www.themorning.lk epaper.themorning.lk www.themorning.lk epaper.themorning.lk www.aruna.lk epaper.aruna.lk www.aruna.lk epaper.aruna.lk MONDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2020 For verified information on the Quarantine Unit COVID-19 TOTAL CASES ACTIVE CASES TOTAL CASES coronavirus (Covid-19) contact any 0112 112 705 of the following authorities Epidemiology Unit CASES IN 0112 695 112 THE WORLD 67,038,103 Health Suwasariya Govt. coronavirus hotline PROTECT YOURSELF FROM 27,877 Promotion Ambulance DEATHS CASES DEATHS 0113071073 Bureau Service USA 14,995,863 287,894 1999 If showing symptoms COVID-19 DEATHS RECOVERED 1990 0117 966 366 1,537,409 INDIA 9,660,894 140,367 BRAZIL 6,577,177 176,641 PRESIDENTIAL SPECIAL TASK FORCE FOR ESSENTIAL SERVICES RECOVERED 20,460 RUSSIA 2,460,770 43,141 140 Telephone 0114354854, 0114733600 Fax 0112333066, 0114354882 7,280 Hotline 0113456200-4 Email [email protected] 46,405,664 FRANCE 2,281,475 54,981 THE ABOVE STATISTICS ARE CONFIRMED UP UNTIL 8.00 P.M. ON 6 DECEMBER 2020 SOURCE: HEALTH PROMOTION BUREAU TOTAL CASES COVID-19 PATIENTS A SEMBLANCE OF NORMALCY 24,036*Stats updated as at 5.45 p.m. on 6 December Focus on COVID-19 Deaths rise to 140 Director General of Health Services pvt. sector (DGHS) Dr. Asela Gunawardena yesterday (6) noted that the total number of Covid-19 deaths rose to 140. Russia begins treatmentDr. Gunawardena said that BY MAHEESHA MUDUGAMUWA vaccinations the private hospitals have Russia is starting its Covid-19 The Health Ministry is considering a request made the request and once vaccination programme, with clinics made by private hospitals to allow them to treat the discussions conclude, a in the capital Moscow inoculating Covid-19-positive patients, Director General of decision would be made. those most at risk from the virus, BBC Health Services Dr. Asela Gunawardena said. As of now, only government reported on Saturday (5). hospitals are allowed to treat He told The Morning that no yet but discussions are ongoing Covid-19-positive patients. Christmas decorations for sale on the streets of Colombo yesterday (6) SL focuses on final decision has been made to evaluate the possibilities. Contd. on page 2 PHOTO SAMAN ABESIRIWARDANA elimination in 2021 MAHARA PRISON CLASH EARTH TREMORS IN KANDY Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena has said Sri Lanka is Rights group appeals focusing on eliminating Covid-19 from the country in the year 2021. UN Special Rapporteurs GSMB keeps Bahrain also The Committee for Protecting Rights of Prisoners 8,000 inmates to be released approves vaccine (CPRP) has sent an urgent At least 8,000 inmates remanded for drug use are Bahrain said it had approved the appeal to the UN Special to be referred for rehabilitation after completing their a close watch emergency use of a Covid-19 vaccine Rapporteur on Torture and quarantine period and completing PCR tests, The BY SARAH HANNAN seismometers installed at “We have a team deployed developed by Pfizer and German Other Cruel, Inhuman, or Morning learnt. the Victoria Reservoir during in the area, who have been partner BioNTech, Al Jazeera reported. Degrading Treatment or Contd. on page 2 At least four minor the weekend, the Geological continuously monitoring the Punishment and the Special seismic activities had Survey and Mines Bureau activities.” Number of recoveries Rapporteur on Extrajudicial, Rights Council, last week, riots that killed 11 inmates and been recorded on the (GSMB) stated. Contd. on page 2 Summary, or Arbitrary following the aftermath of injured 107, as of 2 December. exceeds 20,000 Executions of the UN Human the Mahara Prison Complex Contd. on page 2 The number of recovered Covid- INMATES OVER NARCOTICS CHARGES 19 patients increased to 20,090, the Former Minister Epidemiology Unit at the Health Call for special CID officials Rehabilitation Ministry said on Saturday (5). T.B. passes away probe commission increased to 25 to be expedited Former Minister T. B. Isolation in several GN A special commission should be appointed The number of Criminal Investigation Rehabilitation of inmates who were Ekanayake passed away to look into the recent incident at the Mahara Department (CID) officials probing the imprisoned over narcotics-related charges will at the age of 67 years, divisions to be lifted Prison, the National People’s Power (NPP) Mahara unrest has been increased to 25 from be expedited, said the State Ministry of Prison according to family sources. The isolation status of several areas said yesterday (6). Addressing the media at 12, Police Spokesman DIG Ajith Rohana Management and Prisoners’ Rehabilitation. Ekanayake held in the Colombo and Gampaha Districts the party head office, NPP Leadership Council said yesterday (6). Contd. on page 2 several positions in the including Bloemendhal and Kelaniya member and Attorney-at-Law Lal Wijenayake As of last morning, he said 116 statements Government as a Minister would be lifted at 5 a.m. today (7), said that shooting unarmed prisoners at the had been recorded from the inmates and MATTALA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT and Member of Parliament. Army Commander Lt. Gen. Shavendra Mahara Prison was a very serious incident. prison officials at Mahara over the unrest. Contd. on page 2 Silva said. Contd. on page 2 Contd. on page 2 Discussions to Three new areas to be Inmates’ bodies being identified recommence UNP appoints Bodies of six inmates who identified initially on Friday were of residents from isolated in Colombo died in the recent unrest (4), and another four bodies Ja-Ela and Hunupitiya, operations Three new areas in Colombo at the Mahara Prison have were identified later. Wattala, who had been Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga Acting Sec. including two grama niladhari (GN) been identified by their Police Spokesperson DIG remanded over narcotics- on Saturday (5) said that the Government is Shyamal Senarath has been appointed as divisions of Hunupitiya and 60-Watte family members. Ajith Rohana said the two related charges. having discussions with international airline the Acting Secretary of the United National would be isolated from today (7) Two bodies were bodies identified initially Contd. on page 2 companies to commence operations at Mattala. Party (UNP), noted UNP Deputy Leader onwards, Army Commander Lt. Gen. Contd. on page 2 Ruwan Wijewardene. Shavendra Silva said. Contd. on page 2 The two GN divisions of Hunupitiya ISOLATED POLICE AREAS UNREGISTERED TOURISM STAKEHOLDERS in Slave Island and 60-Watte in OVERCROWDING IN BUSES y Cinnamon Gardens, and Kokila Road Colombo District: Dam Street y Mutwal y Keselwatte Give concessions says NPP in Wellawatte would be isolated from y Kotahena y Maligawatte New plan to 5 a.m. today. y Grandpass y Dematagoda The National People’s Power who have not registered. y Aduruppu Street y Maradana (NPP) on Saturday (5) said the NPP MP Vijitha Herath said there SEE FULL STORIES ON PAGE 2 y Slave Island: y Wellampitiya: Government should provide were more than 3,500 registered address issue Wekanda and Salamulla GN concession not only to the guides, but only about 1,900 of Arrangements have been made to operate Hunupitiya GN division and divisions Laksandha registered stakeholders in the them have been given concessions. two buses at the beginning of each journey COVID-19 AMONG INMATES y Borella: Sevana Housing tourism sector but also to those Contd. on page 2 from today (7) onwards, said State Minister Wanathamulla Complex of Vehicle Regulation, Bus Transport Services GN division y Mattakkuliya: and Train Compartments, and Motor Car South of Ferguson Spreading Road and Randiya Airport reopening Industry Dilum Amunugama. Uyana Housing Contd. on page 2 Compex at fast pace y Cinnamon further delayed: SLTDA Gardens: Programme to The Sri Lanka Association of 60-Watte zCommittee to review Airport Opening Protocol Medical Laboratory Technologists y Wellawatte: zFinal decision from Ministry of Health yesterday (6) alleged that the Covid- Kokila Road clean up 103 rivers 19 virus was spreading among the Gampaha District: The Sri Lanka Tourism batch of citizens are to receive A special programme to protect the inmates of the Welikada Prison at a y Wattala: Kerawalapitiya, Development Authority the vaccination early next cleanliness of 103 rivers will be commenced Hekiththa, Kurunduhena, very fast pace and it is not practical Evariwatte, and (SLTDA), following last year, the Tourism Ministry in January under the patronage of President to face it with PCR tests alone. Welikadamulla GN week’s discussion with the and the SLTDA is hopeful Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Minister of Environment Association President Ravi Divisions Minister of Tourism, has that this will once again Mahinda Amaraweera said. Kumudesh said that it was a wrong y Peliyagoda: proposed the Airport Opening allow international Contd. on page 2 Peliyagodawatta, decision to stop antibody testing at Peliyagoda – Gangabada, Protocol, The Morning learnt. travel to resume, present and as a result, inmates who Meegahawatte, and With several countries hopefully in the are not currently infected would also Pattiya-North GN divisions announcing that they are first quarter of become infected. y Kiribathgoda: approving vaccinations 2021. Welegoda-North GN Contd. on page 2 division developed for Covid-19 Contd. SLTDA Chairwoman prevention and that the first on page 2 Kimarli Fernando 2 the morning NEWS Monday, December 7, 2020 Contd. from page 1 this to the attention of the Welisara Magistrate or post mortem has been conducted. and as a result, a large amount of trash is being Focus on... on 2 December,” Perera revealed. The incident has even been reported in discharged into the sea as well as the surrounding SL focuses... However, a few private hospitals were given Statistics for 2020 appended to the letter of international media and as a result, these facts environment of the rivers.