TISL voices concern over new Finance Act, recommends enhanced scrutiny
The Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) says it is deeply concerned of the new Finance Act passed on September 07 aiming to grant tax amnesty for individuals who voluntarily disclose their undisclosed income and assets. This will ensure that those granted the tax amnesty are easily identifiable and remain under close scrutiny of authorities to ensure future compliance. CBSL and FIU should raise awareness among the Banks and other financial institutions regarding the potential risk of ML through these investments. The Commissioner General of Inland revenue should strive to ensure that the confidentiality clause in the Act does not hinder such inter-agency co-operation. 3. International co-operation – Authorities to ensure effective international cooperation and empower authorities to track individuals suspected of having brought black money into the country.
Source:The Nation
September 12, 2021 18:11 UTC
Top 10 Incredible Items That Were Stolen
The Mona Lisa ranks as one of the most expensive items ever stolen and is estimated to be worth approximately $2 billion. Of the 13 pieces stolen, “The Concert” was the most valuable and is worth an estimated $200 million. The painting was stolen in under one minute on the opening day of the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer. 4 The Stradivarius ViolinIn 1995, well-known concert violinist Erica Morini, had a $3.5 million violin stolen from her apartment in New York City. Each egg is said to be worth $1 million and remains as one of the most valuable items ever stolen.
Source:The Nation
September 12, 2021 06:56 UTC
Over 130,000 people over 60 unvaccinated
COLOMBO (News 1st): The State Ministry of Home Affairs says that there are about 138,000 people over the age of 60 who have not been vaccinated against COVID-19 in Sri Lanka. Its Secretary, N. H. M. Chithrananda said that this was reported during an investigation carried out at the Divisional Secretariat level. The highest number of people over the age of 60 who have not been vaccinated is reported from the Kurunegala District, he said. Accordingly, the Grama Niladharis have been instructed by the Divisional Secretaries to facilitate the immediate vaccination of those who have not been vaccinated, the Ministry Secretary added. Meanwhile, 92% of people over the age of 60 in Colombo have been vaccinated, Colombo Chief Medical Officer Dr. Ruwan Wijeyamuni says.
Source:The Nation
September 12, 2021 06:02 UTC
Oshini Devindya – the little chess champ
By Kusumanjalee ThilakarathnaLast month, nine-year-old Oshini Devindya Gunawardena became the very first Sri Lankan, to win the FIDE World Youth Chess Championship 2021 in the under 10 girl’s category. In an interview with Little Stars, Devindya said that her ambition is to become one of the top 10 chess players in the world. The only female who became one of the top 10 chess players in the Hungarian chess player is Judit Polgar. The only female who became one of the top 10 chess players in the Hungarian chess player is Judit Polgar. Oshini Devindya’s achievements from 2019 – 2021Gold medal in the 10th Kandy International Rapid Chess Tournament.
Source:The Nation
September 12, 2021 03:00 UTC
Interview: Realme CEO Madhav Sheth talks Realme 9, chipset shortages
Last week, Realme introduced its first tablet called Realme Pad and expanded the Realme 8 series with the Realme 8i and Realme 8s 5G. On the occasion of the launch, we spoke with Mr. Madhav Sheth - Vice President of Realme and CEO of Realme India and Europe - to discuss the Realme 8 series and chipset shortages and learn more about the company's future goals. Therefore we launched India’s most affordable 5G phone, Realme 8 5G which has become a big hit. Recently we have launched the Realme GT 5G series in India and again disrupted the premium market. As production and distribution facilities open up gradually and supply resumes, we anticipate that the chipset shortage will ease only in 2022.
Source:The Nation
September 12, 2021 01:52 UTC
COVID-19 infections spread through gorillas at Atlanta zoo
Zoo Atlanta is now waiting on confirmation from the National Veterinary Services Lab in Ames, Iowa. Zoo Atlanta says at least 13 western lowland gorillas have tested positive for COVID-19, including their oldest male gorilla in captivity - a 60-year-old named OzzieExperts are now testing all 20 of Zoo Atlanta's gorillas, who live in four troopsZookeepers are now treating the gorillas at risk of developing complications with monoclonal antibodies. Because the gorillas live close together, Rivera said it's impossible to keep infected animals isolated. He said the Atlanta zoo will vaccinate the gorillas with a veterinary vaccine. Zoo Atlanta is vaccinating its Bornean and Sumatran orangutans, its Sumatran tigers, its African lions and its clouded leopard.
Source:The Nation
September 12, 2021 00:56 UTC
Connecting, Communicating and Caring – the need of the hour
Wearing the mask, hand sanitization and physical distancing are all behaviours and behaviour is part of mental health. While the importance of mental health and well being was not promoted, people were exposed to factors detrimental to their mental health. Media too has a responsibility of sending out messages of positive mental health instead of sending ‘news alerts’ with death tolls and the number of infected cases. The trauma of the pandemic and its mental health impact will be enormous and could last for years to come. For this, one need not necessarily be a mental health expert nor does one need to have solutions to all problems.
Source:The Nation
September 12, 2021 00:56 UTC
Shattered father reveals the shocking new 'capping' method paedophile used to trap his son
By Brett Lackey For Daily Mail AustraliaPublished: 20:15 EDT, 11 September 2021 | Updated: 20:34 EDT, 11 September 2021A father has warned other parents to protect their children from a sick new online method that a paedophile used to abuse his son. Manipulation and blackmail are then used to prevent the victims from speaking out and to prolong the abuse. With hundreds of thousands of children using video streaming services, authorities warned parents they should remain vigilant to protect their kids. These include using parental controls on devices and apps to monitor your child's activity and limit what they can access. Setting rules such as hours when electronic devices can be accessed and that they must be used in open areas of the home.
Source:The Nation
September 12, 2021 00:56 UTC
Dirty tricks that debase media
Dirty tricks that debase media View(s):A few days back, I received an email with a couple of pictures attached. One of the reasons for the spread of social media worldwide is the growing disaffection and even disgust, with politics. There are several examples to illustrate how social media contributed to fuelling popular uprisings that led to regime change. Such spontaneous amplification of messages gives social media an advantage that traditional media including TV do not have even with interruptions to regular programmes with “breaking news”. We know that social media takes different forms — satirizing news, fabrication, manipulation, parodying of news and personalities, advertising and propaganda.
Source:Sunday Times
September 12, 2021 00:33 UTC
Generating more power from renewable energy resources
Generating more power from renewable energy resources By Jeremy Fernando, MIET (UK) Feature View(s): View(s):The Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) has announced an ambitious target of achieving up to 70 percent energy generation from Renewable Energy (RE) sources, according to a recently issued gazette. These roofs are mostly un-utilised for solar power generation. As is the case, all power generation in the country has been and will have to be funded by the GoSL. Unfortunately, large scale renewable energy generation projects require long time for implementation, and they also need vast resources and investment by the CEB. Only 20 percent of energy will be sent out to the grid, which will reduce the burden on the grid and allow large scale roof-top solar energy generation a feasible option.
Source:Sunday Times
September 12, 2021 00:33 UTC
Discontent brews among tea exporters hit by double whammy
Discontent brews among tea exporters hit by double whammy View(s):Many in the tea industry, including some players, are openly unhappy with recent government policy decisions, which they suspect would threaten the sustainability of the industry in the long term. The tea industry is no exception either as some of the leading tea exporting companies rang alarm bells saying that the impact would be fully felt by next month. In addition to this came another circular issued by the Tea Board recently regarding the re-export of imported tea. According to the circular, all tea importers and exporters are instructed to blend imported green tea fannings with a minimum of thirty percent of Ceylon Tea when re- exporting. The same applies to CTC tea- processing black tea as well.
Source:Sunday Times
September 12, 2021 00:33 UTC
US Open 2021 — the essence of continuity
US Open 2021 — the essence of continuity View(s):New York is staging the 141 edition of the US Open. The US Open is to reiterate Americans ‘tennis is alive in their land and will be so in the future’. Only tennis player in the top ten of that list is Bianca Andreescu of Canada, seventh position. Strangely, her name does not appear in the top 10 earners list of women tennis players. Staging the event directs national energy over the coming year towards tennis and provide the essence of continuity in difficult times.
Source:Sunday Times
September 12, 2021 00:33 UTC
Reach out to grieving families to let them know they’re not alone
Reach out to grieving families to let them know they’re not alone By Kumudini Hettiarachchi and Ruqyyaha Deane View(s): View(s):There is no chance to hold them close or say a tearful or prayerful goodbye as they depart on their final journey. Many are not even able to be by the bedside of a loved one breathing his/her last laboured breath. “This is where relatives and friends of the bereaved family need to step in and provide strong support. Dr. Abeywardena dwells on how a family can face the post-bereavement period. If they are in isolation due to exposure to the virus, they need to keep in touch with family and friends through technology.
Source:Sunday Times
September 12, 2021 00:33 UTC
‘Too early to rejoice’ – Chief Selector
‘Too early to rejoice’ – Chief Selector cricket View(s): View(s):The ODI series win over South Africa have put Sri Lanka in a positive frame of mind with fans starting to back the young lions in international cricket. The win was so important for the islanders that even the Head of State issued a congratulatory message to the players. Sri Lanka lost the first three series badly, winning just two out of the nine ODI games. But the selectors persisted with the same team with their focus firmly set on the 2023 World Cup. We have seen players who score a 100 in one game and then struggle for many games before hitting another big score.
Source:Sunday Times
September 12, 2021 00:33 UTC
BPPL strongly poised for next phase of expansion
BPPL strongly poised for next phase of expansion View(s):BPPL Holdings PLC, one of Southeast Asia’s largest brush manufacturers and Sri Lanka’s pioneer in recycled plastic products, said this week that it has recorded “impressive” improvements in all key financial indicators in the 2020-21 financial year, while strongly positioning the business for its next phase of expansion. A leader in sustainable business, BPPL which generates export earnings for the economy while addressing one of Sri Lanka’s critical issues in the form of plastic waste disposal, saw strong performances by its wholly-owned subsidiaries. Group Profit After Tax (PAT) and Profit Attributable to Shareholders increased by 23 percent YoY to Rs. BPPL also undertook a series of key strategic initiatives during the financial year, with the intention of propelling the group to its next phase of expansion, while further enhancing its sound business fundamentals. “While achieving sound growth in all key financial indicators by effectively navigating the significant challenges posed by the pandemic, we have also laid the foundation for the group’s next phase of expansion,” BPPL Holdings PLC Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Anush Amarasinghe said.
Source:Sunday Times
September 12, 2021 00:33 UTC