Games Company Nintendo has rolled out Super Mario Run to iPhones and iPads.The app marks the first time the firm has created a smart-phone game based on its most famous character.
It follows the successful release of Pokemon Go earlier in the year.Nintendo owns a minority stake in the Pokemon Company, but the title was developed by a third party.
Experts predict the new game will also prove popular, but suggest an anti-piracy feature is misguided.
"Mario is one of the best loved and established icons of gaming and I think this is going to be tremendously successful," said Piers Harding-Rolls from the IHS Technology consultancy.
"To open up the full game you have to make an in-app purchase - it's quite big but it is a one-off and I don't think people will think Nintendo is trying to rinse their audience."
But he added that he thought it was a "misstep" to require users to be online in order to play - something the game's producer Shigeru Miyamoto has said was done to limit privacy.
"Some demographics will be wanting to use this as they commute and we know that the coverage in some markets is relatively patchy," said Harding-Rolls.
"Not having offline capability to play will also be an issue for kids travelling in cars."
Build to unlock
Super Mario Run takes the Super Mario Bros format - where the character sprints from left to right, collecting coins, jumping over obstacles and squishing enemies - and tweaks the gameplay to make it easy to play one-handed on a touchscreen.
The free version acts as a brief demo, but paying a £7.99 fee offers full access to three modes:
World Tour - a story mode spanning six worlds, which Mario must travel across to save Princess Peach
Toad Rally - a multiplayer mode, in which players compete to show off challenging moves and collect coins to get the highest score
Kingdom Builder - a creation mode, where players use the coins they have earned elsewhere to add buildings and decorations, some of which unlock bonus characters and other extra content
For now the title is restricted to Apple's iOS platform, but Nintendo has said it will come to Android "at some point in the future".
The Health Ministry yesterday said 12 students sitting the GCE O/L examination were being treated for dengue at the Infectious Diseases Hospital (IDH).
Health Ministry spokesman Nipun Ekanayake said that steps had been taken to set up an examination centre for them at the Hospital while IDH doctors were paying close attention to them.
The total number of dengue cases from January to the second week of this month was 47,900 with 77 deaths.
The mosquito control programme continued in high risk areas with 77,728 premises being inspected within the last three days.
The programme began on Monday (12). Some 1,140 premises with mosquito larvae were detected during inspections while steps had been taken to correct 9,188 sites. About 2,882 had been given notices while legal action taken against 616, Ekanayake said.
The total number of premises inspected was 60,490 in the Western Province and mosquito larvae had been detected in 639 of them. About 1,889 persons had been issued notices and legal action taken against 402 of them, the Health Ministry spokesman said.
According to the National Dengue Control Programme (NDCP) a majority of mosquito larvae had been detected in houses and their environments (1,028) besides 68 school.
Consultant Community Physician National Dengue Control Unit (NDCU), Dr Preshila Samaraweera said on Wednesday (14) that the total number of cases last year was 29,000 with 54 deaths while in 2014 the number of dengue cases had topped 47,500 with a death toll of 99.
Colombo Chief Magistrate Gihana Pilapitiya, yesterday further remanded till Dec. 29, 2016, the 26-years-old man, who had posted death threats to the Prime Minister and the President on Facebook.
The CID told the Magistrate that the investigations pertaining to the offence were underway.A complete report would be submitted to the Court in due course.
Suspect Dinoosha Chameera was first produced before the Magistrate on December 8, 2016 and remanded. The remand order was extended yesterday.
The present Ranil – Maithri administration sells resources of the country for their existence said the Leader of the JVP Anura Dissanayaka and invited the masses to struggle against government’s policy of selling.
He said this at a media conference held at the head office of the JVP today (15th). The Member of the Political Bureau of the JVP K.D. Lal Kantha and the Central Committee Member Wasantha Samarasinghe were also present.
“The economic strategy of this government is selling and liquidating valuable resources of the country and state institutions. The rulers in the country had also built a notion earlier that the country could be developed by selling resources. In 1988 then government that began selling state institutions stating such a policy could develop the economy was confronted by a massive opposition from the people. Next selling was carried out on the pretext of ‘nationalization’. Full page advertisements were published stating ‘You too have a share’. However, nationalization did not create a good situation for the economy. Today, the present government has come up with a new concept. ‘Public–private partnership (PPP)’. This is how they are going to sell state assets to companies. It is the same poisonous toffee offered to the masses in different wrappers.
The main item of government’s auction list is Hamabanthota Harbour. According to the geographical situation Hambanthota Harbour could be developed. The first cabinet paper to build a harbour at Hambanthota was presented during Chandrika Kumaratunga’s time. We too were in the cabinet then. The first proposal was to build a harbour for bunkering and food and water services. However, Rajapaksa regime made it a harbour for redistribution and exchange of goods. Now two main arguments have been brought up to sell Hambanthota Harbour. One is no ships are coming to the harbour. The other is the debt burden. Whatever ship enters a harbour it doesn’t look for the ownership of the harbour. As such, selling the harbour is not a solution for ships not coming to the harbour. However, the government could keep the harbour under its ownership and develop it as a bunkering and supplying services earning a big profit. Without considering it the government is keen on selling the harbour.
Now what does the government proposes to do with US$1200 million it gets if it sells the harbour to the Chinese company? The government has proposed to build a rail line from Kurunegala to Habarana spending US$970 million. This would not release the government from the debt burden. The other serious matter is that the harbour is handed over for 99 years. This means Hambanthota Harbour would be owned by the Chinese company until 2115. By 2115 none of us the Chinaman, Ranil or me would be there to talk about this. You too wouldn’t be there. This means there is no taking back. The handing over is carried out with 20% for the government and 80% for the company. For 15 years the government would not get any profits. Also, the company would not pay any taxes to the government. What the Ranil – Maithri administration is doing is to sell people’s assets for their existence.
Also, 15,000 acres of land adjacent to the harbour is to be given to a Chinese company. There are 17 economic zones in our country. Katunayaka economic zone is 192 acres. Koggala is 195 acres. All 17 economic zones have fewer than 2000 acres. The land area of Sri City, the biggest economic zone in India, a large country, is about 7000 acres. Then why a land mass of 15000 acres belonging to the people of our country is given to a Chinese company? These lands have been fertilized with bones of our ancestors. They have been made fertile by the sweat and blood of our people. Do we allow such lands to be handed over to a foreign company? A land equivalent to 1/10th of Colombo is to be given to a private company when large extents of lands are already available in Koggala, Katunayaka and Biyagama industrial zones.
There are 14 islets near Kalpitiya. Mahinda Rajapaksa regime attempted to sell the islands but they were able to sell only two islets. However, the present government, hiding behind tourist promotions, is attempting to sell the other islets. The islets that are owned by Divisional Secretariats have been taken over by the Tourist Board. The rulers have dragged the country to the low level of selling the islets belonging to the country.
The government is taken steps to sell Colombo Harbour which is placed 26th of all the harbours in the world. It occupies a higher place than large harbours in India. The East terminal of Colombo Harbour owned by the government was modernized so that it has a depth of 18 meters. Now, biggest ships in the world could enter the East Terminal. When the government could get a large profit by installing the necessary cranes – 12 in number – it is to be given to private companies. Bids have been called to give it for 35 years with 15% to the government and 85% to the private company.
The most precious mineral sands deposit is the one at Pulmoddai. This deposit contains heavy mineral contents of between 70% to 80%.This reserve has the heaviest minerals. It contains Rutile, zircon, ilmanite as well as very expensive minerals such as garnet. At school we have learned that the best mineral deposit is at Pulmoddai. This government has appointed a competent authority instead of a chairman and is taking steps to liquidate it. Also, Kahatagaha Graphite Mines, one of the important plumbago mines in the world is to be sold by the government. The government has auctioned Kahatagaha Graphite Mines which produces very good plumbago.
We do not need governments to sell mineral sands deposits, harbours, graphite mines. They are like public auctioneers. This is what happens when prodigal sons are born to ancient walawwas. The coconut estates, lands and other assets are sold. Even the furniture in the walawwa is sold by these prodigal sons to get intoxicated. This government is like a prodigal son in a walawwa. Ranil – Maithri government has become a wasteful son who sells everything around him. We call upon the people in this country to join us to defeat the wasteful and destructive economic policy of selling resources and assets belonging to the people and drive away the destructive Ranil – Maithri administration.
At the moment people have commenced a massive struggle at Hambanthota against selling lands belonging to them. On 20th and 21st Comrade Lal kantha hopes to discuss the land issue with people at Hambanthota. Also, the struggle against the move by the government to sell Hambanthota Harbour would be continued. Comrade Wasantha Samarasinghe would mediate in carrying out a struggle against the attempt to sell Kahatagaha Mines and Pulmoddai deposits.
We tell the government to enjoy the cold in this December in Hong Kong and Dubai. We’ll heat up the country in January with agitations. These resources and assets do not belong only to us. We have to protect them for the future generations. Hence, we would rally all people’s forces and create the largest and broadest center of struggle to launch a massive struggle.
Responding to questions posed by journalists Mr. Dissanayaka said, “Ulapane priest convened a press conference, flew into a rage and provocatively made a statement regarding a land given to him. He is a priest of ‘Dhushana Virodhi Peramuna’. This priest looks only for corruption by the government. The government donates a land to this priest. According to him this government is not corrupt. It looks like a virtuous government. I have no issue with this priest. The land at Narahenpita belongs to the Milk Board from the day it was established 60 years ago. The water to the factory was obtained from a well on this land. However, the government closed the well and donated the valuable land to the priest by deed. People should understand why the government donates a land to this priest.
This government is very swift when selling state institutions. Agreements are signed in no time. However, we warn the companies that buy these assets. There is a big opposition from the people against selling of these institutions and resources. As such, the companies must realize that spending money and signing agreements would not allow them to own those resources and institutions.
We have explained about deals on several occasions. If we have a deal with the government we should get something from the government. We should give the government something. We challenge anyone coming out with this story about deals to prove that we have got something from the government. However, we could tell what those who complain about us have got from the government. Having two passports by one person is a serious offence. There are many in Negombo prison who have been found guilty of this offence. How is Wimal Weerawansa not charged or not in prison? Udaya Gammanpila himself said he talked to Ranil about the matter and Ranil had said Wimal is reliable he could stay without going in.
Also, making false information in the voter registration form is a serious offence. This is mentioned in the back page. However, Wimal Weerawansa entered false information regarding him and his wife on the form. He was not punished. When Mahinda went to Uganda he talked to Mangala Samaraweera and asked for two tickets. We have the letter written by Mahinda Rajapaksa’s coordinator Uditha Lokubandara to Mangala Samaraweera. They are the deals.
When Shiranthi was asked to give a statement regarding ‘Siriliya accounts Ranil Wickremesinghe sent FCID officers to Shiranthi on a request by Mahinda Rajapaksa. Further, in the cabinet of Ranil Wickremesinghe a decision has been taken not to take legal action against Shiranthi.
After spending a large amount of money to renovate Kadirgamar’s residence to be given to Mahinda Rajapaksa, another supplementary estimate of Rs.19 million was approved to build another building near the residence. When Mahinda Rajapaksa goes to China the Ministry of Foreign Affairs requests for all diplomatic facilities for him.
Minister Sagala Ratnayaka in a telephone conversation heard by the public tells the IGP not to arrest the Nilame of Devundra Temple who was the Chairman of Mineral Sands Corporation during the previous regime. This Nilame is a very close associate of Namal Rajapakasa. As such, it is very clear that deals are taking place among them. We ask the people to judge us from our practice.
The China Merchant Company will absorb all workers of the Hambantota Port after the take over on January 7 next year, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said today.
He told media that the Chinese company will absorb the workers under the existing conditions but would sign a fresh agreement with the workers later.
Referring to the recent drama in the Port, the Prime Minister said two companies had informed him that they needed to get their ships released from the port.
“Two companies informed me that their ships were in danger and wanted them out of the port. We have to safeguard the few ships that come to the Hambantota Port. Then we need to develop it into a profit making venture. Therefore I informed President Maithripala Sirisena and the Defence Ministry Secretary about it and we decided to send the Navy Commander to release the ships,” he said. “There are international agreements on safeguarding the ships that come into ports. The International Maritime Organization says international ships need facilities in the ports and security should be strengthened and as such we informed the Navy Commander to take steps to provide security to the ships."
The Prime Minister said the K-line Shipping had asked for US$ 4 million as damages. "Who is going to pay these damages,” he asked and said other shipping lines might also claim damages.
The Prime Minister said the Government would set up a permanent navy camp near the Hambantota Port.
“It is essential especially after the construction of oil bunkering, refinery and ship building facilities are set up in the area,” he said and added that a journalist who was allegedly assaulted had complained to the Tangalle Police whereas he should have complained to the Hambantota Police because the Port comes under their purview.
The Prime Minister said investigations would be conducted to ascertain whether this journalist had entered the high security zone without permission.(Yohan Perera)
The Colombo High Court today issued an International arrest warrant on Emil Kanthan in connection with the case in which he is one of the accused charged with misappropriating Rs.124 million from RADA in 2006.
Former Reconstruction and Development Agency (RADA) Chairman Tiran Alles, its former Chief Operating Officer (COO) Saliya Wickramasuriya and Dr. Jayantha Dias Samarasinghe have also been named as suspects in this case.
Emil Kanthan was not present in court today and known to be in hiding.
The Attorney General has indicted the four accused under the Penal Code and the Public Property Act.
The employees of the Hambantota Port called off their 9-day long protest and reported to work today.
Yesterday, Minister Arjuna Ranatunga said the government had decided to consider the employees of the Hambantota Port, who were staging the protest as having vacated the post, if they failed to report to work before 2.00 p.m. today.
A group of Hambabtota residents have joined the fray at the Hambantota port, where Sri Lanka Ports Authority workers are protesting.
The residents say they opposed to giving land to the Chinese.
Sri Lanka is in negotiations to enter into a public-private partnership (PPP) with a Chinese company to ease accumulated debt in the South, from the previous government.
Workers at the Hambantota port are currently in their eighth day of satyagraha against the government's decision.
They say they will lose their jobs to the Chinese if the government goes ahead with the planned PPP. In the event the government does go ahead with the proposed PPP, the port workers ask they be absorbed into the permanent cadre to ensure their jobs.
The $ 1 billion debt-for- equity swap will see China set up a LNG Power plant, a refinery, a cement factory and dockyard, at a total investment of approximately USD 8 billion on an initial 15 sq km of land.
