www.themorning.lk epaper.themorning.lk www.themorning.lk epaper.themorning.lk www.aruna.lk epaper.aruna.lk www.aruna.lk epaper.aruna.lk WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 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 40,824,623 Suwasariya 0112 695 112 PROTECT YOURSELF FROM 5,685 Promotion Ambulance DEATHS CASES DEATHS Bureau Service Govt. coronavirus hotline USA 8,468,223 225,451 COVID-19 DEATHS RECOVERED 1999 1990 0113071073 1,125,406 INDIA 7,626,261 115,552 BRAZIL 5,251,127 154,226 PRESIDENTIAL SPECIAL TASK FORCE FOR ESSENTIAL SERVICES RECOVERED RUSSIA 1,431,635 24,635 13 3,457 Telephone 0114354854, 0114733600 Fax 0112333066, 0114354882 2,215 Hotline 0113456200-4 Email [email protected] 30,456,122 SPAIN 1,015,795 33,992 THE ABOVE STATISTICS ARE CONFIRMED UP UNTIL 9. 25 P.M. ON 20 OCTOBER 2020 SOURCE: HEALTH PROMOTION BUREAU NEW COVID-19 DETECTIONS COVID-19 AND PCR TESTING TOTAL CASES Govt. urged to look at 2,342* Stats updated as at 10.00 p.m. on 20 October COVID-19 Employee at WTC tests positive new testing methods An employee of a private company located on the 32nd floor of the West z z Tower at the World Trade Centre Look at serum, antigen, and antibody tests: MLTs Looking at introducing antigen tests: Health Ministry (WTC) in Colombo tested positive BY MAHEESHA MUDUGAMUWA They claimed the current PCR or random testing and to avoid said the possibility of introducing for Covid-19 yesterday (20). test was a traditional and time- the spread of the virus within the an antigen test for Covid-19 in Concerns have been raised by Medical Laboratory consuming testing mechanism and society. Sri Lanka was currently being 120 more test positive Technologists (MLTs) over the issues relating to PCR tests therefore, urged the Health Ministry However, when contacted by looked at and discussions were A total of 120 more persons linked and the delay in introducing new testing mechanisms that to introduce serum, antigen, and The Morning, Health Ministry ongoing. to the Minuwangoda cluster have suit bulk testing. antibody tests to conduct bulk Spokesman Dr. Jayaruwan Bandara Contd. on page 2 tested positive for Covid-19 yesterday (20), said Army Commander Lt. Gen. 20TH AMENDMENT BILL Shavendra Silva. 25 persons infected Discussion in Kuliyapitiya The total number of confirmed continues on dual Covid-19 patients detected in Kuliyapitiya has increased to 25, following the detection of 14 more citizenship clause patients on Monday (19). BY OUR POLITICAL EDITOR to agitate over the clause in the 20th Officer at Colombo Fort Amendment Bill that enables dual Nationalist movements supportive citizens to hold public office, The Police infected of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna Morning learnt. A police officer serving at the (SLPP)-led Government are continuing Contd. on page 2 Colombo Fort Police Station has contracted the coronavirus, the National SC notes Amendments Operation Centre for Prevention of Covid-19 (NOCPCO) said. referendum for introduced to some clauses coerce public: SJB Quarantine curfew The Supreme Court (SC) MP Manusha Nanayakkara of the Samagi determined that some clauses Jana Balawegaya (SJB) accused the Government in 5 police areas of the 20th Amendment to the of introducing new amendments to coerce Quarantine curfew has been imposed Constitution are inconsistent with the public and clergy into accepting the 20th in the Kuliyapitiya, Pannala, Giriulla, the Constitution. Amendment (20A) to the Constitution. Narammala, and Dummalasuriya Contd. on page 2 Contd. on page 2 police areas with immediate effect. Two clauses to be withdrawn TUs note lack of After uncovering information regarding a stock of 22 kg of heroin hidden at the Maligawatte Housing z Clauses 5 and 22 to be withdrawn following SC observation Complex, officers of the CCD conducted a search operation, during which notorious drug kingpin “Makandure co-ordination Madush” was shot dead in a shootout between the Police and other suspected underworld figures BY SKANDHA GUNASEKARA in accordance with of Mass Media Keheliya Questions have been raised over the PHOTO KRISHAN KARIYAWASAM recommendations of the Rambukwella said that lack of co-ordination established between The Government is to Supreme Court (SC). Clauses 5 and 22 would law enforcement authorities and health ‘Makandure Madush’ shot dead withdraw two clauses Government be withdrawn. officials while engaging in Covid-19 from the 20th Amendment Spokesman and Minister Contd. on page 2 activities, health unions alleged. z Magistrate orders body be handed over to family Notorious underworld suspected underworld figures ordered the Judicial Medical figure and drug kingpin at the Maligawatte Housing Officer to handover the body ‘No foreign workers “Makandure Madush” Complex. of Madush to his legal wife Rishad’s writ fixed for November was shot dead in crossfire The Colombo Additional after the post mortem. The writ application filed by MP Rishad during last year’s presidential election, was after virus spread’ between the Police and other Magistrate yesterday (20) Contd. on page 2 Bathiudeen, who was wanted over the fixed for support on 6 November. Minister of Industries Wimal misappropriation of millions in public funds Contd. on page 2 Weerawansa stated in Parliament yesterday (20) that no workers or Korean PM phones SINGLE-USE PLASTIC technicians were brought to any factory Parliament not a public space: Minister under the Ministry of Industries from z Opposition Leader questions failure to follow health regulations PM Rajapaksa Cabinet India or any other country during the z Discuss education, investment, Covid-19 pandemic. Opposition Leader MP Sajith engaged in a heated argument Covid-19 preventive and tourism approves ban Premadasa and Health Minister in Parliament yesterday (20) regulations. South Korean Prime Minister Chung SEE FULL STORIES ON PAGE 2 Pavithra Wanniarachchi over the newly gazetted Contd. on page 2 Sye-kyun called Prime Minister (PM) Mahinda Rajapaksa last morning (20), from 2021 PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY BILL BOLGODA LAKE and the two leaders discussed a number The Cabinet of Ministers on Monday (19) of areas of mutual bilateral interest while granted approval to ban several single-use TNA presents Nearly 90% expressing the desire to further enhance plastic and polythene waste materials with relations between the two countries. effect from 2021. private constructions Contd. on page 2 Contd. on page 2 unauthorised member’s bill SLPP-SLFP DISTRICT LEADERS MEET Tamil National Alliance (TNA) The Ministry of Environment Member of Parliament (MP) M.A. said that close to 90% of the Sumanthiran on Monday (19) presented establishments around the Focus on ironing out issues A special video discussion was held at the Ministry of Health on Monday a private member’s bill to the Secretary Bolgoda Lake in Moratuwa District leaders of the Sri issues faced by the respective of members of both parties (19) between Minister of Health Pavithra Wanniarachchi and Prof. Peiris General of Parliament requesting to have not obtained the relevant Lanka Podujana Peramuna party representatives in the at the district level as well on the current status of Covid-19 gazette the proposed Public Health authorisation from the Central (SLPP) and the Sri Lanka constituencies. as the solutions to resolve BRINGING COVID-19 UNDER CONTROL Emergency Act in all three languages. Environmental Authority Freedom Party (SLFP) met The meeting was focused the issues. Contd. on page 2 (CEA). yesterday (20) to iron out on discussing the grievances Contd. on page 2 Health Ministry reaches out Contd. on page 2 ONLINE UNI EXAMS z Ministry seeks advice from Prof. Malik Peiris BY SARAH HANNAN processing zones (EPZs), affecting the apparel sector workers the With the country experiencing most, the Ministry of Health UGC to consider technical aspects yet another Covid-19 outbreak reached out to University of Hong The University Grants Commission in order to avoid further delays in holding the idea of holding examinations online. not once suggested facilitating distance with clusters of cases getting Kong Professor of Virology Malik (UGC) is to look into the technical aspects examinations. UGC Chairman Prof. “Those who descend into protests at the learning or holding examinations by way reported within the free trade Peiris for advice. of holding university examinations Sampath Amaratunga, speaking to The Lipton Circus over the various injustices of online tools.” zones (FTZs) and the export Contd. on page 2 online for the upcoming academic year Morning, said that he has concerns over that the undergraduates have to face have Contd. on page 2 2 the morning NEWS Wednesday, October 21, 2020 Contd. from page 1 yesterday (20). University of Sri Lanka, for which and planning before we take a definitive Article 79 of the Constitution. from all over the country through Govt. urged... “When the Government introduced the Korea International Co-operation decision on holding examinations The drafted act calls for a declaration video technology, while Secretary to Meanwhile, the Sri Lanka Association the 20A, it created a lot of unpopularity Agency (KOICA) has already provided online,” Prof. Amaratunga concluded. of a state of public health emergency the Ministry of Health Maj. Gen. Dr. of Government Medical Laboratory within the leading party, society, assistance. “I hope we can continue to He also noted that the dates to given that the Covid-19 pandemic Sanjeewa Munasinghe, several ministry Technologists (SLGMLT) has raised and clergy. I believe that these new collaborate on this project to expand complete the examinations will have continues to spread throughout the world. officials, and World Health Organisation concerns over the issues relating to PCR amendments are brought to coerce it,” Rajapaksa was quoted as saying.