Over 9 mn PCR and Antigen tests since March 2020
Dr. Dharmaratne said that overall nearly 5 mn PCR tests had been conducted since March 2020 with the state sector undertaking the majority of tests. “The current requirement is to identify those who had been affected as quickly as possible hence the increase in much faster Rapid Antigen tests,” Dr. Dharmaratne said. The senior official said that still substantial number of PCR tests had been carried out on a monthly basis though compared to 700,000 done in May the figure could be less. Commenting on Rapid Antigen testing lunched in last Nov, Dr. Dharmaratne said that the Medical Supplies Division had so far issued approximately 5 mn kits whereas one mn stock remained. According to him, more stocks were in the pipe line and the health ministry didn’t anticipate shortage of required materials.
Source:The Nation
August 30, 2021 00:00 UTC
Covid-19 Australia: Victoria restrictions could be eased by Thursday
Victoria could have several restrictions eased this week amid warnings some are useless in stopping the spread of Covid. 'It's only fair that we be as up front as possible,' Mr Andrews said. Another 12 cases were found in Broadmeadows, 12 in Newport, nine linked to earlier outbreaks in Glenroy, and four from a supermarket in Altona North. Meanwhile, Mr Andrews said the prime minister had promised him in a conversation on Saturday that NSW would no longer get 'preferential treatment' in vaccine distribution. 'We didn't begrudge them getting additional doses, but we're locked down, they're locked down, and the need is just as great here,' Mr Andrews said.
Source:The Nation
August 29, 2021 23:03 UTC
Lypertek Pureplay Z7 review
The Pureplay Z7 is the latest pair of wireless earbuds from the Chinese manufacturer Lypertek. At a price tag of $200, the Pureplay Z7 are a cool $110 more expensive than the second-in-line $90 Pureplay Z3 model. DesignThe Pureplay Z7 have the same chubby earplug style design as the Pureplay Z3, née Tevi. HardwareThe Pureplay Z7 utilize a triple driver setup, consisting of dual balanced-armature drivers and a single dynamic driver of unspecified size. ConclusionThe Lypertek Pureplay Z7 are deeply unimpressive wireless earbuds at the $200 asking price.
Source:The Nation
August 29, 2021 23:03 UTC
Covid, truck driver protest: Woman calls Today reporter 'fake news'
Truck drivers blocked a major highway on Monday morning to protest against Covid-19 lockdowns and mandatory vaccinations. Protest: Truck drivers blocked a major highway on Monday morning to protest against Covid-19 lockdowns and mandatory vaccinations. 'How long before the good people of Australia turn against truck drivers for starving their families? Overseas drivers were not the only ones backing the protest, with dozens of anti-lockdown supporters championing truck driver's cause online. News of the rally broke early on Monday after an Australian truck driver posted a video on social media warning truck drivers were 'planning to shut down the country' to 'remove the s**t government'.
Source:The Nation
August 29, 2021 21:56 UTC
Gavin Williamson pleads with families to ensure pupils take tests
Parents must take responsibility for stopping their teenagers getting ‘carried away’ as Covid restrictions are lifted, Gavin Williamson has said. He argued that families had the biggest influence over their children and urged parents to ensure youngsters were getting tested. Secondary age pupils will be asked to take lateral flow tests twice at the start of term and then twice weekly at home – but the system relies on trust. The rules do not apply to primary age children. In an article for the Daily Mail, Mr Williamson urged families to do their duty to prevent further disruption to pupils’ education.
Source:The Nation
August 29, 2021 21:45 UTC
First-class clubs to come down to 15 by 2024
What is the existing structure:There are 26 cricket clubs currently having the first-class cricket status. (See boxed details to compare Sri Lanka’s number of first-class clubs with those of the other Test-playing countries)What are the 26 first-class clubs at present in Sri Lanka:1. Sri Lanka Cricket’s main justification:By expanding the number of first-class clubs, a lot of players can get first-class qualification for their own career benefit. Then, by the year 2024, the number of first-class clubs in Sri Lanka is expected to come down to 15. How do players qualify for NSL:Upon their performances in the Major Clubs League and Major Clubs Limited-over Tournament.
Source:The Nation
August 29, 2021 20:48 UTC
SPORTS SNIPPETS: Oshini enters U-10 FIDE Youth Chess World Cup Finals
If RCB is to reach the play-off stages of the IPL competition, the Sri Lanka duo will not be able to be available for it, unless an extension is arranged. That will be a day after Sri Lanka’s home white-ball series against South Africa gets over. * Oshini enters U-10 Online FIDE Youth Chess World Cup 2021 FinalsOshini Gunawardena, 9, is a student of Ferguson High School, RatnapuraNine-year-old Oshini Devindya Gunawardena, a student of Ferguson High School, Ratnapura, reached the Finals of the FIDE Online Youth Chess World Cup after a nail-biting finish at her tie-breaker Armageddon game yesterday. Match Referee will be Ranjan Madugalle, the International Cricket Council (ICC) Elite Panel and Chief Referee. The officiating umpires will be Kumar Dharmasena who is an ICC Elite Panel umpire, along with four ICC International Panel umpires Ruchira Palliyaguruge, Raveendra Wimalasiri, Lyndon Hannibal, and Prageeth Rambukwella.
Source:The Nation
August 29, 2021 20:26 UTC
Schoolgirl, 17, urges teenagers to get vaccinated
By Bhvishya Patel For MailonlinePublished: 15:45 EDT, 29 August 2021 | Updated: 15:53 EDT, 29 August 2021A 17-year-old who was hospitalised with complications from Covid has urged young people to get vaccinated. She has now urged other teenagers to 'take this virus seriously' and ensure they get vaccinated if given the opportunity. She added: 'I'm 17 years old and I'm currently taking antibiotics, steroids, morphine and blood thinners. 'I'm expecting to stay a couple more nights because at the moment I'm unable to regulate my own oxygen levels.' She added: 'I'd like to take a moment to thank the fantastic staff at The Grange University Hospital for treating me so well!
Source:The Nation
August 29, 2021 20:03 UTC
Anti-vaxxer musician dies from Covid in hospital aged 40
He died at the Royal Stoke University Hospital on Friday. Father-to-be Marcus Birks, 40, has died from Covid in hospital after admitting that he regretted 'putting off' his Covid vaccinationMarcus, a musician from Leek, Staffordshire had been sceptical about Covid vaccinations and thought that he could not get ill because he ate healthily and exercised five times a week. In an interview from his hospital bed on August 11, he said his condition had come as a shock because he rarely got ill. 'If you haven't been ill, you don't think you're going to get ill, so you listen to the [anti-vaccine] stuff,' he told the BBC. Marcus was once signed to the Most Wanted band and also appeared in Bad Lads' Army and Popstars: The Rivals on TV.
Source:The Nation
August 29, 2021 19:18 UTC
Football News from Europe – Liverpool condemned homophobic chants
Zouma, 26, was left out of the Blues’ squad for the weekend clash against Liverpool as his move across London drew nearer. Brighton boss Graham Potter is close to James while Leeds have tried for him twice before. Liverpool condemned homophobic chantsLiverpool have condemned supporters who made homophobic chants during the 1-1 draw with Chelsea on Saturday. However, chants were heard at Anfield on Saturday, and the club have confirmed they will launch an investigation to root out those involved. “LFC is committed to tackling abusive and discriminatory behaviour, which has no place in football or society.
Source:The Nation
August 29, 2021 19:07 UTC
Worried mum whose son is bullied over his school lunch receives some VERY blunt answers
The woman, who is believed to live in the US, sought advice in a Facebook parenting group when her 10-year-old son admitted his classmates were 'making fun' of his packed lunch. The mother said she was baffled about why her son was being bullied, writing: 'Is there something I can do to help this? But some defended the mother, insisting there was nothing wrong with the lunches she was making for her son. The first thing you should do is let the school know there's an issue – there's noting wrong with his lunches,' one woman wrote. I always try to dig in whenever my kids tell me something to get the actual story/full details.'
Source:The Nation
August 29, 2021 19:07 UTC
‘Smart Ball’ at CPL 2021: All you need to know
A ‘smart ball’ will be used in the 2021 edition of the CPL. This ‘smart ball’ has been developed by a company called Sportcor in partnership with Kookaburra. So, what is ‘smart ball’ and how different is it from the normal balls that are used? What the smart ball will projectThe smart ball will come along with an electronic chip that will be embedded inside it. The smart ball might change cricket forever and for the better, hopefully.
Source:The Nation
August 29, 2021 18:45 UTC
ITX360 is ‘Great Place to Work’ certified for 2021
Information technology company ITX360 (Pvt.) Ltd. has been awarded the Great Place to Work® 2021 certification in recognition of its positive workplace culture and employee experiences. The independent authority Great Place to Work®️ Sri Lanka honours exceptional organisations every year based solely on employees’ feedback. According to the recent anonymous survey conducted by Great Place to Work® Sri Lanka with over 120 ITX360 employees taking part, the company scored an impressive 95% confidence rating; a score reflective of highly positive employee engagement, alignment with company values, and confidence in leadership. The passionate spirit which drives our workplace culture is based on the simple principle that ‘greater the dream, stronger the team’,” commented ITX360 Founder and Managing Director Saif Yusoof, on the award.
Source:The Nation
August 29, 2021 18:33 UTC
SL ISB yields shoot-up after S&P downgrade
Accordingly, January 2022 maturing ISB with a coupon rate of 5.75%, recorded its yield rate as 45.40% from 24.24%, a week ago. Meanwhile, the yield rate of the ISB that matures in July 2022 increased to 39.28% last week from 31.02%, a week ago. On the other hand, the third ISB which is maturing in 2023 witnessed its yield rate going up to 29.30% from 24.24%, a week ago. The negative outlook reflects our expectation that Sri Lanka’s financing environment may get more difficult over the next 12 months. This would affect Sri Lanka’s ability to service its debt.
Source:The Nation
August 29, 2021 18:33 UTC
SriLankan Airlines resumes flights to Nepal tomorrow
SriLankan Airlines is to resume flights to Kathmandu, Nepal from tomorrow (31) onwards. The flights would be in operation twice a week from Kathmandu to Colombo on Tuesday and Saturday. The departure would be at 10.40 a.m. local time while the arrival is at 2.05 p.m.At the same time, the flights from Colombo to Kathmadu will also be operated on Saturday and Tuesday. They have resmed flight operations to Nairobi, Kenya as well as Moscow, Russia since 30 July this year. SriLankan Airlines was awarded the Diamond Standard for health and safety.
Source:The Nation
August 29, 2021 18:33 UTC