Group extorts money by falsely accusing people of links to Easter attacks
Sri Lanka Police has received reports of an organized group extorting money from various individuals claiming that they have been accused of connections to the Easter attacks. Police Media Spokesperson DIG Ajith Rohana stated that vigilance should be exercised against such acts. Reportedly, the perpetrators, posing as police officers, had made telephone calls to various individuals posing accusing them of being involved in the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks. They had then demanded ransom money to prevent a charge from being filed against them. DIG Ajith Rohana said that the police have also identified the details of persons who actually paid the ransom money as well.
Source:The Nation
June 08, 2021 15:02 UTC
One million Sinopharm doses to arrive tomorrow
June 8, 2021 by Mihi Perera No CommentsA consignment of one million doses of Sinopharm commercially purchased by Sri Lanka is expected to arrive tomorrow (09). The country previously received 1 million doses of Sinopharm in the form of a donation from China and with this consignment, it would cover two million of the 13 million doses of Sinopharm the country has ordered. “We have been able to expand the vaccination program to 12 more districts in a week,” State Minister of Pharmaceutical Production, Supply and Regulation Prof. Channa Jayasumana said.
Source:The Nation
June 08, 2021 14:48 UTC
Uber announces additional COVID relief for drivers and couriers
Drivers and couriers diagnosed with COVID will be unable to access the platform while they’re receiving partial earnings support as a safety measure to help limit the spread of the virus. We are pleased to be able to offer partners who contract the virus partial earnings support while they recuperate at home. Additionally, Uber has invested LKR 17.4 million in safety supplies and protective equipment for drivers and couriers, including masks, sanitisers and disinfectants. We are pleased to be able to offer partners who contract the virus partial earnings support while they recuperate at home. Additionally, Uber has invested LKR 17.4 million in safety supplies and protective equipment for drivers and couriers, including masks, sanitisers and disinfectants.
Source:The Nation
June 08, 2021 13:52 UTC
Sri Lanka reports 2,123 new cases of COVID-19
June 8, 2021 06:45 pmThe Ministry of Health reports that another 2,123 persons have tested positive for coronavirus today (June 08). All new cases are associated with the New Year Covid-19 cluster. This brings the total number of COVID-19 cases confirmed in the country thus far to 210,102. Presently 30,054 infected patients are being treated at hospitals and treatment centers across the island. Meanwhile, the number of total recoveries has reached 178,259.
Source:The Nation
June 08, 2021 13:52 UTC
SLASSCOM Signs MOU with The Council For Business With Britian
SLASSCOM has been a trailblazer for the IT/BPM sector in Sri Lanka by continuously supporting the growth of the industry to reach global heights with proactive strategies. To drive the messaging and to access to a wider network, SLASSCOM is on a drive to partner with organizations and associations with similar appetite to promote Sri Lanka. The MOU was signed by Mr. Channa Manoharan, Chairman of SLASSCOM and Ms. Roshanie Jayasundera Moraes, the President of CBB. Mr. Mark Prothero, Immediate Past President of CBB and Mr. Arjuna Nanayakkara, Committee Member CBB and Head of Shared Services Centre, LSEG. Mr.Shiraz Lye Board Director of SLASSCOM, gave an overview of the Global Referral programme and outlined its concept and vison, explaining how the program has empowered and enabled many start-ups with opportunities for global business expansion.
Source:The Nation
June 08, 2021 12:08 UTC
LPL season-2 to commence on 30 July – SLC
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) confirmed that it will conduct the second edition of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) from 30 July as was announced earlier. Here is the full statement of SLC on the start of the annual franchise league:Sri Lanka Cricket wishes to reiterate that the 2nd edition of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) will be held during July and August 2021, as earlier announced. The inaugural edition of the LPL, Sri Lanka’s topmost domestic T20 league, with an international flavor, was conducted last year at the MRICS, Hambantota, with the participation of 05 teams. The inaugural edition received wide-scale attention, and millions of fans from across the world viewed the tournament via Television and, Digital platforms, with 135 million viewers watching the finals. The 2020 edition was held under a successful Bio-Bubble environmentHealth protocols for the 2nd edition of the LPL will be, planned based on the directions of the Ministry of Health.
Source:The Nation
June 08, 2021 12:00 UTC
SL will continue to build necessary infrastructure amidst restrictions: Shavendra
We have emphasised on safe tourism, giving the guarantee to long-and short-term tourists that Sri Lanka is a safe destination. Sri Lanka has proven its competencies in providing a bio secure environment from the port of landing back to the departure. In this aspect, we have readjusted infrastructure, transport, food and beverage and health facilities to provide cutting edge and quality service, ” General Shavendra Silva pointed out. “Sri Lanka being a centrally situated country in the Indian Ocean understands the value of sea transportation, back-loading operations and re-exports. In this regard, he stated that Sri Lanka has given special consideration to agricultural products such as tea and spices.
Source:The Nation
June 08, 2021 11:02 UTC
Fans slam cricket site Wisden for 'trawling through players' socials
'The Bible of Cricket': How Wisden earned its prestigious name First launched by John Wisden in 1864, the Wisden Cricketers' Almanack is, even in today's digital age, still synonymous with cricket. Along with the almanac, Wisden has its associated website, Wisden.com and the reborn Wisden Cricket Monthly. Mr Dowden had earlier joined a handful of Tory ministers and MPs who rallied against the ECB's decision. Yesterday Mr Johnson waded into the debate by backing Mr Dowden, with his official spokesperson saying: 'Yes. Yesterday Mr Johnson waded into the debate by backing Mr Dowden, with his official spokesperson saying: 'Yes.
Source:The Nation
June 08, 2021 11:02 UTC
Suspect arrested for spreading false statement about cyber attack
The CID has arrested a man in connection with issuing a false statement about a cyber attack. The Police Media Spokesman stated that the false statement had been issued stating that a massive cyber attack had been carried out on several websites of government institutions including the Presidential Secretariat and the Ministry of External Affairs. Accordingly, the suspect has been arrested last evening (07) and he had issued the statement as the chairman of an organization called the Sri Lanka Association of Information Technology, the police spokesman added. The statement further stated that the cyber attack was carried out on the websites of the relevant institutions due to non-compliance with the statements issued by him. Meanwhile, the Police Headquarters has issued a statement urging the public to refrain from using social media networks to spread false information in an organized or private manner or to support or support the dissemination of such information.
Source:The Nation
June 08, 2021 09:56 UTC
NOCPCO releases details of COVID clusters
June 8, 2021 by Mihi Perera No CommentsThe National Operation Centre for Prevention of COVID 19 Outbreak (NOCPCO) on Tuesday (08) released details of COVID-19 clusters in Sri Lanka. Accordingly, the Minuwangoda Cluster reported 3,059 cases, the Colombo Fish Market Cluster reported 87,578 cases and the total patient count of those two clusters is 90,637. 4,767 imported cases were also reported so far, while the Post New Year cluster reported 110,612 cases. Further, the current active cases stands at 30,145 while 1,789 deaths have been reported so far.
Source:The Nation
June 08, 2021 09:22 UTC
Endangered Dead Sea-Turtles keep washing ashore in Sri Lanka.
COLOMBO (News 1st); On Tuesday (08) afternoon, another sea turtle washed up on Sri Lanka’s West Coast, this time close to Colombo City. “So far, something like 18 of these endangered creatures have washed ashore. The sinking of a fire-damaged container ship, the X-PRESS PEARL loaded with chemicals off Sri Lanka’s coast has triggered the “worst marine ecological disaster” the country has ever seen. The contamination caused by the X-Press Pearl also has a direct impact on Sri Lanka’s marine life, given that 05 of the 07 sea turtles special in the world belong to Sri Lankan waters. As these concerns mount, Kanchana Wijeseke, a Sri Lankan State Minister has pledged to call for investigations, especially about the dead sea turtles and other marine life washing up on the shores of the island.
Source:The Nation
June 08, 2021 09:11 UTC
Administration of Sinopharm second dose begins
The administration of the second dose of the China-manufactured COVID-19 vaccine Sinopharm commenced this morning (June 08) as per scheduled. The first dose of the Sinopharm vaccine was administered to 19,567 persons yesterday while the total number of individuals who had received the first dose so far is 989,574. He said, “Those who received their first dose on May 09 can receive their second dose tomorrow [June 09], and those who received it [first dose of vaccine] on May 10, can receive it day after tomorrow, , at the same place where you took the first dose. A total of 353,789 persons have received the second dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine. Meanwhile, the health sector has decided to administer the Sinopharm vaccine to pregnant women.
Source:The Nation
June 08, 2021 09:07 UTC
Sri Lanka to set-up organic fertilizer production plants
COLOMBO (News 1st); The Sri Lankan Cabinet of Minister had given the green light to establish at least one organic fertilizer manufacturing center per each Divisional Secretariat covering 29 Divisional Secretariats in Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa. According to the Government Information Department, since the Government has already taken measures to ban the usage of chemical fertilizer for Agriculture, it is essential to prepare an appropriate programme for ensuring a sufficient supply of organic fertilizer by increasing the production of the same by the start of Maha season in the month of September. Therefore, a project has been planned/designed to implement an organic fertilizer production project by furnishing the essential fundamental capital from the Land Reformation Commission Fund, the so manufactured organic fertilizer to be purchased by the Ministry of Agriculture and distribute among the farmers.
Source:The Nation
June 08, 2021 09:07 UTC
Apple AR headset to launch in Q2 2022, says Kuo
Right after yesterday’s Apple event comes more speculation surrounding the long-rumored Apple AR headset. Noted Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has come out with a new note to investors which specifies a launch date in the second quarter of 2022. The Apple AR headset is expected to use Sony microLED displays with both see-through mode for AR content and an opaque mode for VR content. Apple AR headset sketch (Image: The Information)The design will be lightweight coming in at 200-300 grams thanks to a feather-like cloth exterior. You'll still have to plug into a computer/laptop to power on the AR headset while a more portable version will arrive in 2025.
Source:The Nation
June 08, 2021 09:02 UTC
Second dose of Sinopharm administered from today
The administration of the second dose of the Sinopharm vaccine began today (08). “Those who received their first dose on May 9 can obtain the second dose on June 9. Those who took their first dose on May 10, can obtain the second dose day-after tomorrow. The second dose will be administered at the same place in which the first dose was obtained. The second dose of the AstraZeneca Covishield vaccine was given to 487 people yesterday and the total number of people who have received the second dose of the vaccine so far is 353,789.
Source:The Nation
June 08, 2021 09:00 UTC