Sri Lanka Insurance directed to summon Litro Gas before COPE
The Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) instructed Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation to summon Litro Gas Lanka Limited and Litro Gas Terminal Lanka (Pvt) Ltd before the committee and to conduct a government audit. The COPE Chairman stated that Litro Gas Lanka Limited and Litro Gas Terminal Lanka (Pvt) Ltd have gone to court claiming that they cannot be audited by the government, especially under the 20th Amendment to the Constitution. Stressing that Litro Gas Lanka Limited and Litro Gas Terminal Lanka (Pvt) Ltd should be summoned before the COPE, the committee instructed Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation to expedite the summoning. He pointed out that since the Sri Lanka Insurance could not provide an answer on behalf of those institutions without calling them, necessary action should be taken. The officials of Sri Lanka Insurance further stated that although they were responsible for the shares of Litro Limited, they were not responsible for the administration of Litro Limited and would sell the shares if they incurred a loss.
Source:The Nation
July 09, 2021 03:33 UTC
Ex-Colombian military, Haitian Americans suspected in Haiti president assassination
A heavily armed commando unit that assassinated Haitian President Jovenel Moïse this week comprised 26 Colombians and two Haitian Americans, authorities said on Thursday, as the hunt went on for the masterminds of the brazen killing. “Foreigners came to our country to kill the president,” Charles said, noting there were 26 Colombians and two Haitian Americans. He revealed that 15 of the Colombians were captured, as were the Haitian Americans. Still, interim Prime Minister Claude Joseph said on Thursday it was time for the economy to reopen and that he had given instructions for the airport to restart operations. Henry - considered more favorably by the opposition - told Haitian newspaper Le Nouvelliste that he did not consider Joseph the legitimate prime minister and he should revert to the role of foreign minister.
Source:The Nation
July 09, 2021 03:00 UTC
SJB: Rajapaksa family incapable of managing national economy
Minister Gammanpila pointed out that the Presidential Media Division (PMD) in a statement dated June 13 set the record straight. “Those who had publicly criticised me for announcing the fuel price hike are aware of the circumstances leading to the June 11 announcement. Both the President and the Prime Minister endorsed the decision,” Minister Gammanpila said, adding that problems couldn’t be addressed through rhetoric. The lawyer explained that the Cost of Living Committee decided on the fuel price hike in the wake of Central Bank issuing a dire warning on the national economy. Referring to high profile SJB’s vehicle protest outside the parliament to highlight their demand to reduce fuel prices, Minister Gammanpila said the same lot called for IMF intervention to save the economy.
Source:The Nation
July 09, 2021 00:22 UTC
Protesters resist police bid to quarantine them
Basil Rajapaksa took oaths as the Finance Minister while PM Rajapaksa was sworn-in as minister of economic policies and planning before President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the Presidential Secretariat. Jayantha Ketagoda, one of the SLPP’s 17 National List members resigned for Basil Rajapaksa to enter parliament. Having taken oaths as the finance minister, Basil Rajapaksa then took oaths before Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena as a member of parliament. One-time SLFP National Organizer and dual citizen Basil Rajapaksa was away in the US at the time of the 2015 general election. With Basil Rajapaksa’s entry the cabinet has been expanded to 28.
Source:The Nation
July 09, 2021 00:00 UTC
How the Left has bullied Britain into going for woke
Only 34 per cent of people felt that 'Britain is an exceptional country', while more than a fifth of respondents believe Britain has 'failed its people'. Businesses have certainly played a negative part by cowering before the woke campaigners instead of concentrating on their commercial role. Only 34 per cent of people felt that 'Britain is an exceptional country', while more than a fifth of respondents believe Britain has 'failed its people'. Labour's recent history goes: loss, loss, loss, loss, Blair, Blair, Blair, loss, loss, loss, loss.' Frank Luntz has himself played a pivotal part in British politics — and never more so than during the Tory leadership contest of 2005.
Source:The Nation
July 08, 2021 21:56 UTC
Pfizer says booster shot of its COVID-19 vaccine extends protection
By Mary Kekatos Acting U.S. Health Editor For Dailymail.ComPublished: 17:23 EDT, 8 July 2021 | Updated: 17:51 EDT, 8 July 2021Pfizer Inc and its German partner BioNTech announced on Thursday that a booster shot of their COVID-19 vaccine extends protection against the virus. What's more, the companies say they are planning to tweak the booster shot to target the Indian 'Delta' variant directly as it continues to spread across the U.S. Pfizer Inc and its German partner BioNTech says their COVID-19 booster shot extends protection against the disease (file image)The companies said they believe their booster shot has the potential to offer the 'highest levels' of protection against all variants, including the Delta variant. Data showed that the vaccine still offered significant protection against severe disease, but that efficacy against symptomatic disease declined due to variants. The company said it is currently working on clinical trial materials for a booster shot to target the variant with plans to begin studies in August.
Source:The Nation
July 08, 2021 21:56 UTC
Panel appointed to inquire ‘England misconduct’
July 9, 2021 by Revatha No CommentsSri Lanka Cricket (SLC) on Wednesday (7) announced the appointment of a five-member panel to inquire into the alleged misconduct of three players, Kusal Mendis, Dhanushka Gunathilaka, and Niroshan Dickwella, during the previous England series. The panel includes: Justice Nimal Dissanayaka and attorneys-at-law Panduka Keerthinanda, Asela Rekawa and Uchitha Wickremasinghe, and Maj. Gen. The three players have been suspended from all forms of cricket until completion of the proposed inquiry.
Source:The Nation
July 08, 2021 21:09 UTC
Twenty-nine players signed Indo tour contract – SLC
July 9, 2021 by Revatha No CommentsSri Lanka Cricket (SLC) announced on Wednesday (7) that 29 players out of the 30, who had been nominated by the national selectors for the consideration of picking up the squad for the forthcoming India white-ball series, signed tour contract for the India series. “Angelo Mathews who was included in the respective 30-member squad requested SLC to relieve him from national duties owing to personal reasons until further notice,” the above SLC announcement further added.
Source:The Nation
July 08, 2021 20:37 UTC
On This Day – 9 July
1877 – The All England Croquet and Lawn Tennis Club begins its first lawn tennis tournament at Wimbledon, outside of London. A fine opening bat and the most outstanding wicket-keeper of her generation, Betty Snowball also played squash and lacrosse at the international level. He was acquitted in a high-profile criminal trial, though he was found liable for their deaths in civil court. Nobody has scored more runs in boundaries in a Test innings than Edrich did in this 310 not out against New Zealand at Headingley. In Dunedin late that year, he took nine catches in a Test against Sri Lanka, becoming the third keeper, to do so on two occasions
Source:The Nation
July 08, 2021 20:26 UTC
Brazil favourites but Argentina should win it for Messi
After taking the lead early in the game, Argentina held back and parked the bus without sealing off the match. Out of their 111 meet-ups, Brazil have won 46, while Argentina have only won 40, with 25 drawn matches. During the last ten meet-ups, Brazil have won five while Argentina won four with one drawn game. Key players for both sidesFor obvious reasons, both Lionel Messi and Neymar will hold the key for either side. Despite all accolades, Lionel Messi is yet to lift a trophy in national colours.
Source:The Nation
July 08, 2021 20:15 UTC
SL and India to play for ‘Unacademy ODI Cup’
Unacademy, which is considered India’s largest learning platform with a network of over 50,000 registered educators and over 49 million learners, will be the main title sponsor of the ODI series between India and Sri Lanka, which starts in Colombo on 13 July. Chief Marketing Officer, Unacademy Karan Shroff said: “Becoming the title sponsor of the Sri Lanka vs. India ODI Series enables us to make a positive impact among young viewers of the game, and we’re excited to be a part of the series.”Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) CEO Ashley de Silva said: “(The series) will be a major inspiration for the younger generation … to get inspired for bigger things in life.”
Source:The Nation
July 08, 2021 19:41 UTC
Ayyo DJ Bravo: Now money plays cricket too!
July 9, 2021 by Revatha No CommentsThis is Dwayne (DJ) Bravo’s amazing birthday wish to Mahendra Singh Dhoni on Wednesday (7). “Happy birthday to MY Captain. All this while, we thought DJ Bravo’s Captains were Kraigg Brathwaite (in Tests) and Kieron Pollard (in limited-overs). ‘Undermining’ his own national Captains, see the manner in which this DJ is hailing his Indian Premier League (IPL) Captain, Dhoni. Money talks, money walks, and money plays cricket too!
Source:The Nation
July 08, 2021 19:30 UTC
Foreign News in Brief: Manu Sawhney leaves ICC
* Manu Sawhney leaves ICCThe International Cricket Council (ICC) last evening announced that Chief Executive Manu Sawhney would leave the ICC with immediate effect. Geoff Allardice will continue as Acting CEO supported by the Leadership Team working closely with the ICC Board, it added. Only Fakhar Zaman (47) and Shadab Khan (30) hit 30-run mark as Saqib Mahboob took 4/42 for England. Devin Booker scored 27 points, while DeAndre Ayton added 22 points and 19 rebounds. It is the Suns’ first Finals appearance since 1993 as they hunt a first title.
Source:The Nation
July 08, 2021 19:18 UTC
Sri Lanka cricket: ANTHO JATA, BAHI JATA
* Payment disparities mar Indo series preparations* Grant Flower tests positive* Namal talks about solutions for cricket’s deteriorationBy Revatha S. SilvaSri Lanka cricket is in an abysmal mess. Yet the most bizarre development is the query of the new intakes to the Sri Lanka white-ball squad for India series who are now a disgruntled lot, due to the meagre amounts paid to them after signing contracts this week with Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) for the Indo series. Records say Sri Lanka has set ‘the world record’ for the most number of Captains and national players (49) since 2019. Grant Flower testing positiveThe latest twist reported yesterday in this Sri Lanka cricket fiasco is that their Batting Coach tested positive for Covid-19. “Antigen tests were made on the rest of the squad in the Sri Lanka bio bubble and all of them are negative.
Source:The Nation
July 08, 2021 19:07 UTC
TRCSL calls for new website laws
Speaking to The Morning, TRCSL Director General (DG) Oshada Senanayake said that the TRCSL cannot block websites at its own discretion, as the order should come from the law enforcement authorities or the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA). We need to update the legislation as the laws we currently have are very archaic. A spate of arrests followed the arrest of a man by the Mount Lavinia Police on 7 June over suspicion of having sold a 15-year-old girl via a website – www.lanka.ads.com. The Police said that the girl had been sold to various people for Rs. The Morning learnt this week that the offending website had been under surveillance of the relevant authorities for some time before the tipoff about the child being sold on the website alerted the Police to make the necessary arrests.
Source:The Nation
July 08, 2021 18:56 UTC