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, AUGUST 10, 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 19,894,246 Suwasariya 0112 695 112 PROTECT YOURSELF FROM 2,841 Promotion Ambulance DEATHS CASES DEATHS Bureau Service Govt. coronavirus hotline USA 5,160,141 165,199 COVID-19 DEATHS RECOVERED 1999 1990 0113071073 731,104 BRAZIL 3,013,369 100,543 INDIA 2,199,101 44,048 PRESIDENTIAL SPECIAL TASK FORCE FOR ESSENTIAL SERVICES RECOVERD RUSSIA 887,536 14,931 11 2,579 Telephone 0114354854, 0114733600 Fax 0112333066, 0114354882 12,774,152 S. AFRICA 553,188 10,210 Hotline 0113456200-4 Email [email protected] THE ABOVE STATISTICS251 ARE CONFIRMED UP UNTIL 8.30 P.M. ON 9 AUGUST 2020 SOURCE: HEALTH PROMOTION BUREAU REJECTED VOTES AT POLLS EC to study reasons for increase BY MAHEESHA MUDUGAMUWA Ratnayake said the voter turnout of over 70% was a good The Election Commission (EC) yesterday (9) said rate and it was even higher than that they were still waiting for the report to that of the previous general elections. determine the reason for the high number of Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday (9) was sworn in as the Prime Minister of the new government before President rejected votes. The number of rejected Gotabaya Rajapaksa votes, which totalled more than PHOTO LALITH PERERA Director General of votes, but that it would take 700,000 at this year’s general Elections Saman Sri some time. election, is higher than the Ratnayake told The He was responding to a query 249,435 votes garnered by the Morning that the EC asking whether the voters had United national Party (UNP) Director General would receive a report rejected the voting purposely and the 445,000 obtained by the MR sworn in as PM of Elections Saman on the reasons behind or whether it had happened as National People’s Power (NPP). BY SKANDHA GUNASEKARA held according to an auspicious tri-forces, representatives of Sri Ratnayake the number of rejected they were not aware of it. Contd. on page 2 time last morning at the Kelaniya foreign missions, the clergy, and Former President, former Prime Raja Maha Viharaya. members of the new Parliament. SJB NATIONAL LIST CONTROVERSY NEW CABINET Minister, and Sri Lanka Podujana The ceremony was The Maha Sanga led by Kelaniya Peramuna (SLPP) Leader Mahinda attended by President Raja Maha Viharaya Chief Rajapaksa, yesterday (9) swore Gotabaya Rajapaksa, former Incumbent Ven. Prof. Kollupitiye Swearing Clash over SJB in as the Prime Minister of Sri President and newly elected Mahinda Sangharikkitha blessed Lanka for the fourth time. parliamentarian Maithripala the Premier following the in likely on parliamentary slots The swearing in ceremony was Sirisena, Commanders of the swearing in. The Samagi Jana Balawegaya only his name has been confirmed Wednesday (SJB) is yet to decide on whom to enter through the National List. ELECTION LAW VIOLATORS The new Cabinet of Ministers will be to send to Parliament through “Only I have been selected China warmly sworn in on Wednesday (12), according their National List, as a large as the first to enter through the to sources at the Presidential Secretariat. number of members are vying National List by our Party Leader congratulates MR Police awaits AG’s advice The swearing in ceremony of the new for parliamentary slots through Sajith Premadasa.” The Police is awaiting the suspects arrested in connection Cabinet will be held at the Auditorium, the list, The Morning learnt. Meanwhile, recently elected Embassy of Chinese in Sri Lanka Chargé advice of the Attorney General with the pre and post-election Magul Maduwa in Kandy under the SJB General Secretary Ranjith SJB parliamentarian d’affaires Hu Wei on Saturday (8) called Sri (AG) regarding the suspects period election law violations.” patronage of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa Madduma Bandara said that Dr. Harsha de Silva, Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Leader arrested and produced before One incident was reported and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa. the list is yet to be finalised. while refusing to Mahinda Rajapaksa on the eve of the latter’s the courts for violating election from the Hambantota area When contacted by The Morning, Sri “We are still in discussion comment on the party’s re-assumption of premiership and the formation laws during the pre and post- and two suspects have been Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) General on whom to select to enter indecisiveness, noted that of the new Government. election period. arrested in connection with Secretary Dayasiri Jayasekara said that they Parliament through the the Party Leader and The Chinese envoy handed over a letter from Senior Deputy Inspector the incident. still did not know about the cabinet portfolios National List. There Madduma Bandara the Central Committee of the Communist Party General (DIG) in charge of The Police said that the given to SLFP as the decision was taken by are many candidates, were in charge of of China to the SLPP, warmly congratulating elections Priyantha Wijesuriya current security measures will the President and the Prime Minister. so we are still SJB General selection. the SLPP on its landslide victory in the general stated: “We will seek advice be further continued, enhancing Contd. on page 2 deliberating.” Secretary Ranjith Contd. on election. from the Attorney General on mobile patrols. He said that Madduma Bandara page 2 Contd. on page 2 forwarding the information of – Sarah Hannan 2020 GENERAL ELECTION PRISONS PREMISES NATIONAL LIST Athula Senanayake 6 NFF members to Parliament passes away Perimeter fence A total of six individuals from the NFF had been elected to List sent to EC is Athula Senanayake, the National Freedom Front (NFF) Parliament. “Five were elected husband of Mayor of Colombo have made it into Parliament, The from the NFF, including its leader Rosy Senanayake and father to be raised Morning learnt. Wimal Weerawansa, while one final: SLPP of three, passed away last The Department of Prisons is preparing Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna was put in through the National Saturday (8) at the age of 64 to reinforce the perimeter fences at the (SLPP) General Secretary Sagara List,” Kariyawasam said. zDismisses reports of changes due to a sudden illness. He was Welikada Prison by raising their height Kariyawasam said that five from Contd. on page 2 The National List published amend the list, Kariyawasam, an entrepreneur by profession. to at least 15 feet, The Morning learnt. by the Sri Lanka Podujana denying such a request being Commissioner of Prisons Peramuna (SLPP) a few days made, said the list was final. (Administration and Rehabilitation) Schools reopen today ago was the final list and has Also responding to the allegations Chandana Ekanayake, in a media already been sent to the Election levelled against SLPP National Elected MPs’ statement, noted that the initiative was Academic activities at all will have school only on one day Commission (EC), SLPP List appointee Suren Raghavan taken to prevent contraband from being government schools will resume per week. Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam on his citizenship, Kariyawasam names gazetted hurled over the wall of the female ward from today (10), the Ministry of The decision to reopen is also said yesterday (10). explained that Raghavan was a The Election Commission (EC) on Saturday at the Welikada Prison. Education stated. based on the number of students When asked if there was a dual citizen before, but before (8) night published the extraordinary gazette “Illegal substances, mobile phones, and As per the new schedule, only in the school. Accordingly, request from the Sri Lanka signing the nominations was notification containing the names of the 196 accessories have been constantly thrown at Grades Five, 10, 11, 12, and 13 schools with less than 200 Freedom Party (SLFP) to cleared as Sri Lankan citizen. new members of Parliament elected from last the prison’s female ward for some time now,” will be allowed to attend school students may reopen for all week’s general election. Ekanayaka said. on all five weekdays. grades starting from today. Contd. on page 2 Contd. on page 2 Grades One, Two, and Three Contd. on page 2 EXPLOSION IN BEIRUT INDIA INVITES SL TO SEND Injured Lankans increase to 15 First flight to newly BY SARAH HANNAN of ammonium nitrate that was seized Meanwhile, on ground, news in 2013. reports informed that the Lebanese Almost a week since the explosion The stock of explosive matter had Custom officials had informed the upgraded airport in the Port of Beirut in Lebanon, the been discovered in a dilapidated Lebanese Government to move the number of Sri Lankans injured by Russian ship which belonged to the seized goods out of the port storage India has extended an to Sri Lanka Gopal Baglay told the explosion had risen to 15, the company Rhosus. since it was considered as hazardous invitation to Sri Lanka to send this to Prime Minister Mahinda Sri Lankan Embassy in Lebanon Maritime experts revealed that material. the first international flight to Rajapaksa, conveying a message reported. the substance was listed under the However, the Lebanese Government Firefighters extinguish flames in damaged buildings its newly upgraded Kushinagar from Indian Prime Minister following a large explosion at the Port of Beirut on 4 The Lebanese Government last banned goods of shipping under the had continued to ignore all warnings Airport. Narendra Modi. August 2020 week confirmed that the explosion International Maritime Dangerous and letters that were submitted.