Certain fertilisers to be imported: Local organic fertiliser production continues
BY Yumiko PereraDespite the recent controversy surrounding the move to import certain types of fertiliser in spite of the prevailing ban on the use and import of chemical fertiliser, the Agriculture Ministry stated that the local production of organic fertiliser was going ahead as planned, with a view to supplying the needed stocks for the upcoming Maha cultivation season starting in September. However, in a recent statement to the press, the President’s Media Division (PMD) revealed that such imports would only be allowed through a special license programme. Accordingly, nitrogen (N) fertiliser, phosphate (PO₄³⁻) fertiliser, potassium (K) fertiliser, fertiliser containing such minerals, and chemical fertilisers that contain a combination of fertilising elements, would be allowed to be imported. Speaking on the progress of the production of organic fertiliser locally, Prof. Jayasinghe-Mudalige further added: “The production of organic fertiliser locally is running as planned, and we are diligently monitoring it for the time being. Weeratunga, however, noted that certain steps have to be taken in order to achieve that objective.
Source:The Nation
August 07, 2021 17:03 UTC
Child pornography probe: Three police teams deployed
By Yoshitha PereraThree police teams have been deployed to probe and arrest individuals who are posting child pornography on the internet, Police Media Spokesperson and National Child Protection Authority (NCPA) Director SDIG Ajith Rohana told the media yesterday (7). “The suspect is a resident from the Badalkumbura area and was arrested last Saturday for posting child pornography on the internet. SDIG Rohana further stated that according to police reports, the 25-year-old suspect has been using two fake accounts to add pornographic videos to the internet on a daily basis. Meanwhile, the President has appointed SDIG Rohana as the Director of NCPA in addition to his duties. Meanwhile, speaking to The Sunday Morning, Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Readiness Team (SLCERT) Information Security Engineer Ravindu Meegasmulla said that at present, investigations into child pornography are solely carried out by the Cyber Crimes Unit of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
Source:The Nation
August 07, 2021 16:52 UTC
30-day visa extension for foreigners in Sri Lanka
Accordingly, Tourist Visa holders can follow one of the methodologies to make payment for the extension of the visa and to get visa endorsement. To obtain a Tourist visa (maximum six months from arrival date), tourist visa holders are advised to pay the relevant visa fee and get the visa extension via the mentioned link on or before September 07: https://eservices.immigration.gov.lk/vsor,2. If intending to leave Sri Lanka during the aforementioned period, the journey will be also facilitated by paying the relevant visa fee at the Airportor,3. The visa extension also applies to all resident visa holders. The visa endorsement shall be obtained by visiting the head office at Battaramulla on or before September 07 by paying the relevant visa fees.
Source:The Nation
August 07, 2021 16:41 UTC
Covid-19 vaccination: Focus on 18-29 yrs group next
BY Yumiko PereraNearly 70% of new Covid-19 cases being reported in the Colombo Municipality area are of those who have not been vaccinated, out of which 50% are below the age of 29, The Sunday Morning learnt. Speaking to the media earlier this week, Colombo’s Mayoress Rosy Senanayake said that the most recent PCR tests conducted within the Colombo city limits had revealed these statistics. Several attempts made by The Sunday Morning to contact Colombo Municipal Council Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Ruwan Wijayamuni proved futile. On that front, over 10.7 million people have been partially vaccinated, and nearly 2.6 million individuals have been fully vaccinated, as per the Epidemiology Unit’s statistics. Advisor to the President Lalith Weeratunga, on 29 July, said that the Government was looking into vaccinating schoolchildren between the ages of 12 and 18 years.
Source:The Nation
August 07, 2021 16:41 UTC
CPC assures uninterrupted fuel supply
BY Maheesha MudugamuwaThe Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) assured the uninterrupted supply of fuel despite allegations levelled by Opposition parties to the effect that there is a huge US dollar crisis within the country that has affected oil imports. Speaking to The Sunday Morning, CPC Managing Director (MD) Buddhika Madihahewa said that the corporation had secured sufficient fuel stocks for the next two months as of now, and that therefore, the CPC would be able to provide an uninterrupted fuel supply. He stressed that because of the said dollar crisis, the CPC is not able to unload the oil shipment brought to the country on 25 July, adding that the CPC has therefore had to pay demurrages for two days. “We brought the shipment from Indian businessman Mukesh Ambani’s company (a reference to Reliance Petroleum of Reliance Industries Ltd.). The CPC gives naphtha (an intermediate hydrocarbon liquid stream used to dilute heavy crude oil) to Ambani’s company.
Source:The Nation
August 07, 2021 16:41 UTC
Code of conduct for domestic workers
BY Yoshitha PereraIn addition to proposed amendments to the existing legal framework governing labour relations to cover domestic workers and the enactment of new laws to ensure the rights of domestic workers, the Labour Ministry is also scheduled to introduce a code of conduct for domestic workers in order to ensure the quality of service provided by such workers, The Sunday Morning learnt. He noted that all domestic workers must be registered at the relevant district labour office by their employers. Furthermore, the Ministry is scheduled to introduce a code of conduct for domestic workers in order to ensure the quality of the service provided by these workers. Meanwhile, Domestic Workers Union (DWU) Founder Menaha Kandasamy said last week that a meeting has been scheduled between the union and the Labour Ministry this month to discuss bringing domestic workers under the prevailing legal framework. In the long term, we hope that a domestic workers act will also be formulated,” she added.
Source:The Nation
August 07, 2021 16:41 UTC
Covid-19 patients: Govt. announces triaging guidelines
By Aazam AmeenThe Ministry of Health has issued guidelines for what it terms “integrated home-based isolation and management of asymptomatic and mild symptomatic Covid-19 patients”, The Sunday Morning learnt. Due to the fact that the situation may escalate and overwhelm the healthcare services, the Ministry has established a home-based isolation management system which seeks to triage Covid-19 patients. This decision comes after Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi noted in Parliament that an integrated homecare-based programme for asymptomatic Covid-19 patients is expected to begin from 9 August. Earlier, The Sunday Morning reported that the capacity of the units allocated for the treatment of Covid-19 patients at hospitals had reached its limits, leaving many patients without beds. In response to photos and videos being shared on social media which depict patients lying on the floors along corridors, he stated that it was not possible to say if they were Covid-19 patients, as such patients are kept in “sealed wards”.
Source:The Nation
August 07, 2021 16:30 UTC
Sri Lanka s COVID death toll crosses grim milestone of 5,000
Total lives claimed by the COVID-19 outbreak in Sri Lanka now stand over 5,000 as 98 new victims were confirmed by the Director-General of Health Services on Friday (August 06). According to the data released by the Department of Government Information, the latest victims confirmed today include 47 males and 51 females. As many as 78 deaths have been reported among the elderly people who are aged above 60 years. In addition, 20 people aged between 30-59 years have also succumbed to the virus infection. The new development has pushed the official death toll from the virus outbreak in Sri Lanka to 5,017.
Source:The Nation
August 07, 2021 14:37 UTC
Motorola Edge 20 series India launch teased
The Motorola Edge 20 series announced last week will soon debut in India since the Lenovo-owned company has started teasing the lineup in the Asian country. Motorola India has posted a trio of teasers on its official Instagram and Twitter accounts with the hashtag #FindYourEdge, suggesting an imminent launch of the Edge 20 lineup in India. Motorola Edge 20 India launch teasedThe Edge 20 series consists of three smartphones - Edge 20, Edge 20 Lite, and Edge 20 Pro. Edge 20 Lite • Edge 20 • Edge 20 ProAll three smartphones support 30W charging and feature 108MP primary and 32MP selfie cameras. You can head this way for the detailed specs of the Edge 20, Edge 20 Lite, and Edge 20 Pro.
Source:The Nation
August 07, 2021 13:52 UTC
Two contact numbers for inquiries on hospitalizing COVID patients
The Ministry of Health has introduced two contact numbers for the public to clarify any issues related to hospitalization of COVID-19 patients. Accordingly, people can contact 1999 or 0117 966 366 to this purpose. Speaking further on the matter, the health ministry’s spokesperson, Dr. Hemantha Herath pointed out that it is apt to take low-risk patients to a treatment centre, through the Medical Officer of Health (MOH). “Visit the nearest hospital only if you have severe symptoms. This can be a hindrance to those who are in need of urgent care” he said further.
Source:The Nation
August 07, 2021 13:52 UTC
COVID- 1,820 new infections confirmed so far today
As many as 1,820 persons have tested positive for the novel coronavirus so far today (August 07), the Ministry of Health announced. This new development brings the total number of infections reported in the country so far to 326,043. According to official data, 30,330 active cases are still receiving treatment at hospitals and treatment centres across the country. The recoveries tally reached 290,794 earlier today as 2,847 patients were discharged from medical care as they have returned to health. In the meantime, the island’s death toll from novel coronavirus now stands at 4,919.
Source:The Nation
August 07, 2021 13:07 UTC
No plans to increase prices of milk powder – D.B. Herath
The government will not allow a shortage of milk powder to ensue in the country, State Minister of Livestock, Farm Promotion and Dairy & Egg Related Industries, D.B. Speaking to the media in Kandy, the state minister said measures are already afoot to promote liquid milk to the consumers. The state minister pointed out that 40 percent of the country’s demand for milk powder is met through the local manufacturers. However, the country must be self-sufficient to meet the 100 percent of the demand, he added. “We have already imported sufficient stocks of milk powder.”Responding to a question raised by a media person, the state minister revealed that the government has no plans to increase the prices of milk powder.
Source:The Nation
August 07, 2021 12:56 UTC
13 Best Day trading courses in 2021
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Source:The Nation
August 07, 2021 12:45 UTC
COVID-19 : Second AstraZeneca consignment from Japan arrives
COLOMBO (News 1st); The second consignment of 727,380 doses of AstraZeneca vaccines manufactured in Japan arrived at the Bandaranaike International Airport on Saturday (07) evening. With this delivery, the total quantity of AstraZeneca vaccines donated from Japan to Sri Lanka has reached 1,455,840 doses, said the Embassy of Japan in Sri Lanka. Japan believes this second batch delivered will further accelerate the vaccination programme in Sri Lanka, said the Embassy. Japan would like to thank WHO and UNICEF for their efficient work in making this delivery possible through the COVAX Facility. The Government of Japan will remain committed to fighting against COVID-19 with the Government and people of Sri Lanka, a statement added.
Source:The Nation
August 07, 2021 12:00 UTC
Greece wildfires spread, causing mass evacuations
Thousands of tourists and residents have been evacuated from towns north of the Greek capital, Athens, as wildfires spread across the country. Strong winds and high temperatures are making it difficult to control the blazes, which have killed at least two people, including a firefighter. Huge clouds of smoke and ash near Athens has meant some people there have also been urged to leave their homes. “Wildfires of unprecedented intensity and spread, all our forces are fighting the battle day and night to save lives, together with volunteers,” he said. Hundreds of residents and tourists on Evia have been evacuated using ferries and fishing boats, as wildfires closed in on its shores.
Source:The Nation
August 07, 2021 11:48 UTC