Sri Lanka to expand Port Operations

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka has called for an urgent report on the arrest of 83 people during a protest organized by the Socialist Youth Union.The Human Rights Commission stated that it had informed the IGP to forward the relevant report to the commission on Monday (26).Human Rights Commission personnel have also been directed to the police stations to check the condition of those who are currently in custody.Meanwhile, Police Media Spokesperson SSP Nihal Thalduwa stated that the 83 people arrested during the protest will be presented to the court on Sunday (25).The Police Media Spokesperson stated that their statements were recorded last night.Further investigations into the incident are being conducted under the direct supervision of the DIG in charge of Colombo District.Two Ven.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The United States Permanent Representative to the UN Food and Agriculture Agencies in Rome, Ambassador Cindy McCain will arrive in Sri Lanka on Sunday (25).Her visit will span from September 25-28 to highlight U.S. food assistance programs in Sri Lanka and reinforce the U.S.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The special audit report compiled on the importation of nano-nitrogen liquid fertilizer from India has been forwarded to the Ministry of Agriculture for further inquiry.Auditor General W.PC Wickramaratne stated that after examining the facts, the relevant report will be forwarded to the Parliament for further action.Last year, the Ministry of Agriculture placed an order for nearly 2.1 million liters of liquid nano-nitrogen fertilizer from Farmers Fertilizer Cooperative of India in Gujarat, India.In the process, it was revealed that Sri Lanka had purchased the nano nitrogen liquid fertilizer at 12.45 dollars, when its price in the Indian Market stood at 3.23 dollars.Due to this, Sri Lanka had to pay Rs. 1,867 more than the actual retail price to purchase 500 ml of nano nitrogen fertilizer from India.If this amount was spent on the fertilizers ordered in full, Sri Lanka would have incurred an additional cost of approximately Rs.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The 92nd National Day of Saudi Arabia  was celebrated in Colombo yesterday, 23rd of September. Minister at the Embassy, Abdulelah Orkobi joined Saudi Arabia’s newly appointed Ambassador to Sri Lanka Khalid Hamoud Nasser Aldasan Al-Kahtani in receiving the galaxy of guests from the diplomatic corps, Cabinet, Parliament, Sri Lankan business community, clergy, public and private sectors.The reception was launched with the singing of the national anthems of the Kingdom and Sri Lanka followed by the traditional Saudi folk dances.Among the members of the clergy, Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thero,the Secretary General of Bodu Bala Sena and Ven. Dr.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka, Ali Sabry at the United Nations General Assembly stated that Sri Lanka unconditionally recognize the fundamental right to freedom of expression as sacrosanct, and pledged to 'build back better' by leaving no one behind and rise to new horizons of freedom and progress. The full speech is as follows;Mr. President, Mr.

PHILADELPHIA - Did you see something bizarre in the sky Saturday evening?No, it wasn't a UFO, a meteor or even a comet.It was a rocket flying over our skies Saturday night around sunset and it was quite the sight, if you saw it.The rocket did look similar to a comet. The rocket, surprisingly, launched from Florida.SpaceX launches rockets from NASA's launch area in Cape Canaveral, Florida, and this one was carrying internet satellites into space.

Port aux Basques, N.L., have taken to social media to share images of their homes crumpling into the ocean as post-tropical storm Fiona batters the region.The storm made landfall early Saturday morning, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake and slamming the region with severe wind and heavy rain. Hundreds of thousands have been left without power in eastern Canada.Port aux Basques is under a “state of emergency,” the Newfoundland and Labrador RCMP shared in a tweet just after 10 a.m.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The police fired tear gas and aimed water cannons at Socialist Youth Union protestors who were engaged in a protest in the Maradana area against the Government's repressive measures.The protestors initiated the march under the theme of re-energizing the people's protests and returning the power of the youth to Colombo.The police previously announced that although the protest march was due to start from near the Lipton Roundabout in Colombo, they cannot allow it.The Police said that 84 people have been detained by Sri Lanka Police for taking part in the protest organized by the Socialist Youth Union.Several protestors who were injured during the protest were brought to Colombo National Hospital for treatment as well.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Sri Lankan government has asked a US judge to dismiss the case filed by Hamilton Reserve Bank for defaulting on bonds, the financial news agency Bloomberg reported.   The government had requested that the case in New York be dismissed over the country reaching debt default, stating that the case brought by one bank is an “apparent attempt to gain leverage over a nation in crisis and jump ahead of other foreign creditors.”   Hamilton Reserve Bank, based in the Caribbean islands of St.

A study of over 1.1 million patients aged 18 years and younger has found a link between Covid-19 and type 1 diabetes diagnoses.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The  Minister of State for the Middle East, South Asia, and the UN of the United Kingdom, Lord Tariq Ahmad says the UK is providing urgent food and farming support to Sri Lankans hit hardest by the economic crisis. Taking to twitter, Minister Ali Sabry mentioned that during the meeting held on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, Lord Tariq Ahmad set out the UK’s package of £3 million assistance to Sri Lanka.While extending gratitude for the assistance, Minister Ali Sabry also briefed Lord Tariq Ahmad on steps being taken towards reconcilliation and accountability in Sri Lanka. The funding will be delivered through Red Cross and UN partners. It will provide access to food, seeds, and tools to help grow crops as well as mental health care, including for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence."The UK stands by the people of Sri Lanka who are facing such a challenging time.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Four more fuel ships have reached the port of Colombo by Saturday (24).The Ministry of Power and Energy stated that two diesel ships, a petrol ship and a crude oil ship are anchored at the Port of Colombo.The Ministry also stated they will pay the relevant fees for the anchored ships promptly.Meanwhile, bulk unloading of fuel has begun from three ships which remained anchored at the Port of Colombo for several weeks after the recent payment.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Chinese special cargo plane carrying essential medicines and medical equipment donated by China to Sri Lanka arrived on the island on Saturday (24).The duty manager of Bandaranaike International Airport stated that this special cargo plane arrived on the island from Beijing, China last night.China has made these donations in view of the issues and shortages experienced concerning essential medicines and medical equipment in Sri Lanka.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) emphasizes that the section 2 of the Official Secrets Act enables to declare any land, building, ship, or aircraft as a prohibited place, and does not empower the Minister to declare large areas as High Security Zones.On Friday (23), Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe declared multiple areas in Colombo as High Security Zones.  Accordingly, unless the prior written permission of the Inspector General of Police or Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of Western Province is obtained, no person shall conduct or hold a public gathering or procession whatsoever on a road, ground, shore or other open area situated within the High Security Zones.The BASL states that it is deeply concerned with regard to the e declaration of certain areas in Colombo as High Security Zones, and whether the purported order of the President also seeks to create offences under the said order which are not found in the Principal Act.The statement reads; " It is also of utmost concern that the purported order imposes stringent provisions in respect of bail by stating that a person taken into custody in connection with an offence under the said orders shall not be granted bail except by a High Court.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ali Sabry who is leading the Sri Lanka delegation to the 77th Session of the United Nations General Assembly met a number of leaders of delegations of the UN member states and addressed several high level events in New York.Foreign Minister Sabry met the President of the United States of America Joseph Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden at a dinner reception hosted by the US President.He also met the Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Japan, one of Sri Lanka's main creditors, will back the South Asian nation as it seeks to restructure about $30 billion of its foreign debt and find a way out of a crippling economic crisis, Tokyo's envoy to the country said on Friday.Reaching an agreement with creditors is key to Sri Lanka securing a $2.9 billion bailout package from the International Monetary Fund (IMF)."Japan stands by Sri Lanka in support of the debt restructuring negotiation process so that Sri Lanka can reach the final agreement with the IMF," Ambassador Hideaki Mizukoshi said in an interview.Japan holds around $3.5 billion of Sri Lanka's total bilateral debt of about $10 billion, amounting to 4.4% of the island's GDP, according to government and IMF data.Japan is also a major trading partner."Japan intends to play a constructive role with other creditor countries, including China and India," Mizukoshi said.Sri Lanka is facing its worst economic crisis in decades, with severely depleted foreign exchange reserves leading to prolonged shortages of essentials, including fuel and food.The financial turmoil is the result of economic mismanagement and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic that upended Sri Lanka's lucrative tourism industry.Although Japan will support the debt negotiation process, Mizukoshi said that talks on large infrastructure projects will only be resumed after Sri Lanka's economy recovers."In the future, when this economic crisis is over and the economic conditions are in good shape, we can restart that kind of discussion," he said.Sri Lanka suspended a $1.5 billion Japanese-funded light rail project for the commercial capital Colombo in 2020, citing financial problems.Regional rival China has built ports,

The Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft sits on Launch Pad 39B at Kennedy Space Center ahead of a second launch attempt on Sept. 3, 2022.

A trio of new studies from the United States and Europe explore a possible link between COVID-19 and new-onset type 1 diabetes (T1D) in children.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka is hopeful that the first tranche of the IMF disbursement will be available before the end of 2022, but it depends on cooperation from the creditors and assurances, revealed Central Bank Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe on Friday (23). He was speaking in an update to creditors forum organized by Clifford Chance and Lazard, the eavyweight financial and legal advisers selected by Sri Lanka for its debt restructuring process.Expected timeline for the Debt Restructuring Process: Central Bank Governor Dr.

PHILADELPHIA - You'll notice a big difference in temperatures for the first full day of fall on Friday. The autumn equinox occurred at 9:09 p.m. on Thursday night and a cold front brought a major temperature change for September's final weekend. If you're heading to the Jersey Shore to celebrate the end of summer, be aware of the high rip current risk caused by Hurricane Fiona. The Delaware Valley will see temperatures in the mid-60s under partly cloudy skies. Windy conditions, with 15 to 25 mph winds, will make the temperature feel much cooler. RELATED: Beachgoers urged to avoid ocean as Hurricane Fiona churns miles offshoreIn the tropics, Fiona has been downgraded to a Category 3 hurricane and it has caused significant damage to Puerto Rico and is making its way to Bermuda. An additional disturbance is being monitored for possible tropical storm development. Looking ahead at the weekend, Saturday is expected to be pleasant while temperatures inch up Sunday, with a chance of showers Sunday night.For the latest forecasts and conditions, download the FOX 29 Weather Authority app.________SEVEN-DAY FORECASTFRIDAY: Autumn breezes.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe has declared multiple areas in Colombo as High Security Zones.The details in the extraordinary gazette are as follows:Parliament ComplexOn the NORTH by :- From Polduwa Junction to the Speaker's Residence, Kumbukgaha Duwa Road, Rajamalwatta Road, Jayanthipura Junction, Jayanthipura Road and Parliament Road including Diyawanna Lake.On the EAST by :- From Jayanthipura Junction to Outer Vehicle Park of the Parliament (Alcatraz Park), Parliament Ground, Keangnam Junction, Japan Sri Lanka Friendship Road, Pahalawela Road to Kimbulawala Junction including Diyawanna Lake.On the SOUTH by :- From Kimbulawala Junction to Pin Niyara Junction of Thalawathugoda Road, Area up to Pin Niyara including Sudarshana Mawatha, Daham Mawatha, Gamage Mawatha, Eeyam Poruwa Temple Road, Byroads and MP’s Quarters – Madiwela, Pita Wella Road at the back of MP’s Quarters including Diyawanna Lake.On the WEST by :- From Pin Niyara Junction to Beddagana Junction of Thalawathugoda Road, Polduwa Junction including Diyawanna Lake along Beddagana Road, Polduwa Road, Wehera Kanda Road, Beddagana, Nippon Road Supreme Court Complex, High Court Complex- Colombo, Magistrate Court Complex- Colombo and Attorney General’s DepartmentOn the NORTH by :- From Dam Street, Aluthkade Street to Belmont StreetOn the EAST by :- From Belmont Street to Adhikarana Mawatha Junction along Sanchi Arachchi Gardens RoadOn the SOUTH by :- Parcel Roundabout, Sanchi Arachchi Gardens RoadOn the WEST by :- St.Sebastian Hill Street, Mihindu Mawatha, St.Sebastian StreetPresidential Secretariat, President's House, Sri Lanka Navy Headquarters and Police HeadquartersOn the NORTH by :- From NSA Roundabout to Police Headquaters

COLOMBO (News 1st) – United States Permanent Representative to the UN Food and Agriculture Agencies in Rome Ambassador Cindy McCain will visit Sri Lanka from September 25-28 to highlight U.S. food assistance programs in Sri Lanka and reinforce the U.S.

SAN SALVADOR, Puerto Rico - President Joe Biden said Thursday the full force of the federal government is ready to help Puerto Rico recover from the devastation of Hurricane Fiona, while Bermuda and Canada's Atlantic provinces prepared for a major blast from the Category 4 storm.Speaking at a briefing with Federal Emergency Management Agency officials in New York, Biden said, "We’re all in this together."Biden noted that hundreds of FEMA and other federal officials are already on the ground in Puerto Rico, where Fiona caused an island-wide blackout.More than 60% of power customers remained without energy on Thursday, and a third of customers were without water — and local officials admitted they could not say when service would be fully restored.Biden said his message to the people of Puerto Rico who are still hurting from Hurricane Maria five years ago is: "We’re with you. We’re not going to walk away."US President Joe Biden and FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell take part in a briefing on Hurricane Fiona's impact on Puerto Rico at the Federal Emergency Management Agency Region 2 Office in New York on Sept.

Queens reign signified transformation from Ceylon to Sri Lanka – PresidentCOLOMBO (News 1st) – As Queen of Ceylon, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II's reign signified the transformation of our country from Ceylon to Sri Lanka, said President Ranil Wickremesinghe during a Condolence Vote in Parliament on Friday (23)."The great political upheaval started under her. The 1956 election victory, the emergence of the ethnic issue, the coming of the free education generation, the state control of the economy, two coup d’etat against the government and the start of the armed uprisings in the South," he added.Full Speech by the President:“Amongst all the letters of congratulations I received on becoming the president, the one that was sent by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was special.

Queens reign signified transformation from Ceylon to Sri Lanka – PresidentCOLOMBO (News 1st) – As Queen of Ceylon, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II's reign signified the transformation of our country from Ceylon to Sri Lanka, said President Ranil Wickremesinghe during a Condolence Vote in Parliament on Friday (23)."The great political upheaval started under her. The 1956 election victory, the emergence of the ethnic issue, the coming of the free education generation, the state control of the economy, two coup d’etat against the government and the start of the armed uprisings in the South," he added.Full Speech by the President:“Amongst all the letters of congratulations I received on becoming the president, the one that was sent by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was special.

Coal Crisis: Cabinet Spokesperson blames conspiracyCOLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka's Cabinet Spokesperson on Friday (23) revealed that a conspiracy is taking place to deprive the country of on-time coal imports.Minister (Dr) Bandula Gunawardena, the country's cabinet spokesperson, told reporters on Friday (23) that a conspiratorial plan is afoot to deny the on-time coal delivery and to extend the power cuts.He said that the coal tender that was awarded recently, was for a bid that was lower than what was offered last year.The Minister said that due to technical and legal issues if Sri Lanka fails to import coal on time it would lead to a crisis, and therefore it was decided by the Cabinet of Ministers to appoint a Cabinet Sub-Committee to make an emergency decision that is paramount for the country and to make purchases in a manner that does not affect the people.He said that all necessary decisions will be made by the subject Minister, and the Cabinet Sub-Committee to prevent a shutdown of the power plant that would lead to extended power cuts.The Minister said coal procurement will be made as an emergency national requirement, that will not affect the people in any way.Sri Lanka is likely to once again face an electricity crisis due to issues surrounding the procurement of coal to power the Norochcholai Power Plant.The Ceylon Electricity Board Engineer's Union warned that daily power cuts are likely to be extended to ten hours a day, if coal is not received by the 25th of October 2022.The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka also approved the Ceylon Electricity Boards' (CEB) request for power cuts of 2 hours & 20 minutes from 23rd to 25th September.Electricity Supply: 30 percent of the country's electricity supply

COLOMBO (News 1st); Members of Parliament have been nominated by the respective political parties to serve in the National Council.However, the Samagi Jana Balavegaya, National People's Power, and the Dullas Alahapperuma faction did not nominate members to the National Council.National Council will consist of the Speaker of Parliament as the Chair, the Prime Minister, the Leader of the House of Parliament, the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, the Chief Government Whip and not more than thirty-five Members of Parliament representing the Ninth Parliament from recognised Political Parties in Sri Lanka as determined by the Leaders of the Political Parties.The resolution proposed by the Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena to constitute the Parliament Committee called the “National Council” was passed in parliament without objection.The National Council will have the jurisdiction and general responsibilities in order to,(i) determine the general priorities of Parliament to guide the formulation of short, medium and long-term national policies(ii) agree on short and medium-term common minimum programs in respect of the stabilisation of the economy(iii) arrange special meetings with the Ministers of the Cabinet of Ministers, the National Council, the Chairpersons of the Special Committees and Youth observers of Youth OrganisationsThe National Council will be empowered to request reports from Sectoral Oversight Committees, Committee on Public Finance, Committee on Public Accounts, Committee on Public Enterprises, Committee on Banking and Financial Services, Committee on Ways and Means, Committee on Economic Stabilisation; and any committee controlling the public finance.

Normal lung function The main function of the lungs is to bring oxygen-rich air into the body and expel carbon dioxide. When air flows into the lungs, it is brought into close proximity with the blood, where oxygen diffuses into the body and carbon dioxide diffuses out. This process, as simple as it sounds, requires an extraordinary coordination of air flow, or ventilation, and blood flow, or perfusion.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka Navy apprehended 12 persons who are suspected to be on an illegal migration attempt to a foreign country via sea. The apprehension was made during a special operation conducted in the beach area of Oluthuduwai, Mannar yesterday (22).Sri Lanka Navy conducts regular search operations and patrols in coastal as well as sea areas around the island to thwart illegal activities stemming from sea routes. In a similar operation conducted by SLNS Gajaba in the North Central Naval Command, this group of would-be illegal immigrants was nabbed, whilst they were suspiciously wandering in the Oluthuduwai beach area in the dark hours yesterday (22).Among the apprehended persons were 02 males and 03 females over 18 years and 07 more individuals who are below 18 years of age.The persons held during the special operation were identified as residents of the Vedithalathiv area. The suspects were handed over to the Mannar Police for onward legal proceedings.In the backdrop where human smugglers organize this nature of rackets to make fast money, the Navy urges the public to refrain from risking their lives by engaging in such activities and be victims before the law.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka's proposal for Debt Restructuring will be discussed online on Friday (23).Finance Secretary Mahinda Siriwardena told News 1st that all creditor nations will join the discussion, and the plan is to provide them a better understanding on Sri Lanka's Debt Restructuring process.Sri Lanka will be represented by the Finace Ministry Officials and personnel from the Central Bank of Sri Lanka.On Thursday (22) foreign diplomats in Sri Lanka assured President Ranil Wickremesinghe of their support to get the assistance of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to Sri Lanka to recover from the economic crisis, said the President's Media Division.They made this assurance on Thursday (22) at the Ambassadors’ Forum on Debt Restructuring and IMF Program held at the President’s Office chaired by the President.Ambassadors from 23 countries, both members and non-members of Paris Club participated at the Forum.The foreign ambassadors expressed their confidence that Sri Lanka would be able to get out of this situation.President Ranil Wickremesinghe emphasized that it was the government’s expectation to overcome the economic challenge that the country is facing and assured that all possible measures would be taken in the endeavour.Governor of the Central Bank Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe and Finance Ministry Secretary Mahinda Siriwardana explained the progress of the discussions held with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the current economic situation in Sri Lanka.President Ranil Wickremesinghe said that it was a challenge the country had to face to ensure a better future for the next generation.

WILDWOOD, N.J. - As Hurricane Fiona continues to churn miles offshore, forecasters are urging beachgoers to avoid the water during the first weekend of the Fall. The National Weather Service issued a High Surf Advisory in the wake of a powerful hurricane that bowled over Puerto Rico and neighboring islands. "With the risk of the rip currents and strong surf, we are really asking: Don't enter the ocean this weekend," North Wildwood Beach Patrol Chief Bill Ciavarelli said. The popular Jersey shore town is expecting hoards of people to celebrate the Irish Festival this weekend. MORE LOCAL HEADLINES"You want to sit on the beach with the sweatshirt on late September, hang out with family and friends, that’s fine we just don’t want to see you enter that ocean," Ciavarelli said. It will be tough for surfers to heed authorities warning, with the angry sea likely to produce tempting waves and swells. "This is the surf season – September and October –  because all the hurricanes come up the coast and give us a push," local surfer Mark Zee said. While the Wildwood beaches are unguarded, rescue crews will be on hand for emergency situations.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lankan High Commissioner to India Milinda Moragoda and Indian National Security Advisor Doval reviewed the status of the bilateral relations between the two countries.   As part of the regular and ongoing dialogue between them, Sri Lanka's High Commissioner to India Milinda Moragoda met with the National Security Advisor of India Shri Ajit Kumar Doval, at the latter's office in New Delhi on Thursday (22).Their discussion centered on a comprehensive review of the status of the relations between India and Sri Lanka.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The foreign diplomats in Sri Lanka have assured President Ranil Wickremesinghe of their support to get the assistance of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to Sri Lanka to recover from the economic crisis, said the President's Media Division.They made this assurance on Thursday (22) at the Ambassadors’ Forum on Debt Restructuring and IMF Program held at the President’s Office chaired by the President.Ambassadors from 23 countries, both members and non-members of Paris Club participated at the Forum.The foreign ambassadors expressed their confidence that Sri Lanka would be able to get out of this situation.President Ranil Wickremesinghe emphasized that it was the government’s expectation to overcome the economic challenge that the country is facing and assured that all possible measures would be taken in the endeavour.Governor of the Central Bank Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe and Finance Ministry Secretary Mahinda Siriwardana explained the progress of the discussions held with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the current economic situation in Sri Lanka.President Ranil Wickremesinghe said that it was a challenge the country had to face to ensure a better future for the next generation.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Due to the severe crisis taking place in Sri Lanka, over 12 Sri Lankans Nations' arrived in Tamil Nadu.A large number of fleeing Sri Lankan nationals, mainly Tamils, have entered India through Tamil Nadu and have been accommodated in a refugee camp at Mandapam.Recently, the relevant 12 people were rescued from a patch of land mid-sea where they were dropped off in a boat, officials added.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Clyde FC announced that Josh Bradley-Hurst has been invited to a Sri Lanka National Football team training camp.Josh was born in Sri Lanka and aims to become the first Clyde player to win an international cap since 1967.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Foreign Minister Ali Sabry met US President Joe Biden at the reception hosted by the President of the United States and Dr.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka is currently facing its worse economic crisis, and people who cannot afford to pay a high cost for fuel have been forced to use public transport, especially the jam-packed trains.News 1st's Teena Marian filed this report during her early morning commute to work.The Colombo-bound train from Polgahawela was already packed like cans of sardines when it reached one of the busiest train stations on the coastal route this morning.As the train reached the platform, commuters rushed to the doors trying to creep inside the already packed compartments to make their way to Colombo for school and work.The train on its journey to Colombo passed many other stations, and some passengers waiting to board the train simply had to look on as the packed train passed by with no room for more passengers.For many, this has been the case for decades and more additional compartments is a paramount need.News 1st's inquiries from authorities at Sri Lanka Railways on why this perennial issue has gone unresolved despite footage and images of packed trains going viral for decades went unanswered.Overcrowded public transport is now the norm, as many hang off footboards for their lives and livelihoods.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to India Milinda Moragoda had separate interactions with the members of the Indian Women’s Press Corps (IWPC) and the students of the IAAN School of Mass Communication recently.The formal interaction with the members of the Indian Women’s Press Corps was held at the organization’s headquarters in New Delhi. A large number of Delhi-based journalists, mostly women journalists, representing prominent media outlets in India attended this interaction.The members of the IWPC posed several questions to High Commissioner Moragoda, ranging from Sri Lanka’s present economic and political developments to Indo-Sri Lanka relations at large. The session was moderated by the President of the IWPC, Shobhna Jain. Several leading newspapers and news sites in India carried the contents of this interaction in their editions yesterday (22).Founded in 1994, the IWPC is one of the premier journalists’ organizations in India and has a membership of about 900 women journalists.Earlier in the day, High Commissioner Moragoda interacted with the students of the ‘IAAN School of Mass Communication’ on Indo-Lanka relations in line with India’s 75th Independence anniversary. The interaction was held at the recently opened High Commissioners’ Gallery at the Sri Lanka High Commission.High Commissioner Moragoda engaged with the students during an informal question and answer session followed by a formal interview that focused on Indo-Lanka relations.The students of the IAAN School of Mass Communication interviewed the High Commissioner for a special audio-visual book titled ‘Foreign Relations’ to mark the 75th anniversary of the Independence of  India.

For Linda Dalton, getting Covid in 2020 was a life-changing event.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) reveals lung damage in nonhospitalized children and teens who either had COVID-19 up to a year earlier or have long-COVID symptoms, according to a single-center clinical trial published this week in Radiology.

A study has revealed that people who have had Covid-19 infection are at a higher risk of a long-term brain injury, a year later compared to the people who have never been infected with the virus. The year-long study, published in Nature Medicine, assessed brain health across 44 different disorders using medical records without patient identifiers from millions of US veterans. Brain and other neurological disorders occurred in 7 per cent more of those who had been infected with Covid compared with a similar group of veterans who had never been infected.

COLOMBO (News 1st) –  Sri Lanka is likely to once again face an electricity crisis due to issues surrounding the procurement of coal to power the Norochcholai Power Plant.The Ceylon Electricity Board Engineer's Union warned that daily power cuts are likely to be extended to ten hours a day, if coal is not received by the 25th of October 2022.The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka also approved the Ceylon Electricity Boards' (CEB) request for power cuts of 2 hours & 20 minutes from 23rd to 25th September.Electricity Supply: 30 percent of the country's electricity supply depends on the Norochcholai coal-fired power plant despite one generator being out of order.More than 40 percent of the electricity demand is met from this plant when all three generators are in operation.Currently, the stock of coal in the plant is sufficient only till October 25th, 2022.After October 25th, sufficient coal stocks should be provided for power generation at the Norochcholai coal-fired power plant.What happened to the supply of coal?Recently, bids were invited to contract a long-term supplier of Coal for Sri Lanka. Several companies submitted bids during the formal tender process and another company submitted bids outside the tender process.After opening and evaluating the bids submitted outside the tender process, the proposals submitted in the formal tender process have been evaluated.Ultimately, it was decided to award the long-term supply to the company that submitted bids via the proper tender process.But the company that submitted bids outside the tender process had again submitted a bid at a lower price.The Minister of Power and Energy recently revealed in Parliament that the said bidder also influenced the company that offered

Some long COVID patients suffering symptoms including fatigue and shortness of breath are showing signs of autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, suggests a Canadian study that builds on similar findings elsewhere.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) approved the Ceylon Electricity Boards' (CEB) request for power cuts of 2 hours & 20 minutes from 23rd to 25th September as follows:Groups ABCDEFGHIJKLPQRSTUVW:1 hour during daytime  1 hour and 20 minutes during the nightApproval for extended power cuts was granted after considering the unavailability of old Laxapana Stage 1, lack of fuel availability at Westcoast, and due to sudden increase in demand.

A study has said that most coronavirus-infected patients who experience long Covid recover within 12 months, irrespective of the severity. The study said that while 75 per cent of the patients recovered within 12 months of getting infected with the virus, the rest (25 per cent) of the patients still experienced one of the three most common symptoms. Long-Covid-19 conditions can include many ongoing health problems that can last weeks, months, or longer.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) said that it made a payment for a shipment of 41,000 MT of Diesel.The shipment reached Sri Lanka on the 7th of September 2022.In the meantime, the CPC further noted that the unloading of a petrol shipment will commence on Thursday (22) evening.Moreover, the Corporation said that payments have been made to the Crude oil vessel scheduled to arrive in the country in November.There are sufficient reserves in the country, CPC adds.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Lanka Coal (Private) Limited says it will not sign a contract with the supplier it selected to supply coal to Sri Lanka on long-term credit.A senior official attached to Lanka Coal (Private) Limited says the decision was reached as the supplier had failed to place a performance bond of 37 million dollars.He added that the supplier did place the performance bond due to the prevailing credit risk and legal conditions.Therefore, the required coal will be imported to Sri Lanka through Swiss Singapore which bid for the tender.Senior Spokesperson to Swiss Singapore says 50 percent of the tender was procured last year, and the remainder will be procured this year.Although plans were in place to procure the remainder after December this year, steps are now being taken to expedite the process.Accordingly, orders have been placed for five shipments carrying 60,000 metric tonnes of coal each.The first shipment is due to reach Sri Lanka between the 20th and 25th of October.Lanka Coal (Private) Limited says if Sri Lanka decides to purchase coal from the selected supplier on long-term credit, the country would benefit USD 30 from every metric tonne of coal imported to Sri Lanka.

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Cabinet has agreed to recruit 10,000 workers from Sri Lanka after taking into account the state of the country which has been hit by an economic crisis, Malaysian Human Resources Minister M Saravanan said.According to Minister for Human Resources Datuk Seri M.