Public Health Inspectors’ Union urges to allow private sector to import COVID 19 vaccines
the President of Public Health Inspectors’ (PHIs) Union Mr. Upul Rohana said that private sector should be permitted to import COVID vaccine as the number of COVID positive cases increasing daily. He also added that number of COVID 19 positive cases detected from factories and other institutions is growing. He noted that if the government does not have the ability to provide the required numbers of vaccine doses at the moment, the private sector should be allowed to import the vaccine as it is really important to vaccinate the working force as soon as possible. He further said that the privert sector need to take approval of the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA), and otherwise there is no issue of giving nod to the private sector to import vaccines to Sri lanka.
Watch:Minister Wimal promotes Sri Lankan ayurvedic cigarettes
A ayurvedic cigarette manufactured in sri lanka launched yesterday (March 17) at the Kingsbury Hotel in Colombo yesterday (March 17). The cigarette is cinnamon based and named as Lion Heart” cigarette. It is consisting cinnamon with other ayurvedic components and it was manufactured by Samantha Punchihewa. Minister of Industries Wimal Weerawansa participated the event and he said that the new ayurvedic cigarette will help people who addicted to other harmful cigarettes with nicotin to shift to a healthier product. Also he ensure to support and help promote the new cigarette.
Former Minister Ravi Karunanayake remanded
The Attorney Generals Coordinating Officer State Counsel Nishara Jayaratne state that Trial-at-Bar orders to remand Ravi Karunanayake and 07 other suspects until 23rd March over the Central Bank Bond Scam issue in 2016 yesterday (March 17) The had send to Welikada Prison and directed to the quarantine center of the prison. Attorney General Dappula de Livera had filed indictments against the suspects before the two Trials-at-Bar hearing the legal matters on Central Bank Bond Scam issue in 2016.
Tanzania’s president John Magufuli dies from a heart complications: Rumours of having COVID 19
Tanzania’s Vice-president Samia Suluhu Hassan announced that President John Magufuli has died from a heart complications yesterday (March 17) while he was admitted at a hospital in Dar es Salaam. He announced the statement in an address on state television. The president haven’t seen in public for more than two weeks and because of that rumours are circulating that he was contracted with COVID 19. But the results are yet not confirmed. Magufuli belived in prayers and herbal-infused steam therapy for COVID 19 treatments and he was one of the Africa’s most prominent coronavirus sceptics. There would be 14 days of national mourning in the country.
The train services will be limited : Union launched a strike today
Locomotive Engine Operators’ Union launched a 24-hour token strike last midnight (March 17). Because of that the train services will be limited today (March 18). The Railway Department stated that several office trains will be operate using other officials. According to those arrangements there will be 5 office trains on the Main Line and 4 office trains on the Coastal Line. Also the department is planning to operate two office trains each on other railway lines. Secretary of the Union Anura Peiris stated that the strike is carried out after the discussions based on several demands with the authorities have failed. The demands includes about decision of the government to recover the losses for the operational errors that occur during the operation of trains from the railway employees.
Estate houses burned down in Maskeilya fire
A fire started in a row of estate houses in the Queensland section of the Brunswick Estate in Maskeliya today ( March 17 ) evening. It is reported that around 20 houses were damaged from the fire.Maskeliya police reported that it had initially broken out from one of the estate houses. Sri Lanka Army personnel, Maskeliya police and residents of the area had worked to extinguish the fire.The reason behind this incident yet not founded.
People who got vaccinated with both vaccines to be allowed to come to Sri Lanka.
National Operations Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO)states that the quarantine strategy for the people arriving from overseas will be changed soon. Those who received both vaccines against COVID-19 and spent two weeks after the vaccination in the countries where they live will be allowed to fly to Sri Lanka and go home after PCR tests. The statement was made in the a review meeting took place at NOCPCO yesterday ( March 16). The meeting was with all Task Force members and other stakeholders who are fighting against the transmission of COVID-19. It was headed by the head of the NOCPCO Gen. Shavendra Silva and Director General of Health Services, Dr. Asela Gunawardena.
A Rally organized to win demands of health workers
United Health Workers Union organized a rally near the Colombo National Hospital today (March 17). This rally is to win 11 demands of health workers. Also they are expected to held similar rallys in all the hospitals future.
Virat Kohli goes past Mathews batting record
India cricketer Virat Kohli scored an unbeaten 77 off 46 balls today ( March 17). That was in the 3rd match of the 5 match T20I series against England. His 77 scores became the highest score by a captain against England in T20 internationals. Previously this record was held by the Sri lankan captain Angelo Mathews with 73 points Highest scores by a captain vs England in T20s 77– VIRAT KOHLI at Ahmedabad, 202173– Angelo Mathews at Delhi, 201673 – Virat Kohli at Ahmedabad, 202157 – Thisara Perera at Colombo, 201856 – Babar Azam at Manchester, 2020
Russian billionaire Andrey Melnichenko visited in Sri Lanka
The russian billionaire Andrey Melnichenko is currently in Sri Lanka. He is going to meet high ranked few officials from the government. He also willing to meet Sri lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksha and after the discussion he is set to undertake a visit to the Colombo Port City today ( March 17). His net worth is estimated at over US $ 15 and he gained his wealth through mining activities and fertilizer business. He owned stakes in EuroChem which is a fertilizer company and a coal mining company called SUEK. He is the second high business personality visited Sri Lanka during last few months for potential investment opportunities after Nathaniel Rothschild visited the country.