Peradeniya University student goes missing

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) approved power cuts of 2 hours on the 31st of October as follows;Group ABCDEFGHIJKLPQRSTUVW: 1-hour during the daytime 1-hour during the night

COLOMBO (News 1st) – India and Sri Lanka are two sides of a coin. Both countries have their differences in culture and religion.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Department of Meteorology says that a low-level atmospheric disturbance is developing in the vicinity of Sri Lanka. Therefore, showery condition over the island is expected to be enhanced for the next few days from today (31).Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in Northern, Eastern and North-central provinces. Showers or thundershowers will occur elsewhere during the afternoon or night.Heavy showers of about 100mm are likely at some places in Northern, Central and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Galle, Matara and Kalutara districts.The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.Condition of Rain:Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in the sea areas off the coast extending from Puttalam to Batticaloa via Mannar, Kankasanturai and Trincomalee. Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in the other sea areas during the evening or night. Winds:Winds will be north-easterly or variable in direction. Wind speed will be (20-30) kmph.

@Liamcol568 wrote: “Morning mate, I know it's exhausting, have you tried drinking five litres of water over the day, I know it sounds simple but it's effective for some people.”@CounsellorBarry penned: “I’m 54 and have had daily chronic back pain since having spinal cancer age 10. “It is exhausting and at times depressing.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – A jeep that was brought down to the country duty-free was impounded by the Police. The vehicle is said to be owned by a politician from the south. The jeep was impounded during a raid conducted by the officers of the anti-corruption unit in Karapitiya, Galle on Sunday evening.A close employee of the politician in question has been arrested along with the jeep.The police also said that this jeep was driven with the under a fake number plate.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – An internal preliminary investigation has been initiated with regard to the police sub-inspector who was arrested and remanded in connection with the shooting of a 15-year old student in Thihagoda, Matara.Police Media Spokesperson SSP Nihal Talduwa said that a disciplinary inquiry will also be conducted against the relevant sub-inspector.The internal investigation is being conducted to reveal more details about the situation, he added.The Police Spokesperson previously said that during a scuffle with a police officer, the officer's firearm was accidentally discharged and the 15-year old was injured.   The Police said that steps were taken to inspect a suspicious three-wheeler in Naimbula,​​Thihagoda.Three people had fled while two others were taken into police custody.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Ven. Omalpe Sobhitha Thero emphasizes that oppressing people to stabilize State income should be condemned.The Chief Congregant of Southern Sri Lanka for the Ramanna Sect, Ven. Dr.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – According to think tank Verité Research, the Government's approval rating has risen from 3% in June to 10% in October.The third round of the Gallup Style “Mood of the Nation” poll was conducted in October by Verité Research.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Government will appoint a committee to seek how best to integrate the Tamils of Hill Country Origin further into the Sri Lankan Society, said President Ranil Wickremesinghe.He said further that although some of the Tamils of Hill Country Origin had integrated successfully into the Sri Lankan society, some have failed and measures would be taken to assist them to do so.President Ranil Wickremesinghe made these observations addressing at the occasion of accepting a consignment of medicines donated by the Pondicherry Union Territory and people of India on the request of Ceylon Worker’s Congress (CWC) at the Presidential Secretariat this morning (30).The consignment of medicines was officially handed over to the President by Secretary General of the Ceylon Worker’s Congress (CWC) and Parliamentarian Jeewan Thondaman in memory of the late Mr. Saumyamoorthi Thondaman who passed away 23 years ago on October 30th.

Humza Yousaf has admitted it could take five years for the NHS in Scotland to recover from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. The SNP health secretary spoke candidly today about the huge pressures facing the country's hospitals ahead of a challenging winter period.

Over 4.12 crore adolescents have been administered with the first dose of the vaccine so far, ever since the covid vaccination for the age group 1ṁ2-14 years started on 16 March 2022 New Delhi: India’s Covid-19 vaccination coverage has exceeded 219 crore as per the provisional data till Sunday morning, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said in a statement. Covid vaccination for the age group 12-14 years started on 16 March 2022 and so far, over 4.12 crore adolescents have been administered with the first dose of the vaccine. The precaution dose administration for age group 18-59 years started from 10 April 2022.

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.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena has instructed officials to immediately investigate the misuse of MP quarters.The speaker mentioned that there have been constant complaints from various parties that some of the official residences in the Malabe MP housing complex have been misused.Accordingly, seveal complaints have been received that former members of Parliament who are not currently representing the Parliament have been staying in some MP quarters for a long time.In some complaints, it has been stated that staff members and security guards are also staying at some quarters reserved for MPs.The Speaker says that he has instructed the responsible officers to take into consideration such complaints and immediately investigate and report the matter.An MP quarters consists of 900 square feet equipped with 03 bedrooms, a kitchen, a living room, a dining room, a staff toilet and parking space.The Madiwela MP Housing Complex consists of 120 housing units which are given to them on a rental basis.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Two people have been arrested for maintaining two printing presses at Ward Place in Borella and for forging fake documents.Police said that forged birth certificates, Grama Niladhari certificates, open university certificates, student performance indicators, water bills, bank passes, ordinary and advanced level certificates were found being printed at the respective printing presses.73 fake rubber stamps, two driving licenses and computers used to forge documents were also found, and were taken into police custody.The raid was carried out by a group of officers from the Panadura Walana Central Anti-Corruption Squad.The arrested suspects are to be produced before Maligakanda Magistrate Court.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Government has taken a decision to release various vehicles which were being kept with Customs for various legal reasons.The State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siambalapitiya stated that under this move, priority will be given to departments and Government institutions, including the police, which are currently facing an acute shortage of vehicles.The minister also mentioned that Cabinet approval has been obtained for the purpose.

The country’s active caseload has declined to 18,317 taking the total tally of covid cases to 44.6 million and 529,016 deaths so far New Delhi : India reported 1,604 new covid cases in the last 24 hours, as per the Union health ministry. The country’s active caseload has declined to 18,317 taking the total tally of covid cases to 44.6 million and 529,016 deaths so far. While Assam has reported 2,613 active caseload, Gujarat has contributed 414 active cases.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The State Minisrer of Finance Shehan Semasinghe says that he hopes to reach an agreement with regard to the financial assurance by creditors, which is expected by the International Monetary Fund during the negotiations that will begin on 3rd November.The State Minister said that although Sri Lanka's bilateral creditors such as China, India and Japan have verbally agreed to assist the country in debt restructuring, however, the IMF needs proper financial assurance in time for the negotiations.The Minister said that they are attemtpting to obtain the approval of the IMF board as soon as possible. The minister made these comments during an inquiry made by Newsfirst regarding the second phase of the official-level negotiations to be initiated with the International Monetary Fund.The minister stated that no moves will be made to bypass the Parliament in dealing with the International Monetary Fund.Minister Semasinghe added that no parties other than the Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank of Sri Lanka have been informed with regard to the staff level agreement with the IMF.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The National Child Protection Authority says that the investigation into the shooting of a 15-year old student in Matara, Thihagoda will be fully overseen by the NCPA.Its Chairman, Senior Lecturer Udaya Kumara Amarasinghe stated that police officers attached to the NCPA have been directed for that purpose.Meanwhile, officials of the Sri Lanka Human Rights Commission have prepared a preliminary investigation report on the related incident.This is after an on-site inspection was conducted by the Human Rights Commission officials on Saturday (29).The concerned student is currently receiving treatment in the intensive care unit of Karapitiya Hospital.Meanwhile, the sub-inspector who accidentally discharged the shot has been remanded until November 2nd, after being presented before Matara Magistrate Isuru Netticumara yesterday.

Covid-19 update: The death toll due to the disease has climbed to 5,29,016 with eight fatalities being recorded, including three reconciled by Kerala, the data updated at 8 am showed. With 1,604 more people testing positive for the coronavirus infection in a day, India's tally of Co-19 cases has gone up to 4,46,52,266 while that of active cases has declined to 18,317, according to Union Health Ministry data on Sunday. The death toll due to the disease has climbed to 5,29,016 with eight fatalities being recorded, including three reconciled by Kerala, the data updated at 8 am showed.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – A Sri Lankan has died in the stampede which took place during a halloween festival in Seoul, South Korea.When inquired by News 1st, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Sabry stated that a 27-year-old resident of Kandy had died.The minister mentioned that representatives have been directed to the Police and hospitals in Seoul to find out if more Sri Lankans have been killed, or injured.The Minister said that they are looking for more information regarding the incident through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Sri Lankan Embassy in South Korea.South Korea's President Yoon Suk-yeol declared a period of national mourning on Sunday after a Halloween crush killed some 151 people in a packed nightlife area in Seoul.Yoon expressed condolences to the victims, mostly teenagers and people in their 20s, and his wishes for a speedy recovery to the many injured."This is truly tragic," he said in a statement. "A tragedy and disaster that should not have happened took place in the heart of Seoul last night."A huge crowd celebrating in the popular Itaewon district surged into an alley on Saturday night, emergency officials said, adding the death toll could rise.Choi Sung-beom, head of the Yongsan Fire Station, said 151 deaths had been confirmed, including 19 foreigners.

Two Lanarkshire health and social care heroes are up for top awards for their dedication to help people in their communities.

NEW DELHI : The Union health ministry has directed states and union territories to focus on the universal immunization programme (UIP), which was severely affected during the worst years of the covid pandemic in 2020 and 2021. The universal immunization programme is one of the largest public health programmes targeting close of 26 million newborns and 29 million pregnant women annually. A child is said to be fully immunized if it receives all due vaccines as per the national immunization schedule within the 1st year of life.

PASADENA, Calif. - A search is underway for a man believed to be kidnapped by two suspects in the Pasadena area.According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, two male suspects got out of a 2008 silver Infiniti G-35 on Michillinda Avenue near Colorado Boulevard on Thursday.The suspects approached a Hispanic-looking man, possibly in his 30s, walking on the side sidewalk. The suspects started attacking the man, knocking him out and then dragging him into the back seat of the Infiniti, LASD said.Photo: LASD The suspects drove off from the scene, traveling south on Michillinda Avenue, LASD said.LASD said the suspect car was seen with a California license plate number 6FMY326.Anyone with information is asked to call 562-946-7150. The Pasadena kidnapping case comes just days after a family in Merced was at the center of a statewide search.

ST. CLOUD, Fla. - A St.

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.

TUCSON. Ariz. - Officials with the University of Arizona Police Department say a person has died as a result of a shooting that happened on the school's Tucson campus on Oct.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Student Union of the Peradeniya University emphasizes that the viral incident which took place on September 14th at the Peradeniya University is not related to any ragging incident.Anuradha Vidanage, the President of the University of Peradeniya Student Union stressed that the incident was not at all related to bullying and ragging, and further stated that despite their non-involvement, a decision has been taken by the University administration that would severely hamper the university education system itself. He also said that the student union does not approve of the said incident, adding that despite their response, the union continues to remain a target.He said that other students continue to threaten the union, and demanded whether they should issue a press release in this regard to halt such activities from taking place, adding that the University administration should be held responsible in this regard.

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - A Purdue University student was killed in his dorm room and his roommate was arrested Wednesday morning, school officials announced.The victim's roommate called police to report the incident and was taken into custody as the suspect in the death, Purdue University President Mitch Daniels said in a statement.WXIN reported the homicide took place in McCutcheon Hall and the victim was Varun Manish Chheda, 20, from Indianapolis.Officials have given no information regarding the cause of death.SUBSCRIBE TO THE FOX 32 YOUTUBE CHANNEL"As Purdue's president, but even more so as a parent myself, I assure you that the safety and security of our students is the single highest priority on our campus," Daniels said. "Purdue is an extraordinarily safe place on any given day, and compared with cities of Purdue’s population (approximately 60,000 in all), we experience a tiny fraction of violent and property crime that occurs elsewhere.Such statistics are of no consolation on a day like this.

University of Utah (Credit: University of Utah) SALT LAKE CITY - The Pi Kappa Alpa fraternity at the University of Utah is under investigation after a student claimed to have been drugged and sexually assault at the fraternity’s off-campus home. According to a campus alert that was sent Monday, campus police said they were notified of a sexual assault that occurred at the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity house on September 29. The victim, a student, reported going to the house with friends. "The victim remembers feeling sick, nauseous, and as if they had been drugged," police said in the alert.

NEWPORT TOWNSHIP, Pa. - Investigators with Pennsylvania State Police have identified a set of human remains as a teen missing for more than 50 years. According to the agency, the human remains were discovered in Luzerne County on November 17, 2002, on the grounds of a former coal-mining operation in Newport Township. Police say the remains have been identified as Joan Marie Dymond, who was 14 years old when she disappeared from Andover Street Park on June 25, 1969. Examination of the remains reveals that Dymond died of suspicious circumstances and lab results indicate that it is highly likely that she died in the late 1960s, troopers say. Investigators were able to identify Dymond by using DNA and comparing it to a DNA sample provided by Dymond's family, according to the agency. MORE LOCAL HEADLINES"We never stopped pursuing answers, and this investigation remains very active," Captain Patrick Dougherty said. "After 23 years, the family of Joan Marie Dymond very much deserves closure.

PHILADELPHIA - It's been almost one week since a group opened fire at four Roxborough High School football players and another teenager as they walked out of a junior varsity scrimmage. Four students were wounded and 14-year-old, Nicolas Elizalde, died from his injuries.Boys Latin Charter School’s JV team was there when gunfire erupted. Fortunately, none of their students were physically injured, but sophomore, Khary Brown, says he heard the gunshots."When I heard them I ran to the opposite, way to the far side of the field," he says.

Page Six reported that the famous radio shock jock went out to dinner in public over the weekend for the first time since the start of the pandemic.In a photo from the evening, Howard was joined him his wife and a bevy of A-list pals, including Jennifer Aniston, Jimmy Kimmel, Jon Hamm, Justin Theroux and Jason Bateman. A source at Brooklyn, New York, restaurant Laser Wolf told Page Six, "Howard was there without even a mask. They all sat at a large table, Howard was seated next to Jimmy and also at one point seemed to be in deep conversation with Jon Hamm.

CHESTER COUNTY, Pa. - A late-night crash ended with the death of a teenage student in Chester County.Police say a car with two teenagers inside crashed on the 600 Block of Contention Lane in Tredyffrin Township just before midnight Saturday.One of the teens, a student at Conestoga High School, was reportedly killed in the crash.

US President Donald Trump speaks during a retreat with Republican lawmakers at Camp David in Thurmont, Maryland, January 6, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / SAUL LOEB (Photo credit should read SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images) The National Archives and Records Administration informed lawmakers that a number of electronic communications from Trump White House staffers remain missing, nearly two years since the administration was required to turn them over.The nation's record-keeping agency, in a letter Friday to the House Committee on Oversight and Reform, said that despite an ongoing effort by staff, electronic communications between certain unidentified White House officials were still not in their custody."While there is no easy way to establish absolute accountability, we do know that we do not have custody of everything we should," Debra Steidel Wall, the acting U.S.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The University Grants Commission says that about 93,000 applications have been received for consideration of university admission this year.The UGC Chairman, Senior Prof.

The National Archives and Records Administration informed lawmakers that a number of electronic communications from Trump White House staffers remain missing, nearly two years since the administration was required to turn them over.

Second Lieutenant Kody Sims instructs students participating in the Army's new Future Soldier Prep Course who are working to improve their Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test scores at Fort Jackson on September 28, 2022 in Columbi The Army fell about 15,000 soldiers — or 25% — short of its recruitment goal this year, officials confirmed Friday, despite a frantic effort to make up the widely expected gap in a year when all the military services struggled in a tight jobs market to find young people willing and fit to enlist.While the Army was the only service that didn't meet its target, all of the others had to dig deep into their pools of delayed entry applicants, which will put them behind as they begin the next recruiting year on Saturday.The worsening problem stirs debate about whether America’s fighting force should be restructured or reduced in size if the services can't recruit enough, and could also put added pressure on the National Guard and Reserve to help meet mission requirements.According to officials, the Marine Corps, which usually goes into each fiscal year with as much as 50% of its recruiting goal already locked in, has only a bit more than 30%. And the Air Force and the Navy will only have about 10% of their goals as they start the new fiscal year.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The World Children's Day program organized by MTV Channels (Pvt) Ltd. is currently being held at Viharamaha Devi Park.The longest painting in the country was unveiled on Saturday (1), created by the efforts of hundreds of children covering all 25 districts across the country for more than a month.The title of the painting is, "United we stand."This effort is a mission to enhance the creativity of our children during this challenging time, and to enrich them with artistic abilities as well as leadership qualities for the future.The painting started from Independence Square and Jaffna on 30th August and is due to be completed in Colombo today.

NORTH PHILADELPHIA - The sound of music, laughter and kids playing filled Temple's Aramark Student Training and Recreation Complex. It's all for community appreciation night for the beautiful children of North Philadelphia and their parents."We have to come together as a village and support each other and celebrate our kids," said Monica Hankins-Padilla.