News

Ranil bounces back, claims Health Minister swigs ‘engine oil’

Published

5 years ago

2020/12/15

… blames govt. for not assisting Oxford-J’pura dengue control project

UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe making a public appearance after several weeks said, on Sunday, that the government had not given any support to the joint research by the Dengue Control Centre at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura and the University of Oxford to find a cure for the coronavirus.

He said that the Health Minister was drinking what he called ‘engine oil’ without having purported cures tested.

Addressing a ground breaking ceremony for the new Rs. 900 million Lions’ Anniversary Vocational Training Centre at Biyagama, UNP leader Wickremesinghe said: “We turned Biyagama into a major industrial city. I have read in several reports that Katunayake is the second best trading zone in South Asia after Biyagama. We are proud of that. We must continue to hold that position.”

He said that Biyagama lacked a vocational training centre.

“Today, we are opening a Vocational Training Centre at the building which previously housed the Fertilizer Corporation. I thank the Lions Club. Nimal Senadheera, the then Sinha Commander, made this proposal. The then Minister Malik Samarawickrema approved it. This land which belonged to the Board of Investment (BOI).”

“The Lions Club in this area was started by Sunil Gunasekara. He worked hard to develop the Biyagama Lions Club. When the Lions Club started, some people protested. But later it contributed to the development of the area. I learned that some factories are also helping the project. In the past, only illegal liquor was here. I will do our best to help move this development forward.”

Wickremesinghe said it was just the beginning. “New careers are set to emerge in the future and therefore it is required to provide training.”

The former PM said that there was a need to introduce vocational training courses to suit the changing world.

He stressed that the Biyagama Zone should be protected as the best trade zone in South Asia. The work done by the Lions Club was exemplary. Due to the corona epidemic, the opening of the centre had to be postponed two or three times, he said.

The former Prime Minister said that the spread of the corona pandemic had become a major problem in the country, today. “The pandemic has spread to many parts of Colombo. Therefore, we must act with caution. According to reports, another wave of infections are likely to occur. That is what has happened in the US and the UK, which is about to go for another shutdown. Even in countries like, Japan, China and South Korea this pandemic is returning. Many Christian countries have even banned Christmas celebration,” the former Prime Minister said.

Wickremesinghe said the UK had predicted that there would be another wave of COVID-19 early next year. Gatherings have been restricted to four persons each even during Christmas in that country.

“The pandemic is not over yet. We must speak the truth about this issue. Officials are spreading various stories. One official says we are going to close the country. Another says we are going to open the country. The people have no idea of what is going on. If the country needs to be shut down, tell the people. Then people will be able to prepare for it. If the country is opened on certain conditions, say so. Do not change your mind from time to time. The corona wave is not over yet, and we have to be prepared for it.

“Many institutions say that vaccines have been produced, but they are still at the experimental stage and two people in the UK fell ill after being vaccinated.

“Even if the government provides the vaccine for free, it is unlikely that the corona pandemic will end. It will take another two or three years to see if the preventive measures are effective. Billions of people need to be vaccinated. The vaccine is being manufactured in Hyderabad, India. China has also developed a vaccine. But there is a question of how to keep the vaccines safe.”

Wickremesinghe said that research was being done on indigenous medicine in India.

“What has happened in Sri Lanka today? Take various medications.”

The Dengue Control Centre at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura in Sri Lanka and the University of Oxford are conducting joint experiments, he said.

“But our government is not doing anything. The British government has also provided assistance for experiments. The British High Commissioner has visited the Jayewardenepura University two or three times to inquire into the matter. The British High Commissioner mentioned this to me personally.”

The event was attended by a large number of people including Lions Club officials.

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Advisory for Severe Lightning issued to the Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and Galle and Matara districts

Published

6 hours ago

2026/03/12

Priyan

Advisory for Severe Lightning Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre at 12.30 noon 12 March 2026 valid for the period until 11.00 p.m. 12 March 2026

Thundershowers accompanied with severe lightning are likely to occur at some places in the Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Galle and Matara districts after 2.00 p.m.

There may be temporary localized strong winds during thundershowers. General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning activity.

ACTION REQUIRED:
The Department of Meteorology advises that people should:
 Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.
 Avoid open areas such as paddy fields, tea plantations and open water bodies during thunderstorms.
 Avoid using wired telephones and connected electric appliances during thunderstorms.
 Avoid using open vehicles, such as bicycles, tractors and boats etc.
 Beware of fallen trees and power lines.
 For emergency assistance contact the local disaster management authorities.

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Nasa spacecraft weighing 1,300lb due to re-enter Earth’s atmosphere

Published

7 hours ago

2026/03/12

Priyan

The two Van Allen Probes were launched in 2012 [BBC]

A Van Allen Probe spacecraft weighing more than 1,300lb (600kg) is expected to re-enter Earth’s atmosphere almost 14 years after its launch, Nasa says.

The spacecraft is projected to re-enter around 19:45 EDT (23:45 GMT) on Tuesday the US Space Force predicted, according to Nasa, though there is a 24-hour margin of “uncertainty” in the timing.

The Van Allen Probe A, which launched in 2012, is expected mostly to burn up as it travels through the atmosphere, though some components may survive.

The space agency said there is a one in 4,200 chance of being harmed by a piece of the probe, which it characterised as “low” risk.

The spacecraft and its twin, Van Allen Probe B, were on a mission to gather unprecedented data on Earth’s two permanent radiation belts.

It was not immediately clear where in Earth’s atmosphere the satellite is projected to re-enter. The BBC has contacted Nasa for further detail.

Nasa and the US Space Force have said they will monitor the re-entry and update any predictions.

The mission, which was originally designed to last two years, went on for almost seven. It ended after the spacecrafts ran out of fuel and were no longer able to orient themselves toward the Sun.

The probes flew through rings of charged particles trapped by Earth’s magnetic field from 2012 to 2019, in order to study how particles were gained and lost, per Nasa.

Those rings, called the Van Allen belts, shield Earth from cosmic radiation, solar storms and streaming solar wind, which are harmful to humans and can damage technology.

The mission made significant discoveries, including the first data that show the existence of a transient third radiation belt, which can form during times of intense solar activity, Nasa said.

Van Allen Probe B is not expected to re-enter the Earth’s atmosphere before 2030.

[BBC]

News

PM Visits the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI)

Published

9 hours ago

2026/03/12

Priyan

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya visited the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) headquarters in Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines, on 11 March 2026, and held bilateral discussions with Yvonne Pinto, Director General of IRRI, focusing on strengthening cooperation in the field of rice research and sustainable agricultural development.

During the meeting, discussions centered on rice cultivation in Sri Lanka, including the key challenges faced by Sri Lankan paddy farmers. The Prime Minister highlighted issues affecting the sector such as productivity constraints, climate-related impacts, and the need to support farmers through improved agricultural practices and technological innovations.

Both sides also discussed the importance of introducing modern techniques and research-driven approaches to rice cultivation in order to enhance productivity and ensure long-term food security. In this regard, IRRI shared insights on ongoing global research initiatives aimed at improving rice varieties, strengthening climate resilience, and promoting sustainable farming practices.

The discussion further focused on the potential for expanded collaboration between Sri Lanka and IRRI, particularly in areas such as research partnerships, knowledge sharing, and capacity building for Sri Lankan agricultural institutions and farmers. The Prime Minister emphasized Sri Lanka’s interest in strengthening cooperation with IRRI to support the development of the country’s rice sector and to improve the livelihoods of paddy farmers.

The visit reaffirmed the importance of science-based agricultural innovation and international collaboration in addressing food security challenges and enhancing sustainable rice production in Sri Lanka.