Sri Lanka receives 600 MT rice donation from Australia

COLOMBO (News 1st) – President Ranil Wickremesinghe said amidst major economic stress, Sri Lanka is undertaking an unprecedented fiscal effort as part of the government’s commitment to restoring the country’s debt sustainability. Therefore, he expressed hope and expectation that Sri Lanka’s creditors, and all stakeholders, will support Sri Lanka in these efforts to restore the country’s debt sustainability and help put the country back on the path of inclusive and sustainable economic growth.President Wickremesinghe presided over the annual meeting of the ADB Board of Governors on Thursday (29) which was held at the ADB headquarters in Manila, Philippines and attended by Governors and official government delegations.President Wickremesinghe noted that the government has already undertaken major macroeconomic policy reform measures and this program is aligned with the commitment of the government to implement an ambitious and comprehensive package of reforms that will help restore the sustainability of the country’s public finances, addressing external imbalances, and restarting the growth engine through structural reforms and improvements in governance.“Amidst major economic stress, Sri Lanka is undertaking an unprecedented fiscal effort as part of our commitment to restoring the country’s debt sustainability.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka said that two fuel dispensers at a Colombo 7 filling station were sealed.These fuel dispensers were used to dispense 92 Octane Fuel, and the PUCSL uncovered a short delivery of 1.2% per litre of 92 Octane Petrol which is Rs.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Colombo District Secretary Pradeep Yasaratne told News 1st on Thursday (29) that the people who were displaced following the blaze that ripped through over 80 houses in Kajimawatte are being provided with relief.At the same time, LOLC Holdings also provided these families with essential relief packages via its Divi Saviya social welfare program.Eighty houses were completely destroyed following a fire that broke out in a series of houses in Kajimawatte, Grandpass on Tuesday (27) night.Sri Lanka Police said the fire was contained by over fifty firefighters who battled the blaze for several hours.Sri Lanka Police added that 300 plus people were displaced by the fire, and they were moved to a community hall and a temple temporarily until the area is cleared.The area that was burnt to the ground is a place where people were housed temporarily until they can be moved to a housing complex owned by the Urban Development Authority.President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who was on an official visit to Japan, had instructed the President’s Secretary Saman Ekanayake to take steps to provide immediate relief to all the residents affected by the fire that broke out at the Kajimawatta, Colombo.The President had instructed Secretary Saman Ekanayake to intervene immediately and direct the Colombo GA, Tri Forces Commanders, the Fire Brigade, the Health Department, the Urban Development Authority and all other relevant government agencies to look into the needs of the people who were residing in the apartment complex and provide them the required facilities immediately.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Twenty Three Police OICs have been transferred with immediate effect, said Sri Lanka Police.Police Spokesperson Attorney SSP Nihal Thalduwa says the OICs in question were assigned for other duties at different Police stations. The transfers were made as per a directive issued by the Inspector General of Police. 

(Nikkei) Sri Lanka's government appears increasingly upbeat about its chances of receiving International Monetary Fund board approval for a $2.9 billion bailout by December, but the multilateral lender has cautioned that the time frame remains uncertain, and much depends on discussions with the heavily indebted country's creditors.Peter Breuer, senior mission chief for Sri Lanka, and Masahiro Nozaki, mission chief for Sri Lanka, in written comments to Nikkei Asia, said, "It is difficult to predict the timeline, as the process of debt relief discussions takes time. All parties who are involved in the process should move expeditiously, so that Sri Lanka can emerge from the crisis as quickly as possible."On Sept.

COLOMBO (News 1st) –  Sri Lanka secured a resounding win against the Maldives in Game 5 of the 2022 South Asian Basketball Association Women's Championship 2022.Match 5 of the South Asian Basketball Association Women's Championship 2022 between Sri Lanka and the Maldives took place on Wednesday (28) evening in Male, Maldives in front of a packed crowd including the Maldives President, and Vice President.Sri Lanka took the lead at end of the first half with a score 46 – 22 .Sri Lanka continued to dominate the game and won 72 – 59.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Former Indian Minister of Commerce, Law & Justice Subramanian Swamy met with Former Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in Colombo on Wednesday (28).He was accompanied by several Indian lawyers and businessmen.Subramanian Swamy is in Sri Lanka for the 15th International Research Conference on “Economic Revival National Security & Sustainability through Advancement of Technology & Innovation" organized by the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University in Colombo.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – EU released €1.5 million in humanitarian aid to respond to the ongoing socio-economic crisis affecting millions of people in Sri Lanka.The new EU funding will mainly focus on multipurpose cash interventions to respond to the basic needs of the population, among which are food, health, education, and protection.Humanitarian assistance will target the most vulnerable households that require immediate support.Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarčič, said, “The people of Sri Lanka are suffering the hardship of a protracted socio-economic crisis that is increasingly exhausting resources and threatening the food security of millions of people.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – SLPP State Minister Sanath Nishantha who is alleged to have made a statement that was in contempt of court, was issued a summons by the Court of Appeal to be present in Court on 13th October 2022.Justices of the Court of Appeal Nissanka Karunaratne, and R.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – A Sri Lanka Police officer was injured after he was struck with a bottle by a suspect at the Bastian Mawatha Bus Station in Pettah, Colombo.The Police said that a Police officer of Keselwatta Police Station's traffic Division was injured in the attack, and admitted to the Colombo National Hospital.The police have also arrested a 40-year-old woman who was seen with the suspect.

The purpose of this article is to fully examine the roots and emotional motivations of Putin's cataclysmic decision to invade Ukraine. Whilst there is little to no justification for the declaration of a military conflict or the invasion of foreign territory, there is nostalgia and extreme patriotism driving Putin's decision to annex Ukraine and the Crimea.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka customs arrested a 43-year-old Ugandan man on Wednesday (28) morning at the Katunayake Airport's arrival terminal for the possession of cocaine.Investigations revealed that the suspect, a farmer in Uganda, had flown to Guinea in West Africa, and then to Casablanca in Morocco.Thereafter he had flown to Qatar and reached Sri Lanka aboard Qatar Airways flight QR-664.Customs officials had become suspicious following the suspect's arrival and has taken him away for an inspection, and an airport scanner revealed the presence of small packets in his abdomen and interrogation revealed that he was smuggling cocaine.The suspect was arrested and during questioning, he revealed that he had swallowed 80 packets of cocaine valued at over Rs. 50 Million.17 cocaine packets valued at over Rs.

Also Read: Coronavirus variant Khosta-2 could infect humans, warns scientists. Read here The death toll has reached 5,28,611 with 27 more deaths, including 16 fatalities reconciled by Kerala, the data updated at 8 am stated.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekara says to secure the short-term requirement of Coal Supply, a Spot Tender has been advertised following the International Competitive Bidding method.He said the process has been opened for registered suppliers & any other supplier capable of supplying the requirement with a minimum 180-day credit facility. Further, he added that a long Term Tender for Coal Procurement will be advertised by next week.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe has met with Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.

COLOMBO (News 1st) -HOPE worldwide, a leading international humanitarian organization in the United States, has facilitated a generous in-kind donation of urgent medicinal supplies worth $2,740,498.32, an estimate of Rs.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe, the Governor of the Central Bank research collaborations between academia and policymakers to address various issues faced by the economies amidst the prevailing high volatility in the global economic landscape is of paramount importance.The Governor highlighted that although the applicability and validity of findings of certain models and theories presented in theoretical academic research could be somewhat limited amidst crises like the one Sri Lanka is facing at present, ongoing effort to study the dynamics of emerging market economies is an essential element in the recovery process. The Central Bank of Sri Lanka co-hosted the CBSL-ADBI-APAEA Online Macroeconomics Conference for the third consecutive year, in collaboration with the Asian Development Bank Institute (ADBI) and the Asia-Pacific Applied Economics Association (APAEA), on 23 September 2022. This year’s theme remained the same as the previous year; 'Emerging Issues for Macroeconomic Stability'.Inaugurating the Conference, Dr.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka Navy handed over a distressed Indian fishing trawler, found in Sri Lanka’s waters due to a mechanical failure, to the Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) Annie Besant at the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) on Thursday (28th September 2022). The distressed fishing trawler with a ceased engine was spotted by the Sri Lanka Navy about 26 nautical miles (48 Km) off Point Pedro in northern waters.Reportedly, the fishing trawler ‘Bairavakali’ was on a fishing voyage from Nagapattinam, India on 25th September. As the Indian trawler was reported to have swept towards Sri Lanka’s waters due to a mechanical failure on 27th September, the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) Chennai has disseminated a distress signal to MRCC Colombo in the Navy Headquarters, requesting assistance to locate the trawler.In response to the request for assistance, the Navy made arrangements to rush P 484 Fast Attack Craft of the 4th Fast Attack Flotilla (4 FAF) in the Northern Naval Command to the sea area where the trawler was.

Covid-19 cases seem to be on the rise in Russia with its tally rising by 40,017 over the past day, according to the anti-coronavirus crisis centre.On Wednesday (September 28) it was reported that Russia is now tackling over 20million Covid cases as the numbers rack up, as over 36,000 cases were recorded the previous day.Despite the high cases, there are less people hospitalised with the virus, as an estimated 3,300 people were admitted to hospital with Covid-19 over the past day, down 9.6% from a day earlier.READ MORE:Conspiracy lover pundit Matt Le Tissier insists his views are actually 'very moderate'While the number of hospitalised patients has increased in 34 regions of the country, that figure has decreased in 49 other regions.The anti-coronavirus crisis centre reported that the nation's capital's Covid cases had risen by 4,041 over the past day, compared to the 2,089 cases a day earlier, reaching a total of over 3million cases in Moscow.While in St.

Today the World Health Organization (WHO) said global COVID-19 cases were down 11% in the week ending on Sep 25, and deaths were down 18% compared to the previous week.

Picture taken on June 30, 2022 shows a street banner read as "Donetsk People Republic's square" in front of US embassy in Moscow. (Photo by NATALIA KOLESNIKOVA/AFP via Getty Images) MOSCOW - The U.S.

For the first time in a decade, M&M’S is expanding its iconic crew with the introduction of a new character - Purple - a permanent addition as the brand seeks to use the power of fun to help more people feel they belong. (Credit: Mars, Incorporat NEWARK, N.J. - For the first time in a decade, a new M&M’s character is making its debut and joining the iconic candy cast.Mars, Inc.

A new strain of Covid thought to be even more contagious has been spotted all over Europe, and experts fear it will continue to spread.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Human-elephant conflict is one of the biggest environmental and socio-economic crises in rural Sri Lanka, and this is not something new.Development projects carried out in an ad-hoc manner over the years threatened the habitats of the Wild Elephants.However, this time around Wild Elephants charge at villages in search of the fresh paddy harvest stored inside the houses.During such encroachments, five people lost their lives in just two days in rural Sri Lanka.An 80-year-old woman from Kebithigollewa was killed early this morning following a wild elephant attack when she was heading to town to obtain her Senior Citizen's Benefit.She was killed at her doorstep, and it was reported that her late husband also died last year in a similar wild elephant attack.A 56-year-old man was killed by a wild elephant in Kekirawa when he was returning from a swim in a local lake.Reports said that his eldest son was seriously injured in a wild elephant attack some time back.It is reported that the Wild Elephants caused serious damage to 10 houses and a school in the Kalu-Ebe village in KekirawaThe victims' brother alleged that local authorities are not giving any attention to the threats posed by the wild elephants.A 45-year-old mother of two was killed in a wild elephant attack in the Udagawa area in Kebithigollewa.She was returning home with her two children after attending her brother's funeral.Her children were spared in the wild elephant attack."I was riding the bicycle with my sister. My mother stopped because there was an elephant on the road.

Freddlie Lee Trone is wanted in connection with the fatal shooting of Philadelphia rapper PnB Rock.  LOS ANGELES - The Los Angeles Police Department on Wednesday released the name and photo of the man suspected in the brutal killing of rapper PnB Rock, 30, in broad daylight while he was dining with his girlfriend at a Roscoe’s Chicken & Waffles in South Los Angeles earlier this month.Local communities, celebrities and officials are mourning the loss of Philadelphia rapper PnB Rock, who was reportedly killed during a robbery at a popular Los Angeles-area restaurant on Monday.LAPD investigators named Freddie Lee Trone as the suspect in the deadly shooting.Authorities believe Trone approached the rapper, demanded his jewelry, and then shot him several times in front of the rapper’s girlfriend, along with terrified patrons and staff.RELATED COVERAGETrone is considered armed and dangerous and authorities are asking anyone who sees him to call 911 immediately. PnB Rock's Germantown neighborhood gathered to honor the artist, killed in a Los Angeles restaurant during a robbery.This is a developing story.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka is importing 95 Octane Petrol at a price cheaper than 92 Octane Petrol, and concerns have been raised over the government's fuel price formula as well.The Fuel Price Formula that is adopted in Sri Lanka has become a cause of concern.Recently, Sri Lanka's Power and Energy Minister made public the Fuel Price Formula on his social media account.According to the document made public by the Minister, 95 Octane Petrol is purchased at a price that is less than what is offered for 92 Octane Petrol.As per data obtained on the world fuel refining industry, there is no great price difference between 95 Octane Petrol and 92 Octane Petrol as Market Rates determine the fuel prices globally.According to the documents Sri Lanka is purchasing Diesel and Petrol as per the PLATTS rates.Sri Lanka purchases a Barrel of 95 Octane Petrol for USD 100 and 75 cents as per the PLATTS  rates.At the same time, Sri Lanka purchases a barrel of 92 Octane Petrol for USD 100 and 19 cents.The difference between the two is 76 Cents US.Now, what happens next?A litre of 95 Octane Petrol is unloaded at the Port for Rs. 243 and 88 cents.A litre of 92 Octane Petrol is unloaded at the Port for Rs.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Asian Development Bank said it is prepared to offer more financial help to Sri Lanka.Asian Development Bank President Masatsugu Asakawa said that as a key long-term partner, the ADB stands ready to provide further support to Sri Lanka.He said that after the IMF programme is completed, ADB will consider to join another, by providing additional financial resources to join other rescue packages for Sri Lanka.The remarks came after an ADB pact this month for an emergency loan of $200 million to ensure access to food and protect livelihoods in Sri Lanka which is suffering its worst economic crisis in more than seven decades.Asakawa said that Sri Lanka’s economy has contracted and is dealing with high inflation which has severely affected living standards.Asakawa said he was confident Colombo was working to finalise a staff-level agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a loan of about $2.9 billion, by seeking financing assurances from creditors, among other steps.

Millions of people are being urged to have flu and Covid vaccines after experts said they were increasingly worried about a bad flu spike this winter.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Samagi Jana Balavegaya filed Fundamental Rights applications with the Supreme Court challenging the gazette issued by President Ranil Wickremesinghe declaring High-Security Zones in Colombo.The applications were filed by SJB MPs Harshana Rajakaruna, and Mujibur Rahuman on Wednesday (28).The FR applications name the Attorney General as the respondent and note that the President has no right to declare High-Security Zones, and no law allows the President to do so.The petitioners request the Supreme Court to rule that the conduct of the President had violated the Fundamental Rights of the people of Sri Lanka, and thereby issue an order to invalidate the said gazette.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka Navy apprehended 06 persons who were suspected to be attempting to illegally migrate to a foreign country by sea, during a search operation carried out in seas off Sand Banks, Talaimannar on 27th September 2022.Sri Lanka Navy has been conducting regular search operations and patrols covering the sea and coastal areas around the island with the aim of suppressing illegal activities. During a special operation mounted by SLNS Thammanna in the North Central Naval Command on 27th September, a group of individuals remaining suspiciously at Sand Banks were approached and interrogated. Subsequently, the group of individuals who were suspected to be remaining there until the arrival of a boat to illegally migrate from the country were nabbed by the Navy.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The latest report from the World Food Program reveals that four in ten housholds in Sri Lanka are consuming inadequate diets.The World Food Program said that the intensifying economic crisis continues to threaten food security, and the persistence of high food and fuel prices has pushed food further out of each. The WFP warned that in the face of inaction, the situation could deteriorate even further.Highlighting the fact that diets are in a precarious state among Sri Lankans, the World Food Program said that four in ten  households are facing insufficient food  consumption, with many consuming far less diverse diets as food prices remain high across the country.To date, WFP has received a total of US$29.35 million from the  governments of Australia, Italy,  Japan, New Zealand, Norway, United States and  Switzerland, as well as from the UN Central  Emergency Response Fund, private sector partners, and multilateral donors. This represents nearly half of its emergency appeal for US$63 million. 

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna has decided to strip the SLPP Local Government Member who was arrested over the Thambuttegama Bank Heist of his party membership.SLPP General Secretary Attorney Sagara Kariyawasam told reported on Wednesday (28) that the matter was internally probed on Tuesday (27), adding that necessary action will be taken against the local government member if it is proven via an investigation that he is responsible for the crime.A Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna Local Government Member was arrested over the Rs. 20 Million Bank Heist in ThambuttegSri Lanka Podujana Peramuna Local Government Member ama.Sri Lanka Police said that a Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna Local Government Member from the Rajanganaya Pradeshiya Sabha was arrested for aiding and abetting in the crime.The suspect is a 44-year-old resident from Rajanganaya.A Sri Lankan Police Officer has been hailed a hero after he valiantly stopped two men from making a getaway with over Rs.

(New York) – The Sri Lankan government should reverse a new regulation that unlawfully restricts protests in large areas of the capital, Colombo, Human Rights Watch said on Tuesday (27). On September 24, 2022, a day after the measure was issued, police arrested 84 people and used tear gas and water cannon to disperse protesters calling for the release of student activists being held under the notorious Prevention of Terrorism Act.On September 23, the Sri Lankan government invoked the Official Secrets Act to designate public streets and government buildings in central Colombo “high security zones,” where written permission from the police is required to hold any public gathering. Under the regulation, police have wide-ranging authority to arrest anyone inside these zones and only the High Court can grant bail to those detained.

Police have launched an investigaion into alleged mistreatment of patients at a mental health unit. The Manchester Evening News understands that more than 12 staff have been suspended at the facility by the NHS Trust that runs it.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka Police launched an investigation into an Rs.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka's Ministry of Public Administration has noted that expressing opinions on social media by a public officer without following the proper provisions of the Establishments Code shall be consituted as an offense.A statement noted that such offense shall lead to disciplinary action.Refer full statement below:  

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka has decided to send a delegation for the annual summit of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.The 2022 Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group (WBG) will take place in person from Monday, October 10, through Sunday, October 16 in the IMF and World Bank Group headquarters, in Washington DC.Sri Lanka's delegation will be led by Acting Finance Minister Shehan Semasinghe.He said the Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, the Finance Secretary and several others will accompany him.The Acting Finance Minister said that the 2022 Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group (WBG) will be of paramount importance for Sri Lanka to restrucutre its debt, and also obtain financial assistance from the IMF.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Eighty houses were completely destroyed following a fire that broke out in a series of houses in Kajimawatte, Grandpass on Tuesday (27) night.Sri Lanka Police said the fire was contained by over fifty firefighters who battled the blaze for several hours.Sri Lanka Police added that 220 people were displaced by the fire, and they were moved to a community hall and a temple temporarily until the area is cleared.The Government Analyst will be summoned on Wednesday (28) to determine the cause of the fire.Colombo District Secretary Pradeep Yasaratne told News 1st that steps will be taken to provide relief to the people who were displaced by the fire.He said a proposal was put forward to award the displaced families houses from housing complexes owned by the Urban Development Authority.President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who is on an official visit to Japan, has instructed the President’s Secretary Saman Ekanayake to take steps to provide immediate relief to all the residents affected by the fire that broke out at the Kajimawatta complex in Thotalanga, Colombo.The President had instructed Secretary Saman Ekanayake to intervene immediately and direct the Colombo GA, Tri Forces Commanders, the Fire Brigade, the Health Department, the Urban Development Authority and all other relevant government agencies to look into the needs of the people who were residing in the apartment complex and provide them the required facilities immediately.Accordingly, all relevant departments have already taken steps to provide the maximum intervention required to douse the fire and provide all other necessary facilities promptly.The President has further stated that special attention should be provided to attend to the needs of

PHILADELPHIA - A Delaware County teen's vision recently came to life after getting approval from school administration to start a resource closet for students in need. About a year ago, Aicha Coulibaly came up with an idea to start a collection of hygiene products for her classmates. Now, her idea has blossomed in to a closet packed full of various personal care items after the school board approved the teen's initiative. "Everybody deserves to have basic needs.

Greater Manchester Police have opened an investigation following allegations that adult patients were mistreated at a mental health unit in Prestwich.

BERLIN (FOX Business) - Unprecedented leaks in the Nord Stream energy pipelines connecting Russia to Germany were likely the result of sabotage, Germany argued Tuesday.The Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipeline systems suffered three leaks in a single day on Tuesday, though neither pipeline was operating at the time. The damaged offshore pipelines lay at the bottom of the Baltic Sea. Neither of the pipelines was operating at the time of the damage, however.

Khosta viruses have been reported yet. Seifert et al.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Report of the special committee related to the May 9 violent incidents will be submitted to Parliament soon by State Minister of Defence Premitha Bandara Tennakoon.The gazette notification to remove legal obstacles to the extradition of criminals from the UAE was also approved.State Minister of Defense Premitha Bandara Tennakoon said in Parliament that the report of the special committee related to the violent incidents that took place on and around May 9th was handed over to the President on the 8th of September and accordingly steps will be taken to inform the Cabinet and the Parliament about it in the future.The state minister said this recently (23) while presiding over the first meeting of the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Defence related to the new session.According to the report of this committee comprising former Navy Commander Admiral of the Fleet Wasantha Karnagoda, former Air Force Commander Marshal of the Air Force Mr.Roshan Gunathilake, and former Army Commander General Daya Rathnayake (retired), if any lapses have occurred in the security forces, measures will be taken in the future the State Minister said.The minister said this when the members brought to the attention of the committee whether there were any lapses by the security forces in connection with the violent incidents that took place in Sri Lanka on and around May 9 and the legal measures to be taken against those involved.Also, Defense Secretary General Kamal Gunaratne (retired) said that the law will be strictly enforced against those involved and those who supported these violent incidents.Meanwhile, the approval of the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Defense was also received to present the order made under

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - As Hurricane Ian continues to strengthen and aim for Florida's Gulf Coast later this week, area military officials have ordered all ships and aircraft to prepare for the expected storm.HURRICANE IAN TRACKER: PROJECTED PATH, WATCHES AND WARNINGS, STORM SURGE, WINDS, RAINFALL TOTALS AND MORERear Adm. Jim Aiken, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command, said U.S.

An ally of President Vladimir Putin issued a stark new nuclear warning to Ukraine and the West on Tuesday as referendums billed by Russia as a prelude to it annexing four Ukrainian regions entered their fifth and final day.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe said that the need at the moment for the island nation is an agreement with its three main creditors – India, China, and Japan."We've had discussions with the IMF. We have come to a staff-level agreement.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) approved power cuts of 2 hours and 20 minutes for 28th September as follows;Groups ABCDEFGHIJKLPQRSTUVW: 1-hour during daytime 1-hour and 20-minutes during the nightGroups MNOXYZ: 2-hours and 30-minutes from 5.30 AM to 8.00 AMGroup CC: 2-hours and 30-minutes from 6.00 AM to 8.30 AM

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The President of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka President's Counsel Saliya Pieris has responded to the claims made by the Acting Defence Minister on seeking six hour prior approval for protests or demonstrations.Responding to the acting Minister of Defence saying that the Police should be notified and approval must be obtained from local Police six hours before holding a protest, the President ofthe Bar Association of Sri Lanka noted that it was not what the Supreme Court held in the case of Vivienne Goonewardene v Hector Perera as per the judgment of Justice J.F.A. Soza in 1983.He added that accordingly.