Two PHIs assaulted while carrying out duties
Two Public Health Inspectors attached to the Dickwella MOH office have been assaulted while carrying out their duties. Police spokesman Senior DIG Ajith Rohana notes that the two PHIs had visited a location where a Covid death had occurred. However, they were obstructed and assaulted by two people. Senior DIG Rohana also stated that several accounts of hostilities towards PHIs have been observed in the past. Accordingly, Sri Lanka Police is to take stern action against such perpetrators.
Source:The Nation
August 15, 2021 07:52 UTC
Lawyer of arrested Ex-Air Force officer claims threat to client’s life
Attorney at Law (AAL) Upul Kumarapperuma has written to the President of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka over an alleged threat to the life of his client, the recently arrested Ex-Air Force officer Keerthi Rathanayake. It also noted that he would be accompanied by an officer attached to the High Commission. “However at one point my client was arrested by the officers attached to the Colombo Crime Division (CCD) and he was brought there. Thereafter Mr. Amila Egodamahawatta AAL visited the CCD upon my instructions and met my client in the presence of the OIC and several other officers of the CCD,” Kumarapperuma details. “In the aforesaid circumstances, I humbly request you to intervene in this matter and inform the relevant authorities to safeguard his life,” Kumarapperuma urged the President of the BASL.
Source:The Nation
August 15, 2021 07:41 UTC
Mallorca hotel review: Rustic country-estate Zoetry Mallorca is enchanting
A hotel on Mallorca that left me spellbound. I knew the biggest island of the Balearic archipelago could throw a party, but I didn't realise it could enchant. Not, that is, until we rolled into the grand courtyard of Zoetry Mallorca, a stunning step-back-in-time country estate hotel that mesmerises with tranquil courtyards, charming service, a pool or two and luxurious, serene bedrooms. Lads on tour, move along to Magaluf, which lies about 50km (31 miles) to the west, the other side of the capital, Palma. Zoetry Mallorca, pictured, is a stunning step-back-in-time country estate hotelThe hotel 'mesmerises with tranquil courtyards, charming service, a pool or two and luxurious, serene bedrooms', says Ted.
Source:The Nation
August 15, 2021 07:41 UTC
10 Bad Horror Movies Plagued By Even Worse Production Problems
Whatever the causes, the consequences of filming bad horror movies plagued by even worse production problems can provide unintended entertainment, albeit probably not for those who were directly involved in the filmmaking. Let’s go backstage to see how directors, actors, and film crews have dealt with the production problems that plagued their low-budget films. 10 Beast from Haunted CaveTrailer – Beast From Haunted Cave (1959)The title of Beast from Haunted Cave announces the 1959 movie’s premise. One of the movie’s production problems resulted from mixed signals, as the movie’s screenwriter, Charles B. Griffith, who also directed the filming of the undersea scenes, explained in an interview with Aaron W. Graham. 3 Plan 9 from Outer SpacePlan 9 from Outer Space Ed Wood (full movie)The resourcefulness of “B” horror movie production crews is also demonstrated by Ed Wood’s 1957 cult classic Plan 9 from Outer Space.
Source:The Nation
August 15, 2021 06:56 UTC
Blood reserves depleted at National Blood Center
August 15, 2021 11:15 amThe blood reserves at the National Blood Transfusion Service have reportedly depleted due to the COVID-19 epidemic. At the present, there is a daily requirement of 950 to 1000 units of blood, according to the Director of the National Blood Center Dr. Lakshman Edirisinghe. The National Blood Center requests blood donors to donate blood as it is difficult to obtain the required amount on a daily basis. Willing donors can make an appointment by calling 011-5 332 153 or 011-5 332 154 to visit any blood transfusion center on the island, Dr. Edirisinghe said.
Source:The Nation
August 15, 2021 05:37 UTC
Zayan’s world of animals
Do you have any favourite animals? I draw a lot of animals and I like to draw prehistoric animals the most. Were these prehistoric animals similar to the animals we see in the movie series Ice Age? But they haven’t been found in Sri Lanka because Sri Lanka is not very sandy and sandy spots are the best places to dig up. I’m sure there have been prehistoric animals here in Sri Lanka.
Source:The Nation
August 15, 2021 01:07 UTC
Government’s crisis calendar overflowing – Rajitha
Those in support of this view Mr Premadasa as a weak opposition leader. While they offer no proof of how he has floundered, they claim that Ranil Wickremesinghe is more suitable for the post than Mr Premadasa. Sri Lanka’s liberals have, for the most, never been able to distinguish between different kinds of political formations. If Sinhala ultra-nationalists are stuck in 2009, somewhere in Nandikadal, Sri Lanka’s (classical) liberals are stuck in 1973, somewhere in Santiago. It tells us a lot about the depths academic standards have been lowered to that Sri Lanka’s nationalist and liberal circles remain intellectually obdurate and politically untenable.
Source:The Nation
August 15, 2021 00:56 UTC
Lawyers for a larger cause
by Emme HaddonNootropics, from Greek, meaning “mind-turning”, promote both brain function and brain health, protecting against cognitive decline, whilst boosting mental and physical performance. Often referred to as ‘smart drugs’, they can either be synthetic or natural herbal extracts which improve concentration, memory, motivation, attention and promote creativity. Bacopa is known to improve spatial learning, the ability to process information, the ability to retain information, the speed of processing of visual information, memory, learning rate and attention. Bacopa, known as lunuwila in Sinhala, is a perennial creeping herb that grows in damp soils and marshes in Sri Lanka, India and many other warm, tropical parts of the world. The bacopa market size was valued at $315 million in 2019, and is forecast to reach USD 1.08 billion by 2028.
Source:The Nation
August 15, 2021 00:56 UTC
WHO questions Chinese denials over Covid-19's Patient Zero
It follows an admission by the head of the World Health Organisation (WHO) origins study that Patient Zero may have been linked to research or sample collection by Wuhan scientists – as suggested by the US State Department in January. ‘We need an open investigation into the cause of the Covid outbreak to prevent a repeat of the disaster of these past two years,’ said Tory MP Tom Tugendhat, chairman of the Commons foreign affair select committee. ‘We haven’t even started to learn the truth.’He added that the Communist regime was trying to control and frustrate inquiries. ‘Even famous scientists are afraid of Beijing’s dictators and feel they have to cover up the failures of the state,’ he added. The Mail on Sunday has led the way exposing China’s cover-up over the pandemic outbreak with a series of global scoops.
Source:The Nation
August 15, 2021 00:56 UTC
Cardinal appeals Catholics to raise black flags on Aug.21
by Randima AttygalleSri Lanka could soon face a health crisis of unprecedented proportions, showing a rapid increase in daily reported number of cases and deaths, point out WHO experts. The joint study also projects that ICU admission will peak around 275 by early October with around 30,000 cumulative deaths by January, 2022. ‘Sri Lanka will avert about 18,000 deaths by January, 2022 ‘if the level of stringency is immediately increased similar to May 2021 for four weeks,’ the report recommends. This time frame will enable accelerated vaccination and achieve a level of protection following the second dose, the WHO experts recommend. Moreover, it will also give time for the health system to recover from the overwhelming case load, they note.
Source:The Nation
August 15, 2021 00:22 UTC
President says no lockdown, but tighter travel restrictions
by Randima AttygalleSri Lanka could soon face a health crisis of unprecedented proportions, showing a rapid increase in daily reported number of cases and deaths, point out WHO experts. The joint study also projects that ICU admission will peak around 275 by early October with around 30,000 cumulative deaths by January, 2022. ‘Sri Lanka will avert about 18,000 deaths by January, 2022 ‘if the level of stringency is immediately increased similar to May 2021 for four weeks,’ the report recommends. This time frame will enable accelerated vaccination and achieve a level of protection following the second dose, the WHO experts recommend. Moreover, it will also give time for the health system to recover from the overwhelming case load, they note.
Source:The Nation
August 15, 2021 00:22 UTC
Organic agriculture experts visit leading research institutes and academics
21.54 million a year earlier and it paid shareholders a dividend of 35 cents a share against eight cents the previous year. “Last year’s output was the lowest since 276.86 million kilos (produced) in in 1997,” he said. Perera noted that over the last seven years, Sri Lanka’s tea production has been steadily declining and with total production almost 60 million kilos behind 2014. The low grown segment was the biggest loser with a 40 million kilo loss in this period. The smallholder dominated low grown teas – accounting for nearly 75% of the green leaf harvest – is the most productive elevationally, strongly outpacing both high and mid-grown teas.
Source:The Nation
August 15, 2021 00:11 UTC
Australians under 40 reveal why they chose AstraZeneca vaccine
When the maligned AstraZeneca vaccine was finally offered to Australians under 40, tens of thousands of those in that age group weighed the risks and benefits and came to the same easy conclusion. Joe Sassine was sick of waiting for the Pfizer vaccine when he chose to get jabbed with Astra Zeneca. Despite this picture, it didn'tJOE SASSINE, 34Why I choose to get the Astrazeneca: I chose to AstraZeneca over Pfizer because I was tired of waiting. I'd heard a rumour the Pfizer vaccine would be available to people younger than 40 around September. I'd not heard any official statement from the Australian government confirming September availability of the Pfizer vaccine.
Source:The Nation
August 14, 2021 22:18 UTC
SAS ordered to 'save Our Man in Kabul'
Dominic Raab last night ordered the dramatic rescue of the British ambassador in Kabul as Taliban forces closed in on the Afghan capital. But by early yesterday, after a lightning offensive, the Taliban captured the city of Pul-e-Alam, capital of Logar province and just 43 miles from Kabul. It means Kabul is well within range of the artillery guns seized by Taliban units after they were abandoned by the routed Afghan forces. ‘It’s a privilege to be here at such a pivotal time.’But as he flees Kabul, the message appears to jar with reality. Before Kabul, Sir Laurie had a brief stint as the British ambassador to the COP26 conference.
Source:The Nation
August 14, 2021 21:56 UTC
Under-18s will start to receive first dose of 'back to school' jabs
By Glen Owen Political Editor For The Mail On SundayPublished: 17:21 EDT, 14 August 2021 | Updated: 17:36 EDT, 14 August 2021Under-18s will start to receive the Covid jab this week as Ministers mount a concerted ‘back to school’ vaccination campaign. More than 70 per cent of people aged 18 to 29 have already received their first shot. A total of 47,254,399 people have now had a first dose and 40,372,981 adults are fully jabbed – 76.3 per cent of the adult population. More than 70 per cent of people aged 18 to 29 have already received their first shot. So-called ‘grab a jab’ pop-up vaccine sites have been set up at venues such as football stadiums and festivals and at the London nightclub Heaven.
Source:The Nation
August 14, 2021 21:22 UTC