SriLankan seeks suspension of payments from holders of bonds worth USD 175mn
SriLankan seeks suspension of payments from holders of bonds worth USD 175mn View(s):The debt-ridden SriLankan Airlines has requested a 12-month suspension of debt-service payments from holders who have invested in its USD 175 million government-guaranteed international bonds which mature in 2024. The deferral of interest payments covered the coupon payments due on December 25, 2022, and June 25, 2023. It also referred to the Government’s ambitious reform plan, and ongoing talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to secure a USD 2.9 billion Extended Fund Facility. “The recovery of post-pandemic international travel has had a positive impact on passenger numbers. However, the situation in Sri Lanka remains difficult and this in turn continues to put pressure on the company’s revenue and costs,” the statement said.
Source:Sunday Times
January 01, 2023 12:49 UTC
Wrangling over nominees stalls Constitutional Council
Wrangling over nominees stalls Constitutional Council View(s):By Sandun JayawardanaNew appointments to independent commissions continue to be stalled as the Constitutional Council (CC) has still not been fully constituted. A CC meeting held on Thursday to decide on the appointment of the three non-MPs in the 10-member Council ended inconclusively. The CC cannot proceed with appointing members to the independent commissions until the entire 10-member Council is in place, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena told the Sunday Times yesterday. Under the 21st Amendment passed in October, the CC is the body tasked with recommending members to the independent commissions. The 21st Amendment, however, allows for serving members of the independent commissions to continue in office until the assumption of office by new members.
Source:Sunday Times
January 01, 2023 12:45 UTC
Adik the dog stolen by Russian soldiers returned in prisoner exchange
But Adik has now returned to Ukraine, as part of a New Year prisoner swap in which 140 Ukrainian soldiers were freed from Russia. Adik was taken prisoner from Azovstal Iron and Steel Works, alongside his owner and defenders of Mariupol. More than 200 Ukrainian and Russian soldiers were freed in the prisoner swap, which took place at undisclosed locations. Footage captured the relief on the Ukrainian soldiers' faces as they celebrated their freedom with one another. Adik was taken prisoner from Azovstal Iron and Steel Works, alongside his owner and defenders of Mariupol.
Source:The Nation
January 01, 2023 12:05 UTC
‘A Queen Like you’: New creation from Mario for Miss Sri Lanka France
‘A Queen Like you’: New creation from Mario for Miss Sri Lanka France View(s):By Sanath Weerasuriya‘Miss Sri Lanka in France for Miss Europe 2022’, one of the major events in Sri Lankan calendar in France, held in Paris, France on Sunday, November 27 . ‘Kumarika’ (‘A Queen Like you’) is the official theme song for ‘Miss Sri Lanka in France for Miss Europe 2022’. Held as a charity event for years, ‘Miss Sri Lanka in France for Miss Europe 2022’ is organised by Melani Hewawasam, who won the Miss Sri Lanka in Europe 2014, Sabina Thorsen who won Miss Sri Lanka In Europe 2016 and Linda Rose, who was adjudged the Miss Sri Lanka In Europe 2018. The Organizers of this project are namely, Sanath Fernando, President of France Sri Lanka Welfare Association, Dinesh Mendis and Channa Gunasekara. Shashika Mendis and choreographer Sujeewa Janaki were the front runners in the preparation of Miss Sri Lanka in France for Miss Europe 2022’.
Source:Sunday Times
January 01, 2023 06:50 UTC
Can we avert the danger in 2023
Can we avert the danger in 2023 View(s):As the New Year dawns today after one of the worst years in Sri Lanka’s socioeconomic history, an oncoming belt-tightening is more than likely and the people will have to dangerously cross its path in the New Year like this scene near the Colombo Fort Railway station. Pic by Eshan FernandoShare This Post FacebookTwitterEmail × Send Email to FriendSend Please enter valid email WhatsappDeliciousDiggGoogleStumbleuponRedditTechnoratiYahooBloggerMyspaceRSS
Source:Sunday Times
January 01, 2023 06:46 UTC
Putin rages against West in New Year message to his people: Fatigued dictator appears on state TV
An aggressive Vladimir Putin set himself on a collision course with the West in his New Year's message to his people. The analysis comes as the Kremlin yesterday admitted that concerns over Putin's health are now a matter of 'state security' amid Covid mutations and emerging flu strains. The 'biggest uncertainty' over Putin was his health - 'or someone removing him because of his failing health'. Russian independent outlet Proekt also noted that Putin has been accompanied by cancer medics, especially thyroid specialists, when on presidential trips. The Kremlin has paved the way for Putin to retreat for health-related reasons soon after his annual prerecorded New Year message to Russian citizens.
Source:The Nation
December 31, 2022 21:05 UTC
Paddy farmers to receive free TSP fertiliser through USAID and FAO
The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), with funding through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), will distribute 36,000 metric tonnes of Triple Super Phosphate (TSP) fertiliser to all paddy farmers in Sri Lanka through the Ministry of Agriculture. The distribution list, along with the land extent cultivated during this Maha season, has been published and displayed at all Agrarian Service Centres of the Department of Agrarian Development. FAO invites all eligible paddy farmers to visit their respective Agrarian Service Centre and ensure their details have been incorporated. The distribution lists will be displayed until January 5, 2023, and the date of fertiliser distribution will be shared through the Agrarian Service Centres. To learn more about USAID’s work in Sri Lanka, please visit usaid.gov/sri-lanka.
Source:Sunday Observer
December 31, 2022 20:38 UTC
Scientologist real estate agent who reached OT 8 level set fire to herself before shooting dead
In Scientology, the term 'drop the body' refers to the process of leaving ones physical body, usually through death. In Scientology, the term 'drop the body' (or 'drop') refers to the process of leaving your physical body, usually through death. According to Scientology teachings, the spirit is separate from the physical body and can exist independently of it. Earlier this year, Mills believed she was dealing with a number of health issues including Lyme disease and a cancer diagnosis. Clearwater Police Department's investigation also found no evidence of foul play or involvement by Scientology in Mills' death.
Source:The Nation
December 31, 2022 17:12 UTC
What does a region need to lead a discipline? Pioneers
Once the pioneer has established an area or technology, researchers are also more likely to move into this new, stimulating environment. The question is, then, how many scientists does a region need to hire so that other scientists find its environment attractive and join its institutions? Or in technical terms: there is no critical mass to start and carry on a new research field successfully. While first movers may have an advantage in some contexts, it is not necessarily impossible for late-comers to catch up or even surpass first movers in a scientific field." "In this way, we analyzed data spanning several decades with information on millions of publications, 20 million researchers and more than 98,000 research institutions worldwide," Servedio states.
Source:The Nation
December 30, 2022 19:11 UTC
Putin's hooligan army: Football ultras in war in Ukraine and brandish lion cub 'found' in Mariupol
Vladimir Putin has enlisted a group of football fan thugs to fight his bloody war in Ukraine - in what many will see as a further sign of weakness within his armed forces. Just four years ago during the 2018 FIFA World Cup finals, the Russian leader publicly condemned the actions of 'The Football Hooligans' and vowed to banish the notorious group. Their main mascot is a lion cub they 'found' during fighting in Mariupol, but they have an adopted dog too. They have put aside their football allegiances and claim they operate as a cohesive unit, willing to die on the front lines for Russia. Footage allegedly shows combat training of Russian 'football hooligans'The group is comprised of 'hooligans' Putin previously condemned
Source:The Nation
December 29, 2022 19:30 UTC
Prehistoric 'living fossils' are spotted swimming in Arizona's 'The Wave'
A group of prehistoric Triops, a tadpole shrimp that lived alongside the dinosaurs, was captured on video as they swam in a pool of water in 'The Wave.' Adar Leibovitch, 29, was visiting the rock formation when he saw several bizarre, three-eyed creatures in a puddle. 'Their Eggs can be left alone for years and once water touches the egg, its activated and life is created.' Leibovitch's video shows four Triops swimming in the shallow pool of water within the stunning rock formation. The Wave is a stunning rock formation that formed 190 million years agoWhile it is rare to see Triops, another sighting was reported last year and also in Arizona.
Source:The Nation
December 29, 2022 09:04 UTC
Childfree by CHOICE: Meet the women who rejected motherhood
Although she spends time with her nieces and nephews, she has never considered having children and her husband shares her viewpoint. Elsewhere, Georgina enjoys spending time with her close girlfriends and their children, having days out exploring and learning. 'I said to her one day, I don't think I'll be having any and she said "I don't think I can speak to you again if you don't', Jane said. Why aren't women having children? Boundaries can ensure that we surround our lives with people who are open minded if they totally feel the opposite about the 'having children' topic.'
Source:The Nation
December 25, 2022 10:08 UTC
Harassment of group of doctors: The Health Ministry has over stepped its authority, says AMS
Harassment of group of doctors: The Health Ministry has over stepped its authority, says AMS View(s):The Association of Medical Specialists (AMS) has condemned the Health Minister and certain Health Ministry officials for their unprecedented and unacceptable actions towards the medical officers and medical specialists in the recent past. The AMS says that they understand that certain high officials from the Ministry of Health have written to the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) instructing the SLMC to cancel the registration of medical practitioners who have already been served “vacation of post” by the Ministry of Health. The medical specialists claim that the Ministry of Health has over stepped its authority and engaged in an unfair and illegal act, most probably to harass a particular group of doctors. “Vacation of posts by medical practitioners happened many times in the past and in none of these occasions’ Health Ministry has requested the SLMC to cancel the registration of such doctors. As such, AMS said it requests Health Ministry officials to withdraw such letters immediately and to abstain from harassing medical practitioners, especially at a time the health sector is experiencing unprecedented hardships.
Source:Sunday Times
December 25, 2022 06:55 UTC
Global Tennis of 2023 should further prosper
Global Tennis of 2023 should further prosper View(s):WTA and ATP has managed to sustain global tennis interest through the last three turbulent years. They also deserve the credit for tennis development over the last 50 years. Their influence into a fully fledged professional player development, attractive events and in reaching large global audiences, are propelling tennis. Tennis, players viewing for prominence in 2023 will fall into few categories. Stagnating local scenesThe global professional circuit keeps Tennis in the media with good events.
Source:Sunday Times
December 25, 2022 06:55 UTC