AASL says no Indian passengers arrived after ban
The Airport and Aviation Services Sri Lanka stated yesterday that no Indians had arrived in Sri Lanka following the ban imposed on Indian passenger arrivals. Deputy Chairman of Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Private) Limited Rajiv Sooriyaarachchi stated that a SriLankan Airlines Cargo Plane arrived from Mumbai on Sunday (16) with zero passengers. On 06 May, Sri Lanka announced that all arrivals from India will be banned with immediate effect due to the record rise in COVID-19 cases in India. Several countries like the UK, the UAE, Australia and Singapore have already banned travellers from India as well as other South Asian countries. Sri Lanka’s Civil Aviation Authority said that travellers from India will not be allowed to disembark in Sri Lanka and the decision was taken as the Covid virus continues to spread rapidly in India.
Source:The Nation
May 18, 2021 04:18 UTC
Nineteen Covid deaths reported yesterday
May 18, 2021 by Mihi Perera No Comments19 deaths with complications resulting from Covid-19 have been confirmed by the Director General of Health Services, Dr. Asela Gunawardena yesterday. Accordingly, 981 Covid deaths have been reported in the country. Seven of the patients died at home or on admission to the hospital.
Source:The Nation
May 18, 2021 04:09 UTC
Australian father-of-two, 47, dies after brave battle with Covid-19 in India
By Sam McPhee For Daily Mail AustraliaPublished: 21:19 EDT, 17 May 2021 | Updated: 21:55 EDT, 17 May 2021An Australian father-of-two has died in India from coronavirus after returning to the covid-stricken nation for family reasons last month. Govind Kant, 47, died at Delhi Hospital over the weekend after contracting the virus upon returning to India in April following the death of his mother. 'I am so sorry Mummy - I was not with you....' he posted to Facebook following her death before returning to the virus-ravaged country. His former colleagues posted a heartfelt tribute to the father on Tuesday morning confirming his passing. This is a significant loss to Trina Solar and mere words cannot express the heartfelt sorrow we all feel upon Govind's passing.'
Source:The Nation
May 18, 2021 02:03 UTC
2,400+ COVID infections reported on Monday (17) in Sri Lanka
COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka recorded a total of 2,456 COVID-19 cases on Monday (17) said the Department of Government Information. 2,433 of these cases were from the New Year Cluster while 23 cases were those who returned from overseas. Accordingly, the number COVID infected patients being treat at hospitals stands at 24,592. The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Sri Lanka increased to 145, 202.
Source:The Nation
May 18, 2021 01:18 UTC
Rubel, Mahmud ruled out of Sri Lanka ODIs
Rubel Hossain is set to under rehab, and surgery is going to be the last resort as per BCB’s chief physicianPacers Rubel Hossain and Hasan Mahmud have been ruled out of Bangladesh’s upcoming three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka due to injuries. “Rubel is having an injury that usually happens to pace bowlers with a long career. Meanwhile, Mohammad Saifuddin, and Mossadek Hossain have recovered sufficiently and will be able to take part in the series against Sri Lanka, subject to their inclusion in the 15-member squad for the series. Sri Lanka arrive in DhakaMeanwhile, an 18-member Sri Lanka squad led by Kusal Perera arrived in Dhaka on Sunday to take part in the series, which is also a part of the ICC World Cup Super League. The Sri Lankan squad will complete the three-day quarantine on 18 May before starting their practice at National Cricket Academy on 19 May.
Source:The Nation
May 18, 2021 00:45 UTC
A call for final decision on Tokyo 2020 spectators
Seats could remain empty at Tokyo 2020 should spectators be prevented from attending the GamesHakubun Shimomura, a politician for the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, has suggested a decision should be made over the attendance of spectators at the delayed Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the start of June. “We need to clarify by then to what extent we can accept spectators,” Shimomura told NHK. Shimomura was heavily involved in the early stages of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games, having served as Japan’s Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology between 2012 to 2015. Decision postponed till JuneHakubun Shimomura has called for a decision to be made in early JuneShimomura resigned from his role after the decision to scrap the original plans for the Tokyo National Stadium. Tokyo 2020 President Seiko Hashimoto has previously admitted the Olympic and Paralympic Games may be held behind closed doors.
Source:The Nation
May 18, 2021 00:11 UTC
Bangladesh High Commissioner calls on Speaker
Healthcare workers in Sri Lanka enter data into the DHIS2 COVID-19 surveillance system(Pic courtesy World Bank)Digitalization is the way forward for Sri Lanka to transform into a technology-based society, says the World Bank. The WB report said that the Government of Sri Lanka has demonstrated its commitment to accelerate digital transformation. This is just the beginning of our digital transformation journey” says Mehinda Herath, Chief Executive officer of ICTA. “The vision of ICTA is to improve living conditions and livelihoods across Sri Lanka irrespective of geographical locations and other disparities. Transforming Sri Lanka into a technology-based society is one of the key national policy objectives of the country, as highlighted in the President’s manifesto, Vistas of Prosperity and Splendor.
Source:The Nation
May 18, 2021 00:11 UTC
Coveted title goes to Esandi Newansa of Dharmasoka
By Ishani UpatharithaWinner of Sri Lanka Online Youth U-16 Girls Rapid Chess Championship 2021 Esandi Newansa of Dharmasoka College, AmbalangodaThe tournament saw participation of a total number of 70 players. Esandi M. Newansa / Dharmasoka College, Ambalangoda / 6.02. Up-and-coming Esandi Newansa of Dharmasoka College, Ambalangoda became the champion with the better tie-breaker in the championship. She scored 4/4 points on day one and on day two of the tournament, Newansa scored 2/3 beating Ashvini Pavalachandran, a contender for Sri Lanka women’s national team. Newansa also beat Desandhi Gamage but lost her last game against Tharushi Sandeepani yet made a final score of 6/7 to win the title.
Source:The Nation
May 17, 2021 23:48 UTC
On This Day – 18 May
Tiger Woods wins Byron Nelson Golf Classic in 1997. This was the fifth win in his career1905 – Hedley Verity was born. He in the only player to take a ten-wicket haul including a hat-trick in first-class cricket. No one has got the wicket of Don Bradmon on more occasions than Verity who had snared him eight times. This was the fifth win in his career
Source:The Nation
May 17, 2021 23:01 UTC
Why opening windows is as important as Hands, Face, Space
But there was one that could at least help reduce your risk of picking up the virus — fresh air. The experts are calling for indoor air quality standards to be agreed and enforced by governments and for monitors to display the quality of air on public buildings. 'Being indoors with someone infected, with no fresh air, the particles can remain in the air for hours and build up over time.' One of the chief issues with poor air flow in any building is that it allows indoor air pollution to build up. 'Now is the time to apply the lessons we have learned from Covid-19 — and to look at the ways we can transform our indoor air.'
Source:The Nation
May 17, 2021 21:56 UTC
Avoid Penalties by Filing for a Tax Extension
Photo: Hailshadow (Getty Images) Photo: Hailshadow (Getty Images)If you’re behind on filing your taxes, consider filing for an extension today—before the 2020 tax deadline expires at midnight—as you’ll avoid costly IRS penalties for not filing your tax return on time. This payment can be made as part of your tax extension request, even if it’s a rough estimate (if you overpay, the IRS will refund you the difference later). Doing so will give you more time to nail down paperwork, and you’ll avoid late penalties. According to Kiplinger, you can also get an automatic extension by making an electronic tax payment of your estimated taxes directly with the IRS, before midnight. Also important: rules on tax extensions vary by state, so check your state’s tax agency website before you file.
Source:The Nation
May 17, 2021 20:06 UTC
Mullaitivu Court bans commemoration event
The Mullaitivu District Police Station yesterday told The Morning that the court has banned all events at the Mullivaikkal War Memorial today and that stay orders had been issued on 42 persons. Speaking to The Morning yesterday, North-EastMullivaikkal Memorial Forum Co-Chair Fr. Armstrong, the security around the Mullivaikkal War Memorial was tightened yesterday. The Mullivaikkal War Memorial was also destroyed on the same day. Elsewhere, representing the Tamil Diaspora, the Canadian Tamil Congress (CTC) held their “May Mullivaikkal Memorial” event virtually on 16 May due to the pandemic this year.
Source:The Nation
May 17, 2021 19:52 UTC
Palestine question was a direct consequence of colonialism - PM
Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa has expressed his concern over the recent outbreak of hostilities between Israel and Palestine. Prime Minister Rajapaksa says that the issue of the Palestine people was a direct consequence of colonialism. Rajapaksa stated that, as a long-time supporter of the Palestine cause and the Founder President of the Sri Lanka Committee for Solidarity with Palestine, he has always held the position that Palestinian’s legitimate right to statehood must be upheld. He says that it is imperative to recognize the legitimate and sensitive security concerns of both Palestine and Israel, in order to find a durable solution for the Palestine question. The full statement by the Prime Minister:Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa on Israel-Palestine Conflict by Adaderana Online on Scribd
Source:The Nation
May 17, 2021 18:22 UTC
Daily coronavirus case count climbs to 2,433
May 17, 2021 10:19 pmThe Epidemiology Unit of the Health Ministry reports that another 854 persons have tested positive for COVID-19 in Sri Lanka, moving the daily total of new cases to 2,433. This brings the total number of confirmed cases of coronavirus reported in the country to 145,202. As many as 119,629 recoveries and 962 deaths have been confirmed in Sri Lanka since the outbreak of the pandemic. The Epidemiology Unit’s data showed that 24,611 active cases are currently under medical care.
Source:The Nation
May 17, 2021 17:03 UTC
Texas celebrates zero COVID-19 deaths after Biden mocked its reopening
Despite those concerns, new infections and deaths have fallen steadily in Texas since the state reopened on March 2. Texas recorded zero COVID-19 fatalities on Sunday for the first time since it began tracking deaths from coronavirus. Now, testing is widespread, so while the 16,864 new infections recorded by Johns Hopkins University on Sunday are still likely an undercount, it's probably much closer to the real figure. Texas Governor Greg Abbott (left) lifted the state's mask mandate on March 2. Daily vaccinations have slowed nationwide, but already enough people seem to be inoculated to drive cases and deaths down considerably in Texas and every state.
Source:The Nation
May 17, 2021 17:03 UTC