Sri Lanka extends Power Cuts by 20 minutes

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) emphasizes that the section 2 of the Official Secrets Act enables to declare any land, building, ship, or aircraft as a prohibited place, and does not empower the Minister to declare large areas as High Security Zones.On Friday (23), Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe declared multiple areas in Colombo as High Security Zones.  Accordingly, unless the prior written permission of the Inspector General of Police or Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of Western Province is obtained, no person shall conduct or hold a public gathering or procession whatsoever on a road, ground, shore or other open area situated within the High Security Zones.The BASL states that it is deeply concerned with regard to the e declaration of certain areas in Colombo as High Security Zones, and whether the purported order of the President also seeks to create offences under the said order which are not found in the Principal Act.The statement reads; " It is also of utmost concern that the purported order imposes stringent provisions in respect of bail by stating that a person taken into custody in connection with an offence under the said orders shall not be granted bail except by a High Court.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ali Sabry who is leading the Sri Lanka delegation to the 77th Session of the United Nations General Assembly met a number of leaders of delegations of the UN member states and addressed several high level events in New York.Foreign Minister Sabry met the President of the United States of America Joseph Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden at a dinner reception hosted by the US President.He also met the Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Japan, one of Sri Lanka's main creditors, will back the South Asian nation as it seeks to restructure about $30 billion of its foreign debt and find a way out of a crippling economic crisis, Tokyo's envoy to the country said on Friday.Reaching an agreement with creditors is key to Sri Lanka securing a $2.9 billion bailout package from the International Monetary Fund (IMF)."Japan stands by Sri Lanka in support of the debt restructuring negotiation process so that Sri Lanka can reach the final agreement with the IMF," Ambassador Hideaki Mizukoshi said in an interview.Japan holds around $3.5 billion of Sri Lanka's total bilateral debt of about $10 billion, amounting to 4.4% of the island's GDP, according to government and IMF data.Japan is also a major trading partner."Japan intends to play a constructive role with other creditor countries, including China and India," Mizukoshi said.Sri Lanka is facing its worst economic crisis in decades, with severely depleted foreign exchange reserves leading to prolonged shortages of essentials, including fuel and food.The financial turmoil is the result of economic mismanagement and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic that upended Sri Lanka's lucrative tourism industry.Although Japan will support the debt negotiation process, Mizukoshi said that talks on large infrastructure projects will only be resumed after Sri Lanka's economy recovers."In the future, when this economic crisis is over and the economic conditions are in good shape, we can restart that kind of discussion," he said.Sri Lanka suspended a $1.5 billion Japanese-funded light rail project for the commercial capital Colombo in 2020, citing financial problems.Regional rival China has built ports,

The Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft sits on Launch Pad 39B at Kennedy Space Center ahead of a second launch attempt on Sept. 3, 2022.

A trio of new studies from the United States and Europe explore a possible link between COVID-19 and new-onset type 1 diabetes (T1D) in children.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka is hopeful that the first tranche of the IMF disbursement will be available before the end of 2022, but it depends on cooperation from the creditors and assurances, revealed Central Bank Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe on Friday (23). He was speaking in an update to creditors forum organized by Clifford Chance and Lazard, the eavyweight financial and legal advisers selected by Sri Lanka for its debt restructuring process.Expected timeline for the Debt Restructuring Process: Central Bank Governor Dr.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe has declared multiple areas in Colombo as High Security Zones.The details in the extraordinary gazette are as follows:Parliament ComplexOn the NORTH by :- From Polduwa Junction to the Speaker's Residence, Kumbukgaha Duwa Road, Rajamalwatta Road, Jayanthipura Junction, Jayanthipura Road and Parliament Road including Diyawanna Lake.On the EAST by :- From Jayanthipura Junction to Outer Vehicle Park of the Parliament (Alcatraz Park), Parliament Ground, Keangnam Junction, Japan Sri Lanka Friendship Road, Pahalawela Road to Kimbulawala Junction including Diyawanna Lake.On the SOUTH by :- From Kimbulawala Junction to Pin Niyara Junction of Thalawathugoda Road, Area up to Pin Niyara including Sudarshana Mawatha, Daham Mawatha, Gamage Mawatha, Eeyam Poruwa Temple Road, Byroads and MP’s Quarters – Madiwela, Pita Wella Road at the back of MP’s Quarters including Diyawanna Lake.On the WEST by :- From Pin Niyara Junction to Beddagana Junction of Thalawathugoda Road, Polduwa Junction including Diyawanna Lake along Beddagana Road, Polduwa Road, Wehera Kanda Road, Beddagana, Nippon Road Supreme Court Complex, High Court Complex- Colombo, Magistrate Court Complex- Colombo and Attorney General’s DepartmentOn the NORTH by :- From Dam Street, Aluthkade Street to Belmont StreetOn the EAST by :- From Belmont Street to Adhikarana Mawatha Junction along Sanchi Arachchi Gardens RoadOn the SOUTH by :- Parcel Roundabout, Sanchi Arachchi Gardens RoadOn the WEST by :- St.Sebastian Hill Street, Mihindu Mawatha, St.Sebastian StreetPresidential Secretariat, President's House, Sri Lanka Navy Headquarters and Police HeadquartersOn the NORTH by :- From NSA Roundabout to Police Headquaters

COLOMBO (News 1st) – United States Permanent Representative to the UN Food and Agriculture Agencies in Rome Ambassador Cindy McCain will visit Sri Lanka from September 25-28 to highlight U.S. food assistance programs in Sri Lanka and reinforce the U.S.

Queens reign signified transformation from Ceylon to Sri Lanka – PresidentCOLOMBO (News 1st) – As Queen of Ceylon, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II's reign signified the transformation of our country from Ceylon to Sri Lanka, said President Ranil Wickremesinghe during a Condolence Vote in Parliament on Friday (23)."The great political upheaval started under her. The 1956 election victory, the emergence of the ethnic issue, the coming of the free education generation, the state control of the economy, two coup d’etat against the government and the start of the armed uprisings in the South," he added.Full Speech by the President:“Amongst all the letters of congratulations I received on becoming the president, the one that was sent by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was special.

Queens reign signified transformation from Ceylon to Sri Lanka – PresidentCOLOMBO (News 1st) – As Queen of Ceylon, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II's reign signified the transformation of our country from Ceylon to Sri Lanka, said President Ranil Wickremesinghe during a Condolence Vote in Parliament on Friday (23)."The great political upheaval started under her. The 1956 election victory, the emergence of the ethnic issue, the coming of the free education generation, the state control of the economy, two coup d’etat against the government and the start of the armed uprisings in the South," he added.Full Speech by the President:“Amongst all the letters of congratulations I received on becoming the president, the one that was sent by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was special.

Coal Crisis: Cabinet Spokesperson blames conspiracyCOLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka's Cabinet Spokesperson on Friday (23) revealed that a conspiracy is taking place to deprive the country of on-time coal imports.Minister (Dr) Bandula Gunawardena, the country's cabinet spokesperson, told reporters on Friday (23) that a conspiratorial plan is afoot to deny the on-time coal delivery and to extend the power cuts.He said that the coal tender that was awarded recently, was for a bid that was lower than what was offered last year.The Minister said that due to technical and legal issues if Sri Lanka fails to import coal on time it would lead to a crisis, and therefore it was decided by the Cabinet of Ministers to appoint a Cabinet Sub-Committee to make an emergency decision that is paramount for the country and to make purchases in a manner that does not affect the people.He said that all necessary decisions will be made by the subject Minister, and the Cabinet Sub-Committee to prevent a shutdown of the power plant that would lead to extended power cuts.The Minister said coal procurement will be made as an emergency national requirement, that will not affect the people in any way.Sri Lanka is likely to once again face an electricity crisis due to issues surrounding the procurement of coal to power the Norochcholai Power Plant.The Ceylon Electricity Board Engineer's Union warned that daily power cuts are likely to be extended to ten hours a day, if coal is not received by the 25th of October 2022.The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka also approved the Ceylon Electricity Boards' (CEB) request for power cuts of 2 hours & 20 minutes from 23rd to 25th September.Electricity Supply: 30 percent of the country's electricity supply

COLOMBO (News 1st); Members of Parliament have been nominated by the respective political parties to serve in the National Council.However, the Samagi Jana Balavegaya, National People's Power, and the Dullas Alahapperuma faction did not nominate members to the National Council.National Council will consist of the Speaker of Parliament as the Chair, the Prime Minister, the Leader of the House of Parliament, the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, the Chief Government Whip and not more than thirty-five Members of Parliament representing the Ninth Parliament from recognised Political Parties in Sri Lanka as determined by the Leaders of the Political Parties.The resolution proposed by the Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena to constitute the Parliament Committee called the “National Council” was passed in parliament without objection.The National Council will have the jurisdiction and general responsibilities in order to,(i) determine the general priorities of Parliament to guide the formulation of short, medium and long-term national policies(ii) agree on short and medium-term common minimum programs in respect of the stabilisation of the economy(iii) arrange special meetings with the Ministers of the Cabinet of Ministers, the National Council, the Chairpersons of the Special Committees and Youth observers of Youth OrganisationsThe National Council will be empowered to request reports from Sectoral Oversight Committees, Committee on Public Finance, Committee on Public Accounts, Committee on Public Enterprises, Committee on Banking and Financial Services, Committee on Ways and Means, Committee on Economic Stabilisation; and any committee controlling the public finance.

Normal lung function The main function of the lungs is to bring oxygen-rich air into the body and expel carbon dioxide. When air flows into the lungs, it is brought into close proximity with the blood, where oxygen diffuses into the body and carbon dioxide diffuses out. This process, as simple as it sounds, requires an extraordinary coordination of air flow, or ventilation, and blood flow, or perfusion.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka Navy apprehended 12 persons who are suspected to be on an illegal migration attempt to a foreign country via sea. The apprehension was made during a special operation conducted in the beach area of Oluthuduwai, Mannar yesterday (22).Sri Lanka Navy conducts regular search operations and patrols in coastal as well as sea areas around the island to thwart illegal activities stemming from sea routes. In a similar operation conducted by SLNS Gajaba in the North Central Naval Command, this group of would-be illegal immigrants was nabbed, whilst they were suspiciously wandering in the Oluthuduwai beach area in the dark hours yesterday (22).Among the apprehended persons were 02 males and 03 females over 18 years and 07 more individuals who are below 18 years of age.The persons held during the special operation were identified as residents of the Vedithalathiv area. The suspects were handed over to the Mannar Police for onward legal proceedings.In the backdrop where human smugglers organize this nature of rackets to make fast money, the Navy urges the public to refrain from risking their lives by engaging in such activities and be victims before the law.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka's proposal for Debt Restructuring will be discussed online on Friday (23).Finance Secretary Mahinda Siriwardena told News 1st that all creditor nations will join the discussion, and the plan is to provide them a better understanding on Sri Lanka's Debt Restructuring process.Sri Lanka will be represented by the Finace Ministry Officials and personnel from the Central Bank of Sri Lanka.On Thursday (22) foreign diplomats in Sri Lanka assured President Ranil Wickremesinghe of their support to get the assistance of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to Sri Lanka to recover from the economic crisis, said the President's Media Division.They made this assurance on Thursday (22) at the Ambassadors’ Forum on Debt Restructuring and IMF Program held at the President’s Office chaired by the President.Ambassadors from 23 countries, both members and non-members of Paris Club participated at the Forum.The foreign ambassadors expressed their confidence that Sri Lanka would be able to get out of this situation.President Ranil Wickremesinghe emphasized that it was the government’s expectation to overcome the economic challenge that the country is facing and assured that all possible measures would be taken in the endeavour.Governor of the Central Bank Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe and Finance Ministry Secretary Mahinda Siriwardana explained the progress of the discussions held with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the current economic situation in Sri Lanka.President Ranil Wickremesinghe said that it was a challenge the country had to face to ensure a better future for the next generation.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lankan High Commissioner to India Milinda Moragoda and Indian National Security Advisor Doval reviewed the status of the bilateral relations between the two countries.   As part of the regular and ongoing dialogue between them, Sri Lanka's High Commissioner to India Milinda Moragoda met with the National Security Advisor of India Shri Ajit Kumar Doval, at the latter's office in New Delhi on Thursday (22).Their discussion centered on a comprehensive review of the status of the relations between India and Sri Lanka.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The foreign diplomats in Sri Lanka have assured President Ranil Wickremesinghe of their support to get the assistance of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to Sri Lanka to recover from the economic crisis, said the President's Media Division.They made this assurance on Thursday (22) at the Ambassadors’ Forum on Debt Restructuring and IMF Program held at the President’s Office chaired by the President.Ambassadors from 23 countries, both members and non-members of Paris Club participated at the Forum.The foreign ambassadors expressed their confidence that Sri Lanka would be able to get out of this situation.President Ranil Wickremesinghe emphasized that it was the government’s expectation to overcome the economic challenge that the country is facing and assured that all possible measures would be taken in the endeavour.Governor of the Central Bank Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe and Finance Ministry Secretary Mahinda Siriwardana explained the progress of the discussions held with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the current economic situation in Sri Lanka.President Ranil Wickremesinghe said that it was a challenge the country had to face to ensure a better future for the next generation.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Due to the severe crisis taking place in Sri Lanka, over 12 Sri Lankans Nations' arrived in Tamil Nadu.A large number of fleeing Sri Lankan nationals, mainly Tamils, have entered India through Tamil Nadu and have been accommodated in a refugee camp at Mandapam.Recently, the relevant 12 people were rescued from a patch of land mid-sea where they were dropped off in a boat, officials added.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Clyde FC announced that Josh Bradley-Hurst has been invited to a Sri Lanka National Football team training camp.Josh was born in Sri Lanka and aims to become the first Clyde player to win an international cap since 1967.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Foreign Minister Ali Sabry met US President Joe Biden at the reception hosted by the President of the United States and Dr.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka is currently facing its worse economic crisis, and people who cannot afford to pay a high cost for fuel have been forced to use public transport, especially the jam-packed trains.News 1st's Teena Marian filed this report during her early morning commute to work.The Colombo-bound train from Polgahawela was already packed like cans of sardines when it reached one of the busiest train stations on the coastal route this morning.As the train reached the platform, commuters rushed to the doors trying to creep inside the already packed compartments to make their way to Colombo for school and work.The train on its journey to Colombo passed many other stations, and some passengers waiting to board the train simply had to look on as the packed train passed by with no room for more passengers.For many, this has been the case for decades and more additional compartments is a paramount need.News 1st's inquiries from authorities at Sri Lanka Railways on why this perennial issue has gone unresolved despite footage and images of packed trains going viral for decades went unanswered.Overcrowded public transport is now the norm, as many hang off footboards for their lives and livelihoods.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to India Milinda Moragoda had separate interactions with the members of the Indian Women’s Press Corps (IWPC) and the students of the IAAN School of Mass Communication recently.The formal interaction with the members of the Indian Women’s Press Corps was held at the organization’s headquarters in New Delhi. A large number of Delhi-based journalists, mostly women journalists, representing prominent media outlets in India attended this interaction.The members of the IWPC posed several questions to High Commissioner Moragoda, ranging from Sri Lanka’s present economic and political developments to Indo-Sri Lanka relations at large. The session was moderated by the President of the IWPC, Shobhna Jain. Several leading newspapers and news sites in India carried the contents of this interaction in their editions yesterday (22).Founded in 1994, the IWPC is one of the premier journalists’ organizations in India and has a membership of about 900 women journalists.Earlier in the day, High Commissioner Moragoda interacted with the students of the ‘IAAN School of Mass Communication’ on Indo-Lanka relations in line with India’s 75th Independence anniversary. The interaction was held at the recently opened High Commissioners’ Gallery at the Sri Lanka High Commission.High Commissioner Moragoda engaged with the students during an informal question and answer session followed by a formal interview that focused on Indo-Lanka relations.The students of the IAAN School of Mass Communication interviewed the High Commissioner for a special audio-visual book titled ‘Foreign Relations’ to mark the 75th anniversary of the Independence of  India.

For Linda Dalton, getting Covid in 2020 was a life-changing event.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) reveals lung damage in nonhospitalized children and teens who either had COVID-19 up to a year earlier or have long-COVID symptoms, according to a single-center clinical trial published this week in Radiology.

A study has revealed that people who have had Covid-19 infection are at a higher risk of a long-term brain injury, a year later compared to the people who have never been infected with the virus. The year-long study, published in Nature Medicine, assessed brain health across 44 different disorders using medical records without patient identifiers from millions of US veterans. Brain and other neurological disorders occurred in 7 per cent more of those who had been infected with Covid compared with a similar group of veterans who had never been infected.

COLOMBO (News 1st) –  Sri Lanka is likely to once again face an electricity crisis due to issues surrounding the procurement of coal to power the Norochcholai Power Plant.The Ceylon Electricity Board Engineer's Union warned that daily power cuts are likely to be extended to ten hours a day, if coal is not received by the 25th of October 2022.The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka also approved the Ceylon Electricity Boards' (CEB) request for power cuts of 2 hours & 20 minutes from 23rd to 25th September.Electricity Supply: 30 percent of the country's electricity supply depends on the Norochcholai coal-fired power plant despite one generator being out of order.More than 40 percent of the electricity demand is met from this plant when all three generators are in operation.Currently, the stock of coal in the plant is sufficient only till October 25th, 2022.After October 25th, sufficient coal stocks should be provided for power generation at the Norochcholai coal-fired power plant.What happened to the supply of coal?Recently, bids were invited to contract a long-term supplier of Coal for Sri Lanka. Several companies submitted bids during the formal tender process and another company submitted bids outside the tender process.After opening and evaluating the bids submitted outside the tender process, the proposals submitted in the formal tender process have been evaluated.Ultimately, it was decided to award the long-term supply to the company that submitted bids via the proper tender process.But the company that submitted bids outside the tender process had again submitted a bid at a lower price.The Minister of Power and Energy recently revealed in Parliament that the said bidder also influenced the company that offered

Some long COVID patients suffering symptoms including fatigue and shortness of breath are showing signs of autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, suggests a Canadian study that builds on similar findings elsewhere.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) approved the Ceylon Electricity Boards' (CEB) request for power cuts of 2 hours & 20 minutes from 23rd to 25th September as follows:Groups ABCDEFGHIJKLPQRSTUVW:1 hour during daytime  1 hour and 20 minutes during the nightApproval for extended power cuts was granted after considering the unavailability of old Laxapana Stage 1, lack of fuel availability at Westcoast, and due to sudden increase in demand.

A study has said that most coronavirus-infected patients who experience long Covid recover within 12 months, irrespective of the severity. The study said that while 75 per cent of the patients recovered within 12 months of getting infected with the virus, the rest (25 per cent) of the patients still experienced one of the three most common symptoms. Long-Covid-19 conditions can include many ongoing health problems that can last weeks, months, or longer.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) said that it made a payment for a shipment of 41,000 MT of Diesel.The shipment reached Sri Lanka on the 7th of September 2022.In the meantime, the CPC further noted that the unloading of a petrol shipment will commence on Thursday (22) evening.Moreover, the Corporation said that payments have been made to the Crude oil vessel scheduled to arrive in the country in November.There are sufficient reserves in the country, CPC adds.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Lanka Coal (Private) Limited says it will not sign a contract with the supplier it selected to supply coal to Sri Lanka on long-term credit.A senior official attached to Lanka Coal (Private) Limited says the decision was reached as the supplier had failed to place a performance bond of 37 million dollars.He added that the supplier did place the performance bond due to the prevailing credit risk and legal conditions.Therefore, the required coal will be imported to Sri Lanka through Swiss Singapore which bid for the tender.Senior Spokesperson to Swiss Singapore says 50 percent of the tender was procured last year, and the remainder will be procured this year.Although plans were in place to procure the remainder after December this year, steps are now being taken to expedite the process.Accordingly, orders have been placed for five shipments carrying 60,000 metric tonnes of coal each.The first shipment is due to reach Sri Lanka between the 20th and 25th of October.Lanka Coal (Private) Limited says if Sri Lanka decides to purchase coal from the selected supplier on long-term credit, the country would benefit USD 30 from every metric tonne of coal imported to Sri Lanka.

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Cabinet has agreed to recruit 10,000 workers from Sri Lanka after taking into account the state of the country which has been hit by an economic crisis, Malaysian Human Resources Minister M Saravanan said.According to Minister for Human Resources Datuk Seri M.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Secretary-General of Parliament Dhammika Dasanayake said that the appointment of three secretaries to Ministries and an ambassador was approved by the Committee on High Posts of Parliament recently (20).Accordingly, the Committee on High Posts of the Parliament has approved the appointment of Rodney Manoranjan Perera as the new Sri Lankan Ambassador to Japan.Furthermore, appointments of Mr. B.L.A.J. Dharmakeerthi as the Secretary to the Ministry of Plantation, Mr.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Under Secretary for Political Affairs of the U.S.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – President Wickremesinghe joined the 23rd Colombo National Book Fair at the BMICH this morning (22).He noted that a special book exhibition including books and documents of rare and historical value that have been taken from Sri Lanka to foreign countries is expected to be organized in conjunction with the 75th Independence Commemoration.The President also said that he expected to obtain the support of the Sri Lanka Book Publishers Association for the Independence Commemorative Book Exhibition.The President, who arrived at the book exhibition this morning, was received by the Chairman of the Sri Lanka Book Publishers Association, Samantha Indivara, and the group.Sri Lanka Foundation Chairman Saman Athaudahetti, members of the Book Publishers Association,  Vijitha Yapa, H.D.

COLOMBO (News 1st) –  Sri Lankan Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena said that the decision to lower the retirement age of Public Sector employees to 60 years will have to be reconsidered, and the matter will be moved to the Cabinet of Ministers for discussion.It was proposed in the Interim Budget 2022 to amend the retirement age of state sector employees to 60 years, from the 65 years age requirement implemented in 2021.Accordingly, all Government employees aged 60 years or above must retire by December 31st, 2022.Many factions have raised concerns citing that lowering the retirement age in such a manner would threaten to the existence of many sectors.The Ministry of Public Administration issued the circular on the new retirement age of state employees, a week ago.Sri Lanka Railways said that as per the new circular over 250 Railway Workers will have to go on retirement.Sri Lanka Railways warned that is a solution is not provided soon, operations will be hampered from January 2023.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Today’s exchange rates from the Central Bank of Sri Lanka:USD Buy 359.1876 Sell 369.9235GBP Buy 401.5695 Sell 417.3688EUR Buy 350.3877 Sell 365.1473JPY Buy 2.4695 Sell 2.5700AUD Buy 234.9426 Sell 245.9917

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Investigations were conducted today (22) regarding a complaint made to the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) regarding the arrest of Veranga Pushpika de Silva.The complaint was filed by the Union of Young Journalists and the Union of Trade Unions and Mass Unions.A group of Sri Lanka Police officers had also called the HRCSL today (22).

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka's Supreme Court has made its determination on the The Petroleum Products (special provisions) amendment bill.The Supreme Court determination was announced to the house on Thursday (21) by the Speaker.The determination is as follows: A: Clause 3 (2) of the bill is inconsistent with the article 12 (1) of the constitution, and it may only be passed by a special majority required under the provisions of paragraph 2 of article 84.The inconsistency will cease if the composition of the committee is changed, to include the following:– Secretary to the Ministry in charge of the subject of Economic Policy Development  – Secretary to the Ministry in charge of the subject of Investment PromotionB: Clause 7 of the bill is inconsistent with articles 3 & 4 of the constitution, and may be passed only by a Special Majority required under the provisions of paragraph 2 of article 84, and approved by the people at a referendum by virtue of the provisions of article 83 of the constitution.The bill as a whole is inconsistent with Article 12 (1) of the constitution.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka's Cabinet of Ministers are yet to be briefed on the IMF Staff-Level Agreeement that was reached with official recently, President Ranil Wickremesinghe has informed the Speaker.The Speaker said the President has noted that though an agreement was reached between the IMF Staff and Sri Lankan Officials, it has to be approved by the Executive Board of the IMF."Before that discussions need to happen with the other creditor countries, and their reports also need to be added and until such time it will not be decided by anybody," the Speaker informed the house."So, before that there will a cabinet briefing once the President receives all the details. The opposition, the Speaker, interested parties will be invited for that briefing.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Americares, one of the world’s leading nonprofit providers of donated medicine and medical supplies, has generously donated more than $773,000 USD worth (an estimated 279,476,100.28 LKR) of urgently needed medical supplies for the people of Sri Lanka. The donation was made consequent to the request made by the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Washington D.C., and under the purview of Ambassador Mahinda Samarasinghe.This donation consists of essential medicines, including prenatal and lactation vitamins, chronic disease medications, intravascular catheters, syringes, and gloves that are urgently required from the Ministry of Health. As a result of facilitating this kind deed, an MOU was signed between the Ministry of Health in Sri Lanka and Americares enabling future donations to take place. A formal certificate handover ceremony took place at the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Washington, D.C.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Litro gas says that new domestic gas cylinders will not be distributed to the local market until DecemberThis is due to the ongoing project introduced by Litro Gas for Sri Lankan expatriates to place orders for gas cylinders, on behalf of their relatives in the country. This project has been implemented due to the shortage of dollars.Meanwhile, the Chairman of litro says that the demand for cooking gas has decreased, as people have opted to use gas sparingly.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) approved power cuts of 1 hour and 20 minutes for today (22) as follows;Groups ABCDEFGHIJKLPQRSTUVW:1 hour and 20-minutes from 6.00 PM – 10.00 PM

Victoria Moreno | Chicago police CHICAGO - Bail was denied for the woman who was charged with attempted murder after allegedly pushing her 3-year-old nephew into Lake Michigan off Navy Pier, leaving him in "very critical" condition.Victoria Moreno, 34, is accused of pushing the boy into the water and not attempting to rescue him around 1 p.m. Monday near the 700 block of East Grand Avenue, police said.Moreno was taken into custody roughly an hour after the incident.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka's crime rate is increasing by the day, while the economic crisis takes its toll on all Sri Lankan citizens.Rasika Vinod, a 29-year-old mid-level employee at a State Bank in Sri Lanka was brtually killed with he tried to prevent a mugging attempt.On Tuesday (20) night, Vinod tragically died when he attempted to foil a snatching attempt at his doorstep, in Pahalagama in the Gampaha District.According to reports, this is how the tragedy had taken place. His wife and her friend were returning home from work on Tuesday (20) night.When his wife was close to their home, a couple in a motorbike approached them and attempted to snatch a handbag.According to Sri Lanka Police Rasika was waiting at the doorstep for his wife to return home, along with his father.The duo immediately attacked the motorcycle thieves, and also topple the two-wheeler onto the ground.During the tussle, the motorcycle rider attacked Rasika with a sharp weapon.The victim of the mugging attempt detailed her ordeal to News 1st's Naveksha Gunasekera who visited the scene of the crime on Wednesday (21)."A motorcycle crossed my path and one person attempted to snatch my bag.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The World Broadcasting Unions – WBU, which is the co-ordinating body of broadcasting unions around the world, has condemned the vicious attack on journalists of MTV Channel (Pvt) Ltd by Sri Lanka Police and security personnel on the 9th of July. The World Broadcasting Unions has among its membership the largest and most influential unions of broadcast journalists around the world. They include the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union, the Arab States Broadcasting Union, the African Union of Broadcasting, the Caribbean Broadcasting Union, the European Broadcasting Union, and International Association of Broadcasting, and the North American Broadcasters Association.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The first consignment of rice from an Australian donation totaling AUD22 million (approximately USD15 million) arrived in Sri Lanka and will soon be distributed to those most affected by the ongoing economic crisisThe consignment, consisting of 600 metric tonnes of rice, forms part of a larger consignment of rice, pulses and cooking oil, due to arrive in the country soon.“Australia and Sri Lanka share many decades of friendship, and this latest contribution is an extension of our goodwill during this unprecedented crisis,” said Paul Stephens, Australia’s High Commissioner to Sri Lanka. “We are supporting WFP to provide life-saving food to people who are struggling with price increases, job losses and reduced incomes”. “Australia was the first to contribute to WFP’s emergency response, enabling us to kick-off much needed assistance to those hard-hit by the ongoing crisis,” said Abdur Rahim Siddiqui, WFP Sri Lanka’s Representative and Country Director.

COLOMBO (News 1st): Sri Lanka Police made public the images of four suspects wanted for unlawfully entering the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation on the 9th of July 2022, and causing damage to its property.The suspect are wanted for the investigations carried out by the Cinnamon Gardens Police.Police is seeking public support to arrest the four men pictured below, and information can be provided directly or via Whatsapp on  0718 591 588.