President calls for Sri Lanka – Japan collaboration

A female crocodile from a zoo in Costa Rica was able to impregnate herself in what scientists are now calling the first-known case of a “virgin birth” for the species.

The Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Sri Lanka on 06th June 2023 organised a special ceremony in Colombo to felicitate the diving team of the Sri Lanka Navy, which engaged in a heroic diving operation at the overturned Chinese fishing vessel ‘LU PENG YUAN YU 028’. The Chinese vessel upturned in the Australian Search and Rescue Region, south of Sri Lanka on 16th May 2023.

– World Oceans Day is June 8. Oceans play a key role in livelihoods, food supplies, and climate. – Oceans remove roughly 26% of the CO2 from burning fossil fuels and store it in marine life, seawaters, and on the seafloor—as described in Climate Central’s new report, Ocean Carbon. – But human-caused warming and continued carbon pollution put tremendous pressure on marine ecosystems and processes that remove and hold carbon long term.– Restoring and protecting oceans can be a climate solution, but must be paired with deep and rapid cuts to carbon pollution.COLOMBO (News 1st); Every year, people worldwide celebrate World Ocean Day on June 8th. This day is aims to raise awareness about the importance of the ocean and the need to protect themThe theme for World Oceans Day 2023 is "Planet Ocean: Tides are Changing".The ocean covers more than 70% of the Earth's surface and play a key role in regulating the planet's climate and support its biodiversity.But unfortunately, only a small percentage about 0.3 percent, is even usable by humans, and much of the 0.3 percent that is usable is unattainable.About 97% of earth's water is in the ocean, and 95% of species on the planet earth lives in the deep blue seas.Healthy oceans and seas are essential to human existence and life on Earth. Scientists estimate that roughly half of the oxygen (O2) production on earth comes from the ocean, and that is estimated to be between 50% to 80% while the ocean absorbs about 30% of the carbon dioxide (CO2) that is released in the atmosphere.The ocean is one of Earth's most valuable natural resources.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Department of Immigration and Emigration said online applications to have passports delivered to the residence can be submitted from June (15).The Controller General of Immigration and Emigration Harsha Ilukpitiya said the passport can be delivered to the applicant's home within three days.The Controller General of Immigration and Emigration said the payment for the passport can also be made online.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka Police said that a court order was obtained against Jathika Jana Balavegaya Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake and several others, preventing them from protesting along roads leading to the National Election Commission in Rajagiriya.Police Spokesperson SSP Nihal Thalduwa said that the Colombo Chief Magistrate's Court issue the order upon considering the submissions made by police.26 people including Jathika Jana Balavegaya Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Tilvin Silva, K. D.

A heat dome is forming over Alberta, prompting widespread weather warnings and the activation of the City of Edmonton’s extreme weather response.

OLD CITY - Islamic culture will be on full display this weekend in Philadelphia. The 30th annual Islamic Heritage Festival and Parade will take over Penn’s Landing this Saturday and Sunday. Organizers hope they unite a city in desperate need of peace."It started 30 years ago with our father as well as our uncle Abdul Rahim Muhammad and Furuq Abdul Ghaffar.

Michael Balthaser was last seen Wednesday afternoon with 30-year-old Noah Balthaser in the area of 28 Maine Street in Upper Tulpehocken Township, police said.  UPPER TULPEHOCKEN, Pa. - Pennsylvania State Police have issued a Missing Endangered Person Advisory for a 5-year-old Berks County boy who they say "may be at risk of harm or injury." Michael Balthaser was last seen Wednesday afternoon with 30-year-old Noah Balthaser in the area of 28 Maine Street in Upper Tulpehocken Township, police said. Noah Balthaser, a 30-year-old with a reddish goatee, is said to be driving a white 2014 Dodge Ram 1500 with a Pennsylvania license plate ZCM0202, according to a state police bulletin. Michael Balthaser, described by police as 3-feet-5 inches with brown hair and eyes, was last scene wearing a black flannel shirt and gray hoodie with tan cargo pants and a camouflage baseball hat. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Michael Balthaser is urged to contact Pennsylvania State Police or dial 911.

BRISTOL, Pa. - A Bucks County boy is one of less than two dozen people in the world battling a rare and incurable disease that has stolen his hearing and greatly impacted his ability to walk.Cole Canning, a 6-year-old from Bristol, was diagnosed in 2021 with Mitchell Syndrome, a genetic mutation that attacks the nerves in a patients body. "It could be the nerves in your eyes, you could have vision problems, mobility issues," Cole's Dad Matthew said. "You don't know when it's coming or when it's going away or staying forever."Cole's diagnosis began when his Pre-K teacher thought he might suffer hearing loss.

#FakeNewsThis document is reportedly floating in various social media platforms.This is Fake. Please do not share this further.#MedicalEducation pic.twitter.com/U9obHK0cNN The fake notification stated that "NExT will be finalised in the second half of 2023.

Canada could be on track for a “record” level of land burned due to an “unprecedented” wildfire season this year, government officials warn.

Shannen Doherty is giving an update on her difficult battle with cancer. The 52-year-old actress is sharing details about her health with her fans and followers after her 4 breast cancer diagnosis was revealed. The ‘Charmed’ star shared a video undergoing radiation therapy, admitting that she had experienced claustrophobia.

RICHMOND, Va. - A gunman who opened fire minutes after a high school graduation in Richmond, Virginia, targeted an 18-year-old graduate he had a long-running dispute with, police said Wednesday.Shawn Jackson, 18, and his father, Lorenzo Smith, 36, were both killed Tuesday in the gunfire, which sent hundreds fleeing in panic outside the state capital’s Altria Theater after the graduation ceremony for Huguenot High School. Five other people were wounded by gunfire, and at least 12 more suffered other injuries or were treated for anxiety due to the mayhem, according to police.Richmond Interim Police Chief Rick Edwards said the shooting suspect, Amari Pollard, 19, knew Jackson and the two had been embroiled in a dispute for more than a year.

PHILADELPHIA - His roadside tent might not look like your typical therapist's office, but to Will Little all you need is a table and chairs to facilitate a possibly life-changing conversation.Little, a formerly incarcerated man who served 10 years in prison for murder, encourages passersby to open up about their struggles and trauma in hopes to provide an emotional outlet. "Let’s get back into the community because nobody is really meeting people where they are," Little said.

Anna Marie Tendler, the death of her beloved French bulldog, Petunia, hit harder than many might have imagined. The artist and author recently penned an emotional op-ed for magazine about her beloved pooch and the role she played in helping Tendler move on following her very public divorce from comedian John Mulaney.Tendler and Mulaney both announced the news of Petunia's death in April after a series of health complications made it necessary to put her to sleep.

PHILADELPHIA - Vehicle thefts in Philadelphia have nearly doubled from this point last year and criminals are targeting two specific car brands, according to the latest data from police. The Philadelphia Police Department said there have been more than 9,000 vehicle thefts so far this year and half of those have involved Kias and Hyundais. "Obviously this is a major concern for us, the stolen cars out there lead to a lot of things, some are just joyriding others are used in crimes," Chief Walter Smith said.To prevent the growing trend, 21 districts from around Philadelphia came together Wednesday to hand out vehicle locks to Kia and Hyundai owners. MORE LOCAL HEADLINESPolice also reached out to victims of vehicle thefts to let them know about the giveaway. The device - commonly called ‘The Club’ - goes onto the steering wheel and is locked with a key. Authorities say the lock makes the car impossible for criminals to drive, and they hope it's visual presence is enough to prevent car thefts from happening."We found that people are multiple-time victims of this unfortunately," Captain Marques Newsome from the Philadelphia Police Department's 15th District said. Data from the department obtained by FOX 29's Kelly Rule shows that there have been over 5,600 Kias and Hyundais stolen in Philadelphia this year, up from just 337 at this time in 2022.In an effort to combat car thefts, Philadelphia police are giving away wheel lock to residents with Hyundais and Kias.In a month-by-month breakdown, May saw the highest number of cars stolen so far this year.

PHILADELPHIA - Multiple wildfires burning across Canada are sending smoke into the northeastern United States, making it hard to see and breathe. Philadelphia issued a Code Red for air quality, while the rest of the region is under a Code Orange, as health departments urge people to stay indoors and keep windows closed.Looking to Philadelphia’s skyline from just north of the city, Pennsylvania’s founder, William Penn, atop City Hall, was barely visible in the haze.

Alessandro Biancardi and the 9-foot-long, 330-pound catfish he caught on May 25. (Alessandro Biancardi)An angler from Italy caught a massive 9-foot-long, 330-pound catfish, possibly breaking a world record. Alessandro Biancardi from the MADCAT ITALY team, caught the gigantic catfish while on a solo excursion in the Po River, Italy’s longest river. MADCAT is an organization dedicated to recording impressive catches made by catfish anglers all over Europe and creates and sells fishing equipment, according to the website. May 25 started off normal for Biancardi.

PHILADELPHIA - The Phillies Wednesday night game against the Detroit Tigers has been postponed due to smoke from Canadian wildfires that has compromised air quality and visibility along the east coast.The series finally will be played Thursday night at 6:05 p.m., which was conveniently the next closest off-day for both teams. The smoke also canceled the New York Yankees game against the Chicago White Sox.In Philadelphia, health officials issued a code red Wednesday morning for unhealthy air across the city."This alert means that the air is unhealthy to breathe, and some members of the general public may experience health effects," the Philadelphia Department of Public Health said.Officials are urging residents to take these precautions at this time:For the rest of the Delaware Valley, a code orange is still in effect, which means a concentration of these air pollutants is unhealthy for sensitive groups.The U.S.

Civil rights Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. (fore, third left) and others arrive at the White House for a meeting with President Lyndon B Johnson on the day before the Voting Rights Act was signed on August 5, 1965.

Shannen Doherty posted an honest video about her breast cancer treatment on Tuesday and told fans the disease has spread to her brain.Doherty, who was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer in 2020, posted an emotional video to Instagram of herself crying as she underwent radiation therapy on her brain. The Beverly Hills, 90210 actor also earlier had to be fitted for a custom-made mask that must be worn during treatment to keep a patient’s head still and ensure radiation lasers are accurately targeted.Doherty said a CT scan from Jan. 5 revealed she had brain metastases, a condition that occurs when cancer cells spread from their original site to another location in the patient’s body.Doherty said she underwent the first round of radiation on her brain on Jan.

North American black bear Phoenix in the drive-through enclosure at Woburn Safari Park in Bedfordshire. Four cubs - two males called Harvard and Colorado, and two females called Aspen and Maple - have been living with mum Phoneix in a separate enclos UPPER MAKEFIELD TOWNSHIP, Pa. - A black bear has been spotted in Upper Makefield Township.Upper Makefield Township police posted photos on their Facebook page of a bear wandering about in woods in the township, taking part in bear-type activities.

Juanillo beach in Dominican Republic. (Photo by: Cristina Perez/VWPics/Universal Images Group via Getty Images) The State Department on Tuesday issued a travel advisory for Americans looking to visit the Dominican Republic, a top Caribbean destination, amid an increase in violent crime and sexual assaults. A yellow flag-level two advisory was issued urging travelers heading to the Caribbean hotspot to "exercise increased caution.""Violent crime, including armed robbery, homicide and sexual assault, is a concern throughout the Dominican Republic," the department said in its advisory.

(Left) Photo of Bryan Johnson and his son. (Right) Photo of Bryan Johsnon.

RELATED: Tourist shot to death in popular Mexican resort town days after another tourist killed in machete attackA total of six men and two women were reported missing between May 20 and May 22, but the forensic examiners did not mention the number of confirmed identities. There had been doubts about whether one of the youths was among the bodies found.While the families believed their children worked at a normal call center, the office was in fact run by the Jalisco New Generation cartel, Mexico’s most violent gang.

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK - A herd of bison was captured on camera escorting several calves across a road in Yellowstone National Park.The herd crossed US-212 inside the park in Wyoming in late May, according to Toby Tollefsen, who recorded video of the moment. The video shows cars pulled to the side of the road as dozens of bison pass by and make their way up a hill.RELATED: Watch: Adorable red wolf pups learn to howl from parentsYellowstone, which is home to the largest concentration of mammals in the lower 48 states, has somewhere between 2,500 to 5,500 bison within the park, according to National Park Service officials. Yellowstone is also the only place in the U.S. where bison have lived continuously since prehistoric times.The reddish-brown calves are born in late April and May, after a gestation period of 9 to 9.5 months, NPS says. The herd crossed US-212 inside the park in Wyoming in late May 2023, according to Toby Tollefsen, who recorded video of the moment.

Richard Forsyth poses for a photo near his home in TKTK, Missouri, Thursday, June 1, 2023. Mr.

NAPLES, Fla. - This isn't your typical day on the golf course. An enormous alligator was spotted making its way across the green at a golf course in Naples – and its appearance came as a total shock to those trying to get a game in at The TwinEagles Club, employee Dalton Mehrl told Storyful. The video, which was recorded on March 30, shows the big guy strolling through the course, interrupting a game and stealing the show. You can see players and staff alike trying to redirect the gator into the water using a golf cart, too. "I was working when I heard on the radio about a big gator on the first tee.

PHILADELPHIA - A suspect is still on the loose after police say they struck a pedestrian and left them for dead last month.The victim, a man in his 30s or 40s, was hit on the 3700 block of Broad Street on May 28.

PHILADELPHIA - A mailbox filled with acceptance letters - that was the case for one Philadelphia high school senior this year. From Penn State to Villanova, John Clark got offers from some big schools, but he was most excited about a certain five: the military academies.Clark, who graduated sixth in his class from Father Judge High School in Northeast Philadelphia on Wednesday, received the rare distinction of being accepted into all five United States service academies.And the cross-country captain has already made his choice! He's headed to the Air Force Academy in Colorado with the hopes of being a fighter pilot."I've always wanted to fly," Clark said. "The navy was always my No.

NEW YORK CITY - The Federal Aviation Administration has issued a ground stop at LaGuardia Airport in Queens and a ground delay at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey.Winds have blown smoke from unchecked Canadian wildfires into the region, which led the DEC to issue an Air Quality Health Advisory for all five boroughs.FOX 5 NY's Antwan Lewis has the storyCanada is dealing with a series of intense wildfires that have spread from the western provinces to Quebec, with hundreds of forest fires burning. The smoke has traveled into the United States, resulting in a number of air quality alerts issued since May.Wildfire smoke is a complex mixture of gases, particles, and water vapor that contains multiple pollutants that can get into the lungs and bloodstream. There is no evidence of a safe level of exposure to some of the pollutants, meaning that smoke can impact your health even at very low levels. Inhaling smoke from wildfires can cause headaches, sore and watery eyes, nose, throat, and sinus irritation, chest pains, heart palpitations and more. Exposure to elevated fine particle pollution levels can affect the lungs and heart.The air quality alerts caution "sensitive groups," a big category that includes children, older adults, and people with lung diseases, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.FOX 5 NY's Robert Moses has the story.Kids, who often are encouraged to go out and play, "are more susceptible to smoke for a number of reasons," said Laura Kate Bender, the lung association's National Assistant Vice President, healthy air.

A Hawaii Volcano Observatory camera shows the Kilauea caldera after the volcano began erupting on June 7, 2023. (Image: USGS) HAWAII VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK - Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano started to erupt early Wednesday morning for the second time this year, according to an alert released by the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.According to the HVO, Kilauea began to erupt about 4:44 a.m.

WICHITA, Kansas - John Mounce of Wichita, Kansas, was hoping for a big catch when he went fishing over the Memorial Day weekend, and the water did not disappoint. While using sonar equipment to find the best spot to cast his reel at Cheney Lake, he found a Jeep buried underwater. Turned out the Jeep was stolen and is now a part of a criminal investigation. RELATED: Scantily clad 'witches' caught munching on deer carcass in bizarre security cam footage"I was scanning around looking for structure to fish for crappie and something showed up on my side view," he told FOX Television Stations. "I circled back and dropped my Garmin live scope on it and knew immediately it was a Jeep!"Video and pictures of the Jeep showed the vehicle completely worn and rusted. John Mounce posing with the stolen Jeep he found under water.  (John Mounce )"I caught the crappie off of the jeep then called the authorities," he added. The Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office told Mounce the Jeep was stolen in 1990, but they didn't provide any more details. "I was shocked and kind of excited at what I'd found," he continued. Mounce said the Jeep is now with authorities, and the Wichita Police Department is also investigating.

Wendy Williams‘ son, Kevin Hunter Jr., is deeply worried about his mother.

COLOMBO (News 1st); President Ranil Wickremesinghe said that nobody will be allowed to drag the country back to the state it was in a year ago.He said that his government's objective is to transform the country into a fully developed nation on the global stage by 2048, adding that failure to align the country's economy with the modern world & the latest trends in technology, the country will regressPresident Wickremesinghe delivered a special statement on the national transformation roadmap on Thursday (1) evening.Addressing the government's efforts over the past nine months to revive Sri Lanka's economy, the President said the country's economy is gradually recovering from the crisis, thanks to correct policies including the collective efforts of the people.Outlining the government’s efforts to revive the country’s economy, President Wickremesinghe said these economic reforms will lead to decreased cost of living, improved standards of living, relief for the poor, and a culture of transparency.President Ranil Wickremesinghe applauded the resilience of all Sri Lankans who navigated through challenging times, driven by their love for the country & said by persisting a little longer on this trajectory, an economically stable future could be achieved devoid of hardshipsSri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesighe said that the country's national transformation roadmap will be based on four pillars to drive economic growth, namely the State Finance and Financial Reforms, Investment Promotion, Social Security Net, and the restructuring of State Owned Enterprises.The President said the necessary reforms will be introduced to achieve long-term debt sustainability, while also introducing new economic policies that will renew faith

COLOMBO (News 1st); President Ranil Wickremesinghe said that nobody will be allowed to drag the country back to the state it was in a year ago.President Wickremesinghe delivered a special statement on the national transformation roadmap on Thursday (1) evening.  

President Ranil Wickremesinghe will deliver a special statement addressing the government’s efforts over the past nine months to revive Sri Lanka’s economy, as well as outlining the forthcoming stages of the country’s social, economic, and political reform agenda.This special statement is scheduled to be broadcast today (01) at 8:00 PM on Sirasa TV.The objective is to provide the public with a comprehensive understanding of Sri Lanka’s national transformation roadmap and to present the proposed strategies for accomplishing the envisioned objectives, said the President's Media Division.

Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China Sun Weidong will lead a Foreign Ministry delegation to Sri Lanka from 29 May to 01 June 2023, to co-chair the 12th round of Diplomatic Consultations between the two countries with Secretary, Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka Aruni Wijewardane.The discussions are expected to enable the two countries to assess the status of bilateral relations covering political, economic and cultural cooperation, as well as thematic cooperation and people-to-people contacts.During the visit, the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of China is scheduled to call on President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena and the State Minister of Foreign Affairs Tharaka Balasuriya. The delegation will also engage with the members of the Sri Lanka – China Parliamentary Friendship Association and visit the Sri Lanka – China Friendship Village in Dewanagala.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – President Ranil Wickremesinghe has concluded his official visit to Singapore and Japan, returning to the island last night. During his visit, the President engaged in productive meetings with the leaders of both Singapore and Japan, further strengthening bilateral relations.Notably, President Wickremesinghe actively participated in the prestigious Nikkei's Future of Asia conference, where he had the opportunity to address regional challenges and share his insights.

Japanese and Sri Lankan leaders on Thursday (25) confirmed the importance of "transparent and fair" debt restructuring, apparently warning against China's alleged debt-trap diplomacy, which uses loans as leverage to gain concessions from borrower nations.The agreement came during a meeting in Tokyo between Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who expressed appreciation for the Asian country's role in restructuring his nation's debt.Sri Lanka defaulted on its debt in April 2022 amid the worst economic crisis since the South Asian country, with a population of 22 million, gained independence from Britain in 1948, with China emerging as the biggest bilateral creditor to the nation in recent years.Against a backdrop of Beijing's so-called debt trap diplomacy, many developing countries receiving massive loans from China, including Sri Lanka, have given up control of key infrastructure after the debt liabilities become untenable.During the three-day Group of Seven summit through Sunday in the western Japan city of Hiroshima, the leaders urged all nations to refrain from using "economic coercion" as a tool to pursue political objectives with China in mind.Wickremesinghe, meanwhile, told Kishida at the outset of their meeting, which was open to the media, that the debt-strapped country's efforts to improve its fiscal health have made "remarkable headway" on the back of support by Japan and other major democracies.Japan, France and India have launched an initiative to coordinate the restructuring of Sri Lanka's hefty loans among its creditors.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Debt sustainability consequent to COVID-19 is the critical impasse of several Asian nations, Sri Lanka being one of the first and worst affected, said President Ranil Wickremesinghe when he took the stage at the ‘Nikkei Forum: Future of Asia’ held in Tokyo, Japan on Thursday (25).According to the full speech made public by the President's Media Division, President Wickremesinghe had noted that As a middle-income country, Sri Lanka accepted that: a) Time is of an essence in resolving the issues of debt sustainability, and b) The only option available for vulnerable middle-income countries is to seek the assistance of the IMF to ensure multilateral coordination and cooperation in debt restructuring.'Decisions were quickly taken to enter negotiations, talks began in June last year, a Staff-Level Agreement was reached in September, the IMF Executive Board approved a US $3bn loan under the Extended Fund Facility in March 2023, and Parliamentary approval was obtained in April this year. We have now started creditor meetings and hope for a successful conclusion before end of 2023," said the President."This process involves the multilateral agencies, Paris Club members, India, China and the private creditors.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe held several meetings in Japan, while on an official tour.President Ranil Wickremesinghe held bilateral talks with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.President Wickremesinghe expressed his appreciation for the support extended by Japan to Sri Lanka in recovering from the economic crisis.President Ranil Wickremesinghe held talks with Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi. The discussions focused on the strengthening of bilateral relations and greater cooperation in several fields including the economy and culture. President Ranil Wickremesinghe met Japanese Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki, and their the talks focussed on Sri Lanka's debt restructuring and the implementation of the IMF program.President Ranil Wickremesinghe met former Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga in Japan. The President outlined the economic recovery in the country and invited Japanese investments to return to the country.President Ranil Wickremesinghe and former Japanese Prime Minister Tarō Asō held talks in Japan.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe has highlighted three major challenges facing Asia in his address at the Nikkei Forum on the Future of Asia in Tokyo. Wickremesinghe said democratic values and human rights, climate change, & trade integration are key challenges.The President also emphasized the importance of respecting the diverse political systems and definitions of human rights across Asian countries.FUTURE OF ASIA is an international gathering where political, economic, and academic leaders from the Asia-Pacific region offer their opinions frankly and freely on regional issues and the role of Asia in the world. Held by Nikkei every year since 1995, it is considered to be one of the most important global conferences in Asia.Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe held bilateral talks with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in Japan on Thursday (25).President Wickremesinghe expressed his appreciation for the support extended by Japan to Sri Lanka in recovering from the economic crisis, said the President's Media Division.Earlir, President Ranil Wickremesinghe met former Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga.The President outlined the economic recovery in the country and invited Japanese investments to return to the country, said the President's Media Division.The President will also meet the officials of the Japan-Sri Lanka Parliamentary Friendship League, which is engaged in strengthening relations between the two countries, while promoting mutually beneficial cultural ties. During the visit, President Wickremesinghe also plans to engage with the Business Community during a Business Forum organized by the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Tokyo, in collaboration with the Japan External Trade

By Jehan PereraColombo (News 1st) – The discussions that President Ranil Wickremesinghe has commenced with the Tamil parties in the north and east were seen as a possible precursor to elections in those two provinces.  The president has an interest in holding some form of elections as the government’s moral legitimacy has been undermined by its refusal to conduct the local government elections on schedule.

President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has extended a gracious invitation to President Ranil Wickremesinghe to participate in the World Climate Action Summit, a key event that will inaugurate the Emirates Climate Conference. The invitation was sent as a letter to President Wickremesinghe, expressing warm greetings and well wishes for the progress and prosperity of Sri Lanka and its people.The invitation letter sent by the President of the United Arab Emirates were officially handed over to President Wickremesinghe yesterday (22) by the Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to Sri Lanka Mr. Khaled Nasser AlAmeri.The World Climate Action Summit leaders’ event is scheduled to take place on December 1 and 2, and will coincide with the UAE’s 52nd National Day celebrations.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe is set to depart the island on Tuesday morning (23) for an official visit to Singapore and Japan.While in Singapore, he will meet with Mr. K.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka President Ranil Wickremesinghe, will undertake an official visit Japan from 24th to 27th May, 2023.During his stay, Mr.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesighe said that the country's debt restructuring program will be completed by September 2023."A country becoming bankrupt means that it is a beggar nation. None of us want to become beggar nation.