Red Alert by Health Experts
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THURSDAY, MAY 7, 2020 www.themorning.lk epaper.themorning.lk Maintain Distance, Stay Safe www.aruna.lk epaper.aruna.lk SEEKER, EMPTY THE BOAT, LIGHTEN THE LOAD, BE FREE OF CRAVING AND JUDGMENT AND HATRED, AND FEEL THE JOY OF THE WAY. LORD BUDDHA LACK OF ADEQUATE TESTING AND OPENING UP Red alert by health experts z 85% infected show mild or BY MAHEESHA MUDUGAMUWA However, the top health official have warned that it is too early to warned that there was a possibility scale down stay-at-home orders. no symptoms Amidst preparations to relax public health restrictions of infected persons being amongst Meanwhile, the Government z on the activities of people and businesses, health experts society while not showing any Medical Officers’ Association WISHING ALL OUR READERS A Over 25,000 tests done for warn that the country still lacks adequate testing to track symptoms right now, and this (GMOA) also previously HAPPY VESAK population of 22 million and contain potential coronavirus outbreaks. could only be ruled out after insisted that the testing of first testing for Covid-19. contacts traced through Covid- z At least 500,000 tests Speaking to The Morning, a to at the very least evaluate the According to experts, a lack of 19-positive patient evaluation top health official, who wished impact of reopening the country. testing is a critical issue; at least should be completed before required before opening up to remain anonymous, revealed According to statistics, the around 500,000 tests should be taking any decision with regard that the country’s testing rate lags country has so far conducted conducted in order to gradually to the resumption of economic FOREIGN AID FOR CORONA FUND z Public must be informed of far below the standard amount only around 25,000 tests for its restart the country’s economy, activities. Govt. awaits real situ, says GMOA that should be conducted in order total population of 22 million. according to him. As such, they Contd. on page 2 fulfilment of Trying to make ends meet... FAILURE TO GRANT FINANCIAL PLEDGES pledges Private sector Sri Lanka is eagerly awaiting the fulfilment of international pledges as coronavirus stimulus packages, Co-Cabinet Spokesman Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardena said facing collapse yesterday (6). Accordingly, the Government had already z Promised moratorium z Most companies unable held discussions with the World Bank, Asian delayed till June to pay May salaries Development Bank (ADB), and China. Contd. on page 2 Small, medium, and large- or not, would be announced scale businesses affected by the end of the first week by the Covid-19 situation of June. are facing uncertainty and For businesses, as claimed OVER 10,000 TOURISTS IN SL difficulties in paying staff by Waduge, the need of the salaries, as they are yet to hour was financial support, receive financial support as they couldn’t wait another Registered pledged by the Government, month as many of them have according to the Sri Lanka to pay salaries to around Trade Development Council 50-100 employees or more. with SLTDA (SLTDC). “We have already paid Over 10,000 foreign tourists still in SLTDC Chairman Roshana salaries for two months, but Sri Lanka have been registered with the Waduge told The Morning from next month we are in real Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority that the number of council financial difficulty,” Waduge (SLTDA). members – large, small, and stressed. Minister of Foreign Affairs Dinesh medium-scale businessmen He also questioned the Gunawardena said the SLTDA and the – who applied for the necessity of providing Foreign Affairs Ministry were monitoring moratorium were told that financial support once the the situation. Street vendors wearing face masks selling Vesak lanterns yesterday (6), ahead of the Vesak Festival celebrated around the the decision on whether their business had collapsed. Contd. on page 2 businesses would be entitled Contd. on page 2 island today (7) PHOTO PRADEEP DAMBARAGE ISOLATED AREAS MANUFACTURING SECTOR TO REOPEN Govt. to repatriate Total of 4 Navy Over 5,000 All employees migrant workers officers recover asked to self- z Process to commence within 10 days A total of four Navy officers The Government is soon shown interest in returning to have fully recovered from Covid- to be retained to commence the process of the country. 19, the Sri Lanka Navy said. quarantine BY SKANDHA GUNASEKARA Committee of the Labour repatriating Sri Lankan expat “There are a certain number The officers have been BY AGRA RANASINGHE Ministry reached an workers in the face of the Covid- who have lost work as a discharged from the relevant The Government has agreement on Tuesday 19 global outbreak. result of closures; some are hospitals. Around 4,000 persons in a Modara apartment decided to reopen the that the manufacturing Minister of Foreign Affairs temporary closures and some are complex, 1,000 persons in Kolonnawa, and manufacturing industry enterprises will start,” Dinesh Gunawardena told The terminations. So we’ll follow up residents of Bandaranayakepura and Kolombissa from next week and would he said. Morning that the Government by bringing them back,” he said. have been instructed to self-quarantine, The ensure that all employees Noting that all those would repatriate those who had Contd. on page 2 186 repatriated Morning learnt. were paid, regardless of work who are working would A senior Army official of the National opportunities. be doing so according to Operation Centre for Prevention of Covid- Minister of Skills Health Ministry guidelines, from S’pore 19 Outbreak (NOCPCO) in Rajagiriya Development, Employment, the Minister said that anyone COVID-19 ASSISTANCE A SriLankan Airlines told The Morning that these residents have and Labour Relations who was unable to work due special flight carrying 186 Sri been asked to self-quarantine as Covid-19- Dinesh Gunawardena said to such restrictions would still Lankans including students positive persons were identified in the areas of the Tripartite Committee be employed and paid wages. US commits $ 5.8 m from Singapore, landed at the Kolonnawa, Bandaranayakepura Kolombissa, had reached an agreement “If there are workers Bandaranaike International and an apartment complex in Modara on on Tuesday (5) to who might not be able to Airport (BIA) yesterday (6). Tuesday (5). commence operations of start work as a result of the to Sri Lanka Contd. on page 2 the manufacturing sector on medical regulations such as The US announced the Sri Lanka’s security and Monday (11). The Tripartite maintaining social distancing, commitment of more than $ sovereignty,” said US Committee consists of the those workers who are unable 4.5 million to help Sri Lanka in Ambassador to Sri Lanka Midwives Employers’ Federation to be accommodated will its fight against Covid-19. This Alaina B. Teplitz. “Over the of Sri Lanka, trade union also have the option of brings their total contribution past 20 years, US assistance SriLankan to representatives, and officials being accommodated on to $ 5.8 million. in Sri Lanka has totalled more express concern of the Ministry of Labour. a shift basis. “This assistance than $ 1 billion, including $ zLack of safety measures commence cargo "The Tripartite Contd. on page 2 continues the long 26 million for health.” tradition of US support for Contd. on page 2 The Government Midwifery operations Service Association said they Srilankan Airlines is to begin cargo operations were facing a safety issue to support the struggling export industry, from as midwives were not being 18 May. Accordingly, SriLankan Cargo services PRESIDENT'S SECRETARY WRITES TO STATE INSTITUTION HEADS provided with personal protective are to operate 27 flights out of Colombo that equipment (PPE) while treating will connect Sri Lanka with key markets in young children and elders amidst the Middle East, Europe, Asia, and Australia. Call for contribution to Covid-19 fund the Covid-19 pandemic in the “We have no doubt that every single export President’s Secretary Dr. P.B. in a press statement. able to reduce its budget deficit,” Government would also be able country, thereby increasing their industry will benefit from this bold initiative Jayasundera has requested all He said if government servants Dr. Jayasundera added. to manage its debt. risk of contracting the virus. that we plan to launch on 18 May, at a time state institutions to consider agree to contribute, the proceeds He said the Treasury spends Dr. Jayasundera has pledged when most other airlines are keeping their contributing half a week’s or will be deposited into the Widows’ approximately Rs. 100 billion his salary for the month of May fleets grounded and global trade by air is under a day’s pay from their May and Orphans’ Pension Fund. on salaries per month. to set an example to the staff of SEE FULL STORIES a lockdown situation. salaries to combat Covid-19, “The country would further be He further noted that the the President’s Office. ON PAGE 2 Contd. on page 2 2 the morning NEWS Thursday, May 7, 2020 SUPERIOR COURTS COMPLEX TO RESUME OPERATIONS ON MONDAY Emphasis on safety measures z after each shift. their vehicles and prevent congregation of Avoid sharing material – sharing of items BASL proposes guidelines to CJ and JSC Hand sanitiser – to be kept inside courthouses people in the car parks. Even in the public such as books, stationery, etc. between the BY SARAH HANNAN “We have instructed the Registrar to and registrar’s and judge’s chambers for car parks, the congregation of people should lawyers as well as the court staff should be purchase the necessary sanitisation products the constant use of judges, lawyers, and be prevented. avoided. The Bar Association of Sri Lanka and equipment promulgated by the Ministry staff.