Sri Lanka to review Public Service Recruitment

(ANI / New Delhi); Sri Lanka High Commissioner to India Milinda Moragoda on Monday (19) referred to remarks of Mahinda Rajapaksa about the island nation's relations with India and said that the former President of the country used to say that "China is a close friend but India is our brother and sister".Moragoda described the relationship between the two countries as "special" and said India's security interests are "our own security interests"."Rajapaksa used to always say China is a very, very close friend but India is our brother and sister…. Within a family you can have quarrels but finally, it is your family," he said during an interaction at the Indian Women's Press Corps."From Ramayan to Buddhism today, Sri Lanka and India have a long historical relationship.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Today’s exchange rates from the Central Bank of Sri Lanka:USD Buy 359.1381 Sell 369.9003GBP Buy 408.2941 Sell 424.4361EUR Buy 357.8970 Sell 372.8429JPY Buy 2.4933 Sell 2.5970AUD Buy 239.7194 Sell 250.9472

GREAT FALLS, Mont – The 36th Contingency Response Squadron assigned to Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, organized a Mobile Training Team event between the Sri Lanka Air Force and the 120th Airlift Wing, Montana Air National Guard, Sept. 8-12.Airmen from the 120th Logistics Readiness Squadron and 120th Maintenance Squadron showed 15 members of the Sri Lanka Air Force how to use aircraft loading and refueling equipment they will receive next year from the Department of Defense under the Building Partner Capacity Program.The program builds partnerships with foreign nations by providing military and equipment training to enhance their capabilities.During the four-day Mobile Training Team event, the 120th AW Airmen worked with the Sri Lanka Air Force members on pallet buildup, refuel/defuel procedures, forklift operations, weight and balance calculation, loading and unloading aircraft.“We brought a mix of pilots, loadmasters, crew chiefs, fuel specialist, maintenance officers and logistics officers on this Mobile Training Team,” said Danushka Premadasa, Sri Lanka Air Force wing commander.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka Navy conducted a special operation to chase away Indian poaching trawlers from Sri Lanka’s waters on the night of yesterday (19). The operation led to the seizure of an Indian trawler with 08 Indian nationals poaching in the island’s waters off Kovilan Lighthouse, Kankasanthurai.Sri Lanka Navy continues to conduct regular patrols and operations in Sri Lanka’s waters to curb illegal fishing practices of foreign fishing trawlers.In a similar operation conducted in the dark hours of 19th September, the Northern Naval Command deployed a Fast Attack Craft of the 04th Fast Attack Flotilla to chase away a cluster of Indian poaching trawlers, after having spotted them engaged in illegal fishing in Sri Lanka’s waters off Kovilan Lighthouse, through the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL). Thus, the Navy held an Indian poaching trawler and continued to remain in the island’s waters, with 08 Indian fishers and fishing gear.The seized trawler together with 08 Indian fishermen was brought to the Kankesanthurai Harbour and they will be handed over to the Mailadi Fisheries Inspector for onward legal proceedings.Meanwhile, the Navy has seized 25 Indian poaching trawlers and nabbed 189 Indian fishermen in Sri Lanka’s waters, during operations conducted thus far in 2022 and produced them to authorities for legal proceedings.Taking into account the consequences of illegal fishing practices by foreign fishermen in Sri Lanka’s waters on the livelihood of local fishermen and ocean resources of the country, Sri Lanka Navy continues to remain vigilant and conduct its operations to prevent such practices. 

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) informed that it has decided to extend power cuts for 20 Minutes.Accordingly, PUCSL approved power cuts of 1 hour and 20 minutes for 20th & 21st September as follows;Groups ABCDEFGHIJKLPQRSTUVW:1-hour and 20-minutes from 6.00 PM – 10.00 PM

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka’s leadership is essential to supporting a free & open Indo-Pacific region, said US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie J.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Resolution to constitute the Parliament Committee designated “National Council” is scheduled to be debated on Tuesday (20) from 10.30 am to 5.30 pm, following which, the approval of the Parliament is to be obtained.Parliament is scheduled to meet from the 20th to the 23rd and Questions for Oral Answers have been scheduled to be taken up from 9.30 am to 10.30 am except Friday the 23rd. The adjournment debate brought by the government on the “Necessity of increasing the Government Revenues” will be held from 10.30 am to 5.30 pm on the 21st.On September 22nd, from 10.30 am to 12.30 pm, the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (Amendment) Bill (Second Reading) and a Regulations under the Civil Aviation Act are to be passed fowling debate. Thereafter from 1.00 pm to 4.30 pm, the amendments to the Standing Orders of the Parliament are scheduled to be debated.Thereafter, it was also decided to take up Questions at the Adjournment Time from 4.30 p.m. – 4.50 p.m.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs informed the General Public that the computer system breakdown, experienced in the Attestation & Verification unit of the Consular Affairs Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its Regional Offices in Jaffna, Trincomalee, Kandy, Kurunegala, & Matara has been resolved and the Attestation & Verification service will resume from today (20) onwards.All other services of the Consular Division will also continue to be provided.For further details the visiting service seekers may contact;Consular Affairs Division, Colombo 01 – 0112338812/0112338843 Regional Office, Jaffna – 0212215970 Regional Office, Trincomalee – 0262223182 Regional Office, Kandy – 0812384410 Regional Office, Kurunegala – 0372225941 Regional Office, Matara – 0412226697

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The production of food has recorded a sharp dive, says the National Organization of Intellectuals in Colombo.Speaking during the briefing, member of the organization Specialist Dr.

Long Covid. The study has revealed that a person going through phases of anxiety, depression, and loneliness before being infected by coronavirus has a much stronger chance of developing Long Covid.  The finding of the study conducted by researchers at the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health was published in the journal JAMA Psychiatry.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The production of food has recorded a sharp dive, says the National Organization of Intellectuals in Colombo.Speaking during the briefing, member of the organization Specialist Dr.

COLOMBO (News 1st) –  The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will resume its attestation and verification service from Tuesday (20), following a recent computer system breakdown.Moreover, the MFA stated that the attestation and verification services at regional offices in Jaffna, Trincomalee, Kandy, Kurunegala, and Matara have also been resolved, and all other services of the consular division will also be provided.For further details the visiting service seekers may contact;Consular Affairs Division, Colombo 01    0112338812/0112338843 Regional Office, Jaffna                                0212215970 Regional Office, Trincomalee                    0262223182 Regional Office, Kandy                               0812384410 Regional Office, Kurunegala                     0372225941 Regional Office, Matara                             0412226697  

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Hanaa Singer, the United Nations Resident Coordinator for Sri Lanka, has made more requests for aid in support of Sri Lanka in the face of the country's economic crisis.The appeal states that according to UNICEF, 70% of households have reduced their food consumption, primarily due to the rising cost of food, and 73% of households have had their incomes either curtailed or reduced.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – A report on food security by the World Bank has revealed that Sri Lanka is in the third place according to the real food inflation figures between September 2021 and August 2022, and at the fourth place in consideration of nominal food inflation.Sri Lanka ranks fourth in the world in terms of nominal food inflation, at 91% on an y-o-y basis.According to the World Bank report, Zimbabwe, Lebanon and Venezuela are ranked first, second and third among the countries with high nominal inflation.The report indicates that 205.1 million people worldwide will face a food crisis or a acute food crisis due to this situation.The report also warns of the threat of famine for the Somali Gulf region between October and December this year.Projecting a decrease in production of rice in 2022, the Agricultural Market Information System (AMIS) assessed that reduced harvest prospects for India and a few other countries, including Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, outweighed slight upward revisions for Brazil and a few  West African countries, although average international rice prices changed little month to month, with mixed movements in the major exporters.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – On 17th September, the Ukrainian President Voldomyr Zelenskyy in his briefing noted that seven Sri Lankan students were found in 'torture chambers' where civilians were abused by Russian soldiers in areas of the Kharkiv region in Ukraine. The Russian InvasionOn 24th of February, Russian forces initiated what they dubbed as a 'special operation', which was later declared by Russia as an operation for the “liberation of Donbas” – broadly referring to Ukraine’s regions of Luhansk and Donetsk.More than a third of this area was already seized by Russian proxy forces in a war that began in 2014.The liberation of IziumIzium was subject to intense Russian artillery attacks in April.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The National Flag of Sri Lanka and the flag of the United Kingdom were flown at half-mast as a mark of respect to Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, at the President's Office on Monday (19).Monday was also declared as a National day of mourning, in addition to the Ministry of Public Administration announcing today as a special holiday for all government agencies.The grand state funeral of late Queen Elizabeth II was held today, with the participation of over 500 heads of state and foreign leaders. Following the State Funeral, the Coffin will travel in Procession from Westminster Abbey to Wellington Arch. From Wellington Arch, the Coffin will travel to Windsor, and once there, the State Hearse will travel in Procession to St.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka has approved power outages for the 20th and 21st of September as follows; Groups ABCDEFGHIJKLPQRSTUVW– 1 hour and 20 minutes from 6.00pm – 10.00pm.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Today’s exchange rates from the Central Bank of Sri Lanka:USD Buy 358.9434 Sell 369.9135GBP Buy 409.5166 Sell 425.6899EUR Buy 356.6349 Sell 371.6442JPY Buy 2.4897 Sell 2.5921AUD Buy 239.0458 Sell 250.2742

COLOMBO (News 1st) – A Ukrainian journalist has released horrific details about the seven Sri Lankans who were allegedly captured and tortured by Russian soldiers in the Kharkiv region near the Russian border where there has been intense fighting for months. The seven are currently safe in a Ukrainian rehabilitation center.The six men and one woman were beaten, two had their nails torn off, and all were forced to work cleaning up a house occupied by Russian soldiers, Sergey Bolvinov, Chief of the Investigative Department of Kharkiv Region Police had told Maria Romanenko, a Ukrainian journalist reporting from the UK.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – A Ukrainian journalist has released horrific details about the seven Sri Lankan medical students who were allegedly captured and tortured by Russian soldiers in the Kharkiv region near the Russian border where there has been intense fighting for months.The six men and one woman were beaten, had their nails torn off, and forced to work for free, Maria Romanenko, a Ukrainian journalist reporting from the UK, said in her Tweeted story.The seven students, aged 20-40, arrived in Ukraine around 3 weeks before the all-out invasion last March and rented a house in Kupiansk, a town that was captured by Russian forces and occupied until it was retaken by the Ukrainian army a few days ago. They were hiding in their house for some time until they decided to try and flee into Kharkiv, she tweeted.However, they were stopped at the first Russian checkpoint that they tried to cross.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The National Construction Association of Sri Lanka (NCASL) says that 95% of the construction projects have been delayed due to the shortage of required raw materials in the local market. The Deputy Head of the National Construction Association of Sri Lanka M.D. Paul said that this has concerned a large proportion of the people employed in the construction sector.He says around 1.5 Million people are employed in the construction industry and among them, 75% are currently unemployed.He further said that import restrictions on construction materials such as Tiles, Air Condition systems, and Elevator systems have further disrupted the construction industry. Moreover, he said that the Government must pay an earned sum of close to Rs.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – A Ukraining Journalist has released the first details about the insane story from Kharkiv region’s police about the 7 Sri Lankans, who were in Ukraine for work and studies, and were kidnapped by Russians, beaten, and had their nails torn off, and forced to work for free (clean).The 6 men and 1 woman, all aged 20-40, arrived in Ukraine around 3 weeks before the all-out invasion and rented a house in Kupiansk (which was occupied until a few days ago). They were hiding in their house for some time until they decided to try and flee into Kharkiv, she tweeted.However, they were stopped at the first Russian checkpoint that they tried to cross.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Crisis-hit Sri Lanka will make a presentation to its international creditors on Friday (23), laying out the full extent of its economic troubles and plans for a debt restructuring and multi-billion dollar International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout.Years of economic mismanagement combined with the COVID-19 pandemic have left Sri Lanka in its worst economic crisis since independence from Britain in 1948, causing it to default on its sovereign debt.The Sri Lanka Ministry of Finance said in a statement via legal firm Clifford Chance that an online call on Sept.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – As messages of condolence flood in at the end of the British monarch’s 70-year reign, Sri Lanka Navy, pays its highest tribute to the life and service of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, who passed away on 08th September 2022.Just a couple of months after the coronation, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II embarked on her maiden royal visit to Sri Lanka on board SS Gothic in 1954 with Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh who was a WWII veteran. Serving in the Mediterranean Fleet of the Royal Navy as an officer, he had a stint in then Ceylon during WWII. The visit remains engraved as the first visit to Sri Lanka by a reigning monarch. During the visit, the Royals graced a ceremony where a jetty at the Colombo Harbour had been named after ‘Queen Elizabeth Quay’.As the Navy’s annals reveal, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip had visited HMCyS Vijaya which escorted SS Gothic to the Port of Colombo.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ali Sabry will deliver the Sri Lanka statement at the 77th Session of the United Nations General Assembly on 24 September 2022 in New York.During the visit, he will address several Ministerial levels meetings, such as the Meeting of Foreign Ministers of the Conference on Interaction & Confidence Building Measures in Asia, the Meeting of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Member States of the Group of 77 & China, the Ministerial Meeting of the Group of Friends of the Global Development Initiative, and the NAM Foreign Ministers Meeting. He will also have bilateral discussions with the Foreign Ministers of UN Member States. In addition, he will also meet with the highest level of UN Officials in New York. The Sri Lanka delegation will consist of Foreign Minister Ali Sabry, the Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the UN in New York Mohan Pieris, as well as a senior official of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and officials of the Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka in New York. The High-level segment of the Session will be held from 20 – 26 September 2022.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Police have sought public assistance in arresting two suspects involved in a shooting which took place inside the Mt. Lavinia Court Complex on August 4th, 2022.Police have released two pictures of the suspects to the media.Meanwhile, a photograph of the car suspected to have been used by the suspects to flee the scene has also been released.Accordingly, police have requested the public to contact the following telephone numbers if they have any information regarding the suspects and the getaway car.Mt.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Secretary of the Ministry of Public Administration announced that today (19) has been declared a special holiday for all Government agencies as a day of mourning has been declared for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.President Ranil Wickremesinghe left the island on Saturday (17) to attend the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II.

LONG ISLAND, N.Y. - A missing cat wanted to let her family know she had returned when she alerted the home's doorbell camera. Lilly, the 8-year-old feline, went missing from her Long Island, New York home for almost a week but returned on August 14. The video showed Lilly reaching over the camera and meowing, alerting the homeowners, Stefanie Whitley and Efrain Leandry, that someone was at the door. RELATED: Animal shelter says puppy was run over, kicked by bystander"Our family was ecstatic, emotional, and hysterical when she came home," Whitley told Storyful.Whitley said Lilly knows how the doorbell system works. "Lilly is aware of the camera, and looks towards the door when there is [a] notification," Whitley said.Storyful contributed to this report.

LONG BEACH, Calif. - There are many ways for airline passengers to get through long-haul flights, but some Southwest fliers didn’t expect a ukulele class. Passengers from Long Beach, California to Honolulu, Hawaii were surprised with music lessons on Friday.The Guitar Center, an instrument retailer, worked with the airline to arrange the surprise in an effort to welcome them to Hawaii. RELATED: Couple marries inside North Carolina airport after first meeting on flightPassengers onboard the Boeing 737-800 were given a Mitchell MU40 Soprano ukulele along with a Road Runner carrying case.Southwest passengers were given in-flight ukulele lessons.  (Guitar Center)Guitar Center instructors taught the fliers how to play "Hello, Aloha. How are you?" during the flight."I’ve taught students through Guitar Center Lessons since 2014, but never in an airplane," said instructor Alexandra Windsor in a news release.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Presidential Advisor on National Food Security, Dr. Suren Batagoda, says that data shows that the amount of food consumed by Sri Lankans has reduced by about 60% due to the prevailing food shortage in the country.Participating in the multi-sectoral joint mechanism implementation program on food security and nutrition, Dr.

Covid on their health, but also because it can disturb their appetite. Long covid could lead to various other symptoms such as loss of taste and smell, having an upset stomach, having diarrhea or constipation, sore throat, difficulty in swallowing, or being out of breath. Though these can make it difficult for you to eat properly, focusing on certain healthy foods might help in regaining nutrition and strength.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Sabry PC, who is due to leave for New York for the 77th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, is scheduled to address several international conferences which run in parallel with the UNGA session.Accordingly, Minister Sabry will be participating in the Ministerial Session of the Non-Aligned States, the Foreign Ministers' Meeting of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia and the Ministerial Meeting of the Alliance for Global Development Initiative.The Foreign Minister is scheduled to present Sri Lanka's statement at the United Nations General Assembly on 24th September.The 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly will be held from September 20th to October 26th.

Three injured in 3-car crash.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena says that State Ministers and Ministers will be appointed in the future under strict financial control.The Prime Minister visited Anuradhapura to engage in religious activities on Sunday (18).He further stated that a large cost is not incurred in the activities of Ministers, and himself as the Prime Minister. However, he emphasized that State institutions cannot continue their functions without appointing relevant authorities to oversee them.However, they will be subject to strict financial control in the future, he said. Moreover, the Prime Minister commented on the IMF staff level agreement with the Government, said that the proposal of the program is due to be presented before the IMF board in the near future. Many countries continue to assist Sri Lanka to their capacity to come out of its current crisis, he added.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The newly appointed Saudi Arabian Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Ambassadir Khalid bin Hamoud Nasser Aldasam Alkahtani said that he aims to increase job opportunities in his country for skilled Sri Lankan workers.During a meeting with Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena,  the Ambassador was urged to assist Sri Lanka’s efforts to face the economic and fuel crisis.Moreover, Ambassador Alkahtani said within a short period of time, the number of Sri Lankan skilled and semi-skilled workforce in Saudi Arabia could be increased to 400,000 from the present 180,000. “I am fond of Sri Lanka and I will do my best to support your country,” he assured.The Prime Minister pointed out that the newly introduced relaxed visa regulations and investment facilitation schemes of Board of Investment will help to attract more Saudi investors to Sri Lanka.Moreover, the Prime Minister said that Saudi Arabia has the opportunities to invest in energy, fisheries and agricultural sectors, and thanked for the support and assistance provided to Sri Lanka under renewed assistance programmes of the Saudi Development Fund as well as to help early recovery from current economic problems.The two dignitaries also discussed the plans for tourism promotion and recommencing of Saudi Airlines’ flights to Sri Lanka.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says that it has ascertained with regard to veracity of information of the seven Sri Lankan medical students who were discovered in the recaptured region of Kharkiv, Ukraine.The Ministry also stated that it has requested to provide more information on it as a matter of priority, given the need to ensure the welfare of Sri Lankan nationals in Ukraine, and assures that it is in contact with Ukrainian Government through the Embassy in Ankara.A briefing by the Ukrainian President Voldomyr Zelenskyy on Saturday (17) revealed that seven Sri Lankan students, who were attending Kupyansk Medical College, were discovered in a basement in the recaptured area. The students were being held in the area since last March, and were being directed for medical attention, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy said.The full release is as follows;The attention of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been drawn to a news item which has appeared in the local print and electronic media and is circulating on social media on 17 September, with regard to the rescue of seven (07) Sri Lankan students from Kupyansk Medical College in the Kharkiv region in Ukraine.The Ministry has requested the Ukrainian Government to ascertain the veracity of the news item, as well as to provide more information on it as a matter of priority, given the need to ensure the welfare of Sri Lankan nationals in Ukraine. The Ministry is in close communication with the Ukrainian Government through the Sri Lanka Embassy in Ankara which is concurrently accredited to Ukraine, as well as through the Ukrainian Embassy in New Delhi, in order to obtain further information on this matter.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The initial executive council meeting of the 'Uththara Lanka Coalition' is due to be held on Sunday (18).Sri Lanka Communist Party Vice President and Member of Parliament Weerasumana Weerasinghe stated that it will be held today at 2 pm at the Communist Party headquarters, and future plans of the coalition will be discussed at the meeting.The coalition also aims to meet with Ambassadors and religious leaders in the near future.On September 5th, several independent Parliamentarians including MP Wimal Weerawansa, MP Udaya Gammanpila, MP Prof.

The National Chamber of Exporters of Sri Lanka held its press conference on 30th August 2022 at Hotel Jetwing, Colombo 07 to recognize and felicitate sponsors and media in association with the upcoming Annual Export Awards of the Chamber. The Chamber is celebrating the Pearl Anniversary of the Exports Awards this year, completing 30 years of success, under the chosen theme “Recognizing, Inspiring and Strengthening” – a 30 years of unbroken commitment to Sri Lankan Exporters on 02nd December 2022 at Hotel Shangri-La, Colombo. The Annual Export Awards ceremony, organized by the NCE serves to recognize and reward Sri Lankan Exporters of products and services and also service providers to exporters, on their performance in the international market.  This prestigious event has achieved national significance as the most looked forward to event in the business calendar of Sri Lanka. The Chamber is proud to announce that this event has been conducted without any disruption for the last 29 years’ even amidst numerous challenges.The NCE by recognizing the best performers in exports have immensely contributed towards creating a positive mindset and uplifting spirits of fellow exporters of this nation.  The Chamber last year, introduced the NCE Challenge Trophy” awarded in respect of organizations who perform ethical trading practices under Small, Medium, Large and Extra Large categories.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Elections Commission of Sri Lanka will be entitled to call for a local government election after coming Tuesday,  the 20th of September.The Elections Commission will be such entitled according to the provisions of the Local Government Polls Act.The Chairman of the Election Commission, Attorney-ar-Law Nimal Punchihewa, stated that the ECSL has already initiated the necessary preliminary work to hold the local government elections before March 20th next year.The chairman stated that the date of the local government election will be decided after the certification of the 2022 voter list by October 31st.He said that discussions with political parties in this regard will also be held.Currently, the minister in charge has taken steps to extend the term of office of the local government bodies including local councils, urban councils and municipal councils by one year and postpone the elections until March next year.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Auditor General has advised officials to monitor the recovery of compensation for the damage caused by the X-press Pearl ship, which went up in flames off Sri Lankan waters.Auditor General Chulantha Wickramaratne stated that monitoring the process of recovery of compensation was recommended taking into consideration the facts presented by various parties regarding the assessment of the damage of the ship and the process to recover compensation.The Auditor General stated that a full investigation is expected to be conducted with regard to the process of recovering compensation for the damage caused by the ship.It has been more than a year and three months since the X-Press Pearl ship sank in the Sea of Sri Lanka.The ship was carrying 81 containers of dangerous goods and contained 25 tons of nitric acid.The affected area spanns across 746km from Mannar to Kirinda Hambantota. 

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Acting Convenor of the Inter University Students Federation, Terence Rodrigo alleged that the Government's acts of repression are performative, and further stated that despite harking about neoliberal values, none of the arrested activists have been presented before Court.Commenting on why the government was trying to make an example of protesters, Rodrigo rationalized that it is was because the government was unable to provide solutions to the economic and political problems faced by the people of Sri Lanka. 'Ranil Rajapaksa's economic reforms are not the answers the people are looking for', he said, adding that the national resources of the country have been sold by them.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Acting Convenor of the Inter University Students Federation, Terence Rodrigo alleged that the Government's acts of repression are performative, and further stated that despite harking about neoliberal values, none of the arrested activists have been presented before Court.Commenting on why the government was trying to make an example of protesters, Rodrigo rationalized that it is was because the government was unable to provide solutions to the economic and political problems faced by the people of Sri Lanka. 'Ranil Rajapaksa's economic reforms are not the answers the people are looking for', he said, adding that the national resources of the country have been sold by them.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Minister Bandula Gunawardena in interview with Russia's Ria Novosti says that he expects that flights between Moscow and Colombo will be restored by mid-October in 2022.A few months ago, Russian flight company Aeroflot announced that it will be suspending commercial flights to Sri Lanka for the time being, due to “unreliability of the situation in terms of ensuring unhindered flights of the airline’s aircraft to Sri Lanka”. The airline suspended its flights after eight months, after launching its services in Sri Lanka on 4th November, 2021.Commenting on the fuel crisis, the Minister said that it is possible to end the fuel crisis within the country, and added that Sri Lanka is now recovering from each of the crises – both economic and currency, and expects support from Russia on the matter. Moreover, the Minister said that – negotiations on procuring fuel from Russia are underway.Pointing out that Sri Lanka needed a loan to buy Russian fuel, the Minister said that the Sri Lankan Ambassador to Russia, himself and other representatives of the Sri Lankan authorities are discussing this issue with the Russian government. "We hope Russia will be able to help us.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Expeditious steps will be taken with regard to the seven Sri Lankan students, who were rescued from 'torture chambers' where civilians were being held in Kharkiv region in Ukraine, the Embassy of Ukraine in New Delhi stated.Responding to an inquiry by News 1st, the Embassy said that futher information regarding the students are being gathered.News 1st made an inquiry from the Embassy after a briefing by the Ukrainian President Voldomyr Zelenskyy revealed that seven Sri Lankan students, who were attending Kupyansk Medical College, were discovered in a basement in the recaptured area. The students were being held in the area since last March, and were directed for medical attention, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy said.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Minister of Transport Bandula Gunawardena in an interview to Ria Novosti, Russian media, hsa apologized for the arrest of a Russian Aircraft in June.In an interview, the Minister said that it "was a terrible mistake" and that Sri Lankan authorities apologize for what happened.Speaking further, the Minister said that Unfortunately, an error with the Russian aircraft of the company "Aeroflot" led to the flight being arrested by a Court order. However, he said thayt now this problem has been solved, and the President, the Prime Minister and the entire Government of Sri Lanka guarantees that this will never happen again. "We don't want to arrest any planes in Sri Lanka." the Minister said.Although attempts were made, the Minister was not immediately available for a comment on the matter.In June, the Aeroflot A330 (SU289) was grounded in Colombo following a court order obtained by Celestial Aviation Trading 10 Limited of Ireland, the owner of the aircraft, against Aeroflot in a Colombo court, over a lease dispute.However. the Commercial High Court of Colombo reversed its own decision of June 2nd of this year, on the detention of an Aeroflot flight at Bandaranaike International Airport.The Airbus A330-343 operated by Russian state-owned airline Aeroflot was denied permission to fly to Moscow as scheduled on June 2nd amid a legal dispute with a leasing company.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – President Ranil Wickremesinghe says that cricket team captain Dasun Shanaka and the team took advantage of their defeats and made themselves stronger to advance forward to the Asian Cup.The President, speaking further, said that it is not difficult to lead the country towards victory in the face of the world if the team continues to think in the same way.The President also pointed out that working together as a team helped them to win.President Ranil Wickremesinghe was addressing the felictation ceremony held for the Sri Lankan athletes who won their respective Asia-level wins; the Cricket team and the team which won the Asian Netball Championship, in addition to the medalists of Commonwealth Games.Meanwhile, at the request of Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe, Sri Lanka Cricket took steps to present Rs. 2 million to each player in the Netball team symbolizing its support towards the sport.Sri Lanka won 4 medals in the 22nd Commonwealth Games held recently in Birmingham, Britain.Palitha Bandara won the silver medal in the discus throw event in the para sports category, while Yupun Abeykoon won the 100m event, Nethmi Ahimsa Poruthota in the women's 57kg wrestling competition and Dilanka Isuru Kumara won the bronze medals in the weightlifting 55kg category.The silver medalist was awarded Rs.10 million from the sports fund, each bronze medalist was awarded Rs.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – MP Ranjith Siyambalapitiya has been appointed the Acting Minister of Finance.The MP has been appointed to this position due to the departure of President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who is also the Minister of Finance, to attend the funeral of late Queen Elizabeth II.MP Siyambalapitiya, who entered the Parliament representing the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna national list, is currently also the State Minister of Finance.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Ukrainian President Voldomyr Zelensky says that seven Sri Lankan students have been rescued from 'torture chambers' where civilians were abused by Russian soldiers in areas of the Kharkiv region in Ukraine.  Zelensky said those rescued included foreigners and made particular reference to the Sri Lankan students whom he said had been kept in a basement since March. He did not mention any other nationalities.  The Kharkiv region, near the border with Russia, was recently recaptured from Russian occupation by Ukrainian forces.  According to the Ukrainian President, torture chambers were found in which civilians of the occupied cities and towns were abused.