COVID-19 News & Perspective

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Colombo air quality index (AQI) has increased further towards an unhealthy level.The National Building Research Organization said that the AQI across many cities in Sri Lanka range between 150 – 200, which is an unhealthy level.-What is the AQI?The AQI reports on how clean or polluted the air in your area is, and what effects breathing the outdoor air may have on your health.The AQI takes into account five of the major air pollutants. These pollutants are ground-level ozone, particle pollution, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide. How to protect yourself from unhealthy or hazardous air pollution: If the air quality in your area is compromised, there are several things you can do to protect yourself.

(PTI) External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday (7) justified the Indian government’s support to Sri Lanka, saying India would be shirking its responsibility if it did not step forward to support a crisis-hit neighbour.The economic support that India offered to Sri Lanka during its worst post-independence economic crisis was for the entire country and not based on any communal approach, he said.Replying to clarifications sought by MPs on his suo motu statement on foreign policy in Rajya Sabha, the minister said India absenting from a vote against Sri Lanka in the UN Human Rights Commission was in accordance with the long-standing position — which was also followed by previous governments — that it “is the most constructive way of addressing, advancing the interest of Tamil community in Sri Lanka.” “That continues to be our approach,” he said.On the support to the island nation, he said, “We have given support to the entire Sri Lanka which also include the Tamil community.” “We have not taken the communal approach in giving support,” he said.

de facto police sieges of residential complexes and the rounding up of even those who merely came into contact with covid-positive people to send them off to institutional quarantines. In response to widespread protests since late November against these excesses of a surveillance state, the government allowed major cities such as Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou to relax rules significantly, with even home quarantine allowed and access to malls and other places eased.

Anurag Behar is CEO of Azim Premji Foundation.

Scott Disick has taken a step back to focus on his mental health.The 39-year-old star 'has stepped up his treatment and therapy' according to a source at US Weekly.Scott, who shares three children with ex Kourtney Kardashian, is 'considering' tackling his struggles with substance abuse via an in-patient program. Scott Disick has taken a step back to focus on his mental health; pictured October 24, 2019'Scott's break up and past issues with Kourtney and his parents' deaths have deeply affected him,' the magazine's insider said.'Although it didn't always show up in a negative way, there are things he's constantly had to battle and live with that don't go away overnight,' they added.

Netflix star Jenna Ortega, 20, sparked controversy recently when she admitted she had filmed her iconic dance sequence from Wednesday after catching Covid-19.The actress, who plays Wednesday Addams on the show, divided opinion with her remarks. During the show, Jenna famously dances to The Cramps' 'Goo Goo Muck’, and the scene has gone viral on social media. However, that wasn’t the only viral thing about the scene, as Jenna confessed in a new interview that she shot the sequence alongside the cast and crew while waiting for the results of a Covid-19 test.“I’d gotten the song [‘Goo Goo Muck’] about a week before and I just pulled from whatever I could…” she said. “It’s crazy because it was my first day with COVID so it was awful to film.While Jenna was still waiting for confirmation, her health quickly took a downward spiral.“Yeah, I woke up and – it’s weird, I never get sick and when I do it’s not very bad – I had the body aches,” she continued. “I felt like I’d been hit by a car and that a little goblin had been let loose in my throat and was scratching the walls of my oesophagus. “They were giving me medicine between takes because we were waiting on the positive result.”“I asked to redo it but we didn’t have time.

BENGALURU : Shipra Misra is chief executive and managing director of Delhi Research Implementation and Innovation (DRIIV), the umbrella body for the Delhi NCR Science and Technology (S&T) cluster. In an interview, she talks about the progress the foundation is making with Project SAMEER to control air pollution in Delhi, the move to introduce solar-powered interoperable electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, and the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare, among other things.

Matt Hancock has dropped a number of bombshells in his shameless Covid diaries. The ' I'm a Celebrity ' star discusses a number of topics in his juicy novel including his social distance-busting affair, reports the Mirror.

Matt Hancock has announced he will stand down as an MP at the next general election.

The danger is a repeat of the economic, financial and political swings that created a boom-bust cycle in the rest of the world Thursday marks two years since the Covid-19 vaccination drive began, yet both the U.S. and the world economy continue to be dominated by issues created by the pandemic.

HONG KONG : China dropped many of its quarantine and testing requirements and curtailed the power of local officials to shut down entire city blocks, as the country’s leaders accelerate plans to dismantle zero-Covid controls in the wake of nationwide protests. Though widely predicted, Beijing’s retreat from its costly and increasingly unpopular pandemic regime has been faster than expected.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Working Committee of the National Council Sub-Committee discussed the formulation of national policy on agriculture, animal husbandry and fisheries.This was taken into discussion under the Sub Committee on Identifying the Priorities in Formulation of Short-, Medium- & Long-Term National Policies of the National Council chaired by Hon.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The UN says that 6.2 million people, including 2.9 million children, are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance in 2023.The latest UNICEF report on Humanitarian Action for Children 2023 says that in the context of soaring inflation, heightened income insecurity and scarce availability of essential products, families cannot meet their basic needs.While 5.3 million people were already skipping meals as a coping strategy, this number is expected to increase drastically in the coming months with the combined impact of climate-induced natural hazards and a political impasse.66,000 people are severely acute food insecure. Two in five households (41.8 per cent) spend more than 75 per cent of their expenditures on purchasing food, leaving little to spend on health and education.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Central Bank of Sri Lanka said that earnings from merchandise exports declined in October 2022, on a year-on-year basis, for the first time since March 2022, mainly due to lower earnings from garments exports. The decline in import expenditure continued in October 2022, (y-o-y), for the eighth consecutive month, despite recording an increase, compared to September 2022.The merchandise trade deficit recorded a notable contraction in October 2022, compared to the previous year. Meanwhile, the workers’ remittances steadied and earnings from tourism improved in October 2022, whereby earnings from tourism crossed over USD 1 bn during January-October 2022, while workers’ remittances reached about USD 3 bn during January-October 2022.Foreign investment in the government securities market and the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) recorded a marginal net inflow during October 2022. The Central Bank continued to provide forex requirement to finance essential imports, exhausting the liquid level of gross official reserves. Meanwhile, the weighted average spot exchange rate in the interbank market remained around Rs.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Essential medicines and medical supplies valued at over Rs. 2 Billion donated by China to the Sri Lankan people reached Colombo on Tuesday (6).The shipment comes in 24 containers (16,000 boxes) with a total weight of over 255 metric tonnes.China has donated Rs.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Fishermen from the Urawatte Fishing Community protested against the proposed decision to increase electricity tariffs on Tuesday (6).Dozens of fishermen lit torches and protested against the government and the decision to hike the electricity tariff.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The National Election Commission (NEC) says it is planning to release the gazette notice related to the local government elections before the 5th of January 2023.The Chairman of the National Election Commission Attorney Nimal Punchihewa said accordingly, the local government elections can be held before March 20, 2023.Meanwhile, the National Election Commission said that the preliminary activities related to the local government elections have already begun.The Commissioner General of the NEC Saman Sri Ratnayake said the preparation of the 2022 voter lists related to 341 local government bodies has been completed.He said measures have already been taken to inspect the potential polling stations.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka Railways has taken steps to carry out spot checks to detain and fine those who use the service without obtaining tickets.The Deputy General Manager of Railways E.S Polwattage said information has come to light over multiple incidents of people taking a free ride on trains, and several raids were carried out at the Colombo Fort railway station on Tuesday (6).

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Department of Meteorology says that the depression located over Southeast Bay of Bengal (320km north-east of Trincomalee) is likely to move west-northwestwards, intensify further gradually into a Cyclonic Storm around today (7) evening. The system is likely to approach the coast of North Tamil-Nadu, Puducherry and South Andhra Pradesh over the Southwest Bay of Bengal tomorrow (8).Cloudy skies will prevail over most parts of the Island.  Showers will occur at times in the Northern and North-central provinces and Trincomalee districts. Fairly heavy rainfall above 75 mm can be expected at some places in the Northern province and Trincomalee district.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka Railways says it will implement a new program where people can purchase train tickets more comfortably without having to wait in queues.This program is being implemented by a Chinese company, and the General Manager of Sri Lanka Railways W.A.B.S.E Gunasinghe said that people can buy train tickets under the new program through three main methods once it is implemented.Railway General Manager further said that train tickets will be issued online, with self-service ticket machines and prepaid cards.In addition, he said this program is scheduled to start in March 2023.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka has completely relaxed the restrictions imposed on overseas arrivals during the COVID-19 pandemic.Accordingly, the requirement to produce a COVID-19 Vaccination Certificate by any person arriving to Sri Lanka via any airport or sea port is removed with effect from Tuesday (6).The Director General of Health Services said that the requirement to produce a pre boarding or on arrival negative COVID-19 test (PCR/RAT) by any person arriving to Sri Lanka via any airpoft or sea port is no longer required.If foreign nationals/tourists become COVID-19 positive after arriving to Sri Lanka, they should isolate for 7 days in a private hospital/hotel/place of residence.

POGUES legend Shane MacGowan's wife has given fans an update after he was rushed to hospital. Victoria May Clarke yesterday asked for "prayers and healing vibes" for the singer saying he was "in hospital again".

COLOMBO (News 1st) – High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to India, Milinda Moragoda met with the Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister of India Smt.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Secretary General of Parliament said that the Committee on High Posts approved the appointment of Chairmen to four institutions and the appointment of an ambassador.Accordingly, the Committee on High Posts approved the appointment of Kandeepan Balasubramaniam as the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the State of Kuwait.Furthermore, the appointments of Upul Dharmadasa as the Chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority and K. A.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Committee on Parliamentary Business had decided that the Parliament will meet on Tuesday the 13th instead of next Saturday the 10th of December.Earlier it was decided to hold Parliament sittings on the 10th and the entire day was reserved for Questions for Oral Answers.Accordingly, the entire day of Tuesday 13th has been reserved for Questions for Oral Answers and as previously decided, the second reading debate of the Value Added Tax (Amendment) and Inland Revenue (Amendment) Bills will be held on Friday 9th December.Furthermore, the committee has agreed to hold the vote on the third reading of the Appropriation Bill to be held on the 8th at 5.00 pm.It has been decided to present the Order mentioned in Gazette No. 2308/62 dated 03.12.2022 under the Essential Public Service Act No.

Amanda Owen in tears over family memories after 'unreal' farewellBelinda Welsh wrote: "Wishing Shane a speedy recovery."Jo commented: "That's such a great news! Still sending all the good, healing vibes and positive energy!"Luke typed: "Sending all my love to both of you, Shane MacGowan is a living legend."Kieran Linehan penned: "Great news hope he's OK and home very soon."Shane has been confined to a wheelchair since shattering his pelvis in 2015. Last year, he also damaged his knee after a fall at home. Yesterday, she shared a picture of Shane smiling for the camera as she revealed he was back in hospital. She typed: "Please send prayers and healing vibes to Shane MacGowan in hospital again and really hoping to get out asap!! Thank you."Piers Morgan blasts Harry and Meghan for using him in doc trailer [REACTION]Emmerdale's Lisa Riley addresses tough personal news away from soap [EXCLUSIVE]Strictly's Helen Skelton gives stern warning to Gorka [REVEALED]She added to The Irish Mirror: "I’m definitely hoping he gets out this week.“He’s a bit frustrated, I think. He finds it very frustrating… he wants to get out.”When asked if he was doing okay, she added: “I think he is, yeah" adding: “Please don’t get too worried.

Hollywood success.The actor sat down for an interview with his brother, who suffers from cerebral palsy and previously underwent a heart transplant, leaving Ashton to question why he was the "lucky" one.Ashton is known for his successful Hollywood career having starred in films like Guess Who, Just Married and Jobs.However, behind closed doors in the late 1990s and early 2000s, Ashton was dealing with his complicated feelings towards his twin brother Michael.Michael was born with cerebral palsy along with several other health issues throughout his life.In a recent interview, Ashton admitted the "guilt" he feels for his brother's health issues and used the chat as an opportunity to acknowledge his brother's feelings.The brothers feature on a forthcoming episode of the Paramount Plus series, The Checkup with Dr Agus.Ashton said in a clip obtained by Entertainment Tonight: "How do I get to be this lucky? And for my brother to be born with cerebral palsy, then have a heart transplant, then have this random blood clot."These things where you're like, ‘Who has to go through that? How do I get to be this lucky?'"The actor then went on to acknowledge that he had failed to consider how Michael would feel, with Ashton admitting the brothers are finally in a good place in their relationship.Ashton continued: "There was a moment in all of this where I moved to New York and was starting to get some traction with my career and Mike came out to visit and stay, and he looked at me and he said, 'Every time you feel sorry for me, you make me less.'"He said, ‘This is the only life I’ve ever known, so stop feeling sorry for the only thing I have.'"And that then created an entire shift back to where I think we are today, which is straight-up

Naomi Osaka gave fans an update on how she is doing.The athlete said on Good Morning America on Tuesday that taking a mental health break from tennis in 2021 was 'necessary.''I wouldn't have wanted it any other way,' shared the beauty who wore a pale blue satin suit with a feather trim. Helping: Naomi Osaka gave fans an update on how she is doing.

DANNIELLA Westbrook has sparked concern amongst her fans after revealing she’s ‘blacking out’ and having seizures. The 49-year-old, who admitted she had been crying with pain, shared a troubling video from bed today as she begged for advice as she struggled with a series of health issues. Actress Danniella told her followers: “I have come on to get some advice from people because I keep passing out and every now and again I am having seizures.

KELSEY Parker has faced another devastating death in the family - just months after losing her husband, Tom. The Sun can reveal the heartbroken mum-of-two is grieving her granddad, Peter Morris, who died last week aged 84.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Religious leaders led by His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith called on the people to cut down on unnecessary spending and help one another this Christmas."The Archdiocese decided that Christmas this year should be celebrated with the poor and needy. We urge the Catholic community and every single citizen in this country, not to waste anything.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe on Monday (5) said that Japan is the first choice when it comes to giving out the East Container Terminal at the Colombo Port."Why don't we develop and become a logistics centre? When I last tried to develop the Colombo Harbour and tried to give out the East Terminal, there was a big debate, as to I am trying to sell the country. Now we have given the West terminal out. Very good, but if you really want to get going, you have to give the East terminal out.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – President Ranil Wickremesinghe told a gathering on Monday (5) that China has requested Sri Lanka to engage in talks with the Exim Bank, and these discussions are underway.He said that the country has already started discussions with bilateral creditors including India, which have proven to be successful."The talks with China started later because they had to start after the party conference. They wanted it.

COVID-19’s effects on gene activity are caused indirectly, by inflammation, rather than by viral infiltration of the brain Three years have passed since we first came to know about COVID-19 and even now, much is unknown about this deadly virus. A new study has revealed that in case, you suffered from severe COVID infection, there is a high chance that your brain is aging faster than usual.  The study, which has been published in  Nature Aging, points out that gene activity inside the brain is more extensive in people who had severe COVID infections than in uninfected people who had been in an intensive care unit or had been put on ventilators to assist their breathing.

A team at South Lanarkshire College has been recognised for its talent and innovation in times of uncertainty at the National College Development Network (CDN) awards.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Chairman of the All Ceylon Private Bus Owners Association Gamunu Wijeratna says the operations of buses during the holidays will reduce by 50%.Further, he said that although the price of diesel is reduced it is not possible to reduce the bus fares, as the fuel price drop was not a significant reduction.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Colombo Crimes Division arrested a 41-year-old man from Colombo 15 for his involvement in a kidney transplant racket.Sri Lanka Police said that suspect had targetted people from poor families promising them money in return for their kidneys following surgery at a leading hospital in Colombo.Four men and one woman had filed complaints with the Borella Police citing that the suspect had not given them the money as promised.Sri Lanka Police said that the suspect had acted as a broker between the donor and the recipient of the kidney.Police said that in addition to broker fees, the suspect had also scammed the donor and recipient.The suspect will be produced in court on Tuesday (6).

COLOMBO (News 1st) – OCHA Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (ROAP) says Sri Lanka continues to face a multidimensional crisis compounded by food insecurity, threatened livelihoods, shortages of vital and essential medicines, as well as rising protection concerns.A 40 percent reduction in agricultural outputs in the 2021/2022 Maha and 50 percent reduction during the 2022 Yala seasons have further exacerbated the situation.Forecasts for the 2022/2023 Maha season indicate a significantly reduced harvest as well, which, coupled with a food inflation of 85.6 percent in October, means that a significant part of the population is finding it difficult to meet basic needs.The food security situation continues to be problematic with around three in ten households consuming insufficient food, which includes eating fewer and less diverse diets.According to the World Bank, Sri Lanka currently has the 6th highest food price inflation in the world.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) approved power cuts of 2 hours and 20 minutes on 06th, 08th & 09th and 1 hour on 07th (Poya) December as follows;-06th, 08th & 09th DecemberGroups ABCDEFGHIJKLPQRSTUVW: 1-hour during the daytime 1-hour 20-minutes during the night-07th December (Poya day)1 hour from 3 pm – 6 pm

COLOMBO (News 1st) – President Ranil Wickremesinghe has appointed a committee consisting of representatives of the public and private sectors of Sri Lanka to work with the multidisciplinary team of the National Dairy Development Board of India to prepare a short, medium and long-term plan to increase local milk production to reduce the country’s dependence on imported milk powder. Accordingly, India's National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) and the Indian Amul Milk Company have taken steps to provide the necessary technical support for the production of liquid milk in Sri Lanka, and a preliminary discussion was held in this regard at the Presidential Secretariat on Monday (05) under the chairmanship of President's Secretary Saman Ekanayake. It was discussed at length about doubling local milk production by implementing short and medium-term plans and making Sri Lanka self-sufficient in milk in the long run through a targeted program. Source: PMD

Rob Kardashian is taking time to focus on what really matters.

A study published in The Lancet has said that the symptoms of long Covid may change in children and the younger population over time. For the study, the researchers asked children in the age group of 11 to 17 how their health was six months and 12 months after taking the PCR tests. They were also asked to recall their symptoms when they took the tests.

Foxconn Technology Group‘s November revenue dropped 11% from a year earlier after shipments from Zhengzhou, China, the world’s biggest iPhone assembly site, were affected by a Covid-19 outbreak, the company said Monday.

Matt Hancock has accused former Scots bra tycoon Michelle Mone of sending him a "threatening" message after a firm she was helping did not secure a deal during the covid pandemic.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation on Monday (5) announced that the price of a liter of Auto Diesel will be reduced by Rs. 10/-.Accordingly, the new price of a Liter of Auto Diesel will be Rs.

₹1,584 crore." He added that under the Namami Gange programme, the project of natural farming is going on along the banks of the Ganges, while the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and all Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs), Central and State Agricultural Universities and Colleges are making all-round efforts to promote natural farming.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – A scholarship program utilizing funds from the President’s Fund has been initiated under the directives of President Ranil Wickremesinghe for students who have passed the G.C. E.

COLOMBO (News 1st) –  Minister of Tourism and Lands Harin Fernando said that a new mobile application will be introduced for the safety of tourists coming to Sri Lanka while promoting the tourism industry.The Minister stated the above at the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Tourism and Lands held recently (30) at the Parliament.The Minister said he hopes to use this mobile application in January.The Minister further explained that through this application, tourists can be allowed to check their location, and if they get lost or need to take some safety measures, they can access the app for instructions.The Minister also said that for the safety of tourists, a tourist police team will be stationed at every beach with tourist attractions.Harin Fernando also mentioned that it is planned to bring 1.5 million tourists to Sri Lanka, especially in the year 2023.