H.E the President Visits Parliament
His Excellency the President Gotabaya Rajapaksa arrived in Parliament today (04) to participate in today proceedings. H.E the President arrived in Parliament at around 11.15a.m. and was escorted to the chamber by the Hon. Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa. H.E the President remained in the House until around 12.00 noon while questions for Oral Answers by the Hon. During his stay in the chamber, the President was seen conversing at length with the Hon.
Source:The Nation
August 04, 2021 08:15 UTC
EXCLUSIVE – Technical Committee concedes powers back to SLC
You (SLC) take care of everything,” a member of the TAC had told the SLC officials at Monday’s meeting with the Minister. The responsibilities of the TAC had reportedly ranged from drafting the player contracts to defining major policy frameworks of national cricket. Later those TAC moves, particularly the drafting of the player contracts, became failures. Powers clearly defined“The responsibilities of the two bodies (SLC and TAC) are now pretty much clear. This legend has given wrong information to the board with regard to the senior players.
Source:The Nation
August 04, 2021 07:18 UTC
UAE lifts ban on transit flights from Sri Lanka
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) will lift a ban on transit passenger traffic from Sri Lanka, India, Nigeria, and other countries from August 5, UAE’s National Emergency and Crisis Management Authority (NCEMA) said on Tuesday. The UAE, a major international travel hub, has banned passengers from many South Asian and African countries for several months due to the coronavirus pandemic. Final destination approval would also have to be provided, the authority said, adding that UAE departure airports would arrange separate lounges for transiting passengers. The transit ban had also included Nepal, Pakistan, and Uganda. However, they would need to apply for online entry permits prior to traveling and would need to present a negative PCR test taken 48 hours prior to departure.
Source:The Nation
August 04, 2021 06:33 UTC
Over 370,000 AstraZeneca second doses rolled out within three days
Sri Lanka ramped up the national inoculation drive on Tuesday (August 03), with the administration of 116,664 second doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID vaccines. This brings the total number of AstraZeneca vaccinations rolled out has risen to 370,761, according to the State Minister of Production, Supply and Regulation of Pharmaceuticals. In addition, 25,509 first doses of the UK-developed jabs have also been rolled out yesterday. Sri Lanka resumed the administration of AstraZeneca vaccines following the arrival of a shipment donated by the government of Japan under the COVAX facility on Saturday (July 31). To expedite the process, Sri Lanka Army is operating a 24-hour vaccine drive at the Viharamahadevi Park and Diyatha Uyana.
Source:The Nation
August 04, 2021 03:22 UTC
Legal action against buses violating Quarantine Laws
COLOMBO (News 1st): The law will be strictly enforced against bus employees who transport passengers in excess of the number of seats from Wednesday (Aug. 04), the State Ministry of Vehicle Regulation, Bus Transport Services and Train Compartments stressed. The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) was also informed in writing regarding the matter, State Minister Dilum Amunugama noted. “The IGP was instructed to arrest all Bus Drivers and Conductors who transport passengers in excess of the number of seats and produce them in court under the Quarantine Law,” the State Minister added. According to State Minister Dilum Amunugama, such buses will be taken into police custody, while the permit to operate will be suspended by informing the National Transport Commission (NTC) or other respective authorities.
Source:The Nation
August 04, 2021 03:11 UTC
48-year-old arrested for spitting at PHI
The father of a COVID-infected individual has been arrested for spitting at a Public Health Inspector (PHI) attached to Narammala MOH Office who came to check on them. Reportedly, the incident took place at a house in Puskoladeniya, Giriulla on Tuesday (August 03). According to the police, man in question, obstructing the duties of the relevant PHI, had also attempted to assault him. Thereby, the Giriulla Police arrested the 48-year-old, who is suspected to have been under the influence of alcohol at the time of the incident. The suspect was sentenced to 6 years rigorous imprisonment by the Panadura Magistrate’s Court, who also imposed a fine of Rs.
Source:The Nation
August 04, 2021 03:00 UTC
DELTA variant could be dominant in Sri Lanka
COLOMBO (News 1st): The DELTA variant of the COVID-19 virus could be the dominant strain in Sri Lanka at present, the University of Sri Jayawardenapura stated. A study has been re-launched to analyze and determine the variants that are currently spreading; the Department of Immunology and Molecular Medicine is able to determine any strain of the COVID-19 virus by conducting analysis of samples, Dr. Chandima Jeewandara, the Director of the Department of Immunology and Molecular Medicine of the University of Sri Jayawardenapura told News 1st on Wednesday (Aug. 04). According to Dr. Jeewandara, the report of the complete analysis is expected to be submitted to the Director-General of Health Services at the Ministry of Health by this weekend. Dr. Chandima Jeewandara urged people to avoid travelling for non-essential purposes, maintain the 06-feet distance, wear a face mask, wash hands, ensure proper ventilation and obtain the COVID-19 jab as soon as possible. Whilst pointing out that the vaccines may not provide 100% immunity given the high-transmissibility of the DELTA variant, Dr. Chandima Jeewandara emphasized the risk could be still minimized.
Source:The Nation
August 04, 2021 02:48 UTC
Colombo Security Conclave begins on Wednesday (04)
COLOMBO (News 1st); The 5th Deputy National Security Advisors’ (DNSA) Level virtual meeting, ‘Colombo Security Conclave’ (CSC), related to maritime security commences on Wednesday (04) at the Army Headquarters. The CSC, the forum, meant to promote the maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region was first initiated by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa several years ago as the forum for Trilateral Maritime Security Cooperation among India, Maldives and Sri Lanka in 2011 when he was serving as the Secretary of Defence to the Ministry of Defence. Sri Lanka’s Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army General Shavendra Silva and Head of the National Operation Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO), together with a representative group of Tri-Service Officers represents the forum.
Source:The Nation
August 04, 2021 02:26 UTC
Diseases expert calls out Covid 'doomsday' scenario over death prediction
'I don't think we're going to stop testing and tracing and putting other restrictions in place so that's a doomsday scenario. On Tuesday, Prime Minister Scott Morrison also said the scenario wouldn't happen because state governments would re-introduce restrictions regardless of vaccination rates. 'But the likelihood of that occurring under an 80 per cent vaccination rate or indeed the other figures you have there at 70 per cent is obviously very different.' Phase C begins when 80 per cent of adults are double-jabbed, allowing vaccinated Australians to travel overseas for any reason. Phase C will remove all domestic restrictions on double-jabbed Aussies and abolish caps on returning vaccinated Australians.
Source:The Nation
August 04, 2021 02:26 UTC
Police K9 Units trained to detect dengue breeding grounds
COLOMBO (News 1st); The Sri Lanka Police Kennels Division had successfully trained two K9 Units to detect dengue breeding grounds. Police Spokesperson Senior DIG Ajith Rohana speaking to News 1st said Police K9 Units ‘Jenny’ & ‘Roma’ attached to the Kandy Police Kennels Division were trained for this purpose. ‘Jenny’ & ‘Roma’ will be assigned to operations carried out the Environment Division of Sri Lanka Police while also supporting the efforts of Health Inspectors to crackdown on dengue breeding grounds. The Police Spokesperson said following the success of the training, a decision was also reached to train around 200 other K9 Units in the Police Kennels Division. At present the Police Kennels Division supports to Track criminals, Crime Investigation, Explosive Investigation and Narcotic Investigation.
Source:The Nation
August 04, 2021 01:52 UTC
The Hundred: David Willey masterclass sees Northern Superchargers defeat London Spirit
David Willey was left heartbroken two years ago when he agonisingly missed the cut for England’s triumphant ODI World Cup squad. The 31-year-old smashed 81 and chipped in with two wickets to hammer the Northern Superchargers by 63 runs. Tuesday night was the Willey show against London Spirit’s Eoin Morgan at Lord'sLeg-spin pairing Adil Rashid and Mujeeb Ur Rahman were also key to the Northern side’s blueprint. Rashid dismissed his colleague Morgan, and Ur Rahman produced a masterclass in spin bowling as he went for just six runs in 20 balls. The wickets kept tumbling as the spin duo of Rashid and Ur Rahman had ripped the middle order away, and they shared four wickets.
Source:The Nation
August 03, 2021 21:56 UTC
You Should Be Cleaning Your Indoor Plants
Photo: By Marianna Karabut (Shutterstock)When your house is a disaster, the last thing you are thinking about is cleaning your plants. But houseplants get dirty and dusty just like anything else in your home, even if cleaning them requires some specialized knowhow. Many cleaning products (and even gentle soaps) can damage a plant’s leaves and roots, so it’s worth knowing how to spruce them up without causing lasting harm. When to clean your plants depends on the type of plant, how dirty it is, and the airflow in your home. G/O Media may get a commissionHow to clean plant leaves
Source:The Nation
August 03, 2021 20:37 UTC
When to Pay for 'Clear' Over TSA PreCheck
Photo: Jacob Lund (Shutterstock)With airports jammed with travelers, you might be thinking about signing up for the airport security fast-track program TSA PreCheck. How TSA PreCheck worksTSA PreCheck offers a separate, shorter line through airport security (usually five minutes or less), run by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Available in 200 domestic airports, TSA PreCheck costs $85, and your TSA PreCheck enrollment status remains valid for five years. Like the TSA PreCheck program, signing up is a two-part process that’s online and in-person, although Clear requires scans of your eyes, face, and fingerprints. That means Clear could be a good back-up option if TSA PreCheck is busy or not available, and vice versa.
Source:The Nation
August 03, 2021 19:52 UTC
Unsolicited commentary
So the fact that our nine athletes even qualified for the Olympics is to be commended. Recently, there were reports by certain widely circulated English newspapers in the country reporting on our athletes’ performance at the Olympics, using outrageous headlines. It is necessary to report what happened, but there is a way to report: By simply stating the facts,” she pointed out. “Even their visual coverage captured some amazing moments and accomplishments, however modest, by our athletes,” Gunawardena informed us. “After all, these athletes have gone through the qualifying rounds; it’s not like they were parachuted to the Olympics,” he said.
Source:The Nation
August 03, 2021 19:07 UTC
An authentic bite of Mexico: Sabores Mexico
“The few times something close to Mexican food restaurants opened up, they would close within a year! She was also shocked to find out that people were very clueless about authentic Mexican food and they related it to Tex-Mex or Taco Bell. That is when she decided to take matters into her own hands and start up her own Mexican food cloud kitchen: “I decided that there was no better way than to show Lankans the real taste of Mexican food through my small home business.”This is how Sabores, her small business, started two years ago. We tried their beef tacos, chicken tacos, vegetable tacos, cheese quesadilla, and the chicken and cheese quesadilla. Next, we had chicken tacos.
Source:The Nation
August 03, 2021 19:07 UTC