president: Latest News

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The President and the Minister of Defence, Ranil Wickremesinghe has issued an extraordinary gazette revoking the order issued declaring the High Security Zones. On Friday (23), Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe declared multiple areas in Colombo as High Security Zones.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The former Commissioner of the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka Ambika Satkunathan has filed a petition at the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka challenging the Bill titled “Bureau of Rehabilitation Act”, emphasizing that the provisions of Bill are inconsistent with the fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution of Sri Lanka.The petition states that the Bill purports to establish a Bureau for the rehabilitation of “drug dependant persons, ex-combatants, members of violent extremist groups and any other group of persons who require treatments and rehabilitation”.Moreover, the petitioner alleges that these categories have not been properly defined and do not clarify how persons may qualify for rehabilitation under these categories, in addition to assuming that “members of violent extremist groups” and “drug dependent persons” require that same approach to rehabilitation. The Bill, Sathkunathan states, uses vague and arbitrary classifications, leading to persons being detained for rehabilitation for even participating in protests, as recent arrests of protestors under the Prevention of Terrorism Act have demonstrated. The petitioner further states that under this bill, the rehabilitation process has been militarized, and allows the President to designate any member of the armed forces to exercise, perform and discharge the powers, duties and functions under the Act.The petitioner therefore requests the Supreme Court to declare several sections of the Bill as outlined in the petition inconsistent with the Constitution of Sri Lanka as they violate the fundamental rights and Sovereignty of the People.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Minister of Agriculture Mahinda Amaraweera says that sufficient stocks of fertilizer have been ordered to meet the requirement for the Maha season, the President's Media Division states.Accordingly, these fertilizer stocks will be released to the farmers for cultivation shortly.The Minister said this during a discusstion held on September 29 at the Presidential Secretariat under the patronage of the President’s Secretary Saman Ekanayake on the supply of fertilizer to meet the requirements of the Maha Season.During this discussion chaired by Minister of Agriculture Mahinda Amaraweera and State Minister for Agriculture Mohan Priyadarshana de Silva, the supply of organic and chemical fertilizers required for paddy farming and other agricultural activities in the Maha season, was discussed at length.Accordingly, the Minister said that farmers could start the Maha season cultivations without any doubt.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – MP Namal Rajapaksa has reiterated his commitment to recontest the upcoming elections via a broad alliance.Speaking at a program held in Bandarawela, the MP said that current President Ranil Wickremesinghe has succeeded in stabilizing the economy, as well as in going forward with the IMF staff agreement, and the SLPP will extend its support in this regard.He further emphasized the importance of ensuring that law and order prevails within the country, preventing incidents such as murders and other crimes from taking place in Sri Lanka.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – President Ranil Wickremesinghe arrived in the island on Saturday (01) morning, concluding his official visit to Japan and the Philippines.President Wickremesinghe attended the funeral of the former Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe during his official visit.Thereafter, President Ranil Wickramasinghe also visited the Philippines to preside over a meeting of the Asian Development Bank Governors.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Auditor General has initiated a special investigation into the unilateral termination of the Light Rail Project by the Government of Sri Lanka.Auditor General W.P.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – President Ranil Wickremesinghe says that his mission is to create a developed country for the future generations of this land.The full statement is as follows:The contemporary world that adults live in is not the world children see. It is very simple and delicate.

This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.

COLOMBO (News 1st)  – Sri Lanka's Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa revealed on Friday (30) that the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna cooked up a plan to destroy his political career by appointing him as the country's Prime Minister.Sajith Premadasa told reporters that Gotabaya Rajapaksa made a request for him to take up the post of Prime Minister."He did not off me the post for the benefit of the people or the country. I became aware that they planned to bring forward a motion of no-confidence against me after I am made the Prime Minister," he said adding that at the time the SLPP had a majority of the MPs."134 votes were cast in favor of the main protector of the Rajapaksas, the current president.

Vladimir Putin proclaimed Russia’s annexation of a swath of Ukraine on Friday in a speech at the Kremlin but the event was overshadowed by one of Russia‘s worst battlefield defeats of the war, with one of its main garrisons surrounded.“People living in Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson region and Zaporizhzhia region are becoming our compatriots forever,” Putin told a crowd of officials in a ceremony in an ornate hall.“We will defend our land with all our strength and all our means,” he said, calling on “the Kyiv regime to immediately cease hostilities and return to the negotiation table.” Assaults on annexed Ukrainian territory will be an attack on Russia: Kremlin Putin’s proclamation of Russian rule over 15 per cent of Ukraine – the biggest annexation in Europe since the Second World War- has been firmly rejected by Western countries and even many of Russia’s close allies. UN General Secretary Antonio Guterres called it an illegal violation of the UN charter.It comes as Russian forces have faced setbacks on the battlefield, with one of the worst so far looming even as Putin spoke.

PERKASIE, Pa. - The Pennridge School District has adopted a new controversial policy surrounding advocacy for specific causes and movements. The new policy instructs all teachers to remove crosses, political signs, materials discussing abortion, whether pro or against, and LGBTQ+ pride flags and materials from their classrooms. The school board was supposed to have further discussion on the policy, but on Tuesday night, they voted to fast-track its approval. MORE LOCAL HEADLINESJoan Cullen, the president of the Pennridge School District School Board, says the policy does not target one specific group but rather is focusing on the removal of all symbols from classrooms. "This applies to all symbols. I think we are getting drawn into this idea that it's targeted at one thing.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – President Ranil Wickremesinghe proposed to establish an International University on Climate Change in Sri Lanka with the support of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in order to enable students from any country in the world to engage in educational activities.President Wickremesinghe made this proposal during a meeting with the President of the Asian Development Bank Masatsugu Asakawa, held this morning (30) at the Asian Development Bank Headquarters in Manila.The ADB President welcomed President Wickremesinghe upon his arrival at the ADB Headquarters.President Wickremesinghe, who expressed his gratitude to the President of the Asian Development Bank for the emergency assistance provided to Sri Lanka in the past, discussed the further strengthening of the long-standing relationship between Sri Lanka and the ADB.The ADB President assured President Ranil Wickremesinghe that he would continue to cooperate with Sri Lanka.President Wickremesinghe also briefed the President of the Asian Development Bank on Sri Lanka’s engagement with the International Monetary Fund.Meanwhile, President Ranil Wickremesinghe also engaged in a discussion with professionals working at the Asian Development Bank.

Tokyo, Japan (Kyodo) – Japan is prepared to "do its part" over Sri Lanka's debt issue, but other creditors, such as China and India, should also be involved in efforts to resolve it, Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki said Thursday (29).Suzuki made the remarks after meeting with Ranil Wickremesinghe, president of Sri Lanka, which has reached a preliminary agreement with the International Monetary Fund on a $2.9 billion loan as the Asian nation needs to restructure its massive debt.Suzuki said he urged Sri Lanka during Thursday's meeting to provide the necessary information, make its own efforts to get China, India and other creditors involved and boost transparency."Japan will do its part if such preconditions are met," Suzuki told reporters without elaborating in the Philippine capital Manila, where he attended a meeting of the Asian Development Bank.During his visit to Japan, the Sri Lankan president met Wednesday with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and discussed the debt issue. The leaders recognized the importance of "fair and transparent" debt restructuring that involves all creditor nations, according to the Japanese Foreign Ministry.Sri Lanka defaulted on its debt earlier this year.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – On a day when a father sacrificed his life to feed his children, and multiple robberies were reported across the country, a proposal was submitted to the Parliament regarding the privileges and benefits enjoyed by the parliamentarians and ministers. One of the proposals was presented to the Cabinet by the President and the Minister of Justice. The proposal states that the parliamentarians whose houses and offices were attacked during the period from the 31st of march to the 22nd of June have been unable to carry out their duty to the country since then. Therefore the proposal suggests compensating 50% of the estimated loss until the full compensation is paid. The proposal also requested the permission of the cabinet to release funds for this from the treasury. Meanwhile, instructions were issued recently to provide the necessary facilities for MPs who function as chairmen of District Coordinating Committees. A letter sent by the Secretary to the president to the secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils, and Local Government states that chairmen of District Coordinating Committees should be allocated an official vehicle and be given a fuel allocation of 300 liters. The letter states that in addition to this, they must be provided with a staff allocation of 7 members and also an office within the District Secretariat. The staff of the Chairman of the District Coordination Committee includes 4 development officers already attached to the district secretariat, a personal assistant, an office assistant, and a driver. 16 MPs from the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna function as the Heads of the District Coordination Committees.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Department of Archeology has completed the investigation into the President's House, which was occupied by the protesters on 9th June 2022.The Department said it would hand over the report to the Police as soon as possible.The Department of Archeology further said that during the investigations special attention was paid to the structure of the President's House, and the historic artifacts, and paintings that were placed there.In the meantime, the Department of Archeology added that reports have been given to the Police on its inquiry into Temple Trees and the Prime Minister's Office.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – President Ranil Wickremesinghe said amidst major economic stress, Sri Lanka is undertaking an unprecedented fiscal effort as part of the government’s commitment to restoring the country’s debt sustainability. Therefore, he expressed hope and expectation that Sri Lanka’s creditors, and all stakeholders, will support Sri Lanka in these efforts to restore the country’s debt sustainability and help put the country back on the path of inclusive and sustainable economic growth.President Wickremesinghe presided over the annual meeting of the ADB Board of Governors on Thursday (29) which was held at the ADB headquarters in Manila, Philippines and attended by Governors and official government delegations.President Wickremesinghe noted that the government has already undertaken major macroeconomic policy reform measures and this program is aligned with the commitment of the government to implement an ambitious and comprehensive package of reforms that will help restore the sustainability of the country’s public finances, addressing external imbalances, and restarting the growth engine through structural reforms and improvements in governance.“Amidst major economic stress, Sri Lanka is undertaking an unprecedented fiscal effort as part of our commitment to restoring the country’s debt sustainability.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Colombo District Secretary Pradeep Yasaratne told News 1st on Thursday (29) that the people who were displaced following the blaze that ripped through over 80 houses in Kajimawatte are being provided with relief.At the same time, LOLC Holdings also provided these families with essential relief packages via its Divi Saviya social welfare program.Eighty houses were completely destroyed following a fire that broke out in a series of houses in Kajimawatte, Grandpass on Tuesday (27) night.Sri Lanka Police said the fire was contained by over fifty firefighters who battled the blaze for several hours.Sri Lanka Police added that 300 plus people were displaced by the fire, and they were moved to a community hall and a temple temporarily until the area is cleared.The area that was burnt to the ground is a place where people were housed temporarily until they can be moved to a housing complex owned by the Urban Development Authority.President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who was on an official visit to Japan, had instructed the President’s Secretary Saman Ekanayake to take steps to provide immediate relief to all the residents affected by the fire that broke out at the Kajimawatta, Colombo.The President had instructed Secretary Saman Ekanayake to intervene immediately and direct the Colombo GA, Tri Forces Commanders, the Fire Brigade, the Health Department, the Urban Development Authority and all other relevant government agencies to look into the needs of the people who were residing in the apartment complex and provide them the required facilities immediately.

COLOMBO (News 1st) –  Sri Lanka secured a resounding win against the Maldives in Game 5 of the 2022 South Asian Basketball Association Women's Championship 2022.Match 5 of the South Asian Basketball Association Women's Championship 2022 between Sri Lanka and the Maldives took place on Wednesday (28) evening in Male, Maldives in front of a packed crowd including the Maldives President, and Vice President.Sri Lanka took the lead at end of the first half with a score 46 – 22 .Sri Lanka continued to dominate the game and won 72 – 59.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Former Indian Minister of Commerce, Law & Justice Subramanian Swamy met with Former Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in Colombo on Wednesday (28).He was accompanied by several Indian lawyers and businessmen.Subramanian Swamy is in Sri Lanka for the 15th International Research Conference on “Economic Revival National Security & Sustainability through Advancement of Technology & Innovation" organized by the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University in Colombo.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe has met with Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.

President Joe Biden speaks during the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health at the Ronald Reagan Building in Washington, DC, Sept. 28, 2022.

Picture taken on June 30, 2022 shows a street banner read as "Donetsk People Republic's square" in front of US embassy in Moscow. (Photo by NATALIA KOLESNIKOVA/AFP via Getty Images) MOSCOW - The U.S.

For the first time in a decade, M&M’S is expanding its iconic crew with the introduction of a new character - Purple - a permanent addition as the brand seeks to use the power of fun to help more people feel they belong. (Credit: Mars, Incorporat NEWARK, N.J. - For the first time in a decade, a new M&M’s character is making its debut and joining the iconic candy cast.Mars, Inc.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Asian Development Bank said it is prepared to offer more financial help to Sri Lanka.Asian Development Bank President Masatsugu Asakawa said that as a key long-term partner, the ADB stands ready to provide further support to Sri Lanka.He said that after the IMF programme is completed, ADB will consider to join another, by providing additional financial resources to join other rescue packages for Sri Lanka.The remarks came after an ADB pact this month for an emergency loan of $200 million to ensure access to food and protect livelihoods in Sri Lanka which is suffering its worst economic crisis in more than seven decades.Asakawa said that Sri Lanka’s economy has contracted and is dealing with high inflation which has severely affected living standards.Asakawa said he was confident Colombo was working to finalise a staff-level agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a loan of about $2.9 billion, by seeking financing assurances from creditors, among other steps.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Samagi Jana Balavegaya filed Fundamental Rights applications with the Supreme Court challenging the gazette issued by President Ranil Wickremesinghe declaring High-Security Zones in Colombo.The applications were filed by SJB MPs Harshana Rajakaruna, and Mujibur Rahuman on Wednesday (28).The FR applications name the Attorney General as the respondent and note that the President has no right to declare High-Security Zones, and no law allows the President to do so.The petitioners request the Supreme Court to rule that the conduct of the President had violated the Fundamental Rights of the people of Sri Lanka, and thereby issue an order to invalidate the said gazette.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – President Ranil Wickremesinghe was awarded an audience with His Majesty Emperor Naruhito at the Imperial Palace, his official residence in Tokyo.President Ranil Wickremesinghe also met Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at Akasaka Palace in Tokyo on Wednesday (28).The Japanese Prime Minister warmly welcomed President Wickremesinghe and extended his best wishes on his appointment to the Office of President.The duo held discussions on further strengthening relations between the two countries. 

(New York) – The Sri Lankan government should reverse a new regulation that unlawfully restricts protests in large areas of the capital, Colombo, Human Rights Watch said on Tuesday (27). On September 24, 2022, a day after the measure was issued, police arrested 84 people and used tear gas and water cannon to disperse protesters calling for the release of student activists being held under the notorious Prevention of Terrorism Act.On September 23, the Sri Lankan government invoked the Official Secrets Act to designate public streets and government buildings in central Colombo “high security zones,” where written permission from the police is required to hold any public gathering. Under the regulation, police have wide-ranging authority to arrest anyone inside these zones and only the High Court can grant bail to those detained.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Eighty houses were completely destroyed following a fire that broke out in a series of houses in Kajimawatte, Grandpass on Tuesday (27) night.Sri Lanka Police said the fire was contained by over fifty firefighters who battled the blaze for several hours.Sri Lanka Police added that 220 people were displaced by the fire, and they were moved to a community hall and a temple temporarily until the area is cleared.The Government Analyst will be summoned on Wednesday (28) to determine the cause of the fire.Colombo District Secretary Pradeep Yasaratne told News 1st that steps will be taken to provide relief to the people who were displaced by the fire.He said a proposal was put forward to award the displaced families houses from housing complexes owned by the Urban Development Authority.President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who is on an official visit to Japan, has instructed the President’s Secretary Saman Ekanayake to take steps to provide immediate relief to all the residents affected by the fire that broke out at the Kajimawatta complex in Thotalanga, Colombo.The President had instructed Secretary Saman Ekanayake to intervene immediately and direct the Colombo GA, Tri Forces Commanders, the Fire Brigade, the Health Department, the Urban Development Authority and all other relevant government agencies to look into the needs of the people who were residing in the apartment complex and provide them the required facilities immediately.Accordingly, all relevant departments have already taken steps to provide the maximum intervention required to douse the fire and provide all other necessary facilities promptly.The President has further stated that special attention should be provided to attend to the needs of

A general view shows the state funeral for Japan's former prime minister Shinzo Abe in the Nippon Budokan in Tokyo on September 27, 2022. (Photo by FRANCK ROBICHON / POOL / AFP) TOKYO - Japan's assassinated hawkish former leader, Shinzo Abe, was given a rare state funeral Tuesday that was full of military pomp and surrounded by throngs of mourners as well as by widespread protests, with thousands taking to the streets in opposition.Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said the publicly financed ceremony was a well-deserved honor for Japan's longest-serving modern political leader, but it has deeply split public opinion.The event was attended by U.S.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Report of the special committee related to the May 9 violent incidents will be submitted to Parliament soon by State Minister of Defence Premitha Bandara Tennakoon.The gazette notification to remove legal obstacles to the extradition of criminals from the UAE was also approved.State Minister of Defense Premitha Bandara Tennakoon said in Parliament that the report of the special committee related to the violent incidents that took place on and around May 9th was handed over to the President on the 8th of September and accordingly steps will be taken to inform the Cabinet and the Parliament about it in the future.The state minister said this recently (23) while presiding over the first meeting of the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Defence related to the new session.According to the report of this committee comprising former Navy Commander Admiral of the Fleet Wasantha Karnagoda, former Air Force Commander Marshal of the Air Force Mr.Roshan Gunathilake, and former Army Commander General Daya Rathnayake (retired), if any lapses have occurred in the security forces, measures will be taken in the future the State Minister said.The minister said this when the members brought to the attention of the committee whether there were any lapses by the security forces in connection with the violent incidents that took place in Sri Lanka on and around May 9 and the legal measures to be taken against those involved.Also, Defense Secretary General Kamal Gunaratne (retired) said that the law will be strictly enforced against those involved and those who supported these violent incidents.Meanwhile, the approval of the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Defense was also received to present the order made under

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe said that the need at the moment for the island nation is an agreement with its three main creditors – India, China, and Japan."We've had discussions with the IMF. We have come to a staff-level agreement.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – President Ranil Wickremesinghe attended the state funeral of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at Nippon Budokan in Tokyo today (27).The President was accompanied by his Chief-Of-Staff, Sagala Ratnayake.Several foreign dignitaries including Vice-President of the United States of America, Kamala Haris, also attended the funeral.

Sable Island National Park Reserve in Nova Scotia are “doing well and engaging in all of their usual behaviours” after post-tropical storm Fiona hit Atlantic Canada this weekend, Parks Canada says.In a statement sent to Global News Monday, Jennifer Nicholson, Parks Canada spokesperson for Sable Island National Park Reserve, said the horses act instinctively and seek shelter in groups in the lee of the dunes during the storm.Sable Island National Park Reserve is a narrow strip of dunes and grasslands that is managed by Parks Canada. About 500 Sable Island Horses roam here alongside the world’s biggest breeding colony of grey seals.The island is located in the Atlantic Ocean near the edge of the Continental Shelf, which is 290 kilometres offshore from Halifax, according to Parks Canada.

PHILADELPHIA - James Harden leaned into a microphone and deadpanned that he lost 100 pounds over the summer. Joel Embiid’s summer vacation — at least, according to the NBA scoring champion — was spent entirely in bed.And what of that NBA investigation into the Philadelphia 76ers for possible tampering in offseason free-agency moves?"The league office does an amazing job," basketball President Daryl Morey said.Well, that seems settled.But for a franchise that has seen a smattering of tumultuous issues and confusing players over the last decade, the 76ers enter the season at peace.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The President of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka President's Counsel Saliya Pieris has responded to the claims made by the Acting Defence Minister on seeking six hour prior approval for protests or demonstrations.Responding to the acting Minister of Defence saying that the Police should be notified and approval must be obtained from local Police six hours before holding a protest, the President ofthe Bar Association of Sri Lanka noted that it was not what the Supreme Court held in the case of Vivienne Goonewardene v Hector Perera as per the judgment of Justice J.F.A. Soza in 1983.He added that accordingly.

 tOKYO (News 1st) – President Ranil Wickremesinghe met with the Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Hsien Loong in Tokyo on Tuesday (27), and said that his priority was to bring into effect the Free Trade Agreement with Singapore.During the discussions President Wickremesinghe informed the Singaporean Prime Minister that an international trade office was being established in the President’s office.Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong welcomed the news, and stated that Singapore was looking forward to investing in Sri Lanka once again.President Wickremesinghe invited the Singaporean Prime Minister to visit Sri Lanka next year when the country celebrates its 75th Independence Anniversary.

Tokyo (News 1st) – President Ranil Wickremesinghe held discussions with Japan’s Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi in Tokyo on Tuesday (27).During the meeting, Foreign Minister Hayashi welcomed Sri Lanka’s progress with the IMF and expressed his country’s willingness to take a leading role in Sri Lanka’s creditor talks.President Wickremesinghe expressed regret over the breakdown of relations between Japan and Sri Lanka following the cancellation of several investment projects by the former Government. The President stressed that he was keen to restart those projects.The President also indicated that the Government was interested in Japan investing in Sri Lanka’s renewable energy projects.Japan Foreign Minister Hayashi explained that Japan had increased its commitment to renewable energy and would be willing to explore future investment opportunities in Sri Lanka.The Foreign Minister also explained that Japan would begin the skilled worker examinations in January 2023 for Sri Lankan migrant workers.The President appreciated the support extended by Japan on the international stage and expressed the Government’s willingness to support both Japan’s and India’s campaign to become permanent members of the United Nations Security Council.

MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - SEPTEMBER 16: President of Cuba Miguel Diaz Canel speaks during the annual shout of independence (Grito de Independencia) as part of the independence day celebrations on September 16, 2021 in Mexico City, Mexico.

FILE - Former intelligence contractor Edward Snowden poses for a photo during an interview in an undisclosed location in December 2013 in Moscow, Russia. (Barton Gellman/Getty Images)Russian President Vladimir Putin granted full Russian citizenship to U.S.

BETHLEHEM, PA - SEPTEMBER 22: Pennsylvania Attorney General and Democratic Nominee for Governor Josh Shapiro holds a Northampton County Meet & Greet event at United Steelworkers on September 22, 2022 in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Shapiro faces CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. - Doug Mastriano, the Republican nominee for governor in Pennsylvania, is perhaps best known as an election denier who was at the U.S.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Ambassador Cindy Hensley McCain, the United States Permanent Representative to the UN Agencies in Rome met with President Ranil Wickremesinghe on Sunday (25) and had a productive discussion.US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung also joined the meeting.Discussions were carried out considering the ongoing economic hardships on Sri Lankans, as well as exploring the many ways the United States of America & Sri Lanka are working together to meet urgent humanitarian needs.United States Permanent Representative to the UN Food and Agriculture Agencies in Rome Ambassador Cindy McCain will visit Sri Lanka until September 28th to highlight U.S. food assistance programs in Sri Lanka and reinforce the U.S.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – During President Wickremesinghe’s official overseas tour, the state ministers of the ministries under the purview of the President, will be appointed as acting ministers to oversee their operations.Accordingly, State Minister Premitha Bandara has been appointed as the Acting Defence Minister, State Minister Shehan Semasinghe as the Acting Minister of Finance, Economic Stabilization & National Policies, State Minister Dilum Amunugama as the Acting Minister of Investment Promotion, State Minister Kanaka Herath as the Acting Minister of Technology and State Minister Anupa Pasqual has been appointed as the Acting Minister of Women, Child Affairs, and Social Empowerment.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – President Ranil Wickremesinghe has issued instructions to resume the program of awarding scholarships through the President’s Fund to students who have passed the G.C.E O/L examination and are qualified to follow the G.C.E A/L.Accordingly, it has been decided to award scholarships to 2,970 students from the 99 Educational Zones. It has been decided to select 30 qualified scholarship winners from each of the 99 education zonal offices of the island.The selected scholarship winners are expected to be offered a bursary of Rs.5,000/- per month for a maximum period of 24 months until they appear for the G.C.E A/L) examination.Once this year’s G.C.E.

HOUSTON, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 08: Vice President Kamala Harris speaks at the National Baptist Convention on September 08, 2022 in Houston, Texas. The National Baptist Convention was formed in 1886, and gathers church members and leaders from around the WASHINGTON (AP) - Attending funerals on behalf of the United States is normally a straightforward assignment for a vice president, but Kamala Harris will confront controversy at nearly every turn as she visits Asia for the memorial honoring former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.American allies are seeking clarity after mixed messages over whether President Joe Biden would send troops to defend Taiwan from a Chinese invasion, a potential conflict that could swiftly engulf the rest of the region.

ITALY - An Italian land artist whose past creations include images of Greta Thunberg and Pope Francis has unveiled his latest piece: a massive appeal to world superpowers to end current conflicts.Dario Gambarin’s latest creation in Castagnaro, Italy, was plowed on a 26,000-square-meter plot of land using only a tractor, plough and rotating harrow. He didn’t do any tracing on the ground, according to FOX News.In the past, Gambarin has used a plough to create images of Leonardo da Vinci, Dante, Beethoven and Nelson Mandela.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Four out of the seven Sri Lankans who were held captive by Russian forces in Ukraine have been identified as medical students in the city of Kupiansk, while the other three were identified as workers.This information is being revealed in contrast to the rumors circulating with regard to the captured Sri Lankans being illegal immigrants, and the Ukrainian President Zelenskyy's brief about the seven Sri Lankans being medical students.A report by the Associated Press citing a press conference held at Kharkiv Police states that the Sri Lankans were tortured at a factory in the area which was captured by Russian forces, and were beaten, mainly because they could not understad the language.The former captives include Nilojan Vasanthakumar, 20, Uthayakamar Mary Edid Prema, 50, Sharujan Gianeswaran, 25, Thinees Jokenthhiran, 34, Dilukshan Robertclive, 25, Dilujan Paththinajakan, 20 and Ainkaranathan Ganesamoorthi, 38.According to the captured Sri Lankans, six among the group were held in a large upstairs room, while the seventh, the only woman, was kept in a dark cell by herself. On 17th September, the Ukrainian President Voldomyr Zelenskyy in his briefing noted that seven Sri Lankan students were found in 'torture chambers' where civilians were abused by Russian soldiers in areas of the Kharkiv region in Ukraine. One man said he was shot in the foot by the Russian captors. Another had a toenail ripped off after the soldiers repeatedly bashed it with the butt of a rifle.“Every day we were cleaning toilets and bathrooms,” Dilukshan Robertclive, one of the former captives, said in English.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – President Ranil Wickremesinghe is scheduled to leave the island early tomorrow morning (26) on an official visit to Japan and the Philippines.During his two-day official visit to Japan, the President will participate in the funeral ceremony of the former Prime Minister of Japan, Mr. Shinzo Abe, and will hold bilateral discussions with the Japanese Prime Minister, Foreign Minister and Finance Minister during this tour.Thereafter, President Ranil Wickremesinghe is scheduled to leave for the Philippines to preside over the meeting of the Governors of the Asian Development Bank.During his visit to the Philippines, President Wickremesinghe will hold discussions with the President of the Philippines Bongbong Marcos and the President of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Masatsugu Asakawa.The President is scheduled to return to the island upon completion of his official tour on the 30th of September.Senior Advisor to the President on National Security and Chief of Staff to the President Sagala Ratnayake, Director of International Affairs Dinuk Colomboge, Director of Media Shanuka Karunaratne, Director of Sustainable Development Randula Abeyweera and Private Secretary to the President Sandra Perera will accompany the President on his official tour.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka is due to meet on Monday (26) to discuss the gazette notification issued designating several areas in Colombo as High Security Zones.Several parties, including the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) and the Center for Policy Alternatives (CPA) have already expressed concern in this regard, in relation to its legitimacy.On Friday (23), Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe declared multiple areas in Colombo as High Security Zones.