News

Powerful earthquake shakes Afghanistan, Pakistan, India

Published

2 years ago

March 22, 2023

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At least two people have been killed and hundreds injured in northern Pakistan after a magnitude 6.5 earthquake hit areas across Afghanistan and Pakistan, with tremors felt as far as the Indian capital New Delhi, Al Jazeera news reported.

The earthquake’s epicentre was 40km (25 miles) south-southeast of the Afghan town of Jurm, near the borders with Pakistan and Tajikistan, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) said on Tuesday.

Separately, Pakistan’s Meteorological Department put the magnitude slightly higher at 6.8, and later reported a 3.7 aftershock in the Hindu Kush region along the country’s border with Afghanistan.

At least two people, including a child, were killed in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province as a result of the earthquake, rescue officials have told Al Jazeera.

“A 10-year-old girl in Swat, and a 24-year old man in Lower Dir died when the walls of their houses collapsed,” Bilal Faizi, spokesperson for the Rescue 1122 service in the northwestern province, told Al Jazeera.

According to Faizi, landslides have caused damage in Swat district, 180km (112 miles) northwest of the capital Islamabad.

News

New laws planned to tackle organized crime

Published

11 minutes ago

July 2, 2025

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Minister of Public Security – Ananda Wijepala says that new legislation will be introduced to tackle organized crime as the government moves to repeal the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA).

He explained that organized criminals are currently detained and questioned under the PTA, but with its repeal, new legal provisions are needed to handle such cases.

Accordingly, the Ministry of Justice is drafting a new Bill to ensure law enforcement retains the authority to detain and interrogate those involved in organized crime under updated laws.

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Tenders called for e-NIC project

Published

2 hours ago

July 2, 2025

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The Ministry of Digital Economy Affairs in Sri Lanka has said that Tenders have been called from Indian companies to develop Sri Lanka’s new digital National Identity Card (e-NIC).

Deputy Minister – Eranga Weeraratne stated that a 04 month period will be given for this process.

The Deputy Minister added that the new digital NIC is expected to be issued by mid-2026.

In January, Weeraratne had clarified that the government has decided to cover half of this cost through assistance from India to meet the financial burden.

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Public consultation on renewable energy sector kicks off today

Published

2 hours ago

July 2, 2025

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The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) announced that a public consultation will be held today (July 02) to identify challenges faced by renewable energy developers in Sri Lanka.

The Commission stated that oral submissions from stakeholders will be gathered from 8.00 am – 4.00pm at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH).

The public consultation is being held under the powers granted to the Commission by Section 17 of the Sri Lanka Public Utilities Commission Act, No. 35 of 2002.

Meanwhile, President of the Solar E P C Association (SEPCA) – Dr. Shyam Pathiraja has said that many stakeholders are expected to present their views on the crisis in the renewable energy sector.

On a related note, National People’s Power (NPP) MP – Ravindra Bandara claimed that the current government has not imposed any restrictions on renewable energy production.