PROTECT YOURSELF FROM COVID-19 ACTIVE CASES MONDAY, JANUARY 11, 2021 TOTAL CASES WHERE IS SL BLEEDS OVER PLAYER THREATENS 48,376 AUNTIE? RS. 965 M IN 2021’S TO HOLD UP TENNIS DEATHS RECOVERED FIRST WEEK NATIONALS 6,822 THE ABOVE STATISTICS ARE CONFIRMED UP 232 41,325 »SEE PAGE 7 »SEE PAGE 4 »SEE PAGE 11 UNTIL 7.00 P.M. ON 10 JANUARY 2021 SOURCE: HEALTH PROMOTION BUREAU Visakha JAFFNA UNIVERSITY MONUMENT issue to be Demolition raises investigated concerns in the South BY HIRANYADA DEWASIRI investigate into what was reported BY HIRANYADA DEWASIRI Speaking to The Morning yesterday (10), Federation as a threat to inter-ethnic harmony inside the university to be inappropriate behaviour on of University Teachers’ Associations (FUTA) President could lead to unnecessary conflicts. An investigation is set to the Principal’s part as well as into Members of the university student Prof. Shyama Banneheka, Inter University Students “The monument was not physically affecting the be launched by the Ministry whether the Principal’s initial community, university teacher community, Federation (IUSF) Convener Rathkarawwe Jinarathana harmony of student groups, but the statement released of Education to look into the request to not transfer the said and Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), Thera, JVP former MP Nalinda Jayathissa, and Centre by the University Grants Commission (UGC) might alleged refusal of Visakha teacher to Visakha Vidyalaya and civil society activists have expressed for Policy Alternatives (CPA) Executive Director have an impact. This is our worry,” said the FUTA Vidyalaya Principal Sandamali was reasonable. their concerns over the demolition of Dr. Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu cautioned that these President. Aviruppola to allow a transferred “It was reported that the the University of Jaffna monument that steps may lead to racial discord and disturb existing UGC Chairman Prof. Sampath Amaratunga released male teacher to assume duties at Principal of Visakha Vidyalaya memorialised those killed in Vellamullivaikkal harmony between ethnicities. a statement on Saturday (9) stating that the monument Visakha Vidyalaya, Colombo 4. behaved in an inappropriate during the final stages of the war. Prof. Banneheka told The Morning that the demolition could act as an obstacle to the process of reconciliation. Speaking to The Morning manner during this encounter. of the monument and the branding of such monuments Contd. on page 2 yesterday (10), Ministry of We will be investigating that,” Education Secretary Prof. Kapila Prof. Perera said. Perera said that the Ministry will Contd. on page 2 TODAY’S SAFETY... DEATH OF RETURNEE Exams Department Husband to sue going digital BY HIRANYADA DEWASIRI staff, for the purpose of Kandy hotel modernising the examinations The Department of Examinations process. BY DINITHA RATHNAYAKE not because I want compensation, but in order is in the process of introducing “Digitisation has enabled to prevent such an incident happening again digital technology to automate the Department to expedite its Following the death of a woman, who had to any returnee,” the deceased’s husband stages of the examination process functions without needing more returned to Sri Lanka for treatment, while in Indunil Preethi Kumara (50) told us. and evaluation system that were staff members. The digital system quarantine at a hotel in Kandy, the deceased’s The mother of one, who lived in Italy for previously conducted manually, has also enabled candidates husband plans to initiate legal action against the past seven years, came to Sri Lanka on 17 The Morning learnt. to obtain documents such as the hotel, The Morning learnt yesterday (10). December for medical treatment since she was The Department’s examination applications and “The hotel took full responsibility for my suffering from mental health issues, according Commissioner of School certificates from the convenience wife since she was under quarantine. We to Kumara. He alleged that his wife died due Examination Evaluation Pushpa of their home.” were told that she was under good care and to not being given proper medical treatment Wijesooriya told The Morning The 18 islandwide branches medical treatment. while she was under hotel quarantine. last week that the Department of the Department, which deal “I will take legal action against the hotel, Contd. on page 2 has taken steps to introduce with about 700,000 General digitisation to various stages of Certificate of Education (GCE) the examination process since Ordinary Level (O/L) Examination 2019. candidates and 350,000 GCE In October last year (2020), Advanced Level (A/L) Examination Cabinet approval was granted candidates annually, are planned to SJB to ‘protect’ to purchase new equipment be linked through an online system, including internet facilities, and Wijesooriya said. for the training of Department Contd. on page 2 Harin 24/7 BY PAMODI WARAVITA on 9 January. In his letter sent yesterday (10), Fernando complained to the IGP about remarks Batticaloa Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) and made by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on 9 Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has said January in Ampara. that he pledges to protect the life of MP Harin “In his remarks, the President refers to me protests Tamil Fernando at all times, in reference to a letter by name and addresses the speech made by me sent by Fernando to IGP C.D. Wickramaratne in Parliament in which I referred to him by his claiming he fears for his life. first name, Nandasena. During the speech, the “As the Leader of SJB, along with our entire President clearly insinuated that he is capable farmer assault The Senior DIG’s Office distributed books to school children under the theme team of parliamentarians, I unconditionally of having me ‘killed like a dog’ if I continue BY PAMODI WARAVITA ‘Safe Tomorrow’, at a ceremony held at the Gangaramaya Temple yesterday stand for Harin Fernando’s life. I stand for the saying things that displease him,” Fernando Weerasiri said that all 10 (10). Minister of Public Defence Sarath Weerasekara graced the event security of his life, 24 hours of the day, all 365 alleged in his letter. A peaceful protest was farmers who had been involved PHOTO KRISHAN KARIYAWASAM days,” said Premadasa, speaking at an event Contd. on page 2 conducted yesterday (10) in in the incident had been arrested front of the Karadiyanaru Police by the Mahaoya Police and later ANTIQUITIES ORDINANCE CHANGES Station, against an assault on released on bail. The chena Saturday (9) by chena cultivators cultivators had been arrested Overstaying Nigerians towards six Tamil cattle farmers on assault charges, whilst the ‘Destroyer- in Divulpathana, The Morning cattle farmers had been arrested learnt. because they had let their cattle “Four Sinhalese farmers had wander into the farmland of the arrested for cybercrimes pays’ principle initially kidnapped two Tamil chena cultivators. cattle farmers and assaulted Furthermore, one cattle BY SUMUDU CHAMARA According to Police Spokesperson “It has also been reported that them on Saturday, and assaulted farmer had been admitted to DIG Ajith Rohana, the two suspects these scammers ask their victims to proposed four more farmers later on,” IG the Mahaoya Hospital due to The Police arrested two Nigerian had, using emails and social make an advance payment/deposit, BY RUWAN LAKNATH JAYAKODY Chandana Weerasiri from the injuries he sustained during the nationals yesterday (10) in the Mount media platforms, deceived people which is lower than the alleged Mahaoya Police Station told The assault. Lavinia area on cybercrime-related claiming they had won prizes prize, in order to receive the prizes,” Morning yesterday. Contd. on page2 charges, before discovering they had on their birthdays and wedding the Police added. The Department of Archaeology has also been overstaying their visas. anniversaries. Contd. on page 2 recommended making those who put up unauthorised constructions on archaeological reserve lands to pay out of their own pockets for their demolition and removal, and also for Crucial week for SriLankan-pilots dispute the restoration of any artifact destroyed by them. The recommendation was inspired by the BY PAMODI WARAVITA while on duty with the related be readily available in the event the virus whilst on duty. “On proven by means of a government or “polluter-pays” principle, which is the commonly medical expenses covered by the Flight Crew Members (FCM) test Duty” includes the possibility of Medical Officer of Health (MOH) accepted practice that those who produce pollution The Airline Pilots’ Guild of Sri management, which are the pilots’ positive. being infected in the transport, the contact tracing mechanism that the should bear the costs of managing it to prevent Lanka (ALPGSL) is tentatively primary demands. Provide a laid-down procedure in airport, inflight (cargo and passenger FCM contracted the virus from the damage to human health or the environment. scheduled to meet the SriLankan Responding to a company co-ordination with the authorities as flights), during a layover, in the community and not while on duty, This and other changes have been proposed Airlines management today (11) communique sent on 9 January to how the said FCM will be taken simulator, and any other points of only medical expenses to up to the as amendments to the Antiquities Ordinance as and Wednesday (13) to resolve a by the SriLankan Airlines care of, from the time he/she tests contact, for work-related matters. maximum entitled hospitalisation amended, which are scheduled to be submitted highly public dispute revolving management, the ALPGSL has positive till he/she is released back The family members of the limit as per the company medical to government authorities soon, according to an around crew members who test scheduled the aforementioned to duty, inclusive of transport to and FCM who are affected shall also insurance scheme will be covered officer involved in legal affairs at the Department positive while on duty.