Fake news over the grand snub
Omalpe Sobitha in congratulating some graduands of the University of Colombo, for snubbing their university’s new Chancellor, Ven. Tens of thousands of social media and television viewers were treated to images of what seemed a gigantic snub which left the venerable monk clearly bewildered and obviously embarrassed. Ananda was conducted to the platform at the head of the customary procession of the university’s faculty clad in their academic regalia. At a press conference, an acolyte (golaya) was sharply critical of the Vice-Chancellor who Ven. Rahula, the first Buddhist monk to be appointed a professor of a Western university when he was appointed to the Chair of History and Religions at Northwestern University in the USA.
Source:The Nation
December 26, 2021 12:07 UTC
SL taking strict action to combat human trafficking: Ministry of Defence
The Ministry of Defence says that the Government of Sri Lanka is taking strict and prompt action under the auspices of the ministry to combat human trafficking and that the country’s Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force intends to initiate many more proactive steps to combat the menace in Sri Lanka in the coming year. Through a policy decision taken by the Cabinet of Ministers in July this year, the Chairmanship of the Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force was shifted from the Ministry of Justice to the Ministry of Defence, with a view to establishing an enhanced institutional mechanism that directly coordinates with the investigation authorities and the intelligence services to combat human trafficking. On being informed of the possibility of the said women being victims of human trafficking, the Task Force had taken action to request the IGP to transfer the relevant investigation to the newly established Human Trafficking Division of the Criminal Investigations Department. Measures are also underway to amend the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment Act, No. The Task Force intends to initiate many more proactive steps to combat the menace of Human Trafficking in Sri Lanka in the coming year and would welcome the cooperation of the general public and all relevant institutions in being expeditiously informed of possible human trafficking incidents as indicated above, the Defence Ministry said.
Source:The Nation
December 26, 2021 07:09 UTC
Covid vaccine verification: Govt. looks at App and QR codes
Mandatory vaccine verification for public transport mootedBy Skandha GunasekaraThe Government will introduce a mobile phone app and QR codes to verify the vaccination status of citizens when entering public places from January, The Sunday Morning learns. We are working with the technical team to get the app and QR code facilities up and running. Adding that he hopes to have the system ready soon to enable ease of access to the public, he said: “We are trying to get the QR code ready by 1 January. The Minister added that authorities were considering implementing mandatory vaccination verification for public transport systems as well. “We are also contemplating whether we can implement the same system for public transport.
Source:The Nation
December 25, 2021 22:10 UTC
Foreign reserve crisis: $ 400 m Indian swap expected in Jan.
It is learnt that the long awaited facility would be received by Sri Lanka around 10 January 2022. The facility has been negotiated between officials from Sri Lanka and India since September this year. Meanwhile, the Government is to receive $ 1.5 billion from China, and the facility is expected to reach state coffers this week, it is learnt. “We will receive $ 1.5 billion from China and then the $ 400 million swap with India by 10 January 2022. However, Cabraal has remained tight-lipped on the source of the expected foreign inflows.
Source:The Nation
December 25, 2021 22:10 UTC
The best robotic lawn mowers for 2021
Robotic lawn mowers take the time and pain out of seasonal lawn care. We’re reviewing the best robot lawn mowers of 2021, along with their top features. Note: Automatic lawn mowers are mulching mowers generally designed to cut high and often, so program accordingly. The Husqvarna 115H Connect is one of the premier robotic lawn mowers in terms of voice-command technologies. Note that robotic lawn mowers are not designed for large lawns, so if you haveHow much does a robot lawn mower cost?
Source:The Nation
December 25, 2021 21:00 UTC
Two Indians arrested at BIA with gold
December 25, 2021 11:44 amTwo Indian nationals have been arrested at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake for attempting to smuggle gold into the country. The two airline passengers had attempted to bring in 1.049 kg of undeclared gold concealed in their luggage. They were arrested by airport police officers following a search of their baggage at the arrival lounge of the BIA yesterday (24). The arrested suspects are to be produced before the Negombo Magistrate’s Court today (25).
Source:The Nation
December 25, 2021 13:04 UTC
Putin boasts about launching a SALVO of 6,670mph hypersonic missiles
Vladimir Putin on Friday boasted about launching a a simultaneous salvo of its 6,670mph Zircon hypersonic missiles, saying that the development will 'strengthen Russia's security'. This was however the first time that Russian authorities reported a successful simultaneous launch test of several Zircon missiles. When asked on Friday about the build-up of Russian troops near Ukraine, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Moscow was acting to defend its own security. In the Black Sea Sukhoi Su-27SM3 fighter jets stationed in Krasnodar drilled on challenging Western or Ukrainian warships seen as threatening the Russian border, defence sources said. Mass burial sites were being dug along the Ukraine border as a 'priority', Russian outlet MK reported, citing leaked legal documents.
Source:The Nation
December 25, 2021 09:58 UTC
India s Omicron tally rises to 415
A total of 415 cases of Omicron variant of coronavirus have been detected in India so far, out of which 115 have recovered or migrated, according to the Union Health Ministry’s data updated on Saturday. A decrease of 484 cases has been recorded in the active COVID-19 caseload in a span of 24 hours. It has been below one per cent for the last 41 days, according to the Health Ministry. India had crossed the grim milestone of 20 million on May 4 and 30 million on June 23. The Health Ministry stressed that more than 70 per cent of the deaths occurred due to comorbidities.
Source:The Nation
December 25, 2021 08:53 UTC
PM Rajapaksa offers prayers at Tirupati
Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, who is on a two-day spiritual visit to India, today (24), offered prayers at the famous hill shrine of Lord Venkateswara in Andhra Pradesh’s Tirumala along with his wife Shiranthi Rajapaksa. Rajapaksa traveled to India yesterday to pay his visit to the temple city of Tirupati. Rajapaksa was accorded a warm welcome by the joint executive officer of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Veerabrahmam and chief vigilance and security officer Gopinath Jatti as he arrived at the temple gate. After darshan, the priests performed a ritual associated with seeking blessings of Lord Shiva at the Ranganayakula Mandapam. Rajapaksa visited the temple in February 2020 when a special puja was performed at the Devasthanam on the first anniversary of his current term.
Source:The Nation
December 25, 2021 00:58 UTC
Alliance Finance secures $ 10 m from Dutch bank
Alliance Finance Company PLC (AFC) has received the second tranche of $ 5 million from the Dutch Entrepreneurial Development Bank (FMO) as part of a long-term financing facility of $ 10 million to expand its growing portfolio of micro, small, and medium-scale enterprise (MSME) business. AFC secured this $ 10 million facility from FMO in mid-2021 and received the first tranche of $ 5 million July 2021. With an investment portfolio of € 6.3 billion, FMO is one of the largest European bilateral private sector development banks with investments in 85 countries. This financing series is also a significant development for the country’s MSME sector. The AFC-FMO partnership to develop the MSME sector in the country confirms AFC’s growing international credibility.
Source:The Nation
December 24, 2021 07:05 UTC
The Real History of Festivus
How to celebrate FestivusA Festivus dinner, as portrayed on Seinfeld, has four major components: The Festivus pole, the airing of grievances, the feats of strength, and the tape-recording. The Festivus poleThe Festivus pole is made of aluminum and should be undecorated. Is Festivus a real holiday? The “real” Festivus was themed. Yes!”Interestingly, the tape-recorder was an important part of the real holiday, and recordings of the O’Keefe family’s Festivus celebrations make up a large chunk of The Real Festivus: The True Story Behind America’s Favorite Made-up Holiday, a book written by O’Keefe.
Source:The Nation
December 24, 2021 07:05 UTC
Tranquillity in the hills
Still, there’s no denying that we all need a break, and fortunately, there are ways to holiday safely. The Forest and Lake by Schofieldshire is one such place, nestled away atop a hill in Meepilimana, some distance away from the town of Nuwara Eliya. Situated 8 km from Gregory Lake, The Forest and Lake by Schofieldshire features accommodation with a shared lounge, a garden, and a 24-hour front desk for your convenience. The Forest and Lake has a lot of greenery and natural recreational space that gives you a sublime sense of serenity. We recommend you check out The Forest and Lake next time you’re in Nuwara Eliya and looking for a cosy getaway option.
Source:The Nation
December 24, 2021 01:06 UTC
Powerful blast at Indian court building kills at least two
A powerful explosion at a court building in Ludhiana, a city in India’s northern Punjab state, killed at least two people and wounded two others, according to police. Thursday’s blast damaged the walls of a restroom at the judicial complex and shattered glass in other rooms, broadcaster NDTV reported. Footage posted online showed police officers carrying the injured out of the building. In a Twitter post, Channi also expressed his sadness over the explosion and said he was heading to the site. “Anybody trying to disturb the peace and harmony of the state, will be taken to task.”Source: Al Jazeera-Agencies
Source:The Nation
December 23, 2021 20:02 UTC
Sri Lankan PM Rajapaksa on 2-day pilgrimage in Tirupati
COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa left for India on a 2-day pilgrimage to the temple city of Tirupati on Thursday (23). The Sri Lankan premier was accorded a warm welcome by the officials of the Chittoor district administration led by deputy chief minister K Narayanaswamy and district collector M Harinarayana on his arrival at the Tirupati airport, reported the Times of India. The Sri Lankan premier will reach Tirumala by road and will halt for the night on the hills. Accompanied by his family members, Mahinda Rajapaksa will offer prayers at the Tirumala temple on Friday morning. Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams has made elaborate arrangements for the 2-day visit of the Sri Lankan premier, who is an ardent devotee of Lord Venkateswara.
Source:The Nation
December 23, 2021 09:13 UTC
Growth Initiative
In March 2020, Growth Initiative was launched with the aim of creating mental health awareness among society. Be present with yourself and others,” shared Growth Initiative Founder Tiara Munasinghe. What is Growth Initiative and what is the purpose of it? The purpose behind Growth Initiative is to help and guide people to see how amazing they truly are within themselves. Mental health is everything; mental health can go up or down depending on the perpetuation of your thoughts.
Source:The Nation
December 23, 2021 09:05 UTC