Japan says no pact yet with Sri Lanka on debt restructure talks

Dame Judi Dench, 87, has discussed how she had to get her partner David Mills to “cut up her food” for her due to her declining health.The star also revealed that she cannot read or write anymore due to suffering from advanced macular degeneration. The James Bond actress revealed that, while out for dinner recently with her partner David, he had to cut up her food as she couldn't see it on her plate.“He cut it up and handed something to me on a fork and that's the way I ate it,” she recalled.However, the legendary star has insisted that she will not be retiring from acting anytime soon despite her condition. Nonetheless, Judi admitted that her health was in a “bad” state as she opened up about the way her life has changed as a result. “I don't want to retire,” she said. “I'm not doing much at the moment because I can't see.

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) – A Red alert on landslides has been issued to the Divisional Secretariat Division of Passara, of the ​​Badulla District.Senior Geologist at the National Building Research Organization, Dr.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Cabinet has approved for the State-owned Enterprises Restructuring Unit to study and make recommendations on restructuring SriLankan Airlines.This Cabinet approval has been given taking into account a proposal presented by the Minister of Ports, Shipping and Aviation  Nimal Siripala Silva.It has been determined that it is appropriate to restructure the airline and its managed companies by handing over significant shares of Sri Lanka Airlines and the management of the company to select investors filtered through a transparent procurement process.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Six major business chambers in Sri Lanka have called for the halting of anti-government protests that they say could undermine efforts taken to stabilize the economy. In a joint statement, the chambers added that negative publicity could seriously derail action that are being taken to revive the economy, particularly the efforts taken to revive tourism.'Any act of destabilization taking place at this time and any negative publicity arising from it would seriously derail actions that are being taken to revive the economy including the efforts being taken to promote tourism' the statement read.Pointing out that a few airlines have agreed to commence flights to Sri Lanka and given the high cost of energy in Europe during the winter, Sri Lanka will have an ideal opportunity to attract tourists which will support the Hospitality industry, the Chambers say that  any instability can affect the recovery process for exports and foreign investment too.'We appeal to all parties to divert their energies and resources towards encouraging positive reforms and focus on how we recover as a nation instead of engaging in acts that can further damage the economy and place more burdens on the people of this country' the statement mentioned.This statement has been issued by the following Chambers:

COLOMBO (News 1st) – President Ranil Wickremesinghe says that if the process to restructure debts with India and China is delayed, the process to reach an agreement with the IMF Executive Board could be further delayed till January. Speaking at the 32nd Annual General meeting of the Sri Lanka Tea Factory owners, the President said that Sri Lanka must first ensure that it can get out of bankruptancy, and negotiate with creditors."I went to the Paris Club first. Western countries and Japan are there. But we are in a special place.

The best way to deal with the new COVID variant is to keep the immunity quotient high throughout the year Even after nearly 3 years, COVID remains a threat to us mostly because the virus is still mutating. The latest variant of Omicron continues to be a threat to us as it is said to spreading faster than its predecessors and has immune escape properties. So even if you are vaccinated and also boosted, you still need to be careful.

(PMD) – A meeting was held at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday (31) to inform the President about the private member’s proposal presented by Parliamentarian Premanath C. Dolawatta, which will strengthen President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s policy of increasing the opportunities for the youth community in the decision-making process of the country.During the meeting, MP Dolawatta said that his private member’s proposal, which has been submitted as a bill to amend the 262nd Local Government Elections Ordinance, adds constitutional value to the President’s policy of providing more opportunities to the youth in elections, to strengthen the democratic representation system.The MP also said that the draft includes the necessary provisions to confirm the youth representation of at least 25% in the first and second nomination lists of the local government elections.He noted that according to the recommendations of the Special Commission appointed to look into youth unrest in 1990, the importance of ensuring greater opportunities for the youth in democratic representation systems was highlighted.Accordingly, in 1990, by adding an amendment to the Local Government Ordinance, provisions were introduced to confirm 40% of opportunities in the preparation of local government nomination lists by political parties and independent groups, according to Dolawatta.However, although a positive step was taken by confirming 25% representation of women in the local government bodies, the condition of mandatory youth representation was lost in the relevant amendment, noted Premanath C.

ABU DHABI (Reuters) – Sri Lanka's energy and power minister Kanchana Wijesekera said on Tuesday his country was expecting a diesel shipment from China that will possibly arrive by the end of November, as his country faces a deep financial crisis.Wijesekera was answering reporters' questions on the sidelines of an industry conference in Abu Dhabi on whether Sri Lanka had received any support.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The following program proposed for the budget debate related to the financial year 2023 was presented by the Prime Minister for the approval of the Council of Ministers. The program received the consent of the Cabinet of Ministers.-Budget Speech (Second Reading of the Appropriation Bill): 14.11.2022-Budget Second Reading Debate: From 15.11.20 to 22.11.2022 (07 days)-Budget Committee Stage Debate: From 23.11.2022 to 08.12.2022-Budget Voting: 08.12.2022 

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) says that a vessel carrying 60,000 MT of coal is scheduled to reach the country on Tuesday (1).The relevant coal vessel is arriving from South Africa.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Cabinet of Ministers approved the Prime Minister's proposal that ministers should not travel abroad during the sitting days of parliament and the budget debate.However, in case of urgent medical needs or very urgent work of the government, ministers are allowed to travel abroad.

₹33 in the grey market today. The company's shares are expected to list on leading stock exchanges BSE and NSE on Wednesday, November 16, 2022. “Global health had a better performance in FY22 than it had in the preceding years.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Instagram appears to be down right now, but the glitch many users are reporting is an odd one. It’s not just that users are having trouble accessing the popular photo- and video-sharing app, but they’re also having trouble accessing their accounts and have reported being hit with account suspension notices.On Monday morning, the apparent Instagram outage was reported by users on Twitter and Downdetector. Both sites included numerous reports saying that users suddenly lost access to their IG accounts and were given account suspension notices.Many of these user reports followed a similar pattern.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Department of Meteorology says due to a low-level atmospheric disturbance in the vicinity of Sri Lanka, the showery condition is expected to continue further.Showers or thundershowers will occur over most parts of the Island during the afternoon or night.Showers will occur in Northern, Western and North-western provinces and Galle and Matara districts during the morning.Heavy showers over 150mm can be expected at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North-western, Uva and Northern provinces and Heavy showers about 100mm can be expected elsewhere.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 in several places in the sea areas around the island.Winds:Winds will be north-westerly to westerly in direction. Wind speed will be (20-30) kmph. Wind speed may increase up to 50 kmph at times in the sea areas off the coast extending from Puttalam to Trincomalee via Kankasanturai and Mullaitivu.State of Sea:The sea areas off the coast extending from Puttalam to Trincomalee via Kankasanturai and Mullaitivu will be fairly rough at times.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Colombo International Maritime and Logistics Conference 2022 is scheduled to be held on 1st & 2nd November 2022 in Colombo.The event is expected to be a regional networking session, where different stakeholders of the maritime and the logistics industry will be gathering to develop partnerships and a greater understanding of the future plans of the Indian subcontinent and beyond. Investment opportunities, information, and data, and project development of the region will also be discussed.Watch comments by Rohan Masakorala CIMC Founder and Shippers’ Academy Colombo CEO here: 

COLOMBO (News 1st) – A Sri Lanka Police Sergeant died in hospital after being severely wounded during a unrest that broke out in Kebithigollewa on Monday (31) night.Tensions boiled over in the town located in Anuradhapura in Sri Lanka's North Central Province after a man was killed in a wild elephant attack.Crowds took to the streets demanding a solution to the Human-Elephant conflict and they became unruly.Reports said that Sri Lanka Police fired several rounds into the air to control the situation. A Sri Lanka Police Sergeant was seriously injured after he was mobbed by the crowd, and was admitted to a hospital where he died.

Health and social care managers in North Lanarkshire are calling for local people to get in touch with feedback to ensure services improve further.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka on Monday (31) introduced a cycle to work program to promote cycling among public sector employees as a solution to the transporation crisis.The Cycle to Work progrma to promote cycling among public sector employees was organized by the Ministry of Urban Development and Housing.The aim of this program is to encourage government employees to commute using bicycles as a solution to the transportation crisis. Kick starting the initiative, a group of public sector employees cycled from Battaramulla to Sethsiripaya on Monday (31) morning.Meanwhile, a tree planting program was organized at te Setshiripaya Premises in line with World Cities Day.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka has decided to launch a website to register passenger transport three-wheelers in the Western Province for the increased fuel quota.State Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanna said that taxi operators can access www.wptaxi.lk and register for the service to obtain 10 liters of petrol, instead of the 5 liters offered.On the 24th of October 2022, President Ranil Wickremesinghe instructed to increase the weekly fuel quota of 5 litres issued for professional passenger transport three-wheelers to 10 litres.As the first phase, the registration of professional three-wheelers in the Western Province is scheduled to commence on November 1st.Accordingly, from November 6th, 10 litres of fuel per week will be issued to all three-wheeler passenger vehicles in the Western Province.Currently, there are 1.08 million three-wheelers in Sri Lanka, out of which 400,000 are passenger transport three-wheelers, according to the three-wheeler associations.Around 300,000 three-wheelers have been registered with the Sri Lanka Police, and if it is not possible to register the three-wheelers in the entire island by November 13, it was also decided to release the fuel quota for the three-wheelers registered with the police as an initial step.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka's Department of Census and Statistics reported that the Overall Rate of Inflation as measured by the Colombo Consumer Price Index on a Year-on-Year basis is 66.0% in October 2022.It added that the Year-on-Year inflation calculated for the month of September 2022 was 69.8%.According to the Department of Census and Statistics Food Inflation dropped to 85.6% in October 2022 from 94.9% in September 2022 on a year-on-year basis. 

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka Police revealed that the two men who were gunned down on Monday (31) morning in Hikkaduwa were the main suspects in the brutal hacking to death of Kudu Roshan on the 20th of December 2020 in Milla, Hikkaduwa.Kudu Roshan was a resident of Meetiygoda, and was a close associate of the slain underworld don Makandure Madush who was killed in police fire.Kudu Roshan was also a suspect in the killing of another underworld leader known as Samayan in Ranala.Motorcycle gunmen opened fire at two men travelling on another motorcycle in Thiranagama, Hikkaduwa on Monday (31) morning.News 1st correspondents said that the targets of the shooting were ruled dead on the spot.Sri Lanka Police said that the gunmen had come from behind and opened fire using a T-56 Assault Rifle.Detectives recovered a total of 17 bullet casings from the crime scene.The victims were identified as 47-year-old Kapuwa Handi Prasanna Mendis, and 26-year-old Henda Hewage Isuru Prasanna, both from Kalupe Hikkaduwa.They were gunned down while en router to a case at the Galle Magistrate's Court.No arrests were made regarding Monday's (31) shooting, and seven police teams were deployed for investigations.

HONG KONG : Foxconn Technology Group is scrambling to contain a weekslong Covid-19 outbreak at an iPhone factory in central China, trying to appease frightened and frustrated workers during a crucial period for smartphone orders. In Foxconn’s main Zhengzhou facility, the world’s biggest assembly site for Apple Inc.’s iPhones, hundreds of thousands of workers have been placed under a closed-loop system for almost two weeks. They are largely shut off from the outside world, allowed only to move between their dorms or homes and the production lines.

prostate cancer as she revealed she knew deep down she "wasn't going to lose him".The 49-year-old struggled to fight back tears when she discussed just how much "her rock" meant to her and how his cancer battle made them stronger.In a new interview, the presenter was asked about her relationship with Kenny and finding out about his cancer.Her spouse was diagnosed after she urged him to get checked out, but the result was not what they expected.Speaking to Steven Bartlett, she spilled: "He was really upset as you can imagine and I just thought, 'Right no, this is going to be absolutely fine, what are we going to do? What are the answers here?'His neurologist was brilliant, he's a brilliant communicator and told us what the options were and I was like, (to Kenny) 'we've just to get a plan together, you need to know what you're doing and then we will keep being positive about it'.Karren Brady fears for royals 'shivering' over Prince Harry's book"That's what we did really, once we got over the initial shock, we just really kind of focused on it as a project we had to deal with and it's a b****y awful operation."Gabby explained that Kenny had to have six stab wounds in his torso, which was "really invasive"."It's horrible to see him in the pain he was afterwards, it's a horrible thing to go through but he's doing really really well now."The presenter was then swiftly in tears as she revealed just how much he meant to her.Seconds later after composing herself, she said: "He's just great, I'm very lucky."I knew I wasn't going to lose him."He's a great man and I couldn't ever wish for anybody to have shared my life with, who is better."Gabby and Kenny tied the knot two years after meeting.Strictly's Anton Du Beke 'heartbroken'

COLOMBO (News 1st) – In keeping with the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Sri Lanka Air Force and the Ministry of Health, a persistent vegetative state patient who met with an accident was airlifted from a Bell- 412 helicopter converting to an air ambulance from Badulla General Hospital to Sri Lanka National Hospital Colombo on Monday (31 October 2022) to retrieve vital organs. It is expected to donate these vital organs to required recipients and also for the heart transplant surgery to be conducted by National Hospital, Colombo. The No.04 Squadron SLAF Base Ratmalana successfully accomplished this operation under the guidance of the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana.

(Reuters) – Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva narrowly defeated President Jair Bolsonaro in a runoff election on Sunday that marked a stunning comeback for the leftist former president and the end of Brazil's most right-wing government in decades.Brazil's Supreme Electoral Court declared Lula the next president, with 50.9% of votes versus 49.1% for Bolsonaro. The 77-year-old Lula's inauguration is scheduled for Jan.

FORMER Towie star Frankie Essex revealed her five-month-old baby was rushed to hospital three times in the past week. Frankie, 34, gave birth to twins Logan and Luella in June and has since been through a "terrifying" ordeal with five-month-old Logan's shock health problems.

COLOMBO (News 1st)- The price of a 450g loaf of bread in Sri Lanka will be reduced by Rs. 10/- with effect from Monday (31).The All Ceylon Bakery Owners Association announced the decision was taken considering the situation in the country, as well as the prices of wheat flour.N.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The family of a Surinamese woman arrested with cocaine in Sri Lanka have appointed a Surinamese lawyer to appear for her case.The government of Suriname has refuted media reports that a Surinamese woman arrested in Sri Lanka has been sentenced to death on suspicion of drug smuggling. The woman was arrested by the Customs Narcotics Control Bureau on October 18 for possession of over two kilograms of cocaine at the Katunayake Airport.The 25-year-old woman, who had arrived at the Katunayake Bandaranaike Airport through Doha, Qatar from Brazil, was questioned by the Sri Lanka Customs Narcotics Control Bureau officers, due to her suspicious behavior.During the investigation, the officers discovered 2,553 grams of cocaine, in tins, labeled as containing food.The suspect was subsequently detained and charged with the offense of drug smuggling.The Suriname Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Business and International Cooperation has become involved in the matter on the basis of the Vienna Convention on Consular Traffic’ (Arts 5 and 36 paragraph 1c) and ‘the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Traffic’, adding that information is requested from Sri Lanka.The Surinamese government has taken steps in accordance with these preconditions and the embassy in New Delhi, India, immediately contacted the authorities in Sri Lanka.After confirming the suspect’s arrest, the Surinamese embassy in New Delhi immediately requested permission from the Sri Lankan authorities for consular access to the person concerned, either virtually or physically.In the meantime, a Surinamese lawyer has been appointed by the suspect’s family as a contact person, and information is exchanged with the family via this communication

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Twenty-first amendment to the constitution will effect from Monday (31).Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena endorsed the certificate on the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution Bill passed by a special majority in Parliament recently.The 22 Amendment to the Constitution Bill was presented to the Parliament on August 10, 2022, by Minister Dr Wijedasa Rajapaksa. Then, according to the Supreme Court determination related to the petitions against the bill, amendments were made at the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Judicial Affairs and approval was obtained.On October 20 and 21, the debate on the second reading of the twenty-second Amendment to the Constitution Bill was held.At the end of the second reading, there were 179 votes in favour and 1 vote against. After that, in the voting held for the third reading of the bill, 174 votes were in favour and one vote was against.Accordingly, the twenty-second Amendment to the Constitution Bill will come into force as the twenty-first amendment to the constitution from today (31).

Colombo (News 1st) – The Sri Lanka Air Force under the guidance of the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana together with the Faculty of Agriculture at the University of Peradeniya and Central Environment Authority launched the seventh wave of seed bombing at Wattegama Kebilitta Government Forest Reserve in the Siyamblanduwa Divisional Secretariat.The Command Agro Unit at SLAF Base Katunayake under the leadership of Group Captain PE Gunawardena and the Department of Forest Conservation organized this mission to achieve the aim of improving the forest density of Sri Lanka to reach the sustainable development goals of the country by increasing the forest cover from 27% to 32% by the year 2030.The first wave of the mission was executed at the Ranorawa government forest in a five acres land area and approximately 5,000 seed bombs were released. During the second wave, 67,000 seed bombs were dropped over a 60 acres area inside the forest of Lahugala in Ampara. The third wave which was conducted in December 2020 saw the dropping of approximately 30,000 seed bombs over 25 acres of land area within the Lahugala National Park. The fourth wave was carried out in the Lahugala National Park where 70,000 seed bombs were dropped over a 60-acre area. The fifth wave was carried out in the Kebilitta Government Forest Reserve where 80,000 seed bombs were dropped over a 75 acres area. Through the sixth wave, 65,000 seed bombs were dropped on over 70 acres of area inside the same forestry at Siyambalanduwa Divisional Secretariat.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Department of Education says that software will be introduced to identify and record the number of students who require school textbooks for the year 203.The Commissioner General of the Department of Education P.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Motorcycle gunmen struck once again on Monday (31) morning killing two men in Thiranagama, Hikkaduwa.Sri Lanka Police said that two men aged 26 & 47 were gunned down by the killers.According to report, the victims were shot dead when they traveling towards Hikkaduwa on the Colombo – Galle Main Road.Sri Lanka Police said the victims were heading to court for a legal matter when they were gunned down, adding that the men were suspects in a murder.They were identified at Kapuwa Handi Prasanna Mendis, and Henda Hewage Isuru Prasanna,

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka is taking necessary measures to repatriate the body of the 27-year-old Sri Lankan man who died during the stampede in South Korea during the halloween weekend.Foreign Minister Ali Sabry, PC told News 1st that relatives of the deceased had requested for the body to be brought back to Sri Lanka.The Foreign Ministry said that diplomatic staff have been assigned to hospitals, and police stations in Seoul, South Korea to ascertain if more Sri Lankans have been killed, or injured from the tragedy.The Foreign Ministry, and the Sri Lankan Embassy in South Korea is coordinating such efforts.Secretary to the Ministry of Labour and Foreign Employment P. A.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Today’s exchange rates from the Central Bank of Sri Lanka:USD Buy 360.6345 Sell 371.2296GBP Buy 415.3806 Sell 431.5789EUR Buy 357.6055 Sell 372.7674JPY Buy 2.4442 Sell 2.5483AUD Buy 231.1240 Sell 242.2078

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Ministry of Health says nearly 7 Million Pfizer vaccines will expire today (31).Director of the epidemiology unit Dr Samitha Ginige says that even today people can visit to obtain their vaccine.The Pfizer vaccine stock will expire at midnight today (31).Currently, 52% of the population has been fully vaccinated.Dr Ginige further said that members of the people still have the option of obtaining Sinopharm vaccines.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Ceylon Bakery Owners' Association says that the final decision will be made considering the bread price.The Chairman of the Association N.K Jayawardana said that discussions will be held today (31) morning with the members of the Association.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – President Ranil Wickremesinghe noted that the country needs a national policy that does not change with every government that comes to power and invited everyone to commit to building the country on one national policy without party differences.The President pointed out that to build a developed economy and raise Sri Lanka to the pinnacle of the world, a solid economic policy as well as political stability is a must. Hence, he invited everyone to join hands to discuss the national policy framework using the "Jathika Sabhawa" (National Council) as a platform.President Wickremesinghe stated this while declaring open the first life-saving pharmaceutical manufacturing plant established in Sri Lanka on Monday (10).The President also pointed out that he is working towards establishing a national policy to prepare an export economy using competitive and modern technology.Expressing his views further, the President said, “This company has taken steps to develop our export industry, not only to supply medicines needed domestically but also by producing medicines needed internationally. We sincerely hope that this project commenced by this young entrepreneur will progress to greater heights.

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

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa says that President Ranil Wickremesinghe will continue to have the support of Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna to move the country forward.The former President and former Prime Minister, attending a public meeting held in Kalutara, said that he believed that President Wickremesinghe has returned to a 'better path'.SLPP MP Rohitha Abeygunawardena organized the public rally under the theme, "Let's rise together from Kalutara", at his coordination office which was burned down previously.Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and many MPs of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna attended the event.The former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa speaking at the event said that despite Sri Lanka facing many challenges today, the party has the strength to overcome those challenges, and should go forward with programs that the people of the country needs. "I believe that the duty of a government is to understand the needs of the people and fulfill their needs. Therefore, we say that today we have taken steps to fulfill that role.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa says that President Ranil Wickremesinghe will continue to have the support of Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna to move the country forward.The former President and former Prime Minister, attending a public meeting held in Kalutara, said that he believed that President Wickremesinghe has returned to a 'better path'.SLPP MP Rohitha Abeygunawardena organized the public rally under the theme, "Let's rise together from Kalutara", at his coordination office which was burned down previously.Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and many MPs of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna attended the event.The former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa speaking at the event said that despite Sri Lanka facing many challenges today, the party has the strength to overcome those challenges, and should go forward with programs that the people of the country needs. "I believe that the duty of a government is to understand the needs of the people and fulfill their needs. Therefore, we say that today we have taken steps to fulfill that role.

COLOMBO (News 1st) –  Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe has said that social media carries positive as well as negative information, which is one of the major problems that the entire world is facing.Ranil Wickremesinghe visited a workshop organized for the Media Secretaries of the Cabinet Minister, State Ministers, and Governor on Friday (7) in Colombo."Unlike Print and electronic media, currently we are all facing social media problems. It carries positive as well as negative information, which is one of the major problems that the entire world is facing.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – President Ranil Wickremesinghe has instructed to expedite the program to provide welfare benefits to 3.1 million low-income families in Sri Lanka.This program has been planned to cover all the districts of the country under the theme ‘Don’t Leave Anyone Behind’. Under this program, the benefits will be available for the families or individuals receiving benefits under Samurdhi, Elderly Persons, Disabled Persons, and Kidney Disease Assistance Program. People who are on the waiting list expecting subsidies as well as people who are affected by the current economic crisis and who are expecting government welfare benefits will also receive this benefit, the Minister revealed.Minister also said that calling for applications has already started and the closing date has been extended to October 15.The relevant application form can be downloaded via the www.wbb.gov.lkBy calling for new applications, the government hopes to include all eligible beneficiaries and to provide benefits to all those who deserve benefits through the Social Welfare Benefit Board, the Minister further said.Denying the rumor that has been circulating among the public regarding the cut-down of the allowances according to the agreements with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), he said the government needs to organize the data in a correct system. It needs to include the group who are currently receiving welfare benefits as well as the group who are not receiving welfare benefits but are expecting. We expect to gather all the information and give the allowance to the necessary, appropriate, and correct individual."We are united in the national responsibility that no one should be left behind.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe told Parliament on Thursday (6) that he hopes to visit New Delhi to brief Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sri Lanka's postion.However, he did not specify when he would fly to India in his special statement to the Parliament.Noting that Sri Lanka is slowly reaching stability, the President said that a majority in Sri Lanka support the efforts that have been made, while there are some who are against it."They will not support the recovery of an ailing economy, and are waiting for the economy to breathe its last. They believe that when the people start to die in hunger, they can obtain power over the dead.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka's President Ranil Wickremesinghe said that the IMF staff-level agreement cannot be released until the IMF Executive Board ratifies it and until Sri Lanka reaches agreements with its main creditors.He told Parliament that the Minister of Justice is in the process of introducing a new corruption law that will include the provisions of the United Nations that have been referred to in the IMF Staff Level Agreement.He was responding to Opposition Legislator M. A.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe said that Sri Lanka hopes to reach a common agreement with creditor nations including Japan, China & India.He told Parliament on Thursday (6) that the country already commenced dialogues with Ambassadors from other countries, that have already provided debt to Sri Lanka.President Wickremesinghe said that after reaching an agreement with the creditor nations, and private lenders Sri Lanka will be able to secure an IMF assurance.The President said thereafter, Sri Lanka will be able to access bridging finace with lenders like the World Bank, and the Asian Development Bank.He said that Sri Lanka hopes to access around USD 1 Billion through bridging finace.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Japan has said that it is ready to assist Sri Lanka in the Credit Reconciliation process, President Ranil Wickremesinghe told the Parliament on Thursday (6) morning.He also said that Japan has agreed to co-chair the summit in negotiation with the Debit countries,The President further said that the Asian Development Bank has agreed to provide USD 500 Million loan to Sri Lanka.All steps have been taken to provide fertilizer & seeds required for upcoming Maha season, President Wickremesinghe also told the Parliament.Watch Here:  

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe has issued an Extraordinary Gazette placing several state institutions under the Ministry of Public Security.According to the Gazette, the Department of Registration of Persons, the Department of Immigration and Emigration, and the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board have been placed under the purview of the Public Security Ministry.Read Gazette here: