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
Earthquake hits North India, No tsunami threat to Sri Lanka - Met. Dept
An Earthquake has occurred in the North Indian Ocean this morning but it has no tsunami threat to Sri Lanka, specifically the coastal areas of Sri Lanka are declared safe, the Meteorology Department said. The earthquake with a magnitude of 5.4 on the richter scale had occurred near South-east coast of Sri lanka, North Indian Ocean around 2:43am (Sri Lankan time) today.
Source:Sunday Observer
February 12, 2020 04:07 UTC
Amnesty to hand over illegal weapons till tomorrow
A grace period to hand over illegal firearms held without valid permits or documents was announced on February 5, by the Defence Ministry. The amnesty period will be effective till tomorrow. People are encouraged to use this opportunity and hand over such illegal firearms without any delay. Authorities expect to take stern action against those found to be holding or using illegal firearms once the grace period is over. Meanwhile, the Defence Ministry requests the public to provide information about those who have illegal firearms in their possession after the amnesty.
Source:Sunday Observer
February 11, 2020 09:00 UTC
Shooting suspect arrested
The Colombo Crimes Division last night arrested a suspect who was involved in the shooting incident of a 24-year-old that took place in Jampettah Street. The CCD had also found a handgun, two rounds of 9mm ammunition and a mobile phone from the suspect. The suspect who is identified as a resident of Hettipola area in Kurunegala,The suspect will be produced before Aluthkade Magistrate’s Court today. Further investigations are being conducted.
Source:Sunday Observer
February 11, 2020 09:00 UTC
President advises to conclude the surveying of the land units
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, during a discussion at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday , has advised the authorities to expedite surveying of the land units. President stated that the government has identified a total of 14mn land units and during the last 20 years 10% of it has been surveyed. President added that he would facilitate the process and instructed the remaining 90% of the land units to be surveyed immediately. President further instructed the officials to provide Title Certificates following appropriate survey process. In addition, president Rajapaksa highlighted the requirement of a database with all the completed surveys which could be accessible for any individual.
Source:Sunday Observer
February 11, 2020 07:13 UTC
Navy rescues fifteen sea turtles entangled in fishing net
The Navy, during a patrol in the seas off Thalaimannar, managed to rescue 15 sea turtles entangled in a fishing net. During a patrol conducted in the sea area of Thalaimannar the Navy which is much concern of the conservation of endangered sea turtles, had spotted several sea turtles trapped in a fishing net laid by fishermen. Responding quickly to the plight of the animals, the Navy managed to release all 15 sea turtles trapped in the net, back into the ocean, safely. There are seven species of sea turtles that are listed as endangered, of which five are found off the coast of Sri Lanka.
Source:Sunday Observer
February 11, 2020 04:30 UTC
Coronavirus death toll breaches 1,000
China reported 108 new coronavirus deaths on February 10, the highest daily toll since the outbreak began in Wuhan late last year, as two senior officials in the hard-hit province of Hubei were removed from their jobs. The total number of deaths on the mainland reached 1,016 in the 24 hours until midnight, the National Health Commission said on Tuesday. Some 2,478 new cases were confirmed, bringing the total to 42,638. Of the new deaths, 103 were in the province of Hubei, including 67 in the provincial capital of Wuhan. The virus is thought to have originated there in a market that sold seafood as well as wild animals.
Source:Sunday Observer
February 11, 2020 04:30 UTC
Deadline for unemployed grads job application extended
The deadline for receipt of applications for the recruitment process of unemployed graduates and diploma holders has been extended to February 20, 2020, Information & Communications Technology, Higher Education, and Technology & Innovations Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardane said. Speaking at a media conference today at the Government Information Department, Minister Gunawardane said that the age limit for the above programme has also been increased to 45 years. Application forms could be downloaded from www.presidentoffice.gov.lk. Duly form, with completed application a photocopy of the Degree or Diploma certificate and the detailed result sheet should be sent through the Speed Post Courier Service of the Postal Department. For further information please dial 0112433261.
Source:Sunday Observer
February 10, 2020 10:07 UTC
Daily 38 cancer patients die in Sri Lanka
Daily 38 cancer patients die in Sri Lanka while detecting 64 new cancer patients. In 2018 a total of 23,530 cancer patients were detected from Sri Lanka and 14,013 of them died from various types of cancers, Consultant Community Physician attached to the National Cancer Control Programme Dr. Suraj Perera said. Addressing a media seminar and a press conference held at the Health Promotion Bureau in Colombo today he said that at the moment a total of 56,054 cancer patients live in Sri Lanka. One third of all types of cancers can be prevented and many other cancers can be cured if detected early. There are 24 state cancer treatment centres island wide which offer free screening and treatment.
Source:Sunday Observer
February 10, 2020 08:03 UTC