Are we heading for a buy-to-let exodus?
It added that across the entire sector, there was a fall of 30 per cent in the volume of buy-to-let mortgages between 2014-15 and 2018-19. Both reports noted that tax changes have been one of the main factors making buy-to-let less attractive for some. 'We feel we're being picked on': Landlords have their say The University of York report features interviews with landlords, who gave an insight into their thoughts about the buy-to-let market. And it said that some landlords were increasingly targeting the housing benefit claimants with the greatest additional needs, where rent is paid directly to the landlord. Rugg added: 'It's a real concern that many good, professional landlords are no longer letting to housing benefit claimants because of the way that Universal Credit is administered'.
Source:The Nation
June 29, 2021 06:22 UTC
HRW concerned over threat to rule of law in SL
Human Rights Watch (HRW) has expressed concerns over what it termed as an alleged assault on Sri Lanka’s rule of law by the executive president. HRW also stated that the Government’s recent decision to pardon of 16 prisoners convicted under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), however welcome, does not address the urgent need to repeal what the HRW refers to as a draconian law. The law has long enabled arbitrary detention and confessions obtained through torture, and been used primarily against members of Tamil and Muslim minorities. Referring to the recent amendments made to the PTA, HRW alleged that such amendments have made the act even more “abusive”. United Nations experts and human rights groups including Human Rights Watch have extensively documented grave abuses under the PTA,” HRW concluded.
Source:The Nation
June 29, 2021 06:00 UTC
Cabinet approval to facilitate local companies to raise foreign funds
Prime Minister as the Minister of Finance to issue an order under Section 7 (1) of the Foreign Exchange Act No. 2 of 2021 to make the necessary provisions for the implementation of the proposal to facilitate local companies to raise foreign funds and to submit that order to the Parliament for approval. The Colombo Stock Exchange has submitted a proposal to list out the foreign currency denominated shares issued by the Sri Lankan registered companies on the Colombo Stock Exchange with the aim of increasing the ability of local companies to raise foreign funds in Sri Lanka. Foreign Exchange Orders No. 2 of 2021 does not permit funds to be debited to the Business Foreign Currency Account by the issuance of debentures or initial shares issued in foreign currency or the payment of dividends or the payments received by distributing of foreign currency.
Source:The Nation
June 29, 2021 05:48 UTC
Discussions on relief for Tourism sector affected by COVID-19
COLOMBO (News 1st): A special discussion will be held on Tuesday (Jun. 29) to provide relief to those engaged in the tourism sector who have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Officials of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, the Secretary to the Ministry of Tourism, and representatives of 53 trade unions involved in the tourism sector will join the discussion, Dhammika Wijesinghe, the Director-General of Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority told News 1st. “Discussions will be held regarding the provision of financial and leasing benefits to more than 300,000 people engaged in the tourism sector who have been severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic,” Wijesinghe further noted.
Source:The Nation
June 29, 2021 05:03 UTC
Ambulance Drivers in WP on Trade Union Action today (29)
COLOMBO (News 1st): The Ambulance drivers in the Western Province have launched a trade union action by refraining from overtime services, citing several demands. The trade union action was launched demanding authorities to implement the circular issued by the Health Ministry, pertaining to overtime services at the local council level as well, Pradeep Nishantha Silva, the President of the Western Provincial Transport and Ambulance Association told News 1st.
Source:The Nation
June 29, 2021 05:03 UTC
02 arrested over abduction & torture case in Balagolla
COLOMBO (News 1st): Sri Lanka Police arrested two more suspects in connection with the abduction and torture of two people in the Balagolla area in Kandy. Moreover, more than 09 grams of Heroin was also found in the suspects’ possession. According to the investigations, the 02 victims posted a defamatory post via Social Media against a 30-year-old individual operating a temple in Ampitiya. The victims claim that they were nailed to logs and tortured by the main suspect, after being taken to Ampitiya in a vehicle, Police noted. The owner of the van used in the abduction was also arrested on Sunday (Jun.
Source:The Nation
June 29, 2021 04:07 UTC
One arrested with Heroin worth over Rs. 10.1 million
COLOMBO (News 1st): Sri Lanka Police arrested a 27-year-old suspect in Mattakkuliya along with a stock of Heroin worth over Rs. According to Police, 1 kg and 71 grams of Heroin was discovered from the suspect’s possession. Moreover, a car belonging to the suspect was seized, while a sum of money worth Rs. Moreover, a 25-year-old suspect was arrested by Mount Lavinia Police along with 50 grams of Heroin during a raid conducted in the Ratmalana area. Another Heroin trafficker was arrested in the Thotalanga area and 18 grams of the narcotic substance was seized from his possession.
Source:The Nation
June 29, 2021 04:07 UTC
Tuk Tuks to face new regulations from NTC
COLOMBO (News 1st): A decision has been reached to regulate three-wheelers island-wide, the National Transport Commission (NTC) said. This decision was reached to ensure that a better service is provided to the commuters, Commander (Retd.) Nilan Mirinda, the Director-General of the National Transport Commission (NTC) told News 1st on Tuesday (Jun. Special attention will also be paid to the problems that arise when charging for the three-wheeler rides. In addition, a number of measures, including the provision of uniforms to three-wheeler drivers are set to be implemented under this new initiative.
Source:The Nation
June 29, 2021 04:07 UTC
Convicted slavers face their last days of freedom
A couple found guilty of holding a woman captive as a slave for eight years will finally be jailed months after being convicted of the callous crime. The court heard the Kannans had been so confident they would walk free, they had not discussed how their children might be cared for should they be immediately taken into custody. The Supreme Court of Victoria heard the couple had been heard by police discussing the allegations over phone taps. The court heard their victim had no teeth when found by police in 2015. The court heard the couple had decided to keep the woman captive after she overstayed her holiday visa.
Source:The Nation
June 29, 2021 03:56 UTC
Several more areas isolated from today
Army Commander General Shavendra Silva says that several areas have been isolated with effect from 6.00 am today (29). Accordingly, all areas except the Sanhindasevana housing scheme in the Sinhapura Grama Niladhari Division in the Kolonnawa Police Division in the Colombo District have been isolated. In addition, the Galborella 100 estate Grama Niladhari Division in the Kelaniya Police Division in the Gampaha District was also isolated, the Army Commander said. Nuwara Eliya DistrictIn the Kotmale police area,The blackestHapugastalawaWeerapuraLower Goraka OyaGampaha DistrictIn the Biyagama police area,Yatihena Grama Niladhari Divisions have been cleared of isolation except for the following areas. * Polhena Road* Lakeview Road* Until the BOI Road turns into Wewa RoadIn the Meegahawatta police area,Isolation of all parts of the Siyambalapewatta Grama Niladhari Division except the following areas has been removed.
Source:The Nation
June 29, 2021 03:33 UTC
Sinopharm 01st dose for those over 60-years in WP
COLOMBO (News 1st): The first dose of the Sinopharm vaccine will be administered to those aged over 60-years, who are residing in the Western province, starting on Tuesday (Jun. 29), the Ministry of Health said. According to Dr. Arnold, the general public can obtain further information on the Vaccination Centres by contacting the respective office of the Medical Officer of Health (MOH) in the area. “The people are urged to use this opportunity and receive the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine,” Dr. S.M. Arnold further noted.
Source:The Nation
June 29, 2021 02:03 UTC
Passengers with travel history to multiple Middle-Eastern countries not allowed to enter Sri Lanka
COLOMBO (News 1st); In accordance with instructions received from the National Operations Centre for Prevention of COVID- 19 Outbreak (NOCPCO) Task Force, due to the Covid-19 pandemic situation all online and offline airlines are directed that passengers with a travel history in the past 14 days to:– Qatar– United Arab Emirates– Saudi Arabia– Oman– Bahrain– KuwaitWill not be permitted to disembark in Sri Lanka with effect from 0001hrs on 1st July 2021. (Local Time in Sri Lanka). This restriction will be in force until 2359hrs on 13th July 2021 (Local Time in Sri Lanka)However, the Civil Aviation Authority and SriLankan Airlines confirmed that passengers transiting via the above mentioned Countries are allowed to disembark in Sri Lanka.
Source:The Nation
June 29, 2021 02:03 UTC
Matt Hancock's lover Gina Coladangelo's Pinterest page revealed
Relationship-related posts by Mrs Coladangelo on her Pinterest account could allude to her love lifeBy William Cole For MailonlinePublished: 20:34 EDT, 28 June 2021 | Updated: 20:39 EDT, 28 June 2021Matt Hancock's lover left a string of relationship-related posts on her social media page that could allude to her love life. Gina Coladangelo was caught in a passionate embrace with the disgraced former Health Secretary in his ninth-floor Whitehall office. While the revelation shocked readers, rumours emerged that they may have been having a secret affair for more than a year. One other note Mrs Coladangelo saved to her mood board reads: 'People will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.' She also shared a quote purported to be said by Vincent Van Gogh: 'I would rather die of passion than boredom'.
Source:The Nation
June 29, 2021 00:56 UTC
Sufferer of long-Covid describes one of its most debilitating symptoms
Most people know that losing your sense of smell and taste — or anosmia, as it is known — is a common side-effect of Covid. Unfortunately, it usually means that once-appetising food and drink suddenly smell and taste repulsive. It was only after researching my symptoms that I discovered there was a name for what I was experiencing. Hot sauce and chilli flakes can help mask what I call the ‘Covid smell’. Professor Philpott is due to start a trial for potential treatments, while AbScent is currently working with the University of Reading to understand why some foods — coffee, onion and garlic — are more triggering than others.
Source:The Nation
June 28, 2021 23:37 UTC
New Health Secretary Sajid Javid fights for our freedom
Mr Javid said: 'It's going to be irreversible – there's no going back.' Mr Javid said it was his ' task' to 'help return the economic and cultural life that makes this country so great'. Former Chancellor Mr Javid has spoken out during the past year about the need to rebalance the Government's approach and give more consideration to the damage caused by lockdown. Professor Devi Sridhar, chairman of global public health at the University of Edinburgh, said Mr Javid should 'focus on health and protecting the NHS'. Labour health spokesman Jonathan Ashworth also warned Mr Javid about 'hubris'.
Source:The Nation
June 28, 2021 22:07 UTC