thursday 13 august 2020 Latest Edition Vol: 09/208 Price : Rs 30.00

Cabinet of 25 Sworn In 39 State Ministers Take Oaths

The 25-Member Cabinet of Ministers and 39 (12). Additionally, 23 Parliamentarians have been According to the ‘Saubhagyaye Dekma (Vistas development, infrastructure facilities, education, State Ministers of the new Government led by the appointed as District Coordinating Committee of Prosperity and Splendour)’ policy statement, health and sports. Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) was sworn Chairmen. the composition of the Cabinet has been The Buddhist clergy invoked blessings on the in before President Gotabaya . The The President repeatedly stressed the need for formulated in a pragmatic and realistic manner newly appointed Ministers, State Ministers and swearing- in in ceremony was held at the Magul an efficient Cabinet dedicated to building a to implement the national programme. Special Committee Chairmen. Maduwa (Audience Hall) in last morning prosperous nation in the future. attention was paid to national security, economic More on pages eight and nine.

Out of Cabinet... Vanni District MP JJB nominates Ranil, Mangala, No portfolio rejects SLFPer’s offer Dr. Amarasuriya Patali, and Hakeem SLPP’s Kader Masthan summoned by PCoI for fmr President, approached to to Nat list By Faadhila Thassim cross over By Anuradha Herath several others Former Prime Minister Ranil By W.K. Prasad Manju Academic Dr. has Wickremesinghe, former Ministers By Gagani Weerakoon been nominated to the National List seat of , Patali Champika SLPP Vanni District the Jathika Jana Balawegaya (JJB). Ranawaka and and seven A group of one-time Parliamentarian Kader The Election Commission has been others were issued notices to appear senior Cabinet Ministers of Masthan said, though informed of the decision taken by the before the Presidential Commission of the Sri Lanka Freedom he had received an Politburo of the JJB, their Leader Anura Inquiry (PCoI) appointed to probe Party (SLFP) and the Sri invitation from the Kumara Dissanayaka said. political victimisation of public officials Lanka Podujana Peramuna SLFP to join them, he Dr. Amarasuriya is a Senior Lecturer of during the tenure of the United National (SLPP) including former had declined the offer. the Department of Sociology at the Open Front Government. President Maithripala He noted, he will University of Sri Lanka. Chairman of the PCoI, retired Supreme Sirisena, who polled the continue to stay with Court Judge, Justice Upali Abeyratne, highest number of the SLPP. yesterday (12), ordered to issue notices preferential votes from He stated that a to the group of 11, including former Polonnaruwa did not get senior member from... Ministers and portfolios. CID grills Bathiudeen Field Marshal , Among those who had Story Continued on page 2 President’s Counsel (PC) and former been holding portfolios in for six hours Parliamentarian Dr. Jayampathy all past SLFP-allied Wickramaratne, MPs M.A. Sumanthiran coalition Governments, but Handing over UNP By Chamara Amarasuriya PC, R. Sampanthan and Anura Kumara were not given any Cabinet Dissanayake, and J.C. Weliamuna PC to or State Ministerial leadership to Karu The Criminal appear before the PCoI on 21 August. portfolios this time around, apart from Sirisena, Investigations The notice was issued with regard to a includes , Susil Vajira vehemently Department (CID) had complaint filed by the former Secretary Premajayantha, Anura Priyadarshana Yapa, Ranjith recorded a statement for to the Ministry of Economic Siyambalapitiya, Dr. , S.B. over six hours from Development, Dr. Nihal Jayathilaka, Dissanayake, , W.D.J. disapproves Samagi Jana claiming that his arrest in connection Seneviratne, and Chandima Former United Balawegaya with the alleged misappropriation of Divi Weerakkody. National Front (UNF) Parliamentarian Rishad Neguma funds was politically motivated. Minister, Vajira Bathiudeen yesterday Abeywardena, had (12), in connection with Story Continued on page 2 reportedly expressed its ongoing investigation his vehement into last year’s Easter disapproval to the Sunday terror attacks. Ravi K appears decision taken by the CID sources said that Arrest of K’gala Party to hand over its Bathiudeen had arrived at its premises at before Bribery Comm reins to former around 9:30 a.m. Speaker Karu Bathiudeen had previously given a By Chamara Amarasuriya Mayor stayed Jayasuriya, UNP statement to the CID office at the sources said. Irattaperiyakulam Police Station in Former Minister By Kamal Weeraratna Meanwhile, he had maintained... Vavuniya as per an order by Court. was summoned to the The Court of Appeal (CoA), Story Continued on page 2 Commission to yesterday (12), suspended the Investigate execution of warrants issued Allegations of Bribery for the arrest of Kurunegala Rs 10,000 a month to prevent arrest of heroin racketeer or Corruption Mayor Thushara Sanjeewa (CIABOC) yesterday Vitharana and Municipal (12), in order to record Engineer Chaminda Bandara Cop caught red handed a statement Adikari, by Kurunegala Chief pertaining to the Magistrate Sampath ongoing probe into the Hewawasam, until 24 By Chamara Amarasuriya Central Bank August. connected to a heroin smuggling racket. Treasury Bonds scam. The order was delivered by Officers from the Commission to According to the officers, they had Upon being summoned, Karunanayake a Bench comprising Justices Investigate Allegations of Bribery or nabbed the suspect when he had arrived on appeared before the Commission last A.H.M.D. Nawaz (President) Corruption, yesterday, (12) arrested a a motorcycle at the plaintiff’s residence at morning. and Justice Sobitha Police Constable (PC) attached to the Police Walpoladeniya in Mawanella to collect the The Commission has commenced an Rajakaruna, after having perused the writ petitions Narcotics Bureau, who had gone to obtain a money. investigation into this scam which had filed by the duo. bribe of Rs 10,000, which he had received The suspect was nabbed following a taken place during the tenure of the UNF monthly to prevent the arrest of a suspect complaint lodged with the Commission. -led regime. Story Continued on page 2 A2 thursday 13 august 2020 news

Commander Sumith Ranasinghe testifies at PCOI 23 DCC Chairs ‘Gota Camp’- used for Intelligence appointed purposes and not torture camp President yesterday appointed 23 District Coordinating Committee (DCC) Chairmen following the conclusion of By Faadhila Thassim appointing the Cabinet. Commander Sumith They are as follows: Mullaitivu Ranasinghe said a gunsite 1. Pradeep Undugoda - 14. D. Weerasinghe - Ampara in the Trincomalee Naval 2. Sahan Pradeep Vithana - 15. Kapila Athukorala - Base used for Intelligence- Gampaha Trincomalee related purposes was 3. Sanjeewa Edirimann - Kalutara 16. Gunapala Rathnasekara - termed ‘Gota Camp, 4. WasanthaYapa Bandara - Kandy Kurunegala after the change of the 5. N. Nalaka Bandara Kottegoda - 17. - Puttalam Government in 2015 Matale 18. H. Nandasena - Anuradhapura certain persons claimed 6. S.B. Dissanayake - Nuwara Eliya 19. Amarakeerthi Athukorala - that it was used to detain 7. Sampath Athukorala - Galle Polonnaruwa 700 Liberation Tigers of 8. Nipuna Ranawaka - Matara 20. - Tamil Eelam members and 9. Upul Galappaththi - Hambantota Badulla was used as a torture 10. - 21. Kumarasiri Rathnayaka - camp. 11. - Monaragala Testifying before the Kilinochchi 22. Akila Ellawala - Ratnapura Presidential Commission of He added that following a camp,’’ he added, noting He further added that the 12. K. Dileepa - Vavuniya 23. Rajika Wickramasinghe - Inquiry (PCoI) appointed to case filed against him at the that former Director of the former Government used 13. K. Kader Masthan - Mannar and Kegalle probe into political Colombo Fort Magistrate’s CID, Shani Abeysekera had Lieutenant victimisation of public Court in 2009, Chief also termed this site as Commodore K.C. officials during the tenure Inspector of Police of the ‘Gota camp’. Welagedara as one of the of the United National CID, Nishantha de Silva Ranasinghe testified main witnesses for this Front- led Government produced a B report using before the PCoI based on a case as Ranasinghe had yesterday (12), Ranasinghe the term ‘Gota Camp’ for the complaint filed by him previously provided noted that this term was specific site. ’’The site was claiming that his arrest statements against Two women sworn in by initially made to the Media used for purely Intelligence over the alleged abduction Welagedara over his alleged by former Parliamentarian related purposes and was of 11 youth was politically involvement in human President Rajapaksa . not used as a site torture motivated. trafficking.

Two females have been appointed Minister of Skills Development, as a Cabinet Minister and a State Vocational Education, Research Minister in the Government led by and Innovation, Dr. Seetha the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna Arambepola. UNP to decide on leadership tomorrow (SLPP) that was sworn into office by Wanniarachchi received the President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at highest number of preferential By Upatissa Perera the Magul Maduwa (Audience Hall) votes from the Ratnapura District in Kandy yesterday (12). on the SLPP ticket, while Dr. The final decision to appoint a new They are Minister of Health Arambepola was nominated on the Leader to the UNP will take place after and State National List by the SLPP. the Party’s Working Committee convenes at Sirikotha, tomorrow (14) morning. UNP sources said Party stalwart had responded positively to a Defence Ministry to overlook request made to him by UNP Leader , who is to step District, Regional Secretariats down from the Leadership shortly, to take over the Party’s reins for an interim All District Divisional Secretariats and Regional Secretariats previously period. under the purview of the Ministry of Public Administration and Home Already, the names of four former Affairs, have now been brought under the supervision of the Ministry of Party members have been shortlisted for Defence. (UP) the post.

President and new Ministers meet Chief prelate of Malwathu Chapter

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa after the swearing-in ceremony of the Cabinet visited the Chief Incumbent of the Malwathu Chapter, Most Venerable Thibbotuwawe Sri Sumangala Thera with the newly-appointed Ministers.

Continued from page 1 Arrest of K’gala...

They claimed that the measures Chandana D. Wickremaratna, de Livera. They had further pointed wholly contrary to the law. They also August General Election. taken by the Police to execute the Director General (DG) of Archeology out that they had razed part of the said that part of the Buwaneka Hotel The petitioners further stated that arrest warrants had been contrary to Professor Senarath Dissanayaka and Buwaneka Hotel, with the sincere had been razed based on propaganda activity conducted by a the law and hence they moved the Attorney General Dappula de Livera, aim of redeveloping the entire recommendations received from the certain extremist political party, Court to suspend their activation. as respondents to the writ petitions. complex and at a time when the Municipal Engineer’s Department. during the lead up to the concluded Vitharana and Adikari had filed the The petitioners had stated that demolished premises had not been The duo maintained that misleading Poll, with the aim of gaining undue writ petitions with the Appellate Chief Magistrate Hewawasam had identified or even termed as a building information regarding the demolition political advantage, had also Court on 11 August and they have issued the arrest warrants after of archeological value by Dissanayaka. had been released to the Media, saying contributed to the present situation. named the Kurunegala Police having considered a ‘B’ Report filed Hence, Vitharana and Adikari that it had been a historic King’s Court The Court of Appeal ordered both, the Officer-In-Charge (OIC), Chief in Court by the OIC of the insisted that the action taken by the and that it had been of archeological petitioners and the respondents, to Magistrate Hewawasam, Acting Kurunegala Police on 7 August and Kurunegala Police to activate the importance, while giving it political make further submissions to Court Inspector General of Police based on instructions received from arrest warrants against them, was connotations in the run up to the 5 on the next date.

SLPP’s Kader... No portfolio...... the SLFP had invited him to attend Abeywardena who was remain a frontline MP Environment portfolios, the SLFP Parliamentary group meeting elected from Matara, while two others are respectively. chaired by MP held however, is tipped to be appointed to SLFP slots However, SLFP sources on 9 August at its Darley Road appointed Speaker of the for Cabinet portfolios. revealed that most of the headquarters. But, he mentioned, he had Ninth Parliament when it SLFP Senior Vice senior members were politely declined the invitation. He added, is convened on 20 Chairman, Nimal Siripala disheartened and he had obtained the SLPP membership August. de Silva and United disappointed as this last January after having left the SLFP and Meanwhile, when People’s Freedom setback comes in the insisted, he has no intention of leaving the queried, a SLFP stalwart Alliance General wake of the SLFP not SLPP when he had been elected to said that by 11 August Secretary Mahinda getting the allegedly Parliament on its ticket at the recently afternoon, Sirisena had Amaraweera were promised two slots from concluded Poll. expressed his consent to conferred Labour and the SLPP National List.

Vajira vehemently...... that this post should be accorded to former MPs regarding the outcome of the him and no one else. Abeywardena had recent talks he had held with mentioned this to UNP Leader Ranil Jayasuriya. Sources said that after the Wickremesinghe, after meeting the latter explanation given by Wickremesinghe, at his Colombo 3 residence yesterday Abeywardena had expressed his stern (12) afternoon. opposition to the decision taken to The meeting was also attended by UNP install Jayasuriya, as the new Party General Secretary Akila Viraj Leader. Meanwhile, the group of former Kariyawasam and former UNF Ministers UNF MPs had also inquired from Ravi Karunanayake, , Wickremesinghe as to whether he had , invited former Minister Mangala and , among others. Samaraweera to assume the portfolio of During the meeting, Wickremesinghe, Party General Secretary, but who is planning to resign from the post Wickremesinghe had stated that of Party Leader shortly, had briefed the Samaraweera had declined the offer. news thursday 13 august 2020 A3

Solving Mullaithivu Hospital doc shortage TID IP tells Easter Attacks PCoI Jaffna Hospital Lack of coordination with faces music While 2,500 post-interns await appointments CID hampered TID probes By Dilanthi Jayamanne station for four years, those who By Buddhika Samaraweera Zaharan nor Fatima were at home He further said that the TID had took up appointments in the North at the time. "Only Fatima's mother, called for a report on the Solving the issue of a shortage of and East had to serve in those Certain investigations conducted Muhammadu Yassin Sitti Sahila, investigations conducted by the medical officers at the District Hospitals for only one to two years by the Terrorist Investigation and brother, Muhammadu Cader CID on Zaharan and that there was General Hospital of Mullaithivu before being transferred out, they Division (TID) could not be Muhammadu Ansar, were at no mention in the report that Ansar would only create more issues for noted. conducted properly due to some home," he said. had acted as an informant for the the 13 Consultant Units of the Meanwhile, Secretary of the issues between the CID and TID, Responding to a question by CID. He added that if they were Teaching Hospital of Jaffna, Branch Union of the Government said IP of the TID, Gayan members of the PCoI as to whether allowed to further question Ansar Teaching Hospital, Jaffna sources, Medical Officers’ Association Ratnayake. action had been taken to question on that day, it would have revealed said. (GMOA), Dr. Budhikka Menikge He was testifying before the them, as Zaharan and his wife were information about Zaharan's Although measures had been confirmed that the Hospital had Presidential Commission of Inquiry not in the house, he said that steps whereabouts. taken by Director of the Teaching received four RHOs. probing the bombings on 21 April had been taken to question them. Responding to a question raised Hospital of Jaffna to release four GMOA Secretary Dr. Senal 2019 Easter Sunday, yesterday "At the time, Fatima's mother said by the Senior State Counsel who Residential House Officers (RHOs) as Fernando explaining the issue (12). that Zaharan had last visited the led the evidence as to why the CID instructed by the Director General of earlier said that Ministry of Health In 2018, he served as the Acting house about two years earlier. But had asked the TID officers to leave Health Services (DGHS), it would too had to be blamed for the long OIC of the Unit on Islamic when questioned, Ansar said that Fatima's house, IP Ratnayake said have an impact on the four Units drawn delay in publishing the post- Extremism and Fundamentalism, Zaharan had come home about a that competition between from which they have been released, intern appointment list. It was post- which was operational under the month and a half earlier," he said. investigation units regarding they said. intern appointments that fed the TID. IP Ratnayake also said that certain investigations at the time The RHOs were released from the peripheral Hospitals for the past The witness said that during the interrogation, Ansar may have caused it. Neuro Surgery Ward, the Neonatal several years as a majority of them investigations were conducted received a phone call from SI of the He also said that there was no Intensive Care, the Ear, Nose and had been identified as difficult based on information received by CID, Dias Padmasiri. Speaking adequate coordination between Throat Unit and the Urologic stations. The Ministry identified the TID regarding the extremist about the phone call, Ratnayake the respective investigation units, Surgery Unit. Sources said that the difficult stations following activities of National Thowheed said that "He then asked me who I especially between the CID and Consultants of the Hospital had met discussions with stakeholders which Jama’ath (NTJ) Leader Zaharan was. When we told him that we the TID. “Initially both the CID for a discussion and decided on included the GMOA, he said. There Hashim. An open warrant was were from the TID, he said that the and TID came under one Deputy requesting a meeting with the Health were 439 in the list that was issued for the arrest of Zaharan by CID was investigating Zaharan and Inspector General of Police (DIG) Secretary and the DGHS to appeal prepared. “But the Public Service the Colombo Chief Magistrate's that Ansar was one of their and at that time information on for more Medical Officers for the Commission (PSC) had issues with Court on 2 July 2018, he said. informants, so that our continued investigations conducted by each Hospital. There were two Urologic some of the stations that had been "On receiving information that stay in the house could interfere institution were mutually shared. Consultants working with only three identified. Thereby, the list was Zaharan was staying in with their investigation. He then But, with the appointment of a Medical Officers. amended repeatedly till the number Kattankudy, a team including told us to leave the place as soon separate DIG for the TID, much The approved cadre requirement of Hospitals was reduced to 409”. myself went to Kattankudy on 15 as possible.” information was not shared,” he for the Hospital is 300 but presently He said that with the delay, the January 2019 to arrest him. But he IP Ratnayake also said that he added. it had only 220 Medical Officers and number of post-interns awaiting could not be arrested on that day then took steps to inform the then The witness further said that a compared to other Teaching appointments had increased to and we then left for Kekunagolla in OIC of the TID, Chief Inspector of written request was made to the Hospitals, the teaching Hospital of 2,500. Narammala on 28 February 2019, Police (CI) K.N. Perera and then Director of the TID on 6 March Jaffna is highly underserved. While The Ministry had published the after receiving information that Assistant Superintendent of Police 2019, asking for permission to Medical Officers in the Teaching stations that were available for those Zaharan was staying at the house (ASP) Saman Perera in that regard. summon Ansar to the TID to Hospitals in the South served in one post-interns to apply, only last week. of his wife, Abdul Cader Fatima Later, they instructed us to leave question him, but Ansar was not Hadiya in the area," he added. the house if the CID investigations questioned until the bombings on However, he said that neither were being disturbed, he said. Easter Sunday took place. Death of former Ambassador to Japan Japanese Embassy expresses grief over Prof. Dissanayake’s demise The Embassy of Japan sympathy to his family. expressed sorrow and grief The Embassy, in a press over the demise of release issued in this Professor Dammika connection, noted the late Ganganath Dissanayake academic’s affection, on 11 August. compassion, passion and In respect of Prof. empathy for Japan and its Dissanayake’s people, the guidance given to contribution in promoting Japanese diplomats to friendship and mutual mature as Sinhala specialists understanding between Sri at the Ministry of Foreign Lanka and Japan, Chargé d’ Affairs in Japan, and the promotion Affaires of Japan, Kitamura of the bilateral relationship in his Toshihiro visited Prof. Dissanayake’s creative writing, a contribution residence yesterday (12) to extend through which he bridged cultures his sincere condolences and and friendship.

COVID-19 made no huge impact on agriculture – Official By Eunice Ruth essential crops domestically under the project ‘Saubagya Even if the COVID-19 pandemic Gewatta (Saubagya Home made a great impact on almost Gardening Programme)’ to reduce every sector, it has not made a huge the impact of COVID-19 on food impact on the agricultural sector, and other essential needs. The said the Additional Secretary of Programme included 14 major Agriculture and Development, crops such as mung bean, soya W.L.G. Samarasinghe. bean, ginger and turmeric, among When contacted yesterday (12), others. he noted that the import of crops “Half of the incentives had been and other agricultural products provided for farmers and these were stopped as per Government included seeds and fertiliser and decision and as a precautionary transport for produce, supply, measure in order to overcome the distribution and price control of shortfall the Government advised essential food items and the public to cultivate all needed medicines,” said Samarasinghe.

Navy seizes over 6,000kg of smuggled turmeric The Navy, on Tuesday (11), arrested four suspects on board a trawler in the seas off Chilaw attempting to smuggle in over 6,000 kg of turmeric from India to Sri Lanka. “Upon detecting a suspicious trawler in seas about 10 nautical miles (18 km) off the Chilaw Point, the Navy apprehended four suspects aboard it, along with gunny sacks stuffed with turmeric. Subsequently, with their family members were the trawler and the smuggled items quarantined, following directives of were brought to the Dikkowita the health authorities. fisheries harbour for further Meanwhile, based on information investigation. The consignment revealed by these suspects, the Navy which has been measured to be in coordination with the Coast Guard about 6,381 kg in wet weight was and Chilaw Police carried out handed over to the Customs for another raid in Chilaw town and further investigation, after proper arrested nine more individuals who decontamination,” the Navy said. were believed be prospective dealers The Navy Spokesman said that in connection. A mini van and Rs since it was assumed that the four 2,242,500 in the suspects’ suspects had maintained a close possession were seized during this association with Indian smugglers raid. out at sea, the four suspects together (GW) A4 thursday 13 august 2020 news Zaharan’s bro treated at C’bo Nat Hospital TRCSL certificate Government Analyst yet compulsory for to send report on Rilwan’s electronic devices By Thameenah Razeek suspicious BHT note - CID Due to the increasing number of counterfeit electronic devices, including mobile phones in circulation, the public is By Buddhika Investigations Department Mawanella area and a person should have referred him to a urged to purchase only electronic devices certified by the Samaraweera (CID) with a report in that named Sadiq had come in as Judicial Medical Officer. Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka connection, a CID official said. his guardian. However, someone had written (TRCSL). Although the bed head This CID official is currently According to a witness, who a note in his BHT that no Director General of TRCSL, Oshada Senanayake said the ticket (BHT) of Rilwan Hashim, attached to the Investigation previously testified before the further investigation was complaints received regarding counterfeit devices increased brother of the 21 April 2019, Unit of Presidential PCoI, Rilwan’s face, arms, left necessary. The note is believed recently and illegal devices entering the country are near exact Easter Sunday, bombings Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) eye and forehead were severely to have been written by the replicas of the original mobile phones. mastermind, Zaharan probing these bombings and injured at the time of individual named Sadiq. Senanayake yesterday (12) said as a result of these forged Hashim, who was injured in he was testifying before the admission. Although they had According to the CID officer, mobile phones, data could be breached but mobile phones an explosion in 2018 and had PCoI on 11 August. said that he was injured in a the BHT had been referred to registered with the TRCSL have all the data of the phone since been receiving treatment at Rilwan who had been gas cylinder explosion, doctors the GA’s Department in order the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number has National Hospital, Colombo, admitted to Hospital, under a have figured out that his to check the handwritings on been already registered with an authority. was referred to the pseudonym, M.I. Shahid, on injuries were not of the kind that particular note. He also “Massive scams can be carried out using IMEI numbers. This Government Analyst’s 27 August 2018 at around caused by a gas cylinder said that a statement was move will help curb issues pertaining to fake IMEI numbers and Department to check a note 11.27 a.m had been receiving explosion. recorded in this connection also assist in the tracking of lost mobile phones. It is against the made on it by a person who treatment at the National The doctors had therefore from a person named M.I. law, if a person, except the manufacturer—intentionally accompanied Rilwan, the Hospital, Colombo, for three taken steps to put a question Shahid. However no injuries removes, obliterates, changes, or alters the unique mobile Government Analyst’s weeks in 2018 due to injuries mark on all pages of the or scars were observed on his device equipment identification number,” he said. Department has not yet caused by an explosion. He patient’s BHT and referred the body as mentioned in the However, registering all mobile phones and tablets with the provided the Criminal had given an address in the patient to Hospital Police who BHT, he added. TRCSL will start from October.

23 new COVID-19 AI boon to justice sector if concerns cases from addressed – Justice Tilakawardane By Ruwan Laknath This was noted in an article Automated AI processes research. Also, AI allows for Kandakadu cluster Jayakody authored by her titled ‘AI in the allows for due diligence legal administrative staff to Legal System: Opportunities reviews, the preparation of supervise the information By Paneetha Ameresekere An Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Concerns’ which was contracts through being fed to these systems. system provides opportunities published in December 2019 standardised terms and In Mexico, Judges and The Epidemiology Unit reported 23 new cases from the for the justice sector to in Volume Five of the Judges conditions, acts as a tool that clerks are being advised by Kandakadu cluster in the 24 hours which ended at 10:00 a.m. optimise processes and Journal by the Sri Lanka can be setup as a self-service the Mexican Expertius system on 11 August, bringing the total number of COVID-19 cases procedures through Judges Institute. for clients to prepare their software on whether a receiving treatment to 238. algorithms and as an assistive Legal AI has allowed lawyers own contract, contract plaintiff is eligible for the This 240 number also included four other detections made in technology for judicial to focus on relevant sections in management (review a grant of a pension or not. In the 24 hours which ended at 10:00 a.m. on 11 August related to decision making but there are a contract when carrying out contract database and the case of State v. Loomis, returnees from abroad and their close contacts. Meanwhile, the concerns about its ability to contract reviews, litigation manage risk), legal operations an algorithm built into a number of patients that recovered and discharges as at 10:00 contextualise circumstances analysis, for use in legal analysis (assess the efficiency software indicated that the a.m. on 11 August was 29. Additionally, another 49 suspected and accuracy of predictions, technology patents and to stop of a firm and assign work to defendant demonstrated a cases have been hospitalised as at 10:00 a.m. on 11 August. noted retired Judge of the issues from cropping up in lawyers), litigation analysis high risk of violence and The Unit further said that since the first detection was made Supreme Court, Justice non-disclosure agreements. (given a set of facts, it can recidivism and pre-trial risk, on 27 January, there have been a total of 2,871 confirmed cases Shiranee Tilakawardane. In terms of legal AI systems, assess and provide a and this indication was taken to date (as at 10:00 a.m. on 11 August) of whom 2,622 have She however added that there are legal retrieval predictor of the success rate into account by the Judges recovered and 11 have died. The Unit also said that of these with proper regulation and the systems and legal analysis of a case), wrongdoing and resulted in a six-year total number of COVID-19 cases, the Welisara Navy cluster introduction of corrective systems. These systems have detection (takes predictive sentence. Further, AI based alone has produced 950 cases, followed by the Kandakadu measures, this evolving two types, namely, judgment coding to the level where it systems can monitor matters cluster (630) as at 10:00 a.m. on 11 August, with others, technology could potentially machines and legal expert can predict a problem before of ethics such as conflicts of including foreigners (32) comprising the rest. address such concerns. systems . it even arises), and legal interest.

Remove Rajitha’s staff from SLMC – GMOA Jaffna man dies at JTH By Dilanthi Jayamanne Ordinance, tasked with these persons in the Council from the South Asian Institute Deceased had been quarantined ensuring the quality of the may be detrimental to the of Technology and Medicine to The Government Medical medical service. The Health internationally accepted obtain registration from it. after sea crossing Officers’ Association (GMOA) Minister has the authority to quality of those doctors However, four membership called for the removal of former appoint the Chairman of the registered with the SLMC. positions remain vacant even An individual who had resident of Valvettithurai, Health Minister, Dr. Rajitha SLMC and five other Members Dr. Fernando further said nine months after Senaratne been quarantined at the Jaffna. Senaratne’s personal staff of that Council. that for the past two years, the left his portfolio, as the Jaffna Prison, after Four persons including from the Sri Lanka Medical Dr. Fernando said that local SLMC had been lacking four of Council’s Chairman has failed travelling from India by sea, the deceased who travelled Council (SLMC). medical practitioners with the its eight Council Members, to call for an election, he died on 11 August morning, from India via sea route had GMOA Secretary, Dr. Senal highest form of recognition in who had to be appointed at an further said. a few hours following been quarantined at the Fernando, accused Dr. the field of medicine were election. The authority who is He said that measures admission to the Jaffna Jaffna Prison. Senaratne of having appointed appointed to these top posts. tasked with conducting that should be taken to fill in those Teaching Hospital (JTH), The detainee fell ill and his personal staff members to “However, Senaratne violated election is the SLMC posts, while an authorised Hospital sources said was rushed to Hospital but the SLMC during his tenure as this norm and appointed those Chairman. They alleged that commission should be yesterday (12). died a few hours after the Minister of Health. medical officers who were his Senaratne’s aim had been to appointed to probe the The deceased, admission, Hospital The SLMC is a body political friends,” he said. He weaken the SLMC in the hope conduct of the SLMC Sathyamoorthy sources added. established under the Medical warned that the presence of of paving the way for students Chairman. Balakrishnan, was a (NJ) Local law SLLP reveals strategy for enforcement takes Policing webinar emerging victorious

By Amani Nilar campaign strategy which the advertising heavily on social of Colombo, Kandy, Matara Party adopted with regard to media and on electronic and Gampaha, subsequently The Sri Lanka Podujana social media-based media. branched off to other areas, Peramuna’s (SLPP) social advertising, to ensure a In this regard, the polls and was done based on the media based propaganda victory at the recently monitor, the Centre for Three Cs concept (content, campaign, which was carried concluded General Election. Monitoring Election Violence, creation and circulation). This out targeting the The SLPP secured a total of which observed the social involved the content of social Parliamentary Polls, at which 145 seats at the Parliamentary media based expenditure of media posts being generated it emerged victorious, involved Election this time, achieving a parties, groups and by teams of researchers a concerted strategy of having two thirds majority in the contestants targeting the Poll, followed by volunteer teams the incumbent President and House. One of the distinct in a report titled ‘Estimated island-wide creating the posts Premier addressing two features of the recent Election Election Campaign Costs’ based on the content provided different voter groups. was, that there were published in the aftermath of to them and circulating such. Specifically, this involved numerous constraints placed the Poll, claimed that the SLPP He added that this President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on political parties, had spent a total of Rs 26 campaign, which mainly tailoring his public addresses independent groups and million. targeted youths, projected targeting first time voters and contestants concerning the Explaining further regarding messages in two phases, floating votes (those who were conduct of their electoral the SLPP’s social media where initially the emphasis A webinar on ‘Policing Superintendent of Police undecided concerning the campaigning activities, in the strategy, Dissanayake noted, was on educating them about During Pandemic Times’ was K.T. Nimila De Silva exercise of their franchise) backdrop of the prevalent the online promotional the importance of exercising organised by the Bureau of participated in the webinar. while SLPP Leader Mahinda COVID-19 related situation in campaign had been operated their franchise, followed by a Police Research and Senior retired Indian Police Rajapaksa focused on the the country. Major health by local youths who were second phase which involved Development, New Delhi, Service officials lectured voter base comprising SLPP safety related constraints trained experts on the a spate of messages India on 10-11 August. A participants on various loyalists and supporters, imposed on them included the complex digital processes highlighting the SLPP’s group of 10 Police Officers topics related to policing which had been established at prohibition of the display of involved in carrying out such policies geared towards from Sri Lanka, including including humane policing, the last Local Government and propaganda material in public a plan. addressing the people’s Deputy Inspector General of policing for women and Presidential Polls. places and the restrictions The campaign which initially expectations. Police of Ampara, V.G.D. children, community This was revealed to Ceylon imposed on the numbers that commenced with an emphasis “The cost of the social media Ayasa Karunaratne, Senior outreach, policing during Today by Chief Information could participate in public on existing countrywide social campaign was kept at a Superintendent of Police stressful times and Officer of the SLPP, Dumindu rallies and meetings. This media hotspots where social minimum, which also enabled A.L.U.N. leveraging intelligence for Dissanayake, when meant that a majority of the media penetration (usage) is it to be successful,” he and Assistant effective policing. questioned about the parties instead reverted to high, namely, in the Districts claimed. Forum Thursday 13 AUGUST 2020 A5

Letters to the Editor Proportional Representation Key to Permanent People’s Govt A recent article in the press be made for an ‘All Party’ stay with the long existing k) Similarly, fix a date to hold by an eminent columnist Cabinet of 30 parliamentary Provincial Councils flowing Provincial Council Elections recommending the members to be formed by down to the local Govt. too, after relevant re-introduction of the applying the same PR machinery, strengthen them to amendments. hackneyed Westminster ‘First- arithmetic now being used to derive maximum returns from l) Local Govt. Elections past-the-post’ system, to select National list MPs. As a that huge Investment under should be depoliticised remove the present maladies in result, the existing ambiguous the aegis of the President allowing people to elect our electoral process, provision to increase the thereby leaving the independent, acceptable, compelled me to pen this number of Cabinet Portfolios Parliamentarians at the centre genuinely social-minded, article. by 5 can also be repealed. to play their exclusive role as honest individuals in the At the outset, we as peace- The Executive President shall aforesaid. Under this new locality in keeping with the loving, civic minded citizens hold only the Portfolio of scenario, the number of MPs ‘Grama Rajyaya’ concept where Every valid vote cast by a person at an election is given an equal value, desperately yearn for the whether it is cast in the South, North, East or the West National Security and Defence. too can be reduced drastically. people need to be assisted sans replacement of the current He would appoint the other f) Arising from their role any political affiliations and corrupt, deceitful and Ministers in consultation with rationalisation, review the 5 inducements. The existing disgusting system of exercise in futility. The original the Party leaders. By this year Pension scheme, abolish number of members should ‘Confrontational’ politics by a PR system armed with the The selfish method, the PR system brings Duty free Vehicle facility and also be rationalised. genuinely professional and ‘District Merit list’ mechanism, about a permanent ‘WIN-WIN’ Decentralised budgetary Future Executive decent system of ‘Consensual’ envisaged, preventing half- way opportunity given situation where all citizens allocations for MPs. politics; a system that breeds changes in the balance of to MPs to ‘cross including the politicians would g) Salaries and fringe benefits Presidency no political rivalry; a system power through so called ‘back forget their party rivalries after of MPs to be recommended by that is fair and equitable and stabbing’ by paid MPs as over’ by an the elections and forge ahead an independent committee Last but not the least, if the also a system that is cost ‘Agents’ who decide to betray unfortunate Court as one truly Democratic comprising Work study and concept of running the effective and productive their ‘Principals’ mainly for Nation. productivity experts in order to Executive Presidency, enough to deliver a peaceful personal reasons and kick- decision has led to Since our broad economic, save the MPs from allegations Legislature and the Judiciary and a prosperous Sri Lanka. backs. a mockery of a 05 social, cultural and foreign of ‘Conflict of Interest’. as three independent Having experienced the 2) Under the PR system, the policies are now very much in h) Amend or remove all the institutions is to be continued dismal failure of the much larger District is the year valid voter place, we would at most be publicly preferred obnoxious in its true spirit, ‘Yahapalana’ Government to electoral unit. As a result, it decision made electing the party who in our provisions, if any, governing the Presidential Elections deliver the much needed encourages the 225 District opinion can more effectively the present Executive should be contested by non- ‘Electoral Reforms’ despite the MPs to confine their role to through a tedious steer the country forward, Presidency. political, independent transformation of the entire more academic ‘Law, Foreign high cost election through an ‘all-party’ Cabinet i) After his /her election by candidates qualifying under a Parliament to a ‘Constitution Policy and National Budget of Ministers which includes the people, the Executive specific set of criteria. In our Assembly’, we are strongly of making and monitoring’ from process, a smaller Parties like TNA and President should remain view, the ‘preference vote’ the view the civil society or the the Centre rather than meaningless JVP. In particular, the neutral and act as a option at Presidential Elections sovereign voters as the engaging in voter canvassing inclusion of TNA in the Cabinet ‘Statesman’ looking after the becomes meaningful only when ‘Principals’ should form the efforts such as grassroots level exercise in futility. will help to remove the entire citizenry of the country the candidates are nucleus of any future effort to developments, issuing MP’s The original PR perpetual suspicion they without engaging in any independent. formulate a system of Chits, distributing goodies, harbour about a so called political party campaigning. We as concerned, peace- Representative Governance attending funerals, weddings, system armed with ‘Sinhala Govt.’ and satisfy the j) Fix the date loving citizens fervently hope through electoral reforms that Birthdays etc, at electorate promised 13+ component too. constitutionally for holding that sanity would prevail and best suit our small country. level. The failure of the the ‘District Merit The entire election process future Presidential and the new Government would Politicians as the ‘Decentralised Political list’ mechanism, would thereafter turn out to be Parliamentary Elections. If capture this golden opportunity ‘Representatives/Agents’ of the Administration system a routine, 5 yearly, peaceful Executive Presidency of making ‘Consensual Politics’ sovereign voters should not spearheaded by the ‘Provincial envisaged, exercises, sans fan-fare and continues, a more rational a reality by effecting the lend themselves to situations of Councils’ can be traced to the preventing half- extravaganza which an voter decision as well as a huge aforesaid Electoral Reforms/ ‘Conflict of Interest’ which they stubborn refusal of MPs in the emerging country like ours can cost reduction can be achieved Constitutional changes without are found guilty of many a Central Parliament to loosen way changes in the ill afford. by having both Presidential any further delay. time. Therefore, their role their grip on the local voter for balance of power e) As the decentralised and Parliamentary Elections on Bernard Fernando would be to serve only as the fear of losing the ‘Preference administration has come to the same day. Moratuwa facilitators/Intermediaries who Vote’. through so-called would take up the final 3) The original PR system ‘back-stabbing’ by proposals from the civil society attempted to mitigate the whetted by an eminent group of incidence of ‘hung’ or paid MPs as Retired Judges and the ‘unstable’ Parliaments by ‘Agents’ who decide Elections Commission for introducing ‘Bonus seats’ and approval by the Parliament. also created a ‘National list’ to betray their Civilian aspiration system with the dual objective ‘Principals’ mainly of bringing in ‘Wise men’ (In the This article is based on the absence of the Senate) and for personal following fundamental striking an ethnic balance in reasons and principles to achieve the the Parliament. The glaring aforesaid civilian aspiration. prostitution of the ‘National list’ kick-backs 1) The very concept of system and the not so electing representatives to the democratic nature of the national Legislature or the ‘Bonus seat’ concession have Manifestos on the nomination Parliament through voter led the more democratic, date in order they can be franchise, demands the system country loving citizens to contested in Courts for non- be constitutionally ‘Fair and believe that only a pure, PR implementation. This is a sine- equitable’. For this purpose, it system can sustain the equal qua-non as the voter decision is imperative that every valid value of all votes throughout a has to be guided mainly by the vote cast by a person at an given period, where every vote Party policies enshrined in the election is given an equal value, is represented up to the Top respective manifestos. whether it is cast in the South, Cabinet level. Such a system c) Give legal teeth to North, East or the will surely alleviate the minimum eligibility criteria for West. Towards this end, the existing ‘Confrontational’ those candidates at entire country should be attitude amongst both voters Parliamentary and PC construed as one national and politicians and promote a Elections as they are not only electorate in order to elect true ‘Sri Lankan’ identity. competing for well-paid jobs representatives proportionately 4) In our view, a ‘fair and with fringe benefits but also from the contesting parties to equitable’ voting system should being ranked by the party in the National Parliament. The be in place before we discuss merit order for voters to assess voter decisions shall be mainly the structure or the type of their ability and competencies based on the national policy governance that we desire to to steer and bring the Party framework (Manifesto) put have. manifesto to fruition as a team forward by the respective at Parliament and other levels. contesting parties to develop Ingredients for Towards this end, the Parties and manage the country as a simple, productive as professional corporate whole. Under the First- past- bodies should select their best the post or the Westminster Electoral Reforms District team players through a system, the MPs were elected Having understood the robust process of screening by the people voting fairness and the advantages of and structured interviews from small, unequally the most democratic PR system allowing the voter decision to populated electorates which and also recognising the be conveyed by a single ‘X’ distorted the ‘equal value’ of irreversible existence of a mark against the Party symbol the vote and the overall decentralised political of his choice based on the aspirations of the nation. The administration system Manifesto and the quality of the 1970 and 1977 election results (Provincial Councils, players in the District Merit which glaringly exposed the Municipalities, Urban Councils list. With the advent of District shortcomings of that system, and Pradeshiya sabhas) that Merit lists of Political paved the way for a more has come to stay, we exhort on Professionals, the ‘National democratic and a the contesting Parties/ List’ and bonus seat concession fairer Proportionate Alliances to include the become redundant. The ‘Cross Representation (PR) system following simple and productive over’ mockery will not combined with District lists of measures under ‘Electoral materialise as Party defectors candidates fielded by the reforms’ in their respective will lose their seat and be contesting parties arranged in Manifestos in order to form a replaced by the next candidate merit order instead of the permanent ‘Peoples Govt.’ as it in the respective ‘District Merit present alphabetical order. is the ideal time to strike a ‘New list’. Also, with the resulting Unfortunately, this simple and Normal’. removal of the ‘Preference vote’, cost-effective PR system was a) Abolish optional from the Ballot paper, the later subverted by annexing the ‘Preference voting’ system, Elections Dept. will save an optional ‘Preference Voting’ (PV) national list Farce, bonus seat enormous cost, time and system, the abolition of which concession and ‘Cross over’ energy spent on separating and became the main plank of the mockery and re-introduce the counting such votes and the Late Ven. Sobhitha Thera’s simple and non- violent full election result can be campaign at the Presidential ‘District Party Merit list’ system released before mid-night. and General Elections in 2015. which was an integral part of The entire election campaign Further, the selfish opportunity the original PR system, to should be handled and given to MPs to ‘cross over’ by Parliamentary and PC financed by the Party Head an unfortunate Court decision elections. Please refer item ‘c’ office, thereby allowing the has led to a mockery of a 5-year below for details. Elections Commission to easily valid voter decision made b) All contesting parties as monitor the campaign funding through a tedious high cost corporate bodies should legally of the respective Parties. election process, a meaningless register their election/policy d) Constitutional provision to A6 Thursday 13 AUGUST 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] ITAK’s House in Disarray! The Illankai Tamil Arasu Katchchi (ITAK) which was formed after breaking away from the All Ceylon Tamil Congress (ACTC) in 1949 is now in disarray following the setback it suffered at the General Election for the ninth Parliament last week. As a premier constituent party in the (TNA), ITAK with its House symbol has failed significantly with only gaining 10 seats from the Northern and Eastern Provinces where the ITAK-led TNA had sixteen Lebanon’s Agony seats in the previous Parliament. Soon after elaborating on the sad state of the ITAK at the Parliamentary Election last week TNA spokesperson and one of the three ITAK members elected from M. A. Sumanthiran had pointed out that the outcome of the General Election in the North and the East with the setback suffered by ITAK-led TNA and on the basis of the performances of rival political parties to the ITAK have indicated that the voters are now more focused towards mainstream national politics considering the post-war development and solving the humanitarian issues. It is not only the ITAK-led TNA even the Tamil National People’s Front (TNPF) led by former Northern Province Chief Minister C. V. Wigneswaran which had campaigned focusing very much on Tamil nationalism had even lost badly with the single victory of Wigneswaran. Former Provincial Councillor and the wife of one of the LTTE strongmen Ananthy Sasitharan who is considered a `firebrand’ campaigning vehemently on Tamil nationalism from the Wigneswaran camp along with former Parliamentarians Suresh K. Premachandran of the Eelam People’s Revolutionary Liberation Front (EPRLF) and Tamil Eelam Liberation By Shlomo Ben-Ami causes of Lebanon’s maladies, world’s most powerful non- change – a hope shared not Organisation (TELO)’s N. Srikantha who had and could, moreover, relieve State actor, with military only by Western powers like aligned with Wigneswaran have also lost in the Last week, a warehouse internal pressure on the capabilities that dwarf those of France, but also potentially by General Election. stocked with nearly 3,000 tons country’s political class. Lebanon’s Army. It is telling Saudi Arabia and the other (SLFP)’s Angajan of ammonium nitrate blew up, Yes, international donors are that, when Macron visited Gulf States – is unlikely to bear Ramanathan gaining the highest number of votes laying waste to the port of calling for political and Beirut after the port fruit. As Macron (36,365) from Jaffna District with his better Beirut and ripping through economic reform. But the sad explosion, crowds chanted: himself reportedly told United performance than the Eelam People’s Democratic much of the rest of the truth is that overcoming “Free us from Hezbollah.” States President Donald Party (EPDP) Leader and former Minister of Lebanese capital. At least 137 Lebanon’s powerful vested But Hezbollah enjoys broad- Trump, sanctions against Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Douglas people were killed, thousands interests – including both its based support among Hezbollah play into the hands Devananda has even clearly indicated the were wounded, and hundreds domestic ruling class and the Lebanon’s Shia, who comprise of those they are meant to confidence Northerners have started placing on a of thousands were rendered external powers, such as Iran almost one-third of the weaken, including Iran. premier national party. homeless. For a country that and Syria that wield country’s population and form In the meantime, the ITAK founded by the late was already roiled by political considerable domestic the most powerful sect, Cedar Revolution S. J. V. Chelvanayakam right from the beginning and economic crisis, the influence – will be next to politically and militarily. That said, Lebanon’s vibrant with its slogan for a federal system remained challenges ahead just became impossible. Lebanon’s Perhaps more important, and well-developed civil society dominant in the North and the East and it is more profound. The only President Michel Aoun, a Lebanon’s sovereignty has forced change before. After interesting to find that the ITAK’s present leader chance of overcoming them lies Hezbollah puppet, would not continues to be subverted by Hariri’s assassination, the Mavai S. Senathiraja and the Party’s General in root-and-branch reform of even agree to the call for an Iran, which is committed to Cedar Revolution – a series of Secretary K. Thurairatnasingam from the Lebanon’s political system and international inquiry into the using Hezbollah to advance its demonstrations under the Eastern Province have even lost in the General regional alliances. port blast, claiming that this own strategic priorities. When motto of “freedom, sovereignty, Election this time. According to Beirut’s could “dilute the truth.” the Beirut blast occurred, a and independence” – forced the Senathiraja representing his late predecessor Governor, total economic Lebanon’s polity reflects the United Nations-backed special withdrawal of Syrian troops S.J.V Chelvanayakam’s constituency losses from the blast country’s permanent sectarian tribunal was days away from from Lebanon. Kankesanthurai (KKS) in the Jaffna District had may reach $10-15 billion. Yet strife. All that stands between issuing its verdict in the trial of But Lebanese civil society been successful in the previous Parliamentary the Lebanese State is already relative calm and violent chaos four alleged members of faces far stiffer opposition Elections and being one of the pioneer Tamil on the brink of bankruptcy. is a fragile power-sharing Hezbollah for the 2005 murder today than anything the political prisoners in the late sixties had even And, with an incompetent system encompassing of former Lebanese Prime embattled Syrians could stood by several reputed Tamil politicians when kleptocratic regime running competing ethnic and religious Minister (and Saudi Arabia’s mount in 2005. Over the last the TULF was formed in 1976 and later he even the country, no international groups, including Maronite man in Beirut) Rafik Hariri. 15 years, Iran has spent played a vital role in the formation of the TNA to lender, including the Christians, Druze, and Sunni Of course, Iran’s regional lavishly to turn Lebanon into remain supportive to the peace process facilitated International Monetary Fund, and Shia Muslims. designs have spurred its strategic playground. As a by Norway with the participation of the LTTE. is willing to offer it loans. But, that system has long resistance: the spectre of an result, Hezbollah is more So, the defeats of the ITAK President and its To be sure, in the wake of the depended on massive capital Israel-Hezbollah war has lately powerful, and Lebanon more General Secretary with the TNA’s setback at the latest crisis, Lebanon will inflows which allowed the been growing. The Beirut subservient to external powers Parliamentary Polls last week have clearly shown receive considerable sectarian elite to entrench itself blast’s silver lining may be that – including Iran, Syria, and that the North and the East voters have started international aid. Already, through patronage. A sudden it averts – or at least forestalls Russia – than ever. thinking differently instead of hanging donors have pledged nearly stop to inflows last year – such a conflict, in which These powers will not sit themselves totally on Tamil Nationalism. $300 million in humanitarian shattered the system’s Israel would destroy Lebanon’s back and allow a reform of the While accepting the SLFP’s Angajan assistance at a virtual summit, foundations, spurring infrastructure to neutralise the political system that has made Ramanathan with casting highest number of in order to support health care, widespread protests and 150,000 missiles that Lebanon such a crucial link in votes for him in the Jaffna District, former United food security, education, and shaking Lebanon’s delicate Hezbollah has concealed their regional strategy, even at National Party Deputy Minister Vijayakala housing. peace. among the civilian population the price of turning the country Maheswaran has also lost at the Parliamentary That money doesn’t come for Axis of Resistance before they devastate Israel’s into another Libya. Far from a Election this time from the Jaffna District. free. To keep it from falling into vulnerable home front. new Cedar Revolution, efforts It is when considering the overall performances “corrupt hands,” as French Yet Lebanon’s internal Lebanon’s distress makes it to push reform could lead to a of the political parties in the North and the East, President Emmanuel dynamics can hardly be more difficult for Israel to conflict much like the civil war not only the TNA even the Sri Lanka Muslim Macron has put it, the aid will separated from regional conduct such a pre-emptive of 1975-90, in which foreign Congress (SLMC) has also suffered a setback in be routed through the United developments. Lebanon’s attack on Hezbollah’s military powers and rival local militias the two Provinces. Nations, international sectarian politics have enabled capabilities, and discourages join forces and tear Lebanon Therefore, with properly reading the pulse of organisations and NGOs, foreign powers to gain a strong Hezbollah from antagonising apart. the voters from the North and the East the Sri rather than the Lebanese foothold in the country, Israel. But whatever mutual Shlomo Ben-Ami, a former Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) which had Government. They know that, turning it into an integral part deterrent exists is fragile, at Israeli Foreign Minister, is Vice gained a remarkable victory at the General if the country’s current rulers of the Iran-led Axis of best. If Hezbollah (with Iran’s President of the Toledo Election must respond towards accommodating are in control of the finances Resistance against Israel and help) develops precision-guided International Centre for Peace. the two Provinces in the mainstream national their contributions will only America’s regional designs. missiles, all bets will be off. He is the author of Scars of politics in a constructive manner to strengthen perpetuate corruption and Iran’s lavish support for Even without such War, Wounds of Peace: The peace and reconciliation. crisis. Alas, this is just a Hezbollah has enabled the weaponry, the international Israeli-Arab Tragedy. temporary financial palliative Shia political party and militia community’s hope of using aid (www.project-syndicate. that cannot address the root to become what is probably the as leverage to bring about org) Column thursday 13 august 2020 A7 Dawn of A New Era By Lakshman I. Keerthisinghe

“This is a new dawn for Sri Lanka, a fresh era creating the opportunity for the country to come together and finally put to bed the idea of any Tamil Eelam independence movement” - Lord Naseby, President and founder of the All Party British - Sri Lanka Parliamentary Group in the UK As Sri Lanka celebrates the dawn of a new era with the unprecedented landslide victory of the SLPP at the recent Parliamentary Election, the charismatic leader who obtained over five hundred thousand preferential votes, the largest number polled was sworn in as the new Prime Minister of Sri Lanka before President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Sunday, 9 August at the Kelaniya Rajamaha Viharaya. The Ninth Parliament will convene for its first sitting on 20 August. Media reported British Conservative peer Lord Naseby commenting on Sri Lanka’s General Election, said this was a truly remarkable result; yet again the ordinary people of Sri Lanka have New Cabinet 2020 turned out to vote at a level rarely seen anywhere in the World. Lord victory, without bloodshed, all in the distributing them between the Prime candidate in the November Naseby commenting further as midst of COVID-19, which they have Minister and Parliament, whereby Presidential Election, Sajith quoted at the outset stated that: handled so well. ‘Sri Lanka, a many problems were created for good Premadasa, formed the SJB breaking “This is true democracy at work. It founder member of the Whatever the governance promised by the previous away from the UNP and taking the would seem that the old order of the Commonwealth, located at the political landscape regime under then President Sirisena. majority of the party's members of UNP and the SLFP have been crossroads of world trade, now at last Weakening of the Presidency led to Parliament with him. Both parties, consigned to history. In their place has a stable Government to allow the looks like, the inefficient governance and weak however, fared poorly with the SJB are the SLPP - the party of the talents of its people the freedom to security policies. coming in second with 54 seats, and Rajapaksa brothers who now develop. I wish them all well and immediate concern In March, President Gotabaya the UNP winning just one seat. dominate Parliament, and a new particularly the Prime Minister, will be the Nation’s dissolved Parliament on the earliest In conclusion, whatever the political much smaller opposition party Mahinda Rajapaksa, all possible date permitted by law, calling for landscape looks like, the immediate headed by young of success,” Lord Naseby said. economy, struggling Elections in April. Due to COVID-19 concern will be the Nation's economy, the SJB,...Now is the time for the Constitutional changes under the burden health concerns the Elections were struggling under the burden of a low West to understand the new mood in delayed In May, the Supreme Court income from tourism and foreign Sri Lanka; the desire on all sides for The resounding victory means that of a low income ruled in favour of the President in a employment and the COVID-19 reconciliation to become realistic the SLPP no longer needs to enter case lodged by activists and the induced economic inactivity and without any interference from the into compromises with other parties. from tourism and political opposition, allowing President crushing foreign debt. The new West or the UN Human Rights It has the necessary two thirds foreign Gotabaya to continue to rule directly Government with the able leadership Council. He further observed that majority with a few supporting until the 5 August Poll, well past the of President Gotabaya and Prime that this is a sea change never before members to deliver sweeping employment and constitutionally prescribed three Minister Mahinda and the assistance witnessed in Sri Lanka and said:’ I constitutional changes to increase months that would normally be of the team of erudite experts both for one recognise it - so too should the executive authority of the the COVID-19 allowed. elected and appointed through the the UK Government and the factions presidency, as promised by President induced economic The UNP led by former Prime National List now in Parliament of the diaspora in the UK and Rajapaksa in both this Election and Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, would undoubtedly be able to elsewhere... The old order since the earlier Presidential Election. The inactivity and entered the polls with the background overcome all the obstacles and usher Independence has been cast aside. I focus, however, will be on Nineteenth crushing of years of mis-governance and more in prosperity to our motherland. congratulate Mahinda Rajapaksa and Amendment to the Constitution, recently, infighting that saw it split in (The writer is an Attorney-at-Law his Parliamentary colleagues on such passed in 2015 which vastly reduces foreign debt two separate parties ahead of the polls. with LLB, LLM, MPhil Colombo) an outstanding campaign and the executive powers of the President, In February, the UNP's Presidential [email protected] From Russia with Love By Padraig Colman particularly London, has been a prime Cadwalladr won a Pulitzer location for rich Russians to hoard nomination for her investigative Part 2 Why Would Putin their ill-gotten gains. As Richard reporting of Cambridge Analytica’s Brooke has shown in his special report illegal harvesting of personal data Shadow State Interfere? for Private Eye, Looting with Putin, taken from at least eighty-seven Misha Glenny is an experienced and supposedly pukka British million Facebook users. Her exposé Luke Harding’s book Shadow distinguished journalist and an expert professionals were quick to establish led to a $134 billion slump in State: Murder, Mayhem and Russia’s on Russia. He wrote the non-fiction themselves in Moscow when the Soviet Facebook’s market capitalisation. Remaking of the West provides a book on which the TV series McMafia Union fell apart in 1989. “‘Magic Circle’ great deal of detail on how the was based. In an article on Open law firm Clifford Chance led the way Insecurity Russian hackers operate to interfere Democracy, Glenny attempts to for the lawyers in 1991, by which time Brexit was a favour to Putin with UK and US democracy (and answer the question: “Why would the Big Six accountancy firms, led by because it severed the co-operation who knows what other states!). Putin want to interfere in UK Ernst & Young (now EY), and had also and intelligence-sharing of the “Latterly the Putin regime switched Elections?” The motivation seems to be set up shop in Moscow.”In the second agreement known as Five Eyes. As targets. It now concentrated on the to drive a wedge between the UK and wave of privatisations of Soviet part of the EU, the UK shared the political systems in democratic Europe. Putin’s Russia is a capitalist industry, a new breed of oligarchs who criminal and intelligence databases countries. This was a genius (albeit of a crony variety) not a had taken advantage of the vouchers of the European Union, US, Canada, approach. Moscow correctly communist state and is much more originally offered to ordinary Russians Australia and New Zealand. On concluded that Western politics was integrated into global trade than the took control of the new corporations. leaving the EU, the UK left Europol wide open—a soft underbelly. You Soviet Union was. The EU is by far In return for favouring the Putin and will now be able to access could buy distressed newspapers, get Russia’s largest trading partner, regime with special deals for the European terrorism, espionage and émigrés to donate to certain political importing 30 per cent of its oil and 40 president and his cronies, the organised crime data banks only parties, and acquire troubled per cent of its gas from Russia.The UK oligarchs get safe deals and a luxury through a lengthy application industries and infrastructure.” imports very little of its oil and gas life-style. The kleptocrats need safe process, which will make the Cyber-raids are carried out from the from Russia – it is not a significant places to stash the loot and much of it information useless. A win for Putin. GRU’s military unit 26165 a yellow- market. ends up in Britain. In 1996, the UK The Malevolence of painted neo-classical building in the Russia Struggles to Be a Government offered special “investor heart of Moscow at 20 Komsomolsky visas” for those with £1m.By 2015, Russia Today Prospekt. The GRU unit is also known World Power 700 visas had been granted to as Fancy Bear and AP28 and has been Russians. Realtors Knight Frank Vasily Gatov once worked for operating globally since the mid- Focusing on foreign policy is a way of stated that Russians were thelargest Russia Today and many of the 2000s, hacking the Bundestag and the Putin’s aim is to present Russia as deflecting attention from Putin’s spenders on “prime” Londonproperty. one of the four decisive forces in people who currently work for the French television station TV5. domestic problems, such as over- The following year, Savills estimated international politics broadcaster used to be his friends. The fact that Russia Today and the dependence on the export of that one in 12 buyers of £2m+ houses He sees them as mainly motivated GRU are also interfering in US politics hydrocarbons (60 per cent of its was Russian. journalists. They have exerted by disappointment with the west. further weakens the UK’s position. exports and 40 per cent of revenue) to Luke Harding: “Under Putin, Russia influence in buying newspapers and They feel the west has betrayed them Luke Harding: “The implication was the federal budget, rising discontent had become a virtual Mafia state in football clubs.” Roman Abramovich by thwarting their bourgeois explosive: that the Conservatives had among Russia’s urban middle class, which the Government, its spy enjoys a close relationship with ambitions. ‘There’s no algorithm in put party political considerations which has resulted in ever-more agencies, and organised crime had Putin and owned Chelsea football RT’s malevolence, no scrupulous above potential national security brazen authoritarianism, and a merged into a single entity.” Russia club for years. When Alexander propaganda technology. What powers concerns. A post-Brexit trade deal with declining population. Putin’s aim is to Today broadcasts propaganda Litvinenko was killed on British soil it is the burning hatred of smart boys the US was evidently important. But so present Russia as one of the four material, with the help of British in 2006 after being poisoned with and girls who once thought of the was the question of whether Trump decisive forces in international politics, politicians like Jeremy Corbyn and radioactive polonium-210, there was West — and particularly Western was under obligation to Moscow or along with the US, China and the EU. George Galloway, to bolster Putin and never the slightest possibility that media — as the ‘shining city on the being blackmailed in some way—a Because he cannot hope to compete together with the GRU’s data-mining oligarchs like Abramovich would be hill’, but now feel offended and strategic threat to the UK, if correct.” with the US and China in economic hacking factories, to undermine investigated. Over ten years later, deceived. The ingenuity of broken capacity or weapons and military western democracy. Theresa May, after the Skripal case, illusions is the fuel of RT, coupled Taking Back Control? strength, his aim is to drive wedges to denied Abramovich a work permit as with lavish state funding and Paul Waugh writes on Huffington weaken the ability to co-ordinate policy ‘Komplicity with a snub aimed specifically at Putin. emotional reimbursement.” There are Post: “Where does all this leave the on Ukraine and the Nord Stream II Kleptocrats’ Jonathan Freedland called her also western staffers who feel rejected very thing that was supposed to be the pipeline, which takes oil directly from stance “Janus-faced.” “Noisy about by their own countries. “The ambition of the Brexit referendum: Russia to Germany. As Misha Glenny put it: “For two Salisbury, hushed about sabotage of broadcaster’s staff share the greater UK sovereignty? Some believe decades, oligarchs have used British the 2016 Vote.” In the US the special employer’s passionate position we are now more reliant on America London – Haven for lawyers, courts, PR companies and counsel’s inquiry identified dozens against liberal values, free and than ever.”With the added Russian Oligarchs politicians to cajole and intimidate of Russian conspirators. May independent journalism, impartial disadvantage of the US and the UK their domestic enemies along with refused to carry out a similar and balanced reporting — and do being compromised by Russia. Taking Since the early 1990s, the UK, and independent investigators or exercise in Britain. Carole their best to perform.” back control? A8 thursday 13 august 2020 pictorial pictorial thursday 13 august 2020 A9 Cabinet and State Ministers Cabinet Ministers State Ministers

Mahinda Rajapaksa - Finance, Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, Urban Development and Housing - Internal Security, Home Affairs and Disaster Management

Arundika Fernando - Coconut, - Foreign - Solar, Wind, - Batik, - - Prisons Fishtail Palm, Palmyra and Rubber Employment Promotions and Market Grid Power Generation Projects Handloom Fabrics and Local Apparel Cooperative Services, Marketing Reforms and Prisoners’ Rehabilitation product Promotion and Allied Diversification Development Products Development and Consumer Industrial Production and Export Pavithra Wanniarachchi - Health - Foreign Relations Douglas Devananda - Fisheries - Transport Protection Diversification

Kanaka Herath - Company - Development of Nimal Lansa - Rural Road and other - Warehouse - Land Establishment Reforms, Tea Estate Vidura Wickramanayake - Promotion Sugarcane, Maize, Cashew, Pepper, Infrastructure Facilities Facilities, Container Yards, Port Management Affairs, State Business Crops, Tea Factory Modernisation of National Heritage, Performing Arts Cinnamon, Cloves, Betel Production and Supply Facilities and Boats and Lands and Property Development and Tea Export Diversification and Rural Artists Promotion of Allied Products and Export Shipping Industry Development Bandula Gunawardena - Trade R.M.C.B. Rathnayake - Wildlife and Forest - State Services, - Mass Media Conservation Provincial Councils and Local Government

Shehan Semasinghe - Development - Wildlife of Samurdhi, Home Economy, Mohan de Silva - Regulation of - Vehicle Conservation Protection Programmes - Dhamma Schools, - Gem and Microfinance, Self-Employment and Fertilizer Production and Supply, use Regulation, Bus Transport Services including Electric Fence and Ditch Bhikku Education, Pirivenas and Jewellery-related Industries Businesses and Under-Utilised State of Chemical Fertilisers and Pesticides and Carriages and Automotive Construction and Re-Forestation and Buddhist Universities Resources Industries Wildlife Resources Development

Chamal Rajapaksa - Irrigation - Labour G.L. Peiris - Education - Industries

Kanchana Wijesekera - Ornamental Siripala Gamlath - Development of Indika Anurudda - Rural Home Fish, Freshwater Fish and Shrimp - Development of Common Infrastructure Facilities of - Provincial Tharaka Balasooriya - Regional Construction and Building Materials Farming Development, Multi-day Rural and Regional Drinking Water Settlements and Canals in Mahaweli Councils and Local Government Cooperation Industry Promotion Fishing and Fish Export Supply Projects Zones Affairs

Mahinda Amaraweera - Environment S.M. Chandrasena - Land - Agriculture - Water Supply

Piyal Nishantha de Silva - Women - Promotion of - Development and Child Development, Pre-School Indigenous Medicine, Development of Rural Paddy Fields and Associated Sadasivam Viyalendran - Thenuka Vidanagamage - Rural and and Primary Education, School of Rural Ayurvedic Hospitals and Tanks, Reservoirs and Irrigation Professional Development of Postal School Sports Infrastructure Infrastructure and School Services Services and Mass Media Promotion Community Health

Udaya Prabhath Gammanpila - Energy - Plantation - Tourism - Ports and Shipping - Paddy and D. B. Herath - Livestock and Farm Cereals, Organic Food, Vegetables, - Urban Jeewan Thondaman - Estate Housing D. V. Chanaka - Development of Promotion and Dairy and Eggs Fruits, Chilies, Onions and Potatoes, Development, Coast Conservation, and Community Infrastructure Aviation and Export Zones -related Industries Seed Production and High Tech Waste Disposal and Public Sanitation Facilities Agriculture

Namal Rajapaksa - Youth and Sports Affairs Ali Sabry, PC - Justice - Power - Highways - Finance and - Skills - Cane, Brass, - Capital Markets and Public Development, Vocational Education, Clay, Furniture and Rural Industry Pharmaceutical Production, Supply Enterprise Reforms Research and Innovation Promotion and Regulation A10 Thursday 13 august 2020 World Biden chooses U.S. Berlin, Germany Senator Kamala Harris as his running mate A handout photo provided by the Russian Direct Investment Fund Democratic Presidential candidate Joe (RDIF) shows samples of a vaccine against COVID-19 developed by the Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Biden on Tuesday (11), picked Microbiology, in Moscow, Russia, 6 August 2020 (RDIF Handout via Senator Kamala Harris as his choice for Reuters) Vice President, making her the first Black woman on a major-party U.S. Presidential ticket and giving him a partner well Russian vaccine has not prepared to go on the attack against Republican President Donald Trump. been sufficiently tested With social unrest over racial injustice rocking the country for months, Biden had been under increasing pressure to select a – Health Minister Black woman as his running German Health Minister “I would be pleased if we mate. Harris is also the first Asian- Jens Spahn on had an initial, good vaccine American on a major Presidential ticket. Wednesday(12), said Russia’s but based on everything we In Harris, a 55-year-old senator from COVID-19 vaccine had not know - and that’s the California who made her own run for the been sufficiently tested, fundamental problem, White House, Biden gains an experienced adding the aim was to have a namely that the Russians politician already battle-tested by the safe product rather than just aren’t telling us much - this rigors of the 2020 Presidential Campaign being first to start vaccinating has not been sufficiently as they head into the final stretch of the 3 people. President Vladimir tested,” he added. November election. Putin announced on Tuesday Spahn said it was crucial, Biden on Twitter called Harris “a fearless (11), that Russia had become even during a pandemic, to fighter for the little guy, and one of the the first country to grant carry out proper studies and country’s finest public Former Vice President Joe Biden talks with Senator Kamala Harris after the conclusion of the regulatory approval to a tests and make the results servants.” Harris wrote on Twitter that 2020 Democratic U.S. Presidential debate in Houston, Texas, U.S., 12 September 2019. (Reuters) COVID-19 vaccine after less public to give people Biden could “unify the American people than two months of human confidence in the vaccine. because he’s spent his life fighting for us.” to succeed no matter who they are or a fracking ban. Biden has not embraced testing. “It’s not about being first Biden and Harris will appear together on where they come from,” said U.S. either proposal. Moscow’s decision to grant somehow - it’s about having Wednesday (12), at an event in his Representative Val Demings, a Black Harris, a former prosecutor and State approval before final trials an effective, tested and hometown of Wilmington, Delaware, the woman who had been a contender. Attorney General in California, is known have been completed has therefore safe vaccine,” he campaign said. Obama, perhaps the Party’s most for her sometimes aggressive questioning raised concerns among some said when asked about Harris, who became only the second popular figure, praised Harris on Twitter: style in the Senate, most notably of Brett experts. Russia’s vaccine, which will Black female U.S. senator in history when “She’s spent her career defending our Kavanaugh during his 2018 Supreme “It can be dangerous to be called “Sputnik V” in elected in 2016, will be relied on to help Constitution and fighting for folks who Court confirmation hearing. start vaccinating millions, if homage to the world’s first mobilise African Americans, the need a fair shake.” As a Presidential candidate, she also not billions, of people too satellite launched by the Democratic Party’s most loyal The Biden campaign notched its best took Biden to task in a nationally televised early because it could pretty Soviet Union. Only about 10 constituency. Four years ago, the first dip grassroots fundraising day following the debate over his past stances on mandatory much kill the acceptance of per cent of clinical trials are in Black voter turnout in 20 years announcement, according to one of its busing for students as a means to vaccination if it goes wrong, successful and some contributed to Democrat Hillary Clinton’s digital directors, Clarke Humphrey. desegregate schools. Some Biden advisers so I’m very skeptical about scientists fear Moscow may upset loss to Trump. Republicans calls Harris a ‘radical’ who have told Reuters the attacks made them what’s going on in Russia,” be putting national prestige Biden, whose foundering campaign was embraces far-left priorities such as question whether she would be a trusted Spahn told radio broadcaster before safety. rescued by Black voters in South sweeping Police reform and a ban on working partner because of her political Deutschlandfunk. (Reuters) Carolina’s primary in February, needs fracking. ambitions. their strong support against Trump. They During a White House briefing on While that exchange failed to boost her will be crucial in battleground States such Tuesday, Trump called Harris ‘the White House hopes, the Biden campaign as Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, meanest, the most horrible, most will now look for her to train her fire on where Trump narrowly prevailed in 2016, disrespectful’ and ‘most liberal’ senator Trump and Vice President Mike Mumbai, India as well as Republican-leaning Southern and said she was his ‘No. 1 draft pick’ Pence. Harris is scheduled to debate Pence States like Georgia and Florida that polls given her unsuccessful Presidential on 7 October in Salt Lake City, Utah. show have become competitive this year. campaign. The choice of a running mate has added Biden served as Vice President for eight On a conference call the Trump significance for Biden, 77, who would be years under President Barack Obama, the campaign hosted for reporters, Republican the oldest person to become President if first Black U.S. President. Senator Marsha Blackburn asserted he is elected. His age has led to Numerous Black leaders, including that Harris supports eliminating private speculation he will serve only one term, politicians who had themselves been insurance in favour of Medicare for All and making Harris a potential top contender considered as Biden’s running mate, said her selection reflects the ‘leftist for the nomination in 2024. emphasized the historic import of Harris’ takeover’ of the Party. Biden publicly committed to choosing a selection. As a Presidential woman as his No. 2 in a March debate “To see a Black woman nominated for candidate, Harris proposed a Government- after discussing the matter with his wife the first time reaffirms my faith that in run system that would still allow private Jill. America, there is a place for every person insurers to offer plans; she also supported (Reuters) A child dressed as Hindu Lord Krishna accompanies his family for prayers during Janmashtami, or the birth anniversary of Lord Krishna, at a temple, in Kolkata, India 11 August 2020 (Reuters) Bengaluru, India No human pyramids for 12 August marks Three dead as Facebook World Elephant Day Janmashtami due to COVID There were no human formed pyramids with friends post sparks clashes pyramids in Mumbai’s to break pots of butter or Janmashtami festival curd hung from ceilings so with Police celebrating Lord Krishna on they could steal the contents. Wednesday (12), which Kadam said there would be At least three people died in clashes with Police in the normally attracts thousands no public festivities in Indian city of Bengaluru overnight after a Facebook post onto the streets, due to a Mumbai this year. State offensive to Muslims sparked protests in which a Police surge in coronavirus in India, Governments have clamped station was attacked, and a politician’s house and vehicles with more than 60,000 cases down on celebrations since a were torched. reported in 24 hours. strict lockdown was imposed Unable to quell protesters using batons and tear gas, besieged “This year, the celebration in India on 25 March. officers opened fire as they risked being overpowered during the will be symbolic,” said Ram On Tuesday (11), in a video- violent unrest in a Muslim-dominated neighbourhood, the Kadam, a State lawmaker conference with regional southern city’s Police chief told Reuters on Wednesday (12). who organises one such leaders, Prime Minister “Despite elders of the community trying to pacify the crowd, celebration in Mumbai. Narendra Modi requested the mob burnt vehicles on the road, they attacked the Police “We will just have posters States like Maharashtra, of station,” Police Commissioner Kamal Pant said. cheering on doctors and nurses, which Mumbai is capital, to “The Police had no escape and they had to resort to firing and and will pray to the Lord to help ramp up coronavirus testing three people died,” Pant said, adding that 110 people had been us overcome this pandemic. and focus on contact tracing arrested for alleged vandalism and attacking the Police. Usually Hindus in Mumbai and isolation, saying it was A Police official said an emergency law prohibiting gatherings form human pyramids and key in controlling the spread had been imposed in Bengaluru, a city of 12 million people best Elephants are seen as they cross Lake Kioko in the Amboseli National try to break a pot of curd at of the outbreak. known as India’s Silicon Valley. Park, Kenya (Reuters) the top. Folklore says Krishna (Reuters) Pant said the person responsible for the offensive post had been arrested. The post, which reportedly involved the Prophet Mohammed, has since been deleted. Facebook did not immediately comment on the issue. “What was written about the Prophet is the working of a sick Brussels, Belgium mind with an intention to create violence,” Congress Party lawmaker Dinesh Gundu Rao said on Twitter. “It is highly objectionable and such statements about any EU raps Belarus over election violence, person revered by any community needs to be handled in the strictest way possible by the authorities.” Police gave the first name of the accused man as Naveen, and says may take measures said he is the nephew of another Congress politician, whose house was attacked and burnt in the violence. European Union foreign policy Chief Borrell said in a statement, citing ‘credible The politician, R. Akhanda Srinivasa Murthy, appealed for Josep Borrell on Tuesday (11), condemned reports’ from domestic observers which calm in a video message carried by Media. what he called “disproportionate” violence showed the vote did not meet international “We’re all brothers. Whatever crime has been committed, let by Belarus authorities against protesters standards. “State authorities deployed the law teach them a lesson,” Murthy said. “I appeal to our following Sunday’s (9), Presidential election disproportionate and unacceptable Muslim brothers and everyone else to maintain peace.” and said the EU could take unspecified violence... Thousands of people were Television channels on Tuesday (11) night showed a group of measures. detained and the crackdown on freedoms people gathered outside a Police station, clashing with officers Belarusian President Alexander of assembly, Media and expression and burning several Police vehicles. Lukashenko, in power since 1994, claimed intensified,” he said. The videos showed the group later trying to force its way into victory with around 80 per cent of the vote, Borrell said the EU could, as part of a the Police station, and another group gathering outside the triggering two nights of violent clashes planned review of relations with Belarus, politician’s house shouting slogans, throwing stones, and between Security Forces and opposition take “measures against those responsible setting fire to vehicles parked along the road. supporters in which one protester was for the observed violence, unjustified “We are investigating the issue and will make use of the CCTV killed. Opposition leader Svetlana arrests and falsification of election results”, footage to see who is behind these violent acts, and will take Tikhanouskaya said on Tuesday she had without elaborating. Law enforcement officers detain a man near the stringent actions,” Basavraj Bommai, Home Minister of fled to neighbouring Lithuania for the sake He urged Belarusian authorities to site where a protester died on 10 August during a Karnataka State, told a news channel. of her children. immediately release all those detained. rally following the presidential election in (Reuters) “The elections were neither free nor fair,” (Reuters) Minsk, Belarus, 11 August 2020 (Reuters) thursDAY 13 august 2020 b11 COVID-19 to accelerate shifts in trade – Moody’s Strategies to build robust supply chains post - COVID Drivers Objectives Broad strategies Decisive factors in Impact choosing strategy and destination

Cost and Level of pro t supply Diversi cation security Covid-19 Fragmented and regionalised global trade Security and Reliance on robustness of supply chain becomes the single supplier US-China tension overarching objective of companies and Localisation Winners and Tuesday Markets governments since losers in Asia the outbreak or reshoring Econimic Economoc fundamentals development: of new rising labour cost, production Shares continue automation, etc. base to gain Source: Moody’s Investors Service The coronavirus pandemic will likely robust, fragmented and regionally focused. The extent of supply chain shifts will accelerate fundamental shifts in trade Supply chains in many sectors will vary by sector depending on the relationships globally and particularly in become shorter and less-just-in time, overarching consideration of the security Asia, Moody’s Investors Service has said. leading to a more fragmented global trade of supply. The largest shifts will be in Ensuring supply security by enhancing system with a greater range of suppliers industries with the greatest strategic the strength of supply chains will become for similar products and increased significance, such as pharmaceuticals. an overarching objective of governments regionalisation of production. Significantly, credit implications for and companies, overtaking cost and Companies will use both diversification Asian export economies and producers will efficiency considerations, it said in a and localisation strategies to build robust vary. Some Asian markets ex-China will sector in-depth report. supply chains. Diversification will aim to stand to benefit from supply chain shifts, Asian countries ex-China will stand to reduce reliance on any single supplier, particularly as companies look to diversify By Mario Andree benefit from diversification away from whether a single producer or a group of their sources of supply. China provided these countries have producers from the same country, while However, localisation of production that The Colombo Stock Exchange posted gains for sound economic fundamentals, reliable localisation will aim to relocate production moves productive capacity out of the the second consecutive day on Wednesday (12) to infrastructure, sufficient human capital closer to home markets. region to the United States or the record a more than five-month high as the stock and low geopolitical and supply The level of supply security, the degree European Union will have negative effects benchmark index rose on a higher turnover security risk. of reliance on a single supplier, the for Asian producers, notably those in despite continued foreign exits. Nonetheless, any supply chain shifts will economic fundamentals of the new strategic sectors. The benchmark All Share Price Index (ASPI) occur in a multi-year process, particularly production base and geopolitical Free trade agreements could help gained 0.47 per cent (24.17 points) to close at as China will retain a number of considerations will shape supply chain mitigate some of these effects by offering 5,220.57 points. Its highest since 6 March, while advantages over other economies. Moody’s strategies and the choice of location, said producers preferential access to advanced the more liquid S&P SL20 representing the top said supply chains will likely become more Moody’s. markets, said Moody’s. 20 shares gained 2.04 per cent (45.42 points) to close at 2,277.20 points. The daily turnover at the Colombo Stock Exchange stood at Rs 2.72 billion on Wednesday (12), higher than the Rs 2.69 billion recorded Tourism will bounce back during the previous market day. CIC buys 16.92% of CIC Nearly 67.5 million shares changed hands on faster, harder and stronger Wednesday (12) during 13,311 trades taking Agri Business for Rs 200M place. Shares of 240 companies were actively traded By Rajiesh Seetharam restructure the group investments SL should hold its of which 82 emerged as winners ahead of 81 to reduce cross holdings and bring losers. Foreigners were net sellers on Wednesday CIC Holdings PLC has portfolio investments directly (12) for the twentieth consecutive sessions. Net purchased 16.92 per cent shares under CIC Holdings PLC. As a ground – Ratnayeke foreign outflow during the day amounted to in CIC Agri Business Pvt Ltd held result, it has purchased 16.92% of Rs 570 million as foreigners sold shares worth by its Subsidiary Chemanex PLC CIC Agri Business Pvt Ltd at a Rs 671 billion as against purchases worth for a consideration of Rs 200 consideration of Rs 200,332,800.” By Mario Andree survival, rather than Rs 101 million. million. Meanwhile, Lankem growth,” he said. The top ten gainers during the day were SMB CIC Holdings PLC explaining the Development PLC Non-Executive It is important for Sri Due to the global and Leasing, Blue Diamonds, Horana, Lighthouse reasons behind the decision to Director Anushman Rajaratnam Lanka to hold its ground as local pressure for improved Hotel, Convenience Food, Alliance, Mackwood purchase shares of its subsidiary has disposed 371,476 shares held a must visit and one of the health standards, tourism Energy, CFI, Royal Palms and Commercial Bank. said, “We have decided to by him at Rs 4 per share. safest destinations in the and hospitality service Top ten losers were Industrial Asphalt, SMB world even during these providers will have to adapt Leasing (non-voting), Blue Diamonds (non- turbulent times to sail to enhanced disease voting), Balangoda, Agalawatte, Sinhaputhra through these troubled prevention and control Finance (p), Malwatte (non-voting), Bogala times, says Nuwara Eliya methods for the safety of Graphite, Kotagala and Maskelliya. Hotels Company Chairman, both in-house guests and CBSL successfully J.H.P. Ratnayeke. employees, he said. Addressing shareholders, Special attention will have conducts largest T Bill sale Ratnayeke said although to be paid to ensure safety the hospitality industry has in crowded public areas By Paneetha Ameresekere the WAYs fetched at last week’s faced numerous disasters in including terminals, auction. Prior to yesterday’s sale, its recent history, it has restaurants, lobby areas, ‘Spot’s Bull Run Central Bank of Sri Lanka the single largest successful T Bill always bounced back faster, swimming pools, restrooms, (CBSL) yesterday successfully auction sale took place three weeks harder and stronger. lounges and bedrooms, he continues for concluded its single largest weekly ago on 22 July, where CBSL sold According to him, the said. Treasury (T) Bill auction sale for Rs 35,100 million (Rs 35.1 billion) industry will continue to The industry will be the sale of Rs 36,500 million (Rs worth of T Bills. generate foreign exchange, compelled to introduce 3rd day 36.5 billion) worth of safe haven T But after the 22 July auction, in offer employment ‘smart hotel’ concepts such Bills, aided by uncertainty, led by the following two weekly T Bill opportunities, develop the as contactless room service, Market uncertainty continues continued foreign exits from the auctions that followed prior to that rural areas, and increase he said. island’s financial markets. of yesterday’s, CBSL was unable to cross-cultural Sri Lanka’s tourism BY Paneetha Ameresekere This is also the largest T Bill sale sell the full quantities on offer at understanding in addition industry suffered heavily in the 97-year history in the those auctions, namely Rs 39,500 to delivering many more following the tragic Easter The benchmark ‘spot’s bull run continued for issuances of T Bills in Sri Lanka. million and Rs 35,500 million, opportunities. Sunday Bombing last year. the third consecutive market day yesterday, Meanwhile, the weighted average respectively, due to the market’s The COVID-19 pandemic According to data released boosted by exchange controls and assured yields (WAYs) fetched at yesterday’s demand for higher WAYs, over and has challenged the global by the Sri Lanka Tourism political stability after Wednesday’s auction were 4.65 per cent, 4.76 above their maximum tourism industry. Development Authority, Parliamentary Poll, gaining by a rupee, to be per cent and 4.93 per cent for the administered WAYs, led by “The pandemic is most tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka trading at Rs 183.00/183.10 to the US dollar as 91, 182 and 364-day maturities, uncertainty leading to last unfortunate and likely declined 18 per cent to 1.9 at 4 p.m. yesterday, market sources revealed. down two basis points (bps), Wednesday’s (5 August) brought tourism not only to million in 2019 compared to Yesterday was also the fifth consecutive market unchanged, down one bp, Parliamentary Poll. square one, but to even 2.33 billion a year earlier. day that the ‘spot’ made gains. In the five market respectively, compared to the Investments in T Bills and T behind square one,” he said. The COVID-19 pandemic days to yesterday, the ‘spot’ has gone up by WAYs fetched at last week’s T Bill Bonds are considered risk-free, In Ratnayeke’s view, the has further threatened the Rs 2.55 (1.37 per cent). Nevertheless, in the auction for these maturities. because, in the event GoSL is tourism and hospitality troubled industry and calendar year to yesterday, the ‘spot’ has CBSL had capped the maximum unable to honour such debt, CBSL industry will experience tourist arrivals have weakened by 0.94 per cent (Rs 1.70), thereby WAYs for these three tenures at is mandated to print demand-pull strong changes in the declined considerably due causing inflationary economic pressure. 4.67 per cent, 4.76 per cent and inflationary money and repay such months to come. to the country going into a Meanwhile, market liquidity rose by Rs 582 4.94 per cent, respectively at creditors. CBSL is the steward of “For now, the hospitality lockdown in March this million (US$ 3.15 million) during yesterday’s yesterday’s auction, equivalent to GoSL debt. trade must hope for year. trading. Conversions are based on the middle rate of the ‘spot’ as at 4 p.m. on Monday (10 August), which was Rs 184.80 to the dollar. In other developments, GoSL’s face value money printing (FVMP) debt remained unchanged at Rs 307,074.47 million at the end Cabraal to oversee Capital Markets, SOEs of yesterday’s trading. Nonetheless, domestic investors investing in By Ishara Gamage Semasinghe was sworn in as a State Minister on 28 Ministries and 40 State Ministries safe haven Treasury (T) Bills and T Bonds (GoSL for Development of Samurdhi Home Economy, identifying their specific functions. Securities) in secondary market trading due to For the first time in the history of Sri Lanka, a Microfinance, Self-Employment and Businesses The new ministerial structure consisting 28 perceived uncertainty, saw GoSL’s MP borrowing separate State Ministry for capital markets has and Under-Utilised State Resources. Ministries and 40 State Ministries was costs sharply decrease by 4.14 per cent (Rs 33.27 been created and the Government has The swearing-in ceremony of new Cabinet announced by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa million) to Rs 770.46 million at the end of appointed former Governor of the Central Bank Ministers and State Ministers was held through an Extraordinary Gazette yesterday’s trading. of Sri Lanka (CBSL), Ajith Nivard Cabraal as the yesterday under the patronage of President Notification. Market nett excess liquidity increased by 0.32 first-ever State Minister for Finance, Capital Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Among the tasks assigned to the State per cent (Rs 582 million) to Rs 179,973 million at Markets, and State Enterprise Restructure. Newly-elected MP and a former stock market Minister of Capital Markets will be to facilitate the end of yesterday’s trading. Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa will regulator, Dr. Nalaka Godahewa was sworn in the setting-up of main offices of international ‘Spot’ trades are settled after two market days remain Minister of Finance. as a State Minister for Urban Development, business giants in Colombo and the Port City, from the date of transaction. As per the Special Gazette Notification Coast Conservation, Waste Disposal and Public and engaging in international promotional released by the Finance Ministry, two State Sanitation. campaigns to attract foreign investors with the Ministers were appointed and Shehan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has decided assistance of the private sector. B12 Ceylon FT thursday 13 august 2020 news Women Empowerment Good for Economy – WB By Paneetha friendly toilets, comprising students were discouraged Although both men and the WB added. to step down. I had put my Ameresekere discrete waste disposal and from disposing of menstrual women living in the estates Further, to ensure that personal life on hold for this. I incineration facilities for used hygiene products in the school are affected, women bear the women’s voices are heard wanted to get back to those Listening to Sri Lankan menstrual hygiene products because of these taboos, it brunt of this deprivation as when community decisions things.” women talk about the in eight schools, with efforts added. they are responsible for are taken, the project With more than 693,000 importance of having running underway in 17 more, the WB Therefore, WaSSIP also fetching water, often with mandates the participation of beneficiaries, WaSSIP aspires water and toilets at home said. It also seeks to change seeks to change collective children in tow. One woman women in water user to increase access to pipe- highlighted how inclusion and collective thinking by raising thinking by raising awareness whom the WB talked to said, associations (WUAs). A formal borne water services and gender equality are critical not awareness about menstrual about menstrual hygiene “It takes half a day if we go to mentoring and support improve sanitation including only for women’s hygiene among school among school managements, the river to bathe and wash system will be encouraged for in the Nuwara Eliya, empowerment, but also for the managements, teachers, and teachers, and students. It our clothes. Or else we have to young women to take on and Mullaitivu, Kilinochchi, country’s sustainable students, the WB said. prioritises targeting female- travel by bus or three-wheeler retain leadership posts, Badulla, Monaragala, Kegalle development, because of their Although the vast majority headed households and other to fetch water from Balangoda, instead of feeling pressured to and Ratnapura Districts and impact on health, education of Sri Lanka’s schools have vulnerable groups in districts three kilometres away.” leave, the WB said. to strengthen the capacity of and the quality of life of separate toilets for girls, a with high poverty and large However, this regular chore is This is in the context that associated institutions and people, as well as the future 2015 survey found that more estate populations, such as now more fraught with danger women do not enjoy the same increase access to safe piped economic productivity of the than half of adolescent girls Badulla and Nuwara Eliya, because it is tough to social or economic status as water supply to 60 per cent of country, the World Bank (WB) miss school when they have the WB said. maintain physical distancing the men who are seen as the population from the said yesterday (Wednesday, their period. Long-standing Adolescent girls drop out of at water points, the WB said. ‘natural leaders,’ it added. current coverage of 44 per 12 August). cultural taboos view school altogether in the estate Where women are the sole Due to this stigma, the few cent, the WB said. In this context, the targets menstrual blood as impure. In sector when they attain breadwinners, they are also women who hold leadership Even though 90 per cent of for the US$ 183.90 million WB fact, a UN study found that 60 puberty, which shows that less likely to have a private positions in rural water Sri Lanka’s population has funded Water Supply and per cent of teachers in Sri how among multiple toilet at home. Shared toilets management had told the WB access to water, only 43 per Sanitation Improvement Lanka share this view, the WB vulnerabilities these girls face, often do not offer the privacy that their personal lives cent of those in the estate Project (WaSSIP), which ends said. including puberty, impact the women need, as they may suffer, with their marriages sector, which includes tea this year (December 2020), An interview with a school educational outcomes, the WB not lock or have trash bins to being long delayed. One plantations, have such access, includes building period- principal revealed that female said. dispose of menstrual waste, woman told the WB, “I decided the WB added.

Sri Lanka Insurance declares highest For second year in succession ever life insurance bonus of Rs 8.2B LOLC finishes as

Sri Lanka insurance is growth in its assets base to proud to declare the largest Rs 211 billion, which is ever life insurance bonus of again the largest in the Most Profitable Rs 8.2 billion for the year insurance industry and 2020 to its life insurance securing the Fitch rating policyholders, recording the AAA (lka) for long term largest life insurance bonus Conglomerate financial stability making it ever to be declared in the the only insurance insurance industry of Sri company in Sri Lanka to LOLC Group, a premier blue Lanka. receive AAA (lka) rating and chip conglomerate, says it This brings the total of life secure the rating for the concluded another financial insurance bonuses paid to second consecutive year. year on a high note as per policyholders since 2005 to The company is on a results for the year ended 31st Rs 64.6 billion. mission of being a March 2020. The Company With this achievement Sri every corner of the country. of life in today’s competitive customer focused company posted an impressive Rs.19.8 Lanka Insurance has upheld The trust Sri Lanka insurance market. which constantly innovates billion Profit after Tax (PAT) in the trust placed in them by Insurance has earned from Recording the largest life in providing insurance comparison to Rs.19.6 billion policyholders by endorsing it Sri Lankans is evident by insurance fund of Rs 116 services to customers and PAT in the previous year, as the life policy with the the accolades it has billion, the company’s is striving to increase becoming the most profitable highest return. received. SLIC is ranked ‘The prudent investment dynamism and expertise of listed entity in Sri Lanka for Educating the Sri Lankan Most Loved Insurance management strategies and the overall operations of two consecutive years. people on the importance of Brand’ and the 3rd ‘Most accumulating life fund have the company. Additionally, While the Group a life insurance policy is an Loved Consumer Brand’ in enabled the company to the company is focused on performance was affected by aspect Sri Lanka Insurance the country by Brand offer higher returns to its an expansion of its branch local externalities, such as the holds close to its heart from Finance. policyholders. network located Easter Sunday attack, the the inception of its The Sri Lanka Insurance The nation’s trusted islandwide, which currently subdued economic growth and existence. It is in the life insurance basket offers a insurer, has achieved this stands at 158, to provide a political instability in the Ishara Nanayakkara - Deputy Chairman, forefront of propagating the range of life insurance plans extraordinary performance convenient service to FY19/20 that resulted in the LOLC Group concept of life insurance to to suit every stage and need while reporting a significant customers. Company recording dips in the net interest income and hikes in impairment charges, LOLC has been able to enjoy its stellar performance largely Growing Resilient Businesses’ webinar based on the earnings stemming from its overseas financial operations and the gain on a bargain purchase of Rs.5.4 billion from the MSMEs thriving, adapting acquisition of the largest sugar production plantation company in Africa. Moving forward, LOLC says it is well set to realise the financial despite COVID-19 synergies generated from PRASAC divestment through By Rajiesh realigning the capital position Seetharam of the Group. LOLC has already made its Kapila Jayawardena - Group Managing Opportunities do not debut in Africa by acquiring a Director/CEO, LOLC Group come automatically microfinance bank in Nigeria according to Sarawanaguru in October 2019 and by Sivadarsan, an SME spice starting LOLC Finance Zambia as a green field project. The Group manufacturer, who says announced the Board’s decision to sell its 70 per cent stake in PRASAC that businesses need to to the South Korean KB Kookmin Bank for a consideration of $603 capitalise and create million in January 2020. LOLC received the relevant regulatory opportunities for approval in March 2020 and concluded the transaction on 13th April themselves. 2020. PRASAC claims $3.3 billion in assets, $2.7 billion in portfolio, “Opportunities will not $1.8 billion deposits and $133 million Profit before Tax (PBT) for the 12 be created automatically. months ending March 2020. We ourselves have to create Sarawanaguru Sivadarsan Araliya Samarasekera Usha Nanthini LOLC Development Finance PLC, formerly known as BRAC Lanka opportunities even at a using plastic PLC, made strong recovery in the year under review by recording Rs. time of crisis,” he said at a community, even receiving but it could be overcome waste. If more women are 176 million PBT from a loss of Rs. 140 million in the last year following webinar on the topic orders from new with creativity and provided with the alignment of its business strategies on restructuring the inherited ‘Growing Resilient customers,” stated resilience.” opportunities and SME portfolio. The company has been able to reduce its credit loss Businesses.’ The webinar Sivadarsan. “Many say that it is enriched, we can break the provisioning by 35 per cent through the implementation of prudent was hosted by a European EU Delegation difficult for women to frame which women are strategies to improve collection and recoveries. The company holds a Union Delegation to Sri Programme Manager participate in non- confined to. This is an ideal Rs.18.4 billion asset base and Rs.2.6 billion deposits as at FY2019/20. Lanka and the Maldives, in Fabrizio Senesi, said, “In traditional work. I disagree. time for them to contribute Seylan Bank, an associate of the LOLC Group, also contributed partnership with Chrysalis, Sri Lanka, micro, small Today, I am recognised as to the Nation’s economy,” Rs.1.3 billion to the Group’s profits. The Group’s Insurance business, showcasing enterprising and medium enterprises Unigro Usha,” stated Usha explained Nanthini. LOLC Life Assurance and LOLC General Insurance demonstrated an men and women from the (MSMEs) consist of over Nanthini, who owns a “As a female impressive performance during the year by recording Rs. 1.5 billion PBT Central and Uva Provinces, one million enterprises, successful PVC fittings entrepreneur, challenges in comparison to a loss of Rs. 175 million recorded in the last year. sharing their stories on providing employment to business. can arise at any time and The Group exited from its healthcare assets due to the challenging turning challenges into 2.25 million people. Our “Due to the lockdown, we should be ready to face regulatory environment of the sector by disposing Browns Hospital in opportunities. support to the Sri Lankan home gardening and them. As women, we have Ragama for a consideration of Rs. 1.6 billion. “During the crisis we had economy including the cultivation trend grew, the strength to overcome In a statement about the annual performance of the Group, Group to face cash shortage. We MSMEs is a top priority which provided a good them,” stated Araliya Managing Director/CEO Kapila Jayawardena said,“2019/20 has been a had to purchase 100 per and this event is to raise opportunity to develop Samarasekera, a difficult year due to externalities affecting most industries, but we are cent by cash and could not awareness of the sector fittings for the water beneficiary of the pleased with our strong performance this year, with a Group PAT of Rs. approach banks during the and promote local supply. Though many saw EU-funded Enterprise 19.8 billion which is largely contributed by our strategic foreign COVID-19 lockdown businesses, which COVID-19 as a problem, it Development Project, who ventures. With this standing, we are proud to be the most profitable period. However, I was able contribute greatly to the gave me time to rethink utilised the COVID-19 listed entity for the second consecutive year. With a timely global to move forward in building country’s economy. The and develop new business crisis situation positively, expansion strategy, well diversified revenue streams and a dynamic the business online impact of COVID-19 on the opportunities. I hope to to the face mask-producing workforce in place, we will ambitiously look forward to stride ahead through a mobile economy has been severe, produce interlocking bricks business. with consistent performance during these turbulent times.” Wealth thursday 13 AUGUST 2020 Ceylon FT B13 Ceylon Dollar Bond Fund gains on recovering Sovereign Bonds Improving Economic Fundamentals offer one off profit opportunity The Covid-19 financial crisis led to a to a yield of 12.1 per cent due to an crash in Sri Lanka Sovereign Bond increase in sovereign bond prices. prices from US$ 100 to an all-time low US$ 2030 SL ISB Price Movement The Ceylon Dollar Bond Fund (CDBF) of US$ 48.15 in May as investors ran (From 1st Jan to 31st July 2020) invests exclusively in Sri Lanka to the safety of US treasuries exiting 105 government guaranteed dollar Sovereign Asian bonds. 101.42 Bonds and Development Bonds. Ceylon The run was common to all Asian Asset Management competes with Bonds, including the SL Sovereign US$ 100 (per value of the bond) international USD bond managers in Bond (ISB). Most other Asian ISBs operating the Ceylon Dollar Bond Fund had recovered except for Sri Lanka (CDBF), Sri Lanka’s first international due to concerns about our ability to Sovereign Bond fund that navigates repay the US$ 1 billion ISB maturity 85 global market conditions. The fund on 4 October 2020. SL was reported a performance of 10.3% in US downgraded to ‘B’ (by the rating dollar during 2019. agencies Fitch, S&P and Moody’s) in 74.50 The CDBF is managed by Ceylon April this year while several articles Asset Management (CAM) while published by the international Deutsche Bank AG serves as the media had also discussed the 65 Trustee and Custodian of the fund. possibility of us defaulting on CAM is an associate company of Sri repayments. Lanka Insurance Corporation Ltd. However, Sri Lanka, receiving Local individual investors who hold confirmation of currency swaps for a Personal Foreign Currency Account US$ 3 billion with India (US$ 1.4 (PFCA), corporate investors with a billion) and China (US$1.63 billion) in 45 Source: BondEvalue Business Foreign Currency Account July and the Trade Deficit having (BFCA) and Foreign Investors are halved in May 2020 year-on-year, 1-Jan 31-Jan 1-Mar 31-Mar 30-Apr 30-May 29-Jun 29-Jul eligible to invest in the fund. Investors these fears have been somewhat can exit at any time without penalties, allayed. and repatriate dollars to the The government has also entered committed itself to repaying the US$ COVID-19 epidemic, have increased Once Sri Lanka honours the US$ originating bank account. into a US$ one billion Repo one billion Sovereign Bond maturity the confidence of foreign investors. As one billion repayment on 4 October The CDBF is the only dollar- (repurchase agreement) with the US, in October utilising the foreign a result, the 2030 maturity Sovereign 2020, analysts expect foreign investor denominated Unit Trust in Sri Lanka although the facility has not been currency reserves. Bond price has increased to US$ 74.5 confidence to return to normal. As a licensed by the Securities and drawn up yet. The above factors, along with Sri reflecting a yield of 12.1 per cent p.a result, investors can expect Exchange Commission (SEC) and The Central Bank meanwhile Lanka’s success in battling the as of 31 July 2020. substantial capital gains in addition approved by the Central Bank. Being kind is an excellent coping skill for the Covid-19 era Research links kindness to a wealth daughters-in-law. And she posts of physical and emotional benefits. encouraging messages to strangers And it’s an excellent coping skill for who share sweet or poignant stories in the Covid-19 era. the online comments section of the In January, Rachel Glyn’s husband newspaper. of 36 years died of cancer. Two months “Maybe if I give someone strength later, the pandemic and lockdown hit. that person will be empowered to go Alone in her Philadelphia apartment, out and do something very special,” Ms. Glyn spent her time worrying says Ms. Glyn. “Kind deeds can about the coronavirus, the financial produce more kind deeds.” markets and the civil unrest Want to Be Kinder? Here’s How. happening a few blocks away. Some Make it a habit. Earmark time in days, she says, she wished she would your schedule to help someone else. die. “I’ll never have another day that Volunteer. Donate. Call a friend. Bake doesn’t stink,” she told herself. for a neighbor. Then one morning, Ms. Glyn, who is Lower the bar. Kindness doesn’t 66, heard about a local blood drive have to be a big deal. Practice being and thought, “My life isn’t a pathetic kind each time you go out—smile at mess after all: I have the ability to people and say hello. Text a friend who give.” She walked to a nearby hospital is struggling. Take out a neighbor’s and donated. Afterward, she was garbage. “It can take a minute and “exhilarated,” she says. cost nothing to change someone’s “It felt wonderful to do something day,” says Jamil Zaki, associate useful for someone,” Ms. Glyn says. “I psychology professor at Stanford. no longer was this nobody who has Be kind to yourself. “If you try to be nothing to do except endure a kind to others while being cruel to wretched situation.” yourself, you will burn out,” Dr. Zaki Want to feel better? Be kind. says. It’s a good thing to make another Make small talk. In a time of person feel good. But being kind— isolation, this can brighten someone’s doing something to help someone day. Say hello. Remark on the shared else—can help you, too. Research survival of the friendliest.” runs a research lab that studies stopping to let other drivers into traffic experience. (“Crazy weather we’re links kindness to a wealth of physical Of course some people are kinder empathy and altruism. more often. having.”) “Just acknowledging another and emotional benefits. Studies show than others—specifically, people born It also helps to expect good results. Deirdre Moran posts a joke each day person’s common humanity is an act that when people are kind, they have with the personality trait of empathy. A study published in the Journal of on the phone pole in front of her house of kindness,” says Emiliana Simon- lower levels of stress hormones and Yet, nature accounts for just half of Positive Psychology in 2019 showed in South Brunswick, N.J. Many are Thomas, science director of the their fight-or-flight response calms our propensity to be kind, says Dr. people who believed that kindness is “cringeworthy,” she says. (“Can a frog Greater Good Science Center at the down. They’re less depressed, less Zaki. The rest is nurture—we learn it good for them showed a greater jump as high as an average tent? Of University of California, Berkeley. lonely and happier. They have better from our parents, our family and our increase in positive emotions, course! A tent can’t jump.”) But Ms. Change it up. Research shows that cardiovascular health and live longer. community. And we can also teach satisfaction with life and feelings of Moran, who teaches at a local school, doing a variety of kind acts makes you They may be physically stronger. ourselves. “Kindness is a skill we can connection with others—as well as a has seen neighbors take pictures of happier, says Sara Konrath, an They’re more popular. And a soon-to- strengthen, much as we would build a greater decrease in negative the jokes and once received a note associate professor at the Indiana be published study found that they muscle,” says Dr. Zaki, who is the emotions—than those who did not. reminding her that she forgot to post a University Lilly Family School of may even be considered better looking. author of “The War for Kindness: How can you be kind even when you new one that day. Philanthropy. Being kind is an excellent coping Building Empathy in a Fractured may not feel like it? Make it a habit. Kat Vellos and her partner exchange Remember your loved ones. skill for the Covid-19 era. In a time of World.” Take stock of how you behave day to gifts with their older neighbors, leaving Kindness isn’t just for strangers. isolation, kindness fosters connection Kindness can even change your day. Are you trusting and generous? gingerbread cookies, lemon blueberry When you’re kind to the people you to others. It helps provide purpose and brain, says Stephanie Preston, a or defensive and hostile? “Kindness is cake and homemade granola on the live with, “everyone reports being in a meaning to our life, allowing us to put psychology professor at the University a lifestyle,” says Dr. Konrath. fence between their homes. They’ve better mood and having more positive our values into practice. And it of Michigan who studies the neural Start by being kind to yourself— received lemons, herbs and tomatoes emotions,” says Stephanie Preston, a diminishes our negative thoughts. basis for empathy and altruism. When you’re going to burn out if you help from their neighbors’ garden, an extra professor of psychology at the “Our attention isn’t something that is we’re kind, a part of the reward system everyone else and neglect your own bag of flour, and a bouquet of flowers University of Michigan. infinitely expansive,” says Emiliana called the nucleus accumbens needs. Remember that little acts add in return. “There are innumerable Look for role models. Emulate them. Simon-Thomas, science director of the activates—our brain responds the up: a smile, a phone call to a lonely ways to share moments of connection Don’t get discouraged. Sometimes Greater Good Science Center at the same way it would if we ate a piece of friend, letting someone have the even when you can’t get together in other people don’t respond in kind. University of California, Berkeley. chocolate cake. In addition, when we parking space. Understand the person,” says Ms. Vellos, a digital This doesn’t mean they didn’t “What we are feeling at any given see the response of the recipient of our difference between being kind and product designer in Berkeley, Calif. appreciate your effort. Remind moment is related to what we are kindness—when the person thanks us being nice—kindness is genuinely Mary Gossman keeps a table outside yourself of another time it went well. doing, so if we are behaving kindly, or smiles back—our brain releases helping or caring about someone; her front door with a cooler full of cold Keep going. that experience will occupy our oxytocin, the feel-good bonding niceness is being polite. Don’t forget water and a basket of snacks for the Recall previous acts of kindness. emotion.” hormone. This oxytocin boost makes your loved ones. Kindness is not just mail and people. She Research suggests that remembering Psychologists call kindness altruism the pleasure of the experience more for strangers. sometimes pays for the meal of the past acts of kindness also increases and talk of two types: reciprocal (you lasting. And if there’s no opportunity to be person behind her in line at fast-food your well-being. help someone because it will benefit It feels so good that the brain craves kind at the moment, recall a time restaurants and gives gift cards to Teach your children. Model kind you in some way—like giving money to more. “It’s an upward spiral—your when you were generous or helpful. cashiers at the grocery store. “There behavior.Recognize others’ get a tax break) and pure (you have no brain learns it’s rewarding, so it Research suggests that remembering are so many things we can do—they kindnesses. Thank them. Share on expectation of reward). Humans motivates you to do it again,” Dr. past acts of kindness can also increase don’t all have to be grand gestures,” social media. It’s easy to pay evolved to do both. We’re not the Preston says. your well-being. says the retired office manager from attention to people who are loud and biggest, strongest or fastest animal in Are certain acts of kindness better In reporting this column, I heard Homestead, Fla. mean. Elevate the voices of people the kingdom, so we needed to band than others? Yes. If you want to reap from many people who are trying to be Ms. Glyn has looked for more ways who are quiet and caring. “When we together to survive. “The key to our the personal benefits, “you need to be extra kind since the pandemic started. to help others since she donated make kindness visible, we also make success is not the survival of the sincere,” says Sara Konrath, a They are taking meals to elderly blood. She thanks people for their it contagious,” Stanford’s Dr. Zaki fittest,” says Jamil Zaki, a psychologist and associate professor neighbors, then watering their plants; advice and tells them how it helped says. neuroscientist and associate at the Indiana University Lilly Family mentoring teenagers stuck at home; her. She crochets gifts for family (The Wall Street Journal – written psychology professor at Stanford. “It’s School of Philanthropy, where she leaving bigger tips for restaurant staff; members, most recently shawls for her by Elizabeth Bernstein) B14 Ceylon FT Thursday 13 august 2020 Advertorial BOC-SLT launches Dynamic QR for utility bill payments One of Sri Lanka’s leading banks, BOC The recent pandemic situation has recently tied up with the National created positive reinforcement of customer telecommunication provider, Sri Lanka perception towards digital banking and People’s Bank Telecom, to launch the first ever driving this momentum through digital Dynamic QR for bill payments. Any SLT innovations would be the ‘New Normal’ in Moneragala Branch moves customer having BOC Smart Pay the post COVID-19 situation. Payment App or any other Lanka QR BOC continues to work closely with to new premises certified Payment App can make payment Technology partners and enthusiastic by scanning the Dynamic QR printed on Fintechs to enrich the digital payment The Regional Office of People’s Bank Moneragala was SLT monthly bill from August 2020. This ecosystem across the country in line with relocated recently. feature is also available with e-bills for the initiatives of the Central Bank and the The new premise is owned by the Bank and is complete with SLT customers who receive their monthly Government of Sri Lanka. In addition to all modern conveniences. It was ceremoniously declared statements via emails. SmartPay, BOC has an array of digital opened by People’s Bank Assistant General Manager T.M.W. The first ever static Lanka QR for bill banking solutions under its wings to Chandrakumara - (Banking Support Services), Acting Regional payments and reloads was launched last facilitate its customers such as SMART Manager- Moneragala W.W. Gunarathne and Moneragala year by the Bank with Mobitel and it was Online Banking and Mobile Banking (B Branch Manager Jagath Kalubowila along with the bank staff embraced by customers due to its App), Smart Passbook (which enables members. convenience, simplicity and speed. BOC 150,000 wallet active users and over customers to view their bank statements upgraded SLT static QR to Dynamic QR 25,000 Lanka QR enabled island wide online), SmartGen accounts (a digital with the intention of giving a better merchant network due to its simple self account which does not require any payment experience to customers. registration process and continuous paperwork to maintain), Apply online SmartPay, the Bank’s mobile payment improvements in features and (online personal/housing loan application) app is gaining in popularity with over functionalities. and also an internet payment gateway. HNBA, HNBGI relocates Embilipitiya Branch HNB Assurance PLC (HNBA) and its fully owned subsidiary, Tenaga Car Park services HNB General Insurance Limited (HNBGI) announced the relocation of its branch in Embilipitiya recently. Speaking at the event, CEO of HNBA and HNBGI, Prasantha ComBank’s Flash enables contactless payments Fernando Fernando stated, “The Company holds a long- standing relationship of togetherness with its clients in Commercial Bank’s ‘Flash’ Digital Bank Account holders can Embilipitiya, providing them all-inclusive protection and the now pay via the app for parking at Tenaga managed on-street and value of fringe benefits one can experience through the service off-street parking spaces, without having to drive around looking of insurance to protect their belongings and those who are dear for a parking metre. The Parking Management solution is now to them. While the Company is focused on actively undertaking directly integrated to the Flash Digital Banking application, which the many service enhancement initiatives, it has been our enables account holders to enjoy this hassle-free, touch-less and notion that cutting edge facilities would deliver greater service cash-less payment option. satisfaction, and in turn would make a ‘happy customer’.” To enable this facility, Flash customers only have to click on the Sharing his views, Chief Operating Officer and Principal ‘Street Parking’ icon on the Flash app home screen and register Officer of HNBA, Lasitha Wimalaratne said, “This Branch would their vehicle numbers. When the need to park arises, registered fortify an already strong customer servicing attribute of the Flash account holders simply specify the time of parking and Group, fostering streamlined service delivery between our effect payment online to Tenaga via their phone apps. invaluable customers and staff. Therefore, I am sure the Commenting on the launch of this facility, Commercial Bank’s commitment of our staff would nurture our singular aim Chief Operating Officer, Sanath Manatunge said: “The Commercial Bank’s Chief Operating Officer, Sanath Manatunge (4th from towards industry best, and achieve the many milestones of partnership with Tenaga is an attempt to provide further right) and Tenaga Car Parks (Pvt) Ltd. CEO/MD, Duminda Jayathilake excellence for a successful future of HNBA and HNBGI”. convenience to our customers through technology. With this exchange the agreement in the presence of (from left) Digital Payment Chief Operating Officer and Principal Officer of HNBGI, contactless payment option, we not only hope to minimise the Services (Pvt) Ltd. Director, Sanjiv Alles and CEO/MD, Mufaddal Sithumina Jayasundara expressed his views stating, “Strong Lukmanjee, Tenaga Car Parks (Pvt) Ltd. Head of Business Development number of people that our customers come into contact with, but and Command Centre Operations, Dilshan N. Mathew and the Bank’s and stable branch operations within our General Insurance also eliminate the stress of having to find a parking metre. They Head of Digital Banking Unit, Pradeep Banduwansa, Manager - Digital business is a key pillar of business growth. This new facility is a no longer have to suffer the consequences of missed parking Banking Unit, Anush Gunarathne, and Officer Digital Banking Unit, strong testament for our firm stand within the market, also ticket payments or fines.” Nuwan Sudusinghe assisting our business goals in challenging times”. SPORTS THURSDAY 13 AUGUST 2020 A15 Root out to emulate Strauss at Rose Bowl

England, who came from undercover reporter of the tabloid. But man-of-the-match Woakes, behind to beat Pakistan by All of their bans have since been who had helped drag England back 3- in the first Test at lifted after they had served the into this contest with 2-11 in just Old Trafford last Saturday mandatory period by the ICC, but five overs late Friday, and fellow (8), will be exuding the trio are unlikely to feature in the World Cup winner Jos Buttler, confidence as they seek to same side again in the red-ball turned the tide with a stand of 139. create history when the format given the serious nature of Pakistan who took first lease of Second Test at Southampton the charges which were directed the Old Trafford pitch posted a starts this Thursday (13). against them. healthy total of 326 on the back of The English will attempt to On account of the performance Shan Masood’s 156 and did well to savour a first series triumph in a given by the English in the first Test bowl out the hosts for a modest 219 decade at home against the visitors in Manchester, the home side will and gaining a first innings lead of during the second Test in the be in pole position to dictate terms 107. But, the tourists were unable ongoing three-Test series being to the tourists – though the latter to cash in on that big lead, being played in a bio-secure bubble due made most of the running in the rolled over for a total of 169 in their to COVID-19. Test despite coming unstuck in the second turn and setting the home Fresh from beating West Indies in crunch. side a target of 277 for victory. the preceding three-Test series 2-1, Delving into the record books it Even then Pakistan had Roe Joe Root’s men had played two could also be seen that Pakistan Root’s men reeling at 117-5 at one previous series at home against the has not won a Test series in stage in their victory pursuit, before Pakistanis in the past 10-year England for the last 24-year period, Woakes and Buttler combined to Andrew Strauss period in 2016 and 2018, with both with their last success coming steer England to a remarkable win being drawn. still plying the trade is Azhar Ali, under the leadership of ace left-arm against severe odds. The last occasion England had who now happens to be leading quick Wasim Akram in 1996. Defeat in the first Test was also beaten the tourists in England had them. Akram’s side prevailed 2-0 in a tough on star Pakistan leg-spinner been in 2010, when a side led by Sir The series in 2010 between three Test series against Michael Yasir Shah, who returned superb Andrew Strauss crushed Salman England and Pakistan was also Atherton’s men. overall match figures of 8-165. Butt’s men 3-1 in a four game reputed for the bans imposed in And from the looks of it that long In the first Test only twice had a series. 2011 on three former Pakistan wait for an elusive series triumph in team chased more than 200 to win Hence, if England could prevail in cricketers, namely then skipper UK for the tourists will last further in the fourth innings of a Test at the Rose Bowl Test it would mark Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and with Azhar Ali’s team going into the Old Trafford, with England making the first time in a decade that the , for being second and third Tests under 294-4 against New Zealand in 2008 hosts had beaten the Pakistanis in implicated in a spot-fixing scandal pressure to reverse their flagging and 231-3 against the West Indies a series at home, after failing to by the ICC, which shook the fortunes in the ongoing series. in 2004. break the duck in two previous world when it was revealed by the Chris Woakes hit an unbeaten 84 Victory also meant England had rubbers. now-defunct British tabloid News of as England came from behind to won an opening Test for the first Of those who are still surviving the World in August 2010. beat Pakistan by three wickets in time in six series. from the series played in 2010, The trio along with their agent the first Test at Old Trafford on Hence all eyes will now be on the England’s veteran new ball pace Mazhar Majeed arranged deliberate Saturday. England were struggling second Test at the Rose Bowl, as duo of James Anderson and Stuart no-balls during the Lord's Test in pursuit of a victory target of 277 the hosts are primed to repeat their Broad could be mentioned, while against England in 2010, in return after collapsing to 117-5 on the Manchester heroics against under for the visitors the only member for money in a deal with an fourth day in Manchester. fire Azhar Ali’s men. (JK) Joe Root Shakhtar set up Europa Broad fi ned for using semi against Inter Milan inappropriate language England pacer Stuart International Match." Shakhtar Donetsk booked a Broad has been fined 15 per The demerit point added to clash with Inter Milan in the cent of his match fee and his disciplinary record takes Europa League semi-finals after handed one demerit point for Broad's tally to three since goals from Brazilians Junior breaching Level 1 of the ICC it's his third offence in a Moraes, Taison, Alan Patrick Code of Conduct during the 24-month period. His and Dodo gave them a 4-1 win first Test against Pakistan in previous breaches were on over FC Basel in a one-sided Manchester. 27 January this year during last-eight clash on Tuesday. The incident occurred in the fourth Test against The Ukrainian champions will the 46th over of Pakistan's South Africa at the take on Inter in Duesseldorf on second innings on Saturday Wanderers, and on 19 Monday after Sunday's semi- (8 August), when Broad used August 2018 in the third final in Cologne between 2017 inappropriate language after Test against India at Trent Europa League winners dismissing spinner Yasir Bridge. Accumulation of four Manchester United and Sevilla, Shah. As such, the demerit points within 24 who have won Europe's second- Englishman was found in Stuart Broad months leads to the players' tier competition a record five violation of the Article 2.5 of gestures which disparage or suspension for one Test or times. the ICC Code of Conduct for which could provoke an two limited-over games, The final is set for 21 Aug. in Players and Player Support aggressive reaction from a whatever is first on schedule Cologne. Personnel, which relates to batter upon his/her for his/her country. Sevilla clinched their berth goalkeeper Djordje Nikolic, who with keeping possession as their "using language, actions or dismissal during an Cricbuzz with a 1-0 win over was beaten to the ball by the rivals chased shadows. Wolverhampton Wanderers in striker after rushing off his line Still, Patrick made it 3-0 with Tuesday's other quarter-final to meet a Marlos corner. a 75th-minute penalty after thanks to a late goal by Lucas Nikolic made amends with Yannick Marchand fouled Ocampos. several good saves in the first livewire Taison in the area and Vantage FFSL President’s Cup 2020 (Round 2) Shakhtar, who won Europe's half, but was powerless in the right back Dodo added the second-tier club competition in 22nd minute when Taison fourth in the 89th minute, with 2009, missed a string of chances capped a lightning Shakhtar the goal awarded after a VAR New Star take on Matara City today to triumph by an even bigger break with a deflected shot after check for offside. margin as they dominated the good work by Marlos and a Substitute Ricky van New Star SC will be clear match with crisp one-touch clever dummy by Patrick. Wolfswinkel netted a stoppage favourites when they take on passing and superior close Marcos Antonio rattled the time consolation for Basel from Matara City Club today in control. woodwork with a long-range close range, but the Swiss side the second round of the Moraes headed the Ukrainian effort in the 40th minute before had little to cheer after being Vantage FFSL President’s side into a second-minute lead Shakhtar took their foot off the blown away by their opponents. Cup 2020 at Sugathadasa after a howler by Basel's Serbian pedal in the second half, content (Reuters) Stadium at 3.30 p.m. New Star SC will be facing this encounter against Matara City oozing with confidence following a thrilling 1-0 win over Halep labours to SLC offers Renown SC in round 1. New Star’s M. Anas, who is contracts to the playmaker of the side, victory on comeback has been setting up attacks World number two week, was making her first and plays a key role in Simona Halep made a rusty appearance on the WTA 20 Umpires controlling the midfield, and start on her return from the Tour since her title triumph will need to continue his COVID-19 shutdown as she at the Dubai Tennis Sri Lanka Cricket has decided good form if his side is to edged a seesaw battle Championships in to grant contracts to 20 premier remain on top of their against Slovenian Polona February. umpires for the first time in an respective group. If New Star Hercog 6-1 1-6 7-6(3) in the "I'm happy because I effort to uplift the wellbeing of SC can continue their form Action from the first-round match between New Star Vs Renown opening round of the Prague could win after a six-month cricket umpires in the country. and gain three valuable Open on Tuesday. break," the 28-year-old The Executive Committee which points, they will be the first their ranks, and that will they proved during their Having secured a crucial Romanian told a news met recently approved the team to qualify for the ensure they will be no easy first-round fixture. (MS) break to move 5-3 ahead in conference. proposal presented by Chairman knockout. push over. Matara City is Other fixtures: the third set, Halep dropped "I felt tension in my back of the Umpires Committee, Meanwhile, Matara City placed second in Group ‘B’ New Youngs FC Vs her own serve before after the first set, even Deepal Madurapperuma. who is under former national following the draw against Renown SC at Racecourse squandering three match though it was short, and I SLC would provide a monthly head coach Nizam Pakeer New Youngs FC. International Stadium at points. played well. fixed allowance for the selected Ali, will be desperate to give The Matara City lads are a 3.30 pm The tension increased as "After the second set, I felt umpires who would be divided a better performance this tough bunch and always Moragasmulla SC Vs Up three more match points tired. But I knew she was in into three categories-- time around, with their prepared for a hard-nosed Country Lions SC at went abegging for Halep, the same position so I just International, Emerging and players willing to give battle, and there is no doubt Sugathadasa Stadium at who eventually converted had to stick to the plan and Level 1. The International everything in order to collect it will be an enthralling 6.30 pm her seventh chance to close fight - the fighting helped category includes four umpires, the important points. encounter. This will be an Java Lane SC Vs Blue Star out the match in a tiebreak. me to win the match. followed by six in the Emerging Pakeer Ali has moulded a important game for Matara SC at Racecourse Halep, who skipped the (Reuters) category and 10 in Level 1. well-balanced team, with City since New Star has got International Stadium at Palermo Ladies Open last some experienced players in too much quality, which 6.30 pm A16 thursday 13 august 2020 sports Ready to provide much-needed restructuring – Namal Rajapaksa First National sportsman to be appointed as Minister of Sports By Anjana Kaluarachchi women and stakeholders. the dominant Kandy SC team. under the purview of the Sports Namal has always been an athlete He was then involved in coaching, Ministry, like the National Institute of At the age of 34 Hambantota District from his childhood. Hailing from S. and coached CH & FC during the most Sports Science (NISS), National Sports MP Namal Rajapaksa, who was sworn Thomas’ College Mount Lavinia, he recent Club Rugby season. He was Council, Sugathadasa Stadium in as the Minister of Sports and Youth was a stellar schoolboy rugby player. also involved in developing and Authority, Institute of Sports Medicine Affairs yesterday, will go into the He first led the Sri Lanka under-16 promoting Sri Lanka sports where he and Sri Lanka Anti-doping Agency history books as Sri Lanka’s youngest rugby team in 2000. Five years later, organised the franchise-based rugby (SLADA) will now come under the Sports Minister, and also the first he led S. Thomas’ College at the ‘A’ tournament Carlton Sevens and State Minister. instance where a National skipper or Division Schools Rugby League and maintained good relations with Strangely, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), an athlete has been appointed to the the Sri Lanka Junior team at the U-19 leading sportsmen and women. which is an independent organization post. Asia Rugby Championship 2004/05. Meanwhile, MP Thenuka attached to the International Cricket After he took oaths in Kandy In 2010 Namal led the Navy rugby Vidanagamage has been appointed as Council (ICC), also has been gazetted yesterday, Rajapaksa said the team and played a key role. After three the State Minister for Rural and under the purview of the Ministry of country’s sports, including the most years he was appointed National School Sports Infrastructure Sports separately, even though all popular brand cricket, needs Rugby and went on several Promotion. National Sports Associations come restructuring, which he is willing to do tours. He retired from rugby in 2014 Along with these appointments under the purview of the Sports following discussions with relevant on a high note with Navy SC clinching some of the major Departments and Ministry as per Sri Lankan Sports associations, ex national sportsmen/ the Club Rugby League title beating Institutions which came directly Law. Namal Rajapaksa

SLC Major Tier ‘A’ 3-day Tournament CCC beat Ragama and head points table

CCC beat Ragama CC by innings and 125 Army CC: 269 and 255/3 (60) (Dinesh runs yesterday at MCG Katunayake to lead the Chandimal 129, Thulina Dilshan 116 n.o., points table after the first weekend of the Super- Dilesh Gunarathna 2/13) 8 round in the SLC Major League Tier ‘A’ Cricket NCC: 417/7 decl. (323/6 o/n) (88) tournament. At CCC (Match drawn) The only other team to register an outright win Chilaw Marians CC: 195 and 385/8 decl. was CC who beat Lankan CC by 5 (359/6 o/n) (89.2) (Kamindu Mendis 150 n.o., wickets at De Soysa Stadium Moratuwa. Kasun Vidura 87, Thikshila de Silva 40 n.o., Other matches were drawn. Shehan Jayasooriya 35, Oshadha Fernando 30, Four batsmen scored centuries in the second 3/40, Duvindu Tillakaratne innings. 2/71) *Kamindu Mendis (Chilaw Marians CC) scored BRC: 87 (34.2) and 231/8 (80) (Dilshan de an unbeaten 150 runs in 243 balls with 13 Soysa 105 n.o., Deshan Dias 28, Kamindu boundaries and 3 sixes against BRC. Mendis 4/43, Pulina Tharanga 2/32, Thikshila * (Army CC) former Sri de Silva 2/23) Lanka skipper, scored 129 runs in 154 balls with Plate Championship 15 boundaries against NCC. At De Soysa Stadium Moratuwa (Negombo *Thulina Dilshan (Army CC) scored an CC won by 5 wickets) unbeaten 116 runs in 188 balls with 12 Lankan CC: 270 and 111 (67/5 o/n) (50.3) boundaries and 2 sixes against NCC. (Risith Upamal 36, Chanaka Ruwansiri 30, Upul *Dilshan de Zoysa (BRC) scored an unbeaten Indrasiri 5/34, Roshen Fernando 3/29) 105 runs in 157 balls with 12 boundaries and 4 Negombo CC: 238 and 147/5 (36.5) (Roscoe sixes against Chilaw Marians CC. Thattil 38 n.o., Madhawa Warnapura 33 n.o., Moors SC right arm medium paceman Pasindu Lakshanka 29, Dunith Wellalage 3/60) Kavishka Anjula had a match bag of 11 wickets At NCC (Match drawn) for 74 runs against Baduraliya SC, while SSC: 254 and 271/5 (63) ( Malinda Pushpakumara (CCC) had a match bag 94, Sandun Weerakkody 68, Sammu Ashan 37, of eight wickets against Ragama CC. Dasun Shanaka 30, Madhuka performances (First week) Liyanapathiranage 2/51) 173 n.o. (Colts) vs Saracens Tamil Union C & AC: 349 (294/5 o/n) (98) 150 n.o. Kamindu Mendis (Chilaw Marians CC) (Ranmith Jayasena 82, Tharanga Paranavithana vs BRC 71, 53, Dakshitha 139 (CCC) vs Ragama CC Dinesh Chandimal Thulina Dilshan Kamindu Mendis Fernando 49, Yohan Mendis 31, Jeffrey 129 Dinesh Chandimal (Army CC) vs NCC Vandersay 4/91, Sachithra Senanayake 3/63, 116 n.o. Thulina Dilshan (Army CC) vs NCC 6/35 Kavishka Anjula (Moors SC) vs Baduraliya Nishan Madushka 29, Malinda Pushpakumara 2/37) 121 Upul Tharanga (NCC) vs Army CC CC 4/55, Ashan Priyanjan 2/64, Wanindu At Colts (Match drawn) 124 Chanaka Ruwansiri (Lankan CC) vs 5/85 Lakshitha Rasanajana (Negombo CC) vs Hasaranga 2/66) Moors SC: 340 and 305/6 decl. (74/1 o/n) Negombo CC Lankan CC At P. Sara Oval (Match drawn) (69.1) (Ramesh Mendis 61, Sachithra Serasinghe 106 Lahiru Udara (NCC) vs Army CC 5/86 Lahiru Samarakoon (Baduraliya CC) vs Colts CC: 408/6 decl. 60, Nipun Karunanayake 58, Mohammed 105 n.o. Dilshan de Soysa (BRC) vs Chilaw Moors SC Saracens SC: 182 (114/3 o/n) (81.2) Shamaaz 48, Pabasara Waduge 36, Adeesha Marians CC Super Eight Round (Kanishka Amarasinghe 45, Saliya Saman Thilanchana 28 n.o., Lahiru Samarakoon 2/33) 100 Shanthush Gunathilake (Colts CC) vs Day 3 Scores 38, Kavindu Nirmal 32, 27, Badureliya CC: 149 (45.5) (Salinda Ushan 67, Saracens CC At MCG Katunayake (CCC won by innings and Nisala Tharaka 3/34, Dilshan Madushanka Kavishka Anjula 5/39, Sachithra Serasinghe Bowling performances (First week) 125 runs) 2/37, Prabath Jayasuriya 2/41) and 106/3 3/12, Ramesh Mendis 2/37) and 120/9 5/42 Dilesh Gunarathna (NCC) vs Army CC CCC: 499/7 decl. (40) (Navindu Nirmal 34 n.o., Sithara Gimhan (40) (Dushan Hemantha 43, Kavishka Anjula 5/34 Upul Indrasiri (Negombo CC) vs Lankan CC Ragama CC: 132 and 242 (4/2 o/n) 27, Kanishka Amarasinghe 23, 6/35, Praveen Jayawickrame 2/36) 5/39 Kavishka Anjula (Moors SC) vs Baduraliya (58.3) (Janith Liyanage 50 n.o., Roshen Silva 41, 2/19) Pix by Kelum Chamara CC Ishan Jayaratne 35, Binura Fernando 29, At SSC (Match drawn) (IR)

Bangladesh FIFA World Cup qualifiers 2022 On Sri Lanka tour Sri Lanka’s remaining Shakib Al Hasan could make seeks T-20 in international comeback matches further delayed Shakib Al Hasan is likely to make an immediate favour of Tests By Mustaq Sydeen return to the Bangladesh team after his suspension By Wichithra Weerasingha Sri Lanka’s remaining World deadline ends on 29 Cup qualifiers which was October, with Sri Lanka the Informed sources revealed that two T-20 games had scheduled to take place in assumed venue of his been included into the series between hosts Sri Lanka October-November, has once again comeback. Bangladesh’s and Bangladesh which was originally set to commence postponed until next year due to tour of Sri Lanka is all but last July but deferred indefinitely due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, world confirmed and given how the COVID-19 pandemic in the country. governing body FIFA and the Asian tour schedule is shaping up, This particular Test series consists of two Tests, Football Confederation said in a it is more than likely that Shakib Al Hasan which is part of the ICC World Test Championship, statement on Wednesday. Shakib will at least feature and officials from the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) It marks the second time the in the proposed three-match towards full fitness. had requested their Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) qualifiers – which also serve as the T20I series. Head coach Russell counterparts to add either two ODIs or T-20 games road to the 2023 Asian Cup in Action from the First Leg encounter According to SLC Chief Domingo has said Shakib’s into the white ball version of the itinerary. China – have been pushed back, against South Korea Executive Mohan de Silva, return will depend on his Sources said that due to the request made, SLC has as matches in March and June the two Boards have reached fitness levels – and possibly decided to drop a Test match in favour of adding two were also postponed due to the and already out of contention, Sri an agreement on some match-time under his T-20 games to the series line up. pandemic. Lanka was slated to host Korea Bangladesh’s departure belt. However, he compared When contacted, Secretary of SLC Mohan de Silva FIFA stated on their official Republic on 13 October and take date, but they are still in Shakib’s year-long break said “The BCB had urged us to organise an ODI or website: on DPR Korea and Lebanon away discussions over whether it from cricket with the current T-20 series besides the Test matches. Due to this “In light of the current COVID-19 on 18 October and 12 November will be a two or three-match Bangladesh players also development, the original three-Test series would situation in many countries, FIFA respectively. Test series after the BCB having had to sit out for six probably be reduced to two Tests while there will be and the Asian Confederation (AFC) Sri Lanka is lagging at the requested a three-match months without any on-field two T-20 games instead.” have jointly decided that the bottom with zero points from five T20I series in addition to the action, thanks to the According to SLC sources the deferred series upcoming qualifying matches for matches in Group ‘H’. original tour schedule. Covid-19 pandemic. between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh would be played in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Following the postponement Sri Shakib will be training at “I think Shakib being out either October or November this year. and AFC Asian Cup China 2023, Lanka will have to wait a little the BKSP – Bangladesh’s for a year is not that much However, finalisation of the dates for the series has originally scheduled to take place longer to play their first match largest sporting institute – different to the rest of our run into further problems, due to the IPL taking place during the international match under new head coach Amir from next month, so it is squad who have been out for in Dubai around the same period, as well as the LPL windows in October and November Alargic, who has already likely that the Bangladesh six or seven months as well,” also having to be organised towards the latter stages 2020, will be rescheduled to 2021” implemented many changes to the team management will have Domingo told ESPNcricinfo. of this year by SLC, understands. With three matches remaining team. one eye on his progress (Agencies)

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