SLTDA dismisses claims about tourists visiting Yala National Park
In response to certain social media posts being widely circulated where reference is drawn to tourists visiting the Yala National Park, Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) has dismissed them as false claims. “In the event the Line Agency approves only, can Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority grant approval to visit a site. In this regard we have not received any such request to seek approval to visit Yala National Park,” the SLTDA stressed. However, it was mentioned that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Embassy of France in Sri Lanka have agreed on a diplomatic level to facilitate crew members of two French vessels visiting Sri Lanka. They have requested to visit the National Parks of Yala, Minneriya-Kawudulla, Udawalawa and the Eco Park in Habarana.
Source:The Nation
June 06, 2021 10:07 UTC
Giant dinosaur skeleton is unearthed in China: 26ft Jurassic monster that's nearly 70% intact
By Lauren Lewis For MailonlinePublished: 05:36 EDT, 6 June 2021 | Updated: 05:36 EDT, 6 June 2021Chinese palaeontologists have discovered an extraordinarily complete jurassic dinosaur skeleton. The fossil, found in Lufeng, south west China, is about 70 per cent intact and belongs to a dinosaur believed to have been nearly eight metres in length. It was discovered on a dig in late May in soil dating around 180 million years, to the Jurassic period. This species made international headlines in 2017, when collagen protein was discovered preserved in the rib of a Lufengosaurus fossil. Earlier in 2021, the skeleton belonging to a young dinosaur from the same period was discovered in Lufeng.
Source:The Nation
June 06, 2021 10:07 UTC
Salvation Army donates Ventilator to support Covid-19 treatment
The Territorial Salvation Army Headquarters at Colombo 2 using their own allocated funds for COVID-19 treatment and prevention work in Sri Lanka donated a BiPap Ventilator, worth about Rs 1.3 million for use of patients with chronic respiratory complications to General Shavendra Silva, Head, NOCPCO, Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army at the Army Headquarters. This was confirmed through a statement released by Sri Lanka Army. Colonel Nihal Hettiarachchi, Territorial Commander of Sri Lanka Salvation Army after meeting General Shavendra Silva on Friday (04) with several officials of the organization made this valuable donation which is to be sent to Ratnapura Base Hospital for the use of COVID-19 patients. The Territorial Salvation Army HQ, the charity organization of the Evangelical faith has allocated this sum of Rs 1.3 m through its international fund, Salvation Army World Service Office (SAWSO) for the express purpose of relieving the sufferings of COVID-19 patients in Sri Lanka. Brigadier Chrisantha Fernando, Director General Health Services, Coordinating Secretary at Salvation Army, Lieutenant Colonel Ranjith Senaratne, Public Relations Secretary, Lieutenant Colonel Alister Philip and Polonnaruwa District Project Manager, Mr Dinuka Rajapaksa were associated with the occasion at the Army Headquarters.
Source:The Nation
June 06, 2021 09:56 UTC
Floyd Mayweather claims he can make $100MILLION from tonight's showdown with Logan Paul
By Max Mathews For MailonlinePublished: 04:52 EDT, 6 June 2021 | Updated: 04:52 EDT, 6 June 2021Floyd Mayweather has claimed he could make $100million from his exhibition bout against YouTuber Logan Paul, and has admitted Paul's brother Jake would 'probably' be next. Floyd Mayweather (left) claimed he's pocketed $30million before his fight v Logan Paul (right)The iconic boxer is set to face YouTuber Paul in an exhibition bout in Miami on Sunday eveningHe said: 'For the build up so far (for the Logan fight) I've made upwards of $30 million,' before admitting he expected to earn 'Between 50 and a 100 million' for his bout with Paul. 'Money', 44, also revealed Paul's brother Jake will 'probably' be next up after fighting LoganJake is set to fight former UFC champion Tyron Woodley (shown left) on Saturday August 28'After Logan, probably Jake. Logan's sibling Jake faces former UFC champion Tyron Woodley on August 28, in the next stage of the brothers' apparent career change from YouTubers to boxers. Jake and Mayweather were involved in a brawl during the build-up to the Mayweather v Logan Paul fight, when Jake stole the 44-year-old's hat before a scuffle erupted.
Source:The Nation
June 06, 2021 09:00 UTC
Navy rescues 29 flood victims in Puttalam district
The Navy has deployed 16 relief teams, including personnel from the Rapid Response Rescue and Relief Unit (4RU), covering the Western, Southern, Sabaragamuwa and North Western Provinces which are at risk of floods, following torrential rains in several parts of the island. Meanwhile, Navy relief teams rescued 29 people, including women and children, who were in a desperate situation tapped by a flash flood. Accordingly, these 29 persons including children and women belonging to 10 families, who were in danger amidst flood brought in by heavy rains in the Kiriyankalli, Pulichchikulam and Battuluoya areas in the Puttalam District, were rescued by the Navy and directed them to safer locations. Moreover, the Navy has also deployed flood relief teams in Gampaha, Ja-Ela, Ragama, Bulathsinhala, Paragoda in the Gampaha and Kalutara Districts of the Western Province as well as Thawalama, Hiniduma, Nagoda, Eppala, Ethimale and Athuraliya in the Galle and Matara Districts of the Southern Province, Kiriyankalli, Pulichchikulam and Baththuluoya in the Puttalam District of the Northwestern Province and in Elapatha and Kalawana in the Rathnapura District of the Sabaragamuwa Province as of now. Further, Navy has kept additional relief teams standby to engage in flood relief operations at short notice.
Source:The Nation
June 06, 2021 08:04 UTC
First compensation claim made over X-Press Pearl fire
The Marine Environmental Protection Authority (MEPA) says it has already sought compensation from the company that owns the ‘X-Press Pearl’ cargo ship for the economic damages caused by its fire. Chairperson of MEPA Attorney-at-Law Dharshani Lahadapura stated that the compensation was sought through the Attorney General. In addition to this, compensation for the environmental damage caused by the fire is also expected to be sought from the company, Lahadapura said. She said, “The first claim for compensation has already been made. Meanwhile, an expert committee is working on the environmental damages.
Source:The Nation
June 06, 2021 07:18 UTC
You can now get bin chicken slippers for your friends
The $59 slippers featuring the iconic black and white 'bin chickens' have been designed and released by Grey Lines, an online-only company which re-launched last week. Despite no-one asking for slippers in the shape of an ibis they appear to be very popular, with stock selling quickly. The company claims the slippers are 'the best thing since sliced garlic bread' in their very quirky product write-up. 'Finally, you can strut around parks and ruin picnics in true bin chicken style with these cuddly yet terrifying slippers,' the Grey Lines team wrote. Their bin chicken socks sold out just hours after their re-launch, as did their cob loaf printed socks and quirky beach towels.
Source:The Nation
June 06, 2021 06:56 UTC
14 dead, over 245,000 affected by prevailing weather
Fourteen deaths which have been caused by the prevailing weather situation have been reported so far, the Disaster Management Center (DMC) stated. the DMC also stated that two people are still reported to be missing and another two persons are injured. A total 245,212 have been affected in some form due to the ongoing adverse weather prevailing over Sri Lanka. The National Building Research Organization (NBRO) has issued landslide warnings to several areas, and those issued yesterday (05) will be in effect until 05.30 pm today (06). Accordingly, Level 1 (Yellow), Level 2 (Amber), and Level 3 (Red) alerts have been issued to the following areas.
Source:The Nation
June 06, 2021 06:45 UTC
CID to analyse data stored on X-Press Pearl’s VDR
Sri Lanka Navy and the Merchant Shipping Secretariat are due to hand over the Voyage Data Recorder (VDR) of the X-Press Pearl vessel to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). The CID will use the records stored on the VDR to continue with their ongoing investigation into the incident, the Police said. Marine experts from the Merchant Shipping Secretariat with the assistance of the Sri Lanka Navy recovered the VDR of MV X-Press Pearl yesterday (05). The Sri Lanka Ports Authority also stated that the VDR is an instrument safely installed on a ship to continuously record vital information related to the operation of a vessel, adding that VDR data can be used as vital information during an accident investigation. Meanwhile a media release from X-Press Feeders, operators of the X-Press Pearl stated yesterday (05) that ashore representatives of the International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation (ITOPF) and Oil Spill Response are monitoring updates from the scene and remain on standby to be deployed in case of any reported spill.
Source:The Nation
June 06, 2021 06:45 UTC
Adverse weather claims 14 lives, over 245,000 affected
June 6, 2021 10:20 amSri Lanka has reported a total of fourteen deaths caused by inclement weather so far, the Disaster Management Center (DMC) stated. Further, two persons have gone missing while another two are injured, the DMC said. A total of 245,212 have been afflicted due to the adverse weather prevailing over the island.
Source:The Nation
June 06, 2021 04:41 UTC
Covid detected in 10 sewage systems across Melbourne, sparking concern
By Brittany Chain For Daily Mail AustraliaPublished: 21:54 EDT, 5 June 2021 | Updated: 22:53 EDT, 5 June 2021An urgent alert has been issued after Covid was 'unexpectedly' detected in the sewage systems of 10 suburbs across Melbourne where there are no active cases. Victoria's Department of Health issued the alert on Sunday morning for suburbs across inner west and north Melbourne. Residents in the suburbs have been urged to remain on high alert and seek Covid testing immediately if they develop any symptoms - no matter how minor. But the Department of Health is urging the public not to panic, suggesting the uptick in Covid in the sewage could be linked to older cases. The new cases bring the total number of active cases in the state to 85, with 72 linked to the Melbourne cluster which prompted the snap lockdown.
Source:The Nation
June 06, 2021 03:00 UTC
One million doses of Sinopharm arrive in Sri Lanka
A stock of one million doses of the China-produced COVID-19 vaccine, Sinopharm, has arrived in Sri Lanka. This is the largest stock of vaccines purchased by Sri Lanka so far. The vaccine stock arrived in the country early this morning (June 06).
Source:The Nation
June 06, 2021 02:37 UTC
Australian beauty queen gets her legs ensured for $1million
By J. Peterson For Daily Mail AustraliaPublished: 11:03 EDT, 5 June 2021 | Updated: 21:49 EDT, 5 June 2021An Australian beauty queen may just have the most expensive body in the country. Miss World Australia Sarah Marschke has insured her long legs for a staggering $1million after partnering up with celebrity agent Max Markson. Speaking to the Herald Sun, the 22-year-old boasted: 'I am all legs, a little belly and then shoulders.' Her manager Max sees big things in her future, telling the Herald Sun that she has 'huge opportunities ahead of her'. 'I am proud to be a Christian': Sarah is also a devout Christian and never had a boyfriend as a teenager'For me it is about positivity and kindness.
Source:The Nation
June 06, 2021 02:03 UTC
England's new football WAGs are swapping shopping for swotting
Their preference for swotting over shopping contrasts with the party-loving partners of the England players who stayed in the spa town of Baden-Baden during the World Cup in Germany in 2006. She works as a fitness instructor and friends say she’s a ‘normal girl who is ‘a little bit shy’. Fern Hawkins, 27, fiancee of defender Harry Maguire, has a degree in physiotherapy from Sheffield University. The mother of the Manchester United star’s two daughters, Lillie Saint, two, and one-year-old Piper Rose still uses her qualification, according to friends. Recent recruit Kalvin Phillips’s girlfriend Ashleigh Behan, 26, has a degree in theatre make-up from Leeds University and works as a specialist artist.
Source:The Nation
June 06, 2021 00:33 UTC
Heartbroken Jon Rahm is forced to WITHDRAW from Memorial Tournament after testing positive for Covid
By Kathryn Batte For MailonlinePublished: 19:27 EDT, 5 June 2021 | Updated: 19:53 EDT, 5 June 2021A heartbroken Jon Rahm was forced to withdraw from the Memorial Tournament after being told he had tested positive for Covid-19, moments after he had established a six-shot advantage at the top of the leaderboard. The defending champion had been undergoing daily tests after being told on Monday that he had come into close contact with someone who had tested positive. Each of his previous tests had come back negative but he will now have to isolate until June 15. 'The PGA TOUR's medical adviser requested a confirmatory test on the original sample, which came back at 6.05pm, and was also positive. 'Rahm is now in isolation, and in accordance with CDC guidelines, he will need to remain in isolation through Tuesday, June 15.'
Source:The Nation
June 05, 2021 23:48 UTC