www.themorning.lk epaper.themorning.lk www.themorning.lk epaper.themorning.lk www.aruna.lk epaper.aruna.lk www.aruna.lk epaper.aruna.lk FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23, 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 41,589,498 Suwasariya 0112 695 112 PROTECT YOURSELF FROM 6,287 Promotion Ambulance DEATHS CASES DEATHS Bureau Service Govt. coronavirus hotline USA 8,585,748 227,419 COVID-19 DEATHS RECOVERED 1999 1990 0113071073 1,137,829 INDIA 7,708,947 116,681 BRAZIL 5,300,649 155,459 PRESIDENTIAL SPECIAL TASK FORCE FOR ESSENTIAL SERVICES RECOVERD RUSSIA 1,463,306 25,242 14 3,561 Telephone 0114354854, 0114733600 Fax 0112333066, 0114354882 2,712 Hotline 0113456200-4 Email [email protected] 30,961,675 SPAIN 1,046,641 34,366 THE ABOVE STATISTICS ARE CONFIRMED UP UNTIL 10.00 P.M. ON 22 OCTOBER 2020 SOURCE: HEALTH PROMOTION BUREAU NEW COVID-19 DETECTIONS 20TH AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION ‘A path to dictatorship’ TOTAL CASES United National Party (UNP) Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardena and UNP Kalawewa Electorate Organiser Sanjeewa Seneviratne raised their concerns over the 20th Amendment 2,817* Stats updated as at 10.00 p.m. on 22 October at a media conference at Sirikotha yesterday (22). COVID-19 Contd. on page 2 Peliyagoda Fish Nalin wears black Market visitors asked mask in Parliament Member of Parliament Nalin to contact PHIs Bandara yesterday (22) protested the Persons who visited the Peliyagoda 20th Amendment to the Constitution Fish Market within the past week in Parliament wearing a face mask printed with the words “Vinashakari are requested to contact their nearest PASSED vissa epa” (No to destructive 20). public health inspector (PHI) for a with 150-plus votes Contd. on page 2 PCR test, said Army Commander Lt. Gen. Shavendra Silva. The 20th Amendment to the z Several Opposition SJB to act against Diana Constitution was yesterday (22) The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) ‘More suitable Curfew in 6 police MPs vote in favour passed in Parliament with 156 votes will take disciplinary action against in favour and 65 against the piece of the party’s National List MP Diana constitution soon’ areas in Colombo z Several Opposition legislation. Gamage who voted in favour of the 20th Minister of Energy Udaya The Government has imposed Amendment Bill in Parliament Gammanpila stated in Parliament quarantine curfew in six police Muslim MPs support The voting got underway last evening at yesterday (22). yesterday (22) that a new divisions in the Colombo District around 7.40 p.m., concluding a two-day debate Contd. on page 2 constitution which embodies the with immediate effect. z SLMC and ACMC that commenced on Wednesday (21). aspirations of the people and suits Several Opposition parliamentarians A. Aravindh Kumar, A.S.M. Raheem, and the country will be brought in the leaders vote against near future. representing the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Nazeer Ahamad. Contd. on page 2 186 recoveries from z Opposition calls voted in favour of the 20th Amendment. Among However, Sri Lanka Muslim Congress Minuwangoda cluster vote for 17th Clause the Opposition MPs who voted in support of (SLMC) Leader MP Rauf Hakeem and All the 20th Amendment were MPs Diana Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC) Leader Premalal and Rishad Army Commander Lt. Gen. z Duel Citizen Clause Gamage, Ishak Rahuman, Faizal MP Rishad Bathiudeen voted against the Shavendra Silva said 186 novel Cassim, H.M.M. Harees, new piece of legislation. attend Parliament coronavirus-infected persons linked gets 157 votes in favour M.S. Thowfeek, Contd. on page 2 z Rishad arrives in PPE kit to the Minuwangoda cluster have Members of Parliament Premalal Jayasekara and regained health to date. Rishad Bathiudeen were brought to Parliament by the Department of Prisons yesterday (22). First contacts of infected Contd. on page 2 person test negative The first contacts of the Covid- 19-infected individual from the 32nd floor of the West Tower at World Trade Centre (WTC) have tested negative in the PCR tests, The Morning learnt. RE-EMERGENCE OF COVID-19 VOTING RIGHTS FOR LANKAN EXPATS ILLEGAL CONSTRUCTIONS IN BOLGODA 23 cases reported Election laws CEA awaits from Kegalle district Bed capacity Twenty-three Covid-19-positive to be amended police reports individuals have been identified from A select committee would be appointed by The Central Environmental Authority (CEA) the Kegalle District, stated Kegalle the Government to amend the election laws is to work closely with the Police Environment District Health Services Director Dr. fast dwindling and to seek the possibilities for granting voting Protection Unit and the divisional secretariats Kumara Wickramasinghe. rights to Sri Lankans living abroad. in and around the Bolgoda Lake area to identify BY MAHEESHA MUDUGAMUWA coronavirus with the identification PM Mahinda Rajapaksa Contd. on page 2 the illegal constructions and land reclamation of more than 2,000 infected persons brought under the spotlight last week, Dehiwala trade Only around 100 hospital beds in a single day and the largest- PCOI PROBING EASTER ATTACKS The Morning learnt. allocated for Covid-19 patients ever cluster created in the country, Contd. on page 2 complex closed remain at present due to the sudden according to the health authorities. The Dehiwala Central Trade resurgence of the second wave of the Contd. on page 2 Zahran’s wife testifies Complex was temporarily shut COVID-19 down yesterday (22) until further TEXTILE PURCHASING PROSCRIPTION OF LTTE before Commission notice due to a Covid-19-infected Wife of Zahran Hashim, Commission of Inquiry person visiting the complex. UK court the ringleader of the Easter (PCoI) probing the incident Claims Salusala Sunday attacks, recorded a yesterday (22). Minuwangoda cluster gets allows appeal statement with the Presidential Contd. on page 2 14th life The UK’s Proscribed Sri Lanka reported its 14th death from affects 13 districts Organisation Appeal Commission the novel coronavirus, Covid-19, yesterday PCR tests were performed at priority (POAC) has allowed an appeal (22), the Ministry of Health confirmed. the Peliyagoda Fish Market after Minister of Industries Wimal against a decision of the Secretary Contd. on page 2 it was revealed that several of its Weerawansa, in line with the of State, dated 8 March 2019, to customers had tested positive for Government’s new industry refuse an application submitted by Covid-19, said Ministry of Health and trade policies, proposed Arumugam and Others to remove COVID-19 Chief Epidemiologist Dr. Sudath to consider Lanka Salusala the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Samaraweera. Ltd. for textile purchasing to Eelam (LTTE) from the list of Two Customs SEE FULL STORIES ON PAGE 2 promote the institution. organisations proscribed under Contd. on page 2 the Terrorism Act 2000. officers infected Contd. on page 2 Two officers at Sri Lanka Customs tested COLLAPSED FIVE-STOREY BUILDING IN KANDY positive for Covid-19 yesterday (22), the Customs Media Spokesperson said. Contd. on page 2 Wreckage clearance Gampaha export factories continue to cost Rs. 2.8 m operations The quarantine curfew is not an obstacle for BY SARAH HANNAN was caused by the collapsed five- (20) under the technical guidance the operation of factories related to exports storey building in Buwelikada, Kandy of the National Building Research in the Gampaha District, Army Commander The Kandy District Disaster on 20 September. Organsiation (NBRO) and the Kandy Lt. Gen. Shavendra Silva stated. Management Co-ordination Unit Speaking to The Morning, Kandy Municipal Council. We have estimated Wife of Zahran Hashim, mastermind of the Easter Sunday attacks, A quarantine curfew was imposed within (DDMCU) has estimated that a DDMCU Assistant Director I.A.K. that the whole operation would take yesterday (22) arrived at the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) the Gampaha District on Wednesday (21) from sum of Rs. 2.8 million would be Ranaweera said: “The clearance at least a period of three weeks.” probing Easter Sunday attacks at BMICH to record a statement 10 p.m. until 5 a.m. on Monday, 26 October. required to clear the wreckage that of rubble commenced on Monday Contd. on page 2 PHOTO SAMAN ABESIRIWARDANA Contd. on page 2 2 the morning NEWS Friday , October 23, 2020 Contd. from page 1 Wijewardena accused the Minister of Health Medicine to take steps to allow the Vanni about 90% of the constructions that were on Passed with... of hiding the true facts of the situation. District Parliamentarian to participate in the the banks of the Bolgoda Lake were found Salusala gets... During the third reading of the 20th sittings of Parliament yesterday and today (23). to be illegal, lacking the necessary clearance “We are encouraging state organisations Amendment Bill, Minister of Justice Ali Sabry from the CEA, or that EIAs were conducted to consider Lanka Salusala Ltd. as a introduced several amendments to the clauses Bed capacity... only prior to construction, thereby causing purchasing agent in the coming months in the newly passed legislation. Deputy Director General of Health Peliyagoda Fish... considerable destruction to the biodiversity when they are to purchase materials to However, Chief Opposition Whip Services (Public Health) Dr. Hemantha Forty-nine infections in total connected to of the area. tailor uniforms, supply necessary curtains Lakshman Kiriella called for a vote on Herath told the media that 2,341 Covid-19 the Peliyagoda Fish Market were detected The Bolgoda Lake and its surrounding for the state institutes, etc.” Werawansa Clause 17 of the legislation, which enables patients have been identified in connection on Wednesday (21) while six more were areas are frequented by holidaymakers and explained.