Police check on holidaymakers friday 30 october 2020 Latest Edition Vol: 09/264 Price : Rs 30.00

In Sports National Championship – Final Decision Tonight A special meeting between Sri Lanka Athletics officials and National Institute of Sports Medicine officials will take place at 7: 00 p.m. tonight to make a call on the Police, yesterday, checked vehicles at the Kottawa Highway entrance, to see National Athletics Championship 2020, whether people were going on excursions during the long weekend which appears to be the only possible (Pic by Amitha Thennakoon) National level athletics... A16 20A becomes law The 20th Amendment to the Constitution became law yesterday (29), as Speaker Mahinda Results of 10,000 Yapa Abeywardena placed his signature validating the Amendment, which was passed in Parliament with a two-thirds majority on 22 October. The Speaker signed the blueprint of the Constitutional amendment yesterday morning, in PCR Samples Held Up the presence of Secretary General of Parliament Dhammika Dasanayake,Deputy Secretary General and Chief of Staff Neil Iddawala. Testing capacity at Refrigeration facilities at Hospital staff medical laboratories Karapitiya Hospital cannot work overtime, exceeded cater to the demand without rest

By Kumudu Upul Shantha Bandara, said though PCR samples have to be kept below 4 Due to the lack of testing degrees Celsius, the refrigeration capacity in laboratories, results facilities at the Karapitiya of around 10,000 PCR samples Hospital cannot cater to this. collected from suspected COVID- He said, due to this situation, 19 cases could not be released in the PCR samples received daily four hospitals including the have to be kept in cooling rooms Karapitiya Teaching Hospital, of the Hospital. and this has complicated the Dr. Bandara also stated the Story Continued on page 2 efforts by authorities to control limited staff serving at the the spread of the virus. Hospital have been forced to As a result of this unfortunate work overtime, to look into the During Yoshitha’s hearing situation, some 2,145 PCR PCR samples situation, while samples have piled up at the not even having time to Karapitiya Hospital, 1,500 consume meals, leave alone samples at the Anuradhapura resting. Magistrate Hospital, 1,800 samples at IDH, He added that if the country is while another 4,500 have piled to avert scores of people falling conversed with up at the Medical Research victim to the COVID-19 virus, Institute (MRI). the Government would have to Secretary of the All Ceylon intervene promptly to increase Vajira’s relative Medical Officers’ Union facilities to analyse PCR (ACMOU), Dr. Jayantha samples in hospitals. – PCoI Story Continued on page 2 By Faadhila Thassim The Presidential Commission of Inquiry COVID-19 After CCD officers test (PCoI),appointed to probe political victimisation of COVID-19 positive France knife public officials from 2015-2019, revealed that second wave total suspended Kaduwela Magistrate Dhammika AG orders transfer Hemapala, while allegedly hearing a case, had been attack leaves on a telephone call with an individual named passes 6,000 ‘Jinadasa,’who is said to be a relative of former of Brandix probe By Dilanthi Jayamanne three dead Minister of the UNF Government, Vajira By Hansi Nanayakkara Abeywardana. Prof Gunaratna says The second wave of COVID-19 topped Attorney General Dappula de Livera has frenzy of tit for tat attacks Story Continued on page 2 6,000 cases yesterday (29), when 414 ordered Acting IGP Chandana D. more patients were identified. Wickremaratne to transfer the ongoing in France will damage The National Operation Centre for investigations into the COVID-19 cluster, at global unity between Misuse of Govt resources Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak Brandix apparel factory, from the CCD to a Muslims and non-Muslims (NOCPCO)said 62 of them were from special investigating team from other units, the quarantine centres, while the remaining AG’s Coordinating Secretary,State Counsel By a Staff Writer Pompeo and wife 352 were contacts of COVID-19 patients. Nishara Jayaratne,said yesterday (29). By 7:00 p.m. yesterday, the total number A knife-wielding under investigation of cases recorded was 6,145. Story Continued on attacker killed three page 2 people at the Notre- By Josh Lederman If Govt fails to provide facilities Dame Basilica in Story Continued on page 2 Nice, France, Both U.S. Congress and the yesterday (29). State Department’s Inspector Next week’s Nurses to initiate Following the General have been investigating incident, Nice’s potential misuse of Government Parliamentary Sittings TU action Monday Mayor Christian resources by Secretary Mike Estrosi said on By Buddhika Samaraweera Pompeo and his wife. limited to one day Twitter “…everything The emails show that Susan The Committee on Parliament Business, suggests this was a Pompeo routinely gives yesterday (29), decided to limit next week’s President of the Public Service United terror attack” and instructions to State Parliamentary Sittings to one day due to Nurses’ Union (PSUNU), Ven. Muruththettuwe that the attacker had Department officials from her the COVID-19 pandemic. Ananda Thera, said if the Government fails to repeatedly shouted personal email address about Parliament will convene on 3 November provide facilities to nurses working in the the phrase “Allahu everything from travel plans and from 10.00 a.m. to 12.00 p.m. and will present context, trade union action will be Akbar,” even after being detained by restaurant reservations to the take up two regulations to the Medical initiated from next Monday, 2 November. Police. elite Madison Dinners that NBC News reported on in Ordinance, submitted by Minister of He said, in the initial stage it is hoped to May. Many involve routine matters like logistics and Health Pavithra Wanniarachchi for debate. implement the trade union action at the Story Continued on page 2 scheduling for official events that would involve Also, no time will be allotted for the National Hospital of Sri Lanka. He also said coordination with the Secretary’s spouse in any Questions for Oral Answers. many complaints have been received from administration. The Committee on Parliamentary hospitals in the Ratnapura, Badulla and Business, chaired by Speaker Mahinda Kurunegala Districts, where the COVID-19 Fmr FCID Chief Story Continued on page 2 Yapa Abeywardena,decided to meet... virus is prevalent. was pressured by New SLAF Commander Story Continued on page 2 Story Continued on page 2 political figures Pompeo’s visit Told to arrest a Rajapaksa appointed SJB to expel family member every week

By Gagani Weerakoon MPs who voted MCC Agreement By Faadhila Thassim – Wimal President Gotabaya for 20A – Kiriella wasn’t signed Former Chief of the Financial Crimes Rajapaksa handed over the Investigation Department (FCID), retired By Nabiya Vaffoor letter of appointment to Air Wants Speaker to sit SDIG Ravi Waidyalankara said Vice Marshal Sudarshana K. them with Govt investigations carried out by the Pathirana, who will be the The Millennium Financial Crimes Investigation 18th Commander of the Sri The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Challenge Corporation Department (FCID) from 2015 to 2019 Lanka Air Force. He will take yesterday (29), requested Speaker (MCC) Agreement was were influenced by certain prominent office on Monday, 2 November Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, to allocate not signed during the political figures of the UNF Government 2020. seats for the Opposition MPs who voted in visit of US Secretary of and I was mentally under pressure due Born on 30 December 1965, favour of the 20th Amendment, on the State Mike Pompeo, to that. Air Vice Marshal Pathirana is ruling party benches. National Freedom Front Testifying before the Presidential currently the Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Air Force A letter signed by Chief Opposition Whip (NFF) Leader Wimal Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) appointed and is a proud product of Dharmaraja College, Lakshman Kiriella stated, the SJB decided Weerawansa assured to probe into political victimisation of Kandy. He joined the Sri Lanka Air Force on 2 July to expel MPs who voted in favour of the yesterday (29). public officials, during the tenure of the 1985 and was one of the three pilots who were 20th Amendment to the Constitution. “Since the stance of UNF from 2015- 2019, he added these selected for advanced flying training in the Pakistan “Since, MPs Diana Gamage, A. Arivind the President and the prominent Political figures influenced Air Force and secured the award for the Best... Kumar, Ishaq Rahman, Faisal Cassim,... Government is not to. the FCID to implicate members of the...

Story Continued on page 2 Story Continued on page 2 Story Continued on page 2 Story Continued on page 2 A2 friday 30 october 2020 news Continued from page 1 20A becomes... Magistrate conversed... The 20th Amendment was a key election The call records of the official was someone at the other end. Results of... promise of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and phone of Hemapala on 30 The Chairman of the PCoI, Among the proposals mooted by continued supply of refrigerators, the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) January 2016, when the case yesterday (29), questioned the ACMOU towards this end are providing bonuses to all medical Government. against Yoshitha Rajapaksa for Hemapala if he was aware that setting aside a building which officers instead of deceiving them The Bill was passed with 156 MPs voting for alleged financial fraud and use Jinadasa is a relative of could cater to all demands as was done during the first wave and 65 against. Opposition MPs Diana Gamage, of public funds by the Carlton Abeywardana, to which concerning the COVID-19 of the pandemic, the continued Ishaq Rahuman, M. Raheem, Nasir Ahmed, Sports Network (CSN) was being Hemapala responded that he pandemic or setting aside a few supply of adequate personal Mohomed Harris, Faizal Cassim, Aravind Kumar heard in Hemapala's Chamber, was unaware, adding that rooms in close proximity to the protective equipment, and the and M.S. Thowfeek, who voted for the Bill in the were obtained on the Jinadasa was also one of his hospitals, the continued supply of continued training of a force second reading, voted in support of the Bill. (MD) instructions of the Chairman of relatives. medical equipment, ensuring which could take over at short the PCoI, retired Supreme The lawyer appearing on adequate staffing at hospitals notice if any medical officer Court Judge, Justice Upali behalf of Rajapaksa questioned analysing PCR samples,the contracts COVID-19. Abeyratne. Hemapala as to why Jinadasa The call records were obtained did not contact him on his Nurses to... on the basis of statements personal number, if he was a Thera added the President, the Prime Minister, provided by Rajapaksa before relative, knowing that Courts do the Minister of Health Pavithra Wanniarachchi the PCoI, that when he was not operate on Saturday France knife... and all other officials concerned have been produced before Hemapala at evenings, to which Hemapala According to agency reports, two November 2011, the newspaper’s informed of this, and that the Government, his Chamber on 30 January responded that he does not people were killed inside the office was bombed and its website however, has so far failed to implement any of 2016, which was a Saturday, remember the reason, and that church and a third person, who was hacked. And, in January the decisions taken during the talks. the receiver of the phone was he is still in contact with was seriously injured, died in a 2015, two gunmen opened fire He said a total of four discussions were held lifted, making it clear that there Jinadasa. nearby bar, where they had taken inside the Paris headquarters of with Wanniarachchi in particular and none of refuge from the attacker. Charlie Hebdo, killing twelve. them were fruitful. Nurses are facing severe The attack brought back A few weeks ago, a teacher in difficulties due to lack of transport facilities, lack horrifying memories for the people France who showed the of accommodation, lack of food facilities and of Nice, where four years ago in controversial cartoons in class lack of safe clothing and equipment. "We have to AG orders... July 2016, a truck was during a lesson about free speech, do what the Government has to do now," he Jayaratne added that de COVID-19 from the said deliberately driven into a crowd of was beheaded in broad daylight said. Livera’s directives had arisen apparel factory in people celebrating Bastille Day, by an 18-year-old Chechen He further said the main reason for this is the after it had come to light that Minuwangoda. killing 86 and injuring 458, on the immigrant. inefficiency of some officials in the Ministry of certain CCD officers had tested The AG had also called for a Promenade des Anglais in Nice. On the cartoon controversy, Health and added there could be no problem positive for COVID-19. progress report on the The truck was driven by Prof. Gunaratna expounded, with money, in providing solutions for these On 27 October, the AG investigations from Mohamed Lahouaiej-Bouhlel, a “Western Nations treasure issues, as the fund for combating the COVID-19 ordered the Acting IGP to Wickremaratne before 13 Tunisian living in France, who freedom of speech. However, it virus had received large donations. probe the recent spread of November. was shot and killed by Police. should be speech with Meanwhile, a few hours later, a responsibility. If people are Saudi citizen wounded a guard in allowed to say whatever they another knife attack, at the want, there will be no peace. French consulate in Jeddah, There will only be suspicion, Fmr FCID... COVID-19... Saudi Arabia. prejudice, resentment, anger, ... Rajapaksa family in certain When questioned about a state- Meanwhile, the Sabaragamuwa Provincial The French Embassy in Saudi incitement and violence.” investigations. Waidyalankara ment that Waidyalankara had Director of Health Services (PDHS), Dr. Kapila capital Riyadh strongly He also said, “The frenzy of handed over a confidential docu- formerly made to the Media, that Kannangara, said with the beginning of the second condemned the attack and urged titfortat attacks in France will ment containing the names of a Minister had told him that a wave, the Ratnapura District had 34 COVID-19 its nationals in Saudi Arabia to damage global unity between the said political figures to the member of the Rajapaksa family cases, while the Kegalle District had 48 COVID-19 exercise "extreme vigilance". Muslims and non-Muslims. PCoI. When questioned from should be arrested weekly, there cases. “The assailant was apprehended Without escalating the situation which parties the FCID received was a particular individual who Dr.Kannangara said there were 2,560 cases by Saudi security forces by calling for boycotting French the most complaints, stated so but the details will be quarantined in Ratnapura, while another 2,563 immediately after the attack. The goods, enlightened Muslims Waidyalankara stated that while produced to the PCoI in a confi- who were being quarantined in Kegalle. They were guard was taken to hospital and should call for calm!” certain complaints were made by dential document, otherwise all contacts of COVID-19 patients in the two dis- his life is not in danger,” the In recent times, the world has the Anti-Corruption Committee there could be a possible threat tricts. Embassy said in a statement. seen a number of Islamist attacks Secretariat, the FCID also to his life. In response to a ques- Dr. Kannangara said there were two centres Commenting on the growing on churches around the world. received complaints from exter- tion about the MiG Aircraft deal, already treating asymptomatic patients, one being number of terrorist attacks The closest to home was the 2019 nal sources. He said, all those Waidyalankara stated, although the Youth Leadership Training Centre in around the world, Professor of Easter Sunday Terror Attacks on complaints were forwarded to the there could have been a fraud Embilipitiya, where there were 168 PCR positive Security Studies at the Nanyang three churches and three IGP. with the MiG deal, there was no patients, while the other 78 are being treated at Technological University in upmarket hotels in Sri Lanka, He added, investigations into evidence to the furtherance of the National Education Institute in Kahawatta. Singapore, Prof. Rohan where 260 people were killed and complaints would only com- the involvement of incumbent The Samanalawewa Samurdhi Training Centre in Gunaratna, said, “After Al-Qaeda scores were injured. mence upon approval of the IGP President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Balangoda is being converted into a treatment cen- attacked America’s landmarks on “Considering the polarisation of and the IGP has to decide as to Therefore he was against arrest- tre. He said in Rambukkana Hospital, in the Kegalle 11 September 2001, the Muslims and non-Muslims after which Police Units each com- ing Rajapaksa without evidence, District there were 77 patients, while in Undugoda phenomenon of Islamophobia Easter Sunday carnage, Sri plaint would be designated to. Waidyalankara said. Hospital there were 68. However, this number is originated. Since then, the world Lankan leaders should strive for expected to rise to 120. has witnessed both Muslim social cohesion and harmony. To He noted that the Quarantine Centre in radicalisation and reciprocal foster harmonious relations, Sri Pinnawala had 250, but 32 of them were positive radicalisation. Wherever there Lanka should criminalise hate for COVID-19. This was a Brandix facility which have been terrorist attacks, there speech and incitement into New SLAF... was converted into a quarantine centre. However, have been backlashes against the violence,” Prof. Gunaratna ... Allied Flight Cadet by the in the No. 5 Jet Squadron and in now, there is a move to convert it into a treatment Muslim community.” advised. Pakistan Air Force. He was com- 1995 he was selected to fly the centre for asymptomatic patients. He suggested that both Muslim Eighteen Christians were killed missioned on 2 January 1987 to more advanced Kfir fighter air- The Eheliyagoda Regional Medical Officer of and non-Muslim leaders should in a mass shooting at Saint the rank of Pilot Officer, in the craft in No. 10 Jet Squadron. He Health stated that the Regional Coronavirus unite and create platforms that Dominic’s Church in Bahawalpur, General Duties Pilot Branch. commanded all three fighter Control Committee, yesterday, decided to impose promote moderation, tolerance Punjab, Pakistan in October 2001 He has participated in almost squadrons and continued to be travel restrictions in the Eheliyagoda Police area, and co-existence, “To break this by six attackers belonging to all the major counter-terrorist the Commanding Officer of No. from midnight today (29) until 5:00 a.m. next vicious cycle of titfortat attacks – Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, in retaliation operations conducted in Sri 10 Kfir Jet Squadron until 2007. Monday (2). verbal and physical.” of Pakistan’s support for US Lanka and his bravery has been Air Vice Marshal Pathirana was Eight COVID-19 infected persons have been iden- Prof. Gunaratna added, invasion of Afghanistan. acknowledged through the selected to undergo the All- tified in the Eheliyagoda area so far, and five of “Without building bridges between In 2011, a series of attacks took award of gallantry awards on six Purpose Qualified Flying them are residents of the area. ethnic and religious communities, place in Egypt against Coptic occasions. He is one of the few Instructors Course in India in Travel restrictions have been imposed in the discord and disharmony will grow Christian churches in Imbaba, pilots who have been awarded 1995 and became the first Sri Eheliyagoda Police area in the Ratnapura District and result in extremism and Giza, near Cairo. In the attacks, with prestigious Green Lankan pilot to successfully with effect from midnight today (29). terrorism.” three Coptic Orthodox churches Endorsement in his flying log- complete the course. He is a Meanwhile, 1,094 persons in Eheliyagoda have Islamic terrorism first attacked were burnt, and many Christian- book by both Pakistani and Sri qualified fighter pilot, flying been directed to self-quarantine, out of which 502 France in 1995, when an owned houses and businesses Lankan Air Forces. In 1990, he instructor, and an active opera- are first-level contacts of COVID-19 infected per- organisation called ‘Armed Islamic were destroyed. Fifteen people was selected to be amongst the tional flyer, who has over 3,500 sons, the Eheliyagoda Medical Officer of Health Group of Algeria’carried out a were killed in the attacks and first six SLAF pilots to convert to flying hours in over 15 types of added. series of bombings in the French about 232 injured. supersonic F7BS fighter aircraft aircraft under his belt. However, the Provincial Director of Health capital, Paris, where eight people In Malaysia, a total of 10 Services noted the Regional Coronavirus Control were killed. churches and a few mosques have Committee had submitted a letter to him to be sent During the 2000s, Europe saw a been attacked or vandalised since to the Director General of Health Services, who steady rise of Islamist terrorism, 31 December 2009, due to a would have to put it forward to NOCPCO and sub- mostly linked to Al-Qaeda, with controversial Court decision MCC Agreement... sequently implement it through the Police, he said. the deadliest being the 2004 holding government regulations . sign the MCC Agreement, endeavour to help us, by raising Meanwhile, over 120 persons were quarantined, Madrid train bombings, which prohibiting non-Muslim there is no point in panicking their voices in Parliament after a barber, who owns a salon in Kahathuduwa, killed 193 civilians. publications from using the word about Pompeo’s visit. I will not against this surreptitiously tested COVID-19 positive. In this midst, in 2006, Charlie “Allah” to be unconstitutional. stand with a Government which signed agreement,” he added. Health sources said the barber, who is a resident Hebdo,a French satirical weekly “The places of religious will sign the MCC Agreement,” Weerawansa added the of Horana, had his salon in Kahathuduwa, and had magazine featured a series of worships should be secured until he said, addressing a Media President has given his word done a PCR test on Tuesday (27). It returned posi- cartoons caricaturing Prophet the cycle of violence is broken,” briefing. that he is ready to leave any tive yesterday (29). Responding to questions regard- Muhammad. In retaliation, in added Prof. Gunaratna. Weerawansa further said, international organisation if ing how he may have contracted the disease, they during the visit, Pompeo stated they interfere in matters of said it could be from a customer who was a fish the MCC Agreement is a matter national security or in matters seller from Kahathuduwa,who had come to the of concern of the Sri Lankan pertaining to the security forc- salon to cut his hair and have it dyed. However, Government and signing it or es. investigations and contact tracing are underway. Pompeo and... not is not something he is con- “Pompeo didn’t even try to Pharmacies could use the licence given to them to But other requests, such as The emails, all of which were cerned about. influence our Leader to sign any operate during the quarantine curfew period to seeking assistance with planning sent to or from State Department “The politicians who protested agreement, as they did to the make pharmaceutical deliveries to homes during a multiday visit for an elite group officials, were turned over to NBC against Pompeo’s visit didn’t Indian Government, which the quarantine curfew period. of young executives from Kansas, News in response to a lawsuit filed utter a word when the UNF shows our Leader has protected Media Secretary to the Health Ministry, Viraj appear to be less directly under the Freedom of Information Government surreptitiously our sovereignty in front of the Abeysinghe said yesterday (29) that the National connected to advancing the State Act, which is still pending. NBC signed the initial agreement of international community,” he Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) had Department's core mission. News requested emails involving the MCC. They did not even added. authorised the delivery of medicinal drugs and They include maintenance Susan Pompeo's Gmail address pharmaceutical items to homes, using the pharma- requests for the house the last November. cy licence as a curfew pass. Pompeos rent on a Washington- The emails are heavily redacted, The move was made under the guidance of the area military base, which Susan citing FOIA exemptions for Presidential Task Force for Economic Revival and Pompeo appears to be routing personal privacy. In an email from Next... SJB to... Poverty Alleviation (PTFERPA). This is to ensure through the State Department's September 2019, with the subject ... on 12 November and ... H. M. M. Haris, that the public would be able to obtain drugs with- Diplomatic Security Service. line "5 Day Guest Schedule," the pass the Appropriation Bill NazeerAhamed, S.M.M. out a problem. Abeysinghe said the Chief Emails show special agents from only word not redacted in the presented by the Minister of Musharaf and A. S. M. Raheem, Executive Officer (CEO) of the NMRA, Dr. Kamal the service's Secretary of State entire email is the sign-off, "Best." Finance for the service have been expelled from the SJB Jayasinghe had urged the public and all pharma- Protective Division updating Pompeo has defended his wife's expenditure for the financial parliamentary group I request cies to act in accordance with guidelines issued Susan Pompeo about repairs to high-profile role at the State year 2020 following the 2nd you to provide seats for them under quarantine health regulations and the the HVAC system in 2018 and to Department, describing her as a and 3rd readings. It has been within ruling party benches,” he NMRA. the porch and stairs in 2019. "force multiplier" even as U.S. decided not to allow anyone said. Following, the passage of A journalist working for a national newspaper too “Diplomatic Security establishes diplomats have raised concerns other than Members of the 20th Amendment Bill in has contracted the COVID-19 virus. He is said to be all protocols and specifications for about her use of Government Parliament, invited officers, Parliament on 22 October, the parliamentary correspondent. He had tested posi- protectees based on threat levels,” resources and her frequent security personnel and the SJB requested the leaders, of tive after a PCR test at a private hospital. a State Department spokesperson presence on official foreign trips. Parliament staff to enter the the above mentioned MPs’ However, a second PCR test was conducted on said on condition of anonymity. This week, Susan Pompeotagged Parliament complex on the political parties, to take action him from a government hospital on recommenda- "Mrs. Pompeo has been directed along as the Secretary visited sitting days. The Media will against them for violating the tions made by the health services. to contact Diplomatic Security India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia and also not be allowed to enter agreement reached by them However, Serjeant-at-Arms Narendra Fernando before any non-family members the Maldives. the Parliament premises to during SJB Parliamentary said no journalist would be allowed to cover come to their home." (www.nbcnews.com) cover Parliamentary Sittings. group meeting. (MD) Parliament when it meets on Tuesday (3 November). news friday 30 october 2020 A3

To cover expenditure for 2021 Despite COVID-19 pandemic Taxes should be Women more productive increased twofold than men – Survey

By Paneetha Ameresekere 37 per cent were operational staff. connectivity being the number one A similar breakdown applies for reason cited for low productivity, – Harsha Women were more likely to have male respondents, with six per cent employers need to ensure their reported increased productivity in senior management, 20 per cent employees have access to both the By Nabiya Vaffoor from the black mark of being unable than men despite the COVID-19 middle management, 41 per cent hardware (laptops, phones. and to repay debts, the Sri Lankan pandemic, where over three- junior or senior executives, and 24 other enabling physical Expenditure for the year 2021 is Government should consult the quarters of women reported the per cent operational staff. The technology), and software (Internet approximately Rs 5 trillion and International Monetary Fund. same or an increased level of survey spanning a month was connections, phone connections, approximately Rs 2.3 trillion of tax “Assuming there will be a 10 per productivity during the COVID-19 conducted from 22 June to 22 July. etc.) to enable them to effectively money will be needed to cover the cent Budget gap, still approximately pandemic, compared to just over “Men however, more likely to have stay connected, the IFC report said. expenditure. To find the funds, taxes Rs 2.3 trillion of tax money will be one-third of men, a survey said. reported reduced levels of Further, almost two-thirds of should be increased twofold, needed to cover the expenditure. A survey conducted by the productivity than women,” said workers reported health and safety Dr. Harsha de Silva said. When we peek into the reality from International Finance Corporation IFC. Women were also more likely concerns, including access to “The Budget of 2020 and 2021 will January- June 2020, only Rs 745 (IFC), which results were released to report having worked from home personal protective equipment be debated in Parliament soon after billion in tax was earned by the yesterday (29) stated that some of during the curfew period (March- (PPE) and adequate social the Appropriation Bills are submitted. Government, for the whole of 2020 the the reasons given by the women June), with 58 per cent of women distancing measures, when asked Examining those Budgets emphasises tax that will be earned is Rs 1.3 captured in this survey included having worked from home during about their return to the the local concern of why we are unable trillion only. The Government needs to being able to better manage work this time, compared to 46 per cent workplace. to pay our international debts. increase taxes twofold to find the and home responsibilities by of men, it added. Meanwhile, 60 per cent of According to the Appropriation Bills funds,” he added. working from home, coupled with Nonetheless, 20 per cent of firms companies have provided that were about to be submitted to Dr. de Silva said so yesterday (29), not having to travel to work, an made employees redundant, employees with transportation to Parliament, the expenditure for 2021 speaking at a Media briefing held at exercise which was both time- though, the remaining 80 per cent get to and from work, while the is Rs 4.9 trillion,” he added. Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) consuming and stressful. do not plan to do so, said IFC. remaining 40 per cent do not plan Dr. de Silva said to save the country Headquarters. IFC, a World Bank adjunct aiding Those that experienced to do so. However, more than one- private sector development, covered redundancies represent the third of employees reported 1,032 employees from across the 15 conglomerate and garments transportation to and from work as large companies, of whom 50 per sectors, captured in the survey. an area of concern for their return Muslims in SL show their love for their country cent were women and 50 per cent “However, more than one-third of to work. Almost half of those men, in this survey. workers are also concerned about workers who are concerned about Of the 516 women that completed increased household expenses transportation (or 19 per cent of all Heartening says Ali Sabry on the survey, six per cent were in associated with working from respondents) are employed by senior management, 21 per cent in home, such as increased Internet, companies who report already Holy Prophet’s Birthday middle management, 36 per cent phone or power bill,” the survey having taken action to provide were junior or senior executives and said. Nevertheless, with transportation, said IFC. Minister of Justice, President’s their roots back to the 7th century; Counsel Ali Sabry said it is heartening to Sabry said, they form an inherent part of see that Muslims in Sri Lanka have the fabric that is the culture and shown their love for their country and heritage of Sri Lanka. They have lived as the other communities despite attempts brothers and sisters with all the by a few extremist elements to damage communities of our country for over a the bond between Muslims and other thousand years, and have a unique Sri Dr. Asela Gunawardena communities, in recent times. Lankan identity which is found nowhere Issuing a message for the Milad-Un- else in the world, he opined. Nabi, he also said “Muslims across the He even said at a time when Sri Lanka world celebrate Prophet Mohammed’s is going through an unprecedented and assumes duties as DGHS (PBUH) Birthday today during this challenging time, there is much to learn month of Rabi Al-Awwal. It is a date for from Prophet Mohammed’s (PBUH) way Former Director of the Teaching reflection, and for the reverence, and of life. He said these lessons are Hospital, Kalubowila, Dr. Asela love that more than a billion Muslims important now more than ever, is when Gunawardena, assumed duties as share for their ‘last and final messenger, all must work together to uplift the new Director General of Health a guide and light for all humanity till humanity and our nation in these Services (DGHS) of the Department eternity’ as is written in the Holy Quran.” testing times. of Health, yesterday (29). Adding Muslims in Sri Lanka trace (BGS) He succeeds former DGHS, Dr. Anil Jasinghe, who was appointed as the Secretary to the Ministry of Environment. Assuming duties, Dr. Asela Gunawardena said he was prepared to battle COVID-19 with public Blustery weather forecast over support. Dr. Gunawardena said although quarantine curfew had been the next few days imposed in various areas following Met Dept. warns… throw no caution to the winds the identification of a main cluster at the Brandix facility in Minuwangoda The New DGHS of the Health Department, Dr. Asela Gunawardena receiving his By Naalir Jamaldeen out during these thunderstorms. and a sub-cluster at the Peliyagoda letter of appointment from Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi Saliheen noted that showers or Fish Market to curtail the movement The Meteorology Department of thundershowers could occur in the of the people in those areas, there Postgraduate Degree in Buddhist Services for the Monaragala District. Sri Lanka yesterday (29) predicted deep and shallow seas from were reports that people used the Studies, from the Kelaniya He also was the Medical showers or thundershowers could Puttalam extending to Pottuvil via available byroads to commute. University. Superintendant at General Hospital, occur in the mornings during the Kankesanthurai, Trincomalee and Dr. Gunawardena is a Medical He worked as the District Medical Horana and Director of the next few days in many places in Batticaloa. Graduate of the Peradeniya Officer at the Monaragala Mulleriyawa Hospital. the Western and Northern He even predicted that the wind University and earned his Badalkumbura Hospital in 1994. He Members of the Clergy, Health Provinces and the Puttalam velocity is expected to be from Postgraduate Degree in Medical served as the Women’s Health and Secretary, Maj. Gen. Dr. Sanjeewa District. around 20 to 30 kilometres per Administration from the Child Health Officer at the Badulla Munasinghe and several other While commenting on the hour (kmph) in the deep and Postgraduate Institute of Medicine, Regional Director of Health Services officials of the Ministry were present. current nature of the atmosphere shallow seas surrounding the Colombo. He also received a Office. From 2001 to 2003, he served (DJ) Senior Meteorologist Deshamanya island of Sri Lanka. Postgraduate Degree in Business as the Mohammed Saliheen predicted The wind may blow from North Administration from the Open Director of that showers or thundershowers Westerly direction towards University, a Diploma and a Health could occur today (30) after 1:00 Westerly direction in both deep p.m., in a few places in parts of the and shallow seas from Puttalam country including the Northern extending to Hambantota via Province. Colombo and Galle, Deshamanya Saliheen also instructed the Saliheen said. public to be vigilant of possible The wind may blow from different lightning strikes and heavy winds directions in other seas and advising cautiousness in event of therefore the fishermen and other such circumstances and to refrain marine workers have been from using electronic gadgets instructed to be cautious while predominantly mobile phones. navigating in those seas, He went on to warn against going Deshamanya Saliheen added. .lk .ceylontoday www A4 friday 30 october 2020 news Waste Containers Return to UK A consignment of 21 containers, English soil, Environment Agency (EA) determined to stop this illegal trade will be thoroughly investigating this waste exports, the Department for illegally exported to Sri Lanka, arrived enforcement officers will seek to and we have officers inspecting waste consignment to track down those Environment, Food & Rural Affairs will back in England on Wednesday (28), confirm the types of waste illegally shipments at ports across England responsible. Producers of waste bring forward key regulatory reforms the UK Foreign Office said. shipped and who exported it. Those every day. Wherever we find illegal should make sure it does not get through the revision of regulations The containers, which were shipped responsible could face a custodial activity, we stop the waste being handled illegally by their contractors - governing international waste to Sri Lanka in 2017, were found by sentence of up to two years, an exported. out of sight should not be out of mind. shipments, the introduction of waste local authorities to contain illegal unlimited fine, and the recovery of There are stringent international Those exporting waste should be tracking, and the strengthening of materials described as mattresses and money and assets gained through the rules in place to stop contaminated under no illusion – if we find waste both producer responsibility and the carpets which had been exported for course of their criminal activity. waste being shipped to unsuspecting being shipped illegally then we will regime for waste carriers, brokers and reuse. Malcolm Lythgo, Head of Waste countries which could harm their take action.’ dealers, the Foreign Office added. With the shipment now back on Regulation at the EA, said: “We are citizens and the environment, and we To clamp down further on illegal (PA)

COVID prevention programmes SLTB sputters, Rail improves - Ministry Non-availability of funds to buses, the report said. Construction work of the “Kurunegala-Habarana new Estate workers replace ‘outdated’ buses is the However, the Ministry said Colombo Suburban Railway railway line project has a track major challenge faced by the that a 10 per cent growth of the Project was also begun with length of 84.5 Kms and the land Sri Lanka Transport Board current count of railway assistance from the Asian acquisition work of the project (SLTB). The Transport Ministry, passengers is expected through Development Bank (ADB), is currently nearing in the dark in its 2019 Annual Report several projects implemented focusing on the next 20 years. completion,” the report added. submitted to Parliament by the Railway Department. Kelani Valley Line, Main Line, Consequently the Railway By Buddhika wage of plantation workers recently, said. “Installation of the signal Coastal Line and identified Department’s income grew by Samaraweera to 1,000 rupees a day since However, it was possible to system of the Polgahawela- sections of the Upcountry lines six per cent last year (2019) to last March, but it is yet to be acquire 334 buses in 2019 and Kurunegala line, setting up of will be developed to cater to Rs 7,859.20 million. President of the Low implemented. action is being taken to procure 170 gates under the 200 gates train electrification, the Ministry The Ministry added that the Country Estate Labourers’ Gallage further said that 600 buses under the Indian project, completion of 140 said. In parallel with these Maho-Omanthai Railway line Union (LCELU) Ruwan the COVID-19 virus is more Line of Credit and 80 luxury coaches under the 200 coaches developments, the Railway project, to develop the track at a Gallage says that people likely to spread rapidly in busses under the 2019 Budget repair project, were among Efficacy Improvement Project cost of US$91.26 million, was living on estates are unaware plantation areas as a large proposals, it said. some of those,” it said. Others (REIP) is also implemented with started last year. The loan of the programmes in place number of families are living SLTB operated an average of included the Matara-Beliatta ADB aid. The preliminary work agreement for the project was to control the spread of the in a limited space. However, 5,079 buses per day in 2019 Rail Development Project which of this project has now been signed on 18 June 2019, it said. COVID-19 virus. he said that neither the with fleet of around 5,854 was completed in 2019.. completed. (PA) He said that in a public health inspectors nor background where a number any other officials had come of patients infected with the and given necessary advice COVID-19 virus have been to the people. identified in areas such as “The Government is Galle and Mirissa, no discussing various SL gets Rs 530M Muslims agreed with programme was development projects. It is implemented to educate the unfortunate that in such a those who voted for 20A people living in the situation there is no plan to in aid from Japan plantation areas on steps improve the living standards By Naalir Jamaldeen consideration their which have to be taken. He of the estate workers living Sri Lanka, on Wednesday Representative of JICA Sri and Farook Sihan community's protection, also said the Government in poor conditions,” he (28), received Japanese aid of Lanka Office presented existence and development had promised to raise the added. Rs 530 million to help the personal protective The former member of and the future of the country. Ministry of Provincial equipment including Kalmunai Municipal Council, "Seven members from the Councils and Local sanitisers, facemasks and Desakeerthi A. Abdul Gafoor, minority parties of Tamil Government in its fight gloves to Sarath Weerasekara, recently stated that the Progressive Alliance, Sri against COVID -19. State Minister of Provincial Muslim community of this Lanka Muslim Congress and Muslims MPs who voted for 20A It was the Japan Councils and Local country unanimously agreed All Ceylon Makkal Congress International Cooperation Government, to be used by with the decision of Muslim voted in favour of 20th Agency (JICA) that helped the waste collecting team in Parliamentarians who cast Amendment considering the Mahroof questions organise the Waste the Western Province, some of their votes in favour of 20th future of this country and Management Project of the whom were gravely affected Amendment and enabled the realising the fact that we have Western Province in recently by Covid-19. Government to secure two- to live in unity with the their reasons collaboration with National Weerasekara handed over thirds majority in order to majority community," Gafoor Solid Waste Management the equipment to the Marshal pass the draft Bill. said. By Naalir Jamaldeen the agreement was and if it Support Centre of the of the Air Force Roshan Gafoor went on to say that The Muslim community of was one that would ensure Ministry of Provincial Gunathilake, Governor of the the politicians must take this country has lived in unity Samagi Jana Balawegaya the prevention of the lands, Councils and Local Western Province. Dr. decisions according to the with the majority Sinhalese (SJB) Trincomalee District belonging to the minorities Government. Priyantha Serasighe was also situation,in critical community for more than Parliamentarian Imran in the Eastern Province, Fusato Tanaka, Chief present. (NV) circumstances, taking into 1100 years, he said. Mahroof asked Muslim from being taken over parliamentarians, who cast under the guise of their votes in favour of 20th archeological sites or to Amendment, whether they prevent the bodies of signed any agreement for Muslims, who died by NPC products for Govt Press the sake of the community COVID 19 from being SPMC to build before casting their votes. cremated or to protect the Mahroof claimed that Muslims and their those who took part in the properties from racists. struggles and meetings He asked why they Rs 8B factory in against the 20th contested the General Amendment, until the last Election under Sajith moment, must explain the Premadasa if they were Horana reasons for supporting the aware that SLPP would Amendment and enabling form the Government. the Government to obtain a He further asked them if A Memorandum of two-thirds majority. they were not aware who Understanding (MoU) was He further said they must was behind the attacks signed to construct the second reveal to the public what against Muslims? factory complex, of the State Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Corporation (SPMC), on a 64-acre land in the Millewa area of Horana. The factory is to be set up as Jobs for 256 from part of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s concept, ‘New Medicine for a New Country’. low-income families The MoU for the acquisition The revived ‘Sripath’ Printing Department, Gangani of the land was signed at the Narrow-minded factions provide employment to one Valachchenai paper factory, on Liyanage by the Chairman of Urban Development Authority will not be able to destroy the hundred thousand persons 27 October, began producing the National Paper Company, (UDA) yesterday (29) between sincere attempt being made from low-income families. paper for the use of the Wimal Rupasinghe. the State Ministry of Drug by President Gotabaya As part of this programme, government’s stamp printing. The Valachchenai Paper Mill Production, Supply and said, adding medicinal drugs Rajapaksa to improve the 256 persons received letters The Valachchenai Paper Mill, has produced Craft Paper used Regulation and the UDA with worth Rs 5 billion a year would lives of the common people of appointment during the owned by the National Paper for Envelopes and parcel State Ministers Dr. Nalaka be manufactured at this amidst various challenges event held at the Giritale Company (NPC), under the covers, Manila Paper for book Godahewa and Prof. Channa factory. and hurdles, State Minister Deer Park Hotel in Ministry of Industries, has covers and Bristol board. Jayasumana in attendance. “The total value of the Siripala Gamlath reiterated. Polonnaruwa recently. been able to produce three A consignment of 20 tons of Speaking at the event, Prof. investment is close to Rs 8 He was participating in an Speaking further, Gamlath types of quality paper to be paper being the official order, Jayasumana said that the billion which will be provided event held on the sidelines of said that various used for printing at the Minister Wimal Weerawansa construction work on the by the Treasury as a public handing over letters of programmes have been Government Printing symbolically handed over factory would be completed in investment. We will be able to appointment to persons from implemented under the Department (Govt Press). samples of the three types of two to three years. It is hoped save 20 to 25 billion rupees a low-income families in the ‘Vision of Prosperity’ The first official paper order paper to Media and to manufacture expensive year by manufacturing drugs Polonnaruwa District, under programme of President of 20 tons was handed over to Information Minister Keheliya orthopaedic equipment and locally at this facility,” he the National Programme to Gotabaya Rajapaksa. the Head of Government Rambukwella on 27 October. lenses locally at this factory, he added. (BGS)

CEA to conduct annual tree planting programme

By Eunice Ruth localities in Sri Lanka. This Sooriyapura Viharaya, year, due to COVID-19, the CEA Sooriyapura, Ilahiya Mosque, The Central Environmental had it organised in only several Peraru and Kantale. Authority (CEA) organised their selected areas with plans to She said, they planted 10 King annual Thuruliya Lanka extend it to other districts as Coconut Palms and two Belli National Tree Planting well, once things are normal. Plants at the Kovil and Orchard Programme on the direction of So far, 250 plants have been Plants at a Boudhdha Vihara its Chairman and Director planted by the respective district and also a Mosque. General, said the Media officer officers at CEA in selected “All these were planted in of the CEA, Sriyanjani religious places namely protected areas with fences and Lokuliyanage. Kullakkoddan Sithy Vinayagar or parapet walls. Watering and When contacted, she stated, Kovil, Kovilgama, Kantale, maintenance will be carried out “every year in October we Pansal Godalla Purana Raja by the management of these celebrate the environment day Maha Viharaya, Van-ela, respective religious places,” said by planting trees at various Kantale, 9th Mile post Lokuliyanage. Interview Friday 30 October 2020 A5 Army Vs. COVID-19

For the past six months we have been talking about Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva “The Army can provide the needs of COVID-19 the behaviour of patients and we are fully geared to face it” people and health regulations. Every By Manohari Katugampala very clearly communicated the health one as well which needs a huge Presidential Task Force. What guidelines throughout the country so amount of initiative for proper citizen should take was the reason? The Military along with health people have to adhere to protocols planning, implementation, officials have been at the forefront given by the health authorities. We understanding, precautions and necessary A: Accusations of the Army not of battling the COVID-19 pandemic. cannot point out one person or area health safety measures. Post- precautions to performing their job properly is After months of successfully contaminating the spread of the virus. surveillance monitoring is currently in completely false which I can assure containing the spread of COVID-19, As of date all COVID-19 cases full swing under the guidance of the ensure that they you as the Head of NOCPCO. The the country recorded a sudden detected recently are linked to the military together with the health Army is methodical and has an surge in the number of cases from Minuwangoda cluster. authorities. will not contract organised plan. Since March this year Divulapitiya and Minuwangoda when NOCPCO was established the whose source remains unclear. Why was the military involved Whenever the country is in a COVID-19. Some centre is opened 24 hours daily and With concerns of the onset of a in the quarantine process? crisis the military comes to its time back we were we work with the utmost dedication. second wave the Head of the A: We ensure to protect our assistance. Has the military National Operation Centre for country at any cost. The health been given any special guidance able to get the Finally, what is your message to the Sri Lankan Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak authorities have taken the or training to follow up during situation under (NOCPCO), Chief of Defence Staff responsibility of testing patients. We such pandemics? Especially public? and Commander of the Army, supported the PHI’s by facilitating A: The Army in collaboration with technical assistance etc. control. Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva transport and quarantine centres for other services and health in an interview this week make the affected patients. Though society A: Yes of course providing Unfortunately the professionals have been engaged in a known the current COVID-19 criticises the military, we have the assistance to our country is our prime remarkably challenging task of situation in the country while potential and capacity of providing duty. But COVID-19 is a new virus emerged in netting, screening, transporting, refuting criticisms against steps quarantine facilities during the crisis. challenge for the military. This is the housing and quarantining infected taken to combat the spread of the No organisation is capable of first time we are facing a global Minuwangoda. patients who sometimes suffer from infection in Sri Lanka. providing the same service like the pandemic. We have taken all possible Society has to other ailments and are more Excerpts from the interview: military does. The Army can provide measures to protect the military. We vulnerable than the rest in quarantine the needs of COVID-19 patients and have advised and instructed our display a sense of centres and hospitals. As recently as How did Minuwangoda get we are fully geared to face it. soldiers about the risks of contracting last month the WHO acknowledged contaminated with the the virus and the possible responsibility and Sri Lanka had tackled the situation COVID-19 virus? How do the Army and health consequences if health guidelines are discipline much better than other countries, the A: For the past six months we have authorities coordinate? not adhered to. We have lowered the larger portion of the credit must go to been talking about the behaviour of A: NOCPCO provides the facilities strength at the Army headquarters by themselves to wear all military personnel who are still people and health regulations. Every and relevant information concerning one third. When they return from unfailingly continuing with preventive citizen should take necessary the patients, new clusters, COVID-19 leave they are quarantined for 14 days face masks, wash measures. precautions to ensure that they will rules and regulations etc. We before reporting back to work. This is We request all citizens to provide not contract COVID-19. Some time coordinate efficiently with the health one of the many steps taken to ensure their hands and the truth about their whereabouts back we were able to get the situation authorities provide support when and the safety of the Army. observe social and movements, their contacts with under control. Unfortunately the virus where it’s required; all in all it runs affected individuals, imposition of emerged in Minuwangoda. Society has smoothly. The services provided by There was criticism levelled distancing self-quarantine practices etc. Such to display a sense of responsibility the Government and the Media also against the military recently mechanisms would largely facilitate and discipline themselves to wear face assist in building trust in the for not meeting relevant the tasks of all engaged in prevention masks, wash their hands and observe community. This is not only a risky authorities of NOCPCO and the roles. When you protect yourself you social distancing. The military has national assignment but an arduous protect society. U.S. Christian groups spent $280M fighting LGBT+ rights By Rachel Savage million globally since 2007, 80 per reveal their funders or how they cent of it in Europe - did not respond spend their money overseas. Right-wing US groups have put to a request for comment. The biggest spender was the Billy more than $280 million into Another major player is the Graham Evangelistic Association, campaigns against LGBT+ rights and Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), which poured $96 million into abortion worldwide since 2007, whose international arm filed legal influencing foreign laws and citizens, almost $90 million of which focused briefs against same-sex marriage in although it’s spending is unknown on Europe, according to a report on Italy and backed a Northern Irish since 2015 when it was reclassified Tuesday. bakery that refused to make a cake as a church association. Many of the 28 groups - most of with “Support Gay Marriage” on it. Its president Franklin Graham - which are Christian - have close links It also opposed same-sex adoption the son of the US evangelical with US President Donald Trump, in Austria and trans women in preacher - has praised the LGBT+ who is campaigning for re-election on France seeking to legally change their rights record of Russia, where 3 November, investigative website gender by submitting arguments in homophobic violence has risen since openDemocracy found, amid cases at the European Court of the adoption in 2013 of a ban on “gay the rising popularity of the far-right Human Rights. propaganda” towards minors. in Europe. “ADF International is a global The association did not respond to “These findings show how Trump- human rights organisation that a request for comment. linked groups have built a frightening protects fundamental freedoms and Africa was the second most popular global empire,” Mary Fitzgerald, promotes the inherent dignity of all destination for anti-LGBT+ efforts. openDemocracy’s editor-in-chief, told people,” a spokeswoman for ADF Several of the groups supported the the Thomson Reuters Foundation in International said in emailed death penalty for gay sex in Uganda, emailed comments. comments. known as the ‘Kill the Gays’ Bill, One of the main groups is the “Rather than engaging with our which was overturned by the American Centre for Law and Justice arguments, OpenDemocracy seeks to country’s Constitutional Court in (ACLJ), whose chief counsel Jay shut down debate by launching what 2014. Sekulow is Trump’s personal lawyer. is nothing more than a smear “Trump-linked U.S. evangelicals, It supported a ruling in Poland last campaign.” funded by secret donors, are week banning abortion in cases of The openDemocracy investigation exporting homophobia around the foetal defects, the report said. highlighted a lack of transparency world,” British LGBT+ activist Peter Since 2007 US groups have put $280 million into campaigns against LGBT+ rights and The ACLJ - shown through its among U.S. church organisations, Tatchell said in emailed comments. abortion worldwide financial records to have spent $18 which do not have to pay taxes, (Thomson Reuters Foundation) A6 friday 30 October 2020 Editorial

Ceylon Newspapers (Pvt) Ltd. No: 101, Rosmead Place, Colombo 07. Editorial Tel: 0117566522, 0117566526, 0117566527 Fax: 0117566545 Marketing Manager: 0117566550, 0117566551 Circulation Manager: 0117566580, 0117566581 E-mail : [email protected] Sovereignty Uncompromised

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa told United States Secretary of State Michael Pompeo on Wednesday that Sri Lanka will not compromise its sovereignty. Compromising a country’s sovereignty in this day and age means not just surrendering it militarily, but also subjugating it economically. Economic subjugation may take the form of ‘neocolonialism’ or being caught in a ‘debt trap.’ The Encyclopaedia Britannica describes ‘neocolonialism’ as being the control of less-developed countries by developed countries through indirect means. Britannica also said that Third World debt, also called developing-world debt or debt of developing countries, debt accumulated by Third World (developing) countries, is typically used to refer specifically to the external debt those countries owe to developed countries and multilateral lending institutions. Britannica however discounts the impact of COVID-19, The False Dichotomy of whilst revolving only around the West as being the chief lender responsible for developing country debt in their article, while discounting countries like China, a growing lender to developing economies, including Sri Lanka, in recent times. Autocracy and Democracy Meanwhile, Britannica says ‘neocolonialism’ was first used after World War II to refer to the continuing dependence of former colonies on foreign countries, but its meaning soon broadened to apply, more generally, to places where the power of developed countries was used to produce a colonial-like exploitation – for instance, in Latin America. Neocolonialism has been broadly understood as a further development of capitalism that enables capitalist powers (both nations and corporations) to dominate subject nations through the operations of international capitalism rather than by means of direct rule, says Britannica. The term neocolonialism was originally applied to European policies that were seen as schemes to maintain control of African and other dependencies, it said. Neocolonialism is also closely associated with the Cold War and, in particular, with the US policy known as the Truman Doctrine. Under that policy the US Government offered large amounts of money to any Government prepared to accept US protection from communism. That enabled the US to extend its sphere of influence and, in some cases, to place foreign Governments under its control, Britannica says. By Yuen Yuen Ang protest. corruption, and extend China’s global The US and other developed countries also ensured the If democracies can take an authoritarian reach through the Belt and Road Initiative. subordination of developing countries, critics argue, by Unlike the old superpower contest turn, the reverse can be true in Chinese policy campaigns deliver interfering in conflicts and helping in other ways to install between the United States and the Soviet autocracies. Contrary to popular belief, impressive results because they must. Xi’s regimes that were willing to act for the benefit of foreign Union, the incipient cold war between China’s economic ascent after its market poverty-fighting campaign lifted 93 companies and against their own country’s interests, it China and the US does not reflect a opening in 1978 was not the result of million rural residents out of poverty in says. fundamental conflict of unalterably dictatorship as usual; if it had been, Mao seven years, a feat that global development Meanwhile,the rapid growth in the external debt of opposed ideologies. Instead, today’s Sino- would have succeeded long before. Instead, agencies can only dream of accomplishing. developing countries first became a key issue in the early American rivalry is popularly portrayed as the economy grew rapidly because Mao’s The Chinese authorities also went into 1980s and it persisted into the 21st century, says an epic battle between autocracy and successor, Deng Xiaoping, insisted on campaign mode during the COVID-19 Britannica. democracy. tempering the perils of dictatorship by outbreak, mobilising all personnel, Debt becomes a potential problem only when the Moreover, the facts seem to suggest that injecting the bureaucracy with “democratic attention, and resources to contain the borrower is unable to generate sufficient funds to meet autocracy has won while democracy has characteristics,” including accountability, virus. These results lend support to official the repayments, it says. Many developing (and some fallen flat on its face. Whereas the US competition, and limits on power. He set Chinese media’s oft-trumpeted claim that developed) countries have encountered such difficulties, under President Donald Trump has an example by rejecting personality cults. centralised power ‘concentrates our and often commentators use the term ‘debt crisis’ to fumbled disastrously during the COVID-19 (Ironically, Chinese banknotes feature strength to accomplish great things.’ describe the situation, says Britannica. The issue among pandemic, China has brought the Mao, who despised capitalism, rather than But, pressured to do whatever it takes developing countries took prominence in August 1982 coronavirus under control. In the US, even Deng, the father of Chinese capitalist to achieve campaign targets, officials may when Mexico declared that it could no longer meet the wearing face masks has been politicised. prosperity.) falsify results or take extreme measures repayments on its external debt. In the following decades, But in Wuhan, China – the pandemic’s that trigger new problems down the road. many of the poorest countries in the world had to make original epicentre – the authorities tested Autocracy with democratic In the drive to eliminate poverty, Chinese sacrifices in key areas of public spending (sometimes the city’s 11 million residents for the virus characteristics authorities are abruptly relocating called austerity measures) in order to service their debt. within ten days, in an astounding display millions of people from remote areas to During that period the World Bank (WB) and the of capacity and order. For many, the This recent history of ‘autocracy with towns, regardless of whether they want to International Monetary Fund (IMF) became key players verdict seems clear: Authoritarianism is democratic characteristics’ under Deng is move or are able to find sustainable by offering conditional loans and advice to try to help superior to liberal democracy. widely overlooked today, even within China. livelihoods. The fight against corruption manage the debt of developing countries. Nevertheless, But such a conclusion is simplistic and As Carl Minzner points out, Xi, who became has led to the disciplining of more than debt remained a major issue for many of those countries. even dangerously misleading, for three the paramount leader in 2012, has ushered 1.5 million officials since 2012, In 2010 the total stock of external debt for all developing reasons. First, just as the US under Trump in an ‘authoritarian revival.’ Since then, the inadvertently resulting in bureaucratic countries stood at approximately US$ 4 trillion, according is not representative of all democracies, official narrative is that because China has paralysis. And in their desperation to to a WB study, an amount that represented 21 per cent of China under President Xi Jinping should succeeded under centralised political meet pollution-reduction targets, the gross national income (GNI) of these countries. not be held up as a paragon of autocracy. control, this system should be maintained. some local officials tampered with devices In the face of the need to raise additional foreign Other democratic societies, such as South In fact, under Deng, it was a hybrid political that measure air quality. Big and quick exchange to meet their debt repayments, one option Korea and New Zealand, have handled the system married to a firm commitment to results rarely come without costs. would have been to increase their exports. However, the pandemic ably, and political freedom did markets that moved China from poverty to The idea that we can choose only market for what were mostly primary commodities has not hobble their Governments’ ability to middle-income status. between freedom in an American-style declined as a result of the economic downturn in the implement virus-containment measures. Taken together, this means that both the democracy and order in a Chinese-style West, and that, in turn, depressed prices for the majority As for examples of autocracies that US and China have grown illiberal in autocracy is false. The real aim of of commodity exports from developing countries, brought catastrophe upon themselves, recent years. The lesson from America’s governance is to ensure pluralism with Britannica says. look no further than China’s recent upheavals today is that even a mature stability – and countries everywhere must According to the majority view in the West, most of the history. No modern Chinese leader democracy must be constantly maintained find their own path to this goal. responsibility for the crisis rests with the borrowing held more personal power than Mao in order to function; there is no ‘end of We must also avoid the fallacy of rushing countries, it says. It is suggested that they must take Zedong, yet his absolute authority led to a history.’ As for China, we learn that to emulate whichever national ‘model’ is responsibility for the loans they took. By ignoring the massive famine followed by a de facto civil liberalising tendencies can be reversed fashionable, whether that of Japan in the underlying problems of their economies and by using war during the Cultural Revolution. Chaos when power changes hands. 1980s, post-Cold War America, or China private banks or lender countries to fund serious balance is by no means unique to democracy; Third, the supposed institutional today. of payments problems, Governments in developing world under Mao, it was insidiously deployed to advantages of China’s top-down rule are, When you are considering whether to were avoiding the issue of economic adjustment, maintain his power. both a strength and a weakness. Owing to buy a car, you want to know not only its according to that view, it says. Second, there are democracies with its revolutionary origins, concentration of pros, but also its cons. This is the kind of A second interpretation, mostly to be found in the illiberal features and autocracies with power, and penetrating organisational common sense that we should apply in developing world itself, argues that the issue of debt is a liberal ones. America’s current troubles do reach, the Communist Party of China assessing any political system. It is also an crisis of development. That stance assigns more not reflect a universal failure of democracy, (CPC) typically implements policies in the essential intellectual skill for navigating responsibility to commercial banks, with the support of but rather the failure of a democracy with manner of ‘campaigns’ – meaning that the today’s new cold war climate. Governments in the West, engaged in a reckless lending the illiberal traits that Trump has brought entire bureaucracy and society are (Yuen Yuen Ang, Professor of Political strategy, says Britannica. to the Presidency. As Commander-in- mobilised to achieve a given goal at all Science at the University of Michigan, Nonetheless, it’s assuring that the President has taken Chief, Trump has ignored democratic costs. Ann Arbor, is the author of How China up the position that Sri Lanka’s sovereignty will in no way norms such as bureaucratic autonomy, Such campaigns have taken many forms. Escaped the Poverty Trap and China’s be betrayed whether it be militarily, or by any other the separation of private interests and Under Xi, they include his signature Gilded Age) means, to powerful countries. public office, and respect for peaceful policies to eradicate rural poverty, root out (Courtesy-www.project-syndicate.org) column friday 30 october 2020 A7

Notes to the People Election Victory for the MAS in Bolivia Eva Morales the first indigenous leader to become the President of Bolivia

By Sumanasiri Liyanage with Cuba and Venezuela. economic growth. Regime had focused are anti-capitalist” and therefore It is interesting to examine Eva primarily on community development these reforms would continue and While the US Secretary of State, Morales economic model and the and rural infrastructure permanent so that they might lead to Mike Pompeo made a two-day visit to embedded issues and problems since improvement, to bring roads, provide social liberation. India, the Maldives, Indonesia and Sri he avoided to introduce far-reaching running water, and electricity to The experience in Bolivia under Lanka to strengthen Quad’s hold in structural reforms in the Bolivian During Morales remote areas that lacked them. The Morales, Venezueala under Chavez the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), the US economy. As a President, he increased rule, Bolivia welfare measures such as the and similar regimes in many Latin received a heavy blow for its hegemony taxation on the hydrocarbon industry introduction of non-contributory old- and Central American countries in Latin America when the Bolivian and transferred the tax money to experienced age pensions and payments to shows that social liberation is people voted overwhelmingly to increase social spending emphasising mothers provided their babies are although in the agenda highly difficult continue with the Bolivarian the projects to combat illiteracy, unprecedented taken for health checks and that their to achieve in a one country. Working revolution. Bolivia’s Movement toward poverty, racism, and sexism. Fulfilling economic children attend school. people can capture power either Socialism’s (MAS) victory in the 18 his pledge at the Presidential through a revolution, by a military October Election has overturned the campaign, Morales took increasing strength, Defeat of the Pro US Right coup or at a Election, but US backed regime of Jeanine Anez State control of this hydrocarbon resulting in the Wing implementing its liberation Chavez that was put in power after industry with Supreme Decree 2870; programme may generate regressive driving President Eva Morales into previously, corporations paid 18 per increase in value The post-Morales Government tried counter attack as the US has been exile. President Eva Morales is the cent of their profits to the State, but to reverse all these changes reopening behind those regressive forces. leader of the MAS and the first Morales symbolically reversed this, so of its currency, Bolivia’s economy to intensified As one commentator has revealed indigenous leader to become the that 82 per cent of profits went to the the boliviano. economic exploitation for the benefit those counter-revolutionary forces are President of Bolivia. The defeat of the State and 18 per cent to the of transnational companies by already in action. He reports: During regressive US backed regime is companies. The second important Poverty level increasing gas, minerals, and lithium the Election, Presidential candidate necessarily a victory for the masses in measure he had taken was to reduce extraction. Moreover, Anez Chavez Luis Fernando Camacho, a forty-year- Bolivia. Moreover, it signifies the Bolivian economy’s dependence on the reduced prepared a space to use of five old lawyer and head of the Pro–Santa reactionary forces are not able to International Monetary Fund and the considerably. His genetically modified (GM) crops that Cruz Civic Committee who finished in completely reverse the gains of the World Bank. Bolivia became the threatens to aggravate ecological and third place, stirred the pot of racism Bolivarian revolution after the world’s first country to withdraw from first year in climactic threats. Deforestation of the in Cochabamba, Santa Cruz, Beni, untimely death of President Hugo the International Centre for the office had Amazon through the expansion of and Tarija. Groups of young men on Chávez of Venezuela. MAS won a Settlement of Investment Disputes. monocultures was promoted by her motorcycles known as motoqueros, landslide victory with 55 per cent of The decision taken in May 2007 was recorded a Government. In addition to these resembling the neofascist Proud Boys the vote and its Presidential candidate justified by Morales arguing that the regressive measures, the human right in the US, harassed and intimated Luis Arce defeated Carlos Mesa — a institution had consistently favoured balanced budget record of her regime was at a perilous indigenous peoples, suppressing their right-leaning historian who served as multinational corporations in its with zero fiscal State. As one observer notes, “her far- voting rights. After the Election, on 21 President from 2003 to 2005 after the judgments. Nonetheless, he was right Government pushed a hard- October, middle - and upper-middle- coup against Morales. The new hesitant to make far-reaching deficit. As a right religious agenda that viewed class Bolivians marched in the Plaza Government of MAS has many structural change and adhered indigenous people with contempt”. Avaroa in La Paz, protesting the vote challenges to face in the coming years broadly to extent liberal economic result of sound Hence, the defeat of the right-wing and shouting Arce cabrón. The far- and how it encounters those structure as revealed in the National fiscal and US-OAS led regime was not a cause of right Santa Cruz Civic Committee put challenges would be a lesson to all Development Plan (PDN) for 2006–10. monetary surprise. out a statement demanding that the left-leaning Governments in Latin His response to leftist critics was that Challenges before the MAS electoral commission immediately America and the Global South. his reforms had the same effect on the management, suspend the official vote count. These Bolivian President Eva economy although it may not be There is no doubt that the Electoral local reactionary forces are supported technically called nationalisation. during the victory of MAS will strengthen the by transnational right-wing groups Morales’ Role Under his rule, some sectors were Bolivarian Alliance for the Americas. in Brazil, Argentina, and the United nationalised but he stated openly that global financial However, it had to face the same States. Eva Morales is former cocoa farmer transnational corporations operating crisis of 2007– challenges that the left Governments In the presence of such reactionary activist who later became a trade in Bolivia legally would not be of Cuba, Venezuela, Nicaragua etc., forces, maintaining the MAS electoral unionist and a prominent player in expropriated. 08 Bolivia have to face. How and to what extent, base and at the same time introducing the campesino (rural labourers) union. During Morales rule, Bolivia managed to the Government could face these and implementing social reform He opposed the US and Bolivian experienced unprecedented economic challenges depends on the measures need new structures Governments’ attempt to eradicate strength, resulting in the increase in maintain one of constellation of forces locally, through which people can intervene coca denouncing it as an imperialist value of its currency, regionally and globally. There is no actively in the process. The reforms violation of indigenous Andean the boliviano. Poverty level reduced the world’s precise description to portray these should proceed in depth as well as in culture. Morales entered electoral considerably. His first year in office highest levels of regimes. Are they left? centre left? width. People if necessary, should be politics in 1995 and won the had recorded a balanced budget with reformist? Or socialist? James Petras armed politically as well as materially Presidential Election in 2005 to zero fiscal deficit. As a result of sound economic growth use the term “pragmatic left” in to face the reactionary threat that become the first indigenous President fiscal and monetary management, contrast to what he called “radical may come in multiple forms. in Latin America. Under his during the global financial crisis of left”. According to Roberto Rogalado, The writer is a retired teacher of Presidency, Bolivia entered the 2007–08 Bolivia managed to maintain these regimes implement “reforms Political Economy at the University Bolivarian Alliance for the Americas one of the world’s highest levels of whose strategic direction and intent of Peradeniya [email protected]

$80M Landslide Mitigation Project Making Ayagama Safe By Paneetha Ameresekere that vary by region. Annual rainfall is National Building and Research 2,500-5,000 millimeters in the Organisation director. Bandara adds The Government of Sri Lanka southwest of the island where that the project diversifies AIIB’s (GoSL) with Beijing headquartered Ayagama is located. Heavy rainfall portfolio as it is the Bank’s first in the Asian Infrastructure Investment makes Sri Lanka vulnerable to area of disaster risk mitigation. It is Bank’s (AIIB) US$80-million loan for various disasters. Landslides are also aligned with Sri Lanka’s landslide mitigation with a focus on particularly frequent in the central infrastructure priorities. the Ratnapura District, will make highlands, resulting in fatalities and The project aims to protect people landslide prone Ayagama safe, the damage to infrastructure and the from landslides and increase the AIIB in its recently released 2019 environment. length of roads and railways bolstered Annual Report said. ‘Now we don’t go into town when it by the ‘applied’ measures. Annual rainfall of between 2,500- rains,’ explains Manorathna’s It will also enhance land use 5,000 millimeters from the Southwest brother, 60-year-old tuk-tuk (three- guidelines for landslide-prone areas Monsoons which impacts Ayagama wheeler) driver Gnanasena. ‘We fear and climate resilience standards and located in the Ratnapura District, the mountain will get washed away specifications for landslide prevention making it susceptible to landslides, it again. If it crashes down, the river will and mitigation. ‘We coordinated with said. overflow, flooding the entire town.’ relevant stakeholders and For instance, the 2017 landslide While no one died in Ayagama Government officers and finalised the made life difficult for 42-year-old thanks to early warnings issued by mitigation and expansion plan,’ says Manori Manorathna who lives in law enforcement and disaster District Secretary Niranjan Jayakody. Ayagama, Ratnapura, located in the management officials, mudslides ‘This project is important as it will highlands of Sri Lanka’s destroyed 14 houses and 14 directly benefit people in the area and Sabaragamuwa Province, the AIIB businesses. The Ayagama Sri help the national economy by 2017 Ayagama landslide, no one died thanks to early warnings issued said. She gets on by as a daily paid Gangaramaya Temple housed many boosting tourism and allowing tea and labourer. Despite her humble income residents displaced by the disaster. by Mitigation Measures’ initiated by mitigate landslides on the Ratnapura- rubber produced in the area to be and living in Ayagama, a small town ‘We live in fear,’ says the temple’s the GoSL, with the AIIB through a $80 Adam’s Peak road. Tourism is vital to transported to the capital.’ located about 106 kilometres chief priest Rambukpota million loan.GoSL is providing the rest Sri Lanka, with an estimated $4.4 Nishantha Pushpakumara, Southeast of the Sri Lankan capital of Dhammadinna. ‘The 2017 landslide (27 per cent) of the project’s total billion in revenue in 2018. Ratnapura Ayagama’s Local Council Chair, adds Colombo, life was good two years ago not only damaged part of our financing. is home to the Sinharaja Forest that land prices crashed following the (2017). She was blessed with a good 150-year-old temple – debris also Manorathna and her brother Reserve and Adam’s Peak – two 2017 landslide. Implementation of the house and a good job, but both were blocked the river, causing massive Gnanassena are aware of the project. popular tourist destinations – mitigation programme is expected to swept away by the catastrophic 2017 floods. Authorities should take action “Officials are now making meaning the landslide mitigation boost the town’s economy and landslide. to mitigate landslides before another arrangements to mitigate further project will benefit tourism as well. improve the livelihoods of people ‘We were displaced,’ Manorathna disaster takes place.’ landslides and expand the existing ‘The project’s objective is to reduce living nearby. Tuk-tuk driver says wistfully, walking past the GoSL is doing precisely that. town,” says Manorathna. The project risk and damage from landslides by Gnanasena hopes GoSL will remnants of her house. ‘We lost Landslide survivors and about 1,000 will make relocation of the town implementing mitigation measures implement the project quickly so they everything following the heavy rain. families face fresh hopes for housing unnecessary and create more space to and enhancing policy and regulations can stop living in fear. His sister Now we fear even drizzles.’ and employment with a project called expand the existing township. associated with landslide Manorathna adds: ‘The project will Sri Lanka is affected by monsoons ‘Reduction of Landslide Vulnerability Project funds will also be used to management,’ explains RMS Bandara, allow us to return to our own land.’ A8 friday 30 october 2020 Feature Palestinian Perseverance through Israeli Intimidation Olive farmers defy Israeli attacks for the prized crop

By Ibrahim Husseini Anabta near Tulkarem. There are more than nine million Palestinian farmers have repeatedly olive trees in Palestine, and nearly 80 been attacked by Israeli settlers as percent of them are more than 100 they harvest their prized olive groves years old. In the village of al-Waljeh with more than 1,000 trees burned near Bethlehem, there is an ancient down or damaged, the United Nations olive tree known as al-Badawi. (UN) says. Scientists say its age ranges from According to a report by 4,000 to 5,000 years old. humanitarian affairs office of United But agronomists, such as Fares Nations Office for the Coordination of el-Jabi, say the old age of the trees Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA), heightens the ‘alternate bearing there were 19 disruptions, “By people phenomenon’ – the tendency of some believed or known to be Israeli fruit-bearing trees to yield a high settlers,” with 23 Palestinian farmers amount of crops in one year and then injured in Israeli-occupied territory a much lower yield the following one. since the harvest began three weeks Experts recommend rejuvenating the ago. ageing trees to lessen the effects of “Each year, the ability of alternate bearing. Palestinians to harvest is Rejuvenation of an olive tree, compromised due to access however, requires the farmer to cut restrictions, attacks and the main branches to make way for intimidation,” UN Middle East Envoy new ones to develop. This means a Nickolay Mladenov told the Security halt in production for a few years Council this week, calling on Israel to until the new branches start bearing ensure the farmers’ safety. fruit. So farmers tend to avoid it. A The olive harvest in the occupied compromise solution is cutting one Palestinian territories is now drawing branch and waiting a few years to a close. The much-revered olive before cutting the next in order not to tree and olive cultivation are mired in miss out entirely on production. problems; Climate change, outdated But what is needed the most, agricultural practices, and the Israeli according to Fares el-Jabi, settler violence. Each has taken a Palestine’s foremost expert on olive toll. trees, is propagating olive trees from Cultivation of olive trees in the cuttings rather than the more eastern Mediterranean is thousands common practice of propagating from of years old. Research suggests it seeds. This is a technique that has started as early as the 6th not gained wide use in the West Bank millennium BCE, 8,000 years ago. because of a lack of know-how, and “Olive oil is the basis of the home,” because of the local belief that plants a local saying goes. grown from seeds tend to be more Proximity to Jewish settlements resilient. Research shows cuttings creates problems for Palestinian Jazeera met a Palestinian family that settlements – Kokav Yacov to the “Praise to Allah with the help of yield crops much faster. farmers trying to reach their olive was busy harvesting olives. Abdel south and Psagot to the west. these young men we got here and the “We are so ignorant about what is trees, not only during the harvest but Baset Moutan and his brother Abu “Simply now we are not allowed to farmers seized the chance to dearest to us,” laments Fares who is year-round. Saleh and their wives and children herd our sheep near the settlements harvest,” Afaneh says. now in his 70s. Fares, a resident of Burqa is six kilometres (three all gathered. or the main road,” Abdel says. The volunteers call their Nablus, has been diligently miles) from Ramallah but in 2001 the “The family picks the olives,” intervention ‘faz’aa’, which translates advocating for better agriculture Israeli army blocked the main road 46-year-old Abdel says. “We take Chance to harvest to safeguard. practices by olive farmers since the connecting the two. The alternate time off for a week or two and leave A few hundred metres away from Khairy Abu Naser, a well-known 1970s. way to get there is to drive for about our work and come here to pick our the centre of Burqa, Israeli settlers activist, travelled 70 kilometres (35 “There are no specialists, no 30 minutes through the villages of olives.” erected a tent on top of a hill miles) from Tulkarem to help the research. Olive cultivation is not Baytin and Dayr Debwan. Abdel is an Arabic teacher at a overlooking the village. The settler villagers of Burqa. The intervention taught in any of the universities in school in Ramallah. Abu is a wage tent, the villagers believe, is the was organised in part by the the Arab region.” No security worker also in the city. Economic nucleus of a new settlement. It is in Palestinian Authority, which is Other factors are also affecting the Recently, dozens of volunteers malaise and the Israeli occupation the middle of an olive grove that has advocating ‘peaceful popular yield. Climate change has wreaked succeeded in reaching Burqa to have pushed many farmers to seek been off-limits to the Palestinian resistance’ against the Israeli havoc on olive trees since its effects accompany farmers to their olive employment away from their land, villagers for years. occupation. began to be felt 12 years ago. groves for harvesting. The aim was to leading to a decline in agricultural “In practice, it’s been 10 years or “We came to stand by our fellow “Instead of having warm weather fend off harassment by the Israelis. production, especially in the olive more that we couldn’t reach this countrymen in Burqa and to protect during the flowering, we are getting The Israeli army, upon learning of sector. land,” Afaneh Moutan, 28, from them from the barbarism of the cold temperatures,” Fares the purpose of the volunteers, set up “Agriculture in Palestine is not Burqa told Al Jazeera. settlers,” Khairy told Al Jazeera. says. “Then we get very warm a roadblock on top of a hill between supported,” says Abdel. “The support As the volunteers and farmers temperatures as the flower turns into Dayr Debwan and Burqa and began goes to the [Palestinian] security began making their way up the hill, Sacred season fruit.” firing tear gas canisters down below services, and unfortunately we are a the Israeli army started firing rounds The season is often celebrated Back in ancient times as it is now, towards the volunteers. people that have no security.” of tear gas. But the young settlers did among farmers with a special dish the olive trees depend on rainwater. They trekked around the roadblock Abdel says the villagers’ not confront the farmers. called Musakhan, which has fresh “It’s all Baal,” Abdel says, referring through the olive groves in the sustenance used to be from The diversion worked. The activists olive oil as its main ingredient. to the Canaanite god known as the direction of Burqa. agriculture and livestock. kept the army and settlers busy as “This is a sacred season for our “Lord of Rain and Dew.” On the walk to the village centre, Al Burqa borders two Jewish the farmers picked their olives. people,” says Khairy Naser, 60, from (aljazeera) Black Iraqi Women Face Discrimination Sectarian division blocks black Iraqi women’s paths to power Iraqi women of African descent say until this day.” Iraq’s political structure that won’t she said. there is little opportunity to thrive in Shalal’s organisation has been allow newcomers to thrive. Black women have little protection, the country, even when nominated battling against this but she says The Muhasasa system, introduced she said, regardless of their position for senior positions in the Iraqi they received threats from officials in 2003, is a quota system whereby in society. Government. who assume they “are triggering proportional Government “We have a big problem and there Hanadi Saad, a political and anger within Iraq’s minority groups.” representation is divided among is no solution to it,” she said. human rights defender with a Saad, 38, has also played a pivotal Iraq’s various ethno-sectarian Mubarak, who has worked in the bachelor’s degree in petroleum role for reform and has advocated groups. humanitarian sector for decades, geology became the first black tirelessly for good governance and “The corrupt system doesn’t allow blamed the media and religious woman to be recommended for the equality among Iraq’s various those in power to look at eligible authorities for allowing racism to post of Oil Minister by minorities. nominees. They only think about how prevail in the country. representatives of Iraq’s minority From the oil-rich city of Basra, she they can benefit and stay in power,” “The foundation of any religion is to group. worked in the oil sector for over a she explains. treat others equally, with respect and Her nomination took place when decade but left it behind several Women in Iraq are not equally without any discrimination,” she backroom deals were being struck to years ago to lead a humanitarian represented in Parliament, including said. form the Government of Prime organisation that sheds light on the the current Government, she said. But black Iraqis have suffered from Minister, Mustafa Al Kadhimi in May plight of black women in Iraq. “Iraqi women are vulnerable – the discrimination for centuries and after the former Government resigned As the chairwoman of the Durar- Parliament only has two female nothing has changed. “We don’t have following nationwide protests. Iraq Association for Humanitarian ministers in the cabinet. Although any support, not locally or “It brought in some hesitation Development in Basra, she is now the gender quota law guarantees that internationally,” she said. because there’s no transparency or focusing on protecting and promoting women must make up 25 per cent of Many black Iraqi women are opportunity for a woman to hold this the rights of Afro-descendant Iraqis, representatives in Parliament, working in menial, low-paying jobs position, let alone someone of African among other marginalised unfortunately we don’t have that in where they are at risk of exploitation descent, but I thought, ‘let’s give it a populations. Iraq,” she said. and harassment. go’,” Saad said. Black Iraqis are descendants of Poor representation at the political Miriam Puttick, civilian rights In early June, Parliament approved African slaves brought to the country level leaves Iraqi women without a officer at Minority Rights Group, the appointment of Ihsan Abdul from about the ninth century and voice, making it harder to advocate said, “It would not surprise me if Jabbar as Oil Minister. He was the have lived in southern Iraq for issues that have long gone sexual harassment were part of this acting director general of State-run hundreds of years, with many today unaddressed. problem.” Basra Oil Company. acknowledge that black people even residing in Basra. Karima Mubarak, a black Iraqi What Saad aims to do is gather Saad said she was not surprised by exist, let alone give them a platform The killing of George Floyd during human rights defender and founder international support so that women his appointment. to prosper. his arrest in the US city of of Basra’s Women’s Association and people from minority groups can “We have been experiencing social “Hanadi didn’t get Minneapolis earlier this year sparked said that she has been a victim of speak out and be heard. discrimination for decades now – acknowledgement for the position global discussions around race and sexual abuse. “When we speak of this subject the they view us as slaves.” because she’s a woman and has inequality that brought up the issue “It was humiliating and this is authorities accuse us of being racist,” Iqbal Shalal, an activist and African origins,” Shalal said. of Iraqis of African origin. nothing compared to the challenges she said. “They say there is no member of the Organisation of “There are no black people in Iraq’s But Saad says it’s not only racial that black Iraqi women face. They are discrimination or racism but actually Women’s Freedom in Iraq, said political field – they don’t even have discrimination she’s up against, but deeply rooted in their history and there is.” politicians in the country fail to rights. Blacks are still called slaves the sectarian division written into society cannot change its viewpoint,” (thenationalnews) Asia friday 30 october 2020 A9 Pompeo to find ‘new ways’ to cooperate with Indonesia

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo collective contribution towards world Pompeo said he recognised the on Thursday (29) said Washington peace, stability and prosperity.” deficit in the economic relationship of would find new ways to cooperate This year, Indonesia rejected a US the two countries, but made no with Indonesia in the South China request for landing and refuelling commitment to retaining Indonesia’s Sea and respected Jakarta’s efforts to rights in Indonesia for its P-8 access to the GSP facility, which safeguard its own waters while Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft that gives more than 3,500 Indonesian rejecting China’s “unlawful” claims in monitor China’s military activity. products duty-free status. the area. Retno said on Thursday she “There should be much more Pompeo’s visit to Indonesia comes reminded Pompeo of the “free and investment here from the United amid a five-nation swing through independent” foreign policy of States, especially in the digital, Asia, where he has sought to Southeast Asia’s largest country and energy and infrastructure sectors,” strengthen strategic and economic called for greater economic Pompeo said. ties amid rising tensions between the co-operation. Pompeo also met Indonesian United States and China. Indonesia’s economic ties with President Joko Widodo, commonly In a joint news conference with his China have increased at the same known as Jokowi, on Thursday, and Indonesian counterpart, Retno time Washington has considered is scheduled to make an address to Marsudi, he hailed Jakarta’s “decisive downgrading Indonesia’s preferential an Islamic youth group. action” to protect its sovereignty in trade treatment under the “President (Jokowi) emphasised the waters near the Natuna Islands, Generalised System of Preferences that Indonesia wants economic which China also claims as its (GSP) facility. cooperation between the two territory. That review is ongoing and Retno countries increasing in the future, Pompeo said China’s claim was told Pompeo that the GSP facility was including extension of GSP facilities “unlawful”. important to both nations. for Indonesia,” Retno said of Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi greets US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo “I am looking forward to following their meeting in Jakarta, Indonesia. (Reuters) “I encouraged US businesses to Pompeo’s meeting with the co-operating together in the new ways invest more in Indonesia, including Indonesian leader. to ensure maritime security protects vessels that have entered the North in the South China Sea, Indonesian for projects in the outer islands of She added that the president urged some of the world’s busiest trade Natuna Sea. officials have expressed concern Indonesia, such as Natuna Island,” Pompeo to “understand Southeast routes,” Pompeo said in a streamed Retno said Indonesia and the United about Washington’s strident anti- Retno added. Asia and Southeast Asian countries news conference after his meeting States would enhance defence China policies and rhetoric alongside Next month, senior government so as to create peace, stability and with Indonesia’s Foreign Minister. cooperation by boosting military rising superpower tensions. officials say Indonesia is expected to cooperation in the region”. Retno said she wanted a “stable and procurement, training and exercises, “I re-emphasised the need to pursue sign the world’s biggest trade pact – Before his visit to Indonesia, peaceful” South China Sea where intelligence sharing, and maritime inclusive cooperation amidst this the Regional Comprehensive Pompeo visited India, Sri Lanka and international law is respected. security cooperation in the region. challenging time,” Retno said. “I Economic Partnership - that involves the Maldives. He is scheduled to fly to Indonesia has repeatedly turned Although sharing the same position underlined the need for every country Southeast Asian States and China, Vietnam later on Thursday. away Chinese coast guard and fishing in opposing China’s territorial claims to be part of the solution in the but not the U.S. (Reuters)

A different style of protest Beijing, China Spacecraft set for Mars landing in May A Chinese spacecraft is expected Tongjie, spokesman for the Mars to land on Mars in May, State-run mission. - State Media Media reported on Thursday (28), Separate spacecraft launched by with its own rocket after the citing a space agency official. The the United States and the United former Soviet Union and the spacecraft, which left Earth in Arab Emirates this year are also United States. China has made July, is set to land in Utopia en route to Mars, though only the space exploration a top priority in Planitia, a plain in the northern U.S. one will attempt a landing. In recent years as it tries to become a hemisphere of Mars, the China 2003, China became the third major space power by 2030. News Service reported, citing Liu country to put a man in space (Reuters)

New Delhi, India Pollution hangs over capital as

A protester performs on a red carpet while taking part in a protest against the Government and to reform the monarchy in Bangkok, Thailand. (Reuters) farm stubble fires rage New Delhi’s air quality was at its worst this season on Thursday (29), as winds heavy with toxic smoke Hanoi, Vietnam from polluting vehicles and smouldering crop waste fires in neighbouring States lingered low Troops hunts for survivors over the Indian capital. Average air pollution this month hit its worst in two years after after typhoon kills 31 farmers made an early start on burning crop stubble left in their fields after harvests. Smoke from such fires has contributed to more than a third of Thursday’s pollution in Delhi, said A man prays on the banks of Yamuna river, on a smoggy morning in New Delhi, 28 environment monitoring agency October 28, 2020. (Reuters) SAFAR, adding that the previous day’s count of 2,900 crop waste above 400 on a scale of 500, respiratory infections, doctors have fires was the season’s highest yet. indicating “severe” pollution that said. Winds in the city, which have authorities say can affect healthy Delhi’s government is working to ranged from moderate to high this people and seriously harm any who clear the toxic air by restricting season, were to blame, the federal are already ill. construction and other dust-raising agency said, as they became The index of overall air quality activities, Environment Minister ‘stagnant’ and trapped pollutants. (AQI), measuring the concentration Gopal Rai has said. “This situation is likely to of microscopic particles known as India’s capital is fighting air continue over the next 24 hours,” it PM2.5, which can be deadly, was at pollution just as the nation passed Women walk on a flooded road after their village was isolated by the Dakdrinh Hydropower discharge in the Typhoon Molave aftermath, in Tinh An village, Quang Ngai added. an eight-month high. a grim milestone of eight million province, Vietnam, 29 October 2020. (Reuters) Just over half of Delhi’s 36 Deteriorating air quality has coronavirus cases on Thursday. monitoring stations had readings already caused a spike in (Reuters) Vietnam hunted for survivors on come ashore two days earlier, State Thursday (29) after landslides triggered broadcaster VTV reported. by Typhoon Molave, one of its strongest “We can forecast the storm path or storms in decades, lashed a central the amount of rain, but can’t predict region already reeling from weeks of when landslides happen,” Deputy Beijing, China heavy rains that have killed at least Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung said 160 people. in a statement. Hundreds of soldiers with heavy Complicating rescue efforts has been Chinese, U.S. military chiefs hold crisis equipment were deployed to landslides the emergence of un-exploded bombs, in remote areas of Quang Nam revealed by heavy rains. At least seven – Defence Ministry province, where 19 people were killed American MK82 bombs from the U.S.- communication and 12 were missing. Vietnam war were discovered in the At the site of one landslide that central province of Quang Tri on Chinese and US military chiefs Cold War mentality and zero-sum Esper said the United States “has buried a village of 53 people, rescue Thursday, State Media said. held talks on crisis communication mind-set. no intention of creating a military workers pulled 33 survivors from the More than a million people have been this week, amid heightened Chinese and US militaries held a crisis with the Chinese,” according mud, the Tuoi Tre newspaper reported. affected for weeks by the storms, which tensions between the two military video conference meeting about to Wu. “The whole village was flattened,” Ho have caused heavy rains and some of superpowers this year in the South crisis communication on 28-29 “We urge the US to walk the talk, Thi Ha, who lost her father in the the worst flooding in years in central China Sea, with the United States October, Chinese Defence Ministry keep its promise, and take landslide, told Tuoi Tre. Vietnam, pushing relief agencies to denying a report on a possible Spokesman Wu Qian said on measures to prevent provoking “There’s nothing left”. their limits. drone attack. Thursday (29). China military in the air and sea,” As well as the dead scores more were Molave hit the Philippines at the The exchange, days ahead of the According to Wu, Esper denied a Wu said, adding that China will still missing, mostly in landslides, as a weekend and deaths there from US elections, came as US Defence Media report about the United resolutely counter-strike if result of a succession of storms which mudslides and floods rose to 16 on Secretary Mark Esper toured Asia States studying a plan to attack provoked with an attack at sea. have hammered Vietnam since early Thursday. with Secretary of State Mike Chinese islands and reefs in the Both militaries will exchange October. It damaged 56,000 homes in Pompeo where they had urged South China Sea using an MQ-9 views via video conferencing on The bodies of 12 fishermen were Vietnam and left millions without countries to cooperate with the drone in the event that the U.S. humanitarian aid in mid-November found at sea on Thursday and the Navy electricity, with heavy rain expected in United States to confront the presidential election was not and on maritime security before the was searching for 14 others missing the central region until Saturday (31). security threats posed by China, a looking favourable for President end of the year, Wu said. since their boats sank while trying to (Reuters) position China has criticised as a Donald Trump. (Reuters) a10 friday 30 october 2020 world France, Germany thrust into lockdown as 2nd COVID-19 wave sweeps Europe French President Emmanuel Under the new French reimburse companies for lost task force said that a fully Macron and German measures which come into force sales. Italy has set aside more effective vaccine may never be Chancellor Angela Merkel on Friday (30), people will be than 5 billion Euros. developed and that early ordered their countries back required to stay in their homes While leaders have been versions were likely to be into lockdown on Wednesday except to buy essential goods, desperate to avoid the crippling imperfect. (28), as a massive second wave seek medical attention, or cost of lockdowns, the new The latest figures from the of coronavirus infections exercise for up to one hour a restrictions reflect alarm at the World Health Organization on threatened to overwhelm day. They will be permitted to galloping pace of the pandemic Tuesday (27) showed Europe Europe before the winter. go to work if their employer from Spain, France and reported 1.3 million new cases World stock markets went deems it impossible for them to Germany to Russia, Poland and in the past seven days, nearly into a dive in response to the do the job from home. Schools Bulgaria. half the 2.9 million reported news that Europe’s biggest will stay open. “If we wait until the intensive worldwide, with over 11,700 economies were imposing As in the darkest days of care units are full, it will be too deaths, a 37 per cent jump over nationwide restrictions almost spring, anyone leaving their late,” said German Health the previous week. as severe as the ones that drove home in France will now have to Minister Jens Spahn, whose So far, more than 42 million the global economy this year carry a document justifying country already has taken in cases and more than 1.1 million into its deepest recession in being outside, which can be patients from its neighbour the deaths have been recorded generations. checked by Police. Netherlands, where hospitals worldwide from the virus, which “The virus is circulating at a Germany will shut bars, A medical staff member collects a swab sample to be tested for the have reached their limits. was first identified in the central speed that not even the most restaurants and theatres from coronavirus as the COVID-19 spread continues, in the Mitte district of Russian Deputy Prime Chinese city of Wuhan at the pessimistic forecasts had 2-30 November under Berlin, Germany, 28 October 2020 (Reuters) Minister Tatiana Golikova said end of last year. anticipated,” Macron said in a measures agreed between on Wednesday that hospital Governments across Europe televised address. “Like all our Merkel and heads of Regional Her Finance Minister, Olaf neighbours early this year, has beds were at 90 per cent of have been under fire for a lack neighbours, we are submerged Governments. Schools will stay Scholz, posted on Twitter: seen an exponential rise in capacity in 16 regions of the of coordination and for failing to by the sudden acceleration of open, and shops will be allowed “November will be a month of cases. country, while officials have use a lull in cases over the the virus.” to operate with strict limits on truth. The increasing numbers European stock markets warned that even well-equipped summer to bolster defences, “We are all in the same access. of infections are forcing us to closed at their lowest levels health systems like those in leaving hospitals unprepared. position: overrun by a second “We need to take action now,” take tough countermeasures in since late May on Wednesday. France and Switzerland could Since the weekend, Police and wave which we know will be Merkel said. “Our health system order to break the second In the United States, the S&P reach breaking point within protesters have clashed harder, more deadly than the can still cope with this wave.” 500 was down three per cent days. repeatedly in Italian cities from first,” he said. “I have decided challenge today, but at this France has surged above In an effort to blunt the Hopes that new treatments Naples to Turin. Restaurant that we need to return to the speed of infections it will reach 36,000 new cases a day. economic impact, Germany will might curb the spread were owners and business groups lockdown which stopped the the limits of its capacity within Germany, which was less hard- set aside up to 10 billion Euros dented when the head of have been critical. virus.” weeks.” hit than its European (USD 12 billion) to partly Britain’s vaccine procurement (Reuters)

Nice, France London, UK Three dead as woman beheaded Govt doing everything it can to avoid national lockdown – Minister in knife attack at church The British Government will do everything it can to avoid putting the A knife-wielding attacker shouting country into a second national “Allahu Akbar” beheaded a woman lockdown and believes it can control and killed two other people in a the virus with tough local measures, suspected terrorist incident at a Housing Minister Robert Jenrick said church in the French city of Nice on on Thursday (29). Thursday (29), Police and officials Pressure was mounting on Britain said. to bring in nationwide restrictions Nice’s mayor, Christian Estrosi, after France and Germany ordered who described the attack as new lockdowns on Wednesday, and terrorism, said on Twitter it had following the publication of a study happened in or near the city’s Notre which showed that nearly 100,000 Dame church. people were catching the virus in the Estrosi said the attacker had UK each day. repeatedly shouted the phrase But Jenrick said that the “Allahu Akbar”, or God is greatest, Government wanted to stick to its even after he had been detained by policy of local lockdowns, which now Police. cover huge swathes of northern One of the people killed inside the Security forces guard the area after a reported knife attack at Notre Dame church England, although he added that church was believed to be the church in Nice (Reuters) everything was kept under review. warden, Estrosi said, adding that a “The very clear policy of the woman had tried to escape from city’s main shopping thoroughfare. Marine Le Pen also spoke of a Government is to do everything we inside the church and had fled into a Ambulances and fire service vehicles decapitation having occurred in the can to avoid a full national bar opposite the building. ​ “The were also at the scene. attack. Estrosi said the victims had lockdown,” he told Sky News. suspected knife attacker was shot by French President Emmanuel been killed in a “horrible way”. An Imperial College study Police while being detained, he is on Macron is due to visit Nice, Estrosi “The methods match, without published on Thursday showed how his way to hospital, he is alive,” said. In Paris, lawmakers in the doubt, those used against the brave rife the virus was becoming, with Estrosi told reporters. National Assembly observed a teacher in Conflans Sainte cases doubling every nine days. “Enough is enough,” Estrosi said. minute’s silence in solidarity with Honorine, Samuel Paty,” he said, Scientists say more drastic “It’s time now for France to exonerate the victims. referring to a French teacher lockdown restrictions should be British Housing Minister Robert itself from the laws of peace in order Police said three people were beheaded earlier this month in an brought in sooner rather than later to Jenrick (Reuters) to definitively wipe out Islamo- confirmed to have died in the attack attack in a suburb of Paris. counter its spread. fascism from our territory.” and several were injured. The The attack comes while France is Jenrick said that the Government the economy. Reuters journalists at the scene French Anti-Terrorist Prosecutor’s still reeling from the beheading wanted to take action in the parts of The Governments of Wales and said Police armed with automatic Department said it had been asked earlier this month of middle school the country where it was needed and Scotland have different restrictions weapons had put up a security to investigate. teacher Paty by a man of Chechen that by avoiding a second full and Wales is currently in a short cordon around the church, which is A Police source said a woman was origin. national shutdown it could limit lockdown. on Nice’s Jean Medecin avenue, the decapitated. French politician (Reuters) damage to people’s livelihoods and (Reuters)

Moscow, Russia Yerevan, Armenia Lukashenko announces Escalating Nagorno-Karabakh security shake-up to conflict ‘unacceptable’ – EU

The European Union said an tighten grip on Belarus escalation in the Nagorno- Karabakh conflict was Belarusian leader Alexander ‘unacceptable’ and called for new Lukashenko replaced his Interior peace talks as Armenia and Minister and named three security Azerbaijan once more traded hawks to new roles on Thursday (29) to accusations of shelling in and tighten his grip on the country after around the mountain enclave on nearly 12 weeks of mass protests. Thursday (29). Ivan Kurbakov, who as head of Police The office of Nagorno- in the capital Minsk has led the Karabakh’s human rights crackdown on the biggest ombudsman said more than a demonstrations, was appointed Interior dozen shells had fallen on Minister. Stepanakert, the enclave’s largest His predecessor, Yuri Karayev, was city, a day after a maternity A view shows a crater and the ruins of a building following recent shelling in one of three men named to new roles as hospital there was struck. Two the town of Shushi (Shusha), in the course of a military conflict over the Presidential aides and ‘inspectors’ civilians were wounded. breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh, 28 October 2020 (Reuters) responsible for key regions of the Azerbaijan’s Defence Ministry country. said in a statement that Armenia hold and civilians were killed on “substantive negotiations” on a The reshuffle marked the latest move had fired at its military units and either side of the conflict on peaceful settlement as last by Lukashenko to tighten security civilian settlements along the Wednesday (28). agreed in Washington on 25 across the whole of the former Soviet front line, and that the Azeri “The European Union finds it October. republic in the face of demonstrations settlements of Terter and unacceptable that after three The OSCE Minsk Group, Belarusian President Alexander and strikes since a disputed Lukashenko attends a meeting to discuss Gornaboy to the north of Nagorno- agreements brokered by Russia, formed to mediate the conflict Presidential Election on 9 August. preparations for the 6th Belarusian Karabakh had been shelled. France and the United States on a and led by France, Russia and His security forces have arrested more People’s Congress, in Minsk, Belarus, 27 The worst fighting in the South ceasefire, the fighting in and the United States, had been due than 16,000 people since the vote, October 2020 (Reuters) Caucasus for nearly 30 years has around Nagorno-Karabakh still to meet the Azeri and Armenian which the opposition says was rigged. raised fears of a wider war that continues,” European Foreign Ministers in Geneva on United Nations investigators have in the world. could suck in Russia and Turkey, Commission Foreign Affairs and Thursday. It was not reported many cases of severe beatings Lukashenko’s position appears more an ally of Azerbaijan. It also poses Security Policy spokesman Peter immediately clear whether this and torture - an accusation denied by secure after a national strike call by the a threat to pipelines carrying oil Stano said in a statement late on meeting would take place. Karayev, the outgoing Interior Minister, opposition failed to bring the economy and gas from Azerbaijan to world Wednesday. Turkey has demanded a bigger who has described the Belarusian Police to a halt this week. markets. The EU executive urged the role in any peace negotiations. as one of the most humane Police forces (Reuters) Three ceasefires have failed to sides to return without delay to (Reuters) friDAY 30 october 2020 b11 Surge in COVID-19 Cases Set to Shake Asian Markets Asian stocks were set to join a infections. Worsening matters for The Dow Jones Industrial in lost output so far in 2020. Oil global sell-off on Thursday as investor enthusiasm were Average .DJI fell 3.43%, the S&P also took a big hit Thursday, worries about surging dwindling hopes for any 500 .SPX lost 3.53%, and the falling over 5% to a four-month coronavirus cases in Europe and imminent US economic relief Nasdaq Composite .IXIC dropped low as coronavirus concerns the United States sent investors package with a presidential 3.73%. weighed on demand expectations. scrambling for safe-haven assets. election less than a week away. Wall Street’s ‘fear gauge’ is on Brent LCOc1 futures fell $2.08, Australia’s ASX 200 .AXJO fell “Risk sentiment took a nose pace for its biggest weekly jump or 5.1%, to settle at $39.12 a 1.73% in early trade, while Hong dive on Wednesday amid more since March, when the pandemic barrel, while US West Texas Kong’s Hang Seng index futures . concern around the spread of took off in the United States. The Intermediate (WTI) crude CLc1 HSI.HSIc1 were off 0.8%. COVID-19 and renewed Cboe Volatility Index .VIX surged fell $2.18, or 5.5%, to $37.39. Japan’s Nikkei 225 futures restrictions in Europe,” ANZ on Wednesday to its highest level Investors seeking a safe-haven NKc1 were up 0.24% but down analysts wrote in a note. since June, ending at 40.28. moved into the greenback with 1.23% from the underlying “This was seen alongside Looming large ahead is the dollar index =USD rising COVID-19 hits index’s .N225 close on ongoing concerns about failure to Thursday’s advance report on US 0.3% against a basket of six Energy Prices hard Wednesday. agree on US fiscal aid before the third-quarter economic growth, currencies. MSCI’s gauge of stocks across election next week, adding to a with analysts expecting record The flow to the dollars weighed the globe .MIWD00000PUS was weak economic picture.” growth but not enough to make on gold with the yellow metal Lower Oil down 2.89%. US and European stocks faced up for the hit from the pandemic. XAU= settling down 1.56% at Surging coronavirus cases in a brutal trading day on A closely watched estimate model $1,877.06 per ounce, after falling the United States and Europe Wednesday with major Wall used by the Atlanta Federal as much as 2% on Wednesday. demand likely were a growing concern as Street indices down 3% and the Reserve shows third-quarter Benchmark 10-year notes French and German leaders Dow at its lowest levels since late growth at a 37% annualised US10YT=RR last rose 1/32 in announced new lockdown July. Energy and technology pace, which would only account price to yield 0.7743%. to persist measures to combat rising stocks led the declines. for about 71% of the $2.2 trillion (Reuters) beyond 2021 While metal and agricultural commodities have recouped their losses from the COVID-19 pandemic and are expected to make modest Raja Edirisuriya Tourist arrivals gains in 2021, energy prices, despite some recovery, are expected to stabilize below pre- pandemic levels next year, the World Bank said. Oil prices fell dramatically in the early stages of EPMD for Port City to SL fall by 63.1%, COVID-19 and have only partially regained pre- Raja Edirisuriya appointed as the pandemic price levels, while metal prices assumed duties as chairman of the declined relatively modestly and have returned to the Executive Project then ailing globally 70 % levels that preceded the shock, according to the Management Director construction giant, semi-annual Commodity Markets (EPMD) for the Sri Lanka State Outlook report. Agriculture prices were relatively Colombo Port City Engineering Coordination among regions unaffected by the pandemic, but the number of Development Project. Corporation (SEC). people at risk of food insecurity has risen as a This appointment With sheer required for quick recovery result of the broader effects of the global was made as per a dedication and recession. Cabinet decision on a commitment along By Anjali Caldera millions of jobs and businesses “The impact of COVID-19 on commodities has paper submitted by with the help of a at risk. Asia and the Pacific, the been uneven, and could have lasting effects for Prime Minister dedicated set of Sri Lanka Tourism has seen a first region to suffer from the energy markets,” said Ayhan Kose, World Bank Mahinda Rajapaksa, staff, this 63.1 per cent fall in tourist impact of COVID-19, saw a 79 Group Acting Vice President for Equitable in his capacity as organisation was arrivals for the first nine months per cent decrease in arrivals, Growth, Finance & Institutions and Director for Minister of Urban resurrected within of 2020 in comparison to the followed by Africa and the the Prospects Group. “When declines in Development and a short period of 9 same period last year, the Middle East (both – 69 per cent), commodity prices are short-lived, policy stimulus Housing. months. Under Monthly Tourist Arrivals Report Europe (-68 per cent) and the can buffer their impact. However, when prices Prior to this Edirisuriya’s for September 2020 issued by Americas (-65 per cent). remain depressed for an extended period, policy appointment, Raja Edirisuriya chairmanship, the the Sri Lanka Tourism Though some regions makers need to find solutions so their economies Edirisuriya was serving corporation turned a Development Authority (SLTDA) gradually opened their borders, can adjust smoothly to a new normal. Because of as the Chairman of the Urban profit of LKR 103 million at the reported. regions like Europe recorded COVID-19, the new normal for oil-exporting Settlement Development end of the 2006 financial year. The travel restrictions comparatively smaller declines emerging and developing economies arrived Authority (USDA). This was the first time that SEC imposed due to the global in July and August (-72 per cent earlier. In the post-COVID world, these countries A celebrated civil engineer by had shown a profit since 1981. pandemic which impacted the and -69 per cent, respectively), need to be more aggressive in implementing profession, Edirisuriya obtained In December 2009, on a whole world is the major cause the data revealed. Asia and the policies to reduce their reliance on oil revenues.” his Bachelor’s degree in civil request made by the then for the downturn in tourist Pacific recorded the largest Oil prices are expected to average $44 per engineering, specialising in President Mahinda Rajapaksa, arrivals. declines with -96 per cent in barrel in 2021, up from an estimated $41 per structural engineering from Edirisuriya accepted the The number of international both months, reflecting the barrel in 2020. Demand is expected to rise only Rutgers University NJ, USA. He Chairmanship of Mihin Lanka tourist arrivals for the first nine closure of borders in China and slowly as tourism and travel continue to be held also went on to acquire his Airlines in order to resume the months (January-September) of India and other major back by health concerns and as global economic Masters in Public company’s operations after it 2020 was 507,311. This number destinations. activity is anticipated to return to pre-pandemic Administration at the La Verne had been grounded for some was recorded in the first three The recovery did not last even levels only in the year after next. Supply restraint University in California. As a time. months of the year (January to in the regions where the travel is expected to be eased steadily. Energy prices professionally registered civil In his new role as the March) as there were no tourist restrictions were lifted as they overall – which also include natural gas and coal engineer in California, he has Executive Project Management arrivals thereafter due to the were reintroduced due to the – are expected to rebound sizably in 2021, held the prestigious position of Director for Colombo Port City termination of all passenger increase in the spread of the following large declines in 2020, an upward Administrator and City Development Project, it is flights and ships arriving in Sri coronavirus. revision from April’s forecast. A resurgence of a Engineer for almost 16 years expected that Edirisuriya will Lanka from 18 March 2020. The The demand for travel still second wave of the pandemic that results in with the city of Chino. deliver results with the nation total tourist arrivals recorded remains low as an end to the more lockdowns and less consumption, and In early 2006, Edirisuriya was in mind. from January to September pandemic is still not in sight delays in vaccine development and distribution, 2019 was 1,376,312. and due to the uncertainty that could lead to lower energy prices than forecast. As per the latest data from the prevails about the date of Metal prices are expected to post modest World Tourism Organisation finding a COVID-19 vaccine. increases in 2021 after falling in 2020, supported Weekly auction (UNWTO) internationally there It is expected, that by the by the ongoing recovery in the global economy has been a 70 per cent fall in third quarter of 2021, there will and continued stimulus from China. A prolonged tourist arrivals for the first eight be a rebound in international period of weak global growth would lead to lower months of 2020. demand for tourism. Yet, prices than forecast. SL sees fair general International arrivals plunged around 20 per cent of experts Agriculture prices are expected to rise slightly 81 per cent in July and 79 per suggest the rebound would in 2021, following an estimated 3% increase in cent in August, which are the occur only in 2022. 2020 following some shortfall in edible oil demand for tea peak months for tourists in the Travel restrictions are seen as production. Concerns about food insecurity The auction which concluded together with their Summer Season. The drop until the main barrier standing in the remain relevant in several emerging market and yesterday had on offer a total of corresponding BOPFs were firm August represents 700 million way of the recovery of developing economies. These concerns are 5.1 M/Kgs, recording a decline and Rs 10 per kg dearer. fewer arrivals compared to the international tourism, along prompted by hits to incomes from the global over last week’s volume of 5.7 High and Medium Grown same period in 2019 and with slow virus containment recession, bottlenecks in food availability at the M/Kgs. There was fair general CTCs met with better demand translates to a loss of US$ 730 and low consumer confidence. local level, and border restrictions that have demand. and most teas on offer were firm billion in revenue from The lack of coordinated constrained labour supply. Food price inflation Ex-Estate offerings were fairly and Rs 10-20 per kg dearer. The international tourism. This is response among countries to has spiked in several countries. similar to last week and totalled Low Grown varieties continued more than eight times the loss ensure protocols and The pandemic is only the latest in a long approximately 0.7 M/Kgs. to sell well and here again, experienced on the back of the coordinated restrictions, as well history of shocks to commodity markets. Quality of offerings showed no appreciated Rs 10-20 per kg on 2009 global economic and as the deteriorating economic A Special Focus looks at the nature of commodity significant change - once again last week’s levels. financial crisis. Further, this environment were also identified price shocks on 27 commodities during 1970- there was stronger demand at Low Growns totalling 2.4 M/ unprecedented decline is by experts as important 2019. It finds that highly persistent the lower end of the market. Kgs in the Leafy/Semi Leafy and causing severe economic obstacles for recovery, said the (“permanent”) and short-lived (“transitory”) Best Western BOPs, Tippy catalogues met with fair consequences, and puts UNWTO. shocks have contributed almost equally to consequent to its limited demand this week. Quality was commodity price variation, although with wide availability, gained Rs 20 per kg mostly lower to last. Better variety across commodities. Permanent shocks and more for select invoices. BOP1/OP1s were irregular and account for most of agricultural commodity price Corresponding BOPFs declined lower. A selection of clean Below variability while transitory shocks are more by a similar margin and perhaps Best held firm. PEK1s were fully relevant in industrial commodity prices. The more for select high priced teas firm to dearer, whilst the better varied duration of such shocks points to a need of last week. All other Western PEK’s were irregular. Others for policy flexibility. BOP’s were firm and tendered maintained. OPs too were mostly A transitory commodity price shock may call dearer, whilst the corresponding lower to last. OPAs, particularly for stimulative fiscal policy to smooth BOPFs sold around last week’s the Below Best types, were fully consumption; countries that depend on exports levels with a dearer tendency at firm to dearer. In the Tippy of commodities subject to cyclical price swings the lower end. The limited catalogue, FBOP/FF1s were may want to build fiscal buffers during the boom availability of the Nuwara Eliya mostly firm to dearer. At the phase and use them in the bust period to BOP/BOPFs continued to sell lower end, cleaner types support economic activity. In countries that rely well at attractive prices. Uda appreciated, whilst the others heavily on commodities that are subject to Pussellawa - hardly any BOP were barely steady. In the permanent shocks, structural policies such as invoices were on offer, whilst the Premium catalogue, Select Best economic diversification and broadening the tax BOPFs were firm and up to together with improved Below base may be needed to facilitate adjustments to Rs 10 per kg dearer. Uva - few Best met with better demand new economic environments. select invoices were and were mostly dearer, whilst substantially dearer following the others were irregular special inquiry, whilst the others following quality. B12 Ceylon FT friday 30 October 2020 news

ADB’s Trade Finance Programme Awards 2020 People’s Bank Wins ‘Trade Deal of the Year’ Award The Asian Development Bank (ADB) success of the transaction. TFP particular award was for a transaction internal risk limits set by some foreign has recognised People’s Bank by provides guarantees and loans to for the importation of critical banks and customers. As a result, the awarding it the ‘Trade Deal of the banks to support international trade. medicines and medical equipment counterparty bank may want a letter Year’ at the prestigious ADB Trade Backed by ADB’s AAA credit rating, during the height of the COVID crisis of credit opened by a customer in Sri Finance Programme Awards 2020(TFP the programme works with over 200 in April 2020. Lanka to be confirmed by another Awards 2020) jointly with Standard partner banks in Asia to provide People’s Bank using its trade party, which would incur an Chartered Bank. companies with the financial support finance facilities made it possible for additional cost. Since People’s Bank is The TFP Awards recognises leading they need to engage in import and their customers to trade with participating in the TFP, bank is able partner banks of ADB and the fact export activities. Since 2009, ADB’s companies that would otherwise be to use an ADB guarantee and give that the aforesaid award was one of TFP has supported more than 12,000 reluctant to trade with them, due to comfort to the foreign parties to the key awards of this ceremony small and medium sized businesses heightened risk perceptions. The transact business with Sri Lankan chosen from hundreds entries across developing Asia in sectors bank enhanced its ability to provide entities. submitted by of leading banks in Asia ranging from commodities and trade finance facilities to customers Foreign companies value the ADB highlights the significance of this capital goods to medical supplies and by joining the Asian Development guarantee due to the high standards accolade. The award was received consumer goods. Bank’s Trade Finance Programme in maintained by the Asian subsequent to a rigorous People’s Bank, which has one of the 2011. Development Bank in evaluating and independent evaluation which takes largest footprints across the country, Some foreign companies or their accepting a bank into its programme in to account multiple factors such kept trade routes to Sri Lanka open Ranjith Kodituwakku, CEO/General banks may have risk limits to Sri which involves comprehensive due as how the particular transaction by supporting its customers to Manager –People’s Bank Lanka or region, which may make diligence. The TFP has also helped Sri impacted the country, how it helped transact with counterparties across them unwilling to trade. Sri Lanka Lanka during the recent credit the client to improve their business the globe even during the COVID - 19 the nation was highlighted yet again has a ‘B-’ level country rating from downgrade, allowing business to and how TFP contributed to the crisis. The pivotal service it renders to through this recognition as this Fitch Ratings which may exceed continue.

ComBank launches Galaxy Z Fold2 available at Dialog Bringing its customers the one of commercially rolled out, customers the latest flagship devices in the who purchase the 5G ready its SME Credit Card global market, Dialog Axiata PLC Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2 will get the recently announced the purchase opportunity to experience the power availability of the very latest 5G of Dialog’s 5G through this 5G Ready Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2 at enabled device. select Dialog Experience Centres Coming in Mystic Bronze, islandwide. Packed with enhanced customers who purchase the refinements and meaningful Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2 at select innovations, the Galaxy Z Fold2 Dialog Experience Centres will delivers new foldable experiences for receive free Galaxy Buds Live with those who enjoy being on the cutting every device purchase, easy payment edge of technology. plans with leading credit cards - up Once the Dialog 5G network is to 40 months instalments.

SLIC expands customer convenience Opens service counter at People’s Bank Strengthening the relationship between two State giants, Sri Lanka Insurance, in collaboration with People’s Bank, unveiled a SLIC Service Counter at the People’s Bank premises to enhance the accessibility of their services and to Mastercard’s Country Manager for Lanka & Maldives, Rajesh Mani, deliver customer convenience to the Sri Lanka & Maldives, Rajesh Mani Country Manager, Mastercard Sri public. was a special guest at the recent Lanka & Maldives, and representing With the opening of the SLIC launch of a Mastercard-branded Credit Commercial Bank - Sanath Service Counter, People’s Bank Card by Commercial Bank of Ceylon, Manatunge, Chief Operating Officer, customers and staff members have Chief Officer Business Development of SLIC Rukman Weeraratne, CEO/General Manager of People’s Bank Ranjith Kodithuwakku and Senior DGM People’s Bank exclusively for entrepreneurs in the Hasrath Munasinghe, Deputy General the opportunity to experience an K. B. Rajapakse declare open the SLIC counter. SME sector. Pictured here at the Manager Marketing and Thusitha array of insurance solutions launch event are (from right) Sandun Suraweera, Head of Card Centre provided by Sri Lanka Insurance. Parallel to the opening of SLIC open on 28 October 2020 in the Hapugoda, Director, Mastercard Sri The SLIC Service Counter counter, People’s Bank opened a presence of the Chairman of Sri facilitates the purchase of branch at Sri Lanka Insurance Lanka Insurance, Jagath insurance policies, obtaining Head Office premises providing Wellawatta, Chief Executive Officer information on insurance plans, utmost convenience to SLIC Chandana L. Aluthgama, Chairman making premium payments, customers and staff members to of People’s Bank Sujeewa expediting medical insurance fulfill their banking needs. Rajapaksha, Chief Executive Officer claims at the time of patient The SLIC Service Counter and the Ranjith Kodithuwakku and senior DFCC Bank and AIA discharge and many other services. People’s Bank branch was declared management of both organisations. virtually recognise CEO Colour Awards 2018-2019 Club Award Winners Launched in 2018, the ‘CEO’s providing protection and financial AkzoNobel honours CSA students Club’ Awards, organised annually security to our customers. We are by AIA Insurance, for DFCC Bank constantly defying odds and staff, has since been held in grand challenging the status quo and that style each quarter. The event is is why we were able to take digital intended at recognising and to the next level and ensure that celebrating DFCC’s staff on their these merited recognitions and exceptional achievements in celebrations took place, providing protection to the Bank’s uninterrupted.” customers by introducing AIA’s DFCC CEO Lakshman Silva also insurance solutions. applauded the winners and Despite the limitations posed by commented; “DFCC Bank, one of the Covid-19 pandemic, the the oldest development banks in management of both DFCC and AIA the country and now a full-service were determined to continue the commercial bank, has had many tradition of much deserved trail-blazing initiatives. recognition for the DFCC staff who We entered into a partnership have excelled in providing with AIA with the objective of insurance solutions to customers. enhancing our customer value As the first ever virtual AIA-DFCC proposition- and over the years CEO’s Club Awards Night, the have complemented each other, event was held on Microsoft Teams. bringing exceptional value to Colour Awards winners with City School of Architecture and AkzoNobel officials This pioneering event connected customers. It was great, that fifteen locations simultaneously, together we were able to overcome AkzoNobel recently awarded received a cash prize. Keshan Architecture’ module conducted by taking digital adoption to a new the challenges posed by the colours to the winners of its Perera, Vindya Seneviratna, Tasnim renowned architect and visiting level, to celebrate award winners. Covid-19 pandemic and create an AkzoNobel Colour Awards 2018- Ahlak and Mahisha Gunewardena, lecturer Nela de Zoysa. All first-year AIA CEO Nikhil Advani opportunity out of it, in creating a 2019, at its Head Office in and Vaishini Ambikaibalan were architecture students were asked to congratulated the winners, while first of its kind digital event. This is Narahenpita. presented colours for the 2018 prepare detailed written and commenting on the long-standing what great partnerships do.” This year marks the third competition and Sanggavi Thomas, practical assignments that would partnership between AIA and Fifty-four CEO’s Club winners consecutive edition of the annual Ranukshi Seneviratne, Nithuni best channel their knowledge of DFCC; “AIA are pioneers in from across the island were competition held in partnership Kekulthotuwage, Anudi colour implementation into specific Bancassurance in Sri Lanka and recognised at the virtual Awards with the City School of Architecture Samarasekera, Dinal Karunaratne real-world applications. Final DFCC is one of our most valuable Night for their achievements in (CSA), aimed at honouring the and Dilith Kumarasinghe were module projects were presented to a partners. Together over the years 2019, with six others getting future generation of industry talent. awarded colours for 2019. seven-member jury panel - which we have created a strong bond, special recognition for their At an intimate ceremony The contest was based on included the MD of AkzoNobel driven by the common goal of contribution as well. AkzoNobel Sri Lanka honoured two participants’ application of a series Paints, lecturers from CSA, as well batches of winners, each of whom of lectures for a ‘Colour in as industry professionals. tourism Ceylon FT friday 30 OCTOBER 2020 B13

Go Beyond Discounting to Attract Repeat Local Visitors The Sri Lanka Tourism Alliance, a overall audience to the domestic that offering, and then communicate not have its own popular personality, destinations, so that they keep private sector initiative of industry market. The group has always it clearly to that audience. you can consider partnering with a returning. Even if it’s a wildlife safari, stakeholders, recently conducted a considered the domestic market as Currently, we see that certain third party to elevate your offering. there are different areas of the park to webinar on the domestic travel being important, and has made an services, experiences and properties explore, different animals and birds to market where it stressed on the effort to cater to this market with that were limited to the elite 5. Productise and add see. The team uses its expertise, skills importance of deploying a strategy special offers and packages. The (foreigners) are now more widely value and knowledge to create something that goes beyond discounting to Jetwing Room Rush promotion is available to the local guest. The new that their clients can look attract repeat visits from locals. one such local strategy that the domestic market possibly has more As businesses compete for the forward to. The panel consisted of Jetwing organisation has been running for options when it comes to travelling rather limited domestic client base, Hotels Director Operations Jerome the past few years, attracting repeat within Sri Lanka than ever before. Ask those who put in the time and effort to 7. Story tell and Auvity, Classic Destinations (Pvt) local customers who have become yourself what you can do to develop the right value, added communicate to all Ltd Manager Rajiv Welikala, who is loyal supporters of the brand. personalise the travel experience for products and communicate them also a professional wildlife According to Rajiv, Classic Sri this audience. effectively will find themselves with a segments photographer, author and safari Lanka has seen great interest for larger slice of the pie. Productising, or Today, much of the internet usage is guide, Antyra Solutions Chairman local tours and excursions from Examples from the panel: creating a value-based product or via smartphone, leading to an and CEO Niranka Perera and Ceylon their existing Sri Lankan customer Dilshan states that Ceylon Haven service that targets specific traveller engagement model of micro moments. Haven Co-founder Dilshan Rabbie. base, which has helped the looks at personalisation in a myriad of segments is going to be critical for We may spend four hours of the day Key points and tips brought out at organisation get off to a great start ways – from tailor-made menus for local operators if they are to attract online, but it comes in incremental the panel discussion are outlined post-lockdown, with up to six fully each group to special amenities based repeat customers and drive business. moments – 10 minutes standing in a below. booked tours organised every on the needs of the individuals within Examples from the panel: line, 20 minutes during the work Key learnings over the month. the group. Every conversation that a commute, 15 minutes before going to 2. Segment the domestic potential client has with the brand is Niranka shares the following bed, etc. As a result, a brand’s ability to past three months a personalised one, with an effort example to demonstrate productising grab the attention of users and engage market being made to understand specific in a practical sense. When the team at with them has become increasingly There was a notable spike in requirements and cater to them. Antyra worked with a client who more challenging. With that in mind, we booking demand as soon as the The local tourism industry often has wanted to promote a property as a have to start removing the guesswork, lockdown was lifted in June 2020. a mindset that the Sri Lankan 4. Curate experiences and romantic destination they helped the and the probable associations people This was possibly instigated by pent audience is one homogeneous entity. use expert hosts client develop productised offerings could build if they had half an hour to up demand and heavy discounts This is why the general strategy used with a key proposition and a value think about it, and really productise the offered by local properties. However, to target the domestic market is based The Sri Lankan audience sees value added call to action. The productised offering and the messaging. we are now beginning to see a on discounting. The message is in a well organised, interesting, offering was then communicated to a Spend time crafting a tailored message decline in the number of bookings – usually – one night, full board, double hosted experience that is specially specific audience who were in a for the domestic traveller, tell them a data shows a 36 per cent decline in sharing. curated for them. Operators who have relationship and who seemed more compelling and evocative story to bookings from June to August 2020. We need to invest time and effort to been curating different types of inclined to purchase bundled convince them why they should book Therefore it is important to find understand the many segments experiences that are appealing to packages. The response was their holiday with you instead of your out how sustainable the discounting within the domestic market as we do multiple segments of the audience are immediate, and went from no competitor. Look at social channels to approach is in the long-term if we with the foreign markets. Tailor-made seeing results, with continued bookings over a three-week period to create awareness and target specific are to depend on the domestic travel packages and messages for different demand from local travellers. Expert almost nine bookings a day. audiences. market for at least a year before we segments within this market have hosts also add value and help fetch a can expect foreign travel to return to never been more important. premium price for an experience. 6. Keep evolving and Examples from the panel: pre-COVID levels. innovating Both Classic Sri Lanka and Ceylon The reality is that the tourism Examples from the panel: Examples from the panel: Haven have not used traditional media industry needs to survive on Niranka points out that the interest Rajiv states that Classic Sri Lanka Trying different things to engage to communicate with customers during domestic travel for considerably in amateur photography in Sri Lanka has not felt the need to offer discounts with customers is important in order this period. All advertising and longer than we initially anticipated. is increasing significantly. The online for any of its tours, as there is a to encourage repeat business. Since communications have been via social Therefore, there is no doubt that demand for semi-professional steady demand from their local tourism operators are going to have to media including Facebook, Instagram businesses need to look at what they cameras has increased by about 53 clientele. So, the team has been look to the domestic market for and WhatsApp. can do, in addition to discounting, if per cent in the past two years. When focused on curating varied business for a much longer period, they are to get through this difficult you have the tools to identify that experiences that have an appeal for they have to start differentiating their 8. Be proactive – chase period. there is an audience that has this different types of travellers, and offerings and marketing strategies to after business The following insights will be interest, you can tailor your message ensuring that they are hosted by motivate travellers to return to their helpful for local tourism operators and create a value proposition for this experts on the subject matter. The properties and patronise their tours. All members of the panel were who are looking to expand their audience. Unfortunately, we don’t see audience for a Classic Sri Lanka safari vehement about the fact that tourism domestic marketing strategy and that happening too often. tour to Yala National Park can be Examples from the panel: operators need to actively go after drive new business. Additionally, between 4000-6000 segmented as serious enthusiasts According to Jerome, when Jetwing business during this period. Sri Lankans celebrate their who want to travel to a park every realised that its Room Rush offer was Emphasising that hotels should not Eight tips for targeting anniversaries every month with posts month, casual travellers who want to not getting the traction the company wait for business to come to them, but domestic travellers: on facebook. There is a great experience it through the eyes of an expected, the marketing team had to should chase after it, Jerome suggests opportunity for operators to develop a expert, kids who are probably heading look at a different way to attract that there are many areas as such as special offering and tailor a message to a park for the first time. Even customers. The company then local FITs, expats, corporates, as well as 1. Target the existing to target this segment. though a general tour group may have introduced a ‘limited time’ offer which local travel agents that hotels should a mix of all three types of travellers, allowed customers to book at a target for business. local client base 3. Personalise and tailor the team makes an extra effort to slightly lower rate for two days, a Rajiv believes that it is important to A number of tour operators and make opportunities personalise certain aspects of the ‘book against the clock’ offer which create your niche, be it wildlife, hospitality providers already have a experience to suit the needs and created a sense of excitement and adventure or culinary. Identify what you base that they engage with, and this When it comes to the domestic expectations of the travellers. urgency, and a ‘book now’ offer which are good at, curate great experiences, base is your low-hanging fruit. market, local operators have Jetwing too has created two types of gave an additional discount for and actively go after customers. These clients already know your traditionally gone with standard experiences for local guests who visit upcoming weekends if bookings were Dilshan is confident that if a young brand, your product and service options that are readymade and are its properties. Jerome explains how low. Additionally, Jetwing also brand like Ceylon Haven can build a standard, therefore you have to put off the shelf. Hardly any effort has the group has developed specific introduced combo offers where guests demand within the local market in such in less effort to convince them and been made to create opportunities experiences for each hotel, which could stay at two properties, long stay a short span of time, others too can spend less to reach them. If you specifically for local travellers. allow guests to immerse themselves in offers, and pet friendly stays at select achieve success if they put themselves have not built a local customer base, Businesses need to think local and the special brand of hospitality offered properties. out there. use this time to do so. Put in the pay attention to the nuances and by it. Another interesting offer being Rajiv also believes that it is As Niranka highlights, the domestic time and effort to understand what preferences of different types of promoted by Jetwing is a curated tour important for a business to keep market is not large enough for the local market wants and how travellers within the domestic market. of one or more destinations, hosted by innovating and introducing something everybody. So, those who succeed will be your products and services can cater Sometimes operators lose track of Hiran Cooray. The response for these new to attract customers. He points those who do all they can to go out and to them. local sensibilities. What may seem like tours has been phenomenal, out that since Sri Lanka is such an bring in the customers, instead of a fantastic opportunity for a foreign indicating that having a recognisable amazing country, there is so much to lamenting the loss of business and living Examples from the panel: guest might be pretty ordinary for a and expert host makes an experience discover and explore. His team on a prayer. Jerome states that the Jetwing Sri Lankan one. Understand the value that much more attractive to a local encourages guests to have different Group attributes 25 per cent of its that the local audience will place in audience. If your organisation does experiences, and visit different (Sri Lanka Tourism Alliance) b14 Ceylon FT friDAY 30 OCTOBER 2020 focus Can swapping debt for climate action help with pandemic recovery? By Preety Bhandari also a need to assess whether such a financing option should be tailored COVID-19 has triggered interest in only for certain types of situations, swapping national debt for action on economic characteristics, type and climate change adaptation. level of indebtedness, and other The year 2020 has reinforced the circumstances. need to build resilience to future Various other innovative shocks, including pandemics. It has instruments have been suggested in also brought to light the the past, such as a levy on vulnerability of our current international air travel and an economic systems to risks related to adaptation benefit mechanism akin the “tragedy of the horizon”, a term to the Clean Development coined by Mark Carney the former Mechanism for mitigation. The Governor of the Bank of England, former may not be a viable source meaning the catastrophic impact of any more, given the crisis facing the climate change imposed on future airline industry. On the latter, the generations that the current jury is still out due to the complexity generation has no incentive to involved in the certification of address. adaptation benefits for potential COVID-19 is putting public investors and lenders, including the budgets across the world under vast institutional arrangements strain and pushing countries – many required. of which are highly climate That said, the enthusiasm in some vulnerable - further into debt. quarters on debt for climate action Investment in climate resilience swaps needs to be tempered and measures may be neglected as calibrated better for it to gain further short-term needs are prioritised. currency. This may have led to the resurgence Meanwhile, even if we succeed in of interest in an old idea: debt for putting the world on a trajectory that nature swaps, this time as an keeps the rise in global temperatures instrument for ensuring continued to 1.5°C, there will still be significant climate action. impacts on livelihoods, food Typically, such a swap has applicable to bilateral organisations, Nations Development Programme, However, much needs to be done insecurity, population displacement, involved the purchase of a country’s such as development banks, or and private investors, championed a and clarified on how and whether and public health. And, just as we’ve debt at a discounted value by a third multiple country arrangements. debt for climate swap for $27 million such schemes are adding real and seen with COVID-19, that brunt will party and transferring the title to the Such financing mechanisms are of official debt at a 5% discount on additional financing. Also, the scale again be borne by the poor and debtor country thereby providing particularly relevant when face value. The debt bought back at which they have been tried thus vulnerable. relief. In return for this, the country adaptation to climate change is through the consortium will be far has been relatively small. This is a wake-up call to invest in would commit to environmental underfinanced compared to partly repaid in local currency. What would it take to transition resilience to future shocks and build conservation goals. mitigation actions. Indeed, estimates As part of the deal, the Seychelles these to large programmes and scale adaptive capacity at different levels, In the mid 1980s and 1990s, debt by the Climate Policy Initiative reveal Conservation and Climate of financing? Given their complex across geographies and across time for nature swaps were championed that of the average climate finance Adaptation Trust was established to governance, do the transaction costs frames. Whether it be climate action by international non-government flows in 2017/18 of $579 billion, a maintain protected marine parks, of setting up such schemes justify swaps or more traditional financing, organisations, such as the World mere $30 billion was used for help manage fisheries, conserve the ends? Related to this is an urgent action is needed. Wildlife Foundation, The Nature adaptation. biodiversity, promote ecotourism additional issue of the conditionalities Preety Bhandari is the Chief of Conservancy and Conservation In 2018, the Seychelles and help build climate resilience. attached to such swaps and how the Climate Change and Disaster International, particularly in Latin government, with support from The This and other such examples have these would align with those in the Risk Management Thematic Group America. This principle of debt relief Nature Conservancy, the Global led to a revival of discussions on this other debt relief initiatives or with concurrently Director – SDCD at for protecting nature was also Environment Facility, the United innovative financing mechanism. policy-based lending. Finally, there is the Asian Development Bank.

Retailers should leverage store Creating a diverse and inclusive workplace culture networks to fulfil online demand By Kelly Cooper concerns to be addressed in an open and transparent manner By Ed Bradley, founder, There is growing awareness in that builds trust. This in turn Virtualstock Ottawa that addressing gender creates honest communication diversity and inclusion is not only that delves into the root issues With demand for delivery and pickup a good thing to do, but the right that are causing some people to surging since the sustained impact of thing to do. Executives and be reluctant to onboard a gender- the pandemic, the battleground has leaders across all sectors are diverse and inclusive culture. become fulfilment and it has ratcheted realising there are economic Explain the benefits to men: up the intensity of who can fulfil orders benefits to be realised alongside Articulate that work-life balance the quickest. the well-established social policies apply to both men and In this fiercely competitive advantages. women. With this knowledge, men environment, where agility and flexibility But when I speak with corporate feel a part of this new culture and are critical, retailers need to recalibrate presidents and CEOs, I often hear see how everyone is healthier as a their distribution networks and leverage that they are now committed to result. For example, discuss how their store estates to cater to this surging taking action but struggle with men can attend their kids’ school eCommerce demand. how to do it successfully. activities or leave early from work The environment could not be more After several years of research, and still be seen as committed to competitive. With shoppers flocking including interviews with top male their careers. Mention that this online to purchase items to avoid going and female executives and social connection to family leads to stores, many retailers and particularly large stores. However, the pandemic has delivery. Retailers should be looking to managers, I developed a blueprint to less stress and fewer heart the grocers have been investing heavily reversed this perception – large stores create facilities for pick-up and drop off for organisations to make these attacks, less suicides as well as into boosting their online capacity and are now viewed as assets and retailers where the customer doesn’t have to go changes. Let me walk you through reduction in the “death gap” delivery slots. Tesco recently stated in its are putting fulfilment into them. The into the store, and they are dropping by five helpful tips for getting started: between men and women. results to the stock market that its grocers have realised how well their at their own convenience. Contactless Model and commit: Make a Hire a gender expert coach: online delivery capacity more than larger store estates lend themselves for click and collect can also accommodate formal commitment to employees Bringing in an outside doubled to reach 1.5 million slots a online. Many have extra room for online spikes in demand for delivery slots. and external stakeholders such as perspective can help guide your week. They have also launched their first order picking and hold the larger range Click and collect also offers many investors, recruitment agencies executive team to make a Urban Fulfilment Centre in West of products. Many are also located in other benefits. It can drive more footfalls and subcontractors stating that a sustainable plan toward gender Bromwich Extra and plan to open more prime locations in large population to stores from new and existing concerted effort is taking place to equality that will be than 25 over next three years. centres. A lot are now also used as multi- customers if customers go into stores. It make your company more gender- implemented, monitored, The onset of the pandemic exposed the function retail outlets. can be more profitable than delivery diverse and inclusive. Stating this measured and reported. These inefficiencies of traditional distribution With footfall largely down in city because customers tend to make more intention holds the president and strategies are used by some methods which aimed to fulfil orders out centres as a result of more office workers impulse purchases when collecting other senior leaders leading tech companies of a few centralised distribution hubs. at home indefinitely non-food retailers orders. Retailers with good store accountable. Accountability is operating in the National Capital They lacked the flexibility to ramp up should look to replicate the success of networks particularly in local areas the key to the success of Region. HP Canada, which has a capacity and rapidly redeploy stock this and repurpose their stores to should leverage them by partnering with implementing this sort of presence here in Ottawa, which around the country to cater to the surge facilitate online fulfilment. Retailers other similar retailers to offer this service change. recently received recognition for in demand. Indeed, Ocado became should also look to partner with local to customers. This can provide access to Say it: Tell your employees being one of Canada’s Best overwhelmed at the peak of the crisis logistics providers as the grocers have the other retailers’ audiences and gain you’re serious by assessing – Diversity Employers in 2020. and struggled to meet demand. People done. Such arrangements bring in new new customers. It also offers a great and, where necessary, changing Here are some of HP’s were placed at the end of virtual queues customers without heavy capital fulfilment process for retailers partnering – company policies, visions, approaches: and they couldn’t accept new customers. spending. Indeed, Deliveroo has struck with grocery stores as that is where most goals and mandates to include •It made a formal commitment One solution could be in micro- deals with Waitrose, M&S, the Co-op, of the footfall is right now. gender-diverse and inclusive to increase the number of fulfilment – lots of relatively small but Morrison’s, McColl’s and Aldi. These partnerships are well underway, language. women in senior roles and highly efficient fulfilment centres located The other big area retailers should and some are already reaping the Say it to your industry peers technical positions throughout within stores or within urban fulfilment look at is optimising stores for rewards. Back in May Lidl announced it by participating in conferences the organisation; centres. This is where stores can become contactless click and collect and returns. was installing click and collect lockers at and stating externally what your •It created a new full-time highly advantageous. Retailers should According to GlobalData, the UK’s click- 24 UK stores and customers could use company is doing and sharing position of chief diversity officer be looking to optimise them to help fulfil and-collect market is forecast to reach them to collect online orders from a the message that it’s not just a to implement the change needed. delivery and click and collect, £9.6 billion in 2022 accounting for 13.9 range of retailers including Boohoo, JD social issue, but a business HP also funded training for particularly those that are situated in per cent of online sales. Tesco’s click- Group and Holland & Barrett. InPost advantage. women’s career development as city centres close to consumers. and-collect sales account for a fifth of its who operate the lockers said early Show it, be visible and take well as mentoring programmes The grocers with big supermarket sites online orders. feedback showed 44% of people using action often: Hold focus group and unconscious bias training; have already woken up to this. In the Click and collect is a far more the lockers at Lidl were also shopping at discussions (e.g. at the branch and last few years, the inexorable march of profitable exercise for retailers than the discounter while there. John Lewis level) between senior executives •It organised activities to the discounters was placing great delivery where they have to deliver to extended its click-and-collect and employees. This smaller celebrate Pride Month as well as pressure on sales per square foot and multiple locations rather than to one partnership with the Co-op to group setting will increase the diversity and inclusion, profitability and many of the large store along with all the investment and incorporate over 500 stores in the likelihood of sharing any accessibility and ageing. grocers halted development plans of operating expense involved in “last mile” summer. (Business Cloud) concerns, and allow those (Ottawa Business Journal) sports friday 30 october 2020 A15 Sudeera Excels During 2019/20 Season

for Devapathiraja Jen Orr PLAYER PROFILE Fared this Season Batting Bowling Cyclist Jen Orr Name: Yaddehi Sudeera Weerarathne Thurstan Colombo 00 5/27 & 0/50 Teams up with R4C School: Devapathiraja College, Rathgama St. Sebastian’s Katuneriya 08 6/43 & 3/89 Born on: 2002.01.28 Maliyadeva Kurunegala 43 & 03 2/77 Attempts to break world Batting Style: RHB St. Thomas Matara 38 & 57 6/57 & 0/03 endurance record Mahanama Colombo 09 & 19 4/62 Bowling Style: RAOS By M.H. YAKEEM completed, Jen will be a St. Servatius Matara 01 & 71 2/27 & 2/40 brand ambassador for M I NO Runs Ave 100’s 50’s Jennifer Orr (43), a Ride for Ceylon (R4C) Nalanda Colombo 104 0/44 & 0/19 physiotherapist from and help to raise funds 13 22 0 663 30.14 02 04 Gurukula Kelaniya 04 & 17 5/50 & 0/64 Murrieta, CA, will for their charity projects. Highest Score: 108 Vs St. Sylvester’s Kandy attempt to break the She will also wear the Rahula Matara 13 & 04 0/32 World Ultra Cycling R4C jersey on some of 100’s: 02 (108 vs St. Sylvester’s Kandy, Association (WUCA) her future rides. St. Anthony’s Wattala 05 & 55 1/30 24-hour SOLO Female Jen hopes to 104 vs Nalanda Colombo) World Record of 439.65 participate in the ‘Race St. Sylvester’s Kandy 108 2/9 & 1/07 miles. The current the Pearl’ 24 hour ride 50’s: 04 (57 Vs St. Thomas Matara, 71 Vs St. Joseph Vaz Wennappuwa 18 & 50 3/77 record, held by Nancy across Sri Lanka St. Servatius Matara, 55 Vs St. Anthony’s Wattala, 50 Vs Raposo, was set almost (approx. 600km) Sri Devananda Ambalangoda 28 & 08 4/54 & 4/30 three decades ago on 22 representing R4C, and St. Joseph Vaz Wennappuwa) September 1992. Since the Ride4 Ceylon charity her first 24-hour time cycle ride which will take W R Ave BBI BBM 5W’s 10W’s also took 10 wickets in the trial in November 2017 place from 3-6 March match. He claimed 21 wickets she has developed into 2021 from Colombo to 50 901 18.02 6/43 9/132 04 - during the season. an elite ultra-racer. Jaffna, for which the BBI: 6/43 against St. Sebastian’s Katuneriya He passed 700 runs with two Once her record- theme is ‘Hope Beyond centuries and two fifties in the breaking attempt is Cancer’. BBM: 9/132 9/132 against St. Sebastian’s Katuneriya 2017/2018 season. He scored 185 runs against Asoka 5W’s: 04 (5/27 Vs Thurstan Colombo, 6/43 Vs St. Vidyalaya Colombo. Sudeera Sebastian’s Katuneriya, 6/57 Vs St. Thomas Matara, 5/50 scored a match winning 104 runs against St. Anne’s College Vs Gurukula Kelaniya) Kurunegala in the final of the Winning best answer Division 2 tournament in 2018 to Best all-round performance: Vs St. Thomas Matara 38 emerge champs and were to boardroom crisis & 57, 6/57 & 0/03 promoted to Division One during the 2018/2019 season. Barcelona's 2-0 win their minds. Sudeera scored over 800 runs away to Juventus in "I think we have to Sudeera Weerarathne, deputy passed 300 runs in 2013 with a with a century and six half their Champions’ League concentrate on the skipper of Devapathiraja College top score of 120 against centuries during the 2018/2019 group was the perfect sporting side," he said. Rathgama, excelled as an all- Aluthgama Vidyalaya and season. He made 133 runs reply to the club's "It doesn't affect us and rounder in the ‘Singer Trophy’ claimed 12 scalps. He scored against Rahula College Matara. boardroom crisis, it doesn't worry me. We Under-19 Division One Inter more than 400 runs in 2014 with Sudeera Weerarathne He played for team Dambulla in midfielder Sergi Roberto put our energy into Schools Cricket (Two-day) a century against Gamini Central the under-19 Super Provincial said on Wednesday. football." tournament 2019/20 season College Bentota and bagged 18 to score a double century for his tournament in 2019. The club was rocked Barcelona have won conducted by Sri Lanka Schools wickets. He led the under-13 school in under-15 history. He He thanks former principals of when President Josep their two games in Cricket Association. team in 2015. He scored 720 also claimed 28 wickets. He led Devapathiraja Rathgama Maria Bartomeu Group ‘G’, a sharp Playing in his fifth year, runs with three centuries - the Galle District and Southern Bandula Jayasinghe, Lalith resigned on Tuesday to contrast to their La Liga Sudeera scored 663 runs with against St. Anthony's Province teams in the Prima Cup Samarasinghe and M.W. Alwis, avoid facing a vote of no form where they are two centuries and four fifties and Katugastota, St. Thomas Matara Champions Trophy in 2017. and current Principal K.S.W.J. de confidence after some without a win in their claimed 50 wickets for 891 runs and St. Servatius Matara - and In 2018 he played for the Silva, former master-in-charge Y. 20,000 fans signed a last three matches. with four 5-wicket hauls. bagged 30 wickets. under-17 team. He passed 300 Nishantha Kumara and current petition demanding that "This was our best His primary education was at In 2016 he graduated to the runs with four fifties. He led the master-in-charge Ranjith he step down. game all season. This is Sirisumana Kanishta Vidyalaya school under-15 team and scored under-17 team and scored over Kumbalathara, head coach "The best answer was a big win against an Rathgama. He represented the 512 runs with two centuries. He 260 runs with two half centuries Ranjan Lasantha, assistant today's game. We want important European side school softball cricket team in the represented the Galle District the following season. coach Mahesh Sandaruwan, to win titles and matches and we were able to play big match against Jayanthi and Southern Province teams in He represented the school first academic and non-academic staff as we showed today," the football we're trying Vidyalaya Hikkaduwa in 2011 the Prima Cup Champions XI team (Division II) in his last members of both schools, district said Sergi Roberto. "It's to impose," Koeman under coach Rashan Trophy in 2016. He led the year as an under-13 player in coaches and provincial coaches all in the past, we're said. "It is always Madusanka. under-15 team and scored 802 2015/2016 as a fresher, and was and Kushil Gunasekera, founder concentrating on our important to create He switched over to runs with three centuries and the ‘Baby of the Team’. He passed of Foundation of Goodness (FOG) job." chances. We were Devapathiraja in 2012 as a grade five fifties in 2017. He made a 250 runs. He scored more than Seenigama, OBA, his teammates, Coach Ronald Koeman superior by playing our 6 student. He represented the double century against 400 runs in the 2016/2017 their parents and his family agreed that his team had game. It was the right under-13 team in 2012 under Devananda College Ambalangoda season. He made a half century members. (IR) tried to put the result." Ranjan Lasantha de Silva. He and became the first ever player against Kegalu Vidyalaya and boardroom issue out of (Reuters)

Tokyo 2020 Return of cricket to the Olympics Int’l Paralympic Committee ICC ask members plans refugee team to gauge benefits The International Paralympic the International Olympic Committee (IPC) has announced Committee, which sent a refugee plans to send a refugee team to team to Rio and plans to do so The ICC is continuing with receive if it is part of such an Tokyo 2020. again in Tokyo. its push for a return of cricket event, it would also provide a It is hoped six athletes will Sir Ludwig Guttmann, the to the Olympics, having financial boost to the majority compete in Japan with American founder of the Paralympic Games, recently asked all its of members. swimming Paralympian Ileana was himself a refugee who fled to members to report on the Most governing bodies Ronald Koeman Rodriguez set to serve as Chef de Britain from Nazi Germany due to potential financial benefits of could expect increased Mission. the persecution he faced as a Jew. inclusion. funding from their respective Establishing the Refugee The IPC plans to work with its A questionnaire sent to all Governments or other public Paralympic Team (RPT) sees the commercial partners and UNHCR, ICC members asked them to organisations if Olympic Man United can safely IPC build on the Independent the UN Refugee Agency, to create quantify the ‘potential status was confirmed. In light Paralympic Athletes team which awareness of the plight faced by financial support’ they could of the economic difficulties host 23,500 fans competed at Rio 2016 and featured refugee athletes and send a expect to receive each year posed by the COVID-19 two athletes from Syria and Iran message of hope to the almost 80 from their Government and pandemic, that could be Manchester United can Government guidelines to who had claimed political asylum. million forcibly displaced people respective Olympic especially relevant. safely host 23,500 fans at make sure we can have It also follows in the footsteps of worldwide. (Agencies) organisations if the sport’s Some substantial Old Trafford while around 23,500 people in inclusion was confirmed. impediments remain. Notably, maintaining social this stadium safely social Intriguingly, the template the ‘big three’ nations of distancing to curb the distancing,” United’s also asked members to India, England and Australia spread of COVID-19, the Chief Operating Officer distinguish between the have, in the short-term, the Premier League club said Collette Roche told Sky support available if the sport least to gain and most to lose on Wednesday. Sports. “It’s quite was accepted to the games on from Olympic involvement. Spectators have been bemusing to understand a permanent basis or ‘on a They have previously argued barred from games since why people can gather in one-off basis (e.g. 2028 LA that the requisite window in the league resumed in other settings - such as Olympics)’. the schedule would eat into June after a three-month on an aeroplane or a The forms need to be their bilateral series plans hiatus due to the restaurant, or even in a returned by 2 November with and leave them out of pocket. pandemic, with fans last cinema to watch football - the results set to be discussed For similar reasons, they have present at Old Trafford when we know we’ve got at the next ICC Board resisted the call from other during United’s 2-0 derby the plans and the process Meetings later in the month. Full Member nations for the victory over Manchester is ready to deliver a match The ICC has yet to agree a scheduling of more global City in March. day here safely.” future tours programme events. The U.K. Government Executive Vice- beyond 2023. Cricket previously featured had hoped to allow limited Chairman Ed Woodward While the ICC undertook a in the 1900 Paris Olympics. crowds back into sporting urged the Government to similar exercise a couple of After Belgium and venues from October, but allow fans back into years ago, the decision to Netherlands withdrew, the Prime Minister Boris stadiums last week, while revisit the issue again so soon only match in the tournament Johnson put those plans expressing frustration would appear to suggest saw Great Britain defeat on hold last month amid a with inconsistencies in growing support for France by 158 runs. The surge in cases. “We spent the Government’s Ibrahim Al Hussein was one of two refugee athletes to appear at Rio 2016 as involvement. Quite apart from winners were awarded silver around two months approach. part of the Independent Paralympic Athletes team the exposure the sport would medals. (Agencies) working with the (Reuters) A16 friday 30 october 2020 sports National Championship – Final Decision Tonight Athletes frustrated over continuous Grounds/Gyms closed Authorities fail to ensure changes in decision/competition dates continuous training facilities By Anjana Kaluarachchi resume competitions. with several stadiums shut down by National athletes had trained and PHIs throughout the country even in A special meeting between Sri Lanka were in peak condition to face trials on curfew free areas. Director of National Athletics officials and National three occasions this year, but could Institute of Sports Medicine Dr. Lal Institute of Sports Medicine officials not perform since sudden quarantine Ekanayake has been doing everything will take place at 7: 00 p.m. tonight to curfew resulted in the trials being possible to discuss the matter with make a call on the National Athletics postponed each time. They first peaked relevant health authorities to keep Championship 2020, which appears to targeting the National Trials in April, stadiums open at least for national be the only possible National level which was postponed due to island athletes. However, national athletes athletics championship this year. wide curfew imposed due to first wave living in the Gampaha District Some key areas that will be taken up of COVID-19. Then after the situation continued to be affected and were for discussion during the meeting are eased down SLA decided to hold the confined to their homes during the dates, measures to ensure safety of National Trials from 25-27 October entire month of October. athletes, providing continuous training when the Minuwangoda incident Meanwhile, athletes also faced facilities, testing and health guidelines. occurred. Following a request from severe economic problems as most of SLA is keen on conducting the event athletes they decided to hold their families’ income has been before 31 December, as athletes’ Performance Test for National Athletes affected by the pandemic. Some also performance at the National on 26-27 October, but that too got face the problem of not having a Championship will ensure they receive cancelled due to curfew being imposed proper place to stay. The temporary 100 bonus points for world athletics and Sugathadasa Stadium being out of places where athletes lived for training rankings, which will ultimately help bounds. purposes had asked them to vacate them to increase their chances of Just after cancellation of the the premises or stay indoors for a qualifying for world events, including Performance Test, Director of Sports while by their landlords, since they the Olympic Games. Sri Lanka Athletes had high hope for 2020 after successful South Asian Games I.P. Wijerathne held a meeting with had been going out for training every Campaign in 2019, where they topped the medal tally Since World Athletics (WA) rules some of the National Athletes who were day. allow only one National Championship take some extreme measures. We may athletes for off-season training. I know occupying the Sports Hostel along with “I’m extremely disappointed about per year, Sri Lanka will have to have to keep changing the dates of the they are frustrated,” added the National Coach, and decided to the situation right now. We could have conduct the 2020 event before the end Nationals from first week of December Kularathne. conduct the Performance Test on 29 seen some impressive performances as of the year, which will give SLA the to end of December, or we may have to and 30 October, but it was obvious our athletes were in good form leading opportunity of conducting two National keep athletes in hostels in bio secure What happened so far that won’t be possible with the to the trials. Our athletes face several Championships before the 2021 bubble and keep testing athletes, Athletics came to standstill from last escalating situation, which ultimately problems: Training facilities have been Olympic qualification deadline next coaches and even technical staff,” said March due to the COVID-19 pandemic, resulted in another cancellation. closed, gyms closed and decision- year, which will give athletes a better National Coach Y.K. Kularathne. and during this time Sri Lanka had making process by authorities has chance to increase their ranking “If the curfew is relaxed, we can failed to conduct at least one National Athletes in dilemma been slow. We should address these points. conduct the Nationals even by limiting competition, though many countries Apart from competition dates, and let our athletes train without any “Due to WA bonus points we are participation and strictly adhering to which had far worse COVID-19 athletes have several other problems to hassle if we are to expect better results keen on conducting the Nationals this health guidelines, if not, we will have problems with thousands of positive deal with as authorities have failed to in a competition,” said President of year, even if that means we will have to to take a decision early and release cases and many deaths, were able to ensure continuous training facilities AASL, Maj. Gen Palitha Fernando. Saudi Arabia set for 2021 F1 debut Saudi Arabia is set to host Formula Saudi Arabia was the addition, likely to long-term global partnership with state- One Grand Prix for the first-time next be paired with the season-ending round owned energy giant Saudi Aramco and year with a street race in Jeddah in Abu Dhabi, one informed source told has been in talks for some time about a featuring on a record 23-round draft Reuters. Saudi race. calendar presented to teams, F1 sources Jeddah, the country’s second city, Saudi Arabia has come under said on Wednesday. would host the race until a purpose-built heightened international criticism over A second U.S. race in Miami appears circuit in Qiddiya - about an hour’s drive its human rights record after journalist on hold for at least another year, from the capital Riyadh - is built. Jamal Khashoggi was murdered and however. The vast Qiddiya entertainment resort dismembered by Saudi operatives inside A proposed new Brazilian Grand Prix is at the heart of an ambitious strategy to its Istanbul consulate in 2018. track in Rio de Janeiro has yet to be built open the economy and ease social Felix Jakens, Amnesty International’s and faces mounting environmental restrictions. UK head of campaigns, said a Saudi concerns, meaning the calendar could Saudi Arabia hosts the Dakar Rally in Grand Prix “would be part of ongoing ultimately drop to a still-record 22 races. January, while the all-electric Formula E efforts to sports wash the country’s The new coronavirus pandemic adds series has two races in Diriyah scheduled abysmal human rights record. uncertainty, although the sport’s ability for 26-27 February. “In the lead-up to a race in Jeddah, we to race this year has boosted the chances A new Extreme E off-road electric would urge all F1 drivers, owners and of a fuller calendar. series is due to race in Al Ula on 20-21 teams to consider speaking out about the The 2020 season would have featured March, while tennis, boxing and golf have human rights situation in the country, 22 races, with Vietnam due to debut and held events in the country. including by expressing solidarity with the Dutch Grand Prix returning for the Formula E and Extreme E founder jailed human rights defenders.” first time in 34 years, but was reduced to Alejandro Agag, speaking to Reuters from A Saudi race would be the third in the 17 due to COVID-19. Saudi Arabia, said he had heard lots of Middle East after Bahrain, which comes F1 teams were shown a draft 2021 rumours about Formula One coming in the early part of the year, and Abu calendar on Monday, with a final version next year. Dhabi. unlikely to be published for some weeks. Formula One this year announced a (Reuters)

Bledisloe or bust for Wallabies in Tri-Nations opener Tokyo 2020 Athletes’ Village

The Tri-Nations kicks off on Saturday the ball to New Zealand’s back three, ‘Health base’ to be set up when an inexperienced Australia especially young left winger Caleb host New Zealand in front of a 40,000 Clarke. crowd at Sydney’s Olympic Stadium but Foster, also taking charge of his third for COVID-19 infections all eyes at will be on a much older prize test on Saturday, clearly believes he got the Bledisloe Cup. his selection right at Eden Park and has A ‘health base’ is set to be measures taskforce was The withdrawal from the Rugby made only three changes, one expected established at the Athletes’ Village established following the Championship of world champions and two enforced, to his team. for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and postponement of Tokyo 2020 as a South Africa over player welfare Despite having dominated the Paralympic Games in case of result of the pandemic. concerns has left a rump competition to Bledisloe Cup exchanges since 2003, the potential COVID-19 infection. It is expected to announce be played out over the next six weeks usual match scheduling A coronavirus counter-measures policies for the Games by the end between the trans-Tasman Sea rivals means New Zealand have not actually taskforce, formed of officials from of the year, with other measures and Argentina. secured the trophy on Australian soil the Japanese Government, Tokyo set to include a mechanism for The All Blacks and Wallabies got a since 2009. Metropolitan Government and Tokyo lifting the entry ban on foreign head start on the Pumas with two tests “I think that will be a special 2020, decided to implement a health tourists, which is currently in played in front of big crowds achievement,” Foster added. base following their fourth meeting. place for 159 countries and in New Zealand over the last month and “We have to make sure that we show The base, separate from the regions, a health-checking app, the competitiveness of those matches our colours playing away from home and general clinic in the Village, will be mandatory testing, health has whetted the appetite for Saturday’s that we can lift our performance responsible for monitoring athletes’ insurance and exclusive health contest. regardless of which country we’re in.” health, selecting medical institutions centres for tourists. A 16-16 draw in Wellington followed by Teams to hospitalise those who contract the Despite the difficulties thrown up a 27-7 All Blacks win in Auckland Matt Toomua and James O’Connor Australia: 15-Dane Haylett-Petty, virus, and organising transportation by the global health crisis, officials means the Bledisloe Cup series remains have both been ruled out for Saturday 14-Filipo Daugunu, 13-Jordan Petaia, for patients, as reported by Kyodo have remained confident Tokyo alive even if the Wallabies need to win and so flyhalf Noah Lolesio and inside 12-Irae Simone, 11-Marika Koroibete, News. 2020 will take place next year. the last two matches if they are to centre Irae Simone will make their test 10-Noah Lolesio, 9-Nic White, 8-Harry The panel also agreed to set up an International Olympic Committee end New Zealand’s 17-year grip on the debuts. Wilson, 7-Michael Hooper, 6-Ned ‘infectious disease control centre’ in President Thomas Bach recently trophy. Rennie will clearly be hoping his Hanigan, 5-Matt Philip, 4-Lukhan the Tokyo 2020 main operation said he does not expect any “We know it will be a massive effort forwards can give them the platform Salakaia-Loto, 3-Allan Alaalatoa, centre. country to ‘opt out’ of the Games from the Wallabies this week,” All Blacks they provided to Toomua and O’Connor 2-Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 1-James Outfitted with doctors, this will due to the pandemic, while coach Ian Foster said on Thursday. with their aggressive display in Slipper centralise control over COVID-19 Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide “It’s a do or die for them and that’s the Wellington. New Zealand: 15-Beauden Barrett, counter-measures. Suga reiterated his commitment to way they will see it. The key thing for us “We’ve seen where we think we’ve 14-Jordie Barrett, 13-Anton Lienert- It will work together with the hosting the Olympics and is that we have to make it a do or die created opportunities for ourselves,” Brown, 12-Jack Goodhue, 11-Caleb health base and general clinic in the Paralympics earlier this week. thing for us too.” the New Zealander said on Thursday. Clarke, 10-Richie Mo’unga, 9-Aaron Athletes’ Village to keep on top of the The Olympics have been New Wallabies coach Dave Rennie is “There are little areas that we think we Smith, 8-Hoskins Sotutu, 7-Sam Cane, health condition of athletes and rescheduled to 23 July to still enjoying his honeymoon period but can get some joy.” 6-Shannon Frizell, 5-Sam Whitelock, detect infection at an early stage, 8 August, followed by the injury has ended any question of his Rennie will also be looking for a much 4-Patrick Tuipulotu, 3-Ofa Tuungafasi, while also gathering and sharing Paralympics from 24 August to phasing in the transition to lower missed tackle count than at Eden 2-Dane Coles, 1-Karl Tu’inukuafe information on coronavirus. 5 September. a new generation of playmakers. Park and a strategy that avoids kicking (Reuters) The coronavirus counter- (Agencies)

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