The strike launched by health unions is still active today
The strike launched by 17 health unions is still active today. Ravi Kumudesh, convener of the Health Professionals’ Federation, said the strike was active in all but 10 hospitals islandwide. The strike, which began at 8 am yesterday, disrupted the issuance of medicines, laboratory tests, radiological tests, wards and units at government hospitals. Public health inspectors are also retiring and family health workers are retiring from their daily duties. The people were severely affected yesterday due to the disruption of hospital activities.
Negotiations between Russia and Ukraine have ended without a solution.
Foreign media reported that the talks were held at the Belarusian border yesterday in the face of the ongoing war. He was accompanied by Belarusian Foreign Minister Vladimir Maki, Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksi Resnikov and Russian Presidential Assistant Vladimir Medinsky. According to foreign reports, the two sides found some facts that could predict common positions during the nearly 5-hour long discussion aimed at establishing a ceasefire But the Russian-Ukrainian delegation reportedly agreed to another round of talks. The second round of talks will be held soon at the Belarusian border.
US President Joe Biden has condemned the Russias move
US President Joe Biden has condemned the Russias move. The US President further stated that Russian aircraft have also been banned from entering its airspace. Russia has launched airstrikes on Ukraine’s second-largest city, Harkiv, foreign media reported. Hungary is also preparing to accept citizens fleeing Ukraine. A television tower has been damaged by a Russian military attack on the Ukrainian capital, Kiev.
Joe Biden said that the West was ready for Russia’s war
Addressing the US Congress today, US President Joe Biden said that the West was ready for Russia’s war. He said President Putin was underestimating the reaction of the West to the invasion of Ukraine. Biden has claimed that Vladimir Putin has “miscalculated” by ordering a military invasion of its neighboring state, claiming that he was “trying to shake the foundations of the free world.” “Throughout our history, we have learned this lesson – when dictators do not pay the price for their aggression, they create another web of chaos,” Biden said in the opening remarks.
There will be a seven-and-a-half hour power cut today
There will be a seven-and-a-half hour power cut today. Accordingly, there will be a 5 hour power cut islandwide between 8 am and 6 pm. Janaka Ratnayake, chairman of the Public Utilities Commission, said that power cuts were allowed for another two and a half hours between 6 pm and 11 pm. Meanwhile, the CEB says that a month has passed since the Kanitissa power plant went down. Its media spokesman, Deputy General Manager Andrew Navamuni said that the defunct Sapugaskanda power plant has been restored. The water level associated with power plants has also dropped to 40%, according to the CEB. Accordingly, hydropower generation is 19%.
People are in long queues to buy fuel for vehicles stopped in the middle of roads without fuel
Vehicle owners have been waiting in long queues since morning to receive the diesel delivered to the IOC petrol station on the 01st due to the non-availability of diesel at the Ceypetco filling stations in Hatton. Diesel fuel was provided at the filling stations for Rs. 2000 per vehicle A large number of people had come near the petrol station to take diesel cans to the vehicles stopped halfway without diesel. Only a few long-distance buses plying from Hatton were added to the service on today, while the Hatton Depot had added more SLTB buses for long-distance and short-distance services.
Covid Guidelines will be extended for another month
The Covid-19 health guideline series has been extended by another month. The guidelines mentioned in the circular signed by the Director-General of Health will be effective from today (01) to the 31st of this month. Relevant guidelines should be followed to maintain social isolation as well as the further wearing of masks to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
A three hour power cut has been granted in all parts of the island today
The Public Utilities Commission announced that the CEB has been given permission to cut power for three hours between 8.30 am and 5.30 pm today. Unplanned 30-minute power cuts at night are also allowed if needed to manage excess demand. Therefore, the Chairman of the Public Utilities Commission Janaka Ratnayake has requested the public to reduce their electricity consumption from 6 pm to 10 pm today. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Energy stated yesterday that diesel can no longer be supplied to power plants.
Russian and Ukrainian tourist visas extended
The Cabinet has approved extending the visa period of Russian and Ukrainian tourists staying in Sri Lanka for two months free of charge. Russia and Ukraine war has endangered many Ukrainian lives and Ukrainian tourists who had visited different countries had to stay in their respective countries as the air space is still closed. Ukrainian tourists who currently staying in Sri Lanka requested the Sri Lankan government for a visa extended before.
The Ukraine President had rejected the United States a request to leave the country
The United States a request to the President of Ukraine to leave Ukraine rejected. ‘The war is here.I do not want to run without ammunition,” he said. The Ukrainian president has publicly told the media that Russian forces are rapidly occupying Ukraine and that he has no support from Western and European allies.