NATA request to stop manufacturing and promoting the cinnamon based cigarette
National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol (NATA) is going to initiate legal actions against the newly launched cinnamon based cigarette “Lion Heart”. Viraj Bandaranayake the Legal Head of NATA stated that the manufacturer of the cigarette had failed to obtain necessary approval from the Ayurveda Department and Health Ministry. Also he further explained this advertising is violation of the law under the Tobacco and Alcohol Act of Sri Lanka. But it was recently promoted by Minister of Industries Wimal Weerawansa. Viraj Bandaranayake further explained that as the manufacturer didnt submit a public survey before launching the product company did not have the power to launch it to the local market. He also mentioned that authority had sent a written request to the company advising it to stop manufacturing and distributing the cigarette but the company had disagreed to the request. So he explained this as a initiation for other products to be launched to the local market without mandatory approval.
Kandy Esala Perahera declared as UNESCO Heritage
Sri Lanka National Commission for UNESCO states a proposals was submitted to declare the Kandy Esala Procession commonly as a World Heritage. Secretary General of Sri Lanka National Commission for UNESCO Moderates Asia Pacific Consultations Dr. Punchi Nilame Meegaswatte said the proposals will be submitted to the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris in France.
Bangladesh National cricket team is visiting Sri lanka for a test mach series.
The Bangladesh National Cricket Team will arrive in Sri Lanka on the 12th April 2021 for a Two Match Test Series, played under the World Test Championship. The series originally was scheduled to be played during October- November 2020 but it was postponed due to the COVID 19 pandemic.
CID begins an inquiry against MP Nalin Bandara over a complaint files by SIS director
Police spokesman DIG Ajith Rohana states that Director of the State Intelligence Services (SIS) Maj. Gen. Suresh Sallay has lodged a complaint today ( March 19) against SJB MP Nalin Bandara over a false statement made on Suresh Sallay. In the complaint General Sallay has accused MP Bandara of making a public baseless and false statement linking him to the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks. Police spokesman DIG Ajith Rohana further said that a special team headed by an Assistant Inspector General of Police (ASP) will be investigating into the complaint.
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.