New legal actions to stop cutting coconut trees
Plantations Minister, Dr. Ramesh Pathirana said that government will take immediate steps to stop felling of coconut tress as the coconut tree will also be included in the Felling of Trees Control Act in responding to a question raised by MPs Hector Appuhamy and Upul Mahendra Rajapaksa at a Ministerial Consultative Committee on Plantation held recently. They pointed out how businessmen remove the coconut trees before fragmenting the plots, especially when selling lands. And also he explained how they mislead the investigators visit to inspect,as these plots of land as lands without coconut trees.
Fuel bowser topples on Habarana-Trincomalee road
A bowser transporting fuel had skipped off the road and toppled off the road early this morning on Habarana-Trincomalee road. (March 25) The accident had occurred near the Hathares Kotuwa area and it was reported as residents from the surrounding area collected fuel from the truch ignoring all the risks. Police was observed the case and took futher investigations.
Schools will reopen for all the grades of western province on March 29
Scools of the western province decided to reopen in March 29, 2021 to all the grades for the academic activities. Previously, it was decided April 19 reopening for all grades in Western Province but it has now been moved forward by three weeks. Director-General of Health Services, Dr. Asela Gunawardena has approved the decision.
Pathum Nissanka scores a record century in his first Test match
Pathum Nissanka became the fourth Sri Lankan batsman to score a century in his firstTest match.He scored an amazing century in the second innings of the first Test against the West Indies. Sri Lankan batsmen who have shown this skill before Brendan Kuruppu 201 in the year(1987) Romesh Kaluwitharana 132 in the year (1992) Thilan Samaraweera 103 in the year (2001) Pathum Nissanka was out for 103 runs and he also became the second Sri Lankan batsman to score a century in the second innings of the inaugural Test match. West Indies set a target of 375 runs in this match.
UNESCO Sri Lanka explained Construction of the reservoir will affect 4 hectares in Sinharaja
UNESCO Sri Lanka states that about 4 hectares of Sinharaja forest will be affected from the proposed reservoir to be built in the vicinity of the World Heritage Sinharaja Forest. Government has planned to construct this reservoir in the Madhu Gate area in Lankagama crossing the “Gin ganga.” Secretary of UNESCO Sri lanka,Prof. Punchi Nilame Meegaswatte stated that he and a group of officials discussed the matter with the Minister in charge of the subject, Chamal Rajapaksa. He also explained that he had pointed out to the Minister the impact of the construction of this reservoir on the ecosystem of the Sinharaja rain forest. He further stated that a letter has been sent to the World Heritage Committee in Paris regarding whether permission will be granted to this project.
India temporarily stops exporting Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine
India has put a temporary hold on all exports of the AstraZeneca coronavirus vccine made by the Serum Institute of India. There are may reasons behind this action as India decided to use the production as the domestic demand is increasing. Also some sources explained how this is affecting GAVI/WHO-backed COVAX vaccine-sharing through more than 180 countries. India has shipped 60.5 million doses in total and COVAX also had received 17.7 million AstraZeneca doses untill now. According to foreign ministry’s website there was no exporting of vaccines since last Thursday. Already shipments to the Brazil, Britain, Morocco and Saudi Arabia delayed by the company. The SII plans to increase monthly production of vaccines to 100 million doses from April this year.
UNHRC statement on Sri Lanka
The Human Rights Council renewed the mandate of the special rapporteur on the issue of human rights today ( March 25) The statement was made for a period of three years relating to the enjoyment of a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment. Also it adopted resolutions on Sri Lanka, Nicaragua, Occupied Palestinian Territory, democracy and the rule of law, unilateral coercive measures, freedom of religion or belief, and the effects of foreign debt. In a resolution on promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka the Council decided to strengthen the capacity of the Office of the High Commissioner to collect, consolidate, analyse and preserve information and evidence and to develop possible strategies for future accountability processes for gross violations of human rights or serious violations of international humanitarian law in Sri Lanka. It was happened after the resolution was adopted by a vote of 22 in favour, 11 against and 14 abstentions.
Men banned from marrying foreign womens
Saudi Arabia has prohibited its men from marrying women from four countries including Pakistan, Bangladesh, Chad, and Myanmar. The move is aimed at discouraging Saudi men from marrying women from foreign countries.According to some reports there are about 500000 foreign women from above prohibited countries currently residing in Saudi Arabia. Makkah Police Director Major General Assaf Al-Qurashi said Saudi men wishing to marry foreigners have to undergo additional formalities such as ; They have to get approval from relevant government officers and also they have to submit the marriage applications through official channels. Applicants should be over 25 and divorced men would not be allowed to apply within six months of their divorce. They should attach all identification documents signed by the local district mayor, including a copy of his family record book.
All Paddy stocks purchased by the Paddy Marketing Board will be converted into rice from today
All Paddy stocks purchased by the Paddy Marketing Board will be converted into rice from today The government has decided to convert all stocks of paddy purchased by the Paddy Marketing Board into rice from today (March 25) Duminda Priyadarshana, Deputy Chairman of the Paddy Marketing Board stated that the stocks of rice will be distributed through supermarkets including Sathosa. He also stated that the Paddy Marketing Board has purchased over 25000 metric tons of paddy
Tomorrow declared as a day of mourning (March 25)
The funeral of the late Most Venerable Aggamaha Panditha Most Ven.Kotugoda dhammawasa maha thero, decleared to be held tommorow and the day of cremation will be declared as day of mourning tomorrow. ( March 25) The cremation of the late Thero will be held at the Independence Square premises in Colombo with full state honors. Thero was receiving treatment at a private hospital in Colombo. Most Ven. Kotugoda Dhammawasa Maha Nayaka Thera was 88 years old and was resided at the Mount Lavinia Dharmapalarama Temple. Meat and liquor outlets and liquor stores in the Colombo district will also be closed tomorrow.