UN Human Rights Committee to review Sri Lanka

SELMA, Ala. (AP) - President Joe Biden used the searing memories of Selma's "Bloody Sunday" to recommit to a cornerstone of democracy, lionizing a seminal moment from the civil rights movement at a time when he has been unable to push enhanced voting protections through Congress and a conservative Supreme Court has undermined a landmark voting law."Selma is a reckoning.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 20: (L-R) Dawn Dickson, Mona Scott-Young, Wendy Diamond, Judy Heumann, Mitzi Perdue, Nadja Swarovski and Coco Rocha attend the 2022 Women's Entrepreneurship Day Organization Summit at United Nations on May 20, 2022 in New Yor Judy Heumann, a renowned activist who helped secure legislation protecting the rights of disabled people, has died at age 75.News of her death Saturday in Washington, D.C., was posted on her website and social media accounts and confirmed by her youngest brother, Rick Heumann.He said she had been in the hospital a week and had heart issues that may have been the result of something known as post-polio syndrome, related to a childhood infection that was so severe that she spent several months in an iron lung and lost her ability to walk at age 2.She spent the rest of her life fighting, first to get access for herself and then for others, her brother recalled.Javeno McLean talks with FOX Television Stations about why it's important to give back."It wasn’t about glory for my sister or anything like that at all. It was always about how could she make things better for other people," he said, adding that the family drew solace from the tributes that poured in on Twitter from dignitaries and past presidents like Bill Clinton and Barack Obama.RELATED: Study: NFL players who experience concussions may exhibit cognitive failure later in lifeHeumann has been called the "mother of the disability rights movement" for her longtime advocacy on behalf of disabled people through protests and legal action, her website says.She lobbied for legislation that eventually led to the federal Americans with Disabilities Act, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and the Rehabilitation Act.

climate change poses a profound, ongoing threat to national security and prosperity, including the possible loss of parts of British Columbia and the Atlantic provinces to rising sea levels.A newly released analysis by the Canadian Security Intelligence Service also foresees an increase in ideologically motivated violent extremism from people who want to speed up climate change solutions and those more interested in preserving their current way of life.

SOMERS POINT, N.J. - Somers Point Police have launched an investigation after they say a woman died on Saturday morning. Shortly after 7 a.m., police were dispatched to the 600 block of 3rd Street for reports of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers located a woman who had been shot inside a residence. Authorities say the victim was pronounced dead on scene. Officials with the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office say there is no threat to the public, and they are asking anyone with information to contact them as they investigate the shooting. 

PHILADELPHIA - A man is in critical condition after a single shot was fired through his own front door early Saturday morning.Police were called to the 2000 block of Champlost Avenue for a reported shooting just before 2 a.m.They found a man suffering from a gunshot wound to the chest. He was transported to a local hospital in critical condition.MORE HEADLINES:The shot was fired through the front door of the home by an unknown suspect, according to authorities.No arrests have been made, and no motive is known at this time.

an Ohio mother is responsible for the brutal murder-suicide which left four dead just moments before local police arrived at the family's home to serve eviction papers. Clermont County Sheriff's Office shared in a press release that "physical evidence" and the "positioning of the deceased" led investigators to believe that 46-year-old Theresa Cain shot and killed three of her family members on Feb. 27. Shortly before police arrived at the Cain's home in Ohio Township, a suburb of Cincinnati, deputies heard a series of five quick gunshots.

York Regional Police say 64 Mexican-born nationals have been rescued from an international labour trafficking ring that was operating in Ontario and several people have been charged.Deputy police chief Alvaro Almeida told reporters on Friday that the information learned through Project Norte was “just as disturbing as it is compelling.”“Sixty-four of them were subject to deplorable living conditions with no way out,” Almeida said. “Our members were shocked at the conditions they were living in.”“These workers are coerced with promises of a better life, decent wages, quality housing, and eventually documentation,” Almeida continued.

COLOMBO (News 1st): Parliamentarian Rauff Hakeem challenged President Ranil Wickremesinghe to conduct General Elections, speaking at an event on Saturday (4).“The President says the Local Government Election is not useful and that a Parliamentary Election is required to change a government. If so, hold a General Election.

Covid-19 patients who were symptomatic were poor on two computer based tasks, one which measures inhibition and the other impulsive decision making. The study said that compared to people who were not infected with Covid, the infected lack increase in oxygen saturation in an area of the brain that is usually engaged during the tasks.

A Lanarkshire charity that supports people's mental health through music has launched more meet-ups at a new location.

Colombo (News 1st) – Sri Lanka's State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya stated on Saturday (4) that the government will honour the Supreme Court's interim order preventing funds allocated by the budget for the 2023 Local Government election from being witheld. He stated, accordingly, appropriate steps will be taken.Sri Lanka's Supreme Court on Friday (3) issued an interim order on the country's Finance Secretary, and the Attorney General who represents the Finance Minister preventing them from withholding any funds allocated by the 2023 Budget for the Local Government Poll 2023.The interim order was issued after permission was granted to examine an application that was filed by General Secretary of the Samagi Jana Balavegaya Ranjith Madduma Bandara.The application was taken up in the presence of Supreme Court Justices P.

Markham is planning to travel and possibly buy a new home after winning a $60 million lottery jackpot.The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp. said in a news release that Lai Ching Yau won the Jan.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The IMF Mission in Sri Lanka says that the decision taken by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka to raise the policy rate is appropriate and in line with its objectives set under the inflation targeting framework.Peter Breuer, Senior Mission Chief for Sri Lanka, and Masahiro Nozaki, Mission Chief for Sri Lanka noted that it reflects CBSL’s commitment to the inflation target and is an important part of the disinflation strategy in the EFF program, which is fully committed by the Sri Lankan authorities and supported by the IMF.   Sri Lanka’s inflation is declining but remains at a very high level, which has been disproportionally hurting the poor, the statement added. "Upside inflation risks could reverse the trend and lead to persistently high inflation which is extremely costly to the economy," they further added.Therefore, CBSL’s decision to raise the policy rate shows its commitment to reduce inflation more quickly and firmly towards the single-digit target. Durable disinflation would help boost market confidence, reduce excessive risk premia and ease the financing conditions for the corporates, especially the small and medium enterprises, which supports recovery.Sri Lanka is ready to adopt the IMF program within March 2023, said Central Bank Governor Dr.

Police released a composite sketch of one of four suspects in an armed home invasion in Lower Moreland, along with a photo of the van the suspects fled in.  ((Lower Moreland Police Department) )LOWER MORELAND, Pa. - Authorities in Montgomery County say they are investigating an armed home invasion in which a female victim says one of the suspects held a gun to her head.On Thursday, around 11:45 a.m., Lower Moreland police responded to a residence near Huntingdon Pike and Byberry Road for a report of a home invasion.The female victim informed officers that she was home along when she got a knock at her door. Police say she looked out of her window and observed a white van parked across the street, and three males on her doorstep with boxes that said "Amazon" on them. The victim says she opened the door and the males told her they would bring the boxes inside.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka's Opposition alleges that MP Vajira Abeywardena had been appointed as the Acting Chairman of the Committee on Public Finance during Thursday's (2) COPF meeting, and that eight gazettes have been approved at the meeting.MPs Harshana Rajakaruna, and Chandima Weerakkody had opposed this move and walked out of the meeting.There was controversy surrounding the post of Chairman of the Committee on Public Finance, as MP Mayantha Dissanayake was appointed as Chair based on a proposal by the ruling faction, while the opposition had already proposed the name of Dr. Harsha De Silva for the post.Thereafter, MP Dissanayake resigned from the post, and the opposition once against proposed for Dr.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka is ready to adopt the IMF program within March 2023, said Central Bank Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe on Friday (3) during the Monetary Policy Review."When we negotiated the staff level agreement with the IMF and finalized the agreement on the 1st of September, we had inflation projections from both the IMF and the Central Bank," he told reporters."At that time we were hoping to get the program unlocked somewhere in December (2022), and the end-year IMF inflation target was 70% and we had a little over that.

Economic Research Department to ensuring price and economic stability, and financial system stability, thereby assuring the normalisation of the interest rate structure no sooner the price pressures are sufficiently contained in the period ahead. 

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka's Supreme Court on Friday (3) issued an interim order on the country's Finance Secretary, and the Attorney General who represents the Finance Minister preventing them from withholding any funds allocated by the 2023 Budget for the Local Government Poll 2023.The interim order was issued after permission was granted to examine an application that was filed by General Secretary of the Samagi Jana Balavegaya Ranjith Madduma Bandara.The application was taken up in the presence of Supreme Court Justices P.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe emphasized that a change of government can only be brought about through a parliamentary election and the streets is not an option for parliament.He made this comment on Friday (3) while participating in the Air Force cadets and other officers Passing Out Parade at the Trincomalee Air Force Base today."When you passed out today, you had to take an oath under the constitution. You also undertook an oath of the Sri Lanka Air Force in public. These two oaths underline your primary responsibility.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have been evicted from their U.K. home at the request of Harry’s dad, King Charles III.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka's Election Commission will meet on Friday (3) to decide on the Local Government Election.The 2023 Local Government Election was scheduled to take place on the 9th of March, however, it was postponed indefinitely due to various issues, including the lack of funding.However, the Election Commission is expected to announce the next date of the Local Government Election following Friday's (3) meeting.

FILE - Rep. George Santos, R-N.Y., is seen outside a House Republican Conference meeting in the U.S.

An investigation into over 20 Covid-19 related deaths at a HSE-run nursing home in Dublin during the first wave of the pandemic in 2020 has outlined "significant concerns" regarding the management of preparations and the initial response to the outbreak of the virus at St Mary's Hospital in Phoenix Park.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The International Monetary Fund Mission in Sri Lanka says that efforts to increase tax revenues should be pursued in a growth-friendly manner while protecting the poor and most vulnerable. Peter Breuer, Senior Mission Chief for Sri Lanka, and Masahiro Nozaki, Mission Chief for Sri Lanka noted that it is however also important that those who can most afford it, make commensurate contributions to the financing of the necessary government expenditures. The tax package the authorities have introduced, including the new tax rate schedule for the personal income tax, helps to meet these objectives, the statement added.Peter Breuer, Senior Mission Chief for Sri Lanka, and Masahiro Nozaki, Mission Chief for Sri Lanka, also noted that the tax rates proposed under the authorities’ program are also in line with international comparison.In response to recent media questions around income tax hikes in Sri Lanka, the statement noted that Tax reforms are needed to correct this imbalance. "Only with appropriate tax receipts will the Government will be able to fund essential expenditures, and avoid further slashing of critically important outlays. These reforms will also help regain confidence of creditors," it added."The current economic crisis has a number of origins, including the government’s inability to meet government spending needs through its revenue collections.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Board said that Russia has put forward a proposal to build a nuclear power plant in Sri Lanka, and has also put forward an agreement for this purpose.Professor S.R.D. Rosa, the Chairman of the Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Board, said this is a government to government program.Cabinet approval was given to consider nuclear energy as an alternative to meet Sri Lanka's future energy needs.

COLOMBO (News 1st) ; The first group of Chinese tourists to arrive via direct flight to Sri Lanka following the COVID-19 pandemic reached the Katunayake Airport on Wednesday (1) night.Accordingly, 125 Chinese tourists reached Sri Lanka from Guangzhou aboard a SriLankan Airlines flight at 11:10 PM.Tourism Minister Harin Fernando, State Foreign Minister Tharaka Balasuriya, and Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Qi Zhenhong welcomed them to Sri Lanka.From the 1st of April, 9 direct flights will operate between China and Sri Lanka per week.China was a leading source market for inbound tourism to Sri Lanka and one of SriLankan’s premier leisure traveller segments before the pandemic, and SriLankan is positioning for a strong comeback in China upon its return.With Chinese travellers eager to make up for lost time in globetrotting, SriLankan will be working closely with the local travel trade to reignite enthusiasm for Sri Lanka as a leisure destination in China. 

The 14th contingent of the Sri Lanka Force Protection Company (SLFPC) in the United Nations Interim Force In Lebanon (UNIFIL) left for Lebanon early this morning on Thursday (02) amidst greetings and best wishes.The 14th SLFPC contingent, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel D.P.I.T Kaluaggala and 2nd in Command, Major W.M.C.K Wanninayake is composed of 125 Army personnel, including 10 Officers and 115 Other Ranks and four sniffer dogs, ‘Frank’ – (German Shepherd), Jupiter’ (Golden Retriever), ‘Tiger’ (German Shepherd) and Leena’ (German Shepherd) who have been well-trained for detection of narcotics, explosives and mines.Major General Asanga Perera, Director General Overseas Operations with few more senior officers was at the airport to extend best wishes on behalf of the Commander of the Army and to see them off to Lebanon.The Sri Lankan FPC is mandated to provide protection to the Headquarters of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in Naqoura and VIPs as required by the UNIFIL. The first group of the 13th SLFPC contingent returned home on Wednesday (1).

COLOMBO; Sri Lanka Air Force Proudly Celebrates its 72nd Anniversary today (2). In the seven decades that ensued, the Sri Lanka Air Force has come under the leadership of 17 commanders. Today, its leadership is in the able hands of its 18th Commander, Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana. The Sri Lanka Air Force has come a long way since its first flight in a humble Chipmunk and de Havilland DC 1, passing through Mig 27s, Kfir C7s, and F-7s today.

COLOMBO; The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in collaboration with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), is working together with the Ministry of Agriculture to increase the productivity and resilience of the rice-based ecosystems in the Dry and Intermediate Zones of Sri Lanka.Seventy-five percent of the 890,000 hectares of agricultural land used for Paddy farming in Sri Lanka is under smallholder farmers. Despite the country’s potential, the productivity in major growing ecosystems in Sri Lanka (the Dry and Intermediate Zones) has been stagnant or declining over the last 10 years. This is in contrast to the increase in productivity seen in other paddy-growing countries in Asia.If paddy productivity is increased by just 10 percent in the Dry and Intermediate zones, Sri Lanka will produce an extra 0.5 million tonnes.

The annual Kachchativu Feast is set to take place on the 03rd and 04th of March 2023 on the Kachchativu Island. Kachchativu is a small islet belongs to Sri Lanka, located near the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) of Sri Lanka and India. The main mass of the annual feast will be conducted by the Bishop of Jaffna Diocese, Rt.

COLOMBO (News 1st); China says it will work with relevant countries and international financial institutions to jointly play a positive role in helping Sri Lanka navigate its current situation, ease its debt burden and achieve sustainable development.Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning on Tuesday (28) said the Export-Import Bank of China provided a financing support document to the Ministry of Finance, Economic Stabilization and National Policies of Sri Lanka, saying the Bank is going to provide an extension on the debt service due in 2022 and 2023 to help relieve Sri Lanka’s short-term debt repayment pressure. "The Bank also noted that it will support Sri Lanka in its loan application to the IMF and continuously call on commercial creditors (including the International Sovereign Bondholders) to provide debt treatment in an equally comparable manner, and encourage multilateral creditors to do their utmost to make corresponding contributions," she added."What China did is first based on China’s existing policy and position on debt issue. At the same time, as a special arrangement, it also reflects the traditional friendship between China and Sri Lanka.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka's Human Rights Commission said it would be conducting a special investigation over the delay in conducting the Local Government Election. A spokesperson said that several complaints have been filed with the HRCSL over the matter, and thus an investigation will be carried out.The spokesperson said that members of the National Election Commission would be summoned to inquire in to the matter.

Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan, have been asked to vacate their home in Britain, suggesting a further fraying of ties with the royal family amid preparations for the coronation of his father, King Charles III.Frogmore Cottage, on the grounds of Windsor Castle west of London, had been intended as the couple's main residence before they gave up royal duties and moved to Southern California. The Sun newspaper reported that Charles started the eviction process on Jan.

PHILADELPHIA - A former Philadelphia council member convicted along with a prominent labor leader in a federal public corruption case has been sentenced to 3 1/2 years in prison.Prosecutors say Bobby Henon, a former union electrician who was elected to the city council in 2011, got a no-show job from the union to ensure he did its bidding. Also convicted was John Dougherty, longtime business manager of Local 98 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.Henon was convicted in November 2021 of 10 counts including conspiracy, bribery, and honest services mail and wire fraud.He choked back tears Wednesday as he told the judge he never viewed his paycheck as a bribe and tried his best to help everyone in Philadelphia, "especially those who were vulnerable and those in need" — but "by putting the interest of my union first, I failed you."Henon was fined $50,000 and ordered to hand over $207,000, which is how much he received from Dougherty and Local 98, the newspaper reported.He was ordered to report to prison April 17.

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. - Even for the Thunder Bay area, a perilous swath of northern Lake Huron off the Michigan coast that has devoured many a ship, the Ironton’s fate seems particularly cruel.The 191-foot cargo vessel collided with a grain hauler on a blustery night in September 1894, sinking both. The Ironton’s captain and six sailors clambered into a lifeboat, but it was dragged to the bottom before they could detach it from the ship.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The US Senate Foreign Relations Committee has urged the Government of Sri Lanka to hold free and fair local elections without delay.In a tweet, the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee noted that any effort to take away the voice of the people of Sri Lanka is undeniably undemocratic & a direct violation of Sri Lankans’ rights.Sri Lanka's Election Commission recently said that the Local Government Election scheduled for March 9th was postponed due to reasons beyond its control.The Election Commission is expected to meet on Thursday (3) to reach a final decision on the Local Government Election that has faced numerous obstacles since it was announced.About the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee: The Senate Foreign Relations Committee was established in 1816 as one of the original ten standing committees of the Senate.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka Elite Police Force, the Police Special Task Force, celebrates its 40th anniversary on Wednesday (1).Here's a look at the history of this elite force, that was intrumental in countering terror attacks, and maintaining the peace.At the beginning of the early 1980s, with the emergence of terrorist activities in the North and East, the Police in the course of their duties had to face armed attacks carried out by the terrorists. The terrorist attacks resulted in the killing of police personnel, attacks on Police Stations and assassinations of VIPP. Hence the necessity arose for the formation of a special military arm within the Police Service to counter terrorist activities.In the light of the above situation, a Special Committee was appointed to investigate the police functions in the past to combat terrorism and its shortcomings.The Ranasinghe Committee report recommended the need to establish a Special Strike Force to assist the Police Department, as the existing special units were not effective to meet the terrorists’ attacks.Thereafter the Government of Sri Lanka requested the Police Department to release 60 personnel to form a Special Force and obtained the services of Major Ananda Weerasekara, Major Sumith Rohan Manawadu of the SLA (in 2015 both held the rank of Major General). After the initial training at Katukurunda combat training was given at Army Combat Training School at Ampara. After the training period, this group served under the leadership of ASP Bodhi Liyanage. Initially they were given training in the use of 303 Rifles and S.L.R.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Court of Appeal on Tuesday issued a writ order stating that the charges filed by the Attorney General against former Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake at the Colombo Permanent High Court Trial at Bar under the Public Property Act cannot be sustained.Two cases were filed against Karunanayake alleging criminal misappropriation of public funds at two bond auctions conducted by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka on the 29th & 31st of March 2016.Two writ applications filed by Former Finance Minister Ravi Karunayake challenging the two cases filed with the Permanent High Court Trial-at-Bar were taken up on Tuesday (28), where Justices Sobhitha Rajakaruna and Dhammika Ganepola issued a writ order.These cases were filed against Ravi Karunanayake and 10 others over the alleged criminal misappropriation of public funds to the tune of over Rs. 50 Billion  at two bond auctions conducted by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka on the 29th & 31st of March 2016.On the 4th of March 2022, the Colombo Permanent High Court Trial-at-Bar ordered to release Ex-Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake and 10 other accused from the charge filed under the Public Property Act in the 2nd Bond Scam Case of 2016.However, the former Minister appealed to the Court of Appeal on the charges levelled against him, claiming that they were filed illegally and thereby cannot be maintained.

Representatives from the World Bank stated that the World Bank will continue to support Sri Lanka’s development reforms program.They stated that the World Bank will provide technical assistance in the drafting of laws for development policy operations, as well as work to provide additional guidance and support regarding the use of international media and welfare benefits.The delegation including the Vice President of the South Asian Region of World Bank, Martin Raiser, met President Ranil Wickremesinghe at the Presidential Secretariat on Tuesday (28).The World Bank Development Policy Operational Program was fully investigated and the President and World Bank representatives commented on its progress.Improving financial supervision and credit management, improving tax administration, sovereign-financial sector linkages and reducing systemic risks; maintaining stability and confidence in the banking sector, restructuring and divestment, reducing policy uncertainty and increasing competitiveness in the economy, mobilizing private capital and competition in the broadband market, strengthening the social security institution, delivery system and targeting was discussed.Source: PMD

COLOMBO (News 1st); Leader of Political Parties represented in the Sri Lankan Parliament are expected to meet Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena on Thursday (1).The meeting will be centered on the letter addressed to the Speaker by the Election Commission that sought intervention to secure funding for the Local Government Election 2023.In addition, the next parliament week and the agenda are also likely to be discussed.The opposition leader, and a group of opposition MPs met the Speaker on Tuesday (28) to discuss on the future steps that would be taken with regard to the letter sent by the Election Commission seeking intervention for funds.The opposition leader, and a group of opposition MPs had informed the Speaker that the Finance Secretary should be summoned to the Parliament for an inquiry over the letter sent by the Election Commission. They requested the speaker to summon parliament immediately to discuss this matter.SJB MPs and MPs representing the People's Freedom Alliance called on the speaker for this meeting.

HEBER CITY, Utah - A Utah middle school teacher has used the power of TikTok trends to raise more than $31,000 for students who owe lunch debt in his district.Garrett Jones, who teaches seventh and eighth graders in Heber City, Utah, said it all started when he noticed the TikTok trend of people saying, "If someone would Venmo me a dollar I could ________.""A lot of it was like, ‘pay for my wedding,' ‘take my kids to Disneyland,' ‘take six months off of work,'" he told FOX TV Stations in an interview. READ MORE: Family raises over $250,000 for pizza delivery worker who fell on their porchJones, however, asked his followers for $1 donations to pay the outstanding lunch fees for every student at his school, "because the last thing a kid should be worrying about is how much they owe for meals at a place they’re legally obligated to be," his video said."I kind of did it as a joke at first. I just thought it would be cool to put a more meaningful or positive spin on that trend," Jones recalled.When he first had the idea, Jones thought he could raise "$200 or $300 and maybe be able to help a couple of students.""I’d be thrilled with that, just helping a couple," he said.Rocky Mountain Middle School teacher Garrett Jones and his broadcasting class (Garrett Jones) But Jones’ plea resonated with people — by the thousands — and quickly took off.

COLOMBO (News 1st) ; A Bolivian woman was arrested by the officers attached to Narcotics Control Unit at the green channel customs area with 4.6 kg of substance suspicious to be cocaine concealed in cloth and backpack.Sri Lanka Customs said that this substance was soaked in cloth material used for the jackets and cloth bags.The suspected had arrived from Brazil via Dubai by the flight EK 650 operated by Emirates. She is 26 years old and this was her first overseas visit, said Sri Lanka Customs.The street value of the substance, suspected to be cocaine, estimated at Rs.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka's Cabinet of Minister granted approval for the establishment of National Contributory Pension Fund.According to a document released by the Department of Government Information, the Cabinet has recognized that is appropriate to establish a fund named National Contributory Pension Fund to ensure an appropriate environment is created for public sector employees to spend their retired life without being a burden to the country as well as to provide a pension with a certain profit for the retired life of the state sector pensioners. Accordingly, 8% from the basic salary of the employee and 12% from the employer should be credited to the proposed fund when a state employee is recruited in the state service, it added.An independent entity governed by a board of management to manage the proposed contributory pension fund will be established and a fund manager with special skills will be appointed for management of the funds. The proposed national contributory pension scheme will be applicable to the individuals newly recruited  to the government service, said Cabinet Spokesperson Minister Bandula Gunwardena on Tuesday (28).Those recruited to government service after the month of January  2016 can contribute to the proposed national contributory pension scheme as per their consent, said the statement from the Departmnet of Government Information."Since 2000, all public sector appointment letters carry the clause that they would be moved to the National Contributory Pension Scheme in the future. Therefore, this National Contributory Pension Scheme applies to all those who were recruited since 2016.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka's Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Power and Energy to award an opportunity to other parties who are capable of supplying jet A-1 fuel to the country.The Jet A-1 Aviation Fuel is currently supplied by the Sri Lanka Petroleum Corporation. Due to the foreign exchange crisis that the country is currently facing, the operations of Sapugaskanda Oil Refinery, where Jet A-1 fuel is produced, were disrupted and the import of Jet A-1 fuel has also become a challenge for Ceylon Petroleum Corporation.Due to this, the supply of Jet A-1 fuel required for the cargo and passenger flights arriving at the airport was facing a crisis situation, and the focus on alternative measures to supply the required Jet A-1 fuel for those aircraft was considered.It has been accepted that it is appropriate to give the opportunity to supply Jet-A fuel to Sri Lanka under the maximum supply limits to the parties who supply Jet A-1 aviation fuel to the other countries so as not to hinder the supply of fuel produced at Sapugaskanda Refinery of Ceylon Petroleum Corporation. As such, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Power and Energy to give that opportunity to other parties who are capable of supplying jet A-1 fuel to the country.

CALVERT COUNTY, M.D. (FOX 5 DC) - A Calvert County, MD family is mourning the loss of their pet after an Amazon delivery driver was seen on their home security camera backing down their driveway, hitting and killing the family's dog Starr.The incident happened at Troop Ct.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The man who was shot dead on Tuesday (28) morning close to the Pinwatte Public Cemetery was identified as a 56-year-old businessmen from Kadawatha.Two unidentified gunmen on a motorcycle had carried out the shooting. It was reported that the victim was traveling along Galle Road in a luxury SUV, when the gunmen opened fire and fled the scene.Sri Lanka Police said the victim died in the driver's seat.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Application are called for the scholarship program offered by the Government of India for 2023/2024.The Indian High Commission in Colombo said Sri Lankan students can register for the program until the 8th of March 2023.The Government of India is offering more than 150 fully-paid scholarships to students from Sri Lanka.The Nehru Memorial Scholarship Scheme will be offering 75 undergraduate scholarships, 10 postgraduate scholarships, and 5 PhD scholarships.The Moulana Azad Scholarship Scheme will be offering 45 postgraduate scholarships in Engineering, Science, and Agriculture.The Rajiv Gandhi Scholarship Scheme will be offering 20 undergraduate scholarships in IT, Engineering, and Technology.Details can be obtained by emailing [email protected]  

COLOMBO (News 1st); One person was shot dead in Pinwatte, Panadura on Tuesday (28) morning. Sri Lanka Police said that the shooting took place close to the Pinwatte Public Cemetery. A police investigation is underway over the shooting.