www.themorning.lk epaper.themorning.lk www.themorning.lk epaper.themorning.lk www.aruna.lk epaper.aruna.lk www.aruna.lk epaper.aruna.lk MONDAY , SEPTEMBER 14 , 2020 For veri ed information on the Quarantine Unit COVID19 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 29,024,097 Suwasariya 0112 695 112 PROTECT YOURSELF FROM 3,204 Promotion Ambulance DEATHS CASES DEATHS Bureau Service Govt. coronavirus hotline USA 6,684,332 198,189 COVID19 DEATHS RECOVERED 1999 1990 0113071073 925,641 INDIA 4,788,593 78,931 BRAZIL 4,315,858 131,274 PRESIDENTIAL SPECIAL TASK FORCE FOR ESSENTIAL SERVICES RECOVERD RUSSIA 1,062,811 18,578 12 2,996 Telephone 0114354854, 0114733600 Fax 0112333066, 0114354882 20,891,515 PERU 722,832 30,593 Hotline 0113456200-4 Email ptf@pmo ce.gov.lk THE ABOVE STATISTICS196 ARE CONFIRMED UP UNTIL 9.10 P.M. ON 13 SEPTEMBER 2020 SOURCE: HEALTH PROMOTION BUREAU PHARMACEUTICAL IMPORTS Govt. spends Rs. 130 b annually Programme to locally manufacture 50% of requirement Process would reduce import cost to Rs. 60 b annually BY MAHEESHA MUDUGAMUWA When contacted, MSD Director country’s requirement of Government’s target. Dr. H.M.K. Wickramanayake pharmaceuticals locally within the The objective is to provide high- Sri Lanka at present produces approximately 150 out of said that around Rs. 130 billion is next three years. quality medicine to the public around 1,100 types of pharmaceuticals imported to the being spent annually to import the For locally manufacturing, the and the foreign market as well country, according to the Medical Supplies Division (MSD) necessary pharmaceutical products ingredients would have to be at affordable prices. All products of the Ministry of Health. to the country and once the local imported, he said, adding that are made in accordance with the manufacturing starts, the cost would the MSD together with the State recommendations and standards As learnt by The Morning, the now, the country produces around be reduced by around Rs. 60 billion. Pharmaceuticals Manufacturing of the World Health Organisation local manufacturing process had 150 types of pharmaceuticals Accordingly, the Government Corporation (SPMC) is (WHO). been launched in 2015 and as of locally. plans to produce 50% of the currently working to reach the Contd. on page 2 FAILURE TO FULFIL DEMANDS FIGHTING BACK GMOA threatens TU action HUNGER STRIKE BY BOOSSA The Government Medical made by the Association, be launched against a host Some prisoners Officers’ Association including the regularising of issues including the (GMOA) has issued a Trade of the Sri Lanka Medical undue delay in getting final Union (TU) notice for all- Council (SLMC). approval in Parliament for continue strike island TU action, which In a letter written to the minimum standard of BY SKANDHA GUNASEKARA is to be initiated during Minister of Health Pavithra medical education and not the week, starting from Wanniarachchi on Friday conducting elections for Some 20 persons, including notorious 21 September, to protest (11), GMOA Secretary Dr. four vacant posts of the “Wele Suda”, are still continuing their against the undue delay in Senal Fernando stressed SLMC. hunger strike at the Boossa Camp, while fulfilling several demands that the TU action would Contd. on page 2 some had given up the strike. Commissioner General of Prisons SRI LANKAN HOUSEMAID’S DEATH IN KUWAIT Thushara Upuldeniya said that around 25 prisoners had stopped the hunger strike. “Twenty-five prisoners have begun eating SLBFE to carry out separate probe meals once again. However, there are some who are still continuing the strike.” BY SARAH HANNAN worker in Kuwait. allegations get confirmed, we He said their demands would not be “We are conducting a will file legal action against entertained. The Sri Lanka Bureau separate investigation with the sponsor for recompense,” “They are asking for demands such of Foreign Employment the assistance of the embassy, SLBFE General Manager as mobile phone access. We cannot (SLBFE) is to conduct a as the full report from the W.M.V. Wanasekara told The In an attempt to control the spread of dengue fever in Colombo, health workers yesterday (13) compromise the security of the prison, so separate investigation over the post-mortem is pending. Morning. fumigated the Slave Island Police Quarters with insecticide to curb mosquito breeding we will not even consider their demands.” death of a Sri Lankan migrant Furthermore, should the Contd. on page 2 PHOTO LALITH PERERA Contd. on page 2 USING CANNABIS UNP LEADERSHIP Vehicle number SRI LANKANS REPATRIATED Working Committee meets today Thirty arrested plates to change at party Over 400 from Deputy Leader likely to be Deputy Leader to succeed The Government the UAE and Qatar appointed at today’s meet as new leader next year A total of 30 individuals have been arrested is to introduce after the Police had raided a party held in the a new RF (radio More groups of Sri Lankans who were The United National has seen several party seniors coming Kochchikade area of Negombo. frequency) code stranded in foreign countries, owing to the Party (UNP) Working forward. The Police stated that the party-goers had for vehicle number outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, have Committee is to meet today However, UNP Deputy General Secretary been arrested over the use of cannabis. plates which would returned to the island. (14) to discuss and reach a Ruwan Wijewardene is a frontrunner to Reportedly, the party had been organised enable authorities It has been reported that 405 Sri Lankans final decision on the party’s the post of leadership with the party’s through Facebook. faster access to were repatriated from the United Arab new Leader. youth front requesting Wijewardene to be vehicle information. Emirates (UAE) and Qatar. UNP Deputy General The UNP’s appointed as the UNP Leader. State Minister of Vehicle Regulation, Bus Accordingly, 341 persons from the UAE Secretary Ruwan leadership race Contd. on page 2 Dedicated to Transport Services, Carriages, and Automotive and 64 persons from Qatar arrived at the Wijewardene Industries Dilum Amungama, said the new Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) abolishing drugs: regulations were to be gazetted. early last morning (13). 20TH AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION SRI LANKA CALLS FOR Contd. on page 2 All of the returnees have been subjected to Shavendra PCR tests upon arrival at the airport. Collective prosperity The Sri Lanka Army has dedicated itself to OBTAINING DRIVING LICENCE PM appoints eradicating the prevailing drug problem, Sri in Southeast Asia Lanka Army Commander Lt. Gen. Shavendra Silva said in a recent media statement. Blood test not a criterion committee Sri Lanka has called for collective “At a time when the Sri Lanka Main criteria would be eye test licence. Nevertheless, blood efforts by the ASEAN (Association (Armed) Forces have been The medical fitness tests will be included only Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa has of Southeast Asian Nations) Regional praised for its management certification to obtain a as a service,” State Minister taken steps to appoint a committee comprising Forum (ARF) member states to address of the Covid-19 crisis, it’s driving licence will be Amunugama reiterated. parliamentary representatives to study the 20th traditional and non-traditional security important to know that primarily based on an eye test, The State Ministry is also Amendment to the Constitution. threats. eradicating drugs does State Minister of Transport discussing the possibility of The committee comprising cabinet ministers, State Minister for Regional not present a big Services Management Dilum looking into issuing two types state ministers, and Members of Parliament Co-operation Tharaka Balasuriya noted challenge for us,” Amunugama informed. of driving licences; one for (MPs) will be chaired by Minister of Education this, representing Sri Lanka at the 27th he commented. “Going forward, obtaining a commercial purposes and the Prof. G.L. Peiris. ARF held virtually on Saturday (12). Contd. on Lt. Gen. blood test to determine one’s blood pressure level will not be other for personal use. Contd. on page 2 Contd. on page 2 page 2 Shavendra Silva blood sugar level or one’s a criterion to obtain a driving Contd. on page 2 SRI LANKA AUDIT SERVICE ASSOCIATION CEA LAUNCHES EWASTE COLLECTION WEEK CEA collaborates Discussion on 20A with President The Sri Lanka Audit Service the 19th Amendment, the Audit the administrative and financial powers with Postal Dept. Association (SLASA) is to meet Service Commission was one of of the auditors so that the executive To mark World Post Day on 10 e-waste, such as used or obsolete President Gotabaya Rajapaksa this week the good features introduced to interference was not affected by the October, the Department of Posts mobile phones, computers, to discuss the possible negative impact on the country. Nevertheless, up until audit service. has collaborated with the Central televisions, radios, and stereos, the country’s independent audit services now, the Commission was not given Prior to 2015, the auditors were also Environmental Authority (CEA) at selected post offices. with the implementation of the 20th full authority, and as a result many governed under the Public Service to launch a corporate social “We will have designated post Amendment to the Constitution. described the Commission as a white Commission and financial control was responsibility (CSR) project to offices named e-waste drop- Speaking to The Morning, SLASA elephant,” he stressed. vested with the Ministry of Finance. collect electronic waste (e-waste) off points, and would also seek Secretary R.M.P.A. Janaka said the Janaka also noted that the main If the Commission was repealed by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa from 5-10 October.