June 1, 2021 11:54 pmThe Director-General of Health Services confirmed that Sri Lanka has reported 43 more deaths related to the COVID-19 pandemic on Monday (June 01). As per the Department of Government Information, the reported deaths had occurred between May 20 and June 01. Accordingly, the total number of deaths due to Covid-19 infection in Sri Lanka has risen to 1,527
Trent Alexander-Arnold has made the squad for the European Championships - but Jesse Lingard, James Ward-Prowse and Ollie Watkins have been left out. But the full-back has ended the season strongly and has worked his way back into the England manager's squad for the tournament, Alexander-Arnold benefitting from UEFA's decision to increase squad allowance from 23 to 26. Alexander-Arnold was one of four right-backs to be included, with Champions League winner Reece James, LaLiga champion Kieran Trippier and Manchester City's Kyle Walker all included. Southgate said on England's YouTube channel: 'I think every squad is difficult because we have a lot of talented players in this country. Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson has not played since undergoing groin surgery in February and Manchester United skipper Maguire sustained an ankle ligament injury last month.
June 1, 2021 08:53 pmThe Epidemiology Unit of the Health Ministry reports that another 856 persons have tested positive for COVID-19 in Sri Lanka, moving the daily total of new cases to 2,845. This brings the total number of confirmed cases of coronavirus reported in the country to 189,241. As many as 153,371 recoveries and 1,484 deaths have been confirmed in Sri Lanka since the outbreak of the pandemic. The Epidemiology Unit’s data showed that 34,386 active cases are currently under medical care.
The mutant strain had overtaken the Kent variant in 102 out of 315 areas in the country (34 per cent) by May 22, the most recent date for which data is available. UK Government scientists believe the Indian variant is at least 20 per cent more infectious than the Kent variant that sparked the devastating second wave, which itself was much more virulent than the original virus that emerged in China. Just 29 local authorities were detecting cases of the mutant strain in the middle of April, the Sanger data shows. Boris Johnson today faced mounting pressure over June 21 Freedom Day with some scientists warning he would have to 'carry the can' for a 'bad decision' — comparing the Indian variant to a 'volcano' that could engulf the country. MailOnline analysis shows Covid hospital admissions are slowly creeping up across England but nearly half of all trusts are still completely empty despite fears about the Indian strain.
Poco will launch its first 5G phone in India a week from now on June 8 – the Poco M3 Pro will be available through Flipkart. There is no word on pricing yet, but the Poco M3 starts at INR 11,000. That’s a surprising jump considering that the Poco boasted about 3.2 million units shipped (shipped, not sold) just a couple of weeks ago. This is a 4G-only phone, though the Snapdragon 860 chipset makes it a higher-end device than the M3 Pro. That is to say that the price tag of the upcoming Poco M3 Pro will fall somewhere between those two numbers.
Good Life X (GLX), the cutting-edge catalyst for startups and SMEs in the food, agriculture, travel and wellness sectors, have announced new members joining their leadership team to drive a new phase of growth. GLX Founder/CEO Randhula De Silva and GLX Programme lead Shenali de Silva are welcoming on board Strategist and Investor Arj Wignaraja and Economist and International Development Consultant Anushka Wijesinha to share the leadership table in GLX’s ‘2.0’ iteration. Some of these are cyclical (e.g., GLX Accelerator and GLX Garage) and others were created in response to the COVID crisis (e.g., ‘Stay Good in Business for COVID Tourism Resilience’ and ‘Enterprise Evolver’). GLX Founder/CEO Randhula De Silva remarked, “As application numbers grew with each programme, it was obvious GLX had correctly identified a latent demand in the entrepreneurship and business sector. Both of these provide opportunities and challenges, for which GLX is ideally placed to help businesses navigate and win”.
June 1, 2021 07:02 pmThe Ministry of Health reports that another 1,989 persons have tested positive for coronavirus today (June 01). 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 188,353. Presently 33,498 infected patients are being treated at hospitals and treatment centers across the island. Meanwhile, the number of total recoveries has reached 153,371.
A special discussion on manufacturing COVID-19 vaccines in Sri Lanka has taken place at the Justice Ministry this morning (June 01). Reportedly, the focus of the meeting has fallen on the legal aspects of manufacturing COVID-19 vaccines in the country. The Justice Ministry says producing these vaccines locally can be a money-saving move for Sri Lanka due to the high demand for coronavirus jabs cross the world and the gradual hike in prices. Further, this will help the country to achieve its target of manufacturing 6 million doses of vaccines by August and 7 million by September, the Justice Ministry noted. Meanwhile, the Legal Draftsman’s Department is focusing on drawing up necessary legal agreements to facilitate the production of COVID-19 vaccines in Sri Lanka, the Justice Ministry added.
With the ban on the import of chemical fertilizer, the Ministry of Agriculture has identified the need to take immediate action to supply the required organic fertilizer for the 2021/2022 Maha Season. Currently, there are 27 local organic fertilizer manufacturers licensed by the National Fertilizer Secretariat Office. - Import required carbonic fertilizer and natural mineral through the state-owned fertilizer company for 500,000 hectares of paddy cultivation on 2021/2022 Maha Season with accordance to the international competitive bidding method and distributing them through the Department of Agrarian Services. - Import the carbonic fertilizer through the licensed companies that have permission to import fertilizer for 600,000 hectares of the other crops adhering to the recommendations of the research institutions of the relevant crops. - Import identified specific fertilizers for non-food ornamental plants, cut flower cultivations, and non-soil cultivation through the Import License Method adhering to the recommendations of the research institutes of the relevant crops.
Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna MP S. B. Dissanayake stated that through the implementation of the Colombo Port City Development Project (CPCP), the government is hoping to attract at least three or four Fortune 500 companies into the country. Addressing the media at the weekly media briefing, Dissanayake said 91.7 percent of the development of the country was due to the work of entrepreneurs. Meanwhile, MP Ajith Nivard Cabraal stated on Friday (28) that all investors of all countries are allowed to invest in the Port City. Therefore, we need to convert the Port City area into an attractive place which will help local and foreign businessmen,” the Minister said. State Minister Ajith Nivard Cabraal added that some investors have already visited the Port City and showed interest.
Amana Takaful Insurance, announces its performance in the General Insurance sector for the first quarter of 2021 to have recorded a 27% YoY growth in Gross Written Premium (GWP), the industry dipstick for insurance sales performance. CEO of Amana Takaful Insurance (General) Mr Shehan Feisal, elaborating on the company’s Q1 performance said: “I am pleased to announce that Amana Takaful Insurance is among the leaders of Sri Lanka’s insurance sector in the First Quarter of 2021. Its largest non-motor insurance growth segment was Marine Insurance, growing at a staggering 69% compared to 2020. Amana Insurance’s Fire & Engineering Insurance was the second largest growth area in Q1-2021, growing by 38% while Medical Insurance grew by 35%. The growth in Motor Insurance was also recorded at 19%; one of the highest growth percentages among industry peers.
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa says that Australia has pledged assistance for strategic investments and promotion in the education sector in the island nation. This comes after Australian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka David Holly met President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the Presidential Secretariat on Monday. “Further the Australian High Commissioner pledged assistance for strategic investments & education sector promotion in Sri Lanka. Australian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka David Holly expressed these views when he called on the President, the PMD reported. Recalling the 75 years of friendly relations between Australia and Sri Lanka, High Commissioner Holly said that a plane carrying a consignment of medical equipment donated by the Australian Government for COVID treatment will arrive in Sri Lanka on June 3rd.
The government has decided to increase the allowance for preschool teachers from Rs. 2,500 with effect from today (June 01). The national policy framework Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour, recognizing preschool teachers as key players in human resource development, has paid special attention to provide a permanent allowance to them following a certain training, says the Department of Government Information. Peiris to increase the existing allowance for eligible preschool teachers under identified criteria has been approved by the Cabinet. Under first phase of the initiative, the allowance will be provided to 25,000 preschool teachers in total.
Global emerging consumer technology brand realme shipped 12.8 million smartphones globally in the first quarter of 2021, according to data from Counterpoint Research. Since expanding into the European market in 2019, realme has rapidly emerged to become the fastest growing smartphone brand in the region with 183% YoY growth in Q1 2021, says Counterpoint Research. realme is also fourth in Slovenia and retains its strong growth momentum in Russia as the fifth biggest player, growing 682% YoY. In Southeast Asia, realme regained its top spot in the Philippines with a 23% market share and a 95% annual YoY growth. As a relatively young company, realme accelerated its expansion during the past 12 months, delivering more than 45% YoY growth on average every quarter.
By Charlotte Karp For Daily Mail AustraliaPublished: 05:44 EDT, 1 June 2021 | Updated: 06:19 EDT, 1 June 2021Bonds has released a line of 'genderless' clothing as activists pressure brands to stop selling separate items for men and women. The garments are part of the brand's new Explorer range which was launched on Saturday under the slogan 'comfort for all'. Bonds said the unisex line was created to allow customers to pick and choose what they want from the collection and 'wear it their way'. Bonds also released a genderless line for tweens in 2018. Campaign ads for the Bonds Explorer range say: No matter who you are, where you're from or what you stand for, we believe everybody deserves to be comfy'Bonds also released a genderless line for tweens in 2018.
