Govt. to Continue Dubious Tests? Z Concerns About J’Pura Uni Z Three Letters Sent to Prez
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PAGES 48 / SECTIONS 5 VOL. 02 – NO. 33 SUNDAY, MAY 10, 2020 Maintain Distance, Stay Safe www.themorning.lk epaper.themorning.lk WEIGHING www.aruna.lk epaper.aruna.lk BETWEEN DEFINITE DEBT WORST IS EMPLOYERS TO ELECTIONS AND NOOSE YET TO BEGIN PRORATED INDEFINITE DATE TIGHTENS COME SALARIES »SEE PAGES 8&9 »SEE PAGE 6 »SEE PAGE 7 »SEE BUSINESS PAGE 1 DESPITE CONCERNS OF ACCURACY Govt. to continue dubious tests? z Concerns about J’pura Uni z Three letters sent to Prez. z We need J’pura: Health Ministry BY SKANDHA GUNASEKARA to increase the number of daily she said yesterday (9). “We sent a letter on 26 April where The final letter was sent on 6 May,” The Government is to continue to rely on PCR tests PCR tests. The College of Medical Laboratory we urged the President to carry out said CMLS and Sri Lanka Association “There is a need to increase testing Science (CMLS) has submitted an investigation into the matter and of Government Medical Laboratory conducted outside the Ministry of Health, despite repeated and we appreciate the help given by three letters to President Gotabaya resolve it. Then we sent a letter again Technologists (SLAGMLT) President warnings from medical laboratory experts on the lack of outside laboratories such as the lab at Rajapaksa; the first as far back as 26 on 3 May that included a 12-point Ravi Kumudesh, adding that no accuracy and false results. Sri Jayawardenepura University. We April, warning about defective PCR explanation of the problems in the official response had been received Speaking to The Sunday Morning, Bhadrani Jayawardena said that the haven’t taken any decision to stop tests, particularly from the lab at Sri various laboratories, including the one up to date. Secretary to the Ministry of Health assistance of outside labs was needed testing outside the Ministry of Health,” Jayawardenepura University. at Sri Jayawardanapura University. Contd. on page 2 Spring cleaning Borrowings to PROTECT YOURSELF FROM COVID-19 continue: Govt. The Government intends to the interest, the primary balance continue borrowing to meet both is also negative because there is Health debt obligations and expenditure a revenue shortfall. So, we have For verified Suwasariya information Promotion Bureau Ambulance needs, despite allegations of a to borrow and pay. We will not on the Service breach in the borrowing limit. dishonour,” Attygalle told The coronavirus 1999 1990 (Covid-19) Ministry of Finance and Sunday Morning. contact any of Quarantine Unit 0112 112 705 Treasury Secretary S.R. Attygalle He went on to say that a vote the following Epidemiology Unit 0112 695 112 authorities Govt. coronavirus hotline 0113071073 said that they would need to on account will come into effect PRESIDENTIAL SPECIAL TASK borrow for debt servicing as there from 1 June. The Constitution FORCE FOR ESSENTIAL SERVICES was a shortfall in state revenue. has empowered the President to Telephone 0114354854, Fax 0112333066, 0114354882 “There is a current account continue spending and issue a vote 0114733600 Email [email protected] deficit. That means revenues are on account for three months from Hotline 0113456200-4 not enough to conduct the current the first sitting of parliament,” TOTAL CASES business including (servicing) Attygalle said. ACTIVE CASES 847 debt interest. Even if you take out Contd. on page 2 DEATHS RECOVERED 578 09 260 THE ABOVE STATISTICS ARE CONFIRMED UP UNTIL 9.50 P.M. ON 24 APRIL 2020 SOURCE: HEALTH PROMOTION BUREAU Municipal Council workers seen cleaning the Colombo Fort Railway Station yesterday (9) as authorities prepare to relax curfew in the capital tomorrow (11) COVID-19 CASES IN THE WORLD PHOTO PRADEEP DAMBARAGE TOTAL CASES SLTB, SLRD FACILITATE OFFICE COMMUTE RETURNING TO NORMALCY 4,073,592 Public transport DEATHS RECOVERD Gazette to be 278,911 1,417,305 operations planned CASES DEATHS issued today USA 1,335,760 79,471 z Only 25 BY SARAH HANNAN A special gazette notification on the SPAIN 262,783 26,478 passengers resumption of civilian life amidst the ITALY 218,268 30,395 per bus Public transport services will coronavirus threat will be issued today, UK 215,260 31,587 commence in areas where the curfew The Sunday Morning learnt. RUSSIA 198,676 1,827 z Railways is lifted today, while the Western Contd. on page 2 allow only Province’s and the Puttalam District’s pre-booked service will be provided to anyone reporting to work. J’PURA UNI INCIDENT seating Contd. on page 2 COVID-19 TRANSMISSION Student on Covid-19 traced recovery trail Courts to reopen in semen BY AGRA RANASINGHE tomorrow Two Chinese doctors recently published a Pasindu Hirushan, the victim in the As the country begins a will be some restrictions research letter on the Journal of the American University of Sri Jayewardenepura tyre gradual reopening process and adjustments made to Medical Association (JAMA) Network incident in March, has made significant during the Covid-19 crisis, meet the social distancing exploring the possibility of SARS-CoV-2 being progress in his recovery, The Sunday all courts in Colombo too requirements, The Sunday transmitted sexually, after traces of the virus Morning learnt. are planning to reopen Morning learnt. was found present in the semen of patients. Contd. on page 2 tomorrow (11), but there Contd. on page 2 Contd. on page 2 INFECTED AMONG DUBAI PASSENGERS Grama niladharis Safety concerns rise again get tough z Airline and airport staff cleared zMelbourne flight to land today z Resort to TU action BY MAHEESHA MUDUGAMUWA last week, concerns have been Services (DGHS) Dr. Anil Jasinghe raised over the safety of the confirmed that there was a Covid- The grama niladhari unions have recommenced With the report of a Covid- staff of SriLankan Airlines and 19-positive passenger on board the trade union action and refused to distribute the 19-positive passenger among the Bandaranaike International aircraft that returned from Dubai Rs. 5,000 vouchers to low-income families and Sri Lankan repatriates brought Airport (BIA). on Thursday (7) morning. vulnerable groups. back to the country from Dubai Director General of Health Contd. on page 2 Contd. on page 2 2 the sunday morning NEWS Sunday, May 10, 2020 Curfew violations on a steady rise BY AGRA RANASINGHE continuously because they left their houses for periodically, with the exception of high-risk required for the transport of vegetables and various purposes; for example, to purchase food. areas such as Colombo, Kalutara, Puttalam, other agricultural products, even when such Many countries all around the world The Police Media Division confirmed to The and Jaffna, to allow the people to obtain their food is being transported to economic centres imposed lockdowns to tackle the Sunday Morning that by 1 April, nearly 8,450 The traffic police officers continued to essential needs; not to visit friends and family. and markets, and while returning. spread of the coronavirus. The start people along with 2,078 vehicles were taken into apprehend the persons who violated Good Friday, Sinhala and Tamil New Year, and In some other countries like Indonesia, of the curfew was signalled on Friday, custody and by 1 May, 42,810 people along with the highway rules, as usual. We look Vesak Full Moon Poya Day were celebrated specifically, the city of Surabaya of the East forward to take legal action with regard 20 March, by the Government with 11,078 vehicles were apprehended for violating without any gatherings for the first time in Sri Java Province, curfew violators had to spend the the curfew. to these cases Lanka. But in areas where the curfew was lifted night at the police stations for acting against the strict rules in place to control the Senior DIG Mahesh Senaratne movements of the public. Furthermore, The Police Media Division for a period of time, people were found violating implementation of large-scale social restrictions. added that a total number of 50,338 persons basic highway rules. As international news has stated, the Police had Policemen, military officers, and intelligence along with 13,064 vehicles were apprehended the spread of Covid-19. The Police continuously When contacted, Senior DIG Mahesh to take their blood samples for Covid-19 rapid officers were posted in all the cities to stop any for curfew violations since 20 March, till 6 p.m. warned the public and discouraged them from Senaratne of the Jaffna District, which was testing, and those whose rapid tests came back curfew violators going against the Government’s yesterday (9). engaging in social gatherings, meetings, parties, tagged as a high-risk area, said that nearly 2,000 reactive were asked to quarantine themselves order. Although it was just their duty to provide Police Media Spokesperson SP Jaliya Senaratne etc. From the beginning, the Police warned that people were found to have violated the curfew for 14 days. the service for the required hours, police officers told The Sunday Morning that all the people who curfew violators will be arrested and their vehicles in the district. International news further stated that in Jordan, and military officers had to dedicate a majority of have been granted bail with regard to curfew will be seized. However, in order to delve deeper “Nearly 2,000 people were caught in Jaffna, people who breached anti-coronavirus orders their time, similar to health officials, by wearing violations will be prosecuted. into the legal actions that would be taken against along with 500 vehicles, for violating the curfew. are punishable for up to one year in prison. personal protective equipment (PPE). However, “By now, all of the persons who have violated these violators, The Sunday Morning contacted However, there weren’t any serious cases.