CBSL to Anchor Rates Steady – First Capital TUESDAY The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) may consider to maintain same policy stance in this 18 may 2021 week (19th) monetary policy review as well, but LATEST EDITION s given the concerns around economic growth, there VOL: 10/129 PRICE : R 30.00 is a considerable low probability that CBSL is... PAGE B11 Bangladesh gear up for Hasaranga challenge COVID-19 How will Bangladesh cope with the threat of Wanindu patients to be treated Hasaranga’s googly in the upcoming ODIs, given that leg closer to home spinners still remain an outcast in Bangladesh’s cricketing BY DILANTHI JAYAMANNE landscape? P16 A decision was taken to refer patients infected with COVID-19 to treatment facilities or intermediary care centres (ICCs) which are closest to their home, an official for the Health Ministry said. The official said COVID-19 Special Active Performance Committee had met yesterday (17) for discussions chaired by Health Minister, Pavithra Wanniarachchi and had taken several key decisions for immediate action in regard to the prevailing COVID-19 situation in Sri Lanka. Story Continued on PAGE 2 New COVID-19 Hospital opens today BY SAMAN NAMMUNIGE The new COVID-19 hospital, built by the SL Army at Seeduwa, based on a concept by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa is scheduled to be inaugurated at 3 p.m. today. The new hospital will have 1,200 beds and is also equipped with all modern facilities. The food and medicine for patients would be supplied free of charge while the nurses and doctors would be deployed by the Ministry of Health. Islandwide Travel The event is set to be graced by the President, Army Commander General Shavendra Silva and other invitees. The new hospital has been constructed within the Brandix Apparel firm premises at Seeduwa. Restrictions in Two Blocks Friday (21) 11 p.m. to Tuesday (25) 11 p.m. 70 GN Divisions in All Mullivaikkal Tuesday (25) 4 a.m. to Friday (28) 4 a.m. 10 Districts isolated Commemoration BY JT DE SILVA 04.00 a.m. on Tuesday (25 May), Head of the The travel restriction will be then National Operation Centre for Preventing re-imposed from 11 p.m. on Tuesday (25 May) events banned An Islandwide travel restriction will be COVID-19 outbreak, Army Commander to 04.00 a.m. on Friday (28 May), to curb the imposed from 11 p.m. on Friday (21 May) to General Shavendra Silva said. spread of COVID-19. BY T PRATHEEPAN (JAFFNA CORR.) AND K SARAVANAN (BATTICALOA CORR) Story Continued on PAGE 2 Several 18 May memorial events in public places have been halted in the North and East. Hindu Cultural Fund Police and military presence has been intensified in Bogambara Court bars ‘Wele many areas in the North as people, including the students of the University of Jaffna are alleged to be prisoners demand Suda’ being moved PM appoints gearing to hold commemorative events today (18). As the coronavirus pandemic is intensifying in.... PCR tests from Boossa jail new members BY THAMEENAH RAZEEK BY KUMDU UPUL SHANTHA Story Continued on PAGE 2 Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday (17) appointed new members, A group of Bogambara Prison inmates The Court of Appeal yesterday ordered the to the Hindu Cultural Fund, at a First Port City staged a protest on the roof of the prison's authorities not to move notorious criminal ceremony held at Temple Trees. building yesterday (17), demanding that figure and death row inmate ‘Wele Suda’ The Hindu Cultural Fund, was project to be implemented PCR tests be conducted on them. Around from the Boossa Prison where is currently established to strengthen the activities of 20 inmates were involved in the protest, detained. the Department of Hindu Religious and in two phases according to Prison Spokesman Chandana This directive was issued when a writ Cultural Affairs. Ekanayake. application filed by the mother of Gampola “Our main objective is to create a law It was revealed at the Committee on Public Finance A group of inmates were incarcerated on Vidanalage Samantha Kumara, alias ‘Wele abiding and moral society. The Ministry (COPF), that the first project of the Colombo Port 12 May were demanding PCR tests and Suda’, RG Malani, a resident of Dehiwela, is working effectively to achieve that goal. City, with an investment of USD 100 billion, is set to Ekanayake noted that new inmates was taken up before Court of Appeal It is very important for everyone living in be implemented in two phases. arriving at Bogambara Prison... Justices Arjuna Obeysekara (President)... society to develop spiritually and morally. Accordingly, the first phase of the establishment of this International Financial Centre, which is Story Continued on PAGE 2 Story Continued on PAGE 2 Story Continued on PAGE 2 scheduled to be completed in 2025, will consist of an international Grade A high rise office tower,... COVID-19 duties Commemorating Global If Govt fails to act, Story Continued on PAGE 2 DOSU warns trainee Road Safety Week 20,000 COVID deaths ‘E-Traffic Police Sri Lanka’ by Sept – Tissa Govt MPs’ special meeting to Grads will quit App launched BY NABIYA VAFFOOR discuss Port City, COVID-19 The Development Officers' Service Union (DOSU) warns that trainee graduates, BY THAMEENAH RAZEEK It has been projected that by W.K. PRASAD MANJU including development officers, will resign September this year more than 20,000 from duties pertaining to COVID-19 In commemoration of Global Road Safety individuals might die of COVID-19, if the A meeting of ruling party MPs is due to be held this pandemic, if they do not have the proper Week, Sri Lanka Police has launched an Government failed to act efficiently, afternoon under the leadership of Prime Minister environment to perform their duties application called ‘E Traffic Police Sri Lanka’ claimed SJB MP Tissa Attanayake. Mahinda Rajapaksa at Committee Hall number one without having to risk their lives. to report traffic violations. The Application "According to a recent report of the Parliamentary Complex. The DOSU has also requested the will be activated this week, Police published in Washington USA, by It is reported that lengthy discussions will be ... Government to conduct a... Spokesperson DIG Ajith Rohana said... September more than 20,000... Story Continued on PAGE 2 Story Continued on PAGE 2 Story Continued on PAGE 2 Story Continued on PAGE 2 A2 TUESDAY 18 MAY 2021 NEWS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Govt MPs’... If Govt fails to... Islandwide... ... individuals might die of COVID-19 if adequate measures ...held on actions taken up to now to control COVID-19 and Meanwhile, Army Commander General Shavendra Silva aren't taken," he added. Attanayake also noted that though the on future procedures, advantages of the Colombo Port City announced that 70 Grama Niladhari divisions in 10 Districts have Government tries its best to conceal all the real data of COVID- Economic Commission to the country and the present political been isolated with effect from 6.00 a.m. yesterday. 19 the public already know that the spread of the virus is all situation. The Grama Niladhari Divisions which have been isolated belong to island and there are patients in all 25 districts. It is further reported that the meeting will focus on progress the Districts of Gampaha, Trincomalee, Kurunegala, Ratnapura, "The Government tries to mitigate the real situation of COVID- made on programmes carried out by ministers and MPs to Galle, Kalutara, Ampara, Matale, Nuwara Eliya and Batticaloa. 19 spread which worsens the situation day by day," he added. increase the capacity of beds in hospitals and intermediate Therefore, he requested the Government to take support from treatment centres. private sector for the vaccination programme since it is the only solution and Government has failed to function it properly. He expressed these views, yesterday (17) at a media briefing at DOSU warns... Opposition Leader’s Office. Bogambara prisoners... ... comprehensive investigation into the attack on a development officer in the Dalthara West Division of the Kesbewa ... will be held for 14 days at the old Bogambara Prison while Divisional Secretariat area. PCR tests are conducted before being transferred to the new On 16 May, a resident of the Dalthara area had assaulted Court bars... Bogambara Prison. Development Officer Nilushi Dharmasena while she was ... and Priyantha Fernando yesterday. PCR tests will be conducted on 22 May, and the prison distributing bags of essential items worth Rs 5,000. It is reported Accordingly, the Court ordered prison authorities not to administration yesterday (17) met the inmates and took the that the assailant had assaulted the officer claiming the bag did move the inmate from the Boossa Prison until 24 May. requisite measures to administer the tests. not consist of goods worth Rs 5,000. President’s Counsel Romesh de Silva, appearing for the Accordingly, following the discussions the inmates called off The DOSU, in a press release, states that various allegations petitioner, on the advice of Attorney-at-Law Sanath their protest in the afternoon of the same day. are made from time to time regarding these bags of essential Wijewardene, stated that as there had been several situations items. However, they point out that if the goods are not of where suspects in police custody are escorted out and killed relevant value or if any fraud has been committed in the such as Urujuwa and Kosgoda Tharaka, his client fears that distribution of such bags, the public should accuse the her son would face a similar plight. politicians, and not the public officials who are working amidst The Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeal Obeysekera many hardships in the current situation.