaders recognized the importance of "fair and transparent" debt restructuring that involves all creditor nations, according to the Japanese Foreign Ministry.Sri Lanka defaulted on its debt earlier this year.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – President Ranil Wickremesinghe said amidst major economic stress, Sri Lanka is undertaking an unprecedented fiscal effort as part of the government’s commitment to restoring the country’s debt sustainability. Therefore, he expressed hope and expectation that Sri Lanka’s creditors, and all stakeholders, will support Sri Lanka in these efforts to restore the country’s debt sustainability and help put the country back on the path of inclusive and sustainable economic growth.President Wickremesinghe presided over the annual meeting of the ADB Board of Governors on Thursday (29) which was held at the ADB headquarters in Manila, Philippines and attended by Governors and official government delegations.President Wickremesinghe noted that the government has already undertaken major macroeconomic policy reform measures and this program is aligned with the commitment of the government to implement an ambitious and comprehensive package of reforms that will help restore the sustainability of the country’s public finances, addressing external imbalances, and restarting the growth engine through structural reforms and improvements in governance.“Amidst major economic stress, Sri Lanka is undertaking an unprecedented fiscal effort as part of our commitment to restoring the country’s debt sustainability.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Colombo District Secretary Pradeep Yasaratne told News 1st on Thursday (29) that the people who were displaced following the blaze that ripped through over 80 houses in Kajimawatte are being provided with relief.At the same time, LOLC Holdings also provided these families with essential relief packages via its Divi Saviya social welfare program.Eighty houses were completely destroyed following a fire that broke out in a series of houses in Kajimawatte, Grandpass on Tuesday (27) night.Sri Lanka Police said the fire was contained by over fifty firefighters who battled the blaze for several hours.Sri Lanka Police added that 300 plus people were displaced by the fire, and they were moved to a community hall and a temple temporarily until the area is cleared.The area that was burnt to the ground is a place where people were housed temporarily until they can be moved to a housing complex owned by the Urban Development Authority.President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who was on an official visit to Japan, had instructed the President’s Secretary Saman Ekanayake to take steps to provide immediate relief to all the residents affected by the fire that broke out at the Kajimawatta, Colombo.The President had instructed Secretary Saman Ekanayake to intervene immediately and direct the Colombo GA, Tri Forces Commanders, the Fire Brigade, the Health Department, the Urban Development Authority and all other relevant government agencies to look into the needs of the people who were residing in the apartment complex and provide them the required facilities immediately.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe has met with Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Samagi Jana Balavegaya filed Fundamental Rights applications with the Supreme Court challenging the gazette issued by President Ranil Wickremesinghe declaring High-Security Zones in Colombo.The applications were filed by SJB MPs Harshana Rajakaruna, and Mujibur Rahuman on Wednesday (28).The FR applications name the Attorney General as the respondent and note that the President has no right to declare High-Security Zones, and no law allows the President to do so.The petitioners request the Supreme Court to rule that the conduct of the President had violated the Fundamental Rights of the people of Sri Lanka, and thereby issue an order to invalidate the said gazette.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – President Ranil Wickremesinghe was awarded an audience with His Majesty Emperor Naruhito at the Imperial Palace, his official residence in Tokyo.President Ranil Wickremesinghe also met Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at Akasaka Palace in Tokyo on Wednesday (28).The Japanese Prime Minister warmly welcomed President Wickremesinghe and extended his best wishes on his appointment to the Office of President.The duo held discussions on further strengthening relations between the two countries. 

(New York) – The Sri Lankan government should reverse a new regulation that unlawfully restricts protests in large areas of the capital, Colombo, Human Rights Watch said on Tuesday (27). On September 24, 2022, a day after the measure was issued, police arrested 84 people and used tear gas and water cannon to disperse protesters calling for the release of student activists being held under the notorious Prevention of Terrorism Act.On September 23, the Sri Lankan government invoked the Official Secrets Act to designate public streets and government buildings in central Colombo “high security zones,” where written permission from the police is required to hold any public gathering. Under the regulation, police have wide-ranging authority to arrest anyone inside these zones and only the High Court can grant bail to those detained.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Eighty houses were completely destroyed following a fire that broke out in a series of houses in Kajimawatte, Grandpass on Tuesday (27) night.Sri Lanka Police said the fire was contained by over fifty firefighters who battled the blaze for several hours.Sri Lanka Police added that 220 people were displaced by the fire, and they were moved to a community hall and a temple temporarily until the area is cleared.The Government Analyst will be summoned on Wednesday (28) to determine the cause of the fire.Colombo District Secretary Pradeep Yasaratne told News 1st that steps will be taken to provide relief to the people who were displaced by the fire.He said a proposal was put forward to award the displaced families houses from housing complexes owned by the Urban Development Authority.President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who is on an official visit to Japan, has instructed the President’s Secretary Saman Ekanayake to take steps to provide immediate relief to all the residents affected by the fire that broke out at the Kajimawatta complex in Thotalanga, Colombo.The President had instructed Secretary Saman Ekanayake to intervene immediately and direct the Colombo GA, Tri Forces Commanders, the Fire Brigade, the Health Department, the Urban Development Authority and all other relevant government agencies to look into the needs of the people who were residing in the apartment complex and provide them the required facilities immediately.Accordingly, all relevant departments have already taken steps to provide the maximum intervention required to douse the fire and provide all other necessary facilities promptly.The President has further stated that special attention should be provided to attend to the needs of

A general view shows the state funeral for Japan's former prime minister Shinzo Abe in the Nippon Budokan in Tokyo on September 27, 2022. (Photo by FRANCK ROBICHON / POOL / AFP) TOKYO - Japan's assassinated hawkish former leader, Shinzo Abe, was given a rare state funeral Tuesday that was full of military pomp and surrounded by throngs of mourners as well as by widespread protests, with thousands taking to the streets in opposition.Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said the publicly financed ceremony was a well-deserved honor for Japan's longest-serving modern political leader, but it has deeply split public opinion.The event was attended by U.S.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe said that the need at the moment for the island nation is an agreement with its three main creditors – India, China, and Japan."We've had discussions with the IMF. We have come to a staff-level agreement.

 tOKYO (News 1st) – President Ranil Wickremesinghe met with the Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Hsien Loong in Tokyo on Tuesday (27), and said that his priority was to bring into effect the Free Trade Agreement with Singapore.During the discussions President Wickremesinghe informed the Singaporean Prime Minister that an international trade office was being established in the President’s office.Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong welcomed the news, and stated that Singapore was looking forward to investing in Sri Lanka once again.President Wickremesinghe invited the Singaporean Prime Minister to visit Sri Lanka next year when the country celebrates its 75th Independence Anniversary.

Tokyo (News 1st) – President Ranil Wickremesinghe held discussions with Japan’s Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi in Tokyo on Tuesday (27).During the meeting, Foreign Minister Hayashi welcomed Sri Lanka’s progress with the IMF and expressed his country’s willingness to take a leading role in Sri Lanka’s creditor talks.President Wickremesinghe expressed regret over the breakdown of relations between Japan and Sri Lanka following the cancellation of several investment projects by the former Government. The President stressed that he was keen to restart those projects.The President also indicated that the Government was interested in Japan investing in Sri Lanka’s renewable energy projects.Japan Foreign Minister Hayashi explained that Japan had increased its commitment to renewable energy and would be willing to explore future investment opportunities in Sri Lanka.The Foreign Minister also explained that Japan would begin the skilled worker examinations in January 2023 for Sri Lankan migrant workers.The President appreciated the support extended by Japan on the international stage and expressed the Government’s willingness to support both Japan’s and India’s campaign to become permanent members of the United Nations Security Council.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Ambassador Cindy Hensley McCain, the United States Permanent Representative to the UN Agencies in Rome met with President Ranil Wickremesinghe on Sunday (25) and had a productive discussion.US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung also joined the meeting.Discussions were carried out considering the ongoing economic hardships on Sri Lankans, as well as exploring the many ways the United States of America & Sri Lanka are working together to meet urgent humanitarian needs.United States Permanent Representative to the UN Food and Agriculture Agencies in Rome Ambassador Cindy McCain will visit Sri Lanka until September 28th to highlight U.S. food assistance programs in Sri Lanka and reinforce the U.S.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – President Ranil Wickremesinghe has issued instructions to resume the program of awarding scholarships through the President’s Fund to students who have passed the G.C.E O/L examination and are qualified to follow the G.C.E A/L.Accordingly, it has been decided to award scholarships to 2,970 students from the 99 Educational Zones. It has been decided to select 30 qualified scholarship winners from each of the 99 education zonal offices of the island.The selected scholarship winners are expected to be offered a bursary of Rs.5,000/- per month for a maximum period of 24 months until they appear for the G.C.E A/L) examination.Once this year’s G.C.E.

HOUSTON, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 08: Vice President Kamala Harris speaks at the National Baptist Convention on September 08, 2022 in Houston, Texas. The National Baptist Convention was formed in 1886, and gathers church members and leaders from around the WASHINGTON (AP) - Attending funerals on behalf of the United States is normally a straightforward assignment for a vice president, but Kamala Harris will confront controversy at nearly every turn as she visits Asia for the memorial honoring former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.American allies are seeking clarity after mixed messages over whether President Joe Biden would send troops to defend Taiwan from a Chinese invasion, a potential conflict that could swiftly engulf the rest of the region.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – President Ranil Wickremesinghe is scheduled to leave the island early tomorrow morning (26) on an official visit to Japan and the Philippines.During his two-day official visit to Japan, the President will participate in the funeral ceremony of the former Prime Minister of Japan, Mr. Shinzo Abe, and will hold bilateral discussions with the Japanese Prime Minister, Foreign Minister and Finance Minister during this tour.Thereafter, President Ranil Wickremesinghe is scheduled to leave for the Philippines to preside over the meeting of the Governors of the Asian Development Bank.During his visit to the Philippines, President Wickremesinghe will hold discussions with the President of the Philippines Bongbong Marcos and the President of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Masatsugu Asakawa.The President is scheduled to return to the island upon completion of his official tour on the 30th of September.Senior Advisor to the President on National Security and Chief of Staff to the President Sagala Ratnayake, Director of International Affairs Dinuk Colomboge, Director of Media Shanuka Karunaratne, Director of Sustainable Development Randula Abeyweera and Private Secretary to the President Sandra Perera will accompany the President on his official tour.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka is due to meet on Monday (26) to discuss the gazette notification issued designating several areas in Colombo as High Security Zones.Several parties, including the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) and the Center for Policy Alternatives (CPA) have already expressed concern in this regard, in relation to its legitimacy.On Friday (23), Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe declared multiple areas in Colombo as High Security Zones.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – President Ranil Wickremesinghe has issued instructions to resume the program of awarding scholarships through the President’s Fund to students who have passed the G.C.E O/L examination and have become qualified to follow the G.C.E A/L examination.Accordingly, it has been decided to award scholarships to 2,970 students from the 99 Educational Zones. It has also been decided to select 30 qualified scholarship winners from each of the 99 education zonal offices of the island.The selected scholarship winners are expected to be offered a bursary of Rs.5,000/- per month for a maximum period of 24 months until they appear for the G.C.E A/L) examination.Once the results of this year’s G.C.E. (Ordinary Level) exam is released and the G.C.E Advanced Level classes commence, applications for scholarships will be called through newspaper advertisements.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Center for Policy Alternatives (CPA) says that it is gravely concerned with regard to the Gazette published by President Ranil Wickremesinghe designating several areas in Colombo as High Security Zones.The CPA points out that a close examination of the Official Secrets Act No.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – President Ranil Wickremesinghe has expressed his gratitude to the Venerable Maha Sangha for their contribution on conserving electricity at religious shrines and the precedent it sets for society.The President said this in a special letter today (23) addressed to the Maha Nayaka Theras’ of the Malwathu, Asgiri, Amarapuraand Ramanya Chapters about the difficulties faced by religious institutions due to the electricity tariff revision.In his letter, the President has said that the electricity crisis has arisen as a direct result of the country’s snowballing economic crisis over the last few years, and that he sees it as the responsibility of the government led by him to resolve all these issues in a systematic manner for the benefit of the people and the entire religious community of the country.By 2022, 42,950 Buddhist temples and other registered religious and social services in the country are connected to the country’s main power grid. In 2021, 91 million units of electricity (91 Gwh) have been provided.Under the current system of electricity charges, the Electricity Board has charged Rs.