„„ www.themorning.lk „„ LATE CITY VOL 01 | NO 04 | Rs. 30.00 { THURSDAY } THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2021 ASHANTHA RESIGNS, DRASTIC MEASURES TAKEN BY MINISTER

CELEBRATING TRAILBLAZING WOMEN LEADERS KOREAN AMBASSADOR ‘NO POINT CHANGING IN SRI LANKA ESPOUSES INVESTMENT OFFICIALS WITHOUT OPPORTUNITIES IN SL CHANGING SYSTEM’ »SEE PAGE 11 »SEE PAGE 7 »SEE PAGE 4 »SEE PAGE 16 EAST CONTAINER TERMINAL ISSUE Big step in national Work-to-rule by Ports TUs tomorrow oil company plan BY DINITHA RATHNAYAKE to embark on large-scale Co-Convener Sanjeewa Trade unions (TUs) attached trade union action with a Kumara Weligama to The z Necessary act gets z Act to be approved z CEYPETCO to to the Colombo Port are due collective of 237 civil society Morning yesterday (27). to start a work-to-rule protest organisations. Weligama added that they Cabinet nod by mid-2021 be affected? campaign tomorrow (29), “We are starting this trade hope to be called in for a BY PAMODI WARAVITA investments. “The new act would serve two which would continue through union action since the relevant discussion with the Prime A new act which would allow for the establishment of a national oil and gas purposes. The current Petroleum Resources to the weekend, in opposition Cabinet Sub-Committee would Minister tomorrow, as they company is to be drafted and approved by the middle of this year, after the Development Secretariat (PRDS) would be to the granting of a 49% stake meet tomorrow to discuss have already sent a letter to his Cabinet’s approval was granted for the drafting on 25 January. evolved into an authority, under which the new in the East Container Terminal this issue, and a response office informing him of their national oil and gas company would be set up,” (ECT) to India. to this can be expected by decision of initiating stronger The new act would render the existing Resources Development Authority (PRDA), PRDS Director General Surath Ovitigama told Based on the authorities’ 1 February,” stated Trade trade union action. Petroleum Resources Act, No. 23 of 2006 as under which the new company would be The Morning yesterday (27). response, they would proceed Unions to Protect the ECT Contd. on page 2 amended, invalidated, and set up a Petroleum established to attract oil and gas-related Contd. on page 2 RECRUITMENT DRIVE FOR MALE QUAZIS ‘POLITICAL VICTIMISATION’ PCOI REPORT RED NOTICE ISSUED Gender activists to go to HRCSL HC cases at risk of z Govt. reneging on female Quazi promise BY RUWAN LAKNATH JAYAKODY as Quazis, namely, judges there is no requirement for the being withdrawn: JVP under the Muslim Marriage recruitment of male Quazis. Women’s rights activists and Divorce Act (MMDA), Women’s Action Network BY DINITHA RATHNAYAKE the report of the Presidential have announced that they No. 13 of 1956 as amended. Co-Founder Shreen Abdul The Janatha Vimukthi Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) will lodge a complaint The activists charge that at a Saroor, speaking to The Peramuna (JVP)-led Jathika appointed to look into alleged with the Human Rights time when the Government has Morning, queried as to Jana Balawegaya is to build incidents of political victimisation Commission of Sri Lanka announced that reforms would whether the Government was public opinion against the during the tenure of the United (HRCSL) over the call for be introduced to the Muslim attempting to, through this recommendations made in Contd. on page 2 applications made during customary, matrimonial, massive recruitment drive, this month by the Judicial personal law in the form of block or reverse the proposed Service Commission (JSC) to amendments to the MMDA affirmative action. recruit eligible Muslim males to include female Quazis, Contd. on page 2 HANDOVER OF ILLEGAL WEAPONS SL standard for ‘Grace period sign language has diminished proposed underworld’ z NCPA writes to state, govt., BY DINITHA RATHNAYAKE pvt. stakeholders There has been a notable decline in underworld activities after the announcement z A disability studies degree of the grace period to hand over illegal also mooted

weapons to the Government in December BY RUWAN LAKNATH JAYAKODY 2020, Minister of Public Security Rear Admiral (Retd.) Dr. Sarath Weerasekera Proposals to develop a Sri Lankan standard claimed. for sign language, to offer a disability studies Contd. on page 2 degree and to provide the Police with the training required to identify persons with certain disabilities which are largely invisible COVID-19 CASES to the untrained eye, have been put forward in writing by the National Child Protection The Ceylon Teachers’ Service Union yesterday (27) marched from Pelawatte ACTIVE CASES TOTAL CASES Authority (NCPA). to Battaramulla in protest against the handing over of shares in the East The proposals have been put forward Container Terminal of the Colombo Port to India to a number of state, governmental, and PHOTO LALITH PERERA 60,233 private sector authorities, in an effort to address the myriad issues faced by disabled MANNAR POET IN TID CUSTODY DEATHS RECOVERED persons. These disabilities include, among others, the impairment of vision and hearing; Youth’s defence counsel 7,379 288 52,566 physical, psychological/mental, also including SOURCE: HEALTH PROMOTION BUREAU intellectual disorders, and a combination of THE ABOVE STATISTICS ARE CONFIRMED UP UNTIL 9.50 P.M. ON 27 JANUARY 2021 any of these. complain of lack of access Contd. on page 2 BY RUWAN LAKNATH JAYAKODY Act (PTA) for allegedly promoting Legal counsel appearing on Islamist extremism and terrorism. behalf of Mannar-based poet This complaint was made Mannaramudhu Ahnaf Jazeem, when the case (B 13101/19) was Importers create chain of who is presently detained by the taken up at the Colombo Fort Terrorism Investigation Division Magistrate’s Court yesterday corruption: Customs DG (TID), have complained of being (27) in connection with the denied access to their client, despite case of Attorney-at-Law (AAL) BY HIRANYADA DEWASIRI following President Gotabaya all the tricks they have up multiple written and verbal queries Hejaaz Hizbullah who is also Profit-oriented importers Rajapaksa’s recent criticism their sleeves. One of the made from the TID including its detained at present in connection create a chain of corruption of corruption at Sri Lanka main things importers do is Director, The Morning learnt. with the investigations into the which Customs officials also Customs. undervaluation, where they The 25-year-old is being Easter Sunday bombings on 21 partake in, charged Customs “The aim of trade is to undervalue the price of the detained under the Prevention of April 2019. Director General Maj. Gen. make higher profits. So, to goods that are to be imported. Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Contd. on page 2 (Retd.) Vijitha Ravipriya, do that, the importers use Contd. on page 2 42 „„ www.themorning.lk { NEWS } Thursday, January 28, 2021 Antigen Tests at 11 WP exit points today BY DINITHA RATHNAYAKE Speaking to The Morning yesterday (27), the Police Media Mirigama, Pasyala, Hanwella, Ingiriya, Welipenna, the restrict the movement of people in the Western Province. Persons leaving the Western Province over the Spokesman Deputy Inspector General of Police Ajith Rohana Bentota Bridge, and all other exit points of the Western He further said that the support of the public is essential long weekend will be subjected to Rapid Antigen said that these tests will be carried out at 11 exit points Province.” for the successful implementation of this step aimed at the Tests (RAT) starting from today (28) till 2 February, covering all roads that lead out of the Western Province. Rohana pointed out that these measures are being taken prevention of the further spread of Covid-19 outside of the The Morning learnt. “The testing will be carried out in locations including to reduce the spread of Covid-19 to other Provinces and to Western Province. Contd. from page 1

he is appointed is a legal requirement. Police. Big step... Section 12 (1) of the MMDA states that the According to Weerasekera, those involved The company would handle the State’s “JSC may appoint any male of good character in underworld activities who are now willing CARTOON OF THE DAY commercial interests and it would be the and position and of suitable attainments” to to give away their weapons were those who Ministry’s purview to consider whether the be a Quazi, while Section 12 (7) of the same previously enjoyed political protection but are new company would function with the Ceylon holds that he shall, unless he resigns earlier or now coming forward to surrender their weapons Petroleum Corporation (CEYPETCO) or be a his appointment is cancelled by the JSC, hold as they don’t wish to face consequences now. separate entity. office for such period as may be specified in If those involved in underworld activities The time frame for the establishment of the the notification relating to his appointment. are not willing to come forward, they have an company cannot be decided yet, Ovitigama said. According to Ministry of Justice Additional option to hand over their weapons through a According to him, the existing act was set up Secretary (Legal) Piyumanthi Peiris who third party, he added. to be a one-stop shop, whereas the PRDS was previously spoke to The Sunday Morning in He said that the Government is determined to expected to both regulate and attract potential this regard, it has also been proposed to amend put an end to all forms of organised crimes and investors. In addition to the conflict of interest the MMDA to include female Quazis, stipulate crimes of a serious nature such as premeditated that this created, Ovitigama said that the current the minimum required educational qualifications murder, rape, abduction and kidnapping, functions of the Secretariat occur too slowly. for Quazis, and stipulate a maximum age limit extortion, drug trafficking, robbery, and even “With the introduction of a new act, we for Quazis. “Only a lawyer or a degree holder crimes done using technology. would have the necessary powers to manage of a recognised university can be a Quazi and Weerasekera said that individuals involved in this industry better, along with a board and a he or she should be below 65 years of age,” underworld activity who have illegal weapons committee of experts to oversee us. We would Peiris had further stated. in their possession would be given this grace not have to go up to the Cabinet for every small Minister of Justice, President’s Counsel period without any time limitation to hand them decision, thus allowing us to respond faster to M.U.M. Ali Sabry, also speaking to The Sunday over to the Police, but that the authorities will our investors,” said Ovitigama. Morning, had said that the Ministry will send take necessary actions against those who are not Commenting on the investment in fossil fuel the amendments to the Legal Draftsman once willing to hand over such weapons during this in Sri Lanka, Ovitigama said that there is great the Cabinet of Ministers approves them. ongoing grace period, and that the latter will interest among companies who are using the The need for reforms to the MMDA has been therefore have to face the consequences of such. Covid-19 period to reprocess data and plan at the forefront of the public discourse due to However, speaking to The Morning, new surveys in the island. the agitations from women’s rights groups and senior lecturer attached to the Department “That is happening without us spending a cent various efforts being made over the years to of Criminology and Criminal Justice of the The Cabinet of Ministers had on 18 January and incites hatred against the perpetrators of because they are absorbing the cost and they amend such. Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences decided to approve accepting sign language as a violence” and therefore is deemed harmful are confident that they can market it to the oil of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura Dr. recognised language and thereby had advised the to children. companies. There is activity but it is not very Neranji Wijewardana added that the lack of a Legal Draftsman to draft a bill designating sign Razmin added that they will be filing visible,” said Ovitigama. HC cases... strong system is an incentive for the escalation language as a formal means of communication a fundamental rights petition before the CEYPETCO Media Co-ordinator Ajith National Front-led “Yahapalana” regime, of underworld activity. to provide for the hearing impaired community Supreme Court in this regard, and Wilson Dharmapriya, when contacted by The Morning The Morning learnt. “The Minister has to get rid of his military in the country to access educational needs, legal Jayasekera noted that at present, the petition in this regard, said that while they were aware Speaking to The Morning, JVP MP Dr. Nalinda mentality and should consider this problem matters, health facilities, and government and is being drafted. Article 14 (1) (a) of the of the said plan, they are yet to learn as to how Jayatissa alleged that the PCoI was an attempt by practically,” said Wijewardana. private services. Constitution guarantees the freedom of speech it would impact them. the President to do away with cases filed against According to her, after the 1970s, the and expression including publication. Exploration for fossil fuel was initially handled certain persons, by appointing a commission to underworld emerged in this country due to the “This is completely anti-democratic and is a by CEYPETCO and done mostly onshore, in the correct acts of alleged political revenge. social, economic, and cultural environment. Defence counsel... death-blow to the freedom of expression and years preceding the dawn of the new millennium. “A large number of these cases have been “Social inequality is a reason for the emergence A team of counsel including President’s art. This is a continuation of attacks on artists Due to the years of conflict, the capability to do filed against those who have stolen public of separate groups. Young people are associated Counsel A.A.M. Illiyas and AALs Swasthika and writers who are critical of the society this reduced and the department handling the money. They can be acquitted after proving with the underworld. They do things by Arulingam, Jayantha Dehiattage, Sanjaya and the political system. Ahnaf is the latest explorations in CEYPETCO was shut down. their innocence in court. Instead of appearing impersonating heroes. Simple answers cannot Wilson Jayasekera, and Tharindu Rathnayake victim in a series of such arbitrary arrests and Eventually in 2003, under the existing act, the in court and proving their innocence, they are solve these problems. Therefore, educational appeared on behalf of Ahnaf. Although prosecutions involving a short story writer, a PRDS was set up. As a step forward, a new act being released through commissions. This is an empowerment is important in this regard,” Criminal Investigations Department (CID) and film director, a commentator and social media would be brought in to turn the PRDS into an anti-democratic act, as well as an insult to the opined Wijewardana. TID officers were present for the prosecution, activist, a lawyer, and journalists under this authoritative body, which would look into the judiciary. Our party is already in discussions “As social organisation is important in making there was no representation from the Attorney Government. The Police or the prosecutors new national oil and gas company. with democratic interest groups like civil lawyers policy decisions, suppressing the underworld is General’s Department yesterday. cannot understand literature and arbitrarily and scholars to form a discussion among the not easy. The country needs to make up for the The case was fixed for 24 February. arrest writers to impose fear and to subjugate community to stop this attempt,” claimed Dr. shortcomings in law enforcement. The law must Wilson Jayasekera, speaking to The critical thinking. These arrests and the whole Ports TUs... Jayatissa. be enforced until rehabilitation is completed. Morning, said that they would file an urgent campaign are directed at entrenching anti- Sri Lanka Ports Authority Chairman (Retd.) The JVP at a media briefing on 26 January Now the underworld is helping to dispel the motion in the interim, to make an application Muslim racism to divide the working people Gen. Daya Ratnayake told The Morning that a claimed that this cabinet memorandum has been fear of the law at a time when the law should and submissions, seeking the poet’s release and the masses along racial lines. All those work-to-rule campaign would consist of working submitted to take action on the report of the PCoI be enforced to find illegal outlaw groups,” she on several grounds. who value democratic rights and the freedom without corruption, efficiently, and on time. appointed by the President to investigate acts further claimed. “One of the grounds is for him to be of art should protest against this arrest and However, the discussions that are currently of alleged political revenge. The purpose of the Investigators, she alleged, are reluctant to produced before the Magistrate. The other is detention and demand the immediate and taking place regarding the ECT have not been cabinet memorandum is to obtain the approval fully engage in their work because there is no citing arbitrary arrest and detention, especially unconditional release of Ahnaf,” claimed concluded yet, and this trade union action has of the Parliament for the implementation of the proper security for them and therefore, security because the initial detention order had been Wilson Jayasekera, who is also the President not yet been communicated to the management, recommendations of the report submitted by is important for the armed forces in curbing signed by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in of the Action Committee for the Defence of he noted. the said PCoI. underworld activity. May 2020, when the 19th Amendment to the Freedom of Art and Expression. Ratnayake added that the trade union proposals JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva alleged: the Constitution was operative, under which The complaint lodged with the mobile that have been handed over to them are currently “This commission was appointed to acquit only the Minister of Defence could issue office of the Human Rights Commission of being considered as well. the Rajapaksa family and their relatives from SL standard... such. Another ground is that the Police have Sri Lanka (HRCSL) in Mannar by the family Trade union action has been consistently their cases. It is in accordance with these Speaking to The Morning, NCPA Chairman submitted incorrect facts to the court while of Ahnaf, has been transferred for inquiries initiated against the Government’s proposal to recommendations that 79 cases are to be Prof. Muditha Vidanapathirana said that they the final one is seeking a report containing to the HRCSL head office in Colombo. grant 49% of the shares of the ECT to the Indian removed, and those who filed cases are to be had written to the Ministry of Education, the a summary of the evidence.” Meanwhile, in opposition to the arbitrary conglomerate, the Adani Group of Companies. punished. This is a very serious situation.” Department of Social Services, and the National According to print and web media reports, arrest and detention of Ahnaf, the Sri Lanka According to Silva, although the impugned Institute of Education with regard to developing Ahnaf had been arrested on 16 May 2020, Young Journalists’ Association has also lodged acts are referred to as acts of political revenge, a standard for sign language. The NCPA has also while a detention order valid for three a complaint with the HRCSL seeking the Gender activists... these are not such cases. written to the University Grants Commission months had been issued under the hand of latter’s intervention. “Those above the age of 40 are presently “Decisions such as the current Government (UGC) in relation to offering a degree on the President, followed by detention orders recruited as Quazis and they will be in office transferring public officials for political reasons, disability studies at local universities, and the being extended subsequently. until they die, resign, or the appointments are suspending promotions, and suspending them Enable Lanka Foundation in connection with Speaking to The Morning, Afham R.M. Importers create... cancelled. Why are they rushing this? This are considered as acts of political revenge. the matter pertaining to educating the Police Razmin, Ahnaf’s elder sibling, based in Then they approach customs officials, wharf means that there won’t be any vacancies for However, these cases are cases filed in High on how to identify what he termed as invisible Pandaraweli, Silawathura, Mannar explained clerks and anyone else necessary to try to clear female Quazis in the future. Also, the only Court (HC) by, for example, the Commission to disabilities. that the CID had initially taken Ahnaf to their goods to their side for as less of a cost qualification to be a Quazi under the law as it Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption “This standard sign language, once developed, Vavuniya for questioning and subsequently as possible. Importers initiate this chain of exists at present is that they are males of good (CIABOC), or the Attorney General, subsequent can then be taught in special schools and in brought him back home, asked him to gather corruption,” he told The Morning recently. character. Why then are they expanding only to investigations conducted by recognised inclusive education and will help address some clothes and collected all his books, and He added that the importer does not mind the qualifications through a gazette to include institutions such as the Criminal Investigations problems faced in communication. On the other then took him away. He is presently in the how much of a commission they have to pay to educational and professional qualifications Department, the Police, or the CIABOC. hand, there are those who work with disabled custody of the TID. customs officials or any other party to cover up and thereby restructuring the system of this “When a PCoI intervenes to remove cases, the persons. Most only have diplomas on aspects According to Razmin, the reason for Ahnaf’s their wrongdoing because they can make that oppressive law, and not extending the same role of the judiciary is set aside, as it would be such as braille and sign language. However, arrest is that copies of a poetry collection up from the profits they make. with regard to the gender aspect too, in order incapacitated on the one hand, and humiliated there are no, for example, diplomas on sexual titled “Navarasam” authored and published “The importers have influenced the other to also include females?” and insulted on the other. High Courts will not health education in the case of disabled persons. in Tamil by him in July 2017, which the officials to be corrupt. No importer has been In a Gazette Notification issued on 1 accept cases unless there is a cause for action. Therefore, thinking of this issue holistically, we investigating law enforcement authorities sent to prison to date. They have not been held January, the JSC had called for applications The accepted cases have been pending for have proposed to the Chairman of the UGC to allege promotes Islamist extremism and accountable to this date. I plan to capture the for recruitment to the post of Quazi, for the areas several years. A PCoI recommends that they be look into developing and accrediting a degree terrorism, had been found on the premises of a importers. There is no other way to combat of Addalaichenai, Anuradhapura, Beruwala, removed. This is nothing like the trials conducted in this regard,” he noted. school (named School of Excellence) building the corruption in the system. We will hand Hambantota, Eravur, Hatton, Kegalle, Kinniya, by the country’s recognised institutions. The According to Prof. Vidanapathirana, the need in Madurankuliya, Puttalam, belonging to the over such cases to the Criminal Investigations Matara, Muttur, Nawalapitiya, Ninthavurpattu, independence of the judiciary and democracy to educate the Police with regard to understanding Save the Pearls organisation, the latter which Department,” he warned. Negombo, Oddamavadi, Polonnaruwa, is relevant for governance,” opined Silva. such invisible disabilities was demonstrated is linked to Hizbullah. Ahnaf along with other Ravipriya added that Customs officials who Pulmudai, Puttalam (including to cover the However, when The Morning contacted by an incident of child abuse reported from teachers had been conducting after-school have been charged with wrongdoing have been refugee population) and Chilaw, Ratnapura, Co-Cabinet Spokesman Dr. Ramesh Pathirana Aluthgama in May 2020. Here a 14-year-old tuition classes for village children at the said interdicted. Tangalle, Thumpane, Avissawella, Pottuvil, in this regard, he confirmed that only the boy who was clinically diagnosed as suffering building situated in the property owned by “About five junior officers and Customs Trincomalee, and Badulla, with the deadline recommendations of the PCoI to look into from the autism spectrum disorder and having Save the Pearls. The school in question is officers have been interdicted so far. Such a set as 31 January. political victimisation have been forwarded to the mental capacity of a six-year-old at the being investigated by the CID for allegedly number of officials had never been interdicted The basic qualifications were listed as being the Cabinet of Ministers. He added that further time, was accosted and assaulted by the Police promoting Islamist extremism and alleged before the Customs came under me. Crime a male Muslim over 40 years of age and a comments concerning the matter would be made and reportedly verbally abused by a judicial links to the Easter Sunday terror attacks. investigation units have begun investigations graduate from a recognised university or a during the week. medical officer. Subsequently, three policemen The first mention of Ahnaf’s Navarasam in a against them now.” Moulavi (qualified Islamic scholar) holding (a sub-inspector and a sergeant attached to legal setting, came up when the case connected During the “Gama Samaga Pilisandara” a certificate from an institution recognised by the Police Training School in Kalutara and a to Hizbullah was taken up in September 2020. programme held in Kalutara on 23 January, the the ministry in charge of the subject of Muslim ‘Grace period... constable attached to the Aluthgama Police) Following an order by the Colombo Fort President raised concerns that although he has Religious and Cultural Affairs or a holder of an “We already see a decrease in underworld were interdicted over their involvement in Magistrate’s Court, a particular literal, word- taken steps to make Maj. Gen. Ravipriya the Al-Alim certificate issued by the Department of activities. Some characters related to the the said incident, specifically for negligence, for-word sworn translation of the book had Head of Customs, the progress the President had Education or an attorney-at-law or a holder of underworld also came to visit me to inquire especially the failure to carry out their duties. been evaluated by child psychiatrists at the envisioned has not been achieved yet. other similar qualifications or a retired public about this grace period which I think is proof “We have therefore requested the Enable Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children on the He said that eliminating inefficiency in the servant who has held office in the staff grade. of its success,” claimed Weerasekera speaking Lanka Foundation to develop a brochure in basis that it had been circulated among minors, public service is one of the requests of the people Other qualifications were listed as being to The Morning. this regard, one which would contain pictures and a print media news report quoted the said and that several measures have been taken to physically fit and of good character and An indefinite grace period is currently in depicting such invisible disorders along with an report by the child psychiatrists as declaring eradicate corruption and inefficiency at the standing in the community and possessing place, 11 months after the end of the initially accompanying caption, that would help provide that some of the poems in the book “incites Customs, for example. The President said he is sound knowledge of muslim marriage and declared grace period in February, for all citizens, the Police with an understanding on how to violence, arouses sexual feelings, promotes determined to do away with such malpractices divorce and Islamic law. That the Quazi who including those involved in underworld activities, identify such disabilities. This brochure will suicide, glorifies death, talks of perceived by going to the extent of removing officials who is appointed should reside in the area to which to hand over illegally acquired weapons to the be distributed among the Police.” injustice against Muslims across the world, stand in the way of its success. 43 Thursday , January 28 , 2021 { NEWS }  www.themorning.lk Covishield to SL ‘Public health midwives today, vaccination tomorrow Senior Advisor to the President and understaffed and overburdened’ Presidential Task Force for Sri Lanka’s Covid-19 Vaccination Drive Head Lalith  Study highlights shortage of 4,500 field PHMs Weeratunga stated that Sri Lanka will receive the Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid- BY RUWAN LAKNATH JAYAKODY around 7% of staffing requirements or FTEs. around 400 per year over the last six years. 19 vaccine from India by 11 a.m. today At present, there is a shortage of around 4,500 field public health midwives (PHMs) Other care services i.e. family planning, well Even if retirement and attrition are totally (28) and that the vaccination process will in Sri Lanka, with the current service requirement being one PHM for a population of women clinics, and preconception care, are disregarded, it would still take around 11 commence tomorrow (29). 1,878, a research article noted recently. attributed to a relatively smaller proportion of years to produce the number needed to satisfy Weeratunga stated this at the media Therefore, immediate steps should be taken documentation and record keeping, taking the PHMs’ time. the current service needs, the researchers briefing held yesterday (27). to increase the number of field PHMs, who anthropometric measurements, conducting The researchers also found that based on the pointed out. Following a request made by President are considered the backbone of the primary tests, assisting medical examinations, giving current programme guidelines and assumed The main limiting factor for the reduced Gotabaya Rajapaksa from Indian health care system in Sri Lanka, the authors of tetanus injections and other vaccinations, 100% coverage of all target populations in intake of trainees is the lack of qualified Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the the article added. issuing supplies and further instructions, and need, the country will be requiring 11,622 applicants, they further noted. At present, to Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine This article titled “The burden of work and supporting and additional activities. PHMs. The estimated requirement of be selected to follow the PHM course, the manufactured by the Serum Institute of workload indicator-based staffing needs of Though PHMs were originally enrolled for 11,612, therefore, reflects the staff required candidate should be aged 18-30 years at the India will be brought to Sri Lanka today PHMs in the primary health care system in the provision of maternal and child care, for implementing direct patient-oriented time of the commencement of the training, and 500,000 vaccines will be received for Sri Lanka” was authored by M.D.K. De Silva their role has gradually broadened to include interventions, support activities, and additional while all candidates should be unmarried about 250,000 individuals. and N.I. Talagala (both attached to the Family family planning, school health, well woman activities. As there are only 7,087 field PHMs females with a minimum height of four feet Weeratunga further affirmed that the Health Bureau), P. Karthikeyan (attached to care, preconception care, elderly care, in the system, this gives rise to a PHM staff and 10 inches. Further, they should have World Health Organisation (WHO) has the Ministry of Health), and M.S. Rubasinghe noncommunicable disease prevention, and gap of 4,525 in relation to the work demand passed the General Certificate of Education given its approval to the said vaccine (attached to the Lady Ridgeway Hospital) and dengue prevention, among others. created by the existing programmes. The (GCE) Advanced Level (A/L) examination while the National Medicines Regulatory was published in the Journal of the College of The target population assigned to PHMs ratio of existing staff to the calculated staff in the bioscience stream, with a minimum of Authority (NMRA) has approved it as an Community Physicians of Sri Lanka recently. at their introduction – 3,000 people (600 requirement thus indicates a fairly significant three simple passes. Candidates should have emergency treatment for coronavirus. As part of the preventive care system, households) – has remained at the same level, staff gap at the national level. Further, the obtained four credit passes and have passed Vaccines will be transported to the cold groups of primary care workers provide without being revised based on the gradual analysis shows that the Western Province is in six subjects including English at the GCE storage of the Health Ministry and will be primary preventive, and promotive care to expansion of their scope of work. Further, having the largest staffing shortages compared Ordinary Level (O/L) examination in not stored in facilities covering all districts. families. This group, mainly comprising due to the increased population, the actual to other provinces. The ratio reported for the more than two sittings. A priority list of vaccine recipients has medical officers of health (MOHs), PHMs, target populations of many PHMs around Western Province indicates that the province Therefore, the authors suggested that in been put forth and it includes frontline and public health inspectors (PHIs) are the country exceed the normative levels. has only 40% of its estimated requirement. order to increase the intake of PHMs, it workers of the health sector, the armed attached to 343 islandwide MOH offices. The addition of new roles would also have The Eastern and Uva Provinces seem to have is timely for the authorities to change the forces, police personnel, airport staff, and Around 7,087 PHMs are employed in the considerably reduced their time available around 80% of their required PHM cadre entry requirements for PHMs. The Ministry those above the age of 60 years. field services. for maternal and child care activities, the based on the estimated requirement. The of Health should take steps to train at least The Indian High Commission informed The success of this system is evident authors noted. These factors are considered to current national norms for PHM employment 1,000 PHMs per year for a foreseeable via a press release that the consignment of through the country’s health indicators, such constrain the PHMs’ work time, giving rise require one PHM per a population of 3,000. period until the target amount is met, they 500,000 doses of the Indian Covishield as low maternal mortality (33.8 per 100,000 to task abandonment and the reduction in the However, findings of this study show that at further recommended. In order to achieve this vaccine will be transported, packed in live births), neonatal mortality (5.6 per 1,000 quality of care. least one PHM is required per a population objective, not only should the recruitment tailor-made boxes, in a special Air India live births) and infant mortality (eight per Many stakeholders are of the view that of 1,878 (21,803,000/11,612) to meet the criteria be changed but the training facilities flight today. The stock will be ceremonially 1,000 live births) which are among the lowest staffing requirements or full-time equivalents current service demands. Sri Lanka needs to should be expanded. One possible approach, handed over by Indian High Commissioner figures in the Asian region. (FTEs) of the existing PHMs cadre in the increase the number of PHMs by 64% to meet they propose, would be to select from any Gopal Baglay at the Bandaranaike Among primary care workers, the PHMs primary health care system is not adequate for the current needs. On the other hand, with stream at the GCE A/L examination. Though International Airport (BIA). can be considered to play the most crucial performing all the tasks assigned to them. the existing number of field PHMs (7,087), it in the recent past this approach has been Weeratunga further stated that the role as the grassroots-level contact for people In this study, 277 PHMs were selected would be a near impossible task to provide the adopted for certain districts/provinces through Government is expecting a donation of and are primarily responsible for providing using a multi-stage random cluster sampling services expected from them. cabinet papers, this, the researchers noted, has 300,000 doses of the Chinese-manufactured maternal and child care. Components of method, from 16 MOH areas in four Whether the current health system is able to been done in an ad hoc manner. Moreover, Sinopharm Covid-19 vaccine in the near the field PHMs’ workload, also known as provincial health directorates. PHMs have train the required number in the short run is a they add that the recruitment of applicants future and that at the request of President interventions to be performed, are related seven hours of work per day. serious concern, the authors noted. from any GCE A/L stream should be Rajapaksa, the Russian Sputnik V vaccine to maternal and newborn care, child care The analysis of the time requirements of The total training duration of PHMs is expanded to the entire country and continued will be brought to Sri Lanka as a donation. (child development and other early child care various programme-related interventions 18 months where basic training of one-year as a policy. The Ministry of Health is currently The Sri Lankan Government has ordered interventions), nutrition, immunisation, other indicated that the major share of PHMs’ duration is carried out at the provincial discussing this issue with the Public Service two to three million doses of the Oxford- child care, family planning, well women time is utilised by maternal and newborn nursing training schools. Considering all the Commission in order to change the scheme AstraZeneca vaccine from the manufacturer, care, and premarital care programmes, and programmes (45%) and child care available training schools, the maximum of requirement. However, according to the the Serum Institute of India, which is to be includes providing services for pregnant programmes (45%). Nutrition-related total training capacity is about 800 per batch. authors, science stream students may be given received in the near future. women in antenatal clinics, clinic preparation, activities conducted in the field consumed However, the production of PHMs has been first preference. 4 „„ www.themorning.lk { INTERVIEW/INSIGHT } Thursday, January 28, 2021

we have to put the proper systems across other bodies such as the Sri in place too. This is a huge task. I Lanka Standards Institution (SLSI), think that we would be able to see a National Medicines Regulatory lot of changes in about four to five Authority (NMRA), and National months. Plant Quarantine Service. This will ‘No point changing drastically reduce the use of paper, Have you taken any action changing the age-old system, and it against individual officials will increase the efficiency. to rid Sri Lanka Customs of This is also good for national corruption? security. Not all government Yes, about five junior officers institutions are using the latest officials without and customs officers have been technology. We have introduced interdicted so far. Such a number of an automated system for air-cargo officials had never been interdicted that comes to the island as well. before the customs came under Automation of courier processes me. Crime investigation units have are being discussed as well. Sri begun investigations against them Lanka Customs has joined with changing system’ now. The aim of trade is to make the Department of Motor Traffic higher profits. So, to do that, the to send information of vehicles for importers use all the tricks they registration through an automated zCustoms DG responds to President’s corruption criticism have up their sleeves. system. We also intend to automate One of the main things importers the duty-free shop system. do is undervaluation, where they Automated systems leave less

undervalue the price of the goods room for corruption, as decisions When there is such pressure, it is that are to be imported. Then they won’t be made by people. The natural for anyone to say such approach customs officials, wharf moment we introduce automated things. I didn’t worry about it too clerks, and anyone else necessary systems, people find that they much. If you are clean, there is to try to clear their goods for as cannot make the gains that they nothing else to worry about. It is the less of a cost as possible. Importers used to make through Customs, corrupt individuals that should be initiate this chain of corruption. such as commissions. So, we have worried The importer does not mind how to move forward steadily and much of a commission they have firmly. Why was the President not to pay to Customs officials or satisfied with Sri Lanka Customs any other party to cover up their What are the challenges faced and your progress? wrongdoing, because they can earn when automating the system and When the Government makes all of that from the profits they moving towards the “National policy decisions, people expect the make. Single Window”? changes to be made immediately. The importers have influenced Though we have adapted to this The Opposition, though they may the other officials to be corrupt. No automated system, if the banking understand the difficulties, will importer has been sent to prison system and other state entities that be pressurising the Government. to date. They have not been held work with us have not adapted to When there is such pressure, it accountable to this date. I plan to it, then we have to deal with some is natural for anyone to say such capture the importers. There is no of these people in person. Private things. I didn’t worry about it other way to combat the corruption banks that work with us do not too much. If you are clean, there in the system. We will hand have these systems in place, and is nothing else to worry about. over such cases to the Criminal the SLIS too needs such a system. It is the corrupt individuals that Investigations Department. Sri Lanka Customs partners with should be worried. We can’t do other stakeholders in the “National those things immediately, it takes What are these systematic Single Window” to be connected time. Corruption is deeply rooted changes that you are hoping and share information, and that in the system and some officials to bring in, and how will they system will not be a success if are greedy for money. We have address these problems? all the partners do not have the introduced many systems; the The system has functioned this infrastructure. So we have also changes will take place gradually. way for about 160 years. There is started to write to the Treasury, When the President said that the no point in changing the individual requesting them to facilitate the essential changes that need to be officials, as this age-old system institutions without the necessary made to rid Sri Lanka Customs of would still remain unchanged. infrastructure to develop their corruption and bring in efficiency Therefore, we have begun putting systems. have not been made yet, he was automated systems in place so that referring to the large systematic people don’t have to physically be What has Sri Lanka Customs changes. As per the vision of present at the Customs office to get achieved in 2020? the President, I will be doing their work done. We did not close down Customs Sri Lanka Customs Director General Maj. Gen. (Retd.) Vijitha Ravipriya everything necessary to meet those In four or five months, the Sri throughout 2020. As Covid-19 ends. But we won’t see immediate Lanka Customs automated system broke out in March 2020, we BY HIRANYADA DEWASIRI results. We can’t take stern action will be fully functional. It has made automated our systems and reduced Last weekend, Sri Lanka Customs came under the spotlight as at once. Even the President is 75% progress now. The system the number of civil persons visiting President Gotabaya Rajapaksa singled out the institution for not allowing the system to progress will reduce in-person interaction, our offices and enabled them to having tackled corruption and inefficiency to a satisfactory level. slowly now, because these systems and since decisions will be made work online. We were able to Though he appointed a retired Major General as its Director General, have been this way for years, through automation, there will be reduce the regular daily visitation the President expressed that the changes he envisioned for Sri and things cannot be changed less opportunities for bribes to be of about 300 wharf clerks to 100. Lanka Customs had not taken place to the extent that he had hoped. overnight. solicited. We earned the revenue we had Therefore, The Morning spoke to Sri Lanka Customs Director General The changes have to be made This system will later be planned to earn for the Government Maj. Gen. (Retd.) Vijitha Ravipriya, to inquire about his response to very carefully. Customs needs connected to the “National Single in 2020, while there were import this criticism, the steps he is taking to address these issues, and the to generate an income for the Window”, which is an automated restrictions for vehicles, the highest way forward for the institution under his leadership. Government. But at the same time, system that shares information tax generator. Sri Lanka can achieve Sex education greener, prosperous future

BY ANDREW ZAKHARENKA Department and Department of landscape restoration. Sri Lanka should cover online Wildlife Conservation, with support pledged to restore about 200,000 Farmers, hoteliers and homestay from the World Bank’s Ecosystem hectares of forest landscapes owners, fishermen, producers of the Conservation and Management under the framework of the Bonn famous Kantale milk curd, Ayurveda Project (ESCAMP) is seeking new Convention and aims to increase expression: CPA healers, fruit growers, developers, approaches to manage its land and the forest area to 31% of the privacy transgressed by the State as Authority for the Protection of Victims safari jeep drivers, local dwellers natural resources better. island. IUFRO contributed to the BY RUWAN LAKNATH JAYAKODY well as the recognition of the duty of of Crime and Witnesses, as a weak – all derive their livelihoods from Over the last two years, a group restoration goals by funding this Sex education, if introduced to the the State to take proactive steps to scheme would make victims of online the shared natural resources offered of scientists and practitioners led training that equipped over 40 school curriculum in a comprehensive ensure that the privacy of its citizens sexual violence hesitant to come by the Hurulu-Kaudulla-Kantale by ESCAMP has collaborated practitioners with knowledge and manner, should have a specialised is not violated by any other citizen, forward. (HKK) landscape. with local communities and practices of restoration techniques focus on sexual expression taking place and to take appropriate remedial steps The establishment of a specialised Located in the North East of businesses to restore forests and last month. online, and cover the associated risks where it is. online sexual violence unit within Sri Lanka and home to 650,000 habitats, increase the productivity Just like pieces of a puzzle and dangers and the steps required to Another related reform was the Police Cyber Crime Unit was people, the bountiful area stretches of rangelands, alleviate the human- become a full picture, integrating protect privacy online, the Centre for to amend the Code of Criminal also proposed by Wikramanayake, over the lower catchment of the elephant conflict, mitigate pollution, economic activities – grazing and Policy Alternatives (CPA) said. Procedure to protect a victim’s who further noted that the said unit Mahaweli River in Anuradhapura, and generate new livelihood farming, hydropower generation, or This recommendation was made in privacy during investigations and must be trained in the skills needed Polonnaruwa, and Trincomalee opportunities for residents. nature-based tourism – within the a report authored by researcher Khyati trial, by allowing for evidence of to carry out investigations relating Districts, and embodies over This is no trivial task, considering ecological bounds of a watershed Wikramanayake and published recently sexually explicit images or videos to to online sexual violence offences, 2,500 years of cultural and natural the multiple and often conflicting will help restore natural resources by the civil society organisation CPA, be led in-camera, and for the same not given sensitivity training with an heritage. economic and political interests and generate additional socio- urging for legal reforms to combat to be stored in the court record except understanding of the psychological As one of Sri Lanka’s highest over land and its resources. But economic benefits. Countries sexual and gender-based violence, where necessary (and even then, with impact sexual violence can have on paddy, vegetable, and fruit- work is underway. like China, Ethiopia, Costa Rica, specifically online sexual violence. proper privacy guaranteed), as the a victim, provided with the capacity producing regions, the area A landscape management plan Sweden, Peru, Thailand, Zambia, This, Wikramanayake noted, would same may be accessible, lawfully to investigate offences regardless of contributes to the national economy prepared by the group has identified and others have demonstrated that allow young persons, particularly or unlawfully, by court officials, the specific geographical location, be and food security. The landscape key natural resources and ecosystem such an integrated approach to land girls, to identify and address unhealthy lawyers, and the media. made easily accessible, use properly is rich and diverse biologically, services provided by the landscape use works better for the environment and criminal behaviour such as being Wikramanayake also suggested trained staff, and maintain in-person, with 270,000 hectares of famous to the economy, outlined main and people. pressured or coerced into sharing that criminal laws be drafted using telephone, and online access points protected areas and national parks. threats to longer-term prospects, and Rebuilding resilient and green intimate images and videos by technologically neutral language so where victims can lodge complaints But the region has been under identified main economic sectors economies in the wake of Covid- their partners or other persons, and as to be capable of encompassing easily, trilingually, and without fear threat in the past few decades. and stakeholders that can work 19 is challenging, especially at importantly, on how to navigate their novel scenarios that may arise as the of their privacy being violated. Human population growth, and together. It advocates for imbedding the initial stages. But Sri Lanka sexuality safely in the context of the technology evolves and advances, Also, the provision of counselling degraded and fragmented habitats a more integrated decision making is well-positioned to put the digital world. and for them to be reviewed and and mental health services through have pushed elephants and other into Sri Lanka’s Government and pieces of the puzzle together and Of the constitutional and legislative updated regularly as a state policy, state-facilitated public healthcare to animals into conflict with local institutions managing the HKK secure a more prosperous and reforms proposed in order to bring in at regular intervals, in order to assess persons who have been victims of dwellers; rain patterns are more landscape. A co-ordinating body, safer future. wider reforms which are necessary the operation of existing criminal online sexual violence was suggested erratic because of climate change; robust sectoral information, (The writer is a Natural for effective laws on online sexual provisions, and also to prevent by way of the adequate training agrochemicals, plastic, and waste resolution of conflicting interests, Resources Management violence, one was to constitutionally laws from becoming antiquated. of existing and new counselling pollute the land, rivers, and the and government incentives to Specialist. This blog is part recognise the Right to Privacy as It was also recommended that the professionals and interfacing with ocean. collaborate are being proposed for of a series of discussions and a part of the Fundamental Rights existing victim and witness protection nongovernmental counselling At the same time, traditional this purpose. activities organised by the World Chapter of the Constitution, which scheme be strengthened by addressing services (private or nongovernmental knowledge and land-use practices The International Union of Forest Bank South Asia Environment, should also necessarily include the the inadequacies, including with organisations which are counselling are lost and replaced with more Research Organisations (IUFRO) Natural Resources, and Blue right of a person not to have their regard to enforcement, in the National providers), for easy accessibility. commercial applications. and the Forest Department initiated Economy team to inform a In that context, Sri Lanka’s Forest a practical training on forest Green recovery in the region) 5 Thursday, January 28, 2021 { SPOTLIGHT } „„ www.themorning.lk

No country for old folk Do we care enough for our elderly? BY SUMUDU CHAMARA and Covid Disease Control, includes promoting connection, where she reviewed the affairs of Respecting and ensuring the wellbeing of the elderly population, or the senior citizens, is a elderly care at their homes, within their families. the National Secretariat for Elders, which comes quality highly admired in Sri Lanka’s culture and in the South Asian region. Senior citizens, The Ministry’s attention has also been paid to under the purview of her State Ministry. who contributed not only to lay a strong foundation for what we have built today, are in fact expediting the payment of the elders’ allowance, He added: “Currently, only two elderly care the makers of our generation. How we look after and look up to our elders, sets an example another issue pointed out by Kannangara. facilities operate under the direct supervision for our next generation, and this cycle continues. Speaking further, Kannangara said that the of the Government, one in Gampaha and the Social workers’ opinion authorities must devise more effective plans to other in Kataragama. The State Ministry has It was reported recently that Sri Lanka’s strengthen the state-managed support systems also planned to increase and repair the facilities growing elderly population is facing difficulties According to HelpAge Sri Lanka, a for the elderly population, even though they are available at these establishments, taking into due to the lack of facilities to cater to their needs, nongovernmental organisation working to limited. He suggested that the authorities must account their current situation.” especially elderly care facilities. This is a cause improve the quality of life of senior citizens in work in collaboration with various grassroot- According to Jayawardena, the State Ministry for concern due to two reasons, namely, the fact Sri Lanka, support systems available for the level associations/groups for the elderly and is also set to look into amending the Protection that this suggests that Sri Lanka as a nation is on elderly population in Sri Lanka, in particular thereby understand the issues faced by the of the Rights of Elders Act, to monitor and the verge of giving up on its senior citizens to the those who do not have any form of income and/ elderly. He also said: “It is not advisable to regulate the operations of elderly care facilities extent that the elderly care facilities have reached or relatives who are willing to take care of them depend on the private sector-managed support owned and/or run by nongovernmental their capacity, and also that the authorities have in their old age, is not nearly sufficient. systems for the elderly. organisations, the private sector, and charities, failed to upgrade and increase the facilities for HelpAge Sri Lanka Communications Manager What it needs is a long-term solution, with the objective of ensuring that their them, despite it being a pressing issue. Ananda Kannangara told The Morning that most especially due to the fact that Sri Lanka’s elderly services are up to the prescribed standards and The State Ministry of Primary Healthcare, of the elderly do not have a source of income, population, like in any other country, is on an addressing problematic situations that arise at Epidemics, and Covid Disease Control recently and that of those who have some form of source upward trajectory.” these facilities. said that the Ministry has paid attention to taking of income, the majority does not earn enough to “Among other initiatives the State Ministry a number of steps in a bid to assist the country’s support themselves. This situation, in turn, has Elderly care facilities is to take are expediting the efficiency of growing elderly population, with a focus on caused a myriad of issues including their inability To look into the ground realities of elderly several programmes for the elderly, such as the ensuring their protection and wellbeing within to obtain food, medicine, and accommodation care facilities and homes for elders against committees for the elderly, the Suwa Sahana their family units. The Ministry also said that facilities to meet their needs. “Around 40-50% the backdrop of the Covid-19 pandemic, The programme, identity cards, and allowances these steps are being taken, taking into account of Sri Lanka’s elderly population is destitute,” Morning spoke to several such establishments. for the adults,” Jayawardena said, adding that Sri Lanka’s rapidly growing elderly population’s he stressed, explaining that HelpAge Sri Lanka An elderly care facility located in Piliyandala, currently, there are 11,935 committees for the needs, their access to satisfactory services, and the has seen a high prevalence of poverty among said that changes in that facility’s operations, elderly. The State Ministry will further look into provision of protection in their old age. elders living in rural areas of Sri Lanka including adopted in accordance with public health encouraging and giving facilities to the elderly to In a related development, the State Ministry but not limited to Polonnaruwa, Anuradhapura, inspectors’ instructions issued due to the Covid- start self-employment projects, improve sanitary had earlier announced that the elderly population Mannar, Galle, and Hambantota, which is a 19 pandemic, have adversely affected the day-to- facilities, and increase the medical services would be given priority when implementing cause for concern. According to Kannangara, day activities of elders living there. available for the country’s elderly population. the first stage of the Covid-19 vaccination the Covid-19 pandemic has affected the elderly This facility’s co-secretary told The Morning Moreover, digitalising the existing systems programme, which is due to commence this population in two ways, i.e. loss of source of that they have had to completely curtail pertaining to the services provided to the elderly week, taking into account that they have been income due to Covid-19-related developments visitations and permission for adults to go out, population is also on the cards, Jayawardena said, identified as one of the populations that is prone to such as lockdowns and restrictions concerning in order to prevent any risks of Covid-19 being adding that this move will address the difficulties contracting Covid-19. social interactions, as well as health concerns transmitted to the elders living at the facility faced by the elderly when obtaining services, due to the elderly having been identified as a from outsiders. As a result, food donations to especially from public institutions. Situation in the Western Province population more prone to contracting Covid-19. this facility have also declined, which in turn The lack of facilities at homes or elderly care The Morning recently reported that inadequate Adding that the authorities should pay more compels its administration to prepare their own facilities are not the only issues faced by Sri physical and human resources in elderly care attention to these issues, he further noted that food. Lanka’s elderly/ageing population, and addressing facilities in the Western Province has adversely even though the existing policies and procedures Also speaking to The Morning, another only this issue will not help them sufficiently. On affected the elderly population in the province concerning the country’s elderly population are elderly care facility said that another issue the one hand, there is a need and room to use their when it came to obtaining these care services. sufficient to assist them, the implementation caused by these new developments is the skills and time for a greater cause, and on the other To make matters worse, it was also reported of those is not up to a satisfactory level. He decreased diversity of activities for adults hand, other issues associated with their situation, that Covid-19 cases have also been reported in also lamented that these factors have rendered to interact with outsiders or visitors. A mainly poverty and the declining health status, also elderly care facilities, despite the precautionary the elderly population unable to achieve any spokesperson for this facility added that need to be addressed. These new developments tell measures taken by the health authorities and the considerable progress in their old age, even various activities with those visiting the elders, us one thing, i.e. even though there is a delay on the administrations of the elderly care facilities, which though it is possible with proper assistance and especially the ones that help them socialise, authorities’ part in properly looking into the issues includes limiting visitations to these facilities. care. have declined, leaving its residents with only faced by Sri Lanka’s elderly population, they are Department of Social Services of the Western Responding to a question raised as to what a limited number of options to interact among now all set to address these issues. Province Director Chandima Dissanayake type of issues can be named as the most pressing themselves. He also said that even though there One might feel that this issue has more to do with had earlier told The Morning that the elderly ones caused by poverty and/or the lack of are elders waiting in the waiting list to get the society’s inability and/or unwillingness to treat population in the Western Province has grown financial stability among the country’s elderly enrolled in the said establishment, they are not its senior citizens with dignity and care, but, at the rapidly in the past several decades, which has population, Kannangara said that in addition to in a position to accept them due to Covid-19- same time, factors beyond that, such as poverty resulted in resources available to take care of them the lack of access to basic needs, poverty has also related concerns. Adding that the majority of the and health reasons, may also cause people to seek being exhausted. She further added that these taken its toll on the mental health of the elderly elders living there were over 70 years of age, the services of elderly care facilities for the senior services and facilities have not been developed population. He added that suicides have also he expressed concerns about their health and members of their families. adequately to cater to the needs of the growing been reported, which are believed to have been safety, if outsiders were allowed into the facility. Even though promoting elderly care at their elderly population who are in need of these care caused due to poverty, among other reasons. own homes, as suggested by the State Ministry, is a services. Speaking of the concept of elderly care facilities, Authorities’ response long-term solution, the country should be prepared According to Dissanayake, out of the 91 also known as elderly homes, he added that it is The Morning, in a bid to obtain information to meet the needs of the elderly currently living in elderly care facilities located in the Western not advisable to promote elderly homes, and that with regard to the future actions planned by elderly care facilities and those who will have to Province, 90 are managed by the private sector, the authorities should instead look into ways to the authorities, spoke to State Ministry of seek their assistance due to inevitable reasons in the and owing to this situation, there is now a need encourage their children to take care of them. Primary Healthcare, Epidemics, and Covid future. for more elderly care facilities. Furthermore, However, this particular sentiment of Disease Control Media Secretary Thusitha What our responsibility is, as citizens who will she noted that her institution receives around Kannangara appears to be already on the cards. Jayawardena, who said that a discussion, led by one day become the country’s elderly population as 12 requests a month seeking elderly home- The new initiatives announced by the State the State Minister for the subject Dr. Sudarshini we grow old, is to ensure that the elderly population based care. Ministry of Primary Healthcare, Epidemics, Fernandopulle, was held recently in this is treated with respect and dignity. 6 „„ www.themorning.lk { EDITORIAL/VIEWS } Thursday, January 28, 2021

introduction of the virus to animal BY DR. DILSHAN populations also plays a key role in ANTHONY FERNANDO limiting mutations. The PTA Even though the new strains are not found to be increasing the severity of the disease, the increase in rate of transmission itself will result in tightrope increasing the number of cases, which will increase the burden on healthcare The evolution workers and use up more and more According to a joint press release put resources. out by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs The global research community and the EU, the Government of Sri Lanka in collaboration with the WHO is (GoSL) has on Monday (25) confirmed vigilantly monitoring for new strains to the EU its intent on revisiting the of Covid-19. A virtual forum hosted of a virus by the WHO saw 1,750 experts from provisions of the Prevention of Terrorism z A new Covid variant discovered in SL: Why is it mutating? (Temporary Provisions) Act (PTA), 124 countries collaborating to share with a view to making the appropriate early stages, type “L” and “S”. These knowledge and expertise on emerging two variants only had very minute Covid-19 variants and possible amendments. changes. It is believed that type “S” measures to expedite and expand This confirmation came when the came first but type “L” was more countermeasures. EU reiterated the need for Sri Lanka common. Can it evolve further? to amend the PTA, and to bring it in New strains of the virus line with international standards, at the The question arises whether the 23rd meeting of the EU-Sri Lanka Joint In analysing the Covid-19 virus, the Covid-19 virus can further evolve. Commission held on 25 January, via video initial virus which started spreading As explained before, as long as in Wuhan is not what’s predominantly the virus keeps transmitting and conference. spreading globally currently. In replicating in host cells, the potential This news would be received by human February 2020, the D614G mutation for further mutations remain, but rights activists with either excitement emerged in European clusters and thus far, the mutations have not or skepticism, or a mix of both. This emerged as a dominant form. caused any difference in how the Government appears one of the least likely Studies on this mutation showed coronavirus behaves. in recent memory to amend the PTA – that compared to the initial virus Studies show that new variants considering that it was swept into power strain in Wuhan, the D614G form had of Covid-19 surface almost every an increased transmission rate but it week, but the majority of them have following the devastation caused by the did not cause a more severe illness no major changes and fizzle out after Easter Sunday attacks with a mandate Epidemiology Unit Chief Epidemiologist Dr. Sudath Samaraweera nor did it affect the effectiveness of a while to ensure national security. That is not recently reported to local media that an individual who arrived from the diagnostics and therapeutics. to say that any amendments to the PTA UK was found to be positive with the new variant of Covid-19. Then on Two other mutations were Will the vaccine be effective would weaken national security, but optics Wednesday (26), it was reported that a new variant of Covid-19 (B.1.258 identified in Europe, the “A222V” against the new variants? are important. The Government would lineage), which is different from other variants of the virus previously which spread across Spain and The million-dollar question in not want its primarily Sinhala Buddhist identified in Sri Lanka, was found in the island. The Department another strain coined “cluster 5” the current context is whether the base to view it as weak and giving in of Immunology and Molecular Medicine of the University of Sri which was found in Denmark, emerging Covid-19 vaccines will Jayewardenepura said that this new variant of Covid-19 bears similarities associated with mink farmers. be effective against these new to the demands of the West, which is to the variants of Covid-19 that has spread in European countries such as In December 2020, it was reported viral strains. Research done thus generally perceived by this base to be Denmark, Iceland, Switzerland, Germany, and the UK. from the UK about a new variant of far suggests that vaccines will be conspirators and hypocrites with regard to Covid-19 coined as SARS-CoV-2 effective. However, all the leading its interference in the domestic affairs of Currently, as it stands, the Covid- entering the human cells. However, VOC 202012/01 (Variant of Concern, vaccines develop an immune response less wealthy or influential nations while 19-infected number has surpassed 100 a virus which has mutated and has year 2020, month 12, variant 1). This to the protein spike of the virus, the turning a blind eye to the wrongdoings of million globally with over 2.15 million a slightly different structure to the variant initially appeared in Southeast structure which has been mutating. powerful and allied nations. deaths. In Sri Lanka, the number of pre-existing virus has an advantage in England, but how and where it Vaccines train the immune system infected persons is more than 60,000, the fact that no antibodies have been originated is unclear. By the end of to attack several different parts of Under the PTA, which these Western with more than 290 deaths. developed to that particular structural 2020 this variant was predominantly the virus, so even though part of powers see as being one of the main Initially discovered in the Wuhan anomaly which has been caused in found across England through testing. the spike has mutated, the vaccines tools used to perpetrate human rights Province in China in November the mutation. Many of the mutations This variant has since been reported should still work. violations in Sri Lanka, any suspect can be 2019, the virus has since caused in the viruses over time cause in other countries, including one However, further mutations may placed in detention – without charge and considerable damage to humanity and changes in structure of the outer reported case in Srilanka. As of 30 potentially lead down a path for without being produced before a judge. has turned our lifestyles upside down surface of the virus December, the VOC-202012/01 “vaccine escape” which would mean The detention order can be renewed for a and forced us to get used to a “new variant has been reported in 31 other the vaccines would be redundant normal”. However, the worst may not Viral mutation leading countries, territories, and areas in five against the virus. Vaccine escape further 90 days, and continue to be renewed be over yet as news comes in from to new strains of the six WHO regions. happens when the virus changes so it for up to 18 months. In fact, it is under around the globe about these different Viruses have genetic material called Researchers estimate that the dodges the full effect of the vaccine the PTA that lawyer and activist Hejaaz new strains of Covid-19. RNA (ribonucleic acid) which is transmissibility of this strain could and continues to infect people. Hizbullah is currently serving a detention Why do viruses evolve and similar to DNA. When a virus infects be up to 70% more. In this mutation, How can we contribute order for allegedly aiding and abetting the a host cell, they attach to the cells and the changes have been on the spike what are the implications? infiltrate them and make copies of protein on the virus, which the Covid- to stop the emergence of Easter Sunday bombers, and for engaging new strains? in activities deemed detrimental to Covid-19 belongs to a family of their RNA in their efforts to replicate 19 vaccines target. However, the religious harmony among communities. viruses known as Coronaviridae, and spread. vaccines produce antibodies against The primary thing to stop new which gets its name from the crown- When viruses replicate in a host many parts of the spike proteins on the mutations is to stem the spread of Any meaningful amendment of the like appearances of these viruses there are “copying errors” which surface of the virus, thus one mutation the virus. As mentioned earlier, the PTA may be met with opposition by the caused by the spike proteins on cause mutations of the viruses in is unlikely to reduce the effectiveness more the virus replicates, the more Government’s own supporters, much like the surface of the virus. Human the structure of the virus, leading to of the vaccine. chance that mutations occur. Looking they have reacted to the planned offering of coronaviruses belong to the order differences in their behavior as well. Other countries Such as South at the public trends in Sri Lanka even a stake of up to a maximum of 49% in the Nidovirales, the family Coronaviridae, The term “viral mutations” may Africa and Nigeria have reported new though we are learning to adapt to the East Container Terminal of the Colombo and the subfamily Coronavirinae, strike fear among many. However, it is strains of the virus, which are found to “new normal”, it cannot be “business Port to an Indian entity, which is most according to scientific nomenclature. important to understand that many of be more transmissible than the earlier as usual”. Strict discipline needs to be These viruses cause mild to severe these mutations are minute and do not viral strains, but, similar to the UK maintained in wearing facemasks and likely to be the ports giant Adani Group. respiratory symptoms. necessarily cause increased virulence variant, these do not make the illness social distancing. Public gatherings It will be interesting to watch how the Coronaviruses are usually spherical or transmissibility of the virus or cause worse. Centres for Disease Control need to be minimised, which Government maneuvers this tricky process, in shape and are enveloped by an more severe reactions in the patients. and Prevention (CDC) reports that doesn’t appear to be happening in a if it actually has any intention of amending outer covering of spike glycol-protein Some mutations actually may diminish the UK variant and the South African satisfactory manner. the PTA to the satisfaction of the European projections, which give it the crown- the effects of the virus. Hearteningly, variant are not linked to one another. In an attempt at reviving the tourism Union and other Western multilateral like appearance, and is called the studies show that the Covid-19 viral What do we know about the sector of Sri Lanka after keeping our bodies or nations. solar corona. mutation rate is slower compared to borders closed to tourists for nearly Similar to humans, plants, and all other RNA viruses similar to it. new mutations? nine months, Sri Lanka has opened its With the issue around the cremation of other living organisms, viruses are However, it should be understood Studies thus far show 17 important borders for tourists, with a maximum Muslim Covid-19 deceased refusing to subject to the evolutionary process that Covid-19 is a relatively new alterations in the Covid-19 virus, of 2,500 tourists permitted to enter die down, and in fact appearing to gather of “natural selection”. Even though virus infecting humans, and scientists out of which N501Y alters the each day. In light of this decision, it steam, the last thing the Government now viruses on their own are not living and doctors are still studying the full most important part of the spike is even more important that we stay needs is another demand from the Western organisms, they require a living host length and breadth of its behaviour. protein, called the receptor-binding extra vigilant against both old and new powers that it is incompatible with the to replicate in. Earlier coronavirus strains domain, which attaches to the host strains of the virus, because ultimately wishes of the majority of its voter base. The host’s immune system employs human cell and results in antibody it is our own selves that need to come Add to the mix a return to the America various mechanisms to evade or fight Even at the earliest stages of production. Any changes in the together to defeat Covid-19. the viruses, while the viruses evolve detection in 2019, researchers believed receptor-binding domain tends to (The writer is a medical officer of old under Joe Biden which is focused in certain ways to evade the immune that there was more than one strain of give an edge to the virus. currently attached to a government on human rights, democracy, the rule of mechanisms in fulfilling its objectives the virus. This theory about different Studies done by the University of hospital. His experience spans law and minority rights (if these are not to replicate itself more and spread. strains of the new coronavirus came Cambridge suggests that this mutation across the medical profession as standing in the way of their own interests, In the evolutionary process of from a study in China. The researchers increases infectivity by twofold a medical practitioner, and across of course), the Government truly has its viruses, the characteristics that were studying the structure of according to laboratory studies. the pharmaceutical and surgical work cut out and a delicate balancing act to increase its virulence tend to be coronaviruses in animals and human The virus mutation potential equipment industry. He also pull off. carried forward and characteristics that beings; samples from 103 humans increases with the increase in possesses an MBA and a Diploma tend to diminish the virulence are lost. were studied, and it appeared that frequency of human and animal in Economics. Having represented However, with the economy in the state When humans develop immunity to the samples from humans were not infections, thus stemming the infection his university rugby team in it is in and massive debt repayments a virus, they develop antibodies to that identical to each other. of the virus is extremely important in international tournaments, he looming large, the day will not be too far virus which usually attach to the outer On further studies, two different limiting the number of new mutations also has a special interest in sports away when the Government will have surface of a virus and prevent it from types of viruses were classified in the occurring in Covid-19. Avoiding the medicine) to pick between domestic popularity or international acceptance. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

people attending a wedding will be from Number of attendees approved flawed? various localities, making the coronavirus No 91, Wijerama Mawatha, spread more likely! The health authorities because of behind this decision to grant approval 3. Sitting at the dinner table – one-metre I hope that the health authorities Colombo 7. the Covid-19 pandemic have allowed for the above number of attendees for distance not feasible. responsible will increase the number of Fax - 011 2 673 441 a maximum of only 50 devotees for the respective functions. 4. Most of the time guests will be sans devotees for prayers to 200 at least for congregational prayers (Jumu’ah and In respect of wedding ceremonies, masks in order to consume the drinks the above reasons. Moreover, according General - 011 5 200 900 other prayers), whereas approval has there will definitely be a breach of health and food served. to one of the companions of the Prophet, been granted for 200 invitees at wedding guidelines regarding the “DReAM” 5. Consumption of liquor (making the Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with Sales & Marketing - 076 1367612 functions. This should be the other way (Distancing, Respiratory etiquette, Aseptic people less immune to Covid-19). them) reported: “The Messenger of Allah Circulation Manager round. I presume the health authorities techniques, Mask) concept which we are 6. Dancing towards the finale of the event (PBUH) said ‘Prayer in congregation is specified inappropriate numbers for the supposed to strictly adhere to; can exacerbate the spread of the virus 27 times more meritorious than a Prayer 011 5 978 987 / 076 1 367620 above because they are afflicted with 1. Hand shaking, hugging, and kissing of the in case there is a Covid patient among performed individually’.”(Source: E-mail “Coviditis” and this could also be the bride/groom at a wedding is inevitable. the invitees. Al-Bukhari and Muslim) reason for the spike in the number of 2. Taking group photographs for purposes The health authorities should know that Mohamed Zahran [email protected] people being affected with the coronavirus. of documentation; social distancing most of the people attending prayers are Colombo I am unable to comprehend the rationale requirement violated! usually from the same locality, whereas 0773959830 47 Thursday, January 28, 2021 „„ www.themorning.lk

Koreanbusiness Ambassador China National Textile and Apparel Council sign MoU espouses investment with JAAFSL online China National Textile and consumer market has continued to industry was also said to represent a Apparel Council Vice President rise. In 2020, China’s total textile 7% contribution to the country’s GDP opportunities in SL Xu Yingxin and Joint Apparel and apparel exports reached $ and 47% of its exports and have a Association Forum of Sri Lanka 291.22 billion with a year-on-year value addition locally of over 55%. During the 26th Annual General (JAAFSL) Chairman A. Sukumaran, increase of 9.6%. This had been achieved through the Meeting of the Ceylon Chamber who is also the Sri Lankan Garment The Vice President also stated setting up of supply arrangements of Commerce’s Sri Lanka-Korea Association Forum President, signed that the China-Sri Lanka textile through members of Fabric and Business Council (SLKBC) held a memorandum of co-operation and apparel trade has shown an Apparel Accessories Manufacturers’ recently, Ambassador of the online on 20 January 2021 on behalf increase in the past three years. In Association (FAAMA) and also Republic of Korea to Sri Lanka of their respective associations. 2019, the total textile and apparel through the industry offering Woonjin Jeong invited Korean This agreement was influenced trade between the two countries its consumers high value-added investors to explore opportunities by following the initiative taken was $ 1.24 billion. In addition solutions such as innovation design in Sri Lanka, especially in key by the Embassy of Sri Lanka to this, Yingxin highlighted that and production development within sectors including agriculture, located in Beijing, and Sri Lankan the China Textile Federation has Sri Lanka. renewable energy, infrastructure, Ambassador to China Dr. Palitha been implementing the “One Belt In addition to this, Sukumaran LNG, the digital economy, Kohona witnessed the ceremony. and One Road” initiative and is stated that similar to the rest of the and so on. The co-ordinator of the virtual committed to helping Chinese textile world, Covid-19 has had its impacts “There is more potential for business signing event was Commercial and garment enterprises expand on the Sri Lankan economy as well opportunities to expand between our two Embassy of Sri Lanka Minister trade, investment, and exchange as the apparel industry. For the countries. In this regard, I hope that this Alexi Gunasekera. In addition to internationally. previous year of 2020, Sri Lanka’s esteemed Council too will work tirelessly this, China National Textile and Moreover, by mentioning the fact apparel exports show a decline of to take our trade and economic ties to the Apparel Council Deputy Secretary that Sri Lanka has a number of high- over 20% as our exports dropped to next level; and the Embassy, as always, General Yuan Hongping along with quality garment export-oriented over $ 4 billion. He further added will render our utmost assistance to you Commerce Department Director enterprises, Yingxin hoped that that the industry is confident that and work with you every step of the way General Ananda Dharmapriya the China Textile Federation and it will recover in the next couple of until we realise this mutual goal,” he said. and Sri Lanka Export Department JAAFSL would work together to years, particularly as sectors such as The meeting was held via MS Teams. Bureau Director General Chitranjali promote value chain co-operation in causal, sports, and leisure are a big The SLKBC was inaugurated on 4 Dissanayake, followed by two JAAF the two countries, strengthen mutual part of the mix of products that Sri November 1982, in Colombo at the SLKBC immediate Past President Mahen Kariyawasan; Ambassador of the Republic of Secretariats M.P. Tuli Cooray and visits, and promote exchanges and Lanka manufactures. Korea to Sri Lanka Woonjin Jeong; SLKBC President Priyantha Mendis; and SLKBC Vice request of the late Lalith Athulathmudali, President Shamil Mendis Yohan Lawrence, attended the event. mutual trust amongst industrial Moreover, commenting on the with the objective of promoting trade, This event was claimed to be personnel. MoU, Sukumaran said that it is an investments, tourism and services setbacks. Sri Lanka has great potential to Sri Lanka in 2013, the Korean tourist the first signing since Dr. Kohona Chairman and President Sukumaran exceptional landmark and thanked between Sri Lanka and Korea. for growth and provides ample business arrivals jumped to 16,000 last year, from assumed office as Ambassador in said that the Sri Lankan Garment the Sri Lankan Embassy in China Alpha Tours Pvt. Ltd. Managing opportunities with its strategic location, around 4,000 earlier. Anyway, Korean Beijing in December. Association Forum is the apex for their efforts and involvement in Director Priyantha Mendis, whose firm natural resources, and high quality Air temporarily suspended its scheduled Vice President Xu Yingxin institution in the textile and garment orchestrating this event. He further is the General Sales Agent for Korean human resources, which are very services in mid-March 2020 due to the initially explained the current industry in Sri Lanka and maintains highlighted the fact that Sri Lanka Air in Sri Lanka and the Maldives, complimentary with the capital and Covid-19 pandemic situation, and will status of China’s textile industry, close communication and contact with has many large-scale, high-quality was re-elected as SLKBC President technology of Korea. Strengthening recommence its operations when the the trade and investment state of government departments and guides garment processing enterprises and for 2020/2021. Transmarine (Pvt.) Ltd. economic co-operation is thus vital to situation improves here and in Korea,” China’s textile industry, and the Sri Lanka apparel towards its ultimate most of their fabrics are imported Chairman John Shiran Dissanayake, and unlock Sri Lanka’s economic potential. he said. economic condition that affected goal of being the world’s number one from China. Spear International (Pvt.) Ltd. Chairman/ SLKBC President Priyantha Mendis He added that the per-capita income China’s textile industry in 2020. apparel sourcing destination. Newly appointed Ambassador Managing Director Shamil Mendis, reiterated that the main objectives of in Korea is around $ 30,000, which is He also mentioned that industrial Furthermore, he stated that the Dr. Kohona said that it was a great were elected as Vice Presidents of the the Council are to promote trade and one of the highest in the world, and textiles, especially non-woven current Sri Lankan apparel industry is privilege to be associated with Council. Mahen Kariyawasan serves tourism between Sri Lanka and Korea, usually around 20% of Koreans travel products, have seen an expansion the largest contributor to the industrial this event barely a month after he as the immediate Past President, while to promote investment to Sri Lanka and overseas annually on vacation. This is of demand, resulting in a sharp exports of the country followed by assumed duties. China is a huge and Founder President Prof. Lakshman encourage joint ventures, and to conduct a market that our Tourism Promotion increase in output due to the impact a record of $ 5.6 billion turnover in potential consumer market with a Watawala serves as an honorary member. joint meetings with Korean business Bureau should target, he pointed out. of the epidemic in 2020. 2019. The industry was said to employ 700 million-plus middle class. He Jeong stated that, as the Ambassador organisations between the two countries. The Council could not attend to much Furthermore, with the resumption over 350,000 people directly and added that it could become the next of Korea, strengthening commercial “The present bilateral trade between activity last year due to the Covid-19 of work, China’s economy is said influences the lives of over a million key market for Sri Lanka’s world- ties between the nations in harmony Sri Lanka and Korea is around $ 400 pandemic situation. to be steadily improved and the Sri Lankans. In addition to this, the renowned apparel. with the national policy is among his million today, mainly in favour of A seminar was conducted on Strategies top priorities. He added that it was Korea. Anyway, for the past 15 years, to enhance trade between Sri Lanka and noteworthy that amid this pandemic, the Korean Government has offered Korea in December 2019. The main Over 100% YoY growth by Sri Lankan Sri Lanka was the first South Asian employment opportunities to our youth objective of the seminar was to update country that held a nationwide election, in the manufacturing, construction and the membership on the policy directions and Korea was the first country in the fisheries sectors in Korea,” he said. required to create an environment startup in Covid-hit year world to hold a nationwide election “At present, there are around 30,000 that will attract Korean investors Advice Lab, a financial planning in August 2019, Advice Lab is our clients and our staff.” Advice successfully. Sri Lankans living in Korea, the biggest more rapidly, as well as to identify specialised business process slated to quickly become one of the Lab Managing Director Prad He also acknowledged the negative concentration of Sri Lankan expatriate opportunities through preferential trade outsourcing (BPO) provider based leading providers in the financial Navaratnam stated. impact on the global economy from employees after the Middle East. But arrangements with Korea. in Colombo, doubled its growth in planning outsourced market “When the rest of the world the Covid-19 pandemic, resulting in compared to the Middle East and other In his address, he also thanked the the year ending 31 December 2020. globally due to its rapid growth. and our competitors were businesses incurring grave losses due to countries, the earning capacity and living founder President Prof. Lakshman Advice Lab services In addition, based at Hatch downsizing and slowing down, travel restrictions, disruptions in global standards are much higher in Korea. Watawala and the Immediate Past financial planning clients based Works in Fort, it is also becoming we doubled down by hiring supply chains, and the imposition of So in short, the Korean Government is President Mahen Kariyawasam for their predominantly in Australia and an employer of choice for many aggressively, promoting staff, and numerous lockdowns, and added that, helping Sri Lanka in a big way to earn continuous contribution to the Business provides them with paraplanning potential candidates with its implementing pay increases. We at this juncture, he would do his best much-needed foreign exchange to the Council and back office admin services. employee-friendly culture. backed ourselves and our clients to help achieve Sri Lanka’s economic country today. Abans Ltd., Ceyline Shipping Ltd., It was claimed that during one “Our growth is testament to our backed us.” goals together with the Sri Lanka-Korea “Also over 100 Sri Lankan students Senok Trade Combine (Pvt.) Ltd., of the toughest years in economic clients and our people. 2020 was a Advice Lab also stated that they Business Council members. are studying in Korean universities, Shipping & Cargo Logistics (Pvt.) Ltd. history, Advice Lab doubled its tough year globally, regardless of are proud to help #RestartSriLanka He believes that the Sri Lankan many of them on scholarships given and Southern Tea Producers (Pvt.) Ltd. growth across the board in business size, country, or industry. The fact by continuing to grow and employ economy will bounce back by attracting by Korean Government. With the were elected from the membership to and staff numbers. that we are not only standing, but Sri Lankan talent, ultimately new foreign investors, as it has shown commencement of direct services by serve on the Executive Committee of Having been launched only over two times bigger is thanks to bringing in foreign revenue. strength and resilience in spite of past the Korean national carrier Korean Air the Council. Sri Lanka welcomes a group of JKH revenue and EBITDA increases by 5% Swiss and German travellers Group earnings before interest, operations of outlets in certain “The overall performance and taxes, depreciation, and amortisation isolated areas. volumes in the frozen confectionery, (EBITDA) of John Keells Holdings “The insurance business beverage, and convenience foods (JKH), excluding the leisure continued its recovery momentum businesses demonstrated a pick-up industry group, stood at Rs. 5.22 recording encouraging growth in towards December once activity billion during the third quarter of all its channels of distribution, in the country returned to more the year under review, which is a amidst a challenging environment. normalised levels, although the 5% increase against the previous The year-on-year comparison of performance for the quarter was year (2019/20 Q3: Rs. 4.99 billion), the transportation industry group hampered due to the onset of the according to the recent financial is distorted, primarily since second wave of Covid-19,” the statements issued by the company. the comparative quarter of the statement further noted. The group of visitors with the Ambassador for Germany Manori Unambuwa at the Frankfurt Airport Despite the isolation measures previous year had above-average According to the statement, adopted by the authorities due to profitability in the bunkering the Maldivian resorts segment Sri Lanka Tourism welcomed its initiatives by giving support Frankfurt to Sri Lanka, and the second wave of the Covid-19 JKH Chairman Krishan Balendra business on account of a transition demonstrated an encouraging the first group of tourists from to revive the hospitality sector, is scheduled to operate two outbreak in early October 2020, to low sulphur fuel oil (LSFO), performance following the opening Germany and Switzerland last which had seen a considerable direct flights per week to which caused a slowdown in have been obtained, which will well ahead of competition,” the of the airport in the Maldives week, after the reopening of setback due to the pandemic. enhance the tourist arrivals business activity and dampened enable handover of the residential statement read. in mid-July, with occupancy the airport. They were brought Upon arrival in Sri Lanka, from Germany in the time to consumer sentiment, the subsequent apartments and office tower to The company stated that the increasing to 53% in the month of by a SriLankan Airlines flight the tourists were escorted as come. The direct flights from gradual easing of restrictions commence, on a staggered basis, pace of construction at “Cinnamon December, resulting in the segment that took off from Frankfurt to per the new health protocols Frankfurt to the destination enabled the businesses across the from the fourth quarter of 2020/21 Life” continued to gain momentum recording a positive EBITDA for Colombo on 21 January 2021. stipulated by the government. are resumed by SriLankan group to recover to near-normal onwards. during the latter part of the quarter the quarter. This visit was arranged According to Sri Lanka Airlines after a lapse of levels by December, with the It also noted that its supermarket despite the disruptions due to In addition to this, leisure by the Sri Lanka Embassy Tourism authorities, the more than four years. Being exception of leisure. business continued its positive the second wave. The business businesses in Sri Lanka continued in Berlin, in collaboration tourists will go through all the second-highest tourist The company said in the momentum with overall revenue continues to closely monitor the to be impacted by the pandemic with Sri Lanka Tourism, health guidelines initiated by arrivals market from Europe, statement, The Certificates and EBITDA recording growth evolving ground situation and due to the closure of the airport by assisting in arranging the health authorities. this will be a significant point of Conformity (COC) for the over the previous year driven by resultant impacts on the overall and lower revenue from dining and their transport facilities, and SriLankan Airlines has to increase businesses in the Cinnamon Life office tower and the contribution from new outlets, timelines of the hotel and the banqueting due to the outbreak of SriLankan Airlines, endorsing commenced flights from German market. “The Suites” residential tower despite the closure or limited shopping mall. the second wave. 48 business „„ www.themorning.lk { FOREIGN AFFAIRS/CORPORATE } Thursday, January 28, 2021 LMD 100 PRINCIPAL RANKINGS ComBank ranks No 2 SL, Vietnam discuss ICT sector co-operation The Embassy of Sri Lanka, in association with the Export transformation, electronic governance Lankan counterparts to participate at Development Board (EDB), organised a virtual meeting on 21 January or egovernance, and technology training major IT events they hold in Vietnam 2021 to explore co-operation potential in the ICT sectors of Sri Lanka (AI, IoT, Block Chain, Big Data, etc.) in the future. and Vietnam. was explored by the participants. Sri Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Vietnam Representatives from the Sri Lanka Liean, and respective representatives Lankan associations also assured the Prasanna Gamage opened the virtual Association for Software Services of umbrella organisations of the IT possibility of complementing skills meeting by welcoming the initiative Companies (SLASSCOM), Federation sector in Vietnam. between the two countries as part of and participating agencies and assuring of Information Technology of Sri Lanka Moreover, comprehensive future co-operation. the fullest co-operation of the mission (FITIS), and the EDB interacted with presentations on opportunities available The two sides agreed to together in promoting co-operation within this Vietnam Software and IT Association in both countries were conducted explore business ventures in software important sector. Embassy Third (VINASA) General Secretary Nguyen virtually by the four agencies. The development, outsourcing, BPO, and Secretary – Commercial Prasadi Thi Thu Giang, Vietnam Internet potential of Vietnam’s initiatives in other sectors. Vietnamese organisations Boomawalage co-ordinated the webinar The Commercial Bank of Commercial Bank Managing Association (VIA) Chairman Vu Hoang their “smart city concept”, digital said they would be inviting their Sri with the two sides. Ceylon has achieved second place Director S. Renganathan stated, in the latest LMD 100 after the commenting on the Bank’s ascent LMD’S 2020 A-LIST performance shown in 2019-20. to second place in the LMD 100. SL Embassy in Jakarta discusses The bank, ranking in second place, The LMD 100 ranking consists included two principal rankings of of many of the country’s leading JAT Holdings turnover and profit. conglomerates, telcos, retail giants, LMD’s primary ranking is based insurers and other sector leaders, best practices with Indonesia father-son duo on turnover, but the magazine also as well as listed banks. The alleged ranks companies by sector as well largest private sector commercial z Covers SME sector and co-operatives as by total assets, profit after bank and third largest bank in Sri acknowledged tax, shareholders’ funds, market Lanka, the Commercial Bank The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Director Leonard Theosabrata. The webinar was a result of the capitalisation, earnings per share, Group claims to have ended 2019 Jakarta organised and conducted a SMESCO is a public service agency initiative taken by Ruwanchandra dividends per share, and many with the performance of gross webinar between the Ministry of under the Ministry of Co-operatives to request the network of Sri Lanka other performance indicators. income surpassing Rs. 150 billion Co-operative and Small and Medium and SMEs and promotes and markets missions overseas to share best practices “The year of assessment for for the first time. Commercial Bank Enterprises (SME) of Indonesia and the local products made by SMEs to in the SME sector internationally, as this ranking was a difficult one, of Ceylon PLC also reported PBT the State Ministry of Co-operative the domestic and international market Sri Lanka aims to transform the SME even though it preceded the of Rs 22.339 billion and PAT of Services, Marketing Development, and and co-operates with a number of sector, including redrafting the Act Covid-19 pandemic. Impairment Rs 17.025 billion. Consumer Protection of Sri Lanka on partners from other countries. of Parliament on the co-operative provisioning had begun moving They also claimed to be the first 13 January 2021 to share best practices The webinar was attended by Sri sector. Also, Ruwanchandra noted in up, and business sentiment Sri Lankan bank to be listed among from Indonesia with Sri Lanka in the Lanka State Ministry of Co-operative his comments that sharing knowledge was affected by several factors the Top 1000 banks of the world SME and in co-operative sectors. Services, Marketing Development, and is a great act of friendship. including the Easter Sunday and the only Sri Lankan bank to be The webinar was addressed by Consumer Protection Secretary K.D.S. Ambassador of Sri Lanka to attacks. To be ranked the second listed for 10 years consecutively. Indonesian Ministry for Production, Ruwanchandra, senior officials of the Indonesia Yasoja Gunasekera noted that best-performing corporate entity Commercial Bank states to have Marketing, and Promotion Deputy Ministry, and Provincial Co-operative Sri Lanka and Indonesia are friendly in the country overall is therefore won more than 25 international and Minister Victoria Simanungkalit and Commissioners from the Southern, neighbours enjoying a multifaceted an extraordinary achievement that local awards in 2020, and operates Small and Medium Enterprises and Western, Northern, Central, Uva, and bilateral relationship that has endured reflects the intrinsic strength of a network of 268 branches and 885 Co-operatives (SMESCO) President- North Western Provinces. and strengthened over centuries. Commercial Bank and its team,” ATMs in Sri Lanka. HNB promotes Sri Lankan 1990 SuwaSeriya cashless transactions wins at SLIM Digis Father-Son duo of JAT Holdings recognised in LMD’s 2020 A-List of Sri Lankans LoweDigital, the digital arm increase in the number of calls by of the hour and developed a strategy of the Sri Lanka MullenLowe citizens reaching out through this that made 1990 resonate in the hearts JAT Holdings’ father and son duo Group, in partnership with We Are service, and this demonstrated the and minds of the people of Sri Lanka, was recently acknowledged in LMD’s Designers received two awards at campaign’s reach and effectiveness. making it the number they would first latest 2020 A-list edition. Moreover, JAT the recently concluded SLIM Digis LoweDigital commenced operations think of in the event of an emergency. Holdings Founder and Managing Director 2020 for its campaign for the free over a year ago and has claimed to We appreciate the level of dynamism Aelian Gunawardene was recognised emergency ambulance service, 1990 bring purpose to the digital medium and passion the teams bring to the among the top 100 Sri Lankan business SuwaSeriya. The companies achieved rather than the medium trying to find table, making it a pleasure to work people who continue to influence the a gold award for the “Best Digital a purpose for brands. in partnership with them,” expressed nation’s engine of growth, whereas his Marketing Campaign” in the NGO They are working to reset priorities 1990 SuwaSeriya Foundation Board son, JAT Holdings Director of Head and and Government category as well as a in the digital communication process Director Sandya Salgado. Strategic Planning Richard Gunawardene bronze for the “Best Use of Technology and have been able to harness the SLIM Digis is organised by the was listed among LMD’s A-list of 25 in Marketing 2020”. full potential the medium offers, Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing and leading millennials. 1990 SuwaSeriya is an islandwide thereby helping companies such as recognises Sri Lanka’s best digital As the founder of JAT Holdings, Aelian pre-hospital care service, operated 1990 SuwaSeriya to invest and gain marketing endeavours, innovation Gunawardene was also said to be conferred 24/7. However, it was claimed to be traction with digital audiences around and talent, and the region’s growing the Platinum Award as the Sri Lankan HNB staff demonstrating cashless transactions through HNB SOLO to greatly underused due to a lack of the country. The company partnered influence in the global digital Entrepreneur of the year by the Federation interested customers awareness by the general public. The with We Are Designers a few years industry. The awards programme is of Chambers of Commerce and Industry campaign consisted of the launching ago, to bring a creative dimension aimed at encouraging work that is of Sri Lanka. Hatton National Bank (HNB) banks and financial institutions and popularising of both the 1990 to the digital landscape in Sri Lanka. innovative, contemporary, and in line He was also placed among 23 elite PLC, a Sri Lankan private sector to adopt and integrate LANKA SuwaSeriya app as well as the services “We would like to congratulate the with global standards, to inspire the businesspersons in the annual list bank, partnered with the Central QR into their existing digital on offer. Following the implementation teams at LoweDigital and We Are digital marketing industry and the of Businesspeople of The Year while Bank of Sri Lanka to promote the payment solutions has prompted of the campaign, 1990 SuwaSeriya Designers on this achievement. The next generation of practitioners, the transforming JAT Holdings into the Colombo-leg of the “Rata Purama an aggressive on-boarding of stated to have seen a significant teams clearly understood the need organisers said. “leading conglomerate” and employer LANKA QR” campaign at Diyatha merchants to the new payment brand of choice that it is currently. Uyana, to raise awareness and solution across the country. With The founder’s son Richard Gunawardene encourage the public towards our extensive customer base, SOLO is claimed to be largely recognised as a cashless payments. is no doubt a significant contributor marketing professional with multifaceted Having already linked LANKA to this innovative initiative,» stated experience, who has contributed towards QR to its digital payment app HNB Deputy General Manager fostering an agile and innovation-driven HNB SOLO, the bank was among Retail and SME Banking Sanjay culture at JAT. Additionally, Richard is also other financial institutions and Wijemanne. the co-founder of the property development telecommunication partners in The “Colombo leg” of the “Rata sector of JAT Holdings, co-founder of joining efforts to make cashless Purama LANKA QR” campaign Ceylon Hemp Effect, and a founding QR code-based payments the was said to raise awareness member of EO Sri Lanka. standard for mobile phones and regarding SOLO›s many facilities, It was claimed that as one of the digital payments countrywide including zero human interaction, youngest brands to be included, with whilst claiming to move towards efficiency, and eliminated risks over 28 years in operation, JAT is proud a cashless and digitally influenced that influenced many vendors to to have two members of its leadership Sri Lanka. come on board. team be recognised amongst the top «We are entering a new era of Since its launch in 2019, SOLO 100 business leaders and top 25 leading financial technology, where almost has witnessed a consistently millennials in Sri Lanka who continue to all of our daily transactions will growing customer base, with influence the nation’s growth. The LMD require no physical banknotes, HNB claiming to be working to A list showcases the best in Sri Lanka’s but just a smartphone and an improve the app›s features and corporate and professional communities, internet connection with our functionality by refining its user who demonstrate immense grit to overcome bank account integrated to a interface, enabling customers to From left: 1990 SuwaSeriya Foundation Board Director Sandya Salgado, We Are Designers Managing Director Joe Lenora, adversity amidst the challenges posed to digital payment app. The Central experience “easy-to-use” QR-based MullenLowe Sri Lanka Account Director Wajinie Mahanama, and MullenLowe Sri Lanka Creative Group Head Prasad Weerasekara businesses as a result of the Covid-19 receiving the gold award Bank›s national directive for payments. pandemic. GLX AND SL TOURISM ALLIANCE PARTNERSHIP Top 10 winners of Grants for Tourism Resilience programme announced The Good Life X (GLX) (BMZ) to support SMEs in been in operation for a minimum level of innovation shown and Captain Fernando (Pvt.) Ltd., and announced its partnership with navigating the challenging of two years. potential to restart operations in H.S.H. Ayurvedic Care (Pvt.) Ltd. the Sri Lanka Tourism Alliance, economic environment brought This initiative was claimed to the business proposals submitted The selected winners will initiating the “Grants for Tourism on by the current global crisis. have received an overwhelming for the grant appraisal. receive grants totalling € 50,000 Resilience” programme for SMEs An online session was held response from the industry with GLX along with the Sri Lanka to be utilised in implementing (small and medium enterprises) in collaboration with the two more than 300 applications from Tourism Alliance announced the their innovative, sustainable in the tourism industry in parties to announce the grant tourism SMEs ranging from winners of the first “Grants for ideas, in order to help enable their December 2020. It is an initiative opportunity to potential SMEs accommodation providers to Tourism Resilience” programme, businesses to become more resilient supported by GIZ SME Sector and to outline the selection destination management companies which included Plantation Villa and create a lasting impact on the Development Programme Sri criteria. The criteria ensured that and health and wellness-focused (Pvt.) Ltd., The Rascals Kite Resort, environment, local communities, Lanka in co-operation with the SME applications taken into businesses in the sector. The Saraii (Pvt.) Ltd., Leopard Trails and/or local culture, it was stated. the Noah Foundation in Berlin consideration were registered shortlisted applicants were then (Pvt.) Ltd., Surfing Wombats (Pvt.) The programme was also said to and on behalf of the German Sri Lankan-based businesses in interviewed by a panel, after which Ltd., Ahanghama Coliving (Pvt.) provide the businesses with the Federal Ministry for Economic tourism with sustainability at the the top 10 winners were chosen Ltd., Nefelibata Travels (Pvt.) Ltd., opportunity to innovate and expand Co-operation and Development heart of its business, and having based on the sustainability and Handun Villas and Restaurants, its attraction from global markets. business 49 Thursday, January 28, 2021 { AGRICULTURE/CORPORATE } „„ www.themorning.lk SL’s agri-food start- ups have what global markets need Sri Lanka is demonstrating promising new energy in the agri-food innovation sectors. This is highlighted through the insights of agri- food companies that are threaded together by their interest to build start-ups or direct SMEs From left: Antyra COO Naveen Marasinghe, Antyra Senior Digital (small and medium enterprises) in the spheres Marketing Executive Dasitha Abeywickrama, HNB Finance Head of ethics, sustainability, innovation, and global of Marketing Udara Gunasinghe, and HNB Finance Senior Manager trade, some of which are united as members Marketing Support Services Thilina Dissanayake of The Good Life X accelerator and business development network. Agri-food is known as the business of producing HNB Finance achieves food agriculturally as opposed to through hunting, fishing, and gathering. The following list includes bronze prize at SLIM united members of The Good Life X, which was invented to foster entrepreneurship in start-ups and SMEs through collaborating, providing expertise, and Digi Awards 2.0 sharing knowledge. Sri Lankan integrated financial driven financial solutions to Wawamu, Sheshan Gamage’s hydroponic tech start- services company HNB Finance enhance customer experiences up claims to utilise IoT (Internet of Things) sensory PLC (HNBF) accepted the and foster deeper and more devices and vertical farm structures to allow individuals bronze award for superior Search meaningful relationships with and businesses to grow fresh and healthy, pesticide-free Engine Optimisation (SEO) and all stakeholders. plants/crops indoors, thereby simplifying the route for Search Engine Marketing (SEM) The company’s presence in greener urban spaces and more local produce. at the recently held SLIM Digi the digital sphere is claimed Owita Organics Founder Vihangun Ariyarathne is said Awards 2021. to deliver “rich” insight on to encourage localised/decentralised organic farming This claimed to highlight customer success stories, on smaller farms in consumers’ home districts while HNBF as the only finance CSR initiatives, and HNBF’s disrupting the mindset and model that only a handful company to win the annual financial offerings, as well as of large faraway organic farms can supply consumers. awards ceremony, which regular updates on the financial Moreover, it is claimed that by building a viable recognises and celebrates digital sector with the aim of improving neighbourhood farm model, investing in supporting marketing endeavours led by financial literacy in the country. farmer conversion to organic means, and promising organisations across a multitude Most recently, HNBF was farmers’ the commitment to purchase if they deliver of industries in Sri Lanka. also awarded the prestigious these products to a neighbourhood, Owita outlets, or HNBF is said to have secured Arcturus Award for social straight to consumers’ doors. Owita Organics declared to this victory for their strategised content and marketing at the reduce the food footprint by reducing costs, increasing and executed campaign, annual Vega Digital Awards environmental efficiencies, promoting localised green “Building an organic footprint”. 2020, where HNB claimed to development, and bringing their consumers competitive Primatologist and anthropologist Dr. Jane Goodall delivering her keynote address at BIOFACH 2020 The awards ceremony was be the only finance company and fair prices. held on 21 January 2021, at in Sri Lanka to have secured Ceylon Exports and Trading claims to be taking a the programme took several of its agri-food business that could join the network in the future. the Bandaranaike Memorial this honour. labour equity and product quality-centred approach participants – Good Market, Lanka Organics, Kimbula In 2020, after the Covid-19 pandemic hit, GLX International Conference Hall. The SLIM DIGI Awards is to producing coconut and vegan products with the Kithul, and SOZO – to attend BioFach Germany, the claimed to have dug in deeper to its “Good”-centred “We are extremely honoured known to be one of Sri Lanka’s aim of establishing the next homegrown international world’s largest organic food conference. Amongst ethos by running four successive (sometimes to have secured this coveted most anticipated awarding brand via its CoCo House range. the attendees were some of the biggest international concurrent) programmes and increasing business win for our SEO and SEM ceremonies, regarded as Led by the young, sharp, driven, and globally organic food buyers and sellers, emerging trendsetters, support from six businesses in its first year, to over efforts. Digital marketing plays the premier celebration of focused first-generation coconut business entrepreneur, and organic niche brands from some of Sri Lanka’s 20 in its second. a pivotal role in empowering the expertise, talent, and Dulara de Alwis, Ceylon Exports and Trading claims to largest agri-conglomerates; these “GLXers” (as they Agri-food, a space that GLX identified and claimed companies to reach their achievements in the digital focus on both product quality and fairer work practices are more casually called) claimed to have found their as a key focus area two years prior to the pandemic, targets. The global pandemic sphere. All entrants are in dealing with the export of organic coconut and innovative, sustainability, and equity-consciousness which highlighted the promise of this sector, continues has only accelerated this agenda independently judged under vegan products. Within three short years, de Alwis thinking as fostered by the GLX programme. to be one of GLX’s core areas of expertise. Utilising by compelling companies to international standards by said he has become a provider of a range of coconut In its work in both Sri Lanka, and via exchange partnerships with the renowned ESCP School of re-imagine their business the industry’s most respected products to all parts of the world, from Australia to of expertise and occasional partnership or visit Business’s Berlin Campus and insights from industry models to reach consumers more business, marketing, and digital Latin America, Europe, Asia, and the US. opportunities with countries including Germany, the experts across the world, companies with GLX are effectively and creatively. As marketing professionals. Worga Naturals calls itself the specialist in jackfruit Netherlands, the US, Thailand, and Hong Kong, GLX able support networks across the full value chain an institution that places a high Furthermore, it recognises and banana blossom supply, in alignment with the has been focused on programming that goes beyond – from sourcing to branding to the need-to-know value on superior customer the best digital marketing global growth of vegan and meat alternative products. vows to good business practices. Once start-ups and details of building an international business. experiences, HNBF has always campaigns from across a Moreover, employing a 90% female workforce, it SMEs apply and are competitively selected into one GLX’s full alumni list in the sector includes all looked to digital to enhance our multitude of industries such as wants to support a greener, healthier, and gender- of several The Good Life X programmes, including those listed above as well as Good Folks, Honest service portfolio. This victory banking and finance, insurance, equitable agriculture sourcing chain. the cyclical Good Life Accelerator for start-ups and Greens, Raw Juice, Serendipol, Target Agriculture, is undoubtedly testament to telecommunications, real estate, The Good Life X or GLX, is said to be supported the GLX Garage for SMEs, they are said to receive and Us on Earth, which are brands adding local the strength and effectiveness leisure and hospitality, and by German development cooperation GIZ Sri Lanka, growth investments including expert coaching, one- value and signalling a change in business thinking of our persistent investment more. The SLIM Digi awards and began in 2018 as an effort to absorb the risk on-one strategising, work shopping in fundamentals with the drive and readiness to step into the global in digital innovation.” stated aim to encourage innovative of innovative Sri Lankan entrepreneurs in food, (branding, go-to-market, legal, human resources, etc.), marketplace. GLX is continuing to be connected HNBF Head of Marketing and contemporary work of wellness, tourism, and design, utilising the model of seed funding, and international partner matching. and work with them all, even post-programme Udara Gunasinghe. global standards, and inspire an accelerator to provide rapid immersive learning In addition, they state that members do not have to durations, championing the change they are working HNBF is said to be motivated Sri Lanka’s digital marketing on business strategy, product design innovation, and give anything in return except that participants push to bring. GLX’s goal is to “grow the good” every by a vision to provide industry and its next generation access to markets. themselves for growth and take on collaborations, year, and is currently working on expanding its global innovative, technology- of practitioners. In February 2020, prior to the pandemic lockdown, paying it forward to each other and other businesses partnerships further. Hatch Open House returns for 2021 When it comes to business, the line between Randhula De Silva, who had given the young success and failure is often paper-thin, and this start-up ideas around branding, positioning, line has only gotten thinner with the arrival and implementation that can be used to grow of the pandemic, which completely disrupted the Apé brand in the short as well as long term. the economic landscape of the world. Last “Randhula has been a source of support year we witnessed first-hand the importance and believer in my vision. She is not only an of having proper insight as many start-ups, advocate for sustainable, circular living, but both locally and internationally, struggled also embodies it in her consumption choices to stay afloat. which made her the perfect fit as a mentor for Hatch, Sri Lankan Business Incubator/ me,” said De Silva. Accelerator introduced “Hatch Open House” She stated that one of these ideas came in the attending to the common need for businesses to form of the Apé collection bag, an innovative acquire insight, which serves as a three month branding idea of having an Apé branded bag, mentorship programme that connects mentors similar to the laundry bags found in hotels. with start-up founders to provide guidance to She stated that she implemented Randhula grow their start-up. Having been launched on De Silva’s idea of getting an eco-friendly Apé 20 March 2020, the programme claimed to branded bag made, which received positive successfully concluded five cohorts, despite responses from the recipients, and acted as a the nature of the year, and is now returning physical branding tool. in 2021 to aid more start-ups. Another mentee, Kithmal Warnasooriya, “As Founders, you can be emotionally Founder, and CEO of Elysian Crest, a software involved in every aspect of your start-up service-based start-up which aims to initiate and sometimes this can stop you from being Mentoring sessions prior to Covid-19 and establish neo banks in Sri Lanka, managed clear headed. It’s important to have a council to use the knowledge he gained from the of mentors; you can de-risk your start-up by business culture in Sri Lanka by providing technology, education, insurance, fintech, more issues respective to each start-up. programme to accelerate his timeline of success. implementing the best practices of successful opportunities for entrepreneurs to experiment food & beverages, business services, In addition to the year mentioned above, The programme helped Warnasooriya in companies. I agree that you can learn a lot ideas, acquire knowledge, and share lessons. sales, marketing, advertising, and social Hatch supported and guided 100 start-ups areas which included assisting in the billing from your own failings, but don’t confine It also claims to set up an environment and entrepreneurs. from a multitude of industries. of their own IP, primary product innovation, your learning to your own experiences. You network in which businesses could thrive Furthermore, Hatch mentors claim to have Apé, which is a local start-up which is establishing the start-up as a product-based don’t get any leverage that way. Stand on the together as a community. taken part in 327 hours of mentoring sessions, set to raise awareness and enable circular company, and analysing the future potential shoulders of others and your reach will be Hatch Open House was an extension of where they helped start-ups address a variety consumption by providing a resale platform and opportunities in the market. This helped much higher. This is what we nurture through Hatch’s pre-existing mentoring programme of problems. These include problems related to for pre-loved high-quality items, was one of the start-up founder to track his plans, and the Open House Mentorship Programme,” that launched in 2019, which began with sales during the pandemic, customer retention, the companies that took part in Hatch Open leave his nine to five job to run Elysian Crest Hatch Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Brindha a pool of 40 mentors from both the local cost and financial management, managing House. During the programme, Founder Himali full time. Selvadurai said. and international market. Since then, the teams working from home, what to focus on De Silva had one-on-one mentoring sessions Having seen the success of the programme, Moreover, claiming to be a hub for all things Open House mentorship network has grown, in terms of branding and storytelling during with the expert mentors of the Hatch mentor this year Hatch is said to conduct Hatch Open start-up and a creative space for work, Hatch and hosts 60+ mentors from industries the pandemic, social media marketing and network. House in weekly sessions, where the start-ups aims to use the programme to transform the including health, apparel, telecommunication, advertising, taxation relaxations, and many De Silva worked with former Hatch CEO will have access to our mentors every week. 104 business „„ www.themorning.lk { INTERNATIONAL } Thursday, January 28, 2021 Remittances are key to the recovery in developing countries z Remittances fund loved ones back home, stimulating spending on housing, medical care, and other essentials; spending on essentials, boosting savings, improving creditworthiness lower extreme poverty, and funding investments; and supporting economic and financial stability – all of and support healthcare which promote economic growth. As Oxford and education Economics says, the “remittance multiplier effect” boosts local economic activity and z The economic support via ultimately GDP. remittances has held up In the last several years, remittances through the pandemic overtook Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) as the largest external capital source in z Policymakers must developing economies. The forecast for global FDI flows is bleak, with the United Nations prioritise systems of Conference on Trade and Development cross-border migration, (UNCTAD) having forecast that these flows which will lift the contracted by up to 40% in 2020. Not only are remittance flows greater in economies of developing magnitude than any other form of capital nations inflow into developing countries (excluding exports), but they are also more sustained. The coronavirus pandemic has highlighted When the Covid pandemic first hit, the World the many heroes living among us, not Bank and others predicted dire declines in least the hard-working people around the remittance flows to low and middle-income world who support their families living countries. As time passed, however, the thousands of miles away. The pandemic economic support via remittances proved has brought challenges and hardships for resilient, and remittance flows have held up. people everywhere, but it has not stopped The Oxford Economics report shows what these heroes from sharing what they have the Western Union has witnessed repeatedly: with the people they care about on the other crises make people more determined, not side of the world. less, to provide support to the people These global citizens are the world’s they care about. When times get hard in “Economic First Responders”. The money developing economies, remittance-senders they send across the world’s borders have become front-line workers of economic helped smooth the economic shocks from the security. Simple arithmetic shows us that Global economy to pandemic, fostering stronger resilience and the magnitude, reliability, and cascading recovery in their home nations throughout effect of remittances make them a crucial 2020 and into 2021 and beyond, than would building block in developing economies’ have been the case without these flows. efforts to return to normality. They provide an essential lifeline to their So, what can governments and home communities by funding spending policymakers do to support this crucial grow 5.5% in 2021, on essentials, lowering extreme poverty, flow of capital? and supporting healthcare and education. In the monumental economic rebuilding of They serve on the front lines within their developing nations in a post-pandemic world, host communities as medics, scientists, millions of these economic first responders grocers, bus drivers, construction workers, will continue to step up. We must recognise and teachers, and contribute human capital these heroes and understand the irreplaceable IMF forecasts towards the functioning of a robust economy. role they play in the economies of their These actions during an unprecedented host and home countries. I advocate for z Rebound expected after 3.5% contraction in 2020 global pandemic serve to shine an even bigger policymakers across the spectrum to prioritise spotlight on the criticality of remittances, legal, smart, safe, and equitable systems of The world economy will grow by 5.5% this year, reversing the 3.5% Chinese officials, on the other hand, and those who send them. They are the cross-border migration, which will uplift the contraction it saw in 2020, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have warned that excess economic resilient and inclusive global economic economies of developing nations. Equally projected in its latest global economic forecast. stimulus measures by developed force. Policymakers, development experts, important is the need to create the capacity Growth will also be boosted by the spending and aggressive credit countries increase the risk of creating and economists must give cross-border for the funds they send home to be turned continued strong economic rebound provision from the central bank, said asset bubbles that threaten global remittances the consideration and priority into productive investment and help pave the in China, as well as by policy support IMF Research Department Division financial stability. they deserve as a significant global economic way for economic prosperity for all. in large economies such as the US Chief Malhar Nabar at a press The roll-out of vaccines to combat engine. There has simply never been a greater The past year has shown us both the power and Japan. In addition, the roll-out conference introducing the report. the coronavirus pandemic is also need for innovation and technology that of action and the pitfalls of inaction. The of coronavirus vaccines could boost “In terms of securing that recovery expected to play a key role in helping provides the on-the-ground financial support World Bank estimates that the pandemic will economic activity in the second half path, its likely important [for China] the global economic recovery. “The flowing instantly across borders. push an additional 88-115 million people into of the year. to ensure that the rebalancing towards softening [of growth] in early 2021 A January 2021 Oxford Economics extreme poverty, with the total potentially The 2021 growth forecast was private consumption continues and is expected to give way to rising report, “The Remittance Effect: A Lifeline rising to as many as 150 million this year. revised up 0.3 percentage points perhaps even accelerates to an extent,” momentum in the second quarter as for Developing Economies Through the Unsurprisingly, the developing world, home from its previous forecast in October, said Nahar, adding that strengthening vaccines and therapies become more Pandemic and Into Recovery”, illustrates how to many of the world’s most economically while last year’s economic contraction the social security net to bring down readily available, allowing contact- remittances impact developing economies, vulnerable people, will face the most extreme was 0.9 percentage points less than households’ precautionary savings intensive activity to strengthen,” the both in the very short-term and in the longer- consequences. previously projected, according to so that they increase spending, IMF said. term, in a way that neither government aid nor Just as we stepped up for each other to the World Economic Outlook update, and enacting structural reforms to While the volume of global trade is private foreign direct investment can match, answer the call of crisis, we must now step published on Tuesday. deregulate key sectors to bring in forecast to grow by about 8% in 2021, given the larger value of remittances today. up to answer the call of economic recovery, However, economic activity remains more private investment, would also the international financial institution These economic first responders selflessly sustainability, and inclusion for all. well below pre-pandemic levels. “Even help China to lift its growth in the does not anticipate a quick pickup in act to quickly wire money into the hands of (World Economic Forum) with the anticipated recovery in 2021- medium term. the services trade, which has been 22, output gaps are not expected to The US, the world’s largest economy, among the sectors hardest hit by the close until after 2022,” the IMF report which has lost more than 400,000 lives pandemic, as a result of “subdued says. to the pandemic, is expected to grow cross-border tourism and business While the US and Japan are projected 4.3% in 2021, up 0.4 percentage points travel”. to regain late-2019 activity levels in from the IMF’s last forecast. The IMF report stressed that the the second half of 2021, activity in The IMF wrote approvingly of the recovery of global economic activity the Eurozone and Britain is expected latest economic stimulus plans from is contingent on effective coronavirus to remain below end-2019 levels into the US, Japan and the European Union, controls, warning that the expected 2022, according to the global financial which it said would “help lift economic recovery could be pushed back if new body. China, the world’s second-largest activity among advanced economies variants of the virus prove difficult economy, is expected to maintain its with favourable spillovers to trading to contain and the vaccine roll-out “strong recovery”, with growth seen partners”. continues to suffer delays. hitting 8.1 per cent this year, following These plans include US President The pandemic is likely to have a its “effective containment measures, a Joe Biden’s new $ 1.9 trillion stimulus long-lasting effect on low-income forceful public investment response, package proposal and the $ 900 billion groups, the IMF said, with the public and central bank liquidity support”, rescue package approved in December; health crisis expected to reverse the the IMF said. The new forecast is 0.1 Japan’s deployment of $ 3 trillion progress made in reducing poverty percentage point lower than it was in worth of economic packages; and the over the past two decades. the October forecast. unlocking of the European Union’s “Close to 90 million people are China returned to pre-pandemic stimulus plan, a € 900 billion ($ 857 likely to fall below the extreme poverty activity levels in the fourth quarter of million) war chest set up by the bloc threshold during 2020-21,” the IMF 2020, well ahead of other countries, to support economies hammered by warned. as a result of strong infrastructure the coronavirus crisis, the IMF said. (South China Morning Post) Indian economy to get shot in the arm from budget: Economists India’s path to economic recovery in the financial year 2021/22 and has since polling began for the year in “There is a lack of fiscal space to That was a shift in expectations The median forecast showed the will be stronger than previously thought already sent stocks to record highs. March 2020 – after contracting 8.0% boost growth sufficiently and India from a survey taken two months back Government would revise its fiscal as fiscal expansion and vaccine hopes “We expect global economic in the current fiscal year. is unlikely to reach its pre-Covid-19 when a 25-basis point cut to 3.75% deficit target for the next fiscal year up help the country heal from Covid-19, activity to return to normality in It was expected to grow 6.0% in the levels any time soon despite policy was predicted in the April-June period. to 5.5% from 3.3% of gross domestic a Reuters poll of economists showed. fiscal Q2 and India to grow in fiscal fiscal year 2022/23. The poll predicted support,” said Virtuoso Economics product. The world’s second-most populous 2021/22, with government stimulus the economy would grow 21.1%, 9.1%, Director Sher Mehta. Will borrow more Around 55% of economists, 18 of 33, country has begun a huge vaccination packages expecting to contribute,” 5.9%, and 5.5% in each quarter of the “Economic momentum will struggle India’s Government will focus on who answered an additional question drive and a steep fall in new coronavirus said RaboResearch Global Economics 2021/22 fiscal year, largely upgraded to gain traction as there are fears of fiscal expansion in next week’s budget about the focus of the budget said it cases over the past few months is and Markets Head of International from a poll taken two months ago. stagflation and the possible end of and revise its borrowing target higher would be more on fiscal expansion supporting a recovery in Asia’s third- Economics Hugo Erken. But when asked how long it would monetary policy easing.” for the 2021/22 fiscal year, prompted than prudence. largest economy. “There is a strong sentiment the take for the economy to recover The Reserve Bank of India, which by the expected economic slowdown “Tight fiscal policy can do lasting Alongside that, nearly 60% of budget will aim to continue expenditure, to its pre-Covid-19 level, 26 of 32 has slashed its main repo rate by and weak jobs growth, according to damage by hurting potential growth that respondents, 18 of 31, who responded as growth is the only way India can respondents said it would take up to 115 basis points since March 2020 the latest poll. would have been negatively affected to an additional question in the 13-25 come out of recent setbacks.” two years, including six analysts who to cushion the shock from the Government borrowing has on account of the pandemic,” said January poll, said India’s federal The poll of over 50 economists said it would take longer than that. coronavirus crisis, was expected to ballooned due to pandemic spending ICICI Securities PD Senior Economist budget, due on 1 February, would showed the economy would grow Twelve analysts said it would happen keep its benchmark lending rate at while revenues have severely Abhishek Upadhyay. help a significant economic recovery 9.5% next fiscal year – the highest within a year. 4.0% through at least 2023. dampened. (Reuters) 11 4 Thursday, January 28, 2021  www.themorning.lk

Elliot Page and Emma THOUGHT FOR THE DAY Portner to divorce Elliot Page and Emma Portner are getting “Failure will divorced. The couple announced the never overtake decision in a statement to CNN on Tuesday. me if my “After much thought and careful determination to consideration, we have made the succeed is strong di cult decision to divorce following enough.” our separation last summer. We have the utmost respect for each other − OG MANDINO and remain close friends.” The news comes two months after Page came out as transgender. Celebratingbrunch trailblazing women leaders in Sri Lanka ‘Top50’ Professional and Career Women Awards 2020 comes to a close BY VENESSA ANTHONY The Professional and Managing Director Jayanthi Career Women Awards, Dharmasena, Marketing The “Top50” Professional founded by R. Sulochana Consultant Kumara and Career Women Awards Segera in 2011, were Samarasinghe, Fonterra is Women in Management’s conceived to provide Brands Lanka Ltd. a platform for the Regulatory Aff airs (WIM) foremost annual event pipeline of female and Consumer Care that recognises and celebrates talent in Sri Lanka Associate Director individual and corporate and Asia. Through Corporate Thamari achievements of trailblazing the Professional and Senanayake, and women leaders in Sri Lanka. Career Women Award Shippers Academy programme, WIM has Soul Sounds Academy Colombo Ltd. CEO Rohan 2020 celebrates the 10th year of Director Soundarie our future endeavours.” “A lot of the credit goes out to our the awards since inception. This built a remarkable, informal David Rodrigo Maskorala. They faced the Pioneer and member of the Board team; they are the strength of our year’s award ceremony was held community of infl uential diffi cult task of evaluating of Trustees at Indira Cancer Trust, organisation. We have a lot of support on 26 January at Shangri-La women determined not only to build a strong line-up of applicants from Dr. Lanka Jayasuriya Dissanayake from our patrons and we also have an Hotel, Colombo, in the presence fruitful professional and personal various industries. was awarded the gold award from amazing set of volunteers and staff .” relationships with one another, but of many prominent men and In conversation with the the Organisational category for Best She further stated that this award to be advocates for an exciting new NGO, INGO, or Association on would not have been possible without women working in a diverse generation of leadership talent. range of fields. winners Women Empowerment. Indira Cancer the commitment from the team. “We Their main objective of the We at The Morning Brunch spoke Trust (ICT) was set up in memory of will continue to do our work and raise award ceremony is to honour women What is Women in to a few women that received Indira Jayasuriya, who was awareness on breast cancer.” contributing to the national and awards at the ceremony. Dr. Dissanayake’s sister, Soul Sounds Academy Director Management? regional economy by celebrating Selyn Handlooms who passed away in Soundarie David Rodrigo was WIM is a private limited company their achievements, experience, and Business Development November 2016 from awarded the gold as the winner of dedicated to uniting Sri Lanka’s creativity in leading institutions, Director Selyna Peiris breast cancer at the in the Art and Creative Industry professional and entrepreneurial professions, and businesses, by was awarded the gold age of 40 years. The category. She has had a signifi cant women. WIM provides a networking seizing opportunities and overcoming award for Emerging trust was initiated as impact in the music industry in platform for women to realise their challenges. Now in the 10th year, Business Leader. For the Cancer Care Trust Sri Lanka, and is recognised for dreams by facilitating a process which the awards continue to unearth and over two decades, in 2016 with specifi c her uncanny mentoring skills and helps foster innate potential while recognise the inspirational leadership of Selyna has ensured objectives. However, breathtaking vocals and pianist skills. developing skill sets. WIM also acts tomorrow across diverse sectors. the continuity of the it then evolved into She shared her thoughts on receiving as a conduit to the transformation This year’s panel of judges was tradition of handloom in Indira Cancer Trust with this award: “I am humbled to have chaired by Jetwing Travels Chairman Indira Cancer Trust of women in business by providing Sri Lanka, after Selyn was Board of Trustees broader objectives in 2018 received this award for the Arts and leadership, inspiration, and professional and Managing Director Shiromal passed down by her mother. Member Dr. Lanka which include a multitude Creative Industry, and I thank God services to its members and non- Cooray, High Commissioner of She has revolutionised the Jayasuriya of projects including the for the abundant blessings I have members alike. It is a service-oriented Australia to Sri Lanka David John handloom industry in Sri Mobile Mammography received all my life.” She also said organisation where its members Holly, John Keells Group Lanka, and brought up an option for a Project, hair and wig donation, a special thank you to the organisers benefi t through exposure to Executive Vice-President more sustainable lifestyle. Sharing her livelihood development, as well as WIM, for encouraging women potential clientele, off er Nadija Tambiah, thoughts on this achievement, Pieris relaxation programmes. Commenting in every sphere to keep raising their expertise, and Clootrack Sri Lanka/ commented: “I think it’s an added on this magnanimous achievement, standards. “From my end – this award earn remuneration. Maldives and Pakistan expectation, which is good because Dr. Dissanayake said: “We won this really belongs to all the women I have They are committed CEO Dr. Rohantha it keeps people like us on our toes award in recognition of the work of looked up to, my teachers and those to helping create Athukorala, IFC and helps us to keep on going.” She Indira. We were very happy to receive who have guided me along the way.” professional Women in Work added that society is watching them this award. The programme had many She also expressed gratitude to her opportunities for Programme Manager with a certain expectation now, which amazing women and to be part of that family who have always given her women, which in turn Sarah Twigg, Daily she regards as a positive fact because was amazing.” She added that today, the space to dream. Concluding, with can help strengthen FT Editor Nisthar there will be accountability at the end ICT is an organisation with over 500 a few touching words, she said: “Let Selyn Handlooms Cassim, Hayleys economic growth in Sri Business Development of the day. “It is also quite nice to be volunteers that aim to raise awareness music continue to inspire and bring Lanka. Director Selyna Peiris Agriculture Holdings Ltd. recognised, and I’m looking forward to about the severity of breast cancer. the world together.”

BY NAVEED ROZAIS travellers do not need to worry should they contract Covid-19 while in Sri Lanka. 21 January saw airports being reopened for foreign travel The new travel experience and after almost a year of border Seeing is believing SL as an Ayurveda and wellness lockdown. To mark the occasion, destination Sri Lanka Tourism hosted an online The members of the foreign tour international trade and media Sri Lanka Tourism holds webinar on resuming foreign travel operator and media delegation shared their conference “Seeing is believing”, that benefi t both the traveller and local personal experiences visiting Sri Lanka, shedding light on the protocols communities. stating that they were proud to be visiting and systems in place to protect Fernando explained that travellers to Sri Lanka as ambassadors for Ayurveda both foreign travellers visiting Sri Sri Lanka mid-pandemic will be required tourism, noting that the pandemic and social distancing had not dimmed their ability to Lanka as well as local communities. to take a PCR test prior to departing their home country followed by a PCR test on feel the warmth of Sri Lankan hospitality The webinar consulted with which had come through in all aspects of members of the first foreign tour arrival in Sri Lanka, following which they will be able to stay at pre-approved Level their visit. operator and media delegation One hotel where they are able to make Speaking on Ayurveda, the panel to visit Sri Lanka post-re-opening use of the hotel’s full facilities during explained that the capacity of Ayurveda borders, with members sharing their stay. Level One hotels are hotels that to strengthen the immune system and their personal experiences of have been authorised to accommodate promote general wellness made Sri Lanka visiting Sri Lanka mid-pandemic. foreign travellers. This said, travellers are an important destination for wellness, especially right now, as Sri Lanka is one The panel was presided over by encouraged to stay in their rooms as much as possible for the fi rst 24 hours of their of the very fi rst South Asian countries to Sri Lanka Promotions Bureau General reopen their borders to foreign travellers. Manager Krishantha Fernando and Sri stay or until they receive the results of their PCR test so any potential Covid-19 spread The panel shared that Ayurveda would Lanka Tourism Chairperson Kimarli be a new experiential approach for tourism Fernando along with members of the can be minimised. Fernando also explained that most PCR test results are received well in Sri Lanka and that demand for wellness foreign tour operator and media delegation and wellbeing holidays is growing in including Nueu Wege Managing Director within 24 hours, with 48 hours typically being the maximum time taken for results Europe, with inquiries into Sri Lanka as a Markus Hegemann, Fit-Reisen Group destination having already been received by Managing Director Claudia Wagner, Fit- to be received. Once the results of the PCR test on some tour operators. Reisen Head of Ayurveda Uwe Endres, Speaking on the German market in and Thailand Lifestyle Ltd. Founder and arrival in Sri Lanka have been received, and if it’s negative, travellers are then particular, the panel shared that the German Editor in Chief Nathalie Gutterman. people have grown accustomed to social The foreign tour operator and media free to travel within Sri Lanka provided they stay at Level One hotels and limit distancing and wearing masks, and this delegation visited Sri Lanka for a two- will not hamper them in a vacation setting. week Ayurveda retreat in a bid to promote their visits to the list of pre-approved tourist, wildlife, and heritage sites that are Commenting on Europe in general, and how Sri Lanka as an Ayurveda and wellness long it might take tourism to recover from destination to Germany and Europe. able to accommodate foreign travellers. The complete list of these hotels and the beating it has taken in 2020, the panel Travelling to Sri Lanka in the new destinations may be found on the Sri Lanka explained that this is diffi cult to gauge given that Covid-19 is a rapidly evolving situation normal Tourism website. Destinations that are approved for visits by foreign travellers in Europe, with restrictions being introduced Sri Lanka Tourism Chairperson include sites like Yala National Park, and relaxed as necessary to contain the Fernando shared that the last two years Wilpattu National Park, and Sigiriya as threat. have been tough for Sri Lanka, who has well as activities like whale watching. The panel was cautiously optimistic had to deal with the aftermath of the 2019 For those travellers whose PCR tests 50,000. On a practical level, travellers be transferred to a private hospital for for summer 2021, however, feeling that it Easter attacks followed by the pandemic. return positive, Fernando shared that the who are asymptomatic will be confi ned treatment with all costs being covered could be better than normal if restrictions Through the pandemic, Sri Lanka Tourism specialist Covid-19 insurance issued to to their hotel rooms until they have by their Covid-19 insurance. Fernando are relaxed because of a high demand has worked with the health authorities foreign travellers will cover Covid-19- recovered. If travellers are symptomatic stressed that the Covid-19 insurance for relaxed travel that has been heavily to implement protocols and practices related treatments and expenses up to $ and are in need of treatment, they will framework has been designed so that suppressed for a while. 124 brunch „„ www.themorning.lk { WELLNESS/STYLE } Thursday, January 28, 2021

Aerial view of Ulpotha

achieved when all of these aspects are in order.” She aims to open up the path of yoga to each individual that attends the session. Guests will also be able to add on an Ayurvedic treatment – “Vindana”, being a one-day treatment, and “Santhushti”, a three- day treatment to their experience at the retreat. Ulpotha, being a self-sustaining agricultural community, spanning 25 acres in the jungle heartland of Sri Lanka, is the ideal destination to leave behind all your stress and burdens and indulge in a digital detox, while lounging in gorgeous nature huts for a deep restorative The Ulpotha Yoga and Ayurveda Retreat sleep and a closer connection to nature. Ulpotha exists in a world where it’s safe enough to live without fences or walls or doors or locks. You’ll be looked after by its gentle, traditional agricultural community, among whom you will BACK TO NATURE be living. All precautionary measures against Covid-19 have also been implemented by the organisers, so you can relax and enjoy your stay with no worries. Ulpotha will be hosting this retreat for a limited private group so there’s plenty of AT ULPOTHA space in the 25-acre area for social BY VENESSA ANTHONY distancing too. The Morning Brunch spoke Workout.lk is hosting a to Workout.lk Founder Teesha uniquely curated two-night Wickramatunga on what to expect restorative nature retreat to from this retreat. “The stay is a provide an opportunity to minimum of two days, so guests can experience Ulpotha – one simply relax, and enjoy this splendid retreat we have tailored for them. of the most serene yoga We would encourage them to destinations in the world. participate in the entire programme, If a digital detox, the song of but they are free to choose what chirping birds, and to sleep like they’d like to do,” she explained. a baby attracts you, this is the She added: “This is a very holiday you’ve been waiting for. relevant retreat for these times, The experience will offer a range because going back to nature, and of delicious and organic Ayurvedic detoxing will be a lovely change of cuisine, a walk through breathtaking scenery from being confined to their mountain ranges, and a dip in the houses most of last year.” She further refreshing waters of the lotus-ringed explained that they will provide lake. Much of the food provided guests with an experience of natural is grown on site, so one may even lifestyle, with all the Covid-19 health visit the kitchens and brush up protocols in place, emphasising on your cooking skills, or simply that it is a very good experience for observe your meals being prepared. everyone to go back to the bygone Nourishing healthy breakfast, lunch, Guests at a yoga session at Ulpotha Yoga and Ayurveda Retreat eras, and understand how much dinner, snacks, teas, and juices will This retreat will have two yoga and healing frequencies with a mix practices, maintaining a strong link potential we have to reconnect with be available for the entire stay. sessions, one conducted by Joshua of meditative instruments including to its classical roots. She was also ourselves. Guests will also have the Reyna who will be offering optional singing bowls, Tibetan bell, rattles, trained in understanding human You can choose the days you’d opportunity to enjoy an exhilarating Shamanic sound healing sessions Native American flute, Shamanic physiology, anatomy, and Siddha like to visit Ulpotha during the period bicycle ride, a hike in the during this weekend in addition to voice, hang drum, and more. medicine. of 3 and 7 February. Coaches are countryside, and take their raft or yoga sessions. Guests will have the The other session will be In conversation with arranged from Colombo on 3 and 4 canoe through the backwaters for chance to enter into deep relaxation conducted by Rekha Krishnamoorthy Krishnamoorthy, she explained what February and to Colombo on 6 and 7 the best birdwatching spots. The and connect with their inner self who was previously a strategy her session would be like: “We will February. highlight of the experience will be the through pure healing vibrations; consultant for 10 years in the US be entering the classical roots of yoga sessions where, while learning release fear and come into balance. and Sri Lanka, and is now a certified yoga. For this retreat, I was looking @workout.lk the benefits of the practice, one will Sound healing can help detoxify Isha Hatha Yoga Instructor. She at sharing the practice of Asana yoga get back in touch with nature’s soft, the body, mind, and emotions. A underwent 1,750-plus hours of with a focus on your form, breath, age-old rhythms for true healing and session includes breath work at the training in India, which involved and alignment, because the impact of Workout.lk rejuvenation. beginning, integration at the end, comprehensive exposure to yogic this particular form of yoga is only Are teal sapphires the next big thing? and uniform the colour, the more Aaraa & Aati offers a dazzling experience with its exquisite Birds Eye collection valuable the stone. “Our exquisite collection of teal Sapphires have been treasured sapphires or the ‘Birds Eye’ range as some of the most precious is named after the Eurasian teal – a gemstones for thousands of years. common duck species with a distinct Throughout history, they have teal colour around its eyes. 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They are also the most durable And while many experts today naturally occurring elements in consider this gem the next revolution the world, which makes them an in multi-coloured sapphires, we’re excellent choice for engagement Aaraa & Aati – Sri Lanka’s Teal sapphires combine the Commenting on these The absence of a standard undeniably thrilled to pioneer this rings and everyday jewellery. homegrown luxury jewellery brand calming depth of blue with the beautiful gemstones, Aaraa & colour grading for the teal journey in Sri Lanka,” concluded In fact, more and more women – is reputed for exporting exquisite renewing energy of green – a Aati Co-founder Fahmy Rahman sapphire inspired Aaraa & Aati Rahman. are choosing coloured sapphires world-class gemstones to the West, refreshing expression of harmony stated: “Each teal sapphire has a to create its own benchmark for Aaraa & Aati lets customers over traditional diamonds for and was quick to recognise the and clarity; a symbol of fidelity unique personality that is reflected premium colour grades. 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And what’s even more compelling to streamline its focus towards Aati’s tantalising collection of teal worn in the past – such as folklore, In terms of tone, the highly valued is the fact that no two sapphires sourcing the most premium-quality sapphires are intricately tailored to legends, myths, associated healing ones are not too dark nor too light. are alike! Moreover, sapphires teal sapphires and specialising in offer the most elegant engagement benefits, as talismans, birthstones, And in terms of saturation, a 50% 0770 218 384 are far more reasonably priced their production – which it has and wedding rings for those who and zodiac gems – the vivid and saturation of green and a 50% without compromising on beauty been doing for the past decade wish to treasure their life-changing gorgeous colours are what make saturation of blue is the perfect www.aaraa-aati.com or quality. now. moments. teal sapphires incredibly alluring.” blend. In general, the more intense brunch 13 4 Thursday, January 28, 2021 { LIFESTYLE }  www.themorning.lk SELF-REALISATION, WORK LIFE, AND SOCIAL MEDIA it was a lot of emotional and mental strength that she needed to build on and most importantly, she needed to take up every opportunity that came her way. 2. You are who you surround yourself with It was when she set foot in Malaysia for her secondary education The third episode of Mastering that Sumaiya began to contemplate Mediocrity premiered on 26 what type of individuals she needed September, featuring freelance around her. As an ambitious stylist, content creator, and individual, she needed people who former Cosmopolitan Sri Lanka would contribute to her progress in Fashion Editor Sumaiya life. Content creation and fashion Mohamed. Here are three designing are all forms of art which not a lot of people can master. It is an key things we learned from industry where you need to always our chat with Sumaiya on keep up with the latest trends and Mastering Mediocrity. lifestyles and therefore is not the easiest fi eld to work in. For the duo or anyone pursuing a career in this 1. Hard work and perseverance industry, it was vital that they believe can take you places in themselves and in their creativity. 3. Having a lot of in the media industry. Unfortunately, All in all, this episode was Sumaiya reminisced about her Which is why it is imperative that it is now the case where a person’s inspiring yet relatable to us in many teen self and how she wasn’t the most they surround themselves with followers doesn’t mean talent is measured based on their ways. Balancing your work life and outspoken person in the room, but she friends to bring a positive vibe into your content is great number of followers. This has had a personal life is not an easy task but did not let that stop her from reaching their lives. As we live in a world of major impact on upcoming content with the right people, how hard could her goals. Sumaiya’s story is what we Zeeshan and Sumaiya both technology, every person we pass by creators and freelancers who despite it possibly be? could call a “rocky road” but she still explained how choosing their circle has their own social media account. To their capacities and talent, are passed Episode transcribed by Amani persevered and pushed herself despite was one of the most diffi cult yet put it in the words of Facebook Chief on for opportunities. Zeeshan too Najumudeen the constant criticism she received best decisions they had to make. Operating Offi cer Sheryl Sandberg, recollected the numerous times during from the various individuals around Sumaiya’s journey is a strong life “now everyone has a voice”. his early years where he was passed https://youtu.be/ADs9hkbC5ss her. Sumaiya also mentioned how she lesson, the moral being that with the The usage of social media has on for projects due to a comparatively knew that accomplishing her dreams right people around us, no obstacle almost become a necessity in today’s less number of followers than other https://apple.co/3a7DOhC wasn’t going to be an easy task as would seem too diffi cult to surpass. world, especially for those working content creators on Instagram. Informatics Institute of Technology (IIT) joins UNIVISER The Informatics Institute of Technology (IIT) has adopted something new to innovatively connect with their core stakeholders. IIT has announced that in September 2020 it began partnering with UNIVISER – a Singaporean and Sri Lankan-based tech startup. The partnership resulted From left: IIT Head of Marketing Ashwaq Ahamed and UNIVISER in conducting a pilot programme of UNIVISER’s Founder and CEO Ismail Sadurdeen customisable peer-to-peer digital platform that increases new student recruitment by instantly prospects receive the information they need to make connecting prospects to IIT’s star students and alumni. informed decisions about their futures. IIT piloted the application for two months via a “With the global pandemic changing the world soft rollout and onboarded 23 brand ambassadors from to its new normal, IIT has collaborated with the within the university who are commonly referred to as UNIVISER platform in helping potential students to “buddies”. The buddies make themselves available to virtually gain a basic understanding and overview prospective students by serving as peer resources that of campus life from facilities, academics, to social can answer common questions and provide in-depth activities by connecting with IITians currently studying information on IIT’s programmes, campus life, and at the campus through this interactive platform,” IIT the overall student experience. The goal is to ensure Head of Marketing Ashwaq Ahamed stated. The Seven Media Team Seven Media Group wins the Digital Marketing SLTC strengthens partnership Grand Prix 2.0 Award with Deakin University at SLIM Digis 2.0 Seven Media Seven Media Launches education centre for global collaboration Group, the fi rst creative Group Chief Executive digital agency in Sri Offi cer (CEO) Subodha Sri Lanka Technological The heightening of the partnership Lanka, racked up an Pilimatalawwe, Campus (SLTC) recently was witnessed by academics and impressive award haul at commenting on the wins, renewed its partnership with administrators of the two universities; the recently held SLIM had this to say: “While Deakin University Deputy Vice Digis 2.0, including it is an incredible feeling Deakin University in Australia the coveted Digital to win so many awards, at a virtual event hosted at Chancellor Global Engagement Prof. Gary Smith signed on behalf of Deakin Marketing Grand Prix I am very proud of my SLTC Trace Expert City, University, while SLTC Founder 2.0 Award. team for winning the Colombo. Deakin University President/Chief Executive Offi cer Seven Media’s award of the night, the is one of the top-ranking (CEO) Eng. Ranjith G. Rubasinghe excellent creative digital one that truly matters, universities in Australia for signed on behalf of SLTC. campaign work for the the Digital Marketing quality of education and Deakin University Faculty of NDB Balance Transfer Grand Prix Award. The student satisfaction. Science, Engineering, and Built “Hirawelada” campaign growth of Seven Media fended off competition Group is God’s amazing The partnership signing Environment Associate Dean – from over 40 competing grace and obtaining coincided with launch of the Centre International and Partnerships Prof. multinational agencies the Grand Prix Award for Global Education (CGE) which Baskaran said: “The Deakin Cloud From left: President/CEO Eng. Ranjith Rubasinghe, and Director – Deakin International | and brands to win the is a testament to our will serve as an education centre Campus serves to deliver an authentic Sri Lanka Country O ce Peter Mayadunne Digital Marketing Grand hardworking team, who for faculty, students, staff , and campus experience to students overseas Prix Award, which is are constantly striving the public, making world-class while granting access to a host of the Bachelor of Artifi cial Intelligence the ensuing years with demand and awarded to the agency for perfection in the work international education and resources resources and services including face- (AI) programme, making history as the curiosity for AI soaring both globally that achieves the highest they do, regardless of the more accessible to local students to-face, real-time interactions with fi rst Sri Lankan institute to embrace the and in Sri Lanka.” score in both the main challenges in their way. who are seeking opportunities to be faculty based in Australia. Another discipline and off er a dedicated degree Meanwhile Eng. Rubasinghe awards category, and the As an agency proudly exposed to global education in order highlight of this agreement is SLTC in the same. We’re confi dent this will thanked Prof. Baskaran for the special awards category. made in Sri Lanka, we to complete higher studies. being given the green light to initiate be one of the most popular courses in invaluable assistance extended in materialising the partnership between Seven Media then are so proud to have the two institutes. He said that SLTC is struck gold once again reached the pinnacle of very fast in adapting global education in the special award digital marketing, as we trends and will further commit to the for Digital Brand expand globally. We are same with greater effi ciency via the Bravery, with the Best thankful to SLIM and CGE moving forward: “We are excited Performance Marketing all their sponsors for to partner with Deakin University in a Campaign award for continuing this award more meaningful fashion rather than the NDB NEOS mobile platform, and I believe being a mere franchise-holder. Our banking campaign, with the grace of God, role is not merely that of a facilitator and they were also Seven Media Group will but a holistic, fully fl edged university recognised for their continue to grow from relaying knowledge, facilities, skills, contribution to the NDB strength to strength in a From left: Head of Faculty of Business Studies Dr. Sharmini Perera, Deputy Registrar Asanka Abeykoon, Senior Lecturer Dr. Tharanga Gunarathna, and dispositions to local students credit card campaign, phenomenal way across Director – Research and International A airs Dr. Nanda Gunawardena, SLTC President/CEO Eng. Ranjith Rubasinghe, Head of School – School of transcending geographical and other emerging as fi nalists. Southeast Asia.” Computing and IT Dr. Dhammika Elkaduwe, Registrar Pabasara Amarawardana, Senior Executives Shiromi Sharmila and Dileesha Liyanage, and Deakin International Sri Lanka Country O ce Director Peter Mayadunne constraints.” 144 sports „„ www.themorning.lk { SPORTS } Thursday, January 28, 2021

A ‘star’ from the ‘60s Is there anything special about this ordinary photograph that depicts a Black, bespectacled person reading a newspaper inside a commuter train?

Background The Black man seen here is Arthur Ashe, the first Black tennis player in the world to win a Grand Slam title. On 8 September 1968, at the age of 25, Ashe beat Tom Okker of the Netherlands to win the US Open men’s singles championship. A day after, Ashe was captured on camera inside a New York City subway, evidently being seated unnoticed by his fellow passengers. Rahmanullah Gurbaz of Afghanistan could be one of the leading contenders Analysis A shot out of a “Hitchcock classic”? Looks like. The top right corner gives the image – with the burning lights inside the passenger car – an impression of a scene of an old black-and-white movie. Our focus is perhaps disturbed by the newspaper in ICC announces the middle which depicts an advert of the popular Seventeen teen magazine that time. Arthur just looks more like a high school student than a Grand Slam tennis champion. Revelations This tells a reality of the times. A US ‘Player of the Month’ Open champion today cannot be found Fans are invited to vote online every month to award their Ashwin (India), Joe Root NOMINATION AND VOTING PROCESS like this, especially a day after the mega favourite male and female cricketers across all formats of (England), Steve Smith tournament. The sports culture as well as international cricket played in that month, said the ICC (Australia), Marizanne Kapp yy The three nominees for each of the categories will the sports economy and the entire life of a yesterday (27). (South Africa), Nadine de be determined by the ICC Awards Nominations world-class sportsman have become very Klerk (South Africa), and Committee based on on-field performances and different now. The International Cricket Women’s Player of the Month. Nida Dar (Pakistan), there will overall achievements during the period of that month (the first to the last day of each calendar month) Photographer Council (ICC) announced Fans have been treated to be no shortage of candidates the introduction of “The some sensational cricketing for the month of January. yy This shortlist is then voted for by the independent ICC This photo is by renowned sports ICC Player of the Month” performances during the ICC General manager – Voting Academy – comprising prominent members of photographer John Gerald Zimmerman of awards, which will recognise month of January, making the Cricket Geoff Allardice said: the cricket family including senior journalists, former the famous Time magazine. and celebrate the best inaugural Player of the Month “The ICC Player of the Month players, and broadcasters – and fans around the world performances of both male awards a highly competitive is a great way to connect Afterword and female cricketers across affair. with fans of the sport and yy The Voting Academy will submit their votes by email Ashe died of AIDS in 1993, aged 49 after all forms of international From performances celebrate performances of and will retain a 90% share of the vote having contracted HIV allegedly from a cricket throughout the year. from youngsters such as their favourite players through yy Subsequently, on the first day of each month, fans blood transfusion during a heart bypass An independent ICC Voting Mohammed Siraj (India), the year. It gives us all an registered with the ICC will be able to submit votes surgery. Before his untimely death, he had Academy comprising former Washington Sundar (India), opportunity to acknowledge via the ICC website and will have a 10% share of the founded the Arthur Ashe Foundation for the players, broadcasters, and Thangarasu Natarajan world-class performances on vote defeat of the disease and was posthumously journalists from around the (India), Rishabh Pant (India), the field by male and female awarded the “Presidential Medal of Freedom” world, will team up with fans and Rahmanullah Gurbaz cricketers, and they have been yy Winners will be announced every second Monday of by former US President Bill Clinton. to vote for the ICC Men’s (Afghanistan), to established in abundance throughout the month on the ICC’s digital channels Player of the Month and ICC players such as Ravichandran January.” Ranjitsinhji and the famous Parsis in India cricket 1) Nari Contractor – Captain of India and a left- 6) Rusi Surti – He took 42 Test wickets with his Into the Past handed batsman who scored 1,611 Test runs at slow and medium-pace left-arm bowling, but 31.58. He must have been accident-prone, because it was his batting for 1,263 Test runs at 28.70 WITH THILAK besides the famous “Charlie Griffith injury”, his that took him into the Queensland States side in mother went into labour on a train in the middle Australia. It was typical that a Parsi should be the He has demonstrated that at least one non-white could of Gujarat. Fortunately Nari’s uncle had been first Indian to play in the Sheffield Shield there. play the “Anglo Saxon” game of cricket, as well as the the train driver. white men – that was Sir Ranjitsinhji Vibhaji Jadeja. 7) Phiroza Palia – He played two Tests as a But an exception could be made in Ranjitsinhji’s case, 2) Farokh Engineer – He played for India from graceful left-handed batsman and defensive, on the grounds that he was royalty. Elsewhere, there 1961-1975 as a genuine all-rounder. He scored slow left-arm bowler. was still no evidence by the turn of the 19th Century 2,611 runs in 46 Tests, besides warding off the that non-whites could play the game to equal effect. wicketkeeping challenge of Budhi Kunderan and 8) Khershed Meherhomji – He toured England in In the West Indies, a few bowlers were proving fast becoming Lancashire’s favourite sons. 1936 as a wicketkeeper and played in one Test. and formidable in the nets; Australian aborigines had toured England in 1868, but had since faded. 3) Rusi Modi – In his few Test matches, he made 736 9) Keki Tarapore – He was a left-arm spinner and Otherwise the Indian Persians, colloquially referred to runs at an average of 46. He was a run maker of was Secretary of the Cricket Club of India (CCI) as Parsis, were alone in challenging the white assumption the merchant scale before retiring early, and is the in Mumbai (then Bombay), India’s counterpart – this above is the opinion expressed on Scyld Berry’s only batsman to have made 1,000 runs in one Ranji to the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) from famous 1982 book Cricket Wallah. Trophy season, at an average of 201. 1954-82. “The Parsis have proved that Indians possess physical and moral qualities, which under given circumstances, 4) Pahlan “Polly” Umrigar – As both a vigorous 10) Rustomji Jamshedji – A gifted but profligate stand favourable in comparison with those which the hitter and a dourly defensive batsman, he scored left-arm spin bowler, he could make the ball Europeans themselves possess,” wrote M.K. Patel in 3,631 Test runs at 42.2, in spite of a reputation for hum in the air. One story about him is repeated 1901. By 1932 Parsis’ cricket had lost its pre-eminence. not favouring the fastest of bowling. He also took so often. Wilfred Rhodes has said when he saw It was being eclipsed by Hindu and Muslim cricket, 35 Test wickets as a Basil D’Oliveira-type bowler. Jamshedji: “If I had his power of spin, no batting Sir Ranjitsinhji Vibhaji Jadeja (10 September 1872 – 2 April 1933), often known which could call on far larger human resources. side would ever make a hundred.” as Ranji, was the ruler of the Indian princely state of Nawanagar from 1907-33, Following are 11 Parsi Test cricketers in rough 5) Sorabji Colah – A left-handed batsman, he was as Maharaja Jam Saheb. He was a noted Test cricketer who played for the English cricket team. He also played first-class cricket for Cambridge University and batting order, as was listed by Berry in his remarkable one of two Parsis along with Phiroza Palia to feature 11) Jamshed Jiji Irani – He was a wicketkeeper county cricket for Sussex book Cricket Wallah: in India’s first Test at Lord’s in 1932. who toured Australia in 1947-48. sports 154 Thursday, January 28, 2021 { SPORTS } „„ www.themorning.lk

Chathurya Nilaweera (left) and Thehan Wijemanne Fawad Alam PHOTOS ISHAN WANNIARACHCHI rescues Pakistan zPakistan vs. SA first Test in Karachi – Day Two report Pakistan’s No. 6 batsman Fawad Alam meant the Karachi pitch seemed to no longer ensured that his side bounced back strikingly possess some of the demons it suggested it on the second day in Karachi yesterday (27) had on the previous day. There were a couple with his third Test century, helping the home of nervy instances early in the day, but once side end the day at 308/8, a lead of 88, against the batsmen rode through that and took the South Africa. total past 50, they knew they were in control. Alam’s century formed the bedrock of Alam and Ali put on a fine 94-run Pakistan’s efforts on the second day, as he partnership, ensuring the South African put on sizeable partnerships with Azhar Ali, bowlers had no joy in the opening session, Mohammad Rizwan, and Faheem Ashraf to even though Keshav Maharaj, their most ensure Pakistan dug themselves out of the experienced spinner, threatened occasionally. hole they found themselves in at the end of Their partnership, which lasted the best part the first day, reported icc-cricket.com. of 40 overs, took the sting out of South Alam’s heroics also meant Pakistan Africa. When Maharaj eventually got the extended Kagiso Rabada’s wait for his 200th breakthrough, Ali attempting a cut and Test wicket, to another day at least. sending it through to the ‘keeper, Pakistan Pakistan were in trouble overnight, having weren’t too affected. been reduced to 27/4 late on the opening day Mohammad Rizwan came in and continued with their best batsman, Babar Azam, back in frustrating South Africa. While Alam, in his Ruvi the dressing room. The South African bowlers unorthodox manner, ploughed away, Rizwan Lewkebandara had their tails up, and, had they managed a adopted a more aggressive approach, scoring couple of wickets in the morning session, a relatively quick 59-ball 33, to put on a Pakistan might well have crumbled. quick 50-run stand. He eventually perished Instead, they found themselves facing the to Lungi Ngidi, but the worst was yet to steely resolve of Alam and Azhar Ali. Their grit come for South Africa, as Faheem Ashraf SRI LANKA TENNIS NATIONALS 2020 joined Alam. South Africa 1st innings – 220 all South Africa were punished in differing out in 69.2 overs manners. While Ashraf played his shots and adopted an attacking approach, Alam PAKISTAN FIRST INNINGS continued his tried-and-tested approach, Imran Butt c sub b Rabada 9 grinding out the opposition. The duo added Abid Ali b Rabada 4 Vichinthya and 102 runs for the seventh wicket, during Azhar Ali c de Kock b Maharaj 51 the course of which Alam finally brought Babar Azam (Capt.) lbw b Maharaj 7 up his third Test century – it was his third Shaheen Afridi b Nortje 0 Test century, meaning every time he has Fawad Alam c Bavuma b Ngidi 109 scored over fifty in Test cricket, Alam has Mohammad Rizwan (wk) c du Plessis b Ngidi 33 managed to convert that into three figures. Dinara become U-14 Faheem Ashraf b Nortje 64 Late in the day, after Pakistan had attained Hasan Ali not out 11 the lead and extended it, Alam and Ashraf Nauman Ali not out 6 fell in quick succession. Alam picked Extras: (nb 9, b 1, lb 4) 14 out mid-wicket with a flick off Ngidi, in Total: (for 8 wickets in 107 overs) 308 what was a much-needed breakthrough for champions Did not bat: Yasir Shah South Africa, and three overs later, Ashraf Fall of wickets: 1-5 (Abid Ali, 4.1 ov), 2-15 (Butt, 6.4 ov), followed suit, undone by a yorker from The girls’ and boys’ Under-14 singles finals of the 3-26 (Azam, 15.3 ov), 4-27 (Afridi, 16.2 ov), 5-121 Anrich Nortje. Despite that, Pakistan had Sri Lanka Tennis Junior Nationals 2020 were held (Azhar Ali, 53.6 ov), 6-176 (Rizwan, 72.3 ov), 7-278 scored a dominant 130 runs in the final yesterday (27) at the Sri Lanka Tennis Association (SLTA) (Alam, 97.5 ov), 8-295 (Ashraf, 100.6 ov) session alone, and the ball is now firmly hard courts in Colombo. Bowling: Kagiso Rabada 23-7-45-2 (2nb), Anrich Nortje in Pakistan’s court. Vichinthya Nilaweera of Stafford International School, 24-4-84-2 (1nb), Lungi Ngidi 15-0-55-2 (3nb), Keshav Colombo, beat Ransath Peiris of Ananda College, Colombo, Maharaj 29-4-71-2 (3nb), George Linde 13-4-38-0, 6/1, 6/1 in the boys’ final, while Dinara De Silva of St. Bridget’s Aiden Markram 3-0-10-0 Convent, Colombo, beat Vishmi Serasinghe of Ave Maria Convent, Negombo, 7/5, 7/6 (7/2) in the girls’ final. Meanwhile in the girls’ Under-16 final, Ruvi Lewkebandara of Gateway International School, Colombo, beat Hasali Gajaba of Visakha Vidyalaya, Colombo, 6/3, 6/4. This year’s title winners of Men’s Doubles, young Thehan Wijemanne of Royal College, Colombo, and Chathurya Nilaweera of Stafford International, clinched the boys’ Under-18 doubles championship also yesterday, ousting Luka Knese and Kavisha Ratnayake, 6/2, 6/1 in the final.

Fawad Alam punches through cover on his way to the timely ton, as South Africa wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock looks on PHOTO © CRICINFO Vichinthya Nilaweera Dinara De Silva

SRI LANKA TO TOUR WEST INDIES NEXT MONTH Hope brothers test positive for Covid-19 West Indies opener Shai Hope and his brother Kyle have been ruled out of the Barbados squad ahead of the Regional Super50 Cup after testing positive for Covid-19. “The Hope brothers, Shai and Kyle, have tested positive for Covid-19 and will miss the Cricket West Indies (CWI) CG Insurance Super50 Cup in Antigua, (from) 7 to 27 February,” the Barbados Cricket Association said in a statement. “Shai and Kyle Hope will be placed in ON THIS DAY – 28 JANUARY isolation in accordance with Government of Barbados protocols,” it added. The players had undergone testing on 1887 England were all out for 45 runs, their lowest total ever, Sunday (24), ahead of the tournament against Australia at Sydney Cricket Grounds. Yet they went on scheduled to begin next week in Antigua. to win the Test quite dramatically by 13 runs Wicketkeeper Tevyn Walcott and top-order batsman Zachary McCaskie have been named 1959 The Soviet Union wins 62/37 to afflict the first international as replacement for the duo in the 15-man basketball loss on their “Cold War” rivals USA in the FIBA Barbados squad. World Championship finals in Chile Shai has represented West Indies in 34 Tests, 78 ODIs, and 13 T20Is while Kyle 1976 Erapalli Prasanna, at the age of 35, became India’s most has featured in five Tests and seven ODIs. successful spinner, as he took eight for 76 against New Zealand Sri Lanka are scheduled to tour West Indies in Auckland (see photo) to set up a memorable eight-wicket in February for two Tests, three ODIs, and victory for India. He thus went past Vinoo Mankad’s 162 wickets West Indies opener Shai Hope (left) and his brother Kyle three T20Is.  www.themorning.lk Thursday, January 28, 2021 Ashantha resigns, drastic measures taken by Minister National Selection Committee Chairman Ashantha de Mel resigned from his post yesterday (27). There was severe criticism from many quarters after Sri Lanka lost their Test series against England this week. Either Pramodaya Wickramasinghe or Kapila Wijegunawardena is to be appointed in his place, it is learnt. Meanwhile, after meeting with Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), the National Sports Council, and the Sri Lanka Head Coach yesterday, the Minister has decided to appoint a new selection committee, a competitive domestic structure, and a domestic tournament, while also deciding to give priority to player discipline and tness. A director and a mentor are also to be appointed to assist Head Coach Mickey Arthur.

FOREIGN sportsSPORTS IN BRIEF It’s now or never: Former cricketers warn The Galle Test series debacle  Minister Rajapaksa to meet against England this week has sparked the discussion once again: SLC officials this week Where is our cricket heading? Arsenal signs Real midfielder Odegaard  Ranatunga slams the Board and Arsenal have signed Real Madrid attacking mid elder Martin Odegaard on loan until the end of the season, BBC said yesterday (27). “useless” foreign coaches The 22-year-old Norwegian has struggled to make an impact in Real Manager Zinedine Zidane’s squad this season. Real Sociedad, where Odegaard spent last season on loan, and Eredivisie leaders Ajax were  Jayasuriya says no ad hoc also interested. Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta said: “Martin is of course a player we all know very well. Although still young, he has been playing measures can solve the problems at the top level for a while.” Arteta said Odegaard will “provide us with quality o ensive options” and the Norway international could feature on Saturday (30) in the Premier League against Manchester United (11  Warnapura and Avishka p.m. SL time). Gunawardene too join criticism  Ranatunga proposes interim committee to run the sport Four former cricket Captains of Sri Lanka who his uncle. He has the blessings of the political hierarchy for private property of anybody. It is something owned by the brought immeasurable honour to the country – whatever he does. Therefore, he can make things right. We whole country. Don’t cheat. Don’t sell this sport.” Bandula Warnapura, Arjuna Ranatunga, Sanath are watching how he is going to do that,” said Ranatunga. Jayasuriya, along with former national player He added there was no use of all the foreign coaches who Sanath Jayasuriya: and Coach Avishka Gunawardene – criticised the are serving Sri Lanka right now. Some batting coaches of “We are very sad about what has happened to our cricket. incumbent Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) administration the current team were ones who displayed worse techniques There were drastic selection mistakes that cost us the Tests for the deterioration of the country’s cricket to than him during his playing days, Ranatunga noted. in Galle. We could have taken the services of someone like unprecedented lows during the last four, five years. Rangana Herath to train our spinners during the series. There They did so at a live television talk show that aired on Bandula Warnapura: are good people who can support us to come out of this mess. Zlatan Ibrahimovic (on right) and Romelu Lukaku a national television channel on Tuesday (26). “We played our first Test against England about 40 years There are fortunately good talents that are still emerging in this were involved in an ugly clash before the latter’s ago and lost under four days. We faced the same result in country. But no ad hoc solutions can solve these problems.” Inter Milan beat AC Milan 2-1 in a dramatic Coppa Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Namal Rajapaksa told the Galle this week. But we didn’t have any coaches those times. Italia match yesterday (27) media the same day that he is going to meet the SLC officials We were paid Rs. 250 per day in that match. We need to get Avishka Gunawardene: this week to discuss the current situation facing cricket. He together and save this sport.” “This deterioration is the result of long-standing negligence. Inter Milan in Coppa semis also expressed his willingness to put the cricket administration Arjuna Ranatunga: We pointed out this predicament when those problems were Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Romelu Lukaku were involved in an ugly in order if the things are not happening satisfactorily. slowly starting. Now those small, small issues have developed clash before Christian Eriksen’s 97th-minute winner gave Inter Milan “It is not my job to interfere into any sports administration. “The entire lot at the present cricket system has to be into a massive problem. I don’t talk about the administration victory in a dramatic Coppa Italia derby yesterday (27). Former But if they fail to deliver, I need to do something,” he said. removed. The Minister can appoint an interim committee for but as a former cricketer and coach, I can talk about our cricket Tottenham mid elder Eriksen came o the bench to score a superb free-kick as Inter came from behind to reach the semi- nals. It was Ranatunga emphasised in the above programme that it is a certain period of time until the system is revamped. Some structure. You need to reduce the number of first-class clubs. virtually the nal act of a match in which Ibrahimovic scored, became Minister Rajapaksa who is best placed to clean up the mess officials are there for over 10 years. There is no difference at The first-class present player base is way too much. There is embroiled in an unseemly spat with former Manchester United team- and put cricket in its right place. all. Those officials need to be disciplined first, if the players a massive quantity but the quality has dropped drastically. mate Lukaku, and was then sent o . “He is not an ordinary Sports Minister. The present Prime are to be disciplined. We also can support if we are requested It’s now or never. If you miss this opportunity to rectify the Minister is his father and the present Executive President is to join. If you can’t do it, you should leave. Cricket is not a problems, we will never be able to stand up.” Wade dropped from Aus Tests 19-man squad named for mooted SA tour Tuchel to replace Lampard Chelsea yesterday (27) appointed former Paris St-Germain boss Cricket Australia has announced a 19-man Swepson, and David Warner Thomas Tuchel as their new Manager on an 18-month contract with squad for a mooted three-Test tour of South an option to extend it. He won two league titles, the French Cup, and Africa, which could prove pivotal in the race Aus T20I squad named for the French League Cup at PSG. “I cannot wait to meet my new team to the International Cricket Council (ICC) NZ series and compete in the most exciting league in football. I am grateful to be part of the Chelsea family,” Tuchel, 47, said. World Test Championship Final, the ICC Meanwhile Australia’s squad for the Chelsea sacked Frank Lampard on Monday after 18 months in charge, said yesterday (27). February-March Twenty20 International series following a run of one win in ve league matches. Coming off the back of a 2-1 Test series against New Zealand was also announced loss to India, Australia have dropped Matthew Australia dropped Matthew Wade yesterday. Man City hammer five against Wade from their squad, after the veteran made from their Test squad for South The 18-man squad will be captained by West Brom just 123 runs at an average of 21.62 across Africa, for the veteran had made Aaron Finch, with Andrew McDonald stepping Manchester City climbed to the top of the Premier League football the four Tests. just 123 runs at an average of up as team coach in the absence of Justin Langer, on Tuesday (26) by handing West Brom a 5-0 home hammering. No 21.62 in his last four Tests team in Europe’s top ve divisions has conceded as many goals at home Australia slipped to third place on the World who will be in South Africa for a three-Test as Sam Allardyce’s Albion and they were ruthlessly exposed again by a Test Championship standings after their loss series pencilled in for the same time. brilliant attacking display. For the second week running, City were the to India in the final Test at Brisbane. bene ciaries of a contentious o side call but there can be no doubt Wade to deputise Finch that they would have routed the hosts regardless. Ilkay Gundogan Need to win at least two Finch will be deputised by Matthew Wade, continued his inspired run in front of goal with two excellent strikes, Joao Cancelo scored while an o side  ag was raised and several players To secure a place in the World Test who has been left out of the 19-man Test squad to seemed to stop, and Riyad Mahrez powered in a fourth before the Championship final, Australia will have to play South Africa. Despite the absence of cross- break. win at least two Tests of the proposed three- format stars Steve Smith and David Warner, match series against South Africa and avoid the batting order will not be short of firepower, Arteta dedicates win to any losses. with Finch, Glenn Maxwell, and Marcus Stoinis Aubameyang On the other hand, a home series win by all included. Arsenal Manager Mikel Arteta dedicated his side’s Premier League South Africa will end Australia’s chances of Australia currently sit second on the ICC 3-1 win over Southampton on Tuesday to absent Captain Pierre- Emerick Aubameyang, who missed the game for personal reasons. The making the final. Any other results require a T20I rankings, one spot behind England and Gunners made light of their star striker’s absence as they continued favourable combination of series results not four ahead of New Zealand. their excellent run of league form by coming from behind to beat the featuring Australia. Saints in an eventful game. After Alexandre Lacazette missed a glorious Australia T20I squad: chance to give the Gunners a rst-minute lead, Stuart Armstrong put Five uncapped players being paired together at the Gabba following depth with the in-form Moises Henriques also Aaron Finch (Captain), Matthew Wade Southampton ahead from a wonderful delivery by captain James Ward-Prowse. Wade’s axing leaves Travis Head as the Pucovski’s injury. in the squad. (Vice Captain), Ashton Agar, Jason front runner to bat at No. 5, but he faces The three-Test series against South Africa “Tim Paine was excellent at No. 7 against Behrendorff, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Afghans dominate UAE ODIs competition from Moises Henriques, Will is still pending an official sign-off from both India; and as a batsman, wicket-keeper, and Ben McDermott, Riley Meredith, Josh Afghanistan beat Ireland by 36 runs in their third and nal ODI Pucovski, and reserve keeper Alex Carey. CA and Cricket South Africa boards. captain, still has much to offer in the Test arena. Philippe, Jhye Richardson, Kane Richardson, played in Abu Dhabi, UAE on Tuesday (26). They won the series 3-0. Carey is one of five uncapped players in the “Nathan Lyon and Mitchell Swepson offer Daniel Sams, Tanveer Sangha, D’Arcy Short, Afghanistan batting rst made 266/9 and bowled out Ireland for 230 in Trevor Hohns’ views 47.1 overs. Rashid Khan who took 4/29 was adjudged the Player of the squad, alongside fast bowlers Sean Abbott, wonderful spin bowling options for South Marcus Stoinis, Ashton Turner, Andrew Tye, Match. In the second ODI played on Sunday (24), Afghanistan chased Michael Neser and Mark Steketee, and leg- “David Warner, Will Pucovski, and African conditions, Similarly, we like the skill, and Adam Zampa successfully a target of 260 runs for three wickets in 45.2 overs. Ireland spinner Mitchell Swepson. Marcus Harris all opened at different stages execution and variation offered by our pace had made 259/9 in their allotted 50 overs. Earlier Ireland equalled their against India and should be well-suited to corps of Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Australia vs. New Zealand four-match ODI series against the UAE 1-1 at the same country. Pucovski back in contention the conditions in South Africa,” said Cricket Mitchell Starc, Michael Neser, James T20I series Pucovski is back in contention for selection Australia Chairman of Selectors Trevor Hohns. Pattinson, Sean Abbott and Mark Steketee.” 22 February at 7 p.m. at Hagley Oval, after injuring his shoulder on Test debut earlier “Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith were Christchurch this month. Pucovski scored a half-century in good form during the Australian summer, Australia Test squad: 25 February at 2 p.m. at University Oval, opening the batting in his first match for and Travis Head has an opportunity to reclaim Tim Paine (Captain), Pat Cummins (Vice Dunedin Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground at the No. 5 spot.” Captain), Sean Abbott, Alex Carey, Cameron 3 March at 7 p.m. at Wellington Regional the start of the year. Green, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Stadium, Wellington He provides Australia’s selectors an option Paine was excellent Travis Head, Moises Henriques, Marnus 5 March at 7 p.m. at Eden Park, Auckland as both an opener and a middle-order batter. “We’ve been very impressed with Cameron Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, 7 March at 2 p.m. at Bay Oval, Mount Incumbent openers David Warner and Marcus Green’s first foray into Test cricket as an all- James Pattinson, Will Pucovski, Steve Smith, Maunganui Harris have both been named in the squad after rounder batting at No. 6, and we have great Mitchell Starc, Mark Steketee, Mitchell * All times local

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