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Ruling Party MP Mahinda Samarasinghe on Tuesday (23) told the Parliament that he will be stepping down as a member, to take up the vacant post of Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to the United States of America.

He said that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has requested him to take up the position, and he accepted that request.

“I plan on resigning from the post of Member of Parliament in the coming days and leave for the United State of America on the 29th of November,” he said.

Samarasinghe said it is important for Sri Lanka be present at the United Nations Human Rights Council, at a time when the United States of America is to sit at the UNHRC as a member from 2022.

“It is important for us to have good relationships with the US. I am heading over there to ensure that it is achieved,” he told the house.

The Director-General of Health Services has confirmed another 22 coronavirus-related deaths for November 19, increasing the death toll in the country due to the virus to 14,108.

According to the figures released by the Govt. Information Department, the deaths reported today include 13 males and 09 female patients.

Five of the victims are between the ages of 30-59 years and another is aged below 30 years. The remaining 16 are in the age group of 60 years and above.

With 31 more Covid related deaths confirmed by the Director General of Health Services yesterday (21) the death toll due to the Covid-19 contagion in Sri Lanka has climbed up to 14,158.

This notably the first time the daily number of Covid related deaths has increased over 30 since the pandemic's decline upon the third wave.

The Epidemiology Unit of the Health Ministry says that another 509 persons have tested positive for the novel coronavirus today (November 19).

Meanwhile, the Director-General of Health Services has confirmed 14 new coronavirus-related deaths for November 18, pushing the death toll in the country due to the virus infection to 14,086.

The deaths confirmed today include 11 males and 03 females, according to the Department of Government Information.

Three of the victims are between the ages 30-59 years and the remaining 11 are in the age group of 60 years and above.

Minister of Power Gamini Lokuge has tested positive for Covid-19.

The Minister is currently being treated at a private hospital in Colombo, according to reports.

LNW

A new sub-lineage of Delta variant of COVID-19 has been detected in Sri Lanka, says Dr. Chandima Jeewandara, the Director of the Department of Immunology & Molecular Medicine at Sri Jayewardenepura.

In a tweet, Dr. Jeewandara said the new sub-lineage is named B.1.617.2.104.

“Sri Lanka now has another delta sub-lineage: In addition to B.1.617.2.28 sub-lineage, another sub-lineage in Sri Lanka has been assigned as B.1.617.2.104.”

Accordingly, Delta variants in Sri Lanka have two unique sub lineages that originated in Sri Lanka, namely AY.28 and AY.104, Dr. Jeewandara added.

He further explained that there are three SARS-CoV-2 variants that originated in Sri Lanka. “The first one was B.411, which is a lineage of the ancestral SARS-CoV-2 virus.”

The agricultural policy is only for a green agriculture that focuses on the sole use of organic fertilizers, said president Gotabaya Rajapaksa today (22).

He said the government will only distribute organic fertilizer and provide subsidies only for organic farming.

The farmers should be properly educated, the president told a meeting at the Presidential Secretariat to discuss the Maha season cultivation and the supply of organic fertilizer.

It is also vital to identify the chemical fertilizer mafia that exists when implementing this, he said, adding the commitment of the officials was essential to make the right policy victorious.

The President inquired from district-level officials about the cultivation of paddy and other crops and remarked the heavy rains have reduced the yield of many crops, including vegetables.

He said the delay in the distribution of organic manure affected cultivation activities.

According to him, the reason behind farmers organizing protests and delaying cultivation was that they have not been properly educated.

The President expressed his displeasure to the officials for not accurately educating the farmers.

Officials should work to find answers for the agitating farmers in accordance with the green agricultural policy and there is no obstacle for those who do not agree with the government policy to leave, he said.

The Director General of Health Services has confirmed another 15 coronavirus related deaths for November 17, increasing the death toll in Sri Lanka due to the virus to 14,072.

The deaths confirmed today includes 10 males and 05 females while just one of the victims is between the age of 30-59 years.

The remaining 14 patients are in the age group of 60 years and above

Restaurant owners in Sri Lanka announced that the prices of a packet of rice and a cup of tea will be increased, given the rising cost of living.

Chairman of the All Ceylon Restaurant Owners’ Association, Asela Sampath told a media briefing that the price of a packet of Fried Rice will be increased by Rs. 20/-.

The price of a packet of rice with three vegetables will be Rs. 200/-, packet of rice with fish will be Rs. 200/-, packet of rice with Chicken will be Rs. 250/-, he said.

The price of plain tea will be increased to Rs. 30, he added.

These price revisions are not hurt the government or rip-off the people, but because we cannot continue to engage in this trade under the present market system, said Asela Sampath on Monday (22).

He warned that by Wednesday, the hotel industry and the Food & Beverage industry will experience a serious blow.

From the 23rd to the 26th of November 2021, family and friends of the late Mangala Samaraweera will come together to mark the passage of three months since his untimely passing, in a series of private and public occasions for reflection.

Given that Mangala passed away tragically on the 24th of August, at a time when the country was in lockdown and observing stringent pandemic restrictions, it was not possible for all those who had walked with him at different times in his life’s journey, to pay their last respects.

"Those who still bear the scars of grief at his untimely passing, we know, are many. This was reflected in the outpouring of messages, articles, social media posts, sketches, drawings, and even music and poetry not just from all parts of Sri Lanka but from around the world.," the Samaraweera Foundation said in a release.

Accordingly, “Mathaka Mangala” will attempt to provide everyone who knew him in different capacities, an opportunity to come together to remember him and pay their respects.

“Mathaka Mangala” will begin with the traditional Buddhist custom of a sermon (bana), on Saturday 20th November, at the Matara Bodhiya, from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. We welcome the participation of those who may wish to join.

Sermon by Venerable Galkande Dhammananda Thero

On Tuesday 23rd November, there will be a sermon (bana) in Colombo by Venerable Galkande Dhammananda Thero, Head of the Walpola Rahula Institute. The sermon which will begin at 7 p.m. (Sri Lanka time) will be livestreamed on Facebook and Youtube.

On Wednesday 24th November, Mangala’s family will offer alms (dhana) to Buddhist monks in his memory. This will be a private occasion of reflection.

On Thursday 25th November, Mangala’s ashes will be placed at ‘The Restpect’ Jayaratne Funeral Parlour, Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo 08, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. for all those who wish to pay their respects to do so.

On the morning of Friday 26th November, Mangala’s ashes will be taken to Matara in a limited vehicle procession by his family and friends.

In Matara, the ashes will be placed at the Olanda Dutch Market Hall (Nupe), a community center which was restored under Mangala’s purview, from 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. for all those who wish to pay their last respects.

At 4 p.m., religious rites will be performed by members of the clergy representing Buddhist, Hindu, Islamic, and Christian traditions before the ashes will be taken in a procession to the final resting place of Khema’s boy and beloved son of Matara and Sri Lanka to the Matara Cemetery for interment in the Samaraweera family grave.

All those who pay their respects to Mangala through their physical presence and participation are kindly urged to observe COVID safety precautions.

The Samaraweera Foundation further said that they intend to launch a website memorializing Mangala in the coming weeks and months that will contain details of his work and his dreams for Sri Lanka as a nation that is reconciled, peaceful, and prosperous where every individual is treated with dignity, adding that the Foundation looks forward to sharing information about future events and opportunities for like-minded individuals of all age groups to work together to fulfill Mangala’s progressive vision for Sri Lanka.

The Director General of Health Services has confirmed another 19 coronavirus related deaths for November 20, increasing the death toll in the country due to the virus pandemic to 14,127.

The deaths confirmed today includes 12 males and 07 females while eight of the victims are between the ages 30-59 years while the rest are aged 60 and above.

Meanwhile the Ministry of Health has reported that another 508 persons have tested positive for the novel coronavirus today (21).

Another 728 persons tested positive for Covid-19 today (17), says the Health Ministry.

Meanwhile, the Director-General of Health Services has confirmed 23 new coronavirus-related deaths for November 16, pushing the death toll in the country due to the virus infection to 14,057.

The deaths confirmed today include 13 males and 10 females, according to the Department of Government Information.

Two of the victims are between the ages 30-59 years and the remaining 21 are in the age group of 60 years and above.