Stability and Sustainability underpin Q1 Results for HNB
At Group level PBT and PAT were at Rs 5.9 Bn and Rs 4.8 Bn respectively. Commenting on the Bank’s results Managing Director / CEO of HNB Jonathan Alles stated: “HNB has demonstrated resilience, strength and stability during a year of unprecedented disruption. Accordingly, the Bank recorded a net exchange gain of Rs 1.9 Bn which was a 53% YoY improvement compared to Q1 2020. The impairment charge for the quarter ended 31st March 2021 was Rs 2.7Bn in comparison to Rs 4.7Bn recorded for Q1 2020. Accordingly, the profit after tax for the Bank improved to Rs 4.7 Bn by 78% during Q1 2021.
Source:The Nation
May 13, 2021 16:07 UTC
Coronavirus: UK records 2,657 cases and 11 deaths
Britain today announced 2,657 more coronavirus cases and 11 deaths as the country's outbreak remains flat but creeping upwards. 'The UK Government should have got its act together and if you ask me, they're to blame for the Indian variant being in this country. There are concerns the Indian variants, which have started spreading in the UK, could make jabs less effective and risk vaccinated people getting sick anyway. For this reason their data do not include every case of the Indian variant identified. Bolton had the most cases of the Indian variant in England over the week to April 24, their data showed.
Source:The Nation
May 13, 2021 15:56 UTC
Take your home internet up a notch with savings from Verizon
Luckily for you, Verizon has a few great Fios internet plans that should be able to help you out. All three of these discounted plans are only available to new Fios Internet customers. Through September 15, you can hop into Your Fios TV or the Fios TV Test Drive for just $50 per month. If you commit to More Fios TV for $70, you’ll get a $50 Verizon e-gift card or a $150 e-gift card with the $90 Most Fios TV plan. All in all, it’s a pretty rewarding time to give your house the power of Verizon Fios internet.
Source:The Nation
May 13, 2021 15:00 UTC
AG s Dept. declares open new Training and Development Centre
Attorney General Dappula De Livera today declared open a Training and Development Centre for the officers of the Attorney General’s Department. Funded and set up with assistance from USAID, the Training and Development Centre was declared open at the Attorney General’s Department building premises. The center will reportedly be dedicated to offering highly professionalised training for new recruits with an added in-house training component for staff already in service. This will allow the Attorney General’s Department to ensure consistency in delivering the standardised orientation program for new recruits and the continuous capacity and professional development of all AGD officers. The center will also reportedly include offices for onboarding and recruitment training, continuing legal education, professional and career development, and research and policy.
Source:The Nation
May 13, 2021 14:48 UTC
WEATHER ALERT: Warnings issued for landslides and heavy rainfall
COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka’s National Building Research Organization issued a Level 02 Landslide Early Warning for multiple areas in Galle and Kalutara Districts. The Level 02 Alert was issued for the Yakkalamulla, Elpitiya, Nagoda, Neluwa, Baddegama, Niyagama, and Thawalama Divisional Secretariat Divisions in the Galle Districts. The Level 02 Alert was also issued for the Bulathsinhala, Mathugama, Ingiriya, Walallawita, Agalawatta, Dodangoda, Palindanuwara, and Horana Divisional Secretariat Divisions in the Kalutara District. The NBRO issues a Level 02 Amber Alert when the rainfall within the past 24 hours has exceeded 100mm and if the rain continues. Flood warnings were issued for multiple areas including Bulathsinhala, Palindanuwara, Millaniya, and Horana, said the Irrigation Department.
Source:The Nation
May 13, 2021 14:03 UTC
Persons over 60 to receive Sinopharm vaccine: Dr. Sudarshini Fernandopulle
May 13, 2021 by Aazam Ameen No CommentsState Minister of Primary Health Care, Epidemics and COVID Disease Control Dr. Sudarshini Fernandopulle stated today (13) that a decision has been made to inoculate citizens over the age of 60 with the first dose of the Sinopharm Covid-19 vaccine. However, the State Minister noted that such persons will be vaccinated only if they do not have any underlying health conditions. According to the State Minister, this decision was made following a meeting with the Presidential Task Force assigned to matters relating to Covid-19.
Source:The Nation
May 13, 2021 14:03 UTC
Sri Lanka registers 1,075 new COVID infections
Sri Lanka has confirmed as many as 1,075 fresh coronavirus infections so far within the day, says the National Operation Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO). Following the latest surge, the country’s caseload now stands at 134,602. Meanwhile, the recoveries count climbed to 108,802 after 1,145 more individuals who were infected with the virus were discharged from medical care earlier today. According to statistics, 24,932 active cases are still under medical care at designated hospitals and treatment centres. Sri Lanka has also witnessed 868 deaths due to the outbreak of the pandemic.
Source:The Nation
May 13, 2021 13:30 UTC
Air Force produces Heated Humidified Oxygen Therapy Unit
COLOMBO (News 1st); The Heated Humidified Oxygen Therapy Unit manufactured by the Sri Lanka Air Force for the benefit of the patients with respiratory difficulties was officially handed over to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the Presidential Secretariat. The device is capable of delivering temperature-controlled oxygen with full humidity at high capacity to patients with respiratory complications. The Maintenance Unit of the Air Force Engineering Corps manufactured the unit under the guidance of Air Force Commander Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana and supervision of Group Captain Prasanna Martino. 1.5 million would be spent to manufacture the unit, it was completed at a lower cost of Rs.300,000. The functionality of the device was demonstrated to the President during the meeting with the President.
Source:The Nation
May 13, 2021 12:45 UTC
Food delivery allowed during travel restrictions - Police
Delivery of food, ordered via phone or online, will be allowed despite the 03-day island-wide travel restrictions, Police Media Spokesperson DIG Ajith Rohana said addressing a press conference held today (May 13). Accordingly, cooked food deliveries, restaurants, supermarkets, or shops that provide dry food items are allowed to make deliveries using their own delivery methods, the DIG said. However, no customers are allowed to visit any of these establishments during the 3-day travel restrictions. Nearly 20,000 police officers will be deployed to overlook the travel restrictions and other regulations from 10.00 pm tonight, according to DIG Rohana. Once 03-day travel restrictions are lifted at 04.00 am on Monday, the island-wide travel restrictions will be reinstated from 11.00 pm on the same night and conclude at 04.00 am the next day.
Source:The Nation
May 13, 2021 12:45 UTC
Visas of all categories of foreigners in Sri Lanka extended
Visas of all categories obtained by foreign tourists who are already in Sri Lanka have been extended by 60 days, says the Department of Immigration and Emigration. Accordingly, the extension will be in effect from May 11, 2021 until July 09, 2021. For the visas that expire within this period, only the visa fees applicable for the aforesaid period will be charged and they will be exempted from overstay penalty. Issuing a notice today (May 13), the Immigration and Emigration Department said it is continuing to provide services with the minimum number of staff amidst the pandemic situation. Instructions for resident visa holdersExtension of visa with effect from May 11 up to July 09 is applicable to all resident visa holders as well.
Source:The Nation
May 13, 2021 12:45 UTC
Validity period of VISAs for all categories extended
COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka’s Department of Immigration and Emigration has decided to extend the validity period of VISA for all categories obtained by foreign nationals already in Sri Lanka by 60 days with effect from 11th May 2021 to 09th July 2021. Issuing a statement, the Department of Immigration and Emigration said only VISA fee applicable for that period will be charged for the VISA that expires during the daid period and is exempted from being charged the overstay penalty. More details in the below statement issued by the Department of Immigration and Emigration.
Source:The Nation
May 13, 2021 12:00 UTC
Foreign nationals to get visa extensions
May 13, 2021 by Aazam Ameen No CommentsThe Department of Immigration & Emigration stated today (13) that visas of foreign nationals who are already in Sri Lanka will be extended. Accordingly, all categories of visas will be extended from 11 May to 09 July 2021. This decision comes after a series of travel restrictions were imposed by numerous countries due to the Covid-19 situation.
Source:The Nation
May 13, 2021 11:37 UTC
1,145 more COVID patients discharges from medical care
As many as 1,145 more patients who were being treated for COVID-19 have been discharged from medical care within the last 24 hours, the Ministry of Health reported today (May 12). This brings the total number of coronavirus recoveries in the country to 108,802. Majority of recoveries were reported from Kopay Treatment Centre (172), Punanai Treatment Centre (95), Dambadeniya Treatment Centre (84) and Hikkaduwa Treatment Centre (78). Sri Lanka has reported 133,527 positive cases of COVID-19 following the outbreak of the virus infection. However, up to 23,857 virus-infected patients are currently receiving treatment at designated hospitals and treatment centres.
Source:The Nation
May 13, 2021 11:26 UTC
Xiaomi patents a smartphone, smart speaker hybrid with rollable screen
But a new Xiaomi design patent suggests a future smartphone could literally double as a smart speaker. The design imagines a cylindrical device at its core reminiscent of a smart speaker. Smartphone or smart speaker? Presumably, it’s Xiaomi’s twisty take on a smart display similar to the Google Nest Home Max or Amazon Echo Show. If it packs smart speaker hardware, it could be exceptionally weighty, too.
Source:The Nation
May 13, 2021 10:52 UTC
License To Poach: Fishing For Trouble In Sri Lanka's Northern Waters
Efforts to end poaching by Indian fishermen in northern Sri Lankan coastal waters have continually failed, despite two decades of talks between the two neighbours, the latest move being reviving a proposal to license Indian fishermen. "If the Navy arrests all the poachers, the problem can be solved.”Poaching by Indian trawlers has been getting worse," he added. Harmonious FishingFishermen from Pudukkottai, Tamil Nadu on a trawler heading to the Palk Strait, where they frequently cross into Sri Lankan waters to get a better catch. And, he added, neither the Sri Lanka Coastguard nor the Sri Lanka Navy has the capacity to check each and every boat to ensure whether they have a licence or not. "Sri Lankan fishermen poach into Indian and Maldivian waters; Indian fishermen enter Pakistani and Bangladeshi waters, and Japanese and Taiwanese trawlers roam around the world."
Source:The Nation
May 13, 2021 10:30 UTC