Coronavirus- 1,884 more recoveries reported
June 4, 2021 07:20 pmThe Ministry of Health says that another 1,884 patients who were being treated for COVid-19 have been discharged after completing their recovery. This increases the country’s coronavirus recoveries to 164,281. Sri Lanka has thus far confirmed a total of 198,579 positive cases of Covid-19 while 32,690 patients infected with the virus are currently under medical care. The death toll due to virus currently stands at 1,608.
Source:The Nation
June 04, 2021 13:52 UTC
Issuing vehicle revenue licenses in Western Province further suspended
The Department of Government Information reported that the suspension of issuing vehicle revenue licenses in the Western Province has been further extended. Fines for non-renewal will NOT be charged for the travel restriction period, the department said. Issuing a notice, the Deputy Chief Secretary (Admin) of the Western Province, Mrs. W. M. Dayawathi, says that the issuing of vehicle revenue licenses in the Western Province has been temporarily suspended during the travel restrictions period, imposed to control the spread of Covid-19. She further states that fines will not be imposed for the revenue licenses that expire during this period and also that revenue licenses can be obtained through the online method by visiting the website of the Western Province Motor Traffic Department (www.motortraffic.wp.gov.lk).
Source:The Nation
June 04, 2021 13:30 UTC
ComBank supports healthcare sector with donations to over 16 institutions
More than 16 government hospitals and Medical Officers of Health (MOH) offices around the country have received medical equipment and personal protective gear to date under an initiative implemented by the Commercial Bank of Ceylon in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The beneficiary hospitals include the District Base Hospitals in Tissamaharama, Homagama, and Teldeniya, General Hospitals in Kandy and Kegalle, the Teaching Hospital in Peradeniya, National Hospital of Sri Lanka in Colombo, the Lady Ridgeway Children’s Hospital in Colombo, the MOH offices in Matale and Puttalam, and the Sri Lanka College of Internal Medicine. Commenting on the Bank’s latest initiative relating to the healthcare sector, Commercial Bank Managing Director Mr S. Renganathan said: “We remain steadfast in our commitment to support the country and especially the healthcare sector in these unprecedented times. We consider it a duty to play an active role in helping the people and institutions at the frontlines of the battle against COVID-19. A committed supporter of healthcare sector of the country, the Bank donated critical care equipment to six hospitals in 2019 alone and has to date played a key role in providing infrastructure and critical care equipment to over 50 state-owned children’s and maternity hospitals.
Source:The Nation
June 04, 2021 13:18 UTC
Rotaract & Interact jointly initiates ‘The Thriving Nile’; An international project in uplifting education in rural Uganda
Education is a basic human right, and the most powerful tool known to mankind in strengthening generations, and to provide solutions for global issues and achieve world peace and prosperity among nations. In fulfilling this goal of equal education for all, Rotaract club of Wattala together with Rotaract Club Ejecutivo de Aguascalientes of RID 4110 (Mexico) and the Interact club of St. Bridget’s Convent of RID 3220 recently initiated ‘The Thriving Nile’, a virtual classroom tutor session for children of Nile Local Experience in Uganda, in attempt to uplift the education of children in Uganda, despite the challenges faced. According to World Bank statistics on primary education, since achieving a rate of 98.8% of gross prime school enrollment percentage in 2000, there has been an enormous progress in achieving the target of universal primary education. But these tense situations have not stopped them from being eager to learn, and hopefully put an end to all the issues they are currently facing as educated citizens, in the near future. The project is still ongoing, successfully and hopes to continue for many more years to come.
Source:The Nation
June 04, 2021 13:11 UTC
WindForce declares over 1 billion dividends with a strong performance
FY21 Revenue up 30% Dividend of LKR 1,013 million FY21 PAT up 10% Dividend per Share 0.75 LKRColombo, June 04, 2021 – WindForce Limited, which listed on the CSE this year, displayed a strong performance for the year 2020/21. The company declared an interim dividend of LKR 1,013 million for 21/22, which corresponds to a dividend per share of 0.75 LKR, yielding a return of 4.7% to shareholders. This transformer is expected to be re-installed by end of June 2021 and will restore a significant energy output this year. The delay was a result of approving the implementation of the tariff increase due to the impact of COVID in Pakistan. Further, WindForce acquired a new 10 MW Solar plant in Vavunativu in May from Solar Universe, which is to be commissioned in February 2022.
Source:The Nation
June 04, 2021 11:07 UTC
PM instructs officials to provide relief to flood victims
June 4, 2021 by Mihi Perera No CommentsPrime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa on Friday (04) instructed officials to provide immediate relief to the people affected by inclement weather. The Prime Minister had instructed for relief measures to be carried out via District Secretariats and also instructed the Finance Secretary to allocate the necessary provisions.
Source:The Nation
June 04, 2021 11:06 UTC
Rain and temperatures fall as UK endures milder 64F today
Britain's week of glorious sunshine came to a crushing end today as the south was battered by rain and hit with milder temperatures - ahead of another scorching weekend with 75F (24C) highs. However, the Met Office said parts of the UK will just miss out on an official heatwave despite temperatures remaining high. Although temperatures around the country are expected to stay in the high-70Fs (mid-20Cs) today, most places will not 'tick the box' for a heatwave. And Britain's daily infections also rose above 5,000 yesterday for the first time since the country was still in lockdown in late March, with cases of the Indian variant doubling every nine days. Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick said today there was 'nothing at the moment' to suggest the June 21 unlocking could not go ahead.
Source:The Nation
June 04, 2021 11:03 UTC
Seven arrested over Chandimal and Piumi s party granted bail
The seven persons arrested this morning for attending the birthday party recently organized by Chandimal Jayasinghe at a hotel in Colombo, have been granted bail by the Colombo Magistrate’s Court. Police have informed courts that necessary action would be taken non the accused under quarantine laws. Chandimal Jayasinghe and Piumi Hansamali had been accused of organizing a birthday party at a five-star hotel in the Galle Face area on the night of May 30, in violation of quarantine laws. Fifteen individuals including Chandimal Jayasinghe and Piumi Hansamali had been taken into custody on three separate occasions early this week in connection with the incident, however, they were later granted bail by the court. They were subsequently sent to the Passara quarantine centre for a period of 14 days.
Source:The Nation
June 04, 2021 10:04 UTC
BUSINESS LIVE: AstraZeneca gains Alexion finance boss
By This Is MoneyPublished: 03:15 EDT, 4 June 2021 | Updated: 04:51 EDT, 4 June 2021Drug giant AstraZeneca has poached the finance boss from its new subsidiary Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Aradhana Sarin, to replace Marc Dunoyer as it waits on the £28billion deal to go through. The world's biggest music label, Universal Music Group, is nearing a deal with billionaire investor William Ackman's blank-check firm that would take public at a value of nearly $40billion, two people familiar with the matter have said. British employers took on permanent staff last month at the fastest rate since records started being kept, a survey from KPMG has showed, in another sign that the economy is rebounding swiftly from the Covid-19 pandemic.
Source:The Nation
June 04, 2021 09:00 UTC
Jet2 cancels ALL international flights and holidays until July 1
Jet2 has cancelled all international flights and holidays up to July 1 and Easyjet will 'review' its flights in the wake of traffic light chaos as Portugal is pulled from the green list. The UK's second largest tour operator originally suspended its services up to June 24 when the green list was announced. Jet2 said in a statement: 'Following today's update, we have taken the decision to restart flights and holidays on July 1 2021. Jet2 has cancelled all international flights and holidays up to July 1 and Easyjet will 'review' its flights after Portugal was pulled from the green list. Jet2 cancels ALL international flights and holidays until July 1 and EasyJet 'reviews' flights to Portugal after it was put on amber list amid chaos over foreign travel rules Jet2 has cancelled all international flights and holidays up to July 1 and Easyjet will 'review' its flights in the wake of traffic light chaos as Portugal is pulled from the green list.
Source:The Nation
June 04, 2021 09:00 UTC
'Polar Pod' floating laboratory to drift around Antarctica
Construction of the Polar Pod, which will be funded by the French government, has not yet begun, but Etienne hopes it will set sail in late 2023 or 2024. 'Like a satellite around Antarctica, Polar Pod will allow the acquisition of data and long-term observations that will be transmitted to researchers, oceanographers, climatologists [and] biologists,' Etienne says on his website. Despite its top-heavy appearance, Polar Pod is actually 'much more stable and comfortable than a traditional ship', he claims. 'The stability of the Polar Pod will allow the scientists to get this information.' However, four sailors on-board will be tasked with navigating and deploying sails to avoid icebergsConcept image shows Polar Pod during its flip manoeuvre.
Source:The Nation
June 04, 2021 08:48 UTC
First reports of Presidential Secretariat website being hacked untrue: Expert
June 4, 2021 by Mihi Perera No CommentsThe first reports that several other websites including the website of the Presidential Secretariat have been subjected to a massive cyber attack are untrue, cyber security expert Asela Waidyalankara stated today. He points out that there has been no change in the information contained in the relevant websites. He further points out that there was only a technical error in the websites.
Source:The Nation
June 04, 2021 08:01 UTC
Australian envoy donates PPE to SL Army
During the cordial meeting that ensued, the High Commissioner spoke high of committed engagement of troops and appreciated the timely contribution of all stakeholders for control of COVID -19 pandemic in the country. General Shavendra Silva also gratefully acknowledged the prevailing sound bilateral cooperation as well as the military to military co-operative understanding of both military organizations. Towards the end of the interaction, General Shavendra Silva awarded an appreciative memento to the Australian High Commissioner and lent him good luck with his future endeavours. The delegation to the Army HQ included the Defence Attaché and an official at the High Commission of Australia. Military Secretary, Major General Ajith Kolambathanthri received the delegation on arrival and ushered them to the Commander’s office at the Army Headquarters.
Source:The Nation
June 04, 2021 08:01 UTC
SL to be placed on UK Travel Red List
June 4, 2021 by Aazam Ameen No CommentsFrom 08 June, Sri Lanka will be placed on the United Kingdom’s (UK) travel red list, the UK Department for Transport stated yesterday (03). According to the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Sri Lanka is currently on the amber list and will move to the red list at 4.00am on 08 June. The UK Department of transport stated that UK residents must not travel to red list countries or territories, adding that only essential travel to red list countries is allowed. Further, any UK resident returning from a red list country must spend 10 days in a government-approved quarantine hotel.
Source:The Nation
June 04, 2021 07:52 UTC
Nightmare for UK tourists as flights home soar to £700
'I feel really let down because the whole thing about this green list was to give people certainty. If the travel list stays as it is now for June, July and August, then it will only be worth a £200million. 'Low-risk destinations continue to be left off the green list despite clear evidence they are safe to visit. In light of the green list decision, many of those will now have to be withdrawn. The UK has placed Nepal and India on its 'red' list, and the US is on its 'amber' list.
Source:The Nation
June 04, 2021 07:52 UTC