India gifts a 10-tonne consignment of medicines to Sri Lanka
India yesterday (08) gifted a 10 tonne consignment of essential life saving medicines to Government of Sri Lanka, in view of the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. These medicines have been requested by Government of Sri Lanka. The consignment was brought to Sri Lanka by an Air India Special Charter flight today, a media release from the Indian High Commission in Colombo stated. This is yet another manifestation of India’s unwavering commitment to stand with Sri Lanka, in rain and in shine. India today gifted a 10 tonne consignment of essential life saving medicines to Government of Sri Lanka, in view of the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.
Source:Sunday Observer
April 09, 2020 09:22 UTC
Sybil Nanda in Guinness Book with Wonder Crystal
Iconic children’s author and illustrator Sybil Wettasinghe was honoured by the Guinness Book of World Records with her latest book Wonder Crystal. The book has won a place in the Guinness Book as the book with the most number of alternative endings – 1,250 to be exact. “ It never takes me long to write a book,” Sybil said. The author, Sybil Wettasinghe, sponsors and Guinness officials were present along with over 2,000 children. This book revoulutionised Sri Lankan books as it was the first children’s book in colour.
Source:Sunday Observer
March 21, 2020 20:03 UTC
81 percent of Lankan COVID-19 patients are male
It was revealed yesterday that 81 percent of the COVID-19 patients in Sri Lanka are males. A total of 45.2 percent of COVID-19 patients are between the ages of 41 and 50 years, health sources also said. According to the latest statistics issued by the Epidemiology Unit yesterday (20th Friday 8.30 pm) a total of 70 confirmed COVID-19 patients and 218 suspected patients are in 16 state hospitals in the island. According to the Health Ministry sources, in the current Sri Lankan context, there is no scientific justification to wear a face mask routinely by the general public. If a person suffers from symptoms such as fever, cough, cold, sore throat or difficulty in breathing, he/she should avoid visiting public places and crowded places.
Source:Sunday Observer
March 21, 2020 05:37 UTC
CMEV to track on election expenses
The Centre for Monitoring Election Violence (CMEV) will keep tabs on the election campaign expenses of all political parties which would contest the upcoming General Elections, CMEV National Coordinator Manjula Gajanayake said. Speaking to the Daily News today, he said the CMEV’s campaign cost monitoring initiative, which began for the first time in Sri Lanka during the last Presidential Election, would be continued more systematically at the forthcoming General Elections. Of that sum, about Rs 3.6 billion (over 90 percent) was spent by the two front runners at the elections. This time, since more than 5,000 candidates will contest in different parts of the country, our methodology will have to be changed. However, the basics such as tracking the cost of print and electronic media advertisements and social media advertisements of the candidates will remain intact,” he explained.
Source:Sunday Observer
March 02, 2020 09:33 UTC
24X7 helpline launched by Sri Lankan Embassy in Abu Dhabi
The Sri Lankan Embassy has launched various community outreach programmes, including a 24-hour toll-free helpline number (800119119). The embassy has started a monthly medical camp and counselling sessions, and extended mobile consular service to Ras Al Khaimah. Ashoka Jayasundara, Minister Counsellor (Labour), Sri Lanka Embassy, said. 10,000 expats visit embassyThere are around 300,000 Sri Lankan expats in the UAE, with over 60,000 in Abu Dhabi. The Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment collaborated with the embassy to successfully implement this task.
Source:Sunday Observer
March 02, 2020 08:46 UTC
Ministry urge School authorities to curb unruly behavior
Ministry of Education has instructed all heads of National Schools countrywide in a special circular to take steps to control the unruly behavior of students during inter- School Cricket big matches. The ministry has instructed that common road users should not be harassed at any cost by big-match revelers. Many public complaints have been received by the Education Ministry over the inconveniences caused by the parades of vehicles by those taking part in big-matches and their unruly behavior. All school heads have been instructed not to allow students to misbehave on main roads. The ministry has stated that legal action will be initiated by the Police against those who break the law.
Source:Sunday Observer
March 02, 2020 07:30 UTC
Heat Index to reach danger level
The Department of Meteorology states that the Heat Index is likely to reach the cautionary level in the coming few days in some parts of the country. The Heat Index, the temperature felt on the human body is expected to reach the extreme cautious level at some places in the North-Western, Western and Southern Provinces and in the Mannar, Ratnapura, and Monaragala districts. The caution level records temperatures ranging between 32-41 Celsius degrees. The Department of Meteorology advises the public to avoid outdoor activities and to stay hydrated in order to avoid fatigue and heat cramps.
Source:Sunday Observer
March 02, 2020 03:56 UTC
Who really discovered America?
If you ask a child who discovered America, he will at once say it was Christopher Columbus. May the celestial gods and goddesses favour us well!”Stone inscriptionThe incident took place 2023 years before Columbus set foot in America. A map drawn by Turkish admiral Piri Reis in 1513 depicts the north coastline of Antarctica and the east coastline of South America. In addition, there is evidence that the Greeks and Romans had sailed to America long before Columbus. Eirik Thorvaldsson Rauda discovered an island and named it ‘Greenland.’ People who settled down in Greenland explored the continent of North America.
Source:Sunday Observer
February 29, 2020 20:41 UTC
Parliament to be dissolved tomorrow
Speculation was rife that the eighth Parliament of Sri Lanka would be dissolved by midnight tomorrow for the country to go for fresh elections to elect a new Parliament. When the present Parliament is dissolved, the country will be run by a caretaker Government with Mahinda Rajapaksa as Prime Minister and the Cabinet of Ministers. Political parties and independent candidates contesting the general election will be given time to make their deposits until the last day of nominations. If Parliament is dissolved on March 2 as speculated upon, General Elections will be held on or before April 25, and those eligible to cast postal votes, could apply before March 14. In the event Parliament is dissolved, as speculated, at midnight on Monday, arrangements will be made to receive nominations from March 12-16.
Source:Sunday Observer
February 29, 2020 20:03 UTC
First house to be presented today
The first house constructed under the Gamata Geyak – Ratata Hetak project of the Government will be handed over to the recipient family today at a ceremony at the Owat-watte, Attanagalle, in the Gampaha district. Housing Facilities State Minister Indika Anuruddha, the chief guest will present the keys of the house to the family,The project Gamata Geyak – Ratata Hetak is the concept of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa to help the poorest families and improve their livelihoods. The project to construct 14,022 houses countrywide was launched in Kurunegala on February 1, under the Housing Development National Program. The earlier plan was to ensure that the houses are built within 60 days.
Source:Sunday Observer
February 29, 2020 20:03 UTC
Reconciliation mechanisms will continue - FM tells UN Rights Chief
Foreign Relations Minister Dinesh Gunawardena informed the UN Human Rights Chief the existing reconciliation mechanisms set up by Acts of Parliament will continue to function despite the government’s decision to withdraw from co-sponsorship of Human Rights Resolution 40/1. Notwithstanding the withdrawal from co-sponsorship, he emphasised the Government’s commitment to achieving accountability and human rights within the framework of the Constitution. He had conveyed that the government hoped to achieve sustainable peace and reconciliation, through the appointment of a domestic Commission of Inquiry. High Commissioner Bachelet had thanked Minister Gunawardena for his participation in the High-Level Segment of the HRC. Director General of the UN and Human Rights Division of the Ministry of Foreign Relations M.R.K.
Source:Sunday Observer
February 29, 2020 20:03 UTC
Heat wave advisory issued
The Meteorology Department today, issued a notice requesting people to be cautious of a heat wave that some parts of the country might experience today and tomorrow. They observed that the maximum heat indexes in some areas have already increased. The heat indexes of these areas may reach a ‘caution’ level. The caution level records temperatures ranging between 32-41 Celsius degrees. According to the notice, people living in areas under “caution” level, would experience fatigue with prolonged exposure and activity.
Source:Sunday Observer
February 26, 2020 08:15 UTC
Foreign Minister arrives in Geneva
Minister of Foreign Relations, Skills Development, Employment and Labour Relations - Dinesh Gunawardena who leads the Sri Lanka delegation to the 43rd Session of the Human Rights Council arrived in Geneva a short while ago. The Minister is scheduled to address the High Level Segment of the Human Rights Council today, where he will formally inform the Council Members of the decision of the Government of Sri Lanka to withdraw its co-sponsorship of Resolution 40/1 of March 2019 on ‘Promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka’, which also incorporates and builds on preceding Resolutions 30/1 of October 2015 and 34/1 of March 2017. Minister Gunawardena will also respond to the Oral Update on Sri Lanka by the High Commissioner tomorrow. He will meet the High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet on Friday.
Source:Sunday Observer
February 26, 2020 05:26 UTC
18-hour Water cut in Ja-ela and Katunayake
The national water supply and drainage board announced that there would be a 18-hour water cut in the Ja-ela, Katunayake and Seeduwa urban council areas from 9am tomorrow. The water cut will be in effect in Ja-ela, Ekala, Kandana, Aniyakanda, Batagama, Tudella, Niwandama, Maeliya, Kerawalapitiya, Mategoda, Welisara, Mabola and Alapitiwala. The water cut will also be imposed from 9am in Mahabage, Dikkowita, Bopitiya, Pamunugama and Uswatekeiyawa. The water cut is imposed due to urgent repairs in Kelaniya.
Source:Sunday Observer
February 25, 2020 09:45 UTC
President urges officials to take immediate steps to control vegetable prices
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has instructed the officials to implement a programme to control the rising prices of vegetables with the aim of providing relief to consumers while safeguarding farmers. During a meeting held at the Presidential Secretariat, with the officials of the Ministry of Mahaweli Development and the Ministry of Trade the President said that there should be an immediate intervention to control it. Vegetables are brought to Dambulla from the areas of vegetable cultivation. Paddy storage warehouses have been renovated in several areas. The President instructed the officials to repair all other paddy storage warehouses immediately.
Source:Sunday Observer
February 25, 2020 07:41 UTC