Tory lead over Labour dips to five points ahead of 'Super Thursday'
By Jack Maidment, Deputy Political Editor For MailonlinePublished: 04:19 EDT, 2 May 2021 | Updated: 04:19 EDT, 2 May 2021The Conservative Party's poll lead over Labour has dipped to just five points ahead of 'Super Thursday' elections after Boris Johnson's tumultuous week in Westminster. The Conservatives' number is down two points from last week while Labour's represents an increase of four points. But his Labour counterpart Sir Keir Starmer has headed in the opposite direction, rising to plus eight. The Conservative Party's poll lead over Labour has dipped to just five points ahead of 'Super Thursday' elections after Boris Johnson's tumultuous week in Westminster. Sir Keir is on plus eight, with 38 per cent of voters approving of his performance and 30 per cent disapproving.
Source:The Nation
May 02, 2021 09:02 UTC
India's record day of Covid deaths: 3,689 are killed by virus
India's coronavirus crisis has hit a grim new record, with 3,689 deaths recorded on Sunday - the highest 24-hour rise since the pandemic began. So far, the virus has killed 215,542 people, although experts believe the actual numbers of both cases and deaths are likely considerably higher. Hospitals, morgues and crematoriums have been overwhelmed as the country has reported more than 300,000 daily cases for more than 10 days straight. India's coronavirus crisis has hit a grim new record, with 3,689 deaths recorded on Sunday - the highest 24-hour rise since the pandemic began. Daily cases have spiked since then.
Source:The Nation
May 02, 2021 09:00 UTC
SL and Uzbekistan to intensify relations
The recent visit of the Sri Lankan Embassy delegation headed by Ambassador Prof. M.D. Lamawansa, to the Republic of Uzbekistan included a number of high-level meetings in the Ministries in Tashkent during a 4-day run with the objective of strengthening relations between the two countries. Ambassador Prof. Lamawansa held a fruitful discussion with the Deputy Foreign Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan Sidikov Furkhat. At the Ministry of Higher and Secondary Specialized Education of the Republic of Uzbekistan Ambassador Prof. M.D. Lamawansa was received by Deputy Minister Uzokboy Begimkulov, Director of the International Cooperation Department and colleagues from the State Tashkent University of Oriental Studies.
Source:The Nation
May 02, 2021 08:37 UTC
Four arrested after withdrawing Rs 43 million using forged cheques
May 2, 2021 01:12 pmFour suspects have been arrested by the CID for withdrawing Rs 43 million from a private bank after producing forged cheques in the name of a company manufacturing steel rods, the police spokesman said. Disclaimer: All the comments will be moderated by the AD editorial. Please avoid outside hyperlinks inside the comment and avoid typing all capitalized comments. Help us delete comments that do not follow these guidelines by flagging them(mouse over a comment and click the flag icon on the right side). Do use these forums to voice your opinions and create healthy discourse.
Source:The Nation
May 02, 2021 08:00 UTC
Bank holiday booze up: Brits pack bars and pubs as they take advantage of relaxed Covid rules
City centres across Britain were last night teeming with jubilant revellers toasting in the May Bank Holiday as they took advantage of the first three-day weekend since Covid rules were relaxed on April 12. It is also the first weekend when travel to Wales and Scotland for leisure can go ahead, with many staycations expected. An Avanti West Coast spokesman said: 'We strongly advise you to travel either side of the bank holiday weekend.' Millions of Britons are set to take advantage of the first Bank Holiday this year for which lockdown restrictions will be eased. Many intend to embark on shopping and day trips or mini breaks following the re-opening of non-essential shops, zoos, theme parks and stays in self-contained accommodation.
Source:The Nation
May 02, 2021 08:00 UTC
Top 10 Famous People with Agoraphobia
However, a majority of them suffer from a type of anxiety disorder called agoraphobia. Here are ten unexpected famous people carrying a fear of uncontrollable anxiety despite their success. Throughout most of her life, Deen had an acute condition of agoraphobia. He is best known as Kevin McCallister in the first two “Home Alone” film series, where the Golden Globes awarded him for Best Actor. Throughout all of this, Goldberg suffered extreme anxiety that led to agoraphobia with aerophobia, the fear of flying.
Source:The Nation
May 02, 2021 07:52 UTC
Nushad Perera steps down as Chairman of SLSI
Chairman of the Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLSI) Mr. Nushad Perera says that he is resigning from his position to rejoin the private sector. The marketing professional was initially appointed as the Chairman of Lanka Sathosa and Cooperative Wholesale Establishment (CWE) on January 02, 2020. However, in December that year he announced that he is stepped down as the chairman of Lanka Sathosa and SWE, citing a busy schedule, while refuting reports that he was removed from the post. Mr. Perera was subsequently appointed as the Chairman of the Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLSI) on December 28, 2020. In addition to his role as the Group’s Chief Marketing Officer, Perera was also the founding CEO of Dialog TV, the market-leading media arm of the Dialog Group.
Source:The Nation
May 02, 2021 07:18 UTC
Home Covid testing could soon replace self-isolation for Britons
Ahead of the cautious return to international travel, the Government will shortly unveil a new slogan 'Travel Safely, Plan Ahead'. It is understood the JBC assessment means only a small number of countries will make the first 'green' list. Foreign holidays look set to resume this month as the Government prepares to reveal the 'green list' next week. They added that Iceland, Finland and the Cayman Islands could be among a 24-strong list of 'green' countries. He said Spain was pushing for the UK's digital vaccine passport to be 'mutually recognised' and that he welcomed Boris Johnson's plans to restart international travel.
Source:The Nation
May 02, 2021 06:56 UTC
75 passengers per flight to SL: CAASL
May 2, 2021 by Aazam Ameen No CommentsConsidering the Covid-19 situation in the country, the Chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL) has informed all airlines to limit the number of passengers brought to Sri Lanka to a maximum of 75 passengers per flight. According to the Chairman, this will be in effect for two weeks from tomorrow (May 03). The CAASL has observed that recent records showed that an excessive number of passengers are accommodated in international flights to Sri Lanka, and that number has gone beyond even 200 pax for certain airlines.
Source:The Nation
May 02, 2021 06:33 UTC
Airlines asked to limit number of passengers in flights to Sri Lanka
The Chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) says that all airlines have been informed to limit their passengers to Sri Lanka to 75 per aircraft, due to the prevailing Covid-19 situation. He stated that this will be in effect for two weeks from tomorrow (May 03). Going by the recent record of passengers arriving in Sri Lanka by international airline, it had been observed that an excessive number of passengers are accommodated in international flights to Sri Lanka, and that number has gone beyond even 200 pax for certain airlines. Considering the Covid-19 situation in the country, the Chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka has informed to limit the number of passengers brought to Sri Lanka by all international airlines to a maximum of 75 passengers. This limitation is to be implemented with effect from Monday (May 03) for a period of 14 days and tha status quo will be reviewed after 14 days.
Source:The Nation
May 02, 2021 06:33 UTC
Joes thrash Royal to win U-19 plum
By Ishani UpatharithaThe champion St. Joseph’s U-19 cricket team celebrate their victory over Royal yesterday (1 May)St. Joseph’s College, Colombo emerged champions of the All-island Inter-school Under-19 Div. I Tier A cricket tournament, conducted by the Sri Lanka Schools Cricket Association (SLSCA) under the auspices of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) yesterday (1 May) at NCC grounds, Colombo. The Joes beat Royal College, Colombo, an unbeaten team in the entire tournament up to the final, by 97 runs in the grand finale of the main annual inter-school limited-over tournament yesterday. Sheran Fonseka (38), Mithira Thenura (34), Dunith Wellalage (30), and Sadeesh Jayawardena (25) also chipped in for the Joes. Skipper Ahan Wickramasinghe (37) and Prashan Kalhara (19) too batted well, yet in vain.
Source:The Nation
May 02, 2021 06:00 UTC
SL vs. Bangladesh 2nd Test: Praveen Jayawickrama justifies his selection
Kosala Kuruppuarachchi – 5/44 in 1st innings vs. Pakistan in 1986 at CCC, Colombo2. Upul Chandana – 6/179 in 2nd innings vs. Pakistan in 1999 at Dhaka3. Akila Dananjaya – 5/24 in 2nd innings vs. Bangladesh in 2018 at Dhaka4. Lasith Embuldeniya – 6/66 in 2nd innings vs. South Africa in 2019 at Durban5. Praveen Jayawickrama – 6/92 in 1st innings vs. Bangladesh in 2021 at PallekeleCompiled by M.L.
Source:The Nation
May 02, 2021 05:37 UTC
Meet Marlon Von Hagt next week!
Marlon Von Hagt (centre) with Arjuna Ranatunga (right) during Sri Lanka’s historic tour of England for the inaugural cricket Test at Lord’s in August 1984 Photo Patrick EagarRemember that fair, handsome, one-match batsman for Sri Lanka in the mid eighties? Marlon Vonhagt, or precisely Marlon Von Hagt, who promised a much longer journey as a brilliant right-hander for the country as he emerged from St. Anthony’s, Katugastota, yet had to painstakingly linger in the peripheries of the national squad that time ever failing achieve his goal and live up to the promise that he had made. Read retrospections of Marlon Von Hagt who is now living in his long-time new home, Melbourne, Australia in Sunday Morning Sports next week!
Source:The Nation
May 02, 2021 05:03 UTC
On the honking of horns in protest and absurdities of a state gone berserk
On the honking of horns in protest and absurdities of a state gone berserk View(s):Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, I suppose, must count himself incredibly fortunate that a foreign visitor to Sri Lanka’s shores was not passing by when, as an opposition parliamentarian, he was ferociously blowing on a trumpet during the famous ‘JanaGosha’ protest (1993). Second, the police spokesperson has, for reasons best known to himself, dragged in the Vienna Convention to justify the arrest. Indeed, how many of our local politicians have thoroughly embarrassed visiting dignitaries including from the United Nations far more seriously than merely honking horns? That failure to critically question without bias allows the State to treat citizens like featherless chickens. The Court upheld the right of Prime Minister Rajapaksa to protest in 1993 precisely on that basis.
Source:Sunday Times
May 02, 2021 00:54 UTC
Workers unite!
Workers unite! Thus it’s possible that some trade unions may have tried to hold small pocket meetings and thus challenge the authorities. May Day or International Workers’ Day is an important event in the calendar of worker rights. Not only workers but big and small companies, small and medium-scale enterprises, are struggling to break-even, let alone survive. It is one of the most challenging times not only for workers but also for companies.
Source:Sunday Times
May 02, 2021 00:54 UTC