A cyber attack was launched on four government websites, namely the websites of the Ministry of Health, Sri Lankan Embassy in China, Ministry of Energy, and the Rajarata University, stated the Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Readiness Team (SLCERT) yesterday (18). They revealed that two of the sites were recovered. However, the remaining two sites were still malfunctioning at the time of this edition going to print. SLCERT also stated that there has been a significant increase in cyber security violations during this period of the year. They requested all professionals involved in government websites to take precautions, as the websites may be compromised.

Even though the matter of electoral systems was a primary topic in this discussion too, tangible steps to determine whether the delayed PC polls would be held in accordance with the old, existing electoral system or a new one was not taken. In this context, amendments to the existing electoral system and laws should not be a one-time opportunity, and instead, should consider giving the public the uninterrupted, long-term opportunity to be a part of matters pertaining to Sri Lanka’s electoral system. With regard to obtaining public opinion, the situation is the same. However, what became of this move or the public opinion expressed in this connection remains unknown. Ensuring that the plans to amend the electoral system and laws do not face the same fate is the responsibility of the Government and the relevant authorities.

How do you make sure that an online connection is the real thing and not a catfish? Doing so may reveal the person’s other social media profiles, news articles in which they’re mentioned, or other online content. Any other instances of that image online. If that same image appears in association with the person you’ve been talking to online, that’s great. Just be sure you’re in control of how you help them out.

As part of Google I/O 2021 today, Google announced a new design language for apps and Android. Previously, the company had launched and embraced Material Design, but now it’s rebooting that style under the new “Material You” design. It’s the biggest design change coming to Android since 2014. The first Material You design features will debut on the next Android 12-based Pixel phones, which are due out this fall. Material You apps and design will expand to other platforms and devices in the future, including smartphones, smart displays, the web, and more.

Campaigners are 'astonished' by a loophole in the government's Online Safety Bill that could put pornography websites 'outside its scope'. Porn sites have a combination of user-generated content (uploaded by people who visit the sites themselves) and content created by official partners. The UK government published the draft Online Safety Bill on May 12. Government said at the time age checks would be delivered through its 'proposed online harms regulatory regime' – in other words, the Online Safety Bill. While age verification checks were absent from last week's draft Online Safety Bill, experts think it has simply been put aside for now.

Andrew Bailey told peers on the Economic Affairs Committee that the Bank's forecast is for inflation to 'pick up' in the very near future as the economy bounces back as lockdown is eased. Meanwhile, Mr Bailey also revealed that he spoke to Chancellor Rishi Sunak every day during the height of the coronavirus pandemic last year. Andrew Bailey told peers on the Economic Affairs Committee that the Bank's forecast is for inflation to 'pick up' in the very near future as the economy bounces back as lockdown is eased. Mr Bailey told peers this afternoon: ‘We have just produced a monetary policy report 12 days ago. Mr Bailey today revealed that his 'daily' conversations with Mr Sunak were 'dominated' by the pair trying to understand coronavirus.

The Epidemiology Unit of the Health Ministry reported that 744 more persons have tested positive for COVID-19 in Sri Lanka on Sunday (May 18), as the daily count of new cases moved to 2,478. This brings the total number of confirmed cases of coronavirus reported in the country to 147,680.

A trial of rental electric scooters will be launched in London on June 7, Transport for London (TfL) has confirmed, despite safety concerns. And in July 2019, TV presenter and YouTube influencer Emily Hartridge was killed while riding her e-scooter in Battersea, London. Scroll down for videoTransport for London and London Councils have announced Dott, Lime and Tier Mobility as the winners of its prized e-scooter pilot. 'The rental e-scooter trial has the potential to support our city-wide response to the coronavirus pandemic and boost London's green recovery,' said Mayor Philip Glanville, chair of London Councils' Transport and Environment Committee. Last year, the government legalised e-scooter rental trials by local authorities, although private e-scooter riding is still illegalA rider on a Tier e-scooter in front of Tower Bridge.

May 18, 2021 06:50 pmThe Ministry of Health reports that another 1,734 persons have tested positive for coronavirus today (18). 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 146,936. Presently 24,810 infected patients are being treated at hospitals and treatment centers across the island. Meanwhile, the number of total recoveries has reached 121,145.

May 18, 2021 07:20 pmPolice arrested a group of individuals who held an LTTE commemoration at Kiran Beach in Kalkudah, today (May 18). Accordingly, 06 men and 03 women have been arrested and will be detained for 3 days under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). The leader of the arrested group has been identified as a 38-year-old male who runs a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO). Reportedly, the group had made flower offerings to the sea following the commemoration. The arrest has been made by a team of officers attached to the Eravur and Kalkudah Police.

Photo: Chris Jackson (Getty Images) Photo: Chris Jackson (Getty Images)If your old, beat-up collection of Barbies, Matchbox cars, or MEGA Bloks have overstayed their welcome, ditching them (without dumping them into a landfill) just got a lot easier. Fortunately, Mattel will now take them off your hands through its new “PlayBack” program, which is designed to recover and reuse materials found in the toys for use in future Mattel products. The process to return the toys is easy: Go to Mattel’s website to fill out a brief form and print a free shipping label. This program is really for toys that are not in decent playable condition. If your toys are still in good shape, it’s better to hand them down to a friend or family member, sell them, or donate them to a local charity.

Chrissworld Limited (CWL-N-0000) rang the market opening bell today to commence trading on the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) at the first ever fully Virtual Market Opening Ceremony organized by the CSE. “This listing is a milestone for CSE as well as for Chrissworld Limited. We launched the Empower Board, another Board for listing on the CSE several years ago. I wish to thank all the investors for the confidence, trust and the belief that you have had with Chrissworld Limited and our team. We congratulate Chrissworld Limited for getting there as the first company to be listed on the Empower board”Post Views: 2

As many as 1,516 more patients who were being treated for COVID-19 have been discharged from medical care within the last 24 hours, the Ministry of Health reported today (May 18). This brings the total number of coronavirus recoveries in the country to 121,145. Majority of the recoveries were reported from Punanai Treatment Centre (116), Kandakadu Treatment Centre (92) and Bingiriya Treatment Centre (85). Sri Lanka has reported 145,202 positive cases of COVID-19 following the outbreak of the virus infection. However, up to 23,076 virus-infected patients are currently receiving treatment at designated hospitals and treatment centres.

More than 90 people are missing after a barge off the coast of India’s Mumbai city sank amid a severe cyclone. Three other commercial barges carrying about 700 people are stranded at sea in the wake of cyclone Tauktae, which has battered India’s western coast. The third barge, about 92km from the Gujarat coast, is attached to an oil rig. Initially classified as “extremely severe”, the cyclone made landfall in Gujarat state late on Monday with wind speeds of up to 160km/h (100mph). Tauktae is the strongest cyclone to strike the coast of Gujarat since 1998.

18th May, 2021, Colombo: The Facebook Journalism Project and Reuters have partnered to launch an online training program, Reuters Digital Journalism Course. The program aims to support journalists in nine countries across the Asia Pacific, including Sri Lanka, to build a strong foundation in digital reporting and editing. “Facebook is proud to partner with Reuters to launch this new e-learning program and help our region’s journalists build strong foundational knowledge as they navigate the changing digital news landscape. The Reuters Digital Journalism Course provides foundational knowledge on digital news reporting for new and seasoned journalists alike, using compelling learning materials and hands-on tutorials in four modules: digital newsgathering; verification and reporting; publishing effectively on social media; and wellness and resilience. “The Reuters Digital Journalism Course offers best practices from Reuters journalists around the world to provide the foundation for sound journalism, whether you’re a budding journalist or a seasoned one looking for a refresher.”The course is free and can be accessed here.