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New COVID-19 cases surge in India

Published

1 year 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.

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Complaint filed alleging assets being misused for President’s political activities

Published

2 hours ago

April 26, 2024

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Today (26) the Socialist Youth Union (SYU) filed a complaint with the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) calling for a probe into the alleged misuse of assets owned by the National Youth Services Council (NYSC) for the political activities of current President Ranil Wickremesinghe.
The SYU submitted a formal complaint to the CIABOC today (26) afternoon.

The complaint is filed against Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports – Harin Fernando, Ministry Secretary – Dr. Kanapathipillai Mahesan, and Chairman of the NYSC – Pasindu Gunaratne.

Speaking before the media, Eranga Gunasekara, the national organizer of the SYU said, NYSC vehicles bearing the numbers NA 9099, NB 1389, NB 3384, NB 3383 had been misused for the UNP rally held in Kuliyapitiya on March 10.

He has also said a dance troupe of the NYSC, used for the rally, is yet to be paid.

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Tiran makes revelation on Maithripala’s statement

Published

2 hours ago

April 26, 2024

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During the inquiry over former President Maithripala Sirisena’s recent statement that he was aware of the real culprits behind the Easter Sunday bomb attacks, he has not mentioned the names of anyone in Sri Lanka, Public Security Minister Tiran Alles said.

The lawmaker made this remark while speaking during today’s parliamentary session.

News

High Posts committee approves 4 appointments

Published

2 hours ago

April 26, 2024

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Committee on High Posts approves appointments of a new ambassador, a secretary to a ministry, and 02 chairpersons of institutions

The Committee on High Posts which met recently in Parliament has given its approval for the appointments of a new ambassador, a ministry secretary and two institution chairpersons.

Accordingly, the Committee on High Posts has approved the appointment of Mr. S.A Rodrigo as the new Sri Lankan Ambassador to the Italian Republic.

In addition to that, the appointment of Mr. A.C.M. Nafeel as the new secretary of the Ministry of Water Supply and Estate Infrastructure Development was also approved by the Committee on High Posts.

Furthermore, the Committee on High Posts approved the appointments of Mr. W.A.D.S Gunasinghe as the new chairman of the Regional Development Bank and Mr. N.K.S. Jayasekara as the new chairman of the Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Regulatory Council.

Ministers Dr. Ramesh Pathirana and Vidura Wickramanayake, Member of Parliament Rishad Bathiudeen participated in the Committee on High Posts which met under the chairmanship of Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena.