RS. 70.00 PAGES 64 / SECTIONS 5 VOL. 03 – NO. 22 SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2021 ARCHAEOLOGICAL EXCAVATIONS IN THE EAST PADDY CONCERNS: SL WON’T INFORM DAGGERS DRAWN AT DIGGING UP RICE POT WTO DESPITE EU UNHRC AS SL LEANS CONTROVERSY? BOILS OVER? THREAT ON CHINA BLOC »SEE PAGE 3 »SEE PAGE 7 »SEE BUSINESS PAGE 1 »SEE PAGES 8 & 9 GENERAL PREVENTIVE GUIDELINES For verified information on the coronavirus (Covid-19) contact any of the following authorities Suwasariya Ambulance Service 1999 Health Promotion Bureau Quarantine Unit 0112 112 705 1990 Epidemiology Unit 0112 695 112 Govt. coronavirus hotline 0113071073 PRESIDENTIAL SPECIAL TASK FORCE FOR ESSENTIAL SERVICES Telephone 0114354854, 0114733600 Wash hands with soap for 40-60 Wear a commercially available mask/ Maintain a minimum distance Use gloves when shopping, using Use traditional Sri Lankan greeting Always wear a mask, avoid crowded Hotline 0113456200-4 seconds, or rub hands with alcohol- cloth mask or a surgical mask at all of 1 metre from others, especially public transport, etc. and discard into at all times instead of handshaking, vehicles, maintain distance, and wash Fax 0112333066, 0114354882 based handrub for 20-30 seconds times in public places in public places a lidded bin lined with a bag hugging, and/or kissing hands before and after travelling Email [email protected] COVID-19 BURIALS No burials until fresh guidelines BY SARAH HANNAN AND LAHIRU POTHMULLA z A few more days to draft z State Ministry on Covid-19 z Will hold bodies if cremation The Ministry of Health is yet to publish the amended guidelines to enable the fresh guidelines: DGHS unaware of guidelines is challenged: PHIs burial of Covid-19 deceased, as the finalisation is pending at the office of the Prevention of Disease Ordinance Regulations Harsha De Silva and he stated that the State However, as learnt by The Sunday Morning, no Director General of Health Services (DGHS), The Sunday Morning learnt. under Chapter 222, the public will have to wait Ministry has not been informed as to when the official from the State Ministry was informed for the health guidelines that were issued by the guidelines will be drafted and publicised. or requested to take part in such a discussion or DGHS Dr. Asela Gunawardena confirmed to identifying the burial sites. DGHS to be amended to include fresh guidelines Furthermore, following the issuance of meeting. Meanwhile, the Public Health Inspectors that the guidelines had not yet been finalised. Although the extraordinary gazette permitting on handling the Covid-19 corpses for burial. the gazette permitting Covid-19 burials, the (PHIs) Union President Upul Rohana said that “It will take a few days and is in the process of the burial of Covid-19 bodies was issued on 25 The Sunday Morning contacted the Secretary DGHS and the Ministry of Health were to host they are still waiting for the guidelines to be issued preparation,” he said on 27 February. He added February by the Minister of Health Pavithra to the State Ministry of Primary Healthcare, a discussion on 26 February about preparing by the DGHS to bury Covid-19 victims’ bodies. that the final circular would be issued subsequent Wanniarachchi under the Quarantine and Epidemics, and Covid Disease Control Dr. Amal fresh guidelines on handling Covid-19 corpses. Contd. on page 2 Two books too many? MINISTERIAL COMM. ON EASTER SUNDAY ATTACKS PCOI REPORT Focusing on some recommendations z Report by 15-20 March z Cardinal yet to receive PCoI copy z Report incomplete: SJB BY LAHIRU POTHMULLA into the Easter Sunday attacks and to strengthen national security, push the report of the Sectoral Oversight through related educational reforms, and The six-member ministerial Committee (SOC) on National Security to compensate the victims, committee committee studying the Presidential is looking at, among other aspects, member MP Dr. Ramesh Pathirana said. Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) report how to implement recommendations Contd. on page 2 EASTER ATTACKS PCOI REPORT Rejected across the board: SLFP z ‘Ranil treated with kid gloves; Sirisena treated harshly’ z Party legal team studying the report Speaker of Parliament Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, Ministers Gamini Lokuge, and Nimal Siripala de Silva nodding off at the launch of two books written by Narahenpita Abhayarama Adhipathi Ven. Muruththettuwe Ananda Thera, at the Abhayarama The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) is not Viharaya in Narahenpita on Thursday (25) perturbed by the Presidential Commission of PHOTO ESHAN DASANAYAKA Inquiry (PCoI) report on the Easter Sunday terror attacks, senior SLFP Member and COVID-19 VACCINATION PROGRAMME HUMAN-ELEPHANT CONFLICT Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said.. Indecision places Ministry gets 2 months Contd. on page 2 to devise action plan ESTATE SECTOR WAGE HIKE PHIs, public at risk The Ministry of Wildlife recommendations proposed Decision after z PHI Union urges detailed circular and Forest Conservation concerning the resolution has been given 2 months of the human-elephant tomorrow’s meeting z 30+ in Colombo, Gampaha high risk by the Committee on conflict by the special z RPCs bemoan affordability areas eligible Public Accounts (COPA) presidential committee, The Government has yet failed to finalise the z COVAX consignment due date to prepare a formal The Sunday Morning Rs. 1,000 minimum wage for estate workers, yet unknown plan to expedite the learnt. as the Regional Plantation Companies (RPCs) implementation of the Contd. on page 2 raised concerns over the affordability of a wage BY SARAH HANNAN hike, The Sunday Morning learnt. The Covid-19 among the groups that were ARJUNA MAHENDRAN EXTRADITION Contd. on page 2 vaccination programme to gathering to be vaccinated, inoculate the general public and thereby putting all HUMAN TRAFFICKING hit several roadblocks parties including Public Clarifications sought last week, due to the Health Inspectors (PHIs) Five-year National indecisiveness of certain in peril. for fourth time authorities, causing unrest Contd. on page 2 BY MAHEESHA MUDUGAMUWA Action Plan Singapore has sought Lanka Governor Arjuna With the draft National Human Trafficking OHCHR REPORT ON SL further clarifications from Mahendran, for the fourth Action Plan for 2021-2025 being approved Sri Lanka on the request time since September by the Cabinet of Ministers, the Ministry Russia, China, Pakistan, made to extradite former 2019. of Justice is looking at accommodating the Central Bank of Sri Contd. on page 2 necessary legal reforms. Iran, and others for SL Contd. on page 2 z UK, US, Norway, and others against The Interactive Dialogue on the United Nations DWINDLING FOREX (UN) Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) report on Sri Lanka took place on AIIB approves $ 180 m loan for SL 25 February where several countries of the West, including the US, the UK, Norway, Germany, and z $ 1.5 b swap facility with China z Restrict imports, increase Canada raised their voices against Sri Lanka while soon: Cabraal exports and tourism: economists China, Russia, Pakistan, Iran, and other mostly Asian In the backdrop of Sri Lanka’s 2021, the lowest since September the Government to restrict imports countries backed the country. foreign reserves plummeting to $ 2009 when they fell to $ 4.2 and expand exports. Contd. on page 2 4.8 billion at the end of January billion, economists have urged Contd. on page 2 2 the sunday morning Sunday, February 28, 2021 NEWS ASSAULT OF LAW STUDENT RAMBAKAN OYA DEFORESTATION Appeals Court to take Family to file FR petition up writ this week BY SARAH HANNAN one year to recognised local the land is under the purview before Supreme Court investors. of the Mahaweli Authority, z Requests AG to indict cops involved police officers. to have been involved in the The Court of Appeal “The initiative did not they still have to adhere to the “This nonsense must stop. assault of Migara Gunaratne have (CoA) will consider the writ get off the ground, as Fauna and Flora Protection under CAT Act Hundreds of innocent people are been interdicted and a special petition which was filed by we faced protests from Ordinance. While the areas BY MAHEESHA MUDUGAMUWA facing this situation on a daily investigation is in progress. the Veddas, led by the Leader environmentalists and the might have been gazetted as basis,” he added. “The services of these police of the indigenous community residents of the area as well. Mahaweli Special Areas, A fundamental rights (FR) petition would be filed in As it was reported, on the officers have been halted and in Pollebedda, Uruwarige As you know, there is also a if a land extent of over the Supreme Court under Article 11 of the Constitution instructions of his brother, further action against them would Wannila Aththo, and the writ petition that was filed one acre is being cleared against the alleged assault of Migara Gunaratne, a Attorney-At-Law Charitha be taken,” Public Security Minister Centre for Environmental against our Ministry and using heavy machinery, final year student at the Law College who is also the Gunaratne, Migara Gunaratne Dr. Sarath Weerasekera told the Justice (CEJ) organisation the Mahaweli Authority by an Environmental Impact had visited the Peliyagoda Police media. on 5 March. the indigenous community Assessment (EIA) should youngest son of President’s Counsel (PC) and former Station on 26 February to provide The Minister who publicly The Sunday Morning leader which is due to be be obtained. In this case, Governor Maithri Gunaratne, by a group of policemen at a meal to one of his brother’s condemned the attack which took learnt that the State Minister heard on 5 March. Therefore, the Mahaweli Authority has the Peliyagoda Police Station last week. (Charitha Gunaratne’s) clients who place at a police Station said that he of Mahaweli Zone Canals we decided that we will await violated the law.” Article 11 of the Constitution Morning, Maithri Gunaratne PC was detained.