Fairly heavy showers expected in four provinces
Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North-western and Northern provinces and in Galle and Matara districts. Fairly heavy showers above 75mm can be expected at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa, North-western and Central provinces and in Galle and Matara districts. Showers or thundershowers may occur at a few places elsewhere in the afternoon or night. Wind speed can be increased up to 50 kmph at times in the western slope of central hills, Northern, North-Central and Southern provinces and in Trincomalee district. Showers or thundershowers may occur at a few places in the other sea areas around the island.
Source:The Nation
October 11, 2021 03:33 UTC
Chris Silverwood switches England's tactics for Ashes tour Down Under
The announcement of Joe Root’s 17-man Ashes squad was accompanied on Sunday by a change of tactics, as head coach Chris Silverwood promised to target stumps rather than bodies in a bid to regain the urn England last won in 2015. Until injuries struck down Jofra Archer and Olly Stone during the summer, Silverwood had hoped to hit Australia with express pace. Chris Silverwood says England will play it straight Down Under amid a host of injuries‘Every plan has got to be adaptable,’ he said. Silverwood admitted both Livingstone and Parkinson were discussed but their omission is in keeping with the ‘bore them out’ strategy for the bowlers. Silverwood also heaped praise on Joe Root for instilling confidence in his stars about the tour‘There’s no pressure,’ said Silverwood.
Source:The Nation
October 10, 2021 22:18 UTC
Brain disease boost for Welsh biotech firm ReNeuron
By Daily Mail City & Finance ReporterPublished: 16:50 EDT, 10 October 2021 | Updated: 05:55 EDT, 11 October 2021A Welsh biotech firm will today unveil fresh data which suggests its drug delivery technology can help treat serious neurological illnesses such as Parkinson's disease and Huntington's disease. ReNeuron said the results of its latest studies provided 'clear pre-clinical proof-of-concept' that its exosome technology can deliver therapeutic proteins to the corpus striatum, a region of the brain that is affected by disabling neurological diseases and strokes. Exosomes are microscopic fluid-filled sacs that transport molecules between cells in the human body. Study: ReNeuron said the results of its latest studies provided 'clear pre-clinical proof-of-concept' that its exosome technology can deliver therapeutic proteins to the corpus striatumWhile pharmaceutical companies have identified different proteins that can help treat neurological illnesses, they often do not last long enough inside the body to be effective. However, ReNeuron said studies performed with the University of Salamanca in Spain showed its exosome technology could deliver therapeutic proteins to areas of the brain at a higher level than administering a protein by itself.
Source:The Nation
October 10, 2021 20:48 UTC
Hitachi Digital Payment Solutions launches Asia’s first touchless ATM technology
In a first for Asia, Hitachi Digital Payment Solutions (HDPS) has successfully developed a touchless ATM solution which is currently live at Sri Lanka’s Sampath Bank. The goal was to create a solution that utilized existing technology and services for a fast and cost-effective rollout. By creating a solution that used a consumer’s personal mobile device and the bank’s existing ATM technology, we were able to achieve just this,” said Dinesh Rodrigo, CEO, HDPS. Further, the use of the bank’s mobile application validates users’ credentials and biometrics. Crucially for banks there is no need to change or upgrade existing ATM hardware ensuring no added capital expenses.
Source:The Nation
October 10, 2021 19:07 UTC
President assures new Constitution and electoral system
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa yesterday (10) stated that steps would be taken to amend the Constitution and introduce a new electoral system, as promised during his election campaign. I will also introduce the new electoral system that the public expects within the same year,” he said. During his electioTn campaign, the President had pledged to replace the 1978 Constitution with a new one. To this end, a nine-member expert committee to draft a new Constitution was appointed in September 2020, led by Romesh de Silva PC. President Rajapaksa inaugurated the newly constructed drill ground at the Gajaba Regiment Camp at Saliyapura and handed it over to the war heroes before observing the military parade accorded to him.
Source:The Nation
October 10, 2021 18:56 UTC
Sri Lankan refugees will lose privileges if they get involved in criminal cases- Madras HC
Manjula made the observations while dismissing a habeas corpus petition against the government’s decision to lodge Premkumar Ratnavadivel at the special camp in Tiruchi after he obtained bail in a criminal case. The Bench also gave liberty to the petitioner to approach the government seeking dislodgement from the special camp. However, if the refugees get involved in criminal cases, they would be lodged in a special camp after they obtain bail. Relatives could also visit them at the special camps and the government provides free medical treatment too at nearest government hospitals. Such committee had considered the case of Premkumar Ratnavadivel but decided not to recommend for his dislodgement from the special camp.
Source:The Nation
October 10, 2021 18:22 UTC
Parents reluctant to vaccinate kids with cancer
By Dinitha RathnayakeThe Covid-19 vaccination programme for 12-19-year-olds diagnosed with cancer, which commenced at the Maharagama Apeksha Hospital on 4 October, has seen some delays due to parents’ fears over getting their children vaccinated, according to consultant microbiologist in charge of the programme Dr. Samanmalee Gunasekera. Speaking to the media yesterday (10) regarding the progress of the hospital’s vaccination programme, Dr. Gunasekara stated: “This vaccination process is not going fast because of the fears of parents. “Children from all over the country come to our hospital for treatment. In case of any emergency, we have a separate team for that treatment as well,” Dr. Gunasekera added. The Covid-19 vaccination programme for children over 12 years of age who are suffering from chronic diseases commenced on 24 September from the Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children (LRH) in Colombo.
Source:The Nation
October 10, 2021 17:48 UTC
Tea industry to import chemical fertiliser
By Pamodi WaravitaSri Lanka Tea Board Chairman Jayampathy Molligoda announced yesterday (10) that the tea industry has been permitted to import “nitrogen-based chemical fertiliser” for the transitional period from chemical fertiliser to organic fertiliser, following the Government’s decision in late April this year to completely ban the use of chemical fertiliser within the country. “The tea industry has been given permission to import nitrogen-based chemical fertiliser during this transitional period along with mineral fertiliser. It is not going back to the excessive use of chemical fertiliser era at all. Accordingly, nitrogen (N) fertiliser, phosphate (PO₄³⁻) fertiliser, potassium (K) fertiliser, fertilisers containing such minerals and chemical fertilisers containing a combination of fertilising elements, that were previously banned from import, have been brought under the import control licence (ICL) by the aforesaid gazette notification. However, in the aforementioned Facebook post, Molligoda said that “contrary to popular belief the tea production and auction sale figures have not shown any indication that the chemical fertiliser ban has adversely affected tea quality or production”.
Source:The Nation
October 10, 2021 17:48 UTC
PM postpones meeting with teachers
By Buddhika SamaraweeraA meeting, scheduled to be held between Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and representatives of the teachers’ and principals’ trade unions at Temple Trees today (11), has been postponed indefinitely, according to the teachers’ trade unions. The meeting was to be held to discuss the issues in the education sector, including teacher-principal salary anomaly, and according to the unions, the postponement has been made without providing any reasons. Dissanayake said that arranging such a meeting and informing the trade unions about the solutions before the budget could help them withdraw from their TU action and resume teaching activities. During a media briefing held yesterday (10), the Ceylon Teachers’ Service Union (CTSU) expressed its displeasure over the postponement of this discussion. “The Cabinet subcommittee has recommended a salary increase of approximately 40% for teachers and principals as a solution to the salary anomaly issue.
Source:The Nation
October 10, 2021 17:48 UTC
Artefacts emerge during Jetavana walkway construction
Archeology Department officials told us that permission has been given for the construction. However, they added that during the construction, artefacts had surfaced, which had immediately garnered the attention of the Archeology Department Director General Prof. Anura Manatunga. They added that while the construction is not a car park, it can provide access to vehicles if necessary. Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious, and Cultural Affairs Secretary Professor Kapila Gunawardana yesterday denied any allegations that a car park construction was done last week harming the historic Jetavana Stupa at Anuradhapura. Meanwhile, speaking to The Morning yesterday, Jetavana Monastery Chief Monk Ven.
Source:The Nation
October 10, 2021 17:48 UTC
CMC crisis resolved, says councillor
By Dinitha RathnayakeThe dispute between members of the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) and the Municipal Commissioner has been resolved, according to CMC Councillor I.A. However, Colombo Municipal Commissioner Roshini Dissanayake has now agreed to a budgetary allocation of Rs. Colombo Municipal Commissioner Roshini Dissanayake said there are no funds, and she avoided attending the finance committee meetings,” claimed Rahuman. Meanwhile, stating that the dispute between CMC members and the Municipal Commissioner had put the CMC in crisis, UNP MP Ranil Wickremesinghe requested Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa to intervene to resolve the issue. Speaking in Parliament, he had stated: “There is a crisis in the CMC, as a dispute arose between the Municipal Commissioner and the council members.
Source:The Nation
October 10, 2021 17:48 UTC
Out of prisons correction proposed for minor crimes
Ali Sabry PC has stated that a community-based correction system would prove effective taking into consideration the proposal of correcting those who are imprisoned for less than two years within the community itself instead of imprisoning them. Sabry had made these remarks at the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Justice Meeting held last Friday (8), according to a parliamentary press release. “The Justice Minister was of the view that there is no point in sending people behind bars without reforming them and therefore, a community-based correction system would be a more effective method. He has further instructed that public views be obtained regarding the draft report “Community Based Correction System in Sri Lanka”. Thus, he had proposed a two-tier via the Ministerial Committee to achieve this objective.
Source:The Nation
October 10, 2021 17:48 UTC
Blue Origin postpones William Shatner’s space flight by a day
Jeff Bezos’ spaceflight company Blue Origin said Sunday it will postpone the flight that is slated to fly William Shatner to space due to forecasted high winds at its launch site. The flight of the company’s New Shepard spacecraft is now scheduled for 9:30AM ET on October 13th, a day later than originally planned. It’s targeted to lift off from Blue Origin’s Launch Site One in Texas. A statement on Blue Origin’s website said New Shepard NS-18 has met all mission requirements, and the astronauts have started their training. New Shepard’s first crewed flight in July brought Bezos, his brother Mark, aviator Wally Funk, and teenager Oliver Daeman to space.
Source:The Nation
October 10, 2021 17:48 UTC
Price of Litro LP gas cylinders hiked
Litro Gas company says that the price of a 12.5 kg LP gas cylinders has been increased by Rs. Accordingly, the new price of a domestic LP gas cylinder will be Rs. Litro Gas, the largest importer and supplier of LP Gas in Sri Lanka, was expected to announce its final decision today (10) with regard to increasing the price LP Gas. Wegapitiya had stated that they would also be making a decision today on how the price increase will take place. Following repeated requests from the relevant companies, the government this week decided to remove the price controls imposed on milk powder, LP Gas, wheat flour and cement.
Source:The Nation
October 10, 2021 16:41 UTC
Final decision on LP Gas price hike expected today
The largest importer and supplier of LP Gas in Sri Lanka, Litro Gas says that a final decision is expected to be taken within today (10) with regard to increasing the price LP Gas. Wegapitiya stated that his company would also be making a decision today on how the price increase will take place. Accordingly, it is planned to sell gas under the new prices with effect from tomorrow (11), he said. Following repeated requests from the relevant companies, the government this week decided to remove the price controls imposed on milk powder, LP Gas, wheat flour and cement. Meanwhile a decision on the increase of wheat flour prices is expected to be taken tomorrow, according to company reps.
Source:The Nation
October 10, 2021 05:15 UTC