„„ www.themorning.lk „„ Late City VOL 01 | NO 29 | Rs. 30.00 { THURSDAY } THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2021 ‘GOSL HOODWINKED BLACKOUT PEOPLE INTO BELIEVING NO LIVE TELECAST OF BURIAL HARMFUL’ WI CRICKET SERIES IN SL!

AN EXORCISM WHAT HAPPENED GONE TO THE RS. 5.7 T WRONG LOANS?: SJB »SEE PAGE 6 »SEE PAGE 11 »SEE PAGE 7 »SEE PAGE 16 Douglas advises Prez, PM against Indian Govt. not Iranaithivu plan BY PAMODI WARAVITA AND MIHI PERERA yesterday, Media Secretary to involved with WCT Minister of Fisheries the Minister Nelson Edirisinghe and Kilinochchi District said that Devananda had z Deal is purely z Not a substitute z Adani confirmed Co-ordinating Chairman Douglas engaged in discussions Devananda yesterday (3) made yesterday with the President commercial: Sources for ECT last week: SLPA a request to both President and the Premier and had BY THE MORNING NEWS DESK and a private entity of its choice, and the Sri Lankan Government’s initial Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime communicated that the civilians that there is no need for the Indian Memorandum of Corporation (MoC) Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa to in Iranaithivu island are against The Government of India is not involved in any way with the Government to nominate a company where a 49% stake in the East Container reconsider the decision to bury the island being used as a burial development of the West Container Terminal (WCT) of the Colombo for the development, including the Adani Terminal (ECT) of the Colombo Port the Covid-19 deceased in the ground for those who succumb South Port, despite a cabinet decision earlier this week stating that it Group of Companies. was offered to India, specifically to the Iranaithivu island. to Covid-19. would be nominating the foreign developer, The Morning reliably learnt. Sources further confirmed to The Adani Group, in a tripartite agreement Speaking to The Morning Contd. on page 2 Our sources told us yesterday (3) development of the WCT is purely Morning that the development of signed with India and Japan in 2019. that any agreement regarding the between the Government of Sri Lanka the WCT was not a substitute for Contd. on page 2 SETTING SIGHTS HIGH Entrepreneurs First Covax shipment on Sunday for over 60s to get 20,000 BY HIRANYADA DEWASIRI received by the country from the Covax Facility. A consignment of between Speaking to The Morning land plots 264,000 and 380,000 doses of the yesterday (3), Deputy Director Oxford-AstraZeneca Covishield General of Health Services Dr. BY DINITHA RATHNAYAKE vaccine is expected to arrive in Hemantha Herath said the Ministry of A total of 20,000 youth entrepreneurs are Sri Lanka through the Covax Health has been officially informed to receive lands under President Gotabaya Facility on Sunday, 7 March to to expect the batch of vaccines on Rajapaksa’s Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour be administered on citizens above Sunday from the Global Alliance policy statement, The Morning learnt. 60 years of age. for Vaccines and Immunisation Speaking to The Morning, Land Ministry This would be the long- (GAVI) Covax Facility. Secretary R.A.A.K. Ranawaka said that awaited first batch of vaccines Contd. on page 2 435,000 applications had been received in this regard thus far and that the Ministry is planning to give 20,000 lands to youth entrepreneurs before 30 June. “We are preparing the background for the promotion of local and foreign market-oriented products through the strengthening of young entrepreneurs. It is planned to implement a national programme to provide 100,000 investment opportunities. We published an advertisement in the national newspapers, and applications were called for the selection of the President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Air Force Commander Sudarshana Pathirana (left) watch as the Indian Air Force's aircraft most suitable entrepreneurs,” he added. jets perform during the 70th anniversary celebrations of the Sri Lanka Air Force in Colombo yesterday (3) Contd. on page 2 PHOTO PRADEEP DAMBARAGE AG instructs to AG requests Easter ACJU, SLMC arrest Peliyagoda report’s other volumes against ‘banning’ police officers BY DINITHA RATHNAYAKE This comes after the Presidential face veils Attorney General (AG) Secretariat had, acting on the BY HIRANYADA DEWASIRI z Victim undergoes President’s Counsel (PC) advice of the PCoI, declined plastic surgery Dappula de Livera requested to hand over certain volumes With a Cabinet decision on banning the wearing the remaining 22 volumes of the citing the sensitive nature of the of clothing that covers the face in the offing, Muslim BY DINITHA RATHNAYAKE AND LAHIRU PERERA proceedings of the Presidential evidence, as it pertains to national leaders, representing both the religious and political The Attorney General (AG) has directed Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) security-related matters. segments of the community, raised concerns that the Inspector General of Police (IGP) into the Easter Sunday terror The AG had on 2 March the banning of the face veil through legislation to arrest the police officers attached to attacks from the Secretary to received 65 volumes out of would violate the rights of their community. Peliyagoda Police Station who allegedly the President yesterday (3), The the total 87 volumes of the All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama (ACJU) assaulted a final-year law student, under Morning reliably learnt. proceedings of the said PCoI Assistant General Secretary Al Sheikh Akram the Convention Against Torture and Other Reliable sources told us that on the Easter Sunday bombings Nooramith, spoke to The Morning regarding the Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment the request letter was sent to the from the President’s Secretary. matter yesterday (3). or Punishment Act. President’s Secretary yesterday. Contd. on page 2 Contd. on page 2 Contd. on page 2 COVID-19 CASES SJB backs out of Black Sunday

ACTIVE CASES TOTAL CASES z Claims religion and politics must not mix BY HIRANYADA DEWASIRI Speaking to The Morning yesterday MPs to take part in it. We have not (3), SJB General Secretary and been invited to join in as a party. 84,075 The Samagi Jana Balawegaya parliamentarian Ranjith Madduma We do not have to involve religion (SJB) has decided not to extend their Bandara said that the SJB would not with politics.” DEATHS RECOVERED solidarity as a political party to the 7 be taking part in the protest as a party, When asked, Madduma Bandara March Black Sunday protest campaign but that the members of the party can said that the decision was not due to 3,154 484 80,437 declared by Roman Catholic Church participate in their personal capacities any concerns the party has regarding SOURCE: HEALTH PROMOTION BUREAU officials to demand justice for the as it is a religious event. the erosion of its Sinhala-Buddhist THE ABOVE STATISTICS ARE CONFIRMED UP UNTIL 8.30 P.M. ON 3 MARCH 2021 victims of the Easter Sunday bomb “Since it is a religion-based protest, voter base. attacks in 2019. we have granted permission for our Contd. on page 2 42 „„ www.themorning.lk { NEWS } Thursday, March 4, 2021 Germany to ease restrictions Cardinal’s reps to join and boost vaccinations German authorities are expected on Wednesday get the AstraZeneca/Oxford shot, as evidence Env. Ministry discussion (10) to announce a gradual easing of coronavirus mounts of its efficacy from Britain, where curbs, seeking a balance between the needs of more than 30% have already received their public health and the economy as the country first shot. also moves to speed up a sluggish vaccination “It was a difficult year for us all, and campaign, Reuters reported yesterday (3). I understand that after four, five months on Muthurajawela With elections looming, Chancellor Angela of lockdown... everybody has high Merkel and regional leaders are under rising expectations,” he told German television. The Ministry of Environment yesterday (3) said that the representatives caused to this ecosystem by various pressure to set out plans to restore normal Under the draft, up to five people from two of His Eminence Archbishop of Colombo Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith and individuals. Accordingly, steps were taken activities after four months of lockdown. households will be allowed to meet from environmentalists are scheduled to attend next week’s discussion on the to revoke the environmental licence of one However, daily cases are creeping up again 8 March, with children under 14 exempt. Muthurajawela wetland at the Ministry of Environment. iron factory,” it said. Further, the Ministry and only around 5% of the population have Some shops, including book stores said that the President instructed that the received a first vaccine shot. and garden centres, can reopen. The ministry commented on their plans for Minister Amaraweera and a team led by Muthurajawela Sanctuary be taken over by the So the Government is proposing a five- If cases do not worsen for two weeks after the protection of the Muthurajawela Wetland Secretary to the Ministry Dr. Anil Jasinghe Urban Development Authority to protect it and stage easing of the rules from Monday (8) these steps, individual regions can then – Sanctuary, citing that it does not belong to had also paid a visit to the Muthurajawela that steps be taken to conserve the Sanctuary including a mass testing programme, with depending on infection rates – consider, among the Ministry in terms of scope, but it had Sanctuary a few days ago to inquire into the under the full supervision of the Ministry of the option to tighten curbs again if infections further steps, opening outdoor dining and intervened to protect the wetland. damage caused to the ecosystem. Environment as well as other ministries such jump, according to draft plans seen by Reuters. allowing indoor sports. Also, as the Inter-Ministerial Conference will “The Minister witnessed the destruction as Wildlife and Forest Conservation. Widely praised last year for relative success The Government will only discuss further be held at the Ministry of Environment next in containing the virus’s first wave, Merkel sectors, such as tourism, when the impact of more Thursday (11), it is proposed to have extensive has seen support for her Christian Democrats testing and vaccinations is clear, the draft says. discussions with all the relevant ministers in fall to 34%, its lowest in a year, according to a It also allows a lockdown to be re-imposed this regard as well as other environmental Forsa poll conducted for RTL/NTV Television. if coronavirus cases rise above 100 per damages. Two regional elections are due this month and 100,000, and for further easing if it sinks “The decisions taken to protect the a national election in September, when Merkel below 35. Muthurajawela Wetland have been criticised by is due to step down. Yesterday (3), Germany’s seven-day case many quarters. Minister Mahinda Amaraweera Health Minister Jens Spahn said the vaccine average dipped to 64 from Tuesday’s (2) stated that no damage will be caused to this campaign should be speeded up within days 65.8, but new infections reached 9,019 – a ecosystem due to the intervention of all relevant assuming approval is granted for over-65s to week-on-week rise of 1,000. institutions,” the ministry said. Muthurajawela Wetland Sanctuary Contd. from page 1

the mainland, it is impractical to consider the “We already processed a land survey which the Government’s stand. It is an independent Maithri Gunaratne PC and brother of Attorney- Indian Govt... island for burial. will end on 30 April. We hope to identify more body. Therefore, the Government needs to agree at-Law Charitha Gunaratne. Meanwhile, the Sri Lanka Ports Authority Protestors also told The Morning that these lands for cultivation purposes after this,” he on a formula in this regard. The Ministerial Four police officers – three constables and (SLPA) told The Morning yesterday that they concerns have also been raised with both the added. Committee will make recommendations and one inspector – were later interdicted over the had arrived at an agreement with the Adani Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka President Rajapaksa granted permission for advise the Government on how to proceed.” said assault. Group of Companies regarding the development (HRCSL) and the Catholic Bishops in Jaffna. farmers to engage in their traditional cultivation Prof. Peiris dismissed the notion that the Meanwhile, the Colombo Crime Division of the WCT. Elsewhere, Illankai Tamil Arasu Kadchi activities continuously without any disruption PCoI had recommended specific actions against (CCD) and the Special Investigation Unit “We had a discussion with Adani last week (ITAK) Parliamentarian President’s Counsel until related issues are resolved. various persons and organisations named in (SIU) are to investigate the alleged assault. and they agreed to the development,” SLPA M.A. Sumanthiran told The Morning that The President arrived at this decision after the report. Speaking to The Morning, Police Media Chairman Gen. (Retd.) Daya Ratnayake told since there is no scientific evidence stating focusing on issues raised by the farmers The PCoI lacked such power, Prof. Peiris Spokesman Deputy Inspector General of Police The Morning. that the burial of Covid-19 victims leads to who attended the sixth programme under the explained, adding that the AG would move the Ajith Rohana said the CCD will investigate However, Gen. Ratnayake said that he could groundwater contamination, any cemetery in “Discussion with the Village” series. courts on behalf of the Government. the incident while the SIU will look into not comment on whether the Indian Government the country could be used for burial. Officials of the Departments of Wildlife and He rejected allegations that the Government disciplinary actions. must or did nominate the Adani Group to be “This is a desperate ruse by the Government Forest Conservation, and Environment, the had exploited the PCoI report to undermine its According to DIG Rohana, four police an investor in the development of the WCT. to pit two minority communities against each Police, and other institutions were instructed ruling coalition partner, the Sri Lanka Freedom officers have already been suspended from When contacted by The Morning regarding other. We are firmly against this and this kind by the President not to disturb traditional Party (SLFP). He said that such criticism was duty. The Police is awaiting the medical report the matter, Cabinet Spokesman Minister of discrimination is a punishable offence under cultivation activities. unfair, as the Government had nothing to do for further action. Keheliya Rambukwella said that he has received the International Covenant on Civil and Political However, the President emphasised that with the setting up of the PCoI. Speaking to The Morning, former Central a letter from the Indian High Commission Rights (ICCPR) Act,” Sumanthiran added. no one is allowed to clear forests anew for Province Governor Gunaratne said that his son, regarding the matter. However, he said he This allegation was however rejected by cultivation purposes. law student Migara Gunaratne, is suffering could not divulge the contents of the letter at Cabinet Spokesman Keheliya Rambukwella First Covax... from trauma and shock at the moment. the time of speaking as he had not read it yet. who told The Morning that such a claim was “We are expecting 380,000 Oxford- “He went through a plastic surgery due to The Cabinet of Ministers’ decision on 2 to be expected from non-governmental parties. SJB backs... AstraZeneca Covishield doses on 7 March the wounds on his face.” March said that the development of the WCT Further, Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) “We are ready to stand for any problem in and those vaccines will be used to vaccinate According to Gunaratne, the victim’s party would be a public-private limited company Leader and MP Rauff Hakeem noted: “It is any religious community. But the SJB is not a those above the age of 60, as that is the plan would file a fundamental rights (FR) case partnership between companies nominated by ridiculous that we are going to be banished party whose politics revolve around religion.” we submitted to GAVI.” and also seek compensation from the officers the Indian and Japanese Governments and the to an island. The Kuppiyawatta burial ground SJB MP Harin Fernando told The Morning It was initially reported that the first batch involved in the assault. SLPA, and that a request has been made to the has been identified as safe for burial by Prof. yesterday that he would be participating in the of vaccines received by the country from the In the meantime, the Law Students’ Union Indian High Commission and the Embassy of Jennifer Perera’s expert committee on the Black Sunday march as Roman Catholics have Covax Facility would contain 264,000 doses. (LSU) has called on the authorities to hold a Japan to nominate investors. matter.” been invited to attend mass dressed in black. However, when contacted, Secretary to the thorough investigation into the alleged assault. It added that the Japanese Government The Iranaithivu island inhabitants protested “The Roman Catholic Church has requested Ministry of Primary Healthcare, Epidemics, A statement issued by LSU condemned the had not nominated a company and therefore against the navy occupation of the island since this and I will attend the mass dressed in black and Covid Disease Control Dr. Amal Harsha latest incident of police brutality and called the Cabinet had approved the terminal to 2009, and in 2018 peacefully reclaimed the accordingly.” de Silva told us that the consignment would for justice. be developed on a 35-year Build-Operate- island. The Government had a firm stance Meanwhile, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna be 260,000 and not 380,000. “We stand with the victim of this recent Transfer (BOT) basis with India’s Adani Ports on the mandatory cremation of the Covid-19 (JVP)-led National People’s Power (NPP) Adding that this vaccination plan might be violence and we grieve for his family, the and Special Economic Zone Ltd. (APSEZ dead after a gazette notification was passed on released a statement yesterday, extending their subjected to need-based changes according to community, and our nation. It is our belief Consortium), along with its local representative the matter earlier last year. This decision has solidarity to the Black Sunday protest. spread of the virus as well as the number of that unnecessary brute force by sworn-in, John Keells Holdings PLC and the SLPA. raised criticism and concerns from both human “As the NPP, we extend our full support to deaths in geographical areas and among age law-enforcement officers was used against a The decision came on Monday (1), exactly rights activists and the international community, the declared Black Sunday campaign, and we groups, Dr. Herath said the current plan is to person who was unarmed or posed no threat a month after Colombo pulled out of the 2019 saying it discriminates against the minority urge the Government and the legal authorities vaccinate those above 60 years and the group at the time of the incident,” the statement read. tripartite agreement with India and Japan to communities in the country. The Government to reveal the perpetrators and masterminds between 30 and 59 years simultaneously. jointly develop the ECT of the Colombo Port. has since decided to allow the burial of the behind these attacks and to deliver justice to “Our objectives in vaccination are to prevent The Sri Lankan Government reneged on a Covid-19 dead but has not implemented their those who suffered,” the statement said. deaths, which is more frequent among the ACJU, SLMC... tripartite agreement signed with India and Japan decision yet. Archbishop of Colombo His Eminence population above 60, and to block transmission, He noted that though the ACJU and the in 2019 last month. The Indian Government Malcom Cardinal Ranjith said on 2 March which is mostly seen among the age group majority of the community do not object to not has not taken kindly to this about-turn by the that the Black Sunday protest is not being held between 30 and 59,” he elaborated. covering the face, a ban brought through the law Sri Lankan Government, and has said so in no Entrepreneurs... against the report prepared by the Presidential Under the Covax Facility, GAVI had agreed would prove to be a violation of human rights. uncertain terms that it wants the latter to abide In the first round, 20,000 of the most suitable Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) on the Easter to provide Sri Lanka with vaccines to immunise “Once such a ban is brought by law, it is not by the agreement. entrepreneurs will be selected from the entries. Sunday attacks and that the churches in the 20% of the population. The timeline for the good for the community from a human rights The decision to backtrack on the agreement The process of obtaining applications for the Archdiocese of Colombo would be engaging arrival of the next batch has not been finalised perspective. The ACJU is planning to meet on was due to intense and vocal opposition from Government Land Allocation Programme in protests, seeking justice for the victims of yet, Dr. Herath added. 6 March to discuss what to do regarding this trade unions, both within and outside the for 100,000 young entrepreneurs has the attacks, claiming that is no clear evidence Covax is part of the Access to Covid-19 Tools matter. But the community won’t react to such Colombo Port, especially by unions that had been completed. Under the second phase, of justice being meted out to the victims. (ACT) Accelerator, a framework for global a ban in a strong manner.” supported the Government during both the special committees headed by the relevant The Archdiocese of Colombo is also collaboration that was set up in response to a call Nooramith said that the ban is not felt by presidential and general elections. divisional secretary will conduct interviews prepared to initiate a black flag protest on from G20 leaders in March 2020 at the start of the community as face masks are currently However, the handing over of the WCT for for the applicants, in order to select suitable the second anniversary of the attacks if there the coronavirus pandemic and was subsequently mandatorily worn by everyone. He claimed a joint development to India was agreed upon entrepreneurs at the relevant divisional is no transparent process to deliver justice. launched by the World Health Organisation that the ACJU has also been educating the by the trade unions, excluding those affiliated secretariat level. Accordingly, the Catholic households have (WHO), the European Commission, France, Muslim community about not covering the to the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), in a According to Ranawaka, the Ministry hopes been requested to prominently display a black and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in whole face and that the majority is of this letter sent to the President. to give a share of land to those who have flag in their homes from 21 April onwards if April 2020. It is the only global initiative that is opinion. The WCT is among one of three terminals the entrepreneurial ability in agriculture, no positive developments are seen by then. working with governments and manufacturers Expressing similar sentiments, Sri Lanka at the Colombo Port, along with the South technology, and self-employment. to ensure Covid-19 vaccines are available Muslim Congress (SLMC) Leader and Container Terminal (SCT) and the ECT. Each In order to achieve these objectives, the worldwide to the most vulnerable groups of Parliamentarian Rauff Hakeem told The Terminal is 1,200 m in length and possesses Government has identified lands from every AG requests... people, irrespective of their income levels. Morning on 2 March that covering the face facilities to accommodate three berths each. district with the help of the divisional secretaries AG’s Co-ordinating Officer State Counsel A batch of 500,000 Covishield doses arrived by wearing a burqa (face is not visible) or a and seeks to distribute them among the eligible Nishara Jayaratne previously said that 22 from India on 25 February, making the total niqab (eyes are visible) is a cultural practice investors. volumes were not handed over to the AG due amount of Covid-19 vaccine doses received and that such should therefore not be regulated Accordingly, unused lands already owned to the sensitive nature of the evidence, as it by Sri Lanka 1,000,000. On 22 February, the with legislation. He said that the community Douglas advises... by the Government, lands measured and pertained to national security. Cabinet of Ministers approved a proposal instead should be allowed to bring pressure distributed by the Government but not used According to sources, the Presidential to purchase 10 million Oxford-AstraZeneca against such practices and thereby change Edirisinghe further said that in addition for the aforesaid purposes, and lands suitable for Secretariat has declined to release 22 volumes Covishield vaccines for $ 52.5 million from them accordingly. to there being an ongoing cultivation of sea these projects will be selected from government (each containing about 600 pages) of the the Serum Institute of India. “The community should be trusted to urchins in the island, which is planned to bring lands along with abandoned buildings that had proceedings to the AG, on the advice of the PCoI persuade its members into changing practices in a potential $ 25,000 million to the country, previously been used for various purposes. that probed the 2019 Easter Sunday carnage. such as wearing the niqab and burqa. Bringing Iranaithivu is no longer an isolated island According to Ranawaka, selected Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) AG instruct... in unnecessary legislation is not advisable. It and as such, is unsuitable to bury bodies of entrepreneurs under 45 years of age would Chairman and Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris told Co-ordinating Officer to the AG State is a right of the people to practise their belief Covid-19 victims. face an interview with the relevant divisional the media on 1 March that the PCoI had made Counsel Nishara Jayaratne said yesterday and this is a matter of religious and cultural Meanwhile, in an open appeal to the secretary. far-reaching recommendations that had to (3) that the AG has further directed the IGP sensitivity.” Government by the people of the Iranaithivu “Eligible candidates would develop the land be dealt with by the Office of the President to produce the arrested suspects before courts He said that covering the face is not a island village, the island residents called upon and after two years, the Government would (Executive), the legislature, and the judiciary. on charges under the Penal Code and the religious obligation under Islam and that it is the Government to respect those who die from conduct an assessment where the lands are.” In addition to these, there were also specific Torture Act. only believed as such under the interpretation Covid-19 and to give them dignity in death by It is planned to provide investment recommendations to the AG’s Department and Nearly 10 police officers attached to the of the Quran by various sects of this faith-based not transporting them from place to place. The opportunities for 100,000 plots of land for the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Peliyagoda Police Station had allegedly community. letter further stated that since the livelihoods of 100,000 entrepreneurs selected through Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC). assaulted a law student named Migara At a press briefing held last week, Minister of the people in the island are mainly cultivation interviews (20,000 interviews per annum Fielding questions at the weekly media Gunaratne on 25 February, when he had visited Justice President’s Counsel M.U.M. Ali Sabry and cattle breeding, the richness of the soil is during the 2021-2025 period). briefing in Battaramulla, Prof. Peiris the Peliyagoda Police Station on his brother’s said that it had been proposed to the Cabinet extremely important for the islanders. Further, Meanwhile, the Ministry is also in the process acknowledged the flaws while emphasising the instructions to take food to a client of his. to bring about a law to ban the wearing of face the letter also said that since it takes one-and- of identifying lands for cultivation purposes, need to go ahead with the judicial proceedings. The victimised student was identified as covers in public places, including the burqa, a-half hours for a boat to reach the island from Ranawaka said. “The PCoI report didn’t in any way reflect the son of former Central Province Governor for security concerns. 43 Thursday, March 4, 2021 { NEWS } „„ www.themorning.lk Court permits Hejaaz’s lawyer to access evidence The Fort Magistrate yesterday (3) ordered that special arrangements should be made The Magistrate considered the submissions for a designated lawyer representing Hejaaz Hizbullah to attend the Magistrate’s Court and ruled that B-reports and statements filed in registry and study all material filed in relation to him in the presence of the Registrar, court are normally never a matter of a private without copies being issued. exchange between the court and the Police. Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Justice Piyumanthi Peiris addressing on behalf of the Magistrate Priyantha Liyanage issued the He said that unless this right is granted, he Court ordered that considering the claim that National Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force of the Ministry order as per a request made by the counsels who would be denied the ability to properly make some sensitive information may be contained appeared on behalf of Hizbullah when his case submissions on whether any order permitting in the statements, a special arrangement should was taken in court yesterday. further remand could be lawfully made. be made for a designated lawyer representing Nalinda Indatissa PC, appearing as senior Deputy Solicitor General Dileepa Pieris, Hizbullah to attend the Magistrate’s Court New database on human counsel on behalf of Hizbullah, informed the appearing for the Criminal Investigation registry and study all material filed in relation court that without being allowed to know Department (CID), submitted that while it was to him in the presence of the Registrar, without the contents of the summary of evidence and intended to file indictment against Hizbullah, copies being issued. trafficking for Sri Lanka statements made against his client, he is rendered investigations also are ongoing, and that Court further directed that an officer of the CID A database on human trafficking for Sri Lanka CID and Women and Child Bureau of Sri unable to properly discharge his duty towards therefore access to the material being filed as may also be present on that occasion. These steps was launched by The Asia Foundation on 25 Lanka Police. his client. He therefore submitted that this right a summary of evidence and statements made are to be taken before the next date of the case, February 2021 at Waters Edge, Battaramulla. At the event, Additional Secretary to the of this opportunity for counsel for the suspect against Hizbullah should be restricted, to avoid which was fixed for 18 March. Until then, the The database is intended to help first responders Ministry of Justice Piyumanthi Peiris said: should not be denied, as it is an important right. prejudice to investigations. remand order against Hizbullah was extended. identify a potential case of trafficking and flag “As we (the National Anti-Human Trafficking it for further investigation or refer a victim for Task Force) have detailed in the Standard Power Ministry and related services. Operating Procedures for the Identification, A first responder is anyone who comes into Protection, and Referral of Victims of Human Rs. 5 b more required Power Generation first contact with a victim of trafficking and Trafficking, identification and rescue are key plays the crucial role of identification. components in the process of delivering justice State Ministry The database will capture key information on to victims. Identification is also a critical entry for management of a possible case of trafficking in persons based on point to understanding information on victims, under one roof a complaint made by a victim or someone close perpetrators, types of means used by traffickers, Arrangements have been made to maintain to a victim. Complaints and/or information about and types of exploitation. unis: Prime Minister the Ministry of Power and the State Ministry trafficking can come from a range of sources, “These are some of the information collected of Solar, Wind, and Hydro Power Generation including from a police officer, NGO, parents/ by this data collection system. We believe the Additional funds worth Rs. 5 billion are education of university students. Projects in one building at no extra cost, the relatives/primary caregivers of victims, or any first responder database introduced by The Asia required for the management of the physical The Prime Minister expressed these views Government said yesterday (3). other person who has knowledge of the crime. Foundation, based on the screening checklist to and human resources of the universities due to at a discussion held with University Grants It said the move would increase administrative The systemic capturing of such information identify potential victims of TIP, will provide the enrolment of a higher number of students, Commission (UGC) representatives and vice efficiency. can be then sent to the Human Trafficking us with a good idea about the risk populations the Prime Minister’s Office said. chancellors of all universities at Temple Trees on The State Ministry of Solar, Wind, and Hydro and Smuggling Investigation Bureau at the that need services, so that the task force can plan Accordingly, Prime the provision of infrastructure for universities. Power Generation Project Development was Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for targeted prevention and protection mechanisms.” Minister Mahinda UGC Chairman Senior Prof. Sampath established under the new Government in investigation and then to the Attorney General’s The Asia Foundation said this database Rajapaksa has instructed Amaratunga stated that 41,000 students have parallel with the Ministry of Power with a view (AG) Department for prosecution, if the case was developed by Advanced Research to release additional been enrolled in universities this year. to achieving future power targets. is suspected of being one where a person has Computing Lanka (Pvt.) Ltd. and supported funds to the university A total of 10,588 students have been enrolled Both the Ministries’ projects will be shifted to been trafficked. through funding from the US Department of system in a phased in universities this year and this is the first Colombo 3 at no extra cost, taking into account This database was presented to members of State. It announced plans to support setting manner in addition to time so many students have been enrolled in the administrative problems that may arise at the the National Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force up similar databases in the CID and the the existing financial universities. expense of maintaining two separate locations. which consists of government stakeholders such AG’s Department to collect information allocations for the Senior Prof. Amaratunga stated that 479 It was reported that a monthly rent of as the Ministry of Justice, AG’s Department, on investigations and prosecutions related students have been admitted to the medical Rs. 4,229,415 has been paid to the building Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Foreign to trafficking in persons. faculties. previously maintained by the Ministry of Power Employment, Department of Social Services, These three data collection systems Education Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Ministry of Women’s Affairs, Department are expected to ensure the recording of who participated in the discussion Conference Hall (BMICH). of Probation and Child Care, National Child trafficking-related data from identification stated that there is a need for a “The new location only requires a monthly rent Protection Authority, Department of Immigration to investigation right through to prosecution, programme for the students who of Rs. 550,000, which would be economically and Emigration, Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign giving a comprehensive idea about the situation have not been able to enter into as well as institutionally advantageous,” the Employment, Department of Labour, and the of trafficking in persons in Sri Lanka. universities. Government said. 4 „„ www.themorning.lk { EDITORIAL/OPINION } Thursday, March 4, 2021

Gunawardena wrote to Minister Sabry BY SHREEN ABDUL SAROOR for freezer containers not so long ago and the community paid and bought Burial them all. Later, the health authorities, by obtaining a court order to cremate, cleared up the strain created by the victims’ families by not consenting to issue still Iranaithivu: Latest the cremation and leaving the bodies behind. Within a week since the bodies were kept in the freezers, they cremated all the bodies without any shame. Here can’t RIP too, the authorities made the Muslim chapter in book community’s rich men pay to defuse With the Government’s long-delayed but the poor victims’ families’ resilience. much-anticipated decision to permit the burial This is all now a political drama. of the Covid-19 dead, the burial-cremation They have already contracted parts dilemma has reached a crescendo; Sri Lankans, of three islands off Jaffna to China however, cannot help but wonder whether it for electricity generation, and now of deception Iranaithivu is going to accommodate has, in fact, come to an end. On 24 February, after the Interactive Dialogue on Sri Lanka at the United authorities are going to control this burial rights to satisfy Pakistan for its The Government has come under fire for its Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), when the burial issue dominated Island, depriving the returning Tamil support at the UNHRC. At the informal decision to permit the burial of the Covid-19 the discussion on Sri Lanka’s respect for minority rights, the Government Catholics of their one and only dialogue on the draft resolution, dead in the Iranatheevu Island in the Gulf of Sri Lanka quickly announced the lifting of the ban on the burial of Covid- livelihood: Fishing. Remember that Pakistan kept up its end of the deal, of Mannar, and it now has to deal with the 19 victims. Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, who visited Sri Lanka last Technical Committee Head Consultant hinting at the Sri Lankan Government’s furore among the community dwelling in the month (February), was bowled a gentle full toss, enabling him to effortlessly Judicial Medical Officer/forensic coming change of tune. Iranatheevu Island. clear the ropes and play the master stroke maker, enhancing his wooing of pathologist Dr. Channa Perera told the At the negotiations on 2 March, the Islamic countries for their votes on 22 or 23 March at the UNHRC. But the BBC that Covid-19 bodies can be used the Sri Lankan Ambassador asked for Since last year, the Government seemed structural racism that took centre stage in cremating the Muslim deceased as biological weapons. Burials can now a paragraph to be deleted from the to have little to no interest in permitting cannot easily be put back in its place, because it is now part of our State. be used as an excuse to intensify Navy resolution because it refers to forced the burial of the Covid-19 dead, as despite occupation on Iranaithivu. cremations, which are no longer taking the World Health Organisation (WHO) For many families of victims, it is when wearing masks is compulsory We Muslims do not want our place. Do they think the international issued guidelines sanctioning the burial still a nightmare – running from pillar for everyone. Apparently, for security burial rights at the cost of a very poor community is so blind? They cremated of the Covid-19 dead, and pressure from to post trying to prevent the cremation reasons, Muslim women should community being unable to fish and the first Muslims out of hate on 31 human rights activists and organisations, the of their loved ones’ bodies. Once again, remove their niqab. live a dignified life. March 2020, justified it with lies about the infamous Technical Committee The burial issue is still a nightmare, This is also a move to once again groundwater contamination, and now, Government continued to maintain that the has raised its ugly head in delaying and it is part of a continuity of attacks pitch the Muslims against the Catholic even as they pretend to show moderation burial of the Covid-19 dead may adversely the burial guidelines, reiterating its on minority communities. We are community. Chair of the Department and compromise, they expose their hate affect the environment, particularly through fictitious argument of groundwater now asked to settle to bury the bodies of Microbiology of the University of by choosing Iranaithivu. contamination of groundwater. From the contamination. in Iranaithivu, a small island off the Colombo and Dean of the Faculty of Well, the burial issue should not be beginning, the Government’s stance on the To get their right to burial back, it north-west coast with no land access. Medicine senior Prof. Jennifer Perera’s treated as a standalone attack on the burial-cremation issue was not very firm, seems the Muslim community must This island was originally inhabited by committee clearly said that in each rights of Muslims. It is only the worst and discussing and taking decisions on this say goodbye to another right they had Tamil Catholics who were displaced district, there can be identified burial and latest manifestation of something issue also took place at a snail’s pace. While enjoyed. Minister of Justice President’s due to the war. After a 25-year-long sites. Why should the community pay that has been brewing for a long time Counsel M.U.M. Ali Sabry is the struggle, they returned to the island in for all of these spiteful decisions of a here – a majoritarian polity that is various members of the Government have arbiter of this rights exchange, and 2018. Still, the Navy occupies part of few whose thirst for cruelty has not yet built purely on violent and militarised expressed contradictory sentiments for and it seems once again that it will be this island and only certain parts of the been quenched, even after forcefully Buddhism. The sharp claws of the lion against the burial of the Covid-19 dead, not Muslim women who will have to pay. coast are open to residents to do their cremating over 250 Muslims bodies? are on our neck. only the Government’s previous stance in Their right to wear the niqab (face fishing activities. Remember that Director General (The writer is a Co-Founder of the favour of cremations, but also the process of veil) is on the chopping board at a time Covid-19 burial means that the of Health Services Dr. Asela Women’s Action Network) permitting burials was not very clear. What’s more, the Government appeared disinterested in paying attention to scientific facts in this connection. This resulted in Data further indicates that this increase allegations that the Government was ignoring BY LAKSHILA is representative in all deciles except for the recommendations of the scientific WANIGASINGHE households in decile 10 (richest). As such, community in order to oppress the minority this increase, while beneficial for the poor, Muslim community by depriving them of the has also tilted in favour of the rich – those opportunity to bury their dead according to who should not qualify to receive benefits How Samurdhi shows that the programme supports not only under the Samurdhi programme. their religious beliefs. low-income categories, but families with In this context arises the question as to high income too. whether the decision to allow the burial of As of 2019, approximately 33% of Sri the Covid-19 dead was a result of mounting transfers can Lankan households were recipients of pressure from activists, or a last resort when Samurdhi benefits, and this represents a it became evident that contamination of proportion that is much higher than the groundwater was not a good basis to restrict eliminate poverty current poverty levels. Data show that burials. Or, was it a result of this year’s United targeting has worsened over time with The first Sustainable Development Goal to 1.3 million in 2012/13. a lesser proportion of poor households Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) (SDG) is to “end poverty in all its forms The share of poor households has also benefiting each year. The programme, session where the matter of the oppression everywhere” by 2030. While achieving declined from 5.3% in 2012/13 to 3.1% in thus, suffers from both inclusion (including of minority communities was raised? the goal of zero poverty is a lofty goal for 2016. The proportion of poor, as measured ineligible groups) and exclusion (excluding The reason behind the Government’s decision any government, it is profoundly more so by the Poverty Headcount Index (PHCI), also eligible groups) errors. to permit burial matters, because without for those of developing countries. The high shows a long-term downward trend with an A comparison of the proportion of a genuine need or interest, there can be no levels of inequalities and resource constraints over 70% drop during the decade between households supported under the Samurdhi Source: Author’s calculations based on HIES are the main factors that stand in the way of 2006 and 2016 (PHCI 2006/7 15.2%-PHCI programme, categorised by per capita 2016 and Tilakaratna, G. and C. Sooriyamudali genuine effort. (2017) ‘Food-Based Social Assistance reaching this ambitious yet attainable aim. 2016 4.1% ). expenditure deciles, highlights the issue Sri Lanka has seen far too many incidents Programmes in Sri Lanka: Evolution and There are several steps Sri Lanka can take of poor targeting. A study by Tilakaratna and Transition to Cash Transfers’ (Chapter 4), in that suggest that the governments that ruled to fast-track the achievement of SDG 1 and Sooriyamudali (2017) based on calculations Alderman, H., Gentilini, U., and Yemtsov, R. and are ruling the country are more inclined extend greater social protection to its most made using Household Income and (2018) 1.5 Billion People Question: Food, Vouchers, or Cash Transfers?’ Washington DC: to taking decisions to address the situation vulnerable groups. This article analyses Expenditure Survey (HIES) data shows that World Bank than the issue, and dealing with outcomes than the Samurdhi (prosperity) programme over 60% of households in the poorest two the underlying causes. In fact, Sri Lanka is – the country’s main poverty alleviation income deciles were Samurdhi beneficiaries Way forward so dependent on short-term solutions that we initiative launched in 1995 – and argues in 1995/96. The Samurdhi programme should focus on that addressing its core problem of poor During the 2006/07 HIES period, over supporting the “neediest” groups and fully have almost forgotten the difference between targeting of beneficiaries is essential to end 55% of families in the poorest decile received cover those belonging to the poorest income dealing with a situation and dealing with an Source: Ritchie, Roser, Mispy, Ortiz- poverty in Sri Lanka. Ospina. (2018). Measuring progress Samurdhi assistance. In 2009/10, this deciles, as they are the most vulnerable and issue, and that is perhaps where it all went towards the Sustainable Development declined to include only 45% of the poorest require assistance for livelihood sustenance. wrong. Where do we stand? Goals. SDG-Tracker.org households. By 2012/13, this proportion To improve its targeting errors, Samurdhi Permitting the burial of the Covid-19 dead Sri Lanka has performed reasonably consisted of only 36% of households. should implement a formal eligibility is merely a part of the solution Sri Lanka is in well in the area of poverty eradication in Poor targeting According to the latest calculations, just mechanism that thoroughly evaluates need of, and issuing a Gazette and guidelines relation to its South Asian neighbours. As The Samurdhi programme currently 39% of households in the poorest decile households to ensure that only poor families is also just a first step. The Government has a evident from the global progress towards supports over 1.8 million beneficiaries, but received Samurdhi assistance in 2016. receive cash transfers. achieving SDG 1, Sri Lanka has reported ineffective targeting has been a major issue A comparison of the two most recent The Department of Samurdhi Development responsibility to come up with a proper plan a continually declining long-term poverty plaguing the programme for several years. HIES survey periods of 2012/13 and 2016 recently introduced a more comprehensive to carry out the burials, and that is the only trend. The number of poor in the country As a poverty alleviation strategy, its main shows that the total share of households set of eligibility criteria and selection process. way to put to rest the burial-cremation issue has gradually declined, with only 843,913 target should be low-income groups, but an receiving Samurdhi has increased from According to new criteria, applicants are and any lingering feelings of discrimination persons in poverty in 2016 in comparison analysis of Samurdhi recipient households 16.4% in 2012/13 to 20.1% in 2016. critically evaluated based on a series of or prejudice. weighted criteria by a rural committee of a Protests demanding that the Government minimum of five members, and eligibility is permit the burial of the Covid-19 dead are determined based on the final score received. If implemented as directed, this will contribute not the pressing issue anymore; ironically, to a reduction in targeting errors. what we have now are protests against burials. Apart from this, regular re-evaluations The Government’s reluctance in allowing of the status of existing beneficiaries will burials in the last few months has already help identify families that no longer need caused a great deal of tension both among the assistance. Better targeting will free up country’s Muslim community and also among resources that can be redirected to the the progressive members of other communities. poorest groups in society. This will ensure the effective utilisation of Sri Lanka’s The recent protests against the burials in the very limited fiscal and other resources. Iranatheevu Island are a sign that the burial- Furthermore, continued assistance solely cremation issue and the tensions it entails are targeting the poor will contribute to not over, and that the Government still needs improving standards of living over time to plan and take actions regarding the matter. and ultimately lead to poverty alleviation in the long term, also bringing us closer to the goal of achieving the first SDG. (The writer is a Research Assistant at No 91, Wijerama Mawatha, Colombo 7. Institute of Policy Studies [IPS], with Fax - 011 2 673 441 research interests in poverty, social General - 011 5 200 900 welfare, development, education, and Sales & Marketing - 076 1 367 612 health. She holds an MSc in Economics Circulation Manager - 011 5 978 987 / 076 1 367 620 with a concentration in Development E-mail - [email protected] Economics and a BA in Economics Investigations Desk - 077 7 714 078 with concentrations in International, Website - www.themorning.lk Financial, and Law and Economics from Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, USA. Talk to Lakshila – [email protected]) 45 Thursday, March 4, 2021 { SPOTLIGHT } „„ www.themorning.lk police officers using archaic, inefficient, and brutal methods when interrogating suspects, Longstanding was also pointed out by a 2015 report issued by international human rights monitor, Human Rights issue, but no sign Watch (HRW). Police torture: The report, titled “We Live in Constant Fear: of coming to an end: Lack of Accountability for Police Abuse in Sri Lanka”, states that Sri Lanka’s Police frequently Activist use torture to try to obtain confessions rather than undertaking the more difficult and time- consuming process of gathering evidence through the Police and meet either the Officer-in-Charge investigations. It also added that the Police also (OIC) or a representative of the OIC, and obtain The blackest use beatings and other forms of torture to punish information regarding the suspects. He added suspects they believe are guilty, instead of leaving that the information that can be obtained include the matter to the courts. charges against the suspect, when the suspect “Too often, crime scenes are not properly would be produced in a court, and the possibility of investigated, as Police seek quick confessions obtaining bail. He also said that currently, only a set through coercive means; detainees are not brought of rules exist for the Police in this regard, and that a before a magistrate within 24 hours as required new bill has been drafted to further streamline this of black marks by law; and magistrates do not give serious process, which will be a special amendment to the consideration to allegations of mistreatment, Code of Criminal Procedure. including by ensuring that the detainee receives De Silva PC further said that if a certain party proper medical attention from a judicial medical has sustained injuries as a result of being assaulted officer (JMO),” the report noted. by the Police, actions can be taken not only against The HRW report said that it had documented fundamental rights violations, but also against the an “appalling” variety of torture methods used assault itself. by the Sri Lanka Police, which included severe Speaking of the legal provisions in this regard, beatings, electric shocks, use of stress positions Dissanayake noted: “When it comes to police (including suspending detainees from ropes and torture, the main law that can be employed is iron bars in painful positions), rubbing of chilli the fundamental rights law, under which only a paste over the body including the genitals, and handful of court cases have been filed. In addition, disorienting detainees by rotating them while they the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, are suspended from a pole (a torture technique Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment known as a “dharmachakra”). The report also Act No. 22 of 1994 is also applicable in this noted that due to such severe methods of torture, situation. However, according to a study we have suspects sometimes tend to admit to offences they conducted recently, filing cases against incidents had not committed. of torture under this Act are also at a very low The report had also emphasised that suspects level. Even if cases were filed, due to a number frequently are not informed about the reasons for of factors, those cases cannot be proceeded with. their arrest, and that the Police sometimes fabricate Even though this Act was enacted in 1994, so charges to justify the initial arrest and subsequent far, less than 200 cases have been filed under it. abusive interrogation methods. When the world is striving to eradicate torture Cases documented by the HRW had, according from society, in Sri Lanka, practices amounting Final-year law student Migara Gunaratne at the Peliyagoda Police Station after allegedly being assaulted by policemen to the report, also reflected a longstanding pattern to torture are still continuing, and we feel that the of procedural violations that had persisted despite occurrence of such incidents is more severe than

BY SUMUDU CHAMARA promises of reform by successive Sri Lankan we imagine.” governments. When it comes to Sri Lanka’s law-enforcement agencies, the Police force takes pride of place as The report said: “In 2005, prominent human the major institution that predominantly deals with matters pertaining to the general public. rights advocate Radhika Coomaraswamy, then Torturing: An Their major duties include protecting and serving the public, through which the relationship Chairperson of the National Human Rights between the Police and the public is formed. Commission, reported that police torture was not ineffective, archaic However, in the past few decades, a large Lanka, and that some police officers have a an issue stemming from a handful of rogue police number of incidents involving the Police misusing tendency to take on such practices. officers but instead was rooted in the routine use of method of interrogating the powers vested with them have been reported. He noted: “The people’s voice is also very torture as a method of investigation and required The lion’s share of these incidents involves weak. This discourse must continue. Sri Lanka fundamental structural changes in order to be suspects oppressing the public, and sometimes it goes needs the Police Department, as it is not possible eradicated.” beyond that, and amounts to police torture. To to run or develop a country without a good make matters worse, Sri Lanka has witnessed a Police Department. To achieve this, the public Implementation of existing laws Last year, the HRCSL wrote to Inspector General number of custodial deaths as well. The topic of must intervene. The Police and the criminal against torture of Police (IGP) C.D. Wickramaratne, who at that police torture came to light this week, after a law investigation mechanism should be reformed. Former Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) time served as the Acting IGP, stating that the student was brutally assaulted by the Police. Even though three commission reports have been President and Ministry of Justice Senior Advisor HRCSL had observed a rise in custodial deaths. Today’s Spotlight looks into the current situation issued with regard to police reforms, none of them Udaya Rohan De Silva PC told that The HRCSL emphasised that between June 2020 pertaining to the topic of police torture in Sri seem to have been implemented. Even though Sri Lanka has legal provisions for any person who and October 2020, eight custodial deaths had been Lanka. minor reforms were done in this connection, they has been subjected to unfair or inhumane treatment reported, including the death of underworld leader have not borne fruit. The Police should certainly by the Police to seek redress. Samarasinghe Arachchilage Madush Lakshitha alias Police torture on the rise be reformed; otherwise, it would not be possible He added: “The Police have not been vested Makandure Madush, who died during a shootout According to the Right to Life organisation, to address these issues in the long run. Continuing with any power to assault any suspect, and in the while he was in the custody of the Police. The which works extensively on incidents of police discussions about incidents of police torture alone event such an assault takes place, it is possible HRCSL also emphasised that the death of Madush torture, though there is an increased incidence of is not sufficient.” to file a fundamental rights case. This case will took place in a context where the HRCSL had, based torture, such incidents are rarely reported by the not exonerate the suspect from charges against on a complaint it received, informed the Police that relevant officials. Right to Life Executive Director him, but he can seek the Supreme Court (SC)’s steps need to be taken to ensure his protection. Philip Dissanayake told The Morning that several Existing laws assistance with regard to the alleged rights In the letter, the HRCSL further stated that such incidents concerning children being unfairly violations against him. In order to do that, within incidents continuing to occur can result in a serous treated by the Police have also been reported in the should be 30 days of the incident, the suspect in question problematic situation with regard to the rule of law recent past. should either submit an application to the SC in the country. He stressed that certain police officers acting implemented against or the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka Even though The Morning contacted the NPC arbitrarily and misusing their powers to carry out (HRCSL), and he will be granted the opportunity to inquire about any future course of action to curb assaults that amount to police torture is a serious torture: Legal expert to take action in that connection. Even if the incidents of police torture, it was not possible to issue and that police assaults take place all the HRCSL has been informed of the incident within obtain a statement. time, especially in rural areas, and that most of 30 days, there is no barrier to seek the SC’s Police officers misusing their power and them go unreported. He added: “According to what is being reported, assistance after that. In such instances, after taking oppressing the public is not a new issue, and “Even though the recent incident where there is an increase in incidents of police brutality into consideration all pertinent facts, if the SC according to human rights activists, unfortunately, a law student was assaulted by the Police and the misuse of power, including against concludes that a human rights violation has in fact there is not even a sign of such incidents declining. received widespread attention due to his family children. When it comes to misusing power taken place, the Court can order actions including The issue, according to what was emphasised in background, a large number of such incidents, against children, the most recent incident was disciplinary actions against or compensation from this article, is not the non-existence of laws, but in particular those against people belonging to about an Advanced Level (A/L) student who the police officers who have violated the rights of the failure to implement them. families which are not high-profile, go unreported. was arrested by the Police over charges of being the suspect.” Sri Lanka’s law-enforcement agencies should The media also does not give as much publicity. in possession of cannabis and was later charged He added that according to a set of SC rules, after take steps to ensure that protectors do not become Most of the time, actions are also not taken against for being in possession of heroin. When the presenting a BASL identity card, a lawyer can visit abusers and that abusers are not protected. such incidents, and very rarely does someone parents of the children filed a complaint with the intervene to assist the victims in such incidents.” National Police Commission (NPC), the NPC According to Dissanayake, there are a number recommended that the arrest had not been carried of reasons why incidents of police torture against out according to the law, and concluded that the the public remain unaddressed and do not receive Police had acted in a shameful manner.” adequate attention. Among these reasons are fear of repercussions and the public’s lack of trust Interrogation techniques in the existing judicial system which leads to a When queried as to why the Police tend to resort suspicion as to whether satisfactory action would to violence when carrying out investigations, be taken even if interventions are made. Dissanayake said that when it comes to carrying He added that due to the abovementioned out criminal investigations, Sri Lanka is still reasons, the public tend to remain silent even after using archaic methods, even though the world has being assaulted by the Police. He also said that evolved and has started using newer technologies in the last few years, Right to Life had received and methods for this purpose. information regarding a large number of such He added: “Other countries have developed incidents that were not reported officially. He police officers who have had specialised training emphasised that not only assaults but deaths in criminal investigations and some countries caused by assaults have also been reported to his have introduced educational plans to their organisation. police departments for this purpose. Such newer “Police torture is a pressing issue Sri Lanka techniques do not exist in Sri Lanka, and regular is facing, and more attention should be paid to police officers are used to carry out criminal addressing this issue,” Dissanayake said, adding investigation activities. The only method of that not only the Government, but also the public questioning they know is using torture methods should be attentive if Sri Lanka is to put an end to to extract information from suspects. But, it is police torture. a highly inefficient method. As a result, even When it comes to addressing the issue of police though a suspect is produced in the court based on torture, according to Dissanayake, the major issue a statement extracted using such methods, such is that the existing laws are not being put into cases cannot proceed in the courts. Due to such practice properly, which in turn has resulted in a reasons, in Sri Lanka, a large number of criminal handful of police officers misusing the powers cases cannot proceed in courts, and this has also vested with them. been acknowledged by former Chief Justice, He further emphasised that what is important President’s Counsel (PC) Sarath Nanda Silva, is filing a case after collecting all pertinent who stated that around 95% of cases filed by the evidence and information, not based on some Attorney General are dismissed due to the lack piece of information. He also said that there is of evidence to prove the charges. Due to such a problematic situation as to whether the Police reasons, during the trials, sometimes the accused and the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) gets released, and sometimes the court dismisses work in accordance with the accepted standards. the case due to the lack of evidence.” He added that there is a criminal culture in Sri Matters raised by Dissanayake regarding 46 „„ www.themorning.lk { INTERVIEW/INSIGHT } Thursday, March 4, 2021

Government. If they do so, they’ll be Director was looking for Methodist doing it at their own peril. It will not churches in the morning of the attack just be sadism, they would have insulted following misleading information the intelligence of their friends who which was a deliberate attempt to divert ‘GoSL hoodwinked believed them for what they did which the attention from Catholic churches. was done with assurances. We were There has been a force behind giving of told very clearly that the OIC member such conflicting information. countries were given an assurance The commission had sat through in this regard with no less than the day and night and put a lot of effort to people into believing Foreign Minister himself. To renege on go through the evidence. But there has a matter of this nature will certainly be been a selective reading of evidence problematic and that kind of dishonesty that was politically motivated to on a diplomatic level is not going to support the narrative that helped the bring us any goodwill. government to polarise the Sinhala vote. The recommendation to bring charges burial harmful’ Are Muslim political leaders and against Ven. Galagodaththe Gnanasara minority political parties using these Thera is an attempt to balance out. Rauff Hakeem slams issues to divide the country? When they have a credibility problem It is not us, it is the draconian policy they look into a balancing act and I am which is based on any rational scientific not at all impressed by that. His rhetoric Iranaithivu solution, calling reasoning that divides the country. and outburst are not helpful towards World renowned virologist Prof. Malik coexistence in the country. I think we it ‘harmful and sadistic’ Peiris from Hong Kong University and must recommend better hate speech a long list of people have poo-pooed laws in this country instead. on this policy. But this Government is living in denial. They did it for political Do you think a legal ban should be reasons. imposed on the wearing of the face veil? What are your initial impressions of As far as the Islamic faith is the Easter attacks PCoI report? concerned, both men and women have The PCoI report has an overreach of certain religious obligations to cover some of the issues. The Easter attack certain parts of the body. But the face was the work of a cult and a group of does not fall into that. The injunctions mad men that was disowned by the as far as the Quran is concerned is entire community. Somebody wanted to very clear. But there are some who use them for a collateral purpose. The have gone to interpret the Quran in a PCoI report is silent about many things. much stricter sense. In my opinion, It is still an enigma as to how this could the burqa and the niqab is a cultural have happened. There is also talk about practice coming from Arabs based a mole within Zahran’s camp. What on geographical factors and there is a happened to the mole is still a mystery. difference of opinion with regards to There is too much of a politicisation this matter. But cultural issues should PHOTO KRISHAN KARIYAWASAM of the report. This very regime not be legislated unnecessarily. The BY HIRANYADA DEWASIRI used these proceedings to do their community should be allowed to bring going to remain deep in the psyche of electioneering through live telecasting pressure. If a set of people believes Last week, a gazette was issued by the Minister of Health allowing the Muslims for generations to come. and propaganda. The report is a squib that it is un-Islamic to expose their bodies of Covid-19 victims to be buried, an-almost year long demand compared to the hype that was created faces, they will feel a lot of trauma. made by Sri Lanka’s Muslim community against the mandatory What if a portion of the population and that is why people are complaining. If you feel that your neighbour is cremation policy that existed. This week, as guidelines were being opposes the burial of Covid-19 Now they are trying to hoodwink the threatened by your attire, you must developed to allow burials, it was announced that the burial would be victims in any part of the country? poor cardinal. always try and make the neighbor allowed to be done on the island of Iranaithivu in the Northern Province. This Government and their media comfortable as you are living in a In light of this and the Presidential Covid-19 situation. bandwagon which created this mindset Do you think that madrasas should multi-ethinic country. Islam is flexible Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) report This so-called experts committee in is responsible for creating this phobia be regulated the way that the PCoI in that way. Some European countries on the Easter Sunday attack, 46th my opinion has absolutely no scientific and they will have to reverse it but they report has recommended? have made such impositions in order regular sessions of the United Nations evidence to show that burying is are not willingly doing it. They don’t Madrasa schools need regulation to maintain uniformity. This might Human Rights Council (UNHRC) harmful when following other safety want to withdraw their unscientific and and reforms and lots of groups have have revulsing effects. It is best left to proposed ban on the face veil, and guidelines. When pressure was mounted baseless thinking. We have stomached looked at this issue. We welcome be self regulated by the community. the proposed reforms to the Muslim in Geneva with the UNHRC resolution all this in our desperation to get our some government oversight within We have ourselves been talking as Marriage and Divorce Act (MMDA), embodying this particular issue and burial rights. It could even be that certain limits. They can have some much as possible to convince various The Morning spoke to Sri Lanka the Organisation of Islamic Countries the Government themselves will put supervision about the content and not denominations that may have a Muslim Congress (SLMC) Leader (OIC) very specifically took this issue people up to protest. This is what they be too imposing on religious matters. hardline view. You must have the and Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) up with a variety of other countries were trying to do and they did that Responsible religious scholars from basic trust in the community to self Parliamentarian Rauff Hakeem. also looking at this as a harmful after the Easter Sunday attacks. They among the Muslims can be appointed regulate and take into confidence and Following are excerpts from the policy marginalising a section of the instigated people and deliberately used to revisit some of the areas with not to hurt their cultural sensitivities. I interview. population, the Government had to media outlets to spread fear among the doubts. This can be done without the feel that Sri Lanka is being made into do something. Having withdrawn the people. It was a hellhole for Muslims government interfering in religious a testing ground for other interested Do you think the decision to bury gazette, they are using another excuse everywhere. Polarisation was created matters without doing it in an intrusive countries to impose such a ban. the Covid-19 dead on the island of in order to maintain that their original deliberately. This is an extension of that. manner. Scholars should be appointed Iranaitivu provides a solution to the decision had some basis. I see this as from the community to look at the What reforms do you recommend problem? a very harmful and sadistic way of Do you think the OIC countries controversial issues in a way that does should be brought to the MMDA? The issue of taking the dead bodies heaping more trauma on a community should support Sri Lanka at the not compromise religious principles. MMDA reforms have been taken to Iranaitivu is an instance of giving that has suffered. This has not even UNHRC? The basic tenets of a religion should place by an expert committee and it by one hand and taking from the other. helped in the fight against the Covid- I don’t want to say that OIC countries not be compromised for uniformity and has been debated for a long time. No We have the relief of getting buried 19 virus and its spread as Muslims are should support or oppose Sri Lanka. It’s there is no uniformity in religious belief. sensible person would want these after all. But it is going to heap more traumatised that they don’t want to go up to them to decide. With this kind of progressive reforms to not take place. expenses on the people. The dead to hospitals fearing that they might get deliberate intransigence, their capitals The report had also recommended Whatever the Justice Minister has have to be given their dignity. Maybe cremated. will think twice before extending that political parties should not be presented to the cabinet with the the families would want to visit the support. OIC countries stood for registered with names on the basis exception of the face veil ban is grave site later. We are being denied Do you think that Covid-19 burials what is right. We are the only country of religion or ethnicity. What do you welcome. The Muslim community these rights. This is not second to what should be allowed in any location in that has been following mandatory think about this? also should try and look inwards the Government wanted to do earlier the country? cremations and they knew that it was They are only looking for and see what went wrong. The by wanting to pack us all off to the Every other country is allowing it. a deliberate racist policy though they scapegoats. Every conceivable thing community itself has initiated some Maldives. It is very distressing to see You can have basic safety guidelines to did not call it that. The Government that is happening within the Muslim of the changes already. We have all that this Government is continuing which we will agree. Professor Jennifer expected them to support a resolution community is seen as a cause for the fully agreed that the marriageable with this distasteful and reprehensible Perera’s expert committee, which is which also embodies this very element. attack. But this type of radicalisation age of a woman must be raised to 18 policy and they are not willing to step full of very qualified virologists and All the resident ambassadors and has been in all communities. and most of the Muslim countries back. There is a deliberate intransigence epidemiologists, has given a report and high commissioners of the member Convenient scapegoats from former have done so. Women Qazis should and the Government has diabolically offered certain guidelines. Why are new countries wrote a collective letter to the President Maithripala Sirisena be there as well. This kind of hoodwinked their own population into conditions being put in place? This is President and the Foreign Office. The downwards have been identified. There discrimination shouldn’t exist. With believing that the burying of Covid-19 typically an attitudinal problem with Foreign Ministry did not even have must have of course been some apathy the levels of education, you see that victims is harmful to the environment a very racist minded group which is the courtesy to reply to that letter. Now and complacency from various parties in universities the female students and the health of the others and used calling themselves an expert committee. they are pleading to those countries to that resulted in the attack. I would who enter are almost twice as the government media and private media This is a part of the Government support them. It is up to them whether say that there was a lot of infighting men and this is true for Muslim who are their pied pipers for this cheer squad who has been given some to support Sri Lanka at UNHRC or not and unnecessary possessiveness of girls too. This must be encouraged. purpose. This was done from last position in the expert committee who based on their own convictions on the information among the intelligence There are dogmatic and introverted April in order to create a very harmful is now hell bent on trying to prove that contents of the matter. agencies. There is a lot of reform that is so-called theologians who are trying polarisation with an eye on getting the they were right all along. They have needed within the intelligence structure. to block such reforms who I feel have votes of the majority community based been proven to be pseudoscientists. Do you think the decision would be The sharing information did not take been silenced now. The overwhelming on unnecessary fear psychosis. It was They tried to maintain this policy at reversed when the UNHRC sessions place, the Directorate of Military support for the recognition of women’s done after the Easter Sunday attacks whatever cost in order to intentionally in Geneva conclude? Intelligence should have been kept in rights in a more purposive manner has and they took it to another level with the deny our fundamental right. This scar is You never know with this the know. The State Intelligence Service to be accommodated.

BY RUWAN LAKNATH JAYAKODY The reason why freedom of thought is an absolute, non-derogable right is because it aims to secure an individual’s mental autonomy, Freedom of thought absolute, as the loss of which leads to the loss of the individual’s dignity, democracy, and very sense of self, the Supreme Court (SC) observed. The freedom of thought, conscience, and it protects mental autonomy: SC religion/belief is enshrined in Article 10 of the Constitution. Article 10 is an absolute right without any Constitutionally recognised The SC pointed out thus in the recent cases In the United States case of Stanley v. of their social worth, is fundamental to our to speaking. Accordingly, while preventing A restrictions or fetters. of U.N.S.P. Kurukulasuriya v. Sri Lanka Georgia, Thurgood Marshall J (joined by free society.” from reading or listening would constitute a The law must therefore, the SC noted, Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC) and Others Chief Justice [CJ] Earl Warren, William The decision by Mark Damien Hugh violation of B’s freedom of speech, it may protect the citizen from threats to the freedom (SC/FR/556/2008) and J.K.W. Jayasekara v. Orville Douglas J, John Marshall Harlan the Fernando PC J (joined by Ranjith N.M. not infringe A’s freedom of speech. A’s right of thought by the State and its agencies, while SLRC and Others (SC/FR/557/2008), where the II J, Abraham Fortas J with Potter Stewart Dheeraratne J and Asoka Somawansa to read or listen is much more appropriately the Government needs to act positively in judgement was penned by President’s Counsel J, William Joseph Brennan Junior J, Byron Wijetunga J) in Fernando v. The Sri Lanka referable to his freedom of thought, because it facilitating mental autonomy. (PC) and Justice (J), Buwaneka Aluwihare and Raymond White J and Hugo Lafayette Black Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC) and Others is information that enables him to exercise that The SC also noted that the contours was joined by Priyantha Jayawardena PC J and J in concurrence) held that: “It is now well observed: “In the strict sense, when A merely right fruitfully.” Fernando J. was further of the of the right to the freedom of thought L.T.B. Dehideniya J established that the Constitution protects the reads (or hears) what B writes (or says) in the opinion that, “…information is the staple food do not appear to have been significantly The ability to form and hold an opinion on right to receive information and ideas…This exercise of B’s freedom of speech, it does not of thought and that the right to information crystallised through fundamental rights regulations that would have an impact on oneself freedom [of speech and press]…necessarily seem that A receives information in the exercise simpliciter, is a corollary of the freedom of jurisprudence, except perhaps with regard is, to say the least, Aluwihare PC J noted, a protects the right to receive…This right to of A’s freedom of speech, because that would thought guaranteed by Article 10.” to the freedom of religion. characteristic of the democratic way of life. receive information and ideas, regardless be to equate reading to writing, and listening Contd. on page 9 7 Thursday, March 4, 2021 „„ www.themorning.lk

business Arpico Insurance What happened to the appoints new Chief Executive Officer Rs. 5.7 t loans?: SJB Arpico Insurance PLC He was said to have announced in a recent efficient rapports BY MIHI PERERA Colombo Stock Exchange with many foreign The Government has obtained z (CSE) disclosure that reinsurers such as loans amounting to Rs. 5,780 Claims no explanation on it appointed Kelum Munich Re, Swiss Re, billion in less than two years, but Senanayake as the and RGA and had high no explanation has been given as how these funds were spent company’s new Chief underwriting standards to how these funds were spent, Executive Officer (CEO). he maintained in Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP obtained during 2020 and 2021. has done with the saved amount of $ Senanayake, who the protecting the company’s Kabir Hashim said yesterday (3). Hashim also pointed out that a large 4.8 billion, which roughly amounted CSE clarified does not and customer’s interests. amount of funds had been saved by to Rs. 64 billion. have any shares in Arpico Senanayake also had He said the Government has obtained the Government last year due to the “The Government saw fit to request Insurance, was reported active interactions in the about Rs. 2,850 billion in loans in 2020 suspension of imports during the Covid- for loans amounting to Rs. 5,780 billion to have begun his duties fields of distributing, and Rs. 2,950 billion after the 2021 19 pandemic. even with this saving. on Monday (1). finance, actuarial, Budget was presented. “A total amount of $ 1.4 billion has We want to know how the Government Senanayake started information technology The MP accused State Minister of been saved because of the lack of oil has utilised these funds,” he added. his insurance career (IT), human resources Money, Capital Market, and State imports alone. A further $ 3.3 billion as a clerk in 1982 at (HR), and logistics. Enterprise Reforms Ajith Nivard was saved due to import restrictions on Mercantile Credit Ltd. With this wealth of Cabraal of failing to explain how the imports such as vehicles,” he stated. Samagi Jana Balawegaya MP and rose to the rank of experience, he trained Government utilised the loans that were He asked as to what the Government Kabir Hashim Director of Operations. an agency force of over In a career spanning 4,500 agents at AIA HIGHER COMPENSATION FOR WORKER TERMINATION nearly 40 years, he Insurance Lanka Ltd. SriLankan achieves was employed at as a consultant trainer Union assurance PLC and achieved the MDRT record-breaking for 27 years and AIA threshold of Rs. 4.4 upliftment to Maldives Insurance for 10 years. million as a wealth FTZMA says FDIs During his career, he has planner by achieving SriLankan Airlines carried a record-breaking 1.2 worked at both strategic Rs. 7 million First Year million kilogrammes of cargo from its network and implementation Premiums in 2020 at the to Malé, the Maldives, in February 2021. levels, and has actively same organisation. The Maldives is one of the few open, and participated in new He completed his will get discouraged highly popular, island destinations in the world business underwriting, Diploma in Business BY ZAHIDA RIZVI “It was not adequately discussed at country, seriously damaging continuity for travellers. Since the pandemic, perishable policyholder servicing, Management in 1999 at The Free Trade Zone Manufacturers’ the national labour advisory council,” of business, investment, (and) generation goods have been in high demand. claims, group life the Worldview Institute Association (FTZMA) said the gazette Fernando stated. of employment opportunities,” the Its island neighbour Sri Lanka supplied a large underwriting, and his MBA at the released to double the upper limit of The FTZMA Secretary further pointed statement reads. share of perishable goods, with cargo carried from reinsurance, and University of Western compensation under the Termination of out that changes in rules and regulations However, the Labour Minister issued Colombo to Malé exceeding 500 metric tonnes payments. Sydney in 2004. Employment of Workmen Act (TEWA) in labour and tax laws will restrict the gazette on 25 February, legalising a in the last month. from Rs. 1.25 million to Rs. 2.5 million foreign investors looking to invest in cabinet decision made in January. The is a restrictive legislation and will this country. new act came into effect on 19 February. discourage foreign direct investments “Sri Lanka is no longer a lucrative The Termination of Employment (FDIs) into Sri Lanka, The Morning investment destination, and it will go (Special Provisions) Act No. 45 of Business learns. further down in the Ease of Doing 1971, as amended by Act No. 12 of “This legislation will be a major Business Index if such laws are 2005, was enacted for the purpose of concern for a developing country like Sri constantly implemented,” he added. providing relief when terminating the Lanka which requires FDIs to flow in, The FTZMA has also written to service of workers. The Act introduced resulting in existing investors looking for Minister of Labour Nimal Siripala de a formula for determining the amount other destinations, and there are many Silva in December last year, addressing of compensation to be paid to workers other lucrative investment destinations the matter of the increment from Rs. at the termination of employment. like Ethiopia, Vietnam, Bangladesh, 1.25 million to 2.5 million. and Myanmar,” FTZMA Secretary “Requesting you and the officials The compensation was determined Dhammika Fernando said. of the Ministry of Labour to consider on the basis of the period of service The FTZMA, the Joint Apparel and evaluate social cost benefits rather under the regulations imposed by the Association Forum Sri Lanka than individual cost benefits of a policy Minister of Labour. Additionally, the (JAAFSL), and the Employers’ decision, we, the business community regulations include a provision that Federation of Ceylon (EFP) filed their (members of FTZMA), categorically the amount of compensation calculated objection to the increment under the object to the proposed amendment which according to the formula above should basis of the legislature being enacted makes well off very few workers at not exceed Rs. 1.25 million, which has in a haphazard manner. the expense of development of the been opposed by unions. Ideal Motors to launch maxitruck by end-June BY KAREN HAPUARACHCHI

Ideal Motors, authorised vehicle dealer for Indian multinational “As our market share is 60%, automotive manufacturing corporation, we learned a lot from this figure. Mahindra in Sri Lanka is set to launch What we learned is consumers are the latest maxitruck by end of June going to appreciate and value our this year. products if they are provided with “We are about to launch our a personalised product from our maxitruck. There is something manufacturing site different about this also,” Ideal Group Founder and Executive Chairman Nalin Welgama noted recently. will be brought into the country as “As our market share is 60%, we well. Also, the electric vehicle prices learned a lot from this figure. What are reported to be a similar price to we learned is consumers are going to other Mahindra cars. appreciate and value our products if Furthermore, the target they are provided with a personalised manufacturer’s aim from June to product from our manufacturing site,” December was to manufacture an he added. estimated 1,200 vehicles by the end It was also highlighted that Ideal of the year. Motors have received 1,200 car orders Ideal Motors also announced its so far this year. Out of which, the greatest wish of importing electric car dealer is only able to supply 550. vehicle manufacturing technology. However, the company hopes to supply “There were a lot of discussions the rest during the course of this year. which the Ministry of Industries, It was also mentioned that by the end with the leadership of (Minister of 2021, 2,000 locally manufactured Wimal) Weerawansa, had with Mahindra cars would be available in assemblers and potential assemblers. the market. Also, the value addition to Ideal Group Founder and Executive In 2015, Alto sold 55,000 units. both the Mahindra car and maxitruck Chairman Nalin Welgama There is a market; Sri Lanka needs are 30% and 35%, respectively. to start somewhere.” “This truck is made for Sri Lanka. give their specifications, likes, and Furthermore, Mahindra is planning This is a huge success which is going dislikes where we will provide a price to export diesel vehicles to Bangladesh to emerge. Consumers can go to to the consumer and thus, we make it where the assembly of the vehicles our 40 showrooms and choose for for them.” will take place in the country and Sri themselves the maximum extent of Ideal Motors also reported that the Lanka will directly export the vehicles personalisation. The consumers will electric versions of the Mahindra cars to Bangladesh. 48 business „„ www.themorning.lk { TECH/AGRICULTURE } Thursday, March 4, 2021

BY KAREN HAPUARACHCHI Oracle Corporation, an American computer technology corporation introduced its Oracle Corp. introduces mission- latest Database Technologies, yesterday (3) in a webinar which makes it convenient to implement blockchain in mainstream enterprises and critical database technologies government applications with blockchain to applications with minimal Blockchain tables are also immutable Even with cryptographically chained truth, eliminating data duplication and that keep the data in sync or up to minimal application changes. or no changes required. tables that organise rows into several rows, sophisticated cyber-criminal or increasing security. date. Any node can quickly determine As the focus of conventional data This allows providing the full chains. Each row, except the first row authorities, hackers could illicitly change Oracle Blockchain Platform is if any block has changed since it was security technologies such as passwords, functionality of the world’s alleged in the chain, is chained to the previous data via a large-scale cover-up, where a platform, which customers and added. When a new, full node joins firewalls, and data encryption is to block leading database on crypto-protected row via a cryptographic digest or hash. the entire database is replaced. partners can use to create permissioned the blockchain network, it downloads criminals from hacking classified data data. The hash is automatically calculated on In order to detect such a cover-up, blockchain networks for private or a copy of all the blocks currently on stores, Oracle proposes that layering Firstly, in order to protect against illicit insert based on that row’s data and the Oracle enables schema owners to sign models. the chain. blockchain technologies on top of data data changes made by rouge insiders hash value of the previous row in the and distribute the cryptographic digest Oracle Blockchain Platform provides The two types of blockchains include security features provides an extra or malicious actors using insiders’ chain. Additionally, timestamps are also for a blockchain table periodically. the enabling distributed ledger public blockchain and permissioned level of protection that prevents illicit credentials, Oracle has introduced recorded for each row on insertion. Any It should be noted that the digest technology and related capabilities blockchain. modifications or deletion of data. immutable tables. modification to data in a blockchain can’t be used to infer the data in the for building blockchain applications Public blockchain includes a public, In addition, as the general idea of An immutable table makes it possible table breaks the cryptographic chain table, but authorised users can use it and business networks. or permission-less; blockchain network blockchain technology is decentralised to insert new data, where existing data because the hash value of the row will to validate the chain and confirm their In a blockchain system, fraud and is one where anyone can participate peer-to-peer apps that only permit cannot be changed or deleted by anyone change. newly inserted data is present. data tampering are prevented because without restrictions. Most types of consensus-based data changes, adapting using the database, even the database Users can verify the contents of a The crypto-digest can be posted to an data can’t be altered without the cryptocurrencies run on a public to these apps requires new development administrators (SYSDBA). blockchain table have not been modified independent public store or blockchain, permission of a quorum of the parties. blockchain that is governed by rules methodologies, specialty data stores It should be noted that it is reported to since they were inserted using the like Ethereum or sent out by email or It should be highlighted that a or consensus algorithms. and potentially new business practices, be impossible to change an immutable “dbms_blockchain_table.verify_rows” made available via a REST API. blockchain ledger can be shared, but Permissioned blockchain involves a which are complicated and expensive. table’s definition or convert it to an procedure. A cover-up can easily be detected by not altered. If someone tries to alter private, or permissioned, blockchain Oracle reports that there is a solution updatable table. Even with immutable or blockchain comparing the previously published data, all participants will be alerted allows organisations to set controls on to accessing the extra level of protection However, an immutable table appears tables, data can be falsely inserted in digests to the current table content. and will know who made the attempt. who can access blockchain data. Only without having to go through challenges like any other table in the database from an end user’s name by someone using Also, distributing the publicly across The key reason that organisations users who are granted permissions can of complications and an expensive an application’s point of view. It can stolen credentials. In order to address multiple independent services prevents use Blockchain technology, instead access specific sets of data. Oracle price tag. store both relational data and JSON this vulnerability, Oracle allows end- an authority or cyber-attacker from of other data stores, is to provide a Blockchain Platform is a permissioned “Blockchain is a form of documents, and it can be indexed and users to cryptographically sign the data deleting all the separate copies. guarantee of data integrity without blockchain. Cryptosecurity data management. partitioned or used as the basis of a view. they insert using their private key that Both immutable and blockchain relying on a central authority. This “This blockchain table that we’ve Most of this service was released in “There are two unavoidable problems. is never passed to the database. tables are free features of the Oracle is called decentralised trust through implemented where we allow publicly January, the remaining versions of this One of them is hackers; Hhckers have Each end-user registers for a digital Converged Database. No additional reliable data. distributed signed digest and user data will be released in April. This is a new always been there and are going to certificate containing their public key licenses or software is needed to take Furthermore, the name “blockchain” signing, this is a distributive blockchain technology that is being developed be there forever. We have evaluated with this database. This digital certificate advantage of these new table types, comes from the fact that the data is but it is not peer-to-peer,” explained and researched, and it is known as an different security measures that they allows the database to validate the which are completely transparent to stored in blocks, and each block is Loaiza. additional layer of security,” stated will try to break into,” explained Loaiza. end-users signature when new data is all new and existing applications. connected to the previous block, “There is an entity that owns this Oracle Executive Vice President Juan “The second problem is corrupt users: inserted. In an instance where a hacker Also note, Oracle has backported making up a chainlike structure. block chain table. Let’s say your bank Loaiza. valid users that have rogue intentions. manages to steal a valid set of credentials immutable tables and blockchain With blockchain technology, users owns this blockchain table and it is Blockchain technologies consist of A corrupt inside employee such as without the private key, the signature tables to Oracle Database 19c. can only add (append) new blocks to not peer-to-peer, this makes it much four critical components; immutability, an administrator that decides to do on the newly inserted data won’t match Blockchain technology enables a a blockchain. Users can’t modify or easier to use, much easier to implement cryptographic digests, cryptographic something bad, much more common and will therefore not be accepted. It’s group of select participants to share delete any block after it gets added to and it matches the existing business signatures, and distributed systems. is compromised users, which is an also possible for end-users to ensure the data. This allows transactional data the blockchain. Algorithms that enforce application,” he further added. Each of these components works to insider that has been hacked and their database has received their changes by from multiple sources to be collected the rules within a blockchain system Blockchain has come a long way over protect against different illicit data credentials are stolen by malware or requesting Oracle countersign the newly and shared. is known as a consensus algorithm. the past 10 years. Initially developed changes performed using legitimate hackers,” he added. inserted data. Data is broken up into shared blocks Once the participating parties set up to serve as the public ledger for all user credentials. In addition to this, as a measure taken Oracle returns a crypto-receipt that are chained together with unique rules for the blockchain, the consensus transactions on the network of bitcoin Furthermore, integrating blockchain to protect against illicit changes made to the user, ensuring nothing on identifiers in the form of cryptographic algorithm ensures that those rules are cryptocurrency, it’s fair to say that its technologies into the Oracle Database by hackers, Oracle has introduced the mid-tier can filter specific data hashes. Also, Blockchain provides followed. Blockchain blocks of data various uses in the present day were brings critical security benefits of blockchain tables. to prevent it from being recorded. data integrity with a single source of are stored on nodes, the storage units not envisioned at its birth. SLID and EY conduct webinar on IT security Sampath Bank launches z ‘Security of Information Assets: What the Board Visa Business Debit Card Needs to Know’ Sampath Bank recently announced the launch of its The Sri Lanka Institute of Visa-powered business debit Directors (SLID) with Ernst & card linked to a corporate Young (EY) organised a webinar account, the Sampath Bank recently, moderated by EY Partner Visa Business Debit Card. Manil Jayasinghe, on “Security This service was established of Information Assets: What the to help businesses of all sizes Board Needs to Know”, to update gain more control over their Keynote Speaker TechCert Panellist Virtusa Executive Panellist INED of Listed Moderator EY Partner Manil the knowledge and understanding CEO Dileepa Lathsara VP, CIO/GM Madu Ratnayake Companies D. Soosaipillai Jayasinghe expenses. of board members on the increasing The bank’s business cybersecurity risks and threats to such as switches, patch panels, of an eventual attack, the ability The organisation should have a customers will be able to information assets of an organisation routers, servers, and all other to track back to a unique event/ security vertical such as a CISO or IT move away from cash and brought about by the rapid wave of equipment, and application systems person or group responsible with security, which is where the boards provide separate debit cards Sampath Bank Visa Business Debit Card digitalisation and resulting changes including confidential corporate admissible evidence which also aids will look to establish ownership for to their employees for day- in the way organisations work in information in those systems. It is in quick rectification and recovery. IT security. He also suggested that to-day expenditure. They experience the convenience The bank’s experienced IT response to the ongoing pandemic. also important to identify where Lathsara also emphasised that it the board does regular, if not half- can set monthly transaction and security offered by this team offers customers advice The webinar also discussed corporate information is stored and is important to make informed and yearly Vulnerability Assessment limits on each individual card solution to simplify their cash and shares their insights. The strategies and best practices on who has access to it,” said TechCert optimal investments in cybersecurity and Penetration Testing (VAPT) and link the cards to their flow management as well as staff also works closely with how to mitigate these risks in CEO Lathsara. mitigation which can be calculated by external third parties into the preferred company account accounting, reporting, and customers to evaluate their securing information assets while “Boards should get involved preferably as Annualised Loss systems/security matrix of the with Sampath Bank. monitoring.” business’ unique needs and ensuring business continuity, loss in handling cybersecurity risk by Expectancy (ALE) as against organisation. The chosen account will The Sampath Bank Visa develop tailormade solutions minimisation, and quick, safe firstly setting a security tone for the ROI (return on investment) since In conclusion, moderator be directly debited each Business Debit Card is said to suit them. recovery in the event of a breach. organisation so that everyone takes security is about loss prevention and Jayasinghe observed that the area of time an employee makes to join an extensive suite of The bank also offers The keynote address was security seriously, and also ensure not about earnings where ALE is cybersecurity is akin to a minefield a payment using the card. corporate cash management cash and cheque collection delivered by TechCert Chief that the required resources are made calculated as the cost of a security and the risk levels have increased Businesses can consolidate solutions offered by Sampath services to help customers Executive Officer (CEO) Dileepa available. Boards can focus on the incident x chance that the incident dramatically because of the need all spending information Bank aimed at helping manage their retail and Lathsara and the panel comprised of actual requirements of information will occur in a year. for organisations to open their using the detailed electronic businesses around the island inter-branch collections and eminent tech and business leaders security by adopting and adhering Panellist Ratnayake said that systems to enable the work-from- reports it offers and simplify manage their cash flows more deliveries as well as cash Virtusa Executive Vice President to security frameworks, standards, it is essential and fundamental home environment in response to their payments, bookkeeping, efficiently, reduce processing transport requirements. and CIO (Chief Information acts, and directives such as NIST to have the right people in the the current pandemic. reporting, and monitoring costs, and save time. Sampath Bank’s electronic Officer)/GM (General Manager) (National Institute of Standards security team led by a CISO (Chief He also said that education, processes. Sampath Bank’s Vishwa delivery channels, payment Madu Ratnayake and INED and Technology) and ISO 27000 Information Security Officer) and keeping up to date on what is out This new business debit Corporate online banking gateways, and QR-based (French Institute for Demographic series, PCI-DSS (Payment Card that cybersecurity is a journey there, helps a lot in identifying and card from Sampath Bank portal enables universal payments offer a range of Studies) of Listed Companies D. Industry Data Security Standard) and not a destination, as security mitigating risks and the procedures is set to encourage more financial supply chain fund collection options that Soosaipillai. rather than having the IT security is evolving. The boards should that need to be put in place to secure businesses to go digital management through allow business customers to “It is important to define team re-invent the wheel,” he added. comprise of members who have information assets. He concluded with their expenses, in line responsive web interfaces, optimise their cash flow and what information assets are so He further stated that cybersecurity expertise on security given that the webinar by highlighting that with the Government and the customisable formats, and collect funds to a centralised that security can be provided should be incorporated into the most companies are going digital the area of cybersecurity requires Central Bank of Sri Lanka’s web services that directly collection account. to those assets. Contrary to the digital transformation chain and and the risk becomes crucial. constant, real-time monitoring, efforts to drive the adoption link the customer’s corporate Business customers can misconception that information should not be a mere afterthought Panellist Soosaipillai said that especially in the scenario where of cashless payments in the ERP (enterprise resource also utilise Sampath Bank’s assets are only the application to be plugged in at the end. Cyber the first thing is to find a security organisations have adopted the country. planning) system to the wide range of investment systems or the systems where staff accountability is also important in standard to be adopted in the work-from-home concept, putting Commenting on this, banking system. portfolio management work on and the data that resides on that it is the organisation’s ability organisation, without which there a completely new dynamic to Sampath Bank PLC Senior Business customers can services including cash those systems, information assets to demonstrate that they have good will be spending on security without successfully securing information Deputy General Manager make fund transfers, bulk sweeping, cash pooling, and include supporting infrastructure cyber hygiene to ensure, in case knowing what the benefits are. assets. – Operations and Group payments, and payments short-term money market Chief Marketing Officer through mobile phones such investment options to invest Tharaka Ranwala said: as payments on identification their idle cash. Consolidating “We are delighted to help through the mobile cash their collection accounts, they Pelwatte Industries forms auxiliary industry businesses of all sizes go solution of the Sampath can make informed decisions, Pelwatte Dairy Industries Ltd. (PDIL), will be able to ensure that the cattle receive the training, PDIL ensures that they create digital with their daily Vishwa Corporate online optimise their cash flows, and a leading Sri Lankan local dairy producer, the food they need all year along, while a high-quality raw milk supply chain. This expenses with the launch banking portal. invest in a range of treasury is reported to be on a mission to produce also supporting an auxiliary industry in the helps the milk procurement personnel of the Sampath Bank Visa They can schedule management products. sufficient forage for the cattle – all year process. to source the highest quality fresh milk. Business Debit Card. Moving payments using the portal’s Sampath Bank’s cheque along, despite the season, weather, and PDIL Managing Director Akmal Since PDIL only uses 100% fresh milk in away from cumbersome cash pre-established payment printing and distribution climate which usually cause deflects to the Wickramanayke said: “As a local leader, we its product range, this ensures the highest transactions, businesses can templates, execute real- services help businesses produce and affect grazing patterns and milk believe that the most significant component standards in every product. now provide staff members time payments to the Sri reduce operational production capabilities of the cattle. of our value chain are the farmers and their The company has substantially been with individual debit cards Lanka Ports Authority and complexities, risks, and Thereby, Pelwatte not only ensured to supportive industries. It is for this very sourcing milk from locals following strict to be used for company Sri Lanka Customs, as costs by outsourcing their meet the domestic milk demand but to also reason that we, at Pelwatte Dairy Industries, guidelines and testing ensuring its quality expenses. The cards are well as pay staff salaries cheque printing requirements uplift the socio-economic status of local dairy remain heavily invested in working with and hygiene stays intact. This alone has linked to the customers’ and make EPF (Employee and maintain full control farmers, supportive industries, and locals. and uplifting the lives and work of the been the livelihood of over 1,000 families preferred Sampath Bank Provident Fund) and ETF of their cheque payments. PDIL has extended its support to several dairy farmers and those of the supportive around the area with an assurance that all accounts which get debited (Employee Trust Fund) The bank will manage women and youth in the locality to establish industries with an intense focus of raising small-scale farmers and private farms will every time a transaction payments. Businesses can the printing of cheques as their own forage and cattle feed production the socio-economic standards of these poor have a guaranteed buyer in them, and that is made using these cards. also manage all their trade well as distribution to the centres, that is in turn bought by the company communities. their products will always be competitively We look forward to seeing service (exports/imports) customer’s clients, suppliers, and by the registered local dairy farmers who By providing supporting services like priced. our business customers functions online. and vendors. business 49 Thursday, March 4, 2021 { ADVERTORIAL/CORPORATE } „„ www.themorning.lk Pan Asia Bank revives ‘Aththama’ The qualities of care, concern, and coming together to help each This fascinating concept, called this concept of “Aththama” comes in today’s world when many people Determined to live up to it brand without expecting anything in return was the hallmark of the “Aththama”, is enshrined in the to their help, symbolising unity and are struggling with the pressures of promise of being the Truly Sri bygone era when people’s lives were more serene. values of all Sri Lankans – and Pan emotional bonds that go beyond daily life and need a helping hand. Lankan Bank, Pan Asia Bank is In Sri Lankan culture, a true together as an extended family to Asia bank is now breathing life into family. More than ever today, people need poised to launch a product that microcosm for an ideal and help each other in times of need. this concept by reviving this warm Refreshing these ancient values of to come together to help each other reflects the spirit of “Aththama”– harmonious society, people rallied The objective of these people was and generous tradition of helping harmony, unity, and selflessness, Pan as a family, is the message that Pan help, co-operation, and unity when around each other selflessly – to be of help and to support their each other in society. Asia Bank has taken on the mantle of Asia Bank wants to convey as it people need it the most, and which offering their services to others, neighbours to overcome challenges When people experience gently reminding people of these age- highlights traditional Sri Lankan pulls them out of hopelessness into with the entire community coming without expecting anything in return. difficulties and financial constraints, old values which are much-needed values. a new dawn. People’s Bank offers gift Dharshana Wanniarachchi and Thilan Dassanayake awarded hampers worth Rs. 2 m CTC Chairman’s Award People’s Bank recently launched Ceylon Tobacco Company a promotional campaign to select PLC (CTC) recently achieved the 200 winners from customers who Chairman’s Award for Leaf Production received money transfers from abroad Manager Dharshana Wanniarachchi via Western Union, and offer them gift and Business Development Manager hampers worth Rs. 2 million. Thilan Dassanayake, for the years 2020 The January draw of this promotion and 2019 respectively. was held at the People’s Bank Head The award is presented in Office and 25 winners were selected recognition of personal contribution from customers who received money to the growth and development of via Western Union between 1-31 the business. January, who were eligible for the “Winning the Chairman’s Award draw. was the proudest moment of my career The promotion will continue till and I am honoured that my efforts 30 May 2021. have been recognised in this manner,” Present at this occasion were noted Wanniarachchi. People’s Bank Deputy General “I am also extremely proud to Manager (Process Management, lead this project that will contribute Dharshana Wanniarachchi Thilan Dassanayake Quality Assurance, and Retail significantly to the Company’s ESG Banking) Renuka Jayasinghe, Assistant agenda by improving efficiencies, to enhance efficiencies and deliver move out of their comfort zone and General Manager (Overseas Customer People’s Bank Head of Marketing Nalaka Wijewardana and Deputy General which in turn will enhance farmer’s better value. I must also add that you push the bar higher day in – day out. Services) Anoma Madduwa, and Head Manager (Process Management, Quality Assurance, and Retail Banking) livelihoods. I would like to thank my can’t achieve this on your own; it was We empower them to be bold and of Marketing Nalaka Wijewardana. Renuka Jayasinghe team for their support during this past a collective team effort, and I must resilient in the face of challenges and I year, which helped me successfully extend my heartfelt gratitude to my believe this is what makes our people launch this project and I believe its entire team for the support extended.” some of the best talent within the BAT implementation will help us to continue CTC Chief Executive Officer group as well as across Sri Lanka.” Advantis Projects & Engineering opts delivering value to our leaf farmers in Nedal Salem said: “I am very happy CTC has continuously implemented line with our ambition of creating a that Dharshana and Thilan won the various initiatives that highlight and better tomorrow,” he added. Chairman’s Award in recognition recognise hard work and innovation by for TATA SIGNA 4018.S Prime Movers Dassanayake noted: “It’s a great of their hard work and dedication. I its people, which inspires employees feeling to see your efforts being take this opportunity to congratulate to strive to reach greater heights and rewarded and I am overwhelmed and them on this well-deserved win. shapes their thinking towards working happy to win the Chairman’s Award. Here at CTC, we drive a culture proactively. Most recently, CTC was I am proud that the project led by me of recognition; rewarding good also recognised as a Top Employer was successful in redefining our Trade things done by our employees. We 2021 by the prestigious Top Employer Marketing and Distribution model continuously challenge our people to institute. Contd. from page 6

the right to receive information constitutive of thought, Aluwihare Freedom of... finds no place specifically in our PC J further explained, citing Further, Fernando J. added that Constitution. Trinity College Dublin, Ireland “Article 10 denies the Government However, the subsequent enactment Department of Psychiatry Associate the power to control men’s minds, of Article 14A of the Constitution on Professor in Clinical Psychology and while Article 14(1)(a) on the freedom the right of access to information and Neuropsychology Simon McCarthy- of speech and expression, including the Right to Information (RTI) Act, Jones’s paper titled The Autonomous DIMO and Advantis Projects & Engineering officials at the handing over ceremony publication, excludes the power to No. 12 of 2016, has now changed Mind: The Right to Freedom of Thought curb their tongues”. this position. in the 21st Century. DIMO, the authorised distributor Director / CEO Shadil Rizan stated: and comfort level allows its drivers In Joseph Perera v. The Attorney Article 18(1) of the International One significant way to foster for TATA Motors Ltd. in Sri Lanka, “We chose TATA SIGNA 4018.S to operate with minimum fatigue.” General and Others, Suppiah Covenant on Civil and Political mental autonomy would be to delivered 7 Units of TATA SIGNA Prime Movers from DIMO because The TATA SIGNA 4018.S Sharvananda CJ advanced a different Rights and Article 9(1) of the provide information in an “autonomy 4018.S Prime Movers to Advantis these vehicles are equipped with Prime Movers from TATA Motors view from that in Fernando. The European Convention on Human supportive” context, Aluwihare PC Projects & Engineering (Pvt.) Ltd. better GCW, faster on-road operations is specially designed to provide right to receive information was Rights recognise the freedom of J noted. In the case of Red Lion Sedawatte recently. with a spacious comfortable driver momentum in the inland logistics seen as a right peripheral to the thought in conjunction with the Broadcasting Company Incorporated The TATA SIGNA 4018.S Prime cabin with AC and offer the lowest operation sectors. It is important for freedom of expression, rather than freedom of conscience and religion. and Others v. Federal Communications Movers units delivered to Advantis operating cost. Most importantly, they new development projects to employ a right included in the freedom of The former stipulates: “Everyone Commission and Others, White J Projects & Engineering (Pvt.) come with DIMO’s warranty with the latest and most reliable technology thought. It cited Douglas J (joined by shall have the right to freedom of (joined by Warren CJ, Black J, Harlan Ltd. offer higher power-to-weight high resale value and an extensive and superior equipment to meet the Warren CJ, Thomas Campbell Clark thought, conscience and religion. the II J, Brennan Jr. J, Stewart J and ratio and higher torque at wheels after sales service network.” stringent deadlines. Thus, in order J, Brennan Jr. J, and Arthur Joseph This right shall include the freedom Marshall J) stated: “It is the right of delivering better performance while At the handing over ceremony, to meet the stiff requirements of Goldberg J, and Harlan the II J and to have or to adopt a religion or the public to receive suitable access to the clinically-designed driveline with DIMO Director Mr. Vijitha Bandara this sector, the TATA SIGNA 4018.S White J in concurrence) in Griswold belief of his choice, and the freedom, social, political, aesthetic, moral and Cummins ISBe 5.9L engine with stated: “The world-class TATA Prime Movers come with aggregates v. Connecticut to the effect of: “The either individually or in community other ideas and experiences which is 3-mode FE switch and G750 gearbox SIGNA 4018.S Prime Movers come such as Cummins Engine with power right of the freedom of speech and with others and in public or private, crucial…”. Two of the rights on which offers greater fuel efficiency. from TATA Motors, the renowned 179HP, transmissions form 6F, heavy- press include not only the right to to manifest his religion or belief in the decision in Red Lion Broadcasting This vehicle comes with a 40 Ton leader in commercial vehicles duty 7T reverse Elliot type front axle distribute, the right to receive, the right worship, observance, practice and was based on were the listener’s right maximum permissible GCW when manufacturing in India. TATA and single reduction RA110LD type to read and the freedom of inquiry and teaching,” while the latter reads thus: to equality, and the listener’s right coupled with a suitable two-axle SIGNA Prime Mover has the highest rear axle, and front semi-elliptical / the right to teach...These are proper “Everyone has the right to freedom to information needed to make his trailer and a new range of value market share in Sri Lanka having parabolic leaf spring and multi-leaf peripheral rights.” of thought, conscience and religion; freedom of speech effective. enhancers such as a gear shift advisor changed and developed the inland spring suspension at rear. Smartly- Sharvananda CJ further added: this right includes the freedom to As the law stood at the time of the and tilt and telescopic steering column logistics operations in Sri Lanka designed cabin space, improved “Freedom of speech and expression change his religion or belief and the alleged infringement under discussion that provide an excellent trucking with its advanced technology and ergonomics and NVH levels in the consists primarily not only in the freedom, either alone or in community in U.N.S.P. Kurukulasuriya v. SLRC experience. minimum operating and maintenance SIGNA range offer a superior in-cab liberty of the citizen to speak and write with others, and in public or private, and Others (SC/FR/556/2008) and Advantis Projects & Engineering cost. Furthermore, the new design experience. what he chooses, but in the liberty of to manifest his religion or belief, J.K.W. Jayasekara v. SLRC and the public to hear and read, what it in worship, teaching, practice and Others (SC/FR/557/2008), there was needs.” It was further observed that in observance.” no affirmative obligation on the State HNB celebrated among Sri Lanka’s Most a democratic polity, the Government The European Court of Human to provide information to persons. shall be by the consent of the people Rights (ECHR) has combined the Again, the subsequent enactment of Admired Companies for third year in row and that such consent should not only right to information with the freedom Article 14A of the Constitution on Sri Lankan retail bank Hatton be free but also grounded on adequate of expression. Article 10 of the the right of access to information National Bank (HNB) PLC information. European Convention on Human and the RTI Act, No. 12 of 2016, has was presented with an award In Visuvalingam and Others Rights guarantees the freedom of now changed this position. commemorating its top rankings v. Liyanage and Others (SC expression, including the “freedom As White J said in the Red Lion among Sri Lanka’s ‘Most Admired Applications Number 85/83 and to hold opinions and to receive and Broadcasting case: “...the people as Companies’ for the third consecutive No. 6/84), Dharmadasa Wimalaratne impart information and ideas without a whole retain their interest in free year. J joined by Percy Colin-Thome J, interference by public authority and speech and their collective right to HNB’s ranking was secured K.A. Parinda Ranasinghe J and M.M. regardless of frontiers.” have the medium function consistently based on another year of financial Abdul Cader J, was of the opinion that In Guerra and Others v. Italy, the with the ends and purposes of the First performance as well as its the freedom to receive information ECHR stated: “The Court reiterates Amendment (freedom of speech and commitment to delivering value to is encompassed within the freedom that the freedom to receive information, press). It is the right of the viewers customers, employees and the nation of speech and expression guaranteed referred to in Paragraph 2 of Article 10 and listeners, not the right of the as a whole. by Article 14(1)(a), and that the of the Convention, basically prohibits a broadcasters, which is paramount.” “The respect of our peers, and of restrictions that may be placed on Government from restricting a person Aluwihare PC J was of the view the Sri Lankan public is possibly the the freedom of speech and expression from receiving information that others that information is needed not only to greatest validation of our pioneering would apply to the freedom to receive wish or may be willing to impart to him make freedom of speech effective, but approach to banking. Over the past information. (see Leander v. Sweden). That freedom that information is equally relevant to year, digital banking has become Heevi Rodrigo J, in his opinion in cannot be construed as imposing on a make the freedom of thought effective an integral part of our lives. In Hatton National Bank (HNB) Managing Director/CEO Jonathan Alles accepting the the said Visuvalingam case, observed: State, positive obligations to collect as well, for if one were to form an 2021, we will continue to fuel this bank’s award as a Most Awarded Company in Sri Lanka from Army Commander “To impart information, there must be and disseminate information of its own opinion, information is an essential technological transformation, in order General Shavendra Silva, together with HNB ICCSL Chairman Dinesh Weerakkody a recipient to receive it. So a reader motion.” The right to information has ingredient, and opinions are formed to actively drive a vibrant revival of or hearer is inseparably linked to the thereby been recognised as a corollary through the process of thought. Thus, the national economy,” HNB CEO/ Institute of Management Accountants success with which a given corporate concept of publication. One does not of the freedom of expression. Aluwihare PC J observed, one cannot Managing Director Jonathan Alles (CIMA) and International Chamber creates a higher purpose for its exist without the other. Likewise, if Arguably, the domain of the right detach information from the faculty stated. of Commerce, Sri Lanka (ICCSL), organisation while also seizing on one ceases to exist, so does the other.” to freedom of thought should extend of thought, as they are inextricably Organised by the Chartered the ranking takes into account the digital opportunities. Rodrigo J stated that, significantly, to include an external action that is interwoven. 104 business „„ www.themorning.lk { MARKET } Thursday, March 4, 2021 Unit trust prices­ at 2 Mar. 2021 CSE Price List 3 Mar. 2021 Fund name Unit selling price...... Unit buying price SE­CUR­I­TY VOLUME V.W.A. OPEN HIGH LOW V.W.A. CHANGE SE­CUR­I­TY VOLUME V.W.A. OPEN HIGH LOW V.W.A. CHANGE Astrue Active Income Fund 100.9406...... 100.9406 PREVIOUS TODAY’S (RS.) PREVIOUS TODAY’S (RS.) Astrue Alpha Fund 14.9875...... 14.1565 A.SPEN.HOT.HOLD...... 11,011...... 29.9...... 29.9...... 29.9...... 28.6...... 28.8...... -1.1 SEYLAN DEVTS...... 72,158...... 15.9...... 16...... 16.3...... 15.5...... 15.5...... -0.4 Assetline Income Fund 16.8894...... 16.8894 ABANS...... 753...... 164.75...... 165...... 165...... 162.5...... 162.75...... -2 SIERRA CABL...... 766,217...... 6.5...... 6.2...... 6.5...... 6...... 6.4...... -0.1 Assetline Income Plus Growth Fund 17.1755...... 16.7030 ACCESS ENG SL...... 811,411...... 23.4...... 23.2...... 23.4...... 22.5...... 22.5...... -0.9 SIGIRIYA VILLAGE...... 4,052...... 32.2...... 36.9...... 36.9...... 30...... 31.7...... -0.5 Senfin Dyanmic Income Fund 10.0274...... 10.0274 ACL...... 662,178...... 36.6...... 35...... 37...... 32.9...... 33.3...... -3.3 SINGER FINANCE...... 3,100...... 14...... 14...... 14...... 14...... 14...... 0 Senfin Growth Fund 9.0600...... 8.7600 ACL PLASTICS...... 3,167...... 238...... 237.75...... 237.75...... 220...... 230...... -8 SLT...... 11,885...... 34.9...... 34.8...... 34.8...... 34.2...... 34.3...... -0.6 Senfin Money Market Fund 15.1275...... 15.1275 ACME...... 209,206...... 6...... 5.8...... 6...... 5.8...... 6...... 0 SUNSHINE HOLDING...... 68,924...... 79.9...... 78.2...... 80...... 77.5...... 77.9...... -2 Senfin Shariah Balanced Fund 11.3800...... 11.0600 AGALAWATTE...... 25,300...... 28.4...... 27.2...... 30.2...... 26.6...... 27.3...... -1.1 SWISSTEK...... 21,975...... 111.5...... 102...... 110...... 102...... 105.25...... -6.25 Senfin Shariah Income Fund 12.4501...... 12.4501 AHOT PROPERTIES...... 5,006...... 39...... 39...... 39...... 38.5...... 38.9...... -0.1 TALAWAKELLE...... 48,248...... 38.3...... 38.2...... 38.3...... 37...... 37.6...... -0.7 Ceybank Century Growth 75.7500...... 72.4400 AITKEN SPENCE...... 114,230...... 61.1...... 61.1...... 62.5...... 59...... 60...... -1.1 TANGERINE...... 9...... 40...... 40...... 40...... 40...... 40...... 0 Ceybank Gilt Edge Fund (A Series) 14.5241...... 14.5241 ALLIANCE...... 1,300...... 50.5...... 49.3...... 50...... 49.1...... 49.3...... -1.2 TEA SMALLHOLDER...... 550...... 37.3...... 36.6...... 36.6...... 36...... 36...... -1.3 AMANA BANK...... 165,095...... 3.5...... 3.4...... 3.5...... 3.3...... 3.3...... -0.2 TEEJAY LANKA...... 892,587...... 40.1...... 40.1...... 40.8...... 40...... 40...... -0.1 Ceybank Gilt Edged Fund (B Series) 11.1547...... 11.1547 AMAYA LEISURE...... 11,345...... 17.7...... 18...... 18.1...... 17.6...... 17.8...... 0.1 THREE ACRE FARMS...... 14,648...... 219.5...... 209...... 217...... 196.25...... 200...... -19.5 Ceybank High Yield Fund 13.8760...... 13.8760 ASIA ASSET...... 49,196...... 5.9...... 6.2...... 6.2...... 5.5...... 6...... 0.1 TOKYO CEMENT...... 325,839...... 70.6...... 71...... 71...... 67.5...... 69.1...... -1.5 Ceybank Surakum Fund 12.3939...... 12.3939 ASIRI...... 25,662...... 27.1...... 27...... 27...... 26...... 26.1...... -1 TOKYO CEMENT [TKYO.X0000].1,084,020...... 64.6...... 64.8...... 64.8...... 59.1...... 61.4...... -3.2 Ceybank Unit Trust 25.3300...... 23.7700 ASIRI SURG...... 3,750...... 14.5...... 13.5...... 13.6...... 13.5...... 13.5...... -1 UNION BANK...... 1,176,655...... 11...... 11.6...... 11.6...... 10.8...... 11...... 0 Ceylon Dollar Bond Fund (in $) 0.7056...... 0.7021 AUTODROME...... 8,768...... 73...... 75...... 80...... 75...... 75...... 2 UNISYST...... 94,212...... 14.8...... 14.8...... 15...... 14.8...... 14.8...... 0 Ceylon Financial Sector Fund 7.0200...... 6.7300 BAIRAHA FARMS...... 1,999...... 141.25...... 141...... 141...... 135...... 137.75...... -3.5 UNITED MOTORS...... 306...... 66.2...... 66...... 66...... 64.7...... 64.7...... -1.5 Ceylon Income Fund 22.3428...... 22.3428 BALANGODA...... 5,918...... 13.7...... 13.1...... 13.9...... 13...... 13.7...... 0 VALLIBEL...... 287,412...... 7.4...... 7.3...... 7.4...... 7.2...... 7.3...... -0.1 CEYLON Index Fund 53.8300...... 51.6400 BUKIT DARAH...... 2,214...... 330...... 318.25...... 339...... 301...... 316.25...... -13.75 VALLIBEL FINANCE...... 30,644...... 105...... 104...... 105...... 100...... 101.25...... -3.75 Ceylon IPO Fund 5.4300...... 5.3200 C M HOLDINGS...... 1,961...... 83.9...... 83.3...... 83.3...... 79...... 80...... -3.9 VIDULLANKA...... 70,989...... 5.3...... 5.4...... 5.4...... 5.2...... 5.3...... 0 Ceylon Money Market Fund 17.4161...... 17.4161 C T HOLDINGS...... 2,002...... 165.75...... 165.5...... 172.5...... 165...... 165...... -0.75 WATAWALA...... 46,921...... 56...... 56...... 56...... 55.1...... 55.3...... -0.7 Ceylon Tourism Fund 3.5400...... 3.4100 CARGILLS...... 119...... 238.5...... 235...... 240...... 235...... 235.25...... -3.25 YORK ARCADE...... 153...... 165...... 165...... 183...... 165...... 176.25...... 11.25 Ceylon Treasury Income Fund 6.1500...... 6.1500 CARGO BOAT...... 4,889...... 61...... 60.8...... 64.8...... 53...... 56.6...... -4.4 SECOND BOARD Comtrust ADL Mudarabah Fund 11.7163...... 11.7163 CARSONS...... 1,017...... 274.75...... 265.25...... 290...... 265.25...... 289...... 14.25 AMBEON CAPITAL...... 92,937...... 5.5...... 5.4...... 5.4...... 5...... 5.1...... -0.4 Comtrust Equity Fund 18.2600...... 17.3700 CDB...... 15...... 111.75...... 107...... 110...... 106.25...... 111.75...... 0 ARPICO...... 38...... 179...... 179...... 179...... 176...... 179...... 0 Comtrust Gilt Edged Fund 10.4675...... 10.4675 CDB [CDB.X0000]...... 13,572...... 77.2...... 78.5...... 78.5...... 73...... 73...... -4.2 ASIA CAPITAL...... 10,500...... 5.8...... 6...... 6...... 5.5...... 5.5...... -0.3 Comtrust Money Market Fund 11.9179...... 11.9179 CENTRAL FINANCE...... 54,135...... 89.1...... 88.6...... 88.6...... 85...... 85.3...... -3.8 BROWNS BEACH...... 96...... 11.1...... 11.1...... 12.3...... 11.1...... 11.1...... 0 First Capital Equity Fund (FCEF) 1,340.0700...... 1,273.0700 CENTRAL IND...... 66,736...... 113...... 109.75...... 110...... 103...... 105...... -8 COMM LEASE & FIN...... 102,064...... 6.5...... 6.2...... 6.4...... 6...... 6.2...... -0.3 First Capital Fixed income Fund 1,859.6400...... 1,859.5900 CEYLINCO INS. [CINS.X0000]...... 67...... 1099.75...... 1,138.25...... 1,138.25...... 1,070.00.....1,099.75...... 0 DISTILLERIES...... 22,704...... 20...... 20.1...... 20.8...... 19.9...... 19.9...... -0.1 First Capital Gilt Edged Fund 1,498.1700...... 1,498.1700 CEYLON GUARDIAN...... 40,844...... 125.5...... 125...... 125...... 122.5...... 125...... -0.5 FIRST CAPITAL...... 141,948...... 51.4...... 51.2...... 52...... 48.3...... 49.7...... -1.7 First Capital Money Market Fund 1,921.3200...... 1,921.3200 CEYLON INV...... 10,447...... 63...... 63...... 63...... 60...... 60.1...... -2.9 GOOD HOPE...... 2...... 1121.9...... 891...... 891...... 891...... 1,121.90...... 0 First Capital Wealth Fund 1,134.2800...... 1,134.2500 CEYLON TOBACCO...... 241...... 1000.5...... 1,040.00...... 1,040.00...... 1,010.00.....1,023.25...... 22.75 KELSEY...... 988...... 42...... 41.9...... 41.9...... 35.1...... 38.5...... -3.5 CHEMANEX...... 4,854...... 80...... 79...... 79...... 76...... 76.3...... -3.7 KOTMALE HOLDINGS...... 18...... 216.5...... 204...... 204...... 203.25...... 216.5...... 0 JB Vantage Money Market Fund 27.7830...... 27.7830 CHEVRON...... 101,714...... 99.1...... 98.9...... 99.9...... 96.8...... 97...... -2.1 LOLC DEV FINANCE...... 101...... 70.1...... 63.1...... 63.1...... 63.1...... 63.1...... -7 JB Vantage Short Term Gilt Fund 14.9476...... 14.9476 CIC...... 103,386...... 57...... 58...... 58...... 55...... 55.6...... -1.4 LOLC FINANCE...... 1,021,456...... 6.3...... 6.3...... 6.4...... 6.1...... 6.2...... -0.1 JB Vantage Value Equity Fund 24.6600...... 23.1800 CIC [CIC.X0000]...... 301,916...... 45.8...... 46.7...... 46.7...... 42.9...... 44.4...... -1.4 MADULSIMA...... 11,555...... 8.8...... 8.4...... 8.7...... 7.9...... 8...... -0.8 NDB Wealth Gilt Edged Fund 18.7706...... 18.7706 CITRUS LEISURE...... 47,909...... 9...... 8.7...... 9.4...... 8.5...... 8.6...... -0.4 ODEL PLC...... 200...... 20...... 19.8...... 19.8...... 19.8...... 19.8...... -0.2 NDB Wealth Growth & Income Fund 45.9700...... 44.5900 COLD STORES...... 28...... 642...... 641...... 641...... 640...... 642...... 0 PDL...... 524...... 119.75...... 120.00...... 120.00...... 115.00...... 116.00...... -3.75 NDB Wealth Growth Fund 10.5100...... 10.1000 COLOMBO CITY...... 334...... 866.75...... 866...... 866...... 860...... 860...... -6.75 PEOPLE’S MERCH...... XR 6,313...... 7.7...... 7.5...... 7.5...... 7...... 7.4...... -0.3 NDB Wealth Income Fund 16.1130...... 16.1130 COLOMBO LAND...... 34,715...... 24.2...... 24.1...... 24.1...... 22.5...... 22.6...... -1.6 SERENDIB LAND...... 20...... 3000...... 3,100.00...... 3,100.00...... 3,040.00...... 3,000.00...... 0 NDB Wealth Income Plus Fund 17.1806...... 17.1806 COMMERCIAL BANK...... 211,342...... 86.8...... 87...... 87...... 85.4...... 85.8...... -1 SINGER SRI LANKA...... 9,265...... 54.8...... 55.9...... 55.9...... 51.4...... 52...... -2.8 NDB Wealth Islamic Money Plus Fund 16.3865...... 16.3865 COMMERCIAL BANK [COMB.X0000].78,314...... 81...... 80.8...... 81.6...... 79.5...... 80...... -1 DIRI SAVI BOARD NDB Wealth Money Fund 20.7281...... 20.7281 CONVENIENCE FOOD...... 776...... 1215.75...... 1,248.50...... 1,249.00...... 1,215.00.....1,215.00...... -0.75 AGSTAR PLC...... 306,828...... 7.1...... 7.5...... 7.6...... 7...... 7...... -0.1 NDB Wealth Money Plus Fund 23.6860...... 23.6860 DANKOTUWA PORCEL...... 109,316...... 11.8...... 11.8...... 11.8...... 11.1...... 11.2...... -0.6 ALUMEX PLC...... 209,673...... 20.7...... 20.9...... 20.9...... 19.2...... 19.9...... -0.8 Premier Growth Fund 7.0200...... 6.6700 DFCC BANK PLC XC...131,129...... 62.1...... 62.9...... 62.9...... 60...... 60.3...... -1.8 AMANA LIFE...... 40...... 9.5...... 10...... 10...... 8.7...... 9.5...... 0 Premier Money Market Fund 18.7740...... 18.7740 DIALOG...... 657,556...... 12.7...... 12.7...... 12.8...... 12.6...... 12.7...... 0 AMANA TAKAFUL...... 1,669...... 7.5...... 7.6...... 7.6...... 7.4...... 7.5...... 0 Softlogic Equity Fund 118.5475...... 116.2082 DIMO...... 387...... 520.75...... 520...... 530...... 516...... 516...... -4.75 AMBEON HOLDINGS...... 86,983...... 17.5...... 17.3...... 18...... 16.8...... 17...... -0.5 Softlogic Money Market Fund 105.0196...... 105.0196 DIPPED PRODUCTS...... 2,931,028...... 46.8...... 46.5...... 46.5...... 40.5...... 43.2...... -3.6 AMF CO LTD...... 32...... 300.25...... 295...... 295...... 295...... 300.25...... 0 DOCKYARD...... 10,386...... 75.5...... 75.6...... 77...... 75...... 76.2...... 0.7 ARPICO INSURANCE...... 3,410...... 20.7...... 22.4...... 22.4...... 21.1...... 21.2...... 0.5 Unit holders can contact relevant Fund Managers to obtain Unit Prices for redemptions within DOLPHIN HOTELS...... 16,675...... 23...... 22.5...... 22.5...... 22...... 22.5...... -0.5 ASIA SIYAKA...... 136,794...... 2.5...... 2.60...... 2.60...... 2.50...... 2.50...... 0 short duration from the date of investment where exit fee is applicable. DURDANS...... 72...... 100.75...... 100.25...... 100.25...... 100.25...... 100.75...... 0 BANSEI RESORTS...... 5,795...... 7.9...... 8.00...... 8.20...... 8.00...... 8.00...... 0.1 E B CREASY...... 17,518...... 34.7...... 34.7...... 34.8...... 31.6...... 32...... -2.7 BERUWALA RESORTS...... 2,122...... 0.9...... 0.9...... 0.9...... 0.9...... 0.9...... 0 EAST WEST...... 58,330...... 11.2...... 10.9...... 10.9...... 10.5...... 10.5...... -0.7 BOGALA GRAPHITE...... 23,600...... 24.9...... 25...... 26...... 24.6...... 24.8...... -0.1 EASTERN MERCHANT...... 9,007...... 5.5...... 5.4...... 5.4...... 5.2...... 5.2...... -0.3 BPPL HOLDINGS...... 36,155...... 13.9...... 13.8...... 13.8...... 13.1...... 13.3...... -0.6 Ex­change Rates 3 Mar. 2021 EXPOLANKA...... 4,445,202...... 46...... 46...... 46.4...... 42.8...... 44.7...... -1.3 BROWNS...... 60,581...... 168...... 165...... 169.75...... 150.5...... 155...... -13 (1) The average rates of the following (2) The approximate exchange rates FORT LAND...... 56,722...... 13.5...... 13.4...... 13.5...... 13...... 13...... -0.5 BROWNS INVSTMNTS...... 31,108,935...... 5.6...... 5.6...... 5.7...... 5.3...... 5.5...... -0.1 currencies quoted by commercial banks of GULF currencies based on previous GRAIN ELEVATORS...... 177,933...... 124.5...... 124.5...... 124.5...... 115...... 118.25...... -6.25 C T LAND...... 801...... 29...... 27.1...... 27.2...... 27...... 27...... -2 in Colombo for Telegraphic Transfers day’s market weighted average rate for (TT) at 9.30 a.m. are as follows. the US$ are as follows. HAYCARB...... 969,335...... 97.1...... 96.2...... 96.2...... 88.4...... 90.7...... -6.4 C.W.MACKIE...... 3,377...... 43.6...... 44.9...... 44.9...... 42.6...... 42.9...... -0.7 CURRENCY BUYING RATE...... SELLING RATE COUNTRY CURRENCY...... INDICATIVE RATE HAYLEYS...... 1,666,792...... 57.7...... 57...... 58...... 52.2...... 54.6...... -3.1 CEYLON BEVERAGE...... 4...... 779.75...... 730.25...... 730.25...... 730...... 779.75...... 0 AUSTRALIAN DOLLAR 150.9860...... 155.8002 Bahrain Bahrain Dinar...... 518.9093 HAYLEYS FABRIC...... 408,823...... 14.8...... 14.8...... 14.8...... 14.2...... 14.4...... -0.4 CEYLON TEA BRKRS...... 40,532...... 3.4...... 3.3...... 3.3...... 3.2...... 3.2...... -0.2 CANADIAN DOLLAR 152.0307...... 157.9780 Kuwait Kuwait Dinar...... 645.9167 HAYLEYS FIBRE...... 22,144...... 53...... 52...... 52...... 46.3...... 49.6...... -3.4 CFI...... 1,200...... 69.9...... 65...... 68...... 64...... 64.7...... -5.2 CHINESE YUAN (RENMINBI) 29.0453...... 30.8352 Oman Oman Rial...... 508.1400 EURO 233.1015...... 239.8199 Qatar Qatar Riyal...... 53.7294 HDFC...... 7,109...... 37...... 37...... 37...... 31.1...... 33.4...... -3.6 CIT...... 426...... 113...... 106.5...... 106.5...... 101.5...... 105.75...... -7.25 JAPANESE YEN 1.8101...... 1.8636 Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabian Riyal...... 52.1565 HEMAS HOLDINGS...... 140,275...... 82...... 82...... 82...... 80.2...... 81.4...... -0.6 CITRUS HIKKADUWA...... 11,745...... 5.2...... 5.2...... 5.2...... 5...... 5.1...... -0.1 SINGAPORE DOLLAR 145.2768...... 149.7028 UAE UAE Dirham...... 53.2591 HNB...... 75,928...... 129.75...... 130...... 130.75...... 125.5...... 126.5...... -3.25 CITRUS WASKADUWA...... 255,593...... 3.1...... 3.2...... 3.3...... 3...... 3.2...... 0.1 STERLING POUND 270.4230...... 277.1947 SWISS FRANC 210.1154...... 217.7991 HNB ASSURANCE...... 6,398...... 58...... 58...... 58...... 57.5...... 57.6...... -0.4 COM.CREDIT...... 1,460...... 22.2...... 21.9...... 21.9...... 21.8...... 21.9...... -0.3 US DOLLAR 193.9900...... 198.3200 HNB [HNB.X0000]...... 51,725...... 101.25...... 104...... 104...... 100.5...... 102...... 0.75 COMMERCIAL DEV...... 2,758...... 106...... 106...... 112...... 100...... 100...... -6 HORANA...... 5,000...... 21.1...... 21.2...... 21.2...... 21.1...... 21.1...... 0 E - CHANNELLING...... 4,645...... 5.8...... 5.8...... 6.1...... 5.8...... 5.9...... 0.1 HOTEL SIGIRIYA...... 1,664...... 60...... 56...... 56...... 55...... 55...... -5 EDEN HOTEL LANKA...... 83,612...... 10.7...... 10.5...... 10.7...... 10.3...... 10.4...... -0.3 Market Indicators 3 Mar. 2021 HUNTERS...... 106...... 632...... 635...... 635...... 610.75...... 613.25...... -18.75 ELPITIYA...... 8,074...... 44.7...... 42.1...... 44.7...... 42...... 42.2...... -2.5 CSE ALL SHARE PRICE INDEX 7,193.09...... 7,343.38 INDUSTRIAL ASPH...... 61,722,452...... 0.5...... 0.4...... 0.5...... 0.3...... 0.4...... -0.1 FORTRESS RESORTS...... 2,601...... 10.3...... 11.4...... 11.4...... 10.5...... 10.5...... 0.2 S&P SL20 2,836.75...... 2,909.77 JANASHAKTHI INS...... 22,465...... 28...... 27.9...... 28...... 27.4...... 27.5...... -0.5 GALADARI...... 16,862...... 8.5...... 8.5...... 8.5...... 8.2...... 8.2...... -0.3 JKH...... 227,653...... 154...... 155.5...... 156...... 150.75...... 151.75...... -2.25 GUARDIAN CAPITAL...... 3,773...... 30.2...... 29.8...... 29.8...... 28.2...... 28.2...... -2 TRI ON ALL SHARE (ASTRI) 9,641.82...... 9,843.27 KANDY HOTELS...... 3,904...... 5...... 4.9...... 4.9...... 4.8...... 4.8...... -0.2 HARISCHANDRA...... 7...... 4048.25...... 3,526.25...... 3,526.25...... 3,526.00...... 4,048.25...... 0 TRI ON S&P SL20 4,674.37...... 4,794.69 KEGALLE...... 7,831...... 106...... 106.5...... 108...... 100.25...... 102.5...... -3.5 HATTON...... 1,705...... 8.4...... 8.4...... 8.4...... 8.3...... 8.3...... -0.1 VALUE OF TURNOVER(Rs.) 2,431,847,420.00...... 1,989,222,660.00 KELANI CABLES...... 3,219...... 115.5...... 115...... 115...... 113.5...... 113.75...... -1.75 HNB FINANCE...... 14,903...... 8.4...... 8.5...... 8.5...... 8...... 8...... -0.4 DOMESTIC PURCHASES 2,011,210,880.00...... 1,896,960,130.00 KELANI TYRES...... 69,894...... 76.5...... 76.5...... 77...... 74.5...... 75...... -1.5 HNB FINANCE [HNBF-X-0000]...... 8...... 7.4...... 7...... 7...... 7...... 7.4...... 0 DOMESTIC SALES 2,013,719,170.00...... 1,198,097,920.00 KELANI VALLEY...... 33,102...... 39.6...... 39.8...... 39.8...... 38.1...... 38.4...... -1.2 HVA FOODS...... 118,235...... 5.3...... 5.3...... 5.3...... 5...... 5...... -0.3 FOREIGN PURCHASES 420,636,640.00...... 92,262,448.00 KINGSBURY...... 29,404...... 11.9...... 12...... 12...... 11.5...... 11.9...... 0 JETWING SYMPHONY...... 19,083...... 9.1...... 9...... 9.1...... 8.8...... 8.8...... -0.3 FOREIGN SALES 418,128,352.00...... 791,124,740.00 KOTAGALA...... 55,191...... 6.1...... 6.2...... 6.7...... 5.9...... 6.3...... 0.2 JOHN KEELLS...... 41...... 73.5...... 77...... 77...... 76...... 73.5...... 0 L O L C HOLDINGS...... 736,388...... 349.25...... 350...... 350...... 315...... 330...... -19.25 KAHAWATTE...... 1,010...... 30.5...... 28...... 31...... 28...... 30.3...... -0.2 VOLUME OF TURNOVER(NO.) 141,035,696.00...... 66,698,452.00 LAKE HOUSE PRIN...... 40...... 121.25...... 132.25...... 132.25...... 132...... 121.25...... 0 KEELLS FOOD...... 12,704...... 163.5...... 160.25...... 173.75...... 160.25...... 170.25...... 6.75 DOMESTIC 135,465,840.00...... 58,598,216.00 LANKA ALUMINIUM...... 70,793...... 17.1...... 17...... 17.3...... 16.4...... 16.9...... -0.2 KEELLS HOTELS...... 73,128...... 10.5...... 10.5...... 10.5...... 10...... 10...... -0.5 FOREIGN 1,852,666.00...... 5,313,522.00 LANKA ASHOK...... 1...... 839.25...... 791.25...... 791.25...... 791.25...... 839.25...... 0 LANKEM CEYLON...... 58...... 28.4...... 27.5...... 27.5...... 27...... 28.4...... 0 TRADES(NO.) 23,400...... 16,516 LANKA HOSPITALS...... 4,500...... 42.5...... 43...... 43...... 40...... 43...... 0.5 LAUGFS POWER...... 6,823...... 9.3...... 9.1...... 9.8...... 9...... 9.7...... 0.4 DOMESTIC 22,854...... 15,661 LANKA IOC...... 19,525...... 21.4...... 21.7...... 21.8...... 20.1...... 21...... -0.4 LAUGFS POWER [LPL-X-0000]...... 10...... 6.8...... 6.8...... 6.8...... 6.8...... 6.8...... 0 FOREIGN 546...... 855 LANKA TILES...... 48,326...... 196...... 195...... 195...... 175.25...... 186.75...... -9.25 LOTUS HYDRO...... 87,926...... 9.4...... 9.3...... 9.4...... 9.1...... 9.1...... -0.3 CORPORATE DEBT 26048884...... 0 LANKA VENTURES...... 15,030...... 49...... 48.2...... 48.9...... 48.2...... 48.4...... -0.6 MAHAWELI COCONUT...... 10...... 27...... 27...... 27...... 27...... 27...... 0 LANKA WALLTILE...... 97,222...... 207.5...... 205...... 205...... 190...... 190.75...... -16.75 MAHAWELI REACH...... 2,101...... 13.9...... 13...... 13...... 10.6...... 11.2...... -2.7 GOVERNMENT DEBT 0...... 0 LAUGFS GAS...... 3,702...... 22...... 21.2...... 21.9...... 20...... 21.6...... -0.4 MARAWILA RESORTS...... 217,500...... 1.9...... 1.9...... 2...... 1.8...... 1.9...... 0 LISTED COMPANIES (NO.) 283...... 283 LAUGFS GAS [LGL.X0000]...... 20,348...... 17...... 16.9...... 16.9...... 16...... 16.8...... -0.2 MASKELIYA...... 4,304...... 11.6...... 11.2...... 11.9...... 10...... 11.9...... 0.3 TRADED COMPANIES (NO.) 255...... 246 LAXAPANA XR...... 68,256...... 14.5...... 14.4...... 14.6...... 14.3...... 14.4...... -0.1 MILLENNIUM HOUSE...... 3,838...... 5.9...... 6...... 6...... 5.8...... 5.9...... 0 MARKET PRICE EARNINGS RATIO(PER) 12.6...... 12.8 LAXAPANA [LITE.R0000] XR.3,717,194...... 0.2...... 0.2...... 0.3...... 0.1...... 0.1...... -0.1 NUWARA ELIYA...... 200...... 1001...... 1,020.00...... 1,020.00...... 1,008.00...... 1,014.00...... 13 MARKET PRICE TO BOOK VALUE (PBV) 1.2...... 1.2 LB FINANCE...... 21,837...... 202.25...... 205.25...... 205.25...... 195...... 196.5...... -5.75 ON’ALLY...... 5,566...... 35...... 32...... 34.6...... 29.7...... 30...... -5 MARKET DIVIDEND YIELD (DY) 2.5...... 2.5 LEE HEDGES...... 2,659...... 69.8...... 66.7...... 67...... 66.5...... 66.6...... -3.2 ORIENT FINANCE...... 5,804...... 15.5...... 13.8...... 15.5...... 13.8...... 14.3...... -1.2 MARKET CAPITALIZATION (Rs.) 3,145,570,974,455.00...... 3,211,282,219,543.00 LION BREWERY...... 673,781...... 540...... 540...... 540...... 539...... 540...... 0 PEGASUS HOTELS...... 37...... 30...... 31...... 31...... 30...... 30...... 0 LMF...... 127,973...... 158.75...... 155...... 155...... 149...... 150.25...... -8.5 PRIME FINANCE...... 9,080...... 12.9...... 12.9...... 12.9...... 12.9...... 12.9...... 0 LVL ENERGY...... 35,076...... 9.5...... 9.5...... 9.6...... 9.4...... 9.5...... 0 RAIGAM SALTERNS...... 98,434...... 5.3...... 5.6...... 5.6...... 5...... 5...... -0.3 1. Overnight Money Market Transactions MALWATTE...... 21...... 13.5...... 11.5...... 13.4...... 11.5...... 13.5...... 0 RAMBODA FALLS...... 50...... 16.5...... 16.5...... 16.5...... 16.5...... 16.5...... 0 Call Money Market...... Repo Market Weighted Average Rate (%)...... 4.54...... 4.56 MALWATTE [MAL.X0000]...... 9,672...... 8.5...... 8.5...... 8.9...... 8.4...... 8.6...... 0.1 RENUKA CAPITAL...... 62,301...... 6.8...... 6.8...... 6.9...... 6.4...... 6.8...... 0 Minimum Rate (%)...... 4.54...... 4.54 MELSTACORP...... 544,853...... 47.8...... 47...... 47...... 45...... 45.6...... -2.2 RICH PIERIS EXP...... 4,141...... 359...... 351.75...... 358...... 325...... 339.25...... -19.75 Maximum Rate (%)...... 4.55...... 4.68 MERCHANT BANK...... 39,450...... 7.3...... 7.2...... 7.2...... 7.2...... 7.2...... -0.1 ROYAL PALMS...... 652...... 14.6...... 15.4...... 15.4...... 15...... 15...... 0.4 Total Gross amount (Rs. million)...... 26,800...... 12,095 MULLERS...... 40,497...... 1...... 1...... 1...... 1...... 1...... 0 SERENDIB ENG.GRP...... 8,918...... 6.3...... 6...... 6.4...... 6...... 6.3...... 0 Total Net amount (Rs. million)...... 26,800...... 11,158 NAMUNUKULA...... 93...... 179.5...... 176.5...... 176.75...... 176.5...... 179.5...... 0 SERENDIB HOTELS...... 1...... 14.8...... 14.1...... 14.1...... 14.1...... 14.8...... 0 2. Use of the CBSL Standing Facility NAT. DEV. BANK XD...... 112,393...... 81.9...... 81.5...... 81.7...... 80...... 80.1...... -1.8 SERENDIB HOTELS [SHOT.X0000]...... 5,850...... 9.6...... 8.8...... 9...... 8.8...... 9...... -0.6 Standing Deposit Facility (Rs. million)...... 175,633 NATIONS TRUST...... 25,845...... 56.9...... 57.5...... 57.5...... 56.5...... 56.6...... -0.3 SINGER IND...... 3,952...... 99...... 92.1...... 96.8...... 92...... 93.5...... -5.5 Standing Lending Facility (Rs. million)...... - NAWALOKA...... 33,000...... 5...... 5.2...... 5.2...... 5...... 5...... 0 SINGHE HOSPITALS...... 367,138...... 2...... 1.9...... 2.1...... 1.9...... 1.9...... -0.1 3. CBSL Treasury Bill/Bonds Holdings NESTLE XD...... 22...... 1173.25...... 1,170.00...... 1,189.75...... 1,170.00.....1,173.25...... 0 SINHAPUTHRA FIN [SFL.P0000]...... 5,032...... 4...... 4...... 4.3...... 4...... 4...... 0 Face Value (Rs. million)...... 801,801.88 OVERSEAS REALTY...... 357,868...... 15.2...... 15...... 15.1...... 14.8...... 15...... -0.2 SOFTLOGIC...... 763,489...... 12.5...... 12...... 12.5...... 12...... 12.1...... -0.4 Book Value (Rs. million)...... 785,403.02 PAN ASIA...... 173,845...... 16.8...... 16.8...... 17.4...... 15.5...... 16...... -0.8 SOFTLOGIC CAP...... 115,397...... 3.7...... 3.8...... 3.8...... 3.7...... 3.7...... 0 PANASIAN POWER...... 1,916,301...... 3.5...... 3.6...... 3.6...... 3.4...... 3.6...... 0.1 SOFTLOGIC FIN...... 14,400...... 10.1...... 10.1...... 10.2...... 10.1...... 10.2...... 0.1 PEOPLE’S INS...... 24,465...... 31...... 31.5...... 31.5...... 30.3...... 30.6...... -0.4 SOFTLOGIC LIFE...... 54,797...... 31...... 31...... 31...... 30.8...... 30.8...... -0.2 TOP 10 GAINERS PEOPLES LEASING...... 221,339...... 12.2...... 12.2...... 12.3...... 12...... 12...... -0.2 TAL LANKA...... 543...... 12.5...... 13.1...... 14...... 13...... 13...... 0.5 Company VWA VWA Change Change PIRAMAL GLASS...... 1,943,088...... 9.9...... 9.8...... 9.9...... 9.6...... 9.7...... -0.2 TRANS ASIA...... 327...... 59.6...... 57...... 58.9...... 57...... 58.2...... -1.4 Prev. Close Days Close (Rs.) % PRINTCARE PLC...... 5...... 31...... 29.5...... 29.5...... 29.5...... 31...... 0 UDAPUSSELLAWA...... 4,596...... 22.7...... 21...... 21...... 20.4...... 20.8...... -1.9 YORK ARCADE 165 176.25...... 11.25...... 6.82 RENUKA CITY HOT. 225.00 237.00...... 12.00...... 5.33 R I L PROPERTY...... 581,108...... 6.7...... 6.6...... 6.7...... 6.4...... 6.5...... -0.2 UNION ASSURANCE...... 15...... 314.25...... 318...... 318.5...... 315...... 314.25...... 0 CARSONS 274.75 289...... 14.25...... 5.19 REGNIS...... 2,245...... 95.1...... 95...... 95...... 93.2...... 93.7...... -1.4 VALLIBEL ONE...... 5,700,520...... 53.5...... 53...... 53...... 49...... 51.3...... -2.2 LAUGFS POWER 9.3 9.7...... 0.4...... 4.3 KEELLS FOOD 163.5 170.25...... 6.75...... 4.13 RENUKA AGRI...... 621,080...... 3.6...... 3.5...... 3.7...... 3.4...... 3.5...... -0.1 WATCH LIST TAL LANKA 12.5 13...... 0.5...... 4 RENUKA CITY HOT...... 1,010...... 225...... 236.25...... 240...... 235...... 237...... 12 ANILANA HOTELS...... 860,007...... 1.2...... 1.1...... 1.2...... 1...... 1.1...... -0.1 BIMPUTH FINANCE 7.7 8...... 0.3...... 3.9 RENUKA FOODS...... 31,544...... 13.5...... 13.6...... 13.8...... 13.5...... 13.6...... 0.1 BIMPUTH FINANCE...... 41,012...... 7.7...... 7.6...... 8...... 7.6...... 8...... 0.3 KOTAGALA 6.1 6.3...... 0.2...... 3.28 CITRUS WASKADUWA 3.1 3.2...... 0.1...... 3.23 RENUKA HOLDINGS...... 78,578...... 14.7...... 14...... 15.2...... 13.9...... 14.1...... -0.6 BLUE DIAMONDS...... 15,107...... 0.6...... 0.50...... 0.60...... 0.50...... 0.50...... -0.1 PANASIAN POWER 3.50 3.60...... 0.10...... 2.86 RENUKA HOLDINGS [RHL.X0000].34,693...... 12.5...... 10.7...... 12.6...... 10.7...... 11.6...... -0.9 BLUE DIAMONDS [BLUE.X0000].120,277...... 0.3...... 0.3...... 0.3...... 0.2...... 0.3...... 0 TOP 10 LOSERS RESUS ENERGY...... 22,190...... 25...... 24.6...... 24.9...... 23.5...... 23.6...... -1.4 HUNAS FALLS...... 10...... 150.25...... 150...... 150...... 150...... 150.25...... 0 RICHARD PIERIS...... 434,737...... 16.6...... 16.6...... 16.6...... 15.7...... 16...... -0.6 LANKEM DEV...... 28,235...... 3.6...... 3.5...... 3.6...... 3.4...... 3.4...... -0.2 Company VWA VWA...... Change...... Change LAXAPANA 0.2 0.1...... -0.1...... -50 ROYAL CERAMIC...... 446,202...... 270.75...... 270...... 270...... 239...... 251...... -19.75 MACKWOODS ENERGY...... 181,638...... 2.7...... 2.7...... 2.9...... 2.4...... 2.6...... -0.1 INDUSTRIAL ASPH. 0.5 0.4...... -0.1...... -20 S M B LEASING...... 22,217...... 0.6...... 0.5...... 0.6...... 0.5...... 0.6...... 0 MULTI FINANCE...... 14,291...... 7...... 7...... 7...... 7...... 7...... 0 MAHAWELI REACH 13.9 11.2...... -2.7...... -19.42 BLUE DIAMONDS 0.6 0.5...... -0.1...... -16.67 S M B LEASING [SEMB.X0000].404,903...... 0.3...... 0.3...... 0.3...... 0.2...... 0.3...... 0 NATION LANKA...... 380,805...... 0.9...... 0.8...... 0.8...... 0.7...... 0.8...... -0.1 ON’ALLY 35 30...... -5...... -14.29 SAMPATH...... 343,442...... 154.5...... 157.5...... 157.5...... 150.25...... 151...... -3.5 PARAGON...... 15...... 52...... 49...... 49...... 49...... 52...... 0 NATION LANKA 0.9 0.8...... -0.1...... -11.11 LOLC DEV FINANCE 70.1 63.1...... -7...... -9.99 SANASA DEV. BANK...... 107,898...... 58.6...... 58.8...... 58.8...... 53.5...... 56.5...... -2.1 RADIANT GEMS...... 9...... 29.5...... 25.2...... 25.2...... 25.2...... 29.5...... 0 HDFC 37 33.4...... -3.6...... -9.73 SEYLAN BANK...... 16,882...... 51.1...... 51.5...... 51.5...... 49.6...... 50.4...... -0.7 TESS AGRO...... 100,290...... 0.5...... 0.6...... 0.6...... 0.5...... 0.5...... 0 MADULSIMA 8.8 8...... -0.8...... -9.09 ACL 36.6 33.3...... -3.3...... -9.02 SEYLAN BANK [SEYB.X0000]..987,398...... 42.5...... 42...... 42.3...... 41.5...... 41.9...... -0.6 TESS AGRO [TESS.X0000]...... 45,000...... 0.5...... 0.5...... 0.5...... 0.5...... 0.5...... 0 114 Thursday, March 4, 2021 „„ www.themorning.lk Duchess Meghan faces report THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

of bullying claims ahead of “Don’t be Oprah interview afraid to give up Just days ahead of their highly anticipated interview the good with Oprah Winfrey, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to go for are firing back at a report in a UK newspaper that the great.” claims Meghan bullied royal staffers at Kensington Palace before she and Prince Harry decided to – John D. step down from their royal roles last year. “Let's Rockefeller just call this what it is – a calculated smear campaign based on misleading and harmful misinformation,” a Sussex spokesperson told ABC News in a statement.

brunch I don’t think it’s just a case of a ritual gone wrong; over the past several years, there has been a commotion of non-scientific means of dealing with problems and issues An exorcism that has become prevalent in society behaviour. With growing interest in the psychology of ritual, psychologist Thivya Kandiah spoke about its effects on an individual. She stated that this will have long- term effects on a human as it is quite gone wrong a taxing ordeal. “I'm sure the child in question must have been extremely scared, as she had no idea what was Anthropologist, rights activist, and parliamentarian Dr. Harini Amarasuriya happening.” The psychology and rights behind a local ritual She also commented that an exorcism is a cultural belief that this decisions, which is where the hardcore BY VENESSA ANTHONY ritual will heal a person, but with that belief in rituals comes in. One could said, she also added that the exorcists argue that exorcism has become a

Recently, a nine-year-old need to take science and do what is religious commodity with the potential When we have a fever as a child, we to strengthen a religion’s attraction to girl passed away while being may be taken to a church or temple, biologically accepted, since in the case beaten with a cane during of the little girl, she was physically followers, whilst also ensuring its hold, and have holy water dabbed on us, which may be why certain individuals an exorcism. The little girl's but we will also be taken to the doctor abused. “When we have a fever as a go to such lengths – like in the case of mother firmly believed that and receive adequate medication the nine-year-old girl – to ensure that it her child was possessed by a child, we may be taken to a church or temple, and have holy water dabbed is carried out completely although the demon, and felt the need to on us, but we will also be taken to victim had long since passed out. perform a local ritual that is Exorcists need to take science the doctor and receive adequate Anthropologist, rights activist, said to drive away evil spirits. medication,” Kandiah said, explaining and parliamentarian Dr. Harini into account: Thiviya Kandiah that there is no harm in believing in Amarasuriya observed that rituals The girl is said to have died in Sri Lanka is well known for both culture and science, but without exist in every society, but this hospital after losing consciousness the cultural rituals of ridding evil toeing the line. particular case has gone far beyond due to the severe beating she spirits. One could say that the idea of Talking about the emotional what is acceptable. “I don't think it's received during the exorcism. an exorcism offers hope of a better benefits of cultural rituals, she said: just a case of a ritual gone wrong; over It is reported that the mother had future and will bring about peace “It's also important to keep our beliefs the past several years, there has been a employed the services of a woman and prosperity once the “bad spirit” because it’s part of faith and helps us commotion of non-scientific means of who was famously known around has been eradicated. These rituals make sense out of certain situations.” dealing with problems and issues that the area of Delgoda for offering are not meant to cause bodily harm has become prevalent in society.” Psychologist Concluding, she added that exorcism services. Thivya Kandiah to an individual, and are sometimes sometimes people tend to blindly She added that this has influenced The Police have reported that performed on a location to bring about follow a miraculous cure, instead of the way people think, and people the child's mother and the women good fortune. looking at the scientific aspect, which no longer come up with practical who performed the ritual have such a case. He also explained that Unfortunately, when performed seems to be what had happened in the solutions to problems, but rather resort been arrested and appeared in court there are no laws in the country on an individual, it is no walk in the unfortunate case of the little girl. to these rituals with blind faith. recently. Speaking to The Morning that explicitly forbid the practice park. Dr. Amarasuriya also believes that Brunch, Attorney-at-Law Aritha of rituals, as generally, there is Traditionally, rituals have been Rituals have gone far beyond there is a wider social issue of reversing Wickramasinghe commented that the no danger to one's life, but in this studied from broad sociocultural what is acceptable: Dr. Harini or eradicating these rituals, pointing out mother could potentially be charged situation, since the child actually perspectives, with little consideration this situation as a prime example. She for child abuse, and the witch doctor died due to the negligence and abuse for the psychological processes Amarasuriya further noted that despite the cultural could also be charged for the same. on the part of the mother, the law at play. Recently, however, Rituals tap into a lot of essential heritage behind these rituals, it's about The court may decide on charging will apply. psychologists have begun turning regions of our brain that are explicitly time we look into actual solutions in the case under attempted murder, The Morning Brunch spoke to a their attention to the study of ritual, irrational. We, as a society, didn’t terms of proven scientific means, rather and the laws on child abuse in the few experts regarding the matter on uncovering the causal mechanisms evolve to use pure logic to hold than opt for superstitious methods that country need to come into play for their thoughts. driving this universal aspect of human together communities and inspire have no scientific backing.

rights are violated by the State and that our fundamental rights need to go further to allow for redress when violated by private BREAKING persons. Shifting attitudes overcoming prejudice Wickramasinghe emphasised that the law alone will never be enough to achieve a BARRIERS world of equality and that for such a world where people are treated equally, that kind of mindset needs to be created. The kind of through discussion shift needed for this is something that will take a while, and the law, in the meantime, can protect people who are treated unfairly. Rotaract Club of USJ hosts second webinar Flamer-Caldera shared that the last 20 EQUAL GROUND Executive Director Rosanna Flamer-Caldera; Solicitor and Equality Law Justice years has seen a positive shift in attitudes, Programme Director Aritha Wickramasinghe; and mental health advocate and Shanthi Maargam in its PRIDE-Equality Wins series Counsellor and Assistant Centre Manager Ardlay Mohamed much more than she would have expected to see when she first began EQUAL GROUND nearly 17 years ago. She also sections of the Sri Lanka Penal Code BY NAVEED ROZAIS this stems from Sri Lanka being a British LGBTIQ and mental health said that social media has played a large role are used against LGBTIQ persons as a colony and the colonial laws introduced A common misconception is that being in getting people to rethink who they are, as means of discrimination and intimidation The International Service Avenue of during the Victorian Era that have, in of a sexual orientation or gender identity well as in sensitisation and education. There – Sections 365 and 365A, which prohibit the Rotaract Club of the University of Sri practice, greatly marginalised LGBTIQ that is deviant from the norm is a sign of is still a long way to go, but there has also “carnal intercourse against the order of Jayewardenepura (USJ) held the second in persons. This is not unique to Sri Lanka, mental health issues that need to be treated, been significant progress made. nature”, essentially interpreted as any a series of webinars of its PRIDE-Equality with all 52 countries in the region that have either through prayer, or more direct means Speaking on the importance of form of sex that is not for the purpose Wins project on 1 March. been colonised facing the same kind of legal of treatment. This is not the case, however. education and sensitisation, Mohamed of reproduction. Strictly speaking, PRIDE-Equality Wins is an initiative discrimination and only 36 of them having Mohamed explained sexual orientation emphasises that open conversations between this would apply to any form of non- by the club to promote understanding repealed these laws since Independence. is who you’re attracted to, be it to men, parents and children need to be normalised reproductive sex – be it oral sex, anal and knowledge and work towards ending Another aspect, in addition to the women, or both genders. Gender identity on topics like puberty, sex, sexuality, sex, intercrural sex (thigh sex), and discrimination against Lesbian, Gay, colonial impact on our laws and society, means identifying with the gender you were and gender. Such discussion, as well as Bisexual, Transgender, Intersexual, and is religion. Flamer-Caldera shared that born with, stressing that it is absolutely not mutual masturbation when committed by complementary sex education in schools, Questioning (LGBTIQ) persons. The despite same-sex relations not being an issue of mental health. Mohamed did anyone, homosexual or heterosexual. will enable young LGBTIQ people and PRIDE-Equality Wins initiative is a labelled problematic anywhere in note that LGBTIQ persons are more likely Furthermore, Wickramasinghe shared their families to come to terms with their project that sees 14 Rotaract Clubs from Buddhist scripture, political angling to suffer from mental health issues because that the law has even been used to prosecute sexualities. around the world including India, Brazil, and general prejudice puts Sri Lanka in of the discrimination and stigma they face heterosexuals in other countries, with men The panel also stressed the importance Mauritius, Nigeria, Mexico, Ecuador, a strange mindset where the LGBTIQ being LGBTIQ. being prosecuted for receiving oral sex, of parents and others educating themselves Venezuela, and Bangladesh collaborating community is considered to be against our Wickramasinghe shared that more to the point that a judgement was made in on LGBTIQ issues and how to handle to end LGBTIQ discrimination. culture, which is completely false because than 50% of LGBTIQ people have been Singapore that oral sex was permissible things if a family member or loved one This webinar in the PRIDE- LGBTIQ people have been around since denied employment or lost a job because under these laws, provided it lead to comes out as LGBTIQ, stressing that it is Equality Wins series featured EQUAL the beginning of time, and it is religion, they were LGBTIQ, adding that over 70% reproductive (vaginal) sex. absolutely fine not to know what to do when GROUND Executive Director Rosanna specifically during Queen Victoria’s rule of LGBTIQ people have been subjected Wickramasinghe also explained that in your child comes out to you, but that it is Flamer-Caldera, Solicitor and Equality in the 19th Century, that has created the to physical abuse because of their sexual a Sri Lankan context, to legalise same-sex your duty as a parent to educate yourself Law Justice Programme Director intolerance we see towards LGBTIQ orientation or gender identity, stressing that relations, Sections 365 and 365A would once they do. Aritha Wickramasinghe, and mental people. people shouldn’t be judged or valued on need to be repealed but that we also need health advocate and Shanthi Maargam Flamer-Caldera explained that we as how they're born, who they fall in love with, better non-discrimination laws that protect Counsellor and Assistant Centre Sri Lankans need to carefully think about or which gender they identify as, but simply against all forms of discrimination. While The second webinar of the Rotaract Manager Ardlay Mohamed. what our culture is, and also understand on their character and skills. Sri Lanka’s Constitution recognises the that culture is not static and it evolves right to non-discrimination as a fundamental Club of the University of Sri The taboo of being LGBTIQ over time, noting that Sri Lanka has LGBTIQ and the law right, it doesn’t clearly specify sexual Jayewardenepura’s PRIDE-Equality The webinar began with a discussion come a long way but is still hampered by Speaking from a legal perspective, orientation as a grounds for discrimination. Wins series can be viewed in its on why being LGBTIQ and discussing archaic thinking, something which can Wickramasinghe explained that Sri It falls under the catch-all phrase “other such entirety on the Rotaract Club of USJ LGBTIQ issues is such a taboo in the Sri only be overcome by sensitisation and Lanka doesn’t explicitly criminalise grounds”. Wickramasinghe also shared that Facebook page. Lankan context. Flamer-Caldera shared that education. same-sex relations, but in practice, two action is only possible when fundamental 124 brunch „„ www.themorning.lk { STYLE } Thursday, March 4, 2021 importance of supporting local entrepreneurs, especially in such tough times. “Right now, brunch we carry over 90 different local brands that we support.” She also stated that there are so many different sustainable options in the country that are available, adding that whenever customers visit their pick-up point, they are always shocked because many are An agent engaged in giving a is packaged in, what the soap Founder/Director customer the virtual shopping under the impression that these Adhisha Dahanayaka experience products are available locally, is made out of, and how it’s as we are so used to imported made.” She explained that even products being of higher if a product is plastic free, we Double XL launches first quality. “That's really not the need to know if it’s packed full case. It’s time that we give the of chemicals that could harm virtual shopping experience same opportunities that we do your body, and when washed to imported brands, to locally off, flow into the water supply platform in SL The JustGoodness.co team manufactured goods in order to and eventually harm the marine support them and the country.” lives, leaving a bad effect on the The power of online the customer via video Taking us through the world as a whole; that’s what commerce, also known call. This agent will walk creation of JustGoodness, she being sustainable is all about. as e-commerce, has around the store giving the intoned: “The reason I started The entire concept of this been on the rise since customer a look at what is this platform is because when market is to offer customers the pandemic struck available. One-day service A sustainable I was pregnant, I couldn’t find products that are good for the worldwide. Established in and cash-on-delivery products that were natural or environment as well as for the year 2010, Double XL payments are offered to sustainable that I could use us. “Sustainability is about pioneered catering to the those around the country; for my family and soon-to-be making sure we are safe, the plus-size population of Sri whereas customers out garden market son.” She added that she ended waters are safe, and the earth Lanka. Founder/Directors of Colombo will receive up having to import products, is safe. It’s about human Adhisha Dahanayaka, their orders within two spending exorbitant amounts, rights; we have the right to Priyan Senerath, and to five days’ time, online not just on the product itself, clean water and food. That is Deminthe Dahanayake bank payment methods by JustGoodness.co but on customs. “I remember what we offer.” are ready to step into the are also available. thinking that, that was Talking about the plans future of retail shopping, Double XL is happy she has for JustGoodness, BY VENESSA ANTHONY distance.” Keeping true to their ridiculous. All I wanted was to and recently launched the to offer international values, JustGoodness takes live a little bit better because she stated: “Right now what first-ever virtual shopping shipping. we are trying to do is create a JustGoodness.co is the health and safety of their I’m bringing a child into the experience platform in Sri Customers can dial movement. We want to make Lanka. (011) 2 599 999 to set up a platform that sells customers to heart offering world, and that’s where the them a safe space to shop, inspiration came from.” it easier for people to find Customers can dial an appointment between a curated collection alongside safe alternatives for Touching on their values these products and make it a hotline which connects 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. with of ethically sourced, their lives as well. and the importance of being accessible islandwide.” She them to the store and can agents in both Double sustainable, and eco- At the market, guests sustainable, Rasaputra said: added that their platform also make an appointment XL Duplication Road friendly products. They can enjoy over 40 varieties “First of all, there is a need to offers islandwide delivery. for a virtual shopping and DXL Exclusive will be hosting their of organic-certified, fresh understand that sustainability Commenting on her hopes experience. An agent will outlet at One Galle Face. first-ever garden market vegetables and fruits; zero- is not just about not buying for the platform, she said they then get in touch with PHOTOS ESHAN DASANAYAKA are simply trying to support this Saturday (6) from 3 waste cleaning goods like plastic. It’s a really holistic hand wash, dish wash, laundry concept where one needs to families on their journey to to 7 p.m. at Honeycomb powders, and floor cleaners; understand that it takes into sustainability and a healthy Creative Spaces, Kotte. safe and non-toxic skin and consideration – for example – if lifestyle. Speaking to JustGoodness. hair products; delicious you take a soap, we need to take WWW.JUSTGOODNESS.CO co CEO Shehani Rasaputra, she and healthy snacks and into consideration what the soap explained that the market will groceries; and exciting food be managed only by the staff at and juice vendors. Rasaputra JustGoodness.co to ensure the explained that the products safety of their customers. “The are in line with the values point is to be able to allow of JustGoodness; natural customers to conveniently sustainability and eco- and safely purchase their friendliness. “Everything that everyday essentials. We are you could need in your home laying it out in a way where for a healthier alternative will unlike supermarkets, where be available at the market.” hundreds of people come in Noting that all the and out on a daily basis, we brands under JustGoodness will curate the event in a way are made in Sri Lanka, The Double XL team where customers can socially Rasaputra highlighted the Products available at JustGoodness.co Chagall celebrates IWD 2021 Chagall, one of Sri sari drape. In short, the Lanka’s premier hair and entire gamut of Chagall’s beauty salons, has come up offerings! All women who with a new International walk into Chagall on 8 Women’s Day Package March will be handed a for women on this day, flower courtesy Supreme where globally, women are Flora and a beautiful and felicitated and recognised delicious cupcake from for their achievements. “Benjamins”. “Supporting and celebrating “As Elle Macpherson women’s rights is a year- says, ‘It’s not vanity to round responsibility. But feel you have a right to on International Women’s be beautiful’, and Chagall Day (IWD), which falls on wants to make all women 8 March, it’s even more feel beautiful not just on important to take a stand International Women’s Day for women,” says Chagall but every day. Our doors are Nuga Gama at Cinnamon Grand Founder and Owner Gerald open to everyone who wants Solomons. to look and feel good,” says The Wedding Show 2021 “Women need to look Gerald. good every day of their And that’s what Chagall lives (men too), but on this excels in. Gerald himself Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts introduces day, I thought it’s only has clients from all over the fitting that we come up with world jetting down, just so a special package for all our that he could style their hair. exclusive wedding packages fantastic female clients, all Gerald Solomons with Prithiva Gerald not only makes his Dharmadasa of Supreme Flora Cinnamon Hotels & of whom have been loyal to clients look special on that Chagall and are confident all important day, but makes Resorts announced its “island haircut, blow dry, manicure, of our ability to make them you look special and unique weddings” concept offering pedicure, make up, or value additions and special look their best. every day! promotions spanning over 20 “Lifestyles today are wedding venues throughout such today that very often Cinnamon Grand Colombo, you have to go straight Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo, from the boardroom to a Cinnamon Bentota Beach, and cocktail or dinner. Even Hikka Tranz by Cinnamon, the housewife has multiple exclusively for bookings at chores at home, especially with children schooling The Wedding Show 2021, A garden wedding setup at Cinnamon Lakeside from 5-7 March at the from home in these BMICH. Hikka Tranz by Cinnamon to offer, we are committed Concluding, Mudadeniya, Covid-19 times, raising the Attendees in search of offering versatile and grand to making a difference for stated: “Cinnamon Hotels & stress levels of everyone all the perfect wedding venue indoor and outdoor venues. every event. We can not only Resorts will be the only brand round.” are able to choose from Speaking with Cinnamon provide stunning locations at this exhibition that can offer Gerald’s creed is that Cinnamon Grand Colombo’s Hotels & Resorts Vice for all types of celebrations attendees such a vast selection everyone needs to look ballroom, courtyard, open President – Marketing and across our entire portfolio in of banquet venues and menus fabulous everyday; not garden spaces, and a unique Events Dileep Mudadeniya, he Sri Lanka and the Maldives, for wedding events, for their just on special occasions. open-air space with a Sri stated: “A wedding is an extra but we can also offer special proposals, engagements, Having said that, Lankan village experience; as special moment in everyone’s tailor-made honeymoon registrations, bridal showers, International Women’s Day well as Cinnamon Lakeside life. We have conceptualised packages for newly wedded wedding, and homecomings. is indeed a very special Colombo’s ballrooms, an open and developed a range of new couples. What’s more, our By participating as a chain of occasion, and Chagall poolside terrace, an enchanting services and offerings to make world-class banquet team will hotels and resorts, we will be wants to do their bit by banquet on a floating boat, or a this special day unique and ensure that every aspect of providing a comprehensive offering all ladies who walk garden by the lake. The beach memorable. With the diversity the special occasion is artfully service that allows for couples into Chagall on this day resorts also make for ideal in our locations coupled with curated to suit the needs and to make informed decisions an attractive offer where destination weddings with unparalleled service and a personal preferences of every in a far more efficient and 25% would be waived off Cinnamon Bentota Beach and variety of food and beverages couple.” affordable manner.” their bill no matter if it’s a Gerald Solomons of Chagall brunch 134 Thursday, March 4, 2021 { CAUSE/EVENTS } „„ www.themorning.lk callous destruction of it, they will no longer be there to suffer the CARGILLS INT’L WOMEN’S DAY FESTIVAL: THE CHANGEMAKERS consequences of their wickedness. Their children will be sent to live elsewhere, though as the climate heats up, due to Talking about the deforestation and environmental destruction, there may be nowhere else to live. Nature does not adhere to man made boundaries male perspective – those constructed by states or individuals. A lack of water, polluted air and inadequate Re-defining a world of work with supplies of food will bring as slow and as lingering a death to humanity, as it is today coming gender meritocracy at the helm to the dying bull elephant in the The Peace Prompters on day one of Blok and Dino Udawalawe National Park. the Cargills International Women’s Day The Government has now Festival of Change Makers undeniably determined that any farmer with set the tone for passionate discourse, over an acre of arable land is to engaging dialogue, and opinion be given guns to protect their exchange as three panellists navigated Bull elephant with crops from wildlife. It is estimated through Sri Lanka’s mired history of gunshot injuries that there are approximately two the peace and reconciliation process. million who will qualify as such. With this engaging discourse Sri Lanka’s famous fauna, those having launched the festival, on exotic creatures with whom we International Women’s Day (8 share this island and who attract March) there will be two sessions; many visitors to our shores, will The Pioneers, and an all-male panel be the victims of this slaughter. discussing The Male Perspective. The massacre will be apocalyptic. Session 1 will discuss the priority as we believe this Waiting to die It will not only be elephants who diverse journeys traversed drives collaboration and will be targeted, but any creature by trailblazing women innovation. Enabling that nears human cultivation and and their leadership women to be their best habitation. in transforming their self, personally and There is also a matter of environments into more professionally, is a clear national security. In the last 50 empowering gender equal win-win!” in Udawalawe years, Sri Lanka has suffered spaces. Brandix Group the consequences of three major On the panel is Triad Chief People Officer insurrections; two in the South and Advertising and Derana Ishan Dantanarayana A portent of things to come one in the North. There has been Ishan who will also be on the Media Network of the George Dantanarayana a rise in the levels of domestic Steuart Group Co-Founder panel asserts: “As an equal BY ROHAN WIJESINHA violence. Will these guns be used Varuni Amunugama Fernando, opportunity employer, we against animals alone? who is the first female strive to create an inclusive A new year spells new Give a child a gun, and who in Sri Lanka to jointly workplace that provides beginnings, and brings with is responsible? It is clear as to found a media network a best-in-class work it the hope of things better. who should be held to account for which changed the environment with a This year, it dawned very every human and animal death media landscape of wholesome employee differently at the that results from this irresponsible Sri Lanka. Also on the experience. Influencing political initiative. This is not Uda Walawe National panel is Group CEO of gender equality as being done for the benefit of Hemas Holdings Kasturi a norm across an Park. The officers of the farmers, for if it was, the forests organisation like Brandix Department of Wildlife Chellaraja Wilson, the first would be fiercely protected – female CEO of a blue-chip Arjuna with nearly 85% female Conservation (DWC) were on they are the bringers of rain, and Nanayakkara representation is a unique yet a mission of mercy. conglomerate in Sri Lanka and the precious water needed for recognised by the Parliament rewarding opportunity. As A large bull elephant had been agriculture. Wild animals are an of Sri Lanka as one of 12 Top leadership members, we play shot; the bone and muscle of the essential component of a healthy Women Changemakers in a key role in ensuring our knee of his back left leg had been ecosystem. Sri Lanka in 2019, and commitment to redefining shattered. It had swollen to many Human kind of one generation holds This is nothing but for the Sri Lanka’s first female the workplace and times its normal size, and needed the guardianship and conservation benefit of the policymakers hip-hop artiste Ashanthi facilitating positive urgent treatment. The shooting had of the natural resources in trust and the money they, and their De Alwis who is also the changes that support taken place outside of the Park, and for future generations…A sacred henchmen, can make from selling youngest and only female this vision.” the DWC officers had to entice this duty to be carried out with the highest this precious natural heritage to Adding to the male level of accountability in the Island to be signed beautiful creature back into it with large corporate entities, who will to an internationally conversation are Gehan food and elephant delicacies, to keep Justice Shiranee Thilakawardena reap it for what it can give them, Blok and Dino Corera (in Watte Gedara Wijebanda v recognised record label him safe from more human torture, and in the shortest possible time. (Universal Music). Bingumal who join the Festival on and to try and treat his wounds. Conservator General of Forests and Nothing but barren, waterless earth Thewathanthri 22 March as The Positive Others 2009 1 SLR 337 at p. 338) With gender equality being Despite the extent of his will remain for those who are left a conversation that must include Disruptors. Keen on finding injuries, they managed to tempt to try and scrape a pittance from all genders, the festival collates an out how these two males, who have him in, a considerable trek in his rotting flesh. the residue – the true farmers. all-male panel to gain The Male disrupted conventional comedy, play female roles in their routines and condition. In his prime, large and full We may never know why The final generation? Perspective, specifically on how of life, this big bull now faced the he was shot, or why he deserved global companies are shaping their what lessons they have learned about Historians, if there are any biggest challenge to his existence; to to be – if such a justification can workplaces into more empowering gender empowerment and equality left, will refer to this as the Final heal from human harm. ever be made – but the placement productive spaces and how each of along the way, they add their voice Age, as biodiversity disappears of the bullet clearly showed that them have re-defined a world of work to the discussion stating: “This and natural systems begin to When death is a release it was to hurt, and not to instantly with gender meritocracy at the helm. International Women’s Day celebrates collapse. There would be no point Six weeks later, and the DWC kill. Yet, with a political leadership It is their experiences, challenges, women in leadership - trailblazers in appealing to our Gods to sustain officers were trying to move him seemingly intent on the decimation solutions, and ground realities that will and changemakers who’ve challenged us, as this destruction would have again, away from the edges of the of the wildlife and wilderness areas be discussed in depth at the Festival. norms and set a precedent so that been orchestrated by men who Park, perhaps so that he could die in of Sri Lanka, this will be just one Standard Chartered Bank Sri others may follow suit. As creators we delude themselves that they are peace, away from the prying eyes of of the many tragedies waiting to Lanka CEO Bingumal Thewarathanthri believe it is important to challenge the divine and not just above the Laws those who might otherwise exult in play out on lands that were once who joins the panel says: “At Standard status quo as they did, in creating social of Men, but those of Nature too. his sad ending. Time, even this short prized by our ancient rulers and Chartered Sri Lanka, achieving gender dialogue on gender roles to counter abuse, They, long ago, abandoned their span of time, had taken a heavy toll. peoples for their sanctity, serenity, balance in our workforce is a priority inequality and patriarchy.” worship of the just by building Despite the every effort of the and life-giving powers, and were for us, and it is a matter of pride that Founded on the theme for graven images of themselves with DWC officers, the swelling had now the foundation of this country’s we maintain gender balance at 50:50 International Women’s Day 2021, the materials they had plundered, trebled in size, and was oozing with prosperity. across the bank. For too long, women “Women in Leadership: Achieving an and continue to steal, from the foul smelling suppurate. The once have been denied their rightful place equal future in a Covid-19 world”, this Earth. proud beast, now an emaciated hulk, Murdering the future in the corporate echelon, and we laud festival is a first of its kind featuring a If only we could save it for the blind in one eye, perhaps the result A government that wages and champion the strong women galaxy of active change makers, who future, for the younger generations of a previous bullet, shuffled along war on its own people is referred taking up the mantle of leadership, as thought leaders have prompted are far more aware of the value of the road in obvious pain. His left to as a dictatorship, but usually breaking barriers and creating spaces and impacted change in disciplines, Nature and the need to preserve it, back leg crumpled every time it took exists for just the lifespan of that for generations to come.” competencies and careers. The festival intact, for the health and life of all? his weight, and with each step, more particular rule, as not even tyrants Adding his thoughts as a panelist, spans the month of March and begins at They are the hope of tomorrow. pus oozed out of the swollen mass of can live forever. History shows LSEG Sri Lanka Head of Shared 4.30 p.m. at Lake Lodge, Taru Villas. Are we going to stand by quietly that power soon returns to the Services Centre Arjuna Nanayakkara Seating is limited as stringent and let them be robbed of their people, and sanity prevails once says: “Women contributing equally Covid-19 guidelines are being inheritance especially as there are more. takes many shapes; corporate followed to create a safe environment so many ways for us to co-exist Those who wage war on work, entrepreneurship, medical for all participants. with nature, and benefit from its nature and the environment, to agriculture to construction to blessings? Or do we, too, believe however, are demons that are hospitality industries, to parenting, that ours is the final generation? Tickets are priced at Rs. 20,000 intent on destroying the futures and all other types of work in (The writer is a former of all who come after them. between. The rest of the world is for the Festival Pass (which gives General Secretary of the Wildlife They have no comprehension of losing out on millions and trillions access to all Festival events) and Nature Protection Society tomorrow, but believe that their of dollars by putting up barriers for (WNPS), Editor of the and Rs. 6,000 for the Day Pass today is all that matters, a final women to contribute at their peak. WNPS Journal, Loris, and to an individual event. For more generation. Though the “future” At LSEG, inclusion is a strategic is bound to curse them for their Trustee of FEO) information, call 0768119191.

listen to music to their heart’s content. Both, SLT-Mobitel post- Spotify will also provide SLT-Mobitel customers SLT-Mobitel introduces paid and pre-paid customers will now be able to enjoy Spotify with the opportunity to listen to ad-free music, access by activating a monthly recurring subscription, or a one-time millions of uninterrupted music under one platform, play subscription plan, and access unlimited music streaming and any song they like, anywhere they go, and also be able to downloading facilities. enjoy their music offline. Spotify in The subscription charges will be added to the user’s SLT-Mobitel customers can select their preferred customary billing, where payment will be deducted in real premium package under four categories; Individual, Duo, time. Starting from the payment date, the user will be able to Family, Student. Each category has recurring and non- access Spotify and download their favourite songs for the next recurring plans. After one month of free streaming, the 30 days. Users who sign up for their first monthly subscription package will activate once the offer period terminates. Sri Lanka will receive an additional month, courtesy of Spotify. The While both, the Individual and Student premiums are SLT-Mobitel announced that it recently partnered with one-month subscription plan is not applicable with one-time limited to one account user, the Duo package offers two Spotify to mark the platform’s launch in Sri Lanka. Spotify is subscription plans. SLT-Mobitel data rates, depending on the accounts, and the Family premium is accessible through a paid premium music streaming app that allows subscribers to user’s respective broadband charges, will apply. six accounts. 144 sports „„ www.themorning.lk { SPORTS } Thursday, March 4, 2021

The great revelation of 20-over cricket is not that it became so successful so quickly, but that nobody thought of it 3 sooner. The brainchild of England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) Marketing Executive Stuart Robertson, the concept that has redefined world cricket in the 21st Century arrived through the same birthing process as many a profound innovation – to solve a worsening problem. Here we reproduce the Andrew Ramsey write-up on the origin of T20 cricket which appeared on 21 July 2014 on cricket.com. au. Findings of Robertson’s market research Come the turn of this century, attendances at county matches had dropped by 17%. Even more worrying for officialdom trying to work out where the game’s traditional followers had gone was putting their finger on where the new breed of cricket fans might come from. On 15 July 2004, when the game finally made an appearance at Lord’s the following summer, it drew Robertson a crowd of more than 27,000 to watch Middlesex take on Surrey. It was the largest attendance at Lord’s for any county fixture (excluding one-day finals) in more than 50 years undertook a market research survey unprecedented in its of more than 27,000 to watch Middlesex scale (reputedly take on Surrey which represented the more than £ largest attendance for any county fixture 2 250,000) and scope (excluding one-day finals) in more than 50 that laid bare the years. (See photo 3) depth of cricket’s image problem. Apathy at the start 1 (See photo 1) Barely six months later, the game The ‘founder’ of T20 Too much of devised as a salve for domestic cricket cricket, ECB’s Marketing it was played was transplanted to the international arena Executive during 2001, when people were when New Zealand hosted Australia at Stuart Robertson otherwise occupied. Auckland’s Eden Park. (See photo 4) It was viewed as The fact that the occasion was little elitist – those who lived closer to struggle more than a fancy dress warm-up for the street thought it a game for the wealthy; Australians’ subsequent ODI and Test tour potential young fans felt it was a sport for convinced a number of players – visiting oldies. Captain Ricky Ponting included – that it And most notably in a world that would never became a serious element of increasingly wants results at the click of a the international cricket calendar. button, it took too long. Even the game’s Indeed, India simply refused to be abbreviated form soaked up an entire day. involved in Twenty20 internationals at The inaugural T20 competition’s finals drew a Three hours, not seven the outset because they believed it diluted sell-out crowd to neutral Trent Bridge. Here, the value of the more precious 50-over Surrey Captain Adam Hollioake lifts the trophy That last finding was scarcely a product. as his team celebrates winning the first Twenty revelation to anyone who had sat through 20 Cup, beating Warwickshire in the final by nine wickets more than a few 50-over innings during India win first T20 World Cup which the period between over 15 (when But having played a solitary 20-over the fielding restrictions were lifted) and THE STORY international in three years prior to the have happened with it,” he told Daily Mail 45 (when the helter skelter began) was a inaugural International Cricket Council years after T20 was born. tedious succession of singles pushed to (ICC) World T20 in South Africa in “All it was then was a way to get new long-on or deep cover. 2008, India’s five-run victory in that audiences interested in county cricket. It So Robertson suggested those middle BEHIND THE tournament’s final over arch-rivals has brought a bit of attention to me and my bits simply be excised. Surely limited- Pakistan triggered a love affair with the name is sometimes mentioned when people overs cricket minus the boring bits would game that remains in an ever-escalating talk about how Twenty20 cricket happened, be interesting? honeymoon phase. (See photo 5) but I can tell you one thing – it never made And a match that takes three hours rather BIRTH OF As Robertson is reminded every time he me any money.” than seven could be programmed in the conducts an interview about his role in the evenings – even during the week – when creation of the format that is also seen as P.S. adults had done their chores and kids could cricket’s best chance of securing a long- The “ever-escalating honeymoon phase” skip their homework. term foothold in non-traditional markets, of India with T20 cricket reached new the novelty has rapidly evolved into the heights, so to say, when they launched the A lot of opposition staple. Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2008. (See Like the Velcro cricket pad and the twist- “I couldn’t possibly imagine what would photo 6) top stubby – other life-changing inventions that preceded T20 cricket – the triumph of the idea that was first formalised into a county-wide competition in 2003 was its simplicity. Not that everyone saw it that way at the outset, or even now – 11 years down the track – as the ongoing debate as to whether 20-over cricket will save or sink the longer format continues to rage. T20 “We (the ECB) had a lot of opposition but there was a lot of support too and it wouldn’t have got through otherwise,” CRICKET Robertson, now with county team Hampshire, recalled years later. 4 How a marketing stunt turned On 17 February 2005, the first-ever T20 International was played at Eden Park at Auckland, Voted 11-7 in favour New Zealand. Australia beat the hosts by 44 runs under lights “I worked closely with the Cricket into a global phenomenon Department at the ECB and eventually a 20-over competition, to replace the old (originally 55, then 50-over) Benson and with cricket, the early days of England’s Crowds return to Lord’s Hedges Cup, was put to the vote of the Twenty20 Cup were part sporting event, The inaugural competition’s finals – county chairmen. part fun fair. The game was often a the two preceding semis and the grand “They voted 11-7 in favour of adopting backdrop to speed-dating, bouncing castles, final were all staged on one epic day it. Some said ‘no thanks’ but crucially I swimming pools, karaoke machines, and – drew a sell-out crowd to neutral Trent had put the same proposals to the county guest pop-star artists – including the group Bridge, which hosted the play-off that marketing directors just before and they Liberty X, of which Kevin Pietersen’s wife was originally to be staged at Lord’s. (See were unanimously in favour. Jessica Taylor was a member. photo 2) “So even the chairmen who didn’t want But it quickly achieved its aim, even However, the home of cricket’s it then said ‘okay, you go and make it though nobody involved suspected it application for a concert licence so that work’ and the success of the project was in would launch a series of hugely popular Atomic Kitten could strut their stuff as the hands of people who really wanted it.” franchise-style competitions in virtually part of the festivities was rejected by the 6 every Test-playing nation – including Westminster City Council. Rajasthan Royals (RR) beat Chennai Super Kings (CSK) by three wickets in Mumbai in the Achieved its aim quickly Australia’s own KFC T20 Big Bash When the game finally made an final of the inaugural IPL in 2008. Here is then Indian Cricket Board President Sharad Pawar (left) True to its genesis as a marketing League – and facilitate the rise of the appearance at Lord’s the following summer presenting the IPL trophy to RR Captain Shane Warne. Sri Lanka’s Muttiah Muraitharan and Chamara Kapugedera played for CSK in that final tool to introduce or re-acquaint people globetrotting 20-over specialist player. – 10 years ago this week – it drew a crowd 5

Mahendra Singh Dhoni and the India team celebrate their victory of the final of the inaugural ICC T20 World Cup between Having played a solitary T20I in three years prior to the inaugural ICC T20 World Cup in South Africa Pakistan and India in 2007, India’s five-run victory in the tournament’s final over arch-rivals Pakistan ‘triggered a love held at the Wanderers affair with the game that remains in an ever-escalating honeymoon phase’. At the Wanderers in Cricket Stadium on Johannesburg on 24 September 2007, India won by five runs 24 September 2007 sports 154 Thursday, March 4, 2021 { SPORTS } „„ www.themorning.lk Into the Past Another two-day Test WITH THILAK z Zimbabwe beat All-West Indian team Afghanistan by 10 wickets appointed as match Zimbabwe registered a massive win over Afghanistan in their first Test officials for SL series meeting yesterday (3) in Abu Dhabi. Cricket West Indies (CWI), on stand in his first Test match in Like the previous India versus England behalf of the International Cricket the Caribbean. He has so far Test at Ahmedabad, this too lasted just Council (ICC), on Tuesday (2) officiated in 19 Tests, 66 ODIs, two days.After bowling Afghanistan out announced the match officials for and 26 T20Is. Brathwaite will for scores of 131 and 135, Zimbabwe the upcoming series against Sri stand in his first Test match. He needed just 17 runs to win and got Lanka, who will all be from the has so far officiated in 44 ODIs them unscathed in 3.2 overs in their West Indies. The two teams will and 28 T20Is. second innings.Only Zimbabwe Captain play all three formats, starting Due to the logistics challenges Sean Williams, who brought up his third with the CG Insurance-sponsored caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, Test century and second as Captain, T20 Internationals which began all match officials will be from and 19-year-old Afghan opener Ibrahim yesterday (3) night at the Coolidge the West Indies due to ICC Zadran, who top-scored for his team Cricket Ground (CCG). temporarily permitting the with 76 in the second innings, showed Former West Indies Test appointment of locally based the application required to craft an Captain Sir Richie Richardson match officials from the Emirates innings on a difficult pitch. Afghanistan will be the ICC Match Referee Elite Panel of Match Officials and are considered the hosts or the home for all matches to be played at the Emirates ICC International side at Abu Dhabi. CCG and the Sir Vivian Richards Panel of Match Officials. Stadium (SVRS) in Antigua. CWI Senior Manager of Cricket Afghanistan 1st innings, 131 all out The team of match officials will Operations Roland Holder said: comprise Joel Wilson, a member “We have worked over the years to Zimbabwe 1st innings of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel improve the standard of cricket in (o/n 133/5 in 39 overs) of Umpires, as well as Gregory all areas. It is a just reward for the Brathwaite, Nigel Duguid, Leslie match officials to be recognised ZIMBABWE 1ST INNINGS Reifer Jr., and Patrick Gustard, for their hard work by being a Prince Masvaure lbw b Hamza 15 all of whom are members of the part of an all-West Indian match Kevin Kasuza b Ahmadzai 0 Emirates ICC International Panel officials team. Everyone at CWI Tarisai Musakanda b Hamza 7 of Umpires. is really happy that they have the Sean Williams (Capt.) c Shahidi b Hamza 105 The Test series will have opportunity to showcase their Wesley Madhevere lbw b Hamza 0 special significance for Wilson skills and we wish them all the Sikandar Raza c Malik b Hamza 43 and Brathwaite. Wilson will very best during the series.” Ryan Burl lbw b Zadran 8 Regis Chakabva (wk) c Malik b Khan 44 Donald Tiripano c Zadran b Khan 4 Blessing Muzarabani not out 12 Victor Nyauchi b Hamza 0 Extras (nb 1, w 1, b 2, lb 8) 12 Total (all out in 72 overs) 250 Fall of wickets: 1-5 (Kasuza, 0.4 ov), 2-22 (Musakanda, 9.2 ov), 3-38 (Masvaure, 14.4 ov), 4-38 (Madhevere, 14.5 ov), 5-109 (Raza, 31.6 ov), 6-137 (Burl, 40.2 ov), 7-212 (Chakabva, 61.6 ov), 8-224 (Tiripano, 63.4 ov), 9-250 (Williams, 71.1 ov), 10-250 ( Nyauchi, 71.6 ov) Bowling: Yamin Ahmadzai 17.1-2-48-1 (w1), Amir Hamza 25-3-75-6, Zahir Khan 19-0-81-2, Abdul Wasi Former West Indies Test Captain Sir Richie Richardson will be the ICC 8.5-0-23-0 (nb1), Ibrahim Zadran 2-0-13-1 Match Referee for all matches

AFGHANISTAN 2ND INNINGS MATCH OFFICIAL APPOINTMENTS Ibrahim Zadran c Chakabva b Tiripano 76 Abdul Malik c Chakabva b Nyauchi 0 yy Coolidge Cricket Ground – CCG Munir Ahmad lbw b Muzarabani 1 yy Sir Vivian Richards Stadium – SVRS Rahmat Shah lbw b Nyauchi 0 Hashmatullah Shahidi c Madhevere b Nyauchi 4 3 March: 1st CG Insurance T20I at CCG Afsar Zazai (wk) lbw b Williams 0 yy On-field umpires: Gregory Brathwaite, Nigel Duguid Asghar Afghan (Capt.) b Muzarabani 14 Abdul Wasi b Burl 9 yy Television umpire: Leslie Reifer Jr. Amir Hamza not out 21 yy Fourth umpire: Patrick Gustard Yamin Ahmadzai c Williams b Tiripano 0 Zahir Khan c Nyauchi b Tiripano 0 yy Match referee: Sir Richie Richardson Extras (w 5, b 4, lb 1) 10 5 March: 2nd CG Insurance T20I at CCG Total (all out in 45.3 overs) 135 Fall of wickets: 1-5 (Malik, 1.3 ov), 2-6 (Ahmad, 4.5 yy On-field umpires: Nigel Duguid, Leslie Reifer Jr. ov), 3-15 (Shah, 7.2 ov), 4-21 (Shahidi, 9.5 ov), 5-21 yy Television umpire: Gregory Brathwaite (Zazai, 10.4 ov), 6-47 (Afghan, 16.1 ov), 7-81 (Noori, 24.6 ov), 8-129 (Zadran, 43.4 ov), 9-129 (Ahmadzai, 43.5 ov), yy Fourth umpire: Patrick Gustard 10-135 (Khan, 45.3 ov) yy Match referee: Sir Richie Richardson Bowling: Blessing Muzarabani 8-4-14-2, Victor Nyauchi 7-1-30-3 (w1), Sean Williams 6-0-28-1, Donald 7 March: 3rd CG Insurance T20I at CCG Tiripano 9.3-2-23-3, Ryan Burl 7-0-13-1, Sikandar Raza 4-0-16-0, Wesley Madhevere 4-1-6-0 yy On-field umpires: Patrick Gustard, Joel Wilson yy Television umpire: Gregory Brathwaite ZIMBABWE 2ND INNINGS (TARGET 17) yy Fourth umpire: Nigel Duguid Prince Masvaure not out 5 Kevin Kasuza not out 11 yy Match referee: Sir Richie Richardson Extras (lb 1) 1 10 March: 1st CG Insurance ODI at SVRS Total (for no loss in 3.2 overs) 17 Bowling: Amir Hamza 2-0-11-0, Yamin Ahmadzai yy On-field umpires: Joel Wilson, Gregory Brathwaite 1.2-0-5-0 yy Television umpire: Nigel Duguid yy Fourth umpire: Leslie Reifer Jr. Zimbabwe Skipper Sean Williams drives one on the off. He was the Player of the Match as they beat Afghanistan by 10 wickets in their first Test under two days in Abu Dhabi yesterday (3) yy Match referee: Sir Richie Richardson 12 March: 2nd CG Insurance ODI at SVRS NSC MEETS MEDIA, ELABORATES ITS PLANS yy On-field umpires: Joel Wilson, Nigel Duguid yy Television umpire: Gregory Brathwaite yy Fourth umpire: Leslie Reifer Jr. yy Match referee: Sir Richie Richardson 14 March: 3rd CG Insurance ODI at SVRS yy On-field umpires: Joel Wilson, Leslie Reifer Jr. yy Television umpire: Gregory Brathwaite yy Fourth umpire: Nigel Duguid yy Match referee: Sir Richie Richardson 21-25 March: 1st Test at SVRS yy On-field umpires: Joel Wilson, Gregory Brathwaite yy Television umpire: Nigel Duguid yy Fourth umpire: Leslie Reifer Jr. yy Match referee: Sir Richie Richardson 29 March to 2 April: 2nd Test at SVRS yy On-field umpires: Joel Wilson, Gregory Brathwaite yy Television umpire: Nigel Duguid The National Sports Council (NSC), appointed by Minister of Youth and Sports Namal Rajapaksa and headed by former Sri Lanka cricket Captain Mahela Jayawardene, met the media yesterday (3) at the Sports Ministry in Colombo, mainly to elaborate their future plans. Among their plans are forming a national sports strategy, updating infrastructure yy Fourth umpire: Leslie Reifer Jr. development projects, national high-performance strategy, a sports data centre, high-impact centre development model, sports budget transformation, and national sport calendar. yy Match referee: Sir Richie Richardson Here is NSC member Kumar Sangakkara addressing the media, as Jayawardene and Minister Rajapaksa look on „„ www.themorning.lk Thursday, March 4, 2021 CSK asks for Women’s RWC 2021 goes to 2022 assistance The Rugby World Cup (RWC) 2021, of Lankan bowlers the ninth World Cup The Indian Premier League (IPL) for women, is set to franchise Chennai Super Kings (CSK) be postponed until on Monday (1) requested from Sri next year following a Lanka Cricket (SLC) the services of recommendation by Mahesh Theekshana and Matheesha governing body World Pathirana (pictured) to assist their Rugby. The tournament team as “bowling specialists”. CSK is currently scheduled CEO K.S. Viswanathan has requested to be held in New SLC to release the above two’s No Zealand between Objection Certificates so that 18 September and they can take part in CSK 16 October. A final training. The IPL 2021 is decision is expected after the RWC Board and World Rugby’s Executive Committee consider scheduled from March the recommendation on 8 and 9 March. World Rugby said the “challenging Covid landscape” to April. influenced its decision.

Discussions unsuccessful. The SLRC can’t show Asports contentious issue the West Indies cricket series live in Sri Lanka z Colts questioning SLC’s legality and urging an interim committee The Colombo Colts Cricket assured, reportedly, that he would Club’s request from Minister of be taking steps to hold election Sports and Youth Affairs Namal before 31 July the same year. Rajapaksa to appoint an interim But then Sumathipala warned committee, in a letter dated 20 that the International Cricket February 2021 (see inset picture), Council (ICC) would take action may understandably have an effect against SLC for undergoing undue on the 15 March Appeal Court political interference. Musthapha hearing of the plea of a group of that time replied saying the people, including former SLC ICC reaction was secondary to administrators, to make major “following Sri Lankan law”. changes on the national cricket How the present Sports Minister administration, citing a downfall is going to react to Colts’ request in the game in recent times. looks interesting, particularly in A source said that on a previous a context where one of the said instance too, under Sports letter’s signatories, Nishnatha Minister Faiszer Musthapha of Ranatunga, is allegedly a the previous Government (2015- close confidante of the present 19), a competent authority (Kamal dispensation holding Chairman’s Padmasiri) was appointed to run post of the present National Water the affairs of SLC after the term Supply and Drainage Board. of the SLC elected body, under Overtly, Minster Rajapaksa President Thilanga Sumathipala, has aired his displeasure over ended in June 2018. appointing an interim committee Then Sports Minister to run cricket in Sri Lanka, Musthapha, who held office expressing his reasons as they from April to November 2018, (interim committees) are not appointed Sports Ministry responsible bodies and have BLACKOUT Secretary Padmasiri as the caused massive loss of funds of z No live telecast of the West Indies cricket series in Sri Lanka! competent authority to take over the Cricket Board during their SLC after President Sumathipala’s previous tenures. BY REVATHA S. SILVA About Rs. 10 m extra cost advertisers on the live coverage. Creating finalisation of a broadcaster for the term came to an end in June. Our effort to contact a senior All efforts made by the The source further added that this time viewer interest during these extraordinary Indian region. Cricket Board elections had SLC cricket official to get to know Sri Lanka Rupavahini the connection link for the cricket series playing hours needs exceptional appeal London-based Pitch International been delayed that time following their response to the matter failed Corporation (SLRC) to show live is not available in the Indian sector due from the part of the players, a feature is the commercial consultant and a court order. Musthapha then last evening. coverage of the Sri Lanka versus to the ongoing arrangements of CWI Sri Lanka is lacking very much at the sponsorship sales agency of CWI at West Indies cricket series, starting telecasting rights. moment. present. CWI on 25 January confirmed today (4) in the Caribbean island “With such an extra cost, we will have officially its third new multi-year of Antigua and Barbuda, failed last to pay an additional amount of around Rs. SLRC to air Legends broadcast rights agreement with Super afternoon (3) and there is a strong 10 million. In fact, we earlier expected Series instead Sport on its television and digital likelihood of a complete blackout the costs could be in the range of Rs. 5 “We could not have successful live platforms for four years until 2024. of the month-long, all-format million. It will be tough for us to cover coverage last time too (the South Africa That was only in sub-Saharan Africa cricket series in Sri Lanka. such an amount by our advertisers.” and England series in recent months). covering over 54 African countries, We at The Morning Sports predicted The performance of the team matters including South Africa, Zimbabwe, this eventuality in our Monday (1) Poor performance with regard to the advertising revenue Nigeria, and Kenya. and Tuesday (2) sports pages quoting of the team of the coverage. Even the Captain of the Earlier, in two major broadcast sources of SLRC. The Morning Sports reported first Sri Lanka T20 team couldn’t make the agreements, CWI had reached the US “We tried our best to have the live on 22 February that there was a great West Indies trip. Therefore, undertaking market, with ESPN+, and the UK and coverage until this (last) afternoon. possibility that the over one-month-long a live coverage in such circumstances Ireland markets, with BT Sport. Still, That is because we considered it Sri Lanka tour of West Indies would carries a huge risk anyway. All those we are of the understanding that no was part of our duty as the national not be shown live by any of the local matters added to arriving at our final agreement has been reached between broadcaster. But there is a huge extra TV channels. That was after contacting decision,” he added. CWI and any potential Asian broadcaster cost that is involved in getting the feed. two local TV stations that had shown In the meantime, SLRC is planning to provide live coverage in this region. We can’t afford such an extra cost and live cricket action over the past years. to have the live coverage of the “Road we pulled out from the deal,” a reliable It was also said that there could be a Safety Legends Cricket Series”, starting Resultant blackout of SLRC source revealed yesterday. lukewarm response in the broadcasting tomorrow (5) in Raipur, India involving month-long cricket action market for the West Indies-Sri Lanka an array of former stars including those “Star Sports India may get the live A ‘link’ coming only series. That is mainly due to the fact that of Sri Lanka. coverage of the West Indies series in our from England the Sri Lanka team is not performing “We had that concern as well when region. If that happens, the local fans Explaining further the reason for well enough at present to encourage we negotiated on the West Indies series. might be able to watch the matches via the extra cost, the source said that for prospective advertisers in the region. The Legends Series will have a greater their local satellite pay TV providers,” the present series, they needed to have appeal among our audiences. There will the above SLRC source further explained. the connection from England, not from The nine-and-a-half-hour be clashes in the match schedules of Sri Lanka will play three T20Is on India, which is the usual practice. time difference the Legends Series and the West Indies 4, 6, and 8 March in Coolidge Cricket “We needed to get the link from The other contributory factor for this series,” he said. Ground; three ODIs on 10, 12, and 14 England which was to cost us $ lukewarm response from the telecasters March at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium; 50,000 (Rs. 9.7 million) extra. After this time is the massive nine-and-a- West Indies TV rights and two Tests, from 21-25 March and 29 our negotiations with the West Indies half-hour time difference between Sri distribution March-2 April, at Sir Vivian Richards cricket board (Cricket West Indies Lanka and Antigua. This means all action Other than SLRC, the Independence Stadium, in Antigua. or CWI), the normal amount was – particularly the day-night action in Television Network (ITN) and another The T20I series starts today at 6 p.m. agreed, of $ 40,000. But the extra cost Antigua – will be going deep into the private TV channel were expected, Antigua time or 3.30 a.m. on Friday, 5 involving this England link is way too night here in the Asian subcontinent. At reportedly, to have the West Indies series March, Sri Lanka time. The first two much for us. Therefore, we decided times, the live feed can run past dawn live coverage here. Yet, as we reported ODIs will be day games and the third not to have it this time,” he explained. the next day. earlier, they too were awaiting a clear one will be a day-nighter. Both Tests The Colts Cricket Club letter to the Sports Minister This is a major reason to distract response from CWI with regard to the will be day matches. AS AUSTRALIA PRAY IN ENGLAND’S FAVOUR impressed by. A pushed drive off Jasprit Bumrah for his first boundary suggested he was India face last hurdle seeing the pink ball well. When Heading into the fourth Aus hopes truly alive after India was bowled out for he found the rope twice in the Test against England, India While England have suffered India vs. England 145, he repeated the trick by next over from Ishant Sharma, cannot lose the series but still bad defeats in each of the past fourth Test bowling Zak Crawley with the it became clear he was a threat have plenty at stake. Both two Tests, Australia’s hopes of yy At Narendra first ball of the innings. He to India. He went on to hit 10 teams went into this series in making the final are well and Modi Stadium, finished with figures of 5/32 boundaries in his 83-ball stay contention to make the World truly alive. Ahmedabad and a match-haul of 11/70 – the and was the lone England batter Test Championship (WTC) England started this series most wickets ever taken by a to pass 20. He fell for a duck in yy From 4 (today) to final but only one of them, with an impressive 227-run 8 March, from bowler in a day-night Test. the second innings but there is India, can now make it. win in Chennai, which saw 9.30 a.m. local time There were a few positive plenty for England to be excited Nevertheless, England have a key contributions made from each day notes for England in the about in Crawley. huge role to play in determining No. 1 to 11 in the team. That 10-wicket defeat. Crawley’s Axar Patel – there are who takes on New Zealand to victory came off the back of a yy Satellite pay TV in 53 in their first innings oozed threats left, right, and centre be crowned the International 3-0 series win in Sri Lanka. Joe SL: Star Sports class, while Jack Leach took from India. Rohit Sharma has Cricket Council’s (ICC) first Root’s team know how to win 4/54 in India’s first innings. been the series’ most consistent World Test Champions. in Asia. Australia need them to Axar Patel leading the way. There were also career-best batter, Ravichandran Ashwin Only a series win will be rediscover that this week. Playing at the world’s biggest figures for Root, who took 5/8. its most consistent performer, enough to see India through to Here is icc-cricket.com’s cricket stadium in his home England will be hoping at and Virat Kohli has repeatedly the final. A series-drawing win preview of the decisive Test state of Gujarat, Patel collected least two of those three things threatened to dictate terms. for England in this fourth Test starting in Ahmedabad today. the best match figures in day- are cornerstones of a better As good as the veterans have would see the WTC final be a night Test history. performance in the fourth Test. been, Patel will still be the strictly southern hemisphere Remember last time On day one, he took 6/38 as centre of plenty of discussion affair between New Zealand In a match that nobody India bowled England out for Look out for in the England camp. Just and Australia. Suffice to predicted, India beat England 112. He picked up a wicket with Zak Crawley – 23 years old two Tests into his career, the Virat Kohli (in front) and Rishabh Pant unsuccessfully appeal for Ben Foakes’ wicket on say, Justin Langer and Tim inside two days to claim a 2-1 his first ball of the match when and playing in India for the first 27-year-old has already taken the first day of the third cricket Test between India and England in Ahmedabad on 24 Paine will both have eyes on series lead in the third Test, he trapped Jonny Bairstow time, Crawley produced a first 18 wickets at 9.44, with three February Ahmedabad. with left-arm finger-spinner plumb in front. On day two, innings you simply had to be five-wicket hauls to his name.

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