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
New UNICEF Country Representative presents credentials to FM
The New Country Representative of the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) to Sri Lanka Christian Skoog presented his credentials to Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, yesterday, 05 July, 2021 at the Foreign Ministry, the Ministry stated in a release. Accepting the credentials, Minister Gunawardena recalled that the UNICEF’s cooperation with Sri Lanka supporting the rights and wellbeing of children has been going on since the early 1950’s. Minister Gunawardena acknowledged with appreciation the outstanding work carried out by the UNICEF in Sri Lanka and particularly its efforts to seek empower, educate and enable Sri Lanka’s children to become the agents of change who drive national development into the future. While elaborating UNICEF’s child-centered approach which is designed to positively impact the stages of a child’s growth and development which is categorized as early childhood, middle childhood and adolescence, UNICEF Country Representative underscored that the UNICEF wishes to work closely with Sri Lanka towards 2030 agenda for Sustainable Development, mainly in achieving the SDGs directly linked to children. Minister Gunawardena expressed hope that the on-going excellent cooperation between the Government of Sri Lanka and the UNICEF will be further strengthened during the term of the new UNICEF Country Representative.
Source:The Nation
July 06, 2021 09:33 UTC
No risk of a petrol shortage in Sri Lanka - Energy Ministry
There is no risk of a petrol shortage in Sri Lanka, the Ministry of Energy assured issuing a statement today (July 06). The statement issued by the Secretary of the Ministry stated that the several reports on websites that a petrol shortage is imminent in Sri Lanka have caught the attention of the subject Minister Udaya Gammanpila. The Ministry says that Sri Lanka currently has petrol stocks enough to last 30 days. In addition, another ship containing 35,000 metric tonnes of petrol is due to arrive in Sri Lanka in another 13 days on July 19. Therefore, the reports on a possible shortage are baseless and there is no need for undue fear among the public on the matter, the Minister says.
Source:The Nation
July 06, 2021 09:11 UTC
Nations Trust Bank Launches ‘DoNoPlastic’ Towards an Eco-Friendly Nation
Expanding its commitment towards the conservation of the environment, Nations Trust Bank has launched its own ‘DoNoPlastic’ campaign to become an active part of the solution to the nation’s growing plastic pollution issue. Nations Trust Bank has lined up a series of activities, such as webinars conducted by eminent personalities at environment protection missions, to educate the public as well as the Bank staff about plastic pollution. Additionally, as part of the ‘Mihikathata Avurudu’ programme, Nations Trust Bank made a commitment to plant saplings across a one-acre land in the Hiyare Rainforest for every customer who opened a new Current Account, Savings Account or an Investment Plan with the Bank during the week of Avurudu. Nations Trust Bank PLC is among the top 15 business establishments in Sri Lanka as ranked by Business Today. Delivering premium value, service and connecting its Cardmembers to rewarding experiences and opportunities Nations Trust Bank PLC is an issuer and sole acquirer of American Express Cards in Sri Lanka.
Source:The Nation
July 06, 2021 08:26 UTC
SLAF administers vaccines to public
July 6, 2021 by Aazam Ameen No CommentsSri Lanka’s three Armed Forces were involved in the initiative to expedite the vaccination program against Covid-19. Accordingly, people over the age of 30 were vaccinated today (06) at the Air Force Base in Wanathamulla, Borella. Pics by Eshan Dasanayaka
Source:The Nation
July 06, 2021 08:01 UTC
New proposals from the Women Parliamentarians Caucus for the 2022 Budget
Accordingly, it was decided to draw attention towards several proposals that will focus on gender in the preparation of the budget for the year 2022. The decision was taken at a special meeting regarding Gender Responsive Budgeting held last week under Hon. State Minister Dr Sudharshani Fernandopulle, the Chairperson of the Women Parliamentarians Caucus. The Parliamentarians present at this meeting agreed to give consideration to gender when preparing the budget proposals of the relevant Ministries having informed all the relevant officials of the key line Ministries regarding gender budgeting. In addition, Women Parliamentarians Caucus decided that a comprehensive media campaign was needed to create social awareness about gender responsive budgeting.
Source:The Nation
July 06, 2021 07:41 UTC
People share cringe-inducing text conversations they've seen online
People from the US, Australia and Israel have shared cringe-worthy texts exchanges they've spotted online in a gallery for the trivia website Bored Panda. One boyfriend who had put effort into cooking a meal for his girlfriend revealed he saw she received a message from her mother reading: 'He tried his best, just eat it.' A man named Gary was deflated when he got a Facebook notification reminding him no one had wished him a happy birthday. One girl who was enjoying a hockey game with her father and shared a picture on social media was complimented for the 'nice Face Swap,' but had to explain it was her actual face. People from the US have shared awkward interactions they found online in a gallery for Bored Panda.
Source:The Nation
July 06, 2021 07:18 UTC
St Kilda schoolgirl Kimberley Ametoglou, Duthie shuts down crypto group
'I did not make this group to be ridiculed or have my authenticity questioned by people in here,' Ms Ametoglou fumed in a post in May. The sceptic also said it was 'amazing' Ms Ametoglou was also celebrating a five-figure lottery win. In January, Ms Ametoglou said she was writing a book about her life story in January after non-disclosure agreements had apparently expired. The following month, Ms Ametoglou claimed she had been diagnosed with an aggressive form of cervical cancer. Ms Ametoglou is now married to strip club owner Demirel Ametoglou, who is 27 years her senior.
Source:The Nation
July 06, 2021 07:07 UTC
Top 10 Interesting Facts About Female-Led Horror Movies
The premise of the horror film centers around a terrifying ghost, Kayako, that seeks revenge for being murdered. Kayako is still regarded as one of the scariest female horror movie characters, even in the American remake. The horror film stars Alexandra Essoe who plays an aspiring actress who ‘makes a deal with the devil’ for fame. 7 The OthersThe Others (2001) Official Trailer 1 – Nicole Kidman MovieThe ending of The Others is one of the most memorable in horror movie history. 4 UsUs – Official Trailer [HD]Jordan Peele turned the horror movie world upside down with Get Out and then did it again in 2019 with Us.
Source:The Nation
July 06, 2021 06:56 UTC
Navy seizes Rs 29 mn worth of Kerala cannabis
The Inshore Patrol Craft P 011 of the Northern Naval Command intercepted a suspicious dinghy in seas north of Kovilam, while it was heading ashore. The dinghy had been loaded with 04 sacks of Kerala cannabis weighing about 98kg and 500g (wet weight). Along with the consignment of Kerala cannabis 03 suspects and the dinghy used for this illegal act were taken in to naval custody. Meanwhile, the street value of the seized stock of Kerala cannabis is believed to be about Rs. The suspects along with the stock of Kerala cannabis and the dinghy will be handed over to the Kayts Police for onward legal action.
Source:The Nation
July 06, 2021 06:22 UTC
Vaccination of school teachers to start from next week
July 6, 2021 by Mihi Perera No CommentsThe Ministry of Education says that the Covid vaccine is to be given to all school teachers from next week. Minister of Education Prof. GL Pieris said that the vaccination of teachers will begin next week. Steps will be taken to vaccinate all teachers before the commencement of academic activities in schools. “We are developing a systematic program to vaccinate every teacher. And we hope to vaccinate them all before the start of term,” he said.
Source:The Nation
July 06, 2021 06:11 UTC
Jayantha Ketagoda gives up his MP seat for Basil
July 6, 2021 11:19 amSri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Parliamentarian Jayantha Ketagoda has handed in his letter of resignation from his post as a Member of Parliament. Reportedly, this was to make way for Basil Rajapaksa to enter the parliament as a Member of Parliament. Ketagoda has handed in his resignation to the Secretary-General of the Parliament this morning (July 06).
Source:The Nation
July 06, 2021 05:48 UTC
Expert says ‘Thor’ was infected by an asymptomatic Covid patient
The lion ‘Thor’, who tested positive for Covid in the Dehiwala Zoo, is believed to have been infected with the virus by an asymptomatic person, said Sunil Chandra, a senior professor in the Department of Microbiology at the Ragama Medical Faculty. The Ragama Medical Faculty conducted tests on lions that were found to be infected with Covid-19 at the Dehiwala Zoo. It has now been confirmed that the first identified lion, Thor, was infected with the alpha genus. The professor said that it was suspected that the lion’s den was also infected with the alpha genus. More than 100 PCR staff at the Dehiwala Zoo tested the corona virus on lions, and only one person was diagnosed with the virus.
Source:The Nation
July 06, 2021 05:37 UTC