6.1 magnitude earthquake shakes Afghanistan – More than 250 killed
An earthquake in Afghanistan this morning (22) has caused great loss of life and property, according to foreign reports. The quake, which measured 6.1 on the Richter scale, killed at least 250 people and injured more than 150, according to media reports. The epicentre was reported 40 kilometres south of Khost, Afghanistan, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS). Strong earthquake shakes remote areas of southeastern Afghanistan and neighbouring Pakistan The death toll could rise further, according to media reports. Al Jazeera’s al-Latifi reported from Kabul that authorities had destroyed at least 100 homes.Authorities have requested that helicopters be brought to aid agencies. But it is a remote area and difficult to reach, ”he said. The epicentre was reported below the Pacific Ocean floor, however; no tsunami alert was issued. The Pakistan Meteorological Department said the quake-affected Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces.
Special permission for public servants to go abroad for employment in this country without any problem
The Ministry of Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils and Local Government has issued a special circular regarding the departure of public servants of 05 years. Such departure will not result in pay on time but will not harm seniority and pension. Public Officers can obtain unpaid foreign leave subject to a maximum of 05 years, subject to local and foreign payments. The relevant circular is below:
The Rice mill owners’ press conference on the issue of rice prices turned into a conflict today.
The mill owners’ press conference on the issue of rice prices turned into a conflict today. During a media briefing held at the Jaic Hilton Hall in Colombo, a heated situation arose between Mithrapala Lankeshwara, the owner of New Ratna Rice, the owner of the paddy mill, and Dudley Sirisena, the owner of Araliya Rice. Dudley Sirisena says that rice will be sold at the government-controlled price for the next three months and that the government should take over Rice mills which do not sell rice at the controlled price. He said the government should raid the mills that do not sell rice at the controlled price and take over the stocks of paddy. New Ratna rice owner Mithrapala Lankeshwara addressed the media when he said that rice could not be given at the controlled price Dudley Sirisena disrupted the rally in front of all media cameras, saying, “We have to give the people a low price, You to stand up.”
US files lawsuit against Sri Lanka over $ 1 billion debt – Bloomberg
The bondholder has filed a lawsuit in the United States alleging that Sri Lanka failed to pay $ 1 billion in sovereign bonds. According to the Bloomberg website, the lawsuit was filed in Manhattan District Court by Hamilton Reserve Bank Ltd, which owns more than $ 250 million worth of bonds. The case has been filed seeking an order to pay the dues and interest in full. Meanwhile, minister Manusha Nanayakkara says, “Everyone says that workers are living hard these days. This is one hundred per cent true story. Food prices have gone up. The oil is hard to beat. Therefore, we have held discussions to increase the minimum wage of private-sector employees. Accordingly, we will impose a fixed minimum wage in the future and increase the minimum wage of private-sector employees to a tangible level. There are also demands from estate workers to increase their wages. Negotiations should be held in this regard and a wage increase felt by the estate workers should also be given. The Ministry stands for that. We are committed to protecting them. “
The Fuel crisis in Sri Lanka – Fuel price will be increased again -Prime Minister
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe says that there is a risk of fuel prices rising again in the world market. the Due to that, the foreign currency should be allocated to purchase fuel at such a high price, he said. He added that the situation was related to the supply of gas and fuel due to the current war situation between Russia and Ukraine. He made these remarks in a special statement in Parliament today. Meanwhile, Four persons have been admitted to Kalpitiya and Puttalam hospitals with serious cuts due to a collision at a fuel queue. Kalpitiya Police stated that the crash took place at the Ettala petrol station in Kalpitiya. Two persons with serious head injuries have been admitted to the Puttalam Hospital while the other two are receiving treatment at the Kalpitiya Hospital. Two people have been arrested in connection with the incident.
Dhammika Perera has been sworn in as a Member of Parliament
Dhammika Perera has been sworn in as a Member of Parliament for the National List of the Sri Lanka People’s Front. The swearing-in took place before the Speaker a short while ago. He is also scheduled to be sworn in as a Minister. All five fundamental rights petitions filed in the Supreme Court saying Dhammika Perera’s swearing-in as a Member of Parliament is unconstitutional to have been rejected. Businessman Dhammika Perera had informed the Supreme Court yesterday that he would not be sworn in as a Member of Parliament or a Minister until a decision is taken on the petitions filed against him.
A protesters raid around the Sri Lanka’s Prime Ministers’ house
The house of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe in Colombo 7 has been surrounded by a group of protesters. The raid was carried out by former MP Hirunika Premachandra along with a group of Samagi Vanitha Balawegaya. They are protesting, demanding the resignation of the Prime Minister. Police security has been called to the spot and a tense situation has arisen.
Islamic fundamentalists attack Yoga Day in the Maldives, calling yoga is a sin
The eighth International Yoga Day is celebrated around the world yesterday. The Maldives’ Mal Galolu National Football Stadium has reported a disturbance during a yoga program. A group of Islamic fundamentalists stormed the stadium and sabotaged the event. During the program, more than 100 people rushed to the stadium carrying flags and chased away the crowd. Meanwhile, posters, banners and billboards related to yoga erected in the stadium were smashed by radicals. They also attacked those who were videotaping the incident. The fundamentalists also held placards and several posters The slogan was written against the yoga system – ‘Yoga is Shirk’, that is, ‘Yoga is a sin in Islam’. President Ibrahim Mohammed Soli has ordered an inquiry into the matter. Six persons have been arrested so far in connection with the incident. The event was organized by the Indian Cultural Center in the Maldives, Was attended by several high-ranking diplomats and government officials. Fundamentalists attacked as soon as the program began on Tuesday morning. There have been reports of threats to stop the program.
Sri Lanka beat Australia in the fourth ODI, Breaking a record of 30 years
Sri Lanka beat Australia in the fourth ODI yesterday (21) between Sri Lanka and Australia. Batting first, Sri Lanka was bowled out for 258 in 49 overs. In reply, the Australian team was close to the target but could not pass in the final over. Dhananjaya de Silva (110) and David Warner (99) were the top scorers for Sri Lanka. Cinema, Cummins and Marsh took two wickets apiece for Australia. Chamika Karunaratne, Dhananjaya de Silva and Wandase took 2 wickets each for Sri Lanka. There was uncertainty as to who would win until the last minute of today’s shoulder-to-shoulder match. Because of taking the catch when they have to get 6 for the final ball in the end Sri Lanka won the match. With this victory, Sri Lanka won three matches in the five-match series, breaking a record of more than 30 years.
Royal Park Murder Case Surfaced Again- Family had bribed cores of money, Relationship with Rathana Thero?
In the last week leading up to the resignation of former President Maithripala Sirisena, the Royal Park assassin Jude Samantha, who was pardoned and released by the President, has caused a great deal of controversy. 19-year-old Swedish-Sri Lankan girl Juan Johnson’s head was hit by a wall until her skull broke and then she was pushed downstairs and killed. He was sentenced to death for the murder after the investigation of a talented CID officerShani Abeysekera.Jude had an affair with Caroline, the sister of the deceased girl, and her sister, Yvonne, was killed on suspicion that she tried to end their affair. After the release of Jude Samantha, a member of the upper class, Maithripala’s Presidential Media Unit explained that although Jude Shreemantha Jayamaha was 19 years old at the time, he was now a prisoner with a future who had even completed his doctorate and was considering pardoning his death sentence. Religious leaders including Athuraliye Rathana Thero, former Supreme Court judges, lawyers, civil society activists, and youth organizations submitted written requests and recommendations to the President to sympathise and give a presidential pardon. Don Shramantha Jude Anthony Jayamaha, 34, who was sentenced to life imprisonment, is sympathetically considered and given a presidential pardon. Commenting on her Facebook account, Yvonne Johnson’s sister, Caroline Johnson, said his family used force and money to secure the release of the accused. Caroline had questioned how it would feel if something like this happened to their family, sister, or anyone else. Following the incident, some prisoners also staged a protest demanding their release. Saliya Peiris, President of the Bar Association had said this. ‘This choice was not made according to the usual procedure. This is a special apology. The death sentence was upheld by the Court of Appeal, which overturned the High Court’s decision that this was not a premeditated murder and convicted the accused of intentional death. The Supreme Court initially dismissed his appeal. He has not been convicted for ten years There are a large number of prisoners who have been charged with lesser offences. Among them are those who should be treated with compassion. But what kind of fair idea would such a release give to society? ‘ Maithri’s ‘presidential pardon’ was talked about in many places but by then a political change had taken place and the main topic of the country had shifted and the incident automatically went under. However, former parliamentarian Ranjan Ramanayake and others have revealed on several occasions that the release was due to a money transaction. Meanwhile, former President Maithripala Sirisena who joined the Derana TV 360 program yesterday spoke about it after a long time. He said intelligence officials had revealed that someone had taken money from family members during the presidential pardon for the convict in the Royal Park murder case. The former President stated as follows: “Athuraliye Ranatha Thera and this child’s parents came and talked about the Royal Park boy with a letter. I did not care much for that letter. I don’t even know that after that Rev. Rathana would come from time to time with the Royal Park family and ask them to do this somehow. ” Question: What was his interest in it? “I really can not say, Because that family is also Christian. They say I have taken 5 cores to release that young man. They say I have taken 800 crores. They say they have taken Rs.500 crores. So I told the CID at the time that there was a rumour going around like this that I had taken a lot of money for the release of the Royal Park kid so I wanted to find out a little bit about this. Later, it was found that the family had given some money to someone. I did not take even five cents and I will not take it ” Question: Do you think those who have taken it are the ones who are most interested? “Yes, we can say that they are interested.”