Unpopular decisions have to be taken – President

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to set up an entity attached to the treasury to expedite the restructuring process of State Owned Enterprises.Cabinet Spokesperson Bandula Gunawardena told reporters that this entity will facilitate the process of restructuring the SOEs.The 2023 Sri Lankan budget noted the urgency of restructuring State-Owned Enterprises, and a Unit dedicated unit was established at the Ministry of Finance with the specific task of restructuring SOEs.The Cabinet has given the green light to set up a parent company attached to the treasury, where the Treasury Secretary will hold 100% of all shares, to expedite the restructuring process of State Owned Enterprises.

This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The All Ceylon Egg Producers Association warns that if the government goes ahead with its decision to import eggs, the local producers would step away from the industry.The Chairman of the All Ceylon Egg Producers Association speaking to News 1st said that importing eggs would put the local industry at risk.,However, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to import eggs, Minister of Trade Nalin Fernando said on Monday (2) evening.In December 2022, as a solution to the high price of eggs, a special program was launched by the Government to sell eggs at the price of Rs. 55/ in the Colombo and Gampaha districts.Eggs were sold for Rs.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Chairman of the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka Janaka Ratnayake said it is not the appropriate time to go ahead with the proposed electricity tariff hike.Speaking to the staff on the first working day of 2023 Ratnayake said that on multiple occasions the political authority had attempted to do away with the independence of the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka.He said that if the Cabinet gives the green light to a proposal that is harmful to the people, the PUCSL will not hesitate to reject the decision, adding if the tariff hike is requested according to accepted norms, it would be considered."The PUCSL is at a challenging moment," he said.

Colombo (News 1st) – Former President of Sri Lanka Gotabaya Rajapaksa has applied for restoration of his US citizenship, the Hindustan Times reported. Quoting a foreign newspaper, the Hidustan Times reported, "This comes as he failed to get asylum in any country. Gotabaya Rajapaksa had fled Sri Lanka in July last year.

State Pension provides essential financial support for nearly 12.5 million older people across the UK, including 981,399 living in Scotland. This regular payment is available for those who have reached the UK Government’s eligible retirement age, which is now 66 for both men and women, and have paid at least 10 years worth of National Insurance Contributions.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Chairman and an activist of the Student Union of the University of Kelaniya were arrested by Thalangama Police.They were arrested for damaging the gate of the Education Ministry on the 10th of July 2022.The Chairman of the Student Union of the University of Kelaniya  Kelum Mudannayake, and activist Dilshan Harshana were arrested by Thalangama Police when they visited the Police Station to provide a statement.They will be prododuced to the Kaduwela Magistrate's Court on Tuesday (3).

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka Railways said that multiple train operations scheduled for Monday (2) evening are likely to be cancelled.A Senior Official at Sri Lanka Railways said that the shortage of staff had led to a situation of trains likely being cancelled.Ten office trains scheduled for Monday (2) morning were cancelled.The Railways Control Room said that these trains were to operate on the Kelani Valley, Coastal, Puttlam and Main routes.Around 30,000 Public Sector employees retired on the 31st of December last year, and around 500 workers from Sri Lanka Railways also went on retirement.Railway Trade Unions said that this has put multiple operations at Sri Lanka Railways in limbo.However, Sri Lanka Railways was granted permission to re-employ on a contract basis around 300 essential service employees who were set to retire at 60 years of age on 31 December 2022.Permission was granted based on the recommendations made by the Committee led by the Prime Minister's Secretary, as well as the President's Secretary.Sri Lanka Railways said that these employees will be in service on contract basis.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Former British Prime Minister David Cameron, who is on a private visit to Sri Lanka, met President Ranil Wickremesinghe at the President's Office on Monday morning (02).During a friendly discussion, Former British Prime Minister David Cameron extended his best wishes to President Wickremesinghe for the New Year.President’s Senior Adviser on National Security and President’s Chief of Staff, Mr.

New Delhi: A group of high-ranking Sri Lankan Buddhist Monks, who were on a pilgrimage to Bodh Gaya recently, is now seeking His Holiness Dalai Lama's visit to Sri Lanka, which is reeling under a severe economic crisis.They met the Buddhist spiritual leader the Dalai Lama in Bodh Gaya on December 27 and were overwhelmed by witnessing a large gathering at the holy city.Most Venerable Waskaduwe Mahindawansa Mahanayake Thero, Mahanayake Thero, Sri Sambuddha Sasanodaya Sangha Sabha told ANI in an interview, "His Holiness came to India and people should know why he came to India. Why he settled down in India? India helped His Holiness, and now because of His Holiness, we know thousands of tourists are in Bodh Gaya."He added, "These days, Bodh Gaya is very cold and people usually don't come, but people are there because of His Holiness.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe has urged all to work together to ensure that Sri Lanka returns to normalcy by the end of 2023.The Head of State made this remark during an event held at the President's Office in Colombo on Monday (2).President Ranil Wickremesinghe said that no one can shirk their responsibilities for the country in the year 2023, which is a crucial year for the Sri Lankan economy, and invited all public servants to dedicate themselves towards making Sri Lanka a prosperous nation in the New Year.He extended this invitation to the Presidential Secretariat staff during the oath-taking ceremony for the New Year 2023 before commencing their duties on Monday morning (02)."Five and a half months ago, we took over a historic task at this office. During those five and a half months, we took steps to establish normalcy in the country at a time when the government had collapsed and the economy had also collapsed.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The three armed forces and Sri Lana Police have launched a joint program to crack down on drugs in Sri Lanka, said Navy Commander  Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera in an Exclusive with News 1st."There is a network operating in Sri Lanka in relation to drugs, that also involves fishing boats as well," he said.According to the Navy Commander drug shipments often reach Sri Lanka's maritime border and then transfer the haul into a Sri Lankan boat. "It's like a game of cops and robbers," remarked the Navy Commander.He said that it is impossible to say the drug menace will be eradicated 100%, as what authorities see is just the tip of the iceberg.

COLOMBO (News 1st): President Ranil Wickremesinghe in his new year message stated that Sri Lanka has gone through the "bleakest of times" and thanked the public for their "patience and courage" in the face of measures taken to stabilise the economy. "2023 will be a critical year in which we plan to turn around the economy," stated the President while wishing all Sri Lankans a "happy and peaceful new year."The Head of State admitted that the cries of the youth for a system change "cannot be ignored" adding that "proposed social, economic and political reforms" need to be implemented boldly. President's New Year Greeting "We are looking at the New Year 2023 after having undergone the bleakest of times, immense hardships, as well as the uncertainties and hopelessness of the last year. I understand the great burdens that are placed on all of us and the setbacks that a majority of us have suffered due to the country’s abject economic collapse.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The proposal containing the electricity tariff amendment that will be in effect from 2023, will be presented to the Cabinet of Ministers on Monday (2).The Cabinet Paper will be presented by Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera.The process that should be followed with respect to amending the elctricity tariffs is mentioned in Article 30 of the Sri Lanka Electricity Act.Accordingly, the Ceylon Electricity Board must prepare a proposal and produce it to the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka.Thereafter, the proposal will be reviewed for justification, and when necessary public opinion will also be obtained.If concessions are to be provided, the treasury needs to be consulted and thereafter a process will be adopted to amend the electricity tariff.According to the country's Power & Energy Minister the objective of this tariff hike is to cover the cost of providing a continuous supply of electricity. He made this remark during a media briefing in December 2022.One of the scenarios presented by the CEB engineers will be used for this purpose, and according to the Minister the generation plan is as follows:27% from hydro-power 28% from Coal 13% from Diesel and Furnace Oil 2% Wind Power  12% from Private Diesel or Furnace Oil Power Plants.

Covid-19: Currently, India's active caseload stands at 2,670. India saw a decline in daily Covid-19 cases as the country reported 173 new coronavirus infections in the past 24 hours, taking the cumulative tally to 4.46 crore (4,46,78,822), according to Union Health Ministry data updated on Monday.  On Sunday, the country logged 265 fresh coronavirus infections.  Currently, India's active caseload stands at 2,670, that comprises 0.01% of the total infections.

A company linked to the husband of Scottish businesswoman Michelle Mone ploughed tens of thousands of pounds into the Conservatives.

THE Pogues singer Shane MacGowan has shared an alarming health update after being taken to hospital. The 65-year-old star went to hospital earlier this month, as revealed by his wife Victoria May Clarke. Victoria, 56, did not say what was wrong with the star at the time, but he’s known to have faced health problems in recent years.

Victims’ families set out to find killers as authorities grapple with shift in clearance rates When homicides surged across America during the pandemic, murders of Black women and girls rose more dramatically than other groups.

Risk profile!

Colombo (News 1st) – United States Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung has recalled the multitude of ways the US and Sri Lanka have come together in 2022 to make a difference."In 2022 alone, the United States has announced more than $240 million in new assistance to Sri Lanka", Taking to Twitter, the Ambassador said."That new assistance supports basic food security and addresses the needs of the most vulnerable communities, including funding for school lunches, fertilizer for small holder farmers, and cash assistance for new and expectant mothers," she said."We are also supporting loans, training & assistance for SMEs in Sri Lanka, as they face the heaviest burden in times of crisis. This assistance is on top of our existing development partnership working with government, the private sector, civil society, and the people of Sri Lanka," she added."The relationship between the two countries, however, is much bigger than just about assistance.

COLOMBO (News 1st): Notorious underworld gangster Mohamed Najim Mohamed Imran alias ‘Kanjipani’ Imran sneaked into Rameswaram days after his release on bail by a court in Sri Lanka according to police sources, reported The Hindu.The Tamil Nadu intelligence has sounded an alert to senior police officers across the State to mount vigil along the coastal districts and look for him and his associate who landed along the Ramanathapuram district coast on December 25, 2022.Imran, wanted by the Sri Lankan authorities for various offences, including murders and criminal intimidation, was arrested in Dubai in 2019 and deported to the Island Nation. He was in judicial custody till a local court granted him bail on payment of two sureties, each 5 million local currencies.The State intelligence had a specific input from central intelligence agencies and reliable sources that Imran was planning to enter India after his release on bail.

As the first case has been found in India, here are five things you must know about this new Covid strain - XBB.1.5 variant. Experts believe that the new Covid version XBB.1.5 in the scene is the "next big thing" and has the potential to trigger a significant upsurge globally.

EAMONN Holmes has revealed he will be returning to work in the new year amid his ongoing health struggles. The 63-year-old recently underwent a back operation to ease his “chronic pain” and has been absent from public life as he regains mobility. But this evening, Eamonn returned to social media and shared a picture of himself looking happy and healthy.

SAFFRON Barker’s older brother was rushed to hospital on Thursday after suffering a near fatal heart attack. Casey, 27, who is also a social media star, revealed he made it “just in time”, as a devastated Saffron begged her followers to wish him well.

On Friday, Covid guidelines were revised by the Centre for passengers arriving on international flights. Negative RT-PCR tests will be mandatory from January 1 to enter India from countries that are seeing massive COVID surge currently. These countries include China, Singapore, Hong Kong, the Republic of Korea, Thailand and Japan.

KERRY Katona revealed she's at her wits' end after another nasty illness flare-up. Still in her makeup from last night's pantomime performance, Kerry recorded a video in her car lamenting her bad health.

Colombo (News 1st) – The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) says there will be no power cuts on Saturday (31 December) and Sunday (01 January).The PUCSL said a power 2-hour 20-minute power cut will be imposed again on Monday (02).Accordingly, a 1-hour power cut will be imposed on areas A-L and P-W during the afternoon hours followed by a 1-hour 20-minute power cut during the night.

This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.

Colombo (News 1st) – Over Rs.10.65 million has been stolen from ATM machines of Sri Lankan state banks in Baddegama, Hikkaduwa and Karapitiya.Police said a group suspected to be foreigners hacked into the computer system of the ATMs during the early hours of Friday (30) morning, changed the data in the software and stole the money.Police suspect the same group is responsible for the theft in all three cities due to the manner in which it was carried out. The Police Media Unit said further investigations are underway by the Hikkaduwa, Galle and Baddegama Police stations to arrest the suspects involved in the incident.

Colombo (News 1st) – A committee consisting of medical experts has been appointed to obtain the necessary recommendations to increase the financial assistance currently paid for surgery and treatment through the President's Fund in Sri Lanka.The President's Media Division said President Ranil Wickremesinghe issued directives to to increase the amount of medical assistance paid as soon as the recommendations of the committee are made.Accordingly, in the first few months of 2023, the allowances paid as medical aid will be increased.The PMD said apart  from the number of diseases for which medical aid will be paid, the committee has been instructed to give necessary recommendations about the conditions for which further medical aid should be paid. As soon as the instructions are received, the necessary approvals will be obtained and the amount of medical aid paid as well as the list of diseases for which medical aid will be paid will be updated.Taking into account the transportation and other economic difficulties faced by the public who submit applications to the President's Fund for receiving medical aid, text messages will be sent on six occasions to cover each occasion from the time the application is submitted to the point the payment is made. It is also planned to further streamline these activities in 2023.

Colombo (News 1st) – NEWSLINE: How will the people's aspirations be achieved in 2023? Watch on YouTube 

Jonathan Ross, 62, has given an update on the health of his daughter Betty, 31.The presenter’s daughter suffers from fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome and POTS syndrome.Jonathan shares three children with his wife Jane Goldman, 52: Betty, Harvey, 29 and Honey, 25.Speaking on Loose Women, the talk show host discussed how his eldest child is showing signs of improvement following her treatment. He spoke about how it had been a “tough couple of years" following Betty's fibromyalgia diagnosis.The NHS describes Fibromyalgia as “a long-term condition that causes pain all over the body”. Jonathan went on to explain how his daughter struggles with depression and how she is now using an electric wheelchair.“She has fibromyalgia and she has chronic fatigue syndrome and POTS syndrome as well, which is where your heart rate shoots up,” he told Loose Women panellists Kaye Adams, Frankie Bridge, Dame Kelly Holmes and Denise Welch.Speaking about the way Betty’s illness had affected the family, he said: “She still can't walk very far. “We got her an electric wheelchair in the summer, so we can at least go out and go for walks with the dogs and that's lifted her spirits a lot. “Because that's the problem, if anyone out there who knows or who's got someone with a long term illness, you know, it's the depression."Being stuck indoors and not being able to join in with things because even stairs are a challenge to her."So if we're going out we have to give her plenty of time to get ready, get downstairs and then have a rest before we go to the next step, you know."“It does have an impact but the good news is she's definitely showing improvement and feeling better in herself.So we're relieved and we're happy with that.”However, Jonathan

TESTS Not all countries are imposing tests. European Union members, in particular, are divided. Over the past days, officials in France, Germany and Portugal have said they saw no need for now for new restrictions, while Austria has stressed the economic benefits of Chinese tourists' return to Europe.

AB-HWCs also encompass wellness sessions on yoga, zumba, cyclathons, walkathons and provide guidelines on diet, physical activity, positive parenting, tobacco, alcohol cessation among other aspects to imbibe a mindset for community well-being New Delhi: In a significant achievement demonstrating strengthening of the country’s health infrastructure, India has surpassed a notable landmark- 150,000 Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres (AB-HWCs) have been operationalised before 31 December, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said in a statement. Prime Minister Narendra Modi applauded the efforts of the nation in accomplishing this feat before the set deadline and said that these centres will help provide citizens easy access to primary healthcare facilities.

STAND-UP comedian Rhod Gilbert's wife remains hopeful he will beat his stage four cancer and return "stronger and better". Sian Harries was inundated with supportive messages after a trip to A&E with Rhod, 54, this week. One fan asked her on Twitter: "How is he doing, the funniest comedy for years.

The show did go on for Perth Theatre’s production of Jack and the Beanstalk after two days of panto performances were cancelled due to a COVID outbreak among the cast.

The civil aviation ministry has asked the airlines to modify check-in systems ahead of new Covid norms for travellers from China, 5 other countries The civil aviation ministry on Friday asked airlines to modify their check-in systems for international passengers coming into India as part of the revised Covid guidelines, which makes a negative Covid test report a must for travellers coming from China and five other countries from Sunday. The ministry's direction comes a day after the health ministry decided to make RT-PCR negative test reports compulsory for passengers coming on all international flights from six high-risk countries --China, Singapore, Hong Kong, the Republic of Korea, Thailand and Japan.

The newly appointed Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Republic of Türkiye, Saranya Hasanthi Urugodawatte Dissanayake, presented Credentials to President of the Republic of Türkiye Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on 27 December 2022 at the Presidential Complex in Ankara, accrediting her as the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka to the Republic of Türkiye.During the meeting President Erdoğan, extended his greetings to President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka Ranil Wickremasinghe. He further recalled Sri Lanka’s long standing bilateral relations with Türkiye with connections dating back to around 09th Century during the Ottoman Empire.

(With inputs from PTI)

Indonesia has decided to scrap the mask mandate, ending the coronavirus pandemic restrictions Indonesia will do away with indoor mask mandates and remove the requirement to show proof of vaccination when entering buildings, becoming one of the last few countries to completely end Covid-19 restrictions.  The changes will take effect from Friday and decision was taken as almost all of Indonesia’s population had immunity against the virus, said President Joko Widodo, who is popularly known as Jokowi.   “We once failed in containing Covid, but now we are among the few countries that did not experience a pandemic wave in past 10 to 11 consecutive months," he told a media briefing in Jakarta.

Colombo (News 1st) – Watch '2022 IN RETROSPECT' a People's Platform Special on Dec 30 at 7:30pm on TV1. Live streaming on YouTube and Facebook

BBC – A Myanmar military court has sentenced Aung San Suu Kyi to a further seven years in prison, taking her overall jail time to 33 years.The country's former democratically-elected leader has been under house arrest since a military ousted her government in a coup in February 2021.Since then she's faced 18 months of trials on 19 charges – which rights groups say are a sham.The UN Security Council called for her release last week.On Friday she was sentenced on the final five charges she faced. A court found her guilty of corruption because she had not followed regulations in renting a helicopter for a government minister.She had already been convicted of 14 different crimes including breaching Covid public safety rules, importing walkie-talkies and violating the official secrets act.Her trials this year have been set behind closed-doors where the public and media are barred access and her lawyers are also banned from speaking to journalists.

Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera, RSP **, USP, ndu, psc, was appointed as the 25th Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy on 18th December 2022, after being elevated to the rank of three-star Admiral.The appointment was made by President Ranil Wickremesinghe.Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera is a product of the Royal College, Colombo. He joined the Sri Lanka Navy in the Executive Branch in 1987 as an Officer Cadet of the 05th Intake of the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University. He was awarded the ‘Sword of Honour’ for the best in the batch upon successful completion of naval training from the Naval and Maritime Academy, Trincomalee. He was commissioned in the rank of Acting Sub Lieutenant in 1989 and graduated from the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree (Defence Studies) with honours.In pursuing academics, he has completed a Post Graduate Diploma in International Relations at Bandaranaike Centre for International Studies and has also been conferred with a Master’s in Science Degree (Defence Studies) in Management from the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University. He also holds a Master’s Degree of Maritime Policy with Distinctions from the University of Wollongong, Australia.

Colombo (News 1st) – Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne was promoted to the rank of Admiral effective from today (17th December 2022) by President Ranil Wickremesinghe. He was appointed as the 24th Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy on 15th July 2020. Upon being promoted to the 4-star rank, Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne arrived at the Navy Headquarters, where he was received according a Guard of Honour in accordance with naval traditions, on Saturday (17 December). Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne joined the Sri Lanka Navy as an Officer Cadet of the 13th Intake of the Sri Lanka Navy in 1985.

Colombo (News 1st) – President Ranil Wickremesinghe has said that new laws to ensure food security are expected to be introduced in the future.He made this statement while briefing representatives of the Joint Mechanism Committee on Food Security and Nutrition.Plans are being made to present the related bills to parliament soon, President Wickremesinghe said.He also highlighted the need to obtain accurate data in establishing food security and the nutritional status of the people.Speaking at the meeting, the President stressed that there have been disparities in the data available at the national level and at the regional level which should be rectified immediately, a PMD statement added.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Great Britain has expressed its willingness to provide the necessary technical and practical support to Sri Lanka to implement the “Climate Prosperity Plan”.The Deputy High Commissioner of Great Britain to Sri Lanka, Lisa Whanstall said that Great Britain appreciates the efforts taken by Sri Lanka to address climate change and will work to provide the necessary technical and theoretical support in the future, said the President's Media Division.These remarks were made during a discussion held on Wednesday (7) between the President’s Senior Adviser on Climate Change Ruwan Wijewardene, and the British Deputy High Commissioner, at the Presidential Secretariat.Whanstall also said that she will provide the necessary support for the International University on Climate Change, which is planned to be built on the instructions of President Ranil Wickremesinghe.Furthermore, the Deputy British High Commissioner praised Sri Lanka’s program for renewable energy and pointed out that it is a well-planned step for the future of the country.Ruwan Wijewardene presented the information about President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s upcoming programs regarding climate change and stated that the Act on Climate Change will be submitted to Parliament shortly.In addition, Wijewardene said that a climate change office will be established in Sri Lanka to investigate climate change in the region and that the necessary solutions to address climate change that may occur will be developed.He further said that the government has already focused on green hydrogen energy on the advice of President Ranil Wickremesinghe and the government has planned to further develop the potential for renewable energy in Sri Lanka.They also discussed the

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe on Monday (5) said that Japan is the first choice when it comes to giving out the East Container Terminal at the Colombo Port."Why don't we develop and become a logistics centre? When I last tried to develop the Colombo Harbour and tried to give out the East Terminal, there was a big debate, as to I am trying to sell the country. Now we have given the West terminal out. Very good, but if you really want to get going, you have to give the East terminal out.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – President Ranil Wickremesinghe told a gathering on Monday (5) that China has requested Sri Lanka to engage in talks with the Exim Bank, and these discussions are underway.He said that the country has already started discussions with bilateral creditors including India, which have proven to be successful."The talks with China started later because they had to start after the party conference. They wanted it.