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, JULY 27, 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 16,285,320 Suwasariya 0112 695 112 PROTECT YOURSELF FROM 2,777 Promotion Ambulance DEATHS CASES DEATHS Bureau Service Govt. coronavirus hotline USA 4,327,673 149,490 COVID-19 DEATHS RECOVERED 1999 1990 0113071073 649,847 BRAZIL 2,396,434 86,496 INDIA 1,424,202 32,656 PRESIDENTIAL SPECIAL TASK FORCE FOR ESSENTIAL SERVICES RECOVERD RUSSIA 812,485 13,269 11 2,106 Telephone 0114354854, 0114733600 Fax 0112333066, 0114354882 9,961,162 SOUTH 434,200 6,655 Hotline 0113456200-4 Email [email protected] THE ABOVE STATISTICS660 ARE CONFIRMED UP UNTIL 9.00 P.M. ON 26 JULY 2020 SOURCE: HEALTH PROMOTION BUREAU AFRICA COMMITTEE TO EVALUATE PROJECTS FOR FOREIGN COMPANIES Railway Dept. members need representation: TU BY MAHEESHA MUDUGAMUWA to evaluate the projects that were Dodangoda said the Cabinet had re-evaluate its cost. wasn’t even a single representative Department of Railways, it should be planned to be handed over to foreign recently granted approval to provide Accordingly, a committee from the Railways Department in represented in the committee,” he said. Railway unions urged President companies. the contract for the installation comprising several experts, the committee. “We know what we want Gotabaya Rajapaksa to appoint Speaking to The Morning, of e-ticketing machines, but the and headed by Prof. Lalithasiri “The Department knows what it and therefore we should have members from the Department of Locomotive Operating Engineers’ President had ordered the Ministry Gunaruwan, has been appointed, needs and therefore when evaluating representation in the committee,” Railways to the committee appointed Union (LOEU) President Indika of Finance to hold the project and Dodangoda said, adding that there a project which directly affects the he added. We’re still good COMBATING COVID-19 PCR testing restructured zTests to be conducted at MOH level BY SKANDHA GUNASEKARA level. Each Medical Officer of “We began (daily) PCR testing Health area would be covered around May and have continued Islandwide PCR testing has been extended down to each on a monthly basis,” Dr. to do so throughout. We have Medical Officer of Health (MOH) area in every district, Samaraweera said. now restructured it more so The Morning learnt. He noted that daily PCR it reaches down to the MOH testing had not ceased since level.” Ministry of Health Chief that the PCR testing mechanism its commencement at the Furthermore, he assured Epidemiologist Dr. Sudath was being restructured. beginning of the outbreak in that there was no community Samaraweera told The Morning “We are going to the MOH the island. transmission of the virus. RECONSTRUCTING DEMOLISHED BUILDING IN KURUNEGALA EC MEETS DISTRICT SECRETARIES Rs. 9 m estimated cost Arrangements BY SARAH HANNAN in Kurunegala which is Bandula Harischandra said that for polls finalised recognised as an archaeological following the discussions that The Ministry of site by the Department of were held with the participation The Election Commission (EC) met Buddhasasana and Cultural and Archaeology. of the Anu Nayaka Theras and with the district secretaries yesterday (26) The Invenzo – 15th Annual Leo District Conference hosted by Leo District 306 C2, Sri Lanka was held Religious Affairs has projected Speaking to The Morning, experts in the field of culture to finalise arrangements for the upcoming yesterday (26) at Shangri-La under the patronage of UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe, who is seen an initial reconstruction cost Ministry of Buddhasasana and archaeology, the site is to parliamentary election. deep in conversation with former MP Sagala Ratnayaka of Rs. 9 million to restore and Cultural and Religious be reconstructed. EC member Prof. Ratnajeevan Hoole said PHOTO SAMAN ABESIRIWARDANA the demolished building Affairs Secretary M.K. Contd. on page 2 that details such as Covid-19 preparedness were discussed. MOBILE POLLING BOOTHS Steps to Contd. on page 2 Rough seas and EC to discuss REMANDED NEGOMBO PRISON JAILOR logistics this week halt potato Being held at showers predicted The Election Commission (EC) is to discuss logistics for the mobile polling units this week, imports: PM The Department of from tomorrow (28) onwards. Showers or thundershowers Election Secretariat Director General Saman Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa stated Boossa Prison Meteorology weather forecast Several spells of showers may occur at a few places in Sri Rathnayake said. that following the general election, the It has been decided to hold Negombo stated that showery conditions are forecasted in the Western, the Uva and Eastern Provinces “We are yet to determine the logistics for importation of potatoes will be halted. Prison Jailor Kalinga Kaluaggala, who was over the island, particularly Sabaragamuwa, Southern, and in the Mullaitivu and the mobile polling booths to be deployed in The Prime Minister said this at a public ordered to be placed under remand custody, in southwestern parts, are and Central Provinces, with Vavuniya Districts in the areas where people are under self-quarantine. meeting held in Boralanda, Welimada last at the Boossa Prison. expected to enhance to some light showers forecasted in evening or night. The discussions will take place over the next evening (26). The jailor, for whom arrest warrants had extent during the next few days the North Western Province. Contd. on page 2 few days, after which we will announce the Rajapaksa said that the era of the Sri Lanka been issued, surrendered to the Criminal number of mobile polling booths,” Rathnayake Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) is an era where Investigation Department (CID) on Friday Makandure Madush’s told The Morning. the “farmer becomes king”. (24). Laws on Contd. on page 2 Contd. on page 2 Following interrogations, he was produced associate arrested before the Negombo Magistrate’s Court the next day (25). An individual in possession of heroin was antiquities to UNAUTHORISED MOTORCYCLE RACE Contd. on page 2 arrested at the Keselwatta area in Colombo, the Police Media Division stated yesterday be amended REPATRIATION OF SRI LANKANS (26). President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s attention Police arrest 39 persons The arrestee has been identified as a has been drawn to the protection of antiquities Thirty-nine individuals have been taken To resume 31-year-old male named “Kota Tharanga”. and consolidating national heritage through into custody for staging an unauthorised He is believed to be a close associate of amending the Antiquities Ordinance. motorcycle race on the Piliyandala-Kesbewa within next week: notorious drug dealer Makandure Madush, According to the President’s Media Bypass Road. who is currently in the custody of the Division (PMD), the President has decided Reportedly, the motorcycle race had been Criminal Investigation Department (CID). to appoint a committee comprising the organised via Facebook. Army Chief The Police said that 2 g of heroin was Maha Sangha and intellectuals to overlook The Police stated that 27 motorcycles Army Commander Lieutenant found on the suspect. the matter. Twenty-seven motorcycles have been taken have been taken into custody along with General Shavendra Silva Contd. on page 2 into custody along with the suspects the suspects. said that the repatriation of Sri Lankans abroad will be ONGOING TU ACTION BY PHIS resumed within the next week. He stated this whilst speaking to the media Decisive meeting with PM tomorrow following a The Public Health Inspectors Union (PHIU) President Upul Rohana PM. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has transferring such powers through the made by Health Minister Pavithra religious (PHIs) are to take a decision on said a meeting has been scheduled also asked to provide the necessary Medical Officers of Health (MOHs). Wanniarachchi. programme whether to continue with their trade for tomorrow at 10 a.m. and after the powers as demanded by us under “Since the President and the In addition, the PHIs who initially held in union action launched two weeks ago, meeting, a decision would be taken on (the) Quarantine (and Prevention Attorney General have both agreed, withdrew from only Covid-1- related Kaduwela after a meeting scheduled to be held whether to continue their trade union of Diseases) Act,” he said, adding the Health Ministry cannot say not to duties, have now withdrawn from the yesterday with Prime Minister (PM) Mahinda action further or end it. that the Attorney General (AG) has transfer such powers,” Rohana added. duties relating to all communicable (26). Army Commander Rajapaksa tomorrow (28). “We have cancelled all meetings also noted that the powers could be The PHIs had launched trade union diseases, including dengue. Contd. Lieutenant General Speaking to The Morning, PHIs’ tomorrow and are waiting to meet the directly granted to the PHIs rather than action on 17 July based on a statement – Maheesha Mudugamuwa on page 2 Shavendra Silva 2 the morning OPINION/NEWS Monday , July 27, 2020 Reserve Bank of India extends $ 400 m currency swap to CBSL In a press release on Saturday (25), the High Commission of India stated the Reserve Bank of India had finalised the necessary documentation 37 YEARS AFTER BLACK JULY for extending a $ 400 million currency swap facility to the Central Seeking national Bank of Sri Lanka, after discussing the same with the Central Bank Governor in mid-July. The path to reconciliation press release has been The week of 23 July There were strident voices forthcoming election, the reproduced below. marks the 37th year of claiming, among others, country has to be united, one of the darkest periods that Tamils needed to be otherwise we will all lose.