It’s a national history heavily defined by slavery, the stains of which still resonate today. One of the most seminal days in that journey was June 19, 1865, known for over a century as Juneteenth. Even in Galveston city, the ex-Confederate mayor flouted the Army by forcing the freed people back to work, as historian Elizabeth Hayes Turner details in her comprehensive essay, “Juneteenth: Emancipation and Memory,” in Lone Star Pasts: Memory and History in Texas. Since then, Juneteenth has been enshrined as one of the watershed moments in the broader story of Black liberation in the United States. The momentum appears to be swinging in the right direction, with a greater share of the public more inclined to commemorate Juneteenth than ever before.

June 15, 2021 14:37 UTC

The government has planned to select one hospital from each district to upgrade them with similar medical treatment, theatre, and laboratory facilities as of in the national hospitals. Accordingly, the base hospitals of Matale, Nawalapitiya, Embilipitiya, Avissawella, Gampaha, Mannar, Vavuniya, Killinochchi, and Mullaitivu districts, currently governed by the Provincial Councils and under the category of tertiary health services institutions, have been identified to be taken under the purview of the Ministry of HealthSubsequently, the selected hospitals will be enhanced in their quality-of-service, supply, equality, and efficiency as well as the easy performance of administrative activities. The Cabinet of Ministers seconded the proposal furnished by the Minister of Health for assigning the relevant district base hospitals under the purview of the Health Ministry to ensure accomplishment of those objectives.

June 15, 2021 14:04 UTC

June 15, 2021 06:46 pmThe Ministry of Health reports that another 1,843 persons have tested positive for coronavirus today (June 15). All new cases are associated with the New Year Covid-19 cluster. This brings the total number of COVID-19 cases confirmed in the country thus far to 227,765. Presently 33,027 infected patients are being treated at hospitals and treatment centers across the island. Meanwhile, the number of total recoveries has reached 192,478.

June 15, 2021 14:03 UTC

Ivanka Fonseka, General Manager of English Nursing Care Sri Lanka, is on the field everyday working towards delivering the best care for its clients. Professional services such as English Nursing Care have had to combat the increase in restrictions and still maintain quality and personalisation. Additionally, our elderly clients were hesitant to receive vaccinations due to uncertainty of side effects and low confidence in regulations. ”Elderly & staff in isolationOur elderly loved ones were and are in isolation for far longer, than us. An English Nursing Care home nurse is a companion, a confidante to our clients.

June 15, 2021 13:52 UTC

A police officer frantically tries to catch the rider – even throwing his clipboard at the man whilst in pursuit – but the man appears to make an escape. The video was shared by @ruidoloco1 on social media and online users were left amused by the police officer’s futile chase of the e-scooter rider. One commented: 'You could say they threw the book at him lol,' referring to the officer throwing his notepad at the e-scooter. The Metropolitan police have launched a crackdown on people illegally riding e-scooters in London, seizing more than 800 vehicle so far this year. Those found riding a private e-scooter could also lose six points on their current or future driver’s licence and be fined up to £300.

June 15, 2021 12:00 UTC





Amãna Bank’s Toastmaster (TM) Dilan Joseph was adjudicated as the Sri Lankan Champion of the Toastmasters District 82 International Speech Contest which was recently held on a virtual platform and will now go on to proudly represent Sri Lanka in the Region 13 Quarter Finals. TM Dilan Joseph, who is attached to Amãna Bank’s Retail Banking Division as the Manager Digital Customer Experience, is the incumbent President of Amãna Bank Toastmasters Club. Prior to this victory, TM Dilan Joseph also won the Division F Humorous Speech Competition in 2018. I am thankful to the support extended by Amãna Bank and Amãna Bank TMC to me in this journey. Amãna Bank does not have any subsidiaries, associates or affiliated institutions, other than its flagship CSR initiative ‘OrphanCare’ Trust.

June 15, 2021 11:01 UTC

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has expressed its regrets over the adoption of a resolution on Sri Lanka in the European Parliament on 10 June 2021. Sri Lanka has apprised the EU on progress with regard to its wide range of cooperation at the annual EU-Sri Lanka Joint Commission, the 23rd session of which was convened in January 2021. The Government rejects the claim that the PTA has been systematically used for arbitrary arrests and the detention of Muslim or other minority groups in Sri Lanka. The higher demand for ‘ethical’ products from Sri Lanka has led to increased production, subsequent investment, and improvement of the human capital in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka, as one of the oldest parliamentary democracies in Asia, has a longstanding vibrant democracy.

June 15, 2021 11:01 UTC

June 15, 2021 04:30 pmThe Ministry of Health says that another 2,014 patients who were being treated for COVid-19 have been discharged after completing their recovery. This increases the country’s coronavirus recoveries to 192,478. Sri Lanka has thus far confirmed a total of 225,922 positive cases of Covid-19 while 28,580 patients infected with the virus are currently under medical care. The death toll due to the virus currently stands at 2,203.

June 15, 2021 10:52 UTC

June 15, 2021 by Mihi Perera No CommentsA proposal to allow consumers to purchase alcohol online through supermarket delivery services has been submitted to the Ministry of Finance by the Excise Department today (15), The Morning learnt. Commissioner and Spokesman of the Excise Department Kapila Kumarasinghe told The Morning that requests have been received from various parties to allow for the purchase of liquor online from supermarkets. He said the said recommendations have already been submitted to the Ministry of Finance. He also said that conditional permission could be obtained from the Ministry.

June 15, 2021 10:52 UTC

In light of their efforts, the Company launched a special trilingual advisory platform that provides an array of safety guidelines targeted at individuals, corporates and the community. The advisory platform provides educational insights on a broad range of topics focusing on a corporate and personal level. Apart from educating and empowering the community, Fairfirst also creates conversations within the company and business partners via the Fairfirst Academy by delivering engaging and conversational online sessions. Therefore, it’s not just through products and services but also through proactive social initiatives that the Company helps the community progress with life. With good business comes good profits; and with good profits, the chance to give back to the community is twice fold.

June 15, 2021 10:52 UTC

Bank partners with multiple online & delivery establishments for the convenience of CardmembersColombo, June 2021 — Nations Trust Bank American Express has partnered with a range of home delivery establishments as part of the #AMEX FROM HOME campaign to ensure that the Cardmembers lives remain uninterrupted during the periods of movement restrictions. Nations Trust Bank American Express Cardmembers can now enjoy exclusive benefits and privileges for a range of online and home delivery purchases. Furthermore, Cardmembers can also enjoy a range of savings and privileges from Takas.lk, Kapruka.lk, BuyAbans.com, iDeals.lk, Wasi.lk and mySoftlogic.lk. In addition to settling their American Express Credit Card via various digital channels, Cardmembers can also settle utility and other forms of bills online, without compromising their safety. Learn more about the range of benefits and privileges offered by #AMEX FROM HOME at www.americanexpress.lk/en/offers/home-delivery.

June 15, 2021 10:52 UTC

In 2020-21, Emirates and dnata were hit hard by the drop in demand for international air travel as countries closed their borders and imposed stringent travel restrictions. In response to the pandemic, Emirates led the industry in developing new service and operating protocols to protect its customers and employees. At the end of 2020-21, Emirates’ SkyCargo’s total freighter fleet stood unchanged at 11 Boeing 777Fs. During the year, dnata completed the purchase of Destination Asia, bringing one of Southeast Asia’s top destination management companies fully under the dnata Travel Group umbrella. The full 2020-21 Annual Report of the Emirates Group – comprising Emirates, dnata and their subsidiaries – is available at: www.theemiratesgroup.com/annualreportPost Views: 2

June 15, 2021 10:52 UTC

In conjunction with World Blood Donor Day this June 14, Facebook is partnering with the Ministry of Health’s National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS) in Sri Lanka to urge people to become blood donors – and encourage friends and family to do the same. As part of World Blood Donor Day, we encourage everyone to not only sign up to be a blood donor, but share their experience in order to inspire others to do the same,” said Yasas Vishuddhi Abeywickrama, Policy Programs Manager for Sri Lanka at Facebook. “This year has been especially challenging for blood banks across Sri Lanka as a result of COVID-19. We hope to see more people come forward this World Blood Donor Day and pledge to help their communities during these difficult times,” said Dr. Lakshman Edirisinghe, Director of NBTS. To receive notifications from blood banks near you about donating, go to the Blood Donations feature in the About section of your Facebook profile.

June 15, 2021 10:03 UTC

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka’s Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila has revealed that the cabinet approved ‘Fuel Price Stabilisation Fund’ was never maintained. “On the 30th March 2020 the Cabinet of Minister has approved to establish this fund,” he told reporters on Tuesday (15) noting that it was approved before he was appointed as the Energy Minister. A Fuel Price Stabilisation Fund should be implemented when the prices of fuel drop, he said adding the plan was to use the fund to stabilize prices in the event fuel prices increase globally. However, in March 2021 the government studies 28 global price stabilization mechanisms in order to establish the Fuel Price Stabilization Fund that will cater to Sri Lanka’s requirements, he said. The Energy Minister said the Fuel Price Stabilization Fund would most likely be implemented in the future.

June 15, 2021 09:00 UTC

Minister of Energy Udaya Gammanpila has revealed that the cabinet approved ‘Fuel Price Stabilisation Fund’ was never maintained. A Fuel Price Stabilisation Fund should be implemented when the prices of fuel drop, he said, adding that the plan was to use the fund to stabilize prices in the event fuel prices increase globally. “Although the cabinet approved to establish the fund, it was never realized as the government lost foreign revenue with the surge in COVID-19 cases in March last year,” he said. “However, in March 2021, the government studied 28 global price stabilization mechanisms in order to establish the Fuel Price Stabilization Fund with the goal of catering to Sri Lanka’s requirements,” he said. Despite, the Minister stated that such a fund cannot be implemented when global market prices are rising and stated that the Fuel Price Stabilization Fund would most likely be implemented in the future.

June 15, 2021 08:03 UTC