Budget 2023 | Vehicles seized by customs to be released

Health insurance aims to protect against uncertain... moreHealth insurance aims to protect against uncertain risks and meet health emergency requirements.

People who get Covid after being vaccinated three times tend to display similar symptoms, medical experts have discovered.

Social Work staff from justice services and representatives from Police Scotland, NHS, Education, Housing and third sector gathered at Motherwell Concert Hall recently for the first in-person Justice Conference since 2019.

STRICTLY Come Dancing fans think the right person was eliminated tonight as Kym Marsh became the tenth celebrity to leave the ballroom. The former Coronation Street actress, 43, was given a bye last week after falling ill with Covid, but despite being back to full health, Kym and pro partner Graziano di Prima were sent home after a dance-off with Molly Rainford and Carlos Gu. CBBC star Molly performed a Charleston to Hot Honey Rag from the musical Chicago, while Kym performed a Cha Cha to Fame from the musical Fame.

Covid-19 update: The death toll has climbed to 5,30,6278 with one fatality being reported from Odisha, data updated at 8 am stated. India has logged 226 new Covid infections in a day taking the tally of cases to 4.46 crore while active caseload has declined by 68 to reach 4,529, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Sunday.

We LOVE Marie Osmond! And Perez does NOT love this basic yellow American mustard!

Kym Marsh has become the tenth celebrity booted off Strictly Come Dancing after battling Molly Rainford in the dance-off. The Coronation Street star faced the axe alongside her professional partner Graziano Di Prima after an intense dance-off with the CBBC star and pro Carlos Gu.

Colombo (News 1st) – There is a rapid increase in the rate of Colorectal Cancer among both men and women across the country, the Sri Lanka College of Oncologists raised the alarm on Saturday (Dec. 03). "In Sri Lanka, the number of Cancer cases detected per year is increasing.

The World Health organization (WHO) estimated that 9% of the world population now had some resistance to Covid-19, but warned that a troubling new variant could still emerge. "WHO estimates that at least 90 percent of the world's population now has some level of immunity to SARS-CoV-2, due to prior infection or vaccination," said Tedros, referring to the virus that causes Covid-19 disease. WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said gaps in vigilance were leaving the door open for a new virus variant to appear and overtake the globally dominant Omicron.

Health experts are investigating cases of Strep A infection after the deaths of six young children and a rise in cases.

STRICTLY star Kym Marsh is returning for the Quarter Finals TONIGHT after she was forced to miss last's live show week due to Covid. Actress Kym Marsh, 46, began training again this week and will return to Strictly Come Dancing as she and pro partner Graziano, 28, perform a Cha Cha Cha for Musicals Week tonight. Meanwhile, former frontrunner Hamza Yassin's odds of winning Strictly 2022 have fallen away as new data reveals he’s no longer the show's favourite star.

GOOD Morning Britain host Kate Garraway gave an emotional update on Derek Draper's health this morning. The 55-year-old star appeared on Lorraine Kelly's show with co-host Ben Shephard when she opened up about her husband. Derek was taken to intensive care with Covid in March 2020 and only allowed home in April the following year.

(Reuters) – International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said on Thursday that she will travel to Beijing next week with heads of other international institutions to press for quicker action on debt relief for poor and developing countries.The meetings with the country's leadership will focus on China's economic, COVID-19 and debt relief policies and will include officials from China Development Bank and the Export-Import Bank of China, the IMF said."This is the first time, hopefully, we will be able to sit together and discuss the very pressing issues that China, and the world are faced with," Georgieva told the Reuters NEXT conference.Georgieva said that during the Beijing meetings she intends to discuss ways to accelerate China's participation in debt relief for poor and developing countries as the world's largest official bilateral creditor."I am very hopeful that when we have a chance next week to discuss these issues, we will continue on a path of finding better solutions and strengthening the capacity of the common framework to deliver," she said, referring to G20 countries' slow-to-launch common debt restructuring framework.World Bank President David Malpass told the conference that he would join the discussions in Beijing, along with officials from the World Trade Organization, Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development and others.Georgieva and Malpass have both called for reforms of the common framework to offer heavily indebted countries a freeze in debt service payments when they apply for debt relief and clearer timelines for reaching agreement on debt treatments.Asked if China's slowing growth would limit its appetite for agreeing to debt reductions, Georgieva said she hoped

A new study has revealed that teenagers had a tremendous impact on their mental health due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The findings claimed that pandemic-related stressors have physically aged the brains of adolescents.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Parliamentarian & Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka told Parliament on Friday (2) that the project to dig trenches as a solution to the Human-Elephant Conflict is a failure.Sarath Fonseka said that a ruling party MP from Ampara had proposed for trenches to be dug as a solution to the human-elephant conflict.Fonseka said warned that digging up a trench that is 10 feet wide and 10 feet deep would pose a direct threat to the river systems in the country.He added that even though the Department of Wildlife Conservation had not approved the project on technicalities, a 55-kilometer-long trench has been dug up, and the allegation is that the project is being used to illegally remove soil and sand.His comments were met with strong opposition from the ruling party in the house.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva told Reuters Next on Friday (2) that changes to the G20 Common Framework on debt restructuring were needed to speed up debt treatments, freeze debt service payments once a country requested help, and open the process to middle-income countries like Sri Lanka."We are concerned that there is a risk for confidence in debt resolution to be eroded at a time when the level of debt is very high," Georgieva said."We don't see at this point … a risk of a systemic debt crisis," she said, adding that countries in debt distress were not large enough to trigger a crisis that would threaten financial stability.Source: Reuters

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The 3rd term for all Government & Government-approved schools will commence on Monday (5).The Education Ministry's Additional Secretary for School Affairs Lalitha Egodawala speaking to News 1st said that the 2nd term concluded on Thursday (1) and Friday (2) was declared a holiday for all schools.Christmas holidays for schools will commence on the 22nd of December, and schools will re-open on the 2nd of January 2023.Thereafter, schools will close for a month from 20th January to 20th February 2023 for the G.C.E.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka's State Ministry of Higher Education says the cut-off marks for university entrance based on the results of the recent A/L examination will be released today (2). The Ministry further said that it has planned to enrol 44,000 students in the universities this year based on the cut-off marks.Over 85,000 students applied for admission to state universities this year.The selected students are scheduled to start their academic activities in each university in January 2023.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Chairman of Sri Lanka Thriposha Ltd Deepthi Kularatne says Thriposha production resumed after suitable stocks of maize were made available.Nearly, 60,000 triposha packets are being produced by the company daily and are being distributed across the country.He further said that the production of triphosha products for mothers will continue.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Department of Meteorology says that showers or thundershowers will occur in Northern and Eastern provinces and in the Hambanthota district.Showers or thundershowers will occur elsewhere during the afternoon or night.Fairly heavy showers above 75mm are likely at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa and Central provinces and in Galle and Matara districts.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 times in the sea areas off the coast extending from Puttalam to Pottuvil via Kankasanturai, Trincomalee and Batticaloa. Showers or thundershowers will occur in the other sea areas during the afternoon or night.Winds:Winds will be north-easterly and wind speed will be (20-30) kmph.State of Sea:The sea areas around the island will be slight.Temporarily strong gusty winds and very rough seas can be expected during thundershowers.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Fitch Ratings has downgraded Sri Lanka's Long-Term Local-Currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) to 'CC', from 'CCC', and has affirmed the Long-Term Foreign-Currency IDR at 'RD' (Restricted Default). Fitch typically does not assign Outlooks to ratings of 'CCC+' or below.Fitch has also removed the Long-Term Local-Currency IDR from Under Criteria Observation, on which it was placed on 14 July 2022, following the publication of the updated Sovereign Rating Criteria.A full list of rating actions is at the end of this rating action commentary.KEY RATING DRIVERS:Challenging Domestic Financing Outlook: Sri Lanka continues to service its local-currency debt, but the downgrade of the Long-Term Local-Currency IDR reflects our view that a local-currency debt default is probable, in view of an untenably high domestic interest payment/revenue ratio, high interest costs, tight domestic financing conditions and rising local-currency debt/GDP in the context of high domestic fiscal financing requirements, which authorities forecast at about 8% of GDP in 2022.According to authorities, domestic interest payments in 8M22 were LKR718.8 billion, taking the domestic interest/revenue ratio to an estimated 56% in 8M22; the highest among sovereigns rated 'CCC+' and below.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka's Fisheries Minister Douglas Devananda said recently (29) that due to the fuel crisis, steps will be taken to introduce electric motor boats for fishermen from next year.The Minister mentioned this at the meeting of the Ministerial Consultative Committee on fisheries in Parliament.The minister pointed out that it is expected to introduce electric motor boats that can travel 100 kilometres using batteries and the cost is only 86 rupees per day to fishermen engaged in small-scale fishing.The Minister also mentioned that attention has also been paid to providing electricity generation facilities through solar panels and wind turbines for boats using kerosene and diesel.State Minister of Fisheries Piyal Nishantha, mentioned that a special mobile service is being implemented successfully by the ministry to solve the problems faced by the fishermen.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka's President, Prime Minister, Speaker and other public representatives stood in unity with the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus for Global Activism against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) on Thursday (1).A wristband given to Parliamentarians with the message “Let’s Unite to end Gender Based Violence” as a sign of support.

NEW DELHI : National AIDS toll-free helpline, lifetime free ART services and regular viral load monitoring for PLHIV are some of the steps taken by the government to strengthen HIV/AIDS and STD response, said Union Minister of state for Health and Family Welfare, Bharati Pravin Pawar on Thursday.  Addressing the World AIDS Day celebrations, the minister said that the World AIDS Day is an opportunity to show solidarity with people living with HIV (PLHIV) and create awareness for the same. “The theme of this year’s World AIDS Day is ‘Equalize’, which is a slogan for a call to action for all connected with this crusade.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe said that a bill on gender equality and women's empowerment will be submitted to Parliament soon and he also instructed the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus to prepare the bill. The President emphasized that women's representation should be increased not only in the Parliament but also in other sectors and the public sector as well as the private sector should focus their attention in this regard. The President pointed out that the representation of women in the First Council of Sri Lanka was 2% and 91 years after universal suffrage, the representation of women in the current parliament is only 5.3%. President Ranil Wickremesinghe made these observations by joining the Committee Stage Debate on the budget proposal for the financial year 2023 in parliament on Thursday (01). Statement issued by the President's Media Division:“I expect to speak especially on the Ministry under me. We thank the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus for commencing a 16-day campaign against Gender-Based Violence (GBV). It was in 1931 that Sri Lankans got the universal franchise.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – According to the Governor of the Central Bank Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe, market interest rates have been tightening since last August and the Central Bank has been continuing to tighten their monetary policy since April and July of this year; Central banks engage in tight monetary policy when an economy is accelerating too quickly or inflation is rising too fast.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka Navy held a lorry transporting over 24kg of Kerala Cannabis and apprehended 02 suspects, during a search operation carried out in Nachchikuda, Mannar yesterday (22).The coordinated search operation was mounted by SLNS Buwaneka in the North Central Naval Command with the assistance of Illuppukadawai Police in the Nachchikuda area yesterday (22) morning. The search led to the interception of a suspicious lorry at the Wellankulam roadblock and the recovery of 12 packages containing about 24kg and 200g of Kerala Cannabis from the lorry. Accordingly, the lorry, the consignment of Kerala Cannabis and 02 suspects in connection to the incident were held.The gross street value of the stock of Kerala Cannabis held in this operation is believed to be over Rs.7 Million.The suspects were identified as residents of Vavuniya, aged 37 and 45. The accused together with Kerala cannabis and the lorry were handed over to the Illuppukadawai Police for onward legal action

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

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 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%).

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) – 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.

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.

Annual growth of USD 3 billion from new export from 2023 to 2032. Foreign Direct Investment of more than 3 billion USD in the next ten years. Creating an internationally competitive workforce with high skills in the next ten years.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – An extraordinary gazette was issued increasing the fees levied on the registration of vehicles, and annual revenue licenses.The registration fee for a Motor Car with an engine capacity of 1600cc or less has been increased to Rs. 25,000/-The registration fee for a Motor Car with an engine capacity more than 1600cc is Rs.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The 2023 Sri Lankan budget has made significant reference to the restructuring of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs).The budget document noted that the urgency of restructuring State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) was reiterated several times during the last 6 months, and a Unit has now been established at the Ministry of Finance with the specific task of restructuring SOEs.Initially measures will be taken to restructure SriLankan Airlines, Sri Lanka Telecom, Colombo Hilton, Waters Edge and Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation (SLIC) along with its subsidiaries, the proceeds of which will be used to strengthen foreign exchange reserves of the country and strengthening the Rupee.In addition, the  Gem and Jewellery Research and Training Institute will be merged with the National Gem and Jewellery Authority in order to provide services with better quality and efficiency to the gem-related craftsmen to increase export revenue. The government will also explore the possibility of setting up of a Gem Emporium (Gem Zone) for the benefit of the industry participants.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka's 2023 Budget has proposed to make several amendments to the definitions made in the Betting and Gaming Levy Act, and the Casino Business (Regulation Act).Betting And Gaming Levy Act:The definition of "bookmaker" in the Betting and Gaming Lely Act will be extended to include a person receives or negotiates bets on all type of sports event, including online betting.A licensing mechanism for the business of bookmaker will be introduced, for a fee. Betting and Gaming Lely Act will be amended to permit the licensed bookmakers to register with hland Revenue Department.Engaging in the business of bookmaker without a license and will be prohibited by making it a punishable offence.Casino Business (Regulation) Act:Amendments will be introduced to extend the definition of gaming/ casino to include the oniline gaming/casino.The regulatory and licensing requirements will be applicable for online casinos operate in Sri Lanka.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka is proposing to explore the possibility of exporting marijuana.President Ranil Wickremesinghe delivering the 2023 Budget speech said that a committee of experts will be appointed to explore the possibility of cultivating marijuana in Sri Lanka ONLY for export purposes.In addition, to regularize the Beedi industry and deter people from Beedi consumption, the President  proposed to impose a tax of Rs.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – President Ranil Wickremesinghe as the Minister of Finance will present the 2023 budget to Parliament today (14) to create long-term, stable economic growth.The 2023 budget has given special attention to the sectors of the capital market, export market, labour market and digital economy and it is expected to achieve the budget targets through the social market economy.This year’s budget will focus more on providing social welfare benefits to the people who need them most and creating a policy environment to build the private sector as the driving force of the country’s economy.Through the 2023 budget, the process of building a new economy tailored for the new world has been initiated aimed at creating a program to ensure a decent country for the youth

PMD – President Ranil Wickremesinghe in his capacity as the Minister of Finance will present the 2023 budget to Parliament tomorrow (14) aimed at creating long-term, stable economic growth.The 2023 budget has given special attention to the sectors of capital market, export market, labour market and digital economy and it is expected to achieve the budget targets through the social market economy.

Which areas will be given more attention in this year's budget?The State Minister of Finance stated that special attention will be paid to cover the bills which have so far remained unpaid, and will also include an aid program for the country's poor.Moreover, the State Minister Semasinghe said that more avenues for the promotion of tourism sector, the promotion of other sectors which function to increase the country's foreign exchange revenue will also be other areas which the bill would focus upon. The State expenditure will be mitigated, while loss-making entities will also be focused upon in this budget, he added.What of IMF negotiations?Meanwhile, State Minister Semasinghe stated that bilateral creditors of the country will continue to hold negotiations, while the Government expects to set the grounds to obtain the IMF Director board's approval by December. He stressed that NO country or any bilateral creditor party is acting on the premise of not extending its support towards Sri Lanka. The third set of negotiations with the IMF authorities will be initiated on 17th November, the State Minister added.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – A special meeting of the ruling party is scheduled to be held on Monday (14) in connection with the upcoming appropriation bill.The meeting, which is scheduled to be held at 05:00 PM at the Temple Trees, will be presided over by the President and the Prime Minister.The General Secretary of the SLPP, Attorney-at-law Sagara Kariyawasam said that the ruling party MPs will be specially briefed about the upcoming budget proposals.Officials of the Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank as well as several economic experts are also scheduled to be involved.Kariyawasam also said that the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna will extend its full support to President Ranil Wickremesinghe's decision to restore the country's economy.However, Karivayasam stated that his party will take a decision on extending support for this year's budget after further consideration of the budget proposals presented tomorrow.Meanwhile, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya says that it has called a meeting of its parliamentary group on Monday (14) afternoon to discuss the budget proposals.Its General Secretary, MP Ranjith Madduma  Bandara said that the meeting will be held at the Parliament Complex under the Chairmanship of the Opposition Leader.Moreover, MP Dallas Alahapperuma stated that a meeting of the reformist group of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna representing the Nidahas Janatha Sabhawa will be held at 5:00 PM on Monday (14) to discuss the budget proposals.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena announced in Parliament yesterday (10) that special security arrangements as done in previous years will be implemented in connection with the Budget speech for the year 2023 to be made by the Minister of Finance on Monday the 14th of November 2022.Accordingly, today (11) the entire Parliament building including the restrooms and wardrobes of the Members of Parliament will be subjected to security inspection.On the 14th, when the budget is presented in Parliament, galleries will be restricted only to the Diplomatic Corps. As the Members’ car park will be kept closed on this day the vehicles of the Members will be directed to the relevant Car Parks. The Speaker also requested the Members of Parliament to arrive in Parliament on that day in a Chauffeur-driven vehicle as far as possible. The speaker also informed that Valet parking of the self-driven vehicles of the Members of Parliament will be attended to by the Chauffeurs of the Parliament Staff who will be deployed at the Members’ Entrance.In addition, special traffic arrangements will be adopted by the Traffic Police and the nearest Police Stations in the area on this day. The speaker also informed that the cooperation of all Members of Parliament is kindly expected towards the aforementioned special security arrangements.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – A special meeting was held in Parliament to discuss the draft bill for the establishment of the Budget Office of the Parliament.The special meeting was attended by the Party leaders and members of the Committee on Parliamentary Business.    The Members of Parliament who were present had a lengthy discussion on the draft bill related to the establishment of the budget office of the parliament. Also, it was decided to meet again in two weeks after further study of this bill.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe President told the Parliament on Thursday (10) that the IMF had requested not to release the agreement reached between Sri Lanka and the International Monetary Fund until the current round of negotiations are complete.The President said that previously when the country approached the IMF, talks were only with the International Monetary Fund, however, this time around discussions need to take place with other countries as well."Japan is speaking India and China because they are not members of the Paris Club. Amendments may take place," the President told the house"IMF says don't release it till we finish this round of negotiations. I won't put anyone in to trouble.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – A special search operation carried out by the Navy in Duwa area, Negombo on 08th November 2022 made way for the seizure of over 2448kg of smuggled Kendu Leaves, 02 lorries, 01 dinghy and apprehension of 02 suspects.Sri Lanka Navy conducts regular operations to prevent a wide range of illegal activities stemming from the coastal areas of the island. In a similar effort, SLNS Parakrama in the Western Naval Command searched 02 lorries parked in Duwa area, during a special search operation conducted on 08th November, upon receipt of information to the Naval Intelligence.Following inspection of the vehicles, led to the recovery of about 1580kg and 940g of Kendu Leaves in 48 packages loaded in the lorries with the intention of distribution.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – A coordinated operation carried out by the Sri Lanka Navy and Sri Lanka Coast Guard in the sea area southeast of the Delft Island, Jaffna in the wee hours of 09th November 2022, led to the seizure of Kerala cannabis weighing over 458kg (wet weight) from a dinghy. Sri Lanka Navy and Coast Guard regularly conduct search operations and patrols in the island’s waters to ward off illegal activities taking place via sea routes.As an extension of these efforts, the Coast Guard Craft CG 402 attached to the Northern Naval Command, searched a suspicious dinghy in the sea area southeast of Delft Island on 09th November. The search led to the seizure of about 458kg and 900g (wet weight) of Kerala cannabis in 18 packages and the apprehension of 02 suspects and the dinghy used for the act of smuggling.The gross street value of seized Kerala cannabis held in this operation is believed to be more than Rs.