Government: Latest News

to ArriveCAN” that prompted concerns among U.S. crews that they “may not be able to cross the border” to help Canada amid post-tropical storm Fiona.In a statement sent to Global News, a spokesperson for Nova Scotia Power said the issue was resolved and crews were on their way to affected areas “within a few hours.”“When we heard from our crews that there were issues at the border, we reached out to provincial officials to see if there was any help that could be provided,” said spokesperson Jacqueline Foster in the statement.“We understood there would be outreach to appropriate federal officials that might be able to help.

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

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka, Ali Sabry at the United Nations General Assembly stated that Sri Lanka unconditionally recognize the fundamental right to freedom of expression as sacrosanct, and pledged to 'build back better' by leaving no one behind and rise to new horizons of freedom and progress. The full speech is as follows;Mr. President, Mr.

Manmohan Singh was among the world’s renowned economists… he had said that there should be ‘One Nation One Tax’ as India’s finance minister. And later, Manmohan Singh became the prime minister," said Mandaviya. He said Dr Singh could not implement GST for 10 years because "In 12 countries in the world ‘one nation one tax’ was implemented and business persons were unsatisfied owing to teething problems faced by any new large-scale policy.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The police fired tear gas and aimed water cannons at Socialist Youth Union protestors who were engaged in a protest in the Maradana area against the Government's repressive measures.The protestors initiated the march under the theme of re-energizing the people's protests and returning the power of the youth to Colombo.The police previously announced that although the protest march was due to start from near the Lipton Roundabout in Colombo, they cannot allow it.The Police said that 84 people have been detained by Sri Lanka Police for taking part in the protest organized by the Socialist Youth Union.Several protestors who were injured during the protest were brought to Colombo National Hospital for treatment as well.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Sri Lankan government has asked a US judge to dismiss the case filed by Hamilton Reserve Bank for defaulting on bonds, the financial news agency Bloomberg reported.   The government had requested that the case in New York be dismissed over the country reaching debt default, stating that the case brought by one bank is an “apparent attempt to gain leverage over a nation in crisis and jump ahead of other foreign creditors.”   Hamilton Reserve Bank, based in the Caribbean islands of St.

Justin Trudeau on Friday promised the federal government will be on hand to assist Atlantic Canada as it braces for the arrival of Hurricane Fiona, which is expected to make landfall Saturday morning.The Canadian Hurricane Centre has issued a hurricane watch over extensive coastal expanses of Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland, with authorities warning of heavy rain, flooding and “life-threatening” storm surges. Thousands lose power as Fiona nears Atlantic Canada, officials warn of ‘historic storm’ “It’s going to a bad one,” Trudeau said during a joint press conference with South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol in Ottawa.“We of course hope there won’t be much (federal assistance) needed, but we feel there probably will be.

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

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

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

SAN SALVADOR, Puerto Rico - President Joe Biden said Thursday the full force of the federal government is ready to help Puerto Rico recover from the devastation of Hurricane Fiona, while Bermuda and Canada's Atlantic provinces prepared for a major blast from the Category 4 storm.Speaking at a briefing with Federal Emergency Management Agency officials in New York, Biden said, "We’re all in this together."Biden noted that hundreds of FEMA and other federal officials are already on the ground in Puerto Rico, where Fiona caused an island-wide blackout.More than 60% of power customers remained without energy on Thursday, and a third of customers were without water — and local officials admitted they could not say when service would be fully restored.Biden said his message to the people of Puerto Rico who are still hurting from Hurricane Maria five years ago is: "We’re with you. We’re not going to walk away."US President Joe Biden and FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell take part in a briefing on Hurricane Fiona's impact on Puerto Rico at the Federal Emergency Management Agency Region 2 Office in New York on Sept.

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

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

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

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Government has planned to access Rs.500 Million from the Farmer's Trust Fund and the Agricultural & Agrarian Insurance Board to purchase paddy.Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture Rohana Pushpakumara said that such a decision was taken during a discussion held yesterday (22) presided by the Minister of Agriculture. Accordingly, Rs. 200 Million will be obtained from the Farmer's Trust Fund.Rs.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Ministry of Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils and Local Government said a circular will be issued on Monday (26) permitting public sector employees to report to work in a suitable attire.Public Administration Secretary P. K.

The passing of Queen Elizabeth II has put a renewed focus on the future of the Commonwealth, with some experts predicting more realms — particularly those in the Caribbean — will hasten to sever their ties with the monarchy.Although there are 56 members of the Commonwealth of Nations, only the United Kingdom and 14 other nations share the British monarch as their head of state, including Canada. That number has been dwindling since the organization was first formed in 1926, and experts say it will continue to do so regardless of who sits on the throne.“I think (the queen’s death) may simplify the discussion, but it doesn’t change the fact that this has been an ongoing process of nations becoming more independent over time,” said Francine McKenzie, a professor of history at Western University in London, Ont.

Karnataka chief minister said the state received GST compensation of ₹8,633 crore in the last six months. "With the Central government's revenue collection being good, the State's share from the Centre is also likely to increase, adding to that State's performance is also good. Looking at the last six month's trend, we are likely to exceed the target," he added.

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

Dozens of people stage a demonstration to protest the death of a 22-year-old woman under custody in Tehran Iran on September 21, 2022. (Photo by Stringer/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) DUBAI, United Arab Emirates - Clashes between Iranian security forces and protesters angry over the death of a 22-year-old woman in police custody have killed at least nine people since the violence erupted over the weekend, according to a tally Thursday by The Associated Press.The scope of Iran's ongoing unrest, the worst in several years, still remains unclear as protesters in more than a dozen cities — venting anger over social repression and the country’s mounting crises — continue to encounter security and paramilitary forces.To prevent protests from spreading, Iran's biggest telecom operator largely shut down mobile internet access again Thursday, said Netblocks, a group that monitors internet access, describing the restrictions as the most severe since 2019.An anchor on Iran's state television suggested the death toll from the mass protests could be as high as 17 on Thursday, but did not say how he reached that figure.In a country where radio and television stations already are state-controlled and journalists regularly face the threat of arrest, the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard urged the judiciary on Thursday to prosecute "anyone who spreads fake news and rumors" on social media about the unrest.

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

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

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Government Medical Officers Association points out the decision to retire state sector employees after the age of 60 has put the lives of patients receiving treatment in hospitals at risk because many doctors will be forced to retire from December.The GMOA says as a result of this decision scheduled surgeries will have to be abandoned. The Association of Medical Specialists said that nearly 300 specialist doctors will have to retire from public service on or before December 31st of 2022 as per the circular issued by the Ministry of Public Administration amending the retirement age of state employees. The Association revealed that under the directive, 43 specialists of the Colombo National Hospital, 30 specialists of the Kandy National Hospital, 17 specialists of the Karapitiya Teaching Hospital, 15 specialists of the Lady Ridgeway Children’s Hospital, and 09 specialists of the Apeksha Hospital will have to retire.It was proposed in the Interim Budget 2022 to amend the retirement age of state sector employees to 60 years, from the 65 years age requirement implemented in 2021.Accordingly, all Government employees aged 60 years or above must retire by December 31st, 2022.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) - Two U.S.

Several dozen people have been charged after allegedly deceiving the government to steal children’s charity money in Minnesota during the COVID-19 pandemic — and use it for their own luxury.

WASHINGTON - The House pushed ahead Wednesday with legislation that would revamp the rules for certifying the results of a presidential election as lawmakers accelerate their response to the the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection and Donald Trump’s failed attempt to remain in power.The legislation would overhaul an arcane 1800s-era statute known as the Electoral Count Act that governs, along with the U.S. Constitution, how states and Congress certify electors and declare presidential election winners.

@UN award for "India Hypertension Control Initiative (IHCI)" - a large scale hypertension intervention within existing primary healthcare system under National Health Mission.IHCI has strengthened PM @NarendraModi Ji's mission to ensure health & wellness for all. The minister also informed that the Government is committed to building a healthy & fit India. India Hypertension Control Initiative (IHCI) is in 138 districts in 23 states with more than 34 lakh people with hypertension taking treatment in Govt health facilities.

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

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Sri Lanka Freedom Party leadership has decided to remove SLFP MPs, who accepted positions in the government, from all party positions and the Central Working Committee membership.The decision was taken by the Former President and Chairman of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) Maithripala Sirisena, and the decision has been communicated to the 14 SLFP MPs who are represented in Parliament.MPs Mahinda Amaraweera, Nimal Siripala De Silva, Lasantha Alagiyawanna, Shantha Bandara, Dr.

(THE HINDU) – China has offered Pakistan’s visiting Army Chief technical help as the country deals with record floods but did not announce any substantial financial assistance that its “all-weather” ally has been seeking.Both Pakistan and Sri Lanka, facing financial stress, have been engaged in long-running talks with Beijing for assistance, but with negotiations in both cases having made little headway, both countries have turned to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Their new IMF commitments are now likely to impact their owed payments to China, which has lent the two countries more than $26 billion in the past five years.Following talks in Xi’an between Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa and China’s Defence Minister General Wei Fenghe, the Chinese side expressed willingness to provide technical assistance for flood relief work, Pakistan’s official Inter-Services Public Relations said.Chinese State media quoted Gen.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Around three hundred Public Sector employees have traveled overseas for employment after the government of Sri Lanka issued a circular granting five-year no-pay leave for public officers to be spent in or out of the country, without affecting their seniority and pension.The Ministry of Public Administration, Home Affairs, and Provincial Councils said that among those who left the country are employees attached to Ministries, Departments, as well as Statutory Bodies.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The resolution to constitute the Parliament Committee designated “National Council” in connection with the concept of an all-party Government, which was a major demand that emerged from the people's protests; the Aragalaya, was passed within the Parliament without a vote on Tuesday (20)However, several parties objected to the move, stating that it is not a mechanism that fulfills people's expectations.According to the resolution passed today, the members of the National Council will be chaired by the Speaker, while the members constitute of the Prime Minister, the Leader of the House of Parliament, the Leader of the Opposition, and the Chief Organizer of the ruling party.Apart from that, not more than 35 members decided by the Leaders of the political parties should be appointed for the council.The assembly will be entrusted with setting common priorities to guide the formulation of short, medium and long-term national policies, agreeing on short- and medium-term common minimum programs in relation to economic stabilization and organization of special meetings attended by ministers, chairpersons of special committees and youth observers of youth organizations.The council will also posses the ability to call reports from current functioning committees.

migrants flown to the upscale Massachusetts island of Martha's Vineyard sued Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and his transportation secretary Tuesday for engaging in a "fraudulent and discriminatory scheme" to relocate them.The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Boston, alleges that the migrants were told they were going to Boston or Washington, "which was completely false," and were induced with perks such as $10 McDonald's gift certificates."No human being should be used as a political pawn," said Ivan Espinoza-Madrigal, executive director of Lawyers for Civil Rights, which is seeking class-action status in the lawsuit filed on behalf of several migrants who were aboard last week's flights and Alianza Americas, a network of advocacy groups.DeSantis' office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the lawsuit, which also names Secretary of Transportation Jared W.

COVID-19 vaccine mandate at the border, a senior government source has told Global News.However, the source said the plan still needs to be “finalized” by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau before it can be officially announced. ArriveCAN: A look at the federal government’s plan for the contentious app A spokesperson for Transport Canada referred questions about the decision to the Public Health Agency of Canada, which did not immediately reply to an email.The current border measures are set to expire on Sept.

COLOMBO (News 1st) –  According to the latest circular issued by the Ministry of Public Administration regarding the retirement age limit of state employees, 300 specialist doctors will have to retire from public service on or before December 31st of 2022.In the proposal for this year presented to the Parliament in 2021, the retirement age of all State employees was extended to 65 years.However, the revised budget presented recently lowered the retirement age of Government employees to 60.Accordingly, all Government employees aged 60 years or above must retire by December 31st 2022.Under this directive, existing specialist doctors at provincial and primary hospitals will have to be transferred to fill the vacancies caused by the retirement of specialist doctorsThe association stated that it is not possible to transfer specialist doctors without filling the vacancies first.Usually, only specialist doctors who are already trained abroad can be transferred in this manner.However, in view of the current crisis in the country, a significant group of specialist doctors are likely to remain abroad, the Association of Specialist Doctors said.In that situation, the entire health service, including remote hospitals may also collapse, the Association of Specialist Doctors emphasized.The association points out that according to the new circular, 43 specialists of Colombo National Hospital, 30 specialists of Kandy National Hospital, 17 specialists of Karapitiya Teaching Hospital, 15 specialists of Lady Ridgeway Children's Hospital and 09 specialists of Apeksha Hospital will have to retire.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa questioned the Government the reason for imposing low levies on tobacco and alcohol at a time when food inflation in the country is rapidly rising. Speaking at the Parliament, the Opposition Leader said that the country's food inflation rate is over 90%, however the inflation rate of tobacco and alcohol products is merely over 36%, and questioned as the why the Government is not taking steps to increase the price of such goods. He alleged that the ties between alcohol companies, politicians and treasury officials have resulted in the prices being maintained at a low without being subject to increases.In response, State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya stated that excise duty on tobacco products is levied on a unit basis depending on the length of the product, while excise duty is levied on alcohol products based on its strength. He further stated that in addition to these excise duties, a 15% value-added tax VAT on sales will be levied with effect from October 1st, along with a 2.5% social security contribution tax on turnover."In addition, these cigarettes and alcohol have been subject to a higher income tax rate of 40%.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Minister of Agriculture, Mahinda Amaraweera showed by example on how to maintain a successful home garden and a harvest with the use of organic fertilizer.The Minister said that his Angunakolapelessa garden with a variety of upcountry and other vegetables is being maintaned fully with the use of organic fertilizer. He said that people too should learn to embrace organic homegrown fertilizer instead of complaining about the prices of food. His garden is being maintained without the influence of any kind of chemical fertilizer as well, he added. Meanwhile, farmers continued to lament about the loss of their harvests due to the decisions of the Government imposed recently, and according to Anuradhapura farmers, they cannot afford to have a large harvest, therefore only grow what they are able to eat. However, they continued demands for fertilizer and other necessities to continue farming, as the agricultural economy of the island has turned into a catastrophe, and a majority of farmers would end up in poverty.

more variants, deaths, disruptions and uncertainty if the world does not take the opportunity now, the WHO chief said, “So, let's seize this opportunity." “We can end this pandemic together, but only if all countries, manufacturers, communities and individuals step up and seize this opportunity," he said. He also announced that the World Health Organization is releasing six short policy briefs that outline the key actions that all governments must take now to "finish the race".

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands with the concurrence of the Government of Sri Lanka has appointed Bonnie Horbach as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Sri Lanka based in Colombo. She presented credentials to president Ranil Wickremesinghe, at the Presidential Secretariat recently.COLOMBO (News 1st); The Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with the concurrence of the Government of Sri Lanka appointed Khalid Hamoud Nasser Aldasam Alkahtani as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Sri Lanka based in Colombo. He has presented credentials to President Ranil Wickremesinghe, recently at the Presidential Secretariat.Sri Lanka’s relations with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia go back several centuries. People-to-People contact between the two countries has flourished since ancient times.Readers from Arabia visited and transited  Sri Lanka as Sri Lanka was the center of the maritime route between the east and the west.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – It’s not a secret that we are all broke as a country, and we have to pull ourselves up by our bootstraps, said Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe addressing a meeting with the Sri Lankan Diaspora.President Ranil Wickremesinghe who visited the United Kingdom to attend the funeral ceremony of Queen Elizabeth II had met with the Sri Lankan Diaspora in Britain on Monday (19) afternoon." We have already started discussions with the IMF and staff level agreement is there. We have to talk to India, China and Japan and to the private creditors.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The proposal to establish the National Assembly is currently being debated in the Parliament.Leader of the National People's Power, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, stated in Parliament today (20) that not all proposals submitted for the formulation of the National Assembly have been considered.However, Minister Dinesh Gunawardena claimed that the proposal itself came from opposition parties.Dissanayake pointed out that the proposed National Assembly and its purpose according to the Government are completely contradictory.Emphasizing that the National Assembly, which was being discussed within the opposition, was to have those appointed from an interim Government, the NPP Leader menioned that now, an interim Government has not been formed, however a Prime Minister has been appointed, a Cabinet has been appointed, State Ministers have been appointed, and in the absence of an interim Government, the essence of the National Assembly has been lost, he said.Additionally, MP Dullas Alahapperuma stated that although his group will not participate in the National Assembly, which is a move to deceive the people and the international community, he will continue to support the positive steps taken for the benefit of the people.

DOVER, Del. - The company that privatized operations at the port of Wilmington several years ago owes more than $21 million in damages for breaching an agreement to buy the port’s former stevedoring firm, a Delaware judge ruled Monday.Vice Chancellor Lori Will also found GT USA Wilmington in contempt for violating a court confidentiality order by using materials it obtained in defending itself in a 2018 lawsuit filed by Murphy Marine Services to negotiate a deal with one of Murphy Marine’s largest customers.Monday’s ruling came more than a year after a different Chancery Court judge ruled that GT was bound by the terms of a 2018 letter agreement regarding the purchase and sale of 100% of the equity interest of Murphy Marine.Will ruled Monday that GT violated the binding letter agreement by refusing to negotiate a definitive purchase agreement with Murphy Marine. She also said GT improperly used information obtained from Murphy Marine during the lawsuit to negotiate its own stevedoring contract with Dole Fresh Fruit Company.Officials with GT USA Wilmington did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.GT USA Wilmington is a subsidiary of port management company Gulftainer, which is based in the United Arab Emirates.

GREAT FALLS, Mont – The 36th Contingency Response Squadron assigned to Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, organized a Mobile Training Team event between the Sri Lanka Air Force and the 120th Airlift Wing, Montana Air National Guard, Sept. 8-12.Airmen from the 120th Logistics Readiness Squadron and 120th Maintenance Squadron showed 15 members of the Sri Lanka Air Force how to use aircraft loading and refueling equipment they will receive next year from the Department of Defense under the Building Partner Capacity Program.The program builds partnerships with foreign nations by providing military and equipment training to enhance their capabilities.During the four-day Mobile Training Team event, the 120th AW Airmen worked with the Sri Lanka Air Force members on pallet buildup, refuel/defuel procedures, forklift operations, weight and balance calculation, loading and unloading aircraft.“We brought a mix of pilots, loadmasters, crew chiefs, fuel specialist, maintenance officers and logistics officers on this Mobile Training Team,” said Danushka Premadasa, Sri Lanka Air Force wing commander.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Resolution to constitute the Parliament Committee designated “National Council” is scheduled to be debated on Tuesday (20) from 10.30 am to 5.30 pm, following which, the approval of the Parliament is to be obtained.Parliament is scheduled to meet from the 20th to the 23rd and Questions for Oral Answers have been scheduled to be taken up from 9.30 am to 10.30 am except Friday the 23rd. The adjournment debate brought by the government on the “Necessity of increasing the Government Revenues” will be held from 10.30 am to 5.30 pm on the 21st.On September 22nd, from 10.30 am to 12.30 pm, the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (Amendment) Bill (Second Reading) and a Regulations under the Civil Aviation Act are to be passed fowling debate. Thereafter from 1.00 pm to 4.30 pm, the amendments to the Standing Orders of the Parliament are scheduled to be debated.Thereafter, it was also decided to take up Questions at the Adjournment Time from 4.30 p.m. – 4.50 p.m.

FILE - U.S. President Joe Biden arrives for an event in the Rose Garden of the White House Sept. 15, 2022, in Washington, DC.

A Taliban fighter keeps vigil near the Intercontinental Hotel during a press event organised by the members of the Taliban, in Kabul on September 19, 2022. An American navy veteran detained in Afghanistan for more than two years was released by the T WASHINGTON (AP) - An American contractor held hostage in Afghanistan for more than two years by the Taliban has been released in exchange for a convicted Taliban drug lord jailed in the United States, according to the man's family and U.S.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The National Flag of Sri Lanka and the flag of the United Kingdom were flown at half-mast as a mark of respect to Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, at the President's Office on Monday (19).Monday was also declared as a National day of mourning, in addition to the Ministry of Public Administration announcing today as a special holiday for all government agencies.The grand state funeral of late Queen Elizabeth II was held today, with the participation of over 500 heads of state and foreign leaders. Following the State Funeral, the Coffin will travel in Procession from Westminster Abbey to Wellington Arch. From Wellington Arch, the Coffin will travel to Windsor, and once there, the State Hearse will travel in Procession to St.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The National Construction Association of Sri Lanka (NCASL) says that 95% of the construction projects have been delayed due to the shortage of required raw materials in the local market. The Deputy Head of the National Construction Association of Sri Lanka M.D. Paul said that this has concerned a large proportion of the people employed in the construction sector.He says around 1.5 Million people are employed in the construction industry and among them, 75% are currently unemployed.He further said that import restrictions on construction materials such as Tiles, Air Condition systems, and Elevator systems have further disrupted the construction industry. Moreover, he said that the Government must pay an earned sum of close to Rs.