BOC partners Mobitel to introduce digital payments
The Bank of Ceylon (BOC) teamed up with Mobitel, to deliver convenience to Mobitel customers in making digital payments through the QR (quick response) code based payment solution, SmartPay. The BOC SmartPay app can be downloaded free for android and IOS mobile users. Customer can self-register (Self on boarding) and activate SmartPay App by adding their own current or savings accounts as this payment app follows a simplified and secured registration process. SmartPay app uses national QR code, ‘Lanka QR’ which is interoperable with other Bank’s mobile payment apps as long as they are Lanka QR certified. The Smartpay app is embedded with high level security features.
Source:Sunday Observer
February 15, 2020 20:02 UTC
Frequencies to China: SriLankan monitoring situation
SriLankan Airlines is evaluating the situation with regard to the coronavirus outbreak in China and the load factor in deciding the number of frequencies to the top travel destination, SriLankan Airlines Chairman Ashok Pathirage told Sunday Observer Business on Friday. Airlines slashed the number of frequencies to China and the region due to the drop in passenger demand following travel restrictions imposed by China on its citizens. Four Chinese airlines operate flights between Colombo and several Chinese cities such as Beijing, Shanghai and Canton. Sri Lanka Tourism anticipates a major drop in the number of arrivals from China in the first half of this year. Around 150 million Chinese nationals had travelled overseas and around 330,000 to Sri Lanka in 2018 according to data.
Source:Sunday Observer
February 15, 2020 20:02 UTC
When nature fails, we undertake, says Dr. Geetha Haripriya
Prashanth Fertility Research Centre (PFRC) opened its doors in 2001. Since its inception, PFRC has become a leader in Reproductive Medicine and Assisted Reproductive Technologies in India, a spokesman for the Centre said. Patients come from all over the world - especially from Sri Lanka - to PFRC and undergo IVF treatment under the guidance of Dr. Geetha Haripriya. She is Chairperson, Prashanth Multispeciality Hospital, and Medical Director, Prashanth Fertility Research Centre. She has vast experience as an Infertility Specialist and has delivered more than 40,000 babies from assisted reproductive techniques.
Source:Sunday Observer
February 15, 2020 19:52 UTC
Wage hike for plantation workers
Regional Plantation Companies (RPCs) represented by the Planters’ Association of Ceylon have turned down the request of workers through plantation trade unions to increase the daily wage to Rs. Plantation companies have been reiterating the need to shift away from the age-old attendance based wage model to a productivity based, self-managed wage model which will enable workers to earn more and plantation companies sustain operations in a competitive market. RPCs had proposed the ‘Revenue Sharing Wage Model’ several years ago to replace the old wage based model which is not sustainable for the industry which is facing stiff competition in the global market. Therefore, the RPCs have proposed an interim model of productivity based, self-managed, wage model for the RPC plantation sector. To this end, having an enabling environment for plantation companies and workers is of paramount importance.
Source:Sunday Observer
February 15, 2020 19:52 UTC
WhatsApp hits 2 billion users
WhatsApp has amassed two billion users, up from 1.5 billion by the end of 2017, the company announced on Wednesday. The deal was valued at $19 billion, the largest acquisition by the social media giant to date. Despite its size, WhatsApp's growth remains robust: It has gained 500 million new customers over the past two years. WhatsApp touts its end-to-end encryption technology, which ensures that all contents in chats are secured by default. Not even WhatsApp can read messages or listen to calls that take place among the participants of conversations, according to WhatsApp's blog posts.
Source:Sunday Observer
February 14, 2020 07:07 UTC
33 Sri Lankans leaves Diyatalawa Army Camp
The 33 students who returned from Wuhan city who were quarantined at the Diyatalawa Army Base, have departed to meet Commander of Army Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva at the Army Headquarters in Akuregoda. And they are scheduled to return to their homes this evening, said the Sri Lanka Army.
Source:Sunday Observer
February 14, 2020 06:33 UTC
Covid-19: Death toll rises to 1,483
The death toll from China's coronavirus epidemic rose to 1,483 on Friday but the number of new infections in hard-hit Hubei province fell after a change in case definitions caused a massive increase the previous day. The central province's health commission reported 116 more deaths and 4,823 new cases, the majority involving "clinically diagnosed" patients. The province, the epicentre of the outbreak, had 242 more deaths and over 14,800 new cases on Thursday (Feb 13). Health officials in Hubei said they started to count clinically diagnosed cases to ensure that patients get treated as early as possible instead of having to wait for laboratory tests to confirm they have the covid-19 disease. But the change raised concerns that the crisis may be more serious than Chinese authorities have reported.
Source:Sunday Observer
February 14, 2020 00:11 UTC
112-year-old Japanese recognized as world's oldest living man
A 112-year-old Japanese who has been recognized as the world’s oldest living man cited “laughter” Wednesday as the secret to his longevity. Watanabe was recognized as the oldest living man after the previous holder of the title, Masazo Nonaka, who live in Hokkaido, died Jan. 20, 2019, aged 113. Born to a family of farmers in Joetsu, Watanabe moved to Taiwan at the age of 20 and spent 18 years there. He returned to Japan after World War II and worked as a civil servant in his hometown until his retirement. Kane Tanaka, a 117-year-old Japanese resident of Fukuoka Prefecture, is recognized by Guinness World Records as the world’s oldest living person following the death in July 2018 of another Japanese woman, Chiyo Miyako from Kanagawa Prefecture, at 117.
Source:Sunday Observer
February 13, 2020 10:18 UTC
Youth arrested with 10 million worth heroin
The officers of Police Special Task Force acting on a tip off arrested a suspect with 1kg 15g of heroin, in Mount Lavinia police division. The 22-year-old suspect is a resident of Badowita area in Mount Lavinia. The suspect will be produced before Mount Lavinia Magistrate’s Court today.
Source:Sunday Observer
February 13, 2020 06:11 UTC
COVID-19 virus deaths exceed 1,300 as Hubei reports 242 fatalities
Health officials in China's hard-hit central province of Hubei reported that 242 more people died from the coronavirus COVID-19 on Wednesday - the highest in a single day and more than twice the previous record high - pushing the death toll across the country to 1,355. The province's health commission also reported a huge jump in new cases, saying a further 14,840 people had been confirmed with the infection over the 24-hour period to midnight on Wednesday (16:00 GMT). As this developed, the official Xinhua news agency reported on Thursday that the head of the Communist party in the province of Hubei has been relieved of his post. Hubei is at the centre of the outbreak, which is thought to have originated in a now-closed seafood market in the capital of Wuhan late last year. Shanghai Mayor Ying Yong has been appointed as the new secretary of the Hubei Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China, replacing Jiang Chaoliang, the report said, citing the party's central committee.
Source:Sunday Observer
February 13, 2020 06:11 UTC
South Africa beat England by one run
England threw away the opportunity to defeat South Africa in the first Twenty20 international, losing a dramatic contest by one run in East London. The tourists needed three from the final delivery of the match, but Adil Rashid could only manage a single. England were cantering to their target of 178 as Jason Roy plundered 70 from 38 balls, only for his dismissal to spark South Africa's resurgence. Even then, Eoin Morgan's 52 meant England needed just seven from the final over, yet the brilliant Lungi Ngidi had Tom Curran caught at deep mid-wicket and bowled Moeen Ali. Rashid was asked to be the hero from the only ball he faced, but an inside edge to mid-wicket meant he was run out coming back for a second run which would have forced a super over.
Source:Sunday Observer
February 13, 2020 06:11 UTC
8018 Tri-Service absentees surrender in General Amnesty period
A total of 8018 Tri-Service absentees and deserters have reported to military bases during the general amnesty declared by the President for a period of seven days concurrent to the 72nd Independence Day commencing from February 5. The amnesty period was in effect from 5 February, came to an end yesterday. Accordingly, 13 officer ranks and 8,005 other ranks were among the returned military absentees.
Source:Sunday Observer
February 13, 2020 06:11 UTC
Online registration setup for School exams
The Department of Examinations has decided to use online application method from this year onwards for examinations such as the Ordinary Level, Advanced Level and the Grade Five Scholarship Examination. Through this, it would be possible to provide a more efficient and easier service to the students. The Department further said that every student will be issued with a student number from the Grade Five Scholarship Examination onwards. And accordingly the students will be able to obtain information about their exam results as well as extra-curricular activities.
Source:Sunday Observer
February 12, 2020 06:33 UTC
Amnesty period for Tri-Service absentees, deserters ends today
The amnesty period for Tri-Forces absentees and who have been marked absent without leave ends today. A total of 6272 Tri-Service absentees and deserters had surrendered to their respective units during the general amnesty declared by the President for a period of seven days concurrent to the 72nd Independence Day commencing from February 5. This general amnesty is offered only to Tri-Forces absentees and who have been marked absent without leave (AWOL) before September 30, 2019.
Source:Sunday Observer
February 12, 2020 05:26 UTC
Heavy Rain, Mudslides Kill At Least Eight in Bolivia
Civil Defense authorities in Bolivia reported on Tuesday, that eight people died after heavy rains, floods and mudslides hit swathes of the country. Media reported that mudslides leveled at least 50 homes. In the aftermath, desperate residents scoured their destroyed homes for belongings. (Source: VOA News)
Source:Sunday Observer
February 12, 2020 04:07 UTC