Police put 'ring of steel' around Windsor and Buckingham Palace
By Amie Gordon For MailonlinePublished: 10:48 EDT, 16 April 2021 | Updated: 10:53 EDT, 16 April 2021Police will be putting a ring of steel around Windsor for Prince Philip's funeral this weekend. Specialist officers and sniffer dogs have been searching phone boxes, post boxes, drains and bins as part of the operation. The security operation will focus on preventing risks and 'embarrassment', particularly controlling unauthorised access to the castle. He believes that even in a pandemic, the security operation for an event like this would be 'huge', with the cost running 'into the millions'. 'While this event is not in London, the Met has had a protective security operation in place in the vicinity of Westminster and Buckingham Palace to keep people safe and to deter criminal activity.
Source:The Nation
April 16, 2021 15:00 UTC
EU 'unlikely to buy any more AstraZenica jabs'
The EU is also unlikely to order more doses of the one-shot Johnson and Johnson vaccine, Ms Pannier-Runacher said, after data showed it can also cause clots. Europe's roll-out has been plagued by bureaucracy, red tape and meddling which saw EU countries temporarily ban the use of AstraZeneca jabs over blood clot fears. Denmark yesterday became the first European country to announce it will not be using any AstraZeneca jabs as part of its roll-out. Speaking to French radio on Friday, Ms Pannier-Runacher said: 'We have not started talks with Johnson & Johnson or with AstraZeneca for a new contract. Immediately after [this press conference], I will receive a jab of the AstraZeneca vaccine.'
Source:The Nation
April 16, 2021 15:00 UTC
COPA tells MoH to test imported food for harmful substances
Colombo (News 1st); The Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) instructed the Ministry of Health to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the harmful substances contained in imported food items. Its chairman Prof. Tissa Vitarana has said that laboratory facilities for food testing should be improved and the laws pertaining to food security should be amended as well. The deteriorating situation of testing food items for harmful substances has worsened due to the lack of proper coordination between food testing laboratories. MP Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated at the committee meeting that the cosmetics imported to the country contain very harmful chemicals. The Committee on Public Accounts (COPA) also instructed the Ministry of Health to expedite the establishment of a proper regulatory system for the importation of cosmetics.
Source:The Nation
April 16, 2021 13:52 UTC
Murali named Wisden Almanack’s ODI cricketer of the 2000s
One cricketer has been named for each of the decades between 1971 and 2021. 2000sSri Lanka’s Muttiah Muralitharan was named the ODI Cricketer of the 2000s. 1990sSachin Tendulkar was named the ODI Cricketer of the 1990s. 1970sIt’s Viv Richards himself who claimed the prize in the 1970s, the first decade of ODI cricket. West Indies were the dominant side of the format’s early years, with Richards’ century in the 1979 Cricket World Cup final giving them a second successive triumph.
Source:The Nation
April 16, 2021 13:07 UTC
Sri Lanka records 129 new COVID cases
April 16, 2021 05:44 pmA total of 129 more persons were tested positive for COVID-19 in Sri Lanka today (April 13) as the confirmed cases count reached 96,078. Meanwhile, the recoveries count recorded in the country is currently at 92,611. According to statistics, 2,859 active cases are still under medical care at designated hospitals and treatment centres. Sri Lanka has also witnessed 608 fatalities due to the outbreak of the pandemic.
Source:The Nation
April 16, 2021 12:45 UTC
Coronavirus- Sri Lanka reports 303 new recoveries
The Ministry of Health says 303 more patients who were infected with coronavirus have been discharged from medical care. This brings the total number of COVID-19 recoveries in the country thus far to 92,611. According to the daily situation report of the Epidemiology Unit, the majority of recent recoveries were recorded by the Kopay Treatment Centre (150). A total of 2,730 virus-infected patients are currently under medical care at designated hospitals and treatment centres across the country. The total number of COVID-19 cases reported in the country so far has reached 95,949 while the death toll stands at 608.
Source:The Nation
April 16, 2021 10:52 UTC
Sri Lankan Rupee appreciates against USD
April 16, 2021 by Mihi PereraNo CommentsThe Sri Lanka Rupee appreciated against the US Dollar today, in relation with the loan of a US$500 million which was granted from China yesterday. The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) said the selling rate of the US Dollar was Rs. The Bank said the buying rate of the US Dollar stood at Rs.195.72 today. However, the Sri Lanka Rupee further depreciated against the US Dollar yesterday. The selling price of a US Dollar was at Rs 204.62 and the buying rate was at Rs 199.80.
Source:The Nation
April 16, 2021 09:33 UTC
What You Need to Know About Sri Lanka’s National Bloom
They each have a different name in Sinhala, namely Olu (white), Nil Manel (purple) and Nelum (pink). It is also important to note that the flower, Nil Manel, was included in the veil to represent Sri Lanka. On 26th February 1986, Nil Manel was declared the national flower of Sri Lanka. Now we take a look at what might have led to the Nil Manel flower being selected as the national flower of Sri Lanka. When viewed as the national flower of Sri Lanka, it represents the purity and unity of the Sri Lankan people.
Source:The Nation
April 16, 2021 09:00 UTC
Expert Committee appointed to mitigate road accidents
COLOMBO (News 1st): The Ministry of Public Security has taken steps to appoint a Committee of Experts to look into the increasing trend in road accidents and implement action to mitigate accidents, the Subject Minister said. “The committee was appointed to look into the causes of accidents and present recommendations on preventing accidents; the committee consists of IT specialists, police officers, and experts from various fields,” Minister of Public Security, Rear Admiral (Retd.) Dr. Sarath Weerasekera told News 1st on Friday (Apr. Dr. Sarath Weerasekera emphasized that around 27,000 lives were lost due to road accidents in the last decade alone. Dr. Sarath Weerasekera, driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs has led to a hike in road accidents.
Source:The Nation
April 16, 2021 07:01 UTC
Homeowners share snaps of home disasters - including a collapsed porch
People from around the world have been sharing home disasters online, with Bored Panda collating the most shocking images into a hilarious gallery. One unfortunate homeowner was left gobsmacked when their entire porch collapsed, while another unlucky person showed the results of forgetting to shut their window during a snowstorm. Elsewhere, one person was left horrified after a plant pot smashed their toilet to pieces and another homeowner discovered their bathroom was flooded up to waist height. Here, FEMAIL shares some of the DIY and building disasters that extremely unlucky homeowners were faced with. Another unfortunate homeowner, whose location is unknown, was left completely baffled after discovering that their fire alarm had caught fireElsewhere, one bleary eyed-person got up in the middle of the night to get a quick drink of water, but things quickly took a turn for the worse when the entire fridge door broke off
Source:The Nation
April 16, 2021 06:56 UTC
Thirty deaths from road accidents within 48 hours
Thirty persons have died in road accidents which took place within the past 48 hours, says Police Spokesperson DIG Ajith Rohana. Meanwhile, 14 persons died in road accidents reported on the day of Sinhala and Tamil New Year. According to DIG Rohana, 12 of the deceased have been identified as motorcyclists. The police spokesperson noted that Sri Lanka records the highest number of motor accidents on April 14 and 15. If found guilty of drunk driving, the driving licences can be cancelled or suspended and the court can impose a fine of Rs 25,000 along with six-month imprisonment, DIG Rohana explained.
Source:The Nation
April 16, 2021 06:45 UTC
Dr. Palitha Kohona presents Credentials to the Chinese President
Ambassador Dr. Palitha Kohona presented Letters of Credence to President of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping on 14 April 2021 at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. By the presentation of the credentials, Dr. Kohona has been formally recognised as the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to China by the Chinese Head of State. The credentials ceremony was conducted according to a new format complying with health guidelines, although China has largely overcome the Covid-19 threat. Previously, Dr. Kohana arrived in Beijing in mid December 2020 and assumed his duties as the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the People’s Republic of China. The staff of the Embassy accorded a warm welcome on his return to the Embassy after the presentation of the credentials.
Source:The Nation
April 16, 2021 05:14 UTC
Man’s head discovered in Nilwala River: Police
COLOMBO (News 1st): The decapitated head of a male individual was discovered floating in the Nilwala River in the Thotamuna area on Thursday night (Apr. 15), Sri Lanka Police said. According to Sri Lanka Police, the decapitated head was discovered based on information received. Police noted that the head had severely deteriorated. Matara Police have commenced an extensive investigation into the incident.
Source:The Nation
April 16, 2021 05:14 UTC
Australia - Sri Lanka strengthen ties over aerial drone surveillance
The Joint Agency Task Force Operation Sovereign Borders is supporting the Sri Lankan Police to establish an aerial drone surveillance capability. At a virtual ceremony on 8 April 2021, the Commander of the Joint Agency Task Force, along with the Australian Federal Police gifted the Sri Lankan Police five aerial drones tosupport crime fighting in Sri Lanka. Commander Joint Agency Task Force, Rear Admiral Mark Hill, said Australia values highly the cooperation of our international law enforcement partners in combating transnational crime. “I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Sri Lankan Police for their continued efforts to deter and disrupt illegal maritime people smuggling activities in Sri Lanka,” Rear Admiral Hill said. The partnership highlights the strength of Australia’srelationship with Sri Lanka, who have been a valuable partner in preventing and responding to maritime people smuggling.
Source:The Nation
April 16, 2021 05:14 UTC
Sinhala & Tamil NY: National Tree Planting Ceremony today (16)
COLOMBO (News 1st): While the entire country is focused on protecting the environment, the auspicious time for planting trees in line with the Sinhala and Tamil New Year got underway on Friday morning (Apr. All Sri Lankans joined together to plant a tree at 06:40 this morning (16). The National Tree Planting Ceremony was held at the residence of Minister of Environment, Mahinda Amaraweera in Angunakolapelessa.
Source:The Nation
April 16, 2021 05:14 UTC