Department: Latest News

The ranks of American workers are thinning—often because people aged out of the workforce, or never entered it. Their absence could impede the economy’s ability to grow, and make for a less prosperous future. “Your call is very important to us—please stay on the line." Some customer service agents have moved on to more lucrative pastures during the pandemic, but a lot of America’s “missing workers" might never be coming back.

COLOMBO (News 1st); In a note to the Cabinet, President Ranil Wickremesinghe, in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, had stated that the Government revenue at present is far below the monthly expenditure for the month of January 2023.The President's Media Division, and Cabinet Spokesperson Minister Bandula Gunawardena confirmed that the President had instructed on further curtailing government expenses.The President had noted that the Treasury finds it challenging to meet all expenditures at this moment, except for payments for salaries, pensions, welfare, pharmaceuticals and debt servicing.Therefore, President Wickremesinghe had pointed out that the Government expenditure will have to be curtailed further / postponed until planned revenue to be raised on the recent tax revisions is realized, reported the President's Media Division.He had noted that the Treasury will formulate a priority criterion for this purpose.Furthermore, the President had pointed out that public officers should refrain from obtaining goods/services on credit basis, and any officer who violates this will be held personally responsible for such expenditure, said the PMD."The President informed the Cabinet of Ministers that the revenue for January collected from the Inland Revenue Department, Sri Lanka Customs and the Excise Department was Rs. 158.7 Billion.

The latest and final series of Happy Valley has left viewers on the edge of their seats as it returns after years off the air.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – 12,000 affidavits signed seeking the release of Wasantha Mudalige, the convener of the Inter-University Student's Federation who remains in remand custody under the Prevention of Terrorism Act, were handed over to the Attorney General on Monday (30).Student activists from the Inter-University Student's Federation along with activists from Mass Organizations visited the Attorney General's Department on Monday (30) morning to hand over 12,000 affidavits that were signed seeking the release of Wasantha MudaligeThese 12,000 affidavits claim that the signees were also engaged in the public protests that took place since March 2022 to bring about change by ending a corrupt and inefficient governance that burdened the people with a failed economy.The signees also claim they were involved in the protests that took place on the 9th of July 2022.They also note that the Inter-University Student's Federation was just one organization among many that took part in those protests, and that Wasantha Mudalige is just one student leader who took part in the demonstrations.These 12,000 affidavits claim that they too should be treated in the same manner as Wasantha Mudalige.The group attempted to hand over these affidavits from the back entrance to the Attorney General's Department, however, those attempts were futile.Thereafter, two representatives were allowed to enter the Attorney General's Department and the affidavits were taken inside the using a Police Jeep."If Wasantha Mudalige is a terrorist for his involvement in the Aragalaya, then the millions who joined the protests are also terrorists.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The National Election Commission said that it cannot be satisfied with the status of investigations taking place with regard to the death threats made to three members of the NEC.A senior official at the National Election Commission speaking to News 1st said that various factions are continuing to make undue influence on the NEC in order to delay the Local Government Elections.He added that certain state officials, attached to several State Institutions that should be involved in ensuring a Free & Fair election takes place, are neglecting their duties.The Senior Official said that those who appointed the state officials who are neglecting their duties must be held accountable for the dereliction of duty.The Chairman of the National Election Commission, Attorney Nimal Punshihewa has requested the President to intervene over the death threats made to the members of the National Election Commission.The NEC Chairman in a letter to the President requested that an environment favourable to conduct a free and fair election be created.News 1st also inquired from the Criminal Investigations Department on the progress made with regard to the investigations on the death threats made to members of the National Election Commission.A Senior Official at the CID said that investigations revealed that the threatening phone calls were made from Dubai.He said that a telecommunication analysis reports has been called for from the service providers.

COLOMBO (News 1st) : The National Election Commission on Monday (30) said that there is no requirement for the members of the NEC to sign the relevant gazette notification to commence the Local Government Election process.National Election Commission Chairman Attorney Nimal Punchihewa speaking to News 1st said that the District Returning Officers would be issuing a necessary gazette notification.The National Election Commission said the relevant gazette will be sent for printing on Monday (30) or Tuesday (31).The Gazette notice with the signatures of the Chairman and other members of the Election Commission required for the commencement of the Local Government Election process had not yet been sent to the Government Press for printing, said the Government Information Department on Sunday (29).

Colombo (News 1st) – The Presidential Secretariat says President Ranil Wickremesinghe has not yet accepted the resignation letter sent by P.S.M. Charles, as a member of the Election Commission.When inquired by News 1st, a senior official at the Presidential Secretariat confirmed the matter.Recent media reports stated that P.S.M.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The U.S. Department of State released a statement mentioning that the Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland will travel to Sri Lanka between the 28th of January and the 3rd of February, 2023.Under Secretary Nuland will travel to Nepal, India, Sri Lanka, and Qatar as well starting today (28).Her visit is said to mark the 75th anniversary of U.S.-Sri Lanka relations, according to the U.S.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Keselwatte Police on Tuesday (24) withdrew a B report that it filed with the court regarding a group of lawyers who protested opposite the Hultsdorf Magistrate's Court on the 18th of January 2023.Lawyers protested on that day against the conduct of the Attorney General's Department and the undue influence on Colombo Additional Magistrate Tharanga' Mahawatte.Sri Lanka Police filed the B report with the court, and Colombo Chief Magistrate Prasanna Alwis upon considering the report ordered Sri Lanka Police to inquire into the matter, and produce a report.However, when the complaint was called up on Tuesday (24) the Keselwatte Police requested permission from the court to withdraw the B report without taking further action on the matter.Colombo Chief Magistrate Prasanna Alwis granted permission to the request and concluded the matter.On Monday (23), IGP C. D.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Department of Prisons said that three prison inmates will be sitting for the 2022 G. C. E.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The visiting high level delegation of China’s Communist Party (CPC) led by Vice Minister Chen Zhou told Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena that Sri Lanka would have “some good news soon” with regard to debt restructuring.The visiting high level delegation of China’s Communist Party (CPC) led by Vice Minister Chen Zhou, Head of the CPC International Department assured Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena that China would stand by Sri Lanka in the current economic crisis.He told the Prime Minister that Sri Lanka is a very special friend of China and they are considering how China could assist Sri Lanka to get over the current crisis.Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena had noted that Sri Lanka was looking forward to China’s support in restructuring its debt at the moment and further strengthening its economy in the near future.The Prime Minister's Media Division said that Vice Minister Chen Zhou had assured China’s assistance to Sri Lanka’s debt restructuring.Vice Minister Zhou had noted that Several Ministries and financial institutes of China are working closely on this issue for quite a long period, and he is confident that Sri Lanka will have good news very soon.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka's Cabinet of Ministers have decided to slash 6% of the recurrent expenditure from the government expenditure estimations approved for the year 2023.It was decided to suspend 5% of the recurrent expenditure in the government expenditure estimations for the year 2023 at the meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers held on 09.01.2023 so that sufficient financial provisions can be ensured for the control of government expenditure within the existing limited financial space as well as the finances for essential and priority activities. The Department of Government Information said that the Cabinet of Ministers decided to with hold 6% from the recurrent provisions in approved government expenditure estimations instead of 5% from the recurrent expenditure.It was also decided to allocate a portion equal to 1% of the aforementioned amount to the Ministry of Health as additional provisions to purchase essential pharmaceutical drugs.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka's Cabinet of Ministers has granted approval to pay the salaries of non-executive state sector employees on time and to delay the salaries of executive-grade staff by a few days, considering the current financial situation of the government.The Department of Government Information in a statement said that the 2023 revenue proposals have been implemented, and because revenue generation would take some time, the government has decided to manage its expenses from January 2023.And thus, the cabinet has approved to delay the salaries of executive-grade staff by a few days.

The Sri Lankan government should immediately end the arbitrary detention of Wasantha Mudalige, a student activist who was arrested on August 18, 2022, seven human rights organizations said on Monday (16).This statement was issued by Amnesty International, Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA), CIVICUS, Frontline Defenders, Human Rights Watch, International Working Group on Sri Lanka, and Sri Lanka Campaign for Peace and Justice.Since August 21, Mudalige, 29, has been held on orders signed by President Ranil Wickremesinghe under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), a draconian law that the government has long promised to repeal, said a statement.A hearing on Mudalige’s bail application has been scheduled for Hulftsdorp Magistrates Court on January 17, 2023. Under the PTA, the court does not usually grant bail if the Attorney General's Department, acting on the government’s behalf, opposes it.The Sri Lankan government detained Mudalige as part of its crackdown since an economic crisis in 2022 sparked largely peaceful protests demanding governance reform and action against alleged official corruption.

COLOMBO (News 1st) –  A high-level delegation of the Communist Party of China (CPC), led by International Department Vice Minister Chen Zhou called on Former Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa in Colombo on Sunday (15).Former Minister Pavithra Vanniarachchi, MP Namal Rajapaksa, State Minister Tharaka Balasuriya, and SLPP General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam attended the meeting as well.A high-level delegation of the Communist Party of China (CPC), led by International Department Vice Minister Chen Zhou landed at the Bandranaike International Airport, on Saturday (Jan.

Colombo (News 1st) – The Ceylon Electricty Board says that a special discussion will be held on Monday (16) regarding the continuous supply of electricity for the GCE Advanced Level Examinations. The General Manager of the Board Rohan Senaviratne says that a request has been made by the Department of Education to provide a continuous supply of electricty before the exams, as per the exam schedule. Accordingly he says that a final decision will be reached after the meeting on Monday. Advice from the PUCSL will also be obtained in this regard.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka Police interdicted Moneragala SSP Sisila Kumara who was arrested for the possession of cannabis.Sri Lanka Police said that Moneragala SSP Sisila Kumara was interdicted with the approval of the National Police Commission.Recently, the Police Special Task Force recovered 20.5 kilograms of cannabis hidden inside the ceiling of the SSP's official residence.The SPP, his driver, and four others were arrested by the Police Special Task Force following the incident.In addition, the Criminal Investigations Department arrested the OIC of Ethimale for providing the Moneragala SSP with the cannabis that was seized.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Sri Lankan Government is preparing to celebrate the 75th National Independence Day at a cost of Rs. 200 Million.Ashoka Priyantham, the State Minister of Home Affairs said an estimate was given for Rs.

Imperial researchers have developed a low-cost, easy-to-manufacture stabiliser for broken bones to help in regions where such devices are expensive or in short supply and people sometimes resort to homemade options.The stabiliser, known as an external fixator, holds broken bones in place with metal pins or screws attached to a surrounding metal frame.When soft tissue is severely damaged together with bone, external fixators are the first step in keeping fractures in legs and arms in place before an operation to definitively fix the bones can be carried out.However, their cost and low availability in many regions mean people resort to homemade or low-quality fixators that may lead to serious complications or improper healing.The Imperial external fixator is currently being tested in Gaza and Sri Lanka, and since the invasion of Ukraine, more than 500 fixators have been manufactured in Poland to help with the crisis.This fixator, details of which are published in Frontiers in Medical Technology, is low-cost and has a lightweight design that can be manufactured locally to international standards. The team developed the design and a toolkit to allow repeated precise manufacture of the fixator anywhere in the world, including in the least developed countries.In Sri Lanka, it is being tested for road traffic accidents, which account for around 70 percent of fractures in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka's Cabinet of Ministers decided to intruct the Minister of Power and Energy to introduce a price formula for electricity tariff, similar to the fuel price formula.The Government Information Department in a statement said that the Cabinet of Ministers considered the proposal submitted by the President in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Economic Stability and National Policies and the Minister of Power and Energy regarding the revision of electricity tariffs. It was further observed by the Cabinet that the Treasury is not able to provide the necessary funds for the Sri Lanka Electricity Board within the existing financial space and therefore there is no other option but to revise the existing electricity tariffs to ensure a continuous electricity supply in the country while minimizing the impact on electricity consumers as much as possible. Accordingly, approval was given to proceed as follows:– The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka will further study the proposed revision of electricity charges submitted by the Electricity Board and if any revision is required, to submit the same on or before 15.02.2023.– Until then, the Ceylon Electricity Board and the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka will jointly take necessary measures to implement the electricity tariff revision proposed by the Ceylon Electricity Board with effect from 01.01.2023 as an interim measure in accordance with the amendments to the Public Policy Guidelines currently in force regarding the Power Industry– If the Sri Lanka Public Utilities Commission submits any amendments, the Ceylon Electricity Board will take steps to implement those amendments and make the necessary adjustments to future monthly

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Senior Superintendent of Police for Moneragala was arrested on Monday (9) morning for the possession of a large number of cannabis plants.He was arrested by the Police Special Task Force.Police Spokesperson SSP Nihal Thalduwa told News 1st that the SSP was in possession of 350 cannabis plants.Detectives from the Criminal Investigations Department will be conducting an inquiry, said the Police Spokesperson.

 

Colombo (News 1st) – The National Audit Office says it will initiate an investigation regarding vehicles used by state institutions including Ministries and Departments.Auditor Generaln W. P.

NHS Lanarkshire chiefs have issued a plea to the public asking them to help staff alleviate pressures on the health service.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Criminal Investigations Department on Thursday (29) arrested the Former Chairman of the Student Union of the University of Peradeniya Anuradha Vidanage.Sri Lanka Police said that he was arrested over the incident where the Former Vice Chancellor of the University of Peradeniya, and his son were assaulted by a group.The arrest was made opposite the Kandy Court Complex on Thursday (29) evening.The current Chairman of the Student Union of the University of Peradeniya Chamid Sathsara said that the Former Chairman was arrested while returning from a legal matter in court.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Monetary Board of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka has decided to cancel the Finance Business Licence issued to Swarnamahal Financial Services PLC (SFSP).This is in terms of Section 37 (3) of the Finance Business Act, No. 42 of 2011 (FBA) with effect from 28th December 2022. Accordingly, warnamahal Financial Services PLC (SFSP) is not permitted to engage in Finance Business under the FBA with effect from 28th December 2022. Further, the Director of the Department of Supervision of Non- Bank Financial Institutions of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka has decided to cancel the Certificate of Registration of SFSP as a Registered Finance Leasing Establishment under the provisions of the Finance Leasing Act, No.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka's Criminal Investigations Department has commenced a study on the nine criminals who were arrested from the special camp for Sri Lankan Tamil refugees at Tamil Nadu’s Tiruchirappalli.The CID said that following the evaluation a decision will be taken on the suspects that need to be repatriated to Sri Lanka for prosecution.The Criminal Investigations Department said that reports on these criminals have been called for from all the police stations, and a CID team is expected to leave for India soon for investigations. The Indian National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested nine Sri Lankans from the special camp for Sri Lankan Tamil refugees at Tamil Nadu’s Tiruchirappalli over their alleged involvement in drugs and arms smuggling to revive the LTTE.The agency said that two of the arrested men were in regular touch with a Pakistan-based drug runner, Haji Salim, who often travelled between Dubai, Pakistan and Iran. These men and Salim were working to revive the LTTE in Sri Lanka and India, the NIA said.The arrested men have been identified as:C.

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.

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.

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.

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) – 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.

HONOLULU – The Hawai‘i Department of Health encourages people to celebrate the holidays safely by taking simple steps to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses.“The past few years COVID-19 illness increased during the holidays after people got together to celebrate,” said State Health Director Dr. Elizabeth Char, FACEP.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – It's been five days since businessman Dinesh Schaffter was murdered in the populated city of Colombo, and the murder remains a mystery.Detectives from the Criminal Investigations Department recorded statements from eight people on Monday (19), and among them is the wife of the late Dinesh Schaffter, Tani Schaffter.The CID also said that detectives recorded a statement from Executive Office Krish Perera, who had visited the Public Cemetery in Borella based on the information provided by Mrs Schaffter."Around-the-clock investigations are taking place on several leads. We have not identified a definite suspect.

Colombo (New 1st): The Criminal Investigation Department says statements were recorded from around 20 people regarding the murder of respected Colombo-based businessman Dinesh Schaffter.Police said statements were also recorded from former cricket commentator Brian Thomas, while his mobile phone was seized.Colombo Additional Magistrate Harshana Kekunawela on Friday (16) imposed an overseas travel ban on Thomas over the murder of Dinesh Schaffter.Dinesh Schaffter was a Managing Director of a leading financial institution in the country, and a Director of a leading Insurance Company in Sri Lanka.Dinesh Schaffter had left his residence on Thursday (15) afternoon and had told his family that he was heading to Borella to meet Brian Thomas.Schaffter was found strangled in his car at the Borella Public Cemetery on Thursday (15) afternoon.He died on Thursday (15) night after being admitted to the Intensive Care Unit of the National Hospital in critical condition.The Criminal Investigations Department, the Colombo Crimes Division, and two other Police teams are investigating the murder.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Gross Domestic Product for Sri Lanka for the third quarter of year 2022 at current price reported as Rs. 6,417,031 million.The Gross Domestic Product for Sri Lanka for the third quarter of year 2022 at constant price (2015) reported as Rs.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Businesswoman Thilini Priyamali who was arrested and remanded for alleged financial fraud was granted bail by Fort Magistrate Thilina Gamage on Friday (16).Thilini Priyamali was released on a cash bail of Rs. 15,000/- and two personal bails of Rs.

Flights between the Jaffna International Airport and Chennai, India resumed on Monday (12).A flight arrived reached Palaly from Chennai at 10.50am while a flight departed from Palaly heading to Chennai at 11.50am. The Civil Aviation Authority says, weekly, four flights will operate from Chennai to Palaly.Flights between Palaly and Chennai were temporarily suspended due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Department of Meteorology says that the Severe Cyclonic storm “Mandous” lay centred over Southwest Bay of Bengal (250km northeast of Trincomalee) near latitude 10.4N and longitude 82.6E at 08.30 p.m yesterday (8). It is very likely to move west-northwestwards and cross North Tamil-Nadu, Puducherry and South Andhra Pradesh coast around mid-night of 09th December.Maximum wind speeds will be (70-90) kmph and can increase up to 100 kmph in sea areas between (06N – 15N, and 80E – 88E).Heavy showers or thundershowers and very rough to high seas can be expected in the aforementioned sea areas.There is a possibility that near-shore sea areas off the coast extending from Kankasanturai to Trincomalee via Mullaitivu may experience surges due to swell waves of (about 2.5 m – 3.5 m) height (This is not for the land area).Southern sea areas bounded by (02N – 06N, 80E – 88E) will be very rough at times and wind speeds will be (40-50) kmph and can increase up to 70 kmph in the Southern sea areas. The cyclonic storm “Mandous” over Southwest Bay of Bengal (300km northeast of Trincomalee) is located near latitude 9.5N and longitude 83.8E at 08.30 a.m. today (9). It is very likely to move west-northwestwards and cross North Tamil-Nadu, Puducherry and South Andhra Pradesh coast over the Southwest Bay of Bengal around midnight of 09th December.Cloudy skies will prevail over most parts of the Island.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Department of Meteorology says that the depression located over Southeast Bay of Bengal (320km north-east of Trincomalee) is likely to move west-northwestwards, intensify further gradually into a Cyclonic Storm around today (7) evening. The system is likely to approach the coast of North Tamil-Nadu, Puducherry and South Andhra Pradesh over the Southwest Bay of Bengal tomorrow (8).Cloudy skies will prevail over most parts of the Island.  Showers will occur at times in the Northern and North-central provinces and Trincomalee districts. Fairly heavy rainfall above 75 mm can be expected at some places in the Northern province and Trincomalee district.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Department of Meteorology says that several spells of showers will occur in Northern, Eastern and North-Central provinces.Showers or thundershowers will occur elsewhere during the afternoon or night.Fairly heavy showers above 75mm are likely at some places in Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Kandy, Nuwara-Eliya, Galle and Matara districts.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 off the coast extending from Batticaloa to Pottuvil. Showers or thundershowers will occur in the other sea areas around the island during the afternoon or night.Winds:Winds will be north-easterly and speed will be (25-35) kmph.State of Sea:The sea areas around the island will be slight to moderate.Temporarily strong gusty winds and very rough seas can be expected during thundershowers.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Parliamentarian & Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka told Parliament on Friday (2) that the project to dig trenches as a solution to the Human-Elephant Conflict is a failure.Sarath Fonseka said that a ruling party MP from Ampara had proposed for trenches to be dug as a solution to the human-elephant conflict.Fonseka said warned that digging up a trench that is 10 feet wide and 10 feet deep would pose a direct threat to the river systems in the country.He added that even though the Department of Wildlife Conservation had not approved the project on technicalities, a 55-kilometer-long trench has been dug up, and the allegation is that the project is being used to illegally remove soil and sand.His comments were met with strong opposition from the ruling party in the house.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Department of Meteorology says that showers or thundershowers will occur in Northern and Eastern provinces and in the Hambanthota district.Showers or thundershowers will occur elsewhere during the afternoon or night.Fairly heavy showers above 75mm are likely at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa and Central provinces and in Galle and Matara districts.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 at times in the sea areas off the coast extending from Puttalam to Pottuvil via Kankasanturai, Trincomalee and Batticaloa. Showers or thundershowers will occur in the other sea areas during the afternoon or night.Winds:Winds will be north-easterly and wind speed will be (20-30) kmph.State of Sea:The sea areas around the island will be slight.Temporarily strong gusty winds and very rough seas can be expected during thundershowers.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Department of Meteorology says that showers and thundershowers may occur over the island from tomorrow (2).Meteorology says that there is a high possibility for afternoon thundershowers over the island and morning showers over the Northern and Eastern provinces from tomorrow (2).A few showers will occur in Northern and Eastern provinces.Showers or thundershowers may occur at a few places in Sabaragamuwa province and Galle and Matara districts during the afternoon or night.The misty condition can be expected in Western, Sabaragamuwa and Uva provinces and Galle and Matara districts during the morning.Condition of Rain:Showers may occur at a few places in the sea areas over the island during the evening or night.Winds:Winds will be north-easterly or variable in direction and wind speed will be (20-30) kmph. State of Sea:The sea areas around the island will be slight. 

COLOMBO (News 1st) – A group of officials from the Criminal Investigation Department and the Foreign Employment Bureau have been deployed to the United Arab Emirates.The Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment said steps are being taken to repatriate 77 people residing in the UAE and Oman on tourist visas.The Bureau said an internal investigation was also launched regarding former Secretary to the Sri Lankan Embassy in Oman E. Kushan, who is facing charges over sexual harassment of a woman in Oman.He was remanded till the 13th of December 2022 after he was arrested by the CID on Tuesday.An internal investigation was launched against E.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The train schedule will be revised from the 5th of December, in stages.The General Manager of Railways Gamini Seneviratne says that the Kelani Valley railway line's schedule will be revised from the 5th of next month. He further said that the changes of other routes will be informed in due course as well. At the same time, he says that the train operations will have a change of 5 to 10 minutes.Meanwhile, a spokesperson of the Railway Department said that due to the shortage of employees, there are obstacles to the continuation of the railway service.He further said that NO action has been taken so far to fill the existing 8000-employee vacancies. Sri Lanka Railways said that it has sought permission from the Public Services Commission to meet the staff requirements, however, no permission has been granted yet.Due to this matter, it has become a problem to summon retired personnel back to work.