August 15, World (LNW): The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared the recent mpox outbreak in central and east Africa as a public health emergency of international concern.

Previously known as monkeypox, the disease has caused over 450 deaths in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) alone and is now rapidly spreading across multiple African nations, raising alarm due to a newly evolved variant.

This outbreak is driven by Clade 1, a more lethal strain of the virus, with the emergence of a variant known as Clade 1b.

Scientists warn that this variant is “the most dangerous yet,” with a high fatality rate and swift transmission.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus called for urgent international coordination, expressing concern about the virus’s potential to spread further within Africa and beyond.

Since early 2024, over 13,700 mpox cases have been reported in the DRC, along with confirmed cases in countries including Kenya, Burundi, and Rwanda.

The outbreak’s severity has prompted the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) to also declare a public health emergency, urging immediate containment efforts.

Mpox spreads through close contact, such as intimate encounters or skin-to-skin contact, and can result in flu-like symptoms, skin lesions, and death in severe cases.

The WHO’s previous mpox emergency in 2022 involved the milder Clade 2 strain, which caused significant outbreaks worldwide, particularly among men who have sex with men.

That situation was eventually controlled through targeted vaccination campaigns.

Experts like Dr. Josie Golding from the Wellcome Trust and Professor Trudie Lang of the University of Oxford have emphasised the importance of the emergency declaration in driving research and international action, while also acknowledging the many uncertainties surrounding this rapidly evolving crisis.

Immediate global attention is needed to contain this escalating outbreak, with hopes that the emergency status will mobilise resources, funding, and international cooperation to address the threat posed by this virus.

August 15, Colombo (LNW): The Chairman of the Wages Board, H.K.K.A. Jayasundara, has announced a significant wage increase for plantation workers through a newly issued Gazette notification.

As per the directive, tea plantation workers are set to receive a daily wage of Rs. 1,350, which will be paid after deductions for the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) and Employees’ Trust Fund (ETF).

Additionally, an incentive of Rs. 350 is to be provided based on productivity, raising the total daily wage to Rs. 1,700.

Rubber plantation workers are also included in the new wage structure, with their daily earnings similarly adjusted to Rs. 1,700.

The move aims to standardise compensation across the industry, addressing long-standing calls for better wages in the sector.

The Wages Board has called for any objections to these proposals, which must be submitted with valid reasons before 12 noon on 28th August.

The wage adjustment comes as part of a broader initiative to enhance living standards for plantation workers, with the hope that increased remuneration will lead to improved productivity and stability within the sector.

August 15, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka has welcomed over 1.25 million foreign tourists this year, with figures reaching 1,271,432 as of mid-August, according to the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority.

Indian travellers lead with 237,649 visits, followed by significant numbers from Russia, the UK, Germany, China, and France.

The steady influx continued in August, recording 73,373 arrivals in just the first 11 days.

The surge reflects growing confidence in Sri Lanka as a preferred travel destination, supported by improved connectivity, promotional efforts, and a stable environment, helping revitalise the nation’s tourism sector.

August 15, Colombo (LNW): Nominations for Sri Lanka’s forthcoming Presidential Election wrapped up at 11.00 a.m. today at the Election Secretariat in Rajagiriya.

Election Commission Chairman R.M.A.L. Rathnayake confirmed that 39 out of 40 bond-placing candidates formally submitted their nominations.

The submission window ran from 9.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m., with objections accepted until 11.30 a.m.

Allocation of symbols for non-recognised parties will follow the objection review.

Among the 40 candidates, 22 represent recognised political parties, one from a smaller party, and 17 stand as independent candidates.

August 15, Colombo (LNW): A Gazette notification has restructured ministerial portfolios, placing the Ministries of Tourism and Lands, Sports and Youth Affairs, and Labour and Foreign Employment directly under President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s purview.

This adjustment follows the Supreme Court’s recent ruling upholding the removal of MPs Manusha Nanayakkara and Harin Fernando from Parliament, after their suspension from the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) was deemed lawful.

Both MPs were disqualified under the party’s constitution after accepting government ministerial roles in defiance of SJB directives, leading to their expulsion in July 2023.

August 15, Colombo (LNW): Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces and in Kandy, Nuwara-Eliya, Galle and Matara districts, the Department of Meteorology said in its daily weather forecast today (15).

Showers or thundershowers may occur at several places in Eastern and Uva and provinces and in Matale, Polonnaruwa and Mullaittivu districts during the evening or night.

General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimise damages caused by temporary localised strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.

Marine Weather:

August 14, Colombo (LNW): The deadline for placing deposits for the 2024 Presidential Election concludes today at 12 noon. According to the Election Commission, 36 individuals have already submitted their deposits to contest in the upcoming election.

Out of these, 19 candidates are from recognized political parties, while one is from another political party. Additionally, 16 independent candidates have also made their deposits.

The acceptance of nominations for the presidential election is scheduled to begin tomorrow (15th) from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Acting Police Media Spokesperson DIG Ruwan Gunasekara announced that a special security arrangement will be implemented in the vicinity during the nomination process.