France is in a fear of third wave of COVID 19: Paris is going for a lockdown
The Frances capital city Paris is set to go into a month-long COVID lockdown as the country fears a third wave of COVID 19 infection. It has recorded more than 35000 new COVID 19 positive cases within the past 24 hours and 1200 people were treating in intensive care. Nearly 21 million residents of 16 areas in France will be placed under the measures from today midnight. Schools will remain open but all the non essential businesses will be forced to close. But hairdressers will be also open following particular sanitary protocol. People will be allowed to exercise outdoors within 10km of their home and they are not allowed to travel to other parts of the country without a valid reason.
2021 Kedella’ Living in Style launched
Kedella Living Style exhibition launched at the BMICH for 202 time today (March 19). The exhibition will be held for three days untill Sunday (March21). Customers can get special discounts on all the services and goods.
First round of Unlimited Internet Packages by April: TRCSL statement
The Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) states the consumers could expect the first round of Unlimited Internet plans by April.(March 19) It is reported that TRCSL instructed all the operators to respond with unlimited internet packages by 1st March while working on providing unlimited internet packages to the public. The TRCSL currently in the process of assessing packages submitted by complying operators. Consumers can expect the first package by April 2021.
Heavy traffic reported along Battaramulla- Pelawatte road due to education sector trade unions’ protest
Heavy traffic congestion is reported on both sides of the road between Battaramulla and Pelawatte. It is due to a protest taking place near the Ministry of Education (Isurupaya). Several trade unions in the education sector (teachers unions) had launched the protest against political influence over the appointments in education administrative services and for the vacancies in the principal. According to them there are 5000 vacancies had appointed with the political influence. The police adviced the public to use alternative routes to reduce the traffic congestion.
Sri lankan youth protesting against deforestation
The Socialist Youth Union organized a silent protest against deforestation yesterday (March 18) The protest was held opposite the Colombo Human Rights Commission.
Prime Minister leaves for Bangladesh
The Prime Minister media division states that Sri lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa departed for Bangladesh today (March 19) morning on a two-day state visit. He visited Bangladesh because of a invitation extended by his Bangladeshi counterpart PM Sheikh Hasina to the celebration of the birth centenary of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the Golden Jubilee of the Independence of Bangladesh. The visit was taken approval and granted from the Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Health as a BioSecure Travel Bubble adhering to strict COVID-19 preventive measures. Many foreign leaders are expected to arrive in Bangladesh to take part in the celebrations.
Revised Quarantine measures for all incoming passengers/tourists issued by the Health Ministry(images)
Director General of Health Services Dr Asela Gunawardana said the Health Ministry today (March 17) announced quarantine guidelines for all incoming passengers or tourists arriving from overseas during the COVID 19 pandemic. According to the guidelines the travellers should get the approval from the Foreign Affairs Ministry and other relevant authorities or from Sri Lanka Tourism to enter the country. It includes instructions for Sri Lankan citizens/ dual citizens and foreign nationals who were vaccinated and non- vaccinated travellers arriving in the country.
Rajitha and Chathura Senaratne to be questioned over false complaint claimed by journalist
The Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) to record statements from former Minister Rajitha Senaratne and former MP Chathura Senaratne. It was over a false complaint made by a journalist alleging that he was abducted. He had lodged the complaint about abduction and assaulted by four individuals on March 10. Also he was admitted to the Hospital same claiming that he was tortured to get information about political contacts and later dumped at a street corner in Maligawatta. Police Media Spokesperson DIG Ajith Rohana states that after investigation by the CCD it was proven that the complaint by the Sujeewa Gamage a journalist and the owner of the ‘Siyarata’ newspaper was false. Also he states that Siyarata’ web journalist Sujeewa Gamage has been arrested for making this false accusation. Also Police Media Spokesperson DIG Ajith Rohana further stated that three hours before having got himself admitted to the Hospital he had visited an office of Chathura Senaratne in Thimbirigasyaya and he had met with the former Minister Rajitha Senaratne at the same office. Also police revealed burn marks which he said were caused by his kidnappers were actually self-inflicted using a mason trowel at his residence. DIG Rohana said that the CCD will question to obtain statements from Rajitha and Chathura Senaratne over their links to the journalist. The journalist would be produced in court.
First known baby with COVID-19 antibodies born to a women in US
A woman in south Florida recently gave birth to the first known baby born with Covid-19 antibodies “after maternal vaccination”. Two pediatricians had claimed the result and she had received one dose of coronavirus vaccine while she was pregnant. This claim has yet to be peer reviewed but the doctors had presented their finding in a preprint article. Childs mother was a frontline healthcare worker and she had received her first dose of the Moderna vaccine in January at 36 weeks pregnant. Drs Paul Gilbert and Chad Rudnick s paper states that they had detected antibodies after analyzing umbilical cord blood at time of delivery. Also they explained that the baby girl is a “vigorous, healthy”. They further explained in the paper “Thus, there is potential for protection and infection risk reduction from Sars-CoV-2 with maternal vaccination.” Then they said to the West Palm Beach ABC affiliate ; “To our knowledge, this was the first in the world that was reported of a baby being born with antibodies after a vaccination,”Also Gilbert told to the West Palm Beach ABC affiliate“We tested the baby’s cord to see if the antibodies in the mother passed to the baby, which is something we see happen with other vaccines given during pregnancy.” however that further research is needed to find whether infants are protected by these antibodies. Also their article had accepted for the publication and they were waiting for it to be posted officially on the journal’s site.
Donald Trump’s net worth dropped during presidency
According to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index Donald Trump’s net worth dropped by about $700m to $2.3bn during his time as president. Mr Trump was very secretive about how much tax he pays during his presidency as his finances were regularly in the spotlight. His office buildings, branded hotels and resorts losing revenue and falling in value during the COVID 19 pandemic. Also his fleet of planes and golf courses have also seen droped the value. But he is currently under a criminal investigation about his financial status and his family business. Also Bloomberg Billionaires Index estimated a 26% drop in the value of his main commercial property holdings.