Sunday 20 JUNE 2021 Latest Edition Vol: 10/28 Price : Rs 70.00 Inside Story Dilemma in Online Education Exposes ’s Social Inequality With the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic hit Sri Lanka in March 2020 and schools were promptly closed as everyone feared for the safety of the children. Although they were reopened in See on between, as of March 2021,... page A16 A4 English Medium

Primary Education Travel restrictions to be relaxed Plan Shelved on Monday By Dilanthi Jaytamanne

Proposal requires Constitutional amendment Travel restrictions which are currently in place will be lifted on Monday (21) at 4:00 a.m., Head of the By Thameenah Razeek implemented in the near future, said Dr. Upali National Operation Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Sedara, Secretary to the State Ministry of Outbreak (NOCPCO), General Shavendra Silva said. The Ministry of Education has temporarily halted Education Reforms, Open Universities, and General Silva said on Friday (18) however that inter- implementing the programme to provide English Distance Learning Promotion. He explained that provincial travel restrictions will not be lifted even medium instructions to students in the primary according to the Constitution, primary education during this period. Only those providing essential Grades up to Advanced Level, as it requires a should only be provided in the two State services could cross provincial borders. Constitutional amendment. languages, Sinhala and Tamil. He said social gatherings will not be permitted. Also The plan will not be Government employees can continue to work from home.

Story Continued on page 2

Tracing the delta variant’s spread Areas with more COVID-19 cases must be tested Story Continued on page 2 – Health Minister Health Minister called for more testing in areas with large numbers SL to export of COVID-19 patients to trace the spread of the delta variant. A Health Ministry official said on Friday (18) that Minister fish to China Wanniarachchi had urged her By Sulochana Ramiah Mohan officials to sequence samples taken from areas with large numbers of The Embassy of Sri Lanka in China headed by COVID patients to ensure that the Ambassador Dr. Palitha Kohona has struck a delta variant, which was initially detected from India, deal to export fish and fish products to China had not spread to other parts of the country. from 1 July. The Embassy in Beijing said China’s General Story Continued on page 2 Administration Customs of China (CACC) Health Certificate for Sri Lanka will enable the approved fisheries and aquatic products to (Pic: T. Pratheepan) enter the lucrative market in China and even All COVID-19 vaccines encourage Sri Lankan business to expand their ‘Dropping old buses into sea a common practice’ productions. reduce severity of Story Continued on page 2 Devananda dismisses infection – Prof. Malavige By Dilanthi Jayamanne

Cause of death of Indian fishers’ protest All existing coronavirus vaccines are able to reduce severity of disease and prevent death of COVID-19 y ulochana amiah ohan marine animals B S R M and that the matter is not a serious cause patients however severe the variant is, Professor at the for concern. Department of Immunology and Molecular Medicine, cannot be revealed Responding to protests by Indian He noted that the Indian fishermen are Faculty of Medical Sciences, Sri Jayewardenepura fishermen from Rameswaram against Sri protesting because they cannot use their University (SJU) Prof. Neelika Malavige said. yet – MEPA Chairperson Lankan authorities dropping condemned bottom trawlers that are illegal in some Addressing the media at the Health Promotion Bureau buses into the sea in a bid to create jurisdictions. on Friday (18), Prof. Malavige added any person should By Sulochana Ramiah Mohan artificial reefs and habitats for fish, The Minister said their protests reveal not hesitate to get themselves vaccinated against the Fisheries Minister that they have been fishing in Sri Lankan virus. The Marine Environment Protection Authority said Indian authorities also drop old waters using bottom trawlers that have (MEPA) while updating on the burnt X-Press buses and trains for the same purpose already destroyed the seabed and reefs. Story Continued on page 2 Pearl feeder that caused serious ecological damage to Sri Lanka, Friday (18) said they Story Continued on page 2 cannot reveal the cause of deaths of the sea creatures nor reveal the number of dead marine life beached in the past weeks as they have filed litigation against the X-Press feeder operators. Ranil’s name Lion at Zoo A team of experts on marine life and pollution including MEPA Chairperson Dharshani gazetted as UNP tests COVID-19 Lahandapura, Secretary to the Ministry of Environment Dr. Anil Jasinghe and Central National List MP positive Environmental Authority Director-General P.B. By Methmalie Dissanayake By Thameenah Razeek Hemantha Jayasinghe were present at the virtual media brief. The Gazette notification naming UNP Director-General of the Department of Leader as UNP’s National Zoological Gardens Ishini Story Continued on page 2 National List MP was issued by the Wickremesinghe stated on Friday (18) a Election Commission on Friday (18). lion named ‘Thor’ at Dehiwala Zoological His name was gazetted 10 months after Gardens had contracted COVID-19. To control pandemic, carry out the Parliamentary election. The UNP was Such an incident was reported for the Oil leak detected in development work smashed in the General Election of... first time in Sri Lanka. Govt to table Story Continued on page 2 Story Continued on page 2 vessel leaving Colombo Supplementary By Sulochana Ramiah Mohan A merchant vessel leaving the Colombo Harbour, Estimate of Rs 200B Daya and Anusha resign developed a crack in its fuel tank and has leaked around The Government is planning to table a 10 kilolitres (10,000 Litres) of oil in the Bay of Bengal on Supplementary Estimate of Rs 200 billion in Captain Keppetipola is new SLPA Chair Thursday (17), Indian Coast Guard stated. Parliament shortly, with the aim of getting it The Devon was sailing under the flag of Portugal when By Sulochana Ramiah Mohan passed to control the spread of COVID-19 Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA), following it started leaking oil in the Bay of Bengal and was pandemic as well as to look after State-related Captain Nihal Keppetipola has been the resignation of General Daya en-route from Colombo to Haldia in West Bengal, India expenses. appointed as the 27th Chairman of Sri Ratnayake from the post. when the leak was detected.

Story Continued on page 2 Story Continued on page 2 Story Continued on page 2 A2 SUNDAY 20 JUNE 2021 NEWS Navy gifts patrol craft to Coastguard Sri Lanka Navy ceremonially handed over CG405 Coast Patrol Craft to the Sri Lanka Coastguard following a major refurbishment at the PH bay pier, Northern Naval Command, Kankesanturai on Wednesday (16), SLCG said. Commander Northern Naval Area, Rear Admiral Priyantha Perera took part in the ceremony as chief guest and handed over the token key. (PA)

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 English Medium... Govt to table supplementary... PM , in the Legislature in the history immunisation programme to He claimed that even if the proposal is schools Islandwide, steps will be taken to his capacity as the Minister of this country. prevent people from implemented in one school, it will be establish such schools at the provincial level of Finance, is set to present PM Rajapaksa as the contracting the illness, considered a violation of the Constitution, as a pilot project. The facility will be this proposal to the Cabinet subject Minister has treatment of patients at and that the Ministry of Education would available to all children in the island, based shortly before its submission mentioned in his proposal to quarantine centers, the never undertake such an act. on the performance of the pilot schools. to the House for approval. the Cabinet that the said sum coordination of health However, Education Ministry Secretary Prof. Perera said there is currently no Meanwhile, informed is sought by the Government services here to tackle the Prof. Kapila Perera said in the first week of means to provide English medium classes in sources revealed the to carry out various third wave of the pandemic, June that after receiving the primary education, but the committee is aforesaid sum will also be the programmes aimed at along with the carrying out of recommendations of the Ministry of looking at other options for providing highest such amount sought effective controlling of the numerous development Education’s Committee of Experts on the English medium education and other by a Government through a spread of the pandemic, the projects without interruption provision of English medium education in educational reforms. Supplementary Estimate in continuation of the throughout the country.

Ranil’s name SL to export fish... Daya and Anusha...

The Embassy further noted the assist Sri Lankan fish exports to General Ratnayake, Corporation, earlier served Gazetted... approval by the CACC with Health access the booming Chinese formerly a Commander of as the SLPA’s Harbour ..2020 as the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna Certificate for improving fisheries market. the Sri Lanka Army (2013- Master, Director Operations achieved a landslide victory. The UNP, which is products to China will encourage The renewed Health Certificate 2015) has a distinguished and Managing Director the oldest political party in Sri Lanka, failed to Sri Lankan business to expand must be presented to the Chinese career record and had held between 1990 -2015. secure even a single seat save for one national list their production to China. Customs with their products from key positions. He assumed also learns seat in Parliament, while the Samagi Jana In the backdrop where the EU July 1, 2021 by fisheries product duties as SLPA Chair in that Additional Managing Balwegaya led by then UNP Deputy Leader Sajith Parliament had adopted a exporters from Sri Lanka to China. December 2019. Director Operations and Premadasa became the main opposition party in resolution warning they will All processed fisheries products The new SLPA Chairman Administration Upul the House. re-examine the GSP Plus exporters are required to use the Captain Kappetipola told Jayatissa is tipped to Although the UNP Working Committee requested concession for Sri Lanka for updated version instead of the old Ceylon Today that he has become the Managing Wickremesinghe many times to accept the apparel and fish etc., due to lack of certificate. received instructions about Director of SLPA. national list seat, the latter had reportedly turned commitment to implement their The Sri Lankan mission in the post and is waiting for Meanwhile, the Secretary down the offer on several occasions. However, the recommendations that Sri Lanka Beijing said the 120 copies of the the official appointment to the Ministry of Industries UNP nominated Wickremesinghe for its sole had undertaken to do, the Sri new certificate must be provided letter. Anusha Palpita has written national list seat on 16 June. Lankan Embassy in Beijing said urgently as samples to the GACC Captain Kappetipola, who to President Rajapaksa Wickremesinghe will be sworn in as an MP on 23 their Commercial Section has been and that the Embassy will assist in is currently the Chairman of requesting for a premature June. working closely with the GACC to this regard. the Ceylon Fishery Harbours retirement.

Cause of death of marine... All COVID-19 vaccines...

In this backdrop of where several of the dead fish and the moment due to the about the bunker oil of the Referring to the detection of present in enclosed spaces the public is not aware of sea turtles taken for weather and the debris ship that is about 300MT the delta variant on 16 June which are air conditioned and what caused the death of the laboratory testing were found around the ship. but, the captain of the during sequencing carried had poor ventilation, she sea creatures, the fisheries dead with mouths wide open “This ship is in the sea and salvage team said with the out in Aramaya Place said. Prof. Malawige noted industry has taken a severe due to suffocation. They also we have demanded to long-lasting fire heat and the Dematagoda, she noted that that in order to prevent the hit, because consumers have explained in further tests remove the remaining burnt smoke they suspect that the with over 100 variants of the spread all people have to refrained from eating fish in they found the sea creatures containers but the feeder ship fuel may have coronavirus, the World make double the effort to many parts of the island and with nurdles stuck in the operators told us they exhausted. They have Health Organisation (WHO) maintain health safety that has inconvenienced the throat, gills and stomach. cannot do so as the sea is derived that as a primary had identified, Alpha which regulations. “Remember that fishing community. There were also, questions rough and for salvors, it’s conclusion, she noted. was first detected in the you may be vaccinated, but Now, the public will have to raised about State Minister difficult to attend to it. Also, with ongoing United Kingdom (UK), Beta you could still contact the wait until it is officially who told The team further said they monitoring and testing the identified as the South disease and be asymptomatic. revealed in the lab report. the media on Friday if sea cannot remove all the NARA has not found oil slick African variant, Gamma, But there is a possibility of MEPA Chairperson said creatures wash ashore nurdles soon but the Tri- nor is bunker oil seeping which was found in Brazil passing the disease to others. they need to compare the during the tidal period it is Forces will do it with the into the ocean. and Delta which was first National Hospital, Colombo beached sea creatures in the normal. support of the public. “Now that the ship has detected in India as the four Physician, Dr. Harsha last years before concluding In response the expert Dr. Jasinghe said they are sunk, the next stage is to variants of concern. Sathishchandra warned whether the sea creatures team told the media that studying Hong Kong and remove the wreck but due to Prof. Malawige said that the that those suffering from this time had died due to the they have collected Norway to remove plastic rough seas it could be life- delta variant had already non-communicable diseases, acid leak and debris from the information and the report is pebbles and debris from threatening to salvors. They spread to 80 countries and who were obese and smokers wrecked ship. now a legal document and their seashore and would do cannot do it as of now, she was 50 times more virulent were highly venerable to the “As it’s a legal case and the cannot explain further. a study. “It cannot be done added. Until such time the than Alpha variant and much delta variant. They were report is for legal purpose we Lahandapura went on to in two weeks or so,” he feeder operators have more so than COVID -19 that amongst the group that was cannot divulge all in-depth say that they are continuing added. assigned a company as a was first detected in Wuhan more likely to develop information but once the to monitor the wreck and Even to remove all the raw caretaker of the ship who China. complications. “Therefore do process is over, the report assessing it as it is a long material that have beached will be responsible for It was also capable of not hesitate to visit a hospital would be uploaded to the process. or in the ocean is a process preventing pollution to the increased disease severity if you develop fever public domain and it would The team also said they that needs assessment, land, sea and air. and death. symptoms,” he said. be public property,” MEPA have demanded to remove further study and survey, he “They will be taking care of Explaining, the SJU Prof. Also fever is a symptom not Chairperson noted. the containers that are still added. the ship until it is removed said that the virus was spread only for COVID but also for The government authorities on the wreck but the salvors MEPA chairman also by another assigned and contacted through dengue and leptospyrosis, he in the panel noted that are unable to do anything at added they still have doubts company.” droplets. They are more noted.

Lion at Zoo tests... Devananda dismisses...

She went on to state that according to Wickremesinghe, India on the treatment of the Dropping old vehicles into Claiming that fishing nets it supports the practice as a Thor had first undergone an all efforts to avoid the animals. “India has dealt with the sea is not unusual and it can entangle in the metal deterrent against Indian antigen test, which came back transmission of COVID to other 14 COVID-19 positive cases on is even practised in Tamil debris due to winds speed fishermen. negative, and then a PCR test, animals and staff members animals, and we thought it Nadu, the U.S. and in Japan,” and ocean currents, the “On behalf of the Jaffna which revealed the lion had were taken beforehand. The would be best to follow their he noted. fishers demanded that the Sri District Fisheries contracted COVID-19. Wildlife Ministry will run PCR advice in order to keep the Rameswaram fishermen Lankan Fisheries Department Co-operative Societies Thor, an 11-year-old from the tests on the other lions housed country’s animal-related alleged that Sri Lanka should immediately abandon Association, we request the Seoul Zoo, was brought here in in the exhibit with the situation from worsening. As a continuously dumps derelict dropping old vehicles into the Government to continue 2013 and had been suffering suspected COVID-19-infected result, we began treating the vehicles in the International sea. dumping metal frames of from respiratory problems for lion. lion under the assumption that Maritime Boundary areas Meanwhile, President of buses from Maruthangeni a few days. State Minister Wildlife he had COVID-19,” he noted. such as Kachchativu, the Jaffna District area to Kachchadivu so that Thor was separated from other Protection Wimalaweera It has been confirmed that Nedundeevu and Nainathivu, Fishermen’s Co-operative Indian fishermen will not animals after he tested Dissanayake stated that they the Lion is recovering from the which are traditionally used Societies Association, enter Sri Lankan waters positive for COVID-19, had already sought advice from illness. for fishing. Annalingam Annarasa, said illegally,” he added.

Oil leak detected in... Areas with more... The vessel developed a crack underneath its water line in He said the Minister had resources required. Meanwhile, the Travel restrictions... the port-side fuel tank containing about 120 KL of very low summoned an urgent meeting with President of the College of Medical sulphur fuel oil. her officials and health experts Laboratory Science Sri Lanka Shops and boutiques will be permitted to “The crack leaked about 10 KL of oil into the sea before following the identification of the (CMLSSL), Ravi Kumudesh claimed open adhering to strict health safety preventive action was taken and the remaining oil in the Delta variant from Aramaya Place in that there was discontent within the regulations during this period. tank was transferred to another tank by the ship’s crew,” it Dematagoda on Wednesday (16). Health Ministry laboratory facilities Countrywide travel restrictions will be said. Preventive measures have been taken due to the Ministry’s failure to re-imposed from 10:00 p.m. on 23 June till The vessel is continuing on its voyage to Haldia and is to prevent another spread of the provide equipment to carry out 4:00 a.m. on 25 June. likely to reach there by Friday (18) evening, the statement Alpha variant. sequencing to identify the variants The current travel restrictions were said. “The ICG is in continuous contact with the Devon and The official said that urgent steps spreading throughout the country. imposed on 21 May 2021 which were relaxed the quartermaster has reported that the vessel is stable. The had been taken to isolate Aramaya “No one knows how much this virus for a period of 19 hours on 25 May 2021. It ICG’s pollution response team at Chennai has been alerted Place, while instructions have been may have spread throughout the was re-imposed at 11:00 p.m. on the same and are kept on standby. In addition, the ICG’s ships and issued to carry out contact tracing. country due to the Health Ministry’s day. aircraft deployed at sea are also put on alert in pollution The Minister had pledged to haphazard manner in testing,” he response configuration,” it said. provide all external and human said. (DJ) News Sunday 20 June 2021 A3

If not in favour of fuel hike UK Marine Experts to SLPP should vote for NCM against Udaya – Harshana

By Nabiya Vaffoor Parliament. It is a great Support X-press Pearl opportunity for them to show If the SLPP was truly not in their real intentions to the favour of the fuel price hike, country,” Rajakaruna said. they should vote in favour of Speaking further, the SJB’s No-Confidence Rajakaruna said it is sad Motion (NCM) against Energy that Sri Lanka is going to Pollution Response Minister , lose the GSP+ concession. SJB MP Harshana “We fought hard to get the The United Kingdom has particularly plastic pellets, and support clean-up action over Rajakaruna said. GSP+ for Sri Lanka when we extended its expertise and potential chemical the short term, as well as “If they really have were in power. It helped us to support, to the experts working contamination. From their UK preventative work for the long- empathy towards the public, boost the foreign exchange on the marine pollution, caused laboratory, the experts will work term. then they should vote against reserves in the country. Now by the X-Press Pearl disaster, to collaboratively with in-country Director General for Ocean Gammanpila. They can stop we are going to lose it again. help respond to the impact on teams to support their Affairs, Environment and giving voice cuts and It is very sad,” he said. the marine life and coastal assessment of the Climate Change at the Ministry statements to the Media and Rajakaruna expressed habitats of Sri Lanka. consequences for marine and of Foreign Relations, S. actually vote in favour of the these views at a recent Media British High Commissioner to coastal habitats and species, Hasanthi Urugodawatte No-Confidence Motion in briefing. Sri Lanka, Sarah Hulton said, including mangroves, seagrass Dissanayake said, “Damage to “I’m really pleased to announce and coral reefs. UK experts will the marine environment is a the UK Government’s Centre for also contribute to socio- cause for concern for all those the Environment, Fisheries and economic analysis to assess the who are looking towards the Aquaculture Science (Cefas) will impacts on local communities oceans for the future provide expertise and analytical and livelihoods. progression of mankind. In this SL risks losing S. Korean capacity to support plastic Following this, Cefas will spirit of cooperation on pollution monitoring, as well as continue to collaborate with the environmental issues, Sri job quota – Sajith environmental and socio- emergency response teams in Lanka appreciates this initiative economic impact assessments. Sri Lanka to provide guidance by the Government of UK By Nabiya Vaffoor are on the waiting list, and UK experts will partner with and training to enhance their offering assistance to the two-year service teams in Sri Lanka to support capabilities to address any understand the impact on The job quota granted by extension period granted to the emergency response.” future incidents that could marine environment, with South Korea to Sri Lanka is them is nearly up. Countries Cefas is assisting with impact on the environment and opportunities for long term about to be lost and the such as Thailand, China, laboratory analysis of samples, livelihoods. UK experts will collaboration.” Government should Laos and Vietnam have immediately intervene to stop already sent their workers to it, Opposition Leader Sajith Korea,” he added. This Premadasa warned. situation could result in In a special statement losing the job quota offered to recently, Premadasa said Sri Lanka by South Korea, Organic fertiliser initiative for nearly 5,000 young adults the Opposition Leader who have passed the Korean pointed out. the common good – Yahampath language proficiency “The Government can examination, have become easily coordinate with the By Naalir Jamaldeen implementation and expansion of frustrated, as the South Korean authorities the organic fertiliser programme in Government has not made and send these young adults Eastern Province Governor the Eastern Province. any arrangement for them to to Korea for employment Anuradha Yahampath said the “We started the journey of leave for South Korea. following quarantine decision of converting Sri Lanka into transforming Sri Lanka into a “Nearly 5,000 young people regulations. This a country which is entirely dependent country with non-toxic soil from who have faced the Korean Government, which does not on organic fertiliser has been made the Eastern Province. The decision language proficiency test in have the slightest sense of on humanitarian grounds, with a taken by President Gotabaya 2018 have become helpless responsibility towards the good intention, considering the future Rajapaksa to eliminate the because the Government has country and youths, cannot of the country. chemical fertiliser mafia from the neglected its responsibility do a simple task like this. Yahampath further stated that country is invaluable and a great on the pretext of combating The Government should although many people criticise victory achieved in our lifetime,” the COVID-19 pandemic,” provide a solution for this this decision, there is no political Yahampath said. Addressing ‘Guru Abhimani’ Premadasa said. without delay. This situation agenda behind it. “The 30-year war has been “About 1,600 are on service is not good for the country’s The Governor made these brought to an end, but we are yet national ceremony contracts and about 2,500 image,” he said. observations while speaking at a to reach the hearts of people in the special meeting held at the Northern and Eastern Provinces. Governor’s Office in Trincomalee Their hearts were further injured PM says children on 16 June to discuss future by the Good Governance plans regarding the Government,” she said. must value nature Recruitment of stenographers Children must appreciate nature and enjoy their surroundings rather than get pressured due to Closing date extended competitive education, Prime Minister Mahinda State Minister sends Letter of Demand Rajapaksa said on Thursday (17) during the ‘Guru – Labour Dept Abhimani’ national ceremony to provide a monthly allowance of Rs 2,500 to preschool teachers. The closing date for Labour, which was set for Rs 500M demanded from Minister of Education, Prof. G.L. Peiris, presented the applications for the 28 May has been extended National Policy on Early Childhood Education to Prime competitive examination till 15 July, a statement civil activist Minister Rajapaksa. for the recruitment of from the Department of “It is with great pleasure that I join in the appreciation stenographers – Grade III Labour said. By J.T. de Silva Sampath had contributed directly of preschool teachers who are laying the foundation for of the Department of (TF) to people losing their trust and the future of the children of our country,” Premier State Minister of Pharmaceutical confidence placed in the Rajapaksa said, while he and his wife Shiranthi Production, Supply and Government’s immunization Rajapaksa presented gifts to preschool teachers Regulation, Prof. Channa programme to prevent them from symbolising the ‘Guru Abhimani’ National Programme. Jayasumana has sent a Letter of falling victim to COVID-19. In addition to the ceremony, the PM inaugurated a Demand to civil activist Asela The State Minister has stated grant of Rs 2.5 million for the construction of Sampath demanding a sum of Rs that Sampath had also made these Saubhagya preschools in every Grama Niladhari 500 million over spurious and his comments with hatred and Division of the country and a grant of Rs 600,000 for the unsubstantiated charges levelled wickedness towards him and thus development of infrastructure facilities for 1,500 against him. he has sent the Letter of demand preschools. “Our Government has incorporated the The Letter of Demand has been for the loss of his reputation and mechanism of running preschools to international sent to Sampath through Attorney- image in the eyes of the public and standards and State Minister Piyal Nishantha, has at-Law Athula de Silva on the sought the aforesaid sum within a informed the Government that a National Policy on Early instructions of VK Choksy PC. fortnight and had stated that Childhood has been drafted,” Rajapaksa added. Sampath is the Convener of the failure to comply with his demand He went on to say that during COVID-19, preschool Movement for the Protection of would prompt him to institute legal teachers have suffered major economic setbacks and Public Rights and the National action against the civil activist. pulled through with little money given to them by their Organiser of the All Ceylon The Professor has added further students’ parents. “We acknowledge that this allowance Restaurant Owners Association. in his Letter that neither he nor is not enough to live on. Remember that this is just the In his Letter, the State Minister any member of his family owns any beginning of setting up a permanent monthly salary for has stated that Sampath had house or land in the Ethul Kotte a preschool teacher after formal training. I hope that charged that the former had area and has emphasised that even necessary steps will be taken to provide this allowance brought down a COVID-19 vaccine the WHO has recommended the to those who qualify,” Rajapaksa said. by the name of Sinovac putting said vaccine for emergency use. In addition to the mentioned programmes, Rajapaksa peoples’ lives at risk, during the The State Minister has also said in view of COVID-19 conditions, a plan has been spread of the pandemic, while lodged a written complaint to IGP drawn up by television channels to broadcast purchasing a luxury house in CD Wickremaratne as well educational programmes for children. Ethul Kotte area valued at Rs 200 regarding the remarks made by “Recently, we discussed the possibility of reopening million. Sampath, while the CID has also schools with the Minister of Education and the Prof. Jayasumana said the launched a probe into the Education Secretary. The Government is focused on unfounded remarks made by incident. reopening schools step-by-step as soon as the Ministry of Health makes the necessary recommendations,” Rajapaksa added. (ST) Acute fertiliser shortage in Mullaitivu – DS Dengue threat looms By Naalir Jamaldeen distributed to them through 10 Agrarian Service Centres, the – NDEC Director Mullaitivu District Secretary K. required amount of fertiliser has Vimalanathan, said there is a need not reached the district so far,” he By Sanduni Gamarachchi for fertiliser for 5,000 acres of said. agricultural lands in the district for Vimalanathan said they were The Director of the National Dengue Eradication Yala Season. facing difficulties in distributing Centre (NDEC), Dr. Anura Jayasekara said though the The District Secretary went on to fertiliser to the farmers. number of those infected by the disease compared to say that it is necessary to provide The District Secretary, who said last year had declined in 2021, there could be an fertiliser for the farmers who have he has learnt that there is a escalation of the illness during the next few weeks if been engaging in paddy cultivation shortage of urea fertiliser in preventive measures are not promptly taken. for the Yala Season in the Colombo, added that more fertiliser He stated that as symptoms of both COVID-19 and Mullaitivu District without was required for the farmers who dengue were similar, those infected by the latter disease interruption. come under the Kumulamunai should seek medical attention at the earliest if its spread “Despite fertiliser being Agrarian Service Centre. is to be curbed efficiently. A4 sunday 20 june 2021 focus Dilemma in Online Education Exposes Sri Lanka’s Social Inequality Situation will create many school dropouts – Ceylon Teachers’ Union

By Methmalie Dissanayake and commit to leaving no one behind, urgent action is needed in the With the first wave of COVID-19 following areas: pandemic hit Sri Lanka in March 2020 and schools were promptly closed as Reopen schools in everyone feared for the safety of the low-risk areas children. Although they were reopened in between, as of March 2021, Sri It is useful to consider opening Lankan schools are estimated to have schools in remote COVID-19 low-risk been fully closed for 28 weeks and areas where distance learning is neither partially closed for 15 weeks according accessible nor effective, which usually to UNESCO data. This will be further have smaller student populations, increased as schools have been closed allowing for better adherence to health indefinitely following the third wave of guidelines such as physical distancing. the pandemic. This can be done by allowing schools As a result, students and teachers to make decisions in discussion with have been forced to remain home and relevant school committees and conduct classes online. Although many regional education authorities, as top level schools and international opposed to blanket decisions made at schools in the country easily adopted the central level for all schools. Such into this situation, the story is different plans should also involve strategies for for the students in many parts of the more permanent ways of keeping country. schools open, supported by regular Many incidents were reported where cost-effective testing of both teachers students in rural areas had to climb “The teachers never say no to teach. earn money. Department. Unlike the Sinhala and students, and vaccinating teachers roofs, trees, rocks, etc. to receive the But they have not provided with any “The educational authorities should Department, the live attendance of the as a priority group. internet signals to get online. facilities to teach online. All the pay attention to these. They have students of the English Department is Students in Kalatuwawa, Wewala teachers who deliver online lessons pay enough time to prepare a proper plan to 100 per cent, he says. Continue hybrid learning climbed trees more than 40 ft because for data from their own pockets. Many create a successful mechanism to “Even though the students of the when schools reopen they could not find internet signals of them do not even have proper provide education to children. But they English Department do not come from anywhere in their village. devices. Instead of providing them neglected it and only now have affluent backgrounds, they are raised The periodic interruptions to school At the Fourth Mile Post in Norton facilities, the authorities instruct them commenced discussions”. in middle class families. Therefore, they reopening attempts underscore the Bridge, Hatton, children were seen to carry out online lessons and monitor When asked if teachers’ unions have do not face issues such as lack of data, need for a well-developed hybrid system coming to a small bus stop, despite the them. This is very unfair for both been invited for such discussions, lack of study environment compared to for education delivery – consisting of a bad weather condition, because it was teachers and students,” General Stalin said they have not received any the students of Sinhala Department.” mix of in-person and remote options – the only place in the area with proper Secretary of the Ceylon Teachers’ Union invitation so far. “I teach both Departments with the so that teachers and students can shift reception. Some local children have to Joseph Stalin said. Teachers’ unions have suggested same enthusiasm. But this is the smoothly to distance learning during an walk many kilometres daily to receive Also, children of teacher are learning introducing study packs and situation in the country at present. This emergency. Even when schools are internet signals. online as well, so it is a difficult for broadcasting lessons on TV. social inequality always makes my open, safety measures would not There is no mention of the plight of them to find devices to teach online at “Online education is just one element heart heavy. It is sad that the permit all students to attend school children in orphanages; it seems the same time, Stalin said. of distance learning. There are other Government has not even started to daily in highly-populated schools, everyone has forgotten to pay attention Risk of children dropping out of methods too. If the authorities pay think about it.” necessitating blended learning to as to how they receive education online. attention, it is not difficult to find ensure uninterrupted learning. Recent school Prices of equipment, data Punctuality suitable methods so no child loses their research based on different country Speaking to Ceylon Today, Stalin right to education”. costs and lack of signal experiences shows that effective hybrid In a post on ’IPS Talking Economics’, stressed that about 60 per cent of “They have to discuss with the learning can be offered in any setting, blog researchers Ashani Abayasekara school students are in a danger of teachers first because we are the ones strength by identifying the best combination of and Thisali de Silva said that less than dropping out of school as a result of who know the ground reality. Recently, Students across the country, education modalities, learning material, 50 per cent of students in Sri Lanka poorly planned online education in the I saw the Education Minister on a including those in urban areas, are and methods of communication, in line went online on average, as confirmed country. television programme proudly declaring facing several issued even with facilities with available resources, skills, and by a recent survey conducted by the “In many rural areas, the children do that online education method is to access online education. One major technology. Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka not have equipment. They do not have continuing successfully. These problem is the low signal strength Improve pedagogy for (IPS). money to buy them. Some even cannot Ministers are not in the real world. They offered by internet service providers. “Online learning platforms in Sri afford data. Our teachers say that in are in other dimensions. That is why There are many areas which do not distance learning Lanka suffer from access and quality, some areas only 10 – 20 students out of they make such stupid statements. have signal strength to even make a as confirmed by estimates of a recent 40 students in a classroom attend to They have to come back to their phone call, let alone logging into Distance education is here to stay in survey conducted among public school online lectures,” he noted. senses,” he stressed. internet. The children in rural areas are some form or the other, at least in the teachers and parents across the It should be noted that children who severely affect by this problem. Even in foreseeable future. Ensuring effective country. Less than 50 per cent of have equipment face other problems Social inequality urban areas, the signal strength remote pedagogy is particularly students have internet access on like lack of signal strength. Their Renowned author Professor at remains low. Internet service providers challenging for TV broadcasts as average; further, it ranged as low as parents cannot afford the data either. Department of Sinhala of Peradeniya said that this is due to many people opposed to online teaching, where eight per cent in the smallest schools – When there is more than one child in a University Liyanage Amarakeerthi working from home during the programme design has to ensure which are typically the least privileged – family, it is very difficult for the parents noted that current online education in pandemic. continuity in the face of the central to 59 per cent in the largest. to provide equipment and bear data Sri Lanka highlights the social I was also reported that some teacher. Given that TV is the most The survey also indicates that costs. inequality in the country clearly. telecommunications companies even feasible way of reaching less-privileged education via TV proved to be a better Stalin also warned about the social On a Facebook post, Prof visited random areas and promised to students in Sri Lanka, it is crucial to way of reaching students in smaller cost which could resulted from children Amarakeerthi said, provide coverage to students. But even address existing pedagogical and schools. However, several pedagogical dropping out of schools. “These days I use Zoom to conduct after one and half years, the companies logistical issues. and logistical challenges have hindered The children are at home for almost lessons. The average attendance have not done an iota to increase their Reviewing measures taken in its effectiveness. These include lack of two years now. As I said earlier, many percentage for a live zoom session is 30 coverage islandwide. countries such as Pakistan and links between televised programmes students do not receive a proper while the maximum percentage of live Furthermore, the prices of Vietnam to overcome similar challenges and teachers’ lesson plans; a passive education now. The social cost of this attendance30 remains at 40. There are smartphones and computers have70 can be useful in this regard. These teaching style and absence of could be unbearable for the country in many students who have not logged skyrocketed during the pandemic. include: interaction with students; confusion of the future. No one in the higher level into the Learning25 Management System When there is more than one 60child at • Leveraging school timing and duration of different care about what would happen to these (LMS) of the University for 30 – 40 days. home, one smartphone or a computer teachers, subject experts, and

s 50 subjects and TV channels; and poor children who are about to drop out of Before the20 pandemic, the attendance would not suffice. Also, parents have to timetabling specialists to develop TV communication of programme school, he noted. for the lectures exceeded 90 per cent. bear a higher cost for internet lessons aligned to the national information to schools, students, and “When we look at a classroom, there For my lectures it was nearly 100 per packages. 40 curricula 15 parents.” are different kinds of students. Some cent. Now it has dropped to 30 per During a time when many livelihoods • Organising mass communication 30 are slow learners. Now, such students cent.” are in jeopardy, it is not very hard toPercentage campaigns such as teaser videos and Issues faced by teachers have lost two years of education. It will “TheseNumber of week students10 do not participate in understand that online education is not social media and newspaper 20 Although the hardships faced by be very hard for them to catch up what live sessions because they have issues affordable for most people. advertising, leveraging public figures students had gained attention, the 5 they missed when the schools reopen in with internet data, the environment 10 like politicians issues faced by school teachers have the future. Unfortunately no one pays they live and technical facilities they Areas for Urgent Action • Maintaining communication between never been discussed enough. attention to this.” have. But this0 situation is different Ashani Abayasekara and Thisali0 de schools and parents by telephone, Many criticise teachers claiming that Moreover, Stalin also pointed out that when it comes to the EnglishLower middle Upper middleSilva inHigh their income blog postSri Lanka noted that both online teacher-parent meetings, and they lack innovative methods to teach there is a high risk of students engaging Department of the same university,”income he incomeemergency and recovery measures home visits for updates of learning and do not know much about modern in child labour as a result. He said that noted. adopted in Sri Lanka during COVID- progress. technology. But those who criticise even now many GCE Ordinary Level Prof. AmarakeerthiFull closures conducts lecturesPartial closures 19 schoolShare of instructionclosures days have missed worsened The authorities always say that we teachers tend to forget about the bitter and GCE Advanced Level students are for an introduction to Sinhala literature existing education inequities. To have to live with the pandemic realities. engaging in online delivery services to for students from the English alleviate the current education crisis because we do not know a definite end date. But when it comes to education, we have many months to establish a Share (%) of Students Reached via Internet and 30 70 proper mechanism for uninterrupted TV in Sri Lanka, by School size learning. Sri Lanka has many committees, task forces to deal with 25 60 90 81 83 90 the pandemic. However, even after 15 80 73 80 months, none of them are able to s 50 20 70 70 provide a proper solution to the 24 60 35 current crisis in education. 40 60 60 15 28 Is that because children of many 50 50 30 politicians and top level decision Percentage 33

Percentage 40 40 Number of week 10 30 makers are either studying abroad or 20 30 59 30 enrolled in top level State or 45 46 international schools? Is that why they 5 20 22 20 10 27 have bluntly neglected their duty 10 10 8 towards the children of the nation? 0 0 0 0 Who will take responsibility for the Lower middle Upper middle High income Sri Lanka All 1-100 101-500 501-1000 Over 1000 future of the children of common people income income School size that is threatened by the education Full closures Partial closures Share of instruction days missed Internet TV Both crisis?

Share (%) of Students Reached via Internet and TV in Sri Lanka, by School size

90 81 83 90 80 73 80 70 70 24 60 35 60 60 28 50 50 33

Percentage 40 40 30 30 59 30 45 46 20 22 20 27 10 10 8 0 0 All 1-100 101-500 501-1000 Over 1000 School size

Internet TV Both focus Sunday 20 june 2021 A5 Mammoth Task of Ending Child Labour Even with working age raised to 16, issues like poverty and COVID-19 challenge how laws can be implemented By Faadhila Thassim comparison to other Asian countries labour as something complete has adopted several steps to maintain unacceptable while the third step Although Sri Lanka has pledged to a low involvement of children in would be to maintain a high degree of completely eradicate child labour by labour adding that a continuous public awareness as without such 2025 while eliminating the worst effort will be made to discover new measure, cases of child labour will go forms of child labour over the next methods to eradicate child labour. unreported or lead to false reports. year, a recent revelation made by the He added that the although there is Child Labour and COVID-19 International Labour Organisation a strong legal framework in Sri Lanka (ILO) showed that the last record of which seeks to discourage child Director of ILO country office for Sri data pertaining to child labour in Sri labour, this alone is insufficient as Lanka and Maldives, Simrin Singh Lanka was only made in 2016; raising there are several other measures that stated that ILO has indicated nine the question as to what we are must be adopted to address the issue million children at risk of entering measuring progress against. including increasing awareness and child labour as a result of the COVID- According to the 2016, National social protection adding that 19 pandemic and that based on a Child Activity Survey (NCAS), while economic and social consequences projection, if necessary prompt 43,714 children were engaged in child leading to child labour also need to be actions are not taken, it could labour, 39,007 children were involved thoroughly examined. increase to over 46 Million. in hazardous child labour. This was Silva further added that Sri Lanka Minister of Labour, Nimal Siripala almost half the numbers reported by has sufficient human labour but de Silva stated that in Sri Lanka, the NCAS in 2008. child labour is been sought in order there were difficulties in attending With the failure to collect and to reduce costs. complaints received by the Labour record data of child labour over the He said the most common Department in relation to child past five years, it is not possible to complaints are of those where child labour during the COVID-19 assess whether there has been an labour had been involved in small pandemic. increase or decrease in the number of scale industries in rural areas. According to ILO, the COVID-19 children engaged in labour in the Legal framework pandemic has further compounded country. the difficulties faced in managing The UN General Assembly has The Labour Department is child labour by shifting national urged the international community to responsible for initiating legal actions priorities and constraining social step up efforts to eradicate forced in regards to child labour which is protection systems. labour and child labour, and declared primarily governed by the Singh stated that if measures to 2021 as the Year for the Elimination Employment of Women, Young provide education to children whose of Child Labour. Persons and Children Act (No.47 of the decision arrived by the Court, money, to sell narcotics or alcohol or studies has been disrupted due to The importance of maintaining 1956), while the Shop and Office compensation will be payable to the to engage children in prostitution. COVID-19 are not adopted, there will Employees Act, No. 19 of 1954, affected party. Innovative use of child labour be a greater risk of these children records of child labour Factories Ordinance No. 45 of 1942 The Department of Labour stated engaging in child labour. monitoring (CLM) Minister of Labour, Nimal Siripala and Minimum Wage (Indian Labour) that steps have been taken to Global child labour engagement de Silva while acknowledging that it Act No. 27 of 1927 have also been increase the amount charged as fine During a symposium titled policy is important to record details of applicable. while strengthening the law relating journey towards the elimination of Singh stated that while globally children involved in labour including The Employment of Women, Young to engaging children in hazardous child labour in Sri Lanka, a specialist over 160 Million children are involved their backgrounds in order to assess Persons and Children (Amendment) labour. on fundamental principles and rights in child labour, 50 per cent are the reasons why they are working, Act No.2 of 2021 which was enacted Meanwhile, those between 16 years attached to ILO, stated that there has children from 5 to 11 years and 80 instructed the Commissioner General on 18 January 2021 made certain and 18 years of age could only be to be an objective criteria to measure Million are involved in hazardous of Labour, B.K. Prabath amendments to the primary employed in jobs that do not the effectiveness of child labour labour. Chandrakeerthi to carry out a survey enactment of 1956 mainly by endanger their health, education, life monitoring and ensure that the goal Thereby as a country that has within this year. increasing the minimum age or growth and will not be permitted to of elimination is achieved. committed to completely eradicate He added that records are essential requirement for employment from 14 be employed in hazardous jobs or He stated that firstly the child labour within a time frame, it is to link support extended to low to 16 years. night jobs. participation of a wide range of essential to assess and record data in income earning families by the Thereby no children below the age Further, according to Section 288 stakeholders in the system is this regard while ensuring that steps Government to ensure that children of 16 are permitted to be employed of the Penal Code, it is an offence to necessary as data alone will be are adopted to increase awareness from such families do not resort to and if in the event an individual has engage children in begging and the insufficient to assess the child labour amongst the public of the different forms of labour. so employed a child, such individual offender will be liable for a five year prevalence in the country. consequences of child labour and Child labour in Sri Lanka will be subject to a Rs 10,000 fine or imprisonment and it is also Secondly it was stated that formulating an environment for an year imprisonment or both a fine prohibited to use children to perform measures have to be adopted to children and their families whereby Silva stated that Sri Lanka, in and imprisonment and depending on or engage in entertainment acts for ensure that the society sees child they would not resort to child labour.

Despair in a package How rogue COVID-19 care centres fleece the public The COVID-19 pandemic has got 10 days of care. were given was either a double or soon. He sent the medicine to the Unless you make a payment of at the entire world in its grip for over one The family had then decided to single room. This is when I realised hotel gate by 7:00 p.m., but it took least Rs 100,000 we won’t be able to and a half years, destroying lives, proceed to the care centre. They had why they asked for the card number one more hour for it to reach our continue the baby’s treatment.” livelihoods and entire economies of reached the hotel by 9:00 p.m. “By in advance.” room.” “By that time, I had reached the countries. No one has been left that time, we had not had any food “We stayed in this room for two “This was the care shown to us at cashier’s room. If I didn’t pay, they untouched by the impact of this from morning. The two of us, and the days. Although they termed it a the care centre. If this is how they would not continue the baby’s pandemic, in one way or another. child were quite hungry, but we were COVID-19 care centre, not a single treated a one-year-old child, then treatment. Such were the people at Unfortunately, there are some more focused on reaching the care doctor came to the room during that there is no point talking about their that hospital. I paid Rs 100,000 and groups who try to profit from the centre as soon as possible. When we time. The next day, my child care. We could not leave the place asked them to discharge my wife, who biggest health crisis the world has were reaching the hotel, we received a developed an ear infection. He had either, because of COVID-19.” was not admitted in the first place. witnessed in a century. call from the hospital.” been crying non-stop. We informed “However, the medicine did not help Otherwise, we would have to pay Rs A widely shared social media post “Hello, this is *** from the hospital. them of this around 11:30 p.m. A the child. The next night too he was 40,000 per day to receive their over the past few days, shows the This is regarding the care centre nurse arrived after 10 minutes. She crying non-stop. The next day, we Vitamin C tablet!” uncaring and unsympathetic nature payment. Your estimated bill is Rs looked irritated, maybe because she requested to consult a paediatrician. “That evening she was discharged of the private healthcare system of 270,000.” Within an hour the amount was woken up at that hour. We told Around noon that day, we were taken and the final bill came. It was Rs this country, who try to fleece their had increased by Rs 50,000! her, the baby had been crying for 4 to the hospital in a van. We were given 159,000. By that time, they had customers, at a time when they are “But, you initially said Rs 220,000.” hours, refusing to eat anything, a small room there. What we wanted added more doctor fees and a few the most desperate for care. “The person who spoke to you whether she could call a doctor. She the most was for the child to get other charges. There was a person at The post details the ordeal of a earlier had made an error. Your child said she would inform the doctor, and better, and return to the hospital.” the door, when the nurse was father of a one-year-old child, who is COVID-19 positive. Therefore, in the meantime, to somehow get the “The best part of the story begins checking oxygen levels. If that was the tested positive to COVID-19. although he is under 4 years, we have baby to fall asleep.” now. I received a call from the billing doctor, then who was paid the medical “My one-year-old son, who was to charge for him as well.” “The child cried the whole night. department.” officer fees? This is a great mystery.” running a fever, tested positive. My At this point, they were in the When we called again, we were “Sir, for 3 days, your bill is Rs “The same room was charged again wife and I were deliberating on the vicinity of the hotel. informed that the doctor had been 265,000. If you don’t make a payment for room charges. By that time, the next step we should take, and finally “So, the below 4 years age limit is made aware of the situation. We now, we cannot continue treatment.” baby was still not better. As he was came to the conclusion to take him to only for negative children, is it?” couldn’t get a wink of sleep that night. “This cannot be. Can you double COVID-19 positive, there was no place a COVID-19 care centre. The time was “Yes, sir.” We were taking turns carrying the check.” to go. I paid the rest of the amount past 7:00 p.m. We found the nearest “Why would parents who are baby, trying to get him to sleep.” “There’s nothing to check sir. The and got my wife discharged. After five care centre and decided to take him COVID-19 positive bring their COVID- “The doctor finally arrived around baby’s bill is Rs 151,000 and for days, the baby was discharged too. there. For any parent their child is 19 negative children with them? This 10:00 a.m. He did not seem to be in madam, Rs 114,000.” The baby’s bill came to Rs 234,000. their biggest treasure.” below 4 years limit is a scam, isn’t it?” any hurry. We were still trying to “We didn’t admit madam. We only That I did not mind.” When the two desperate parents “I’m not aware of this sir, but we soothe the baby. He wrote a admitted the baby.” “People are suffering so much due had contacted the care centre have to hold the total amount of Rs prescription without even checking “No sir, madam had been given to COVID-19 these days. Some have maintained at a well-known hotel in a 270,000 from your card, before you the baby. What can we do now? We medicine.” lost their jobs, some don’t have food to Colombo suburb, in collaboration reach the hotel. Can you send me waited for the medicine to arrive. Even “What medicine? The one Vitamin C eat. In such a situation, why do they with a famous hospital in Colombo, your card number?” till 6:00 p.m. medicine didn’t arrive. tablet and two paracetamol per day? fleece people like this? They will have they had informed him that the family The father had no choice. So, he When we inquired, we were told the Besides, we never told them to admit to suffer the consequences of these had to stay at the care centre for a sent his card number to the hospital. medicine order had been placed at the her. A nurse came in the morning and actions, in this lifetime itself.” minimum of 10 days. He had been The time was now 9:00 p.m. The hospital. We could not wait any checked the oxygen levels using that “If I don’t say this, they would informed that as the child was less three of them had reached the hotel. longer, the child was not eating or oximeter available at the pharmacy continue their dirty business. That is than 4 years, he would not be “We received a small room. There was sleeping. Then I got hold of the for Rs 3,000. How can you make a bill why I decided to write this.” charged. He had been quoted an all- not even a balcony. Although we were prescription and sent it to a friend on like this? This is an ugly business!” “I only have one thing to say: Stand inclusive figure of Rs 220,000 for the charged for a triple room, what we WhatsApp, and asked him to send it “There’s nothing that we can do. up against injustice!” A6 sunday 20 JUNE 2021 focus

By Sulochana Ramiah Mohan Muthurajawela, Bellanwila-Attidiya Choppy waters ahead and Hikkaduwa Wildlife Officers will In the backdrop of the Government brief the relevant Magistrate’s Courts assessing the ecological disaster due on the marine animals washing ashore to the inferno on the X-Press Pearl and the post-mortems will be feeder vessel and uncertainty whether conducted by the wildlife veterinarians the 322 metric tonnes of bunker oil is Fishermen Feel and reports on the carcasses and intact or not in the ship, fishermen samples obtained will be forwarded to islandwide have found themselves in the Courts. dire straits. Lahiru Prakash added that the In addition to this burning issue, Boralesgamuwa Veterinary Unit of the another clout from the European the Heat of X-Press Department of Wildlife Conservation Parliament came along, when they and the Government Analyst’s adopted a resolution last week Department will prepare the reports. questioning whether the EU should However, the Boralesgamuwa continue with the GSP Plus concession Veterinary Unit does not have any that allows Sri Lanka to export goods laboratory facilities to provide the to Europe without taxation for Pearl Catastrophe required reports and it is clear that the garment and fishing industries, as the veterinarians do not have the expertise Government had gone back on its to scientifically prove the cause of commitments. death of the animals by looking at 19 days have passed since the feeder them with the naked eye. ship sank 9.5 nautical miles northwest In the letter to the President, he said, of the Colombo Port, near Dikovita, “It is also doubtful whether the and the Government assumes that the Government Analyst’s Department too, bunker oil ‘may’ have burnt up due to has such ability, as the relevant the fire that engulfed it from 25 May department has not been able to until it sank on 2 June. The ship provide such expert evidence regarding entered Sri Lankan waters with cargo, the mysterious deaths of elephants in including dangerous goods, on 19 the Habarana-Hiriwadunna area in May, from the Indian Port of Hazira in 2019.” Surat. In this backdrop, if the Department If the oil is intact, and further of Wildlife Conservation is unable to damage to the sunken ship occurs, it provide an accurate scientific could have a devastating impact on Sri explanation as to the cause of death of Lanka. However, the Government the marine species concerned, the insists they are ‘well equipped’ and lawsuits filed by that department in Coast Guard ships are on standby, “We have spoken to the Ministry of Market cluster, fishermen did not face refrained from going to sea due to Court are more likely to be futile. ready to prevent an oil slick in the Fisheries and we have demanded for such an impact. sluggish demand. As soon as the Needless to say, this could further ocean and coastal environment, if at Rs 4,000 compensation,” Roshantha This is worse than the tsunami plastic pellets from the wrecked ship make it easier for the companies all that happens. said. times, he pointed out. dropped into the sea, within several responsible for the disaster, including The fishing industry is the hardest The Government has said they have While denying that those sea hours it was spotted in Mannar Basin. the shipping companies, to get away hit next to tourism. With the COVID- no money to distribute this amount animals died due to the acid leak from “It was very quick and the plastic scot-free, he added. 19 outbreak in the last 15 months, the due to the current economic situation. the ship, Roshantha said if that is so, pellets came to Mannar southern coast Therefore, to find out the exact cause shipwreck has caused irreversible “We want the Government to grant the there should be more deaths of sea and from then, people have stopped of these deaths, the authorities should damage to the economy too. The affected fishermen the compensation turtles and dolphins in Negombo, not eating fish, robbing the people of a send the relevant samples to a special fishermen say the pandemic did not and not merge the distribution of in Puttalam or Galle. large amount of revenue,” said Mannar local or foreign institution which can upset the fisherfolk as much as it did Rs 5,000 to Samurdhi beneficiaries He pointed out that small fish like District Fishermen’s Federation conduct tests on the biochemical with the shipwreck, especially in the and the allowance for underprivileged salaya and karalla caught in Negombo President, Albert Justin Soysa. contents of the carcasses and call for Colombo and Gampaha Districts. persons.” Lagoon can fill up 10 ships these days, He said debris which washed ashore reports. “We strongly believe that it will GSP Plus He further said the Government is but people are not buying. “This is the made people panic and there are help to obtain adequate compensation granting Rs 5,000 for those affected reason many are not going to sea.” around 22,000 fishermen families in for this disaster and to prevent such As an island with a territorial sea of fishermen, but he said that payment is He also said the Government is the Mannar District who have become an unfortunate event from recurring in 21,500 km2 and a coastline of 1,340 an overall government plan to trying to introduce large-scale fish destitute. He said in the northern the future.” He stressed that the km, Sri Lanka has a rich supply of fish distribute funds (Samurdhi, below exports and do away with small boats. coast of Mannar they have no issue, Government, including the Ministry of and seafood. Sri Lanka has emerged as poverty line, and unemployed families) He queried whether that is the reason but only in the south of Mannar Environment, the Line Ministries in a quality fish and seafood exporter, for all affected families, but the why they are not interested in looking fishermen are facing issues. charge of Wildlife and the Department supplying predominantly yellowfin and Government is discreetly paying into the small fishing boat business. “A massive revenue loss I must say, of Wildlife, should take immediate bigeye tuna species, crabs, prawns, Rs 5,000 as compensation for the “We are watching the development because during peak seasons, action regarding the testing, so that and molluscs to international markets. affected fishermen within that plans the Government is introducing.” fishermen in Mannar bring between the people will know the truth and The sector contributes about 2.7 per framework. Fisheries Minister Douglas Rs 5,000 and Rs 100,000 worth catch adjust to it accordingly. cent to the country’s GDP, the Export What they demanded is Rs 4,000 Devananda told Ceylon Today that each day and now they are not going to Attempt to obtain views in Development Board states. The lifting and according to Roshantha, his people are not consuming fish due to sea,” he added. of the ban on Sri Lankan fish exports Association has suggested to at least the ‘psychological’ impact on them He said already his Federation has six days frowned upon to the EU in 2016 and restoration of grant a compensation of Rs 2,000 if when they heard and saw that the ship informed Minister of Fisheries the GSP Plus concession in 2017 gave they cannot offer Rs 4,000. “We told that sank may have poisoned the fish Devananda and the Government Agent National Fisheries Solidarity a significant boost to the fish and the Minister of Fisheries to deduct in the ocean. “When the tsunami hit of Mannar about the revenue loss and Organization (NAFSO) Convenor, seafood exports industry in post-war Rs 2,000 and give the fishermen Rs the country too people stopped eating the plight of the fishermen. Herman Kumara, ridiculed the Justice Sri Lanka. 2,000 as compensation.” fish, as thousands of people were “Still, we are not granted the Ministry’s call to obtain views from The adopted EU resolution states He went on to say that due to the washed away.” Rs 5,000 compensation, but some stakeholders and assess the damage that the GSP Plus scheme for Sri shipwreck and on seeing the dead sea “This mindset will gradually change,” wealthy businessmen have caused by the X-Press Pearl disaster Lanka triggered significant turtles and dolphins, people are he added. volunteered to supply dry rations to by 21 June, while the country is under contribution to the country’s economy, reluctant to eat fish. The Government He also said there are concerns the fishing families. This is a big blow lockdown. that soared to € 2.3 billion, making the has not taken any official raised in the Colombo and Gampaha to us when the pandemic has ruined The Justice Ministry last week EU Sri Lanka’s second-largest export countermeasures to tell the people Districts after the ship sank, but NARA our lives,” he added. advertised in the print Media and on market. The Government will have to what caused the deaths of these sea has said people can eat fish. Toxicology reports may be social media that institutes, focus on this issue before drastic creatures. He went on to say only two districts organisations, or parties who are measures are taken by the European He slammed the Government for have issues, but in the North and East flawed interested should submit their views Parliament, at a time when the delaying the lab test results. there are no reservations about eating regarding the damage caused by the country’s economy is in dire straits. Roshantha said every year, there is a fish. Biodiversity Conservation and ship disaster. time when they find dead sea Research Circle of Sri Lanka Convener, We are in a dilemma as to how all Gampaha District creatures washing ashore. The Marine Fishermen in Jaffna say Supun Lahiru Prakash, has written to that can be assessed by 21 June as fishermen Environment Protection Authority the price of fish has fallen President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the Justice Ministry requests, he (MEPA) or National Aquatic Resources expressing serious concerns about the queried. Nearly 30,000 fishermen families in Research and Development Agency Jaffna Fishermen Co-operative validity of post-mortem toxicology The situation is really worsening and the Gampaha District are suffering (NARA) don’t have statistics to Society Deputy President, N. reports of sea creatures. They said as worrying and we have just started a due to the shipwreck. There are compare the deaths of sea animals, to Warnakulasingham, said, “In Jaffna, one laboratory lacks proper testing social and economic survey from approximately 200,000 families check if it’s due to the shipwreck, there is no direct impact to the equipment, the inquiries may be Colombo to Kalpitiya on the fishing engaged in fishing in the island. ocean current, or whether they die fishermen, but Southerners who buy flawed. community and the impact due to this President of the All Ceylon Fisherfolk after getting entangled in nets. fish in the North are purchasing for a Doubts have been raised about ill-fated ship. Retailers are not going to Trade Union, Aruna Roshantha, Our attempt to contact MEPA and lower price, citing the issue that fish whether the Department of Wildlife the fishing community to buy fish, as speaking to Ceylon Today about the NARA for assessment and statistics consumers have dropped. These days, Conservation’s investigations into vendors are unable to sell. fishermen of the Gampaha District, was futile. salaya is sold to Southerners at a rate suspected poisoning of marine The people have been subjected to said each fisherman in Sri Lanka “This silence needs to end,” added of Rs 80 per kg, whereas usually it animals, including lab tests, would hardships due to the lockdown. Daily makes a profit of Rs 4,000 per day in Roshantha, “as it does not take so long would be Rs 120 per kg.” reveal the truth. wage earners’ lives are crippled, some the two districts and have demanded to determine the cause of death.” “This is the only shortcoming right “Although marine life such as of the fish vendors included. The that loss. With the restrictions He underscored only around 10 per now,” Warnakulasingham said. dolphins and turtles have washed Government needs to act swiftly to imposed on the fishermen in both cent of fishermen in the Gampaha ashore in the Western, Southern and brief all communities about the districts, they are compelled to travel District are going to sea these days, as Mannar fishermen Northwestern coasts these days, current situation of the country, beyond these two districts for fishing. people are not eating fish, and sales hard-hit wildlife officials in the area will have to including on the shipwreck that has But that too, will not bear fruit, as has plummeted. He said even during do justice to those animals by telling wreaked havoc on the fishing there is a significant drop in fish the peak of coronavirus and the Meanwhile, Mannar District the Court the truth.” community. consumption. emergence of the Peliyagoda Fish southern sea area fishermen have Officers from the Anavilundawa, ([email protected]) focus sunday 20 june 2021 A7 Tripitaka Conservation Bill: Debate Continues

By Ama H. accepts the freedom of historic Vanniarachchy Monks to make interpretations of the Buddha’s words. The proposed Tripitaka The Bhikkhuni further said Conservation Bill has gained a that she doesn’t agree with the notable amount of attention fact that the access to Tripitaka from the Buddhist community should be restricted. According in Sri Lanka. The Bill, which is to this Bill, a person doesn’t supposed to ‘protect’ the have the freedom to publish, Dhamma seems to be creating print or share the Tripitaka or rifts between certain groups its contents. This is completely within the local Buddhist against the Dhamma, or the community. teachings of the Buddha. It is said the Bill will provide a Buddha’s teachings are to all, legal framework to act against to the entire humankind. those who distort the Tripitaka If someone wants to print and once the Bill is passed as a law. distribute the Tripitaka as a Although the proposed Bill is to meritorious act, there should be preserve the Theravada the freedom to do so. “We Tripitaka, there are concerns cannot get permission from a raised by some saying the Bill is minister or these committee far from doing so and will be members when doing so.” going against the ‘freedom of misinterpretations in the name speech’ which is a basic human of dhamma. If we look at this in Tripitaka is right and most importantly will a Dhamma perspective, there is not a secret text go against the Constitution of only one truth, only one Sri Lanka. Another concern is Nibbana.” Adding to this, Dr. Nandadeva that this Bill would set said that Buddha preached for unnecessary restrictions and Limiting intellectual the benefit of the entire will set barriers for intellectual freedom humanity (those who live in all freedom. In contrast another three worlds -Tunloka group believes that the Bill Can we be However, Dr. Nandadeva Sattvayan Udesa). Therefore, he would restrict ‘distortions’ of opposed this view. He said that says that tripitaka belong to the Dhamma and would help in sure that the Bill restricts the intellectual whole world. He says that this preserving the age-old text, freedom of people, especially Bill is unnecessary, and thinks intact. during those that of academics. A researcher that if it becomes law, it will To know more about this in Buddhist Studies or create more troubles than what issue, Ceylon Today spoke to a 500 years of Linguistics may have multiple it is now. few representatives of the two interpretations on some Dr. Nandadeva does not think main sects of the Buddhist transmission contents of Tripitaka. So, what that the draft Bill is a priority. community that are the Sangha happens if such a new He thinks that the Bill only and the Lay. We also spoke to a by memory interpretation agreed by deviates our attention away few experts in the field of long list of such work by the alterations, permission should scholars contradicts with the from a more severe national Heritage Management since monarchs and he was of the be sought from the department. and further established interpretation problem: that is the Tripitaka is a heritage (a view that the head of the State “This authority is a serious accepted by the Theravada preservation and management documentary heritage and an had the responsibility to take omission in this legislation,'' 2,000 years of Tripitaka Conservation Board if of all palm-leaf manuscripts in intellectual heritage) of ours. measures to preserve the said Dr. Wijesuriya. the Bill becomes law, Dr. temple and other library Theravada Tripitaka Theravada Tripitaka intact. He also said that as people transmission Nandadeva queried. He warns collections in the country, not Preserving the can give many interpretations, that this might infringe on the only the ‘Complete Sets of Pali and its history of con- and if this committee’s by copying ‘academic freedom’ enjoyed by Tripitaka Manuscripts’ as the servation in Sri Lanka Tripitaka as our intention is to protect the the academic community the previously mentioned project intellectual heritage authentic written content, onto palm-leaf world over. envisioned to do. Those palm- Archaeologist senior professor unless providing measures to Gaps within the draft leaf manuscripts are the T.G. Kulatunga said that the Talking about the proposed preserve the ola leaf manuscripts, collective intellectual heritage of Pali Theravada Tripitaka which Bill, Dr. Gamini Wijesuriya manuscripts this will not be a Talking about ‘distortions’ Dr. our country, and the truth is is also known as the Pali specialist in heritage, said that success. To maintain the sanity nothing Nandadeva raised an that most of them are in a Canon, was compiled during out of the three types of heritage of the Tripitaka teachings, it is interesting question: how can pretty bad state of preservation. the first Buddhist council which that we can talk about, important that the Monks come changed?” – we be sure of, if the contents of Dr. Nandadeva proposes that was held in the 5th century tangible, intangible and forward and point out when these surviving palm-leaf the government should take BCE. During this event the intellectual, Tripitaka is our distortions are being spread. Dr. Nandadeva manuscripts used as the immediate action to launch an entire teachings of the Buddha intellectual heritage. Its Dr. Nandadeva, a retired sources for the Buddha islandwide project to preserve were compiled into the three significance rests on its Professor, pointed out the need Jayanthi edition are the original and manage this invaluable and Pitakas (sects), Sutta, Vinaya contents as well as the to distinguish the purpose of and pure Buddha vachana? irreplaceable heritage as a and Abhidharma. Until the 1st attributes that carry them, the present draft Bill from that loss would be a harmful What the Buddha said was national priority. century BCE the Dhamma was which are the ola leaf of the previous project (2018- impoverishment to humanity. passed down from generation to What the lay preserved only through oral manuscripts and other forms of 19) that was popularly known Based on that precept, the MoW generation by memory for tradition. writings which the Buddhist as ‘Tripitakaya Loka Urumayak programme proclaims that the centuries before it was written has to say Dipavamsa (4th cen. CE) Community considers as Kirima’ of which he was world's documentary heritage down in the 1st Century BC. states that during the reign of authentic. committee member. Its should be fully preserved and “Can we be sure that during Speaking about the proposed Valagamba (29–17 BCE) “When speaking about purpose, perhaps not fully protected for all and be made those 500 years of transmission Bill, Indira Goonathilaka, a Tripitaka was committed to ‘conservation’ it should include understood by the public, was permanently accessible to all by memory and further 2,000 Buddhist lay devotee, was of writing. Mahavamsa also legal protection (designation) to nominate the complete sets without hindrance (with due years of transmission by the view that if this could act in records this event. Professor documentation, safe keeping of historical copies of the Pāli recognition of cultural mores copying onto palm-leaf controlling the distortion of the Kulatunga said that kings of the and long-term preservation of Tripitaka palm-leaf manuscripts and practicalities). manuscripts, nothing Dhamma it would be a good past have taken measures to attributes in addition to the in Sinhala characters for The above explanation of Dr. changed?” thing. An example she stated preserve Tripitaka intact. The contents. If the attributes are Inscription on the UNESCO Nandadeva clearly shows how Even if it becomes law, Dr. was that certain Monks preach writing down of the Tripitaka not well protected or damaged Memory of the World (MoW) the previous Tripitaka Project Nandadeva says that it provides that abhidhamma is not a during Valagamba’s time is one for reasons beyond controls, the Register. Although the project differs from the present legal protection against teaching of the Buddha while it such example. He said that authenticity of the contents can came to a temporary halt Tripitaka Conservation draft Bill distortion only within the is considered as a part of the during the time of king be challenged. Therefore, the halfway through its activity due of which the objective is to country. What if some scholar Theravada Tripitaka. However, Bhathikabhya (20 BCE – 9 CE), proposed Act should empower to circumstances that he protect the contents of the in another country ‘distorts’ the we as the public have not seen there had been a dispute the newly established authority declined to explain, its focus Tripitaka against distortion and contents? Can we use the law the Bill, except for the social between the Mahavihara (the to ensure conservation of was the preservation and misinterpretation. to stop him or her from doing media posts. Therefore, we orthodox sect) and the attributes such as ola leaf management of the Pali Freedom of speech; a that or to punish? cannot be sure of its content. Abayagiriya sect. Therefore, a manuscripts containing the Tripitaka palm-leaf manuscripts Interpretations and Saman Peries, 57-year-old minister was appointed to knowledge. The authority can according to the guidelines of dhamma perspective retired school principal said inquire about this issue. This is do it by itself or empower such the UNESCO MoW Programme, misinterpretations: that it would be great if a recorded in the activities to another national and not to interfere with the A major concern of many was proper council or Sangayana Samantapasadika (5th cent agency, but any form of contents-related issues of the that such a legislation will be Bill’s would be held and all the CE)). Once again, during the documentation/ copying/ Tripitaka such as the issues of against the freedom of speech of Self-contradiction surviving copies of Theravada time of king Voharikathissa conservation has to be done in misinterpretations, distortions, the public. A scholarly Tripitakas presented at one (215 - 237CE) when consultation and under the historical events or disputes or Bikkhuni of a leading State Dr. Nandadeva highlighted a table and conduct a Vaithulyavada was rising in Sri observation of the new ideological issues etc. university who shared her views self-contradiction in the draft comparative study. These Lanka the king took a measure authority. Even if they are If contents-related issues are with us said that this Bill Bill. The Bill accepts various monks who come up to control it. Historical records declared as a national heritage not the concern of UNESCO, doesn’t seem to be violating the Attakathas and Teekas as a with new interpretations say that the king disrobed under a different legal then what was the purpose of freedom of speech according to part of the Tripitaka that are should also be a part of this followers of this sect and burnt instrument this new authority the MoW Programme? Explains her perspective. “This is all really interpretations and council, while senior and Chief Vaithulyavadi books should retain the power to Dr. Nandadeva that certain about the teachings of the annotations done by monks of Monks who are known as (Mahavamsa 36 chapter). control.” documents, according to Buddha. So, if someone is Maha Viharaya in the Dhammadhara can examine During king Mahasen (277 – He further said that the UNESCO have a universal giving a different interpretation Anuradhapura period. He those new interpretations. He 304CE) a minister was parallel is the protected value, and hence become a which does not tally with the questions how the law can deny was of the view that this appointed by the king to monuments declared under the ‘Heritage of Humanity’. accepted Theravada Tripitaka the right of present-day proposed Bill, although the conduct an inquiry against a Antiquities Ordinance. Once UNESCO believes that such that will be controlled through scholars to question or idea behind it seems to be monk and he was disrobed. declared as a protected documentary heritage belongs this legislation. It is not about challenge the historical good, the way it will be done (M.V. 37 chapter). The professor monument, owners can use to mankind as a whole and freedom of speech but interpretations (Attakathas and and the draft itself doesn’t said that this is only a few of a them but for conservation or therefore, its deterioration or spreading misleading Teekas) whereas the same law seem to be so promising. A8 sunday 20 june 2021 Editorial Editorial sunday 20 june 2021 A9 Of Entitlements, SUV Vehicles, and Other Things Govt’s Good Deeds Marred by By Over the past several days, the one question I have been asked most frequently has been: “Did you order a Ceylon Newspapers (Pvt) Ltd. vehicle? Are you going to accept the No: 101, Rosmead Place, Colombo 07. luxury vehicle ordered by the Editorial Tel: 0117566522, 0117566526, 0117566527 Government for parliamentarians?” By now, the National People’s Power (NPP) Fax: 0117566545 Inconstancy and Contradictions has made its position clear on this Marketing Manager: 0117566550, 0117566551 Any Government in any country may issue. We feel that this is most Circulation Manager: 0117566580, 0117566581 have its pros and cons and President certainly not a priority at this time and E-mail : [email protected] Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s Government is no that the import of vehicles must be different. While it may have taken a halted immediately. MP Anura Kumara considerable amount of progressive Dissanayake, leader of the JVP, one of the political parties in the NPP and leader of decisions, in the interest of the people of our parliamentary group, made a detailed statement, questioning the entire deal this country, whether such actions and and made two specific recommendations: either let the LC that has been opened Fight against decisions have reached the pulse of the lapse (it has been done previously) or sell the vehicles in an open auction and use public is questionable. One of the main the money for the COVID effort. However, the questions keep coming and public reasons for such good deeds going anger on this issue is palpable. unnoticed could be the consistency this Certainly, various comments made by members of the Government have not COVID government continuously displayed in helped. One minister claimed that since this will be purchased through a LC, the inconstancy and contradiction of its own Government will not be spending the country’s money and that if the Government decisions. does not use the LC facility at this point, it would be a waste! That was an This was quite evident by last week, extraordinary display of downright ignorance at best or an incredible insult to the gets tougher where three key decisions by the intelligence of the Sri Lankan public. Various others have been justifying the need Government only ended up displaying lack for MPs to have vehicles to engage in work on behalf of the public. Some MPs, it of collaborations and fuelling doubts on the was claimed are forced to travel by bus. One Minister complained that he only had It has nearly been a month since stringent travel divisions existing within the Government. three vehicles at his disposal and that they were of poor quality. Images of the restrictions were imposed islandwide to curb the Those decisions were travel restrictions, luxurious vehicles currently used by MPs and Ministers circulating in the Media rising numbers of COVID-19 cases and deaths. The fuel price hike and online sale of liquor. He added that as the Minister-in-Charge, continue to rise.” made these spokespersons look out of touch, petulant and completely insensitive authorities were hoping the restrictions would Gammanpila has failed to take appropriate Gammanpila, who appeared to have to the public mood at this time. prevent public gatherings and that there would be a Travel restriction for who? decisions to avoid circumstances arising become a scapegoat facing the wrath of the So, why this public anger? The luxurious lifestyle of many public representatives gradual reduction in the number of cases reported It is not wrong to say, after observing the from the increase in fuel prices. public over recent fuel price hike, speaking (and their families) is not a new phenomenon, so why is this particular episode daily. happenings during the past few days, that Kariyawasam added that it appears that at a Media briefing held on 15 June at his generating such public fury? Perhaps the timing of this issue has something to do However, a month later, daily case numbers are travel restrictions, which are being this is an attempt to arouse displeasure Ministry, said the enemies of the with it. At a time when the general public is dealing with immense problems coping still over 2,000. Despite restrictions and the arrest extended week-by-week, are a total farce. amongst the public against the ruling party Government are not outsiders, but those with COVID, the decision by the Government to import luxury vehicles for MPs is of those who violate restrictions, people are seen However, much the authorities boast that and its leaders, in a backdrop where the within. This was in response to a question not just incomprehensible, but jaw-droppingly callous. We hear of the sufferings of freely moving about, engaging in their daily movement of people is restricted by Government is facing several challenges. posed by Media. COVID patients and medical professionals struggling to stretch inadequate activities. imposing travel restrictions, to prevent the An increase in the price of fuel was The Minister however, acknowledged that resources on a daily basis. We are short of everything from beds to medication to It is true that on-going restrictions have dealt a Coronavirus from spreading, when you go announced with effect from Friday (11). he, as the subject minister, share the oxygen. Travel restrictions have severely affected people’s livelihoods, especially death blow to many people and businesses, where onto the roads, it is possible to see traffic Meanwhile, Minister of Energy, Udaya responsibility of Government’s decision to those in the informal sector, those dependant on small businesses, those who are not only daily wage earners, but small businesses – congestion and shops open at almost every Gammanpila calling a press conference, to go for a price hike. self-employed and on daily wages. The education of thousands of young people has especially home-based family businesses – are going junction and what is being done here is an respond, said the decision to increase fuel “My actions were to protect the Party, A.L.M. Athaulla (MP) from the Parliament as a Parliamentarian. The fuel prices at the same levels as when been disrupted and families are struggling to provide online access to young people through many hardships. act that is being carried out to deceive prices was taken by the entire Cabinet with Government. If one party or an individual National Congress, Dr. G. party’s Deputy Leader, Ruwan Wickremesinghe took over the to access education. On top of the problems linked to the COVID pandemic, the Yet, we must control the spread of this pandemic, people, which is a joke that even a young the consent of the President and the Prime has an issue about my trying to protect Weerasinghe (MP) from the Wijewardene, Chairman Vajira Government in 2015, claiming that a sudden fertiliser ban has severe implications for the farming community. The if we are to come out of the worst health crisis in a child can understand. This is visible on Minister. and defend the Government, all I can say is Communist Party of Sri Lanka, Tiran Abeywardana, General Secretary litre of petrol was reduced to Rs 117, X-Press Pearl ship tragedy has devastated the livelihoods of the fishing century. Our hospitals can no longer accommodate every road in the country and at every “I only announced a decision taken by the that such actions prove the enemy is not an Alles (MP) from the United People’s Palitha Range Bandara, and a few of diesel to Rs 98, and kerosene to Rs 70 community. The Government seems unable or unwilling to deal with any of these the sheer numbers of positive cases reported every junction. entire Government,” he added. outsider but someone within,” the Minister Party, and Asanka Nawarathne of the other activists were in attendance. as soon as the Leader took over the problems, Parliament is unable or unwilling to do anything – so, naturally, the day. The daily cases are still far ahead of the number If permission had been granted only to Minister Gammanpila said that said. Sri Lanka People’s Party. Wickremesinghe, according to Government in 2015. vehicle fiasco provided a perfect reason for the public to vent their anger on who recover and are discharged from hospitals, essential services vehicles to travel on the Kariyawasam, in his letter, is not only Explaining further he added: “There was They, in their statement, further Abeywardene, should enter Parliament Samarasinghe asked the General parliamentarians. making the situation go from bad to worse. roads, people question how it is that every attacking, him but also the President of a movie titled The Enemy Within. It’s about pointed out that in this context the on 23 June, because it is a lucky day Secretary about the Pradeshiya Sabha This issue is indicative however, of a much larger issue: that is, the nature of Yet, some in the public are still acting road leading into Colombo and out of the SLPP Basil Rajapaksa, President Gotabaya enemies amongst your own ranks. Some recent statement issued by SLPP for him. and Municipal Councillors who keep public service, and the privileges and entitlements of public representatives. irresponsibly, flouting guidelines and throwing city have such traffic congestion. Although Rajapaksa and the Prime Minister Mahinda people, I saw, have said that this is just a General Secretary Sagara Kariywasam Wickremesinghe, responding calling and pleading to re-join the Elected representatives are expected to do a job and they must be provided with parties. If the situation does not show an it was only pharmacies which could remain Rajapaksa. political drama. I also feel this is an absurd blaming Minister Gammanpila over Abeywardene’s statement, said his party, and he said there are about 200 the resources to do their job. This could include a salary, staff and even a vehicle if improvement, it would be no surprise if the open, it is possible to see even other shops Intelligent people of this country will drama. Watch The Enemy Within to the fuel price hike has pushed the most fortunate time is when he can of them who have left, and what the necessary. However, what are the limits to these entitlements and how can elected authorities decide to go for tougher actions – maybe open in certain areas. decide whether it is Gammanpila or Sagara understand this political ‘drama’.” Government into compromising save the country’s people from party will do about them. representatives be held accountable for the perks of their job? In most developed even imposing an islandwide curfew, similar to last By observing that there is no decrease in Kariyawasam that should resign, the Leaders of eight constituent parties of the situation in the public eye. economic and health problems, adding While explaining his covert purpose, democracies for instance, there are strict guidelines on how much an elected year. the spread of the COVID pandemic due to Minister noted. He also challenged Government, in a joint statement, “ Not only that, the SLPP General that if everyone wishes, he will return the Secretary-General stated that the representative can spend or claim as expenses. These are publicly audited and the Meanwhile, the deadly COVID-19 Delta variant, the travel restrictions, it has been Kariyawasam to name the senior ministers denounced the attempts to solely blame Secretary by his statement has to Parliament on Wednesday. Gampola group has joined them, and information is made available to the public. There have been many instances in B.1.617.2, which was first identified in India, was confirmed even now that the outbreak is who participated in the party’s central Minister of Energy Udaya Gammanpila for contested the decisions taken by the Range Bandara referred to the that the entire Kandy delegation is different parts of the world where politicians have had to resign due to found in Aramaya Place in Dematagoda for the first spreading far and wide. committee meeting to take this decision. the recent fuel price hike. President and the Prime Minister existing law, stating that it would be now with them, as well as stating that controversies over expenses or have been held to account. Most recently, the time outside a quarantine centre, University of Sri A grave concern has arisen on why the He added that both President and the In their joint statement the party leaders thereby fuelling doubts suspicion that preferable for Leader to appear in when the other parties were looking media, reported how the Finnish Prime Minister is facing scrutiny over what she Jayewardenepura researchers said. authorities do not understand the fact that Prime Minister, spoke to him about the have pointed out that at a difficult time there are divisions within Government Parliament on 23 June and he will for MPs, they found other MPs for has claimed as expenses for breakfast while in her official residence. Yet, there are It was detected during sequencing done on the due to the travel restrictions being limited entire scenario before he attended the where both people and the Governments ranks,” the noted. take action to submit the name to them, and the party will take the still problems with accountability and transparency, since many of these ‘perks’ SARS-CoV-2 variants in Sri Lanka on Wednesday to only words, the country and its people Media briefing. around the world are equally suffering, Enter Ranil Election Commission as the party’s remainder one by one. and ‘entitlements’ are invisible to the public. For instance, how do you declare a (16). The University said an unusual viral outbreak are suffering further and being In the meantime, President’s Office situations may arise where Governments General Secretary. “We have to be careful when we ask luxury holiday paid for by your ‘good friend’ who is a wealthy businessperson? was detected from the Colombo suburb which inconvenienced and people are becoming issued a statement on the matter saying have to take ‘unpopular’ decisions and the UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe’s Range Bandara, Sagala Ratnayake these MPs to join us,” Wickremesinghe Unfortunately, in Sri Lanka, we do not have even a minimum system of scrutiny prompted authorities to collect nine samples from victims of the Covid pandemic, daily. that the latest fuel price hike is a step taken recent fuel price hike was one such name was gazetted on Friday (18), as and a few others went to the Elections cautioned, “because we have to do and accountability on the entitlements and privileges of elected representatives. the area. Fuel prices fuel divisions to stabilise national economy, bank interest instance. the National List MP to the only Commission on the morning of 16 what we have to do so that we do not And it is not only elected representatives who are not subject to scrutiny, although They were sequenced with other samples obtained rates, foreign reserves, and to secure and “However, we condemn the attempts to Parliament seat the party managed to June and handed over a letter insult those who were with us and did they get away with much more than other public officers. For instance, what is the from the Colombo Municipal Council area, The drama began when Sri Lanka improve the health and welfare of the put the blame on Energy Minister Udaya obtain at the 2020 General Election. containing Wickremesinghe’s name. not join with others in difficult times.” level of scrutiny and accountability of the privileges and entitlements of senior Karapitiya and Batticaloa, which led to the detection Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) on Saturday (12), public. Gammanpila and project him as the sole He is scheduled to take oaths as an The UNP also discussed the The meeting was adjourned after a defence officers? There are huge gaps in the lifestyles of senior military officers and of the highly virulent Delta variant in Dematagoda. demanded that Minister of Energy, Udaya “This price hike is one of the main factors person who is responsible for this MP on 23 June before Speaker Gammanpila-Kariyawasam dispute lengthy discussion on the other positions in military. Most entitlements in the public sector are in the form of Meanwhile, the Alpha variant initially identified in Gammanpila take full responsibility for the of a public programme which strengthens ‘unpopular’ decision. It is understood that . which arose during meetings between environmental challenges raised by allowances – which are difficult to monitor. Yet, there has been little public the United Kingdom, was detected in Karapitiya, recent fuel price hike and step down. the national economy” President’s Office the decision was reached at a Cabinet Sub- The local and international Wickremesinghe and other party the X-Press Pearl shipwreck, the risk scrutiny or discussion on these matters or an effort to implement a more Batticaloa, Colombo 6, Colombo 8 and Colombo 10. In a statement issued by SLPP General said. Committee headed by the President and communities welcomed UNP Leader members. of losing the GSP+ tax concession, and transparent system of compensation within the public sector. The Delta variant was previously detected in an Secretary, MP Sagara Kariyawasam, it was The Cost of Living Committee, chaired by had the Prime Minister in attendance. This Ranil Wickremesinghe’s decision to Last Thursday, party activists, the COVID-19 pandemic. The issue of vehicles is in my view, quite unique to the Sri Lankan context. It is Indian national in quarantine in Sri Lanka in May stated that the Party is utterly displeased the President and convened with the was also proved by a recent Media release take over the National List MP post in including the Leader, convened via The group then agreed to meet again more a statement that about fulfilling a need. Obtaining a chauffeur driven car 2021 and a local repatriate who was also at a over the increase in the price of fuel, which participation of the Prime Minister and the issued by the President’s Media Division accordance with the unanimous Zoom to discuss party activity and the the day before the leader’s visit to (fancier the better) is a sign of prestige and symbol of power. If you also have quarantine facility in early June this year. has heaped an additional burden on the Ministers -In-Charge of the subject, focused (PMD),” they noted in the statement. decision of the UNP Working current political situation. Sandith Parliament. someone who opens doors for you and carries your belongings – so much the Furthermore, the Delta variant has now been public, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. on a number of main reasons for the need The joint statement was signed by Ven. Committee. Wickremesinghe and the Samarasinghe began his speech by TNA meets Indian HC better. It shows the world that you are Somebody Important, someone with Power. designated as one of the four Variant of Concern He said the failure on the part of the to increase fuel prices, it was noted. Athuraliye Rathana Thera from the Our UNP gained international recognition stating that the Government’s increase If not, what is the purpose for anyone who barely qualified as a VIP to be provided (VoC) by the World Health Organisation. Minister of Energy has left the Government “One of the main reasons for this is the People’s Power Party, Minister Wimal after receiving an invitation from the in fuel prices has caused a crisis both A five-member Tamil National with security? Even Vice-Chancellors of universities have security to fling open The classification means a variant may be more with no alternative but take such decisions, continuous rise in global crude oil prices Weerawansa from the National Freedom Chinese Embassy to speak at the within the Government and among the Alliance (TNA) delegation, led by MP R. doors for them and to stand outside their office presumably to protect them from transmissible or cause more severe disease, fail to adding that the Party is of the opinion that over the past few months. At present, the Front, Minister Communist Party of China’s centenary general public. Sampanthan, called on the High obstreperous students and eccentric colleagues! And let us not forget that this is respond to treatment, evade immune response or decisions that would be of any inconvenience price of a barrel of crude oil is over US$ 70, from the Democratic Left Front, Prof. Tissa celebrations in Sri Lanka. He went on to say that the Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka twelve years after the war ended! When VIPs (and I use the term VIP extremely fail to be diagnosed by standard tests. to the public should not be taken. and market trends indicate that it will Vitharana (MP) from Lanka Sama Samaja While discussing politics with party Opposition had filed a no-confidence Gopal Baglay on Thursday (17), at liberally here) are provided with security, is this based on a risk assessment? If The Delta variant that emerged in India in activists last week, the Leader received motion against Minister Udaya India House. not, then what is the justification? February has spread around the world, raising fears a call from the Chinese Embassy Gammanpila, and he questioned the Leader of Ilangai Tamil Arasu Katchi The image of power that these trappings (fancy car, chauffeur, security, etc.) that the strain may spearhead a wave of infections informing him that the Chinese UNP’s position on the motion. (ITAK) Maavai Senathirajah and TNA communicate is in my view inextricably linked to the culture of political patronage, that could devastate healthcare systems, reverse Embassy was planning a conference To emphasize a point Vajira MPs Dharmalingam Sithadthan, the idea of the politician or Important Person as patron to the less powerful. It is reopening plans and even undermine the vaccine with the Communist Party of Sri Abeywardene, said the Opposition Selvam Adaikkalanathan and M.A. linked to the idea of the politician as patron who distributes largesse to his or her rollout. Lanka to commemorate the should have stayed to try to help the Sumanthiran were present during the loyal supporters. Hence, the list of honorifics that are compulsory when Experts believe that the variant sparked the huge Communist Party of China’s centenary people by negotiating a reduction in meeting, whilst the High introducing a speaker or guest at an event in this country; the pomp and wave in infections seen across India over the past celebrations. fuel prices. Commissioner was assisted by Deputy pageantry that accompanies every event; the ugly spectacle of young people falling two months. It now accounts for more than six per Officials have invited the Leader of He claimed that the government’s High Commissioner Vinod K. Jacob on their knees to worship adults that they barely know, let alone respect. These cent of sequenced virus samples in the US, the UNP, one of Sri Lanka’s oldest divisions may have worsened as a and Political Counsellor Banu symbols and displays of power are as important to the receiver as much as the according to data from the US Centres for Disease political parties, to address the result of this, and that the Basil Prakash. audience. We look to politicians to distribute favours in return for our support. We Control and Prevention (CDC). A month ago, the convention. When asked how and Rajapaksa faction, which is divided as The meeting saw discussions on like politicians who are larger than life, who stand out from the crowd and who strain accounted for just over one per cent of where the conference would take a result of Gammanpila’s development of the North and East of throw their weight around. As a politician representing a party that has tried to do sequenced virus samples, according to the CDC place, they said it would be hosted via no-confidence motion, now has to Sri Lanka and improving connectivity things differently, I know that we have certainly not won any extra points (or votes) data. In the UK, it now comprises 91 per cent of new Zoom on the evening of 15 June, and protect the Gammanpila faction, and between the two countries in the post- for the fact that we have rejected many of the privileges to which we are entitled or cases, according to Health Secretary Matt Hancock. that it would include top Chinese that the no-confidence motion will end COVID period. because we play by the rules and expect our supporters to play by the rules as Early evidence suggests the variant could cause Communist Party officials. the Government’s divisions and High Commissioner Baglay stressed well! an increased risk of hospitalisation in comparison to The invitation was extended by the provide them with a better opportunity on India’s longstanding commitment Public outrage that has erupted over the vehicle fiasco of this Government, is in the Alpha strain, according to Public Health Communist Party of Sri Lanka. to unite. Furthermore, if a vote of no towards creating social infrastructure my view, a good opportunity to reflect on how we, the public, also feed the sense of England (PHE). On the appointed day and time, -confidence is taken in Parliament, the in Sri Lanka, such as housing that entitlement and privilege that politicians feel is their due. How we seem to respect An analysis of 38,805 sequenced cases in England many party heavyweights, including fuel crisis will be resolved, implying enabled all Sri Lankans including and admire aggressive displays of power. How when it is serves us, we all look for showed that people infected with the Delta variant Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, that the Government’s problems will those in the Northern and Eastern loopholes to avoid playing by the rules or search for ways to obtain favours. Let us carried 2.61 times the risk of hospitalisation within former President , be resolved as well. He claimed that Provinces to enjoy the fruits of peace, not forget that politicians reflect societal values – these are elected representatives. 14 days compared with the Alpha variant, when and Minister , his opponents blew a golden whilst reiterating India’s support for The main problem is how we have allowed for politics to become a path to riches variables such as age, sex, ethnicity and vaccination attended the convention. At the opportunity. the rehabilitation and development in rather than a public service. Today, most enter politics as an extension of the status were taken into consideration, the PHE said convention, only Wickremesinghe and The Leader encouraged the group by areas such as connectivity, health and family business or to establish a family business. In fact, this is why most people recently. Rauf Hakeem, the leader of the stating that both, the price formula education. seek high office in this country – not just in politics, but in all sectors. By all The UK, where the strain is now dominant, is Muslim Congress, represented the and the demand for people to continue Various aspects of devolution and means, people need to be compensated for the work that they do and they need to providing something of a cautionary tale for the rest Opposition. taking advantage of the lower fuel developmental aspirations of the be provided with resources and perhaps even incentives to do their work well. But, of the world. After the Prime Minister and former costs, during the first wave of the people from the North and East were a politician is not just any other public officer – a politician is a people’s The fast spread of the variant has prompted President had spoken, the UNP leader 2020 COVID-19 were favourable. He also discussed during the meeting. representative. And as people’s representatives, we cannot set ourselves up on France and several other countries to place new had the opportunity to address the went on to say that global fuel prices The TNA delegation apprised the pedestals or be so removed from the lives of people that we can no longer represent restrictions on travellers coming from the UK. summit, confirming that the leader’s fell from April to December 2020, High Commissioner on the progress or relate to the people who elected us. When we complain about having to use The detection of the Delta variant in Sri Lanka existing diplomatic contacts were still resulting in crude oil falling to $30 per achieved thus far regarding the public transport, or justify luxury vehicles as essential to perform our jobs, we are should not be taken lightly by any means strong. barrel. Provincial Council Elections, which displaying how alienated we have become from the people we are expected to serve. considering the dangers observed by the particular Wickremesinghe lauded Deng Meanwhile, Wijewardene, who has constitutes an integral part of Sri That alienation affects the policy choices we make: whether we choose to invest in strain especially when the local recovery rate is Xiaoping’s explanation of the come up with a new idea, stated that Lanka’s policies and its Constitution. public transport or provide a tax cut to car importers; whether we buy equipment lower than number of daily infections. economic revolution and President Xi they will continue to raise awareness HC Baglay reminded those present for rural hospitals or gyms; whether we provide adequate toilets for schools or woo The public is hard pressed to adhere to health Jinping’s economic progress at the on the issue by demanding that the of India’s support for devolution within foreign universities to establish a local branch. Those choices will reflect our guidelines with austerity measures and price hikes. Chinese Embassy, recalling the UNP’s Government provide a voucher to the framework of a united Sri Lanka priorities and whose needs we pay attention to the most. The choices made by this The authorities should amend their COVID-19 ties with the Chinese Communist fishermen, bus drivers, and three- on the basis of full implementation of Government and those who defend and justify these choices are showing us with strategies that are effective and also compatible to Party. wheeler drivers, which is not the 13A which would be in line with shining clarity, exactly who and what they are prioritising. One thing is clear: it is the public’s demands. Several meetings were held last unreasonable. Tamil aspirations for equality, justice, certainly not the vast majority of those who voted them into power. week via Zoom between party activists Range Bandara stated that the peace and reconciliation, whilst also and the Leader to discuss going to current Government has maintained strengthening Sri Lanka. A10 sunday 20 JUNE 2021 Special Supplement Italian national Day sunday 20 JUNE 2021 A11 Italy: The Unbroken Trailblazers of Design Nela De Zoysa Ferrari Headquarters & Research world renowned architects in and Undoubtedly, Italy has, by far, been Center - The Cloud in Maranello Italy, around Venice. Etched in my mind is one of my favourite countries ever since the Armani Flagship Store on Fifth an amazing factory authored by famous my very first visit in 1969 – long before Avenue New York, Rome Convention Japanese Architect Tadao Ando. architecture was on my horizon. Newly Centre and the Vienna Twin Tower . While in Venice, I was introduced to married, my first introduction to Italy Last November, the American the stunning craft of Murano glass and was when I accompanied my husband Institute of Architects: International those deep bright hues prompted me to on a business trip to Milan and Turin. Region invited me to present “Women in buy Murano glass jewellery. But Italian Architecture as a profession was not yet Architecture & Design 2020 “ at its contemporary jewellery has always on the horizon but I was struck by virtual Annual Conference. I had caught my eye. They make a definite the creativity in all aspects of daily life. leading women architects and statement when worn, making eyes Cino Zucchi’s geometric buildings Stefano Boeri’s Vertical Forest The elegance and beauty of the designers from the United States, turn and become central to clothes and shoes observed in shop Services in an attempt to shift Piano’s name stands high. He, together Mexico, Italy, UK, Pakistan, India, Sri conversation. I see these pieces often Message on Italian Republic Day windows as I walked along the operations from Colombo Fort to with Lord Norman Foster and Lord Lanka, Singapore, China and Australia displayed in museum stores, especially streets in Milan and the food served in Colombo 3, sent me to Milan to select James Sterling created – all adding immense value to a most at MoMA in New York. the restaurants my husband and I elegant, minimalistic, sleek the Revolutionary Pompidou Centre in successful programme. It was the very Italian design cannot ever be experienced when we contemporary office furniture and Paris in 1971 with all its services stylish Doriana Fuksas who presented discussed without turning our eyes Rita Mannella, Ambassador of Italy for Sri Lanka & the Maldives were entertained by his business hosts partitions from Unifor located in Milan, uniquely exposed, painting them in her work on behalf of Italy; certainly onto the high end automobile industry. were all just awe-inspiring. I loved the the cradle of Italian design. primary colours. Renzo Piano’s one of the best presentations due to her Cars crafted in Italy, whether a Ferrari, 2 June marks the 75th Anniversary essential services who have shown Agenda. The primary focus should be experiences in the archaeological, taste of the now commonly found, but Being a classical music and lover of unmistakably elegant work is seen in powerful work. Lamborghini, Maserati, Fiat or Alfa of the Italian Republic, a day incredible courage and dedication to the challenges of climate change and museum, design, art and technology then exotic dessert – Tiramisu; opera, Teatro Alla Scala in Milan was many parts of the world. The Shard in Other Italian architects of repute are Romeo, are a feast to the eye and a dedicated to celebrating the common the point of personal sacrifice. greater respect for the environment sectors, the latter which assures the a combination of simple visited on the very night I arrived to London, Times Building in New York, Carlo Scapa, Stefano Boeri renowned pleasure to drive. value underscoring our great Nation. The pandemic has hit many sectors around us. It is no coincidence that improvement of Sri Lankan exports to ingredients producing the creamy and enjoy Puccini’s Madame Butterfly. Kansai International Terminal in for his Vertical Forest of sustainable From the days of Italian renaissance This year, too, the health crisis of the economy really hard, in Italy, together with the UK is international markets. alcoholic explosion of Needless to say, in the world of opera Osaka, The Morgan Library & Museum residential buildings, Cino Zucchi painter, sculptor, architect and poet does not allow us to celebrate Italian particular the self-employed, co-sponsor of COP26, the Conference The agriculture sector also gained flavours. I loved the delicious ice- and classical music, Italian composers in New York and New York’s Whitney whose bold and geometric design is Michelangelo, Italian creativity has Republic Day. Needless to mention, it temporary workers and those in on the Environment which will helps our attention with a vital cooperation creams available from street vendors including Glacomo Puccini, Museum of American Art and the very different and Antonio Cardillo always been at the zenith of music, has been a very difficult time for the tourism and hospitality, culture and us rethink our habits and address project to share Italian technological and the most exclusive hotels and Giochino Rossini, Antonio Vivaldi, California Academy of Sciences in San famed for his form, colour and textures. architecture, interior design, furniture entire world and for Italy, one of the commerce. The impact on female new priorities. expertise for Sri Lanka’s rural restaurants alike and the artisan Vincenzo Bellini, Francesco Cavalli, Francisco are some of those I have seen The CDD Centro Diurno per Disabili, design, couture, jewellery design, first to be hit by the virus. It’s a crisis employment and access to work for Another priority is that we must development increasing agricultural chocolates, especially in Turin. Alessandro Scarlatti, Arcangelo Corelli, and experienced. Maestro Renzo Piano GEL Green Energy Laboratory, Nembro cuisine and even motor cars. Italy could that has upset everyone’s lives and young people too has been help young people build a country productivity. I had fallen in love with Niccolo Paganini and Luigi Boccherini was conferred the converUdal 1989, Library and the Extension of Perfetti easily be named the Cradle of Creativity profoundly changed our habits. particularly heavy. capable of making “their dreams come Training programmes, which were Italian designer fashion on that first lead as Baroque composers. Gold Medal Italian Architecture 2006 Van Melli Factory are also remarkable in the whole world – an unbroken Things that seemed normal In this challenging scenario, I can true”, as our parents did with us. delayed due to the pandemic, are visit but as an Architecture student, In Milan, I enjoyed walking into the and AIA Gold Medal 2008, a collection pieces of work. trailblazer of design to-date! previously or even banal are now assure you that the large Sri Lankan Italy is fortunate as it belongs to a currently in the final stages of some years later, I revisited Italy. This Italian designer stores – Gianni of honours that many architects have The UIA subsequently invited me as a Nela De Zoysa is the only living unusual because it has not been community resident in Italy have single bloc – the European Union – implementation in the area of Chilaw. time to appreciate the visible Versace, Miuccia Prada, Giorgio not won. Juror for a design competition in Rome, architect in Sri Lanka to be an possible to do these in a long time. been able to enjoy the multiple health reflecting the highest standards of These enable young people who have contribution by classical Italian Armani, Guccio Gucci, Salvatore Massimilliano Fuksas and his wife giving me the privilege of revisiting Honorary Fellow of AIA and RIBA Person to person contact and even and economic benefits granted to social values and respect of human been interested in working in Italy to painters, sculptors and architects to Ferragamo, Franco Moschino, Roberto Doriana, both architects I know come Rome, Pompeii and Capri. Yet another and is the first Sri Lankan to win hugs, going to the cinema or theatre, Italian citizens, with no one left alone rights. We are proud of this specialize as healthcare professionals every city by Cavalli, Nino Cerruti and Ottavio, all to mind. When I once again met up with visit was prompted when the Royal the ARCASIA Gold Medal in 2000 dancing and even going to school or or left behind. I would like to membership and grateful to the EU and gain better employment their inspired designs and creativity. I masterworks in design. Missoni’s store Massimilliano Fuksas at the UIA Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and the First Woman in Sri Lanka work is no longer normal. Our emphasise this as it details the for having prepared a resource plan – opportunities with the Italian public happily imbibed the Roman classical designs were simply stunning, Conference, I had the good fortune of decided to have their Annual to win the South Asian Architects freedoms are limited. welcoming nature and generosity that the Next Generation EU – to face this or private healthcare sector. architectural edifices, paintings and unmatched to anything I had ever seen. being at the presentation of Studio Convention in Venice, which gave me Award in the same year. She won We have been forced to come to is the quintessence of Italy and which economic and social emergency The conceptualization of these sculptures in art museums, while The International Union of Architects Fuksas. It was Studio Fuksas that the wonderful opportunity to meet Lord the Geoffrey Bawa Commendation terms with increasing numbers of I know is highly appreciated in Sri situation aimed at helping the projects improves human, cultural, nostalgically savouring my favourite (UIA) held its convention in Torino skilfully executed the Shenzhen Norman Foster. We were taken on Award for Excellence in victims and the sick, heaving Lanka. weakest, while planning a new phase social, economic and environmental cuisine. where I was introduced first hand to International Airport’s Terminal 3, organized tours, not just to experience Architecture in 2008. She has also healthcare, decline in employment A difficult phase continues but we of development. development in Sri Lanka to which we As a Chartered Architect, my client many renowned names in Italian Zenith Music Hall France, Armani the noteworthy works of Italian been conferred 18 national awards and a worrying poverty index. Italian Ambassador Rita Mannella also see a phase of rebirth which Despite economic challenges, Italy in Italy are linked in a relationship of American Express Bank & Travel architecture. As Architects go, Renzo Ginza, Torino’s New Exhibition Hall, architects, but also the works of many by the SLIA. However, precious qualities have also happens after wars or deep crises. has made significant progress in great affection and friendship. These emerged and even been rediscovered, the need to cascade an ethic of We must respond to the appeal of bilateral relations. We ratified the initiatives continue the economic and helpful dynamics to leverage for the widespread well-being. the President of the Republic of Italy Cultural Agreement in October 2020 commercial relations that have future. In Italy and Sri Lanka, I see We have also re-evaluated Sergio Mattarella and our Prime enabling us to launch wide ranging strengthened over decades between the solidarity of the people, the numerous things we take for granted, Minister Mario Draghi, heeding their collaborations in humanities and our countries and I believe, Italy has widespread sense of responsibility including the work of doctors and call to begin a “new reconstruction” sciences, which is one of Italy’s made a significant contribution to the fuelled by the perception that we healthcare workers, the armed forces based on the Sustainable strongest areas. Other collaborations holistic development of Sri Lanka. Be surprised by these Italian depend on each other’s behaviour and and law enforcement and those in Development Goals of the 2030 in the pipeline include sharing our Happy Italian Republic Day! economic ‘facts’ Manouvering the pandemic has not been easy for any country and for a country like Italy, which had been impacted heavily by the global financial crisis and emerged from the recession only in 2015, having to deal with the double whammy of the pandemic, being the first country in Europe to be struck by COVID19 has been The Art of Glass challenging. But, if there are two traits that have kept Italy’s head For centuries, Venice has been an high throughout various difficult chapters in its history, it is that Marilyn Monroe pushed Ferragamo Nicole Kidman in Ferragamo important and dynamic hub for Italy is first, resilient and second, optimistic – these two intrinsic into the style stakes international exchange and ingredients has seen Italy’s economy jump all hurdles to post a connections due to its flourishing rebound of its GDP growth which according to the IMF’s reforecast port. Similar to the Colombo Port, will be an admirable 3% in 2021. Salvatore Ferragamo’s ‘Made Dario Franceschini, Italian Minister of Ambassodor at the opening of an ICCROM both have the advantage of strategic Italy has never shied from challenges. In fact, it has perfected the Culture at the opening of ICCROM General event In Sri lanka November 2019 location and both Colombo and art of grabbing opportunities from those challenges. It’s prowess as in Italy’ Success Story Assembly Years 2015 and 2017 Venice were among the most a cultural superpower highlights the underlying strength that for Italian flag flying on a public building Salvatore Ferragamo is one of the world’s most important and best important seafaring routes between Murano glass being created at iDOGI centuries, Italy married tradition and innovation crafting these with known ‘Made in Italy’ luxury brands. It stands for consolidated east and west. the art of exquisite quality, skilled human resources, eco- companies in the world being based in Italy, ranking second in craftsmanship and creative innovation – two factors of excellence The Centre of Global Heritage Diplomacy Venice, la “Serenissima”, and Colombo, the “Garden of the East”, consciousness and sophisticated technical prowess which today Europe for turnover to GDP ratio in the design sector. It is the most identifying the brand which have developed considerably over the years are still deeply linked to each other by these ancient trading routes of makes it the world’s eighth biggest economy and Europe’s fourth sustainable country in the world for agriculture, a leader in the but always in perfect keeping with their origins. Prof. Gamini Wijesuriya per la Conservazione ed il Restauro) Stanley-Price, Dr. Stefano de Caro, and spices, perfumes and vivid colours. They are a unique mix of different biggest. Italy has taken full advantage of its strategic strengths to automotive, shipbuilding and pharmaceutical industries and Salvatore Ferragamo, the eponymous company established in 1927, in Rome in 1939, one of the earliest Dr Webber Ndoro and to share their civilizations, traditions and styles, which can be discovered walking stand firm as the second largest manufacturing base in Europe proves its sustainability emphasis by being the first in Europe for was famous as a shoemaker. The company’s founder Salvatore Italy’s contribution to international initiatives of its kind created by Italian knowledge and experience with local along their canals and streets. An immense heritage that has been with a strong integration in the EU value chain and the world’s its rate of circular economy. Ferragamo had grown up with a passion for shoes, having opened a heritage diplomacy, namely sharing authorities, that has disseminated and professionals. enriched over time by these diverse influences continues to live in a second most competitive country in manufacturing. Fact 5: Market liberalization has led to systemic growth shoe shop in home town, Bonito, at the age of 13. In 1923 he set up heritage knowledge with the rest of the shared its experiences with thousands of ICCROM, originally set up in the context centuries old process. Fluid and harmonious, it’s a heritage that While some of these facts are commonplace (or not), for Italy, its Italy’s hallmark resilience is underwritten by the country’s focus shop in Hollywood, and quickly became known as the “shoemaker to world, is enormous. And Sri Lanka has heritage professionals around the world. of a particular moment in history but combines an expression of tradition, craftsmanship and socio- economy has always been a priority – business as usual is an on pragmatic reform efforts. It has proven repeatedly that Italy was the stars”. Movie stars and celebrities who sought his shoes included benefitted significantly, with training from Italy’s efforts to share its knowledge given its recognition, continues to have cultural exchanges from relations spanning east and west for axiom it followed even when the rest of the world shut its doors. stringent in adhering to the EU policy rulebook and recorded some of the biggest names of his time: Greta Garbo, Audrey Hepburn, Italian institutions for over 75 of its with the rest of the world peaked after Italy lead in cultural heritage protection at millennia. This is Venice’s legacy of the Art of Glass – an art form Here are some surprising facts about the Italian economy: greater fiscal consolidation, in fact much more than its EU Sophia Loren and Marilyn Monroe. Even contemporary stars like leading heritage professionals, including World War II, when Europe had the international level, through multiple deeply embedded in the city’s DNA for over one thousand years, with Fact 1: Italy doesn’t show off counterparts. But, this pragmatism came with a price. Fiscal Madonna, Zhang Ziyi, Tony Leung, Liu Ye and Ang Lee have owned practitioners such as the late Dr. Roland experienced destruction of numerous diplomatic and humanitarian artisanal skill and knowledge handed down from generation to This is a country that cuts its clothes according to its cloth and in austerity put pressure on domestic demand, which meant Ferragamo shoes at one time or another. Throughout his career, Silva, Dr. Raja de Silva, M.H. Sirisoma heritage places. In 1956, UNESCO, in developments. ‘This approach of foreign generation and evolving over centuries. Murano glass is admired, fact, has some leftover too. Italy is country that lives well below its economic growth was impacted. However, latter governments Salvatore Ferragamo created a number of sensational shoes which (who headed the Department of response to such widespread damage, policy and cultural diplomacy is both the desired and coveted everywhere in the world. means, exporting as much as it imports and aligning production started making drastic changes – making labour markets more defined an epoch: the stiletto heels worn by Marilyn Monroe and the Archaeology) and Prasanna Ratnayake proposed the creation of ICCROM to raison d’être and explanation for Murano is not just about beautiful table settings. It is about with consumption. While leading the world in having the most flexible and aligned with European requirements which brought in round-toe Holly ballerina shoes created especially for Audrey Hepburn the current acting Additional Director- contribute to the worldwide conservation ICCROM’s location in Italy’. majestic chandeliers, luminous columns, sparkling balustrades and number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites which infuses a fixed-term contracts, lesser trade union influences and manageable which became a symbol of beauty and classic elegance were but some General, as well as academics Prof. and restoration of cultural property by The establishment of ICCROM in its exquisite fountains. Each Murano piece is unique, regaling its own considerable income from tourism, Italy is one of those countries wage structures compared to Germany and France. The market of the finest examples of Ferragamo’s limitless creativity. The ‘invisible’ Jagath Weerasinghe, Prof. Lakshman de initiating, developing, promoting and Italian surroundings has created a unique story through the universal values of knowledge, passion and beauty, that has balanced its needs and wants, exporting more industrial was liberalized and unemployment decreased, while productivity shoes which features a thin nylon strand wound around the sole were Alwis and Prof. Nimal de Silva to name a facilitating conditions for such space in which heritage professionals can each a testament to the finest Italian craftsmanship and expression of goods than it imports which means it consumes less than it improvements were emphasized for long-term growth and better another of his famous inventions. They won him the Nieman Marcus few. Roland Silva acknowledged that his conservation and restoration, and to act learn, share knowledge and contribute to excellence. Each piece is designed and crafted under the eagle eye of produces – a winning formula for its economic springboard. incomes which led to better lifestyles and higher productivity Prize – considered the ‘Oscar’ of the fashion world – in 1947. training and academic connections with as an advisor to UNESCO. Without the dissemination of expertise and expert international architects and interior designers for some of the Fact 2: Low private sector debt across all sectors. Today, Salvatore Ferragamo is one of the world’s leading designers, Italy (he learned Italian and was awarded hesitation, Italy agreed to host this new innovation from Italy out into the world’s most celebrated customers. Italy’s debt is confined to the public sector as private sector debt Fact 6: It is the second most important industrial country in producers and distributors of luxury shoes, leather goods, accessories, a Diploma in Restoration from Rome international intergovernmental international field. ICCROM’s alumni and The delicate and precious materials are softly blown and perfected relative to GDP is low according to the Organisation for Economic the EU fragrances and apparel for men and women. Salvatore Ferragamo’s University) laid the foundation for the organisation incurring a substantial colleagues have become valuable by hand, while the dreams and emotions of the clients take shape Co-operation and Development. This also points to the fact that Italy has always played on its strengths – from its focus on constant aim is to increase the knowledge of its distinguishing codes professional success he enjoyed. In Sri amount of annual expenditure and ambassadors not only of Italy’s heritage through light and fire. Every work of art expresses the authentic high debt-to-GDP ratios do not pose a challenge across the multiple building a highly skilled workforce, to being ready for the future and consolidate brand awareness. Lanka, he was the architect of the committed to extend the services and expertise but also its rich and vibrant “Made in Italy” allegory, a timeless symbol of elegance and style and a sectors of the Italian economy. with its innovation, building dynamic industries and having a In the best traditions of the brand, the Company maintains the high Cultural Triangle project and was expertise of its famed national heritage culture, and these champions are active guarantee of the highest quality. Fact 3: Legacy of four decades of public sector debt constant focus on being sustainable. Italy’s sense of responsibility, quality of its products by investing in research, production, innovation responsible for placing six Sri Lankan institutions to an international all around the world. There is no greater This celebrated art form’s celebrity status has now made Venice’s The high public sector debt that Italy is saddled with is a legacy productivity and competitiveness showcases an inherent need to and new technology. Salvatore Ferragamo has many of the heritage sites on the World Heritage List, community. These included the Istituto testament to Italy’s remarkable heritage reputation with the art of glass an annual event. Venice Glass Week is from the 1980s when mistakes were made by short-sighted leaders lead the way and showcase amazing economic potential. The characteristics that explain the ‘Made in Italy’ success story, such as prior to becoming one of the world leaders Centrale del Restauro, Istituto di diplomacy. an international festival held in the city of Venice, dedicated who made band-aid decisions, rather than look at global paradigms rewards have flowed. Italy as the second most important country in top quality materials and processes, imagination, colour and design, in conservation as President of ICOMOS Patologia del Libro and Scuola Centrale completely to the art of glass, housing exhibitions, demonstrations, of the time. Increasing interest rates at the time were not helpful the EU for industrial production, just behind Germany and the the latter being both creative development and application of know- International (1990–99). Antincendi (all three in Rome) as well as guided tours and online events. Now in its fifth year, Venice Glass either which resulted in the country saddled with a heavy interest third in the export of goods, leading in mechanical engineering, how rooted in a long history of craftsmanship and cultural sensibility. I am also fortunate to have my own Istituto d’Arte per la Ceramica (Faenza), ‘Italy’s contribution to preserving the Week will be held from the 4th to 17th of September 2021. rate. However, if interest rates are removed from the equation, Italy automobile and the pharmaceutical industries. Italy’s fashion Footwear, handbags and small leather goods, scarves and ties, men’s connections with Italy, being the first Scuola di Mosaico (Ravenna) and Opificio artistic legacy of the island has been Murano glass makers are a heritage in their own right as are their comes up shining, consistently running budget surpluses since industry generates an added value of €24.2 Bn and is second in the and women’s ready to wear, bijoux, watches, fragrances and eyewear Asian professional in the permanent staff per le Pietre Dure (Florence). The immense. One extraordinary case in glass making facilities. Numerous glass furnaces, dating back 1992 except in 2009 when it battled the global financial crisis. world in the wood industry and first in the EU adding about 30% of are the products created and marketed by Salvatore Ferragamo. From of ICCROM (International Centre for the Headquarters Agreement signed between which this contribution played a pivotal centuries are also showcased during the festival. Compare Italy’s primary budget surpluses with some leaders in the the total EU exports. Italy has made its food industry one of the design to production, the entire process is carried out in Italy. Study of Preservation and Restoration of UNESCO and Italy on 27 April 1957 role was the restoration of the bomb- A company that has continued this strong legacy in the art of glass EU including Germany, Austria and the Netherlands, and Italy undisputed leaders in its economy placing it among the first ten Everything labelled by Salvatore Ferragamo – except for its eyewear Cultural Property) in Rome and serving on confirmed Rome as the home of the newly damaged murals of the UNESCO World is iDOGI, a glass making company based in Venice since 1968, records consistent surpluses. While the country continues to global exporters in agri-foods, while its lead export totaling 18% of which is made under license by Luxottica – is produced in Italy and its governing council. formed ICCROM. In 1958 Sri Lanka Heritage Site, the Temple of the Sacred continuing a designing and manufacturing process where artistically collect more in taxes than expenditure - that inherited interest total exports is its machinery sector, standing at a ranking of being comes straight from the parent company that controls all the Group’s Italy’s own heritage assets, which became the seventh country to ratify the Tooth Relic in Kandy in 1999. This was blown glass and crystal are turned into beautiful lighting burden continues to plague the budget balance. But negative the fifth exporter in the world. Adding €44 Bn in exports, Italy is production operations. currently include the largest number of international agreement. More than sixty done by a team of murals conservators, masterpieces. iDOGI’s works of art are placed in palaces, boutiques, legacies nothwithstanding. Italy has been a net contributor to the among the first countries in the world to have the highest The Group has manufacturing partners in Italy, many of which have World Heritage Sites (55) in any nation, years have now passed and international most of whom were trained in Rome. hotels and prestigious residences around the world. Driven by a EU budget, paying more into the EU treasury than the funding it percentage of industrial robots – 9% of the companies use them in worked exclusively for Salvatore Ferragamo for years. All finished need no introduction. The philosophical dialogue with ICCROM’s host country is The restoration was undeniably very unique artistic process, iDOGI fully embraces the powerful energy of has received from Brussels. the automotive industry, which is higher than the EU average of products come back to Florence for final quality control testing prior to and methodological approaches that Italy arguably more important than ever. difficult due to the catastrophic creativity and throughout decades, has built a deep know-how with a Fact 4: The Euro’s performance doesn’t reflect Italy’s reality 7%. And then there’s Italy’s supercharged presence in the super- shipment to the various markets, so the Company is the hub of a has developed to promote this vast Since the centre’s creation, over 7,000 destruction and most of the local distinctive style, where tradition and innovation meet beyond the Italy has had its share of woes since joining the Euro. Policy yachts industry; the country remains the undisputed leader complex and exclusively Italian, production network. In particular, it resource and to safeguard its heritage for professionals have been trained in Rome specialists carrying out the restoration limits of material, to create a tour de force of Italian masterpieces. deficiencies since the 1990s have exacerbated, augmented by handling 45.7% of the world’s orders. works with the main industrial districts providing high-level know-how present and future generations are known from over 136 countries and now play a from murals to architecture were To find out more on artistic glass products, Murano glass and corruption and organized crime. Having also not had political Fact 7: Italians are all about equal wealth distribution and specializations. and adopted all over the world. lead role in heritage protection trained in Italy.” much more, the website to Venice Glass Week (https://www. stability since the war accounting for at least 66 governments since The one factor that most often goes unnoticed, is the Italian way Salvatore Ferragamo S.p.A. Architects/philosophers like Camillo worldwide. Prof. Jagath Weerasinghe – theveniceglassweek.com/en/) offers a series of interesting links that time while the mafia and graft have also been rampant, that of life which infuses a massive dose of care for each other. Italians Salvatore Ferragamo S.p.A. is the parent Company of the Salvatore Boito (1836–1914) and Gustavo In addition to providing training, Professor of Archaeology, a leading and videos and for some awe-inspiring chandeliers, click on the Italian resilience and optimism played a key role in pushing the do not judge, nor are they influenced by social status – what they Ferragamo Group, one of the world’s leaders in the luxury industry Giovannoni (1873–1947) contributed ICCROM has contributed technical conservator of paintings and iDOGI website or Instagram (www.idogi.com ; @idogi_italy). Italian economy into dynamic growth curves. While the 1970s saw do judge is the ability of human beings to be there for one another. and whose origins date back to 1927. substantially to the development of assistance to its member states. In the renowned contemporary artist Italy gain strength in per capita purchasing power, the Euro’s And this is reflected in Italy striving constantly towards equal The Group is active in the creation, production and sale of shoes, modern conservation philosophy, which is early 1960s, it was a driving force among launch in 1999 gave a somewhat skewed outlook of individual wealth distribution. Although private wealth is lower in Italy leather goods, apparel, silk products and other accessories, along with prevalent worldwide. Cesare responses to the Florence floods as well as country performance, given that the Euro reflected a collective compared to the rest of the EU, the median Italian household women’s and men’s fragrances. The Group’s product offer also Brandi (1906–88), an art critic, historian the transfer of the Abu Simbel Dr. Gamini Wijesuriya (PhD) is a former performance of the EU bloc. The value of the Euro reflects the which stands exactly between the richer upper half and the poorer includes eyewear and watches, manufactured by licensees. and a lead conservation specialist, is monuments, and it has helped many Director of Conservation, Department of average strength of the Eurozone economies which meant the lower half of the population, is less wealthy than the corresponding The uniqueness and exclusivity of our creations, along with the known globally for his landmark other countries, including Sri Lanka. The Archaeology and Special Advisor to the common currency was too cheap for Germany but too expensive for German or Austrian household. The reason could be due to private perfect blend of style, creativity and innovation enriched by the quality theoretical essay on restoration, Teoria critical support ICCROM provided to Director-General of ICCROM, Rome, Italy Italy. property ownership playing a greater role in Italy and the relative and superior craftsmanship of the ‘Made in Italy’ tradition, have always del Restauro (Theory of Restoration). He salvage Sigiriya’s paintings vandalised in and Special Advisor to the Director of But Italy has held fast to its strengths and built industry sectors underdevelopment of the public safety net which Germany and been the hallmarks of the Group’s products. also became the first Director of 1967 is described in a separate article. Sri WHITRAP Shanghai, China. He is that would be a powerful force. It is now among the world’s top five Austria have in place. Germany and Austria’s social housing and With approximately 4,000 employees and a network of 644 mono- the Istituto Centrale per il Lanka was fortunate to host six of its President of the International Council on countries with a trade surplus exceeding USD 100 Bn in the co-operatives do not count as private assets and hence, from a brand stores as of 31 December 2020, the Ferragamo Group operates Restauro (Central Institute for Directors, Sri Bernard Feilden, Dr. Cevat Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) Sri manufacturing sector. It has seen an extraordinary infusion of perspective of wealth distribution, Italians yet remain among those in Italy and worldwide through companies that allow it to be a leader in Restoration, now the Istituto Superiore Erder, Mr. Marc Laenen Dr. Nicholas Lanka investment with over 24 companies in the top 100 luxury goods countries that enjoy equality in that sphere. the European, American and Asian markets. A Murano chandelier in Venice A12 sunday 20 june 2021 Focus

Riding on the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions Online Culture Has Taken World by Storm

By Eunice Ruth Mobile digital gaming addiction ten years are used to use one side of their head and the risk of malignant Technology has become an brain tumour is doubled for adults in essential part of human life and it this case and is even higher for has significantly changed the threatens the very social fabric, persons with first use before the age behaviours of individuals. Most of 20 years. The long use of importantly, due to the COVID-19 the phone for playing impacts mainly pandemic and its control measures, on the players’ eyes and spine, he nigh everybody has been compelled even wrecking families said. Looking at a phone screen for a to stay indoors and it has severely long time and sitting in the same impacted individuals causing them position for hours can be the main to spend long periods of time online motivation, the values they are to the online teaching education reason for it and further, it leads to with electronic devices. brought up with or living with and system and work from home trend, obesity because mobile phone game Currently, one of the ubiquitous also, values that are in the context even from nursery children to adults, players give up their time on exercise applications of technology that has and content of the games. Anxiety is they are forced to stick with or walking to play mobile phone surged in popularity is the one of possible outcomes of gaming electronic devices. Sometimes it ends games. smartphone, with which modern and it increases the players’ up with a limited time and sometimes The people who self-described as society has developed an inseparable heartbeats to a level more than their it leads to long hours due to various having addictive style behaviour relationship. With the advancement body requires. classes and continuous work. Even toward the Internet and phones are of technology, from little children to Speaking to Dr. D. D. K. S. though technology helped us to work higher on depression and anxiety adults, all use mobile phones for Karunanayake, Senior Lecturer, easier by reducing transportation scales, he said. As a developing playing games and they play it for Department of Psychology, University costs, manual paper work, and country, Sri Lanka has a lack of multiple purposes, such as a hobby, of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, said that others, still it is a huge threat when knowledge about mental health as for relaxation, to be adventurous, even though the use of electronic it comes to the mental and physical There has been a well as mental illnesses. He also even for gambling. There are people devices had a significant place since wellbeing of an individual, he added. considerable pointed that, people don’t have a of all ages who spend many hours a the technology developments, today, “The eating patterns, sleeping broad comprehension of how mobile week playing online games and it has increased along with the patterns, physical activities, and impact from phone games will impact their nearly everyone started playing it as COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns/ everything related to an individual’s mental health. Mobile phone a hobby after which it turns into an travel restrictions. It has negatively physical and mental health has mobile phone addiction impacts decrease memory, addiction. There has been a impacted everyone in every way. Due changed with the increasing game addiction decrease attention, and also increase considerable impact from mobile involvement of internet and mobile laziness. Currently, for the children phone game addiction on Sri phones. From 2012, day-by-day the on Sri Lankans, and adults who are addicted to Lankans, with more of a negative usage of mobile phones and online games, not playing a mobile phone impact than a positive impact, and it gaming has increased without any with more of a game at least once each day is like has affected many in their academic decrease in the graph. Also, social living without meals. Not playing performance, aggressiveness, self- and physical impacts of spending negative impact mobile games can cause anxiety, identity, physical health, mental much time on the internet and games than a positive depression, frustration, and health, and family relationships. will not be noted at present and it aggression on them and towards the will start to show the results in the impact, and it people who stops them from playing. B’day gifts of smart- future,” said Dr. Karunanayake. has affected Most children develop a lack of social Playing video He further said that mainly due to relationships because of mobile phones now a global trend lack of sleep and reduced physical many in their phone games and it can lead to a games not only activities it could lead to having social phobia. Furthermore, there is The one desire of the children, severe psychological impacts and academic a chance to develop learning globally, is to purchase a smartphone changes how our some impacts can be long-term with disabilities, Attention Deficit performance, when they become a teen. Even brains perform no medication. It could even lead Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and nowadays children request mobile someone to death, due to impacts aggressiveness, sleeping disorders. Meanwhile, phones for their birthday presents. but also their which it will make on the physical playing the whole night will affect Once they get the device, they get areas of the body such as the brain self-identity, one mentally and physically as well. hooked on downloading and playing structure. The and so forth. In addition, he further said that mobile games and it can be one of the Mobile phone games are one of the physical health, mobile phone game addiction main reasons for reduction in majority of most popular modes of impacts negatively on family mental health, physical health of little children, studies entertainment in modern society. relationships and the people who are teenagers, and young people. The first mobile phone game was and family addicted to games don’t spend time Radiation from mobile phones can examining introduced in 1994 and after that, with their family members because cause cancers and also illnesses in step by step mobile phone gaming relationships. of the regular playing pattern of the nervous system. In addition, physical and technology increased and the mobile phone games. Lack of playing more games has caused evolution of mobile gaming in the last knowledge about mobile phone game children and adults to stay home mental health two decades is incredible. addiction, among other family more, which leads to reduction in According to Asian Journal on members, also can negatively impact their physical outdoor activities effects of cell ‘Impact of Mobile Phone Game playing. The important thing here is to decrease the relationship with the which will make them put on phone radiation, Addiction on Sri Lankan Teenagers’, that they are aggressive even after player, he added. This can be weight, and this could lead to a nowadays, smartphone owners playing the game and they will try to alleviated by providing knowledge to biological problem. have targeted the collectively spend more than 200 release their aggression on others. It children and adults about addiction In the psychological dimension, it million minutes per day to play is a major negative impact on their and by having them involved in seems that computer games have a potential of cell games. Also, the mobile gaming lives and it can also lead to having a common family work. Family negative relationship with the mental technologies to industry reports show that 2.4 billion violent and aggressive behavioural members including parents have a health of adolescents and have a people are mobile game players life with their peers. huge responsibility and parents also direct effect on their violent cause cancer, which are about 30.7% of the world’s Dr. Karunanayake said that should think about these things behaviour, anxiety, depression, and nervous system population. playing video games not only changes before they buy mobile phones for isolation of those adolescents who Game addiction results in how our brains perform but also their children. play these games. The effects of their structure. The majority of Maximum supervision and gaming on the psychological health disorders, and aggressive behaviour studies examining physical and monitoring needs to be done for a of people and severity and adverse effects mental health effects of cell phone child when they say they are significance of that depend on factors Mobile phone game addiction radiation have targeted the potential studying online and the adults who such as level and intensity of on procreation. increases the aggression of an of cell technologies to cause cancer, use electronic devices for playing and violence in the game, the ability of individual and two main reasons nervous system disorders, and working needs to be aware regarding the player in differentiating virtual which increase the aggression are adverse effects on procreation. the negative impacts, in order to world and real-world, player’s ability getting defeated again and again or People who use various electronic overcome it and have a healthy life to inhibit their desires and being disturbed while they are devices continuously for more than style. Focus Sunday 20 June 2021 A13

Faith and Education Are Unregulated Schools Breeding Grounds for Extremism? By Thameenah Razeek “Yes, we are a Muslim community, but we are also a Sri Lankan The rise of extremist movements in community, and our Muslim Sri Lanka is a fairly recent community is fragmented as a result phenomenon. The Islamist of all of this Wahhabism and fundamentalism, particularly in the unnecessary different syllabuses. Eastern Province, saw a cataclysmic The community will suffer more than rise over the past decade, the anything else,” she added, saying culmination of which was the that this is what she is concerned devastating Easter Sunday Attacks in about. 2019. When asked about schools that only The most alarming factor in the rise accept Muslim students, she of fundamentalism is the contribution emphasised that schools should never made to the ideology by the increasing teach extremism. “Sri Lankan culture number of unregulated Muslim private comes first, followed by the Muslim schools that teach a syllabus different community, and everyone should to both the local national syllabus and follow what Sri Lanka generally the State-approved international accepts,” she said. syllabus. She went on to say that she doubts Unfortunately, successive extremism is taught in the traditional Governments have had little success in sense in Sri Lanka, but that it can be reducing the influence of violent taught in a variety of ways. extremism in the country’s private “It’s a problem if they’re studying a education sector. Although the subject that isn’t covered by traditional effectiveness in combating violent Sri Lankan education, because it is extremism cannot be attributed to necessary to adhere to the approved private school education alone, it can educational system and syllabus. It’s a be attributed to lack of control over strange situation if they’re not doing it.” what is included in their curriculum, “However, I do not believe that those teacher training, school activities, and schools have a specific subject that textbooks. There have been numerous teaches extremism,” she said instances in Sri Lanka where religion emphatically. has turned violent. Nonetheless, the She concluded by questioning why type of extremism that prevails in Sri the Muslim minority, which is Lankan Islamic practice and discourse recognised as a part of the Sri Lankan is exclusive and conservative. population, should have its own But, the question is how can there be curriculum. schools that are run primarily by Also, why do parents send their Muslim teachers and are entirely children to such schools? Is it because populated by Muslim students and are they want their children to study not supervised by the State? extremism or become suicide bombers, The Education Ministry is in charge or is there another reason? In this of supervising and managing State- context, Ceylon Today spoke to some regulated private schools at all times. Muslim parents whose children attend National education, including approved Dr. Upali Sedara Prof. Kapila Perera Major General Jagath Alwis Deshabandu Jezima Ismail Muslim-run schools. Islamic education, adheres to the same Some of these parents send their structure established by the Ministry. those schools follow the National “We’ll also look at various ways to children to schools that do not have a This means that each district has Education Commission and Ministry- stop extremism from spreading, but proper playing field, science lab, or departments, sectors, and units that approved curriculum. first we need to understand what even a library. They send these correspond to the Ministry of Bombshell they’re saying and what they want. The students to schools with non-standard Education’s departments, sectors, and All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama is one of uniforms, which frequently include a units. This allows for a more efficient The current Administration dropped the most powerful Muslim face covering. flow of information and better a bombshell when it revealed that the organisations we are aware of. As a coordination across levels of previous Government’s Department of result, we intend to speak with them in Two types Government that are controlled and Muslim Religious Affairs had a calm and formal manner. We’ll want According to our findings, there are managed at the national level. sanctioned 1,669 madrassa schools them to notify other organisations and two types of uncontrolled Muslim-run When asked what steps the and 317 Arabic schools. Yes, we are a inform them that what they’re doing is schools in Sri Lanka. The well-known Education Ministry has taken so far to Furthermore, it has been discovered unethical,” he said. ones require a large sum of money to reduce the number of unregulated that 206 lecturers from the Middle Muslim community, However, it appears that the admit a child, whereas the others are schools, Dr. Upali Sedara, Secretary to Eastern extremist organisation Tablighi Government is not doing enough to schools that lack basic facilities and the State Ministry of Education Reform, Jamaat have been granted permission but we are also a control these schools and madrassas. admit children for relatively low fees. said they are preparing a Cabinet Paper to teach extremism at such The Ministry of Education, on the other Aamina, a mother of a five-year-old, proposing an amendment to the institutions. Sri Lankan commu- hand, has yet to take action to prohibit falls into the second category. She existing Education Ordinance in light In response to Public Security or regulate these institutions, which sobbed, saying she never wants her of the current situation. Minister ’s nity, and our Muslim are thought to be breeding grounds for child to become a terrorist or learn He also said they had tabled the revelations, Secretary to the Ministry of violent extremism and separatism. extremism. She said all she needs is a Cabinet Paper, which the Cabinet of Public Security, Major General (Retired) community is frag- Education Secretary, Prof. Kapila good education for her children, so that Ministers had resent to the Ministry, Jagath Alwis, surprisingly said that mented as a result Perera, said these unregulated they can grow up and take care of the requesting that certain phrases be while the Minister has made such institutions have progressively played a entire family. marked as needing modification. He revelations, the Ministry has not gone of all of this role antithetical to the Government’s When pressed further, Aamina said went on to say that the law was passed any further and that he is unaware of original goal over the previous few she was 19-years-old when she gave in 1961, and that some flaws in the the number of Arabic or madrassa Wahhabism and decades. “Schools, which began as birth to her child, and that she had legislation have allowed some schools that were administered during centres of learning for the next been living in a rented house since opportunists to open their own schools. the previous Government. unnecessary differ- generation, have come to dominate the then. Her husband works for a Middle The Cabinet Paper will be revised to After stating that he does not know, educational landscape. The current Eastern company as a security officer. include private schools within the he expressed his opinion as the ent syllabuses. The threat is that these unregulated Aamina does not have her own Ministry of Education’s purview. secretary to one of the responsible community will suf- institutions have developed unusually home, and she has applied to all the According to Dr. Sedara, a majority of ministries, stating that they presently close relationships with radical militant Government schools for her child, but these non-Ministry-supervised schools need to have a dialogue with the fer more than any- groups and are critical to the survival none of them had approved her were established as a BOI initiative or mentioned groups who are believed to of the international terrorist network. application because she lacks a under company legislation. be involved in extremism. thing else The substitution of madrassas for permanent residence and does not live Apart from that, the Education Recalling the former Attorney public education is also concerning for in a suburb where her child can attend Ministry has taken no other steps to General Dappula de Livera’s the State’s stability and future school. This, she claimed, prompted limit or slow the growth of unregulated authorisation of a ban on 11 Muslim economic prospects,” he said. her to enrol her child into a private private schools. He went on to say that organisations, Alwis said the first Mushrooming unregulated school. “We have only recently begun there are international or private approach is to talk to them and make our lives, and we plan to buy a small schools that are overseen by the them aware that what they are doing is schools piece of land. We’ve already begun Minister of Education, and that all of illegal. raising funds for it. I do not want my The concerns of how these schools child to attend a school which restricts are being built in every corner of the free play. I’d like to dress her in a country, who are on the frontline to white uniform and braid her hair like offer them a tailored curriculum, and the rest of the students. However, I am why the Ministry of Education is having unable to do so. I’m pregnant with my difficulty regulating these schools are second child and don’t want the same ruminating in the minds of everyone thing to happen to him,” she who is concerned. explained. In response to these concerns, At the same time, we spoke to a Ceylon Today spoke to Deshabandu parent whose child attends a well- Jezima Ismail, a long-time educator known private Muslim-run school, and and current Chairperson of the People’s she explained that she sends all of her Action for Free and Fair Elections children to these schools because she (PAFFREL), who said in Sri Lanka, is concerned about the status of her where religion is so important, religious family. practices should be conducted in a very “I don’t believe they teach extremism, soothing manner. and if they do, who cares? My husband She emphasised the importance of comes from a wealthy family, and all of having similar subjects for everyone, his nieces and nephews attend these saying that while there is a separate schools. My children interact with period for religion, teachers should still Muslim teachers and students, and focus on teaching the syllabus that has they are taught Islam rather than been approved by the Government. She extremism,” she continued, adding that went on to say that the Muslim her children are well-liked despite the community is working hard to become fact that Muslims are regarded as a a Sri Lankan community. minority group in other schools. A14 sunday 20 june 2021 focus Scammers target aspiring youth Unsettling Trend of Bogus Media Courses By Rifthi Ali duration of one hour. The total charges for the webinar series Working for the Muslim was Rs 6,000 and participants Division in a frontline radio were asked to pay the fee station is the lifelong before 12:00 noon on 22 April. aspiration for Muward It was said that certificates Marzook, a 26-year-old youth will be sent to the participants from Kekirawa. via post once they complete Since 2018 Muward has the webinar series. The participated in around 10-12 content coverage of the media seminars to realise this proposed webinar included goal. Being a Moulavi, he television news reading, works in a mosque located in television programme the Akurana, a town in the telecasting, and news central part of the island. reporting and television news Muward recently saw a production. The participants social media advert for a two were told that the webinar day seminar on media to be would start on 24 May due to held at Matale on 11 April. The the ongoing pandemic. seminar was organised by LACSDO Media, a media entity operates in Vavuniya and has Legitimacy based in Sainthamaruthu. trained thousands of youth Our investigations brought The advertisement claimed from different parts of the the legitimacy of many of that the seminar will feature Island since 2005,” Nafees aforementioned organisations prominent journalists like K. Abuthahir, the founder of the to question. Jeyakrishna, senior organisation proudly claimed. The Pirai Nila Media Network announcer of Sri Lanka Nafees, who does not have is not registered under any Broadcasting Corporation any media background, Government entity until. (SLBC), senior journalists claimed that North Mass However, a business Nowshad Mohideen and Media is registered under the registration exists in the name Shiromi, who was working as a Ministry of Mass Media. of ‘Aboo Creations’ under the Programme Presenter at Meanwhile, our search name of Safraz Aboobacker. Shakthi TV three years ago. revealed that A.A.M. Misbah, The business registration was The participation charges for the manager of North Mass made at Kuliyapitiya East the seminar was set at Rs Media, conducts paid radio Divisional Secretariat known 2,000. Muward was desperate announcing training as Horambawa. The to meet the big industry programmes online. However, registration number is used by players to achieve his goal, so been conducive for these one day on the account of the final assignment. Misbah was working with UTV Safraz to advertise Pirai Nila he paid the money derived bogus training providers. They month of Ramadan, and the However, the final as a presenter for a few years Media Network. from his small salary without a target many youth with the Sinhala and Tamil New Year assignment is just a matter of and tendered his resignation LACSDO Media was second thought. professional media aspirations holidays. However, there was writing answers for 16 recently. registered as a media, arts and However, when he attended and lure them to their online no deductions in the questions. Writing 100 golden Hatton Media cultural organisation under the seminar none of the people courses. They have been able workshop’s charges verses is one of the tasks the Department of Cultural mentioned in the to fleece large amounts of whatsoever. assigned in the preparation of Academy Affairs through Divisional advertisement were part of the money through their useless Pirai Nila final assignment. Further, the Secretariat, Sainthamaruthu panel. Deeply dejected, media courses, our research participants only need to write The Hatton Media Academy with the registration number Muward returned from the revealed. Safraz Aboobacker, the the qualities of a presenters operates from Hatton as its CDA/06/04/01/AMP/030. seminar with a heavy heart LACSDO Media founder of Pirai Nila Media and journalists, local and name suggests and is run by The organisation was filled with utter Networks, currently works as a international news stories and R.J. Langesh. Within a registered as a cultural disappointment. A.L. Ansar, an ex-member of Health Inspector at the Zonal how a presenter is supposed to particular time frame Langesh organisation under the now We tried to find out why Kalmunai Municipal Council, Education Office in speak the language, in order to was working with a few media defunct North East Provincial these panellists were is the founder of LACSDO Akkaraipattu. complete their final houses including Star Tamil Council as “Literature, Arts, unavailable that day. Media. Ansar worked as a part Our search revealed that assignments. Radio, Sooriyan FM and Culture, Social Development Jeyakrishna and Mohideen time announcer for a few radio Aboobacker completed a Thalam FM. Organisation (LACSDO)” with told us that they informed the channels in the past. Diploma in Journalism at the JM Media Langesh started a media the registration No. NEP/EM/ organisers about their inability We learnt that Ansar was not Colombo University. In the Raashid Malhardeen and his school called Lanka Mass CA/SM/06/2006. As the to participate in the seminar employed by any media house past, he worked as a part time brother Raza Malhardeen run Media in 2010 in Colombo but North East Provincial Council well in advance. Our effort to during the last 10 years. announcer and assisted in a Media Education the school was closed down is demarcated as separate reach Shiromi was not However, Ansar stated that he compiling Sahar programming Organisation called JM Media within a short time. Northern and Eastern successful. has been running LACSDO during the holy month of in Mawanella. Raashid has Langesh also worked at Provincial Councils, usage of Muward is only a case Media for the last 15 years. Ramadan. completed a Diploma in Capital FM before starting this registration should be example among thousands of LACSDO Media managed to He had never been recruited Journalism at Colombo Hatton Media Academy. The illegal. youth deceived by fake media get some sponsorship from a by any media house as a University and works as a advisory board of Hatton Media Meanwhile, founders of training programmes few business entities and permanent employee. The Pirai news anchor in a cable TV Academy consists of education North Mass Media and Hatton conducted by dubious conducted an awarding Nila became famous among channel known as UTV. officers, principals, popular Media Academy claim that individuals. It is painful that ceremony titled ‘A Search for the local youth due to the Raashid said that his local teachers and politicians their organisations are there are no avenues available Excellence Awards’ and a few senior announcer, late A.R.M. organisation has offered media from the Nuwara Eliya District. registered under the Ministry for legal action against such media seminars. Jiffry. “Since 2015 Pirai Nila study programmes since 2015. This helps Langesh attract of Mass Media. However, scammers in Sri Lanka. Meanwhile, LACSDO Media has been conducting media However, his entity was school students who want to Jagath P. Wijayaweera, the Fathima (Name changed to ran a two day workshop on 12 training programmes in many registered under the Tertiary learn about mass media; which Secretary of the Ministry of conceal identity) is a 24-year- and 13 April at Crescent places including Kekunugolla, and Vocational Education has been incorporated into the Mass Media said that there old woman with aspirations of preschool located near to Akurana and Kattankudy,” Commission (TVEC) as a school syllabus. In this was no mechanism to register becoming a professional news Zahira College, Matale. Safraz claims. training centre for offering a backdrop, Langesh started a media education institutions presenter in a radio channel. A WhatsApp group was The organisation conducts part time certificate course in four month media education under the Ministry. With this dream she enrols in formed by the organisers on 22 two day workshops charging mass media (Basic Vocational course targeting youth from the We requested the two media an advanced certificate course March for this purpose and Rs 3,500 as participation fees Skill) only on 22 January tea country in January 2021. training organisations in mass media; a four-month- around 110 people were added and run four month media 2021. The course fee for this whether they can send us a long media study programme to it. This workshop was training programmes. The Raashid claims that the programme was Rs 10,000. A copy of their credentials. conducted by Pirainila Media advertised on this group and workshops and training lectures are being conducted certificate awarding ceremony However, they denied this Network in Akurana. on social media platforms. programmes are advertised by by S. Saravanabavan, web for 12 persons who completed request and asked us to visit The primary reason for her The charges for this a one-day free seminar. editor of Ada Derana Tamil this study programme was held their offices to see the enrolment into this study workshop was set at Rs 2,000 The advertisements claim and M.B.M. Fairooz, the Chief on 18 April in Hatton. “Five registration document. programme is to polish her and participants were asked to that participants will receive a Editor of Vidivelli newspaper. persons who completed our Meanwhile, the North Mass news presenting skills similar deposit the fee to the Sampath complete practical training, We contacted study programme were Media held a graduation to those of contemporary Bank’s Sainthamaruthu experience and training by Saravanabavan and Fairooz to recruited by radio stations and ceremony for its radio anchor presenters at popular media branch Account Number 1126 senior journalists, recognised verify his claims. However, the print media. Two of them were training programme on 26 houses. 5755 8772 operated under certificates, field visits and senior journalists stated that selected as radio announcers April. The certificates issued The advertisement for the Ansar’s name. placements for best performers they conducted lectures at the by Tamil FM,” Langesh claims. did not bear any registration programme claimed it Twenty seven persons paid at Pirai Nila among many other centre only once in 2016. A However when we contacted numbers. consisted of seven modules this amount and participated perks. student who enrolled in this Tamil FM to verify his claim, a Also, names of the Director including mass in the workshop. The founder However, those who programme confirmed that all higher official who wanted to and the Manager who signed communication through print, of LACSDO Media Ansar along participated say that the the lectures at the centre are remain anonymous stated that these certificates reveal that radio, TV and web mediums. with M.A. Nazeer, a part time training programmes are being conducted by the no one from Hatton Media they have credentials in media The registration fees for the announcer of Pirai FM – a conducted by Safraz Malhardeen brothers. Academy have been recruited studies but there was no programme was at Rs 3,000 provincial radio station under exclusively. This can be “Many persons who by the radio station recently. further information as to and Fathima paid another SLBC, were the only lecturers considered as proof for the completed their training at our Meanwhile, the Hatton Media where they completed these 19,000 rupees as course fees. at this workshop. above claims. Meanwhile, after centre work in prominent Academy recently launched a degree programmes. However, a weeping Fathima The two lecturers completed the pandemic, he started media houses such as UTV four month Diploma in Mass Future actions told us that not even a their media diplomas in conducting a five day and Capital FM,” Raashid Communication/Media broadcasting mic was shown 2017/2018 at the South programme series online. declares. We contacted the (Targeting O/L and A/L Meanwhile the Ministry of to her during the course. Western University of Sri Safraz describes his new persons mentioned but they all students) correspondence Mass Media said that it The programme concluded Lanka. The final examination venture as follows: “this new denied his claims. course. The academy’s received a few complaints in February 2020 but the for this diploma was held on programme covers collection of We were able to speak with a Facebook page invites students regarding fake media training participants are still waiting 18 April 2021. news stories, news story person who completed a media from all parts of the island to institutions. However there for their certificates from this Muward also participated in writing and news reading. Five training programme at JM apply. are no avenues for legal action bogus study programme. “The this workshop. He said that hour webinar is being Media and another programme Fazlullah Mubarak against these institutions, course providers kept giving the workshop was actually conducted to teach these at Sri Lanka College of Wijayaweera added. false promises about the conducted for a day from 8.30 aspects. The charge for the Journalism (SLCJ). Fazlullah Mubarak was But he said the Ministry is graduation date,” Fathima a.m. to 6.00 p.m. The lectures participation in this webinar is “I was able to see a huge working with News First as a taking measures to regulate says. covered only a few aspects Rs 3,500. Up to now five difference in training obtained news anchor and recently left media training institutes and Our research revealed that including news and batches have been trained and between these two institutions. the reputed media house. He is that good decisions can be many bogus media colleges are advertisement presentations. around 35 – 40 persons I was able to learn journalism running a Youtube channel expected soon. functioning in all parts of the Participants were provided obtained this training”. more extensively with practical and recently started online Meanwhile, Mafahir Mashoor Island. It is noteworthy that with certificates similar to the Safraz added that the reason aspects at Sri Lanka College of media classes. Moulana, a senior producer at these colleges are conducted ones issued at a workshop for not providing certificates Journalism,” the student says. Potential candidates were Sri Lanka Rupavahini by people who do not possess conducted in 2019 by LACSDO for the participants in the North Mass Media informed that four sessions Cooperation, urged the youth any media experience. Media. Answar said that the Akurana programme was due would be conducted over two via facebook post to avoid fake The pandemic situation has workshop was compacted to to their failure to submit the “The North Mass Media weekends. Each session has a media workshops. sports sunday 20 june 2021 A15

AIU objects to Expert Medical Report seen urging none Houlihan running at U.S. trials Tokyo 2020 Head The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) said on Thursday it has written to USA Track & Field (USATF) to stress that middle distance runner Shelby Houlihan was prohibited wants spectators from competing in this The President of the Tokyo Suga›s Government decided ahead of a general election month›s Olympic trials. 2020 Organising Committee on Thursday to ease that must be held by late The American record- wants to allow up to 10,000 emergency coronavirus October, and a ruling party holder in the 1,500 metres domestic spectators into curbs in nine prefectures leadership race in and 5,000 metres was Olympic stadiums, including Tokyo, while September. controversially included in the Sankei newspaper keeping some ‘quasi- The same NHK survey put the starting line-up for those reported, amid concerns the emergency’ restrictions. his disapproval rate at 45%, two events, despite receiving Summer Games could spark Health experts including the highest since he took a four-year ban for testing another surge in COVID-19 Omi agreed earlier this week office last September, positive for an anabolic infections. that the number of against a support rate of steroid. A final decision on spectators at domestic 37%. Without addressing domestic spectators will be events could be raised to Japanese media said Houlihan directly, USA Track made at a meeting to be held 10,000, but only in areas earlier that Omi, who is set & Field (USATF) earlier said as early as Monday among where ‘quasi-emergency’ to give a news conference that any athlete facing an Tokyo 2020 organisers, the measures, including limiting later on Friday, would also active appeal process would International Olympic restaurant hours, have been recommend that if spectators be allowed to compete at the Committee, International lifted. are allowed, restrictions trials, which kick off on Paralympic Committee, Tokyo is scheduled to be should be tough, including Friday, in Eugene, Oregon. Japanese Government and under the lesser restrictions limiting them to residents of The AIU said it had written Tokyo Metropolitan until 11 July after the state the local area. the USATF and that the Government. of emergency expires for the Omi would also likely say 28-year-old›s participation «I would like it to be held capital on 20 June. that if there are signs of a was ‘strictly prohibited.’ with spectators. I plan to Omi, a former World renewed surge, the «A final and binding (Court head into the five-way Health Organization official Government should not of Arbitration for Sport) meeting with that in mind,» sometimes criticised for hesitate to declare another decision confirmed that Ms. the Sankei quoted Tokyo toeing the Government line, state of emergency and ban Houlihan committed Anti- 2020 Head Seiko Hashimoto has become increasing spectators, Doping Rule Violations and prior to the test was likely to as saying. outspoken about the risks the Yomiuri newspaper said. was subject to a period of blame. Hashimoto said at the start the event may spread the But he will not address the four (4) years beginning 14 A group of athletes, of an experts’ roundtable on virus. Earlier this month, he question of whether the January 2021,» the including 2016 3,000-meter Friday that Tokyo 2020 had told Parliament it was ‘not Games should be held at all, organisation said in a written steeplechase Bronze medalist received advice from Japan›s normal’ to hold the Games it added. statement. Emma Coburn, 2018 Boston top medical adviser, Shigeru during a pandemic. Japan has not experienced The USATF did not Marathon winner Des Linden Omi, and that it would be His comments have the explosive outbreaks seen immediately respond to a and marathon runner Molly discussed at that meeting. It triggered criticism from some elsewhere, but a recent surge request for comment. Seidel, penned an open letter would also inform politicians, who charged he and initially slow Houlihan said this week voicing their objection to discussions in talks with the was exceeding his remit. vaccinations rollout the AIU informed her in Houlihan›s participation. IOC and others. Japan›s public remains prompted concerns about January that a test showed «It creates an opportunity Media said Omi advised concerned about the risks. A strains on the medical she had returned an ‘adverse for athletes convicted of holding the Games without survey by NHK public TV system. analytical finding’ for doping to compete in the any spectators was the least this month showed 32% The country has recorded nandrolone. She denied future, which is not a risky option. Spectators from favoured a cap on spectators, more than 776,000 cases knowingly ingesting the standard that›s ever been abroad are already banned 29% wanted no spectators and over 14,200 deaths, substance and said she was applied in the past,» the from the sporting and 31% wanted the Games while just 15% of its innocent of any wrongdoing, athletes said in a letter extravaganza, which starts to be cancelled. population has received at saying in an announcement issued via the Clean Sport on 23 July. Suga›s handling of the least one COVID-19 posted on social media that a Collective. PUBLIC CONCERNS COVID-19 outbreak has vaccination. pork burrito she ate the night (Reuters) Prime Minister Yoshihide eroded his public support (Reuters)

Thiem withdraws Durham hit by positive Covid-19 test

Durham’s T20 Blast game year after David Willey, their from Tokyo Olympics against Lancashire on captain, tested positive and Thursday evening will go forced three other first-choice Eyes defending U.S. Open crown ahead despite “a number” of players to self-isolate, while their squad entering self- Northamptonshire and isolation after a member of Hampshire were both in the club’s support staff tested similar positions last positive for Covid-19. summer. “Durham Cricket can This week, Surrey confirm that a member of our announced that Ollie Pope support staff has tested would miss four fixtures after positive for Covid-19,” a club coming into contact with statement said on Thursday someone who had tested afternoon. positive for Covid, while Tom “As a precaution and Helm, the Middlesex seamer, following government is currently self-isolating after guidelines, a number of our The club later tweeted to side ahead of the Lancashire testing positive himself. Ben playing squad and support confirm that Thursday’s game fixture, with Sean Dickson Duckett, the Nottinghamshire staff are undertaking a period - which is being televised on replacing Jack Burnham. batter, missed the win at of self-isolation. The club will Sky Sports - would go ahead Durham are not the first Northamptonshire on Sunday continue to strictly follow all as planned from 7pm. club to be affected by playing as a Covid precaution. government and ECB Durham did not name the withdrawing due to self- guidance to ensure the safety players and staff affected but isolation. Yorkshire’s Blast of our staff and spectators.” made a single change to their campaign was derailed last

French GP practice Austria›s Dominic Thiem I›m starting to improve my withdrew from the Olympics conditioning and on Thursday, saying he did concentration little by little. Bottas leads Mercedes one-two not feel ready to give his best «My goal is to work hard in Tokyo, but was looking the coming weeks, give my Valtteri Bottas led champion Hamilton won clear of Hamilton after six run-off areas. forward to competing at best at Wimbledon and keep Formula One world from pole position in 2018 rounds. Aston Martin’s Sebastian Wimbledon this month and training and hopefully champion team mate Lewis and 2019 and Mercedes Alpine’s Esteban Ocon Vettel hit the barriers defending his U.S. Open title defend my U.S. Open title.» Hamilton in a Mercedes have also led every practice was fifth and McLaren’s backwards and nursed his later this year. Thiem won his maiden one-two in first practice for session. Daniel Ricciardo sixth with damaged car back to the Thiem, ranked fifth in the Grand Slam title in New the French Grand Prix at Bottas topped the Alpine’s double world pits, a set of tyres wrecked. world, has endured a torrid York last year to end the Le Castellet on Friday. timesheets in one minute champion Fernando Alonso “Those yellow rumble season with a 9-8 win-loss stranglehold of the ‹Big After two tough street 33.448 seconds, with seventh. strips on the exit of turn record in 2021. A French Three› of Novak Djokovic, races for the reigning Hamilton 0.335 slower and Neither Ferrari made the two have done an awful lot Open finalist in 2018 and Roger Federer and Rafa champions, Mercedes are Red Bull’s championship top 10, with Charles of damage to our car. They 2019, Thiem was knocked Nadal. hoping for a return to leader Max Verstappen Leclerc 11th and Carlos are just too aggressive,” out in the first round at Thiem is the second top- winning ways at a southern third with a lap of 1:33.880 Sainz 16th. complained Mercedes Roland Garros this year. five ranked player to circuit they have and Azerbaijan GP-winning Several drivers, including sporting director Ron The 27-year-old said he withdraw from the 23 July-8 dominated since its return team mate Sergio Perez Bottas, damaged their cars Meadows over the radio to discussed his situation with Aug. Olympics on Thursday to the calendar in 2018. fourth. and tyres on the kerbs and race director Michael Masi. his team and described after Nadal also pulled out Seven-times world Verstappen is four points brightly painted abrasive (Reuters) withdrawing from the earlier in the day. Nadal, 35, Olympics as a ‘very difficult is also skipping Wimbledon decision’. as the Spaniard bids to «For me, like all athletes, prolong his career. taking part in the Olympics «I am young and I hope to and representing my be able to play for Austria at country is a huge honour, the Olympics in Paris 2024,» and that makes this decision Thiem added. even tougher. However, World number one Novak 2021 did not start as Djokovic said on the eve of expected and I don›t feel the French Open that he ready to play my best in might consider skipping the Tokyo,» Thiem said on Tokyo Olympics if the two- Twitter. week sporting festival takes «These last two weeks I place without spectators. have been training hard and (Reuters) A16 sunday 20 june 2021 SPORTS High-performance pool Unclear Qualification System Leave Athletes in Quandary Dilrukshi not included despite SLA selection process meeting qualification standard comes under fire

By Anjana in May. Based on the has res ulted in Athletes Kaluarachchi Qualification Standard for the Elite Athletics Pool, performance in the three wondering about their Event Male Female competitions, SLA targets, as several For the first time in recommended three who have history, Sports Minister 100m 10.30 11.60 changes to the high- performed better Namal Rajapaksa took steps 200m 21.00 23.70 performance pool. than high to ensure 21 National track 400m 46.40 53.20 800m runner Champika performance and field athletes entered Dilrukshi achieved Elite pool athletes, into a contract and would 800m 1:49.20 2:06.00 pool qualification standard continue to get receive Rs 100,000 per 1500m 3:45.50 4:21.00 of 2 minute 06 seconds by nothing from month apart from nutrition 5000m 13:58.00 16:05.00 clocking 2 minute 03.86 the authorities. allowances. seconds in the event. Her It has also The Minister stated that 10000m 29:50.00 33:45.00 performance ranks as 11th created now it’s up to the Athletics 110mH/100mH 13.80 13.65 best performance in Asia confusion Association to carry out the 400mH 50.50 57.90 this year. among technical aspects, by setting Vinoj Suranjaya de Silva athletes, and qualification standards and 3000mSC 8:48.00 10:00.00 (100m) and Pasindu they are now making recommendations, High Jump 2.22 1.82 Kodikara (400m) were trying to while the High-Performance Pole Vault 5.40 4.10 removed from the pool. petition the Committee of the Sports Vinoj came in 4th place at High- Ministry will oversee the Long Jump 7.90 6.33 the National Trials and gave Performance funding. Triple Jump 16.50 13.40 up the race in the National Committee individually With the latest Shot Put 18.50 16.80 Championship. His in a bid to be included development, National seasonal best stands at in the pool based on athletes are wondering how Discus Throw 57.00 55.00 10.64 compared to his their performance after exactly they could get into Hammer Throw 71.00 57.00 personal best 10.27 each competition, as the said pool, as even Javelin Throw 80.50 55.40 achieved in 2018. they have lost hopes athletes who achieved Pasindu Kodikara did not about being treated fairly qualification standards have Decathlon/ Heptathlon 7200 5550 take part in any competition by SLA authorities even been excluded despite being Maximum Number of Athletes: No limit citing injury, while his after they meet the given recommended by Sri Lanka performance to get into the qualifying standards. Athletics. entry to the elite pool if they ministry can publish clear pool was 47.71 seconds in Another athlete, Javelin As per Sri Lanka can meet the tough qualification guidelines for 2020 December where he Thrower Dilhani Lekamge, Athletics, entry standard for qualification standards. the high-performance pool, finished 5th. In his place achieved the qualification the Elite pool is also “We are not arguing about it will give clarity to both they included Sahan standard (55.40M) with a considered entry standard the qualification system. athletes and coaches,” said Rajapaksa who finished throw of 56.94m during for the high-performance but we should be informed a coach who wished to second in the 100m at the Stage One of the Army pool. Entry standard for the about the system clearly. remain anonymous. National Championship and Athletics championship Elite pool was revised and We thought it’s the same as Since the high- Senira Gunarathne who held on 15 June, but the made more demanding, the elite pool entry performance pool was finished second in the former Asian hence, SLA had clearly standard, but if not, if there initiated, Sri Lanka National Trials clocking Championship Silver stated in the qualification is a limit per athlete for each Athletics conducted three 46.82 seconds. medalist has slim hopes of guidelines that there won’t event, and if there's a clear competitions - National But despite these changes being selected to the high- be a limit to the number of time frame when they alter Trials in April, a fitness Test being made, they have still performance pool with athletes in each event for the pool. If the Sports and National Championship not been implemented. This these developments. Champika Dilrukshi Dilhani Lekamge Sports Ministry asks SLA to Yupun to compete today in Madrid cut down on team to India South Asian 100m record holder Yupun Abeykoon will compete at the World Athletics silver medal meet (Meeting Madrid) at Reduces contingent from 15 to 5 Estadio Vallehermoso in Spain today. Just a week ago the Italian based sprinter finished fourth at the Rome Diamond League 100m clocking in at 10.16 seconds, and broke into the Olympic quota by World Ranking, becoming the first South Asian Athlete to be ranked in that list in the 100m. He is now ranked 50th in the also includes Rosin Ogunode Olympic ranking and 48th in from Qatar (10.0), Edward the world. Olympic ranking Alonso of Panama (10.01) and includes invitation entry places. Amaury Glitin of France (10.07), Yupun will be up against three making it one the toughest sub 10 runners with Akani competitions Yupun has had to Medhani Jayamanne (L) , Amasha de Siva (M) , Shelinda Jansen Simbine (9.89), Gift Leotlela face. The competition is (R) were named in the SL 4x100m relay team Aruna Darshana (9.94) - both from South Africa - classified category B, which will Himasha Eashan and Italian sprinter Filippo Toru give 100 points placing score for The Sports Ministry has to the original contingent. SLA to send only the team (9.99) in the line-up. The line-up 1st place. asked SLA to cut down on the However, the Athletics selected for the Kazakhstan 15-member team Federation of India has tour - Kalinga Kumarage time SLA receives a written recommended for the intimated they can provide (400m), Nadeesha reply from the Sports Ministry, forthcoming Interstate full board to only five Ramanayaka (400m), they are going ahead with the Athletics Championship in members, while only Sumedha Ranasinghe process of finalizing all India to five. accommodation will be (Javelin Throw), Nimali formalities for the visit to Ireland’s O’Brien To accommodate the provided free to the rest of the Liyanarachchi (800m) and India, and had asked all 15 request made by Indian contingent. Nilani Rathnayaka (3000m athletes selected for the tour to authorities, SLA included a Ceylon Today learns the steeplechase). call over at SLA headquarters 4x100m women’s relay team Sports Ministry had informed In the meantime, until such yesterday. (AK) ends ODI career Ireland all-rounder Kevin O’Brien, whose century against England in a 2011 World Cup match remains the fastest hundred in the tournament’s history, has quit one-day Rain washes out opening day internationals, Cricket Ireland said on Friday. Rain washed out the entire as it returned. The one-off match marks O’Brien wrote his name in the opening day’s play in the final The umpires inspected the culmination of a two-year record books with a 50-ball Kevin O’Brien of the inaugural World Test conditions at 1400 GMT cycle of the inaugural WTC, century in Bangalore 10 years Championship (WTC) between before the day’s play was launched in 2019 to create a ago when Ireland beat England and a privilege to represent my India and New Zealand at the abandoned. pinnacle event for test cricket. by three wickets, chasing down a country 153 times and the Hampshire Bowl on Friday. “Due to persistent rain, play India went with both their 328-run victory target with five memories I take from them will It had started raining in has been abandoned on day spinners Ravindra Jadeja and balls to spare. O’Brien smashed last a lifetime,” added the player Southampton on Thursday one of the #WTC21 Final in Ravichandran Ashwin while 113, clobbering six sixes in his who will be available for test and afternoon and Friday’s coin Southampton,” the governing veteran Ishant Sharma was 63-ball blitz, in the defining T20 cricket. toss could not take place International Cricket Council picked as the third seamer knock of his ODI career. The 37-year-old’s 3619 runs is because of the drizzle which (ICC) said on Twitter. ahead of Mohammed Siraj in “After 15 years playing for the third highest from his country ensured the square remained The organisers have their five-man attack. Ireland, I feel now is the right time and he is Ireland’s leading wicket- under cover throughout the Mohammed Siraj allocated a reserve day to New Zealand, currently the to step away and retire from ODI taker with 114 scalps in one-day day. make up for any lost time top-ranked test team, are yet cricket,” O’Brien said in a internationals. His father The rain relented for a while organisers had of starting the during the regular days of the to reveal their playing XI. statement issued by Cricket Brendan and elder brother Niall but whatever hopes the match after lunch evaporated match. (Reuters) Ireland. “It has been an honour also played for Ireland. (Reuters)

Published by Ceylon Newspapers (Pvt) Limited, 101, Rosmead Place, Colombo 7 and printed at its press at No. 302/1A, Minuwangoda Road, Ja-Ela.