Basil eyes local pharma production
The Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa said that conserving foreign reserves is expected to be done by increasing domestic production while limiting importing goods. The Finance Minister made this statement on Friday (6) during the market launch of the two locally manufactured drugs at the State Pharmaceuticals Manufacturing Corporation, Ratmalana. Tramadol, a pain medicine, and Levothyroxine, a thyroid medicine were released to the market. Around 9.8 million capsules of Tramadol 50 mg and about 98 million tablets of 50 mg of Levothyroxine are used annually in Sri Lanka. State Ministers Prof. Channa Jayasumana and Dr. Nalaka Godahewa also participated in the event.
Source:The Nation
August 08, 2021 18:33 UTC
EDB initiates capacity building programme islandwide
This initiative is to train EDB officers to guide small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to become global exporters. Other participants included EDB Chairman Suresh de Mel, USAID Sri Lanka and the Maldives Mission Director Reed Aeschliman, and CCC Chairman Vish Govindasamy. The programme is to improve the knowledge and skills of up to 300 EDB development officers in trade procedures, export processes, and market access. “The US and Sri Lanka share a vision of prosperity, as evidenced by our unparalleled export relationship,” said US Ambassador to Sri Lanka and the Maldives Teplitz. The sessions will be delivered in Sinhalese and Tamil for Development Officers from all 25 districts.
Source:The Nation
August 08, 2021 18:33 UTC
Tharaka Balasuriya the Chief Negotiator for China FTA
BY Cassendra DooleThe Chief Negotiator for the China Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Sri Lanka will be State Minister of Foreign Affairs Tharaka Balasuriya, Trade Minister Bandula Gunawardena, speaking to The Morning Business, said. “We have appointed the State Minister of Foreign Affairs as the chief negotiator for the China FTA,” he said, adding that the appointment of a chief negotiator for the overall FTAs was still pending. The Morning Business attempted to contact the state minister for a comment but he was unavailable. However, in October last year, state minister Tharaka Balasuriya said that Sri Lankan authorities are reviewing the provisions of the proposed FTA with China to ensure it would not turn out to be “another Singapore FTA”. Discussions on a FTA with China goes back to 2014, when Sri Lanka and China had six rounds of negotiations regarding a proposed free trade agreement.
Source:The Nation
August 08, 2021 18:33 UTC
Project Endogreen
The inauguration ceremony of project EndogreenProject Endogreen was implemented in partnership with Reforest Sri Lanka, who have very actively and successfully implemented many tree planting projects over the years in collaboration with various public and private institutions. Endogreen, together with Reforest Sri Lanka also believes that, as Earth’s most intelligent species, we should act to protect all life on Earth. Speaking to Medical Delegate Harish Kumar, who is a part of project Endogreen, he commented that, sadly, Earth’s devastation is also one of our own creations and it’s vital we correct our mistakes. Project Endogreen aspires to plant a total of 300 tree saplings. Through project Endogreen, Kumar explained that the College of Endocrinologists aims to take a participatory approach and seeks to contribute in conservation efforts by replanting, thereby offsetting the deforestation rates in the country.
Source:The Nation
August 08, 2021 18:33 UTC
Breast is best?
Sri Lanka is a nation that celebrates mothers and motherhood, and Sri Lankan culture has assigned a bigger value to motherhood than to fatherhood. The WHO recommends six months of exclusive breastfeeding for babies, but most organisations in Sri Lanka allow only three months of maternity leave. Legal officer Prasadi Wijesinghe, on the other hand, believes in the theory that “best is fed”. “Formula contains most of the content in breast milk, so even if you are unable to breastfeed, you can formula feed the baby. Perera expressed that choosing how to feed your baby and what is best for your baby should be every parent’s choice.
Source:The Nation
August 08, 2021 18:33 UTC
SJB condemns release of Easter bomber’s father
By Buddhika SamaraweeraThe Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) has condemned the recent release of Ahmed Alawdeen, the father of Alawdeen Ahmed Muaath, who carried out the suicide bombing at St. Anthony’s Church in Kochchikade on 21 April 2019. Colombo Chief Magistrate Buddhika Sri Ragala on 6 August released Alawdeen from all charges. Accordingly, at the request of the complainant, the court released the 10 suspects and ordered the termination of proceedings. He also claimed that the present Government is endangering the lives of the people by releasing suspects who had close links with the bombers. “They may soon return and be motivated to commit a crime similar to the Easter Sunday terror attack.
Source:The Nation
August 08, 2021 16:52 UTC
Work on 700 rural bridges on track
Development work on 700 of 1,000 rural bridges scheduled for completion by the end of this year is underway as plannedA despite the pandemic, Highways Minister Johnston Fernando said on Saturday (7), according to a media release. Accordingly, he had noted, the construction of 1,000 bridges in rural areas would be completed by the end of this year in line with the Government’s plans, with the goal of eradicating rural poverty by enhancing connectivity between villages and main cities. “The new bridges will replace the dilapidated makeshift bridges in rural areas, which are unstable. These low-cost concrete bridges will be an alternative to the makeshift wooden bridges. With the implementation of this project, the main road network will be connected to the rural roads facilitating the day-to-day activities of the rural people.
Source:The Nation
August 08, 2021 16:41 UTC
Ranil blames Task Force for Covid deaths
BY Buddhika SamaraweeraFormer Prime Minister and current United National Party (UNP) Parliamentarian Ranil Wickremesinghe has alleged that the National Operation Center for the Prevention of Covid-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO) Presidential Task Force should be held responsible for the Covid-19 related deaths reported in the country so far. “This committee is responsible for the deaths we have seen,” he said, making a statement to the media yesterday (8). “The responsibility for the control of Covid-19 pandemic now lies with the NOCPCO, which has no capacity to deal with it. So far they have failed to develop a successful programme to control the pandemic. “Health experts have advised on the steps to be taken but they have been ignored.
Source:The Nation
August 08, 2021 16:41 UTC
75% spike in oxygen-dependent COVID patients in Sri Lanka
As the Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2 continues to spread in Sri Lanka at an alarmingly rapid speed, the number of oxygen-dependent patients has soared by 75% within the past 10 days, Health Ministry’s data showed. According to official data, from July 19 to July 28, the tally of oxygen-dependent COVID patients varied between 227 and 409 daily. During this 10-day period, the average number of patients relying on oxygen supply stood at around 291. As per Health Ministry data, the tally of oxygen-dependent patients stood at 602 yesterday (August 07). Director-General of Health Services Dr. Asela Gunawardena, who commented on the matter, said the need for oxygen supply has increased significantly.
Source:The Nation
August 08, 2021 16:30 UTC
Martin Bashir whistleblower 'to be paid £750,000 by the BBC'
'The BBC is expecting to pay out in the region of £750,000,' the source said. He subsequently introduce Bashir to his sister, saying years later that - had it not been for the forged documents - he would never have done so. Around two months after the BBC interview aired, Mr Wiessler said his house was broken into and CDs containing the forged documents stolen. The report slammed BBC bosses, including former director-general Tony Hall, for covering up information on how Bashir was able to secure the interview. Martin Bashir, who was still working as the BBC's religion editor, also quit the corporation in May this year, citing health issues.
Source:The Nation
August 08, 2021 15:56 UTC
Learning to respect our roots
A forward-thinking nation always identifies and acknowledges its roots, and sees to it that in moving forward, it does not leave behind who and what formed its foundations. To reiterate one vital aspect of this duty, every year on 9 August, the world celebrates the International Day of Indigenous Peoples, in a context where their rights and value are being forgotten in modernisation and politics. This day was dedicated for indigenous peoples in 1994 at the United Nations (UN) General Assembly, predominantly to discuss the protection of their rights and raise awareness of the same. However, when it comes to Sri Lanka, there is insufficient data about our indigenous people, known as the “Vedda community”. For example, one of the main reasons that forced a large number of indigenous youths to assimilate into general society was the loss of their traditional lands and freedoms.
Source:The Nation
August 08, 2021 15:56 UTC
India to Indonesia: Asian economies challenged by Delta Covid variant
China reported 95 new local coronavirus cases, with delta reaching regions that account for 38% of national gross domestic product. That raises the prospect of Asia’s delta hit reverberating worldwide, if exports are delayed longer term. “The current delta wave in Asia may snarl production networks further,” said Hong Kong HSBC Holdings Plc Asian economic research Co-Head Frederic Neumann. There’s a common theme among many Asia-Pacific economies that enjoyed early success with limiting the virus’s damage: complacency. Still, the delta variant has been altering calculations and its highly contagious nature may leave a longer-tail impact on places that overcame previous waves.
Source:The Nation
August 08, 2021 15:56 UTC
The Hyperinflation Hype: What really happened in Zimbabwe?
“Zimbabwe’s hyperinflation” has become an obsession among the many people opining on money printing. As a result, any increase in money supply (M) will directly result in the price (P) to rise. However, a deeper look into what really happened in Zimbabwe will show the underlying factors at play which caused hyperinflation. In contrast, Zimbabwe used its printed money to fund consumption, through the pensions of its veterans and funding for its war efforts. In conclusion, the underlying conditions of Sri Lanka’s money printing remain vastly different to the conditions obtained in Zimbabwe.
Source:The Nation
August 08, 2021 15:56 UTC
'There IS a problem with children and COVID': Fauci says school kids SHOULD wear masks
Dr. Anthony Fauci said Sunday 'there's no doubt in my mind' that children should be required to wear masks when returning to school in the fall. 'There is a problem with children [getting COVID],' the nation's top immunologist told NBC News' Meet the Press. 'You surround them with those who can be vaccinated, whoever they are, teachers, personnel in the school, anyone, get them vaccinated. #MTP Fauci: "If that's the case, you are going to see the empowerment of local enterprises giving [vaccine] mandates. pic.twitter.com/txWQYs35tQ — Meet the Press (@MeetThePress) August 8, 2021'The time has come is we've got to go the extra step to get people vaccinated,' Fauci said.
Source:The Nation
August 08, 2021 15:45 UTC
Raphael Varane posts first online message reflecting imminent £42million Manchester United move
By Faaez Samadi For MailonlinePublished: 10:46 EDT, 8 August 2021 | Updated: 10:52 EDT, 8 August 2021Raphael Varane has shown his commitment to being ready for the upcoming Premier League season with new suitors Manchester United by posting a brief practice session online. But that all changed with an Instagram post from Varane on Sunday, in which he can be seen doing kick-ups in a garden. Raphael Varane has posted his first message reflecting his move to Manchester UnitedThe ex-Real Madrid defender can be seen doing kick-ups in a garden located in ManchesterTellingly, his location is clearly stated as 'Manchester, United Kingdom' with a caption underneath it saying 'quarantine practice!' Varane is currently having to quarantine due to the British government's overseas travel Covid-19 protocols, but is set to be unveiled at United as soon as his isolation is over. However, it will be a race against time for Varane to feature in United's opening Premier League game against Leeds United on August 14.
Source:The Nation
August 08, 2021 15:00 UTC