Drugs found at Weligama beach party; eight arrested

This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text.

The covid-19 surge in China has triggered concern among Indian exporters as it may add to the softening of demand from Western countries The covid-19 surge in China has triggered concern among Indian exporters as it may add to the softening of demand from Western countries. China, India’s largest trading partner, reported an 11% decline in imports in November, and the latest outbreak could further hit exports of Indian goods. While experts noted that the impact on Indian exports from the outbreak in China would not be immediately visible, as orders for the next quarter have been received, China’s decision to stop publishing daily covid-19 data has created significant uncertainty about the severity of the spread.

A Lanarkshire mum campaigning for better mental health services once again had her petition heard in Scottish Parliament.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Former Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa left for the United States of America on Monday (26) morning.He had left for Dubai via the VIP Terminal at the Bandaranaike International Airport, and thereafter will fly to the US.He was accompanied by former First Lady Ayoma Rajapaksa, son Daminda Rajapaksa, daughter-in-law S. D.

Masks will be mandatory to celebrate the New Year in pubs, restaurants & bars. Masks have been made mandatory inside movie theatres, schools & colleges.

The Nainital High Court on Monday made masks mandatory inside the courtroom amid fear of a surge in Covid-19 cases. In an official notification, the high court said, "In view of the danger of spreading of Covid-19, it will be possible to enter the courtroom only by wearing a mask in the Nainital High Court". On the instructions of Nainital High Court Chief Justice Vipin Shanghvi, the Registrar of the High Court issued a notification that all officers, staff, lawyers, and parties will be able to enter the court only by wearing masks.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – A two-minute silence will be observed across Sri Lanka on Monday (26) to remember the victims of the massive tsunami that struck the island nation in 2004.The two-minute silence will be observed from 9.25 a.m. to 9.27 a.m., said the Government Information Department.On Boxing Day 2004 a magnitude 9.0 earthquake struck in the deep seas off the coast of the Indonesian Island of Sumatra.Moments later strong waves made their way towards the coast of the country and claimed the lives of more than 30,000 people within a matter of minutes.What was termed as the world's worst train disaster, the wreckage was evident from among the debris caused by the massive waves.1,270 people who aboard the train when the waves struck Peraliya died while another 141 remain unaccounted for.Fourteen coastal districts of Sri Lanka were affected by the tsunami disaster and approximately 35,000 people died while about 5000 others disappeared. Every year since 2005, the 26th of December has been declared as "National Safety Day" and on the day, with the participation of the political leadership and public National Safety Day events are held as nationally in remembrance of all those who died in the country due to the Tsunami disaster and various other natural disasters.

PHILADELPHIA - Santa Claus may have already made his rounds, but plenty of helpful elves in the form of volunteers are making sure everyone gets a Christmas in Philadelphia."The important thing now is to take care of the children, and really give them the joy of Christmas," said Brian Jenkins, executive director of Chosen 300 Ministries. The local non-profit handed out warm meals and over 500 wrapped gifts to families and children in need on Christmas Day."This is about Jesus Christ being born, bringing joy to the world, and giving his ultimate gift to us," Jenkins said. "We are simply reciprocating it and extending that love."MORE HEADLINES:Volunteers come together every year to lend a helping hand and provide a Christmas to as many families as possible.

Prime minister Narendra Modi on Sunday asked people to take precautionary measures, such as wearing masks and washing hands, amid rising cases of covid-19 across the world. Addressing the nation through his monthly radio programme Mann Ki Baat, Modi wished people on the occasion of Christmas, but suggested celebration of festivals with caution. “At this time many people are also in the mood for holidays.

HONG KONG : China’s central health authority has stopped publishing daily Covid-19 data, ending a three-year effort that has drawn mounting criticism for massively underreporting the surge in infections now sweeping the country. In a one-line announcement Sunday, China’s National Health Commission said it would no longer issue its daily report on Covid infections and deaths.

AP “China has a population that is very large and there’s limited immunity. And that seems to be the setting in which we may see an explosion of a new variant." “When we’ve seen big waves of infection, it’s often followed by new variants being generated," Ray said. Experts said a partially immune population like China’s puts particular pressure on the virus to change.

Colombo (News 1st) – The depression over Southwest Bay of Bengal has entered through the east coast of Sri Lanka and it is moving across the country. It is likely to move to the western sea area of Sri Lanka by Monday (26).Accordingly, showers or thunder showers will occur at times over Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Southern, North-Western and Northern provinces.

Colombo (News 1st) – Heavy rain and strong winds wreaked havoc across Sri Lanka on Christmas Day, killing at least two people as the depression over the Southwest Bay of Bengal began moving across Sri Lanka.Police said two people died and three were injured as a boulder fell on a house in an earth slip at Alawathugoda in the Kandy District.The Parakrama Samudraya in Polonnaruwa and Giant’s Tank in Mannar begin spilling over due to heavy rain, Irrigation Dept officials said.

India's Covid case tally was recorded at 4.46 crore (4,46,77,106). Covid-19 cases in India are increasing with a slight margin. The country has recorded 227 new coronavirus infections, while the active cases increased to 3,424, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Sunday.

Colombo (News 1st) – The depression over the Southwest Bay of Bengal is located 350km to the northeast of Trincomalee and is very likely to cross Sri Lanka by tomorrow (25 December), according to the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology.Heavy showers above 100 mm can be expected at some places, it added.Strong gusty winds of about (40-50) kmph can be expected at times over the Northern, Eastern Uva and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in the Galle and Matara districts.

Colombo (News 1st) – Former Presidential Advisor Ashu Marasinghe has complained to the Criminal Investigation Department with regard to a controversial video leaked on social media purportedly of the Prof. Marasinghe sexually abusing a pet dog."This false incident is now in the hands of the courts.

Colombo (News 1st) –  The recent actions of Professor Ashu Marasinghe, Former Advisor to the President, ''requires immediate punitive action by the President and his government,'' said Rescue Animals Sri Lanka's Anusha David."Abuse of any sort is reprehensible. Abuse of a hapless animal who has no voice is even more deplorable.

Colombo (News 1st) – The online service to settle electricity bills through the official website of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) continues to be disrupted.Several online services have been unavailable on the ceb.lk website for nearly a month, due to ongoing maintenance.The CEB Bill Payments, CEB PIV Payments, CEB Bill Payments via CEBCare App, and the EV Charging Top-up services are currently unavailable. When contacted by News1st, the CEB said it is working to restore the services as soon as possible.The CEB official said customers can settle the bills by using bank mobile applications and at supermarkets.

Colombo (News 1st) – "69 armed Police teams have been deployed to maintain law and order in the South," said Senior DIG in charge of the Southern Province Ajith Rohana."Shooting incidents have claimed the lives of 15 people in 2022, while 18 were arrested over the incidents," he said.The latest incident was reported from Elpitiya on Friday night (23).Sri Lanka Police said a 26 year old was injured in the shooting that took place at the Yakkaduwa Junction in Elpitiya.Two men on a motorcycle carried out the shooting and fled the scene.The injured man was admitted to the Elpitiya Hospital for treatment and was later transferred to the Karapitiya Teaching Hospital.The Galle Crime Division has launched investigations into the incident.

Matt Hancock has dropped a number of bombshells in his shameless Covid diaries. The ' I'm a Celebrity ' star discusses a number of topics in his juicy novel including his social distance-busting affair, reports the Mirror.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Working Committee of the National Council Sub-Committee discussed the formulation of national policy on agriculture, animal husbandry and fisheries.This was taken into discussion under the Sub Committee on Identifying the Priorities in Formulation of Short-, Medium- & Long-Term National Policies of the National Council chaired by Hon.

Naomi Osaka gave fans an update on how she is doing.The athlete said on Good Morning America on Tuesday that taking a mental health break from tennis in 2021 was 'necessary.''I wouldn't have wanted it any other way,' shared the beauty who wore a pale blue satin suit with a feather trim. Helping: Naomi Osaka gave fans an update on how she is doing.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Religious leaders led by His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith called on the people to cut down on unnecessary spending and help one another this Christmas."The Archdiocese decided that Christmas this year should be celebrated with the poor and needy. We urge the Catholic community and every single citizen in this country, not to waste anything.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – President Ranil Wickremesinghe told a gathering on Monday (5) that China has requested Sri Lanka to engage in talks with the Exim Bank, and these discussions are underway.He said that the country has already started discussions with bilateral creditors including India, which have proven to be successful."The talks with China started later because they had to start after the party conference. They wanted it.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – A scholarship program utilizing funds from the President’s Fund has been initiated under the directives of President Ranil Wickremesinghe for students who have passed the G.C. E.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka Police discovered seven packets of narcotic pills in a canteen at a school in Gampaha.38 narcotic pills were discovered on the school premises which is located in the Malwathuhiripitiya area in Gampaha.Police arrested a woman over the discovery of the narcotic pills, and said investigations were underway.

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.

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)- Sri Lanka's Public Security Secretary S. Hettiarachchi expects to deploy the Police Special Task Force to crack down on drugs and underworld criminal activity."Prisons are reaching maximum capacity because of the rising number of drug users.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka's Cabinet approved a hike in electricity tariffs under two steps in January and June 2023.A statement from Sri Lanka Parliament said that although the electricity tariff has been increased in the past, it is not sufficient to cover the loss of the electricity board and thus, the request to increase the electricity bill has received cabinet approval. This was disclosed at the Sub Committee on Identifying the Short & Medium-Term Programmes related to Economic Stabilization of the National Council held on Wednesday (29).Accordingly, the Cabinet has approved increasing the electricity tariffs under two steps in January and June 2023.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Five suspects have been arrested with heroin and an overseas-manufactured live hand grenade, in their possession.This operation was carried out by the Police Special Task Force in the Ragama area.Sri Lanka Police said that 32.720g of heroin, a passport, 05 mobile phones, a van and a motorcycle were also seized.The suspects, who are between ages 20 and 40, have been handed over to the Colombo Crime Division.The Police further said, after reporting facts to the Wattala Magistrate's Court, they obtained a seven-day detention order and will conduct further investigations.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Department of Meteorology says that few showers will occur in Northern and Eastern provinces.Showers or thundershowers may occur at a few places in Sabaragamuwa province and Galle and Matara districts during the afternoon or night.Mainly fair weather will prevail elsewhere in the country.The Misty condition can be expected in Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and Galle and Matara districts during the morning.Condition of Rain:Showers may occur at a few places in the sea areas off the coast extending from Galle to Matara via Hambanthota during the evening or night.Winds:Winds will be north-easterly or variable in direction and speed will be (20-30) kmph. State of Sea:The sea areas around the island will be slight. 

₹5 lakh. JP Nadda said it was more than the combined population of the United States, the United Kingdom, France and Canada. Speaking at a rally in Dahod, JP Nadda said, “We are giving health care cover of ₹5 lakh to 50 crore people.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Former 3rd Secretary of the Sri Lankan Embassy in Oman E.

(Reuters) – Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen resigned as head of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) on Saturday after her strategy to frame local elections as showing defiance to China's rising bellicosity failed to pay off and win public support.The elections for mayors, county chiefs and local councillors are ostensibly about domestic issues such as the COVID-19 pandemic and crime, and those elected will not have a direct say on China policy.But Tsai had recast the election as being more than a local vote, saying the world is watching how Taiwan defends its democracy amid military tensions with China, which claims the island as its territory.The main opposition party the Kuomintang, or KMT, was leading or claimed victory in 13 of the 21 city mayor and county chief seats up for grabs, including the capital Taipei, compared to the DPP's five, broadly in line with expectations and similar to the results of the last local elections in 2018."The results failed our expectations. We humbly accept the results and accept the Taiwanese people's decision," Tsai told reporters at party headquarters as she quit as party head, which she also did after 2018's poor results."It's not like the DPP has never failed before," Tsai, who will continue serving as president until 2024, added.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Supreme Court ordered the Inspector General of Police to establish a committee to formulate a regulatory framework for Police officers to follow when conducting inquiries into disputes. The Supreme Court gave this direction as part of an interim order issued when an incident where a senior police officer had obstructed an Attorney at Law from performing his duties was taken up in court. According to the petitioner, an Attorney, he had visited the Boralasgamuwa Police on the 13th of November 2021 to represent his client at the police station. The petitioner stated, while representing his client, Senior Superintendent of Police K.S.K Rupasinghe had demanded that he step out of the room. The petitioner had refused to do so. The SSP had then proceeded to threaten the Attorney claiming he will be thrown into a cell.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lankan Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa told Parliament on Friday (24) that he did not apply for the post of Prime Minister, during the tenure of Gotabaya Rajapaksa.Sajith Premadasa said that the Former President repeatedly requested him to accept the post of Prime Minister, and four conditions were put forward to Rajapaksa for the establishment of an interim short-term government.• President must resign from his position during a stipulated minimum period of time;• Implement and enact the 19th constitutional amendment within a period of two weeks, with the support of all political parties;• Implement the provisions in the Constitution within a minimum time period to abolish the executive presidency; and• Call for a parliamentary election to allow the public to form a permanent government after implementing the constitutional amendments and rebuilding the community life and ensuring the rule of law.Sajith Premadasa said he wrote to then-President Rajapaksa citing these four conditions to accept the post of Prime Minister, and did not request or apply for the post of Prime Minister.Sajith Premadasa was responding to a comment made by President Ranil Wickremesinghe in Parliament on Thursday (24).'Our Opposition Leader also said today that I asked for this presidency. I didn't ask for this.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – President Ranil Wickremesinghe emphasized that he will never allow violence and anarchy to prevail under the guise of human rights, adding that if any party engages in such an attempt, the security forces will be used to suppress it completely.Under such circumstances, the President emphasized that everyone from the lower officer of the army to the rank of field marshal is obligated to fulfil their responsibility.   President Ranil Wickremesinghe said this, delivering a special statement in Parliament. (24). 'Our Opposition Leader also said today that I asked for this presidency.

(Reuters) – Malaysia's king appointed long-time opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim as prime minister on Thursday and he will be sworn in at 5 p.m., ending five days of unprecedented post-election crisis after inconclusive polls.Anwar's appointment caps a three-decade-long political journey from a protege of veteran leader Mahathir Mohamad to a prisoner convicted of sodomy to opposition leader and, finally, prime minister.A general election on Saturday ended in an unprecedented hung parliament with neither of the two main alliances, one led by Anwar and the other by ex-premier Muhyiddin Yassin, immediately able to secure enough seats in parliament to form a government.The 75-year-old Anwar has time and again been denied the premiership despite getting within striking distance over the years: he was deputy prime minister in the 1990s and the official prime minister-in-waiting in 2018.In between, he spent nearly a decade in jail for sodomy and corruption in what he says were politically motivated charges aimed at ending his career.The uncertainty over the election threatened to prolong political instability in the Southeast Asian country, which has had three prime ministers in as many years, and risks delaying policy decisions needed to foster economic recovery.Anwar leads a multi-ethnic coalition of parties with progressive leanings while Muhyiddin's alliance reflects more conservative, ethnic Malay, Muslim views.Anwar's coalition, known as Pakatan Harapan, won the most seats in Saturday's vote with 82, while Muhyiddin's Perikatan Nasional bloc won 73.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe told Parliament on Wednesday (23) that he would not dissolve the house until stability returns to the country and vowed not to allow another Aragalaya to change the country's government. He said he would deploy the military and use emergency powers if necessary.The President accused the Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) and its leader Kumar Gunaratnam of being responsible for the attempt to capture parliament on the 13th of July 2022.

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) – 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) – 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) – 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 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 Sri Lanka Freedom Party has decided to make several major changes.The party's Central Committee met on Monday (21) and unanimously decided to take away the party membership of all those who left the party, including Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga.In addition, the SLFP Central Committee has decided to appoint Thilanga Sumathipala as the General Secretary of the United People's Freedom Alliance, replacing Mahinda Amaraweera.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka's Criminal Investigations Department arrested a woman linked to trafficking women to Oman, where they are auctioned and sold to the highest bidder.The CID told News 1st on Monday (21) that the woman was operating the sex trafficking ring from Oman and was arrested after she surrendered to the Criminal Investigations Department.The CID said that it had been investigating her for several weeks, and she was not living at any of the four registered addresses.However, on Monday (21) morning, she surrendered to detectives and following her arrest three in total have been apprehended for their links to trafficking women to Oman.On Saturday 19th October 2022, Sri Lanka's Immigration and Emigration Department arrested a 40-year-old man at the Katunayake Airport for engaging in human smuggling.He was arrested when returning to Sri Lanka from Dubai and was identified as a resident of Wattala who was operating a Foreign Employment Agency in Maradana, Colombo 10.Thereafter, on Sunday (20) another suspect connected to the human trafficking ring was arrested from Avissawella.He was identified as a broker who sends Sri Lankan women to the Middle Easter, where they are smuggled from Abu Dhabi to Oman to be sold as sex slaves.The suspect was arrested based on the complaints made filed by Sri Lankan women stranded in the Middle East.Safe-House Abuse: Around 90 women who were subject to multiple forms of physical and mental abuse are currently given shelter at a safe house operated by the Sri Lankan Embassy in Oman.However, this safe house lacks the most basic facilities to accommodate a single woman, let alone 90 of them.These Sri Lankan women, some of who were auctioned for sex, are at this safe house