Hospitals nearing full capacity as oxygen demand rises
The need for oxygen in the treatment of Covid-19 infected patients has increased and the hospitals are nearing full capacity, according to the Ministry of Health. “We are seeing a higher percentage of patients with symptoms these days than ever before, and the need for oxygen has increased for the most part. Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA) President Dr. Padma Gunaratne highlighted the demand for oxygen (O2) last week. “The National Hospital of Sri Lanka (NHSL) records about 200 Covid-19 patients per day, about 100 of whom require oxygen (O2) supply support. We assume that there are approximately 10,000 infected patients in the country, based on estimates from the currently available data,” she told reporters on 20 July.
Source:The Nation
July 27, 2021 18:33 UTC
Dialog Axiata Group receives the ISO 14001:2015 Certification
The ISO 14001 standard is a voluntary international certification afforded to companies with meaningful environmental policies that create and maintain an effective Environmental Management System (EMS) across their organisations. Like other ISO standards, this standard is reviewed and updated periodically by an international panel of experts. This certification denotes that Dialog now has a robust environmental governance mechanism in place, furthering its sustainability journey. Ltd., the certification assurance provider commented: “We are delighted to have facilitated Dialog Axiata’s efforts to obtain ISO 14001:2015 certification, considering a life cycle-based approach on environment protection, and key focuses on sustainability performance and the prevention of pollution. The ISO 14001:2015 certification will boost the measurement, monitoring and reporting of Dialog’s environmental performance going forward.
Source:The Nation
July 27, 2021 18:33 UTC
Women in tech: A success story
Uthpalie shared that Tracified is fuelled by blockchain technology that facilitates a tamper-proof platform, which streamlines the data flow within a supply chain using a crypto-economic model. It has created a positive change across the tech ecosystem in Sri Lanka and aims to harness the potential of female tech entrepreneurs to achieve the goal of 1,000 startups by 2025. It aims to support, promote, and grow women technopreneurs, startups, and businesses, with majority or equal shareholding or of CXO level, with the potential to generate additional export revenue into the country. “When you get to know other women technopreneurs, you will be inspired to find something you’re passionate about and one that will go hand-in-hand with your personal priorities,” said Uthpalie, inviting other women to get connected to the Forum and to build their journey towards being successful technopreneurs. She said that the landscape has changed so much that, potentially, tech is the place to be for women in particular, and due to its general flexibility, you can quite literally have the best of both worlds.
Source:The Nation
July 27, 2021 18:33 UTC
No legal action for refusing vaccines
BY Buddhika SamaraweeraAlthough no legal action can be taken against those who refuse to receive Covid-19 vaccines, the Health Ministry has requested the public to obtain Covid-19 vaccines, considering the prevailing situation. Speaking to The Morning, the Health Ministry’s Communications Director, the Public Health Services Deputy Director General and the Disaster Preparedness and Response Division Head Dr. Hemantha Herath said that people should volunteer to receive any vaccine including the Covid-19 vaccines, but added that no legal action could be taken against those who refuse to receive the Covid-19 vaccines. He also pointed out that in order to take legal action against individuals who refuse to be vaccinated, legal provisions should be introduced. “However, the health sector is not a sector that operates under such legal frameworks. However, Dr. Herath further added that if anyone has a misconception about Covid-19 vaccines, the Health Ministry would take steps to educate them, thereby encouraging such individuals to receive the vaccines.
Source:The Nation
July 27, 2021 18:00 UTC
Samsung TV Plus: Everthing about the free streaming service
A few years ago, the company decided to launch Samsung TV Plus, a free streaming service for its TVs, smartphones, and tablets. Samsung TV Plus is a streaming service with over 100 “channels” of content to watch in the US. Samsung TV Plus is in the top five of the most popular apps on Samsung smart TVs. Samsung TV Plus channelsAs we mentioned, the number of channels on your Samsung TV Plus app will probably be different depending on where you live. Samsung TV Plus Alternatives if you own a Samsung smart TV or mobile device, you actually have many more free streaming services you can check out.
Source:The Nation
July 27, 2021 18:00 UTC
How to Run iOS Apps on Mac
Now, if you own an Apple Silicon Mac (the newer ones with an M1 processor) and have the Big Sur iOS, you’ll have able to run iPhone and iPad apps on your Mac computer. Can My Mac Run iOS Apps? As mentioned, you can only run iOS apps on your Mac if your computer has an Apple Silicon chip. Keep note that not all iOS apps are available on the Mac Apple Store. Download it, and you’ll be able to run iOS apps on a Mac!
Source:The Nation
July 27, 2021 18:00 UTC
All uni teachers on strike today
BY Pamodi WaravitaAll university academic staff will participate in a collective strike action today (28) by refraining from engaging in online teaching activities so as to demand that the Government withdraw the controversial General Sir John Kotelawala National Defence University (KNDU) Bill, the Federation of University Teachers Associations (FUTA) said yesterday (27). The FUTA said that today signifies the start of the national action against the militarisation and privatisation of education that will be brought about if the KNDU Bill passes into law in the Parliament. The Student and Mass Movement for Free Education signed a collective statement on 24 July, demanding that both the amendment by the gazette notification issued last week to the Universities Act, No. 16 of 1978 as amended and the KNDU Bill be withdrawn immediately. A gazette notification issued by the Government on 21 July, stated that Section 23 of the Universities Act, No.
Source:The Nation
July 27, 2021 17:37 UTC
Gem authority denies unauthorised mining allegation
BY Buddhika SamaraweeraThe National Gem and Jewellery Authority (NGJA) has denied the recent allegations made by the Movement for Land and Agricultural Reform (MONLAR) that certain powerful businessmen in Ratnapura are engaged in unauthorised mechanised gem mining with the support of two powerful politicians in the area. Sajeewa Chamikara of the MONLAR has recently alleged that unauthorised mechanised gem mining with the support of powerful politicians in the Ratnapura area has caused severe environmental damage. Chamikara further claimed that those who engaged in illegal gem mining were suppressing the issues faced by people using their financial and political clout. However, when contacted by The Morning, the NGJA Chairman Thilak Weerasinghe denied the allegations made by the MONLAR. He said that gem mining was permitted only to licensees, adding that necessary action would be taken against cases of illegal mining.
Source:The Nation
July 27, 2021 17:37 UTC
Employing under-18s in housework to become illegal
BY Pamodi WaravitaThe Department of Labour has announced that it will be amending the Employment of Women, Young Persons, and Children Act No. 47 of 1956 as amended in order to make the employment of minors, or any person below the age of 18 years, in domestic service a punishable offence. “As per the currently existing provisions in the said Act, any person under 16 years of age is prohibited to be employed in any employment. This amendment would be made by increasing the number of forms of hazardous jobs to 71 from the current 51 forms. In January of this year, the minimum age of employment in the country was increased from 14 years of age to 16 years.
Source:The Nation
July 27, 2021 17:26 UTC
SL in deep crisis: More focused, stronger action needed
BY Prof. Tissa VitaranaIn the context of the deepening global economic crisis, the country’s foreign exchange (forex) crisis is not improving. The slight increase in exports has been undermined by increased imports, especially aggravated by the need to import vaccines to meet the Covid-19 crisis. Neither the Government nor the people appear to realise the gravity of the forex situation and do not act accordingly. The result is the forex crisis. The hunger crisis is severe with many people having only one meal.
Source:The Nation
July 27, 2021 17:15 UTC
Editorial: Bridging the President-public gap
ministers, parliamentarians, and high-ranking officials of public institutions – that the public learnt about what the Government’s plans and positions about matters of national interest are. the President, reached the public, it was incomplete, adulterated, or distorted, depending on the people who directly communicated with the public. According to President’s Spokesman Kingsley Rathnayaka, this centre resembles the concept of the White House’s media centre, and would soon be open to journalists from all media institutions. It is obvious that there is a lack of direct communication between the Government’s and the President’s activities. The country is yet to see how this media centre works; however, if done right, it can bridge the existing gap between the country’s leader and the public.
Source:The Nation
July 27, 2021 17:15 UTC
Sri Lanka s COVID death toll moves up with 48 new victims
July 27, 2021 07:37 pmSri Lanka has registered 48 more COVID-19 related fatalities confirmed by the Director-General of Health Services on Friday (July 26). The new development has pushed the official death toll from the virus outbreak in Sri Lanka to 4,195. According to the data released by the Department of Government Information, the latest victims confirmed today include 28 males and 20 females. Reportedly, among the victims are one male aged below 30 years, 09 victims aged between 30-59 years, and 38 others aged 60 and above.
Source:The Nation
July 27, 2021 14:03 UTC
EXCLUSIVE IMAGES of “Serendipity Sapphire”, the largest in the world
COLOMBO (News 1st); The World’s Largest Star Sapphire was discovered from Ratnapura in Sri Lanka, confirmed Sri Lanka’s Gem and Jewellery Authority. According to the Chairman of the Gem and Jewellery Authortity, the star sapphire weighs 510 kg and is valued at over $200 million and foreign bids have already been received for the star sapphire. The gem stone will be owned by the person who owns the land as it was dicovered in a private property. The dimensions of the World’s largest Star Sapphire is 100 cm in length, 72 cm in width, and 50 cm in height. This Star Sapphire is named as ‘Serendipity’.
Source:The Nation
July 27, 2021 13:52 UTC
Nothing ear (1) officially launched, available July 31
The ear (1) are a pair of truly wireless earbuds with features such as active noise cancelation, wireless charging, and water-resistance. The Nothing ear (1) feature a unique transparent design, with both the charging case and earbuds being made from clear plastic. The clear plastic allows one to see through part of the case and also peek at the internals of the wireless earbuds. The Nothing ear (1) are priced at $99 / €99 / £99 / INR 5,999 and will be available in 45 countries, including the US, Europe, UK, and India. They will be available on Nothing's website in limited quantities starting July 31 with wider availability starting August 17.
Source:The Nation
July 27, 2021 13:41 UTC
Singapore and Sri Lanka mark 50 years of diplomatic ties
In commemoration of 50 years of diplomatic ties between Sri Lanka and Singapore, a joint stamp release ceremony was held at the Foreign Ministry today (27). Speaking at the occasion, Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena highlighted the long standing friendly relations between the two countries, nurtured by deep rooted linkages at community and societal levels. The event was attended by the former Sri Lanka High Commissioners who served in Singapore, Chitranganee Wagiswara, Nimal Weerarathna, Ferial Ashraff and Hony. Consul of Singapore in Sri Lanka Dr. Jayantha Dharmadasa, Singaporean business community in Sri Lanka, Secretary of the Ministry of Mass Media, Officials of the Foreign Ministry and the Department of Posts. The Foreign Ministry extended its appreciation and congratulations to the Government of Singapore, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Singapore, Infocomm Media Development Authority of Singapore, SingPost, and the Department of Post of Sri Lanka and to the High Commission of Sri Lanka in Singapore for the successful issuance of the commemorative stamps marking 50 years of friendship between Sri Lanka and Singapore.
Source:The Nation
July 27, 2021 13:18 UTC