National Transport Medical Institute to resume services from tomorrow
June 27, 2021 02:17 pmThe National Transport Medical Institute (NTMI) is set to commence its services from tomorrow (June 28) onwards. The services will only be available for those who have already made appointments through e-channeling, NTMI stated issuing a press release. However, the branches of Werahera, Polonnaruwa, Nuwara Eliya, and Kalutara will not be in operation, the release read. Those who had made appointments at the aforementioned branches will be informed of another date and time for an appointment in due course, NTMI said.
Source:The Nation
June 27, 2021 08:48 UTC
Two abducted and tortured over Facebook insults
Balagolla Police have launched investigations into the abduction and torture of two persons over an incident of insulting a person through Facebook. The incident had taken place on June 25 and investigations had been launched on a complaint received by the Police. Investigations have revealed that the main suspect of the incident is a 30-year-old male named Dushmantha running a Devalaya in Ampitiya and another area. The three persons involved in the incident have been identified to be friends, the Police said. It has also been revealed that several more individuals have assisted the owner of the Devalaya to carry out the deed.
Source:The Nation
June 27, 2021 08:15 UTC
Weekly Authority: Windows 11 and Android, next-gen foldables, and more
Windows 11: Thursday’s Windows 11 announcement was a big moment for Microsoft’s next-generation operating system. Windows 11 runs native Android apps! A genuine surprise was delivered during the presentation: Microsoft is bringing Android apps to Windows 11, natively, via Intel Bridge technology, and via the Amazon Appstore, of all places. Still, Microsoft teaming up with Amazon’s Appstore for Android apps means no Google Mobile Services, meaning Google apps won’t work. Samsung’s next-gen foldables emerge: This was a rich week for uncovering Samsung’s next-gen foldables.
Source:The Nation
June 27, 2021 08:03 UTC
No inter-provincial bus services: State Minister
June 27, 2021 by Aazam Ameen No CommentsInter-provincial bus services will not be provided as per a decision of the National Operation Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO), State Minister of Transport Dilum Amunugama said. It was previously scheduled to run a selected few bus services between the provinces from tomorrow (June 28) to operate essential services. However, following discussions with the head of NOCPCO Army Commander General Shavendra Silva, it has been decided to postpone the decision further, the State Minister explained.
Source:The Nation
June 27, 2021 06:00 UTC
UNP questions if Prez has faith in his own PM and Cabinet
Does the President not have faith in his own Prime Minister and Cabinet of Ministers?,” the UNP asked. Further, the UNP also alleged that the President’s address did not address the issues facing the public. “At the time of the UNP handing over the Government in 2019 the country had US $7.6bn in foreign reserves. This Government has no plan on how to increase the reserves and deal with the pending loan repayments,” the UNP explained. Overall, the UNP stated that the President, in a speech spanning 69 minutes, demonstrated a complete lack of direction.
Source:The Nation
June 27, 2021 05:48 UTC
No bus services between provinces
June 27, 2021 10:19 amState Minister of Transport Dilum Amunugama says that inter-provincial bus services will not be provided as per a decision of the National Operation Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO). It was previously scheduled to run a selected few bus services between the provinces from tomorrow (June 28) to operate essential services. However, following discussions with the head of NOCPCO Army Commander General Shavendra Silva, it has been decided to postpone the decision further, the State Minister said.
Source:The Nation
June 27, 2021 05:03 UTC
Sri Lanka to expand vaccination drive with hospital-centered program
COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka’s Health Ministry has decided to further expand its COVID-19 vaccination program. Deputy Director-General of Public Health Services Dr. Hemantha Herath speaking to News 1st said the necessary guidelines are being drafted to commence vaccination at hospitals given that it is important to do so when administering the COVID-19 vaccine to the elderly and those with various illnesses. He said that the vaccination program will be streamlined so that medical facilities will be available on site where a vaccination program is taking place. Sri Lanka Army said it will operate vaccination centers across 04 districts on Sunday (27)
Source:The Nation
June 27, 2021 03:56 UTC
Owen’s dream to become a maritime lawyer
By Kusumanjalee ThilakarathnaOwen Muthunarachchi is a Grade 8 student from Maris Stella College, Negombo who possesses great drawing skills. I also spend time practising my drawing skills. My ambition is to become a maritime lawyer when I grow up. I became first in a school art competition when I was in Grade 6. I think drawing skills help me a lot to do clear designs and choose colours.
Source:The Nation
June 27, 2021 03:11 UTC
More areas in three districts isolated
June 27, 2021 08:31 amSeveral more areas in Colombo, Ratnapura, and Nuwara Eliya Districts have been isolated in an attempt to curb the spread of coronavirus in the relevant areas. The isolation orders are in effect from 06.00 am today (June 27). Accordingly, the following areas will remain in isolation until further notice: https://i.postimg.cc/zfrb9dSm/001.jpg
Source:The Nation
June 27, 2021 03:00 UTC
Govt. officials to take over purchase of Litro gas
officials to take over purchase of Litro gas By Damith Wickremasekara View(s): View(s):A Government-appointed committee of officials headed by the Deputy Treasury Secretary is to take over the purchase of gas for the state-owned Litro Gas Lanka Ltd for the next six months, turning down a request by the company to increase prices. Two representatives from Litro Gas and LAUGFS Gas will also be included. A senior Treasury official said the committee would rely on competitive bidding for the purchase of gas. A gas terminal currently used by Laugfs with a capacity of 30,000 Mt at Hambantota will be used for storage, he said. The move comes as the Government proposed for Litro Gas Lanka Ltd to buy 40 percent of the private LAUGFS Gas Terminal International Company (LGTIC) that operates a tank farm in Hambantota.
Source:Sunday Times
June 27, 2021 00:33 UTC
Lanka issuing coin to mark Chinese Communist Party’s centenary
Lanka issuing coin to mark Chinese Communist Party’s centenary View(s):In an unprecedented move, Sri Lanka will be issuing a special coin to commemorate a foreign political party, the Communist Party of China (CPC), in view of its centenary celebrations. A senior Central Bank (CB) official confirmed the decision but did not give details. The Central Bank’s practice of issuing commemorative coins to mark significant milestones of diplomatic relations with foreign countries, has been extended, for the first time, to a foreign political party, the Sunday Times learns. It is not clear as to whether this coin is to be issued as an un-circulated commemorative coin or a circulation standard commemorative coin, or both types. China’s Central Bank began on Monday to issue a set of commemorative coins to celebrate the CPC’s 100th anniversary.
Source:Sunday Times
June 27, 2021 00:33 UTC
Close to home – Appreciation
Close to home – Appreciation Brendon Gooneratne View(s): View(s):My Father, Brendon Gooneratne, passed away last Monday. He had had a fall, on June 12th, and was recovering in a hospital close to home, with excellent care and medical attention. At the start of lockdown, I was missing travelling and the adventures of traversing physical landscapes in the world. I was fully informed of the need for immediate surgery, and of the probabilities and possibilities which could result. The medical staff you support now, close to home, will be the ones who you turn to when you or your family need urgent admittance at the OPD or ETU.
Source:Sunday Times
June 27, 2021 00:33 UTC
Rice fine to be raised to boiling point
Rice fine to be raised to boiling point View(s):The fine imposed for selling rice above the stipulated price is to be increased to Rs 50,000 from the existing Rs 2,500 as a fresh measure to keep the rice prices under control, Trade Minister Bandula Gunawardena told the Sunday Times. He said a proposal to the Cabinet would be submitted in the coming week. The Government earlier issued a gazette notification requesting traders, wholesellers and millers to register with the Government the available stocks of rice in their possession. However, the Sunday Times learns that the move had not drawn a favourable response and the rice prices were still high. The Government this week approved a proposal to import 100,000 Mt of Ponni samba rice.
Source:Sunday Times
June 27, 2021 00:33 UTC
Sri Lanka tourism industry in pandemic muddle
Sri Lanka tourism industry in pandemic muddle By Sunimalee Dias View(s): View(s):The tourism industry is currently fighting hard to ensure that travellers to Sri Lanka are subjected to checks for COVID-19 and holiday in a travel bubble concept that will ensure the country is safe from any importation of the virus. It is interesting to note that despite the claims of carrying out checks the initial batch of tourists were not subject to the proper procedures as stated by Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) Chairperson Kimarli Fernando herself last December where she had insisted that the required protocols were not adhered to. Further he noted that it was essential that tourists obtain a COVID insurance cover prior to arriving in the country. Moreover, service providers were also compelled to obtain the safe and secure certification following audits by internationally reputed auditors KPMG. In the meantime, the industry is concerned about the latest outbreak of the Delta variant that is currently spreading in Europe and UK as this could have an adverse impact on arrivals for the upcoming winter season.
Source:Sunday Times
June 27, 2021 00:33 UTC
“Today, the people of this country no longer have a reason to fear” – President
The government had made great strides in ensuring national security, President Rajapaksa said, noting that it has strengthened the intelligence services weakened under the previous government and restored the morale of the security forces. “Today, the people of this country no longer have a reason to fear for the unity of the country. President Rajapaksa said he inherited an economy that was in ruins, but his government had a plan to revive it. President Rajapaksa also insisted that he would not walk back his decision to ban the import of chemical fertiliser. The government will be able to vaccinate everyone over the age of 30 by that time, President Rajapaksa said.
Source:Sunday Times
June 27, 2021 00:33 UTC