www.themorning.lk epaper.themorning.lk www.themorning.lk epaper.themorning.lk www.aruna.lk epaper.aruna.lk WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 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 11,818,570 Suwasariya 0112 695 112 PROTECT YOURSELF FROM 2,080 Promotion Ambulance DEATHS CASES DEATHS Bureau Service Govt. coronavirus hotline USA 3,056,589 133,279 COVID-19 DEATHS RECOVERED 1999 1990 0113071073 542,818 BRAZIL 1,628,283 65,631 INDIA 739,646 20,618 PRESIDENTIAL SPECIAL TASK FORCE FOR ESSENTIAL SERVICES RECOVERD RUSSIA 694,230 10,494 11 1,955 Telephone 0114354854, 0114733600 Fax 0112333066, 0114354882 6,796,453 PERU 305,703 10,772 Hotline 0113456200-4 Email [email protected] THE ABOVE STATISTICS114 ARE CONFIRMED UP UNTIL 9.45 P.M. ON 7 JULY 2020 SOURCE: HEALTH PROMOTION BUREAU RISK OF A SECOND COVID-19 WAVE Strict enforcement of health guidelines urged zTests are not always 100% accurate: Health authorities country’s ports are closed. As explained by Dr. Samaraweera, “We are at present conducting PCR “Keeping all ports closed to prevent an infected person could go into tests on all returnees and they are being BY MAHEESHA MUDUGAMUWA experts urged the public to follow the Epidemiologist Dr. Sudath the virus coming to the country is society even though the authorities sent on a 14-day quarantine period at necessary health guidelines issued by Samaraweera told The Morning that not practical, and especially with the are conducting PCR tests. quarantine centres and another 14-day As the threat of a second wave of the authorities. it was impossible to control the virus Sri Lankans who are returning to the “Tests are not always 100% quarantine period in their homes. Covid-19 looms in the country, health Epidemiology Unit Chief 100% within the country unless the country, there is a risk,” he stressed. accurate,” Dr. Samaraweera stressed. Contd. on page 2 2020 GENERAL ELECTION COMMITTEE ON NON-BANKING FINANCIAL SECTOR RECOMMENDS MALARIA CASES Complaints against Eight under state employees Ban on using quarantine zAG ready to assist in auditing state employees’ attendance zEC admits complaints; Commission to decide test positive With the increasing number financial matters of the state sector zTen more under observation of incidents of public properties but if a request is made by the BY SARAH HANNAN being misused for election commission, it could look into force for campaigns, the Auditor General’s whether the state workers were For the year 2020, Sri Lanka has reported Department said it is ready to being used for election-related 20 imported cases of malaria with the latest audit the public sector workers’ campaigns of political parties. patient incidents being reported form attendance during the election “As of now there was no quarantine centres that are holding returnees period if a request is made by such request made by the EC under observation for Covid-19 infection. the Election Commission (EC). and therefore the department is repossession Speaking to The Morning, Anti-Malaria Speaking to The Morning, currently not conducting any audit Campaign Acting Director Dr. Prasad Deputy Auditor General P.L.K. with regard to state sector employee z Report handed over to z Abolition of illegal leasing Ranaweera noted that in the first five months Perera said the Department at attendance,” Perera said. of 2020 only 10 such patients were recorded, present is monitoring only the Contd. on page 2 Central Bank Governor companies recommended while in the last 10 days eight patients were BY SKANDHA GUNASEKARA “We submitted the report last discovered from the Pelwehera Quarantine evening. One key recommendation Centre in Dambulla. The Central Bank Committee we have made for the short term is Contd. on page 2 Covid-19 at Welikada appointed to look into that the use of force to repossess property or vehicles be banned issues pertaining to the CENTRAL BANK BOND SCAM non-banking financial sector and a suitable mechanism be have recommended that formulated and put in place,” he using force for repossession said. He said that the Committee had Interim order be abolished. Kudagama, said the committee recommended both long-term and Central Bank Legal and report had been submitted to the short-term insights. prevents arrests Compliance Director Sirikumara Governor yesterday (7). Contd. on page 2 The Court of Appeal has issued an interim order preventing the execution of the arrest warrants issued by the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court on former Minister Ravi Waste from HEALTH GUIDELINES FOR 2020 GENERAL ELECTION Karunanayake and five others over the Central Bank Treasury Bond Scam. A writ petition had been filed by former ships to be SLPP not following Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake, Perpetual Treasuries Ltd. (PTL) Chairman Geoffrey Aloysius, Chief Executive Officer monitored guidelines: Monitors (CEO) Kasun Palisena, and former Central The Marine Environment Protection Election monitors and Director Rohana Hettiarachchi Bank officials Indika Saman Kumara and Authority (MEPA) commenced inspecting opposition political parties are alleged that the Sangarapille Padumanathan. ship-generated waste (SGW) reception accusing the ruling Sri Lanka meetings conducted Contd. on page 2 facilities in the country yesterday (7), the Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) of by the ruling SLPP Ministry of Defence stated. violating the election-related have been seen not MEPA is carrying out the programme Covid-19 guidelines issued by following the election- together with the Sri Lanka Navy, Sri Lanka the health authorities. related Covid-19 EASTER ATTACKS PROBE Coast Guard, Central Environmental Authority Speaking to The Morning, guidelines. (CEA), Sri Lanka Customs, Sri Lanka Ports People’s Action for Free and Fair Contd. AG returns more Authority (SLPA), and the Police. Elections (PAFFREL) Executive on page 2 Contd. on page 2 Rohana Hettiarachchi ‘incomplete’ files Attorney General (AG) Dappula POLICE-DRUG RACKET PROBE PNB OFFICERS AND DRUG TRAFFICKERS de Livera has returned another 38 “incomplete” investigation files PNB officer on suspects arrested in connection PCoI given copies with the Easter Sunday terror detained by CID attacks, to the Acting Inspector The police inspector attached to the Police General of Police (IGP) Chandana Narcotics Bureau (PNB), wanted over links to of recordings Wickramaratne. The situation in front of the Welikada Prison yesterday (7) after an inmate was a drug racket, surrendered to the Kadawatha A CD containing voice Commission on Monday (6). On 26 June, the AG had returned confirmed to have contracted the Covid-19 virus PHOTO PRADEEP DAMBARAGE Police. The officer in question, Inspector of recordings linking Police Narcotics When evidence was called for 40 incomplete investigation files Police Saman Wasantha Kumara, was handed Bureau (PNB) officers and drug over the complaint lodged by pertaining to the suspects arrested in over to the Criminal Investigation Department racketeers has been submitted to the former Inspector of Police of PNB relation to the Easter Sunday attacks. PRISONER CONTRACTS COVID-19 (CID) where he was detained for 72 hours Presidential Commission of Inquiry Neomal Rangajeewa, he disclosed under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) (PCoI) on political victimisation. evidence of connections between SENIOR CITIZENS DEPOSITS for questioning. The Director of PNB had PNB officials and drug traffickers. No visitors allowed Contd. on page 2 submitted the CD to the Contd. on page 2 No change in SLFP-SLPP AGREEMENT interest rates at Welikada The Ministry of Finance yesterday No visitors will be allowed to the that the prisoner had tested positive (7) confirmed that there will be no Welikada Prison after an inmate for Covid-19. change to the interest rate paid for was confirmed to have contracted In a media release, the Focus on contradictory senior citizen deposits. the Covid-19 virus, the Prisons Department of Government Recent media reports claimed Commissioner said yesterday (7). Information said officers and that the Government had decided According to reports, this inmate other inmates of the prison will statements by parties to reduce interest rates for senior was transferred to the Welikada be subjected to PCR testing and citizen accounts to 8% from the Prison from the Treatment and quarantine procedures. The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) was an uneducated individual making current 15% rate, while removing Rehabilitation Centre – East in Subsequently, over 170 prison charged that Minister of Tourism and was invalid. baseless allegations. tax relief on their interest income. Kandakadu on 27 June. Director inmates were identified as direct Aviation Prasanna Ranatunga was SLFP General Secretary and former “Ranatunga has passed Grade 8. He General of Health Services (DGHS) contacts of the Covid-19-positive misleading the people by claiming parliamentarian Dayasiri Jayasekara has no education. SEE FULL STORIES Dr. Anil Jasinghe later confirmed prisoner. the agreement the party has with the told The Morning that Ranatunga Contd. on page 2 ON PAGE 2 2 the morning OPINION/NEWS Wednesday, July 8, 2020 SRI LANKA PERSPECTIVES BY COL. R. HARIHARAN fulfil this urgent and compulsory need. Hon. Mahinda Rajapaksa is The much-debated and delayed Sri undoubtedly in that position. Hon. Lanka parliamentary election is now Mahinda Rajapaksa should rise scheduled to be held on 5 August. to greater heights by undertaking After missing two dates set earlier Election contretemps and accomplishing that task. This for the election, after the disposal 225-member parliament. Members Tamil National Alliance (TNA), should raise him to the level of of eight fundamental rights (FR) to the parliament are elected by which is the largest group of Tamil a statesman and give him not cases, the Election Commission (EC) proportional representation for parties, is changing its strategy merely national but international announcement came with a lot of a five-year term.