“The Flying Sikh” of India has died – Milkha Singh
One of India’s greatest athletes, Milkha Singh, has died after infected with the coronavirus and he was aged 91 years when he passed away. He was popularly known as “the Flying Sikh” in India because he has won four Asian gold medals and finished fourth in the 400m final at the 1960 Rome Olympics. His life story was turned into the Bollywood film “Bhaag Milkha Bhaag – Run Milkha Run” in 2013. His wife, Nirmal Kaur has also died with Covid earlier this week at the age of 85 years and she was a former volleyball captain in India.
Further samples are being collected to find out if there are any Delta strains infected people in the society.
Dr Asela Gunawardena, Director General of Health Services, said that samples are being taken from various parts of the country to find out if there are any infected people in the Indian Delta Corona strain. He said that samples were also taken from quarantine centres in various areas and from people staying in quarantine centres where foreigners are coming to Sri Lanka staying. He further stated that steps have been taken to send the samples to the University of Sri Jayewardenepura for testing. Investigations are also underway to find people who have been in contact with people in the Dematagoda area who have been found infected with the Indian Delta Corona strain.
The maximum retail price of coconut has been removed
The Consumer Affairs Authority says that the maximum retail price for coconut has been removed. The relevant authority has issued a gazette notification in this regard yesterday (June 18). The maximum retail price for coconut was set by Gazette Notification No. 2194/73 dated 25th September last year. According to the gazette notification, a maximum retail price of Rs. 70 was fixed for coconuts over 13 inches in circumference, Rs. 65 for coconuts between 12 and 13 inches in circumference and a maximum retail price of Rs. 60 for coconuts less than 12 inches in circumference. The Consumer Affairs Authority has issued a new Gazette Notification No. 2232/38 yesterday as follows.
Covid 19 current situation in Sri Lanka – Sri Lanka reported 55 covid 19 related deaths
The total number of covid deaths in the country has risen to 2,480 with the confirmation of 55 covid deaths yesterday. Among them 23 were women and 32 were men, according to the Government Information Department. The total number of infected persons identified yesterday was 2,327, Government Information Department stated Accordingly, the total number of infected persons in the country has increased to 235,391. 1,825 people who have been infected have been cured and the cured number rises to 197,259 yesterday.
Lanka Phosphate Company has been transferred to the Ministry of Agriculture
Lanka Phosphate Company has been transferred to the Ministry of Agriculture by a special gazette notification. Until now the company was under the Ministry of Industries under Wimal Weerawansa. These institutions have been transferred by a special gazette notification issued by President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa yesterday.
Mr. Daya Ratnayake has appointed as the Secretary to the Ministry of Industries
President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa has appointedMr. Daya Ratnayake as the Secretary to the Ministry of Industries following his resignation from the post of Chairman of the Ports Authority. Mr. Daya Ratnayake also states that he was informed about this appointment yesterday afternoon. Nihal Keppetipola has been appointed as the Chairman of the Ports Authority after Daya Ratnayake. Former Army Commander Daya Ratnayake, who has been appointed as the Secretary to the Ministry of Industries, is reluctant to take up the post, several online media reports.
A police officer has been arrested with 50 kilograms of heroin.
A police officer has been arrested with 50 kilograms of heroin. The suspect is a Sub Inspector attached to the Kalutara South Police. The suspect was arrested in a police uniform in the Hikkaduwa area by the Organized Crime Unit.
Will Basil Rajapaksha enter the Parliament as the Finance Minister?
It is revealed that the Chief of the Presidential Task Force on Economic Revival and Poverty Alleviation, Former Minister Basil Rajapaksa is preparing to be sworn in as a Minister. It is being discussed that he will most likely take over the post of Finance Minister and a member appointed by the Sri Lanka People’s Front will have to resign to allow Basil Rajapaksa to enter Parliament. However, this information has not yet been officially confirmed. He is currently on a private visit to the United States and is scheduled to return to Sri Lanka in the next few days.
The government has to pay Rs. 5896 million to the Government of Japan for the suspension of the light rail project
The current government has had to pay Rs. 5896 million for the suspension of the light rail project which was to be started under a loan scheme of the Government of Japan. This has been revealed in the Auditor General’s report on the government’s financial statements published annually by the Ministry of Finance. The report states that a sum of Rs. 5896 million has to be paid for the consultancy services of the relevant project. However, the Auditor General has revealed that the amount was not included in the government’s financial statements last year.
Dr Sudath Samaraweera has been removed from his post
Specialist Dr Sudath Samaraweera, who was the head of the Epidemiology Unit of the Ministry of Health, has been removed from the post. Specialist Dr Samitha Ginige has been appointed as the Acting Director of the Epidemiology Unit in his place. Sudath Samaraweera has been appointed as the Director of Dengue Prevention at the Ministry of Health. Sudath Samaraweera has been widely accused of failing to share data accurately.