No change in power cuts despite Norochcholai reconnection: PUCSL

COLOMBO (News 1st) – President Ranil Wickremesinghe said that measures have been taken to strengthen the 74-year-old ties between the United States and Sri Lanka, adding that the support rendered by the United States whenever Sri Lanka was in difficulty would never be forgotten.President Ranil Wickremesinghe made this statement while attending the official opening of the new building of the United States Embassy in Colombo on the 28th.Expressing his views on the diplomatic relations and mutual understanding between the United States and Sri Lanka during the war, the President also recalled with gratitude the support given by the United States under the leadership of George Bush in 2001 during President Wickremesinghe's tenure as Prime Minister.The President also recalled the support provided by the US government led by Bill Clinton to help Sri Lanka recover from the Tsunami disaster in 2004 and said that if not for the intervention of the US led by President Joe Biden, Sri Lanka would not have been able to make a success of the Maha Season.President Wickremesinghe, who further pointed out the 74 years of US-Sri Lanka friendship, partnership and bilateral relations, expressed his appreciation for the support rendered by the United States for the preparation of the first monetary law and the well-drafted legal system for the establishment of the Central Bank.Having experienced such a long and cordial relationship, Sri Lanka and the United States will work as close friends in the future as well, said the President, adding that the United States and Sri Lanka, as inseparable partners, will forge ahead with respect and confidence in each other to preserve peace and democracy.Following is the full speech made by President

COLOMBO (News 1st) – A group of people had attacked a driver of lorry in Wennappuwa Ulhitiawa. and stolen the vehicle The assailants had attached the driver with a knife while he was sleeping. The group had also robbed 1,800 liters of kerosene worth Rs.

WELLINGTON, New Zealand - New Zealand's government on Tuesday proposed taxing the greenhouse gasses that farm animals make from burping and peeing as part of a plan to tackle climate change.The government said the farm levy would be a world first, and that farmers should be able to recoup the cost by charging more for climate-friendly products.But farmers quickly condemned the plan. Federated Farmers, the industry's main lobby group, said the plan would "rip the guts out of small-town New Zealand" and see farms replaced with trees.Federated Farmers President Andrew Hoggard said farmers had been trying to work with the government for more than two years on an emissions reduction plan that wouldn't decrease food production.FILE - A photo taken on August 10, 2022, shows cows being milked on a dairy farm near Cambridge in New Zealand's Waikato region.

Orlando Bloom is opening up about a dark period in his life.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Cascading global crises have left 54 countries including Sri Lanka – home to more than half of the world's poorest people — in dire need of debt relief, the UN said Tuesday (11).In a new report, the United Nations Development Programme warned that dozens of developing nations were facing a rapidly deepening debt crisis and that "the risks of inaction are dire".UNDP said without immediate relief, at least 54 countries would see rising poverty levels, and "desperately needed investments in climate adaptation and mitigation will not happen".That was worrisome since the affected countries were "among the most climate-vulnerable in the world".The agency's report, published ahead of meetings of the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, and also of G20 finance ministers in Washington, highlighted the need for swift action.But despite repeated warnings, "little has happened so far, and the risks have been growing," UNDP chief Achim Steiner told reporters in Geneva."That crisis is intensifying and threatening to spill over into an entrenched development crisis across dozens of countries across the world."The poor, indebted countries are facing converging economic pressures and many find it impossible to pay back their debt or access new financing.'Volatility'"Market conditions are shifting rapidly as a synchronised fiscal and monetary contraction and low growth are fuelling volatility around the globe," UNDP said.The UN agency said debt troubles had been brewing in many of the affected countries long before the Covid-19 pandemic hit."The rapid build-up in debt over the past decade has been consistently underestimated," it said.The freeze on debt repayment during the Covid crisis to lighten their burden

New Zealand’s government on Tuesday proposed taxing the greenhouse gasses that farm animals make from burping and peeing as part of a plan to tackle climate change.The government said the farm levy would be a world first, and that farmers should be able to recoup the cost by charging more for climate-friendly products.But farmers quickly condemned the plan. Federated Farmers, the industry’s main lobby group, said the plan would “rip the guts out of small town New Zealand” and see farms replaced with trees.Federated Farmers President Andrew Hoggard said farmers had been trying to work with the government for more than two years on an emissions reduction plan that wouldn’t decrease food production.“Our plan was to keep farmers farming,” Hoggard said.

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.

Andrea Skinner resigning from her position as Hockey Canada’s interim board of directors chair is “definitely not enough” to make a difference at the scandal-ridden national sports body, according to former Canadian Olympic skier Allison Forsyth.

Tanya Hinsley said she snapped this photo right after the Starbucks barista prayed with a customer. (Credit: Tanya Hinsley) JONESBORO, Ark. - Waiting in the drive-thru line can be a bit tedious, but Tanya Hinsley said she captured a moment that made it all worth it. The Jonesboro, Arkansas, resident said she was recently at a local Starbucks with her son who had just received his driving permit. "He wanted more practice with going through a drive-thru," Hinsley told FOX Television Stations. RELATED: Hurricane Ian shakes Florida's faith, but can't destroy itHinsley said she was waiting in line when Carrie, the Starbucks employee, started praying with the customer at the front of the line. "My son and I were having a discussion about how we loved that she stopped what she is doing and was bold in her faith and cared enough to pray with someone," Hinsley continued.

NFL Players Association urged the league on Friday to implement changes to its concussion protocol in time to protect players in this weekend's games.The players' union wants to strengthen the protocol to avoid a repeat of what happened to Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa in Week 3 against Buffalo. Tagovailoa was unstable when he walked off the field following a hit and was evaluated for a concussion, but he quickly returned to the game and the Dolphins said a back injury had caused his wobbly gait.Tagovailoa subsequently suffered a concussion four days later at Cincinnati and is out indefinitely.FILE - Medical staff tend to quarterback Tua Tagovailoa #1 of the Miami Dolphins after an injury during the 2nd quarter of the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium on Sept.

FILE - A Christmas tree stands in a terminal at Leipzig-Halle Airport on Dec. 23, 2021, in Schkeuditz, Saxony, Germany. (Photo by Sebastian Willnow/picture alliance via Getty Images) Inflation has sent U.S.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) approved power cuts of 2 hours and 20 minutes from 08th – 10th October as follows;Groups ABCDEFGHIJKLPQRSTUVW:1-hour during daytime1-hour and 20-minutes during the night

COLOMBO (News 1st) – About 140 organizations worldwide asked the International Monetary Fund to issue at least $650 billion more in reserves to help its member nations grapple with “multiple historic, overlapping, and generally worsening crises.”Allocating more IMF reserve assets known as special drawing rights, or SDRs, “would immediately make hundreds of billions of dollars available to nearly all low- and middle-income IMF member countries without debt or conditions and only requires political will on the part of the fund’s board” the organizations said in a letter to the IMF’s board of governors and its executive board Thursday.Pressure is mounting on the IMF to act as the world’s most financially fragile countries, from Argentina to Ukraine, have burned through the extra IMF reserves they got last year, raising calls for a fresh injection to help them weather higher interest rates, food and fuel costs. In July, key Democratic congressional allies urged President Joe Biden’s administration to support a new injection of resources for countries at the IMF to help them deal with the fallout from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.With 345 million people facing acute food insecurity — more than double the number in 2019 — and rising interest rates making it more expensive for nations to pay back their dollar-denominated debt as the greenback strengthens, mass anger is triggering instability in many countries and has even led to the ouster of leaders in nations such as Sri Lanka.Signatories to the Thursday letter include the International Chamber of Commerce and the AFL-CIO, the largest US labor federation.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) approved power cuts of 2 hours and 20 minutes for today (7);Groups ABCDEFGHIJKLPQRSTUVW:  1-hour during daytime 1-hour and 20-minutes during the night

WASHINGTON - President Joe Biden announced on Thursday he will issue an executive order pardoning all people convicted of simple marijuana possession under federal law, in what amounts to the most extensive White House action taken to date in U.S. drug policy.Biden expanded on his announcement on social media where he laid out a  plan to also call for a review of current federal laws surrounding marijuana. "As I’ve said before, no one should be in jail just for using or possessing marijuana.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The twenty-second Constitution Amendment Bill is to be debated in Parliament on the 6th and 7th of October 2022.The new constitutional amendment will see the inclusion of some articles that were introduced in the 19th Amendment to the Constitution by the Government of Good Governance.One of these provisions is the dissolution of parliament within two years of being elected.However, MP Dilan Perera speaking to News 1st said that some of the articles that were approved by the Supreme Court are to be amended at the Committee State in Parliament, in a devious effort to increase the period of dissolving parliament to four and a half years.MP Dilan Perera joined the News 1st Ilakkaya program revealed that at the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Justice on Tuesday (4), the Justice Minister had noted that SLPP MPs had made a request to increase the period of dissolving parliament to four and a half years.He reprimanded the ruling faction for making such attempts, adding that these amendments have not been informed to the Supreme Court.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) approved power cuts of 2 hours and 20 minutes for 04th & 05th October as follows;Groups ABCDEFGHIJKLPQRSTUVW: 1-hour during daytime 1-hour and 20-minutes during the night

DEPTFORD, N.J. - A school bus driver shortage is resulting in a time change for students and staff at Deptford High School. According to an official school letter sent to families of Deptford High School students, the start time will return to 7 a.m."This will allow bus drivers to complete a high school run, followed by a middle school run, rather than both occurring at the same time," the letter said. "With more drivers available, they will no longer need to double back for a second batch of students." The Central and Pine Acres Early Childhood Centers will return to a start time of 9:15 a.m.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka(PUCSL) approved power cuts of 2 hours and 20 minutes for 03rd October as follows;Groups ABCDEFGHIJKLPQRSTUVW: 1-hour during daytime 1-hour and 20-minutes during the night

BRADENTON, Fla. - Five days after Hurricane Ian made landfall on Florida’s Gulf Coast, close to 700,000 residents were still without power.Governor Ron DeSantis said an army of 42,000 utility workers responded to the call for help to restore outages.They answered, from Pennsylvania to Kansas and beyond. MORE: Alafia River flooding peaks at 18 feet after Hurricane Ian, surrounding nearby homes with waterThe streets of Paradise Bay Estates, off Cortez Road in Bradenton, were lined with utility trucks Sunday afternoon.Gary Wilt is a snowbird from Illinois. He returned home to Paradise Bay Sunday after evacuating ahead of the storm.Crews from Illinois, Kansas and Pennsylvania helped restore power in Florida Most of his community was still in the dark, but hopefully not for much longer."I’m telling everyone, ‘thanks for being here,’" Wilt said of the linemen in his neighborhood.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) has approved 2 hours 20 minutes power cuts for Monday (03) as follows;Groups ABCDEFGHIJKLPQRSTUVW  1hour during daytime and 1hour and 20minutes during night.  

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The restaurant owners' association says that although the price of petrol has decreased, the prices of foodstuff at bakeries and restaurants will not be decreased.Its Chairman, Asela Sampath stated that the price of food and drinks including milk tea can be reduced only if the prices of other services in the market are reduced.The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation on Saturday (1) took steps to reduce the price of petrol.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Unit 3 of the Norochcholai power plant, which broke down recently, has been fixed and reconnected back to the National grid, says the Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekara.The Minister said that both units are now operating at full capacity.Moreover, he stated that the ongoing long routine overhaul maintenance work on Unit 2 is expected to be completed by mid-October.The Norochcholai power plant recently had its generator 3 break down, leading for only 300MW of 900MW being generated. 

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) approved power cuts of 2 hours and 20 minutes for 01st & 02nd October as follows;Groups ABCDEFGHIJKLPQRSTUVW: 1-hour during daytime 1-hour and 20-minutes during the night

COLOMBO (News 1st) – President Ranil Wickremesinghe proposed to establish an International University on Climate Change in Sri Lanka with the support of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in order to enable students from any country in the world to engage in educational activities.President Wickremesinghe made this proposal during a meeting with the President of the Asian Development Bank Masatsugu Asakawa, held this morning (30) at the Asian Development Bank Headquarters in Manila.The ADB President welcomed President Wickremesinghe upon his arrival at the ADB Headquarters.President Wickremesinghe, who expressed his gratitude to the President of the Asian Development Bank for the emergency assistance provided to Sri Lanka in the past, discussed the further strengthening of the long-standing relationship between Sri Lanka and the ADB.The ADB President assured President Ranil Wickremesinghe that he would continue to cooperate with Sri Lanka.President Wickremesinghe also briefed the President of the Asian Development Bank on Sri Lanka’s engagement with the International Monetary Fund.Meanwhile, President Ranil Wickremesinghe also engaged in a discussion with professionals working at the Asian Development Bank.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) says that the operations at the Kelanitissa power plant have resumed. The CEB says that the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) had taken the necessary steps to provide the required diesel and furnace oil for the operations of the Kelanitssa Power Plant.Repairs have begun on Generator 3 at the Norocholai Power plant following the breakdown that took place on 27th September, and the CEB says that it will be added to the main grid by next Monday (3).On the 27th of September 2022, Sri Lanka's energy regulator approved for the Ceylon Electricity Board to purchase power from Private Plants until Norochcholai Power Plant is restored.Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekera said on that day that the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation will provide the necessary Diesel, Naphtha, and Furnace Oil requirements to the CEB to maintain power generation without extending the power cuts.This announcement came after Generator 3 at the Norochcholai Coal Power Plant failed.The Chairman of the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka said that the Generator failed due to a fault.Generator 2 at the Norochcholai Coal Power Plan is already out for repairs.Accordingly, only 300 MW of a total of 900 MW is being generated from the Norochcholai Power Plant.The Kerawalapitiya Yugadanavi Power Plant has also recommenced its operations to generate electricity after being provided with the necessary stocks of furnace oil.The Ministry of Power and Energy said that 300 MW of electricity will be added to the National Grid.It added that the reactivation of the Kerawalapitiya Yugadanavi Power Plant will allow authorities to limit power cuts to two hours and twenty minutes without extending them,

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Kerawalapitiya Yugadanavi Power Plant has recommenced its operations to generate electricity after being provided with the necessary stocks of furnace oil.The Ministry of Power and Energy said that 300 MW of electricity will be added to the National Grid.It added that the reactivation of the Kerawalapitiya Yugadanavi Power Plant will allow authorities to limit power cuts to two hours and twenty minutes without extending them, despite issues at the Norochcholai Coal Power Plant.On the 27th of September 2022, Sri Lanka's energy regulator approved for the Ceylon Electricity Board to purchase power from Private Plants until Norochcholai Power Plant is restored.Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekera said the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation will provide the necessary Diesel, Naphtha, and Furnace Oil requirements to the CEB to maintain power generation without extending the power cuts.This announcement came after Generator 3 at the Norochcholai Coal Power Plant failed.The Chairman of the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka said that the Generator failed due to a fault.Generator 2 at the Norochcholai Coal Power Plan is already out for repairs.Accordingly, only 300 MW of a total of 900 MW is being generated from the Norochcholai Power Plant.

BEESLEY'S POINT, N.J. - A cooling tower at a former power plant in Cape May County is set to be imploded Thursday morning. The implosion of the cooling tower at the B.L. England Generating Station in Beesly's Point, New Jersey, is set for 9:30 a.m. According to a press release from Upper Township, Beesley's Point Development Group hired Controlled Demolition Inc.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka said that two fuel dispensers at a Colombo 7 filling station were sealed.These fuel dispensers were used to dispense 92 Octane Fuel, and the PUCSL uncovered a short delivery of 1.2% per litre of 92 Octane Petrol which is Rs.

B.C. couple puts deposit on electric truck only to learn it would be $10,700 more when it arrives Consumer Matters reached out to TD Bank on Daem’s behalf.TD has since issued Daem an apology along with a cheque for $12,305.44.TD stating:“Like cheques, bank drafts can also be forged.

PHILADELPHIA - Less than a day after a teen was killed and four others were hurt in an ambush shooting that erupted after a high school football scrimmage, Philadelphia's top brass met with reporters to discuss the ongoing efforts to stem gun violence. According to the latest data provided by the Philadelphia Police Department, there have been more than 400 homicides in the city this year. That staggering figure follows a historically bloody 2021 in which 562 people were murdered, many by gun violence. The data paints a grim picture of the city's efforts to halt the flow of deadly violence.

ArriveCAN, mask mandates among changes as Canada drops COVID-19 border rules He says airplanes hold a lot of people in a small space and there can be COVID-19 transmission even with everyone masking.Keegan says he will still wear a mask to protect himself, but notes masking works best to prevent transmission when everyone is wearing one.The Public Health Agency of Canada still strongly recommends that people wear masks, particularly in crowded environments such as planes and trains.

Justin Trudeau deserves to remain in power appears to be slightly lower than it was one year ago amid the federal election, a new poll suggests.Polling done by Ipsos exclusively for Global News indicates 33 per cent of Canadians say Trudeau deserves to be re-elected, which is a drop of four per cent compared to polling done last fall.Sixty-seven per cent say it is time for another party to take over.“What we’re seeing in the numbers right now is not so much that there’s been a ‘new leader bump’ for the Conservatives, though they’re up just a little bit but within the margin of error,” said Darrell Bricker, CEO of Ipsos Public Affairs. “It’s really more that the Liberals have been losing.”He said the data suggests people who have previously voted Liberal are bleeding out to not only the Conservatives, which are also seeing a consolidation of some voters from the People’s Party of Canada, but also to the NDP and the Bloc Quebecois.“It’s not so much about the surge of the Conservative Party as it is about the slipping of the Liberals.” Trudeau criticizes ‘buzzwords, dogwhistles’ as Poilievre crowned Tory leader That Ipsos polling suggests it is the federal Conservatives that now hold a five-point lead on the Liberals among decided voters, with 35 per cent of those surveyed saying they prefer that party compared to 30 per cent for the Liberals, 20 per cent for the NDP, and seven per cent nationally for the Bloc Quebecois.Those numbers represent a one-point increase since the election for Conservatives, and a three-point decrease for the Liberals.

Hurricane Ian knocked out power across all of Cuba and devastated some of the country’s most important tobacco farms Tuesday when it slammed into the island’s western tip as a major hurricane.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) approved power cuts of 2 hours and 20 minutes for 28th September as follows;Groups ABCDEFGHIJKLPQRSTUVW: 1-hour during daytime 1-hour and 20-minutes during the nightGroups MNOXYZ: 2-hours and 30-minutes from 5.30 AM to 8.00 AMGroup CC: 2-hours and 30-minutes from 6.00 AM to 8.30 AM

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The President of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka President's Counsel Saliya Pieris has responded to the claims made by the Acting Defence Minister on seeking six hour prior approval for protests or demonstrations.Responding to the acting Minister of Defence saying that the Police should be notified and approval must be obtained from local Police six hours before holding a protest, the President ofthe Bar Association of Sri Lanka noted that it was not what the Supreme Court held in the case of Vivienne Goonewardene v Hector Perera as per the judgment of Justice J.F.A. Soza in 1983.He added that accordingly.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka's energy regulator has approved for the Ceylon Electricity Board to purchase power from Private Plants until Norochcholai Power Plant is restored.Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekera said the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation will provide the necessary Diesel, Naphtha, and Furnace Oil requirements to the CEB to maintain power generation without extending the power cuts.This announcement came after Generator 3 at the Norochcholai Coal Power Plant failed.The Chairman of the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka said that the Generator failed due to a fault.He warned that lengthy power cuts are expected in the future, and the power cut schedule will be announced soon.Generator 2 at the Norochcholai Coal Power Plan is already out for repairs.Accordingly, only 300 MW of a total of 900 MW is being generated.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Generator 3 at the Norochcholai Coal Power Plant has failed.The Chairman of the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka said that the Generator failed due to a fault.He warned that lengthy power cuts are expected in the future, and the power cut schedule will be announced soon.Generator 2 at the Norochcholai Coal Power Plan is already out of for repairs.Accordingly, only 300 MW of a total of 900 MW is being generated.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) approved power cuts of 2-hours and 20-minutes for today and tomorrow as follows;Group ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVW: 1-hour power cut during the daytime 1-hour and 20-minutes during the night

Mila Kunis recently discussed how she handled husband Ashton Kutcher’s battle with a rare illness, something he opened up about during a recent episode of "Running Wild with Bear Grylls: The Challenge."  Kutcher revealed on the popular nature show, he experienced a two-year battle with a rare form of vasculitis. In his case, the autoimmune disorder affected his equilibrium leaving him temporarily unable to see or hear. During a recent interview, Kunis spoke about how she chose to deal with his diagnosis, opting not to dwell on the negatives, but to carry on with life and make the most of their situation.  "I don't think you have time to sit down and talk, you kinda just power through," Kunis told Entertainment Tonight.

Mila Kunis is getting candid about how she and her family handled Ashton Kutcher’s health scare. ET’s Nischelle Turner spoke with Kunis ahead of the release of her new film, “Luckiest Girl Alive”, where she spoke about her husband’s battle with a rare form of vasculitis, and how the couple “powered through” that scary time.

CHICAGO - A 3-year-old boy who was pushed off Navy Pier in Chicago by his aunt on Monday has died from his injuries, according to the medical examiner's office.Josiah Brown, of Des Plaines, was pronounced dead at 10:16 a.m. Sunday, according to Cook County Medical Examiner records.Officials say the boy had to be retrieved from the bottom of the lake by Chicago Fire Department officials after he was pushed into the water on Sept.

Mila Kunis is getting candid about how she and her family handled Ashton Kutcher's health scare. ET's Nischelle Turner spoke with Kunis ahead of the release of her new film, , where she spoke about her husband's battle with a rare form of vasculitis, and how the couple «powered through» that scary time.«So, this happened right before COVID, so this was three years ago,» Kunis said of the disease, which made headlines in August, after Kutcher opened up about the autoimmune flare-up, during an episode of .«I don't think you have time to sit down and talk, you kinda just power through,» the 39-year-old actress — who shares Wyatt, 8, and Dimitri, 6, with Kutcher -- continued. «You go and deal with whatever health issue comes your way, but you still got kids, you still got a family, you have to live life.

After more than two years, Canada’s COVID-19 border rules are coming to an end, the federal government announced Monday.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Minister of Power and Energy noted that the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) will respond legally to the Chairman of the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) on the accusation of quality of Crude oil.Minister Kanchana Wijesekera tweeted that the CPC has adequate stocks of Diesel & Fuel Oil.Further, the extended Power Cuts were requested by Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) due to a breakdown at Lakshapana, and insufficient funds at CEB for diesel & fuel oil & Hydro management.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lankan authorities will pose no obstruction towards 'Peaceful Protests', said Acting Defence Minister Premitha Bandara Tennakoon on Monday (26).He noted that protests or demonstrations must take place as per the provisions of the law, where prior approval must be obtained from the security forces six hours ahead of the planned demonstration or protest."There will be no issue if prior approval is obtained," he said.The Acting Defence Minister said the government will guarantee the right to protest and demonstrate, however, these protests or demonstrations or marches should not disrupt the normal lives of the public and the economy."Protests, Rallies, and demonstrations that attempt to create a crisis in the country, and that disrupts the lives of the public will be contained as per the provisions of the law by the security forces," said the Acting Defence Minister, adding that it will be same for the future.He went on to note that no party will be allowed to engage in irresponsible conduct that violates the laws on public security and disrupt public operations.Commenting on the High-Security Zones that were declared by the President recently, the Acting Defence Minister noted that the people can go about with their activities in those areas, and issues will only arise if one engaged in unlawful conduct.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) approved power cuts of 2 hours and 20 minutes for 26th September as follows;Groups ABCDEFGHIJKLPQRSTUVW: 1-hour during daytime 1-hour and 20-minutes during the night

to ArriveCAN” that prompted concerns among U.S. crews that they “may not be able to cross the border” to help Canada amid post-tropical storm Fiona.In a statement sent to Global News, a spokesperson for Nova Scotia Power said the issue was resolved and crews were on their way to affected areas “within a few hours.”“When we heard from our crews that there were issues at the border, we reached out to provincial officials to see if there was any help that could be provided,” said spokesperson Jacqueline Foster in the statement.“We understood there would be outreach to appropriate federal officials that might be able to help.