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ORANGE COUNTY, FLORIDA, USA - JUNE 1: Mickey Mouse and friends take part in a cavalcade parade on Main Street USA at the Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World in Orange County, Florida on June 1, 2022. Walt Disney World is celebrating its 50th anni Disney employees are pushing back on the company's announcement that it will be returning to four days a week of in-person work.More than 2,300 workers have signed a petition addressed to CEO Bob Iger urging the executive to abandon the planned return to offices, claiming it is "likely to have unintended consequences that cause long-term harm to the company."FLORIDA BILL REVOKING DISNEY'S SELF-GOVERNING STATUS HEADS TO DESANTIS' DESK"This policy will slow, or even reverse, our post-COVID recovery and growth by creating critical resource shortages and causing irreplaceable institutional knowledge loss," the employee petition reads.Iger’s original email announcing the return to pre-pandemic workspaces, obtained by FOX Business, informed Disney employees of the policy change going into effect March 1. DISNEY TO SLASH 7,000 JOBSAt that time, those "currently working in a hybrid fashion will be asked to spend four days a week on-site, targeting Monday through Thursday as in-person workdays," according to the email.He pointed to the "tremendous value in being together with the people you work with" as he explained his reasoning for the change, noting he has been holding meetings with various teams across Disney since returning to the company."As you’ve heard me say many times, creativity is the heart and soul of who we are and what we do at Disney," Iger said in the email.

Over a six-week period, as part of the ‘Out of Pocket’ series, Global News is examining how inflation is impacting Canadians from coast to coast.

COLOMBO (News 1st) ; The Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekara says that with the increase in the electricity tariff by 66%, power cuts will no longer be imposed from Thursday (16).Speaking to reporters in Colombo, the Minister said the electricity tariff increase was a difficult decision to make, but it was one that had to be taken.He further said that the Ceylon Electricity Board will start making direct purchases related to fuel and coal.The Minister said that the Bank of Ceylon will be providing an additional loan of Rs. 22 Billion for coal procurement, while a request was made for an additional Rs.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe has directed Power & Energy Minister & relevant officials to ensure uninterrupted power supply is made available for electricity customers once the PUCSL tariff revision is implemented.The President's Media Division also said that the President gave directives to provide concessions for low-income families and provide solar rooftop systems for religious places & government educational institutions when the new tariff revision comes into effect.The Ministry of Power and Energy said that power outages will not be imposed from Thursday (16), as the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka granted approval to the 66% electricity tariff hike.A source from the Ministry of Power and Energy speaking to News 1st said that a decision will be reached in the future with regard to those who are unable to settle their electricity bills.The Public Utilities Commission has approved a 66 percent hike in electricity tariffs with effect from Wednesday (15).It was with the agreement of the three members of the PUCSL except the Chairman of the Commission Janaka RatnayakeIn order to generate an additional income of Rs.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Ministry of Power and Energy said that power outages will not be imposed from Thursday (16), as the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka granted approval to the 66% electricity tariff hike.A source from the Ministry of Power and Energy speaking to News 1st said that a decision will be reached in the future with regard to those who are unable to settle their electricity bills.The Public Utilities Commission has approved a 66 percent hike in electricity tariffs with effect from Wednesday (15).It was with the agreement of the three members of the PUCSL except the Chairman of the Commission Janaka RatnayakeIn order to generate an additional income of Rs. 287 billion for the Ceylon Electricity Board, the proposal to increase the electricity tariff by 66 percent which was approved by the cabinet was forwarded to the Public Utilities Commission on January 2nd.The proposal was not approved by the Public Utilities Commission and several members of the commission resigned due to conflict of opinion on the proposal.Three new members were appointed for the vacant positions on two occasions and on Tuesday (14) the proposal was taken up again under the chairmanship of Janaka Ratnayake.A 36 percent increase in electricity tariff was proposed to generate an income of 142 billion rupees based on the suggestions of public consultation and all other parties, but only Chairman Janatha Ratnayake agreed to the proposal.The other members of the commission namely Attorney Chaturika Wijesinghe, Douglas Nanayakkara and SG Senaratne had rejected the proposal.According to the new electricity bill hike proposal:The electricity tariff of Rs 360 paid for 30 electricity units so far can be increased to Rs 1,300.

PHILADELPHIA - A massive collection of Black history can be found right here in Philadelphia – and it was started by a man who was told as a child  that African Americans have no history. That man spent a lifetime proving that statement was not true and created ‘The Blockson Collection.’It’s located right in the middle of Temple University’s campus. Literally thousands of people walk right by it in a given week, and yet, it is still home to some of the most unique and interesting symbols of Black history in the country. "The Charles L. Blockson Afro-American Collection is one of our nation’s major facilities for the research of African-American History and culture," explained curator Dr.

Payton Gendron arrives for a hearing at the Erie County Courthouse on May 19, 2022, in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images) BUFFALO, N.Y. - A white supremacist is set to be sentenced to life in prison Wednesday for killing 10 Black people at a Buffalo supermarket in an attack fueled by racist conspiracy theories he encountered online.Payton Gendron is scheduled to appear in Erie County Court, where he pleaded guilty in November to charges including murder and domestic terrorism motivated by hate. The terrorism charge carries an automatic life sentence.Relatives of several victims are expected to speak during the hearing, giving them an opportunity to address the judge and the killer responsible for their sorrow.A grand jury has indicted the accused gunman in the Buffalo, New York, grocery store shooting that left 10 dead and three others wounded on a first-degree murder charge.

ATLANTIC CITY, NJ - AUGUST 29: An elderly woman plays slot machines in a casino on the Atlantic City Boardwalk on August 29 in Atlantic City, New Jersey. After new casinos opened in neighboring states, four of the city's top casinos closed in 2014, l TRENTON, N.J. - Atlantic City casino dealers pushing for a smoking ban received support from several state lawmakers Monday at a long-awaited hearing on a bill that would end smoking inside the nine casinos.Dealers, cocktail servers and other casino workers — some of them with breathing ailments and other health problems they suspect are related to secondhand smoke from casino patrons — testified before a state Senate panel in favor of a law that would close a loophole in the state’s 2006 indoor smoking law.

Kingsley Burnett, originally from Jamaica, shared photos and videos of his unexpected journey to the "Treasure State." "I saw the little plane with like nine passengers and wondered, "‘how is that going to get me to Australia?’" Burnett said.Burnett said he was planning on taking a cruise from Sydney harbor. "My story in a bottle ended with Carol Castellano at the American Airlines counter as she tried to send me to the correct place – unfortunately that turned out to be back to NYC after a night out in Billings.

WASHINGTON - A bill to rescind the COVID-19 vaccine mandate for members of the U.S. military and provide nearly $858 billion for national defense passed the House on Thursday as lawmakers scratch off one of the final items on their yearly to-do list.The bill provides for about $45 billion more for defense programs than President Joe Biden requested, the second consecutive year Congress significantly exceeded his request, as lawmakers seek to boost the nation's military competitiveness with China and Russia.The House passed the bill by a vote of 350-80.

paycheck to paycheck in December came in at 64%, according to the report. That figure equated to about 166 million and marked a 3% jump year-over-year.In December 2021, 61% were living that way, the report said.The report, conducted in collaboration with PYMNTS, polled over 3,900 consumers in the U.S. The surveys took place Dec.

As energy bills continue to rise, many households are turning to wood burning stoves as a cheaper alternative to stay warm.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Non-cash benefits were removed from the PAYE tax category, said President’s Trade Union Director General Saman Ratnapriya on Wednesday (8).A Senior Official from the Finance Ministry also confirmed that the relevant circular was issued.The government's controversial new tax law, the Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bill, was passed in Parliament and the new tax regime imposed an extraordinary maximum 36% tax bracket on monthly income, with the lowest bracket starting at 6% for those earning over Rs.

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

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe has informed the All Party Leaders' Conference on Reconciliation that the Cabinet was agreeable to fully implementing 13th Amendment, until the Party Leaders decide whether or not to abolish the Amendment.This was reported by the President's Media Division on Friday (27).President Ranil Wickremesinghe had said that he is bound to implement the existing law in accordance with the executive powers of the President.He had said further that the 13th Amendment to the Constitution is being implemented accordingly or the Parliament should abolish the 13th amendment.The President Wickremesinghe also pointed out that any parliamentarian could move a private member’s bill to abolish the 13th Amendment to the constitution and the same amendment would have to be implemented provided that the bill was voted against by the majority of the House.The President stressed that he was not ready to divide the country.President Wickremesinghe made these remarks at the All-Party Conference, which was held at the President's Office on Thursday (26) evening.The statement made by the President is as follows:It is my responsibility as the Executive to carry out the current law. For approximately 37 years, the 13th Amendment has been a part of the constitution.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The President's Office has reserved a slot with the Government Printer to issue the Proclamation to Prorogue Parliament with effect from midnight on Friday (27).President's Secretary Saman Ekanayake confirmed to News 1st that the respective gazette was sent to the Government Printer as per a decision taken by the President to prorogue parliament with effect from midnight on Friday (27).He said that the new session of Parliament will take place on the 8th of February 2023 at 10 AM.A Senior Official at the Government Printer confirmed to News 1st that the respective gazette was received to go ahead with printing.What is prorogation?To prorogue Parliament means to prolong it,or toput it off for a later day.It is basically a temporary recess of Parliament.Parliament ordinarily functions over a series of sitting days which make up what is called a session; when Parliament is prorogued, a session comes to an end.Effect of Prorogation in Our Parliament:Constitutional ProvisionsDuring the prorogation the Speaker continues to function and the Members retain their membership even though they do not attend meetings of Parliament. The effect of a prorogation is to suspend all current Business before the House and all proceedings pending at the time are quashed except impeachments.  A Bill, motion or question of the same substance cannot be introduced for a second time during the same Session.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka's Parliament speaker has endorsed the certificate on the Regulation of Election Expenditure Bill and the Bureau of Rehabilitation Bill, which were debated and passed in Parliament recently.Accordingly, these bills come into force as the Bureau of Rehabilitation Act No. 2 of 2023 and the Regulation of Election Expenditure Act No.

Almost two thirds of Scottish parents say they're suffering mentally because of the cost-of-living crisis. A new poll of parents and carers found that 64 per cent of those asked thought the rising prices of food, energy and bills had "negatively impacted" their mental health.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka on Tuesday (24) announced that is has reached a unanimous decision to expedite Ceylon Electricity Board tariff proposal in accordance with the Electricity act 2009.In addition, the PUCSL has reached a decision to seek legal opinion on the implementation of the cabinet request on interim tariff with retrospective effect, said its Chairman Janaka Ratnayake.On the 9th of January 2023, the Cabinet of Ministers considered the proposal submitted by the President in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Economic Stability and National Policies, and the Minister of Power and Energy regarding the revision of electricity tariffs.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The National Election Commission said that the passage of the Regulation of Election Expenditure Bill will not be an obstacle to hold the Local Government Election.Commissioner General of Election Saman Sri Ratnayake speaking to News 1st said that following the passage of the bill, the necessary measures for election campaign financing need to be prepared.The Regulation of Election Expenditure Bill was passed in Parliament on Thursday (19) with amendments with a majority of 61 votes.The bill received 97 votes favour and 36 against.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Regulation of Election Expenditure Bill passed in parliament by majority vote.Votes in favor: 97 Votes against: 36During the debate on the bill on Thursday (19) the government refused to accept an amendment put forward by the opposition seeking for the bill not to be applied for an election that has already been announced.Sri Lanka's opposition parties termed the tabling of the bill as another attempt to delay the Local Government Election.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Election monitoring organizations have expressed concern over the proposed law titled “Regulation of Election Expenditure Bill” has been listed for its Second Reading in Parliament. Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL), People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL), the Centre for Monitoring Election Violence (CMEV) and Institute for Democratic Reforms and Electoral Studies (IRES) have for several years been campaigning for the enactment of a strong law to regulate the role of money in election campaigns.  The collective further reiterates that the introduction of a campaign financing law should in no instance be used as a reason to delay the holding of the local government elections.Statement from Transparency International Sri Lanka: The collective of election monitoring organisations emphasizes that a law that seeks to regulate election campaign financing should prevent undue influence of donors over candidates, parties and independent groups, create a level playing field for all candidates including new entrants and underrepresented groups and reduce excessive and illegal spending on elections including by means such as the misuse of public funds and vote-buying.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Minister of Justice says that the draft of a new National Security Act will be submitted to the Cabinet next week. Minister of Justice, President's Counsel Attorney Wijayadasa Rajapaksa says that the Prevention of Terrorism act would be repealed and the new National Security Act would replace it.  The minister says that the proposal for the new act would be submitted to the Cabinet Secretariat within the next week for this purpose. The Minister of Justice says that the new National Security Bill would be reviewed by a special committee appointed under the co-chairmanship of Additional Solicitor General Nerin Pulle and President's Counsel Nalinda Indatissa. 

Al Jazeera – Republican Congressman Kevin McCarthy has been elected speaker of the House of Representatives, overcoming the opposition of right-wing dissenters who had derailed for several days his bid to lead the chamber.It took 15 rounds of voting for McCarthy to secure the House’s gavel, securing 216 of the 428 votes cast late on Friday. The Democrats’ Hakeem Jeffries got 212 votes.It was the first time in a century that a speaker was not elected in the first round.McCarthy’s speakership bid appeared up in the air before the House meeting on Friday.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Monetary Board of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka has decided to extend the suspension of Perpetual Treasuries Limited (PTL) from carrying on the business and activities of a Primary Dealer for a further period of six months with effect 5th January 2023.The decision was made in terms of the Regulations made under the Registered Stock and Securities Ordinance and the Local Treasury Bills Ordinance.The decision is in order to continue the investigations being conducted by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka with regard to the Bond Issuances.

Colombo (News 1st) – President Ranil Wickremesinghe has said that new laws to ensure food security are expected to be introduced in the future.He made this statement while briefing representatives of the Joint Mechanism Committee on Food Security and Nutrition.Plans are being made to present the related bills to parliament soon, President Wickremesinghe said.He also highlighted the need to obtain accurate data in establishing food security and the nutritional status of the people.Speaking at the meeting, the President stressed that there have been disparities in the data available at the national level and at the regional level which should be rectified immediately, a PMD statement added.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Committee on Parliamentary Business had decided that the Parliament will meet on Tuesday the 13th instead of next Saturday the 10th of December.Earlier it was decided to hold Parliament sittings on the 10th and the entire day was reserved for Questions for Oral Answers.Accordingly, the entire day of Tuesday 13th has been reserved for Questions for Oral Answers and as previously decided, the second reading debate of the Value Added Tax (Amendment) and Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bills will be held on Friday 9th December.Furthermore, the committee has agreed to hold the vote on the third reading of the Appropriation Bill to be held on the 8th at 5.00 pm.It has been decided to present the Order mentioned in Gazette No. 2308/62 dated 03.12.2022 under the Essential Public Service Act No.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka's President, Prime Minister, Speaker and other public representatives stood in unity with the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus for Global Activism against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) on Thursday (1).A wristband given to Parliamentarians with the message “Let’s Unite to end Gender Based Violence” as a sign of support.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe said that a bill on gender equality and women's empowerment will be submitted to Parliament soon and he also instructed the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus to prepare the bill. The President emphasized that women's representation should be increased not only in the Parliament but also in other sectors and the public sector as well as the private sector should focus their attention in this regard. The President pointed out that the representation of women in the First Council of Sri Lanka was 2% and 91 years after universal suffrage, the representation of women in the current parliament is only 5.3%. President Ranil Wickremesinghe made these observations by joining the Committee Stage Debate on the budget proposal for the financial year 2023 in parliament on Thursday (01). Statement issued by the President's Media Division:“I expect to speak especially on the Ministry under me. We thank the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus for commencing a 16-day campaign against Gender-Based Violence (GBV). It was in 1931 that Sri Lankans got the universal franchise.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka's Cabinet approved a hike in electricity tariffs under two steps in January and June 2023.A statement from Sri Lanka Parliament said that although the electricity tariff has been increased in the past, it is not sufficient to cover the loss of the electricity board and thus, the request to increase the electricity bill has received cabinet approval. This was disclosed at the Sub Committee on Identifying the Short & Medium-Term Programmes related to Economic Stabilization of the National Council held on Wednesday (29).Accordingly, the Cabinet has approved increasing the electricity tariffs under two steps in January and June 2023.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena endorsed the certificate on the “Appropriation (Amendment)” Bill which was passed in Parliament on Wednesday (30).This bill to amend Appropriation Act No. 30 of 2021 was presented by the Prime Minister and Minister of Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils and Local Government Dinesh Gunawardena on 15th of November, 2022.Accordingly, paragraph (b) of subsection (1) of section 2 of the Appropriation Act, No.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka's Cabinet of Minister granted approval to the recommendations proposed by the committee appointed to explore restructuring the CEB.The Electricity Reforms Bill will be drafted within a month to begin the unbundling process of the Ceylon Electricity Board, said Sri Lanka's Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The committee stage debate of the 2023 Appropriation Bill is scheduled to be held from November 23rd to December 8th, and the voting will be held on December 8th at 7.00 pm.The Parliament is scheduled to convene today (23) at 9.30 am presided over by Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana.The Budget 2023 Second reading was passed in Parliament on Tuesday (22):-Votes in Favor: 121-Votes Against: 84-Abstentions: 1

The second reading of the 2023 Budget was passed in Parliament on Tuesday (22) by a slim majority of 37 votes.Votes in Favor: 121Votes Against: 84Abstentions: 1The debate on the second reading of the Appropriation Bill began on November 15th, and the voting for the second reading took place on Tuesday (22) evening.The debate on the committee stage of the Appropriation Bill is scheduled to be held from November 23rd to December 8th, and the voting will be held on December 8th at 7.00 pm.Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said that all Sri Lanka Freedom Party MPs who are connected to the government decided to vote in favour of the second reading of the budget today (22).Meanwhile, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya, the Sri Lanka Freedom Party, the People's Freedom Congress, and the National People's Power have decided to vote against it.The Tamil National Alliance decided not to take part in the voting process for the Second Reading of the 2023 Appropriation Bill.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Cabinet has granted approval to amend the Local Authorities Elections Ordinance to increase youth representation at Local Government Institutions.Acting Cabinet Spokesperson Shantha Bandara told reporters that Colombo District MP Premanath C.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Ministry of Justice says that steps have been taken to forward the anti-corruption bill to all party leaders and civil organizations.Justice Minister Dr.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The upcoming appropriation bill, which is due to be presented on Monday (14), will focus on more aid for the people, said the State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya. Speaking at a press briefing on Sunday (13), the State Minister said that defense expenditure will be decreased at this time while more will be allocated for social security.Accordingly, the State Minister said that Defense expenditure has been decreased to Rs. 410 billion, while social security has been allocated Rs.

Which areas will be given more attention in this year's budget?The State Minister of Finance stated that special attention will be paid to cover the bills which have so far remained unpaid, and will also include an aid program for the country's poor.Moreover, the State Minister Semasinghe said that more avenues for the promotion of tourism sector, the promotion of other sectors which function to increase the country's foreign exchange revenue will also be other areas which the bill would focus upon. The State expenditure will be mitigated, while loss-making entities will also be focused upon in this budget, he added.What of IMF negotiations?Meanwhile, State Minister Semasinghe stated that bilateral creditors of the country will continue to hold negotiations, while the Government expects to set the grounds to obtain the IMF Director board's approval by December. He stressed that NO country or any bilateral creditor party is acting on the premise of not extending its support towards Sri Lanka. The third set of negotiations with the IMF authorities will be initiated on 17th November, the State Minister added.

LINO LAKES, Minn. (FOX 9) - Today, 21-month-old Gabi is a happy and healthy girl who loves playing with her big sister and her parents.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – A special meeting was held in Parliament to discuss the draft bill for the establishment of the Budget Office of the Parliament.The special meeting was attended by the Party leaders and members of the Committee on Parliamentary Business.    The Members of Parliament who were present had a lengthy discussion on the draft bill related to the establishment of the budget office of the parliament. Also, it was decided to meet again in two weeks after further study of this bill.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka's Supreme Court in its determination on the Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill noted that subject to the amendments being moved at the Committee Stage of Parliament as proposed by the learned Deputy Solicitor General, the Bill as a whole is not inconsistent with the provisions of the Constitution.The Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill was challenged in the Supreme Court in terms of Article 121(1) of the Constitution.The amendments are as follows:(i)Clause 3 The insertion of the following proviso in Section 10(1)— “Provided further, for the purposes of paragraph (vii), the requirement for the registration shall raise from the date on which this Amendment Act comes into operation.”(ii)Clause 4(1) The reference to “September 30, 2022” to be deleted and substituted with “November 30, 2022”.(iii)Clause 4(2) The reference to “October 1, 2022” to be deleted and substituted with “December 1, 2022”.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Committee on Parliamentary Business has decided to appoint a special committee consisting of four members to further study and make recommendations regarding the establishment of three Standing Committees to be established. This was decided at the Committee on Parliamentary Business held recently.Accordingly, the Committee on Banking and Financial Services, the Committee on Ways and Means, and the Committee on Economic Stabilization are expected to be established as new standing committees.Accordingly, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Sabry, Members of Parliament (Dr.) Harsha de Silva, M. A.

COLOMBO (News 1st) –  Dr. Harsha De Silva is the Chairman of the Committee on Public Finance and he told the Parliament on Tuesday (8) that the state expenses would increase by Rs.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) has established a disability unit within the premises of the Human Rights Commission.Commissioners Anusuya Shanmuganathan and Dr. Nimal Karunasiri with National Democratic Institute (NDI), Disability Organizations Joint Front Sri Lanka (DJOF), and other relevant stakeholders with whom the HRCSL is working closely to safeguard disability rights, seeks the indulgence of the Minister, Dr.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka's National Water Supply and Drainage Board said that Rs. 6.5 Billion in unsettled bills are pending from consumers.Rs.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Twenty-first amendment to the constitution will effect from Monday (31).Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena endorsed the certificate on the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution Bill passed by a special majority in Parliament recently.The 22 Amendment to the Constitution Bill was presented to the Parliament on August 10, 2022, by Minister Dr Wijedasa Rajapaksa. Then, according to the Supreme Court determination related to the petitions against the bill, amendments were made at the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Judicial Affairs and approval was obtained.On October 20 and 21, the debate on the second reading of the twenty-second Amendment to the Constitution Bill was held.At the end of the second reading, there were 179 votes in favour and 1 vote against. After that, in the voting held for the third reading of the bill, 174 votes were in favour and one vote was against.Accordingly, the twenty-second Amendment to the Constitution Bill will come into force as the twenty-first amendment to the constitution from today (31).

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Two people have been arrested for maintaining two printing presses at Ward Place in Borella and for forging fake documents.Police said that forged birth certificates, Grama Niladhari certificates, open university certificates, student performance indicators, water bills, bank passes, ordinary and advanced level certificates were found being printed at the respective printing presses.73 fake rubber stamps, two driving licenses and computers used to forge documents were also found, and were taken into police custody.The raid was carried out by a group of officers from the Panadura Walana Central Anti-Corruption Squad.The arrested suspects are to be produced before Maligakanda Magistrate Court.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – TNA Parliamentarian M. A.