Over 19,000 get AstraZeneca jab at 24-hour vaccination drive
Army Commander General Shavendra Silva says that over 19,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine have been administered so far at the 24-hour vaccination center established at the Viharamahadevi Park in Colombo. He said that a total of 19,075 doses of the vaccine donated by Japan have been administered between 8.30 a.m. yesterday and 5.00 a.m. this morning (02). Sri Lanka Army yesterday launched a 24-hour vaccination drive for the first time to administer the Oxford-AstraZeneca doses which had recently arrived from Japan. Meanwhile, the Oxford-AstraZeneca jabs received from Japan will be administered in 18 MOH offices – 05 in Kalutara District and 15 in Gampaha District as well as 13 hospitals and 08 selected locations in Colombo District, including the 24-hour center at Viharamahadevi Park. Those who are arriving to receive their second dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine are required to bring their National Identity Card (NIC) and vaccination card.
Source:The Nation
August 02, 2021 02:48 UTC
Social media giants 'are failing to deal with anti-Semitism'
Posts involving propaganda and hate, including claims that the Holocaust was a hoax, were not acted upon by Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok. The Centre for Countering Digital Hate, a US-UK group, reported 714 posts across leading social media firms over the space of six weeks. The centre’s Imran Ahmed said ‘social media companies allow bigots to keep their accounts open and their hate to remain online’. He added: ‘Social media has become a safe space for racists... without fear of consequences. 'This is why social media is increasingly unsafe for Jewish people, just as it is becoming for women, black people, Muslims, LGBT people and many others.’
Source:The Nation
August 02, 2021 00:45 UTC
Tory rebels force Boris Johnson into climbdown on planning
Controversial planning reforms may be watered down by the Government after whips warned that almost 100 Tory MPs could rebel and vote against them. Whips are said to have warned Mr Johnson that more than 90 of his MPs, including several ministers, have raised serious concerns. One leading rebel said: 'If this ends up being a developers' free-for-all, it will be utterly toxic for Tory MPs everywhere – not just in the South East. Johnson approval rating plummets The Prime Minister's approval ratings among Tory activists have plummeted since he tried to dodge self-isolation, a survey found yesterday. He remains the second most popular member of the Cabinet with Tory activists, with a net approval rating of 74.1.
Source:The Nation
August 02, 2021 00:00 UTC
As Rishi Sunak warns Boris Johnson we MUST ease draconian curbs
Ministers signed off proposals last week to create an ‘amber watch list’ that could plunge the plans of hundreds of thousands of British holidaymakers into turmoil. The cheapest swabs for those returning from an amber list country was £78. The push to create an amber watch list has been prompted by concern among health officials about the rise of the Beta variant in countries such as Spain. An amber watch list would not carry quarantine restrictions of its own. They will then meet on Thursday to decide which countries should go in each category, and whether a new amber watch list is needed.
Source:The Nation
August 02, 2021 00:00 UTC
Video of LeBron James shoving fan who asked him to take photo at Usher concert goes viral
By Sandra Salathe For Dailymail.ComPublished: 17:27 EDT, 1 August 2021 | Updated: 17:53 EDT, 1 August 2021Video of LeBron James shoving a fan who asked him for a photo at an Usher concert has sparked fevered debate on Twitter. The Los Angeles Lakers superstar appeared to have been at the concert with his wife, Savannah Brinson James, when the fan approached him. In the video, he appears taken aback by the fan, who quickly ran up to him moments before Lebron shoves him away and security intervenes. The Los Angeles Lakers, added former MVP Russell Westbrook (right) to a cast that includes LeBron James (left)Westbrook is the league's career leader in triple-doubles with 184 and gives the Lakers another playmaker to pair with All-Stars LeBron James and Davis. James and Westbrook are already friends having won an Olympic gold medal together at the 2012 London Games.
Source:The Nation
August 01, 2021 21:56 UTC
Southampton set to beat Brighton and AC Milan to sign Chelsea teenager Tino Livramento
By Adrian Kajumba For MailonlinePublished: 17:55 EDT, 1 August 2021 | Updated: 17:55 EDT, 1 August 2021Southampton are set to win the race to sign Chelsea starlet Tino Livramento. Southampton will pay a fee believed to be around £5m for Livramento who will pen a five-year deal. Chelsea youth player Tino Livramento is on his way to Southampton for a £5m transfer feeEngland under-19 prospect Livramento was attracting plenty of interest as he entered the final year of his Chelsea contract and with talks failing to result in a new agreement. He was wanted by Brighton, among others, in the Premier League but also the likes of AC Milan and RB Leipzig abroad. He will now continue his career at Southampton, along with fellow defender Simeu who made the same move from Chelsea last week.
Source:The Nation
August 01, 2021 21:56 UTC
Brutal backlash to The Devil Wears Prada
The Devil Wears Prada was Lauren’s debut novel and became an instant bestseller on its publication in 2003. And I think that’s part of what people related to.’The Devil Wears Prada tells the tale of a small-town girl who lands the job as assistant to an editor of a top-selling New York fashion magazine. Is it about Anna Wintour?” There was a lot of heat and I was not prepared for anything. Good luck!”Lauren admits she probably wouldn't have written The Devil Wears Prada, if she had known about the attention and criticism she would face. So, with the growing belief that bosses must be held more accountable for their behaviour, does Lauren finally feel vindicated in writing The Devil Wears Prada?
Source:The Nation
August 01, 2021 21:00 UTC
Premalal Brahmanage new Condo Developer’s Assn President
Prime Group Chairman Premalal Brahmanage has been appointed as the new President of the Condominium Developers Association – Sri Lanka (CDASL) for the year of 2021/2022. Premalal Brahmanage currently serves as the Chairman of the Prime Group, a company he co-founded and steered to become the country’s most celebrated real estate company with an indelible reputation built over 25 years of service excellence. His knowledge and experience played a pivotal role in this regard, and I offer my deep gratitude for his wonderful service and hard work rendered towards CDASL together with the outgoing Executive committee,” expressed Prime Group Chairman Premalal Brahmanage. A seasoned entrepreneur and veteran of the real estate industry, Brahmanage is a Fellow Member of the Institute of Chartered Management Accountants (UK), Chartered Business Administrator (Canada) and Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing. His long-standing career has seen him make significant contributions to the advancement of entrepreneurship in Sri Lanka, and was named as the “Most Outstanding Entrepreneur in Sri Lanka” for the year 2018 by the International Association of Lions Club.
Source:The Nation
August 01, 2021 20:03 UTC
‘Show your Covid data, then we’ll send you tourists’
By Imsha IqbalCountries that have imposed aviation restrictions to Sri Lanka in the face of Delta variant detection request Sri Lanka’s Covid-19 data to be presented to them if they are to consider re-permitting their nationals to Sri Lanka, The Morning Business learns. Speaking to us, the Ministry of Tourism Secretary S. Hettiarachchi stated that the countries that have banned their nationals from embarking to Sri Lanka have requested pandemic-related data such as number of daily cases, deaths, and vaccination rate in order to reconsider their aviation restrictions to Sri Lanka. Hettiarachchi said that when the Ministry of Tourism would be able to complete the Covid-19 statistics related report, the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Sri Lanka looks forward to having a conversation with the aforementioned countries. Australia, New Zealand, Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Japan, Germany, Norway, Italy, and Qatar are among the 21 countries that have banned travelling to Sri Lanka. The tourism sector of the country is considered a key sector in attracting foreign exchange flowing into the country at the time of the forex crisis as well as the most affected sector of the country at the moment due to the prevailing pandemic.
Source:The Nation
August 01, 2021 20:03 UTC
Airtel introduces new Freedom Plan Packages
Speaking about the introduced Freedom Plans, Chandra said: “The market (of mobile services providers) is struggling with too many choices. Accordingly, Airtel has no plan in launching another range of packages other than what is there already, said Chandra, implying that Airtel has identified the customer needs when it comes to mobile services in Sri Lanka. When it comes to the establishment of Airtel in Sri Lanka, Airtel looks forward in moving far from what is already there in the number of towers, in other words, service expansion. Bharati Airtel Lanka commenced commercial operations of services in Sri Lanka in 2009, and it is registered under the Board of Investment (BOI) in Sri Lanka. Airtel Lanka provides digital mobile services which include voice, data, and enterprise solutions.
Source:The Nation
August 01, 2021 19:30 UTC
Ernst & Young facilitates a briefing on Port City Colombo
Ernst & Young TAX Principal Shehani Paranavitane explained the Act and the vast opportunities it offers in terms of fiscal and other exemptions to foreign investors investing in Port City Colombo. CHEC Port City Colombo Director Sales and Marketing Yamuna Jayaratne detailed out the unveiling investor opportunities within the Port City Colombo. During her presentation, Jayaratne explained how the idea of Port City came about back in 2010 as an outcome of Colombo South Port Expansion. Port City Colombo provides a world class city not only for Sri Lanka but for the whole of South Asia. 11 of 2021 (“The Port City Act”) Paranavitane of Ernst & Young highlighted that with the enactment of the Port City Economic Commission Act, the framework is in place in terms of ease of doing business, tax concessions, safeguarding of investor capital, and on expedited dispute resolution mechanisms.
Source:The Nation
August 01, 2021 19:30 UTC
Highest attendance at BOI EPZ post vaccination
As a result of prioritising the vaccination drive for all employees in all 14 export processing zones (EPZ) across the country, the BOI has witnessed a sharp increase in total employee attendance of up to 80% as at July, since the beginning of this year. Supplementing this, the vaccination drive has also been extended to reach adjacent ecosystems such as supply chain facilities that EPZs depend on, providing additional muscle for business continuity of manufacturing entities in the EPZs. All manufacturing facilities operating in the zones are now fully functional as of July 2021, and are catering to the demands placed by international customers through their respective order books. Ensuring the safety of employees of these facilities is our number one priority, and we are deeply encouraged by the sharp increase in attendance as a result of the vaccination drive implemented recently. The BOI provides nearly 500,000 direct employment opportunities across the country, stemming from both the 14 Export Processing Zones and other manufacturing facilities located outside the zones.
Source:The Nation
August 01, 2021 19:18 UTC
Buses await fare change as provinces open
The State Ministry of Vehicle Regulation, Bus Transport Services and Train Compartments, and Motor Car Industry Secretary S.M.D.L.K. Meanwhile, the Department of Railways has taken steps to resume public transport services between the provinces, with the public servants being called to work as usual from today (2). Another 10 trains will run on the Kelani Valley line, from Avissawella and Padukka railway stations to Colombo Fort. In addition, Chamara said that 16 trains would run from Chilaw, Kochchikade, and Negombo railway stations on the Puttalam line to Colombo Fort. Inter-provincial public transport recommenced yesterday for state and private sector employees, and those operating in essential services after about three months of halted operations.
Source:The Nation
August 01, 2021 19:03 UTC
Headline: 1333 annual bikeathon
Since its inception in December 2009, CCCline 1333 has been steadily moving forward towards its goal of being a credible, accessible, and the most utilised telephone counselling service in Sri Lanka. CCCline 1333 was established by the Courage Compassion Commitment (CCC) Foundation in partnership with Lifeline in Australia and the National Institute of Mental Health in Angoda, Sri Lanka. The CCC Foundation was established in 2003 with offices in Sri Lanka and Australia. The CCC Foundation, in order to raise awareness for their cause, is hosting their annual bikeathon. This is why services like 1333 are much needed in Sri Lanka.
Source:The Nation
August 01, 2021 18:45 UTC
Destigmatising LGBTQIA+ Healthcare
The panellists shared that in the absence of legislation prohibiting healthcare discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, and as is evident in the current healthcare landscape within the island, the level of awareness and prominence given to the healthcare concerns of LGBT people – there is a considerable disparity. She stated that healthcare disparities faced by the LGBT community and the eventual de-stigmatisation must be a collective commitment that sees an ongoing collaboration. She shared an example where recently she came across such an incident where certified healthcare workers acted in a discriminatory manner against an LGBT individual. Harendran shared that we certainly have a marvellous healthcare sector, and she very much appreciates it. However, there is this massive gap between what’s available and what is made accessible to those belonging to sexual minorities.
Source:The Nation
August 01, 2021 18:45 UTC