www.themorning.lk epaper.themorning.lk www.themorning.lk epaper.themorning.lk www.aruna.lk epaper.aruna.lk www.aruna.lk epaper.aruna.lk FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 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 32,193,788 Suwasariya 0112 695 112 PROTECT YOURSELF FROM 3,327 Promotion Ambulance DEATHS CASES DEATHS Bureau Service Govt. coronavirus hotline USA 7,148,087 206,877 COVID-19 DEATHS RECOVERED 1999 1990 0113071073 983,559 INDIA 5,765,744 91,435 BRAZIL 4,627,780 139,065 PRESIDENTIAL SPECIAL TASK FORCE FOR ESSENTIAL SERVICES RECOVERD RUSSIA 1,128,836 19,948 13 3,142 Telephone 0114354854, 0114733600 Fax 0112333066, 0114354882 23,750,461 COLOMBIA 784,268 24,746 Hotline 0113456200-4 Email [email protected] THE ABOVE STATISTICS172 ARE CONFIRMED UP UNTIL 9.30 P.M. ON 24 SEPTEMBER 2020 SOURCE: HEALTH PROMOTION BUREAU BISHOP TESTIFIES COVID-19 SCARE IN MATARA Russian national tests positive z Over 100 persons in Matara z PHIs not alerted to keep subjected to PCR tests crew under surveillance BY SARAH HANNAN accommodation in Polhena, He also said it was a problem Matara, and were travelling that the flight crew did not The Public Health Inspectors’ Union (PHIU) raised to various places in the town provide true information about concerns following the confirmation of a Russian using three-wheelers, and they the whereabouts of the crew and national, who was seeking accommodation in Polhena, accessed public spaces such as the people they were exposed Matara, testing positive for Covid-19. supermarkets in the area. to. Auxiliary Bishop of Colombo Rev. Dr. Maxwell Silva leaving after testifying before the Presidential “Since they were not following The 15-member crew arrived Commission of Inquiry probing Easter Sunday attacks yesterday (24) “Our PHIs in the area were were not under the area PHI’s the self-quarantine procedures at the Mattala Rajapaksa PHOTO LALITH PERERA not informed that this group of surveillance; this has put the and were mingling with the International Airport from REPORT ON SLBFE FINANCIAL FRAUD PROBE foreigners was asked to observe entire area at risk, with one person public without adhering to the Bangalore, India, on 13 self-quarantine until their PCR testing positive for Covid-19,” prevention precautions, contact September, and had produced test results had been issued. The PHIU President Upul Rohana tracing, locating the places they the PCR tests certification they Loss of Rs. 138 m exposed group had clearly not followed the told The Morning. travelled to, and directing the obtained in India to confirm that health guidelines that were issued The 15-member crew of required people for quarantine they were not infected with the A report of the committee The report of the interim that necessary steps will be to them at the Mattala (Rajapaksa) a Russian Airlines flight is now becoming a challenge to coronavirus. appointed to investigate committee was handed over taken with regard to numerous International Airport, and they had checked in to their the PHIs,” Rohana explained. Contd. on page 2 financial frauds committed by to State Minister of Foreign issued including the Ran the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment Promotions Piyapath media programme, MAXIMUM PRICE ON TURMERIC Employment (SLBFE) during and Market Diversification vehicles obtained outside the 2015-2019 revealed that the Piyankara Jayaratne at the standard procedure, and the Six more petitions Government incurred a loss of Ministry on Wednesday (23). purchase of a Jaguar car for the Rs. 138 million due to various The State Minister said eight Chairman outside the tender Gazette mismanagements identified by points in the report should be procedure. the committee. paid attention to, whilst stating Contd. on page 2 against 20A HIGHER EDUCATION cancelled Six more petitions and Fair Elections (CaFFE) 20th Amendment severely challenging the draft bill Executive Director Rajith violate the country’s The Gazette Notification on the maximum Survey on of 20th Amendment to the Keerthi Tennakoon and Constitution. retail price of turmeric was cancelled through Private sector Constitution were filed with five other parties, citing the Hence, a two-thirds an Extraordinary Gazette Notification that the Supreme Court yesterday Attorney General (AG) as majority of Parliament is was issued yesterday (24). children not to develop (24). the respondent. not sufficient to pass such The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) The petitions were Tennakoon, in his provisions, the petitioner gazetted a maximum retail price of Rs. 750 The Ministry of Education requested the filed by former Southern petition, claims that pointed out while calling for per kilogramme of turmeric on 21 April 2020. schooling private sector to send their suggestions and Province Governor and certain provisions of the a referendum as well. comments on how to eliminate the mismatch former Campaign for Free proposed draft bill of the Contd. on page 2 HOUSING DEV. AUTHORITY BY SKANDHA GUNASEKARA between higher education and the job market in Sri Lanka, Minister of Education Prof. MT NEW DIAMOND The Colombo District Secretariat is G.L. Peiris said yesterday (24). Customer conducting a month-long survey to ascertain Contd. on page 2 the number of children of schooling age who AG submits further MEPA report are failing to attend school. ANAWILUNDAWA WETLANDS service to be Colombo District Secretary Pradeep Rs. 100 m claim submitted to AG Yasaratne told The Morning that the objective The Attorney General (AG) submitted zConfirms marine pollution due to oil leak was to ensure all children were attending Minister’s brother a further claim of Rs. 100 million to the improved schools. owners of the crude oil tanker MT New The report handed over to Attorney Following the presidential inspection of the “We started the survey last week. This granted bail Diamond, increasing the total claim to Rs. General (AG) Dappula de Livera, compiled Narahenpita office of the National Housing survey is being conducted so that we can Former Arachchikattuwa Pradeshiya Sabha 440 million. by a panel of scientists appointed by the Development Authority (NHDA), steps were determine how many schoolgoing children (PS) Chairman Jagath Samantha, who was On 16 September, the AG submitted Marine Environment Protection Authority implemented to increase the quality of the are not attending school in the Colombo arrested and remanded over the clearing of an interim claim of Rs. 340 million to the (MEPA), confirmed that the marine customer service offered, NHDA Manager District.” land at the Anawilundawa Wetland Sanctuary, lawyers representing the owners of the pollution was caused by the oil leak from Himali Gunasinghe told The Morning Contd. on page 2 was granted bail yesterday (24). oil tanker, for the costs incurred by the the ill-fated crude oil tanker MT New yesterday (24). Contd. on page 2 Sri Lankan Government in the assistance Diamond, which was engulfed in fire off Where previously only one worker rendered to the ship and other related the coast of Sri Lanka earlier this month, was assigned for customer service, three PCOI ON EASTER ATTACKS matters. noted AG’s Co-ordinating Officer State individuals are now involved to ensure Contd. on page 2 Counsel Nishara Jayaratne. maximum public satisfaction. In addition, Contd. on page 2 the phone numbers of customers were jotted MS and four others warned down and they were responded to within The Presidential ongoing proceedings. released a statement dismissing three days. Commission of Inquiry The former President’s the controversial testimony Contd. on page 2 (PCoI) probing the Easter Personal Secretary, in a made by Samagi Jana Sunday attacks yesterday letter issued on Sunday (20), Balawegaya (SJB) MP Harin (24) sternly warned former alleged that former Defence Fernando that Archbishop We will not President Maithripala Sirisena, Secretary Hemasiri Fernando of Colombo His Eminence his Personal Secretary, and was maliciously lying before Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith allow a rice the three Auxiliary Bishops the Commission. could have been aware of the of Colombo against issuing In the meantime, the three Easter attacks beforehand. media releases on the panel’s Auxiliary Bishops of Colombo Contd. on page 2 shortage: Govt. The Government will take the necessary steps to import rice if there is Obscene Publications Ordinance amended a shortage in the country to prevent any price hike zPreventing child pornographic material circulation observed an increase in the number in the future, according of cases that were reported of child to Minister of Trade Dr. Minister of Trade Minister The Cabinet of Ministers approved a Ordinance, the regulations and laws Minister of Justice Sabry explained. pornographic material documented Bandula Gunawardana. Dr. Bandula of Justice proposal made by Minister of Justice Ali need to be updated to match the present ICTA and SLCERT prepared the in Sri Lanka being widely circulated He told the media that Gunawardana Sabry PC to instruct the Legal Draftsman times. At the same time, the charges that document under the guidance of the on all mediums. Ali Sabry steps will be taken in the to prepare a new bill that would take are imposed too need to be updated to Attorney General (AG)’s Department. Meanwhile, the National Child future to import around 100,000 metric tonnes strict action against perpetrators that match the present times. Therefore, we With the Cabinet approving the said Protection Authority (NCPA) in May of rice with the approval of the Cabinet. circulate, stream, and/or publish digital have reached out to the Information and draft, Sabry advised the Legal Draftsman received the necessary equipment for The decision was taken in order to maintain material that includes children being Communication Technology Agency to proceed with the preparation of the cybercrimes monitoring from Save a buffer stock of rice so as to prevent an subject to grave sexual abuse or cast in of Sri Lanka (ICTA) and Sri Lanka new bill, which commenced this week.