Free Chinese diesel for farmers, fishermen

A Scots council tenant fears for the health and safety of his family due to mouldy walls in his home.

The latest statistics from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) show that by the end of October, there were more than three million people across the UK claiming Personal Independence Payment (PIP). The regional breakdown includes nearly 330,000 claimants living in Scotland, 2.6 million in England and 226,000 in Wales.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka's Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekera on Tuesday (27) announced that the country's Attorney General granted approval to award a coal tender to an Indonesian company with a joint local partnership to supply coal to the island nation from February 2023.The Minister said that nine suppliers had placed bids for the tender, and the Indonesian company was selected as it was the lowest bid."They grant a credit period of 180-days.

Expert said that owing to the fact that samples are few, the chances of finding new variant is slim. With COVID continuing to surge worldwide, one of the biggest worries currently is the rise of new variants. All viruses mutate, and the higher the rate of the infection, the easier it is to mutate.

Crude prices also gained amid supply concerns in the US as winter storm has hit energy production across the country New Delhi: International crude oil prices rose on Tuesday as China’s plans to relax quarantine norms for inbound travellers revived hopes of demand recovery. The February contract of Brent on the Intercontinental Exchange was trading at $84.76 per barrel, higher by 1.00% from its previous close. The February contract of the West Texas Intermediate (WTI) rose 0.80% to $80.20 a barrel.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has decided to award a subsidy of Rs. 15,000/- ($42) each to low-income earning agriculture-based families across seven districts, said the Department of Government Information on Tuesday (27).This allowance will be awarded to agriculture-based families living in the districts of Jaffna, Mullaithivu, Mannar, Trincomalee, Vavuniya, Moneragala and Batticaloa districts.Minister Mahinda Amaraweera noted that the allowance will be for families that earn a monthly income less than Rs.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka's President has appointed two new secretaries for key ministries.President Ranil Wickremesinghe appointed MMPK Mayadunne as the Secretary to the Ministry of Transport & Highways.

7) There is NO cause for alarm in India. [7/18] Explaining why, we continue to have > 98% population with natural immunity.

Name Change In another sign of downgrading the impact of the virus, the government changed the Chinese name of Covid-19 from “new coronavirus pneumonia" to “new coronavirus infections." Omicron’s much reduced virulence compared to the ancestral strain that emerged from Wuhan means most people are sickened with only mild upper respiratory tract infections, authorities said. “The new coronavirus will linger in nature for a long time to come," according to the statement.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), with funding through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), will distribute 36,000 metric tonnes of Triple Super Phosphate (TSP) fertilizer to all paddy farmers in Sri Lanka through the Ministry of Agriculture. The amount of TSP provided per farmer will be determined based on the area they cultivated in the 2022/2023 Maha cultivation season.The distribution list, along with the land extent cultivated during this Maha season, has been published and displayed at all Agrarian Service Centres of the Department of Agrarian Development. FAO invites all eligible paddy farmers to visit their respective Agrarian Service Centre and ensure their details have been incorporated. The distribution lists will be displayed until 5 January 2023, and the date of fertilizer distribution will be shared through the Agrarian Service Centres.

I have a basic health insurance policy with a coverage limit of ₹5 lakh. However, I want to upgrade to a better plan to get higher coverage. What is the most effective way to increase the amount insured? - Name withheld on request With today’s medical inflation rate, which is growing approximately 10% every year, ₹5 lakh sum insured is an incredibly low amount for health insurance.

₹800+ GST+ hospital charges according to sources. Bharat Biotech’s iNNOVACC is now available on CoWin, priced at ₹800 for private hospitals and ₹325 for a government hospitals. The country’s first intranasal covid vaccine will be rolled out in the fourth week of January as a booster dose for those above 18 years of age, said the company spokesperson.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Sri Lankan Embassy in Moscow, Russia has announced that Red Wings, one of the leading private airlines of the Russian Federation, will start charter flight operations to Mattala International Airport in Sri Lanka, with effect from the 28th December 2022.This is the third Russian Airline serving direct flights to Sri Lanka, said the Sri Lankan Embassy.On December 26th 2022,  Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Russian Federation Prof. Janitha A.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The man who was found stabbed and shot in the mouth in Kaduwela was identified by Sri Lanka Police, and he is a resident from Upper Biyanwala in Kadawatha.Information has come to light that the man had left his house with a friend on Sunday (25) night.Sri Lanka Police said that the man is currently being treated at the ICU of the Colombo National Hospital.Police Spokesperson SSP Nihal Thalduwa told News 1st that the severely injured man was lying on the road by a group of locals on Monday (26) morning.He said that the man is a heavy drug addict.

COLOMBO (News 1st) –  Multiple factions allege that motives to commit fraud are linked to the state's delay in procuring coal on time for the continuous operation of the Norochcholai Coal Power Plant, which is the main power plant in the entire country.A coal shipment is expected to reach Sri Lanka on the 5th of January 2023, and according to marine traffic data the bulk carrier with coal had left a port in Mozambique on Sunday (25) bound to Sri Lanka.What is the Coal Crisis & why is coal so important to us?The coal shipment bound to Sri Lanka from Mozambique will determine if the Norocohcholai Coal Power will continue to operate, as it generates a lions share of the electricity demand in the country.A shortage of coal will eventually lead to a complete shutdown of the power plant.The bulk carrier Darya Rama carrying a shipment of coal had left the Port of Maputo in Mozambique at 7:40 AM on Sunday (25), and it expected to lay anchor off the coast of Puttlam at around 4:00 PM on the 5th of January 2023.The vessel was originally scheduled to dock in Sri Lankan on Wednesday, however certain delays had pushed back its arrival date to somewhere between the 3rd and 5th of January 2023.The Chairman of Lanka Coal Company (Private) Limited on the 22nd of December 2022 said that when this shipment reaches Sri Lanka, the existing stocks of coal would have already been exhausted.How much of coal does the Norochcholai Coal Power Plant need to operate on any given day?The Norochcholai Power Plant has three generators, and each of these generators will require 2,500 MT of coal.

₹104 crores to enable government hospitals to stock up on life-saving medicines. Sisodia said, "This amount has been approved by the government to ensure that there is no shortage of any medicines in government hospitals and they are well prepared to deal with an emergency." Delhi has recorded 2,007,159 Covid cases and 26,521 deaths since the pandemic started in early 2020.

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

The covid-19 surge in China has triggered concern among Indian exporters as it may add to the softening of demand from Western countries The covid-19 surge in China has triggered concern among Indian exporters as it may add to the softening of demand from Western countries. China, India’s largest trading partner, reported an 11% decline in imports in November, and the latest outbreak could further hit exports of Indian goods. While experts noted that the impact on Indian exports from the outbreak in China would not be immediately visible, as orders for the next quarter have been received, China’s decision to stop publishing daily covid-19 data has created significant uncertainty about the severity of the spread.

A Lanarkshire mum campaigning for better mental health services once again had her petition heard in Scottish Parliament.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Former Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa left for the United States of America on Monday (26) morning.He had left for Dubai via the VIP Terminal at the Bandaranaike International Airport, and thereafter will fly to the US.He was accompanied by former First Lady Ayoma Rajapaksa, son Daminda Rajapaksa, daughter-in-law S. D.

Masks will be mandatory to celebrate the New Year in pubs, restaurants & bars. Masks have been made mandatory inside movie theatres, schools & colleges.

The Nainital High Court on Monday made masks mandatory inside the courtroom amid fear of a surge in Covid-19 cases. In an official notification, the high court said, "In view of the danger of spreading of Covid-19, it will be possible to enter the courtroom only by wearing a mask in the Nainital High Court". On the instructions of Nainital High Court Chief Justice Vipin Shanghvi, the Registrar of the High Court issued a notification that all officers, staff, lawyers, and parties will be able to enter the court only by wearing masks.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – A two-minute silence will be observed across Sri Lanka on Monday (26) to remember the victims of the massive tsunami that struck the island nation in 2004.The two-minute silence will be observed from 9.25 a.m. to 9.27 a.m., said the Government Information Department.On Boxing Day 2004 a magnitude 9.0 earthquake struck in the deep seas off the coast of the Indonesian Island of Sumatra.Moments later strong waves made their way towards the coast of the country and claimed the lives of more than 30,000 people within a matter of minutes.What was termed as the world's worst train disaster, the wreckage was evident from among the debris caused by the massive waves.1,270 people who aboard the train when the waves struck Peraliya died while another 141 remain unaccounted for.Fourteen coastal districts of Sri Lanka were affected by the tsunami disaster and approximately 35,000 people died while about 5000 others disappeared. Every year since 2005, the 26th of December has been declared as "National Safety Day" and on the day, with the participation of the political leadership and public National Safety Day events are held as nationally in remembrance of all those who died in the country due to the Tsunami disaster and various other natural disasters.

PHILADELPHIA - Santa Claus may have already made his rounds, but plenty of helpful elves in the form of volunteers are making sure everyone gets a Christmas in Philadelphia."The important thing now is to take care of the children, and really give them the joy of Christmas," said Brian Jenkins, executive director of Chosen 300 Ministries. The local non-profit handed out warm meals and over 500 wrapped gifts to families and children in need on Christmas Day."This is about Jesus Christ being born, bringing joy to the world, and giving his ultimate gift to us," Jenkins said. "We are simply reciprocating it and extending that love."MORE HEADLINES:Volunteers come together every year to lend a helping hand and provide a Christmas to as many families as possible.

Prime minister Narendra Modi on Sunday asked people to take precautionary measures, such as wearing masks and washing hands, amid rising cases of covid-19 across the world. Addressing the nation through his monthly radio programme Mann Ki Baat, Modi wished people on the occasion of Christmas, but suggested celebration of festivals with caution. “At this time many people are also in the mood for holidays.

HONG KONG : China’s central health authority has stopped publishing daily Covid-19 data, ending a three-year effort that has drawn mounting criticism for massively underreporting the surge in infections now sweeping the country. In a one-line announcement Sunday, China’s National Health Commission said it would no longer issue its daily report on Covid infections and deaths.

AP “China has a population that is very large and there’s limited immunity. And that seems to be the setting in which we may see an explosion of a new variant." “When we’ve seen big waves of infection, it’s often followed by new variants being generated," Ray said. Experts said a partially immune population like China’s puts particular pressure on the virus to change.

Colombo (News 1st) – The depression over Southwest Bay of Bengal has entered through the east coast of Sri Lanka and it is moving across the country. It is likely to move to the western sea area of Sri Lanka by Monday (26).Accordingly, showers or thunder showers will occur at times over Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Southern, North-Western and Northern provinces.

Colombo (News 1st) – Heavy rain and strong winds wreaked havoc across Sri Lanka on Christmas Day, killing at least two people as the depression over the Southwest Bay of Bengal began moving across Sri Lanka.Police said two people died and three were injured as a boulder fell on a house in an earth slip at Alawathugoda in the Kandy District.The Parakrama Samudraya in Polonnaruwa and Giant’s Tank in Mannar begin spilling over due to heavy rain, Irrigation Dept officials said.

India's Covid case tally was recorded at 4.46 crore (4,46,77,106). Covid-19 cases in India are increasing with a slight margin. The country has recorded 227 new coronavirus infections, while the active cases increased to 3,424, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Sunday.

Colombo (News 1st) – The depression over the Southwest Bay of Bengal is located 350km to the northeast of Trincomalee and is very likely to cross Sri Lanka by tomorrow (25 December), according to the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology.Heavy showers above 100 mm can be expected at some places, it added.Strong gusty winds of about (40-50) kmph can be expected at times over the Northern, Eastern Uva and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in the Galle and Matara districts.

Colombo (News 1st) – Former Presidential Advisor Ashu Marasinghe has complained to the Criminal Investigation Department with regard to a controversial video leaked on social media purportedly of the Prof. Marasinghe sexually abusing a pet dog."This false incident is now in the hands of the courts.

Colombo (News 1st) –  The recent actions of Professor Ashu Marasinghe, Former Advisor to the President, ''requires immediate punitive action by the President and his government,'' said Rescue Animals Sri Lanka's Anusha David."Abuse of any sort is reprehensible. Abuse of a hapless animal who has no voice is even more deplorable.

Colombo (News 1st) – The online service to settle electricity bills through the official website of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) continues to be disrupted.Several online services have been unavailable on the ceb.lk website for nearly a month, due to ongoing maintenance.The CEB Bill Payments, CEB PIV Payments, CEB Bill Payments via CEBCare App, and the EV Charging Top-up services are currently unavailable. When contacted by News1st, the CEB said it is working to restore the services as soon as possible.The CEB official said customers can settle the bills by using bank mobile applications and at supermarkets.

Colombo (News 1st) – "69 armed Police teams have been deployed to maintain law and order in the South," said Senior DIG in charge of the Southern Province Ajith Rohana."Shooting incidents have claimed the lives of 15 people in 2022, while 18 were arrested over the incidents," he said.The latest incident was reported from Elpitiya on Friday night (23).Sri Lanka Police said a 26 year old was injured in the shooting that took place at the Yakkaduwa Junction in Elpitiya.Two men on a motorcycle carried out the shooting and fled the scene.The injured man was admitted to the Elpitiya Hospital for treatment and was later transferred to the Karapitiya Teaching Hospital.The Galle Crime Division has launched investigations into the incident.

Colombo (News 1st) – The date for the local government election will be announced before the 5th of January 2023."The announcement was delayed by a few days due to several factors, although the NEC previously said the date will be announced before the end of December," said Chairman of the Election Commission of Sri Lanka Nimal Punchihewa."The calling of nominations will begin 14 days after the announcement," he added.In the meantime, Executive Director of PAFFREL Rohana Hettiarachchi said, "I will resort to administrative action against the Election Commission if the date isn't announced before the 5th of January."

 

The public have been thanked for their ‘heart-warming’ thoughts and sentiment as health and social care services contend with unyielding pressures.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka's Fisheries Minister Douglas Devananda said recently (29) that due to the fuel crisis, steps will be taken to introduce electric motor boats for fishermen from next year.The Minister mentioned this at the meeting of the Ministerial Consultative Committee on fisheries in Parliament.The minister pointed out that it is expected to introduce electric motor boats that can travel 100 kilometres using batteries and the cost is only 86 rupees per day to fishermen engaged in small-scale fishing.The Minister also mentioned that attention has also been paid to providing electricity generation facilities through solar panels and wind turbines for boats using kerosene and diesel.State Minister of Fisheries Piyal Nishantha, mentioned that a special mobile service is being implemented successfully by the ministry to solve the problems faced by the fishermen.

NEW DELHI : National AIDS toll-free helpline, lifetime free ART services and regular viral load monitoring for PLHIV are some of the steps taken by the government to strengthen HIV/AIDS and STD response, said Union Minister of state for Health and Family Welfare, Bharati Pravin Pawar on Thursday.  Addressing the World AIDS Day celebrations, the minister said that the World AIDS Day is an opportunity to show solidarity with people living with HIV (PLHIV) and create awareness for the same. “The theme of this year’s World AIDS Day is ‘Equalize’, which is a slogan for a call to action for all connected with this crusade.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka Police arrested three people from Silvan Lane in Panadura over a shooting incident on Wednesday (30) night.News 1st correspondents said that among the arrested was an attorney.According to Sri Lanka Police, the attorney and two others had visited a house in Panadura on Wednesday (30) night and an argument had broken out over a monetary transaction.As the argument had escalated, the attorney had taken out his licensed pistol and fired into the air.Sri Lanka Police said that the pistol, and the vehicle owned by the attorney, were taken into custody.NO one was injured in the shooting.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Five Indian poaching trawlers were held in northern waters during a special operation conducted by the Navy and Coast Guard.Sri Lanka Navy and Sri Lanka Coast Guard conducted a special operation in northern waters to chase away Indian poaching trawlers from Sri Lanka’s waters yesterday (28). The operation led to the seizure of 05 Indian trawlers with 24 Indian fishermen, poaching in the island’s waters off the Kovilan Lighthouse, Kareinagar, Jaffna.Sri Lanka Navy and Coast Guard remain ever alert to foil illegal fishing practices of foreign fishing trawlers in Sri Lanka’s waters and regularly conduct patrols and operations to prevent such endeavours.As an extension of these efforts, the Northern Naval Command mounted a special operation yesterday (28), by deploying Craft of the 04th Fast Attack Flotilla and the Sri Lanka Coast Guard attached to the Northern Naval Command, to chase away a cluster of Indian poaching trawlers in Sri Lanka’s waters, off the Kovilan Lighthouse, Kareinagar, Jaffna. The operation led to the seizure of 05 Indian poaching trawlers continued to remain in the island’s waters, with 24 Indian fishers and their fishing gear.The seized trawlers together with 24 Indian fishermen were brought to the Kankesanthurai Harbour and they will be handed over to the Mailadi Fisheries Inspector for onward legal proceedings.In the recent apprehension, the Navy has seized 35 Indian poaching trawlers and 252 Indian fishermen during operations conducted thus far in the year 2022 and handed them over to the authorities for onward legal action.Illegal fishing practices of foreign fishermen in Sri Lanka’s waters deal a blow to the livelihood of local fishermen as well as the marine ecosystem's

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Department of Fisheries says that steps have been taken to introduce a pension scheme for the fishing community.The Director General of the Fisheries Department Susantha Kahawatta pointed out that the pension system will be implemented through the Agricultural & Agrarian Insurance Board.

Demonstrations have erupted in Beijing, Shanghai and other major cities Protests are erupting in major cities in China over President Xi Jinping‘s zero-tolerance approach to Covid-19, an unusual show of defiance in the country as the economic and social costs from snap lockdowns and other strict restrictions escalate.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Government of China has donated 10.6 Million liters of Diesel to Sri Lanka for farmers and fisheries in Sri Lanka.The "Super Eastern" vessel carrying diesel is scheduled to arrive in the country form Singapore to the Port of Colombo tomorrow (26).The embassy earlier tweeted that China will donate 10.6 million liters of diesel to farmers and fishermen in remote areas of Sri Lanka, to upgrade livelihood in the most affected sectors of agriculture & fishery. The shipments are scheduled between November and December, and will be distributed to the needed asap.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Department of Meteorology says that mainly fair weather will prevail over most parts of the island.Condition of Rain:A few showers are likely in sea areas off the coast extending from Galle to Matara.Winds:Winds will be north-westerly or south-westerly and speed will be (20-40) kmph. State of Sea:The sea areas off the coast extending from Matara to Hambantota will be moderate. 

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Lanka Sathosa Limited on Wednesday (23) announced the price reduction of several more products.The prices of the following products will be reduced with effect from the 24th of November.1. White Sugar (1 kg) will be reduced by Rs. 9/- to Rs.

primary obstacles to luring them back in, but fear of being exposed to the coronavirus remains a factor for one in four workers, and that rate is even higher among some demographics.To stay up to date with the latest Gallup News insights and updates, follow us on Twitter.Learn more about how the Gallup Panel works.