Rainfall for the North of Sri Lanka

COLOMBO (News 1st) – IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva told Reuters Next on Friday (2) that changes to the G20 Common Framework on debt restructuring were needed to speed up debt treatments, freeze debt service payments once a country requested help, and open the process to middle-income countries like Sri Lanka."We are concerned that there is a risk for confidence in debt resolution to be eroded at a time when the level of debt is very high," Georgieva said."We don't see at this point … a risk of a systemic debt crisis," she said, adding that countries in debt distress were not large enough to trigger a crisis that would threaten financial stability.Source: Reuters

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka's State Ministry of Higher Education says the cut-off marks for university entrance based on the results of the recent A/L examination will be released today (2). The Ministry further said that it has planned to enrol 44,000 students in the universities this year based on the cut-off marks.Over 85,000 students applied for admission to state universities this year.The selected students are scheduled to start their academic activities in each university in January 2023.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Chairman of Sri Lanka Thriposha Ltd Deepthi Kularatne says Thriposha production resumed after suitable stocks of maize were made available.Nearly, 60,000 triposha packets are being produced by the company daily and are being distributed across the country.He further said that the production of triphosha products for mothers will continue.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Fitch Ratings has downgraded Sri Lanka's Long-Term Local-Currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) to 'CC', from 'CCC', and has affirmed the Long-Term Foreign-Currency IDR at 'RD' (Restricted Default). Fitch typically does not assign Outlooks to ratings of 'CCC+' or below.Fitch has also removed the Long-Term Local-Currency IDR from Under Criteria Observation, on which it was placed on 14 July 2022, following the publication of the updated Sovereign Rating Criteria.A full list of rating actions is at the end of this rating action commentary.KEY RATING DRIVERS:Challenging Domestic Financing Outlook: Sri Lanka continues to service its local-currency debt, but the downgrade of the Long-Term Local-Currency IDR reflects our view that a local-currency debt default is probable, in view of an untenably high domestic interest payment/revenue ratio, high interest costs, tight domestic financing conditions and rising local-currency debt/GDP in the context of high domestic fiscal financing requirements, which authorities forecast at about 8% of GDP in 2022.According to authorities, domestic interest payments in 8M22 were LKR718.8 billion, taking the domestic interest/revenue ratio to an estimated 56% in 8M22; the highest among sovereigns rated 'CCC+' and below.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka's Fisheries Minister Douglas Devananda said recently (29) that due to the fuel crisis, steps will be taken to introduce electric motor boats for fishermen from next year.The Minister mentioned this at the meeting of the Ministerial Consultative Committee on fisheries in Parliament.The minister pointed out that it is expected to introduce electric motor boats that can travel 100 kilometres using batteries and the cost is only 86 rupees per day to fishermen engaged in small-scale fishing.The Minister also mentioned that attention has also been paid to providing electricity generation facilities through solar panels and wind turbines for boats using kerosene and diesel.State Minister of Fisheries Piyal Nishantha, mentioned that a special mobile service is being implemented successfully by the ministry to solve the problems faced by the fishermen.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka's President, Prime Minister, Speaker and other public representatives stood in unity with the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus for Global Activism against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) on Thursday (1).A wristband given to Parliamentarians with the message “Let’s Unite to end Gender Based Violence” as a sign of support.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe said that a bill on gender equality and women's empowerment will be submitted to Parliament soon and he also instructed the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus to prepare the bill. The President emphasized that women's representation should be increased not only in the Parliament but also in other sectors and the public sector as well as the private sector should focus their attention in this regard. The President pointed out that the representation of women in the First Council of Sri Lanka was 2% and 91 years after universal suffrage, the representation of women in the current parliament is only 5.3%. President Ranil Wickremesinghe made these observations by joining the Committee Stage Debate on the budget proposal for the financial year 2023 in parliament on Thursday (01). Statement issued by the President's Media Division:“I expect to speak especially on the Ministry under me. We thank the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus for commencing a 16-day campaign against Gender-Based Violence (GBV). It was in 1931 that Sri Lankans got the universal franchise.

COLOMBO (News 1st)- Sri Lanka's Public Security Secretary S. Hettiarachchi expects to deploy the Police Special Task Force to crack down on drugs and underworld criminal activity."Prisons are reaching maximum capacity because of the rising number of drug users.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – A Sri Lankan and a Russian died after a three-wheeler collided with a train in Galle on Thursday (1) morning.Sri Lanka Police said the Russian was a female, and the train was travelling from Beliatte to Vavuniya. The three-wheeler had caught fire following the accident at the Maharamba Railway Crossing in Galle.Sri Lanka Railways said that there may be minor delays in operations.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka's Cabinet approved a hike in electricity tariffs under two steps in January and June 2023.A statement from Sri Lanka Parliament said that although the electricity tariff has been increased in the past, it is not sufficient to cover the loss of the electricity board and thus, the request to increase the electricity bill has received cabinet approval. This was disclosed at the Sub Committee on Identifying the Short & Medium-Term Programmes related to Economic Stabilization of the National Council held on Wednesday (29).Accordingly, the Cabinet has approved increasing the electricity tariffs under two steps in January and June 2023.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka Police arrested three people from Silvan Lane in Panadura over a shooting incident on Wednesday (30) night.News 1st correspondents said that among the arrested was an attorney.According to Sri Lanka Police, the attorney and two others had visited a house in Panadura on Wednesday (30) night and an argument had broken out over a monetary transaction.As the argument had escalated, the attorney had taken out his licensed pistol and fired into the air.Sri Lanka Police said that the pistol, and the vehicle owned by the attorney, were taken into custody.NO one was injured in the shooting.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka says that there will be daily outages during the festive season starting today (1).The Chairman of the PUCSL Janaka Ratnayake says the power crisis is ongoing due to issues in generating hydropower and purchasing coal.He adds power cuts will have to be imposed until the issues are resolved.However, PUCSL approved power cuts of 2 hours and 20 minutes on 1st & 2nd December as follows;Groups ABCDEFGHIJKLPQRSTUVW: 1-hour during daytime 1-hour 20-minutes during the night

Colombo (News 1st) – Sri Lanka roared back to square the ODI series with Afghanistan in Pallekelle on Wednesday (30th) by chasing down an imposing target of 313. The hosts won by 4 wickets with 2 balls to spare after a record breaking knock of 162 by Afghan opener Ibrahim Zadran.Sri Lanka started the run chase briskly with Kusal Mendis (67) and Pathum Nissanka (35) putting on a 101-run opening stand.

Colombo (News 1st) – Sri Lanka’s babies are starving! A comprehensive report by the Family Health Bureau of the Ministry of Health shows alarming levels of malnutrition among children under 5 years, nationwide, in October 2022. Following the assessment, it was reported that a staggering 42.9% of children under 5 years are having some form of malnutrition problem which includes growth faltering, underweight, wasting, and stunting. This alarming trend is seen in all age categories – infants, 1-2 years, 2-5 years – and in all three sectors – urban, rural and estates.The highest percentage of children under 5 years with any kind of malnutrion problem was reported from the Ampara district where 59.4% or 3 in 5 children are suffering from malnutrition. A total of 1 million, 363 thousand, 7 hundred and 47 children were weighed and measured in all of Sri Lanka’s districts in the month of October. Nationwide, the percentage of Underweight Children under 5 years increased to a staggering 15.3% from 12.2% last year. Children with Wasting increased to 10.1% from 8.2%. Children with Stunting increased to 9.2% from 7.4%. The percentage of children with Severe Wasting is a shocking 1.4%.The report notes that “Sri Lanka, at present is enduring an economic, energy and political crisis resulting in many families desperately needing assistance.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekera has announced a special power management update for tourism zones in Sri Lanka for December.In a series of Tweets, Minister Wijesekera said the Southern Province and Ella Tourism zones will be exempted from the 1 hour 20 minutes power cut during the night from the 1st of December.The power cuts of 1 hour imposed during the day and 1 hour 20 minutes at night enforced islandwide will continue until the 15th of December.He tweeted, "With the scheduled addition of Unit 3 of the Norochcholai Power Plant to the National Grid on the 15th of December, all tourism zones identified by the Ministry of Tourism will be exempted from night time power cuts."This will also result in night time power cuts enforced islandwide being reduced to 1 hour. He said, however, there will be no power cuts during Christmas and New Year.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – A man and a woman were brutally stabbed with a sharp weapon at the Wewala Junction in Hikkaduwa on Wednesday (30) morning.Sri Lanka Police said that the man succumbed to his injuries upon admission to the hospital. The woman is currently being treated for stab wounds.Investigations are underway, said Sri Lanka Police.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – A group of officials from the Criminal Investigation Department and the Foreign Employment Bureau have been deployed to the United Arab Emirates.The Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment said steps are being taken to repatriate 77 people residing in the UAE and Oman on tourist visas.The Bureau said an internal investigation was also launched regarding former Secretary to the Sri Lankan Embassy in Oman E. Kushan, who is facing charges over sexual harassment of a woman in Oman.He was remanded till the 13th of December 2022 after he was arrested by the CID on Tuesday.An internal investigation was launched against E.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Five suspects have been arrested with heroin and an overseas-manufactured live hand grenade, in their possession.This operation was carried out by the Police Special Task Force in the Ragama area.Sri Lanka Police said that 32.720g of heroin, a passport, 05 mobile phones, a van and a motorcycle were also seized.The suspects, who are between ages 20 and 40, have been handed over to the Colombo Crime Division.The Police further said, after reporting facts to the Wattala Magistrate's Court, they obtained a seven-day detention order and will conduct further investigations.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Today’s exchange rates from the Central Bank of Sri Lanka:USD Buy 361.2379 Sell 371.7170GBP Buy 430.4286 Sell 447.3859EUR Buy 371.6659 Sell 386.9802JPY Buy 2.5840 Sell 2.6917AUD Buy 239.1567 Sell 250.2936

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The provision of food aid to 66,000 families in Sri Lanka has commenced. Chairman of the Presidential Committee on National Food Security Dr Suren Batagoda said that Rs.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The train schedule will be revised from the 5th of December, in stages.The General Manager of Railways Gamini Seneviratne says that the Kelani Valley railway line's schedule will be revised from the 5th of next month. He further said that the changes of other routes will be informed in due course as well. At the same time, he says that the train operations will have a change of 5 to 10 minutes.Meanwhile, a spokesperson of the Railway Department said that due to the shortage of employees, there are obstacles to the continuation of the railway service.He further said that NO action has been taken so far to fill the existing 8000-employee vacancies. Sri Lanka Railways said that it has sought permission from the Public Services Commission to meet the staff requirements, however, no permission has been granted yet.Due to this matter, it has become a problem to summon retired personnel back to work.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka's housing minister Prasanna Ranatunga told Parliament that 76 MPs who lost their houses and property to arson following the unrest that broke out since May have been given temporary housing at the Viyathpura Housing Scheme in Kalalgoda.He told Parliament that these houses were given for a period of one year, with a monthly rental charged from the occupant MP. "Not a single MP was given a house free of charge," he told the house in response to a claim made by an opposition lawmaker.The Minister said the complex comprises 106 houses for MPs, and 76 of them have been given on rent to MPs, and if any other MP has a requirement a vacant house can be provided on rent.He also said that these houses can be purchased by MPs as well to be used as their permanent residences.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) approved power cuts of 2-hours and 20-minutes on 30th November as follows;Groups ABCDEFGHIJKLPQRSTUVW: 1-hour during daytime 1-hour 20-minutes during the night

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Department of Meteorology says that few showers will occur in Northern and Eastern provinces.Showers or thundershowers may occur at a few places in Sabaragamuwa province and Galle and Matara districts during the afternoon or night.Mainly fair weather will prevail elsewhere in the country.The Misty condition can be expected in Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and Galle and Matara districts during the morning.Condition of Rain:Showers may occur at a few places in the sea areas off the coast extending from Galle to Matara via Hambanthota during the evening or night.Winds:Winds will be north-easterly or variable in direction and speed will be (20-30) kmph. State of Sea:The sea areas around the island will be slight. 

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The former 3rd Secretary of the Sri Lankan Embassy in Oman E.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Five Indian poaching trawlers were held in northern waters during a special operation conducted by the Navy and Coast Guard.Sri Lanka Navy and Sri Lanka Coast Guard conducted a special operation in northern waters to chase away Indian poaching trawlers from Sri Lanka’s waters yesterday (28). The operation led to the seizure of 05 Indian trawlers with 24 Indian fishermen, poaching in the island’s waters off the Kovilan Lighthouse, Kareinagar, Jaffna.Sri Lanka Navy and Coast Guard remain ever alert to foil illegal fishing practices of foreign fishing trawlers in Sri Lanka’s waters and regularly conduct patrols and operations to prevent such endeavours.As an extension of these efforts, the Northern Naval Command mounted a special operation yesterday (28), by deploying Craft of the 04th Fast Attack Flotilla and the Sri Lanka Coast Guard attached to the Northern Naval Command, to chase away a cluster of Indian poaching trawlers in Sri Lanka’s waters, off the Kovilan Lighthouse, Kareinagar, Jaffna. The operation led to the seizure of 05 Indian poaching trawlers continued to remain in the island’s waters, with 24 Indian fishers and their fishing gear.The seized trawlers together with 24 Indian fishermen were brought to the Kankesanthurai Harbour and they will be handed over to the Mailadi Fisheries Inspector for onward legal proceedings.In the recent apprehension, the Navy has seized 35 Indian poaching trawlers and 252 Indian fishermen during operations conducted thus far in the year 2022 and handed them over to the authorities for onward legal action.Illegal fishing practices of foreign fishermen in Sri Lanka’s waters deal a blow to the livelihood of local fishermen as well as the marine ecosystem's

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Former 3rd Secretary of the Sri Lankan Embassy in Oman E.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka's Cabinet of Minister granted approval to the recommendations proposed by the committee appointed to explore restructuring the CEB.The Electricity Reforms Bill will be drafted within a month to begin the unbundling process of the Ceylon Electricity Board, said Sri Lanka's Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Super luxury cruise ‘Mein Schiff 5’ reached the Port of Colombo on Tuesday (29) morning, and will head to Hambantota on Wednesday (30).Sri Lanka'a Harbour Master Nirmal Silva told News 1st that the cruise ship is carrying 2014 passengers and 922 crew.Hapag Lloyd Lanka, a subsidiary of the Aitken Spence Group, are the agents for TUI cruises. Mein Schiff 5 is owned by the German operator TUI cruises.Mein Schiff 5 has a capacity of 2,500 guests and was built in 2016.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka Police said that eight suspects have been arrested with drugs and narcotic pills at Weligama beach.This is based on information that a party organized via facebook was taking place on the Weligama beach.The suspects are residents of Weligama, Ranala, Tissamaharama, Kananke, Telijjawila, Syawala and Beliatta areas.The relevant suspects were produced to the Matara Magistrate and were later on released on bail.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka's Minister of Transport Bandula Gunawardena said that operations between Mahawa and Jaffna will be suspended for five months from 2023.He said the operations between those two train stations will be suspended from 15th January 2023.He told Parliament that renovations along the trains were the cause for this decision.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The 10.6 million liters of diesel donation by China will be provided free of charge, said the Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka.Fuel will be given free to  232,749 farmers for harvesting 342,266 hectares paddy fields across Sri Lanka in Maha season 2022/23 (20L/hectare)In addition, the 3,796 fishing vessels below 40 feet in Sri Lanka (1,000L/vessel) will also be given free diesel courtesy from China.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The court of appeal granted permission to examine the writ application filed seeking a ruling that State Minister Diana Gamage is unfit to become a Member of the Sri Lankan Parliament and that she should be prevented from serving as an MP.The writ application was filed by civil activist Osanda Lakmal Anil Herath, and it was called up in the presence of Justices Sobitha Rajakaruna and Dhammika Ganepola.State Minister Diana Gamage, the Public Security Minister Tiran Alles, the Controller General of Immigration and Emigration, and the Chairman of the National Election Commission among 15 others were named as respondents in the case.The Court of Appeal ordered for notice to be served on the respondents to make their submissions with regard to the matter.The exmination of the petition will commence on the 12th of December 2022, ordered the Court of Appeal.The Controller General of Immigration and Emigration was also ordered by the Court of Appeal to submit all documents related to the citizenship of Diana Gamage to the court.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Sabry called on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her Official Residence in Dhaka, Bangladesh recently.Minister Sabry and Prime Minister Hasina highlighted the long-standing friendship and cooperation between the two countries, focusing on enhancing people-to-people contact using air and sea connectivity. The Prime Minister encouraged acquiring more traction for Bangladesh vessels through the Port of Colombo and invited further investments from Sri Lanka. Minister Sabry emphasized the importance of tourism promotion and invited Bangladesh tourists and investors to explore Sri Lanka.Minister Ali Sabry is in Dhaka to attend meetings as the Vice-Chair of IORA, at the 22nd Meeting of the Council of Ministers.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) approved power cuts of 2 hours and 20 minutes on 28th & 29th November as follows;Groups ABCDEFGHIJKLPQRSTUVW: 1-hour during daytime 1-hour 20-minutes during the night

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Today’s exchange rates from the Central Bank of Sri Lanka:USD Buy 360.2922 Sell 371.2929GBP Buy 434.6091 Sell 451.3888EUR Buy 373.0369 Sell 388.6538JPY Buy 2.5825 Sell 2.6902AUD Buy 242.0396 Sell 253.3277

Colombo (News 1st) – The 2022 FIFA World Cup surprises keep coming as Morocco beat the world's second best side, Belgium 2-0. Thanks to late goals by Abdelhamid Sabiri and Zakaria Aboukhlal, Morocco pulled off just its third-ever win at a World Cup. Belgium had 10 shots, but they only had three on target.

A group of Lanarkshire pals have kickstarted a new initiative to improve local men's mental and physical health through football.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The National STD/AIDS Control Programme says that a system has been set up to schedule HIV tests online. Specialist Doctor Nimali Jayasuriya says that this online method can be used instead of going to clinics. Accordingly she further sais that bookings for HIV tests can be made at the website www.know4sure.lk News 1st is now on Whatsapp, Viber, LinkedIN and Telegram. Don't miss out on all the latest developments in Sri Lanka and overseas.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka's Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera said that electricity tariffs will be increased, again."No matter who becomes, President, Finance Minister, or Government we cannot avoid another hike in tariffs.," he told Parliament on Friday (25) adding that Sri Lanka will not receive rainfall in 2023 as it did in 2022.Therefore, according to the Minister it costs Rs. 56.90 to generate a unit for the CEB to deliver around clock electricity."We charge Rs.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – On the 26th and 27th of November, the Dawoodi Bohra community of Sri Lanka will host the Bohra Business Exposition 2022 at the Havelock City Hall, from 10am- 9pm.For generations, the Dawoodi Bohra community in Sri Lanka has played an instrumental role in Sri Lanka's business sphere and continually has had an impact on the lives of million employed and engaged with their sectors. Subsequent to their entry into Sri Lanka's business community in 1830, the Bohra entrepreneurs infiltrated the business community as traders and merchants.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Government of China has donated 10.6 Million liters of Diesel to Sri Lanka for farmers and fisheries in Sri Lanka.The "Super Eastern" vessel carrying diesel is scheduled to arrive in the country form Singapore to the Port of Colombo tomorrow (26).The embassy earlier tweeted that China will donate 10.6 million liters of diesel to farmers and fishermen in remote areas of Sri Lanka, to upgrade livelihood in the most affected sectors of agriculture & fishery. The shipments are scheduled between November and December, and will be distributed to the needed asap.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – A special commemoration speech to mark the 55th death anniversary of the late D.A. Rajapaksa was held yesterday (24) under the leadership of President Ranil Wickremesinghe at the Nawarangahala in Colombo.This ceremony was organised by the Rajapakse Memorial Educational, Cultural and Social Services Foundation, and was presided over by the Venerable Anunayake of the Sri Lanka Ramanya Maha Nikaya, Head of the Minuwangoda Patthaduvana Bhikshu Training Institute Venerable Nadagamuwe Vijaya Maitri Thero.Professor Samitha Hettige of the University of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia delivered the keynote address on “The Belt – Road: Lessons for Sustainable Development”.The book containing the Commemoration speech was also presented to the President.Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena laid a floral tribute at the statue of the Late D.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr A K Abdul Momen has underscored the need for setting up direct shipping connectivity with Sri Lanka to boost trade relations between Bangladesh and the South Asian nation.He also emphasised the resumption of negotiations for the early conclusion of the Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) between the two countries.Bangladesh's foreign minister put the importance while holding a meeting with his visiting Sri Lankan counterpart Ali Sabry on Wednesday on the eve of the 22nd ministerial meeting of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) in the capital, a foreign ministry press release said on Thursday.During the meeting, the two leaders discussed the wide spectrum of bilateral relations and expressed hope to work closely together for the betterment of the two peoples and inclusive development of the region.Momen urged Sri Lanka to increase the import of agricultural products and pharmaceuticals from Bangladesh at an affordable price.Sri Lankan foreign minister said that his country is keen to work in close partnership with Bangladesh.The two leaders agreed to expedite the completion of the formalities to form an institutional platform to hold regular and comprehensive dialogues between the two countries at the level of foreign minister.The issue of mutual support for each other's candidature at various international fora was also discussed with due importance.Momen also sought support from Sri Lanka in repatriating the forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals sustainably.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lankan Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa told Parliament on Friday (24) that he did not apply for the post of Prime Minister, during the tenure of Gotabaya Rajapaksa.Sajith Premadasa said that the Former President repeatedly requested him to accept the post of Prime Minister, and four conditions were put forward to Rajapaksa for the establishment of an interim short-term government.• President must resign from his position during a stipulated minimum period of time;• Implement and enact the 19th constitutional amendment within a period of two weeks, with the support of all political parties;• Implement the provisions in the Constitution within a minimum time period to abolish the executive presidency; and• Call for a parliamentary election to allow the public to form a permanent government after implementing the constitutional amendments and rebuilding the community life and ensuring the rule of law.Sajith Premadasa said he wrote to then-President Rajapaksa citing these four conditions to accept the post of Prime Minister, and did not request or apply for the post of Prime Minister.Sajith Premadasa was responding to a comment made by President Ranil Wickremesinghe in Parliament on Thursday (24).'Our Opposition Leader also said today that I asked for this presidency. I didn't ask for this.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Hambantota International Port (HIP) and Sri Lanka Navy partnered with Shangri La Hotel – Hambantota to kick off the year-end festive season with a mid-sea cake mixing ceremony.The event was held on board a Sri Lankan Naval vessel docked at Hambantota International Port. The Christmas cake, which is complex and unique in its making, is an age-old tradition. While each home has a special recipe for it, hotels have made it into a much anticipated seasonal activity that spells the beginning of the holiday season and this year HIP played an important role in it.“The coming together of the Hambantota International Port Group (HIPG) and the Sri Lankan Navy to host this event is significant as Sri Lanka positions itself to receive record numbers of tourists this year for the winter season. We are proud to be a part of this endeavour.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – UNICEF says in order to prevent a child protection crisis in Sri Lanka, there needs to be a generation of data on the types of violence against girls and boys, the locations, the perpetrators and the accessibility of services. This will help improve the planning and implementation of programmes to prevent and respond to child protection issues.It added that a child-friendly legal framework, that is fit for Sri Lankan children in 2022, rather than laws drafted 80 years ago during the colonial period that far pre-date the ratification of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, is necessary.The principles of best interests and participation need to be brought into new legislation that provides the possibility for prevention, including family strengthening and ensures that all forms of institutionalization and detention of children are the last resort and for the shortest possible time.UNICEF also said that a  strong social service and justice workforce – who work together – to better protect children in Sri Lanka, needs to be forced and to this end, the government should prioritize the development and planning of a professional social service and justice workforce. It also needs to invest in training and supervision of the workforce, as well as clear definitions of roles and responsibilities.The Ministries and their Departments, the Police and the Judiciary should establish regular coordination mechanisms to provide appropriate services adapted to meet the needs of girls, boys and women. Finally, as negotiations move ahead with the re-structuring of the economy and public finance, it is critical that the child welfare and justice services are preserved, allocated minimum financial resources and

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Reports have surfaced that an attempt is being made to cover up a serious fraudulent deal involving the importation of dairy heifers from Australia dating back to 2012 all the way up to 2018.Sri Lanka spend US $37.3 Mn to import 5,000 dairy heifers from Australia for dairy farms operated by the National Livestock Development Board from 2012 to 2015.A majority of the dairy heifers imported from Australia's Wellard without following proper procurement process died as they could not adapt to Sri Lanka's climate.The project failed, and thereafter in 2018 the Ministry of Rural Economic Development again decided to import dairy heifers, and this time the number was 20,000 animals.Sri Lanka obtained a US $237 Mn loan from Rabobank in the Netherlands, and used US $23.7 Mn to import 5,000 heifers.Most of these animals fell ill and died after they were given to farmers, and at the same time another US $11.9 Mn was paid in advance for another back of 5,000 heifers.The advance was paid when there were no monetary allocations, and the then-Ministry Secretary had made payments without approval from the parliament.The payment was made five days before she retired, and her spouse is a high ranking public servant at the moment.This serious matter was taken up in COPE on Wednesday (24).Mahindananda Aluthgamage, a Former Minister said "Heifers were imported from Wellard for this project for breeding at a cost of Rs. 4.46 Billion.