News
Curfew extended as corona cases increase, passing 1,000 mark
Indian HC, Brandix deny Indian workers caused outbreak
The Police headquarters yesterday (7) extended the curfew imposed in Divulapitiya, Minuwangoda, Veyangoda and Gampaha to curb the resurgence of the corona pandemic to several other police areas as the authorities stepped up efforts to track down those Brandix apparel workers continuing to avoid quarantine measures.
Since the detection of the fresh community outbreak, a couple days ago 1,022 Brandix workers have tested positive. On Tuesday alone over 700 tested positive.
The police brought Ganemulla, Kiridiwela, Dompe, Malwathuhiripitiya, Mirigama, Nittambuwa, Pugoda, Weeragula, Weliweriya, Pallewala, Yakkala, Kandana, Ja–ela and Seeduwa under curfew.
The Island
raised growing accusations that Indian workers employed by Brandix at its Minuwangoda manufacturing facility caused the crisis with the Indian High Commission in Colombo.
The Island
asked whether the IHC had been aware of the number of Indian workers at Minuwangoda and whether they had arrived there this year. The IHC spokesperson said: “As far as our understanding goes all international arrivals are subjected to health protocols and procedures stipulated by the government of Sri Lanka in view of the covid-19 pandemic. Any question in this regard may be directed to concerned authorities.”
A top Brandix spokesperson told The Island that Indian workers hadn’t been brought to their Minuwangoda facility or any other in Sri Lanka. There was absolutely no basis for that accusation, the spokesperson said. According to the official, some Sri Lankans who had been working in Brandix facility in India had been brought back some time back and they had been subjected to all protocols and procedures in place.
Health Minister Pavitra Wanniarachchi and police spokesman DIG Ajith Rohana urged the public to cooperate with the government to bring the situation under control.
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa cancelled a scheduled meeting with editors of national newspapers and other senior representatives of print and electronic media scheduled for 10.30 am yesterday as the government stepped up efforts to bring the situation under control.
An elderly COVID-19 patient receiving treatment at the Ragama hospital walked out unnoticed. He was later found. (SF)
Former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger has died at the age 100.
He served as America’s top diplomat and national security adviser during the Nixon and Ford administrations.
In a statement, Kissinger Associates, a political consulting firm he founded, said the German-born former diplomat died at his home in Connecticut but did not give a cause of death.
During his decades long career, Mr Kissinger played a key, and sometimes controversial, role in US foreign and security policy.
Born in Germany in 1973, Kissinger first came to the US in 1938 when his family fled Nazi Germany. He became a US citizen in 1943 and went on to serve three years in the US Army and later in the Counter Intelligence Corps. After earning bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD degrees, he taught international relations at Harvard.
In 1969, then-President Richard Nixon appointed him National Security Adviser, a position which gave him enormous influence over US foreign policy in two administrations.
(BBC)
News
Rupees 1,500 million allocated for ‘Greater Kandy Urban Development Program’ – State Minister for Provincial Councils and Local Government
State Minister for Provincial Council and Local Government Janaka Wakkambura participating in a Press Briefing held at the Presidential Media Centre (PMC) on Wednesday (29) under the theme ‘Collective Path to a Stable Country’, announced that President Ranil Wickremesinghe has allocated Rs. 1,500 million for the “Greater Kandy Urban Development Program” in this year’s budget and that part of the allocation would to be utilized to develop the approach roads to Kandy City.
He also announced that the President had allocated Rs. 1,000 million to develop tourism by enhancing facilities through the involvement of local government bodies.
Racketeers thrive on illegal printing of DLs
By Shiran Ranasinghe
The Department of Motor Traffic was unable to print about 900,000 driving licences due for want of blank plastic cards, Commissioner General of the Department of Motor Traffic Nishantha Weerasinghe told The Island.
He said his Department was doing its best to solve the problem, which could be sorted out in six months or so.
A senior official on condition of anonymity said the Department now printed about 200 driving licences for those who were going abroad or engaged in essential services.
However, some racketeers were printing about 700 licences illegally, he said.
Rs 5,000 each was charged for issuing illegally printed licences, the official said.
Commenting on the allegations, the Commissioner General of the Department of Motor Traffic said he will investigate the matter if he receives a complaint officially.
Former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger dies aged 100
COP28 president denies UAE using UN climate talks to seek oil deals
Rupees 1,500 million allocated for ‘Greater Kandy Urban Development Program’ – State Minister for Provincial Councils and Local Government
-
News4 days agoSHMA ties up with NYC to increase trained personnel in hospitality industry
-
News4 days ago
RW says Jay Shah is not running Sri Lanka Cricket
-
News4 days ago
Shani A claims Rs billion from IGP, SDIG and others
-
News5 days ago
Sirisena demands action against Rajapaksa economic hitmen for triggering worst financial crisis
-
Business5 days ago
Janashakthi Group’s innovation shines at the National ICT Awards 2023
-
Business5 days ago
Wait-and-see approach by most stock investors following interest rate decline
-
Business4 days ago
AkzoNobel initiative to give local painters more opportunities at home and abroad
-
Business5 days ago
World Bank Managing Director of Operations meets ComBank’s Anagi customers in Jaffna
