Australia makes it illegal to fly home from Covid-ravaged India ail and massive fines
By Andrew Prentice and Peter Vincent For Daily Mail AustraliaPublished: 18:37 EDT, 30 April 2021 | Updated: 18:59 EDT, 30 April 2021Australia has officially made it illegal to fly home from Covid-ravaged India - with offenders facing five years in jail and massive fines. Health Minister Greg Hunt confirmed the development, which will be introduced from 12.01am on Monday. The announcement from Health Minister Greg Hunt confirming it is now illegal for Australians to travel home from Covid-ravaged IndiaAustralians could face unprecedented measures to prevent people returning from Covid-stricken India including jail time. Pictured are funeral pyres of coronavirus victims burning in New Delhi as relatives perform last rites at a crematoriumIndia's Covid-19 crisis spiked out of control this week with daily deaths exceeding 3,000. An estimated around 36,000 Australian citizens overseas are registered with the government to receive assistance returning home.
Source:The Nation
April 30, 2021 23:03 UTC
Probes launched into fake notice bearing police logo
April 30, 2021 11:59 pmPolice Spokesperson DIG Ajith Rohana says a fake notice bearing the logo of Sri Lanka Police is being circulated in social media. The said fake notice contains instructions to be followed by people to spread the novel coronavirus, however, the police have not issued any such document, DIG Rohana noted. The Computer Crimes Division of the Criminal Investigation Department has initiated probes into the matter, he said further.
Source:The Nation
April 30, 2021 19:04 UTC
Is It OK When Passive Voice Is Used?
Alas, I had to learn that the passive voice is abhorred by a select few grammar snobs. First: Active voiceIn order to understand the passive voice we first need to dive into the more commonly used active voice. Using the active voice is straightforward and simple, but that doesn’t necessarily mean the passive voice is to be avoided at all costs. As a general rule, passive voice construction usually necessitates using more words than the active voice; as a consequences, your point is more likely to be obscured—and your readers confused—by using the passive voice. When using passive voice, make sure that the performer is either obvious or unimportant.
Source:The Nation
April 30, 2021 19:04 UTC
SL economy shrinks in 2020, rebound expected this year: CBSL
According to the 2020 annual report of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka which was released today (30), the country’s economy has shrunk by 3.6 percent last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic. In comparison to previous economic downturns experienced by the country in the past, 2020’s figures show that this has been the worst economic downturn since independence from Britain in 1948. The annual report also notes that in 2019, Sri Lanka experienced a 2.3 percent GDP growthHowever, the report states that the country’s economy would rebound in 2021 and record an optimistic six per cent growth on the back of improved local manufacturing and services. “The pandemic has also offered an opportunity to reset the economy’s focus and to address longstanding structural weaknesses and establish a production-based, productivity-driven economy,” the annual report said. The CBSL annual report also highlighted that the central government’s debt also rose to 101 percent of GDP last year, up from 86.8 percent of GDP in the previous year.
Source:The Nation
April 30, 2021 17:26 UTC
Italy imposes entry ban on Sri Lanka
April 30, 2021 09:57 pmItaly on Thursday extended for 15 days COVID-19 restrictions already in place on travellers from other European countries, the country’s health ministry said, adding that it had also imposed a ban on people coming from Sri Lanka. People entering Italy from other European countries face five days of quarantine and mandatory testing both before arrival and at the end of their isolation period. The government has already banned travel from India and Bangladesh because of fears of a surge of cases in the region. Source: Reuters-Agencies
Source:The Nation
April 30, 2021 17:00 UTC
Sri Lanka records 11 new COVID deaths
April 30, 2021 10:28 pmEleven more persons who were infected with COVID-19 have succumbed to the virus infection in Sri Lanka, says the Director-General of Health Services. Accordingly, the country’s death toll from the pandemic outbreak now stands at 678. 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
April 30, 2021 16:52 UTC
How similar are Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle's beach clips?
The beach scene has drawn comparisons to similar candid footage shared by Meghan Markle and Prince Harry of son Archie playing on a beach, which was aired during their bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey. Pictured, on a beach in NorfolkMeghan Markle and Prince Harry shared candid footage of Archie playing on a beach during their bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey. Meanwhile another image shared on International Women's Day showed Prince Harry cradling Meghan while she held their son Archie in her arms. Glenn also revealed Prince Harry and Meghan appeared 'posed' and said the images from their photoshoot appeared to have been staged. He said Kate and Prince William appeared to be sitting 'more naturally' together and said he thought the couple looked 'relaxed'.
Source:The Nation
April 30, 2021 16:01 UTC
Multiple areas placed in isolation with Immediate Effect: Army Commander
COLOMBO (News 1st); Multiple areas were placed in isolation with immediate effect, said Army Commander General Shavendra Silva on Friday (30). Baduraliya Police Area:841C Bolluna Grama Niladhari Division841A Ingurudaluwa Grama Niladhari Division837 Midalana Grama Niladhari Division836A Morapitiya Grama Niladhari Division836 Peleda Grama Niladhari Division838 Hedigalla Grama Niladhari Division836H Morapitiya North Grama Niladhari DivisionTheeniyawala Police Area:842A Theeniyawala Grama Niladhari DivisionMeegahatenne Police Area:787B Walallawita South Grama Niladhari Division788 Makalandawa Grama Niladhari Division844A Bothalawa Grama Niladhari Division844E Katuyakele Welmeegoda Grama Niladhari Division843G Pahala Hawessa Grama Niladhari Division850A Miriswatte Grama Niladhari Division850 Pelawatte North Grama Niladhari DivisionElahera Police Area:Sarubima Grama Niladhari Division
Source:The Nation
April 30, 2021 14:04 UTC
6,000 clubbers return to dancefloor for pilot nightclub event
The trial events are designed to advance the reopening roadmap's plan to scrap social distancing on June 21. Data collected from the events will test the safety of large-scale gatherings ahead of government plans to lift nearly all restrictions on June 21. Temporary venues have been prepared for the two-day event in the city, including a tent for scientists to monitor behaviour. Temporary venues have been prepared for the two-day event in the city, including a tent for scientists to monitor behaviourThe event forms part of the Government's month-long trials of non-socially distanced mass events. Some events will be used to test Covid certificates, others to examine how ventilation, crowd flows and testing on entry can help audiences return without social distancing.
Source:The Nation
April 30, 2021 14:04 UTC
Why Fake Travel Sites Are Fooling More People
Photo: Prostock-studio (Shutterstock) Photo: Prostock-studio (Shutterstock)After a year without vacations, some people are a little rusty at booking travel, and scammers are taking full advantage. The Better Business Bureau has reported a spike in the number of people being scammed by fully functional, legit-looking travel booking sites that are actually fake—honey traps looking to steal your money and personal information. How the scam worksWhile doing an online search for cheap flights or a hotel, you come across an unusually cheap deal. Fake travel sites are increasingly sophisticatedFake booking sites have been around for years, but they’ve become increasingly slicker and more functional, to the point they don’t look all that different from legitimate low-budget travel sites with second-rate design. If you’ve been a victim of an airline ticket or other travel scam, report your experience at BBB.org/ScamTracker.
Source:The Nation
April 30, 2021 13:30 UTC
JSC issues instructions on operating courthouses during pandemic
The instructions will be in effect from 03rd May 2021 to 07th May 2021, said a statement. All other hearings to be restricted to a limited number of Trial/Inquiry matters and urgent/essential matters only03. Apart from the limited number of trial/inquiry matters to be taken up for hearing, all other trials/inquiry matters to be re-scheduled at the beginning of the court sessions of each day. The limited number of trial/inquiry cases should be taken up on a staggered basis and the relevant time slots should be notified in advance. Ensure that there is no gathering of people inside or outside the gates of the courthouses.
Source:The Nation
April 30, 2021 13:07 UTC
922 new COVID infections in Sri Lanka
April 30, 2021 06:27 pmAs many as 922 people were tested positive for novel coronavirus in Sri Lanka so far within the day, according to the National Operation Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO). Abstain from posting comments that are obscene, defamatory or slanderous. 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
April 30, 2021 13:07 UTC
India s Intelligence Bureau to probe Kerala links of Rishad Bathiudeen
India’s Intelligence Bureau and Kerala Police have started to dig into Kerala connections of All Ceylon Makkal Congress leader and parliamentarian Rishad Bathiudeen after he was arrested by Sri Lankan Police on April 24 in connection with 2019 Easter Sunday attacks that killed 279 people and injured hundreds. As per intelligence officials, Rishad’s father hailed from Padna in Kasaragod and he was in touch with a few persons in the region. “Kerala police will be looking into the links of arrested Sri Lankan political leader in Kerala to confirm the reports,” said Kerala State Police Chief Loknath Behera. Bathiudeen was arrested under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). His brother Riyaj Bathiudeen, who was arrested in April 2020 but released later due to lack of evidence, was also arrested again.
Source:The Nation
April 30, 2021 09:00 UTC
Three factories to be converted into Covid treatment centers
A Covid treatment center comprising of 2000 beds will be set up in the Werellawatta area in Gampaha to deal with the existing Covid risk, the government said today (30). In addition, it has been decided to take over the buildings of two closed factories in the Katunayake and Mirigama areas for treatment centers as well. The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga at the Gampaha District Secretariat to discuss future steps to control the Covid situation. It was revealed that 234 patients have been identified from the Gampaha district yesterday alone. The Director of Indigenous Health Services in Gampaha pointed out that 248,387 people in the Gampaha district have been vaccinated against Covid.
Source:The Nation
April 30, 2021 08:37 UTC
ComBank wins three awards from Business Tabloid Magazine, UK
The Commercial Bank of Ceylon has won three prestigious awards — the ‘Best Private Bank’ in Sri Lanka in 2021,’ the ‘Best Digital Transformation in Banking’ and ‘Best Mobile Banking Application’ –from Business Tabloid Magazine, a leading business magazine of the UK. This is the third time Commercial Bank has been recognised by Business Tabloid. It supports both Visa and Mastercard QR Code payments and enables customers to register their Credit, Debit, or Prepaid cards issued by the Commercial Bank to make payments. The Commercial Bank is the largest private sector commercial bank and the third largest bank in Sri Lanka. Business Tabloid is a print and online news magazine built for the current fast-paced generation looking for encapsulated, accurate, and informative content.
Source:The Nation
April 30, 2021 08:37 UTC