2,154 Still Trying to Recover Missing Haul
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www.themorning.lk epaper.themorning.lk www.themorning.lk epaper.themorning.lk www.aruna.lk epaper.aruna.lk FRIDAY, JULY 10, 2020 www.aruna.lk epaper.aruna.lk 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 12,231,587 Suwasariya 0112 695 112 PROTECT YOURSELF FROM 2,154 Promotion Ambulance DEATHS CASES DEATHS Bureau Service Govt. coronavirus hotline USA 3,170,068 135,059 COVID-19 DEATHS RECOVERED 1999 1990 0113071073 553,571 BRAZIL 1,719,660 68,089 INDIA 780,054 21,417 PRESIDENTIAL SPECIAL TASK FORCE FOR ESSENTIAL SERVICES RECOVERD RUSSIA 707,301 10,843 11 1,979 Telephone 0114354854, 0114733600 Fax 0112333066, 0114354882 7,111,493 PERU 312,911 11,133 Hotline 0113456200-4 Email [email protected] THE ABOVE STATISTICS164 ARE CONFIRMED UP UNTIL 8.00 P.M. ON 9 JULY 2020 SOURCE: HEALTH PROMOTION BUREAU MANDATORY 14-DAY QUARANTINE No legal provisions: PHIs z PHIs complain of difficulties in monitoring quarantine processes z Delay in issuing health guidelines gazette poses obstacle BY MAHEESHA MUDUGAMUWA legal action against those who violate it. On several occasions, the PHIs had Election Commission (EC) and PHIs; issuance of the gazette does not fall As the Government is delaying the demanded that more powers be given they continuously demanded that a under his purview but rather under the Public health inspectors (PHIs) said that there is no legal issuance of the gazette related to the to them by issuing a gazette under legal stance be given to the guidelines purview of Minister of Health Pavithra provision for the mandatory 14-day quarantine under the Covid-19 health guidelines issued for the Quarantine Ordinance and several to make it easy for them to maintain Wanniarachchi. Quarantine and Prevention of Diseases Ordinance. the upcoming parliamentary election, rounds of discussion had also been public health and conduct election duty However, the Attorney General’s (AG) the PHIs are planning to take a decision held. However, no final decision has as per the guidelines. Department last week granted approval Speaking to The Morning, Public monitoring the mandatory quarantine on whether to withdraw from election- been taken yet. Nevertheless, the Ministry was for the quarantine health regulations, Health Inspector’s Union of Sri Lanka processes as such processes were not related Covid-19 duties on 15 July. The gazette was to be issued no yet to issue the guidelines. When forwarded by the Ministry of Health, (PHIUSL) Treasurer D.Y.S.R.R Mudalige mentioned in the Quarantine Ordinance, “This is why issuing a gazette is more sooner the guidelines were issued last contacted, Director General of Health to be implemented during the general said that PHIs are now in difficulty when adding that therefore they could not take important,” Mudalige added. month as a request was made by the Services Dr. Anil Jasinghe also said the election scheduled for 5 August. INFECTED BY MALARIA POLICE PROBE ON DRUGS Eight returnees On the campaign trail from Africa Still trying Eight Sri Lankans who recently returned to the country from the African Continent are reported to have contracted malaria. Anti Malaria Campaign Director Dr. Prasad to recover Ranaweera stated that the infected persons are currently in quarantine centres. Contd. on page 2 missing haul The Police have launched an Department (CID). investigation into the missing Accordingly, 15 police officers drugs produced at the Police are being questioned over Narcotic Bureau (PNB), allegations of selling seized Police Spokesman SSP Jaliya narcotics to drug smugglers. Senaratne said. The Police have, however, He told The Morning that around launched investigations to 8 kg of crystal methamphetamine recover the remaining narcotics (“ice” drug) has been missing and identify the drug smugglers. CABINET ON US MCC while they were at the PNB. This measure was taken to “They have extracted 8 kg of determine whether certain ‘ice’ out of the 500 kg seized by officers at the PNB had released Decision in two the PNB,” he said, adding that the the narcotics to smugglers upon police officers attached to the PNB being seized, according to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa yesterday (9) participated in an election rally organised by Rear Admiral Sarath Weerasekara more weeks who is contesting from the Colombo District. The President is seen engaged in friendly conversation with the people are currently being questioned the Police. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has given the PHOTO ESHAN DASANAYAKA by the Criminal Investigation (MM) Cabinet two weeks to decide on the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) grant. The Cabinet was to submit its opinion on SPECIAL OP BY SL NAVY the MCC review report at the weekly Cabinet BASL WRITES TO PRISONS COMMISSIONER PREFERENTIAL NO. OUTSIDE OFFICES meeting on Wednesday (8). Prison officials have been accused of Preventing Contd. on page 2 violating the rights of lawyers who visit Focus on inmates to offer legal advice. No written In a letter to the Department of Prisons, illegal migration AYURVEDA INSTITUTE violation the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) The Sri Lanka Navy is taking steps to counter said it has been brought to their notice by requests: EC all maritime threats including illegal migration To become fully several members of the legal profession that from various countries. of lawyers’ a serious violation of professional rights of its The Election Commission (EC) said that it Navy Spokesperson Lt. Cmdr. Isuru fledged uni members is currently taking place at several will not entertain requests that are made over Sooriyabandara told The Morning that the prisons throughout Sri Lanka. phone calls, and if the political parties need the Navy was paying special attention to all aspects The Cabinet of Ministers has granted rights Contd. on page 2 commission to consider amending campaign- of maritime security. its approval to upgrade the Gampaha related regulations, they should send it in writing Contd. on page 2 Wickramarachchi Ayurveda Institute (GWAI) to the commission. to a fully fledged university. “If they want us to consider The relevant proposal was tabled by the ELECTRICITY BILLS PROMOTING AGRICULTURE any requests it should be done in Minister of Higher Education, Technology, and writing, so that the commission Hand sanitiser Innovations during the recent cabinet meeting. Cabinet decides State lands members could deliberate on it Contd. on page 2 and announce a decision. So far, for cultivation they have asked over the phone stock seized reduction As a measure to encourage domestic and we have not agreed to their BY SARAH HANNAN SL TELLS UN It has been proposed to agriculture production, the Government requests to display Following a complaint lodged by the the Cabinet of Ministers has decided to give state land to farmers candidate numbers Western Province Intelligence Division Respect principle of to provide a reduction of for cultivation, The Morning learnt. and symbols with the Consumer Affairs Authority 25% on the electricity bills Secretary to the Ministry of outside offices,” (CAA), a stock of substandard sovereign equality for the months of March, Plantation Industries Ravindra EC Chairman hand santisers was seized from Sri Lanka says the United Nations (UN) April, and May. Hewavitharana told The Morning Mahinda Deshapriya a house in Thalahena, Malabe must fully respect the principle of sovereign However, this relief will only be that the decision had been taken told The Morning. EC Chairman on Wednesday (8). Mahinda equality in its interactions with member states. applicable for bills that have used between to give priority to certain crops for Contd. on page 2 Deshapriya Contd. on page 2 Contd. on page 2 0 to 90 units per month. more cultivation. Contd. on page 2 Contd. on page 2 PRIVATE BUS OWNERS BIA opens new PCR testing lab Threaten to strike from Sunday Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) yesterday (9) opened its new PCR testing BY SKANDHA GUNASEKARA Lanka Private Bus Owners’ the usual monthly rate via the to pay Rs. 1,600 per month to the laboratory. Association (LPBOA) President logsheet even for the periods our respective provincial councils The lab will function under the Ministry Private bus owners are to Gemunu Wijeratne told The buses were not operating. They for allowing them to operate in of Health and carry out PCR testing on all conduct an islandwide strike from Morning that the private bus have charged us for June as well. the province. passengers arriving in the country. Reportedly, Sunday (12) if their demands sector is being treated unfairly We demand that the ‘logsheet’ He then said that they have the new laboratory has the capacity to carry of waiving off monthly dues to during a time when all sections and its ensuing monthly charges also demanded a fuel subsidy out PCR tests on 500 passengers per day. the provincial councils, among of society are facing hardships. be waived off till December,” of Rs. 10 per kilometre from the Furthermore, the lab has been furnished others, are not met, The Morning “The Western Provincial Wijeratne said. Government. with medical laboratory equipment donated learnt. Council has been charging He explained that each bus has Contd. on page 2 to hospitals around the country. 2 the morning NEWS Friday, July 10, 2020 COVID-19-CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENT Reimposing the SL company sets the trend Sri Lanka’s premier tea Lankans must be proud of. exporter Akbar Brothers (Pvt.) Neighbouring India crossed ban on polythene Ltd. was awarded the Covid- 20,000 with a fatality rate 19-Controllled Environment of 2.8%, whilst the US is BY SARAH HANNAN Certification by the Sri recording 140,000 fatalities Lanka Standards Institution at a rate of 4.4%.