Pakistan Joint Chiefs Chairman meets President

Volleys of Russian missiles struck a series of Ukrainian regions early on Thursday, including the Black Sea port of Odesa and the second city of Kharkiv, knocking out power to several areas, regional officials said.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Lanka Sathosa has reduced the prices of seven grocery items with effect from Thursday (9). One kilogram of Dried Chili has been reduced by Rs. 75/- to Rs.

the couple announced they had split in 2017. Watch Below: Ben Stiller Calls Daughter Ella, 16, 'Beautiful' After Their Golden Globes 2019 DateFive years later the parents made headlines when announcing they had reunited, and now they're revealing how they made their way back to each other. The answer? The coronavirus pandemic, which forced them to quarantine together as a family. The couple rekindled their relationship in February 2022.“We had all this time to talk,” shared Christine on Drew Barrymore’s talk show. “There were no other distractions. It was a really special time.” Now celebrating three years together, the actress explained that although spending “time apart” had been vital for the couple, they had always prioritised family time. "We always stayed a family unit [and] continued to do things together,” she said.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Six university students who were arrested during Wednesday (8) night's protest at the Kelaniya University will be produced to the Mahara Magistrate on Thursday (9).Sri Lanka Police fired tear gas and water cannons to disperse a group of university students at the Kelaniya University premises. This protest commenced at around 9 PM on Wednesday (8).This protest was organized against the arrest of Student Leader Kelum Mudannayake, and Student Activist Dilshan Harshana, and the students demanded their immediate release.Though tear gas and water cannons were used multiple times to disperse the protesting students, they continued to engage in the protest until midnight.One lane along the Colombo – Kandy main road was completely blocked due to the protest, disrupting the movement of traffic.

The children of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will now be referred to as prince and princess after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex made public that they are claiming the royal titles.

PHILADELPHIA - A Philadelphia firefighter who was badly hurt when he fell from the roof of a rowhome while battling a fire was released from the hospital on Wednesday. Officials say Ladder 13 firefighter Randy Ballinger was working with his colleagues to extinguish a rowhome fire on the 1100 block of South Paxon Street on Feb.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Economic Stabilization, and National Policies on Wednesday (8) issued an Order to waive the remaining balance of the Special Commodity Levy on imported Dates in view of the Ramadan festival.The levy, set at Rs. 200 per Kg, will be collected at a reduced rate of Rs.

inflation and are doing everything they can to keep prices low for Canadians, pinning the blame on suppliers and the global market.But many MPs on the House of Commons agriculture committee were not buying what the CEOs were selling, repeatedly asking the executives to square rising profits with grocery costs that are forcing families to make hard choices at the checkout aisle.“How much profit is too much profit?” asked NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, who has made food inflation and alleged “greedflation” by grocers a top issue for his party.“Is there no limit to how much profit you can make on the backs of Canadians that are struggling because they can’t afford their groceries?”“Reasonable profitability is an important part of operating a successful business,” said Loblaw Companies CEO Galen Weston Jr., who stated several times during his testimony that his company makes $1 in profit for every $25 sold.Singh, who’s not a regular member of the committee, advertised his showdown with Weston in a slate of social-media posts ahead of the meeting.Weston appeared alongside Metro Inc. CEO Eric La Fleche and Michael Medline, CEO of Empire Co., which operates chains including Sobeys, Safeway and FreshCo.All three companies and their executives have been increasingly under scrutiny for the prices of the food on their shelves.While headline inflation has shown signs of cooling in recent months, prices for food purchased from the grocery store were again up 11.4 per cent in January, according to Statistics Canada.An analysis from Dalhousie University’s Agri-Food Analytics Lab published in November found all three top grocers beat their five-year averages for profit in the first half of 2022, with Loblaw beating its previous best results

Colombo (News 1st) – A protest was staged on Wednesday (8) against the brutal attack on University of Colombo students during the protest they staged on Tuesday (7). Police fired water cannons and tear gas to disperse the protesters in four different locations. The University of Colombo Federation of University Teachers Association staged a protest on Wednesday (8) opposite the university premises.

 Sri Lanka’s rupee, which became the world’s best performing currency this year amid hopes of an International Monetary Fund bailout, may resume declines and lose a fifth of its value against the dollar by end-2023, according to Fitch Solutions.“We are optimistic that Sri Lanka will be able to secure an IMF board approval by early 2Q-2023,” said Seah Wang Ting, country risk analyst at Fitch Solutions. Nevertheless, there’s potential for disruptions after the initial board approval as authorities may find it challenging to stay on track with the IMF program amid a weakening economy and a local election likely on the horizon, he said.Fitch maintained its forecast for the rupee to weaken to a record low of 390 per dollar by year-end.

PHILADELPHIA - A mother and daughter are injured after police say they were shot inside a Holmesburg pizza shop Wednesday night. Just before 9 p.m.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Criminal Investigations Department arrested a 34-year-old man for fraud.Sri Lanka Police said that the suspect had doctored invoices to defraud approximately Rs.

MIDDLETOWN TOWNSHIP, Pa. - The new SEPTA Media Wawa Line has residents in nearby Aston, Middletown and Chester Heights blowing a fuse. The trains blow their horns at all hours of the night, causing a level of noise residents find discomforting."We are pro-train.

PHILADELPHIA - Law enforcement sources believe a group of children no older than 15-years-old are behind the brutal and seemingly unprovoked beating of a woman in Center City.The attack happened just after 7 p.m. Thursday near the corner of 15th and Chestnut streets. The victim, a 34-year-old woman who lives nearby, was on her way to a hair appointment when she was jumped by a group of eight young people. "Someone tapped her on the shoulder, she turned around, and they smacked her on the head, she went down and her head was stomped on," the victim's father, Dr.

Idaho student murders suspect Bryan Kohberger with gloves on, stuffing his trash into Ziploc bags, according to a local prosecutor.Investigators also noted in recently unsealed search warrants that they took a pair of Ziploc bags from Kohberger's car the same night.One had a pink zipper. The other was green.

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Senate voted on Wednesday against a disapproval resolution that would overturn D.C.'s criminal code revisions.By a vote of 81-14-1, the senators passed the H.J.Res.26, the D.C. Crime Disapproval Resolution, with one senator voting "present."The votes comes after weeks of debate over a proposed overhaul of D.C.'s criminal code, that was approved by the D.C.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - The major freight railroads announced a number of steps Wednesday that they are taking to improve safety in the wake of last month’s fiery Ohio derailment, but it’s not clear if their actions will be enough to satisfy regulators and members of Congress who are pushing for changes.Many of the proposals from the Association of American Railroads trade group focus on strengthening the network of trackside detectors that railroads use to spot problems before they can cause derailments.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - California Gov. Gavin Newsom is delivering on his word to cut ties with Walgreens over the drugstore chain's stance on distributing abortion pills.On Wednesday, California officials announced the Golden State won't renew its $54 million contract with Walgreens because the company said it won't dispense the abortion medication, mifepristone in 20 states. "California will not stand by as corporations cave to extremists and cut off critical access to reproductive care and freedom," said Newsom.

PHILADELPHIA - A Philadelphia public school was forced to abruptly close due to asbestos for the second time in as many weeks, worsening concerns from parents and faculty about the safety and upkeep of city schools.In a letter to families, Mastery Schools CEO Scott Gordon said inspectors from the School District of Philadelphia found damaged asbestos on the campus of Simon Gratz High School, which also houses Simon Gratz Preparatory Middle School. Officials say the three-year reinspection of the district-owned building was in accordance with the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act. The district recommended the school be closed for the duration of the inspection, according to school officials. "We were unaware of the existence of these conditions prior to the inspections, the safety of ouse students and staff is our primary concern," Gordon said.

EAST GERMANTOWN - Students at Imhotep Charter High School are changing lives through their stem program. Through the use of 3D printers, they are bringing clean water everywhere from Mississippi to Ghana."I am one of the first people in my family to be doing something this big," student JaNiece Watters said.Five months ago, STEM ambassadors from Imhotep Institute Charter High School traveled to Jackson, Mississippi to aid in the city’s water crisis.RELATED COVERAGE:Student Musa Wilson stated, "Knowing that we changed lives down in Jackson, Mississippi is really monumental for us, especially as young, Black kids."Now the students will be taking 3D printed water filters overseas to a town in Ghana, called Kheta, where the water can’t even be used to wash hands."We’re going to be helping over 3,000 students across 10 different schools in Ghana," Watters continued.From water filter design and 3D printing, to product testing and research, each of the students has a fundamental role in the life-changing project."We’re trying to produce 200 and it probably takes around seven to eight hours to make one, so we’re getting ahead early," student Cyril Woodland said.Shirley Posey is the director of STEM at Imhotep and says being proud is an understatement."We’re trying to cultivate our scholars to be critical thinkers, to be problem solvers.

PHILADELPHIA - Police are investigating a shooting that they say left a man injured near a West Philadelphia elementary school Wednesday afternoon.Shortly before 4 p.m., police were called to the 1600 block of North 54th Street, right near Heston Elementary School, for reports of shooting. Upon arrival, responding officers say they found a 21-year-old man suffering from a gunshot wound to the thigh.

PHILADELPHIA - The Philadelphia District Attorney's Office has announced charges against several police and public safety officers involved in sexual violence cases.In a Wednesday afternoon press conference, DAO officials detailed three cases.Pointing out similarities to the case of former Philadelphia detective Phillip Nordo, who was sentenced to 24.5 to 49 years in prison on rape, stalking and attempted sexual assault charges, District Attorney Larry Krasner called the allegations "very serious." He also urged individuals who may have information to come forward with details.Assistant District Attorney Lyandra Retacco released new information about a case against Howard Rubin, a former resource officer for the Philadelphia School District.Officials say Rubin was arrested in January 2021 and later sentenced to 10 - 20 years on charges relating to the sexual assault of minors.According to authorities, in 2010, Rubin was fired from a Philadelphia high school for inappropriate relations with students. Years later, he was separated from a charter school in the city for fraternizing with students.Rubin, who referred to himself as the "Philly Hip Hop Cop" on social media profiles, was well known at events where children would gather, Retacco said.The DAO's office says he often served as an armed security guard at many of the events and claimed to mentor city youth. Officials are asking anyone with information or who may have been a victim of Rubin's to come forward.

NASA officials Tuesday provided post-flight updates on Artemis I mission’s technical performance, along with any impacts the mission may have on the timeline of Artemis II.Artemis I launched on Nov. 16, 2022 from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center near Orlando, Florida and then returned on Dec.

Ingersoll, Ont., is frustrated with Tim Hortons after the coffee and donut chain mistakenly informed him he won a $10,000 American Express prepaid gift card for the Roll up the Rim contest.Jeremy McDougall says he received a notification Monday morning on the Tim Hortons app telling him we won the daily jackpot prize after digitally participating in Roll up the Rim. Read more: Tim Hortons’ profit slipped amid high inflation, commodity costs in latest quarter  After the initial high of winning the major prize wore off, McDougall told Global News he became a little concerned that he had yet to receive a confirmation through email after more than 24 hours had passed.A message from Tim Hortons finally arrived Tuesday evening, but it was not the message McDougall was hoping to see.The letter, signed by Markus Sturm, senior vice president and head of digital, loyalty and consumer goods with Tim Hortons, outlines that a technical error had caused an incorrect award message to be sent to him and other customers.“I felt gutted,” said McDougall.

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - Call it divine intervention. Call it being in the right place at the right time. Call it whatever you want, but Minnesota Vikings receiver KJ Osborn is being called a hero after helping save a man’s life Sunday night in Texas.Osborn, who just finished his fourth season with the Vikings, was on his way home in an Uber after a workout with his trainer.

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) - Adidas is still wrestling with how to dispose of 1.2 billion euros ($1.3 billion) worth of Yeezy shoes after its breakup with the rapper formerly known as Kanye West, forcing the German sportswear maker into a big loss at the end of last year and expectations of more pain ahead.CEO Bjorn Gulden said selling the popular line of shoes would mean paying royalties to Ye, who was dropped by Adidas five months ago after making antisemitic remarks on social media and in interviews. During an earnings call Wednesday, he pointed to "many variables" about what to do with the shoes now stacked in warehouses.Destroying them could "raise sustainability issues," though some companies have offered recycling solutions, said Gulden, who was named CEO after the blowup over Ye’s remarks.

A 65-year-old man from Maui has been cited for harassing wildlife after videos emerged of him swimming close to a humpback whale and pursuing a pod of dolphins on March 5 and 6, (Credit: Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources) A Hawaiian man known as "Dolphin Dave" is facing charges after he allegedly harassed wildlife in a state park.The Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources said 65-year-old David Jiménez of Maui was cited Monday morning at Kealakekua Bay on Hawai‘i Island.This comes after the department's Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement received numerous calls reporting alleged wildlife harassment. Kealakekua Whale & Dolphin Incidents, March 6, 2023.mov from Hawaii DLNR on Vimeo.Wildlife officials said Jiménez was allegedly actively pursuing an adolescent humpback whale and dolphins inside Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park.A video recording of a man snorkeling close enough to the adolescent humpback whale to almost touch the whale’s fin was given to authorities Sunday. ‘DISTURBING’ AMOUNT OF PLASTICS, DEBRIS FOUND INSIDE DEAD WHALE IN HAWAIIWhen officers arrived at shore Monday, they recorded Jiménez "actively pursuing a pod of spinner dolphins." They say Jiménez was leading a group chasing the dolphins. Both whales and dolphins are protected by state and federal laws.According to the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources,Jiménez refers to himself as "Dolphin Dave," on Facebook, and told their officers he’s not going to stop swimming with whales and dolphins, "because it’s magical and others do much worse things."Jiménez was cited with the harassing wildlife in a state park and performing prohibited acts in regard to endangered whale species.

TJX Companies recalls nearly 82,000 office chairs over a potential fall hazard. (Consumer Product Safety Commission) TJX Companies has recalled nearly 82,000 office chairs that were sold at its company owned stores nationwide because they can break and cause injuries, according to safety regulators. The back of the office chairs, which were sold at Marshalls, T.J.

FILE-St. Louis Metropolitan police and Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms officers investigate a shooting in 2022.

LOS ANGELES - Modern anxieties with new names including "bankxiety," "climanxiety," "scamxiety," and more are plaguing more Americans than ever, according to a recent poll by anxiety tracking app AQ.According to the poll, published on Feb. 28, "Banxiety," impacts 36% of U.S.

DETROIT - U.S. auto safety regulators have opened an investigation into Tesla's Model Y SUV after getting two complaints that the steering wheels can come off while being driven.The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says the probe covers an estimated 120,000 vehicles from the 2023 model year.The agency says in both cases the Model Ys were delivered to customers with a missing bolt that holds the wheel to the steering column.

PHILADELPHIA - It is certainly a happy Hump Day for one lucky winner - and lucky shop - in Philadelphia!A $3 million Snow Bank Scratch-Off was sold at the Sunny Cigarette shop at 6447 Sackett Street.The winning ticket earned the top prize for the Pennsylvania Lottery game, which costs $30.Sunny Cigarette will receive a $10,000 bonus for selling the $3 million ticket.

HARRISBURG, Pa. - A Pennsylvania state lawmaker submitted his resignation letter Wednesday, a week after a union lobbyist accused him by name of having sexually harassed her four years ago.Democratic Rep. Mike Zabel of Delaware County said in the letter to Democratic Speaker Joanna McClinton that his resignation will take effect March 16, leaving enough time for her to order that the vacancy be filled during the May primary."The toll is just too great on my family, and was too detrimental to my well-being.

Lori Lee Malloy was found dead in her Providence, Rhode Island, apartment 30 years ago on March 7, 1993. (Lauren Lee Malloy) Rhode Island authorities found 30-year-old Lori Lee Malloy dead, naked and bruised in her Providence apartment exactly 30 years ago Tuesday.Her daughter, 31-year-old Lauren Lee Malloy, is expecting more answers in her mother's case "any day now" as officials reexamine Lori's cause of death after the original medical examiner assigned to her case botched it and concluded that she died naturally."Any day now, we should have the results from her forensic exam," Lauren, who founded a local cold case organization called Unsolved R.I., told Fox News Digital.

HARRISBURG, Pa. - The Pennsylvania Legislature's spending, including on lawmaker and staff salaries, rose last year, and its surplus also grew to a record $261 million, according to a report made public Wednesday.The Legislative Audit Advisory Commission's annual statement of the General Assembly's financial affairs showed overall spending reached $392 million for the year that ended last June. That's a jump from $380 million in the previous year's report and is about equal to spending during the 2019-20 year.The budgetary reserve is defended by leaders as a way to insulate the legislative branch during a potential budgetary impasse with the governor.

PHILADELPHIA - Upon entering the Philadelphia Flower Show space at the Pennsylvania Convention Center last week, I was entranced by a forest of stunning orchids suspended from the ceiling above the color-changing entrance garden. The display, titled "FLORASTRUCK," greeted visitors back indoors after two pandemic years at the city’s FDR Park.The nine-day event, billed as the world’s oldest and largest indoor garden show, typically draws some 250,000 attendees from around the globe.This year, the show’s display gardens are arranged in a winding promenade that allows for leisurely, self-guided meandering.

Andie Rosafort, 31, a lunch lady in the New Fairfield school district, was charged with second-degree sexual assault, enticing a minor by computer and risk of injury to a minor. (Connecticut State Police) A married Connecticut school employee allegedly had sex with a student, sent him "several" nude photos and videos for months, and asked him to send her sexually explicit videos, according to a probable cause affidavit obtained by Fox News Digital.Andie Rosafort, 31, was arrested in February and charged with second-degree sexual assault, enticing a minor by computer and risk of injury to a minor after a month-long police investigation while she was working for New Fairfield Public Schools.Rosafort had worked in the cafeteria at New Fairfield Middle School.

Colombo (News 1st) – International Women's Day Special on Newsline: Sri Lanka – Women Fighting for Equity in Challenging Circumstances

During a discussion held at the Presidential Secretariat on February 16th, President Ranil Wickremesinghe announced that an International Monetary Fund (IMF) EFF loan is expected to be received in March. The President also mentioned that the possibility of reducing bank interest rates is being considered in line with the gradual drop of inflation rate.The discussion was aimed at identifying the issues faced by small and large-scale rice mill owners and finding solutions to resolve them. The rice mill owners brought up the fact that the production cost of a kilogram of rice has increased due to various factors, including the rise in fuel prices, electricity charges, machinery maintenance costs, transportation costs, and all other production and administrative expenses.They noted that they would incur losses by selling their product at the current market price as it is lower than the production cost.The rice mill owners also pointed out the difficulty of paying a high interest rate of 28% on bank loans taken to purchase paddy. It was mentioned that the production cost of a kilogram of paddy has increased due to the rapid increase in prices of the agricultural inputs for paddy cultivation.

The historic Temple of the Tooth Relic in the city of Kandy will host a Janaraja Perahara on February 19th, after 34 years.The procession has been organized to coincide with the 75th Independence Celebration, and it will be inaugurated under the patronage of President Ranil Wickremesinghe.According to the Coordinating Officer and the Cultural Officer of the Temple of the Tooth Relic, the procession will begin from the Magul Maduwa premises at 6.30 pm on February 19th. It will parade along the Dalada Street, Yatinuvara Street, Kanda Street, Raja Street, and return to the temple, marking the end of the event.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe has directed Power & Energy Minister & relevant officials to ensure uninterrupted power supply is made available for electricity customers once the PUCSL tariff revision is implemented.The President's Media Division also said that the President gave directives to provide concessions for low-income families and provide solar rooftop systems for religious places & government educational institutions when the new tariff revision comes into effect.The Ministry of Power and Energy said that power outages will not be imposed from Thursday (16), as the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka granted approval to the 66% electricity tariff hike.A source from the Ministry of Power and Energy speaking to News 1st said that a decision will be reached in the future with regard to those who are unable to settle their electricity bills.The Public Utilities Commission has approved a 66 percent hike in electricity tariffs with effect from Wednesday (15).It was with the agreement of the three members of the PUCSL except the Chairman of the Commission Janaka RatnayakeIn order to generate an additional income of Rs.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe said that the government will not give into the demands of protestors.He noted that just, because certain groups strike demanding the removal of certain officials, the government will not remove anyone arbitrarily as there is a procedure that has to be followed and the government will follow the rules and act accordingly.He was addressing the launch of the Centre for Governance and Public Policy (C-GaPP) at the Sri Lanka Technological Campus (SLTC) Research University at the Trace City in Colombo on Wednesday (15).He said that the responsibility to address such issues rests to a large extent with the Universities. The President noted that even at the point of the new Centre for Governance and Public Policy (C-GaPP) being inaugurated at the Sri Lanka Technological Campus (SLTC) Research University, two strikes were in progress. One was staged at the Ruhuna University demanding the removal of the Vice Chancellor and another one demanded the removal of the General Manager of a state Corporation.President Wickremesinghe further stated that the removal of the General Manager is a matter of the government. “Just, because there is a strike we will not remove him.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The National Election Commission has informed the Political Party Secretaries that it will not be able to direct the ballot papers for Postal Voting tomorrow (15), as previously planned. This was revealed by the Secretaries of the Political Parties who met with the National Election Commission on Tuesday (14) morning.Earlier, Chairman of the National Election Commission Attorney Nimal Punchihewa speaking to News 1st said that the current state of affairs surrounding the election will be discussed at the meeting. Election Monitors were also summoned for this meeting.The Secretaries of the Political Parties  revealed that the National Election Commission is yet to decide on whether or not the Local Government Election will be held on the 9th of March 2023. They also noted that the National Election Commission is likely to face an issue concerning the Ballot Papers required for postal voting.Palitha Range Bandara, the General Secretary for the United National Party told reporters that the UNP has never called for a delay in elections."How can one even ask for funds from President Ranil Wickremesinghe, after he took over a country that was literally bankrupt," he told the media while leaving the National Election Commission premises.He said that based on the meeting with the NEC it is likely the election would be delayed."If the government says it does not have the funds, if the Government Printer says it cannot print the ballot papers without payment, it is the National Election Commission that needs to decide on the matter," he added.Ranjith Madduma Bandara, the General Secretary of the Samagi Jana Balavegaya told reporters that the National Election Commission had given an undertaking to go ahead with

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka's Cabinet of Ministers on Monday (13) approved a proposal submitted by President Ranil Wickremesinghe aimed at reducing the difficulties faced by the people and providing immediate relief in the face of the current economic situation.Accordingly, the Cabinet has approved a measure to provide 10 kg of rice to 02 million low-income families each in March and April. This will provide immediate relief to families in need and help improve their overall well-being.It has also been decided that the gratuity arrears owed to 18,000 retired government servants will be paid out in instalments using liquid cash.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka has announced a certified price for paddy purchasing during the Maha Cultivation Season.Agriculture Secretary Gunadasa Amarasekera speaking to News 1st said that the Finance Ministry has issued the relevant circular for this purpose.Accordingly, a kilogram of paddy with moisture will be purchased for Rs. 88/- and a kilogram of dry paddy will be purchased for Rs.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe as the Minister of Finance, Economic Stabilization and National Policy has instructed the Treasury Secretary to only provide provisions for essential government expenses in order to maintain public services until the state revenue situation improves.The list of expenditure to be funded include salaries, debt servicing, pensions, medical supplies for hospitals, subsidies for low-income groups, scholarships, farmers’ pensions, school nutrition programs, payments for war heroes and disabled soldiers, utility payments, food supplies for hospitals and prisons, among others.This move is expected to have a significant impact on the economy, as it will prioritize the most important needs of the people and prevent funds from being misused. The Treasury has stressed the importance of sticking to the list of essential expenditure, as releasing funds for any other purpose could negatively impact the people and slow down the country’s economic recovery.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe delivering his Government’s Policy Statement following the ceremonial opening of the parliament session said that the country needs media reforms, and for this purpose a national policy on mass media is being prepared."In order to succeed in economic, social and political reforms, it is essential to make the community aware, based on accurate facts. The main role of making the society aware belongs to the media," said the President in Parliament.He also said that journalists should be given national and international level training in that regard. "In 1993, as the Prime Minister, I appointed a Committee with Dr.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe said that if the country continues according to the existing plan, Sri Lanka can rise out of bankruptcy by 2026.While delivering his Government’s Policy Statement following the ceremonial opening of the parliament session, President Wickremesinghe said that people will realize the importance of the present unpopular decisions in two to three years."Due to the measures taken, we have been successful in reducing the burden gradually. Now there is stability in the economy. People are comfortable.