SLMC CONTROVERSY MEDICAL COMMUNITY DIVIDED

RS. 70.00 PAGES 80 / SECTIONS 7 VOL. 03 – NO. 10 SUNDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2020 GOVT. TRYING Q2, Q3 GDP RENEWABLE ENERGY DATA NEXT SECTOR: AN TO NAVIGATE WEEK UNSOLICITED PROBLEM CHOPPY WATERS »SEE PAGE 5 »SEE BUSINESS PAGE 1 »SEE PAGE 3 »SEE PAGES 8 & 9 GENERAL PREVENTIVE GUIDELINES For verified information on the coronavirus (Covid-19) contact any of the following authorities Suwasariya Ambulance Service 1999 Health Promotion Bureau Quarantine Unit 0112 112 705 1990 Epidemiology Unit 0112 695 112 Govt. coronavirus hotline 0113071073 PRESIDENTIAL SPECIAL TASK FORCE FOR ESSENTIAL SERVICES Telephone 0114354854, 0114733600 Wash hands with soap for 40-60 Wear a commercially available mask/ Maintain a minimum distance Use gloves when shopping, using Use traditional Sri Lankan greeting Always wear a mask, avoid crowded Hotline 0113456200-4 seconds, or rub hands with alcohol- cloth mask or a surgical mask at all of 1 metre from others, especially public transport, etc. and discard into at all times instead of handshaking, vehicles, maintain distance, and wash Fax 0112333066, 0114354882 based handrub for 20-30 seconds times in public places in public places a lidded bin lined with a bag hugging, and/or kissing hands before and after travelling Email [email protected] GREATER POWER PROJECT Goodbye Japan, welcome China z Beijing to fund power project after JICA leaves z $ 50 m loan in final stage of negotiation

BY MAHEESHA MUDUGAMUWA The project is the urgently needed confident the discussions would halted by the Japan International the other hand, is a multilateral “Greater Colombo Transmission be finalised soon and the project Co-operation Agency (JICA), a development bank headquartered The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) is in the final stage of negotiating a $ 50 million loan from Beijing-based Asian Infrastructure and Distribution Loss Reduction would commence as soon funds are Japanese governmental agency in Beijing. It began operations in Investment Bank (AIIB) for a major power project which was Project Phase II”, and CEB Chairman mobilised. He expects construction that delivers the bulk of official January 2015 and now has 103 abandoned by Japan, following the Government’s cancellation of Eng. told The Sunday to be completed within two years. development assistance for the approved members worldwide. the Colombo Light Rail Transit (LRT) Project. Morning on Friday (04) that he is Funding for the project was Government of Japan. AIIB, on Contd. on page 2 Nowhere to go MAHENDRAN’S EXTRADITION STATUS PUCSL still Still pending: AG BY LAHIRU POTHMULLA Lanka’s extradition request of operational Arjuna Mahendran in the The Attorney General (AG) Bond Scam case, said AG’s z Closure not provided a note of clarification Co-ordinating Secretary on Friday (4) to the Singapore Nishara Jayaratne. communicated officially Attorney General on Sri Contd. on page 2 It is business as usual at the Public Utilities Commission of (PUCSL), despite President’s Secretary Dr. P.B. Jayasundera directing the Treasury Secretary to close down the regulator of the country’s electricity industry last week, The Sunday Morning learnt. Contd. on page 2

SRI LANKA RAILWAYS Lokuge causes massive losses? The Slave Island Railway Station was deserted on Friday (4) as the Station Master had contracted Covid-19 z Reduced charge per km for a friend PHOTO PRADEEP DAMGARAGE z Goods transfer due to losses: Minister OFFICIAL POVERTY LINE TRILINGUAL POLICY VIOLATION Transport Minister has allegedly Creeps over Rs. 5,000 changed the Railway Ordinance on behalf of a z friend who is engaged in transporting sand from Economists suggest cap on inflation Unable to Batticaloa to Colombo by a special freight train, Sri Lanka’s Official Poverty month of October marked at causing huge losses to the Railway Department, Line (OPL) national average Rs. 5,091, the Department of the All Ceylon Railway General Employees’ Union has shot above Rs. 5,000 Census and Statistics (DCS) act says (ACRGEU) alleged last week. for the eighth time, with data revealed. Contd. on page 2 the national average for the Contd. on page 2 Ministry HOTEL IN MUTHURAJAWELA z Action only if CAPITAL HEIGHTS complaints are made CAPITALRS. 34 MILLION HEIGHTS Approval to The Ministry of Public Services, RS. 34 MILLION Provincial Councils, and Local UPWARDS Government stated that it is not UPWARDS conduct study in a position to take action over Claims of a 600-acre land expanse from the signboards that depict writings in Muthurajawela Wetlands being earmarked for foreign languages in violation of the CAPITAL HEIGHTSa hotel and golf course project is being refuted trilingual policy. RS. 34 MILLIONby the Environment Minister. Contd. on page 2 VISIT OUR Contd. on page 2 UPWARDSWEBSITE CAPITALVISIT HEIGHTS+94 OUR 763112233 WILDLIFE AND FOREST DESTRUCTION RS.35SHOW APARTMENT MILLIONWEBSITE UPWARDSRS. 34 MILLION READY FOR INSPECTION UPWARDS Penal Code to be amended PROJECT NEARING+94 763112233 COMPLETION VISIT OURz Penalties to increase z Drone tech to assist monitoring SHOW APARTMENT WEBSITE Conservation revealed. “Penalties for deforestation, BY SARAH HANNAN VISIT OUR Speaking to The Sunday setting forests on fire, and +94 763112233WEBSITE The penalties imposed Morning, Minister of Wildlife laying traps to hunt wild READY FOR INSPECTION SHOW APARTMENT www.capitalheights.lk SHOW APARTMENT +94 763112233 on wildlife and forest and Forest Conservation animals are to be increased. READY FORREADY INSPECTION FOR INSPECTION destruction are to be C.B. Rathnayake said the We have initiated discussions PROJECT NEARING COMPLETION amended in the Penal Code present penalties that are on increasing these penalties,” PROJECT NEARINGPROJECT NEARING COMPLETION COMPLETION of Sri Lanka, the Ministry drafted in the Penal Code will said Rathnayake. of Wildlife and Forest be changed. Contd. on page 2 2 the sunday morning FOCUS/NEWS Sunday, December 6, 2020

INCREASING CLEAN DRINKING WATER CAPACITY Another move to break poverty cycle BY SKANDHA GUNASEKARA clean drinking water. as wells. We will also implement from wells and other domestic development of the country, demand several projects had either begun or “Another significant aspect is a mechanism to monitor and test sources that are operational.” for proper tap water supplies had had been completed in various parts The Government aims to the need to protect sources of clean underground water sources. At He said the Government would increased. of the country. provide clean drinking drinking water, as without a water present, there is no such mechanism. not be profit-minded in dispensing “There are some places where He then went on to speak on the water supply to over 75% of source, there cannot be supply. So, We still don’t even know how much this essential service but would come wells become unusable, so there is importance and need to curb waste the population by the end before we speak of water supply, underground water is available. We down hard on anyone exploiting the a serious demand for water supply. being dumped into waterways. of its term, including the we must give prominence to the must also put in place a method to system and illegally obtaining water. We have a responsibility to meet “Another duty we have is to clean establishment of desalination topic of water conservation. We control the utilisation of groundwater “Supplying water is not a business this demand and we must prepare to waste disposals from the water plants and new efforts to will take steps to identify and sources. Currently, anyone can dig a but a service that the Government supply water to all the people across networks. On average, each district conserve water sources. proclaim sources of water, strictly well and obtain any amount of water provides. So, profits and losses the various parts of the country. secretariat division has over 500 implement laws to protect and when and where they please for are not relevant in this regard, but We have to do this within our households without proper sanitation Minister of Water Supply safeguard water sources, and we various purposes like factory work or there is an amount of water that Government’s term of five years, and and toilet facilities. They have at the , speaking to will also take steps to remove flora for plantation.” is taken from this service without we have just four years left.” most, primitive squatting latrines. The Sunday Morning, emphasised and fauna that is harmful to sources He said that the best target would remuneration and that is through He asserted that the Government The more such unsanitary toilets are the importance of clean drinking of clean water and instead, promote be to achieve 100% water supply leakages, illegal water tapping, and had a masterplan for the next four built, the more waste is disposed into water to the socioeconomic status of the planting of species that protect in the country but expects to have other methods. We must stop such years. our groundwater sources, causing a nation and the need to locate and water.” covered 75% in the next four years. wastage. In the city of Colombo “We will look to complete pollution. Also, rivers that flow protect sources of clean drinking He said that plans are being drawn “Presently, we have about 47% alone, we saw 40% of the water 44 short-term projects as fast as through cities, such as the Kelani water. up to introduce ways to locate and from the National Water Supply being supplied in such a manner possible. We also expect to add River, end up becoming polluted “Water, similar to education test underground water sources and and Drainage Board (NWSDB) and without the NWSDB receiving any 525,000 new water supply lines by as well. These are problematic and health, is a way of reducing discontinue and curtail harmful about 12% from the Department revenue, but we have been able the year 2025. We have identified 95 issues that we must address. The poverty. Those who have the means practices. of National Community Water to reduce that to just 20% now by projects where we have increased the undertaking to clean waste and will get water somehow – even by “It has also been found that the Supply. The latter will be increased laying new water pipe networks. scope and perimeters of water supply, sewage from our water network is as having it transported. It is those use of certain types of construction to 20% by 2025 and the NWSDB That is one of our goals – to reduce resulting in an additional 213,000 important as supplying water to the who are financially vulnerable that equipment, such as backhoes, do distribution will be increased to 72%, non-revenue water to the maximum.” water lines.” people. We will formulate a plan for are unable to obtain such access to damage to clean water sources such while around 4% will be supplied The Minister noted that with the Minister Nanayakkara said that this purpose as well.” Contd. from page 1

proposals concerning the PUCSL and the Ceylon Hence, the Secretary Finance cannot do much The tri-force units will be monitored by the 10 trips a month and therefore, as calculated by Goodbye Japan... Electricity Board (CEB). without the Cabinet and later Parliament approval. Defence Secretary once in three weeks and a the union, the Minister’s decision has caused the The LRT Project was controversially cancelled “As tariff and connected regulatory work “Thirdly, the consequential steps have been report will be submitted to the Ministry of Wildlife Department a loss of Rs. 1,698,300 per month. by the Cabinet recently, claiming that it was costly, is within the Government’s purview, certain processed like attachments, VRS, gratuity and Forest Conservation and the Ministry of As explained by the ACRGEU, the train to while transport experts claimed the total project provisions in the PUCSL Act could be payments, consensual retrenchment procedures, Defence on the raids conducted and arrests made. transport sand from Batticaloa to Colombo was would cost only around $ 1 billion, which, as per incorporated in the Consumer Affairs Authority etc. which will have to my understanding follow Special attention is also to be given to protect launched on 23 October. This special freight the international cost estimates, is the average and the CEB Act, when PUCSL Act is replaced the repeal of the law. Of course, preliminaries turtle, whale, and dolphin habitats that are thriving train runs a total of 680 km, including 340 km cost for the construction of an LRT. in due course,” the letter stated. could be worked out like compensation in the seas around Sri Lanka, with the assistance from Maradana to Eravur and 340 km back The consequent stoppage of funding for the The PUCSL was established by the Public package calculations. Fourthly, the PUCSL of the Navy. Any person found to be destroying to Maradana. The private company involved Greater Colombo Transmission project led to Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka Act No. 35 of and CEB (specially the CEB engineers union) these habitats will also be arrested and legal action used 20 containers to haul sand from Eravur to fears of a power shortage emerging due to the 2002 as an independent multi-sector regulatory had difficulties in agreeing several issues on will be pursued, the Minister noted. Maradana. Ten types of BCF wagons have been lack of infrastructure to transmit the power agency to oversee utilities which were state infrastructure development in the sector. PUCSL used and two M-11/M-4 engines were used, the generated at the plants. monopolies. It is the designated regulator of is not an organisation that looks after only CEB union further stated. On 27 November, a senior engineer attached the petroleum and water services sectors and issues. Who will do that duty of other areas also Creeps over... The union claimed that the Department is to the CEB told The Sunday Morning, on the shadow regulator of the lubricant market should be addressed by the Secretary to the Economists note that the continued fluctuation currently incurring a loss of around Rs. 700 the condition of anonymity, that the existing in Sri Lanka. With the powers given by the Sri President (sic),” the post read. of the OPL is a result of the Central Bank and the million per year. transmission capacity from Kerawalapitiya to Lanka Electricity Act No. 20 of 2009, the PUCSL Meanwhile, several attempts made by The Government not placing a cap on the inflation Vithanage stressed that the train service has Colombo is only 300 MW, and even if more became the economic, technical, and safety Sunday Morning to contact Treasury Secretary level of the country, and added that it would be been disrupted since 4 October due to the spread power plants are built in the country with regulator of the electricity industry as well. It was Attygalle proved futile. dangerous if this trend was to continue, as there of the second wave of Covid-19 and the train the intention of meeting the ever-increasing also acting on consumer complaints and safety. – Maheesha Mudugamuwa will be more people living below the poverty line. service could not continue for two months. The electricity demand, or even if the authorities opt According to reliable sources, The Sunday For the month of October, nine districts first Covid-19 wave also disrupted train services, for emergency purchases, the existing electricity Morning learnt that the Government is seeking recorded the OPL above the national average, leading to huge losses. transmission line capacity would not allow any to amend the PUCSL Act and that following Approval to... namely Colombo (Rs. 5,527), Gampaha (Rs. Meanwhile, when contacted by The Sunday additional electricity transmission. the decision taken by Dr. Jayasundera, this has “The CEA (Central Environment Authority) 5,359), Kalutara (Rs. 5,332), (Rs. 5,275), Morning, Transport Minister Gamini Lokuge The main impediment, as explained by the been communicated to the Treasury Secretary has not given any approval to construct a hotel in Matale (Rs. 5,180), Nuwara Eliya (Rs. 5,415), denied the allegations levelled by the unions and senior engineer, is the sudden halting of the last week. Muthurajawela. The company had made a request Batticaloa (Rs. 5,186), Polonnaruwa (Rs. 5,109), said the goods transportation was commenced Greater Colombo Transmission and Distribution In the Budget 2021, passed in Parliament last to the Department of Wildlife Conservation and Kegalle (Rs. 5,295). as the railway is incurring a huge loss from Loss Reduction Project Phase II, which had month, Minister of Finance seeking permission to conduct an environmental The lowest of the district-level OPLs was Rs. passenger transport. been finalised and at the implementation stage. had proposed to amend the Public Utilities study in the area, for which they had issued 4,794 for the Monaragala District. “As an initial step, the Department launched Responding to the allegations levelled by the Commission Act and Ceylon Electricity Board approval,” Environment Minister Mahinda “This is the minimum amount that is needed to a train service from Maradana to Eravur and senior engineer, CEB Chairman Eng. Herath Act to allow the rapid implementation of power- Amaraweera told The Sunday Morning. purchase the basket of goods and services, food from next week, another train will be launched said that by the time the construction of LNG related projects. He noted that the surveying of the and non-food items; if the price level of those to Kantale,” he said, adding that in the meantime, (liquefied natural gas) power plants is completed However, the Premier had not suggested Muthurajawela Wetlands that was initiated in goods and services increases, then the money discussions are being conducted with the Prima and operations commenced, the transmission closing down the PUCSL. October is nearing completion, and would be median also increases. One day, a person’s income Group to transport their goods as well. line would also be ready and therefore, there It is also learnt that the relevant authorities soon announced through a government gazette will not be sufficient to push a person above the Clarifying the reduction of the prices, the wouldn’t be any such issue in transmitting of the Government are also not aware of any as a protected wetland area. poverty line and if that happens to a larger part Minister said that the Department should first electricity generated in Kerawalapitiya. further information about the decision made “Once it is gazetted, we will take measures of the population, then it becomes a dangerous attract the businesses and that was why it had The CEB Chairman also noted that in any case by the President’s Secretary. Nevertheless, The to remove any businesses that are operating situation,” Economist W.A. Wijewardena told reduced the prices for carrying empty carriages. the loan with AIIB would not work out, the Sunday Morning learnt that absorbing the existing within the wetland and take necessary legal The Sunday Morning. CEB would go for a domestic loan of around technical staff members of the PUCSL to various action against them,” Amaraweera elaborated. Wijewardena opined that if inflation can be Rs. 10 billion, which could easily be obtained ministries was being discussed. At present, a The Minister further explained that the gazette controlled at the zero level, which is not being Unable to... from state banks. total of 48 technical employees are working at will also include the estuaries that form the buffer done by the Government and the Central Bank The trilingual policy adopted by the country However, The Sunday Morning earlier learnt the PUCSL. zone of the Muthurajawela Wetlands. right now, it could greatly assist in stabilising calls for all sign/name boards to be in Sinhala, that following the cancellation of the Japanese In the meantime, the decision has raised Media reports on Tuesday (1) indicated that the National Consumer Price Index (NCPI). Tamil, and English. funding for the transmission project, the CEB concerns among various investors who questioned CEA Director General Hemantha Jayasinghe had If there is a cap on inflation, then the poverty However, project sites and work sites that was seeking funding from local banks in order to the legality of the decision made by the President’s sent a letter to Melwatta Properties (Pvt.) Ltd., level too can be brought under the threshold. The are managed by Chinese companies continue proceed with the project but was not successful Secretary. recently, permitting the property developer to NCPI has been released monthly from October to display signboards in Mandarin. Moreover, in finalising funding partners. Speaking to The Sunday Morning, Solar apply for an Environmental Impact Assessment 2015 with a time lag of 21 days. there are several signboards, especially in the It is expected that 200 MW would be added Industry Association of Sri Lanka (SIA) Secretary (EIA) from the CEA. The media report further To keep the higher accuracy of the Consumer Eastern Province, that are designed using Arabic to the national grid by 2022 via the 300 MW Lakmal Fernando said the decision was an read that the Wildlife Conservation Department Price Index, the majority of price data is collected lettering, raising the question of whether such Lakdhanavi LNG power plant which is to be arbitrary decision taken by the highest office, as Director General had issued a no objection letter via personal visits by the DCS price collecting signage is allowed in places that are accessed built in Kerawalapitiya, and that the remaining it should be first discussed in Parliament since to the CEA, after which the CEA had issued the officers. by the public. 100 MW would be added by 2023. the PUCSL was formed by an Act of Parliament. letter allowing the property developer to obtain When contacted by The Sunday Morning, As explained in the CEB’s Long Term “The PUCSL is the only regulator and the an EIA from the CEA. Ministry of Public Services, Provincial Councils, Generation Expansion Plan (LTGEP 2015- only authority that could monitor the decisions Ministry of Wildlife and Forest Conservation Still pending... and Local Government Media Secretary S.R. 2034), natural gas-fired combined cycle power taken by the CEB. After abolishing the PUCSL, Secretary M.K.B. Harishchandra, when contacted Meanwhile, the AG on Friday has also informed Jayasundara said: “So far, no one has complained plants and associated LNG import infrastructure, there wouldn’t be any authority to safeguard the regarding the issuance of no objection letters, the Justice Secretary that Sri Lanka’s extradition to us about such signs that are inconveniencing along with two 300 MW dual-fuel combined consumers,” he stressed. said: “There is a dispute over the boundaries of request of Arjuna Mahendran is pending and them. Although we have a language policy which cycle power plants, are to be commissioned in All renewable energy associations have the property development site, which is why clarification was sent to the Singapore AG. recognises Sinhala and Tamil as our official the western region by 2022. The associated LNG discussed the matter on Friday (4) morning and we suggested that the property developer obtain However, speaking to The Sunday Morning national languages with English recognised as importing infrastructure is to be developed on a written to the President, urging him to withdraw the necessary clearance from the CEA to get earlier in the evening, Cabinet Spokesperson and the link language, traditionally signage is to be fast-track basis with sufficient capacity to cater the decision taken by the President’s Secretary. the EIA done.” Media Minister said there displayed in these three languages.” to both the new power plants and the conversion “If there are issues within the PUCSL, the Harishchandra noted that the DWC Director was no update on the Attorney General’s (AG) The official stated that while there is no policy of other oil-fired combined cycle power plants issues should be rectified without closing down General had therefore issued the no objection report on Arjuna Mahendran’s extradition status, clause that indicates any other language board in the western region. the entire institution arbitrarily,” he stressed. letter to the company and informed the CEA that though the Justice Minister on Wednesday (2) is not allowed, they said that the Department Furthermore, an additional three 300 MW On the other hand, CEB Chairman Eng. Vijitha they are willing to allow the property developer said it was due “in one or two days”. of Official Languages Commissioner General natural gas-fired combined cycle power plants are Herath stressed that there was no difference even to conduct an EIA through the CEA. Rambukwella said: “I have not got anything needs to be consulted, if action needs to be taken. expected to be commissioned by 2026, in either if the PUCSL was there or not. yet. I think the Justice Ministry has made a request A similar issue was raised in January 2019 Kerawalapitiya or Hambantota. Accordingly, the “If it should operate, it should be operated in the for a report from the AG.” Justice Minister Ali by former Minister of National Integration, incorporation of LNG-fired power plants to the correct way,” he stressed, adding that a number Penal Code... Sabry in Parliament on Wednesday (2) said that a Official Languages, Social Progress, and Hindu Sri Lankan power system was considered in the of electricity projects were delayed due to the “I am looking at proposing penalty increments report on the extradition status of former Central Religious Affairs , when the China LTGEP 2015-2034. delay in getting a response from the PUCSL. of Rs. 500,000 and a year in prison for setting Bank Governor Mahendran was due from the Harbour Engineering Company Ltd. (CHEC) Meanwhile, in Parliament last week, Samagi forests on fire, Rs. 350,000 for setting traps to AG within two days. put up a board in English, Sinhala and, instead Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Dr. kill wild animals, and Rs. 350,000 from Rs. “I will get it today or tomorrow. I will make a of Tamil, Mandarin lettering at their project site PUCSL still... said that it was the PUCSL responsible for 25,000 for hunting wild animals.” statement about the report, with the approval of at the Aruwakkalu Sanitary Landfill. PUCSL Corporate Communications Director decisions pertaining to power and water supply In addition to that, the Ministry is also the Speaker. I heard there is a development,” he At the time, former Minister Ganesan had Jayanat Herat said the PUCSL was not yet and the fixing of tariffs. employing the skills of the tri-forces to assist said, responding to a question by MP Lakshman instructed the then Chairman of the Official officially informed about any closure of the “With this decision, it is likely that the CEB in monitoring any environment destruction Kiriella. Languages Commission to attend to the matter. institution. will get the power to decide on electricity tariff. activities within forest conservation areas. Ganesan at the time also pointed out that at some “What we know is only what we have seen in This is nothing but economic dictatorship,” Dr. “The Department of Wildlife Conservation and projects sites, the boards were only in English the media. We are operating as usual, as we have de Silva told Parliament. the Department of Forest only have about 1,000 Lokuge causes... and Mandarin, inconveniencing both Sinhala not yet been informed about any such (closure) Furthermore, former President’s Secretary rangers and forest officers at present. To monitor The Minister is accused of ordering the and Tamil-speaking workers. decision,” he told The Sunday Morning. Austin Fernando had posted on Facebook last activities in close to 12,000 hectares of reserve reduction of charges by 50% when the train The matter was later resolved when the former In a letter dated 1 December 2020, addressed week, highlighting the issues pertaining to the land, we need a larger workforce. We will also was going up to Eravur while the full amount Minister met with the Chinese Embassy and the to Treasury Secretary S.R. Attygalle, Dr. decision communicated by Dr. Jayasundera. look at adapting drone technology for monitoring was charged on the way back, the union alleged. project management and offered assistance to Jayasundera had stated: “I am advised to instruct “Firstly, Secretary Finance should correctly purposes to keep track of deforestation, illegal Therefore, the Railway Ordinance had been translate the signboards and include the content you to take necessary procedural steps to close understand what the budget speech said. Was it sand/metal mining, treasure hunting, cannabis amended, reducing the charge per kilometre in Tamil. the Public Utilities Commission.” repeal or amend? Secondly, take steps to close cultivation, and other crops that take place in from Rs. 925 to Rs. 462.50, alleged ACRGEU All attempts made by The Sunday Morning to He had also noted that the instructions are down the PUCSL. Cabinet sanctions should the strict forest reserve areas,” Rathanayake President P. Vithanage. contact the Commissioner General of Official being issued in line with next year’s budget be sought and repeal of the law should happen. elaborated. The train runs every three days which means Languages proved futile. the sunday morning 3 Sunday, December 6, 2020 SPOTLIGHT

RENEWABLE ENERGY SECTOR An unsolicited problem BY MAHEESHA MUDUGAMUWA should build at least 200,000 rooftop solar per unit to purchase rooftop solar power from stated that the Parliament’s architecture prevents Concerns have been raised over power plants, adding 2 GW within the next 10 the public, which will neither create any burden them from fixing solar panels on its roof. years, and add another 3 GW of power through for the economy nor affect the exchange rate, “However, we hope to set up floating solar the Government’s rush to accept ground-mounted solar power plants in order to as the monies circulate within the country. panels in the Diyawanna Lake to generate unsolicited proposals submitted to support the overall target. The Board will also be able to purchase a power for the Parliament Complex. Today, a the renewable energy sector from The association stressed that only 270 MW unit of land-based, large-scale solar power large sum of public funds is being spent to various foreign parties including the of roof-mounted solar systems and 62 MW for nearly Rs. 10. cover the electricity bill of the Parliament,” he new player in the local sector, the US. of ground-mounted solar systems have been Meanwhile, State Minister Duminda said, adding that the selected state institutions added to the national grid from 2016 to date, Dissanayake said in Parliament last week would be given loan facilities to install rooftop The attempts have been criticised by the local adding that the growth at this slow pace will that his Ministry is expecting to install floating solar panels to generate power and add it to the solar industry, as they claimed the Government not be sufficient to meet the target set for 2030. solar panels in the Diyawanna Lake to generate national grid. is diverting its initial renewable energy plan to Therefore, they stressed that the capacity power for the Parliament Complex. He also Contd. on page 6 achieve President ’s pledge addition to the national grid from solar power on renewable energy. should be increased to 200 MW annually, According to the country’s existing law on starting from 2021. electricity, the power proposals to be considered should be government-to-government, Floating solar panels emergency purchasing, or competitive bidding. Accelerating the implementation of solar Yet, solar energy investors alleged that the power projects, including floating solar power unsolicited proposals that are being considered by plants, discussions were ongoing between the the Government at present are not government- power authorities and the Mahaweli Authority to-government investments, but proposals of Sri Lanka (MASL) to seek the possibility of that are put forth with a letter from a certain using Mahaweli reservoirs to build solar power government institution, such as an embassy from plants, as the reservoirs are already connected the respective country, that such an investor is to the grid and the necessary infrastructure willing to invest in Sri Lanka’s energy sector. facilities already exist around the reservoirs. Speaking to The Sunday Morning, Solar Nevertheless, as learnt by The Sunday Industry Association of Sri Lanka (SIA) Morning, no final decision has been taken Secretary Lakmal Fernando stressed that the by the authorities yet on the funding and the nature of government-to-government projects investors. have been clearly mentioned in the Electricity In the meantime, local solar investors raised Act. Accordingly, the proposals should come concerns over the proposed floating solar from the respective government or any institution project in Maduru Oya. of the government and not from a private In April last year, the Government inked an company in the respective country. agreement with the Government of Canada Explaining further on the new developments to construct a floating solar power generation in the solar energy sector, he pointed out that if plant in the Maduru Oya Reservoir in the the Government was diverting its initial plan Mahaweli Economic Zone. on achieving renewable energy requirements of A co-operation agreement was signed the country, it is a clear violation of the mandate between the Ministry of Power, Energy, and given by the law-abiding citizens of . Business Development and the Canadian “State Minister of Solar Power, Wind, and Commercial Corporation (CCC), Canada’s Hydro Power Generation Projects Development government-to-government contracting organisation, to construct a 100 MW solar power generation plant in the Maduru Oya reservoir. We hope to set up floating solar panels Then Secretary to the Ministry of Power and in the Diyawanna Lake to generate Energy Dr. Suren Batagoda and CCC Asian power for the Parliament Complex. Region Director Yvonne Chin signed the Today, a large sum of public funds is co-operation agreement before then President being spent to cover the electricity bill of . the Parliament Former President Sirisena and former MP State Minister , in their former capacities as Minister of Mahaweli Development and Environment and the Minister of Power, Energy, and Business Development, Duminda Dissanayake initially had a good respectively, had collectively proposed to agenda on achieving renewable energy targets, establish a joint venture with the Canadian but if the Government is diverting from that plan Solar Institute to implement the project as a and going for unsolicited proposals, that cannot storage project to store solar energy with the be accepted,” Fernando stressed. use of solar panels, in accordance with the “The present government-to-government proposal made by the Canadian Government. proposals, for example, are just like me going However, despite it being nearly two to Ethiopia with a letter from the Sri Lankan years since the agreements were signed, the Embassy. That is not what unsolicited proposals construction of such a solar power plant has are,” he further elaborated. not yet begun, it is learnt. Fernando claimed that the energy requirement Fernando alleged that the project came as of the country is growing by 5-6% each year an unsolicited proposal and had deceived the and therefore, it is important to increase the grid Government, adding that the Government capacity and various other capacities/facilities should not fall into such traps in the future such as transmission lines. and should follow the existing provisions “It’s a question of whether you choose when going for power proposals. renewable energy, diesel power, coal power, However, last year, the Cabinet had granted or whatever other option; you have to expand the approval to implement the construction of grid capacity according to the future requirement a 100 MW floating solar power plant as an of the country. This year, our energy requirement integrated project joint venture of the MASL, went down drastically due to Covid-19. As a the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), and the Sri result, there won’t be an increase in the energy Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority (SLSEA). requirement this year. But next year, it won’t be In recent years, the country’s power system the same. When the country’s economy grows, has operated maintaining a considerable share the energy requirement also grows,” Fernando of renewable energy and it is now expected pointed out. to be increased up to 28% by 2025 and 35% As claimed by the SIA, Sri Lanka is yet to by 2030. While 25,000 solar systems supply fully exploit all available opportunities to achieve 270 MW to the national grid at present, the the targets for solar energy, as obstacles from aim is to increase the solar power to 5 GW various lobbies continue. It is also a must to add by 2030 from the current 320 MW. 200 MW of rooftop solar to the national grid As learnt by The Sunday Morning, Sri per year in order to achieve the government Lanka spends Rs. 22.50 per kW to generate policy of meeting the target of 80% of renewable electricity using coal and Rs. 37.12 per kW energy by 2030. to generate diesel and oil-powered electricity. According to government policy, the country Moreover, the CEB only spends Rs. 19.80 4 the sunday morning FOCUS Sunday, December 6, 2020

COUNTRY’S FOREST COVER PHOTO ©️ GETTY IMAGES When green

turnsBY MAHEESHA MUDUGAMUWA Sinharaja Forest Reserve to redmanagement and benefit sharing Mitigating through forest agreements. The forest cover in Sri The National Heritage and Lanka is eroding at a Wilderness Areas Act No. 3 was dangerous pace, as it passed in 1988 to provide special loses approximately 8,000 protection to the forest areas pandemic hectares (ha) per year due that harbour unique ecosystems, to the rising number of genetic resources, or outstanding unplanned infrastructure natural features. The Sinharaja Forest, which is a World Heritage and agriculture Site at present, was the first forest development activities. pollution area declared under this Act. This The forest cover has declined to Act is also administered by the 17% in 2020 from 20% in 2010 Forest Department. z 491 tonnes of facemasks imported mostly with the loss of Dry Zone The Fauna and Flora Protection cover compared to that of the Wet Ordinance No. 2 of 1937, and in first 10 months of 2020 Zone, especially due to the power subsequent amendments, most projects, construction of dams, recently in 2009, make provisions z Around six million facemasks and encroachment of forest land for the protection of fauna and disposed of daily for agricultural practices affecting flora in national reserves and the ecology and biodiversity of sanctuaries, in certain cases BY SARAH HANNAN CEA Chairman S. the region, according to the data including private lands. Amarasinghe noted: “With revealed by environmentalists. In addition, this Ordinance As the world adapts to living the increasing concerns Alleging that the failure of provides provisions for the with Covid-19, the usage of over Covid-19 spreading the Government to practice protection of certain species personal protective equipment even through waste that is a sustainable development of fauna outside reserves and (PPE) to prevent the virus irresponsibly disposed of by process during the last decade prohibition and control of export of from spreading has become households and places under has posed a huge threat to the some wild animals. This law also mandatory. With the most used self-quarantine, we issued a set ecological balance of the country’s provides provisions for protection components of PPE being the of guidelines to follow when biodiversity, environmentalist of some identified protected trees. facemask, many countries have disposing of PPE used by the Sajeeva Chamikara told The This Ordinance is administered to look at safely disposing general public.” Sunday Morning that 3% of the by the Department of Wildlife of these disposable surgical country’s forest cover had been Conservation. facemasks on a larger scale. depleted during the last 10 years. In addition, to ensure the With the healthcare Chamikara, who is also protection of forests and the authorities recommending We have three categories the Executive Director of the effective enforcement of the Forest people to use disposable of facemask wearers – Environmental Conservation Ordinance, a flying squad has been surgical facemasks if they are the infected, their close Trust (ECT), pointed out that the employed at the headquarters of required to venture outdoors contacts, and the public Dry Zone forest cover had been the Forest Department under the for considerably long periods that wears the facemask depleted by over 3% while the Wet Conservator of Forests – Forest of time, the purchases too as a preventive measure. Zone cover had been depleted by Protection and Law Enforcement. have seen an increase in recent We are now looking at around 1%. The flying squad consists of forest times. methods of safe disposal In 2020, the country’s Wet Zone officers representing Range Forest According to the Sri Lanka of used facemasks without forest cover is said to be 3% while Officers, Beat Forest Officers, Customs, in the first 10 polluting the environment that of the Dry Zone is said to be and Forest Field Assistants, and months of 2020, Sri Lanka or causing the spread of the 17%. the squad is led by either an imported 491 tonnes of disease As highlighted by Chamikara, a Assistant Conservator of Forests surgical facemasks, whereas in Minister of Environment number of development activities or a Special Forester. The flying 2019, the amount of surgical have caused the depletion of squad operates all over facemasks that were imported forest cover. On the other hand, based on the reliable information to the country had only been 32 he stressed that environmentalists received through a well-developed tonnes. Segregating special were not against development mechanism, according to the “With the Covid-19 pandemic waste but against the unsustainable Forest Department. reaching a higher threat level development which has put the When contacted by The Sunday and the increasing number The guidelines had been country at huge risk. Morning, senior environmental of cases that are reported, it prepared after consulting According to him, the lawyer Dr. Jagath Gunawardena is estimated that about six experts in the Ministry projects inaugurated during said the protected forest areas have million surgical facemasks of Health, Ministry of the last 10 years, including the been declared in Sri Lanka under are disposed of per day in Sri Environment, Ministry of Moragahakanda-Kalu Ganga, three legislative tools including Lanka. We have three categories Provincial Councils and Local the Yan Oya Irrigation Project, the Forest Ordinance, the Fauna of facemask wearers – the Government, Western Province rehabilitation projects in the North PHOTO © CENTRE FOR ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE and Flora Protection Ordinance, infected, their close contacts, Waste Management Authority, and East, and the Hambantota why is the country’s economy in a rice. Many development projects and the National Heritage and and the public that wears the and experts in the said fields. development activities have caused sorry state at present?” Chamikara accelerated deforestation in Sri Wilderness Areas Act. But facemask as a preventive The PPE is categorised a loss of 30,000 ha, 15,000 ha, stressed. Lanka and it reduced forest cover certain forest areas which should measure. We are now looking at as special waste, as the 20,000 ha, and 25,000 ha of forest He also pointed out that to 20% in 2007. be declared under the Forest methods of safe disposal of used items could be potentially cover directly, respectively, while whenever development activities Meanwhile, according to the Ordinance, and yet could not be facemasks without polluting contaminated. Therefore, some other forest lands were were taking place, the Government Forest Department, the country’s due to financial difficulties, have the environment or causing the when disposing of surgical clearing for agricultural purposes. should consider the environmental forests are being protected by been named by the Department as spread of the disease,” Minister facemasks, one can discard it aspect as well. three legislative tools; the Forest “proposed reserves”. The forest of Environment Mahinda along with other such materials Highlighting the fact that the Ordinance, the Fauna and Flora lands which were not declared Amaraweera told The Sunday that are not suitable for forest lands under the Land Protection Ordinance, and the under the Forest Ordinance are Morning. recycling. We urge the Government Reform Commission (LRC), the National Heritage and Wilderness identified as “other state forests” Facemasks and gloves are to implement sustainable Mahaweli Authority of Sri Lanka Areas Act. (OSF). “Therefore, in Sri Lanka, to be discarded and segregated development mechanisms. (MASL), and the lands governed The Forest Ordinance is all forests are governed by some along with other household During the past decade, we under the Viharagam and Devala enforced by the Forest Department kind of a legislative tool,” he With the increasing waste items such as tissues, have lost 3% of our forest Ordinance are at high risk of losing while the Fauna and Flora stressed, adding that there are no concerns over Covid-19 handkerchiefs, sanitary pads, cover. But, what has it its forest cover, Chamikara said Protection Ordinance is enforced forests that are not governed by a spreading even through diapers, and any other material done to our economy? If the most of the forest lands under by the Department of Wildlife state institution. waste that is irresponsibly contaminated by bodily fluids. Government is arguing that these three categories were facing Conservation. The National “What is stated in the 20/2001 disposed of by households The disposed items are to be they want to clear forests for a high risk, as the authorities could Heritage and Wilderness Areas Circular is completely wrong,” he and places under self- collected in a leak-proof yellow development, what have they distribute these forest lands for Act is also enforced by the Forest stressed. quarantine, we issued a bag of high-density polyethylene developed? development purposes. Department in order to ensure the The forests declared under the set of guidelines to follow (HDPE) (25 microns or 100 ECT Executive Director and The statistics show that Sri protection of designated areas. Forest Ordinance and National when disposing of PPE gauge thicknesses) or low- environmentalist Lanka’s natural forest cover has The present Forest Ordinance Heritage Act are governed by used by the general public density polyethylene (LDPE) dwindled from 80% to less than is an ordinance to consolidate the Forest Department while the (55 microns or 250 gauges). Sajeeva Chamikara CEA Chairman 17% over the last 100 years and and amend the law relating to forests declared under the Flora S. Amarasinghe In the absence of a yellow that at the end of the 19th Century, conservation, protection, and and Fauna Ordinance are governed bag, it is instructed that the In addition, Chamikara more than 80% of the country was sustainable management of forest by the Department of Wildlife. items be discarded in an highlighted that thousands of covered by forest. At the beginning resources and have provisions for Furthermore, the areas that have In an attempt to manage the HDPE (25 microns or 100 hectares have been cleared for of the 20th Century, this rate had community involvement in forest not yet been declared are also surgical waste that is being gauge thicknesses) or LDPE commercial cultivation purposes been reduced to 70% and in 1950, governed by the Forest Ordinance, generated from households, (55 microns or 250 gauges) by distributing lands to private only half of the land area was as those have already been named healthcare institutions, polythene bag and should be companies. forested. as forests under Section 78, Dr. areas under lockdown, and labelled as special waste or a Over 10,000 ha in the Dry Zone By the beginning of the 1990s, When an application to Gunawardena added. households that are observing yellow ribbon/cloth strip should have been cleared for commercial forest cover remained at less refill a land is made to one Meanwhile, the Government has home quarantine, the Central be tied to the garbage bag for cultivation purposes, he stressed. than a quarter of the country. institution, they look into what decided to deploy the Air Force Environment Authority (CEA) easy identification by garbage “We urge the Government According to the Government, is relevant to them and they to crackdown on deforestation. issued Covid-19-related solid collectors. to implement sustainable forest cover has shrunk back a approve the application if the Defence Secretary Maj. Gen. waste disposal guidelines. Contd. on page 12 development mechanisms. During further 5% over the 1990s. After specifications that they wanted (Retd.) Kamal Gunaratne said that the past decade, we have lost 3% 1970, the Mahaweli Irrigation are fulfilled and generally, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has of our forest cover. But, what Project was implemented, with the when one institution approves advised the military and Police has it done to our economy? If main objective being to irrigate one application, the other to curb deforestation. As a result, the Government is arguing that large areas of the Dry Zone in the institutions also approve it the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) they want to clear forests for Northeast and make these soils CEJ Executive Director will be deployed to monitor development, what have they more suitable for agriculture, Hemantha Withanage deforestation using their air assets. developed? If they have developed, especially for the production of Contd. on page 12 the sunday morning 5 Sunday, December 6, 2020 SPOTLIGHT

BY MAHEESHA MUDUGAMUWA professional respect in relation to the professional duties’. The committee Sri Lanka’s medical community observes the referring incident has no has been sharply divided over the involvement whatsoever with professional removal of the Head and several duties. members of the Sri Lanka Medical “(The) Presidents (former and Council (SLMC) by Health Minister the current) and some members had last week. misinterpreted their powers vested by the Medical Ordinance to take revenge against In a historic move, the Minister removed the respondents in the inquiry procedures five SLMC members including its disregarding the accepted practice in President Prof. Harendra De Silva based VS. the case PPC (Preliminary Proceedings on recommendations by a five-member Committee) 398. committee including specialist Dr. Prof. “According to the observed time frame, Hemantha Perera, former Ragama Medical the delay of investigating this case is Faculty Dean Prof. Prasantha Wijesinghe, unacceptable where even after six years specialist Dr. Anula Wijesundera, specialist of the complaint (the) PCC (Professional Dr. Maithri Chandraratne, and specialist Conduct Committee) had failed to issue Dr. Darshana Sirisena, appointed by her charge sheets to the defendants. to probe the conduct of the SLMC in Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi “The committee observed there is September. unacceptable delays in the inquiry In a letter written to Prof. De Silva SLMC CONTROVERSY the foreign university issue which almost procedures of the SLMC in general so that dated 27 November 2020, Health Minister created a diplomatic issue between Sri all parties (complainants and defendants) Wanniarachchi had informed the former Lanka and Russia, have paved the way are of great disadvantage for their careers SLMC President of the revocation of his for the Minister to get involved in matters (sic) as medical practitioners. The current appointment as SLMC President. of the independent body of medical delay of disciplinary procedures proves It is stated in her letter that the committee education. the famous legal saying ‘justice delayed appointed by herself had several sittings, Appointing the committee in September, equals justice denied’. and made inquiries, obtained statements Medical the Health Minister noted that the SLMC “(The) committee recommends from the complainants and various relevant is an independent body established by revisiting this case and dropping stakeholders and officers, and afforded a charter and its primary function is to the charges forthwith. However, an opportunities to the relevant representatives maintain a quality medical service by independent legal opinion is recommended of the SLMC to make representations. protecting the rights of patients. But and if the opinion is in favour of PPC The committee concluded that Prof. De community according to the Medical Ordinance, the recommendations, to take appropriate Silva is responsible for the allegations final responsibility for the decisions of actions against the members of the investigated by the committee based on the SLMC is vested with the Minister of President and members of the PCC for five terms of reference including the undue Health, she noted. abuse of power. (The) SLMC should look delay of conducting elections for four The Minister said the decision was taken into a practical approach of expediting vacant council member positions within after considering the number of complaints the disciplinary procedures in a more the SLMC, current issues pertaining to the divided received from various quarters, on the transparent manner as the current delay derecognition of foreign university degrees, by virtue of the powers vested in me as (CMC). The CMC was established by the conduct of the SLMC, with some parties is unacceptable. We recommend the registration of medical graduates with the Minister of Health under the Medical Medical Council Ordinance No. 24 of calling for a restoration of its status as an increasing numbers (sic) in the PPC and substandard qualifications, undue delay Ordinance and the other relevant laws, 1924. independent body. PCC members to satisfy the quorum and in conducting the ERPM (Examination your appointment as President, SLMC The Council is a statutory body However, within two months, the increasing the number of legal officers,” to Register to Practice Medicine), and is revoked with immediate effect,” the established for the purpose of protecting committee submitted a comprehensive it was stated in the report referring to the complaints regarding irregular disciplinary Minister stated in the letter. healthcare seekers by ensuring the report on the investigation conducted on recommendations of the committee. procedures conducted by the SLMC. maintenance of academic and professional five allegations. It also stated that there are unacceptable The committee further recommended that Historic probe standards, discipline, and ethical practice Furthermore, the report states, in its delays in the inquiry procedures of the the responsible council members should The probing of the council, which was by health professionals who are registered conclusion: “The committee understands SLMC in general, and that all parties be terminated to restore the independence established in 1924 and considered one with it. As presently constituted, the the President and some council (complainants and defendants) are at great and functions of the SLMC and to consider of the oldest councils in the world, was Council has representation from the members (appointed by the Minister) disadvantage in terms of their careers the appointment of a medical professional described as a historical event by medical medical faculties of state universities had misunderstood, misinterpreted, and as medical practitioners as a result. The as the President of the SLMC, the letter experts. as well as professionals in the state and misused their powers in conducting current delay in disciplinary procedures stated. The SLMC was established by the private sectors. inquiries against the 16 medical echoes the famous saying “justice delayed “Therefore, based on the Medical (Amendment) Act No. 40 of 1998, However, several serious allegations practitioners. According to the Medical equals justice denied”. recommendations of the above committee, replacing the Ceylon Medical Council levelled against the SLMC, including Ordinance ‘infamous conduct in any Contd. on page 14

At present non-communi- those nutrients. Further oil, sugar and flour. The preservatives. In such an cable diseases such as water and other liquids pandemic further helped instance you must choose kidney diseases, high must be taken according to this unhealthy habit as the product which has the blood pressure, heart the amount our body people have got used to least or no amount of diseases, diabetes, high requires. Additionally we making and eating things preservatives and colour- cholesterol levels, cancer, must get our adequate such as cakes, pastry and ing. You will also notice a arthritis, osteoporosis etc. sunlight as that provides other desserts, otherwise nutrition panel on label are diseases which the Vitamin D, exercise daily known as quarantine which indicates the WHO and our country and not smoke or drink cooking/ baking and even contents such as fat, salt, health institutions, official- alcohol. ordering sweets online. protein, oil and flour sand proposal makers are However many people However, when we get enabling you to choose the aware of and have been have lost their jobs and due used to this lifestyle it best bran cracker product. working on systematically to the current situation reduces our immunity. At a The SLS stamps and other to reduce and cure. cannot stick to a healthy time when our immunity standard related stamps Yet due to the Covid 19 lifestyle these days. Yet needs to be at its highest, will also be displayed pandemic and its challeng- privately, everyone must try we have got used to allowing you to choose the es the work on these to accommodate a healthy consuming fatty, salty, oily product which is of highest non-communicable lifestyle and suitable Sri and flour based food items quality. diseases has taken a Lankan diet such as rice which lowers our immunity In purchasing such a backseat. along with curies like daily. product don’t concentrate The pandemic has also maluum, salad, vegetables, That is why we need to only on the name but what made it hard on everyone eggs and fish to name a look for healthier options the product contains too in to continue their few. Many people tend to for our snacks to eat with terms of calories, sugar, dailyhealthy lifestyle and eat an unbalanced our tea for example biscuits salt, and oil and flour levels eating habitsbecause dueto dietwhich is incorrect. which have been made as those are important. the spread of Covid 19 Instead one must try to from the husk of wheat When selecting biscuits to various districts have gone choose a rice based diet. flour and rice, such as bran eat as a snack ensure that into lockdown disrupting Preferably choosing rice crackers are very beneficial it does not contain high travelling and forcing with the husk or wheat flour as its high in nutrients. sugar levels which will isolation and quarantine. made of wheat seed huskis However it is better to eat negatively impact your This means people cannot beneficial as that is these bran crackers when blood levels. This criteria get out to go and buy their healthier and that provides we are healthy and not applies both to patients and essential groceries, forcing the big and small nutrients when we are sick, reiterat- healthy people. As you them to rely on grocery our body requires. ing that prevention is better observed the above criteria than cure. By doing so we when deciding to purchase trucks and their available 1. How many meals will be able to create a the biscuits make sure you products. Health officials, should we eat daily? disease free environment check the manufactured the police and tri forces According to our body from non-communicable and expired date too. who have to work round requirements three diseases thus distancing Especially in today’s the clock are also forced to balanced meals are ourselves from a sugar, oil context where the corona neglect their own health necessary. For this we and flour based diet. Or virus is affecting people and their families’ health as must try to eat vegetables, even consuming Sri who have prior non-com- a result of covid. fruits, meats especially fish Lankan fruits will help this municable diseases, it is In order to ensure that we and cereals which are very cause. necessary that everyone are able to face this important. This is the same becomes more aware of pandemic head on our even if we eat from out. 3.How do we identify their dietary requirements. bodies need to be strong In addition to this having these biscuits before This is why those who are and healthy and it is tea and snacks is of a buying? indeed suffering from such important to get back in the normal nature. Doctors and In order to identify these diseases are given bran right direction of a eating nutritionists also suggest bran crackers they have crackers as it is made from healthy. Recent research people who have diabetes labels designed on their grains and is better for their has proven that if this virus to have smaller snacks in packaging and you as a health than the food items does get into our body, if addition to the three main customer must make sure rich in oil, salt and sugar. we have a good immunity meals as it has proven you ask the shop owner Further by ensuring they system we will be stop the beneficial. about this. Make sure you virus from intensifying. check the label which have a balanced diet it 2. What should we eat as Therefore big nutrients comes in three colours helps bring their immunity snacks/ extra meals? (starch,protein, oil)and which states per 100g the to the higher level. small nutrients (vitamins Today along with drinking amount of salt, sugar and and minerals) should be tea we have got used to fat. It might also mention In conversation with taken so that our body is eating a biscuits, pastries, the fact that there is no Senior Nutritionist N.M. short eats which are high in able to adequately acquire sugar, colouring or S. Hettigedera Rs.100/- onwords 140g onwords

An Advertisement 6 the sunday morning FOCUS/OPINION Sunday, December 6, 2020

BY SARAH HANNAN NEWLY APPOINTED MINISTER TO COMBAT COVID-19 a bigger issue here, and I discussed with the Minister of Justice, Sri Lanka Police, and The newly appointed State the Department of Prisons about reforming Minister for Primary Healthcare, the current process, to look at referring drug Epidemiology, and Covid-19 Control addicts/users to rehabilitation centres, rather Dr. Sudarshini Fernandopulle FOCUS ON RURAL than imprisoning them. spoke to The Sunday Morning on As a preventive measure, all the new the priority areas she would deal admissions were directed to Bogambara with when addressing the many Prison, while some of the prisoners in challenges posed by Covid-19. remand custody, who were in Welikada Prison, were transferred to Mahara Prison Following are her responses to our HEALTHCARE AND in order to adhere to the health guidelines. questions: The present situation had halted visitors from coming to see the inmates in prison, Your new portfolio comes at a very and moreover with court dates being pushed crucial time to the country, with the IMMUNISATION back due to the closure of courts, they were spread of Covid-19. What are the priority immunisation programmes and campaigns getting frustrated. areas identified by you? to ensure a safe and healthy community. Temporary shelters were also being set I am looking to improve rural healthcare Moreover, I will be working closely up so inmates can be moved within the services and boost the immunisation with the National Operations Centre for I will look at developing the rural compound, without having to transfer them programmes that are currently present in Prevention of Covid-19 Outbreak and the healthcare service, and initiate the to other prisons. With the limited facilities the healthcare system. These are my main taskforce that has been working tirelessly necessary programmes to improve available in the prisons, I believe they have priorities, and I am looking to work with since March to bring the pandemic under immunisation programmes and taken all possible measures to ensure that the experts in the fields, along with the control. campaigns to ensure a safe and the inmates’ health aspects are covered in Minister of Health. I take this opportunity healthy community terms of the Covid-19 preventive measures. to give back to the country and its citizens, You have been in charge of the prisons in Out of the total capacity of inmates who invested their tax monies in turning the country. There is unrest building each Overcrowding in prisons has been a within the prison system, 73% are remand me into a specialised doctor. As a politician, day over the Covid-19 situation in prisons longstanding issue; earlier last week, the prisoners awaiting their trial dates. There I am now able to also return the favour and the preventive measures being taken. capacity in all the prisons was reported at were measures in place to reduce the by looking at policy-level shortcomings, Now that you are handling Covid-19 28,000, in spaces where only 11,000 could amount of such prisoners by expediting and address such issues at Parliament. I prevention, how will you address this be held. To adhere to the guidelines issued their hearing dates. A report was submitted look forward to applying my 24 years of issue? by the Ministry of Health, we also had to to Ministry of Justice Secretary Attorney- experience as a medical practitioner and State Minister Dr. Sudarshini Fernandopulle The unrest in several of the prisons that reacquire prisons that were closed, to move at-Law Priyantha Mayadunne to expedite my experience as a politician to address the pandemic, improving the quality of service took place during the first wave of Covid- the inmates and maintain distance. further legal action against 6,334 remand primary healthcare issues that the country is in primary healthcare, epidemiology, and 19, and then now during the second wave With the aggressive crackdown on the prisoners facing charges for possession of currently facing. epidemic control is crucial. In keeping with of Covid-19, needs to also be looked at in a drug trade as of recently, there have been a under 2 g of heroin and less than 5 kg of the President’s “Visions of Prosperity” more humane way. It is natural for anyone record number of admissions of drug users. cannabis. How will you carry out the work that you policy statement, I will look at developing to feel scared and to get agitated if they are For instance, if a person was accosted with There were further delays caused by the have prioritised? the rural healthcare service, and initiate confined to a densely packed area, such as a over 2 g of heroin, they are booked in as backlog of reports from the Government In the backdrop of the present Covid-19 the necessary programmes to improve prison, whilst a pandemic is fast spreading. drug dealers, and not addicts/users. We have Analyst’s Department on substances.

Contd. from page 3 An unsolicited... Problematic internet Meanwhile, he said they power plants and therefore, have also made arrangements there won’t be a tariff change to add 500 MW to the national to those,” he stressed. use during the Covid-19 pandemic grid from solar power by He stressed that the unit setting up panels on the prices of solar power had BY DR. CHARUNI KOHOMBANGE signs and symptoms as kids in internet rooftops of houses of low- drastically reduced over the addiction. Constant checking of the phone income families. years and competitive bidding Covid-19 has created a significant impact and preoccupation with devices are the “100,000 families will be would help the CEB purchase on the lifestyle and behaviour of humanity. commonest signs of internet addiction. selected from among the solar power at the market rate. As a response to the pandemic, many “There are certain self-assessment tests Samurdhi recipients. They will “The price of a unit of governments have introduced steps such with scoring systems which can assess be given loan facilities to set up solar power at present, with as social distancing and “staying at home” your internet dependency and seek help solar panels and then the CEB competitive bidding, is strategies to curb its spread and impact. to overcome it,” she said. will purchase electricity from between Rs. 12 and Rs. 15, Schools had to be closed for many months them. The families will receive but the CEB is currently paying and children are cooped up in their homes, Personality types that are an income by generating Rs. 22 per unit, which is more stuck in the same daily routines. vulnerable to internet renewable energy,” he said. expensive than the market The fear resulting from the disease, addiction Dissanayake, on an price,” he said, adding that the “lockdown” situation, high levels Although it is not confirmed by extensive earlier occasion, told The the price reduction was not of uncertainty regarding the future, and studies, certain personalities with low Sunday Morning that the something done by the CEB, financial insecurity raise the level of stress, levels of extraversion use the internet more documentation work was to but was a result of a natural anxiety, and depression experienced by situations where both parents have to leave kids is a vital fact with regard to preventing frequently and may be at a higher risk of be completed in two months, process occurring over the people all around the world. This situation for work, keeping the kids unattended for them from addictive behaviours. Getting internet addiction. adding that once it was years. has increased the tendency of addiction to a long period. them involved in daily household activities Some studies have shown that students completed, the Ministry would As learnt, under the new the internet and social media. As the kids are cooped up at home with a and encouraging them in games which can with higher emotional stability experience call for tenders to construct system, the CEB would go Teaching Hospital Karapitiya Consultant limited number of activities and miss their be done at home, is an effective measure. fewer negative emotions when confronting the first-ever solar park in for competitive bidding every Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist Dr. schoolmates, an environment involving the problems. Therefore, it is less Siyambalanduwa. six months and as a result, the Darshani Hettiarachchi and psychologist internet and video gaming is invariably Internet addiction likely for them to alleviate Accordingly, tenders would Board is expected to purchase and personality development coach Rasini created, which gives them more happiness. in youth during the the negative emotions by the be called soon to construct the solar power at the most recent Bandara shared their views on this matter. pandemic extreme and obsessed usage first-ever 100 MW solar power and cheaper rate. This article excerpts the discussion. Adverse outcomes on children Technology addiction has of the internet. In addition, park in Siyambalanduwa, Furthermore, CEB Chairman Increased time on the internet has become an issue in children as it appears that the students Monaragala in November. Eng. Herath stressed that the Internet addiction in children significantly curtailed physical activities well as youth for some time, with high extraversion scores The environmental impact CEB had already launched a Many parents today are concerned that in children, resulting in obesity and related which has been increased prefer social, face-to-face assessments (EIAs), new solar project by using the their kids may be spending too much time problems in children. According to recent with the pandemic. “With the interactions with other people meanwhile, are currently already existing transformers on the internet and playing studies, incidence of diabetes hype of technology, all the rather than to interact with being carried out and will be and therefore, there wouldn’t video games. This can result in children has increased information, entertainment, Since these the virtual world. completed in two months. be any issue to transmit the in harmful effects on the significantly. “Risk of and even the cinema is just a technologies and “The funding for the project energy generations. development of children. sexual abuse, cyber bullying, click away. When the world Coping skills to is not yet finalised and we will When asked about the social media bring develop Dr. Hettiarachichi explained and divulging of personal has come to a standstill with happiness without go for open tender. We have grid capacity, he stressed the signs and symptoms of facts can be increased with the pandemic situation, people any association of Bandara suggests the not yet decided whether we that since the CEB is using internet addiction as follows: excessive internet use,” said have become more curious to people, youth are following coping strategies will go for a government-to- existing transformers, there yy Preoccupied with using Dr. Hettiarachichi. find out the latest information. getting more and to get rid of internet government project or not,” is enough space to add more the internet (constantly It has been noted that Since the internet is the more addicted to addiction: Dissanayake said. solar power to the system. He thinks about past use or children who spend much easiest and fastest method the internet and yy Initially, build an Along with the construction also noted that the CEB was future use) Excessive internet time on the internet are more to obtain information with becoming isolated “artificial block”, which of the solar park, another finalising the documents to vulnerable to develop poor constant updates, people transmission line project will go for competitive bidding yy Needs to use the use can lead from the human will eventually develop sleep and sleep disorders. have developed dependency,” also be implemented, he added. for several other solar power internet with increased to cognitive community into a “psychological “Excessive internet use said Rasini Bandara, who is Cabinet approval has been projects. amounts of time-to-gain impairment, poor Psychologist block”. This can be done can lead to cognitive a psychologist and a public granted to construct the solar Commenting on satisfaction decision making, and personality by muting notifications impairment, poor decision speaking and personality development coach when you are engaged in park in 2016 and it has since government-to-government yy Inability to control, cut and poor personality making, and poor personality development coach. Rasini Bandara work and ensuring that you been delayed. Furthermore, proposals, he said there were a back, or stop use of the development in development in children.” With the pandemic and keep the phone away from the Asian Development Bank number of proposals received, internet children Teaching Hospital social isolation, youth the workstation (ADB) is currently evaluating but the CEB is still evaluating yy Becoming restless, Preventing internet have developed frustration due to the the technical possibilities as to and has not yet taken any final Karapitiya yy Assign a certain time limit to check moody, depressed, or addiction uncertainty. In this context, surfing the whether the tenders should be decision. Consultant Child the phone irritable when attempting and Adolescent Parents have to concentrate internet, especially on social media, is called for 100 MW at once, for However, priority would to control internet use Psychiatrist on the following facts commonly seen. yy Stay away from devices at least for four 25 MW plants, or for ten be given to the competitive one hour before bedtime yy Poor performance in Dr. Darshani to prevent children from “Youth spend much time on Facebook 10 MW plants. bidding process, he added. Hettiarachchi education and impaired internet addiction and its and other social media, mainly to obtain yy Keep the devices away when having In the meantime, the CEB is Speaking to The Sunday attention to daily adverse outcomes: checking instant rewards, such as a rewarding meals planning to purchase 150 MW Morning, Ministry of activities and social relationships history folders and internet comment or a like. These instant rewards yy Distract yourself with a healthy of solar power at cheaper rates Power Media Spokesman yy logs, learning about parental monitoring are capable of releasing the neurotransmitter activity when you develop an urge to to add to the national grid by Sulakshana Jayawardena said Attempting to hide facts on their software, and installing filters are important called dopamine, which is known as the saving around Rs. 200 million that discussions are ongoing internet use from parents and getting check the phone in preventing children from accessing ‘happy hormone’. Since these technologies yy per year. It has also already between the ministries and the irritated when questioned unsuitable sites. It is important for every and social media bring happiness without Engage in relaxing and breathing taken measures to implement Mahaweli Authority to identify yy Using the internet as the main mode parent to learn the terminology and be any association of people, youth are getting exercises the long-delayed renewable the possibility of using the of entertainment comfortable with the computer, at least more and more addicted to the internet Psychological stress related to the Covid- energy projects including mini- Mahaweli reservoirs to put Dr. Hettiarachichi further explained the enough to know what your child is doing and becoming isolated from the human 19 pandemic has contributed to developing hydro, solar, and wind. up solar power plants so as to reasons for children getting addicted to the online. It is vital for a modern-day parent community. During the pandemic situation, a mindset that rationalises new unhealthy Speaking to The Sunday save the land areas that would internet during the pandemic situation. The to take an active interest in the internet people are encouraged to work and learn habits such as excessive screen time and Morning on an earlier have to be allocated for solar prolonged closure of schools is the main and learn about what the kids surf online. on the internet, which has further facilitated prolonged internet use as necessary for occasion, CEB Chairman power parks. contributing factor for internet addiction in Limit online hours and be mindful to this addiction,” said Bandara, who is also a coping. However, these are potentially Eng. Vijitha Herath said that According to him, the reason children and adolescents. Online learning remove the kids away from the internet soon visiting lecturer at the First Friends Campus, posing a longer-lasting threat. In this time competitive bidding would why Mahaweli reservoirs were and the inadequate knowledge of parents after the online learning sessions are over. Kandy. of spatial distancing, when the importance only be applied to industrial chosen as the best place is on new technologies and internet usage Educate the child on the harmful effects Internet addiction is much similar to of technology increases even more than solar power plants which are because those reservoirs have has created an environment for the kids of internet use and limit non-educational any other substance abuse, as it also has usual, it is vital to emphasise healthy means more than 1 MW. the required infrastructure to to escape from the parents’ monitoring. internet time to half an hour per day. a potential of developing withdrawal of coping strategies and healthy practices “Competitive bidding is not transmit the power generated This problem is further aggravated in Listening and paying attention to the symptoms. Youth also develop similar of internet use. applicable for rooftop solar via the solar plants. the sunday morning 7 Sunday, December 6, 2020 FOCUS

COVID-19 HEALTH COMMITTEES Awaiting proper guidelines z Focus on occupational health and safety BY SARAH HANNAN improve awareness on the guidelines and Once the Ministry of Labour issues the share the best practices from their members circular on appointing the health committees Two weeks following the Labour that are to be adopted. through the Department of Labour, the EFC Minister’s proposal to appoint health Kariyawasam stated: “We are not going to said that they are willing to give guidance Minister of Labour convened a meeting recently to address representatives committees at workplaces to ensure issue separate processes or guidelines to our to their member organisations on who they from labour unions, the Employers’ Federation, and the Labour Secretariat, where he had instructed guidelines to prevent the spread of Covid-19 740-member organisations. Each industry should appoint to the health committees, that a methodology was to be adopted in work environments among the workforce, the Department of has their respective occupational safety and and should they need any training on Labour is said to be waiting on the next steps health guidelines that they have to comply implementing and adopting the guidelines were told that they are yet to issue a circular, of Labour held two weeks ago, no definite and directives, The Sunday Morning learnt. with. The Covid-19 guidelines will be an to their existing occupational safety and as further measures needed to be discussed decision has been reached on how the When we reached out to our Human addition to these guidelines and we advise health code, they would do so through virtual with the relevant ministry officials. committee is to be appointed and how they Resources Department, it was immediately them to follow the workplace Covid-19 training sessions. “We are yet to get the necessary directives are to be monitored,” Department of Labour clear that no circular had been issued by the prevention guidelines that are issued by the When The Sunday Morning contacted on establishing health committees. While we Commissioner of Labour Human Resources Department of Labour yet, and even when Ministry of Health.” the Department of Labour for comment, we did take part in the meeting that the Minister D.P.K.R. Weerakoon noted. they had inquired from the Labour Relations Officer, they too were taken by surprise that such a proposal had been made to appoint health committees at a company level. Recently, Minister of Labour Nimal Siripala de Silva had convened a meeting with the participation of representatives from labour unions, the Employers’ Federation, and the Labour Secretariat, where he had instructed that a methodology was to be adopted in work environments and the employees are to follow the Covid- 19 preventive guidelines that would be communicated from the Ministry of Health. “Given the prevailing situation in the country, we have understood that keeping the worksites closed is not going to be feasible for a long period of time. Therefore, during the meeting, we discussed that preventive measures need to be followed at all levels. It was suggested that a health committee be appointed for each workplace, which would monitor and ensure that guidelines are followed,” de Silva told The Sunday Morning. The workplace guidelines that were initially issued in May when the country partially opened for economic activities after a near-two-month total lockdown have now changed. The Sunday Morning contacted the Employers’ Federation of Ceylon (EFC) Occupational Safety and Health Senior Executive Researcher Gaya Kariyawasam to inquire about how their organisation will Basic guidelines issued by Epidemiology Unit Brief employees are to stay at home if anyone experiences a mild cough or low-grade fever (37.3 C or more). Keep communicating and promoting the message that people need to stay at home even if they have just mild symptoms of Covid-19. Promote good hand hygiene among employees and customers • Hand hygiene includes either cleaning hands with soap and water or with an alcohol-based hand rub • Make hand washing facilities or sanitising hand rub dispensers available to employees and customers to clean their hands at the main entrances as well as other suitable places • Ensure the hand rub dispensers are regularly refilled and soap and water are freely available at all times • The correct hand washing technique can be demonstrated by posters, leaflets, via LCD panels, and dissemination of information at meetings Ensure the cleanliness and hygiene of the workplace • Pay attention to regular disinfection of surfaces (e.g. desks and tables) and objects (e.g. shared/ used telephones, keyboards, teller machines, door handles and railings, etc.) with a suitable disinfectant several times a day • Keep the doors open as much as possible (e.g. non-air-conditioned areas). This will minimise the necessity to touch the door handles • In air-conditioned areas, open the doors with your body by pushing. Minimise the overcrowding of customers (supermarkets, shops, banks, government offices, etc.) inside the workplace • Try to keep at least a one-metre gap between the customers and the officers who have direct customer relationships. If this is not possible, it is advisable that such officers wear facemasks while on duty, wash their hands more often than others, and should not touch their face with unwashed hands Let them enter in manageable numbers the staff can handle • Arrange a suitable place outside of the office until they get their turn • Try to keep at least a one-metre gap between the customers and the officers who have direct customer relationships. If this is not possible, it is advisable that such officers wear facemasks while on duty, wash their hands more often than others, and should not touch their face with unwashed hands Promote good respiratory hygiene in the workplace Keep surgical masks and/or paper tissues at your workplace for use by those who develop a runny nose or cough at work, along with closed bins for their hygienic disposal How to manage Covid-19 risk when organising meetings and events Before the meeting or event, consider whether a face-to-face meeting or event is needed. Could it be replaced by a teleconference or online event? If a meeting is essential, • Minimise the number of attendees • Do not shake hands with other participants, instead say “ayubowan” the sunday morning Sunday, December 6, 2020 EDITORIAL/POLITICS

The optics of efficiency The contrast between the present Government and the last could not have been greater when it comes down to the optics of governance. The last Government, having been out of power for a good 10 years, Govt. trying to navigate choppy waters was for the most part just simply trying to come to terms with the fact that they were in fact the Government, which left a scheming President plenty of room to outmanoeuvre his own Cabinet and gain the upper z Ministers share experiences behind z Basil’s visit to Parliament for hand even though he himself had, just a few months into his term, voluntarily trimmed down most of the obnoxious presidential powers bars following Mahara clash a meeting builds excitement via the 19th Amendment. Today, the contrast between then and now could not be starker, with While the Burevi cyclone given her role as a senior the present Government being obsessed with the optics it projects headed out of the SLPPer and a loyalist of Prime compared to their erstwhile counterparts now in opposition, who country, leaving a trail of Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, cared little about what the media portrayed of them. It is only once the destruction in its wake, while her husband is the head of election results jolted them out of their collective stupor that reality mainly in the Northern the SLPP Provincial Councillors hit them about the importance of how a government is perceived on and Eastern Provinces, Forum. a day-to-day, issue-to-issue basis. the other storms Apart from Dr. The present administration is a past master in the art of stage-managing Fernandopulle’s appointment, optics and therefore, it is somewhat surprising that the usually well- faced by the country President Rajapaksa also crafted message of “efficiency” is beginning to fall apart at the seams in the form of Covid- made another change in his with mixed messaging emanating from various quarters. At the heart 19 and its challenges, Government. of the issue is the manner in which the pandemic is being tackled including economic The State Ministry of Prisons by a multitude of state agencies, with many of them appearing to be difficulties, continue to created a requirement for an and Prisoner Rehabilitation working at cross purposes. hit the nation. It is in this individual dedicated to hold that was formerly held by Dr. One has to pity the predicament that has befallen the hapless Health backdrop that President responsibility for the sector. Fernandopulle was assigned to Minister who just last week was made to undergo the indignation Gotabaya Rajapaksa Therefore, Dr. State Minister . of having the more important of her ministerial subjects and duties is trying to steer the Fernandopulle’s appointment Ratwatte on Wednesday (2) arrogated to a new State Minister who for all intents and purposes will Government through could be deemed a scientific was appointed as the State now be calling the shots in Sri Lanka’s war on Covid-19. The Health choppy seas. one as well as the need of the Minister of Prison Management Minister can only blame herself for the predicament she finds herself hour. and Prisoners Rehabilitation by in these days. The nightmare began when she rushed to embrace a Many have been the Nevertheless, her appointment President Rajapaksa. Chinese national amidst the glare of the media, who her Ministry challenges faced by the country, has paved the way for several He also holds the State boasted was the only Covid-19 patient in the country and had been mainly due to the severe blow questions to be posed with Ministry of Gem and Jewellery- fully cured. This was 10 months ago. dealt by the global Covid-19 regard to the minister who holds related Industries. With a second wave looking increasingly menacing, the Health pandemic. The re-emergence the cabinet portfolio for health It seemed to be somewhat of Minister perhaps acting out of desperation, then engaged in the now of the virus through the – Pavithra Wanniarachchi. a baptism by fire for Ratwatte, infamous “mutti” or claypot incident where she and some of her Minuwangoda cluster has now Until Fernandopulle’s as his appointment came a cabinet colleagues were caught on camera seeking divine intervention. spread to almost every part of appointment, it was few days after the clashes in The third and last episode which probably is what broke the camel’s the country, with the Western Wanniarachchi who looked into the Mahara Prison that left 11 back, was the partaking of a “miracle cure” that had purportedly been Province being identified as the matters of Covid-19-related inmates dead and many injured, “discovered” by a village shrink or “veda mahattaya” in Kegalle. highest-risk area. work. while heavy damages were If social media went into a frenzy following the “mutti” episode, The President is However, with a large caused to the infrastructure of the “miracle cure” went a step further with various entities scrambling contemplating changes to his number of subjects that were the Mahara Prison Complex. to counter the negativity. The main question being raised is of a Cabinet of Ministers in order formerly under the Ministry After being appointed as fundamental nature – is this a cure for Covid-19 or is it a form of oral to address growing issues of Health now being divided the State Minister for Prisons immunisation, preventing one from catching the virus, or does it do faced by the country. The first under three state ministries, and Prisoner Rehabilitation, both? Since this has not been explained clearly, the Health Minister step was the formation of two the duties assigned under the Ratwatte’s first task was to visit should now either be cured of Covid if she had it, or is now immunised new cabinet portfolios and the Health Minister have been the Mahara Prison. from catching the bug. appointment of Rear Admiral further reduced. As pointed out He visited the buildings that If the latter is indeed the case, then Sri Lanka should at this point Dr. Sarath Weerasekera as the by an Opposition legislator, were damaged in the fracas and be rushing to mass produce this concoction and not only issue it free Cabinet Minister for Law and Wanniarachchi now seems to directed the officials to ensure of charge to every member of the population but also be registering Order. The portfolio covering be in charge of the hospitals the required renovation work is a patent for it and producing it on a commercial scale for export with technology was retained by the and submitting papers to the carried out immediately. India next door being a ready and ripe market for the product. We President. Cabinet. Ratwatte also took time to should by now be fighting for market share with the Pfizers, Modernas, The second step of these The assignment of the meet with the inmates and and AstraZenecas of the world who among themselves are fighting an planned changes took place last three state ministries with discuss their issues, after which uphill battle to fulfil the global requirement. Since the local product week. a large number of subjects he assured that the review President Gotabaya Rajapaksa can be packed in empty liquor bottles and only needs a teaspoon to The first was the appointment under the Health Ministry meetings carried out in prisons be administered, the cost saving for importers would be immense, as of Dr. has left even some of the Sri every four years until 1998 will the need for complex cold chain logistics and syringes for intravenous as the State Minister of Primary Lanka Podujana Peramuna once again be resumed since rapid antigen testing on Mahara administering become redundant. Health Care, Epidemiology, and (SLPP) members wondering the President had approved inmates as well as those in In fact, this could be a godsend to get the economy out of the rut Covid-19 Disease Control. whether Wanniarachchi is the recommencement of the other prisons in order to provide with export earnings from this one product having the potential to The new State Minister was being sidelined within the programme. the necessary treatment to the compensate for all tourism receipts, if not greater. The big question sworn in before President Government. The newly appointed Minister infected while safeguarding is, why none of this is happening when the Health Minister herself Rajapaksa at the Presidential It is, however, hard to fathom also addressed the Covid-19 others from contracting the has put her credibility on the line for a third consecutive time in the Secretariat on Monday (30 whether Wanniarachchi is being concerns among the inmates and virus. name of Covid. The answer probably lies in the fact that it is all about November) evening. sidelined in the Government, directed the immediate use of He further noted that a projecting a feel-good factor to an increasingly frustrated electorate, A doctor by profession, special telephone number will when reality is anything but that. Fernandopulle was earlier be assigned at the Prisons What those managing the feel-good optics backstage may not realise the State Minister for Prison Department to pave the way is that each time these “distractions” are dumped in the public domain, Reforms and Prisoner for families and relatives of it chips away, piece by piece, the credibility of the Government as a Rehabilitation. inmates to inquire after the whole. The collateral damage will be those arms of the State doing A few days prior to wellbeing of their loved ones yeoman service in these trying times. The end result could be a more Dr. Fernandopulle’s new behind bars. toxic version of what befell the last administration; that, ironically appointment, the British Meanwhile, the Government being due to the lack of any optics management. Government appointed a has already initiated a The worst thing that could happen to any government is to be out Vaccines Minister on Saturday mechanism to expedite the of touch with reality. Donald Trump is a prime example. Having been (28 November) as the country cases of minor offenders as propelled into office by an unrealistic campaign targeting a gullible prepared to inoculate millions well as to resolve the issue audience, the business magnate turned politician simply could not sustain of people against Covid-19. of inmates who are unable the charade and now prefers to live in an alternate universe where he British Prime Minister to pay their fines, in a bid to continues to think that he has been re-elected to the presidency. It is Boris Johnson announced that ease the congestion in prisons. in this alternate universe that he once prescribed consuming bleach Conservative lawmaker Nadhim The inmates will be released and other disinfectants to Covid patients, much the same way that an Zahawi would oversee the UK’s with the intervention of the unknown, untested concoction is being promoted as a Covid cure by biggest vaccine programme in State Ministry as well as being our Health Minister. decades. subjected to a monitoring With both the number of Covid-positive cases as well as the number The spread of Covid-19 in Sri mechanism by the Prisons of deaths due to Covid complications continuing to rise, it is inevitable Lanka and the urgent need for Department. that frustration within the Government will also continue to rise. It is a proper national mechanism to State Minister Dr. Sudarshini Fernandopulle (right) receiving her appointment from It was reported last week that therefore essential that heads remain cool and wiser counsel prevails in address the issue undoubtedly President Gotabaya Rajapaksa currently there are over 28,000 order to get on top of the situation. Therefore, the President’s decision inmates occupying spaces in to handover the battle against Covid to a health professional, Dr. prisons islandwide, which are Sudarshini Fernandopulle, is certainly a step in the right direction. It is only allocated to accommodate now up to Dr. Fernandopulle to create a sustainable ecosystem for the about 11,000 inmates. economy to slowly but surely reclaim its lost rhythm while enabling people to go about their business in an environment where the spread Sharing experiences of Covid is minimised, leading to a reduction in the number of cases. During the verbal exchanges Based on the UK’s decision to administer the Pfizer Covid vaccine to on last week’s clash at the its citizens, it has been reported that the Government is contemplating Mahara Prison, several reopening our airport to European passengers in January. Even though ministers also shared their the longsuffering tourism industry has welcomed the move, it is a experiences while behind bars. decision that needs to be weighed carefully, especially by the newly The first to speak on the appointed State Minister of Primary Healthcare, given the undue risks matter was Chief Government associated with the move. Whip Minister Johnston America’s leading scientist and Head of its Centre for Disease Fernando. Responding to Control Dr. Anthony Fauci is already on record casting aspersions on the issue of overcrowding at the British health authorities for rushing the approval of the vaccine prisons, Fernando said the issue without adhering to the usual safety protocols. The same vaccine is was nothing new and that it had due to be approved for use in the US only towards mid-December. For been so for many years. a vaccine that has been produced in a mighty hurry, common sense “It’s nothing new. It was the dictates that every available safety measure is exhausted before being same when I was behind bars. released to the public. Only time will tell how effective the vaccine There were 51 people in my will be and keeping the airport doors shut a little while longer seems cell. There was not enough like the wise thing to do while also consolidating the optics of effective space even to sleep,” he said. governance. Fernando further noted that No 91, Wijerama Mawatha, Colombo 7. when he was in the Kegalle Fax - 011 2 673 441 Prison, there were 225 General - 011 5 200 900 individuals in a space assigned Director Sales & Marketing - 077 3 866 143 for 50 people. Circulation Manager - 011 5 978 987 / 076 1 367620 “Although they (Opposition) E-mail - [email protected] speak now, they have not even built one toilet in prisons. When 9 EDITORIAL/POLITICS Govt. trying to navigate choppy waters z Basil’s visit to Parliament for z SLPP’s Badulla budget defeated z Pressure mounts on Easter a meeting builds excitement as SLFPers point out failures attacks and Bond Scam probes

due to prior engagements. the SLFP. noted that if the Government fails 2015. It is learnt that Singaporean Security at the Parliament As a result, the SLPP saw the to address the issue of bringing to A social media report, however, authorities have refused a Complex was beefed up in defeat of one of its 2021 budgets justice those responsible for the stated that the Defence Secretary, request from the Sri Lankan anticipation of the President’s presented to a local government Easter Sunday attacks by giving the Director of the Criminal Defence Ministry to extradite arrival. body last week. way to the culture of politics led Investigation Department (CID), Mahendran to face charges However, following the debate, The budget for 2021 presented by various deals, the Catholic and several officials of the Sri in connection with the 2015 the Tamil National People’s Front by the SLPP in the Badulla people would have to look at Lankan AG’s Department have Bond Scam...on the basis (TNPF) had sought a vote on the Municipal Council was an alternative to ensure justice been informed by the Singapore it could not be determined Defence Ministry’s account for reportedly defeated for the third prevails. AG’s Chambers that Singaporean that Mahendran’s conduct, 2021. time. authorities were refusing the if committed in Singapore, When the TNA had proposed The reason for the budget’s Mahendran in the request on the basis it could not would constitute a criminal a vote for the Defence Ministry defeat was the decision by limelight be determined that Mahendran’s offence in Singapore, account, members of the main the SLFP, which is a coalition The SLPP-led Government conduct, if committed in according to the evidence Opposition, SJB, who were partner of the SLPP, to vote seems to be under pressure over Singapore, would constitute a presented by Sri Lanka present in the Chamber, had against the budget. The SLFP high-profile probes, starting criminal offence in Singapore, walked out without participating had voted against the budget, from the Easter Sunday attacks according to the evidence Details of the discussion in the vote. reportedly due to a disagreement to the Central Bank Treasury presented by Sri Lanka. between Doval and Sampanthan Finally, the expenditure head over the SLPP’s alleged failure Bond Scam during the previous Singapore prosecutors have remain unclear. However, the of the Defence Ministry for 2021 to honour an agreement reached administration. reportedly noted that Mahendran TNA has continuously been was passed with a majority of between the two parties. Focus has been on former could not have unilaterally made focusing on the Government’s 127 votes, with 132 votes in It is learnt that the SLPP Central Bank Governor Arjuna the decision to accept Rs. 10.058 move towards doing away with favour of the account and five and the SLFP had reached an Mahendran following a question billion worth of bids at the 27 the 13th Amendment to the votes against. agreement where the SLPP posed by the SJB to the February 2015 auction, had the Constitution in its proposed new The five votes against the would hand over the chair of the Government recently. Tender Board recommended a constitution. Defence Ministry account were local government body to the different quantum of bids. In fact, Indian Prime Minister of MPs C.V. Wigneswaran, SLFP after two years. They have further determined Narendra Modi had also drawn Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam, However, the SLPP had failed that under Sri Lanka’s Registered attention to the 13th Amendment and three members of the TNA. to hand over the chair of the Stocks and Securities Ordinance during his first virtual bilateral Both the SJB and the Janatha council to the SLFP, resulting in (RSSO), the Tender Board is meeting with Prime Minister Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) had the latter deciding to vote against required to reach its own decision Mahinda Rajapaksa. abstained from voting. the budget. to present to the Central Bank “Prime Minister Modi called This development has taken Governor and that the Governor on the Government of Sri Lanka Basil in Parliament place amidst efforts by SLFP had no ability to influence that to address the aspirations of However, and SLPP seniors to further decision. the Tamil people for equality, last week visited Parliament, strengthen the alliance between The Singaporean authorities justice, peace, and respect causing quite a story among the the two parties. Seniors of have reportedly further raised within a united Sri Lanka, Opposition as well as governing both parties have already concerns about a selective including by carrying forward party politicians. held several rounds of talks prosecution of Mahendran, the process of reconciliation with Basil had entered Parliament with their respective party since Sri Lankan authorities had the implementation of the 13th on Wednesday (2) evening, organisers and district leaders failed to even question Tender Amendment to the Constitution,” resulting in many legislators to build a mechanism where the Board members and officers of the statement issued following bombarding the parliament staff grassroots levels of both parties the Public Debt Department as the discussion noted. with questions on the reason for stand united and work towards to whether they were aware of There have been mixed signals Basil’s visit to Parliament. establishing power within the Arjuna Mahendran the conflict of interest between from the Government with regard The parliament staff was local government bodies that are Mahendran and Perpetual to the 13th Amendment and its questioned on whether Basil had currently not under their hold. Upon being questioned about the Treasuries Ltd., and that the future in the country. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa arrived in Parliament to make However, SLFP members in progress made in the probe into Government had singled out Several members of the arrangements for his re-entrance the districts continue to complain the alleged Central Bank Bond Mahendran for criminal charges Government, including the State I was in prison, people used to to Parliament, to which the about the failures in dividing Scam, Minister of Justice Ali without even investigating most Minister of Local Government stand on one foot in the toilet. officials had responded saying funding and other benefits Sabry told Parliament that there of the members of the Tender and Provincial Councils, have They (inmates) had swollen there were no such arrangements between members of the two was an obstacle in proceeding Board who signed onto the said there was no reason to feet,” Fernando charged. being discussed and that they had parties, as well as the failure on with the case since Mahendran unanimous decision to accept Rs. continue with the provincial The next to share personal no idea as to why he had visited the part of some SLPP members was not in the country. 10.058 billion in bids. council system following the end experiences was Minister Wimal the House. to honour the agreements When The Sunday Morning The decision of the of the war. Weerawansa. He said that when It was later learnt that Basil reached between the SLPP and recently asked Sabry about Singaporean authorities had he was behind bars, there were had made his way to the Prime SLFP. the progress in Mahendran’s been conveyed to the Sri Lankan The assignment of the three 3,000 inmates in the Magazine Minister’s Office in Parliament extradition from Singapore, the Government in August this year, state ministries with a large Prison instead of 1,000 which the and had attended a meeting of Cardinal speaks of Minister said he was unaware of but was yet to be communicated number of subjects under prison is supposed to hold. the SLPP parliamentary group options the progress made so far and that to the Permanent High Court at the Health Ministry has “This congestion has been together with Prime Minister Archbishop of Colombo he had requested a report from Bar by the AG’s Department, left even some of the Sri there even during the previous Rajapaksa at the Parliament Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith last the Attorney General (AG). according to the social media Lanka Podujana Peramuna Government,” he charged. Complex. week seemed to have run out of Last week, Sabry told report. (SLPP) members wondering patience with regard to the probe Parliament that he would make a whether Wanniarachchi is Tissa meets MR on last year’s Easter Sunday statement to the House as soon as Doval’s last-minute being sidelined within the (SJB) attacks. he receives the report requested meeting Government. MP last week The Cardinal had said that by him from the AG. The While the country’s political It is, however, hard to fathom met Prime Minister Mahinda an alternative would have to Minister added that the report pot boils with wide-ranging whether Wanniarachchi Rajapaksa. Attanayake and be explored in the event the was due within a few days. issues, the TNA is gearing for the is being sidelined in the Rajapaksa, despite representing Government fails to punish the However, there was no proposed constitutional reforms Government, given her role as opposing camps, have through culprits behind the Easter attacks. update on the AG’s report on that are expected to take place a senior SLPPer and a loyalist the years maintained a solid These observations were made Mahendran’s extradition at the next year. of Prime Minister Mahinda friendship. by the Cardinal during a recent time of going to print. It is in this backdrop that the Rajapaksa Last Wednesday (2), meeting with SJB MP Kavinda TNA recently held a hurriedly Basil had entered Parliament Attanayake had made his way to Jayawardena. organised closed-door meeting The school of thought on Wednesday (2) evening, the Prime Minister’s Office at the The Cardinal had pointed out with India’s National Security maintained by the nationalist resulting in many legislators Parliament Complex to hand a that the Catholic community in Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval forces in the Government is bombarding the parliament copy of his book “Untold Story” the country had been patiently during the latter’s recent visit to that the provincial council staff with questions on the to the Prime Minister. waiting to see the outcome Sri Lanka to attend a tripartite system brought about by the reason for Basil’s visit to The novel was written by of the probe on the Easter confab in Colombo. 13th Amendment was aimed Parliament. Attanayake when he was Sunday attacks, and while some During the visit, Doval met at resolving the civil war at incarcerated during the tenure individuals are being held by The parliament staff was with Prime Minister Rajapaksa the time and now that the war of the former Yahapalana Basil Rajapaksa authorities over the attacks, there questioned on whether Basil and President Rajapaksa as well. was over, there was no need Government. Attanayake was is no clarity on their actual roles had arrived in Parliament to However, a last-minute to continue with the piece of behind bars for a period of 55 Meanwhile, SLPP backbenchers in the Easter Sunday carnage. make arrangements for his addition to his agenda seemed legislation that was mooted by days. continue to call on Basil to During the conversation, re-entrance to Parliament, to have been made last Sunday the Government of India. Interestingly, it is learnt that return to Parliament. the Cardinal had elaborated to which the officials had prior to his departure, where he Meanwhile, during a recent the novel also has a chapter on Interestingly, however, Basil that while the Presidential responded saying there were had met with TNA Leader MP R. meeting between Fisheries Prime Minister Rajapaksa. seems to be in no hurry to return Commission of Inquiry probing no such arrangements being Sampanthan. Minister During the time Attanayake to Parliament. As the Head of Easter Sunday attacks had discussed and that they had The meeting was brought to and US Ambassador Alaina was behind bars, the Prime the Presidential Task Force on questioned many politicians no idea as to why he had light by Indian media outlet, B. Teplitz, the former had Minister had visited him on three Economic Revival and Poverty and officials, including those visited the House The Hindu, which stated that noted that enforcing the 13th occasions, and when the book Eradication, Basil continues to in the defence establishment, the meeting was held at India Amendment would ensure was presented to Rajapaksa, the carry out his work, which he did most of the details discussed Nevertheless, it is learnt that House, the official residence of the political rights of the duo had engaged in a discussion under the Ministry of Economic at the sessions were on their Singaporean authorities have the Indian High Commissioner Tamil people and help in the about that time. Development during the previous duties during the time of the refused a request from the Sri in Sri Lanka, and lasted about 30 reconciliation process. After presenting the book to Rajapaksa regime. attack. He had noted that there Lankan Defence Ministry to minutes. Devananda had further stated the Prime Minister, Attanayake One of Basil’s close confidants was a lack of clarity on whether extradite Mahendran to face Asked about the development, that there was no obstacle in spent some time with Rajapaksa said that he would return to the Commission had gathered charges in connection with the Sampanthan had confirmed that enforcing the 13th Amendment reminiscing about the past. Parliament at the appropriate information regarding the persons 2015 Bond Scam. the meeting took place. “Matters to the Constitution and that time and that he already involved in the attack, their The Defence Ministry had pertaining to the development of there was no necessity for Defence passed with possesses the required mandate sponsors, and how the finances made the request on behalf of Sri Lanka, and the development a two-thirds majority in majority to carry out key economic were raised. the AG’s Department on 10 of the North and East were Parliament or a referendum. The vote on the Defence development work. News reports last week had September 2019, according to discussed,” he told The Hindu. According to the Minister, Ministry account was taken up stated that the Commission is an order from the Permanent It was also reported that the the sole reason for the failure last Thursday (3), following the SLPP defeated thrice likely to conclude its sessions by High Court at Bar before which Indian High Commission had to address the issues faced committee stage debate on the Meanwhile, relations between the 20th this month. Mahendran and nine others tweeted updates of Doval’s visit, by the Tamil-speaking people account. the SLPP and Sri Lanka Freedom The Cardinal had called on the are charged with criminal including his arrival, departure, of the country was due to the President Rajapaksa, who Party (SLFP) have once again Government not to put the probe misappropriation of public and various meetings during misleading actions of certain holds the defence portfolio, been put to the test with the on the Easter Sunday attacks to property in connection with the his stay, but had refrained from Tamil politicians who have was earlier expected to attend SLPP being accused of failing to the backburner. issuance of Treasury bonds by mentioning the NSA’s meeting used the people to further their Parliament that day but had not honour agreements reached with The Catholic head had also the Central Bank in February with Sampanthan. personal political agendas. 10 the sunday morning FOCUS/VIEWS Sunday, December 6, 2020

BY PUJANEE GALAPPATHTHI AND DINITHI to speak up about this. It is nothing to be GUNASEKERA embarrassed about,” said Gamage. This seems to be accurate even in the Following the 2021 Budget political stage, especially considering the presentation last month, which #Donttaxmyperiod backlash received by 2019 presidential sparked heated debate among candidate (Opposition Leader) Sajith members of the Opposition on the zThe conversation around period poverty in SL Premadasa when he claimed he would taxation of sanitary products, the distribute free sanitary napkins to women if issue of period poverty and the elected. discussion on access to sanitary “Many criticise even the mere products; safe, hygienic spaces in discussion of this very relevant issue from which to use them; and the right a misinterpreted and archaic, ‘hanamiti’ to manage menstruation without (conservative) angle. Presently, the world shame became a topic of discussion is going on a redefined path and we should follow,” Kavirathna said. “With all current within the general public. developments, what disheartens me are the According to the Advocata Institute, repulsive comments made last week on the Sri Lanka has approximately 4.2 million main editorial of a reputed newspaper, that menstruating women, thus a 15% tax speaks poorly of me as a woman who spoke imposed would have a serious impact on out about such a ‘taboo’ issue in a public the women. The Sunday Morning spoke to space.” Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) National List MP and SJB MP Rohini Moving forward Wijeratne Kavirathne of the Opposition who Scotland undertook this issue by starting were predominantly vocal in this regard. the provision of free sanitary products at In Gamage’s speech in Parliament, she school and university levels which is on noted concerns on how the proposed tax will PHOTO GETTY IMAGES par with Gamage’s suggestion. Kavirathna affect 52% of Sri Lanka’s population and endorsed Gamage’s proposal that sanitary appealed to make sanitary napkins essential napkins must be given free to women of goods. Essential, not luxury which holds the second highest position in people through education and awareness, low-income families. “If you estimate the minimum days per cancer among women in Sri Lanka, can be specifically on the importance of using “Today (1 December), the Government Current sanitary napkin tax in monthly menstruation per woman, two small largely caused by poor menstrual hygiene, sanitary products and on sexual and had similar discussions to take on a similar perspective packets of sanitary napkins are the estimated which in most cases, is a result of a structural reproductive health and rights,” noted approach at the school level. I personally The tariff rates on sanitary napkins were at number used. In this case, a minimum of Rs. issue for rural communities in Sri Lanka. Wickremeratne. think that this initiative is a great first step 102%, starting out. After certain reforms, the 350 is spent. In a case of three female family “At the end of the day, what I have to in the right direction in terms of not only Export Development Board (EDB) CESS members per family unit, the cost they have say is that there is very little consideration Choice women’s rights but also regarding the component had been removed following a to pay for menstruation is over Rs. 1,000 made on the behalf of the women in this Adfactors PR Strategic Communications disabled,” revealed Kavirathna. Value-Added Tax (VAT) reduction of 62% to monthly,” Kavirathna explained. country. We have lost the ministry for it Manager and former counterpart of the “They are yet to present an action plan 52% in 2019. Kavirathna added: “Furthermore, most as well. Today, we had the adjournment Advocata team Anuki Premachandra to precede this motion but a statement has According to the Advocata Policy Brief people forget that the term sanitary products debate at Parliament and certain female told The Sunday Morning that although been released. (Money and Capital Market (May 2020), sanitary napkins and tampons encapsulate diapers needed for babies, the MPs in Parliament themselves claim that menstruation is not a choice, what women do and State Enterprise Reforms) State Minister are taxed under the HS code HS 96190010. elderly, and people with disabilities as well.” it is justifiable. Strong women make a about it should be based on choice. (Ajith Nivard) Cabraal, in an informal, The import tariff levied on these products “I believe that these products should be productive and just society. Our country has “There is no point in arguing if tariff out-of-Parliament conversation, said that is 52%, and until September 2018, the essential goods because it’s an ongoing unfortunately fallen prey to party politics and percentages on sanitary napkins are 52% or I spoke about this issue. When Sajith tax on sanitary napkins was 101.2%. The phenomenon which has always existed and neglect the rights of 52% of our country’s 53%. What’s important to note is that it is Premadasa spoke about it yesterday (29 components of this structure were General will persist. As long as humankind remains population and 26% of our children,” fundamentally still taxed,” she stated. November) under the Ministry of Health, Duty (30%) + VAT (15%) + PAL (Port and on Earth, this biological process would remarked Kavirathne. “Menstruation is purely a biological the Prime Minister and Minister of Health, Airport Development Levy) (7.5%) + NBT exist,” said Gamage. process and not a homogeneous experience unanimously agreed that they would go (Nation Building Tax) (2%) + CESS (30% or “We’re looking at a span of 40-50 years Menstruation is not a choice for all women and different women have ahead with this planned provision,” Rs. 300/kg). of a woman’s life. There is even a small In order to get a clear idea of the different preferences.” Kavirathna added. However, she noted To put these values into perspective, we percentage of women who menstruate at the humanitarian aspect of the proposed tax, we that investigations are needed on whether the asked Gamage if the tax amendment is a age of 60-65.” spoke to women’s rights activist Shanuki The taboo of menstruation raw material needed for local production of point of concern, following Trade Minister de Alwis and Youth Advocacy Network Sri Gamage and Kavirathna both agreed that these sanitary napkins are found locally or Dr. Bandula Gunawardana’s comments on Burdened women and girls Lanka Director Dakshitha Wickremeratne. the taboo surrounding menstruation is also not. how the tax reforms result in a “zero” effect. Kavirathna added that nearly 50-60% of Wickremeratne, providing his opinion a contributing factor to period poverty. “It’s Several attempts to contact Minister “I inquired about it and there is no more girls do not attend school during the time of on the matter, said that while access to a worldwide phenomenon. In Sri Lanka, of Trade Dr. Bandula Gunawardana and such a thing as an extra 15% tax being their menses, as they do not have affordable healthcare is a fundamental human right, it is because of the culture and the taboo nature Minister of Youth and Sports Namal imposed. There was a 30% CESS on it access to sanitary napkins. She also pointed of paramount importance for all women and of the subject, people are embarrassed Rajapaksa for comment proved futile. either way. They have simply dissected it out that only 32% of women use sanitary girls in Sri Lanka to have access to sanitary and derived 15% as CESS and 15% tax,” wear in Sri Lanka, with others who are napkins. He agreed that access is restricted explained Gamage. economically challenged, resorting to less by financial limitations, lack of availability, Sustainable alternatives: The focus on environment “My current interest lies in bringing hygienic alternatives such as the traditional social stigma, and limited agency due to Writer and Founder of Happy are made using medical grade our species to go on. The human body sanitary products under the label of essential “cloth”. strong patriarchal norms and that these Bleeding Nadeesha Paulis shared silicon (also made with latex or is beautiful and wonderful. It has the goods and attempting to get rid of all “This is particularly true in outstations,” challenges need to be overcome to ensure that sustainability is something thermoplastic isomer), costing ability to bring a human being into remaining taxes,” Gamage further noted. added Gamage, echoing Kavirathna’s that all women and girls have full access to that definitely has to be taken into around Rs. 1,500-3,000 and can the world.” sentiments. “To top off the fact that it is sanitary napkins to lead healthy lives. consideration in all aspects of a be used for 5-10 years depending Speaking to The Sunday Morning, Strengthening local market a very difficult time for women, there Meanwhile, de Alwis stated: “To me, the progressive society and sustainable on the brand. Menstrual cups medical professional Dr. Rashmira penetration are lots of issues in outstation schools solution is not about sanitary napkins at period products is one of them. aren’t sold islandwide but through Balasuriya shared that sanitary Speaking to Gamage on the rationale that discourage school turnover of girls. all. It’s about a complete shift of myopic, Happy Bleeding focuses on independent sellers. napkins may have negative health making menstrual cups a viable, “I believe that traditional practices concerns if not changed every four behind these reforms, even with a seemingly There are little to no water facilities, patriarchal mentality in government; sustainable, ecological, and around menstruation are essentially to six hours. She added that while “zero effect”, she explained how it’s an adequate washroom facilities, or disposal proper and adequate female representation economical solution for all women harmless practices that stemmed there are no major side effects that attempt to encourage and give priority to mechanisms.” at policymaking levels; and a basic in Sri Lanka. They raise awareness from giving the woman the respect occur commonly from wearing the local production of sanitary products. “There is fear and anxiety surrounding a sensitisation to ground realities.” about the benefits of menstrual she deserves but were misinterpreted sanitary napkins, some may According to her, about six local companies stain on a white dress and since these girls “Sanitary pads shouldn’t be labelled as cups and support open dialogue to along the way. We have to eliminate experience rashes and irritation, but produce these products and there are many are shamed for it, it makes perfect sense for a ‘luxury product’. While making them reduce taboo. the belief that menstruation is ‘dirty’. It this is usually due to wearing the interested in starting up. their natural reaction to be to stay at home.” more affordable and accessible, there’s a Paulis said that menstrual cups is the basis of life. It’s what propagates sanitary napkins for long hours. It should also be noted that womb cancer, long-term need to change the mindset of

PERIOD POVERTY Must improve way of thinking as they please. Women have brought this Shehani Amanda – pharmacist cultural stigma and are happy to oblige. So we do not have many women fighting Period poverty is very prevalent in our alongside us for equal rights between country. It is extremely sad that we are seeing men and women, because they don't the Government taxing sanitary pads while Conditional menstruation believe we are equal. We've been trained other countries have lowered taxes for these BY PUJANEE GALAPPATHTHI with the tax being as high as 52%. It’s time sanitary products in Sri Lanka, and this is to think that way. products. Earlier this week, Scotland made that they accept this item as an essential mainly due to financial difficulties of the sanitary products available for free. Period poverty, defined as the lack of item. How else do we progress as a country majority of the people. 2020 highlighted it Narrow-minded solutions We need to improve our way of access to sanitary products due to financial where over 50% its citizens are women? because many people lost jobs due to the Yasodhara Pathanjali – artist thinking, empower our children with constraints, can be caused by a wide range lack of tourism and Covid-19. Globally, period poverty is a major education on the importance of sexual of life events that negatively impact a girl or Stagnant progress Sanitation has always been an issue for problem. It's a problem I faced growing and menstrual health, and make sure woman's ability to access sanitary products Roma Vedamuttu – the poorer women of the country, but now up in the UK that I couldn't afford sanitary the majority of our population isn’t to manage a most intimate and regular law graduate and SL it is at the forefront, thanks to Geetha's products as a teenager. So I can only embarrassed to speak up about their basic occurrence in her life. representative for CHOGM comments on the matter. I feel only a imagine how much worse it must be for health requirement. With the tax imposed on sanitary 2021 man would need to read the answer to daily wage earners and rural communities products and the topic of period poverty The deeper and this. If you're bleeding from an intimate in particular. It’s shameful that women's Affects women’s rights has increasingly become a part of multiple beyond you enter rural area for days on end, and you're in pain health is considered a “niche” need, when Anuki Premachandra – Adfactors PR Strategic dialogues these days, The Sunday Morning Sri Lanka, the more challenges women face with cramps and extra sensitive senses, the majority of the population are female. Communications Manager spoke to several concerned members of with having basic access to simply buying that alone is a big barrier to day-to-day Of course, if you are bleeding and you the public on what they think about this sanitary products. It is a daily essential for life. I think all women should be given a can't access safe, dignified solutions, The higher price associated with sanitary situation, especially if Sri Lanka was any girl or woman. It is a basic right to be day off on their monthlies, if they need it. then it’s going to affect your day-to-day napkins and menstrual hygiene products progressive or stagnant when it comes to our able to afford sanitary products, and the Adding on top of it is the lack of sanitary functioning. put it out of the financial reach of women ideas around period poverty. denial and access to it being denied because products, making their lives a living And women are taught that we should and girls across the country. Financial a government does not think it should be nightmare filled with blood and gore. pretend that we don't bleed, so trying to barriers and financial constraints definitely Major obstruction in daily life provided free or at an affordable price is a Our rulers are stagnant and as a cope with the physical realities while affect accessibility and marginalised Alanki Kishani Perera – law graduate, entrepreneur, cruel punishment for being a woman. result the masses are too. I find those pretending not to or trying to hide it communities. and artist Furthermore, in my opinion, even though with access to the internet and can from the world is a truly ridiculous and Although the impact of period poverty There is undoubtedly a severe lack many from my generation see the alarming read English tend to have less stagnant unnecessary task. is beyond financial terms, it really affects of access to sanitary products for many issue of the 62.1% tax imposed on sanitary thoughts. However, the issue is with the Why burden ourselves this way? What other aspects of life like your health, women and girls across the country. products and have been advocating for its lack of good governance, because the kind of nonsense culture has deemed education, and employment. According to surveys conducted on Sri reduction or complete exclusion of tax, rulers are not accountable for anything this right? What's so appalling about our Thus, it is extremely unfair that a girl Lanka, many menstruating women do not there is still a ridiculous number of those – they can cut down forests without biology that it's so shameful? For me, could miss her right to education because consider sanitary napkins an essential item who have chosen to ignore the reality a permit, they built a road through the biggest problem with this dialog, as of her period, and access to sanitary due to financial difficulties and thereby that women do not have the basic access Sinharaja (a UNESCO heritage site), it progresses towards more awareness napkins is a tool to help women and girls compromise on it. Furthermore, surveys to affordable sanitary products. So that, they can amend the constitution without and action, is that action seems to be cope with menstruation. have revealed that a large percentage of girls unfortunately, makes it a stagnant progress a referendum, and they can increase taxes revolving around non-eco-friendly There is a lot of backward thinking. who do not have access to sanitary napkins in this country. on whatever they please. solutions. This is a fantastic opportunity However, I want to acknowledge even the cannot go to school or work when they are How many have successfully to start manufacturing washable pads and little bit of conversation we have about menstruating, so it is clear that this issue is a Rulers and masses accomplished something for the island? period cups as a country and distribute to menstrual hygiene. Several years ago, major obstruction in their day-to-day lives. are stagnant We claim to be a Buddhist land; I do not communities that need them. Instead, we nobody talked about this in public, but So it’s time we identify the challenges Shalini Fernando – see any compassion to any living beings, are talking about manufacturing sanitary now there is so much talk about it even faced by menstruating women and remove Attorney-at-Law especially if you're poor. Women are seen products that are bad for women's health in reference to the tax and it was part of the tax imposed on sanitary napkins. Yes, there is definitely as cooks, cleaners, reproducing machines, and bad for the environment. It's really a presidential campaign, therefore slow Sanitary pads are out of reach to women a lack of access to and pretty doormats for the men to use narrow-minded. progress, I believe. the sunday morning 11 Sunday, December 6, 2020 FOCUS Rise of the fall armyworm z Integrated pest control method most effective Maize growth stages growth Maize BY SARAH HANNAN Maha season (2018/2019), over 50 % of the a small number of maize plants, heavy cultivation (54,416 hectares) was infested by infestation was recorded only in maize. Maize farmers from the Uva and the FAW. While the amount of land extent used for Eastern Provinces have reported Meanwhile, to understand the magnitude maize cultivation in the Ratnapura District that their cultivations have been of the fall armyworm infestation, the is estimated at 292.65 ha, only about destroyed by the fall armyworm Sabaragamuwa Provincial Department 32.95 ha (11.3%) were infected by the fall during the Yala season. of Agriculture had carried out a survey armyworm. Farmers in affected regions noted between January and March 2019 in 13 Throughout the study period, attention maize-growing agriculture instructor areas was given by the research team to that they applied the pesticides in the Ratnapura District and evaluated the minimise livelihood damage by conducting as instructed by the agriculture severity. The observations had returned that interactive awareness programmes, development officer, but there there was no evidence of pest occurrence in which were directed towards the proper was no effect on preventing the other crops, apart from maize. Moreover, identification and further control of the pest attacks caused by the fall even in mixed cropping systems with spread of the pest. armyworm.

According to farmers, while at least 30 acres of maize cultivation in Matigahatenna, Passara have been destroyed by the fall armyworm, it is said to have now migrated to Lahugala in the Ampara District. While the full extent of damage caused by the fall armyworm is still being calculated, the Department of Agriculture, when contacted by The Sunday Morning, noted that farmers had not followed the full instructions that were given to them. “We instructed them to follow an integrated method, which involves biological methods, some pesticide application, and then human intervention. However, they always look for the easy way out and go ahead spraying the entire cultivation with pesticides, which hinders the process of controlling the fall armyworm from further destroying the crops,” Horticultural Crop Research and Development Institute (HORDI) Principal Scientist Entomology Senani Weligamage told The Sunday Morning. Integrated method Weligamage noted that after the first incident of fall armyworm attacks on crops were reported in 2018, HORDI, along with their affiliated university agriculture faculties, conducted research in a plantation located in Hasalaka during the 2019/20 Maha season. For research purposes, the team of scientists had planted 100 maize plants in a test area and later randomly picked 25 for observation. “We counted the number of predators that would prey on caterpillars in these plants on five occasions, testing every two weeks from two to 10 weeks of age. The team identified that there were natural predators that feed off the fall armyworms in different stages. They ranged from bugs to birds that are naturally found in our environment, and what we also observed was that when farmers spray pesticides over the entire cultivation, most of these predators do not visit them to destroy the fall armyworm,” Weligamage explained. He also pointed out that the downside to spraying pesticides, especially for maize, is that the eggs that are laid amid the foliage would not get affected. Most often, farmers start to notice the infestation when it hits the larval and pupal stage, which is often too late for pesticides. Weligamage, therefore, suggested that several other steps too need to be followed to successfully eradicate the fall armyworm. The recommended method of control is setting up pheromone traps that will trap the adult male moths, scouting the field to monitor the maize growth stages, and looking out for signs of fall armyworm egg-hatch and feeding through early-instar larvae, rather than looking for the small fall armyworm larvae. In addition to that, farmers could choose insecticides that are not toxic to beneficial insects. Crop damages under control When asked whether the crop damage is far less than it was in the 2018/2019 period, Weligamage stated that while the fall armyworm will not be completely eradicated in Sri Lanka any time soon, when the integrated method of control is applied, its population can be considerably reduced. “When the pest was introduced to Sri Lanka, the methods of control were not immediately clear. But with continued awareness sessions and demonstrations that are carried out by our agrarian officers, this time we have reduced the damage considerably. Moreover, understanding the moths’ migratory pattern, we have also advised farmers to reduce the amount of maize that they cultivate, especially after the months of August-January, as that is the period where the fall armyworm tends to increase its population considerably, given the weather patterns,” Weligamage noted. According to the Department of Agriculture 2019 statistics corn is cultivated mainly in two cropping seasons of the year namely Maha and Yala. During the Maha season, the estimated corn growing extent is about 82,539 ha and about 9,000- 10,000 ha during the Yala season. During the 12 the sunday morning DEVELOPMENT Sunday, December 6, 2020

The Sustainable Development FOURTH SOUTH ASIA FORUM ON SDGS Council of Sri Lanka (SDCSL) delivered its statement on national progress in achieving United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the fourth South Asia Forum on the SDGs (SASF) which SDGs against Covid-19 took place on 2 and 3 December. The forum focused on strategies and us in our immediate recovery needs as Objectives responses to build back better after the well as in short-term financial support, The main objective of the forum pandemic, in line with the 2030 Agenda for rural development, and infrastructure is to foster inclusive dialogue and sustainable development, and identifying development, among others. strengthen partnerships among multiple priorities to accelerate movement towards “Going forward, Sri Lanka seeks to further stakeholder groups in the subregion on sustainable and inclusive development strengthen our ties with the regional allies the opportunities for accelerating the pathways. for investments, trading opportunities, and implementation of the 2030 Agenda in the The theme of the 2020 SASF was technology and knowledge transfer. The wake of the Covid-19 crisis in order to aligned with the theme of the 2021 High- present forum is a timely platform to share exchange lessons learnt and experiences, Level Policy Forum (HLPF), “Sustainable experiences and explore opportunities to and to reflect on how to best implement and resilient recovery from the Covid-19 build back better and progress towards subregional priorities and perspectives pandemic that promotes the economic, social, SDGs, leaving no one behind.” including through inputs to relevant and environmental dimensions of sustainable regional and global processes. development: Building an inclusive and Impact of Covid-19 To achieve this, the SASF aims to: effective path for the achievement of the South Asia, with a population of 1.8 yy Provide a platform for an inclusive 2030 Agenda in the context of the decade billion, has been severely affected by the dialogue among multiple stakeholders to of action and delivery for sustainable Covid-19 pandemic due to poor public discuss the subregional perspectives and development”, that is to be addressed at health infrastructure, pervasive informality, good practices which may accelerate SDG the Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable poor coverage of social protection, and achievement and build back better in the Development (APFSD) in 2021. limited fiscal space to address the manifold background of the current Covid-19 crisis. It focused in particular on the cluster of challenges of the crisis. If the subregion SDGs to be reviewed at the 2021 HLPF – in controlling the spread of the pandemic during the emergency period. achieved more progress with the SDGs yy Share the experiences, best practices, viz., no poverty (SDG 1), zero hunger (SDG through strict implementation of health and “The pandemic has given us a renewed before the pandemic, it would have been and knowledge to create awareness and 2), good health and wellbeing (SDG 3), social distancing regulations, quarantine opportunity to look inwards and increase better prepared to face it. strengthen subregional co-operation to decent work and economic growth (SDG 8), procedures, and testing and treatments, domestic production to meet most of The UNESCAP SSWA policy paper address key challenges for building back reduced inequalities (SDG 10), responsible recording a very low death rate (0.45%) and our consumption requirements as well on “Covid-19 and South Asia: National better and accelerate achievements on consumption and production (SDG 12), a high recovery rate. While the Government as re-orient Sri Lanka towards an export Strategies and Subregional Co-operation SDGs in the context of the current crisis. climate change (SDG 13), peace, justice, and has taken every possible means to ensure a economy. This will help Sri Lanka bridge for Accelerating Inclusive, Sustainable, and yy strong institutions (SDG 16), and partnership sustainable and resilient recovery from the its budget deficit by boosting our export Resilient Recovery”, prepared as part of the Support capacity-building for countries for the goals (SDG 17). pandemic, its impacts are likely to reverse earnings. The National Budget 2021 UNESCAP’s socioeconomic framework, in the subregion ahead of their VNR Below is the full statement made to the some of the important gains achieved by contains extensive proposals to provide highlights the unprecedented socioeconomic presentations in 2021, building on UNESACP SASF on national SDG progress, Sri Lanka towards attaining sustainable tax concessions to agriculture, fisheries, impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on South presentations and experiences of VNR presented by SDCSL Director General development. livestock, manufacturing, and construction Asian countries. countries at the 2020 HLPF. Chamindry Saparamadu. “Sri Lanka managed to reduce the poverty sectors aiming at boosting domestic Key sectors such as micro, small, and yy The launch of the South Asia Network “We welcome the fourth South Asia headcount ratio to 4.1% by 2016. However, production and developing internationally medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), on the Sustainable Development Goals Forum on SDGs on the topic of ‘Fostering the downturn in economic sectors such competitive industries. A strong emphasis tourism, and labour-intensive exports such (SANS) portal. sustainable and resilient recovery from as tourism, apparel, and the SMEs, and has been placed in attracting foreign direct as readymade garments, handicrafts, etc. y Covid-19 in South Asia’, signifying the the shrinking of overseas labour markets investments (FDIs) via tax incentives and have been most adversely impacted, bringing y Identify needs and opportunities for importance of dialogue and partnership that generated millions of employment strengthened regulatory framework. We economic growth to a grinding halt and regional co-operation, including ways to between stakeholders in the region based on opportunities to our people are likely to believe these measures would help Sri Lanka leading to loss of jobs for the millions of strengthen implementation efforts, and their experiences and lessons learnt to inform have severe negative consequences causing achieve the desired GDP growth rate of 6pct people in the subregion. Simulations based stakeholder engagement, follow-up, and relevant regional and global processes. economic insecurities. The strict application by 2021. on the UNESCAP-SANEM CGE model review, linking national, subregional, “Sri Lanka has set its own national of our labour regulations provided security “The Government has also taken special suggest that as many as 132 million people regional, and global processes. development targets driven by the against excessive staff retrenchment and endeavours to induce household and could be pushed into extreme poverty Intended participants global level of ambition, but taking into ensured minimum wages during lockdown business transition towards improved waste in South Asia due to Covid-19-related account the national context, priorities, periods. management practices and renewable energy measures, reversing the progress made during yy Government officials and representatives and circumstances. The national policy “Over six million affected and vulnerable usage. The National Budget 2021 has banned the whole decade and critically undermining of institutions in UNESCAP South framework ‘Vistas of Prosperity and families have been granted a host of financial the usage of single-use polythene and plastics SDG achievement. Asia member states responsible for Splendour’, formulated after extensive and material benefits which greatly assisted with effect from 1 January and has offered various aspects of implementing SDGs consultations with diverse stakeholders them in coping with the economic shocks tax incentives promoting business integration Role in South Asian region in the context of the 2030 Agenda for including the public, effectively integrates during the emergency period. Amidst of recycling practices. Furthermore, the The SASF, conceived as the subregional Sustainable Development our global SDG commitments, reflecting disruption to food distribution channels Budget proposes tax exemptions for preparatory for the APFSD and the HLPF, yy VNR focal points and UNESCAP focal considerable policy alignment. during closures and lockdowns, the renewable energy usage for both businesses has been organised by the South and points for sustainable development “The Government has restructured the Saubhagya Home Gardening programme and households with an aim of achieving Southwest Asia office of UNESCAP in cabinet ministries to achieve the SDGs was launched to cultivate nontoxic, organic, 70% of our energy supply to be sourced from collaboration with South Asian member yy Representatives of local government by 2030 and is looking towards further and nutritious food in one million home renewable energy by 2023. states, stakeholders, and partners since 2017. organisations strengthening the institutional mechanism gardens, as a means to ensure continuous “Achieving SDG targets, particularly in The forum seeks to bring together yy Representatives of regional and for horizontal and vertical co-ordination for and uninterrupted access to food for the context of Covid-19, requires mutual stakeholders from the government, subregional organisations that support planning, implementation, and monitoring. approximately four million persons. co-operation and partnerships among all academia, international community, civil SDG implementation Lack of data on SDG indicators remains “To address poverty and vulnerability in stakeholders. The Government has been society, and private sector on a common one of the most pressing challenges. the short term, the Budget 2021 has allocated able to mobilise domestic resources through platform to discuss how countries in South yy Representatives of civil society and The Sustainable Development Council, Rs. 10,000 million to upgrade household the private sector and public contributions Asia can strengthen regional action and private sector organisations together with the Department of Census and economies of 200,000 low-income families. towards Covid-19 mitigation and recovery partnerships to forge subregional and yy Experts from think tanks and academia Statistics, is in the process of strengthening Further, initiatives have been taken to efforts. The ‘Itukama Covid-19 Healthcare regional solutions to address the gaps in the statistical capacities of the national provide land and housing to the poor and the and Social Security Fund’ was established SDG delivery and to assess progress on the yy Other stakeholders involved in SDG institutions. The SDG portal launched by the vulnerable. Programmes have been initiated mainly with the contributions of the private thematic SDGs for review by the HLPF implementation at national, regional, and Council is an integrated reporting mechanism to provide 20,000 acres of freehold land to businesses and the public through a crowd- 2021. global levels promoting a whole-of-government approach landless families and to construct 38,000 sourcing funding modality. In addition, In cognisance of the need identified yy Organisation to data collection, management, and sharing. houses for low-income families in the urban, several private sector companies have come for enhancing the role of think tanks “The socioeconomic impacts of Covid-19 rural, and estate sectors. forward in supporting the essential Covid-19 in promoting regional co-operation for yy The forum will take place in the virtual will be the greatest challenge for Sri Lanka “Our challenge now is to revitalise the treatment facilities and quarantine centres. fulfilling the 2030 Agenda for sustainable meeting format in achieving progress towards SDGs. The economy, improve our growth rates, and “Based on a non-aligned foreign policy, development, the forum also launched yy The meetings will be conducted in English funding gap for SDGs (currently estimated generate employment opportunities whilst Sri Lanka has engaged with all our external the South Asia Network of Think Tanks and all documentation will be in English to be between $ 2 billion and $ 4 billion per maintaining the ecological balances. The partners and the United Nations and allied for SDGs (SANS), which can act as a year by the United Nations) is likely to be support extended to businesses through low- agencies for technical as well as financial knowledge platform for multi-stakeholder yy The meetings will include panel further widened due to the contraction of the interest credit facilities, moratoriums on loan co-operation. The Government of India, meetings for sharing of best practices, discussions on key topics. Depending on economy consequent to the pandemic. repayments, as well as tax exemptions have China, the United Nations, World Bank, and thereby accelerating SDG implementation the session focus, presentations may be “We have made remarkable progress contributed to maintaining business resilience Asian Development Bank have supported by South Asian countries. delivered by resource persons and experts

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there have been several ago and with the development activities, the specifications that they wanted saying that if the development activities Mitigating... corporate initiatives to manage When green... the wetland cover gradually decreased are fulfilled and generally, when one within the land areas belong to the Alternatively, PPE such the plastic that is disposed of: The Defence Secretary has requested and now, there is around 2,000 ha of institution approves one application, Mahaweli Authority, there is no need as surgical facemasks and Plasticcycle bins: district secretaries/government agents wetland cover remaining, he said. the other institutions also approve to consider those for issuing an EIA disposable gloves are to be Plasticcycle has placed to be vigilant and stand against the According to him, from it,” Withanage noted, adding that the (Environmental Impact Assessment) collected in a garbage bag and specially designed bins to destruction of the environment. He Muthurajawela via Kotte up to Bolgoda, biggest issue was when the government approval,” Withanage stated. are to be handed over to the support the responsible also said that a special unit has been the land was covered with wetlands institutions started to refill these lands Meanwhile, Wildlife and Forest nearest state hospital so they disposal of recyclable plastic. established to arrest suspects involved in several decades ago. for development activities. Conservation Minister C.B. Rathnayake could dispose of it along with Just wash, crush, and drop off land grabbing. “Most of these refilling activities Meanwhile, the CEJ also urged the denied the allegation made by their clinical waste. your recyclable plastic in a However, environmentalists lashed had been done by the Government,” he Government to stop massive forest environmentalists and said the country bin convenient to you. While out at the Government for using drone alleged. “Even the Central Environment destruction for the proposed Agriculture at present has a forest cover of nearly Steps to reduce plastic John Keells Group companies technology to curb the deforestation, Authority (CEA) is situated in a wetland and Livestock Development Project 29% and the Government is taking the pollution Keells and Elephant House as they alleged that it was yet another and the Parliament is also situated in a at Pollebadda – Rambakan Oya in the necessary steps to increase it up to 30% In 2019, Sri Lanka was are partners in this initiative, waste of public money. wetland,” he continued. Maha Oya area. within the next few years. one of 187 countries to agree these efforts are backed by “There are policy decisions that As highlighted by Withanage, one In a letter of demand sent to the He also said there was a forest cover to add plastic to the Basel a commitment from the Sri should be taken to curb the deforestation of the main reasons for the unregulated CEA Director General, the Mahaweli of around 1.2 million acres under the Convention, which regulates Lanka Recyclers’ Association and strict legal action should be taken refilling was due to the lack of Authority, the Ministry of Environment, Department of Wildlife but there were the movement of hazardous to recycle all recyclable plastic against the culprits irrespective of co-ordination between the relevant and others, the CEJ stated that it only around 1,000 officials working materials between states. Sri collected in these bins. their political affiliations,” Chamikara authorities that approve the refilling had learnt that the CEA Director at the department and therefore, steps Lanka has also taken a leading INSEE Ecocycle: stressed. activities. General, under the Ref. No. 08/EIA/ have been taken to get the support of role in regional dialogues, Co-processing in cement Furthermore, Centre for “Approval should be taken from AGR/01/2020 dated 15 October the Ministry of Defence to deploy the such as the Partnership Week kilns is a globally recognised Environmental Justice (CEJ) Executive several institutions. There’s no single 2020, has provided the guidelines tri-forces, the Special Task Force (STF), for Marine Plastic Pollution method to safely dispose of Director Hemantha Withanage institution to control and monitor to the Director General of the Sri and the Police to protect the forest Prevention in Southeast Asia a wide range of hazardous noted that the main reason for the wetlands in Colombo and part of it Lanka Mahaweli Authority for the reserves and to apprehend those who in 2019. However, more and non-hazardous materials. deforestation was the political is under the Department of Wildlife, proposed project without adhering engage in illegal activities. initiatives need to be taken to Co-processing is a technology involvement and going ahead with part is with the CEA, and part is with to the provisions of the National Furthermore, the Ministry together mitigate the impact of plastic used for thermal destruction development activities without the Irrigations Department, Sri Lanka Environmental Act. with the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) pollution in Sri Lanka. of hazardous wastes. It is a following proper environmental Land Development Corporation “Around 5,828 acres (2,359 ha) are is using drone technology to monitor While state-initiated combination of two processes assessments. (SLLDC). As a result, there was no to be cultivated for maize under this forest reserves and to identify any illegal waste disposal and recycling undertaken simultaneously Highlighting the wetlands, he stressed proper co-ordination between these project and land parts of around 500 ha activities being carried out. methods are lacking, the CEA without disturbing either that there were only around 2,000 ha of departments,” he stressed. are to be divided and handed over to a In addition, commenting on the has authorised at least 60 process. It is also superior to wetland cover remaining at present in “When an application to refill a few people,” according to Withanage. controversial proposed road, the small and medium business landfilling and incineration, as Colombo. land is made to one institution, they “We have learnt that around 500 ha Minister stressed that he would take the holders to collect plastic waste it offers a complete solution Over 75% of the land in Colombo look into what is relevant to them have already been cleared and the CEA necessary steps according to the Flora for processing. In addition, with no residue. was covered with wetlands many years and they approve the application if has issued the aforementioned letter, and Fauna Protection Ordinance. the sunday morning 13 Sunday, December 6, 2020 OPINION

A PROPOSAL FOR THE NEW CONSTITUTION New Chapter on Fundamental Rights and Freedoms (The following proposal was submitted (3) The State shall take all reasonable by Dr. Asanga Welikala [University of legislative and other measures, within Edinburgh], Dr. Dinesha Samararatne its available resources, to guarantee the [University of Melbourne and University of highest attainable standard of healthcare Colombo], Dr. Kalana Senaratne [University and to achieve the progressive realisation of Peradeniya], Dr. Kumaravadivel of the rights specified in paragraphs 1 and Guruparan [University of Oxford], and Dr. 2 of this Article. Gehan Gunatilleke [Harvard University]) (4) No person shall be refused emergency This proposal for a new Chapter on medical treatment. Fundamental Rights and Freedoms in (5) The State shall reasonably regulate, for the a future constitution was prepared in purpose of protecting the rights contained response to the public invitation to submit Dr. Asanga Welikala Dr. Dinesha Samararatne Dr. Kalana Senaratne Dr. Kumaravadivel Guruparan Dr. Gehan Gunatilleke in this Article, all healthcare institutions proposals to the Ministry of Justice Experts and the quality of medical services, Committee to Draft a New Constitution for reasons for their decisions. Every person Procedural rights c. The freedom to manifest a religion or and the production and circulation of Sri Lanka. This proposal is made on the affected by such decisions shall have the 10. (1) Every person who is arrested or belief, including the freedom to profess, pharmaceutical products. following assumptions: right to receive such reasons in writing. detained shall be informed, at the time of practice, and propagate religion or belief; 1. That the new constitution will guarantee arrest or detention, of the reasons for their d. The freedom of expression, including Right to housing irreversible, meaningful, and extensive Inconsistency arrest or detention, and shall be promptly publication, and the commemoration of the 18. (1) Every person has the right to access devolution of power within a united state, 4. (1) All written and unwritten laws that informed of any charges against them. deceased; adequate and dignified housing. and, accordingly, all references to the are inconsistent with any provision of this (2) Every person who is arrested or detained on e. The freedom of information, including the (2) The State shall take reasonable legislative “State” in our proposals are references to Chapter shall be void to the extent of such a criminal charge shall be brought promptly freedom to access any information held by and other measures, within its available public authorities and organs of the State inconsistency. before a judge and shall be entitled to trial the State, and information held by another resources, to achieve the progressive at all levels, including devolved units and (2) The Provincial High Court, and the within a reasonable time or to release. It shall person that is required for the exercise realisation of the right specified in local government. Supreme Court, as the case may be, in the be the general rule that persons awaiting trial or protection of any rights or freedoms paragraph 1 of this Article. 2. That the courts (including at the devolved course of exercising its jurisdiction under shall not be detained in custody. recognised in this Chapter; (3) No person shall be arbitrarily evicted from level) will be granted the power to exercise this Chapter, may declare any such laws to (3) Every person who is arrested shall be, as a f. The freedom from interference with one’s their home, or have their home demolished, comprehensive judicial review of legislation be inconsistent with this Chapter. general rule, granted bail, and the refusal to privacy, family, home, or correspondence; without an order of court made after and executive action, and otherwise (3) It shall be the duty of the State to repeal grant bail shall be the exception. g. The freedom to engage in a lawful considering all relevant circumstances, and exercise judicial powers and duties under or amend such laws, and in the case of the (4) Every person who is deprived of their occupation, profession, trade, business, or the provision of alternative housing. the proposed chapter, subject to appeal. courts to develop and interpret such laws, liberty by arrest or detention shall be entitled enterprise; 3. That in addition to the substantive to the extent necessary to ensure that such to take proceedings before a court, in order h. The freedom of education, which shall Environment fundamental right with respect to language laws are consistent with the provisions of that that court may decide without delay on include the freedom to found and maintain 19. (1) Every person has the right to live in a in the proposed chapter, there will be a this Chapter. the lawfulness of their detention, and order educational institutions; healthy environment, to full enjoyment of separate chapter on “Language”, which their release if the detention is not lawful. i. The freedom of peaceful assembly; the natural environment, and to receive any includes the substantive principles reflected Right to life (5) Every person deprived of liberty j. The freedom of association, including the environmental information held by the State in the current chapter on “Language” in the 5. Every person has the inherent right to life. shall have, without delay, the right to freedom to form and join a trade union, and in a timely manner. 1978 Constitution. No person shall be arbitrarily deprived of communicate with and be visited by their participate in trade union action; (2) The State shall adopt all reasonable 4. That the limitation of rights and freedoms their life, or punished with death. relatives, attorney-at-law, or any other k. The freedom to enjoy and promote one’s measures to ensure environmental (in terms of Article 14, below) is premised person of their choice. own culture and to use one’s own language; protection and the sustainable use of natural on the principle that human freedom is the Right to equality (6) Every person charged with an offence l. The freedom of movement, and of choosing resources, and to address climate change, norm and limitations the exception. Our 6. All persons are equal before the law, and are shall be entitled to the following minimum one’s residence within Sri Lanka; and taking into account the interests of current proposal for a general limitations clause entitled to the equal protection of the law. guarantees: m. The freedom to return to one’s place of and future generations, and the right of (as opposed to the enumeration of discrete a. The right to be presumed innocent until nationality. every person to participate in environmental grounds of restriction attaching to each Right to non-discrimination proven guilty according to law; decision-making. fundamental right or freedom) is founded 7. (1) No person shall be discriminated against b. The right to be informed promptly Data protection on this principle. The rationale of this on the grounds of race, religion, ethnicity, and in detail, in a language which they 13. (1) Every person has the right to the Standing approach is to ensure that constitutional colour, sex, gender, sexual orientation, understand, of the nature and cause of the protection of personal data concerning 20. (1) All persons temporarily or permanently limits are placed on the scope of disability, language, political or other views, charge against them; them. Such data must be processed fairly residing in Sri Lanka, including citizens permissible restrictions on fundamental property, place of residence, or on any other c. The right to adequate time and facilities for specified purposes, and on the basis of of other states, and stateless persons, shall rights and freedoms, and to ensure similar ground. for the preparation of their defence and to the consent of the person. have the rights and freedoms specified in permitted grounds of restriction are not (2) The State shall provide equal rights and communicate with legal counsel of their (2) Every person has the right to access data this Chapter. used to extinguish the essential substance opportunities for persons of all genders. own choosing; concerning them. (2) Every person is entitled to petition the of fundamental rights and freedoms. The The State shall adopt all reasonable d. The right to be tried without delay in (3) Every person shall have the right, without Provincial High Court in respect of an burden of proof for justifying a limitation measures to ensure the equality of persons their presence, and be entitled to defend undue delay, to the rectification, erasure, or infringement or imminent infringement, by lies in all cases with the State. of all genders. themselves in person or through legal blocking of personal data concerning them, State action, of any fundamental right or 5. That any provision of this Chapter must (3) The adoption of temporary special assistance of their own choosing, and provided such data is irrelevant, incomplete, freedom to which such person is entitled be interpreted in the spirit of retaining a measures aimed at accelerating equality be informed, if they do not have legal or inaccurate. Taking into account the under any provision of this Chapter, or in plural legal system. We emphasise that between persons of all genders shall not be assistance, of such right; purposes of processing, every person shall respect of any failure of the State to fulfil any attempt at homogenising the personal considered discrimination. e. The right to legal assistance assigned to have the right to have incomplete personal any duty specified in this Chapter. Nothing laws of the country under a uniform code (4) All persons and communities shall have them in any case where the interests of data completed, including by means of in this Article shall preclude a person from would have an adverse impact on the plural the right to develop their culture, to use justice so require, and without payment by providing a supplementary statement. petitioning the Provincial High Court solely character of our legal system. Any attempt their language in private and in public them in any such case if they do not have in the public interest. by the State, including the Judiciary, to without any discrimination, to preserve sufficient means to pay for it; Limitations bring personal laws in line with this Chapter their personal laws, and to freely pursue f. The right to examine, or have examined, 14. (1) Any limitation on any right or freedom Remedies and redress must seek to advance both the promotion their economic, social, and cultural the witnesses against them and to obtain the recognised in Articles 12 and 13 shall be: 21. Where any person alleges that any and protection of individual rights and development to the extent consistent with attendance and examination of witnesses on a. In strict accordance with law; fundamental right or freedom has been freedoms, and the value of legal pluralism. the provisions of this Chapter. their behalf under the same conditions as b. Necessary, reasonable, non-discriminatory, infringed or is about to be infringed by State (5) Every person has the right to receive witnesses against them; and justifiable in an open and democratic action, or that the State has failed to fulfil Chapter … public services and official correspondence, g. The right to have the free assistance of an society; any duty specified in this Chapter, they may Fundamental Rights and and to interact with any public officer or interpreter if they cannot understand or c. Solely in the interest of public security, themselves, or by their representative in Freedoms institution, in a language of their choice. speak the language used in court; and safety or health, or for the purpose of accordance with such rules of court as may be The State shall take all necessary measures h. The right not to be compelled to testify protecting the duly recognised rights and in force, apply to the Provincial High Court by Foundation to ensure such right. All official signage and against themselves or to confess guilt. freedoms of others; and way of petition in writing addressed to such 1. Fundamental rights and freedoms form the documentation shall be in Sinhala, Tamil, (7) No person shall be held guilty of an d. The least restrictive means through which Court praying for relief or redress in respect of cornerstone of democracy in the Republic and English. offence on account of any act or omission an interest or purpose under subparagraph such infringement. The Provincial High Court of Sri Lanka, and are based on the values of (6) No person shall, on any ground specified which did not, at the time of such act or (c) of this paragraph may be advanced. may grant such relief or redress, including human dignity and autonomy. Any limitation in paragraph 1 of this Article, be subject omission, constitute such an offence, and orders or writs, including writs in the nature on the enjoyment or exercise of fundamental to any disability, liability, restriction, or no penalty shall be imposed for any offence Right to property of habeas corpus, mandamus, prohibition, quo rights and freedoms are permissible only to condition with regard to access to public more severe than the penalty in force at 15. (1) Every natural person has the right to warranto, and certiorari, whichever may be the extent provided herein. institutions, shops, public restaurants, hotels, the time such offence was committed. own and inherit property. appropriate, or make such directions as it may 2. All persons have duties to other persons, places of public entertainment, and places of Nothing in this Article shall prejudice the (2) The expropriation of private property shall deem just and equitable in the circumstances and to the community to which they belong, public worship of their own religion. trial and punishment of any person for any only be permitted for public purposes and with respect to such petition. and have the responsibility to strive for the act or omission which, at the time when it in cases of a pressing social need, and shall promotion and observance of the rights and Best interests of the child was committed, was criminal according be carried out subject to the expeditious Public officers, etc. freedoms recognised in this Chapter. 8. (1) A child shall be any person under the to international law, including customary payment of full and fair compensation to all 22. Where a complaint concerns an age of eighteen years of age. international law, applicable to Sri Lanka. persons affected by such expropriation. infringement or imminent infringement Duties of the State (2) In all matters concerning children, of a fundamental right or freedom of a 3. (1) All organs of the State, including its whether measures are undertaken by Absolute freedoms Right to education public officer or government institution, in legislative, executive, and judicial branches, public or private institutions, courts of law, 11. (1) Every person is born free, and with 16. (1) Every person has the right to primary the course of their official functions, such at all levels, must respect, protect, promote, administrative authorities, or legislative inherent and inviolable dignity. The and secondary education. The State shall officer or institution shall first exhaust all and fulfil fundamental rights and freedoms, bodies, the best interests of the child shall freedom of the individual shall include: provide such education free of charge. other effective remedies provided by law and prevent the violation thereof. be the primary consideration. a. The freedom from torture, cruel, inhuman, (2) Every person has the right to tertiary prior to petitioning the Provincial High (2) The duties of the State to respect, protect, (3) The institutionalisation, including or degrading treatment or punishment education, which the State, through Court under this Chapter. promote, and fulfil fundamental rights and detention, of any child shall be the measure whether mental or physical; reasonable measures, shall make freedoms shall include the adoption of of last resort and for the shortest appropriate b. The freedom from unlawful or arbitrary progressively accessible. Appeal suitable policies, the allocation of adequate period of time, and shall be solely in the arrest or detention, or any other form (3) The State shall, through reasonable 23. Any person aggrieved by an order made resources, and the effective implementation best interests of the child. of unlawful or arbitrary deprivation of measures, make appropriate technology by the Provincial High Court in any petition of all relevant budgetary commitments. (4) Every child shall have, without personal liberty; for educational purposes progressively filed under this Chapter shall have a right of (3) Such duties of the State shall be owed to discrimination on any ground specified in c. The freedom of thought and conscience, accessible. appeal to the Supreme Court against such all natural persons and legal persons. Such paragraph 1 of Article 7, the right to such including the freedom to have or to adopt a (4) The State shall respect and protect order within three months of the date on duties shall be owed to legal persons to the measures of protection as are required by religion, belief, or opinion of one’s choice academic freedom, and the autonomy of which such order is made. extent required by the nature of the right or their status as a minor, on the part of their without coercion; and higher educational institutions. freedom concerned, and the nature of that family, society, and the State. d. The freedom from forced or compulsory Interpretation legal person. (5) Every child shall be guaranteed a labour. Right to health, food security, and social 24. (1) When interpreting any provision of (4) The State shall provide effective remedies minimum standard of living, through (2) The freedoms recognised in this Article security this Chapter, a court: for the protection of all persons from the appropriate means, including through a shall not be subject to any limitation or 17. (1) Every person has the right to access a. Shall promote the values that underlie an infringement or imminent infringement of scheme of universal child benefits. interference. healthcare services, including reproductive open and democratic society; their fundamental rights and freedoms due healthcare, mental health services, adequate b. Shall ensure such interpretation is consistent to the actions of private actors. Persons with disabilities Freedoms food and water, and sanitation. with Sri Lanka’s obligations under (5) The State, including its officers, agents, 9. The State shall adopt necessary measures 12. (1) Every person shall have: (2) Every person has the right to social international law; and and functionaries who perform functions to ensure that persons with disabilities a. The freedom from physical or mental violence; security, including, if they are unable to c. May consider foreign law, and the or exercise powers of a public nature shall can meaningfully exercise their rights and b. The freedom from interference with one’s support themselves and their dependants, jurisprudence of international courts, have the duty to expeditiously provide freedoms under this Chapter. bodily integrity; appropriate social assistance. tribunals, and treaty bodies. 14 the sunday morning SPOTLIGHT Sunday, December 6, 2020

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some of the committee members (Dr. Hence, the AMS stated that the process current status. Hemantha Perera, Dr. Anula Wijesundara) the Minister followed here is completely Meanwhile, the Government Medical Medical community... failed to single out any members or the flawed and purely based on the agenda Officers’ Association (GMOA) had written President in their report as responsible of a trade union and this creates a very to President Rajapaksa regarding the Medical experts divided Association of Medical Specialists person/s for the deficiencies of the SLMC bad precedent and may be the first step in current situation of the SLMC. Nevertheless, following the official (AMS) said that the appointment of a and they have not recommended to remove destroying the autonomy and independence Justifying Minister Wanniarachchi’s announcement of the removal of SLMC new president while the duly appointed anyone from the Council,” he stated. of the medical council of our country. decision, the GMOA’s letter signed by its President Prof. De Silva, the interference of President is in office by the Health Minister Dr. Ranasinghe also stated that Urging the Minister to reverse her President Dr. Anuruddha Padeniya and the Minister of Health into the independent is a violation of existing provisions in the according to them, the whole council is decision immediately, the AMS has Secretary Dr. Senal Fernando, states that body has been debated within the medical Medical Ordinance. responsible for their decisions and actions stressed that this kind of illegal action by when the GMOA highlighted to Minister profession, as some experts criticised AMS President Dr. L.A. Ranasinghe and not individual members (similar to the Health Minister may bring disrepute Wanniarachchi the serious concerns and Minister Wanniarachchi’s political stated that according to the Minister’s the collective responsibility of cabinet internationally, as Sri Lankan medical irregularities of the SLMC, she obtained interference, stating that it would set a bad letter to the SLMC President, the removal decisions), adding: “To the best of our standards are well recognised overseas. legal advice from three President’s precedent and affect the independent nature of the President by her is based on the knowledge, there are no legal provisions The AMS has requested a meeting with Counsels and the Attorney General (AG) of the council. They alleged that the SLMC recommendations of the committee for the Minister to remove the President President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to give them and appointed an expert committee which is facing a crisis which has never been appointed by the Minister to inquire into or any member according to his/her wish a hearing to express their concerns, as they entertained the formal complaints in witnessed in its recent history. irregularities in the SLMC. without following the regulations stipulated said the President had not been informed of writing as well as verbally and gave an In a statement issued last week, the “Personal communications we had with in the Medical Ordinance.” the true sequence of events that led to the opportunity for those implicated to give explanations. “We were reliably informed that the expert committee gave recommendations to discontinue the services of Dr. (Rajitha) Senarathne’s appointees, after considering all the representations,” the letter stated. Hence, going by the recommendations of the committee and legal opinion, the Minister of Health terminated the services of former Health Minister Dr. ’s appointees including the SLMC President, using the Medical Ordinance and Interpretation Ordinance in the best interest of patient care and the medical profession in the country, the GMOA stated. When contacted by The Sunday Morning, SLMC Registrar Dr. Ananda Hapugoda said the Health Minister had removed five members of the SLMC including the SLMC President and new members have been appointed. “I have received the names of the new members and the Council is to meet next Friday,” he said. Final decision pending The turmoil created within the SLMC basically erupted in September with the delisting of several Russian universities that were awarding scholarships to Sri Lanka since the 1960s, at the SLMC Annual General Meeting (AGM) on 26 June 2020. Soon after the decision was made, vehement opposition was expressed by existing university students as well as past pupils claiming the decision affected a number of Sri Lankan students currently studying in these universities. They alleged that, as a result of the SLMC’s decision, the country was facing the risk of losing the scholarships issued to Sri Lanka by several Russian universities, while the only university the SLMC recognises doesn’t provide scholarships to Sri Lanka. Furthermore, the decision was also described as affecting the bilateral relations of the two countries – Sri Lanka and Russia. Since then, the Government, Health Ministry, and all relevant state authorities were urged to immediately take action against the decision. By this time, the SLMC was clear in their opinion that those who were not satisfied with the decision could appeal the same, and if these universities were willing to upgrade the quality of their degree programmes offered, the SLMC would reconsider the decision. As learnt by The Sunday Morning, most of these students were awarded scholarships based on their performance at the Advanced Level (A/L) examination; the affected students are mainly those who obtained high marks. It was learnt that the rejected universities provided medical scholarships to Sri Lanka since the 1960s, while the Government of Russia provided around 40 scholarships to Sri Lankan students so far this year, out of which five were medical scholarships. It was also learnt that the objective of awarding these scholarships is to provide good-quality doctors for Sri Lanka as a means of strengthening the bilateral relationship between Sri Lanka and Russia. However, when asked whether the new council has taken a decision on the universities in question, Dr. Hapugoda said the matter was also investigated by the committee appointed by the Minister and the Minister would take a decision based on the recommendation given by the committee. As he explained, even if the universities are delisted, it would be done in a way that would not affect the existing students who were already enrolled in those universities. Meanwhile, Prof. Narada Warnasuriya – one of the most senior members of the SLMC – told The Sunday Morning that the members who have been removed from their posts by the Health Minister intend to take legal action against the decision. He also said that the report had not recommended the removal of the SLMC members and that the decisions taken by the SLMC are taken collectively. However, Prof. Warnasuriya did not want to discuss more details about the intended legal action they are going to take. Another member of the SLMC however said that the case would be filed next week and that discussions were currently being conducted with lawyers on how it should be done. the sunday morning 15 Sunday, December 6, 2020 SPORTS AGAINST shorter PLAYERS Lure him/her to the net Dinith ‘The how-to-play’ series continues… And, since the opponent is strong from Pathiraja the back court, the above-mentioned two shots, the drop and the slice, should be used to lure the shorter player/opponent ON COURT to the net where, traditionally, the shorter player is not very comfortable. This would Introduction achieve two things. Firstly, it would deprive the opponent of his comfort zone at the A major drawback among the young Sri base line. Secondly, it would deprive the Lankan players is the fact that their tactical opponent of the advantage of engaging in knowledge and nous is not up to the required long rallies. Any player when continually standard. The only tactic that most of the having to play out of their comfort zone players have is the fact that they need to would start to have doubts and that would put one more ball over the net. also thereby neutralise another perceived In this multi-part series it is hoped to strength of a shorter player, that being his discuss the tactics which can be used against mental strength. specific types of players. Whilst the points And whilst on the subject of making the mentioned here are by no means exhaustive, opponent move around and bringing the it is hoped that these points would form opponent to the net, it is also important to the basis of foundation for the players to try and play short-angled shots during the flesh out their own tactics when confronted rally so as to make the opponent “reach” against such players. for the ball with more steps. These are In deciding on tactics against any player, all important points which must be used, the first and the most important thing that taking into consideration what the player is needs to be understood is the fact that tactics comfortable with doing most, on the court. should be devised with the strengths of the player who is devising them being at Serving the shorter player the forefront of the mind at all times. For Finally, it is important that the opponent’s the purposes of this discussion, it will be serve be put under pressure at all times. assumed that the player devising the tactics Normally, the shorter players find it difficult is proficient in playing all the shots. to derive much power for their first serves. Harshana Godamanna (on right) hits a forceful backhand drive as Rajeev Rajapakse looks on at the net in a Davis Cup Asia-Oceania Zone Group-II doubles Therefore, when the opponent is put under rubber against New Zealand’s Daniel King-Turner and Marcus Daniell in Colombo in March 2010. The Lankan pair won 7/6 (7/5), 6/4, 6/3 constant pressure during his service game, TODAY’S DISCUSSION WILL CENTRE PHOTO ©️KAMAL WANNIARACHCHI it further starts to sow seeds of doubt in the ON HOW TO PLAY AGAINST SHORTER opponent’s mind. Coupled with this fact PLAYERS a shorter tennis player? They can be listed the tactical plan for a shorter tennis player. court, the fact that they need to take more should be the fact that the player should What are the “normal” (general) strengths of as below: Unfortunately, players of a shorter stature steps to reach the ball, tends to tire them out. aim to serve to the opponent’s “body”, a shorter player? They can be listed as below: are getting less and less at the top of the Therefore, the most important tactic for the thereby negating the opponent any chance yy Tends to get tired faster because they modern game, partly because of the fact that player is to make sure that they move the of using an angle to start putting pressure yy Normally, shorter tennis players are have to take more steps to reach the ball these players are unable to compete with the opponent around. on the player’s serve. When the serve keeps quick on their feet yy Don’t have a strong first serve power generated by taller players. The shorter Whilst also looking to change direction, the coming at the “body”, the opponent would yy They have the ability to change direction player will be referred to as the “opponent” player should always be looking to get inside start the rally from the back foot. It will help yy Doesn’t like to come to the net well for the rest of this article to prevent confusion. the baseline. This means that the player can the player take charge of the rally from the yy Doesn’t like being rushed or shorter take the ball early so as to give the opponent second shot onwards. yy Will stay in the rally longer rallies Quick but may tire faster less time to get ready for the next ball. Whilst All these are tactics that can be used yy Strong from the back court The very first strength is actually also the this is being done it is imperative that the against a specific type of opponent. But at yy Doesn’t like angles y biggest “Achilles heel” for the shorter players. player mixes up the pace of the rally using the end of the day, what works and doesn’t y Stronger mentally Therefore, it is important that these attributes This is because of the fact that, although the slice as well as the drop shot. This would work has to be solely decided by the player What would be the specific weaknesses of are taken into account when coming up with normally the shorter players are quick on the make the opponent “off balance” at all times. him/herself. Tennis Nationals from India and Kane 12 Dec. shine on Friday Sri Lanka Tennis Nationals 2020 is India recorded a win in the first now set to get underway on Saturday, match of their three-match 12 December at the Sri Lanka Tennis T20I series against Australia by Association (SLTA) hard courts in Colombo. 11 runs in Canberra on Friday The deadline for entries was yesterday (4) after making 161/7. Lokesh (5) and the withdrawal deadline is today Rahul (51 in 40 balls), Ravindra (6). The draw will be held on Wednesday Jadeja (44 in 23), Yuzvendra (9). The tournament is to come to an end Chahal (3/25), and Thangarasu on 29 December. The SLTA Tournament Natarajan (3/30) shone for and Matches Committee has emphasised, India. Meanwhile, Kiwis made though, that the tournament may be a mammoth 519/7 dec. against postponed for any hindrance created the Windies in the first innings by the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. on day two of their first Test at Anjalika Kurera (pictured) and Sharmal Hamilton. Windeis were 49/0 at Dissanayake defend women’s and men’s stumps. Kane Williamson top- singles titles, respectively. scored 251. Sunday,sports December 6, 2020 Exclusive Heinrich Klaasen tests positive z SA vs. England first ODI postponed just before start

England’s first ODI against South Africa, which was to begin home on Thursday (10), there is little tested positive has been isolated from at 1 p.m. local time on Friday (4) in Newlands, Cape Town, choice,” reported The Standard news his teammates and is hopeful the rest was called off due to a bizarre reason for breach of Covid-19 agency on its website. of the series will go ahead. protocol at around 10 a.m. the same day. On Tuesday (1), England completed CSA Acting Chief Executive a 3-0 whitewash in the T20 series of the Govender has further said on Friday: The Sunday Morning Sports reliably (the three ODIs on) Sunday, Monday, two countries. Both teams were tested “The doctors on both sides have told learnt via our sources in Cape Town and Wednesday (assuming there isn’t again for Covid-19 on Thursday (3) us that it is a perceived risk and not an that one of the members of the South a full-scale outbreak),” it added. before the ODIs with Klaasen returning actual risk but both boards have decided Africa ODI squad, Heinrich Klaasen, CSA later issued a media release a positive result. that we would rather have the players has tested positive for Covid-19, saying the following: “In the interests Two players tested positive earlier not go onto the field if there is any prompting Cricket South Africa (CSA) of the safety and wellbeing of both South Africa recorded two positive kind of risk at all. Everybody will be to postpone the match to Sunday teams, match officials and all involved tests in the build-up to the T20 series tested again today (Friday) and there (today, 6). in the match, the acting CEO of CSA, too, but with the players immediately is a 24-hour turnaround for results.” Kugandrie Govender, as well as the isolated, they were able to control the About three hours before CEO of the ECB, Tom Harrison, have outbreak to get the games on. Two teams in same hotel start agreed to postpone the first fixture to “Unlike other sports, South Africa The two teams are staying in The 29-year-old Klaasen, a Sunday.” have stuck steadfastly to a policy of separate bubbles at the same hotel, wicketkeeper-batsman and an off- not revealing which players have tested The Vineyard in the shadow of Table break bowler, played 17 ODIs for Tour hanging by a thread positive on the grounds of patient Mountain. England returned to the South Africa, along with a Test and “The news leaves the remainder confidentiality. The two players who hotel before the postponement was 13 T20I appearances for his country, of the tour hanging by a thread. The missed the T20 series are believed to be made official. since debuting in February 2018. series is now due to begin on Sunday at David Miller and Andile Phehlukwayo, England had planned to use the At 9.58 a.m. local time on Friday, Paarl’s Boland Park in a day-game, with as they were absent when normally games to test the depth of their white- ESPN Cricinfo said on its live text day-nighters following at Newlands in expected to be involved,” revealed ball squads ahead of the T20 World commentary of the game that “the first Cape Town on Monday (30 Nov.) and The Standard. Cup in India next year. The likes ODI has been officially postponed, with Wednesday (2). But as the teams go for of Mark Wood, Olly Stone, Sam CSA confirming that a South Africa another round of Covid testing, there is All depends on new tests Billings, and Moeen Ali were likely It is reliably learnt that the player of the South player has tested positive for Covid-19”. no margin for error. Already the series The players from both sides were to to play on Friday for the first time Africa ODI squad who was tested positive for is desperately squeezed. It is unusual be tested again on Friday with the fate on the tour, alongside Joe Root and Covid-19 on Friday (4) was Heinrich Klaasen. The Both parties agree for ODIs to be played on consecutive of the series resting on those results. Chris Woakes, who currently only test prompted Cricket South Africa postpone “The rejigged plan will now be to play days, but with England due to return CSA has reportedly said the player who play ODIs. their first ODI against England to Sunday

In chess lore, there exists a mysterious game a4 could fall. After 44...Kg7 45.Kxe4 a3, the The position is tricky for black (11...0-0 deliver a smothered checkmate with 1.Nc7+ played in 1893 by two supposedly strong players. black a-pawn is unstoppable. It is also worth 12.Bxh6 ; 11...g5 12.Bxg5). Karpov solved all Kb8 2.Nxa6+ Ka8 (2...Kc8 3.Qc7#) 3.Qb8+ It ended in a checkmate after a mere three noting that 44...Kg7 is the only king-move that those issues with 11...Ke7 and went on to win Rxb8 4.Nc7#. Unfortunately there is a little moves, and featured one of the most horrible ‘Adjust(K)ing’ works. 44...Ke6 (or Ke7) runs into 45.Kxe4 a3 a roller coaster game. Later some commentators snag. White’s last move is not possible due to moves ever seen on a chessboard. 46.Rg5 a2 47.Rxe5+ followed by 48.Ra5 went as far as calling it the “novelty of the the pin on the a-file. Lindemann-Echtermeyer (Kiel, 1893) time required that an illegal move be retracted while 44...Kf7 would be answered by 45.Kxe4 century". Then we come across a different type of a 1.e4 d5 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Ke2?? Qe4# and a “penalty move” by the king be played, a3 46.fxe5 a2 47.Rf4+ followed by 48.Rf1. It is easy to see that such incredible smothered checkmate with 1.Nc7+ Kb8 2. hence 3.Ke2. We have heard of many stories about moves by the king are unique. Thanks to the Nxd5+ Ka8 (2...Kc8 3.Qc7#) 3.Nxb6#. But The “touch-move” rule is one of the Grandmasters who tried to castle illegally. This creative freedom offered in the realm of chess again there is a pin foiling the plan, this time fundamentals of tournament play. The modern usually results in them having to retract the move compositions, we can offer another stunning the bishop on f7 is the spoilsport. interpretation is somewhat more sophisticated and play a legal move with the king instead. example. So white plays the amazing 1.Ka1! This than the 19th Century. A legal move by the When Anatoly Karpov once violated several threatens the checkmate that ends with Nxb6 touched piece must exist in order to enforce the opening principles to unleash an astonishing because the knight on d5 is longer pinned. touch-move rule. The French term j’adoube or novelty in the Caro-Kann defence, it seemed Black’s only saving resource is to play 1...Ba5 its equivalent “I adjust/adjusting” is universally like one of those cases at first. which inadvertently releases the other potential used to announce the intention of a player pin by the rook on the a-file, allowing white to who wants to adjust a piece without getting finish black off with 2.Nc7+ Kb8 3.Nxa6+ Ka8 “touch-moved”. 4.Qb8+ Rxb8 5.Nc7# . In Lindemann’s unfortunate case, it is perhaps The position after 43.Kc3-d3 easy to deduce that an accidental touch-move Salo Flohr-Efim Geller (1949 USSR was probably involved. What about the following Championship) White played the inexplicable 3.Ke2?? curious incident that happened in a simple- Efim Geller (1925-1998) is widely considered here looking rook ending? as one of the best players in the history of the Can you think of a reason why? game. Despite the clear and present danger to You are correct if you figured that a touch- his rook, he played 44...Kg7. It is fair to assume move incident is behind this mystery. But that this is another one of those touch-move White to play and mate in five moves curiously, it wasn’t exactly a simple matter of THE CHESS fiascos. Maybe the great Geller forgot to pay Alois Johandl (1966) white absent-mindedly touching the king and attention to his opponent’s last move? It’s a fascinating little problem. At first sight being forced to move it. White has apparently CORNER As it turns out, Geller’s move is absolutely the it appears that white can execute a checkmate intended to play 3.Nc3, but by accident moved by Dulan Edirisinghe best move. Had he allowed white to take the Kamsky-Karpov (1993) in less moves than the stipulated five. The the bishop on c1 to c3 instead. The rules at the e5-pawn with check, then his extra pawn on Black played 11...Ke7 here queen-knight combo is well positioned to

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Sunday, December 6, 2020 Q2,business Q3 GDP data next week z Plan to release by 15 Dec. z Current delay unprecedented z Stats Dept. ‘working nights and weekends’ BY MADHUSHA THAVAPALAKUMAR quarter results also on the same day. also become challenging with social half of the second quarter, which The toughest quarter to collect data distancing and office closures weighing resulted in some economic activities The Department of Census was the second quarter as we had the negatively on response rates and the taking place in ways different to their and Statistics (DCS) is lockdown. The third quarter one (data) accuracy of surveys,” Lakshman added. norms. planning to release the GDP was comparatively easier to collect,” Speaking further, he stated that the In any other year, the quarterly GDP (gross domestic product) Bandara told us on Thursday (3). Central Bank had to be innovative in its estimates are released in less than three figures of Sri Lanka for the Speaking further, she noted now that forecasts and other analytical work with months after the quarter ends. For second and third quarters of the second wave of the virus has been this data absence, constantly generating example, second quarter GDP results are this year on 15 December, as hampering normal economic activities alternative statistics in response to generally released before 15 September. announced in October this once again since 4 October, capturing these unusual circumstances. Using However, citing pandemic challenges, year. the economic activities for the fourth some real-time indicators, the Central even the first quarter GDP estimates quarter will be just as hard as it was Bank released a brief presentation were delayed significantly as they were DCS Director General Dr. I.R. for the second quarter. in late September with evidence of issued only hours before the general Bandara told The Sunday Morning “The fourth quarter might face a the economy’s recovery in the third election in August. It showed that the Business that the Department is little delay. We cannot confirm it now,” quarter of the year as a result of the economy had contracted by 1.6%. working tirelessly and have been she stated. resumption of economic activity, having As the data was released following a having back to back meetings with Meanwhile, addressing the Sri data indicate a strong recovery in many grappling with the identification of successfully combated Covid-19. highly unusual delay, it led to intense the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) Lanka Economic Summit 2020 held areas of economic activity in the third suitable statistical apparatus to properly In mid-October, issuing a press speculation as to the reasons for said and other relevant authorities to issue last week, Central Bank Governor Prof. quarter, prior to the resurgence of measure value added in economic statement, the DCS said that second delay. Many opined that data was the figures by next Wednesday (15). W.D. Lakshman stated that the second Covid-19 infections and resultant activities that have undergone quarter GDP data will be released on being held back intentionally till the “We are working day and night, quarter performance would have been containment measures starting from significant structural changes and the 15 December, along with GDP data of end of the election, which was on 5 weekdays, and weekends. Next week worse, but the GDP estimates for any October 2020. increasing emergence of new ways of the third quarter of 2020. The reason August, so as to prevent any political (this week) is going to be a rough week. period after the first quarter are not yet “As in the case of statistical agencies doing things during these Covid-19- provided for the delay was the seven- disadvantage. We are planning to issue the third available, adding that high-frequency worldwide, the DCS is perhaps affected times. Compilation work has week-long curfew imposed through Contd. on page 2 Exporters submit Budget concerns Apparel exports to to Finance Ministry BY THE SUNDAY MORNING been raised by the NCE in the close 2020 at $ 4 b BUSINESS DESK letter was on charging a tax BY MADHUSHA THAVAPALAKUMAR the detection of the Minuwangoda On 4 October, health authorities of 0.25% of the turnover of cluster in early October, the detected a Covid-19 case in The National Chamber businesses and factories with With less than a month left to impact of which still prevails in the community for the first of Exporters (NCE) has more than 50 employees, to conclude the year, the Sri Lanka society with Covid-19 cases being time in about two months – an sent a letter to the Ministry be accrued to the proposed Apparel Exporters’ Association reported in the hundreds, daily. apparel factory worker from the of Finance a few days ago, insurance fund. According to (SLAEA) expects the country’s In early April, speaking to Gampaha District attached to expressing their concerns the Budget 2021, this insurance apparel export revenue to be The Sunday Morning Business, Brandix Apparel Solutions Ltd. in over a number of proposals NCE CEO and Secretary General fund is intended to be used around $ 4 billion for the year Joint Apparel Association Forum Minuwangoda. Subsequent PCR announced in the Budget 2021 Shiham Marikkar for those who are employed 2020, compared to $ 5.59 billion, (JAAF) Chairman A. Sukumaran tests conducted on the patient’s in mid-November. men and women. at retail and wholesale shops a year ago. stated that the apparel sector had close contacts detected the largest NCE CEO and Secretary “Life expectancy for with more than five employees SLAEA Immediate Past SLAEA Immediate Past Chairman been severely impacted due to cluster found in Sri Lanka, and General Shiham Marikkar females is 76.6 years and life and hotels. Chairman Rehan Lakhany told Rehan Lakhany the prevailing pandemic, with the cluster mainly consisted of told The Sunday Morning expectancy for males is 72 Furthermore, it was proposed The Sunday Morning Business same month last year. We expect JAAF foreseeing an immediate the workers who worked in the Business that these proposals years. Therefore, based on the to implement an insurance that this is approximately a 30% a year-on-year dip in exports contraction of $ 1. 5 billion in Sri same apparel factory. were vague and lacked a clear life expectancy, it is proposed scheme through the Sri Lanka year-on-year drop, and it is mainly in October, November, and Lankan apparel exports during the Following this, the social stigma direction on how to implement, to amend the Employees’ Export Credit Insurance due to the local outbreak of the December also,” Lakhany stated. three-month period ending in June surrounding apparel workers too and would be hurtful to the Provident Fund Act to expand Corporation (SLECIC) pandemic and disruptions in the Speaking further, he noted that compared to the previous fiscal was expected to have an impact export industry if implemented. the retirement age for both men with the contribution of an export market driven by Covid-19. following the initial outbreak of the year. He added that they expect on the apparel sector, as noted by The first proposal that has and women up to 60 years,” insurance premium of 1% “As of September, apparel virus in Sri Lanka in March and further demand contractions both Lakhany and Joint Apparel concerned the exporters was Rajapaksa announced. of export revenue in order exports were $ 3.28 billion. subsequent islandwide lockdown, that could result in reductions in Association Forum Sri Lanka increasing the retirement age Marikkar added that at to accelerate the financing Apparel exports for the month apparel activities slowly resumed apparel exports by an additional (JAAFSL) Secretary General Tuli both for the public and private the moment, private sector facilities through export receipt of September were $ 433 million in May. However, manufacturing 30-40% after June in their best- Cooray at that point. sectors to 60 years. Marikkar companies enter into an confirmation. compared to $ 455 million the activities slowed down following case scenario. Contd. on page 2 stated that the private sector agreement with the female Speaking on these two retirement age was 55 years employees to retire when proposals, Marikkar stated that for males and it was a few they are 50 years and for imposing such additional taxes years less than that for females. male employees to retire at when the export industry is “Increasing the retirement 55 years. The agreement of operating with a very thin profit Milk self-sufficiency in 3 years age to 60 years for the private employees who are efficient margin amidst disruptions z sector is definitely going to even beyond their retirement caused by the pandemic puts Govt. outlines ambitious plan bring down the private sector’s age will be extended, whereas the sustainability of the export BY MADHUSHA THAVAPALAKUMAR local milk production is sufficient only productivity and efficiency. low-productivity employees industry at risk. to cater to 35% of the local demand and We are worried about this will be replaced after their “With regard to the 1% tax Sri Lanka’s local milk production, plans are underway to increase it by proposal,” Marikkar stated. retirement age in order to for an insurance premium which is less than half of the local demand, another 35% in 2021. Announcing the Budget increase the productivity through Sri Lanka Insurance is set to be doubled next year to gradually “This means, by next year, we will 2021, Prime Minister Mahinda of the company. However, Corporation for those who meet 100% of the national milk demand be able to cater to 70% of the local Rajapaksa, who is also the this proposal is expected to export to risky markets, most by 2023, according to the State Minister demand. We will import the remaining Minister of Finance, stated increase the number of lower of them do not make use of of Livestock, Farm Promotion, and Dairy 30% as usual and bring down the imports that it cannot be justified to productivity people in a insurance schemes offered by and Egg-Related Industries. gradually over the coming years,” Herath have two different ages for company, according to him. the SLECIC already. State Minister D.B. Herath told The added. compulsory retirement for The second proposal that has Contd. on page 2 Sunday Morning Business that the current Contd. on page 2 Tourism requests two-year interest waiver As the local tourism sector is from their savings. from local travellers. Even though the second wave of Covid-19 in Sri Lanka, for the moratorium period is capped at expected to recover only around “Restaurant business has come down revenue from local travellers is far the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) 7% per annum. April 2022, the tourism industry has by 80% this year. Hotel occupancy rates lower than that of international tourists, extended the moratoriums which were The Budget 2021 proposed to extend requested the Government to waive are almost zero. The entire sector is local tourism was a welcome relief provided to the tourism sector of the the concessions and recovery of loans off interest payments on loans for two surviving under difficulties,” Ukwatte for the owners of these hotels to keep country initially for a period of one year, granted under the re-financing facilities years beginning April 2020. stated. their businesses up and running with following the Easter Sunday tragedy. of the CBSL until 30 September 2021 The Hotels Association of Sri Lanka The BIA was initially scheduled to a glimmer of hope. Hotel occupancy The CBSL requested banks to and to provide the banks with a Treasury (THASL) President Sanath Ukwatte reopen on 1 August this year and this rates picked up gradually to about 20% provide a debt moratorium to Covid- guarantee covering 50% of such loans. told The Sunday Morning Business on was moved to mid-August following in August and September mainly due 19-affected businesses and individuals Sri Lanka’s tourism sector is among Thursday (3) that the Government is The Hotels Association of Sri Lanka a surge in local Covid-19 cases. The to local tourists. in the tourism sector for a further period the top three foreign exchange-earning yet to take a decision on this request. (THASL) President Sanath Ukwatte date was once again pushed back to Shattering these hopes, on 4 October, of six months commencing from 1 sources of the country. Even before the Ukwatte noted that even if the plans scenario, paying interest rates on loans September after identifying several Sri Lanka detected the first patient October 2020 to 31 March 2021. The closure of the airport, Sri Lanka was are underway to open the Bandaranaike is not feasible for the sector. Covid-19 clusters within the country. of what would later grow into its CBSL directed the banks to amalgamate struggling to attract tourists, mainly due International Airport (BIA) for He added that since the initial The Government is yet to announce a largest Covid-19 cluster that keeps the capital and interest fall due during 1 to stringent travel restrictions imposed international tourists in January next outbreak of the virus in Sri Lanka, the date for when the airport will open to expanding even up to date, and the April 2020 to 30 September 2020 with in China, which is among the top five year, only about 100-300 tourists will tourism sector is facing severe financial international travellers. resultant quarantine curfews have been the capital and interest fall due during tourism-generating markets of Sri be allowed a day, which is not going challenges and most of the hotels have Following the lifting of the another body blow to the domestic 1 October 2020 to 31 March 2021, Lanka, in the early weeks of this year to bring any meaningful revenue for already run out their savings as they lockdown in May, hotels and tourist tourism industry. except for Equal Monthly Instalment to mitigate the spread of the virus. the tourism sector and amidst such a have been paying employee salaries establishments were getting business Days before the detection of the (EMI) loans for which the interest rate Contd. on page 2 2 the sunday morning business CONSTRUCTION/NEWS Sunday, December 6, 2020

By Rohan Pandemic safety for Parikh

Safety has always been the most important factor in the construction sector. Looking out for the safety and security of real estate developers labourers is therefore essential for while working onsite could the workers, under which the health are not overcrowded at any point, bringing Covid into the bubble can to appoint a manager who can any company. Continuing work be difficult given the weather risks are controlled and exposure to and groups can socially distance be reduced. do daily and frequent audits of in the construction sector during conditions and intensity of the job, external factors are reduced. themselves from each other. All For essential requirements the different areas to ensure that a pandemic can be quite tricky as there are many jobs onsite that do This also reduces the risk of utensils should be thoroughly coming to site such as vehicles all workers are adhering to the the job demands people to work permit workers to continue wearing shutting down a site if someone is cleaned before being reused for with material, temperature checks protocols. Strict monitoring must in close proximity to one another. masks. Less intensive work like unwell and tests positive for Covid. other workers, and all canteen and sanitisation protocols should be done to prevent any issues from Real estate companies have to tiling, cutting, grinding, etc. can Then just that small group can be workers will also follow hygiene be made mandatory. If new hampering the work. come up with unique solutions to be carried on with a mask, and quarantined and nursed back to protocols of face masks and workers are being brought to Creating a safe and clean tackle this problem. supervisors have to ensure that health, while areas that they have frequent sanitisation. site, companies should ask for a working space just requires a little First and foremost, all site these standards are maintained been working in are thoroughly Managers should also control certificate from the PHI (Public bit of planning and appropriate workers should undergo a basic under all circumstances. sanitised. This also prevents the the number of people accessing Health Inspector) officers of the execution. With basic but strict training course on the virus, how For more labour-intensive work, entire site from being shut down the site. All unnecessary people workers’ villages, that will indicate protocols such as the above, it spreads, the measures to be one solution is to house together as the spread is controlled due can be avoided for the time being, whether or not the workers are companies can ensure that their taken to keep themselves and their small groups of people that will to grouping of workers. Lastly, such as external agents, insurance coming from highly infected areas workers are kept safe during this colleagues safe, and the protocols also work together, and then the small groups also allow the agents, etc. Visits to the site should or not. Additionally, for additional time, and their projects don’t see to be followed onsite. If someone prevent them from interacting workers to socialise with each be by appointment only, and a precaution these workers can also any further delays. The work must understands the logic behind the with others. Each group can be other which is equally important ledger with visitor details has to be quarantined for five to six days go on. protocols, they are more likely to appropriately distanced from the for their wellbeing. be maintained. Even site visits in provided accommodations, and (The writer is the Managing follow up. After all, the workers do other while onsite and given private Sites can maintain staggered can be reduced to dedicated days tested before being moved to site. Director of Iconic Developments not wish to risk themselves either. transportation to and from the site. break hours for the workers, so of the week. With fewer people The last factor in ensuring a safe and an alumni of the Wharton Even though wearing a mask This essentially builds a bubble for that canteens and lunch stations coming into the site, the risk of working environment would be School of Business and INSEAD) Union Assurance wins multiple Transforming local agriculture: awards at Leadership Awards 2020 Union Assurance clinched Officer) Global/CMO Gomes stated: “We are Lessons from Indian e-agriculture multiple awards including Asia and seek to identify deeply honoured to be Sri Lanka introduced its e-agriculture Best Brand and Sustainable and celebrate outstanding the recipient of three strategy in 2016 for a rapid introduction Marketing Excellence at practices by organisations, awards in recognition of digital platforms, systems, and the Sri Lanka Leadership individuals, and teams. of our commitment to applications in agriculture. Recently, the Awards, as well as Best These awards are an our customers and our European Union (EU)-funded “Technical Employer Brand at the independent recognition employees. As the first life Assistance to the Modernisation of Employer Brand Awards exercise initiated to insurance company in Sri Agriculture Programme” (TAMAP) recently. acknowledge organisations Lanka, we have embarked organised a webinar on “International The Sri Lanka Leadership that have achieved on a journey of protecting Experience on e-agriculture to Awards and Employer Brand extraordinary success from the Sri Lankan dream, Revolutionise the Agriculture Sector” Awards are conducted in innovative and effective and powered it through with the aim of understanding and collaboration with World marketing practices in Sri enhanced digital capability, discussing how digital tools and best HRD (Human Resource Lanka. transforming our brand to practices have accelerated India’s Development) Congress Union Assurance Chief meet the demands of the agriculture sector growth, benefiting and CMO (Chief Marketing Executive Officer Jude new age.” farmers and the nation. Welcoming the participants, Delegation of the EU in Sri Lanka Contd. from page 1 Programme Manager Chandana Hewawasam noted that with the financial EU representative Chandana Hewawasam, Moderator Bandula Nissanka, and expert panellist inconsistency of registered 2017. Cow milk production assistance from the EU, the TAMAP Dr. Ashok Dalwai in conversation Q2,... businesses in Sri Lanka, increased by 17.7% to 385.7 has been providing technical support to agriculture sector.” all land, soil, and crop-related data However, both the DCS according to her. million litres, while buffalo many initiatives including e-agriculture Elaborating on India’s experience in is stored onto a single platform. A and the CBSL denied this Dr. de Silva also stated milk production increased interventions leading towards agricultural electronic-driven agriculture practices, centralised database of farmers together allegation in August and that internal sources had by 25.3% to 85.9 million modernisation in Sri Lanka. he explained how India promotes literacy with a trinity of mobile, bank, and attributed the delay purely informed him that the GDP litres in comparison to The moderator for the event, TAMAP in digital appliances by connecting farm unique identification numbers contribute to the pandemic. contraction for the second 2017. e-agriculture expert Bandula Nissanka, gates to consumption centres. India to accurately pinpointing the farmers Samagi Jana Balawegaya quarter is a shocking -17%. According to the annual highlighted that several elements from adopted its National Agriculture Policy and ensuring that all subsidies and (SJB) parliamentarian Dr. A World Bank report reports from the CBSL, India’s e-agriculture strategy contributed over 15 years ago, with nine pillars entitlements are transferred correctly.” Harsha de Silva, in a tweet compiled prior to the Sri Lanka’s milk and milk towards improving farming income. bringing in digital electronic systems to Dr Dalwai believes that one needs to on 17 October, charged that detection of the new and powder imports have been For example, India’s biometric scheme the national agriculture systems. “India impart electronic and financial literacy, this is the first time since largest Covid-19 cluster growing gradually since “Aadhar” has been used as a platform to has committed to practicing digital strengthen digital platforms, integrate quarterly publishing where in Sri Lanka projects 2015 and reached Rs. 54 roll out a series of services to smallholder technology, not just for agriculture but interoperability, and enable the sharing Sri Lanka’s GDP figures the island’s economy to billion in 2018. In 2015, farmers in addition to welfare payments. for the nation’s social and economic of real time data in order to ensure that have not been published by contract by -6.7% this year, milk and milk powder Moreover, different structural, policy, segments,” he explained. farmers become a part of the agriculture a government and termed it which would point to a far imports were accounted at and regulatory interventions relevant to To date, India has developed over value system, both domestically and a “disgrace”. more severe contraction Rs. 34 billion, while it was digital agriculture were put in place in 70 services that focus on ensuring globally. In the mid-October if the ongoing situation in Rs. 36 billion in 2016 and India to serve to better understand how fundamental agriculture products can Ministry of Agriculture Additional press release, the DCS the country is taken into Rs. 48 billion in 2017. Sri Lanka can benefit from similar policy be grown, thanks to continuously Secretary Dr. Ajantha de Silva said: also said that international account. interventions. updated and available information. Dr. “I thank TAMAP for the initiative consultants are required to The speaker of the webinar was Indian Dalwai said: “What we needed was taken to organise a workshop of this achieve accurate data. Tourism... Department of Agriculture National that everybody has access to the same nature and to share India’s knowledge In a second tweet in Milk... Tourism arrivals had Rainfed Area Authority (NRAA) CEO information and same data.” and action taken in the e-agriculture response to the press release In order to increase the been gradually recovering and current Securities Exchange Bureau Further expanding on the importance sphere. With the emerging Covid-19 issued by the DCS, Dr. number of cows in Sri after the Easter attacks of India (SEBI) Chairman Commodities of integrating diverse systems, he said: crisis, the Sri Lankan Government has de Silva stated: “Come Lanka, the State Ministry last year and the reported Derivative Advisory Committee “When talking about digital technology, realised the importance of domestic on DG! You cannot give is in talks with the relevant arrivals into the country (CDAC) Dr. Ashok Dalwai. Dr. Dalwai’s we should amalgamate a host of food security, and the need to develop such lame excuses that you authorities to import cows stood at 1.9 million in 2019, knowledge, reputation, and experience technology in a meaningful manner, a sound database for smooth agriculture need a foreign consultant and also to increase the compared to 2.3 million in in implementing several reforms in the going from basic ICT (information and production and value chains. The Sri to calculate GDP. India, average milk production of 2018. This year, January rural agrarian sector with an emphasis communication technology) to emerging Lanka Government is now providing Thailand, Vietnam, and so a cow by increasing their arrivals were 228,434, a on e-agriculture and its implications technology – Internet of Things (IoT).” all the support towards e-agriculture, many others have already feed. year-on-year drop of 6.5%, for farmers were the reasons for his He provided examples related to using and the Ministry of Agriculture has published 2020 2Q. You The Cabinet of Ministers while February arrivals invitation to discuss the topic. technology for weather and climate highlighted the importance of developing have now completely lost last Monday (30) approved were 207,507, a year-on- Drawing parallels between India and forecasting and crop estimates supported an e-agriculture platform. your credibility.” a proposal submitted year drop of 17.7%. March Sri Lanka, Dr. Dalwai said: “I see many by space technology, and emphasised: “Both the public and private sector Responding to Dr. de by the State Ministry to arrivals dropped to 71,370 similarities in agriculture between Sri “Upgrading science and technology have already introduced several Silva’s tweet, Bandara at implement the “Saubhagya” compared to the 244,328 Lanka and India, especially when it improves farming productivity and e-agriculture initiatives, but the that point told us that it is Dairy Development arrivals during the same comes to the people dependent on the focuses on continuously creating new problem is that these remain scattered. not necessary for Sri Lanka Programme and the “Dairy period last year. sector. When I look at your agriculture markets.” India has been able to integrate and to consult international Development Centres” policy, with particular reference to the Dr. Dalwai introduced eNAM collaborate with all organisations consultants and that the project for this purpose. challenges and issues, we are all talking (electronic national agriculture market), involved to develop a solid platform consultations so far have Improving farm animal Exporters... about similar problems. How do we India’s online trading platform which at and create a special place for farmers, been merely for knowledge- breeding, nutrition, health Taxing those who export ensure that agriculture not only produces national level operates through an open while maintaining uninterrupted supply sharing purposes. conditions, and creating to well-established markets food security, but also generates profits architecture framework. The NAM is chains. I believe we can learn many In terms of Dr. de Silva’s eco-friendly farms through just to create another for farmers? We should be re-orienting able to integrate with other platforms lessons from India.” latter claim that India, animal waste management insurance premium is our agriculture system to produce and is interoperable. He introduced the The TAMAP said the webinar Thailand, and Vietnam are planned under the an additional burden on gainful employment and profitable Indian Direct Trade Act, which was set was attended by a large number of have released their GDP “Saubhagya” Dairy exporters,” Marikkar stated. incomes so that they stay in agriculture up to ensure platforms’ adhere to basic participants from the education, science, estimates, she noted that Development Programme. The NCE is yet to receive as a profession and not as a default trading standards. Thanks to all these and civil society sectors, as well as public these countries have a eanwhile, the “Dairy a response to the letter from occupation.” frameworks, he noted, “India has become and private sector organisations keen on statistical business registry Development Centres” the Ministry of Finance. Dr. Dalwai explained that it is vital one nation and one market in the truest learning more about how technology is where businesses are project aims to develop the to deploy science and technology sense”. driving change in Indian agriculture. registered. milk value chain process in improving the efficiency and Dr. Dalwai highlighted the importance Thanking all participants, “With the statistical by upgrading artificial Apparel.. effectiveness of agriculture to help of introducing blockchain technology, TAMAP Project Manager Bart business registry, it is easy insemination centres, In addition to this, most smallholders practice agriculture as an which he believes is the way forward Provoost concluded: “I think it is to capture GDP data. We providing necessary inputs, of the small and medium enterprise as well as to support them to in every segment of agriculture. He clear that there is a great interest have already prepared a and networking veterinary enterprises (SMEs) in the become agri-entrepreneurs. said: “We are now defining the national in the agriculture community in cabinet paper to set up offices. sector depend on fabrics and “Digital technology helps us to reach standards of technology which allow Sri Lanka on e-agriculture, given a similar registry in Sri Central Bank of Sri accessories supplied from out in real time and help with challenges everyone to adopt the same architecture.” the overwhelming response to this Lanka. We are working on Lanka (CBSL) data states China and the disruption that beset the agriculture value system. Elaborating on India’s Aadhar, the event. It is part of TAMAP’s mission it,” Bandara added. that in 2018, the total milk of the supply chain due to If Sri Lanka puts in place all elements 12-digit unique number used by all to support innovations towards the The reason for the production in Sri Lanka the global outbreak of the included in its e-agriculture policy, it will Indian residents, he said: “120 million modernisation of the sector, including absence of a statistical increased by 19% to 471.6 virus affected the exporters be able to achieve landmark progress farmers have a unique identity number digital technology. We look forward to business registry all million litres, compared severely in the first half of bringing efficiency into the country’s like all other citizens. By using Aadhar, continuing to do so.” these years is mainly the to 396.2 million litres in this year. the sunday morning business 3 Sunday, December 6, 2020 INSIGHT/MILESTONE

By Dhananath Fernando Policy instability is as bad We are just over five months away from the 25th anniversary of Sri Lanka’s 1996 Cricket World Cup victory, which is still engraved as political instability in every Sri Lankan’s mind. Since then, our players have z gone on to break world The Govt. must start pulling the economy in one direction records and build legendary context would be achieving lower to driving global trade, increasing careers. They have been poverty rates and reaching a GDP exports, getting connected to global named in many Greatest XI per capita of above $ 10,000. This, production networks, and FDIs. lists and represented all the in my opinion, remains an elusive They are opposing policy outcomes. major cricket leagues around dream. Over the years, the business Having such opposing policy community and policy analysts have outcomes makes it difficult for a the world. Therefore, it is clear been highlighting the importance of government to have a twin strategy the quality of our cricketers policy stability and consistency, but to approach problems which are has improved in leaps and we have failed on both fronts. interconnected and it sends mixed bounds over the past quarter signals to markets. of a century, and we even Lessons from the previous A common mistake of many secured a T20 cricket World Government governments that is attributed to their Cup in 2014. Initially, the last national failure is their inability to consider Government had a two-thirds the economy in its entirety. FDIs, However, cricket’s greatest majority in Parliament. However, exports, exchange rates, labour prize has eluded us since 1996 so policy stability was non-existent. market, debt management, and all it is interesting to re-evaluate the Different parts of the Government other factors of the economy are contributory factors of the 1996 functioned with opposing views interconnected. If we fail to look at victory. It is my belief those key which resulted in public policy an overall picture and only target takeaways will provide us with some being pushed in two opposing certain sections of the economy, insight on strategies to overcome directions. This filtered down to all policy instability will be inevitable. the current economic storm. There levels of government. This in turn leads to a vicious cycle are many elements and ingredients The then Prime Minister’s policy of political instability. Sadly, this has in mapping out the winning statement and the Budget Speech been Sri Lanka’s excruciating reality formula. However, I see two main by the then Finance Minister for a while. contributory factors. prioritised two different policy This vicious cycle is precisely First is the “stability of the agendas. Significant salary hikes what this administration must strive team”. Second is a combination for the public sector which were not to avoid. of all other factors along with the affordable to the state balance sheet, In my opinion, getting the reforms cricket administration, which I like and revising the VAT (value-added done, expanding our connectivity to to call cricket-political stability, tax) rate several times, are a few global value chains, and letting the or “crickelitical stability”, if you examples of policy inconsistency. private sector drive the economy is will. The 1996 team was not a star- The Vision 2025 policy statement of paramount importance. studded team. Most of them became which was the main policy Policy stability goes beyond stars after playing the World Cup, agenda of the Government, was keeping the tax rates consistent including , Muttiah released a considerable time after The team celebrating Sri Lanka’s 1996 Cricket World Cup victory, which is still engraved in every Sri Lankan’s mind or retaining certain sectors as Muralitharan, and Chaminda Vaas. It taking over office. Moreover, priorities. It requires cohesiveness was the above two factors that made in implementation, it was not cannot be achieved only at the top Evaluation of the current (EDB) and Director General of from all levels. Mainly at the them world champions, which have given equal priority by all level. Consensus between political Government: Post one year the BOI (Board of Investment) implementation level where there unfortunately remained unattainable sections of the Government. The leaders executing government In completing one year of being emphasised on the importance of has to be a continuous follow up to Sri Lanka, even following 25 Cabinet Committee on Economic functions in order to get something in power, the current Government the Government simply playing the between the different actors, while years of advanced investments and Management (CCEM) was then done is political stability. The should be extra cautious and role of an enabler. They highlighted simultaneously keeping in mind the resources. replaced by the then President with policy implementation team and the re-evaluate their performance on the importance of the private sector overall picture of the economy. It is For any economy to thrive the National Economic Council execution of those decisions have to realistic measures. The accuracy and in driving economic growth and about creating an ecosystem between there are few drivers that (NEC), which was later dismantled fall in line with the policy. It is only relevance of their actions, policy exports. Furthermore, they reiterated sectors where all sectors work at an come into play. The ability of by the then President himself. then that we can achieve policy consistency, and stability should be the importance of attaining knowhow optimum capacity and level. The the people to connect with This resulted in a major setback, stability. the Government’s priority. and capital through Foreign Direct only way to do it is to allow the price the economy and link with since important policy decisions There are so many things that Last week’s Economic Summit Investments (FDIs). This, in their mechanism to lead the market and let global production networks took place without sufficient can get held up at the lower organised by the Ceylon Chamber opinion, was the only way forward, the resource allocation be done based has become a fundamental deliberations, thereby leading to level, starting from misplacing of Commerce highlighted a few if Sri Lanka is to seriously consider on market prices. necessity of the modern world further policy inconsistency within documents. This may have a sentiments that are reflective of some development. If Sri Lanka is looking for a World the Government. significant effect on policy elements of policy inconsistency. For any economy to thrive there Cup-winning era in terms of our In an economic context, similar Cabinet reshuffles on key implementation, especially if we The Governor of the Central Bank are few drivers that come into play. economy, we must focus on policy to the cricket team, “policy portfolios were observed a few fail to get policy execution in line highlighted the importance of self- The ability of the people to connect consistency and stability, while stability” and “political stability” times. The constitutional crisis with the policy agenda. The World sufficiency with an emphasis on with the economy and link with maintaining political stability. are both extremely important. Sri that emerged with the appointing Cup victory in 1996 was a team state sector-led development as a key global production networks has (The writer is the Chief Operating Lankans have never had the luck of a new Prime Minister was effort where everyone contributed strategy to support local industries become a fundamental necessity Officer of Advocata Institute. He to experience the joy of a World a key highlight of the island’s equally at all levels, from the team to navigate these uncertain times. of the modern world. However, the can be contacted via dhananath@ Cup victory in economic terms. policy instability. It goes without manager to the water boy. Another The Governor expressed his lack question remains as to how we can advocata.org. The opinions This can be mainly attributed to Sri saying that this level of instability important element is political of interest in resorting to advice or achieve the above and if we will ever expressed are the author’s own Lanka’s excessive focus on political and inconsistency is beyond the stability in Sri Lanka. This requires support of any foreign agencies. get implement the reforms to enable views. They may not necessarily stability rather than policy stability. capacity of a small economy in policy stability in the economic This statement was followed by this. reflect the views of the Advocata The economic equivalent to a World the Indian Ocean. Policy stability front, especially to overcome the a session where the Chairman of From a public policy perspective, Institute or anyone affiliated with Cup victory in the Sri Lankan and consistency is something that current crisis. the Export Development Board “self-sufficiency” stands in contrast the institute) Colombo Stock Exchange completes 35 years

The licensed operator of the Sri Lankan stock market, the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) completed its 35th year on Thursday (3). The CSE in its present form was incorporated in 1985 and formed by seven stockbroker firms as Colombo Securities Exchange Guarantee Ltd., a company limited by guarantee, marking a transformative shift in Sri Lanka’s financial services landscape. From left: CSE Chairman Dumith Fernando, SEC Chairman Viraj Dayaratne PC, past The CSE is licensed by the CSE Chairman Ajit Jayaratne, and past CSE Chairman Ray Abeywardena The CSE then and now Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka (SEC) and offers spread of Covid-19. The ceremony and experience of the industry to intermediaries who placed confidence jointly pursue many more positive commenting on the milestone, stated: pre-trade, trade, and post-trade was organised on the theme of “A leapfrog on multiple fronts. As we in the CSE over the past 35 years and outcomes for the Sri Lankan capital “CSE is an institution of national platforms supported by a network of Transformative past – A Vibrant look towards a possible re-rating supported the growth of our stock market going forward. significance with an unwavering stockbroker firms that offer end-to- Future” and is part of a series of of the market upwards, what is market. I would also like to recognise In its 35th year, the CSE and SEC focus and commitment towards end digitalised trading solutions to initiatives organised by the CSE to on the cards are major market the untiring efforts of the board engaged in a transformative project to creating conditions that support a diversified pool of over 700,000 mark the milestone. infrastructure developments, members, both present and past, and digitalise all stakeholder touch points growth, forging ahead with initiatives individual and institutional investors. Ajit Jayaratne, a past Chairman product diversification, widening the CSE staff including those who in the stock market, enabling end- that are motivated by Sri Lanka’s It has also been an active of the CSE and one of the Board of the investor base, building a have served previously in making to-end connectivity electronically, own perspective for prosperity. Our contributor in the international Members when the CSE was sustainable business model, and the CSE a pivotal part in the national which is vital to broad-basing the stock market has evolved over the arena as a member of the World incorporated in its present form, more importantly working with the financial infrastructure.” stock market and providing market years and in the midst of the various Federation of Exchanges (WFE) and was the Special Guest at the event. Government and the regulator to Speaking at the bell-ringing accessibility to all Sri Lankans. growth initiatives we are pursuing, has on multiple occasions held the Sharing his remarks, Jayaratne position CSE as a pivotal point for ceremony, SEC Chairman Viraj Establishing regulatory readiness what remains unchanged is our focus Chairmanship of the South Asian commended the leadership of the capital raising. Dayaratne PC congratulated the CSE to navigate through a Sri Lankan on maintaining our market’s integrity Federation of Exchanges, shaping exchange and recognised the untiring “We will continue our journey on what is a significant milestone for business landscape that has changed and quality. capital market development policy efforts of all those who worked towards success and we value our the Sri Lankan capital market. He substantially since CSE was first “We are fully aware that it is only and co-operation in the South Asian towards building the stock market to stakeholders whose confidence in us went on to state that more ambitious established has been a material focus by operating a fair, orderly, and region. what it is today. He offered a unique stood unaltered. From its formation, growth initiatives should be in 2020. Expanding listing rules and transparent market will investors have A bell-ringing ceremony was perspective on the history of the the stockbroker community has over implemented with a view to expand criteria to pave the way for a wider the confidence to invest enabling the organised on 3 December 2020 CSE and shared memories of the time collectively built up the stock the investor base at CSE and noted spectrum of companies to qualify CSE to expand and broad-base the to mark the occasion, which was transformative journey. market to what it is today, and I the importance of positioning the for a listing and the introduction stock market. As the country moves delivered to an audience that was Commenting on the milestone, would like to acknowledge their role stock market as “the” place for capital of a framework to list real estate ahead to recover and rebuild amid 100% online, a first-of-its-kind event CSE Chairman Dumith Fernando in the development of the market. In raising with the intention of bringing investment trusts (REITs) are other challenging business externalities, the for bell-ringing ceremonies at CSE, said: “After 35 years of operations particular, I would like to recognise new listings to the market. The SEC developments that were introduced CSE will continue to work positively considering the guidelines issued of the stock exchange, we have the role played by our investors, Chairman pledged the commission’s in 2020. to restore investor confidence and by health authorities to prevent the leveraged on the combined expertise listed companies, and all market fullest support and co-operation to CSE CEO Rajeeva Bandaranaike, promote investments.” 4 the sunday morning business EDITORIAL/ENERGY Sunday, December 6, 2020

If the private sector was awaiting a fillip to invest deeper into technology- related businesses, then there were a number of positive signals during ‘Tis the season for tech the past couple of weeks. There really is no better time technology. But in pursuit of impact, the Ministry would do advantages of innovation and First, the Budget 2021 to invest in technology-related building digital capabilities and well to expedite passing the long- of the technologies that will promised a whole heap of business and grow our small digital talent, it is incumbent upon overdue Data Protection Bill into transform almost every sector incentives and perks for the but competitive IT industry. policymakers to avoid the trap of legislature. over the next decade. It must technology sector. It has been one of the sectors widening already existing gaps With the right policy framework be the engine that drives an most resilient in the face of among citizens, to create equitable in place, the primary challenge aggressive technology industry Then, Gotabaya Rajapaksa Covid-19, largely shielded opportunities that remedy both lies in creating a solid base of by encouraging and supporting took direct charge of matters from the geopolitical risk and the skills gaps of the industry and IT knowledge workers. While collaborations among disciplines, relating to technology, claiming market fragility that many major mobility issues faced by potential incorporating STEM (science, and by expanding R&D capability the newly gazetted “Technology” industries experienced. It has also THE employees. technology, engineering, math) and collective experimentation. portfolio for himself. Shortly truly reaped the benefits of the HEADLIGHT If digital governance is a curricula to our education system The promised technocracy thereafter, eminent industry new ways of work and reflected priority, then so must be a has been deemed essential, has been patchy in delivery over figure and current Information how they may be sustained in a $ 150 billion in exports, two-thirds comprehensive framework of whatever changes and investments the past 12 months. That’s why and Communication Technology post-pandemic world. Industry of it to the US alone. The sector is data protection and privacy; made in secondary education the private sector must step in Agency (ICTA) Chairman players seamlessly switched slated to hit $ 350 billion in five better protections are mandatory right now will only reap benefits to leverage on the technological Jayantha Silva was appointed to working from home, while years and account for nearly one- for businesses and investors, as in 10 years or more. That is a change and disruption that the Secretary to the new ministry. continuing to innovate and support tenth of GDP. well as in defence of individual decade-long skills gap we cannot world will experience during this The keen focus on technology their customers with business The Government’s role as an liberties. The new Ministry of afford, and it is incumbent upon Fourth Industrial Revolution, with was reiterated during the just- continuity. enabler encompasses several Technology has under its purview the private sector to play its part in the advent of artificial intelligence, concluded Sri Lanka Economic Sri Lanka doesn’t need to look far aspects; it is the Government’s institutions such as the TRC, training and skilling a workforce robotics, biotech and the Internet Summit, where IT was among to grasp the vast economic potential foremost duty to ensure the ICTA, CERT, SLT, and SLINTEC, to cater to the industry’s staffing of Things. There truly has been no the industries slated for tax of a thriving IT industry – India’s right structural and regulatory as well as all techno parks and needs. better time. concessions on strategic IT/BPO sector driven by over four frameworks are in place to the Department for Registration The private sector, on its part, The Headlight is the editorial investments of over $ 10 million. million IT workers contributes over allow the country to gain from of Persons. Given its breadth of must also look at the competitive of The Sunday Morning Business

BY DR. JANAKA RATNASIRI The main barrier appears to be the reluctance of the CEB to grant priority for The Sunday Morning on 29 November developing RE projects compared to what 2020 carried an article written by a staff it gives for developing coal power projects. writer, posing the question “why sun- It appears that all they are interested in drenched SL lags behind in solar power?” is building more and more coal power An attempt is made in this write up to Solar power in plants, polluting both the local and global answer some of the questions raised by the environment. In the CEB’s Long Term writer and also to clarify some points. Generation Expansion Plan 2020-39, provision has been made to add only 900 Is Sri Lanka sun-drenched? MW of solar capacity up to 2030. This is First, a clarification of the title is despite the fact that the previous cabinet necessary. The map of solar irradiation SL: Reasons for decisions had wanted about 2,000 MW of accompanying the article tells the story that solar power added within a shorter time Sri Lanka is not sun-drenched, as claimed frame, comprising 1,000 MW of rooftop in the title. It shows high levels of solar systems and 1,000 MW of utility systems. irradiation only along the coastal belt in the Dry Zone, with some penetration in Funding for solar power projects the South and North regions. In the Wet The CEB also has not shown any interest Zone, the sky is overcast and cloudy on slow progress in utilising funding available for the most days of the year and not the best for development of solar power systems offered solar energy utilisation. However, the low that a solar panel generates during the day batteries for storage. Even the surplus Rs. 300 million was allocated. According by foreign sources. Under the International irradiation could be compensated by using is equivalent to what it generates at noon wind capacity which cannot be connected to CEB’s Long Term Generation Expansion Solar Alliance, India has offered a $ 100 additional photovoltaic (PV) panels over for about five hours. The PV installations directly to the grid could be operated Plan 2020-39, initial assessments and million credit line for the development of the optimum. already in use in Sri Lanka show that their as stand-alone systems, with the output planning work for developing solar parks in solar projects and has assigned a company in There are two methods of utilising solar plant factor to be about 20%, which means converted to DC and fed to electrolyzers. Pooneryn and Siyambalanduwa have been India to help Sri Lanka to build a solar park. radiation for electricity generation. One is they are available only for 4.8 hours a initiated. The Pooneryn park will initially This is a good opportunity to get one of the to use solar PV panels which convert solar day. On the other hand, a thermal power CEB’s follow-up of Cabinet produce 250 MW of wind power and 150 two planned solar parks built. Apparently, the radiation directly into electricity, with an plant can supply energy during the entire decisions MW of solar PV generation. These projects CEB has not expressed any willingness to efficiency of about 16-22%, depending on 24 hours a day, but annually, it may drop A previous regime launched a were reaffirmed by the Cabinet in 2019. accept this offer. its type. The other is to use solar radiation to about 70-80% due to shut down for programme named “Soorya Bala In addition, the Budget 2021 plans to Under the Paris Agreement, funding to generate thermal energy to heat a fluid- maintenance. Sangramaya” (SBS) to be implemented in add 1,000 MW in capacity through local is available for developing countries to producing vapour at high pressure, which In order to make use of solar energy four phases, with a view to accelerate the investments within the period from 2021- build RE projects that will save carbon in turn could drive a turbine to generate generated during the day during the utilisation of solar power in the country. 2023 and instal 100,000 of 5 kW rated emissions. However, it is necessary for the electricity. However, such systems are nighttime, it is necessary to store Under Phase I, it aimed to generate 1 GW rooftop systems, adding 500 MW to the host institution to prepare a suitable project technically and economically feasible in electricity by suitable means. If the system from one million solar rooftops, each grid, through loan schemes. Furthermore, proposal and submit it to the Secretariat of regions of very high irradiation such as is connected to the grid, solar energy with a capacity of 1 kW. Phase II of the an increase of RE capacity to 1,000 MW the UN Framework Convention on Climate deserts. They have the advantage of being generated during the day can be fed to the programme relates to building 150 solar by the expeditious implementation of Change (UNFCCC) through the Ministry of able to use solar energy even after the sun grid and at nighttime, the grid provides power plants, each with a capacity of 1 both offshore wind and floating solar Environment, which is the National Focal has set, while with PV panels, the usage is electricity to the consumer. Hence, there is MW to be built by the private sector on power plants exceeding 100 MW was also Point of UNFCCC, to seek the funding. The limited to daytime. no need for a separate storage facility. If a the build-own-operate (BOO) basis in two planned. This is reconfirmation of decisions writer’s understanding is that neither the domestic installation such as a rooftop solar stages of 60 and 90 plants, each of a 1 MW taken in previous cabinet meetings and CEB nor the SLSEA has taken the trouble to Sri Lanka’s position in per capita panel system needs to be used off-grid as capacity. The entire cost including land not new decisions. The problem has been prepare a proposal to seek funding for this electricity consumption an independent system, it is necessary to acquisition and extension of the grid as that since the previous decisions were not purpose. The article says, “Sri Lanka’s per capita have batteries for storing the electricity well as getting clearances has to be met by implemented by the responsible parties on The CEB Act provides the CEB with energy (electricity) consumption is 636 generated during the day. However, if large the investor. time, the impression has been created that powers to conduct research into matters kWh, one of the highest in the South Asian solar power systems are to be used at utility Tenders were called by the Ceylon no decisions were taken in the past for RE affecting the generation, distribution, region”. Though this may be true for South scale, a different approach is necessary, Electricity Board (CEB) in 2017 for development. transmission, supply, and use of electricity Asia, it is close to the bottom end when though the use of large size batteries is also building initially 60 plants of 1 MW (Article 12h). However, CEB’s annual compared with other Asian countries. Sri possible, which are expensive and have capacity and in 2018 for building another Implementation of Soorya reports do not refer to any research being Lanka is only above a few countries like limited life time of about five years. Their 90 plants of 1 MW capacity. However, Bala Sangramaya done within the CEB, except undertaking Cambodia (423 kWh), Myanmar (313 disposal also causes an environmental the outcome of these tenders providing Though the Cabinet of Ministers testing of lamps. The students having the kWh), Bangladesh (379 kWh), and Nepal issue, unless economic recycling facilities information on the number of bidders, since 2016 has been taking decisions to highest scores at the GCE Advanced Level (207 kWh), based on 2017/2018 data are available. prices offered, and the number selected introduce RE projects, including solar examination get admitted to engineering found in a 2020 ADB publication on “Key One method is to make use of existing for building the power plants has not power systems, at both domestic level and courses and those who follow electrical Indicators for Asia and the Pacific”. hydropower reservoirs by saving water that been announced. Also, the outcome of utility scale, their follow-up by the two engineering end up in institutions like the The rest of the countries in Asia are way would have been used for generating an these tenders providing information on implementing agencies – viz. Sri Lanka CEB. It is a pity that the CEB management ahead of Sri Lanka. Of particular interest equivalent amount of energy generated by the number of bidders, prices offered, Sustainable Energy Authority (SLSEA) does not make use of these talented graduates is Taiwan, a country with similar land solar panels during the day, and using the and the number selected for building the and CEB – has been rather slow, possibly to undertake research to seek solutions area, geography, and population as Sri water saved during nighttime. This does power plants has not been made public. due to divided responsibility. According to such problems, such as integrating RE Lanka’s, which has a per capita electricity not require any additional expenditure on (https://asia.unlockingsolarcapital.com/ to the SLSEA Act, any RE project systems into the grid, developing new consumption of 11,614 kWh in 2018. Most building extra facilities. Another is to build news/2017/4/10/sri-lanka-seeks-bids-for- needs the approval of the SLSEA before storage systems, and providing other of the other countries have values between pump-storage facilities comprising two sets 60-mw-of-large-scale-pv). commencing any work. research and development support for RE 2,000 and 10,000 kWh per capita. Sri of reservoirs at two elevations connected In 2020, another tender was floated, Under the National Electricity Act systems, referred to in the said article. Lanka has a long way to go to come close via a penstock with a generator/pump inviting investors to build solar power No. 31 of 2013, any generation unit to these countries in power consumption. system at the bottom. Any surplus energy plants with capacities in the range 3-10 to be connected to the grid needs not Conclusion Sri Lanka’s highest demand for generated during the day from solar panels MW, amounting to a total of 150 MW at only the approval of the CEB, but also The reason for Sri Lanka to lag behind electricity is during 6 p.m.-10 p.m. for is made use of to pump water from the specified locations where grid substations needs to conform with the CEB’s Long other countries in harnessing its solar power consumption in households for lighting lower reservoir to the upper reservoir. At are available under Phase III of the SBS Term Generation Expansion Plan. The potential appears to be the lack of interest and perhaps watching television. The nighttime, the pumped water is allowed to programme. (http://taiyangnews.info/ Act also refers to accepting projects shown by the CEB even to implement the low demand during daytime reflects the flow down the penstock, driving the pump markets/sri-lanka-awards-10-mw-pv- selected after calling for tenders except many projects approved by the Cabinet. poor industrialisation in the country. in the reverse mode to generate electricity. capacity/). those recommended by the SLSEA. The Even if they are interested, it is not seen. The The countries in the Far East and In the West, such pump-storage systems The CEB expects to build a total of 50 misinterpretation of the Electricity Act has Minister of Power needs to look into this Southeast Asia, having high per capita have been used for many decades for MW of capacity during this phase. The resulted in projects recommended by the issue urgently. consumption of electricity, are referred peaking purposes. One good example is the tender has specified an upper limit for SLSEA getting held up by the CEB. (The writer possesses a BSc (Hons) in to as newly industrialised countries. system installed at Niagara Falls. bids amounting to 0.079 USD/kWh for According to a SLSEA report dated Physics from the University of Ceylon and This industrialisation has helped them Another method available is to feed the accepting bids. 27 March 2019, several RE projects a PhD in Electrical Engineering from the to increase their per capita electricity solar panel output to a set of electrolyzers, submitted by investors that have received University of Illinois, USA. He is a Fellow consumption. Though Sri Lanka’s which are available commercially, to Govt.’s decisions to develop the approval of the SLSEA since 2016 have of the Institute of Physics, Sri Lanka. government after government over the generate hydrogen. The hydrogen is stored large solar systems been held up as CEB has not agreed to sign He has worked for 30 years as Research last several decades have endeavoured to and fed to a bank of fuel cells to generate In 2017, the Cabinet took several the power purchase agreements with them, Officer in Applied Physics and Electronics attract foreign direct investments (FDI), electricity in the form of direct current decisions to build an aggregate of citing a section of the Electricity Act. These at the Ceylon Institute of Scientific and for various reasons, Sri Lanka has not been (DC) and later inverted to AC (alternating 1,000 MW of large solar power plants pending RE projects are shown in the Industrial Research [present Industrial able to attract FDIs as much as what other current). After filtering out harmonics, under Phase IV of the SBS programme, accompanying table. Technology Institute]. He has served the countries in the region have. this steady output is fed to the grid as and comprising a 800 MW solar park in Energy Number Capacity Plant Energy Ministry of Environment for seven years when necessary, day or night, using stored Pooneryn, a 100 MW solar park in Source MW Factor GWh/y as Senior Technical Advisor, handling Storage of solar power hydrogen. The water generated by the Siyambalanduwa, and a 100 MW solar % environment-related matters in energy, One inherent characteristic of solar fuel cells as a byproduct, after refining, system on Maduru Oya Reservoir, together Mini-Hydro 247 264 40 925 transport, and industrial sectors. He has panels is their availability as a source of could be fed back to the electrolyzers, thus with unspecified capacity to be installed Solar PV 668 2028 20 3,553 represented the country in many meetings Wind energy only during daytime. It peaks at minimising the demand for freshwater. on abandoned paddy fields in the Western 84 673 35 2,063 of the UN Framework Convention on noon and its strength declines with the This system is more economical and and Sabaragamuwa Provinces and on Systems Climate Change during his tenure at the increasing solar angle. Hence, the energy environmentally friendly than using government buildings, for which a sum of Total 999 2,965 6,541 Ministry) the sunday morning business 5 Sunday, December 6, 2020 VIEWS A vaccine can’t immunise SL against an economic crisis scheme (two-dose price Rs. 26,849.23), By 36 times higher than its nominee for Oxford University. Dr. Nicholas Ruwan yy Moderna reported in August that its Dias and Niresh vaccine for certain customers charged Eliatamby between $ 32 and $ 37 per dose (two- dose price Rs. 13,702.37). At the time, the company had confirmed that it was The world’s 7.8 billion people need negotiating broader contracts with lower 15.6 billion doses of a double-dose rates. vaccine. The world’s production yy Pfizer estimated that companies capacity is only five billion doses charge $ 20 a dose (two-dose price Rs. per year. But 32 rich countries 7,406.68), slightly less than Moderna, that have only 13% of the world’s for their vaccine. population have already pre- yy The two doses of AstraZeneca-Oxford ordered 10 billion doses. vaccine are priced at around $ 3 to $ 4 Duke University’s Global Health May, Moderna announced the signature of a (two-dose price Rs. 1,481.34), citing Information Centre estimates that poorer deal with a Swiss manufacturer to produce supply agreements negotiated until 7 countries may have to wait until 2023 or a billion doses a year. A novel technology October. 2024 to vaccinate their populations. based on genetic material called mRNA is With Sri Lanka’s economy already being used in the vaccine proposed. yy The J&J vaccine is expected to cost in tatters due to Covid in 2020, we are about $ 10 per dose (single-dose price looking at a much bigger economic Types of the vaccine Rs. 1,851.67) and requires simple disaster in 2021 due to difficulties in According to WHO, various types cooling for storage. obtaining a supply of the limited number of Covid-19-potential vaccines are in How soon will the vaccines be of Covid vaccines coming into the market development, such as: distributed globally? as rich countries have already snapped up yy Vaccines for inactivated or weakened pre-orders. Fig. 3 gives an indication of where virus that are inactivated or weakened producers have already agreed to provide to cause a disease but still induce an The global picture their vaccines. immune response. Never in human history has a vaccine Some optimistic projections indicate been developed so fast as the multiple yy Protein-based vaccines using harmless that there could be adequate vaccines for Covid vaccines that will hit the market protein fragments and protein shells that everyone and that rich countries may store within a few weeks from companies such as simulate an immune response safely by supplies in 12-18 months, but researchers Pfizer, Moderna, and Astrazenerca. Already the Covid-19 virus. have cautioned that it could be a physical proven 95% effective, they are expected to yy disaster. be the answer to the Covid threat that has Viral vector vaccines using a virus held our species in terror for more than a designed to avoid infection, but produce Practical solutions – Sri Lanka’s year and killed 1.2 million of us. protein from the coronavirus to produce a options While none of the vaccines now in the healthy immune reaction. Sri Lanka is thus in a dire situation in final stages of development offer 100% yy RNA and DNA vaccines, a cutting- finding a sufficient supply of the vaccine, protection against Covid, they are expected edge process used for the development both financially and sourcing it on the to result in a major impact to lower of a protein that is itself healthy for an global market. There is, of course, the complication rates, reduce hospitalisations, immune response using genetically possibility that Sri Lanka will be able to and reduce deaths. modified RNA or DNA. piggyback on the charitability of one of the But that’s as far as the good news goes. Fig. 1 gives an indication of the types of wealthier nations. Perhaps China or India Most of the vaccines are expected to be vaccines and their various traits. or Russia would agree to provide us with priced too high for poorer nations. The first some number of vaccines. At this point, vaccines to go on the international market Pfizer even vaccinating half the population would are expected to be priced as high as $ 50 a be a big step forward. This is the time dose and require two doses – that’s $ 100 The company has announced its plans when our foreign relations need to play a per person. to generate 50 million doses this year major part. Only Astrazenerca has promised to price and 1.3 billion doses in 2021, based on yy WHO – COVAX isn’t dead. We need to reasonably at about $ 6 per dose. current estimates. The results reveal that get as many doses of vaccine from this The further bad news is that there is the vaccine is reliably productive in people, as possible. very limited global production capacity races, and ethnic groups of different for vaccines and it would take about three ages. The vaccine was shown to be 94% yy China – Silk Roads and Belts are all years to vaccinate the world’s population. effective for people above 65 years of age. very fine, but we need to ask China very Meanwhile, the world’s rich countries – nicely to gift us a few million doses Europe, the UK, the US, Canada, etc. – and Moderna of vaccines. Five vaccines are being India have already snapped up much of The Emergency Use Authorisation developed by four Chinese companies the limited global production through pre- (EUA) will likely be granted full formal and they have already promised millions orders for which they have already paid in approval by approximately three months. of doses to other countries – Brazil, advance. VRC has so far been a huge success in Turkey, Indonesia, UAE, Cambodia, What the global picture also means is that partnership with Moderna. This is the Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam. the rich countries will be able to go back to quickest time ever for genome sequencing Why not Sri Lanka? near-normal economic activity perhaps by to be carried out in Phase I. However, yy mid-2021, while poor countries will take at having people in Phase I studies does of the company’s Ebola vaccine. In processes and infrastructure for influenza India – Our giant neighbour next door. least a year more. This will further widen not mean they are able to use a vaccine. September, a clinical single shot trial of vaccines are well developed. Therefore, How much do they really care about the gap between the world’s rich and poor. Safety and other data require another three 60,000 people began, even though it has it would take four to six months to their neighbours? Time to find out. Ask them to gift us a few million vaccines. What it means for Sri Lanka months. Stage two is already in operation. since reached a separate double-dose manufacture a sufficient quantity of new The scaling up (production of the vaccine) clinical trial agreement with the British pandemic influenza vaccines. yy SAARC – More than two billion people This leaves countries such as Sri Lanka then takes a long time. Covid-19 is Government. There is no understanding of how long live in South Asia. It’s a huge market. with few choices and the prospect of not analogous to SARS from 75% to 85%. Vaccine trials it takes to create and manufacture a safe, It’s time that SAARC stopped being a being able to obtain the vaccine until effective vaccine, and the nature of the good old boys’ club and actually did possibly 2022. With Covid now running Chinese Vaccines are not the only research that threat and the current vaccine research something for the region: Leverage rampant through our population with have been carried out, as shown in Fig. 2. status of the threat will depend on this. the size of the South Asian population approximately 300 cases a day, that’s an On 10 January, China released the virus By 12 November 2020, 1,668 Covid In nearly all situations, the initial doses and get global manufacturers and economic disaster our country can’t afford. series. The sequences were tested, they therapies have been tested worldwide. In of vaccines will take several months governments to support South Asia. So vaccinating the entire Sri Lankan were able to generate proteins, and obtain several stages of clinical trials, there have to react. In order to prevent the spread y population would cost $ 2.1 billion or Rs. the pre-fusion spike structure with a new already been over 270 Covid-19 vaccines. of the disease, other public and health y The US – Pompeo visited; Pompeo told 400 billion. With government revenue microscopic cryo-electron device within interventions such as social distinctions, us in so many words to stop getting yy Pfizer and BioNtech German-US already perilous, finding such funds will be a week. This quickly resolved the spike quarantine, and the use of antiviral drugs close to China. Tell Pompeo to put the vaccine has been confirmed to be more difficult, even if we could find a supply of structure and then formed the protein will have to be used before an effective vaccines where his mouth is, and for the than 90% effective on the basis of the vaccine. quickly. vaccine is ready. US Government to gift Sri Lanka a few late-stage studies of more than 43,000 The next issue is the delivery of the million doses of the US vaccines. people. The COVAX Project is failing Sputnik V Covid-19 vaccine. Many cold storage (Dr. Nicholas Ruwan Dias and Niresh Earlier this year, the World Health The Ministry of Health of the yy The US Moderna company reported its vaccines must be conveyed, which poses Eliatamby are Managing Partners of Organisation (WHO) organised the COVAX Russian Federation approved Sputnik vaccine had a potential of almost 95%, a challenge for many areas of the world, Cogitaro.com, a consultancy that finds Project to ensure equitable distribution of V, formerly named Gam-COVID-Vac, even after major tests at the late stage. where a destruction of electricity is normal practical solutions for challenges facing vaccines around the world. 189 nations which was established in Moscow by The findings are provisional in both in everyday life. The WHO reports that up society and different industries. signed up. But increasingly, rich nations the Gamaleya Research Institute on 11 cases and the two vaccines are still not to 50% of vaccines are wasted annually, Dr. Dias is a digital architect and that signed up have ignored their global August. As Phase III clinical tests have authorised. mostly due to poor temperature monitoring educationist based in Kuala Lumpur. obligations and made pre-orders to the not yet begun, experts have repeatedly yy in the supply chains. The flow of freight has He holds a BSc in Computing from the detriment of poorer nations. Culprits include expressed concerns about the safety and The late-stage tests of four Chinese also slowed with the substantial decline in University of Greenwich, a master’s in Canada, the UK, Australia, the 27 members effectiveness of the vaccine. Regulatory vaccines are being carried out in international passenger air traffic. Airlines computer software engineering from of the European Union (EU), India, and approbation was also given for a second Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Russia, must deal with this before attempting Staffordshire University, and a PhD Japan. Russian vaccine, EpiVacCorona, without Indonesia, and Brazil. to administer the vaccine. Beyond the from the University of Malaya. He is As of today, only 700 million doses have clinical trials, including Phase III. yy After 16,000 volunteers trials, a 92% manufacturers’ initial transport, it needs completing a second doctorate in business been confirmed to the COVAX Project, Based on interim test findings, it is 92% Russia-based Covid vaccine was sophisticated logistics systems – lacking administration from Universiti Utara which is far below the two billion doses it successful in protecting people against confirmed to be successful. Approval in many poorer countries – to reach rural Malaysia. [email protected]. required for 2021. Covid-19. Russia produced 500,000 for urgent use in Russia in August was and remote communities. It will be years Niresh Eliatamby is a lecturer Sputnik V doses in November, below the already granted. before vaccines meet everyone who wants in marketing, HR, and mass Progress of vaccines previous estimate for 800,000 doses. them without significant expenditure in communications based in Colombo. He More than 20 international attempts Challenge strengthening foreign and national supply is an author and was formerly associate have been made for the rapid production Johnson & Johnson A challenge in responding to pandemic chains. editor of a newspaper and editor of of the vaccine, including a collaborative The Johnson & Johnson vaccine diseases lies in the lack of vaccines or various industry magazines. He holds project between the University of Oxford uses technology which focuses on the the ineffectiveness of existing vaccines Cost of vaccines an MBA from London Metropolitan and British AstraZeneca, Sanofi and production and processing of adenovirus against them, particularly for influenza yy The experimental Covid-19 vaccine in University and an LLM from Cardiff GlaxoSmithKline PLC, and a partnership vectors. Similar techniques have been viruses. Each new influenza strain needs China-owned Sinopharm was officially Metropolitan University. niresh@cogitaro. between BioNtech SE and Pfizer. On 1 used in the development and production a new vaccine, while manufacturing priced at $145 in the price of a two-dose com) 6 the sunday morning business OPINION/CORPORATE Sunday, December 6, 2020

BY UWIN LUGODA opportunity to do their best to capture the seasonal market. The The Covid-19 pandemic, and last few months of surviving Covid its domino effect on markets has given our members e-commerce across every industry, is experience, and this will hopefully continuing to constantly Retailers brace mitigate the impact on seasonal change annual economic sales.” traditions. This is especially Sadique has carried this belief the case when it comes to the since the start of November, when Christmas season, one of the he told us that local retailers most lucrative holidays for were optimistic about the road ahead, as the current outbreak will retailers all over the world. for dull December have less of a negative impact, December is annually earmarked However, other international themselves for the season the unlike the previous outbreak that by both consumers and retailers, markets have not fared so well, as same way they did last year. He caused a seven-week lockdown. for the higher frequency in the countries like France and the UK, explained that consumption among In his opinion, the Government buying and selling of nonessential currently facing their respective consumers has dropped due to is better equipped to handle the goods during that period. This year, second waves, reported the closure movement restrictions and functional new outbreak, and retailers started however, with the impact of the of several retail stores and big restrictions, due to which they expect recovering after the two-week current pandemic, the sales targets franchise outlets in several cities. less sales this December compared to curfew imposed on the Western of many retailers for the season are As of 28 November, French media last year. Province. unpredictable. reported that while most retail outlets “We are prepared just like we Sharing Sadique’s sentiments, Even the international markets, are open for seasonal sales, with were last year, but we are not over- Hameedia Group Managing which celebrate the holiday the discount campaigns, consumers prepared. So we are ready to face Director Fouzul Hameed stated most, have all seen varying levels are not showing a lot of interest in the situation and make last year’s that his group was prepared for the of success when it comes to pre- nonessentials. sales, or at least come close to that Christmas season. While stating he Christmas sales. Countries like Similar to the countries above, Sri number.” understood that people are currently Australia have actually forecasted a Lanka too is currently experiencing leading retailers to higher profits. entertainment and restaurants; He explained that all SLRA not going out and buying clothes, positive retail climate ahead, as the its second wave, which has created In 2018, Sri Lanka Retailers’ and healthcare and wellness, and members have stocked up for the he added that the group has still country is showing greater control an unpredictable season for local Association (SLRA) Founder/ comprises 30-plus leading local season, and if the products do not carried out heavy advertising for the of the pandemic, with zero cases in retailers. Chairman Hussain Sadique stated retailers. sell by the end of the year, they will month of December to help bring major cities like Melbourne as of 3 The country’s retail sector accounts that the seasonal sales for the sector “This December’s figures are purchase less in January 2021. He in sales. In the months leading up December. for nearly one-third of Sri Lanka’s were better than expected. During similar to last year’s figures. Some went on to state that they might not to December, the group reported a An annual Christmas retail GDP (Gross Domestic Product), with that period, he told The Sunday days, the sales are more than last have to resort to this, since there are a sales drop of almost 50%. sales forecast conducted by the sales value exceeding $ 30 billion, Morning Business that despite a year. Overall, we have done well, few more days till the holiday begins, Despite this, he noted, their Australian Retailers Association which can be directly attributed to near-16% depreciation in the value and it is around last year’s figures,” leaving some room for things to get e-commerce platform has grown, (ARA) indicated a forecast of retail retail. The sector also plays a vital of the rupee in 2018 and the political said Sadique, back in 2018. better. with an increasing number of sales spending this Christmas season to role in the country’s employment, turmoil of October that year, the However, the current disruption According to Sadique, despite low being attributed to it. This has be over $ 54.3 billion, an increase with nearly 14% of the employment sector’s December sales were of the market, by the restriction of sales numbers, the local industry prompted the group to relaunch of 2.8% from the $ 52.9 billion in population engaged in some form satisfactory and displayed similar movement for locals and the inability has grown accustomed to using its website this coming week with retail expenditure during the 2019 of retail activity, according to Sri sales performance to that of the year of international tourists to enter Sri e-commerce platforms to make sales Christmas-oriented features, while Christmas trading period. This was Lanka’s labour force statistics. prior. Lanka, has left many questioning the in the last few months since the another relaunch is set to take place something the ARA initially thought This makes December a crucial The SLRA currently represents fate of the sector this season. initial outbreak. He stated this is a in January 2021 with even more impossible due to the virus causing period for local retailers, as whilst nine retail sectors, namely FMCG plus point in their eyes, as the sector features. multiple lockdowns for varying Christians celebrate the holiday, (Fast-Moving Consumer Goods); What to expect has seen the purchase of goods via “We have no chance of matching periods in different states, and several almost all other religious groups clothing, fashion and jewellery; Speaking to The Sunday Morning online platforms rising by 25% over the sales numbers from 2019, but cities having second waves, as well enjoy the Christmas festivities. This shelter and housing; household and Business more recently, Sadique 2019. we are hopeful that consumers will as the country closing its borders on period also attracts large groups of consumer durables; footwear and stated that despite the outcome, “These e-commerce platforms still buy our products since it is the 20 March. tourists and expats to the country, accessories; e-commerce; mobility; local retailers have prepared are giving companies here an Christmas season.” People’s Bank Covid-19 and Sri Lanka’s CEO/GM named working women ‘CEO of the Year’ at BY THE INSTITUTE FOR POLICY the home and job-related requirements. It STUDIES OF SRI LANKA (IPS) is important to make sure that WFH would not place additional pressure or burden on CMO Asia Awards The current global outbreak of Covid- working women as there may be issues People’s Bank Chief vision for digital 19 that has already disrupted the lives in allocating time for office work, care Executive Officer transformation to the of the people would further entrench the responsibilities, and household chores in a (CEO) and General next level. The entire existing gender inequalities in many ways. home environment. Manager Ranjith digitalisation process In most contexts, women and girls are Kodituwakku was has been a challenging disproportionately impacted due to their Policy implications bestowed with the one; beginning from relatively disadvantaged situation, distinct Extending social protection to women “CEO of the Year” changing old legacy social obligations, and responsibilities. While in the informal economy is critical as award at the CMO Asia systems and migrating early reports suggest that men are more likely preventive measures of the pandemic are Sri Lanka Innovation both people and to succumb to Covid-19, eventually girls placing a disproportionate toll on them. Leadership Awards on processes to the digital and women pay the social and economic toll Ensuring the rights and safety of informal 24 November 2020, age. Despite various disproportionately. Understanding gender workers and supporting informal workers in recognition of his obstacles, People’s issues in a crisis is important for many organisations are also important measures contribution towards the Bank has achieved reasons: differences in responses by women in safeguarding women, those who are digital transformation of this daunting task and men, changes in gender roles across employed in the informal sector. Sectors that People’s Bank. successfully and in age categories over time, changes in power of a pandemic with lockdowns and other have more prospects of adopting flexible CMO Asia is a the process has set dynamics, and differences in concerns, mobility restrictions, inevitably women work arrangements should be encouraged to premium forum various milestones in perspectives, experiences and solutions to are more burdened with unpaid care work. practice them in the long run. bringing top global the banking sector. the issues, as well as differing perceptions These additional care responsibilities would Individual companies have to test and professionals together The global pandemic and concerns regarding culturally acceptable constrain women’s participation in economic identify the approaches that work best for recognising and People’s Bank CEO GM accelerated the demand Ranjith Kodituwakku practices. Globally, women perform 76.2% activities or even force them for complete for them to facilitate remote working and rewarding excellence for digital banking of hours of unpaid care work and on average withdrawal from current economic activities. encourage female employees to reap the and the Excellence in and in recalibrating and financial services they dedicate 3.2 times more time than men to As such, this would have a huge impact on maximum benefits of these approaches. IT Leadership Award business processes for overnight and I am unpaid care work working mothers. Sri Lanka’s current readiness in seizing recognises the use, which the bank has happy to state that The overrepresentation of women in the opportunities offered by ICT is not at development, and won many prestigious People’s Bank, which The Covid-19 pandemic and vulnerable forms of work heightens their a satisfactory level. Moreover, the country deployment of IT by awards and accolades, was already at an working women vulnerability to poverty in times of a crisis. is also challenged by the gender digital individuals who have both internationally and advanced stage in The gendered impact of the Covid-19 As a result of the slowdown in economic divide. It limits women’s access to, use of, demonstrated leadership locally,” People’s Bank its digital journey, pandemic on employment or labour markets activities, the decrease in income and and benefits from ICT. If the country is to in using IT for business said in a press release. was able to meet mainly depends on sex segregation in sectors livelihoods combined with the absence of adopt WFH as a means of increasing female transformation. On its digital journey demands for digital and occupations. On the one hand, social adequate safety nets may force households labour force participation, issues in ICT “Kodituwakku has People’s Bank has transactions almost distancing, lockdowns, mobility restrictions, to engage in negative coping mechanisms. infrastructure and the prevailing gender been at the helm of unveiled Sri Lanka’s immediately, which and other control measures associated According to 2018 statistics, while 51.3% digital divide should be considered as areas People’s Bank digital first Self-Banking Units not only benefited all with the Covid-19 crisis have naturally hit of the employed females in Sri Lanka are of priority. evolution, ensuring (SBUs), elevated the our stakeholders but service sectors where frequent interactions employed in the informal sector, 61.8% of In this regard, enhancing access to and that the organisation’s People’s Wave mobile also proves that we occur between consumers and providers, in the employed females are doing informal improving the affordability of digital digital transformation banking app to be are on trajectory on which women tend to be overrepresented. jobs. Both segments who are working in the technologies and improving ICT skills of brings about the the most downloaded the digitalisation path. On the other hand, control measures have informal sector and doing informal jobs are females those who are already employed benefits it promises, finance app in Sri We are excited about had a great impact on occupations where it vulnerable to economic crises. are important policy measures. These can be while optimising Lanka with a 4.3 rating our future plans for is more difficult to adopt telecommuting. invested upon to upgrade the ICT infrastructure synergies, enhancing out of 5 on the Google enhancing People’s Tourism, apparel and textile, construction Opportunities to improve female of the country and thereby, to narrow the technology platforms Play Store, launched Bank’s digitalisation.” and engineering, retail and consumer, and labour force participation gender digital divide. It is also important to and impacting the the first-ever digital Ranjith Kodituwakku banking and finance have been identified as Despite the negative impact of the Covid- ensure that flexible working arrangements ‘human’ side, both customer on-boarding also serves as a Director the most vulnerable sectors in Sri Lanka due 19 pandemic on working women, it may would not place additional pressure on employees and application in South of People’s Leasing & to the pandemic. Apart from the construction also create some counteracting forces that working women. Conflicts in time allocation customers alike in East Asia, Africa, and Finance PLC, People’s and engineering sector, in other sectors a may have the potential to reduce gender would simply translate the work flexibility into a positive manner. the Middle Eastern Insurance PLC, considerable share of employed persons are inequality in the labour market in the long greater stress. Availability of reliable child care Digitalising a state region named People’s People’s Merchant females. term. More flexible work arrangements is important in this regard, especially when bank is a challenging Wiz, and offered a Finance PLC, People’s Another important factor for differential (such as work from home – [WFH], flexible having very young children as it would help proposition and specially designed Travels Ltd., Lankan impacts on women and men is the increased working hours, and telecommuting) and the working mothers in balancing their official Kodituwakku module for corporate Alliance Finance Ltd. demand for unpaid care work during a health changes in social norms and role models are obligations and care obligations. Providing has demonstrated clients named People’s Bangladesh, Financial crisis. Past experiences with disease outbreak two such important positive changes that more efficient intervention of the Government diplomacy, technical Wyn, which is available Ombudsman Sri Lanka indicate that the burden of unpaid care work would promote gender equality. However, is needed, by regulating and monitoring expertise, and people as an internet banking (Guarantee) Ltd., Credit by women and girls gets exacerbated. When there are certain challenges for Sri Lanka existing day care centres and crèches. management skills portal and a mobile app. Information Bureau of healthcare systems are strained by efforts in making use of these opportunities. Encouraging the private sector to invest more in steering the bank Commenting on Sri Lanka, Lanka Clear to contain outbreaks, care responsibilities First, there are practical difficulties that on day care centres and crèches is also vital. towards its goal of the award, Ranjith (Pvt.) Ltd., National are inevitably passed onto women and remain in adopting WFH for the major This policy insight is based on the becoming the most Kodituwakku said: Payments Council, girls. Besides, due to closure of schools job categories, that contribute to the total comprehensive chapter on “Pandemics, digitalised bank “I am delighted to Sri Lanka Banks’ and day care centres, childcare needs have female employment. Further, the country Women, and Women in the Workforce” by 2020. He has accept this award and Association (Guarantee) massively increased. A “Time Use Survey” is also challenged by the Information and in the “Sri Lanka: State of the Economy been a key figure in dedicate it to the staff Ltd., Lanka Financial carried out in Sri Lanka has identified that Communication Technology (ICT) facilities. 2020” report – the flagship publication of strategising the road of People’s Bank who Services Bureau, and women’s participation in unpaid care work ICT plays an important role in promoting the Institute for Policy Studies of Sri Lanka map for championing have offered unstinted Institute of Bankers of is more than that of men’s. During the time WFH. Another aspect of WFH is balancing (IPS). the digital adoption support to take our Sri Lanka. the sunday morning business 7 Sunday, December 6, 2020 INDUSTRY

BY MADHUSHA THAVAPALAKUMAR The prevailing pandemic has brought large changes across all sectors and Sri Lanka’s real estate market has been no exception. Like for many people out there, 2020 has so far been a big question mark in terms of financial stability for those engaged in the real estate industry. The pandemic and its unforeseen impacts – including frequent curfews, limited travel, job cuts, and wage reductions – have a profound negative impact on the country’s real estate market.

Sri Lanka’s real estate sector went through a dynamic development following the end of the civil war Sri Lanka endured for over three decades. The country’s real vacations. Following the lifting of the estate sector finally began booming as the lockdown, contributed by local tourists, urbanisation rate increased to 0.3% in the hotel occupancy rates across the country first five years following the war, after were slowly improving and reached 20%. years of negative growth. Before Covid-19 Disrupting the slower growth, the second struck, the urbanisation rate was expected to wave raised its head in early October, increase by 3-4% per annum, with Sri Lanka crippling local tourism too. With curfews moving towards a diversified economy, Real estate in being imposed in several cities across the according to KPMG Sri Lanka. country, local tourism is yet to pick up. Therefore, The Sunday Morning Business KPMG noted that travel restrictions, this week is taking a look at Covid-19’s event cancelations, reduced personal and impact on Sri Lanka’s real estate market. business travel, etc. will impact short-term occupancy levels and low demand will Working from home and reduced bring pressure to reduce average room office spaces rates, thereby creating a significant impact “Work from home” is a concept which on profitability. has been gaining popularity in many a pandemic “The recovery of the sector is likely to western countries for the last 20 years now, from home could be seen as a threat to Developers and Sanken Construction, regardless of market conditions. The JLL be well into 2021, assuming the pandemic even though origins of this trend could be their bottomline, as their portfolio of large, located on the Beira lakefront in Colombo 2, forecast that was done way before the does not see a resurgence. Over the past dated back to 1973 when the Organisation single-site offerings become more and more has begun the installation of their 50th-level second wave in the short to medium term couple of years, Sri Lanka has seen a of Petroleum Exporting Countries’ (OPEC) outdated. sky bridge. expects to soften demand due to diminished sharp rise in the supply of leisure-related oil crisis and gridlock brought the US to a Following the announcement in early consumer confidence as well as reduced real estate. The supply has outpaced standstill, just to save gasoline. Construction activities 2019 for plans to set the record for South mobility and liquidity. tourism demand, and the informal leisure However, in Sri Lanka, only a handful are on hold Asia’s highest sky bridge, the project, which Meanwhile, the KPMG report notes that sector such as home stays and serviced of businesses permitted their employees to The ongoing pandemic has worsened is set for completion and handover by end- closing deals relating to the sale and renting apartments have also been creating work from their homes before Covid-19. the construction sector’s financial struggles June 2021, began the installation of the apartments and houses will be on hold pressure on room rates in the formal After the local outbreak of the pandemic and that date back to 2018. The struggles were sky bridge on 29 October 2020, despite the for a period of time due to the difficulty sector,” KPMG added. the subsequent lockdown, many Sri Lankan created due to a large number of unpaid second Covid-19 lockdown that continued in arranging sales visits and inspections businesses, apart from essential services bills by the government to contractors. to affect many of Sri Lanka’s industries. of properties. Furthermore, despite the Retail sector slowdown and manufacturing facilities, particularly These issues were exacerbated by the actual domestic demand for housing units Driven by rising income levels those in the capital of the country and its constitutional crisis in late 2018 and the Tenants and landlords with the growing population, and reducing among the masses, the Colombo retail suburbs, opted to work from home. Even Easter Sunday incident last year which The Covid-19 pandemic and the resulting household size and housing gap in the sector was witnessing a slow but steady after the lifting of the initial lockdown, most drove away foreign direct investments economic downturn have disproportionately market, the overall economic situation could metamorphosis. However, domestic retail corporate companies remained working (FDIs), according to industry stakeholders. affected renter households, particularly make home buyers anxious and postpone spending suffered a temporary decline, from home on a roster basis work schedule A report done by JLL, a global real estate those that rely on wages from at-risk jobs. purchasing decisions. especially in the non-essential and leisure where employees have to physically services firm in May 2020 titled “Covid- The pandemic hit at a time when nearly half “Any transactions during the short term services, since the nationwide lockdown report to work one or two working days a 19 reshaping the Sri Lankan Real Estate of all renters were cost-burdened, paying will fetch distressed prices. Residential triggered by the outbreak of the virus and week and work from home the rest of the Market Impact and Outlook” states that Sri more than 30% of their income for housing, apartment sales were seeing renewed prevailing import restrictions. weekdays. Lanka’s construction activities have come according to a study done by Harvard interest since January 2020, following a As the transmission of the virus fell into As a result, most corporate companies to a grinding halt and delay completions University. lull in the market in 2019. The residential the Sinhala and Tamil New Year season downsized their office spaces and, needless of prime A-grade buildings that were Meanwhile, according to the JLL report, apartment market has seen a lack of and then again into Diwali in November, to say, have either given up or delayed anticipated in 2020 and 2021, thus leading landlords are not implementing rental continuous demand, due to both concerns and then possibly Christmas in December, decisions on real estate investment plans to limitation in supply. discounts as of late on prime A-grade on the economic and political front and also JLL expects a full-year financial impact and expanding their office spaces as they “In the short to medium term, there will buildings; however, they’re expecting to inconsistent policies in the sector during the on retailers, especially in the non-essential are more focused on giving up rented out or be a notable reduction in fresh take up of offer flexibility over contract negotiations. past few years,” KPMG noted. category, leading retailers to actively seek leased spaces as a cost-cutting measure. spaces resulting in lower market absorption. Existing tenants are using this opportunity temporary rent reliefs from landlords. Overseas Realty (Ceylon) PLC The looming uncertainty will force to renegotiate contracts and are requesting Hospitality sector took Additionally, retailers who were planning Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Pravir occupiers to adopt conservative strategies for a rent-free period. Landlords exposed to biggest hit on expansions or refurbishments are also Samarasinghe, in a report on the Covid- in incurring capital expenditure. Anticipated short-term lease structures will be the most Tourism is one of the top three revenue likely to hold back on their decisions, if 19 impact on Sri Lanka’s property chances for an increase in multinational vulnerable to the prevailing situation. earning sources of Sri Lanka. The industry liquidity and capital constraints arise. and construction sector, compiled by companies’ footprint this year has also The report adds that flexible office has gone through massive developments Meanwhile, Sri Lankan e-commerce PricewaterCoopers (PwC), stated that cash significantly shrunk with softer business space operators (co-working and serviced over the past decade and the real estate sites and online retailers have gained flow issues may force enterprises to move to sentiments across most industries globally,” offices) in particular may be at risk if industry of the country has been leveraging significant traction during the pandemic. lower-grade buildings or cheaper real estate. the report added. members decide to cut short-term contracts. on this development. Huge hotels were Being permitted to operate under curfews, “For example, you might see the firms Furthermore, FDIs and local investments The anticipated increase in vacancy will seen being built across the country to retailers with the requisite wherewithal may go from A-grade buildings in the into the construction sector have been potentially force landlords to offer elevated cater to the targeted annual tourist arrivals. to fulfil online orders and provide business district to B-grade buildings or very low or negligible compared to the concession packages to close transactions Nevertheless, amidst the prevailing doorstep delivery are emerging as the secondary business districts, or even to the previous years. Making struggles worse, with tenants in order to expedite discussions. situation, hospitality properties across the key beneficiaries in the current distressed periphery of Colombo,” Samarasinghe said. the Government too has suspended most country are now making very little or no business environment. In the recently released KPMG CEO of its large and medium-scale construction Lull in residential market business. As a result of all this, along with the Outlook, the results of a CEO survey of projects due to financing issues. Samarasinghe, in the PwC report, says According to the tourism industry report drop in tourism and reduction in domestic 315 global corporate CEOs points to a Given the current circumstances, the that the recovery of the residential housing for the first quarter of last year, compiled retail spending on non-essential goods, as widespread desire to scale back on office demand for condominiums has slowed market will be supported by trends in by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development KPMG noted, retail stores and malls are space. Besides a widespread acceleration down with a probability that they recover urbanisation, increasing land prices, income Authority (SLTDA), the total number financially suffering. It added that domestic of digital investments, a majority 68% over the medium-long term as the economy levels and a proportion of high net worth of SLTDA-registered accommodation buying may be affected as a result of indicated that they plan to downsize their recovers, according to Samarasinghe on the individuals, and ownership of multiple establishments was 2,403, while the reluctance or inability to visit such retail companies’ office space. Besides the cost PwC report. He added that on the supply investment assets impacting the demand for number of classified tourist hotels was and mall spaces due to health concerns. reduction aspect, 72% of the CEOs saw side, it is likely there will be less investment condominium apartments over the medium 147, among which 23 were five-star Furthermore, many restaurants are benefits from remote working in terms of for condominium apartment projects due to to long term. hotels. The presence of small and medium- also running mostly empty, with limited widening their talent pool and spending less the current inventory of apartments in the Meanwhile, Maga Engineering (Pvt.) Ltd. scale enterprises was strong with guest operations only through delivery. Certain time commuting. next few years. Director of Finance and Planning Mega houses, homestays, and bungalows, retailers are facing higher cash flow risks According to a report on “Covid-19 He stated that normally a household’s Kularatne, in the same report, stated the year recording the highest number of registered due to high operating costs and cash being Impact on Sri Lanka Real Estate”, compiled capacity to borrow may be five times of the would be challenging with the competition establishments with 969, 476, and 412, tied up in the stock build-up for the Sinhala by KPMG in May 2020, the outbreak was household’s annual income and there can from foreign contractors, especially in respectively. The total room inventory was and Tamil New Year season. expected to exert pressure on the office be incentives given by the Government, residential real estate, and inconsistent 38,908 and classified tourist hotels had the space market, and rental growth was especially for the first-time homeowner by government policies. highest inventory of 13,544 rooms. Measures to safeguard the real expected to suffer in the short and medium way of concessionary interest rates. He also The residential sector of the country was At the onset of the pandemic, the estate market term. suggested that the Government can also gradually gaining pace with a significant hospitality industry in Sri Lanka was still As per the report that has been referred to This forecast was made way before the provide the land at a concessionary rate, number of new enquiries and launched recovering from the effects of the Easter write this article, more fundamental reforms second wave of the virus while Sri Lanka making apartments more affordable. towards the end of 2019, following softened attacks last year. There was a significant in policies will have to be devised at the was celebrating being one of the few However, there are some encouraging demand post Easter Sunday attacks in April decline in tourist arrivals in 2019 in national level in order to attract foreign countries that “successfully” eliminated the signs on the construction space. Speaking last year. However, with a downturn in comparison to the year 2018. However, the investment into the real estate market, Covid-19 community spread. Nevertheless, to The Sunday Morning Business global economic conditions caused by the sector recorded a softened growth towards despite the prevailing situation. now that a second wave of the virus is about Havelock City in late October, spread of Covid-19, inquiries and walk-ins the end of 2019 as a direct impact of travel Common spaces of highly dense vertical hampering the country’s economy once Samarasinghe explained that none of their were declining again since late February this restrictions around the world due to the buildings and gated housing developments again, the impact is expected to be beyond plans for the project has since changed, with year, as per the report of JLL. spread of Covid-19. will pose a high risk of virus transmission. the medium term as companies, regardless the company proceeding with the Urban “Uncertainties worsened following Occupancy levels were hovering at Therefore, additional attention must be of how big or small they are, have already Development Authority (UDA)-approved the imposition of lockdown, with few below 50% even before the start of the given to drawing up plans and protocols become comfortable with working from design. potential buyers already deciding to hold lockdown, according to JLL. In February for present and future scenarios in order to home. “Sri Lanka’s current Covid-19 status will back on buying decisions. Concerns are 2020, Colombo’s hospitality market mitigate such risk. As the crisis is likely to Facebook Founder Mark Zuckerberg, not impact us since 95% of our staff are highly increasing on costs, cash flows, suffered an 8.1% drop in occupancy in permanently change real estate, industry following the outbreak of the pandemic in living on the project site itself. We have 600 and delays in launches among developers comparison to the previous year, mainly stakeholders need to reposition themselves the western world, stated that over the next contractors staying on site and they do not and construction companies. There will be due to a dramatic drop in Chinese tourists as soon as possible to ensure they are five to 10 years, he could have 50% of his move around, and we do not plan on hiring notable delays in launches and handovers as Covid-19 was spreading in several parts prepared for new trends such as reduced employees working remotely. Google CEO any new people.” due to halting of construction activities. of China. The effect was greater in the office working, the rise of the digital Sundar Pichai too is considering a hybrid Havelock City was bolstered by a Some developers are already offering leisure markets of Sri Lanka’s south-west economy, and a decline in business travel. work-from-home model in the long term, as financing arrangement with DFCC Bank discounted rates to expedite transactions coast which recorded a 21.7% decline in For commercial real estate property employees prefer working from home over a few days prior to these comments, and soon as the curfews are lifted as a measure occupancy levels as compared to February owners, assessing a tenant’s financial coming to office everyday. Similarly, many the project’s commercial complex, Mireka to reinforce cash flows,” the JLL added. 2019. position and identifying those who are most notable conglomerates in Colombo have Tower, is set to finish construction on 31 The residential sector is a resilient market These figures dropped to zero level in likely to survive and prosper will be key opted for a hybrid work-from-home mode. July 2021 and officially open to the public and the capital’s condominium market April with the closure of the Bandaranaike in selecting where to invest in and create a Regus, a multinational provider of by September the same year. has remained resilient throughout various International Airport (BIA) for tourists in strategy for moving forward. Furthermore, serviced offices, business lounges, and Furthermore, Capitol TwinPeaks, the economic conditions. From an investor March, and also due to the seven-week- real estate companies must consider old and conferencing facilities, in a recent report Rs. 25 billion flagship mixed development perspective, apartment investments in long local lockdown that effectively new funding options to shore up cash in the says that for property brokers, working project by Sanken Group’s Capitol Colombo benefit from stable cash flows, kept locals from going on trips and short term. 8 the sunday morning business ADVERTORIAL Sunday, December 6, 2020 Pan Asia Bank Vallibel Finance posts PBT of Rs. 890 m in H1 2020/21 marks record profit Vallibel Finance, in its yet another satisfactory financial statements for performance against the odds, the six months ending thanks to Vallibel Finance’s September 2020 (H1 home-grown ability of being growth in 2020 2020/21), reported a Profit able to respond to adversity Pan Asia Banking Before Tax (PBT) of Rs. with an aptly resourceful and 890 million, with total assets innovative strategy.” Corporation PLC growing 4% to surpass Rs. Meanwhile, the company marked its highest ever 52 billion. grew its loan book by 4%, growth in profits over “Vallibel Finance has reaching Rs. 41.8 billion the nine-month period shown its resilience, owing from a previous Rs. 40.2 ending September to prudent management billion, with a healthy non- 2020, as it reported skills and sustainable pursuit performing loans (NPL) ratio profit before tax (PBT) of growth. Nevertheless, of 6.68%. we consistently remain Vallibel Finance Dhammika Perera Executive Director and Jayantha Despite current of Rs. 1,864.84 million S.B. Rangamuwa Managing Director and profit after tax a step ahead of such uncertainties, Vallibel (PAT) of Rs. 1,250.33 external challenges by billion, a growth of over during a very challenging Finance also commenced million, comprising adopting prudent practices, 8.8% over the previous and daunting period of construction of its landmark anticipating customer needs period. “The first half of time. In timely responses 17-storey head office growth rates of 47% and seeking opportunities the year was turbulent, to challenges, our staff complex, along with an and 22%, respectively. Pan Asia Bank CEO Pan Asia Bank Chairman to maintain sustainable testing the resilience of the admirably performed well in uninterrupted branch Although the bank’s 4.42% during the period, loan quantum growth of competitive advantage,” entire country. Yet Vallibel implementing our tried-and- expansion, extending its operating profit before despite the income loss over Rs. 12.5 billion during stated Vallibel Group Finance has sailed swiftly tested strategies well,” said roots to Ambalantota, taxes on financial services due to loan moratoriums, the period. Chairman Dhammika Perera. through the storm, bettering Managing Director Jayantha Thambuththegama, increased by 19%, fee-based industrywide deterioration Customer deposits The company also its own benchmarks, both S.B. Rangamuwa. Kohuwala, and Ja-ela during income dropped due to in credit quality, and steps recorded growth of over reported deposits of Rs. 30 qualitative and quantitative He added: “It has been the period. reduced business volumes taken by the Government 12% to reach Rs. 137.60 caused by the Covid-19 to reduce market interest billion, with the current and pandemic, and waivers of rates. Meanwhile, the bank’s savings account (CASA) Marking World Toilet Day fees and charges. pre-tax return on assets base growing by Rs. 11.88 celebrated on 19 November, The bank’s earnings per remained intact at 1.51% in billion during the period, Reckitt Benckiser’s Harpic Harpic marks ‘World Toilet Day’ share (EPS) for the nine- 2020. improving the CASA ratio funded the renovation of month period rose to Rs. Further, the bank by over 650 basis points. sanitary facilities at the by joining Covid battle 2.83, from Rs. 2.31 in the maintained a return on The bank’s gross non- Suriyawewa Hospital Through its four-pronged comparative period, while equity of 11.95% during performing loan (NPL) ratio through the brand’s CSR CSR programme, Harpic the bank’s net asset value the period under review, slipped marginally from initiative “Harpic Mission works towards building per share increased by 10% after taking a sizeable hit 6.31% to 6.38% during the Wellbeing (Harpic Suwa public sanitation facilities, during the period to reach due to increased prudential period, while its net NPL Jana Meheyuma)”. Harpic installing mobile sanitation Rs. 33 as at 30 September. impairment provisioning, ratio improved from 2.82% went on to renovate facilities at events of The bank stated that its income losses due to loan to 2.20%. other necessary facilities religious and cultural continued implementation moratoriums, and waivers of The bank stated its capital throughout the hospital importance for the benefit of of extra provision buffers fees and charges. and liquidity ratios were as well. World Toilet pilgrims, building sanitation for probable deterioration Through portfolio maintained well above Day, an official United facilities for those who in credit quality, resulted in realignment and cost regulatory minimums, with Nations’ (UN) international are in need, and educating total impairment charges management measures to the total capital adequacy observance day, seeks to young children about proper for the quarter increasing by optimise revenue, alongside ratio improving from tackle the global sanitation sanitation practices. The 65% to Rs. 553.52 million, healthy core banking 14.31% to 15.11% during crisis. Harpic Mission Wellbeing from Rs 335.64 million performance, the bank the period. Meanwhile, Expressing his gratitude initiative in 2019 reached during the comparative saw its cost-to-income both the Common Equity to the Harpic Wellbeing out to three million Sri period. Meanwhile, the ratio improve to 52% from Tier 1 ratio and Tier 2 Mission, Suriyawewa Lankans through its four key bank’s total impairment 48% during the period, ratio remained at 12.82% District Medical Officer programmes. buffer on the advance book while it managed to reduce at the end of the review W.H. Mahindarathna said: “Harpic Mission rose by Rs. 1.08 billion total operating expenses period. The bank’s statutory “Maintaining and renovating Wellbeing is a fully during the period, an in absolute terms over the liquid asset ratios (SLAR) sanitation facilities at the fledged CSR programme increase of 17%. comparative period. at quarter-end stood at Suriyawewa Hospital A few of the renovated facilities at the Sooriyawewa Hospital dedicated to find lasting The bank noted that its The bank’s total asset 29.65% and 38.73% for had been a challenge for Suriyawewa Hospital. significant portion of Harpic solutions for sanitation- growth in both PBT and base stood at Rs. 173.13 the Domestic Banking Unit hospital authorities for a This commendable project Mission Wellbeing’s funds related challenges that PAT was also supported by billion as at 30 September, and Offshore Banking Unit, long time. Especially in a provided relief to patients for this purpose. During the prevail across the country. the low financial services posting a growth of over respectively, against the poverty-stricken area like who visit the hospital daily.” next phase of this project, Hence, our programme taxes regime that prevailed 13%, supported by the statutory minimums of 20%. this, where it’s hard to “Annually, we mark we will renovate and runs throughout the year, through the current quarter. expansion in gross loans The bank’s liquidity find philanthropists, this World Toilet Day with CSR improve sanitation facilities supporting communities that Meanwhile, the bank and advances, and other coverage ratios (LCR) under initiative by Harpic truly projects to develop public at the Anuradhapura need help. At the moment, continued to compute financial instruments at BASEL III stood above the manifests their commitment sanitation facilities in the General Hospital and the we’ve started focusing our income tax and deferred tax amortised cost. Meanwhile, statutory minimum of 90% to the cause of World Toilet country, and we have rolled Ayurvedic Hospital in efforts towards contributing liabilities at the rate of 28%, the bank’s gross loans and at quarter-end. The bank Day. On behalf of patients, out many such initiatives Kandy,” commented Reckitt to the battle against the as the proposed new rate of advances book recorded maintained an LCR ratio of staff, and residents in the in the past. This year, in Benckiser Lanka Ltd. Covid-19 pandemic, and we 24% is yet to be legislated. growth of over 9% to reach 173.84% for the Sri Lankan area, we wish to thank view of the Covid-19 crisis, Product Group Manager aim to continuously support Net interest margins Rs. 121 billion. Term loans rupee, and 205.07% for all Harpic for renovating we decided to focus our – Hygiene/Homecare the authorities and the public improved from 4.36% to continued to drive the bank’s other currencies. not only sanitation, but attention on the healthcare Category Chathurika throughout the crisis,” added also other facilities at the sector and utilised a Fonseka. Fonseka. Fintrex Finance Ltd. – bringing unparalleled financial solutions A strong contender in the financial services key cities within Sri Lanka. We have a crisis as something that is not only relevant sector, “Fintrex Finance Ltd.” has been able Advertorial branch network of 11 which includes our to our institution, but as a significant to capture a sizeable share of the market since presence in Colombo 7, Gampaha, Kalutara, problem afflicting multiple industries its inception in 2007. With a commitment derived from financial entrepreneurship and Kiribathgoda, Kuliyapitiya, , and the world at large, which in turn towards promoting economic growth, expertise, exemplifies these ideals and our Kandy, Matara, Kurunegala, Kegalle, and has a cyclical effect on every group of economic inclusion, and development within purpose for being in business. Dambulla. Going forward, Fintrex will stakeholders, locally and internationally. Sri Lanka, this establishment intends to play expand its coverage for better customer We identified multiple scenarios that a significant role in supporting businesses Could you comment on the financial convenience islandwide. arose and quantified possible effects in and communities, while providing people strength of your institution? In an effort to bridge access and reach, the future, based on which we formulated access to financial products and services for a Fintrex inherited a strong balance sheet Fintrex has in place multiple easy payment a plan to provide maximum relief for the better tomorrow. Against the backdrop of the from Melsta Regal Finance Ltd., which has methods that encompass online payments difficulties experienced by our customers. prevailing global pandemic, the following are shown growth in the period leading to the via any bank, including Commercial Bank We were also able to identify multiple excerpts of an interview with Fintrex Chief present amidst the challenges presented by PLC, HNB PLC, and People’s Bank PLC to businesses that were not severely affected Operating Officer Sajeewa Sapukotana, the Easter bombings in April 2019 and the name a few, and the Dialog EZ Cash option, by the pandemic, but simply needed conducted internally by Fintrex. Fintrex Chief Operating Officer prevailing global pandemic. We have also which allows one to transfer funds and assistance and support to conduct their Sajeewa Sapukotana complied with the core capital requirements make payments via their Dialog, Hutch, and operations in the most efficient way Could you provide us an overview “Melsta Regal Finance Ltd.”, together with as per the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, and are Etisalat mobile phones in the absence of a possible. of Fintrex Finance Ltd. and its the expertise of the directorate and corporate poised to grow our financial position further. bank account. In addition, our customers can Internally, Fintrex undertook measures establishment? management team, comprising individuals also make payments at any of the Cargills to ensure the health, safety, and wellbeing Diversified Sri Lankan blue chip who bring many years of business experience Could you briefly explain the products Food City supermarket outlets islandwide. of its employees by establishing and “Melstacorp PLC” divested its 100% stake, and commercial acumen from within the offered by Fintrex? implementing new regulations to be Covid in what was originally “Melsta Regal financial services industry, has leveraged our We provide leasing facilities to support How has Fintrex responded to its prepared and minimise the risk of spread. Finance Ltd.”, to a consortium of reputed position as a significant player in the sector. the purchase of registered, unregistered, customers during the Covid-19 pandemic? investors in April 2018. This institution was and brand-new motor vehicles, and loans The Covid-19 pandemic presented a What is the future of Fintrex? subsequently renamed “Fintrex Finance What was the primary purpose in of short and long-term tenures, as well significant challenge to multiple businesses in We aim to be better every day. This Ltd.” in September 2018. Fintrex Finance establishing Fintrex Finance Ltd.? as trade financing product options and Sri Lanka. As a financial institution, Fintrex has served to enhance our stability and Ltd. is owned by Bluestone 1 (Pvt.) Ltd., We wanted to be an establishment that ancillary services to support working capital stepped forward and provided much-needed credibility in the financial services sector, which comprises a consortium of world-class provides its customers with a unique requirements of businesses. We also have financial relief to many of its customers, in making us a strong contender among many investors, including global insurance giant financial proposition together with faster personal savings schemes in the form of line with the relief measures, policies, and other players. Fintrex today is an institution Fairfax Holdings, which holds 70%, along turnaround times. While our key focus is savings accounts, and fixed deposits at guidelines issued by the Central Bank of Sri that can make powerful interventions on with MAS and Hirdaramani Group, who on the SME segment – an often neglected attractive rates of interest, for categories Lanka, to support businesses during these behalf of the many financial requirements together hold 24.14%, and Ajit Gunewardena area that needs much attention – we also from minors up to senior citizens. The need trying times. of businesses and individuals. and connected parties, who own the balance. want to be accessible to anyone who needs a for convenience and expediency is central All our services offered were in As the Chief Operating Officer of The investors are represented on the Board means of financing to grow and develop their to all we offer, and we have simplified compliance with the respective regulations, Fintrex, I would like to say that our journey of Fintrex by Ajit Gunewardene as Chairman, business, or their personal financial wealth. and automated our processes and channels and were monitored and supervised. An of growth would not have been possible Ronnie Peiris, and Shantanu Nagpal – all We aim to deliver all of this with a unique accordingly to deliver products and services added advantage was that we were able to without the commitment, dedication, household names in corporate Sri Lanka – level of service to retain our customers quickly and efficiently in line with these reach many new customers and help them and shared vision of its employees, while Mahendra Galgamuwa, Shivan Coorey, and build loyalty, trust, and long-term parameters. prioritise their expectations and plans. management, and directorate. Our vision Keith Bernard and Shivanthi Athukorale – all relationships. for the future is to be among the top five with high reputation in the financial services To this end, we have a diverse product Could you tell us about the company’s What has been the impact of the current financial institutions in Sri Lanka within industry – serve as Independent Directors. portfolio that can be customised to meet our reach islandwide? pandemic in relation to Fintrex? the next five years, for which we are A strong balance sheet acquired from client requirements. The name “Fintrex”, Fintrex has a presence in many of the Our view has been holistic. We see the progressively and readily on our way.

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LIFE IN HIGH-RISE BUILDINGS AMIDST ISOLATION »SEE PAGE 5 Sunday,brunch December 6, 2020 CHANDRAN RUTNAM TO PRODUCE CHINESE MOVIE ‘CRYSTAL-JADE’ Sri Lanka’s very first targeted attempt at film tourism BY DIMITHRI WIJESINGHE It’s pretty obvious that a popular movie can They hope Former United Nations number of Chinese tourists who it was released. Dr. Kohona said increase tourism to the film’s location; look up to create (UN) Permanent Representative travelled to Sri Lanka, it was that if we are able to do for Sri an engaging of Sri Lanka and current a measly 265,000 in 2018. Dr. Lanka what that film did for “Tolkien tourism” to see the effect that Peter Ambassador-designate to China Kohona said there is absolutely Thailand, it would benefit the narrative...and Dr. Palitha Kohona has suggested, no reason why this number island greatly. Jackson’s epic adaptation of The Lord of the adopt a subtle way and consequently set in motion, could not be in the millions. The film was packed to of allowing for the the production of a motion picture He mentioned how the the brim with Thai icons from Rings trilogy had on tourism in New Zealand. Chinese movie for the Chinese market, targeting Chinese film Lost in Thailand, ladyboys to Buddhist statues, fans to develop a the upper middle-class tourist a hit movie directed by Xu and Chinese travel agencies Sri Lanka, with her beautiful beaches and connection with groups of China. Zheng and released in late were quick off the mark to offer Sri Lanka Speaking to Dr. Kohona, he 2012, featuring Chinese tailored tours to key locations perfect year-round weather, is finally catching shared that 169 million Chinese men travelling to and across featured in the movie, resulting travelled to foreign destinations, Thailand, which experienced a in Chinese tourists being the on and has decided to show off what we’ve got and Thailand alone attracted lot of success in the mainland, single biggest source of inbound over 26 million Chinese tourists became the highest grossing tourism to Thailand. in a way that could attract foreign audiences. in 2019. Sadly, if you look at the movie of all time in China when ││Contd. on page 2

The winning concept for the beach sculpture “Lodiya”

Port City embraces Making youth innovators BY DIMITHRI WIJESINGHE You will first see it as a bright Port City Colombo, the shiny structure, Christmas city development built as which will be the first an extension of Colombo, experience. Giving is said to be potentially it a few years, one one of South Asia’s will experience it in a premier residential, retail, and business destinations completely different and new light happen offering incredible planned city living. Built on an area an attempt to celebrate the spanning 269 hectares of importance of design in the How small and medium businesses are reclaimed land from the planning and development sea, the development will process of Port City dealing with Christmas mid-pandemic comprise five different Colombo. This aims to precincts: Financial District, “portray the city of the Central Park Living, Island future through the eyes of a BY NAVEED ROZAIS example, unlike previous years, there another along with all the trappings Living, The Marina, and gifted younger generation”. is the fact that this Christmas will that come with Christmas, like the International Island. The competition How small and medium see a lot less big family gatherings food, music, and decor. When completed, Port invited Sri Lankan artists businesses are dealing with Christmas taking place because of Covid-19 The uncertainty of how Christmas City Colombo is projected to to contribute ideas for two mid-pandemic restrictions. While there are some would take place was one that was at of Port City’s new public who dread the annual Christmas the forefront of our psyche as we rolled have over 5.6 million square Janaveesan R. With Covid-19 having entirely metres of built space. Built displays – namely the monopolised 2020 and most likely party, for the majority of us social Sri through November with its curfews and according to sustainable With this vision in “Dream” and “Vitality” continuing to overstay its welcome Lankans, Christmas is a time of cheer isolations. The Sunday Morning Brunch city designs and smart city mind, the Port City Student – which are meant to be through the Christmas season and and community, even for the non- spoke to a few small and medium concepts, it is expected to Design Competition was celebrations of design and beyond, there is a lot of uncertainty Christians, who seize the opportunity businesses to see how they’ve adapted become one of the most initiated under the theme innovation. around this season. to make merry and celebrate the to handling Christmas this year. liveable cities in South Asia. “Envision The Future” in ││Contd. on page 3 Some things are certain. Like, for end of one year and the dawning of ││Contd. on page 2 2 the sunday morning brunch ARTS/LIFESTYLE Sunday, December6, 2020

Chandran Rutnam to produce Chinese market. He said he would be producing the film and has accepted the ‘Crystal-Jade’ responsibility of gathering the funds for Dr. Kohona shared that the idea it, sharing that he will likely take on a CHANDRAN RUTNAM... should be attributed more to veteran Contd. from page 1 co-director position as he may be an asset filmed on the island of Oahu that has since out that “movie-induced tourism” can be filmmaker Chandran Rutnam, who, when the production moves to Sri Lanka drawn in loads of cinematic tourists over great for local economies, and not only together with China-Sri Lanka Culture and be able to offer his experience in Countries that have benefited the years due to the film’s popularity. in the short term. and Tourism Development (CHENGDU) moving the project forward in a smooth One of the most magical things about There are several types of film tourists As the research by Riley, Baker, and CO (CSCTDC), has taken the initiative manner. movies is their ability to transport viewers representing all economic strata and Van Doren suggests, the tourism spike to project Sri Lanka as a favoured He said there is a large untapped to new places and make them feel like they social classes. We are able to differentiate courtesy of a film can last between three destination for Chinese tourists via the market in China. When asked why it must are a part of those settings. A tried and between “serendipitous tourists”, who and four years for most popular films. feature film. be a Chinese film, he shared that Chinese true technique for a lot of filmmakers is to happen to be on a location that is portrayed A film featuring a city or tourist The Sunday Morning Brunch spoke to people do not care much for the English scout real-world locations that suit their in the film; “general film tourists”, who are destination can be one of the most Chandran Rutnam, who shared with us the language as it is not their priority. So if visual needs and set up production there. attracted to the film set as a part of their effective methods of marketing to nature of the film they hope to produce. you wish to appeal specifically to them, When we think about several such other tourism activities; and “specific film potential tourists, far more effective than He stated that it most certainly will not then it must be Chinese. productions, some major motion pictures tourists”, who specifically search for places running advertising encouraging tourism, be a travel log, as “people no longer care According to Rutnam, he has great come to our minds, bringing the real-life they have previously seen on screen. For as such traditional methods are said to for travel logs; it has been done, they are contacts in China and therefore, they are settings a boost in foot traffic as a result of general, and even more for specific film barely touch the viral effect of a movie not engaging, and many end up fast- able to secure a renowned Chinese director their popularity. Some of the most iconic tourists, the main motivation is to see the profiling a location in a unique way. forwarding through the content”. who wishes to cast current actors who locations are from The Lord of the Rings film’s backdrop first-hand because of the It has become a proven concept to the They hope to create an engaging would attract audiences to go see the film. trilogy. This phenomenon of attracting aesthetic impression it has left on them, extent that governments offer incentives narrative, taking place both in China He said the film is titled “Crystal-Jade” tourists incentivised by the film has come or to absorb its atmosphere or setting for for filmmakers to create a movie set in and Sri Lanka, and adopt a subtle way and they have begun the writing process. to be known as “Tolkien tourism”, and the heightened identification. their country, as it not only brings jobs, of allowing for the Chinese movie fans They have also made an initial draft of locations throughout New Zealand where but also brings tourism in a lasting form. to develop a connection with Sri Lanka the synopsis, which has been shared with the film was shot have been preserved and Is it sustainable tourism? Countries like Estonia offer up to 30% – planting the seed of where they’d Chinese scriptwriters who will work on it altered to encourage tourism, an industry We asked Dr. Kohona as to why cash rebate for film productions; Hungary wish to visit Sri Lanka one day, having together with some of our own. that makes up a significant portion of the it has taken so long for Sri Lanka to provides 25% tax incentive on eligible experienced it through the film. Rutnam shared that whilst this is country’s economy. make this happen. While he quite expenses; and Croatia, where a portion of Rutnam shared the film will be a somewhat experimental for Sri Lanka, There’s also Steven Spielberg’s diplomatically opted not to answer, we the hit HBO show Game of Thrones was Chinese film, starring Chinese actors it is a practical investment, adding that Jurassic Park featuring the fictional can see for ourselves the benefits we filmed, offers 20% rebate on qualifying and having a Chinese director, and once the pandemic lifts, they will fast- “fecund Isla Nublar”, which was actually stand to reap as academic research points Croatian expenditure. would be specifically tailored to the track the process.

supplier Edys is the go-to place business Inks By Shinks helps fill for anything decor related. Edys this gap. Founder Dr. Edward Samarasekera A new brand started earlier Making Christmas... shared that Christmas decor seems this year, Inks by Shinks’ products to be the one thing that people aren’t feature mandala art used to willing to compromise on even in customise a variety of products. “It the midst of a pandemic. all just came about because I used to “These days, we’ve been very doodle and draw mandalas for stress busy with an unexpected level of relief,” Inks by Shinks Founder customers coming into the store,” Shiyanka De Zylva said. Dr. Samarasekera said, adding: For Christmas, De Zylva has “Even though the pandemic is collaborated with a few other going on, most of the people still small brands also run by women – want to see the items, so they come Tathya Skincare, Iti Candles, and into the store. When the customers Granna’s Kitchen – as well as with come in, they are given sanitiser Tea Avenue to curate customised and all that to prevent any germs gift boxes and make a unique Even though you’re just at and are encouraged not to touch Christmas bundle. “You already home with those around you, the products. When they touch the have the everyday hamper, but celebrate with them and cherish products, we don’t carry out any this is something a little different the time you have with them. disinfection on the products itself where you can offer unique items You should make the most of because for these types of items like a candle with a wooden wick. it and keep thinking positively it’s quite difficult to do so without Additionally, any of my products because that’s what’s going to be damaging them.” can be taken and personalised. able to get you through Along with the mandala on it, you Inks by Shinks Founder can add in names or quotes. Given Shiyanka De Zylva that this year has been terrible for everyone and people have been stuck at home and missed birthdays, December comes around. Yes, anniversaries, and big events, I we’re all stuck at home and can’t wanted to offer something personal meet everyone, but even though and different.” you’re just at home with those Inks by Shinks also offers around you, celebrate with them islandwide delivery, though De and cherish the time you have with Zylva stressed that this is subject them. You should make the most to government changes and of it and keep thinking positively regulations that come into play. because that’s what’s going to get To keep health and safety risks you through.” at a minimum, Inks by Shinks Breuther, Christmas cupcakes, and a festive cookie jar offered by Little Miss Shortcake this Christmas season employs various strategies. “I work Bringing it all together with a courier company and the work area frequently and 24/7 Christmas is a magical time parcels are handed over to them to Contd. from page 1 handwashing and cleaning are done. regardless of what is happening deliver,” De Zylva said, adding: While checking for and buying around us. While this year has been “Islandwide delivery is available Hitting that sweet spot goods from the local market, I one of our most stressful years in Even though the pandemic is but is subject to change according feel it is important to check if recent history on a global level, one going on, most of the people to government regulations and the Christmas is nothing without they also follow the process of thing that always shines through is still want to see the items so situation. I have two pick-up points the special treats that come with food safety. When it comes to our ability to keep going and find they come into the store. When also available. All products are it. Christmas cake, breudher, Yule delivering, proper packaging is joy wherever and however we can. the customers come in, they are sanitised and packed and bundles logs, love cake (although love important as is delivering it with the Christmas may be somewhat given sanitiser and all that that include fresh food – for cake is something that is popular right protocol. I normally handle on mute this year but that doesn’t to prevent any germs and are example Granna’s Kitchen items year-round); all these little treats delivery myself or work with a mean that it won’t be celebrated encouraged not to touch the like brownies – are only available come together to give us that special platform like Monkey Delivery, but and felt the world over. Christmas, products for pick up.” Christmas feeling. I sometimes use Uber or PickMe the Winter season, and the new Edys Founder Speaking on her first Christmas Home baking business Little Flash when delivery sources tend to year all bring with it a sense of new Dr. Edward Samarasekera season as a brand, De Zylva said: Miss Shortcake is one of those be unreliable.” beginnings. And perhaps that’s just “December is my favourite time small businesses rolling out the With delivery being a given, what we need – a new hope to pull of the year. There’s something confectionery welcome wagon for yet uncertain, Little Miss Shortcake us through into the new year and For those customers who are in different that happens when the Christmas season. Offering a encourages customers to place keep us going. lockdown and those who don’t want range of Christmas cake, breudher, orders at least three days in to buy their decor physically, Edys Yule logs, love cake, and mince advance to ensure they don’t end The Inks by Shinks While checking for and buying offers islandwide delivery, which pies, Little Miss Shortcake is open up disappointed. Wijesinghe will gift box on offer this goods from the local market, I takes about two or three working festive season for business and ready to help have a limited range of love cake, feel it is important to check if days, and is contingent on the anyone get their Christmas fare up Christmas cupcakes, and cookie jars they also follow the process of bank transfer for the order placed. to delicious from scratch. available for the more last-minute food safety. When it comes to Dr. Samarasekera encouraged “Breudher and mince pies customers, but this will depend delivering, proper packaging customers to place online orders are something I’m focusing on on the availability of products and is important as is delivering it four to five days in advance to avoid more this year,” said Little Miss delivery. with the right protocol any inconvenience. Shortcake Founder Ashmita Although it has been a hard Little Miss Shortcake Founder Dr. Samarasekera shared an Wijesinghe, adding: “I’ve always year, Wijesinghe is confident that Ashmita Wijesinghe encouraging point of view that wanted to try and do something people will celebrate Christmas Christmas was likely to come different compared to usual years. even if it’s on a smaller scale and focusing on these two, and also on together well, explaining that Not many people do breudher at just within their homes. “I think gingerbread cookies.” Christmas decor had been in high home.” it’s important to be grateful for As a home baker, Wijesinghe demand. “We’ve sold out most Commenting on demand and this year and to be thankful that is no stranger to delivery, and this of our stuff actually, for this year. interest in this year’s Yuletide, you’ve survived through all the year, more than any year, delivery Christmas is definitely going to Wijesinghe noted that there had circumstances that have come your is going to be an integral part of happen even if it is quieter than been a drop in demand when way. We must also hope for the best compared to previous years but she operations, not just for businesses normal.” like Little Miss Shortcake, but for to come.” is not discouraged. “Right now, The spirit of giving it feels like a lot less, but I am yet all businesses looking to cater to Decking the halls customers who are reluctant to leave Gifts make up a huge part of to promote my new range. There Christmas isn’t really Christmas their homes. Christmas tradition, for both the have been quite a few inquiries without the matching decor. Well, This year has seen Wijesinghe young and the old. While shopping for breudher already though, so that and the music, but the music revise her process to ensure the for children is somewhat easy, it can there is certainly scope for a new is the easiest thing to sort in our health and safety of her customers. be very difficult trying to pick out product. My love cake is usually current digital world. Decorations my bestseller, so this year I’m “I make sure to sanitise the gifts for an adult. Home-based small the sunday morning brunch editorial [email protected] 011 5200900 the sunday morning brunch 3 Sunday, December 6, 2020 ART/BOOKS Contd. from page 1

a sensor that will detect movement, allowing for their “wall” to react. His chosen medium happens to be a wall that is pretty much a tank filled with water, where they will install nozzles which produce bubbles, and these bubbles will mimic movements detected via the sensor and visually represent it. He said that to him and to many others, Port City represents something dynamic, much like the way bubbles that are created in the depths of the ocean make their way up to the surface, and he wishes to insert this dynamic character he saw in the bubble. Speaking about the scientific and Pulasthi Handunge Tharindu Lakshan Viranga Waduge practical sides to the matter, Javaneesan stated that he pulled from his learnings of “responsive architecture”, the practice of integrating technology and design The ergonomics of “Lodiya” and safety features explained in real-life electronic and engineering fields. He also shared that although a first in Sri Lanka of this nature. Of Wall of Bubbles what he has conceptualised may seem Port City... course, kinetic structures can be done in The winner of the Interactive Wall like major high technology for many Sri Six finalists were shortlisted our value system is evolving from the smaller scales, but this would be the first category, “Wall of Bubbles” is a design Lankans, internationally these are simple under the categories of Dream Beach changes we have faced over the years. He in such a scale. Kinetic art is art from of an air bubble-inspired wall courtesy mechanics that are even utilised at the Competition and Vitality Interactive Wall said there was a time when King Vijaya any medium that contains movement of Javaneesan R. who is currently an school level. Competition, and were given the support came down and created settlements, also perceivable by the viewer or that depends undergraduate of the University of The development of the design and guidance from the competitions’ noting that even before him, however, on motion for its effect. Moratuwa. will be given to a contractor, he said, elite jury, along with other experts there were those who had their own way She shared that both Pulasthi and An interactive wall is when someone adding that he is honoured to have won comprising contemporary artist and of life and they too may have resisted. Tharindu had their initial sketches, stands before the wall, it emits a form of the competition. He said it was truly designer Anoma Wijewardene, architect Nevertheless, as time went on, those and while they made attempts to make response – a simple-enough concept, said an impartial competition as it allowed Ruchi Jayanatham, textile designer changes were accepted. He said that our improvements, especially once they were Javaneesan, adding that essentially, the for an equal opportunity for all who Shilanthi Abayagunawardana, and Atkins present situation has resulted from these selected for top three, the initial sketch basic concept is where they will install participated. Associate Director Xia Yuan. eras of change. was what they always came back to. The winners were announced via a Pulasthi said that in their creation, She said that in the research component, livestream, the Virtual Award Ceremony what they wished to do was highlight the which was her responsibility, she looked of “Envision the Future” Student Design change that is a constant and is inevitable. into the practical aspects of it, some Competition 2020, with the winners being He said there are two main concepts that historical accounts, and the material. awarded a cash prize of Rs. 300,000. The great importance is given to – “we live in Speaking with Tharindu, he said winning designs will be constructed at our present, think of our past, and hope that his contribution to the project was Port City’s Marina District. for our future” – adding that change is an regarding the structural and proportional We reached out to the winners amalgamation of these three aspects, and parts of their overall structure. However, of both categories, giving them the so they came up with a design that could as they had been given some basic opportunity to take us through the “change with time but also stay constant”. guidelines such as height restrictions creative thinking behind their incredible Once they had the thought for a and size limitations, they have had to designs. kinetic structure, they had to think of a downsize it from the originally much material that changed with time – the larger structure in mind. Lodiya kind of change you are able to visually He shared that what they have is The winning concept for the beach track. So they settled with copper. He a futuristic structure, and therefore sculpture “Lodiya” was submitted by said that with time, copper oxidises, they adopted a variety of international Viranga Waduge, Tharindu Perera, and creating a patina layer – it takes time, methodologies, utilising digital Pulasthi Handunge, architecture students creating an experience. fabrication. They have had to get an from the City School of Architecture. The You will first see it as a bright engineer involved, their friend Pasindu trio shared that the structure narrates the shiny structure, which will be the first who lent his expertise, to help them change of time designed with kinetic steel experience. Giving it a few years, stay within the parameters set by the components and copper sheets. one will experience it in a completely limitations of constructions in Sri Lanka. Pulasthi went into detail about the different and new light. The structure, Tharindu said that we in Sri Lanka concept note, explaining his thinking surrounded by the set of copper rings, have limits to our construction work; behind the project. He said the structure is a globe which Pulasthi said is there is a traditional way it is done here spoke of the nature of Port City – how made of stainless steel and therefore and so he shared that as students, he to some it is a change they do not want, will not change. This, he said, is the believes these traditions are meant to be where they don’t accept it, and how there representation of “hope” that people broken. By doing so is how they gain is resistance amongst some others. But always have for the future, which is a recognition to the Lankan potential that is there are also others who look forward to constant. laying in abundance in the island, he said, the change. We see here the difference in Viranga too added her thoughts, adding that he also believes that this kind opinion amongst the same – Sri Lankans. stating that she contributed to the of exposure would allow them to explore Regardless of the warring factions, research component of the project while their horizons. as a budding architect and a creative, giving credit to her two collaborators, They shared that they were all briefed on the location where they would have Pulasthi urged that we take a look at Pulasthi and Tharindu, as the designers. Concept designs of the interactive our history and our culture, noting that She shared their project would be to eventually erect their structure, if the “Wall of Bubbles” participants were to win. Wisdom in the Leaf: A generation of tea-inspired knowledge From Dilmah Tea and its History of Ceylon Tea initiative should reciprocate, by giving future factory, and manufacturing practices; sale of each book will go to the MJF Wickramatunga (MSc). generations of Sri Lankans the the fundamentals of plantation Foundation’s Vocational Training “I am confident that this book opportunity to study and understand management; and important Scholarships for Plantation Youth. is destined to become the Bible of the heritage of one of the world’s sustainability themes including The publication is a byproduct future planters, university students, greatest plantation industries. The rainwater harvesting, climate change, of Dilmah’s History of Ceylon Tea and many others,” shared Dr. S.D.G. Sri Lanka tea industry is today the and the environment. These topics project, whose Editor David Colin- Jayawardena, the former Chairman lifeblood of this nation and Sri Lanka are presented in an engaging style Thomé was the Project Leader and of the TRI from 2006 to 2015 and is best known in many countries for to make the book as readable for Editor-in-Chief of “Wisdom of the former Director General of the ‘Ceylon Tea’.” tea drinkers with an interest in the Leaf”. The 336-page, hardcover book Department of Agriculture. Received with great acclaim provenance of their cuppa, is a mix of easy-to-read information “I was pleased to see the names by scientists and authors as for researchers and tea interspersed with technical data of veteran planters, many of whom I including Dr. S.D.G. planters. and contemporary and historical have had a close association with at Jayawardena Topics covered photography. The latter includes a some time or other during the time I (former include personal selection of never-before-published was at the Tea Research Institute of Chairman development, human historical images received from Sri Lanka. Who else other than such of the Tea resources, forestry private family collections. experienced men are suited to write a Research and conservation, The Publication Committee compendium of this sort? Interacting Institute water resource comprised Jayantissa Ratwatte, with men of such calibre and [TRI]), Jane management, Vernon Tissera, Bhatiya Jayaratne, imbibing their practical knowledge Pettigrew (tea diversification, Jivaka Atapattu, Kavi Seneviratne, had helped many of us scientists in historian and author buildings Anura Gunasekera, and Monte designing our field experiments to of 17 books on and housing, Holsinger as the Technical Editor, suit different agro-climatic zones,” Teamaking is an ancient art, industry veterans and scientists, tea), and Dr. Nalini financial accounting with David Colin-Thomé as Editor- shared Dr. Nalini C. Gnanapragasam framed in science, yet equally “Wisdom in the Leaf” captures the C. Gnanapragasam The 336-page, hardcoverand book control, transport, and in-Chief. Sivapalan, an agricultural consultant demanding of passion and tacit knowledge that is only acquired Sivapalan (former Deputy "Wisdom in a Leaf"climate change adaptation. The contributors are Monte and research advisor and former expertise. “Wisdom in the Leaf” is through experience. The contributors Director – Research at the The final chapter – “From the Holsinger, Vige Bede-Johnpillai, Deputy Director of Research at the a publication that aims to harness each share their expertise in a seminal TRI) amongst others, “Wisdom in World of Science” – comprises Dyan Seneviratne, Vernon TRI. the art, science, and knowledge work that is an invaluable resource the Leaf” is the most comprehensive contributions from reputed names in Tissera, Jivaka Atapattu, Bhatiya “What is truly remarkable that will inspire tea drinkers and for tea planters of the present and compendium of knowledge of the scientific community, and covers Jayaratne, S.K. Seneviratne, Ernie is that information which might guide teamakers through a unique future. Ceylon Tea that has been produced in topics such as climate change and Daniels, Bernard Holsinger, Saman appear rather dry and academic in an collaboration with the men and The History of Ceylon Tea the past five decades. tea, rainwater harvesting, mechanised Munasinghe, Jayantha Jayawardene, ordinary textbook is brought to life women whose passion is a significant project was launched in August Twenty veteran planters harvesting, biochar, and the health Anura Gunasekera, Malin on these pages through the clever component in the reputation of 2003 with the objective of sharing with a collective experience of benefits of tea. Goonetileke, Sarath Imbuldeniya, use of typeface, page layout, the Ceylon Tea. The project was initiated “one of the greatest stories that has more than 500 years contributed The concept for this publication Russell Tennekoon, Ryle Perera, division of the text into manageable as a tribute to Sri Lanka’s “global ever been told”. Dilmah Founder their knowledge while eminent was conceived by Dilmah Tea Chief Steve Morrell, and Nimal paragraphs, and illustrations that teamaker” Merrill J. Fernando, and Merrill J. Fernando explained his scientists including Dr. Tanuja Executive Officer (CEO) Dilhan C. Amerasekera. bring the story to life,” said Jane to the tea planters who make Ceylon family’s vision in undertaking the Ariyananda, Dr. Rohan Pethiyagoda, Fernando, and with his father Merrill From the world of science, Pettigrew, a tea specialist, historian, Tea. It is published by Dilmah Tea project: “Dilmah gained consumer Dr. Tissa Amarakoon, and Daya J. Fernando’s blessing, this idea the contributors are Dr. Tanuja writer, and consultant. Since 1983, in celebration of its Founder’s 70th recognition globally on the strength Wickramatunga add critical scientific evolved into a tribute to tea planters Ariyananda (PhD), Dr. Rohan she has been working in the UK and year in tea. of the finest Ceylon Tea, and it context. and workers, the stewards of Ceylon Pethiyagoda (BSc), Dr. Tissa around the world to explain and share Curated by a committee of tea is only logical therefore that we The content spans agricultural, Tea. The entire proceeds from the Amarakoon (PhD), and Daya the fascinating world of tea. 4 the sunday morning brunch PEOPLE/EVENTS Sunday, December 6, 2020

ÄÄ Opening a hotel at a time like our developments are effective and we this is challenging, to say the will continue to look forward to face and very least, with the future of experience in the travel boom. tourism unknown. Care to ÄÄ Tell me a little bit about the ‘Opening a hotel shows comment? cuisine at DoubleTree by Opening a hotel shows we are ready to Hilton in Weerawila. go against the tide, expecting a travel boom As an upcoming leisure destination, we once this Covid-19 pandemic comes to guarantee best-in-class food and beverage an end as people are confined indoors and we are ready to go offerings. Named after birds, our restaurants many seek getaways. and bars offer international and local ÄÄ Tell me a little bit about delicacies with a twist. Weerawila as a destination. I We have special menus designed against the tide’ am told the bird sanctuaries to fulfil the desires of our guests. Our Executive Chef takes pride in preparing are a selling point. What are scrumptious meals with fresh local and In conversation with DoubleTree by Hilton Weerawila its other attractions? seasonal produce appealing to even the Weerawila was not a travel destination greatest food critic. Rajawarna Resort General Manager Krishanta Damunupola prior to DoubleTree setting up its first hotel there. The Hilton brand had the ÄÄ If you could confidence that Weerawila would give one message to become the hottest spot in Sri Lankans at the Sri Lanka. We are here to moment, what make Weerawila the most would it be? sought destination by Sri Lanka is a multi- travellers. The locality is climatic island nation known for the Weerawila where you can hunt Tissa Sanctuary where waterfalls in the morning you find over 400 species and relax by the beach of both endemic and in the late afternoon. The migrant birds. Having said country has hidden gems. that, we are the platform to There are so many destinations provide hospitality to guests yet to be explored; I for one seeking an experience with DoubleTree by Hilton Weerawila can easily say that no one has nature. Rajawarna Resort General Manager Krishanta Damunupola seen the entire country yet. ÄÄ What do you This period of no outward think the future of travel and travel from the country should be taken tourism is going to look like as an opportunity to explore hidden gems of nature and destinations in your own for Sri Lanka and globally? motherland. I think it will be quite exciting. Once BY JENNIFER ANANDANAYAGAM situation so that we can look forward DoubleTree by Hilton is well known for. the pandemic comes to an end, I am positive ÄÄ If you could give one message to days of greener pastures,” shared Most importantly, DoubleTree is world that the hospitality industry will bounce back to foreigners with an interest Last week, Hilton announced the Damunupola. renowned for its signature chocolate within a short period of time. I believe that in visiting Sri Lanka at the opening of the 78-room DoubleTree Damunupola has 27 years of experience chip cookie that is served to welcome there will be a boom in the tourism industry moment, what would it be? in the hospitality industry, having developed guests. We will ensure we provide as was seen many times from the 2003 by Hilton Weerawila Rajawarna Once the pandemic is over, Sri Lanka a liking for the field while he was reading an unforgettable and mesmerising SARS situation to the 2008 economic crisis. Resort in the heart of the idyllic for his bachelor’s at the University of experience to guests from their check-in is expected to become the go-to holiday Weerawila Tissa Bird Sanctuary. The Colombo. to check-out. ÄÄ DoubleTree by Hilton is destination in South Asia. Sri Lanka is newly built resort is owned by KDU “I was with Hilton Hotels & Resorts in said to be one of your world renowned as the most hospitable Adventures (Pvt.) Ltd. and joins Europe as well as in Africa, and here I am ÄÄ What are the unique fastest-growing brands country in the world. Even during the Hilton Colombo and Hilton Colombo heading the expansion of Hilton’s presence challenges you as the General with a presence of more lockdown period, Sri Lankans have taken Residences as the third hotel to be in Sri Lanka where our wait for 23 years Manager of DoubleTree by very good care of the foreign tourists than 600 upscale hotels stranded within the country – especially managed by Hilton in the country. came to an end on 24 November with the Hilton are going to have to across 47 countries. How opening of the first DoubleTree by Hilton in Ella, where locals have provided free A new hotel amidst a pandemic quite tackle in the backdrop of the is the pandemic affecting food and accommodation to these people aptly wasn’t without its raised eyebrows in property in Sri Lanka.” current pandemic and its Here are excerpts from the interview. operations within this chain without considering race, religion, and reactions, so we caught up with DoubleTree future implications? of hotels? What are the ethnicity, or skin colour. Some countries by Hilton Weerawila Rajawarna Resort ÄÄ What is DoubleTree by Opening a new resort is very challenges and what are the have even designated Sri Lanka as a General Manager Krishanta Damunupola. Hilton in Weerawila going challenging during the Covid-19 pandemic. opportunities? “travel-safe” destination even during the “The tourism industry of Sri Lanka However, we strongly believe that tough Hilton being a global brand, we have current period, as we followed stringent has survived many challenges over the to embody in terms of times never last and good times will come. proved that we are optimistic on a global practices for containing the spread of the last four decades and has shown strength experience and amenities, We are hopeful that we will overcome these lockdown and facing the challenge of pandemic. and resilience in pursuing and overcoming and industry-wise? challenges. We are keen on taking this ensuring that all our loyal travellers will Therefore, I would rightfully say that difficult situations. Once again, we need to DoubleTree by Hilton is about doing challenge step by step and coming onboard. experience a safe environment between Sri Lanka is the destination where you must unite as a country, learn from our history, small things right to ensure the guest We strongly believe that we will come out our sister properties globally. Even with travel to; we are safe and we are ready to regain, and overcome this pandemic feels the warmth of hospitality, which of the current situation. the current landscape, we have proved that make your memories last a lifetime.

How to market to Gen Z students Lovi Ceylon’s newest Defined as the demographic cohort between the late 90s and the early 2010s, one of take on the Sri Lankan the main challenges faced by Gen Z in the higher education industry is needling through an national dress overabundance of choice. When “Today, I’m living my dream. selecting the best-fit university, Before moving back to Sri Lanka, I prospective students take great had been working in tech for over 15 care in making thoroughly years. If you think about it, there aren’t informed decisions to pave their Ismail Sadurdeen really many differences between tech higher education pathways. With and fashion. Fashion isn’t actually rising costs, today’s prospective can obtain pre-applicant data that much different to tech. Fashion is students gather as much including analysing their interests about constantly innovating what we information as possible before products and services, and opt to to use their readily available and demographics. It also helps wear. I see clothing as a tech product investing in a university. use peer-to-peer user feedback, technology to discover reduce the student dropout with really challenging requirements,” Curiously enough, rather social media reviews, and other instantly, unlike a decade ago rates as students can feel more said Lovi Founder and Chief Executive than traditional walk-ins and call- digital platforms that rely on where people had to plan to comfortable integrating into Officer (CEO) Asanka de Mel. ins, today, prospects’ research crowdsourcing methods to verify make walk-in appointments the university environment by Lovi Ceylon’s newest take on the and engagement practices their decisions. Gen Z prospects and call-ins to connect with coming in connection with their Sri Lankan national dress comes from rely heavily on technological turn to first-hand experiences universities. Today, the first peers and being better informed visualising Sri Lanka and Sri Lankans innovations and external gathered by current students impression is all about the about the institution. as a team and asking ourselves what our methods to obtain a clearer and alumni to determine the online brand presence. Without The selection and enrolment visual identity would be in this context, picture. According to a survey suitability of the university. students having to undergo the process for higher education can de Mel shared. on generational communication Platforms that promote anxious yet unyielding process be daunting for most prospective “In fact, our national dress is a preferences conducted by the opportunity to connect and of speaking to a university students, including Gen Z. testament to Sri Lanka’s diversity and Ooma, Inc., Gen Z individuals engage with current or past users/ admissions officer on what their By adopting the right set of inclusion. With the sarong’s Indonesian prefer instant methods of customers allow access to direct study programmes offer, it is marketing tools and strategies, origins and the kurta’s Indian origins, communication when gathering information and insights about easier and more informative for universities can specifically our national dress bears centuries of required information. the product or service. If it is a them to connect directly with target this segment to actively influences that have shaped Sri Lanka, In a world of nonstop ads university, for instance, it would a current or past student of the engage and relieve some of their harmonising to give rise to a unique child’s saree) gets a refresh, to create and pop-ups, higher education be information on satisfaction, university and ask questions as key stress points by utilising fashion identity.” a timeless, elegant boardroom fashion marketing strategies used to campus life, and its programmes a peer. In this way, students also interactive technologies and Lovi’s take on the Sri Lankan statement. engage Gen Z must deviate to help students make more build and grow a large network creative methods to first inform national dress is based on de Mel’s All Lovi Ceylon garments are from the traditional strategies informed choices. of peers within the university and then ease them into a desire to establish a visual identity for designed and made locally using Sri adopted in the past. As each before enrolment, which will university life of their choice. all Sri Lankans regardless of ethnicity, Lankan resources and craftsmanship to new generation changes, the 2. Instant! Instant! Instant! also facilitate a smoother Univiser is a tech start-up religion, gender, age, or social standing. the fullest extent possible. The quality evolution of marketing must also From Instagram to Uber transition to university life. that helps universities and higher “If the whole of Sri Lanka is a team, of finish that Lovi Ceylon demands is follow. Keep the following three Eats, instant gratification is more education institutions better what would our uniform look like?” the same as that of any luxury design strategies in mind when engaging sought after than ever before, 3. Peer-to-peer marketing connect with their Gen Z markets asks de Mel. The new collection aptly house. A similar quality garment would Gen Z in your marketing: and Gen Z is no exception Peer pressure may get a bad by providing a personalised peer- titled “Reimagine” does just that. cost twice or thrice as much if made to this trend. Seamlessly reputation in high school, but to-peer platform that connects This collection also showcases internationally. Lovi sources its fabrics 1. Leverage crowd-sourced connecting to current students when thinking about marketing, prospects, current students, and a feminine version of the national and craftsmanship all from within our reviews within a particular institution peer-based marketing is key to alumni. dress for women, something hitherto borders, keeping local communities, Living in the post-Yelp can help prospective students in tapping into the “influencer” To learn more about unheard of. “The traditional national craftsmen, and businesses thriving word, we know the power many ways. For instance, before generation. Universities and Universer, visit www.univiser.io does not take into account half of our and earning through these difficult and wielded by social reviews on enrolling, prospective students institutions benefit from peer- or email [email protected]. people,” said de Mel. “The saree and uncertain times. consumer decision-making. can obtain inside information to-peer interactions when used (The writer, Ismail osariya involuntarily filled this void; As de Mel is always at hand Above 80% of individuals on how the study programmes as a marketing tool. When Sadurdeen, is the Founder/Chief however, Lovi National’s interpretation to ensure a personalised customer belonging to Gen Z base most of are conducted and get a sense of prospective students engage and Executive Officer of Univiser of traditional national attire makes experience, his dream of the Lovi their decisions on social media the general environment at the discuss with current students and former Students’ Union any woman feel feminine, powerful, National soon becoming a fashion platforms when purchasing university. or alumni associated with President of the University of and chic. Even the lama saree (female staple is bound to become a reality. Gen Z students prefer the university, the university Nottingham, UK) the sunday morning brunch 5 Sunday, December 6, 2020 CAUSE

LIFE IN HIGH-RISE BUILDINGS BY DINITHI GUNASEKERA “We have been stuck inside from 22 November till today (1 December). That is 40 days. Following the AMIDST ISOLATION curfew, they imposed a lockdown we manage to spend as much as Rs. 5,000 in in this compact She noted that on the 8th,” said Methsanda Sevana a week. Do you think they really understand space. despite never having (Block B) President Ramesh Kumara, our situation?” “I have been engaged in field action as living in these housing a researcher, due to the current of the apartment complex on Criminalised by Covid Henamulla Road, Modara, speaking complexes since 2019, as situation, she is collecting money “We made a verbal appeal to the OIC of part of my research, and I realise privately to be distributed among these to The Sunday Morning Brunch. the Modara Police, with the bare minimum how challenging it is. You’re catapulted vulnerable residents. “I speak not from preference, but expectation of consoling our residents with into their social gatherings, their extended “Other than private help, there’s no far from their doing. “When you mention from our need for rights and necessities. considerate words. Our people are now at a family, their religious observances, and systematic way of doing it. The numbers the name ‘Methsanda Sevana’ anywhere The residents of our complex are currently level of frustration to head out to the streets. also their conflicts, including situations of are rather large too: We’re looking at about now, they regard us as inhuman and treat us undergoing severe anguish, as they are The message they have understood is that violence. Reflecting on this, I realise that 50,000 families. When you do the math, we inhumanely. The proposal to confine 900 helpless. We are not allowed to step out any only aggressive protests could get them the I too underwent change during my stay, need money that we can’t raise on our own. households with 3,400 residents within just further than our doorstep.” due attention from authorities,” explained having occasional emotional outbursts due to At most, we have sent 300-400 food packs one acre of land was not ours.” According to Kumara, three leaders per Kumara. the tension.” and sanitary napkins. “As President of the complex, they floor of each complex are in charge of the While high-rise buildings are seen as Stereotyping essential service “The communities in concern have never disposal of household garbage and going to the expect leadership for these demonstrations to symbols of modernity, rationalisation, and been a burden to the system up until now, as shops for essentials, appointed by the Police. come from me, but as responsible figures, we “a solution to the problem of poverty”, they providers their daily-wage earnings would suffice. The “We are, however, provided with can’t allow people to step out onto the streets have created a fresh set of challenges, as Priya is a very keen prospective minute you cut that off, they are left totally two relief food packs by the Government, against the authorities. noted by Fernando. Ordinary Level (O/L) student. Her father, vulnerable. It’s not like they have money each costing Rs. 5,000 and Rs. 10,000, “I’m being called ‘spineless’ as I resist She further stated that high-rise who worked at the Peliyagoda Fish Market, saved up, so their days of resilience are short- respectively. They consist of dry rations and these rallies. At this point, even I see some complexes are identified as a hotbed for was directed to a quarantine centre, and lived if they can’t go to work,” concluded essentials such as chickpea, mung beans, truth in their way of thinking. We were Covid-19, and are within the high-risk several days later, so was the entire family. Perera. cowpea, rice, soya meat, flour, milk powder, expecting at least a humane consolation from category due to the sheer population density. Priya used to do her schoolwork late at and so on. We are grateful to the Government the Police, or at least the opportunity for our However, at certain times, attempts to night, for which her father would give her The need for people-centric for these packs. We are fully aware that it is people to individually visit the shops at our curtail movement within flats have involved permission to use his phone. resettlement moving forward beyond the Government’s capacity to consider own complex, but we were met with threats measures such as shutting down some Due to repeated problems, the father had Noting that this was not an effort to each and every individual’s best interest, instead.” elevators, resulting in the overcrowding of to pawn his phone – now Priya’s education romanticise wattas, the local slums that are given the current situation, and we do not Kumara repetitively stressed that the those that remain functional. is severely affected. Repeated shocks, both often flooded and face numerous hygienic expect that from them,” expressed Kumara. psychosocial impact is the biggest factor external and internal, left her marginalised concerns, Fernando also highlighted the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) plaguing their community, explaining that within the education system on multiple need to look at people-centric resettlement they were made prisoners in the situation – Media Secretary Viraj Tharaka, speaking to levels. methodologies based on participatory The Sunday Morning Brunch, shared that the although even prisoners have the opportunity I, myself, transferred Rs. 8,000 last Many structural inequalities are also methods, and the ample research available on Modara area will continue to be kept under to step out of their cells for a due period. week to only have Rs. 20 in hand involved. Despite the pretext of an elevated the subject. isolation for days to come. When asked if “We are imprisoned in order to today. If there’s a necessity, I cannot status through high-rise homes, their lives “People-centric approaches to urban there was talk of any amendments towards protect everyone from corona, but the end afford it – and that is the story of remain the same. development have been proposed by many relaxing the current lockdown status in the result would be the creation of a cluster most, if not all of our residents “It is sad because those who worked academic researchers and activists, and area, he commented that no such plan is in of individuals with severe mental and Methsanda Sevana President at the Peliyagoda Fish Market, although are available under several resettlement discussion as of yet, due to the foreseeably psychological problems.” Ramesh Kumara performing essential services, are guidelines, such as the National Involuntary worsening conditions in the area, in terms of The criminalisation of Covid-19 stereotyped,” expressed Fernando. Resettlement Policies by the Asian the virus. patients adds fodder to the fire, according “Their lifestyles and the precarious Development Bank (ADB) and World The Modara Police Division Officer- to University of Colombo (UoC) Faculty of The sensationalist reporting of nature of the trades they engage in – not only Bank, but have often not been considered in in-Charge (OIC) confirmed that only the Arts Department of Sociology Academic Covid-19 in the media was pivotal in terms of Covid-19 – means their lives are implementation.” Sathsiru Sevana and Methsanda Sevana flats Member Avanka Fernando, who conversed in this regard, directly labelling based on risk and uncertainty. They are often She further stated that high-rise in Modara, Colombo North, are currently with The Sunday Morning Brunch. people and creating anxiety rather marginalised from mainstream services. For dwellings have manifested problems under isolation. Including Modara, 13 police “The sensationalist reporting of than focusing on health and safety example, as they do not possess title deeds to globally, which should be considered. divisions are in isolation, such as that of Covid-19 in the media was pivotal in measures and treatment a house, they are marginalised from normal “Recreational space is something to this regard, directly labelling people and UoC Sociology Department Academic banking loans, and opt to borrow from Bloemendhal and Kotahena. Member Avanka Fernando look into. The youths of these communities creating anxiety, rather than focusing on informal moneylenders under exploitative are stereotyped as drug addicts, but there Trapped on a sinking ship health and safety measures and treatment. interest rates.” is no alternative for them. Sports facilities Being confined in their homes for 40 The antagonistic scapegoating of certain The communities in concern have In an exchange with researcher and and entertainment are restricted. There is days, the residents of Methsanda Sevana and communities has further reinforced their never been a burden to the system activist Iromi Perera, who has been working containment and control, with very little other apartment complexes within the North vulnerability,” noted Fernando. up until now, as their daily-wage on the Colombo Urban Regeneration Project outlet to express themselves. With all the of Colombo – mostly daily wage earners – Fernando, who is conducting her earnings would suffice. The minute since 2013, she expressed that the severity of talk of climate change and sustainability, we have no income. doctoral research on urban communities you cut that off, they are left totally the situation could not be put into words. are building concrete jungles with little to no “There is no method of supplying gas resettled in high-rise buildings in Colombo vulnerable…their days of resilience are “It’s criminal, what’s happening right greenery.” for everyone. They arranged a mechanism city, recalled how the names of specific short-lived if they can’t go to work now. Relocating into high-rises, disciplining Additionally, a multi-pronged approach for us to access the shops in Block C through housing complexes were splashed all over Colombo Urban Regeneration Project people, and forcing them to live in a different should be undertaken that concentrates the appointed officials, but we no longer the media. She recalls how one memorable Researcher Iromi Perera way, while making them give up care not only on the aspects of Covid-19 and have the money to purchase basic goods image, of the terrified face of a 13-year- networks, their community, and the ways of national security. Mental health issues such as vegetables, fish or meat, medicine, old girl she was acquainted with, was life they have been building over time, is in are at their peak, as per the suicide rates and sanitary products for women at our own displayed in the media, and noted that the Fazila, a resident of Methsanda Sevana, itself tedious,” expressed Perera. owing to the pandemic. There needs to be shops,” explained Kumara. criminalisation of Covid-19 patients strained a housewife and mother of three, describes “I understand that the current Covid multidisciplinary teams to address diverse Almost none of them have a six-figure relationships among communities within her “flat life”, especially in 2020, as a curse. situation is bad, but you can’t keep them needs during the pandemic. Law enforcement saving and own no expensive properties under such high-rise complexes. “The troubles are never-ending. There under lockdown indefinitely. There has to be authorities and administrative officers cannot their names, pointed out Kumara. “They earn is an uncle in our complex who walks to proper mass testing and also better support. achieve everything, as they too are put under to eat and drink well. Presently, the nutrition The high-rise lifestyle: A curse? and from a room to his doorstep and back. I More than supplies, what they need now is tremendous pressure by the demands of the Ramesh Kumara explained that their of children is a major concern.” asked him if he was measuring the road, and cash. Food is one thing, but people have to pandemic. houses occupy no more than 450 square feet, “I myself am a businessman who handles he said it was the only thing left for him to buy gas, top-up phones, and pay utility bills. “There are certain roles that need debunking the claims of 550 square feet of tenders, and even I transferred Rs. 8,000 last do, to keep his mind off the frustration.” I can’t even begin to understand how most of to be filled, as police officers and grama space per residence, which is only accurate if week to only have Rs. 20 in hand today. If “There is a hardworking family with the kids are managing to participate in online sevakas can’t be expected to do everything,” the corridor area is included. There are 927 there’s a necessity, I cannot afford it – and that a very bright boy doing his Advanced schooling.” explained Fernando. “For example, there houses and 870-880 occupied residences, is the story of most, if not all of our residents. Levels; he had run out of internet cards to Perera noted that the problem in is a crying need for social workers in these while some households comprise seven to “When we asked for financial support, we join his Zoom classes. Yesterday, my child Colombo has always been that the communities who can take up some of these eight residents, or sometimes even more. were told to co-ordinate among ourselves with also had to stop lessons halfway, as the Government, the UDA (Urban Development issues. We must also mobilise charity and “They are almost in each other’s relatively able residents. But if I do not have data card was drained, and there was no Authority), and policymakers have neither religious organisations and community-based faces,” related Fernando, drawing from her money at this point, what about daily-wage more internet. The flat is not the only thing understood, nor bothered to understand, resources to address this. experience. “The limited space for children to earners? under lockdown; education, happiness, the city’s working-class poor. “They think “We need to bridge the gap between play, or to hang one’s clothes on the balcony, “A tender has been shifted to someone childhood – all of these things are also upward mobility would come by dictating policy and practice, create a collaborative and the sound from neighbouring houses, else, as I have not supplied in over a month. under lockdown,” expressed Fazila. how to live. They don’t know what their process with all stakeholders and authorities, or the ‘kotanawa’ (pounding) from houses At the end of all this, we’ll be destitute and Kumara defended his fellow residents, needs are; they would assume this sort of and address the needs of the most vulnerable above – all these become causes for conflict helpless. There are politicians who ask how claiming that the spread of the virus was blanket lockdown is going to help.” groups in our society more effectively.” 6 the sunday morning brunch HEALTH Sunday, December6, 2020

2019, new HIV infections among adult are supported in initiating self-employment males have been increasing exponentially income-generating projects and by paying from 78 cases to 359 cases, which is a 460% overdue housing loans. One objective of increase. these support schemes is to strengthen the Currently, the national programme is link of people living with HIV (PLHIV) with reaching out to key population groups using the national programme, because around 10- several approaches, especially to reach 20% of patients registered with the national the hidden high-risk populations. In 2004, programme defaults attending services. a policy decision was made to provide Dr. Samarakoon stated that during the antiretroviral therapy to people living Covid-19 period, the national programme with HIV (PLHIV) through the national made every effort to provide HIV testing programme. As of end-2019, a total of 2,302 services, treatment, and care. The AFL has persons (64%) knew their HIV status and supported these endeavours by increasing 1,845 (51%) registered for treatment offered the nutrition food package allowances, free of charge. transport allowances to travel to HIV service providing clinics, and online tuition AIDS Foundation Lanka fees for students. AFL was established in 2008 after the AFL is supported by several well- eighth International Conference on AIDS wishers who have undertaken the in Asia and Pacific (ICAAP) was held in responsibility to look after an individual Sri Lanka. The objectives of the AFL is to or a family. A well-wisher provides support the National STD/ the nutrition package or AIDS Control Programme tuition fees to AFL and Awareness programmes in conducting awareness AFL handles all donations, programmes to educate maintaining confidentiality. the general population and Some schoolchildren, key population groups on through their social clubs basic facts of HIV/AIDS, and interact clubs, have access, and availability of come forward to donate Efforts to eradicate services, and also to support nutrition packages, school people living with HIV. books, and other utilities. Throughout the years, AFL HIV-positive pregnant has reached out to several women are provided with population groups such as additional nutrition support HIV/AIDS in Sri Lanka out-of-school youth, formal and a maternity kit which BY DR. DINESHANI HETTIARACHCHI SIRISENA million newly infected individuals being infection was diagnosed in the country in and informal sector workers, Dr. Sujatha Samarakoon contains baby clothes and recorded by the end of 2019, thus making 1986. The initial programmes were mainly and healthcare workers in other utilities for the mother Every year since 1988, World it one of the most important global public to create awareness among the general educating them on basic facts of HIV which and baby worth Rs. 8,000. All people living AIDS Day has been celebrated health issues in recorded history. public, especially the youth and women, on includes the methods of transmission and with HIV (PLHIV)-related support activities on 1 December, with the hope of Despite recent improvements in methods of prevention. prevention, availability of services, and the are carried out maintaining confidentiality treatment, the AIDS epidemic still claims Concomitantly, HIV testing services need to dispel stigma and discrimination. bringing together organisations of donors and recipients. an estimated two million lives each year, were introduced free of charge in the Several awareness programmes AFL is located at the first floor of the and individuals across the world of which more than 250,000 are children. government sector where people were were held at workplaces, hospitals, and Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA) at to create awareness around HIV/ Sri Lanka has been commemorating able to get the HIV test done to know their communities. These programmes are No. 6, Wijerama Mawatha, Colombo 7. To AIDS. On this day, people around World AIDS Day since 1988. This day status, maintaining confidentiality. A policy conducted to support prevention efforts contact AFL, call 011 2690230. the world unite to show support is especially dedicated to disseminate decision was made to screen all donated and also the “test and treat” policy of Reference for people living with and affected awareness of the AIDS pandemic and the blood for HIV infection in the public sector the national programme by encouraging 1. UNAIDS: Global HIV and AIDS Fact by HIV and also to remember those need to prevent and control HIV in the and also the private sector. One of the main those who are living with HIV and do not Sheet 2020 (www.unaids.org/en/ who lost their lives to AIDS. country and remember those who have died outcomes of this timely decision was that know their status to get tested for HIV. resources/fact-sheet) of the disease. since the year 2000, there were no reported People with HIV, who are aware of their This year’s theme “Ending the HIV/ 2. National STD/AIDS Control blood transfusions associated with HIV status, take antiretroviral therapy daily AIDS Epidemic: Resilience and Impact” Programme, Sri Lanka. Annual Report HIV/AIDS status in Sri Lanka infections. This was a great achievement as prescribed, which helps to control was chosen in an endeavour to speak out 2019 Dr. Samarakoon stated that Sri Lanka for the health sector and the people of Sri the replication of the virus and keep an against HIV stigma and to call for an is categorised as a country with a low Lanka. undetectable viral load that enables them About the writer increased response to move towards ending prevalence of HIV infection as the HIV Awareness programmes were then to live healthy lives and have effectively The writer, Dr. Dineshani Hettiarachchi the HIV epidemic. In this light, we spoke prevalence among adults above 15 years expanded to involve the key population no risk of sexually transmitting HIV to Sirisena, is a family physician with a to consultant venereologist and AIDS of age was 0.1% as of end-2019. As such, groups or populations most at risk to their HIV-negative partners. Every year, special interest in Foundation Lanka (AFL) President Dr. currently, around 3,600 people are living HIV infection due to a variety of reasons AFL commemorates World AIDS Day by rare genetic diseases Sujatha Samarakoon. with HIV in the country. When asked including high-risk sexual behaviours. conducting awareness programmes for the and regenerative The red ribbon has become an about the main mode of transmission, she The highest prevalence of HIV is reported general public including women and youth. medicine currently internationally recognised symbol for AIDS mentioned that it was through unprotected among men who have sex with men (MSM) Although it is a non-profit organisation, working as a lecturer awareness, worn by people throughout sexual intercourse. at 1.5%. HIV prevalence is also high among AFL continuously supports people living at the Department of the world in support of people living with The National STD/AIDS Control transgender women (TGW), female sex with HIV by providing them a monthly Anatomy, Faculty of HIV and in remembrance of those who Programme (NSACP) of the Ministry of workers (FSW), beach boys (BB), and nutrition food package, educational grants, Medicine, University of have died. According to global estimates, Health, which spearheads the national injecting drug users (PWID). Other high- book vouchers, school bags and shoes, Colombo, around 40 million people worldwide have response to HIV/AIDS, commenced risk groups include prisoners, drug users, tuition and transport fees for children Sri Lanka. died of AIDS since 1981 while an estimated interventions even before the first HIV and migrant workers. Between 2011 and infected and affected by HIV, etc. Some 38 million are living with HIV, with 1.7 Treatment for Peyronie’s disease can keep condition from worsening ÄÄ Dear Mayo Clinic, my Peyronie’s disease rarely goes husband is in his mid- away on its own. In most men with 50s and we have been Peyronie’s disease, the condition will experiencing discomfort worsen over 6-12 months, with the penile with sex. It’s not a matter changes remaining fixed after 12-18 months. Early treatment may help keep of his excitement or my Peyronie’s disease from worsening. lubrication. His penis has Even if you’ve had the condition for developed a pronounced some time, treatments may help improve curve in recent years. You symptoms such as pain, curvature, and can’t see the curve unless penile shortening. From left: Assistant Manager (Partner Management) Charith M. Fernando, MyDoctor Consultant Dr. Malinda De Silva, MyDoctor Founder Dr. Harsha Jayakody, Getz Pharma General Manager Saman he is erect and the more Treatment of Peyronie’s can Dissanayake, and Getz Pharma Product Manager Dishan Fernando excited he becomes, the include injection therapy and penile more pronounced the traction – with surgery also being bend. The penis curves a good option for many men. Oral upwards, like a banana medications may help with penile pain Getz Pharma partners in the early inflammatory phase of and makes all positions expanding, causing the shaft to angle. uncomfortable. He’s In some cases, it also can prevent the Peyronie’s disease but are not helpful penis from stretching to its normal length with penile curvature or restoring embarrassed to mention it penile length. The only medication with MyDoctor to his doctor, but I think he during erection. The cause of Peyronie’s disease approved by the Food and Drug Getz Pharma, a leading digital health solution provider in Sri should because there’s a Administration for Peyronie’s is pharmaceutical company operating Lanka, we’re happy to partner with isn’t completely understood, but a lump in the penis. Frankly, number of factors appear to be involved. collagenase clostridium histolyticum in more than 25 countries, and Sri Getz Pharma in a time when we must we’re frustrated and I’m (Xiaflex). It’s delivered by a series of Lankan digital health solution provider mitigate and minimise exposure to It can occur in men of any age, but the worried. Is the lump a prevalence of the condition increases eight injections into the scar tissue and MyDoctor have signed a Memorandum Covid-19. Together, we can help has been shown to reduce curvature by of Agreement (MOA) to ensure that ensure access to health and safety tumour? with age, especially for men in their It’s possible that your husband has 50s and 60s. It’s thought Peyronie’s breaking down the scar tissue build- patients can get access to healthcare during this pandemic. Vulnerable up. Xiaflex is indicated in men with services and prescription medication. groups and people in isolation will also Peyronie’s disease: A benign, non- disease generally results from repeated cancerous change in penile structure injury to the penis, or “micro-trauma”. curvature of at least 30 degrees and is This will allow Getz Pharma to benefit from our services.” available as an in-office treatment by connect leading doctors with patients Getz Pharma General Manager associated with a plaque. The plaque is For example, the penis might have been like a scar and feels like a lump. When damaged during sex, athletic activity, urologists. through the MyDoctor platform, Saman Dissanayake said: “It’s critical Encourage your husband to talk providing real-time medical advice; that doctors are still able to meet the the penis elongates for erection, the or as a result of an accident. However, plaque doesn’t stretch and the penis usually the man can recall no specific with his primary healthcare provider or the service will also allow patients needs of their patients while adhering to a urologist. Treatments are available for to receive their prescription via the strict social distancing guidelines. The bends in the direction of the scar. Men event. also complain of penile shortening with Peyronie’s disease comes on Peyronie’s disease. MyDoctor app. massive – Gregory Broderick, M.D., MyDoctor will allow patients to backlog of cancelled appointments Peyronie’s disease. While having a gradually with a tender lump in the penis, curved erection isn’t necessarily a cause followed by curvature and shortening. Urology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, make appointments and get advice from and procedures due to the pandemic Fla. leading medical specialists 24/7 via has already taken a toll on patients for concern, your husband should talk Fortunately, the pain generally goes with his healthcare provider. Treatment away in 12 months, but the curvature (Mayo Clinic Q & A is an audio or video consultation service. The and the Sri Lankan healthcare system. educational resource and doesn’t MyDoctor platform is fully encrypted Less urgent appointments are being can keep the condition from worsening and shortening can worsen. Urologists or even improve his symptoms. are most aware of the condition and replace regular medical care. E-mail and HIPAA (Health Insurance cancelled, but a question to MayoClinicQ&A@mayo. Portability and Accountability Act) certain cases cannot wait for guidance. Peyronie’s disease occurs when a have reported the complaint in 3-9% of hard plaque develops in the lining of the sexually active men. Researchers are edu. For more information, visit www. compliant, meaning healthcare Our partnership with MyDoctor will mayoclinic.org.) professionals can guarantee their allow us to provide healthcare services penile shaft. Deep in the skin, the penis investigating whether it might be linked patients’ data will remain secure. and prescription medication without has a strong lining composed of fibres to an inherited trait such as Dupuytren’s (c) 2020 MAYO FOUNDATION MyDoctor Founder Dr. Harsha compromising on the quality of patient running lengthwise, and a deep layer contracture, which results in the fingers FOR MEDICAL EDUCATION AND Jayakody said: “As the leading care and outcomes.” with circumferential fibres. When the painlessly bending over, or, within RESEARCH. DISTRIBUTED BY penis is erect, the scar tissue prevents the feet, a condition called plantar TRIBUNE CONTENT AGENCY, these elastic layers from stretching and fibromatosis. LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. the sunday morning brunch 7 Sunday, December 6, 2020 GAMES/TOONS

SOLUTION FOR 22 NOVEMBER 23 Not kosher 72 Sweep’s target 28 Manual gesture of respect 75 “Comprende?” CROSSWORD CLUES Crossword 31 “__ Lisa” 78 King’s iconic vision Across 60 O, The __ Magazine 118 Enigma 33 “Cooking From the Hip” 80 All-natural flytrap 1 Nicaraguan president 61 Fernando’s fire 120 Hoggett’s pig strolling on a chef Cat __ 81 Five-year-old Ron Howard Daniel 62 URL intro forest path? 34 Silver salmon first played him in 1960 7 Elaborate dos 64 Suffice 123 Feral feline 35 ‘60s civil rights activist __ 83 “Absolutely!” 12 Complicated situations 65 Trendy berry 124 Developing Brown 84 Bombard 18 Brit’s editorial 68 Franchises owned by 125 Perfect spot 36 Xfinity and MSN 85 Chic modifier 19 Formally disciplined Donald’s girlfriend? 126 Moistens overnight, maybe 37 Suddenly appear, with “up” 87 1982 Disney sci-fi film 21 Clothing 73 Line holder 127 Backgammon piece 38 “This round’s __” 89 Red inside 22 Disney dog serving in 74 Gets thinner 128 Quarterback, at times 39 Minute Maid brand 90 Unlike this ans. Congress? 76 Big name in pet food 40 Blowup: Abbr. 91 __ culpa Down 41 Audio giant 92 Citrus drink suffix 24 Nova __ 77 Sweatshirt options 1 Cantina cooker 25 “Ah, me!” 79 Bear 46 “Casablanca” actor Peter 98 Hide 2 Authentic 47 Urbane 99 Mountain ash trees 26 Spring zodiac sign 80 Egyptian Christian 3 “Et voilà!” 27 Mil. decorations 82 Sign of cooking 48 Singing Merman 100 Nearly entirely 4 Big name in ice cream 50 Cézanne’s “Boy in __ Vest” 101 “Cool!” 29 Put up 83 Well put 5 Old Metro maker 30 Dorm, briefly 86 Games category 51 Dreamcast maker 102 David who played Rhoda’s 6 Sounds from a kennel 52 Mine, in Metz husband Joe 31 Part of FNMA? 88 Kitchen cooker belonging 7 Manitoba tribe 32 Assumed the role of to 22-Across’ beau? 53 Closet pests 103 Relax 8 Fireworks reactions 55 Ali’s 37 104 Chocolate substitute 34 Dale’s brother, away from 93 “Night” author Wiesel 9 “Who am __ judge?” their home turf? 94 Baseball card stat. 59 3.0, e.g.: Abbr. 105 Chilled 10 Like some laws or lords 61 Nonsense 106 In need of deciphering 42 Name near the top of a 95 Trick taker, often 11 Figured (out) “Citizen Kane” movie 96 “Rolling in the Deep” 62 Marriott rival 111 Kimono sash 12 More, in Madrid 63 Channel showing many old 112 Diez squared poster singer 13 “And so on and so forth,” 43 Bed-and-breakfast, maybe 97 Plans made by Bambi’s MGM and RKO films 113 About, on a memo for short 65 Let up 114 Barrage from bleacher 44 Lord’s Prayer start skunk buddy? 14 Shop owners 45 “If all __ fails ... “ 104 Subject of 2001’s “Blow” 66 Plotting ring “birds” 15 Located 67 One can help you get off 115 “Uh-oh!” 49 One of Snow White’s pals 107 “Bravo!” 16 “Fear of Flying” author acting shellfish-ly? 108 Tide competitor 69 Bit of a draft 116 Yellow comics dog Jong 70 Its four-word name was 117 Bygone despot 54 Surveillance tactic 109 Battery part 17 Capacity count 56 Photo __ 110 Chowder order reduced to four letters 119 UFO crew 19 Bridge ancestor in 1973 121 DDE’s WWII domain 57 City near Provo 112 Informal byes 20 Ab neighbor 58 Arch type 114 Heave-ho 71 Okays 122 Org. for the Williams sisters NOTE WE HAVE TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED SELECTING WINNERS FOR THE CROSSWORD OWING TO THE CURRENT SITUATION. WE WILL RESUME SELECTING WINNERS WHEN POSTAL SERVICES RESUME FULL OPERATIONS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR UNDERSTANDING. STAY SAFE.

Sudoku LAST WEEK’S SOLUTION Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by-3 box (in bold borders) contains every digit 1 to 9. For strategies on how to solve Sudoku, visit www.sudoku. org.uk. Distributed by Tribune Content

Agency. All (Answers next week) rights reserved. (Last week’s) 8 the sunday morning brunch PEOPLE/EVENTS Sunday, December 6, 2020 All-new GLO Shop & Café opens in Battaramulla Sri Lanka’s first gourmet dine- in marketplace, the all-new GLO Shop & Café was opened recently in Battaramulla. Shiwantha Dias (Managing Director), Shalin Balasuriya ( Co-Founder), Shenuka Fernando (Head of service delivery) Spa Ceylon with the awards With emphasis on fresh, healthy, and natural food products, it provides over Spa Ceylon wins ‘Global 70 entrepreneurs and small businesses the opportunity Best Beauty Range’ at to showcase and sell their Pieris Global Ventures (Pvt.) Ltd. products. (DPGV), a subsidiary of the David Pieris Group of Companies, GLO World Spa Awards 2020 The shop comprises five main Shop & Café situated at No. 137, Spa Ceylon, the iconic zones: Fresh produce; poultry, Pannipitiya Road, Battaramulla is Ayurveda wellness brand, meats, and seafood; groceries; the now open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., has won four international non-food section; and a café. Under seven days a week. accolades at the World Luxury these are over 20 subcategories and Customers can also place Spa Awards 2020, including over 900 products which are not their orders through the GLO or gatherings with free Wi-Fi and the prestigious global awards often found in mainstream retail Shop & Cafe hotline 0768445544 ample parking thrown in. for “Best Beauty Product outlets. for delivery in Colombo and its Owned and managed by David Range” and “Best Luxury GLO Shop & Café is the suburbs. Ayurveda Spa”. The brand also perfect place to purchase fresh won continent-best awards for organic produce, gourmet “Best Spa Team” and “Best ingredients, premium meats, Spa Management” at this year’s will no doubt help position Spa seafood and frozen foods, local awards. Ceylon as a global force in the delights, and a wide range of “These awards come at wellness and beauty industry,” healthy food options. The non-food an important and exciting stated Co-founder Shalin section features natural personal time for us, as we are about Balasuriya. care and household essentials. to launch the brand in the UK Spa Ceylon is strongly It is an ideal place to enjoy and South Africa in the coming positioned in today’s new freshly brewed gourmet coffee weeks,” explained Co-founder/ normal to offer international accompanied by a quick meal or The quiet sit out area is perfect Managing Director Shiwantha consumers “everyday wellness, sweet treat. for small meetings, discussions, Dias. everywhere”, with their range Spa Ceylon’s first UK store of more than 350 tested, is scheduled to be opened soon proven, and certified natural at Europe’s largest shopping Ayurveda formulae in mind centre, the Westfield London and body wellness, skin and Ascentic embarks on an Mall, becoming the first and hair care, teas and infusions, only stand-alone Ayurveda essential oils, and wellness brand in the mall. Early supplements. The brand also ambitious culture-focused growth December will see the brand offers a wide range of Ceylon- also opening their first store inspired perfumery, colour Having forayed into Sri Lanka’s fast- in the African continent at the cosmetics, and home aromas. paced technology solutions arena just a little popular Gateway shopping Spa Ceylon products over three years ago, Ascentic is gearing up mall in Durban. are carefully formulated to embrace its existing culture and pursue an Having opened in multiple in keeping with Ayurveda ambitious growth strategy to be recognised as new European locations earlier principles, using ethically a workplace where tech professionals would this year, the Spa Ceylon sourced authentic Ayurveda love to work. chain now exceeds over 100 actives, and are ethically Since its inception in 2017, the company branded locations in more manufactured, adhering to the has had a steady growth with a positive than 25 countries across five modern demand for clean and outlook for continuous expansion. And for the continents, and continues green products. The products upcoming year, the recruitment of talented and to grow internationally, are made in Sri Lanka at the curious engineers is only expected to increase firmly establishing itself as company’s own ultra-modern to keep up with the demand. the world’s largest luxury production facility in Panadura, Ascentic’s Founders Anna Kalm and Patrik Ayurveda chain. adhering to the quality Alm moved to Sri Lanka in 2016 determined “As a Sri Lankan brand, standards of the European to build an outstanding company. “Sweden is embarking on a rigorous technological drive. we are pleased to be able Union (EU), Japan, and the US, The team at Ascentic to share our rich culture, under multiple international Though there are great developers in Sweden, heritage, and the amazing quality certifications including they are just not enough in numbers.” management with around 31% of them in the Ascentic Founder and Chief Executive science of Ayurveda with the ISO 9001, ISO 22716 Ascentic is also planning on various crew, with plans to further increase this figure. Officer (CEO) Anna Kalm said: “We strongly world every time we enter European Union GMP, initiatives to uplift the industry, especially Earlier this year, the software development believe that building a sustainable and innovative a new international market. Sri Lankan Government by encouraging and fostering empowerment company was also bestowed a certification by company starts with employee wellbeing. We believe the Ayurveda Department of Ayurveda, and among women. The “Women in Tech” is one Great Place to Work Sri Lanka, confirming When you enjoy what you do, get challenged to philosophy of restoring natural NMRA (National Medicines such planned initiative, a networking forum its continuous efforts towards fostering learn new things and discuss ideas with skilled balance will resonate even Regulatory Authority) GMP for women who aspire to be an expert or leader an environment that places individuality, colleagues, and have a healthy work-life balance louder moving forward and certifications. in the tech industry in Sri Lanka. Women empowerment, and personal growth at the heart – that’s when you can also craft really great at Ascentic make up half of its positions in of its operations. solutions.” Pelwatte redefines its health and safety Christmas in paradise with MAZE MAZE is here to brighten your the stores at Level 5, One Galle holiday season with its holiday Face Mall, and inside Caramel measures in light of the pandemic collection. Pumpkin Café down Ward Place, Pelwatte Dairy has taken “We had to allow only 50% of our This year, the Christmas or simply by visiting www.sox.lk. precautionary measures to staff to work at the times of risk, collection by MAZE is titled You’ll not only be looking emphasise their commitment and and we took measures to pay the “Christmas in Paradise” and good but doing some good by resort towards ensuring the safety salaries of all employees, while comprises two new seasonal socks purchasing them, as MAZE gives and security of its staff and other rewarding employees who came to which includes a pair with a puppy a percentage from each pair sold stakeholders in light of the ongoing work with effective bonuses. We with a Santa hat on and another towards the upkeep of Prithipura Covid-19 pandemic. have also taken measures to revise with a Christmas tree tied onto a Communities. So, gift or get a As such, several measures and update the dynamic and static tuk-tuk. few pairs for yourself and have an have been established ever since safety and health regulations of Are you still not sure a-MAZE-ing holiday. the first wave of the pandemic in the company in a very short time whether you should gift socks? disposable PPE (Personal Protective Well, to start with, socks are a Sri Lanka since March 2020 by the Equipment) kits to be readily in compliance with the country’s company to keep in line with the and the world’s health guidelines. sensible gift option as they are available for its staff. As a part of worn by everyone and no one Government’s health guidelines and the management’s commitment We have strengthened the process ensure the safety of the consumers, from an employee’s entry to the person can ever have too many to ensure the staff firmly adhere pairs of socks. Additionally, staff, and all stakeholders. to complying to Covid-19 safety exit – minimising contamination The company also took and contact while also making sure since all MAZE socks universally MAZE Socks bring the best protocols, creative posters have been fit the feet of almost everyone, quality of socks suited for our measures to facilitate regular visits put up in and around the factory and our staff return to their families of the PHI (Public Health Inspector) safe. We have to also note that the you don’t have to think twice tropical climate at affordable its premises. about sizes. While cheap socks rates, with unique Sri Lankan and MOH (Medical Officer of Pelwatte Dairy Manger – HR company has been able to steadily Health) to monitor the company approach the measures as it has been are usually either uncomfortable designs that we are sure will be (Human Resources) Harshan or form holes after a week or so, loved by all who receive them and all of its processes. Pelwatte Jeewakumara, sharing his insights in the forefront of following these has also made all arrangements for compliances in relation to the Food and premium imported socks this holiday season. on Pelwatte’s commitment towards come with a hefty price tag, MAZE can be purchased at the necessary sanitary products and its large staff network, stated: Safety Regulations.” Articles to check out The Kite | Read Aloud Do males mask 1. Birds endemic to Sri Lanka their mental 2. Origins of the Sinhala language: A tale that spans Videos with Room to Read millennia Pulse Kids together with Room to health behind 3. Onion pakoda Read is bringing quality education humour? 4. Tempered keselmuwa with fun and easy reads. Log onto our YouTube 5. Send in your requests to +94 (70) 707 8573 and hear Log onto our YouTube channel for your favourite tunes instantly on www.islandpulse.lk! more! channel for the full video. 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