CATEGORIES

Work On Roads, Bridges To Continue Despite Quarantine Curfew : Highways Minister

Workers and engineers could report to work using their employee ID cards as curfew passes”

Sydney imposes nightly curfew as Australia battles Delta outbreak

Two million residents of Sydney will be under nightly curfew from next week to slow the highly infectious Delta variant of coronavirus that is spreading across New South Wales state, authorities said on Friday as they extended lockdown orders.

UK EMBASSY GUARDS- WHO HELPED EVACUATE DIPLOMATS: INELIGIBLE FOR RESCUE

Around 125 Afghans hired to guard the British Embassy in Kabul have been informed they will receive no protection from the UK government, the Guardian reported, noting they were rejected as they didn’t work “directly” for London.

Norwegian Ambassador calls on Finance Minister

Norwegian Ambassador Trine Jøranli Eskedal called on Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa yesterday.

Russian scientists develop new variant of Sputnik V vaccine

The team behind Russia’s pioneering coronavirus vaccine, Sputnik V, has said that plans have already been put in place to adapt the formula based on genetic sequencing from the new Delta variant, which is resistant to some jabs.

GOVERNMENT IMPOSES 10 DAYS QUARANTINE CURFEW: ARMY CHIEF

• Essential services allowed during quarantine curfew • Vaccination programme for those above 60• People encouraged to stay at home to prevent further spread• Those who report to work can travel through the checkpoints producing their service IDs

Covid-19 'Puzzle' That Forced Nation Into Lockdown Solved: NZ

HINDUSTAN TIMES, 19 AUG, 2021- New Zealand reported a breakthrough Thursday in tracing the source of a Covid-19 outbreak that plunged the nation into lockdown, with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern saying it should help stamp out the virus.

Indian States Prepare For Next Covid Wave, Focus On Children

MUMBAI, AUG 19 (REUTERS) - Several Indian states are building facilities with more paediatric beds, plus oxygen, due to concern that children returning to school without being vaccinated will be among the most vulnerable during a third wave of coronavirus infections.

Vaccination Prevents Arising Of New Covid Variants: WHO Chief Scientist

• Vaccination reduced deaths by protecting the vulnerable • WHO has called for a moratorium on booster shots until the low and middle-income countries inoculated their populations• WHO is calling for 40 percent population coverage of every country by the end of 2021 • We’re planning to hand out extra life jackets to people who already have life jackets and leaving other people to drown without a life jacket. That’s the ethical reality

Oil Producing Nations Agree Deal To Control Prices

BBC: Oil producing nations have agreed to increase their output, with the aim of reducing prices and easing pressure on the world economy.

Navalny tells Russians to sabotage upcoming elections

MOSCOW, AUG 19 (REUTERS) -Jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny on Thursday told Russians to take part in a tactical voting campaign at next month's parliamentary elections to try to dent the ruling United Russia party's political dominance.

No Lockdown; Strict Travel Restrictions Will Be Imposed: President

• If a lockdown was imposed, the economy would be affected and that the daily wage earners will also face a grave crisis

Self-Lockdown Could Destabilize The Nation

Govt. should follow trade associations and impose a lockdown

SLC Greys Remain Unbeaten, Edge SLC Greens

Skipper Dasun Shanaka continued his good batting form in the ongoing SLC Invitational T20 cricket tournament when he slammed an unbeaten 55 runs in just 22 balls which, along with a useful contribution from Kamil Mishara, helped the SLC Greys record a four-run win on Duckworth/Lewis over the SLC Greens at the Pallekele International Stadium yesterday.

Sydney Warned Worse To Come As Delta Cases Surge

Sydney’s Delta outbreak has not peaked and residents must brace for more deaths, authorities said on Wednesday, as Australia’s largest city continued to break records for new daily infections despite a nearly two-month lockdown.

DEADLY JALALABAD PROTESTS AS TALIBAN CONSOLIDATE ISLAMIST RULEISTAN

At least three people were killed in anti-Taliban protests in the Afghan city of Jalalabad on Wednesday, witnesses said, as the militant group tried to set up a government and Western countries stepped up evacuations of diplomats and civilians.

Avishka Appointed Afghanistan Batting Coach

The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has hired the services of former Sri Lanka batsman Avishka Gunawardene as their batting coach. This was confirmed by the ACB CEO Dr. Hamid Shinwari.

Restaurateurs Call On Govt. To Expedite Vaccination For Those Below 30 Years

• Note below 30 years’ category yet to be inoculated against Covid-19• CCRC welcomes efforts to make Covid-19 vaccination card mandatory when entering restaurants• CCRC chief says a change in customer behaviour also observed since restaurants are no more experiencing walkin customers

Sri Lanka To Open T20 World Cup Campaign Against Namibia

Sri Lanka will face Namibia, Netherlands and Ireland in the first round of the T20 World Cup 2021, with two of those teams moving into the Super 12 round.

Use Fuel Wisely To Save Foreign Currency: Gammanpila

Need funds for much-needed medicines and vaccines

Economic Development At The Cost Of Human Lives No Use - Rajitha

• What the pandemic has made clear globally is that social justice plays a big role as well in a society • Mr. Madduma Bandara said that his party will wait and see how the new Minister of Health Keheliya Rambukwella will perform

I Didn't Expect This Sudden Change

• In another 4 weeks, we can save this country• At present we have vaccinated 54% of the population

Shanika, Tharushi Vie For 800m At World Junior Meet Today

Two promising Sri Lankan athletes Shanika Lakshani and Tharushi Karunaratne will compete in the Women’s 800m event on the opening day of the 2021 World Junior Athletic Championships, which begins in Nairobi, Kenya today.

What Is Wrong With Kndu Bill?

Having a ‘university’ with a military structure coming under the remit of the UGC while retaining its essentially military character, amounts to the UGC administering militarised education, and the military being authorised to make inroads into civilian education

Govt. Ready To Go For Lockdown

Medical experts had not yet recommended going for a lockdown as of now

IS SLC Managed Properly?

SLC’s expenditure sky-rocketing records staggeringly low income in 2019 selectors overlook best T20 batsman

Judges And Lawyers Express Dismay Over Recent JSC Meeting

JSC meeting can be considered as exerting subtle pressure on Magistrates when engaging in the performance of their official duties

Rosy Calls For People To Follow Even More Stringent Health Guidelines

Says authorities will and are, doing their best to keep you safe. Get yourself vaccinated if not already done so. Wear a well fitting mask or even double mask whenever out of home. Do not leave home unless absolutely necessary. Check if the services you need available online. Do not permit any visitors to your home unless absolutely necessary. Govt. is permitting certain activities so that essential work can be continue. Businesses also should encourage employees to work from home

Traders Impose Lockdown In Veyangoda, Gampaha And Ambalantota

18 individuals had died of COVID -19 in Veyangoda recently and the situation could further aggravate due to the public frequenting the town. The majority of the traders in the town agreed to this decision

Trade gap widens for fourth consecutive month in June

• June trade deficit rose to US $ 652mn, compared to US $ 161mn a year ago• Merchandise import expenditure grew by 57.2% YoY to US $ 1.66b; merchandise export earnings recovered 12.6% to US $ 1.01b• 1H cumulative deficit widened to US $ 4.32bn, from US $ 3.26bn in 2020• Largest contributor to deficit widening in 1H was US $ 543.8mn increase in fuel import bill