World’s largest broadcasting union condemns police assault on Sri Lankan journalists

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Three people, including a Sri Lankan woman who attempted to sell an infant via social media for 12,000 Dirhams, have been arrested in Dubai.Dubai media revealed that a 35-year-old Indonesian woman attempted to sell her newborn baby boy in need of money.Two associates, including a Sri Lankan woman, have helped her in her efforts to find a buyer.The 45-year-old Sri Lankan woman had posted an advertisement online last February to sell the 2-month-old baby.After receiving information about this incident, the Dubai Police has initiated an investigation to find the suspects.Accordingly, a policewoman contacted the Sri Lankan woman and went under the pretense of attempting to buy the child, and in the process, arrested the three suspects.In the trial held last week, all three were found guilty at the Dubai Courts for human trafficking.Accordingly, one suspect has been sentenced to three years in prison and a fine of four thousand dirhams.Due to their illegal stay at the United Arab Emirates, they have been sentenced to an additional month's imprisonment and a fine of 1,000 dirhams.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – China is a most sincere and reliable friend of Sri Lanka, notes the Ambassador Qi Zhenhong in a statement released by the Embassy in commemoration of the 73rd anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.The Ambassador also visited several key Chinese enterprises and projects in Sri Lanka to meet with the local and the Chinese staff to pass wishes for the National Day holiday in China.The full statement of the Chinese Embassy is as follows:On the 73rd anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, and with the approaching of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, I would like to wish the country prosperity and progress, our people health and happiness, and best regards to all the Chinese fellow citizens working, studying and living in Sri Lanka! I would also like to extend my heartfelt thanks to our Sri Lankan friends from all walks of life, who have always been following and supporting the development of China and China-Sri Lanka relations!In the past year, the world has gone through tremendous changes. Under the strong leadership of CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core, we have overcome adverse effects brought by complexed international challenges，sporadic outbreaks of COVID-19 pandemic and unpredictable earthquakes, floods and droughts, and China’s economy has maintained a stabilized and increasing momentum with much potential to be released.

Woman killed in hit-and-run.

Two men critical after double shooting. PHILADELPHIA - What began as a deadly shooting early Saturday morning has taken a turn thanks to the action of medics.Officers arrived to find two men suffering from gunshot wounds when they responded to shooting on the 1900 block of Lansing Street just before 2 a.m.One man was initially pronounced dead after being shot in the head.

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 World Children's Day program organized by MTV Channels (Pvt) Ltd. is currently being held at Viharamaha Devi Park.The longest painting in the country was unveiled on Saturday (1), created by the efforts of hundreds of children covering all 25 districts across the country for more than a month.The title of the painting is, "United we stand."This effort is a mission to enhance the creativity of our children during this challenging time, and to enrich them with artistic abilities as well as leadership qualities for the future.The painting started from Independence Square and Jaffna on 30th August and is due to be completed in Colombo today.

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) – The social security levy of 2.5% will be implemented from Saturday (01).The State Minister of Finance Shehan Semasinghe stated that the price of certain goods may increase through this levy.The State Minister said that the levy, which was passed in Parliament on 8th September, is expected to assist those who are in poverty and extreme poverty in Sri Lanka as a short term solution. The tax is levied at the rate of 2.5 percent on the turnover of importers, manufacturers, service providers and wholesalers and retailers with an annual turnover of more than 120 million.

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.

(Bucks County)BENSALEM, Pa. - A Trevose man has been arrested and charged with crimes related to a sexual assault of a child.Gerald Malloy was taken into custody September 29 by Bensalem police after he went to Neshaminy Mall for a sexual encounter with a 12-year-old child.According to officials, Malloy used a dating app and solicited a 12-year-old boy for a sexual encounter. He then sent sexually explicit photos and asked the child to send similar photos to him.The conversation moved on to text messages, where he was explicit about what he wanted to do with the 12-year-old.

The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) released an image of the human smuggling plane stopped at the Mid Valley Airport in Weslaco, Texas. (Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) ) Texas state police disrupted a human smuggling attempt by plane, leading to the apprehension of six illegal immigrants, including a deported felon wanted in Wisconsin for sexual assault on a child. Three other individuals, including a female U.S.

Mugshot of Joseph Oberlies, who has been charged with burglary and desecrating human remains. (Al Cannon Detention Center) A 33-year-old South Carolina man out on bond told officers he was "black-out drunk" when he broke into his ex-girlfriend's home and dumped the ashes of her deceased child into the trash, according to a police report.Joseph Oberlies was charged with first-degree burglary and destruction of human remains upon being booked into the Al Cannon Detention Center in North Charleston, South Carolina, last Thursday morning, according to local ABC News 4.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Embassy of Sri Lanka to the United States, working in collaboration with renowned American humanitarian donor organizations, has achieved a significant milestone in the provision of free medicines and medical supplies to Sri Lanka from July to October 2022.Three consignments have already been sent to the Ministry of Health and a fourth is expected to land on 2nd October.The total value of the 4 consignments is over US Dollars 12,645,150. At today’s exchange rate, this is worth approximately SL Rupees 4.6 billion (exactly LKR 4,588,925,697).Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to the United States, Mahinda Samarasinghe, who reached out to US donor organizations earlier this year, has conveyed his heartfelt gratitude to the three donors, Heart to Heart International, Hope Worldwide, and Americares for their generosity which has proved timely and potentially lifesaving for hundreds of thousands of Sri Lankans in dire need. The Ambassador intends to continue working with humanitarian organizations and agencies to assist vulnerable segments of the population.Commencing in July 2022, Heart to Heart International has sent two consignments worth USD 9.131 million.The consignment from Americares arrived in Colombo earlier in September and is valued at over USD 773,000.

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.

PHILADELPHIA - A retired Philadelphia police officer has been charged with indecent assault of minors and investigators are urging any other potential victims to come forward. Patrick Heron, 52, is in custody and being held on $2 million bail for a number of charges District Attorney Larry Krasner says relate to unlawful sexual contact with young girls. Heron is also accused witness retaliation, harassment, and stalking of both adults and juveniles related to alleged cover-up efforts.  "The alleged crimes for which this individual is charged are honestly some of the worst I’ve ever seen against an ex-law enforcement official," Krasner said during a Friday morning press conference. Patrick Heron, 52 (Philadelphia Police Department)Heron is charged with unlawful contact with minors involving sexual offenses, computer sex acts with children, indecent assault of a person less than 13, and related offenses. "The conduct alleged includes unlawful sexual contact with minors - some of them quite young – electronic messages that appear to be efforts at grooming young girls or coercion of young girls to meet with this defendant in person, to send him intimate photographs.

PHILADELPHIA - The Philadelphia Police Department is investigating several shootings that left four people injured, three critically, early Friday morning. Police say the first shooting took place just after 1 a.m. on the 6100 block of Market Street. According to authorities, an 18-year-old was shot in the leg and was transported to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, where he was placed in stable condition. A 25-year-old man sustained multiple gunshot wounds throughout his body in the same shooting, officials say.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – UNICEF welcomes the contribution of US$ 500,000 from the Japanese Government to support the provision of nutrition services for children and families affected by the current crisis that Sri Lanka faces.In coordination with the Ministry of Health and partners, the funding will be used to procure micronutrients urgently needed to care for children, carry out screening and provide the necessary follow-up, including counseling for malnutrition. 

(PTI) Indian RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat said that it was only India which helped Sri Lanka and Maldives when these countries were in distress while other countries were interested in finding business opportunities.Spirituality is the "soul of India", he said, addressing a program organized by Bharat Vikas Manch, an organization associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). He said that countries like China, United States and Pakistan turned their attention to Sri Lanka when they saw business opportunities there.The RSS Chief added that now when Sri Lanka is in trouble, it is only India that is extending support.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) approved power cuts of 2 hours and 20 minutes for 01st & 02nd October as follows;Groups ABCDEFGHIJKLPQRSTUVW: 1-hour during daytime 1-hour and 20-minutes during the night

Sweden's Public Health Agency has said it was no longer recommending that children aged 12 to 17 get vaccinated against Covid-19, citing the "very low risk" for the group.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka's Food Inflation had spiked to 94.9% in September 2022, said the Deaprtment of Census and Statistics on Friday (30).It also said that Year on Year Inflation was measured at 69.8% in September 2022.        

COLOMBO (News 1st) – JICA has decided to provide additional support to procure medicine, responding to serious medicine shortages in Sri LankaJICA will provide additional support to procure medicine as part of the “Project for Strengthening COVID-19 Response”.Original Input from JICA for this project was to provide Rs.300mn worth essential equipment for the base hospitals in Teldeniya, Warakapola, Walikanda, Pimbura, Nawalapitiya, Hingurakgoda, Karawanella, and Avissavella (for mainly treatment) and District General Hospital Hambantota (for particularly PCR tests) and to provide online training, for strengthening capacities in the preparedness and development for diagnostics and treatment services to combat infectious diseases including COVID-19.JICA has decided to provide additional support to procure medicine under this project, responding to the serious medicine shortages in Sri Lanka.Sri Lanka is still facing serious shortages of medicine due to the ongoing crisis. Some hospitals need to suspend their surgeries because of lack of medicines and surgical equipment. The prices of medicines are rapidly increasing, which are mostly imported but unable to import because of the current situation in Sri Lanka.

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.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – SJB MP S. M.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) says that the operations at the Kelanitissa power plant have resumed. The CEB says that the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) had taken the necessary steps to provide the required diesel and furnace oil for the operations of the Kelanitssa Power Plant.Repairs have begun on Generator 3 at the Norocholai Power plant following the breakdown that took place on 27th September, and the CEB says that it will be added to the main grid by next Monday (3).On the 27th of September 2022, Sri Lanka's energy regulator approved for the Ceylon Electricity Board to purchase power from Private Plants until Norochcholai Power Plant is restored.Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekera said on that day that the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation will provide the necessary Diesel, Naphtha, and Furnace Oil requirements to the CEB to maintain power generation without extending the power cuts.This announcement came after Generator 3 at the Norochcholai Coal Power Plant failed.The Chairman of the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka said that the Generator failed due to a fault.Generator 2 at the Norochcholai Coal Power Plan is already out for repairs.Accordingly, only 300 MW of a total of 900 MW is being generated from the Norochcholai Power Plant.The Kerawalapitiya Yugadanavi Power Plant has also recommenced its operations to generate electricity after being provided with the necessary stocks of furnace oil.The Ministry of Power and Energy said that 300 MW of electricity will be added to the National Grid.It added that the reactivation of the Kerawalapitiya Yugadanavi Power Plant will allow authorities to limit power cuts to two hours and twenty minutes without extending them,

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Kerawalapitiya Yugadanavi Power Plant has recommenced its operations to generate electricity after being provided with the necessary stocks of furnace oil.The Ministry of Power and Energy said that 300 MW of electricity will be added to the National Grid.It added that the reactivation of the Kerawalapitiya Yugadanavi Power Plant will allow authorities to limit power cuts to two hours and twenty minutes without extending them, despite issues at the Norochcholai Coal Power Plant.On the 27th of September 2022, Sri Lanka's energy regulator approved for the Ceylon Electricity Board to purchase power from Private Plants until Norochcholai Power Plant is restored.Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekera said the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation will provide the necessary Diesel, Naphtha, and Furnace Oil requirements to the CEB to maintain power generation without extending the power cuts.This announcement came after Generator 3 at the Norochcholai Coal Power Plant failed.The Chairman of the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka said that the Generator failed due to a fault.Generator 2 at the Norochcholai Coal Power Plan is already out for repairs.Accordingly, only 300 MW of a total of 900 MW is being generated from the Norochcholai Power Plant.

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) – The Iranian government has expressed its willingness to supply Fertilizers to Sri Lanka.The Ministry of Agriculture has decided to obtain fertilizer from Iran, following a meeting with the Iranian Ambassador recently.However, importing fertilizer from Iran has become an issue given international sanctions imposed on the middle-eastern country.The Agriculture Minister said the necessary applications will be made via the Foreign Ministry.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The suspect who stabbed a man during a snatch and grab incident in Pahalagama, Gampaha on the 20th of September, was killed in police fire on Thursday (29) night.The wife of the suspect was arrested by Sri Lanka Police.Police Officers had visited the Maduruwita area in Gampaha to arrest the suspects, and during the arrest, he had attempted to stab a police officer.Police officers had opened fire on the suspect, and he was rushed to the Gampaha Hospital where he died upon admission.The deceased was identified as Janaka Lasantha, a resident from Kosowita, Ganemulla.Investigations revealed that the deceased was a drug peddler, and was involved in snatch and grabs with his wife.The mugging incident that went wrong: Rasika Vinod, a 29-year-old mid-level employee at a State Bank in Sri Lanka was brutally killed while he tried to prevent a mugging attempt recently.On Tuesday (20) night, Vinod tragically died when he attempted to foil a snatching attempt at his doorstep, in Pahalagama in the Gampaha District.According to reports, this is how the tragedy had taken place: His wife and her friend were returning home from work on Tuesday (20) night.When his wife was close to their home, a couple in a motorbike approached them and attempted to snatch a handbag.According to Sri Lanka Police, Rasika was waiting at the doorstep for his wife to return home, along with his father.The duo immediately attacked the motorcycle thieves, and also toppled the two-wheeler onto the ground.During the tussle, the motorcycle rider attacked Rasika with a sharp weapon.The victim of the mugging attempt detailed her ordeal to News 1st's Naveksha Gunasekera who visited the scene of the crime on Wednesday (21)."A motorcycle crossed my

COLOMBO (News 1st) – UN Special Rapporteur Clément Nyaletsossi VOULE for Freedom of Association says that they are very concerned with the declaration of

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) – More details have surfaced about a headless corpse that was dragged away by a crocodile in Akuressa, in Sri Lanka's south.The presence of Crocodiles in Hulandawa, Akuressa doesn't usually shock the local residents, however, what they saw in the Nilwala River on Wednesday (28) evening, had sent shivers down their spines.Residents of Pathovita in Hulandawa were shocked when they saw this crocodile dragging the headless corpse of a man in the Nilwala river. The crocodile with a headless corpse between its teeth had attempted to come ashore on Wednesday (28) evening, however, it went swam back into the depths of the river after seeing a large crowd on the river bank.Attempts by the area residents to locate the body on Thursday (29) were unsuccessful. The area residents identified the clothes on the corpse being dragged around by the crocodile as those belonging to Palanisamy Aarumugam who was reported missing on Wednesday (28).Palanisamy a father of two was a daily wage earner at a Katupol Plantation. Since his daily income of between  700 to 800 rupees was not sufficient to feed his children he had taken up fishing to make ends meet.What is even more unfortunate was that he had not gone to work on Wednesday (28) due to an injury, and decided to go fishing as he had no other way to feed his children, since his wife too had left them.Arumugam who went fishing to feed his kids never came back.Arumugam was well aware of the threat posed by crocodiles in the river but was desperate as he had no other way to feed his children. The loss of this single parent has now left two small children all alone in this world, with no one to take care of them.

PHILADELPHIA - Authorities say two young teenagers were shot while walking down a Philadelphia street Thursday night by a gunman who got out of a vehicle.Officers from the Philadelphia Police Department were called to the intersection of 54th and Willows streets around 5 p.m. for reports of a gunfire. Police found a 16-year-old boy shot once in the side of the head and a 14-year-old suffering from a gunshot wound to the body, according to investigators. The older teen was brought to Penn Presbyterian Hospital and placed in critical condition, police said.

STRAWBERRY MANSION - A man and a woman are recovering after they were both shot in Strawberry Mansion.Officials said the shooting happened early Thursday afternoon, just before 1:30, on the 2600 block of North 30th Street.A 46-year-old man was shot in the leg. Police took him to Temple University Hospital, where he was treated for his injury and placed in stable condition.A 65-year-old woman was also shot in the leg.

SAN DIEGO - A rare wild horse that was cloned is learning his "wild horse language" after being paired with another female of the same species and recently made his debut to visitors at the San Diego Zoo.The rare, endangered Przewalski’s horse, named Kurt, was created from cells taken from a stallion that had sat frozen at the San Diego Zoo for 40 years before the cells were fused with an egg from a domestic horse. As part of the cloning process, scientists then removed the nucleus from the egg cell — ensuring Kurt would be basically all Przewalski’s horse. The cells were implanted in a surrogate mother, a domestic quarter horse, who birthed Kurt in August 2020. The result was the world’s first cloned Przewalski’s horse, zoo officials said.Kurt, the world’s first cloned Prezwalski horse in a field habitat at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.

Detectives with the Lower Southampton Township Police Department are investigating an assault and robbery at a comic book store in Feasterville. Authorities are searching for the two suspects seen in this picture.  FEASTERVILLE, Pa. - The business owner of a Bucks County comic book store was violently beaten and tied up during a robbery, according to police. Authorities say officers from the Lower Southampton Township Police Department responded to the Comic Collection store in Feasterville for an assault and robbery. According to authorities, two suspects entered the store and asked the owner to get them merchandise from a high shelf.

PHILADELPHIA - A man has died after he was run over in a hit-and-run in Holmesburg, police say. Authorities say the incident occurred on Wednesday afternoon at 2:37 p.m. According to officials, a 20-year-old driving a 2003 Honda Pilot was traveling eastbound on Chippendale Street when the driver stopped at the stop sign at the intersection of Frankford Avenue. Police say the driver made a left turn going north onto Frankford Avenue when they hit Joseph Lawson, 73, as he was crossing Frankford Avenue. MORE LOCAL HEADLINESThe driver continued operating the vehicle and ran over the man, authorities say. Lawson was transported to Jefferson-Torresdale Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, according to officials. The driver was last seen going north on Frankford Avenue, authorities say. Police say Lawson lived on the 3400 block of Chippendale Street. According to officials, the hit-and-run is under investigation by the Accident Investigation Division. 

PHILADELPHIA - A 14-year-old boy has been arrested and charged in connection with a shooting at the SEPTA station in Tioga, according to SEPTA Transit Police. SEPTA Transit Police say the shooting happened on Sunday night around 10:35 p.m.According to officials, after a short fight on a Market-Frankford Line train, the teen got off, pulled a gun out of his bag and fired two rounds at the train as it was leaving the station. Police say one of the rounds became lodged in the train window and was recovered. MORE LOCAL HEADLINESAccording to police, there were several passengers on board the train, but no one was hurt. After reviewing surveillance video and conducting an investigation, SEPTA Transit Police say they identified the suspect and arrested him after a warrant was approved. Officials say the obey is facing aggravated assault and related charges. SEPTA police are urging customers to contact them with safety concerns and say they should immediately call 911 in case of emergencies. 

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Civil & Political activists point out that the recently introduced bill to establish a Bureau of Rehabilitation paves the way to crack down on the Aragalaya protesters.They allege that the bill will also allow Aragalaya Activists to be detained for a long period at Rehabilitation Camps.Justice Minister Dr.

PHILADELPHIA - Police say a lockdown at Boys Latin Charter Middle School has been lifted after a student who was seen with a loaded magazine on a bus was detained by officers at the school. According to authorities, the incident happened just before 8:30 a.m. on Thursday morning. The school was placed on lockdown after a student was seen with a magazine in his backpack on the bus, police say. Boys Latin Charter Middle School has been placed on lockdown after a student was observed with a loaded magazine on the bus, according to police.MORE LOCAL HEADLINESOfficials say the student was detained by police when he arrived at school and they recovered the loaded magazine. According to authorities, police were on location and the lockdown was lifted at 10:08 a.m.Boys Latin Charter High School, located about two miles away, was also placed on lockdown just before 9 a.m., per police officials. Police say K-9 units are en route to the high school. No additional information was released by authorities. This is a developing story.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Attorney Amila Egodamahawatte filed a special application with the Supreme Court on Thursday (29) seeking a ruling that the Bill titled the Bureau of Rehabilitation is one that leads the country to militarization and is one that violates the constitution of Sri Lanka.The attorney General was named as the respondent in this petition. The petition was filed through Attorney Manjula Balasuriya. The petitioner pointed out that, this act provides legislature to vest the judiciary power of the people to this Bureau without following the judicial process. They also pointed out that by introducing the Burea of Rehabilitation the government is attempting to usurp the powers of the court and vest it with the bureau, and enable it to act without any orders from the court. The petitioners pointed out that although the preamble of the bill states that it is an act to rehabilitate rebels, the lack of a proper interpretation of this term could lead to the people of the aragalaya being taken away to be rehabilitated using the military. The petitioner requests the court to issue a determination requesting the legislature to pass this bill through a majority in the parliament as the bill violates the people's freedom of expression and the right to hold peaceful demonstrations. At the same time, Civil & Political acitivists point out that the the recently introduced bill to establish a Bureau of Rehabilitation paves the way to crackdown on the Aragalaya protesters.They allege that the bill will also allow Aragalaya Activists to be detained for a long period at Rehabilitation Camps.Justice Minister Dr.

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) – The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka said that two fuel dispensers at a Colombo 7 filling station were sealed.These fuel dispensers were used to dispense 92 Octane Fuel, and the PUCSL uncovered a short delivery of 1.2% per litre of 92 Octane Petrol which is Rs.

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) – Twenty Three Police OICs have been transferred with immediate effect, said Sri Lanka Police.Police Spokesperson Attorney SSP Nihal Thalduwa says the OICs in question were assigned for other duties at different Police stations. The transfers were made as per a directive issued by the Inspector General of Police. 

(Nikkei) Sri Lanka's government appears increasingly upbeat about its chances of receiving International Monetary Fund board approval for a $2.9 billion bailout by December, but the multilateral lender has cautioned that the time frame remains uncertain, and much depends on discussions with the heavily indebted country's creditors.Peter Breuer, senior mission chief for Sri Lanka, and Masahiro Nozaki, mission chief for Sri Lanka, in written comments to Nikkei Asia, said, "It is difficult to predict the timeline, as the process of debt relief discussions takes time. All parties who are involved in the process should move expeditiously, so that Sri Lanka can emerge from the crisis as quickly as possible."On Sept.

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.