Government: Latest News

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 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) – Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekera says that the new tariff rates will be applied only to New Roof Top Solar Systems."There will be no change of rates for already signed Power Purchasing Agreements & systems in use.", Minister Wijesekara said.Cabinet approval was granted to revise Roof Top Solar Tariff Rates.Two tiers' current tariff rates of Rs 22 & Rs 15.50 will be revised to a flat rate of Rs 37 for less than 500KW & Rs 34.50 for above 500KW RoofTop Solar for 20 years.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Government of China donated another 500 Metric Tonne of rice (50,000 packs) for needy students in Sri Lanka.This shipment of 50,000 packs donated by China to Sri Lanka reached Colombo Port on Tuesday (25) aborad the Vessel NAVIOS JASMINE and will soon be distributed to the students.Another 500 MT will arrive next week, bringing the Chinese Aid tally to 6,000 MT, said the Chinese Embassy in Colombo.The embassy said that the rice is suopplied from COFCO, a Chinese state-owned food processing holding company.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka's Central Bank Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe, and the Finance Secretary have both echoed that the process to stabilize the economy is going to be a painful process.However, the Minister of Mass Media, Dr.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – 'Stabilization is a very very painful process', was a statement made by the Governor of the Central Bank Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe at this morning's (25) launch of the report on the 'state of the economy' published by the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS). The report contains national policy frameworks for recovery and policy adjustments for stabilization that were tabled and discussed by the board of the IPS and the Governor.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Treasury Department in the USA, Robert Kaproth is in Sri Lanka. He is here to meet with government & economic leaders to discuss the way forward on economic recovery for Sri Lanka, tweeted the US Ambassador to Sri Lanka.Robert Kaproth met with the USA Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung on Tuesday (25).

COLOMBO (News 1st) – A proposal to cut down on the number of representatives elected to local government bodies will be presented to Parliament, said Janaka Wakkumbura, Sri Lanka's State Minister of Provincial Councils and Local Government on Friday (21).He said Sri Lanka currently has 8,719 local government members and measures would be taken to drop that figure to around 4,000.However, the State Minister stressed these reforms would not be used to delay the local government elections.The State Minister also added that the current local government system does not represent the true mandate of the people

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Political parties in the opposition met in Parliament on Thursday (20) to sign a joint declaration opposing the governmets' decision to delay the local government elections.The Samagi Jana Balawegaya, Sri Lanka Freedom Party, National Freedom Front, Democratic Left Front, 43rd Brigade, Tamil National Alliance, Pivithuru Hela Urumaya, Sri Lanka Mahajana Party, Lanka Sama Samaja Party, Sri Lanka Communist Party, All Ceylon Muslim Congress, Nawa Lanka Freedom Party, the Democratic People's Front, the Vijayadharani Janata Sabha, the Frontline Socialist Party, and the Uttara Sabha, signed the declaration.However, the Janata Vimukthi Peramuna led National People's Power did not sign it.A unanimous decision was reached to strongly oppose individuall or collectively, any move made by the government to delay the polls, under the guise of electoral reforms.Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa stated that the participants agreed that timely changes in respect of electoral laws, should be addressed, in a continuing time frame but insisted that this should not in any manner be used as a pretext for the postponement of elections.Any departure from the democratic and the electoral process would constitute an intolerable onslaught on the franchise of the people, he emphasized.

Civil servants have been given top roles on Scotland’s troubled Covid-19 Public Inquiry - despite claims the probe is “independent”.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka has been ranked 48 among 100 countries in the Freedom on the Net 2022 Index.While the Government of Sri Lanka announced plans to implement strict control plans on social media, Sri Lanka has been given a very bad rating at  the in the newest Freedom of the Net report for 2022. China has been ranked worst, while Myanmar, Iran, Cuba and Vietnam occupy the top five positions, while Sri Lanka has been ranked at 48. Iceland had the best ranking. Sri Lanka's rank has reduced, according to the report, due to social media platforms being blocked, political, social or religious content being blocked and pro-Government commentators manipulating online discussions.However, other factors which contributed to the ranking also are; new law or directive increasing censorship or punishment being passed, Blogger or ICT user arrested, imprisoned, or in prolonged detention for political or social content, a blogger or an ICT user being physically attacked or killed (including in custody), and technical attacks against news outlets, government critics, or civil society.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu has assured to support Sri Lanka during this difficult period. He is currently on an official visit to Sri Lanka, and met with President Ranil Wickremesinghe on Wednesday (19). While appreciating the President’s efforts in rebuilding Sri Lanka’s economy he said that President Ranil Wickremesinghe is the right person to get the country out of the present crisis and assured him that he has a force backing him.He also stated that the U.S.

Delhi EV Policy released in 2019 set a target of accelerated EV penetration across all vehicle segments so that 25% of all new vehicle registrations are EVs by 2024. The policy also aims to take the share of electric buses in the public transport bus fleet to 70% by 2025.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – A demonstration organized by the Inter-University Student's Federation opposite the University of Kelaniya called for the immediate release of student activists held under the Prevention of Terrorism Act, and also for the release of students who were arrested during Tuesday's (18) protest in Kelaniya.The Acting Convenor of the IUSF, Terence Rodrigro demanded for the release of the detained IUSF activists, and emphasized that it is foolhardy of the Police to attack any peaceful demonstration, such as the protest in Tuesday which sought the release of IUSF activists detained under the PTA, including Rev, Siridhamma Thero and Wasantha Mudalige.Janith Janajaya, member of the  Kelaniya University Students Union said that the only mistake which the detained activists made was standing up for the people of this country, "We are sending a message to the Government of this country that if they do not stop this repression, we will make sure to send the Government home," he said.Meanwhile, the Rajarata University's General Students' Union also held a protest in front of the university and insisted that State repression should be stopped immediately.Meanwhile, the eight activists who were arrested during the protest in Kelaniya on Tuesday (18), including the President of the Kelaniya University Students' Union, Kelum Mudannayake were released on bail of Rs.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates - Iranian competitive climber Elnaz Rekabi received a hero's welcome on her return to Tehran early Wednesday, after competing in South Korea without wearing a mandatory headscarf required of female athletes from the Islamic Republic.Rekabi's decision not to wear the hijab while competing Sunday came as protests sparked by the Sept. 16 death in custody of a 22-year-old woman have entered a fifth week.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Sri Lanka Administrative Service Association proposed that the Committee on Public Finance and the Committee on Public Enterprises be given the powers recover the money lost to the government from the officials who misused the public funds and the politicians who decided to misuse the government funds and also to enable for them to be subjected to the judicial process and be punished.Discussions on this regard took place at the National Council Sub-Committee on Identifying Priorities in Formulating Short-, Medium- and Long- Term Policies which met in Parliament yesterday (Oct.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Most Venerable (Dr) Pallegama Siriniwasa Thero, Custodian & Chief Priest of the Maha Bodhi & Atamasthanadhipathi of Anuradhapura passed away on Tuesday (18).President Ranil Wickremesinghe has appointed North Central Province Governor Maheepala Herath &  Buddhasasana, Religious & Cultural Affairs Minister Vidura Wickramanayaka to coordinate arrangements for the full state-sponsored funeral of Most Venerable (Dr) Pallegama Siriniwasa Thero, Custodian & Chief Priest of the Maha Bodhi & Atamasthanadhipathi of Anuradhapura.The Most Venerable Thero passed away at the age of 69 while receiving treatment at a private hospital in Colombo.The Venerable Thero also served as Chief Sangha Nayake for the North Central Province.Chief Incumbent of Ruwanweli Maha Seya Venerable Pallegama Hemarathana Thero announced that the remains of the late Most Venerable (Dr) Pallegama Siriniwasa Thero will be moved to Anuradhapura on Wednesday (19) evening.The remains will be placed at a private funeral parlor until 12 noon on Wednesday (19).The Most Venerable (Dr) Pallegama Siriniwasa Thero was born in Pallegama, Dambulla on the 2nd of January 1953 to Karunasena Mudiyanselage Tikiri Bandara Nilame, and Dukganna Walawwe Anula Kumarihamy.The late thero was ordained at the Ruwanweli Maha Seya in Anuradhapura in 1968.He was educated at the Vidyodaya Pirivena in Maligakanda, Sandalankawa Shasthrodaya Pirivena, Sri Jinarathana Pirivena in Gangarama, and later graduated from the University of Kelaniya.The Late Most Venerable (Dr) Pallegama Siriniwasa Thero was also bestowed with a doctorate by the Government of Thailand commending his services to the Dhamma.In 1975 the late thero obtained the Upasampada, the Buddhist rite of higher

COLOMBO (News 1st) – US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu arrived in Sri Lanka on Wednesday (19) to discuss U.S.-Sri Lanka relations and Sri Lanka’s economic situation.US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung tweeted that she welcomed US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu/Assistant Secretary Lu will meet with senior Sri Lankan officials to discuss ways in which the United States and Sri Lanka can promote economic stability, regional security, human rights, and responsive, transparent, and inclusive governance.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Moscow secured a long-term Credit Line from the Government of the Russian FederationThe Embassy of Sri Lanka in Moscow announced that on the 17th October 2022, a productive discussion was held with the Russian Government on the possibility of obtaining a long term credit line in order to procure fuel to Sri Lanka. Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Russian Federation, Prof. Janitha A.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu will be engaging in a visit to Sri Lanka from October 17th until October 19th to discuss U.S.-Sri Lanka relations and Sri Lanka’s economic situation.During his visit, Assistant Secretary Lu will meet with senior Sri Lankan officials to discuss ways in which the United States and Sri Lanka can promote economic stability, regional security, human rights, and responsive, transparent, and inclusive governance.This visit comes after several other visits by top US Government officials such as Under Secretary-General Victoria Nuland. 

WASHINGTON - President Joe Biden will announce the release of 15 million barrels of oil from the U.S. strategic reserve Wednesday as part of a response to recent production cuts announced by OPEC+ nations, and he will say more oil sales are possible this winter, as his administration rushes to be seen as pulling out all the stops ahead of next month’s midterm elections.Biden will deliver remarks Wednesday to announce the drawdown from the strategic reserve, senior administration officials said Tuesday on the condition of anonymity to outline Biden's plans.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka Navy’s Auxiliary Ship A 521 on a dedicated search and rescue mission,  this afternoon (18th October 2022) re-established communication links with the naval craft with which the Navy had no means of connection for about a month, since September 17th, when it was on a special surveillance operation off the southern coast.After communication with the craft was lost, a dedicated search and rescue operation was launched from 26th September by Navy’s Fast Attack Craft and Offshore Patrol Vessels. The search operation was also augmented by air assets of the Sri Lanka Air Force.

FILE - The Supreme Court of the United States is pictured on Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2022, in Washington, D.C. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) The Supreme Court on Monday rejected an appeal seeking to give people born in American Samoa U.S.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Cabinet of Ministers have approved a proposal to raise the Government's debt ceiling for the year 2022. Speaking at the Cabinet decisions press conference on Tuesday (18), Cabinet Spokesperson Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardena said that the country currently can only take debt to the limit whic the Parliament hsa set, which is Rs.

COLOMBO (News 1st) –  Sri Lanka's State Finance Minister says that the IMF is committed to working with Sri Lanka.Sri Lanka's State Minister for Finance Shehan Semasinghe tweeted that he, and the delegation concluded their visit to the IMF annual meeting with a bilateral discussion with Kristalina Georgieva, the Managing Director of the IMF.He said the IMF Managing Director commended the government on the difficult, yet essential, reforms that it had undertaken to restore economic stability,He also said that Kristalina Georgieva assured the IMF’s commitment to  work with Sri Lanka to place the country on a stable and sustained growth path as early as possible.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – First Reading of the Appropriation Bill for the year 2023 is scheduled to be presented on Tuesday (18).This was decided at the Committee on Parliamentary Business held previously (07) under the chairmanship of Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana, Speaker of Parliament.From 18th to 21st time is allotted from 9.30 am to 10.30 for Questions for Oral Answers.It was decided to hold the debate on the Second Reading of the Petroleum Products (Special Provisions) (Amendment) Bill from 10.30 am to 5.00 pm on the 18th of October.Thereafter, time has been allotted from 5.00 pm to 5.30 pm for the Motion at the Adjournment Time brought in by the Government, the Secretary General said.The Committee also decided to take into debate 6 Bills presented by the Ministry of Justice on October 19th from 10.30 am to 5.00 pm. Accordingly, Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs’ (Amendment) Bill, Notaries Ordinance (Amendment) Bill, Powers of Attorney Ordinance (Amendment) Bill, Wills Ordinance (Amendment) Bill, Registration of Documents (Amendment) Bill, Prevention of Frauds Ordinance (Amendment) bill are scheduled to be taken up for debate.From 5.00 pm to 5.30 pm time has been set aside for Questions at the Adjournment Time.On October 20th and 21st from 10.30 am to 5.00 pm, the Second Reading debate on the Twenty- Second Amendment to the Constitution Bill is scheduled to be held.

WASHINGTON (AP) - A majority of U.S. adults expect America's relations with foreign adversaries like Russia and North Korea to grow more hostile, according to a new poll, a major shift in public opinion from four years ago under President Donald Trump.Two years into the Biden administration, 60% of U.S. adults say relations with adversaries will get worse, up from 26% four years ago at the same point in the Trump administration, according to the poll from the Pearson Institute and The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.

Kerala government has intensified the preventive measures to control the entry or spread of new variants of the virus. Kerala Health Minister Veena George stated on Monday that two new variants of Covid-19 - XBB and XBB1 - are more contagious than the previous ones.

(The Hindu) – Close on the heels of the project that translocated cheetahs from Namibia, the Indian government is considering a proposal from Colombo to export a number of gaurs, or Indian bisons, to Sri Lanka to revive the population of gavaras that have been extinct in the island since the end of the 17th century.If the project is cleared, it would be the first such agreement between India and Sri Lanka, and part of a global trend of “wildlife or zoological diplomacy”, say experts.Sources said the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), which received the request in August, has now forwarded it to the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF), “seeking comments” on the proposal to transport at least six specimens, including a bull and three to five cows. According to the written proposal, the Sri Lankan Department of Zoological Gardens would then carry out “captive breeding a herd of about a dozen specimens over a five-year period before trial reintroduction to the wild could take place in accordance with [internationally mandated] guidelines for reintroductions”.S.P.

(Times of India) – Sri Lankan High Commissioner to India has told the Times of India that any security threat to India is also a security threat to Sri Lanka.The Times of India said the High Commissioner had  sought to reassure the Indian government that in line with their bilateral agreement and understanding, the island nation won’t allow its ports to be used by a foreign country in any manner that is prejudicial to India’s interests.Describing India as the key to "sustainable" economic recovery of debt-ridden Sri Lanka, the high commissioner said that the strategically located country is exploring with India trilateral cooperation opportunities with Japan, Israel and the UAE.According to Moragoda, Sri Lanka wants economic integration with India which, he said, will allow the country to expand its existing economic model and ensure quicker recovery from the debt crisis it’s facing.  "If we can hitch on to India, when you move we can move too.

(The Hindu) – Tamil Nadu has flagged serious security concerns over the increased presence of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of China in Sri Lanka. An alert issued by the State’s intelligence agency a few days ago said the activities of the Chinese in the neighbouring country is a concern to national security and called for intensified vigil along the coastline.The movement of PLA cadres and deployment of hi-tech gadgets such as satellites, drones and other communication equipment in northern Sri Lanka required constant surveillance in coastal districts, the advisory sent to all cities/districts in the State said. Citing sources, the alert claimed that the PLA deployed sophisticated gadgets in the garb of launching sea cucumber farming.The security advisory comes days after an alert was issued by the same agency warning that a handful of Chinese nationals had clandestinely entered India via the sea route with the assistance of cadres belonging to a Sri Lanka-based political party.The Tamil Nadu Coastal Security Group had also, citing a Central intelligence agency, issued an alert on the Chinese ship used to monitor satellites, rockets and inter-continental missile launches of China docked at Hambantota Port, and called for adequate security arrangements in view of vital installations such as nuclear establishments and seaports along the Tamil Nadu coast.The free movement of Chinese nationals in many parts of northern Sri Lanka, including Mullaitheevu, Paruthitheevu, Analaitheevu, Meesalai, and Chavakkacheri, had triggered discontentment among Tamil fishermen.

(New York) – The Sri Lankan government should withdraw a draft law that would give the authorities broad powers to detain people in military-run “rehabilitation” centers, placing them at great risk of abuse, Human Rights Watch said on Monday (17). The Bureau of Rehabilitation Bill, submitted to parliament on September 23, 2022, would allow the compulsory detention in centers of “drug dependant persons, ex-combatants, members of violent extremist groups and any other group of persons.”The Bureau of Rehabilitation Bill would establish a new administrative structure controlled by the Defense Ministry to operate “rehabilitation” centers staffed by military personnel. The proposed law, which human rights advocates have already challenged in the Supreme Court, does not describe the basis for being sent for “rehabilitation,” but other recent government policies provide vague and arbitrary powers to forcibly “rehabilitate” people who have not been convicted of any crime.“The Sri Lankan government’s proposed ‘rehabilitation’ efforts appear to be nothing more than a new form of abusive detention without charge,” said Meenakshi Ganguly, South Asia director at Human Rights Watch.

Milk prices are displayed in a supermarket in Washington, DC, on May 26, 2022. (NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP via Getty Images) The latest environmentalist trend is here: pouring out milk in grocery stores. All across the United Kingdom, teenagers concerned about the environment are doing "milk pours." The new trend involves going into grocery stores, picking up cartons of cow-produced milk, and pouring out their contents, according to the animal rights group Animal Rebellion. Videos that have popped up on social media show teens pouring milk onto the floor, over sales counters, and elsewhere in the store."The dairy industry is incredibly environmentally destructive.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe stated that he had recently discussed Sri Lanka’s debt restructuring with the Chinese Finance Minister and he is optimistic that the discussions in this regard would be concluded successfully.The President further mentioned that the delegation headed by the State Minister of Finance, who is currently in Washington, held initial discussions yesterday (15) with the International Monetary Fund and the three main countries, China, India and Japan that have given loans to the country. He said that the government is giving priority to immediately solve the problem of the country’s bankruptcy and to ensure food security.President Ranil Wickremesinghe made these remarks following an observation tour of the cultivated lands in Rathumada-Weerakandawala area in Siambalanduwa Divisional Secretariat this morning (16).The President also discussed the progress of the implementation of the food security program in Monaragala district with government officials.He said that there is no problem with having debates and also recalled the statements made by some people that they would come forward and shed blood and said that one should live before shedding blood.The President mentioned that if a proper program is not implemented to provide food to the people, they will not have to shed blood but will starve to death.

₹4,237 crore, or nearly 85% of the 2022-23 budget allocation for inoculation purposes.  The Centre informed more than 1.8 crore doses are still available with the governments and the stock is sufficient to continue the vaccination drive for around six months.  "Any decision on whether to procure Covid vaccine doses through the government channel or get (fresh) budget allocations for the purpose after six months will depend on the coronavirus situation prevailing in the country at that time," an official source told PTI. As part of the nationwide vaccination drive which began on January 16 last year, the Government of India has been supporting states and Union territories by providing them COVID-19 vaccines free of cost.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – A USD 100 million Line of Credit has been extended by the Government of India to install rooftop solar panels at select institutions.A progress review meeting was recently held at the Ministry of Power on the project recently, and according to the Minister Kanchana Wijesekara,  rooftop solar will be used to equip government institutions, schools, hospitals, universities, educational and vocational training institutions, military and police stations, district secretariats, regional secretariats and places of religious worship. In addition to the Minister and State Minister of Power and Energy, officials from the High Commission of India, Sustainable Energy Authority and Ceylon Electricity Board participated in the event.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Foreign Minister Ali Sabry made a startling revelation on Friday (14) that the previous Cabinet was not fully aware of the dire situation that the economy was falling into.Speaking at the launch of the book ' Poverty to prosperity: A review of the Korean development model ', the Minister spoke about a number of topics including government responsibility for the prevailing economic crisis and Sri Lanka's foreign policy. Speaking at the event, the Minister said that the Government learned the hard way that the economy is the heart of the country, and if it fails, all else fails. Pointing out that unfortunately, the Ministers of theprevious Cabinet were focusing on their specific areas, such as himself holding the portfolio of the Minister of Justice, Minister Sabry said that he was looking forward to new plans with regard to law reform, digitization, improved infrastructure and more recruitments in the sector, however, confessed that he was unaware of the country's deep economic troubles. Pointing out that if the country's Cabinet's economic literacy is a minimum, then the normal people should be worse in their case, the Minister said that without taxation, there is no future for the country."In 1981, 21% of our GDP was taxes. Today it has come down to 8.3%. So we can point fingers.

LONDON - Climate protesters threw soup over Vincent van Gogh’s "Sunflowers" in London’s National Gallery on Friday to protest fossil fuel extraction.The group Just Stop Oil, which wants the British government to halt new oil and gas projects, said activists dumped two cans of Heinz tomato soup over the oil painting, one of the Dutch artist’s most iconic works.London’s Metropolitan Police said officers arrested two people on suspicion of criminal damage and aggravated trespass.The group has drawn attention, and criticism, for targeting artworks in museums.

While Cuny will continue to be employed at Pernod Ricard, the company said it has begun the process to identify someone to head India. In the interim, Philippe Guettat, chairman and CEO, Pernod Ricard Asia will hold charge of the region NEW DELHI: Thibault Cuny, managing director and chief executive, Pernod Ricard South Asia, including India, will step down from his role on health grounds, the company said in a statement.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – State Minister of Finance Shehan Semasinghe met with the World Bank Vice President for the South Asia Region, Martin Raiser, and a World Bank delegation during the World Bank Annual Meetings 2022, to discuss options available to recover Sri Lanka's economy.The discussions were focused on the current creditworthiness of Sri Lanka, which is no longer entitled to source funding through the World Bank’s International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), instead to work with the International Development Association (IDA) rating, which will grant Sri Lanka to obtain concessional loans. This process, which will entail a "reverse graduation" to IDA, will move Sri Lanka from an IBRD-only country to an IDA country.However, Sri Lanka will remain listed as a middle-income country.The IMF/WB also emphasized that access to this potential new concessional funding remains linked to deep reforms, an IMF program, and progress with a comprehensive debt treatment the process by the authorities of Sri Lanka. The VP and the WB Delegation said that sustained improvements in economic and social conditions by the Sri Lankan government could pave the way for Sri Lanka to graduate from IDA in the future.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena requested the International Labour Organisation (ILO) to assist the government’s initiative to establish a digital database of the labor workforce in Sri Lanka. He pointed out that the Ministry of Labour has taken steps to establish a comprehensive digitalized database of the workforce and urged the ILO to assist in expediting the process.This was discussed when ILO Country Director Simrin C Singh and Senior Employment Specialist of ILO Headquarters, Sher Verick called on him at the prime Minister’s Office yesterday (13).The Prime Minister briefed them on the impact of the Covid pandemic and economic crisis on the labor workforce and the short-term and long-term steps taken by the government to recover the economy and to help the workers, especially the low-income labor force.Simrin Singh said despite some signs of positive trends, most developing countries including Sri Lanka are faced with difficulties due to the global recession, limited fiscal space, debt sustainability challenges, and rising inflation. She pointed out that these issues have resulted in a labor market crisis.Prime Minister Gunawardena stressed that the government was very keen to make the labor workforce upwardly mobile and explained the multitude of training programs launched for skill development. Increasing the quality and quantity of jobs is the surest way of moving people out of poverty, he said. Employment Specialist Sher Verick said that the founding principles of the ILO are concerned not only with ensuring sources of income, but also as a means for people to live a self-determined life, and for participating fully as citizens in their communities.Minister of Labour and Foreign Employment

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) says that due to the US sanctions on the MIR payment system, as confirmed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it is NOT in a position to consider favorably, at the current juncture, the request to operate MIR card scheme within the banking system.What is the MIR payment system? MIR is a local payment card in Russia sponsored by the Russian government.The National Payment Card System (NSPK) was established in July 2014 following sanctions against Russia earlier that year, which left Russian cardholders and merchants temporarily unable to transact on international card networks. By December 2015, NSPK had developed the technical infrastructure and commercial agreements to begin card issuance and ATM and POS acceptance for MIR.All Russian banks that are members of the international card networks process and clear via NSPK.

new cost-of-living adjustment (or COLA) is added to Social Security payments.The 8.7% raise is meant to help them with higher prices for food, fuel, and other goods and services. The average recipient will see an increase of more than $140 per month, according to government estimates.But what does the increase mean for the fund that helps pay Social Security benefits? And what should younger generations keep in mind? Here are some As to some Qs.When you work, some of your taxes fund Social Security.

Goalkeeper Yussef Hassan L of Qatar attends a public training session of Qatar national team in preparation for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 at the Jassim bin Hamad stadium in Doha, Qatar, on Oct. 2, 2022.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka's Justice Minister Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe said that the  Bureau of Rehabilitation Bill was not drafted aiming at those who took part in the Aragalaya or the People's Struggle."Some people are of the view that the government is trying to fix the people who were engaged in the Aragalaya and to punish them by introducing this law.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Education Secretary of the Frontline Socialist Party, Pubudu Jagoda states that it is not fair to put the tax burden on the people, citing that the Inland Revenue Division, which had stated that Rs. 800 billion of taxed remain unpaid from large companies.He further pointed out that scams such as the sugar scam have taken place, yet no action has been taken with regard to it, and the taxes have not been reimbursed from the companies which were involved.Moreover, Jagoda said that the same fate has befallen the coconut oil scam and the garlic scam.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Member of the Economic Center of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya, Dr. Harsha de Silva says that the Government's recent tax revision has a risk of being backfired, and alleged that the proposal was not brought before the Parliament and neither the Parliament Finance Committe for approval beforehand. Speaking at a press conference held on Wednesday (12), the MP alleged that the tax revsion is one of the moved which are stipulated in the IMF agreement, that was hidden from the public. Speaking further, the SJB MP said that these proposed 'dictatorial' tax amendments should be discussed more, and should be implemented gradually, in a step-by-step fashion rather than in a matter of a week or two. If these tax revisions are implemented without consulting with the public, it would result in disastrous circumstances, including being backfired, Dr.