Uncertainty over 22A; Disagreements within SLPP

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Heavy police presence was witnessed since morning on Wednesday (2) in Colombo ahead of the mass protest planned by multiple groups including political parties.Trade Unions, Students Movements, supported by political parties will march from Maradana to Fort, where a rally will take place against state suppression.The Samagi Jana Balavegaya, Sri Lanka Freedom Party, Frontline Socialists Party, Tamil National Alliance, 43rd Brigade, Freedom People's Congress among 20 political parties, and over 150 trade unions and mass organizations will take part in the protest.Police says NO permission:Sri Lanka Police has issued a letter informing the various protest groups – including students, trade, and political bodies – who planned to protest in Colombo on Wednesday (2), stating that permission will not be granted to protest opposite the Fort Railway Station or in close proximity.The letter bears the signature of Colombo Central Division 1 Police Superintendent K. A.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – A 33-year-old man was found dead inside a house in Medagoda, Ruwanwalla.Sri Lanka Police said stab wounds were visible on the victim's neck.It was revealed that the deceased had consumed alcohol with his brother, and another man and was killed following a heated exchange.The killer had fled the area and an investigation is underway to arrest him.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka's National Water Supply and Drainage Board said that Rs. 6.5 Billion in unsettled bills are pending from consumers.Rs.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka Police has issued a letter informing the various protest groups – including students, trade, and political bodies – who planned to protest in Colombo on Tuesday (2), stating that permission will not be granted to protest opposite the Fort Railway Station or in close proximity.The letter bears the signature of Colombo Central Division 1 Police Superintendent K. A.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Chinese Government donated 10.6 Million Liters of diesel to farmers and fishermen in remote areas of Sri Lanka to upgrade the agriculture and fisheries industries.Currently, the agriculture and fisheries industry is facing severe difficulty due to the shortage of diesel to operate machinery and boats.The shipment is scheduled to reach the country between November & December and will be distributed to the needy soon.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka Navy's latest warship the P 627 reached Colombo on Tuesday (2).Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) formally took the delivery of the EX-United States Coast Guard Cutter, USCGC Douglas Munro, provided by the United States (U.S.) Coast Guard to SLN, at theU.S. Coast Guard Base Seattle of Washington in the United States on 26th October 2021.Since the acquisition, she was designated as P 627, attached to the SLN fleet.Aiming to strengthen and develop partnerships to overcome common challenges in the maritime domain, U.S.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka reiterates that the Police must NOT use the provisions of the Police Ordinance to violate the fundamental rights declared and recognized by the Constitution of Sri Lanka.The HRCSL made this statement in response to a letter submitted to the Commission by trade unions and mass organizations, informing that the Police had illegally notified them to obtain permission for the peaceful protest set to be held on Wednesday (2).The HRCSL highlights that peaceful protests are permitted according to Section 77 of the Police Ordinance.It warned the Police that the Constitution of Sri Lanka is in fact the supreme law of the country, adding that violating fundamental rights would result in serious consequences.The HRCSL also reminds the Police to pay attention to the recommendations made by the Commission to the Public Security Minister on the 28th of September.According to the statement, a team attached to the Human Rights Commission will also be deployed to monitor the peaceful protest march.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – An online discussion took place on Tuesday (1) between the representatives of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the officials of the Ministry of Finance.Minister of State for Finance Ranjith Siyabalapitiya said that this discussion was held as a preparation for tomorrow's (3) discussions with the IMF.Minister of State for Finance Ranjith Siyabalapitiya said that during the negotiations between the representatives of the IMF and the representatives of the Ministry of Finance, an agreement will be reached on financial assurances expected by the IMF.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) approved power cuts of 2 hours from 02nd – 04th November as follows;Groups ABCDEFGHIJKLPQRSTUVW: 1 hour during daytime 1 hour during the night

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Trade Minister Nalin Fernando says that steps will be taken to give the people the benefit of the reduction in commodity prices.He further said that many businessmen do NOT give that benefit to the people.Accordingly, he added that he will discuss this with the representatives of food distribution associations, including supermarket chains, and provide necessary solutions.

EAMONN Holmes has suffered a fall at his Surrey home - leaving the star with a fractured shoulder and in "an awful lot of pain". The 62-year-old former This Morning star has been left "gutted" by his latest health setback, his rep said today. The tumble means Eamonn - who recently had spinal surgery to try and ease chronic pain in his back and legs - will remain off air.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Central Bank of Bangladesh last week issued a circular advising all authorized dealers, including banks, to refrain from transactions with Sri Lankan banks through the Asian Clearing Union (ACU) system.The move has been made in response to the "self-motivated decision by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL)  to remain temporarily suspended from ACU mechanism with effect from October 14th".Accordingly, all authorized dealers have been advised not to do any trade and trade related transactions with Sri Lanka through the ACU mechanism.The Asian Clearing Union was created among the South Asian Nations in order to provide trading facilities among the South Asian Nations, plus Iran and Myanmar as members in 1974. Within the ACU, all eligible transactions between member countries are required to be settled through the Asian Clearing Union. The unit of settlement of ACU transactions is a common unit of account of ACU, which is equivalent to one USD.In case of importation of materials into a country, it would be debited to the account of that specific country at the Asian Secretariat, and the balance is settled every two months through the ACU in hard currency.With this new move, it would halt the possibility of conducting any transactions between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka through the ACU. However, when New1st inquired on the matter from former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka Dr.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Department of Meteorology says that low-level atmospheric disturbance persists in the vicinity of Sri Lanka.Showers or thundershowers will occur over most parts of the island during the afternoon or night.Showers will occur in Northern, Western and North-western provinces and Galle and Matara districts during the morning.Heavy showers above 100mm can be expected at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa, North-Western, Uva and Northern provinces and fairly heavy showers above 50mm can be expected elsewhere.The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.Condition of Rain:Showers or thundershowers will occur in several places in the sea areas around the island. Winds:Winds will be north-westerly to westerly in direction. Wind speed will be (20-30) kmph.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Police say that 1,620 people have been displaced in many areas due to the Kelani river overflowing.

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

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) - Denny Dalliance had long worried about what would happen if he fathered a child because his job as a truck driver keeps him away from home most of the week.But after the U.S.

PHILADELPHIA - Rhys Hoskins burst out of his postseason malaise with a three-run homer and spiked his bat in triumph and Bryce Harper hit a two-run shot that sent Philadelphia Phillies fever soaring and helped carry them to a 9-1 win over the Atlanta Braves in Game 3 of the NL Division Series on Friday night.Harper added an RBI double as Philadelphia took a 2-1 lead in the best-of-five matchup against the reigning World Series champs. The Phillies can advance to the NL Championship Series with a Game 4 win at home on Saturday.The Phillies and a sellout crowd of 45,538 fans waited 11 mostly miserable years -- 4,025 days, to be exact -- to host a playoff game again at Citizens Bank Park.Phillies fans should save the rally towels -- the Phillies played like a team that wants to keep Red October aliveThe bats erupted in a six-run third inning that will forever be stamped on a Philly sports highlight reel.

The U.S. extended the public health emergency status for the COVID-19 pandemic Thursday, weeks after President Biden's controversial remarks declaring the pandemic was "over."  The move extends the order through Jan.

Tayla Burke has been working in the world of wellness since 2019 when she first became a health coach. The businesswoman entered the space after embarking on her own self-care journey and finding out what really works. «In my college years, I very quickly realized that I felt my absolute best when I took the time to slow down, listen to what my body was asking for and give it what it needed.… That feeling is what inspired me to dedicate my life to wellness and start a business with the sole mission of helping other women reach the other side that has been so good to me,» she tells ET.The company Burke created, My Girl Wellness, is a community that provides everything from gut health solutions, relatable wellness tips and more. «The inspiration behind My Girl came from my own personal experiences navigating everything it means to be a woman from the good, the bad, and the not so cute parts. For as long as I can remember, I craved a safe space where I could connect with like-minded women, share my most intimate experiences and questions, and even learn from others,» she explains.The brand's debut line, The Better Belly System, made up of three supplements to help with gut health, was also influenced by Burke's personal struggles. «I was the girl who was always bloated, sluggish, and constipated no matter how healthy I ate.… It wasn’t until I crossed paths with a world renowned microbiologist, that I saw the light at the end of the tunnel.

Health bosses are being asked to give 'clear and unambiguous signals' that NHS services at Altrincham General Hospital are 'there to stay'. The call has come from the chair of Trafford council's health scrutiny committee, Coun Michael Whetton.

Khloe Kardashian has given an update on her health after revealing her tumor ordeal.Earlier this week, the Good American designer opened up about why she had been sporting a bandage on her cheek, after sparking concern.In a series of posts, the 38-year-old explained that she had a tumor removed from her face, insisting that she was in the ‘healing process’.During a live-tweeting session for the new episode of the Kardashians, she was questioned on how she is feeling now.The mom-of-two replied: ‘Baby!!!!! I’m good!! I swear!! Super grateful that I’m healthy and that I have a lifetime supply of bandaids.‘Seriously im ok. The worst is over and now its time to be haaaaapppppy #TheKardashians [sic].’Baby!!!!! Iâm good!! I swear!! Super grateful that Iâm healthy and that I have a lifetime supply of bandaids.

LAS VEGAS - Fifty-six-year-old Lance Reberger reached a milestone this week: he learned how to make a password for an online account.For many people, it may not sound like a big deal, but after 31 years in prison, Reberger is digitally illiterate."If you go out and have a plan, which most people it seems like they have a plan, but once you get out and face the reality of what’s going on out here, I had no clue. So right now I would be homeless if I didn’t have the help that I had," Reberger told KVVU.The help he’s speaking of is Jared Uraine, a Nevada realtor who met Reberger through a prison ministry program."When I heard that he’d been in for 31 years I kind of did the math, and knowing him on somewhat of a personal level ...

LOS ANGELES - Following backlash over racially charged remarks, Nury Martinez has resigned from the Los Angeles City Council, she announced Wednesday. Martinez released a statement saying in part, "It is with a broken heart that I resign my seat for Council District 6, the community I grew up in and my home. To my constituents - Serving you has been a privilege and one that I don’t give up lightly.

Denise Welch, 64, reacted to a video of Piers Morgan, 57, addressing his changing views about the coronavirus vaccines.The Loose Women star reposted the video from his TalkTV show on her Twitter page amongst previous comments he said during the pandemic, including a time he called her a covid denier.On Twitter this afternoon, the 64-year-old expressed her shock over Piers' latest comments after he said: “When it was established that vaccines actually didn’t stop transmission, they just stopped people from getting very sick and dying, the argument to suppress any liberties and freedoms, to me, went away.“Because it is down to the individual if they want to protect themselves against the virus, so I changed my mind.“I got pilloried when I said my original statement, I got pilloried when I changed my mind, I got pilloried about all of it and to me it seemed perfectly logical to change my mind because facts changed.”In response, she wrote: "Are you absolutely f*****g joking Piers Morgan!!! You scaremongered, terrified people, called people akin to murderers, called me a covid denier, covidiots!!! You bullied and harassed because you DID NOT DO YOUR OWN HOMEWORK!!!!!"Nadia Sawalha 'very sure' she would never do Strictly after Kaye AdamsPiers has since shared a tweet telling fans he blocked Denise to "protect" his mental health as he urged her to "be kind", followed by crying with laughter emojis.The ex Coronation Street star shared the tweet and claimed he once accused her of "wearing my depression like a designer handbag".She continued: "He was responsible, amongst others, for causing massive anxiety for his CONSTANT fearmongering re Covid for attention."His son today also referred to someone with mental health

It’s going to be a girl for Kaley Cuoco and Tom Pelphrey!

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Welfare Benefit Fast Track Program ‘Leave No One Behind’ targeting low-income families, which was initiated as per the instructions of President Ranil Wickremesinghe, has so far received 2.3 million applications, according to the Welfare Benefit Board.The applications are being promptly entered into the system through Welfare Benefit Information Units established in 341 Divisional Secretariats throughout the country and as of today (12), 624,714 applications have been entered into the system.It is expected that the 600,000 families that have been downgraded to the low-income category, in the face of the second COVID-19 wave and the economic crisis faced by the country, as reported by the United Nations Development Program, are also eligible to apply for this Welfare Benefit Fast Track Program. This is in addition to the 3.3 million families that are currently receiving welfare benefits or those who are already on the waiting list.Accordingly, it is estimated that 3.9 million families would apply for this social welfare program.

PHILADELPHIA - A fire quickly consumed a string of row homes in West Philadelphia on Tuesday, putting over a dozen people out of their homes. Velice Hids, who lives on the 200 block of North Hobart Street, says she smelled smoke and heard a loud smack before running to the window to see where the startling noise could have come from. As soon as she looked out her window, she says she saw flames shooting from the row home across the street. "It was jumping from house to house.

LOS ANGELES - Nury Martinez on Monday announced her resignation as Los Angeles City Council president amid backlash over racist comments made about Councilman Mike Bonin's Black son that were revealed in a leaked recording from last fall.  She has resigned from her position as council president but maintains her seat on the council. RELATED: Bonin calls on LA City Council to remove Martinez as president over racist comments on his sonMartinez issued the following statement Monday morning:"I take responsibility for what I said and there are no excuses for those comments. I’m so sorry. I sincerely apologize to the people I hurt with my words: to my colleagues, their families, especially to Mike, Sean, and your son.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Former President Maithripala Sirisena says that he is ready to support the 22nd amendment if the people's sovereignty is strengthened through it.In a visit to the Temple of the Tooth, the former President and the SLFP Chairman said that the 22nd amendment to the Constitution has not been discussed yet, however more changes may be made to the presented amendment in the future.When inquired whether he would support any future changes to the amendment, the SLFP Chairman emphasized that any changes to be made to the amendment must be democratic in nature, and should ensure the people's sovereignity."I did not vote for the 20th amendment. The 19th amendment presented during my time had its drawbacks, but it should be implemented properly and adopted after correcting those flaws.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Emigration and Immigration Department says that more than 700,000 passports have been issued within the first 9 months of 2022.The Deputy Controller and Media Spokesperson of the Department, Piyumi Bandara stated that 700,733 passports have been issued during the relevant period.This number is significant in comparison with the previous year, as only 300,000 passports have been issued within the full 12 months of 2021.Immigration and Emigration Department data shows that the number of foreign passports issued in the year 2021 is 392,032.According to the data, passports were issued for 409,919 men and 290,814 women within the first nine months of 2022.The highest number of foreign passports were issued in the month of August, which is 115,286.

Andy Grammer reflected on his journey to discovering self-worth over recent years.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Two people suspected to be involved in the murder of a father-son duo in Maharagama and Panadura areas have been arrested, 31 years after the crime was committed.The police said that a suspect, who was arrested in connection with the two murders, was remanded for up to 14 days after being produced before the Moratuwa Magistrate's Court.Another 55-year-old suspect identified as a resident of Molligoda, Wadduwa area was also arrested on Friday (7) in connection with the murders.The police said that the suspect had assaulted the son with a sharp weapon during a party and had then dumped the body at a swamp near the Bolgoda river.The father-son duo had been killed in 1991.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Former Deputy Minister Eric Prasanna Weerawardena has joined the National People's Power.Earlier, he worked as the secretary of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party Youth Front and is also the former organizer of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party in the Senkadagala seat.

MEDIA, Pa. - A hearing on the controversial closure of Delaware County Memorial Hospital ends without a decision.A Delaware County judge is expected to rule next week on an emergency injunction to stop the for-profit owner of a Delaware County hospital system from changing the operation of an Upper Darby hospital.The Foundation for Delaware County, formed after Prospect Medical Holdings of California bought the Crozer-Keystone Health System, argues under the sale agreement Prospect may not end the hospital’s operation as an acute care facility and close its emergency room without the Foundation’s approval.Frances Sheen, the president of the foundation said, "They can only close one of those as an acute care facility with the permission of The Foundation of Delaware County. They did not seek that permission.

BUCKS COUNTY, Pa - The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has filed a complaint with several federal agencies against the Central Bucks School District for the treatment of LGBTQ students. According to the ACLU, a complaint was filed with the Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division and the Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights Thursday. The organization says the complaint was filed on behalf of seven students in the school district who allege "a widespread culture of discrimination against LGBQ&T students, particularly transgender and nonbinary students." According to the ACLU, the complaint is based on a five-month investigation that included interviews with dozens of current and former student and staff members, families and community stakeholders. "The picture that emerged is of a toxic educational environment for LGBQ&T students that has been exacerbated by homophobic and transphobic actions and policies taken recently by the school board and upper-level administrators," the ACLU said. The complaint comes weeks after the school district faced backlash over a policy outlining names and how students can be identified in class. Controversy in a Bucks County school district and it all comes down to the first name that teachers can call students in class.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – A triple homicide was reported from the Minuwangoda area this morning, and reports suggest that these murders are linked to a kite case dating back to 2017.At 6:30 AM on Thursday (6) morning, the time when many Sri Lankans are waking up, three men were brutally gunned down in Gamangedara, Minuwangoda.A 51-year-old man and his two sons 23-years-old, and 24-year-old were brutally murdered adding more bodies to a string of murders.Multiple shooters had visited their residence on a motorcycle, and a car and carried out the murder.Unconfirmed reports said that the shooters were impersonating law enforcement personnel, and T-56 assault rifles were used for the murder.The shooters have chased away the mother and sister of the two young men out of the house before carrying out the shooting. 51-year-old Pushpakumara Silva alias Ralahamy died upon admission to the hospital, and his two sons 23-year-old Roshan Maduwanta and 24-year-old Suresh Jeewantha died on the spot.Sri Lanka Police and neighbors' revealed to News 1st that a dispute over a kite dating back to 2017 was the root cause for the murders.On the 25th of August 2017, one of the young men who was gunned down on Thursday (6) was flying a kite in a field nearby, and it had gotten entangled with the kite sent up by Suraj Dananjaya, another young in the same neighbourhood.The dispute between the men escalated to the next level, when Suraj Dananjaya's father Lal Premasiri visited the house of the slain men along with his son to inquire into the matter.It was reported that following an exchange of words Ralahamy and his two sons who were killed on Thursday (6), and Ralahamy's brother had brutally killed Suraj Dananjaya and his father.As the matter went to

Sharon Osbourne is getting candid about her own grief surrounding husband Ozzy Osbourne's Parkinson's diagnosis. «I just think of my husband, who was very energetic, loved to go out for walks, did a two-hour show on stage every night, running around like a crazy man,» she tells English broadcaster Jeremy Paxman in ITV's . «Suddenly, your life just stops — life as you knew it.» She goes on, «When I look at my husband, my heart breaks for him.

A health expert has warned that 'powering through' a Covid-19 infection will do you no favours.

LOS ANGELES - New details have been released in the stabbing of a Fashion District store owner in downtown Los Angeles – who possibly may have been murdered over a wig.Tommy Lee immigrated to the United States from South Korea and owned a wig shop in the Fashion District for about 20 years.On Saturday, around 1:15 p.m. near the intersection of Wall Street and Olympic Boulevard, two 17-year-olds approached Lee and tried to rob him. The robbery ended with the store owner being stabbed to death.PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Deadly stabbing in Fashion DistrictBoth suspects were eventually arrested following the incident.

Tou Thao and J. Alexander Kueng (FOX 9)MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Prosecutors and defense attorneys for two former Minneapolis police officers charged in the killing of George Floyd have filed more than 100 motions to limit testimony or evidence at trial — with many requests relying heavily on what happened at the previous two trials in Floyd’s death.J.

Canadian minesweeper deployed to Europe was relieved of her duties over an allegation of “inappropriate conduct of a sexualized nature.”The Department of National Defence announced the move in a statement this afternoon, saying the incident is alleged to have occurred during a port visit in Lisbon, Portugal.The department did not reveal more details or the officer’s name.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk smiles as he addresses guests at the Offshore Northern Seas 2022 (ONS) meeting in Stavanger, Norway on August 29, 2022. (Photo by CARINA JOHANSEN/NTB/AFP via Getty Images) NEW YORK - Trading of Twitter shares halted over report that Elon Musk will go ahead with bid to buy company at $54.20 a share.The news, based on anonymous sources, was first reported by Bloomberg News.Musk offered to buy the San Francisco company at $54.20.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The twenty-second Constitution Amendment Bill is to be debated in Parliament on the 6th and 7th of October 2022.The new constitutional amendment will see the inclusion of some articles that were introduced in the 19th Amendment to the Constitution by the Government of Good Governance.One of these provisions is the dissolution of parliament within two years of being elected.However, MP Dilan Perera speaking to News 1st said that some of the articles that were approved by the Supreme Court are to be amended at the Committee State in Parliament, in a devious effort to increase the period of dissolving parliament to four and a half years.MP Dilan Perera joined the News 1st Ilakkaya program revealed that at the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Justice on Tuesday (4), the Justice Minister had noted that SLPP MPs had made a request to increase the period of dissolving parliament to four and a half years.He reprimanded the ruling faction for making such attempts, adding that these amendments have not been informed to the Supreme Court.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The CID Director has been summoned to Parliament over an alleged phone tapping incident.The Director of the Criminal Investigation Department has been informed to appear before the Parliamentary Committee on Ethics and Privileges on the 18th.It is related to an investigation of a complaint made by the Member of Parliament  Patali Champika. where he said his phone was tapped.Its Chairman Dr.

Now finding her feet again after being treated for severe depression in 2020, the popular home cook has learnt there is one thing she can always rely on to help get her through the tough times.

LOS ANGELES - Consumers who are sick of the ongoing impacts of inflation are soon to experience a bit of relief following an announcement from Nike which plans to liquidate some of it's products following a recent flood of inventory. According to a report by The New York Post, Nike said it's planning to offer sales of up to 44% overall and 65% in North America, the company as it reported for its latest quarter last week. The company is blaming supply chain issues for a lag in product movement which resulted in the company overstocking some items while others arrived late. "We effectively have a few seasons landing in the marketplace at the same time," chief financial officer Matt Friend said on an earnings call with analysts on Thursday, adding that some of that inventory is now "seasonally out of relevance" and will be cleared out more quickly to make room for the "newest and best inventory."  So what does this mean for shoppers? Big discounts, and just in time for the holidays. There are three factors that could lead to inflation which include demand-pull inflation, cost-push inflation and built-in inflation.Nike wants to get rid of excess products sitting on its shelves and fast. Many sneakerheads have noted a variety of Jordan shoes and other Nike shoes that normally sell out quickly, collecting dust on shelves. Photos of these normally highly sought after shoes were posted on social media in an attempt to show the impacts of the ongoing economic downturn.  

Dan Wieden (Credit: Wieden + Kennedy). Nike, Just Do It logo seen at a store on Gran Via street in Madrid.