Topads.Lk Filed by Several Parties
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
SPECIAL PRICE WISHING OUR Rs. 60.00 READERS A HAPPY EID RS. 80.00 PAGES 48 / SECTIONS 5 VOL. 02 – NO. 35 SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2020 www.themorning.lk epaper.themorning.lk Maintain Distance, Stay Safe www.aruna.lk epaper.aruna.lk POLLS SIDE SMART LIKELY EFFECTS OF INVESTORS IN AUGUST AMPHAN MAKE A KILLING »SEE PAGE 8 »SEE PAGE 4 »SEE BUSINESS PAGE 1 KANDY EXPRESSWAY SECTION I CONSTRUCTION Dollar crisis causing delays BY MAHEESHA MUDUGAMUWA z Govt. seeks Rs. 31.7 b in dollars z RDA to meet Central Bank officials The construction of the Chinese-funded Central Expressway initial payment amounting to Rs. 31.7 However, due to the lack of adequate from Kadawatha to Mirigama was price, as a result of the delay on part Project (CEP), also known as the Kandy Expressway, Section billion in US dollars to activate the Rs. foreign reserves in the country, the scheduled to be constructed by a of the Government to meet the agreed I has been hit with a new delay as the Government’s foreign 158 billion loan agreement with the Road Development Authority (RDA) Chinese contractor at an estimated 15% of the total loan amount. RDA currency reserves are running out as a result of the impact of Export-Import (EXIM) Bank of China. is yet to receive the necessary amount cost of around Rs. 158 billion. officials are to meet officials of the the coronavirus pandemic, The Sunday Morning learnt. As per the agreement, $ 169.4 million in dollars to activate the loan to begin However, it has been moving at a Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) to (Rs. 31.7 billion) has to be paid in construction, a senior official attached snail’s pace due to the delay in dispersing explore the possibilities of obtaining $ This weak reserve position is construction of the CEP Section I as dollars, which was earlier set to be to the RDA told The Sunday Morning. the funds pertaining to the already signed 169.4 million. blocking the commencement of the Government needs to make an provided by state banks. The 37 km Section I of the CEP agreement covering 85% of the contract Contd. on page 2 RICE SHORTAGE Safety on sale EC accused of PROTECT YOURSELF FROM Govt. gets COVID-19 being influenced For verified Health tough Promotion Suwasariya BY SKANDHA GUNASEKARA Promotion Keheliya Rambukwella information on Bureau Ambulance the coronavirus Service The Government would take action said that he did not understand the (Covid-19) 1999 1990 contact any of Quarantine Unit 0112 112 705 against those causing an artificial rice The Government claims the reasons given by the EC for not the following Epidemiology Unit 0112 695 112 authorities shortage, regardless of whether members of Election Commission (EC) may being able to hold the election on Govt. coronavirus hotline 0113071073 the Government are involved, The Sunday have been unduly influenced by 20 June. PRESIDENTIAL SPECIAL TASK FORCE FOR ESSENTIAL SERVICES Morning learnt. an outside force to declare that He said the confusing reasons Telephone 0114354854, Fax 0112333066, 0114733600 0114354882 Contd. on page 2 the parliamentary election could set out by the EC along with other Hotline 0113456200-4 Email [email protected] not be held on 20 June. factors have led him to believe the TOTAL CASES ACTIVE CASES Government Spokesman and Commission was influenced. 1057 former State Minister of Investment Contd. on page 2 DEATHS RECOVERED With our readers’ health in mind a special antimicrobial ink has been used in 428 09 620 Polls date the printing of our newspaper THE ABOVE STATISTICS ARE CONFIRMED UP UNTIL 7.00 P.M. ON 22 MAY 2020 SOURCE: HEALTH PROMOTION BUREAU COVID-19 CASES IN THE WORLD only after TOTAL CASES 5,234,374 SC decision FIND YOUR DAILY DEATHS RECOVERD ESSENTIALS THROUGH 335,588 2,104,009 Election Commission (EC) Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya said the date for the next CASES DEATHS USA 1,622,342 96,389 parliamentary election would be announced RUSSIA 326,448 3,249 after the Supreme Court’s (SC) decision on BRAZIL 312,074 20,112 the ongoing fundamental rights (FR) petitions SPAIN 280,117 27,940 topads.lk filed by several parties. UK 254,195 36,393 Contd. on page 2 VISIT PROPOSED SALARY CUTS Several complaints www.topads.lk received: Dr. Udugama The Human Rights Commission of Sri deductions in the state sector without An employee of a private garment shop in Maradana dressing a mannequin Lanka (HRCSL) received a number of approval from employees. in safety gear, signalling that safety gear is available for sale, on Friday (22) complaints regarding the proposed salary Contd. on page 2 PHOTO SAMAN ABESIRIWARDANA STEPS MILITARY DENGUE PATIENTS COLOMBO AND GAMPAHA Search for the product 6 in self- Curfew you need on topads.lk quarantine continues in Contact the mobile recover two districts Six military officers who had been Curfew in the Colombo and number mentioned diagnosed with dengue fever while in Gampaha Districts will continue until self-quarantine had now recovered, further notice while being open for below the product The Sunday Morning learnt. economic activity, the Police said. Contd. on page 2 Contd. on page 2 Get it delivered to your home through the seller LOW-INCOME ALLOWANCE OF RS. 5,000 Rs. 16 b loan for May BY MAHEESHA MUDUGAMUWA the Samurdhi Department to pay the Rs. 5,000 allowance to low-income The Cabinet of Ministers has people affected by the outbreak approved the obtaining of a Rs. 16 of Covid-19. billion short-term loan on behalf of Contd. on page 2 #stayhome #staysafe #groceryitem #vegetables #fruit #deliveredtoyourdoorsteps 2 the sunday morning FOCUS/NEWS Sunday, May 24, 2020 Tour operators seek govt. relief BY SARAH HANNAN TOOP noted that the national tour guides play a pivotal role in At the turn of the second tourism and that their members are week since state and private educated, qualified, and talented, companies restarted and work tirelessly in an industry operations under strict that brings in considerable foreign health guidelines to power exchange and employs several up the country’s economy, other Sri Lankans either directly most of us are easing into or indirectly. They also requested normalcy; some have the prompt attention to the matters good fortune of being able they cited, to bring their members redress and relief. to return to the jobs they had The livelihoods of the following prior to when the pandemic service providers in the tourism started to barricade people’s industry have also been severely day-to-day lives. affected by the Covid-19 outbreak. They include those who directly The travel and tourism trade is or indirectly earn their living by predicted to take a year or more to occupation in the tourist industry return to its former state as travel viz. bus drivers, chauffer guide restrictions are still in place with drivers, taxi drivers, wildlife jeep flights and ships only operating for service drivers, boat safari staff, essential services. Even the local small and medium enterprises in travel and tourism trade will not be tourist areas, restaurant staff, and able to kickstart the industry with The final tour group Manoj Maddage handled hotel staff. TOOP believes that it leisure travel still being restricted. is imperative that the Government Although the Government seems going to be a lot of social aggression are constantly communicating sustenance. They have thereby also seeks to offer them financial to be positive that the industry can and aversion if and when leisure with international outbound tour forged strong friendships, rapports, redress till tourism is revived again. get moving from July onwards, travel is allowed again. operators and we are told that most and economic bonds with Sri inbound tour operators and Maddage shared with The of the countries are not looking to Lankans from all walks of life. Request for Covid-19 relief ticketing agents are sceptical. At Sunday Morning the challenges open their borders for leisure travel to NTGLs present, a flight ticket is costing facing independent inbound tour at least till September 2021, which Political intervention 1. The loan of Rs. 1 million at an three times the normal price and if operators, owing to the travel means we too will have to wait for “Following the tragic terrorist interest rate of 4% annually one decides to travel after border restrictions currently in place. over a year to be able to receive attack on Easter Sunday, April 2. Monthly allowance of Rs. restrictions are relaxed, they will “Even if we are positive that foreign tourists.” 2019, the national tour guides 50,000 for six months still have to undergo a 14-day the industry can commence appealed to the then Government 3. Grant a grace period of two-five quarantine period at their arrival operations in July, we will not be No relief so far (SLTDA) for redress and financial years to repay the loan destination. And that too comes at able to attract the high-spending While everything is on hold, the help as they were without 4. The above relief package to be a considerable cost. tour groups. Solo travellers are not tourism industry is going to suffer ndependent tour operators employment and an income. provided on the guarantee of the By the time Sri Lanka detected keen on staying in a single place further due to the loss of business are unable to obtain even TOOP noted that their response Chairman of the SLTDA and its first local Covid-19 patient, for a long time and with the new over the coming months.