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Inside Story We Must Take Maximum Precautions – Dr. Sudath Samaraweera Dr. Sudath Samaraweera, Director of Epidemiology Unit, Ministry of Health says, “There is nothing called being more careful than in the past. We have to be cautious to the maximum. There are no two words. A6

100 MPs urge President Re-arrest

Riyaj! Repatriation of stranded Lankans Want fresh probe President halts launched private sector By Methmalie Dissanayake and W.K Prasad Manju A group of Government MPs have sent a written involvement request to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, to have Riyaj Bathiudeen, the brother of All Ceylon By Chamara Amarasuriya Makkal Congress (ACMC) Leader MP Rishad Bathiudeen, who had allegedly helped National President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has decided to halt the Thowheed Jama’ath (NTJ) Leader Zaharan Hashim involvement of the private sector in the return of Sri to flee to India in 2018, rearrested and launch a Lankans stranded abroad. fresh probe into the allegations levelled at him. The decision has been reportedly taken as the Riyaj Bathiudeen, who was arrested by the Intelligence unit has reported that general safety Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on 14 April, measures have not been followed while certain financial allegedly in connection with the Easter Sunday 2019 irregularities have also taken place. terror attacks, was released from the Department’s The Intelligence unit has revealed that although those custody after 168 days, sparking controversy in... stranded abroad should be brought back in accordance...

Story Continued on page 2 Story Continued on page 4 Pujith tells Easter Sunday PCoI Magnitude of PCR tests China assures Namal Kumara MRI staff overwhelmed was paid by By Dilanthi Jayamanne SL of continued Medical Laboratory Technologists, at the Medical Research Institute (MRI), assistance Sirisena’s office lamented they were overwhelmed by the By Buddhika Samaraweera large number of samples they were The Head of the high-level delegation, from the People’s receiving for PCR testing due to the manage the PCR tests carried out on all Republic of China, which is currently visiting Sri Lanka, Namal Kumara, who magnitude of the present COVID-19 other clusters, namely the clusters at assured President Gotabaya Rajapaksa of China’s exposed an alleged plan to cluster, President of the College of Keselwatta, the Welisara Navy Camp, the continued assistance to Sri Lanka for the success of the assassinate former Medical Laboratory Science Sri Lanka, Kandakadu Drug Rehabilitation Centre, country’s development drive. President Maithripala Ravi Kumudesh said. and even the ones of the foreign Sirisena and current He added, the MRI had been able to repatriates. Story Continued on page 4 President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in 2018, had Story Continued on page 2 been paid by former As the new cluster grows President Sirisena’s office, said former IGP Pujith Export cannabis? People want new Jayasundara. 2,000 beds kept He also said special Constitution, inquiries should be made regarding the person Not under my who detonated a suicide bomb at the Tropical Inn not patch ups Lodge in Dehiwala. watch – Chamal on standby Jayasundara testified before the Presidential By Methmalie Dissanayake – Vidura By Dilanthi Jayamanne and Eunice Ruth Commission of Inquiry into the 2019, Easter The people of this country asked for Sunday bombings, on 9 October. Irrigation Minister Chamal Rajapaksa, a new Constitution and not patch Chief Epidemiologist Dr. Sudath Samaraweera said on on 9 October, said in Parliament that he ups, said State Minister Vidura 9 October that with the continually growing cluster of Story Continued on page 4 would not permit the implementation of Wickremanayaka. COVID-19 patients being identified from the Brandix any proposal to earn foreign exchange Certain provisions in the 20th Minuwangoda facility and their contacts, the Health through the export of cannabis. Amendment affect the country... Ministry had placed 2,000 beds on standby, in all hospitals that had been allocated, to receive them. Health Ministry Story Continued on page 4 Story Continued on page 4 develops Ayurveda Story Continued on page 2 Colombo-based Gampaha scholarship students meds for COVID-19 Happy birthday to the Men in Green! By Methmalie Dissanayake Ministries working on travel SL Army celebrates Experts with the Ministry of Health and arrangements – Premajayantha Indigenous Medical Services have developed several drugs targeting those infected with By Gagani Weerakoon and are being held between the Education 71 years COVID-19 and those who are at risk of Methmalie Dissanayake Ministry, the Health Ministry, the Founded on 10 October 1949 as the Ceylon Army, after contracting the virus, the State Minister of Transport Ministry and the Police to forming its first regular force under the command of Indigenous Medicine Promotion, Rural and State Minister of Education Reforms, provide facilities to 800 Grade Five Brigadier R. Sinclair, the establishment of its own Military Ayurvedic Hospitals Development and Open Universities and Distance Learning students who live in the Gampaha District Academy in Diyatalawa later saw Brigadier Anton Community Health, Sisira Jayakody said on 9 Promotion, Susil Premajayantha said in and study in the Colombo District to sit Muthukumaru assume the mantle of office as the first Sri October. Parliament on 9 October that discussions for the Scholarship Examination. Lankan Commander of the then Ceylon Army. Story Continued on page 4 Story Continued on page 2 Story Continued on page 4 A2 sunday 11 october 2020 news Continued from page 1 2,000 beds... MRI staff... Re-arrest Riyaj! Addressing the Media, he the manner in which the At the time, contact tracing was carried noted however that the contact tracing is carried out according to the travel history of the ...the country and drawing a lot of Ministry was prepared to out is very crucial, he said. patient and the number of associates. They criticism from many parties, increase it to 3,000 if Dr. Fernando said were quarantined while measures were including Colombo Archbishop His necessary. however that there was a taken to hospitalise those showing Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith. He said however that severe lapse in information symptoms from amongst those in The letter, signed by 100 there was information that dissemination from the quarantine. Government MPs on Friday (9), pregnant women and Epidemiology Unit. He said however that the MRI had not pointed out that when Riyaj patients suffering from Meanwhile, an individual been prepared to face such a magnitude of Bathiudeen was arrested the former other infections were afraid who had visited the PCR testing as no concrete measures were Police Spokesman claimed that there of going to hospitals owing Colombo International taken to strengthen its resources. The was enough evidence to say that to some of these COVID-19 Book Fair on 23 September Institute still functions with the available Bathiudeen had links with one of the patients having being has tested positive for traditional system. There was no technology suicide bombers. identified in some hospitals COVID-19. available to cope with PCR tests in such “The former Police Spokesman like the Castle Street The individual is also said bulk samples. At present, PCR tests take at clearly said it had been discovered Hospital for Women on 8 to have travelled to the least five hours for a test result. While in that Bathiudeen had met that suicide October. He said that there Colombo Bus Terminal in the case of a positive result, there may be a bomber in a famous hotel a few days was no need to fear as Colombo Fort on the same need to cross-check such as when the first before the terror attack. special measures were in day. He is also reported to patient that was revealed from the Brandix Also, former Army Commander place to ensure that other have toured Nuwara Eliya Minuwangoda cluster on 4 October where it General Mahesh Senanayaka told the patients do not come into on 30 September. The was cross checked at the Government Presidential Commission of Inquiry contact with patients with patient has been identified laboratory facility in Kandy. (PCoI), probing the 2019 Easter COVID-19. “Do not neglect as a 36-year-old Chilaw Further, Dr. Jayaruwan Bandara’s Sunday terror attack that the your ailment as there may resident. removal from his Acting Director position at military intelligence informed that be other complications as a A schoolboy has been the MRI was a wrong move at this juncture, Bathiudeen helped Zahran Hashim Gunathilaka result, especially among detected with COVID-19 in he opined. “Not only did he have experience to flee India in 2018. In such a Rajapaksha, Jagath Pushpakumara, pregnant mothers who are Chilaw. The Chilaw Police of the viral infection but he also would have backdrop, the CID has released him Kapila Athukorala, Sumith in need of special care”. said that the boy has been been able to coordinate and manage the even without producing him before Udukumbura, Lalith Ellawala, Deputy Director General identified as a resident of number of samples that the MRI could the Court on 30 September and Widura Wickramanayake, Dilan of Health Services, Dr. Arachchikattuwa and was handle at one time. As it is, this sudden without any legal permission. This Perera, Milan Jayathilaka, Nalin Hemantha Herath noted set to sit for the General change of heads, just when another cluster arbitrary conduct of the CID should Fernando, Ajith Rajapaksha, that the Health Secretary Certificate of Education was being exposed, has created a dilemma be investigated thoroughly,” the MPs Premnath C. Dolawatte, Pramitha had set up a special centre Advanced Level for the MRI staff”. stated. Bandara Thennakoon, Tiran Alles, under the Health Minister Examination. The boy is However, several efforts made to contact Mahindananda Aluthgamage, S.M. Sampath Athukorala, Arundika to monitor the situation said to have attended a the new Acting Director of the MRI; Dr. Chandrasena, C.B. Rathnayake, Fernando, Udayana Kirindigoda, M. following the emergence of number of tuition classes in Prabath Amarasinghe had failed while Mahinda Samarasinghe, Nimal Faleel, K.P.S Kumarasiri, Prasanna the Brandix cluster. Gampaha. Chilaw Police Ceylon Today was informed that the Siripala de Silva, Ranjith Ranaweera, Tharaka Balasuriya, Dr. Secretary of the said that the patient has Institute did not have his mobile number. Siyambalapitiya, W.D. Weerasinghe, Seetha Arambepola, Dr. Upul Government Medical been admitted to the Chilaw Wasantha Yapa Bandara, B.Y.G. Galappaththi, Chamara Sampath Officers Association, Dr. General Hospital. His Rathnasekara, Sahan Pradeep, Akila Dassanayake, Jagath Kumara Senal Fernando said that family members, Ellawala, Rajitha Wickramasinghe, Sumithraarachchi, Sagara they had met with the neighbours and his close H. Nandasena, Amarakeerthi Kariyawasam, Jayaratne Herath, Health Minister and the contacts have been placed Athukorala, Kumarasiri Rathnayake, Isuru Dodangoda, Kokila Health Secretary to request in quarantine. Ministries... Sanjeewa Edirimanna, Janaka Gunawardena, Asanka Nawarathne, the setting up of an An infant admitted to the He said this in response to a question Wakkumbura, Kanchana Wijesekara, Siripala Gamlath, Rohana operation room utilising the Lady Ridgeway Hospital for made by the Chief Opposition Whip D.V Chanaka, W.D.J Senevirathne, Dissanayake, Chinthaka technical capacity available Children in Colombo has Lakshman Kiriella. Sisira Jayakody, S. Viyalendran, Mayadunne, Lasantha Alagiyawanna, with the renal unit to use tested positive for COVID- Kiriella queried as to whether the Major Sudarshana Denipitiya, Roshan Ranasinghe, D.B Herath, the global positioning 19. Director General of the Government would provide facilities to the Nalaka Kottegoda, Piyal Nihantha de Prof. Charitha Herath, Dayairi system to map out areas Hospital, Dr. G. Wijesooriya Grade Five students who live in Gampaha Silva, Sanath Nishantha Perera, Jayasekara, Bandula Gunaardena, that were affected as it can said that the infant is a and who study in schools in Colombo to sit Shehan Semasinghe, Kanaka Herath, Janaka Bandara Thennakoon, Ajith identify the zones which nine-month-old girl for the Scholarship Examination in the Dilum Amunugama, Jayantha Nivaard Cabral, Keheliya need to be locked down admitted on 8 October Gampaha District on 11 October. Weerasinghe, Susil Premajayantha, Rambukwella,Dinesh Gunawardana, temporarily. under an address from “We got to know that some of the Mohomad Muzammil, Udaya M. Rameshwaran, Tissa He said that there was Minuwangoda. Dr. principals of those Colombo schools Gammanpila, Angajan Ramanathan, Kuttiarachchi, Gayashan also a need for coordination Wijesooriya added that a indirectly asked those students not to come Kader Mastan, S.B Dissanayake, Nawanandana, Nalaka Godahewa, between stakeholders and PCR test conducted on 9 to school to sit for the Examination,” he Vasudeva Nanayakkara, Wimal Dr. Suren Raghawan, Douglas the Health Ministry in a bid October night had claimed. Weerawansa, Rear Admiral (Rtd) Devananda, Anura Priyadarshana to ensure that the situation confirmed that the child Premajayantha said that the Education Sarath Weerasekara, Sudarshani Yapa, Chandima Weerakkody, did not get out of hand. At had contracted the virus. Ministry Secretary is in a discussion with Fernandopulle, Madhura Withanage, Samanpriya Herath, Johnston present we are on the fence, The child’s father is said to the Health sector officers, Transport and Muditha de Soyza, Major Pradeep Fernando, Sudath Manjula and and the way in which the work at the Brandix facility Police officers to provide facilities for those Undugoda, Nipuna Ranawaka, Shashindra Rajapaksa. situation is handled and in Minuwangoda. students. news sunday 11 october 2020 A3

Education Ministry takes precautions Drug-related connections between Police and politicians A/L, G5 scholarship students to fill form before exams Govt Has Political By Thameenah Razeek Provincial/Zonal Directors of Education and the officers-in- The Ministry of Education urged charge of the examinations centres Will to Break It – Chamal students who are expecting to sit for have been informed to act in their GCE A/L and Grade Five accordance with the instructions of By Methmalie Dissanayake 2020 and seized 46,824 kilos of Scholarship Examinations, to fill the the health authorities of the relevant narcotics, he added. online form available on the areas regarding the health problems Irrigation Minister Chamal Rajapaksa also said that after the Education Ministry website and reported. Rajapaksa on 9 October said in exposure of illicit drugs seized in the submit it before the exams are Accordingly, the Ministry is bound Parliament that a series of drug- raids being reverted back to drug conducted. to protect the confidentiality of the related connections, between the smugglers through the Police Students can access the forms via information provided by the Police and politicians, have been Narcotic Bureau (PNB), 18 PNB https://info.moe.gov.lk. candidates. It is mandatory for all revealed and the Government has personnel, one Special Task Force Students who are unable to students appearing for the A/L the political will to break it, in order officer, and six civilians had been provide the information online can Examination to enter their details to save the country from the drug taken into custody. submit their details at examinations and in the case of Grade Five menace. “Right now, 13 PNB members are centres. The relevant form in Scholarship students, this He was responding to questions in remand custody while the balance Sinhala, Tamil and English will be information must be completed by raised by Samagi Jana Balawegaya 12 persons are being interrogated forwarded by the Department of their parents. Parliamentarians Chaminda Wijesiri under detention orders. During the Examinations to the Zonal/ Details on the form must be and Hesha Withanage. raids on PNB officials, the Police Provincial Directors of Education for re-submitted should there be any Rajapaksa said that the law found two Type-56 automatic rifles, submission to the Head of problem with one’s health or that of enforcement agencies had arrested five magazines containing 81 live Examinations centres. one’s family members after the 73,444 persons in 2015, 75,304 rounds for those rifles, three pistols Education Secretary Professor information has been entered in the persons in 2016, 81,156 persons in narcotics and 17 pills, the Prisons and 40 rounds of nine millimetre Kapila Perera said that all first instance. 2017, 96,489 persons in 2018, Department 179 kilos of narcotics ammunition, 11 grams of heroin, two 89,308 persons in 2019 and 54,505 and 24 pills, the Excise Department electronic scales, Rs 34,017,130 in persons from 1 January to 18 10 kilos of narcotics and the Army cash, 32 counterfeit notes of September this year on charges of 157 kilos of narcotics from 1 Rs 5,000 denomination, and 380 selling and using illicit drugs. January 2015 to 18 September milligrams of cocaine. Action has PCoI on Easter Sunday Bombings Furthermore, the Police have 2020. been taken to confiscate vehicles and seized 40,851 kilos of narcotics, Apart from that, law enforcing property to the tune of Rs 190 1,540,000 narcotic pills, while the agencies conducted a total of million earned from the profits of the Political and security Customs 197 kilos of narcotics and 475,985 raids during the period from narcotic trade by the PNB officers,” heads had enough time 328,745 pills, the Navy 5,107 kilos of 1 January 2015 to 18 September he said. By Buddhika Samaraweera – Jayamanne Since the initial Intelligence held during my tenure, did seem to information regarding a possible be of such a status,” terror attack, which could be When a Commission Member launched by the group led by questioned him regarding the National Thowheed Jama’ath Leader Intelligence reports that he received, Zaharan Hashim, was received on 4 Jayamanne said that those had not April 2019, the political and security been prepared as per the proper heads concerned had enough time standards. to prevent it, said former Secretary “For instance, the State to the Ministry of Law and Order, Intelligence Service (SIS) had sent Padmasiri Jayamanne. me an intelligence report stating He was testifying before the that Zaharan was hiding in his Presidential Commission of Inquiry wife’s house in the Kekunagolla area into the 21 April 2019, Easter in Kurunegala. But such matters Sunday bombings, on 8 October. should have been reported to the When questioned by a Senior regional Police station,” he added. State Counsel regarding the matters The witness was also questioned discussed at National Security regarding matters pertaining to the Council (NSC) meetings, regarding Ministry of Law and Order and the Islamist extremism during his Police. In reply, he said that the tenure, Jayamanne said that the Additional Secretaries appointed to NSC discussions into such topics the Ministry had no knowledge to were limited due to the support direct the Police. received by minority parties for the When questioned as to why the Government. Police, which came under the He however, said that although Ministry of Law and Order, were not such issues were there, the able to arrest Zaharan, Jayamanne necessary officials and institutions said that there were internal issues should have taken all possible steps at the Police Department and as a to prevent the bombings on Easter result, officials were unable to Sunday, during the period of 16 execute Zaharan’s arrest warrant. days from 4 to 21 April 2019. The Commissioners then When questioned as to whether questioned the witness as to what the NSC, during his tenure, was the internal issues at the Police aware of the extremist activities of Department, at the time, were and Zaharan, the witness said that the Jayamanne, in response, said that NSC was aware of them, and also of the then Inspector General of Police the fact that Zaharan was (IGP) Pujith Jayasundara had made propagating Islamic State (IS) certain statements to the Media. ideology. “Even the Minister told the IGP not Jayamanne added, “I was of the to make such statements. We also opinion that the NSC was an summoned him and warned him not important decision-maker at a high to travel out of Colombo for any level. But none of the NSC meetings event,” he said.

Pvt companies releasing mineral sand waste Special committee to probe matter – Weerawansa A special committee has activities in areas in been appointed to Dambulla, Kandalama investigate and belonging to the recommend measures aforesaid private regarding the mineral company. sand waste, which is being The special committee released from Pulmoddai includes Professor to Dambulla, Kandalama, Athula Senaratne of the by a private company, said Department of Geology of the Industries Minister, the University of Wimal Weerawansa. Peradeniya, the Senior He ordered the discharge Director of the Geology of mineral sand waste Division of the Geological from the Ceylon Mineral Survey and Mines Company in Pulmoddai to Bureau Udaya Silva, be temporarily suspended Prof. Rohana until the committee Chandrajith, the Director submits a report General of the Nuclear containing proper recommendations Regulatory Council, H.L. Anil in this regard and he also instructed Ranjith and the Chief Internal the Central Environment Authority Auditor of the Ministry of Industries, and the Sri Lanka Atomic Energy B.K.M.J. Rodrigo. Regulatory Council to suspend all (ER)

Ananda ‘75-80’ group AGM postponed Due to the prevailing conditions, College, Colombo 10, has been the scheduled Annual General postponed indefinitely until the Meeting of the Old Anandians 75-80 situation improves. All associated Group on 16 October at the Ananda events have also been cancelled. A4 sunday 11 october 2020 focus/news Will Brandix turn into a COVID-19 ‘Super-Cluster’? By Dilanthi Jayamanne daughter’s classmates have been containment of the virus. It also said tested and quarantined while some that while rigorous disinfection of the Gampaha District in the Western 1,300 students and staffers from her affected work site was being carried Province is once again faced with the school have also been quarantined. out, 45 other workers of the facility threat of spread of COVID -19 with The Epidemiology Unit said that that had come into contact with the the emergence of a new and immense there was an increase in the viral load patient had been quarantined with and still growing cluster from the amongst the COVID-19 patients being their families and were to undergo Brandix facility in Minuwangoda. identified in the Brandix Cluster from PCR testing. With the identification of more and their Minuwangoda facility. It could Perhaps the institution has failed to more patients with COVID-19 from be the initial stages of the outbreak. see the tragedy of the situation or the cluster or those related to it, the These are new patients. And that preferred to turn a blind eye to it Ministry of Health and Indigenous could be the one reason for the despite the continuous call by the Medical Services (MHIMS) has begun increase in the viral load. Also another Health Authorities, NOCPCO and even aligning more hospitals to receive reason may be that it is due to the the Government Medical Officers’ them, Chief of the Epidemiology Unit change in behaviour of the virus. And Association (GMOA) to continue to Dr. Sudath Samaraweera said during therefore there could be a large practise the guidelines set by the a Media briefing held last week. Other quantity of the virus in the patient’s health authorities. There have been than the National Infectious Diseases system. many instances when the local Hospital (NIDH), Colombo East Base According to the tests carried out, quarantine regulations have been Hospital, the Neville Fernando the viral load in patients detected brazenly flouted by not just Teaching Hospital, Welikanda, early this year was less. The risk of companies like Brandix, but even by Iranawila, Kaantthankudi, this situation is that there was an companies whose investors are of Theldeniya, Rambukkana, increased possibility of the virus being another nationality; mainly Indian or Hambantota, and Kamburugamuwa transmitted. Dr. Samaraweera has continually area Medical Officer of Health (MOH) Chinese. hospitals, hospitals in Horana, Amidst all that has been going on, reassured the public that there was after an inspection of the premises by The Sri Lankan Government too has Ambanpola, Laggala Pallegama were the source of the origins as to how the no community transmission of the the Public health inspector of the to shoulder a part of the blame as it being prepared to receive patients. He disease would have seeped into the disease till now. However, all cases area. has been too busy boasting that it had also said that at present, the Ministry Brandix facility in Minuwangoda were linked to the Brandix cluster in controlled COVID-19 that it turned a had a bed strength of 2,000 ready for seems to be a mystery. Army the Minuwangoda facility. The only Who is to blame? convenient blind eye to many of these the patients on standby and to Commander Lieutenant General issue is that persons from this cluster Brandix, issuing a statement last incidents. increase it to 3,000 if the necessity Shavendra Silva said that the source have reached Anuradhapura, Sunday (4), said that an apparel While calling on the people to arose. of the expanding Brandix cluster had Polonnaruwa, Jaffna, Galle, Matara, worker in its manufacturing facility in adhere to health guidelines it has baffled even the National Operations Kurunegala, Monaragala and Minuwangoda is COVID-19 positive. grossly failed to monitor the Patient Zero Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Ratnapura to name a few. However, “The rigorous protocol implemented quarantine practices carried out by The first patient from the cluster (NOCPCO) as well as healthcare someone diagnosed outside this across the institution, and the some of the private sector quarantine was identified following a test last personnel. He admitted that the ever cluster in an outpatient Department immediate response and support facilities made available for those who Sunday (4) when a random PCR test growing cluster had stumped even the elsewhere for instance would be an received from the PHI and relevant want to spend their quarantine days was carried out on a patient who had health authorities and the country’s indication of a community spread. health authorities of Sri Lanka in comfort and subsequently leave been warded at a hospital in Intelligence Service. The public has been requested to enabled the early detection of the those centres only to violate the Gampaha, prior to her being The possibilities of the virus stop all revelries at which people patient, ensuring her timely transfer remaining 14 days of quarantine discharged. The 39-year-old woman prevalent at Brandix having arrived would gather while movie theatres, to the NIDH for immediate treatment during which they have to remain tested positive while immediate on charter flight from India have been bookies, casinos, pubs, spas and and mitigation of any further spread indoors of wherever they live. measures were taken to conduct PCR brushed aside during these Media rooms which are rented out daily have of the virus,” it said. As noted once before Sri Lanka had tests on her family members and all briefings. What has been revealed all been asked to suspend services till The company said that it would several close calls during the past two other contacts. Subsequently the instead is that the viral infection had further notice. Weddings could only continue to assist the authorities, months or so. But it might only be woman’s 16-year-old daughter too started spreading by about the 20th of host 50 per cent of their guest list and while all necessary measures were now that we have to see the force of tested positive. Since then, the last month. that too only with the approval of the being taken to ensure complete novel coronavirus in Sri Lanka.

Continued from page 1 China assures... Namal Kumara... The present status of bilateral relations between A Member of the Commission that I had gone to wish him for the China and Sri Lanka is highly satisfactory. Maintaining queried whether the information Sinhala and Hindu New Year and People want... and promoting this friendship is a key priority of received, that a group including the that I had been staying there for ...as a whole, while certain others affect only a President Xi Jingping, the Head of the delegation said, Leader of the National Thowheed about two hours. But that too is a number of individuals, therefore, these patch ups adding that China will firmly stand with Sri Lanka to Jama’ath, Zaharan Hashim could complete lie. I was there only for will not be a solution. If they try to bring back the extend its support to protect the country’s launch a terror attack, that was about 10 minutes on that day. I 18th Amendment through the 20th Amendment, it independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity at considered as very important and as didn’t have lunch there as he should not be forgotten that this was the main international fora, including the United Nations Human to why Sirisena was not informed in mentioned. As a matter of custom, I reason for the public to previously reject a Mahinda Rights Council. that connection when he went went to greet the Head of State,” the Rajapaksa governance. The seven-member delegation, led by the Politburo abroad on 16 April 2019. witness said. He stated that the 18th Amendment was one of the Member of the Communist Party of China’s (CPC) In responding, Jayasundara said: Jayasundara also said that the main reasons for Mahinda Rajapaksa’s defeat and Central Committee and the Director of the Office of the “The statement made by Sirisena basis on which an unqualified person that it should not be repeated. Foreign Affairs Commission of the CPC Central before the Commission that I had like Kumara received a salary from Wickremanayaka, in an interview held with Hiru Committee, Yang Jiechi, called on President Rajapaksa boarded the flight that day and the Presidential Secretariat should TV, stated that whether or not the people are in at the Presidential Secretariat on 9 October. greeted him was completely untrue. be investigated. “The former Director favour of the 20th Amendment, could only be He extended President Xi’s congratulations to There were occasions when I did so of the Presidential Task Force on assessed following the Supreme Court decision. President Rajapaksa over the landslide victories at during the period when Sirisena was Drug Prevention, Dr. Samantha recent Elections. He noted that Sri Lanka is the first friendly with me. But by 2019, he Kithalawaarachchi, which was active country in his four-nation tour of Asia, adding that even looked at me in disgust.” at the time, told me that Kumara was President Xi gives high priority to the enhancement of He further said, he as much as paid by the Task Force too,” he said. bilateral relations. possible took steps to obtain the He further said that there were President Rajapaksa commenced the discussion by approval of Sirisena, which was several other Governors and expressing satisfaction over the current state of Sino-Sri needed for various matters, through Presidential Advisers who had SL Army... Lanka relations and said that China has been a long- the then Defence Secretary and the received such privileges from the The 71st Army where all Army flags were standing friend who supported Sri Lanka. “China Secretary to the President. President. Anniversary cum Army blessed, while the extensively supported us to defeat terrorism. Bilateral A Commissioner again questioned Meanwhile, Jayasundara said that Day (10 October) remaining relations reached a higher level following the end of the him as to whether Sirisena was lying Kumara was given a reward of Rs commemorative commemorative armed conflict”. He especially recalled the contribution in that manner, to which the witness 500,000 from the Police Rewards programmes started off ceremonies at the of China for the development of the country’s said that Sirisena used to lie as a Fund for providing information under the patronage of Kataragama Kirivehera, infrastructure facilities. habit. He added that there are many needed to arrest several suspects Army Commander Lt. the St. Thomas’ Church, “Constructing a Port in Hambantota is an idea of Sri examples of such instances. “He said involved in the riots in Digana. General Shavendra Silva the War Heroes’ Lanka and not China’s. China offered to fund it. Many at the Kandy Sri Dalada Monument at geo-political analysts interpret this project as a debt Maligawa, the Battaramulla and the final trap set up by China to gain control over Sri Lankan Anuradhapura Jayashri highlight at the Galle Face affairs. I want to prove that it is not the case and that Maha Bodhi, ‘pirith’ Green with the President this large-scale project will help improve the living chanting and alms-giving as Chief Guest on Army standards of the people. Assist us in this endeavour,” he Not under... at the Army Headquarters, Day had to be postponed said. Responding to a question by At this juncture, several MPs of Hindu and Islamic due to outbreak of the “I look forward to seeing visible progress in the Port Samagi Jana Balawegaya MP Hesha the Government started to shout, religious observances new COVID-19 cluster. City project over the next four years,” the President Withanage, he said that although demanding that Withanage reveal stressed. anyone could make such statements, the name of the said Minister. President Rajapaksa pointed out that Sri Lanka’s their proposals would not be permit- Withanage: “It is a senior trade deficit with China is high and called on Jiechi to ted to be carried out under his watch. Minister. He sits there on the front increase the volume of goods purchased from Sri Lanka Withanage: “According to the row. His statement was published to bring it down. Media, one Cabinet Minister had said in the Media. It was said by the President halts... “Sri Lanka has a strong private sector. They that ganja should be legalised and Trade Minister.” ...to the established according to reports. manufacture various products. Open the Chinese that we could earn foreign exchange Rajapaksa: “I think it would be health guidelines, there It has also been market for these items. Encourage Chinese investors to by exporting ganja. Is that the official better if you asked the question has been a breach of the reported that this has invest in Sri Lanka. Promote Chinese people to visit Sri stance of the Government? Are you from the Trade Minister. However, I quarantine rules. been taking place since Lanka. If China can participate in Sri Lanka’s tea going to build the economy by selling would not allow that under my Although flights July and that the relevant auction, it will be a major boost to economic stability,” ganja?” watch.” bringing Sri Lankan private entities have also the President remarked. The President said that returnees are only obtained the support of establishing a University of Technology for students who permitted to operate at foreign Ambassadors in pass the General Certificate of Education Advanced half capacity, it has also order to collect Level will be an area where China can invest in Sri been revealed that these information on Sri Lanka. flights have operated at Lankan returnees. Jiechi said that China’s assistance will be concrete Health Ministry... full capacity. Additionally, although action to achieve the development goals contained in the He presented the samples of those infected with COVID-19. The The Intelligence Unit returnees who were in ‘Saubhagyaye Dekma’ policy statement. medicine to the Speaker of the medicines are manufactured using has further revealed that hotel quarantine facilities China has identified several areas conducive for the Parliament Mahinda Yapa 100 per cent local herbs and have although the relevant had to pay a sum of Rs development of bilateral relations. In addition to Abeywardena on the same day. The been named as the ‘Sadanga airline company obtains 12,500 per person for the completing large-scale projects already underway, these medicine would be presented to the Panaya’ and the ‘Suwadharani the price of two flight room and for food per include agriculture, education, tourism, water supply, Parliament staff to be introduced to Immunising Drink’. seats per individual, day, two individuals have healthcare, medical supplies, modern technology, digital the Parliamentarians on 12 “Western medicine has not yet private entities that been put into one room economy, the Blue economy and labour training. Plans October. been able to find a cure for COVID- operate at full capacity for the same price and are afoot to recommence discussions on the China – Sri Speaking to the Media afterwards, 19, and therefore those developed had obtained profits by profits have been made Lanka Free Trade Agreement and to complete the Jayakody said that the Department countries have suffered a serious charging such prices. while the Intelligence unit Hambantota Industrial Scheme expeditiously. of Ayurveda and the Ayurvedic setback today. But the Ministry of Air ticket bookings too also reported about We are eagerly waiting for President Rajapaksa to Drugs Manufacturing Corporation Indigenous Medical Services has the have taken place through concerns of the quality of undertake an official visit to China, once the COVID – 19 have jointly introduced an ability to produce drugs that can travel agents associated the food served to these pandemic is successfully contained globally, Jiechi said. immunising drink and a powder for overcome this challenge,” he said. with private entities, returnees. news sunday 11 october 2020 A5

‘Fight against COVID-19’ project for local inventors SLIC Donates Locally Made Equipment to NHRD

By Eunice Ruth He stated, this invention can be used has obstacle detection sensors, that, the SLIC has evaluated about 150 for indoor transportation of meals, mechanical dampers to avoid collisions in order to find the capability and The Sri Lanka Inventors Commission drugs, garbage collection and for and also most importantly, it has a potential of a particular invention to (SLIC) has donated a ventilator and patient interviews in COVID-19 wards, camera and display for video donate them to hospitals. A total of 40 Semi-Automated Telepresence Robot patients warded under observation for conferencing facilities and projects from the evaluated inventions to the National Hospital for Respiratory COVID-19 and in other necessary communicate with patients. Health have been funded by the SLIC and Diseases (NHRD) at Welisara, Ragama. situations within the Hospital care staff can monitor or talk to the designed with prototypes. Commissioner of the SLIC, Professor premises. patients and get feedbacks about their Meanwhile, he said, the SLIC has Rangika Halwathura said the invention It can be used in manufacturing symptoms immediately with less started to export the inventions by was fully funded by the SLIC under the plants and for transferring goods contact. developing and providing patents for project ‘Fight against COVID-19’ and within warehouses too. The robot can Halwathura further stated that SLIC them. Also, SLIC themselves have been developed by Sahan C. Ranasinghe, also be used as a remote controlled has received more than 300 inventions involved with national industries to Anuruddha Tennakoon and Buddhika machine or run as a machine with an from new inventors under the project invent face masks and contactless Marasinghe. automated guide path, he added. It ‘Fight against COVID-19’ and from taps.

Publishing fake news on Facebook Govt considering extending 18-year-old suspect remanded until 22 October By Hansi Nanayakkara connection with an incident of carried out into the incident. Kelani Valley line – Lokuge publishing a fake news item on After considering all the facts, the Colombo Chief Magistrate Facebook alleging that an islandwide Chief Magistrate remanded the BY Gagani Parliamentarian project?” he questioned. Mohamed Mihal on 9 October curfew had been imposed, using the suspect until 22 October and ordered Weerakoon and Waruna Liyanage, he Lokuge said that all remanded an 18-year-old suspect logo of the ‘Derana’ television the CID to submit a progress report Methmalie said that a project to such families would be until 22 October, arrested in channel, and forging the letterhead of on that day. The CID had filed a case Dissanayake double track the Kelani compensated and connection with an incident of forging the Presidential Secretariat. against the suspect in the Valley Railway Line resettled. the letterhead of the Presidential The CID informed that the suspect Magistrate’s Court alleging that he Minister of Transport from Colombo to “A total of 165 families Secretariat and publishing fake news had endangered national security had committed an offence under Gamini Lokuge on 8 Avissawella as the first have already been on Facebook. and had created unrest among the Section 6 of the Computer Crimes Act October said in phase of improving the removed from railway The Criminal Investigations communities and therefore requested for forging the letterheads of the Parliament that the Kelani Valley Railway reservations and houses Department (CID) informed the Court the Court to remand the suspect, as Presidential Secretariat and Government is planning Line has already been have been allocated for that the suspect was arrested in further investigations are being publishing fake news on Facebook. to extend the Kelani launched. them as a part of the Valley rail line up to Liyange noted that the project to double track Ratnapura and at Kelani Valley Railway the Kelani Valley present, feasibility Line from Homagama to railway line’s first studies are being Opanayaka was phase.” conducted on the abandoned in 1973, The second phase of House sittings to continue project. adding that many the development of the In response to a individuals have settled Kelani Valley Railway Convenes from 20 Oct question raised by in Railway reservations. Line would be extending The Committee on Parliamentary October. Parliament will convene adjournment motion by the Samagi Jana “Are you going to regain it up to Ratnapura, he Business has decided to continue as usual from 20 October. It was Government which will be taken Balawegaya these lands during this added. Parliament sittings. This was decided to take three regulations up for debate from 4.30 p.m. to decided at the meeting chaired by under the Sri Lanka Export 5.30 p.m. Regulations under the the Speaker of the Parliament Development Act for debate on 20 Medical Ordinance will be taken Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena on 8 October followed by the up for debate on 21 October.

Recent COVID–19 surge Welfare facilities for estate workers in curfew areas By Gagani responding to a query wage earners and are Weerakoon and from Parliamentarian helpless at this time. Is Methmalie Velu Kumar. there any programme to Dissanayake Velu Kumar: provide them the “Polymerase Chain essentials?” Minister of Plantation Reaction tests had been Pathirana: “Yes. We Ramesh Pathirana on 8 conducted on two have already directed the October said in garment factory workers Chairman of the Janatha Parliament that the in the Kandy area on 7 Estate Development Government would take October. One of them Board to take measures measures to provide tested positive for to provide them welfare welfare facilities to estate COVID-19 and now the facilities. We have also workers who live in New Forest Division area directed the PHI in curfew imposed areas is under a lockdown. charge of the area to take following the recent There are about 28 all health precautions to COVID-19 surge. families in this area. prevent the spread of the Pathirana was These people are daily Virus.”

Minuwangoda Police Station reopened By Thameenah Razeek DIG Rohana said that were examined, it was except for a few officers, confirmed that they were After confirming that who are under not infected with the no person had been quarantine, all others Virus. infected with COVID-19 have reported for duty as After it was confirmed at the Minuwangoda usual. The Minuwangoda that the owner of the Police Station, Deputy Police Officer-in-Charge canteen at the Police Inspector General of said that according to the Station had contracted Police (DIG) Ajith Rohana polymerase chain COVID-19, everyone in said that the Station was reaction (PCR) reports of the Police Station reopened on 9 October. the 85 Police officers who underwent PCR testing.

Leopard found dead

The Lindulla Police The villagers informed handed over the dead found a dead leopard on the Police at about 7 am leopard to the Wildlife the Hatton-Nuwara on 9 October that a Conservation authority Eliya Main Road and 2.5- feet long dead for a probe into the death. suspect that it had been leopard was found by Story and Pic by killed by a hit and run the roadside.The Police K. Kishanthan vehicle. said that they have (Hatton Correspondent) A6 SUNDAY 11 OCTOBER 2020 INTERVIEW We Must Take Maximum Precautions – Dr. Sudath Samaraweera

BY ARUNI MALLAWAARACHCHI Do you think the situation is alright to hold the Grade Dr. Sudath Samaraweera, Director 5 scholarship examination of Epidemiology Unit, Ministry of and the GCE Advanced Level Health says, “There is nothing called examination? being more careful than in the past. We have to be cautious to the A: We must hold the examinations. maximum. There are no two words. I We must not let life be paralysed due to cannot say whether this is more the virus. We must prevent it as much dangerous than the previous virus. as possible and move. The However, I am sure that the virus examinations do not help the spread of load is higher this time.” COVID-19 because they are held Following are excerpts of the according to the health precautions. interview: Education is an investment for the future. COVID-19, which seemed under control, has re- Over 30 million Previously, the workplaces emerged in Sri Lanka. What were closed, but this time is your view on the present people in the world not. How are the duties situation? have been infected performed now? A: A new cluster of COVID-19 with COVID-19. A: Each government or private emerged suddenly around the Repeated entity has the responsibility of Brandix apparel factory in preventing the spread of COVID-19 to Minuwangoda. Over 1,000 cases have infections were not their premises because they can be been diagnosed from this factory. reported, and it centres spreading the disease. PCR tests of all of them have been Keeping mats with sanitiser liquid conducted, and they have been sent can happen near the entrance, washbasins with for quarantine. Some of them have extremely rarely. soap and tissue near the door and been admitted to hospitals. measuring the temperature are In this case, the essential. Doors, table surfaces and The employees of this dead virus telephones must be cleaned with factory were exposed to alcohol. Those who have symptoms the community before the particles may be must not report for duty while the infection was diagnosed. available in the employees with symptoms must be What is its risk level? admitted to the hospital. Working in lungs of a cured batches is also essential while visitors A: We are now tracing all who have patient, and they must be restricted. gone back to villages via the regional epidemiologist and medical officers of may be released Can you say whether the health. They too, are being PCR even four months disease is spread to society, tested and sent to quarantine. We according to the available have to wait and see the spread in after cure. evidence? future. Although the A: There is no evidence to say the Some employees of the person is infected disease has spread to society. We are factory stated that their PCR once, the virus can What is the impact of still in the stage of clusters. tests were not done because patients were taken to hospitals. Now immunity? the offi cials had been over- be released we have identified all the patients. How many PCR tests have A: This is a virus disease, and the been carried out now? worked. Therefore, they repeatedly A recent report said that one have been sent back home patient needs to build up immunity to A: We have conducted over 317,000 person had been infected defeat the virus. Still, no vaccine or PCR tests. with the advice to return the with COVID-19 three times. medication has been introduced for next day. Is there such a possibility? this disease. The only option is Don’t you think that many A: I am not aware of such a thing. immunity. people hide facts and shy There are a number of PCR tests that A: Over 30 million people in the away from quarantine can be carried out, and we have to world have been infected with COVID- Some people use various because COVID-19 patients consider the human factor as well. 19. Repeated infections were not food and herbs to increase are insulted like criminals. reported, and it can happen extremely immunity. Are they There are various views Didn’t it happen because of the mutilation of the virus? rarely. In this case, the dead virus effective? A: This is a viral disease which can on how COVID-19 spread particles may be available in the lungs infect anyone. No one is wrong in terms to the Brandix factory in A: We need time to say it exactly. I of a cured patient, and they may be A: I am not learned to comment of this, and accusing or insulting an Minuwangoda. What is your cannot say so at this stage. released even four months after cure. about Ayurvedic medicine or food. infected person is not good. The opinion? Although the person is infected once, Therefore, it is wrong if I speak about accusers can be the next victim. Is it true that the present the virus can be released repeatedly. them. US President Donald Trump caught A: We did not have such virus is more dangerous than the disease although he was guarded information even from infected the previous one. One infected person may There is an opinion that thoroughly. That means anyone can persons. However, we are A: Whatever it is, the virus is show the symptoms while drinking warm water and be infected with COVID-19. We must investigating. We have to thoroughly definitely dangerous. There is nothing another may be cured steam inhalation is good help the patient to keep his mind calm examine the history of about 1,000 called being more careful than in the without any symptom. What to kill the virus. Is it while being quarantined or cases to find out the root cause. past. We have to be cautious to the is the reason for that? scientifi c? hospitalised. Perhaps, the first patient might be maximum. There are no two words. I cured, and we might not be able to cannot say whether this is more A: It is the nature of the virus A: According to science, such Will we have to go back to a identify the beginning. Although there dangerous than the previous virus. diseases like dengue. Some Japanese measures are ineffective before lockdown? are various hypotheses, we cannot However, I am sure that the virus load Encephalitis patients die or cure COVID-19. The virus lives inside the A: Present situation does not comment on them. is higher this time. without showing symptoms. COVID- body when a person is infected. require a lockdown. 19 is same. Some show no symptom Drinking warm water will not wash or The Army Commander Is the power of carrying the while some have minor symptoms, kill the virus. What is your view about the stated that Brandix brought disease increasing with the and some are down with it. Steam inhalation must also be way the people followed the 48 Sri Lankans back and virus load? carried out carefully because it leads health precautions when the quarantined them in a hotel. A: It is generally so. One patient can Do they carry the to outflow of phlegm and virus may virus spread was controlled Are you aware of it? spread the disease to many others. disease while showing no spread to another person in that way. in Sri Lanka? The situation is as dangerous as the symptoms? A: I cannot comment on that. You previous stage. A: Yes. They are careers, although Some say that medicine has A: I cannot be happy about the have to ask the person who said it. I they have no symptoms. been produced for COVID-19 people’s responses, although we can only provide you with scientific Have you noticed an and are awaiting until the urged them to follow the guidelines. information on the pandemic. acceleration of the spread of Can a person who is approval of the Sri Lanka Must we wear face masks? the disease? negative at the PCR test be Medical Council is given. Is Can this be named as the Is it required only for A: We are few days after the positive within the coming it true? second wave of COVID-19? re-emergence, and an opinion can be two weeks? persons with respiratory A: Normally, a wave is a rapid expressed only after further study. We A: I have no understanding of such issues? increase in cases and furthering it. can guess how the disease may A: Yes. a thing. In the world, several One may identify the present one also spread after that study. Still, we have medicines are at the last stage of A: During the past few months, the as a wave. However, with the internal only a snapshot, and we cannot guess What is the strategy of PCR development. Still, the experiments diseases like common cold were very dynamics of it, we can identify it as a the speed of a possible spread. tests conducted with the are underway, and the WHO and the low. The number of patients in cluster that added to the one which diagnosed and suspected international community expects to government and private hospitals for was previously available that could be Does the patients hiding cases? introduce a vaccine in 2021. such diseases were less. The Ministry controlled and reduced. Therefore, facts affect the process of of Health had to cancel orders for this is not a wave. tracing the root? A: Even the suspected cases are Are there measures to some of the medicines for such A: Yes. Exploring the root is not subjected to PCR tests after 14 days. manage the patients in illnesses. The reason was wearing face It was reported that the easy. Some people have provided The infected persons undergo the PCR case of a rapid increase of masks. virus concentration of the wrong information. They have test before they leave the hospital. COVID-19 cases? Both healthy and ill persons wore new patients is higher than provided the wrong telephone face masks. The majority of persons the previous patients. Is it numbers. Therefore, tracing the roots Is it true that the symptoms A: The number of cases reported at in our society do not show symptoms. true? is difficult. The first case diagnosed in are different this time? present is manageable, but there is a Therefore we must continue to wear Brandix factory may not be the first A: No. Although the virus limit. Each country has a capacity face masks. A: The tests indicated a higher carrier. Sometimes, others may have concentration is high, the symptoms irrespective of the US or Sri Lanka. In concentration of viruses. caught the virus. However, if you are the same like headache, fever, the US, the capacity was exceeded, The Director of Medical provide accurate information sore throat and difficulty in breathing. and the patients are requested to Research Institute has been What is the reason for it? immediately, it is easy and quick to staty at home. They are hospitalised removed. What is your view A: We cannot give a specific reason. control the situation. How does the virus affect only if the disease gets worse. about such an action in a There can be two reasons. We may We have to deal with about 1,000 the internal organs? In our country, each infected person context like this? have diagnosed the previous patients cases within a couple of days. If we A: The virus mainly attacks the is hospitalised whether that person at the end-stage of the disease. These spend five minutes to coordinate with lungs and weakens them. At its peak, has symptoms or not. ICU beds and A: I can answer questions on patients were PCR tested at an early one person, it takes a long time to the other organs become weaker, and other facilities are sufficient for the COVID-19. However, as far as I know, stage, and the virus concentration communicate with all of them. There the primary cause of death is number of cases reported in Sri such removal has not happened. It is can be higher because of it. were transport issues when diagnosed pneumonia. Lanka. an administrative affair. focus sunday 11 october 2020 A7 We Have Failed Our Children Police officers who respond to had been created for video National policy complaints received by the child abuse cases. We have evidence preparation units Police Department. also made arrangements to which commenced in 2001. The Auditor General pointed Considering the delay in the send the preliminary reports Delay in decision making by out, even though the implementation of the above of every such case to the NCP the Management for creating Committee on Public mentioned policy, it was within 24 hours. We are also new posts in compliance with Enterprises (COPE) and the observed, the Authority had planning to establish nine timely increase in video Cabinet had issued orders failed to effectively carry out Magistrate Courts that hear preparations. from time to time, the NCPA identified measures to be child abuse cases in the nine For example, forwarding a yet failed to establish a formal taken for the protection of provinces.” letter dated 20 November policy since 1998. children. These included The Minister pointed out the 2017 from the Ministry of The National Child taking of necessary steps to government is planning to Women and Child Affairs and Protection Policy (NCPP), regularise school transport open nine centres that will Dry Zone Development to the which commenced in 2009, services and measures to be accept infants abandoned by Department of Management had been approved by the taken relating to victims of parents due to various Services, notifying it again by Cabinet on 29 October 2019. abuse and the proper difficulties. letter No. NCPA/ The NCPA had failed to implementation of “I am not at all satisfied with AU/30/X/2015-ii dated 26 implement the said policy programmes to empower civil the number of cases that have March 2019 by the Director effectively even by the date of society in the protection of been fully investigated. We General, the report exposed. this report. Moreover, steps children. Accordingly, it was will take steps to increase the It should be also said, were taken to issue this confirmed by the report that a efficiency of the although there were plans to report, due to the risk necessity of ensuring the investigations.” the Minister establish separate Courts to identified relating to the protection of children had By Methmalie of child cruelty cases reported said. hear child cruelty related protection of children as a arisen through the failure of Dissanayake to the ‘1929’ child protection Dr. Amarasuriya cases, such a Court has been result of being exposure by the authority to effectively helpline since the start of Sri questioned if the government established only in the the Media and the increase in carry out performances In a shocking exposure in Lanka’s COVID-19 curfew. In is genuinely interested in Anuradhapura district so far. the number of relevant assigned to him for his role. Parliament last week the three-week period from 16 solving these matters related Education Minister Prof. G.L March to 7 April 2020, the to child abuse cases as it has Peiris said, prosecutions have proportion of child cruelty not even got a separate been initiated in only 303 cases as a total of all reported ministry for children’s affairs. child abuse cases out of 3,900 child protection complaints In reply Professor Peiris which were fully investigated rose from 10 per cent to 40 said, “For a long time, there from 1 January 2020 to 23 per cent, a joint statement by were several ministries September 2020. the UNICEF and the NCPA overlooking this section. Responding to an Oral said. However, no solutions have Question, raised by National Statements like this and the been given. The government People’s Power (NPP) National recent incidents prove that will take swift measures to List MP Dr. Harini our children are not safe in address these issues.” Amarasuriya, Prof. Peiris said, this country anymore. With The minister also said, the National Child Protection that realisation, the next several steps have been taken Authority (NCPA) has received question which hit us was, to protect the identity and 6,063 child abuse related what were the authorities ensure the protection of the complaints in the first nine doing all this time. child victims. months of 2020. We have a separate Recording video statements, “Out of them, only 3,900 institution, the NCPA, which establishing nine centres to have been fully investigated. was established in 1999 with record video evidence from the Out of those cases the sole purpose of victims covering the nine prosecutions have been formulating a policy on the provinces of the country are initiated only in 303 cases. I prevention of child abuse and two officials. Accordingly, a am not at all satisfied with the the protection and treatment Cabinet Paper has been number of cases that have of children who are victims of presented for establishing been fully investigated. We such. There is a Children and video recording centres at the will take steps to increase the Women’s Bureau established moment. efficiency of the under Sri Lanka Police. Apart However, the Auditor investigations,” he said. from these, there is also a General’s special report finds The Minister also ministry formed in order to several loopholes in recording highlighted that of such child- ensure the rights and well- video evidence from the child victims, the number of those being of the children and victim. who are continuously engaged women in the country. The report stated, two in their studies (formal and/or Unfortunately, with all these places for evidence informal) as before as a institutions operating, our preparation had been percentage is as low as 9%. precious children are not safe established in the Child It was also found that of the out there. So, can we be Protection Authority in the abused child victims, 5,667 satisfied with the role of these year 2001 and in the Forensic children are presently living institutions, especially the Medicine Faculty of Galle, with their family members role of the NCPA? A special Karapitiya in the year 2011. while 396 such victims have report prepared by the Auditor “Only one post of Video been taken away from their General and released in July Evidence Assistant had been families and placed either with 2020 answers that question. created for video evidence trusted relatives or child According to the report, fifty preparation. development centres. three per cent (53%) of A number of 461 requests Furthermore, 774 of the complaints received by the had been received for video victims are receiving National Child Protection evidence from 2017 to 2019 psychosocial assistance at the Authority (NCPA) from 2011 to and out of that, evidence of moment. 30 September 2019 have 331 has been prepared.” Prof. Peiris also said, the failed to be resolved. The video evidence Government is planning to The report exposed that preparation had been delayed open nine centres that will during the said time period, due to the following reasons: accept infants abandoned by the NCPA had received 79,259 “Only one officer is available their parents due to various complaints. However, only with the Authority for difficulties. 37,186 complaints out of evidence preparation and the A steep rise in child them have been resolved so said officer had to appear in far. the High Court to produce cruelty cases Revelations evidence regarding preparation of such evidence. Sri Lankans spent most of Furthermore, Prof. Peiris The lack of adequate the days of 2020 inside their said, steps have been taken to equipment, for the video homes owing to the COVID-19 establish nine units, preparation and the expiry of outbreak. The United Nations provincially and for each to the lifespan of equipment Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and derive the chance of available, which cannot be the National Child Protection presenting video evidence repaired. Agency (NCPA) both expressed relating to child abuse cases. Dearth of trained officers for shock recently on the “Steps have also been taken holding interviews in relevant dramatic rise in the proportion to provide special training to Police Stations, only 2 posts A8 sunday 11 october 2020 Editorial Editorial sunday 11 october 2020 A9 Irked by ‘Political Deal’ Govt. MPs Ceylon Newspapers (Pvt) Ltd. No: 101, Rosmead Place, Colombo 07. Editorial Tel: 0117566522, 0117566526, 0117566527 Fax: 0117566545 Marketing Manager: 0117566550, 0117566551 Circulation Manager: 0117566580, 0117566581 Demand Re-arrest of Bathiudeen E-mail : [email protected] Two controversial transfers that took Attorney-at-Law Premnath Dolawatte said evidence against them. Such It has also been alleged that place last week at the Criminal the people had given a two-thirds majority employees were released, he added. Mudalige had also drawn a separate Investigation Department (CID) and the to the Government not to appease the racist He said, “Also, 10 employees in such Prime Minister salary from the ACS operating from Medical Research Institute (MRI) raised elements. institutions had been arrested and Temple Trees, for the services he had many eyebrows, mainly due to the context Amidst mounting criticism, President cases are pending before Courts Mahinda rendered appearing for De Livera, under which those were carried out. Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Sunday (4), issued against some of them. Some have Rajapaksa, said besides the monthly salary he had We Let Our Archbishop of Colombo, Malcolm a statement on his official Facebook been released. The Police had sought received as the DSG from the AG’s Cardinal Ranjith, stirred the hornets’ nest account stating that ensuring national the instructions of the Attorney in Parliament Department. by stating on 3 October that he has a doubt security is the first and foremost General regarding some who are still that the Prime Hence more details are continuing Guard Down whether there is a political deal behind responsibility of his Government. in custody.” to emerge concerning acts of releasing Riyaj Bathiudeen, brother of He emphasised the allegation that the Demand to re-arrest Minister’s Office professional misconduct committed former Minister Rishad Bathiudeen, after present Government has entered into a by officials of the calibre of Thusith Fear and uncertainty gripped the nation once he was arrested by the CID in connection political deal with MP Bathiudeen is false. A group of Government MPs has had paid Rs Mudalige of the Attorney General’s again last week, as a COVID-19 positive patient was with the Easter Sunday Attacks. “I am not prepared to hand over the sent a written request to President 33.71 million as Department during the tenure of the detected from Minuwangoda on Sunday (4), making He expressed his disproval regarding the power of arresting or arbitrarily releasing Gotabaya Rajapaksa to arrest Riyaj previous regime. it the first community case detected in many releasing of Riyaj Bathiurdeen and said people to politicians, as happened in the Bathiudeen, the brother of All Ceylon salaries, The total of the monthly salaries months. that he was surprised. past. I will also take action to rectify any Makkal Congress (ACMC) leader MP Thusith Mudalige withdrew, as the The patient, employed as a supervisor at an “A person, who was arrested five months omissions or mistakes made by the relevant Rishad Bathiudeen who has allegedly allowances and legal adviser of the Anti-Corruption apparel factory, was initially treated at the Gampaha ago for being in contact with a terrorist authorities or officials. I emphasise that our helped National Thawheed Jama’at other expenses Committee, in 2016 was Rs 268,320. Hospital and subsequently transferred to the group, was released suddenly as an Government has not entered into any (NTJ) Leader Zaharan Hashim to flee The same Assistant Director of the National Institute of Infectious Diseases (NIID) innocent person,” the Cardinal said. political deal with Member of Parliament to India in 2018 again and start a to the staff of Anti-Corruption Committee where health officials said her condition was not life- “We were told by the CID that the Rishad Bathiudeen,” President Rajapaksa fresh probe into the allegations the Anti- Secretariat (Admin) Nalin Dayarathna threatening. Later on in the day, her 16-year-old released person had been in contact with a further said in the post. levelled at him. approved these payments for six daughter was also tested positive, spreading the fear terrorist group and that there were records He assured the citizens of the country Riyaj Bathiudeen who was arrested Corruption months in the year 2016 and the of another cluster emerging. of telephone conversations in that regard. that he will not betray the trust they placed by the Criminal Investigation payments of the next six months were The authorities immediately cordoned-off the But, now we are being told that he is in him and will most definitely continue to Department on 14 April in alleged Committee approved by Director of the entire factory complex and identified the co-workers innocent,” he said, stressing that this work towards strengthening that trust. connections with the Easter Sunday Secretariat set Committee Secretariat Ananda that were to be subjected to PCR tests, while Police situation has left him confused. The confusion did not end there as former terror attacks in 2019 was released Wijepala. The numbers of the cheques curfew was clamped in the areas of Minuwangoda, He added: “We were promised that an Police Media Spokesman SSP Jaliya from the department’s custody after up by United for the payments made to Thusith Divulapitiya and Veyangoda, until further notice. independent investigation would be Senaratne told Media Riyaj Bathiudeen, 168 days, sparking controversy in the Mudalige are as follows: 051617, During the days that followed, the authorities conducted in connection with the Easter was released due to insufficient evidence country and drawing lot of criticism National Front 069729, 100096, 100402, 130714, increased the number of factory staff that was Sunday Attacks and those behind the against him over the Easter Sunday from many parties including Colombo Government, 152193, 152543, 169668, 218928, subjected to PCR tests and continued to do contact attacks would be prosecuted; we are Bombings. Archbishop Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith. 219225, 219584 and 245466. tracing. Police curfew was imposed in most of the puzzled as to whether that promise is being Riyaj Bathiudeen was detained for nearly The letter signed by 100 from February Mudalige’s payments under the areas in the Gampaha District, in order to contain fulfilled.” five months in connection with the Easter Government MPs on Friday (9) pointed 2015 to June cheques numbered 288286 in the further spread of the virus. He added that there is a tendency to Sunday Attacks. SSP Senaratne said even out that when Riyaj Bathiudeen was January 2017 and 288527 in However, quite alarmingly, a number of factory release those who were arrested as though an investigation was conducted by arrested the former Police Spokesman 2017 February 2017 as per Rs 22,360 each workers had, unaware that they may be carrying a suspects over serious charges without the CID for about five months, there wasn’t claimed that there was enough were approved by the Deputy Director highly contagious virus, had visited their going for Court proceedings. enough evidence against him to file any evidence to say that Bathiudeen had of the Secretariat M.D.S.A. Perera. hometowns over the weekend. With this, many factions started cases. links with one of the suicide bombers. Devananda, Anura Priyadarshana 2017 March salary of the same By Monday, two more cases were reported, one questioning the motive behind the Fielding a question posed by the Media, “The former Police Spokesman Yapa, Chandima Weerakkody, amount was approved by the Director from the Moneragala Hospital and another from the Government in doing so. Concerns were SSP Senaratne said even though clearly told that it had been discovered Samanpriya Herath, Johnston of the Committee Secretariat Ananda Jaffna Teaching Hospital, both of whom were raised within Government ranks as it was that Bathiudeen had met that suicide Fernando, Sudath Manjula and Wijepala and paid under cheque workers attached to the Minuwangoda apparel speculated that the move was carried out bomber in a famous hotel few days Shashindra Rajapaksa numbered 288833. The cheque factory. Their families, contacts and hospital staff as an indirect bribe to garner MP before the terror attacks. Also, former This comes in the wake of former numbers in April, May and June 2017 were sent in for quarantine. Bathiurdeen’s support to the 20th Army Commander General Mahesh Army Commander Mahesh respectively are as follows: 317217, By now, a number of cases have been reported Amendment. suspects had maintained connections Senanayaka told the Presidential Senanayake revealing that the 341737 and 342026. Paid amount is from multiple locations in the country and the “We will remain in the Government with the suicide bombers, participated Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) probing Directorate of Military Intelligence same as above. Thusith Mudalige has number of patients in the new cluster is well over formed by us, and if Rishad Bathiudeen in many events organised by the While confirming Easter Sunday terror attacks in 2019 (DMI), in 2018, informed a weekly signed before his name in the pay the 1,000 mark. attempts to join it he will be chased away,” bombers, and helped financially. that the military intelligence informed Intelligence review meeting that sheet on each of these times. Meanwhile, Epidemiology Chief, Dr. Sudath Minister of Industries, Wimal Weerawansa As this contradictory statements that the that Bathiudeen helped Zaharan National Thowheed Jamath (NTJ) Meanwhile, Prime Minister Mahinda Samaraweera, warned the new COVID-19 cluster said. was made on the release of Riyaj, Government Hashim to flee India in 2018. In such Leader Zaharan Hashim had fled to Rajapaksa, said in Parliament that could very well be the most difficult cluster ever that Minister Weerawansa said so when a Police Spokesman Jaliya Senaratne a backdrop the CID has released him India by boat with the support of MP the Prime Minister's Office had paid Sri Lanka could experience. This is due to people journalist asked for his feedback about was replaced by DIG Ajith Rohana. accepts that even without producing him before Rishad Bathiudeen's brother, said Rs 33.71 million as salaries, who are connected to the cluster having travelled to rumours that former Minister Bathiudeen Moreover, DIG S.P. Ranasinghe, was the Court on 30 September and former Army Commander, General allowances and other expenses to the other areas of the country. In the meantime, health was ready to join the Government. appointed as the new Acting Director releasing Riyaj without any legal permission. This Mahesh Senanayake. staff of the Anti-Corruption authorities are still struggling to ascertain the “I do not believe that there is a fool in our of the Criminal Investigation Bathiudeen is an arbitrary conduct of the CID should General Senanayake, who is Committee Secretariat set up by original source of the cluster. Government who wants to take MP Department (CID) replacing DIG be investigated thoroughly,” the MPs currently residing in the United Arab United National Front Government, Over the past few months, health authorities Bathiudeen. Opposition MPs attend Nuwan Wedasinghe, Director of the inappropriate stated. Emirates, on 7 October, testified from February 2015 to June 2017. including the Epidemiology Unit and the Government functions, and this is not a CID. Wedasinghe has been appointed Mahindananda Aluthgamage, S.M before the Presidential Commission of He also said, around 20 officers of Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) rehearsal for joining the Government,” to the post of Acting DIG in charge of move done by Chandrasena, C.B Rathnayake, Inquiry into the bombings on 21 April the Financial Crimes Investigation kept reminding the public of the importance of Weerawansa added. the Western Province (North), which the CID, Mahinda Samarasinghe, Nimal 2019, Easter Sunday, via the Internet. Division (FCID) had participated in 19 adhering to health guidelines. However, while all the Commenting on the reports, Media was held by Ranasinghe. Rambukwella Siripala de Silva, Ranjith Responding to a question by a State overseas tours for investigations, new cases were limited to those who had been Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said investigations were started based on recently. Controversy over transfer Siyambalapitiya, W.D Weerasinghe, Counsel as to when he as the Army spending Rs 14 million as travel repatriated, the public seemed to have basked in a Bathiudeen must not be taken into the evidence, to show the connection between When asked whether there was any said the CID had Wasantha Yapa Bandara, B.Y.G Commander became aware of expenses and allowances from 2015 false sense of security that Sri Lanka has completely Government, because there are issues the two groups, the conclusion was there political pressure to release him, SSP The attention on Riyaj being Rathnasekara, Sahan Pradeep, Akila Zaharan, General Senanayake said he to 2019. eliminated the virus. related to him. wasn’t sufficient proof to file a case. Senaratne said investigation officials are released was suddenly focused on taken arbitrary Ellawala, Rajitha Wickramasinghe, H. came to know about Zaharan when he Responding to a question by Sri Public gatherings resumed, functions, events and “We have no relationship with any “A person is arrested only after a conducting investigations according to DIG Wedasinghe, with the Opposition Nandasena, Amarakeerthi served as the Commander in Jaffna. Lanka Podujana Peramuna MP parties were raging on as if we didn’t have any active politician who does not love the country. reasonable suspicion has arisen regarding provisions of the law and are free of any claiming Wedasinghe’s transfer was to decisions Athukorala, Kumarasiri Rathnayake, Adding that the DMI had informed Wasantha Yapa during the question COVID-19 cases in the country. The mask that was Piyal Nishantha is not a member of a party an investigation. As soon as the suspicion pressure. “We have not received hoodwink people about Government’s regarding the Sanjeewa Edirimanna, Janaka him of Zaharan when he was serving round for the Prime Minister, supposed to cover a person’s nose and mouth or a group that maintains such was nullified, the suspect was released. information of any such pressure,” he said. deal with Bathiudeens’. Responding Wakkumbura, Kanchana Wijesekara, in Jaffna, the witness said the DMI Rajapaksa said the Committee was started slipping down the face, first exposing the relationships,” said State Minister Piyal That is what happened to Riyaj However, after arresting Riyaj Bathiudeen to these allegations at weekly Cabinet release where D.V Chanaka, W.D.J Senevirathne, had the capacity to find more details set up according to two Cabinet nose then the mouth, before completely Nishantha. Bathiudeen,” he said. on 14 April, SSP Senaratne, speaking to the Media briefing, Minister Keheliya they should Sisira Jayakody, S. Viyalendran, about him, but that the institutions Memoranda, one by then Prime disappearing. Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna MP, He said so at a Media briefing held Media, said investigations revealed that the Rambukwella said former DIG of the Major Sudarshana Denipitiya, Nalaka through which investigations into this Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe titled Also, social distancing rules became a distant CID, Nuwan Wedasinghe was removed have sought a Kottegoda, Piyal Nihantha de Silva, were conducted, did not obtain the ‘Establishing a unit to investigate memory for both the public as well as policy-makers. from his post due to the irregularities Sanath Nishantha Perera, Shehan DMI's support. fraud and corruption’ and the other Public transport which was to have only 50 per cent related to releasing of MP Rishad Court Order Semasinghe, Kanaka Herath, Dilum He also said senior officials by former Minister Patali Champika capacity went back to packing people like sardines, Bathiudeen’s brother. Amunugama, Jayantha Weerasinghe, including former Inspector General of Ranawaka titled ‘Investigation on all the while, bus conductors wearing masks on He emphasised, Wedasinghe’s Susil Premajayantha, Mohomad Police Pujith Jayasundara, Senior large-scale corruption during the their chins were shouting into passengers’ faces and transfer is a result of his activities and connections with Insaf Ahmed, the Muzammil, Udaya Gammanpila, Deputy Inspector General of Police previous years’ presented to the then drivers spitting betel juice into public roads, straight misconduct practised while releasing terrorist who blew himself up at the Angajan Ramanathan, Kader Mastan, (SDIG) of the CID Ravi Seneviratne, Cabinet on 21 January 2015. from the bus window. Riyaj Bathiudeen. Cinnamon Grand in Colombo. S.B. Dissanayake, Vasudeva Deputy Inspector General of Police of Premier Rajapaksa said: People were lamenting in the past few days that When asked whether the According to the call records, there Nanayakkara, Wimal Weerawansa, the Terrorist Investigation Division “Wickremesinghe, former Ministers many of the companies and banks had cut off water Government had any interference in were 17 calls made by the suspect to Rear Admiral (Rtd) Sarath Waruna Jayasundara, State Mangala Samaraweera, Ranawaka, supply to the sink installed outside their premises this regard, he stated, Police and CID the terrorist. The suspect had been Weerasekara, Sudarshani Intelligence Service Director, SDIG Dr.Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe PC, Rauff for hand washing. But, none was providing are working independently with the detained under the provisions of the Fernandopulle, Madhura Withanage, Nilantha Jayawardena and the former Hakeem and Sarath Fonseka, MPs sanitising liquid either. In supermarkets and other jurisdiction of disregarding political Prevention of Terrorism Act for three Muditha de Soyza, Major Pradeep Chief of National Intelligence Sisira TNA Leader R. Sampanthan, M.A. crowded venues temperature checks were done in a interference. He said the release of days for questioning and thereafter Undugoda, Nipuna Mendis did not pay enough attention Sumanthiran PC, JVP Leader Anura lackadaisical manner. Riyaj Bathiudeen from CID raised obtained the permission of Courts Ranawaka, Gunathilaka Rajapaksha, on the Intelligence information shared Kumara Dissanayake, Dr. All the while, our healthcare workers were risking many concerns and we will definitely twice for three months each. The Jagath Pushpakumara, Kapila by the DMI. Jayampathy Wickramaratne PC and their lives, tending to the highly contagious patients. look into that. investigators had found that the Athukorala, Sumith Corruption at Anti-corrup- Malik Samarawickrama, and J.C. They kept warning us that a second wave would While confirming that the suspect and the terrorist had had no Udukumbura, Lalith Ellawala, Weliamuna PC and a Secretary to the overwhelm the system. Yet, scant regard was paid. Government accepts that releasing terror links and that the calls had Widura Wickramanayake, Dilan tion Secretariat Committee had been appointed as the And today we are seeing rising numbers of cases Riyaj Bathiudeen is an inappropriate been made for business purposes. The Perera, Milan Jayathilaka, Nalin Members of the Anti-Corruption all around the country, a pregnant woman and two move done by the CID, Rambukwella last call they had made was three Fernando, Ajith Rajapaksha, This newspaper revealed last week Committee. They had not been paid infants among them. said the CID had taken arbitrary months prior to the attacks. However, Premnath C. Dolawatte, Pramitha that Deputy Solicitor General Thusith any salary or allowance.” Unfortunately, the country cannot afford to go for decisions regarding the release where if there is new evidence, he would be Bandara Thennakoon, Tiran Alles, Mudalige from the Attorney General’s “Furthermore, Wickremesinghe had another lockdown. The businesses that were closed they should have sought a Court arrested again. His release does not Sampath Athukorala, Arundika Department representing Attorney proposed to proceed to establish a for more than two months were beginning to pick up Order. mean he was freed from all charges.” Fernando, Udayana Kirindigoda, M. General Dappula de Livera, had Committee Secretariat for the Anti- business, educational activities were resuming and Rambukwella also said, the Wijesiri: “But the Police Faleel, K.P.S Kumarasiri, Prasanna allegedly appeared as the legal officer Corruption Committee and recruit life was slowly returning to normalcy. Government’s stance on the release of Spokespman said they had evidence Ranaweera, Tharaka Balasuriya, Dr. to file indictments against former staff based on the 21 January 2015 But, what we all, as a nation, forgot to do was Riyaj Bathiudeen is that, it is to prove the suspect aided and abetted Seetha Arambepola, Dr.Upul Joint Opposition MPs and ex-State Cabinet memoranda. Thereafter, the maintaining proper health guidelines. We received questionable and there was no the terrorists by transporting Galappaththi, Chamara Sampath officers in Courts based on Secretariat had a staff of 44 and their repeated warnings that we could not let our guard Government interference. explosives when he was arrested in Dassanayake, Jagath Kumara recommendations put forth by the salaries and allowances were paid by down. But, unfortunately, that is exactly what we The matter was also taken up in April. Now he is saying that there was Sumithraarachchi, Sagara Anti-Corruption Committee the Prime Minister's Office.” did. We became complacent. Parliament, and Minister Chamal no such evidence. What should we Kariyawasam, Jayaratne Herath, Secretariat (ACS), which was set up at “Secretariat Director Ananda Now the second wave is engulfing the country, Rajapaksa told Parliament that Riyaj believe now?” Isuru Dodangoda, Kokila Temple Trees by the previous UNF-led Wijepala, had been paid Rs threatening to push back progresses made over the Bathiudeen was released from CID Rajapaksa: “I personally think that Gunawardena, Asanka Nawarathne, regime with the intention of politically 1,285,167.33 for three years’ of past few months. Therefore, it is time that we start custody, as there was no evidence to the Police Spokesman should have Siripala Gamlath, Rohana victimising its opponents. service and Advisor A.P.A. taking the situation very seriously. prove he aided and abetted to carry waited until the conclusion of the Dissanayake, Chinthaka Mayadunne, It has now been divulged that it had Gunasekara had been paid Rs 93,750 Do not step out of the house unless it is absolutely out the Easter Sunday terror attacks investigation before making such Lasantha Alagiyawanna, Roshan been DSG Mudalige who had for two months service. Advisor T.K. necessary. Work from home if you have the means to in 2019. However, if new evidence statements. They are trying to create a Ranasinghe, D.B Herath, Prof. appeared on behalf of De Livera for a Warnasooriya had been paid Rs do so. And, when you do, wear a mask at all times. emerges linking him to the terror Media circus so they tell the Media Charitha Herath, Dayasiri spate of cases filed against such 660,000 in 2015, while another Also, wear the mask to cover the nose and the attacks, he would be arrested again, what they got.” Jayasekara, Bandula Gunawardena, persons as Basil Rajapaksa, Duminda Advisor M.A. Sathar had been paid Rs mouth, not as a chin guard. Avoid crowded areas. the Minister added. Responding to Wijesiri’s Oral Janaka Bandara Tennakoon, Ajith Silva, Mahindananda Aluthgamage, 243,750 for four months. Advisor S. Practise social distancing. Wash your hands Rajapaksa was responding to a question on employees in public and Nivaard Cabraal, Keheliya Wimal Weerawansa, Rohitha Medawewa had been paid Rs regularly. Take all the precautions you can. And, question raised by Samagi Jana statutory institutions who had been Rambukwella, Dinesh Gunawardana, Abeygunawardena, Namal Rajapaksa, 2,068,125 for three years and Advisor most importantly, if you have any flu like symptoms, Balawegaya (SJB) MP Chaminda interrogated about the terror attack M. Rameshwaran, Tissa Yoshitha Rajapaksa, Prasanna M.B.H.M. Dayaratne had been paid visit the nearest hospital. Wijesiri. Rajapaksa said that 130 employees Kuttiarachchi, Gayashan Ranatunga, Lalith Weeratunga, Rs 1,970,000 for three years. Advisor “Riyaj Bathiudeen was arrested on were interrogated. Some of them were Nawanandana, Nalaka Godahewa, Dr. Anusha Pelpita, Gamini Senarath and Thusith Mudalige had been paid Rs 14 April 2020 on suspicion of his found innocent and there was no Suren Raghawan, Douglas Piyadasa Kudabalage respectively. 626,080 for three years.” A10 Sunday 11 october 2020 Focus

Garment workers stranded due to negligence of others COVID-19 Denial Dangerous than the Virus

By Sulochana Ramiah bus driver and the conductor just a temperature check does Mohan were stopped and taken away not determine whether they for quarantining. have the virus or not. Sri Lanka saw a sudden There could be a possible These so-called manpower surge in COVID-19 cases from national lockdown if the agencies are run by husbands September and with that, the matter is not under control. and wives and even a group of plight of the garment workers However, pocket curfews that friends who exploit the came into the limelight, once are controlling the movement situation of the dire need of again, with some alarming of the public, are seen as a jobs at both ends. exposure on how they were positive move. Dandeniya said, with a treated during these COVID- If the virus was community general announcement 19 times. spread then there is no way of workers had to return to their The Government and the tracing the origin and that’s boarding houses and again the management of the concerned exactly what is ‘alleged ‘when situation is repeated. “This garment factory, where the the first affected garment time they are not going to COVID-19 emerged, should worker was traced. There were listen and there are some take the responsibility and several claims, like some of trying to escape from this curtail the frightening those she was associated with situation they are in to earn a situation before Sri Lanka could not be divulged. living, since they cannot go to turns out to be like India, However, the woman their homes and the where the virus in its full form concerned has said that she predicament is severe and is spreading all over. had been ill and even after unstoppable,” she added. As we write, 1,053 had been taking medicine she continued She also said that a worker, confirmed positive from 4 to be sick. But yet she was who was taken for a PCR test, October, all from the said asked to report to work. in fear, had called her garment factory and it is said FTZ Union Joint Secretary husband who was a soldier. that out of a total of 40,000 Anton Marcus said, “We firmly “He is with her in a boarding workers, 30,000 are residing believe, if required house she said and that’s in boarding places in the FTZ precautionary measures were what a husband would do and its outskirts. effectively in place, there when hearing the news that It’s also alarming to see the would have been no possibility his wife was taken for PCR Garment workers’ boarding rooms file photo number of stranded workers for half the workforce to testing.” unable to return to their contract the virus. Dandeniya pointed out that homes, but have been asked to Quoting Dr. Sudath the root cause for the new none of her garment factory remain in their rooms. Samaraweera, the Chief spread. contacts are willing to talk for It’s imperative to offer health Epidemiologist of the country, She added that no details of fear of losing their jobs and checkups and clear those who said, “When analysing the public being made aware she is unable to trace what is stranded garment workers to the details of the factory of those who arrived from happening to those who were return to their home without workers, we noticed that there India have been released as taken away as ‘COVID-19 being confined to their had been respiratory diseases yet. But following their arrival, suspects’. Their phones are boarding houses. They are in some, since 20 September, it is suspected that the woman switched off, she said stranded in their own country. even though the female factory concerned fell ill. The garment expressing her concerns. This very situation had been worker, who first tested worker, a 38-year-old, is from “We want to apply pressure forecast in February by human positive, had developed Divulapitiya and was working on the Government and the rights activists for garment symptoms on 28 September.” as the team leader of the Board of Investment to workers and the FTZ union, Hence, the fact is, Brandix had sewing section at this factory. regularise some of the but it seems to have fallen on not taken any steps to have She also spoke about how practices that are affecting the deaf ears. PCR tests done on any of those the workers are forced to meet workers such as streamlining While the Government now workers from 20 September Human Rights activist Ms FTZ Union Joint Secretary the target and don’t even take their payments/allowances as says the situation is crucially until the female worker Dandeniya Atnon Marcus a break at their tea time. the virus has hit them hard. monitored, elsewhere, in the admitted to the Gampaha “The ‘work-study officer’ They cannot go home when European countries, it is hospital was tested positive at by health authorities and Minuwangoda manufacturing picks who is the fastest on the the factories are carefully reported that the second wave the hospital on Sunday 4 precautionary measures taken facility.” machine from the staff and selecting their workers, she of COVID-19 has hit and the October. at factories. Sadly, the Labour However, the management then forces others to follow the stressed. restrictions are being ramped The critical situation with Department has not enforced does not disclose the date of same speed taken by that I am stranded and up. Sri Lanka is in the process COVID-19 is that it can be these steps and have allowed arrival of the workers from person as an example. This is of determining when and how denied and ignored by anyone employers the discretion to act India. Why? In case they had how they meet targets and want to go home the new cluster emerged and because there is no solution as they please,” Marcus said. arrived on 22 September, they they are the only ones who get the leading apparel in found within the country, no Indian connection? should have been under target incentives. Ceylon Today contacted a Minuwangoda, Brandix Lanka guarantee of immunity as yet, quarantine till Monday, 5 They work tirelessly no girl, in her early 20s, currently and its management is no known treatment so far In terms of the finding of the October and then another 14 matter whether they are sick at the FTZ, who is stuck in her responsible to expose how the globally and no vaccine found new cluster, the public have days for self-quarantining. Did or not. Most of them don’t even boarding house. She has to new cluster emerged. as well. This can lead to a begun doubting that Sri this happen? Every story of take their sick leave and some remain there since there were Source still a dismal virus spread. Lankans working at the the quarantining of of the management are in the a few boarders who had been Marcus said, “With half the Brandix Vishakapatnam passengers coming into Sri habit of calling the owners of working with a corona-affected mystery workforce, the apparel sector factory in South India, who Lanka was highlighted by the the boarding houses to send garment factory worker. revenue has not dropped were chartered to Mattala Media but not this particular their workers to the factory. Speaking on condition of World Health Organisation compared to 2019” and he Airport on 22 September. group. Did the PHI monitor There was clear evidence anonymity, JT (not her real (WHO) Representative to Sri alleged that many apparel Brandix management cleared them in their homes? Did they that went viral last week, name) said she needs to get Lanka Dr. Razia Pendse told factories have not strictly that no parties from India or complete the quarantining where a hostel owner came up back home. “I was asked to go Ceylon Today that they are followed health measures and any other country had access process or were they dragged to the garment factory saying to my hostel until further waiting to get a clear picture garment workers’ boarding to the Minuwangoda facility. to work, are, some of the how she was asked to send notice, the supervisor said. He as to how the new COVID-19 houses were not monitored. They said the Government questions lingering in the sick girls to work. isolated me and some of those surge evolved in Sri Lanka and He also alleged that most of mandated a 28-day quarantine minds of the public. Initially, the garment who are boarded, with those called upon the garment sector the garment factories with the period and it was adhered to Over the video clip, Brandix workers were asked to strictly workers who had worked at a to follow strict health COVID-19, had begun to by Sri Lankan employees and said, they have identified that follow the health guidelines, factory that had COVID-19 measures as they work in concentrate more on the their families brought back via the primary female party is the but gradually when the patients. The supervisor told close and confined workplace production of garments rather charter flights. owner of a hostel, while the covid-19 was under control, 10 of us to go back after settings. than on the welfare of the “We understand that there two members occupying her there was negligence and checking our temperature.” She also added that the workers and as early as March have been concerns with hostel and the supervisor mask-wearing was not Her salary was Rs 20,000, garment sector is vulnerable 2020, they had urged the regards to foreign nationals being referred to, are employed practised by all. given on 4 October, from due to, close and confined Government’s Task Force at a working at our facility in by a third-party cleaning She said especially in the which she has already paid workplace settings and should meeting, to be more cautious Minuwangoda and we would service provider contracted by ironing sections, the stores her debts and the room rent. “I strictly maintain physical about the garment workers. like to clarify as follows. We the Brandix Minuwangoda and the packing sections was asked to go back to the distance by rearranging Currently, around 350 can confirm that no parties facility. “We confirm that none where there is no air room but what can I do now? I workplace layouts and limiting garment factories are in from India or any other of these individuals are conditioning, workers did not have no money to feed myself.” large meetings, regularly operation. Marcus also country have had access to the employees of Brandix. wear masks as it was too hot She expected that at least disinfecting surfaces, doubted that since COVID-19, facility during this period. We This particular statement to be in those rooms. the factory would give her an increasing ventilation, is considered a community would also like to clarify that does not divulge anything in Dandeniya also spoke about allowance to buy food stuff. providing accessible hand spread, it is difficult to find the our facility in Minuwangoda detail. Here again, there is the 100s of manpower She said last month she was hygiene facilities, allowing origin as to who contracted it does not use any fabric from skirt over the allegations agencies that ‘supply’ garment given a Rs 2,000 voucher to flexible working hours, and first , you cannot chase after India nor has it taken in any claiming negligence where workers when there is a buy groceries. “My parents are encouraging staff who are not one person. orders from our facility in workers were asked to report shortage in factories. “There crying urging me to come feeling well to stay home and While the COVID-19 global India as well.” to work after the detection of are unregistered agencies as home but can I go home?” she seek medical care. pandemic pushed the whole Brandix further said, “With COVID-19 infections, but well who are linked to the asked the writer. She pleaded The Free Trade Zones & export manufacturing sector regards to concerns on Brandix referred to those Human Resource (HR) of the to make arrangements to send General Services Employees’ into a deep crisis, it has also employees returning to Sri workers as being employed by factory. “When the HR her home, because she has no Union (FTZ Union) also alleges exposed the apparel industry Lanka from India through a third party, but it does not contacts these manpower money to survive. “At least I that the garment sector has as the most inhuman exploiter charter flights, we can confirm confirm or deny the agencies, in case of shortages had tea at the factory but now not been properly monitored of employees. as follows. We operated three allegations. of workers, they immediately I don’t even have that.” since the first case was With the outbreak of COVID- chartered flights from Garment workers’ get down the number of These boarding’s don’t recorded in February this year. 19, when factories had to be Visakhapatnam, for our Sri workers and drop them at the supply food. Most of them live Some say people are injected closed due to the indefinite Lankan employees working in grievances factory for daily wages of in congested rooms which with fear but that’s obvious curfew imposed by the India and their families, who roughly Rs 1,500. The agent serves them as their kitchen, because it’s not only the Government to control the returned to Sri Lanka. We Ceylon Today spoke to takes about Rs 800 at the end as well as the sleeping area. COVID-19 affected patient spread, employers used it to confirm that they, including Executive Director of Standup of that day for supplying them. “I don’t know when they that is quarantined but those downsize their workforce and their families, followed the Sri Movement Lanka Sahila She alleged that many would call me back to work who had acquaintances with in the process tried to prevent Lanka Government protocol Dandeniya, an activist fighting factories are in the practice of but I’d rather go home,” she the patients including those in the workforce from possible for the prevention and control for the rights of the garment hiring such workers without said. the family, workplace and even union activity. of COVID-19, which included workers of Katunayake from following regulations. Like She also stressed that they the passengers who they had “We, as a responsible trade PCR testing and a 14-day 2008. cattle, they are given off to were not given any instruction travelled with. Stories are union, therefore, proposed to mandatory quarantine at a She said from the time the factories during ‘rush hours’. on how to do a health emerging that some of those the tripartite taskforce, Government-regulated apparel industry bloomed and “This rotation of workers for screening and travel to their passengers who travelled with appointed by the Labour quarantine facility, as well as young girls and boys were factories has no regulation, hometown. If that is known the garment worker to Ministry, that was established the 14-day self-quarantine employed, and even during the but garment workers are often she said she could beg or Pungudutivu are hiding and with the Labour Minister as process done under the lockdown these workers were seen loitering around these borrow and do the needful to some of them have responded the chair, to establish Health supervision of the respective not given the Rs 5,000 agencies to register for a daily return home. to a government call to be committees at every enterprise PHIs. Further to this, it must allowance by the government wage job. These agencies “PCR testing would be good quarantined and the list of to ensure decisions taken by also be said, none of these Sri and their lives were completely certainly don’t do the needed but where should I do it and contacts is long and the the taskforce are implemented Lankans or their family crippled during those days. health checks before handing release myself from this mess,” situation is dangerous. The and to monitor guidelines set members visited the Now again they are considered over these poor workers and she asked. focus sunday 11 october 2020 A11 PCoI hearings on Easter Sunday Attacks The Art of Dodging Responsibility

By Buddhika immediately as there was for the Sinhala and Hindu not carried out by the Samaraweera information that he was New Year. But at no point officers. He also propagating Islamic State they informed me about this, acknowledged that the “No country has ever (IS) ideology. However, when he said. search for information on pointed finger at a Head of a Senior State Counsel He added that it was Zaharan and the NTJ was State for bombings or any queried former Minister of unfortunate that he had not within the purview of the other terrorist activity. It is Law and Order, Sagala received any prior STF. not the Head of State who Ratnayake, who testified information about the Easter Chairman of the should be held responsible before the Commission on 6 Sunday bombings and added Commission then asked the for them, but the officials in October as to whether it was a very unfortunate witness whether the charge of security.” Sirisena issued orders for situation in his political life Secretary of the Commission It would be a little hard for Zaharan's arrest, he said he and as President. He further had instructed him to submit anyone to believe that the did not recall any order or said that he came to know documents pertaining to above statement was made instruction given by the that prior information was religious extremism, that by a former Head of State, former President with regard received about the attack, at was available at STF, to the who was tasked with to it. the NSC meeting held on 22 Commission and SDIG ensuring the security of both Adding that the intelligence April, 2019. Latheef said that he had human and physical agencies had reported on Sirisena also said he would received such notice. resources of a country. Even certain IS terrorist activities have cancelled his trip to If so, the Commission though the people do not that took place in various Singapore on 16 April for again asked him why the expect any Head of State to parts of the world between treatment and called the documents he submitted to make such an irresponsible 2017 and 2018, Sirisena said NSC meeting immediately to the Commission as STF statement, it was made by such matters were discussed discuss the matter, if he had Commandant did not include former President Maithripala at the NSC as well. According known about it before the the above documents which Sirisena while testifying to him, in early January attack. contained information before the Presidential 2019, the State Intelligence related to Zaharan and the Commission of Inquiry into Service (SIS) had informed Back-tracking... NTJ. In response, he said the bombings on Easter the NSC that Zaharan was Meantime, former Prime that it should be ascertained Sunday. conducting classes and Minister Ranil whether the relevant Sirisena ran for Presidency delivering extremist lectures. Wickremesinghe who documents had been not a long time ago, therefore When asked if there had testified before the received by the STF there is no doubt that the been any report on Zaharan’s Commission on 6 October, headquarters. He also people still remember the extremist activities before, said although the presence requested that a report be attractive promises he made Sirisena said that he did not of the Premier at the NSC is called from the STF during his election remember. vital in making decisions headquarters in that regard. campaign. He came to power However, the ASG drew with regard to National "These three reports have with a number of enticing Sirisena's attention to a Security, he was not invited been received by the STF promises for the people, report dated 30 January, for the NSC meetings since regional camps. It should be vowing to establish 2017, sent to him by the the constitutional crisis in checked whether they were democracy in the country former SIS Director, Senior 2018. He also said that referred to the headquarters and to create an environment DIG Nilantha Jayawardena, Mahinda Rajapaksa, who and it should be ascertained where everyone could live regarding a clash between a was Premier during the 52- whether any officer at the freely. Sinhalese and Muslim day Government, was also headquarters had inquired It is very unfortunate that groups in the Gintota area in not invited for the NSC by into it," he said. during the tenure of former Galle. Sirisena. Former Defence Meanwhile, the President Sirisena, nearly The ASG asked the witness Secretary, Fernando, during Commission questioned the 260 innocent people lost whether the report stated his testimony, also said he witness regarding the their absolute right to life in that Zaharan had criticized was told not to invite transfer of five intelligence just one day, on 21 April, non- Muslims through his Rajapaksa for NSC meetings officers who were attached to 2019. social media platforms after by Sirisena. the STF camp at Arugambay It is a simple matter for the incident and Sirisena Also, former Commandant during February 2017 and anyone to understand that admitted the relevant report of the Police Special Task October 2018. When asked the responsibility for the stated that. Force (STF), SDIG M.R. the reason for such a Easter Sunday massacre The Commission also drew Latheef, on 7 October, was transfer, the witness said rests with the former the former President's seen back-tracking his own that he could not comment President, who was also the attention to the reports evidence given before the without consulting the Minister of Defence and the submitted by the SIS on Commission earlier. SDIG relevant documents. Commander-in-Chief, even propaganda carried out by Latheef, who earlier said he Also, several intelligence more than it does with the Zaharan on social media came to know about the NTJ officers who were attached to officials in charge of National platforms that Jihad is a and its leader Zaharan only the Kalawanchikudi STF Security. noble cause. Asked if it was after the bombings, on 7 camp, during the same However, former President possible to identify Zaharan October, admitted that he period, have been Sirisena who came to power as an extremist through the was aware of Zaharan and transferred. When with enormous promises to reports, Sirisena said the NTJ even before the questioned about this, ensure national security and Zaharan was an extremist. attack. Latheef said that the relevant make lives of the people However, he said that at the Pic by Udesh Ranasinghe A Commissioner asked the documents could be prosperous, and enjoyed all time, intelligence agencies witness if intelligence officers consulted and answers could the comforts on public had not reported that Velambada and the discovery attached to the STF office in be given. money, is now trying to Zaharan was systematically of explosives in Kattankudy had not been Asked if his earlier acquit himself by leaving the propagating IS ideology. Adding that the Wanathawilluwa have been able to find information statement to the Commission responsibility for the Easter He also said that he had intelligence agencies reported?" the ASG about Zaharan, before the that he had never known Sunday bombings to the instructed the relevant questioned. bombings. about Zaharan before 4 security forces alone in an authorities to take necessary had reported on Responding, the former In response, SDIG Latheef April, 2019, was true, SDIG extremely revolting manner. action regarding the incident certain IS terrorist President said, "it is the said that the STF intelligence Latheef said that he had “Scapegoats” that took place in Gintota responsibility of the units were not set up to look come to know about the NTJ according to the relevant activities that took President to advise and into intelligence information through certain electronic Adding that no country has reports. The ASG then provide the necessary regarding national security. and print media before the pointed a finger at any Head questioned the witness as to place in various resources to take action on He said it was the task of the Easter Sunday bombing. of State for bombings or any whether Zaharan would not parts of the world crime, the underworld, STF intelligence unit to look He added that he also came other terrorist activities, have been called a hardliner extremism or any other into how to prepare for an to know about Zaharan Sirisena, while testifying in another report sent to him between 2017 and illegal activities, but there is operation with regard to the during certain discussions before the Commission, said on 27 March, 2018 by the no need to wait until the intell they receive, and how it held at the Police the officials who did not SIS, if the officers had acted 2018, Sirisena said President approves the arrest should be activated. headquarters and during follow instructions given by in accordance with relevant such matters were of a warrant holder or the Meanwhile, Chairman of discussions with Senior him as the President with instructions. The report in arrest of a suspect who is the Commission asked the Police Officers. The regard to religious extremism question also informed him discussed at the involved in any illegal witness as to whether the Commission then questioned including former Defence about a statement made by NSC as well. activity. Such things should STF intelligence officers had the witness as to whether it Secretary, Hemasiri Zaharan that thousands of to be done by the Police. If not reported any intelligence was possible for him to take Fernando and the Inspector militants would fight against According to him, in they cannot do it alone, they regarding Zaharan and the some action with regard to General of Police (IGP) Sinhala Buddhist extremists. have to get the help of armed NTJ. In response, he said the report of the SIS, should be held responsible In response, the former early January forces," that no intelligence had been regarding a possible terror for not preventing the President said that there 2019, the State When asked if the reported on those topics. attack, since Zaharan's bombings on Easter Sunday. were certain problems due to bombings on 21 April, 2019 On that occasion, the name was also mentioned in Sirisena also said he had weaknesses in certain Intelligence Service showed that the officials had Commission inquired from the report. not been informed of any sectors. He said that the not complied with the witness about a report In reply, the witness said terrorist activity in Sri Lanka Presidential Secretariat (SIS) had informed instructions given by him as sent by the STF intelligence that he had taken steps to by any intelligence or other normally receives between the NSC that President, he said the officers to the Commanding take some action in this agency prior to the bombings 700 and 800 letters a day, of security forces had clearly Officer of the regard. “For example, I took on Easter Sunday. which he receives only a few. Zaharan was failed to carry out Kalawanchikudi STF camp steps regarding the security Responding to a question "There are instances where conducting classes instructions. on 24 March, 2018. When of the Indian High from an Additional Solicitor some letters are sent directly Responding to a question asked if he accepted that the Commission as the General (ASG) as to whether to relevant agencies, and delivering as to who was responsible for report referred to Zaharan information indicated that it matters pertaining to including the Police, by the not preventing the bombings, and the NTJ, he could be a target of National Thowheed Jama'at secretaries,” he noted. “I extremist lectures. he said that the officers who acknowledged that. attackers,” he said. (NTJ) and its leader, Zaharan would also provide necessary When asked if there did not inform him about the The witness was also Considering the evidence Hashim were discussed at instructions to the Police and possibility of an attack shown some other given by SDIG Latheef before the National Security other relevant agencies had been any report despite having received prior intelligence reports about the Commission, the Council (NSC), Sirisena said regarding the letters that I information were responsible Zaharan and the NTJ and Commission observed that it that they had discussed receive," he added. on Zaharan’s for it. "I learned that they admitted that they also was appropriate to give him Zaharan and his activities in "If the authorities had extremist activities had received initial referred to Zaharan. When the opportunity to appear early January 2019. acted in such a manner, information on 4 April asked by the Commission before the Commission with He also said that he had would the incidents such as before, Sirisena said regarding the possibility of whether the STF officers the assistance of an instructed the relevant the vandalizing of religious that he did not an attack. Fernando and were carrying out tasks that Attorney-at-Law under authorities including the statues in Peradeniya, Jayasundera came to my did not belong to them, he Section 16 of the Police to arrest Zaharan Mawanella, Kurunegala and remember. house on 14 April to wish me said that such tasks were Commission. A12 sunday 11 October 2020 Focus

Sri Lankans stranded worker in Dubai Sri Lankans stranded worker in Dubai Stranded in COVID-19 hit Gulf Lankans Sleep in Dubai’s Public Parks Apathetic response from Consulate General

By Sulochana Ramiah Mohan and Ruwan Laknath Jayakody FM repatriated Despite a series of measures being taken by the Government to repatriate 40,000 Sri Sri Lankans, there are scores of issues still unsettled for those Lankans so far stranded migrants workers in the – FM COVID-19 Action Middle East. Due to no flights and DG, Kandeepan fear of virus infections, some workers have been refused jobs by their pay The focal point of what the masters. Ceylon Today managed to Foreign Ministry (FM) on COVID capture the plight of the workers. -19 Action and DG/East Asia Dignity – which forms the basis of Kandeepan Balasubramaniam fundamental human rights – is had to say over the Dubai and certainly a scarce and luxurious Kuwait situation: commodity, if, queuing up at Lankan “The Foreign Ministry has so far diplomatic missions overseas, waiting repatriated 40,000 Sri Lankans to collect their meagre breakfast and from over 122 countries and over lunch in the form of food packets, 13,000 from the Middle Eastern relying on the kindness of strangers Region. and their milk of human kindness for Due to the new cluster the their dinner, sneaking into small Foreign Ministry has temporarily shops and dingy petrol stations to halted the repatriation attend to nature’s call and keeping up programme. We have quarantined a semblance of personal physical nearly 8,000 for COVID-19 and hygiene, and having to sleep on the Sri Lankans stranded worker in Dubai after they are cleared, we could heartlessly hot, humid earth of the think of the next repatriation to grounds of public parks in the accommodate them in playpens of the stinking rich jet- those stuck on the street without for the airline and 40 Dinars for the quarantine.” setting leisure class, with the night’s money, jobs, a plane ticket and hope PCR and I am only a coronavirus He added that for next four days black sky as a blanket, is the fate of of going back to Sri Lanka. Their suspect which means an accurate there won’t be any flights bringing Lankans who have migrated to the plight is being ignored. Is it alright for sample was not taken from me.” in Sri Lankans and there were Gulf in search of greener pastures, them to die here?” Sathi queried from But to her surprise after four days those who were repatriated on the but have instead have to face the the relevant Lankan authorities. her report says she is COVID-19 cargo flights, but due to the pestilence of COVID-19. This is negative. current situation they will have to certainly the case in Dubai, United Kuwait workers Deepika is in a quandary as to how wait and see. “We have done the Arab Emirates (UAE). Amidst the situation in Dubai, a could she get back on the flight she best and saved Sri Lanka, while Meena Sathi, a UK trained academic Kuwait based migrant worker came missed. countries like India and Australia (Gender, Poverty and Development), online to tell her plight where an “On the same day when 20 persons have been crippled after they flew who is presently domiciled in Dubai official had bungled her PCR test were told they were COVID-19 in all their nationals.” and is currently occupied as an resulting her missing the flight to Sri positive, some of them spent money He also mentioned that the now activist cum volunteer, assisting the Lanka on 26 September. on the same day and did the PCR test closed Kuwait Embassy is migrant worker community stranded Deepika Dilrukshi, from Kuwait, and found the results to be negative. expected to reopen on 14 October. there, speaking to Ceylon Today, said last week went online and urged the How does the test by our authorities “We are supporting those many, including well over 100 Sri Sri Lankan Government to streamline give false reports like this for us? They stranded and seeing to their Lankan men and women, with various the initiative taken to help fly back charged me 40 Dinars without doing a welfare on a daily basis. We are visa statuses (visit, work and resident, stranded migrant workers in the proper PCR test. Why such also supplying food and dry with persons who fall within the Middle East. negligence, that I am forced to pay rations as much as possible. definition of the latter two categories She alleged that the officials are another 40 Dinars to do a PCR?” There may be allegations and its also losing their jobs in the wake of ‘twisting’ the PCR reports making Deepika was emotional and said she possible there may also be some COVID-19), have been experiencing negative PCR tests positive to make wants to be with her daughter whose relapses but that is what the such depravation and degradation for sure some of their favoured personnel life is also in danger as she had been COVID-19 pandemic has done to weeks on end. They are languishing in leave Kuwait. an eyewitness to the incident over everybody. We are acting on each a few public parks near the Sri The mother of a 11-year-old girl, she which her brother, the guardian of her situation and it’s a gradual Lankan Consulate such as that in said that her daughter has no place to child, was arrested. process and that, too, well Jafiliya, which has no toilets let alone Kuwait stranded worker Deepika live in Sri Lanka because her “I am worried because my daughter planned mainly to keep the virus the bare essentials of basic sanitation caretakers were remanded due to does not have protection right now. In under control.” and healthcare facilities, and no fire from Sathi, who claimed that some disputes and that she is under case something happens to her I will sleeping mattresses made available while she had sent a list containing the care of a sick old lady who could end my life in Kuwait,” she warned. for its non-arboreal inhabitants. the names of a group of 32 stranded refuse to take care of her child at She noted that right after she In the backdrop of the ever present Lankans to be noted down in the list anytime. She claimed that the officials missed the flight on 26 September the It is learnt that the embassy will be societal fear of COVID-19, she noted maintained by the Consulate of and the Kuwait Embassy staff have Kuwait embassy was closed as there closed until 14 October and the that, when they go to relieve persons seeking repatriation, to an been negligent and asked why such were several COVID-19 cases among stranded workers are in a fix unable themselves at toilets in small shops officer at the Consulate via Whatsapp officials are posted overseas. them. to book their next flight. and petrol stations, they are scolded on 6 October, her phone had shown a “When I told about my urgency to “Our PCR tests were done at a Deepika said she cannot pay for for being potential carriers of the notification that it was only on 9 return to Sri Lanka, the Embassy told reliable lab in Kuwait but how come another PCR test and that some of the virus. As far as food and drink is October that the said message had me to book the flight ticket for 16 the first time it was positive and on female workers don’t have a place to concerned, while the Consulate been viewed by the officer in question. September and as preparation to do the second time it was negative. She return after being left stranded. “Since supplies food packets for breakfast Consul General nowhere the PCR test on 14 September. said that at the airport an official the report came as positive and then and lunch, those stranded claim that However, on 14 September the asked how did she get two reports negative, their pay masters are not they do not receive their dinner from to be seen officials said that the PCR process has first positive and then negative. Who accepting them. She told that some of the Consulate despite stating been cancelled and that the flight has should answer for this negligence?” them are sent to outskirts in the otherwise. Dinner is generally “The Consul General is nowhere to also been postponed.” She also alleged that the embassy desert to take care of sheep. “Women provided by charitable volunteer be seen and no officer is coming out of As she decided to set out on her staffers were treating the workers like are unable to change their sanitary groups and organisations, she added. the Consulate premises and talking to journey home, she had no place to cats and dogs; the embassy was pads and some of them are doing it Furthermore, those stranded have to the people. I had to raise my voice in stay till the next flight is announced. finally closed due to coronavirus. standing by the roadside,” she noted. make their way to the Consulate to order to get some attention (Sathi has “We pressed the officials to work out procure said meals, she further noted. visited the Consulate on several a plan soon and finally we were told to To add to this misery, there is no occasions, the latest on 9 October). come back on 24 September for the proper accommodation for them, and They question as to who we are and PCR test since the fight was the public parks, she noted, despite a why we are intervening in this regard scheduled for 26 September. We went proscription on females being allowed and maintain that they would seek on that day and did the PCR test, she to stay out in the open overnight, have our assistance if required. What is added. been their home away from home for implied is that we should not interfere But to her surprise, while getting some time. Sathi however noted that to help. They are not running any ready to leave for the airport on 26 the Dubai Police were quite helpful repatriation flights. They claim that September, at about 3 a.m., she and constantly requested those they don’t have funds from the Sri received an SMS alert that she is stranded to seek assistance from their Lankan Government and that the ‘suspected to be positive for COVID- relevant countries diplomatic borders are closed and that they don’t 19’ and to ‘come again after four missions. have sufficient facilities to days’. The apathetic attitude of the accommodate them for the “What kind of report is that?” she Consulate officials, with regard to quarantine. “Millionaires don’t need asked. “Then when can I get back to repatriation requests too, came under these flights. They should prioritize Sri Lanka? I paid 205 Kuwait Dinars Sri Lankans stranded worker in Dubai focus sunday 11 october 2020 A13 Holding Exams Amidst A Pandemic Breaking hiatus or putting students’ lives in danger?

By Thameenah Razeek However, he expressed his concern over the decision taken The spate of fresh COVID-19 by the Education Ministry to cases reported last week transport children from the reignited fears among Sri Gampaha District to Colombo. Lankans that the pandemic He said that bringing Gampaha may be entering a community District students to Colombo transmission level or a new pose a huge threat of the virus wave. The new COVID-19 spreading to the Colombo cluster, dubbed by many as the community too. “Even the lives ‘Brandix cluster’, emerged at of the bus driver and the an apparel factory located in conductor are at stake. But if the Minuwangoda area, and the Health Ministry and the within a few days authorities Education Ministry wants our confirmed over 1,000 COVID- support there is no way of 19 cases from this cluster ignoring the request. We are alone. Even though majority of with the students. Their safety these were employees of the comes first, then their apparel factory, a considerable education,” he noted. number of people they had However, even though the associated with after Government is ready to contracting the virus also conduct exams, students from tested positive for COVID-19. Gampaha and Colombo have The magnitude of the cluster various concerns over the has not been gauged yet, as decision. authorities are still searching “Everyone is worried, and for people who have been in there is a fear about the spread contact with COVID-19 of COVID-19. There is no infected factory employees. guarantee that I will reach the Amid the growing fear and exam centre on time and then frustration caused by COVID- return to home without getting 19 pandemic, people are trying infected. The Government to go about their daily lives, should wait for some time while the Government is before the exam is conducted. looking into ways to keep the COVID-19 numbers are country running. However, increasing. It is better to wait during the past few days, the for the safety of the students Government was compelled to across the country,” Shanthi close or curtail the operations from Minuwangoda expressed of many public institutions her thoughts on the decision. until further notice and impose However, she also said that she curfew/lockdowns in several is ready to face the exam since areas. In addition, certain she was hoping to face it twice proceedings of national before. importance were also Nishadhi who is from the rescheduled. The Grade Five upcountry and sits for her Scholarship Examination and exams in a school-based in the GCE A/L Examination were Gampaha District praised the two such events the Government decision. “The Government decided to proceed Government have taken extra with despite certain parties precautions for students after requesting that the deciding to conduct examinations be postponed in examination. We as children light of the prevailing situation. faced two postponements and Last week, it was stated that we cannot stay more. We are the two examinations will be only aging and we have to look held on dates the Government forward in our higher had announced previously. education too,” she lamented. While the Grade Five Lt. Gen. Shavendra Silva Prof. G.L. Peiris Prof. Kapila Perera B. Sanath Pujitha The Grade Five Scholarship Scholarship Examination is Examination will be conducted scheduled for 11 October, the 362,000 students sitting for However, the Examination on 11 October and Sathsara is A/L Examination will begin on the GCE A/L Examination in Department along with the one student who is enthusiastic 12 October. However, the 2,648 centres while 331,000 In a bid to conduct Education Ministry and Tri- to face the exam. All he wants is Government said that special students will be sitting in 2,936 Forces have taken appropriate to sit for the exam and take measures will be taken to see centres for the Grade Five the examinations arrangements for PPE gear whatever score he can get. “I to it that the two examinations Scholarship Examination. according to plan, such as face masks, hand don’t know what score I will get. are held in a safe manner, and There will be a maximum of sanitisers, soap for the use of But I want to face the that students will be strictly 160 students each centre. the Education staff, as well as students. examination somehow. If not, I required to adhere to COVID- However, the existing Ministry discussed Discussing the Government’s will have to study all day with 19 safety guidelines. examination centres will not be with the plans on conducting the my mother and take other online Sticking to schedule changed and the Department examination amidst the classes everyday without of Education will look into Transportation pandemic, Prof. Kapila Perera playing,” he said. In a bid to conduct the forming new centres for noted that we are passing Sri Lanka saw the first COVID- examinations according to students in quarantine. The and Health through a very tough and 19 case early this year; cases plan, the Education Ministry Government assured that they Ministries on unpredictable phase in our gradually soared and several discussed with the have the facilities and the best times. “COVID-19 has changed deaths were also reported. As Transportation and Health safety methods to conduct the measures to keep substantially, the way we live. the situation got worse, Ministries on measures to keep examinations. children from Many newly emerged issues islandwide curfews were children from contracting Education Ministry Secretary stare at us,” declared resulting in the contracting COVID-19. Accordingly, the Prof. Kapila Perera said that The new normal disruption of people’s day-to-day Examinations Department will students from Gampaha who COVID-19. activities, including education. organise special centres for are to travel to Colombo to sit ‘Live with COVID’ has become As the COVID-19 pandemic was students who are in for their examinations will be Accordingly, the the newest tagline and a totally new experience to Sri quarantine. “We cannot lose provided transport under Examinations permeates each and every point Lanka, at that point in time, more time in worrying about quarantine regulations. He in people’s daily lives. Speaking there was no proper system in natural disasters like floods. mentioned that conducting Dr. Sudath Samaraweera Department will further, he noted that the field place for children to study from Nobody can foresee anything. exams during the pandemic is organise special of education cannot insulate home. Although there were We can work to save the manageable and they are is a health threat. itself from such alternatives plans to send study material to academic calendar. It is good geared properly. Even though the form won’t centres for and drastic changes are taking children via email, not every for students,” said Lieutenant “COVID-19 must be a new be filled by every single exam students who are place in education that they are student had access to internet, General Shavendra Silva, Chief thing to Sri Lanka but we as candidate, the Education ready to face regardless of the and therefore, it is uncertain of Defence Staff, Commander of the Ministry have always Ministry predicts that 85 to 95 in quarantine threat of the virus. whether that programme the Sri Lanka Army. prepared to conduct the per cent of students will fill it. Concerns have focused on actually bore fruit. The bottom Education Minister Professor Examinations amidst any Prof. Perera said they are aware NEEOps will be operational the students living in Gampaha line is, children’s education was G.L. Peiris justified the decision danger. We have a guideline that all students do not have from 11 October to 9 that have to travel to Colombo severely disrupted the first time to conduct the examinations by book for it. We will be able to access to fast internet and that November. to sit for their exams. The COVID-19 pandemic hit Sri noting that students will face sanitise the staff and children they will also look to get the It is co-chaired by the Government is planning to Lanka, and it is not advisable to huge pressure if the by keeping one metre social form filled by-hand through Commissioner General of provide transport to those let that happen again. At the Government postpones the distance. We have conducted examination supervisors. Examinations and the Director students until the exams are same time, there is an GCE A/L Examination for the the examinations when dengue In the meantime, the Health General Disaster Management over. Students or parents are undeniable responsibility to third time. was prevalent so we think that Ministry said that it is ready to Centre. In the event of an advised to contact their nearest give priority to children’s lives. “Considering the children’s conducting these examinations provide transport, as well as emergency, direct emergency Divisional Secretariat and In this context, the authorities’ mentality and the pressure on can be done,” he added. separated spaces for exam response calls will be received inform that they or their child decision to proceed with the them, we decided to hold the Special strategies students regardless if they are by the Examinations is sitting for the exam and need original examination timetable exams on the scheduled dates. quarantined or diagnosed with Department’s hotline 1911 to transport. seems to have its pros and We have all the equipment to Meanwhile, the Education COVID-19. NEEOps. The DMC’s hotline When asked how the cons. protect the children. We are Ministry has introduced an The Disaster Management (117) has also been made transport will be arranged, the Is holding these exams amid a also looking forward to online form for exam Centre (DMC) and the available for this purpose Sri Lanka Transport Board national level crisis tantamount providing transport to students candidates requesting details Department of Examinations 24-hour a day. (SLTB), Chairman Kingsley to putting the children’s lives in who have to travel through about their past health have jointly set up a National The operations unit has Ranawaka noted that the danger? Or is it a commendable districts,” Commissioner conditions. This way, the Examination Emergencies already issued operational Education Ministry has decision taken by the General of Examinations, B. Ministry will be able to get an Operations Unit (NEEOps) to guidelines to authorities for planned to use SLTB buses to Government to prevent Sanath Pujitha said. idea on how the exams can be avoid possible interruptions examination-based transport students to the children’s valuable time from Accordingly, there are conducted and whether there during the examinations. emergencies. examination centres. being wasted again? A14 sunday 11 October 2020 Column Sri Lanka’s Economic Dependency Deepens After Moody’s Rate Cut

By Shihar Aneez countries are in discussion for a debt Country faces $4.5 billion Will have to depend moratorium and a $1.1 billion A rating cut by two notches followed currency swap. by the government’s denial. Sri Lanka debt repayment per year more on bilateral partners However, India has its own has yet to come out of this vicious limitations given it is the second worst cycle in managing the economy. through 2023 for borrowing COVID-19-hit country in the world. Moody’s Investors Service last And the perception of Sri Lankans month downgraded Sri Lanka’s with regard to India has been mostly sovereign rating to Caa1 which is “very not optimistic due to historic events. high credit risk.” equal to the rating of Role of South Indian Tamil Nadu in Iraq, Mali, Angola, and Congo, from B2 providing military training for Sri or “high credit risk”, the ratings Lanka’s northern Tamil groups enjoyed by countries like Turkey, including Liberation Tigers of Tamil Kenya, and Nigeria. Eelam (LTTE) is still been discussed Moody’s said the coronavirus- among senior Sri Lankan military induced shock will significantly officials.This is the reason for some Sri weaken Sri Lanka’s already fragile Lankan political parties before polls to funding and external positions. It also use anti-Indian sentiment to get said the heightened liquidity and attention and win votes. However, external risks stem from Sri Lanka’s India later assisted the Sri Lankan limited secured funding sources to military to defeat the LTTE. meet its material external debt service More than everything in the current payments over the coming years, geopolitical context, India is worried during which period market about increasing Chinese influence in refinancing will remain vulnerable to Sri Lanka. shifts in investor sentiment. “China’s influence in Sri Lanka has Though the government, rejecting gone beyond the point of no return the Moody’s action, has said the rating now,” a Western diplomat based in Sri downgrade was “unfair” and Lanka says. “But Sri Lanka has an “premature”, it cannot be a surprise to obligation to work with India as agreed the Central Bank and the Finance in the 1987 deal on Indian Ocean’s Ministry. regional security,” referring to Indo-Sri On 17 April this year during the Lanka deal which later became the lockdown, Moody’s placed Sri Lanka’s 13th Amendment. B2 ratings under review for Controversies still surround the downgrade. Moody’s downgrade 13th Amendment, which is about follows the rating cut by both Fitch power sharing; which some Sri Ratings and Standards and Poors’ Lankan leaders see as an Indian early this year. The government interference. India has been of the rejected their downgrade as well. With pressure until imports were banned. vaccine, the bloc is unlikely to give view that it could curb any future all three downgradings, the Foreign inflows are expected to slow. priority for Sri Lankan debt crisis. ethnic clashes. government’s borrowing cost from The fiscal deficit is expected to hit EU has been constantly international markets is likely to be 11-year high of 9% this year due to campaigning against Sri Lanka over China, China, China expensive than earlier. So the lack of revenue and unavoidable high human rights abuses during the war. When it comes to Sri Lanka’s government is unlikely to tap the expenditure amid long lockdown. The Even the GSP plus trade concession is bilateral borrowings in the current global capital markets for ISBs this island nation is also facing a heavy linked to the government’s rights context, the only country it could rely year. debt repayment schedule until 2023. performance and in 2009 the country on with very little or no conditions is The data from January to end April lost the GSP plus because of the China.Though there are many No default at any cost show we need more loans to bridge alleged war crimes in the final phase of concerns raised by India and the West State Finance Minister Ajith Nivard deficit. According to the official the war. The trade concessions helped led by the US on possibilies of China Cabraal last week assured that Sri numbers, Sri Lanka has spent 1.95 When it comes to Sri the country’s top exports garments to using Sri Lanka for its military Lanka will never default any sovereign rupees for every rupee earned as expand its market share in the EU. purposes, Colombo had been debts and said the decision to ban government revenue in the first four Lanka’s bilateral Major EU countries have expressed increasingly compelled to depend on imports was to repay the foreign loans. months. It has spent 70 cents to pay interest in pumping their money in the China for infrastructure financing and The government will have to pay loan interest, 1.0 rupee for salaries, borrowings in the private sector. However, bureaucratic investments. nearly $4.5 billion per annum for the pensions, and welfare payments, while current context, the measures that had ranked Sri Lanka Government officials say Chinese next three years and this means it it also allocated 25 cents for public behind many of its peers in dong funding slowed under the Maithripala needs a lot of foreign borrowing. investment. As a result, the only country it could business and perception of alleged Sirisena government, after he Cabraal separately in the Parliament government had to borrow 94 cents for malpractices involved with approvals suspended all Chinese projects this week said the government will not each rupee it earned. The government rely on with very in government offices have following his election in January 2015. cut down any government expenditure also had borrowed further 1.24 rupees little or no discouraged EU investors. That government also wanted to do to manage the ballooning fiscal deficit, separately for every rupee it earned in The United States, on the other away with the pro-China policy, which adding, the authorities are looking at the first four months to repay loan conditions is China. hand, has been ready to help Sri it said was followed by its predecessor. all the options including panda bonds, instalments. Though there are Lanka through its $480 million grant It is unlikely that other countries samurai bonds, treasury bond swaps, If the government is unable to of Millennium Challenge Corporation will lend Sri Lanka, at this difficult and syndicated loans to boost the borrow, an economic collapse is many concerns (MCC) after government sought for time given the COVID-19 pandemic in reserves. inevitable. So, Sri Lanka will have to assistance since 2003. The grant was the US, India, and many European “We will use the appropriate option depend on bilateral loans. raised by India and approved by the Cabinet just before nations. Those countries are still at the appropriate time,” he told the the West led by the the last year’s Presidential Election struggling to recover from the worst Parliament. Japan’s LRT woes and that decision was heavily deadly disease since 1918. Foreign direct investments (FDIs) Sri Lanka’s new Government will US on possibilies of criticised by the present government’s In this background, the visit of the could slow down in the next few need some time to repair the severed China using Sri policy-makers when they were in the “high-powered Chinese delegation” months if not for years as global diplomatic ties with Japan after it Opposition. this week, led by senior Chinese leader corporates are looking for cost cutting abruptly and unilaterally decided to Lanka for its The main allegation put forward was and top foreign policy official Yang to survive in the business. cancel over $1.5 billion Japan that the MCC deal was to grab Sri Jiechi, who is a member of the Sri Lanka’s key foreign exchange International Cooperation Agency military purposes, Lanka’s lands and rural farmers may Communist Party of China Politburo is earner remittances could slow down (JICA)-funded Light Rail Transit (LRT) Colombo had been lose their lands. Some of the ruling crucial. as most countries are struggling to project. coalition partners in the government The visit took place amid worsening recover from the pandemic. Tourism The JICA signed a concessionary increasingly have clearly said they do not want the India-China relations and rising U.S.- earnings will only be possible after the agreement with Sri Lanka for about MCC assistance which has become a China tensions. The Chinese authorities open the airport, which ¥30 billion in March last year under compelled to depend political hot potato. The MCC deal is delegation met Sri Lanka’s President has been postponed indefinitely due to the previous government and the total on China for not completely out of the table yet. and the Prime Minister and the the latest situation on COVOD-19. cost of which would be about ¥246.6 It is evident that given the upcoming meeting came two weeks after the Export earnings from garments also billion ($2.2 billion). infrastructure Presidential Election and the worst virtual meeting between the prime could slow down unless the world Not only was the project cancelled, financing and impact of the pandemic in the world, ministers of Sri Lanka and India. increasingly demand more personal P. B. Jayasundara, the Secretary to the U.S. may not be able to help Sri It also comes days after the ‘Quad’ protection equipment (PPE), which the President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, in investments Lanka to come out of its economic meeting in Tokyo, where U.S. helped Sri Lanka’s exports to rise a letter dated 21 September, and crisis. The world’s largest economy will Secretary of State Mike Pompeo urged recently. With the latest cluster found circulated on social media, also called undergo some policy shift if the to collaborate with the regional allies in Brandix, export revenue from the the JICA-funded project as “very costly Democrat Joe Biden wins in the next in Indo-Pacific against what he called textiles could have a hit. and not the appropriate cost-effective month Presidential Poll. Chinese Communist Party’s As a result, Sri Lanka’s economic transport solution for the urban The U.S. Federal Reserve and the “exploitation, coercion and dependency on large economies for Colombo transportation Central Bank of Sri Lanka have corruption.” bilateral loans and grants will deepen infrastructure.” recently entered into an agreement to China has already lent a $500 and the island nation hardly has many The government spokesman use US dollar liquidity as a temporary million “facility agreement” in March. options. Keheliya Rambukwella later said the with its Japanese counterpart for a source when required. The Central The meeting was also is seen as government is thinking of a more $500 million borrowing through Bank has pledged $1 billion worth of crucial for China to move ahead with Debt, Economic crisis efficient project that can achieve the Samurai bonds. However, this deal US Treasury Bonds to be held in its its $1.4 billion Port City launched by Successive Sri Lankan governments same results but within $500 million. has yet to reach final stages, reserve and enter into a repo facility Xi-Jinping in 2014 after the project have rejected the claims of Adding to the woes, Trade Minister government officials say. with the FED. This will help the company was included in a blacklist deteriorating economic conditions. Bandula Gunawardena is quoted to Some government official say Japan country, but still they are not by the United States. Each government blamed the previous have said that the project would be has been very stringent on its project investments. China has been flexible to Sri Lanka administration for the economic woes, awarded to a Chinese company at a 6 procurement process. This means on lending, mostly with no strong but no concrete remedies were per cent interest rate. local politicians cannot play with the India’s approach conditions like other countries though implemented to address a looming The Japanese loan carries an Japanese funded projects and siphon Being the close neighbour of Sri there will not be any soft loans, says a economic crisis. interest rate of 0.1 percent and is off money unlike in some other Lanka, India has been there in many government official, “As far as Sri Sri Lanka is likely to see a repayable over 40 years with a 12-year projects. of the Sri Lankan worries may it be the Lanka can ensure the repayment on contraction in her growth this year, if grace period. Japan has already three decade war or development. time and deals are only on commercial the fear of COVID-19 spreading funded sections of new expressways EU, US struggles Unlike in the past, the current basis, with no concerns both locally persists. It will be the first negative and a key bridge to reduce traffic the European Union (EU), except for government wants to engage with and internationally.” economic growth since 2001following congestion in and out of the capital. the current GSP plus trade India. Foreign Secretary Jayanath (The writer is former Reuters the terrorist attack on the main With this new development, the concessions, is unlikely to help Sri Colombage’s “India First” foreign Economic Reporter for Sri Lanka Colombo airport. Japanese government is highly Lanka in its looming economic crisis. policy is part of it. and current Head of Training at Sri Lanka’s debt to GDP has risen to unlikely to come forward for any soft With the pandemic, the EU has its India has already signed a $400 Center for Investigative Reporting 86.8% in 2019 from 83.7% in the loan or grants for Sri Lanka. The own woes to overcome. With no time million three-month currency swap to Sri Lanka. He could be reached previous year. The rupee was under Central Bank has been in discussion frame for a possible anti-coronavirus boost Sri Lanka’s reserves while both at [email protected]) sports sunday 11 october 2020 A15

Player’s Profile

Player – Savith Basnayake Savith Basnayake College – S. Thomas’ College Bandarawela Born on – 2002.03.20 Batting Style – RHB Bowling Style – off spin Matches – 10 Savith Innings – 14 Basnayake Not Outs – 00 Star in the Making Runs – 716 Ave – 51.14 Highest Score – 189 against Savith Adeepa Basnayake, Fared in this Season Batting Bowling college 1st XI team in the cricket and table tennis 2017/2018 season. Ananda Maithreeya National Vs Bandarawela Central College 36 1/28 & 2/34 skipper of S. Thomas’ College He represented the college School Balangoda 100’s – 3 (vs Mahanama Vs Vijaya College Matale 35 2/5 & 1/21 Bandarawela, who has shown under-17 team in 2018. He Navodya School Panadura great promise with his all- Vs MahanamaNavodya School Panadura 34 & 114 1/21 scored 387 runs with two 114, vs Wanduraba Central round sporting abilities as well Vs Wanduramba Central College 114 1/56 centuries (against Vidyaloka College 114, vs Ananda as leadership qualities, was College Moneragala and Maithreeya National School crowned as the most Popular Vs St. John’s College Nugegoda 46 & 04 2/28 Rajapaksha Central College Balangoda 189 runs) Schoolboy Cricketer (Div. III) Vs Ananda Maithriya National School 72 & 189 Weerakatiya) and captured 50’s – 1 (vs Ananda Balangoda Maithreeya National School in the contest conducted by 15 wickets in 10 matches. Balangoda 72) official stat provider of Sri Vs Badulla Central College 24 1/02 Thereafter he represented Lanka Schools Cricket Vs Royal College Monaragala 05 & 15 the college 1st XI team in the Association, batsman.com 2018/19 season. He scored website recently . Vs St. Joseph’s College Bandarawela 22 4/70 & 1/48 734 runs with eight fifties coached by Hemaka No:2 in Archery in 2014 (under- Right hand top order Vs Dharmadutha College Badulla 06 and captured 29 wickets in Pathiranage during the 12 category), while he batsman Savith scored 716 14 matches. season. He established a new represented Sri Lanka in the runs in 10 matches with 3 He led the college under-17 batting record in the Uva Indoor Archery Youth Cup 2013 centuries and a half century in College. He was elevated to the with two fifties and captured team in 2019 under the Thomian Cricket Encounter in Singapore and Indoor the 2019/20 season, while under-13 ‘A’ team in 2014. He 21 wickets in the 2017 season guidance Hemaka (UTCE) (ODI) in 2019, scoring Archery Youth Cup 2014 in capturing 16 wickets as a right scored 266 runs with a as the Captain under the Pathiranage. He scored 373 132 runs in 89 balls, which Thailand. arm off spinner. In addition, century and captured 13 guidance of Jaliya runs with a century (155 was the fastest century in the He was the Champion in the he took 14 catches, thus wickets in 7 matches in 2015 Wilathgamuwa. He was deputy runs in 82 balls against history of UTCE.He was U-12 category at the National showing his genuine all-round as vice-captain. He was skipper of the Badulla District Welimada CC - a school adjudged best batsman and Novices Table Tournament in abilities. selected for the National under-15 team in the Inter under-17 record) and took 18 man of the match. 2014, and was runner-up in the Savith commenced cricket in bowling squad (SLC) in 2014 District Prima Champions wickets in 11 matches. Apart from cricket, Savith under-15 and under-18 2013. He represented the and 2015. He was adjudicated trophy under Nishad Liyanage, His three centuries last also shows all round ability in National Novices Tournament under-13 ‘B’ team as a right the school’s best batsman District coach Badulla. season came against other extracurricular in 2015. He was also the arm off spinner under the (Junior level) in 2015. He represented Uva Province Mahanama Navodya School activities. He is also the Novices Runner-up in the All guidance of Ananda He graduated to the under- under-15 team in the Inter Panadura (114), College Table Tennis Captain, Island Intermediate in 2016. He Wijenayake. He took 20 15 team in 2016. He Provincial Prima Champions Wanduramba Central College Interact Club President, Prime is the Uva Province Open Men’s wickets in 6 matches that represented Badulla District Trophy tournament in the (114) and Ananda Maithreeya Minister of the Student Champion since 2014 and season. His best performance under-15 team in the Inter same year under Chaminda National School Balangoda Parliament of the College and captain of the Uva Province was 6 wickets for 13 runs District Prima Champions Kodikara, Provincial coach (189), which is his highest Senior Prefect. In addition, he Table Tennis Team since 2015. against Passara Central trophy. He scored 244 runs Uva. He was a member of the individual score. He was became the National Ranked (IR)

Rugby Scrapbook Kenin tames Kvitova to reach final American Sofia Kenin's amazing year many Kvitova mistakes, put Kenin in continued as the fourth seed command and her only wobble came Keep the Ball Rolling outmanoeuvred big-hitting Czech Petra when she served for the match at 5-4 in Kvitova 6-4 7-5 to reach her first French the second set but was broken. Open final on Thursday. When she got a second chance to serve The Moscow-born, Florida-based it out at 6-5, however, the American to Return to Rugby 21-year-old gave a master class of game could not be denied as Kvitova fired a management on a windy Court Phillipe forehand wide on match point - a shot By Vimal Perera monitoring are about the Gradual Chatrier and will face Polish teenager Iga that rather summed up the Czech's Return to Play. A GRTP is a Swiatek on Saturday with a second performance. The third wave of COVID -19 has progressive programme that Grand Slam title of the year in touching "I had tough matches these past two effectively pushed away the introduces physical activity and distance. Kenin, who beat Spain's weeks. It's amazing to be in the final," possibility of playing sevens rugby sport in a step-by-step fashion. Garbine Muguruza to win the Australian Kenin said on court. "I'm going to enjoy it in Colombo by the end of October The attention should be to Open in February, proved too solid for and then tomorrow get ready for the 2020. That postpones the return to assist and make the return to the 30-year-old Kvitova who had not lost final. Rugby. It is back to strategising the Rugby as safe as possible for all a set en route to her first French Open "She's such a tough player with such return, those impacted - from the juniors semi-final since 2012. an aggressive game, huge serve. I knew I At the moment you cannot to recreational rugby players to A mixture of crafty shot placement, needed to play my best tennis. answer the question when or what the elite athlete. There are varying superb defence and some scorching "I'm super proud of myself." Sofia Kenin of the U.S. reacts next. rules and regulations around the backhand winners, combined with too (Reuters) during her semi final match The coronavirus has caused world, varying philosophies and dramatic shifts in the scheduling numerous schools of thought. and logistics of many sports. In That probably confuses than rugby union, it may cause material educate. Despite the different changes in the rules of the game rules and circumstances around itself. How much can be done to the world, it is necessary and will Bairstow 97 CFC striker reduce contact time, etc. The be helpful to follow consistent stakeholders have to use this guidance. I believe it is already interim period to plan the return to there, yet the need is to keep Rugby. If not, Rugby will be schooling. seals SRH victory Fazal to join another talking point like The viewpoint of experts is to Minuwangoda. provide practical and medical The rugby chiefs ask the recommendations on the Pooran's 77 goes in vain question whether there is anything resumption to sport process. That Jonny Bairstow narrowly Blue Star for Rugby in 2020. It is all around is what all stakeholders must missed out on a century, but his the world and common to all take notice of. No rugby does not 160-run opening stand with sports. It has created a substantial mean being inactive. The need is skipper David Warner helped financial impact on the game, and for involvement, vigilance and Sunrisers Hyderabad inflict a Sri Lanka is no exception. responsibility. massive 69-run loss on Kings XI The players, SLR took the first step in Punjab to keep them pinned at coaches,administrators and fans bringing Rugby back to be played the bottom of the points table on are becoming more frustrated by without spectators, and follow it Thursday (8 October). the uncertainty and getting more up to add fans into the mix as The Bairstow-Warner show left worried about the current step 2. Allow 500 fans at a match KXIP wicketless and clueless for situation. The solace will be that it and then build on in blocks. the first 16 overs, setting a solid is not only Rugby that is affected. It Initially SLR was fishing to base for SRH's eventual 201. It is the nation as a whole. The return televise the sevens and to rendered KXIP's terrific to Rugby will, however, contribute encourage clubs to broadcast comeback in the death overs and Mohamed Fazal to the recovery of the country as a matches live in their domain. the fastest IPL fifty of the season whole. They were thus attracting from Nicholas Pooran's bat Colombo FC and National cap Mohamed While we wait for a window to spectators to watch matches at meaningless as KXIP ultimately Fazal is likely to join Blue Star SC Kalutara for start Rugby, the hierarchy of home or in their favourite slid to their fifth loss in six the upcoming Super League scheduled in Rugby should focus on the clubs clubhouse, while at the same time games after a top-order collapse. December. Fazal has played a vital role in and schools. That will include keeping the sponsors happy and With the two points tonight, Colombo FCs successful journey in the local educating and constant SRH moved into the favourable arena with his goal scoring ability. giving clubs something to talk Jonny Bairstow in action communication with and among about. half of the points tally, taking Fazal who played as a forward at CFC, proved stakeholders. It is not about Research conducted by Rugby's third place behind Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals. his capabilities during the President’s cup talking history, but planning for top medical authorities has found Sunrisers Hyderabad: 201/6 (Bairstow 97, Warner 52, Bishnoi when he took his team over the line on a the present and the future. that the high-risk event exposure 3-29) number of occasions. It is about not keeping the might be lower than widely Kings XI Punjab: 132 (Pooran 77, Rashid 3-12, Natarajan 2-24) He is also rapidly emerging as one of the most players and others in the dark. It is expected. Is Rugby ready for (Agencies) exciting talents seen in the country for years. about keeping themselves ready social distancing as required by and be involved in matters that are health regulations? The World Rugby related. The focus should be Health Organization says that on how to return to Rugby. risks of transmission are most Players, staff and coaches put significant when people are close themselves at risk, whether they to each other for 15 minutes or Antonian Harsha scores unbeaten 208 runs play or practise. They are at risk more. Rugby players who are Harsha Weerasooriya(St. Anthony’s Sanghamiththa batting line up St. Josephs Wattala: 115 (31.2) even if they do not. Consider those most often in scrums are in close Wattala) scored an unbeaten 208 capturing 5 wickets for 20 runs. (Nemitha Dewkith 46, Anjana who may have a pregnant wife, contact with the opposition for runs against Sanghamiththa MV 24 schools and academy teams in Anushka 28, Saviru Nimnal 3/19, young children and/or elderly and about 13½ total minutes per Gampaha in their first-round fixture the Gampaha District are Kavishan Nadeesha 2/04, Thimira vulnerable relations. What impact game, World Rugby said. https:// of the Gampaha District Inter participating in this tournament. Mikashana 2/15, Savin Induwara has their training on the lives of www.bbc.com/sport/rugby- Schools/Academy Under-15 cricket In Wattala (Match drawn) 2/35) those around them? What should union/52776031. The exposure tournament conducted by RB Cricket St. Anthony’s: 401/1 decl. (31) In Kirindiwela (Match drawn) they do to reduce the risk? for the backs will be much lower. Foundation recently. (Harsha Weerasooriya 208 n.o. Mathews CA Wattala: 70 (25) There will have to be some So far, virtually every major Harsha scored his runs in 80 balls Shanel Thimana 99, Thishande Silva (Sandun Prabash 36 n.o., Deneth testing and some assurance that sport that has restarted or with 33 boundaries and 2 sixes. 53 n.o.) Nirmal 5/23, Vidura Wettasinghe you won't put people at risk and planned to do so has made an Along with fellow opener Shanel Sanghamiththa MV: 52 (29.2) 2/12) and 3/0 (1.5) bring this disease home. The empty stadium part of the Thimana (99), the pair were involved (Chamod Sandeepa 5/20 Thishan York Int’l School Sapugaskanda: guidelines are out, but there is a protocol. That will be nothing new in 325 runs stand for the first wicket. Abishek 3/7) 229/5 decl. (33) (Manoj Bandara 54, need to supervise the or to be disheartened about, as The Antonians went on to score a In Kirindiwela(Match drawn) Dilan Jayaweera 50 n.o., Vidura implementation. the context calls for a different massive 401 runs for one wicket in 31 SN Cricket Academy: 204 (47.2) Wettasinghe 46, Prabash Nirwan 25 Education and continuous approach. overs. (Kavishan Nadeesha 98, Chemitha n.o., Udara Sewwanda 3/42) Chamod Sandeepa wrecked the Ridmal 34, Yasith Ishina 6/74) (IR) A16 sunday 11 october 2020 SPORTS

Sharjah likely to host Women’s T20 Challenge England’s Winter A bit more clarity has Nadu, Delhi, and West emerged around the Bengal, are expected to reach Women’s T20 Challenge, Dubai by 21 October. which is scheduled to be held The third edition of the T20 next month on the sidelines Challenge is likely to run of the IPL. Some 30-36 from 4 to 9 November during Tours Shaping Up Indian players who will take the IPL playoffs week, with part in the three-team all squads put up in one tournament in the UAE are hotel – which will likely be in The England and with Bangladesh cancelling likely to assemble in Mumbai Dubai – under a strictly Wales Cricket Board is Sri Lanka trip in balance a three-match Test series on 13 October for a nine-day monitored biosecure working to ensure its this month after balking at quarantine. environment. The women’s national teams can tour this the prospect of players The Indian Board has not contingent will undergo a winter, but the proposed Test isolating in hotel rooms for made any formal mandatory six-day series in Sri Lanka is proving 14 days upon arrival. announcements on the T20 quarantine at the team hotel troublesome amid concerns Tom Harrison, the ECB Challenge, its fixtures, or the during which tests will be over the country’s quarantine Chief Executive, said: “We squads’ make-up since 2 carried out on days one, rules. are working to ensure the August. However, it is three and five. Talks with South Africa business of international understood that along with Though there will hardly be over a six-match, white-ball cricket keeps going. [But] the support staff of the three any Australians or New tour for Eoin Morgan’s men the Bangladesh tour to Sri teams, the Indian players, Zealanders, representation next month are currently at Lanka is an understandable coming in from several States from Bangladesh, Sri Lanka an advanced stage, while situation for the with substantial Covid-19 and a few other countries is there is an agreement in Bangladeshi team; two caseloads including Andhra likely. place for Heather Knight’s weeks of quarantine is not Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil (ESPN) women’s side to travel to New an easy thing to agree to for Zealand in February. players and I don’t think we But there is less clarity as would agree to that either. regards the men’s tours to “We will not sign off on Sri Lanka and India from plans we’re not comfortable January onwards, with the with, in terms of our No. 1 former seemingly contingent priority: the health and on a change of policy from its well-being of players and Government, and the latter staff on these tours.” now one of the epicentres of The ECB spent around the global pandemic. £1M on Covid-19 testing Teams who visited England alone this year – some this summer technically 10,000 tests were done at a quarantined in the on-site cost of £100 each – amid cricket ground hotels in losses in excess of £100M Manchester, Derby and due to the pandemic. Worcester, but thanks to the Harrison admitted he was ECB’s Government-approved drawing up contingency biosecure protocols, they plans for similar financial could still train during this pain next year, with all eyes period. on the winter sports as Sri Lanka have thus far regards the return of been unable to secure a crowds. similar exemption, however, (Agencies)

Thisara, Chandimal promoted Army Majors

On the eve of its Army Day two Majors. He has represented the an unbeaten 354 runs. A (10 October) and 71st Major Thisara Perera who country in ODIs, Tests and handy and agile right-hand Anniversary, Sri Lanka Army has contributed to the growth T20 matches, bringing credit batsman who sometimes plays received an additional of cricket among budding to the country. In April 2019, as the wicket-keeper and stimulant to the distinctive cricketers has been enlisted to he was named in Sri Lanka’s middle order batsman, flavour of cricket in the Army the Gajaba Regiment (GR), squad for the 2019 Cricket Chandimal was the first upon enlistment of while Major Dinesh World Cup. The International captain to lead Sri Lanka in internationally-famed Chandimal, has been enlisted Cricket Council (ICC) named their first day-night Test Sri Lanka’s Chamari Atapattu in action during the 2019 edition of professional cricketers Thisara to the Sri Lanka Army Perera as the key player of Sri match. the Women’s T20 Challenge Trophy Perera and Dinesh Chandimal Ordnance Corps (SLAOC) Lanka’s squad for the Chandimal made his Test to the rank of Major yesterday Regiment. tournament. debut for Sri Lanka in at the Army Headquarters. Thisara Perera is a Dinesh Chandimal joined December 2011 in the second Chief of Defence Staff, professional Sri Lankan the Sri Lankan Army on 26 Test of the series against Commander of the Army, cricketer and a former limited September 2019 as a South Africa in Durban. He Online Asian Nations Cup 2020 Head of the National overs captain who currently Volunteer Commissioned made half-centuries (58 and Operation Centre for represents Sri Lanka in Officer and has been eligible to 54) in each of Sri Lanka’s Prevention of COVID-19 limited over formats. Primarily play for Sri Lanka Army Sports innings, becoming the first Sri Men’s/Women’s Chess Outbreak, Colonel of the a bowling all-rounder, he is an Club. In August 2020, while Lankan batsman to score half Gajaba Regiment and Special aggressive left-hand batsman playing for the Army Sports centuries in both innings on Teams to participate Forces (SF) Lieutenant who can hit big sixes in the Club, Chandimal made the debut. This incidentally led Sri General Shavendra Silva death overs, and is a useful highest total in domestic first- Lanka to their first Test win in The Sri Lanka (Men’s and 39 Asian countries have pinned the insignias on the right-arm medium-fast bowler. class cricket in Sri Lanka with South Africa. Women’s) Chess Teams will registered in the Men’s participate in the Asian Division, while 32 are Nation Cup Online Chess confirmed in the Women’s Championship 2020 to be Division. held from 10 to 24 October Men’s Team: Minul via Chess.com online Doluweera (Captain - Royal platform. Since it is not College Colombo), possible to participate Harshana Thilakarathne physically due to the global (Maliyadeva College COVID-19 situation, the Kurunegala), Ranindu Asian Chess Federation has Dilshan Liyanage (Ananda turned to online Chess, and College Colombo), Lasal de the event became a reality Silva (Nalanda College for that reason. The men’s Colombo), Theekshana team will be captained by Denuwan (Ananda College Minul Doluweera, while the Colombo) women’s team will be led by Women’s Team: Sachini experienced Women Ranasinghe (Captain), International Master Sachini Nethmi Fernando (Girls Ranasinghe. High School Kandy), The recently concluded Sandeepani Tharushi (Devi National Chess Balika Vidyalaya Colombo), Championship proved that Ashvini Pavalachandran Chess is for young players, (Wycherley International and the average age of the School Colombo), T.H.D. men’s team (all schoolboys) Tharushi Niklesha is 17 years, while there are (Visakha Vidyalaya Dinesh Chandimal Thisara Perera four schoolgirls in the Colombo) women’s team. (IR)

Nadal battles past Diego to reach French Open finals Rafael Nadal moved one victory This is the third time in the for their support. It’s incredible to be fantastic win against Dominic [Thiem] away from a record-extending Spaniard’s career that he has reached in another Roland Garros final. It’s a few days ago.” 13th Roland Garros trophy on Friday, four or more consecutive always a special moment. I made a Nadal’s victory moves him to within beating Diego Schwartzman 6-3, 6-3, championship matches at couple of mistakes in the third set, one win of equalling Roger Federer’s 7-6(0) on Court Philippe-Chatrier. Stade Roland Garros. Nadal won four when I missed a couple of volleys. record haul of 20 Grand Slam Gaining revenge for his Rome straight trophies in Paris from 2005 “I know when I play Diego it’s crowns. The 19-time Grand Slam quarter-final loss to the Argentine, to 2008 and claimed five consecutive difficult to the very end. A few weeks champion closed the gap on Federer Nadal landed 38 winners and titles from 2010 to 2014. ago, I lost to him in Rome and I’m to one major trophy by winning last converted six of nine break points to “It was very difficult,” said Nadal, in happy to be improving each day. I year’s US Open and is now closer reach his fourth straight Roland an on-court interview with Cedric didn’t play my best in Rome, but he than he has ever been to matching Garros final (2017-’20). Pioline. “I’d like to thank the crowd always plays his best and he had a his great rival’s tally.

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