Govt to release vehicles being kept with Customs

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Today’s exchange rates from the Central Bank of Sri Lanka:USD Buy 360.9919 Sell 371.8325GBP Buy 425.8233 Sell 442.3703EUR Buy 367.9610 Sell 383.3119JPY Buy 2.5285 Sell 2.6343AUD Buy 236.7264 Sell 248.0444

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Ministry of Education says that a report has been called for on several incidents where it was reported that school teachers had reported to school in attire, which is not the Saree or Osariya.A senior official said that to protect the dignity of the teaching profession, they are investigating why teachers decided to deviate from the practice followed for decades.The principals of the respective schools and regional education directors were instructed to provide an immediate report on the matterHe said that every teacher has a responsibility to protect the dignity of the role of a teacher, especially in the presence of the students.The Education Ministry had noted that teachers are not permitted to enter schools in the attire that they prefer.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Health Entomologists Association says that the number of dengue patients across 20 MOH divisions is considerably high.The Chairman of the Health Entomologists Association Najith Sumanasena said that several MOH divisions in the Western Province are considered dengue high-risk areas.He requested the general public to ensure to keep their surroundings clean to prevent the spread of dengue in those identified MOH divisions.Over 55,500 dengue cases have been reported in the country so far this year, twice the number reported in 2021.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Former Leader of the Ceylon Workers' Congress (CWC) Muthu Sivalingam has passed away.Sources said that he passed away at the age of 79 on Wednesday (23)He was a Member of Parliament for the Nuwara Eliya District.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) approved power cuts of 2 hours from 22nd – 25th November as follows;Groups ABCDEFGHIJKLPQRSTUVW: 1hour power cut during daytime 1hour power cut during the night

James Martin sparked concerns about his health after sharing a cryptic post on Instagram today.The 50-year-old chef uploaded a picture of his dog Ralph followed by an MRI suite as he told fans he may need an operation as well. Alongside the two snaps, the chef wrote: "Seems as if we are both getting old fella!"Dropped hi off for an op this morning, now it seems I need one."(sic)Following fans' concerns, he has since issued an update in view of his 701,000 followers.He wrote: "Thank you for all your messages, very kind. Ralph is ok and out and on the mend cheers.Vanessa Feltz issues urgent plea as daughter rushed to hospital"Me on the other hand, well we will see."Express.co.uk has contacted a representative for James for comment. Ahead of the update, many of his fans rushed to the comments section to send their well wishes.Callsopp52 wrote: "Hope it’s nothing serious for either of you James."Sharon Vale commented: "Wishing Ralph a speedy recovery.

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) – The Third Secretary of the Sri Lankan Embassy in Oman E. Kushan is alleged to have committed sexual abuse, and engaged in the trafficking of Sri Lankan women for sex. However, he denies these claims and told EXCLUSIVELY to News 1st that these allegations are fabricated and have no ground. On Sunday (21) several former expats visited News 1st and expose startling details, and the said Third Secretary of the Sri Lankan Embassy rejected all the allegations as baseless. "While talking he put his arms around me, and I tried to push him away. I told him that that was not what I came for and I came to speak.

Sharon Stone, 64, admitted in a candid Instagram video from her home, after enduring more than two weeks with no social contact at all, that she is trying to remain upbeat.She detailed the health scare that has kept her home-bound in an Instagram video shared with no fewer than 3.5 million followers.Despite dodging Covid for more than two years, the former Basic Instinct star has finally succumbed to the virus, which she claims she caught in a doctor's surgery."Okay I'm on day 16, testing positive for Covid," she told the world as she sat snugly wrapped up in a baggy grey sweatshirt with the hood around her head."Now I'm a positive person, but that's a lot of positivity, even for me," she chuckled."You know, the scrambled brain, the isolation - it's a lot, and I managed not to get Covid for so long, travelling intercontinentally, doing everything."Do you know where I got Covid? In the doctor's office," she explained."Do you know how? They stopped wearing masks. You know where I got Covid? From a nurse!" she confided, before laughing heartily at the irony.She maintained she was remaining positive in more ways than one after finding the dreaded double line on her test 16 days in a row."Okay so day 16 still testing positive.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – A drug trafficker was injured in a shooting in Meetiyagoda on Monday (21) afternoon, and was admitted to the Balapitiya Hospital.Sri Lanka Police said that a weapon discharged when a team from the Meetiyagoda Police attempted to arrest a drug trafficker.The suspect will be transferred to the Karapitiya Teaching Hospital, later in the day.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Sri Lankan Government’s intention was to resume the negotiations on free trade agreements said Secretary to the President Saman Ekanayake.It is the vision of the President that Sri Lanka will integrate with the global value chains and with the largest economies in South Asia and East Asia and then expand to the east region linking to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).Further, the Secretary to the President invited private sector stakeholders to creatively engage in this development initiative as they are the ultimate beneficiaries.He made these observations during an awareness session on the resumption of negotiations of free trade agreements held for Trade Chambers and Industry Advisory Committees at the Finance Ministry on November (16).Secretary to the Treasury, Secretaries of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Industries, and the members of the National Trade Negotiation Committee also participated.The contours of Global trade have been significantly changed in recent years by bringing regional and global production networks as driving factors of international trade where Sri Lanka has not yet been engaged to tap the potential.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Overall rate of inflation as measured by the National Consumer Price Index on a Year-On-Year basis was 70.6% in October 2022, compared to 73.7% in September 2022.Food Inflation dropped to 80.9% in October 2022, compared to 85.8% in September 2022, said the Department of Census and Statistics on Monday (21). 

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka's National Water Supply and Drainage Board said that Rs. 6.5 Billion in unsettled bills are pending from consumers.Rs.

Out of these 8 LTTE prisoners who were pardoned, three of those were convicted of trying to assassinate former President Chandrika Kumaratunga who was wounded by the bomb attack.However the National Peace Council relying on the information supplied by the the Presidential Secretariat states that four of the eight prisoners had served longer prison terms than their court-ordered sentences. The statement further states “Three prisoners had been sentenced to 30 years in prison and had served 22 years, one prisoner who had been sentenced to 11 years and had served 14 years, one who has been sentenced to 10 years and had also served 14 years, two prisoners who were sentenced to five years but had served for 14 years, were among those who received a presidential pardon.”The council further emphasize that this is a serious violation of human rights in terms of international human rights covenants and an intolerable abuse of power by those who kept them incarcerated in this manner for a long period of time.The National Peace Council also warns the government that by keeping these detainees in prison, there will be a need to pay compensation considering the number of years lost to the victims.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – It was decided at the National Council Sub-Committee on Identifying Priorities in Formulating Short, Medium and Long Term Policies held recently (26) under the chairmanship of the Member of Parliament Namal Rajapakse to introduce Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to measure the performance of government institutions.In order to streamline the government mechanism efficiently, the committee emphasized the need to prepare metrics to review the progress of government agencies and government officials.Thus, it was decided to discuss this matter with all the other services including the administrative service in the next week and start formulating policies.Officials representing the Ministry of Public Administration Home Affairs Provincial Councils and Local Government and Sri Lanka Administrative Service Association were present at this meeting.State Minister Ashoka Priyantha, Members of Parliament  Pavithradevi Wanniarachchi, Wajira Abeywardana and Sagara Kariyawasam were also present.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Private vehicles will no longer be allowed to enter the Yala National Park without a guide from the Department of Wildlife.Mahinda Amaraweera, Sri Lanka's Minister of Agriculture, Wildlife & Forest Resources Conservation told News 1st that this decision is temporary and will be in effect until the investigation on the reckless joy-riding incident inside the Yala National Park is complete.He said that the Department of Wildlife will report the matter to the Tissamaharama Court to institute necessary legal action.In addition, the Ministry of Agriculture, Wildlife & Forest Resources Conservation is conducting its own investigation on the six tour guides, and one forest ranger who were present at the time of the reckless joy-riding incident inside the Yala National Park.A total of seven Park Rangers have been interdicted until the investigations are over, and they are charged with dereliction of duty, and for their direct or indirect involvement in the incident.The matter was also raised during Wednesday's (26) cabinet briefing, and Minister Bandula Gunawardena.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Inter-University Student Federation and the Inter-University Bhikku Federation staged a protest opposite the Terrorist Investigation Division in Narahenpita. The protest was staged demanding to protect the lives of Venerable Galwewa Siridhamma Thero and the convener of the Inter-University Student Federation, Wasantha Mudalige. A strong police force was deployed opposite the Terrorist Investigations Division in Narahenpita ahead of the protest by student activists.Watch Here:   

COLOMBO (News 1st) – MP Dilan Perera says that the Government will not be able to stop any allegations against it with regard to human rights violations. Speaking to media, the Freedom Peoples Congress MP said that Venerable Galwewa Siridhamma Thero, who was visited by HRCSL personnel, was observed to have been unwell on 24th October. However, the Terrorism Investigation Division (TID) only took the Thero to the hospital on 25th, which by that time, his platelet count and blood pressure were already low. "Therefore, the arrests made under the Prevention of Terrorism Act is wrong. If we can't pay attention to their health condition at least after the arrest, we will not be able to stop the accusations of human rights violations," he added.Earlier today, a senior official attached to the National Hospital of Sri Lanka confirmed that Ven.