www.themorning.lk epaper.themorning.lk www.themorning.lk epaper.themorning.lk www.aruna.lk epaper.aruna.lk www.aruna.lk epaper.aruna.lk THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 2020 For verified information on the Quarantine Unit COVID-19 TOTAL CASES TOTAL CASES coronavirus (Covid-19) contact any 0112 112 705 ACTIVE CASES of the following authorities CASES IN Epidemiology Unit Health THE WORLD 20,628,042 Suwasariya 0112 695 112 PROTECT YOURSELF FROM 2,881 Promotion Ambulance DEATHS CASES DEATHS Bureau Service Govt. coronavirus hotline USA 5,322,446 168,256 COVID-19 DEATHS RECOVERED 1999 1990 0113071073 748,126 BRAZIL 3,112,393 103,099 INDIA 2,376,700 46,779 PRESIDENTIAL SPECIAL TASK FORCE FOR ESSENTIAL SERVICES RECOVERD RUSSIA 902,701 15,260 11 2,638 Telephone 0114354854, 0114733600 Fax 0112333066, 0114354882 13,526,629 S. AFRICA 566,109 15,751 Hotline 0113456200-4 Email [email protected] THE ABOVE STATISTICS232 ARE CONFIRMED UP UNTIL 4.30 P.M. ON 11 AUGUST 2020 SOURCE: HEALTH PROMOTION BUREAU CABINET AND STATE MINISTERS SWORN IN Former ministers A new NATIONAL LIST NOMINEE without portfolios NPP informs EC Dr. Harini Amarasuriya has been z No portfolios for 13 former ministers nominated to the National List seat of Quite a number of former general election have not received the National People’s Power (NPP). ministers, state ministers, and portfolios in the new Government deputy ministers who have that was sworn in last morning beginning VISITORS FOR PRISON INMATES entered the Ninth Parliament (12). following the recently concluded Contd. on page 2 BY MAHEESHA MUDUGAMUWA Rajapaksa, the elder brother of the One visit permitted President and the Prime Minister, who NATIONAL LIST A total of 26 new cabinet ministers and 39 state ministers were hold the Irrigation portfolio, and Namal per week appointed by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the Magul Rajapaksa, the Prime Minister’s eldest The visitation ban imposed on prison Maduwa (Audience Hall) of the Temple of the Sacred Tooth son, who holds the Youth and Sports inmates’ family and friends following 99% finalised: SJB Relic in Kandy last morning (12). Ministry portfolios. the Covid-19 patient detection at the As of last evening (12), parliamentarians entering Namal Rajapaksa is also the youngest Welikada Prison will be lifted on the Samagi Jana Balawegaya through the National List as The 26 cabinet members include Housing, Buddhasasana, and Religious MP to hold the portfolio of Sports Saturday (15). (SJB) had finalised 99% soon as possible. the President, who holds the Defence and Cultural Affairs. at the age of 34 years. He has also Commissioner of Prisons of their National List “We have completed 99% of portfolio, and Prime Minister Mahinda In addition, the new Cabinet also captained the Sri Lanka national rugby (Administration and Rehabilitation) parliamentarians. our National List. A few last Rajapaksa, who holds the portfolios consists of two other members of the team in 2013. Chandana Ekanayake said that inmates SJB stalwart Ranjith matters need to be discussed of Finance, Urban Development and Rajapaksa family, namely Chamal Contd. on page 2 are allowed to meet their relatives Madduma Bandara said that before we finalise.” under strict compliance with health they hope to finalise the Contd. on page 2 UNP LEADERSHIP and safety measures. LOOKING TO THE FUTURE AJBP GENERAL SECRETARY PCOI ON EASTER SUNDAY ATTACKS No decision yet Senior members of the United National Party Monk still missing RW, Sagala, and Ruwan (UNP) yesterday (12) met with its Leader Ranil The Ape Jana Bala Party (AJBP) is Wickremesinghe at the party headquarters at yet to receive any information of its summoned Sirikotha to discuss the party leadership, but General Secretary Ven. Vadanigama BY SKANDHA GUNASEKARA has summoned former have failed to arrive at a final decision, The Wimalatissa Thera who went missing Prime Minister Ranil Morning learnt. a few days ago. The Presidential Commission Wickremesinghe to appear Contd. on page 2 REPATRIATION OF SRI LANKANS of Inquiry (PCoI) probing before its Investigativae Unit. the Easter Sunday attacks Contd. on page 2 Wijeyadasa 120 repatriated HISTORICAL BUILDING IN KURUNEGALA from Qatar and UK Court suspends warrant declines portfolio A group of Sri Lankans stranded in The Court of Appeal its President Justice Former Minister of Justice foreign countries due to the Covid-19 has decided not to carry A.H.M.D. Nawaz Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe PC has outbreak were repatriated yesterday out the arrest warrant and Justice Sobhitha declined the state ministerial (12). issued on Mayor of Rajakaruna, after taking portfolio offered in the new Kurunegala Thushara up the writ petitions Government. Reportedly, Rajapakshe Sanjeewa Witharana and filed by the Kurunegala had rejected the portfolio of State Malaka Silva others until 24 August. Kurunegala Mayor and four others Minister of Education Reforms The order was Mayor Thushara challenging the arrest and had instead wanted a cabinet President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa granted bail delivered by the Court Witharana warrant issued on them. portfolio. yesterday (12) just before leaving the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Malaka Silva, of Appeal bench comprising Contd. on page 2 Contd. on page 2 Kandy following the swearing-in ceremony of the new Cabinet the son of former Minister Mervyn Silva who was arrested by the Police Development projects back on track in the North on Tuesday (11), has BY SARAH HANNAN that were slowed down due to Covid-19 have roll out.” Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, government that was recently appointed. been released on bail As the new Government’s cabinet ministers now gone back to speed. At present, there is an resuming his role as the Prime Minister of “Our Government will cater to the needs of by the Kaduwela Magistrate’s Court. and state ministers took oaths for their respective Agriculture Sector Modernisation Project that the ninth Parliament last week, expressed a all our citizens, irrespective of race or cultural Malaka Silva was arrested by the ministerial portfolios, the halted infrastructure is supported by the World Bank underway in keen interest to recommence the development background. There are urgent priorities in the Thalangama Police on charges of development in the Northern Province, which the Kilinochchi District and also the Other Field programmes that were disrupted at the end of his Northern Province with regard to livelihoods, alleged extortion and issuing death was stopped during the Covid-19 outbreak and Crop Cultivation programme that was rolled out previous tenure as President, which concluded irrigation for agriculture, the upgrading of threats against a businessman. the general election, has recommenced. under the Project Saubhagya implemented during in 2014. During his debut interview with an exports, and the improvement of facilities in Northern Provincial Council Director of the Covid-19 curfew period. In addition to that, independent media channel, the Premier had health and education,” Rajapaksa had told the SEE FULL STORIES Planning E. Johnson, speaking to The Morning, we are open to oversee any of the development stated that these projects will recommence under media institute. ON PAGE 2 noted: “Many of the foreign-aided projects projects the current Government is planning to the SLPP-led (Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna) Contd. on page 2 2 the morning NEWS Thursday , August 13, 2020 New cabinet, state ministers appointed Following an overwhelming majority at the general Preschools and Primary Education, School Infrastructure, election on 5 August, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Education Services appointed the new Cabinet, state ministers, and district Prasanna Ranaweera – Rural Industries Promotion co-ordination committee chairpersons yesterday (12) D.V. Chanaka – Aviation Services and Export Zone at the Magul Maduwa (Audience Hall) of the Temple Development of Sacred Tooth Relic. D.B. Herath – Livestock, Animal Husbandry Promotion, Accordingly, the new Government comprises 28 cabinet and Milk and Eggs-related Industries ministries, 40 state ministries, and 23 district co-ordinating Shasheendra Rajapaksa – Paddy, Grain, Organic Food, committees. Mahinda Rajapaksa took oaths as Prime Minister Vegetables, Fruits, Chilli, Onion, and Potato Cultivation on Sunday (9). Promotion, Seed Production, and High Tech Agriculture Below are the appointments: Dr. Nalaka Godahewa – Urban Development, Coast Conservation, Waste Disposal, and Community Sanitation Cabinet Ministers Jeewan Thondaman – Estate Housing and Community President Gotabaya Rajapaksa – Defence Infrastructure Development Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa – Finance, Ajith Nivard Cabraal – Finance, Capital Markets, and State Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, Urban Enterprises Reform Development and Housing Dr. Seetha Arambepola – Skills Development, Vocational Nimal Siripala de Silva – Labour Training, Research, and New Innovation Prof. G.L. Peiris – Education Dr. Channa Jayasumana – Pharmaceutical Production, Pavithradevi Wanniarachchi – Health Supply, and Regulation Dinesh Gunawardena – Foreign Affairs Douglas Devananda – Fisheries Chairpersons for District Co- Gamini Lokuge – Transport ordination Committees Bandula Gunawardana – Trade Pradeep Undugoda – Colombo District R.M.C.B. Rathnayake – Wildlife and Forest Conservation State ministers of the new Government Sahan Pradeep – Gampaha District Janaka Bandara Tennakoon – Public Administration, Sanjeewa Edirimanna – Kalutara District