News

New COVID-19 cases surge in India

Published

2 months ago

March 31, 2023

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India recorded 3,016 new COVID cases in the last 24 hours, almost a six-month high, the Health Ministry said on Thursday.

It said that the daily positivity rate had spiked to 2.73% from just 1.51% the previous day. The last time the infection rate was so high was on October 2 last year, when India had reported 3,375 new COVID cases.

The country’s active COVID caseload currently stands at 13,509, more than double the 6,350 infected people on March 20. The death count has increased to 5,30,862, with 14 deaths, including three reported by Maharashtra, two from Delhi and one reported by Himachal Pradesh in a span of 24 hours, as well as eight more reconciled by Kerala. More than 1.1 lakh COVID tests were conducted in the last day, Health Ministry data showed.

In the national capital, where the infection count had dropped to nil on January 16, 300 cases were recorded in the last 24 hours, leading the government to urge citizens not to panic but to use a mask. Additionally, Maharashtra reported a 63% jump in daily cases with 694 new infections on Thursday, also the highest for the State since October. Solapur and Sangli districts topped the positivity chartfor March in Maharashtra, with 20.05% and 17.47% rates respectively, the State health department said.

News

Bus collides head-on with lorry injuring 22

Published

37 mins ago

June 9, 2023

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A bus belonging to SLTB collided head-on with a lorry at Embulgama in Hanwella on the Colombo-Avissawella Road early this morning (9).

The drivers of both vehicles and 20 bus passengers were injured in the accident and hospitalized.

The accident occurred when the lorry travelling from Colombo towards Avissawella collided head-on with the bus travelling from Akkaraipattu to Colombo.

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Chinese National protest deportation at BIA!

Published

39 mins ago

June 9, 2023

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The Chinese man, who was arrested for entering Sri Lanka with a fake passport, has behaved aggressively saying that he cannot return to China when he was brought to the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) to be deported, airport sources said.

He was brought to the airport yesterday (08) around 5 pm under strict security of two STF officials, a police inspector from the Police Narcotics Bureau and an officer from the Immigration Department.

Sources said that when he was brought to the final gate to board the plane, he began to behave violently saying that he could not return to China.

A senior official at the airport said that the security personnel had to use force to get the Chinese national to board the SriLankan Airlines flight UL884 and took him to China with great effort.

The three police officers and the immigration officer also went to China along with the suspect.

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ADB provides SL access to concessional financing

Published

11 hours ago

June 8, 2023

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The Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Wednesday said it has approved Sri Lanka’s eligibility to access concessional financing.

The availability of concessional assistance, offered at low interest rates, broadens Sri Lanka’s options to bridge its urgent development financing needs to restore economic stability and deliver essential services, particularly to the poor and vulnerable, the Philippines‎-based regional development bank said in a press release.

Eligibility for concessional resources among the ADB’s developing member countries is based on gross national income per capita and creditworthiness.

ADB explained that its decision was considered based on a request from the Sri Lanka government in view of the severe and unprecedented economic crisis that has reversed hard-won development gains.

“ADB is committed to further enhancing its support for the people of Sri Lanka as the country responds to this deep crisis that has severely undermined their livelihoods and well-being,” said ADB Director General for South Asia, Kenichi Yokoyama. “The availability of concessional assistance will help Sri Lanka to lay the foundation for economic recovery and sustained, inclusive growth.”

Thus, Sri Lanka is now eligible for ADB support including concessional and market-based financing, technical assistance, policy advice, and knowledge solutions that together comprise a comprehensive suite of options to address the crisis.

The ADB notes that access to concessional financing will also ease debt servicing pressures through more favourable lending terms.