www.themorning.lk epaper.themorning.lk www.themorning.lk epaper.themorning.lk www.aruna.lk epaper.aruna.lk www.aruna.lk epaper.aruna.lk WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24, 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 9,247,694 Suwasariya 0112 695 112 PROTECT YOURSELF FROM 1,991 Promotion Ambulance DEATHS CASES DEATHS Bureau Service Govt. coronavirus hotline USA 2,394,579 122,747 COVID-19 DEATHS RECOVERED 1999 1990 0113071073 475,676 BRAZIL 1,113,606 51,407 RUSSIA 599,705 8,359 PRESIDENTIAL SPECIAL TASK FORCE FOR ESSENTIAL SERVICES RECOVERD 11 1,548 Telephone 0114354854, 0114733600 Fax 0112333066, 0114354882 INDIA 449,613 14,162 4,983,081 UK 306,210 42,927 Hotline 0113456200-4 Email [email protected] THE ABOVE STATISTICS432 ARE CONFIRMED UP UNTIL 10.20 P.M. ON 23 JUNE 2020 SOURCE: HEALTH PROMOTION BUREAU PCOI ON POLITICAL VICTIMISATION Nissanka’s complaint within mandate: Commission z Rajitha, Arjuna, Anura, and z Commission will hear case; take state counsel raise objections concerns to SC, says PCoI Chair The Presidential Commission came within its mandate, despite decided that it indeed has the of Inquiry (PCoI) probing the latter not being a public jurisdiction to investigate the allegations of political official. complaint lodged by Avant victimisation during the former PCoI Chair former Garde Chairman Maj. (Rtd.) Government decreed that it had Supreme Court Justice Upali Nissanka Senadhipathi, before decided that the complaint of the Abeyratne asserted that the commencing hearings. Avant Garde Group Chairman Commission had already Contd. on page 2 PCR TESTS AT BIA PREZ. ON LIMITING IMPORTS Prepared to test Opportunities any number: for production Health authorities Many sectors have now been given the All passengers received at opportunity to commence production due to the Bandaranaike International limitation of importing several non-essential items, Airport (BIA) must go through President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has said. Several parliamentarians including Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Dr. Rajitha Senaratne, and Arjuna Ranatunga and former Eastern the compulsory PCR test, Chief Contd. on page 2 Province Governor Rohitha Bogollagama appeared before the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) probing incidents of political victimisation yesterday (23) Epidemiologist Dr. Sudath PHOTOS LALITH PERERA Samaraweera told The Morning. AFTER MOCK POLLING INDIANS IN SL Third repatriation EC to conduct flight takes off PCoI, AG at A group of 242 Indian nationals mock counting stranded in Sri Lanka were BY SARAH HANNAN Election Secretariat Commissioner repatriated on a special Air India General Saman Sri Rathnayake said (AI 02802) flight from Colombo The Election Commission that although the EC is not short of to Delhi-Lucknow-Gaya, the (EC) will conduct mock counting the necessary resource personnel, it Indian High Commission in exercises to determine efficient will have to closely examine how Sri Lanka stated. loggerheads methods for the same and also the preferential votes can be counted, timeframe that would be required to and whether the counting of votes BY SKANDHA GUNASEKARA the AG’s Department attempted to complete counting whilst adhering and subsequently accounting for make submissions pertaining to one to the Covid-19-related health preferential votes too, could be The Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) investigating respondent – Senior State Counsel guidelines at the upcoming election. done within the span of a day. Parliament to allegations of political victimisation yesterday (23) declared Janaka Bandara Tennakoon. Speaking to The Morning, Contd. on page 2 that the Attorney General (AG)’s office couldn’t send counsel “Additional Solicitor General go hi-tech to represent a respondent. Rohantha Abeysuriya is heading the team sent by the AG’s office to ELECTRICITY FOR Q1 2020 The Sri Lanka Parliament PCoI Chairman former Supreme The AG’s office can only assist with assist this Commission. If the AG is planning to implement a Court Judge Upali Abeyratne said the proceedings particularly on the doesn’t have confidence in him, then hybrid digital system to hold that he would not allow a second team subject of clarifications once evidence he can send another team to assist Coal contributes 41% Parliamentary Committee from the AG’s Department to make is submitted. So, a second team of AG the Commission, but he cannot send The Public Utilities Commission electricity generation, while hydro meetings once the new Parliament submissions on behalf of a respondent. office counsels cannot represent one officials to represent a respondent; of Sri Lanka (PUCSL), publishing contributed 21%, and thermal is convened, according to “There is already a team from of the respondents,” he said. that is both unethical and beyond the electricity generation report for oil contributed 38% during the Parliament Secretary General the AG’s office present to assist the The Commission made these the constants of the law,” PCol Chair the first quarter of 2020, indicated respective period. Dhammika Dasanayake. Commission with our proceedings. assertions when a senior official of Justice Abeyratne said. that coal contributed 41% in total Contd. on page 2 REOPENING TOURISM SECTOR PETITION AGAINST ACTING IGP Guidelines issued SHIP CREW EXCHANGE PROGRAMME Lodging only for cinema halls Failure to follow Demand for Health Services Director General at SLTDA- Dr. Anil Jasinghe has issued promotions guidelines for cinema halls with approved venues A group of 366 police sergeants have filed a regard to resuming screenings. guidelines exposed petition before the Court of Appeal seeking a “The Covid-19 epidemic is now Tourists will only be permitted to stay at places writ order to be issued on the Acting Inspector under control. It is imperative to of accommodation registered under the Sri Lanka The Chairman of Avant Garde Group yesterday General of Police (IGP) to promote them to the establish a systematic programme Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) (23) rejected allegations levelled against him by the rank of Sub Inspector since they have completed for cinema halls among the steps when the airport reopens on 1 August, Minister Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) and charged that 30 years of service. taken to prevent the re-emergence of Industrial Export, Investment Promotion, the Ceylon Association of Shipping Agents (CASA) Several others including the Acting IGP and of Covid-19,” Dr. Jasinghe has Tourism, and Aviation Prasanna Ranatunga said. had put the country at risk of a second wave of the the Attorney General (AG) have been named said. Ranatunga explained that the decision has Covid-19 outbreak. respondents in the petition. been taken upon the advice given by the Ministry Avant Garde Chairman Maj. (Rtd.) Nissanka Contd. on page 2 of Health. Senadhipathi, addressing a media briefing yesterday, SEE FULL STORIES “The Government will reopen the tourism said that JVP member Wasantha Samarasinghe had ON PAGE 2 sector on 1 August by allowing only small Avant Garde Chairman made false allegations against him and his company. MIGRANT WORKERS RETURNING Maj. (Rtd.)Nissanka groups of visitors to begin with.” Senadhipathi Contd. on page 2 Contd. on page 2 Survey to gather GENERAL ELECTION 2020 data by SLBFE The survey launched by the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) to Police record 42 cases of violence gather data from returning migrant workers BY MAHEESHA MUDUGAMUWA custody, he added. In addition, the necessary within the Western Province as of and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) following the Covid-19 global pandemic is Due to the coronavirus pandemic instructions have also been given last evening (23). Executive Director Rohana still in progress, SLBFE Chairman Kamal Sri Lanka Police has recorded a situation, the Police have noticed to all contestants and their political Due to drug and crime-related Hettiarachchi said, at present, there Ratwatte confirmed. total of 42 election-related incidents that election-related violence is at a parties to conduct their political crackdowns launched by the Police, was a drop in reported incidents of "As long as migrant workers continue to return of violence since the date for the low level at present, SSP Senaratne campaigns peacefully. election-related violence has also election-related violence, with the to Sri Lanka due to the prevailing situation parliamentary election was declared, said, adding that they have already Meanwhile, speaking to The been reported to be under control. exception of interparty incidents prompted by the Covid-19 pandemic, this Police Media Spokesman SSP Jaliya deployed police mobile services to Morning, Western Province Senior The Police will continue to monitor reported in a few areas. survey will continue. All migrant workers who Senaratne told The Morning. monitor the situation, also during the Deputy Inspector General of Police and control the situation, he added. “We don’t expect much election(- are sent to quarantine centres are required to fill So far, 30 people have been election period, as per instructions (DIG) Deshabandu Tennakoon noted Comparing the present situation related) violence this time, with the online form that was made available since arrested and released on bail and given by the Inspector General of that only a few incidents of election- with that of previous parliamentary the coronavirus situation in the March on our e-service portals," Ratwatte noted. three vehicles have been taken into Police (IGP). related violence were reported elections, People’s Action for Free country,” he added. Contd. on page 2 2 the morning OPINION/NEWS Wednesday, June 24, 2020 Economic recovery mandates banks to be proactive consultancy firms, contractors, interest from a compliance perspective different Sectors, but, due to local By material suppliers, and a host of related as well as from the operational impediments, implementation may Dr. Surath entities to lose revenues resulting in performance perspective. If so, both be delayed.