Sri Lanka Police has arrested 284 more people within the last 24 hours for failing to follow health protocols including wearing face masks and maintaining social distancing while in public. Reportedly, a total of 55,173 arrests with regard to the aforementioned offences have been made since October 30, last year. After the interprovincial travel restrictions were tightened last week, the police have beefed up monitoring at the 12 road blocks set up at entry and exit points of the Western Province. As many as 1,489 vehicles and 2,562 people have been inspected by the police at the Western Province borders. However, 545 individuals and 199 vehicles have been sent back for attempting to cross the provincial borders without permission.

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) refutes the claims that it has requested licensed banks to ‘devalue’ the Sri Lankan Rupee. Issuing a statement, CBSL says that it has observed messages being circulated claiming that licensed banks have been officially asked to devalue the Sri Lanka rupee with immediate effect. However, there is no basis whatsoever for such claims, and the CBSL has not made any change to its stance or the operational arrangements on the determination of the exchange rate, the statement read. The public is also advised not to rely on false and misleading information that is being circulated through social and conventional media. Any official statement issued by the CBSL will be made by the Governor, Deputy Governor, or any other authorized official of the CBSL identified by name and designation, CBSL added.

Even though Google has been slowly turning up the hype dial in anticipation of the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro, the wallet-friendlier Pixel 5a was due any day now. Google Pixel 5a (left) and Google Pixel 5 (right)The construction of the 5a is also different here. The Pixel 5a is the first “a” series Pixel that’s IP67 water resistant. Finally, the camera system is exactly the same as the Pixel 5 and the Pixel 4a 5G. The main difference is that the Pixel 5a doesn’t include the “Spectral + flicker sensor” that was present on both the Pixel 5 and Pixel 4a 5G.

The 26-year-old deceased woman, herself a mother of two, had been crushed by debris during the magnitude 7.2 quake. Latin America countries including Venezuela, Chile, Mexico, Panama, Colombia and the neighboring Dominican Republic sent food, medicine and supplies. Mathieu Jameson, deputy head of the committee formed by the tent city residents, said hundreds of people there were in urgent need of food, shelter and medical care. We need food, we need more umbrellas,” said Jameson, adding the tent city was still waiting for government aid. “The earthquake is a great misfortune that happens to us in the middle of the hurricane season,” Henry told reporters.

Samsung made the Galaxy Z Fold3 official last week, and we've already gone hands-on with the device. Thankfully, for that purpose there are disassembly / teardown videos, and the first one is now live for the Galaxy Z Fold3, courtesy of PBKreviews over on YouTube. You can take a yet-unprecedented look at the newest Samsung foldable smartphone in this video, peeking at what makes it tick on the inside. The video gives you some useful information regarding how to go about tearing your own Galaxy Z Fold3 down without messing anything up, but frankly, we wouldn't recommend anyone attempt this at home. It is, after all, a very expensive piece of tech, and the risk of something going wrong during such a teardown is quite high.

Afghanistan was ranked 9th in Twenty20 International (T20I) cricket as of January 2021. They hold the world record for the highest ever T20I score, with their score of 278/3 against Ireland at Dehradun on 23 February 20191839 – The earliest record of cricket in Afghanistan is of British troops playing a match in Kabul1995 – The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) is formed2000 – Cricket becomes the only sport in Afghanistan to be approved by the Taliban2001 – The ACB becomes an Affiliate Member of the International Cricket Council (ICC)2003 – ACB becomes a member of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC)2008 – Afghanistan begins her remarkable rise through the ICC World Cricket League for none Test-playing nations, starting with a win in Division 52009 – Afghanistan wins in World Cricket League Division 32010 – Afghanistan play their first T20I, against Ireland2011 – They play in the 50-over World Cup qualifiers. They fail to progress to the World Cup but earn ODI status for four years2011 – Afghanistan play their first ODI, against Scotland in the 5th place playoff of the World Cup2012 – They play their first ODI against an ICC Full Member, against Pakistan at Sharjah2013 – Afghanistan receives ICC Associate Membership2015 – Afghanistan make their World Cup debut in the 50-over, against Bangladesh in Canberra, Australia2017 – ICC awards first-class status to Afghanistan’s four-day domestic competition2017 – After nearly a decade of international cricket, ICC grants Afghanistan Full Membership or Test status on 22 June, alongside Ireland, making the number of Test cricket playing nations to 122018 – Afghanistan play inaugural Test, against India in India and lose by an innings and 262 runs2018 – On 17 September, Afghans knockout Sri Lanka from the Asia Cup in Abu DhabiRecord –Tests (during 2018-21) – Played 6 / Won 3 / Lost 3ODIs (during 2009-21) – Played 129 / Won 62 / Lost 63 / Tied 1 / No Result 3T20Is (during 2010-21) – Played 84 / Won 58 / Lost 25 / Tied-and-lost 1

Yet the Times of India quoted the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) CEO Hamid Shinwari as saying that “cricket will not be a casualty” in the wake of the drastic political change in Afghanistan adding Taliban “love” and “support” the game. “Taliban loves cricket. A senior ex-co official of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) told the Morning Sports: “We haven’t still heard officially anything from them about the latest developments. For us, nothing changes and we expect Rashid and other Afghan players would be part of IPL,” a BCCI source told PTI. Both Rashid and Nabi play for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL.

Many Afghanis are now in danger, including journalists, diplomats, people who have worked for or aided the US, and women and girls. If you want to help people in Afghanistan, here are some humanitarian organizations that are still operating in the country and accepting donations:Theintends to stay in Afghanistan as long as they can. They write: “We support displaced families with shelter, clean water, sanitation, and other basic necessities. We provide cash assistance and help people find livelihood opportunities. Sponsors are needed to meet refugees and help them get settled in their new communities.

In a bid to protect the most vulnerable people and help companies maintain operations and jobs, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) is focused on sustained investments in South Asia, to continue to have a strong impact in the fiscal year 2021. IFC committed over $ 3.8 billion, including mobilisation and short-term finance in South Asia as of June 2021, resulting in an investment volume of over $ 14.9 billion in the last five years in the region, towards a green and inclusive recovery. “The Covid-19 crisis has drastically impacted the region’s private sector, which has severely affected the region’s most vulnerable people,” said IFC Vice President Asia and the Pacific Region Alfonso Garcia Mora. IFC has committed $ 590 million in Covid response deals in South Asia – with additional deals worth over $ 100 million in the pipeline. Furthermore, IFC committed $ 353 million in climate finance and $ 490 million in IDA/FCS (International Development Association/Fragile and Conflict-Affected Situations) countries in the region.

“Whether we (Sri Lanka) go to the IMF or not is the decision of the Government. If the Government has a plan on how to look at the debt, service the debt, and overcome it, we encourage the Government to make it (the plan) transparent. When it comes to the export sector, the Chamber has emphasised the security of foreign currency for the importation of raw material for export goods production. He also stated that Sri Lanka lacks large export houses, unlike countries such as Vietnam. Accordingly, he pointed out that Sri Lanka can proceed to increase the country’s export capacity on such a facility.

The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Jordan hosted a meeting recently, at the Chancery to promote Sri Lanka amongst leading tour and travel representatives and officials of airlines currently flying to Sri Lanka to encourage and revive interest in visiting Sri Lanka. The Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Jordan, Shanika Dissanayake emphasised the latest Covid-19 health protocols which have been in place since 7 July 2021 and elaborated on the tourist attractions that could be experienced for those who arrive following the completion of the vaccination. Ambassador Dissanayake requested travel operators to encourage millennials to travel to Sri Lanka as this is one of the fastest growing segments in the tourism sector in Jordan with many millennials likely to be repeat visitors. The invitees were also informed about the user-friendly travel app soon to be launched by Sri Lanka Tourism which would be accessible by mobile phone to make travel easier within the country. The Embassy is currently in discussion to encourage more airlines to fly to Sri Lanka.

Construction of the two new sections of Marine Drive from Wellawatte to Dehiwala Railway Station and from Kollupitiya to Steuart Place in Colombo has reached its final stages, stated the Highways Ministry via media release. Chief Government Whip and Highways Minister Johnston Fernando, addressing a progressive review meeting on Monday (16) with engineers and the Project Director at the ministry auditorium, had said that Rs. 220 million has been spent on the 600 m section of the four-lane road from Kollupitiya to Steuart Place, and Rs. 420 million on the 1.2 km section of the four-lane road from Wellawatte to Dehiwala Railway Station.

Haye joins battle with his businessman-boxer friend Joe Fournier on the undercard of the legendary Oscar De La Hoya’s boxing comeback in Los Angeles on September 11. ‘But as the date draws closer and the excitement grows Haye, is forced to admit: ‘I’m feeling the nostalgia. When Joe first began challenging me I said it was inconceivable I would ever fight again. ‘Well,’ says the former world heavyweight champion, ‘unexpected circumstances are bringing me to the Staples Centre in LA. Haye reveals: ‘I told Joe I’d only do this for the same money I got for my pay-per-view second fight with Bellew.

* Messi presented to fans as PSG winsLionel Messi was introduced to the Paris St-Germain (PSG) fans before Saturday’s (14) 4-2 win over 10-man Strasbourg. Meanwhile PSG Head Coach Mauricio Pochettino proclaimed he is “very happy” with Mbappe following the win as PSG fans whistled at the forward amid transfer speculation. * Formula E: De Vries wins drivers’ c’ship, others crashMercedes-EQ’s Nyck de Vries won the Formula E drivers’ championship after three other contenders crashed out in the early stages of the final race on Sunday. * Muhammad Ali’s grandson Nico Ali Walsh wins first pro boutNico Ali Walsh paid tribute to his grandfather Muhammad Ali as he won his debut professional bout wearing a pair of shorts he had given him. “It’s just an emotional journey, this whole ride,” Ali Walsh had said.

Gill’s rare commitment goes on to indicate the kind of unending, unusual, and, perhaps, the frenzied passion of the Indian cricket fan, particularly at an age the country’s cricket is dominating the world stage. Ajay Gill waving the Indian National Flag on Friday (13) during his remarkable journey to see his cricketing idol. One of his biggest fans named Ajay Gill walked over 1,400 km to meet his hero on the (Indian) Independence Day (15 August). “Dhoniji se mil ke hi ghar lautunga” (I will return home only after I meet Dhoni), Ajay Gill had told the Telegraph India. “Dhoni has given many memorable moments to cricket fans by captaining the Indian cricket team to victory in the 2007 T20 World Cup, 2011 50-overs World Cup, and 2013 Champions Trophy.