www.themorning.lk epaper.themorning.lk www.themorning.lk epaper.themorning.lk www.aruna.lk epaper.aruna.lk Maintain Distance, Stay Safe THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 2020 www.aruna.lk epaper.aruna.lk TOTAL CASES For verified information on the Quarantine Unit COVID-19 TOTAL CASES coronavirus (Covid-19) contact any 0112 112 705 ACTIVE CASES of the following authorities CASES IN Epidemiology Unit Health THE WORLD 3,166,819 Suwasariya 0112 695 112 PROTECT YOURSELF FROM Promotion Ambulance DEATHS CASES DEATHS 630 Bureau Service Govt. coronavirus hotline USA 1,039,501 59,459 COVID-19 DEATHS RECOVERED 1999 1990 0113071073 219,611 SPAIN 236,899 24,275 PRESIDENTIAL SPECIAL TASK FORCE FOR ESSENTIAL SERVICES RECOVERD ITALY 201,505 27,359 FRANCE 165,911 23,660 07 136 Telephone 0114354854, 0114733600 Fax 0112333066, 0114354882 976,191 UK 161,145 21,678 Hotline 0113456200-4 Email [email protected] THE ABOVE 487STATISTICS ARE CONFIRMED UP UNTIL 10.45 P.M. ON 29 APRIL 2020 SOURCE: HEALTH PROMOTION BUREAU 48 PHIS IN COLOMBO WITHDRAW IN PROTEST EC TO MEET ON 2 MAY The Election Commission (EC) yesterday (29) reiterated that any decision on the forthcoming election would be taken by all three members of Final call the commission at the meeting scheduled to be held on 2 May. EC Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya said the Govt. urged commission, after meeting with all relevant on polls on sectors, would evaluate the situation in the country and that any decision with regard to the election would be taken by all three members. to protect Saturday Contd. on page 2 Clean up continues WITHIN CMC LIMITS Over 3,500 frontliners in isolated z Health officials BY MAHEESHA MUDUGAMUWA threaten to withdraw Health officials yesterday (29) warned the Government zones that they would withdraw from Covid-19-related services BY SARAH HANNAN if it failed to protect health staff by providing sufficient z PHIs in Colombo personal protection equipment (PPE). Over 3,500 persons from denied PCR tests four areas within the Colombo A total of 48 public health the virus or not. Municipal Council (CMC) z inspectors (PHIs) at the Colombo In a letter written to the Chief administrative region are presently GMOA demands Municipal Council (CMC), who Medical Officer of CMC, the held in isolation zones after one or protective gear had direct contacts with suspected PHIs had informed the Council more persons were tested positive Covid-19 cases in Keselwatta and that they had decided to go for Covid-19 from the area over at Bandaranaike Mawatha within for self-quarantining for 14 the past week. z Adequate PPE the CMC area, had withdrawn days considering the history of Contd. on page 2 stocks at hand: from services yesterday after they being exposed to virus-infected were denied PCR tests to confirm residents. MSD whether they were infected with Contd. on page 2 226 Navy personnel EXTREME WARM WEATHER Business community infected A total of 226 Navy personnel In most parts cautions Government have been infected with Covid- z 19 so far, Army Commander Seeks halting of trade activities till mid May Lieutenant General Shavendra of the island With an increasing number of Roshana Waduge told The Silva said yesterday (29). The Department of Covid-19 cases being reported Morning that business activities The infected Navy officers Meteorology announced that the within the last few days, the still remained closed in most areas, include 147 from within the Western, Eastern, North Western, business community has requested even though the Government lifted Health workers were seen disinfecting the Narahenpita Police Station after Welisara Navy Camp and 79 who Sabaragamuwa, North Central, the Government to close down all the curfew in parts other than the an individual tested positive for Covid-19 was found in the area last Monday were on leave. and Southern Provinces along trade activities around the country Western Province and the Puttalam PHOTO LALITH PERERA Contd. on page 2 with the Mannar, Vavuniya, until 15 May. District as they feared a second Mullaitivu, and Monaragala Sri Lanka Trade Development wave of Covid-19. Districts will experience extreme Council (SLTDC) Chairman Contd. on page 2 40 COLOMBO SCHOOLS AND SEVERAL OTHERS weather conditions. The heat index of the aforementioned region is expected PRIVATE BUS OPERATORS to be at extreme caution level. Military looks at WATER SHORTAGE Demand fuel subsidy z No decision says Govt. subsidy. We are unable to carry Supply resolved Private bus unions are even half the usual passengers. We schools for housing demanding a fuel subsidy from are short of drivers and conductors z had not selected any specific schools the Government to face the because of the curfew,” he said. For personnel whose leave is cancelled thus far. for paddy lands circumstances resulting from the He said the Government had told The Morning that the military “They mentioned these schools BY SKANDHA GUNASEKARA The water issues of the 5,300 Covid-19 pandemic. promised a low-interest loan but had identified around 40 schools but haven’t said yet which ones they hectares of paddy land in the Lanka Private Bus Owners’ had failed to provide it. The military is to commandeer a in Colombo. would be using,” he said, adding Ampara District as well as the Association President Gemunu “We were supposed to get a Rs. number of schools across the country “They have referred to six schools in that the military had assured that Pahala Wewa paddy land have Wijeratne told The Morning that 25,000 loan, but the Government to be used as temporary housing for the Uva Province, four in the Central all cleaning and safety measures been resolved, the Department of a fuel subsidy was essential in the hasn’t given that yet. We are personnel, The Morning learnt. Province, and around 30-49 schools would be taken care of once they Agrarian Development said. face of the Covid-19 pandemic. suffering at the moment,” he added. Secretary to the Ministry of in Colombo,” Chithrananada said. had concluded utilising the schools. Farmers of the Pahala Wewa “We are requesting a 50% fuel Contd. on page 2 Education N.H.M. Chithrananda However, he noted that the military Contd. on page 2 area in Ampara had sowed paddy seeds using the dry ploughing method. However, the farmers shared their grievance stating 200 NEW LOCAL INVENTIONS AMIDST COVID-19 that sufficient water has not been The validity period of supplied to their paddy lands curfew passes expiring and the crops are on the verge of Govt. uses 20 local inventions tomorrow will be extended wilting away. BY AGRA RANASINGHE Software to monitor Covid-19 patients till 31 May: Police TRAIN SERVICES Among 200 new inventions developed Two students of the can be used to monitor specialty of this software, to combat Covid-19, nearly 20 inventions Department of Computer patients who have saying the software assists Government to have already been used, The Morning learnt. Engineering of the contracted Covid-19. the monitoring of the Sri Lanka Inventors Commission (SLIC) Faculty of Engineering Head of the Department patients by maintaining ARRESTS OVER MISINFORMATION Director/CEO N.N.W. Dolawatta told The at the University of of Computer Engineering a distance between the decide today Morning that more than 200 inventions to Peradeniya have invented Dr. Eng. Kamalanath patient and the staff. The Government is to take a fight against Covid-19 have been developed a computer software that Samarakoon explained the Contd. on page 2 HRCSL writes decision today (30) on whether by various platforms. to continue with railway services He said that it is not an easy task to amidst dwindling commuters. introduce these inventions to the health while ensuring the protection of intercultural Ministry of Health Additionally Secretary to Acting IGP Minister of Passenger authorities as there's a large process these property of their product," he said. Bhadrani Jayawardena told The Morning The Human Rights Commission of Sri Transport Management Mahinda inventions have to get through. The SLIC will support them to take the that most of the inventions are already being Lanka (HRCSL), in a letter addressed to Amaraweera said the Government "These new inventions can be just an idea, patent documents, finance them for testing, used by the authorities. Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) C.D. had been deliberating the matter. concept, prototype, completed product, or a support in technical assistance, provide Some of these inventions are low-cost Wickramaratne, has requested that the legal design. Whichever the stage it is in, the SLIC financial assistance to build prototypes, video laryngoscopes with extended functions, basis for recent arrests for misinformation be SEE FULL STORIES is going to support inventors in all possible provide grants/loans for start-ups, and support protective ventilation suits, fast-operated reviewed. ON PAGE 2 ways to introduce that to the community, them to find out possible investors. door handles, automatic hand sanitisers, etc. Contd. on page 2 2 the morning NEWS Thursday, April 30, 2020 Cartoon of the day President urged to resummon P’ment Former Minister of “As the presidential Parliament,” the letter reads. Election Commission (EC) Finance Mangala election was scheduled to be Samaraweera also said announced that the general Samaraweera in a held on 16 November 2017, that the President, Prime election, which was initially letter to President the then Government was Minister, Cabinet of scheduled for 25 April, would Gotabaya Rajapaksa of the view that presenting Ministers, Members of be held on 20 June 2020, has urged him to an Appropriation Bill Parliament, as well as all the letter says: “However, exercise his powers would not be appropriate.