Prodigal son returns to Old Trafford for one final dance
118 – Ronaldo scored 118 goals for Manchester United in his first spell, in 292 games. 7 – His 84 goals make him the 7th highest scorer for Manchester United in Premier League (PL) history. 31 – Ronaldo is the only Man United player to score 30+ goals in a season in Premier League history. 42 – In the 2007-08 season, Ronaldo scored 42 goals in all competitions. Real Madrid438 – Ronaldo scored 450 goals in 438 matches for Real Madrid – that’s a quite incredible goals-per- game average of 1.03!
Source:The Nation
August 31, 2021 19:07 UTC
Multi-sectoral collaboration vital for Universal Health Coverage in SL
Delivering the keynote address thereafter, Ministry of Health Deputy Director-General (Planning) Dr. S. Sridharan pointed out that donor support for the health sector is declining. However, they still face several health sector challenges such as high mortality rates, weak health systems, and large pockets of poverty in the countries. Some of the financial capacity gaps included inefficiencies in financial allocation, and financial management issues to name but two. Furthermore, one of the major reasons for the financial capacity gaps is a result of the underutilisation of capital budgets for the health sector. World Health Organisation Public Health Administrator Dr. Olivia Nieveras, spoke about how donors should be more agile in their activities.
Source:The Nation
August 31, 2021 18:56 UTC
Janashakthi Life records 145% growth in Q2 2021
Janashakthi Insurance PLC (Janashakthi Life) recorded a growth of 145% in first year regular premium business during the second quarter, with the upward trajectory of gaining two market positions up in first year premium compared to 2020. Janashakthi Life also recorded a growth of 50% in gross written premium with year-to-date growth of 45%, reaching a premium income of Rs. Janashakthi Life realigned its sole focus on life insurance in 2018, in a strategic move calculated to achieve long-term growth. Remaining true to its roots as a life insurer, the company has since then sought long-term growth while also meeting short and medium-term growth plans. At the same time, gross written premium also grew significantly with 50% growth during the second quarter of 2021.
Source:The Nation
August 31, 2021 18:45 UTC
Reserves get a fresh influx of $ 1.2 b
Sri Lanka is set to get a fresh influx of over $ 1.2 billion to boost its official foreign reserves which have fallen to an alarmingly low level of $ 2.8 billion in the recent past. Attygalle yesterday (31) announced that Sri Lanka was set to get an accumulated influx of $ 1.2 billion from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Bangladesh, and China Development Bank (CDB). Bangladesh Bank grants the loan under a currency swap agreement it entered with the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL). The Opposition stated that Sri Lanka has fallen to such a low level to obtain loans from a country (Bangladesh) that used to export rice sacks to Sri Lanka. 12 of 2017 to include the provision for the increased rate of interest on SDAs.
Source:The Nation
August 31, 2021 18:33 UTC
Chamber of Garment Exporters emphasise vertical integration
Vertical integration in Sri Lanka’s apparel industry is one of the quickest ways to do that, said Sri Lanka Chamber of Garment Exporters (SLCGE) Secretary General Hemantha Perera. An apparel industry veteran himself, Perera noted that certain fabrics used for apparel production are currently being imported from regions that disqualify the manufactured product for tariff reductions under the EU’s GSP+ concessions. Synthetic fabric often has to be imported to Sri Lanka, making them ineligible for GSP+ concessions to the EU. At the same time, Dr. Silva indicated that those who assumed that Sri Lanka could do without GSP+ concessions at this stage were mistaken. The other speakers at the event included EU Ambassador to Sri Lanka and the Maldives Denis Chaibi and Sri Lankan Ambassador to the EU Grace Asirwatham.
Source:The Nation
August 31, 2021 18:33 UTC
How to Do Pullups With a Squat Rack
You can also do this in a Smith machine instead of a squat rack. Many squat racks have a pullup bar already built in, and many houses have a doorway that’s well-suited to a doorway pullup bar. For example, I couldn’t buy the squat rack with the built-in pullup bar because my garage’s ceilings aren’t high enough. The barbell pullup bar was a perfect solution. (Always be considerate of others when using shared equipment, though; if somebody is waiting to do squats, don’t monopolize the squat rack if you do have other options.)
Source:The Nation
August 31, 2021 18:33 UTC
State companies to buy organic from local producers
BY Buddhika SamaraweeraTwo State-owned companies have been instructed to purchase and distribute organic fertiliser produced locally by various companies and to distribute them among farmers through the Agrarian Development Department. (formerly the Colombo Commercial Company Ltd.) and the Ceylon Fertiliser Company Ltd.“Local companies are currently manufacturing organic fertiliser according to their capacity. Ranasinghe also said that all organic fertiliser products purchased in this manner should comply with the standards introduced by the Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLSI). Attygalle, speaking to The Morning, said that no chemical fertiliser would be imported in bulk as had been done previously. The list includes nitrogen fertiliser, phosphate fertiliser, potassium fertiliser, fertilisers containing such minerals and chemical fertilisers containing a combination of fertilising elements.
Source:The Nation
August 31, 2021 18:00 UTC
Real Madrid confirm signing of French teen sensation Eduardo Camavinga
By Will Griffee For MailonlinePublished: 13:10 EDT, 31 August 2021 | Updated: 13:25 EDT, 31 August 2021Real Madrid have secured the signing of Eduardo Camavinga on a deal running until 2027. The Spanish club saw off competition from Manchester United to recruit the 18-year-old France international having had a bid of £27million plus add-ons accepted by Rennes. Eduardo Camavinga, seen here in action for France, has agreed a deal to join Real MadridThe club announced his signing with a short message on their website. It read: 'Real Madrid CF and Stade Rennais FC have agreed to transfer the player Eduardo Camavinga, who will remain linked to the club for the next six seasons, until June 30, 2027.' PSG were also interested in the youngster but it is Real who stole a march on their rivals to secure the teen on a long-term contract.
Source:The Nation
August 31, 2021 18:00 UTC
Sri Lanka to halve urban food waste by 2030
BY Pamodi WaravitaFollowing the launch of Sri Lanka’s roadmap to reduce urban food waste in mid-August, Environment Ministry Secretary Dr. Anil Jasinghe told The Morning yesterday (31) that the ultimate aim of the roadmap is to halve the amount of urban food waste by 2030. In order to reduce urban food waste, we must first begin with major hotel chains, caterers, small hotels, and then finally, domestic households. The goal is to reduce food wastage in urban areas by about 50% by 2030,” said Dr. Jasinghe. “This programme is focused not only on the management of the consequences of food waste, but also on its minimisation. Food waste minimisation helps in resource conservation and reduces the impact of climate change by reducing the amount of methane gas which is released into the atmosphere as a result of food waste piling up in dumpsites,” Dr. Jasinghe had said at the launch.
Source:The Nation
August 31, 2021 18:00 UTC
Ranatunga slams Russia critics
“SriLankan Airlines has launched a special promotional campaign to promote Sri Lanka as an attractive destination in Russia, and Sri Lankans wishing to attend the inaugural visit to Russia also had the opportunity to attend during this tour. According to the Ministry, investment opportunities between Sri Lanka and Russia were expanded during this visit, and accordingly, the Government is ready to provide the necessary support to Russian investors to invest in Sri Lanka. Despite the Covid-19 pandemic, new tourism investment approvals of $ 879.94 million have been submitted in the recent past. New tourism investment proposals worth $ 34 million were made during the third wave of the Covid-19 pandemic. Last year, there were 49,400 Russian tourists before Sri Lanka closed its borders in view of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Source:The Nation
August 31, 2021 17:37 UTC
Prevention of Terrorism Advisory Board to meet with President’s participation
BY Dinitha RathnayakeThe three-member Advisory Board that was recently appointed under the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act No. 48 of 1979 (PTA), as amended, is to hold a meeting with the participation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa after the present lockdown ends. Speaking to The Morning, Presidential Secretariat Director – Legal Affairs Harigupta Rohanadeera said the allocation of logistics has already begun on 30 August in order for the Advisory Board to be provided with Zoom facilities. He also said that the President will participate in an upcoming meeting with said Advisory Board that was appointed by him in accordance with Section 13 of the PTA. Rohanadeera further said that the prisoners who had no opportunity to make representations on their rights, since an Advisory Board had not been instituted in a long time, will now be given the opportunity to submit their issues with the appointment of this Advisory Board.
Source:The Nation
August 31, 2021 17:37 UTC
‘No action to prevent infection of hospital staffers’
BY Dinitha RathnayakeCollege of Medical Laboratory Science President Ravi Kumudesh claimed that hospital authorities are not taking action to prevent the spread of Covid-19 among healthcare personnel and staff. He said that this situation can easily be prevented by having the facility perform rapid polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests, rapid antigen tests (RATs) and antibody tests in the out-patient departments (OPDs) when a patient enters a hospital. Kumudesh added that the Health Ministry should encourage the heads of hospitals to have these tests conducted on-site. “Medical laboratory scientists have already volunteered to revive the process, but the authorities have not responded to our requests for eight months now.”He alleged that the Health Ministry administration has become a puppet of “some so-called experts” who have lined up to defend the various monopolies and trade mafias within the Health Ministry, thereby placing the hospital staff and the public at great peril. Health Ministry Communications Director Dr. Hematha Herath was not available for comment.
Source:The Nation
August 31, 2021 17:37 UTC
Missing persons’ relatives write to United Nations Rights Chief
BY Pamodi WaravitaThe Association of the Relatives of the Disappeared – Northern and Eastern Provinces has written to the United Nations (UN) High Commissioner for Human Rights (HCHR), Michelle Bachelet, stating they lack faith in the current Office on Missing Persons (OMP) and has requested her to ensure that an appropriate judicial mechanism is formulated to investigate the plight of missing persons in the country. “Only a woman can understand the plight of another woman. “Hence, the international community and the UN should accept the fact that the OMP is incapable, and should therefore advise the Sri Lankan Government to abolish the OMP immediately. The UNHRC is due to hear the oral update by the Office of the UNHCR and Bachelet on the situation of human rights in Sri Lanka at its upcoming session, which will begin on 13 September. Furthermore, criticisms have been levelled, by many parties, at the current Government for appointing former Police Chief Jayantha Wickramaratne as a Member of the OMP.
Source:The Nation
August 31, 2021 17:37 UTC
Two-month-old baby gets Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome
BY Pamodi WaravitaA two-month-old baby was yesterday (31) identified with the post-Covid-19 disease known as the Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome In Children Temporally Associated With Covid-19 (MIS-C). “We received news that two children have been identified with MIS-C. One of them is a two-month-old baby. “The three children at the Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children, with MIS-C, are recovering,” Dr. Kithulwatta said. Dr. Kithulwatta explained to The Morning that it is however more commonly observed in children between the ages of eight and 15 years. Sri Lanka has so far experienced three deaths due to MIS-C,” Dr. Kithulwatta further said.
Source:The Nation
August 31, 2021 17:37 UTC
Pakistan A to arrive in Colombo in mid October
Current Head of national cricket selectors Pramodya WickramasinghePakistan A will be arriving here in Sri Lanka mid October, ending a long drought of A-team cricket in the country. The two teams are scheduled to play two unofficial (four-day) test matches and three one-day games, a senior Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) executive committee official confirmed to the Morning Sports last week. Sri Lanka A played India in India during May-June 2019 under Ashan Priyanjan’s captaincy. Many of the players in the national A side then are now featuring in the main Sri Lanka national team. Sri Lanka are expected to allow many young and emerging talents in the current structure to play in the Pakistan A series, which will be utilised by the selectors as an opportunity to earmark future national players.
Source:The Nation
August 30, 2021 19:30 UTC