Sri Lanka records highest worker remittances in August ’22

COLOMBO (News 1st) –  Two teenage boys died after they drowned in a flooded quarry pit in Thun-Anda-Hena in Athurugiriya.They were reportedly playing inside the pit after school on Monday (17).According to relatives, as the boys did not return home later in the evening they decided to search for them and only located their clothes.The deceased were 14-year-old Sandun Nimsara, and 15-year-old Nadun Induruwa.Sri Lanka Police said that the boys had attempted to paddle a makeshift raft and drowned when it toppled over.The Disaster Management Center appeals to the general public to refrain from playing in water holes, and from visiting landslide-prone areas.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Cabinet of Ministers have approved a proposal to raise the Government's debt ceiling for the year 2022. Speaking at the Cabinet decisions press conference on Tuesday (18), Cabinet Spokesperson Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardena said that the country currently can only take debt to the limit whic the Parliament hsa set, which is Rs.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The UN Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Association has stressed the need to ensure the people's rights to assembly in Sri Lanka.Clement Voule, the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Association and Peaceful Assembly said his office will be following the situation closely in Sri Lanka.'He said that ahead of protests planned by the Inter-University Student's Federation in Colombo on Tuesday (18), Sri Lankan authorities must respect the right to assembly.He also said that law enforcement has an obligation to protect peaceful protestors & must create a safe & enabling environment for all to express their views.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – South Asia's fastest man & Commonwealth Bronze Medalist Yupun Abeykoon returned to Sri Lanka on Tuesday (18) morning.Sri Lankan sprinter Yupun Abeykoon won Bronze in the Men's 100m at the Commonwealth Games, clocking a time of 10.14 seconds. The first Asian to win a Commonwealth Games medal in the event, Abeykoon was only 0.01 seconds behind Olympic Games finalist Akani Simbine of South Africa who took SilverHe is currently ranked 20th in the world rankings, and this is the first time he visited Sri Lanka following the conclusion of the Commonwealth Games.Speaking to reporters Abeykoon said he was pleased to renew many recorded this years, and it also in talks with the Sports Minister to improve Sri Lankan Athletics to a professional sport.

COLOMBO (News 1st) –  Sri Lanka's Minister of Power and Energy said that the fuel quota for three-wheelers will likely be increased within the next two weeks.He said if the documentation process is completed the provision can be made available within a week.The Minister also said that three-wheeler drivers must also pass on the benefit of reducing petrol prices to the customers as well.

COLOMBO (News 1st) –  Sri Lanka's State Finance Minister says that the IMF is committed to working with Sri Lanka.Sri Lanka's State Minister for Finance Shehan Semasinghe tweeted that he, and the delegation concluded their visit to the IMF annual meeting with a bilateral discussion with Kristalina Georgieva, the Managing Director of the IMF.He said the IMF Managing Director commended the government on the difficult, yet essential, reforms that it had undertaken to restore economic stability,He also said that Kristalina Georgieva assured the IMF’s commitment to  work with Sri Lanka to place the country on a stable and sustained growth path as early as possible.

Fauci, long Covid impairs the body system without any signs, and that's why it has not attracted much attention as a death rate. There is no test for long Covid – its precise causes remain mysterious and little is known about how it interacts with other medical and physical conditions. The World Health Organization (WHO) believes that between 10% and 20% of Covid-19 survivors have been left with lasting symptoms including breathlessness, fatigue, and cognitive dysfunction that can persist long after the acute infection has resolved.

Colombo (News 1st) – Sri Lankan Writer Shehan Karunatilaka won the prestigious Booker Prize for fiction on Monday (17) for “The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida,” a satirical “afterlife noir” set during Sri Lanka’s brutal civil war.Karunatilaka, one of Sri Lanka’s leading authors, won the 50,000 pound ($57,000) award for his second novel. The 47-year-old, who has also written journalism, children’s books, screenplays and rock songs, is the second Sri Lanka-born Booker Prize winner, after Michael Ondaatje, who took the trophy in 1992 for “The English Patient.”Karunatilaka received the award from Camilla, Britain’s queen consort, during a ceremony at London’s Roundhouse concert hall.The judges’ unanimous choice, “The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida” is the darkly humorous story about a murdered war photographer investigating his death and trying to ensure his life’s legacy.Karunatilaka said Sri Lankans “specialize in gallows humor and make jokes in the face of crises”.“It’s our coping mechanism,” he said, and expressed hope that his novel about war and ethnic division would one day be “in the fantasy section of the bookshop.”Former British Museum director Neil MacGregor, who chaired the judging panel, said judges chose the book for “the ambition, the scope and the skill, the daring, the audacity and the hilarity of the execution.”“It’s a book that takes the reader on a rollercoaster journey through life and death, right to what the author describes as the dark heart of the world,” MacGregor said.

Ontario, Canada, healthcare systems saw an uptick in healthcare use by adult COVID-19 survivors—especially women—starting 2 months after people were infected, placing more demand on an atrophied healthcare workforce, finds a study with implications for long COVID and hospital resources long term published today in the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ).

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka Navy said it has sought the assistance of neighboring countries to locate the Sri Lanka Navy boat that went missing with six Sri Lankan sailors.Navy Spokesperson Captain Indika De Silva told News 1st that information about the missing boat was relayed to the authorities in India, Maldives, Indonesia, and Australia assuming that the Sri Lanka Navy boat may have drifted into international waters.The Sri Lanka Navy boat with six sailors had been engaged in operations to monitor suspicious activity in the Southern Coast of Sri Lanka and had left Sri Lanka on the 16th of September, and has been missing for exactly one month.On the 17th of September 2022, the Sri Lanka Navy lost all communication with the boat in question, and the Navy Spokesperson said that search and rescue operations are continuing to locate the missing sailors and the boat.

(The Hindu) – Close on the heels of the project that translocated cheetahs from Namibia, the Indian government is considering a proposal from Colombo to export a number of gaurs, or Indian bisons, to Sri Lanka to revive the population of gavaras that have been extinct in the island since the end of the 17th century.If the project is cleared, it would be the first such agreement between India and Sri Lanka, and part of a global trend of “wildlife or zoological diplomacy”, say experts.Sources said the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), which received the request in August, has now forwarded it to the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF), “seeking comments” on the proposal to transport at least six specimens, including a bull and three to five cows. According to the written proposal, the Sri Lankan Department of Zoological Gardens would then carry out “captive breeding a herd of about a dozen specimens over a five-year period before trial reintroduction to the wild could take place in accordance with [internationally mandated] guidelines for reintroductions”.S.P.

COLMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka's Ministry of Power and Energy has decided to reduce fuel prices with effect from Monday (17) night.92 Octane Petrol (1 Litre) reduced by Rs. 40/- to  Rs.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – More than forty students attending a school in Bogaswewa, Vavuniya were hospitalized following a wasp attack on Monday (17) morning.The students were rushed to the Padaviya, and Vavuniya hospital.Sri Lanka Police said that two students are in critical condition.

(Times of India) – Sri Lankan High Commissioner to India has told the Times of India that any security threat to India is also a security threat to Sri Lanka.The Times of India said the High Commissioner had  sought to reassure the Indian government that in line with their bilateral agreement and understanding, the island nation won’t allow its ports to be used by a foreign country in any manner that is prejudicial to India’s interests.Describing India as the key to "sustainable" economic recovery of debt-ridden Sri Lanka, the high commissioner said that the strategically located country is exploring with India trilateral cooperation opportunities with Japan, Israel and the UAE.According to Moragoda, Sri Lanka wants economic integration with India which, he said, will allow the country to expand its existing economic model and ensure quicker recovery from the debt crisis it’s facing.  "If we can hitch on to India, when you move we can move too.

COLOMBO (News st) – Sri Lanka recorded over 49,100 dengue cases so far in 2022.The Health Ministry said that a total of 49,149 dengue patients were reported and a majority of 10,227 cases were reported from the Colombo District.6,598 dengue cases were reported from the Gampaha District, and another 3,272 dengue cases were reported from the Kalutara District.The highest number of dengue cases were reported in the month of July, which is 11,248 cases.In October 2022, a total of 586 cases were reported, said the Health Ministry.Also visit :  

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Three people were reported dead after a car crashed on to a tree close to the Daladagama Junction on the Padeniya Road in Anuradhapura.Sri Lanka Police said that five people were traveling in the car at the time of the accident.It was reported that a four year old child is among the dead

(The Hindu) – Tamil Nadu has flagged serious security concerns over the increased presence of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of China in Sri Lanka. An alert issued by the State’s intelligence agency a few days ago said the activities of the Chinese in the neighbouring country is a concern to national security and called for intensified vigil along the coastline.The movement of PLA cadres and deployment of hi-tech gadgets such as satellites, drones and other communication equipment in northern Sri Lanka required constant surveillance in coastal districts, the advisory sent to all cities/districts in the State said. Citing sources, the alert claimed that the PLA deployed sophisticated gadgets in the garb of launching sea cucumber farming.The security advisory comes days after an alert was issued by the same agency warning that a handful of Chinese nationals had clandestinely entered India via the sea route with the assistance of cadres belonging to a Sri Lanka-based political party.The Tamil Nadu Coastal Security Group had also, citing a Central intelligence agency, issued an alert on the Chinese ship used to monitor satellites, rockets and inter-continental missile launches of China docked at Hambantota Port, and called for adequate security arrangements in view of vital installations such as nuclear establishments and seaports along the Tamil Nadu coast.The free movement of Chinese nationals in many parts of northern Sri Lanka, including Mullaitheevu, Paruthitheevu, Analaitheevu, Meesalai, and Chavakkacheri, had triggered discontentment among Tamil fishermen.

COLOMBO (News 1st) –  The Paris Club has assured its fullest support to Sri Lanka in its ongoing efforts to find an early resolution to its debt crisis.Paris Club is a group of officials from major creditor countries whose role is to find co-ordinated and sustainable solutions to the payment difficulties experienced by debtor countries.State Minister Shehan Semasinghe said that he meet with William Roos, Co-Chairman of the Paris Club during the IMF/World Bank Annual Meetings."Mr. Roos assured The Paris Club’s fullest support for Sri Lanka’s ongoing efforts to find an early resolution to its debt crisis," he tweeted.What Is the Paris Club?The Paris Club is an informal group of creditor nations whose objective is to find workable solutions to payment problems faced by debtor nations.

(New York) – The Sri Lankan government should withdraw a draft law that would give the authorities broad powers to detain people in military-run “rehabilitation” centers, placing them at great risk of abuse, Human Rights Watch said on Monday (17). The Bureau of Rehabilitation Bill, submitted to parliament on September 23, 2022, would allow the compulsory detention in centers of “drug dependant persons, ex-combatants, members of violent extremist groups and any other group of persons.”The Bureau of Rehabilitation Bill would establish a new administrative structure controlled by the Defense Ministry to operate “rehabilitation” centers staffed by military personnel. The proposed law, which human rights advocates have already challenged in the Supreme Court, does not describe the basis for being sent for “rehabilitation,” but other recent government policies provide vague and arbitrary powers to forcibly “rehabilitate” people who have not been convicted of any crime.“The Sri Lankan government’s proposed ‘rehabilitation’ efforts appear to be nothing more than a new form of abusive detention without charge,” said Meenakshi Ganguly, South Asia director at Human Rights Watch.

COLOMBO (News 1st) –  The Paris Club has assured its fullest support to Sri Lanka in its ongoing efforts to find an early resolution to its debt crisis.Paris Club is a group of officials from major creditor countries whose role is to find co-ordinated and sustainable solutions to the payment difficulties experienced by debtor countries.State Minister Shehan Semasinghe said that he meet with William Roos, Co-Chairman of the Paris Club during the IMF/World Bank Annual Meetings."Mr. Roos assured The Paris Club’s fullest support for Sri Lanka’s ongoing efforts to find an early resolution to its debt crisis," he tweeted.What Is the Paris Club?The Paris Club is an informal group of creditor nations whose objective is to find workable solutions to payment problems faced by debtor nations.

Hailey Thomas with Henrys Lake hybrid trout (photo by Shane Thomas) When Hailey Thomas and her family headed to a renowned lake in Idaho to fish and enjoy a beautiful afternoon, she never thought she’d come home a state record holder.Despite the beautiful weather, Hailey and her husband Shane, himself a veteran angler and former state-record holder, weren’t having much luck on Henrys Lake, according to the Idaho Fish and Game Department. They decided to raise the anchor and try again somewhere else on the lake, but then Hailey hooked something.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lankan Cricket Captain Dasun Shanaka said his team hopes to win next two games in the T20 world cup qualifying round, and put the country on a path towards victory. He made this statement speaking at the post match press conference today. Namibia pulled of an upset win, beating Sri Lanka by 55 runs in match number one of the T20 world cup today. The T20 world cup got underway today in Geelong Australia. The 1st match of the T20 world cup featured Asia Cup Champions Sri Lanka taking on Namibia. The match is a qualifier for the group stage. Sri Lankan skipper Dasun Shanaka won the toss and invited Namibia to bat. Namibia lost their 1st 3 wickets for just 35 runs. However, a partnership between Namibian skipper Gerhard Erasmus and Stephan Baard put Namibia on top.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe stated that he had recently discussed Sri Lanka’s debt restructuring with the Chinese Finance Minister and he is optimistic that the discussions in this regard would be concluded successfully.The President further mentioned that the delegation headed by the State Minister of Finance, who is currently in Washington, held initial discussions yesterday (15) with the International Monetary Fund and the three main countries, China, India and Japan that have given loans to the country. He said that the government is giving priority to immediately solve the problem of the country’s bankruptcy and to ensure food security.President Ranil Wickremesinghe made these remarks following an observation tour of the cultivated lands in Rathumada-Weerakandawala area in Siambalanduwa Divisional Secretariat this morning (16).The President also discussed the progress of the implementation of the food security program in Monaragala district with government officials.He said that there is no problem with having debates and also recalled the statements made by some people that they would come forward and shed blood and said that one should live before shedding blood.The President mentioned that if a proper program is not implemented to provide food to the people, they will not have to shed blood but will starve to death.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Association of Health Entomology Officials have identified two new mosquito species in the country.Its National Organizer, Disnaka Dissanayake mentioned that one species of mosquito called Culex sintellus has been reported from Mirigama and Kalutara areas.Previously, the same mosquito species has been reported from countries such as Thailand and India.The other species of mosquito identified from Sri Lanka is called Culex niyainfula.This particular species of mosquito, which is widespread in India, is a carrier of the disease called cerebral malaria.Dissanayake mentioned that investigations are underway as to whether this mosquito species is an active vector in Sri Lanka.He added that samples of 4 other mosquito species found in Sri Lanka have been sent to a Korean university for identification.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna says that they are ready for an election at anytime.A public meeting in the series of public rallies of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna, titled – 'Let's stand together' – was held in Nawalapitiya on Sunday (16).The public meeting was held under the chairmanship of SLPP Leader and the former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa.Speaking at the event, former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse admitted that although they may have made mistakes, there have been people in history who have made mistakes before. "When something goes wrong, we have a chance to fix it. We don't need to be ashamed," he said. He alleged that while many know the truth of what happened, many still act as if they do not know, and stick by their lies for the shame of not being able to take back their accusations.Acknowledging the protest which took place at the same location today, the former Prime Minister said that it is unclear what they demand, and he has no idea as to what they expect."We know there is a section of this country against us.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Minister of Education, Susil Premjayanth has met with the Deputy Prime Minister of Russia, Alexander Novak.He met with the Russian Deputy Prime Minister during an official visit to Russia.The two dignitaries discussed obtaining fuel for Sri Lanka at length during the meeting, in addition to the welfare of Sri Lankan students who went to Russia for higher education.The Minister thanked Russia for its support provided to Sri Lanka during the COVID-19 period.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – State Minister of Foreign Affairs Tharaka Balasuriya, leading Sri Lanka's delegation to the 6th Summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) in Kazakhstan, held meetings with the Minister of the Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Azerbaijan Jeyhun Bayramov and the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Adil Tursunov on the sidelines of Summit on 13 October, 2022.During the meeting with the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, State Minister Balasuriya extended congratulations to Kazakhstan on successfully hosting the Sixth CICA Summit and noted that holding bilateral consultations focusing on strengthening  economic, culture and political relations between the two countries would be timely, observing that the last consultations were held over a decade ago.State Minister Balasuriya also requested Kazakhstan to explore avenues for cooperation in the power and energy sectors in Sri Lanka. Appreciating the participation of the State Minister of Foreign Affairs at the Sixth CICA Summit, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs assured that Kazakhstan was ready to support Sri Lanka and suggested that a team visit Kazakhstan to explore options available in the energy sector.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – A delegation from Sri Lanka, including the State Minister of Finance, Shehan Semasinghe, met with the Deputy Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, Kenji Okamura.The State Minister met with the IMF Director at the annual summit of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, which is currently underway at the United States.The necessary next steps to get the approval of the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund for the proposed Extended Fund Facility have been discussed between the State Minister and the IMF Director at the meeting.Recent economic trends in Sri Lanka were also discussed at length during the meeting.The alternative Executive Director of International Monetary Fund Dr. Chandranath Amarasekara, Central Bank Governor Dr.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) has decided to initiate an investigation with regard to irregularities in fuel dispensing.The probe will be initiated in accordance with a recent complaint filed by the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka.The HRCSL said that it has started to gathering initial facts in relatin to this complaint.The Public Utilities Commission stated that it has received over 200 customer complaints with regard to irregularities related to petrol stations.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Deputy Director of the Asia and Pacific Department of the International Monetary Fund, Anne-Marie Gulde-Wolf has said that Sri Lanka will remain a middle-income country despite the decline in GDP.Speaking at an IMF press conference on the Asia and Pacific Region’s Economic Outlook, the Deputy Director of the Asia and Pacific Department of the IMF responded to questions raised about Sri Lanka's progress toward debt restructuring negotiation, the IMF's program timeline, and whether Sri Lanka could be downgraded to low-income status.She pointed out that it is difficult to predict a timeline because the process of debt negotiations takes time, and mentioned that timelines differ depending on who the creditors are and what is involved. "We certainly are supporting the process as much as we can. And we hope that everybody can work expeditiously to get a process underway, and discussions have started, including with support of all bilateral creditors that are involved," she said. Anne-Marie Gulde-Wolf further speaking noted that with regard to the other multilateral lenders, the IMF is working very closely with the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, the Asian Investment Bank, on programs for Sri Lanka, which would assist in closing the financing gap. "But I want to say also very importantly that the policies under the other multilateral lenders in their areas of expertise will be important to resolve Sri Lanka's longer term growth problems," Anne-Marie Gulde-Wolf emphasized.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka Navy as of now has kept 36 relief teams ready to extend relief measures to people, in the backdrop of inclement weather conditions reported in several areas of the island.Following the directives of Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne, the Western Naval Command has sent 02 relief and rescue teams to Rathnapura and 04 teams to Kalutara, on standby.In addition, 21 more relief and rescue teams in the Western Naval Command and 09 similar teams in the Southern Naval Command have been kept on their toes for swift deployment, if need be.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) called for critical amendments and public consultation on the proposed Anti-Corruption Law, which enables the creation of an independent commission that is empowered to carry out arrests without a warrant or a magisterial order.The controversial bill was introduced by the Ministry of Justice, and oversees the creation of an independent commission that is empowered to carry out arrests without a warrant or a magesterial order, for officials who are suspected to have carried out an offence under the proposed anti-corruption act. This law seeks to replace the Bribery Act, the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption Act and the Declaration of Assets and Liabilities law. According to the bill, any authorized officer of the Commission may without an order from a Magistrate and without a warrant arrest any person suspected of committing an offence under the provisions of this Act. Moreover, the section (58)1 of the proposed bill highlights that "an authorised officer of the Commission may apply in writing to the High Court for a warrant authorizing the covert monitoring of any conduct and recording of any communication if such officer has reasonable grounds to suspect or believe that a person has committed, is committing or is about to commit an offence under this Act."TISL notes that Sri Lanka does not lack laws to deal with bribery and corruption even at present, however the enforcement of the said laws remain inadequate. While the country is struggling to apply even the existing anti-corruption laws, the TISL seriously notes that the independence of any proposed anti-corruption body from the Executive could only be assured, if any

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The subjects and functions of four State Ministries – State Ministry of Power and Energy, Media, Transport and Highways and Health have been gazetted.A number of institutes including the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation/Ceylon Petroleum Storage Terminals Limited, Trinco Petroleum Terminal (Pvt) Ltd, and Petroleum Development Authority of Sri Lanka will be under the purview of the State Ministry of Power and Energy.Sri Lanka Post, the Department Of Government Printing and the Sri Lanka Institute of Printing will be under the purview of the State Ministry of Media.Four institutes including the Department of Motor Traffic, National Council For Road Safety and National Transport Medical Institute will be under the purview of the State Ministry of Transport and HighwaysUnder this, institutes controlled by the Road Development Authority and 'Sahasya Investments Limited' will be included.The Private Health Services Regulatory Council, 1990 Suwa Seriya Foundation and the National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol will be under the purview of the State Ministry of Health.In addition, the State Ministry of  Indigenous Medicine announced that it will control the subjects and functions of several institutes including the Department of Ayurveda, Sri Lanka Ayurvedic Drugs Corporation and the Ayurvedic Medical Council.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka Police arrested three people linked to the drug ring of notorious underworld drug trafficker 'Kimbula-Ele Guna'.They were arrested during a raid carried out in Grandpass, Sedawatta and Wellampitiya.Police seized 26.1 grams of a controlled substance called 'ICE' from one of the suspects, a 40 year old resident of Modara.26.15 grams of ICE was also seized from the second suspect, a 38 year old resident of Wellampitiya.The third suspect was a 29 year old resident of Madampitiya. He was arrested for aiding and abetting illegal drug trafficking.The ICE recovered from the suspects is worth around Rs.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Several roads have been inundated due to the prevailing showery condition across Sri Lanka.Assistant Director of the Disaster Management Centre (Kalutara district) said water levels, in a section along the Aluthgama – Mathugama road near the Welipenna Interchange of the Southern Expressway, measured up to 1.5 feet.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The body of a 24 year old man was recovered from under the debris on Saturday (15), trapped after a mound of earth collapsed onto a house in  Mainnoluwa, Warakapola.The body of his 48 year old mother was also recovered on Saturday (15) morning.The Police Special Task Force and Sri Lanka Army on Friday (14) launched a search operation to locate three people who were trapped under the mound of earth.Security forces and local residents managed to locate the father and admit him to the hospital.The Disaster Management Centre of the Kegalle District said the mound had collapsed onto the house following heavy showers on Friday afternoon.

COLOMBO (News 1t) – The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) announced power cuts of 1 hours and 20 minutes for Saturday (15) and Sunday (16).

SKYFOX over Vineland High School after a threat prompted a police investigation.  VINELAND, N.J. - Police departments in multiple southern New Jersey towns are investigating threats against schools that prompted lockdowns on Friday morning. In Toms River, police said they received a call regarding a "potential shooting" at Toms River North High School. Authorities say the school was locked down, but the call was later deemed to be an unfounded threat. Police are investigating it as a swatting incident, which occurs when a prank call is placed to draw a large police presence at a specified location. In Vineland, police say they are also investigating a threat. RELATED: 'A cry for help': Public safety officials, mental health experts weigh in on school threatsOfficers responded on scene and checked the school, saying no danger is present to the students and staff. Barnegat High School also received a threat Friday, according to police. Officials say officers responded to the building and found "no indications reports of anything occurring." Bengal Boulevard will remain closed as officers investigate. Surrounding schools in Barnegat were placed in a shelter-in-place status when the threat was reported. Schools in Barnegat are now under normal operations, but Stafford Township Schools have issued a shelter-in-place as a precaution. This is a developing story.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka approved power cuts of 1 hours and 20 minutes on 15th and 16th and 2 hours and 20 minutes on 17th October.Accordingly, power cuts will take place as follows;15th & 16th – Groups ABCDEFGHIJKLPQRSTUVW  – 1 hour and 20 minutes during night17th – Groups ABCDEFGHIJKLPQRSTUVW  – 1 hour during daytime and 1 hour and 20 minutes during night.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Foreign Minister Ali Sabry made a startling revelation on Friday (14) that the previous Cabinet was not fully aware of the dire situation that the economy was falling into.Speaking at the launch of the book ' Poverty to prosperity: A review of the Korean development model ', the Minister spoke about a number of topics including government responsibility for the prevailing economic crisis and Sri Lanka's foreign policy. Speaking at the event, the Minister said that the Government learned the hard way that the economy is the heart of the country, and if it fails, all else fails. Pointing out that unfortunately, the Ministers of theprevious Cabinet were focusing on their specific areas, such as himself holding the portfolio of the Minister of Justice, Minister Sabry said that he was looking forward to new plans with regard to law reform, digitization, improved infrastructure and more recruitments in the sector, however, confessed that he was unaware of the country's deep economic troubles. Pointing out that if the country's Cabinet's economic literacy is a minimum, then the normal people should be worse in their case, the Minister said that without taxation, there is no future for the country."In 1981, 21% of our GDP was taxes. Today it has come down to 8.3%. So we can point fingers.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – President Ranil Wickremesinghe said that the Trincomalee District Strategic Development Plan is not targeting elections, but a project that has been initiated to benefit future generations.The President said that Sri Lanka values India’s assistance in implementing the Trincomalee district development project, as our closest neighbour.He made this statement by joining the special discussion on the Trincomalee District Development Plan, held today (14) at the grounds of Trincomalee Orr’s Hill.He recollected the objections raised when the Trincomalee oil tanks were to be handed over to India, adding that the country would not have faced a fuel crisis if the decision to provide the oil tanks had received the green light to be fully implemented.Prior to the commencement of the discussion, President Wickremesinghe inspected several places proposed to be developed under the Trincomalee District Development Plan.The President was able to view the locations proposed under the Trincomalee District Development Plan from the Orr’s Hill vantage point.Further, following the discussion, the President also inspected the proposed project to develop the beach and recreation facilities near the Trincomalee Gandhi Roundabout, as a tourist attraction.Meanwhile, the President who also met a group of Trincomalee District regional journalists and had a cordial discussion.President Ranil Wickremesinghe, further commenting in the discussion regarding the Trincomalee District Development Plan said,“We are not initiating this project targeting the next election, but for the benefit of the next generation. In 2023 we celebrate the 75th Anniversary of Independence.

LOS ANGELES - Video streaming platform Netflix on Thursday announced the launch date and pricing for its upcoming ad-supported subscription option. The ad-supported plan, called Basic with Ads, will become available in the U.S. and 11 other countries starting Nov.

Sir Ringo Starr has axed the rest of his North American tour after testing positive for Covid for a second time in two weeks. The legendary Beatles drummer, 82, had only just announced earlier this week that he would be ‘on the road again’ after testing negative.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – MTV Channel (Pvt) Ltd, the Network that owns and operates Sirasa TV, Shakthi TV, TV-1, News 1st, and Stein Studios has been appointed as the Official Television Rights Holders in Sri Lanka for the long-awaited ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022, to be held in Australia from October 16 to November 13.Every one of the 45 exciting matches will be telecast live on Sirasa TV, along with special telecasts on Shakthi TV and TV-1, for the benefit of cricket lovers in Sri Lanka where hopes are high that the island nation’s team will bring home the trophy.The world’s most coveted T20 title has been won twice by West Indies and once each by India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, England and current defending champions Australia. The eighth edition of the tournament will be played out across seven cities – Adelaide, Brisbane, Geelong, Hobart,  Perth, Sydney and Melbourne which will host the final.“We are delighted to be able to offer all Sri Lankans the opportunity to enjoy the World Cup on Sirasa TV. CMG has a deep history of strengthening cricket in Sri Lanka, led by our late Chairman Mr.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – State Minister of Finance Shehan Semasinghe met with the World Bank Vice President for the South Asia Region, Martin Raiser, and a World Bank delegation during the World Bank Annual Meetings 2022, to discuss options available to recover Sri Lanka's economy.The discussions were focused on the current creditworthiness of Sri Lanka, which is no longer entitled to source funding through the World Bank’s International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), instead to work with the International Development Association (IDA) rating, which will grant Sri Lanka to obtain concessional loans. This process, which will entail a "reverse graduation" to IDA, will move Sri Lanka from an IBRD-only country to an IDA country.However, Sri Lanka will remain listed as a middle-income country.The IMF/WB also emphasized that access to this potential new concessional funding remains linked to deep reforms, an IMF program, and progress with a comprehensive debt treatment the process by the authorities of Sri Lanka. The VP and the WB Delegation said that sustained improvements in economic and social conditions by the Sri Lankan government could pave the way for Sri Lanka to graduate from IDA in the future.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva says that the IMF is pressing for a more effective debt resolution mechanism. "We want the Common Framework to become more predictable with guidelines and able to bring equality of treatment for all creditors, public and private," she told a news briefing.She said that the IMF is also looking for ways in which it can expand that kind of donor coordination to middle-income countries, such as Sri Lanka."So, we have a lot to do during this week.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Today’s exchange rates from the Central Bank of Sri Lanka:USD Buy 359.6987 Sell 370.4261GBP Buy 396.6406 Sell 412.3276EUR Buy 346.5025 Sell 361.3682JPY Buy 2.4316 Sell 2.5351AUD Buy 223.7340 Sell 234.5339