Sunday 9 MAY 2021 Latest Edition Vol: 10/25 Price : Rs 70.00

Inside Story An Uphill Battle Against ‘Infodemic’

The World Health Organisation (WHO) recently declared that, in addition to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the world See on is also facing an “infodemic.” page A16 A10

Second dose of Oxford AstraZeneca Another Pfizer vaccine Approved gets green light By Dilanthi Jayamanne

The Advisory Committee of the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) has given the green light for Vaccine the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine, State Minister for Primary Healthcare, Infectious Diseases and COVID Control, Dr. said. May be Used Story Continued on page 2 COVID-19 attacks – Prof. Seneviratne 33 doctors, By Buddhika Samaraweera Suranjith Seneviratne, Professor and Consultant 70 nurses in Clinical Immunology and Allergy at the Royal If administration of the second dose of the Free Hospital and University College London. Oxford AstraZeneca COVISHIELD vaccine However, he emphasised it was imperative that Pregnant doctors, nurses continues to be delayed due to lack of stocks, such a vaccine be approved by a national or another approved vaccine available in the country global regulatory body. According to him, if a among infected could be used as a second dose, said Prof. vaccine for COVID-19 is approved by... By Dilanthi Jayamanne

Story Continued on page 2 With the total number of COVID-19 patients detected following the Sinhala and Tamil New Year festive season reaching 20,843, medical sources said over 30 doctors Ruwanpura No reopening of educational had also been infected by the virus. Expressway project bodies till further notice Story Continued on page 2 inaugurated Obtaining 600,000 doses of AstraZeneca By Thameenah Razeek The inauguration ceremony of the Ruwanpura Expressway project was held on Friday (7) at The Government has decided not President hopeful Temple Trees under the patronage of Prime to reopen schools, pre-schools, Minister . pirivenas, tuition classes and State Work on the first phase of the project universities, until further notice, WHO DG will help commenced, beginning with the construction of due to the sudden rise in the the 24 km section from Kahathuduwa to COVID-19 outbreak in the By Faadhila Thassim Ingiriya. The second and third phases of the country, Education Minister Prof. project will extend the expressway up to G.L. Peiris said. Despite the President on Friday (7) stated he Ratnapura and Pelmadulla, respectively. Government’s keen interest in believes Director General of the World Health continuing the education,... Organisation (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Story Continued on page 2 would make an effort to fulfil ’s need for Story Continued on page 2 600,000 doses of the Oxford AstraZeneca COVISHIELD COVID-19 vaccine, in order to administer the second To fight COVID-19 third wave dose to the people. AstraZeneca Second dose PM urges all to Sinopharm Story Continued on page 2 14-week gap receives WHO support Govt Bimshani Jasin Arachchi says; By W.K. Prasad Manju sufficient approval Jab for Lankans from I am still a DIG Prime Minister Mahinda – Medical experts Rajapaksa said he would urge Medical professionals have next week By Sulochana Ramiah Mohan all Sri Lankans to support the recommended that the second dose of Government by putting aside the AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD vaccine By Kumudu Jayawardana, The IGP has issued an internal circular dated 23 their differences, be it political can be given, even after 14 weeks, Tharaka Samman and Rebecca March 2021, ordering the removal of Chief of Police or otherwise, to conclusively without compromising the already built- Pavey Ombudsman Range Deputy Inspector General of and effectively tackle the up immunity in those who have received Police (DIG) Bimshani Jasin Arachchi from duty with spread of the third wave of the the first dose of the vaccine. Sri Lankans will be given the Chinese effect from 1 May 2021. COVID-19 pandemic, akin to the support they This was revealed while concerns were Sinopharm Vaccine from next week, The internal circular stated there will be changes had extended to the then regime to wipe out being raised among the public as to State Minister of Production, Supply brought forth in many posts and including the post of LTTE terrorism. whether those who had received the... and Regulation of Pharmaceuticals,... Chief of Police Ombudsman held by DIG Bimshani,... Story Continued on page 2 Story Continued on page 2 Story Continued on page 2 Story Continued on page 2 A2 sunday 9 May 2021 news COVID-19 infects 22 Cancer patients at Apeksha By Dilanthi Jayamanne hospital too found it difficult to go to (MOH) office of the area if a COVID-19 instructions given by the MOH office have had no contact with the those hospitals and treat cancer positive case was detected from of the area. particular employee were affected Acting Director of Apeksha Hospital patients. amongst their employees. According to epidemiological psychologically. He said that although Maharagama, Dr. Lalith Poddalagoda He said that a COVID treatment Treasurer of the Public Health instructions it is best for the contacts this had not been a problem earlier it told the media that the hospital was facility had been set up at the Hospital Inspectors Union Sri Lanka (PHIUSL), of that particular patient or patients, was currently becoming an issue in currently treating 22 Cancer patients with 77 beds inclusive of 25 beds for Yasas Mudalige on Thursday (6) said according to the epidemiological the accurate diagnosis of the cases infected with COVID-19. Cancer children to treat those suffering from that since of late the private sector instructions, to wait for a period of 10 and disease spread. Tests on other treatment was neglected when the terminal illness. institutions showed a tendency days when the viral load would employees- even contacts of the first COVID-19 infected cancer patients Meanwhile, Public Health Inspectors towards rushing to do PCRs on their increase and they would also show patient would turn out negative if were transferred to other treatment (PHIs) urged private sector institutions employees the moment at least one of symptoms if they too had contacted hurried PCR or Rapid Antigen tests facilities for the viral infection, he to take immediate measures to inform them was diagnosed with the COVID- the disease, Mudalige said. were carried out the moment one said. Also Oncologists at the cancer the relevant Medical Officer of Health 19 virus. “However it is best to follow Also, the contacts or even those who employee tested positive, he said.

Continued from page 1 Another Approved Vaccine...... a global regulatory body such as otherrelevantlocal authority, the V vaccine and US-made Pfizer- vaccine has been approved for use in matter, Prof. Seneviratne said it was the World Health Organisation vaccine can be substituted for the Biotech vaccine have been approved the United Kingdom, and Moderna up to the health authorities in each (WHO), the European Medicines second dose of the Oxford for emergency use in Sri Lanka by and Johnson and Johnson have country to decide which vaccine Agency (EMA), the Food and Drug AstraZeneca COVISHIELD vaccine, local authorities. been approved for use in Germany should be given instead of the first Administration (FDA), the Medicines in the context of Sri Lanka. Currently, various vaccines have and the United States. dose of a particular vaccine, of and Healthcare Products Regulatory In addition to the COVISHIELD been approved for use in different When inquired as to how the which the second dose is not Agency (MHPRA) in the UK or any vaccine, only Russian-made Sputnik countries. For example, the Moderna decision should be reached on the available.

President hopeful... Ruwanpura Expressway... The President on Friday held a virtual meeting vaccine from China. Construction up to previous Government had no the first 24 km of this road with the WHO Director General. As over 55 million individuals from 51 countries Pelmadulla is expected to be intention of developing the and that a local company is In his official twitter handle, the President said have successfully received the Sinopharm completed within two and a country and halted all overseeing the construction. that at the meeting, it transpired that approval vaccine, the President instructed officials to hold half years and is being development projects that “Highways are the most would be given for the emergency use of discussions with the health authorities of these overseen by the Road were underway. He added criticised projects in the Sinopharm COVID-19 within the next two to countries to assess the possibilities of the Development Authority, that the previous country,” stated the Premier. three days. expediting the administering of the Sinopharm added the Premier. Government also tried to However, he pointed out that He added that with the approval, Sri Lanka will vaccine in Sri Lanka. The Ruwanpura take their revenge following even these critics are now be able to start vaccinating the public with the While the second dose of AstraZeneca is Expressway is expected to their obtaining power. travelling comfortably on current stock of 600,000 Sinopharm COVID-19 currently being administered, President reduce traffic congestion, “We took back a country these highways. vaccine doses in hand. Rajapaksa added discussions are being held to reduce costs, save time, where national security and Prime Minister Rajapaksa Meanwhile, President Rajapaksa instructed obtain more doses of the COVISHIELD vaccine. facilitate access to tea, economy had come to a also noted the efforts of the officials to expedite the process of obtaining Rajapaksa made these statements at the apparel, minor export crop standstill,” claimed Minister of Highways COVID-19 vaccines and that of administering it to COVID-19 committee meeting held at the and gem markets and supply Rajapaksa. He stressed that who, the the public. Presidential Secretariat on the same day (7). points, expand investment the current Government only Premier said, was paying He stated that special attention should be given Officials who attended the meeting stated that opportunities including wants to develop the country “special attention to these to the Western Province where there is a higher necessary measures including that of isolation tourism and create new jobs. and implement the wishes of projects.” risk of the spread of COVID-19 adding that while orders in areas where COVID-19 patients have Speaking at the ceremony, the people. Minister of Highways the administering of the Sputnik Vaccine been identified have been taken to mitigate the the Premier said that plans He pledged to continue Johnston Fernando, State commenced on 6 May, health officials have spread adding that steps have also been taken had been taken to construct working for the benefit of the Minister of Rural Roads and received over 600,000 doses of the Sinopharm tomaintain hospitals at the required level. this expressway in 2014. people, no matter the Other Infrastructure “However, despite losing the challenges faced by the NimalLanza and Secretary to election we thought that the Government. the Ministry of Highways ‘Yahapalanaya’ Government The Prime Minister went R.W.R. Mr. Premasiri were would continue this on to note that the also present at the development.” Government is spending Rs. ceremony. No reopening... PM urges... He alleged that the 54.7 billion in local funds for (TF) He stated that striving to defeat an ...the Minister said the decision was taken to invisible enemy is a much bigger and prioritise health and safety of the students due to the greater challenge to the Government than prevailing vulnerability. attempting to overcome a visible foe like the The Minister further stated notices will be given to LTTE. But, he emphasised that if the public the students at least three days before the reopening are willing to adhere to the health COVID -19 attacks... Pfizer vaccine... of these institutions. guidelines 24/7 and restrict their Accordingly, 33 doctors had been infected with unwanted travels, it would not be the coronavirus with the emergence of the new Dr. Fernandopulle said as a result, the impossible to successfully curb the spread cluster. Sources said of them two were consultants. State Pharmaceutical Corporation (SPC) of COVID-19. The PM noted the Also, 70 nurses including sisters, serving in has ordered 5 million doses of the Pfizer Government had been able to curtail the hospitals around the country, had been tested jab. spread of the two previous waves of the positive for COVID-19, Chairman of the She said the vaccine had earlier Sinopharm receives... pandemic effectively due largely to the Government Nursing Officers’ Association (GNOA), received the approval of the World ...Prof. announced on support they had received from the public. Saman Ratnapriya said. Health Organisation (WHO). Friday (7). PM Rajapaksa also commended the They included nurses from District General Meanwhile, the Sputnik V jab was The Chinese vaccine received World Health untiring services rendered by those in the Hospital, Trincomallee (17), District General administered to 669 persons in Organisation (WHO) approval late Friday evening, heath and security spheres to control the Hospital, Matara (4), Base Hospital Kamburupitiya Gothatuwa on Thursday (6) when the and by the time this edition went to print it was yet spread of the virus as well as treat (2), and Teaching Hospital Anuradhapura (2), vaccine was first rolled out. Sri Lanka to receive approval by the National Medicines hundreds and thousands who had infected Teaching Hospital Peradeniya (3), Teaching received 15,000 doses of the Russian Regulatory Authority (NMRA). with the virus since Sri Lanka reported its Hospital Ragama (8), District General Hospital, COVID-19 vaccine and is scheduled to Meanwhile, CEO of the NMRA, Dr. Kamal first case of a COVID-19 last year. Chilaw (2), Teaching Hospital, Kegalle (2), Teaching receive more once its Russian Jayasinghe revealed they are unable to approve the He added the vaccination process was Hospital Karapitiya (4) and Base Hospital manufacturers are satisfied that the vaccine due to the lack of data received, which they also taking place successfully to prevent Walasmulla (3). country is able to meet the logistics and believe, however, has been submitted to the WHO. the spread of the third wave of the Responding to questions Ratnapriya said there cold chain required. “When approving a vaccine, we take three factors pandemic and noted that jabs of the WHO were pregnant doctors and nurses who were serving SPC General Manager, Dinusha into consideration, efficacy, quality and safety. recommended vaccines would be provided as frontline workers in battling COVID-19. Dassanayake, when contacted, said Right now, we are lacking data on the safety of the to 13.5 million of the population in the According to medical experts contacting the virus tentatively more doses of the Sputnik V Chinese vaccine, including data concerning country. after 28 weeks of gestation proved harmful to the jab would reach Sri Lanka towards the matters such as whether any side effects have been foetus. end of May 2021. reported by those who received the jab, and if so, The GNOA has already appealed to the Health Fielding questions he said that the how serious they were,” Dr. Jayasinghe said. Ministry to appoint the pregnant nursing staff Pfizer COVID-19 jab too would He, however, noted that in the event where WHO serving as frontliners to hospitals that did not cater tentatively reach the country by June or grants approval for the usage of the vaccine, it will to corona patients, Ratnapriya said. July this year. have satisfied all the necessary pre-requisites, and 14-week gap... will thereby be administered to locals from next week. ...first dose of the AstraZeneca/ Minister of Mass Media, COVISHIELD vaccine will get the second also noted that Sri Lanka was awaiting WHO’s dose following the 10-week gap marked on approval for the use of the Sinopharm vaccine. their vaccination cards. I am still... He added that nearly 52 countries apart from However, medical professionals are of ...the only woman DIG in far. In the meantime, Friday upon in the FR application China have approved the vaccine, with over the view that it is crucial to get at least one the country. The post has (7) a clarification on the bearing No. 354/2020 filed 100,000 million people from each of those dose into more people as quickly as been offered to another present official status, by by 33 Male SSPs challenging countries having received the Sinopharm jab. possible, to get a greater proportion of the senior person in the lawyers on behalf of their her said appointment. Sri Lanka received a consignment of 600,000 population, at least partially vaccinated. department along with many client DIG Bimshani Jasin- « In the circumstances, we doses of the vaccine on 31 March, as a donation According to them the Pfizer-BioNTech other changes executed. Arachchi, said that through have written to the IGP to from the People’s Republic of China. and Moderna vaccines are very effective in When Ceylon Today an Internal Circular dated immediately reinstate our A total of 2,865 Chinese nationals residing in Sri reducing symptoms, hospitalisations and contacted her, DIG 23 March 2021, the client in the appropriate said Lanka, for developmental activities, have been death among those who are infected, for a Bimshani said she a DIG Inspector General of Police duties, as the DIG Police administered the first dose of China’s Sinopharm period up to two months following the first until the Supreme Court has purported to remove Ombudsman Range and/or vaccine, of whom 2,435 have received the second dose. However, they have found issues the verdict, which is DIG Bimshani Jasin- to allocate other suitable dose. AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD supports the expected at the next hearing Arachchi from acting in her duties, with copies to Public same positive effects with a longer interval on 18. duties previously delegated Service Commission, the between the first and second doses. Reportedly 33 Senior to her, in the Police National Police Commission, Already a number of countries have Superintendents of Police Ombudsman Range with Ministry of Public Security extended the gap between the two doses to (SSPs) had challenged her effect from 1 May 2021, and and the Attorney-General,» even 16 weeks. Canada’s vaccination position of DIG as an illegal has failed to assign to her Attorney-at-Law Chrishmal advisors have adopted a policy of ‘first- appointment based on the any DIG range or other Warnasuriya said. dose-first’, saying delaying the second shot Police Commission Act and comparable duties to Furthermore, the lawyer will bring faster population-level had filed a Fundamental perform in the capacity of a said, it has now been protection. “Informed, expert opinion Rights Application DIG to date. revealed to their client that based on principles of immunology challenging her. Furthermore, the staff although it is claimed that indicates that a longer interval between One of the petitioners assigned to her office have there are 33 Petitioners priming and boosting doses of a vaccine was Police Legal Division been directed to report to challenging her series results in a better, more durable Director SSP Ruwan another DIG (Staff DIG) from appointment, it is in fact not response.” Gunasekara who condemned 4 May 2021 which so, that at least one of those Meanwhile, Spain has also extended the the National Police exacerbates her above so called Petitioners have not gap between the first and second doses of Commission’s decision to position which also has a consented to any such AstraZeneca vaccine in order to inoculate appoint DIG Bimshani, who direct adverse bearing on her action and the petition has a greater number of people against the has served the Police position in the matters been filed without his virus as soon as possible. Department for 25 years, so presently being deliberated knowledge. news sunday 9 may 2021 A3 Person nabbed with Bird Migration Day Was Yesterday

By Thameenah Razeek Lanka from many countries. per day. In the first six contribute to the Rs 25M in narcotics Due to the climatic months of 2020 alone, 800 conservation of nature so been questioned, Police World Migratory Bird Day conditions of our country, tonnes of face masks were that the birds, which are a found a stash of 4.5 Kg falls on 8 May every year and there have been reports of imported to this country. marvellous creation of nature of hash and Rs 400,000 the theme this year was some birds not returning but Therefore, I urge the public to that adorns our country, which the suspect had ‘Sing, Fly, Soar - Like a bird.’ settling here. pay attention on cutting off could be protected,” he earned through drug Bird migration is Speaking about World threads that connect to the concluded. trafficking, DIG Rohana considered to be the Migratory Bird Day, Minister ears on either side said. He added that the migration of birds from said of the mask when approximate value of different parts of the world to that he instructed the disposing it. It has the drugs found in the other countries for climatic Central Environmental also been reported raid was Rs 25 million. as well as biological reasons. Authority (CEA) to that a large DIG Rohana Bird migration often occurs immediately edit the National number of birds explained that this in some countries with the Red List and prepare a new die as a result of haul of drugs could be onset of winter. As a result, volume. Accordingly, the the thread getting Treshan Fernando The raid took place in traced to Kimbula Ela birds find it difficult to find launch of the new edition was stuck in their Bloemendhal, Guna, a notorious drug food and habitat, so they fly scheduled to take place this necks,” he said. The STF arrested a and a 23-year-old was trafficker who has fled in search of suitable climates. week, but it was decided to “Countries person with narcotics arrested. DIG Rohana to India and his brother During the bird migration, postpone it for a few more around the world worth Rs 25 million in revealed that Police Suresh. the exact route they are days due to the prevailing celebrate World an operation conducted found two kilograms of Further taking can be seen. It clearly COVID-19 situation. Migratory Bird on Friday (7), Police ICE in the possession investigations shows where they stop to rest “At present, the amount of Day. Therefore, it Spokesman DIG Ajith of the suspect. regarding are ongoing. as well. About 115 to 150 face masks disposed of in our is our Rohana said. Once the suspect had species of birds migrate to Sri country is about 15 million responsibility to

Spread of COVID-19 Airborne transmission not the main method – WHO

By Sulochana Ramiah Mohan

As the coronavirus spread is escalating in Sri Lanka, the World Health Organisation (WHO) Colombo Office said the airborne transmission of COVID-19 does not appear to be the main way the virus spreads. Fielding a question on whether the virus is airborne, Spokesperson, WHO Office, Colombo, Sahani Chandraratne, told Ceylon Today the virus predominantly spreads when infected people are in close contact with others, through particles of different sizes (droplets and aerosols). Though airborne transmission of COVID-19 has been reported in some scientific studies, the virus that causes COVID-19 infection mainly spreads between people when an infected person is in close contact with another person – direct contact, or possibly contaminated surfaces. “Airborne”has a specific medical meaning, and applies to diseases such as measles and tuberculosis, that are mainly and predominantly transmitted through the air over long distances and for a long time, even after an infected person has left a space. She added that transmissibility of the virus not only depends on the amount of viable virus being shed and expelled by a person, but also on the type of contact they have with others, the setting and what prevention and control measures are in place. “Based on available reports, the WHO has described some situations where the virus can be airborne in medical facilities where there are specific medical procedures (called aerosol generating procedures) and in some indoor, enclosed, and poorly ventilated settings in which the virus can hang in the air and can travel over longer distances. The risk increases in crowded settings,” she added. The WHO said, it is important to remember that consistent adherence to protective measures recommended (distancing, hand washing, use of masks, avoiding crowded spaces, opening a window, etc.) can limit transmission of COVID-19, as we have seen in several countries.

More CEB workers contract COVID-19 Complete breakdown in power supply possible – Trade Union Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) Trade Union stated the CEB’s administration is running operations in complete ignorance to the increasing number of employees tested positive for COVID- 19. The union in a letter to Minister of Power, stated that if necessary precautions are not taken to avoid the spread of COVID-19 among staffers, there could be a complete breakdown in electricity supply that will affect the whole country. They stated that steps should be taken to provide proper quarantine facilities to staffers testing positive for COVID-19, vaccinating employees, temporarily suspending the need to report to work for those not involved in direct operations and to provide face masks and disinfectants. The union further stated an allowance should be granted to encourage employees to use private transport. Copies of the letter were sent to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Director General of Health and the Commissioner General of Labour. A4 SUNDAY 9 MAY 2021 FOCUS

Travel advisory on India comes after media intervention Tourism During a Pandemic at What Cost? suffocating without oxygen. By Sulochana Ramiah Mohan Amidst growing concerns of soaring COVID-19 numbers in India “We still invite tourists to Sri and reports of Indians entering Sri Lanka and airports are open and Lanka illegally with the help of there is no ban on any countries,” Northern fishermen, several parties an official said a few days back. including health officials expressed “There is good passenger traffic at concerns to consider a temporary the Bandaranaike International travel ban on Indian arrivals. Airport (BIA) and all scheduled This is in the wake of reports that flights, some 20, are coming,” said at least 38 out of Indian tourists another. An official at the Ministry who came to Sri Lanka under the of Tourism said they heard the current bio bubble since 1 April had Minister had banned Indian arrivals tested positive for COVID-19. but all some did was brush aside All these came to a halt after the underlying health crisis with CAASL Director General Captain the emergence of the new COVID-19 Themiya Abeywickrama officially variant and start marketing the announced the ban on the Indian country just to please the travel bubble. Government and earn a buck while Sri Lanka is one of the few the virus was still at large. countries in the region that is still The underlying issue during the open to tourism under the bubble novel coronavirus (COVID-19) programme.The SLTDA also pandemic is the uncertainty and announced that all national parks, any initiatives could come to a halt Mirissa, Sinharaja Forest Reserve, instantly;as it did the ‘bio-bubble Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, tourism’ especially the ‘Indian Pinnawala Open Zoo and bubble tourism’which was launched Ridiyagama Safari Park will be on 1 April. closed for local and international The initiative almost triggered tourists another catastrophic virus spread However, under the bio-bubble in Sri Lanka, but thanks to Media programme, all foreign travellers applying pressure, the Indian can only visit Sigiriya, bubble tourism was grounded on Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Thursday (6) which possibly averted Sri Dalada Maligawa and the colossal damage. Peradeniya Botanical Gardens. The Civil Aviation Authority of Sri The SLTDA informed all travel Lanka (CAASL) on Thursday (6) agents and level 1 hotels catering to announced that passengers bio-bubble travellers currently travelling from India will not be visiting Sri Lanka to comply with permitted to disembark in Sri Lanka the restrictions imposed. with immediate effect. However, According to travel agents both flights to repatriate Indians staying initiatives have been suspended but in Sri Lanka are in operation, not officially declared by the according to Sri Lanka Tourism Ministry of Tourism. The Development Authority information that had been shared (SLTDA). Also, they have instructed power. One such example was the were ready with sufficient oxygen Indian tourists with several travel agents and hotels to stop taking bookings from Brandix Garment workers employed supplies. Foreign Media and even in Sri Lanka stakeholders but not yet formally Indian tourists due to the prevailing in India who were brought back to India’s Supreme Court accused the announced, may be due to COVID-19 situation in India Sri Lanka with no proper Modi administration not to blame Given the situation in India when diplomatic reasons, noted a The CAASL has also sent a similar monitoring that caused severe State Governments. The Supreme even their Supreme Court has been member of the Sri Lanka notice to Indian, IndiGo and hardship on the garment workers in Court also ordered Indian States straight forward enough to call a Association of Inbound Tour Srilankan flights to BIA carrying the Free Trade Zone. The factories and Police to stop the clampdown spade a spade, Sri Lankan officials Operators. tourists and foreign worker from were shut down and the workers on COVID-19 grievances on Social were tip-toeing and murmuring over CAASL had to say this… Chennai, Mumbai, New Delhi, were stranded without and unable Media. whether to ban the Indian tourism Bangalore, Madurai, Trichy, etc. to return to their boarding places. As of now, India has surpassed bubble or not. CAASL Chairman Upul Accordingly, Srilankan Airlines There was no allowances or reliefs what all other countries Insiders of Sri Lanka Tourism had Dharmadasa said that SriLankan halted flights bringing Indian and many took to social media to experienced in this pandemic in the also been raising concerns but were (Passenger and Cargo), IndiGo tourists and foreign workers on voice their grievances. The ‘Brandix last one and half a years. unable to voice any as they don’t (Passenger and Cargo), Air India transit schedule from Thursday. As cluster’ was later renamed the The fact that the Indian Premier want to be ‘sacked’ on the spot. (Passenger) (Spice jet, Go Air, Vistara of 6 May, the number of arrivals at ‘Minuwangoda cluster’ to avoid League (IPL) tournament continued There were two kinds of tourism – was approved but have postponed BIA dropped drastically and all brand damage. Then there was a while people were looking for places that have been in operation until their commencement) HRI - IndiGo charter flights from India have been ‘fish market cluster’; fishmongers to bury their kith and kin was the ban on Indians entering the (Seafarers Exchanges only) are halted. were bundled up and taken to surreal. Until 4 May, IPL matches country. One was the tourism operating at present in BIA. “There However,travellers from other various quarantine centres, leaving were held with no spectators at the bubble programme and the other has not been any such decision taken destinations are allowed. Tourism is their families anxious. stadiums, but the cricketing body was foreign workers quarantine to shut down the airports now,” he under the bubble programme and COVID-19 control was basically postponed the tournament, leaving facility. The quarantine tourism added.He also said that there is no airports are still open and will intertwined with politics and the players and others in limbo. concept designed by a local travel new travel advisory for countries remain open, CAASL said. This too rest was history. According to sources, Australian agent came into play later and was affected by COVID-19 communicated can dangerous. However, these coaches, players and commentators supported by SLTDA as a new to the CAASL at present. programmes will probably continue India in trouble have left India for the Maldives. module.Hit hard by the pandemic, The pandemic is escalating and the until the situation worsens. What’s going on in India now is India’s COVID-19 disaster was Sri Lanka tourism soon introduced events unfolding in India is a Sri Lanka experienced a spike in calamitous to say the least. While invited by political rallies and the country as a sort of “transit forewarning of what could go wrong in COVID-19 cases in March 2020. the world watched the events religious festivals that were held in quarantine hub” to generate Sri Lanka if oversight and pleasing Between then and now, the unfold, the Indian Government the last two months leading to the revenue. others are prioritised in the coming Government and public learnt many made several unsolicited decisions Indian Assembly elections when the This controversial “transit days. At this juncture, Sri Lanka is lessons that cannot be repeated at that led to the most fearsome rise UK variant of the virus began to quarantine” system allowed foreign known to have controlled COVID-19 any cost. inCOVID-19 deaths and virus show up in many States. workers to stopover in Sri Lanka for in the Asian region, but we have to To recall, many flouted all COVID- spread in the world. Participating in those rallies and 14 days by paying exorbitant rates hold on to that status. 19 restrictions which brought death Today, Indians are silent and religious events braving the virus for hotels, USD 12 insurance and The Government must be and turmoil to many homes. The holding their lives in their hands. proved futile and brought disaster two PCR tests before their departure transparent without politicising the poor, the garment workers and the Many share tweets and send upon the Indians and led to many to the country where they are pandemic or letting the blame game labourers paid a heavier price. messages to their loved ones and countries imposing travel bans on employed. continue. Despite the Government’ handy friends that they are not sure the country. Australia even advised Even some Indians wondered That way, the virus’ spread can be initiatives, implementing them whether they would be alive Indian-origin Australians who whether some of their countrymen curbed because the situation can get proved a tough task. There were tomorrow. The Indian Government visited India not to return and are touring Sri Lanka while their out of hand at any point. those elites and VIPs misusing their said it did not see this coming nor warned of arrests and large fines. country was cremating bodies and [email protected] news sunday 9 MAY 2021 A5 Gateway Students S Korean Envoy joins #live_ together_campaign Challenge Enter Best South Korean Ambassador in Sri Lanka Santhush Woonjin JEONG joined #live_together_ campaign Challenge, the global Social Media Supporters’ campaign to fight against racism. Ambassador JEONG nominated Dr. Punchi Nilame Meegaswatte, the Secretary General of Sri Universities Worldwide Lanka National Commissioner for UNESCO, Dr. Sunil Jayantha Nawaratna, Director General of Gateway students continue to secure National Institute of Education, Dr. A. Saj U. admission to the most prestigious universities in Mendis, the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the the USA, UK, Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Republic of Korea, for taking up the challenge next. Malaysia, Singapore, New Zealand and Japan, The live together campaign is a global movement with scores of students currently studying in the which builds solidarity against racism and top 200 Universities – based on the Times Higher discrimination. Education World University ranking. Most recently, a few Gateway students entered the world’s most prestigious seats of learning that include Stanford, MIT and Dartmouth in the USA and Cambridge in the UK. There are also many students who have received handsome scholarships, some up to 100% from very reputed Universities. It is heartening to see many Gateway students entering the most sought-after institutions of higher learning that include the 8 Universities in the IVY League in the USA, 24 Universities in the Russell Group in the UK, the Go8 (Group of Eight Universities) in Australia and the U15 (Fifteen Canadian Public Research Universities) Purdue University West Lafayette in Canada. Dartmouth College Among the popular destinations of Gateway students are: Getting three students into Stanford within a Stanford University short period of time augurs well for Gateway Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) College. Stanford receives 45,000 applications University of Cambridge each year and only 5% of those applicants are Army-improvises University of California, Berkley accepted into the university. In total, companies University of Chicago founded by Stanford affiliates and alumni Imperial College London generate more than $2.7 trillion annual revenue, State-of-the-Art University of Pennsylvania which would be the 10th largest economy in the UCL (London) world. These companies include Google, Nike, COVID-19 Hospital Columbia University Netflix, Hewlett-Packard, Sun Microsystems, Final touches to open the first-ever biggest Army- University of Toronto Instagram and Charles Schwab. Stanford alumni improvised COVID-19 Hospital in Seeduwa, National University of Singapore (NUS) also have founded nonprofit organisations like equipped with all vital health facilities, consequent New York University (NYU) Kiva and SIRUM. The first American woman to upon the generosity, extended by Chairman, University of Edinburgh go into space is also an alumnus of Stanford. Brandix, Ashraf Omar are now in progress with the University of Melbourne Since opening in 1891, Stanford counts 19 Nobel express objective of giving the best emergency University of British Columbia laureates within its community today. healthcare to affected Sri Lankans free of charge, University of Hong Kong (HKU) Breakthroughs at Stanford include the first according to General Shavendra Silva, Head of McGill University successful heart-lung transplant, the debut of National Operation Centre for Prevention of COVID- University of Manchester the computer mouse, and the development 19 Outbreak (NOCPCO), Chief of Defence Staff and University of Sydney of digital music. Commander of the Army. Chinese University of Hong Kong Gateway’s focus on academic success The state-of-the art facility with emergency Australian National University (ANU) supplemented by co-curricular activities, work treatment unit, isolation sections, resuscitation Monash University experience, volunteering, social service and the units, ICU, medical stores, etc is the first of its kind University of Amsterdam development of key skills that foster creativity, in Sri Lanka that came up in less than a week on an UNSW Sydney critical thinking, communication and initiative taken by the Army to face with any Utrecht University collaboration has without doubt contributed contingency in the wake of resurgence of the 3rd University of Warwick towards its students being accepted into these COVID-19 wave in the country and has the capacity Delft University of Technology prestigious seats of learning. to accommodate 1200 patients at the initial stage after its opening shortly. A6 sunday 9 may 2021 focus Possible to Mix and Match Vaccine Doses – Prof. Suranjith Seneviratne By Buddhika Samaraweera approved for use in the United States and the European Union. In Germany and There is a lot of talk in the country France, initially the Oxford- AstraZeneca about rolling out of the second dose of the vaccine was only administered to those Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine. below 60 years. Subsequently, a decision However, India, which is currently was taken in these countries to use other producing the vaccine, has stopped vaccines (Pfizer or Moderna) as the second distributing it to other countries. It is also dose in those who received the Oxford- reported that the second dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine as first dose and were Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, currently under 60 years. available in Sri Lanka, is sufficient for He also said the Chinese-made BBIBP- only a one third of Sri Lankans who have CorV vaccine, made by Sinopharm, has not already received the first dose. been approved for use by the Sri Lanka Based on the matter, many regulatory body. The WHO is currently misconceptions about vaccination have evaluating this vaccine for potential been published by now and in that approval. If the vaccine does get approved background, Ceylon Today contacted by the WHO in the coming days or weeks, Prof. Suranjith Seneviratne, Professor Prof. Suranjith Seneviratne the potential of using this as a replacement and Consultant in Clinical Immunology 19. A vaccine against a specific virus works context that it is impossible to source the for the second dose of the Oxford- and Allergy at the Royal Free Hospital and recommendation is the second dose of the against that particular virus, he mentioned. Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine for use in the AstraZeneca vaccine may become an University College London and Health Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine be taken 10 Also, revealing something that many coming weeks or months. option, he said. Services Laboratories, London, to inquire to 12 weeks after the first dose. However, people are not aware as of today, Prof. In addition to the Oxford-AstraZeneca He added in a situation of a severe into the matter. when inquired about the fact that some Seneviratne added that if the second dose vaccine, the Russian-made Sputnik V shortage of the Oxford-AstraZeneca First, he noted that with the rapid are saying there is no need to get the of the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine vaccine has been approved for use in Sri vaccines (as is seen presently), an extension spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus second dose of this vaccine (as a solution continues to be delayed for months, Lanka. Currently, the Sputnik V vaccine is of the dosage interval to 13 or 14 weeks worldwide and the rush to vaccinate as for the delay in sourcing it), he pointed another approved vaccine that is available still to be approved by any of the global may be discussed and considered. It is not many persons as soon as possible, there out that by not getting a second dose of a may need to be considered as a second regulatory bodies but it has been approved the recommended option, but something to is a massive global shortage of COVID-19 two-dose COVID-19 vaccine (such as the dose instead. However, he emphasised that by nearly 65 countries. be considered when such a global vaccine vaccines. He pointed out that in such a Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine), this would it was imperative that such a vaccine be Prof. Seneviratne said that when a global shortage is encountered. However, one situation, there are several matters that result in the lack of a boost of the approved by a national or a global regulatory body such as the WHO approves would need to be certain that in this grace should be taken into account regarding immune response against the virus. Such regulatory body. a certain vaccine, local institutions in a period of one or two weeks, the Oxford- those who have taken the first dose of the an immune boost is recommended to According to him, if a vaccine for COVID- number of countries would generally and AstraZeneca vaccine could definitely be COVID-19 vaccine but have not yet ensure more optimal longer term immune 19 is approved by a national regulatory usually use this fact to approve the vaccine sourced and received, he said. received the second dose. responses against the SARS-CoV-2 virus. authority (in the country where the person in their own countries too. However, in rare However, Prof. Seneviratne added that if Prof. Seneviratne said health experts Meanwhile, when asked about the resides in) or global regulatory body such situations this may not be the case. there is hardly any or no possibility of generally agree that mixing and matching propaganda circulated by various parties as the World Health Organisation (WHO), Currently, various COVID-19 vaccines getting more doses of the Oxford- of the vaccines should be fine. Such a that not taking the second dose of the the European Medicines Agency (EMA), the have been approved for use in different AstraZeneca vaccine in the time interval, it process has the potential to increase vaccine could weaken the ‘entire immune Food and Drug Administration (FDA), countries. For example, Pfizer, Oxford- would be fruitless waiting this extra time of flexibility and resilience of immunisation system’, he said the vaccine does not the Medicines and Healthcare AstraZeneca and Moderna vaccines have one or two weeks and consideration be programmes and allow vaccines to be boost the ‘entire immune system’, but Products Regulatory Agency (MHPRA) in been approved for use in the United given to the possibility of using an rolled out more quickly. increases specific-immunity against the the UK, this vaccine could be considered Kingdom, and Pfizer, Moderna and alternative approved vaccine as the He also said the current SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID- (for substitution) as the second dose in the Johnson & Johnson vaccines have been second dose.

Putting Indian SARS-CoV-2 variant under the microscope By Buddhika What is the Indian Does the Indian variant Potential adverse effects of viral mutations of the new variants. The Samaraweera variant of SARS-CoV-2? cause more severe disease? vaccination programme A: The recently described Ability to spread more quickly in humans should be rolled out at India is currently Indian variant of SARS-CoV-2 A: Currently, there is no speed to make greater experiencing a devastating is called B.1.617. This variant evidence that the B.1.617 numbers of persons have second wave of COVID-19. was first noted in a sample Ability to cause more severe disease in humans variant is more deadly than some degree of immunity More than 400,000 new cases collected from India in the earlier SARS-CoV-2 against COVID-19 and thus and 3,500 deaths from October 2020. Since mid- Ability to evade detection by specific diagnostic tests strains. Scientists in India, reduce high background COVID-19, were reported each March 2021, there has been a the UK and US are actively levels of transmission. day recently and in recent rise in the number of COVID- investigating this aspect and times, multiple SARS-CoV-2 19 cases in India due to the Decreased susceptibility to therapeutic agents (Mab's) should be updating the What may have caused viral variants have been B.1.617 variant. matter shortly. the critical situation circulating in India. The This variant has 15 lineage Ability to evade vaccine induced immunity which India seems to be Indian variant (B.1.617) has defining mutations when Are the COVID-19 in? now become the dominant compared to the sequence of vaccines effective A: In the recent days, variant spreading in some the initial SARS-CoV-2 virus against the Indian there seemed to be a States such as Maharashtra. and it has been informally variant? relaxation of social The situation in India is also referred to as the ‘double A: The slightly different distancing measures in likely to have an impact on Sri mutant’ in the press and by shape of the spike protein in India and many events were Lanka, its closest neighbour, several commentators. This is the Indian variant may held with the participation since this variant is likely to to spotlight the two critical effects of the changes on present in other SARS-CoV-2 prevent the immune system of many people. For enter Sri Lanka, especially mutations that are found in disease severity or the ability variants such as the UK recognising it effectively. examples, elections rallies, through the people travelling the receptor binding part of the of the virus to evade strain. The P618R mutation This may allow it to escape religious events and many from India. virus spike protein (namely the immunity that a person is also thought to make it some of the circulating other events were being held The Sri Lankan authorities E484Q and L452R mutations). develops after a SARS-CoV-2 easier for the virus to neutralising antibodies. and it must have had an were seen taking measures to One mutation, known as infection or following spread. As yet, we do not definitely impact on the current beef up maritime security to L452R, is also found in the COVID-19 vaccination. know how effective the situation in India. prevent Indians from entering B.1.427/B.1.429 variant that What is the E484Q Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & the country, following reports was identified in California. It Is the Indian variant mutation? Johnson, and Oxford/ How important is it that people from South India has been associated with more transmittable? A: This is similar to the AstraZeneca vaccines are at to follow steps such are coming to Sri Lanka due increased transmissibility. The A: Laboratory studies are E484K mutation first protecting against the as wearing facemasks to the rapid spread of the change E484Q, is similar to the beginning to provide identified in the South B1.617 variant. On 23 April and hand washing virus there. E484K mutation found in the information about the effects African strain. There is 2021, an early report was in relation to this Recently, a woman who had South African variant (B.1.351 of mutations seen in the evidence that this mutation published that stated the variant? arrived in Sri Lanka, by boat variant) and Brazilian variant Indian variant and initial may help the virus escape B.1.617 variant was A: Wearing facemasks and from India and another (P.1 variant). modelling studies have antibodies that bind to the neutralised in vitro by the maintaining social distance woman who had come with suggested that the B.1.617 virus and neutralise it. Thus sera of persons who had are very important. All these her were arrested in the Has this variant been variant may have a higher it may help the virus to either recovered from steps are very important for Kochchikade area in detected in any other growth rate when compared partially evade immunity COVID-19 or had received any COVID-19 variant, and Negombo and it was reported country? to the other SARS-CoV-2 conferred by prior infection the Covaxin vaccine. This have central importance and that they had arrived from A: The existence of the so- viral variants circulating in or vaccines. study is still to be peer necessity with regard to a the port of Tuticorin in India. called ‘double mutant’ was first India, thus pointing to reviewed. The authors situation like what can be The two women were later confirmed by India’s Ministry of potentially increased What is the L452R stated thatcompared to seen in India at present. directed to quarantine. Health and Family Welfare on 24 transmittability. mutation? persons who have recovered Especially, by adhering to In this context, there is a March, 2021. One day later it Both the L452R and A: There is some evidence from COVID-19, the ability steps such as wearing possibility of the Indian was confirmed in a case from E484Q changes make the this mutation increases how of the serum of vaccinated facemasks, the viral load SARS-CoV-2 variant entering San Francisco. So far the Indian spike protein bind more well the virus can bind to people to neutralise the that may potentially be Sri Lanka and Ceylon variant has been detected in over easily to cells. It has a better ACE2 receptors on the B.1.617 variant was around transmitted would be Today therefore, contacted 20 other countries, including the fit for human cells and can surface of our cells. As such two-fold less. reduced. This means, even Prof. Suranjith Seneviratne, United Kingdom (UK), United easily gain entry into cells. receptor binding is a vital if the virus is transmitted Professor and Consultant in States (US), Australia, Germany, Some experts speculate the step in the virus getting into What steps could be from one person to another, Clinical Immunology and Nigeria and Turkey. B.1.617.2 variant may be partially our body cells, it could make taken at this stage? the viral load would be Allergy at the Royal Free variant was reclassified on responsible for India’s it more infective. It also has A: The rapid rise in much lesser. The spread of Hospital and University Friday as a ‘variant of concern’ current surge in SARS- the capacity to escape some COVID-19 cases in India the virus should be College London, to inquire from the earlier ‘variant of CoV-2 infections. Another neutralising antibodies that needs to be monitored and controlled as much as about some important interest’ by the Public Health mutation that is also seen in are found in persons who studied carefully. Social possible as increased matters with regard to the England, UK. Currently, the Indian variant is the have recovered from a distancing measures should transmission increases the Indian variant of SARS- several studies are being P681R mutation. This SARS-CoV-2 infection or not be relaxed as this could chance of developing more CoV-2. carried out to determine the specific mutation is also who have been vaccinated. lead to a more rapid spread viral variants. PCR tests from 15-04-2021 to 04-05-2021 focus Total PCR tests (approximately) 300,000 sunday 9 may 2021 A7 State laboratories 200,000 Private hospital laboratories 100,000 (50% done by one hospital)

TakingThird wave (15-04-2021 toa 04-05-2021) RationalPCR tests from 15-04-2021Look to 04-05-2021 Total cases 20,000 Total PCR tests (approximately) 300,000 Recoveries 7,000 State laboratories 200,000 Deaths 75 Private hospital laboratories 100,000 (50% done by one hospital) aty a pecial COVID-19 Third Wave B S being put across to the Correspondent Total deaths 04-05-2021 Third wave (15-04-2021 to 04-05-2021) country by the health PCR tests from 15-04-2021 to 04-05-2021 authorities and they are The world is now in the grip Total PCR testsNo (approximately) of Deaths 300,000 Cluster presently engaged in of the third wave of the StateFirst laboratories wave 13200,000 First infected tourist guide Total cases 20,000 comparing the situation in Sri devastating COVID-19 Private hospital laboratories 100,000 (50% done by one hospital) Recoveries 7,000 Lanka to that of India where it pandemic. This is the same in Second wave 621 Brandix/Peliyagoda Fish Market is at an alarming level. Sri Lanka too. While the Deaths 75 Present COVID-19 Government is battling to ThirdThird wave wave (15-04-2021 to 04-05-2021)75 New Year revellers safeguard its citizens against Total cases 20,000 situation this debilitating illness, some conditions. Although that they are not catering to these firms are currently people have of this disease to Recoveries 7,000 unscrupulous elements are guidelines had been issued by the demand in the society. maintaining a monopoly in their own gain as well as By 04-05-2021 a total of Deaths 75 attempting to rip off the Government towards the Also, certain private hospitals this field. These companies advantage.Total deaths These 04-05-2021 115,590 people had unsuspecting people, who carrying out of PCR tests at are in the habit of pushing are also propagating theNo idea of Deathspeople are striving Ctoluster contracted the COVID-19 rush to get themselves tested, private hospitals,Total certain deaths 04-05-2021such employees of certain that PCR tests should be destabilise the programme virus, and out of that number in fear that they had come hospitalsNo of seem Deaths to exceedC theluster institutions to undergo the increased further,First with wave the initiated13 by the GovernmentFirst infected tourist99,153 peopleguide (85 per cent) into contact with the virus. limitFirst waveset in those13 guidelines. First infected touristTotalPCR guid tests, edeaths when accordingan employee to agaime of selling more PCR test to prevent people from falling had totally recovered. Also, so At present, the laboratories Furthermore,Second wave certain621 privateBrandix/Peliyagoda falls Fish victim Market to the virus. kits. They are presentlySecond wave victim621 to this dreadedBrandix/Peliyagoda illness far, 734 Fish had succumbed Market to of this country have the hospitalsThirdAge wave group are in the75 habit NewFirst of Year wave revellerMeanwhile,s thereSecond are only wave a engagedThird in wavepropagating thisTota l as well as belittle those who the symptoms of this virus. capacity to carry out 15,000 carrying out PCR tests with few companies that are school of thoughtThird among wave the are engaged75 in the Newtask of Year revellerAnothers 17,805 are PCR tests daily. However, due purely0-1 financial motives, 0 engaged in selling1 PCR test public,0 through the use of 1 saving the lives of scores of continuing to receive to such tests being conducted while there are allegations kits in this country, while various social media people who are infected by it. treatment at hospitals. daily, exceeding the limit, 1-10 0 1 platforms,0 through various 1 These people are therefore Of the number of patients there is the possibility of test Total deaths according to age firms, officials and media engaged in achieving their who were detected with results getting delayed from outlets. vested political interests COVID-19 during its third Age group First wave Second wave Third wave Total being released the following 11 -20 0 3 These1 companies, with the 4 through this sordid exercise, wave, from 15 April this year, day. It is no secret that 0-1 0 1 0 1 use of various social media while they are also in the 7,000 had totally recovered certain results tend to get 1-2110 -30 0 0 1 0 5 1 platforms,0 sites, media outlets5 habit of using Totalcertain deaths accordingwhile 75 others to ag hade perished delayed for days on end. The and influential officials, are in Opposition politicians to fulfil from it. Hence, the total reason for this is 1131-20-4 0 0 0 3 1 20 4 the process2 of spreading the22 their dreams in this regard. percentage of deaths recorded contamination of test results 21 -30 0 5 0 5 view to the societyAge that group the TheyFirst also wave attempt to distortSecond during wave the third waveThird stands wave Total at certain laboratories, 31 -40 0 20 2 22 current COVID-19 situation the data regarding the at 0.38 per cent to date. The exceeding the limit that it 41 -50 5 48 here8 is dreadful 0-and1 thereby 61 number0 of infections and 1 percentage during the0 second 1 41 -50 5 48 8 61 could cater to. 51 -60 3 85 striving13 to twist the image the10 1 deaths from COVID-19 that is wave stood at 0.67 per cent A complete rip-off 51 -60 3 85 13 101 1-10 0 1 while it was 0.38 per0 cent 1 61 -70 2 154 20 176 PCR tests from 15-04-2021 to 04-05-2021 during the first wave of this Taking this factor into 61 -70 2 154 20 11 -20 176 0 3 pandemic. Hence, there1 has 4 consideration, the 71 -80 2 192 17 211 Total PCR tests (approximately) 300,000 not been a steep rise in the Government allowed certain Above71 - 8080 1 2 112 1419 2 127 State17 laboratories 211 200,000 number of deaths during the private hospitals to carry out Private hospital laboratories21 -30 100,0000 (50% done by one hospital5) third wave, as depicted0 by 5 PCR tests, subject to certain Total 13 621 75 709 certain groups. Above 80 1 112 14 31 -40 127 0 20 2 22 Total 13 621 Third75 wave (15-04-202141 -50 to 04-05-2021)709 5 48 8 61 Total cases 20,000 Recoveries 51 -60 7,000 3 85 13 101 Deaths 75 61 -70 2 154 20 176

71Total-80 deaths 04-05-20212 192 17 211 No of Deaths Cluster First wave Above13 80 First infected1 tourist guide 112 14 127 Second wave 621 Brandix/Peliyagoda Fish Market Third wave Tota75l New Year 13reveller s 621 75 709

Total deaths according to age Age group First wave Second wave Third wave Total 0-1 0 1 0 1 1-10 0 1 0 1 11 -20 0 3 1 4 21 -30 0 5 0 5 31 -40 0 20 2 22 41 -50 5 48 8 61 51 -60 3 85 13 101 61 -70 2 154 20 176 71 -80 2 192 17 211 Above 80 1 112 14 127 Total 13 621 75 709

A8 sunday 9 MaY 2021 Sunday 9 MAy 2021 A9 A10 Sunday 9 may 2021 focus An Uphill Battle Against ‘Infodemic’

By Treshan Fernando foreigners,” read one of the Sinhala- theories. The way misinformation everyone worse off. Fake news laws language messages found posted on works, she added, was that it thrives can easily be manipulated for political The World Health Organisation Facebook by AFP Fact Check Sri off peer pressure. Handunnetti means. (WHO) recently declared that, in Lanka. explained that when your friends and Additionally, she noted a crucial addition to the ongoing COVID-19 Posts such as these are rife on social family share various stories with you, layer of hypocrisy for the Government pandemic, the world is also facing an media and can very easily delay efforts regardless of their truth, there is a to impose fake news restrictions on “infodemic.” Defined by the WHO, an by the Government to distribute the social pressure to accept those social media as often the Government infodemic is a situation where too COVID-19 vaccine if people become theories. too is complicit in major much information including false or convinced that they should avoid the It is evident that this degree of disinformation campaigns. She misleading information in digital and vaccine. misinformation carries with it grave questioned how, in such a backdrop, physical environments during a consequences for the future of public the Government can then outlaw fake disease outbreak. What are social media health and the pandemic. A poll of news. For everyone to safely defeat this companies doing right adults in the U.S. conducted by However, despite this, Handunnetti pandemic it is vital that people are Monmouth University found that one also made it clear that the Government made aware of factually authentic now? in five people still refuses to get the can take certain steps to prevent information. For instance, steps that Alice Budisatrijo, Misinformation vaccine. misinformation that is unrelated to should be taken to protect oneself Product Policy Manager at Facebook Such a situation could drastically legal enforcement. Better engagement from COVID-19 could help save Asia Pacific held a Press briefing delay the ability for Governments to with the community was one countless lives. recently where she explained steps control and ultimately defeat the suggestion she raised as a mechanism However, in the increasingly digital that Facebook takes to prevent the pandemic. for curbing misinformation. world, experts noticed an uptick in spread of misinformation. misinformation during this pandemic. She acknowledged that What can be done about A civic duty A study conducted by the German misinformation is extremely misinformation? Unfortunately, irrespective of how Marshall Fund Digital found that problematic especially in the context much effort that social media during the pandemic engagement with of a pandemic. As a result, Facebook While fact checkers may be unable platforms, fact checkers and sites that fail to gather and present has launched a remove, reduce and to identify and scrutinise every Governments put in to prevent the information responsibly – especially inform strategy in a bid to control this questionable post on social media, spread of misinformation, at least a Fox, Daily Wire, and Breitbart – has issue. A piece of misinformation found online Handunnetti said the one thing fact portion of fake news will get past these grown by 293 per cent. Given the bulk of posts on Facebook, debunked by AFP Fact Check Sri Lanka checkers are capable of doing is actors. As a result, tech companies like a mix of artificial intelligence and discrediting a person or an institution. Therefore, when encountering news Facebook and its affiliated social third-party fact checkers are employed year 16 million pieces of The threat of being publicly or theories on social media it is vitally media platforms have started taking by Facebook to verify various theories misinformation regarding COVID-19 disproven acts as a disincentive for important to be critical of the article in action against this ‘infodemic.’ Fact and news articles published on its have been removed by Facebook and groups to spew false content online. question. Checking the website on checking watchdogs such as Fact platforms. another 167 million posts were Additionally, she noted that the which the article was published, the Crescendo and AFP in Sri Lanka are Misinformation about COVID-19 flagged. public must be aware that not date of publication, the sources quoted trying to stop the spread of that could lead to imminent physical Despite all these efforts, Facebook everything found online is factually (or lack thereof) are useful ways to misinformation. harm, hoaxes about COVID-19, ultimately relies on local fact checking accurate. determine if news articles are factually Despite their efforts, the battle misinformation regarding vaccine watchdogs to ensure that these posts Fact checkers denouncing pieces of accurate or not. seems to look increasingly hesitancy are all taken down by are verifiable. Unfortunately, given the news that are false can help members If the quality of the news is unwinnable. Facebook. However, she also said that bulk of misinformation, and its of the public build a healthy sense of sketchy, choosing to not share the Facebook, nor any other single capacity to be spread, local fact scepticism when it comes to article or link until you are sure it is What is misinformation institution for that matter, should checkers struggle to keep up. consuming news found online. verified is another way to prevent the and disinformation? ever become the arbiters of truth. Questioned about if social media spread of COVID-19. This reduces As a result, misinformation that falls Local fact checkers platforms are doing enough to the traction that fake news stories While often used interchangeably, out of the listed categories are not Dilrukshi Handunnetti, an executive prevent the spread of get and lowers the number of people misinformation and disinformation are taken down, but Facebook reduces its director at the Centre for Investigative misinformation, she replied that misinformed. not synonymous. Misinformation is circulation. False or altered stories, Reporting told Ceylon Today that in Facebook and other platforms must Misinformation makes life harder for “false information that is spread, spam or sensational news articles and the age of the pandemic, fact checking manage several posts a day and fact everyone trying to keep the spread of regardless of intent to mislead” pages that are often deemed to share saves lives. Debunking false news checking each and every one would COVID-19. The risk of vaccine according to Dictionary.com, whereas fake news have their reach reduced. stories and paving the way for citizens be a mammoth task. hesitancy, which is already worryingly disinformation refers to false Budisatrijo conceded that social to learn about COVID-19 from trusted While response times for taking high abroad, may also soon rear its information, disseminated in a hostile media platforms should not be sources could lead them to make down fake news is not at the level it head in Sri Lanka. Those who are act of tactical political subversion. restricted to a great extend as the better health related decisions. should be, she noted that being able to misinformed may also end up making AFP Fact Check Sri Lanka noted beauty of social media is its freedom. However, she also acknowledged instantly identify and take down decisions that negatively affect their several instances of misinformation Instead, Facebook also employs a that the sheer volume of misinformation is much easier said own health and well-being by, for floating around social media during strategy of information. misinformation and disinformation than done. Yet, it is perfectly within instance, choosing not to wear a mask the time when Sri Lankans were first Posts that contain fake or makes it extremely difficult for fact the rights of the public to demand a for fear of suffocation. offered the COVID-19 vaccine. misleading news, and posts which are checkers. Large scale, orchestrated certain level of accountability when it Misinformation and disinformation “Don’t take the murderous corona lacking context, are flagged by disinformation campaigns are nearly comes to these large-scale companies, are serious issues that may cause vaccine. All those who use the COVID- Facebook and a label is placed near impossible to stop, she said. she added. dangerous consequences in terms of 19 vaccine given by the Government the link. If the post is false, a link to an Additionally, in terms of Handunnetti also argued against this pandemic. The public should will die within a year due to their article debunking the theory is also vaccinations, she noted that laws designed to prevent fake news. always be vigilant and careful when bodies weakening. This is all part of an placed next to it. misinformation is at a stage where She said that those laws may be reading news and other theories, attempt to sell Sri Lanka to She revealed that since March of last nearly everybody has their own abused by Government making especially on social media.

Contactless documentation can reduce disease spread SL still lags behind in switching to e-documentation By Sandeep Tissaaratchy to increase efficiency and minimise the lagging. platform is needed by Government country. risk of corruption is higher when The primary issue with organisations who are interdependent According to Verite Research, the Going paperless in Sri Lanka has documentation is digitized. E-documentation according to and require large amounts of lack of initiative and inability on the been a conversation that has lasted In fact, Government organisations Professor Samarajiva, is the difficulty coordination. Government’s part to move the country over many decades in the country. such as the Customs Department in properly authenticating a document Another issue that Professor towards acceptance of electronic However, this topic has reached new echoed this ideology in the past when once it is formatted. “A valid signature Samarjiva raised is that the documents and electronic signatures, levels of importance given the COVID- they said that efficiency in work will be needs to be in all official documents Government does not have the despite Sri Lanka having an enabling 19 pandemic in the country. boosted as a result of digitizing work, and there must be someway in capabilities to systematically archive legislation and other core requirements COVID-19 has taken the lives of simply because it streamlines various authenticating it. In Sri Lanka right documents. “Many departments such in place for almost a decade, is letting millions across the globe and high processes. They added that it will be now, there is no way to ensure as the Examinations Department down the Sri Lankan cross border infection rate is one of the most deadly easier to regulate and monitor universal authentication,” Samarajiva require a method to store certification traders at many different levels. characteristics of the pandemic. workers in the department with said. Accordingly, although the law and documentation which they are It is clear that although there needs In such circumstances, when most better technology. allows E-documentation, the finding difficult to do. We have to to be more support for better Government institutions continue to According to research technical capacity in the remember that even if paper technology in place, a clear delay in the predominantly use paper as the main conducted by the Non- country isn’t enough. documentation deteriorates, so does processes can be witnessed. form of documentation, instead of Governmental Organisation A electronic storage if we do not take care The country does not have time to converting to e-documentation, they ‘Verite Research’ hugeInfrastructural to properly build a secure system,” he waste in implementing risk the threat of increasing the spread e-documentation is sure to authentication said. e-documentation, especially of COVID-19. improve global considering the nightmarish scenes in In addition to the most pressing competitiveness of Sri Safeguards and firewalls its neighbouring countries such as issue, which is the constant threat of a Lanka’s exports and In essence, without constructing India who are suffering devastating disease that has affected countries logistics and reduced safeguards and firewalls within the effects of COVID-19. around the world, going paperless has processing costs that technological systems, all the issues many benefits that will boost the burden Government that were generated by paper Knowledge and productivity of Government authorities and for documentation, which the Government capabilities organisations in the country. businesses. is trying to move past, will resurface in e-Documentation is not a new term According to their research Sri the form of e-documentation. Sri Lanka has the knowledge and for Sri Lanka who enacted the law Lanka’s counterparts and direct “It is a sensitive issue that requires capabilities to introduce updated and enabling acceptance of electronic competitors around the world have coordinating and careful planning. I improved information technology in the signatures which was passed in 2006 moved far ahead though the benefits understand the urgency to implement daily functioning of the country, with the enactment of the ‘Electronic of Internet and Communication proper systems given the current proving that raw resources such as Transactions Act’ in 2006. Technology (ICT) adoption. climate. However, we cannot make a labour are in fact readily available for Proving that the country’s single mistake as it will give birth to the country’s use. What is e-Documentation economy will reap benefits when many other problems which will make Protecting the safety of our people, and what are its benefits? improved Communication problems so much worse,” Professor and reducing the spread of COVID-19 Technology is implemented. Samarajiva said. in the country is the number one Simply e-documentation refers to any The path to convert from paper priority of Governments across the transactional document which is Why is it taking so documentation to e-documentation is globe. Going paperless will not only exchanged between trading partners in long? yet to be properly constructed in the improve economic, legislative and daily an electronic format and manner. country. However, that does not mean activities but will also save many from Electronic documents are no different Ceylon Today spoke with to the Government can delay unnecessarily getting infected from than paper documents. However, the former Chairman of Information and the process any longer. COVID-19 and possibly losing their benefits to E-documentation in a Communication Technology Agency Considering how a long- lives. country like Sri Lanka are too big to (ICTA) of Sri Lanka Professor Rohana time frame has elapsed from The time to implement what was ignore. Samarajiva who explained that the initial legal legislation that already introduced is now. By doing Other than the clear benefit of although legally Sri Lanka has was the first step forward, Sri Lanka this, we are one step ahead of a reducing the risk of COVID-19 accepted E-communication, there are needs to begin the practical process dangerous disease that does not spare infections in the country, the abilities other technical factors that are which will show proper changes in the anyone that comes its way. interview sunday 9 may 2021 A11 Global Vaccine Shortage Requires Immediate Action – Dr. Olivia Nieveras

By Vindya Amaranayake vaccine procurement and supply A: It is normal for viruses to Healthcare systems all operation in history. COVAX is working change, but it is still something around the world are Dr. Olivia Nieveras, Officer-In- in partnership with the World Bank, scientists follow closely because overwhelmed due to the Charge, WHO Sri Lanka, explained in ADB, member countries, civil society there can be important sheer number of cases and a brief interview with Ceylon Today organisations, manufacturers, and implications. All viruses, including some are on the verge of why the global shortage of vaccines others to fulfil its mission to help end SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes collapse. What assistance and the global and local surge in the acute phase of the pandemic as COVID-19, change over time. So far COVID-19 cases require immediate quickly as possible by enabling global hundreds of variations of this virus does the WHO provide to action. equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines. have been identified worldwide. such countries? While there are issues on timely WHO and partners have been A: WHO is supporting countries by In your statement, you delivery and countries like Sri Lanka following them closely since providing tools and resources on how to mentioned 'countries cannot are now having gaps in vaccine January 2020. predict, prepare, and plan for a surge in vaccinate their way out availability, COVAX is adopting a multi- Most changes have little to no cases. This includes health system of this problem'? Can you prong approach to remedy this impact on the virus’ properties. strengthening and workforce elaborate more on this? problem. However, depending on where the development at the global and country A: COVAX is a global vaccine COVAX began delivering vaccines in changes are located in the virus’s levels. WHO, with partners, conducted a A: Vaccines are part of the toolbox initiative co-led by Gavi, the Vaccine early March. To date, the Facility has genetic material, they may affect health system capacity estimation to combat COVID-19. It is extremely Alliance, the World Health delivered over 53 million doses to 121 the virus’s properties, such as including human resources, equipment, important to combine vaccination Organisation (WHO) and the countries around the world. transmission (for example, it may supplies, ICU capacity, etc. We also with public health and social Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness spread more easily) or severity (for supported the country in preparing to measures. The global shortage of Innovations (CEPI), funded by Each new variant of the sars- example, it may cause more severe receive and roll out vaccines. vaccines and the global and local donations from governments, cov-2 virus appears to disease). Furthermore, WHO supported human surge in COVID-19 cases means multilateral institutions and be more robust and fast- More information can be found resource capacity building through the immediate action is needed. We must foundations; with UNICEF leading on spreading than the previous here: https://www.who.int/news- translation of 6 courses online training stay the course and “do-it-all” and do procurement, logistics, and storage ones. Is there a scientific room/q-a-detail/sars-cov-2- modules from Open WHO and the WHO it better. This means, along with globally in what will be the largest explanation for this? evolution Academy into Sinhala and Tamil. vaccination, we need to continue practising physical distancing, wearing masks, washing our hands with soap, increasing ventilation, avoiding crowds, disinfecting surfaces, and staying home if not feeling well or asked to by a health authority. You also mentioned, “We have evidence-based tools to reduce the spread” such as "avoiding crowded places, confined and closed spaces". Are vaccines one of those 'evidence-based' tools? A: Yes, COVID-19 vaccines are a key evidence-based tool to reducing the spread of COVID-19. Vaccines are a global public good: Everyone benefits when anyone is vaccinated. There will be no true health or economic recovery unless all parts of the country and world reduce the impact of COVID-19; vaccines are a key part of that. The main purpose of COVID-19 vaccines is to reduce death and severe disease. That’s why vaccines are first given to older people and people with comorbidities who are at higher risk of experiencing severe disease. Getting vaccinated may also protect the people around you because if you are protected from getting the disease, you are less likely to infect someone else. This is particularly important to protect people at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19, such as older people and people with comorbidities. It also helps protect people who cannot be vaccinated, like people with allergies to the vaccine. As more virus variants are being discovered, there are questions with regard to vaccine efficacy. Is there a plan, at the global level to address this issue? A: Viruses change as they circulate, this is normal and common. Some of these changes may alter the virus characteristics (e.g., increase their transmissibility). Therefore, it is key to stop the spread of the virus as soon as possible by using public health and social measures (e.g., hand hygiene, physical distancing, mask use, avoiding crowds, etc.) to reduce transmission. Widespread vaccination is also crucial because as more people get vaccinated, the circulation of the virus will be reduced, and the opportunities for new mutations and variants will also reduce. More studies are needed to assess the effectiveness of the current COVID vaccines against the variants, however current preliminary data suggest that the vaccines stimulate enough immunity to retain substantial efficacy against most variants especially for severe disease, hospitalisation, or death. In other words, current evidence shows that current COVID-19 vaccines provide substantial protection against severe disease and death from COVID-19, even with emerging new variants. Vaccine manufacturers are also working to adapt the vaccines if needed. How successful and effective has the COVAX facility been, in deploying vaccine consignments to vulnerable regions? A12 SUNDAY 9 MAY 2021 EDITORIAL EDITORIAL SUNDAY 9 MAY 2021 A13 Govt. Blamed for Promoting The leadership we want in COVID times

By

Indian author Arundhathi Roy, writing to Superstitious Beliefs the Guardian newspaper described the Indian government’s failures in the face of COVID-19 As the House was debating the current that. You informed us that he cannot be as a “crime against humanity”. Certainly, the pandemic situation in the country, President brought to Parliament because of COVID-19. news and images from India are heart- Gotabaya Rajapaksa arrived in Parliament on Now Weerasekara is saying another thing. All of breaking. When a society has reached a point 5 May and took his seat in the Chamber. these are lies.” Sarath Weerasekara where whether you are able to access life- Upon arrival at 10.05 a.m., he was accorded MP M. A. Sumanthiran: “This is the first time saving treatment or not, whether you live or a warm welcome, at the main entrance, by ever that a minister has told Parliament that an locked horns in die, whether you are able to grieve properly the Chief Government Whip Johnston MP detained, using an administrative detention when you lose a loved one, depends on your Fernando along with State Ministers Kanaka order, cannot be brought to Parliament. This Parliament with Field position in society, your connections and your also seems to be uncertainty about procuring Banning Herath and D. V. Chanaka. has never happened in the history of this House. Marshal Sarath wealth – that society has hit rock bottom. vaccines even for the second dose for those Minister of Trade Bandula Gunawardena Until an MP is convicted judicially, he doesn’t These are consequences, – make no mistake, already given the first. was delivering his views when President lose his seat in Parliament. If what Minister Fonseka on 5 May, over these are not accidents - of deliberate actions It is on this issue that the global inequalities Rajapaksa took his seat. Weerasekara says is a rule, then someone can the latter’s recent and policy choices, of callous and in Roy’s in the health sector and the power of the The House was originally scheduled to be administratively detained on suspicion for words, coldly indifferent leaders. pharmaceutical industry is most evident. Chemical debate the Colombo Port City Economic three months and lose his seat. That cannot be statement on former Sri Lanka today is also at tipping point. For While rich countries are hoarding vaccines, Commission Bill, but the date had to be the rule. The President and the Prime Minister several successive days, the number of COVID the industry is making billions in profit. Poorer deferred as the Speaker had not received the should speak up and clarify the Government’s army personnel Sunil positive people has been a little under 2,000 a countries are falling way behind in vaccinating Supreme Court’s determination on the Bill. position on the matter. If this continues any Rathnayake, who was day. Since, this is based only on the numbers their populations. The head of WHO has said The decision to delay the debate was taken at political opponent can be detained without tested, we can only assume that the numbers that the world is on the brink of a ‘catastrophic Fertiliser the Parliamentary Business Committee being found guilty and lose his parliamentary convicted of the are in reality higher. Reports from health moral failure’ due to vaccine inequity. It is not meeting, chaired by Speaker Mahinda Yapa seat.” murder of eight personnel on the frontlines are not good – only in the vaccine roll out that the inequity is The use of inorganic chemical fertiliser for paddy Abeywardena. The Opposition MPs started to shout in hospitals are reaching full capacity and evident: the ability to engage in health seeking cultivation in the country was synchronous with the Secretary General of Parliament Dhammika research, that dangerous strains of the virus protest against Weerasekara’s remark. SJB MPs civilians, including a people, even after testing positive, are forced to behaviour – whether as a country or as an mechanisation of farming practices. Up to about Dasanayake informed that Parliament had had entered the country and recommended , Mujibur Rahuman, Field stay at home since intermediate treatment individual – is intimately tied up with socio- 1960s it was organic fertiliser that was solely used. not received the determination of the certain precautions, the Government Marshal , S. M. Marikkar and toddler in Mirusuvil in centres and hospitals are both at full capacity. economic conditions. The poor and the under- Soon after harvesting paddy, the straw was spread Supreme Court, on the constitutionality of continued to disregard their advice and also spoke in protest against 2000, and released For those who are asymptomatic or showing privileged are the hardest hit. on the stubble and set fire to. The branches of the the Bill, as yet. continued with their political agendas Weerasekara’s statement. mild symptoms this may not be a problem, but TRIPS waiver trees on the irrigation canal embankments forming Instead, it was decided to have an resulting the death of scores of valuable lives, “Weerasekara cannot change the existing recently through a worryingly, this particularly strain of the virus the hedges (badavetiya) of the paddy fields were adjournment debate on the current COVID- he stressed. Laws and violate privileges of MPs. If he wants seems to be more vicious. Therefore, the At the moment, there is a growing lobby chopped off and put on the muddy surface for the 19 situation in the country. He also recommended that the public to do that he should bring a new Constitution,” Presidential Pardon demands on the health sector are increasing. demanding a Trade Related Intellectual green leaf to decompose, adding more nitrogen to The Adjournment debate on current There is plenty of space transport system should be better monitored Harsha de Silva asserted. This is not just in terms of infrastructure but Property Rights (TRIPS) waiver for COVID the soil thus ensuring the urea component. Pits full COVID-19 situation in the country was held to prevent close contact and to break the Weerasekara: “I am the one who is responsible also human capacity. For example, providing a vaccines. In a major policy shift, the US (home of cow dung that were invariably there next to the leaving all the doors to the House open on 4 in the Nelum Pokuna cycle of infection. for the public security of this country. Not, this patient ICU care is not simply about to some of the biggest pharma companies cattle sheds were added to supplement it. May. This is the first time in which a Theatre which is not Senaratne also said that facilities of the Opposition and Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka. I “You obtain money from Diaspora to disgrace provisioning an ICU bed – but requires a team including Modena and Pfizer that is Just before the sowing of the germinated paddy Parliamentary Sitting was held in this Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) requested the Speaker not to allow any MP who the military. You even went to BBC and said of specialised doctors, nurses, equipment and manufacturing COVID vaccines) has agreed to seeds by broadcasting manually, bone manure (eta- manner. Usually, all the side doors are kept being used at the Hospital should be utilised to meet the ICU is detained under the PTA to attend Parliament. the military committed war crimes.” medication. These, especially the human a TRIPS waiver. Yet, working out the Kudu) made of animal bones obtained from closed during the sittings. moment. So it could be facilities to deal with the growing cases. We cannot act as the Opposition says.” Fonseka replied, saying Tamil people voted resources are much harder to deploy modalities of how this will work will require slaughter houses and meat stalls, manufactured by With the permission of Speaker Mahinda used as a COVID treate- Bathiudeen heats up Chamber Who is the better Sarath? for him because they knew that the Army suddenly. more lobbying, negotiation and hard work. The reputed companies, was added to the muddy paddy Yapa Abeywardena and Secretary General carried out a humanitarian mission. The Increase in maternal morbidity pharmaceutical industries have already fields. Another interesting feature of the application Dhammika Dasanayake, the side doors on ment centre by arrang- A heated debate erupted in Parliament over Public Security Minister Rear Admiral (retired) military should never show mercy to soldiers started lobbying against the waiver and of fertiliser to paddy lands was the adding of dried- both sides of the chamber were left open to SJB MP being allowed to Sarath Weerasekara locked horns in Parliament who committed war crimes, including Sunil One of the greatest threats of COVID is the countries such as the UK, the EU, Canada and fish refuse along with grains of salt collected from allow as much ventilation as possible so as ing beds. Apart from attend Parliamentary sittings. with Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka on 5 May, Ratnayake, he said. pressures it places on the health sector and its Australia have resisted this move. Also, it’s not village provisions boutiques, to complete the not to jeopardise the security of the House. Nelum Pokuna Theatre, Opposition Leader over the latter’s recent statement on former Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa called consequences not only in terms of managing only on the vaccine per se that a patent waiver process. According to Serjeant-at-Arms Narendra requested Speaker Mahinda Yapa army personnel Sunil Rathnayake, who was on the Speaker to remove the comments made the epidemic, but for managing other health is required, but on the technology that The varieties of paddy cultivated at the time were Fernando, a number of steps has been taken Millennium Ward Abeywardena to allow the MP to attend convicted of the murder of eight civilians, by the Public Security Minister from the issues as well. As all attention, resources and accompanies its production and roll out. All mainly Sinhala Samba, Sudu Wee, Kottiyaran and to make Parliament more safe, keeping in line Complex, at the Colombo Parliament under the parliamentary including a toddler in Mirusuvil in 2000, and Hansard. capacity get diverted to COVID, other equally this means that as important as the vaccine is, Heenati. It is significant that both raw rice milled with the COVID-19 health regulations. He privileges. released recently through a Presidential Pardon. pressing and urgent health issues are it will be some time before its impact will be from Sudu Wee and the par boiled rice prepared said that the air conditioning in the chamber South Teaching Hospital At this juncture, Public Security Minister Field Marshal Fonseka recently said in Taking tips from Ranil neglected and overlooked. Already, health felt. from all four varieties were tasty and nutritious and was operated in a way that it was ventilated and the Polonnaruwa Sarath Weerasekara said, “I request the Parliament that granting pardon to Rathnayake With the sudden upsurge of the number of personnel have warned that there may be an The time has also come to seriously take in addition free from poison as the use of inorganic from the outside. Speaker not to let Bathiudeen, who is cannot be accepted. In response to this people falling victim to the third wave of the increase in maternal morbidity due to the stock of the impact of decades of policies that chemical fertiliser for paddy farming was not known At the commencement of the Sittings, the Renal Treatment detained under PTA, to attend the statement Weerasekara accused Fonseka of COVID-19 pandemic, the UNP too decided to pressures wrought by COVID on the system. encouraged privatisation of health care at the time. The yield was about 40 bushels per Speaker requested all Parliamentarians to Hospital, could also be proceedings. There is an investigation going making statements that betray the nation and temporarily defer its weekly party activities This is why health and medical experts have putting profitability over social justice. This acre. But to compensate, it was a treat to eat Samba adhere to the Health Guidelines given by the on regarding the Easter Sunday bombings, the military. and public meetings etc. been stressing the importance of not letting ethos has also had huge consequences for rice that was oily, with just coconut sambol! Health Authorities in the wake of the COVID used as COVID which is a matter of national security. If Fonseka, rising to a Point of Order, fired back Party leader had the COVID situation overwhelm the health research and development, where At that time all the activities connected to paddy -19 situation in the country. treatment centres Bathiudeen is allowed to attend Parliament at Weerasekara saying that the latter is a already given instructions to Party General sector. This is of course an incredibly difficult competitiveness and profit drive research farming were performed by all the farmers getting He urged MPs to follow the health and if he reveals sensitive information about disgrace to the military uniform. Secretary to conduct thing to do. It means managing the spread of agendas rather than collaboration and need. together. The ploughing was done with neat cattle guidelines when working outside Parliament the investigation using his privileges, the Weerasekara: “A person like you is not the said activities through the Internet only. the virus while simultaneously increasing the TRIPS waivers of medication and vaccines and buffalos, the sowing manually and the as well. The MPs, staff of Parliament, other investigations will be hindered. It will give an suitable to be a Lance Corporal, let alone being The leader too decided to remain indoors at capacity of the health sector. should not be simply about responding to harvesting with the sickle. Weeding and carrying the affiliated staff, Parliament journalists, and opportunity to other suspects, who are yet to a Field Marshal. You have a proven record of his 5th Lane residence, while the Party seniors Strict implementation of health ‘exceptional’ circumstances. The morality of harvested paddy in bundles to the threshing ground security personnel were requested to support Teaching Hospital and the Polonnaruwa be arrested, to even flee the country.” treason during the war and having lied to your and medical professionals had advised the TRIPS in areas especially relating to health, (Kamatha) was done by women. All the farmers and adhere to the Health Guidelines such as Renal Treatment Hospital, could also be used Premadasa: “When Bathiudeen’s matter own comrades and got them murdered. You former not to venture outdoors. Hence the regulations is paramount education, innovation and research must be getting together in farming activities called a goyam wearing masks, washing and sanitising of as COVID treatment centres,” he said. was taken up for the discussion at the betray the country. You know nothing about leader too decided to engage in party activities questioned. kaiya smacked of the collectivisation that existed hands, and maintaining social distance when Speaking further, Seneratne said that the Parliament’s Business Committee, none of this and yet you dare to make false accusations. through online media such as Zoom and More than a year on, what we know is that Meanwhile, in Sri Lanka, our challenges are from ancient times up to 1815 when all land in the attending and being present in Parliament medical experts suggest to lock down the the attendees, including the Speaker, the It is not only you who took part in winning the WhatsApp etc. As he was confined to his as of now, we have not been able to strengthen far more fundamental. Our problems are country was owned by the Sinhala king. No doubt and when acting outside Parliament. country. Leader of the House, raised that concern. It war. I was one of the five honoured for winning residence the leader decided to finish the the capacity of the health sector to deal with primarily at the level of leadership – whether in the King/Queen had given lands to the Buddhist Opening the debate, SJB MP Dr. Rajitha “When these experts suggest something has been informed that Bathiudeen is a close the war. Rathnayake was convicted during remaining work of a book, which he is this ongoing crisis. ICU units have only politics, business or education. We seem to be temples and to some of his/her favourites! Senaratne requested the Government to use like this, the Government supporters try to contact of a COVID-19 patient. But we do not former government. It was based on a statement presently writing related to politics in the increased marginally, quarantine centres, saddled with leaders of incredibly narrow In addition to using only organic manure for the Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaksa sling mud at them using the photos they know much details about that. That is why I given by a terrorist named Maheswaran. Now, Asian region. treatment centres, testing facilities and vision, with petty and selfish agendas. paddy cultivation and the weeding done manually Theatre as COVID-19 treatment centre. have taken with me during the meetings held officially asked you about the matter.” this Field Marshal also repeats same things as Hence, he decided to devote much of his laboratories etc., and are still insufficient. It is Combine that with incompetence and (by hand) initially and using a wooden device pulled Senaratne noted that it is not safe to admit when I was the Health Minister. This is not The Speaker: “I was informed that he is a the terrorist.” time to this particular task, other than evident that the government lost focus insecurity and you have a recipe for disaster. across the field by a man. Pest control was done by COVID-19 patients in hospitals with Tertiary acceptable,” he added. close contact of a COVID-19 patient. Now Fonseka (interrupts): “I said what was in the discussing Party work with Party activists demonstrating either ignorance or disregard This country does not lack in experts, moving a coir cord with pieces of cloth immersed in Care Services because by doing so, the virus He also noted that there is a severe there are two concerns. We can have a Supreme Court verdict, nothing else.” through the Internet. In the meantime, when for the nature of this virus. What the world efficient administrators or competent heated resin (dummala) attached, by two men. Only could be spreading more. shortage of certain medicine like thyroxin in lengthy discussion about this later and take Weerasekara: “That is because you take the leader rang Vajira Abeywardena last has learned over the past several months is professionals. Yet, they are being side-lined the paddy fly (goyam messa) was there to control at “There is plenty of space in the Nelum the country at the moment. a decision.” money from the Tamil Diaspora. Rathnayake Tuesday, the latter was at a private hospital in that this virus mutates resulting in a cycle of today. COVID must be managed by health the time and it got stuck in the sticky pieces of cloth. Pokuna Theatre which is not being used at He slammed the Government saying that Chief Opposition Whip : was pardoned based on the fact that only he Colombo. Vajira said that he had arrived at infections. No country will be able to drop its professionals and those experienced in disease In addition other methods such as transplanting the moment. So it could be used as a COVID they paved a path for superstitious beliefs “Now we are hearing three different stories was convicted while all the other accused in the hospital to visit two patients and guard until at least 70% of the world control. From briefing the public to taking the manually and also planting seeds using a manually treatement centre by arranging beds. Apart and practices amidst a pandemic and put the within 24 hours. When Bathiudeen’s family the case have been released. It was a decision mentioned that one of them had been population is vaccinated. This means, that final decision on measures for quarantine – it operated instrument in rows, spaced to allow for the from Nelum Pokuna Theatre, Millennium people in danger. Despite medical experts asked about this, they were informed that the made based on legal advice. Rathnayake is a subjected to a surgery as well and that he was creating awareness among the public of the is paramount that we allow those who know to paddy bushes to grow to the highest potential were Ward Complex, at the Colombo South warning the Government, through scientific Speaker’s signature has not been received for war hero. You don’t care about war heroes. well known to the leader too. Vajira then need to continue following health regulations be in charge. It is worrying when even the used to good effect. When terrorists were pardoned you never said handed over his mobile phone to patient, SJB such as masking, hand washing/sanitation State Minister for COVID prevention, herself a However with the introduction of hybrid varieties anything against it. When 12,000 LTTLE MP , who was being treated and maintaining social distance for the health professional hints at being of paddy such as H4 replacing Sudu Wee and BG cadres and many child soldiers were there. As the leader too had wanted to talk to foreseeable future, is paramount. But most undermined. It is shocking when a senior 11/11 that was watery and tasteless and was rehabilitated, did you speak against it? No. Fernando, both of them were then engaged in importantly it means steadily increasing the Minister brazenly admits that he influenced a prone to attack by an insect named ipiya that now you are accusing a war hero like a long conversation. Wickremesinghe told capacity of the health sector to cope with the decision on lockdown in his constituency sucked out the contents inside the seed and Rathnayake. When judges released terrorists, Harin that as a surgery had been performed epidemic. It requires prioritising health when the health personnel in charge of the therefore had to be dusted with a poisonous what were you doing? Shame on you.” on him, he should take care and only do what requirements and realigning all other policies area go public saying a lockdown is essential. chemical when storing in the silo, taking the place Fonseka: “According to this man, those the doctors advise him to do. The leader at least for the next two years in anticipation of What is worrying is not that the Minister of Sinhala Samba, for their high yield, the use of 12,000 LTTE cadres should have been killed. expressed hope that Harin would have a managing an ongoing global and health interfered with a decision made by those in nitrogen fertilizer urea and others was begun. As a How can he even suggest a thing like this? speedy recovery. The doctors had advised epidemic. charge – but that he was allowed to do so. This consequence the yield per acre of paddy, This man is crazy… Because of crazy men like Harin to recuperate over a few days and the Then what of vaccinations? Certainly, reflects the breakdown of the system of generally, doubled to about 80 bushels. However this, our country is disgraced before the latter had a list of books that had been set vaccination is important – but once again, a decision-making in the health sector which is the concomitant toxicity of the rice and other international community. His government is aside to be read. There was also a book that proper roll out plan for vaccination must be in the worst possible scenario we could have at crops and the depletion of soil fertility making it proudly saying that they rehabilitated former had been written about his former leader. place. What we saw with the first round of this moment. barren in the long run had prompted having terrorists and now this man is saying it is Several Opposition MPs who had called him vaccinations in this country was completely People currently in power in Sri Lanka are second thoughts about the continued use of wrong. What is this nonsense?” had suggested to Harin that the best person to unacceptable. The priority list agreed to by still battling charges of war crimes. For the inorganic chemical fertiliser for some time. Weerasekara further accused the Former seek input regarding the debate that is to be health experts was quickly disregarded and sake of the people of this country, let us hope It is in this context that President Gotabaya Army Commander of having dealt with the held in Parliament, concerning the Colombo the heavy political hand was evident as that crimes against humanity in the face of Rajapaksa has given an assurance that the import LTTE and the Tamil Diaspora when Fonseka Port City Economic Commission Bill after the connections and position rather than need COVID will not be added to their list of of chemical fertiliser will be completely stopped, contested the Presidential Election and won verdict issued on it by the Supreme Court, became the criteria for vaccination. Now, there charges. shortly. areas having a majority-Tamil population. would be Ranil. The President has said that although the use of chemical fertiliser produces more harvests, the negative consequences of water pollution and sickness far outweighed the benefits accrued. He has said: “The expenses to treat these patients and the impact on human lives caused by these chemical fertilisers remain high. In order to produce a healthy and productive citizenry, the Government must ensure the right of the people to access a non-toxic and balanced diet.” The President has further said: “All respective parties should intervene to increase the production of organic fertiliser in the country. Organic fertiliser would be provided in place of the concessionary fertiliser package to farmers. The annual expenditure on the import of chemical fertiliser amounting to USD 400 million could be used to uplift the lives of the people. The people expected a change in policy by electing me to the office. Everyone’s support is needed to fulfil those aspirations for the country”. A14 sunday 9 may 2021 focus Another Fake Local COVID-19 Cure Masquerades as both ‘COVID cure’ and ‘dietary supplement’

By Methmalie Truth and lies Ariyananda noted. implying that the hospital has a Dissanayake When looking at the However, one medical study connection to the capsule. company’s social media found that a 33-year-old woman However, Consultant in Recently, a dietary accounts, it is clear that they with pneumonia recovered to Emergency Medicine at supplement, which is allegedly have been created only to some extent for long as 15 Karapitiya Teaching Hospital, produced after research done promote this particular years; this study is based on the Asanka Srimal Migelheva, by allopathic doctors, went viral product. For example, their MRI data assessment of the confirmed that the capsule is following a massive marketing Facebook pages do not contain microstructure of the lungs and not a product of the hospital. campaign which claimed the promotional materials for any the analysis of lung function. “This is not a product of product could be used to ‘fight other medicine or a dietary Simulation studies, that Karapitiya Teaching Hospital. against COVID-19.’ supplement. The Facebook analyse the microscopic Galle is one of the severely According to the product pages have been created only structure of patients’ lungs, are COVID-19 affected areas and description given by the two to three weeks ago. still in the research stage to we are getting more critically company, this capsule is a Furthermore, the company gain further insight into bad patients, what we are result of a several-month-long does not present any reports of whether new active Type II experiencing is a worse research done by a group of the scientific researches they Alveolar Epithelial Cells situation than before. So no allopathic doctors and western allegedly conducted. When a regeneration occurs in COVID- miracle drug is doing any good scientists. Promotional social media user requests for 19 patients. to Galle. We knew what materials claim that medical the reports, they simply provide The difference is that this happened with Dhammika researchers showed the success links of their interviews capsule is not a simple product Paniya. Politicians, media, rate of the product to be more conducted with YouTube like Dhammika Paniya. This is money makers of any than 95 per cent and all the channels and newspaper manufactured in a more formal profession will use anything ingredients used in this product articles or ask for mobile way. To obtain the trust of the for their advantage. When are used in Ayurveda and numbers used for WhatsApp to people, they use the fact that humans get hopeless traditional medicine streams, send the reports. It is the capsule is manufactured at opportunistic people will thrive hence, it is a completely natural questionable as to why the a location which has Good on human emotions and try to product. company hesitates to publish Manufacturing Practices (GMP) get money from them. It has According to the marketing those reports if their product is and ISO 22000 certification. happened in the past and will campaigns, this capsule can be so genuine. These facts are wrapped in happen in the future,” he given to COVID-19 patients as It can be used that the social some scientific facts and terms pointed out. they are not given coronavirus media accounts of this company so that the common people will He added, “For me this is vaccines while they are infected try to provoke the public not understand it easily and as just one more fraudulent with the virus. regarding the UK variant of a result they will start to believe advertisement. If anyone has In general, if such scientific COVID-19 recently discovered that capsule is a genuine solid evidence about this discovery is made, the in Sri Lanka. product against COVID-19. product they can correct me. researchers/scientists publish The company, also, has used We are facing the worst of their findings in an statements made by Professor Fake credentials COVID-19 in Sri Lanka which international peer reviewed Neelika Malavige, of the ISO 22000 is the food safety we have never faced, so please journal for scientific Department of Immunology and certification not a medicinal adhere to safety measures. acceptance, or publish an Molecular Medicine, Faculty of product-related certification. Don’t get caught to these international patent to claim Medical Sciences, regarding the Every food processing plant will parasitic marketing schemes.” their findings are scientifically UK variant of COVID-19 to have to meet that requirement Furthermore, Dr. Ananda acceptable. All such products promote the product in to continue their operations. Wijewickrama, Consultant which come out during the hard Facebook advertisements. GMP certification is the Physician at National times have no such scientific However, Prof. Malavige had guarantee that a factory Infectious Disease Hospital in background or clinical proof protested against using her maintains its products and Colombo, has also pointed out that they are scientifically statements to promote the practices according to certain that there would be more and proven to cure/reduce COVID- capsule saying the company’s standards. Many factories more such products coming 19 symptoms. practice is unethical. obtain this certifications easily. out to the market with the Dhammika syrup and “Please remove my name from that Cytokine Storm is an the effects of these compounds So it is clear that obtaining elevation of anxiety levels in this advertisement. This is important factor in death individually or synergistically. these two certification is normal the society due to COVID-19 the capsule completely unethical and related to Coronavirus due to a Then how could anyone claim for every food processing factory pandemic. He further advised unacceptable. I hope you will do decrease in the number of that the tablet prevents these and they do not guarantee that against falling for these Several similarities can be it immediately,” Prof. Malavige lymphocytes in the body and a two conditions and cures the capsule could be used marketing campaigns which seen in this capsule and the had commented. rapid increase in immune COVID-19 patients in just four against COVID-19. have no scientific evidence. so-called Dhammika Paniya. Prof. Malavige’s comment has factors, including cytokines. days?” Dr. Ariyananda Dr. Ariyananda pointed out, The only way forward for Both products went viral after disappeared now, but the The cytokine storm, which questioned. “Therefore, we can assure the COVID-19 still is vaccination, massive media campaigns. advertisement published using occurs after the viral infection Their second argument is that readers that both the claims nothing else. Even Manufacturer used terms such her name still remains further restricts the spread of this pill can regenerate the Type produced by the pharmaceutical giants like as ‘helawedakama’/ ‘Ayurveda’ unchanged. the virus in the body. In II Alveolar Epithelial Cell manufacturers/marketers Pfizer are still experimenting in the products. Most Bogus benefits addition, damage to secondary damage caused by corona regarding this so-called pill on a possible tablet, and their importantly, these two products tissues due to secretion of large infection in the lungs. It is safe doesn’t have substantial prediction is that it would take came to light once a new wave Moreover, the highlighted first amounts of active compounds to say that nowhere in the world conclusive evidence to prove at least another year to be of COVID-19 started to spread point in their claim is that the and infectious compounds has have drugs been found to their claims. Such claims successful. When such through the country and fresh so-called capsule controls the also been determined to be a regenerate damaged Type II picked out of thin air would not organisations with thousands fear started to grip and crush condition called Cytokine Storm major cause of death due to Alveolar Epithelial Cells in such only damage the reputation of of qualified researchers take the people. in Corona patients. COVID-19. Due to this fact the a short time. hard working researchers who such a long time to find a In both cases, it is visible that “Cytokine Storm is a cytokine storm has become a “If so, it would be possible for actually follow correct standard solution, how could you the manufacturers are using condition that occurs in corona major therapeutic target among humans to recover from a life- protocols in finding cure for believe that unqualified the new trend of marketing ‘use patients. It is a condition that researchers worldwide. threatening condition of such deadly diseases but it will individuals with minimum and protect our local products’ affects not only corona patients “Although the damaged lungs from dilute the trust of the general facilities could find something (deshiya de rakaganimu) but also many others who manufacturers/ marketers of pneumonia or damage occurred public on serious findings as permanent in such a short effectively. develop other infections. this capsule claim that it has by smoking. Animal studies well.” time? However, it should be However, not all Corona the potential to suppress this have shown that it takes several Moreover, the promotional Meanwhile, reliable sources accepted that the patients get Cytokine Storm all cytokine storm as a major weeks to regenerate Type II materials highlighted the fact said the Sri Lanka Medical manufacturers of this capsule the time,” Dr. Piyal Ariyananda, function, it has not yet been Alveolar Epithelial Cells to some that one of the ‘researchers’ is a Council (SLMC) has launched are several steps ahead of industrial scientist and a revealed how this happens. This degree in mice. To date, doctor at Karapitiya Teaching an inquiry into the conduct of Dhammika Bandara, founder of consultant in innovation and particular pill contains several however, there is no Hospital and in their marketing the Medical Officer who the syrup, which is proven to be sustainability, noted in his natural ingredients with experimental evidence that new campaigns they claimed that became the face of the capsule not effective against COVID-19 widely shared Facebook article. hundreds of different chemical alveolar structures can form in the capsule is a product of based on a complaint the at all. Further evidence suggests compounds. No one has studied the adult human lung,” Dr. ‘Karapitiya doctors,’ indirectly SLMC received. Role of the Soviet Union in World War II Victory On 9 May Russia celebrates the countries and members of the German Front. of the three major powers of the 76th Anniversary of Victory in the underground resistance. Russia also Then US President Franklin Delano Grand Alliance”. Great Patriotic War – the war between remembers the assistance rendered Roosevelt stated that the “Russian Victory Day and the liberation of the USSR and Nazi Germany that by the Allies, who provided the Red forces have destroyed…more troops, Europe from Nazism is one of the raged between 22 June 1941 and 9 Army with munitions, raw materials, planes, tanks and guns than all the most important and revered dates. In May 1945. This Victory was of crucial food and equipment, which amounted other United Nations put together” our country not a single family was significance to ending the most to about 7 percent of the total and then Prime Minister of Great spared by the war. Representatives of devastating world conflict in history – military production of the USSR. Britain Winston Churchill wrote to all republics of the Soviet Union made World War II, several months later, in At the same time, it should be Joseph Stalin that “it is the Russian their contribution to the Great September 1945. mentioned that it is the Soviet Union army that tore the guts out of the Victory, fought side by side together The Victory in the war prevented and the Red Army, who made the German military machine”. in that heroic battle, both on the the Nazis from spreading their crucial contribution to the defeat of Almost 27 million Soviet citizens frontlines and in the rear. Without inhuman ideology worldwide, in Nazism. The Wehrmacht spent at perished on the fronts, in German their heroism and valour, it would accordance with which they planned least ten times more time on the prisons, starved to death and were have been impossible to stop and to physically eliminate entire ethnic Soviet front than on all other allied bombed, died in ghettos and furnaces destroy the enemy. groups: Jews, Romans, Russians, fronts. About four fifths of German of the Nazi death camps. The USSR The memory of those who fell in Poles, Latvians, Lithuanians, French tanks and two thirds of German lost one in seven of its citizens. The battle fighting the enemies will and Czech. aircraft were drawn to the Soviet damage done to the Soviet Union was remain alive as long as we mark the The Soviet Union and Russia, being front. The USSR accounted for about greater than the combined damage Victory Day – the day of salvation and its successor, always highly 75 percent of all military efforts inflicted to all other European liberation. It is our sacred duty to appreciated the contribution of the undertaken by the Anti-Hitler countries. safeguard the truth about what anti-Hitler coalition Allies. The efforts Coalition. There were no parallels to British historian, Max Hastings happened during those years, and of all countries and peoples who these battles anywhere on the wrote: “It was the Western Allies’ remember the grim lessons of war in fought against a common enemy Western Front. The Red Army extreme good fortune that the order to prevent such tragedies from resulted in victory. Russia is eternally defeated 626 divisions of the Axis Russians, and not themselves, paid repeating themselves. grateful to the peoples of Great States, of which 508 were German. almost the entire ‘butcher’s bill’ for Britain, the United States of America, Three fourths of the German armed [defeating Nazi Germany], accepting Yury Materiy and France, anti-fascists of various forces were crushed on the Soviet- 95 percent of the military casualties Ambassador of Russia sports sunday 9 may 2021 A15 Barty sets up Praveen – Young Sabalenka final in Madrid World number one Ash Barty left arm magician swatted aside Paula Badosa 6-4 22-year-old Praveen Lanka under-19 team where he 6-3 on Thursday Jayawickrama wasn’t even the performed well. He firmly believed to reach the first or second choice left arm he will be selected to play for the Madrid Open final spinner leading up to the National team soon after. and exact revenge Bangladesh Test tour, but when But with his selection getting for her shock loss the opportunity was presented to delayed day by day, Praveen to the Spanish him, the former under-19 star thought of going to play in wildcard last from Kalutara grabbed it with England, but his mentor Chamila month. both hands. Gamage advised him otherwise, The Australian He became the first bowler to and then the golden opportunity has advanced to claim twin five hauls on presented itself. her maiden debut in 33 years of Test Sri Lanka’s first choice left arm Madrid final and (6/92 and 5/86) to guide Sri spinner Lasith Embuldeniya was will meet Aryna Lanka to a series win, and then injured; next in line Duvindu Sabalenka, who broke into the ICC Test bowling Thilakarathne too, was injured cruised past ranking first fifty with just this and Prabath Jayasuriya had failed Russian Anastasia Australia's Ashleigh Barty in action one performance in a Test. the fitness Test, which resulted in Pavlyuchenkova Jayawickrama first studied at Praveen being drafted to the Test 6-2 6-3 in the second semi-final. Holy Cross College Kalutara, squad. Barty, who lost to Badosa in the quarter-finals in where he played under-13, 15 and Praveen first played for Colts Charleston, struck 30 winners in an immaculate first XI, before shifting to St. CC, but then joined Moors on display that extended her winning run on clay to 16 Sebastian’s College Moratuwa invitation by (his matches. after his OL exams, where he bowling partner at Moors as well Badosa, the first Spanish woman to make the semis played for the under-17 and first as the National team when he in Madrid, went toe-to-toe with Barty early on, but her XI teams. made his debut). Both spinners resistance crumbled while serving at 5-4 down. She He had the good fortune of formed a good bowling saved two set points but gifted the 25-year-old finding a mentor in former partnership in their club career, Australian the opener with a double fault. National paceman Chamila which they carried forward to the Barty, who triumphed in singles and doubles in Gamage, and was also lucky to be National team, as the pair shared Stuttgart last month, trailed by a break early in the spotted by Arjuna Ranathunga at 17 between them in second, but battled back to win four straight games and a young age. Ranatunga had Pallekele. seize control of the match. correctly predicted and told the Praveen is the second in a family The 2019 French Open champion continued to turn Rector of the school that Praveen of four brothers, and is the only the screw with a trademark ace, improving to 25-3 for will definitely go on to play for Sri one who focused on a cricketing the season and underlining her dominance of the Lanka, and also invited Praveen to career while the rest excelled in women's tour. train at his academy. Academics. Praveen had played in Sabalenka needed just over an hour to beat He lost his father (who died due only 10 first-class games claiming Pavlyuchenkova as the Belarusian improved her 2021 to a sudden heart attack) while he 40 wickets before featuring in the win-loss record to 23-6. was still playing at under-15 level, National team. He was coached by Saturday's Madrid decider will be a rematch of last which halted his cricket for a Sanath de Alwis and Nimal Dabare month's Stuttgart final when Barty roared back to win while, but the determined while schooling. 3-6 6-0 6-3. youngster made it to the Sri (AK) (Reuters)

Despite defeat to Roma 23-member Training Squad Man United book place Four SL origin foreign players included By Mustaq Sydeen them tested positive for COVID-19. in Europa League final Meanwhile, former skipper Mohamed Reef Sebastian Peries, Marvin Fazal has also recalled for National Ole Gunnar Solskjaer reached a major Hamilton, Waseem Razeek and Dillon duties after the midfielder was dropped final as Manchester United Manager for de Silva were among Sri Lankan origin for the fourth training camp, while the first time after a 3-2 defeat to AS foreign players included in the Sundaraj Niresh has lost his spot in the Roma at the Stadio Olimpico was 23-member training squad to prepare squad. enough to earn his side an 8-5 aggregate for the FIFA World Cup qualifiers and The omission of the midfielder is a win in the Europa League semi-finals on Asian Cup Qualifiers round 2. result of FFSL taking disciplinary action Thursday. Ceylon Today reliably learns Football against Niresh after a Breach of United will face Villarreal in the final in Federation of Sri Lanka’s (FFSL) attempt Disciplinary Measures during the fourth Gdansk on 26 May after the Spaniards to rope in more foreign talent of Sri Residential Training Camp in January. beat Arsenal 2-1 on aggregate. Lankan origin to the National team is 23-member Squad: Solskjaer had lost his last four semi- the easiest route to gain success in the Sujan Perera (Captain), Prabath finals during his Old Trafford reign and international arena. Ruwan Arunasiri, R.P. Danushka, despite Thursday's defeat in Rome, the In the recent past, countries such as Harsha Fernando, A.A.S.R. Appuhamy, Norwegian's side progressed comfortably Asian champions Qatar and China have Reef Sebastian Peries, Chamod Dilshan, thanks to last week's commanding 6-2 drafted players of foreign nationalities Marvin Hamilton Charitha Rathnayake, Duckson Puslas, first leg win. into their squads and achieved Chathuranga Madushan, Marvin "It's a great achievement to get to the success. Following a similar route, it is Centre, Beddagana under a Bio Secure Hamilton, Chalana Chameera, Jude final. We didn't win the game and that's hoped Sri Lanka’s National squad would Bubble Environment. In a media Supan, M.N.M. Musthaq, Mohamed disappointing, but we did the hard work similarly be strengthened. release, FFSL stated prior to attending Fazal, Zarwan Johar, Kavindu Ishan, in the first leg,” United captain Harry The Fifth Phase of National Pool 2021 the Residential Training Camp all Dillon de Silva, Waseem Razeek, M.S.M. Maguire told BT Sport. Residential Training commenced on 6 players and officials were subjected to Aakib, Asikoor Rahuman, M.A.M. (Reuters) May (Thursday) at the National Training PCR and Antigen tests and none of Hasmeer, S.D. Wijesinghe. Gateway offers International Sport qualifications Along with OLs and ALs Among the many choices of has a very practical approach that subjects and courses available at includes aspects such as fitness Advanced Level, Gateway College components in relation to has included a new exciting course performance excellence in sports, in Sport, to provide further options internal body systems, skills and for students. Having introduced techniques of team and individual Sport qualifications very sports, how sport performers can successfully at International GCSE improve and reduce injury and (OL) in all campuses, Gateway sports management. The subject College wishes to extend this itself is assessed through a series discipline to AL as well, from this of practical assessments which academic year. give the students a very current During the last few years, the outlook to the subject matter, BTEC Sport Activity Pearson BTEC International Level 2 while also giving them much Extended Certificate in Sport has needed practical knowledge and been offered to the 14-16 age group learning. Pearson Edexcel equals at Gateway. The immense success this course to two International with over 60% of students receiving GCSE subjects. Distinction Star, Distinction and Sport at AL – Pearson BTEC Meri Awards has motivated Gateway International Level 3 Foundation to introduce the Pearson BTEC Diploma in Sport is for students International Level 3 Foundation with an interest to elevate sports Diploma in Sport for AL students education in health and fitness, from this year. coaching, sports business and Student excursion for BTEC Sport Pearson Edexcel BTEC facilities management across all qualifications are internationally sports. Learners will study a range recognised vocational courses of mandatory and optional units offered worldwide. Students such as Health, Wellbeing and sharpen their organisational and Sport, Careers in the Sport and managerial skills, record keeping Active Leisure Industry and skills and academic writing skills Influence of Technology in Sport and through the study of BTEC Sports, Physical Activity. This pathway is while also acquiring the knowledge suitable for learners who either to plan and execute a sports event want to progress directly into and expedition experiences. industry or onto further or higher Sport at OL – Pearson BTEC education. Pearson Edexcel equals International Level 2 Extended this course to one and a half AL Certificate in Sport is a course that subjects. Assessment of skills and techniques Planning and executing a sports event A16 SUNDAY 9 MAY 2021 SPORTS

Jayawardene to complete quarantine SLC offers to host in Maldives: MI

Mumbai Indians head coach Mahela Jayawardene, along remaining IPL with the Australian contingent, were ensured safe passage to complete quarantine in Maldives, while local stars have reached their matches in September homes safely, Mumbai Indians said on Thursday. By Mustaq Sydeen to host the Arjuna de Silva. “We have successfully The five-time champions (LPL) in July-August and the grounds conducted the Inaugural Lanka posted a series of tweets and The Sri Lanka Cricket Board (SLC) and other infrastructure will Premier League (LPL) in November shared the travel plans of its has offered the BCCI to host the be ready for the IPL in 2020 and hosted England and players and support staff. remaining IPL matches during September,” Bangladesh tours in January and April “Indian players have embarked on their journey back to September in case the league can’t be said Prof. respectively without any hitch, so we their hometowns. All COVID-19 related travel and safety held in India due to rising cases of hope if the Indian Cricket Board protocols have been diligently adhered. COVID-19, Prof. Arjuna de Silva, the has plans to shift the remaining “Mumbai and Ahmedabad based players and support Chief of the Managing Committee of matches outside of India, Sri staff members will return home via Ahmedabad on a charter SLC revealed to Ceylon Today. Lanka is keen to host the flight. The cabin crew has completed seven days quarantine The concerns come straight tournament,” he further added. at the team hotel in Delhi,” the franchise stated. after BCCI President Sourav Sri Lanka’s capital city “Australian players and support staff members will fly to Ganguly suggested that the Colombo has as many as four Maldives on a special charter. MI has made arrangements 2021 IPL could be completed in international venues - P Sara for their 14-day quarantine stay in Maldives before flying a window just prior to the men’s Oval, Colombo Cricket Club them back to Australia,” it said. T20 World Cup. That was the Ground, Sinhalese Sports Club The franchise has two Australian players – hard-hitting first public hint of the windows Ground, and R Premadasa batsman Chris Lynn and pacer Nathan Coulter-Nile. the BCCI is looking at for the Stadium. “Head coach Mahela Jayawardene will also complete his rescheduling. Ceylon Today learns with 31 IPL quarantine in Maldives before returning to Sri Lanka,” it According to Prof. Arjuna de Silva, matches still left, the organizers added. The players and support staff from New Zealand, Sri Lanka has a better chance of are looking to minimise travel for South Africa and the Caribbean will fly to Auckland, hosting the remaining matches of the teams and create a bio-secure Johannesburg and Trinidad on their respective charter the IPL in September after the environment. Playing in one or flights arranged by the franchise. Indian Cricket Board was forced two cities can be the way forward. Among its foreigners is swashbuckling all-rounder Kieron to postpone the tournament due Colombo offers a fine opportunity Pollard from the West Indies, while opener Quinton De Kock an outbreak of COVID-19 cases for the BCCI to explore the option hails from South Africa. across four franchises. of limiting the number of host Pacer Trent Boult and bowling coach Shane Bond are “Yes, we can certainly provide a cities. Meanwhile, foreign from New Zealand. window to host the IPL in the reports state England and UAE The postponement of IPL was announced by the BCCI month of September. We hear the have also expressed confidence after Sunrisers Hyderabad’s wicketkeeper-batsman UAE (United Arab Emirates) is to host the remaining fixtures of Wriddhiman Saha tested positive for COVID-19 along with their one option, but Sri Lanka the India Premier League Delhi Capitals’ veteran spinner Amit Mishra. cannot be ignored for all 2021, if the event is indeed On Monday, Chennai Super Kings bowling coach L. reasons. We are planning shifted. Balaji, along with Kolkata Knight Riders bowlers Sandeep Warrier and Varun Chakravarthy, had returned positive results.

92nd ‘Battle of the NOCSL confirms Milka’s Olympic qualification Maroons’ postponed Thank Japanese Olympic Committee, IOC for the support The 92nd ‘Battle of the Maroons’, the annual cricket encounter between and By Anjana Kaluarachchi Karlsson. Milka secured her slot as Nalanda College which was scheduled for 5 and 6 number one in Asian Continental June, has been postponed due to the prevailing Maxwell de Silva, Secretary, Quota ahead of India’s Pranati health situation in the country. The encounter National Olympic Committee Nayak. was scheduled to be played in Colombo. (NOCSL), confirmed the exclusive The FIG (International Out of the 91 matches played, Ananda has won revelation made by Ceylon Gymnastics Federation), however, 14, with Nalanda accounting for 5, and 67 Today on last thursday (6), that Sri is likely to confirm the Olympic matches drawn. In 1942-45 and 1948 the match Lanka’s Artistic Gymnast, 18-year- berth only in June. was not played due to World War II and old Milka Gehani de Silva, has The 18-year-old hailing from Independence. qualified for the forthcoming Tokyo Piliyandala trained under former The last win for Ananda was in 2003 under Olympic Games, and thus creating National Champion turned coach Duminda Kularatne, while Nalanda last tasted history by becoming the first Sri Ranjana Tharanga, and showed victory way back in 1953 under W.W. Silva. The Lankan Gymnast to qualify for the glimpses of what she would go on two schools have the distinction of having Olympics. to become at a young age. She first produced several players to the National team. Sri “Since the Asian Championship schooled at Piliyandala Somaweera Lanka’s first Captain – Bandula was cancelled, we are getting one Chandrasiri College and then Warnapura - donned the cricket cap for Nalanda of the two continental quotas for shifted to Piliyandala Central College in 1968, while Arjuna Ranathunga, who her,” said de Silva speaking College before entering Methodist led the Sri Lankans in the famous World Cup to Ceylon Today yesterday. Milka de Silva College Colombo 3. winning team in 1996, hails from Ananda College. Milka has been training in She then received an IOC funded Ananda and Nalanda, two premier Buddhist Tokyo, Japan for more than a year scholarship in 2019 to train in schools in Sri Lanka, have produced over 55 under an IOC solidarity Olympic Solidarity for granting make this dream a reality,” said Japan to pursue her dream, where National cricketers who have represented Sri scholarship eyeing this this training scholarship for Milka Maxwell de Silva. she now trains. She has Lanka in international cricket. Roshan qualification. at my request for full time training As Ceylon Today reported earlier, represented Sri Lanka at several Mahanama, Marvan Atapattu, Mahela “We need to thank Japanese in Japan. Also, her former Coach, Milka Gehani de Silva becomes the international events, including the Jayawardena and Dinesh Chandimal also have the Olympic Committee former Gymnastic Association, Jeewantha second Sri Lankan athlete to World Gymnastic Championship, honour and distinction of leading the Sri Lankan President Takeda and Intl Affairs and former President ASP Kamal, secure Olympic qualification Youth Olympics and Asian team. Director Kenji Nishimura and for their support and dedication to after show jumper Mathilda Championships. Hard Work during COVID-19 paid off - Ramesh By Anjana Kaluarachchi led by Kusal Mendis. for 86, while Jayawickrama ran National spin bowling coach “After playing for the under-19 through the batting line-up with Sajeewa Weerakoon, which he Ramesh Mendis’ Test debut was team, I thought I’ll get an six fer. believes gave him the ability to a forgetful one. He was dismissed opportunity to play for Sri Lanka In the second innings with Sri spin more. for duck in the first innings, then soon after that, but I had to play a Lanka eyeing victory, Mendis Mendis has been selected for for 16 in the second against few seasons of club cricket before claimed four wickets including the ODI team to tour England, while he had to toil hard that,” said the 25-year-old in an skipper Mominul Haque, and Bangladesh. with little reward when bowling. interview with Ceylon Today. prized wickets of Tamim Iqbal and Mendis is the eldest in a family He was subsequently dropped Mendis played club cricket for ex-skipper Mushfiqur Rahim, as of five. His father is a OIC in the from the playing XI, and though four years before he got to tour he bowled 28 overs, while Police and mother is a teacher. included in the squad, did not get South Africa with the Sri Lanka Jayawickrama bowled 32 overs Both his brothers too play a chance to play during the West Emerging team, where he claiming five fer. cricket. The youngest, Nimesh, Indies tour. showcased his talent to be “Very happy about that. Praveen led the Dharmashoka first XI But when he got another included in the Sri Lanka ‘A’ team and I have bowled in tandem a lot team in 2019, while the elder opportunity in the second Test and Board President XI. He also since we both play for Moors SC one, Malintha, played for Police against Bangladesh in Pallekele, played in the Lanka Premier during the first-class tournament. SC in the last under-23 he showed glimpses of what a League before making it to the Sri In fact, it was me who invited him tournament. player he would go on to become Lanka Test team for the home to join Moors, and since then we In his cricketing career, with an all-round performance, series as replacement for injured have been playing together and Mendis has been coached by and bowling in tandem with Dhananjaya de Silva. have a good understanding, which three coaches from his school Praveen Jayawickrama, they Mendis has played as a lower I think helped during the Test,” days. “My first coach was Suraj guided Sri Lanka to a series win. order all-rounder and has a said Mendis. Sanjeewa; then I was coached by Hailing from Ambalangoda, somewhat impressive batting Mendis hogged the limelight in Viraj Chamika when I came to Mendis started off as a badminton average of 41.51 in 47 first class early 2020 when he scored an Dharmashoka College player at a very young age before games, where he has scored 2,491 unbeaten 300 and was the talk of Ambalangoda in grade 9, and changing over to cricket when he runs with five centuries and 11 the town just before COVID-19 then it was I.P. Milton in the first was in grade 6. He initially went to fifties, while claiming 91 wickets happened. XI team,” said Mendis. Sri Devananda College at an average of 38.03. “I was very happy about getting He specially thanked the Ambalangoda before entering Mendis scored a valuable 33 at 300. I always wanted to score 200 Foundation of Foodness (FOG) Dharmashoka College in grade 9. number eight adding a century and when I got there our coach and its founder Kushil Mendis led the Dharmashoka stand with Niroshan Dickwella Gayan Wijekoon said I can Gunasekara for all the help College first XI team back in 2013- after the fall of quick wickets definitely go for 300 on that extended over the years. 14, and was runner-up in the which helped Sri Lanka to pose a wicket,” said Mendis. “FOG and Gunasekara sir Schoolboy Cricketer contest. He commanding 497 for 7 declared in Mendis however said that the helped me a lot from a young won the awards for Best all- the first innings of the second Test break he got during the pandemic age, and even now I’m resident rounder and best bowler in both against Bangladesh. He bowled 31 helped him a lot, especially with in Colombo in a place which Ramesh Mendis celebrates taking a wicket during the second 2013 and 2014, and also played overs in tandem with Praveen him having to go through FOG offered. I’m really thankful Test against Bangladesh in the under-19 World Cup team Jayawickrama (32) and claimed 2 remodeling his action along with to them,” said Mendis.

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