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₹5 lakh. JP Nadda said it was more than the combined population of the United States, the United Kingdom, France and Canada. Speaking at a rally in Dahod, JP Nadda said, “We are giving health care cover of ₹5 lakh to 50 crore people.

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

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.

Covid-19 update: The country's death toll climbed to 5,30,608 with three fatalities, including one reconciled by Kerala. India has reported 389 coronavirus infections, taking the cumulative Covid-19 tally to 4,46,71,219 on Saturday, while active cases declined to 5,395, according to the Union Health Ministry data.  The country's death toll climbed to 5,30,608 with three fatalities, including one reconciled by Kerala, according to the ministry data.

With a steady decline in covid cases, several state governments have eased travel norms and mandatory wearing of masks NEW DELHI: India reported 365 fresh coronavirus infections in the last 24 hours, pulling down active cases to 5,516, according to an update by the Union health ministry on Friday. Total reported cases in the country since the pandemic hit in 2020 now stands at 4,46,70,830, and death toll at 530,604. Active cases account for 0.01% of total reported infections, while the recovery rate stands at 98.80%, according to the health ministry.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr A K Abdul Momen has underscored the need for setting up direct shipping connectivity with Sri Lanka to boost trade relations between Bangladesh and the South Asian nation.He also emphasised the resumption of negotiations for the early conclusion of the Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) between the two countries.Bangladesh's foreign minister put the importance while holding a meeting with his visiting Sri Lankan counterpart Ali Sabry on Wednesday on the eve of the 22nd ministerial meeting of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) in the capital, a foreign ministry press release said on Thursday.During the meeting, the two leaders discussed the wide spectrum of bilateral relations and expressed hope to work closely together for the betterment of the two peoples and inclusive development of the region.Momen urged Sri Lanka to increase the import of agricultural products and pharmaceuticals from Bangladesh at an affordable price.Sri Lankan foreign minister said that his country is keen to work in close partnership with Bangladesh.The two leaders agreed to expedite the completion of the formalities to form an institutional platform to hold regular and comprehensive dialogues between the two countries at the level of foreign minister.The issue of mutual support for each other's candidature at various international fora was also discussed with due importance.Momen also sought support from Sri Lanka in repatriating the forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals sustainably.

Covid-19 update: The death toll has climbed to 5,30,604 with one death each reported from Delhi, Gujarat and Karnataka in the last 24 hours. India has reported 347 fresh Covid-19 cases in the past 24 hours, taking the cumulative tally to 4,46,70,830, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Friday. With this, the country's active caseload declined to 5,516, which constitute 0.01 per cent of the total infections.

The Global Times report. He stressed that the variant has resulted in cluster infections in nursing homes, construction sites and schools as the cases of COVID-19 were particularly reported in Chaoyang, Changping, Haidian, Fengtai and Tongzhou. Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesu of the WHO cited the same as the primary reason for the same.  "The virus is evolving, changing its behaviour," said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesu.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lankan Foreign Affairs Minister Ali Sabry told the Indian Ocean Rim Association session in Bangladesh on Thursday (24) that Sri Lanka is poised and is well positioned to be one of the major trading hubs of the Indian Ocean, addign that the country has demonstrated manifestly significant openness to trade and commerce.He emphasised the significance and necessity of actively engaging with the countries of the Indian Ocean Rim to mutually advance the economic and commercial interests of Sri Lanka as well as to maintain peace and stability in the region of Indian Ocean. He further stressed that Sri Lanka’s commitment to the matters that concern the Indian Ocean region remains one of the key cornerstones of the current economic and foreign policy of Sri Lanka. Minister highlighted that Sri Lanka is strategically positioned at the centre of one of the busiest sea lanes of the world, adding that Sri Lanka’s traditional and ancient links with the countries of the IORM go back many centuries and empirical evidence reveals that Sri Lanka’s geographical centrality markedly facilitated and aided maritime commerce and trade over the centuries.Given its progression as an Indian Ocean Hub, Sri Lanka has emerged as one of the most pivotal shipping lanes since two-thirds of the petroleum products and half of the container shipments of the world criss-cross close to the Southern coast of the Island.The Minister apprised the member states at the Council of Ministers of the IORA concerning Sri Lanka’s efforts in sustainable and efficacious usage of maritime resources and immense ocean pollution challenges as well as projects and programs implemented to safeguard the coastal belt and the Indian Ocean. This is to

With a steady fall in covid cases across the country, several state governments have eased travel norms and mandatory wearing of masks. NEW DELHI: India reported 408 fresh coronavirus infections in the last 24 hours, while active cases fell to 5,881, according to an update by the Union health ministry on Thursday. Total reported cases in the country since the pandemic hit in 2020 now stands at 4,46,70,483, and death toll at 530,601.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Human Rights Watch quoting economists says that the economic situation in Sri Lanka could deteriorate rapidly without action by foreign creditors, placing the basic needs of millions of people in further jeopardy.To stabilize the economy, international creditors should agree to restructure Sri Lanka’s debt so the country can secure final approval for an International Monetary Fund (IMF) loan and financing from other global agencies, it added.In April, Sri Lanka defaulted on over US$50 billion in debts to international creditors. In September, it reached a staff-level agreement with the IMF for a four-year, $2.9 billion bailout.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ali Sabry, left for Dhaka, Bangladesh on 23 November 2022 to attend the 22nd Meeting of the Council of Ministers (COM) of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA). Foreign Minister Sabry is expected to address the IORA Council of Ministers on 24th  November 2022 as the current Vice Chair of the IORA.

With discerning cinema audiences having moved online for entertainment, niche films in international languages are struggling to find takers in cinemas. With discerning cinema audiences having moved online for entertainment during covid pandemic, smaller, niche films in several international languages are struggling to find takers in cinemas. These include small scale Hollywood films or movies from Korea and Iran that were originally popular in the big metros like Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Bengaluru and could make up to Rs.

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

₹10 lakh around five years ago. He had even paid a premium of ₹61,000 ( ₹12,200 per annum) thereafter. But, after his wife Neeshu Tripathi was admitted to a hospital for the delivery of their first child, Shukla found that he was only eligible for a reimbursement of ₹50,000 towards maternity benefits.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Kalaikathir News Paper From Jaffna had revealed that Samant Kumar Goel, the Chief of the Research and Analysis Wing of India, also known as RAW recently visited Colombo on a highly classified visit.The Research and Analysis Wing is the foreign intelligence agency of India, and the Kalaikathir News Paper From Jaffna has reported the visit citing highly credible sources.The Kalaikathir News Paper From Jaffna reported that Samant Kumar Goel met with Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe in Colombo.It also reported that the meeting with the President was also highly confidential.The President's Media Division is yet to make an announcement on the visit, and the meet.

₹40,000. This happened because of the pandemic as rents were lower as people working remotely had still not returned to the city. Post-pandemic, rents have surged and this very apartment now commands a monthly rent of ₹50,000-55,000," she said.

By Tyrone DevottaThe digital chapter of FITIS on its internet day message says although Financial Technology (FinTech) is now a global phenomenon, in providing financial benefits to the elite and right down to the bottom of the pyramid, Sri Lanka has not cashed in on its full advantages.  This is because we lack the policy framework for Fintech companies to operate in their full capacity.

India's active cases have also declined to 6,209. Covid-19 cases in India have been declining for the past few days as the country is reporting single-day rise of less than 500 infections.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Sri Lankan Government’s intention was to resume the negotiations on free trade agreements said Secretary to the President Saman Ekanayake.It is the vision of the President that Sri Lanka will integrate with the global value chains and with the largest economies in South Asia and East Asia and then expand to the east region linking to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).Further, the Secretary to the President invited private sector stakeholders to creatively engage in this development initiative as they are the ultimate beneficiaries.He made these observations during an awareness session on the resumption of negotiations of free trade agreements held for Trade Chambers and Industry Advisory Committees at the Finance Ministry on November (16).Secretary to the Treasury, Secretaries of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Industries, and the members of the National Trade Negotiation Committee also participated.The contours of Global trade have been significantly changed in recent years by bringing regional and global production networks as driving factors of international trade where Sri Lanka has not yet been engaged to tap the potential.

As fresh restrictions are imposed in parts of China against the new outbreaks of the Covid-19 virus, the country has reported its first death in nearly half a year. China saw the death of an 87-year-old man from Beijing, bringing the death count to 5,227. His death was first reported by the National Health Commission.

(Reuters) – Sri Lanka has postponed a round of debt restructuring talks initially expected to be held on Thursday to allow central bank and treasury officials to provide clarifications sought by the country's creditors, its state minister of finance said.The island nation formally kicked off the talks in September after securing a preliminary $2.9 billion bailout with the International Monetary Fund, a step on a path out of the country's worst financial crisis in a decade.But it needs to secure financing assurances from key creditors including China, Japan and India before the funds can be disbursed."There are different concerns that different creditors want cleared so it was decided that these clarifications would be communicated first and then new dates would be set for another round of talks," state minister Shehan Semasinghe Semasinghe told Reuters on Thursday."The dates are yet to be decided."Semasinghe did not provide details on the creditors' concerns or what exactly was being discussed between them and Sri Lanka's central bank and treasury officials.Sri Lanka had earlier set a target of getting board level IMF approval in December for the planned four-year programme."We are focusing on financing assurances. As of now no bilateral creditor has informed us that they are not going to support us," Semasinghe added."We have a target and we are pushing hard to meet it in December."Sri Lankan officials have also had talks with representatives from China EXIM Bank and China Development Bank which together hold about $4.3 billion in loans given to fund large infrastructure projects over the last 20 years.

Covid-19: The death toll climbed to 5,30,553 with seven fatalities which includes two deaths reconciled by Kerala, the data updated at 8 am stated. India logged 656 new coronavirus infections taking the tally of Covid-19 cases to 4,46,67,967, while the active cases declined to 7,034, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Friday. The death toll climbed to 5,30,553 with seven fatalities which includes two deaths reconciled by Kerala, the data updated at 8 am stated.

NEW DELHI : New Delhi-based Aakash Healthcare Pvt. Ltd on Wednesday said it has acquired Asia Med Centre in Uzbekistan’s Tashkent for $4 million. The upgraded 60-bedded multi-speciality hospital will be opened to public on 23 November.

However, the Centre suggested that passengers should preferably use them Mask no more compulsory during air travel but passengers should preferably use them: Govt.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka, India and several other countries abstained from voting on a draft resolution approved by the UN General Assembly that recognised that Russia must be responsible for making reparations to Ukraine.The draft resolution, ‘Furtherance of remedy and reparation for aggression against Ukraine’, introduced by Ukraine, was adopted on Monday (14) in the 193-member UN General Assembly by a recorded vote of 94 in favour, 14 against and 73 abstentions, including by India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brazil, Egypt, Indonesia, Israel, Nepal, Pakistan, South Africa and Sri Lanka.Those voting against the resolution were Belarus, China, Cuba, North Korea, Iran, Russia and Syria.General Assembly resolutions are non-binding, but they carry political weight.The resolution, co-sponsored by nearly 50 nations, recognised that Russia “must be held to account for any violations of international law in or against Ukraine, including its aggression in violation of the Charter of the United Nations, as well as any violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law, and that it must bear the legal consequences of all of its internationally wrongful acts, including making reparation for the injury, including any damage, caused by such acts.” In March, 141 members of the General Assembly voted to denounce Russia’s invasion, and 143 in October voted to condemn Moscow’s attempted annexation of parts of Ukraine. India had also abstained on those two votes.

Bikaji Foods: The shares of Bikaji Food International IPO is expected to be listed today, 16th Nov 2022. The initial public offering of Bikaji Foods International was subscribed 26.67 times on Monday, November 7, 2022, the last day of subscription. The ₹881-crore IPO received bids for 55,04,00,900 shares against 2,06,36,790 shares on offer, as per data available with the NSE.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lankan activists handed over letters to Foreign Missions based in Colombo seeking their intervention to abolish the controversial Prevention of Terrorism Act and for the release of IUSF Convener Wasantha Mudalige, and Venerable Galwewa Siridhamma Thero, who are detained under the PTA.The group engaged in a silent protest opposite the UN compound in Colombo, and later handed over a letter to a UN representative.Thereafter the group proceeded to the Norwegian Embassy in Colombo, the EU office in Colombo, the British High Commission in Colombo, the US Embassy in Colombo, and the Canadian High Commission.The group thereafter attempted to hand-over a letter to the Indian High Commission in Colombo, however, it was not accepted.

A look at G20 summit protocols and some of the divergent approaches to COVID-19 among G20 nations. NUSA DUA, Indonesia: Nearly three years into the COVID-19 pandemic, leaders of G20 countries are gathering on the Indonesian resort island of Bali with strict testing and masking requirements, even though such measures have been largely dropped in some member countries. It is Chinese President Xi Jinping's first G20 summit - and only his second trip abroad - since the start of the pandemic as his country continues its zero-COVID policy of lockdowns and quarantine that are among the world's strictest.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said Tuesday he has tested positive for COVID-19 at the Group of 20 meetings in Bali, just days after hosting many world leaders, including President Joe Biden, for a summit in Phnom Penh. In a posting on his Facebook page, the Cambodian leader said that he had tested positive Monday night and that the test had been confirmed by an Indonesian physician on Tuesday morning. He said he was returning to Cambodia and was canceling his meetings at the G-20 as well as the following APEC economic forum in Bangkok.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – 22,000 MT of Urea Fertilizer reached the Colombo Port on Sunday (13) evening, and the unloading of the shipment commenced on Monday (14).The Ministry of Agriculture said that this is the second vessel with fertiliser to reach Sri Lanka under the financial assistance of USD 105 Mn given by the World Bank to buy urea fertilizer needed for paddy and maize crops in the maha season.A total of 35,000 MT of Urea Fertilizer was received by Sri Lanka under the World Bank provisions.The Ministry of Agriculture said that out of the 65,000 MT of fertilizer purchased under Indian loan assistance in the last Yala season, 34,000 MT of urea fertilizer remain unused.The Ministry further said that the same amount of fertilizer has been distributed to all agricultural centres for the first phase of urea fertilizer inclusion, in paddy cultivation in the  Maha season.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Eleven Sri Lankan fishermen along with two vessels have been arrested by the Indian Coast Guard under charges of illegally entering Indian waters.At the time, the fishermen were fishing in Indian waters, 175 nautical miles off the coast of Kalingapatnam in Srikakulam district.Indian media reported that the arrested fishermen have been handed over to the Kakinada Police Station for further investigations.

Coronaviruses recombine fast and much time has passed since the time it might have originated It is common knowledge that SARS-CoV-2 that causes COVID-19 jumped from bats but what still remains a mystery is the origin of the virus and how it jumped to humans.  A new study has revealed that chances of finding the direct ancestor of the SARS-CoV-2 virus are very bleak. It also states that COVID virus probably shared an ancestor with the coronaviruses found in bats more recently than was thought.

Covid-19 update: In India, the active caseload has declined to 12,553, according to the Union Health Ministry data. India has reported a single-day rise of 833 new Covid-19 cases in the past 24 hours, taking the cumulative tally to 4,46,65,643, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Saturday. The country's active caseload has declined to 12,553, which accounts for 0.03% of the total coronavirus infections.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe has made it clear that his country will not be a part of any big power rivalry, especially in the Indian Ocean region."The total competition in the world has gone from US and Russia to US and China," said the President adding that whatever happens in Russia is a sideshow."Whether the US is in the Indian ocean we have no objections. We have no objections to the Japanese or the Chinese being there, as long as there is no rivalry. We are the literal states, and we have to look after our interests.

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

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Gopal Bagley and the US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung were seen at the Lanka IOC Terminals in Trincomalee together accompanied by diplomatic staff on Thursday (10).The Indian High Commission in Colombo said that the diplomats were welcomed by the staff at Lanka IOC who briefed the two diplomats on its operations that contribute to energy security of Sri Lanka.The Indian High Commissioner also flagged off the first delivery of Lanka Super Diesel from the Trinco Terminal for Sri Lankan market. 

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe President told the Parliament on Thursday (10) that the IMF had requested not to release the agreement reached between Sri Lanka and the International Monetary Fund until the current round of negotiations are complete.The President said that previously when the country approached the IMF, talks were only with the International Monetary Fund, however, this time around discussions need to take place with other countries as well."Japan is speaking India and China because they are not members of the Paris Club. Amendments may take place," the President told the house"IMF says don't release it till we finish this round of negotiations. I won't put anyone in to trouble.

DigiLocker can be used as a health locker for storing and accessing health records such as vaccination records, doctor prescriptions, lab reports, hospital discharge summaries etc New Delhi: DigiLocker, the authentic documents exchange platform under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, has completed its second-level of integration with Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM), the National Health Authority (NHA) said on Thursday. The secure cloud-based storage platform of DigiLocker can be used now as a health locker for storing and accessing health records such as vaccination records, doctor prescriptions, lab reports, hospital discharge summaries etc, stated NHA. DigiLocker had earlier completed level 1 integration with ABDM wherein the platform had added ABHA or Ayushman Bharat Health Account creation facility for its 13 crore users.

Covid-19: The death toll climbed to 5,30,514 with three new fatalities -- two in Maharashtra and one in Rajasthan --being reported in a span of 24 hours, the data updated at 8 am stated. India logged 1,016 new coronavirus infections taking the total tally of Covid-19 cases to 4,46,63,968, while the active cases dipped to 13,187, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Thursday. The death toll climbed to 5,30,514 with three new fatalities -- two in Maharashtra and one in Rajasthan --being reported in a span of 24 hours, the data updated at 8 am stated.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The construction work of the West Container terminal of the Colombo port began on Wednesday (9). The Secretary of the Ministry of Ports and Shipping K.D Ruwanchandra said that the construction work was launched in the presence of the Indian Commissioner to Sri Lanka Gopal Bagley and the Minister of Ports and Shipping Nimal Siripala De Silva. India’s Adani Group signed a build-operate-transfer (BOT) agreement with its local partner John Keells Holdings PLC and the Sri Lanka Port Authority (SLPA) on 30 September 2021, to develop the West Container Terminal (WCT) in Colombo.The signing event for the $700 million was held virtually, and 51% of shares of WCT will be vested with Adani Group.Colombo Port is particularly significant for India, as it handles roughly 40 percent of transshipped container cargo bound for the Indian market.Operations of the West Container Terminal will be carried out by a new joint company named the West Container International Terminal.51% of WCT will be with Adani Group, 34% with John Keells and 15% with Sri Lanka Ports Authority.

(More details are being added.)    

States have been asked to continue monitoring incoming international travelers, undertake constant genome sequencing and step-up vaccination. NEW DELHI: India reported 811 fresh covid infections in the past 24 hours, while active cases slipped to 13,559, the health ministry said in an update on Wednesday.

₹1,854.5 crore, lower than consensus estimates. This is the first decline in Divi’s revenue in the last 20 quarters, said analysts from Nuvama. Operating deleverage coupled with high energy costs meant that the Ebitda (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) margin fell fast.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The second total lunar eclipse of 2022 will turn the moon a reddish-copper colour for 85 minutes on Nov. 8, 2022.Sri Lanka will be able to witness this spectacle from 5 PM to 7 PM on that day.Often colloquially called a Blood Moon, a total lunar eclipse, happens as the full moon (in this case November's full Beaver Moon) moves into the deep umbral shadow of the Earth and receives only light first filtered by Earth's atmosphere, will be visible from North America and parts of South America, Asia, Australia and New Zealand. A partial lunar eclipse will be visible from Iceland, parts of South America, south and central Asia and Russia.

Police in northeastern China said that seven people have been arrested following a clash between residents and authorities enforcing COVID-19 quarantine restrictions. The violence comes as China reports new cases nationwide, with 2,230 cases reported Tuesday in the southern manufacturing and technology hub of Guangzhou.

Covid-19: The country's infection tally has climbed to 4,46,62,141, while the active cases have declined to 14,021, the ministry data updated at 8 am stated. India saw a single-day rise of 625 fresh Covid-19 cases, the lowest since April 9, 2020, while no death was reported in a span of 24 hours in first such instance since March 2020, the Union health ministry said on Tuesday. The country's infection tally has climbed to 4,46,62,141, while the active cases have declined to 14,021, the ministry data updated at 8 am stated.