Val Chmerkovskiy has COVID-19, will miss next week's Dancing with the Stars

₹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.

It was a match made in heaven for a pair of keyworkers who tied the knot after winning their £10,000 dream wedding thanks to their hard work during the pandemic.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Government has taken steps to release 74 bowsers of kerosene on Wednesday (23) to meet the fuel needs of the fishing community.Presidential Director General for Community Affairs Keerthi Tennakoon was quoted by the President's Media Division as saying that 49 private sector filling stations, 18 cooperative filling stations and 7 other filling stations will continue to distribute kerosene to fishermen.The Provincial Chief Secretaries and Governors were entrusted the task of distributing fuel to the fishing community from Tuesday (22).

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.

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.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka's Central Bank Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe said that the Central Bank cannot make popular decisions, and making popular decisions is the job of the government."When you listen the budget debate these days, there are a lot of allegations on the Central Bank saying that CBSL contracted the economy and this model is not sustainable, and as a result the people are suffering," he said while speaking at the 40th Annual General Meeting of the Sri Lankan Apparel Exporters Association in Colombo on Tuesday (22).He said as the Governor of the Central Bank he is the person who is in charge of the monetary policy, and would not like to creep into or encroach someone else's authority in terms of the fiscal policy.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Venerable Galwewa Siridhamma Thero was remanded to the 6th of December by the Kaduwela Magistrate's Court on Wednesday (23).Earlier in the day, the Thero was granted bail by the Fort Magistrate's Court and was later produced to the Kaduwela Magistrate's Court for a separate case, where he was returned to remand custody.Granted Bail in the Morning:Venerable Galwewa Siridhamma Thero, the converner of the Inter-University Bhikku Federation was released on bail on Wednesday (23).The Venerable Thero was detained for 89-days under the Prevention of Terrorism Act and was thereafter remanded along with the Convener of the Inter-University Student's Federation Wasantha Mudalige.Venerable Galwewa Siridhamma Thero was released on two personal bails of Rs. 500,000/- each.Bail was granted by Colombo Additional Magistrate T.

A Lanarkshire teacher has been left unable to read books after a crippling long COVID battle.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka is among the seven countries with a high risk of a currency crisis, warned Nomura Holdings, Japan’s top brokerage and investment bank.The other countries are  Egypt, Romania, Turkey, the Czech Republic, Pakistan, and Hungary.According to Reuters, the Japanese bank said that 22 of the 32 countries covered by its in-house "Damocles" warning system have seen their risk rise since its last update since May, with the largest increases in the Czech Republic and Brazil.It meant the sum of the scores generated on all 32 by the model had increased sharply to 2,234 from 1,744 since May."This is the highest total score since July 1999 and not too far from the peak of 2,692 during the height of the Asian crisis," Nomura economists said, calling it "an ominous warning sign of the growing broad-based risk in EM currencies".The model crunches 8 key indicators on a country's FX reserves, exchange rate, financial health and interest rates to give an overall score.Based on data from 61 different EM currency crises since 1996, Nomura estimates that a score above 100 indicates a 64% chance of a currency crisis in the following 12 months.Egypt, which has already devalued its currency heavily twice this year and sought an International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme, now generates the worst score at 165.Romania is next on 145 having been propping up its currency with interventions.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe told Parliament on Wednesday (23) that he would not dissolve the house until stability returns to the country and vowed not to allow another Aragalaya to change the country's government. He said he would deploy the military and use emergency powers if necessary.The President accused the Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) and its leader Kumar Gunaratnam of being responsible for the attempt to capture parliament on the 13th of July 2022.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka Navy held a lorry transporting over 24kg of Kerala Cannabis and apprehended 02 suspects, during a search operation carried out in Nachchikuda, Mannar yesterday (22).The coordinated search operation was mounted by SLNS Buwaneka in the North Central Naval Command with the assistance of Illuppukadawai Police in the Nachchikuda area yesterday (22) morning. The search led to the interception of a suspicious lorry at the Wellankulam roadblock and the recovery of 12 packages containing about 24kg and 200g of Kerala Cannabis from the lorry. Accordingly, the lorry, the consignment of Kerala Cannabis and 02 suspects in connection to the incident were held.The gross street value of the stock of Kerala Cannabis held in this operation is believed to be over Rs.7 Million.The suspects were identified as residents of Vavuniya, aged 37 and 45. The accused together with Kerala cannabis and the lorry were handed over to the Illuppukadawai Police for onward legal action

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Today’s exchange rates from the Central Bank of Sri Lanka:USD Buy 360.9919 Sell 371.8325GBP Buy 425.8233 Sell 442.3703EUR Buy 367.9610 Sell 383.3119JPY Buy 2.5285 Sell 2.6343AUD Buy 236.7264 Sell 248.0444

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Ministry of Education says that a report has been called for on several incidents where it was reported that school teachers had reported to school in attire, which is not the Saree or Osariya.A senior official said that to protect the dignity of the teaching profession, they are investigating why teachers decided to deviate from the practice followed for decades.The principals of the respective schools and regional education directors were instructed to provide an immediate report on the matterHe said that every teacher has a responsibility to protect the dignity of the role of a teacher, especially in the presence of the students.The Education Ministry had noted that teachers are not permitted to enter schools in the attire that they prefer.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Health Entomologists Association says that the number of dengue patients across 20 MOH divisions is considerably high.The Chairman of the Health Entomologists Association Najith Sumanasena said that several MOH divisions in the Western Province are considered dengue high-risk areas.He requested the general public to ensure to keep their surroundings clean to prevent the spread of dengue in those identified MOH divisions.Over 55,500 dengue cases have been reported in the country so far this year, twice the number reported in 2021.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Former Leader of the Ceylon Workers' Congress (CWC) Muthu Sivalingam has passed away.Sources said that he passed away at the age of 79 on Wednesday (23)He was a Member of Parliament for the Nuwara Eliya District.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The committee stage debate of the 2023 Appropriation Bill is scheduled to be held from November 23rd to December 8th, and the voting will be held on December 8th at 7.00 pm.The Parliament is scheduled to convene today (23) at 9.30 am presided over by Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana.The Budget 2023 Second reading was passed in Parliament on Tuesday (22):-Votes in Favor: 121-Votes Against: 84-Abstentions: 1

Ice Cube confirmed he missed out on a $9 million acting role after he refused to get the vaccination shot for COVID-19.The 53-year-old rapper-actor, appearing on the podcast Million Dollaz Worth of Game Monday, said, 'I turned down a movie because I didn’t want to get the motherf***ing jab.'He continued: 'I didn’t want get the jab - f*** that jab; f*** y'all for trying to make me get it. I don’t know how Hollywood feels about me right now.' The latest: Ice Cube, 53, confirmed he missed out on a $9 million acting role after he refused to get the vaccination shot for COVID-19The comments came more than a year after reports in October of 2021 that he had been passed over for a role in the Sony comedy Oh Hell No as producers wanted all cast vaccinated for the shoot.The entertainer, whose real name is O'Shea Jackson, said he 'turned down $9 million' in not getting vaccinated to appear in the film, which is slated to star Jack Black and be directed by Kitao Sakurai.

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 Kankasanturai to Trincomalee via Mullaitivu and from Colombo to Hambantota via Galle and Matara will be fairly rough at times. 

₹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.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka's Former Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal said that Former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa simply let things happen during his tenure as the Head of State.Speaking to News 1st's 10 Questions program the Former Head of the Central Bank said he too believed that the Former President should have conducted himself differently, and that could have changed the fate of the country."An unexpected person is now the President.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Offshore Patrol Vessel P 627 the most recent addition to the Sri Lanka Navy fleet acquired from the United States (U.S.) Coast Guard was commissioned as Vijayabahu under the patronage of President Ranil Wickremesinghe on Tuesday (22) at the Colombo Port. The Vessel P 627 began her home-bound journey from the Port of Seattle on the 03rd September 2022 and arrived in Colombo on November 02 after about 10656 nautical miles (19734 km) of the sea passage.The President as the Chief Guest was accorded a Guard of Honour by the Sri Lanka Navy. The President boarded the SLNS Vijayabahu Vessel accompanied by Navy Commander Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenna and unveiled the ship's name board.Following a tour onboard the President unveiled the plaque and a memento was presented to the President by the Navy Commander. P 627, the second ‘Hamilton Class High Endurance Cutter’, received by SL Navy, measures 115m in length and is capable of reaching a maximum speed of 29 knots with 14000 nautical miles of endurance at cruising speed. Further, she has been designed for 187 crew members and is equipped with modern weapons and machinery that suit SL Navy’s operational requirements. During her stint with the U.S.

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.

Corrie star Kym Marsh has had to pull out of Strictly Come Dancing this weekend after testing positive for Covid.

The second reading of the 2023 Budget was passed in Parliament on Tuesday (22) by a slim majority of 37 votes.Votes in Favor: 121Votes Against: 84Abstentions: 1The debate on the second reading of the Appropriation Bill began on November 15th, and the voting for the second reading took place on Tuesday (22) evening.The debate on the committee stage of the Appropriation Bill is scheduled to be held from November 23rd to December 8th, and the voting will be held on December 8th at 7.00 pm.Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said that all Sri Lanka Freedom Party MPs who are connected to the government decided to vote in favour of the second reading of the budget today (22).Meanwhile, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya, the Sri Lanka Freedom Party, the People's Freedom Congress, and the National People's Power have decided to vote against it.The Tamil National Alliance decided not to take part in the voting process for the Second Reading of the 2023 Appropriation Bill.

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 Kankasanturai to Trincomalee via Mullaitivu and from Colombo to Hambantota via Galle and Matara will be fairly rough at times. 

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Sri Lankan government has decided to release 50 fuel bowsers daily to meet the kerosene needs of the fishing community.Last week, the Petroleum Corporation had approved the release of 357 kerosene bowsers to meet the fishing community's needs. However, the fuel stations had only obtained 206 bowsers (58%).

People are being warned that a "highly contagious" respiratory virus could be on the rise during the winter.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Two more men arrested for their alleged link to the sex trafficking ring in Oman were remanded to the 1st of December 2023.The suspects were produced to the Colombo Chief Magistrate Nandana Amarasinghe by the Criminal Investigations Department on Tuesday (22).One suspect was arrested by the CID in Kurunegala, while the other was arrested in Colombo.Sri Lanka's Criminal Investigations Department arrested a woman with links to the sex trafficking ring in Oman, after she surrendered to the CID on Monday (21) morning. She was later released on two personal bails of Rs.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Indictments were served on Former Media Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, Former Operations Director of the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation Chandrapala Liyanage, and Former Chairman Wimal Rupasinghe at the Colombo High Court on Tuesday (22).The case was filed against them for using Rs. 990,000/- in funds owned by the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation during the run-up to the 2015 Presidential Election, and purchasing 600 GI pipes for various other uses.After the indictments were served, the three defendants were released on a cash bail of Rs.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Cabinet has granted approval to amend the Local Authorities Elections Ordinance to increase youth representation at Local Government Institutions.Acting Cabinet Spokesperson Shantha Bandara told reporters that Colombo District MP Premanath C.

The Scottish Parliament's COVID-19 Recovery Committee will meet with employees and service users of two Lanarkshire employment support organisations next week.

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.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka's Minister of Labour and Foreign Employment  Manusha Nanayakkara in Parliament informed today (22) that the law will be strictly enforced against those involved in trafficking women to Oman, where they are auctioned and sold to the highest bidder.Minister Manusha Nanayakkara revealed to the parliament that as per the data available with the Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Bureau there are 12 Sri Lankan women at the Safe-House in Oman operated by the Sri Lankan Embassy who had registered themselves with the SLFEB, and another 65 who had used visit visa to travel to Oman citing other reasons to Sri Lankan authorities.He added that 70 Sri Lankan women registered with the Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Bureau, and 7 Sri Lankan women have used visit visa and are currently held in Dubai.The Minister went on to note that Sri Lankans who registered with the Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Bureau and face issues overseas can be brought back to the country without any issue, however, there is growing concern over the rise in numbers using visit visa for employment purposes.He added that legal action was instituted on over 100 incidents of abuse, and multiple suspects were arrested based on the investigations.He revealed to the house that only 40 Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Bureau personnel are assigned to meet the needs of all countries, however, Cabinet has approved to recruit of another 50 personnel.Minister Manusha Nanayakkara individual at the Sri Lankan Embassy in Oman who is accused of committing sexual abuse towards Sri Lankan women over there has been interdicted and will be brought back to the country where he will be arrested on arrival, and will be investigated. 

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka's Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the proposal to introduce a new Police Ordinance based on the new social norms and trends.According to the Cabinet Memorandum produced to the Minister of Public Security, the existing Police Ordinance No.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Consumers across the country have pointed out that there is a shortage of cooking gas in the local market, adding that most sellers do not have sufficient stocks of LP Gas.Litro Chairman Muditha Peiris speaking to News 1st said that most distributors are not delivering cooking gas cylinders to traders on credit, and they are currently engaged in cash-only business.Therefore, he added that many small-time traders are finding it difficult to procure gas.However, as a solution the distributors have been instructed to deliver gas to small-time traders on loan facilities, said the Litro Chairman.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – An Italian man and a Sri Lankan who were arrested over a foreign employment racket were remanded to the 5th of December.Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) arrested four people including an Italian from a hotel in Badulla for conducting interviews for employment opportunities in Romania, violating Sri Lankan laws.The two other Sri Lankans were released on personal bail of Rs. 500,000/- each.The Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment said that the men had published ads on Facebook for employment opportunities in Romania and conducted interviews, without any approval from the SLBFE.Around 30 people responded to the online ad and were presented for interviews in Baduall when the arrests were made.It was also reported that candidates were being charged around Rs.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Today’s exchange rates from the Central Bank of Sri Lanka:USD Buy 360.9919 Sell 371.8325GBP Buy 425.4912 Sell 442.0244EUR Buy 369.3487 Sell 384.6493JPY Buy 2.5529 Sell 2.6615AUD Buy 237.8336 Sell 249.1314

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Colombo North Crimes Division arrested a man from Dehiwala for the possession of 78,700 narcotic pills.The arrest was made following raids in Mutuwal and Kalubowila.Sri Lanka Police said that the suspect had illegally imported the drugs by and air and sea routes.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) says that raids will be conducted across the island from Wednesday (23) to identify traders selling food at high prices and unfit for consumption.The raids are to take place targeting the upcoming holiday season.The CAA also said that they will file lawsuits against traders selling food at high prices and unfit for consumption.The raids will continue until January 15th.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Minister of Health Keheliya Rambukwella says that the Treasury will provide Rs. 2 Billion to purchase essential medicines.The Minister said that the government is to make payments to the tune of Rs.

A Scots teacher has been left unable to read books after a crippling long covid battle. Melanie More, 28, struggles with a variety of cognitive and physical issues - leaving her 90 per cent housebound.

A Scots bride has opened up about how she managed to pull of her dream Disney wedding in just six months - despite Covid nearly ruining everything.

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 vote on the second reading of the budget will be held today (22).The Parliament is scheduled to meet today at 9.30 am and the sessions will be presided over by Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena.Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said that all Sri Lanka Freedom Party MPs who are connected to the government have decided to vote in favour of the second reading of the budget today (22).Meanwhile, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya, the Sri Lanka Freedom Party, the People's Freedom Congress, and the National People's Power have decided to vote against it.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Sri Lanka Freedom Party, and the Samagi Jana Balavegaya led alliance have decided to vote against the Second Reading of the 2023 Budget on Tuesday (22) in Parliament.The Central Committee of the SLFP met on Monday (21) and unanimously decided to vote against the Budget at the second reading vote.At the same time, the SJB Working Committee also met separately on Monday (21) and unanimously decided to vote against the Budget at the second reading vote.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) approved power cuts of 2 hours from 22nd – 25th November as follows;Groups ABCDEFGHIJKLPQRSTUVW: 1hour power cut during daytime 1hour power cut during the night

James Martin sparked concerns about his health after sharing a cryptic post on Instagram today.The 50-year-old chef uploaded a picture of his dog Ralph followed by an MRI suite as he told fans he may need an operation as well. Alongside the two snaps, the chef wrote: "Seems as if we are both getting old fella!"Dropped hi off for an op this morning, now it seems I need one."(sic)Following fans' concerns, he has since issued an update in view of his 701,000 followers.He wrote: "Thank you for all your messages, very kind. Ralph is ok and out and on the mend cheers.Vanessa Feltz issues urgent plea as daughter rushed to hospital"Me on the other hand, well we will see."Express.co.uk has contacted a representative for James for comment. Ahead of the update, many of his fans rushed to the comments section to send their well wishes.Callsopp52 wrote: "Hope it’s nothing serious for either of you James."Sharon Vale commented: "Wishing Ralph a speedy recovery.

Val Chmerkovskiy revealed this Friday that he has tested positive for COVID-19 and will have to miss the Halloween episode of Dancing With The Stars.The 36-year-old heartthrob made the announcement in a shirtless Instagram video, saying that while 'I feel fine' he regrets having 'let some people down.'He shared that in his absence, his celebrity dance partner Gabby Windey of Bachelor Nation fame will be temporarily teamed up with pro Alan Bersten. Whoops: Val Chmerkovskiy revealed this Friday that he has tested positive for COVID-19 and will have to miss the Halloween episode of Dancing With The StarsVal said his diagnosis 'sucks majorly, for lack of a better, more profound word, but the good thing is that Gabby tested negative so we’re still in it.'On an optimistic note he pointed out that 'we have some awesome pros on the show, one of them being Alan, who’s gonna step in, learn the routine and partner Gabby this Monday.