Sri Lanka promotes tourism in Jordan
The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Jordan hosted a meeting recently, at the Chancery to promote Sri Lanka amongst leading tour and travel representatives and officials of airlines currently flying to Sri Lanka to encourage and revive interest in visiting Sri Lanka. The Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Jordan, Shanika Dissanayake emphasised the latest Covid-19 health protocols which have been in place since 7 July 2021 and elaborated on the tourist attractions that could be experienced for those who arrive following the completion of the vaccination. Ambassador Dissanayake requested travel operators to encourage millennials to travel to Sri Lanka as this is one of the fastest growing segments in the tourism sector in Jordan with many millennials likely to be repeat visitors. The invitees were also informed about the user-friendly travel app soon to be launched by Sri Lanka Tourism which would be accessible by mobile phone to make travel easier within the country. The Embassy is currently in discussion to encourage more airlines to fly to Sri Lanka.
Source:The Nation
August 17, 2021 18:33 UTC
IFC ramps up impact investments in South Asia
In a bid to protect the most vulnerable people and help companies maintain operations and jobs, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) is focused on sustained investments in South Asia, to continue to have a strong impact in the fiscal year 2021. IFC committed over $ 3.8 billion, including mobilisation and short-term finance in South Asia as of June 2021, resulting in an investment volume of over $ 14.9 billion in the last five years in the region, towards a green and inclusive recovery. “The Covid-19 crisis has drastically impacted the region’s private sector, which has severely affected the region’s most vulnerable people,” said IFC Vice President Asia and the Pacific Region Alfonso Garcia Mora. IFC has committed $ 590 million in Covid response deals in South Asia – with additional deals worth over $ 100 million in the pipeline. Furthermore, IFC committed $ 353 million in climate finance and $ 490 million in IDA/FCS (International Development Association/Fragile and Conflict-Affected Situations) countries in the region.
Source:The Nation
August 17, 2021 18:33 UTC
‘Be transparent with debt repayment plans’
“Whether we (Sri Lanka) go to the IMF or not is the decision of the Government. If the Government has a plan on how to look at the debt, service the debt, and overcome it, we encourage the Government to make it (the plan) transparent. When it comes to the export sector, the Chamber has emphasised the security of foreign currency for the importation of raw material for export goods production. He also stated that Sri Lanka lacks large export houses, unlike countries such as Vietnam. Accordingly, he pointed out that Sri Lanka can proceed to increase the country’s export capacity on such a facility.
Source:The Nation
August 17, 2021 18:33 UTC
Marine Drive construction nears completion
Construction of the two new sections of Marine Drive from Wellawatte to Dehiwala Railway Station and from Kollupitiya to Steuart Place in Colombo has reached its final stages, stated the Highways Ministry via media release. Chief Government Whip and Highways Minister Johnston Fernando, addressing a progressive review meeting on Monday (16) with engineers and the Project Director at the ministry auditorium, had said that Rs. 220 million has been spent on the 600 m section of the four-lane road from Kollupitiya to Steuart Place, and Rs. 420 million on the 1.2 km section of the four-lane road from Wellawatte to Dehiwala Railway Station.
Source:The Nation
August 17, 2021 18:03 UTC
Cricket fan walks 1,400 km across India to meet M.S. Dhoni
Gill’s rare commitment goes on to indicate the kind of unending, unusual, and, perhaps, the frenzied passion of the Indian cricket fan, particularly at an age the country’s cricket is dominating the world stage. Ajay Gill waving the Indian National Flag on Friday (13) during his remarkable journey to see his cricketing idol. One of his biggest fans named Ajay Gill walked over 1,400 km to meet his hero on the (Indian) Independence Day (15 August). “Dhoniji se mil ke hi ghar lautunga” (I will return home only after I meet Dhoni), Ajay Gill had told the Telegraph India. “Dhoni has given many memorable moments to cricket fans by captaining the Indian cricket team to victory in the 2007 T20 World Cup, 2011 50-overs World Cup, and 2013 Champions Trophy.
Source:The Nation
August 17, 2021 18:00 UTC
DAVID HAYE EXCLUSIVE: Comeback fight with Fournier could spark return
Haye joins battle with his businessman-boxer friend Joe Fournier on the undercard of the legendary Oscar De La Hoya’s boxing comeback in Los Angeles on September 11. ‘But as the date draws closer and the excitement grows Haye, is forced to admit: ‘I’m feeling the nostalgia. When Joe first began challenging me I said it was inconceivable I would ever fight again. ‘Well,’ says the former world heavyweight champion, ‘unexpected circumstances are bringing me to the Staples Centre in LA. Haye reveals: ‘I told Joe I’d only do this for the same money I got for my pay-per-view second fight with Bellew.
Source:The Nation
August 17, 2021 18:00 UTC
Foreign Sports Snippets
* Messi presented to fans as PSG winsLionel Messi was introduced to the Paris St-Germain (PSG) fans before Saturday’s (14) 4-2 win over 10-man Strasbourg. Meanwhile PSG Head Coach Mauricio Pochettino proclaimed he is “very happy” with Mbappe following the win as PSG fans whistled at the forward amid transfer speculation. * Formula E: De Vries wins drivers’ c’ship, others crashMercedes-EQ’s Nyck de Vries won the Formula E drivers’ championship after three other contenders crashed out in the early stages of the final race on Sunday. * Muhammad Ali’s grandson Nico Ali Walsh wins first pro boutNico Ali Walsh paid tribute to his grandfather Muhammad Ali as he won his debut professional bout wearing a pair of shorts he had given him. “It’s just an emotional journey, this whole ride,” Ali Walsh had said.
Source:The Nation
August 17, 2021 18:00 UTC
Staycationers may have 'amplified' the Covid outbreak in Cornwall, experts say
Four of the top 10 parts of England areas with the highest Covid infection rates are in Cornwall, official data shows in a sign that staycations are fuelling the local crisis. Local health chiefs warned that Cornwall attracts a lot of young holidaymakers, many of whom have had one or no vaccines. Experts told MailOnline today the G7 summit in June likely 'seeded' the outbreak, which has since been amplified by staycationers during the school break. Official data shows 1,067 people per 100,000 had Covid in Newquay West in the seven days leading up to August 11. 'However since the G7 summit in early June, case numbers have been increasing at a rate that is amongst the highest in England.
Source:The Nation
August 17, 2021 17:37 UTC
If Square is down for you, you are not alone
TL;DR Square, the popular digital payment service, appears to be down for some users. The service is currently dealing with a ‘502 Bad Gateway’ error when users access the Square dashboard. If you use Square, the popular digital payment system, you might be experiencing some issues accessing the service. Specifically, it says that some users have reported getting a ‘502 Bad Gateway’ error when they access the Square Dashboard. The good news is that while Square is down for some users, the company is currently working to fix the problems.
Source:The Nation
August 17, 2021 17:37 UTC
UNP leader calls on President to discuss pandemic situation
A meeting between President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and United National Party (UNP) Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe has taken place this morning (Aug. 17). The UNP leader has handed over a set of proposals to the President, pertaining to the mitigation of COVID-19. Wickremesinghe also requested a meeting of party leaders to discuss the prevailing situation and relevant solutions with the participation of the Prime Minister, Speaker of Parliament and the Minister of Health. The attention of the duo has also fallen on launching joint programs to seek remedies for the current pandemic situation. Reportedly, the former Prime Minister’s views on hospital capacity, medicines and vaccination have drawn a positive response from the President.
Source:The Nation
August 17, 2021 17:37 UTC
Health Minister defends decision to not lock down the country
New Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella says COVID-19 vaccination and strict adherence to health guidelines are the only ways to deal with the pandemic. Responding to questions raised by journalists during a media briefing held earlier today (Aug. 17), the health minister defended the government’s decision to not lock down the country entirely. Even the countries with a robust economy implemented nationwide lockdown measures in the outset of the novel coronavirus pandemic, however, they were confronted by the pandemic again after reopening, he explained. “Some people call for a two-week lockdown. We already had the country closed down for months, but what happened [after reopening]?”Nearly 1.5 million employees in the public sector receive their monthly salaries without an issue, he added, pointing out that the situation of the self-employed people and daily wage earners must also be taken into consideration.
Source:The Nation
August 17, 2021 17:15 UTC
How to Fix the Alt+Tab Bug in Windows 10
For some reason, the August 2021 update KB5005033 (as well as the July 2021 preview KB5004296) for Windows 10 put Alt+Tab out of commission. Now, that doesn’t mean that Windows will outright ignore you when you press Alt+Tab. Normally when you press Alt+Tab, it moves through your various app windows, then opens the one selected when you release the keys. G/O Media may get a commissionHow to solve Windows 10's Alt+Tab problemLuckily, we do have a workaround for this glitch, albeit a strange one. We don’t recommend this method, however, since you’ll be missing out on the crucial security patches the August 2021 update provides.
Source:The Nation
August 17, 2021 16:41 UTC
Quote from a Legend
I just wanted to be them and do that.”– Joe RootJoseph Edward Root, MBE*, born 30 December 1990, is the current Captain of England in Test cricket. Root was part of the England squad that won the 2019 Cricket World Cup and was England’s leading run-scorer in the tournament. Root replaced Alastair Cook as the full-time Test Captain of England in February 2017, following the latter’s resignation, making him England’s 80th Captain. He scored his 22nd Test century at Lord’s on Saturday (14) in the second Test against India. On 16 occasions Root struck a hundred, England had won and on no time had they lost when he passed the three-figure mark.
Source:The Nation
August 17, 2021 16:41 UTC
Springboks begin title defence with a win against Pumas
The Springboks, coming off a series win over the British and Irish Lions, managed to secure a bonus-point win over Argentina by 32-12 at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium at Gqeberha, Eastern Cape, South Africa. Boks led 29-9 in first halfThe Springboks scored two tries in the first half to take a 21-9 lead going into lemons. Los Pumas’ nine points in the first half came through the boot of Nicolas Sanchez. Jantjies adds six moreIn the second half, Argentina tried their best to make a comeback into the game but they only scored a three-pointer through Sanchez. The hosts made 10 changes to the starting line-up that won the decider against the Lions a week ago.
Source:The Nation
August 17, 2021 16:30 UTC
2020 Summer Paralympics in Tokyo
* Host City: Tokyo, Japan* Motto: “United by Emotion”* Number of Athletes: 4,400 (expected)* Events: 540 in 22 sports* Opening Ceremony: On Tuesday, 24 August* Closing Ceremony: On Sunday, 5 September* Opened By: Emperor Naruhito (expected)* Stadium: Japan National Stadium# The 2021 Summer Paralympics in Tokyo, Japan is named ‘2020 Paralympic Games’. # The Tokyo Paralympics were originally scheduled to take place between 25 August and 6 September 2020. # The events are still being branded as Tokyo 2020 for marketing purposes. # This will mark the second Summer Paralympics to be hosted by Tokyo since the 1964 Games. As a result of the ban, WADA allows individually cleared Russian athletes to take part in the 2020 Summer Paralympics under a neutral banner, as instigated at the 2018 Winter Paralympics.
Source:The Nation
August 17, 2021 16:18 UTC