LTTE tried to break into President’s Hotel
Police have thwarted an attempt by a group of LTTE supporters to break into the Double Tier Hilton Hotel in Scotland where President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa was staying. The pro-LTTE activists have also blocked the entrance to the hotel and obstructed foreign delegates from attending the climate summit. Police in riot gear stormed a rally on Friday, removing hundreds of protesters by bus from London to Glasgow. A Sri Lankan Sri Lankan in Glasgow told us yesterday (3rd) that the former LTTE cadres who had sought political asylum had come to Glasgow and shouted at them to arrest them. They later requested the Scottish police authorities near the hotel, but the request was denied.
Tennis champion accuses former Chinese deputy prime minister for sexual harassment
Foreign media report that Chinese tennis champion Peng Shuai has accused a retired Communist Party leader of sexually harassing her. She made the allegation in a post on Weibo, a Chinese social media network. Her accusation was leveled against former Chinese Deputy Prime Minister Zhang Geoli. “He forced me to have sex with him,” she noted. It is said that this is the first time such an allegation has been leveled against a Chinese political leader. The former deputy prime minister has not yet responded. Online searches for Peng have also been hampered. Zhang Geoli, now 75, served as China’s deputy prime minister from 2013 to 2018. He is said to be close to President Xi Jinping.
A price formula for cigarettes?
Dr Samadhi Rajapaksa, Chairman of the National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol says that the price of cigarettes could increase in the next budget due to the price formula presented to determine the price of a cigarette. According to the price formula, the price of a cigarette increases every year said Dr Samadhi Rajapaksa at a media briefing held today. “We came up with a scientific and transparent pricing formula for determining the price of a cigarette. It is hoped that the price of cigarettes will increase in the forthcoming budget. I think the introduction of a pricing formula for this cigarette is a historic step. From the day this price formula was introduced, as long as there are cigarettes in this country, the price of cigarettes goes up every year. We are raising the price of cigarettes to the point where consumers cannot afford them. “ The National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol is committed to eradicating those addicted to tobacco and alcohol, said its Chairman Dr Samadhi Rajapaksa.
The luxury car driven by the 16 year old was in a fatal accident
A person was killed in a road accident near the Welisara Cemetery this morning (04). Three others who were injured in the accident have been admitted to the Ragama Teaching Hospital. The accident took place near the Welisara cemetery on the Colombo-Negombo main road at around 9 today morning. A luxury car traveling from Colombo to Negombo veered off the road and collided with two motorcycles, a three wheeler and a car traveling in the opposite direction. Mahabage police stated that the driver of the luxury car was a 16 year old youth. Preliminary investigations have revealed that the accident occurred due to the inability to control the speed. The motorcyclist was killed in the accident and the rear rider was admitted to the Ragama Teaching Hospital with serious injuries.
Sri Lanka – West Indies match today
The match between Sri Lanka and West Indies in the Super 12 round of the T20 World Cup is scheduled to be played today (04). The match will be played in Abu Dhabi at 7.30 pm. Both teams have so far won one match each. Meanwhile, the match between the Australian team and the Bangladesh team in the first group is scheduled to start at 3.30 pm today in Dubai.
WHO approval recived for Covaxin vaccine
The Covaxin vaccine, manufactured by Bharath Biotech, India, has been added to the World Health Organization’s list of covid vaccines approved for emergency use. The vaccine was approved for use in India in January during the third phase of clinical trials. As a result, India’s decision was criticized and drew much attention from many quarters. The covaxin vaccine applied for approval of the World Health Organization last July. The final decision was delayed due to a request for further data on the vaccine by a panel of experts from the organization. The World Health Organization (WHO) endorsed the benefits of the covaxin vaccine. The vaccine has a 78% effectiveness against the virus, according to foreign reports.
The government has decided to remove the existing sugar control price
The government has decided to remove the existing sugar control price. The decision was taken at a meeting between Chinese investors and Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa. The Minister of Finance has stated that steps should be taken to provide the required sugar to the consumers without any shortage. Accordingly, the Consumer Affairs Authority states that a gazette notification will be issued abolishing the sugar control price gazette. The control price of white sugar was 122 rupees per kilo and brown sugar was 125 rupees per kilo. Sugar importers say that the wholesale price of sugar is between Rs. 135-140 per kilo and the retail price is around Rs. 150.
Queues for Kerosene all over the country
It is reported that more and more consumers are coming to get kerosene at petrol stations across the country. Due to this many petrol stations have restricted the supply of kerosene. Kerosene is being offered in limited quantities per customer. The owners of filling stations say that the queues for kerosene have arisen due to the increase in the price of kerosene.
The petition against Cabraal’s appointment is dismissed
Former Minister Ajith Nivard Cabraal’s appointment as the Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka has been ordered to be quashed by the Court of Appeal. The order was made by a bench of Justices of the Court of Appeal comprising Sobhitha Rajakaruna and Dhammika Ganepola. At the time of considering the petition, the Attorney General had objected that the appointment of Ajith Nivard Cabraal as the Governor of the Central Bank had been made by the President and that a write order could not be issued challenging his appointment under Article 35 of the Constitution. In addition, the Attorney General made several other initial objections.
The protesters guarantee that there will be no power outages in the country
The Oil, Ports and Electricity Joint Trade Union has organized a protest today (03) against the sale of national resources. Convener of the Ceylon Electricity Board Joint Trade Union Alliance Ranjan Jayalal said that the protest was organized in front of the Ceylon Electricity Board headquarters from noon today. He emphasized that there would be no power outage today due to the protest. Ceylon Electricity Board Chairman Mr. M.M.C Ferdinandis said If employees participating in the protest are violating the orders of the administration not involved in emergency maintenance it is a breach of service agreement