Go and perform in domestic tournament – Selectors tell Chandimal
By Revatha S. SilvaDinesh Chandimal has told SLC officials that he is worried about the status quo of the Sri Lanka cricket team. Selectors have asked former Skipper to perform in the domestic tournament first, for him to be considered for limited-over selection in future. Here is Chandimal (on right) with Angelo MathewsFormer Sri Lanka Captain Dinesh Chandimal has been asked to perform first in the national domestic circuit, including the forthcoming Inter Provincial tournament, if he is to be considered for selection in the limited-over formats in future. Chandimal met the national cricket selectors and officials of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) early last week. Interestingly in the meeting, Chandimal has first told the officials that he is worried about the present situation of the Sri Lanka cricket team.
Source:The Nation
July 24, 2021 19:07 UTC
SL to get $ 780 m from IMF?
BY YOSHITHA PERERASri Lanka stands to receive an allocation of $ 780 million by the end of August, through the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) new Special Drawing Rights (SDR) proposal, pending approval from the IMF Board of Governors. Under the proposal, due to be reviewed in early August, Sri Lanka is entitled to 0.12% of the disbursement fund which amounts to over Rs. He noted: “The SDR allocation is a unique instrument that would benefit all IMF member countries including Sri Lanka. Once approved, the new SDR allocation will be distributed, unconditionally, to all members that participate in the SDR Department according to their quota shares. He further added that the RFI which provides rapid assistance to countries with urgent balance of payments needs, is yet another example of IMF lending.
Source:The Nation
July 24, 2021 18:56 UTC
Samsung Galaxy A80 gets updated with July 2021 Android security patch
Samsung's been busy updating its smartphones across different price segments with the July 2021 Android security patch. The Korean conglomerate recently released one for the Galaxy A51, and now it is the Galaxy A80 that's getting the latest security patch with a new update. The new firmware has version number A805FXXS6DUG3 and is currently seeding in over a dozen countries, including Germany, Cyprus, Greece, Hungary, Macedonia, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Serbia, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, the Czech Republic, and the UK. If you haven't received the update yet, you can check for it manually by heading to your Galaxy A80's Settings > Software update menu.
Source:The Nation
July 24, 2021 18:56 UTC
Celebrating the diversity that is Sri Lanka
It was this that gave birth to the idea of a music video celebrating the diversity of Sri Lanka and its people. We go outside and boast to the world about our colour, our vibrancy, our food, our history, our sights and sounds, but I can’t imagine Sri Lanka being half as interesting if it was one-note, and with ‘ஸ்ரீ Lanka මචං!’, I wanted to say this in a way that would be received.”The team behind ‘ஸ்ரீ Lanka මචං!’: A lesson in diversityWith the idea for ஸ்ரீ Lanka මචං! The plan was to travel around Sri Lanka and shoot different communities to illustrate how all the different people of Sri Lanka get along with each other even if they don’t realise it. Leading ‘ஸ்ரீ Lanka මචං!’ through the third waveWith Sri Lanka in unofficial lockdown for an extended period, the plan for ஸ்ரீ Lanka මචං! I was emotional through 90% of this project and just telling people how thrilled I was.”Taking ‘ஸ்ரீ Lanka මචං!’ to infinity and beyondAt the time of our chat, ஸ்ரீ Lanka මචං!
Source:The Nation
July 24, 2021 18:33 UTC
Spilling the tea on private labelling and exporting tea
What is private labelling? Speaking to Imperial Tea Chairman and Managing Director, Colombo Tea Traders’ Association (CTTA) Vice Chairman, and former Tea Exporters’ Association (TEA) Chairman Jayantha Karunaratne, he shared that tea is generally sold via auction. He said it is also unfair to the consumer who is now expecting “fine Ceylon tea” but is given cheaper alternatives. He said that it is most unfortunate and that the tragedy of private labelling has long since plagued the industry. Therefore, if you look at private labelling, he does not feel that it is hugely impacting our brand identity.
Source:The Nation
July 24, 2021 18:33 UTC
England win thrilling T20 series decider
England overcame a wobble to beat Pakistan in a pulsating final T20I on Tuesday (20) and won the series 2-1. Chasing 155 on a dry, turning pitch, England needed 61 from nine overs with eight wickets in hand after Jason Roy’s 64. Chris Jordan got England over the line with two balls to spare. Scores:Pakistan 154-6 in 20 overs (Mohammad Rizwan 76 n.o. ; Adil Rashid 4/35); England 155/7 in 19.4 overs (Jason Roy 64; Mohammad Hafeez 3/28)
Source:The Nation
July 24, 2021 18:22 UTC
Sri Lanka records 1,737 coronavirus cases in total today
A total of 517 more people tested positive for COVID-19 today (July 24), bringing the daily count of positive cases reached 1,737. According to the Government Information Department, 1,707 new cases reported today have been associated with the New Year cluster. Meanwhile, the remaining 30 were identified as arrivals from foreign countries. The new development has brought Sri Lanka’s confirmed coronavirus cases tally to 294,850. The death toll from coronavirus now stands at 4,054.
Source:The Nation
July 24, 2021 17:37 UTC
The forgotten wish
The governing Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) parliamentary group that met last Sunday (18) witnessed all MPs first congratulating Minister Basil Rajapaksa on his new appointment before addressing the gathering. However, one MP forgot to extend his best wishes before addressing the gathering, it is learnt. Leader of the House Minister Dinesh Gunawardena had forgotten to congratulate the new Finance Minister and had instead made his statement. It was only after he had taken his seat that it dawned on him that he had forgotten to congratulate Rajapaksa. Gunawardena had immediately stood on his feet and excused the gathering and had extended his best wishes to the Minister after apologising for forgetting to wish earlier.
Source:The Nation
July 24, 2021 16:52 UTC
No more diesel or coal power plants: Duminda Dissanayake
By Yoshitha PereraThe Sri Lankan Government is engaged in a strategic plan to promote and develop renewable energy power plants in the country. Currently, under the concept of “Ready to Invest”, we have planned three stages for implementing renewable energy power plants. We are trying to add renewable energy plants by replacing thermal power energy in the country, and the operational cost of renewable energy is much lower than thermal power generation. The current national power grid, which primarily consists of hydroelectric power and thermal power, will be expanded further with renewable energy sources. If we are looking to upgrade renewable energy, we have to definitely shut down diesel and coal power plants.
Source:The Nation
July 24, 2021 16:52 UTC
Setting up private universities: Expanding options for students
Private universities do offer a wider range of degrees and prospective students aren’t limited to a handful of degree programmes. Many private universities in Sri Lanka actually promote transfer, and I feel that there are pathways to many international universities. It is my opinion that unless state universities are expanded so that more students may be admitted, private universities are a necessity. Although local universities are well recognised, I believe it is the same as other well-renowned private universities in the country, and private universities in the country have also produced great alumni. unisMelissa Perera, 27, graduateSome private universities in the country offer certain degrees that state universities don’t, and if you take that into consideration, then I suppose private universities produce a variety of graduates.
Source:The Nation
July 24, 2021 16:52 UTC
Covid-19 vaccination programme: Racing against variants
Furthermore, emphasising that the vaccination programmes across the country are functioning at full throttle, Dr. Herath elaborated that the country is meeting its vaccination targets at a steady pace. However, vaccine stocks are coming in, and the programme would continue until all Sri Lankans are fully immunised,” he noted. As per Epidemiology Unit statistics, 385,885 doses of the Covishield second jab have been rolled out, The Sunday Morning learnt. Likewise, blood samples had been obtained for a period of six weeks to assess the immunisation process and the Sinopharm vaccine had resulted in a 95% efficacy rate. Furthermore, he elaborated that the efficacy rate is highly satisfactory: 81.25% of people who were inoculated with the Sinopharm vaccine generated neutralising antibodies, which is similar to the antibodies generated within those who contract the Covid-19 virus naturally.
Source:The Nation
July 24, 2021 16:52 UTC
No new Covid-19 variants in SL
In terms of any reported deaths in association with the Delta variant, Dr. Herath was unable to confirm an exact number. However, we cannot rule out that any deaths have been caused by the Delta variant, as current evidence is good enough to suggest that deaths due to Delta variant infections have occurred. At least 20% of cases reported in Colombo are due to the Delta variant. He reiterated that at this juncture, the presence of the Delta variant has been acknowledged, and that therefore, maximum control actions must be taken. When questioned as to whether the recent Delta variant infections translate to community transmission, Dr. Herath claimed that this is not the case.
Source:The Nation
July 24, 2021 16:52 UTC
Move to amend tax laws: Positive move or cause for concern?
Sharing views with The Sunday Morning on the Government’s move to introduce the Tax Amnesty Bill, former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank Dr. W.A. Wijewardena said that in Sri Lanka, this has been a common feature of all the governments. He said: “Reason number one is nobody trusted the Government of Sri Lanka. Meanwhile, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) and the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) filed two separate petitions on 23 July against the proposed Tax Amnesty Bill at the Supreme Court. He said: “Hence, there is no possibility or danger of violating any laws pertaining to money transfers, forex transactions, tax evasion, etc.”
Source:The Nation
July 24, 2021 16:52 UTC
5 Android apps you shouldn’t miss this week – Android Apps Weekly
Players collect characters, level them up, and use them to complete the game’s story mode and various limited-time events. The game boasts excellent execution with smooth game play and good graphics for its genre. Get it on Google Play YourMechanic Price: Free / VariesJoe Hindy / Android AuthorityYourMechanic is a service to help you find a mechanic when your car needs fixing. Get it on Google Play Escape Lab Price: Free / $0.99Escape Lab is a local multiplayer puzzle game. Get it on Google Play TimeoutIQ Price: Free / Up to $74.99 per yearJoe Hindy / Android Authority
Source:The Nation
July 24, 2021 15:56 UTC
Katie Hopkins joins thousands in Trafalgar Square for 'Freedom Rally'
The Worldwide Rally For Freedom demonstration is taking place in a number of major cities across the globe and drew a substantial crowd in the English capital this afternoon. Posing with fellow supporters in Trafalgar Square was far-right commentator Hopkins, who landed back in the UK earlier this week following her deportation from Australia. Conspiracy theorist David Icke and Piers Corbyn, brother of former Labour leader Jeremy, were also present at the demonstration. Former Apprentice candidate Hopkins had mocked the country's strict hotel quarantine rules and called Covid lockdowns the 'greatest hoax in human history'. It is not clear when exactly Victoria will be allowed to resume normal life, with a further announcement due tomorrow.
Source:The Nation
July 24, 2021 15:00 UTC