New 'landmark’ building could provide shops, a cafe and health facilities for 950-home garden village

DELAWARE COUNY - A female corrections officer from Philadelphia has surrendered for several felony charges amid recent sexual abuse claims.Alyssa Nicole Pierce, 32, is accused of engaging in "indecent contact/sexual intercourse" with a 27-year-old male inmate at least three time.Pierce was reportedly employed at State Correctional Institution Chester in Delaware County at the time.MORE HEADLINES:Pennsylvania State Police say the officer also illegally called and texted the inmate over a three-month period.She reportedly surrendered to authorities after an arrest warrant was issued for five felony charges, and is awaiting a preliminary hearing in the Delaware County Prison.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka's Defence Ministry clarified the blacklisting and delisting of persons and organizations from its terror list.According to the blacklisting and delisting of persons, 577 individuals and 18 organizations were blacklisted in the year 2021 for financing terrorism under the United Nations Regulation.After a series of discussions and a careful study conducted at the Ministry of Defence by a committee consisting of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Attorney General's Department, key Intelligence Agencies, Law Enforcing Agencies, and the Financial Intelligence Unit of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, and based on reports and evidence concerning the financing terrorism by individuals and organizations, recommendations were submitted for the listing and delisting.Accordingly, among the aforesaid 577 individuals and 18 organizations, a decision was made to delist 316 individuals and 06 organizations since they no longer continue to fund terrorist activities.Furthermore, it has been decided to blacklist 55 individuals and 03 organizations those recently recognized as active in financing terrorism during the period.Thus, forwarding the recommendation of the Ministry of Defence to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on June 29, 2022, for their consent, 316 individuals and 15 organizations were blacklisted on August 1, 2022, by Extraordinary Gazette.Such inclusions and exclusions for blacklisted individuals and organizations are routinely carried out by relevant authorities after observation and careful study over a continuous time.Relevant authorities remain to be vigilant on the activities of the delisted individuals and organizations and will ban them again if raising of funds for financing terrorism is

COLOMBO (News 1st); A heated situation arose at the Imaduwa Proviuncial Council on Tuesday (16), with the councillors engaging in a debate over the increased tariffs on electricity in the country.The councillors debated with regard to the recently increased electricity tariffs, in addition to the political situation in the country.Ultimately, this resulted in a councillor getting onto a table and attempting to take off the lightbulb in the room, while others continued arguing and tried to calm the situation down. 

charged with felony burglary for allegedly stealing alcohol from a home in Vermont, they broke their silence in a statement provided to Variety by a representative.“Having recently gone through a time of intense crisis, I now understand that I am suffering complex mental health issues and have begun ongoing treatment,” Miller, 29, said in the statement.“I want to apologize to everyone that I have alarmed and upset with my past behavior. I am committed to doing the necessary work to get back to a healthy, safe and productive stage in my life.”The decision to seek treatment comes after reports that Warner Bros.

Respiratory diseases were reported in 98% of Covid-related deaths, according to new statistics from the Central Statistics Office.

alleged burglary in the state of Vermont, for which they are expected to appear in Vermont Superior Court in September.Miller, who uses they/them pronouns, has been involved in multiple controversies in the past several months, including being arrested twice in Hawaii on charges of second-degree assault and disorderly conduct at a karaoke bar.More recently, the 29-year-old has faced allegations of grooming a child from the age of 12, and has been accused of hosting a woman and three young children at their farm in an ‘unsafe environment.’‘Having recently gone through a time of intense crisis, I now understand that I am suffering complex mental health issues and have begun ongoing treatment,’ Miller said in a statement.‘I want to apologise to everyone that I have alarmed and upset with my past behaviour.’The statement, shared with Variety, continues: ‘I am committed to doing the necessary work to get back to a healthy, safe and productive stage in my life.’It comes as Warner Bros confirmed that superhero blockbuster The Flash is still going ahead amid the ongoing controversies with its star, with DC franchise boss David Zaslav saying he was ‘very excited’ for the movie to be released.‘We’ve seen them,’ he said, referring to The Flash, Black Adam, and Shazam 2.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 28: Ben Simmons #10 of the Brooklyn Nets looks out during game against the Toronto Raptors at Barclays Center on February 28, 2022 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and a PHILADELPHIA - Ben Simmons and the Philadelphia 76ers have settled the grievance he filed to recoup a portion of last season's salary, a person with knowledge of the details said Monday.Simmons was seeking a portion of the nearly $20 million that was withheld after he refused to suit up for the 76ers last season.

NEW YORK - A once-prominent neurologist, who previously worked at Drexel University and was convicted last month of sexually abusing patients, killed himself Monday at a New York City jail, two people familiar with the matter said.Dr. Ricardo Cruciani, 68, was found unresponsive in a shower area at the Eric M.

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 22: Former basketball coach Pete Carril looks on during a college basketball game between the Boston University Terriors and the American Eagles on January 22, 2014 at the Bender Arena in Washington, DC. The Eagles won 86-56.

FILE - A Slurpee is photographed on July 10, 2017, in San Jose, Calif. (Photo by MediaNews Group/Bay Area News via Getty Images) 7-Eleven is reviving its Bring Your Own Cup Day for a second time this year.The day is currently set for Saturday, Aug.

The UK has just seen it's fifth wave of Covid-19, but health experts are concerned that if proper measures are not taken, the virus could become rampant yet again this autumn.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Ministry of Health confirmed that six COVID-19 deaths were reported on Monday (15). The deceased are three males and three females, all senior citizens over the age of 60.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Government of United Kingdom is set to introduce Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS) in early 2023, replacing the UK’s current Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP).According to the UK Government, the DCTS aims to support sustainable growth in developing countries through a more generous unilateral offer.The DCTS applies to countries that currently benefit under the UK’s GSP, and has provisions which aims to reduce tariffs, liberalise rules of origin requirements and to simplify the conditions attached to the scheme.However, the UK Government has stated that the DCTS does not apply to countries classified by the World Bank as upper-middle income for 3 consecutive years, or to low income (LIC) and lower middle-income (LMIC) countries with a free trade agreement (FTA) with the UK.

AUSTIN, Texas - Shattered glass, shouting, and violent disputes is how one man described living below Courtney Clenney and her boyfriend Christian Obumseli in South Austin. Clenney, an Onlyfans and Instagram star known online as Courtney Tailor, now faces a second-degree murder chargerelated to the April 3 fatal stabbing of Obumseli in Florida.The couple lived at in a penthouse apartment at the Berkshire Riverview until earlier this year. Aidan Nesvisky lived below them and says fights got so bad they quite literally spilled over into his apartment, such as when a tiger painting was thrown onto his tenth-floor balcony during a violent dispute."Behind closed doors, we just started hearing some shouting, yelling.

PHILADELPHIA - Philadelphia firefighters are battling a two-alarm fire that is tearing through a building in Chestnut Hill. Fire officials say crews responded to Germantown Avenue and Gravers Lane for reports of a fire at a building with retail stores on the lower level and apartments on upper level. According to the Philadelphia Second Alarmers, the team provided additional support to the crews who spent hours fighting the blaze since it broke out early Tuesday morning. MORE LOCAL HEADLINESAuthorities have not reported any injuries or provided information on the level of damage. Streets in the area remain closed as crews continue to work on putting out the fire. 

PHILADELPHIA - The Philadelphia Police Department has launched an investigation after a woman was struck by a car and left in the street in Lawncrest. According to police, the incident occurred around 11:45 p.m. on Monday night. The woman, 31, was struck by a vehicle while crossing the 5700 block of Rising Sun Avenue, authorities say. Chief Inspector Scott Small says when police and medics arrived on scene, they found her face down and bleeding with face trauma and a broken arm. Medics rushed her to the hospital and she is expected to survive, according to officials. Witnesses told investigators that the car was moving so fast that they could not tell the model or color of the vehicle, Small says. According to police, the woman was walking to her car to get dog training pads from her parked car when she was struck. The dog training pads could be seen spread out in the street after the woman was struck and one of her sneakers remained in the road, police say. Police say the woman was crossing the street to get dog training pads when she was struck by a speeding vehicle.

PHILADELPHIA - A man is in the hospital in critical condition after being shot in West Philadelphia early Tuesday morning, authorities say. According to police, the shooting happened just after 1 a.m.

Kejriwal said at a press conference, according to news agency ANI report. The Aam Aadmi Party's national convenor further stressed that every child should get good and free education across the country and everyone collectively should start working on it on a war footing basis, the report said. "Every child should get good and free education across the country.

Bihar CM said he has also kept with himself general administration, cabinet secretariat, election and "any other departments not assigned to others". Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Prasad Yadav has got key portfolios such as health, road construction, urban housing and development and rural works. Yadav’s elder brother Tej Pratap Yadav has been given environment, forestry and climate change.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka Post announced that it will not be accepting airmail bound to Russia.The Postmaster General Ranjith Ariyaratna said that the department has not been able to find an airline to be used to send mail to Russia, as no direct flights are operating between Sri Lanka and Russia.The Postmaster General also said that it is unable to send letters to any transit country as there is a high possibility of the letters and packages being misplaced.Sending letters to Russia has been stopped for over 3 months.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF) has welcomed a call to action by the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) and the American Apparel and Footwear Association (AAFA) to support the efforts of Sri Lanka's apparel sector toward ensuring worker welfare.The Joint Apparel Association Forum says it welcomes the call to action in response to Sri Lanka’s economic meltdown as the country struggles under the weight of the ongoing crisis with power outages, shortages, and increasing costs of essentials.ETI and AAFA have extended their support to the apparel industry, mobilising to express their support for Sri Lanka’s garment industry, and its workers, during the country’s ongoing economic crisis.JAAF says the move complements and enhances worker welfare measures already taken by the industry and demonstrates international brands’ commitment to Sri Lanka as a long-term sustainable partner.ETI, Fair Wear Foundation, Fair Labor Association and British Retail Consortium have signed a joint call to action, encouraging companies sourcing from Sri Lanka to take specific steps to support workers, suppliers, and the sector at large, during this difficult period.The group is calling for greater support from businesses and the international community to aid Sri Lanka amid the current economic crisis.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Manufacturing PMI declined in July 2022, indicating a contraction in manufacturing activities on a month-on-month basis. Accordingly, Manufacturing PMI recorded an index value of 41.4 in July 2022, with a decline of 2.7 index points from the previous month driven by the decreases in all the sub-indices, except Suppliers’ Delivery Time.The decline in New Orders in July 2022 over the previous month was mainly due to subdued demand conditions, particularly in the manufacturing food & beverage sector. Deterioration of consumer purchasing power and reduced retail footfall due to fuel shortage were among the major reasons for the subdued demand condition.Meanwhile, Production declined on a month-on-month basis, particularly in the manufacturing of the food & beverage sector, which was a combined outcome of subdued demand conditions and supply side concerns such as shortage of materials and fuel. Employment also declined, particularly in the manufacture of food & beverage sector, mainly due to the discontinuation of casual employees. However, many respondents from the manufacturing textile and apparel sector mentioned that they were able to increase the employment count during the month. The decline in the Stock of Purchases was in line with the decline in New Orders and Production, and partly due to the unavailability of required quantities of inputs in the domestic market and difficulties in importing materials. Moreover, the Suppliers' Delivery Time lengthened during the month, mainly on account of vessel delays, and diesel shortage. Services PMI recorded an index value of 43.0 in July 2022 indicating a contraction in services activities for the fourth consecutive month.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Court of Appeal on Tuesday (16) rejected an application made by Scottish tourist Kayleigh Fraser who was seeking to terminate the decision taken by the Immigration and Emigration Department to deport her from Sri Lanka.The application was taken up in the presence of Justice Sobitha Rajakaruna, and it was dismissed on the grounds that the petitioner had failed to produce sufficient facts for the application to be taken up for examination.The request to issue notice on the respondents was also turned down by the Court of Appeal.The Justice of the Court Appeal noted that the Controller General of Emigration and Immigration has the right to terminate or cancel the VISA without giving a reason, and it has been confirmed by rulings delivered by the Supreme Court as well.Attorney-at-Law Nagananda Kodithuwakku appeared for the petitioners, and State Counsel Amasara Gajadheera appeared for the Attorney General.The Controller General of Emigration and Immigration and the Attorney General were named as respondents.

PHILADELPHIA - Sunny and seasonably warm conditions will continue across the Delaware Valley on Tuesday as the region enjoys an extended stretch of pleasant weather. Temperatures will dip into the min-60s overnight with westerly winds that will help keep showers to our south and west. Forecasters expect highs on Tuesday to reach into the mid-80s in most parts of the Delaware Valley, with Philadelphia topping out around 85 degrees. Similar weather days will follow on Wednesday and Thursday before temperatures approach the 90s to start the weekend. An early look at the weekend shows temperatures in the upper 80s with a chance of storms on both Saturday and Sunday. ___ TUESDAY: Partly sunny. High: 84, Low: 66WEDNESDAY: Sunny, pleasant.

Bruce Willis was seen in an Instagram clip Monday playing the harmonica in what his wife Emma Heming Willis described as an 'impromptu jam session' with musician and family friend Derek Richard Thomas.The Pulp Fiction actor, 67, was clad in a plaid shirt with jeans and sneakers as he sat at the bottom of a staircase while playing the harmonica while Thomas strummed the guitar and handled vocals.Emma Heming Willis, 44, shared the clip to Instagram Stories with the hashtag #jamsession, writing, 'Their talent is speaking for itself. I’ll just leave this here.' The latest: Bruce Willis, 67, was seen in an Instagram clip playing the harmonica in what his wife Emma Heming Willis, 44, described as an 'impromptu jam session' with musician and family friend Derek Richard ThomasThe veteran actor has a background in music, as he released an album in 1987 titled The Return of Bruno, which included collaborations with artists including The Temptations and The Pointer Sisters.

PHILADELPHIA - The Seattle Seahawks agreed Monday to trade defensive back Ugo Amadi to the Philadelphia Eagles for wide receiver/tight end J.J. Arcega-Whiteside.The deal involves players who haven't completely lived up to the expectations their teams had when they drafted them.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe has appointed a committee that will have to be consulted for prior approval when appointing or changing Chairmen, and Director for Public Corporations, and Statutory Boards.This committee will be chaired by Secretary to the President Saman Ekanayake and will include Secretary to the Prime Minister Anura Dissanayake, and Secretary to the Cabinet W. M.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) published the daily exchange rates on its official website.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Cabinet Spokesperson Minister Bandula Gunawardena told reporters on Tuesday (16) that Former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa is entitled to use public funds.At the weekly Cabinet Media Briefing, journalists questioned who is funding the Former President's overseas travel.Cabinet Spokesperson Minister Bandula Gunawardena said that any Former President and sitting President are entitled to perks and privileges as per the Presidential Elections Act of Sri Lanka.The former Sri Lankan president Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who fled overseas to escape protests against his government, arrived in Thailand last week on a flight from Singapore, where he had been staying since mid-July.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Sri Lanka Railways said that the Ruhunu Kumari Express train derailed in the Boossa area on Monday (15) morning while operating from Matara to Colombo, was placed back on the train tracks.The railways' control room said operations were reported on Monday (15) evening.The Ruhunu Kumari express train which was en route from Matara to Colombo derailed in Boossa.Although the derailment had been rectified by Monday (15) evening, restoration work on the railway track continues. Several incidents of train derailing were reported in the recent past with trade unions alleging they are faced with serious issues in terms of maintenance. Deputy General Manager of Railways Gamini Senevirathne said the dollar crisis had hampered the Railways Department's ability to import new tracks and equipment required to repair the railway system. Speaking further he said, the tenders called to import new train tracks had also been canceled, stating that the railway system is growing decrepit daily as a result.

Just two possible Covid-19 cases have sparked chaotic scenes in Shanghai, with crowds of people seen running out of a building and an Ikea store to try and escape a lockdown under China's strict coronavirus rules.

Variety.“I want to apologize to everyone that I have alarmed and upset with my past behavior. I am committed to doing the necessary work to get back to a healthy, safe and productive stage in my life.”Miller has portrayed superhero The Flash in the DC Extended Universe, including in 2017’s Justice League, and the forthcoming The Flash, which is slated to arrive next year.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Motorcycle gunmen opened fire in Piyadigama, Dadalla.Sri Lanka Police said the target of the gunmen was another person, however, no one was injured.The gunmen had fled the area after carrying out the shooting, and a police investigation is underway.

With increasing number of cases, the Centre has announced providing free-of-cost booster doses to those above 18 years of age at government-run vaccination centres NEW DELHI: India reported 8,813 fresh coronavirus infections and 29 related deaths in the last 24 hours, as per an update by the Union health ministry on Tuesday. India’s active caseload stands at 1,11,252, with total reported cases, since the pandemic hit, exceeding 4.42 crore.

COLOMBO (News 1st);  The University Grants Commission will hold discussions on resuming academic activities at Universities, with the Vice Chancellors.Chairman of the UGC Professor Sampath Amaratunga says all universities are expected to reopen soon.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Indian Naval Vice Admiral Satish N Ghormade on Monday paid homage to the Indian soldiers at the IPKF memorial in Sri Lanka, which symbolizes the sacrifice of Indian lives for bringing lasting peace to the island nation.“In a solemn Wreath Laying Ceremony at the IPKF Memorial, VAdm SN Ghormade, VCNS paid homage to the brave Indian soldiers who sacrificed their lives to bring lasting peace in Sri Lanka,” Indian Navy said in a tweet.Indian Navy Vice Chief Ghormade is in Sri Lanka for handing over a Dornier maritime patrol aircraft to the Sri Lankan military.India on Monday handed over maritime surveillance aircraft Dornier 228 to Sri Lanka on a gratis basis for two years. The aircraft was provided for an interim period of two years till a plane being manufactured in India for Sri Lanka is ready.The aircraft comes as a sequel to the dialogue between India and Sri Lanka that took place on January 9, 2018, in New Delhi, when the Sri Lankan government sought the possibility of obtaining two Dornier Reconnaissance Aircraft from India.

Boxes of Capri Sun juice sit on shelves at a grocery store in San Diego, CA on Tuesday, June 5, 2012.

COLOMBO (News 1st);  The Deputy Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Christophe Bahuet who is presently on a visit to Sri Lanka, called on the Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Sabry recently.Foreign Minister Ali Sabry appreciated the consistent support extended by the UNDP to Sri Lanka for over five decades and in particular, during difficult times. Sri Lanka is keen to continue its close cooperation with the UNDP and Deputy Regional Director Bahuet affirmed the continued support and cooperation of the UNDP to Sri Lanka, particularly in the priority areas identified and recovery measures being taken by the Government to overcome the current challenges.The Foreign Minister and the Deputy Regional Director also discussed ways to enhance cooperation between the UNDP and the Government of Sri Lanka to support social protection measures for the vulnerable communities and ensure sustainable recovery from the current challenges.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Poultry producers have been summoned to the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) today (16).This is due to the rising prices of eggs and chicken in the local market.Minister of Trade, Commerce, and Food Security Nalin Fernando yesterday (15) said he has instructed the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) to provide a report, after inquiring into the price increases.Currently, a price of an egg is sold for Rs.63/- while 1kg of chicken is being sold for over Rs.1500/- or more.

Covid-19 cases in India witnessed a huge decline on Tuesday with the country recording 8,813 new infections in the past 24 hours. Covid-19 cases in India witnessed a huge decline on Tuesday with the country recording 8,813 new infections in the past 24 hours, taking the cumulative caseload to 4,42,77,194, according to the Union Health Ministry data.

Ezra Miller, star of Warner Bros. and D.C. Comics’ “The Flash,” has entered treatment for what they say are “complex mental health issues.”

Ezra Miller is finally speaking out about the troubling behavior they have been exhibiting in recent years.

SAN MARCOS, Texas - A Texas State student from Haiti is making headlines after his mission to adopt a baby he found in the trash back home went viral. Jimmy Amisial, 27, attended Texas State University as a communications major. In 2017, he went home to Haiti to visit family for the new year. MORE FINDING FAMILIESThat's where he found now-4-year-old Emilio Angel Jeremiah, just four months old at the time, abandoned in a pile of trash. "You could see him crying, and he had no clothes on, and he had fire ants crawling all over him," Amisial explained. He says because of Haitian superstitions a group of people surrounding the baby were too afraid to rescue him. "No one wanted to touch the baby because they thought the baby was cursed, they were like it's New Year's Eve, the devil is trying to get us," said Amisial. MORE HOUSTON-AREA NEWSHowever, Amisial, who often volunteers at orphanages, in Haiti said he didn't hesitate to pick the baby up and take him home. Haitian officers and a judge came to his family home, and they asked Amisial, just 22 years old and a college student, if he wanted to become the baby's legal guardian."Even though I didn't know how I was going to take care of him I took a leap of faith by saying yes," Amisial said. Since taking on the responsibility, Amisial has struggled financially.

VOORHEES, N.J. - First responders gathered outside of Voorhees Town Center on Monday night to say "no" to the township’s decision to hire outside help while they also pushed for officials to hire more of their own EMTs.Last week, Voorhees Township officials announced that they contracted Virtua to supply overnight EMT coverage to alleviate the burden on its 12 career EMTs. But for members of the International Association of Firefighters Local Union 3249, they were blindsided by the decision. "I really wish we could’ve had more talks at the table, more conversations," said Craig Fallstick, Local 3249 EMS delegate and Voorhees Township career EMT.MORE HEADLINES The union says their current team is overworked and burned out, but equally committed and while the newly contracted help would relieve the team, they say that outsiders don’t know the streets like the insiders do.At a committee meeting Monday night, Voorhees Township Deputy Mayor Jason Ravitz said, "Virtua, for better or worse, has to be involved because we were noticed twice, officially, that these overnight shifts are an issue.

PHILADELPHIA - Residents in a Philadelphia neighborhood made a frightening discovery Monday afternoon when a oil large drum and smaller buckets were found in a vacant lot between two properties. Emergency crews responded to the 2500 block of West Oxford Street around 5:30 p.m. SkyFOX captured men in hazmat suits investigating the scene and eventually removed the items. Crews soon learned that the drums were filled with heating oil, but it was no less concerning for the residents of the adjacent properties. "It concerned me because I thought that if someone lit a cigarette or match it would just go up in flames," Brittany Blackwell told FOX 29's Shawnette Wilson. Blackwell says she spotted the drums and trash bags a few days ago and called 911 after getting a closer look."They were filled to the brim with what I thought was gasoline," Blackwell said.

PHILADELPHIA - They look mean, they sound mean, they even have an alarming name, but experts say Cicada Killers aren't as aggressive as they might seem. The massive wasp-like insects are commonly seen buzzing around rural areas during the summer months, causing one man to describe them "like a wasp on steroids." The females look the most daunting with large wings and a thick black body. They're busy this time of year hunting cicadas used to nourish their offspring. John Cambridge from the Philadelphia Insectarium and Butterfly Pavilion explained that the female will stun a cicada with its large stinger and drag the bug underground. MORE LOCAL HEADLINES"The paralyzed cicada will be sitting next to the egg she lays, that wasp will hatch out and the grub will munch on the cicada," Cambridge explained. For some New Jersey residents, the intimidating bag equipped with a serious stinger, has been a common yard partner this summer. "I've seen them four, five times in the past two weeks all over the place," Vincent Amico said.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Department of Meteorology says that showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in Central, Uva, Eastern, Northern and North-Central provinces during the evening or night.  Mainly fair weather will prevail elsewhere, Met Dept.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Yuan Wang 5 is one of China's latest generation survey vessel officially entered Port of Hambantota in Sri Lanka on Tuesday (16).It  will remain there for seven days for replenishment purposes.Sri Lanka granted permission for the high-tech Chinese tracking vessel Yuan Wang 5 to dock at the Hambantota Port in a backdrop marred with controversy.Diplomatic clearance for the Chinese vessel to make a port call at the Hambantota port from 11-17 August​,​ 2022 for replenishment purposes was granted by the Sri Lankan Ministry of Foreing Affairs, however due to concerns raised by various factions including India, the Ministry requested China to defer the visit of the said vessel to the Hambantota port.However, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not provide any reason for the request.When the request to defer the visit of the vessel was made, the Yuan Wang 5 had already set sail to Sri Lanka leaving its port of origin on the 14th of July, and it was already in the Indian Ocean.The vessel thereafter slowed down and moved over the Ninety East Ridge, a mid-ocean ridge on the Indian Ocean floor named for its near-parallel strike along the 90th meridian at the center of the Eastern Hemisphere.Upon entering the Sea of Sri Lanka on Monday (15) evening the Yuan Wang 5 must comply with the conditions of maintaining its unique vessel identifier, and refrain from conducting any form of research and survery activity in the Sea of Sri Lanka.Yuan Wang 5 is a third-generation tracking ship of the Yuan Wang Series.