Epidemiology Unit of thy Health Ministry says that the daily count of COVID-19 cases confirmed in Sri Lanka moved to 573 yesterday. This brings the total number of confirmed cases of coronavirus reported in the country to 542,212. As many as 513,540 recoveries and 13,770 deaths have been confirmed in Sri Lanka since the outbreak of the pandemic. More than 14,900 active cases in total are currently under medical care, official figures showed.

Director General of Health Services, Dr. Asela Gunawardena says that people should continue to abide by the health regulations and if they do not do so, coronavirus waves will re-emerge. He stressed that the provincial travel restrictions were not lifted to allow public to engage in leisure travel or other unnecessary travel. He added that the provincial travel restrictions were lifted to ensure that essential services to the public are maintained without hindrance.

Chairman of the Ceylon Electricity Board M. M. C. Ferdinando says he has not been informed of a power cut today and tomorrow. He said that CEB employees do not wish to keep the country in darkness. Meanwhile, Electricity Board Engineering Union said there would not be power interruptions despite the trade union action today.

The annual “Asidisi Media Scholarship Programme” aimed at improving the professionalism of the Sri Lankan journalists has been organized this year too by the Ministry of Mass Media.

Accordingly, applications have been called for “Asidisi Media Scholarship programme 2021” and the deadline is 30^th November 2021.

The journalists between the age of 18-55 who are employed in recognized Media institutions having completed three years of service on a permanent or part-time basis, freelance journalists, provincial journalists, web journalists, and media technicians are eligible for applying to this Scholarship programme. Moreover, the intended course should directly be related to the field of mass media and the applicants should possess the media identity issued for the journalists by the Department of Information.

The journalists can be benefited from this scheme of scholarships twice. After the first Scholarship is awarded, they can once again apply for the second opportunity in five years after successful completion of the course.

Under this Scholarship Programme, two hundred thousand rupees (Rs.200,000.00) would be offered for a graduate or undergraduate programme and one hundred thousand rupees (Rs.100,000.00) would be offered for long term or short term certificate courses conducted by recognized institutions. The journalists who are eligible for this Scholarship Programme will receive 50% of the total course fee at the beginning of the course as the 1^st installments, the next 25% as the 2^nd installment, and the balance when submitting the certificate after the successful completion of the course.

The beneficiaries will be selected after an interview conducted by a committee nominated by the secretary, Ministry of Mass Media.

All the applications should be sent via registered post to Director (Media), Ministry of Mass Media, No. 163, Kirulapone Mawatha, Polhengoda, Colombo 05 on or before 30 November 2021.

Further details of “Asidisi Media Scholarship Programme 2021” can be obtained by contacting 0112513645/ 0112513459/ 0112513460 and the application can be downloaded by visiting the website (https://www.media.gov.lk )

The police headquarters says that there is a considerable reduction in organized crimes. During the last two years organized crimes have been reduced by 80 percent. The police headquarters said covid pandemic and operations against organized crimes have contributed to the reduction. Police media spokesman SP Nihal Thalduwa said that special programs have been implemented to prevent drugs being smuggled in to the country

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa says Sri Lanka, as a nation with rich, philosophical heritage shaped by the teachings of Lord Buddha, fully understands the importance of balancing ecological concerns with human needs. He made these observations during the High-level Thematic Debate on “Delivering Climate Action: for People, Planet & Prosperity” convened by President of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly Abdulla Shahid today. The High-Level Thematic Debate commenced under the patronage of UN Secretary-General António Guterres at the UN Headquarters in New York and the Heads of States of UN member countries and representatives joined the conference via video technology.

President Rajapaksa stressed the need to address climate change urgently and decisively. The President pointed out that as a developing, tropical island nation, Sri Lanka is one of the most climate vulnerable countries in the world. He said, internationally, Sri Lanka is proud to be a co-lead of the Energy Compact for ‘No New Coal Power.’ He said Sri Lanka also leads the action group on mangrove ecosystems and livelihoods under the Commonwealth Blue Charter initiative. Additionally, the Colombo Declaration on Sustainable Nitrogen Management seeks to have nitrogen waste by 2030. The President said the country is taking to limit overuse of artificial fertilizers, thereby addressing health concerns as well as helping reduced nitrogen waste. President Rajapaksa said the country’s nationally determined contributions targets achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. President Rajapaksa went on to call on developed nations to fulfill their commitment to help the planet heal.

The Director-General of Health Services has announced revised guidelines for activities in public and work settings with effect from midnight today.

Accordingly, the travel restrictions which were effective between 11.00 p.m. and 4.00 a.m. were removed by the Health Ministry.

In addition, weddings will be permitted with a maximum 1/3 of the usual capacity of the hall, not exceeding 100 persons. Meanwhile, 150 persons will be allowed for outdoor functions. The guidelines however noted that liquor cannot be served in weddings.

With regard to dining in at restaurants, Dr. Asela Gunawardena stated that permission will be given to accommodate 1/3 of the usual capacity not exceeding 75 persons. For outdoor arrangements, 100 persons will be allowed.

In the meantime, physical official meetings and events have been given the nod with a maximum 1/3 of the usual capacity not exceeding 150 persons.

Education Ministry Secretary Professor Kapila Perera says that More than 50 per cent of the schools across the country were opened yesterday and the ‘teachers and students’ attendance was more satisfactory than expected.

Professor Perera said that the schools with students below 200 students are those attended by the children of poor families. He added that as the Government and the Education Ministry have fulfilled their responsibility properly and it was the parents’ responsibility to send the children to the re-opened schools. The Education Ministry Secretary further said that on average, 16 per cent of the students and 30 per cent of the teachers attended the schools that re-opened yesterday after a hiatus of almost two years. He added that it is expected that the percentage of the teacher- student attendance would increase considerably on Monday (Oct 25). The teacher unions have also urged their membership to report to work from Monday.

Ministry Secretary Professor Perera said that the student attendance was around 7 per cent in the Colombo District while the teachers’ attendance was around 17 per cent. However, the Northern Province recorded a student attendance of 21 per cent while the teachers’ attendance was between 48 per cent to 52 per cent. The students’ attendance in the Eastern Province was 39 per cent while the teachers’ attendance was 45 per cent. He also pointed out that the student and teacher attendance in Colombo was minimal whereas the percentages outside Colombo were commendable and encouraging. He also said that the opening of the schools with students below 200 is the first phase in the bid to open all the grades in schools countrywide in near future.

The World Health Organization says the Covid pandemic will “go on for a year longer than it needs to” because poorer countries are not getting the vaccines they need. Dr Bruce Aylward, senior leader at the WHO, said it meant the Covid crisis could “easily drag on deep into 2022”. Less than 5% of Africa’s population have been vaccinated, compared to 40% on most other continents. The UK has delivered more than 10 million vaccines to countries in need. It has pledged a total of 100 million.