The Local Government Election will be held on the 9th of March 2023

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka's Central Bank Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe is hopeful that assurances from creditors can be obtained within the 1st quarter of the year.Speaking at the Monetary Policy Review No. 01 of 2023, the governor said that he is hopeful that the International Monetary Fund would be able to receive necessary financing assurances from all the creditors in a very short period."India has clearly given the financial assurances which are acceptable to the International Monetary Fund.

Delilah Hamlin gave her fans an update on her ongoing health issues in an Instagram post published Tuesday.'I haven't really spoken on my health lately & if you're new here you're probably confused but for the past few years I've been struggling with autoimmune/ chronic illness issues that I've been silently battling and overcoming,' penned the model-turned-singer, 22.She included a photo of herself with an IV inserted into her arm courtesy of Dripp IV Therapy, which offers drips for immunity support and overall hydration. Update: Delilah Hamlin gave her fans an update on her ongoing health issues in an Instagram post published Tuesday; seen in 2022 She continued, 'It's definitely been tough mentally alongside physically.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The National Election Commission in a letter to the Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka has inquired over the possibility of making available the facilities required for the upcoming election.The letters inquired the Central Banks' position to provide US dollars for the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation and the Ceylon Electricity Board to supply electricity and fuel for the election.At the recent meeting with the National Election Commission, the CPC and the CEB had pointed out that they are short of US Dollars to ensure a continuous supply of electricity.They had requested the National Election Commission to inquire from the Central Bank of Sri Lanka on supporting them to avert a dollar crisis.

A cancer patient told how her life was “ruined” afer she was denied cancer treatment because of the Covid lockdown. Fiona Weir, 44, was concerned about the changing shape and colour of a mole but she was unable to see a doctor face to face during lockdown.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Former Sri Lankan Minister A. H.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – SJB Candidate for the post of Mayor of Colombo Mujibur Rahuman filed a petition with the Supreme Court seeking a ruling that the circular issued by Home Affairs Secretary Neil Bandara Hapuhinna on suspending the acceptance of bonds, had violated his Fundamental 35 factions including the Secretary to the Cabinet, the Secretary of the Ministry of Provincial Councils and Local Government Neil Bandara Hapuhinna, the Cabinet of Minister, the Attorney General and the Chairman of the Election Commission have been named as respondents. The petition notes that the circular issued by Home Affairs Secretary Neil Bandara Hapuhinna while an election had been called for violated the Fundamental Rights of all the citizens.He also sought compensation of Rs.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Fifteen organizations representing the professionals in the public sector have warned that if the government does not withdraw its unjust tax regime, strict action will be taken following pay day, which is tomorrow (25).These professional bodies have already declared a Black Protest Week against the tax regime they term as unjust.The Collective of Professionals' Trade Unions represented by multiple organizations including the Government Medical Officers' Association, Federation of University Teachers' Association, Ceylon Electricity Board Engineers Union, and the Ceylon Bank Employees Union convened a media briefing in Colombo.The Sri Lankan government has already decided to impose a tax regime of 6% to 36% on monthly earnings over Rs.

Over 200 schools will receive funding from Australia via the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) to build entrepreneurial school gardens in the North, Central and Uva Provinces to support nutritional security among children.The entrepreneurial school gardens programme, implemented as part of a project funded by the Australian government totalling over USD 2.3 million, is aimed at improving the food and nutritional security of groups most affected by the ongoing economic crisis, particularly women and children.The programme features a discovery-based learning approach for over 100,000 secondary school students from grades 8 – 12, where they will be educated on the capacity to transform their school gardens into sources of nutritious produce that will facilitate diverse and healthy eating habits and encourage students to apply entrepreneurial thinking into agriculture. 505 school teachers from the three provinces were also trained on the discovery-based learning methodology as part of the programme to improve skills in food security, nutrition, agriculture and entrepreneurship.The Agriculture club in each school will be empowered to operate as a core programme partner that will oversee the coordination and navigation of the programme alongside school officials.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka's Cabinet Spokesperson announced that the daily power outages will be limited to two-hours.Speaking at the media briefing to elaborate on cabinet decisions Minister Bandula Gunawardena noted that the two-hour power outage will only take place after 4 PM during the period of the G. C. E.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The National Election Commission has addressed a letter to the Finance Ministry requesting a clarification on whether funds can be provided for the local government election.The Chairman of the National Election Commission in the letter had sought a clarification from the Treasury Secretary.The cost for the Local Government Election is estimated at Rs. 10 Billion.The National Election Commission said that the Treasury Secretary is expected to provide a detailed response on whether the funds will be made available.Dr.

WASHINGTON (AP) - U.S. health officials want to make COVID-19 vaccinations more like the annual flu shot.The Food and Drug Administration on Monday proposed a simplified approach for future vaccination efforts, allowing most adults and children to get a once-a-year shot to protect against the mutating virus.This means Americans would no longer have to keep track of how many shots they’ve received or how many months it’s been since their last booster.The proposal comes as boosters have become a hard sell.

clinician, has long been a powerful tool “for unpacking and making sense of our thoughts and feelings,” says , a licensed marriage and family therapist in New York. Sometimes it can feel like the latest in mental health treatment is overwhelmingly tech-heavy or experimental—hello, and and post-traumatic stress disorder—but the recent rise in interest surrounding writing therapy feels refreshingly grounded and old school. “There are numerous studies linking journaling about our thoughts and feelings to a decrease in symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress,” says , a licensed marriage and family therapist in California.

People in one travel hotspot of Spain are being asked to wear face masks to help reduce the spread of new Covid-19 variants.

COLOMBO (News 1st) –  Although the government assured that there will be no power cuts during the period of the G. C. E.

Holidaymakers who plan to go abroad this year will need to keep up to date about the rules and laws for the destination that they will be visiting.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lankan professionals continue to oppose the governments' unjust tax regime and the failure to address the medicine shortage that is crippling the health sector by the day.The Government Medical Officers' Association decided to declare the period from today to the 27th as a black protest week against the conduct of the government, and this effort is supported by multiple other trade unions.At the same time, the GMOA warned that it would file an official complaint with the World Health Organization over the government's lethargic approach to solve the medicine shortage in the country.Minor staff across hospitals in Sri Lanka went on strike on Monday (23) against the governments' arbitrary tax regime, and the failure to address the medicine shortage.The minor staff attached to the Kalubowila Teaching Hospital supported the strike.They stepped away from their duties, and protested opposite the hospital premises demanding a solution to the issues.Similar scenes were witnessed at the Ragama Teaching Hospital, and the Kurunegala General Hospital. 

New Delhi: India reported 94 new covid cases and two deaths in the last 24 hours, the union health ministry data on Monday showed New Delhi: India reported 94 new covid cases and two deaths in the last 24 hours, the union health ministry data on Monday showed. While active cases have declined to 1,934, the country’s total covid cases have reached 4.47 crore so far. The overall death toll stood at 5,30,735 since the onset of covid pandemic.

New York analyzes wastewater for flu, RSV and polio, in addition to Covid-19 When the virologist Kirsten St.

LOVE Island's Faye Winer has sparked worry among her loyal fans after admitting her health has taken a "battering." The former estate agent, 27, took to her Instagram page to decompress as she opened up on her state of mind as break-up rumours surround her and Teddy, 26. It came after her Love Island partner Teddy broke down in tears on his own Instagram account. Faye explained her social media absence as she told her followers: "Sorry for the deafening silence but it was needed.

Abbie Quinnen, 25, has bravely opened up about her “never-ending” health woes in an interview with Express.co.uk and other outlets.The star, who was previously in a relationship with Strictly Come Dancing star AJ Pritchard, 28, described how she might have to undergo another operation for her burns as she spoke to press on the red carpet of Cirque Du Soleil’s newest European Premiere at the Royal Albert Hall.Asked about her recovery following the horror burn incident nearly two years ago, she said: “It’s hard. It’s still an ongoing thing and it’s kind of never-ending at the moment.

Here's all you need to know about India's first of its kind Covid vaccine: The iNCOVACC is a recombinant replication-deficient adenovirus vectored vaccine with a pre-fusion stabilized spike protein. This vaccine candidate was evaluated in phase I, II and III clinical trials with successful results. The vaccine was developed in partnership with Washington University, St.

China said on Saturday that the Covid outbreak has infected 80 per cent of its population The possibility of a big COVID-19 rebound in China over the next two or three months is remote as 80% of people have been infected, a prominent government scientist said on Saturday. The mass movement of people during the ongoing Lunar New Year holiday period may spread the pandemic, boosting infections in some areas, but a second COVID wave is unlikely in the near term, Wu Zunyou, chief epidemiologist at the China Center for Disease Control and Prevention, said on the Weibo social media platform.

Colombo (News 1st) – Acceptance of nominations for the Local Government Election ended at 12 noon today(21).Commissioner General of Election Saman Sri Ratnayake said one and a half hours will be given to raise objections regarding the nominations.Thereafter, the District Election Officers will announce the accepted and rejected nomination papers.The election date of the 2023 Local Government Election will be announced thereafter.Several recognized political parties and independent groups submitted nominations to contest the upcoming election.

Express.co.uk about how new year's resolutions push people to pursue “unachievable” goals through “wellness fads”.Lisa explained: “I want to speak out about wellness fads because, in most cases, they are adopted as part of a January ‘new year, new me’ resolution.“Most people set these extreme resolutions, which have good intentions, but are more often than not unachievable and therefore nobody can stick to them.”In a bid to help people understand the inefficacy of some wellness fads, Lisa has partnered with gut health supplement Symprove to design three spoof health fads - The Bowel Counsellor, The Anal Crystal and ‘Bougie Poo-fumée’ candles.The fake methods aim to highlight just how ludicrous some “wellness fads” can be and why it is important to look after your gut and keep a healthy balanced lifestyle.Lisa elaborated: “This is why I wanted to work with Symprove again as they have such a great way of talking openly about our tummies, guts and bowel movements.“In our partnership, we wanted to spoof some of the funny and more extreme wellness fads that are out there to show that you don't have to go to extreme lengths to look after your gut.”The former Strictly Come Dancing star went on: “Although I personally love crystals, candles and counselling - it’s obvious that counselling for your bowel doesn’t exist, poo candles are simply just hilarious and putting crystals in any body orifice is definitely not recommended.“Symprove and I created these health fads to prove that nobody needs to go that far.“Instead, I believe that making smaller, more realistic changes to your daily routine, can have a bigger impact on your general wellbeing.”Elsewhere in the interview, Lisa opened up about her own gut health and how exercise

A new Covid strain has been identified by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) as a likely contender to become the most dominant across the UK.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka Police on Friday (20) prevented a protest march organized by the University Teachers.The Federation of University Teachers' Associations organized this protest march against the government's new income tax regime that imposes a tax between 6% to 36% for anyone with a monthly income of over Rs. 100,000/-.  The protest march commenced from opposite the University of Colombo.However, when they reached the Nelum Pokuna Theatre Sri Lanka Police prevented them from marching forward by blocking the road.As Sri Lanka Police continued to obstruct the protest march, the FUTA members boarded several buses and reached the Finance Ministry.The Federation of University Teachers Associations then joined with the protest that was organized by the Professionals Trade Union Collective opposite the Finance Ministry.The Federation of University Teachers Associations, Government Medical Officers' Association, Ceylon Bank Employees Union, CEB Engineers Union and several other professional bodies joined the protest.Vehicular movement along Lotus Road in Colombo came to a standstill due to the protest.

People in West Lothian who have given up smoking in recent years are being encouraged by a health charity to share their experiences about how they have successfully managed to quit.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Treasury Secretary Mahinda Siriwardena had informed the Supreme Court via an affidavit on Thursday (19) that sourcing funds for the election has become a challenge.He had directed an affidavit to the Supreme Court in relation to the writ application filed by Retired Sri Lanka Army Colonel W. M.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – India’s Minister of External Affairs Dr S. Jaishankar met with Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe on Friday (20) morning where both sides had agreed to implement a joint program between Sri Lanka and India.President Ranil Wickremesinghe welcomed the Indian External Affairs Minister at the President's Office where the duo engaged in cordial discussions.Prior to the official meeting, President Wickremesinghe hosted the visiting Indian External Affairs Minister Dr Jaishankar for breakfast and tea at his official residence at Paget Road, Colombo.During the official meeting held between the President and Indian Foreign Minister Dr S.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The bilateral agreement related to raising the limit of the High Impact Community Development Project (HICDP) implemented in Sri Lanka with the support of the Government of India was signed during the meeting between Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. Jaishankar and Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe in Colombo on Friday (20).The Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, Mahinda Siriwardena, signed the agreement on behalf of Sri Lanka and the Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Gopal Baglay signed on behalf of India.This agreement guides many community development projects in Sri Lanka with the support of the Government of India.This agreement related to community development projects in Sri Lanka was signed in May 2005.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Samagi Jana Balavegaya Parliamentarian Mujibur Rahuman has decided to resign from Parliament.Making a shock announcement in Parliament, the Parliamentarian said he will be contesting for the post of Mayor at the Colombo Muncipal Council at the upcoming Local Government Election.In his comments to the house he urged the government to refrain from making any attempt to delay the Local Government Election.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – India's External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar said that the full implementation of the 13th Amendment and early conduct of provincial elections are critical for political devolution.He was speaking in Colombo on Friday (20) alongside Foreign Minister Ali Sabry, and with President Ranil Wickremesinghe present at the President's Office."He President briefed me on the political devolution and his thinking.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The National Election Commission said that the passage of the Regulation of Election Expenditure Bill will not be an obstacle to hold the Local Government Election.Commissioner General of Election Saman Sri Ratnayake speaking to News 1st said that following the passage of the bill, the necessary measures for election campaign financing need to be prepared.The Regulation of Election Expenditure Bill was passed in Parliament on Thursday (19) with amendments with a majority of 61 votes.The bill received 97 votes favour and 36 against.

Nick Carter's benefit concert in memory of his estranged late brother Aaron Carter raised $150k for a children's mental health charity.Songs For Tomorrow - which Nick, 42, and N*Sync's Lance Bass, 43, headlined at West Hollywood's Heart on Wednesday - raised money for On Our Sleeves: The Movement for Children’s Mental Health.Former child star Aaron was found dead in his bathtub at his Lancaster, California home on November 5 at age 34. His fiancee Melanie Martin and mother Jane have recently claimed he died from an overdose and did not drown in his bath as previously suspected.

Olympic cyclist Dame Laura Kenny, 30, opened up to Express.co.uk about how she will be taking a different approach to her son’s health after becoming concerned in a new exclusive interview.The athlete, who tragically suffered through a harrowing ectopic pregnancy last year, recently shared the happy news that she is expecting a second child with husband Sir Jason Kenny.Speaking in a wider interview about eating healthy with the #TwoBeforeTenChallenge from the Dried Fruit Alliance, Dame Laura described how she was shocked to find her five-year-old son Albie wasn’t getting the nutrition he needs.The sportstar explained how she became “worried” once she realised that Albie wasn’t getting his five fruits and vegetables a day due to her own preference for “bland food”.She spoke about how people probably “find it surprising” that, as an athlete, she wasn’t getting her own five a day in. “It’s not really,” she mused.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Regulation of Election Expenditure Bill passed in parliament by majority vote.Votes in favor: 97 Votes against: 36During the debate on the bill on Thursday (19) the government refused to accept an amendment put forward by the opposition seeking for the bill not to be applied for an election that has already been announced.Sri Lanka's opposition parties termed the tabling of the bill as another attempt to delay the Local Government Election.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Armed police officers deployed to provide security to the members of the election commission who received threats, said Police Spokesperson SSP Nihal Thalduwa on Thursday (26).Nominations for the Local Government Election are being accepted and a Police investigation is also underway over an incident where two of the five members of the National Election Commission had received death threats.Former Senior DIG K. P. P.

MICHAEL Flatley has assured fans that he’s on the mend after treatment for cancer. The superhoofer posted a picture to say he had been released from the hospital. It had not been known where the Chicago-born dancer was being treated after it was confirmed he was undergoing cancer treatment last week.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe said that the time is now for reconciliation and solve the issues of all communities one by one.He was speaking at the 100th anniversary of the All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama in Colombo on Thursday (19).The President said the government already started discussions with the Tamil community, and will also be talking with the Tamil communities in the Hill Country in order to integrate them into society."We must have a discussion with the Muslim community on the problems you face. What are the issues you face now? I think one example is the 2018 Dhigana riots.

 

COLOMBO (News 1st) – US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie J.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) said that Sri Lanka must fully compensate victims of the Easter Sunday 2019 terrorist attacks.Sri Lanka's Supreme Court on Thursday (12) found Former President Maithripala Sirisena, his Defence Secretary, the Police Chief during his time, as well as the then Chief of National Intelligence, and Director of State Intelligence guilty of violating fundamental rights.11 Fundamental Rights petitions were filed with the Supreme Court, claiming that the Sri Lankan administration failed to prevent the 2019 Easter Sunday Attacks, despite having information about an imminent attack.More than 270 people were killed in the series of explosions at churches and hotels across the island nation. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights urged Sri Lanka to provide full reparations to the victims, including to establish the truth and to ensure justice. “Whilst no amount of compensation can ever erase the suffering and pain of the victims and families, this judgment marks a step in the victims’ struggle for recognition of the harm suffered and their rights to truth, justice and reparation,” said Spokesperson Jeremy Laurence, according to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.“In its judgment, the Court expressed ‘shock and dismay’ at the lack of ‘oversight and inaction’ by the security and intelligence officials – ruling that the former President and his top security officials had failed to prevent the attacks, despite detailed intelligence suggesting such attacks were imminent,” said Laurence. The UN human rights office called on the Sri Lankan Government to ensure that victims receive

A special party leaders meeting was held in parliament including the President. The Opposition Leader and  Anura Kumara Dissanayake boycotted.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – India has told the International Monetary Fund that it confirms its strong support for Sri Lanka's prospective EFF-supported program.According to a letter seen by News 1st from Indian authorities to IMF Chief Kristalina Georgieva, India had noted it will commit to supporting Sri Lanka with financing/ debt relief consistent with restoring Sri Lanka's public debt sustainability under the IMF -supported program and ensuring that the program is fully financed as projected by IMF staff."In this context, we commit to continuing negotiations with the Sri Lankan government along with the Paris Club on a medium-to-long term debt treatment through maturity extension and interest rate reduction or any other financial operations that would deliver similar financing/ debt relief," noted the letter.According to this letter seen by News 1st, India says that the financing/ debt relief provided by Export-Import Bank of India will be consistent with restoring debt sustainability under the IMF-supported program."We look forward to continuing cordial and in-depth discussions with the Sri Lankan authorities, IMF and the Paris Club with a view to finalizing the specifics of this financingj debt relief in the coming weeks," the letter added. However, it had noted that the Sri Lankan authorities are expected to seek equitable debt treatments from all commercial creditors and other official bilateral creditors, as well as adequate financing contributions from the multilateral development banks. Sri Lanka requires the backing of China and India – its biggest bilateral lenders – to reach a final agreement with the IMF on the $2.9 billion loan that is essential to help the country emerge from its worst financial crisis in seven

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Election monitoring organizations have expressed concern over the proposed law titled “Regulation of Election Expenditure Bill” has been listed for its Second Reading in Parliament. Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL), People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL), the Centre for Monitoring Election Violence (CMEV) and Institute for Democratic Reforms and Electoral Studies (IRES) have for several years been campaigning for the enactment of a strong law to regulate the role of money in election campaigns.  The collective further reiterates that the introduction of a campaign financing law should in no instance be used as a reason to delay the holding of the local government elections.Statement from Transparency International Sri Lanka: The collective of election monitoring organisations emphasizes that a law that seeks to regulate election campaign financing should prevent undue influence of donors over candidates, parties and independent groups, create a level playing field for all candidates including new entrants and underrepresented groups and reduce excessive and illegal spending on elections including by means such as the misuse of public funds and vote-buying.

NEW DELHI : Nestle India on Wednesday announced the launch of ThickenUp Clear, a food and beverage thickener that can be used to help patients with swallowing difficulties especially in oropharyngeal dysphagia. The launch is part of Nestlé India’s Health Sciences division that sells health-focussed and nutrition products.  “Nestlé India has launched ThickenUp Clear, a food and beverage thickener that can be used to help patients with swallowing difficulties especially in oropharyngeal dysphagia.

Pawar emphasized on the need for strengthening and empowering communities to become resilient to future health emergencies New Delhi: Pandemic policy must be a defining part of our health policy as any health crisis today leads to an economic crisis, minister of state for health and family welfare Bharati Pravin Pawar said on Wednesday. Addressing the first Health Working Group meeting under G20 India Presidency at Thiruvananthapuram, Pawar noted that pandemic prevention, preparedness and response require diverse multi-sectoral, multi-agency coordinated efforts. She emphasized on the need for strengthening and empowering communities to become resilient to future health emergencies.

Fans of James Martin's Saturday Morning were left in tears as James Martin told chef Brian Turner he loves him after he gave an update on his health.