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Omicron: Third wave looms as India Covid cases spike

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Omicron: Third wave looms as India Covid cases spike

A sharp rise in Covid-19 cases in India over the past week has sparked fears that a third wave, driven by Omicron, is around the corner.

The country reported 16,764 new infections and 220 deaths on Friday for the last 24 hours. 

This is the highest single-day increase in cases since October.

The jump appears to be the starkest in densely packed metros such as the national capital, Delhi, financial hub Mumbai and Kolkata city.

Mumbai reported 3,671 new cases on Friday, up 46% from the previous daily total – cases in Delhi (1,313) were up by 42%, and in Kolkata (1,090) by 102% in just 48 hours. 

India experienced a devastating second wave in April and May, with daily averages of around 400,000 cases at the peak of the crisis. Caseloads dropped significantly since then – for many months the national tally remained well under 10,000 cases a day. 

But officials and experts fear that the new highly transmissible Omicron variant is starting to fuel a third wave. 

It accounted for 309 fresh infections on Friday – taking the total number of Omicron cases in India to 1,270 cases. Maharasthra state, where Mumbai is located, has reported he highest Omicron cases (450) so far, followed by Delhi (320). 

The variant, which was first discovered in South Africa in November, has since spread fast across the world, dampening Christmas and New Year celebrations.

Many countries, including India, have imposed travel restrictions after the World Health Organization (WHO) designated it a variant of concern.

Preliminary studies published in the UK and South Africa suggest that fewer people infected with Omicron need hospital treatment when compared with other variants. 

But experts still advise caution as the infectious nature of the variant could lead to a surge in cases, increasing the load on already strained healthcare systems.

They’re going on trips to Tirupati. People are suffering here! – VIDEO

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They’re going on trips to Tirupati. People are suffering here! – VIDEO

As usual today (31st) long queues and crowds were seen in front of Colombo, to buy milk powder and gas shops.

The people are suffering due to the shortage of these essential commodities and at present, they are blaming the conduct of the government. They strongly allege that the rulers have no understanding of the plight of the common people.

They also say that they elect Gotabhaya Rajapaksa to become helpless.

Another 200 billion rupees printed!

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Another 200 billion rupees printed!

202 billion worth of currency was been printed on the 29th. This is the first time money has been printed since October 14th.

With this 202 billion, the total value of banknotes printed in 2021 is 825 billion rupees.

Opposition political groups, as well as economic experts, accuse the rupee of depreciating sharply in the face of continuous printing. However, the only option left for the government to cover the expenses in the country is to print money.

Steps will be taken to develop 61 tanks in the Trincomalee oil tank complex – Gammanpila

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Steps will be taken to develop 61 tanks in the Trincomalee oil tank complex – Gammanpila

Udaya Gammanpila, Minister of Energy said that steps will be taken to develop 61 tanks in the Trincomalee oil tank complex in collaboration with Lanka IOC.

This was stated at a media briefing held at the Ministry a short while ago today (31).

The Minister said that steps will be taken to develop these tanks through a new company to be set up in which the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation will have a 51% stake.

About 14 tanks currently used by the IOC are expected to be leased to them for another 50 years.

The remaining 61 tanks will be handed over to Trincomalee Petroleum to be 51% owned by the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation and the remaining 49% to be owned by Lanka IOC. The company is a subsidiary of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC), which appoints four of the seven members of the Board of Directors.

A food shortage is inevitable – People should stay prepared

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A food shortage is inevitable – People should stay prepared

Buddhi Marambe, Senior Professor, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya states that a food shortage is inevitable in the future and that the harvest of the Mas season can be predicted to be reduced by about one third.

Marambe pointed out that on the one hand there is a shortage of imported food items due to the dollar crisis and on the other hand that the food items produced in the country are declining by one-third, adding that people should be prepared to face a food shortage.

The professor points out that due to the lack of adequate nitrogen nutrients, which are crucial for the photosynthesis process required for food production, the crop turns yellow and yields are reduced.

Meanwhile, loans have been requested from India and Pakistan for the purchase of essential food items. It is reported that the loan request has been made by the Ministry of Trade.

Trade Minister Bandula Gunawardena has already commenced discussions with the Indo-Pakistani Trade Ministers.

Most of the essential food items including rice, onion, potato, and potatoes are imported to Sri Lanka from India and Pakistan.

BJP’s Subramanian Swamy castigates India for not helping SL at her hour of need

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BJP’s Subramanian Swamy castigates India for not helping SL at her hour of need

Indian politician, economist and statistician Subramanian Swamy has castigated his Government for the failure to

extend critical support to Sri Lanka at her neediest hour. 

“If India wants an ally for the Indian Ocean long term, then India must give deferred interest $ 10 billion loan to the Rajapaksa Government now or face China getting one more junior partner,” Swamy tweeted. 

“Modi Govt. has failed in so many foreign policy issues. Let not Sri Lanka be another,” he added.

Swamy is no stranger to Sri Lanka, nor is his support to Rajapaksa unknown.  In October, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa celebrated Navratri with his ‹long-time friend and colleague› Swamy, a senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader.

Swamy is a staunch advocate for a strong, friendly relationship between Sri Lanka and India.

DAILY FT

41 more Omicron cases identified in Sri Lanka!

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41 more Omicron cases identified in Sri Lanka!

Dr. Chandima Jeewandara of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura says that 41 cases infected with the Omicron covid strain have been identified in the country.

Accordingly, the total number of Omicron infections identified so far in the country has increased to 45, he said.

The top 3*% in Parliament in 2022

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The top 3*% in Parliament in 2022

A survey done among a pool of our readers to identify the top 3% among people representatives in parliament among the 225 who had contributed to the ongoing debate constructively and intelligently from the quality of healthcare to education to industrial output, from the pandemic management to public sector governance to poverty alleviation .

Also People Representatives who stood firmly to protect good governance and won the confidence of the public. The following eight parliamentarians representing the key parties got the top marks. a few others Dr Rajitha Senaratne and Sudarshini Fernandopulle were fearless voices during the height of the pandemic. Harin Fernando, Kumara Welgame, SM Marrika, M Nanayakkara and M Rahaman raised issues fearlessly . Also Sajith Premadasa on grassroots issues and Harsha de Silva on the economy .

They all deserved to be mentioned. The public who pays for their upkeep wants representatives with some intelligence and tenacity to fulfill their responsibilities effectively.

Many are throughly disappointed with their contribution. More than 60% of the MPs most people have no recollection of their names or faces. That sums up their pathetic contribution of that 60+%.

Despite the increase in prices, the shortage of milk powder will continue – importers

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Despite the increase in prices, the shortage of milk powder will continue – importers

The Milk Powder Importers Association says that despite the increase in the price of milk powder, the shortage of milk powder in the market will remain at a certain level.

Now here are two points. The main reason for the price increase is that we have to import at the new price, we have a competitive position in the world market. But the problems of importing milk powder have to be solved in the future. The problem here is that there is a delay in the issuance of letters of credit by the banks due to the shortage of dollars. That problem must be solved in the future. Only then will this supply be continuous. So until then, there could be a problem. The increase in the price of milk powder is due to the global market trend, but there is still difficulty in importing milk powder. That means milk powder is being imported, but the quantity is not enough. It is difficult to get the required quantity because of the dollar problem. ”

This was stated by the Media Spokesman of the Milk Powder Importers Association Ashoka Bandara.

180,000 gas cylinders to be released to the market in the next few days – Litro

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180,000 gas cylinders to be released to the market in the next few days – Litro

Litro Gas announces that it expects to release 180,000 gas cylinders in the next few days.

The company also says that it will be able to supply gas to the market without any delay in the future as its daily filling and distribution operations are operational 24/7.

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