Experts explore what sets Sri Lanka apart as a tourist destination
Conservation Tourism WebinarThe Conservation Tourism webinar series organised by Sri Lanka Tourism Alliance was held last month, to explore the topic of ‘Wildlife and Nature Conservation, as it applies to the Future Sustainability of Sri Lanka’s Tourism Industry’. The session was introduced by Co-Chair of the Sri Lanka Tourism Alliance, Malik J Fernando, and moderated by Niranga Gunaratna, Director of Communications at Shangri-La Colombo & Shangri-La Hambantota. The speakers touched on important elements such as what sets Sri Lanka apart as a tourist destination and the economic value of Sri Lanka’s nature and wildlife to the visitor economy. The webinar went on to discuss major challenges faced by Sri Lanka’s nature and wildlife and the consequences to local tourism. “If Sri Lanka is to reach its potential as the best wildlife tourism destination outside of Africa, the private tourism sector has to play a significant role to make that happen”.
Source:The Nation
September 27, 2021 00:00 UTC
Lankan ‘patriots’ defending American ‘Fortress’
Even those who are supportive of Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) are critical of the New Fortress deal due to the absence of transparency and questionable exclusivity. Given this situation created by a local company, what guarantee is there that something far worse will not happen due to the New Fortress deal? Today, they are struggling to justify the New Fortress deal while wrapping themselves in the flag. The New York Timespublished an article titled, How China Got Sri Lanka to Cough Up a Port, criticizing the Hambantota port deal. Among those who are campaigning against the New Fortress deal are some SLPP constituents.
Source:The Nation
September 27, 2021 00:00 UTC
Rice millers to cease activity if crops are not sold at reasonable rates
COLOMBO (News 1st): Rice millers say that they will cease activities if they cannot sell their crop at reasonable rates. 50, and Samba rice at Rs. As the Government has remained silent, farmers began selling their harvest at higher rates to rice millers. However, rice producers say they cannot sell rice at lower rates, as they had spent more to purchase them. 110 per one kilogram, Samba rice at Rs.
Source:The Nation
September 26, 2021 23:03 UTC
Why YOU spent £4m on illegal guns and zombie knives
By Andy Jehring For The Daily MailPublished: 17:50 EDT, 26 September 2021 | Updated: 17:50 EDT, 26 September 2021The owners of illegal guns, zombie knives and knuckle-dusters have been paid more than £4million in a weapons-for-cash scheme. The largest sum of £2.78million went on buying 1,000 lever release rifles while £262,470 was paid for 133 manually activated release system (MARS) rifles – both rapid-fire weapons. Firearms expert Philip Boyce said: ‘In my 35 years in forensics, I have never seen a lever release rifle used in crime. ‘There were a lot of lever release rifles handed in. I can’t say I’ve seen any of these guns used in crime.
Source:The Nation
September 26, 2021 21:56 UTC
'Disgusting' thugs launch vicious mass brawl at Newmarket races
By Gemma Parry For MailonlinePublished: 15:39 EDT, 26 September 2021 | Updated: 18:55 EDT, 26 September 2021Footage has appeared online of a mass brawl that broke out at Newmarket races this weekend. One man is showed with blood on his shirt, while in the background, another lands a punch on one of the many security guards trying to break up the fight. The video showed the moment the fight broke out at the racecourse in Suffolk on SaturdayA stunned spectator filmed as security guards rushed to the scene to break the fight up. 'First trip back to Newmarket in [two] years, and these idiots ruined a family day out,' they wrote. 'Otherwise, nearly 7,000 spectators enjoyed a fantastic day at Newmarket without incident.'
Source:The Nation
September 26, 2021 20:37 UTC
New gas company dissolved
By Pamodi WaravitaThe Treasury Department’s newly formed and controversial special purpose vehicle (SPV), gas company Siyolit (Pvt.) Siyolit (Pvt.) Ltd. was set to impact the State-run Litro Gas Lanka Ltd. negatively whilst boosting the prospects of privately-owned Laugfs Gas PLC by making Litro heavily reliant on Laugfs for its operations. High-level officials earlier told The Morning that they feared the SPV would leave Litro Gas “at the mercy” of the latter. “Interested parties have called to question the intentions and integrity of recently formed liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)-buying firm Siyolit (Pvt.)
Source:The Nation
September 26, 2021 20:02 UTC
PTA reforms to Cabinet in two weeks
48 of 1979 as amended (PTA), proposed and recommended by the Cabinet Sub-Committee appointed for that purpose, are expected to be submitted to the Cabinet of Ministers within two weeks, by early to mid-October. Most probably in two weeks’ time, we should be able to handover our recommendations concerning changes to the PTA to the Cabinet,” he explained. Kamal Gunaratne, and includes representation from the Foreign Affairs Ministry, Justice Ministry, Defence Ministry, and Public Security Ministry. Progress made on the reforms process concerning the PTA is to be monitored by the five member Mission. In 2017, Sri Lanka regained it on the condition that it would repeal the PTA and implement several international conventions, including ones on human rights.
Source:The Nation
September 26, 2021 20:02 UTC
Sri Lanka’s archer Sajeev out from second round
Compiled by Chathura Ranasinghe and Ishani UpatharithaSajeev de SilvaSri Lanka’s Sajeev de Silva, who competed in the World Archery Championship in Dakota, USA, was eliminated from the second round of the tournament. Anuradha Wijesinghe and Harshani Shashikala competed in the women’s compound category and were eliminated in the first round. In that semi-finals, Victoria beat Gayani with two counter punches in the very first Round. * Bangladesh Under-19 cricket tour of Sri Lanka announcedAvishka Gunawardene (on right)Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) will host the Bangladesh U-19 during October 2021 for a limited-over series. In the meantime, Sri Lanka U19 squad is currently undergoing a residential training programme in Colombo focusing on their future assignments.
Source:The Nation
September 26, 2021 19:41 UTC
Cabraal says IMF involvement and debt restructuring not needed
Central Bank Governor, Ajith Nivard Cabraal, who insists that a home-grown solution is the key to address Sri Lanka’s debt issues, says IMF involvement and debt restructuring are not required. International investment banks have been told that Sri Lanka is willing to settle the debt maturing in January ahead of time, the Central Bank governor revealed. “A programme with the IMF enables Sri Lanka to get budget support from the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank,” Prof. Devarajan said further. The support of the IMF to this programme will be a signal of confidence to the international community, he pointed out adding that it is time for Sri Lanka to start debt restructuring. Meanwhile, former Prime Minister and Leader of the United National Party, Ranil Wickremesinghe warned of an imminent crisis.
Source:The Nation
September 26, 2021 19:30 UTC
International cricket: India women beat Aussies while Oman cruise
beat Papua New Guinea (PNG) (140 all out in 42.2 ovs) in the 44th ODI match of the ongoing International Cricket Council (ICC) World Cup League-2 yesterday (26) at Al Amerat, Oman. Oman will host Sri Lanka in two practice matches before the start of next month’s T20 World Cup. Sri Lanka are to meet both Scotland and Namibia in the World Cup qualifiers next month. India Women beat the Aus# Jhulan Goswami took 3/37 as India Women (266/8 in 49.3 ovs.) Yet Aus Women won the three-match series 2-1.
Source:The Nation
September 26, 2021 19:30 UTC
Top 10 trending phones of week 38
Apple's iPhone 13 lineup remains the dominant force in our trending chart for the second week running with the 13 Pro Max joined by the vanilla 13 and the 13 Pro on the podium. The Xiaomi 11T Pro also retained its fourth position from last week, with the first change coming in fifth place. The iPhone 13 mini that occupied it last week dropped off the chart entirely, allowing the Samsung Galaxy M52 to gain a position. The Redmi Note 10 Pro also benefited from the sharply declining interest in the diminutive iPhone to get sixth place. The Samsung pair of Galaxy A52s and S21 Ultra follows, while ninth goes to the Xiaomi Civi, which is getting people taking even before its official announcement.
Source:The Nation
September 26, 2021 18:56 UTC
Real tug-of-war ends with All Blacks securing title
Here is All Blacks with the Freedom Cup, played on the sidelines of the Rugby Championship, between New Zealand and South Africa. After second halfThe second half was a scrappy affair where both teams failed to keep the ball for a longer period of time. First points of the second half came through a penalty from Pollard and All Blacks responded immediately with a penalty from Barret to establish a two-point lead. The game deciderAll Blacks kept making handling errors and they were struggling with the set pieces too. The win puts the Wallabies into the second place behind All Blacks in the Rugby Championship this year.
Source:The Nation
September 26, 2021 18:33 UTC
COVID- 1,074 new cases recorded within the day
The daily total of new COVID-19 cases moved to 1,074 today (Se. 26) as 327 more people were tested positive for the virus, the Epidemiology Unit of the Health Ministry said. According to Epidemiology Unit data, 46,397 active cases are currently under medical care at hospitals, treatment centres and homes. Total recoveries from the virus infection reached 454,532 earlier today as 843 more patients were discharged from medical care upon returning to health. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka registered 71 new COVID-related fatalities confirmed by the Director-General of Health Services on Sep. 25.
Source:The Nation
September 26, 2021 15:45 UTC
Iceland elects Europe’s first female majority parliament
Iceland looks set to make history by becoming the first European country to elect a female majority to parliament, BBC reportsAccording to projections based on the final election results, 33 of the 63 seats in the Althingi, or 52%, have been won by women. This would mark an increase of nine seats from the last election in 2017. Unlike some other countries, Iceland does not have legal quotas on female representation in parliament, though some parties do require a minimum number of candidates to be women. It was also the first country in the world to elect a female president in 1980. Meanwhile, yesterday’s election saw the incumbent left-right coalition government, led by Prime Minister Katrin Jakobsdottir, increase its majority.
Source:The Nation
September 26, 2021 15:45 UTC
Fears deadly spider is on the loose in Cotswold town
Arachnophobe Jim Dodds said he is left living in fear and has to check under his pillows before going to bed at night. But the spider has now vanished from his backyard in Tetbury, Gloustershire. The kitchen fitter and his wife Helen managed to take a photograph of the spider before it escaped from the box. He said Helen, 51, had discovered the spider lurking inside a plastic box the couple keep in the garden of their home on Sunday. 'Note that I would recommend a spider like this is only dealt with by an expert,' he added.
Source:The Nation
September 26, 2021 15:00 UTC