www.themorning.lk epaper.themorning.lk www.themorning.lk epaper.themorning.lk www.aruna.lk epaper.aruna.lk www.aruna.lk epaper.aruna.lk TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 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 31,296,530 Suwasariya 0112 695 112 PROTECT YOURSELF FROM 3,298 Promotion Ambulance DEATHS CASES DEATHS Bureau Service Govt. coronavirus hotline USA 7,005,893 204,126 COVID-19 DEATHS RECOVERED 1999 1990 0113071073 965,857 INDIA 5,501,869 88,008 BRAZIL 4,544,629 136,895 PRESIDENTIAL SPECIAL TASK FORCE FOR ESSENTIAL SERVICES RECOVERD RUSSIA 1,109,595 19,489 13 3,088 Telephone 0114354854, 0114733600 Fax 0112333066, 0114354882 22,875,379 PERU 768,895 31,369 Hotline 0113456200-4 Email [email protected] THE ABOVE STATISTICS197 ARE CONFIRMED UP UNTIL 8.30 P.M. ON 21 SEPTEMBER 2020 SOURCE: HEALTH PROMOTION BUREAU KANDY BUILDING COLLAPSE Municipality in charge of legal action: DMC z NBRO report BY SARAH HANNAN Speaking to The Morning, DMC damages, file for claims, and issue the Director General Maj. Gen. (Retd.) insurance and damage claims to the notes weak Following up on the disaster Sudantha Ranasinghe said: “The DMC affected persons following a disaster. foundation and that was caused by the building only has the authority to assess the Contd. on page 2 collapse in Buwelikada, Kandy last 20A TO THE CONSTITUTION construction issues (21) evening, the National Building Set up task force: BASL UNP to launch Research Organisation (NBRO) z House owner submitting their observations to the The President has been by the Bar Association of Disaster Management Centre (DMC) requested to appoint a task force Sri Lanka (BASL), following the agitation campaign denies allegations, had confirmed that the cause of to assess whether the proper prior building collapse in Buwelikada, Newly elected United National says not illegally the disaster was linked to a weak approval has been obtained for Kandy. Party (UNP) Deputy Leader constructed foundation and miscalculation in the the construction of buildings Contd. on page 2 Ruwan Wijewardene plans to construction of the overall building. unite the forces of youth, women, intellectuals, artistes, professionals, 3,000 MT BASMATI RICE AT COLOMBO PORT workers, and the Buddhist clergy STOCKS SEIZED affiliated with the UNP to resist what it terms the Government’s autocratic march. 20A TO THE CONSTITUTION Will challenge in court: SJB Quality The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) would challenge the proposed 20th Amendment to the Constitution at the Supreme Court as soon as it is presented to Parliament. SJB General Secretary MP Ranjith Madduma Bandara told The Morning that they would be filing a case this week. testing after a year Sixty-two containers of turmeric, which were imported from India and had been seized by Sri Lanka Customs following the Government's decision to stop the importation of turmeric, were z Rice stock imported z Stuck at Colombo displayed to the media at the Orugodawatta Container Clearing Yard yesterday (21) from Pakistan Port for nearly a year PHOTO KRISHAN KARIYAWASAM WDIG Bimshani Jasin Arachchi DESPITE COVID-19 BY MAHEESHA MUDUGAMUWA Trade Agreement (PSFTA) that First woman DIG Around 3,000 metric tonnes (MT) of basmati rice would be beneficial to both stocks imported from Pakistan that have been countries. 44,000 Lankans appointed stuck at the Colombo Port for about a year are to Accordingly, the Minister The Sri Lanka Police yesterday be tested for quality verifications soon, according said that a Cabinet proposal (21) appointed its first-ever Woman to the Ministry of Trade. would be submitted to establish Deputy Inspector General (WDIG) government institutions to leave for foreign jobs of Police, by promoting former SSP This was mentioned by High Dr. Bandula Gunawardana. check the quality of all imported Despite the Covid-19 Lanka Bureau of Foreign the country last month, Bimshani Jasin Arachchi to the post, Commission of Pakistan in Sri During the meeting, the goods to the country as well pandemic, around 44,000 Employment (SLBFE). while another 210 have the Police Media Unit stated. Lanka Trade and Investment two countries had held a as to import rice within the Sri Lankans have left SLBFE General Manager registered with the Bureau Policies Co-ordinator Asmma lengthy discussion regarding quota of 6,000 MT to Sri Lanka the country for foreign W.M.V. Wansekera told to leave for foreign Bribery Commission Kamal at a meeting held the ways and means of using directly by the Government, employment so far this The Morning that a total of employment. files indictments recently with Minister of Trade the Pakistan-Sri Lanka Free under the PSFTA. year, according to the Sri 182 Sri Lankans had left Contd. on page 2 against Ravi and Arjun REOPENING AIRPORTS The reopening of the ISLANDWIDE POWER Call to conditionally country’s two airports – OUTAGE REPORT the Mattala International Still awaiting Airport (MIA) and the lift vehicle import ban Bandaranaike International Final z VIASL and VIAL to discuss with Minister instructions: Airport (BIA) – is still being The two main vehicle over the continued ban on discussed and authorities importers’ associations, imports, which has also caused are awaiting instructions, report the Vehicle Importers’ a spike in the vehicle prices as AASL The Morning learnt. Association of Sri Lanka well as the destabalisation of the Former Minister Perpetual Treasuries Ltd. Contd. on page 2 (VIASL) and the Vehicle retail market for car sales that Ravi Karunanayake Owner Arjun Aloysius Importers’ Association of Lanka specialise in imported vehicles. The Commission to Investigate delayed (VIAL), have raised concerns Contd. on page 2 Allegations of Bribery or Corruption CORRUPTION ALLEGATIONS AGAINST POLICE (CIABOC) has filed indictments The already delayed final report of the STATE UNIVERSITY EDUCATION against former Minister Ravi Fast action on probes urged committee appointed to investigate the Karunanayake and Perpetual BY SKANDHA GUNASEKARA “We have witnessed serious countrywide power failure on 17 August is Treasuries Ltd. Owner Arjun allegations being levelled against to meet this week to evaluate its findings, Improving quality Aloysius at the Colombo High Court. Transparency International Sri investigative officers in the recent according to Ministry of Power Spokesman SEE FULL STORIES Lanka (TISL) has called on speedy past, based on altered testimonies Sulakshana Jayawardena. ON PAGE 2 action to probe allegations of provided by witnesses”. Contd. on page 2 corruption against police officers. Contd. on page 2 of education COVID-19 z Education Minister discusses steps to safeguard higher education quality In line with President Gotabaya Public asked to take precautions Rajapaksa’s “Vision of Prosperity” With a recent incident reported of a be unnecessarily afraid of a that persons arriving from came in close contact with them would emphasised in the Government’s youth who completed quarantine being new cluster being created,” high-risk countries that also be closely monitored. policy manifesto, Minister of tested positive for Covid-19, Ministry Epidemiology Unit Chief have aggressive outbreaks “The healthcare system is doing its Education Prof. G.L. Peiris stated of Health officials have urged the Epidemiologist Dr. are always separated from best to prevent the virus from spreading. that the university system in Sri public to take all necessary precautions Sudath Samaraweera told the rest, and whoever tests We also request that equal amounts of Lanka should be reformed to Minister of Education Prof. G.L. Peiris and follow health guidelines at The Morning. positive for Covid-19 is caution be observed by the public at all create a future generation that Sunday (20) which was attended all times. When asked about the immediately isolated and times,” Dr. Samaraweera added. will immediately acquire the latest by University Grants Commission “The person who was detected to have possibility of people who referred to the nearest As instructed by the Epidemiology technological know-how and use (UGC) Chairman Prof. Sampath contracted Covid-19 after completing are undergoing quarantine hospital, while whoever Unit, the public is urged to continuously that to reach the highest level of Amaratunga, University of quarantine was reported when we contracting the virus from follow the health guidelines to avoid the development. Peradeniya Vice Chancellor Prof. subjected the person for one last PCR patients whose results Epidemiology Unit spreading or contracting of the novel The Minister made these Upul Dissanayake, faculty deans, test before leaving the quarantine centre. come out positive, Dr. Chief Epidemiologist coronavirus. comments at a meeting held at and other officials. Therefore, the public does not have to Samarawera noted Dr. Sudath Samaraweera Contd. on page 2 the University of Peradeniya on Contd. on page 2 2 the morning INTERVIEW/NEWS Tuesday , September 22, 2020 BY MEERA SRINIVASAN to build upon, have come under threat. How will this impact national politics The TNA Spokesman says the ‘Rajapaksas must and Tamil interests in particular? alliance must pursue its objective Naturally, having come to power, the of a dignified solution to the Tamil Government is now seeking to appease national question and provide those forces and deliver their promise to honour their past their core constituency. In doing that, they better economic lives to people. Sri Lanka’s Tamil National Alliance have promised a new constitution, but as an TNA Spokesman immediate delivery, they brought forward (TNA) suffered a huge setback and Jaffna MP M.A. Sumanthiran the 20th Amendment Bill. in the August general elections, commitments’ But that seems to have caused concern losing six seats in Parliament. even among their own supporters who With the Alliance’s presence in authority election results of February 2018.