Iran, Syria, & S. Sudan slam UNHRC for Double Standards on Sri Lanka

Vaccination and long COVID There could be other reasons for the positive trend that we’ve witnessed, but the timing suggests that vaccination is the most likely explanation. The decrease in referrals begins in August 2021, around five months after the British population started receiving second doses of COVID-19 vaccines.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Sri Lanka Freedom Party leadership has decided to remove SLFP MPs, who accepted positions in the government, from all party positions and the Central Working Committee membership.The decision was taken by the Former President and Chairman of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) Maithripala Sirisena, and the decision has been communicated to the 14 SLFP MPs who are represented in Parliament.MPs Mahinda Amaraweera, Nimal Siripala De Silva, Lasantha Alagiyawanna, Shantha Bandara, Dr.

(THE HINDU) – China has offered Pakistan’s visiting Army Chief technical help as the country deals with record floods but did not announce any substantial financial assistance that its “all-weather” ally has been seeking.Both Pakistan and Sri Lanka, facing financial stress, have been engaged in long-running talks with Beijing for assistance, but with negotiations in both cases having made little headway, both countries have turned to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Their new IMF commitments are now likely to impact their owed payments to China, which has lent the two countries more than $26 billion in the past five years.Following talks in Xi’an between Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa and China’s Defence Minister General Wei Fenghe, the Chinese side expressed willingness to provide technical assistance for flood relief work, Pakistan’s official Inter-Services Public Relations said.Chinese State media quoted Gen.

Several days of protests have erupted in Iran following the death of a 22-year-old woman who was arrested and in police custody for allegedly breaking hijab rules.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Around three hundred Public Sector employees have traveled overseas for employment after the government of Sri Lanka issued a circular granting five-year no-pay leave for public officers to be spent in or out of the country, without affecting their seniority and pension.The Ministry of Public Administration, Home Affairs, and Provincial Councils said that among those who left the country are employees attached to Ministries, Departments, as well as Statutory Bodies.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Private Maheesh Theekshana who was part of Sri Lanka Cricket Teram that won the 2022 Asia Cup in Dubai was elevated to the rank of Sergeant by Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage, Commander of the Army.The Army-groomed sportsmen and sportswomen who shone distinctively in the field of international sports were invited this morning (20) to the Commander’s office at the Army HQ to receive appreciative compliments and cash incentives.Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage, Commander of the Army after meeting those sport stars who brought fame to the country and the Army alike commended their achievements and talked to each one of them in the presence of the Director Sports of the Army.Those international achievers included Sergeant M.M Theekshana, a member of the Sri Lankan Cricket team who won the Asia Cup Championship – 2022, Corporal T.T Algama, Corporal K.B.Y De Silva and Corporal M.A.I.J Perera, all of them in the Sri Lankan National Netball team who won the Asian Netball Championship – 2022 and the Bodybuilder, Corporal R.A.D.P Rajapaksha who won the Bronze Medal in the Asian Bodybuilding Championship – 2022.At the same time, the Army Chief in recognition of their achievements instructed respective authorities to promote the above achievers in rank in an attempt to stimulate them further.Accordingly, Private M.M Theekshana was elevated to the rank of Sergeant, Private T.T Algama, to the rank of Corporal, Private K.B.Y De Silva to the rank of Corporal and Private M.A.I.J Perera to the rank of Corporal during the same occasion.The Commander of the Army, appreciative of their international achievements afterwards awarded financial incentives to Sergeant M.M Theekshana, Netball Team Members and Bodybuilder

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.

FERNLEY, NEVADA, UNITED STATES - 2022/05/30: American flags seen at a veterans cemetery. People attended a Memorial day event at a veterans cemetery.

PHILADELPHIA, PA - SEPTEMBER 26: Former Philadelphia Eagles player Herb Lusk speaks during the Festival of Families on September 26, 2015 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Pope Francis wraps up his trip to the United States with two days in Philadelphia PHILADELPHIA - Former Philadelphia Eagles running back Herbert Lusk II died at the age of 69 on Monday, according to the city council's president."North Philadelphia and our city lost a true friend yesterday; Rev.

PETER Andre has revealed that he plans to move his family to Australia amid his mum Thea's health struggle. The Mysterious Girl singer, 49, said he will relocate "for as long as possible" after he finishes his work commitments.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa questioned the Government the reason for imposing low levies on tobacco and alcohol at a time when food inflation in the country is rapidly rising. Speaking at the Parliament, the Opposition Leader said that the country's food inflation rate is over 90%, however the inflation rate of tobacco and alcohol products is merely over 36%, and questioned as the why the Government is not taking steps to increase the price of such goods. He alleged that the ties between alcohol companies, politicians and treasury officials have resulted in the prices being maintained at a low without being subject to increases.In response, State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya stated that excise duty on tobacco products is levied on a unit basis depending on the length of the product, while excise duty is levied on alcohol products based on its strength. He further stated that in addition to these excise duties, a 15% value-added tax VAT on sales will be levied with effect from October 1st, along with a 2.5% social security contribution tax on turnover."In addition, these cigarettes and alcohol have been subject to a higher income tax rate of 40%.

Reuters – India said on Tuesday it had started bilateral discussions with Sri Lanka on restructuring the crisis-hit neighbour's debt.The first round was held on Sept.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands with the concurrence of the Government of Sri Lanka has appointed Bonnie Horbach as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Sri Lanka based in Colombo. She presented credentials to president Ranil Wickremesinghe, at the Presidential Secretariat recently.COLOMBO (News 1st); The Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with the concurrence of the Government of Sri Lanka appointed Khalid Hamoud Nasser Aldasam Alkahtani as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Sri Lanka based in Colombo. He has presented credentials to President Ranil Wickremesinghe, recently at the Presidential Secretariat.Sri Lanka’s relations with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia go back several centuries. People-to-People contact between the two countries has flourished since ancient times.Readers from Arabia visited and transited  Sri Lanka as Sri Lanka was the center of the maritime route between the east and the west.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – It’s not a secret that we are all broke as a country, and we have to pull ourselves up by our bootstraps, said Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe addressing a meeting with the Sri Lankan Diaspora.President Ranil Wickremesinghe who visited the United Kingdom to attend the funeral ceremony of Queen Elizabeth II had met with the Sri Lankan Diaspora in Britain on Monday (19) afternoon." We have already started discussions with the IMF and staff level agreement is there. We have to talk to India, China and Japan and to the private creditors.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Minister of Education Dr.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe engaged in cordial conversation with King Charles III on Sunday (19).World leaders who were in London to attended the funeral of the late Queen Elizabeth II met King Charles III at Buckingham Palace on the 18th of September.President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who participated in the event, having a friendly conversation with King Charles III, said the President's Media Division.Senior Professor Mrs.

(ANI / New Delhi); Sri Lanka High Commissioner to India Milinda Moragoda on Monday (19) referred to remarks of Mahinda Rajapaksa about the island nation's relations with India and said that the former President of the country used to say that "China is a close friend but India is our brother and sister".Moragoda described the relationship between the two countries as "special" and said India's security interests are "our own security interests"."Rajapaksa used to always say China is a very, very close friend but India is our brother and sister…. Within a family you can have quarrels but finally, it is your family," he said during an interaction at the Indian Women's Press Corps."From Ramayan to Buddhism today, Sri Lanka and India have a long historical relationship.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Today’s exchange rates from the Central Bank of Sri Lanka:USD Buy 359.1381 Sell 369.9003GBP Buy 408.2941 Sell 424.4361EUR Buy 357.8970 Sell 372.8429JPY Buy 2.4933 Sell 2.5970AUD Buy 239.7194 Sell 250.9472

GREAT FALLS, Mont – The 36th Contingency Response Squadron assigned to Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, organized a Mobile Training Team event between the Sri Lanka Air Force and the 120th Airlift Wing, Montana Air National Guard, Sept. 8-12.Airmen from the 120th Logistics Readiness Squadron and 120th Maintenance Squadron showed 15 members of the Sri Lanka Air Force how to use aircraft loading and refueling equipment they will receive next year from the Department of Defense under the Building Partner Capacity Program.The program builds partnerships with foreign nations by providing military and equipment training to enhance their capabilities.During the four-day Mobile Training Team event, the 120th AW Airmen worked with the Sri Lanka Air Force members on pallet buildup, refuel/defuel procedures, forklift operations, weight and balance calculation, loading and unloading aircraft.“We brought a mix of pilots, loadmasters, crew chiefs, fuel specialist, maintenance officers and logistics officers on this Mobile Training Team,” said Danushka Premadasa, Sri Lanka Air Force wing commander.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka Navy conducted a special operation to chase away Indian poaching trawlers from Sri Lanka’s waters on the night of yesterday (19). The operation led to the seizure of an Indian trawler with 08 Indian nationals poaching in the island’s waters off Kovilan Lighthouse, Kankasanthurai.Sri Lanka Navy continues to conduct regular patrols and operations in Sri Lanka’s waters to curb illegal fishing practices of foreign fishing trawlers.In a similar operation conducted in the dark hours of 19th September, the Northern Naval Command deployed a Fast Attack Craft of the 04th Fast Attack Flotilla to chase away a cluster of Indian poaching trawlers, after having spotted them engaged in illegal fishing in Sri Lanka’s waters off Kovilan Lighthouse, through the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL). Thus, the Navy held an Indian poaching trawler and continued to remain in the island’s waters, with 08 Indian fishers and fishing gear.The seized trawler together with 08 Indian fishermen was brought to the Kankesanthurai Harbour and they will be handed over to the Mailadi Fisheries Inspector for onward legal proceedings.Meanwhile, the Navy has seized 25 Indian poaching trawlers and nabbed 189 Indian fishermen in Sri Lanka’s waters, during operations conducted thus far in 2022 and produced them to authorities for legal proceedings.Taking into account the consequences of illegal fishing practices by foreign fishermen in Sri Lanka’s waters on the livelihood of local fishermen and ocean resources of the country, Sri Lanka Navy continues to remain vigilant and conduct its operations to prevent such practices. 

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) informed that it has decided to extend power cuts for 20 Minutes.Accordingly, PUCSL approved power cuts of 1 hour and 20 minutes for 20th & 21st September as follows;Groups ABCDEFGHIJKLPQRSTUVW:1-hour and 20-minutes from 6.00 PM – 10.00 PM

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka’s leadership is essential to supporting a free & open Indo-Pacific region, said US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie J.

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.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - A Northern California mother of two was sentenced Monday to 18 months in prison for faking her own kidnapping so she could go back to a former boyfriend, which led to a three-week, multi-state search before she resurfaced on Thanksgiving Day in 2016.Sherri Papini, 40, pleaded guilty last spring under a plea bargain that requires her to pay more than $300,000 in restitution.Probation officers and Papini’s attorney had recommended that she spend a month in custody and seven months in supervised home detention. But Senior U.S.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The production of food has recorded a sharp dive, says the National Organization of Intellectuals in Colombo.Speaking during the briefing, member of the organization Specialist Dr.

Long Covid. The study has revealed that a person going through phases of anxiety, depression, and loneliness before being infected by coronavirus has a much stronger chance of developing Long Covid.  The finding of the study conducted by researchers at the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health was published in the journal JAMA Psychiatry.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The production of food has recorded a sharp dive, says the National Organization of Intellectuals in Colombo.Speaking during the briefing, member of the organization Specialist Dr.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Hanaa Singer, the United Nations Resident Coordinator for Sri Lanka, has made more requests for aid in support of Sri Lanka in the face of the country's economic crisis.The appeal states that according to UNICEF, 70% of households have reduced their food consumption, primarily due to the rising cost of food, and 73% of households have had their incomes either curtailed or reduced.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – A report on food security by the World Bank has revealed that Sri Lanka is in the third place according to the real food inflation figures between September 2021 and August 2022, and at the fourth place in consideration of nominal food inflation.Sri Lanka ranks fourth in the world in terms of nominal food inflation, at 91% on an y-o-y basis.According to the World Bank report, Zimbabwe, Lebanon and Venezuela are ranked first, second and third among the countries with high nominal inflation.The report indicates that 205.1 million people worldwide will face a food crisis or a acute food crisis due to this situation.The report also warns of the threat of famine for the Somali Gulf region between October and December this year.Projecting a decrease in production of rice in 2022, the Agricultural Market Information System (AMIS) assessed that reduced harvest prospects for India and a few other countries, including Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, outweighed slight upward revisions for Brazil and a few  West African countries, although average international rice prices changed little month to month, with mixed movements in the major exporters.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – On 17th September, the Ukrainian President Voldomyr Zelenskyy in his briefing noted that seven Sri Lankan students were found in 'torture chambers' where civilians were abused by Russian soldiers in areas of the Kharkiv region in Ukraine. The Russian InvasionOn 24th of February, Russian forces initiated what they dubbed as a 'special operation', which was later declared by Russia as an operation for the “liberation of Donbas” – broadly referring to Ukraine’s regions of Luhansk and Donetsk.More than a third of this area was already seized by Russian proxy forces in a war that began in 2014.The liberation of IziumIzium was subject to intense Russian artillery attacks in April.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The National Flag of Sri Lanka and the flag of the United Kingdom were flown at half-mast as a mark of respect to Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, at the President's Office on Monday (19).Monday was also declared as a National day of mourning, in addition to the Ministry of Public Administration announcing today as a special holiday for all government agencies.The grand state funeral of late Queen Elizabeth II was held today, with the participation of over 500 heads of state and foreign leaders. Following the State Funeral, the Coffin will travel in Procession from Westminster Abbey to Wellington Arch. From Wellington Arch, the Coffin will travel to Windsor, and once there, the State Hearse will travel in Procession to St.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka has approved power outages for the 20th and 21st of September as follows; Groups ABCDEFGHIJKLPQRSTUVW– 1 hour and 20 minutes from 6.00pm – 10.00pm.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Today’s exchange rates from the Central Bank of Sri Lanka:USD Buy 358.9434 Sell 369.9135GBP Buy 409.5166 Sell 425.6899EUR Buy 356.6349 Sell 371.6442JPY Buy 2.4897 Sell 2.5921AUD Buy 239.0458 Sell 250.2742

COLOMBO (News 1st) – A Ukrainian journalist has released horrific details about the seven Sri Lankan medical students who were allegedly captured and tortured by Russian soldiers in the Kharkiv region near the Russian border where there has been intense fighting for months.The six men and one woman were beaten, had their nails torn off, and forced to work for free, Maria Romanenko, a Ukrainian journalist reporting from the UK, said in her Tweeted story.The seven students, aged 20-40, arrived in Ukraine around 3 weeks before the all-out invasion last March and rented a house in Kupiansk, a town that was captured by Russian forces and occupied until it was retaken by the Ukrainian army a few days ago. They were hiding in their house for some time until they decided to try and flee into Kharkiv, she tweeted.However, they were stopped at the first Russian checkpoint that they tried to cross.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The National Construction Association of Sri Lanka (NCASL) says that 95% of the construction projects have been delayed due to the shortage of required raw materials in the local market. The Deputy Head of the National Construction Association of Sri Lanka M.D. Paul said that this has concerned a large proportion of the people employed in the construction sector.He says around 1.5 Million people are employed in the construction industry and among them, 75% are currently unemployed.He further said that import restrictions on construction materials such as Tiles, Air Condition systems, and Elevator systems have further disrupted the construction industry. Moreover, he said that the Government must pay an earned sum of close to Rs.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – A Ukraining Journalist has released the first details about the insane story from Kharkiv region’s police about the 7 Sri Lankans, who were in Ukraine for work and studies, and were kidnapped by Russians, beaten, and had their nails torn off, and forced to work for free (clean).The 6 men and 1 woman, all aged 20-40, arrived in Ukraine around 3 weeks before the all-out invasion and rented a house in Kupiansk (which was occupied until a few days ago). They were hiding in their house for some time until they decided to try and flee into Kharkiv, she tweeted.However, they were stopped at the first Russian checkpoint that they tried to cross.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Crisis-hit Sri Lanka will make a presentation to its international creditors on Friday (23), laying out the full extent of its economic troubles and plans for a debt restructuring and multi-billion dollar International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout.Years of economic mismanagement combined with the COVID-19 pandemic have left Sri Lanka in its worst economic crisis since independence from Britain in 1948, causing it to default on its sovereign debt.The Sri Lanka Ministry of Finance said in a statement via legal firm Clifford Chance that an online call on Sept.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – As messages of condolence flood in at the end of the British monarch’s 70-year reign, Sri Lanka Navy, pays its highest tribute to the life and service of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, who passed away on 08th September 2022.Just a couple of months after the coronation, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II embarked on her maiden royal visit to Sri Lanka on board SS Gothic in 1954 with Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh who was a WWII veteran. Serving in the Mediterranean Fleet of the Royal Navy as an officer, he had a stint in then Ceylon during WWII. The visit remains engraved as the first visit to Sri Lanka by a reigning monarch. During the visit, the Royals graced a ceremony where a jetty at the Colombo Harbour had been named after ‘Queen Elizabeth Quay’.As the Navy’s annals reveal, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip had visited HMCyS Vijaya which escorted SS Gothic to the Port of Colombo.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ali Sabry will deliver the Sri Lanka statement at the 77th Session of the United Nations General Assembly on 24 September 2022 in New York.During the visit, he will address several Ministerial levels meetings, such as the Meeting of Foreign Ministers of the Conference on Interaction & Confidence Building Measures in Asia, the Meeting of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Member States of the Group of 77 & China, the Ministerial Meeting of the Group of Friends of the Global Development Initiative, and the NAM Foreign Ministers Meeting. He will also have bilateral discussions with the Foreign Ministers of UN Member States. In addition, he will also meet with the highest level of UN Officials in New York. The Sri Lanka delegation will consist of Foreign Minister Ali Sabry, the Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the UN in New York Mohan Pieris, as well as a senior official of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and officials of the Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka in New York. The High-level segment of the Session will be held from 20 – 26 September 2022.

LONG ISLAND, N.Y. - A missing cat wanted to let her family know she had returned when she alerted the home's doorbell camera. Lilly, the 8-year-old feline, went missing from her Long Island, New York home for almost a week but returned on August 14. The video showed Lilly reaching over the camera and meowing, alerting the homeowners, Stefanie Whitley and Efrain Leandry, that someone was at the door. RELATED: Animal shelter says puppy was run over, kicked by bystander"Our family was ecstatic, emotional, and hysterical when she came home," Whitley told Storyful.Whitley said Lilly knows how the doorbell system works. "Lilly is aware of the camera, and looks towards the door when there is [a] notification," Whitley said.Storyful contributed to this report.

LONG BEACH, Calif. - There are many ways for airline passengers to get through long-haul flights, but some Southwest fliers didn’t expect a ukulele class. Passengers from Long Beach, California to Honolulu, Hawaii were surprised with music lessons on Friday.The Guitar Center, an instrument retailer, worked with the airline to arrange the surprise in an effort to welcome them to Hawaii. RELATED: Couple marries inside North Carolina airport after first meeting on flightPassengers onboard the Boeing 737-800 were given a Mitchell MU40 Soprano ukulele along with a Road Runner carrying case.Southwest passengers were given in-flight ukulele lessons.  (Guitar Center)Guitar Center instructors taught the fliers how to play "Hello, Aloha. How are you?" during the flight."I’ve taught students through Guitar Center Lessons since 2014, but never in an airplane," said instructor Alexandra Windsor in a news release.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Presidential Advisor on National Food Security, Dr. Suren Batagoda, says that data shows that the amount of food consumed by Sri Lankans has reduced by about 60% due to the prevailing food shortage in the country.Participating in the multi-sectoral joint mechanism implementation program on food security and nutrition, Dr.

Covid on their health, but also because it can disturb their appetite. Long covid could lead to various other symptoms such as loss of taste and smell, having an upset stomach, having diarrhea or constipation, sore throat, difficulty in swallowing, or being out of breath. Though these can make it difficult for you to eat properly, focusing on certain healthy foods might help in regaining nutrition and strength.

PHILADELPHIA - An argument between two groups quickly escalated into a deadly shooting that claimed the life of one, and left another fighting for theirs.Police say the dispute began around 5:40 a.m. on the 1700 block of Lehigh Avenue, where a man was shot and critically injured.The second shooting rang out when police say the groups moved the fight to 17th and York streets.MORE HEADLINES:A 31-year-old woman was shot and killed, according to police.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Sabry PC, who is due to leave for New York for the 77th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, is scheduled to address several international conferences which run in parallel with the UNGA session.Accordingly, Minister Sabry will be participating in the Ministerial Session of the Non-Aligned States, the Foreign Ministers' Meeting of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia and the Ministerial Meeting of the Alliance for Global Development Initiative.The Foreign Minister is scheduled to present Sri Lanka's statement at the United Nations General Assembly on 24th September.The 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly will be held from September 20th to October 26th.

Three injured in 3-car crash.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena says that State Ministers and Ministers will be appointed in the future under strict financial control.The Prime Minister visited Anuradhapura to engage in religious activities on Sunday (18).He further stated that a large cost is not incurred in the activities of Ministers, and himself as the Prime Minister. However, he emphasized that State institutions cannot continue their functions without appointing relevant authorities to oversee them.However, they will be subject to strict financial control in the future, he said. Moreover, the Prime Minister commented on the IMF staff level agreement with the Government, said that the proposal of the program is due to be presented before the IMF board in the near future. Many countries continue to assist Sri Lanka to their capacity to come out of its current crisis, he added.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The newly appointed Saudi Arabian Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Ambassadir Khalid bin Hamoud Nasser Aldasam Alkahtani said that he aims to increase job opportunities in his country for skilled Sri Lankan workers.During a meeting with Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena,  the Ambassador was urged to assist Sri Lanka’s efforts to face the economic and fuel crisis.Moreover, Ambassador Alkahtani said within a short period of time, the number of Sri Lankan skilled and semi-skilled workforce in Saudi Arabia could be increased to 400,000 from the present 180,000. “I am fond of Sri Lanka and I will do my best to support your country,” he assured.The Prime Minister pointed out that the newly introduced relaxed visa regulations and investment facilitation schemes of Board of Investment will help to attract more Saudi investors to Sri Lanka.Moreover, the Prime Minister said that Saudi Arabia has the opportunities to invest in energy, fisheries and agricultural sectors, and thanked for the support and assistance provided to Sri Lanka under renewed assistance programmes of the Saudi Development Fund as well as to help early recovery from current economic problems.The two dignitaries also discussed the plans for tourism promotion and recommencing of Saudi Airlines’ flights to Sri Lanka.