Salvation Army starts holiday fundraising early to 'Rescue Christmas'
(CNN) The Salvation Army is getting an early start on its holiday fundraising campaign due to the unprecedented demands of the coronavirus pandemic. "It would be no exaggeration to say that since the pandemic began in mid-March, the Salvation Army has seen a tsunami of human need," said Kenneth Hodder, Salvation Army's National Commander. Since March, Salvation Army USA has provided more than 100 million meals, 1.5 million nights of safe shelter, plus emotional and spiritual support to over 800,000 people across the US. They expect those numbers to grow, bracing for a 155% increase in the need for their services heading into the holiday season. Those services include putting food on the table, paying bills, providing shelter, and even helping place gifts under the tree.
Source:The Nation
September 20, 2020 06:00 UTC
Thousands gather in Bangkok demanding reforms
The lese majeste laws mean CNN has limits in reporting the full context surrounding the Thai monarchy and its palace intrigue. The demands include revoking laws against defaming the monarchy, allowing for freedom of expression, abolishing royal offices, disbanding the king's royal guards. But she also shared a message to the king: "You should reform it so that the monarchy can continue to exist in Thailand ... An increasingly central part of protesters' demands, however, is reform of the much-revered monarchy. The Crown Property Act, passed in 1936, reorganized the Thai royal family's assets into separate categorizes for royal assets.
Source:The Nation
September 20, 2020 05:03 UTC
MT New Diamond | Legal imbroglio continues
The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) responded to the distress call at first and deployed their No. The distressed oil tanker in the eastern seas was manned by 23 crew members, including five Greeks and 18 Philippine nationals. After all the efforts that were taken, the oil slick that was trailing the MT New Diamond over the beginning of the week seems to be recognised as a pollutant oil known as bunker oil. The report had detected the substance to be bunker oil, commercially known as heavy petroleum distillate (HPD). Since the MT New Diamond Captain has been charged under the Marine Pollution Act, we asked the MEPA General Manager Dr. P.B.
Source:The Nation
September 20, 2020 04:41 UTC
Spotlight on deforestation
Kavirathna added that other state forests in Wilgamuwa, Laggala, Rattota, and bordering the Knuckles Forest Reserve are under threat by the deforestation that is taking place, which is allowed to expand the commercial cultivations initiated by multinational companies. Safeguarding OSFs crucialKavirathna also noted that researchers and environmentalists for years had documented findings to highlight the importance of safeguarding other state forests in the central highlands. “If people recollect their memories, in 1998-2000 too there were instances where massive areas were being cleared in Matale, during which time my late husband Sanjeewa Kavirathna protested against this deforestation. They launched a campaign to protect these other state forests,” she recalled. If the forests in the Central Province are destroyed, it is inevitable that the whole country will feel its pressure.
Source:The Nation
September 20, 2020 04:30 UTC
Two persons missing as building collapses in Buwelikada
September 20, 2020 09:25 am-A building has collapsed on to another building at the Buwelikada area in Kandy, stated Ada Derana reporter. The incident has occurred due to the inclement weather experienced in the area. Reportedly, three individuals including a child has been rescued from the collapsed building. However, two more persons are reported missing, according to our correspondent.
Source:The Nation
September 20, 2020 03:56 UTC
Falan Andrea becomes new Derana Dream Star
September 20, 2020 08:04 am-Falan Andrea was crowned winner at the grand finale of Derana Dream Star Season 09 held yesterday (September 19). The ninth season of Derana Dream Star came to a conclusion at the National Youth Services Council in Maharagama, amidst grandiose festivities last night. Three contestants, Gihan Bandara, Nuwandhika Senaratne, and Falan Andrea, contested for the grand prize of the competition at the finals. After a hotly contested event Falan triumphed over Nuwandhika Senaratne who was adjudged as the runner-up and Gihan Bandara who was the second runner-up.
Source:The Nation
September 20, 2020 02:26 UTC
OnePlus confirms OnePlus 8T 5G is ‘coming soon’
OnePlus has announced the imminent launch of the OnePlus 8T 5G.The phone will likely launch soon in India.There’s no word on a global launch. OnePlus has confirmed that it’ll soon launch its next flagship — the OnePlus 8T 5G. What to expect from the OnePlus 8T 5G? Under the hood, you can expect the OnePlus 8T 5G to run on the Snapdragon 865 chipset. However, the teaser commercial released by OnePlus stresses on speed, so there’s still hope for the SD865 Plus on the OnePlus 8T 5G.
Source:The Nation
September 20, 2020 01:52 UTC
US has reimposed UN sanctions on Iran, Pompeo says
(CNN) Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Saturday evening that the US has reimposed UN sanctions against Iran, a move expected to be effectively ignored by global allies and adversaries alike. It comes after the administration failed to extend the conventional weapons embargo set to expire next month under the Iran nuclear deal. "The United States expects all UN Member States to fully comply with their obligations to implement these measures. Other countries have rejected the US' argument that it could reimpose the UN sanctions that had been lifted under the Iran nuclear deal as the Trump administration withdrew from the deal in 2018. In a letter to the UN Security Council and to the UN Secretary-General, Iran urged the Council to block any attempt by the US to reimpose international sanctions.
Source:The Nation
September 20, 2020 00:45 UTC
Smaller, Smarter and More Sustainable
Secondly, the Mahaweli Authority released certain lands between the Proposed Elephant Reserve and Madunagala to locals, resulting in the isolation of 18 to 20 elephants. A former Air Force Commander has, through the Mahaweli Authority and by his sanction, reserved around 60 hectares for the construction of the Solar Power Plant. Oil remains a lucrative field, and the localities of Lolugas Wewa, Matigath Wewa, Parenhi Wewa, Lin Wewa, Swarnamali Wewa, and Mayiyan Wewa encompassing some 1,500 acres have been isolated to make way for an oil tank farm. Can we lay aside the sand, clay, and rock mining operations these illegal land transactions have led to? Take the Mahaweli Authority.
Source:The Nation
September 20, 2020 00:00 UTC
Victory for Kate Middleton as society bible Tatler caves
Tatler has cut huge swathes from its online profile of the Duchess of Cambridge after the society bible was accused of publishing a 'string of lies'. A source close to the magazine's publisher Condé Nast said: 'Tatler has a long-standing relationship with the Royal Family and wanted to end this amicably.' NOW: Paragraph erasedWHAT IT SAID: Kate and her sister, Pippa, remain the closest of confidantes, presumably because it feels safe. None of them can quite believe that they have hit the jackpot, so between Kate, Pippa and Carole there is an unspoken bond. NOW: Paragraph erasedWHAT IT SAID: [Kate] is a royal ballast, William's most trusted adviser, and someone who puts duty above all else.
Source:The Nation
September 19, 2020 23:37 UTC
How sexual predators hurt the economy
A study conducted by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) found that 35 different acts, ranging from physical contact to verbal and visual sexual behaviours, may be labelled as sexual harassment. However, most sexual assault is physical (See Figure 2). Some of the laws that apply to sexual harassment include:Section 345 of the Penal Code (Amendment) Act (No. 22 of 1995) established sexual harassment as a crime, which specifies that a person convicted of sexual harassment is punishable by imprisonment up to five years, with hard labour and/or a fine of up to Rs. We suggest that CCTVs be made mandatory in buses, trains, bus stops, and railway stations to crack down on the far more serious challenge of sexual harassment.
Source:The Nation
September 19, 2020 22:07 UTC
Say no to taking advantage of our artists
Initiated in 2018, the platform has since expanded its reach to include a broad spectrum of artists. He shared with us the inciting incident which led to him taking time off his well-established career to launch this platform. He said that once a few artists began to come on board, then they were able to create a network of interested artists by word of mouth. Janaka stated that they build the artist’s profile from the ground up. Janaka said that Aartzy exists primarily to create value for artists’ work.
Source:The Nation
September 19, 2020 22:07 UTC
Rejuvenate your body and soul: Ādhitya Ayurveda – accessible indigenous medicine
By Dimithri WijesingheConveniently located just opposite the Anuradhapura General Hospital, the Ādhitya Ayurveda facility provides specialised Ayurveda treatments addressing a wide range of conditions. It is the brainchild of Dr. Sarath Gunawardhana of Gunawardhana Ayurveda Holdings (Pvt.) Ltd., with the primary goal of furthering and sharing the benefits of Ayurveda and Sri Lankan traditional medicine with the world. The facility is headed by Dr. Gunawardhana and his son Dr. Kasun Gunawardhana, who specialises in Panchakarma treatments along with Ayurveda and Sri Lankan indigenous treatments. The Ādhitya Ayurveda facility is but one of the many ventures under Gunawardhana Ayurveda Holdings (Pvt.)
Source:The Nation
September 19, 2020 21:56 UTC
Sri Lanka Tourism to conduct tourist driver training programmes islandwide
Sri Lanka Tourism and Vocational Training Authority (VTA) signed an agreement last week to train drivers involved in the tourism industry which will enable training programmes to be conducted islandwide to tourist drivers to enhance their skills and get suitable employment opportunities both locally and overseas since tourist drivers play a pivotal role in contributing to the tourism industry in transporting tourists, ensuring their safety and comfort. Currently, the VTA is operating as the largest vocational training network with 186 Vocational Training Centres (VTC), 22 District Vocational Training Centres (DVTC), and eight National Vocational Training Institutes (NVTIs); it previously had just 31 VTCs in 1995. “We reached out to the Vocational Training Authority and are very pleased to sign this agreement that will now enable our industry stakeholders to have easy access to trainings islandwide. Tourism driver training is the first step taken in this regard and VTA’s wide branch network is very valuable and their expertise in training will support our strategic action plan to support the SME segment,” Sri Lanka Tourism Chairperson Kimarli Fernando shared. For more information on the tourist driver training programme please log on to: www.vtasl.gov.lk/program/program-details/Training schedule
Source:The Nation
September 19, 2020 21:45 UTC
Litro profits up despite lower price
1.2 billion Year-To-Date (YTD), a growth of 2% compared to the full year 2019 PBT, which is likely to increase to 10% by the end of the year, according to Litro Gas Chairman/CEO Anil Koswatte. 240 reduction in gas prices came on 4 October 2019, after the Government agreed on the reduction following the recommendations by the Cost of Living Committee. Litro Gas Lanka was also awarded a contract for the supply of empty metal cylinder containers for liquid petroleum gas (LPG) for the year 2020. Therefore, this contract benefits both Litro Gas and the customer as a form of an economic benefit.”Sri Lanka reportedly needs approximately 700, 000 new cylinders per annum. Litro Gas has revenue of over Rs.
Source:The Nation
September 19, 2020 21:45 UTC