Senior Army Officer involved in Yaggapitiya Incident Relieved of All Duties

Today we are reporting 6,440 community cases and 704 current hospitalisations. 

COLOMBO (News 1st); The ceremonial opening of third session of the Ninth Parliament will take place on Wednesday (3) under the patronage of the President, Ranil Wickremesinghe. The rehearsal pertaining to the ceremonial opening was held on Tuesday (02) at the Parliament premises.Following the ceremonial opening of the new session, President Ranil Wickremesinghe is scheduled to present the government's policy statement at 10:30 a.m. in Parliament in accordance with the powers vested in him by Article 33 of the Constitution.There will be no gun salutes or vehicular parades , Sergeant-at-Arms of Parliament, Narendra Fernando said, according to the Parliament website.Instead, the President will be received in front of Parliament with a Tri Force Guard of Honor.

UPPER DARBY, Pa. - Authorities are investigating a deadly shooting they say happened in an Upper Darby home on Tuesday night. Officers from the Upper Darby Police Department were called to a residence on the 200 block of Kinston Road around 7:30 p.m. Police have not shared information about the victim or what circumstances lead to the fatal shooting. The department tweeted that the scene is secure and asked the public to stay away from the area. Kingston Road is currently shutdown from Maderia to Shelbourne, according to police.

Police say a man is dead after he was shot multiple times in the chest on Tuesday night in West Philadelphia. PHILADELPHIA - Police are investigating two separate shootings that left a man dead in West Philadelphia and a woman dead in Frankford on Tuesday night.At around 7:31 p.m., police say they responded to the 5400 block of Pearl Street where they found a 30-year-old man with multiple gunshot wounds to the chest. Authorities say the victim was transported to Presbyterian Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 7:44 p.m. Officials say they also responded to the 1800 block of Harrison Street at around 8:14 p.m.

WASHINGTON - A bill enhancing health care and disability benefits for millions of veterans exposed to toxic burn pits won final approval in the Senate on Tuesday, ending a brief stalemate over the measure that had infuriated advocates and inspired some to camp outside the Capitol.The Senate approved the bill by a vote of 86-11. It now goes to President Joe Biden’s desk to be signed into law.

HIGGINSVILLE, Mo. - James Lloyd Shipley, one of the last surviving Tuskegee Airmen, was laid to rest Monday at the Veterans Cemetery in Higginsville, Missouri, with full military honors. According to his obituary, Shipley passed away on July 21 at the age of 99. Shipley was born on June 29, 1923, in Tipton, Missouri, and had a lifelong dream of becoming a mechanic. When he was 19 years old, he voluntarily joined the Black Army Air Corps. He completed his basic training at the Tuskegee Institute in Tuskegee, Alabama.

BRAZIL - 2021/12/13: In this photo illustration a Instagram logo seen displayed on a smartphone with a Meta Platforms logo in the background. (Photo Illustration by Rafael Henrique/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images) Social media platform Instagram decided to stall plans to update its app after celebrity users Kim Kardashian and Kylie Jenner criticized the platform for emulating TikTok. Several Instagram users, including the Kardashian sisters, were vocal about the test version of the app, arguing the platform was too similar to social media rival TikTok and saying Instagram does not focus enough on sharing photos anymore. Instagram, which is owned by Meta, announced it will reverse some updates to its photo-sharing app, including altering its algorithm for users to view more recommended videos on their home screens. Adam Mosseri, the head of Instagram, took to social media Tuesday to address concerns users may have about the platform updates and what the company is working on to create a better experience. INSTAGRAM HEAD SAYS FEED WILL SHIFT MORE TOWARD VIDEO CONTENTHe captioned the video post with a waving hand emoji, saying, "There’s a lot happening on Instagram right now."NETFLIX EXPANDING PASSWORD-SHARING CRACKDOWN WITH NEW TEST"We’re experimenting with a number of different changes to the app.

A group of five sharks were recently spotted swimming and hunting together off Islip's Atlantique Beach, New York. (Image credit: Duncan Weird) ISLIP, N.Y. - A photographer recently spotted five sharks near New York's famous Fire Island beaches using teamwork to attack a school of bunker fish. Photographer Duncan Weir recorded the feeding frenzy on Monday from above, where clear waters offered a prime view of the lunchtime feeding frenzy.

WASHINGTON - The U.S. State Department has issued a "worldwide caution" alert after the death of al-Qaida leader Ayman al-Zawahiri.The alert reads:On July 31, 2022, the United States conducted a precision counterterrorism strike in Afghanistan that killed Ayman al-Zawahiri, Osama bin Laden’s deputy and successor as leader of al-Qa’ida. Al- Zawahiri was one of the masterminds of the attacks against the United States on September 11, 2001, and had continued to urge his followers to attack the United States.

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. - Just a few weeks ago, FOX 29's JoAnn Pileggi was in Atlantic City, talking with the manager of Tony's Baltimore Grill, Joe Palumbo, about the recent theft that left the pizza shop without its new outdoor furniture. The theft, which occurred less than 50 yards from the police station, would be considered a small case for Atlantic City police, so the owners of Tony's tried their own incentive. The historic pizza joint, located on Atlantic Avenue was offering a big reward for anyone who returned the furniture. After putting up a post on Instagram and getting the community involved in the investigation, the furniture has been returned and someone received a cash reward and free pizza for life because of it. RELATED: Atlantic City pizza joint offering free pizza, drinks and money if you help solve a crime"The story is somebody stole the furniture and sold it to this family.

SHARON HILL, Pa. - Activists and family members of Fanta Bility are demanding the full release of a heavily redacted report into the police shooting death of the 8-year-old outside a high school football game last fall.The investigative report, released last Friday, examined the Sharon Hill Borough Police policies and procedures in the wake of the deadly shooting at Academy Park High School's football field. The report was largely redacted, with any findings and recommendations obscured from public view."We can not stand here today and allow our Borough to ignore us, to not share with us their findings," Sheila Carter of the NAACPAuthorities say in late August, Bility and her family were leaving the Academy Park High School football field among a crowd of fans when a shooting between two young men erupted. Bullets from that shooting came in the direction of three Sharon Hill Police officers who were monitoring the crowd. The officers returned fire, shooting toward a car they believed was involved in the initial gunfire, striking the car and members of the crowd.

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - APRIL 07: David Robertson #37 of the Chicago Cubs pitches in the ninth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers on Opening Day at Wrigley Field on April 07, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images) PHILADELPHIA - The Philadelphia Phillies acquired veteran reliever David Robertson in a trade with the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday.A person with direct knowledge of the trade confirmed the deal to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the move had not been announced.The Phillies sent minor league right-hander Ben Brown to the Cubs for the 37-year-old Robertson, one of the top relievers on the market ahead of the trade deadline.Robertson is 3-0 with a 2.23 ERA and 14 saves in 36 appearances this year.

TUSTIN, Calif. - Virgin Galactic announced Tuesday that it has secured land to build an astronaut and campus facility to prepare civilians for commercial space travel. The aerospace and space travel company said the astronaut campus will be located in Sierra County, New Mexico, near the company’s commercial operations headquarters, Spaceport America. The company said the space will accommodate future astronauts and up to three of its guests ahead of their flight into space. RELATED: Virgin Galactic reopens spaceflight ticket salesThe campus will feature training facilities, an observatory, a wellness center, and recreation activities as well as dining options. The company said buildings will have minimal impact on the surrounding environment with water conservation tools and re-use, eco-friendly materials.Sir Richard Branson speaks after touching the edge of space prior to the space plane successfully landing back on Earth.

FILE-A woman appears to be stressed as she sits in front of her computer. (Robin Utrecht/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images) WASHINGTON - Stress is a burden for many based on the mental and physical toll it can take, but a new study from the University of Georgia suggests that not all stress is necessarily bad and can even help your brain.The study reveals that low to moderate stress levels can bolster brain function and build mental resilience, lowering the risk of mental health disorders like depression and antisocial behavior.Assaf Oshri, a lead author of the study and an associate professor in the College of Family and Consumer for the University of Georgia, collaborated with three authors; two from UGA and one from Stanford University. RELATED: Americans feeling the stress from inflationThe researchers used data from the Human Connectome Project, a national project funded by the National Institutes of Health focusing on human brain functions.

Amber Heard had a "brief stint as an exotic dancer," and her ex-husband Johnny Depp did not want his friendship with disgraced rocker Marilyn Manson outed at trial.After Johnny Depp won his defamation case against Amber Heard with a jury awarding him $10.35 million, Judge Penney Azcarate ordered the release of the secret documents on July 13.The documents were published online over the weekend by legal commentator Andrea Burkhart, who crowd-sourced more than $3,300 to purchase the records.The court papers detail the behind-the-scenes wrangling on both sides to try to get evidence admitted and kept out of the Fairfax County Circuit trial in Virginia.A March 22 motion outlined Heard’s opposition to Depp’s team’s attempt to present damaging information about her past to the jury.Heard's lawyer Elaine Bredehoft argued that Depp was trying to introduce "irrelevant personal matters" – including "Amber’s brief stint as an exotic dancer years before she met Mr. Depp," nude pictures of her and "unfounded allegations" that she had worked as a sex worker. "Nude pictures of Amber Heard or comments about stripping or escort services would be highly distracting and unfairly prejudicial to the extent they portray Amber Heard as a sex symbol instead of a women's rights activist against domestic abuse," Bredehoft wrote.TOPSHOT - US actress Amber Heard waits before the jury announced a split verdict in favor of both Johnny Depp and Amber Heard on their claim and counter-claim in the Depp v.

The top of a form 1040 individual income tax return is seen atop a stack on the same at the Des Plaines Public Library. (Photo by Tim Boyle/Getty Images) ATLANTA - The Georgia Department of Revenue says expecting families who live in the Peach State can claim their embryo as a dependent on their taxes.In new guidance released Monday, officials with the state's Department of Revenue says that the tax change is due to the Supreme Court's ruling striking down Roe v.

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  (FOX 29 Philadelphia)CHERRY HILL, N.J. - Officials in South Jersey say an incident involving food dye at a water treatment plant caused a local creek to run red, sparking confusion among residents Tuesday afternoon.The south branch of Pennsauken Creek, runs between two neighborhoods in Cherry Hill. Officials with the Evesham Municipal Utility Authority tell FOX 29's Chris O'Connell that red food dye was discharged from a nearby plant at some point.Officials say the dye is not hazardous and the Department of Environmental Protection has responded. Evesham Municipal Utility Authority says staff noticed that "the treated effluent being discharged at the Woodstream Waste Water Treatment Plant had a strange, bright red color" around 7 a.m.

More than one third of US children used media addictively in fall 2020, a finding tied to family stressors but not a decrease in the number of screen-time rules implemented, finds a survey of US parents published today in Pediatrics.

More than half of high-risk SARS-CoV-2 Omicron inpatients or outpatients given the monoclonal antibody sotrovimab rapidly developed viral spike-protein mutations linked to treatment resistance, according to a study from the Netherlands published yesterday in JAMA.Researchers at the Amsterdam University Medical Centers assessed C

Despite reaching a verdict in June, more details about the defamation trial between celebrity ex-spouses Johnny Depp and Amber Heard have come to light in the form of unsealed court documents.

HARRISBURG, Pa. - A wide expansion of mail-in voting in Pennsylvania survived a legal challenge on Tuesday before the state Supreme Court in a case brought by some of the same Republican state representatives who voted for the legislation nearly three years ago.Millions of state voters have chosen to cast ballots by mail in recent elections, although Democrats have used it in far greater numbers and the law fell out of favor with Republicans as former President Donald Trump attacked it during his losing 2020 reelection campaign.The 5-2 ruling, with the two Republican justices both voting no, means expanded vote-by-mail will almost certainly be in place for marquee races in November for governor and U.S. Senate."We find no restriction in our Constitution on the General Assembly’s ability to create universal mail-in voting," wrote Justice Christine Donohue in the majority opinion.Widener Law Commonwealth professor Michael Dimino, who argued the case, declined immediate comment.A lower court panel with a majority of Republican judges had thrown out the law in January, a ruling put on hold while the state Supreme Court reviewed an appeal by the administration of Democratic Gov.

Wade Wilson DOVER, Del. - A man is in custody after allegedly leading police on a chase that ended with one trooper being dragged alongside a stolen car.The incident began when police responded to reports of a stolen Ford Crown Victoria on Webbs Lane in Dover Monday afternoon.Police say the suspect, identified as Wade Wilson, refused commands and drove off, dragging a trooper until they hit a tree.The car came to a stop after colliding with a sign, which is when police say Wilson fled on foot.He was apprehended later that evening and charged with assault, reckless endangering, receiving stolen property over $1,500 and resisting arrest with force or violence.

FILE - A drone aerial view of downtown Wichita, Kansas, is pictured in a file image. (Photo by: Joe Sohm/Visions of America/Universal Images Group via Getty Images) Rent prices across the United States have skyrocketed in the two years since the COVID-19 pandemic, and residents in many big coastal cities have continued to face higher prices. But there are still many livable cities where renting remains affordable — and even some regions where it’s falling sharply.Rent.com, an online property rental site, compiled the 100 cheapest cities for renters in the country.

Wildfire eat of Springville, Utah. (Credit: Utah Wildfire Info) SPRINGVILLE, Utah - Authorities said a man using a lighter to burn a spider sparked a wildfire near Springville, Utah. KUTV identified the suspect as 26-year-old Cory Allan Martin of Draper. "Suspect arrested in fire east of Springville," The Utah County Sheriff’s Office tweeted Monday.

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. - Seventeen suspects are off the streets thanks to the actions of concerned citizens groups, according to Atlantic City police.All 17 men are accused of attempting to lure children.

FILE - Taco Bell's Mexican Pizza. (Photo by Joshua Blanchard/Getty Images for Taco Bell) IRVINE, Calif. - Taco Bell’s Mexican Pizza is permanently returning in mid-September, according to company officials.The Yum Brands-owned taco chain officially shared on Tuesday that its beloved menu item will return to menus nationwide on Sept.

NATIONAL PARK, N.J. - Researchers believe they have uncovered in a mass grave in New Jersey the remains of as many as 12 Hessian soldiers who fought during the Revolutionary War, officials announced Tuesday.The remains, found at the site of Fort Mercer and the 1777 Battle of Red Bank, rested for 245 years until a human femur was found in June during an archaeologicall dig of a trench system that surrounded the fort, scientists said. Additional excavation yielded more skeletal remains and items including pewter and brass buttons and a King George III gold guinea, which would have been a soldier’s pay for a month.A team of scientists from Rowan University and officials from Gloucester County presented their preliminary findings during a news conference at Red Bank Battlefield Park, just south of Philadelphia.Officials believe the remains are part of a mass grave of Hessian soldiers — German troops hired by the British — who were part of about 377 troops killed by Colonial forces during the Battle of Red Bank.

PHILADELPHIA - A law firm has filed a lawsuit against Wawa Inc., the owner of a strip mall and a security company, in connection with the fatal Valentine's Day stabbing of a beloved Philadelphia man. Kline & Specter filed the lawsuit on behalf of the mother of Roger Segal, 49, who died after being stabbed in the parking lot on South Columbus Boulevard in South Philadelphia on February 14. A police source told FOX 29 that video surveillance showed Segal entering the Wawa around 2 a.m. before returning to his car with food 20 minutes after. Police later responded to the location after a customer reported a man might be sleeping in his car, but when officers arrived on scene, they found Segal stabbed once in the stomach. According to authorities, Segal's car engine was still running and his foot was still pressed firmly on the brake. Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner announced the arrest of 55-year-old Walter Robbins in connection with the fatal stabbing months later in May.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Ministry of Health says that the number of COVID-19 infections and deaths confirmed yesterday (1) is as follows;Total number of COVID-19 infections so far: 665847Total number of COVID-19 infections today (2): 117Total number of COVID-19 deaths yesterday (1): 7

PHILADELPHIA - A house where more than 150 one-gallon jugs filled with gasoline were found has caught on fire - the second time in the past several months.The jugs were reportedly found when police were called to the 100 block of North 59th Street Monday for complaints of a strong smell of gas.Upon entering the abandoned West Philadelphia home, officials say 154 one-gallon milk jugs full of gasoline were piled inside.On Tuesday morning, fire crews responded to the same home for a reported fire.SkyFOX was live over the scene where firefighters could be seen working on the scorched home, as well as its neighbor.FOX 29's Steve Keeley reports that the jugs were safely removed from house Monday night.This is reportedly the second time a fire has broken out inside the house.

U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi arrived in Taiwan on Tuesday night, becoming the highest-ranking American official to visit the self-ruled island that is claimed by China in 25 years.Pelosi’s visit has triggered increased tensions between China and the United States.

SELMA, Calif - A group of dogs escaped from a home in central California and mauled to death a 59-year-old man who was out on a walk, authorities said.Selma police officers responding to a call Sunday afternoon in a residential part of the city found someone trying to separate the dogs from the victim, the police department said in a statement. Police and animal control officers captured and quarantined the dogs.The man was taken to a local hospital, where he died of his injuries.

Brad Pitt picked up an adorably offbeat pandemic hobby. But It wasn't sourdough starters, dalgona coffee or tie-dye keeping him occupied while the world slowed down around him — it was pottery making. The 58-year-old actor opened up to ET's Nischelle Turner about his newly acquired skillset with a self-deprecating laugh at the Los Angeles premiere of his new film, , on Monday night. «It was lockdown, you know,» he says.

Corbevax may be considered for a third/precaution dose six months after completion of primary series of Covaxin or Covishield vaccines for population above 18 years wherever indicated," the panel recommended. The Covid working committee, in its July 20 meeting, reviewed data of the double-blind randomized phase-3 clinical study which evaluated the immunogenicity and safety of a booster dose of Corbevax vaccine when administered to Covid-19-negative adult volunteers of age 18-80 years previously vaccinated with two doses of either Covishield or Covaxin.

COLOMBO (News 1st); President Ranil Wickremesinghe has requested citizens to obtain the COVID-19 vaccine in the face of rising cases.Issuing a special statement, the President pointed out that the Ministry of Health has issued health guidelines with regard to COVID-19, and requested the public to follow the health regulations properly, emphasizing that the spread of COVID-19 in the country should not be allowed again.He further stated that 1,731 COVID-19 patients were reported in April, with 26 COVID-19 deaths. This situation decreased to 472 patients in May, with 13 deaths, and decreased further in June, with 283 patients and 3 deaths. However, in July, President says that the number of COVID-19 patients has increased to 1,616 with 35 deaths, and 28 of these 35 deaths occurred after July 18th.While 17 million were vaccinated in the first round, it was reduced to 14 million in the second round and in the third round it was reduced to 8 million people.The President said that only 22,623 people have been vaccinated in the 4th round, adding that people should be redirected for proper vaccination, with emphasis on Western Province."There are currently 8 million vaccines in Sri Lanka.

COLOMBO (News 1st); MP Nimal Siripala de Silva was sworn in as the Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Aviation before the President, today (02).The appointment comes after his resignation from the position following an investigation into allegations of bribery.A three-member commission was appointed following the allegation, which handed over the relevant report after releasing him from the relevant charges.

Arnold DiBlasi, 71 BURLINGTON COUNTY, N.J. - Officials say a 71-year-old man was arrested after he was found with thousands of child sexual abuse materials.Arnold DiBlasi, of Marlton, is charged with four counts of endangering the welfare of a child.DiBlasi, the former youth director at Holy Eucharist Parish in Cherry Hill, reportedly distributed more than 11,000 files of child sexual abuse material to 30 people.He was arrested at his home on July 26 after an investigation began in May.

PHILADELPHIA - A crash on Roosevelt Boulevard turned deadly when the driver of a motorcycle was killed Monday night.Police say a speeding Suzuki Samurai collided with a Cadillac that was exiting a parking lot onto the 7200 block of Roosevelt Boulevard in Castor.The motorcycle driver, identified as 30-year-old Guilherme Almerique-Almeida, reportedly lost control when it sideswiped the vehicle.He was pronounced dead on the scene after being ejected from the motorcycle, according to police.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The immigration department has seized the passport of a young British national, accusing her of sharing information about the peoples protest through social media.The department said that her passport was taken into custody for violating visa conditions.Accordingly, she has been informed to visit to the Immigration and Emigration Department within 07 days for an investigation.The Immigration Department mentioned that the next course of action will be decided after the investigation.The young woman, Kayleigh Fraser, had posted information about the peoples protest via Instagram.

WASHINGTON - A bill that would enhance health care and disability benefits for millions of veterans exposed to toxic burn pits hit a snag in the Senate last week, angering advocates like comedian Jon Stewart who say help from the government is long overdue.Lawmakers have been hearing increasingly from constituents with respiratory illnesses and cancers that they attribute to serving near burn pits in Iraq and Afghanistan. The military used the pits to dispose of such things as chemicals, cans, tires, plastics and medical and human waste.Veteran groups say service members who were exposed to the pits have waited long enough for enhanced health benefits, and lawmakers largely agree.

Speaker of the US House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi (L) meets Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Hsien Loong on Aug. 1 2022 in Singapore.

PHILADELPHIA - Are you on the job hunt? A massive hiring event is kicking off at a very familiar Philadelphia arena on Tuesday.Wells Fargo Center is hosting a job fair Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

monkeypox infection include fever, intense headache, swelling of the lymph nodes, back pain, myalgia, lack of energy, and lesions. WHO said, "Monkeypox is usually a self-limited disease with the symptoms lasting from 2 to 4 weeks."  Many patients who are infected with monkeypox are also complaining of symptoms like Rectal pain and penile oedema (painless, non-tender swelling of the penis) The British Medical Journal last month pointed out though virus has been known since 1958 (the first case in humans came to the fore in 1970), some observation suggests a “new clinical course to the disease", i.e. new symptoms.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) approved power cuts of 3-Hours from 03rd -05th August as follows;Groups ABCDEFGHIJKLPQRSTUVW: 1-Hour and 40-Minutes during daytime 1-Hour and 20-Minutes during the nightGroup CC: 2-Hour and 30-Minutes from 6.00 AM to 8.30 AMGroups MNOXYZ: 3-Hours from 5.30 AM to 8.30 AM

on TikTok.  Officer Lance Hofmeister with the Murfreesboro Police Department figured he was just doing his job when he helped escort 84-year-old Elizabeth Goode to her hair appointment in April. But unbeknownst to him, his good deed did not go unnoticed.

DENVER, Col. - A wealthy dentist accused of fatally shooting his wife in the heart with a shotgun at the end of an African safari was found guilty of murder and mail fraud on Monday.A jury of six men and six women reached the verdict for Lawrence "Larry" Rudolph following a three week trial and a day and a half of deliberations.Rudolph, 67, was charged with foreign murder in the 2016 death of Bianca Rudolph in Zambia as well as mail fraud for cashing in $4.8 million in life insurance claims in what prosecutors describe as a premeditated crime. Some of the money was paid out of Colorado so he was tried in Denver federal court.He faces a maximum term of life in prison or the death penalty when he is sentenced in February.Rudolph maintained his innocence and the two adult children he had with his wife sat in court to support him during the trial.

Pedestrian killed by car in Burlington County.