Term of De-Regulation Commission extended for three months
May 14, 2021 by Mihi Perera No CommentsThe term of the De-Regulation Commission to simplify existing laws has been extended for three more months. In a gazette notification issued by the President’s Secretary, P. B. Jayasundera, it was stated that the term of the commission has been extended for three months starting from 07 April. The De-Regulation Commission was established on the 07th of January.
Source:The Nation
May 14, 2021 11:07 UTC
June 21 'freedom day' is now 'in doubt': Experts sound alarm after Indian variant cases double
But Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham said he would not welcome local lockdowns to combat the spread of the Indian coronavirus variant. We do believe if we move quickly on vaccination we can take away any risk of a local lockdown.' What is the Indian variant? The second sub-type of the Indian variant – B.1.617.2 – was upgraded to a VOC because of concerns over its spread. Public Health England confirmed yesterday that several of the areas in England with the highest infection rates are those where the Indian variant is known to be rampant.
Source:The Nation
May 14, 2021 11:03 UTC
Illegal migration attempt thwarted; 30 suspects under arrest
A total of 30 individuals who are suspected to have attempted to illegally migrate to a foreign country via sea routes have been taken into custody. The operation was carried out on the 13th and 14th of May by Sri Lanka Navy and the Coast Guard at Samindugama area. Fourteen of the suspects and a house owner who had provided them with lodging facilities were apprehended on the May 13. Expanding the operation with the assistance of Chilaw Police today (May 14), the Navy and Coast Guard managed to apprehend 15 more persons in connection with the illegal act. The 30 males held during these operations were identified as residents of Jaffna, Batticaloa, Mullaitivu and Puttalam areas.
Source:The Nation
May 14, 2021 10:41 UTC
Meizu Watch appears on China Telecom website
We’ve been expecting Meizu to announce its second smartwatch for a while now and we might not be far away from it finally happening. The Meizu Watch was spotted on China Telecom’s very own site by Weibo leakster @UncleMobile giving us our first look at the device. Meizu Watch listingThe design is quite reminiscent of the Apple Watch with its square casing and looped watch band. Meizu Watch was initially believed to launch in Q4 2020 but that never materialized. The smart wearable will debut with Meizu’s very own Flyme for Watch interface.
Source:The Nation
May 14, 2021 10:41 UTC
Amazon will create more than 10,000 jobs in UK
Amazon will create more than 10,000 new jobs in the UK and launch a £10million programme to help employees gain new skills, the online giant announced. The new jobs will include roles at its corporate offices, Amazon Web Services (AWS) and its operations network. Amazon hopes the programme - which covers up to £8,000 over four years - will 'boost the skills and employability of British workers'. Amazon will create more than 10,000 jobs in the UK to boost the British economy post-Covid (file image)The accredited courses covered under Amazon's scheme range from accountancy to HGV drivers and software developers, the statement said. Amazon's UK country manager John Boumphrey said: 'We're creating thousands of good jobs across the UK from a diverse range of roles with excellent pay and benefits.
Source:The Nation
May 14, 2021 09:00 UTC
No tsunami threats to Sri Lanka from Sumatra earthquake
May 14, 2021 02:14 pmAn earthquake of magnitude 6.6 has struck off the northwest coast of Indonesia’s Sumatra island today (May 14). The tremor has occurred at a depth of about 15 km. Sri Lanka’s National Early Tsunami Warning Centre of Department of Meteorology assured that there is no threat of tsunami waves to the island at present due to the said earthquake. “Therefore, the coastal areas of Sri Lanka are declared safe,” the Met. According to foreign media, the quake was felt strongly in Padang city on Sumatra’s west coast.
Source:The Nation
May 14, 2021 08:37 UTC
Top 10 Movies That Helped Ruin Filmmaking
We’ve all heard the term “influential films”: movies whose innovative approaches inspired others to further the medium. It also helped set the precedent that such movies are released in summertime, now known as blockbuster season. 9 Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope (1977)“Toyetic” refers to a movie’s potential for merchandising licensed toys, games and novelties. Lowlights include a Darth Vader yoga mat, a Yoda Magic 8-Ball and, for the incontinent Jedi in us all, Star Wars branded adult diapers. 3 Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones (2002)Yoda Against Dooku [1080p]“Ruin Star Wars we must.”Throw in moviemaking too, Master Yoda.
Source:The Nation
May 14, 2021 08:01 UTC
No impact on Sri Lanka from Indonesia’s earthquake
The Disaster Management Center today stated that there has been no impact to Sri Lanka following an earthquake that occurred off the West Coast of Sumatra Province in Indonesia. The earthquake was reportedly of a magnitude of 6.6.
Source:The Nation
May 14, 2021 08:01 UTC
Ramadan 2021: Reliving Community and Culture
When one thinks of Ramadan, community is often the first thing that comes to mind. With last Ramadan spent in lockdown and this one spent in apprehension of a potential “third wave” of the virus, adaptability has been key to keeping Ramadan traditions alive. Click here to readIn Pictures: Ramadan in ColomboFor Muslims around the world, the month of Ramadan means more than fasting from dawn till sunset. This also means watalappam is making a comeback, occupying its foremost place in the festive spread of Sri Lanka’s Muslim community. Instead of mosques full of worshippers, iftars shared between families and friends and visits to and from relatives, Muslims spent this year fasting under curfew in their homes.
Source:The Nation
May 14, 2021 07:18 UTC
Indian envoy meets Cabraal and Peiris
India’s High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Gopal Baglay and other Indian diplomats held talks with Prof. G.L Peiris, Minister of Education and Ajith Nivard Cabraal, State Minister of Money & Capital Market and State Enterprise Reforms yesterday (13). These discussions were held in an effort to further strengthen mutually beneficial economic, commercial and development cooperation between the two countries. Accordingly, some of the steps agreed to act upon will help enhance Indian investment in Sri Lanka and expedite development projects in Sri Lanka which have been undertaken by India in accordance with Sri Lanka’s priorities.
Source:The Nation
May 14, 2021 07:04 UTC
Israel steps up attacks on Gaza with heavy bombing overnight
Israel stepped up its attacks on the Gaza Strip overnight with the heaviest bombardment yet by land, sea and air amid fears of a ground invasion with thousands of troops moved to the border. The Israeli army clarified early Friday that its troops had not entered the Gaza Strip as it had earlier stated, blaming an 'internal communication' problem for the confusion. Israel fired artillery and mounted more air strikes against Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip amid constant rocket fire deep into Israel's commercial centre. 'Rockets continue to impact the Gaza periphery and areas across Southern and Central Israel, including Jerusalem,' it said. Brigadier General Hidai Zilberman told reporters early Thursday: 'Tonight we started destroying government targets in the Gaza Strip, such as central banks and internal security buildings.
Source:The Nation
May 14, 2021 06:45 UTC
Is Brazils President guilty of Criminal Negligence over VACCINE disaster?
Is Brazils President guilty of Criminal Negligence over VACCINE disaster? Pazuello is due to testify before the commission on May 19. The Brazilian government eventually negotiated with Pfizer for 100 million doses in a contract signed in March, with the first 1 million doses arriving in late April. Another lot of 628,000 doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine landed in Brazil from Belgium on Wednesday, the Health Ministry said, adding that it has so far distributed 1.6 million doses of the shot in the national immunization program. Murillo said Pfizer is about to sign a contract for 100 million more doses for delivery to Brazil in the fourth quarter.
Source:The Nation
May 14, 2021 05:15 UTC
President hopeful true Islam devotees would commit to further strengthen harmony
The President is hopeful that true Islam devotees who follow the Holy Quran would collectively commit themselves with added determination to further strengthen harmony. On the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr, I offer my best wishes with the expectation that all those virtuous wishes may come true. Without doubt the appeal to save the humankind from this lethal COVID-19 pandemic would be among the wishes of our Islam devotees. I believe that the true Islam devotees who follow the Holy Quran would collectively commit themselves with added determination to further strengthen harmony. I extend my best wishes to all Islam devotees in Sri Lanka who join together with the Islam devotees across the world for a happy Eid-ul-Fitr!
Source:The Nation
May 14, 2021 04:18 UTC
EXTREME WEATHER: Heavy falls exceeding 100mm likely
COLOMBO (News 1st): Due to the influence of the low-pressure area over the Southeast Arabian Sea, the prevailing showery and windy condition is expected to continue further on Friday (May 14), the Department of Meteorology said. Heavy falls exceeding 100 mm could be expected at some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, and North-Western provinces, the Met Department noted. Furthermore, showers or thundershowers are likely at times in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Southern Northern, North Central, and North-Western provinces. Wind speed could increase up to 40-50 kmph at times over the island; gusty winds reaching speeds of up to 60 kmph could be expected particularly in the Northern, North Central and North-Western provinces, the weather advisory issued at 05:30 am on Friday (14) noted. The general public is requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers, the Department of Meteorology stressed.
Source:The Nation
May 14, 2021 03:33 UTC
Isolation orders issued on 42 areas in three districts
Isolation orders have been issued on 42 areas in Batticaloa, Trincomalee and Kurunegala districts, says the Commander of Sri Lanka Army General Shavenra Silva. Weaving Mill Road (150 C GN Division)3. Velapodi Road (150 C GN Division)4. Kannakiamman Kovil Road heading seashore (150 C GN Division)5. Periya Kinniya GN Division3.
Source:The Nation
May 14, 2021 02:37 UTC