www.themorning.lk epaper.themorning.lk www.themorning.lk epaper.themorning.lk www.aruna.lk epaper.aruna.lk www.aruna.lk epaper.aruna.lk THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2020 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 44,423,893 Suwasariya 0112 695 112 PROTECT YOURSELF FROM 9,081 Promotion Ambulance DEATHS CASES DEATHS Bureau Service Govt. coronavirus hotline USA 9,053,778 232,305 COVID-19 DEATHS RECOVERED 1999 1990 0113071073 1,174,467 INDIA 8,006,340 120,179 BRAZIL 5,440,903 157,981 PRESIDENTIAL SPECIAL TASK FORCE FOR ESSENTIAL SERVICES RECOVERD RUSSIA 1,563,976 26,935 19 4,075 Telephone 0114354854, 0114733600 Fax 0112333066, 0114354882 4,987 Hotline 0113456200-4 Email [email protected] 32,549,743 FRANCE 1,198,695 35,541 THE ABOVE STATISTICS ARE CONFIRMED UP UNTIL 09.25 P.M. ON 28 OCTOBER 2020 SOURCE: HEALTH PROMOTION BUREAU NEW COVID-19 DETECTIONS TOTAL CASES Pompeo delivers loud 5,607*Stats updated as at 7.14 p.m. on 28 October COVID-19 Travel restrictions in anti-China message several areas in Jaffna z ‘China a predator, US a partner’ z Promotes democracy, sovereignty Travel restrictions have been imposed in the Passaiyoor and Gurunagar areas BY CHARINDRA CHANDRASENA in Jaffna over the current spread of Covid-19, area public health inspectors US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo departed Sri Lanka (PHIs) stated. yesterday (28) after a visit which was primarily focused on countering China’s influence in the island by reiterating America’s commitment to Sri Lanka’s development Relief for the within a democratic framework and painting China as a home-quarantine “predatory” foreign power. A decision has been made to provide Addressing journalists at the relief for those who have been home- Ministry of Foreign Affairs a day ‘Foregoing MCC quarantined, Army Commander Lt. ahead of the 72nd anniversary of won’t damage Gen. Shavendra Silva announced the establishment of US-Sri Lanka yesterday (28). diplomatic relations, the top foreign relationship’ affairs official of the US highlighted The US-Sri Lanka relationship the two nations’ shared values of will not be affected even if Sri Fish vendor from democracy and America’s interest in Lanka chooses not to avail itself maintaining Sri Lanka’s sovereignty. of the Millennium Challenge Rathgama infected However, neither Sri Lanka’s Corporation’s (MCC) five-year, $ A fish vendor residing in the Foreign Minister Dinesh 480 million compact, according Rathgama Medical Officer of Health Gunawardena nor Pompeo divulged to US Secretary of State Michael (MOH) Division tested positive for any specific details on the discussions Pompeo. Covid-19 yesterday (28), area public held or on any agreements reached “It’s one of many things that’s health inspectors (PHIs) stated. during Pompeo’s approximately being offered. If it doesn’t make 20-hour stay in Sri Lanka, sense for Sri Lanka, then Sri Curfew in Western during which he held talks with Lankans will choose not to US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo visited the Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday (28) for talks with Minister of Foreign President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and accept that. Province from tonight Affairs Dinesh Gunawardena on multifaceted engagement between Sri Lanka and the US Gunawardena. Contd. on page 2 Quarantine curfew will be imposed PHOTO TWITTER Contd. on page 2 within the Western Province from QUARANTINE midnight tonight (29), stated Army SL FOREIGN POLICY US-CHINA CLASH Commander Lieutenant General CURFEW AND ISOLATED AREAS Shavendra Silva. Gampaha district Will remain Won’t be embroiled Person from Madampe Colombo district neutral: Dinesh y Dematagoda y Keselwatte Sri Lanka, as a sovereign, free, independent nation, in the spat: President y Maradana y Dam Street will maintain a neutral, non-aligned, and friendly President Gotabaya power blocs and insisted on Fish Market infected y Kotahena y Aduruppu Another businessman at the Madampe Street foreign policy, said Minister of Foreign Relations Rajapaksa has tweeted that Sri maintaining a neutral stance Fish Market in Kahawatta tested positive y Mattakkuliya Dinesh Gunawardena. Lanka will not be embroiled in the country’s foreign policy. y Modara y Weralabada for Covid-19 on Tuesday night (27). Police Station Contd. on page 2 in the conflicts between Contd. on page 2 y Wellampitiya y Pettah y Bloemendhal y Fort ECT RECOMMENCES OPERATIONS MILITARY MOBILE SQUADS y Grandpass MoD to transport and y Borella y Gothatuwa y Welikada distribute essentials y Mulleyirawa Random z Action Committee appointed y Maligawatte y Moratuwa No decision on to maintain inventory y Homagama Kalutara district temperature The Government has decided to y Payagala tripartite MoC purchase and distribute vegetables, y Aluthgama fruits, milk, eggs, and fish products to BY MAHEESHA MUDUGAMUWA decision has been made by the checks y Beruwala farmers who are unable to sell due to the Government on the Memorandum y Panadura BY SKANDHA GUNASEKARA prevailing situation with the mediation Despite the Sri Lanka Ports of Co-operation (MoC) signed of the Ministry of Defence (MoD). Kurunegala district Authority (SLPA) recommencing between India, Japan, and Sri Military mobile squadrons y Kuliyapitiya operations of the controversial East Lanka, The Morning learnt. are patrolling in Colombo y Container Terminal (ECT), no final Contd. on page 3 carrying out random ‘Don’t travel out of Pannala Army Spokesman y Giriulla temperature checks, The Brigadier y Narammala Morning learnt. Chandana Western Province’ Contd. on page 2 Wickremesinghe y Dummalasuriya Govt. spends Army Commander Lt. Gen. Shavendra Nuwara Eliya District Silva appealed to the public to exercise Mannar District y Hatton town maximum restraint and avoid congested y Periyakadai * Updated as at Ratnapura District y Pattitottam Rs. 200 m for fish Suspect gatherings as much as possible to avoid 9.00 p.m. on 28th October The Government has allocated Minister Ramesh Pathirana. y Palabaddala further transmission of Covid-19. Source: Sri Lanka Police Rs. 200 million to purchase He said the Government will fish stocks stuck at fisheries purchase fish stocks from multi- arrested PEN TUBES, TOOTHBRUSHES harbours countrywide due to the day fishing trawlers in compliance Confirmed cases sudden increase of Covid-19- with the Covid-19 health guidelines Recycling programme positive persons who dealt with and distribute them to produce with heroin pass 9,000 mark fish, according to Co-Cabinet canned fish. An individual has been arrested in the The total number of Covid-19 Spokesman and Plantations Contd. on page 3 Negombo area while in possession of 1 kg infections confirmed in the country commences of heroin. The Police said the suspect was topped the 9,000 mark, as 211 more The Government launched a this purpose was handed over to PCOI ON EASTER SUNDAY ATTACKS identified as a resident of Mattakkuliya. persons linked to the Minuwangoda- programme to recycle used carbon President Gotabaya Rajapaksa by Peliyagoda cluster were tested positive pen tubes and toothbrushes, the Minister of Environment Mahinda Sessions postponed till 31 Oct RAT FEVER for the virus last evening (28). President’s Media Division Amaraweera at the Presidential The Presidential Commission spread of Covid-19, sources at SEE FULL STORIES ON PAGE 2 (PMD) announced. Secretariat on Monday (26). of Inquiry (PCoI) on the Easter the Presidential Commission The first container designed for Contd. on page 2 Sunday attacks decided to postpone confirmed. Highest its sessions due to the current Contd. on page 2 COVID-19 INDIA-US DEFENCE PACT number in Ceremonies and events banned India gets access to US satellites a decade India and the US signed a New Delhi and Washington, was signed during the visit of US External Affairs Minister S. BY SARAH HANNAN defence pact giving the South particularly as both show growing Secretary of State Mike Pompeo Jaishankar and Defence Minister during curfew Asian country access to real-time concern over China, which is and Defence Secretary Mark Esper, Rajnath Singh, on greater military Sri Lanka is projected to record the highest The Sri Lanka Police yesterday (28) informed data and topographical images currently embroiled in a border who were in India for a high-level co-operation, the security situation number of leptospirosis cases in a decade the public that conducting wedding ceremonies from US military satellites. row with India. security dialogue. The two US in the Indo-Pacific, the pandemic, with the caseload reflecting 6,716 cases for and other pre-planned events in the Western The pact reflects the growing The Basic Exchange and officials held talks on Tuesday and greater defence co-operation. the period from 1 January to 28 October. Province is banned during the curfew period. convergence of interests between Co-operation Agreement or BECA (27) with their Indian counterparts, Contd. on page 3 Contd. on page 2 2 the morning NEWS Thursday, October 29, 2020 Contd. from page 1 Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) terrorist co-ordination (sic). Next sessions of According to statistics, 4,075 of healthcare centre had been set up for Pompeo... organisation even before the 9/11 Will remain... the joint council for the Trade and the confirmed patients have made the student at the examination centre With the entire Sri Lankan media terrorist attacks up to now.” The remarks came during the joint Investment Framework Agreement complete recoveries from the virus. at Godakawela Kularathna Central contingent allowed just one question Pompeo echoed these sentiments, press conference held by the Foreign will also be convened on the earliest The Epidemiology Unit said that College. due to time constraints, the press stating that the US has donated Minister and his US counterpart possible time frame.” 4,987 active cases are still receiving conference only yielded two specific just over $ 6 million in Covid- Michael R.