The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Sri Lanka

  • Serial blasts kill over 200 in Sri Lanka

    Eight serial explosions ripped through the island nation of Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday killing over 200 and wounding 450 people.

    The explosions, which targeted three churches and prominent hotels went off at around 8.45 am (local time) when the Easter Sunday masses were underway.

    Seven suspects have been arrested in raids as security agencies spring to action in the country.

    Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has appealed his countrymen to remain united.

    “I strongly condemn the cowardly attacks on our people today. I call upon all Sri Lankans during this tragic time to remain united and strong.

    “Please avoid propagating unverified reports and speculation. The government is taking immediate steps to contain this situation,” said the prime minister condemning the attack.

    An emergency meeting was called by the prime minister and security at various religious institutions was heightened as the government imposed an indefinite curfew across the country.

    The social media has also been shut down in a bid to control misinformation and fake news.

    The first blast was reported at the St Anthony’s Church in Kochcikade in Colombo, the second from St Sebastian’s Church at Katuwapitiya in Negombo and third from a church in Batticaloa. Three five-star hotels from where the blasts were reported are the Shangrila, the Cinnamon Grand, and the Kingsbury.

    Read Also: Sri Lanka signs port deal with China

    The seventh blast occurred at a guesthouse in Dehiwala, killing at least two people while the eighth explosion took place in Dematagoda on the outskirts of Colombo.

    Two of the explosions are reported to be suicide bombers. Three police officers were killed while conducting a search operation at a suspected safe house in Dematagoda.

    Describing the site of the blasts as “horrible scenes”, Harsha de Silva, minister of Economic Reforms and Public Distribution said,

    “I saw many body parts strewn all over. Emergency crews are at all locations in full force.”

    No terror group has claimed responsibility for the deadly attack. Describing the blasts as a terrorist attack, Defense Minister Ruwan Wijewardena told reporters Sunday evening that seven suspects had been arrested, though no one immediately claimed responsibility for the blasts.

    Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said that he feared the violence could trigger instability in the country and its economy.

    The attack is being called the worst since the end of the country’s civil war 25 years ago, in which Tamil Tigers, a rebel group from the ethnic Tamil minority, sought independence from ethnic Sinhala Buddhist majority Sri Lanka.

    IndianExpress

     

     

     

     

  • It’s a new dawn for cricket in Nigeria, says NCF boss

    The feat achieved by the Nigeria’s U-19 cricket tea at the just concluded ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup Africa Qualifiers in Namibia has been described as a new dawn for the sport in the country as the Sylvester Okpe-captained side became the first Nigeria team to qualify for a cricket World Cup.

    After emerging the overall winner at the six-nation qualifiers held in Namibia following their unbeaten run in the competition, Nigeria became the first team from the continental championship to join top playing cricket nations like Pakistan, South Africa, Afghanistan, Australia, India, England, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, West Indies, Zimbabwe and host – South Africa as teams that had already booked their places at the global championship holding in 2020.

    An excited President of the Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF), Professor Yahaha Ukwenya described the feat as a new dawn for the sport. “As a President, it is great and incredible and I cannot believe the boys have done this. We trained them to be true Nigerians, tough in character and spirit and not giving to anybody and to tell everybody that we are Africa’s largest nation and some of the toughest human beings from the continent are from Nigeria and they played that way. But we had no idea that they will get this far and by match by match, they fought and came out victorious,” Ukwenya said.

    For the coach of the team, Uthe Ogbimi, the feat did not come on a platter of gold. “It has been a long trek coming all the way from last year to qualify from the division two to division one and to come to division one and clear everybody is indeed so massive in our heart. We want to thank the federation for allowing us to go to Zimbabwe for a playing tour against strong opposition and it indeed lifted the game of the players. I think Nigeria should celebrate and corporate bodies should rally round the team to support us for the World Cup.”

    An elated Okpe said: “We had a little up and down in the game and we must thank God for the success here in Namibia. This qualification means a lot to me and it is the best moment in my life since I started playing cricket particularly to be part of the first Nigeria team to qualify for any cricket World Cup. We will go back to drawing to check our mistakes and correct it before the World Cup.”

  • FCT Magistrate, Oniyangi, others emerge integrity idol winners

    The Magistrate of Wuse Zone 6 Chief Magistrates’ Court in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abdulmajid Oniyangi, has been named Nigeria’s second Integrity Idol winner.

    Mr. Oniyangi is joined by a journalist with the News Agency of Nigeria reporter, Mrs. Bukola Adewunmi to win the 2018 award.

    Other winners include: a State Coordinator of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Anambra state, Mr. Aremu Kehinde; an investigative journalist with Ebonyi State Newspaper Corporation, Mr. Benson Agwu and a Director of Supply Chain Operations at the National Agency for the Control of Aids (NACA), Abuja office, Bravo Otahabru.

    Country Director for Accountability Lab Nigeria, Friday Odeh, in a statement in Abuja on Tuesday, said Mr. Oniyangi was voted winner after films of the Idols was put out on social media, TV and on radio where thousands of citizens across Nigeria voted for their favourite Idols through SMS and online.

    He said the Magistrate was honoured for his responsible, honest and accountable approach to the rule of law, following a nationwide campaign celebrating honest government officials.

    The statement reads: “Before a crowd of over 150 dignitaries in Abuja, consisting of high-level individuals, foreign ambassadors, public servants, civil society organization leaders, and citizens, Abdulmajid Oniyangi was named Nigeria’s second Integrity Idol winner.

    “Selected from nearly 300 nominees, a magistrate with the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Magistrate Court, Abdulmajid’s dedication to serving citizens and carrying out his duties honestly has earned him the respect of his colleagues, superiors and most importantly – Nigerian citizens.

    “Abdulmajid Oniyangi is well-known for his fair and balanced approach to the rule of law and ensuring that justice is served quickly and without bias or prejudice.

    “He indicated that the award will go a long way in inspiring others to do the right thing in their daily lives.”

    Odeh added: “We saw incredible energy today from the young people of Nigeria who have truly shown that they support and want to celebrate honest leaders.

    “Let’s move away from “naming and shaming” and towards “naming and faming” those who uphold the Nigeria’s values of honesty, integrity and accountability.”

    Odeh explained that the Integrity Idol is a citizen-run movement to identify and celebrate upstanding government officials.

    He said it originated in Nepal in 2014, noting that the Integrity Idol has since evolved into a global movement in eight countries of Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Mali, Nigeria, Liberia, South Africa and Mexico.

    “In each country, local Accountability Lab team runs a nationwide campaign to identify and encourage civil servants who demonstrate exemplary integrity in their work.

    “Officials are nominated and voted by the public at-large, with the annual campaign culminating in an award ceremony to celebrate the finalists.

    “The Lab works with the winners to push for integrity within government organizations,” he added.

  • ANEEJ’ Director invited for UNCAC panel

    Her Majesty the Queen’s Government and the United States government have invited ANEEJ executive director, the Rev David Ugolor to the UN Convention against Corruption Asset Recovery Working Group, June 7, 2018 in Vienna, Austria.

    A letter from the Office of Anti-Crime Programs of the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement, the US Department of State, said that in building upon the outcomes of the inaugural Global Forum on Asset Recovery (GFAR), this side event will focus on how countries are promoting transparency and accountability in asset recovery processes through successful implementation of the GFAR Principles for Disposition and Transfer of Confiscated Stolen Assets in Corruption Cases.

    A panel of experts, to include the Rev David Ugolor, will focus on several of the GFAR Principles and share experiences and good practices on how their countries have put them into practice through concrete examples to ensure transparency and accountability in the repatriation of recovered assets.

    In addition, the Office of Anti-Crime of the UD Department of State said that ‘given ANEEJ work and broader engagement on this issue through the UNCAC Coalition, the United States and the UK governments said they decided to invite the Rev David Ugolor to participate on a panel to share lessons learned and best practices from the perspective of civil society’.

    Other panelists will include representatives from the United Kingdom, the United States, Switzerland, Nigeria and Sri Lanka. A representative from the Stolen Asset Recovery Initiative (StAR) will moderate the panel.

  • Chickenpox outbreak forces shutdown of university agric faculty

    An outbreak of chickenpox has forced Sri Lanka’s Rajarata University to shut down academic activities of the agriculture faculty for some two weeks.

    The Faculty Dean, A.M. Adikari, said that 15 students fell sick with chickenpox a week ago and it started spreading afterwards.
    He said the faculty was closed for two weeks to prevent the disease from spreading further.

    There are 350 students attached to the agriculture faculty of Rajarata University located in the north central province of Sri Lanka.

    “Students vacated their hostels on Thursday. We are planning to open the faculty for academic activities again on June 4.

    “We decided to close the faculty upon recommendations by the medical officer of the university,” he said.

    The dean said the sudden changes of the weather pattern in the area had caused the outbreak of the disease.

    Similarly, at least 12 people have been killed and more than 120,000 affected by strong winds and heavy rains that lashed out across Sri Lanka since on May 19, Sri Lanka’s Disaster Management Centre said.

    With more rains predicted, the water levels in major rivers across the country have continued to rise, leading to emergency evacuations of people living in low areas.

    Read More: Sri Lanka bans begging from Jan 1

    DMC spokesperson, Pradeep Kodippoli, said hundreds of people in the north central and south of Sri Lanka had been evacuated on Wednesday night and housed in temporary shelters.

    He said the police and military were also engaged in search and rescue missions and to provide relief to those, who were affected by the rising water levels.

    President Maithripala Sirisena on Wednesday instructed relevant authorities to immediately provide relief to the affected people.

    The president directed officials to provide relief supplies to those affected and take steps to provide all requirements.

    Sri Lanka is facing its annual southwest monsoons with the Meteorological Department in its latest weather report warning of more rains in several districts across the country in the coming days.

    No fewer than 200 people were killed and 78 people missing when the southwest monsoons caused severe floods and landslides across Sri Lanka in 2017.

  • Sri Lanka bans begging from Jan 1

    Sri Lanka bans begging from Jan 1

    The Sri Lankan government said yesterday that it would ban begging on roads or in public transport in the capital, Colombo, from January 1, local media reported.

    Megapolis and Western Development Minister Champika Ranawaka said a survey conducted by the ministry in partnership with others showed that around 600 beggars beg within Colombo city limits.

    Others, who were part of the survey, include the Charity Commissioner of the Public Assistance Department of the Colombo Municipal Council, and the Social Empowerment and Welfare Ministry.

    He said considering the inconvenience caused to the public, and as a measure of the Colombo city beautification programme, it had decided to prohibit begging in and around Colombo from January 1.

    He said the beggars would be rehabilitated as the Sri Lankan government constructed a rehabilitation centre in the southern part of the country.

    “We will first deal with those helpless beggars with kindness. The government will enforce a ban on begging.

    “However, those who doing this as a profession should immediately find other livelihood or we will take stern legal action against them using the provisions in the Municipal Council Ordinance,” Ranawaka said.

    He also said begging children would be enrolled in schools and the sick would be taken care of.

  • Sri Lanka signs port deal with China

    Sri Lanka has signed a $1.1bn (£837m) deal with China for the control and development of the southern deep-sea port of Hambantota.

    The deal had been delayed by several months over concerns that the port could be used by the Chinese military, the BBC reports.

    The government has given assurances that China will run only commercial operations from the port, on the main shipping route between Asia and Europe.

    Sri Lanka’s government said money from the deal would help repay foreign loans.

    Under the proposal, a state-run Chinese company will have a 99-year lease on the port and about 15,000 acres nearby for an industrial zone.

    The plan envisages the eviction of thousands of villagers but the government said they would be given new land.

    China has pumped millions of dollars into Sri Lanka’s infrastructure since the end of a 26-year civil war in 2009.

    Hambantota port, overlooking the Indian Ocean, is expected to play a key role in China’s “One Belt, One Road” initiative, otherwise known as the new Silk Road, which will link ports and roads between China and Europe.

    The initiative is being keenly watched by regional trade rivals including India and Japan.

    Opponents of the project said they feared the area being turned into a Chinese colony. There were also concerns that the Chinese navy could use the port as a base.

  • Badminton: 11 countries for 3rd Lagos Badminton Classics – Chairman

    Badminton: 11 countries for 3rd Lagos Badminton Classics – Chairman

    The Lagos State Badminton Association (LSBA) has said that 11 countries would feature in the 3rd Lagos International Badminton classics from July 26 to July 29 at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere.

    The association’s chairman, Francis Orbih, told a news conference on Thursday that the Gov. Akinwunmi ambode has also increased the tournament’s prize money to 20,000 dollars.

    With the increase, the competition becomes biggest ever to be staged in Lagos and in Africa.

    “A total of 20,000 dollars have been set aside as the total prize money for the entire competition.

    “The competition will also have Nigeria’s best players compete among quality international ranked players and get a chance to be ranked as well,’’ Orbih said.

    According to Orbih, the international athletes will Israel’s Misha Zilberman who is ranked 68 in the world.

    Others will come from Sri Lanka, Portugal, Republic of Benin, Egypt, Italy, Cameroon, Uganda, India and Ghana.

    He said that Nigeria’s Habib Temitope ranked number 512 in the world will lead the challenge by the national players.

    Meanwhile, Deji Tinubu, the Chairman, Lagos State Sports Commission, has extolled the brilliance and the dedication of the LBSA as one of the best associations working hard.

    Tinubu said the association would always get the backing of the sports commission to carry out their objectives because over the years, it had shown commitment in developing youths through badminton.

    “It is good to know that the classics are back and I want to agree that it is indeed back for good.

    “We at the sports commission are happy about how the LSBA has carried itself and the sport’s fans,’’ he said adding that the governor remained an ardent fan of the game.

    “This is why we have once again partnered this edition and also gone ahead to raise the prize money.

    “We hope at the end of the tournament that Nigerian youths can gain from the international players in the areas of mentoring and maintaining a good relationship,’’ Tinubu said.

    The winner of the Men and Women’s Singles will earn 2,000 dollars each, while the second place winners get 1,500 dollars and the second runners-up 650 dollars each.

    The doubles and mixed doubles winners will get 725 dollars each, while the runners-up and the second runners-up take 400 dollars and 175 dollars respectively.

    He noted that the prize monies would be given as directed by the International BVadminton Federation.

  • Sri Lanka seeks partnership with Nigeria in tea production

    Sri Lanka seeks partnership with Nigeria in tea production

    Sri Lanka has expressed interest in partnering with Nigeria in tea production to support the the country’s agricultural development in line with the Federal Government’s economic diversification plan.

    Sri Lanka High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr Thambirajah Raveenthiran, said this at the Global Ceylon Tea Party to mark the 150th anniversary of tea in Sri Lanka.

    Raveenthiran said that Sri Lanka was famous for its “tea estates” and was an industry that supported almost 10 per cent of its population.

    He added that the country produced teas in different regions with “distinctly different characteristics enhanced by specialised processes of manufacturing”.

    The envoy expressed his country’s willingness to share its expertise with Nigeria.

    “Nigeria has its tradition of tea production dating back in the 1950s.

    “The country imports around five million kilogrammes of tea annually; this is not a significant volume for a population of 182 million people.

    “Sri Lanka invites the beverage industry in Nigeria to partner with Sri Lanka companies and grow the tea segment,” he said.

    The Global Ceylon Tea Party is a unique 24-hour celebration of 150 years of Ceylon Tea, hosted by Sri Lankan missions globally.

    Sri Lanka is the world’s fourth-largest producer of tea and tea production is one of the main sources of foreign exchange which contributed more than 1.5 billion dollars in 2013 to the country’s economy.

     

  • Sri Lanka workers warn of dengue epidemic

    Sri Lanka workers warn of dengue epidemic

    Sri Lanka’s health workers on Tuesday warned that the country was facing a dengue epidemic with over 63,000 people affected by the virus and at least 200 patients killed.

    The health workers said that there was a tremendous rise in the Type 2 virus and that urgent preventive and curative measures were ongoing to prevent the numbers from rising further.

    “Hospitals in the country had also been geared with necessary facilities to treat the patients and hospitals were working on equipping additional beds to treat emergency patients.

    “Mosquito breeding places are abundant throughout the country, with 63,987 patients reported in the first six months of this year alone. What we are facing is an epidemic,’’ the workers mainly of Epidemiology Units, said.

    “This situation warrants regular removal of possible mosquito breeding sites from the environment, it is also important to seek medical attention in the event of fever by day three of the illness,’’ they added.

    In 2016, a total of 54,727 dengue patients and 78 deaths were reported throughout the island.

    So far this year, the most number of cases have been reported from the Western Province, with 27,272 patients.

    The Colombo district recorded the highest number with 14,189 patients while Gampaha district recorded the second highest number with 9,370 patients.

    The Trincomalee district, in eastern Sri Lanka, recorded a total of 4,318 dengue patients.

    On Monday, the Sri Jayawardenapura Hospital in Colombo stopped taking in dengue patients due to overcrowding.

    Director of the Hospital, Susitha Senaratne, told local media that the hospital had the capacity to treat 460 fever patients, including dengue patients and as of Tuesday, all beds were occupied.

    However, he said that the hospital would admit new patients when in-house patients were being discharged.