Over 6.4 Mn Sri Lankan given booster dose

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lankan Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa’s Indian visit has been postponed again.Basil Rajapaksa was to fly to India to wrap up credit lines worth a billion US dollars, that would be used for essential goods and medicines.“We are ready to enter into several agreements with India for financial facilities worth a billion US dollars,” State Minister Shehan Semasinghe told the Parliament.Sri Lankan Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksa said personally he has no issue with discussing matters on approaching the International Monetary Fund and other agencies.However, he said the decision on such a matter should be taken by the Finance Minister and the Central Bank.

Emmerdale star shared a candid health update on Wednesday (24 February) after her son Ace, who she shares with co-star Matthew Wolfenden, was taken to hospital with a mystery illness.Posting the vulnerable clip to her 556,000 followers online, the actress explained how she has been looking after the tot all week after he took a dramatic “turn for the worse” last Friday (18 February).Concerned for his welfare, the pair made the decision to have their two-year-old rushed to hospital in an ambulance in order to get to the bottom of his strange illness which has taken him nearly a week to recover from.She told her loyal legion of fans: “Ace has been poorly since Friday being sick on an off but he’s just been really lethargic.“And then on Saturday he took a turn for the worse we had to get him into hospital, but then today he’s turned a bit of a corner, but it’s been really scary, [we had] the ambulance out and everything.“I think there is a sickness bug going around so just keep your eyes on that, but there’s nothing worse than when your kids are ill.”The star gave further insight into her traumatising situation in the captions alongside her video as she thanked the hospital staff and paramedics for their help.She wrote: “I’ve never had one so poorly and it’s been beyond scary. The hospital and paramedics were amazing with him.“So important to always follow your instinct.

World Health Organisation (WHO) officials recently listed a few strategic moves to end the pandemic. “We need strategic testing,  intelligent sequencing, the right policies" to understand and track the variants, the official said and further asserted that “It is certainly not the time to abandon the science". 

BRUSSELS - World leaders expressed a raw outrage shrouded by an impotence to immediately come to the aid of Ukraine to avoid a major war in Europe, condemning Russia’s attack on its neighbor as the European Union and others promised unprecedented sanctions to hit the Kremlin.European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called it a "barbaric attack" on an independent nation that also targeted "the stability in Europe and the whole of the international peace order." The EU will hold an emergency summit in Brussels, where NATO is also meeting after Poland and the Baltic nations bordering Russia and Ukraine called for an urgent session.But no one promised to move in militarily and defend Ukraine as it could touch off a major European war. Russian President Vladimir Putin warned anyone listening that any interference would "lead to consequences you have never seen in history."So instead, most of the world — but not China — condemned and threatened to hit the Russian elites with, in the words of EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, "the strongest package, the harshest package of sanctions we have ever implemented.""A major nuclear power has attacked a neighbor country and is threatening reprisals of any other states that may come to the rescue," Borrell said.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka announced power cuts for Friday (25).Power Cuts of 4 hours and 40 minutes will be experienced for areas A,B ,C.Power Cuts of 5 hours and 15 minutes will be experienced for other areas.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka Navy seized two (02) Indian trawlers with 22 Indian fishermen while poaching in Sri Lankan waters.The apprehension was made in northern waters of Sri Lanka, during a patrol carried out on the night of 23rd February 2022.Considering the impact of foreign fishermen poaching in Sri Lankan waters on the local fishing community and threats to the biodiversity of the country’s marine environment, the Navy has been conducting regular patrols and operations to curb such illegal activities of foreign fishermen in Sri Lankan waters.The apprehension was made during a patrol carried out by a Fast Attack Craft of the 4th Fast Attack Flotilla (4 FAF), attached to the Northern Naval Command in Sri Lankan waters north of Kankasanthurai and northwest of Kovilan Lighthouse, Jaffna.Thus, the Navy took hold of the 02 Indian trawlers with 22 Indian fishermen while practicing the illegal fishing method known as ‘bottom trawling’ in island waters, through the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL). The Navy also seized a stock fish caught illegally by this fishing method.The operation was conducted adhering to COVID-19 protocols and arrangements are being made to hand over the Indian poaching vessels and fishermen held in the operation to relevant authorities.Including the 02 Indian trawlers seized, the Navy took hold of 08 Indian fishing vessels with 51 fishermen poaching in Sri Lankan waters, thus far in the month of February 2022.Meanwhile, Sri Lanka Navy remains committed to carry out regular operations with a view to safeguard the security in Sri Lankan waters while protecting the fishery resources of the country and the livelihood of local fishermen.

Justin Bieber answers a phone call on his way to a medical building in Los Angeles on Wednesday afternoon (February 23).

Edmonton city councillors voted Wednesday to meet with members of the police commission behind closed doors, despite growing criticism of the police service. Breanna Karstens-Smith reports.

WINTER PARK, Fla. - Daniel Knight's family said they want the truth to come out. They said police are lying about what happened the night they shot and killed the 39-year-old man at a Winter Park wedding reception. They also want the officers involved charged with murder."He was killed… in front of me.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 28: Colin Kaepernick attends the Los Angeles Premiere Of Netflix's "Colin In Black And White" at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on October 28, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic) Colin Kaepernick is launching an initiative through his Know Your Rights Camp that will offer free, secondary autopsies to family members of anyone whose death is "police-related."The initiative collaborates with a panel of board-certified forensic pathologists who perform autopsies, disclose preliminary findings, and issue final reports to requesting families."We know that the prison industrial complex, which includes police and policing, strives to protect and serve its interests at all costs," Kaepernick said.

Vancouver police officers kept on their toes over this past long weekend responding to an alarming number of assaults. Aaron McArthur reports.

There is growing concern over a mutation of the Omicron variant called 'Stealth Covid', which could spread faster and cause worse illness than previous strains.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka says that Groups A, B, and C will experience a power cut of 4 hours and 40 minutes on Thursday (24).All other areas will experience a 4 hour and 30-minute power cut, approved by PUCSL. 

PHILADELPHIA - Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5 is suing the city of Philadelphia and its officials over the new Driving Equity Law. In October, the City Council passed the first-of-its-kind bill, and Mayor Jim Kenney signed it into law in November. It bans officers from pulling over vehicles based on traffic violations that are considered "secondary violations" in an effort to prevent racial disparities in traffic incidents handled by police.  The following issues are considered secondary violations in the new law:The lawsuit from the Philadelphia Lodge #5 Fraternal Order of Police was filed on Wednesday. FOB Lodge #5 President John McNesby said the law is dangerous. "This terrible law puts reckless drivers behind the wheel of unsafe vehicles that ultimately puts the general public in danger," he said. McNesby had expressed concerns about the law before it was passed.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka says that Groups A, B, and C will experience a power cut of 4 hours and 40 minutes on Thursday (24).All other areas will experience a 4 hour and 30-minute power cut, approved by PUCSL.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Private Bus operators in Sri Lanka say that they only have fuel that is sufficient for another two days.General Secretary of the All Ceylon Private Bus Owners Association Anjana Priyanjith told reporters on Wednesday (23) that private bus operators are finding it difficult to source diesel.“A bus can accommodate around 160 – 200 liters of Diesel. So, this will only last for another two days,” he warned.He urged authorities to instruct filling stations to prioritize the issuance of fuel for Private Buses.At the same time, a Sri Lanka Transport Bus operating from Colombo to Matara stalled mid-way and stopped in the Kalutara Town as it ran out of fuel.Bus workers told News 1st that diesel was sourced from a depot close by, and the passengers were moved to a different bus.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka’s Court of Appeal has affirmed the death sentence imposed by the Colombo High Court on a painter who was found guilty of murdering late Journalist Melicia Gunasekera.The Attorney General had filed indictments against Anthony Ramson George, a painter, on three separate counts for forcibly entering the residence of Melicia Gunasekera on the 2nd of February 2014, committing burglary and stabbing her to death.In the indictment filed by the Attorney General, the first count is under 436 of the Penal Code.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka’s Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila told Parliament on Wednesday (23) that importing fuel has become a challenge.“Over 50% of our export revenue is used to purchase fuel for the country,” he said, adding that at the Emergency Cabinet Meeting on Tuesday (22) the Treasury Secretary instructed the Bank of Ceylon to release funds for a tanker with Diesel.He admitted there is a shortage of Diesel in the country as the CPC restricted its Diesel supplies to the filling stations over the past 5 days, due to the payment issue for the tanker with Diesel at the Colombo Port.“Since December 20th, the global crude oil prices have increased by 38%. However, Sri Lanka did not increase prices.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Samagi Jana Balavegaya, one of the main opposition factions in Sri Lanka has filed a special petition with the Supreme Court challenging the proposed Surcharge Tax Bill that was presented to Parliament.The Government on Tuesday (22) presented the proposed Surcharge Tax Bill to Parliament.The special application challenging the Bill was submitted by the General Secretary of the Samagi Jana Balavegaya and it seeks a Supreme Court ruling to term the Bill as inconsistent with the constitution.The Bill, which imposes a retrospective one-time surcharge tax of 25% on persons and companies with a taxable income over Rs. 2 billion for the year 2020/2021, was presented by Leader of the House Minister Dinesh Gunawardena on Tuesday (22).The Bill was drafted in keeping with the proposal in the 2022 Budget to impose a one-off 25% surcharge tax on individuals or companies earning taxable income more than Rs.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Leader of the House Minister Dinesh Gunawardena has thanked Former Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe for highlighting the fact that power cuts are severely affecting the students sitting for the G. C.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy, Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne who is currently in Pakistan on an official visit, called on the Chief of Naval Staff of Pakistan, Admiral M Amjad Khan Niazi at the Pakistan Navy Headquarters on 22nd February 2022.At the invitation of his Pakistan Navy counterpart, Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne left for Pakistan on 21st February on a formal visit and he is accompanied by the President of Navy Seva Vanitha Unit, Chandima Ulugetenne in this official visit.Beginning his itinerary, the Commander of the Navy visited the Pakistan Navy Headquarters where he was warmly received by the Pakistan Navy Chief in accordance with naval traditions.The ensuing discussion between them focused on several matters of regional security and bilateral importance.The Pakistani Naval Chief highlighted Pakistan Navy initiatives for ensuring maritime security and peace in the region through Regional Maritime Security Patrols.The visiting Admiral appreciated and acknowledged the Pakistan Navy’s efforts and commitments in support of collaborative maritime security in the region.The Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy was also briefed on Pakistan Navy operational capabilities.It is expected that the ongoing visit of the Commander of the Sri Lankan Navy will further enhance bilateral collaboration between the two countries.The cordial discussion came to an end with an exchange of mementos, marking the significance of this occasion.

COLOMBO (News 1st): The supply of electricity will be disrupted for over 4-hours on Wednesday (Feb. 23), as requested by the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) and approved by the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka.Accordingly, Groups A, B, and C will experience power cuts for 4 hours and 40 minutes.All other groups will experience power cuts for 4 hours and 30 minutes.The PUCSL announced the power cut schedule for today (23)…The Ceylon Electricity Board pointed out that this situation has arisen due to the lack of sufficient fuel stocks for the generation of 541 MW of power at plants.According to the CEB, the Kerawalapitiya Power Plant has been inactive since yesterday afternoon, due to the shortage of Diesel.The Kelanitissa Power Plant also halted operations due to the Diesel shortage, Andrew Navamuni, the spokesperson for the Ceylon Electricity Board told News 1st.Furnace Oil was pumped to the Sapugaskanda Power Station yesterday, adding that this fuel stock will be used to generate electricity today (23), he noted.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka has announced a power cut schedule for Wednesday (23).Groups A, B, and C will experience power cuts for 4 hours and 40 minutes.All other groups will experience power cuts for 4 hours and 30 minutes.Find out what time your local area will experience a power cut following the tables below:

COVID-19 data Tuesday, which shows the number of people in hospital with the disease declined over the long weekend.A post on the chief medical officer of health’s Twitter account Tuesday afternoon stated a network change over the weekend caused unintended IT issues. As a result, “only ballpark figures” were released.According to the estimated numbers, there are now about 1,380 people being treated in hospital with COVID-19, a drop from 1,494 patients in Alberta hospitals on Friday.The number of people being treated for COVID-19 in intensive care units also dropped — from 116 patients Friday to about 95 Tuesday.It’s not known how many deaths were reported to Alberta Health over the long weekend.

ISLAMABAD (News 1st) – Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne, Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy, called on Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday (22).The prime minister stated that Pakistan attaches immense importance to its relations with Sri Lanka as a reliable friend and partner.Fondly recalling his visit to Sri Lanka in February 2021, the prime minister reaffirmed the strong fraternal bonds between the two countries and Pakistan’s desire to comprehensively upgrade bilateral relations in all fields.Imran Khan added that security and defense cooperation had been a key component of Pakistan-Sri Lanka relations and a factor of peace and stability in the region.He said that he looked forward to the visit of Sri Lankan leadership to Pakistan.Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne underlined the close cooperative ties between the two countries and expressed gratitude for Pakistan’s support at international and regional fora.

Middlesex-London Health Unit reported four deaths and 190 lab-confirmed COVID-19 cases from Saturday through to Tuesday, though case counts are considered an under-estimate due to testing restrictions and widespread transmission.London Health Sciences Centre, meanwhile, is caring for 64 inpatients with COVID-19, nine of whom are in adult critical care.As noted, LHSC is caring for 64 COVID-19 inpatients, with nine inpatients in adult critical care. Last Tuesday, LHSC was caring for 79 COVID inpatients with 17 adults in the ICU. Of the 64, there were seven patients in Children’s Hospital, with five or fewer in pediatric critical care.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka’s Environment Minister Mahinda Amaraweera assured that there will be no fuel price increase, following a special cabinet meeting this evening.He said fuel prices will be maintained at their prevent rates, despite global prices hitting a new high.The Minister said the meeting was centered on ensuring a continuous supply of electricity & fuel to the people and payment was released on Tuesday (22) for the fuel ship that arrived in Colombo.He also said the cabinet in unison agreed that there should be no shortage in the supply of fuel.Further, the government has agreed to pay the money owed by the Ceylon Electricity Board to the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation, said the Minister.“The CPC will receive a sum of approximately Rs. 80 Bn from the banks,” he added.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka has announced a power cut schedule for Wednesday (23).Groups A, B, and C will experience power cuts for 4 hours and 40 minutes.All other groups will experience power cuts for 4 hours and 30 minutes.Find out what time your local area will experience a power cut : ltst-23-02-2022-Power-interruption-schedule

COLOMBO (News 1st); 200 buses that were taken out of service were repaired and re-added to the passenger transportation under the patronage of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the Presidential Secretariat premises on Tuesday (22).The project was implemented based on a concept of State Minister of Vehicle Regulation, Bus Transport Services and Train Compartments and Motor Car Industry Dilum Amunugama and under the guidance of Transport Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi.The importation of buses was also suspended along with the restriction on the importation of vehicles.Accordingly, steps were taken to repair the dilapidated buses as a solution to the shortage of buses and in order to save foreign exchange.Under the first phase of the project, 273 buses were repaired and added to the bus fleet in December 2020.Under the second phase, 200 buses that were completely out of service at 107 depots across the country were repaired at a cost of Rs. 136 million.The project is being carried out by Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) depots and Lakdiva Engineering Company with the full support of the Sri Lanka Public Transport Employees Union.The President inspected the standard of the buses, engaged in conversation with the SLTB employees.

PHILADELPHIA - Local, state, and federal authorities will gather in Philadelphia Tuesday to discuss two recent deadly shootings they say may be connected to a local carjacking operation. Philadelphia Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw, District Attorney Larry Krasner, and U.S. Attorney Jennifer Arbittier-Williams will be among those joining Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney at an 11 a.m. press conference, among others. The first incident happened back on Feb.

LOS ANGELES - Explicit Los Angeles jailhouse recordings of Hannah Tubbs, the 26-year-old trans child molester who received a slap on the wrist last month after pleading guilty to molesting a 10-year-old in 2014, depict her admitting it was wrong to attack a little girl but gloating over the light punishment.She boasted that nothing would happen to her after he pleaded guilty due to Democrat District Attorney George Gascón's policies and laughed that she won't have to go back to prison or register as a sex offender. She also made explicit remarks about the victim that are unfit to print.The county's top prosecutor said in a statement that he became aware after Hannah Tubbs' sentencing about "extremely troubling statements she made about her case, the resolution of it and the young girl that she harmed."Hannah Tubbs began identifying as female after being arrested in connection with a 2014 child molestation case, according to prosecutors.

All remaining coronavirus restrictions are to be lifted, starting from this week.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court has informed the Parliament that the Special Goods and Services Tax Bill should be passed with a 2/3 majority and a referendum.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka’s Court of Appeal on Monday (21) issued an order temporarily preventing the construction of a 4-lane elevated highway from the New Kelani Bridge to Athurugiriya, across the Thalangama Wetlands.The Thalangama (Talangama) wetlands are an environmental protection area and a biodiversity hotspot in a rapidly urbanizing environment.The Minister of Highways and officials were prohibited from engaging in any form of construction in the Wetlands, without submitting a proper Environment Impact Assessment report, to the Court of Appeal.The Road Development Authority and the RDA Director General were ordered by the Court to explore an alternative site for the construction of the elevated highway and report to the court via a report on or before the 31st of March 2022.The orders were made by Justice Sobhita Rajakarunwa after considering a petition filed by one R. M.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The global digital platform (GDP) prepared by the National Science Foundation for Sri Lankan expatriates and emigrants in the world was launched on Monday (21) at the BMICH.The National Science Foundation (NSF) embarked upon constructing an instrument with technical support from the SLASSCOM to harness this potential, and a state-of-the-art global digital platform with the requisite capabilities and features to mobilise the expatriates for national development has now been developed.More than 950 Sri Lankans around the world are currently connected to this network.The GDP of the NSF will facilitate effective harnessing, mobilising, and channeling intellectual assets at home and abroad ― the most precious and treasured resource in a knowledge economy –– for development.This will enable Sri Lanka to address and resolve high-priority national needs and concerns while making the most of the opportunities and natural resources available in order to transform Sri Lanka into a developed nation.A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was also signed between the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Sri Lanka Association of Software and Service Companies (SLASSCOM) for a broader purpose, including enhancing higher education and its capacity building, enhancing educational collaboration and research collaboration.

Donald Trump‘s social media app that he hopes will rival Twitter launched Monday as he seeks a new digital stage to rally his supporters and fight Big Tech limits on speech, a year after he was banned from Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.His Truth Social app was offered for download from the Apple App Store to a limited number of subscribers who had preordered. Others who were added to a waiting list are to be given access over the next 10 days.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka had advised its citizens to avoid all non-essential travel to Ukraine, due to the current situation surrounding tensions between world powers in the region.The Government of Sri Lanka is closely monitoring the situation in Ukraine in the context of recent developments.The Sri Lanka Embassy in Ankara, concurrently accredited to Kyiv, is in close contact with the over forty Sri Lankan nationals, including fourteen students, residing in Ukraine, with a view to ensuring their safety and welfare.While six of the fourteen Sri Lankan students in Ukraine have left the country temporarily, the Sri Lanka Embassy in Ankara is in close communication with the eight remaining students.The Foreign Ministry requests all Sri Lankan nationals in Ukraine to exercise vigilance and to be in contact with the Sri Lanka Embassy in Ankara.The Ministry also advises all Sri Lankan nationals to avoid non-essential travel to Ukraine at present.

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Elderly and vulnerable people will be offered another booster jab by the government, following recommendations from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka’s Irrigation Minister Chamal Rajapaksa has hinted that working hours should likely be changed as a solution to the morning traffic in Colombo and suburbs.He made these comments on Monday (21) after he was delayed by traffic in attending an event in Kaduwela.“I was delayed by 15 minutes to reach this location. The reason was the traffic and the congestion of vehicles on the road,” said the Minister adding that there needs to be a focus on reducing traffic ac well.He suggested that consideration needs to be given to travel convenience and work hour convenience, thereby reducing fuel consumption and protecting the foreign reserves.

Nicki Minaj has responded to the Philadelphia Public Health Department’s take on her viral COVID tweet from last year, where she expressed scepticism around the vaccine.The rapper originally discussed the COVID vaccine in a series of tweets posted on September 13. She started by replying to a Twitter user who noted Minaj had last appeared in public over a year ago.

Queen contracting Covid after they beg her to “rest” after Buckingham Palace revealed she would continue “light duties”.Her Majesty, 95, is said to be experiencing mild cold-like symptoms and is currently self-isolating at Windsor Castle.However, officials at the Palace have worried users on Twitter after revealing she would continue working in some capacity.The announcement has led to many calling for the Queen to “rest” and to take a “duvet day”.Buckingham Palace said in a statement on Sunday: “Buckingham Palace confirm that The Queen has today tested positive for Covid.“Her Majesty is experiencing mild cold-like symptoms but expects to continue light duties at Windsor over the coming week.“She will continue to receive medical attention and will follow all the appropriate guidelines.The Queen is the latest member of the Royal Family to test positive for Covid following Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall.One Twitter user said: “Oh come on, I'm no royalist but she's got Covid and she's bloody 95 years old, let the lass have a duvet day.”Another commented: “She’s 95 years old, with Covid and working. Surely our queen is allowed a few days off to rest! I was unmovable, wrapped in blankets sipping tea for days with Covid.”While another user said: “‘Light duties’.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka on Monday (21) announced that 2-hour power cuts will be imposed on Tuesday (22).The power cuts will be between 4:30 PM & 10:30 PM from groups A, B, C, and 3 hours for other groups, said the Chairman of the PUCSL.Power-Interruption-Schedule-22-02-2022

The Pacific Highway border crossing in Surrey was open again on Sunday, but the second closure in as many weeks of the key link with the U.S. is raising questions about managing protests against COVID-19 measures. Kamil Karamali reports.

MOSCOW - The U.S. and Russian presidents have tentatively agreed to meet in a last-ditch diplomatic effort to stave off Moscow's invasion of Ukraine as heavy shelling continued Monday in a conflict in eastern Ukraine that is feared will spark the Russian offensive.French President Emmanuel Macron sought to broker a possible meeting between U.S.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka Customs on Monday (21) took steps to repatriate the last 45 containers out of 242 containers containing garbage arrived from Britain, which was the subject of much controversy in the recent past.The containers were shipped back to Britain by the vessel Ever Genius, which arrived at the CICT terminal in the Colombo Port yesterday. The ship is scheduled to leave the Port of Colombo around 8.00 pm on Monday (21).In 2019, an investigation by the Social Protection Division of the Sri Lanka Customs found 242 containers containing clinical waste, used cushions and mattresses, plastic waste and unsorted and hazardous waste imported into the country from Britain.It was revealed that 112 containers had been deposited at the Port of Colombo and the remaining 130 containers had already been cleared from the port and stored at the premises of a private company operating under the Board of Investment (BOI) in Katunayake.According to the customs investigation, the containers were imported contrary to the provisions of the international convention known as Basel Convention and in violation of the provisions of the National Environmental Act and the Customs Ordinance.During the Customs investigation, the Center for Environmental Justice filed a case in the Court of Appeal.