www.themorning.lk epaper.themorning.lk www.themorning.lk epaper.themorning.lk www.aruna.lk epaper.aruna.lk www.aruna.lk epaper.aruna.lk TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2020 For verified information on the Quarantine Unit Covid-19 TOTAL CASES ACTIVE CASES TOTAL CASES coronavirus (Covid-19) contact any 0112 112 705 of the following authorities Epidemiology Unit CASES IN 0112 695 112 THE WORLD 54,978,144 Health Suwasariya Govt. coronavirus hotline PROTECT YOURSELF FROM 17,516 Promotion Ambulance DEATHS CASES DEATHS 0113071073 Bureau Service USA 11,374,574 251,935 If showing symptoms Covid-19 DEATHS RECOVERED 1999 1990 0117 966 366 1,326,860 INDIA 8,857,836 130,280 BRAZIL 5,863,093 165,811 PRESIDENTIAL SPECIAL TASK FORCE FOR ESSENTIAL SERVICES RECOVERD 11,806 FRANCE 1,981,827 44,548 61 Telephone 0114354854, 0114733600 Fax 0112333066, 0114354882 5,649 Hotline 0113456200-4 Email [email protected] 38,243,706 RUSSIA 1,948,603 33,489 THE ABOVE STATISTICS ARE CONFIRMED UP UNTIL 9.30 P.M. ON 16 NOVEMBER 2020 SOURCE: HEALTH PROMOTION BUREAU NEW COvid-19 DETECTIONS NOROCHCHOLAI POWER PLANT PRIVATE SECTOR SALARIES TOTAL CASES Labour Dept. approval Only one 300 MW needed for reductions Labour Minister by the Government 14,017*Stats updated as at 7.00 p.m. on 16 November Nimal Siripala de to those who still COvid-19 Silva said private couldn’t report for unit operating companies, apart employment in the from those in the private sector as a Three more deaths tourism industry, result of the Covid- Three more Covid-19 deaths were z One unit shut for maintenance, z No power shortfall due to hydropower reported last night (16), according other over faulty steam tube generation: State Minister should obtain 19 situation. to the Department of Government permission from He said that the Information. the Department of Labour Minister Nimal 50% pay scale for BY MAHEESHA MUDUGAMUWA The CEB management confirmed Labour to reduce the Siripala de Silva the tourism industry that one unit of the power plant salaries of employees by 50% if should be maintained and the Person arrested over A faulty steam tube at the Norochcholai Power Plant has was currently not functioning due it is incurring huge losses due to agreement reached by employers forced the shutdown of one 300 MW unit, while another 300 to a fault in a steam tube. Repair the Covid-19 pandemic. to pay the full salaries to the rest fake news MW unit is currently undergoing routine maintenance, Ceylon work is currently ongoing and the At a meeting held yesterday of the private sector should be A 28-year-old resident of Kandy was Electricity Board (CEB) sources told The Morning. management assured that the unit (16), the Minister requested to maintained. arrested yesterday (16) for posting on would be fixed within two weeks continue providing the relief Contd. on page 2 social media purported images of bodies As a result, only one unit, of a As learnt by The Morning, from the date of breakdown. It is of individuals who passed away due to capacity of 300 MW, is currently the power plant was scheduled said the unit broke down last week. 2021 BUDGET DEBATE Covid-19 being found on the roadside, functioning, but the CEB said there for maintenance in January as it The Chinese-built coal power plant the Sri Lanka Police stated. would not be any power cuts as prepares to supply electricity during at Norochcholai has intermittently Covid-19 reduces expenses hydropower generation is currently the dry season from February to broken down since its inception. VACCINE at its peak. May. Contd. on page 2 BY SKANDHA GUNASEKARA reduction in costs because this time there won’t be many There would be a significant officials and guests who will 95% effective reduction in expenses for the be in Parliament,” Secretary Returning home 2021 Budget debate this year as General of Parliament Dhammika says US company opposed to the previous years due Dasanayake told The Morning. A new vaccine that protects against to the Covid-19 situation and its He noted that even the number Covid-19 is nearly 95% effective, early impact, The Morning learnt. of MPs would be less this time. data from US company Moderna shows. “We very much expect a Contd. on page 2 Minuwangoda REOPENING SCHOOLS cluster under control Discussion next week The Minuwangoda cluster that z erupted as the starting point of the Between education and health authorities second Covid-19 wave in Sri Lanka was BY SARAH HANNAN now brought under complete control, G.L. Peiris said: “Although Army Commander Lt. Gen. Shavendra The Ministry of Education we planned to reopen schools Silva stated. is discussing with the health on 9 November, due to the authorities and the school present pandemic situation, the administrations about the Government took a decision to Peliyagoda Market decision to reopen schools on postpone it for a period of two 23 November, The Morning weeks. The date to recommence restarts operations learnt. schools has now been set to The Manning Market, which was Speaking to The Morning, Monday, 23 November.” temporarily shifted to Peliyagoda, and the Minister of Education Professor Contd. on page 2 Fish Market recommenced its operations Following the lifting of travel restrictions imposed on the Western Province, people who had earlier entered the province and yesterday (16) after being shut down due were unable to exit flocked to the Colombo Central Bus Stand yesterday (16) to the threat of Covid-19, Police Media PHOTO LALITH PERERA HEALTH PROFESSIONALS HANDLING COVID DEATHS Spokesperson Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Ajith Rohana stated. SLAF PILOTS Govt. urged to issue guidelines Budget 2021 The Health Ministry is urged to of the disease spreading while British PM in self-isolation immediately formulate guidelines transporting the bodies. presentation today First time commissioning for health professionals on how to GMOA Secretary Dr. Haritha British Prime Minister Boris Johnson The Budget for the year 2021 is scheduled deal with the bodies of the people Aluthge told the media that a is under self-isolation following the to be presented to Parliament at 01.40 p.m. who die at home due to Covid-19. number of practical issues had detection of an MP testing positive for two female officers today (17). Two female officers were Gunarathe and Pilot Officer R.T. The Government Medical already arisen when conducting Covid-19, BBC reported. It will be presented to the House by Prime commissioned as pilots yesterday Weerawardana became the first Officers’ Association (GMOA) PCR tests on the deceased in Minister and Minister of Finance Mahinda (16) for the first time in the history lady officers to be awarded the warned that if proper guidelines hospitals. SEE FULL STORIES ON PAGE 2 Rajapaksa. The Second Reading debate of the of the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF). prestigious Flying Brevet and be were not given, there was a risk Contd. on page 2 Budget will take place over four days, from Issuing a statement yesterday, the the pioneering female military 19-21 November, as decided. SLAF said Pilot Officer A.D.P.L. aviators of Sri Lanka for the first FIRST YEAR IN OFFICE SJB suspends Contd. on page 2 time in the history of the SLFA. Diana's membership The honour was Don’t organise special Sri Lanka’s main Opposition party, the CID questions Eran bestowed on the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), decided officers during the z Statement recorded over last events: President to suspend the party membership of its Commissioning and No state ceremonies or events The President has also National List MP Diana Gamage, who week's press conference Wings Parade of the 61st will be held to mark President called upon those willing voted in favour of the 20th Amendment Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Eran Intake of Officers Cadets Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s first- to wish him not to organise to the Constitution. Wickremeratne was yesterday (16) summoned by held at the Air Force year anniversary in office on 18 special events incurring Contd. on page 2 the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to Academy in China Bay, November, in keeping with the unnecessary expenditure, the Pilot Officers A.D.P.L. Gunarathe record a statement about and R.T. Weerawardana Trincomalee yesterday. policy set out by the President, report added. OLa-leaF MANUSCRIPT COPIES comments made by him it was reported. Contd. on page 2 during a recent press To be brought conference, The Morning COvid-19 BUS FARES learnt. from UK Wickremaratne Action against said that he explained Safety bus programme Sri Lanka has initiated discussions to his remarks to the CID overcharging bring down transcripts of the ola-leaf yesterday when recording manuscripts which contain medicinal the statement for over owners prescriptions pertaining to Hela Ayurveda SJB MP Eran three hours. from next week The Government stated yesterday (16) Wickremeratne practices that were archived at several Contd. on page 2 that legal action will be taken against bus museums in the UK. z Staff no show affecting bus operation Contd. on page 2 owners who charge more than the fares set COURT OF APPEAL The Lanka Private Bus Wijeratne said: “We are by the Ministry of Transport. Owners’ Association (LPBOA) looking at presenting a According to State Minister of Vehicle Rain to intensify Rishad ordered to is to propose the initiation of proposal to the Minister of Regulation, Bus Transport Services and “Covid-19 Safety Buses” from Transport about the Covid- Carriages, and Automotive Industries Dilum in coming days reforest Kallaru next week onwards, after 20 19 Safety Bus programme, Amunugama, the route licenses of five such The prevailing showery condition is Parliamentarian Rishad Bathiudeen was out of the 500 bus drivers and where we will operate selected buses were already suspended.