Sri Lanka: UN report urges progress on accountability, institutional and security sector reforms

Joel Embiid attends Michael Rubin's MLBPA x Fanatics party at City Market Social House on July 18, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images) ((Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images))CHARLESTON, S.C. - Joel Embiid is an American citizen.A native of Cameroon, Embiid said he was sworn in as a citizen two weeks ago in Philadelphia.

A study today in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report shows that US nursing home residents who received a second mRNA COVID-19 vaccine booster dose 60 days earlier were 26% protected against Omicron infection, 74% against hospitalization or death, and 90% against death alone.

Kelly Osbourne is opening up about her health while pregnant.

SAN DIEGO - A rare wild horse that was cloned is learning his "wild horse language" after being paired with another female of the same species and recently made his debut to visitors at the San Diego Zoo.The rare, endangered Przewalski’s horse, named Kurt, was created from cells taken from a stallion that had sat frozen at the San Diego Zoo for 40 years before the cells were fused with an egg from a domestic horse. As part of the cloning process, scientists then removed the nucleus from the egg cell — ensuring Kurt would be basically all Przewalski’s horse. The cells were implanted in a surrogate mother, a domestic quarter horse, who birthed Kurt in August 2020. The result was the world’s first cloned Przewalski’s horse, zoo officials said.Kurt, the world’s first cloned Prezwalski horse in a field habitat at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.

FILE - A gas leak causes bubbles on the surface of the water at Sea in Sweden on Sept. 29, 2022.

Those who have suffered from food poisoning will be well aware of how unpleasant an experience it can be.

GB News presenter has recently undergone surgery on his back in a bid to relieve pressure on his sciatic nerves.The operation to ease his chronic pain, which carried a 20 percent risk of going wrong, was recommended to Eamonn after the broadcaster was left dependent on a walking stick and dealing with what he has described as “horrendous pain”. Having been dealing with crippling pain for the last 18 months, Eamonn Holmes is no stranger to health conditions, as he also came down with shingles back in 2018.Speaking about his experience with shingles as he partners with GSK in a bid to raise awareness of the condition and its potential complications, Eamonn revealed that numerous "stressful" circumstances in his life at the time had contributed to him developing the painful condition, as he placed a great deal of blame onto the mental health implications of his battle with HMRC.Waking up with the painful rash on the left side of his face, Eamonn explained that he had “no idea what had happened” to him.He told Express.co.uk: “I went to bed one day and woke up the next day looking like Quasimodo.“I had my face covered in blisters and had absolutely no idea what it was.

I am 32 years  old, married and have a 5-year-old son. My monthly income is ₹70,000. I want to get health insurance for my family. Kindly suggest — Name withheld on request   The first thing to do while buying a health insurance plan is opt for a sum assured of at least ₹10 lakh.

Detectives with the Lower Southampton Township Police Department are investigating an assault and robbery at a comic book store in Feasterville. Authorities are searching for the two suspects seen in this picture.  FEASTERVILLE, Pa. - The business owner of a Bucks County comic book store was violently beaten and tied up during a robbery, according to police. Authorities say officers from the Lower Southampton Township Police Department responded to the Comic Collection store in Feasterville for an assault and robbery. According to authorities, two suspects entered the store and asked the owner to get them merchandise from a high shelf.

Actress Lisa Banes attends the world premiere of "Gone Girl" on Sept. 26, 2014, in New York City. (Photo by Mike Pont/FilmMagic via Getty) NEW YORK - A man who slammed into actor Lisa Banes with an electric moped in Manhattan last year, leaving the "Gone Girl" cast member fatally injured, pleaded guilty on Wednesday to manslaughter. Brian Boyd, 27, will be sentenced on Nov.

COVID-19 indicators as the fall season begins, but the province’s top doctor stopped short of declaring a new wave of the pandemic, saying it was too early to do so Thursday.Luc Boileau, director of Quebec public health, said “it’s not a surprise” that cases and hospitalizations are on the upswing since the start of the school year and end of summer vacation for adults. But he said transmission of the novel coronavirus in schools has been “very weak” since students returned to class for the fall semester, adding that no more than 6,000 infections have so far been reported in schools.Wastewater levels, which the province uses as a screening tool to detect trends in the evolution of the health crisis, also indicate that COVID-19 is on the rise, he added.“Will it be a new wave, a big wave?” Boileau said.

Flamingos stay safe from Hurricane Ian inside a bathroom at Sunken Gardens in St. Petersburg, Florida (photo courtesy Sunken Gardens). ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - As Hurricane Ian came ashore Wednesday, millions of Floridians either evacuated or hunkered down at home.

PHILADELPHIA - A man has died after he was run over in a hit-and-run in Holmesburg, police say. Authorities say the incident occurred on Wednesday afternoon at 2:37 p.m. According to officials, a 20-year-old driving a 2003 Honda Pilot was traveling eastbound on Chippendale Street when the driver stopped at the stop sign at the intersection of Frankford Avenue. Police say the driver made a left turn going north onto Frankford Avenue when they hit Joseph Lawson, 73, as he was crossing Frankford Avenue. MORE LOCAL HEADLINESThe driver continued operating the vehicle and ran over the man, authorities say. Lawson was transported to Jefferson-Torresdale Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, according to officials. The driver was last seen going north on Frankford Avenue, authorities say. Police say Lawson lived on the 3400 block of Chippendale Street. According to officials, the hit-and-run is under investigation by the Accident Investigation Division. 

PHILADELPHIA - A 14-year-old boy has been arrested and charged in connection with a shooting at the SEPTA station in Tioga, according to SEPTA Transit Police. SEPTA Transit Police say the shooting happened on Sunday night around 10:35 p.m.According to officials, after a short fight on a Market-Frankford Line train, the teen got off, pulled a gun out of his bag and fired two rounds at the train as it was leaving the station. Police say one of the rounds became lodged in the train window and was recovered. MORE LOCAL HEADLINESAccording to police, there were several passengers on board the train, but no one was hurt. After reviewing surveillance video and conducting an investigation, SEPTA Transit Police say they identified the suspect and arrested him after a warrant was approved. Officials say the obey is facing aggravated assault and related charges. SEPTA police are urging customers to contact them with safety concerns and say they should immediately call 911 in case of emergencies. 

Body odour has held four in 10 people back socially, a survey claimed. The 2019 poll asked 2,000 British adults their feelings of their own body odour, with 30% saying they avoided talking to someone amid fear of smelling bad.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Civil & Political activists point out that the recently introduced bill to establish a Bureau of Rehabilitation paves the way to crack down on the Aragalaya protesters.They allege that the bill will also allow Aragalaya Activists to be detained for a long period at Rehabilitation Camps.Justice Minister Dr.

PHILADELPHIA - Police say a lockdown at Boys Latin Charter Middle School has been lifted after a student who was seen with a loaded magazine on a bus was detained by officers at the school. According to authorities, the incident happened just before 8:30 a.m. on Thursday morning. The school was placed on lockdown after a student was seen with a magazine in his backpack on the bus, police say. Boys Latin Charter Middle School has been placed on lockdown after a student was observed with a loaded magazine on the bus, according to police.MORE LOCAL HEADLINESOfficials say the student was detained by police when he arrived at school and they recovered the loaded magazine. According to authorities, police were on location and the lockdown was lifted at 10:08 a.m.Boys Latin Charter High School, located about two miles away, was also placed on lockdown just before 9 a.m., per police officials. Police say K-9 units are en route to the high school. No additional information was released by authorities. This is a developing story.

NAPLES, Fla. - Firefighters in Naples waded through deep floodwater Wednesday to rescue a woman trapped in her car as Hurricane Ian pounded Florida’s west coast.Footage by Naples Fire-Rescue shows a firefighter breaking the rear passenger window and helping the woman to safety. Her condition was not immediately clear but she appeared unharmed in the footage.Collier County officials said on Wednesday night that half of the streets in Naples were "not passable" due to high water, and tides might further raise the water level.

Protesters hold signs in front of the South Carolina Statehouse as lawmakers debate an abortion ban. (Sean Rayford/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images) COLUMBIA, S.C. - Abortion laws in South Carolina almost certainly won't get more restrictive, after Republicans in the General Assembly could not agree on a total ban on the procedure during a special legislative session Tuesday.South Carolina was for decades at the forefront of more restrictive abortion laws that challenged Roe v.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Florida's property insurance market was already in peril. Then came Hurricane Ian.The massive storm that barreled into southwest Florida delivering catastrophic winds, rain, and flooding is likely to further damage the insurance market in the state, which has strained under billion-dollar losses, insolvencies, and skyrocketing premiums.The scale of the storm's destruction will become more clear in the coming days, but there is concern it could exacerbate existing problems and burden a state insurance program that has already seen a sharp increase in policies as homeowners struggle to find coverage in the private market."Florida’s property insurance market was the most volatile in the U.S.

The language appearing to have been used by nursing staff to - and about - mental health patients is jarring. "She's a c***t."

NEW DELHI : Newly introduced Gandhinagar Capital- Mumbai Central Vande Bharat Express will be flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Gandhinagar station on 30 September at around 10:30 am. The indigenous developed train shall also come with a befitting Health Conscious Low Calorie Millet Rich Regional menu, the Ministry of Railways said in a statement.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Attorney Amila Egodamahawatte filed a special application with the Supreme Court on Thursday (29) seeking a ruling that the Bill titled the Bureau of Rehabilitation is one that leads the country to militarization and is one that violates the constitution of Sri Lanka.The attorney General was named as the respondent in this petition. The petition was filed through Attorney Manjula Balasuriya. The petitioner pointed out that, this act provides legislature to vest the judiciary power of the people to this Bureau without following the judicial process. They also pointed out that by introducing the Burea of Rehabilitation the government is attempting to usurp the powers of the court and vest it with the bureau, and enable it to act without any orders from the court. The petitioners pointed out that although the preamble of the bill states that it is an act to rehabilitate rebels, the lack of a proper interpretation of this term could lead to the people of the aragalaya being taken away to be rehabilitated using the military. The petitioner requests the court to issue a determination requesting the legislature to pass this bill through a majority in the parliament as the bill violates the people's freedom of expression and the right to hold peaceful demonstrations. At the same time, Civil & Political acitivists point out that the the recently introduced bill to establish a Bureau of Rehabilitation paves the way to crackdown on the Aragalaya protesters.They allege that the bill will also allow Aragalaya Activists to be detained for a long period at Rehabilitation Camps.Justice Minister Dr.

Senior federal bureaucrats examined whether cryptocurrencies protect against inflation not long after Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre made the claim as a candidate in the Conservative leadership race, according to an internal government document.

BEESLEY'S POINT, N.J. - A cooling tower at a former power plant in Cape May County is set to be imploded Thursday morning. The implosion of the cooling tower at the B.L. England Generating Station in Beesly's Point, New Jersey, is set for 9:30 a.m. According to a press release from Upper Township, Beesley's Point Development Group hired Controlled Demolition Inc.

An espresso stands with a saucer on a wooden table. (Photo by Silas Stein/picture alliance via Getty Images) Thursday, Sept.

Pierre Poilievre has overtaken Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as the candidate seen as the best choice to lead the country, a new poll suggests.The Ipsos poll conducted exclusively for Global News found 35 per cent of Canadians surveyed believe Poilievre is the best candidate for prime minister, while 31 per cent said the same of Trudeau, who trails the new Opposition leader in a majority of provinces — including Ontario. 1 in 3 Canadians believe Trudeau should stay in power as Tories edge ahead: poll Those numbers mark the latest sign of trouble for Trudeau’s Liberals, who are facing an increasingly dissatisfied public that polling suggests is concerned with affordability and inflation.“Now that Mr.

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

PUNTA GORDA, Fla. - Southwestern Florida was slammed by a historic Hurricane Ian Wednesday afternoon, making landfall with 150 mph winds and a record-setting storm surge.Ian came ashore as a Category 4 hurricane near Cayo Costa in Lee County just after 3 p.m. EDT, according to the National Hurricane Center, knocking out power to over 2 million customers across Florida as of early Thursday morning and triggering dozens of water rescues in the southwestern part of the state.President Joe Biden approved a major disaster declaration for Florida and ordered his team to mobilize additional federal resources to help with recovering, including assistance for temporary housing and home repairs, the White House said.FOX WEATHER WIRE FOR SEPT. 28: HURRICANE IAN MAKES LANDFALLSo far there are no reports of injuries or deaths for the storm that tied for the fourth-strongest hurricane on record to strike Florida.Video from Joel Franco shows storm chasers and weather reporters on the street in Punta Gorda as "the full fury" of Hurricane Ian arrives.Videos and images from south Naples and Marco Island in Collier County painted a dangerous picture of how serious the storm surge would become as Ian’s eye wall came ashore, forcing 2.5 million to flee.HOW TO WATCH FOX WEATHER ON TVHurricane Ian's winds whipping through Naples knocked down trees and storm surge reached an all-time record hours before landfall.

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

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

ALSO READ: Covid update: India sees rise in infections; active cases further decline "These findings are important because they show that, while COVID-19 vaccines are successful at reducing the risk of hospitalisation, people who are vaccinated and exposed to polluted air are still at increased risk for worse outcomes than vaccinated people not exposed to air pollution," senior research scientist at KPSC Anny Xiang said. Published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, the study estimated air pollution exposure levels for each participant based on their residential addresses.

STATE COLLEGE, PA - SEPTEMBER 24: A view of the Penn State Nittany Lions logo on the sidelines before the game against the Central Michigan Chippewas at Beaver Stadium on September 24, 2022 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Gett STATE COLLEGE, Pa. - Beer will be available for sale to the general public at Penn State's Beaver Stadium beginning Saturday when the Nittany Lions host Northwestern, the school announced Wednesday.Penn State will be the ninth Big Ten school to sell beer to the general public at football games.

CAMDEN, NEW JERSEY - SEPTEMBER 26: Tyrese Maxey #0 of the Philadelphia 76ers poses at 76ers Training Complex on September 26, 2022 in Camden, New Jersey. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this phot CHARLESTON, S.C. - Doc Rivers was not expecting guests one day this summer when members of his staff turned up uninvited at his house with a direct demand of the Philadelphia 76ers coach: Tyrese Maxey needed an intervention.It was true.Maxey needed help getting out of the gym.

A West Lothian author who shared his experiences around mental health, drug addiction, trauma and social deprivation has been hailed as “brave” by those who listened to him.

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

LOOSE Women's Nadia Sawalha has revealed a secret health scare that saw her taken to hospital for a procedure. The TV star, 57, underwent a hysteroscopy - an examination of the inside of the womb - after "worrying herself sick". She shared pictures from her hospital bed and said: "The only reason I’m posting these pics is because I want to catch your eye and urge you if you have been worrying about any symptoms you’ve been experiencing to bite the bullet and get yourself seen.

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

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

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

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

The country’s active caseload has declined to 40,750, and the total number of covid cases has been recorded at 4.45 crores so far New Delhi: India has reported nearly 4,272 covid cases in the last 24 hours, the union health ministry data said on Thursday. The country’s active caseload has declined to 40,750, and the total number of covid cases has been recorded at 4.45 crores so far. As many as 528611 deaths have been reported in the last two years due to covid.

Newsfirst.lk on Saturday, September 10, 2022 COLOMBO (News 1st); USAID Administrator Samantha Power, who is currently on a two-day visit, said that USD 40 million will be granted to the farmers of Sri Lanka from the people of USA, in order to assist 1 million farmers in Sri Lanka.She said this new funding is expected to help farmers to obtain the agricultural necessities and fertilizer they need in time for the next harvesting season, and will also help to provide for their families and communities.The USAID Administrator is due to meet with government officials, private sector representatives, as well as farmers and other Sri Lankans most impacted by the complex emergency to discuss how their lives have been affected by the current crisis.She also met with farmers in Ja-Ela and discussed the hardships which they faced.Pointing out that the USA has a history of working with the Sri Lankan people to spur economic development to support the resilience of Sri Lankans, Administrator Power said that it had become a difficult time for farmers to continue their livelihood. Citing a World Food Program report about food insecurity in Sri Lanka, Administrator Power said that it is a consequence of the economic crisis in the country.She also emphasized that the USA stands by Sri Lankans at this time of vulnerability, and looks foward to meeting more representatives within the two day visit.Administrator Power is also due to meet with parliamentary leaders representing various parties to learn their views on how to address the economic and political crises in Sri Lanka.During her visit, the Administrator will highlight the United States’ enduring support for the people of Sri Lanka and discuss issues related to food security, fuel

COLOMBO (News 1st); Former US Ambassador to the UN Samantha Power, who is also the Administrator for the US Agency for International Development or USAID will visit Sri Lanka on Saturday.USAID Administrator Samantha Power will make an official visit to Sri Lanka on Saturday and will remain in the country until Sunday.The purpose of the two-day visit is to discuss problems related to the prevailing economic crisis and strengthen the development partnership between the United States and Sri Lanka. She is expected to hold bilateral meetings as well.When she visited visited New Delhi in July, Ambassador Power said the Joe Biden administration and the Indian Government are “deeply concerned” by the economic collapse and crisis that has befallen the Sri Lankan people.The Administrator will meet with government officials, private sector representatives, as well as farmers and other Sri Lankans most impacted by the complex emergency to discuss how their lives have been affected and how the United States can best support them as they rebuild and recover. She will also meet with parliamentary leaders representing various parties to learn their views on how to address the economic and political crises in Sri Lanka. During her trip, the Administrator will highlight the United States’ enduring support for the people of Sri Lanka and discuss issues related to food security, fuel and essential item shortages, economic stability, and the impact of Russia’s war against Ukraine on the region.Administrator Power’s visit will underscore the United States’ commitment to addressing the urgent and intermediate needs facing Sri Lankans and to supporting a return to stability.  The Administrator will also reinforce USAID’s support for inclusive

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Ministry of Health says that 50% of the country's population suffers from vitamin D deficiency.Health experts point out that this affects many health factors including the skeletal system of the human body.The Health Experts further said that the easiest way for the body to get vitamin D is to expose the skin to sunlight during the morning.– What is vitamin D deficiency?Vitamin D deficiency means that you are not getting enough vitamin D to stay healthy.– Why do I need vitamin D and how do I get it?Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium. Calcium is one of the main building blocks of bone. Vitamin D also has a role in your nervous, muscle, and immune systems.You can get vitamin D in three ways: through your skin, from your diet, and from supplements.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The most challenging issued face by Sri Lanka today amid an economic, and political crisis is food security and hunger, and this was highlighted in a recent paper produced to the Cabinet of Ministers.It also states that the situation would grow even worse in the future.Quoting the United Nations, the Cabinet Paper also noted that 1.7 mn Sri Lankans seek immediate food assistance.Sri Lanka used to be known as a country that was self-sufficient in rice. So, how did it fall to its present state?After Sri Lanka invoked a complete ban on Chemical fertilizers, it simply gave away Rs.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Sri Lankan delegation that will represent the country at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) reached Geneva in Switzerland on Tuesday (6) night.Foreign Minister Ali Sabry and Justice Minister President's Counsel Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe will lead Sri Lanka's delegation at the UNHRC.An additional Solicitor General of the Attorney General's Department is also included in the Sri Lankan delegation.The 51st session of the UNHRC is scheduled to be held from September 12th to October 07th in Geneva.The progress made by Sri Lanka concerning its Human Rights record will be up for review.Minister Dr.

COLOMBO (News 1st); A committee was appointed by President's Secretary Saman Ekanayake to facilitate and efficiently carry out the process of repatriation of Sri Lankans who have gone to India as refugees due to the war, said the President's Media Division.The committee is headed by Ms. Chandima Wickramasinghe, Additional Secretary to the President, and the other members are the Controller General of Immigration and Emigration, senior official of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, senior official of the Registrar General's Department and a senior official of the Ministry of Justice.This decision was reached during the discussion held on Monday (05) at the President's Office under the chairmanship of the President's Secretary Saman Ekanayake at the request of the Organization for Eelam Refugees Rehabilitation (OFERR), to bring back the Sri Lankans who have gone to India as refugees due to the war.It was stated that about 58,000 Sri Lankans are currently residing in Tamil Nadu, India as refugees and only 3,800 of them are ready to return to Sri Lanka at present.