Special Parliamentary debate on Covid-19 situ today
A special debate on the Covid-19 epidemic is scheduled to take place in Parliament today (04), Sergeant at Arms Narendra Fernando said. It was decided at the party leadership meeting to hold a special parliamentary session today and tomorrow. Accordingly, an adjournment debate on the current situation in the face of the Covid epidemic will be held at 11.00 am today on a motion by the Opposition, the Communications Department said. In addition, an order under the Sri Lanka Export Development Act as well as the VAT Bill and the Inland Revenue Bill are to be passed, the department said. Meanwhile, the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Bill will be taken up for debate tomorrow from 10.00 am to 8.00 pm.
Source:The Nation
May 04, 2021 05:03 UTC
National Week on Road Safety to be implemented
May 4, 2021 by Mihi Perera No CommentsThe Cabinet of Ministers has granted approval to the Minister of Transport for the implementation of a National Week on Road Safety from the 21st of November 2021. During this week, it is planned to instruct schools, institutions, drivers and public transport officials on how to reduce motor accidents. The National Week on Road Safety is to be commemorated every year on 21st November. This action was taken due to the increasing motor accidents being reported everyday. The government said that 2,113 individuals had been killed due to road accidents last year.
Source:The Nation
May 04, 2021 04:52 UTC
First consignment of Sputnik vaccine brought to Sri Lanka
May 4, 2021 by Mihi Perera No CommentsThe first consignment of Russian-made ‘Sputnik V’ Covid vaccine has been brought to Sri Lanka. Minister of State Prof. Channa Jayasumana was present at the Katunayake Airport to receive the 15,000 consignment of vaccines. After receiving the vaccine, it was handed over to the Ministry of Health. In addition to the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine, the Russian-made ‘Sputnik V’ Covid control vaccine was recently approved for emergency use in Sri Lanka. Cabinet approval has been granted to purchase 07 million doses of the vaccine at a cost of US $ 69.65 million.
Source:The Nation
May 04, 2021 04:41 UTC
PCR testing to be expedited
Cabinet approval has been granted to the Minister of Health to expedite the PCR testing process in the face of the third wave of Covid-19. Accordingly, the Ministry has been instructed to purchase more testing kits and other equipment to expedite the process. Over 20,000 PCR tests are expected to be done per day.
Source:The Nation
May 04, 2021 04:41 UTC
First batch of Sputnik V vaccine arrives in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka has received the first batch of Sputnik V COVID-19 purchased from Russia. Sri Lanka has decided to buy a total of 13 million doses of the Sputnik V vaccines from Russia. The National Medical Regulatory Authority on March 04 approved the emergency use of Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine in Sri Lanka. Later, on March 23, the Cabinet of Ministers gave the nod to purchase 7 million doses of Russia-made Sputnik V vaccine for USD 69.65 million. During its meeting held on April 05, the Cabinet of Ministers had approved the proposal tabled by the Health Minister to order 6 million more of Sputnik V jabs to proceed with Sri Lanka’s inoculation drive.
Source:The Nation
May 04, 2021 03:56 UTC
Harsha De Silva fills Ranjan’s vacant seat in COPE
May 4, 2021 by Mihi Perera No CommentsThe Parliament Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardene today announced to the Parliament that Samagi Jana Balawegaya MP Dr. Harsha De Silva has been nominated to serve in the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE). This decision was taken by the Committee of Selection on 30th of April. The decision was taken due to the vacant seat left by Ranjan Ramanayake, who has ceased to be a Member of Parliament following his rigorous imprisonment.
Source:The Nation
May 04, 2021 03:56 UTC
Boris Johnson hails £1billion trade deal with India and says it could open up 6,000 vacancies
By Daily Mail ReporterPublished: 20:54 EDT, 3 May 2021 | Updated: 20:55 EDT, 3 May 2021More than 6,000 jobs will be created by a £1billion trade and investment deal with India, Boris Johnson announced yesterday. The partnership contains more than £533million of new investment from India, said Downing Street. This includes £240million from the Serum Institute of India to support clinical trials, research and potential vaccine production. He spoke as Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said the UK and Japan had agreed the basis for deeper trade and security cooperation. During the virtual talks, the two leaders are expected to agree an enhanced trade partnership, which Number 10 said will pave the way for a future UK-India free trade agreement.
Source:The Nation
May 04, 2021 00:45 UTC
How lockdown has IMPROVED our mental health
Lockdown has had a catastrophic impact on so many aspects of our lives, not least in terms of mental health. Mental health charity Mind has also revealed half of adults felt their general wellbeing worsened in 2020, with many experiencing mental health problems for the first time. While this could reflect reduced access to mental health services, the researchers said they couldn’t rule out that rates of mental illness were lower. ‘As humans we usually thrive on social connection for our mental health and sense of wellbeing,’ says Dr Natasha Bijlani, a consultant psychiatrist at The Priory clinic in Roehampton. Zoom sessions developed through lockdown proved invaluable to those with acute depression who were previously reluctant to attend in person.
Source:The Nation
May 04, 2021 00:11 UTC
Ministry of Youth & Sports partners to WALK THE TALK with Waste Action LK (WALK) and EU
MP Namal Rajapaksa today accepted three documentary short films by Waste Action LK (WALK), on behalf of Sri Lanka. With a particular focus on the reduction of Single Use Plastic, the films are presented under the collective title WALK THE TALK, SRI LANKA. Practical waste management solutions can contribute to youth empowerment and incentivise environmental protection. The WALK Network is comprised of Sri Lankan citizen groups, youth activists, social enterprises, businesses and state institutions working together toward responsible waste management practices. Waste management is a global issue and it is with considerable national pride that we can share a forward-thinking commitment to realistic goals.
Source:The Nation
May 03, 2021 17:03 UTC
Coronavirus death toll in Sri Lanka tops 700
May 3, 2021 10:20 pmThe Director General of Health Services confirmed thirteen more coronavirus related deaths today, increasing the death toll due to the virus pandemic to 709. Meanwhile a total of 1,913 new cases of Covid-19 were reported within today, pushing Sri Lanka’s tally of positive cases confirmed thus far to 113,676. 14,771 patients infected with the virus are currently under medical care at hospitals and treatments centres across the country while total recoveries stands at 98,209.
Source:The Nation
May 03, 2021 16:52 UTC
10 Things I Wish I Knew When Planning My Wedding
Photo: IVASHstudio (Shutterstock) Photo: IVASHstudio (Shutterstock) Between the proposal and the I do’s, there’s the unique stress known as wedding planning. As someone who’s been there and lived to tell the tale, these are the things I wish I had known in advance of my wedding day. Not everyone has this problem, and many brides- and grooms-to-be jump into wedding planning easily, but all those decisions can still wear you down. Download a wedding day photo list, or use this old diagram from BuzzFeed for planning every aspect of your wedding. 11 / 12 Don’t get hurt the day before your weddingDon’t get hurt the day before your wedding
Source:The Nation
May 03, 2021 16:30 UTC
Britain records just ONE Covid death and 1,649 cases
Britain recorded just one Covid death today in the lowest toll in nine months while infections dipped to their lowest levels since September. Health bosses also posted another 1,649 cases, down 20 per cent on the 2,064 registered last week. The UK's 'green list' is not expected to be revealed until Friday, leaving millions of Britons in limbo as they wonder whether trips will be possible. The UK's 'green list' is not expected to be revealed until Friday, leaving millions of Britons in limbo as they wonder whether trips will be possible. Covid infection rates across the UK in the week to April 27, the latest available.
Source:The Nation
May 03, 2021 16:04 UTC
The best drones you can buy in 2021
Best drones you should buy today:Editor’s note: We will regularly update this list with new and exciting drones as they launch. DJI Mavic 2 ProBest camera drone under $2,000201627 minutesInterchangeable – Best: 6K – 30fps, 24MP Super 35 Sensor58 mphReleased in August 2018, the DJI Mavic 2 Pro is one of the best camera drones DJI has built. Not just an update from the Mavic Air and Mavic Air 2 previous, but a fresh touch for the Mavic line entirely. Related reading: DJI Mini 2 reviewThe DJI Mini 2 costs $449. The plain truth is that the very best of the best drones have prices that start at over $150,000.
Source:The Nation
May 03, 2021 15:56 UTC
Sri Lanka s daily coronavirus cases count climbs to 1,913
May 3, 2021 09:20 pmThe Epidemiology Unit of the Health Ministry reports that another 867 persons have tested positive for Covid-19 in the country, pushing the daily total of new cases to 1,913. All new cases reported today are associated with the ‘New Year’ Covid-19 cluster. This brings Sri Lanka’s tally of positive Covid-19 cases confirmed thus far to 113,676. 14,771 patients infected with the virus are currently under medical care at hospitals and treatments centres across the country. Meanwhile total recoveries stand at 98,209.
Source:The Nation
May 03, 2021 15:45 UTC
A Brief, Bold History of the Sri Lankan Press
The history of the press in Sri Lanka dates back centuries, suggesting how the circulation of news and information was a fundamental aspect that weaved society together. 1802 – Marks the beginning of the press in Sri Lanka with the Government Gazette. By this point, the ANCL, WNL and UNL were the three most powerful groups under which newspapers were published in Sri Lanka. When anticipating what the future of the Sri Lankan press might be, the audience and the reader hold the power. Instead, Sri Lanka has been part and parcel in embracing this digital news culture and will continue to do so as time goes on.
Source:The Nation
May 03, 2021 13:52 UTC