2-hour power cut on 27th & 28th

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

Ice Cube confirmed he missed out on a $9 million acting role after he refused to get the vaccination shot for COVID-19.The 53-year-old rapper-actor, appearing on the podcast Million Dollaz Worth of Game Monday, said, 'I turned down a movie because I didn’t want to get the motherf***ing jab.'He continued: 'I didn’t want get the jab - f*** that jab; f*** y'all for trying to make me get it. I don’t know how Hollywood feels about me right now.' The latest: Ice Cube, 53, confirmed he missed out on a $9 million acting role after he refused to get the vaccination shot for COVID-19The comments came more than a year after reports in October of 2021 that he had been passed over for a role in the Sony comedy Oh Hell No as producers wanted all cast vaccinated for the shoot.The entertainer, whose real name is O'Shea Jackson, said he 'turned down $9 million' in not getting vaccinated to appear in the film, which is slated to star Jack Black and be directed by Kitao Sakurai.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Department of Meteorology says that mainly fair weather will prevail over most parts of the island.Condition of Rain:A few showers are likely in sea areas off the coast extending from Galle to Matara.Winds:Winds will be north-westerly or south-westerly and speed will be (20-40) kmph. State of Sea:The sea areas off the coast extending from Kankasanturai to Trincomalee via Mullaitivu and from Colombo to Hambantota via Galle and Matara will be fairly rough at times. 

₹40,000. This happened because of the pandemic as rents were lower as people working remotely had still not returned to the city. Post-pandemic, rents have surged and this very apartment now commands a monthly rent of ₹50,000-55,000," she said.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka's Former Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal said that Former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa simply let things happen during his tenure as the Head of State.Speaking to News 1st's 10 Questions program the Former Head of the Central Bank said he too believed that the Former President should have conducted himself differently, and that could have changed the fate of the country."An unexpected person is now the President.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Offshore Patrol Vessel P 627 the most recent addition to the Sri Lanka Navy fleet acquired from the United States (U.S.) Coast Guard was commissioned as Vijayabahu under the patronage of President Ranil Wickremesinghe on Tuesday (22) at the Colombo Port. The Vessel P 627 began her home-bound journey from the Port of Seattle on the 03rd September 2022 and arrived in Colombo on November 02 after about 10656 nautical miles (19734 km) of the sea passage.The President as the Chief Guest was accorded a Guard of Honour by the Sri Lanka Navy. The President boarded the SLNS Vijayabahu Vessel accompanied by Navy Commander Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenna and unveiled the ship's name board.Following a tour onboard the President unveiled the plaque and a memento was presented to the President by the Navy Commander. P 627, the second ‘Hamilton Class High Endurance Cutter’, received by SL Navy, measures 115m in length and is capable of reaching a maximum speed of 29 knots with 14000 nautical miles of endurance at cruising speed. Further, she has been designed for 187 crew members and is equipped with modern weapons and machinery that suit SL Navy’s operational requirements. During her stint with the U.S.

By Tyrone DevottaThe digital chapter of FITIS on its internet day message says although Financial Technology (FinTech) is now a global phenomenon, in providing financial benefits to the elite and right down to the bottom of the pyramid, Sri Lanka has not cashed in on its full advantages.  This is because we lack the policy framework for Fintech companies to operate in their full capacity.

Corrie star Kym Marsh has had to pull out of Strictly Come Dancing this weekend after testing positive for Covid.

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

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Department of Meteorology says that mainly fair weather will prevail over most parts of the island.Condition of Rain:A few showers are likely in sea areas off the coast extending from Galle to Matara.Winds:Winds will be north-westerly or south-westerly and speed will be (20-40) kmph. State of Sea:The sea areas off the coast extending from Kankasanturai to Trincomalee via Mullaitivu and from Colombo to Hambantota via Galle and Matara will be fairly rough at times. 

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Sri Lankan government has decided to release 50 fuel bowsers daily to meet the kerosene needs of the fishing community.Last week, the Petroleum Corporation had approved the release of 357 kerosene bowsers to meet the fishing community's needs. However, the fuel stations had only obtained 206 bowsers (58%).

People are being warned that a "highly contagious" respiratory virus could be on the rise during the winter.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Two more men arrested for their alleged link to the sex trafficking ring in Oman were remanded to the 1st of December 2023.The suspects were produced to the Colombo Chief Magistrate Nandana Amarasinghe by the Criminal Investigations Department on Tuesday (22).One suspect was arrested by the CID in Kurunegala, while the other was arrested in Colombo.Sri Lanka's Criminal Investigations Department arrested a woman with links to the sex trafficking ring in Oman, after she surrendered to the CID on Monday (21) morning. She was later released on two personal bails of Rs.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Indictments were served on Former Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, Former Operations Director of the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation Chandrapala Liyanage, and Former Chairman Wimal Rupasinghe at the Colombo High Court on Tuesday (22).The case was filed against them for using Rs. 990,000/- in funds owned by the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation during the run-up to the 2015 Presidential Election, and purchasing 600 GI pipes for various other uses.After the indictments were served, the three defendants were released on a cash bail of Rs.

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

The Scottish Parliament's COVID-19 Recovery Committee will meet with employees and service users of two Lanarkshire employment support organisations next week.

primary obstacles to luring them back in, but fear of being exposed to the coronavirus remains a factor for one in four workers, and that rate is even higher among some demographics.To stay up to date with the latest Gallup News insights and updates, follow us on Twitter.Learn more about how the Gallup Panel works.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka's Minister of Labour and Foreign Employment  Manusha Nanayakkara in Parliament informed today (22) that the law will be strictly enforced against those involved in trafficking women to Oman, where they are auctioned and sold to the highest bidder.Minister Manusha Nanayakkara revealed to the parliament that as per the data available with the Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Bureau there are 12 Sri Lankan women at the Safe-House in Oman operated by the Sri Lankan Embassy who had registered themselves with the SLFEB, and another 65 who had used visit visa to travel to Oman citing other reasons to Sri Lankan authorities.He added that 70 Sri Lankan women registered with the Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Bureau, and 7 Sri Lankan women have used visit visa and are currently held in Dubai.The Minister went on to note that Sri Lankans who registered with the Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Bureau and face issues overseas can be brought back to the country without any issue, however, there is growing concern over the rise in numbers using visit visa for employment purposes.He added that legal action was instituted on over 100 incidents of abuse, and multiple suspects were arrested based on the investigations.He revealed to the house that only 40 Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Bureau personnel are assigned to meet the needs of all countries, however, Cabinet has approved to recruit of another 50 personnel.Minister Manusha Nanayakkara individual at the Sri Lankan Embassy in Oman who is accused of committing sexual abuse towards Sri Lankan women over there has been interdicted and will be brought back to the country where he will be arrested on arrival, and will be investigated. 

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka's Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the proposal to introduce a new Police Ordinance based on the new social norms and trends.According to the Cabinet Memorandum produced to the Minister of Public Security, the existing Police Ordinance No.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Consumers across the country have pointed out that there is a shortage of cooking gas in the local market, adding that most sellers do not have sufficient stocks of LP Gas.Litro Chairman Muditha Peiris speaking to News 1st said that most distributors are not delivering cooking gas cylinders to traders on credit, and they are currently engaged in cash-only business.Therefore, he added that many small-time traders are finding it difficult to procure gas.However, as a solution the distributors have been instructed to deliver gas to small-time traders on loan facilities, said the Litro Chairman.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – An Italian man and a Sri Lankan who were arrested over a foreign employment racket were remanded to the 5th of December.Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) arrested four people including an Italian from a hotel in Badulla for conducting interviews for employment opportunities in Romania, violating Sri Lankan laws.The two other Sri Lankans were released on personal bail of Rs. 500,000/- each.The Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment said that the men had published ads on Facebook for employment opportunities in Romania and conducted interviews, without any approval from the SLBFE.Around 30 people responded to the online ad and were presented for interviews in Baduall when the arrests were made.It was also reported that candidates were being charged around Rs.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Today’s exchange rates from the Central Bank of Sri Lanka:USD Buy 360.9919 Sell 371.8325GBP Buy 425.4912 Sell 442.0244EUR Buy 369.3487 Sell 384.6493JPY Buy 2.5529 Sell 2.6615AUD Buy 237.8336 Sell 249.1314

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Colombo North Crimes Division arrested a man from Dehiwala for the possession of 78,700 narcotic pills.The arrest was made following raids in Mutuwal and Kalubowila.Sri Lanka Police said that the suspect had illegally imported the drugs by and air and sea routes.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) says that raids will be conducted across the island from Wednesday (23) to identify traders selling food at high prices and unfit for consumption.The raids are to take place targeting the upcoming holiday season.The CAA also said that they will file lawsuits against traders selling food at high prices and unfit for consumption.The raids will continue until January 15th.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Minister of Health Keheliya Rambukwella says that the Treasury will provide Rs. 2 Billion to purchase essential medicines.The Minister said that the government is to make payments to the tune of Rs.

A Scots teacher has been left unable to read books after a crippling long covid battle. Melanie More, 28, struggles with a variety of cognitive and physical issues - leaving her 90 per cent housebound.

A Scots bride has opened up about how she managed to pull of her dream Disney wedding in just six months - despite Covid nearly ruining everything.

India's active cases have also declined to 6,209. Covid-19 cases in India have been declining for the past few days as the country is reporting single-day rise of less than 500 infections.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The vote on the second reading of the budget will be held today (22).The Parliament is scheduled to meet today at 9.30 am and the sessions will be presided over by Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena.Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said that all Sri Lanka Freedom Party MPs who are connected to the government have decided to vote in favour of the second reading of the budget today (22).Meanwhile, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya, the Sri Lanka Freedom Party, the People's Freedom Congress, and the National People's Power have decided to vote against it.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Sri Lanka Freedom Party, and the Samagi Jana Balavegaya led alliance have decided to vote against the Second Reading of the 2023 Budget on Tuesday (22) in Parliament.The Central Committee of the SLFP met on Monday (21) and unanimously decided to vote against the Budget at the second reading vote.At the same time, the SJB Working Committee also met separately on Monday (21) and unanimously decided to vote against the Budget at the second reading vote.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Public Utilities Commission has approved a one-hour power cut for the long weekend from 5th to 7th November.Accordingly, the power cut will be between 5:30 PM & 8:30 PM for groups A to W.On the 8th of November, a two-hour power cut will be imposed for groups A to W.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) approved power cuts of 2 hours for today (4) as follows;Groups ABCDEFGHIJKLPQRSTUVW: 1 hour during daytime 1 hour during the night

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) approved power cuts of 2 hours for today and tomorrow as follows;Groups ABCDEFGHIJKLPQRSTUVW: 1 hour during daytime 1 hour during the night

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) approved power cuts of 2 hours from 02nd – 04th November as follows;Groups ABCDEFGHIJKLPQRSTUVW: 1 hour during daytime 1 hour during the night

Dame Judi Dench, 87, has discussed how she had to get her partner David Mills to “cut up her food” for her due to her declining health.The star also revealed that she cannot read or write anymore due to suffering from advanced macular degeneration. The James Bond actress revealed that, while out for dinner recently with her partner David, he had to cut up her food as she couldn't see it on her plate.“He cut it up and handed something to me on a fork and that's the way I ate it,” she recalled.However, the legendary star has insisted that she will not be retiring from acting anytime soon despite her condition. Nonetheless, Judi admitted that her health was in a “bad” state as she opened up about the way her life has changed as a result. “I don't want to retire,” she said. “I'm not doing much at the moment because I can't see.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) approved power cuts of 2 hours on the 31st of October as follows;Group ABCDEFGHIJKLPQRSTUVW: 1-hour during the daytime 1-hour during the night

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Reports have surfaced with regard to an attempt to cut down trees that have been standing tall for over a century, under the guise of development.Sri Lankan authorities have allocated Rs. 20 Million under the Suhuru Project series for the renovation of the Ulpath Wewa at the Devata village in Horowpathana.The project is directly supervised by the Kekirawa Irrigation Engineer, and local farmers allege that permission has been given to cut down 17 tall Kumbuk trees and 1 Oak tree located on the banks of the tank.The Chairman of the National Govijana Collective, Anuradha Tennakoon pointed out that cutting down 18 trees would pose serious risks to the ecosystem, as the Ulpath Wewa was formed when the water from a number of nearby springs.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka has approved a power cut of 1 hour during the weekend and 2 hours on 31st October as follows;29th & 30th – Groups ABCDEFGHIJKLPQRSTUVW  1 hour from 5.30 pm to 8.30 pm31st – Groups ABCDEFGHIJKLPQRSTUVW  1 hour during daytime and 1 hour during the night.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Colombo Chief Magistrate Nandana Abeyasinghe issued notice on the OIC of the Criminal Investigations Department to appear in court on the 10th of December.The OIC of the CID has been summoned to show cause for the failure of the CID to conduct an investigation into the complaint filed regarding the dual citizenship of State Minister Diana Gamage. Appearing for Lakmal Herath Attorney-at-Law Gunarathne Vanninayake said that his client had lodged a complaint at the CID stating that State Minister Diana Gamage had concealed the fact that she has a British Passport and applied for a Sri Lankan passport. The counsel added that the CID had failed to investigate this complaint. The Counsel further pointed out that although a responsible public official had testified that the State Ministers' NIC and Birth Certificates are forgeries no further investigations have been conducted. After considering the facts the Colombo Chief Magistrate Nandana Amarasinghe issued notice on the OIC of the CID to appear in court on the 10th of next month.   

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Minister of Power & Energy has met the Treasury Department in USA Robert Kaproth and the US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung and other officials of the USAID.Productive discussions were carried out considering the reforms in the Power & Energy Sector, policies, debt restructuring, fuel management system & Petroleum products procurement.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Minister of Power & Energy has met the Treasury Department in USA Robert Kaproth and the US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung and other officials of the USAID.Productive discussions were carried out considering the reforms in the Power & Energy Sector, policies, debt restructuring, fuel management system & Petroleum products procurement.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) approved power cuts of 2 hours and 20 minutes on 25th & 26th October as follows;Groups ABCDEFGHIJKLPQRSTUVW: 1-hour during daytime 1-hour and 20-minutes during the night

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Chairman of the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) Janaka Ratnayake said that the scheduled power cuts on Monday (24) will not be carried out considering the celebration of the Deepavali festival.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera says that proposals for the restructuring of the power sector are expected to be submitted to the Parliament next month.In a Twitter message, the Minister said that he has received the report of the Cabinet Appointed Committee on Power Sector Reforms.The Minister added the report will be handed over to the President and the Cabinet of Ministers.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekera informed the National Council that the report of the committee on to the restructuring of the energy sector will be submitted to the National Council within two weeks.At the same time, the Minister informed that the National Council is also expected to be informed about the proposed measures to be taken for the various energy generation projects proposed to be launched by the Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority and the Ceylon Electricity Board.The National Council met on 20th October under the Chairmanship of the Speaker of the Parliament, Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana, Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena and the Chief Opposition Whip Lakshman Kiriella.Institutions such as the Sri Lanka Electricity Board and Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority were called before the National Council where the officials presented ideas and proposals related to the progress of the energy sector.MP Namal Rajapaksa, as the Chairman of the National Council sub-committee on identifying short and medium-term programs related to National Policy, and the Chairman of the National Council sub-committee on identifying short and medium-term programs related to Economic Stabilization, Patali Champika Ranawaka informed the National Council about the progress and the expected future work of the committees.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Criminal Investigation Department has been requested to conduct an investigation into the case of an illegally imported Hummer vehicle being given to the same person who imported it at an auction held after it was impounded.This investigstion is being conducted based on a notification by the Secretary of the Ministry of Finance to the Inspector General of Police on the advice of the State Minister of Finance, Ranjith Siambalapitiya.The vehicle in question was illegally imported to Sri Lanka on February 22nd, 2021.The State Minister of Finance, Ranjith Siambalapitiya had previously called for a report from the Director General of Customs regarding the incident, and the Ministry of Finance announced that this step was taken based on the recommendations of the report.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Criminal Investigation Department has been requested to conduct an investigation into the case of an illegally imported Hummer vehicle being given to the same person who imported it at an auction held after it was impounded.This investigstion is being conducted based on a notification by the Secretary of the Ministry of Finance to the Inspector General of Police on the advice of the State Minister of Finance, Ranjith Siambalapitiya.The vehicle in question was illegally imported to Sri Lanka on February 22nd, 2021.The State Minister of Finance, Ranjith Siambalapitiya had previously called for a report from the Director General of Customs regarding the incident, and the Ministry of Finance announced that this step was taken based on the recommendations of the report.

Consumers sharing their Netflix account with family or friends outside their household will have to pay extra starting early next year."We’ve landed on a thoughtful approach to monetize account sharing and we’ll begin rolling this out more broadly starting in early 2023,"the world's largest streaming service wrote in its quarterly shareholder letter on Tuesday. "After listening to consumer feedback, we are going to offer the ability for borrowers to transfer their Netflix profile into their own account, and for sharers to manage their devices more easily and to create sub-accounts ('extra member'), if they want to pay for family or friends."Netflix expects the profile transfer feature will be "especially popular" in the U.S. and 11 other countries where its new $6.99 per month ad-supported plan will be available starting Nov.