PROTECT YOURSELF FROM COVID-19 ACTIVE CASES TOTAL CASES MONDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2020 SAVE THE 36,677 ARE SRI LANKAN MOHOTTALA’S OCEANS THIS DEATHS RECOVERED TAMIL CRICKETERS VISION 8,944 DISCRIMINATED AGAINST? FOR BOI CHRISTMAS THE ABOVE STATISTICS ARE CONFIRMED UP 176 27,552 »SEE PAGE 7 »SEE PAGE 3 UNTIL 8.00 P.M. ON 21 DECEMBER 2020 SOURCE: HEALTH PROMOTION BUREAU »SEE PAGE 5 Lesson from Sri Lanka Indian Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Bipin Rawat has said that Nepal is free to act Home quarantine independently in international affairs but must be vigilant and learn from Sri Lanka and other nations that have also signed agreements with other countries in the region, NDTV reported. Contd. on page 2 MUSLIM COVID BURIALS for migrant workers? Govt. urged to z Covid committee to decide today z 48,000 await repatriation take just decision BY PAMODI WARAVITA Secretary to the State Ministry Suntharam returning from any country will be allowed to The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) last Arumainayaham told The Morning yesterday be home-quarantined for 14 days. However, week said the Government should come to The National Operation Centre for Prevention of Covid-19 Outbreak (20) that the meeting will focus on moving the question of whether home quarantine a reasonable and just decision without any (NOCPCO) and the State Ministry for Foreign Employment Promotion and away from the current institution-based would be allowed in any district in Sri Lanka further delay over the issue of the disposal Market Diversification will be meeting today (21) to decide on allowing quarantine system to an individual, home- has still not been discussed, Arumainayaham of Muslim Covid-19 victims’ bodies. home quarantine for 48,000 migrant workers who are waiting to return to based one. further stated. Contd. on page 2 the island. According to the new plan, migrant workers Contd. on page 2 LOCKDOWN DURING FESTIVE PERIOD NEW COVID-19 DETECTIONS No decision, TOTAL CASES DO US PROUD testing to 33,260*Stats updated as at 8.00 p.m. on 20 December COVID-19 5 more Covid deaths continue A total of five Covid-19-related BY MAHEESHA MUDUGAMUWA holidays as a precaution deaths was reported yesterday (20), to prevent the spread of the Department of Government The Government has Covid-19, according to Information announced. not yet taken a decision National Operation Centre as to whether it should go for Prevention of Covid-19 Recoveries in Sri Lanka for a lockdown to restrict Outbreak (NOCPCO) Head movements during the Lt. Gen. Shavendra Silva. pass 28,000 upcoming Christmas Contd. on page 2 The Ministry of Health said that another 715 patients who were previously tested positive for COVID-19 Covid-19 have recovered and been discharged from hospitals. This More areas brings the total number of Covid-19 Isolation recoveries in the country to 28,276. isolated in lifted in US approves Moderna Gampaha as second vaccine several Three areas in Peliyagoda and Kiribathgoda will be under Moderna has been approved as the isolation from 5 a.m. today (21), country’s second Covid-19 vaccine areas by the US Government, clearing Several areas in the Gampaha stated National Operations the way for millions of doses to be Under the patronage of Defence Secretary Maj. Gen. (Retd.) Kamal Gunaratne, 187 cadets groomed at the Sri Lanka Military and Colombo Districts had their Centre for Prevention of Covid- released, BBC reported last week. Academy passed out with flying colours in a spectacular passing-out parade isolation status lifted at 5 a.m. 19 Outbreak (NOCPCO) Head PHOTO LALITH PERERA today (21), as directed by Army Army Commander Shavendra Dangerous Commander Shavendra Silva. Silva. PCR testing for foreigners COVID-19 VACCINE Contd. on page 2 Contd. on page 2 in nearby hotels Drugs Ordinance State Minister of Primary In SL by mid February: Healthcare, Epidemics, and Covid to be amended Disease Control Dr. Sudarshini State Minister SL to open mission Fernandopulle has instructed health BY SARAH HANNAN officials to explore the possibility Discussions are underway to of Pharmaceutical Production, of conducting PCR tests at nearby A committee comprising religious leaders, bring down a vaccine to prevent Supply and Regulation Prof. in Romania tourist hotels to avoid unnecessary legal experts, members of the security Covid-19 by mid-February next Channa Jayasumana. Sri Lanka plans to open an diversify foreign employment delays in PCR tests at the airport. forces, and those who conduct rehabilitation year, according to State Minister Contd. on page 2 embassy in Romania next year, opportunities, the Foreign programmes for drug addicts, is to be through which both countries Ministry said. appointed to recommend areas of improvement have pledged to increase and Contd. on page 2 Schools in Galle div. and amendment to the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, it is learnt. LANDSLIDE WARNING closed till next year Contd. on page 2 We don’t need a All schools in the Galle Education Division will further remain closed NORTHEAST MONSOON until the new term in 2021, Secretary secular state: PM Issued for three to the Ministry of Education in Southern Province Ranjith Yapa said. Prime Minister Mahinda The Premier expressed these views Establishing Rajapaksa last week said what while speaking at the State Christmas districts Sri Lankans need is not a secular Festival held at the Church of Our The National Building several areas in the Kandy, Elders at Modara care over the island state but a society that lives by Lady of Fatima in Kurunegala. Research Organisation (NBRO) Matale and Nuwara Eliya home infected Northeast monsoon conditions have been religious values. Contd. on page 2 yesterday (20) issued a Level Districts. A total of 45 people in an elders’ established over the island, the Department 1 landslide early warning for Contd. on page 2 home in Modara have been infected of Meteorology announced. Showers or with Covid-19, Modara Medical thundershowers will occur at times in the REOPENING AIRPORTS Officer of Health Dr. Sasanka Northern, Eastern, North Central, and Uva Ranasinghe stated. Provinces and in the Matale, Nuwaraeliya, and Hambantota Districts. No final decision Travel restricted in 3 Contd. on page 2 on tourist arrivals villages in Beruwala DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR TRAFFIC A final decision on the date soon, according to Secretary to Travel restrictions have been imposed on three grama niladhari Mass transfers and number of tourists that the State Ministry of Primary divisions in Maggona, Beruwala. would be brought down to the Healthcare, Epidemics, and country as a pilot project to see Covid Disease Control Dr. Amal to avoid ‘name the viability of reopening the Harsha. Treatment at country for tourism is to be made Contd. on page 2 and shame’ Ayurveda hospitals BY HIRANYADA DEWASIRI State Minister of Indigenous Medicine Promotion, Rural and The planned transfer of hundreds of Russian tourists Ayurvedic Hospitals Development, employees at the Department of Motor and Community Health Sisira Traffic (DMT) is intended to ensure the first to arrive in SL Jayakody stated the treatment of corrupt employees among them will not be Following the reopening of to enter Sri Lanka as the first set Covid-19 patients in Ayurvedic identified at their new offices, The Morning Sri Lanka’s airports, a group of of travellers visiting the country. hospitals will commence soon. learnt. Russian tourists has been allowed Contd. on page 2 Contd. on page 2 SEE FULL STORIES ON PAGE 2 2 the morning NEWS Monday , December 21, 2020 Contd. from page 1 Treatment Centre (28). been imposed on the Maggona East, and assured that measures would be Meanwhile, isolation will continue Home A total of 36,667 cases of coronavirus Maggona West, and Akkaramalai Govt. urged... taken to vaccinate all Sri Lankans in Duwe Watta in the Welikadamulla patients has been reported in Sri Lanka Grama Niladhari Divisions. In a statement, TNA Spokesman M.A. once the WHO approves a Covid-19 GN Division in Wattala; Rohana quarantine... so far, while 8,229 of them are currently Dr. Seneviratne said that 361 cases Sumanthiran said the Parliamentary vaccine. Vihara Mawatha in the Pattiya-North Speaking to The Morning earlier in under medical care. have been reported from the Beruwala Group of the party took a unanimous – Maheesha Mudugamuwa GN Division, Meegahawatta and the day, Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Meanwhile, Sri Lanka also witnessed MOH Division so far, while 107 decision in this regard. Peliyagoda GN Divisions in Peliyagoda; Bureau (SLBFE) Deputy General 171 fatalities from the virus. patients have been reported from the He said it was compulsory to arrive Wedikanda in the Hunupitiya-North Manager R.K.K.M.P. Randeniya said Maggona area. at a final decision with regard to the SL to open... GN Division in Kiribathgoda; Warana that since repatriated workers are disposal of bodies of Muslims who die Foreign Secretary Admiral Prof. Temple Road, Kaththota Road, and required to obtain a negative Covid- US approves... of Covid-I9 without delay. Jayanath Colombage and State Bhidra Mawatha entrance at Thihariya 19 PCR test before flying back to Sri The US Food and Drug Treatment at... “It appears that in the view of medical Secretary for Foreign Affairs of North and Thihariya East GN Divisions Lanka, a home-based quarantine system Administration (FDA) authorised He stated this at the 18th annual experts, the burial of bodies would not Romania Cornel Feruţă held virtual in Nittambuwa; and the MC housing could be carried out successfully. the US-made jab about a week after general meeting of the Government result in any harm to others. It would bilateral foreign office consultations scheme of the Thalduwa GN Division According to Randeniya, the current approving a Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine Ayurvedic Medical Officers’ also appear that in many countries the on 16 December.