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 20, 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 22,419,075 Suwasariya 0112 695 112 PROTECT YOURSELF FROM 2,902 Promotion Ambulance DEATHS CASES DEATHS Bureau Service Govt. coronavirus hotline USA 5,667,040 175,491 COVID-19 DEATHS RECOVERED 1999 1990 0113071073 786,685 BRAZIL 3,418,306 110,171 INDIA 2,823,191 53,849 PRESIDENTIAL SPECIAL TASK FORCE FOR ESSENTIAL SERVICES RECOVERD RUSSIA 937,321 15,989 11 2,760 Telephone 0114354854, 0114733600 Fax 0112333066, 0114354882 15,134,213 S. AFRICA 592,144 12,264 Hotline 0113456200-4 Email [email protected] THE ABOVE STATISTICS131 ARE CONFIRMED UP UNTIL 9.30 P.M. ON 18 AUGUST 2020 SOURCE: HEALTH PROMOTION BUREAU FIRST CABINET MEETING OF NEW GOVT. SRI LANKAN MISSIONS OVERSEAS All missions operational Despite the Covid-19 threat usual in all countries around the Out with 19A, in with 20A still imminent worldwide, all world except Nepal. z z Sri Lankan missions overseas, The mission in Kathmandu, Cabinet approves abolition of 19A Drafting of 20A officially commences except in Nepal, are currently Nepal, will be closed from 20-26 The Cabinet of Ministers of the newly Minister of Mass Media and newly Minister Ali Sabry PC and includes before being tabled in Parliament operational, according to the August due to a prohibitory appointed Government yesterday (19) appointed Cabinet Spokesperson Ministers Nimal Siripala de Silva, Udaya for approval.Senior members of the Ministry of Foreign Relations. curfew imposed throughout the granted approval to introduce the 20th Keheliya Rambukwella said. Gammanpila, Prof. G.L. Peiris, and Government said earlier that the proposed Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Kathmandu Valley, Delpitiya said, Amendment to the Constitution. A five-member committee was Dinesh Gunawardena. amendment will include clauses from Ruwanthi Delpitiya told The adding that all staff would be The Cabinet granted its approval to appointed yesterday to draft the proposed Accordingly, the 20th Amendment the 18th and 19th Amendments as well Morning yesterday (19) that all working from home despite the abolish the 19th Amendment and draft constitutional amendment. to the Constitution will be drafted and as several fresh clauses. overseas foreign missions were offices being closed. the 20th Amendment to the Constitution, The committee consists of Justice presented to the Cabinet of Ministers Contd. on page 2 currently active and operating as Contd. on page 2 MP ON DEATH ROW VOTE ON ACCOUNT GRADUATE EMPLOYMENT No permission Another 10,000 to attend In Parliament jobs approved Parliament z z Judiciary yet to grant President assures employment to protesting graduates permission: SLPP The Government decided to would be given jobs with BY SKANDHA GUNASEKARA provide employment to another immediate effect. tomorrow 10,000 graduates. In addition, he said that As of last evening (19), the judiciary had not BY MAHEESHA MUDUGAMUWA However, Industries Minister Wimal “We took a decision to the Cabinet had also decided granted permission for convicted MP Premalal Weerawansa said the fully fledged provide jobs to another 10,000 to make changes to the 19th Jayasekara to attend the inaugural A Vote on Account allocating around Rs. 1 trillion is to be budget proposal would be presented graduates. This is in line with Amendment. session of Parliament. presented in Parliament tomorrow (21), The Morning learnt. in November; the Vote on Account our policies,” Government “The Cabinet approved the Sri Lanka Podujana was to be presented to allocate funds Spokesman and Minister proposal to bring in the 20th Peramuna (SLPP) Following the convening of the (tomorrow).The expenses expected till the Budget is prepared, he said. Keheliya Rambukwella told Amendment and change the General Secretary Sagara Ninth Parliament yesterday (19), Trade to be covered by the Vote on Account Once it is presented to the House, The Morning. 19th Amendment.” Kariyawasam told The Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardane are in relation to construction projects, the Vote on Account will be taken He said that the graduates Contd. on page 2 Morning that there had clarified that the Vote on Account repayment of foreign loans, and new up for debate and a vote prior to been no development with would be presented on Friday road and power projects, it is learnt. implementation. GOVT. ANALYST WORKERS APPREHENDED WITH DRUGS Jayasekara. MP Premalal Contd. on page 2 Jayasekara AT THE HEAD TABLE Not permanent SLPP PARLIAMENTARY GROUP Key parliamentary employees: Dept. The Government Analyst’s heroin. posts finalised Department said an investigation However, a spokesman of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) is underway into the reports of Department refuted reports that MP Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana’s name two employees of the Department employees of the Department are was nominated for the post being arrested with narcotic drugs. linked to drug rackets. of Speaker of the Ninth Earlier this week, two He further said that the arrested Parliament, The Morning employees of the Government individuals are not permanent learnt. Analyst’s Department were employees of the Department. SLPP General arrested by the Police with Contd. on page 2 Secretary MP Sagara Kariyawasam confirmed PUBLIC TRANSPORT SECTOR the nomination. Minister Dinesh Gunawardena is the President notes need Leader of the House. MP Mahinda Yapa for development Contd. on page 2 Abeywardana President Gotabaya and provide seating facilities Rajapaksa has advised the to passengers from tomorrow Cabinet Spokesperson Keheliya Rambukwella and Joint Cabinet Spokesperson Udaya Gammanpila presiding over the first relevant authorities to initiate itself,” the President has directed. PCOI ON POLITICAL VICTIMISATION Cabinet briefing yesterday (19) after the new appointments the upliftment of public Pointing out that the small PHOTO SAMAN ABESIRIWARDANA transportation by creating a step taken to stop using conducive environment for posters had enabled all cities Former PM ALL SCHOOLS TO REOPEN ALL GRADES passengers to travel with mental in the country to be kept clean, COVID-19 TRANSMISSION satisfaction as the first step, President Rajapaksa noted that and ministers Strict health the President’s Media Divison development in any sector can Fishermen at risk: PHIs (PMD) stated. begin with a small initiative. summoned The public health Inspectors’ Union of Sri guidelines imposed “A small step will lead to a Contd. on page 2 big change. Start cleaning buses The Presidential Commission of inspectors (PHIs) have Lanka (PHIUSL) Secretary Inquiry (PCoI) probing incidents raised concerns over M. Balasooriya said that The Ministry of Education students were allowed to of political victimisation during the the potential of Covid- there is an imminent risk of decided to reopen all attend classes in schools with former Government issued summons 19 being transmitted the virus being passed from government schools and below 200 students. on former Prime Minister Ranil through seafarers from the the mid-sea interactions Government-approved private “Schools can now reopen Wickremesinghe and several other Northern Province between that would possibly be schools that were closed due fully for all grades, even if former ministers. South India and Northern taking place between to the Covid-19 epidemic. there are over 200 students, Sri Lanka. Indian and Sri Lankan Schools were allowed as long as the guidelines to EASTER ATTACKS PROBE Speaking to The fishermen. to reopen for the second prevent the spread of Covid- Morning, Public Health Contd. on page 2 academic term under the 19 are followed. AG returns more condition that only half the Contd. on page 2 incomplete files NELUWA-LANKAGAMA ROAD DEVELOPMENT The Attorney General (AG) yesterday (19) returned 18 more incomplete files related to last year’s Easter Sunday attacks probe to the Police. Road across Sinharaja temporarily halted CORRUPT PUBLIC OFFICIALS z Suspended pending assessment report BY SARAH HANNAN to be developed after considering the Forest Conservation on Tuesday (18),” Will initiate legal continuous requests put forth by the Pemasiri told The Morning. Secretary to the Ministry of Highways residents of Lankagama. Contrary to what Referring to false social media reports action: Def. Sec. R.W.R. Pemasiri yesterday (19) said the was speculated on social media, this road regarding the Neluwa-Lankagama road Secretary of Defence Major General rural road development project that was is in no way a highway or an expressway development project implemented by (Retd.) Kamal Gunaratne has insisted to take place for a stretch of 18 km from built through the Sinharaja Forest Reserve. the Ministry of Highways, the Ministry that legal action must be sought against Neluwa to Lankagama has been temporarily “However, we have now halted the road confirmed that no development work would corrupt officials in public institutions. halted until an assessment is carried out by development work following the directives be carried out in the area buffer zone of 1.1 the Central Environmental Authority (CEA). of the President, which was communicated km, which is environmentally sensitive. SEE FULL STORIES “The road in question was scheduled through to the Minister of Wildlife