Release stocks now, Goverment orders fertiliser firms
“Fertiliser companies said in the past that they did not have stocks of fertiliser. The Fertiliser Secretariat also stated that there was a shortage of fertiliser. According to him, vegetable farmers in the Badulla District need 5,100 MT of fertiliser while potato farmers need 2,200 MT. In addition, vegetable farmers in the Nuwara Eliya District need 1,900 MT of fertiliser while potato farmers need 3,200 MT. In the recent past, farmers in several parts of the country have been staging protests demanding a solution to the fertiliser shortage.
Source:The Nation
July 06, 2021 17:26 UTC
Data protection law must delineate owners’ rights, users’ obligations
Article 7 of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights provides for the respect of an individual’s private life, including communications. P. De Hert and S. Gutwirth’s “Privacy, data protection, and law enforcement. In such a context, data protection seems to assume an administrative role,” De Hert and Gutwirth elaborate. As Y. McDermott notes in “Conceptualising the right to data protection in an era of Big Data”, privacy, itself a fundamental right, is a value that the right to data protection seeks to protect. The fourth principle concerns accuracy, and therefore, personal data should be both accurate and where necessary, kept updated, while erasing or correcting without delay personal data that are inaccurate.
Source:The Nation
July 06, 2021 17:26 UTC
The Supreme Court rules against Maharaja Org. Ltd.
The SC has noted that Section 100(1)(a) of the Code of Intellectual Property Act No. 52 of 1979 states that “no mark which resembles, in a manner likely to mislead the public, a mark already (a) validly filed or (b) registered by a third party, shall be registered”. Furthermore, the SC has noted literal, phonetical, and visual similarities in the MTV trademark registered by the Maharaja Organisation with that owned previously by Viacom International. The case was heard before a bench comprising Justices Preethi Padman Surasena, E.A.G.R. Amarasekara, and Mahinda Samayawardhena who penned the judgement.
Source:The Nation
July 06, 2021 17:15 UTC
10 of the Best Audacity Alternatives
We’ve assembled a list of 10 options that can handle your audio editing tasks at least as well. Dark AudacityDark Audacity is an older version of Audacity with a few streamlined options and a dark theme.Screenshot: Dark Audacity Dark Audacity is an older version of Audacity with a few streamlined options and a dark theme.Screenshot: If you are comfortable with Audacity, but not with its privacy policy, look no further than Dark Audacity. Free trial: n/a Price: Free Platforms: WindowsOcenaudioOcenaudio, an Audacity alternative, running on Mac.Screenshot: Ocenaudio Ocenaudio, an Audacity alternative, running on Mac.Screenshot: Just like Audacity, Ocenaudio is a free, destructive audio editing app for Windows and Mac. Free trial: n/a Price: Free Platforms: Windows, Mac, LinuxWavosaurWavosaur is an Audacity alternative for Windows.Screenshot: Wavosaur Wavosaur is an Audacity alternative for Windows.Screenshot: Wavosaur is a free alternative to Audacity that can handle multi-track audio files. Its best feature is a batch processor that lets you convert multiple audio files in one go and even apply multiple sound effects at the same time.
Source:The Nation
July 06, 2021 17:01 UTC
The Phantom X, Tecno's first premium phone, is now available
The Phantom X, Tecno’s first premium phone, is now available in a couple of countries. Tecno is normally focused on emerging markets and even this premium model won’t be available globally. The Phantom X is now availableRight now you can find it online in Nigeria at a price of NGN 228,000 ($555/€470) and Kenya at KES 50,000 ($460/€390). These links will take you to the site dedicated to the Phantom line to differentiate it from regular Tecno models. The company has a presence in other African countries as well as South America, so the phone should be available in more regions soon.
Source:The Nation
July 06, 2021 15:56 UTC
Other countries produced vaccines, Sri Lanka went after pots and tonics - JC Alawathuwala
Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) parliamentarian J. C. Alawathuwala says that the current government has no sensitivity towards the issues of the farmers or the public. Further, he said that while other countries were producing vaccines for the COVID-19, Sri Lanka pursued ‘pots and tonics’. The SJB parliamentarian also commented on the return of Basil Rajapaksa. They also said that it was because of Basil that Mahinda Rajapaksa went home.”MP J. C. Alawathuwala says an SJB government will ensure the proper implementation of law and order. He added that SJB stands as the opposition on behalf of the issues of the people.
Source:The Nation
July 06, 2021 14:26 UTC
A Step Closer to Mindful Living: Yoga Classes in Colombo
If you are interested in taking a step closer to mindful living, fret not, for we have curated a list of yoga studios and classes in Colombo, for you to give yourself much needed time to destress, relax and unwind. They also teach therapy yoga, which promotes a more mindful yoga practice that is intertwined with meditation. You can contact them for more information and inquiries via:Website: http://www.yoga.lk/Telephone: 0777 274 859Facebook: Astanka Yoga MandirYoga by Aaron WickramasekaraAaron Wickramasekara, one of the most popular yoga teachers in Colombo, conducts yoga classes at T&A Fitness located in Flower Road, every week. She runs a Facebook page called Sivananda Abhina Yoga Gurukula, where she posts all updates regarding the yoga classes she hosts, and she also posts regular videos on YouTube, for anyone interested to practice at home. We would love to read your mindfulness journey and experiences in the comments below if you try out any of the yoga classes mentioned above.
Source:The Nation
July 06, 2021 13:52 UTC
Euro 2020; Spain and Italy's wild history ahead of their FOURTH straight knockout clash
Spain needed penalties to get past Switzerland in the quarter-finals last week, while Italy beat Belgium 2-1 in Munich to qualify for the last four. The Juventus legend first saved from Andres Iniesta and then twice from Gerard Pique before the hammerblow for Spain arrived. A second straight Euros title was added to the 2010 World Cup crown, and many were struggling to think of too many international teams better. There have been some fascinating encounters between the sides since, most notably the Isco-inspired 3-0 win for Spain in World Cup qualifying nearly four years ago. The two sides first met in the 1934 World Cup in a 1-1 draw in Florence, before the hosts won the replay 1-0 the next day.
Source:The Nation
July 06, 2021 13:52 UTC
Convention Against Torture Act is a dismal failure: Sumanthiran
By Aazam AmeenResponding to the amendments proposed to the Convention Against Torture And Other Cruel, Inhuman Or Degrading Treatment Or Punishment Act and the Code of Criminal procedure act by Minister of Justice Ali Sabry in Parliament today (06), MP M. A. Sumanthiran of the Illankai Tamil Arasu Kadchi (ITAK) stated that while on paper such moves are welcome, he expressed that the Convention Against Torture Act has been a dismal failure. Referring to these amendments as “window dressing” Sumanthiran alleged that such moves are mere facades to fool people. You have the act to show people around the world that torture is an offence in this country. Sumanthiran alleged that as far as torture in this country is concerned, the system is broken, adding that it cannot be fixed by passing laws. You will not succeed in this false effort,” Sumanthiran stated.
Source:The Nation
July 06, 2021 13:18 UTC
Public meetings, protests banned until further notice – Police
July 6, 2021 06:00 pmActivities such as public meetings and protests which gather large numbers of people will not be allowed until further notice, Sri Lanka Police announced today. The directives have been issued by the Director-General of Health Services taking into account the risks of further spread of novel coronavirus. Stern action will be taken against those who violate this quarantine regulation, the police stressed.
Source:The Nation
July 06, 2021 12:22 UTC
CEAT Kelani Holdings rated ‘AA+ (lka)/Stable’ by Fitch Ratings
CEAT Kelani Holdings has been assigned a National Long-Term rating of ‘AA+ (lka)/Stable’ by Fitch Ratings, reflecting the Company’s market position as the largest manufacturer and distributor of pneumatic vehicle tyres in Sri Lanka. Notifying the Company of the rating, Fitch said CEAT Kelani Holdings has a strong financial profile with low leverage and solid liquidity. “Fitch expects CEAT Kelani Holdings’ cash to continue to exceed debt in the next few years,” the agency said. A key ratings driver for CEAT Kelani Holdings was the Company’s leading market position with an overall market share of around 50 per cent. Fitch said it expects CEAT Kelani Holdings’ revenue to rise in FY22 as it believes competition from imports will not swiftly return to levels prior to the pandemic.
Source:The Nation
July 06, 2021 11:37 UTC
Sri Lanka reports 1,717 more coronavirus recoveries
July 6, 2021 05:17 pmAs many as 1,717 more novel coronavirus patients were discharged from medical care within the last 24 hours as they have recovered from the infection, the Ministry of Health said today (July 06). This brings the total number of recoveries from COVID-19 in the country to 236,659. According to official data, Sri Lanka has so far reported 266,499 positive cases of COVID-19, however, 26,572 of them are still being treated at designated hospitals and treatment centres. The death toll from the outbreak of the pandemic meanwhile stands at 3,268.
Source:The Nation
July 06, 2021 11:37 UTC
Health trade unions call off ongoing strike
Several health sector trade unions have called off their ongoing strike following discussions with Minister of Health Pavithra Wanniarachchi. The Joint Council of Professions Supplementary to Medicine yesterday (July 05) said that they would resort to indefinite trade union action if authorities fail to provide solutions to their demands within the day. The Joint Council carried out trade union action since Saturday (July 03), with its members reporting sick, based on 14 demands including the granting of promotions. The trade union action by the professions supplementary to medicine crippled services at government hospitals across the country. Army Commander General Shavendra Silva said that this was due to the delays and decreased testing due to strikes of health sector trade unions.
Source:The Nation
July 06, 2021 11:03 UTC
Poor fiscal management aggravated Covid situation: AMS
“We have observed a spate of trade union actions demanding rights of their membership. While respecting and reserving the right to resort to trade union action, one should review the root cause(s) of this trend,” the AMS said. Commenting on the privileges enjoyed as public servants during this period, the AMS admitted that their segment of society has been the least affected by the pandemic and resultant economic impact. “Our salaries were paid in full whether we worked, worked from home or did not work. Therefore, the AMS strongly believes that being the least affected segment of the society, public servants should be more mindful of their duty over rights.
Source:The Nation
July 06, 2021 11:03 UTC
Specialist doctor involved in sexual exploitation of minor remanded
The specialist doctor arrested over sexual exploitation of a 15-year-old girl has been remanded until the 9th of June. The 41-year-old, a consultant cardiologist at a well-known hospital in a suburban area of Colombo, was arrested in the area of Bandaragama this morning on charges of procuration of a minor. He was produced before Colombo Magistrate’s Court earlier today, along with a 33-year-old procurer involved in the sex-trafficking ring. According to reports, the law enforcement authorities have arrested a total of 34 suspects so far in connection with the said incident. The child sex-trafficking ring came to light after the Colombo Child & Women Bureau of Sri Lanka Police launched an investigation into the matter based on a complaint received by the Mount Lavinia Police last month.
Source:The Nation
July 06, 2021 10:30 UTC