Overcoming adversity
At no point in 2020 was Sri Lanka’s health infrastructure at risk of being overwhelmed. Indeed by April 2020, the Global Response to Infectious Disease (GRID) Index by CMA Australia ranked Sri Lanka’s pandemic response as the 9th best in the world. Vaccine Procurement: Too Little, Too LateDespite these evidently sub-optimal decisions, Sri Lanka still had every opportunity to get ahead of the global curve. Another point to consider: why did the Government not diversify its risk on vaccine procurement; was there an over-reliance on the Serum Institute of India and Covishield? Vaccine procurement and pricing aside, were necessary investments made to expand ‘test-trace-isolate’ facilities?
Source:The Nation
September 06, 2021 00:22 UTC
Inside WhatsApp groups where stars boast about cocaine during lockdown
Explosive rumours are emerging of private WhatsApp groups where Melbourne celebrities openly share photos of themselves attending drug-fuelled parties during the strict Covid lockdown. A well-placed source claimed last week's leaked video of Nadia Bartel snorting white powder was not an isolated example of a privileged Melburnian flouting the rules. Scroll down for videoExplosive rumours are emerging of private WhatsApp groups where Melbourne celebrities openly share photos of themselves attending drug-fuelled parties during the strict Covid lockdown. 'These sorts of videos of celebrities behaving badly are doing the rounds everywhere – in private WhatsApp groups and Facebook chats. Ms Bartel has apologised for flouting Melbourne's lockdown by hosting a gathering on Thursday night at which she snorted white powder believed to be cocaine.
Source:The Nation
September 06, 2021 00:00 UTC
New unusually large species of gecko found at Kalthota
Galle District MP Nanayakkara questioned the rationale behind SLPP MPs highly publicized visit to NMRA at a time the institution was under fire over deleted cloud data. Therefore, at least one of them had to be involved in the deletion of data, MP Nanayakkara, said, urging the government to name those responsible for it. MP Nanayakkara said that it wouldn’t be difficult to establish the identity of the person behind the clandestine operation. The group of SLPP MPs who visited NMRA addressed the media outside the authority and subsequently at the Government Information Department. MP Nanayakkara said that the SLPP had proved over and over again the new administration couldn’t be trusted.
Source:The Nation
September 06, 2021 00:00 UTC
Government of Sri Lanka calls for Request for Proposals for the Foreign Currency Term Financing Facility
The links to the Request for Proposals (RFP) published on the Foreign Currency Term Financing Facility for the Government of Sri Lanka 2021, in the Ministry of Finance (MoF) website and the External Resources Department (ERD) website are as follows:Ministry of Finance (MoF) LinkExternal Resources Department (ERD) Link
Source:The Nation
September 06, 2021 00:00 UTC
Official: Gadhafi son freed after 7-plus years in detention
Al-Saadi Gadhafi walked free from Tripoli's al-Hadaba prison, where many Gaddafi regime officials are being held pending trial, mostly in connection to the crackdown on the 2011 uprising that toppled the longtime ruler and led to his killing. At the time of the 2011 revolt, al-Saadi Gaddafi headed a special forces brigade that was involved in the crackdown on protesters and rebels. Seif al-Islam, the one-time heir apparent to his father, has been in Libya since his release from detention in 2017. During his father's rule, al-Saadi Gadhafi was known for his lavish lifestyle and he treated Libya's football league as his personal fiefdom. The elder Gadhafi ruled Libya with an eccentric brutality for nearly 42 years before he was ousted by an uprising in August 2011.
Source:The Nation
September 05, 2021 23:00 UTC
Clean sweep by All Blacks
With the win, All Blacks secured the bonus point to go up the leader board in the Rugby Championship. From the word goAll Blacks had named yesterday an experimental squad, without their three experienced players, Captain Sam Whitelock, Aaron Smith, and Richie Mo’unga. Jordie Barret scored the first try of the game, before receiving a straight red for a boots-to-the-face kick on Marika Koroibete. Wallabies score after breakDespite having the numerical advantage, the All Blacks scored the second try at the stroke of half-time after Koroibete was penalised. Wallabies scored their first points after the break as Folau Fainga’a scored in his return to the national side.
Source:The Nation
September 05, 2021 22:18 UTC
Army seizes power in Guinea and arrests president
Guinean special forces seized power in a coup on Sunday, arresting the president and imposing an indefinite curfew in the poor west African country. An earlier video sent to AFP by the putschists showed President Alpha Conde sitting on a sofa surrounded by troops. The head of Guinea’s military special forces, Lieutenant-Colonel Mamady Doumbouya, appeared on public television, draped in the national flag, saying government “mismanagement” prompted the coup. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), through its acting president, Ghana’s leader Nana Akufo-Addo, threatened sanctions if Guinea’s constitutional order was not restored. “We are proud of the special forces,“ said one demonstrator who requested anonymity.
Source:The Nation
September 05, 2021 21:45 UTC
Infinix Note 10 Pro in for review
The Infinix Note 10 Pro announced in May has arrived at our office for review. The Infinix Note 10 Pro is built around a 6.95" FullHD+ 90Hz LCD with a punch hole in the center for the 16MP selfie camera. Infinix Note 10 ProUnder the hood, we have the Helio G95 SoC with up to 8GB RAM and up to 256GB storage. The Infinix Note 10 Pro also features a side-mounted fingerprint reader for password-less unlocking, and fueling the entire package is a 5,000 mAh battery that draws power through a USB-C port. We'll obviously test that claim along with the rest of the Note 10 Pro's features in our full review, so stick around.
Source:The Nation
September 05, 2021 21:33 UTC
Give a little bit
The Covid-19 pandemic served as a grim reminder of many things. Generosity is not at all new to Sri Lankans. Sharing the little we have is a basic quality most Sri Lankans teach their offspring. In fact, in addition to our hospitality, generosity is one of the most notable qualities that most foreigners who have visited Sri Lanka say about its people. The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has also acknowledged that the informal was severely affected during the lockdown.
Source:The Nation
September 05, 2021 18:00 UTC
Extending lockdown useless if not done scientifically: Kumudesh
By Dinitha RathnayakeExtending lockdown will be useless unless done scientifically, according to College of Medical Laboratory Science President Ravi Kumudesh. Every day, the number of PCR tests is getting lower and lower. Meanwhile, the Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA) has recommended that the Government extend the lockdown for a further period, considering the number of human lives at risk. The Inter-Medical College Committee, in association with the SLMA, has recommended that the closure could save 10,000 lives by 2 October. In addition, the SLMA recommends the delivery of a “booster” dose to boost the immune system of immunocompromised individuals.
Source:The Nation
September 05, 2021 18:00 UTC
T-Mobile buyer’s guide: Internet plans and more
No matter where you live, there’s a good chance you can tap into a T-Mobile internet plan. See also: Our guide to T-Mobile’s plans, perks, and moreWe’ll walk you through the types of internet plans that T-Mobile has to offer, as well as their best uses. Mobile Hotspot (Pre-paid and Post-paid)Home Internet PriceMobile Hotspot (Pre-paid and Post-paid) :Home Internet :$50 per month with autopaySpeedsMobile Hotspot (Pre-paid and Post-paid) :Home Internet :T-Mobile plan requirementMobile Hotspot (Pre-paid and Post-paid) :Home Internet :PerksMobile Hotspot (Pre-paid and Post-paid) :Home Internet :Best useMobile Hotspot (Pre-paid and Post-paid) :Home Internet :LimitationsMobile Hotspot (Pre-paid and Post-paid) :Home Internet :Mobile hotspot The easiest way to take T-Mobile’s high-speed internet anywhere you go is with a hotspot plan. However, you may see your speeds drop during times of high congestion, and T-Mobile prepaid plans stream at 480p. AT&T Fixed Wireless: Big Blue is again a competitor, offering 350GB of fixed wireless data for $59 per month.
Source:The Nation
September 05, 2021 17:03 UTC
Prince Charles' closest aide Michael Fawcett spotted outside his London home amid donor claims
Mr Fawcett was earlier spotted walking his dog outside his London home after last night stepping down as chief executive of The Prince’s Foundation. Mr Fawcett was earlier spotted walking his dog outside his London home after last night stepping down as chief executive of The Prince’s Foundation. Mr Wynne-Parker, then a Trustee of the Mahfouz Foundation, was photographed at the event shaking hands with Prince Charles. Standing in the grand entrance hall of Dumfries House, Prince Charles warmly clasped the hand of veteran fundraiser Michael Wynne-Parker (pictured above). The Mail on Sundays’ devastating revelations about Prince Charles and his advisers, including right-hand man Michael Fawcett, will come as a shock to many.
Source:The Nation
September 05, 2021 11:03 UTC
Manchester United 'expected to announced Ed Woodward's replacement within weeks'
By Alex Bowmer For MailonlinePublished: 06:03 EDT, 5 September 2021 | Updated: 08:06 EDT, 5 September 2021Manchester United are reportedly close to unveiling a successor to outgoing chief executive Ed Woodward. Following the debacle, Woodward announced that he would leave his current role at the end of the year, with his replacement expected to be Richard Arnold, according to Sky News. If Arnold is successful, he is likely to take on the title of chief executive rather than Woodward's official title of executive vice-chairman. However, we fully accept that the Super League was not the right way to go about it,' Mr Glazer said. United's trophy was their 2017 Europa League triumph, making this their longest drought for more than 30 years.
Source:The Nation
September 05, 2021 10:30 UTC
Total COVID-19 recoveries up by 2,081
September 5, 2021 03:26 pmA total of 2,081 more COVID-19 patients were discharged from hospitals and treatment centres as they have recovered from the virus infection, the Ministry of Health said today. This brings the total number of recoveries reported in the country to 384,557. Sri Lanka has confirmed as many as 459,459 cases of COVID-19 to date. According to official data, more than 64,000 virus-infected patients are currently under medical care. Meanwhile, the death from novel coronavirus now stands at 9,951.
Source:The Nation
September 05, 2021 09:56 UTC
Gazette declaring MRP for oximeters issued
COLOMBO (News 1st): A gazette notification has been issued today (5), setting a maximum retail price of Rs. 3,000 per oximeter. The recent demand for oximeters had increased with the rise of COVID-19 cases in the country. The Minister of Health, Keheliya Rambukwella has issued the relevant gazette notification under the Section 142 of the National Drug Regulatory Authority Act No.
Source:The Nation
September 05, 2021 08:37 UTC