Sri Lanka’s debt to GDP ratio up to 106.7 % in Sept 2021

ORLANDO, Fla. - A Florida man needed a double-lung transplant to beat COVID-19."Every time I breathe is a gift," said David Wilkinson.A gift, because the 50-year-old man is breathing air through two new lungs thanks to an organ donor.After getting COVID-19 and ending up on a ventilator five months ago, his wife was given the heartbreaking decision to keep him on life support or not.But they weren't ready to give up.They said it would take about five minutes for him to pass," said Karen Wilkinson, David's Wife "Before he was placed on life support, he made me promise that I would not let him stop fighting."MORE NEWS: Florida father killed children, 12 and 9, then himself, police sayThat’s where Dr. Cynthia Gries comes into the pictures.

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Olympic silver in a men’s 1,500-metre short-track speed skating race that came down to a matter of millimetres on Wednesday.Dubois, of Terrebonne, Que., advanced to the final after official review following an error in the semis. He took home the medal in a photo-finish over bronze medallist Semen Elistratov of the Russian Olympic Committee.

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A healthcare worker conducts a swab test at a COVID-19 testing site in Cruz Bay, Saint John, Virgin Islands, U.S. Gabby Jones/Bloomberg via Getty Images Can you get long COVID after an infection with omicron?It’s too early to know for sure, but many doctors believe it’s possible to have long-term effects from the omicron variant of the virus.Long COVID is usually diagnosed many weeks after a bout with COVID-19.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Wednesday (9) said that his policies and the policies of the government were prepared with the future generations in mind.President Rajapaksa assured that all promises will be fulfilled.He said the government is facing challenges in various sectors, including education, agriculture, and electricity.Noting that the economy is reviving following the pandemic, President Rajapaksa urged the masses to obtain the booster dose and not leave any reason for the country to go into lockdown again.The President urged the public sector employees to fulfill their duties and responsibilities in line with the government’s policy statement.“I promised the farmers that fertilizer will be given for free and the certified price for paddy will be increased, and that was my first duty,” said the President while addressing a crowd at the Salgado Stadium in Anuradhapura.The President also promised to increase the income of the local farmers by 100% with or without fertilizer.

More than 70 Girvan residents did their bit for the Quay Zone leisure centre by continuing to pay membership fees despite the facility being forced to close because of Covid.

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Over 1⃣ crore youngsters between 15-18 age group are now fully vaccinated against #COVID19

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka Police confirmed the arrest of the main suspect wanted in connection with the attempted shooting of an ambulance driver on the 27th of January opposite the Panadura Base Hospital.Sri Lanka Police said 8 grams of heroin was seized from the possession of the 32-year-old suspect from Kuruppumulla on Tuesday (8) night.Detectives are planning on obtaining a detention order to detain and interrogate the suspect, after producing him to the Panadura Magistrate’s Court.Sri Lanka Police on Tuesday (8) also arrested a 51-year-old man in connection to the attempted shooting of an ambulance driver in Panadura, on the 27th of January 2022.The suspect was identified as the assistant to the ambulance driver who was the main target of the shooters.On Independence Day (4), the Kalutara Crimes Division arrested the ambulance driver who was the target of gunmen in Panadura.Sri Lanka Police said the ambulance driver was transferring an expectant mother to the Panadura Hospital when several people chased after him on four motorcycles and opened fire at him.However, the weapon used by the gunman had jammed.Police said the ambulance driver was arrested after it was revealed that he was transporting Heroin at the time of the incident.According to Police, the person who was driving the motorcycle and the person who assisted in the shooting were also arrested.The assistant to the ambulance driver had confessed to police that the ambulance was used to transport drugs on several occasions.In addition, another man was arrested from Panadura on Tuesday (8) for spying on the ambulance driver.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Colombo Additional Magistrate Rajindra Jayasuriya on Wednesday (9) ordered to release of a Church worker, who was detained over the discovery of a hand grenade from All Saint’s Church in Borella.On the 2nd of February, the Additional Magistrate ordered to release of three other workers connected to the incident.Accordingly, all four church workers who were arrested and detained over the incident, have been released.Sri Lanka’s Attorney General had recommended that they be released given the fact that they were not involved in the incident.A week ago, Deputy Solicitor General Dileepa Peiris informed the court that it was revealed that the three other workers were not connected to the incident in any way, and the Attorney General had advised to release them.

ANI reported. AIIMS Medical Superintendent DK Sharma in a letter today said in accordance with current ICMT's national guidelines, it has been decided to discontinue routine Covid-19 testing prior to inpatient hospitalisations (regular as well as daycare) and also prior to any minor or major surgical or interventional or non-interventional procedures and imaging in clinically asymptomatic patients.AIIMS, Delhi announces to discontinue routine COVID-19 testing prior to inpatient hospitalization and surgeries pic.twitter.com/R0wjcSdaFl

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COLOMBO (News 1st); The EU has urged Sri Lanka to continue reducing the use of the PTA, and to undertake further practical and administrative steps to release on bail those detained under the PTA without charges.The European Union (EU) and the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka held their 24th meeting of the Joint Commission on 8th February 2022 in Brussels.During the meeting, Sri Lanka reiterated its objective to achieve measurable, tangible, and verifiable results on the ground in meeting its commitments.In this context, the EU welcomed the submission by the Government of Sri Lanka of amendments to the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA).

WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 1: Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) speaks during a news conference after a lunch meeting with Senate Republicans on Capitol Hill February 1, 2022 in Washington, DC. McConnell told reporters he disagrees with fo WASHINGTON - Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell is going against the Republican National Committee calling the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka’s Deputy Director-General of Public Health Services, Dr. Hemanth Herath has slammed the organizing of mass gatherings in the wake of the COVID-19 spread in the island.‘This is not something that needs to be said over again.

New Zealand anti-vaccine mandate protesters faced off with police outside parliament today, as demonstrators camped inside the Wellington legislature's grounds vowed to stay "as long as it takes".

COLOMBO (News 1st); Thousands of Sri Lankan health workers are on strike for the third consecutive day, citing several demands.The trade unions demand that the authorities eliminate existing salary disparities in the sector just as they eliminated the teacher and principal salary anomalies.Health workers across Sri Lanka including nurses, and Public Health Inspectors are on strike citing multiple demands.They resorted to the indefinite trade union action from Monday (7).As a result of the strike activities at the Colombo General Hospital, Kandy General Hospital, 24 Teaching Hospitals, 26 General Hospitals, 46 Base Hospitals, 410 District Hospitals, and 293 MOH Officers came to a complete standstill.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka’s Health Ministry said that it is conducting a study on the possibility of vaccinating children below the age of 12.Deputy Director-General of Health Services, Dr. G.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka Prof. G.L.

Alberta Premier Jason Kenney says businesses who want to continue to use the Alberta COVID-19 vaccination QR code are allowed to do so as long as they are issued.

WHITEMARSH TWP, Pa. - A Philadelphia man is accused of shooting a driver in an apparent road rage incident last month on a highway in Montgomery County. Keith Choice, 31, was taken into custody on Tuesday after police said he shot another driver on the northbound side of State Route 309 in late January. According to investigators, a 65-year-old man was driving in the far left lane when Choice pulled up next to him and fired a single shot that hit the victim in the right upper arm. MORE LOCAL HEADLINESPolice said the bullet narrowly missed striking the victim's neck.

Did a Chinese speedskater flick a marker underneath the skate of a Canadian opponent, causing her to fall during Monday’s Olympic women’s 500-metre short-track speedskating quarterfinals?

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After 11 days of protesters occupying and disrupting the nation’s capital, Ottawa police are now taking action as they begin to dismantle protest encampments and seize supplies. As David Akin reports, protesters remain defiant, as pressure and frustration among federal politicians rise.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Talks between the Health Minister and the Health Trade Unions to solve a series of issues failed on Tuesday (8).Trade Union leaders have vowed to continue with their strike action.Earlier in the day, heavy traffic was reported along Deans Road in Colombo opposite the Health Ministry due to a protest by health workers.Hundreds of health workers marched from the Vihara Maha Devi Park in Colombo to the Health Ministry against the government’s failure to remove salary anomalies and address their grievances, despite recent token strikes.The unions demand that the authorities eliminate existing salary disparities in the sector just as they eliminated the teacher and principal salary anomalies.Health workers across Sri Lanka including nurses, and Public Health Inspectors are on strike citing multiple demands.They resorted to the indefinite trade union action from Monday (7).As a result of the strike activities at the Colombo General Hospital, Kandy General Hospital, 24 Teaching Hispitals, 26 General Hospitals, 46 Base Hospitals, 410 District Hospitals and 293 MOH Officers came to a complete standstill. 

COLOMBO (News 1st): The Sri Lankan Government is preparing to include articles into the Surcharge Tax Bill, which will also include the Employees Provident Fund and the Retirement Gratuity.The relevant bill on the Surcharge Tax was published via gazette on Monday (7).Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa on Tuesday (8) requested the government to withdraw the Gazette Notification pertaining to including the Employees Provident Fund and the Retirement Gratuity Fund in the Surcharge Tax Bill.He claimed that by imposing a 25% surcharge the government is attempting to secure Rs.65 billion from the working class.According to the bill, the Surcharge Tax will be levied from any individual, partnership or company, whose taxable income calculated in accordance with the provisions of the Inland Revenue Act, No. 24 of 2017, exceeds rupees two thousand million, for the year of assessment commencing on April 1, 2020, at the rate of twenty-five percent.According to the definition of the Inland Revenue Act, a company is included in the definition of a provident fund, a pension fund, a pension gratuity fund, or a similar fund.The Opposition Leader requested Minister of Finance Basil Rajapaksa to state the EPF and the Retirement Gratuity Fund will not be included in the Surcharge Tax Bill.

HAMMONTON, N.J. - Multiple people have been hurt after a New Jersey Transit bus veered off the Atlantic City Expressway and into the woods, stopping after it hit a tree. The incident happened shortly after 4 a.m.

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COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka has planned to deport a total of 56 Indian fishermen who were arrested and remanded for illegally entering the Sea of Sri Lanka.The 56 Indian fishermen were arrested by the Sri Lanka Navy while illegally fishing in the northern seas of Sri Lanka.They were first produced to the Kytes Magistrate’s Court on the 19th of December 2021 and were ordered to be remanded.On the 25th of January 2022, these 56 Indian fishermen were produced to the Kytes Magistrate’s Court against where it was ordered for them to be handed over to the Mirihana Immigration Detention Center, to be deported.These 56 Indian fishermen were moved to the Quarantine Centre in Iyakachchi, Jaffna to undergo quarantine and upon completion of the quarantine period, they were moved back to the Jaffna Prison.As per the court order, the Indian fishermen will be handed over to the Mirihana Immigration Detention Center, to be deported, on Wednesday (9).The decision to deport the Indian fishermen comes after Indian External Affairs Minister Dr.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Chairman of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation warned that the CPC losses have increased after Lanka IOC increased fuel prices this week.CPC Chairman Attorney-at-Law Sumith Wijesinghe told reporters that if the prices for February continue uncharged for the entire month, the CPC will suffer a loss of Rs. 48.30/- per liter of Diesel, while Rs.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Approximately 1.17 million Sri Lankans over the age of 20 are yet to obtain the first dose of the vaccine against COVID-19, revealed the State Ministry of Home Affairs.N.H.M. Chithrananda, the Secretary to the State Ministry of Home Affairs told News 1st that this number of ascertained following a recent study in Sri Lanka.He said that 719,000 Sri Lankans between the ages of 20 – 29 have not obtained the vaccine.386,408 Sri Lankans between the ages of 30 – 60 are yet to obtain the first dose, he added while noting that 64,234 Senior Citizens (over 60) are yet to obtain the vaccine.N.H.M.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Heavy traffic was reported along Deans Road in Colombo opposite the Health Ministry on Tuesday (8) due to a protest by health workers.Hundreds of health workers marched from the Vihara Maha Devi Park in Colombo to the Health Ministry against the government’s failure to remove salary anomalies and address their grievances, despite recent token strikes.The unions demand that the authorities eliminate existing salary disparities in the sector just as they eliminated the teacher and principal salary anomalies.Health workers across Sri Lanka including nurses, and Public Health Inspectors are on strike citing multiple demands.They resorted to the indefinite trade union action from Monday (7).As a result of the strike activities at the Colombo General Hospital, Kandy General Hospital, 24 Teaching Hospitals, 26 General Hospitals, 46 Base Hospitals, 410 District Hospitals, and 293 MOH Officers came to a complete standstill.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka Navy detained 11 Indian fishermen and seized 3 Indian fishing boats for illegally entering the Sea of Sri Lanka on Monday (7) night.Sri Lanka Navy Spokesperson Captain Indika De Silva told News 1st that the Indian poachers were detected in the Sea of Sri Lanka off Delft Island.The detained fishermen will be handed over to the Jaffna District Fisheries Office for processing.On Monday (7), 21 Indian fishermen who were previously detained were remanded to the 21st of February by the Point Pedro Magistrate’s Court.Court granted permission to record statements from the Indian fishermen and also ordered for the 100 kg catch detected from their boats to be sold and the return be produced to the court.21 Indian Fishermen Detained:In a special operation conducted by Sri Lanka Navy and Coast Guard, 02 Indian trawlers with 21 Indian fishermen were held for poaching in Sri Lankan territorial waters, off Kovilan and Point Pedro Lighthouse, Jaffna on the night of 31st January 2022.This special operation was mounted by deploying Fast Attack Craft of the 04th Fast Attack Flotilla in the Northern Naval Command, another Fast Patrol Boat of Sri Lanka Coast Guard and with the assistance of the Navy’s Special Boat Squadron.The operation led to the apprehension of these 02 Indian trawlers with 21 Indian fishermen while poaching in Sri Lankan territorial waters on the night of 31st January.As the Indian trawlers were attempting to evade naval units with their aggressive manoeuvres, they also caused damages to the SLN Fast Attack Craft.The Navy also held several bottom trawling equipment and fish caught by this illegal fishing method from the seized fishing trawlers.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Three people died and one person was hospitalized after an earth embankment collapsed in Madawala, Wattegama, on Monday (7), said Sri Lanka Police.Sri Lanka Police said that four people were involved in building a wall and during the construction process a mound of earth collapsed on top of them. 

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka’s Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila said that Lanka IOC had done a favor to the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation by increasing fuel prices.Sri Lanka’s LIOC, raised petrol 92-Octane by Rs. 7/- to Rs.

COLOMBO (News 1st); President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has instructed officials to take the necessary steps to release freight containers with essential items that are held by Sri Lanka Customs.The President had reached this decision with the objective of ensuring that there is no shortage of food and essential goods in the local market.The President had also appointed a committee headed by Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa to ensure that there is no shortage of food and essential items.The President on Monday (7) had stressed the need to provide the general public with the opportunity to make purchases for the upcoming holiday season without having to experience any shortage.The President had noted that the opportunity will be given to import selected essential items and there should be no room for anyone to import in excess for ulterior motives and to conceal stocks for profits.The committee led by Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa was tasked with preparing streamlined mechanisms to release essential items to the local market while regulating and monitoring the process.

COLOMBO (News 1st): Despite ongoing discussions between Sri Lankan and Indian government officials, Indian fishing vessels continue to make incursions into Sri Lankan waters.Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Prof. GL Peiris is currently in New Delhi for talks and the contentious fishing issue is top amongst the agenda for discussion.Despite this, late last night (7th Feb), Sri Lankan Navy took control of 3 vessels off the coast of Delft Island in the Sea of Sri Lanka.In an operation conducted off the Delft Island in the dark hours of 07th February 2022, Sri Lanka Navy took hold of 03 Indian trawlers and 11 Indian fishermen for poaching in Sri Lankan waters.Taking into account the impact of foreign fishermen poaching in Sri Lankan waters on the local fishing community and the sustainability of fishery resources of Sri Lanka, the Navy is conducting regular patrols and operations to curb illegal fishing activities in Sri Lankan waters.In the operation, Fast Attack Craft of the 4th Fast Attack Flotilla in the Northern Naval Command seized 03 Indian trawlers for poaching in Sri Lankan waters close to the Delft Island in Jaffna, via International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL).

Kate Middleton will be reading a CBeebies Bedtime Story to mark the programme's 20th anniversary, which coincides with Children's Mental Health Week. Kate, who is said to be "worried" for Prince Louis’ future, will be reading Jill Tomlinson's The Owl Who Was Afraid of the Dark, which links with this year's Mental Health Week theme of "growing together".The Duchess, 40, is set to have a crucial part in Children’s Mental Health Week by narrating the children's story as organisers aim to raise the importance of prioritising children’s mental health.This year, children and adults are being encouraged to consider how they have grown emotionally.The national week also aims to help people understand the benefits of trying new things and moving beyond their comfort zones.

Nonhospitalized COVID-19 patients at highest risk for severe outcomes are often the least likely to receive monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), finds a study of more than 1.9 million Medicare beneficiaries published late last week in JAMA.A team led by a Harvard Medical School researcher examined a sample of

pod of dolphins while riding some waves off the coast of Carpinteria, California. Video captured the moment's surfers were almost face-to-face with the animals as they rode the waves and jumped through the air. Jim Russi, who recorded the video on Jan. 24, said the area, Rincon Point, is a popular surf spot for beachgoers. "In my 40-plus years of traveling the world, photographing waves and surfers for the magazines, this is the best example of who the ‘real surfers’ are," Russi said. Freeze frame from video showing dolphins surfing alongside humans.

Ottawa police say they made multiple arrests and issued hundreds of tickets across the second weekend of the so-called “Freedom Convoy” protests in the nation’s capital.

Days after India announced a slew of measures to help Sri Lanka during its economic crisis, and the ExIm bank signed an agreement to provide a Line of Credit of $500 million, Sri Lankan Foreign Minister G.L. Peiris arrived in Delhi for a meeting with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, his first visit to India since he was appointed Foreign Minister last August.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka has auctioned off over 100 Indian fishing boats that were seized by the Sri Lanka Navy over years, for illegally entering the Sea of Sri Lanka.The auction took place in Kankesanthurai (KKS), on the northern coast of the Jaffna Peninsula, near Point Pedro, the northernmost point in Sri Lanka.The Chairman of the Jaffna Fisheries Committee A. Annarasa told News 1st that Indian boats were auctioned for prices from Rs.

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COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka’s Public Utilities Commission said that the Ceylon Electricity Board has not requested permission for scheduled power cuts on Monday (7).However, the Ceylon Electricity Board noted that there may be power cuts if power plants run out of fuel or encounter a technical issue.Janaka Ratnayake, the Chairman of PUCSL said according to the available data is evident that the power generation is sufficient for the day and power cuts are unlikely for the next two days if sufficient fuel stocks are delivered.Sri Lanka’s Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila noted that fuel was provided to the CEB even after the agreed period for fuel delivery expired.‘The CEB publicly said that they would obtain fuel from IOC and India,’ said the Minister adding the CPC delivered fuel stocks to last for 10 days instead of 7 as requested by the CEB.The Minister further said that the Energy Minister has no issue if the CEB is in talks with IOC orr is making emergency purchases for electricity.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Sri Lankan party leaders have decided to convene Parliament on Tuesday (8) and continue sessions until Friday (11).According to a statement from the Office of the Leader of the House of Parliament, two orders under the ‘National Medicines Regulatory Authority Act, No 5 of 2015’ will be produced to Parliament.In addition, the second reading of the ‘Lalith Athulathmudali Mahapola Higher Education Scholarship Trust Fund’ will take place on Tuesday (8) and two amendments to the respective legislation will be produced as well.The statement noted that an amendment will be produced to replace the Chief Justice, who serves as the Chairperson of the ‘Lalith Athulathmudali Mahapola Higher Education Scholarship Trust Fund’, with a retired Supreme Court Judge of a retired Auditor General.Further, an amendment will be made to replace the subject minister, who serves as a member of the ‘Lalith Athulathmudali Mahapola Higher Education Scholarship Trust Fund’, with a representative nominated by him.On the 11th of February 2022, a condolence motion with respect to the late Minister Mangala Samaraweera will be moved in Parliament.