Attestation & verification service at MFA to resume from Tuesday (20)

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Emigration and Immigration Department says that more than 700,000 passports have been issued within the first 9 months of 2022.The Deputy Controller and Media Spokesperson of the Department, Piyumi Bandara stated that 700,733 passports have been issued during the relevant period.This number is significant in comparison with the previous year, as only 300,000 passports have been issued within the full 12 months of 2021.Immigration and Emigration Department data shows that the number of foreign passports issued in the year 2021 is 392,032.According to the data, passports were issued for 409,919 men and 290,814 women within the first nine months of 2022.The highest number of foreign passports were issued in the month of August, which is 115,286.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Russian 'Aeroflot' airline will resume flights to Sri Lanka after five months.Accordingly, the airline will operate flights to Sri Lanka for two days every week in the future.Flights between Sri Lanka and Moscow have remained suspended since last June in protest against the measures taken by Sri Lankan authorities to ground an aircraft belonging to the Russian airline in accordance with a Court order.On June 2nd, the Colombo Commercial High Court issued an injunction order preventing an aircraft belonging to the Russian 'Aeroflot' airline from leaving Sri Lanka.The order was issued after taking up a complaint filed by the company Celestial Aviation Trading Limited located in Ireland.Russian authorities then expressed their displeasure regarding the detention of the flight by the Sri Lankan authorities, after which the order was lifted, and the Minister of Transport, Bandula Gunawardena apologized to Russian authorities.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – A Sub-Inspector of thr Beruwala Police died in a road accident which took place in Moragalla.Police said that the accident occurred when two motorcycles collided head-on.Accordingly, three people who were traveling on the motorcycles were seriously injured in the incident.The injured were admitted to Nagoda Hospital, while an injured police constable was transferred to Colombo National Hospital later on.A 31-year-old sub-inspector died in the accident.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – State Minister Diana Gamage says that she hopes to amend the existing laws regarding loudspeakers at the Court.Speaking at a tourism promotion program in Weligama, the State Minister said that in order to reach Sri Lanka's tourism goals, people should be able to eat, drink, travel and participate in cultural and music festivals as they please. The State Minister said that she hopes to discuss with the Attorney General with regard to amending laws regarding loudspeakers.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – President Ranil Wickremesinghe says that to live with the qualities that Prophet Muhammad preached and to deal with others with a sense of understanding is a tribute to him, in his message commemorating Milad-un-nabi.The full statement is as follows;The birthday of the Prophet Muhammad who is venerated by the Sri Lankan Muslims as well as the Muslim brethren around the world is celebrated today (09).It is my belief that doctrine of Prophet Muhammad as the religious leader of the Islamic devotees around the world will help to alleviate the situation in the society today more than ever before.To live with the qualities that Prophet Muhammad preached and deal with others with a sense of understanding is a tribute to him rather than attempting to overcome them.The coming of the Prophet Muhammad and his vision signified the protection of the entire human community as well as their respect.

Edmundo Sosa celebrates with Matt Vierling and Alec Bohm after catching a foul ball to end the ninth inning and defeat the St. Louis Cardinals in game two to win the National League Wild Card Series at Busch Stadium on October 08, 2022 in St Louis, M ((Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images))ST. LOUIS - Aaron Nola pitched four-hit ball into the seventh inning, Bryce Harper's homer gave Philadelphia an early lead, and the Phillies held off the St.

Covid-19: The death toll climbed to 5,28,799 with 21 fatalities which includes 16 deaths reconciled by Kerala, the data updated at 8 am stated. India has reported 2,756 Covid-19 cases in the past twenty four hours, taking the total tally of COVID-19 cases to 4,46,12,013, according to the Union Health Ministry data on Sunday.

Blue Jays outfielder George Springer was carted off the field in the eighth inning of Toronto’s wild-card playoff game against the Seattle Mariners.

With Thanksgiving around the corner, health experts are advising Canadians to exercise caution as new variants of the COVID-19 virus swirl across the country.

EAST OAK LANE - Philadelphia honored a once-prominent lawyer in a big way. Longtime defense attorney Thurgood Matthews died in 2020. Saturday, a special street renaming ceremony was held to remember his investment to the community and service to the people of Philadelphia.One intersection in Philadelphia provides much more than just directions, but offers purpose, as the 1000 block of Chelten Avenue is now known as Thurgood M.

Hockey Canada‘s interim board of directors chair resigned from her position, effective immediately, on Saturday evening, the national sports body announced.

EAST GERMANTOWN - A 24-year-old man has been shot multiple times and killed in East Germantown.Authorities say the shooting happened Saturday night, just after 8:30, on the 800 block of East Chelten Avenue.14th District officers responded to the address and found the 24-year-old man suffering with multiple gunshot wounds throughout his body.MORE HEADLINES:Police rushed him to Einstein Medical Center where he died.Officials say an investigation into the shooting is underway. They recovered a weapon from the victim, but no arrests have been made.___Tips can be submitted by calling 215-686-TIPS (8477) or texting PPD TIP (773847).

CLIFTON HEIGHTS, Pa. - A warning for Delaware County delivery drivers from Clifton Heights Police, as they see an uptick in stolen vehicles left running while drivers make deliveries.Officials with the Clifton Heights Police Department said they are aware of teens calling in fake orders to restaurants for delivery.When the driver arrives, if the car is unlocked and running, the teens take the vehicle.MORE HEADLINES:Authorities say two car thefts have taken place.

PLYMOUTH TOWNSHIP, Pa. - A man is recovering after he was stabbed during a fight outside a Wawa in Plymouth Township.Plymouth Township Police Department officials say the incident took place in the parking lot of a Wawa on Ridge Pike, in Plymouth Township Saturday morning, just before 9 a.m.The victim and 29-year-old Philadelphia resident Ivan Davonte Stephens, Jr. reportedly fought in the parking lot, when Stephens pulled a knife and stabbed the victim several times and took off.The man was taken to Paoli Hospital and treated for his injuries.

Andy Grammer reflected on his journey to discovering self-worth over recent years.

Liam Gallagher has today (October 8) shared an emotive post about his new, upcoming video for ‘Too Good For Giving Up’ and mental health.Gallagher shared a clip of both the song – which appears on his latest album, ‘C’mon, You Know‘ – and its new video on social media today. It was accompanied by a post that explained how he’d teamed up with ‘Talk Club’ for the release.Talk Club is an organisation that works to help support male mental health.

PHILADELPHIA - Philadelphia police are investigating a shooting that found two young women shot in South Philadelphia.Officials say the shooting happened on the 1600 block of South Taney Street Saturday, around 5:15 in the evening.An 18-year-old girl and a 21-year-old woman were both shot, one taking two bullets in the ankle, while the other was shot in the leg.They are both recovering at an area hospital, authorities say.An investigation into a possible motive is underway. No weapons have been recovered and no arrests have been made.This shooting follows another shooting in North Philadelphia at just before 5 p.m., where a 24-year-old man was shot three times near North Philip and Westmoreland Streets.

now stands at an estimated $445 million ahead of Tuesday’s drawing. The jackpot’s cash option totals $226 million. Tuesday’s drawing will be held at 11 p.m. ET. If the jackpot is won, lottery officials said it would be the 12th largest jackpot in the game’s 20-year history. RELATED: Mega Millions ticket worth $3 million sold in Culver CityThe last drawing was held on October 7 and there were 817,320 winning tickets at all prize levels, but no jackpot. Two tickets sold in California and Texas matched all the white balls, which was the second-tier prize. Mega Millions drawings are held Tuesday and Friday at 11 p.m.

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. View Of The City, Duquesne Incline, Monongahela-Allegheny-Ohio Rivers.

LAWRENCE, N.J. - A man convicted of first-degree murder in the death of a woman whose remains were found dismembered and set on fire at a South Jersey farm four years ago has been sentenced to life in prison.The Cumberland County prosecutor’s office said 57-year-old Dennis Parrish will be ineligible for parole for more than 63 years following Friday’s first-degree murder sentence in the July 2018 death of 32-year-old Tonya Cook.Authorities said Parrish killed Cook at his home before dismembering her body and setting her remains on fire in a field in Lawrence Township.RELATED COVERAGE:At trial, the defense argued that someone else murdered the victim.

Former UGA head coach, Vince Dooley walks the sidelines prior to the Chick-fil-A Kick-Off Game between the Oregon Ducks and Georgia Bulldogs at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on September 3, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) ATHENS, Ga. - Georgia Bulldogs legend Vince Dooley has been hospitalized with COVID-19.Athletic department spokesman Claude Felton says it is a "mild case."The former University of Georgia head football coach and director of athletics apparently had been battling a case of pneumonia and had canceled his appearance at the UGA bookstore before the Auburn game.The news was announced during Saturday's game.Dooley turned 90 last month.Dooley has been inducted into both the Georgia and Alabama Sports Hall of Fames as well as the National College Football Hall of Fame and Sugar Bowl Hall of Fame.

Former US President Donald Trump makes a speech at the 2022 Hispanic Leadership Conference in Miami, Florida, United States on October 5, 2022. (Photo by Kyle Mazza/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) ((Photo by Kyle Mazza/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images))NEW YORK - Former President Donald Trump is finally opening his checkbook, reserving millions of dollars in airtime for ads to bolster his endorsed candidates in key midterm races just one month before Election Day.Trump's newly-formed MAGA Inc. super PAC will begin airing ads Saturday in Nevada, Georgia and Arizona, according to Medium Buying, an ad tracking firm.

View of Moais -- stone statues of the Rapa Nui culture -- in Easter Island, 3700 km off the Chilean coast in the Pacific Ocean, on August 5, 2022. (Photo by PABLO COZZAGLIO/AFP via Getty Images) A fire that ripped through part of Chile's Easter Island this week has caused permanent damage to some of its iconic carved stone figures known as moai, authorities said.The high temperature of the forest fire accelerated the process through which the stone carvings will eventually turn into sand, the mayor of the island locally known as Rapa Nui said.The damage is "irreparable and immeasurable as well," Mayor Pedro Edmunds Paoa said.The Chilean island that lies in the middle of the Pacific Ocean has some 800 moais, half of which are inside the Rano Raraku volcano.The fire this week blazed through 104 acres and particularly affected an area inside the volcano where there are around 100 moais, around 20 percent of which have been damaged, Edmunds Paoa said.

Amazon Scout delivery robot (Amazon) Amazon has decided to park its Scout automated delivery robot.A company spokesperson said in an emailed statement on Thursday, that after live tests, the program did not completely meet its customers' needs.Scout is the size of a small cooler and can navigate around anything in its path, from pets and pedestrians to large objects like surfboards, luggage, refrigerators and Christmas trees. While Scout can autonomously follow its delivery route, it was accompanied by an Amazon Scout ambassador.AMAZON AUTONOMOUS DELIVERY BOT EXPANDS TO ATLANTA AND TENNESSEEAmazon started testing the fully-electric Scout in Washington state in 2019 before expanding to Southern California, Georgia and Tennessee.Amazon says it was not abandoning the project altogether.The company is now scaling back or "reorienting" the program, and it will work with the involved employees to match them to other open roles within the organization, according to Amazon spokesperson Alisa Carroll.LINK: Get updates and more on this story at foxbusiness.com.

Sechelt, B.C. residents strained by Sunshine Coast drought restrictions The area reservoir is on its last legs. The levels are so low at Chapman Lake, it can’t supply enough water through a nearby irrigation channel.

NEW CASTLE, Del. - An early morning crash claimed the life of a 74-year-old pedestrian in New Castle, according to authorities.Police say the elderly man was crossing South Dupont Highway when he was struck by two vehicles just before 6 a.m. Saturday.He was pronounced dead on the scene.

TOLEDO, Ohio (AP) - Police in Ohio said three people were wounded in a shooting outside a high school football game that sent people on the field and spectators in the stands running for cover.Police said the shots were fired behind the Whitmer High School stadium in Toledo at about 9:30 p.m. Friday during the game with Central Catholic High School.

TRENTON, N.J. - Gas prices rose in New Jersey and across the nation as a whole following the announcement by major oil-producing countries of plans to cut production. AAA Mid-Atlantic says the average price of a gallon of regular gas in New Jersey on Friday was $3.53, up nine cents from last week. The national average price for a gallon of regular gasoline was $3.89, an increase of 10 cents from last week. Analysts also cited increased demand and U.S.

Hilary Swank is opening up about the shocking reason she didn’t have health insurance back when she won her first Oscar.

PHILADELPHIA - A homicide investigation is underway after police say a woman was killed inside a home in the Rhawnhurt section of Philadelphia.The 25-year-old woman was found shot in a basement on the 2000 block of Napfle Avenue around 11:30 a.m.MORE HEADLINES:She reportedly suffered three fatal gunshot wounds, and was pronounced dead on the scene.No weapons have been recovered, and no arrests made.

ST. CLOUD, Fla. - A St.

TAMPA, Fla. - Hurricane Ian’s winds rapidly intensified early Wednesday as it approached Florida, hitting 155 mph — a threshold just shy of the most devastating Category 5 hurricane status.The hurricane was expected to make landfall late Wednesday afternoon or early evening along the heavily populated Gulf Coast, with the Naples to Sarasota region at "highest risk" of a devastating storm surge. Other impacts could include strong wind, torrential rain, flooding, and widespread power outages.RELATED: Where will Hurricane Ian make landfall in Florida?Ian was centered about 55 miles west of Naples at 8 a.m., swirling toward the coast at 10 mph.The projected path and intensity of Hurricane Ian.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Tests will be conducted to determine the quality of Petrol and Diesel in the country, announced the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka on Tuesday (27).PUSCL Chairman Janaka Ratnayake said that samples are being obtained at present, and noted that serious complaints have been received over the quality of fuel available in Sri Lanka.

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

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Alertness, coupled with battle-hardened experience and professionalism of Sri Lanka Combat Convoy Company (CCC) troops, practiced in Mali under life-threatening circumstances resulted in the award of a special service medal to Major R.A.D.M.D Senevirathna of 12 Sri Lanka Engineers (SLE) in the CCC during an appreciative meeting.During a recent logistics convoy from Gao to Kidal in Mali, the Sri Lanka Search and Detection team of the CCC uncovered two Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and effectively defused both of them before they caused a bloodbath. Mali-based CCC under the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) has been engaged in convoy protection duties in Mali since the year 2017.Lieutenant General Cornelis Johannes Matthijssen, the Force Commander, MINUSMA upon arrival at the CCC camp, highly appreciated the professional competence of the troops of the 4th Combat Convoy Company of Sri Lanka Army and awarded a Service Appreciation Medal to the senior officer, Major R.A.D.M.D Senevirathna of 12 Sri Lanka Engineers (SLE) who discovered both landmines, buried near the roadside.The MINUSMA Force Commander spoke highly of the CCC’s professional management of the defusion, alertness, attention, and diligence after their exclusive detection by the said Officer and the CCC troops, responsible for search and detection operations.In the past 2-3 months, tribal terrorist groups in Mali have intensified their fierce internecine violent acts targeting their rivals as well as UN troops serving the landlocked country. Similarly, their brutal terrorist attacks have posed a formidable threat to all UN troops, deployed for UN peacekeeping assignments.

An improved strategy for working with the people of North Lanarkshire around the planning and development of health and social care services has been endorsed by the North Lanarkshire Integration Joint Board.

The Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft sits on Launch Pad 39B at Kennedy Space Center ahead of a second launch attempt on Sept. 3, 2022.

₹2,832 crore loan to Gujarat for augmenting health services with a special focus on adolescent girls and disease surveillance in the state. The Executive Board of Directors has given nod to the loan, said the multilateral funding agency as quoted by PTI.

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

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Health Ministry noted that it has made arrangements to conduct tests to determine the existence of heavy metals in imported food items including rice.The Director of the Environmental & Occupational Health and Food Safety Unit Dr.Thilak Siriwardana says that previously, selected food items had to undergo the testing process.He further says that fifteen containers of rice were recently shipped back as they were unfit for human consumption.

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

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

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs informed the General Public that the computer system breakdown, experienced in the Attestation & Verification unit of the Consular Affairs Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its Regional Offices in Jaffna, Trincomalee, Kandy, Kurunegala, & Matara has been resolved and the Attestation & Verification service will resume from today (20) onwards.All other services of the Consular Division will also continue to be provided.For further details the visiting service seekers may contact;Consular Affairs Division, Colombo 01 – 0112338812/0112338843 Regional Office, Jaffna – 0212215970 Regional Office, Trincomalee – 0262223182 Regional Office, Kandy – 0812384410 Regional Office, Kurunegala – 0372225941 Regional Office, Matara – 0412226697

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Elections Commission of Sri Lanka will be entitled to call for a local government election after coming Tuesday,  the 20th of September.The Elections Commission will be such entitled according to the provisions of the Local Government Polls Act.The Chairman of the Election Commission, Attorney-ar-Law Nimal Punchihewa, stated that the ECSL has already initiated the necessary preliminary work to hold the local government elections before March 20th next year.The chairman stated that the date of the local government election will be decided after the certification of the 2022 voter list by October 31st.He said that discussions with political parties in this regard will also be held.Currently, the minister in charge has taken steps to extend the term of office of the local government bodies including local councils, urban councils and municipal councils by one year and postpone the elections until March next year.