Everything you need to know today

COLOMBO (News 1^st) 1.

Reports have emerged that

21 Sri Lankan migrant workers have died 

while working in Qatar during the year 2017. Around 117,000 Sri Lankan Migrant workers are currently employed in Qatar. 2.

The

Department of Examinations has filed a complaint

against a private website for allegedly publishing a false 2018 G.C.E Advanced Level(A/L) Examinations Timetable. 3.

The Junior Staff of the Embilipitiya Hospital

launched a one-day strike yesterday (August 16) against the shortage of staff at the hospital. 4.

The Ministry of Power and Renewable Energy

says over 17,000 homes in the Nuwara Eliya district are experiencing a power failure due to trees falling on electricity cables owing to strong winds. 5.

If the allowance for the CMC members

is increased the monthly allocation made by the CMC to pay allowances would increase from Rs. 2.38mn to over Rs. 5.35mn.

6.

25 boats docked in close proximity to the Manampitiya Bridge

in Polonnaruwa have been destroyed in a suspected act of arson.

7.

The Department of Railways has taken steps to halt train services

from Medawachchiya to Talaimannar for a period of three months due to necessary maintenance services.

8.

The Government

is planning on introducing a pricing formula for LP gas.

9

.

The All Ceylon Private Bus Employees’ Association

announced a single day all island strike action yesterday (August 16) against the new traffic fines.

10

.

Forest fire in the Paluwewa reserve

in Madagiriya destroys 15 acres. The fire has been doused through the intervention of the police and the army. INTERNATIONAL 1.

Aretha Franklin, the preacher’s daughter

whose powerful voice made her the long-reigning “Queen of Soul” dies at the age of 76. SPORTS 1.

Sri Lanka will host its first ever Asian Volleyball Conferdation Men’s Challenge Cup

at the Sugathadasa Stadium in September.