More than 61,000 vaccinated with Sinopharm COVID jabs yesterday
Sri Lanka has vaccinated a total of 61,882 individuals with Sinopharm coronavirus vaccine on Friday (May 14), says State Minister of Production, Supply and Regulation of Pharmaceuticals Prof. Channa Jayasumana. The Sinopharm vaccine was first administered to Chinese nationals residing in Sri Lanka after a consignment of 600,000 doses arrived on the island on March 31. As many as 2,865 Chinese nationals have been vaccinated with the Sinopharm vaccine’s first dose so far while a total of 2,435 among them received the second dose as well. Meanwhile, a total of 14,673 individuals in the country have received the Russia-made coronavirus vaccine’s first dose so far. Sri Lanka received the first batch of Sputnik V vaccine containing 15,000 doses on May 04.
Source:The Nation
May 15, 2021 06:45 UTC
China becomes second nation to successfully land spacecraft on Mars
China landed a spacecraft on Mars for the first time on Saturday, making it the second nation to successfully land on Mars after the Tianwen-1 touched down on the Red Planet three months after NASA's latest rover. NASA's five successful Mars rovers... and Russia's crash landings If Zhurong touches down successfully, it will be the first non-US rover to land on Mars. Mars Pathfinder Sojourner (NASA) – Rover was the first to successful land on Mars when it touched down July 4, 1997. Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity (NASA) – Landed on January 25, 2012 and is currently active after more than 3,000 days. China's Mars landing was the top trending topic on Weibo, a leading social media platform, as people expressed both excitement and pride.
Source:The Nation
May 15, 2021 06:00 UTC
SL Ambassador to Korea honored by Korea Press Federation and Seoul Press Club
The Korea Press Federation and Seoul Press Club, the premier media institution in Seoul, honored the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Republic of Korea (RoK), Dr. A. Saj U. Mendis, for promoting, aggrandizing and enhancing international friendship and diplomacy and mutual national development between the RoK and Sri Lanka, including the peoples of the two countries. The aforementioned award was bestowed on Dr. Mendis by Korea Press Federation. He further added that the RoK is home to over 22,000 Sri Lankan expatriates/migrants, who live and work comfortably in the RoK, thus providing much needed foreign exchange to Sri Lanka. He also added that out of a total of 22,000 Sri Lankan migrants in the RoK, only about two dozens of Sri Lankan nationals had contracted COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. Dr. Mendis stated that within the next couple of decades, the advancement and rise of Sri Lanka would be known as “Miracle on Kelani River” similar to “Miracle on Han River” of the RoK or “Miracle on Rhine River” of then West Germany.
Source:The Nation
May 15, 2021 05:48 UTC
Coronavirus- Sri Lanka registers 1,786 new infections
May 15, 2021 06:34 pmThe Ministry of Health confirmed that another 1,786 persons have tested positive for coronavirus today (May 15). This brings the total number of COVID-19 cases confirmed in the country thus far to 139,871. As per Epidemiology Unit’s data, 21,730 active cases are currently under medical care at hospitals and treatment centres across the island. Meanwhile, the number of total recoveries has reached 117,220 and the death toll stands at 921.
Source:The Nation
May 15, 2021 05:48 UTC
SLAN deploys three more flood relief teams
Sri Lanka Navy has deployed three more relief teams in flood-prone areas in the Gampaha and Galle districts yesterday (14). These teams will operate with the objective of rescuing those affected by floods and providing flood relief, subsequent to the prevailing adverse weather. The Navy has sent out two relief teams to Kurawalana and Biyagama areas in the Gampaha District and another relief team to Imaduwa area in Galle. Incidentally, 13 Navy relief teams have been assisting communities and providing relief in areas where flash flooding is likely, covering the Gampaha, Kalutara, Galle and Matara districts as of now. Further, the Navy is geared to provide relief to the public in the face of adverse weather conditions and to deploy additional relief teams at short notice when required.
Source:The Nation
May 15, 2021 04:41 UTC
Chinese Zhurong rover lands on Mars
According to Chinese State media, China has successfully landed a spacecraft on Mars. The six-wheeled Zhurong robot was targeting Utopia Planitia, a vast terrain in the planet’s northern hemisphere. Only the Americans have really mastered landing on Mars until now. With this landing, China becomes the second country to put a rover on Mars. Chinese President Xi Jinping congratulated the team’s “outstanding achievement” in a special message.
Source:The Nation
May 15, 2021 04:41 UTC
Police apprehend 253 more quarantine law violators
The police have arrested 253 more people for disregarding quarantine regulations within the past 24 hours, says the Police Spokesman DIG Ajith Rohana. Thereby, the total number of arrests made with regard to violation of quarantine laws has risen to 9,282. Meanwhile, essential service providers, including health services, police and tri-forces, utility services, ports and airport services, media personnel, commercial and financial services, agricultural services and pharmaceutical services are allowed to continue operations in order to provide uninterrupted service. It is reported that a woman who sold liquor illegally, in violation of the quarantine regulations, is also among the arrestees. A total of 138 liquor bottles have been seized in possession of the 44-year-old female in question.
Source:The Nation
May 15, 2021 04:07 UTC
Road rage battles over Covid bike lanes are dividing Britain
The new rules allow councils to grab money to install cycle lanes and other measures without the usual scrutiny. The main thoroughfare, Chiswick High Road, used to be three lanes wide. Yet we have established there may be rather more to the story than Mr Vine has claimed. Could Mr Vine have been mistaken and been unfair in hastily blaming Chiswick's cycle-lane opponents for the damage? Muriel Langley lives in Home House, a 100-flat residential complex for elderly people close to Chiswick High Road.
Source:The Nation
May 15, 2021 01:41 UTC
India tour of SL: Increasing Covid cases in island a worry
Prof. Arjuna de SilvaIndia are to tour Sri Lanka for a short cricket series in July, but increasing Covid-19 cases in that country could worry Indian cricket board. The island nation recorded 2,568 cases on Tuesday (11). According to official numbers announced in Colombo, the 2,568 cases recorded on Tuesday included 38 overseas returnees. On 10 May, the island recorded 2,624 cases and on 9 May the number was 2,672. As of now, it has been decided that the Premadasa Stadium will host the fixtures.
Source:The Nation
May 15, 2021 01:05 UTC
The true story of designer Halston - fashion's most outrageous victim
The fashion designer who was known simply as Halston loved nothing better than to throw outrageously extravagant bashes for his famous friends. The fashion designer loved nothing better than to throw outrageously extravagant bashes for his famous friends. Roy Halston Frowick was once acclaimed as America's greatest fashion designer, specialising in minimalist designs in luxury fabrics and credited with dressing American women for a 'relaxed urban lifestyle'. Now, though, Halston is back in the spotlight he craved as Netflix releases a five-part drama series (Halston) starring Scottish actor Ewan McGregor as the troubled designer. Hailed as America's first internationally renowned fashion designer, his weakness for epic self-indulgence threatened to bring his respectability crashing down at any minute.
Source:The Nation
May 15, 2021 00:03 UTC
Not Just Sports – Aren’t they erstwhile IPL fans?
8,000 (SL Rs. Now, amid the pandemic, this has gone up to Rs 15,000 (SL Rs. Residents say the river turns near Chausa, because of which floating bodies get stuck here. 8,000 (SL Rs. Now, amid the pandemic, this has gone up to Rs 15,000 (SL Rs.
Source:The Nation
May 15, 2021 00:03 UTC
Australia to host SL for three T20Is in September?
Meanwhile, Ganguly has admitted that India no longer remains an option to host the event with a Sri Lanka tour lined up and the difficult dealings with quarantine that will come long. New Zealand is scheduled to play thee T20Is and as many ODIs against Pakistan in the same period in the UAE. South Africa is in line to play India for 3 T20Is and as many ODIs in India as a precursor to the T20 World Cup. This leaves only West Indies and Australia, who have space to make adjustments as they have an open window in September. While Australia is set to host Sri Lanka for three T20Is, the series will be played closer to the T20 World Cup, leaving them with a free space in this window.
Source:The Nation
May 15, 2021 00:00 UTC
Barca, Real Madrid, and Juve under investigations on ESL
Compiled by Ranjika PereraUEFA has opened an investigation against the three clubs in connection to their involvement with the European Super League project. The nine clubs who pulled out of the European Super League – included Premier League clubs Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham. UEFA issued a statement saying, “UEFA has reserved all rights to take whatever action it deems appropriate against those clubs that have so far refused to renounce the so-called ‘Super League’. Champions League final moved out of TurkeyWith two English clubs in the Champions League final, UEFA had wanted to move the final to Wembley and was in talks with the UK government. This will be the third Champions League final in Portugal in eight years but the first in Porto.
Source:The Nation
May 14, 2021 23:48 UTC
On This Day – 14 May
Zimbabwean wicket-keeper Tatenda Taibu is the second youngest Captain ever in Test cricket history1905 – Second official soccer game was played today. Netherlands beat Belgium four goals to nil1918 – Sunday Baseball was made legal in Washington DC1927 – The birth of ball-by-ball radio commentary. Rev Frank Gillingham was the commentator1983 – Zimbabwean wicket-keeper Tatenda Taibu was born today. He became the youngest (20 years and 358 days) Captain ever in Test cricket history when he led Zimbabwe in May 2004 against Sri Lanka in Harare. She did that in the 2017 Cricket World cup against the West Indies
Source:The Nation
May 14, 2021 23:48 UTC
Chappell proposes radical overhaul of Aussie domestic cricket
The post-BBL period would then be reserved for a beefed-up Australia A schedule to provide another, perhaps even stronger, level of first-class cricket beyond the Sheffield Shield. The Marsh One-Day Cup could be played in February-March or between Shield matches before Christmas. Chappell also believes an Australian Football League-style draft system, as well the introduction of another team or two, could stop more populous states from “warehousing” the best young talent. “I think we’ve already lost our position as the best at identifying talent and bringing it though. I think England are doing it better than us now and India are doing it better than us.”
Source:The Nation
May 14, 2021 23:48 UTC