Peraheras Can Resume

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Inside Stories Easter Sunday: The Cost of Ignorance A8-9 Sri Lanka Emerges Unbowed A12

At Bokundara Commercial Bank UNP and SJB hunting Rs 492 M in members By W.K. Prasad Manju

As the General Election heat is building up, with all the main political parties planning to kick off their election campaigns, wheeler-dealers in the United National Party (UNP) and Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) have begun Underworld hunting for candidates in each others’ parties. Story Continued on page 2 Zahran’s brother Account treated at NHSL in 2018 Money withdrawn Doubts whether Hospital Police failed to refer him to JMO before Police Banker also By Buddhika Samaraweera Rilwan Hashim, the brother of Zahran Hashim, the mastermind of the Easter Sunday attacks, had been could probe involved admitted to the National Hospital, Colombo under a pseudonym and treated for three weeks in 2018, due to BY Shiran Ranasinghe injuries caused by an explosion. Story Continued on page 2 Story Continued on page 2

Nibbana Paramam Sukham (Seeking the Ultimate Bliss) Rajeewa’s death suspected suicide – Police n Donated Rs 500,000 to COVID Fund in May n Rs 1 M given to domestic aid in March n Bought the firearm in January By Faadhila Thassim independent columnist, Police said. Police Spokesperson SP Jaliya A person who was found dead at Senaratne told the Media that they the park adjoining Independence suspect it to be a suicide, according Peraheras Square on Friday (12), morning was to the post-mortem report by the identified as Rajeewa Jayaweera, a Colombo Judicial Medical Officer former senior Airlines Executive and (JMO). can resume Story Continued on page 2 No public participation President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has instructed the If agrees to fulfil Tamil aspirations Basnayake Nilames including the Chief Custodian of the Temple of the Tooth Relic to organise peraheras in religious places and devalas by giving TNA ready to support priority to traditional and religious rituals. Gotabaya-led Government Story Continued on page 2 By Ananth Palakidnar fulfil the political aspirations of Tamils in a new Constitution. Petition against sacking 294 members Former Jaffna District TNA MP, Sumanthiran, who has been M.A. Sumanthiran, has mentioned named as the number one candidate that TNA would support the of the TNA, from the Jaffna District, UNP files objections Government led by President held a Media briefing at his seeking dismissal Gotabaya Rajapaksa, if it is ready to residence in Jaffna on 11 June. By Kavindya Perera Story Continued on page 2

United National Party (UNP) General Secretary Akila Viraj Kariyawasam filed objections in the Vehicle leasing companies flouting Govt order Colombo District Court on Friday (12), seeking to dismiss the complaint lodged by General Secretary President orders Police of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Ranjith Madduma Bandara who sought an injunction to prevent the UNP Working Committee’s decision to to prevent unlawful seizing expel 294 members from the UNP. As the method adopted by leasing Gotabaya Rajapaksa has ordered Kariyawasam filed objections through Devotees stand in line to enter the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic companies to seize vehicles of those Police. Vidanapathirana Associates claiming that the in Kandy on Friday (12), as religious places were opened after two who fail to pay loan instalments is Leasing companies do not inform complainant has suppressed information and has months for the public for worship under strict health guidelines unlawful, no room should be left to the Police prior to such seizing. not come to Court with a good intention. (Pic by Manilka Jayasingha) continue this practice, President They lodge complaints only after...

Story Continued on page 2 Story Continued on page 2 A2 sunday 14 june 2020 news

Continued from page 1 Peraheras can... Rajeewa’s... Rs 492 M “The JMO has ruled out any external act from a third party underworld as having caused the death. A micro pistol was found at the place of the incident. Police are Account conducting further investigations into the By Shiran Ranasinghe Police stated that Prabath incident. We have obtained Chathuranga had previously been statements from his family Police have launched an investigation arrested with 9.5 grams of heroin in his members. A Magisterial into a sum of Rs 492 million deposited in possession, and following court Inquest will be needed for the a Bank account maintained at the proceedings had withdrawn the said sum final conclusion about the Bokundara branch of the Commercial of Rs 492 million from the account and death,” he added. Moreover, Bank, by an accomplice of underworld closed the account. the Police Spokesman noted gang member Darmasiri, the main A special team of Police officers has that the deceased had written associate of ‘Kudu Anju’, who is in Dubai. been appointed on the instructions of the a letter to his brother on the The individual who has handled the Senior DIG of the Western Province, The President has informed that the peraheras of the Temple of the previous day (11), detailing his transactions of the said account has been Deshabandu Tennakoon, to investigate Tooth Relic, devalas including the Kataragama, Devinuwara and intention to commit suicide, identified as Liyanaarachige Prabath the manner in which a large amount of Sabaragamuwa should be conducted in accordance with the health following which he had gone Chathuranga (32) and investigations have money had been withdrawn from the guidelines to curb COVID-19. The President gave these instructions missing. His brother had revealed that the money earned by the account and if a staff member of the Bank during a discussion with the Presidential Task Force to suppress COVID- lodged a complaint with the sale of drugs had been deposited to this had an involvement in the withdrawal. 19 held at the Presidential Secretariat on Friday (12). The public will not Bambalapitiya Police on the account. Further Investigations have also been be able to participate in any perahera conducted in any religious place. night of 11 June stating that The Bank account had been opened by launched to identify the person who Permission has not been given for groups of devotees who generally travel his sibling was missing. a person named Gayan Chathuranga maintain Bank accounts with funds by foot to participate in the Kataragama perahera from Nallur, Jaffna, SP Senaratne stated that the Elandara, a resident of Dampe, obtained from overseas underworld Trincomalee and areas in the East. It was also stated that the 10 days of deceased had also suffered Piliyandala. leaders. Kumbal and Randoli peraheras will be telecast live. from a spinal cord defect. The letter that Jayaweera had sent to his brother stated that he deposited Rs 500,000 to the President’s COVID-19 Fund on 3 May and another Rs Zahran’s brother... 1 million was deposited in his It was also revealed that the Police exploded. But the injuries were not the Police did not refer such patients to orders to do so. In response, IP domestic aid’s Bank account checkpoint at the National Hospital kind of those caused by a gas cylinder the JMO. Nanayakkara said that there were no as a token of appreciation. had not taken steps to refer him to a explosion,” he said and noted that Also, a video in which Rilwan such orders. Members of the Also, it was learnt that he Judicial Medical Officer (JMO), despite Rilwan’s injuries seemed like that of appeared few days after the bomb Commission then questioned him as had bought the firearm and the suspicious nature of injuries on civilians during the war period. He also blasts on Easter Sunday was shown to how such a tradition would have pellets in January this year. his body. noted that the doctors had put a before the Commission and Dr. been created if there were no such This was revealed when Colombo question mark on all the pages of the Tennakoon said that he and the orders. Nanayakkara gave no response JMO, Dr. Ajith Tennakoon, on 12 patient’s bed ticket. Doctors may have person mentioned in the medical to this. June, gave evidence before the made such a note because the reports had the same injuries. Commission members emphasized to Presidential Commission of Inquiry patient’s injuries were suspicious, Meanwhile, Inspector of Police (IP) the witness that if doctors recommend probing the Easter Sunday bombings. he said. Bandula Nanayakkara, who was that a patient be referred to the JMO, it UNP files... He said that Rilwan had been Dr. Tennakoon added that “doctors Officer-In-Charge (OIC) of the Police is the duty of the Police to do so. Respondent Kariyawasam has admitted to the National Hospital had taken steps to refer the patient to post at the National Hospital at the When IP Nanayakkara said that the pointed out that the complaint under the pseudonym, M.I. Sadiq on the Hospital Police. The Hospital Police time, also testified before the Police officers who were on duty at the has been filed pointlessly and is 27 August 2018 around 11:27 a.m. He had to direct him to the JMO. Commission. Police post that day had not informed in violation of Sections 15, 16, had given an address in the Mawanella However, someone had written a note He said that if the patient or his him of such an incident, members of 40 and 46 (2) of the Civil area and a person named Shahid has in Tamil in the Police records that no guardian informed that further the Commission said that it was his Procedure Code. come in as a guardian, Dr. Tennakoon further investigation was necessary. investigations were not necessary, responsibility to ascertain whether the Kariyawasam had stated that added. The note is believed to have been kept they would not be referred to the JMO. officers were performing their duties the UNP Working Committee had “By the time he was admitted to the by Shahid who came as Rilwan’s The Chairman of the Commission, properly. Asked whether he admitted decided on 30 January 2020 to Hospital, his face, arms, left eye and guardian.” Court of Appeal Judge, Justice Janak to having neglected his duties as the contest the General Election forehead were severely injured. They He added that there have been de Silva then questioned the witness OIC of the said Police post, he through an alliance, and that it had said that a gas cylinder had several instances where the Hospital as to whether there were any written acknowledged the same. was decided to appoint former MP Sajith Premadasa as the Leader of the Alliance and also that it was discussed regarding a constitution and an election symbol. UNP... However, Kariyawasam has According to well-informed sources in both the UNP and informed the Court that on 4 the SJB, who spoke to our sister newspaper ‘Sunday March, a party named the SJB Mawbima’, millions of rupees have been invested in this was registered and Premadasa regard. was appointed as its Leader and It has been revealed during a discussion held with the Madduma Bandara as its participation of the UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe that General Secretary. nearly 21 persons who have handed over nominations from Kariyawasam, requested the the SJB have had discussions with the UNP. The UNP Court to dismiss the complaint believes that those candidates might return to the UNP soon. filed by the SJB as it was in Furthermore, it is reported that UNP Assistant Leader Ravi violation of the UNP constitution Karunanayake and former MPs Vajira Abeywardena and and to also dismiss the Daya Gamage are having discussions with the SJB injunction and interim orders. candidates. UNP Leader Ranil In return, the SJB also has started an operation to fish Wickremesinghe, Kariyawasam candidates from the UNP. and UNP Assistant Leader Ravi According to Deputy Secretary of the SJB Sujeewa Karunanayake have been Senasinghe, the UNP will win only three electorates in the named as respondents in the General Election. Many UNP members will join the SJB after complaint filed by Madduma the Election. “Some of them have already confirmed that they Bandara. will join us,” he added. The complaint has been filed Meanwhile, National Organiser of the SJB Tissa seeking an injunction order Attanayake said UNP candidates would start joining with preventing the suspension of SJB from tomorrow (15). Ten UNP candidates including a top 294 UNP members including level UNP member have commenced discussions with the Madduma Bandara from the SJB about the matter, he added. UNP.

TNA ready...

He pointed out that despite remaining a pillar Emphasising on the unity of Tamil of strength to the previous regime, the TNA politicians, he said that the emergence of new didn’t join it. alliances in the North and East would weaken “However, if the present Government comes the Tamil political scene, noting that the people forward to fulfil the political aspirations of of the North and East should be mindful of Tamils through a new Constitution, the TNA continuing with their support to the TNA and will extend its support to gain a two-thirds strengthening it at the forthcoming General majority in Parliament. When I met the Prime Election. Minister recently, I even told him that if the Referring to Tamil prisoners detained under present regime is truly and genuinely interested the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary in fulfilling the political aspirations of Tamils in Provisions) Act, Sumanthiran said that the TNA the North and East, the TNA would extend its would negotiate with President Gotabaya support to the Government to gain a two-thirds Rajapaksa about their release. majority in Parliament,” Sumanthiran said. “We had handed over the names of 96 such Commenting on the ex-LTTE cadres who have Tamil prisoners to be released to the Prime been integrated into society, Sumanthiran said Minister recently. He had said that the list of that there was no room for extremism anymore names had been sent to the Attorney General’s and that the ex-militant cadres must join the Department. However, the TNA will take up the TNA and extend their support to strengthen the matter with the President and find remedial Alliance. “The TNA is prepared to include them measures for their release as soon as possible,“ in the political mainstream,” he added. Sumanthiran added.

President orders...

...taking over the vehicle. This kind of owners was suspended for six months. It forceful action sometimes leads to grave was clearly stated in the Section 2 of the violence. As such, the President instructed Circular 16/2020 issued on 23 March the Acting IGP Chandana Wickremaratne under the signature of the Secretary to the not to entertain complaints received from President. leasing companies after seizing, the PMD in In this context, seizing of vehicles for not a media communiqué stated. paying the instalment is a breach of the Meanwhile, under the package of Government’s order. The President informed concessions offered to the public affected Police not to allow vehicles to be seized on with the spread of COVID -19, recovery of the grounds of non-payment of instalments, leasing instalments from three-wheeler the PMD noted. news sunday 14 june 2020 A3

Make payments/reloads Lab Technicians via MyDialog app 100 Per cent Threaten to cash back to Stop PCR Testing Dialog customers By Dilanthi Jayamanne take trade union action against the load of work”. Currently, there were Premier connectivity amount required on any Health Ministry by withdrawing from molecular biology labs which were provider Dialog Axiata PLC, payment/reload. The reward The Sri Lanka Association of conducting PCR tests by the end of one performing COVID-19 related tests at the has extended an exclusive will be given to the primary Government Medical Laboratory week if the Ministry did not respond Medical Research Institute, the National cash back offer to over 15 number the customer has Technologists (SLAGMLT) warned that favourably. Institute of Infectious Diseases, the million of its customers who saved in the app. they would withdraw from Polymerase “This situation is similar to the National Hospital, Kandy, the Apeksha save and verify their debit/ For prepaid mobile Chain Reaction (PCR) testing, if the lukewarm attitude shown regarding the Hospital, Maharagama, Teaching credit cards for the first time customers, the cash back Ministry of Health did not recruit 100 directive issued by President Rajapaksa Hospitals of Anuradhapura, Karapitiya, on the MyDialog app and benefit will be added to the diploma holders in MLT. and Health Minister Pavithra Ragama, Ratnapura, Jaffna, Batticaloa, make reloads/bill payments customer’s mobile balance Chairman of the Association, Ravi Wanniarachchi regarding the setting up and Badulla. There was an effort to set up via the MyDialog app, further and for post paid customers, Kumudesh said on 12 June that the of a molecular biology lab facility at the similar lab facilities at the National promoting the use of digital the cash back amount will be Association had taken measures to write Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) Hospital Colombo, the Microbiology channels. reflected as a bill adjustment. to the Election Commission earlier to and the National Hospital, Colombo. It is Laboratory Mulleriyawa, the BIA, the Customers who save their Customers can also activate sanction its approval for the recruitment almost 12 days since the President issued Base Hospital Homagama and the debit/credit card details for internet cards or 4G video of newly qualified MLTs to Government the directive”. General Hospital, Nuwara Eliya. the first time on the MyDialog blaster/triple blaster packs by health institutions. “We urged the Kumudesh said that the existing MLTs He said that those Hospitals could also app, after successfully directly reloading the specified Commission to view those appointments were carrying out PCR testing in be used to diagnose several other diseases verifying via an automated test pack values through the as an urgent need rather than hospitals. including blood cancers, a blood transaction, are entitled to MyDialog app. In such cases, appointments given during a period of an “However, since the COVID-19 situation condition like Thalassemia, organ receive a 100 per cent cash an equal rupee value will be Election”. He said that the Commission is not something that the country would transplants, forensic medicine and back on the first reload/bill allocated to the customer’s had responded by the end of one week. be able to overcome in the near future, identifying infections such as whooping payment made via the wallet balance as the 100% “Having sanctioned its approval, we those MLTs would have to perform other cough, tuberculosis, sexually transmitted MyDialog App. Customers can cash back benefit. This have sought the approval of the Director types of laboratory tests in addition to infections such as gonorrhoea, the receive a maximum cash back exclusive offer will encourage General of Health Services (DGHS) over PCRs. Therefore, it would be best for the human immunodeficiency virus and the value up to Rs 1,000, till 14 Sri Lankans to reload their three weeks ago and his office is yet to Health Ministry to recruit these 100 MLTs identification of diseases due to gene June 2020. The payment or mobile connections or pay respond”. He said that the matter was who are currently languishing at home. At mutations. Those PCR machines could be reload can be made to any bills easily and conveniently in being dragged by the Health Ministry. least, if there are difficulties in recruiting utilised for diagnosing these Diseases as mobile, Diualog television, and the safety of their homes, in The Association has informed President all 100, the Ministry can at least recruit well, once the present COVID-19 situation home broadband connection the backdrop of the COVID-19 Gotabaya Rajapaksa of its decision to 50 of them at the start to overcome the was completely under control. and there is no minimum epidemic.

Ombudsman’s office set up at Presidential Secretariat An Ombudsman’s office has been set up at the Janadhipathi Mawatha, Colombo 1. Presidential Secretariat to look into complaints The public has the opportunity to submit their and grievances of the public and to provide complaints or grievances in person by visiting speedy solutions. the office or they can forward their issues by post Retired Senior Deputy Inspector General of addressed to the “Ombudsman, the Presidential Police, S.M. Wickremasinghe has been appointed Secretariat, Colombo 1”. to the post. The public can reach the office through The objective of setting up the office is to telephone/fax number 011 2338073 or by provide solutions to any inconvenience or sending an electronic mail to ombudsman@ distress caused to the public as a result of the presidentsoffice.lk. negligence of public officers or by them acting Ombudsman Wickremasinghe said that people beyond their limit while exercising their could also complain to him about large scale administrative powers. drug trafficking which causes disruption to The office is located on the third floor, the Old civilian life, damages to the environment and any Standard Chartered Bank Building, other illegal activity.

US$ 50M grant for innovative plastic recycling

By Paneetha Ameresekere

The World Bank (WB), together with the United States-based international NGO, the Tarley Foundation, is providing a US$ 50 million grant for the manufacture of innovative plastic recycling products and processes by companies operating in the eight South Asian (SA) countries including Sri Lanka, South Asia Cooperative Environment Programme (SACEP) Environmental Scientist W.K. Rathnadeera told Ceylon Today. The Colombo headquartered SACEP, together with the US based INGO, Parley for the Oceans, is coordinating this event. He said the WB will provide a $ 37 million monetary grant, while Tarley will be providing a $ 13 million technical assistance grant in this connection. Bids in Sri Lanka in this regard will open next year with complementary bidding calls made in the remaining seven SA countries as well, he said. The allocation for each successful bid project will be between $ one million to $1.5 million, with Ratnadeera expecting a maximum of three successful bids to be received from Sri Lanka. The project implementation period is five years, he said. One-day NIC service to resume By Nuwan Hettiarachchi due to the COVID-19 issued at the Galle office. pandemic will commence from One-day service applicants The Department of the 22 June under health safety should certify their Registrations of Persons guidelines. applications through the announced that the one-day Under the first phase, 250 Grama Niladhari and hand it service of issuing National NICs per day will be issued over to the NIC office in the Identity Cards (NIC) which from the Battaramulla office relevant Divisional was temporarily suspended and 50 NICs per day will be Secretariat. A4 sunday 14 june 2020 interview Defence Secretary Must be A Defence Expert Secretary to the Ministry of suppress crime and Defence, Major General (rtd) Kamal the drug menace is one Gunaratne, in a candid interview, of the main tasks. speaks of the Government’s No government – Major intention to strengthen national security. He emphasises that a was able to sup- security expert should handle the press the un- defence of a country and that his derworld and General appointment as Secretary Defence I believe that I drug menace. was apt. Changing the have the experi- Commission- (rtd) Kamal By Anuradha Herath ence and expertise ers of Prison and other of- You have been appointed to from the beginning ficials will alone the central administration of Gunaratne to the end of the not annihilate the defence authority of the war. I can smell the underworld. country. How do you perceive it? impending threats! A: Mere change of Therefore, I have heads will not work. A: Any State has a Governing mecha- A leader takes into nism in place. The Executive and the assumed that considearation the Legislature run Ministries. And, the responsibility and mindset of heads to Defense Ministry is a vital Ministry. The be appointed. crucial strategy of President Gotabaya I hope to give my Rajapaksa’s policy manifesto is ensur- maximum with Why weren’t ing national security. A country cannot politicians appointed be developed without national security the help of my to the Task Force? Are and the Ministry of Defence is essen- groups they indisciplined? tial. Presidents are the Ministers of Defence and the Defence Secretary is A: politicians can’t handle the duties directly answerable to the President. of this Special Task Force . This Task One may wonder why I was appointed What is the progress of Force comprises Police, Special Task while there were many other senior investigations regarding the Force, intelligence units and the Army. How prepared are you? the Commanders of the Security Forces administrative officers. The reason Chief of military intelligence, A:. We have an excellent rapport and even I am responsible. Remember being the importance of national secu- Easter Sunday attack? Commanders of the three Armed between the Ministries of Defence and that, 25% of the personnel are always rity. A: Investigations were initially very Forces, Commandant of the STF and Health. However, I do not agree with the on leave. We re-called them. In camps, slow during the past regime. They Commissioner-General of Prisons are probability of a second outbreak of they live as a community, social dis- How do you clarify this? bypassed the right way to proceed. After represented in the Task Force. COVID-19. I may be wrong because I tancing is not easy. However, now more A: If a non-defence professional runs I was appointed , I studied the entire am not a health expert. However, I have than 500 patients in the Navy cluster the Ministry of Defence, it may result in process and deployed the best officials Underworld goons exchanged managed the Army and intelligence. We are cured. disaster .The best example is the Easter to investigate. This is not political fire while Police were look- commanded a disciplined Army . We Sunday attack. As a defence expert, I revenge. We want to give justice to the ing on. Are they ignoring the always deploy personnel considering Police attacked a peaceful do not think the terrorists were shrewd, families of the 290 plus persons killed defence authorities? their skills and training. protest on 9 June. Do you it was just a matter of the lackadaisical and 500 others who were injured. We The answer to your question is this. admit that it is a misuse of attitude of the Security authorities at are bound to do justice to them. A: There may be a few rotten eggs. Do The virus is chasing the people. It is power? the time, as they had got information not think that every armed police officer running to get its target. Our intelli- about the attack, 97 times but did not Are the intelligence units that will act bravely. gence units track the virus and identify A: Police did not exceed their powers. act. We need a defence expert as were paralyzed the target. We get there before the virus. There was a Court Order against the Defence Secretary to avoid such inci- previously, active now? Shouls society be negative We quarantine the target and some- protest under quarantine regulations. dents. I believe that I have the experi- A: By the time I got this post , the and criticizing? times lockdown the entire area. That Everyone must respect the Courts. ence and expertise from the beginning intelligence wings were pursuing one A: No. a case in point is the robbery mechanism is functioning well now. They did not heed Court Order and to the end of the war. I can smell another. For example, the CID arrested that took place at the National Hospital continued the protest. That is against impending threats! Therefore, I have TID or Military Intelligence cadres. on 9 June. Two unarmed new recruits Do you mean the social the law. If they do not heed Police assumed that responsibility and I hope Everyone worked in unison in the past, of the State Intelligence were there. situation is normal now? request to disperse, what is the next to give my maximum with the help of and now we have reinstated that situa- They pursued the robber together with A: After 30 April, no COVID-19 case step? They have to be forcibly disperse my groups. tion. a women Police official from Matara and was identified from society for 40 days them. apprehended him with the money. They so far. All the cases were from the Navy In your view, is there a threat Deploying the Military for showed their professionalism. and from those who had come from How can you endorse Police to national security at the civilian affairs and giving se- In stark contrast, three armed police abroad. We can bring it under control. attacking citizens? moment? nior State positions to Mili- officers who did not retaliate while A: Did you see any batton charging A: A terrorist attack or a foreign inva- tary officers have come under underworld goons fired at a shop in More than half the COVID-19 there. I saw one Police officer assaulting sion is not the only threat to national severe criticism. Will it lead Moratuwa only showed their cowardice. cases in Sri Lanka were Navy a civilian who was arrested when that security. Providing relief during natural personnel. Do you take re- person was taken into a vehicle. They to the militarisation of the You said the Government has and man-made disasters come under Government, as many people sponsibility for it as the De- used force to put them into vehicles. this category. Lives of people have to be appointed officials with a vi- fence Secretary? What else must they do? Can they ask saved during epidemics. Then there is seem to think? sion. Can you give a guaran- a monk or a priest to come there to separatism too. Although we annihilat- A: I do not agree with thatt. The tee that they will be able to A: I can easily pass the buck but, as preach to them? Would they disperse ed the LTTE on 19 May 2009, we have President was sworn in November act independently? Defence Secretary, I take the responsi- had Police done so? They came to cre- failed to defeat separatism. 2019. A Cabinet was sworn in, and bility. However, the public is not aware ate problems. No one was injured, but Secretaries to Ministries were appoint- A: This is a problem related to our of certain facts. About 30 drug addict more than 50 suspects were produced We saw the rise of racist ed after that. Among the 30 or 40 country. They can act independently. COVID-19 careers in Suduwella were in Court. Is it illegal? gangs in social media in the Secretaries, the only Military officer was The President intends to ensure nation- about to spread the disease. I directed recent past. Is the situation me and only one retired Military officer al security. I have the freedom to work the Navy Commander to immediately Don’t you recognise the right under control now? was appointed as ambassador. He is towards it. I know the President since arrest them and to send them to quar- of the people in a Admiral Mohan Wijewickrama, High the time I was a junior officer in the antine. The drug addicts could have democracy to protest? A: These extremist groups who want Commissioner to Pakistan. Pakistan Army, and I understand his intention . spread the disease throughout A: It is a right, but there are times personal gain through racial and reli- requested for a retired Military officer. If I have doubts, I get the President’s Seeduwa, Ja-ela and Wattala areas if that are suitable for protests. You can gious disharmony. Financial gain The allegation of militarisation is mis- advice. they were allowed to roam freely. Some see that there is a space allocated for might be their aim, using innocent placed. However, Military being were transported for quarantine by protests marked by two huge sign- people as bait. Our country is victim deployed to control the spread of Killing criminals under the force. boards near the Presidential to extremism from several angles. One COVID-19 was admirable. guise of taking them to find However, the Navy never complained Secretariat. The Defencse Ministry is is separatism. Those who supported An excellent rapport should exist weapons also takes place. that they lacked facilities like masks also closeby. They could have used it. the armed revolt of the LTTE are now between the Military and health sec- However, Police say the and other personal protective equip- The previous regime did not allow any promoting separatism via advocacy. tors. Therefore, the President appointed criminal was shot dead while ment. They swiftly acted and stopped protestors to pass the Galle Face Further, a respected world religion the best radiologist of the Army Medical making good his escape. What the spread of the disease. However, the roundabout or Lipton Circus. We has been twisted to create religious Corps as Secretary of the Ministry of virus spread among them and 98% did respect democracy more than them. fanatism leading youth to destruction. Health. General Sumedha Perera was is the truth? not have any symptoms. We took care That is why we have allocated a space The result was the Easter Sunday appointed Secretary to the Agriculture A: We must not underestimate the of all of them. The credit of controlling for protests. One can say that the attack which could have spread fur- Ministry two weeks ago. He is an expert Judiciary. The Police cannot just kill the spread of disease from the Navy President is a former Military officer ther. in Agriculture. people. Magistrates and Judicial cluster to society must also be given to and the Secretary Defence is also an Medical Officers visit the crime scene Army officer. They can argue that we What is the political A special Presidential Task for the inquest. I have never been to are suppressing people. Nevertheless, undercurrent of this kind of Force to build a Secure Coun- such crime scenes. If the judiciary gives remember that we have provided a extremism? try, Disciplined, the verdict, it has to be accepted. The space for democracy. Meanwhile, no A: Various political organisations Virtuous and Lawful Society Judiciary will not simply agree to the water cannon, no rubber bullets were act for their benefit. However, we had was appointed under your Police for shooting. fired after the present President took setbacks in terms of intelligence, and leadership. What is its over. No one was baton-charged. Our the President instructed me to take all On 9th June, 61 mobile boys work hard even without sleep to intelligence arms under one umbrella. purpose? phones were found in save the country. How can you justify Now, we have weekly meetings of all A: Certain evil forces in this country Negombo Prison. The After I was subversive acts at a time like this, I do Heads of Intelligence. We monitor work to destroy society. One such ele- underworld use them to not know. extremist organizations. We will not ment is the drug menace. Another is organise crimes. How will you appointed , I stud- allow extremists to raise their heads. organised crime by the underworld. ied the entire pro- Another Task Force was ap- solve this problem? pointed to safeguard the ar- Police exposed a plan of a But all these are directed by A: The Task Force has just begun cess and deployed chaeological resources in the second attack by Zahran and jailed criminals. work. The new Commissioner-General the best officials to Eastern Province. What is the his gang. What is the guaran- A: Yes. We have identified these ele- of Prisons has just taken over. We investigate. This is present situation in Muhudu tee that it will not recur? ments. requested for a professional to be Maha Viharaya ? appointed to the post and it was grant- not political A: Religious fanaticism, separatism Can you tell us directly who ed. Eighty mobile phones were found in A: No religion or race is relevant to or poverty leads terrorists to do what handles these things? Prisons in one day! Mobile phones have revenge. We want preserve archaeological assets. We will they do. The LTTE was had a separa- A: Underworld leaders are sentenced been used earlier from within the to give justice to safeguard historical heritage of any tist ideology while Zahran and his to prison for crimes they have commit- Prisons.The new mechanism is func- creed or race. Our ancestors built them gang were distorting religion and ted and are safe there. As far as I know, tioning efficiently.The Task Force will the families of the for us. We must protect them. If valua- propagating the wrong ideology. Such no underworld leader has died natural- mitigate the crime wave in the country. 290 plus persons ble ancient rock artefacts are removed people are ready to commit any ly. They end up killing one another. and taken to make hearths and to destruction, and the first wave caused Underworld leaders fear to live outside. Society appreciated defence killed and 500 oth- wash clothes, there is something wrong massive damage. Now we have unified They make use of the security within institutions’ and the intel- ers who were somewhere. The present Government’s the three Armed Forces, Police, Prisons to carry out their nefarious ligence units’ role in the involvement in this endeavour is to Special Task Force and State activities. Most Prison officials are cor- COVID-19 operations. How- injured. We are safeguard the Muhudu Maha Viharaya Intelligence and taken the situation rupt. The President appointed the Task ever, the Director-General of bound to do justice before it is completely destroyed as a under control. We have blocked all Force to monitor these elements . Health Services warned about result of the lethargic attitude of the possibilities of a second wave. I am However, it was misinterpreted by to them Archaeological Department and the for- confident about it. social media. Reforms in Prisons to a probable second outbreak. mer government. NEWS SUNDAY 14 JUNE 2020 A5

Voting in quarantine centres Face shields, two- metre distance must The Ministry of Health noted between the voters and the every person. It was that where voting in quarantine officials with openings below for recommended that a spacious centres is concerned, agents official transaction,” the hall should be rented out in would have to wear face shields guidelines issued noted. order to maintain the in addition to the face mask and The Ministry called on all recommended health measures maintain a two metre distance officers to wear the full personal which could easily be with voters instead of the protective equipment which implemented. normally recommended one included a surgical mask, The Ministry guidelines called metre. The recommended gloves, face shields, full body for the limitation in the number guidelines state that the voting cover and boots, before entering of officers at any time within the procedure which was to be the Election hall owing to the area to maintain distancing. adopted was the same as those surrounding vulnerable Hand washing or hand in polling booths. The Ministry conditions, which they are to sanitizing facilities had to be said that polling booths should remove only after the session is provided at the entrance to the be arranged in such a way that over. centre and each person entering voters who are in quarantine, Once voting was complete, all was instructed to wash or enter from one entrance and exit sides of the ballot box had to be sanitize their hands. from another side if possible. sanitized, and then sealed and The wrapping of the ballot box The number of agents inside put in a polythene bag. should be removed just before the polling booth should be The venue to receive ballot entering the receiving centre. A limited to the minimum. boxes at counting centres separate waste bin had to be “A transparent protective should be selected and arranged provided to discard the screen has to be placed. Thick in such a way as to maintain polythene. polythene should be placed one-metre distance between (DJ) IGP should have relayed terror threat to TID – Ajith Rohana

BY BUDDHIKA said. “In that letter, it states that When queried whether he SAMARAWEERA Catholic churches and the received a copy of the said letter, Indian High Commission are DIG Rohana said that he had Former IGP Pujith likely to be targeted by the not received it. “On the 10, 11 Jayasundara had neglected to attackers. But, the same letter and 12 April 2019, DIG Lalith convey the information provided states elsewhere that the same Pathinayaka was on leave and I by the State Intelligence Service cannot be told in certainty and covered his work. Therefore, I (SIS) on the possibility of an that further investigations are got to see a copy of this letter attack on 21 April 2019 to the being carried out. Likewise, the which he had received,” DIG Terrorism Investigation Division gravity of the information Rohana also said. (TID), which he should have contained in the letter seems to The Senior State Counsel then done mandatorily, said DIG have been minimised,” he also questioned whether he had Ajith Rohana. He was testifying said. He noted that as a general received any information before the Presidential practice, Police stations around provided by the SIS on 20 April Commission of Inquiry the country should be informed 2019 confirming that there appointed to probe the 21 April as soon as such information would be an attack on 21 April 2019 Easter Sunday bombings, from the SIS is received. 2019. In reply, he said that no on 11 June. He also said the DIG Rohana further said the such information had been letter, which had been sent by IGP had not mentioned the received. “I was the DIG in IGP Jayasundara to Police high actions that should be taken by charge of Traffic and Road rankers about the possibility of officials under his purview Safety at that time. If I had been an attack, contained several regarding the information notified, the 8,000 officers who factual errors. “I have never seen provided by the SIS and that the were under my command would such a faulty letter during my officials have therefore acted as have been deployed to take some service period in the Police,” he they wanted. action,” he added. Polls monitoring bodies meet EC and acting IGP

BY RUWAN LAKNATH (made up of 3,000 stationary, addressing such. There should JAYAKODY 1,000 mobile, 1,000 for postal be a mechanism to ensure that voting, 300 for counting) while there is an equal playing field Polls monitoring bodies approximately 20 international for candidates. If the airports during a meeting held with the observers from the Asian are entirely opened up by the Election Commission and the Network for Free Elections time of the Poll, then Lankans Acting Inspector General of (ANFREL) are likely to living overseas who wish to Police had relayed concerns participate subsequent to exercise their franchise could regarding the setting up of an undergoing 14 days of come down to do so. During efficient and transparent quarantine. this Election, the Commission, complaints related mechanism, On the day of the Poll, CMEV political parties, candidates, the creation of a level playing will deploy 2,000 static law enforcement authorities, field for candidates, and the observers inside polling the Media, observers and facilitation of overseas Lankans stations, 100 vehicles manned citizens should work who wish to exercise their by 200 observers which will collectively and in a flexible franchise. travel from Colombo to selected manner.” The election observers had at risk, vulnerable areas (in He also added that all also proposed that the terms of geographical isolation, observers had signed a pledge Commission consider the propensity for violence to erupt that they would adhere to provision of a separate time in the event there are multiple health guidelines and code of frame in the morning of 5 candidates), 200 observers for conduct, and noted further August for groups that are counting, and in keeping with a that action would be taken to vulnerable in terms of policy of inclusiveness, 100 remove observers who do not contracting COVID-19 such as observers who happen to be abide by such. the elderly and pregnant persons with disabilities. National Coordinator of women, to exercise their vote at Further, CMEV has, since 8 CMEV, Manjula Gajanayake the General/Parliamentary June, deployed 100 long-term said they would commence the Election, thereby reducing observers, employed for a two tracking of electoral exposure. months period. expenditure by political parties The People’s Action for Free Speaking to Ceylon Today, and candidates, utilising novel and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) Executive Director of PAFFREL methodologies. and the Centre for Monitoring and Secretary General of When contacted with regard Election Violence (CMEV) had ANFREL, Rohana Hettiarachchi to the deployment of European been present at the said said: “The complaints Union (EU) observers, their meeting on 10 June. mechanism at the Commission numbers and the composition Concerning the Election, should be quick and of the team, the Delegation of PAFFREL will deploy a total of transparent in terms of both the EU to Sri Lanka requested over 5,000 local observers the receipt of complaints and time to get back with a reply.

SJB to launch campaign on 20 June Village-to-village canvassing on the cards

BY SHIRAN RANASINGHE launched as an initial step to gather people round the SJB in each electoral seat. He further said that General Secretary of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya canvassing meetings will be organised at the (SJB), Ranjith Madduma Bandara said that the maximum in each electoral seat with the 2020 General Election canvassing activities of the participation of the SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa, SJB will take off on 20 June at electoral level. He adding that a mechanism will be launched to added that this new canvassing programme will be conduct canvassing activities from village-to-village. A6 sunday 14 june 2020 Focus Final report due on 30 June Will MCC Pact Bring Fortune or Misfortune for Sri Lanka? By Sulochana Ramiah Mohan

The Millennium Challenge Cooperation (MCC) grant of USD 480 million for Sri Lanka from the United While there is no States of America is a hot topic still, specific timeline, since the agreement is held in abeyance pending the final report. outside factors and The report on whether we should go ahead with the MCC will be realities are always submitted on 30 June 2020, by the changing, which can four-member committee appointed by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa influence the last year. availability of an As the deadline for the final report on the MCC nears thoughts on MCC grant. One whether Sri Lanka will accept it or not, can impact Sri Lanka’s political such factor for Sri future while the country is working Lanka would be the on how to revive its economy in the post-war scenario, post-Easter move to upper- Sunday attacks and post COVID-19 pandemic. middle-income The blow is going to be huge but Sri status.” The Lanka has to carefully draw its path with more openness and without incumbent asymmetrical political goals. government has to There are sensitivity clauses seen in the MCC agreement and those play a crucial role have to be addressed openly, is also a call from the public. when looking The US Embassy in Colombo sent a forward to doing statement that ‘It is unfortunate that this fixed-term development business with assistance grant has been politicised, openness to revive and become a target for disinformation campaigns that this: Sri Lanka negotiated with the loan based and the MCC was based make money, these projects and its economy and has malign the generosity of the MCC in 2004 prior to being selected on three main projects using a US financial dealings go ‘undercover’ American people and sow distrust by the organisation as eligible to grant. which is why even the international to broaden its between our countries.” develop a compact in 2016. The China-designed Port City investors many who are not inclined connections in this As for the matter on the MCC, the Then, the US delisted Sri Lanka project at a location considered being to give bribes and engage in dirty President has not shared his opinion from the eligible country list due to a high-security zone – in the heart of deals are getting fed up of doing global village on it yet but he is waiting for all the political climate including the Colombo next to the Colombo Port business in Sri Lanka. Therefore, it’s reports to take a call on it after alleged human rights violation and it immediately placed Sri Lanka not the US problem but it is Sri studying the committee’s component. prominently in the world map while it Lanka’s. observations and recommendations. When the Yahapalanaya also changed the Sri Lanka map The MCC grant is still active for Sri In the meantime, Chairman of the government came to power in 2015 literally. Lanka. Whether Sri Lanka wants to four-member committee appointed to the negotiation began and the The rave criticism that it attracted check the readings of the grant is left land - nor would the United States review the proposed MCC, Prof. government went ahead announcing was the loan facility Sri Lanka was to the government and its people. directly implement grant-funded Lalithasiri Gunaruwan have getting the grant from the US. entrapped in by agreeing to the Little can the US do. Nevertheless, projects. These would be managed by submitted two reports, the inception In October 2019, just before the project in a post-war scenario. This the US say they cannot wait too long a Sri Lankan-staffed programme note, and the interim report and Presidential election was held the project also caught in a political trap and no one would wait to offer a management office.” scheduled to submit the final report then Cabinet of Ministers approved because of China and its influence on grant. She went on to state that the draft on 30 June. the implementation of the $ 480 the world stage economically and Ceylon Today wanting to know the grant agreement is comparable to The inception report had no million Millennium Challenge politically. latest of the MCC grant for Sri Lanka dozens of bilateral and multilateral annexure and had a report of 20 Corporation (MCC) grant and Various factions of the society inquired from the US Embassy last agreements the Government of Sri pages or so. released the final draft of the grant called the Port City project a sham week. Lanka has signed with development According to Dr. Gunaruwan, they agreement to the public for review. and the incumbent government, then partners over the years, including are still in the process of analyzing The MCC was caught in a similar in opposition, also defend China to The grant would benefit with the United States through our the final report and updating it. After trap like the Chinese suffered when the core when the former government 11 million Sri Lankans traditional development agency, closing on the public opinions, they the green light was given for their halted the project for over a year or USAID. are updating the report as fresh port City project in Sri Lanka. so. The impact of halting the project The US Embassy spokesperson The MCC is a US Government information reaches them. However, these two projects are poles and restarting it cost a lot for Sri Nancy Van Horn reiterated that the foreign aid agency established in He says the report is being apart because China’s project was a Lanka but we settled it by granting USD 480 million Sri Lanka grant 2004 to support countries in compiled by professional and they some facilities in China’s favour would benefit 11 million Sri Lankans achieving sustainable economic have done thorough research. (When they claimed a huge -- and was proposed and negotiated growth and poverty reduction. It is He also stated that the Right to compensation for halting the project). in good faith with the Government of not a private corporation, she pointed Information Act had ‘no room’ to Port City is developing and we are Sri Lanka after extensive out. obtain information regarding any seeing all the new updates about how consultation with line ministries, “Every MCC grant agreement major government to government The blow is going to it is going to reshape our economy in businesses, and civil society. respects countries’ sovereignty, projects, hinting it could lead to the the future. All those who criticized As we all know what is in the MCC, implementation mechanisms, and downfall of this country. “They were be huge but Sri and called it a sham are quiet. All She too noted that the Grant-funded constitutions and national laws. not made public at all. The loan Lanka has to those laments over the Port City will projects would reduce traffic Each agreement is based on an MCC terms with the Chinese projects and happen. What we have now is a real congestion and improve public standard bilateral development the conditions were kept in the dark. carefully draw its Port City and how Sri Lanka would transportation in the greater assistance agreement template, one Similarly, there was no public reap from it - generating FDIs, is Colombo area, upgrade provincial the United States Government has awareness on the MCC except for the path with more never going to be a problem of China roads, and expand existing signed 37 times with partner document on the websites,” he openness and but our own. Government of Sri Lanka initiatives countries worldwide. Every partner added. So, when the country is trapped in to strengthen the land rights of Sri country eligible for a second Former Ambassador for Sri Lanka without billions of US dollar payment as a Lankans. It would also support Sri development assistance grant has in Washington Bernard Goonathilaka loan with interest (even for the Port Lanka’s post-COVID 19 economic requested an additional five- year viewed that US being caught in many asymmetrical City) a grant like the MCC being a recoveries by improving project. controversies including having many political goals. trap is nothing new. transportation infrastructure so Sri While there is no specific timeline, US bases in the world around has Even before the MCC received a Lanka can become a regional outside factors and realities are created suspicions in many in Sri There are sensitivity cabinet approval it received the same logistics hub and enabling the always changing, which can influence Lanka. If this grant came from treatment the Chinese received. transition to a digital government the availability of an MCC grant. One Canada, Japan, or New Zealand it clauses seen in the Despite China and the US are and economy. It would also open new such factor for Sri Lanka would be the would not have been subjected to so MCC agreement and caught in a power struggle, in Sri export and investment opportunities move to upper-middle-income status.” much of querying, he added. Lanka, they are both on one side by signalling that Sri Lanka is a good The incumbent government has to It was while he was the US those have to be putting up with all political place to do business. play a crucial role when looking ambassador the MCC grant was addressed openly, is backlashes more than before. On dragging the matter of signing forward to doing business with negotiated in the US and then Sri No transparency the deal she said, ‘It is unfortunate openness to revive its economy and Lanka was delisted, he noted. also a call from the that this fixed-term development has to broaden its connections in this He opined that the biased parties The MCC grant being pushed pillar assistance grant has been politicised, global village. towing political party lines created public. The US to post is mainly because the MCC is and become a target for At a recently held webinar the negativity over the MCC grant. Embassy in Colombo not transparent, many claim. True to disinformation campaigns that discussion on the Port City, an expert He is also in the view that the the point! It’s the job of the malign the generosity of the said that Port City is a piece of land MCC’s final take would be heard after sent a statement government to explain it. American people and sow distrust and what comes in there depends on the General Election is over. “It is Sri Lanka has a history of hiding between our countries.” what Sri Lanka wants from it. “If you best to study the project and at the that ‘It is many serious matters from the public She also said that the under the want to reap from the Port City same time value the US relationship.” unfortunate that especially matters related to finance proposed grant framework, Sri Lanka openness is a must and relaxation of The history of the MCC and handling funds especially using would retain oversight and control of those rules and laws without this fixed-term taxpayers’ monies. all aspects of the proposed projects -- tightening the noose of the investors It all began when Sri Lanka applied development This obscure nature of all all roads undergoing improvement; one said. Likewise, MCC needs to be for the MCC grant in 2004 and today governments is because it is every traffic signal and bus network seen as a whole, correct its flaws, but the US embassy in Colombo, in assistance grant has intertwined with the country’s upgraded; and every aspect of the never dismiss over a political note. particular, has been drawn to a politics and sentiments of the on-going effort to digitize land We need to develop a genuine strong debate slating that the MCC been politicised politicians who toe many lines of records and to produce accurate land mindset to handle any project sans grant is a legitimate and not a tactic interest. surveys. corruptions and dirty deals, and that to ‘buy’ Sri Lanka. While the public is glued to check “The United States would not own, is why Sri Lankans fear international Therefore, the events unfolded like on the politicians and the way they control, or in any way administer any projects on this tiny island. focus sunday 14 june 2020 A7 Mauled to Death by Loan Sharks How Sunil Jayawardena’s Struggle for Justice Met a Bloody End

By Faadhila Thassim Jayawardena had actively stood against their Last Wednesday (10), activities. afternoon, Sunil Jayawardena Despite his social media walked into the premises of accounts being flooded with Chanmil Investment (Pvt) Ltd, death threats for his stance a leasing company in against the leasing mafia, Mirihana, determined to do Jayawardena continued his what he felt was right. One of fight in support of his his colleagues, a three- Federation’s members, while wheeler driver named constantly warning them of Manjula, had been about to such companies. embark on his first post- ‘’My husband left home at lockdown hire on the previous 9 a.m. that unfortunate day day (9), when his vehicle was and did not answer my calls unfairly seized by the since. I kept calling company in question; continuously until I was Jayawardena was there to informed at around 6 p.m. retrieve it. that he had been beaten and A few hours later, Sunil hospitalised. This was not Jayawardena was savagely what he deserved for standing beaten to death. against such injustice,’’ said Jayawardena, the Chairman Chandra, Jayawardena’s of the National Three-Wheeler wife. Federation under the Lanka Lamenting the plight of her Self-Employed Professionals’ three children who had lost Association, was known for their father to such needless standing against the existing violence, she could not hold ‘leasing mafia’ that extorted Place of the incident back her tears. “That his colleagues, a stance he morning was the last time I maintained to his untimely conversation with an hires, repossessors attached saw him. I was not allowed to death, allegedly at the hands individual at the company, we to Chanmil Investment (Pvt) see him at the hospital, as he of a group of repossession dropped Manjula elsewhere Ltd beat him, seized his was under intensive care agents attached to the same and returned to the location vehicle and obtained his when I got there,” she said. company. the same evening,” he said, signature for this seizure The Central Bank’s list of “I was caught up in the adding that however, the two without his consent. licensed finance and leasing struggle of daily survival after were then assaulted, and only Although Manjula companies does not include not having hires for over three he managed to escape. attempted to lodge a Chanmil Investment (Pvt) Ltd, months, during which I had ‘’If I did not escape, there complaint at the Mirihana meaning it is an unlicensed no means of making my lease wouldn’t be just one but two Police, it was rejected on the firm, although it continues to payments as I left to my deaths that day, because they basis that it involved a operate freely without village before the imposition of followed me and beat me with transaction between the consequence. curfew,” lamented Manjula, a such rage. I managed to find company and him. Eight suspects involved in member of the Federation, my way out, helpless as they When Manjula and the incident were arrested by who added that he was beat Jayawardena’s head Jayawardena attempted to the Mirihana Police and however, relieved when he until he was left unconscious speak to a representative of subsequently placed in heard of the debt moratorium and taken to the hospital, Chanmil Investment on remand until 25 June, when granted by the Government. where he succumbed to his Wednesday, they were told they will be produced in an The Monetary Board of the injuries,” he added. that the Government’s identification parade. The Central Bank of Sri Lanka, Manjula, recounting the moratorium did not apply to Mirihana Police stated they upon the instructions of the incidents that led to the said company, and that are carrying out further Government, had in March Jayawardena’s death, said, “I they could only retrieve the investigation on the matter. directed all financial Chandra contacted my finance vehicle if they provided Mahendra Jayawardena, who was also institutions, including leasing who was injured and company repeatedly during payment for three months, a candidate for the upcoming companies to implement a hospitalised in the assault the three months of curfew, together with an additional choice but to opt for a lease. General Election, appears to six-month debt moratorium that took place. Kumara told trying to update them on the payment to be made at that Former National Organiser have been a man that stood on lease rentals for specified Ceylon Today, that he was status of my lease. I was very moment. of the Association of Sri Lanka up for the rights of the people vehicles operated by self- also brutally beaten during promised my vehicle would This drove Jayawardena to Canteen Owners, Asela that trusted him, fighting employed individuals. the incident. not be seized if I had no post a video – his last – on his Sampath, told Ceylon Today against their exploitation – Accompanying Jayawardena ‘’Jayawardena and I, previous payment arrears.” social media account, that justice for Jayawardena but the tragic nature of this on his trip to the company together with Manjula, visited However, when he returned pleading for action to be taken could only be sought by country is such that his was the Federation’s the finance company that from his village on 9 June and against such companies initiating necessary actions dedication only drove him to Secretary, Mahendra Kumar, morning. Following a was about to resume taking exploiting those who had no against the leasing mafia, as martyrdom. A8 sunday 14 june 2020 Editorial Editorial sunday 14 june 2020 A9 Poor Dr Jayatilleka! By a Special Correspondent cadres. Yet, today they are living Easter Sunday: peacefully with their families without so Having lost his diplomatic post in much as a criminal record. Russia, poor Dr Dayan Jayatilleka is Victims Ceylon Newspapers (Pvt) Ltd. now singing lustily for his supper. No: 101, Rosmead Place, Colombo 07. Having burnt his bridges with the Not a single HR activist has spoken Editorial Tel: 0117566522, 0117566526, 0117566527 Rajapaksa camp, his latest sonnet “A against these releases on behalf of the knee on the neck of the next victims of the LTTE terrorists. In staff Fax: 0117566545 Parliament”, published in DailyFT on sergeant Ratnayaka’s case, after 13 Marketing Manager: 0117566550, 0117566551 11 June 2020 is his attempt to get years of hearing his case, the courts Circulation Manager: 0117566580, 0117566581 The Cost of Ignorance Sajith Premadasa’s attention. continued to entertain reasonable E-mail : [email protected] By Buddhika through popular media. “Be it Premadasa is hoping to bag the doubts about his culpability. Even Samaraweera something positive or negative, position of Opposition Leader. Of while handing him the death sentence, there should be a proper course, having lost at the Presidential the courts noted that this heinous “I would like to briefly ask programme to monitor them,” he race, the premiership would be a nice crime could not have been committed God for forgiveness for added. consolation price. However, his fear of by Ratnayaka alone. Furthermore, it Getting ready mother's wrongdoing. She general elections indicates that he is was not established in courts his exact could not get rid of father's Could we have averted not confident of winning the title. On act in the crime. religious practices of having this? the other hand, becoming the In this context, to insist on upholding for General contact with other religious Opposition Leader would not be hard, a sentencing of only one for a crime people, and helping monks. On 11 June 2020, it was for even those in the Rajapaksa camp committed by a group, which if When you listen to these revealed before the Commission would gladly help him to secure the executed would be irreversible, is a Election 2020 recordings, I will be with God. that State Intelligence Service position. gross violation of Ratnayaka’s human After weeks of waiting, the Election Commission has God must admit this is not a (SIS) Head, Nilantha It is not that he has an inside “deal” rights. The fact that this insistence on finally announced the date to hold the General suicide and that this is a Jayawardana, had telephoned with the Government. Opponents see upholding his punishment is based on Election 2020. The initial date to hold the election, 25 great sacrifice that I do.” former Western Province Senior him as rather a naive gentleman. On the racist element that this soldier is a April, was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic These were some of the DIG, Nandana Munasinghe, to the other hand, his erstwhile boss and Sinhala Buddhist should be universally prevailing in the country at the moment. chilling last words uttered by confirm that there would now nemesis Ranil Wickremesinghe is condemned. After much back and forth, and several attempts to Mohamed Ibrahim Mohamed definitely be a terror attack on the absolute maestro in political games. Dr Jayatilleka also picks a bone with pass the ball onto the President’s court, the Ilham Ahamed, in a recording Catholic churches and the Indian Given a choice between Premadasa and the task force appointed for the Commission then announced 20 June as the possible he made before participating High Commission in Colombo on Wickremesinghe, political opponents Archaeological Heritage Management of date to hold the much-anticipated Election. Yet, later in the suicide bomb attacks Easter Sunday. will happily choose Premadasa. the Eastern Province. The fact that on, the Commission deemed it impossible to hold the on churches and hotels in Sri Senior DIG Munasinghe, told Premadasa’s attempts of trying to Defence Secretary General Kamal Election on that date, claiming there were doubts Lanka that claimed over 250 the Commission that SIS Chief attract the Buddhist votes with his Gunaratne is heading both these task whether the country would be back to normalcy by innocent lives on the Easter Jayawardane had called him at sudden and recent show of interest in forces is a bitter pill for Dr Jayatilleka that date, to effectively hold an islandwide Election. Sunday of 2019. around 5.55pm on 20 April 2019 Buddhist sermons are nullified by his who does not see eye-to-eye with the After much deliberation, it has now been decided His statement shows how and confirmed that a terror present company. Mangala Dr Jayatilleka also General. that 5 August would indeed be the earliest possible fervently he believes that attack would take place on 21 Samaraweera, Malik Samarawickrama, picks a bone with In his article, Dr Jayatilleka notes date to hold the Election, subject to a number of helping a follower of another April, and that he (Jayawardana) Rajitha Senaratne, Patali Champika that even the foreign journalist P.K. health guidelines. religion is a sinful act, utterly had already informed then-IGP, Ranawaka, Rishad Bathuideen, Rauff the task force Balachandran has observed that this On 3 June, Minister of Health, Pavithra blind to compassion and Pujith Jayasundara and the CID Hakeem, Azath Sally and Kabir Hashim appointed for the task force is without any Tamil or Wanniarachchi handed over the guidelines pertaining lacking any genuine about the threat. make up his inner core. Muslim representation, despite these to the holding of the General Election 2020 to understanding of what he “By the time Jayawardana They are openly disdainful of Archaeological two communities constituting two Chairman of the Election Commission, Mahinda calls his religion. Simply put, called me, SDIG Ravi Buddhism and the Buddhists. They Heritage thirds of the population. It is a pity that Deshapriya. anyone with a true connection Seneviratna, the Head of the CID, have been kicking the Sinhalese in the Dr Jayatilleka despite being the The guidelines will apply during the campaign to whichever religion they had already called me around guts – right in the midriff. Except for Management of the academic was unable to correct the period, postal voting, the voting and the counting follow would be able to show 5.47pm to inform me about the Hashim, the Muslim politicians in this Eastern Province. misperception of a foreign journalist. process. The health authorities have already at least some degree of love same,” SDIG Munasinghe said. group are being accused of nurturing The insinuation that the Sinhala instructed the Election Commission who have and respect for living beings – According to SDIG Munasinghe, extremist ideologists. Bathuideen The fact that Buddhists would do a disservice to apprised leaders of political parties and independent instead, this creature chose to IGP Jayasundara had forwarded especially has been implicated with Defence Secretary Muslims or to Hindus should have been groups the permitted number of supporters they can follow a doctrine that him a letter on 09 April 2019, close ties with the Easter Sunday corrected. This kind of racist have in a public rally, the precautions that should be designated him as nothing regarding the possibility of an bombers. In the aftermath of this General Kamal suggestions that a community can only followed when meeting the public and distributing more than a walking attack that would be carried out terrorist attack, the public demanded Gunaratne is trust their own kind and not the other campaign material. explosive. by a group linked to the NTJ that he step down to allow impartial Sri Lankans is despicable. During the voting process, wearing masks and Most people maintain organisation. IGP Jayasundara investigations. heading both these If that were true, then one must maintaining social distancing for the voters were religious beliefs, and even had received it from then-Chief of task forces is a wonder at the reasons for the Catholic identified as crucial guidelines to prevent any though these differ, we can National Intelligence (CNI), Sisira Resigned MPs who were in the then Government outbreak of the coronavirus. maintain some degree of Mendis, he added. In response, all the Muslim bitter pill for Dr to prevent the Easter Sunday A total of 7,452 candidates will contest from respect, or tolerance at the around 11:47pm on 20 April father. But there is no other way. Upon further questioning by politicians in all parties in a show of Jayatilleka who massacres. Harin Fernando shocked recognised political parties and independent groups at very least, for these teachings 2019, at the bomber’s Jihad is inevitable at this time.” the Commission, SDIG solidarity resigned from their positions. Sri Lanka when he confessed to having this year’s General Election. From this number, 3,652 that espouse good deeds and residence at Mahawila SI Ayagamage told the Munasinghe revealed he had not This included Hashim as well. Unlike does not see eye-to- been forewarned of the attacks and candidates will be contesting from recognised political discourage evil acts. However, Gardens, Dematagoda, and Commission that when Police properly filed this letter before the other Muslim politicians, Hashim is chose not to do anything other than parties, while 3,800 will represent independent this bomber’s sickeningly was made to be handed over officers made an inspection of issuing it to the officers under not dependent on the Muslim vote bank eye with the save his skin. In the same argument, groups. The total number of 313 independent groups deluded last words, and the to his wife, with instructions the bomber’s house on 21 April, him. When asked about this, he but the Sinhala base. Hence, he in General Sajith Premadasa, Rajitha Senaratne, will contest this year’s Election. horrific acts committed by his that his parents listen to it they found the remaining stated that he kept it in his effect slapped across the face of his Mangala Samaraweera, Patali From the 7,452 candidates, only 196 representatives ilk, remain a grisly lesson of after the attacks were carried residents listening to this possession as it was a voters. Hashim is also accused of Ranawaka or any of the Sinhala will be elected as parliamentarians, while the what happens when such out. recording. Shortly afterwards, questionable letter. having played a complicit role in the politicians in this camp should not fear remaining 29 seats in Parliament will be filled through beliefs are twisted to justify The full recording only the bomber’s wife, Jiffri, The Commission then pointed infamous Central Bank bond scams. elections, but they do. the National List. genocide – a lesson that cost highlights the extent of his detonated a bomb on the out to SDIG Munasinghe that However, for incomprehensible reasons Hence, making the COVID-19 as an Dr Jayatilleka tsk tsk over “Police Interestingly, the longest ballot paper for the 5 hundreds of lives, injured indoctrination, as he goes on premises, killing herself and her letters or any other documents the blame is deflected to Ravi excuse he tried his level best to get back brutality” for arresting those who were August General Election will be from the Digamadulla many more, and left a country to state, “God loves me and children. DNA testing had to be exchanged among public officials Karunanayaka, who really was not to the dissolved Parliament without an protesting the death of a man half way District. This ballot paper will be 22 inches long and in social and economic showed me this way. Shariah carried out on the remnants of should never be considered involved. election. However, Premadasa exposed across the world, two weeks after the 10.5 inches wide. The ballot paper for the Gampaha distress. must come to this country. their corpses to verify their private property. Though true UNP stalwarts like Tissa his bogus concerns when his camp held incident. There are some glaring District will be 21 inches long. The details of the above God says to wage war until all identities. When he countered that he had Attanayaka and Imthiaz Bakeer Markar protests over the arrest of Rajitha omissions – including the absence of The ballot papers for the Districts of Jaffna and recording came to light the problems are over. Read Allowing the perversion the right to either destroy or keep are fighting courageously to maintain a Senaratne notwithstanding the social protests for the Sri Jayewardenepura Puttalam will be 20 inches long, the ballot paper for recently at the Presidential the Quran in its entirety. Do certain letters and documents, foothold in Premadasa’s camp, they distancing essential to prevent the undergraduate Pasindu Hiroshan. the Colombo District will be 13.5 inches long, for Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) everything as Muhammad of religion Commission Member and former really are not a match for these spread of the pandemic. Pasindu sustained critical injuries to Vavuniya it will be 14.5 inches long, while the ballot tasked to probe the Easter said. Certain things might not ministry secretary, Mangalika elements. Attanayaka especially The irony is Premadasa would have skull and brain after yet again another papers for the Districts of Hambanthota, Polonnaruwa Sunday bombings, when be in line with public opinion, Meanwhile, a Muslim moulavi Adikari, pointed out to the dedicated himself to protect the UNP been able to mark a new chapter in Sri ragging incident went horribly wrong. and Moneragala Districts will each be 12 inches long. Police Sub-Inspector (SI) of but we must do them. (priest) of a mosque in the witness that public officials had Party and leadership through the long Lanka politics had he started his fresh The socialist groups ought to be Meanwhile, Chairman of the Election Commission, the Criminal Investigation “Tell mother and father to Dehiwala area testified before the no such power to destroy any and difficult years it sat as the beginning with respected politicians protesting over these incidents than Mahinda Deshapriya, announced on Thursday that Department (CID), Dunesh forgive me. I deliberately did troubles for our family. My who detonated at the Commission to acknowledge that documents. She added that SDIG Opposition to a powerful and popular like Tissa Attanayaka, Imthiaz Bakeer something unrelated to Sri Lanka. the counting of votes of the 5 August General Election Malitha Ayagamage, gave nothing wrong to you. You siblings will be in trouble. But Cinnamon Grand Hotel) and I certain parts of the Holy Quran Munasinghe had clearly neglected government. In 2015, he did not leave Markar and enticed solid personalities However, they will not; nor will the will not begin on the same day as it has been the case evidence before the may have to face various I cannot avoid choosing this will go to a noble position. We contain elements that do not fit his duties by not placing the said the UNP for personal gain but in protest like Tilak Marapana. Most Premadasa camp. in previous polls, and affirmed that the counting will Commission. hardships because of me. But path. So forgive me. Even if die. As a result, this family into present society. When a letter in the relevant file. of a plan to be executed against the unfortunately though he chose to Nothing to offer only begin 24 hours later. Investigation revealed that I chose this path since this is you are troubled, bear it. will suffer a lot. The Police will President's Counsel asked him as The Commission Members country. All attempts to prove him a liar bypass intelligent voters for the rabid He said that the country would be able to know who the recording was made at God’s way. This will make “Insaf (the suicide bomber arrest even mother and to whether a section of the Quran further emphasised that his and a forger have failed for events block that hates the Rajapaksas and Both the Premadasa group and these had obtained control of the new Parliament before the states that a person that does not answer in this regard was thereafter have vindicated him. A the racist block that harbours extremist socialists are fellow travellers. With midnight of 6 August. Deshapriya explained that the practice Islam should be killed, unacceptable, and that he should democracy needs a good and notions and inferiority complexes. nothing to offer to their voters, they are counting of preferential votes for the Poll will be he admitted that such a passage adhere to the common honourable Opposition and Attanayaka It is in this backdrop that Dr Dayan hoping to gain ground by discrediting carried out on 7 and 8 August. existed in the Quran. However, he regulations, irrespective of the fits the bill. Jayatilleka sings his ode. The message the incumbent Administration. Dr He pointed out that all ballot boxes will be brought added that such sections need position or the institution he was Imthiaz too is a respected politician in his long harangue is that space for Jayatilleka finds it opportune to join to the respective counting centres on the evening of 5 not be taken into account at working for. who rejects racial or divisive politics to Tamils and Muslims is been taken over the chorus. He is waiting for Premadasa August, upon the conclusion of the vote, after which present. establish his vote bank. After years of by the Sinhala, Buddhist military. to notice him and beckon him to his they will be kept under heavy security guard till the He was also questioned about Neglecting due process being out of public eye, he came back to He asks, if the task force appointed to side. following day. another section of the Quran that Meanwhile, recalling that the the political arena when Premadasa create “a secure country, disciplined, However, Premadasa might not as he He said that after the head of each polling booth is critical of Christians and Jesus contents of this letter only pushed himself forward as an virtuous and lawful society” is defined knows Dr Jayatilleka to be a slick seals the ballot boxes, a piece of paper signed by all EC Christ, to which the witness became questionable after the alternative to Wickremesinghe. by “one in which you can be ‘secure’ in character. Dr Jayatilleka does not have officers on duty at the respective polling centres will be again admitted that such a bombings on 21 April 2019, It is unfortunate that under the knowledge that if you skin an any special affinity with Premadasa or pasted on the ballot boxes. He added that afterwards, section existed. Commission Chairman and Court Premadasa’s umbrella too they unarmed civilian and slash the throat his politics. It is just that after his last a photo of the sealed ballot boxes will be captured He further went on to say, "I of Appeal Judge, Justice Janak continue to be shown a back row seat. of a five-year-old child, and you’ve been encounter with the then Joint through the cell phones used by the EC officers, and consider Zaharan Hashim, the de Silva, stated that the original Die-hard UNP supporters, who hates in the right uniform and the child is of a Opposition in which some members then they will proceed to inspect the ballot boxes the mastermind of the bombings on or a photocopy of the letter Ranil Wickremesinghe for ruining the suitable ethnicity for you to do so, then including Pavithra Wanniarchchi following morning ahead of the counting process. Easter Sunday, and the leader of should have been placed in the UNP should trace back and identify the even if you have been found guilty by a roundly told him off for his He added that two reps from each of the contesting the National Tawheed Jamaat, relevant file during the period exact point he started acting against High Court and your appeal dismissed surreptitious attempts to push his parties will be allowed to enter the counting centres, and other bombers, as those who 09-21 April 2019. the UNP grain. They will find it is the and the sentence upheld by the devolution ideas into the camp, he feels adding that five representatives will be allowed to enter left Islam behind; because Islam DIG Ajith Rohana, who was in same causes that led them to be unanimous verdict of the Supreme that the Pohottuwa doors are forever such centres where more than one ballot box is never encourages the kind of charge of traffic and road safety disgusted with Wickremesinghe that Court, you can still be pardoned - with closed for him. counted at a stretch. extremist activities they at the time of the Easter Sunday disappointed them with Sajith the pardon publicly justified”. However, if by chance the present However, despite all these restrictions, what both committed." bombings, also testified before Premadasa. Dr Jayatilleka, who has represented Administration gives him an the candidates and voters should keep in mind is that An Islamic scholar that the Commission on 11 June, Tenacity Sri Lanka at the UNHRC, ignores that ambassadorship, preferably to a it only takes one rogue case to upend all successes explained several matters where he said that the over 14,500 LTTE cadres were released country that snows, Dr Jayatilleka in achieved in controlling the debilitating COVID-19, for pertaining to Islam before the information provided by the SIS Under J.R. Jayewardene’s and without so much as a trial when the his true opportunist style would which purposes the frontliners such as the medical Commission as a confidential regarding a possible attack on 21 Ranasinghe Premadasa’s governments, incumbent President was the defence effortlessly change his tune. He has professionals and armed forces personnel risked their witness, recently stressed to the April 2019 should have been Wickremesinghe was not such a secretary. These cadres were done so many times before and to lives. Commission that religious forwarded to the Terrorism disaster. However, there is a difference rehabilitated in programmes where repeat yet again would not be an issue. Therefore, they must do their utmost to ensure that sermons in Sri Lanka should be Investigation Division (TID), but between just skirting on the rim of the they were either sent back to school or If such a chance dawns on him under all the health guidelines are strictly adhered to and regulated to prevent such IGP Jayasundara had neglected honeypot and the fly actually falling given a vocational training to help this Administration, then he would not politicians must make sure that their supporters atrocities. to do so. into the honeypot. It was a childhood rebuild their lives. be worried about the overrepresentation understand the importance of preventing a second He pointed out that in countries When the SSC questioned “friend” who took Wickremesinghe from These cadres too were engaged in of Sinhalese, Buddhists or military or wave of the virus spread. such as Canada, the UK, and whether he had received any such the rim to the honey in the pot. It is violent crimes, where not only toddlers the task forces bypassing elected Sri Lanka is leading the battle against COVID-19 on Australia, such religious sermons information provided by the SIS thanks to Wickremesinghe’s own but even foetuses were ripped out of officials. Then, he would be many fronts and have received praise from the and those who conduct them are on 20 April 2019, confirming that tenacity that he is still holding on to his mothers’ bellies. The long list of passionately arguing that as Sri Lanka international community for the efforts taken to regulated, but also noted that the there would be an attack on 21 turf. However, the credit of atrocities including the Anuradhapura is the only isle with the unique Sinhala successfully control the virus, whereas some highly failure in implementing such a April, he denied receiving such Wickremesinghe now standing as a massacre, bomb attack on the sacred Buddhist identity, whether the advanced nations seem to be buckling under the mechanism in Sri Lanka has information. “I was the DIG in discredited politician belongs to this Temple of the Tooth, Aranthalawa adjective should be “Sinhala” buddhists weight of sheer number of cases and deaths. caused much ethnic conflict. charge of traffic and road safety friend. It is little surprise that this massacre, Central Bank attack, or “Buddhist” Sinhala. Unfortunately Just as we were successful in controlling the virus, He also said there were no prior at that time. If I had been friend is now attached to Premadasa. Gonagala massacre, ethnic expulsion of for Dr Jayatilleka, both this let us make sure that we are also successful in studies on the background of notified, the 8,000 officers under Premadasa understands that Sinhalese and Muslims, closing of Administration and most probably the preventing a second wave of the virus hitting our those conducting Islamic my command would have been Wickremesinghe’s former friends, who Marvil Aru sluice gates denying water Premadasa’s camp know that to have country. sermons in Sri Lanka. Some deployed to take some action,” he are now firmly flanked by his sides, will to over 15,000 agrarian families of all him on board would be to deal with sermons are even delivered added. not attract the Sinhala Buddhist votes. ethnicities were all committed by these another Hoole. A10 Sunday 14 june 2020 Focus focus sunday 14 june 2020 A11 How SL Army Won

methods were: Contain Patients; two months or so and they never could not be done. Since people are concerned Prevent Spread and charged anything. The owner of about their health, the number Management. Contain meant the Citrus Hotel asked us to take Providing of infected among the general that when a person was over his hotel that he would give essential services public being reported from identified in a certain place, it for a fair price. Later others hospitals has also dropped. isolating that area and also came forward. The Army intervened in paying These few months can be COVID-19 preventing the disease from Making sure Army Rs 650,000 in wages to identified as a period when every spreading from there. It was to government pensioners, senior citizen should do their duty and stop the spreading that they personnel did not citizens. Buses were deployed in carry out their obligations on were taken to a different place 14,000 Grama Niladhari behalf of the country. If they had immediately. Prevent Spread become victims of the Divisions and pensioners were not done it, Covid could have and Management means setting disease brought to the city and sent to caused much harm in our up hospitals to manage them. banks and subsequent to getting country. By Udeni Saman Kumara We did not bring these students Initially we had only the An Army of 175,000 not their pensions they were taken through the general passenger Infectious Diseases Hospital. becoming victims of the to pharmacies to buy their Existence of an Army The citizens of this country are aware terminals either. Health sector asked for our pandemic and working with medicines and taken back and depends on challenges that the Sri Lanka Army committed We deployed separate buses to Challenge assistance to build hospitals. A patients was a very difficult dropped at their homes. These itself unstintingly to protecting the transport them. We had to get drivers complex of wards was built at task. We did not know anything were not jobs that the Army had The Army does not experience people and the country from the with protective clothing for these Mulleriyawa deploying the Army about the disease. We identified done, ever. But in a timely fear in the face of challenges. COVID-19 pandemic and that even buses. The students were brought to and the Air Force. In the patients only through symptoms manner, when curfew was in When the President handed me now they are continuing to do so. The Diyatalawa within a very short time. At buildings at Iranawila where the of the disease. It was only when force as well, they worked to this responsibility, I felt pride in battle against the Coronavirus that time, there were minor objections We are not As we worked Voice of America used to be, a symptoms of the disease achieve basic requirements of the trust he had in me. This pandemic is not equal in any way to a from the people of Diyatalawa. This hospital that was fully complete appeared that PCR testing was the people. opportunity was given to me to war operation. However, the Sri Lanka happened because people did not know and could treat patients was carried out. Therefore, until we The Army made arrangements do great service to my country Army has been extremely successful in exactly how this operation was done. fearful of with patients, built in four to five days. In were infected we did not know. to continuously deliver essential and the people. We live with facing the pandemic challenge and has Punani, second Welikanda there was only a We worked with patients, food items throughout the challenges. When there are no gained a great reputation. challenges. there was a risk. building. The Army transformed there was a risk. But we did country. Nearly 100,200 trucks challenges there is no Army life. Army Commander Lt. Gen. quarantine centre it into a fully complete hospital. many things to protect the were used to bring vegetables We are not fearful of challenges. Shavendra Silva is the Head of the But we did many The Army set up more than 25 soldiers. There was a huge and rice from outstations. We know how to face them. You COVID-19 Presidential Task Force. It was on 6 March that we got to We know hospitals. burden on the Army more than know, how some people While commanding the Sri Lanka know that our people who were in In a number of hospitals such for the other forces. However, we Sri Lanka Army questioned why the Army is Army, he also gives leadership to the various countries were returning to Sri how to face things to protect as, East Colombo, Mulleriyawa, succeeded in saving the Army Medical Corps being used for tasks which battle to save Sri Lanka from the Lanka due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Apeksha Hospital-Maharagama, from contracting the infection. should be carried out by health pandemic. Ceylon Today met the Army On 14 March, the President decided them the soldiers Mental Health Hospital- Army doctors led by sectors. The President was a Commander to show the country, how that people coming back from Italy, Mulleriyawa, Ayurveda Hospital, New inventions Consultant Dr. Savin Sewage Commanding Officer of the the Army won the Corona challenge. Iran and South Korea should be Wethara District Hospital, of the Army carried out an excellent amount Army. He knows about the Lt. Gen. Silva related in detail the compulsorily referred for quarantine. It Teldeniya, Peradeniya, of work in this operation. Nurses Army. He also has knowledge of story of the COVID-19 operation: was during this instance that the Hambantota, Hendala, IDH, We considered the importance of discussions daily about Today, Sri Lanka is at a of the Medical Corps as well as administration by working as a “As soon as news about the President told me, to make We gave our beds to those Methsiri Sevana Anuradhapura, these and that is why we did not increasing the capacity of our special place as a country on the other ranks carried out excellent Secretary of a Ministry. He had a Coronavirus was reported from the city arrangements to set up the buildings Homagama, Anuradhapura and send anyone else but we hospitals, the number of ICU World Map. Patients arriving services. We appreciate the work correct estimate that whoever of Wuhan in China, the President constructed for a university in Punani who were quarantined and Jaffna Hospitals. The Army set ourselves attended them. beds we had, the quantity of from abroad is a different thing. done by Public Health was deployed, that this problem established a Presidential Task Force as a quarantine centre. Although the up new wards which were When persons who were ventilators, the number of PCR The number of our Covid Inspectors too. The Government could be ended in a short period on 23 January 2020. The Chinese building itself was there, work on the repaired. involved in these processes sets and how we would face it, if patients is 409. They were Medical Officers Association of time. Health Sectors said that tourist who had contracted the COVID- drainage system had not been we slept on the floor spoke to them, people of the the number of patients identified from society. It is an helped us too. They gave us their they could not even think of 19 virus was discovered in Sri Lanka completed as yet. Deploying the Army, Raising awareness country began to understand. increased above a certain level. excellent victory. This was an ideas. At the same time, we doing things without the Army. on 27 January. Under the direct in a short period of time, facilities were among people through They felt some trust in the We discussed everything ahead on-the-job training carried out received the assistance of The Sri Lanka Army carried out supervision of the President, a very created, so that 700 to 800 persons Mass Media processes the Government was of time and were prepared. It by us. I said in March that when Doctors engaged in indigenous with pleasure every knowledgeable group was appointed to could be accommodated there. Also, People obeyed the curfew carrying out. People of the was not a problem that the this ends we would be in a medicine. responsibility which was the Task Force. The President had there was a place belonging to the Our programme was extremely country obeyed the curfew and number of patients began different place in the world. We assigned to it. This was foresight and began discussions on the Army at Kandakadu. We prepared that successful. Contact Tracing, stayed in their homes. They did increasing, since we were even had to import nasal swabs. Threat minimised but successful, since the President COVID-19 virus, even before a Corona too, so that it could be used as a and stayed in their homes. that is pursuing every individual not attempt to raise objections. prepared. The problems faced by Now, we manufacture them. danger not yet eradi- and the Prime Minister made patient was found in this country. We quarantine centre. We set up the who had contracted the virus The people of our country made hospitals in European countries There was an exhibition titled correct decisions at the correct continued to maintain those maximum facilities we could provide a They did not attempt to and had associated with and great commitments. Their did not affect us. ‘Innovations’ held by the Army. cated time. There are excellent people discussions. person with. We were informed about sending them for quarantine livelihoods came to a standstill. A large sum of money had to Items manufactured by us and Although patients have not in this country. When they have these by the Army doctors. It was raise objections. People was done. They lost their incomes. They be spent in maintaining new innovations created in the been identified within society, to stand up they definitely do so. Discovery of the first during this time, on 11 March that the Through that we prevented the bore all of that. Whatever said quarantine centres. It is not easy country because of Covid. Our the risk of the disease spreading We express our gratitude to COVID-19 infected patient first Sri Lankan to be infected with the Contain and Spread. It was at and done, the people of our to provide people with all three people got involved in this with a through persons who come from them. We can proudly say that virus was identified. made great commitments this time that we used the country are intelligent, tolerant, meals and other facilities. When, very good attitude. People came abroad still remains. Therefore, the nation carried out their Sri Lanka began to feel the gravity of curfew. What was this curfew? disciplined and if their within three days all at once we to a position where it was said people should still comply with obligations and duties in the Discovery of first Lt. Gen. Shavendra Silva COVID-19 because of the Chinese Setting up isolated People did not know why a conscience realised it they were had to set up quarantine centres that there was nothing that health rules and regulations. face of COVID-19 outbreak. tourist and the possibility of our infected Sri Lankan the number of quarantine centres we curfew was imposed for a ready to commit to anything. We for 2,000 persons, we did not students who were stranded in Wuhan, COVID-19 villages had were not adequate. Meanwhile, the pandemic. We and the heads of experienced that when we faced have beds, pillows, mattresses China being exposed to the virus. From 11 March, the Intelligence Navy and the Air Force also set up this programme had to go to this pandemic situation. They etc. We gave our beds to them Immediately, the Sri Lanka Army got Sector also joined in the operation. Intelligence reported to us that quarantine centres. Television Channels and Radio committed themselves more and we slept on the floor. That is involved in COVID-19 work when the How did the Sri Lankan get infected The knowledge of infected persons were walking all over, Channels and explain this. than they did during the time of how the Army worked. I say that plan to bring back students from with this virus? Where had he been? similar to the Puttalam, Aluthgama Maintaining discipline at Apart from the President and the the war. We honour them they are valiant war heroes who Wuhan, first materialised. The Whom had he associated? It was to find the Sri Lanka areas and spreading the disease. quarantine centres Prime Minister, the heads of this greatly. came into being due to the merit President told me to immediately begin out these things that we got the Army Medical Accordingly we set up lockdowns and programme, I as the head of the During this work, the people of of the country. Armies in certain building a quarantine centre at Intelligence involved. We realised that isolated villages. We saw places where People coming from abroad were Covid Centre, Director General our country trusted us. Even countries do not like to do such Diyatalawa. this person had visited many places. Corps proved very they also were asked to stay home, subjected to checks at the Airport. They of Health Services Dr. Anil now, people ask me why I do not things. When it was said that We hoped to quarantine, in their own there were so many persons that it were disinfected and then taken to Jasinghe, the Minister of Health come before the Media. They the hospital was needed next First quarantine centre homes, these persons whom the useful to us at that could not be done. When a person in quarantine centres in buses. If they and Director of Epidemics Dr. also questioned whether I was morning, our Army did not When we began building the first Intelligence discovered, using the moment. How Negombo contracted the virus, it were infected with Covid, they were Pabha Palihawadana, we went asked not to do so. No, there is consider day and night but quarantine centre at Diyatalawa we did Police. Our Task Force met daily. The spread to the others in his home too. hospitalised. People who had directly to the Media and nothing like that. The spread of worked continuously and not even know what quarantine was experts there were specialists from should we go to There are seven or eight children in a associated with them were identified explained the programme we the disease within society has completed it on time. Whatever about. We did not know how it was to various sectors. With their family but there is only one room. This and they were sent to quarantine were carrying out. We went come to a halt. Only 409 the Ministry of Health requested be carried out either. There was no one intervention, we began to take steps to Wuhan? How situation arose in Puttalam. When the separately. People have to be cared for daily. We joined in on occasions patients were identified from was achieved by the Sri Lanka to tell us about it either. The President form initial strategies to defeat Corona. would we provide President realised this situation, he inside quarantine centres. We saw that when the newspapers were society. Initially we wanted to Army. informed us that when the students What we did firstly was self-quarantine. told us to send the entire village to initially they got together in groups and being read in the mornings. halt the spread of the disease. Assistance given from Wuhan were brought to the Initially it was the Army and Police who protection to quarantine centres. got involved in chats at night, without What we expected by going in We continuously appeared country, to prepare ‘quarantine went in search of these persons. When aircraft staff? We Entire villages in heeding social distancing regulations. this way was to provide before media at that time and by private sectors facilities’ to accommodate them. He it expanded, Public Health Inspectors As a result, we had to ensure discipline knowledge to society on what is raised awareness among the told us to do this at Diyatalawa. As an also joined. Initially, the Police pasted a discussed all these quarantine in these quarantine centres. It was in happening, what we are doing, people. After 30 April, I went to At first, when we deployed experienced Army officer, he thought piece of paper announcing self- Sri Lanka that this procedure of why we are doing so and such Rupavahini on one day only. drivers to take people for the best place to isolate this group from quarantine. Later it was done by the things with the Air Accordingly, we prepared a method to quarantine was first set up. It was our facts. Our exercise proved to be There is no necessity for us to quarantine from the Airport they society was Diyatalawa. When I went to PHIs. It was after we began self- Force and then take the entire village into a quarantine triumph that succeeded in preventing very successful. People realised come. Our Media Spokesmen fled in fear of the disease. It was Diyatalawa, there was one building quarantine that we realised that certain centre. If an infected person was the disease from spreading within how they should act. The Media are doing that task. the Army that drove the buses. only brought down that was allocated to isolate patients of persons did not engage in self- discovered in Sri Lankan society, we quarantine centres. rendered a great service during Increase in number Later when the private sector an epidemic. I did not think that it quarantine and were walking here and these students had to take every person who was Setting up new hospitals that instance. Actually, the began to realise the situation would be adequate for our purpose. there. connected to the infected individual to Media carried out a great of patients they provided us with buses. Therefore, I deployed the Army and a quarantine centre. It was the Police, for infected persons amount of work. We commend Hotels such as the Dolphin prepared a suitable building within just Intelligence and PHIs who identified all Media for that. All the The importance of the Hotel and Citrus Hotel were 72 hours. We had to think how we were these persons. We took some 200 COVID-19 in Sri Lanka was defeated channels got together and President setting up a Task given for quarantining people. going to keep this group for 14 days persons from Beruwala. By that time, through three methods. The two presented programmes together. Force was that we held The Dolphin Hotel was given for and how to treat them. We set up facilities according to our own knowledge. We also set up plans on how to serve food and how to provide facilities such as washing machines and Wifi. Bringing back students from Wuhan

The knowledge of the Sri Lanka Army Medical Corps proved very useful to us at that moment. How should we go to Wuhan? How would we provide protection to aircraft staff? We discussed all these things with the Air Force and then only brought down these students. We built a CBR unit to disinfect them, as soon as this group arrived at the Katunayake Airport. They got together with the Air Force and the Army and carried out the work. A12 sunday 14 june 2020 Focus While COVID-19 Crippled Powerful Nations Sri Lanka Emerges Unbowed

By Shaminda Wattegedera country into huge depression. the tons. These countries did not stop At the time of writing Subsequent to two-and-a-half there, but also supplied emergency The Health Sector of When the world was reeling under months there is consolation for the loans required for protecting the the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic, this article the number people. There are commendations on economy of the country. America, the Sri Lanka is strong. Sri Lanka was effectively fighting to of persons infected by how the Executive President made European Community, and Britain However, during the control the spread of the virus. As the decisions and handled the country. provided money and technical Western world and their leaders were the virus worldwide Another fact that was declared was equipment. When sailing on an ocean immediate past there struggling under the sheer pressure of has exceeded 7.6 that had politicians taken this in where no end can be seen even one were various problems. public unrest and economic hand, it would not have been possible message creates powerful emotions. It downturn, Sri Lanka under the million. The death toll to prevent everyone becoming was very useful to be able to win the There were allegations leadership of President Gotabaya is more than 425,000. helpless. Health and Security interest and respect of world leaders. Rajapaksa, was strategising how best divisions came to the fore. Intelligence This operation opened up a broad that the money to fight the pandemic, while providing The virus made the Sectors became active. It will go down opportunity to bring the people to a allocated for hospitals maximum relief to the public. This smallest country on the in history that the technical strength safe place. was what prompted thousands of Sri behind Sri Lanka’s success in The Health Sector of Sri Lanka is by the Government was Lankans working and studying world map, which did controlling the spread of the virus strong. However, during the not sufficient. The around the world to start appealing to not warrant attention challenged the invaluable power of immediate past there were various the President to help them return to democracy. problems. There were allegations that strategy of the the motherland. Let’s take a look at as well as the most At a moment when the the money allocated for hospitals by Government was more how Sri Lanka stayed ahead of the powerful nation in the the Government was not sufficient. game, while the rest of the world fell hand of friendship was The strategy of the Government was than merely treating behind. world, vulnerable. It is more than merely treating patients, patients, but also to The COVID-19 virus succeeded in required but also to prevent the spread of the making powerful leaders around the pointed out that the Friends are needed during a virus. Steps were taken to prevent prevent the spread of world helpless. On one side, it was the spread of the virus disaster. Sri Lanka was not in a outsiders from entering the country, the virus fear of death. On the other, it was the position where close countries could and Security Forces were deployed on economy which was collapsing daily. commenced from the be located. India, China, and America behalf of separating doubtful When two calamities of this nature city of Wuhan in China had to think about their own people. patients. It was a decision that are happening at equal degree, it is However, Media reported that the lightened the burden of the Medical Prime Minister of Fiji Frank not possible to control the pressure and it spread rapidly Chinese President and the Prime Staff. President Gotabaya set up the Bainimarama said, the residents of that rises from within society. with no consideration Minister of India had spoken to framework required for this. While that country were saved due to However, there are some leaders who President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. It was Prime Minister Mahinda and the prayers, commitment, and the help of didn’t crumble with the mounting for limits or borders of pointed out that pledges that all guardian Cabinet were looking into health sectors. pressure. They rose above the nations. Up to now no assistance will be given to control the the political environment, it is State rulers who succeeded in challenges and emerged victorious, spread of the virus were apparent. possible to see when looking back suppressing the pandemic have come while safeguarding their people and treatment has been China sent by Air, health tools that the President engaged in his into a position where they are shining country. found. More than required to test patients and for the habitual operations. A Police Curfew brightly in the presence of the people. The challenge however, is far from prevention of the disease. The was imposed, offices were closed, and Eighty Seven per cent of the over. According to World Health twenty five medical quantity of drugs sent by India was in an order was issued for staff to work population of New Zealand have said Organisation (WHO), the world is still teams are engaged in a from their homes. that the procedure followed by the in the middle of the first wave of the It is necessary to point out that; country’s Prime Minister Jacinda COVID-19 pandemic. There is a real mission to find with the operation of a small essential Arden was successful. There were possibility of a second wave. treatment. There is a team only the relief work procedure protests aimed at throwing out European and North American was launched. Public Health President of Southern Korea Moon countries should be more vigilant. possibility that this Inspectors attempted to withdraw Jae-in from his post prior to the Patients have to be tested task will go down in from their duties saying that they did Covid-19 virus outbreak. There was continuously. More and more safe not get the proper respect they a campaign in operation for a signed distancing is required. They must history as the task deserved and that they did not have public petition requesting that the never falter and their attention to the with the most interest protective gear to prevent them from President to resign. He took decisions raging pandemic should never waver. contracting the disease. Grama to suppress the virus in the country This is what Sri Lanka did, and how and one where the Niladharis started to express their and he is a hero now. International we succeeded. most effort had to be grievances saying they could not reports also point out that German COVID-19 pandemic distribute financial assistance to the Chancellor Angela Merkel and British put people. The President was able to nip Prime Minister Boris Johnson have At the time of writing this article the all of this in the bud and not allow become successful due to the number of persons infected by the these things to go too far. The journey operations they carried out. The virus worldwide has exceeded 7.6 at such a pace was amidst people power of Chinese President Xi Jinping million. The death toll is more than treatment. There is a possibility going to Courts saying that has also been confirmed. Given such 425,000. The virus made the smallest that this task will go down in dissolving Parliament was a background the leaders of America country on the world map, which did history as the task with the illegal. On the other hand, it and Brazil have become unpopular. not warrant attention as well as the most interest and one where was within a background According to a joint survey carried out most powerful nation in the world, the most effort had to be that where political by the Washington Post and the vulnerable. It is pointed out that the put. groups were aggressively University of Maryland, fifty four per spread of the virus commenced from American President saying that there was no cent of people have expressed their the city of Wuhan in China and it Donald Trump named suitable environment worry. spread rapidly with no consideration this virus outbreak, the within the country for Public judgment on for limits or borders of nations. Up to Chinese epidemic and holding an election. now no treatment has been found. found fault with Politicians waited Gotabaya’s journey More than twenty five medical teams China. Australia has with another idea in are engaged in a mission to find requested an mind, until the What is the decision of the people investigation into judiciary decided on how President Gotabaya acted the origin of the that dissolving when a crisis arose? What is the virus. Britain and of Parliament judgment regarding the leadership Friends are needed Germany got was illegal or within the country in connection with during a disaster. Sri angry with Chinese until health making decisions in the face of the investors who sectors said Covid-19 virus pandemic? There is Lanka was not in a came to their that it was not commendation sans ruling and countries. A possible to Opposition Party differences. The position where close Tabloid conduct an belief of middle-class people, whose countries could be newspaper in election. aspirations were that the standard of that country has SL ahead the country will be raised by ensuring located. India, China, created an a disciplined society especially, has and America had to opinion saying of other been confirmed. that Germany A definition on COVID-19 think about their own should send a countries leadership submitted by world people. However, Media letter of demand escaping renowned political critic Francis requesting Fukuyama has become the focus of reported that the compensation. from the attention in the world today. Chinese President and This can be virus According to him, the capacity considered an possessed by a country, the trust in the Prime Minister of example which The Hindu the government and the leadership is India had spoken to explains how Newspaper what succeeds in saving people from strong the fear had reported a pandemic. What are meant by President Gotabaya that is being recently about capacity are the economic strength Rajapaksa. It was experienced by nine countries and the quantity of resources that powerful leaders which had declared that they were exist in the health sector. He has said pointed out that is. free from the Covid-19 virus. conforming to these when making pledges that all Until the first Among these countries were New decisions is a sign of the trust that patient was reported Zealand, Tanzania, the Vatican, people have in a government. We assistance will be given in this country, no one Fiji, Montenegro (close to Kosovo), realise that the economy of Sri Lanka to control the spread of showed any fear. When it was Seychelles, Kitts, and Nevis which and the health sector does not have revealed how the number of patients was a West Indian island, Timor and unlimited facilities. The trust in the the virus were was increasing daily, it created great Papua New Guinea. As the Prime government and the maturity shown apparent. China sent pressure. Politicians questioned why Minister of New Zealand Jacinda by the leadership has summoned the the country was not put into Arden pointed out there were 1,500 country back to its habitual position. by Air, health tools lockdown and steps were not being patients reported there and 22 The rhythm of people’s lives is required to test taken to avoid this hazard. Some were deaths. Tanzanian President John gradually returning to normal. The trying to force Parliament to be Magafuli announced that the virus nature of the port which we have patients and for the summoned. The President did not was under control and that it was a reached during the past few days has have the authority to allocate money decision made by God. He told the to be evaluated. There is more prevention of the to control the pandemic and people the success was due to prayers distance to travel. Self-confidence disease Opposition politicians said that it and that from then onwards no and persevering effort is extremely would be one reason to send the deaths would be reported. As the useful. focus sunday 14 june 2020 A13 Is Your Safety Gear Really Safe? High quality standards for PPE exports not applied to local retailers?

By Thameenah Razeek While lamenting the SLAB and SLSI’s testing laboratories purchase their facemasks instead. malpractice in allowing retailers a free quality control material from overseas. When asked why they decided to sell The Ministry of Technology, in hand in selling PPE, Edirisinghe said Secretary to the Technology and face masks and not something else, cooperation with the Sri Lanka the Government should prioritise the Innovation Ministry, D.M.A.R.B. Bogahawatte said that each and every Accreditation Board (SLAB), has made quality standards of PPE being released Dissanayake noted that the help of person needs a mask – this is the only the decision to export medical gloves to the market without any inspection, UNIDO and the EU-Sri Lanka Technical business that would help them survive and other Personal Protective just as much as importance is given to Assistance project has led the the pandemic’s economic impact. Equipment (PPE) that are certified for value-added technologies to store food, Government to focus on developing SLAB Director/CEO, Chandrika use by the SLAB. post-harvest technologies, reference materials locally, as this also Thilakaratne raised the same concerns However, this has raised concerns transportation, and packing during the helps save foreign exchange and boost as Bogahawatte – she said that due to regarding the standardisation of the period of COVID-19. technology development in Sri Lanka. the economic recession, Sri Lanka protective gear being sold locally, such “You may have both negative and could earn a huge income by exporting as face masks, as well as whether they positive feedback on the food received The situation on the PPEs. But once the situation subsides, are suitable for use and actually being through online or retail deliveries. Just ground this income will stop, and we will have certified by the relevant authorities. as we care about the safety of the food to find another way to attract exports. The Industrial Technology Institute we eat, we should also be concerned When Ceylon Today met some The public should apply the same and Sri Lanka Standards Institute had over the protective gear we are wearing. pavement-based retailers selling level of concern over food safety to all been paying hefty annual fees for People cannot be blamed for buying homemade PPE, they disclosed that other items they are so dependent on, accreditation by the Swedish Board for substandard items from the market at they only entered this business to cover and this is everyone’s business – Accreditation and Conformity low prices. It is not only the duty of the living expenses in the face of the whether the Government, the producer Assessment (SWEDAC) before SLAB Health Ministry, but also other economic impact of the pandemic. or the consumer. We each have a obtained international recognition. regulatory bodies, to assure each and Bogahawatte, who sells homemade face shared responsibility and everyone has Now, however, both institutions pay every mask being sold on the market masks in different colours by a parking a role to play, from farm to fork, to less than one-seventh of the same cost carries the certification of a reputed lot in Borella, said that he was a ensure the food we consume, the for SLAB accreditation. Even though regulatory body,” he added. carpenter, but lost his livelihood after clothes we wear and the liquid we drink there is an internationally-recognised It was also revealed that currently, all the curfew. Now he sells home-made are all safe and will not risk our health. certification institute in Sri Lanka, the question is whether the Government has paid attention to regulation and standardisation of locally-produced PPE to stop the spread of COVID-19. The Secretary of the National surgical masks. For example, surgical Organisation for the Protection of masks require three layers,” he added. Patients’ Rights, Dhammika Fielding a question posed regarding Edirisinghe, noted that the Government small retail shops and pavement-based should first check the standard of the shops selling masks, Dr. Jayasinghe protective gear that people are using noted that the NMRA has published and the ones being sold on pavements facts and rules to be followed when and in other small retail shops. manufacturing PPE, and monitors Edirisinghe asked, “As a consumer, whether these are being followed by how can someone believe the claims of such manufacturers. He also noted manufacturers, suppliers and that they are monitoring the standards distributors printed on labels and of the masks and gloves by visiting promotional materials?” He noted that garment factories and other State and an accredited conformity assessment non-State apparel institutions. network of competent bodies should exist to carry out functions such as Export earnings versus inspection, certification and testing as public health per international standards without a conflict of interest, but no accreditation Detailing their contribution from a is being carried out for any face masks, national point of view, Dr. Jayasinghe except for surgical masks. noted that since the UN Industrial The SLAB assesses Conformity Development Organisation (UNIDO) is Assessment Bodies in a variety of helping maintain quality standards of different key functions, comparing PPE, the NMRA is bound to assure the them to standards developed by ISO quality of the safety gear being and SLSI and checks whether these exported. “If the PPE are substandard, testing laboratories, inspection bodies the country’s economy will face the and certification bodies are able to fallout, and the trade project could even deliver competent and impartial collapse as a result,” he added. inspection, certification and testing However, speaking on behalf of services in all parts of food chains. patients’ rights, Edirisinghe noted that The Health Ministry’s Environmental, the NMRA is ensuring the standards of Occupational Health and Food Safety exported PPE to reap the economic Director, Dr. Thilak Siriwardene, who is benefits of exports and protect those Editor of the ‘Interim Guidance of outside the country from COVID-19, Operational Guidelines on but appears unconcerned with the Preparedness and Response for COVID- quality of PPE being used within the 19 outbreak for Work Settings’, said country by its citizens. This, he said, that as per his knowledge, no raids or was selfish and motivated purely by checkups are carried out on vendors profit. selling safety gear. Dr. Gunawardane, discussing the “The National Medicines Regulatory quality infrastructure and facilitation of Authority (NMRA) is the regulatory body private sector investment, noted that to enforce standards and specifications trade-related issues have been raised regarding protective gear,” he noted. due to the lack of an effective regulatory Despite the importance of framework with enforcement standardising local products, Minister institutions and internationally- of Technology and Innovation, Dr. recognised conformity assessment Bandula Gunawardane said that they bodies, as well as a lack of coordination would urge exporters to obtain test among stakeholders. reports from SLAB-accredited “To facilitate investment, Sri Lanka laboratories instead, which would help must have an effective institutional retain a large amount of foreign framework designed for maximising the exchange within the country. private sector’s untapped potential. To Explaining how such initiatives are facilitate private sector involvement in important to achieving the the development process, we need to Government’s development goals, the strengthen the country’s regulatory Minister noted that value-addition of framework and effective functions of products and services would require the National Quality Council (NQC),” he compliance with international market added, noting that the NQC should be a requirements, and this could only be major driving force for the assured through internationally- implementation of the National Policy recognised testing, inspection and Framework, ‘Vistas of Prosperity’. certification. Therefore, SLAB needs to No standards for small be more involved with facilitating the accreditation requirements of goods retailers and services exported from Sri Lanka. NMRA CEO, Dr. Kamal Jayasinghe Contradicting reports that the SLAB noted that only masks or other safety is collaborating with the NMRA to host gear that is mass-produced locally will a series of training workshops on be checked through the NMRA, which quality assurance for PPE and medical will prevent substandard products from devices, a top official at the Colombo being certified and keep them off the Municipal Council noted that no such market. programme is being conducted. He “There are two types of face masks added that small retailers selling manufactured globally – surgical and substandard masks and other PPE non-surgical masks. Surgical masks cannot be stopped at once, but in have different specifications than non- stages. A14 sunday 14 june 2020 focus Health Guidelines and Tax Hikes: A Bitter Recipe Should eatery owners operate at a loss, or let consumers bear the burden?

By Dilanthi Jayamanne and choice but to continue this business Nabiya Vaffoor at a low profit,” he added. A widowed mother of two, who It has taken the Ministry of Health supplies roti-and-curry breakfast and Indigenous Medical Services packages to shops around Steuart (MHIMS) a few days short of a month Street in Colombo 02, noted how to develop guidelines allowing eatery hard it has become to feed her owners to recommence operations children from the profits her small following the opening of the country business accrues. to revive the economy. “One litre of oil was Rs 390 at first; Introducing its new set of now it has been raised to Rs 540. guidelines on Monday (08) in view of Things like butter and wheat have World Food Safety Day last Sunday also increased in price. I am (07), the Directorate of continuing this business since my Environmental Health, Occupational husband died because I need a way Health and Food Safety (EHOHFS) of to live and feed my children. The the MHIMS submitted a poster to the Government has been increasing Health Services Director General, Dr prices of these goods without Anil Jasinghe, outlining the thinking about people like us. measures to be observed by eateries “We can’t supply our food at higher and bakeries to facilitate a COVID- prices because the shop owners 19 free environment within their might refuse to buy them. Some food premises. doesn’t sell well when we raise the “Although the novel coronavirus price. When people refuse to buy, the cannot survive on food, as pointed shop owners return the food to us out by EHOHFS Director, Dr. Thilak instead of the money, and all we can Siriwardana, the possibilities of the do is throw it away, which means we virus contaminating the various don’t even get the invested amount plastic and metal surfaces – starting for that particular day,” she from the cutlery and crockery to the lamented. glass showcases – are high if a COVID-infected customer or Forced to hike prices employee is within those premises,” Meanwhile, the All Ceylon Bakery it said. Owners’ Association (ACBOA) The guidelines outline eight plate set before them by a waiter, rented location in the Bandarawatta pointed out that they will be forced conditions to be fulfilled before an which contains other such products. area, said that they were functioning to increase the prices of bakery eatery could open to customers, The same plate would have been with difficulty owing to the increase products because the Government which include: placed before several other The present of prices in many items. “Starting has increased the prices of essentials • Facilities for washing hand with customers, with only a few more from the paper used for wrapping such as palm oil and margarine. soap or liquid hand-wash should additions to the short-eats placed on situation calls for parcels to palm oil and salmon tins, “We have sent a written document be made available at each entrance it. an overview and prices have increased, making it to the Prime Minister, the President of the eatery’s premises. The price dilemma hard to provide food at the price and other responsible parties, • The maximum number of restructuring, before the Police curfew and the stating that we will not take this step customers allowed within the However, the present situation lockdown situation,” she said. if the Government provides us relief premises at a time has to be calls for an overview and post the COVID-19 The majority of eateries function in on the prices of the essentials for displayed at each entrance while restructuring, post the COVID-19 lockdown and premises that have been rented for bakery products, especially palm oil standing points have to be lockdown and Police curfew. All business. Therefore, for any changes and margarine,” noted ACBOA demarcated on the floor to maintain Island Restaurant Owners’ Police curfew. All to be made in those premises, the Chairman, N.K. Jayawardane on 02 one-metre distancing while waiting Association (AIROA) Chairman, Asela eatery owner has to sanction June. to enter the premises, and at the Sampath, has been up in arms Island Restaurant approval of the owner of the Meanwhile AIROA Chairman cashier. following the Government’s move to Owners’ premises. Sampath noted that the restaurants • Notices have to be displayed increase import taxes on palm oil would have no option but to follow asking people to “avoid touching and margarine, which increased by Association Sacrificing profit for sur- suit and increase prices if the goods unnecessarily.” Rs 350 per kg and Rs 650 per kg, vival ACBOA increased prices of bakery • Unpacked, ready to-eat food items respectively. A majority of other (AIROA) products. He added they would all be have to be kept covered while food products used by eatery owners in Chairman, Asela Meanwhile, the high costs of forced to do so to cover their basic handlers – namely the waiters and the industry were also hiked by the essential goods and tax increments expenses. the cook – should wear not only Government once the country was Sampath, has all affect the breadwinners of When asked about the decisions of the usual apron and cap, but also reopened. been up in arms families most of all. Speaking with the ACBOA and AIROA, a bakery in a face mask and gloves, which Sampath lamented that eatery some individuals, Ceylon Today Slave Island noted that though the have to be disposed off regularly, owners would have no option but to following the found out how these increased costs prices of ingredients have been to help maintain good respiratory increase the prices of food items. have affected small and medium raised, it would be difficult to hygiene. While health safety guidelines Government’s business in the eateries industry. increase the prices of food in such a • Ready-to-eat food should be imposed on eateries, the Government move to increase “The prices of the main ingredients sudden manner. handled and served using suitable has also stifled eatery owners on the we use to make short-eats such as “I have been in this business for utensils. sly by imposing import taxes on the import taxes on wheat, vegetables like onions and past ten years. Despite sudden price The guidelines also stress on the ingredients they use to produce their palm oil and potatoes, sugar, spices like chilli increments in bakery goods, we fact that served food items should food. For nearly three months, eatery powder, and seafood like canned and could not pass the expense onto neither be re-served, nor sold to owners have been without proper margarine, which dried fish, have increased. We customers, as they aren’t wealthy; another person. means of earning an income, while cannot raise the price of the food everyone is facing this crisis with a “Customers are empowered to paying wages to their employees and increased by Rs that we make because people might lot of problems. As the ACBOA says, demand these facilities, and owners meeting their bills. Considering the 350 per kg and Rs stop buying them, and we might lose it would be great if the Government and managers of the food premises fact that eateries have been out of our orders and our business as well,” could provide some relief on the price have to ensure that the guidelines business, there should be some form 650 per kg, noted a 50-year-old food supplier of bakery goods such as margarine, are fulfilled before even thinking of of concession given by the that usually makes short-eats such oil, wheat and spices when we buy opening their doors,” it stated. Government to allow canteens, respectively as rolls, patties, wadé and pastries. them in bulk. We could then take the However, the horrors seen at the restaurants, hotels, and even those This supplier, who provides the orders of our food suppliers and buy eateries functioning in Colombo and operating tea kiosks, to get back on food for five different shops and the ingredients for them as well. This its surrounding area are another their feet, he stressed. bakeries around Kew Road, would be a great support to small story entirely, and require an entire The Union had appealed to the Colombo, said he lost his job businesses,” added the 44-year-old article in itself. One fact that could Health Services and the Government able to restart operations, they because of the COVID-19 pandemic bakery owner. be mentioned here is that although to at least provide eateries with non- would find it difficult to sell products and started this business to meet the He further noted that if the most eateries have the facilities to contact digital thermometer guns at at the old prices, owing to the cost of daily expense of feeding his family, Government is raising the prices of wash hands, a majority of them – concessionary prices, to which they production. He said some of the which includes his 45-year-old wife imported goods to help local farmers, especially those that cater to the had received no response thus far. ingredients that had been purchased and their three children. it should reduce or introduce middle and lower classes – either An eatery in Kadawatha that also at Rs 7,500 now cost over Rs 9,000. “I started this after losing my job reasonable prices for local goods and provide no soap or similar liquid to retails bakery products like cakes, “Currently we have no option but because of the COVID-19 pandemic. supply them according to demand. clean hands with, or use highly which usually runs a flourishing to sell our products at the former Since we had three children, we With the guidelines they have to diluted hand-wash that is effectively business especially during the lunch prices. That is one of the main never had the chance to save money. meet with and the increase in import useless. and dinner hours, was seen almost reasons we have restricted food After losing my job, my wife and I taxes on ingredients, this section of A Public Health Inspector would be deserted on the Saturday afternoon production,” he said, adding that any discussed what we could do to look the food industry, which mainly frustrated to tears by not only the of 06 June. Only the bakery products proposal for concessionary rates in after our children; she is the one who caters to middle- and low-income behaviour of eateries and their on display were being retailed; its purchasing raw material would have gave me this idea. It’s not a business customers will face the dilemma of employees but also their customers, dining area was curtained and to be made by an organisation, as that profits us a lot, but we still either closing shop or hiking prices who even go to the extent of sniffing barred out. they could not make individual manage to find the money to meet to meet the increased overheads, food items – especially bakery Bandula, an employee at the appeals to the Government. our daily expenses. Our whole family both of which would only result in products – before either consuming eatery, said that although they had Another eatery owner, who did not relies on this income. We cannot further socioeconomic issues down them or putting them back on the been informed that eateries would be wish to be named, operating in a afford to lose it. We have no other the line. sports sunday 14 JUNE 2020 A15

SAG 2019 Review Committee Report Make or Break for SL Sports? Perfect opportunity for Minister to get rid of failed bureaucrats and restructure By Anjana Kaluarachchi by the contingent in Kathmandu. National Olympic Committee had Leading officials of the Ministry of been the responsible organisation in Sports and the National Olympic handling team matters from player Committee (NOC) were criticised jerseys to air tickets to heavily in the Media right throughout accommodation. But this time the the South Asian Games (SAG) over the Ministry of Sports had taken the poor handling of logistics, team responsibility of handling all these selections, preparations and issues, but failed miserably to fulfil management, which finally them. Some are yet to receive their prompted the Sports Minister Dullas kits even six months after the Games! Alahapperuma to appoint a Review The report specifically states that the Committee and come up with a report Sports Development Department had at the end of the Games. messed up after undertaking to do the The four-member SAG Review ticketing for the contingent . Committee came up with a 42-page The report further states that as for report on 22 February 2020, less than the Sports Ministry officials, they two months after their appointment, revealed that the DG acted as a after conducting over 75 hours of dictator but failed to fulfil the duties interviews with dozens of resource he undertook. personnel over 17 days and perusing The Official Sri Lanka team was led numerous reports, communiqués and by Chef de Mission Dampath documents pertaining to SAG. The Fernando and the chain of command Sports Ministry has finally released comprised three Deputy Chef de the report three months after Missions, and then team managers of receiving it. each sport. NOC had also assigned The report reveals and explains seven admin staff to assist them with Sri Lanka’s top sports officials during their visit to Nepal prior to South Asian Games 2019 many of the issues encountered at the From right: IP Wijerathne (Director of the Department of Sports Development since 2014), Dammika Muthugala (Former Director tasks, while three other admin staff SAG 2019 campaign, including General at the Department of Sports Development), Maxwell de Silva (General Secretary of National Olympic Committee for since were sent to handle OL Exams during serious management failures leading 2009), Asanga Senevirthne (Vice President and head of high performance of NOC), Gamini Jayasinghe (former treasurer of NOC, the SAG apart from four Deputy to colossal waste of public funds and Deputy Chef de mission of SAG 2019 & 2016), Maj. Gen. Dampath Fernando (Chef de Mission of SAG 2016 & 2019) Commissioners of Examination and alleged match fixing incidents. an Additional Secretary of the The report has also set guidelines questioned by the Committee. The Education Ministry to oversee the on the way forward, and setting it in Committee has recommended to exam. motion could be greatly beneficial for reconsider maintaining Kho Kho Despite all these personnel, the DG Sri Lanka Sports in numerous ways. Federation as a National sports body decided to take half of his staff on a But the manner the report has been following this dismal performance. joy ride. The list included Olympic handled by the Sports Ministry so far Over Rs 11 million was spent for medalist Susanthika Jayasinghe and doesn’t offer any confidence. the 48-member football teams who a few athletic coaches who had a job came back empty handed. to do during the tour. This created Does the medal count The 39-member handball team had confusion and led to several issues, save bureaucrats’ blushes? cost over Rs 10 million and could not to mention the huge waste of only win a Bronze medal. public funds for air fare, As Ceylon Today revealed on In total three teams – football, accommodation and allowances for all numerous occasions earlier, tug-of- handball and Kho Kho comprising of them who wasn’t really needed in war between NOC and Sports Ministry 105 members had cost Nepal. officials which led to bureaucratic Gregory Gemunu Air Vice Marshal Daminda Saman Kumara Rs 30,066,908.00, but had only a Report soft on top corrupt failures was one of the root causes of de Silva Elmo Perera Wijesooriya Gunawardana Bronze medal to show. The the problem, where the Department of Committee officials? Sports Development under the Sports Year Venue Sports Events Number of Medals Total Position % of obtained % of obtained reckoned the Ministry headed by former Director Won by Sri Lanka Medals Gold Medals Total Medals handball and Kho There are several other ugly issues General Dammika Muthugala saved Kho teams could pertaining to the SAG where the by the events by the awarded their blushes with the slogan of Gold Silver Bronze have been report has gone soft on many top winning the most number of medals Medals eliminated if corrupt officials. in the history of South Asian Games. 1984 Kathmandu 5 62 7 11 19 37 2 11.3 20.2 National Selection Many coaches who spent months of However, the Review Committee 1985 Dhaka 7 94 2 7 9 18 4 2.1 6.3 Committee had their time and money haven’t received report clearly dismissed the claim 1987 Calcutta 9 116 4 7 23 34 3 3.4 9.4 done their job a penny as coaching fees which they revealing that in reality Sri Lanka’s 1989 Islamabad 10 111 6 10 21 37 3 5.4 10.5 more thoroughly. were promised. Many top athletes who overall performance was poorer than 1991 Colombo 10 142 44 34 40 118 2 31.0 26.4 The Committee earlier used to get a monthly even the 2016 edition, apart from the also makes a allowance prior to SAG (or any other 1993 Dhaka 11 115 20 22 39 81 3 17.4 22.7 athletics team, which excelled by fervent request to Games) were not paid at all. beating India into second place after 1995 Chennai 14 143 16 25 53 94 2 11.2 21.0 upgrade the Athletes had to change their hotels 28 years. 1999 Kathmandu 12 162 16 42 62 120 3 9.9 23.0 knowledge of three or four times within the first Even though Sri Lanka won 251 2004 Islamabad 15 170 17 32 57 106 3 10.0 19.2 coaches, and four days, while they had to wait till medals, it was out of 317 medals 2006 Colombo 20 214 37 63 78 178 3 17.2 24.4 recommends to early morning after landing in the which were on offer, 78 more than the 2010 Dhaka 23 158 16 35 65 105 4 10.1 19.7 thoroughly afternoon just to get place to keep 2016 edition. In reality Sri Lanka had 2016 Guwahati 23 239 25 63 98 186 2 10.4 23.54 examine the status their things due to a huge logistics won 23.50% of the total medals, 2019 Kathmandu 27 317 40 83 128 251 3 12.6 23.50 of affiliated clubs failure. When those issues were which is less than the winning and their financial highlighted officials were quick to percentage in 1991, 2006, and 2016. withdrew from competition in an The three committees have their status when pass the ball at the joint press Also, their Gold medal percentage of arbitrary manner. He had been own problems, with questions raised granting approval to form a NSF. conference by the NOC and DG and 12.6% was less than 1991, 1993 and picked in the team after an about the independency of the branded the athletics team as trouble 2006. appeal. committees. For instance, Vice Official negligence caused makers and challenged them to win 3. Inquiry against including President of NOC Joseph Kenny is Dengue epidemic medals rather than crying, which Further 11 Issues to be badminton players who did not set to probe issues relating to NOC they did in style giving a huge slap on looked into take part in events. itself. The Manager of the Men’s The Committee also clearly states it the face for the challengers. 4. Inquiry against Boxing Association Volleyball team C. Rathnamudali is was sheer negligence on the part of When athletes started get sick and The report concludes by saying for dropping two players who were included in a Committee though the officials of the Sports Ministry, were admitted to hospital one after there are a further 11 issues to be selected by the National Selection volleyball is a sport which was Sports Medicine and the Association another due to dengue, rather than looked into by three separate Committee and picking two new recommended to be inquired by the that resulted in poor sanitary focusing on saving lives, officials Committees appointed by the Sports players who could not record a Review Committee. conditions at the Sugathadasa Hostel were quick to cover up their failures, Ministry. victory. which led to the dengue epidemic. But stating they got sick in Nepal and not The first Committee consists of V.K. 5. Triathlon is not a registered sport Other Areas when Ceylon Today inquired from the by the mosquito bites from the Anura and K.R.D.C. Rathnamudali, in the Sports Ministry and the The Committee further cite gross Sports Medicine institute, they stated Sugathadasa Hostel. and will investigate issues number sport had been represented in negligence of managers, coaches, they had advised Sports Ministry The medal count of 251, highest in 1 to 3. Nepal without any and even athletes in some cases, officials about measures to be taken the history of SAG, was their last line The second Committee headed by recommendation by the National lack of required equipment, such as anti-mosquito spraying before of defence. They repeated it over and Saman Amarasinghe, D.B.S. Selection Committee or the problems faced by athletes and opening up the accommodation for over again, but the this report has Sirinayaka and Nalin Attygalle will Appeals Committee. coaches in the run up to the Games, athletes, which had fallen on deaf revealed the naked truth and set a investigate issues number 4 to 6. 6. Probe match fixing allegations and weaknesses of Sports ears. path to expose them, clean up the The third Committee comprising against the women’s basketball Federations in selecting their The Committee also pointed out sports and overcome the hurdles. Joseph Kenny, B.L.H. Perera and team. athletes as reasons that cost the that Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium It’s time to make or break, but does P.L.T.N. Liyanage will investigate 7. Probe match fixing incident in the country several medals. had wanted a large sum of money the Sports Minister have the guts to issues number 7 to 10. Mountain Bike Downhill event. Ceylon Today has selected the from the National team for training; do it? Or will this also end up being The Sports Ministry will conduct an 8. Disciplinary inquiry against Kho following key areas to be highlighted: hence, athletes were left helpless thrown under the carpet with a few internal audit regarding the Kho Federation based on negative Sports Ministry had spent Rs without a place to train, and more committees appointed to drag 11th issue. feedbacks over their credentials as 124.7 million for air fare and recommends the Sports Ministry to on inquiries? Only the time will tell. a National Sports body. accommodation for the Sri Lanka intervene in the matter. Gregory Gemunu de Silva, who The 11 issues are: 9. Inquiry against women’s volleyball contingent, which included 575 Also, poor condition of the Beach holds Master’s Degree in Professional 1. Conduct a disciplinary inquiry team for conceding defeat in a players, 230 officials and 20 Media Volleyball premises prepared for Sports Management & against swimmers Kimiko Raheem controversial manner. personel, which Ceylon Today was training had left players with several Administration, lead the four- and Cherantha de Silva for not 10. Inquiry against Wushu for losing not part of. cuts and bruises on their feet due to member committee which included taking part in events citing a medal by not fielding the 105 members, 30 million shells in the sand which was used. veteran sports personalities medical issues. They had not required minimum number of Tug-of-war between NOC in Director of SAG 2006 Air Vice undergone medical examinations players. and one Bronze medal Marshal Elmo Perera (Rtd), Director conducted by the doctors of the 11. Inquiry into financial and Ministry Physical Education, University of Sports Ministry’s medical unit discrepancies relating to Out of the total spent, over Rs 8 Kelaniya Saman Kumara before abandoning their events. A purchasing of air tickets and million was spent on the 39-member The Committee has identified the Gunawardana and Daminda considerable amount of funds had lodging, since contradictory Kho Kho team that did not win a tug-of-war between the NOC and the Wijesooriya, Deputy Editor, Sports been utilised for their training. statements have been made by single medal and whose status as a Sports Ministry as a major reason for Editor & Online Editor of the 2. Inquiry against a weightlifter who NOC and Sports Ministry officials. National Sports Federation has been the logistical nightmares experienced Lankadeepa Newspaper. A16 sunday 14 june 2020 SPORTS Sri Lanka in COVID-19 may force IPL out of India: Chairman line for another The Indian Premier League could be moved out of the country if the covid-19 pandemic does not ease in the next two months, IPL Asian medal Chairman Brijesh Patel told AFP on Friday. “Let us first see. We will try to 800m Gold Medalist 4th placed stage it in India and if the Gomathi stripped of Gayanthika to be situation does not allow then we will certainly look at other medal, banned for 4 years upgraded to Bronze options,” Patel told AFP on Friday. “We will see how the By Anjana situation is in the next month Kaluarachchi or two and then take a call accordingly,” said Patel, adding Ceylon Today revealed last that options included staging year, India’s Asian the cash-rich tournament Championship 800m Gold abroad. Pandemic cases have Medalist Gomathi surged in the nation of 1.3 Marimuthu had been billion people. India now has took place in United Arab showpiece event because of provisionally suspended on the fourth highest caseload in Emirates. The UAE and Sri pandemic worries. 21 May 2019 for a banned the world, concentrated in Lankan Cricket Boards have “We are looking at a substance found in the major cities like Mumbai, Delhi already shown interest in September-October window for sample collected following and Chennai which are cricket hosting the tournament this the IPL, but it depends on the her Gold medal run in April. hubs. The world’s wealthiest year. Patel said the IPL is still other tournaments as well,” After a year-long inquiry Twenty20 tournament has looking at a window ahead of said Patel, who played 21 Tests into the case and her ‘B’ twice been held outside India the T20 World Cup in for India. sample too testing positive, in years that it clashed with Australia, which is scheduled “Nothing certain at the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) national elections. for October-November. moment, but we are keeping finally gave their verdict, and South Africa hosted the But the International Cricket our plans in place to make the Gomathi has been banned second IPL in 2009, and the Council has deferred taking a IPL happen.” for four years and stripped of first half of the 2014 season decision on the fate of the T20 (Agencies) her achievements since 18 March 2019. 4th Place finisher Gayathika Abeyrathne (330) tries to go past disgraced Gomathi Marimuthu Gayanthika Abeyrathne now (194) during Asian Championship 2019 (Pix by Sports Photography.lk) awaits an upgrade and is in line to receive the Bronze. With Gomathi’s medal distance runner Kiranjit “Presence of a Prohibited being stripped, China’s Kaur was banned for four Sporting events Substance Chunyi Wang is set to be years; that too for use of a (19-Norandrosterone) (Article upgraded to Gold followed by banned substance. in Australia 2.1) Use of a Prohibited Kazkasthan’s Mararita Meanwhile, Sri Lanka is Substance (Article 2.2) - 4 Mukasheva to Silver and also keeping a close eye on years ineligibility from 17 Gayanthika to Bronze. Asian World 400m champion Spectators May 2019 DQ results: 18 Athletics Association (AAA) is Bahrain’s Salwa Eid Naser’s March 2019 to 17 May 2019 yet to make an case, who has been welcome from - DT decision appealable” announcement about the provisionally banned by the stated the verdict by AIU. possible medal re-allocation. AIU. As per AIU Naser had July Commenting to Indian President of the Athletics three whereabouts violations Crowds appear a certainty at Media the Athletics Association Maj.Gen. Palitha by October 2019 when she Athletes can take a ‘knee’ Australian cricket grounds this Federation of India (AFI) Fernando said that he is competed at the World summer and the case for the T20 Adille Sumariwalla said: “AFI going to discuss the medal Championship. Naser won Games CE World Cup has improved after the will not be involved in the re-allocation with AAA. five medals - including four at CWM: Federal Government’s case. It has zero tolerance This is the second Gold medals - in the Asian Athletes competing at Committee President announcement that some venues towards doping. We are consecutive time Gayanthika Championship 2019 in April, the 2022 Commonwealth Thomas Bach said earlier will be able to host up to 10,000 doing 1,500 tests every year. is getting an upgrade in the where the Sri Lanka 4x400m Games in Birmingham, this week athletes must spectators for sporting events And we are also working to Asian Championship medal relay team finished fourth England, will be allowed explore ways they can from July. make doping a criminal tally due to disciplinary due to Naser’s amazing last to take a (knee) to express themselves ‘in a At the moment the move only offence.” violation by an Indian leg. If a possible ban is support the ‘Black Lives dignified way’ at the applies to grounds with a Gomathi still has the athlete. In 2017 India’s applicable from April or Matter’ (BLM) movement, rescheduled Tokyo capacity below 40,000 so option of appealing to the Archana Adhav who finished earlier, Sri Lanka could according to the Games Games next year. excludes the five major Test Court of Arbitration (CAS), first was disqualified for secure another Bronze medal, Chief Executive David Protests have erupted venues - MCG, SCG, Adelaide and had commented to the violating competition rules which would take their medal Grevemberg. across the globe since Oval, Gabba and Perth Stadium - Indian Media that she is and Gayanthika was count at the Asian The American denied the killing of African- but would cover some of the willing to take that option. upgraded to Silver medal. Championship 2019 to three. that his organisation was American George Floyd smaller grounds used for cricket, Gayanthika Abeyrathne Early last year’s India’s top Vidusha Lakshani was the ‘opening Pandora’s Box’ on 25 May when a Police including Hobart, the WACA and finished fourth in the 800m quarter miler Nirmala only Bronze medalist at the adding the ‘Friendly officer, who has been Metricon Stadium on the Gold finals held on 23 April with a Sheoran was banned for four Asian Championship 2019 in Games’ had a history of charged with second- Coast, and is another positive time of 2 minutes 5.74 years and stripped of the the Triple Jump. allowing freedom of degree murder, knelt on step as sport continues its seconds, while Gomathi Gold medals she won in the AIU is an independent expression. his neck for several comeback in Australia. clocked a personal best of 2 400m and 4x400m at the anti-doping watchdog for Australian legend minutes. South Australia and minutes 2.70 seconds to win 2017 Asian Championship, track and field set up by Cathy Freeman wrapped “People say are we Queensland State Governments the Gold medal. and early last month India’s World Athletics in 2017. herself in the Australian opening Pandora’s box, have also said they plan to Aboriginal flag after but no, we are respecting reopen their borders in July as winning 400 and 200 people’s rights to voice domestic travel restrictions are metres Gold at the 1994 opinions,” said eased. Games. Grevemberg. (ESPN) International Olympic (Agencies)

12-Day residential session ends We are trying to bounce back: Skipper Skipper Dimuth from heatstroke on the first internationally in the future,” Karunaratne said they are in day out in the sun and added Karunaratne. good shape and hoping to needed medical attention, but Meanwhile, SLC head coach bounce back and play good recovered quickly to resume Mickey Arthur said that they international cricket in the training. have achieved their goal from future. He said this at the end “I feel really good. The last the residential camp. of the first 12-day residential 80-90 days weren’t easy. “It has been magnificent. training programme which Getting a bit fatter and the This is all part of a return to commenced on 1 June where strength wasn’t there. the play programme, and a team of 13 stayed at a hotel Training during the first day return to play programme and trained at the CCC. was really hard, but now I’m means that we are getting our “We trained two sessions in good shape and getting my guys ready to play cricket. per day (morning and fitness back. I am also losing Bowlers obviously take a lot evening) without a rest. That’s weight. So I am doing the longer than the batsmen. So what’s important. As captain right things as captain which we need bowlers here to I’m very happy to see my team makes it easy to give a increase their workload and train like this. So hoping for message to teammates. We for them to start bowling and another session to start in a are hoping to bounce back we have achieved that goal. week’s time,” said and play good cricket We got lots of conditioning Karunarathne. and we upped their bowling Karunarathne every day so that they will be suffered almost ready by next month to play cricket,” said Arthur. (AK)

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