www.themorning.lk epaper.themorning.lk www.themorning.lk epaper.themorning.lk www.aruna.lk epaper.aruna.lk MONDAY, JULY 13, 2020 www.aruna.lk epaper.aruna.lk 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 12,924,765 Suwasariya 0112 695 112 PROTECT YOURSELF FROM 2,615 Promotion Ambulance DEATHS CASES DEATHS Bureau Service Govt. coronavirus hotline USA 3,379,896 137,572 COVID-19 DEATHS RECOVERED 1999 1990 0113071073 569,092 BRAZIL 1,842,127 71,515 INDIA 871,499 23,078 PRESIDENTIAL SPECIAL TASK FORCE FOR ESSENTIAL SERVICES RECOVERD RUSSIA 727,162 11,335 11 1,981 Telephone 0114354854, 0114733600 Fax 0112333066, 0114354882 7,529,772 PERU 322,710 11,682 Hotline 0113456200-4 Email [email protected] THE ABOVE STATISTICS623 ARE CONFIRMED UP UNTIL 10.50 P.M. ON 12 JULY 2020 SOURCE: HEALTH PROMOTION BUREAU KANDAKADU COVID-19 CLUSTER INDO-LANKA TALKS Risk of community Positive progress on debt relief The bilateral talks between Singh told The Morning. countries struggling with debt spread noted: SLMA India and Sri Lanka on the debt Virtual meetings between burdens during the Covid-19 moratorium are progressing, Sri Lankan representatives outbreak. BY SKANDHA GUNASEKARA z The Morning learnt. and their Indian counterparts Subsequently, Prime Much larger challenge this time “The discussion on the debt have been scheduled to Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa There was a higher risk of through the illegal drug distribution can spread rapidly. There were 300 cases moratorium is progressing iron out the processed debt made an official request community spread from the network. This is where the concern is. detected in one day. But it doesn’t mean successfully and a recent moratorium. to Indian Prime Minister Kandakadu Covid-19 cluster This behavioural pattern is something they were all infected on the same day. meeting was held,” Indian President Gotabaya Narendra Modi for a three- for multiple reasons including that was prevalent during the first What we can gather from the evidence High Commission Second Rajapaksa appealed to the year debt moratorium for Sri the unpredictable behavioural round of clusters Sri Lanka was able to coming is that the infection may have Secretary and Central Public international community Lanka. pattern of the patients. contain,” SLMA President Prof. Indika been going on in the camp for a few Information Officer Neha to assist the developing – Skandha Gunasekara Karunatilake told The Morning. weeks,” he said. The Sri Lanka Medical Association He also pointed out that from the Further, he pointed out that Sri Lanka’s (SLMA) warned that there was a evidence available, it appears that the containment methods may be less possibility that the virus could enter Covid-19 infection had been ongoing effective this time around. Sri Lankan society through the for several weeks at the Kandakadu “Sri Lanka followed a system of trace, PCR tests increased illegal drug trade. Rehabilitation Centre. test, and treat which was very effective BY MAHEESHA MUDUGAMUWA He said the PCR tests are being conducted SLMA President “There is a high possibility “In settings where large numbers stay in controlling the initial outbreak. in a scientific manner. Prof. Indika Karunatilake of the virus entering society together for a long duration, the infection Contd. on page 2 The Ministry of Health has increased the “Obviously we have to number of PCR tests conducted in the country increase the number of tests following the report of Covid-19-positive conducted with the new Govt. schools Membership granted persons from the Kandakadu Rehabilitation development in cases. Centre last week. We have been conducting closed till 17 July Ministry of Health Chief Epidemiologist regular tests for those Dr. Sudath Samaraweera told The Morning vulnerable people and with zCatholic schools follow suit that the number of PCR tests conducted has the new development, it The Education Ministry announced been increased following the current situation has now been increased,” yesterday that all government schools will of the country. Dr. Samaraweera said. Dr. Sudath be closed from today till 17 July due to the Samaraweera spike in Covid-19 cases in the country. The Ministry also announced that all PRIVATE BUS OWNERS CEB YET TO PAY RS. 54 B TO CPC private schools, international schools, and tuition classes are expected to follow the Government’s decision. Bus strike CEB losses Contd. on page 2 RS. 708 M FRAUD AT SANASA temporarily on the rise The failure to add more power units to the national grid for several years has resulted in Six former called off the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) recording The all-out strike by private buses has staggering losses, and the loss for this year been called off due to the resurgence of the is expected to be around Rs. 120 billion, The employees coronavirus, The Morning learnt. Morning learnt. Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association Furthermore, the CEB still owes the Ceylon President Gemunu Wijeratne told The Petroleum Corporation (CPC) a staggering arrested Morning that a private bus strike would amount of money even after the Treasury Former Deputy General Manager and five endanger the masses. has paid millions of rupees in March on former Directors of the Sanasa Society of the “If all the private buses stop operating then behalf of the board, The Morning learnt. Gampaha District have been arrested over commuters will be forced into the limited According to CEB Chairman Eng. Vijitha Former Chief Minister Isuru Devapriya receives membership to the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna financial fraud. (SLPP) party from Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa at SLPP candidate Gamini Lokuge’s rally held number of CTB (Ceylon Transport Board) Herath, the Treasury paid a sum of Rs. 48 The arrest was made following the yesterday (12) at the Somaweera Chandrasiri Grounds in Piliyandala buses and trains. billion in March. investigations carried out by the Criminal PHOTO SAMAN ABESIRIWARDANA Contd. on page 2 Contd. on page 2 Investigation Department (CID) in this regard, police media said. CIRCULAR 5/2001 SELF-EMPLOYMENT GENERATION Contd. on page 2 2020 GENERAL ELECTION LUNAWA SHOOTING INCIDENT Protest to be SLPP rallies President assures Three cops temporarily fullest support held today The Government will provide “Traditional industries should interdicted suspended loans, knowhow, and the technical be preserved and developed,” Three police officers involved in the BY SARAH HANNAN Over the past two weeks, facilities to generate self- the President said, adding that Lunawa shooting incident where a man discussions took place that the The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna employment, President Gotabaya measures will be taken to extend was killed have been interdicted following Environmental and multi- Cabinet of Ministers was to (SLPP) has decided to temporarily cancel Rajapaksa has assured. assistance at the provincial level to investigations, stated the Police Media sectoral organisations are to hold reassign the legal authority to all its propaganda rallies by the party and He made this pledge while all those who make a contribution Division (PMD). a protest in front of the Ministry make decisions of such forests its alliance, the SLPP General Secretary attending a public gathering towards the national economy by A police sergeant and two police constables of Environment today (13) at 2 from the Forest Department to the stated. on Saturday (11) at the Urban engaging in self-employment. have been interdicted in this manner by p.m. over the possible revocation divisional and district secretariats; The directives have been issued by Council Ground in Kadugannawa, The President, addressing Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) of Circular 5/2001. to decide and allocate the forests SLPP Founder Basil Rajapaksa, the Yatinuwara, organised in support a gathering at Thalathuoya, C.D. Wickramaratne. Their objective is to urge the for cultivation and development statement by Attorney-at-Law Sagara of the candidates of the Sri Lanka Hewahata, called on the public Contd. on page 2 authorities to continue enacting purposes for the residents of the Kariyawasam read. Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) to give him a strong and stable Circular 5/2001 which protects respective areas. Contd. on page 2 contesting the parliamentary Parliament. REPATRIATION OF SRI LANKANS other state forests of the country. Contd. on page 2 election this August. Contd. on page 2 COVID-19 KANDAKADU CLUSTER Halted for Postal voting Numbers on the rise postponed in 3-4 days With another Covid-19 cluster medical care at selected hospitals Senapura Rehabilitation Centre. The Presidential Secretariat has stated activated from the Kandakadu across the country. Sri Lanka The remaining 14 persons were that the ongoing Sri Lankan migrant worker Rehabilitation Centre since 7 has so far seen 2,605 cases of in close association with them, Rajanganaya and student repatriation is to be halted from July, the country has seen a spike Covid-19 confirmed, with 1,981 according to the Department of The casting of postal votes in the tomorrow (14) onwards for a period of three in cases, recording the highest already recovered and returned Government Information. Rajanganaya Divisional Secretariat to four days. number of cases on a single day home. However, 99 persons On 11 July, 13 patients were area has been postponed, according to “Given the increasing number of Covid-19 which reached 300 on 10 July. placed under observation are detected from the Treatment and the Anuradhapura District Secretary. cases that are reported from the Kandakadu As of 4 p.m. yesterday (12), 94 suspected of having contracted Rehabilitation Centre – East in The new date will be announced by Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre, new cases were reported to have Covid-19.