Grease for rusty machines
Grease for rusty machines View(s):A few weeks ago, 5.5 million people of Finland were rocked by shocking news. It was about a corruption allegation against Finland’s Prime Minister Sanna Marin. It was precisely for this reason that the alleged corruption claims against the Prime Minister became shocking news. The Prime Minister herself was quick enough to make a correction, saying that “as Prime Minister, I have not asked for this benefit nor been involved in deciding on it…”. The five Nordic countries – Finland, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and Iceland – are well-known to be some of the “least-corrupted” nations in the world.
Source:Sunday Times
June 27, 2021 00:33 UTC
Respect, Understand and Move Forward
Respect, Understand and Move Forward Olympic day indoors for the second successive year View(s): View(s):For the second year running, the pandemic hit Olympic Day celebrations in Sri Lanka stayed indoors but, the iconic June 23 celebrations went on full steam — virtually on NOC Sri Lanka’s official Facebook Page from 9.00am onwards. Commenting on the event NOC Sri Lanka Secretary General Maxwell de Silva said: “We have overcome this pandemic barrier through the help of modern technology. This time, the theme of the Olympic Day Celebrations 2021 was ‘Respect, Understand and Move Forward’. This is counted as an initiative for the ‘One Million Tree Plantation’ project which will be supposed to commence soon by NOC Sri Lanka. Finally, the Olympic Day 2021 concluded by vote of thanks by Maxwell de Silva, the Secretary General of NOC Sri Lanka.
Source:Sunday Times
June 27, 2021 00:33 UTC
Experts question move to order 13m doses of Sinovac amidst efficacy concerns
Experts question move to order 13m doses of Sinovac amidst efficacy concerns By Kumudini Hettiarachchi View(s): View(s):There are growing concerns over Sri Lanka’s moves to order 13 million doses of the Chinese Sinovac vaccine with serious doubts emerging in some other countries of its effectiveness against the Delta (Indian) variant. In a letter signed by its Chairman V. Nadarajah, Kelun Lifesciences states that it’s a “key condition” of Sinovac Lifesciences for a guaranteed purchase quantity, the minimum purchase order being 13mn vaccine doses. On June 13, Kelun Lifesciences writes that payment for the first 3mn doses will have to be made in advance. Documents handed over says company Kelun Lifesciences (Pvt.) The Chairman of Kelun Lifesciences, V. Nadarajah, said on Friday that he met State Minister Dr. Channa Jayasumana and Secretary Dr. R.M.S.K.
Source:Sunday Times
June 27, 2021 00:33 UTC
Fertiliser drama: Is there poison in our food?
Fertiliser drama: Is there poison in our food? This is due to the belief that chemical poisons are added in large quantities during food production and processing. It is ridiculous to get food in the wrong amounts with excessive higher calories and put the blame onto the so-called poisons in the food for the diseases we suffer. Food poisoning can be prevented by preserving food properly. However, these days, it is also common to brand as dangerous carcinogen of the ingredients that are used to preserve food and to maintain the quality of the food.
Source:Sunday Times
June 27, 2021 00:33 UTC
Dollar crisis: CB shuts door for commercial banks; importers badly hit
Dollar crisis: CB shuts door for commercial banks; importers badly hit By Bandula Sirimanna View(s): View(s):The Central Bank has told banks not to request dollars from the banking regulator’s depleted foreign currency reserves, and instead find it in the cash-short market as the country faces a major scarcity of dollars in the forex market. This has resulted in several private banks being unable to pen Letters of Credit (LCs) to importers even for essential items such as pharmaceutical products. According to a Central Bank directive, commercial banks dealing in the inter-bank foreign exchange market have been restricted in maintaining foreign currency reserves and managing foreign exchange liquidity within the banking system. He was of the view that gross foreign exchange inflows of over $3 billion from long term foreign loans would strengthen foreign reserves position and make the dollar situation and exchange rate stable soon. The Central Bank has also entered into a currency swap with the Central Bank of China for $ 1.5 billion and a term loan and concessional loan of $ 500 million from the Exim Bank of Korea.
Source:Sunday Times
June 27, 2021 00:33 UTC
Economic management under attack
Economic management under attack View(s):Government statistics confirm that the Cost of Living index on food has risen by 10 percent in the 18 months this Administration has been in office. The ill-conceived fertiliser ban-plan; the sugar scam; the spike in rice, vegetable and fruit prices have combined to give a negative image of Government’s economic management. The competence of the Government’s financial wizards is no longer under scrutiny, it is under attack. For an island nation like Sri Lanka, seafarers play a vastly significant role, being responsible for the inflow of medicines, food, fuel and the outflow of our produce; in short, they are a lifeline of the nation. Sri Lanka is not only a port of call, but a ‘port of refuge’ for distressed ships.
Source:Sunday Times
June 27, 2021 00:33 UTC
High Dependency Unit of Kalubowila Teaching Hospital declared open
Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne (25th June 2021) presided over the opening of High Dependency Unit (HDU) of Colombo South Teaching Hospital Kalubowila, renovated with Navy’s able manpower, as part of its initiatives to strengthen the Government's programme to expand infrastructure required to treat individuals tested positive for COVID-19. The conversion of a ward complex into a High Dependency Unit at Kalubowila Teaching Hospital kicked off utilizing the technical expertise and manpower of Sri Lanka Navy commencing from 20th May 2021, going by the directives of Commander of the Navy. In addition, the Government as well as local and foreign Sri Lankans have provided financial assistance for the project amounting to be around Rs. Accordingly, the Navy was able to complete the construction of this High Dependency Unit in a very short period of 5 weeks, fulfilling an urgent need of the hospital. Director General of Health Services, Dr. Asela Gunawardena, Director Colombo South Teaching Hospital, Kalubowila, Dr. Sagari Kiriwandeniya, former Acting Director Colombo South Teaching Hospital, Kalubowila, Dr. Pradeep Wijesinghe, Acting Director General Electrical & Electronic Engineering, Commodore Kamal Bombugalage, Acting Director General Civil Engineering, Commodore MJRR Medagoda, a cross section of hospital staff and a limited group of officers from the Navy were present on this occasion.
Source:The Nation
June 27, 2021 00:33 UTC
Herath joins BCB as spin consultant
Herath joins BCB as spin consultant cricket View(s): View(s):Left-arm spin legend Rangana Herath will join the Bangladesh national team as their spin bowling consultant until the T20 World Cup, Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) announced yesterday. Herath was keen to join the local coaching setup but Sri Lanka Cricket showed little interest in hiring him. Generous SLC to therescue of OlympiansAt a time when national cricketers are up in arms over reduced pay packets, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has generously approved Rs. But the players’ bargaining power has further diminished following the current sorry state of the national team. Sri Lanka succumbed meekly to the Englishmen in the first two matches of the T20 series, conceding the series.
Source:Sunday Times
June 27, 2021 00:33 UTC
Special trial for World Junior Championships 2021
Special trial for World Junior Championships 2021 athletics View(s): View(s):Sri Lanka Athletics (SLA) has made plans to conduct a special selection trial on July 25 at the Sugathadasa Stadium in Colombo to pick athletes for the World Junior Athletics Championships to be held in Nairobi, Kenya in two months. “As previously announced, it is not possible to schedule a date for the National Junior Athletics Championships due to the current situation in the country. However, SLA is planning to conduct a special selection trial next month to select the athletes for the World Junior event,” a statement issued by SLA said. With heavy restrictions in place due to the pandemic, SLA will only include few selected events at the special selection trials. The World Junior Athletics Championships, an event for athletes of the Under-20 age category, will be held from August 17 to 22 at the Nyayo Sports Complex in Nairobi.
Source:Sunday Times
June 27, 2021 00:33 UTC
‘Nice guys’ can also win!
‘Nice guys’ can also win! By Malcolm Knox cricket View(s): View(s):New Zealand have won the world Test cricket championship; the nice guys finished first. Under McCullum, the Black Caps were liberated to play nice and not be shy about it even when Australian opponents tried to belittle them. That old Australian way, while productive for one clique, was never everyone’s way. How much better is New Zealand?” But what if the Black Caps are showing a new “Australian way”?
Source:Sunday Times
June 27, 2021 00:33 UTC
English feast at Southampton as Sri Lanka suffer series whitewash
English feast at Southampton as Sri Lanka suffer series whitewash cricket View(s): View(s):Sri Lankan batsmen crumbled like ninepins as England coasted to a comfortable 89-run win to clean sweep the three-match T20 series at Southampton yesterday. Chasing a formidable target of 181 runs to win, Sri Lanka showed no resilience as they succumbed after a poor display of batting, that was on par an amateur or upcoming side. In the end, the target proved too much for Sri Lanka to chase down and they could were bundled out for 91 in 18.5 overs. Winning the toss for a third consecutive time, Sri Lanka skipper put the Englishmen into bat only to receive a massive target with a run-rate of nine per over. The third outing had no exception as England posted the highest total of the series while Sri Lanka recorded their lowest.
Source:Sunday Times
June 27, 2021 00:33 UTC
Ranil returns with a bang; SJB holds protest over fuel hike
Ranil returns with a bang; SJB holds protest over fuel hike By Sandun Jayawardana View(s): View(s):When he took oaths before Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena on Wednesday, former Prime Minister and United National Party (UNP) Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe finally filled the lone National List seat secured by his party at the 2020 parliamentary election. The protest began after a sharp exchange of words between SJB Kurunegala District MP Nalin Bandara and Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila. The SJB this week also handed over a No-Confidence Motion on Minister Gammanpila over the fuel price hike. On Wednesday, SJB MPs came ready with handwritten posters with various slogans. At one point, a group of SJB MPs held a parallel parliamentary session in the Well of the House, with some making their own speeches.
Source:Sunday Times
June 27, 2021 00:33 UTC
50,000 cleared for jobs in West Asia but blocked by COVID rules
50,000 cleared for jobs in West Asia but blocked by COVID rules By Chrishanthi Christopher View(s): View(s):Around 50,000 people with clearance to work in West Asia are unable to take up their jobs because of COVID travel restrictions in Sri Lanka. The number of women taking up jobs in the West Asia has declined in the past decade, he added: of the 50,000 waiting to go, only 15,000 are women. There are some 50,000 workers who have completed their contracts and are due back home. The backlog of migrant workers waiting to come home has eased as the airports are open and flights operating. “They can book and come any time and there is no waiting time,” Mr. Randeniya said.
Source:Sunday Times
June 27, 2021 00:33 UTC
‘Believe’ sponsor Sri Lanka Athletics team for India
‘Believe’ sponsor Sri Lanka Athletics team for India athletics View(s): View(s):National track and field athletes, who left the island on Wednesday to compete in the 65th Inter-State Athletics Championship in Patiala, India, were geared with new competition kits by ‘Believe’ sportswear. The groundbreaking initiative by Ceylon Sports will see international style running gear manufactured in Sri Lanka for the first time. “We are grateful to ‘Believe’ sportswear for providing kits for the national athletic team who will be competing at the 65th Interstate Athletics Championship in Patiala, India. We hope to continue this partnership for all future national team involvements,” said Maj. Gen Palitha Fernando, the President of Sri Lanka Athletics, expressing his admiration. The team comprises of the first five athletes at the last National Athletics Championship.
Source:Sunday Times
June 27, 2021 00:33 UTC
Roberto Mancini: Austria may have been a tougher test for Italy than Belgium or Portugal will be
On paper that looks a difficult draw, but former Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini thinks his side, who posted a record 31 games unbeaten, might have just come through their toughest test. 'We said it would be a match we would have to struggle through to get the win. Things could have been different had former West Ham striker Marko Arnautovic's goal not been ruled out by VAR for a marginal offside decision when Austria were dominating Italy. If we scored there we would have won the match at the end,' he said. 'Everybody is disappointed because we were eliminated, but if we look at the performance we can be very proud.
Source:The Nation
June 26, 2021 23:15 UTC