MV X-Press Pearl inferno: Devastating blow to marine life
Authorities are bracing for a major oil spill off the coast of Colombo, as the X-Press Pearl vessel is slowly being swallowed by the ocean, and the environmental devastation it has brought along may be irreversible. Carrying 325 tonnes of fuel in its tanks, the X-Press Pearl caught fire 9.5 nautical miles away from the port of Colombo, where it had initially been anchored. Several containers had fallen overboard, dispersing tonnes of plastic pellets and other hazardous material into the ocean. The tiny plastic pellets have polluted beaches and threatened the ecological balance of the surrounding marine environment. “These plastic pellets are a little larger than your average rice grain.
Source:The Nation
June 05, 2021 18:33 UTC
West Container Terminal: Final agreement awaits AG’s nod
As learnt by The Sunday Morning, a consortium company has also been incorporated, called West Container International Terminal (Pvt.) But, under the WCT agreement, SLPA would hold only 15% of shares. One of them is the Jaya Container Terminal (JICT), which belongs to the SLPA. ECT development progressingThe East Container Terminal (ECT), which was initially to be handed over to India, is now being developed by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) to accommodate large ships. Commenting on the ECT development, Ministry of Ports and Shipping Secretary U.D.C.
Source:The Nation
June 05, 2021 18:33 UTC
Second doses of Covishield: Government lab techs allege SPC delays
He claimed that if the SPC had started the process early, Sri Lanka would have already secured the required vaccine doses. However, at the time the SPC obtained the sole authority to bring down Covishield, there was a local agent for the Serum Institute. Explaining the legal procedure, Attorney-at-Law Ranil Angunawela said the SPC is tasked with the import or manufacture and distribution of pharmaceutical products in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka started its Covid-19 vaccination programme in late January, after receiving 500,000 doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca Covishield vaccine from India as a donation. Subsequently, Sri Lanka placed orders with the Serum Institute of India for more doses of the Covishield vaccine.
Source:The Nation
June 05, 2021 18:33 UTC
Sri Lanka cricket players refuse to sign annual central contract
The Sri Lanka national cricket team players have refused to sign the annual central contract, alleging a lack of transparency from the cricket board. “The tour contract also refers to matters of the annual main contract for 2021, which is yet unsigned. The statement came as Sri Lanka Cricket extended the June 3 deadline until Sunday. Sri Lanka Cricket officials said the base fees in the new contracts were in addition to payments for each match as well as allowances for travel outside Colombo. Sri Lanka is ranked eighth out of the 10 Test nations, ninth in one-day internationals, and eighth in the Twenty20 rankings.
Source:The Nation
June 05, 2021 18:22 UTC
COVID- 40 new victims take death toll to 1,696
The Director-General of Health Services confirmed that Sri Lanka has reported 40 more deaths related to the COVID-19 pandemic on Monday (June 05). As per the Department of Government Information, the reported deaths had occurred between May 21 and June 05. They are identified as residents of Hasalaka, Mawanella, Eravur 02, Kurunegala, Galle, Haliela, Batapola, Dikoya, Dangedara, Imaduwa, Atakalampanna, Kelaniya, Yakkala, Kinniya, Colombo 10, Maggona, Hikkaduwa, Menikhinna, Balangoda, Batticaloa, Polgampola, Dodangoda, Nuwara Eliya, Maskeliya, Bogawanthalawa, Kandy, Galagedara, Colombo 09, Mathugama, Beruwala, Kalutara and Nugegoda. Accordingly, the total number of deaths due to Covid-19 infection in Sri Lanka has risen to 1,696.
Source:The Nation
June 05, 2021 18:11 UTC
Knowing the Difference Between a Couch and a Sofa Can Make Furniture Shopping Easier
Photo: Followtheflow (Shutterstock) Photo: Followtheflow (Shutterstock)That big piece of upholstered furniture in your living room, where multiple people can sit at a time, and is probably positioned based on the TV: Is it a couch or a sofa? This may sound like one of those regional language questions (like “soda” vs. “pop” vs. “Coke”), but in this case, a couch and a sofa are actually two different pieces of furniture. The difference between a couch and a sofaThough we may use the terms interchangeably now, couches and sofas didn’t start out as the same type of furniture. Here’s Meghan Overdeep from Southern Living with a quick history lesson:Historically speaking, couch and sofa are two different things. Another tip: If you’re looking to buy a loveseat (a small sofa that accommodates two people) or a sectional, they may be listed under the “sofa” category on furniture websites.
Source:The Nation
June 05, 2021 16:00 UTC
Ten lives lost due to adverse weather conditions
June 5, 2021 09:20 pmTen persons have been reported as dead due to the inclement weather prevailing over the island, the Disaster Management Center (DMC) stated. In addition, one individual has been reported missing while another 02 are injured. A total of 219,027 persons have been afflicted by the prevailing weather conditions, the DMC reported.
Source:The Nation
June 05, 2021 16:00 UTC
Daily coronavirus case count climbs to 3,094
June 5, 2021 09:26 pmThe Epidemiology Unit of the Health Ministry reports that another 814 persons have tested positive for COVID-19 in Sri Lanka, moving the daily total of new cases to 3,094. This brings the total number of confirmed cases of coronavirus reported in the country to 202,357. As many as 166,132 recoveries and 1,656 deaths have been confirmed in Sri Lanka since the outbreak of the pandemic. The Epidemiology Unit’s data showed that 34,569 active cases are currently under medical care.
Source:The Nation
June 05, 2021 15:56 UTC
ALEX BRUMMER: Taxing times for Rishi Sunak at the G7 meeting
Instead, the leaders would agree in principle to a minimum global corporation tax rate of 15 per cent. The Biden administration may be more sympathetic to a global tax deal than Donald Trump, but it cannot deliver it alone. As useful as it would be to make progress on the digital tax agenda, G7 citizens in the countries represented will want to hear more about the pandemic. Ahead of the meeting, the IMF unveiled its $50billion plan to vaccinate the world by the end of 2022. Practical obstacles to defeating Covid formed part of the discussion at a G7 meeting of health ministers and pharma companies this week.
Source:The Nation
June 05, 2021 15:00 UTC
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are DEMOTED on Royal Family website
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have been demoted on the Royal Family website since they left their senior roles and moved to the US. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are now listed below Prince Edward and Sophie Wessex, as well as the Princess Royal and the Duke of York on the official royal site. Elsewhere, the Princess Royal was moved up five places to sit below the Duchess of Cambridge on the website page. One tweeted: '@KensingtonRoyal @RoyalFamily still have #meghanmarkle #princeharry in the royal website? The Duke of Edinburgh's funeral was the first time Prince Harry returned to the UK since he and his wife Meghan stepped down from their senior royal positions.
Source:The Nation
June 05, 2021 14:48 UTC
Coronavirus recoveries count up by 1,851
The Ministry of Health says 1,851 more COVID-19 patients were discharged from medical care within the last 24 hours as they have returned to health. This brings the total number of coronavirus recoveries in the country to 166,132. Majority of the latest recoveries were reported from Punanai Treatment Centre (197) and Bingiriya Treatment Centre (117). Sri Lanka has so far reported 201,534 positive cases of COVID-19 and a total of 33,746 infected patients are still being treated at designated hospitals and treatment centres. The death toll from the outbreak of the virus meanwhile stands at 1,656.
Source:The Nation
June 05, 2021 14:03 UTC
Decision to ban imports of artificial fertilizers enabled a long-needed national transition; President
The President made these remarks addressing the Agroecology Event at the 48th Session of the United Nations Committee on World Food Security, on Saturday (04) via video technology. The Committee on Food Security (CFS), while applauding the President’s decision to completely eliminate the use of chemical fertilizers, invited President Rajapaksa to its annual conference to deliver a special lecture, said the President’s Media Division. President Rajapaksa also said that the Government’s decision to ban imports of artificial fertilizers and agrochemicals enabled a long-needed national transition to a healthier and more ecologically sound system of organic agriculture. These include constraints in domestic production and supply of organic alternatives, as well as adverse public perceptions arising from the ban’, the President added. The President expressed confidence that Sri Lanka’s this initiative will inspire other Governments to take similarly bold action for the betterment of their citizens.
Source:The Nation
June 05, 2021 13:07 UTC
Sri Lanka receives urgent medical assistance from USA
The United States has sent urgent medical assistance to Sri Lanka to support the frontline workers in the fight against the COVID-19 outbreak, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) said. The consignment consisted of 1,200 pulse oximeters and 880,000 pieces of essential medical equipment including KN95 masks, goggles and gloves. Today, 🇺🇸 donated 1,200 pulse oximeters & 880,000 pieces of essential medical equipment to 🇱🇰. #TogetherWeCan @USAID pic.twitter.com/CvJLlckovY— U.S. Embassy Colombo (@USEmbSL) June 5, 2021ARRIVED from @USAID to Sri Lanka: Life-saving medical assistance containing pulse oximeters, KN95 masks, goggles, gloves to meet the urgent needs of the Sri Lanka people. pic.twitter.com/MoUkKEfhRv— USAID Sri Lanka (@USAIDSriLanka) June 4, 2021
Source:The Nation
June 05, 2021 12:11 UTC
SriLankan issues special notice to passengers travelling to UK
However, passengers who have booked their travel on SriLankan Airlines’ next three flights UL 503 (on June 05, 06 and 07) will not be affected by the move. • Book a managed quarantine hotel within a 14-day period before arrival. The booking will include hotel, quarantine transport and travel tests for COVID-19 tests on day 2 and day 8 of quarantine. • Complete a passenger locator form (PLF) with details of where passenger will quarantine when they arrive. Passengers are advised to book their quarantine hotel and Day 2 and Day 8 tests via: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/booking-and-staying-in-a-quarantine-hotel-when-you-arrive-in-englandMore information in this regard can be obtained from: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/red-amber-and-green-list-rules-for-entering-england
Source:The Nation
June 05, 2021 11:48 UTC
Bernard Tomic's girlfriend claims they haven't broken up despite him snapping her laptop
'Since then Bernard has actually paid me back and sent me an apology and we're finally talking again. I've simply said I'm talking to him and I'm not excusing any of the behaviour,' she said. Last week, Tomic (pictured with Vanessa Sierra) found out he did not qualify for the French OpenOn Sunday, Vanessa Sierra was showing her fans her two destroyed Apple laptops which equalled $16,000 in damage'I'm in my hotel and he's in his.' After footage of Tomic snapping the laptop surface, he issued a bizarre public apology. Not sorry,' Sierra captioned the laptop smashing footage originally.
Source:The Nation
June 05, 2021 11:00 UTC