WEDNESDAY 9 JUNE 2021 Lanka Sathosa to sell confiscated food items E-PAPER BY THAMEENAH RAZEEK Cabinet approved the resolution to hand over essential food items confiscated by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority and Sri Lankan Customs to Lanka Sathosa. Speaking at the weekly Cabinet Media briefing yesterday (8) at the Government Information Department, Cabinet Spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella said during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Lanka Sathosa has implemented a system to provide essential food items to the public at affordable prices, without any shortage. The Minister of Ports and Shipping and the Minister of Trade submitted this joint resolution. Construction of elevated expressway 1,100 Families to get alternative housing BY THAMEENAH RAZEEK Cabinet approved the proposal to provide alternative housing facilities to 1,100 families due to the construction of the four-lane elevated expressway from the New Kelani Bridge to Athurugiriya. They will be provided with housing facilities from the Kolonnawa, Henamulla, and Maligawatta housing projects of the Urban Development Authority (UDA). This covers families living on encroached lands on Cabinet Green- which the Dematagoda Stadium is planned to be built as well. Speaking at the weekly Cabinet Media briefing yesterday (8) at the Government Information Department, Co-Cabinet Spokesman Udaya Gammanpila said Cabinet approved the Lights Beautifying construction of a four-lane elevated expressway from the New Kelani Bridge to Athurugiriya, and that the need for alternative housing facilities for 1,100 families residing in the area had been identified. The proposal was tabled by Minister of Highways Johnston Fernando. 100 Cities BY THAMEENAH RAZEEK cities scattered throughout the island, by untidy, ugly, and a disturbance to the public improving their basic facilities. for a long time, while the majority of them can With the help of all Government sector Speaking at the weekly Cabinet Media be converted into public-friendly, pleasing Banks to issue pensions on 10, 11 June institutions and all other parties entrusted briefing yesterday (8) held at the Government cities by coming up with a strategic plan. with the supply of infrastructure facilities, Information Department, Cabinet Spokesman He went on to say that the ‘Hundred Cities’ Cabinet approved the implementation of a Keheliya Rambukwella said due to project will be launched with the help of the Transport for programme called ‘Hundred Cities,’ aimed at unorganised development, some second and commercial and Government sectors to seniors being systematically beautifying 100 recognised third level cities across the island have been achieve long-term growth. prepared – Gen Silva BY FAADHILA THASSIM Posting false news on social media Issuing liquor I didn’t reroute production licences Transport will be provided for pensioners to collect their ITSSL head allowances from banks on 10 bus headed for SJB MP and 11 June, said Head of the National Action Centre questions Govt’s for the Prevention of the quarantine remanded Spread of the COVID-19 BY HANSI NANAYAKKARA priorities amid General Shavendra Silva. – Weerasekara He added the tri-forces and Police will support this effort BY GAGANI WEERAKOON AND METHMALIE Colombo Magistrate pandemic and that the banks will be DISSANAYAKE Rajindra Jayasuriya permitted to operate on yesterday remanded, BY GAGANI WEERAKOON AND these two days. Minister of Public Security Rear Admiral till today, the head of METHMALIE DISSANAYAKE He said discussions were (retired) Sarath Weerasekara made a special the Information held with the State Minister of Vehicle Regulation, statement in Parliament yesterday (8) with Technology Society of Samagi Jana Bus Transport Services and Train Compartments regard to various allegations being publicised Sri Lanka (ITSSL), who Balawegaya (SJB) and Motor Car Industry Dilum Amunugama to against him on mainstream and social media. was charged with MP Buddhika arrange transport facilities for seniors, adding that He said reports claiming that he had rerouted posting fake news, on Pathirana yesterday similar preparations were made during the first a bus carrying a group of people sent to social media, claiming a massive cyber-attack had (8) alleged in COVID-19 wave in Sri Lanka. quarantine after attending a birthday party at a been launched targeting websites of several State Parliament that the five-star hotel in Colombo were completely institutions including the Presidential Secretariat Government is false. and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. planning to issue “I did not do such thing. Some reports even The suspect was identified as Yasiru Kuruvitage. liquor production claimed that my son transported a few things He had been arrested on 7 June and produced in licences while for this group to Passara as well. These are not Court yesterday. neglecting priorities Police screens true at all. The CID will initiate action against The CID charged the suspect with having flouted such as those who publish fake news in the country,” provisions contained in Sections 6 and 10 of the implementing a he stressed. Computer Crimes Ordinance. proper vaccination vehicles entering drive. Speaking in Parliament, Pathirana said, “State Minister Colombo of Finance recently said that permission will SLBC Chair held at Grade One admission for 2022 be given for supermarkets to sell liquor to 78,022 counted on generate income. But we spend millions on checkpoint for two hours treatments for those who fall ill due to Monday; 976 turned back Closing date liquor and tobacco. How can we generate an BY TRESHAN FERNANDO No comments due income like this?” he queried. extended to 31 July “A report was published on a website A total of 78,022 vehicles entered Colombo recently that a company named ‘Royal Sake’ between 6:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. on 7 June, Police to on-going probe BY THAMEENAH RAZEEK which uses corn to manufacture ‘sake’ will Spokesman DIG Ajith Rohana confirmed. He added be granted licence to manufacture liquor. that of this total, Police determined that 976 vehicles – Rambukwella The deadline for receiving There are also reports that five liquor were entering Colombo without a valid reason and applications for the admission manufacturing licences are to be issued to turned them away. BY THAMEENAH RAZEEK of students to Grade One for companies. Tax relief will be given to the The highest number belonged to banking sector the school year 2022 has been aforementioned ‘Royal Sake’ company. Has employees with 20,392 vehicles, DIG Rohana The Minister of Mass Media did not extended till 31 July. the Finance Ministry understood their further said. The second and third highest number comment on the recent incident in which a Although the closing date for priorities? How do you expect to generate an belonged to the health sector and tri-forces and Police officer inconvenienced Sri Lanka receiving applications was 30 income in this manner?” other security forces with 9,710 and 8,250 vehicles Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC) Chairman June, Secretary to the Ministry Pathirana further highlighted public’s respectively. Jayampathy Heenkenda in Kandy on 6 May. of Education, Prof. Kapila grievances. DIG Rohana further noted that within a period of Minister Keheliya Rambukwella stated he Perera, said the decision was “Fisheries community cannot sell fish due 24 hours, Police have arrested 1,028 persons for did not want to make any statements that taken owing to the COVID-19 pandemic and to the situation following the X-Press Pearl violating health guidelines. From the total arrested, could jeopardise the inquiry into the incident. disasters linked to inclement weather. disaster. People are suffering from floods. 158 were from Matale. 108 from Kandy and 93 from The SLBC Chairman was travelling from He added that steps will be taken to replace Saloons have been closed for months. Nikaweraitiya. Colombo to Kandy on official business when textbooks destroyed in floods and landslides. Children and teachers are suffering due to Police also conducted drone operations in he was halted by a Chief inspector at the Prof. Perera has instructed parents to notify the online education system. There are so many Dematagoda and arrested 22 individuals for Kadugannawa checkpoint. Heenkenda was Ministry of Education through the Zonal Directors problems like these in this country for the violating travel restrictions, DIG Rohana said. The not allowed to proceed for two hours despite via the principal of the school if their children’s Government to solve. But they are going to total number of persons arrested for violating health explicitly stating that he was the Chairman of textbooks have been damaged as a result of sell liquor without paying attention to any of guidelines since 30 October 2020 is now 25,886. the SLBC. disasters. them. This is not fair,” Pathirana said. A2 WEDNESDAY 9 JUNE 2021 NEWS Systematic Strategy Vital to Curtail Issues Affecting Country BY SANDEEP TIssAARATCHY reduce the impact of natural Indian Ocean. Followed by flooding disasters. and natural disasters,” he said. A systematic strategy should be He said there has been an He added that an immediate implemented by the Government to oversight in efficient management of solution should be provided to solve – UNP Chairman prevent casualties from COVID-19 the pandemic, which can be seen by the problems that are occurring in and natural disasters, Chairman of the recent events, which has the country, followed by a long-term were open to society,” Abeywardena mechanism