May 28, 2021 03:10 pmThe government has decided to pay the Rs. 5,000 allowance from June 02, according to State Minister Shehan Semasinghe. He stated that the allowance will be provided to Samurdhi beneficiaries, persons who are already receiving government allowances, low-income earners and those who have lost their income due to the COvid-19 pandemic. The State Minister added that the government expects to allocate a sum of Rs. 30 billion in order to pay this allowance to the people of the country affected by the Covid-19 pandemic situation.

The special operation to remove chemical and non-chemical debris from the sea due to the X-Press Pearl shipwreck commenced yesterday (27) with the participation of Ministry of Environment, State Ministry of Urban Development, Coast Conservation, Waste Disposal and Community, Disaster Management Center, Marine Environment Protection Authority, Tri-Forces, Sri Lanka Police, Central Environmental Authority and relevant Local Government Institutions. Accordingly, the daily disposal of debris that accumulates on the coast and the removal of different chemicals that accumulate on the coast are carried out by the Armed Forces under the supervision of the Disaster Management Center and Marine Environment Protection Authority. The Director General of the Disaster Management Center and other relevant officials conducted a field inspection to oversee the above mentioned activities along the coastline from Negombo to Colombo.

COLOMBO (News 1st): The debris from the distressed vessel MV X-PRESS PEARL that fell into the sea continues to accumulate along Sri Lanka’s Western coast including the Negombo beach. Joining an interview with News 1st on Friday (May 28), Deputy Director-General of Health Services, Dr. Hemantha Herath, emphasized that it is very dangerous to touch or collect the debris and take such material home. “Given the lack of knowledge on the content of the debris from X-PRESS PEARL, it is EXTREMELY dangerous to collect the content as the effects may NOT even appear now, but later in time,” Dr. Herath stressed. According to Dr. Hemantha Herath, certain chemicals in the debris could cause long-term poisoning and may even include cancer-causing components.

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) says that the power supply to the areas affected by the power outage will be restored today (28). The power supply was disrupted in many parts of the country due to the strong winds that affected the island. The Ceylon Electricity Board stated that the supply of electricity to more than 177,000 housing units had been disrupted. The highest number of power outages were reported from Matale, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Kegalle, Ratnapura, Kurunegala, Galle and Matara districts. There were also reports of power outages in some parts of the Colombo district.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka Police arrested 829 people for the violation of quarantine laws on Thursday (27), the highest number of arrests made in a single day with respect to failing to wear a face mask, maintain social distancing, and other health regulations. A total of 15,595 people were arrested for the aforementioned offenses since the 30th of October 2020 to date, said Police Spokesperson DIG Ajith Rohana. 180 people were arrested by the Matale Police on Thursday (27), making it the highest number of arrests made in a single day at any given territorial division.

The Ministry of Finance and the World Bank recently signed a new grant from the European Union to support the Agriculture Sector Modernization Project (ASMP). This grant is part of the EU’s EUR 25 million support to the US$ 125 million project and will be administered by the World Bank. H. Hadad-Zervos, World Bank Country Director for Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka. “The European Union is pleased to be partnering with the World Bank and the Government of Sri Lanka to move towards a more sustainable, resilient and productive agriculture”, said Denis Chaibi, European Union Ambassador to Sri Lanka and the Maldives. -World Bank

May 28, 2021 by Mihi Perera No CommentsSri Lanka recorded a total of 2,584 COVID-19 cases on Thursday (27). 2,572 of these cases were from the Post-New Year Cluster and the remaining 12 were returnees from overseas.

May 28, 2021 by Mihi Perera No CommentsThe Director General of Health Services Dr Asela Gunawardene confirmed 04 deaths that occurred on Thursday due to Covid-19 virus infection. Apart from that, 23 Covid-19 deaths that occurred between 22nd to 26th May were also confirmed. Of them 01 death each was reported on the 22nd and 23rd May, 02 deaths on the 24th May, 07 deaths on 25th May and 12 deaths on the 26th May were reported. Accordingly, the total number of deaths due to Covid-19 infection in Sri Lanka is 1325.

A seeming increase in people flouting quarantine regulations has been observed within the past few days during the travel restricted-period. The police on Thursday (May 27) made the highest number of arrests pertaining to quarantine law violations within a single day. According to Police Media Spokesperson DIG Ajith Rohana, as many as 829 more individuals have been taken into custody for failing to adhere to health protocols and quarantine regulations while in public. The quarantine law gazette notification was published on the 15th of October 2020, however, the police have been enforcing the law regarding the quarantine gazette since the 30th of October 2020. Thereby, the police have made nearly 15,595 arrests so far with regard to violation of quarantine laws.

The barge belongs to Road Development Authority, which transfers people and goods from Kurikattuwan pier of Punkudutivu island to Nainativu, was in dilapidated condition as a section of it had partially submerged in sea following adverse weather. Extending all possible support to this matter at hand, Sri Lanka Navy rendered assistance to refloat the defunct barge yesterday (27th May 2021). The barge is used by Road Development Authority to transport a large number of passengers, vehicles and other goods from the Kurikattuwan jetty to Nainativu island all at once. A section of the barge had sunk in the sea near Kurikattuwan jetty due to strong winds and rough seas prevailed on 16th May. As the barge was in non-operational condition, it was a major setback to the day to day activities of the people of Nainativu island.

* These specialised physiotherapists provide evidence-based advice on safe participation in sport and exercise. * Sports and Exercise Physiotherapists also play a huge role in helping athletes of all ages and all levels of ability to enhance their performance. * The International Federation of Sports Physical Therapy (IFSPT) has identified 11 competencies that are required for sports and exercise physiotherapists. These competencies and standards are related to the various overlapping roles that the sports and exercise physiotherapist fulfil. Sports and exercise physiotherapists encourage and promote the application and integration of new knowledge and innovationMain source: physio-pedia

Sri Lanka Mission in Tokyo conducted the second part of its four-part series on “How to come to Japan legally” this Saturday 15 May 2021. This programme was organized by Sri Lanka. There were also Alumni Trainees who joined and shared their experience to interested and prospective Sri Lankan students who joined this programme from all 9 Provinces of Sri Lanka through FB live, YouTube and Zoom. This was the second part of an ongoing its four parts series that had been initiated by the Sri Lanka Ambassador and the Minister/Consular Affairs to encourage Japan as a destination to work and study legally. The third session of this four-part series will be held live on 06 June 2021 at 1.30 p.m. in Sri Lankan time.

His “youth policy” has backfired, his critics say, citing that the Sri Lankan batting line-up in those two games quite starkly lacked any application and much-needed experience. Therefore Wickramasinghe has to be responsible for the defeat for he is the one who dropped Sri Lanka’s veteran senior players only to beget the unprecedented humiliation, they argue. Here is Chairman of Natioanl Cricket Selectors Pramodya Wickramasinghe responding to those views that have stemmed from this week’s “Dhaka debacle”. If you are to see players such as Kusal Perera, Danushka Gunathilaka, Kusal Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dasun Shanaka, Dushmantha Chameera, and Isuru Udana, they are not newcomers,” Wickramasinghe explained. “Who we played in Bangladesh is the cream of the current crop of players in Sri Lanka.

The Grandmaster was around 350 ranking points ahead of De Silva and he played a fighting game to share the point among them. Now, Susal De Silva is having four points out of possible seven games. Former national chess champion Minul Doluweera meanwhile scored a point against Bacojo Mark Jay of the Philippines to make his score 3½ points out of seven. Theekshana has three points while Ranindu has just 2½ points now. The competition is categorised as ‘hybrid’, which means the event is conducted from different venues in different countries via online.

By Ranjika Perera* SL Football Federation AGM set for Tuesday, 1 June* Despite a third wave of the pandemic, Sports Ministry gives green light to FFSL election* Who is going to be the next Head of SL football? However, the Youth and Sports Ministry has now decided to go ahead with the FFSL election, re-scheduling it to coming Tuesday, 1 June. One Presidential candidate is Dr. Manil Fernando, son of football administrative stalwart Manilal Fernando. His rival will be Jaswar Umar, a former senior football referee. The FFSL would therefore follow strict health protocols and go on to hold the AGM next week.