Navy 4RU stands ready to respond to possible floods
Sri Lanka Navy pre-deployed two teams of Rapid Response Rescue & Relief Unit (4RU) in the Bulathsinhala Divisional Secretariat in the Kalutara District (13th May 2021), in preparation of possible floods due to heavy rains in existence. The low-lying areas around Bulathsinhala are at risk of flooding due to the rising water level of the Kalu Ganga and its tributaries due to heavy rainfall in the catchment areas of the Kalu Ganga which flows through the Kalutara District. As a result, the Navy immediately responded to a request made by the Bulathsinhala Divisional Secretary through the Disaster Management Center by deploying 02 relief teams of 4RU in the area prior to any flood emergencies. In addition, as a precautionary measure to reduce the risk of flash floods, the Navy launched a number of programmes to restore downstream of water underside bridges clogged by debris and other remains, in various parts of the country. Despite the COVID 19 pandemic in the country, the Navy remains standby to reach out to the public in the event of any eventuality.
Source:The Nation
May 14, 2021 01:52 UTC
NSWGreat dark web dealer behind $17million drug empire was 'confident' he would stay anonymous
A baby-faced IT whiz who masterminded a $17million drug ring on the dark web bragged in a news article three years ago he would be able to remain anonymous under the fake alias NSWGreat. Ward operated under the pseudonym NSWGreat since 2011 and gave an anonymous interview to a news outlet boasting of his drug syndicate in August 2018. The court previously heard Ward operated the drug syndicate on the dark web from a Callala Bay home over the course of four years, specialising in LSD, ecstasy, MDMA and amphetamines. Police told the court 'NSWGreat' had been in operation since 2011 using five marketplace platforms on the dark web which could only be accessed via a special browser. Ward added he didn't take the alleged drug syndicate very seriously because he 'used to role play as a drug trafficker' while playing video games as a teenager.
Source:The Nation
May 14, 2021 00:45 UTC
First India repatriation flight to Australia leaves today
The plane will return on Saturday morning to Darwin, where those on board will be transported to the Howard Springs quarantine facility just outside the city. NT health officials are preparing for 10 per cent of the passengers on Saturday's flight to be infected - five times more than repatriation flights from other countries. Three flights are expected to land in Darwin from India during May and early June. That will push Howard Springs' population to about 1,200 people and on track to 2,000 by the end of June. About 490 people are quarantining at Howard Springs, where the number of people with coronavirus has fallen to five from more than 50 two weeks ago.
Source:The Nation
May 14, 2021 00:11 UTC
Today show host Karl Stefanovic destroys 'whining' Prince Harry
DS: Yeah, yeah, and here we are, you and I, a couple of white males, pontificating. PH: What made you want to come with me like that, when clearly we've never met, you don't know me? DS: Yeah, yeah. DS: Yeah, yeah. DS: Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Source:The Nation
May 13, 2021 21:11 UTC
Ramazan Day Message
The Muslims consider Ramazan to be a great opportunity for the purification of lives as well as to practice self-control. Without doubt the appeal to save the humankind from this lethal COVID-19 pandemic would be among the wishes of our Islam devotees. The month of Ramazan is a time for the reflection of this objective. I believethat 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 13, 2021 21:00 UTC
Elon Musk's SpaceX and Google team up to provide customers with Starlink internet coverage
Elon Musk's SpaceX and Google have joined forces to to deliver data, cloud services, and applications to customers at the network edge. Google Cloud provides customers with computing resources for developing, deploying and operating applications on the internet. This service offers a secure cloud service, which Google can now list on its features when it rolls out capabilities with Starlink. Google is not the only tech giant taking advantage of Musk's internet satellite constellation, as Microsoft won a similar deal in October 2020 to connect its Azure cloud computing platform to Starlink. However, rival Amazon is ramping up to create its own internet satellite constellation, which could launch more than 3,000 devices.
Source:The Nation
May 13, 2021 20:04 UTC
True Muslims will commit to strengthen harmony: President
In President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s Eid-ul-Fitr message conveyed to all Sri Lankan Muslims yesterday (13), he stated that true Islam devotees who follow the Holy Quran would collectively commit themselves with added determination to further strengthen harmony. In his message, the President extended his 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. The ongoing Covid-18 pandemic was also addressed by the President: “Without doubt the appeal to save the humankind from this lethal Covid-19 pandemic would be among the wishes of our Islam devotees. The month of Ramadan is a time for the reflection of this objective,” he said. Eid-ul-Fitr is a celebration which marks the end of the holy month of Ramdan.
Source:The Nation
May 13, 2021 20:03 UTC
Issuance of vehicle revenue licenses in Sabaragamuwa temporarily suspended
According to a statement released by the Department of Government Information, the issuance of vehicle revenue licenses in the Sabaragamuwa Province has been temporarily suspended from 13.05.2021 to 31.05.2021. This decision has been made considering the prevailing pandemic situation in the country. The statement further notified that the vehicle owners will not be fined when renewing the revenue licenses until the 15th of June 2021.
Source:The Nation
May 13, 2021 20:03 UTC
Vaccinated people can take off masks indoors, CDC says
People who are fully vaccinated but immunocompromised people may still be advised by their doctors to keep masking. The CDC also no longer recommends that fully vaccinated people wear masks outdoors in crowds. 'If you are fully vaccinated you can start doing the things that you had stopped doing because of the pandemic. The CDC is expected to update its guidelines for the public to say that fully vaccinated people no longer need to wear masks indoors - except in crowded settings like planes and buses. The CDC is expected to say on Thursday that people can stop wearing masks indoors.
Source:The Nation
May 13, 2021 20:03 UTC
All non-medical Uni staff in WP to get vaccine
Speaking to The Morning yesterday (13), University Grants Commission (UGC) Chairman Prof. Sampath Amaratunge said that the Government has decided to vaccinate the staff of all age groups of Western Province-based state universities first. “Under the instructions of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the Government has taken a decision to vaccinate academic and non-academic staff of seven Western Province-based state universities. Staff of private universities and higher education institutions based in the Western Province would be vaccinated following the vaccination of those at the above state universities. Medical Officers from the said universities have been appointed to co-ordinate the vaccination programme in the universities, while the vaccination programme is to be handled by the Army. When queried about the vaccine to be administered, Prof. Amaratunge said that it could be either the Chinese Sinopharm or Russian Sputnik V vaccine.
Source:The Nation
May 13, 2021 18:56 UTC
Airports to remain open: Prasanna
Airports will function according to the recommended health guidelines and regulations, despite the strict travel restrictions that are in force in the country, he added. A period of 14 days of quarantine has been made mandatory for all overseas arrivals regardless of their vaccination status. “Several countries have imposed temporary travel bans on travel to Sri Lanka. Kuwait and Dubai, UAE, have stopped flights from Sri Lanka and several other countries in Asia. Some countries have suspended travel and Sri Lankans also cannot travel to some countries.
Source:The Nation
May 13, 2021 18:45 UTC
Memorial stone brought to Mullivaikkal ‘disappears’
Brought for 18 May memorial for the war-deadArmy involvement alleged; Army deniesBy Pamodi WaravitaA memorial stone that was brought to Mullivaikkal by the North East Mullivaikkal Memorial Forum on 18 May has allegedly disappeared yesterday (13) morning. The memorial stone was brought in preparation for the remembrance of the victims during the last stages of the Sri Lankan civil war in 2009. “We brought the memorial stone to the site in Mullivaikkal on the night of 12 May. People allege that the Army moved it,” claimed North East Mullivaikkal Memorial Forum Co-Chair Fr. He added that a complaint has been filed with the Mullaitivu Police Station regarding the disappearance of the memorial stone.
Source:The Nation
May 13, 2021 18:45 UTC
BASL, Rights group concerned over custodial deaths
“The Inspector General of Police (IGP) Chandana D. Wickramaratne was informed about the threat to the life of Kosgoda Tharaka by his lawyer. The CPRP said it would be filing complaints at the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) regarding the deaths of both Urujuwa and Kosgoda Tharaka. DIG Rohana claimed that an incident which had occurred there had forced the Police to use their weapons which had resulted in the death of Wijesekera. DIG Rohana also noted that a Chief Inspector of Police had also been injured during the incident and is currently receiving medical treatment. In a similar “incident” in October last year, Samarasinghe Arachchige Madush Lakshitha alias “Makandure Madush” died while in custody.
Source:The Nation
May 13, 2021 18:45 UTC
Apparel sector can function despite travel restrictions: Army Commander
Army Commander and Head of the National Operation Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO) General Shavendra Silva stated today (13) that despite the travel restrictions coming into effect tonight, the apparel sector is allowed to operate as usual during the travel restrictive period. However, he also stressed that the industry is only permitted to carry out their operations provided that they adhere to all health guidelines which are currently in effect. Additionally, the Army Commander stated that all activities carried out by the apparel sector must take place under the ‘bubble’ concept. These activities include manufacturing, distribution, import and export. Travel restrictions will come into effect at 11.00 pm today and will lift at 4.00 am on Monday (17).
Source:The Nation
May 13, 2021 17:03 UTC
Sri Lanka s daily coronavirus cases count climbs to 2,249
May 13, 2021 09:36 pmThe Ministry of Health says that another 1,174 persons have tested positive for coronavirus in the country, increasing today’s tally of Covid-19 cases to 2,249. All new cases reported today are associated with the New Year Covid-19 cluster. This brings the Sri Lanka’s total coronavirus cases count to 135,796 while total recoveries stand at 108,802. 26,126 patients infected with the virus are currently under medical treatment.
Source:The Nation
May 13, 2021 16:07 UTC