highlights Govt Ready To Provide WEDNESDAY 2 DECEMBER 2020 Infrastructure To Latest Edition Expand Businesses Vol: 10/011 Price : Rs 30.00 – President In Sports Shanaka cameo takes Dambulla Viikings to victory A captain’s knock by Dasun Shanaka has tightened Dambulla Viikings grip on the Lanka Premier League after a 28-run win over page A10 Colombo Kings in the seventh... A16 38 test COVID-19 positive in Mahara death toll rises to 11 Divulapitiya Sources of 20 cases 21,000 Tablets to Treat Psychosocial yet to be identified

By Dilanthi Jayamanne, Kumudu Upul Shantha and M.A.P. Deen (Ampara Correspondent) Disorders at Prison Infirmary A total of 38 people tested positive for COVID-19 during random PCR tests conducted in Divulapitiya on 28 November, health sources said. Police suspect Medical staff Only 9 prison 22,363 vacancies Contacts and the source of 15 of the 38 were identified. However, the source of 20 are yet to be tablets can be used as at Prison to be officers to control for Prison officers identified. Nearly 35 contacts of the 38 infected have been quarantined. alternatives for drugs investigated 3,000 rioting inmates islandwide There were three-wheeler drivers and people who worked in shops among those tested, so it would not be difficult to trace other contacts, they said. By Shiran Ranasinghe, positive for COVID-19. Methmalie Dissanayake, Elsewhere, addressing a Media Story Continued on page 2 Chamara Amarasuriya and briefing, Police Spokesman, DIG Kumudu Upul Shantha Ajith Rohana said it was revealed that 21,000 tablets to treat The death toll in the Mahara psychosocial disorders were O/L Exam Prison unrest on 29 November stocked at the Mahara Prison evening and 30 November rose to infirmary. He said an 11, when three more inmates investigation would be carried out postponed – GL admitted to the Ragama Teaching to determine as to why such a Hospital succumbed to injuries large number of tablets were yesterday (01). stocked in the infirmary. “It is By Krishan Pathirath Meanwhile, Director of the said that these tablets could be Jayasuriya Hospital Dr. Shelton Perera said used as alternatives for drugs they had to stop conducting PCR such as heroin. The medical staff Education Minister, Professor tests on 60 inmates temporarily, at the Prison will be investigated G.L. Peiris, said yesterday (1) in as they had started to behave in as well,” he said. Parliament, owing to the an aggressive manner. inmates were under the influence injuries sustained,” he said. Furthermore, DIG Prasad COVID-19 outbreak in the “We had to take this decision as of drugs. A total of 114 inmates When PCR tests were carried Ranasinghe and CID Director, country, a decision had been there were suspicions that some had been admitted to hospital for out on 50 inmates, 38 tested Nishantha de Soyza visited... taken to postpone the GCE Ordinary Level Examination, Story Continued on page 2 which was scheduled to commence on 18 January 2021. Cremation of COVID-19 dead Causing Rs 1.2 B loss Mahara Prison Story Continued on page 2 SC dismisses Five Agri Ministry Unrest Committee Ranjan de Silva murder FR petitions filed Officers suspended Police Spokesman wants out Main suspect Agriculture Minister, Mahindananda by 13 groups y ulochana amiah ohan and Aluthgamage, said steps had been taken to B S R M Ruwan Laknath Jayakody arrested in Abu Dhabi By Kamal Mahendra suspend with immediate effect the services Weerarathna of five officers, for allegedly causing a loss of By Thameenah Razeek approximately Rs 1.2 billion to the Police Media Spokesman, DIG Ajith A three-Judge Bench headed by the Government during 2018-2019 in the Rohana, who was included in the five- The main suspect, in the murder of Dehiwala- Chief Justice, yesterday (1), dismissed the fertiliser distribution process. member Committee, appointed by Mount Lavinia Municipal Councillor, Ranjan de Silva, Fundamental Rights petitions filed by 13 These officers include three Assistant Minister of Justice, President’s Counsel was arrested in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. groups including former Minister Rishad Directors, who at the time served at the M.U.M. Ali Sabry, to look into the Mahara De Silva was the father of cricketer Dhananjaya de Bathiudeen, against the Government’s Fertiliser Secretariat and two Development Prison unrest, yesterday (01) declined Silva. decision to cremate the bodies of those Officers. being a member of the committee, citing Police Spokesman, DIG Ajith Rohana, said the who die of COVID-19, including those of The Agriculture Ministry has taken this conflict of interest. main suspect, Dharmasiri Perera, was arrested by Muslims. step following investigations into several The incident at the Mahara Prison on Interpol on 29 November and Interpol had informed charges, including the preparation of... 29 and 30 November has so far resulted its Sri Lankan branch regarding the arrest. Story Continued on page 2 in the deaths of 11 prisoners, injuries to While stating that three suspects are in custody in Story Continued on page 2 inmates and officers, and damage to connection with the murder, DIG Rohana said the property. main suspect had fled the country after committing the crime. Grand Hyatt project Mahara Prison Unrest Story Continued on page 2 Story Continued on page 2 Rs 30B loss due Govt will prevent AG indicts Negombo No Parliament staff to cancellation repetition – Ali Sabry Prisons Supt By Shiran Ranasinghe By Gagani Weerakoon and By Hansi Nanayakkara affected so far – Secy Gen Methmalie Dissanayake Secretary General of Although the Grand Hyatt project was to Attorney General Dappula de Livera Parliament Dhammika commence by 2016 under the Sino Lanka Justice Minister, yesterday (01) filed indictments before Dasanayake yesterday (1) said it (Pvt) Ltd agreement, since the agreement M.U.M. Ali Sabry PC, the Negombo High Court against seven has not been confirmed that any was cancelled during the last Government’s yesterday (1), pledged accused, including the former member of the Parliament staff tenure, Rs 60 billion had been spent on the the Government would Superintendent of Prisons Anuruddha has tested positive for COVID- project which could have been completed take all possible steps Sampayo. 19. with just Rs 30 billion. to prevent unrests, like AG's Coordinating Officer, State He said a Parliament staff Steps had been taken during the what occurred in the Counsel Nishara Jayaratne said the member who was suffering from Yahapalana Government to cancel the Mahara Prison, in the Attorney General had filed indictments fever was recently hospitalised. agreement signed with Sino Lanka (Pvt) Ltd future. against Sampayo, four senior Prison After conducting a Rapid for the project in question and to give the “This incident should officials and two inmates. Antigen Test, it was found that project to several other companies. Since not have happened. On he was not infected with COVID- the other companies involved took legal behalf of the Story Continued on 19. He had been sent home... action against Sino Lanka (Pvt) Ltd, it was Government, I express page 2 ordered to pay a sum of Rs 1.8 billion. our sorrow about this,” he said. Story Continued on page 2 Jaffna Uni disciplinary Story Continued on page 2 Story Continued on page 2 report leak Releasing suspects on bail Students and AG instructs IGP to 21 Judges appointed to Superior Courts lecturers baffled develop action plan Six to SC, 14 to CoA By Sulochana Ramiah Mohan

By Methmalie Dissanayake A total of 21 new Judges were appointed to the Court of Court of Appeal), Kumudini Students and lecturers of Jaffna appointed to the Superior Appeal. The new President of Wickremasinghe, Anthony University are in a quandary as to how Courts, namely, the Supreme the Court of Appeal was also Lalith Shiran Gooneratne, the Disciplinary Committee Report, on Attorney General Dappula de Livera has written to Court and the Court of Appeal, sworn in before President Janak de Silva, Arachchige the recent clash between the second- IGP C.D. Wickramaratne, informing him to take were sworn in before President Rajapaksa at the Presidential Achala Uthpalavarna year and the third-year Arts Faculty immediate steps to develop an action plan and to Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Secretariat. Wengappuli and Mahinda students, was leaked to the Media, implement it, to release remand prisoners on bail by yesterday (01). Court of Appeal Judges, Abeysinghe Samayawardhena mainly to the Tamil news portals, with 7 December, in order to reduce prison congestion Six Judges were appointed to Justices A.H.M. Dilip Nawaz were sworn in as Supreme their names, University registration islandwide. the Supreme Court, while 14 (outgoing President of the Court Justices. numbers, and personal details.

Story Continued on page 2 Story Continued on page 2 Story Continued on page 2 A2 wednesday 2 december 2020 news Continued from page 1 21 Judges appointed.... 21,000 Tablets... Court of Appeal Judge, Justice Supreme Court and the Court of ... the Prison premises yesterday Welikada Prison has only 10 officers Front-led government to fill Arjuna Obeysekara was sworn in as Appeal has remained static since 1978. to commence investigations into the on night guard duty where nearly vacancies, however, due to political the new President of the Court of Although the necessity to increase the unrest. They were given special 3,000 prisoners are housed. influence, those interviews were Appeal. Menaka Wijesundera, D.N. number of Judges in the Superior security by the Prisons Department. Meanwhile, at present, there are abruptly halted. Samarakoon, M. Prasantha de Silva, Courts has been mooted several times It is also reported that only nine 22,363 vacancies for Prison officers. It is learnt that the State Minister M.T.M. Laffar, C. Pradeep in the past, the number of Judges in Prison officials were on duty on 29 Since the current number of Prison of Prison Reforms and Prisoners Keerthisinghe, Sampath B. Abayakoon, both Courts has remained the same for November when the unrest broke officials islandwide is inadequate, Rehabilitation Dr. Sudarshani M.S.K.B. Wijeratne, S.U.B. over 40 years. There have been many out in the Mahara Prison. these officials face a heavy workload Fernandopulle has presented a Karalliyadde, R. Gurusinghe, G.A.D. advancements in the law and litigation It is not only in the Mahara Prison and as a result, are stressed out. Cabinet paper to recruit Prison Ganepola, K.K.A.V. Swarnadhipathi, has increased exponentially during that less than 10 Prison officers are Several rounds of interviews were officials to fill the existing Mayadunne Corea, Prabaharan this time. However, there has not been on night guard duty, even the held during the United National vacancies. Kumararatnam and W.N.N.P. Iddawala a corresponding increase in the were sworn in as Judges of the Court number of Judges. The efficient of Appeal. administration of justice is not only President Rajapaksa, addressing the important in terms of upholding the gathering, pledged to support rule of law, it is also vital to the independence of the Judiciary and to economic development of this Nation,” SC dismisses... ensure that its functioning is free of the President said, adding that reliable, The Bench comprised Chief or a community. They added the Peiris, Awenika Devendra, Pulasthi politicisation and other forms of efficient and effective dispute Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya, Government took the said decision Hewa, Faizer Mustapha and interference. resolution through the justice system Justices Murdu Fernando and to protect the lives of all citizens of Nishan Kariyappar expressed their “The judicial cadre of both the will foster the nation’s progress. Preethi Padman Surasena. the country irrespective of ethnicity, views. Senior Deputy Solicitor General religion or the community they Speaking on behalf of the Nerin Pulle and Sanjaya belong to. They further requested intervenient petitioners, Sanjaya Jayawardena (PC), appearing on that the petitions be rejected Jayawardena (PC) and also behalf of the intervenient without being heard. Counsel P.P.E.C. Siriwardena who Main suspect... petitioners, stated the In opposition, several lawyers is also a retired Major expressed Government’s decision to cremate including President’s Counsels their views. The petitions were The Mount Lavinia Police Division Acting on the Red Notice, the Abu bodies has not been taken against M.A. Sumanthiran, Faisz taken up on the day before SSP had conducted investigations in Dhabi Police arrested Perera. The Sri any particular ethnic group, religion Mustapha, Viran Corea, Saliya yesterday (30) and yesterday (1). this regard, and obtained a warrant Lankan Police are in the process of from Court, following which a request extraditing Perera. was made to Interpol to issue a Red Ranjan de Silva was shot dead in Notice on the main suspect. Ratmalana on 24 May 2018. Rs 30B loss... Meanwhile, Cabinet approval has to appoint a committee to assess the subsidiary of the Sri Lanka been granted to a proposal loss suffered by the Government Insurance Corporation, Employees’ submitted by Prime Minister due to the Grand Hyatt project. Provident Fund and Litro Gas No Parliament... Mahinda Rajapaksa on 30 November Sino Lanka (Pvt) Ltd is a Lanka Ltd. ... for 14 days quarantine and the carried out on more than 100 place where he worked and the randomly selected staff members and surrounding premises have been it has been confirmed that none of disinfected. them have tested positive for 38 test COVID-19... Meanwhile, PCR tests have been COVID-19. However, they assured this is not who were detained at the Mahara He is said to have gone to the an emergence of another cluster. Prison premises had been Karainagar Hospital on 30 Deputy Director General (Public subjected to PCR tests due to November and been sent back, as Health), Dr. Hemantha Herath, about 200 COVID-19 positive he had displayed symptoms of confirmed that several cases had inmates being detected at the COVID-19. The person had been Five Agri Ministry... been diagnosed from the Prison at the time of the incident admitted yesterday (1) to the ...fake documents regarding these frauds be expedited. Divulapitiya MOH area. which took place on 29 and 30 Teaching Hospital Jaffna with substandard fertiliser and doctoring Aluthgamage added that a broad Elsewhere, DIG Ajith Rohana November. Commissioner-General shortness of breath and had died laboratory reports. investigation would also be conducted said the whole country had been of Prisons, Thushara Upuldeniya, at the Hospital. The investigation committee regarding all culprits. declared COVID-19 infected zone, said the 3,000 inmates had been Further, the Government Medical appointed in this regard had Further investigations are being and therefore everyone should subjected to PCR tests, as it is Officers’ Association said, of the commenced inquiries in the wake of conducted into a Rs 201 million adhere to COVID-19 health suspected that they would have 107 deaths that had taken place Aluthgamage, during a recent Governmental financial fraud at guidelines. mingled with the COVID-19 till 30 November, 59 per cent were inspection visit to the Ceylon Fertiliser Lakpohora and the approximately He added that although Pettah positive inmates during the clash. above 60 years of age and 74 per Company Limited (Lakpohora), Rs 1.2 billion fraud uncovered in the has been released from isolation, He added that these COVID-19 cent of them were from the instructing that the investigations into Auditor General’s Report. the Manning Market and wholesale positive inmates had been Colombo District and 91 per cent dealers at 4th and 5th Cross transferred to the Welikada Prison from the Western Province. Streets have not been given on 30 November. Governor of the Eastern Province, permission to re-open their Also, a 60-year-old person who Anuradha Yahampath, said the establishments. He lamented that had been quarantined at his home Akkaraipattu Police Division had AG indicts Negombo... certain sections in the Dambulla in Karainagar since 28 November been named a high risk area, as 58 Dedicated Economic Centre were had died of suspected COVID-19 COVID-19 patients had been The defendants were indicted on with crimes reported from the not adhering to health guidelines. symptoms at the Teaching Hospital diagnosed in Akkaraipattu and 86 charges of conspiracy and the use of Negombo Prison. Meanwhile, some 3,000 inmates Jaffna on admission, yesterday (1). have been diagnosed in Kalmunai. counterfeit currency and forged The AG had instructed the CID to documents to take prohibited items arrest the interdicted Negombo Prison into the prison. Superintendent Sampayo, Chief Jailors On 22 July 2020, the AG had Upali Sarath Bandara and Nishantha instructed the Director of the Criminal Senaratne and Second Class Jailor Investigations Department (CID) to Prasad Kalinga Kaluaggala on Court Police Spokesman... obtain a warrant from the Court and to warrants. Meanwhile, the Committee will recurrence. There are different Gamini Jayasinghe as Committee arrest four persons including the Sampayo had also filed a petition in visit the Prison premises tomorrow opinions concerning the incident Members, with the Additional Negombo Prison Superintendent the Court of Appeal on 23 November (3). Following the visit, the that are circulating. We will record Secretary to the State Ministry of Anuruddha Sampayo as it was seeking an interim injunction, Committee will invite statements statements and once we have the Prison Reforms and Prisoners’ revealed that these suspects have preventing him from being arrested. from the relevant parties, an inside details, we will ascertain whether it Rehabilitation, Nishan Danasinghe committed offences under Sections The CID had obtained a warrant and source told Ceylon Today. was a riot, whether there was an as the Committee Secretary. 215, 454, 467 to be read with 102, arrested the suspect more than 10 Subsequently, another meeting will unseen hand behind it or whether it However, in a letter sent by DIG 113(a) of the Penal Code, in connection days later. be held to record statements from took place due to the prevalent Rohana to Ali Sabry PC, he has Prison Department officials, he COVID-19 situation.” noted that as he currently functions added. The Committee is Chaired by the as the Police Media Spokesperson When queried as to whether the retired High Court Judge Kusala and conducts regular media Committee would also visit Sarojini Weerawardena. Ali Sabry briefings on current affairs O/L Exam... hospitals and quarantine centres PC also appointed the Chief Legal including the latest Prison issue, it where injured prisoners and Advisor to the Ministry of Justice, would be tantamount to a conflict of He added the situation would be He said candidates would be notified six COVID-19 positive prisoners were Udaya Rohan de Silva PC, the interest. Rohana noted that he will reviewed every two weeks, to explore the weeks prior to the date of receiving treatment to obtain their Additional Secretary of the not be able to conduct the media possibility of holding the Examination. commencement of the Examination. version of the event, he said, “We Administration Division of the conferences if he is engaged in the will look into what actually took Justice Ministry, Rohana S. probe and therefore suggested that place, the factors that led to it and Hapugaswatte, DIG Rohana and the he be replaced with another officer make suggestions to prevent a former Prisons Commissioner for the Committee’s probe. AG instructs... The AG’s Coordinating Officer, State to the Police in mid-November to Counsel Nishara Jayaratne said the consider filing cases under Section Students and lecturers... Attorney General had held a meeting 78(5) of the Poisons, Opium and with the Chief Consultant of the Justice Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Act Also, they lamented the harsh been facing, which is considered Srisatkunarajah announced the Ministry, President’s Counsel U.R. de instead of under Section 54(a), which punishment recommended to those unwarranted for exposure and could Disciplinary Council’s Silva, Police Spokesman DIG Ajith has been a usual practice, in order to involved in the clash, such as seriously impact their future recommendations stated in the Rohana and SSP Ruwan Gunasekara reduce prison congestion. denying any post in the student endeavours. report. yesterday (01) on Justice Minister, However, during the meeting unions, not allowing a Class or to On 8 November 2020, the second- It was recommended that the third- President’s Counsel M.U.M. Ali Sabry’s yesterday, it was revealed the said apply for any post in the University in year students were asked not to come year students who were directly instructions. instruction has not been followed the future. to the Campus on motorbikes by involved in the assault, based on She said the AG had sent instructions sufficiently. Although the University of Jaffna their seniors, and as a result the Circular Number 946 of the UGC, Vice Chancellor (VC), Professor S. clash took place. Apparently, one of three third-year students will be Srisatkunarajah responded, saying the third-year students had taken the barred from entering the University that they had no hand in leaking the motorbike key from a second-year for one academic year (two and a Disciplinary Committee Report on student for not complying. half-years) and four will be barred Govt will prevent... students who clashed, students and According to the students, who from entering the University for the lecturers, including the University complained to the Disciplinary current half-year (until February of He said so in response to questions The President has already pardoned students’ union have questioned the Committee that they were also next year). from Jathika Jana Balawegaya Leader nearly 600 prisoners who had University authorities on how it was assaulted by the VC, a lecturer and It was also recommended that Anura Kumara Dissanayake and committed minor offences. We have leaked. the watchman, this had not been those seven who were found guilty Samagi Jana Balawegaya requested the Police and the Attorney Professor Srisatkunarajah told recorded in the report. will be denied the opportunity to stay Parliamentarians Harshana General to come up with a plan to Ceylon Today that they will probe Regarding the clash, 21 students in hostels during their education and Rajakaruna, Kavinda Jayawardena, reduce prison congestion. Also, we are how the document leaked to the were identified and temporarily should not be offered any positions in Nalin Bandara and Lakshman Kiriella. considering changing charge sheets, so Media. “There are rumours and I barred from entering the campus student unions. It was also The MPs queried: “The parents and that inmates can be sent to cannot take immediate action, but premises. recommended that they should not families of the inmates are still in front rehabilitation centres.” will probe and make a statement at Former Dean of Commerce and be given the opportunity to obtain of the Mahara Prison. They do not At this juncture, Opposition MPs the next Council meeting,” he added. Management, Prof. M. class marks at the completion of the know whether their children and questioned as to what would happen to He also said those recommended Nadarajasundtham, who was course and that the offences should relatives are dead or alive. They have a the inmates who are unable to pay bail punishments were based on the appointed by the University Council be taken into account if they apply for right to know these details. They are fees. University Grants Commission’s to submit a report on the clash, employment within the University in scared. When will the Government Ali Sabry replied that they are (UGC) Circular and that they would presented the 130-page report with the future, the Inquiry Officer had provide the details of the inmates to considering releasing these inmates on be enforced. the input of the Chairman of the proposed to the Disciplinary Board. them?” their own bail guaranties. “They can The leaked document talks about University Disciplinary Board, K. Further, it was proposed that the They also said the congestion in pay the bail fees within three months. some of the students who were found Rukshan. students’ registration be revoked if prisons must be reduced immediately. We are considering about it right now,” to be guilty, their family background, At the 28 November monthly they are involved in similar offences Ali Sabry said: “We are discussing it. he added. and the personal problems they have Council meeting, Prof. again. news wednesday 2 december 2020 A3

Economy can’t be closed like grocery Heavy showers and store – Handunnetti thundershowers expected JVP Politburo Member Sunil By Naalir Jamaldeen Handunnetti, said an economy of a country cannot be closed in the The Meteorology Department, – Met Department manner that a grocery store is yesterday (1), warned that the 100 millimetres) or Central and North Western can be expected in many places closed. low pressure zone forming in thundershowers can be Provinces. in the deep and shallow sea He alleged that the Government is the South Eastern region of the expected after 2:00 p.m. in a Saliheen also cautioned the from Kankesanturai extending trying to sell the resources of the Bay of Bengal, 590 nautical few places in the Central, public of possible heavy winds to Pottuvil via Mullaitivu, country. miles away from Trincomalee, Sabaragamuwa and Western and lightning strikes and to Trincomalee and Batticaloa. He said this at a meeting held in is expected to intensify and Provinces and few places in the take precautionary measures Wind speed can be expected Matara on 29 November. even turn into a cyclone. Galle and Matara Districts. such as refraining from using to be from 25 to 40 kmph in “There are many discussions in Senior Duty Meteorologist, “Intermittent showers can be electronic gadgets, particularly other sea areas surrounding the society regarding this Budget. It Mohammed Saliheen, also expected in the Northern, mobile phones. the country. is not clear to the people as to how cautioned that it is expected Eastern, North Central and Uva Fishermen and other On certain occasions, the the country is to be taken forward. Livelihoods have that the depression could move Provinces,” he said. seafarers have been instructed wind speed can be expected to collapsed. Businesses cannot move forward. The fishing in the Westerly or South He said fairly heavy winds up to refrain from going to the be above 50 to 60 kmph in the industry also went into crisis. Foreign employment and Westerly direction, beyond the to 30 to 40 kilometres per hour deep seas from the Eastern seas from Kankesanturai the tourism industry have completely collapsed. Northern Coast. (kmph) can be expected in the Coast. extending to Hambantota via Borrowers are unable to repay their loans. People are not He said heavy showers (up to Northern, Eastern, North Showers or thundershowers Trincomalee and Pottuvil. paid enough. The Minister of Wildlife Conservation is working to clear the jungle. The Minister of Trade imposes tax on sanitary napkins,” he added. IGP meets Public Security Minister Mahara Prison riot Mahara Prison incident Conduct impartial Prisoners are probe – LfD – Appuhamy It is the duty of the Government to hold an citizens too impartial inquiry through an independent By Nabiya Vaffoor commission of retired Supreme Court Judges, to find out what actually happened at the Mahara There is no point in appointing a special committee to Prison, the Lawyers for Democracy (LfD) probe the Mahara Prison incident, since a Minister has organisation said. already claimed that this was caused by a narcotic pill, The LfD expressed concern that the attack on Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Parliamentarian Hector unarmed inmates of the Mahara Prison reminds Appuhamy said. them of the massacre of prisoners at the “Although a Minister has said it is a foreign conspiracy, it Welikada Prison in 2012. is questionable as to whether it can be proved. This protest “Even convicts and remand prisoners are was held because of the COVID-19 situation and the citizens and are entitled to the right to life and prisoners have a right to speak up regarding this issue, the protection of the law. There is a procedure since they are also citizens. They can’t be neglected just laid down to deal with riots and mobs. Shooting because they have been found guilty in Courts. Even the is the last resort, when life and property are State Minister of Prison Reforms and Prisoners threatened. Shooting to kill is unknown in Rehabilitation accepts that there are 25 prisoners in one civilised societies, unless in an armed cell, when they are only supposed to have 10. In this kind confrontation, when the State is threatened,” the of situation, it is normal that the prisoners were concerned LfD said. on how they are supposed to contain the spread of COVID- The new IGP Chandana D. Wickramaratne met Public Security Minister, Rear Admiral (Rtd) The Mahara Prison incident, which took place 19,” he added. Sarath Weerasekera, yesterday (1) and discussed the welfare of Police officers and the on 29 and 30 November, has resulted in the He said so yesterday (1), during a Media briefing held at issues which have affected public security death of nine prisoners, caused injuries to both SJB Headquarters. (NV) inmates and officers, and damage to property.

Navy conduct raids Setting up independent SLMC in North GMOA pledges support to Pavithra

Seize turmeric, heroin By Dilanthi Jayamanne against Prof. de Silva and four de-recognising a foreign university The Navy seized Members not only by the GMOA, but is described by the Medical 1,385.5 kg of The Government Medical Officers’ also by foreign medical degree Ordinance, he said, alleging smuggled dried Association (GMOA) pledged to student unions,” he said. however that three major Russian turmeric and arrested throw their weight behind Health Dr. Aluthge said in addition to medical faculties were derecognised eight persons. In Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi, to attempts made by Senaratne under Prof. de Silva without giving another operation depoliticise and set up an through the SLMC to register prior notice to the Health Minister 23.2 grams of heroin independent Sri Lanka Medical medical graduates who had not even about the move. He said it would along with 10 Council (SLMC). qualified to read for a medical have compromised Sri Lanka’s suspects were GMOA Executive Committee degree at their General Certificate of relations with Russia. apprehended in raids Member, Dr. Haritha Aluthge, said Education Advanced Level He alleged that the politicisation conducted in the North Central, Northern and Eastern the Specialist Committee appointed Examination, Prof. de Silva and the of the Council had even prevented it Naval Commands in the past week. by Wanniarachchi had made the Members appointed by Senaratne from conducting the elections to The suspects were identified as residents of Pesalai, recommendations in the report after had delayed conducting the Act 16 elect several Council Members. Erukkalampiddy, Pallimunai, Muttur, Nallur and Kokkuvil conducting a probe into allegations Examination for students who had and were between the ages of 20-47. The suspects, stock of levelled against the former SLMC returned to Sri turmeric and heroin along with vessels and motorbikes Chairman, Professor Harendra de Lanka with were handed over to the Jaffna Customs Office and the Silva and Members appointed by foreign medical Mannar, Muttur and Jaffna Police. former Health Minister, Dr. Rajitha degrees. (NV) Senaratne. The process to “Accusations had been levelled follow when

Teachers and principals Interim allowance not in Budget – Stalin By Nabiya Vaffoor

“How can the Government promise to pay Rs 60 billion as interim allowance to teachers and principals to resolve salary anomalies, without including it in the 2021 budget proposal,” General Secretary of the Ceylon Teachers Union, Joseph Stalin queried. “If the Government is going to pay interim allowances amounting to Rs 60 billion, until they solve the salary anomalies of teachers and principals, as stated by Education Minister Professor G.L. Peiris in Parliament. Then, the Government should have included it in the 2021 budget proposal, but they haven’t,” he said. General Secretary of the Ceylon Teachers Service Union, Mahinda Jayasinghe said it will be 24 years in January 2021 since the salary anomalies issue was brought up. “If they are going to solve this issue, Prof. Peiris should immediately inform us about the timeframe within which the interim allowance will be paid and the amount that we will get paid”, he added. They also said the Government should stop collecting various fees from parents of students who attend government schools, instead, allocate six per cent of the Gross Domestic Product for education. They also demanded equal pension for teachers and principals. Meanwhile, Teacher Unions added that the Government should find a way to stop political victimization in the state education sector and prevent transfers on political grounds. The duo further requested that the Education Ministry release teachers and principals from filling unnecessary forms which are irrelevant to students’ education. Jayasinghe and Stalin expressed these views yesterday (1) afternoon, after a protest was held by a collective of 25 teacher service unions comprising 300 representatives which was held near the Parliament roundabout last morning. A4 wednesday 2 december 2020 news Curbing the COVID-19 spread C’nuts, rice, drive inflation

By Paneetha Ameresekere 98.45 a kg, red nadu rice up 5.76% (Rs 5.87) to Rs 107.77 a kg, Coconuts and rice drove white rice up 1.99% (Rs 1.91) to Rs Colombo’s food inflation to 10.3 98.11 a kg and white nadu rice up No One Should per cent last month (November) on 1% (Rs 1) to Rs 100.85 a kg, in the a year on year (YoY) basis, review period. compared to 10% in October, the Food inflation has remained in Census and Statistics Department the double digits for the seventh (CSD) said on 30 November. consecutive month to last month. Coconut prices increased by Consequently, Colombo inflation Destabilise Govt’s 58.23% (Rs 29.39) to Rs 79.86 a accelerated to 4.1% last month nut YoY, samba rice up 6.78% (Rs (November) on a YoY basis, 6.92) to Rs 109.03 per kilo (kg), compared to 4% in October. - Ramanna Nikaya red rice up 5.91% (Rs 5.49) to Rs Efforts Chief Prelate By K.L. Suraweera (Kandy) differences, such cannot be condoned. courtesy call on the two Chief Prelates of He said that the onus was presently the Asgiriya and Malwathu Chapters of The Chief Prelate of the Sri Lanka on the entire country to join forces by the Siam Sect on 30 November. Ramanna Nikaya (Sect), Ven. Makulewe setting aside petty differences to fight The monk also urged the people to Wimala Thera said that if anyone the ongoing scourge of the pandemic. support all measures being attempts to destabilise efforts made by The monk was speaking to the Media implemented by the Government to the Government to control the spread of after paying homage to the Sri Dalada revive the stalled economy in the face of COVID-19 based on religious and racial Maligawa in Kandy before paying a the COVID-19 crisis.

Principal vacancies in 170 schools 1990 Suwa Seriya service 4 Dec last day should be protected - Harsha The Samagi Jana free pre-hospital care Balawegaya service. We had to overcome Parliamentarian Dr. Harsha many challenges. Do not for applications de Silva said that the 1990 tarnish the image of this Suwa Seriya service should service by manipulating the The acceptance of conclude on 4 be protected for the benefit Media and the public. The applications to fill 170 December. of our people. 1990 Suwa Seriya should vacancies for principals The Ministry said that “We started it as a first be protected,” he added. in 170 national schools further details in this coming under the connection can be purview of the Ministry obtained by visiting of Education will www.moe.gov.lk. Indian HC Defence Adviser Japanese Grant for Disabled calls on SLAF Chief Children’s Centre Defence Adviser to the High accompanied by the Assistant The project for improving Wickramage Nalin Commission of India in Colombo, Defence Advisor to the High Six inmates protest facilities of the Centre for Vipulendra. Captain Vikas Sood called on the Commission of India in Colombo, Disabled Children in The Little Tree Special Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Lieutenant Colonel Puneet at Negombo Prison Buttala, Moneragala, Needs Children’s Centre in Force (SLAF), Air Marshal Sushil. Captain Sood and Air received a US$ 83,692 Grant Buttala is home to 35 Sudarshana Pathirana on 30 Marshal Pathirana had a from the Japanese differently able children and November at SLAF headquarters. discussion on matters of mutual By Kumudu Upul demanded that they be Government through the youth aged between 4-21 The Defence Adviser was interest. Shantha enlarged on bail. Grant Assistance for years. Sources said that the grassroots human security This project aims to not A group of six female protest had begun at projects (GGP). only enhance educational inmates held a protest around 3 p.m. The Grant contract was facilities and uplift the on the roof of the The inmates are signed on 30 November at quality of the vocational Burial of Muslim COVID-19 victims Negombo Prison on 30 alleged to be major drug the Japanese Ambassador’s training environment but to November, and traffickers. residence in Colombo, also include the provision for between Ambassador a collective organic farm, Tamils and Muslims should Sugiyama Akira and the sanitary facilities, a sick President of the Surangani room, and a school van. not fall out – Mahroof Voluntary Services, (SRM) By Naalir Jamaldeen had brought this issue up in Seven killed in Parliament on 30 November during Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) the Committee Stage debate on the Trincomalee District Health Ministry. Parliamentarian Mahroof Imran He pointed out that the road accidents yesterday (01) said that a rift Government which implements all should not be created between the recommendations and By Paneetha November. A 63-year-old Muslims and Tamils over instructions of the World Health Ameresekere pedestrian was knocked cremation or burial of bodies of Organisation is acting contrary to down and killed by a Muslim COVID-19 victims. its recommendations only in the The Police reported lorry in Avissawella. A He added that previously it had case of the burial of COVID-19 seven road fatalities from 76-year-old was knocked been mooted to allocate a site in infected bodies of Muslims. 30 November to 1 down and killed by a Mannar to bury Muslim COVID-19 He added that Muslims are only December. private bus while waiting victims if the Government seeking permission to bury the Among those were two at a bus stand in permitted burials. “The Tamil bodies of Muslim COVID-19 persons whose identities Hungama, Hambantota. politicians in the region had victims but that they have never were not known, a Meanwhile, a 46-year-old vehemently rejected the proposal,” asked for a particular spot for motorcyclist and his pedestrian was knocked Imran lamented, noting that it burial. First, permission must be pillion rider, being killed down and killed by a cab could hinder the relationship given for burial and thereafter when the motorcycle on in Middeniya, between the Muslims and Tamils. burial-related issues could be which they were Hambantota. A 69-year- Imran told Ceylon Today that he discussed, he said. travelling hit a tipper in old pedestrian was Polonnaruwa on 1 knocked down and killed Protection of women December. The driver of by a lorry in Mahabage, the tipper has been Gampaha, and a taken into custody. 26-year-old motorcyclist Strong legal framework, In other incidents, was knocked down and 182 Commandos Pass Out three pedestrians and killed in Eppawala, multi-sectoral policy vital two motorcyclists were Anuradhapura, after his By Paneetha Ameresekere 34th intake, had, during their killed, being victims of motorcycle was hit by a In a letter addressed to the programmes and research in over 18 months of training, road accidents which lorry. leaders of the Generation all areas affected by CEFM The passing-out parade of 182 widened their professional took place on 30 Equality Action Coalition on and FGM/C, supporting commandos, comprising seven horizons on advanced commando Gender-Based Violence (GBV), strengthened legal officers and 175 soldiers was held tactics, small group tactics, a group of international civil frameworks and at the Uva Kudaoya Commando unconventional warfare, mission society organisations (CSOs) comprehensive, multi-sectoral Regiment Training School, planning, weapon handling, and activists urged the policy interventions to prevent Moneragala, on 28 November. combat marksmanship, explosive Coalition to make ending and protect women and girls Their passing-out parade took handling, tactical combat Three Russian child, early and forced from CEFM and FGM/C, place before the 68 Division casualty care and indigenous marriage (CEFM) and female including in humanitarian General Officer Commanding of skills of the commandos, such as Warships Dock in Trinco genital mutilation/cutting settings and marginalised the Commando Regiment, Major hostage rescue and (FGM/C) a priority action. communities, explicitly General Upali Rajapaksha. counterterrorism, VVIP protection Three Russian replenishment and crew Each year, 4.1 million girls referencing these harmful The officers and soldiers of the and war dog handling. warships, the guided rest, the Sri Lanka Navy are subjected to FGM/C and practices as forms of GBV, missile cruiser ‘Variag,’ (SLN) said yesterday (1). 12 million girls are married and ensuring that they are the large anti-submarine The three ships are before the age of 18. In certain mainstreamed into all crisis ship ‘Admiral Panteleev,’ scheduled to leave the contexts, these practices are response and recovery and the medium ocean island tomorrow (3), after interlinked, where FGM/C is programmes, including an tanker ‘Pechenga,’ taking part in a ‘Passage a precursor to CEFM. Both of accountability mechanism docked at Trincomalee Exercise’ with the SLN these harmful practices which effectively monitors on 30 November for Ship ‘Sayura.’ (PA) violate girls’ and women’s progress on CEFM and rights, denying them the FGM/C and holds leaders capacity to realise the full accountable for change and range of their entitlements promoting the meaningful and aspirations. They are participation of girls and forms of GBV with lifelong women, including survivors, economic, social and physical to ensure that the voices of consequences affecting not those most affected by just the girl, but her family, harmful practices have a say her community and her in the solutions. nation. Gender equality Without ending CEFM and cannot be achieved while FGM/C, we will not only fall these harmful practices short on achieving gender persist. equality by 2030, but also on The CSOs and CS activists development goals linked to further urged investing in poverty, health and evidence-based, community- education, the organisations led and gender-responsive and activists said. column wednesday 2 december 2020 A5 Memories A Breath of Kindness - Oranee Jansz By Prof. Rajiva Wijesinha We got on superbly in our little became at the turn of the century office at the UGC. She took charge of when the UGC decided to Oranee Jansz died in September the office work, including the decentralise it. Within a couple of after a brave battle with cancer, one checking and signing of innumerable years of that decision the programme day after her 77th birthday. I knew USJP was the vouchers, while I travelled to monitor closed since very few students her for just less than half her life, the centres, making it to almost all of attended. Incidentally, the bonding having first met her when I joined the university that them including Mannar Island and we had developed had stood the University of Sri Jayewardenepura Tirukkovil, closing those which had students in good stead during the rag (USJP) in 1992. soonest gained few students and lazy teachers, but that confidence was no more I had moved there mainly to look encouraging the many who did after GELT was abolished. after the English courses at Affiliated enough respect excellent work. University Colleges, the brainchild of I tried to get Oranee to visit the Head of ELTU Arjuna Aluwihare. But of course to join the centres, but she did not like to leave Oranee by then had enough to do USJP wanted to make greater use of charmed circle. her husband and children. But she for she had finally been appointed to me, both to restructure its English was wonderful at the training head the ELTU at USJP. Meanwhile, I courses and build up a Department, And while this sessions we held, trying to ensure had used her, as well as Paru, for the and also to revitalise teaching of that traditional talk was abandoned training I embarked on when I took English to all students through the was obviously and group work with unobtrusive but on responsibility for the English Language Teaching Unit. clear guidance was done. And she reintroduction of English medium in This latter request did not go down due to the would get students to Colombo, for government schools at the end of well with the host of long serving the finals of the competition we 2001. Sadly, Ranil Wickremesinghe ladies who ran the ELTU at the time, excellence of its established for dramatisation of the forbade the Minister renewing my and amongst the most opposed to the teaching staff, projects we insisted all students contract to coordinate this in the intrusion of an outsider was Oranee. engage in. These proved wildly middle of 2002, and the programme But fortunately, before I took any the self- successful, and the enthusiasm of began to collapse. steps, I engaged in a thorough survey the students, to look into a local Fortunately, Chandrika revived the of the customers as it were of the confidence problem and propound solutions, programme, and by then Oranee was ELTU, the heads of the different was a joy to see. retired from USJP so I could get her Faculties and Departments whose Oranee When we started work Oranee was to work at the Ministry, where she students were supposed to learn not enthusiastic about my effort to headed the lovely team I set up in English through the ELTU. Oranee Jansz, a woman of infinite developed, along ensure accuracy but soon she 2004 and 2005. Once again I was courage and kindness, and a fantastic granted that errors would get fascinated by how much she inspired and inspiring teacher with excellent An exceptional person entrenched unless corrected. Later the staff I had taken on from I found almost total despair as to of one of the nastier of her peers who communicative- she was even more enthusiastic than Sabaragamuwa. what they saw as the incapacity to fell like a vulture on the Tamils we I was about accuracy and a great I saw less of Oranee later, after I enthuse or teach well of the different recruited after I was put in charge of confidence in proponent of the Grammar entered the world of public affairs, ladies, but they all thought very English. Even Parvathi Handbook, while I bowed to her but we kept in touch and when I highly of Oranee and asked me to Nagasunderam, whom I had enticed English, wonderful imagination and gave her heard she had a cancer, I made it a allocate her to their students. From from the NIE, was driven to tears by free rein to introduce innovative point to see her regularly. That had that I realised that she was an the viciousness. But she had been contributed to exercises in the companion reader. to cease when COVID-19 struck, but exceptional person and I treated her recruited to the Languages the speed with These were much loved by students I kept in touch on the telephone, and with great respect, to which in time Department and decided she would but of course no other university resumed my visits over the last she responded positively. have nothing more to do with them. which USJP wanted to use them, since they all couple of months. And whereas Prof Palihawadana, acting Vice- Less confident was a Tamil gentleman made much of what they termed the towards the end of last year she Chancellor then, wanted to make who had in fact settled in Colombo as doctors achieved production of materials for which seemed to be weakening, she was Oranee the ELTU head, but Oranee’s a refugee from Tiger violence, totally they were paid. Later, when I left the much more feisty in the last few colleagues were nervous of her and unprepared for the onslaught of the parity with their university system and realised no months, and was a great pleasure to protested. Instead, she was asked to Amazons. Oranee promptly took him one else would ensure the books were talk to. As usual she did not mince take charge of English for the medical under her wing, and he became a peers kept in print, I accepted the offer of her words and, having been faculty USJP had just started. This loved teacher for the Medical Faculty. Cambridge University Press in India enthusiastic last year about GELT was a salutary measure for she did a That was Oranee, a woman of to publish them under their being revived, she too thought this great job, using the participatory infinite courage and kindness, and a Foundation Books imprint. Oranee year that the initiative had fallen prey techniques she had developed, and fantastic and inspiring teacher. She was pleased that I attributed sole to the incoherence that bedevils our her students blossomed. In the developed her own course for the to take it over and suggested I call authorship of ‘Explorations’, as CUP system, and lots of people will make strange world of Sri Lankan medicine, Medical Faculty but deigned to make Arjuna Aluwihare and offer my entitled ‘Read, Think and Discuss’, to lots of money reinventing wheels and where established universities use of some of the materials I had services. I did for it fitted in well with her, and delighted that she received producing second rate materials. roundly condemn the new ones and prepared. These included a set of the AUC work, but Arjuna told me he royalties for the book, which had not But we talked about much more, claim standards are being lowered, Student Workbooks I later divided had asked Oranee to take it over and happened in Sri Lanka. Indeed, CUP mutual friends, students whom she with the new universities that achieve into two texts, ‘A Handbook of English suggested I could work with her.She had the books prescribed by some had nurtured, politics, fellow respectability then joining the old Grammar’ and a reader called ‘Read, was not pleased for, she had looked Indian universities, so we did well, academics about whom she had brigade to condemn newer ones, USJP Think and Discuss’. This latter was in forward to doing her own thing, but though in Sri Lanka endemic entertaining stories. And her zest for was the university that soonest gained collaboration with Oranee for by then she soon found that I had no intention jealousy makes it impossible for life was exemplified too when she enough respect to join the charmed she and I were working together as of restricting her. I was delighted at students at other universities to insisted on seeing my dog, who was circle. And while this was obviously Coordinators of the pre-University the many ideas she had for developing benefit thus. generally with me for I usually saw due to the excellence of its teaching General English Language Teaching initiative and thinking skills, well Indeed, this came home to me her when travelling to my cottage. staff, the self confidence Oranee programme, the GELT. aware then as others in her field were when a member of the current UGC That too, that zest for life, along developed, along with excellent Developing a productive not of the importance of Soft Skills. asked me about the GELT materials with a deep affection for all those communicative confidence in English, She was a great believer in group we had used, since he thought there weaker than herself, a forceful contributed to the speed with which consensus work, in setting exercises to get was no need to reinvent the wheel. I commitment to social justice, an USJP doctors achieved parity with students to develop and defend their sent details but since then I gather indefatigable appetite for action, and their peers. I had got involved because Prof A J own ideas, and then setting guidelines the traditionalists have stepped in, a vivid imagination, contribute to the She selected her own team for the Gunawardena told me they had not for developing a productive and I suspect the new effort at a memory of a wonderful colleague and medical faculty, and made short shrift been able to find anyone satisfactory consensus. GELT will be as disastrous as GELT a dear friend. Amazon Ancestral Land Not Up for Sale By Anastasia Moloney Christian missionaries who indigenous people to fight on first made contact with the your behalf ... we need to As a girl growing up in Waorani people in the 1950s work together to protect the Ecuador’s Amazon rainforest, led to the death of her forest.” Nemonte Nenquimo would grandfather and other To help conserve the listen to stories passed down relatives from polio. rainforest, Nenquimo began from her ancestors about how The missionaries brought working with other indigenous the Waorani indigenous with them the Bible, a new tribes living in the Ecuadorian people preserved their forests language and schools that Amazon and co-founded the and defended their lands from Nenquimo says she rejected nonprofit Ceibo Alliance. settlers and oil companies. because the lessons went “We would hear from the Those tales of survival and against what her parents had companies and government resistance later inspired taught her about nature. that drilling for oil would Nenquimo to become a leader Such childhood experiences bring development in terms of of the Waorani people and win deepened her resolve to health and education,” a historic court case to protect protect the Amazon rainforest, Nenquimo said. 500,000 acres (202,000 which scientists say is crucial “But, in reality, it’s very sad hectares) of Amazon rainforest in the fight against climate to see indigenous people who from exploitation by oil change as trees are a major had vast lands, healthy companies. store of planet-warming forests and unpolluted rivers On Monday, Nenquimo’s carbon. ... which are now deforested activism and leadership Spanning nine countries in and their water earned her a prestigious South America, the Amazon contaminated.” Goldman Environmental Prize faces worsening fires and As part of her campaign to - known as the ‘Green Nobel’ - clearing for agriculture and prevent the auction and sale which honors grassroots mining. About 15-17 per cent of the forest to oil companies, activism, along with five other of the original forest has been Nenquimo led a project to map winners. destroyed, mostly since the ancestral lands using a Global “What happens on our 1970s, scientists warn. Positioning System (GPS), territory is our decision. Our “Everything we do is also drones and cameras that took Nenquimo’s activism and leadership earned her a Green Nobel - which honours grassroots activism territory is not up for sale,” about defending the planet, nearly three years to Nenquimo, 35, told the government had failed to government has had to Waorani Pastaza the air we breathe. Humans complete. Thomson Reuters Foundation properly consult with the suspend the selling of the Organisation. can’t live without water, “We made our own map of in a Zoom interview, wearing 4,000-strong Waorani people land for oil extraction. Born in the jungle, a young without air,” said Nenquimo, our lands with the help of our traditional red face paint. back in 2012 before holding “This was a victory not only Nenquimo would go fishing, who was also named one of guides and grandfathers,” she “We come from here. It’s our an international auction to for the Waorani people but for collect food from the forest, TIME magazine’s 100 most said. home ... which our sell 16 oil blocks that run all of Ecuador’s Amazonian bathe in waterfalls, and learn influential people of 2020. “This work was very grandfathers have defended through ancestral lands in the indigenous people. It was a about traditional plant “Indigenous people have important to us as it allowed for thousands of years.” country’s eastern jungle. victory in favour of life,” said medicine from her parents. wisely known for thousands of us to make our land visible to Last year, an Ecuadorian The landmark court Nenquimo, who is the first She also witnessed how years that you have to protect the government.” court ruled that the decision means the female president of the disease brought by white Mother Earth. Don’t wait for (Thomson Reuters Foundation) A6 wednesday 2 december 2020 Editorial

Don’t step out: A virus outside !

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Biden’s Modest Jean Valjean stealing loaf of bread New App to Multilateralism Identify Criminals By Jeffrey Frankel

Like the Joni Mitchell song puts it, Admirable “You don’t know what you’ve got ‘til it’s The newly-appointed Minister of Public Security, Rear gone.” For example, classroom education Admiral (Retd.) Dr. Sarath Weerasekara, recently stated was often deemed boring by students and that an application to trace suspects will be installed on obsolete by tech visionaries. Then, mobile phones of Police officers. COVID-19 made it difficult or impossible According to Minister Weerasekara, this new to meet in person. Now we yearn for application is capable of comparing fingerprints of in-class experiences. suspects with the support of a database based in Perhaps the same is true of Colombo, and will identify criminals instantly. With the international economic cooperation. use of this new application, Police officers will be able to Multilateral institutions such as the obtain their criminal records immediately. According to World Trade Organisation, the the Minister, civil defence committees will be set up at International Monetary Fund, and the village level, in order to obtain information regarding United Nations agencies have long been drug trafficking and underworld activities in each area. unpopular among much of the public for Even though this initiative is still at its initial stage supposedly encroaching on national and is quite new to Sri Lanka, law enforcement agencies sovereignty. But then US President in many countries across the world have been adopting Donald Trump came along and made similar or more advanced methods to maintain updated international cooperation well-nigh and accurate records of criminals and criminal impossible. While other G20 leaders activities. During the past few years, traditional and discussed pandemic preparedness at United Kingdom’s then-Prime Minister, poorest countries also need new archaic methods of collecting and keeping records of their recently concluded summit, for Gordon Brown. concessional loans and grants. Proposals criminals and criminal activities have been questioned example, Trump evidently tweeted more are back on the table to issue a new by law enforcement agencies throughout the world, due false accusations of electoral fraud and G20 countries tranche of Special Drawing Rights (the to a multitude of disadvantages associated with then played golf. The IMF recently estimated that if those IMF’s reserve asset) and to direct the maintaining physical records. These disadvantages When President-elect Joe Biden enters G20 countries with the greatest fiscal liquidity to emerging markets. include but are not limited to, difficulties associated with the White House on 20 January 2021, he space simultaneously increased On trade, many Democrats will urge updating records, difficulties in sharing information, will face an urgent agenda of infrastructure spending by 0.5% of GDP Biden to continue to pursue some of physical records being easily destroyable and alterable, international issues crying out for in 2021 and 1% of GDP in subsequent Trump’s objectives, but to work with US and the ever-increasing need for more space to store attention. years – and if those with more limited allies rather than against them. One physical records. Another major issue associated with The top items include the pandemic, fiscal space invested one-third of that – such goal is to reduce the need for maintaining physical records is the inability to access climate change, and the global recession, they could lift global GDP by nearly 2% foreign corporations to share proprietary information easily and quickly, which in turn hinders which will require joint action by by 2025, compared with a boost of just technology with domestic partners as the the process of identifying suspects and criminals who advanced economies on fiscal stimulus, below 1.2% under an unsynchronised price of access to China’s market. have a history of being involved in illegal activities. debt restructuring, and trade. fiscal approach. An intelligent US strategy might have With the rapid rise of technological advancements, Biden did not campaign on A coordinated fiscal expansion (with been to stay in the Trans-Pacific especially in the information technology field, countries international economic cooperation per substantial funds spent, one hopes, on Partnership and hold out to China the around the world have started adopting newer, advanced se; US Presidential candidates never do. green infrastructure investment and the prospect of someday joining if it followed and timelier methods of recording information, which But he has pledged to immediately fight against COVID-19) would thus help the rules, which were written mostly by have made it possible to access information in a short reverse Trump’s monumentally short- to ensure a faster global recovery of GDP America. period of time. Furthermore, technology has made it sighted decisions to withdraw the United and employment, and minimise the The other TPP countries have gone possible to analyse past records and available States from the World Health danger of a W-shaped recession. ahead without the US, which could still information in a more logical way. It would not be an Organisation and the 2015 Paris climate Moreover, a simultaneous stimulus catch up by rejoining. overstatement to say that this new application proposed agreement. need not adversely affect any G20 But it may be too late for that. While by the Government is similar to a portable database, Pandemic diseases such as COVID-19 country’s trade balance. the US was sleeping, China organised its which can be accessed from literally anywhere using a are a classic example of an international With interest rates near zero, the US own Asia-Pacific trade bloc, called the mobile phone. Most importantly, this new initiative externality that individual Governments and other advanced economies do not Regional Comprehensive Economic makes it possible for law enforcement agencies to take can’t adequately address on their own. feel constrained in their ability to borrow, Partnership. At this point, swift action to deal with suspects wanted for various International cooperation is a far more even as debt-to-GDP ratios rise. But straightforward reciprocal tariff cuts may crimes within a short period of time. effective way to investigate local disease emerging-market and developing be a more promising option for the US In the past few months, the Government carried out outbreaks and warn of global dangers; economies (EMDEs) – especially those than messy and hard-to-enforce “deep several raids in various parts of the island which coordinate research, development, that already had unsustainable debt integration.” resulted in the seizure of a considerable amount of drugs production, and distribution of vaccines burdens before the pandemic struck – Recent high-level appointments to the and the arrest of a large number of suspects against or treatments; and agree on procedures have much less room to manoeuvre. incoming Biden administration are whom arrest warrants had been issued for various for restricting or quarantining cross- Many EMDEs will need to have their committed internationalists. The US will offences. Even though these raids were successful, they border travelers. The WHO is not perfect, debts restructured. Until now, the presumably allow the WTO to function also showed that a considerable number of people but it is obviously needed now. international community’s response has again. But international trade engaged in criminal activities also live among the general Likewise, global climate change is the mostly consisted of the G20’s Debt agreements are unlikely to be high on its public. With the use of this new application, law archetypal global externality. A ton of Service Suspension Initiative (DSSI), list of priorities, and committed devotees enforcement agencies will be able to detect people carbon dioxide emitted anywhere has the which was limited in scope. The scheme of the open rules-based trading system engaged in criminal activities in any part of the country, same greenhouse effect everywhere. kicked the can down the road by merely will have to recalibrate their ambitions. not only during raids carried out in suspicious places. National regulation cannot by itself postponing (as opposed to reducing) Furthermore, America’s friends and allies The world is evolving faster than ever before. At the correct the misalignment of incentives, debt-service obligations, and it did not have lost some of their enthusiasm for same time, due to a number of reasons, crimes as well owing to the free-rider problem across include private debt. letting it conduct the international as factors causing crimes to a certain extent, such as governments: Hence the need for an The world’s largest economies must orchestra. destitution, collapsing economy, inequality and the international accord like the 2015 Paris urgently lead and coordinate on this But, at a minimum, they will be happy increasing use of alcohol and drugs, are also on the rise. climate agreement. issue. G20 leaders recognised at their to have it back as an important and The Government – taking into account the fact that Biden and other world leaders must November 21-22 summit that DSSI- constructive player. using new technology to stifle criminal activities in a also tackle the deepest global recession eligible countries need more than Jeffrey Frankel, Professor of Capital more methodical way can bear fruit more than since the 1930s. bilateral official debt relief. But they Formation and Growth at Harvard traditional, improvised ways of dealing with those Beyond measures to address the made little tangible progress. University, previously served as a engaged in criminal activities – has now taken a step pandemic itself, advanced economies Moreover, many African countries member of President Bill Clinton’s forward. This new and innovative step, which is far more must agree above all on joint fiscal worry that well-intentioned efforts at Council of Economic Advisers. He is a efficient and effective than steps taken by previous stimulus, as they did at the 1978 Bonn coordinated debt restructuring will hurt research associate at the US National Governments, deserves to be admired. summit of G7 leaders and at the 2009 their ability to continue accessing Bureau of Economic Research. G20 meetings under the leadership of the international capital markets. The (Courtesy-www.project-syndicate.org) COLUMN wednesday 2 december 2020 A7 Fear of the Future By Michael Gregson Mayerson. Other findings were that younger Ask Sri Lankans what their biggest people were more concerned about the worry is at the moment and they’ll The climatic change climate impacts their children would likely tell you: COVID-19, whether it’s study comes at the experience than older respondents, the damage done to the economy – or and that adoption was seen as a the risk of catching the deadly virus, tail end of a year potential alternative to having which has now claimed more than 100 biological children. lives on the island. filled with natural One 42-year-old father wrote that But ask Americans and many will disasters linked to the world in 2050 would be “a hot- give you a very different answer. Their house hell, with wars over limited biggest fear is a climate change global warming. resources, collapsing civilisation, apocalypse. So much so that it is failing agriculture, rising seas, melting stopping young people from having California and glaciers, starvation, droughts, floods, children. Colorado witnessed mudslides and widespread A study, published in the Climatic devastation.” Change, surveyed 607 Americans aged some of their There is also growing evidence of between 27 and 45 about global largest wildfires on climate anxiety affecting mental health warming and the impacts it would and earlier in 2020 more than 1,000 have on their decision to start families. record, with blazes clinical psychologists signed an open A staggering 59.8 percent of letter warning of “acute trauma on a respondents say they are 'concerned burning across global scale”. about the carbon footprint of millions of acres of The climatic change study comes at procreation', while 96.5 percent of the tail end of a year filled with natural those surveyed admit to worrying land, destroying disasters linked to global warming. “about the well-being of their existing, homes and taking California and Colorado witnessed expected, or hypothetical children in a some of their largest wildfires on climate-changed world”. lives. A sweltering record, with blazes burning across Some say they are so anxious about millions of acres of land, destroying the negative impacts of the climate heat wave in parts homes and taking lives.A sweltering crisis that they have decided not to of Australia is heat wave in parts of Australia is become parents. “I feel like I can't in sparking fresh fears of wildfires. Parts good conscience, bring a child into this Americans biggest fear is a climate change apocalypse sparking fresh of the country sweated through the world and force them to try and hottest November night on record, survive what may be apocalyptic of global heating on the world, the to pore through the responses – a lot of fears of wildfires. with the mercury rising to 45c. conditions,” one 27-year-old woman researchers said. One respondent, for people really poured their hearts out.” Parts of the Meanwhile, the 2020 hurricane told researchers. example, said it would “rival world war The number of people factoring season - which is still ongoing - is the “Climate change is the sole factor for one in its sheer terror” climate change into their reproductive country sweated most active on record. me in deciding not to have biological Lead researcher Matthew Schneider- plans was likely to grow, Schneider- through the hottest The long term climate change children. I don't want to birth children Mayerson said the respondents' Mayerson said, as the impacts of forecast for Sri Lanka also makes into a dying world [though] I dearly quotes prove that younger generations global heating became more obvious. November night on worrying reading. According to a want to be a mother,” another are incredibly concerned about climate “To address this, we really need to act recent report by the Asian 31-year-old respondent stated. change. immediately to address the root cause, record, with the Development Bank, extreme heat A number of those surveyed were “It is an unprecedented window into which is climate change itself,” he mercury rising to threatens human health and living already parents, six percent of whom the way that [some people] are said. standards on the island, particularly say they even feel guilty about having thinking and feeling about what many The report is the first peer-reviewed 45c for outdoor labourers in urban areas kids. “I regret having my kids because consider to be the most important academic study of the issue and without adequate cooling systems. I am terrified that they will be facing decision in their lives,” he told The analysed a large group of concerned This will particularly impact the end of the world due to climate Guardian. people. The survey was done the way that [some people] are communities in Sri Lanka’s northern change,” a 41-year-old mother wrote. “Fears about the lives of existing or anonymously so people could express thinking and feeling about what many region. There is also potential for These views were based on very potential children were really deep and themselves freely. consider to be the most important unfavourable implications to Sri pessimistic assessments of the impact emotional. It was often heart breaking “It is an unprecedented window into decision in their lives,” said Schneider- Lanka’s large tourism sector. Buddhist Perspective in Combatting Covid-19

By Lakshman I. ‘Flatten the Curve’ project COVID-19 is the emphasis on Keerthisinghe announced by the US chapter compassion and generosity for of the Tzu Chi Foundation—a Meditation has the sick. Charitable initiatives ‘Arogyaparamalabha massive Buddhist from organisations such as - Health is the greatest gift humanitarian organisation not only been Tzu Chi and SGI are modern santutthiparamamdhanam headquartered in Taiwan that thought to relieve iterations of a Buddhist - contentment is the greatest claims over 10 million commitment to medical charity wealth members and 45 chapters stress and that goes back many centuries. vissasaparama nati - trust is across the globe. In an early increase Beginning as early as the sixth the best relationship April press release, Tzu Chi century CE and continuing nibbanamparamamsukham’ USA declared that they would resilience, but throughout the premodern - Nibbana is the greatest bliss deliver millions of masks and also to directly period, historical records show - Buddha in Dhammapada other medical supplies to that hospitals and medical Verse 204-Pasenadikosala frontline healthcare workers heal physical dispensaries across Cambodia, Vatthu and launch an assistance ailments. For China, Japan, Korea, Sri programme for people who Lanka, Thailand, and Tibet The National Council for have been socio-economically example, were frequently founded and International Affairs of the All impacted by the pandemic. meditating on the supported by Buddhist donors. Ceylon Buddhist Congress These US initiatives These medical facilities were (ACBC) held the International complement Tzu Chi’s factors of often staffed by Buddhist Buddhist Conference on 7 and extensive international relief enlightenment is monastics and were sometimes 8 November via zoom on the efforts to help to contain and even located within temple theme ‘Buddhism’s response mitigate the effects of the described as an complexes. Buddhist to the COVID-19 Pandemic’. pandemic around the globe. All illness-dispelling charitable organisations The inaugural sermon was the while, the organisation’s actively support or directly delivered by most Ven. Prof headquarters has been practice in a administer hospitals, clinics, Kotapitiye Rahula Anunayaka disseminating Dharma number of early and public health initiatives Thera of the Kotte Srikalyani teachings specifically tailored across the world. Other large- Samagree Dhamma Maha for these difficult times. These Buddhist texts, scale responses to COVID-19 Sangha Sabha and Secretary include “daily reminders” for example the include that of Soka Gakkai Pali and Buddhist Studies advocating that devotees’ International, a massive Division, Peradeniya prayer maintain right Girimananda Buddhist organisation University. Presentations on mindfulness, purify the mind, Sutta from the headquartered in Tokyo with ‘The Rathana Suthraya – A cultivate compassion, practice an estimated 12 million Discourse to Overcome vegetarianism, and treat the Pali canon, members in 192 countries. Disasters’ and on ‘The disaster as a time for spiritual In conclusion, many Girimananda Suthraya awakening. compiled in the Buddhist responses to the describing ten perceptions for The power of meditation to first century BCE. COVID-19 are firmly grounded healing of suffering’ were made promote health is emerging as in Buddhist doctrine and at the conference. a central focus of the response history. Buddhism has for It is significant to note that from Tzu Chi, Dhammakaya, symbols, or deities entering millennia taught specific, with the emergence of the and other denominational into the body in order to heal direct, and concrete responses SARS-CoV-2 in Wuhan, China, groups. Many temples and or regulate subtle energies. to contagious diseases. Dharma advocates purify the mind, cultivate compassion, practice in late 2019, and its meditation centres across the vegetarianism, and treat the disaster as a time for spiritual awakening While the mechanisms Measures to combat epidemics subsequent development into a world have made resources whereby these meditations are are specifically mentioned in global pandemic, Buddhist such as erudite priests and thought to heal differ from major sutras across the major organisations have sprung into special guided meditations for and increase resilience, but written on the subject of how a tradition to tradition and Buddhist traditions. In Sri action around the world. Their resilience and well-being also to directly heal physical sage who has realised culture to culture, the basic Lanka the Government and responses have been diverse, available online. Such ailments. For example, emptiness exerts total control notion that meditation can many Buddhist religious reflecting sectarian and measures are consonant with meditating on the factors of over illness, for example the cure or prevent illness is a institutions, Temples and cultural differences; however the longstanding association enlightenment is described as Vimalakirti Sutra, written common thread in nearly all philanthropists have they have coalesced around between meditation and health an illness-dispelling practice in c.100 CE). Healing forms of Buddhism. contributed to alleviate the certain common themes with in the Buddhist tradition, long a number of early Buddhist visualisation meditations have suffering of many COVID-19 deep historical precedents. predating the 21st century texts, for example the played a prominent role within Compassion and gen- patients island-wide. Tzu Chi Foundation emphasis on mindfulness- Girimananda Sutta from the Vajrayana practice at least erosity for the sick The writer is an Attorney- based interventions. Pali canon, compiled in the since the fifth century CE, at-Law with LLB, LLM, An example of a recent Meditation has not only first century BCE. Entire when practitioners began to A second important theme in MPhil.(Colombo)- ambitious initiative is the been thought to relieve stress Mahayana treatises have been visualise mantras, divine the Buddhist response to [email protected] A8 wednesday 2 december 2020 focus Democracy in Decline

By Vasily Koltashov importance of marriage is more like the defence of the Soviet understanding of Being praised as never before, relationships and lifestyle; it should be democracy was in crisis. The reality of borne in mind that the emancipation of the economic problems of 2008 - 2020 the 20th century is irreversible, led to a new critical moment. All this universally recognised and inseparable makes us think about the meaning of from society, and these are not the word “democracy”, about the “patriarchal mores,” but the product of economic logic of history and much modernisation. Though this more. modernisation took place not so long ago. Therefore, anti-neoliberal Twilight of a new big crisis conservatism does not at all refer to old The countries of the core of capitalism morals, and only because of the love of had to face a new big economic crisis in religious justification of its position can 2008. In semi-peripheral and be called right. However, there is also a peripheral countries, democracy was reference to the national values and outwardly similar to the central, with interests of nations, opposing the the difference that it was much more 9/11 attack on WTC. ‘War on terror’ is best understood as a strategy for advancing the neoliberal agenda interests of global financial structures. formal, implicated in falsifications and And here it is important to finally did not exclude coups and turmoil, When the time of social networks on that would not have happened before. vision of history. That is why accept the fact: neoliberalism hit the though formally they started as a the Internet came, it showed how much “Revolution or reform?” voluntarists, adherents of maximalist organised working class, the old class struggle for fair Elections. Neoliberalism they enable the control over individuals phrase, are not related to real social and left structures (including their in a broad sense had no alternative and and how little horizontal connections of and myths about the ways revolutions with their complex diverse structure) so hard that it left only a could only be mitigated in some individuals mean to them. With such consequences. limited number of means to eliminate countries. Therefore, due to its strength networks it was easy to organise a wave The disappointment in democratic In the United States, Britain, Western itself. The dismantling of neoliberalism and rootedness, the encounter with the of protests and after a change of power mechanisms brought the old question, Europe and Japan, the situation is is not a socialist act, but a bourgeois crisis was delayed and turned out to be (a coup by order of the United States or which in 1918 was included by Rosa special. There neoliberalism has gone measure ensuring the further completely unpleasant. In 2020, this the Eurocracy) to return the mass Luxemburg in the title of her pamphlet far in influencing society. From development of society. Another thing is story has not yet been concluded. participants to their places. “Reform or Revolution”, back to life. manipulations with the help of liberal that in the process in some countries a Neoliberal doctrine and ideology Reforms over the past 40 years have institutions, it proceeded to the revival of the social state is possible. brought market and commercial Democracy in an era of been neoliberal, and therefore the word destruction of the basic norms of The era of globalisation has taught freedom to the forefront, while public crisis once more in crisis “reform” often evokes negative emotions morality and relations, not centuries- many people to view democracy as interests were pushed to the in people. In Russia, it is difficult for old, but largely cultivated in the 20th something universal. Neoliberalism has background. Under the pressure of In 2008, the time of sustainable many citizens to accept the fact that the century. Nuclear family was attacked replaced the dictatorship of neoliberal reforms, the social structures financial globalisation ended and the socio-patriotic reforms that are taking as “slavery of the patriarchy”, trade modernisation in the countries of the supporting democracy, as known in the great global economic crisis began. The place in the country are not liberal; they unions as fetters to the market, the semi-periphery and periphery of world 20th century, weakened, mass waves of crisis came one after another are not shattering, but strengthening right of the majority to laws in its capitalism. There was not much participation in them declined. People until 2020. And then it finally became society. Therefore, the question interest as the anti-democratic egoism personal freedom and public freedom in resorted to private life and the elites clear that the seeds of the anti- remains valid. of white men, discriminating minorities. them. But with neoliberalism, the local boldly practiced manipulations. The globalist alternative give rotten But this question is false. However, it Minorities themselves were nurtured elites were able to cover up their rule protest became anti-globalist with faith seedlings even in the United States: seems logical to many, as since the and helped to fragment a society in with the word democracy. The plans of in social networks and a growing Bernie Sanders withdrew from the 1980s it was suggested that there are which, as the events of 2008 – 2020 the elite of the countries of the centre mistrust of rotten parties. The criticism elections at the most dramatic moment two ways that contradict each other: a showed, no forces were found to did not include the transformation of of neoliberalism and the democracy for his people in the 21st century. seemingly tough and a seemingly soft overturn neoliberalism from the bottom part of the countries of the production that it subordinated, namely liberal Before that there was a series of one (identical to liberal democracy). In in a left, reformist or more radical way. periphery into new centres of democracy by the stars of anti- unsuccessful attempts by society to another interpretation: a progressive Without being defeated, neoliberalism development of capitalism, as globalism was spectacular. It was not influence the process in Europe. It and an opportunistic, destructive or will die from the fact that its time has candidates to play part in the core of effective, as its countercultural pathos turned out that he has no structures reactionary. Neoliberal reforms inspired passed. This is already evident in some the global economy. It was not part of did not prevent it from fitting into the and understanding of the mechanics the latter understanding, as they were parts of the world, but not obvious in the plans of the old centres that the mainstream. of their work and personal work in destructive and antisocial in nature others. However, the impossibility of local top officials should search for Not everything looked unequivocally them, lacks solidarity and everywhere. However, under the overcoming the crisis on the basis of support in the lower strata, largely due gloomy in the era preceding the 2008 – understanding of the situation. As a influence of the global crisis of 2008 - neoliberal policy is the absolute proof of to the rejection of the neoliberal course 2020 crises. When Bill Clinton came to result, the liberal elite retained 2020 at its very end, that is presently, this thesis. And then what about and reliance on social and patriotic power in the United States and Tony dominance over “democracy”. reforms of a different type are now democracy? measures. And the bold and Blair in the United Kingdom, a But liberal political constructs have becoming possible. They are associated Neo-mercantilism is independent behaviour of the highest considerable number of ordinary people become an obstacle in the fight against with the need to overcome the bureaucracy, grand bureaucracy, is felt a certain turn. In France, such a the crisis. And if in Russia and China protracted era of economic crisis and approaching absolutely perceived in Washington and feeling was created later by the victory the shift from neoliberalism to a new the resumption of a sustainable growth Brussels as a riot. in the elections of socialists led by practice neo-mercantilism started from and development. Naturally, they Left-wing intellectuals love to write But it is precisely this rebellion that Francois Hollande. In Greece by the above, without the help of republican should increase the stability of the phrases like this one: the struggle for sets the limit to neoliberalism election of the party “Syriza” and Alexis mechanisms set in motion by the states in which they are implemented social and cultural reforms, for another politically. Leaning or trying to rely on Tsipras. In practice, the turn did not people (the starting point were the and, as a result, make them stronger in world with opportunities for every the majority of the country’s population occur, everything turned into problems of economic development), international rivalry. person to creatively find themselves, to (especially in Russia), it is democratic in manipulative simulations, convenient the situation was different in the West. Reforms of a new type and dictated by be free, to control power and not be its own way, reflecting the demos’ for continuing the old course. They The manipulative liberal democracy the new era became possible. In Russia afraid to be poor, will continue and lead requests for social policy, the revival of undermined faith in the seemingly preserved the crisis, blocking attempts they have already begun and with them the world to success. In parallel, they national pride and the growth of existing democratic mechanisms. Might to change politics. Even Trump, with another social reality started to form. can criticise the national conservatism prosperity based on the patronage of the opposition have found a solution to his conservative transformation plan, But what about clichés? And what of the “right”, and talk about the the state to its market, production and the neoliberal mainstream? Wasn’t came up against the resistance of about the vulgar, but in practice benefits of diversity in society, without its mass buyer. This turn from there an alternative to the “outdated” liberal forces from the Democratic Party voluntaristic understanding of which there can be no democracy. But neoliberalism, however, is not a turn base organisations of trade unions and and its adherents in the power system. revolutions based on disappointment in truth requires adding at this point the created from below, that is, formally parties, the idea of network He could not overcome the checks and liberal democracy? story of Socrates. Athenian democracy democratic, organised not under the organisation? In the 2000s, it was balances. In the book ‘Capitalism of crises and did not at all tolerate his liberties and pressure of society, but by society itself. widely cherished in Europe and An extensive programme about which revolutions how formation epochs forced him to drink poison. His disciple In this regard, it is necessary to America. my colleagues and I in the Department alternate, new long waves are born, Plato was forced to behave more acknowledge the failure of attempts to Alas, the networks did not become of Political Economy and the History of restorations die and neomercantilism carefully with the people. In modern end neoliberalism from below in many the basis for the revival of “genuine Economic Science of the Plekhanov advances’ I devoted many pages to the realities, we must be prepared for a countries. With a firm commitment of democracy,” and faith in them only Russian University of Economics spoke complexity of such a phenomenon as democratism that is conservative in the “upper strata” to this policy, it is not helped conserve the opposition of in the report “Donald Trump and the the great modernisation revolution, as spirit. Neoliberalism has created a eliminated from above either. Even the neoliberalism. In these networks it Economic Situation” back in 2016. In well as the Great Russian Revolution. moral opposition in society, the split of the upper strata in the United rotted, telling itself from time to time another report, entitled “A Society Here, there is a unity of both foundations of which are considered States with the advent of Trump to the not to follow the way of old parties, they Without Opposition,” prepared with my revolutionary, evolutionary and traditional. White House did not lead to such a were all evil, they killed the participation in the Institute of the New reformist stages (not methods!). The liberal left is indignant about this development of events, the processes egalitarianism of a genuine popular Society, many vices of the left were Voluntarists of “revolution” will never unrighteous, in their opinion, way of were blocked. Therefore, neoliberalism movement and not to suggest designs revealed that prevented them from understand nor accept this. For them, denying globalisation and the ideas of has not yet completed its history, it instead of the people and for the people acting as the main force of all sorts of reforms of Russian or other “free trade” in all spheres of life. simply has lost economic efficiency and (all these congresses, committees and transformations. One of the problems capitalism will be a deception of the However, conservatism is very limited cannot be the basis for the exit of commissions) for in this way the true lies in the desire to apply ready-made masses, and their support will be a here. It is not very religious, since certain countries from the era of the spirit of democracy will be completely schemes to new historical conditions betrayal of the “cause of the liberation society in countries with developed great crisis. But this is not its complete ruined. As a result, the “genuine spirit” and the belief that capitalism cannot of the working people” or a reactionary markets is not very religious, and the end. existed only in imagination. have anything new in itself, nothing measure. There is no dialectic in such a protection of family values and the (www.moderndiplomacy.eu)

By Lin Taylor How could recipients of UK aid be impacted? Britain is set to suspend its target of Britain’s foreign aid cut! spending 0.7 per cent of gross Aid groups say that reducing the aid national income on development aid billion) and France ($12.2 billion). budget would harm the world’s in a spending review on Wednesday. poorest, hinder climate action and A temporary reduction in the UK’S Where does UK aid money damage Britain’s reputation as a overseas aid budget to 0.5 per cent of go? leader in international development. GDP could save about 4 billion “The UK faces real financial pounds ($5.34 billion) annually. The top five countries receiving UK challenges but cutting aid would do Hundreds of charities have warned aid in 2019 were Pakistan, Ethiopia, huge harm to the world’s vulnerable the cuts will harm poor Afghanistan, Yemen and Nigeria, with people while making little difference to communities already reeling from almost all the money going to the government’s budget overall,” said COVID-19 and could also hamper countries in Africa and Asia, Kevin Watkins, head of Save the efforts to curb climate change, with according to official data published in Children, in a statement. Britain set to host U.N. climate talks September. The World Bank said in October in 2021. Britain spent 1.5 billion pounds on that the COVID-19 pandemic could humanitarian assistance mostly in push as many as 150 million people Why is Britain Yemen, Syria and Bangladesh, into extreme poverty by the end of committed to spending government statistics showed. 2021, wiping out more than three The UK faces real financial challenges but cutting aid would do huge harm to the The U.N. describes Yemen, a poor years of progress in poverty reduction. money on aid? world’s vulnerable people country before an almost six year civil With Britain set to host next year’s In 1970, Britain pledged to spend explaining why it spends money on have exceeded the U.N. aid target war, as the world’s biggest U.N. climate summit, Greenpeace 0.7 per cent of its national income on overseas aid. including Denmark (0.71 per cent), humanitarian crisis, with 80 per cent chief John Sauven said aid cuts aid as part of a United Nations pact. Last year, Britain spent 15 billion Luxembourg (1.05 per cent), Norway of the population reliant on aid. would sour diplomatic relations It is among 30 wealthy countries pounds ($19 billion) on aid, an (1.02 per cent) and Sweden (0.99 per This year the COVID-19 pandemic, when it comes to tackling climate including Germany and Japan that increase of 645 million pounds cent), according to 2019 data by the economic decline, floods, escalating change. have vowed to meet this commitment compared to 2018 which met the 0.7 Organisation for Economic armed conflict and a severe aid “This proposal would directly hinder each year and, in 2015, Britain per cent U.N. target. Co-operation and Development funding shortage have again raised developing countries’ ability to tackle enshrined in law that 0.7 per cent of (OECD). the possibility of famine in Yemen. and adapt to the climate emergency. its income must be spent on aid. Do other countries make In terms of overall spend, the United Britain also spent around 1.4 billion But it would also sour the UK’s “Investing less than one per cent of the same 0.7 per cent States is the biggest aid donor, pound ($1.87 billion), on health diplomatic relationships in the run-up our national income in aid is creating spending $34.6 billion in 2019, projects including medical research, to the summit,” said Sauven. a safer, wealthier and more secure commitment? followed by Germany ($23.8 billion), family planning and infectious disease Thomson Reuters Foundation world,” reads a government website Yes, and in fact, several countries Britain ($19 billion), Japan ($15.5 control globally. world wednesday 2 december 2020 A9

To offset Chinese construction upstream COVID-19 drives India plans dam 40% spike in people on Brahmaputra India is considering a plan to 60 GW of hydropower capacity build a 10 gigawatts (GW) on a section of the hydropower project in a remote Brahmaputra, citing a senior eastern State, an Indian official executive. – UN said on Tuesday (1), following Yan Zhiyong, chairman of needing aid reports that China could State-owned Power construct dams on a section of Construction Corporation of The COVID-19 pandemic most fragile and vulnerable gap," Lowcock said. including Yemen, the Brahmaputra River. China, speaking at an industry has fuelled a 40 per cent countries,” he added. He said this year donors Afghanistan, northeast The river, also known as the conference, said plans to dam increase in the number of The United Nations has set gave a record USD 17 billion Nigeria, South Sudan, Yarlung Tsangbo in China, the river were a "historic people needing humanitarian out 34 humanitarian to fund humanitarian Democratic Republic of the flows from Tibet into India's opportunity". assistance around the globe, response plans covering 56 operations and data showed Congo and Burkina Faso. Arunachal Pradesh State and "Formally, we are telling them the United Nations said on countries for 2021, aiming to that aid reached 70 per cent "There is a clear and down through Assam to (the Chinese) that any project Tuesday (2), as it appealed help 160 million of what it of the people targeted. present danger of really a Bangladesh. Indian authorities you undertake, should not for roughly USD 35 billion to forecasts to be 235 million While Lowcock noted the large scale famine in Yemen are concerned Chinese projects cause an adverse impact on help many of those expected most vulnerable people USD 35 billion needed for now and the single biggest could trigger flash floods or India. They have given an to be in need next year. worldwide facing hunger, 2021 was a lot of money, he reason for that is because create water scarcity. assurance, but we don't know “If everyone who will need conflict and the impacts of said it was a "very small" some very important "The need of the hour is to how long their assurance will humanitarian aid next year climate change and the amount compared to what countries who provided a lot have a big dam in Arunachal last," Mehra said. lived in one country, it would coronavirus pandemic. rich countries have spent of assistance for our relief Pradesh to mitigate the adverse Hydro projects on Asia's great be the world's fifth largest "We always aim to reach protecting their citizens operation in 2018 and 2019 impact of the Chinese dam rivers have been a growing nation,” U.N. Aid Chief Mark about two-thirds of those in during the pandemic. have not done that in 2020 projects," T.S. Mehra, a senior source of regional tensions in Lowcock said. need because others, for Key among the concerns and those are the countries official in India's Federal Water recent years. In Southeast Asia, “The pandemic has example the Red Cross, will for Lowcock is averting of the Gulf," he said. Ministry, told Reuters. China has faced accusations a wreaked carnage across the try to meet the remaining famines in countries (Reuters) "Our proposal is under series of dams it has built on consideration at the highest the Mekong have worsened level in the Government," drought in downstream Mehra said, adding the Indian countries, which Beijing denies. plan would create a large water India would be concerned if storage capacity to offset the the Chinese built a dam around Moscow, Russia White House ready for Christmas impact of Chinese dams on a so-called "great bend", where flows. the Yarlung curves southward Diplomatic relations between before entering India and where Mass trials of India and China are at a nadir, the river gains substantial with troops locked in a border volume of water, said second COVID-19 face-off in the western Sayanangshu Modak, a Himalayas for months. researcher at the New-Delhi vaccine begins Some analysts warned that based Observer Research damming the Brahmaputra Foundation think-tank. could potentially develop into This region, however, is also another flashpoint, as Beijing's geologically unstable, making dam building activities moved potential dam construction closer to the Indian border. challenging, he said. "India is facing China's In Bangladesh, Sheikh terrestrial aggression in the Rokon, secretary general of Himalayas, maritime environment campaigners encroachments on its backyard Riverine People, said and, as the latest news is a multilateral discussion should reminder, even water wars," be held before China builds any Brahma Chellaney, a specialist dams. Russia plans to begin mass trials of its on India-China ties, said in a "China's downstream second coronavirus vaccine, EpiVacCorona, tweet. neighbours have a legitimate on people aged over 18 on Monday (30 On Monday (30 November), cause for concern. Water flow November), the RIA news agency cited the The East Room is adorned with Christmas decorations at the White House in Chinese State Media reported will be disrupted," he said. consumer health watchdog Washington, U.S., 30 November 2020 (Reuters) the country could build up to (Reuters) Rospotrebnadzor as saying. EpiVacCorona, which is being developed by Siberia's Vector Institute, was authorised this month to carry out trials on 150 volunteers over 60 and 3,000 volunteers Sydney, Australia Melbourne, Australia over 18, the watchdog has said. The trials will be conducted in Moscow After fake image posted on social media and several other cities including Kazan and Telescope maps Kaliningrad, the TASS news agency cited it as saying. deep space at Coronavirus cases have surged in Russia China asked to apologise since September, but authorities have resisted imposing a touch lockdown and Australia demanded an country’s Army said on Friday Australia's relationship with record speed have said that targeted measures are apology after a senior Chinese (27). "It is the Australian China. enough to cope with the crisis. official posted a fake image of Government who should feel In the latest in a series of Russia said earlier this month that its an Australian soldier holding ashamed for their soldiers trade sanctions, China other Sputnik V vaccine was 92 per cent a knife with blood on it to the killing innocent Afghan announced on Friday it will effective at protecting people from COVID- throat of an Afghan child, civilians," said Hua Chunying, impose temporary anti- 19 according to interim results. calling it "truly repugnant" China's Foreign Ministry dumping tariffs of up to 212.1 Authorities confirmed 26,338 new and demanding it be taken spokeswoman, when asked per cent on wine imported coronavirus cases on Monday, including down. about Morrison's comments. from Australia, a move 6,511 in Moscow and 3,691 in St Prime Minister Scott The image posted by her Canberra has labelled Petersburg, taking the national total to Morrison called a Media colleague shows people's unjustified and linked to 2,295,654 since the pandemic began. briefing to condemn the "indignation," said Hua, diplomatic grievances. Radio telescopes are seen in Murchison, Western They also reported 368 deaths in the last posting of the image, marking speaking at a regular news Zhao wrote on Twitter: Australia, Australia in this undated handout 24 hours, pushing the official death toll to another downturn in conference in Beijing on "Shocked by murder of image (CSIRO/Handout via Reuters) 39,895. (Reuters) deteriorating relations Monday. Whether it will be Afghan civilians and prisoners between the two countries. taken down is a matter by Australian soldiers. We A powerful new telescope in outback Australia The Australian government between Twitter and the strongly condemn such acts has mapped vast areas of the universe in has asked Twitter to remove Australian Government, she and call for holding them record-breaking time, revealing a million new the image, posted on Monday said. Australia's relationship accountable." galaxies and opening the way to new Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (30 November) by China's with China has deteriorated His Twitter account had discoveries, the country's national science Foreign Ministry spokesman since Canberra called for an posted the same message, but agency said on Tuesday (2). Zhao Lijian on his official international inquiry into the without the fake image of the The 188 million Australian Dollars (USD 138 War not over, Twitter account, Morrison origins of the coronavirus soldier and child, on Friday. million) radio telescope, dubbed the Australian said. pandemic. Morrison said Australia had Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder (ASKAP), "It is utterly outrageous and Earlier this month, China established a "transparent was able to map about three million galaxies in says Tigrayan cannot be justified on any outlined a list of grievances and honest" process for just 300 hours. Comparable surveys of the sky basis," Morrison said. "The about Australia's foreign investigating the allegations have taken as long as 10 years. Chinese Government should investment, national security against the accused soldiers "It's really a game changer," said astronomer forces leader be utterly ashamed of this and human rights policy, and this "is what a free, David McConnell, who led the Commonwealth The leader of Ethiopia's rebellious northern post. It diminishes them in saying Canberra needed to democratic, liberal country Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation forces said on Monday (30 November) he was the world's eyes." correct its actions to restore does". (CSIRO) study of the southern sky at the still fighting close to the regional capital of Australia has told 13 the bilateral relationship with Australia had "patiently Murchison Radioastronomy Observatory in Mekelle after it was captured by Government Special Forces soldiers they its largest trading partner. sought" to address tensions in Western Australia. troops following nearly a month of battles face dismissal in relation to Morrison said countries the relationship with China What makes this telescope unique is its wide and air strikes. an independent report on around the world were and wanted direct discussion field of view, using receivers designed by CSIRO, The war in Tigray region has killed alleged unlawful killings in watching how Beijing between ministers, he said. which allow it to take panoramic pictures of the hundreds and probably thousands, sent Afghanistan, the Head of the responded to tensions in (Reuters) sky in sharper detail than before. (Reuters) refugees into Sudan, enmeshed Eritrea, impacted a peacekeeping mission in Somalia, and heightened frictions between Ethiopia's myriad ethnic groups. In a text message to Reuters, Debretsion Seoul, South Korea Gebremichael, who heads the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), denied reports that he had fled to South Sudan and said he was Law passed to allow BTS postpone military service still resisting in Tigray. (Reuters) South Korea's Parliament on students to defer their duties up to Tuesday (1) passed a bill to allow age 28 and has granted exemptions globally recognised K-pop artists for high-profile classical musicians such as BTS to postpone their and athletes who won Olympic mandatory military service to age 30. medals or a gold at the Asian Games, All able-bodied South Korean men including Tottenham Hotspur forward aged between 18 and 28 must serve Son Heung-min. in the military for about two years as No K-pop stars had received part of the country's efforts to guard exemptions but the new bill will against North Korea. ensure entertainers recommended by The amendment to the Military the Culture Minister can defer their Service Act was designed to provide service to age 30. The oldest member exceptions for K-pop megastars who of BTS, 27-year-old Jin, is nearing improve the country's cultural status enlistment at a time when the seven- Members of South Korean K-pop band BTS, also known as Bangtan Boys, pose Tigray Regional President Debretsion and boost the economy. member boy band is rewriting K-pop on the red carpet during Mnet Asian Music Awards in Hong Kong, China, 2 Gebremichael (Reuters) South Korea allows eligible history. (Reuters) December 2016 (Reuters) A10 WEDNESDAY 2 DECEMBER 2020 FOCUS Through new business models and new technology Govt Ready To Provide Infrastructure To Expand Businesses – President President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Poultry sectors will be exempted from speaking at the Sri Lanka Economic income tax for the next five years. Summit 2020 yesterday (1), said he Improving productivity and strongly encourages the development enhancing earnings from these of new business models, adoption of sectors is critical. The private sector new technologies and platforms and must introduce new technologies improvement of infrastructure needed that enable farmers to produce more, to support productivity enhancing and to target lucrative new export transformation. markets. He added that the country’s over Encouraging wider adoption of reliance on loans must come to an organic farming and traceability end and that was why the focus of the mechanisms will help increase the Government was on fostering price of our produce internationally. investments. “We must attract more Finding new markets and investing Foreign Direct Investment and in better processing, storage, encourage more local investment to packaging, and transportation is drive our economic growth.” important, together with increasing Full text of President Gotabaya value addition through agricultural Rajapaksa’s speech: product processing. This year, with the prevailing Tax concessions will be granted for global pandemic, the Ceylon strategic investments larger than ten Chamber of Commerce has taken the million US dollars in value for commendable step of hosting this agricultural product processing, IT, Summit on a virtual platform. dairy, fabric, tourism and export During the past six weeks, the industries. Exports are being Government has focused intensively strongly encouraged through the on containing the threat posed by the removal of import taxes on required second wave of the virus. However, raw materials, machinery, and unlike in the early stages of the equipment used by direct and pandemic, a lot more is known about indirect exporters. it now. This allows us to better before my election as President. due to various reasons. Such delays for improvements in certain sectors New investment into digital balance the twin imperatives of By converging four prominent are deeply problematic because they including manufacturing. Increased infrastructure is being strongly containing the virus on the one hand technologies — social, mobile, inhibit the benefits of these projects global demand for Personal Protective encouraged. Companies in the and ensuring continued economic analytics, and cloud — we have the from reaching the people. They also Equipment has encouraged many of Information Technology space must activity on the other. We must all potential to transform the way create a negative picture about the our strong, well established make full use of these incentives to adapt to this new normal. governance works. The recent way the country operates. companies in the apparels sector to expand and seek new markets for Sri In some ways, this new normal has introduction of the Staysafe.gov.lk The Government is keen on pivot to manufacturing these Lankan talent. Companies must also had beneficial consequences. It has website to ease COVID-19 contact addressing such problems that products. invest more in IT education and forced the adoption of many new work tracing is a case in point. discourage investors. I note with I am in fact glad to note that Sri training. practices. Working from home has More broadly, the fostering of interest that our closest friend and Lanka’s export revenue in 2020 Given the fast-changing nature of been normalised for most knowledge citizen-centric digital governance will partner India is in the process of overall has fared considerably better the industry and its high earnings workers. Offices where the physical ensure that services such as setting up a digital unified single than the ongoing pandemic would potential, companies can gain presence of staff remains necessary obtaining National Identity Cards, window clearance system so that have initially led us to anticipate. enormous returns by training large are devising means to improve Passports, Birth Certificates, Death access to regulators, policymakers This is largely due to such numbers of young people in this field efficiency so that even a skeleton staff Certificates, Driving Licences, Land and facilitators will all be available at commendable efforts by our private themselves, without over-relying on can carry out work. Innovative Deeds etc., is made faster and more one point for investors. sector. Government funded institutions for technology-driven solutions have convenient to the public. Such mechanisms improve the We must also understand that the new recruits. been adopted to solve logistical The digitisation of the National speed and ease of doing business. disruption of global value chains and Vocational and technical education problems. Consumers have become Persons’ Registry in particular will They also enhance transparency and supply chains, and constraints on in general can benefit from much more familiar with using online enable a more streamlined and reduce corruption. Mechanisms to traditional manufacturing hubs, greater private sector investment, for platforms for day-to-day activities, secure process for identity monitor project implementation and create space for countries like Sri which the Budget also provides whether in accessing financial verification. This will in turn build the enable intervention when required Lanka to innovate, produce new incentives. The forced migration of services or for shopping. foundation for improved online are also important. Means of things, and enter new markets. education to digital platforms has Such changes can potentially service delivery in many other areas, introducing these are being assessed. Our rising entrepreneurs as well as shown that there are opportunities transform how economies operate including financial services and The theme of this year’s Economic established companies must seek out to be exploited in online education even after this pandemic is a thing of e-commerce. It will also greatly Summit — Roadmap for Take Off: new opportunities, moving beyond too. This is an area to which more the past. If our institutions are agile enhance the Government’s ability to Driving a People-Centric Economic their comfort zones to explore new attention can be paid by established and adapt quickly, we will see gains effectively widen the tax base, which Revival — is very appropriate for our ways to deploy their talent and companies as well as by Start Ups in productivity resulting from these will be one of the key factors in present circumstances. Several key capital. Instead of relying on our and individual entrepreneurs. changes. improving our fiscal position. economic areas have been badly geostrategic position and traditional Small and Medium Enterprises I therefore strongly encourage the A significant issue in Sri Lanka’s affected. industries alone, we must seek new and Start Ups are being encouraged development of new business models, current economic context is the The worst hit has been Tourism, frontiers for our resources. through concessionary funding adoption of new technologies and extremely high debt burden we are which usually contributes so much to Many companies in Sri Lanka have schemes and the establishment of a platforms and improvement of faced with. The large volume of our economy. Leaders in this industry proven their ability to tackle complex stronger Development Bank that infrastructure needed to support this pending debt repayments is a matter together with the medical community manufacturing in some industries. should lend based on assessments productivity enhancing of concern. It is important to stress, must set out a plan to restart tourism Their capital, management expertise, of project viability instead of transformation. Investment is also however, that Sri Lanka has always as soon as possible. This plan must and well-trained, experienced human collateral. needed in human resource met its debt obligations on time and adhere to all health protocols and resources should be deployed in new Nascent domestic industries will development to enable our workers to in full, and that we will continue to do ensure tourists have an enjoyable areas. be supported through Cess that will make the most of these changes. so. stay in Sri Lanka while remaining With the Government as an be selectively imposed. Other It must be admitted, however, that Nevertheless, our over reliance on isolated from the wider public. By enabler, the private sector must initiatives including simplifying some Government institutions may loans must come to an end. That is imposing minimum lengths of stay expand its role in the economy. It has Customs Duty and related lag behind in this regard at the why the focus of the Government is and attracting high-spending often been pointed out that the streamlining will facilitate functional moment. This is due to legacy on fostering investments. We must tourists, it should maximise earnings private sector is the engine of growth. economic improvements. A range of problems including lack of attract more Foreign Direct from tourism so that the economy However, for the private sector to capital market incentives are also infrastructure, process engineering Investment and encourage more local benefits overall. truly live up to this reputation, it being introduced to encourage and training. Changing this is one of investment to drive our economic Especially since the number of must make bold investments that investment. my key priorities. growth. With this in view, the tourist arrivals may need to be limited can potentially realise outstanding Setting the platform for a robust The very recent establishment of a Government is bringing in new laws early on, we should first reopen to the returns, instead of continually economic revival requires both the separate Ministry of Technology to fully protect investments. We are highest spending tourists we can adopting conservative, low-risk public sector and the private sector to under my direct purview is an also committed to enhancing the ease attract. This can also reposition Sri strategies. work in partnership. We must ensure important step in our overall drive of doing business in Sri Lanka so that Lanka as a destination for higher end The Government will play its part that all our initiatives in various towards digitisation. Fostering the returns on investment can be tourists, resulting in higher revenue to unleash the full potential of the sectors are guided by a shared central creation of a ‘Technology Based generated faster. generated by the industry in the long private sector so that the interests of vision and driven by clear objectives Society’ that improves services In this context, I must also note term. our people will be best served. The and actionable plans. All initiatives available to citizens whilst enabling there have been several instances of Despite its overall negative impact Budget for 2021 contains a range of undertaken by both the public and our industries to compete globally is projects, including some funded by on the economy, the current situation initiatives designed with this in mind. the private sector must contribute to a key pillar of the Vision I articulated foreign governments that have stalled has nonetheless provided an impetus The Agriculture, Fisheries and uplift our growth trajectory. wednesday 2 december 2020 b11 Debt Cause for Concern By Paneetha Ameresekere – President A significant issue in Sri Lanka’s current economic context is the ”extremely high debt be available at one point for investors. burden we are faced with,” President Gotabaya Such mechanisms improve the speed and ease Rajapaksa said on Tuesday (1). of doing business. They also enhance Speaking at the inauguration of the Ceylon transparency and reduce corruption,” the Chamber of Commerce Economic Summit, which President said. Speaking further, he said that the is being held virtually, due to the COVID-19 agriculture, fisheries and poultry sectors will be Pandemic, he said that the large volume of exempted from income tax for the next five years. pending debt repayments is a matter of concern. The private sector must introduce new Tuesday Markets “Our overreliance on loans must come to an technologies that enable farmers to produce more end. That is why the focus of the Government is and to target lucrative new export markets. on fostering investments. We must attract more Tax concessions will be granted for strategic foreign direct Investments and encourage more investments larger than US$ 10 million in value Inflationary local investment to drive our economic growth,” for agricultural product processing, IT, dairy, the President said. With this in view, the fabric, tourism and export industries. Exports are MP Up Rs 50B Government is bringing in new laws to fully being strongly encouraged through the removal of protect investments. “We are also committed to import taxes on required raw materials, By Paneetha Ameresekere enhancing the ease of doing business so that machinery, and equipment used by direct and returns on investment can be generated faster,” indirect exporters. he said. Fostering the creation of a ‘Technology Based Government of Sri Lanka’s (GoSL’s) “Our closest friend and partner India is in the Society’ that improves services available to demand pull inflationary face value money process of setting up a digital unified single citizens whilst enabling our industries to compete printing (FVMP) debt sharply increased by window clearance system so that access to globally is a key pillar of the Vision I articulated Rs 50 billion due to insufficient revenue, regulators, policymakers and facilitators will all before my election as President. therewith increasing its total FVMP debt by 8.80 per cent to Rs 618,122.22 million yesterday. GoSL’s FVMP debt has been above Rs 0.5 trillion for a record twenty-first consecutive To get rid of the country’s debt crisis market day in its second dispensation to BOC’s AT1 Capital Perpetual yesterday, after only a day’s ‘respite’ on 2 November when it went below the Rs half- Bonds snapped up on opening day Domestic borrowings a-trillion mark, then. ‘Spot next,’ the current ‘popular’ foreign exchange (FX) market instrument since are our priority Monday because of strictures on the benchmark ‘spot’ imposed by the Central - CBSL Governor Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) and the GoSL as By Ishara Gamage the key FX market instrument, fell for the third consecutive market day yesterday, Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL), Prof. W. D. this time by between 20 to 30 cents in two Lakshman stated that Sri Lanka is looking for a way out of the way quotes, to be trading at US$ 186.10/40 debt crisis by giving priority to domestic borrowings. to the US dollar in two way quotes due to Addressing the two-day, Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC) uncertainty and insecurity fuelled by Fitch organized, Sri Lanka Economic Summit which commenced in Ratings’ junk grade downgrading of Sri Colombo yesterday (01), he emphasized that Sri Lanka was not a Lanka to ‘CCC’ on Friday (27), market Debt-trap nation as pointed out in the Media. sources told Ceylon FT. “We are trying to increase the domestic debt composition of In the three market days to yesterday, our national debt. In addition, we are not trying to rely on foreign ‘spot next,’ has fallen steeply by Rs 1.20 debt. We can easily roll over the domestic debt by using the (0.65 per cent) in two way quotes and in the CBSL money printing, powers, “he said. calendar year to date it has fallen sharply “Those who argue for so-called ‘debt restructuring’ or ‘debt by between Rs 4.80 and Rs 5.00 (2.65 per re-profiling’ must realise that this means reforms of austerity.” cent-2.76 per cent) in two way quotes. According to his view, Sri Lanka is already undergoing some Strictures on the ‘spot’ is to cut down on austerity, but on our terms. This is evident when the ongoing GoSL‘s FX commitments in rupee terms, Bank of Ceylon successfully raised entrepreneurship and investment programme of import compression is considered. but that worked to the advantage of foreign Rs 10 billion through the issuance of within the country. He believes that, Sri Lanka is introducing ground-breaking investors exiting from the Treasury Bills Basel III Compliant, Unlisted, Rated, This will largely benefit retail to reforms to improve the domestic production economy, enhance and T-Bond market, as such deal in ‘spot’, Unsecured, Subordinated, Perpetual, large scale private and public sector exports and reduce foreign debt dependence. making it less costlier for them to buy their Additional Tier 1 (AT1) Capital bonds enterprises to improve their “It is commendable that Sri Lanka is following this approach dollars when exiting from such a market. with a non-viability full and businesses and eventually contribute without being prompted by any foreign agency, while continuing ‘Spot’ trades are settled after two market permanent write down at an issue towards the country’s overall to honour all its financial obligations,” he said. days from the date of transaction and in the price of Rs 100 each on 1 December, economic performance. He also said that he has more faith in foreign non-debt case of ‘spot next,’ it’s three. Meanwhile, net 2020. The AT 1 capital perpetual bonds creating sources and that he is more confident in foreign direct excess liquidity increased by Rs 50,170 The initial issue of Rs 3 billion was are not listed on the Colombo Stock investment (FDI) than short-term portfolio investments. million (27 per cent) to Rs 235,975 million oversubscribed by more than three Exchange and are confined to He said the Government would give more priority to the real yesterday. times on its opening day and the bank qualified investors. sector development of the country’s economy next year. The real decided to close it on the same day. The bonds are irredeemable and sector of an economy is the sectors that produce goods and Commenting on the issuance, the may be callable by the Bank at its services. According to his forecast, the domestic to foreign share bank’s General Manager, D.P.K. discretion at any time after five years of debt will 60 to 40 in 2021 from 55 to 45 in 2020. Gunasekera said this was the bank’s from the date of issue subject to “This year we have reduced imports by four billion dollars second AT 1 capital perpetual bond approval of the Central Bank of Sri which is equal to total debt repayment,” he said. Shares record issue during this year and the Lanka. See page B-13 for the full story oversubscription of this issuance The bonds carry a floating interest highlights the strong confidence the rate of Weighted Average 12 months a new 2 1/2 – investors have placed on all aspects of Net Treasury Bill rate + 1.50% p.a. the bank’s performance. with a floor rate of 9.00% p.a. The He also thanked the bank’s bonds are rated AA (hyb) by ICRA Cabinet to appoint committee to year high customers and investors for their Lanka Ltd. confidence shown in the strength, This bond issue was approved by investigate delay at Grand Hyatt By Mario Andree stability and growth prospects of the the Securities and Exchange bank. Commission of Sri Lanka and Central Blames irregular The Colombo Stock Exchange began the “Being a domestic systemically Bank of Sri Lanka. last month of this year on a positive note important bank that has an innate The Managers and the Registrars for with the bullish run continuing for the responsibility towards maintaining the issuance was the Investment appointments by former sixth consecutive session on Tuesday (01) the financial stability and economic Banking Division of Bank of Ceylon. as the benchmark index gained to record development of Sri Lanka the Bank Bank of Ceylon has a legacy of Government for losses a new two-and-a half-year high on a looks forward to utilize these funds enriching the lives of Sri Lankans for By Mario Andree higher turnover despite continued foreign towards financially boosting the over eight decades. With well over Rs. eixts. priority sectors of the country whilst 2 Trillion in assets, BOC is the owner The Government has decided to appoint a committee to look The benchmark All Share Price Index strengthening the Tier 1 capital and of the highest asset base owned by a into the delays that have occurred at the Grand Hyatt Hotel. (ASPI) gained 1.18 per cent (73.70 points) enhancing the Single Borrower single business entity of Sri Lankan The project is being implemented by Sino Lanka (Pvt) Ltd., to close at 6,317.46points, its highest exposure limit encouraging origin. which is a subsidiary of the Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation, since 14 June 2018, while the more liquid Employees’ Provident Fund and Litro Gas Lanka Ltd. S&P SL20 gained 1.80 per cent (44.05 The Grand Hyatt Hotel was scheduled to open during the first points) to close at 2,497.92 points. quarter of 2016, but was delayed after the previous Government The daily turnover at the CSE stood at appointed new board members to Sino Lanka (Pvt) Ltd. Rs 2.5 billion, higher than the Rs 2.4 PABC records best ever 9-month results According to a document submitted by Prime Minister billion recorded the previous market day. Mahinda Rajapaksa in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, More than 111.89 million shares Pan Asia Banking Corporation PLC tax profit of Rs 1,250.33 million, the appointments made to the company following the 2015 changed hands during 25,372 trades. reported the best ever financial results recording an impressive growths of 47% presidential election were done without any justifiable reason. Shares of 273 companies were traded, of in the 9 month period ended 30 and 22% respectively demonstrating It said the new board members had entered into agreements which 157 emerged winners ahead of 47 September 2020 to report a Pre-tax resilience amidst challenging with new contractors for work to continue, which has ultimately losers. profit of Rs 1,864.84 million and a Post conditions. Read Full story on B-14 resulted in delays. Several companies had initiated legal Foreigners were sellers for the fifth proceeding against Sino Lanka (Pvt) Ltd as a result and it was consecutive session on Tuesday (01). Net decided that the company would pay Rs 1.8 billion as foreign outflow during the day amounted compensation. to Rs 76 million, as foreigners sold stocks Rajapaksa also told Cabinet that the project, which was worth Rs 160 million as against Phase 5 of the Jaya container Terminal Commences estimated to cost Rs 30 billion initially, has been re-estimated to purchases worth Rs 84 million. cost Rs 60 billion. Taking into the facts presented by the PM into The top ten gainers during the day were The construction of the phase five of be completed by July 2022. The total consideration, the Cabinet agreed to appoint a special committee Standard Capital, Beruwela Resorts, the Jaya Container Terminal (JCT) of Sri value of this project is US$ 32 million. to investigate if the Government had incurred a financial loss as Aitken Spence Hotel Holdings, Blue Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) The consultancy for the project is to be it appears that many irregularities had taken place during the Diamonds, Dialog Finance, Pegasus commenced on 01.12.2020, adding a provided by the Contract and Planning period from 2015 to 2019. Hotels, Hotel Corporation, Amaya Leisure, new chapter to the history of Sri Lanka’s Engineering Division of the Sri Lanka The iconic Grand Hyatt project was stalled for years without Serendib Hotels (non-voting) and ports and shipping industry. Ports Authority (SLPA). The construction any development taking place after 2015 but at a staggering Tangerine. Development of Jaya Container company for the project is China Harbor cost. Rs 22 billion has been incurred when only 53% of the work Top ten losers were Agalawatte, Terminal (JCT) commenced in March Engineering Company Ltd (CHEC). had been reported as completed. Durdans (non-voting), Paragon, 1983. Accordingly, the first phase of the The construction of Phase five of the In the Employees’ Provident Fund’s (EPF’s) of Sri Lanka’s 2016 Udapussellawa, e-Channelling, Sathosa terminal was opened in 1985, the second Jaya Container Terminal (JCT) will add annual report, which was released during the latter part of 2018, Motors, Durdans, Laugfs Power, Equity phase in 1987, the third phase in 1995 a number of advantages to operations of the Attorney General flagged the project as the delayed project Two and Kelsey. and the fourth phase in 1996. Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) and the affecting the profitability of South Asia’s largest private sector Phase five of the JCT, is scheduled to Port of Colombo. workers’ pension fund. B12 Ceylon FT wednesday 2 december 2020 economy

Sri Lanka Economic Summit 2020 External Sectors Reshaped For New Normal

The much-awaited, Sri Lanka well as at a level of sectoral detail, with Economic Summit kicked off yesterday. the high offices of the President, the The Chief Guest was President Prime Minister and the Task Force for – Dr. Wijayasuriya Gotabaya Rajapaksa. The Summit was Economic Revival and Poverty A Nexus of Public and Private themed ‘Roadmap for Take-off: Driving Alleviation. has signalled its commitment to a Sector Contributions a People Centric Economic Revival’. External-Internal Inter-Play: Programmatic approach to delivery This year’s Summit is held for the first A quantum acceleration of the and performance management. The time in its 20-year history using a Challenging Terrain for Vertical economy will require a synchronisation Chamber’s Acceleration framework virtual format in compliance with the Take-off of public and private sector inputs. highlights the state ministry structure country’s health guidelines. Chairman The first two sessions of the The application of policy levers will as a vehicle to demonstrate the value of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce Dr. economic summit will focus on the need moving Government of granular delivery tracking and pan- Hans Wijayasuriya delivered the external and internal dimensions of contributions to the acceleration of the ministry harmonisation. welcome address. post Covid-19 economic recovery. On economy. Winning in an Era of Exponential His opening speech was as follows: the global front assumptions and Infrastructure investments will The 2020 edition of the summit is expectations continue to be disrupted. remain foundational. Prevailing fiscal Change themed “Road Map for Take-off: Responses of governments, markets challenges will however call for the The future which frames our Driving a People Centric Economic and trading blocks to the multiple deployment of innovative and economic resurgence represents an Revival”. The Chamber is honoured waves of the pandemic, present a optimised financing mechanisms era of exponential change – the rules of that the summit has brought together volatile external environment. including, but not limited to, Public global competitiveness will be a galaxy of policymakers, experts, In Sri Lanka’s context, the runway Private Partnerships and specialised redefined, opening up a phenomenal business leaders and international for take-off is by no means a straight infrastructure financing instruments. opportunity for smaller and agile thought leaders, to deliberate on the line nor smooth terrain among others, The motivation and up scaling of nations. short run take-off and accelerated the balancing act between growth and private sector risk participation will Three Mega Trends in particular will growth thereafter, of the Sri Lankan debt will remain a call-out for a precise also be a pivotal ingredient in the have a defining influencing on this Economy. navigation. enabling of growth, and should be future. Post-COVID Economic Revival– Equally, the synchronisation of key facilitated via appropriate partnership The First Megatrend - the 4th policy levers across fiscal, monetary, mechanisms Industrial revolution is centred on the Public-Private Shared Vision investment, industrial and social High Return on Deploying Policy democratisation and exponential The Year 2020 and the Covid-19 development spheres will be pivotal in broadening of the affordability and pandemic have inflicted on our nation securing stability while achieving Levers availability of technologies such as and the world at large, - economic, accelerated growth. From among the We believe that the judicious Cloud, Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, social and life impacts of recovery levers, FDI and Export growth application of the policy levers 5th Generation Networks and the unprecedented proportion. Sri Lanka will be pivotal and have been duly available to Government will deliver Internet of Things. in particular was on the cusp of prioritised in the Budget 2021. disproportionate returns. Efficient and Technology applied correctly has the recovery from the Black Swan event of Doubling down on Internal timely execution of Mega Projects power to bridge asymmetries in Easter 2019 only to be faced with the would also move the needle. opportunity, eliminate disparities in Covid-19 crisis. Development Levers Productivity and Efficiency will be the access to basic human rights such The Chamber has espoused the view While the dynamics of external pivotal in converting Policy in to as information, education and health that an accelerated post-COVID economic levers remain uncertain, accentuated by the impacts of the execution and ultimately in the and in turn flatten the rich-poor recovery will be predicated on the building our own certainty leveraging COVID-19 pandemic. delivery of growth. gradient – a pre-requisite for the effective execution of a Public-Private internal resources is a fundamental An 84 billion dollar economy Pre- Through successive editions of the smooth “take-off’ of a multi-faceted Shared Vision for Economic Revival tenet of accelerated economic revival. COVID, we are likely to close 2020 at acceleration framework the chamber economic revival. These technological and Social Sustenance. The centre of gravity therefore shifts 80 billion USD. Our economic growth has stressed the need for Policy and advancements will also provide the It is a vision based on three founding towards the competitiveness of before and through the COVID-19 Reform agendas with respect to Trade, opportunity for smaller nations to principles: domestic industries. crisis ranks among the lowest in the Labour, Public Sector and SOEs, catch up with the legacy dominions First, People Centricity: Primacy for The reconfiguration of global trade SAARC region, indicative in absolute Capital Markets and Targeted Welfare and likewise for single country the Protection of Life and Livelihoods and the re-emergence of local and relative terms of the confines of among others. It is encouraging to see businesses to reach out and be whereby Sri Lanka’s Employment, commerce will no doubt create the middle income trap, a condition positive movement on several of these globally competitive. Human Development and Socio- opportunity for nations and companies prevalent over the past several years. dimensions within the policy agenda of Technology advancement with Economic indicators are secured as an to punch above their weight through We therefore have on one hand the the government. respect to connectivity, digitisation immediate priority. the leverage of skills, technologies and challenge of achieving vertical take-off Empowering Take-off – The Role of and automation will enable the second Second, the ambition of a V Shaped- enabling policy environments. from the fulcrum of the COVID-19 megatrend – the Power of Eco-Systems Take-off. This year’s Economic Summit downturn while on the other, having to Government and Pervasive Globalisation. Third, the need and appetite for includes sessions focused on navigate an escape from the middle The role of government and the Increasingly, the competitiveness of exceptional, bold and innovative upgrading value addition via a shift income trap. efficacy of its delivery will be pivotal to individuals, businesses and nations measures which include exceptional towards local resourcing and the Achieving both these objectives while the achievement of the vertical take-off would depend not only on singular stimuli, restraint and calibration to leveraging of advanced and inclusive operating within a very tight fiscal we aspire to. strengths but more on the power and enable the regeneration of growth. Digital Technologies. space and perfecting the balancing act The battle against COVID-19 has competitiveness of the physical and The principles of people centricity The summit will also discuss the between growth and debt is a multi- demonstrated the Systemised Capacity virtual eco - systems of which they are and the bold ambition of Accelerated transformation of the Agriculture faceted challenge that the Private of the Government and Public Sector. a part. The future will be one where the Take-off are embodied in the theme for sector which has rightly received Sector and Public sector needs to This capacity and potential spans large cannot flourish without the small this year’s summit. pivotal focus from the government, embrace together. process, systems and people. The and it is always more profitable to Private Sector an Equal Partner and provides livelihoods for nearly A Framework for Economic expectation of the government would include rather than exclude. 25% of the population. be to convert this systemised capacity Which leads to the Third Mega Trend in Economic Revival While the narrative on food security Acceleration and potential into the delivery of a step which will guide businesses towards It is our view that the Private Sector reshapes global supply chains with a The Ceylon Chamber has recently change in economic value creation. an inclusive and Sustainable form of is an equal partner in securing an tilt towards domestic sufficiency, the completed the Post-COVID edition, of A parallel call on government would Capitalism – Stakeholder Capitalism accelerated economic recovery. country needs to resolve pre-pandemic the Sri Lanka Economic Acceleration be for a high degree of commitment as espoused by the World Economic Sri Lanka’s private sector has been issues in the sector such as Framework (SEAF)- which envisions towards the strengthening of fiscal and Forum. This thesis negates the quick to transform, commencing with transportation and storage leveraging reaching a growth rate of 7% within 3 monetary disciplines, maintenance of contradiction between Capital growth employment preservation via on smart technologies to boost years leading to the transformation of macro stability and the elevation of motives and Social Development adjustment of production and service production and limit wastage. A key the 84 billion US Dollar economy in sector competitiveness alongside a outcomes – which points to the portfolios alongside the retraining and parallel outcome will be the revitalising 2019 to a 127.5 billion US Dollar progressive approach to global market eminence of a people centric approach redeployment of human capital. Equal of the village economy as a catalyst of Economy in 2026. access. to economic revival. focus was directed at re-engineering bottom up stability. The SEAF is the output of 17 Staying the course of fiscal Consolidating and Pivoting on Supply and Value chains with primacy Citizen centricity and digital committees within the chamber eco- consolidation will be pivotal in for domestic supply eco-systems and inclusion will remain in focus across system comprising more than 100 maintaining positive sentiments of Fundamental Strengths the sustenance of SMEs. these development levers, while economists, analysts and sector Global Rating agencies as well as in Maintaining a resolute focus on It is imperative that Sri Lanka’s shifting the centre of gravity in the leaders, and encompasses without motivating foreign direct investments people centricity, it is important to private sector continues to be direction of domestic production and limitation the dimensions of which together will bolster the sources pivot on our fundamental strengths of competitive and agile and continues to resourcing, will recalibrate outflows to quantitative targets, policy reform, and cost of capital requirements to which there are many - not least our expand employment opportunities. be more in synchronsation with sectoral focus, transformation and drive growth. strategic location and hub potential, The private sector has demonstrated inflows, governance. Therefore, and not withstanding resilience, and a human development that leading the resurgence as opposed External Sectors-Reshaped Quantum Shift in Fiscal, External post-COVID imperatives, we look and competitiveness ranking relative to hoping for brighter externalities can forward to a recommitment of to South Asian peers. These strengths deliver transformative results. for the new normal and Socio-Economic Indicators government focus towards the should bolster our efforts to enhance The chamber is confident that the Equal emphasis needs to be applied The acceleration framework recalibration of public sector our competitiveness and accelerate Private Sector will continue to to external sectors in preparation for envisions quantum improvements in expenditure, the empowerment and up economic growth. transform ahead of the curve and the progressive relaxation of travel and primary macro and fiscal indicators skilling of the civil service, a concerted The economy is what business thereby form a cornerstone of the trade restrictions. A topic addressed at such the Primary Balance, Budget effort towards SoE reform and Public nation’s economic revival. this year’s summit will be the Deficit and Tax Revenue as a Private Partnerships as modalities of makes of it Post-COVID Outcomes – resurgence of Tourism within the percentage of GDP. The Economic capital mobilisation. The future of our economy as well as context of the new normal with specific Acceleration Framework also We acknowledge that the Prime our nation will be what we make of it. Emboldening Results focus on the resurgence of livelihoods addresses uplifting External Sector Minister will flag off the keynote We are born to a nation blessed with The challenges faced by the country across the tourism value chain. indicators such as the export-import session on “Empowering Take-off” – a world class talent. We have in our and economy are singularly The transition of the remarkable balance, Reserves in months of discourse centred on Efficient midst Large, Medium and Small un-precedented. In this context, we recovery trajectory of the export eco- exports, and FDI and Current account Government and re-envisioning the Enterprises who in their own right, are congratulate the government on the system to a sustainable long-term balance as a percentage of GDP. role of State Owned Enterprises on the global, regional and domestic management of the economy through growth gradient remains of In addition to fiscal and external fabric of the national economy. champions. Also a private sector which these exceptional times – in particular overarching importance, in order for sector indicators, the acceleration We are confident that an Efficient has collectively weathered many waves the structured approach underlying our economy to reach the cruising framework also defines holistic and revitalised government machinery of economic, political and external the country’s Economic Revival altitudes of 7% growth within the next resurgence to include the securing of in combine with Private sector turmoil and has consistently bounced framework. 5 years. an elevated position in terms of positivism can rapidly energise back to a trajectory of growth. Specifically, the calibration of Export Export growth will be predicated on Human and Social Development business confidence locally, as well as We now enjoy the foundational and Import trajectories has enabled the flow through of domestic Indices relative to our regional and globally among foreign direct investors security of a strong and stable stability with respect to macro production outcomes to the global peers, while in parallel achieving – in combine setting a fresh trajectory government as well as strong signals of indicators such as the trade deficit, competitiveness of the nations’ a step change in Reputational and for economic growth in the years policy consistency and continuity as balance of payments, currency and external facing manufacturing and Confidence metrics such as Global ahead. espoused in Budget 2021. reserves ratios. services sectors. The protection and Competitiveness Index, Ease of Doing A Holistic Framework for Inclusive We may have been bruised by the A Sharp Export Recovery to levels on refreshing of the inward remittance Business Index and the Global Twin Shocks of the Easter 2019 par with the previous year stands flow through the diversification of Innovation Index. Economic Acceleration attacks and the COVID-19 pandemic testimony to the resilience of our knowledge service exports will also be Focus on Balanced Sectoral Growth The Chamber’s view of a sustainable in quick succession, but now need to export sectors, and the effectiveness of pivotal in bolstering the growth curve. acceleration framework is a holistic capitalise on the Twin Positives of Low the revival strategies adopted by the Economic Revival and Middle Our view is that at a sectoral level, one spanning the vertical, horizontal Interest Rates and Budget 2021 government and the private sector. It is sustainability calls for balanced and overarching dimensions of growth incentives. emboldening to see the recovery of Income Escape – A Two- Pronged growth overall with much significance sectoral, enabling and policy levers. The call of the hour is therefore to both traditional and non-traditional Challenge being directed at Sectors in focus in This matrix anchors the Chamber’s have no forbearance for despondence. exports and the diversification of the Today we stand at an important the new normal. discourse with Government as part As the engine of growth of the Sri export basket which augurs well for juncture in our nation’s economic and Sectoral growth will be dependent on and parcel of its ethos of a private- Lankan Economy, we need to be the period ahead. social trajectory. Our concern for our the establishment of fundamental public shared vision for accelerated resolute in our commitment to The Chamber is appreciative of the nation’s economy, and therefore the enablers such as energy, digitisation economic revival. remobilise a growth trajectory and to opportunity provided to share its views long-term well-being of our people are and SME facilitation. Through the institution of a network lead the solution, rather than take both at a macro and national level, as reflective of economic realities, of “State-Ministries”, the Government refuge in being part of the problem. Economy wednesday 2 december 2020 Ceylon FT b13 Sri Lanka Economic Summit SL ready to settle all its financial obligations – CBSL Governor

Driving a people-centric economic the predominant component in the revival became the major concern of debt portfolio. It can be shown this year’s Sri Lanka Economic through alternative indicators that Summit which commenced virtually even foreign debt is more manageable yesterday. Given below is the full than doomsayers indicate. The ratio extract of the Central Bank of Sri The need of the of Government’s foreign non- Lanka Governor Prof. W.D Lakshman’s hour is to develop concessional debt to GDP is around speech delivered at the opening 23 per cent, and the remainder is session of the Summit. the Real Sector – to either domestic debt that can be International financial organisations, rolled over or long term concessional rating agencies, many analysts in revive our financing. The annual foreign debt mainstream economics, and obviously, industries, expand service payments as a percentage of the political opposition are depicting a export earnings and remittances bleak outlook for Sri Lanka. We have our businesses, and stand at around 12 per cent in our qualms about such negative shift the focus ‘businessas-usual’ years such as prognoses. It was totally unexpected 2018. With the adoption of a fiscal and unfortunate that a government away from imports, consolidation path from 2021 and elected to power on an ‘alternative the increased emphasis on domestic policy platform’, soon after announcing whenever it is debt when it comes to financing its package of tax policy, had to face doable and budget deficits, the aforementioned the challenges of the spread of COVID- indicators will improve further. The 19. The newly elected President had effective. This will fears surrounding debt sustainability the political strength emanating from indeed appear unfounded. people’s support, but the challenges of contribute to not The other aspect of the economy to COVID-19 had to be met without a only the recovery be noted here concerns import Parliament in the initial period of restrictions, foreign trade, and spread of the virus, from mid-March of the economy but foreign economic relations. Import 2020 until Parliamentary elections also strengthen its restrictions on non-essential goods were held in August. working along with low oil prices The government’s efforts to contain resilience to shocks have provided the country with a the spread of the virus, particularly the saving of US Dollars 4 billion import island-wide lockdown from mid-March like these. While expenditure in 2020. This saving is 2020, completely relaxed by mid-May, the ongoing second almost equivalent to the foreign produced rather quick results. During currency debt service payments we the lockdown, essential economic wave of COVID-19 settled during the year. Iimport activities, particularly in rural areas, restrictions have also provided an were allowed to continue, while the appears to be a opportunity for our local enterprises affected families and businesses were stumbling block to to gather steam within the domestic provided with required fiscal and market and to evaluate possibilities Prof. W.D. Lakshman monetary support. The pandemic the economy’s rapid of expansion abroad – a mechanism provided valuable opportunities as second-quarter performance would managed in such a way the domestic recovery, we believe used in all successful growth stories well, to enable the authorities to have been worse but the GDP to foreign component of the debt will of the world. commence and proceed with envisaged estimates for any period after the first- become 55:45 in 2020 to 60:40 in that with its Those who argue for so-called ‘debt changes in some of the established quarter are not yet available. High 2021. This and the stated policy of not restructuring’ or ‘debt reprofiling’ economic policy practices. All this frequency data indicate a strong pursuing foreign debt-creating public containment, the must realise that this means reforms resulted in a notable recovery in recovery in many areas of economic investments will make government economy will record of austerity. In my view, Sri Lanka is economic activities as from June. By activity in the third-quarter, prior to debt more manageable. The already undergoing some austerity, the third-quarter of 2020, most the resurgence of COVID-19 infections commitment to reduce the budget a sharp rebound in but on our terms. This is evident economic activities, including exports, and resultant containment measures deficit over the medium term to 4% by the not-so-distant when the ongoing programme of transport, construction, shipping, starting from October 2020. As in the 2025 remains. The external sector import compression is considered. In power generation and financial case of statistical agencies worldwide, which was severely affected at the future as it did my view, Sri Lanka is introducing services, rebounded noticeably to pre- the Department of Census and initial stages of the pandemic, marked ground-breaking reforms to improve COVID levels, in addition to Statistics, is perhaps grappling with a notable rebound in the third-quarter. after the first wave the domestic production economy, agriculture related activities, the identification of suitable statistical The trade balance improved with a by the end of May/ enhance exports and reduce foreign communication services, goods apparatus to properly measure value perceptible increase in merchandise debt dependence. It is commendable distribution, and public services, added in economic activities that have exports. The external sector stability early June that Sri Lanka is following this which were less disrupted even in the undergone significant structural was facilitated by selective restrictions approach without being prompted by second-quarter. changes and the increasing emergence on imports and on financial outflows. any foreign agency, while continuing The disturbances caused in the of new ways of doing things during Low global petroleum prices helped. to honour all its financial obligations. fourth-quarter with the rise of the these COVID-19 affected times. The unexpected rebound in workers’ The need of the hour is to develop second wave of COVID 19 from Compilation work has also become remittances since June 2020 helped the Real Sector – to revive our October continue to hamper revival of challenging with social distancing and cushioning the impact of the sharp emerge as a stronger and more industries, expand our businesses, the economy. However, lockdowns office closures weighing negatively on decline in earnings from tourism. resilient economy in 2021 and to and shift the focus away from during this phase have been less response rates and the accuracy of Gross official reserves remained at begin to progress on a high growth imports, whenever it is doable and widespread and therefore, the severity surveys. The Central Bank of Sri adequate levels, and a stable exchange path thereafter. COVID-19 has made effective. This will contribute to not of the economic impact is expected to Lanka (CBSL) had to be innovative in rate could be maintained, while the us gain firsthand experience about only the recovery of the economy but be less during this second wave. Fiscal its forecasts and other analytical work Central Bank purchasing foreign the gravity of what Ian Goldin and also strengthen its resilience to and monetary stimulus measures will in this data absence, constantly exchange from the domestic market. Mike Mariathasan call the butterfly shocks like these. While the ongoing help ensure that the adverse economic generating alternative statistics in Uncertainties surround the growth defect of globalisation in their recent second wave of COVID-19 appears to impact of the second wave is short response to these unusual and stability of the economy in the book titled The Butterfly Defect: How be a stumbling block to the economy’s lived, particularly with the likelihood of circumstances. Using some real-time fourth-quarter, although we are better Globalization Creates Systemic Risks, rapid recovery, we believe that with its trying out some experimental indicators, the CBSL released a brief prepared to face this second wave with showing how a virus, having gained containment, the economy will record measures in the most heavily affected presentation in late September with the experience of successfully pandemic proportions, could keep on a sharp rebound in the not-so-distant sector, namely tourism. Political evidence of the economy’s recovery in containing the first wave. crippling economies across the world future as it did after the first wave by stability conditions are strong, leading the third-quarter of the year as a result In any case, the spread of COVID-19 for over a year. This butterfly defect the end of May/early June. We hope to policy consistency and coherence, of the resumption of economic activity, remains largely concentrated within has paved the way for us to engage in our Chambers of Commerce will also pushing up investor confidence. having successfully combatted the Western Province, which introspection about our economy and encourage their members, whether in Investments of private capital, both COVID19.Inflation remained broadly contributes as much as about half of economic policy. From the inception production or service sectors, to move domestic and foreign, are expected to within the target range of 4-6 per cent the country’s GDP, but unlike in the of this Government in late 2019, away from the traditional ‘buying and begin expansion. Despite the spill- thus far during 2020, as demand time of the first wave, the lockdowns there has been a conviction to create selling’ mindset. To put it in different overs of global and domestic conditions remained subdued and are imposed in the Province selectively a production economy. The words, it is time the country moves up disruptions stemming from the there were supply side improvements by Police divisions. Economic activity government’s initiatives to expand from conditions of merchant capital COVID-19 pandemic, the Government in domestic production. Inflation is in the Province is not fully shut down, the productive potential of the dominance to those of industrial is steadfastly progressing with its expected to remain in this range over although this seems to make the economy through encouraging home- capital dominance. An approach to agenda of socio-economic the medium term. CBSL could containment of the pandemic more grown industries, Large as well as generate profits through improving development. maintain an accommodating monetary difficult. Furthermore, as lockdowns Small and Medium Enterprises value addition in production The Budget presented on 17 of policy stance, thus helping affected are imposed again selectively in the (SMEs) spanning from agriculture processes is urgently needed. November 2020 has affirmed the businesses and providing conditions rest of the country the bulk of the and fisheries to motor vehicle We have the opportunity to shape Government’s commitment to a for business revival with the country outside the Western Province assembly and shipbuilding would the direction of our economy. These people-centric economic policy. The withdrawal of lockdowns. Low interest is open for relatively undisturbed enable the country to sustain a high circumstances give us an opportunity policy framework highlighted in the rate regime continues, with enhanced economic activity. All these factors are pace of growth in the medium to for alternative thinking through Budget statement points towards market liquidity, and also facilitating likely to reduce the negative effects on long-run. Undertaking this broad retrospection and introspection. As several novel alternative features. government expenditure programmes economic growth during the period of and widespread array of structural the global economy is undertaking the Domestic ‘production economy’ has necessitated by COVID-19 pressures. the second wave of the pandemic reforms in a manner similar to a ‘Great Reset,’ we also must take this taken the centre stage. Domestic Spill-over effects of easy monetary outbreak. developmental state may equip Sri opportunity to reset our thinking and production activities are promoted, policy on the balance of payments were Globally also, the promising Lanka to become an economic our perspectives. In the current fiscal with directed attention paid to selected prevented by measures to manage outcomes in relation to COVID-19 success story, following the manner and monetary environment, there lie a economic sectors, with a clear focus on foreign exchange flows, thus, vaccines have presented hope for all, of many of its East Asian peers in the myriad of opportunities for every one export as well as domestic markets. safeguarding the country’s external and commercial production and latter part of the last century. of us, be it in the field of agriculture or The recent comment of the World economic stability. equitable distribution of the proven There are two aspects of the technology, education or finance, Bank Country Director for Maldives, In the fiscal sector, government vaccines will help boost local and economy which I am obliged to touch commercial or socioeconomic well- Nepal and Sri Lanka Faris Hadad- revenue was affected, as expected, by global growth prospects in the period upon considering the controversies being. On the back of Budget 2021, Zervos, after his recent visit about ‘a the policy guided reduction in taxes ahead. A favourable domestic surrounding them. Firstly, the the economy will embark on a fresh growing understanding of the Sri and the drop in economic activity level. development, as Media reported, is arguments that Sri Lanka’s fiscal start, leaving behind the various Lankan sustainable development The Budget for 2021 maintains the low the collaboration between allopathic deficits have been excessive and that structural weaknesses that had been storyline and aspirations’ is tax regime. Government expenditure and Ayurvedic segments of medicine its debt levels are at unmanageable crippling it for many decades. As we encouraging. The current diversified in 2020 went up due to outstanding in the country to test and experiment levels. Let me attempt to expand on reorient our economic strategy and World Bank portfolio in Sri Lanka has bills brought forward from the the viability of medicines presented this aspect in terms of alternative focus on elevating the economy to an been noted as consisting of 19 ongoing previous year, in addition to large by the latter group. thinking in economic theory. Several innovative production economy, let projects with total commitment value expenses necessitated by demands of While 2020 may be a lacklustre countries including Japan, me reiterate the need for one and all of US $ 3.65 billion. COVID-19. The budget deficit in 2020 year for Sri Lanka, guided by the Singapore, and the United States to partake not only through The Sri Lanka economy was is relatively high at 7.9 per cent of GDP Budget 2021 and the farsighted array have debt levels far exceeding their investments but also knowledge provisionally estimated to have and for 2021 it is expected to increase of policy measures put in place by GDP. Firstly, this shows that even transfers, enhanced productivity, contracted by 1.6 per cent in the first- to 8.9 per cent of GDP with higher CBSL and the Government, Sri such high levels of debt could be and simply through challenging the quarter of 2020, year-on-year. The public investment. Public debt will be Lanka possesses the potential to sustainable when domestic debt is status quo. b14 wednesday 2 december 2020 news

Ceylinco Life PABC records best selects 1st batch of ‘Family Savari ever 9-month results 14’ winners A group of policyholders of Ceylinco Life were Profit after tax Rs1.25 B, up 22% selected as the life insurance leader’s ‘new normal’ ‘Family Savari’ promotion conducted its first draw. Pan Asia Banking Corporation Bank’s gross loans and advances The first batch of winners comprising 103 PLC reported the best ever book recorded a strong growth of policyholders won Rs 5 million in gold, with one financial results in the 9 month over 9% to reach Rs 121 billion. receiving the equivalent of Rs 01 million, two winning period ended 30 September 2020 Term loans continued to drive Rs 250,000 each, five receiving Rs 100,000 each, 25 to report a Pre-tax profit of Rs the bank’s loan quantum growth getting Rs 50,000 each and another 70 receiving Rs 1,864.84 million and a Post tax of over Rs 12.5 billion during the 25,000 each. profit of Rs 1,250.33 million, 9-month period under review. Five more draws are to be conducted in 2021, recording an impressive growths Customer deposits recorded a culminating in more than 600 Ceylinco Life of 47% and 22% respectively commendable growth of over policyholders winning Rs 30 million in gold via the demonstrating resilience amidst 12% to reach Rs 137.60 billion. 14th edition of the ‘Family Savari’ mega promotion. challenging conditions. The Bank’s CASA base grew by The decision to present policy holders with gold Meanwhile, the PABC’s Rs 11.88 billion during the instead of the customary overseas holidays and local operating profit before taxes on period under improving the excursions was due to travel restrictions and safety financial services increased by CASA ratio by over 650 basis precautions necessitated by the COVID-19 19% reflecting excellence in core Chairman - G A R D Prasanna Director CEO - Nimal Tillekeratne points. The Bank’s gross non- pandemic. banking performance and cost performing loan ratio slipped Winners chosen at the first draw came from areas containment measures, buffer on advance book a sizable hit due to increased marginally from 6.31% to 6.38% as diverse as Trincomalee, Wennappuwa, Nelliaddy, although the bank’s fee based increased by Rs 1.08 billion or prudential impairment during the period under review, Matara and Nochchiyagama. income dropped due reduced by 17% during the 9-month provisioning, income loss due to while net non-performing loan To be eligible to participate in the six bi-monthly business volumes due to period in question. loan moratoriums and waiver of ratio improved from 2.82% to Family Savari draws, Ceylinco Life customers are disruptions caused by the The Bank’s growth in both fees and charges. 2.20% due to prudential required to keep their life insurance or retirement COVID-19 pandemic and waiver profit before income tax and The Bank strived for revenue provisioning. plans active between September 2020 and August of fees and charges. profit for the period was also optimisation through portfolio The Bank maintains all capital 2021. The Bank’s Earnings per Share supported by the low financial re-alignment and cost and liquidity ratios well above Additional winning chances are given to customers (EPS) for the 9-month period services tax regime that management despite sector the regulatory minimums. The who pay their premiums directly to the company and rose to Rs 2.83 from Rs 2.31 in prevailed throughout the current vulnerabilities that prevailed in Bank’s total capital adequacy further chances are assigned, corresponding to the the comparative period in 2019. quarter. Meanwhile, the Bank 2020. ratio improved from 14.31% to time they have been Ceylinco Life customers. New The Bank’s Net Asset Value per continued to compute income The Bank’s cost to income 15.11% during the period under policyholders who obtain life insurance in the Share increased by 10% during tax and deferred tax liabilities at ratio improved from 52% to 48% review. promotion period and pay a minimum of three the 9-month period to reach Rs the rate of 28% as the proposed during the period under review Meanwhile both Common monthly premiums are also eligible to participate, 33 as at 30 September 2020. new rate of 24% is yet to be owing to the excellent core Equity Tier 1 ratio and Tier 1 the Company said. The Bank continue to build legislated. banking performance which ratio as at 30 September 2020 Intended to stimulate interest in life insurance, extra provision buffers for The Bank’s net interest reflected in noteworthy growth in remained at 12.82%. The Bank’s encourage policyholders to keep their policies active probable deterioration in credit margins improved from 4.36% to net interest income and Statutory Liquid Asset Ratios and to promote the value of family time and unity, quality, through use of higher 4.42% during past 9 months measures taken to contain (SLAR) at the quarter end stood the Family Savari programme has benefitted more probability weights for worst- which is a commendable feat overhead costs. In fact, the Bank at 29.65% and 38.73% for than 26,000 people in the past 13 years. Grand prize case scenarios, management given the income loss due to loan managed to bring down total Domestic Banking Unit and Off- winning families at previous Family Savari overlay adjustments and use of moratoriums, the industry-wide operating expenses in absolute Shore Banking unit respectively. promotions have visited Australia, Italy, England, macroeconomic factor deterioration in credit quality terms during 2020 compared to This is against the statutory Germany, Switzerland, Japan and France, while projections published by credible and steps taken by the comparative period in 2019. minimums of 20%. other winners have toured China, Dubai and sources for collective impairment government to bring down The Bank’s total asset base Meanwhile, the Bank’s Singapore. modelling. As a result, total interest rates. Meanwhile, the stood at Rs 173.13 billion as at Liquidity Coverage Ratios (LCR) Ceylinco Life’s Family Savari programme is impairment charges for the Bank’s pre-tax Return on Assets 30 September 2020 after posting under BASEL III stood above promoted by four popular brand ambassadors, the quarter increased by 65% to Rs remained intact at 1.51% in a growth of over 13% supported statutory minimum of 90% at Sri Lankan actors Sriyantha Mendis, Sanjeewani 553.52 million compared to Rs 2020. Further the Bank by the expansion in gross loans the quarter end. The Bank Weerasinghe and Roshan Ranawana and his wife 335.64 million during the same maintained a healthy Return on and advances and other maintained LCR ratios of Kushlani who in past editions joined the period a year ago. Meanwhile, Equity of 11.95% during the financial instruments at 205.07% and 173.84% for all policyholders on their overseas holidays and local the Bank’s total impairment period under review, after taking amortised cost. Meanwhile, the currencies and LKR respectively. excursions. sports wednesday 2 december 2020 A15

Chat with Milo Champions Mallikarachchi’s pride and passion led Isipathana to victory in 1996 Bandula Mallikarachchi

By Vimukthi Adithya Mater. In 2012 he was coaching the Pathana boys Formerly known as with Shamly Nawaz. Greenland’s College, “Sports added so much Isipathana College was value to my personality; it founded in January 1952 to helped me accept challenges transfer surplus students and work towards from Royal Primary. Rugby - overcoming them. Being a the gentleman’s game played sportsman, you become very by hooligans - was disciplined and resilient. I introduced to the school in believe that sports should be 1963, after playing a few a life skill. I also believe friendly games from 1960. parents should allow their Major schools were playing kids to engage in sports they Rugby long before Isipathana love rather than trying to seriously took up the game, force them, and be there to but they found immediate support them,” shared success. Bandula. Bryan Ingram was the first “In 1992 when I was 15 my captain of the team and led brother and I went to visit his side to win their very first one of our friends who was school encounter beating St injured. My father dropped Anthony’s Katugastota, and us in the morning, but when this sent out a warning to I returned home in the the other schools. Since then evening my father had died Isipathana hasn’t looked of a heart attack. My mother, back. They could be easily though devastated by the coined the Kings of School loss, showed strong Rugby. character and asked me to The ‘President’s Trophy’, engage in my practices as the formerly known as the Bandula with his two daughters 1996 Ispathana skipper Bandula Mallikarachchi, receiving the inter schools Milo league championship was around ‘Premadasa Trophy’, was Sarini and Tarini championship Trophy the corner,” Bandula introduced in 1985, and it remembered. It would not was the lads from Pathana being a huge sports In the 1995 Milo into the match Trinity had injury. Sajith was given the have been easy, but the who won the inaugural enthusiast gave Bandula the President’s Trophy, 13 points on the board, but opportunity to play in my sportsman inside him gave knockout tournament. They freedom he needed. Born in Isipathana had to once again the visitors had a proper position. He came in and him the guts to overcome any did it again the following an era where there were no face St. Peter’s in the final, plan and with immaculate made fly half his own challenge. year. In fact, they won the mobile phones and but had to taste defeat. coordination and teamwork position. When I came back, One role model that triple in both those years. A computers enabled the kids Bandula who was down with were able to clinch victory. I was shifted to Wing three Bandula has looked up to simple example to prove why to hit the grounds every day, yellow fever didn’t play a The team comprised of many quarter since Sajith grabbed when he was a kid was the the Greens are known as the helping them to stay fit. single game that season. He players bursting with talent, his opportunity well,” former Isipathana player Kings of School Rugby is the Any student attending made sure his boys were able a few of whom went on to Bandula reminisced about Sudesh Abeysinghe and All fact that in the first six Isipathana the first love get their revenge from Peters play for the country at junior his brother who passed away Blacks Grant Fox, a member seasons of the Premadasa would be Rugby due to the by winning the 1996 edition. and senior levels: Ruwan in 2016 at the age of 37. of the team that won the Trophy (from 1985 to 1990) dominance shown by the It was great to see this young Suranga, Sajith Sajith was one of the best inaugural Rugby World Cup they were the finalists. lads in the school arena. It man who was unwell, coming Mallikarachchi, Arshadeen Ruggerites produced by in 1987. Sports personalities With Milo joining hands in was the same with the back to captain the team and Miskin, Shamly Nawaz, Isipathana and mother in the caliber of Julian 1995, the tournament was Mallikarachchi brothers. guiding them to victory. Vajira Hewage, Amith Lanka. He played for the Bolling, Sriyantha renamed ‘Milo-President’s Bandula also indulged in Winning a match in Kandy Rasanga, Nishantha National team from 1997 to Dissanayake and Aravinda Trophy.’ No other school can cricket and cadetting, and was something the Colombo Kumara, Krishantha 2007, and as captain of the de Silva were others he match Isipathana’s record of excelled in Athletics. Playing schools only dreamt of. In Chandran to name a few. Lankan Tuskers brought Sri considered as role models. ten President’s knockout his first Rugby match at the the Milo Championship, “One of the best Rugby Lanka to fifth position in the Bandula is blessed with trophies. They have also won age of ten in the under-13 Bandula and his boys went players I have seen in my Asian region. two daughters. The oldest the triple on six occasions – team, he showed glimpses of into the Lions’ den (Trinity) school career is my own “What I have learned from Tarini is studying at Horizon 1985/86/92/97/99 and a bright future in the game. and beat them for the first brother, the late Sajith day one of my inclusion in College while the younger 2014. This speaks volumes He was made Captain of the time, a milestone and a very Mallikarachchi. He is one of the 1st XV squad was to keep Sarini is at Gateway College. about their supremacy. team in 1990 and found rare achievement in the boys who came through improving till you achieve Sarini came 2nd in the Randy Pietersz goes into immediate success when he Isipathana Rugby. Indeed. the system due to hard work, your goals. I am blessed to under-15 100m event at the history as the first guided his team to win the Apart from winning the 1996 and to be honest, I have not have had the services of 2020 ISAC meet. She and the Isipathanian to represent the Plate Championship of the knockout, coming from seen anyone show such coaches who helped me girl who came first broke the National team, and since Milo knockout trophy. behind to win against Trinity dedication and hard work. In throughout my rugby career ISAC record for the event. then the school has In 1991 and 1992 he was in their own den was 1996, I was the Captain cum - Sanath Asanjaya, M.D Bandula joined Kanrich produced giants who part of the team that won the definitely a moment to Fly Half but missed my first Ifthikar, Leslie de Silva, Finance in 2013 and is Head represented the national under-15 trophy. In 1992 it cherish. Just 15 minutes game against Nalanda due to Sanath Martis, Tavita of Human Resources. He is circuit. was his penalty kick in the Tulagesi, Asanga Seneviratne one of the pioneers in Isipathana lost to St. dying minutes which and my National Coaches building sports at Kanrich Peter’s in the final of the clinched the championship. Ana Saranapala/Ajith Finance who are doing well inaugural Milo tournament Winning the championship Abeyrathna and Nimal in the mercantile circuit. He in 1995, but the boys who paved the way for an Lewke,” said Bandula. has an MBA from Anglia went into the 1996 season invitation from Malaysia to Soon after leaving school in Ruskin University and serves under the leadership of play in a tournament. The 1996, Bandula got the as the President of the Bandula Mallikarachchi, lads performed well and opportunity to represent the Isipathana Rugby Committee were determined to avenge advanced to the semi-finals, paradise nation. After and as a Council Member of their defeat against the same which helped them win the playing for the country for Sri Lanka Rugby. opponents. award for the best four years in both 15’s and Bandula believes humanity The eldest in a family of international team. 7’s, and playing for is the greatest asset in a three boys, Bandula fell in “In 1993 I played for the Havelocks, Petersons SC, person and wishes to see the love with the oval shaped ball first XV team for the first and CR&FC, he decided to let world made a better place by and showed great leadership time. The match was against go of the ruggerite in him humane people. qualities when he was a kid. Vidyartha and played at CH and concentrated on working He finally said, “I would The Mallikarachchis valued & FC grounds. I still towards a professional also like to mention players discipline. This would have remember my first kick. career. Consistent injuries who excelled in 1996 from been because their father Playing as a junior in the were one reason why he other schools who played top was in the Police Force. first XV you must prove decided to bid farewell after level rugby and went on to Living in Anderson Flats, yourself to cement your place just four years of play for Sri Lanka. It was an Colombo meant Bandula’s in the team. I was nervous professional rugby. He absolute privilege to play childhood was full of activity, but knew I could handle any decided to travel to the UK, with players of the calibre of as he associated with people challenge. Playing as fly half and in 2003 graduated from Radhika Hettiarachi, Rushdi of different backgrounds and and place kicker I was Thames Valley University Faiz, Anslem de Silva, had many friends who entrusted to convert a try with a Bachelor’s in Business Anuruddha Peiris, Tariq attended various schools. from the corner flag, which I Management. Coming back Munna, Suranga Young Bandula’s favourite was able to do. It was the to the island in 2003, he Amarasinghe, Kirk Williams, activity was to play different turning point of my career,” worked in different Sameera Silva, and Nilfer games with his pals, literally said Bandula, going back to companies, and in 2009 Ibrahim. We are all good the entire day. His father 1993. Bandula Mallikarachchi, in action against Royal decided to help his Alma friends still.” A16 wednesday 2 december 2020 sports Shanaka cameo takes Dambulla Viiking to victory

By Mustaq Sydeen now scored 164 runs in 3 innings so far (Ave 54.66, SR 178.26). Apart from Shanaka, Samit A captain’s knock by Dasun Shanaka has Patel and Upul Tharanga also steadied the tightened Dambulla Viikin grip on the Lanka Viiking’s ship with 30 and 25 respectively. Premier League after a 28-run win over Colombo In reply, Colombo Kings started their innings Kings in the seventh game in Hambanthota. the worst possible way as their in-form batsman Shanaka smashed four towering sixes and Dinesh Chandimal was caught and bowled by three fours on his way to 56 off 34 deliveries as Samith Patel in the very first ball, to shell shock Dambulla Viikin scored 175-9, before restricting the Colombo Kings camp. their rivals to 147 runs. After the early breakthrough, the Viiking Winning the toss and electing to bat, bowlers were right on top and put immense Dambulla Viiking openers Niroshan Dickwella pressure on the Colombo lads by executing their (1) and Paul Stirling (1) were sent back to the plan perfectly and bowling a tight line and length pavilion cheaply, as they struggled in the to run through the strong Colombo Kings beginning of their innings, and at one stage were batting line-up. None of the batsmen scored over 3 for 74. 20 except Laurie Evans, who scored a fighting Despite the fall of quick wickets skipper Dasun half century (59) off 33 deliveries which included Shanaka took all the responsibility on his five fours and four sixes. shoulders to take his team to a challengeable Tight bowling by the Dambulla lads strangled score and did it quite comfortably, picking gaps the run chase and ensured a comfortable and waiting for the loose balls to post a healthy victory. Samith Patel, Malinda Pushpakumara, 175 runs in their allotted 20 overs. Anwar Ali and Pulina Tharanga shared two With this brilliant half century Shanaka has wickets each. Colombo Kings Dambulla Viiking Dinesh Chandimal c & b Patel 00 Niroshan Dickwella c †Chandimal b Mathews 01 Laurie Evans b Tharanga 59 P.R. Stirling c de Silva b Udana01 S.T. de Silva c Stirling b Rajitha 05 Upul Tharanga c Russell b Chameera 25 Angelo Mathews c Pushpakumara b Anwar Ali 11 Samit Patel c †Chandimal b Chameera 30 Andre Russell c Perera b Colombage 05 Dasun Shanaka c Russell b Udana 56 Ashan Priyanjan c Perera b Pushpakumara 11 Angelo Perera c †Chandimal b Udana 21 Isuru Udana c Shanaka b Pushpakumara 05 Anwar Ali c Qais Ahmad b Russell 02 Qais Ahmed c Perera b Tharanga 14 Pulina Tharanga c & b Russell 04 Dammika Prasad st Dickwella b Patel 7 Malinda Pushpakumara not out 11 Dushmantha Chameera c P Tharanga b Anwar Ali 17 S. Colombage c Udana b Russell 00 Jeffrey Vandersay not out 04 Extras (lb 5, nb 1, w 18) 24 Extras (lb 2, w 7) 9 TOTAL (for 9 Wickets in 20 Overs) 175 TOTAL (All Out 18.4 overs) 147 Fall of wickets: 1-3, 2-3, 3-74, 4-82, 5-120, 6-149, Fall of wickets: 1-0, 2-11, 3-40, 4-45, 5-63, 6-95, 7-162, 8-175, 9-175 7-99, 8-109, 9-121, 10-147 Bowling: Isuru Udana 4-0-25-3, Andre Russell Bowling: Anwar Ali 1.4-0-10-2, Malinda 2-0-18-3, Dushmantha Chameera 4-0-27-2, Anjelo Pushpakumara 4-0-19-2, Samit Patel 4-0-30-2, Mathews 2-0-14-1 Pulina Tharanga 3-0-31-2, Kasun Rajitha 3-0-27-1, Dasun Shanaka Sachindu Colombage 3-0-28-1 Laurie Evans (Colombo Kings) Hamilton tests Thisara show all the way Jaffna stallion skipper Thisara Perera led from the front in all three departments as positive for they registered their third win of the tournament beating Kandy Tuskers by 54 runs in their Lanka Premier League match COVID-19 played in Hambanthota yesterday. Stallions came to the series as the most Formula One champion prepared team out of the five, and they Lewis Hamilton has tested proved that once again getting to 185 when positive for COVID-19 and the chips were down, and then bowling out will miss the upcoming Tuskers for just 131 n 17.1 overs. Sakhir Grand Prix in Bahrain, Chasing Stallions score Tuskers looked the sport’s governing body, good during the powerplay, but an the FIA, said on Tuesday. outstanding catch by Minod Bhanuka in Briton Hamilton, who has the deep ended the inning of skipper Kusal already wrapped up his Perera, which rattled the Tuskers. Brendon seventh world title and picked Taylor, their go to batsman, made 46 and up his 11th win of the season kept the chase alive, but once skipper at Sunday’s Bahrain Grand Perera caught him in deep it was all over for Prix, was isolating with mild them. Perera claimed two wickets and symptoms but otherwise fit completed three catches, while all Stallions and well, his Mercedes team bowlers did well with Usman Shinwari said in a statement. claiming 3 for 17 and Suranga Lakmal, who “Lewis was tested three came in for Binura Fernando, claiming 2 for times last week and returned 27. Wanidu Hasaranga continued his a negative result each time, golden run claiming 2 for 17. the last of which was on Earlier, Jaffna Stallions were reeling at Sunday afternoon at the 4-49 when skipper Thisara Perera walked Bahrain International in. Perera who was in red hot form with his Circuit,” the Brackley-based unbeaten 97 the other night, put the team said. pressure back on the bowlers with a 22-ball “However, he woke up on Lewis Hamilton half century, and finished with 68 off 28 Monday morning with mild deliveries which saw five fours and five symptoms and was informed Formula E team and had sixes. at the same time that a been scheduled to fly to He was well supported by Dhananjaya de contact prior to arrival in Bahrain even before Silva, who supported his skipper by batting Bahrain had subsequently Hamilton’s positive result, sensibly. tested positive.Lewis therefore and Mexican Esteban De Silva was on 35 off 30 when Perera got took a further test and Gutierrez are the team’s to fifty, but then changed gears and four Thisara Perera and Dhananjaya de Silva returned a positive result. reserve drivers.They also have deliveries later reached his half century This has since been confirmed Briton George Russell, who by a retest.” races for Williams, on their By missing Sakhir, the books. Mercedes team boss Jaffna Stallions Kandy Tuskers smashing 20 off four deliveries penultimate race on the Toto Wolff said in October in Dilruwan Perera’s over, and calendar, Hamilton will not be that every precaution was Avishka Fernando run out 03 Rahmanullah Gurbaz c Olivier b Shinwari 06 finished with 61 off 38 deliveries able to match the record for being taken to shield MinodBhanukastPerera b Gunarathne 15 Kusal Perera c Bhanuka b Shinwari 04 which saw three sixes. After the most wins in a single Hamilton and team mate Dhananjaya de Silva c Pradeep b Ul-Haq 61 Kusal Mendis c de Silva b Olivier 20 being perilously placed at 63 for season. Michael Schumacher Valtteri Bottas from the Tom Moores b Gunarathne 04 Brendon Taylor c Perera b Olivier 46 4 at the end of 11 overs, it was and Sebastian Vettel share pandemic, with internal Shoaib Malik run out 09 Kamindu Mendis c Lakmal b Perera 09 Kamindu Mendis’ over which that mark with 13 wins -- debriefs and engineering Thisara Perera c Prasanna b Ul Haq 68 Asela Gunarathne lbw Perera 31 gave the momentum back to the Schumacher from 18 races in meetings also taking place via WaniduHasarangacPerera b Pradeep 05 Seekkuge Prasanna c Perera b Hasaranga 01 Stallions, where Perera 2004 and Vettel from 19 in video call. Chathuranga de Silva c Gunarathne b Ul Haq 05 Dilruwan Perera c Bhanuka b Shinwari 09 smashed that over for 20 runs. 2013. The season will end Hamilton, 35, has been Usman Shinwari not out 06 Naveen Ul-Haq c Shinwari b Hasaranga 04 After being involved in a with the Abu Dhabi Grand staying in his motorhome at SurangaLakmal not out 00 Nuwan Pradeep not out 00 partnership of 118 off 47 Prix at the Yas Marina track most circuits. Extras (lb 1, nb 2, w 6) 09 Extras (b1) 1 deliveries, both departed in on 13 Dec. It is unclear Formula One has seen a Total (For 8 wickets in 20 overs) 185 Total (all out in 17.1 overs) 131 consecutive deliveries off whether Hamilton will take clutch of high-profile COVID- Fall of Wickets: 1-13, 2-23, 3-35, 4-49, 5-167, 6-167, Fall of Wicket 1-6,2-24, 3-47, 4-70, 5-90, 6-98, 7-119, Naveen Ul Haq in the 18th over, part. Mercedes said they 19 cases, with Red Bull 7-177, 8-185 8-125, 9-126, 10-131 which helped Tuskers to would announce a Sporting Director Jonathan Bowling: Munaf Patel 3-0-14-0, Dilruwan Perera 3-0- Bowling: Usman Shinwari 3-0-17-3, Suranga Lakmal contain Stallions to 185 for 8, replacement driver for the Wheatley testing positive last 30-0, Asela Gunarathne 3-0-20-2, Naveen Ul Haq 3-0-27-2, Chathuranga de Silva 2-0-30-0, Duanne when at one stage they were Sakhir race in due course. week and missing the 4-0-44-3,Seekkuge Prasanna 1-0-9-0, Kamindu Olivier 3-0-30-1, Thisara Perera 2.1-0-9-2, Wanidu once again well set to get over Belgian Stoffel Vandoorne, Bahrain Grand Prix. Mendis 2-0-23-0, Nuwan Pradeep 4-0-44-1 Hasarange de Silva 4-0-17-2 200. who races for the Mercedes (Reuters) (AK)

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