May 24, 2021 08:57 pmThe Cabinet of Ministers, considering the situation in the country, has decided to suspend the import of even the limited number of motor vehicles. The decision has been taken when the Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, convened via Zoom today (May 24). During the meeting ministers pointed out that the import of vehicles should be further restricted, considering the current situation and the financial position of the country. Accordingly, measures have been taken to suspend the previous proposal to import a limited number of motor vehicles.

May 24, 2021 07:03 pmThe Health Ministry reported that 2,283 more persons have tested positive for the novel coronavirus today (24). All new cases are associated with the New Year Covid-19 cluster. This brings the tally of COVID-19 cases confirmed in the country thus far to 166,484. The total number of Covid-19 patients reported from Minuwangoda, Peliyagoda, Prisons and New Year clusters so far has increased to 160,078 with this. Total recoveries in Sri Lanka stands at 139,947 while 25,327 coronavirus patients are currently under medical care.

May 24, 2021 07:23 pmThe Ministry of Health says that another 1,296 patients who were being treated for COVID-19 have been discharged after completing their recovery. This increased the total number of coronavirus recoveries in Sri Lanka to 139,947. A total of 166,484 positive cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in the island thus far while 25,327 of these patients are currently under medical care. The death toll due to the virus stands at 1,210.

Dhaka (Bangladesh); The Bangladesh Bank (BB) board on Sunday (23) approved in principle a draft $200-million currency swap deal with Sri Lanka, which is struggling to maintain a moderate foreign exchange reserve. The currency swap agreement would be finalized after getting a legal vetting approved by the government, reports suggested. Under the draft currency swap proposal, the BB would provide up to $200 million in foreign currency to meet Sri Lanka’s foreign currency expenditures. Against the fund, Sri Lankan would keep the same amount of its local currency, Rupee, with the Bangladesh Bank along with a government guarantee. The currency swap agreement also contains a rollover condition, allowing Sri Lanka to extend the period of repayment of the loan.

The National Operation Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO) announced the isolation of several areas and Grama Niladhari divisions in four districts with effect from 4.00 a.m. tomorrow (May 25). Meanwhile the isolation of certain areas and GN divisions will also be lifted at the same time tomorrow. Accordingly, the following areas are to be isolated:Rathnapura DistrictKuruvita Police AreaKuruvita Delgamuwa GN Town AreaGalle DistrictAmbalangoda Police AreaUrawattaGampaha DistrictKiribathgoda Police AreaEriwetiyaNuwara-Eliya DistrictDayagama Police AreaSandirigama Estate Sandirigama Division Sandirigama Estate NLDB FarmThe following areas will be released from isolation:Kalutara DistrictIngiriya Police AreaMaha Ingiriya GN Raigam Cantonment Raigamwatta GN Raigamwaththa Bottom Area Maha Ingiriya GN RaigampuraRathnapura DistrictRathnapura Police AreaRathgamaMonaragala DistrictSiyambalanduwa Police AreaGal Amuna HelamullaWellawaya Police AreaEthiliwewaGampaha DistrictWattala Police AreaMaddumagalaHekiththa Police AreaHekiththa GN excluding Athkam Housing Scheme, Alwis Place, National Housing Scheme, Koktain RoadKerawalapitiya Police AreaKerawalapitiya GN excluding Paranawaththa AreaKerandapokuna Police AreaKeranga Pokuna GN excluding Jorge LaneKatana Police AreaKalugahawelaIsolation 2021-05-25 by Adaderana Online on Scribd

When a Belarusian warplane intercepted a Ryanair passenger jet over Belarus on Sunday, one man on board immediately knew he faced mortal danger. Lukashenko - 'Europe's last dictator' - personally gave the order for the 170 passengers to be brought down hundreds of miles from their final destination. Protasevich was with his Russian girlfriend Sofia Sapega, 23, a law student at the European Humanities University based in Lithuania. As it was announced the plane was landing in Minsk, he was seen standing up and opening the overhead locker. Protasevich immediately started unpacking his bag and handed a laptop and phone to his girlfriend Sapega - but she too was arrested.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka has decided to extend the travel restrictions to 07th June, said Minister Johnston Fernando on Monday (24). However, travel restrictions will be relaxed on the following day for people to make purchases of essential items from the nearest store. 25th May 2021 (Travel Restrictions will be relaxed from 04 AM to 11 PM)31st May 2021 (Travel Restrictions will be relaxed from 04 AM to 11 PM)04th June 2021 (Travel Restrictions will be relaxed from 04 AM to 11 PM)07th June 2021 (Travel Restrictions will be relaxed from 04 AM to 11 PM)– Only retail shops, pharmacies, fish & meat stalls, vegetable stalls, and bakeries are allowed to operate when travel restrictions are relaxed. – People will not be permitted to travel using vehicles to make purchases when travel restrictions are relaxed. – Only people involved in essential services will be allowed to travel until the 07th of June.

Bahrain is suspending entry of travelers from countries on its “Red List”, which includes India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal, from today (May 24), state news agency BNA reported. Bahraini citizens and residency visa holders are not covered by the suspension, but will have to provide a PCR test before boarding a plane and quarantine for 10 days upon arrival, BNA added. Bahrain will also apply precautionary 10-day quarantine to vaccinated and non-vaccinated individuals from all other countries, in their homes or in places licensed for quarantining, BNA added. Bahraini citizens and residency visa holders will have to present an approved PCR test certificate conducted no more than 48 hours prior to boarding and undertake another PCR test on arrival and on the tenth day of stay. Red list countries are modified based on an assessment made by the National Medical Taskforce for Combatting the Coronavirus and is periodically reviewed in line with international developments.

The government has introduced a special telephone number ” 1965 ” for inquiries about essential services. The Presidential Task Force on Economic Recovery and Poverty Alleviation says the 1965 Special Telephone Number will be operational from today. The operation will be carried out 24 hours a day and the public will be able to obtain information on the purchase of essential items through the number. The Presidential Task Force on Economic Recovery and Poverty Alleviation said that the telephone service is committed to providing essential services to the people at a time when travel restrictions are in force throughout the country, enabling the public to purchase goods without inconvenience. “1965” special telephone number will be activated due to travel restrictions imposed.

May 24, 2021 by Mihi Perera No CommentsSri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) Chairman Kingsley Ranawaka says that no buses will be operated tomorrow (25) despite the easing of travel restrictions. He said the move was taken following health advice at a time when the corona epidemic was spreading rapidly. However, the services provided to the health and security sectors will continue to function, he said. He further said that all depot managers have been instructed to provide buses only for essential services.

Sri Lanka Medical Research Institute (SLMRI) has made a revelation on cases of ‘black fungus’ detected in Sri Lanka. With reports of a person from Ampara who has been diagnosed with the ‘black Fungus’, there has been much dialogue in Sri Lanka regarding the infection which has stirred quite a storm in India. Meanwhile, SLMRI has revealed that Sri Lanka has reported cases of ‘black fungus’, also known as mucormycosis, since 2019. She said, “This fungus is not new to Sri Lanka. We have reported 42 cases of ‘black fungus’ in 2019, 24 in 2020, and 24 in 2021 so far.

The Department of Meteorology has issued an advisory for the deep and shallow sea areas around the island due to the cyclonic storm “YAAS” in the East Central Bay of Bengal. The deep depression located in East Central Bay of Bengal has intensified in to a cyclonic storm (“YAAS”) and lay centered near latitude 16.3N longitude 89.7E, on 24th May around 05.30 a.m. This system is very likely to intensify into a severer cyclonic storm by 25th May and will further intensify into a very severe cyclonic storm during subsequent 24 hours, the department warned. It is very likely to move north-northwestwards and reach near west Bengal coasts by evening of 26th May. There is also a possibility that near shore sea areas off the coast extending from Puttalam to Galle via Colombo may experience surges due to the effect of swell waves, having 2.5-3.0 m height.

2021 May 24Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) has threatened hundreds of Sri Lankans and the number of deaths owing to CKD has been in the increasing trend in each passing year. Therefore, over the years of its journey, Kindred Kidneys got rebranded as a signature project under the Community Service Avenue to focus solely on the CKD spread in Sri Lanka in the year. The main objectives of this project are to increase awareness regarding CKD among the general public and to provide physical resources to clinics that offer treatments for CKD in Sri Lanka. Accordingly, four phases were planned under “Kindred Kidneys” for the year 2020/21. Rotaract Club of Alumni of the University of Moratuwa intends to expand Kindred Kidneys to address the root causes of kidney disease in Sri Lanka and work towards eliminating it from our country.

The Association of Medical Specialists in Sri Lanka yesterday stated that there have been attempts to create disharmony among the frontline health workers due to undue interference in the Covid-19 immunization programme. They stated that there has been political and official influences upon the vaccination drive in Sri Lanka. They advised authorities to adhere to sound, scientific and transparent prioritization protocol practiced in many countries for this process. “Finally, we would like to reiterate that scientifically sound vaccination policy is the need of the hour to prevent possible disharmony amongst front line health care workers at this critical juncture,” they said. “It is extremely sad to notice that our country of “vaccination fame” failing to meet expectations of our own citizens and international organizations with sub optimal performance in Covid-19 vaccination programme,” they stated.

Amit and Tal's eldest son Eitan, aged five, was also in the cable car and is currently in serious condition in hospital. The cable car service first opened in August 1970 after almost three years of works to replace a cog railway, its website said. They tweeted: 'A cabin of the cable car connecting Stresa-Alpino-Mottarone fell. The tourists had to be rescued after the cable car stopped shortly after leaving the terminal in Stresa. The Mottarone cable car was opened in 1970.