Walk in vaccinations underway at Army Hospital
The Sri Lanka Army operated Community Vaccination Centre set up at the Colombo Army Hospital Narahenpita saw a large influx of citizens today, who had come to receive the first dose of the Sinopharm vaccine. Any citizen residing in the Western Province who is over the age of 30 may visit the Army Hospital between 8.30am and 4.20pm from today (05) onwards to receive their jabs. Similarly, more centres have been set up at Battaramulla Diyatha Uyana, Panagoda Sri Bodhirajaramaya (Army Temple) and at the Werahera-based 1 Sri Lanka Army Medical Corps Regiment HQ. Similarly, Army-manned Community Vaccination Centres at Galle Vidyaloka Vidyalaya (Galle District), Matara Mahinda Rajapaksa Vidyalaya, (Matara District), Security Force Headquarters-Diyatalawa (Badulla District), Anuradhapura Army Hospital (Anuradhapura District), Infantry Training School, Minneriya (Polonnaruwa District), Kilinochchi Army Base Hospital (Kilinochchi District) and Mullaittivu Tamil College, Pudukuduirruppu, (Mullaittivu District) and Mannar BOI Building (Mannar District) will simultaneously begin the vaccination of civilians over 60 years of age, beginning on Monday (5) during 8.30 am-4.30 pm. All above 60 years of age in above districts can reach those Centres with proof of their residence.
Source:The Nation
July 05, 2021 05:03 UTC
Over 1,500 Covid patients reported yesterday
July 5, 2021 by Mihi Perera No CommentsSri Lanka recorded 1,573 COVID-19 cases on Sunday (04). 1,517 of these cases were from the Post-Avurudu Outbreak and the remaining 56 cases were those who tested positive for Covid after returning from overseas. The highest number of Covid patients were reported from the Colombo district with 249, followed by 221 from Gampaha district and 186 from the Kalutara district.
Source:The Nation
July 05, 2021 05:03 UTC
Live with Covid as we do with Flu: Boris Johnson
‘Thanks to the successful rollout of our vaccination programme, we are progressing cautiously through our road map,’ Mr Johnson said. ‘But I must stress that the pandemic is not over and that cases will continue to rise over the coming weeks. ‘Letting cases rise with no action means further pressure on the NHS, more sickness, disruption to education and risks a new variant emerging with a selection advantage. So far ‘learning to live with the virus’ had been no more than a ministerial slogan. And what support will be in place for the most deprived areas where cases are highest and vaccination rates lowest.
Source:The Nation
July 05, 2021 05:03 UTC
First consignment of Pfizer vaccine brought to Sri Lanka
The first consignment of 26,000 doses of Pfizer Covid vaccine were brought to Sri Lanka this morning (05). Sri Lanka has received 26,000 doses of the first 200,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine purchased in Sri Lanka. This is the first time that a country in the South Asian region has received the Pfizer vaccine, which was manufactured in the United States. Minister of State Prof. Channa Jayasumana stated that necessary arrangements have been made to distribute this stock of Pfizer vaccine to the public as soon as possible. Steps have been taken to store the vaccine in specialized warehouses at the National Blood Center, Narahenpita.
Source:The Nation
July 05, 2021 03:56 UTC
Sigiriya amongst Bloomberg’s Seven World Wonders
These marvels include archaeological and natural treasures spanning far wider than the ancient Greek world and catering to all types of modern explorers. Sri Lanka Tourism has strategically embarked on developing Sigiriya, a World Heritage site, into a sustainable destination under the National Sustainable Destination Certification (NSDC) initiative. Sustainable tourism is essential to protect natural, cultural, and environmental resources which are critical for the wellbeing of Sri Lanka’s tourism industry. If these valuable resources are not sustained, Sri Lanka could see dwindling tourist numbers in the future. In keeping with this initiative, single-use plastic has been recently banned in Sri Lanka.
Source:The Nation
July 05, 2021 03:00 UTC
First batch of Pfizer vaccines arrives in Sri Lanka
The first consignment of 26,000 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine purchased by the State Pharmaceuticals Corporation (SPC) arrived in Sri Lanka this morning, State Minister Prof. Channa Jayasumana said. The SPC has ordered a total of 200,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine while this is the first delivery of that purchase. This is also reportedly considered the first time a country in the South Asian region has received the Pfizer vaccine which is manufactured in the Unites States. Jayasumana stated that necessary steps have been taken to provide these vaccines to the public as soon as possible. The consignemnet of vaccine doses have been stored at the specialized storage facility at the National Blood Transfusion Centre in Narahenpita.
Source:The Nation
July 05, 2021 01:52 UTC
Biden celebrates 'independence from COVID' in White House speech
'America is coming back together,' the president said during his address from the South Lawn of the White House. Some criticized the White House for going forward with its usual massive South Lawn celebration with variants – like the Delta variant – surging. After quoting that part of the Declaration of Independence, Biden said: 'Well we've never fully lived up to those words.' 'The event at the White House is being done in the right way,' he said, assuring it is being conducted 'consistent with CDC guidelines.' Biden and First Lady Jill will then view the annual fireworks display over the National Mall from the White House.
Source:The Nation
July 05, 2021 01:52 UTC
ROBERT HARDMAN: On behalf of her grateful nation, a truly personal tribute from the Queen
The award of the George Cross to the National Health Service is the greatest accolade a grateful nation can bestow beyond the field of battle. Their holders all belong to the Victoria Cross and George Cross Association, which has a lively reunion every other year in the presence of royalty. After all, such awards are made on the advice of the Prime Minister and the George Cross Committee, which must meet to endorse each decision. The George Cross was created by King George VI at the height of the Blitz. It was the dangers facing NHS staff just like these which prompted this newspaper to start the Mail Force campaign last year.
Source:The Nation
July 05, 2021 01:07 UTC
Muslim Aid donates vital medical equipment worth Rs 30 million
Kodituwakku said that on behalf of Sri Lanka Vinivida Peramuna, he informed Punchihewa on July 1 via email their decision to move SC in respect Wickremesinghe entering parliament. Punchihewa said that the EC in January this year proposed an amendment in respect of the NL to a group of experts formulating the new Constitution. There was no point in denying the serious deficiencies in the supreme law, Punchihewa said, underscoring the need to address those issues. Responding to another query, Punchihewa pointed out that Section 99A should be read with the relevant section of the Parliamentary Elections Act, No. According to him, the Constitution and the Parliamentary Election Act, No 1 of 1981 were silent in filling vacancies in case those who had been originally appointed to the NL resigned.
Source:The Nation
July 05, 2021 00:22 UTC
Boris Johnson declares it's time to live with Covid
But I must stress that the pandemic is not over and that cases will continue to rise over the coming weeks. 'As we begin to learn to live with this virus, we must all continue to carefully managethe risks from Covid and exercise judgement when going about our lives.' Downing Street said Mr Johnson would reiterate that Covid will become a virus that we learn to live with 'as we already do with flu'. 'This means that hospitalisations, serious illness and deaths from Covid will continue, albeit at a much lower level than before the vaccination programme,' a spokesman said. London mayor Sadiq Khan last night did not rule out still making it mandatory for passengers to wear face masks on public transport in the capital.
Source:The Nation
July 04, 2021 21:56 UTC
Bajaj emerges ‘Most Loved Motorcycle Brand’ in Sri Lanka
Access Engineering PLC, the pioneers in flyover construction in Sri Lanka, was recently awarded the sub-contract to construct a flyover at the Gatambe junction, a permanent solution to reduce the heavy traffic congestion at the Gatambe junction in Peradeniya. The Gatambe junction is located literally in Peradeniya between Peradeniya and Kandy and Old Peradeniya Kandy Road (A1) and New Peradeniya Kandy Road (AB42 – William Gopallawa Mawatha) cross at this junction. In addition, there is a railway level crossing on William Gopallawa Mawatha just passing the junction towards the Kandy city. As a solution to ease off the traffic congestion at the Gatambe junction, the Road Development Authority proposed to erect a flyover at the junction. The project scope includes the necessary improvements to the junction and service roads to facilitate turning movements and through traffic along the A1 road direction.
Source:The Nation
July 04, 2021 20:37 UTC
The Queen visits the Royal Windsor Horse show after her Scotland trip
Despite a busy week of engagements in Scotland and grey skies above, the Queen looked on sprightly form as she visited Royal Windsor Horse Show on Sunday morning - her fourth visit in as many days. The Queen, 95, was spotted touring the Royal Windsor Horse Show on the event's last day today. The Queen donned a vibrant all-matching ensemble when presenting the Best Turned out Trooper award at the Royal Windsor Horse Show on SaturdayWhat a laugh! All smiles: The Queen appears in great spirits after arriving at the Royal Windsor Horse Show, said to be Her Majesty's favourite event of the yearLast year the show was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic and went online instead. In May 2017 she made her debut at the Royal Windsor Horse Show, leading the Champagne Laurent-Perrier Meet of the British Driving Society into the showground.
Source:The Nation
July 04, 2021 20:02 UTC
Pro golfer Gene Siller shot dead at Georgia country club, gunman remains at large
The Georgia State Golf Association identified the victim as Gene Siller, a pro golfer, golfing instructor and Director of Pinetree Country Club in Kennesaw, where the shooting occurred on Saturday afternoon. Our thoughts and prayers are with Gene Siller's family and friends,' the Georgia State Golf Association tweeted. Thoughts and prayers for his family and the Pinetree Country Club family.' Details surrounding the shooting remain scant, other than it happened around 2.30pm Saturday at Pinetree Country Club in Kennesaw, about 27 miles outside Atlanta. The suspect was last seen in the area of Pinetree Country Club and was headed toward Frey Lake Road.
Source:The Nation
July 04, 2021 19:30 UTC
Section of players to sign contracts after England tour
A section of the current Sri Lanka squad in England is likely to sign their contracts ending a protracted dispute between the players and local cricket boardAt least a dozen of Sri Lanka players are to sign their contracts with Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) after their return from England, the Sunday Morning reliably learnt yesterday (3). Sources in England said 12 to 14 players of the 24-member current Sri Lanka squad in England are likely to sign the contracts ending months of stalemate and dispute between players and the board over the new contract scheme for the ensuing one-year period. After signing the contracts the players will enter the Covid-19-instigated bio-security bubble for the India white-ball series which is to commence on 13 July. This will effective see the absence of veteran players such as former Captains Angelo Mathews and Dimuth Karunaratne. Sources added those seniors who are now in Sri Lanka have not begun the mandatory quarantine for the India series.
Source:The Nation
July 04, 2021 19:30 UTC
Sri Lanka tennis in landmark move
The coaching staff and the participants with the President of the SLTA Iqbal Bin Issack, its Secretary Pradeep Goonasekera, Chairman of Coaching and Promotion Rukmal Cooray, National Sports Council (NSC) Secretary Thiyumi Abeysinghe, Sri Lanka tennis legend Arjun Fernando, and some of the members of the NSC at the launching of the High-Performance Training Programme at SLTA, Colombo on Friday (2)The first-ever High-Performance Training Programme or a quintessential Sri Lanka national tennis squad has now been formed. A long-due initiative, made by the Sri Lanka Tennis Association (SLTA) in collaboration with the Ministry of Sports, was launched on Friday (2) at the SLTA headquarters in Colombo. According to the new project, spearheaded by Bharatiraj Pillai, 21 players have already been picked in girls and boys Under-16 and 18 age groups as well as men’s and women’s segments, in order to give them free coaching while offering them much-needed overseas exposure. The programme, which is to be headed by former Davis Cup player and current Coach Renouk Wijemanne, will be assisted by Sylvester Francis and Ashan Dep as coaches, and the renowned fitness instructor Bilal Yusuf as its Strength and Conditioning Coach. According to the programme’s plans, the players are scheduled to be sent for at least six international tournaments per year.
Source:The Nation
July 04, 2021 19:18 UTC