News

The system failure at the Immigration and Emigration Department has been restored.

Passport services will re-commence as usual from Wednesday (9), said Immigration and Emigration spokesperson Piyumi Bandara.

The Department of Immigration and Emigration earlier announced that there is a delay in issuing passports on Tuesday (8) due to a system issue.

Immigration and Emigration spokesperson Piyumi Bandara told News 1st that the department has suspended accepting applications for passports, adding that the system is being restored.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe met the United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, upon his arrival in Egypt, Cairo today.

The President briefed the Secretary-General on the Government’s plans on the National Environmental Policy.

The Secretary General recalled memories of his first visit to Sri Lanka in 1978.

President Wickremesinghe left the island this morning (06) for Egypt to attend the UN Climate Change Conference COP 27.

He was accompanied by Minister of Environment, Mr. Naseer Ahamed, Senior Advisor to the President on Climate Change Mr. Ruwan Wijewardene, President’s International Affairs Director Dinouk Colombage and President’s Private Secretary Sandra Perera. (PMD)

Minister of Public Security Tiran Alles undertook an official visit to Singapore at the invitation of Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Law of Singapore K Shanmugam from October 25-29.

The delegation participated in a briefing session, arranged by the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) on Singapore’s legal frameworks in maintaining public order and combating drugs.

Minister Shanmugam who joined the briefing provided an overview of the legal frameworks and the amendments introduced in recent years in both these areas. The two sides also had useful exchanges on lessons learnt in the operational aspects of the related legislation and amendments in a separate session which was joined by Minister of State for Home Affairs Sun Xueling and senior officials from the Singapore side.

The Minister’s programme in Singapore also included an interaction with the officials of the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) during which a briefing was provided on the transformation and digitalisation plans of ICA documentation and included a tour of the Identity Authentication and Documents Analysis (IADA) Lab.

The two sides exchanged views on current measures being adopted at immigration checkpoints in Singapore and the process that was undertaken during the establishment of the ICA in 2003 to merge the Singapore Immigration & Registration (SIR) and the checkpoint operations of the Customs & Excise Department (CED to meet emerging security challenges.

The Singapore Police Force officials provided a detailed overview of criminal investigation, intelligence, and operational aspects of their work including on the special operations command. A visit to Changi Airport was also conducted where a briefing was provided on Singapore’s latest border security measures.

Minister Shanmugam hosted Minister Alles and delegation to lunch at the conclusion of the visit where matters of mutual interest were discussed.

The delegation accompanying the Minister included the Controller General of Immigration and Emigration, senior officials from the Sri Lanka Police and Special Task Force and the High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to Singapore.

Sri Lanka Cricket says it was notified by the ICC that player Danushka Gunathilaka has been arrested on the allegations of sexual assault of a woman in Sydney.

In a statement, SLC said Gunathilaka is due to appear in court tomorrow (07).

SLC added that it will closely monitor the proceedings in court and, in consultation with the ICC, will expeditiously initiate a thorough inquiry into the matter and take stern action against the player if found guilty.

The batter was arrested in the early hours of Sunday morning from the team hotel in Sydney's central business district after a police investigation into reports that a 29-year-old women had been sexually assaulted at a residence in Rose Bay earlier in the week.

Gunathilaka was ruled out of the T20 World Cup during the first round with a hamstring injury.

He was replaced in the squad but remained with the team in Australia.

Actor-politician Jeevan Kumaratunga and his wife Sherin have been questioned in connection with their links with Thilini Priyamali who is in remand custody over massive financial fraud.

The CID obtained their statements on November 05.

Also, actress and businesswoman Sangeetha Weeraratne gave a statement to the CID during a seven-hour-long interrogation yesterday (07).

All three were questioned over their business and other dealings with Priyamali, including her funding of the film ‘Jeeva’ directed by Kumaratunga.

Social media has posted photographs taken at film festivals and other functions that show them together with the accused.

They were also interrogated about an actor and actress who are reportedly evading the CID after having invested millions of rupees in Priyamali’s businesses.

Earlier, actress Semini Iddamalgoda gave a four-hour long statement in connection with the case.

An Extraordinary Gazette has been issued declaring the appointment of a 5 member National Delimitation Committee on Demarcation of Wards for Local Authorities.

The Gazette has been issued by Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena under Sub-section (1) of section 3A of the Local Authorities Elections Ordinance.

The Committee is chaired by former election chief Mahinda Deshapriya and includes Jayalath R. V. Dissanayake, W. M. M. R. Adikari, K. Thavalingam and I. A. Hameed.

They have been appointed with effect from 01st of November 2022 up to 28th of February 2023.

Batter Danushka Gunathilaka has been imposed with a national and international ban with immediate effect by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) over sexual assault allegations in Sydney.

Confirming the ban to ‘The Leader’, SLC president Shammi Silva said Gunathilaka’s cricketing future will be decided on the basis of an Australian court decision. Silva said SLC has intervened in the legal process and a ruling is expected. Gunathilaka faces sexual assault charges by a 29-year-old woman in Sydney's eastern suburbs.

He was arrested and charged with four counts of sexual intercourse without consent.

The Sri Lankan cricketer, aged 31 years, had met the woman victim via a dating app.

Following several days of communicating online, the pair had agreed to meet in person at the Opera Bar in Sydney, after which they proceeded to the victim’s residence located in Rose Bay.

Gunathilaka had allegedly refused to use protection and choked the victim prior to sexual intercourse.

Former SLC chief legal officer Chanaka Senanayake said a bail application was dismissed in court yesterday due to it being a Sunday.

Gunathilaka’s legal representative Ananda Amaranath is confident Gunathilaka will be bailed out at a second hearing this morning.

Janaki Siriwardana, a Sri Lankan corporate personality, has been arrested in connection to the financial fraud linked to businesswoman Thilini Priyamali.

The Police said Janaki Siriwardana was arrested by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) today (04).

According to the Sunday Observer, Janaki Siriwardana was working in the Colombo Fort Krish Project at the time of her involvement with Thilini Priyamali.

She is accused of introducing a businessman to Thilini Priyamali, who is accused of defrauding over Rs. 226 million from the businessman.

Police investigations have revealed that Priyamali had allegedly defrauded Rs. 1.28 billion from several businessmen, politicians, and civil, religious, and political leaders.

Her business partner Isuru Bandara, and Sri Lankan monk Ven. Borelle Sirisumana Thero have been arrested in connection to the financial misappropriation.

Thilini Priyamali, Isusru Bandara, and Ven. Borelle Sirisumana Thero have been remanded till the 16th of November 2022.

Weekly Fuel quota of 5 liters for 3-Wheelers on The National Fuel Pass will be increased to 10 liters per week from tonight, Minister Kanchana Wijesekara said today.

The Minister further said that the quota increase will be applied for full time 3-Wheeler taxis in the Western Province, registered online with Provincial Transport Authority & Police department.

The present dress code for school teachers will not be changed under any circumstances, Education Minister Susil Premajayantha announced on Friday (04).

Speaking at an event at a school in Kotahena today, the minister said that the dress code for male and female teachers and the uniforms of children will not be changed even if requests are made by certain parties.

The Minister said this was due to the responsibility to protect the culture of the country.

His comments come after Ceylon Teachers’ Union General Secretary Joseph Stalin had proposed to allow school teachers to be clad conveniently when attending duty instead of sticking to traditional saree only.

Litron Gas on Sunday (6) announced the revised prices for LP Gas.

12.5 kg gas cylinder has been increased by from Rs. 4,280/- to Rs. 4,360/-.

5 kg gas cyclinder has been increased from Rs. 1,720 to Rs. 1,750/-.

2.3 kg gas cyclinder has been increased from Rs. 800/- to Rs. 815/-.

Sri Lanka’s first monkeypox patient was confirmed yesterday (03).

He is a 20-year-old, who returned from Dubai on November 01.

A day after arrival, he was referred to the national sexually transmitted disease clinic with fever and skin blisters.

Samples taken from him tested positive for the monkeypox virus at the Medical Research Institute.

The patient is presently receiving treatment at the IDH.

Head of molecular biology at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura Dr. Chandima Jeewandara said Sri Lanka has the laboratory facilities to carry out tests for monkeypox.

Symptoms of monkeypox

According to the WHO, Monkeypox can cause a range of signs and symptoms.

While some people have less severe symptoms, others may develop more serious illness and need care in a health facility.

Those typically at higher risk include people who are pregnant, children and persons that are immunocompromised.

The most common symptoms of monkeypox identified during the 2022 outbreak include fever, headache, muscle aches, back pain, low energy and swollen lymph nodes, followed or accompanied by the development of a rash which may last for two to three weeks.

The rash can affect the face, palms of the hands, soles of the feet, groin, genital and/or anal regions.

It may also be found in the mouth, throat, anus or vagina, or on the eyes.

The number of sores can range from one to several thousand.

Sores on the skin begin flat, then fill with liquid before they crust over, dry up and fall off, with a fresh layer of skin forming underneath.

There are ongoing studies to keep track of and better understand symptoms during this new outbreak, including what parts of the body can be affected and how long symptoms may last.

Anyone who has symptoms that could be monkeypox or who has been in contact with someone who has monkeypox should call or visit a health care provider and seek their advice.

Symptoms usually go away on their own or with supportive care, such as medication for pain or fever.

People remain infectious until all of the sores have crusted over, the scabs have fallen off and a new layer of skin has formed underneath.

Three vaccines to treat monkeypox

There are three vaccines against monkeypox.

Although supplies are currently limited, get vaccinated if it is offered to you as they provide a valuable level of protection against the disease.

After you have been vaccinated, continue to take care to avoid catching and spreading monkeypox; this is because it takes several weeks to develop immunity after being vaccinated, and because we don’t yet know to what extent the vaccines protect you and if they stop you from infecting others as efficacy data in this outbreak setting is needed.

Some countries are recommending vaccination for persons at risk.

Many years of research have led to development of newer and safer vaccines for an eradicated disease called smallpox, which may also be useful for monkeypox.

Two of these (MVA-BN and LC16) have been approved for prevention of monkeypox.

Only people who are at risk (for example someone who has been a close contact of someone who has monkeypox) should be considered for vaccination.

Mass vaccination is not recommended at this time.

While the smallpox vaccine was shown to be protective against monkeypox in the past, current data on the effectiveness of newer smallpox/monkeypox vaccines in the prevention of monkeypox in clinical practice and in field settings are limited.

Studying the use of vaccines for monkeypox wherever they are used will allow for rapid generation of additional information on the effectiveness of these vaccines in different settings.