Jon Snow to quit Channel 4 News after 32 years
One heartbroken fan took to Twitter to write: 'The only Jon Snow you'll ever need. Channel 4 News presenter Jon Snow will quit after 32 years at the helm of the programmeJon Snow and his wife Precious Lunga at a lunch to celebrate his Bafta fellowship in May 2015Channel 4 News presenter Jon Snow is pictured reporting from Sri Lanka in January 2016Jon Snow has decided to step down as Channel 4 News presenter at the end of 2021. pic.twitter.com/V0rW02ONHX — Channel 4 News (@Channel4News) April 29, 2021One heartbroken fan took to Twitter to write: 'The only Jon Snow you'll ever need. Having a dance with Jon Snow and hearing him shout f*** the Tories is what dream are made of.' 'There is only one Jon Snow – when they made him, they broke the mould.
Source:The Nation
April 29, 2021 18:06 UTC
HNB supports MSMEs and LANKAQR with SOLO Avurudu Pola
Organized at 8 key locations across the island Supports 450+ MSMEs with market access, through digital payments Promotes LANKAQR with exclusive discounts for SOLO usersSri Lanka’s most customer friendly bank HNB PLC, partnered Micro, Medium and Small (MSME) entrepreneurs across extensive merchant partner network to launch the HNB SOLO Avurudu Pola promoting QR- based payments at eight key locations across the island. “The SOLO Avurudu Pola goes beyond the confines of a traditional trade fair or market as it opens up a world of possibilities for HNB entrepreneurs, from strengthening their supply chains while simultaneously moving towards a cashless payment system. Launched in 2019, HNB’s flagship digital payments solution SOLO provides the convenience of digital transactions via the adaptable QR code, a more cost effective option when compared to alternative payment solutions available in the market. Having linked LANKAQR to SOLO, HNB was among the first financial institutions driving a cashless QR-code based payment revolution that aims to make mobile phones and digital payments the standard for day-to-day transactions island-wide. Users can make payments via LANKAQR by scanning the code using SOLO.
Source:The Nation
April 29, 2021 16:41 UTC
Former IGP Mahinda Balasuriya passes away
Former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dr. Mahinda Balasuriya has passed away at the age of 68. He had passed away at around 5.00 p.m. this evening while being treated at a private hospital in Narahenpita, according to police spokesman DIG Ajith Rohana. The details of the funeral of Dr. Mahinda Balasuriya will be announced later, he said. Balasuriya, who was the 33rd IGP of Sri Lanka, had also previously served as Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Brazil and the Ambassador to UAE. In addition to that, Mahinda Balasuriya is recognized as the officer who introduced the concept of the ‘119’ police emergency hotline service across the country.
Source:The Nation
April 29, 2021 16:09 UTC
Unilever Sri Lanka expands uStore.lk footprint on Viber
~Consumers can now access all Unilever Sri Lanka products including selected international Unilever brands over the uStore.lk bot~Offers attractive discounts and promotions to online shoppers continuously. Colombo, 29th April, 2021, Unilever Sri Lanka, one of the island’s largest fast-moving consumer goods companies today announced that it had expanded coverage of its uStore.lk e-commerce service to instant messaging platform Viber. This manifold increase of consumer traffic is largely attributed to the reason behind the extension of the service to Viber, for consumers to enjoy Unilever products from the comfort of their homes. The bot offers attractive discounts and other types of promotions continuously, and more importantly, offers consumers access to the full Unilever Sri Lanka portfolio and selected international Unilever brands. To avail themselves of the service, consumers need to simply access their Viber mobile application and search for “uStore.lk” to commence enjoying this new shopping experience.
Source:The Nation
April 29, 2021 15:45 UTC
Rejuvenating waste plastic bottles, a universal treasure
Through this venture, Coca-Cola hopes to play a critical role in supporting Indonesia’s plastic waste management issue, while creating an impact on the country’s circular economy as well. Waste management: a need for stronger reformIn a holistic point of view, one of the biggest issues in Sri Lanka’s waste management system is the poor implementation of proper waste collection. Primarily, every household should ideally have 4 separate designated bins to collect organic waste, paper waste, glass and metal waste and plastic waste. It is critical that waste management efforts are strengthened so that waste plastic makes its way into the recycling economy. An easy solution to the plastic waste issue is also to have plastic go back into the system.
Source:The Nation
April 29, 2021 15:45 UTC
1,491 new cases of coronavirus reported in Sri Lanka today
Sri Lanka reports that another 414 persons have tested positive for the novel coronavirus, increasing today’s total of new Covid-19 cases to 1,491. The new cases confirmed today are associated with the ‘New Year’ Covid-19 cluster, according to the Government Information Department. The total number of Covid-19 cases affiliated with the Minuwangoda, Peliyagoda, prisons and New year clusters has now risen to 100,736. Meanwhile the tally of confirmed cases of Covid-19 reported in Sri Lanka so far has climbed to 106,484. Total Covid-19 recoveries has reached 95,445 while the death toll due to the virus is 661.
Source:The Nation
April 29, 2021 15:22 UTC
CAA seals off coconut oil manufacturer’s facilities
April 29, 2021 by Aazam Ameen No CommentsFollowing the Consumer Affairs Authority’s (CAA) recent discovery of the carcinogen Aflatoxin in the coconut oil samples obtained from the products of a local brand, the CAA has since sealed off the company’s manufacturing facility. The CAA also stated that the coconut oil stocks released to the market by the company have been removed from shelves and that steps are being taken to proceed with legal action against the company. According to the Director of CAA Asela Bandara, the brand in question is a leading coconut oil manufacturer in the country called N-Joy.
Source:The Nation
April 29, 2021 15:00 UTC
ComBank Q+ Payment App passes 50,000 user milestone
The Commercial Bank of Ceylon has announced that ComBank Q+ Payment App, the first Quick Response (QR) based payment app to be launched on the LANKAQR platform, is now being used by over 50,000 customers who have embraced the convenience and security of the cashless digital payment solution offered by the Bank. By binding their cards to the Q+ app, ComBank cardholders avoid pulling out the card from their wallets which prevents card losses and card theft. Payments done using Q+ app require authentication using a static PIN which ensures the safety and security of transactions, making the Q+ App more secure than a normal card. Customers can add their ComBank Visa, Mastercard and UnionPay cards to the ComBank Q+ Payment App, enabling them to perform LankaQR, mVisa, and Mastercard QR transactions. ComBank Q+ Payment App is the only payment app in Sri Lanka that supports LankaQR, mVisa, and Mastercard QR transactions.
Source:The Nation
April 29, 2021 13:07 UTC
dnata enhances global leadership team with key appointments
dnata, one of the world’s largest air and travel services providers, has enhanced its global leadership team, announcing key senior management appointments. John has been with dnata for over three years, most recently leading dnata Travel Europe as Chief Executive Officer. Before joining dnata he held a number of senior positions within the travel industry in the United Kingdom and United States. Stewart Angus has been appointed Divisional Senior Vice President for Airport Operations. All of dnata’s three Divisional Senior Vice Presidents will report to Steve Allen, Executive Vice President.
Source:The Nation
April 29, 2021 13:07 UTC
SLT-MOBITEL and Epic Technology Launch ‘Helaviru’, Digital Agro-Produce and Commodities Trading Exchange
SLT-MOBITEL and Epic Technology Group recently announced the launch of the “Helaviru: Agro-Produce and Commodities Trading Exchange”, a cloud-based digital marketplace that facilitates seamless trading and exchange of Agro-Produce and Commodities among diverse stakeholders in Sri Lanka. The ‘Helaviru’ digital platform is conceptualized, designed and developed by Epic Technology Group and powered by SLT-MOBITEL’s cloud-based infrastructure, hosted in SLT’s state of the art data center and will be operationalized as a joint commercial initiative of both companies. Softlogic Retail will further offer Special Prices and customized Hire Purchase facilities with special Interest Free payment plans to Helaviru Customers for their product offerings on-boarded to the Helaviru Platform. ‘Helaviru’ will act as the single platform that seamlessly connects diverse stakeholders of the Agro-Produce and Commodities supply-chain from seeding to shipment. ‘Helaviru’, Digital Agro-Produce and Commodities Trading Exchange’ will actively participate and assist the national programs for poverty alleviation, economic development and sharing of prosperity.
Source:The Nation
April 29, 2021 13:07 UTC
Sri Lanka s COVID caseload up by 1,077 new infections
As many as 1,077 people were tested positive for novel coronavirus in Sri Lanka so far within the day, the National Operation Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO) said today (April 29). Following the latest surge in COVID figures, the country’s caseload now stands at 106,030. Meanwhile, the recoveries count climbed to 95,445 after 362 individuals who were infected with the virus were discharged from medical care earlier today. According to statistics, 9,924 active cases are still under medical care at designated hospitals and treatment centres. Sri Lanka has also witnessed 661 fatalities due to the outbreak of the pandemic.
Source:The Nation
April 29, 2021 12:56 UTC
Top 10 Astounding Uses For Genetic Technology
Recently, a form of advanced gene-editing technology known as CRISPR has opened up new avenues of genetic experimentation. Its elaborate chemical structure means producers have to rely on proteins from inside mice cells to cultivate the drug. The condition is caused by a rare genetic mutation and cannot be treated using regular gene therapy. 7 Gene therapy in one eye enhances vision in bothScientists have discovered a form of gene therapy for sight loss that, when injected into one eye, improves vision in both. As part of a recent trial, 37 patients with LHON received gene therapy injections into one of their eyes.
Source:The Nation
April 29, 2021 06:56 UTC
National cricket selectors to aim at 2023 World Cup?
The 22-yera-old left-arm spinner Praveen Jayawickrama won his national Test colours on Thursday (29)Sight is set on the next World Cup, the 50-over International Cricket Council (ICC) flagship event, which is to be held in India in 2023. It is reliably understood that the Sri Lankan national cricket selectors, headed by Pramodya Wickramasinghe, have set their plans to infuse young blood to the national short-format team with their focus on the 2023 World Cup. “The selectors want to give opportunity for young players, so it’s likely that several senior players will get dropped from the side and a final decision will be taken in the next few days,” the said SLC official further revealed. Current T20I national Skipper Dasun Shanaka will most probably be considered for replacing Karunaratne in the Sri Lanka ODI team. The source further added that present seniors in the national limited-over side such as Kusal Perera, Dhananjaya De Silva, and Isuru Udana are to retain their places.
Source:The Nation
April 29, 2021 05:48 UTC
Steps taken to increase Covid-19 treatment facilities
April 29, 2021 by Aazam Ameen No CommentsArmy Commander General Shavendra Silva says that steps have been taken to increase Covid-19 treatment facilities in hospitals. He added that selected tourist hotels would also be converted into intermediate treatment centers if required.
Source:The Nation
April 29, 2021 05:48 UTC
Royal, St. Joseph’s enter U19 cricket final
Pawan Rathnayake strikes a ton for Mahanama but in vainBy Ishani UpatharithaRoyal College, Colombo and St. Joseph’s College, Colombo reached the final of the Under-19 Inter-school Division-I Tier A cricket tournament, conducted by the Sri Lanka Schools Cricket Association (SLSCA) yesterday (28). Royal beat Mahanama College, Colombo by six wickets in their semi-final played at De Soysa Stadium, Moratuwa. St. Joseph’s beat Trinity College, Kandy by 10 wickets in their semi-final held at Surrey Grounds at Maggona, off Kalutara. of St. Joseph’s made an unbroken 161 runs partnership for the first wicket. Royal College will now take on St. Joseph’s in the key U-19 limited-over final at NCC on Saturday, 1 May.
Source:The Nation
April 29, 2021 05:00 UTC