Sri Lanka will suspend arrival of passengers from midnight on May 21, says the Chairman of Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). Thereby, passenger arrivals into the country will be halted until the 31st of May, CAA chief stated further.

Ambassadors of the European Union (EU) based in Colombo called on Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena yesterday (18) at the Foreign Ministry, and discussed issues of mutual interest, including EU-Sri Lanka cooperation, and the GSP Plus process. The Foreign Minister welcomed the multifaceted cooperation existing between Sri Lanka and the EU. Follow up action on the EU – Sri Lanka Joint Commission Meeting held on 25 January 2021 was also discussed. Among other issues discussed was the EU’s contribution towards the COVAX facility supporting global efforts to secure equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines by countries, including Sri Lanka, in the context of the national action plan to inoculate its adult population against the virus. The State Minister of Regional Cooperation Tharaka Balasuriya, Foreign Secretary Admiral Prof. Jayanath Colombage and senior officials of the Foreign Ministry were also present.

COLOMBO (News 1st) UNICEF, with the support of Australia, has procured and delivered a consignment of urgently needed oxygen concentrators and other vital equipment to the Ministry of Health in support of Sri Lanka’s ongoing response to Coronavirus (COVID-19). Sri Lanka is currently experiencing a surge in COVID-19 cases with a daily average of nearly 2000 since the beginning of May. The supplies procured with funding from the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) were handed to the Minister of Health, Pavithra Wanniarachchi by David Holly, the Australian Head of Mission in Sri Lanka, Emma Brigham, UNICEF Representative, a.i and Hanaa Singer-Hamdy, United Nations Resident Coordinator. UNICEF requires US$4 million to support the government’s response to the COVID-19 situation, to procure urgent supplies, including for treatment, care for pregnant mothers and newborns, and High Dependency Unit (HDU) equipment. Australia’s overall package of support to Sri Lanka for its COVID-19 response totals LKR 952 million (AUD 6.2 million) and is focused on bolstering health security, promoting social cohesion and stability for Sri Lankan communities, and supporting economic recovery.

HUTCH, Sri Lanka’s preferred choice for mobile broadband services has innovatively addressed customers’ gaming expectations with the launch of HUTCHGoPlay, Sri Lanka’s largest portal for mobile browser based games. Easily accessible via any mobile web browser, HUTCHGoPlay boasts over 1000 games from a wide range of genres for users to choose to their heart’s content. HUTCHGoPlay offers gamers an absolutely No-Ads interface which is significant in its class whilst also providing the ability to play unlimited games without downloading. The gaming hub provides HUTCH users affordable gaming solutions with minimum data consumption at only Rs. HUTCHGoPlay revolutionizes the gaming experience by providing access to a large number of games on demand.

Matthew Weinreb claimed he was 'victimised' while working for London-based e-learning firm Online Travel Training Group (OTT). But just a month after joining the company, the tribunal heard Mr Weinreb was involved in an altercation with finance manager Ms Andrade. The tribunal heard that, in March 2018, Ms Andrade emailed Mr Weinreb asking for a document. The tribunal heard how Mr Weinreb took this as Ms Andrade alluding that he was a closet homosexual. He 'upset by this and went to the toilet to get away from the situation', the tribunal heard.

Ltd. has been named the official distributor for Norton in Sri Lanka. Norton together with its range of anti-virus, anti-malware products and services offer customers total protection against cybersecurity threats, namely, through Norton Antivirus Plus and Norton 360. Norton AntiVirus Plus is Norton’s entry-level antivirus package for those who are not too familiar with the technicalities of cyber protection. For those who would prefer a much more comprehensive internet security suite, Norton 360 would be the go-to. We hope to take Norton to Sri Lankan homes to ensure their security against cyber-attacks.

One eyewitness said multiple fire engines were on the scene after local residents were woken up to the blare of sirens at around 2.45am. The service said: 'Firefighters continue to tackle the blaze in Legrams Lane, Bradford. 'Power to the building has been isolated as part of the firefighting operations and power in the local area may also be affected. Earlier it said: 'Firefighters from across the Service are currently tackling a large building fire in the Legrams Lane area of Bradford. 'Local residents living in the Shearbridge area of Bradford are advised to keep doors and windows closed due to large plumes of smoke in the area.'

May 19, 2021 12:54 pmAll economic centres across the country will remain closed when island-wide travel restrictions are in effect, the Ministry of Agriculture announced today (May 19). Accordingly, operations at economic centres will be halted on the following days:May 21 – May 24May 26 – May 28However, all economic centres as well as the Manning Market in Peliyagoda will be reopened by 4.00 am on May 25, the announcement read further. Thereby, Districts Secretaries will be issuing permits for lorries to transport vegetables and fruits to these establishments on May 24 and 25.

The Ministry of Health and Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA) have jointly initiated a new program to streamline Sri Lanka’s COVID-19 inoculation drive. A new website has been created for people to register themselves to get vaccinated against novel coronavirus. The relevant website, expected to be launched within the next two days, will allow people to schedule an appointment (date, time and vaccination centre) to receive the COVID jab. In addition, people will be able to obtain an internationally valid COVID-19 vaccination certificate through this program. The program has been coordinated by Minister Namal Rajapaksa upon the directives of President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa.

That is why there is a delay in investigations in order to cover all bases,” said the Public Security Minister. The announcement was made by State Counsel Nishara Jayaratne, the Coordinating Officer to the Attorney General on Saturday (15). Earlier, Sri Lanka’s Attorney General has sought clarification from the Inspector General Police with regard to over-hanging investigations on the 2019 April 21st Attacks. The five suspects are Mohamed Asim, Mohamed Rizwan, Mohamed Waqar Yunus , Mohamed Fazan, and Shaul Hameed Hameez Mohamed. In addition, the Attorney General had also sought clarification with regard to the investigations on 29 other suspects.

But sometimes movies simply disappear forever, falling from public view and memory due to age, mishap or scandal. Four early movies from Fox studios were lost forever in that fire: Charlie Chan Carries On (1931), Charlie Chan’s Chance (1932), Charlie Chan’s Greatest Case (1933) and Charlie Chan’s Courage (1934). But Charlie Chan is not held as favorably in American society as he once was, at least amongst the populace who can still remember who he was. This sentiment may actually be the bigger catalyst deciding the cultural perseverance of Charlie Chan than an old fire at a Fox storage facility. And after being doctored up and reformatted for DVD, with new, nostalgic content added, the 1960 World Series Game 7, once lost forever, is now available on Amazon.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on arrival at the premises was warmly received by the architect of the project, General Shavendra Silva. Medical services at the Care Center will be provided jointly by the Ministry of Health and Sri Lanka Army Medical Corps. In this place, isolated medical facilities with separate cubicles and space could cope with 1200 patients on an emergency basis. The military has already added more beds to the hospital capacity, intermediate care centres and provided even ICU beds, having established the ICUs by the Army itself. This Facility was also the first to receive international recognition as the world’s first Apparel Manufacturing Facility along with the LEED Platinum certificate.

COLOMBO (News 1st); A total of 1968 naval personnel including 64 naval officers and 1904 sailors were promoted and advanced to their next higher ranks and rates on 19th May 2021 on the occasion of the 12th Victory Day anniversary of the liberation of the motherland, from brutalities of the LTTE that lasted for nearly 30 years, by a Humanitarian Operation. 18th May 2021 marks the 12th anniversary of the conclusion of Humanitarian Operation which put an end to the LTTE terrorism. To signify this momentous occasion, 1968 naval personnel were elevated to their next higher ranks and rates by Commander of the Navy Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne, on the recommendation of the Ministry of Defence and approval of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, on 19th May 2021. Accordingly, a total of 64 officers; specifically 04 officers to the rank of Captain, 11 officers to the rank of Commander, 27 officers to the rank of Lieutenant Commander, 01 officer to the rank of Lieutenant and 21 officer cadets as Midshipmen were promoted on 19th May 2021. Commander of the Navy advanced 109 senior sailors to the rate of Master Chief Petty Officer, 218 senior sailors to the rate of Fleet Chief Petty Officer, 421 senior sailors to the rate of Chief Petty Officer, 844 senior sailors to the rate of Petty Officer, 55 junior sailors to the Leading Rate, 193 junior sailors to the Able Rate and 64 junior sailors to the Ordinary Rate, taking the tally of advancement to 1904.

May 19, 2021 by Mihi Perera No CommentsMany other ranks, including Navy and Air Force officers, have been promoted to mark the 12th anniversary of their 30th anniversary. Accordingly, 1,968 persons in the Navy have been promoted. The Sri Lanka Navy said that the promotions were given to 64 officers of the Navy and 1,904 sailors of various ranks. Meanwhile, 35 Sri Lanka Air Force officers have been promoted, according to the Sri Lanka Air Force. These promotions are being given to coincide with the 12th anniversary of the victory.

May 19, 2021 09:50 amMore than 2,000 Air Force and Navy personnel have received promotions to their next ranks coinciding with the 12th National War Heroes’ Day. Accordingly, 64 officers of the Sri Lanka Navy and a record number of 1,904 other ranks of the Navy have been promoted to their respective next rank with effect from today. In the meantime, Sri Lanka Air Force said 35 of its officers have also been promoted to their next ranks, concurrent to the National War Heroes’ Day.