Apprentice winner Dr Leah Totton reveals health scare at eight months pregnant

up by double digits since July when optimism was waning amid rising cases.With weekly COVID-19 cases now lower than in July, the 65% of U.S. adults who believe the pandemic is improving is up 24 percentage points and on par with readings in February and April. In addition, 24% of Americans say the situation is staying about the same and 11% think it is getting worse.Gallup began measuring public perceptions of the coronavirus situation once per quarter this year after tracking it monthly in 2021 and weekly for much of 2020.Though markedly improved, the current assessment, from an Oct.

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.

It is important to take preventive action to eliminate mosquito breeding sites and protect against mosquito bites to prevent dengue.The vector for dengue, Aedes mosquito, bites during the day. The highest biting intensity is about two hours after sunrise and before sunset.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka Police launched an investigation into a brawl that took place between two student groups at the University of Kelaniya.Police said that statements were recorded from five injured students on Thursday (3) night.The altercation had taken place on Wednesday (2) early morning urging a group of students to withdraw their complaint against ragging filed with the Kiribathgoda Police.Fourth-year students attached to the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Kelaniya had assaulted a group of second-year students from the same faculty.The injured students obtained treatment from the Homagama Base Hospital and discharged themselves, and Sri Lanka Police launched an investigation based on the notification made by the hospital.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The International Federation of Red Cross And Red Crescent Societies says At least 5.7 million people require humanitarian assistance in Sri Lanka..The International Federation of Red Cross And Red Crescent Societies in its Needs Assessment Report for October 2022 said that At least 5.7 million people or 26 per cent of the population require humanitarian assistance.IFRC warned that without immediate humanitarian assistance, and ‘upstream’ interventions to address the fragility of systems, services and facilities, this number will multiply, and the consequences will deepen.IFRC said that at the community and family level, the macroeconomic collapse in Sri Lanka has translated into a complex humanitarian emergency, as millions of people are increasingly suffering, with severe shortages of food, fuel, cooking gas, medicine and other essentials.The IFRC assessment found that household purchasing power is constrained by food inflation and that disruptions to livelihoods and food insecurity have increased, raising worries about malnutrition.People are suffering from poorer health because the healthcare system has become compromised, and the household economic stresses have resulted in rising concerns over basic needs and protection for the most vulnerable such as those already living below the poverty line, people with disability, and marginalised people.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – A Russian Naval detachment of the Pacific Fleet formed by the 'Varyag' missile cruiser, Admiral Tributs anti-submarine ship, and 'Boris Butoma' tanker have entered the zone of responsibility of the Pacific Fleet south to Sri Lanka.The detachment is redeploying from the Mediterranean Sea to their base located in Vladivostok after operating in the off-shore maritime zone.Once the detachment reached the area near the island, its guidance was assumed from the Black Sea Fleet to the Pacific Fleet. The ships are currently crossing the Indian Ocean.The detachment departed from its base in December 2021Admiral Tributs : Admiral Tributs is a Project 1155 Large Anti-Submarine Ship of the Russian Navy.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Canadian business community has accorded support to the development of Sri Lanka's economy to overcome the economic crisis.This was accorded at the meeting on Thursday (03), between Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana, Speaker of Parliament and a group of Canadian business leaders in Parliament. The Canadian business community said that they hope to increase their friendship with Sri Lanka and also expressed their desire to support the young entrepreneurs in Sri Lanka to build their enterprises.Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana, Speaker of Parliament addressing the delegation, said that they will work expeditiously to bring about the development of the country. The speaker showed that the support of Canada's business leaders is also important for this purpose and pointed out the need for cooperation between the two sides.Furthermore, the speaker told the delegation present that an Overseas Sri Lankan Coordination Secretariat to help expatriates is in the process of being established in Sri Lanka and the necessary discussions are currently underway and that he hopes to get the support of each party for economic development.The Minister of Education and Leader of the House of Parliament, (Dr.) Susil Premajayantha was also present at this event and he pointed out the need to increase the friendship between the two parties.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka Police arrested a man for the possession of three kilograms of heroin from Angunukolapelessa on Friday (4) morning based on the information extracted from a suspect arrested on Thursday (3) for heroin possession.On Thursday (3) night, Sri Lanka Police arrested a man and a woman for the possession of 25 kilograms of heroin in Ambalantota.Sri Lanka Police discovered 25 kilograms of heroin in a house in Ambalantota following a raid.Police said five people connected to a heroin distribution ring have been arrested.Sleuths have informed detectives that the heroin was smuggled to Kudawella by boat and was concealed inside a cooking gas cylinder.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lankan authorities held a virtual meeting with Sri Lanka’s official creditors agains on Friday (4).The meeting was chaired by the Secretary to the Treasury and the Ministry of Finance, K M Mahinda Siriwardana, and the Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe.The meeting represents another important step towards securing International Monetary Fund (IMF) Board approval for Sri Lanka’s IMF program.Sri Lanka reached a Staff-Level Agreement with the IMF on a four-year program supported by the Extended Fund Facility on 1st September 2022. The program, amounting to USD 2.9bn, is expected to restore macroeconomic stability and debt sustainability while protecting the vulnerable and safeguarding Sri Lanka’s financial system.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Sri Lankan Government has announced via an Extraordinary gazette that electricity supply, petroleum production and distribution, hospital services have been declared as essential services. 

(Hindustan Times) – Sri Lanka will miss the December deadline for securing an IMF loan as the main bilateral debtor China was involved in the 20th party congress and had little time for holding debt restructuring talks with Colombo, reported the Hindustan Times.The next meeting of the IMF executive board is in March 2023.According to financial analysts based in Washington, Sri Lanka likely will miss the December IMF deadline and will have to wait for March 2023 to secure a USD 2.9 billion loan from the lending institution in eight equal tranches.In the meantime, the Sri Lankan debt has increased further due to forex depreciation, deep recession, and burgeoning fiscal deficit. Since the end of 2021, inflation has considerably eroded the real value of domestic debt.While debtors India and Japan have already initiated a dialogue with Colombo on debt reconciliation and restructuring, China is still to engage in the dialogue as Beijing was involved in the 20th National Party Congress and had little time for client state Sri Lanka. The total debt of the island nation was USD 36 billion at the end of 2021. Of this, Sri Lanka owes USD 7.1 billion to China or 20% of its debt.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – A crude oil shipment that was ordered by Sri Lanka remains anchored in Sri Lankan waters for almost 53 days, due to non-payment for the cargo by local authorities.A source from the Ministry of Power & Energy said as Sri Lanka is yet to make payments for two previous crude oil shipments, the vessel at the port has rejected the call to unload the shipment.A crude oil shipment that was ordered by Sri Lanka remained anchored in Sri Lankan waters for almost 53 days.A source from the Ministry of Power & Energy said Sri Lanka had made two previously purchased from the company that delivered the Crude Oil, and the payments are yet to be made for those two shipments.Therefore, the vessel has rejected calls to unload crude oil in Sri Lanka until the payment for the two previous shipments is made.The source from the Ministry of Power & Energy said Sri Lanka facing difficulties in sourcing US Dollars to make the payments.The Sapugaskanda Oil Refinery remains closed for weeks, due to the unavailability of crude oil

COLOMBO (News 1st) –  Sri Lanka's Women and Child Affairs Secretary Neil Bandara Hapuhinna says that the project to provide nutrition packs for pregnant and lactating mothers was suspended due to the lack of funds.As per this project, pregnant and lactating mothers were entitled to a nutrition pack worth Rs.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka's Parliament Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena said that it impossible to activate the Sectoral Oversight Committees in Parliament in the absence of representatives from the Opposition.Speaking to News 1st the speaker said the leader in the opposition was repeatedly informed to make the appointments to those committees, however, a positive response is yet to be received.Recently, the Sri Lankan Parliament gave the green light to activate 17 Parliamentary Sectoral committees, and the speaker said he hopes to complete the appointment of representatives to the committee during the next parliament week.President Ranil Wickremesinghe on Thursday (3) pointed out that although the formation of the National Assembly has been concluded to bring far-reaching systematic changes, satisfactory progress has not been made with regard to other proposals.The President has indicated this in a letter to Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena.The establishment of a National Assembly and the appointment of three committees related to public finance and banking were proposed under far-reaching systematic changes.In addition, it was also proposed to appoint the Banking and Financial Services Committee, the Economic Stabilization Committee and the Committee on Ways and Means related to banking affairs, as well as to delegate five youth representatives for the Sectoral committees and to establish the Parliamentary Budget Office.President Ranil Wickremesinghe has expressed that although 17 Parliamentary Sectoral committees should be established as indicated by these proposals; the chairpersons have not been designated for them and the criteria for selecting the youth representatives to be appointed for this purpose has yet

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka's Parliament Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena said that it impossible to activate the Sectoral Oversight Committees in Parliament in the absence of representatives from the Opposition.Speaking to News 1st the speaker said the leader in the opposition was repeatedly informed to make the appointments to those committees, however, a positive response is yet to be received.Recently, the Sri Lankan Parliament gave the green light to activate 17 Parliamentary Sectoral committees, and the speaker said he hopes to complete the appointment of representatives to the committee during the next parliament week.President Ranil Wickremesinghe on Thursday (3) pointed out that although the formation of the National Assembly has been concluded to bring far-reaching systematic changes, satisfactory progress has not been made with regard to other proposals.The President has indicated this in a letter to Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena.The establishment of a National Assembly and the appointment of three committees related to public finance and banking were proposed under far-reaching systematic changes.In addition, it was also proposed to appoint the Banking and Financial Services Committee, the Economic Stabilization Committee and the Committee on Ways and Means related to banking affairs, as well as to delegate five youth representatives for the Sectoral committees and to establish the Parliamentary Budget Office.President Ranil Wickremesinghe has expressed that although 17 Parliamentary Sectoral committees should be established as indicated by these proposals; the chairpersons have not been designated for them and the criteria for selecting the youth representatives to be appointed for this purpose has yet

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Department of Meteorology announced that showers or thundershowers will occur at several places over most parts of the island during the afternoon or night.Showers may occur in Northern, North-Western and Western provinces and in Galle and Matara districts during the morning too.Heavy showers of about 100mm can be expected at some places in Northern, North-Central, Eastern and Uva provinces and the Puttalam district.The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.Condition of Rain:Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in the sea areas around the island.Winds:Winds will be south-westerly or variable in direction. Wind speed will be (20-30) kmph.

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) – Sri Lanka's health ministry reported the first case of monkey pox in the country.Sources said the patient had returned from abroad, and was directed to medical treatment.What is Monkeypox?Monkeypox is a viral zoonosis (a virus transmitted to humans from animals) with symptoms similar to those seen in the past in smallpox patients, although it is clinically less severe. With the eradication of smallpox in 1980 and subsequent cessation of smallpox vaccination, monkeypox has emerged as the most important orthopoxvirus for public health.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Colombo Dockyard PLC, successfully launched a Cable Laying and Repair Vessel (C/S Sophie Germain) to Orange Marine France on 3rd November 2022Colombo Dockyard PLC is the leader of Shipbuilding Industry in Sri Lanka and one of the most competitive Shipyards in South Asia, the launch for Orange Marine France puts Colombo Dockyard on course with its shipbuilding activities, resilient and undeterred by the challenges faced. Orange Marine is a French company specializing in the field of submarine telecommunications, from the initial design, engineering, to installation of intercontinental and regional links, and maintenance of existing cables. The ceremonial launching took place at the Dock No 2 of CDPLC premises and the occasion was graced by the participation of owners, representatives from Embassy of France in Sri Lanka, Embassy of Japan in Sri Lanka, officials from government institutions including Sri Lanka Navy, Export Development Board (EDB), Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA), Sri Lanka Customs, Officials from state and private banks, ship designers, Class surveyors, CDPLC top management and employees. 

Covid-19 update: The death toll climbed to 5,30,479 with 18 fatalities which includes 15 deaths reconciled by Kerala, the data updated at 8 am stated. With 1,216 people testing positive for coronavirus infection in a day, India's tally of Covid-19 cases rose to 4,46,58,365, while the active cases declined to 15,705, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Friday. The death toll climbed to 5,30,479 with 18 fatalities which includes 15 deaths reconciled by Kerala, the data updated at 8 am stated.

Wendy Williams gave fans another tease of her upcoming podcast in a photo slideshow shared to Instagram on Thursday.The 58-year-old TV personality looked happy and healthy while sitting in a funky purple velvet chair with a 'The Wendy Experience' hoodie on.Williams has been 'home and healing' for the past two weeks after re-entering rehab in September following a streak of erratic behavior and claims of substance abuse. She's back! Wendy Williams gave fans another tease of her upcoming podcast in a photo slideshow shared to Instagram on Thursday'About Last NIGHT… Team WENDY!' Williams captioned Thursday's post.

Two investment experts talk about where growth will come from, Amazon vs. TikTok and more How the Pandemic Changed E-Commerce—and Where It Goes Now

EastEnders actress Sam Womack, who played the role of Ronnie Mitchell for years, was recently diagnosed with breast cancer, forcing her to undergo a traumatic course of chemotherapy. As she saw in her 50th birthday doing one of the things she loves best - performing to an audience - she admitted it had been a "rough couple of months".Sam made her spectacular West End comeback as the White Witch in the theatrical version of Narnia tale The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe last night.Fans had been anxiously awaiting news about her health, but she assured the world she was now "back to work" at London's Gillian Lynne Theatre.She announced proudly: "It's been a rough couple of months but I am blessed to be back."Meanwhile, Rita Simons, who played her onscreen sister Roxy on EastEnders, declared her a "warrior" as she joined the many admirers celebrating her milestone birthday - the first one since her health news."Happy birthday to the other half of me.

SAMANTHA Womack was given a rapturous applause by theatre-goers last night following her brave cancer battle. The former EastEnders actress revealed back in August she had been diagnosed with breast cancer. She looked incredible on Wednesday - her 50th birthday - playing the devilish White Witch on stage in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Former Minister Professor G. L.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka reached a Staff-Level Agreement with the IMF on a four-year program supported by the Extended Fund Facility on 1st September 2022. The program, amounting to USD 2.9 bn, is expected to restore macroeconomic stability and debt sustainability while protecting the vulnerable and safeguarding Sri Lanka’s financial system. This agreement remains subject to IMF Executive Board approval.The IMF program has been centred around Sri Lanka’s ambitious reform program. The government’s reform agenda is based on four pillars: 1.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The second total lunar eclipse of 2022 will turn the moon a reddish-copper colour for 85 minutes on Nov. 8, 2022.Sri Lanka will be able to witness this spectacle from 5 PM to 7 PM on that day.Often colloquially called a Blood Moon, a total lunar eclipse, happens as the full moon (in this case November's full Beaver Moon) moves into the deep umbral shadow of the Earth and receives only light first filtered by Earth's atmosphere, will be visible from North America and parts of South America, Asia, Australia and New Zealand. A partial lunar eclipse will be visible from Iceland, parts of South America, south and central Asia and Russia.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lankan authorities held a virtual meeting with Sri Lanka’s official creditors on Thursday (3). The meeting was chaired by the Secretary to the Treasury and the Ministry of Finance, K M Mahinda Siriwardana, and the Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, Dr. P.

Prime minister Shehbaz Sharif has taken notice of and “severely condemned” the firing incident at Imran Khan’s long march container in Wazirabad.He has instructed Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah to seek an immediate report on the incident from the IGP and chief secretary Punjab, according to a tweet from the Government of Pakistan’s official Twitter account.After a man opened fire at PTI chairman Imran Khan to injure him in Gujranwala, party leader Shahbaz Gill said that "Imran Khan is our red line and an attempt has been made to cross that red line."He also said that Khan will fight till his last breath.Following the incident, the PTI chairman has been shifted to a hospital.

In May this year, figures released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed that there are now 4.8 million disabled people across the country in employment, an increase of 1.3 million since 2017, delivering on a UK Government goal to see one million more in work by 2027.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment is requesting that people not travel overseas for employment using a tourist visa.Deputy General Manager of the SLBFE Gamini Senarath Yapa told News 1st that a number of people have travelled to the UAE and Oman for employment on Tourist Visa, and are now left stranded overseas.He also said that the SLBFE has suspended the registration of a person who wishes to travel overseas for employment using tourist visas.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Opposition Lawmaker Dr.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – A suspect who reprimanded, and assaulted a police officer who was on duty at the Nuwara Eliya Magistrate's Court was remanded to the 9th of November 2022.Sri Lanka Police said that the Police Officer in question had instructed the suspect who had visited the court to remain silent inside the premises.Thereafter, the Police Officer informed the man to leave the court premises if his matter was concluded.At that instance, the suspect reprimanded the police officer and assaulted him, said Sri Lanka Police.The suspect was arrested by fellow Police Officers who were present and was remanded to the 9th of November 2022.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Locomotive Engineering Operators' Union said that delayed maintenance had resulted in disruptions to the railway services.The Chairman of the Locomotive Engineering Operators' Union  K.A.U Konthasinghe told News 1st that several power-sets are not in a position to operate due to the absence of the braking system.He added that maintenance of railways tracks has also hit a deadlock due to the shortage of tracks, and equipment.The trade union leader revealed that during the past three days three separate trains derailed between Maradana and Fort, solely due to the lack of maintenance of railway tracks.Railways General Manager W. D.

John Swinney has blamed Brexit for causing a recruitment crisis in Scotland which he claims is impacting every sector of the economy.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka has decided to grant an amnesty period to surrender all illegally owned firearms.Public Security Secretary S. Hettiarachchi speaking to News 1st said that the President has granted approval to declare the amnesty, and the announcement will be made soon.He said that during the amnesty period those in possession of illegal firearms will be able to hand over them to the nearest police station in exchange for a cash voucher or gift.The Ministry of Defence will step in to facilitate the process, said the Public Security Secretary.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – There will be NO Fuel Price Revision this week, said Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekera on Thursday (3).He said that dealers anticipating a price reduction have not placed orders for fuel, and this has resulted in filling stations running out of fuel stocks.The Minister said the the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation and Lanka IOC haveample stocks to fulfill requirements guaranteed by the National Fuel Pass.The Minister requested the Dealers to place orders for their requirements.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Sri Lanka Government has decided to purchase medicines directly from the suppliers.Secretary of the Health Ministry Janaka Chandragupta said that the necessary purchasing orders are being made, and there is a shortage of 150 types of medicines in the country at present.He said that based on the purchasing orders, the necessary medicines will reach Sri Lanka in a fortnight.Over 1,700 medicines including medical equipment were to be imported via the Indian Line of Credit, however, a shortage has arisen due to the delay in delivery.Meanwhile, an expert committee has been appointed to consider the next steps to be taken regarding the expired Pfizer vaccines.It is headed by the Director General of Health Services.The Ministry of Health said that further decisions will be taken based on the recommendations of the relevant committee.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka will hold another round of online discussions on restructuring its debt.State Finance Minister Shehan Semansinghe said all the creditors will join the meeting scheduled for Thursday (3).If Sri Lanka is to access the Staff Level Agreement reached with the International Monetary Fund, the country must have approval from the IMF Board of Directors.Thursday's (3) discussions will follow the previous round of discussions with creditors.

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) – Sri Lanka Customs detected a stock of Methamphetamine pills shipped to an address in Angoda, Sri Lanka from Germany.The Assistant Customs Superintendent at the Customs Mail Exchange has detected the drugs after inspecting a cardboard box that claimed to contain personal belongings.4,956 pills weighing 2.387 kg were detected by customs, and the street value of the contraband is almost Rs.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka is planning on relaxing the restrictions on all marriages between Sri Lankans and foreigners.P. S.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Committee on Public Finance says that granting approval to the Gazette Notification to temporarily suspend the importation of bathware is an injustice to the consumer.The Committee on Public Finance was of the view that Regulations published in the Extra Ordinary gazette Notification 2296/30, Under the Import and Export (Control) Act No. 1 of 1969 should be subjected to further consideration and that consideration should also be given as to whether approval for such would stand as justifiable by the consumer. This was discussed at the Committee on Public Finance which met on Tuesday (01) under the chairmanship of Dr.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Qatar Fund for Development sent 4.7 tons of urgent medical aid to the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.The Aid was received by Jassim bin Jaber J.B. Al-Sorour, Ambassador of the State of Qatar and Keheliya Rambukwella, Minister of Health in Sri Lanka and in the presence of the Diplomats in the Mission and the senior officials of the Ministry of Health in Sri Lanka including  Janaka Chandraguptha, Secretary – Ministry of Health, Dr.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The EU-Sri Lanka Sixth Working Group on Governance, Rule of Law and Human Rights met in Colombo on 28 October 2022 and the European Union has encouraged tangible progress by Sri Lanka on its GSP+ commitment.The Working Group meeting took place in the context of regular bilateral interactions between Sri Lanka and the European Union (EU). The two sides discussed the recent developments in Sri Lanka and the EU, and the implementation of relevant action and legislative initiatives regarding the promotion and protection of human rights. Sri Lanka briefed the EU on progress in reconciliation.The EU re-affirmed its commitment to support Sri Lanka’s efforts to successfully overcome the current unprecedented economic crisis, including the necessary reforms and social protection measures, which would mitigate the adverse impact of the crisis and lead the country towards sustainable growth and prosperity.

I'M A Celebrity's Matt Hancock could miss out on doing Bushtucker Trials after suffering from a secret health condition. The Tory MP is the bookies' favourite to break the all-time trial record of seven held by music producer Naughty Boy - and viewers have made it clear they're desperate to vote for Matt to do nasty challenges. But they might not get the chance to make the former Health Secretary suffer after all, as we can reveal that Matt got trench foot while filming Celebrity SAS Who Dares Wins and it might not have cleared up.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna marked its sixth anniversary on Wednesday (2) and Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa who participated in a media briefing at the party headquarters said that no one can secure governance through violence.The MP who represents the SLPP said the party always followed democratic means and always considered the welfare of the Sri Lankan people when making decisions as a party.He said due to these policies the SLPP was able to secure power across a majority of the Pradeshiya Sabhas and also a 2/3 majority in the Sri Lankan parliament following the Presidential election victory with 6.9 million votes."We need to modernize our party. As a party that always follows democracy, we need to identify the issues faced by our people and then modernize our party accordingly.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Amnesty International noted that it is concerned over Sri Lanka Police denying permission for the protest by trade unions, students and political parties. Protestors must not be required to obtain permission from authorities, to exercise basic human rights such as the right to peaceful assembly.The reasons for denying permission for the protest quoted by the Police do not amount to legitimate restrictions against peaceful assembly as provided by international law, said Amnesty International.It added that the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and Association has stipulated that "the free flow of traffic should not automatically take precedence over freedom of peaceful assembly."Amnesty International South Asia said that urban spaces are not only an area for circulation but also spaces for participation. Many assemblies, by nature, involve a certain level of disruption to ordinary life or the rights of others.It added that nevertheless, disproportionate restrictions to protest, jeopardise the right to freedom of expression.Freedom of peaceful assembly is a right, not a privilege.