„„ www.themorning.lk „„ LATE CITY VOL 01 | NO 03 | Rs. 30.00 { WEDNESDAY } WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2021 ‘SCHOOLS MUST TWO UAE HAVE SEXUAL CRICKETERS HARASSMENT TACKLING FOUND PROCEDURES’ GUILTY OF »SEE PAGE 4 CORRUPTION »SEE PAGE 14

OVER 1,700 ‘SHE WAS TOURISTS VISITED ASKING SL IN A MONTH FOR IT’ »SEE PAGE 7 »SEE PAGE 11 Planters given Feb ultimatum z Reach agreement or pay z Collective Agreement z We cannot afford it: z Involving Wages Board Rs. 1,000: Labour Minister to end 31 January Plantation companies impractical: Unions BY PAMODI WARAVITA AND RUWAN LAKNATH JAYAKODY Minister, Upul Jayasinghe told The a basic wage of Rs. 860 and living RPCs to sustain, they are hoping to Board implements a minimum wage The Ministry of Labour has warned regional plantation companies Morning yesterday (26). allowance of Rs. 140 would be raise objections at the Wages Board. law to the plantation sector. (RPCs) that a wages board would be convened to pass Rs. 1,000 as According to Jayasinghe, the proposed by the Wages Board to “This move by the Government However, a Labour Ministry the minimum daily wage for plantation sector workers into law, if Collective Agreement (CA) signed legalise a minimum wage of Rs. is shortsighted and would have official told The Morning that the the RPCs and the trade unions cannot reach an agreement on the by the RPCs and the trade unions is 1,000 for the workers. adverse impacts on the plantations. Wages Board minimum wage law issue of the basic daily wage by mid-February. due to end on 31 January. Speaking to The Morning, The The productivity-based model that would only lead to the cessation “The Labour Minister has informed an agreement on the issue of the daily The Minister is also due to have Planters’ Association of Ceylon (PA) we have proposed would benefit the of the salary agreement in the CA, the RPCs and the trade unions that wage. If not, the Minister would be a discussion with the Wages Board Media Spokesperson Dr. Roshan workers more,” said Dr. Rajadurai. while other components of the CA they would be given until the end of forced to convene a wages board,” today (27) to discuss this matter, Rajadurai said that since a Rs. 1,000 Dr. Rajadurai further said that the could still function. the second week of February to reach the Media Secretary to the subject added Jayasinghe. As per Jayasinghe, wage would be unaffordable for the CA would be ceased if the Wages Contd. on page 2 FLOWERS FOR THE FALLEN SL to get 600K Covishield vaccines within this week z Inoculation to commence immediately BY PAMODI WARAVITA Speaking at a Health arrive in this week. said Dr. Fernandopulle. Approximately 600,000 doses Promotion Bureau (HPB) “Following the dry run held last However, State Ministry of of the Oxford AstraZeneca media conference held yesterday weekend, the Ministry of Health Primary Healthcare, Epidemics, Covishield vaccine are scheduled (26), State Minister of Primary is prepared for the vaccination and Covid Disease Control to arrive in Sri Lanka from India Healthcare, Epidemics, and programme. We would initially Secretary Dr. Amal Harsha de this week, and the vaccination Covid Disease Control Dr. focus on vaccinating 300,000 Silva said that vaccination is just programme will begin the day Sudarshini Fernandopulle said frontline health workers and tri- one weapon in the fight against after the vaccines arrive in the that the AstraZeneca vaccine forces personnel in two doses Covid-19. country. donations from India would within the course of three weeks,” Contd. on page 2 New Covid variant Only 48% of O/Level found in Sri Lanka students attended school BY SUMUDU CHAMARA the lineage, B1258. z Govt. mulls ‘next-door’ exam centres A new variant of Covid-19, He also said that the samples Only 48% of students who Ministry of Education. However, which is different from other in question belonged to a foreign are facing the upcoming General Ministry of Education Secretary variants of the virus previously returnee, and that this is the first Certificate of Education Ordinary Prof. Kapila Perera told The identified in Sri Lanka, has time this variant of Covid-19 was Level (GCE O/L) examination Morning yesterday (26) that he was been reported in Sri Lanka, The reported in Sri Lanka. have attended school in the Western “really happy” with the attendance Morning learnt. Meanwhile, speaking to Province after schools reopened considering the Covid-19 situation. The Department of the electronic media, he also on 25 January, according to the Contd. on page 2 Immunology and Molecular said that this new variant of Medicine of the University of the virus is a special mutation Sri Jayewardenepura stated that known as N439K, and that its this new variant of Covid-19 transmissibility was high. Dr. bears similarities to the variants Jeewandara further noted that in of Covid-19 that has spread in addition, the studies conducted European countries such as in the past two weeks have led Denmark, Iceland, Switzerland, to another finding, i.e. a new Germany, and the UK. lineage of Covid-19 (named Director of the Department, B1411), which is endemic to Dr. Chandima Jeewandara, Sri Lanka. speaking to The Morning, said Adding that the Health that this new variant of Covid- Ministry has been informed of 19 has been identified when these findings, he emphasised samples received for polymerase that there is no need to fear since Marking India’s Republic Day yesterday (26), officials from the Indian High Commission in Colombo chain reaction (PCR) testing even though the transmissibility gathered at the war heroes’ memorial in Battaramulla to offer wreaths in memory of the soldiers of the from a quarantine centre were of this new mutation is high, it Indian Peacekeeping Force that lost their lives over their deployment to Sri Lanka during 1987-1990 tested. Dr. Jeewandara further does not affect the Covid-19 PHOTO LALITH PERERA said that this variant belongs to vaccine immunity. US Ambassador pushes Sirisena did not show for Indian stake in ECT any interest: Shani BY LAHIRU POTHMULLA future,” she told reporters yesterday (26). z Same group behind Mawanella statue and Amidst heated nationwide debates on the She expressed these views in response to matter, US Ambassador Alaina B. Teplitz a question posed during a virtual meeting Wanathawilluwa weapons cache believes that India should have a stake in held with a group of journalists. BY WARUNI SAMARASINGHE CID Director Abeysekara the Colombo Port’s East Container Terminal Much controversy has arisen over the Former President and incumbent communicated this to the Presidential (ECT). ECT with the trade unions attached to the parliamentarian Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) “Obviously, with India being the Port opposing the Government’s decision did not show any interest in Zahran probing the Easter Sunday bombings beneficiary of Sri Lanka’s port facilities to give a 49% stake of it to parties outside Hashim’s group and the potential of 21 April 2019 while testifying through all trans-shipment activities that of Sri Lanka. The Indian company whose for them to commit acts of terror before the Commission from the take place, along with the unloading and name has come up in connection with the despite detailed intelligence being National Hospital Colombo via shipments to smaller Indian ports, having an matter is the Adani Group while the other provided to him, according to former Skype for the second consecutive Indian company with a stake here, I would country that is associated with ECT is Japan. Criminal Investigation Department day yesterday (26). think, is essential to Sri Lanka’s maritime Contd. on page 2 (CID) Director Shani Abeysekara. Contd. on page 2 COVID-19 CASES 12 ELDERS INFECTED AT CARE HOME TOTAL CASES ACTIVE CASES ‘Most elders’ homes in WP full’ BY DINITHA RATHNAYAKE “Although old age is a we need more elderly care Western Province Director With a total of 12 persons very sensitive and fragile homes to accommodate the Chandima Dissanayake told 59,536 at an elders’ home in period in life where elderly increasing numbers of elders. The Morning yesterday (26). DEATHS RECOVERED Pitabeddara being infected people need extra care and In the Western Province, we The current elderly with Covid-19, the need for comfort, we are presently have only 91 elders’ homes population in the Western 8,202 288 51,046 more elderly care homes has running out of space for which are registered, 90 of Province is two million, SOURCE: HEALTH PROMOTION BUREAU been heightened, as most senior citizens. Most of which are managed by the according to departmental THE ABOVE STATISTICS ARE CONFIRMED UP UNTIL 9.50 P.M. ON 26 JANUARY 2021 of the existing homes are the homes are operating private sector,” Department statistics. operating at full capacity. at full capacity. Therefore, of Social Services of the Contd. on page 2 42 „„ www.themorning.lk { NEWS } Wednesday, January 27, 2021 SCHOOLS REOPENING PCR TEST NEGATIVE Ranjan sent to Parents fearful says Angunakolapelessa BY HEMANTHA LIYANAPATHIRANA (Administration/Rehabilitation (SJB) and Skill Development) (Covering MP , who was Up Duties) E.M.J. Chandana recently sentenced to four years L.B. Ekanayaka, speaking to The teachers’ union of rigourous imprisonment by the Morning when contacted in this BY DINITHA RATHNAYAKE Supreme Court after being convicted regard, said that the polymerase over the charge of contempt chain reaction (PCR) test conducted Many parents are in fear of of court, was transferred to the on Ramanayake subsequent to sending their children to Angunakolapelessa Prison yesterday the completion of the 14 days of schools, citing the Government’s (26) after having undergone a quarantine, was negative. unfruitful Covid-19 management 14-day period of Covid-19-related The Prisons Department Head process as the reason, according quarantine at the Correctional Centre Office has also taken steps to detain to Ceylon Teachers’ Service for Youthful Offenders at Pallansena. him in Ward E at the said Prison Union (CTSU) General Secretary Commissioner of Prisons under special security. Mahinda Jayasinghe. Speaking to The Morning yesterday (26), CTSU General Secretary SJB appoints new Jayasinghe said that the parents are still scared to send their children to members to top posts school since there is no proper and BY SUMUDU CHAMARA A.H.M. Haleem, , suitable process in place regarding The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) , , the safety of schoolchildren. on 25 January appointed 31 members and Chandrani Bandara have been “We understand that keeping children to the party’s top positions for the appointed as Vice Chairpersons. out of school is truly harmful, but year 2021. In addition, the SJB appointed parents are still afraid of the pandemic. SJB Leader , several secretaries: Eran The Government has to assure them National Organiser , Wickramaratne as the Secretary – of the safety of these children with a and General Secretary Ranjith Research and Development, Niroshan proper solution. Parents do not have safety measures are followed. students and teachers. Perera told The Morning yesterday. Madduma Bandara will continue to Priyantha Perera as the Secretary – faith in the Government’s actions. “We cannot see any option other “We know that this is a huge When questioned about serve in their current posts. International Affairs, and President’s Covid-19 preventive measures, rules, than reopening schools. Doing virtual challenge and we are not ready to schoolchildren infected with Covid-19 Attanayake, speaking to The Counsels Thisath Wijegunawardana and precautions should be taken in learning is not very successful, as take a step back. Students will also be being reported from several schools, Morning yesterday (26) added that and Farman Cassim as Secretaries classrooms, dining halls, and toilets. everyone does not have the same made to follow strict Covid-19 health he said that schools cannot be closed the party also appointed Field Marshal – Legal. All the schools should provide masks facilities,” said Jayasinghe. guidelines. Schools are strictly advised indefinitely and that opposition may as the Party Chairman, Ashok Abeysinghe, Rohini Kumari and sanitiser,” said Jayasinghe. However, he expressed concerns to be aware of the first contacts if there arise from parents as well if students and Dr. as the Party Wijerathna, and were According to Jayasinghe, emergency over school bus services where are any confirmed cases or Covid-19- do not get a proper education. Treasurer. among the newly appointed Deputy situations like a student becoming children may be exposed to Covid-19. suspected patients. We are fully relying However, when The Morning In addition, the SJB has appointed Secretaries, while Ajith P. Perera was Covid-19-positive whilst in school, When contacted, Ministry of on the advice of the health authorities spoke to Ceylon Teachers’ Union , Imtiaz Bakir Marker, Dr. appointed as the Chief Executive should be handled carefully. Education Secretary Prof. Kapila and if they had advised us to not start General Secretary Joseph Stalin, , , Officer. When queried whether the union Perera said the Government is schools, we would not have taken that he claimed that 20 schoolchildren , and Lakshman In addition, agrees with the decision of reopening prepared to take on the challenge step. However, if there is no such risk, infected with Covid-19 were reported Kiriella as Senior Vice Chairmen of and J.C. Alawathuwala have been schools, he said that they completely and that all measures are being put we are willing to start schools with from Kuliyapitiya, Trincomalee, the party, while P. Harrison, Thalatha appointed as Deputy National agree as long as proper health and in place to ensure the safety of all the advice of the health authorities,” Kataragama, and Passara. Atukorale, Gayantha Karunatilleka, Organisers. Contd. from page 1

afforded concessions like fertiliser However, according to Ceylon Planters... subsidies and low-interest loans. Teachers’ Union General Secretary Meanwhile, the Movement for Why then should the Government Joseph Stalin, the percentage of CARTOON OF THE DAY Plantation People’s Land Rights use taxpayers’ money to pay students facing the upcoming GCE (MPPLR) and the Plantation Rs. 1,000 through the Wages O/L examination who attended school Workers’ Wage Rights Movement Board mechanism, when the in the Western Province after schools (PWWRM) questioned the regional plantation companies, reopened, was 40%. practicality of the Cabinet decision including those of them that are Attendance is decreasing in both in terms of its implementation. multinational, won’t?” the Western Province and all over Speaking to The Morning in the Ganeshalingam noted that even the country due to the declining wake of the announcement of said though similar salutary decisions confidence parents have in the Cabinet decision on 25 January, have been taken by various Government, he further alleged. MPPLR Convenor and PWWRM governments in this regard, none Co-ordinator S.T. Ganeshalingam of them have been properly said that the problems with regard implemented, and that therein lies US... to practicality of the decision in the problem. Ambassador Teplitz added that Sri terms of its implementation were “The RPCs and the workers’ Lanka should be looking for the best twofold. unions still haven’t reached an value in its economic arrangements One obstacle he foresaw was agreement on the CA which is and that in this regard, having private with regard to the minimum due to be signed this February. sector involvement was “very good”. wage. He explained that under If they can’t reach an agreement, “Looking at the business the National Minimum Wage of the Government would be taking arrangements, and finding something Workers Act No. 3 of 2016 as actions through the Wages Board, that is sustainable and beneficial and amended, the minimum daily wage after which the RPCs would be gives your key business partner a for all workers is set as Rs. 400. required by law to pay a minimum stake, is a no-brainer in terms of a “In this context, how can wages wage of Rs. 1,000 to the workers,” deal for this country,” she added. control boards determine and Minister of Plantation Industries US and India enjoy a strong decide on Rs. 1,000 as the daily Dr. told The relationship, with the former viewing wage, let alone the Rs. 700 that Morning yesterday. the latter as its greatest ally in Asia, is already afforded as per the Dr. Pathirana further said that and a counterforce to its main rival plantation CA? And how can the Government is intent on China’s dominance in the region, due workers in turn obtain Rs. 1,000 keeping the promise of increasing to the similar populations of the two from them? Also of note in this the minimum wage of plantation Asian giants and India’s economic situation is that when the CA came workers to Rs. 1,000, as declared potential. The relationship between to be, the Wages Board went out of by Prime Minister Mahinda US and India is expected to be use.” Rajapaksa at the 2021 Budget strengthened further under new US The other challenge the reading in December 2020. President Joe Biden. “If a person doesn’t care when a rapidly in the past several decades, For instance, the “Elderly Disease Government would face, he noted, group’s involvement is mentioned, stretching the resources available Aid Scheme”, as well as the issuance was that workers of other sectors will such a person be concerned if an to take care of the elderly, which of their identity cards, and the who engage in daily wage earning SL... Sirisena... individual’s name is mentioned?” he have not parallely developed to meet provision of elderly assistance should work would also, if the Rs. 1,000 “Facemasks, hand-washing, and He testified that the former further replied. the rising demand and increase in be stepped up, she noted. is granted to plantation estate social distancing must still be followed President was informed that it was When a commissioner queried as the provision of services pertaining Insufficient infrastructure-related workers, demand the same from by everyone. We cannot remove our the same extremist criminal group to why Hashim could not be arrested, to related needs, beyond maximum material, physical resources, and their sectors’ employers, which masks yet,” said Dr. de Silva. that was behind the breaking of Abeysekara elaborated that while they capacity. inadequate human resources in elders’ in turn would raise concerns Speaking to The Morning, State Buddha statues in Mawanella, and generally ascertained the whereabouts “We get about 12 requests per month homes in the Western Province have regarding sustainability. Pharmaceuticals Corporation (SPC) the finding of a cache of explosives of suspects through telephone tower for elderly home-based care. The affected the care services afforded “Take for example, workers General Manager K. Dasanayake from Wanathawilluwa, and that they log records, Hashim and his group enrollment of senior citizens who are to the rapidly increasing elderly earning a daily wage as labourers said that the Sinopharm vaccine could therefore get involved in large- had used the mobile phone application above 60 years of age for home care population in the Province, which attached to local government produced in China has also been given scale destructive activity targeting named Threema which made it is done under the recommendation of has now also been afflicted by Covid- bodies. If the plantation workers to the National Medicines Regulatory human lives in the future. difficult to ascertain with certainty the divisional secretariats, who get 19, The Morning learnt. get Rs. 1,000, they will make the Authority (NMRA) for approval. He added that during this period, the exact location of the group. information regarding elders through A total of 12 persons at an elders’ same legitimate demand from the The Oxford AstraZeneca Covishield he and the Senior Deputy Inspector “We requested the relevant social services officers and grama home in Pitabeddara tested positive for managements of their sectors, and vaccine, manufactured in India, was General of Police (DIG) in charge information from the company that niladharis,” noted Dissanayake. Covid-19 yesterday, and the Southern then how would the Government, approved for emergency use by the of the CID Ravi Seneviratne had owned the said app. I have written Low wages for staff working at Province Commissioner of Social and in some cases the relevant NMRA earlier last week, following informed Sirisena not to take the records of this. But they were not elders’ homes is also leading to a Welfare, Probation and Child Care, management, sustain those which the first consignment has been matter lightly and instead arrange for forthcoming in providing us with the shortage of carers, she added. Mahesh Rajitha Karunanayake told sectors?” scheduled to arrive this week. them to raise the matter at the National information,” he said. Meanwhile, State Minister of The Morning that two of them were This situation, he noted, Security Council (NSC). Sirisena had He also noted that a bloodbath Primary Healthcare, Epidemics, and staff members. raises yet another major issue answered in the affirmative but had could have occurred if the weapons Covid Disease Control Dr. Sudarshini He added that necessary steps had which was connected to the Only... never summoned the duo to speak found in the Lacktowatte Estate in Fernandopulle also pointed out the been taken to control the situation. profitability of lucrative regional “I’m really happy about the number further in this regard or to provide Wanathawilluwa had been used, and need for the acceleration of services “No one was allowed to come plantation companies, and why of schoolchildren who turned up on further information concerning such. also that from the investigation into provided to the elderly. inside these elders’ homes, which the Government should not use 25 January in the Western Province. Responding to questions posed by the Wanathawilluwa weapons cache, In a press release issued on 25 are registered under the Department taxpayers’ money to pay Rs. 1,000 The school attendance percentage a Senior State Counsel, he explained a plan for an attack which was to take January, she stated: “Elders who have of Social Services, and we do not to the plantation workers. was 48%.” that the Leader of the said group place by May 2019 had come to light. sacrificed their blood, tears, sweat, allow any food from outside. If there “The Government handed He added that the Education was identified as one Zahran Hashim Abeysekara said that, had they labour, money, and energy for our is a donation, we recommend donors over these lands to multinational Ministry is also looking at having and that a police team under his been summoned to provide further generation need to be freed from to give dry rations. This incident companies. They exploit both “next-door” examination centres for supervision including Inspector of information in this regard, they could pressures with love, care, protection, was reported due to a staff member the labour resource and natural the GCE O/L exam considering the Police (IP) Marasinghe, had been have even provided a detailed report and nourishment. They should not be being infected with Covid-19,” added resources through acts such as risk factor. These centres will be close attempting to arrest Hashim. concerning the matter. neglected or marginalised.” Karunanayake. felling trees, mining quarries, using in proximity to the students when When a commissioner questioned According to Dr. Fernandopulle, Elders are at greater risk of requiring water by bottling and selling as compared to school examination him as to whether Hashim’s name amendments should be introduced to hospitalisation or dying if they are mineral water, operating petrol centres and therefore, the students had been mentioned to Sirisena when ‘Most... the Protection of the Rights of Elders diagnosed with Covid-19, according sheds, and engaging in tourism would not have to travel to the exam they had raised the matter with him, Dissanayake said that the elderly Act, while committees on elders to the World Health Organisation activities. On top of that, they are centre by bus. Abeysekara answered in the negative. population in the Province has grown should be more active in this regard. (WHO). 43 Wednesday, January 27, 2021 { NEWS } „„ www.themorning.lk MENTAL HEALTH POST-COVID-19 People reluctant to seek help BY RUWAN LAKNATH JAYAKODY more common among females, younger persons The researchers also pointed to the post- The review also identified a few studies Despite a probable increase in psychological distress, victimisation, and mental (below 40 years) including students, children, Covid-19-related incidence of info-demic that had examined factors that protected illness in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, it is likely that many people may not and adolescents (the latter groups who are and internet addiction including increase against psychological illness which included: seek help owing to fears that the relevant services are overwhelmed and also that probably more likely to experience high rates in the consumption of pornography and the timely dissemination of updated and attending face-to-face appointments might put them at risk of contracting the of such). The same was the case with anxiety engaging in video gaming, especially during accurate information regarding the pandemic virus, researchers noted. where in addition it was found that anxiety lockdowns. situation by the authorities and thereby This, they reported, is also amidst concerning such as new-onset psychosis, neuro-cognitive was also associated with other factors such Amidst the pandemic and its travel minimising rumours and false information reports of staff re-deployment from psychiatric syndromes, and affective disorders which as a lower level of education, poor self-rated restrictions-related lockdowns and imposed that perpetuates anxiety; actively carrying services to other health services in response to were also more common among younger levels of health, loneliness, quarantine status, mandatory seclusion and resultant social out measures to lower the risk of infection the pandemic, which may in turn also disrupt patients; and addictive behaviours including worry about infection, and prior mental or isolation, exposure to economic and on the part of the individual (such as mask the continuity of the provision of care services, substance-use disorders (opioid misuse physical health problems. Furthermore, the psychological stressors, increases in negative wearing and hand-washing); promoting thus leading to a lack of consistent and assertive and the resultant overdosing, respiratory frequent exposure to news/information about coping mechanisms such as alcohol misuse, positive coping styles; the prioritisation follow up, especially among those who depend depression, and hypoxemia [low levels of Covid-19 and social media was also associated and an inability to access the usual support, by policymakers of vulnerable groups for on psychiatric services for safety and advocacy. oxygen in the blood], smoking, and the resultant with increased symptoms of anxiety. or escape abusive households, owing to the purpose of the prevention of common These points were highlighted by S.R. Perera pulmonary infections, alcohol consumption, In the case of children and adolescents, quarantine or travel restrictions, domestic mental disorders such depression, anxiety, as (attached to the Department of Psychiatry and methamphetamines which can cause lung loneliness, which is reported to be associated violence, the authors explain, too has reached well as suicide; the provision of accessible of the University of Peradeniya) and A. injury, pulmonary hypertension [high blood with future mental health problems up to nine epidemic proportions. Addressing domestic mental healthcare, in particular for people Wickramasinghe (attached to the Department pressure in the lungs], and cardiomyopathy years later, and has a strong association with violence, they noted is a public health priority, from rural areas who face travel restrictions, of Psychiatry of the Rajarata University) in an [diseases of the heart muscle]) which can in the development of depression, was found given the prevalence of domestic violence as well as for those in quarantine; offering article titled “Tragedies waiting to happen? turn lead to cardio-pulmonary and neurological to be associated with elevated symptoms and the associated psychological and physical preventive support and early intervention Unravelling potential psychiatric repercussions complications that worsen the outcome of of depression in girls and elevated social morbidity and mortality. While previous where possible; preparing for an increase during the Covid-19 pandemic”, which was Covid-19. Suicide too is a concern in these anxiety in boys, with the length of the period research has suggested an association in mental health problems in children and published recently in the Sri Lanka Journal of times, the study notes. of loneliness appearing to be a predictor of between mental illness and the perpetration adolescents; and prioritising the provision Psychiatry, and was based on the systematic The authors also highlighted that those future mental health problems. The authors of domestic violence, the researchers added of treatment for substance use disorders, study of related research studies published in dependent on opiates are facing severe noted that this carries a special significance that substance-use disorders carry the highest alongside any co-existing mental illness. recognised journals. challenges at this time due to greater within the Covid-19 context, as policymakers risk of domestic violence. Furthermore, It is therefore important that mental illness is Among the well-documented adverse impacts marginalisation, difficulty in accessing specific debate the length of time that schools should people with severe mental illnesses are recognised at the primary care level, the authors and prognostic indicators of the Covid-19 healthcare, imposed restrictions on drugs, the remain closed and discuss the implementation at increased risk of becoming victims of emphasised, adding that onward referrals should pandemic on mental health, as demonstrated closure of rehabilitation centres, increased risk of social distancing within schools. domestic violence, they explained. thereafter be made to specialist services. by recent studies, are: developing psychiatric of life-threatening withdrawal, and the usage disorders such as anxiety and depression of illicit opiates. Since those in distress may within three months of testing positive for take refuge in addictive substances to allay their Covid-19 (according to the relevant study, negative feelings, this situation, the authors one in five Covid-19 patients have been note, could potentially trigger the development diagnosed with such); a comparatively high of substance-use disorders in high-risk groups rate of the prevalence of adverse psychiatric and a spike in the incidence of such among the symptoms of anxiety, depression, post-traumatic general population. stress disorder (PTSD), and other forms of With regard to mental health problems such psychological distress; altered mental statuses as depression, its features were found to be Repatriate migrant workers using SLBFE funds: COPE The Committee on Prof. Herath also pointed institutions under various Public Enterprises (COPE) out the need to create a ministries, such as the has instructed the Sri suitable model for the bureau National Apprenticeship and Lanka Bureau of Foreign to look into the repatriation Industrial Training Authority, Employment (SLBFE) to of migrant workers. the National Vocational look into the possibility It was revealed that Rs. 800 Training Authority, and the of using bureau funds to million had been spent on Sri Sri Lanka Youth Corps. The repatriate migrant workers Lankan officers working in Sri COPE stated that a formal affected by the Covid-19 Lankan embassies overseas methodology for identifying disaster. during 2019, and the COPE training needs should be The COPE had stated informed the officials that they developed in line with the thus at a meeting held should look into whether the current job market and that on 22 January under the expected services are being an action plan for the next Chairmanship of Prof. rendered by the employees. five years should be prepared to look into The COPE directed that a and submitted. the special audit report on the formal procedure be followed Furthermore, the COPE current situation in the field in recruiting officers to work stressed on the need to of foreign employment. in Sri Lankan embassies enter into agreements with The bureau currently has abroad and stressed that the relevant parties and the Rs. 14 billion in assets. various irregularities have importance of an insurance The Chairman of the taken place in the past due scheme that would ensure SLBFE had stated that there to non-compliance, and in their safety and job security is no obstacle to repatriate turn directed the relevant when sending Sri Lankan foreign workers registered official to obtain a suitable workers abroad. In this with the bureau, using their recruitment procedure regard, the COPE further funds. from the Department of stressed that the bureau A total of 34,721 workers Management Services for should work together with who lost their jobs due to this purpose. the Foreign Ministry in a the drop in oil prices in the The COPE also focused on more responsible manner so Middle East and the Covid- the process of implementing as to ensure the humanitarian 19 pandemic have already the training courses required needs and security and requested the bureau to for foreign employment by welfare of the workers sent repatriate them. the bureau as well as by for foreign employment. District-wise industrial parks in the offing The Government is seeking to reduce the number of youths lacking any vocational training or skill, a figure which is in the range of 60% at present, by 20% within the course of two years, State Minister of Skills Development, Vocational Education, Research and Innovation, Dr. claimed. She also claimed that the Government would establish industrial parks within every district. She stated thus whilst on a recent inspection tour of the State Minister Dr. Seetha Arambepola on a recent inspection tour of the National Institute of Business Management National Institute of Business Management. 1919 Govt. Info Centre got 1.5 m calls last year Approximately 1.5 million calls have been by the ICTA noted. made to the Government Information Centre via The centre provides trilingual information 1919 for the purpose of obtaining information on around 1,500 services offered by 300-1,500 last year, and 95% of these queries had been institutions. In order to book train seats and fulfilled, a report by the Information and access other services (such as obtaining a Communication Technology Agency (ICTA) passport) or obtain other information (such as stated. on the basic, initial documents required in order The information that had been sought was to obtain a passport), one can do so through mostly regarding obtaining identification and the website – www.gic.gov.lk. vehicle license cards, and birth and marriage If one is accessing the services from overseas, certificates, a press release issued in this regard one has to dial 094-112191919. 4 „„ www.themorning.lk { INTERVIEW/NEWS } Wednesday, January 27, 2021

who was the victim of the harassment as institutions that have power feel guilty for being harassed. hierarchies and involve children? We need to have avenues to report Sometimes, language that is used by and avenues to talk in place. I don’t ‘Schools must have teachers to advise students might think there are such avenues in place make a student feel uncomfortable at schools. Maybe these issues are in a sexual manner. Would this be identified by an experienced teacher considered harassment? to whom the students will also talk. These lines that separate sexual If the teacher is equipped with the harassment from advice are blurred. If knowledge to handle it, the teacher sexual harassment a comment or a look makes a person will direct the student to an avenue. uncomfortable, if it is sexual in nature, There are some organisations that have if it makes someone embarrassed, a clearly laid out sexual harassment then it is sexual harassment. There is a tackling procedure. There will be a way certain way that you can give advice. to complain and then it will be taken up The words used and how they are with the relevant parties, followed by tackling procedures’ used matter. For instance, the teacher investigations. could be a father figure who wants to Schools do not have such policies advise; however, keeping in mind that or procedures in place. Some schools BY HIRANYADA DEWASIRI there are father figures that are not so have counsellors, which is a start. But Victims of sexual harassment fatherly. Some teachers have a genuine the counsellor should also then have often face myriad problems when concern. But a female student for the ability to take the issue forward. making formal complaints. These instance would be more comfortable if If the counsellor does not have the vulnerabilities are heightened this male teacher discusses this with a power to take it to the principal, and when children become victims female teacher and delivers the advice if the principal is not receptive and in the school setting where they through that female teacher. wants to hush the parties involved, that may hold less power than their There are also lots of private would not work. Grievances regarding harassers. tuition classes where the teachers sexual harassment in schools may be The Morning spoke to Prof. Arosha gain popularity through the use of taken to the National Child Protection S. Adikaram from the Department words with twisted meanings, what Authority (NCPA) or the Ministry of of Human Resource Management we call “double meaning”. The boys Education, but their involvement, i.e. of the Faculty of Management and would be laughing out loud and the the steps that the authority has to take, Finance at the University of Colombo girls would also be laughing, but they should also be clarified. Every single (UoC), who specialises in workplace might be feeling embarrassed inside teacher needs to be given training harassment and gender issues, and may be laughing as a coping on what harassment is, how a child regarding the ways in which sexual mechanism; nothing is done about could be sexually harassed, and how harassment takes place in schools and it. This comes back to respectability. children can be helped. Then, the what steps should be made available Teaching can be done without getting process should also be victim-friendly. to respond to them. sexuality involved. Yet, teachers do The student should not be required to The following are excerpts of the it for various reasons – their personal describe their experience repeatedly to These lines that interview. satisfaction or the fact that it draws a number of parties. The importance separate sexual more students in. Teachers have to be of confidentiality and anonymity harassment from What are the specific problems careful with what they say. should be taught to teachers and all advice are blurred. around sexual harassment that may relevant parties. Students should also If a comment or a take place in a school, especially In Sri Lanka, we look at schools as be given the relevant training. We look makes a person where a child is the victim? sacred and hallowed institutions. have legislature to respond to sexual uncomfortable, if it Unlike an adult being sexually Do you think the way that we treat harassment, but issues in implementing is sexual in nature, harassed, a student would be more schools leads to sexual harassment, and the suppression of discussion due if it makes someone vulnerable; less aware of what is UoC Faculty of Management and Finance Department of Human Resource Management or whatever seems “inappropriate”, to cultural beliefs do not allow us to embarrassed, Prof. Arosha S. Adikaram happening. So, the vulnerability PHOTO HIRANYADA DEWASIRI being swept under the carpet? respond to sexual harassment the way then it is sexual and the lack of power should be This is not just a thing about schools. we should. Society accepts the person harassment. There taken into consideration when I will have to connect everything back who commits the crime because they is a certain way that we talk about a student being Do you think that the way that gender, we are so uncomfortable, to our culture. Lots of these things are sympathise with their families. But you can give advice. harassed. Students may not just be we look at romantic relationships because we have not been accustomed swept under the carpet regardless of such a person poses a risk to their very The words used and harassed in school. It could also among underage children, which is to that interaction. That interaction and whether it is in a school or workplace. families and should be dealt with in an how they are used be an educational institute that taboo in most cases, has an impact the understanding of the other party Sometimes they don’t go to the extent appropriate manner. matter is not a school. And the harasser on sexual harassment of children, are essential. of thinking about the image. It’s just may not necessarily be a teacher especially in a school context? that these issues are not talked about Do you think the available legal – they could be cleaners, external I don’t know if that has an impact. It Would labelling a student as in the open. All of the discussions take provisions are sufficient to combat sports coaches, security personnel, is a separate topic of sexuality which “promiscuous” make them more place as gossip and whispers, but no sexual harassment in educational or even other students. There are also needs to be handled sensitively. prone to harassment? formal discussion takes place when institutes? people who voluntarily come to I don’t believe that the schooling At schools, and at workplaces, something happens. The very reason There are legal provisions in place help in schools with the intention age is the age to have a relationship. I suppose there is a sense of these that sexual harassment happens in our to take this issue to courts, but very of harassing a student. Sexual You wouldn’t be mature enough to labels leading to people justifying culture is because we don’t have a few are willing to do that. This is why harassment could also be instigated handle a relationship at that age and being harassed. These are to do with culture of talking about it in the open. If policies and procedures need to be by any gender towards any gender. that can completely ruin a student’s the gender role expectations that people get to know that this behaviour present at the institutional level – the While children should be made life. Then, the parents and teachers are ingrained by society and, we is not condoned in their respective Ministry of Education. There should be aware of the ways that they can be are responsible for the way that they this is internalised. So when you are institutions, they will think before ways to take formal action or informal harassed, many parents find that handle it. These adults should not harassed, one would then think that engaging in such behaviour. They action or to talk to a counsellor. The All of the discussions and raising awareness make a big scene, as we have seen it is their fault. They would think might be thinking about the image of University of Colombo has a specific discussions take about sex and relationships to that such mishandling has even led to they get harassed because they were the school when such things happen, and comprehensive sexual harassment place as gossip and be inappropriate. Attempts made suicides. Such relationships might also not properly dressed, because they but even if that is not the case, they still policy and the UGC (University Grants whispers, but no by school teachers to talk about lead to sexual harassment. We do see were too friendly. That's what their wouldn’t want to talk about it. Then Commission) has established gender formal discussion sexuality, how to be careful, and examples of cyber sexual harassment friends, parents, and teachers tell the issue with regards to parents is that cells in every university. Good policies takes place when the ways that children can be that takes place following romantic these students. Even the person who parents are not willing to take action inside institutions help in combating something happens. exposed to sexual harassment, relationships among young children. harassed them would say the same because procedures to take action sexual harassment. If the policy is The very reason that face objections from parents on But we do need to promote thing. A small child would not have are not victim-friendly. They fear the very cumbersome and long with many sexual harassment grounds that such discussions are interaction between the two genders. internalised these ideas so much, but possible repercussions for the child. steps, people might not use it much. happens in our inappropriate. Just because we When this interaction is lacking, when it comes to an adolescent, this It is the victim that ultimately suffers. According to research, only 15% of culture is because we don’t speak about it openly, it does students are very unaware as to what internalisation could be very much A Care International study done some such victims would make a formal don’t have a culture not mean that children will not the other gender is about, which can present. Boys would have their own years back revealed that perpetrators complaint either to the company or of talking about it come across instances of sexual lead to sexual harassment and other internalised gender role stereotypes of sexual harassment have been served a relevant party. The success of such in the open conduct in their lives. So, it is types of gender-based harassment. where they believe that if a girl is too their sentences and been released, institutional policies and action would always good to make them aware We have been taught to adhere to our forward, they would conclude that and they had got married and moved also depend on the authorities of the of the dangers and prepare them gender role expectations so much that “they are asking for it”, which would on with their lives whilst the victim institutions. So they also need to be for any situation. These cultural when you are in a girls’ school, you then lead to them being harassed. remains shunned from society unable made aware, and an effective policy restrictions need to be overcome. are not even allowed to look at a boy. Whilst I do not disagree that they to move on from their experience or get needs to be in place. Schools should Incidents of teachers being That itself is an issue. This leaves an should be appropriately dressed and married. have individual policies with regard to harassed by other teachers are also impact on when we move into society behave, not doing so is not an excuse how to handle issues of harassment, very common in schools, as such – I have experienced this personally. for a person to be harassed. Using this Do you think schools are equipped and the Ministry of Education should incidents have been reported. When we interact with the other as reasoning would make the person to deal with sexual harassment definitely have such a policy in place. PTA will be revisited, GoSL tells EU The Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) accordance with the Constitution and other Meanwhile, the EU-Sri Lanka Working has confirmed to the European Union (EU) laws. Group on Development Co-operation its intent on revisiting the provisions of Regarding the use of the death penalty, appraised positively another three grants the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary the EU encouraged Sri Lanka to legally from the EU worth € 35.75 million, which Provisions) Act (PTA) with a view to abolish the death penalty. will support Sri Lanka’s justice sector, help making the appropriate amendments, Moreover, the EU expressed its continued improve food safety, and strengthen efforts according to a joint press release. readiness to support Sri Lanka in these to mitigate climate change. Implementation This confirmation came when the efforts. is planned for 2021 and beyond. The EU EU reiterated the need for Sri Lanka to At the meeting, the EU and Sri Lanka and Sri Lanka committed to working amend the PTA and to bring it in line with exchanged views on a wide array of together in the coming years on the international standards at the 23rd meeting subjects, reaffirming the co-operation preparation of possible new actions aimed at of the EU-Sri Lanka Joint Commission held ties and the willingness to strengthen the addressing green recovery, the promotion of on 25 January, via video conference. relationship between the people of the EU an inclusive and peaceful society, and water The EU, whilst reiterating the importance and Sri Lanka. The parties agreed on the management. The 23rd meeting of the EU-Sri Lanka Joint Commission held on 25 January of fostering reconciliation, justice, importance of continuing to work closely The EU and Sri Lanka also explored accountability, and peaceful co-existence together on human rights and reconciliation possibilities for future co-operation and Sri Lanka agreed that the upcoming Co-operation. among Sri Lanka’s diverse communities, issues which were on the agenda of the on climate change, in particular on the UN conferences – the UN Conference of Issues related to mobility and migration underlined the role of the independent meeting. implementation of the Paris Agreement. the Parties (COP26) to the UNFCCC and were also on the agenda. Ways to enhance institutions, notably the Office on Missing The EU and Sri Lanka also noted the The EU welcomed Sri Lanka's commitment COP15 to the Convention on Biodiversity co-operation on higher education, with a Persons, the Office for Reparations, and the importance of an effective multilateral to the implementation of the revision of (CBD) – will present vital opportunities particular reference to the Horizon 2020, the Human Rights Commission, and stressed system in addressing the challenges related the Nationally Determined Contributions, for the international community to make EU framework programme for research and the value of a fully empowered and resilient to the Covid-19 pandemic. which will be submitted timely to the UN ambitious, meaningful commitments. innovation, were also addressed. civil society. Sri Lanka reaffirmed the commitments Framework Convention on Climate Change The EU and Sri Lanka reviewed Co-operation in the framework of Furthermore, the EU regretted Sri Lanka’s made to effectively implement the 27 (UNFCCC) in February 2021. The EU also ongoing co-operation provided through the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission withdrawal from its co-sponsorship of International Conventions covered by appreciated Sri Lanka’s positive approach an EU-funded project with the UN Office (IOTC) and towards the common goals the United Nations (UN) Human Rights the Special Incentive Arrangement for towards a global agreement on plastics on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the of the preservation of healthy oceans, Council Resolution 30/1 and subsequent Sustainable Development and Good and commitment to reversing biodiversity Interpol. The EU stressed the importance conservation, and the sustainable use of resolutions that incorporated and built Governance (Generalised Scheme/System loss by 2030. Sri Lanka confirmed its of applying international human rights marine living resources was discussed. on it while the Government of Sri of Preferences Plus) scheme on human commitment to taking ambitious action standards in the fight against terrorism while The EU and Sri Lanka agreed on a series Lanka explained how it would advance and labour rights, environment, and good to ensure a sustainable, low-carbon, and Sri Lanka looked forward to continuing the of actions for follow up before the next Joint national reconciliation and action taken in governance. climate-resilient development. The EU Counter Terrorism Dialogue and Security Commission meeting in Brussels in 2021. 45 Wednesday, January 27, 2021 { SPOTLIGHT } „„ www.themorning.lk months, there is no way the Central Government of India in New Delhi and the Indian Prime Minister can ignore the Tamil Nadu factor and its sentiment. “This has to be done at several levels between INDIANS FISHING IN TROUBLED WATERS the Sri Lanka Navy and the Indian Navy, and there has to be a strengthening of joint mechanisms to communicate with each other as well as to prevent such incidents from happening. There also has to be some discussion on this at a higher administrative and political level between both the Governments. In any case, whatever the factors, it is in Sri Lanka’s interest to avoid a collision No neighbourly in which unarmed people in a fishing boat die, which in turn triggers hostility in Tamil Nadu, and this then impacts on New Delhi and therefore on Indo-Sri Lanka relations as a whole,” he explained. “Now, these incidents cause the Government of Sri Lanka to try to make up for it or compensate the ruffled Indian feelings by conceding on the bridge in sight Colombo Port’s East Container Terminal (ECT), which should not be the case, because if we don’t manage every aspect of our relations carefully, then incidents occur where pressure can be exerted on us, and the Government then decides to manage that pressure by conceding on national strategic economic assets, which we should not.” Indo-Sri Lanka ties: Status quo When queried about whether Indo-Sri Lanka relations may be affected due to this incident, especially in a context where Sri Lanka is contemplating entering into an agreement to give 49% of shares of the ECT to India and India is ready to give the Covid-19 vaccine to Sri Lanka, Dr. Jayatilleka said that Sri Lanka must know what our core strategic interests are and must not concede on these, adding that not every strategic Navy diving teams engaged in a search and rescue operation on 20 January recovered two corpses of fishermen of the Indian fishing trawler that sank northwest of Delft Island interest is a core interest. He further said that in his view, under the BY SUMUDU CHAMARA previous UNF-led Government, Sri Lanka went to an agreement, according to which Indian from one extreme to another. “The previous The news that four Indian fishermen died after their fishing trawler collided with a fishermen were allowed to come and fish in Sri Government started out by being anti-China and vessel belonging to the Sri Lanka Navy reignited longstanding tensions between the Lankan waters for a period of one year without pulling the plug on Colombo Port City and every fisheries communities of Sri Lanka and India, consequently raising concerns over the using illegal and harmful fishing equipment. other Chinese project in 2015. That was a huge bilateral relationships between the two countries that have been friends and “However later, the then Government of Sri blunder,” he pointed out. neighbours for centuries. Lanka turned it down, claiming that diplomatic- “I do not think that giving the ECT or 49% of level interventions were what was necessary to it to an external power represents an attempt to Subsequent to the said collision, the Indian fishing conducted by the Navy. address this issue. However, following several find a middle path. It too is merely going from one trawler sank and the four Indian fishermen went He further emphasised that protecting Sri rounds of discussions, their attempts too failed. extreme to another. The present Sri Lanka Podujana missing. Later on, their bodies, which were found Lanka’s maritime boundary is not an easy task, After the United National Front (UNF)-led Peramuna (SLPP)-led Government worsened the by the Navy during a search and rescue operation, especially due to the sea area where poaching Government came to power, another round of problem the former UNF-led Government created, were handed over to the Indian Coast Guard at the takes place being long. Even though the deaths discussions took place. However, our fisheries by integrating even more closely with China at a International maritime boundary line, ending the of the four Indian fishermen were an unfortunate groups sternly refused to allow any form or degree time when there was even a military clash between incident then and there. incident, it had taken place when the Navy of fishing activities by Indian fishermen in Sri India and China. Having made that mistake, the However, fisheries communities of both Sri attempted to apprehend them, he added. Lankan waters.” Government is now trying to compensate by Lanka and India are now questioning the extent to Jesudasan also claimed that the majority of Jesudasan added that the adverse impacts caused giving a major share in a strategic national asset which this issue has intensified, and in the wake of Indian fishermen poaching in Sri Lankan waters by Indian fishermen poaching in Sri Lankan to an external entity, which I believe is unwise. the tragedy, the Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) are poverty-stricken fishermen, and most of the waters are twofold – namely, the financial damage “Concerning Indo-Sri Lanka relations, the has appointed yet another committee to provide time, they enter Sri Lanka’s maritime border taking caused to Sri Lanka’s fisheries industry and the President should study the model of previous a permanent solution to this vexing issue that has a risk due to poverty as well as the influence of environmental damage caused to marine resources. presidents as well as our finest Foreign Minister proven a thorn in the side of bilateral co-existence Indian businessmen and politicians. Therefore, Among the direct issues faced by Sri Lankan Lakshman Kadirgarmar. All previous presidents and co-habitation. he pointed out that the Government of India fishermen are Indian fishermen damaging Sri as well as former Foreign Minister Kadirgamar The Morning, in a bid to look into the two main has a huge responsibility to provide them with Lankan fishermen’s fishing nets; Indian fishermen were willing to accommodate India on the issue aspects this issue entails – i.e. the perpetual plight an alternative solution in order to support their coming in large groups and bigger boats, thus of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution and of the fisheries communities of the two countries – families and to prevent overall violations within posing a threat to Sri Lankan fishermen; and the provincial councils, which was a pressing and its impact on the bilateral relationships between international borders. Indian fishermen carelessly destroying marine concern of India due to the Tamil Nadu factor. Sri Lanka and India, spoke to several experts to resources such as small fish and coral reefs which But none of them ever advocated or practised the gain insights on the matter. Talks between fisheries ultimately cause fish to leave their habitats. giving away of strategic national assets – military communities a damp squib or economic assets – to any foreign country A longstanding, unresolved issue Jesudasan went on to state that even though Poaching in Sri Lankan waters; including our neighbour India. To bring to light the plight of Sri Lankan discussions were held between several fisheries both parties concerned “When India’s External Affairs Minister S. fishermen who have been affected by Indian organisations and Minister of Fisheries Douglas To discuss how the deaths of the Indian Jaishankar came to Sri Lanka, his written statement fishermen poaching in Sri Lankan waters, The Devananda in this connection in Jaffna recently, fishermen as well as the issue of Indian fishermen showed a number of issues he listed, and the 13th Morning spoke to the National Fisheries Solidarity the latter was unable to bring to the table an poaching in Sri Lankan waters can affect Indo-Sri Amendment was one of them. Now, we must note Movement (NAFSO), a network of fisheries effective solution. Lanka relations and diplomatic-level aspects of that the 13th Amendment is something within our organisations formed to address the issues faced “Therefore, we ask the Government to intervene this issue, The Morning spoke to diplomat Dr. Constitution and there are many in the Government by the fisheries communities from across the island to resolve this issue because otherwise, this Dayan Jayatilleka. that support it,” he further elaborated. and defend their rights. situation might morph into a conflict between When questioned as to why it has been NAFSO’s People’s Dialogue for Peace and Indian and Sri Lankan fishermen,” he added. impossible to properly address this issue, Dr. Authorities’ response Sustainable Development National Co-ordinator The Morning attempted to contact Minister Jayatilleka noted that even though problems exist Following the incident, Devananda appointed Anthony Jesudasan, speaking to The Morning, said Devananda for a comment in this regard, but between countries with adjacent territorial borders, a three-member committee in order to obtain the Governments of Sri Lanka and India must look to no avail. which is natural, people dying as a consequence recommendations to prevent Indians violating the into devising a diplomatic-level joint mechanism However, this discussion is not the first held is not natural. We have to sort out the problem Sri Lankan maritime boundaries, Media Secretary to prevent Indian fishermen from violating Sri in this connection. According to him, fisheries from the issue of death, he emphasised. to the Minister of Fisheries Nelson Edirisinghe Lanka’s maritime boundaries. communities of both Sri Lanka and India, with “When it is a question of dead bodies in a told The Morning. Speaking of the recent incident that led to the the support of the relevant authorities, have held collision, then you have political consequences This committee, comprising senior public deaths of four Indian fishermen, Jesudasan said several discussions during the past two decades. that you do not otherwise have, if it was a officials, is scheduled to hold discussions with there is no clear information as to what exactly Elaborating on the previous discussions held by problem between two sets of fishermen. What Fisheries Ministry officials, Fisheries Department happened, adding that Indian fisheries organisations, Sri Lanka and India to resolve this issue, Jesudasan has happened here is that it is not only a clash officials, members of fisheries organisations, as however, are levelling allegations against the Sri said: “Several discussions have been held in the between Tamil Nadu fishermen and northern Sri well as Sri Lanka’s Coast Guard personnel. Lanka Navy in connection with the incident. To past, but none of them bore fruit. In 2004, when Lankan fishermen – it is a collision with a Sri Despite The Morning’s attempts to contact State look into what happened, a joint investigation the peace talks between the Government of Sri Lanka Navy vessel. This means that on one side, Minister of Ornamental Fish, Inland Fish and should be conducted by the Indian and Sri Lankan Lanka and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam a state is involved. In this case, it happened to be Prawn Farming, Fishery Harbour Development, authorities, he suggested. (LTTE) were in progress, Sri Lankan authorities the Sri Lankan State. If it had been a collision Multiday Fishing Activities, and Fish Exports “The incident happened due to the Indian held discussions with Indian fishermen. We between Sri Lankan fishermen and an Indian Kanchana Wijesekera to inquire about the fishermen’s practice of violating Sri Lankan maritime requested them not to enter Sri Lankan waters, Navy vessel, then it would have been the Indian Ministry’s stance and future course of action, boundaries, which has been going on for a long which was not entertained by them. In 2009, after State. Therefore, it is in Sri Lanka’s interest that he was not reachable. time. They rob Sri Lankan fisheries communities the war ended, the number of Indian fishermen this issue be cleared up immediately.” Attempts to contact Minister of Foreign Affairs of the marine resources found within Sri Lanka’s poaching in Sri Lankan waters rose. Also in 2010, According to Dr. Jayatilleka, the sentiment in and State Minister of maritime boundaries, and there is an increase in Sri Lankan authorities went to India with three Tamil Nadu is likely inflamed by this incident and International Relations to these activities. For instance, earlier they used to directors of the Department of Fisheries and held it can in turn be used by anti-Sri Lanka elements discuss what future steps will be taken by Sri enter Sri Lanka’s maritime borders only thrice a talks with South Indian fisheries communities. there. He added that since the elections in Tamil Lanka in this connection also proved futile. week – on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. As a result of these talks, it was possible to come Nadu are scheduled to take place in just a few The Morning also tried to reach the Consulate But now they have started poaching on rest of the General of India in Jaffna and the High Commission days of the week as well,” he stressed. of India in Colombo to inquire about the stance “Another alarming fact is that they come in groups of the Government of India with regard to the of 500-1,500 vessels. In fact, they get very close longstanding issues faced by Indian fishermen in to Sri Lanka where at times we can see them from the northern waters of Sri Lanka, but they were ashore. Fishermen based in the Mullaitivu area unavailable for comment due to yesterday (26) raised strong opposition against this behaviour of being India’s Republic Day, which is a national Indian fishermen. Even though the Sri Lanka Navy holiday in India. has taken steps to apprehend them, compared to the The issue of Indian fishermen poaching in Sri number of Indian fishermen entering Sri Lankan Lankan waters, violating international maritime waters, the number of arrests is meagre,” he added. boundaries, as well as discussions between various Meanwhile, Navy Media Spokesperson Captain parties on the same have been going on for a Indika De Silva said that the issue of Indian long time. The recent incident that resulted in fishermen poaching in Sri Lankan waters is not the deaths of four fishermen who seemed to have at all a new one, and that it has been taking place wanted to make a living reiterates that despite for a very long time. these discussions, the issue remains unresolved Captain De Silva said that the most number of and continues to affect the lives of fishermen of arrests involving Indian fishermen are made in both countries. the Kachchatheevu area located very close to the In a context where Sri Lanka and India are on Indo-Sri Lanka maritime boundary. When queried the brink of becoming more close allies through as to whether the Sri Lanka Navy has launched the ECT and the Covid-19 vaccine, perhaps it is any special operational missions/investigations high time for the authorities of both the countries in this connection, he denied such, adding that Thirty-six Indian nationals apprehended by the Sri Lanka Navy along with five fishing trawlers and fishing to pay adequate attention to this issue before it accessories for poaching in Sri Lankan waters these arrests are made as a result of regular patrols transpires into a far more serious issue. 6 „„ www.themorning.lk { EDITORIAL/VIEW } Wednesday, Januaray 27, 2021

BY SWASTHIKA ARULINGAM Last week, local as well as cable Fish and television news channels were brimming with news of Joe Biden and his running mate Kamala Harris taking oaths as the new diplomacy President and Vice President of the United States of America (US). When the war ended in 2009, it News junkies or political pundits inadvertently led to the birth of another, far or not, we were all aware (or made aware) of this development – that less violent, international war, that between the “tremendously ignorant-bigly India and Sri Lanka; specifically South India lost-p***y grabbing” Donald Trump and Sri Lanka. The warring was over fish. lost the 2020 US presidential Indian fishermen had fished in Sri Lankan election and that in his place, waters with impunity while the Sri Lankan Biden (no adjectives or titles, Government was fighting the Liberation because 44 other Joe Bidens have Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). In fact, it is occupied the seat of the American said that they were on good terms with the President), and Harris, “the first woman – the first woman of colour LTTE and therefore faced no obstructions – the first black woman – the first in poaching. woman of South Asian descent – STATE ACTION ON EASTER SUNDAY ATTACKS However, following the end of the war in the first woman who spoke Tamil May 2009, they had to contend with a new on an election platform (just one reality; that Sri Lanka’s waters were out of word, but still)”, became the Vice bounds. It appears that this is an adjustment President of the US. that is taking them over a decade to make, Representation matters. Adjectives Complex realities count. Words repeated through news, as even now there are regular accounts of fake news, fact-checked news, counter- Indian trawlers, large boats that use wide, facts news, Twitter news, and Facebook cone-shaped nets to catch fish, straying news, imprint images in our heads across Sri Lankan maritime borders, despite which are hard to shake. Sometimes, numerous warnings and arrests by the Sri these images instill hope. Trump was hidden by simple Lanka Navy over the years. no doubt a “tremendously ignorant- Things took a deadly turn recently, with bigly lost-p***y-grabbing” man who the news that four Tamil Nadu fishermen had to be dethroned for a semblance of normalcy (country-specific) to died after their fishing trawler collided with return to the US, and Harris was in fact narratives a vessel belonging to the Sri Lanka Navy. “the first woman – the first woman of Sunday, stated that nearly 15,000 a headscarf. A Muslim activist was months. He said his knees were hurting Initially, the Indian fishing trawler sank and colour – the first black woman – the persons in positions of power knew arrested for warning Muslim youths to due to illnesses caused by both old age the four Indian fishermen went missing. first woman of South Asian descent – about these attacks. None thought that not be strayed by extremist ideology. and war, and that he did not know what Later, the Sri Lanka Navy found their bodies the first woman who spoke Tamil on it was wise to tip the public. None His mistake was that he wrote in Tamil to do because no one would believe during a search and rescue operation and an election platform (just one word, but thought that the people less powerful and the intelligence community did not him. When I met him, he was allowed handed them over to the Indian Coast Guard still)” to become the Vice President of than them had a right to know. There think it important to translate his posts his break outside the Police cell, where the US. These stark, contrasting images was gross failure of leadership and a before they arrested him. A translator he was allowed to sit on a steel chair at the International Maritime Boundary Line. of an egocentric man being replaced callous disregard for life on the part of was arrested for using the word “jihad” to which he was handcuffed near the India last Thursday (21) lodged a strong by a woman breaking the glass ceiling those who sat in power and remain in on a Facebook post and was kept for entrance to the Police Station. Both the protest against Sri Lanka over the death of racial oppression sends strong power to date. months in detention. The reasons for persons arrested were released after of the fishermen, saying the Sri Lankan vibrations of hope to the American To us, the people observing this the arrests were frivolous and under several months when it became clear Government should take steps to prevent the people no doubt, so that they can heave unfolding horror, the sequence of ordinary circumstances, would have that the killings were carried out by the recurrence of such incidents. The issue also a sigh of relief and return to normalcy. events, and those responsible for been scorned upon. But these were same persons responsible for the Easter led to protests by fishermen in Tamil Nadu, In other times and places, these the deaths of over 250 people, one extraordinary times and fear instilled Sunday attacks. No compensation was images wreak havoc in the lives of thing was clear. This was that the in the general public about future paid to both. A non-racially profiled resulting in Tamil Nadu Chief Minister E.K. ordinary people. Government and their intelligence violence made anything done in the investigation might have resulted in Palaniswami announcing compensation of In the morning hours of 21 April and the 268 VIPs and their security name of national security, legitimate. arresting those responsible for the INR 1,000,000 each for the families of the 2019, our country witnessed eight personnel who sat on specific The primary accused in this drama, the Easter Sunday attacks long before the fishermen. He even charged that the Sri bombs detonated one after the other information given to them about the Government and their intelligence, the incident. However, the enemy at that Lankan Navy is destroying the livelihood by suicide bombers. More than 250 attacks and nothing about it and did not 268 VIPs and the 15,000 individuals time was the Tamil former LTTE cadre, of fishermen from Tamil Nadu. With the people died that day. Hundreds more keep the general public informed while in power, were left off the hook by the the easy victim, an easier political Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly elections were injured. The person who headed they saved themselves, should have all people to unleash terror on the Muslim distraction. The end result of this racial coming up, the Central Government of India the group responsible for these killings, been the subject of arrests and criminal population for suspected thought, for imaging of the enemy was more deaths Zahran Hashim, was a warranted investigations. suspected ideology. and more destruction. is unlikely to ignore the pleas of Tamil Nadu, suspect searched for not only by the However, a new ideology of The people were made witness to a Simple narratives often hide complex despite Indian Prime Minister Narendra local Batticaloa Police but also by the criminality was pushed by the people media spectacle of the Police and the realities. Modi generally being less attentive to the Terrorism Investigation Division (TID) in power in order to escape liability. Army raiding into houses and mosques, No doubt Harris was “the first State compared to a Congress Government as well as the Interpol. The action of violence, the bomb unearthing swords and Islamic woman – the first woman of colour due to his strong Hindu support in other There were signs that sinister attacks itself, was no longer the crime. literature, with the police officers – the first black woman – the first parts of India. activities were taking place in the Ideology, belief, and thought were proudly displaying their production woman of South Asian descent – the It is clear that India is not genuinely keen East which could lead to violence and being made a crime by the State and to the media to see. “Why do Muslim first woman who spoke Tamil on an the deaths of people long before the the media. The cause of this violence people have so many swords?” was election platform (just one word, but on putting a stop to their fishermen poaching Easter Sunday attacks. As far back was the “terrorist fetus” which was the question asked by many. But, few still)” to become the Vice President of from Sri Lanka. It is also unlikely the country as 2013-2014, Sufi Muslims in the “developed and sustained” within the asked the more important questions the US. However, this narrative hides will make the issue of the arrests of fishermen Eastern region had made complaints Muslim society, said one Member – how did media channels known for the fact that Harris in her term as the a reason to damage its relationship with Sri to the Police against Hashim and his of Parliament. This ideology the extreme views become privy to raids Attorney General (AG) for the State Lanka, which has gained added importance group. Once again in 2017, a group “terrorist fetus” is armed with, is more and arrests carried out by the Police of California, had defended the death over the past 15 or so years with the entry of Sufis were attacked by Hashim and potent than any weapon, he declared. and the Army? Was the Police and the penalty, had fought to keep prisoners of China as an alternative to India as the his group. Once again, a complaint Therefore, the responsibility was on Army tipping off the media to follow incarcerated even after the US Supreme was lodged with the Police and a the Muslim society to raise their voice them in their raids? If so, why? What Court found that the overcrowding leader of South Asia. However, if fishermen case was lodged with the courts. An against this and to defeat this. The was the purpose of making a spectacle of prisons amounted to a violation of end up dead, it will be hard for the Indian arrest warrant was issued on Hashim Parliamentarian who developed the out of these arrests? rights, and resisted pressure calling to Government to ignore the issue and would and two others. Hashim managed theory of the “terrorist fetus” declared The creation of images and investigate police shootings. The US’ produce strongly worded statements such to escape arrest. In July 2018, the further: “In the move to defeat this simplified narratives through law enforcement is racially charged, as the one they sent Sri Lanka last week. TID had obtained an open warrant lunacy, the security services and the raids, arrests, and “terrorist-fetus” often targeting Black and ethnic In Sri Lanka, the Government appointed a from the Colombo Chief Magistrate Police can arrest those involved in the theories, that any Muslim by virtue minorities unfairly. Harris, as a woman committee to provide a permanent solution to apprehend Hashim. However, incident, raid relevant sites, and seize of their religion was a potential of colour, as the AG of a state, could to the fish-based conflict. However, the Sri Hashim’s name did not capture goods. However, where does this fetus extremist and therefore a reason for have championed criminal justice the popular imagination until the develop? We believe it develops and is the Easter Sunday bombing, was reform which would have benefited Lankan Government must play a delicate Easter Sunday attacks. There was no sustained within the Muslim society”. done seamlessly by those in power Black and minority communities, diplomatic game here, despite India being in widespread knowledge or awareness It was said and repeated that the cause and the media. This project was but she failed to do so. Today, she is the wrong by encroaching upon Sri Lankan or media reporting on a man in hiding of violence which killed more than fuelled by the confusion and anger imaged as representing the very people waters. It must manoeuvre itself into a who was a suspected criminal with 250 people was an extremist ideology and the reserve of racism which all she did not do enough to protect while position where it can protect its Northern the potential to cause grave harm to and that this had to be eradicated. The Sri Lankans seem to possess in the occupying one of the top positions of fishermen’s livelihoods without antagonising communities until the Easter Sunday “terrorist fetus” theory in one form or back of our minds about the “other”. law enforcement in a state. India, especially with its economy so attacks. the other was repeated through news, This imaging and narrative had two Similarly, no doubt violence However, hours after the Easter fake news, fact-checked news, counter- desired consequences to those in preached in the name of Islam precariously placed. The Government must Sunday attacks, it became known facts news, Twitter news and Facebook power; firstly, the mystifying of the propelled nine criminals to detonate ensure that India tells its Southern fishermen to us through a leaked letter signed news. Within a few weeks of the Easter cause of violence – a gross failure of bombs, killing and maiming to respect Sri Lanka’s borders and fish by Deputy Inspector General of Sunday attacks, it was hard not to be responsible action by those in power hundreds. However, violence and within their own, and to provide solutions Police (DIG) Priyalal Dissanayake convinced that the cause of violence to prevent bloodshed where even the extremism is preached by certain to its fishermen’s problems which lead them that at least 10 days before the bomb and bloodshed was none other than name of the accused, the potential theologians and some leaders of to cross into their neighbouring country’s attacks, sections of the Police and the extremist ideology within the Muslim places of attacks, and even the all religions, yet most persons of waters. If this is achieved, it would be an intelligence community knew very community. However, law does not mode of attack was known weeks religion do not resort to extremist specific details about who was planning cater to eradicating ideology. Law does before the attacks, and secondly, violence. The Easter Sunday attacks absolute diplomatic triumph, but such a the attack and the mode of attack. It not make thought a crime. But that is the creation of a new enemy raise several questions about favourable agreement is unlikely to come later became known to us that 268 very exactly what the Government did with which would be used whenever the way of life of sections of the cheap. It will be interesting to watch what important persons (VIPs) knew about the support of its faithful companion – governments in power fail to deliver Muslim community and their coping the Government offers India in return for this attack and did not reveal this to the the media. on their promises to the people. mechanisms when subjected to its co-operation in keeping out Tamil Nadu public. A former Director of the State More than 2,000 Muslims were For instance, Tamils were the systematic racism by the majoritarian fishermen from Sri Lankan waters. Intelligence Service who testified to rounded up and arrested after the Easter enemy of the State for decades and politics, which hopefully the PCoI on the Presidential Commission of Inquiry Sunday attacks. A pregnant woman was still continue to be. Even after the war, these attacks will answer. (PCoI) probing the bombings on Easter kept for weeks in detention for wearing whenever a diversion was needed, However, violence cannot be former Liberation Tigers of Tamil eradicated through state violence No 91, Wijerama Mawatha, Eelam (LTTE) cadres were rounded up (arrests, incarceration, and punishment) Colombo 7. and arrested by the Government. For on thought and ideology, however instance, on 30 November 2019, two extreme and sinister it may be. When Fax - 011 2 673 441 police officers were murdered in the the Government and its media resort to village of Vavunathivu in Batticaloa. simple narratives (usually coloured in General - 011 5 200 900 The Police immediately went on a racist imaging), and we believe it, the raid and arrested former LTTE cadres victims are inevitably us, the “others” Sales & Marketing because the simplified narrative has (the non-268 VIPs, the non-important 076 1367612 been laid out that only the LTTE can masses), who, before the days leading carry out murders against the State. up to the Easter Sunday attacks, were Circulation Manager Two former LTTE cadres were thus not important enough to be made aware 011 5 978 987 / 076 1 367620 arrested. One of them was an elderly of life saving information. man whom I met, and who repeatedly E-mail The people were made witness to a media spectacle of the Police and the Army raiding into said that he had nothing to do with the (The writer is an [email protected] houses and mosques, unearthing swords and Islamic literature, with the police officers murder. He was kept in the tiny remand Attorney-at-Law and a Member of the proudly displaying their production to the media to see cell in the Batticaloa Police Station for Liberation Movement) 47 Wednesday, January 27, 2021 „„ www.themorning.lk

business SEC cautions investors against unsolicited Over 1,700 tourists investment tips The Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka (SEC) yesterday (26), issuing a visited SL in a month statement, cautioned investors against unsolicited investment z tips. Only 60 during 21-24 Jan The SEC noted it has observed BY KAREN HAPUARACHCHI that unsolicited messages Sri Lanka has received over 1,700 tourists in one month, including the purporting to be stock tips/ group of Ukrainian tourists who began travelling the island, from late investment advice with respect December 2020 to January 2021, The Morning Business learns. to listed companies are being of such misleading information According to Sri Lanka Tourism to 24 January 2021,” Perera explained. circulated via SMS, websites, is not only detrimental to the Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) Acting “There were German tourists recently and social media platforms like interests of the investors, but also Marketing Director and Director of along with 15 tourists and five travel WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, adversely affects the integrity of Public Relations Madubhani Perera, 1,700 agencies from Germany that came,” she Sri Lanka, with hotels offering an all- numbers of tourists in the present year are and YouTube. the securities market. Some of tourists were recorded during the period added. inclusive package no less than $ 100 per unavailable due to the unexpected impacts “These messages have been these messages would tantamount from 25 December 2020 to 24 January Perera also noted that apart from day, where each tourist was expected to that have affected the tourism industry. directed towards investors and to market manipulation. 2021, along with a group of German the German tourists and the respective spend around $ 1,500 for the package. There was said to be an expected gradual the general public, recommending Accordingly, all investors and travellers. 15 tourists who arrived following the However, only 1,700 out of the expected increase of tourists in 2021. In addition dealing in particular stocks of the general public are advised by She said that out of these 1,700 tourists, reopening of Sri Lankan airports, the 5,000 are reported to have arrived in to this, countries that were claimed to be listed companies, indicating target the SEC to not to rely on such 60 tourists came during the period from country has only allowed Ukrainian the country. most likely to visit Sri Lanka were the prices, and providing misleading/ unsolicited stock tips/investment 21-24 January this year. tourists to visit from late December 2020 “There was a pilot project handled United Arab Emirates (UAE), Germany, false information relating to listed advice circulated through bulk “From December (2020) up to 24 to January 2021 under the pilot project by Udayanga Weeratunga, the former and India. companies, and inducing them to SMS, websites, and social January, there were about 1,700 tourists handled by former Sri Lankan Ambassador Ambassador (to Russia). He’s the one “We cannot give the numbers because deal in such stocks,” the statement media platforms. All investors that came into the country under the to Russia Udayanga Weeratunga. who initiated this programme and brought it will be a slow increase, so we can’t added. are further advised to engage in pilot project. But with regard to tourists Moreover, the initial aim of the pilot down these people. He was able to do it expect numbers at the moment. The UAE, Furthermore, the SEC stated appropriate due diligence and who came with our second programme project was to accommodate around because he had contacts,” Perera noted. Germany, and India are a few examples that it has taken serious note of to obtain advice from registered with the reopening of airports under the 5,000 Russian and Ukrainian tourists When questioned on the expectations that have high potential of visiting Sri these developments and wishes investment advisors when dealing guidelines, only 60 tourists arrived 21 to generate $ 10 million in revenue to for 2021, SLTPB said that predicted Lanka,” Perera added. to point out that the circulation in the securities market. EU says SL can do better in terms of trade

The EU and the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka held their 23rd meeting of the Joint Commission on 25 January 2021, via video conference. This was the first Joint Commission under the new leadership in both the EU and Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka has the potential contribution to Sri Lanka’s February 2021. Sri Lanka to make better use of the tariff economy. Exports from confirmed its commitment concession that has been Sri Lanka to the EU have to taking ambitious action granted by the European increased to reach € 2.3 to ensure a sustainable, low- Union (EU) including the billion (Sri Lankan currency carbon, and climate resilient Generalised Scheme of equivalent), thus making the development. The EU and Preferences Plus (GSP+), EU Sri Lanka’s second largest Sri Lanka agreed that the the EU noted in its 23rd export market. upcoming UN conferences Joint Commission meeting The Joint Commission – the UN Conference of held early this week with Sri meeting was held in a cordial the Parties (COP26) to the Lanka. and open atmosphere and the UNFCCC and the 15th The EU stressed that open EU and Sri Lanka exchanged Conference of the Parties and fair trade requires a level views on a wide array of (COP15) to the Convention playing field, and expressed subjects, reaffirming the on Biodiversity (CBD) will its strong concerns about Sri deep co-operation ties and present vital opportunities for Lanka’s import restrictions the willingness to strengthen the international community to imposed since April 2020, the relationship between the make ambitious, meaningful following Covid, which people of the EU and Sri commitments. have a negative impact on Lanka further. The EU and The meeting was co-chaired European businesses. Sri Lanka agreed on the by European External Action Furthermore, it urged importance of enhancing trade Service Deputy Managing Sri Lanka to notify these ties and continuing to work Director for Asia and the measures to the World closely together on human Pacific Paola Pampaloni and Trade Organisation (WTO). rights and reconciliation Foreign Ministry of Sri Lanka The EU and Sri Lanka issues which were on the Additional Secretary A.M.J. committed to further enhance agenda of the meeting. Sadiq. the regular EU-Sri Lanka The EU welcomed Sri The Joint Commission, Investor Dialogue to address Lanka’s commitment to which oversees the 1995 impediments affecting trade the implementation of the EU-Sri Lanka Co-operation and investment from the EU. environmental and climate Agreement on Partnership Sri Lanka and the EU change conventions, notably and Development, deals with concurred that the EU’s the revision of the Nationally a broad range of bilateral and unilateral tariff preferences Determined Contributions multilateral issues of mutual granted under the Special (NDCs), which will be interest. Its tasks are to: Incentive Arrangement for submitted timely to the ensure the proper functioning Sustainable Development and United Nations Framework and implementation of the Good Governance (GSP+) Convention on Climate agreement, set priorities, and have made a significant Change (UNFCCC) in make recommendations. Kotmale Holdings reports Rs. 33 m profit for 4Q20 Kotmale Holdings PLC, first nine months of 2019. million amidst a decline in a subsidiary of Cargills Basic earnings per share of other income; profit for the (Ceylon) PLC, has recorded a the company dropped to Rs. year was reported at Rs. 149 profit of Rs. 33 million for the 1.05 during this period while million, down 4.7% against quarter ended on 31 December it stood at Rs. 1.13 during the the previous year. 2020, compared to Rs. 35.3 fourth quarter of 2019. Kotmale Holdings, million reported for the same According to its annual formerly known as Lambretta period previous year. report, in 2019/20, the (Ceylon) Ltd., is a company For the first nine months company reported a revenue incorporated and operating ended on 31 December 2020, growth of 13.6% year-on-year in Sri Lanka since 6 January the company has recorded a (YoY) to Rs. 2,892 million. 1967, as a quoted public profit of Rs. 107.5 million, Operating profit improved company listed with the while it recorded a profit of from 2019, recording a 10% Colombo Stock Exchange Rs. 117.8 million during the YoY growth to Rs. 225 (CSE) in 1969. 48 business „„ www.themorning.lk { MANUFACTURING/TECH } Wednesday, January 27, 2021 ComBank supports Lina Spiro begins Central Bank campaign operations as SL’s first to promote LANKAQR MDI manufacturing plant Sunshine Healthcare Lanka (SHL), the healthcare arm of the diversified conglomerate Sunshine Holdings PLC, officially commenced the operations of its subsidiary Lina Spiro (Pvt.) Ltd., Sri Lanka’s first Metered-Dose Inhaler (MDI) manufacturing plant in Kadawatha yesterday (26). State Minister of Production, Supply, and Regulation of Pharmaceuticals Prof. ceremoniously State Minister of Money, Capital Markets, and State Enterprise Reforms Ajith declared open the facility in the presence of Nivard Cabraal, Commercial Bank Head of Card Centre Thusitha Suraweera, senior officials from Sunshine Holdings, and senior officials of CBSL Akbar Brothers, National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA), State Commercial Bank of Ceylon for purchases at Diyatha Uyana via Pharmaceutical Corporation (SPC), (ComBank) extended its support ComBank Q+ over the weekend a Medical Supplies Division (MSD), towards the Colombo launching 20% cashback, subject to a daily State Pharmaceutical Manufacturing event of Central Bank’s initiative to limit, in support of this promotion, Corporation (SPMC), and other public promote cashless digital payments the bank stated. and private healthcare institutions. via LANKAQR, the national quick At the same time, the bank’s sales The state-of-the-art factory, which response (QR) code platform. teams visited retail establishments has qualified and experienced staff State Minister of Production, Supply, and Regulation of Pharmaceuticals Prof. Channa Jayasumana ceremoniously opening Lina The Colombo launching event in Pelawatte and Battaramulla Spiro (Pvt.) Ltd. manufacturing a line of respiratory was held at Diyatha Uyana and to register more vendors for the care products, is the only GMP (good Inhaler Device, and continues to invest Healthcare as Sri Lanka’s first fully Director Shyam Sathasivam said: “For attended by State Minister of ComBank Q+ merchant app. manufacturing practices)-certified significantly in R&D to introduce more integrated healthcare company, starting Sunshine Healthcare to become Sri Money, Capital Markets, and State Customers who purchase from manufacturer of MDI products in Sri products. from manufacturing up to retailing Lanka’s first end-to-end healthcare Enterprise Reforms Ajith Nivard these merchants by using ComBank Lanka, according to the company. In December 2020, Sunshine healthcare products, including last-mile company is a significant milestone. The Cabraal, Central Bank Deputy Q+ will also get the 20% cashback Lina Spiro is the latest pharmaceutical Holdings announced its healthcare distribution across the country for all merger helps us set up our cutting-edge Governor T.M.J.Y.P. Fernando, till 31 January, the bank said. plant by Lina Manufacturing and is business’s strategic merger consisting healthcare products. The company will manufacturing capabilities in line with Central Bank Director of Payments The first QR code-based app a local manufacturer supplying a of Sunshine Healthcare Lanka and be now operating in all five segments the Government’s objectives, which and Settlements D. Kumaratunge, certified by LANKAQR, ComBank variety of respiratory products to the Healthguard Pharmacy with Akbar of the healthcare supply chain, namely seeks to reduce the country’s reliance on and several other dignitaries. Q+ offers options for both retail government sector and private sector. Pharmaceuticals, Lina Manufacturing, R&D, manufacturing, importation, pharmaceutical imports, while creating Commercial Bank, whose customers and merchants. All Lina has claimed to have pioneered and Lina Spiro – the business units distribution, and retail. a robust platform to provide more app “ComBank Q+” was the recently launched point-of-sale the development of local respiratory of Akbar Healthcare. The merger’s Commenting on the occasion, skilled employment opportunities for first QR-based payment app to (POS) machines deployed by the products with its patented Respiratory finalisation elevates Sunshine Sunshine Healthcare Lanka Managing the local talent pool.” be launched on the LANKAQR bank are enabled with LANKAQR platform, offered customers paying functionality. Viber’s growth in Sri Lanka contributes to APAC region performance Viber, a communications based on the data recorded in Board of Sri Lanka, and the scenes and the immense they connect with those who app, has recorded an overall the same period in 2019. Vanitha Vasana. impact we have on the lives of matter most.” increase in app usage across The uptick in Viber “2020 would really go our users, especially at a time Rakuten Viber also marked the Asia Pacific (APAC) region Communities showcased an down in history as one of of physical distancing,” said its 10th anniversary in 2020 in 2020, with Sri Lanka also increase in interest by Sri those years that changed the Rakuten Viber Chief Growth and revealed plans to turn the contributing with usage gains. Lankans as messages sent to course of our lives. Through Officer Anna Znamenskaya. messaging platform into an In the APAC region, the Communities grew by 85%, my many interactions with “As we begin another year, all-in-one or lifetime app by application ended the year while users who viewed my colleagues in Asia, I’ve Viber vows to continue what introducing new capabilities with a 421% growth of users communities also grew by a witnessed how they faced the it has started and uphold and and features, starting with the in December 2020. In the same record 125%. pandemic with resilience and protect our users’ privacy at launch of Chatbot Payments period, Viber also recorded Partnerships were resourcefulness, finding ways all touchpoints. At the same that allow users to securely a 509% growth in messages also launched such as an to survive and thrive. We at time, we will work harder to purchase products and services sent and a massive surge in e-commerce bot with the Viber are inspired by their provide them with features from merchants and accept messages sent to groups. These supermarket chain Cargills fighting spirit as we realise the that allow them to improve payments directly through A Commercial Bank POS terminal performing a contactless transaction 2020 growth numbers were Food City, National Lotteries value of the work we do behind their app experience and how the app. CDB Finance leads finance sector automation Mastercard launches one-stop resource with John Keells IT site to support digital transformation John Keells IT, a boutique consulting and To help small and medium language websites for Singapore, is part of Mastercard’s global efforts professional services enterprises (SMEs) recover from Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, to help SMEs “Get Paid, Get Capital, company which also the pandemic and prepare for the Hong Kong, India, and Southeast and Get Digital” through new undertakes Robotic future, Mastercard has launched Asia. It will be rolled out selectively product development, partnerships, Process Automation the “Digital Acceleration for Small on non-English sites in the future. and distribution channels. These (RPA) recently Businesses” microsite across most To enhance the resources for include initiatives in North America, implemented a state-of- of its Asia Pacific websites with SMEs, Mastercard has joined forces the Caribbean, Australia, and New the-art RPA system for information and resources on how with popular website builder Wix Zealand. Citizens Development to digitalise and run businesses more and with Zoho, a cloud solutions After reaching its goal to bring Business Finance PLC efficiently. provider with more than 60 million 500 million people into the financial (CDB) in a bid to help As Covid-19 drives a rapid and users. These partners are sponsoring system, Mastercard strengthened its transform its banking lasting shift to ecommerce and online guides and articles on various commitment to inclusion by pledging services to digital. CDB Executive Director – Business Operations John Keells IT COO – Software Solutions and contactless payments, the one-stop topics – from creating an online to help a total of one billion people CDB, a customer of Dave De Silva Services Dilini De Alwis centre features guides on digital store and choosing the right domain get access to the digital economy John Keells IT, marked a transformation, e-learning courses, name, to migrating to an online by 2025, including 50 million small milestone with this new manufacturing, and customers with a better us for the long-term information about Mastercard expense management and accounting businesses and 25 million women RPA system, which has software services. Its service while providing commitment we made in products and services for SMEs, platform. entrepreneurs. the capacity to streamline parent company, John our employees with a the RPA technology as a cybersecurity insights and tools to “As the world shifts beyond Beyond supporting businesses, its operational processes Keells Holdings (Pvt.) platform to work more whole, our commitment to reduce vulnerabilities, and access short-term survival, SMEs need the benefits of going digital are far- in addition to enhancing Ltd., is one of the efficiently. We believe that Uipath, and the value we to discounts on business software to plan for long-term success in a reaching. Digitalisation of SMEs the overall efficiency beneficiaries of the RPA the banking and financial created for our customers solutions, ecommerce platforms, and new world of online shopping. At could add $ 2.6 trillion to $ 3.1 and effectiveness of the technology from the very industry can drastically throughout the years,” De digital marketing services. Wix, we’ve seen first-hand how trillion to Asia Pacific’s GDP by organisation. This newly early stages. improve overall business Alwis further added. “SMEs have taken a particularly the past year challenged businesses 2024, a recent study by International implemented RPA system As a result of its operations by applying “The innovation is only hard hit from the pandemic, so it’s in so many ways but also how it Data Corporation showed. Due to the enables CDB to fast- extensive focus on robotics and automation. at its initial stages with vital for them to get the knowledge, brought out their resilience, grit, and impact of Covid-19, it said, nearly track multiple processes automation, CDB has won CDB will continue to automation and RPA. skills, and resources they need to adaptability,” said Wix.com Head of 70% of SMEs in Asia Pacific are including customer the UiPath Automation disrupt the traditional We remain committed offer an omnichannel shopping eCommerce Marketing Liat Karpel accelerating digitisation and 86% onboarding, credit card Excellence Award for norms in the finance to ensuring that we and payment experience that drives Gurwicz. believe this will help build resilience operations, recovery, 2020. UiPath is one of the industry.” continuously innovate business and builds customer loyalty “Even as organisations are trying against future events. gold loan management, technologies which were “CDB Finance PLC and continue to build in the physical and digital worlds,” to reimagine their business models, Reflecting the huge shift to a CRIB operations, auto selected to be adopted is one of the first to take momentum in the market. said Mastercard Asia Pacific dwelling in rich content helps unlock “digital first” mindset, contactless finance, and insurance. for automation with the bold steps of looking at John Keells IT not only Executive Vice President – Products ideas. We are excited to participate payments via the Mastercard network This process will provide consultation of John automation with UiPath. supports the technology and Innovation Sandeep Malhotra. in this initiative by Mastercard, were 41% of in-person transactions service to the customers Keells IT as the consulting Today we have developed but also provides “With consumer buying habits and a company that is committed to in the third quarter of 2020 – up from via increased internal and implementation the roadmap and work consultative engagements expectations evolving so quickly, empower businesses to innovate 37% in the second quarter and 30% efficiencies while partner for this journey. with the leadership on this to businesses taking the this initiative is just one of the and implement superior solutions a year earlier. reducing manual labour Sharing his thoughts on journey with a 360-degree automation journey on ways that Mastercard is fostering for business transformation,” said With ATM withdrawals at an and optimising back-end the win, CDB Executive understanding of their change management and financial inclusion and helping small Zoho Corp Vice President and all-time low, Mastercard research processes. Director – Business business from processes, re-skilling of people, businesses to go digital across their General Manager – Asia Pacific shows more than 70% of consumers Ever since it started Operations Dave De Silva people, and technology which is a key enabler to operations to reduce costs, increase Gibu Mathew. “This initiative will globally plan to continue or increase operations in 2017, said: “This win reinforces to ensure this provides a deploy RPA,” stated John efficiency, and improve cashflow further enhance and deepen digital online purchases and that 74% intend John Keells IT has our commitment towards competitive advantage Keells IT CEO Ramesh management – all while staying awareness and knowhow, allowing to keep using contactless payments delivered value by the building a business model to CDB,” John Keells IT Shanmuganathan. safe and protected from cyber risks business owners and top management after the pandemic subsides. In Asia power of automation that is sustainable and COO – Software Solutions John Keells IT is a and fraud.” to make informed decisions when Pacific, touch-free payments are to organisations across digitally driven. Through and Services Dilini De wholly owned subsidiary of The “Digital Acceleration for selecting solutions that best support here to stay, according to 71% of many verticals such as this automation we Alwis stated. Sri Lanka’s conglomerate Small Businesses” centre is available evolving business needs.” consumers in Australia, 77% in India, banking and finance, were able to provide our “The award recognised John Keells Holdings PLC. across Mastercard’s English- The resources site in Asia Pacific 73% in China, and 62% in Japan. business 49 Wednesday, January 27, 2021 { CORPORATE } „„ www.themorning.lk SLIM DIGIS 2.0 EGUARDIAN partners with Smokescreen Digital Breakers EGUARDIAN, a provider bypass the normal protection of cybersecurity solutions and mechanisms ” services, recently announced a Commenting on the partnership with Smokescreen, partnership, Smokescreen a market leader in deception- CEO Sahir Hidayatullah stated: wins bronze for Best based threat defense solutions. “We’re excited to be associated “We are thrilled to join with a leading technology hands with Smokescreen, enabler like EGUARDIAN. whose deception-based With their stellar record of ‘active defense’ philosophy successfully introducing Marketing Campaign has resulted in securing the cutting-edge technology most targeted organisations solutions in their country, we Digital Breakers (Pvt.) Ltd., globally against advanced EGUARDIAN CEO Suresh de Silva couldn’t have asked for a better founded in 2018, was recently threats, and has proved its partner. We are proud to engage bestowed the bronze award effectiveness time and again,” with them to help develop and for Best Marketing Campaign said EGUARDIAN CEO transform the threat detection at the SLIM Digis 2.0, on behalf Suresh de Silva. and response capabilities of of their client Orel Corporation He added: “Information their large customer base in (Pvt.) Ltd. security and risk management Sri Lanka.” The SLIM Digis event was leaders in Sri Lanka are EGUARDIAN, having launched in 2018 to recognise looking for innovative, high- recently celebrated a successful digital disruptors in Sri Lanka who impact solutions that detect decade in business, hopes to have steered the growth of digital threats early and contain them deploy this solution to their marketing presence in the island. swiftly in the ever-changing large base of customers “One of the key differentiators threat landscape. We strongly through their extensive channel between brands who see growth in believe that Smokescreen, partner network. The range of their companies versus those who with their futuristic deception Smokescreen CEO Sahir industries includes banking and don’t is the investment they make platform, is an ideal first Hidayatullah finance, telecommunications, in digital marketing. Diminishing choice to deploy advanced functions, as well as to apparel, manufacturing, and online presence and reluctance to threat detection and response detect cyber attacks that the services sector. Digital Breakers Director Heshan Madurakshithan accepting the award switch from traditional means is why smaller startups are seeing content writing and translations, family-owned multinational immensely proud of our agility and SLIM BRAND EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2021 a massive surge in their growth,” videos, animation, e-commerce company, operating in 28 resilience in securing a prestigious stated Digital Breakers Director solutions, digital marketing countries in the spheres of building award for our digital innovation. Heshan Madurakshitha. consultancy, and web design and infrastructure, digital infrastructure, Our journey does not stop here – Atlas wins ‘CSR Brand of “Our holistic solutions offered development – services that are artificial intelligence, digital we will also continue to expand at Digital Breakers covers a gamut instrumental in creating market commerce, healthcare, education, our portfolio of services that reach of digital services including social presence.” IoT, and transportation. a global market for maximum the Year’ bronze award media management, social media Digital Breakers’ client Orel “During the turbulent times the efficacy and superlative services,” campaigns, graphics and design, Corporation is a third-generation world experienced in 2020, I am stated Madurakshitha. Ceylinco Life donates classroom buildings to schools in Elpitiya and Kegalle Ceylinco Life stated that built over the years continues to it donated its 82nd and 83rd be monitored by the company, classrooms to schools in Elpitiya Ceylinco Life stated, adding that it and Kegalle recently, under one of returned to 38 of them in 2018 to the company’s flagship community undertake re-painting and repairs, initiatives. even as it continued to identify Atlas Axillia Co. Managing Director Asitha Samaraweera and Senior Manager of Corporate Relations, The beneficiary schools are Sri more schools for buildings to be Nadeeka Jayasinghe, receiving the “CSR Brand of the Year” bronze award at the SLIM Brand Excellence Dhammajothi Primary School, built in the years ahead. Awards 2020 Helamada, Kegalle, and G/ Commencing with a classroom Thanabaddegama Anagarika built for the Tissa Primary Atlas Axillia, manufacturer Director Asitha Samaraweera enabled financial assistance Dharmapala School, Elpitiya. School in Lunugamvehera in and marketer of stationery and said: “The children of Sri for underprivileged students These building projects were 2004, Ceylinco Life’s schools school supplies, won the “CSR Lanka will always be at the in terms of scholarships, coordinated by the Warakapola infrastructure project has Brand of the Year” bronze centre of everything we do donations of school stationery, and Elpitiya branches of the life traversed the length and breadth award for the Atlas “SipSavi” here at Atlas, and therefore our and school infrastructure insurance leader, respectively. of Sri Lanka, assisting schools programme at the SLIM Brand CSR efforts have and always development, enabling them The construction of both in diverse locations such as Excellence Awards 2020 held will focus on their wellbeing. to continue their education, classrooms began in January Jaffna, Vavuniya, Trincomalee, on 22 January 2021. Receiving the title ‘CSR Brand according to the company. 2020, was completed in July and Mutur, Batticaloa, Sittandy, Through an evaluation of the Year’ from SLIM for the Atlas Axillia Co. Head August, and the buildings were Mollipatana, Ayithyamalai, conducted by a panel of SipSavi programme will not of Marketing Kaushali formally handed over to the schools Embilipitiya, Nivithigala, marketing professionals in only set the benchmark for Kusumapala said: “Even in December 2020 despite the Beligala, Avissawella, Deniyaya, the country, the Atlas SipSavi Atlas in terms of our brand’s during a challenging year pandemic, the company said. Kamburupitiya, Bandarawela, programme was identified as performance, but it will also like 2020, we had numerous Both schools educate students The classrooms donated by Ceylinco Life to Sri Dhammajothi Primary Haputale, Rambukkana, Kandy, a meaningful CSR initiative affirm the brand’s efforts in initiatives launched under the School in Helamada, Kegalle (above) and G/Thanabaddegama Anagarika from Grade 1 to GCE Ordinary Dharmapala School in Elpitiya Pilimathalawa, Madulkelle, that has created equal learning serving the country and its Atlas SipSavi programme to Level. The Sri Dhammajothi Rikillagaskada, Rajawella, opportunities for over 11,200 children.” help uplift the nation and its Primary School has 169 students The schools stated that the Ceylinco Life’s 81st classroom Matale, Galgamuwa, Padaviya, children directly within The Atlas SipSavi future leaders. I would like to and 19 teachers. Classes are donation of a new classroom will donation that took place in Boraluwewa, Anuradhapura, 2019. Since its inception, programme was launched express my sincere gratitude to predominantly conducted in significantly increase the ability December 2019 benefitted Grade Monaragala, Anamaduwa, Atlas SipSavi has supported to provide equal access the partners of Atlas SipSavi a large hall shared by all. The of the Grade 5 Scholarship Exam 1 students of the Mahakalupahana Matugama, Kilinochchi, Mannar, thousands of underprivileged to education, learning for facilitating our efforts Thanabaddegama Anagarika students to focus on their studies. Junior School in Matugama. Wellawaya, Talawa, Chilaw, children facing financial materials, and better learning to support truly deserving Dharmapala School has 280 Since most of these students do not The company built and donated Galagedara, Rathkarawwa, challenges to sustain their environments to the most children.” students and 18 teachers. Students have access to tuition classes and classroom buildings to 12 needy Hatton, Badulla, Nuwara education, according to the vulnerable children, who Atlas Axillia Co. (Pvt.) Ltd., in this school resort to learning in depend solely on their schools for schools in 2018-19 under this Eliya, Welimada, Puttalam, company. are at risk of dropping out of formerly known as Ceylon the garden area, as they too have education, the exclusive classrooms programme that was initiated Polonnaruwa, Mathugama, and Commenting on the award, school due to dire economic Pencil Company (Pvt.) Ltd., only one shared classroom. are of much value, they said. 16 years ago. Every classroom now Elpitiya and Kegalle. Atlas Axillia Co. Managing situations. Atlas SipSavi has was founded in 1959. HNB partners with Car Checks to offer leasing solutions Carbon Consulting Company recognised at SLIM’s Brand Excellence Awards Corporate sustainability communication had not been given dynamic Board of Directors, the success is the result of long-term consultancy, Carbon Consulting due consideration in the overall overall Corporate Plan was realigned strategic marketing initiatives.” Company (CCC), was recognised by business plan,” said CCC Director/ along several strategic marketing Speaking on the occasion, CCC the Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing CEO Sanith de S. Wijeyeratne. and branding imperatives, and this Head of Operations Kanishka (SLIM) at its recently-concluded “While the team was very focused was the foundation of the success Jayasinghe stated: “In addition to Brand Excellence Awards for 2020. on scientific and research-based that the company was to go on to our team’s expert technical know- “On taking over CCC during consulting, aspects of marketing achieve. From our humble roots, we how, sustainability marketing the early days, it soon became and communication had very have grown into a regional player communications have always very evident that the focus on often not been considered. with significant clients and projects been an intrinsic part of our service proper branding and marketing In consultation with our very across the globe, and much of this offering.” From left: Car Checks (Pvt.) Ltd.’s Assistant Manager Craig Paiva, Director Jan K. Sellayah, and Head of Administration Romany De Silva; and HNB’s Head of Personal Financial Services Kanchana Karunagama, Senior Manager – Leasing Niluka Amarasinghe, Assistant Manager – Leasing Roshan De Silva, and Business SAKS assigned CX management for ride-sharing platform Development Executive (HNB Leasing), Mahesh Ratnayake at the MoU signing HNB PLC recently announced a accident-free certification valued at partnership with vehicle inspection Rs. 6,000 at no cost from Car Checks centre Car Checks (Pvt.) Ltd., to provide (Pvt.) Ltd., when their lease is processed customers with leasing solutions when at the site by representatives from the authenticating their vehicles. bank. Similarly, the bank will also The partnership will offer benefits refund the cost of the report to existing and low-interest rates, in addition to an HNB leasing customers. accident-free report from the centre at “A Car Checks report is important no cost. Customers who obtain a score when you decide to purchase a vehicle of 90% or more on their inspection to ascertain the condition of a vehicle report at the site will also be eligible you want to invest in. However, regular The SAKS Global team for a special interest rate for leasing. checks are also important to ensure “We are delighted to offer our your safety and that of the vehicle, and An on-demand mobility its advanced Customer delivery platform’s decision metrics from all customer- been committed to supporting customers with this incredible facility save on exorbitant bills in the future. solutions provider has Experience (CX) platform to to partner with SAKS facing touchpoints will enable its growing client list, through this partnership with Car Therefore, we are delighted to partner entrusted global business equip the company with real- will enable the provider the company to establish and minimising operating costs, Checks (Pvt.) Ltd. to ascertain the with HNB to offer our customers the services titan, SAKS Global, time data to help accurately to alleviate the burden of integrate the behaviours and and improving customer condition of their dream vehicles,” best financial options as well as to with its Customer Experience align its business strategies costly in-house customer interests of its consumers. service standards, freeing up said HNB Head of Personal Financial ensure their vehicles are of expected Management (CEM). and policies with customers’ care, as well as improve on SAKS stated that, since resources that can instead Services Kanchana Karunagama. quality,” said Car Checks Managing SAKS commenced contact needs. its operational efficiency. its inception in 2015, its be focused on core business New customers will receive an Director Jan Sellayah. centre operations utilising The ride-sharing and Real-time updates of key founder Jeevan Gnanam has operations. 104 business „„ www.themorning.lk { MARKET } Wednesday, January 27, 2021 Unit trust prices­ at 20 Jan. 2021 CSE Price List 26 Jan. 2021 Fund name Unit selling price...... Unit buying price V.W.A. V.W.A. CHANGE V.W.A. V.W.A. CHANGE Assetline Income Fund 16.7612...... 16.7612 SE­CUR­I­TY VOLUME PREVIOUS OPEN HIGH LOW TODAY’S (RS.) SE­CUR­I­TY VOLUME PREVIOUS OPEN HIGH LOW TODAY’S (RS.) Assetline Income Plus Growth Fund 18.3839...... 17.8928 A.SPEN.HOT.HOLD...... 82,661...... 36.3...... 35.6...... 36...... 35...... 35.5...... -0.8 SLT...... 39,357...... 40.1...... 40...... 40...... 39.2...... 39.7...... -0.4 Senfin Growth Fund 8.89...... 8.57 ABANS...... 20,032.00...... 148...... 147...... 180...... 147...... 177...... 29 SUNSHINE HOLDING...... 511,108...... 100...... 102...... 105...... 100...... 101.75...... 1.75 Senfin Money Market Fund 15.022...... 15.022 ACCESS ENG SL...... 4,893,054.00...... 30.40...... 31.2...... 31.4...... 30.1...... 30.6...... 0.2 SWISSTEK...... 645,475...... 136.25...... 140...... 146...... 134.5...... 139.75...... 3.5 Senfin Shariah Balanced Fund 13.25...... 12.93 ACL...... 382,693...... 113.5...... 114...... 115...... 110...... 111...... -2.5 TALAWAKELLE...... 37,363...... 98...... 99.9...... 102.5...... 97...... 99.1...... 1.1 Senfin Shariah Income Fund 12.4036...... 12.4036 ACL PLASTICS...... 8,086...... 338.5...... 350...... 359.75...... 345...... 349.75...... 11.25 TANGERINE...... 2,083...... 43.7...... 44.1...... 44.7...... 44...... 44...... 0.3 CAL Balanced Fund 12.0249...... 12.0249 ACME...... 104,439...... 6.3...... 6.1...... 6.4...... 6...... 6.4...... 0.1 TEA SMALLHOLDER...... 2,889...... 41.8...... 41.4...... 41.4...... 41.2...... 41.3...... -0.5 CAL Corporate Debt & Gilt Trading Fund 21.2173...... 21.2173 AGALAWATTE...... 55,848...... 30...... 31...... 31.2...... 29.3...... 30...... 0 TEEJAY LANKA...... 1,634,218...... 45...... 45.3...... 46.4...... 45...... 46.1...... 1.1 CAL Corporate Treasury Fund 18.2614...... 18.2614 AHOT PROPERTIES...... 20,936...... 44.5...... 44.5...... 45.2...... 43.8...... 44...... -0.5 THREE ACRE FARMS...... 67,388...... 260.5...... 250...... 265...... 248...... 253.5...... -7 CAL Gilt Fund 7.1553...... 7.1553 AITKEN SPENCE...... 898,450...... 74.6...... 78...... 79.9...... 75...... 77...... 2.4 TOKYO CEMENT...... 964,762...... 86.3...... 87...... 90...... 87...... 88.5...... 2.2 CAL Gilt Money Market Fund 4.3347...... 4.3347 ALLIANCE...... 30,538...... 57.5...... 57...... 57...... 54...... 55.4...... -2.1 TOKYO CEMENT [TKYO.X0000]...2,036,722...... 79.3...... 80...... 80.9...... 78.5...... 79...... -0.3 CAL Gilt Trading Fund 50.1748...... 50.1748 AMANA BANK...... 3,438,961...... 4.3...... 4.3...... 4.5...... 4...... 4.1...... -0.2 UNION BANK...... 3,112,772...... 14.1...... 14.2...... 14.5...... 14...... 14.1...... 0 CAL High Yield Fund 24.3797...... 24.3797 AMAYA LEISURE...... 15,929...... 43.8...... 43...... 43...... 42...... 42.4...... -1.4 UNION CHEMICALS...... 165...... 909.25...... 915.25...... 915.25...... 901...... 910...... 0.75 CAL Income Fund 20.5674...... 20.5674 CAL Investment Grade Fund 19.8219...... 19.8219 ASIA ASSET...... 509,462...... 8.1...... 8.1...... 8.1...... 7.7...... 7.8...... -0.3 UNISYST...... 65,367...... 18.4...... 18.4...... 18.9...... 17.9...... 18.5...... 0.1 CAL Medium Risk Debt Fund 15.685...... 15.685 ASIRI...... 11,562...... 32.3...... 32...... 32...... 31.3...... 31.5...... -0.8 UNITED MOTORS...... 22,912...... 78.1...... 77.5...... 78...... 76.5...... 76.6...... -1.5 CAL Quant Equity Fund 20.4138...... 20.8267 ASIRI SURG...... 39,457...... 16.4...... 16.6...... 16.6...... 16...... 16...... -0.4 VALLIBEL...... 2,308,466...... 8.3...... 8.3...... 8.5...... 8.1...... 8.1...... -0.2 Ceybank Century Growth 85.2...... 81.46 AUTODROME...... 1,537...... 88...... 80.5...... 87...... 80...... 82.4...... -5.6 VALLIBEL FINANCE...... 56,448...... 106.5...... 108.00...... 114.75...... 103.00...... 105.00...... -1.5 Ceybank Gilt Edge Fund (A Series) 14.4556...... 14.4556 BAIRAHA FARMS...... 106,298...... 165...... 164...... 168.75...... 155.5...... 159...... -6 VIDULLANKA...... 172,597...... 5.8...... 5.9...... 5.9...... 5.8...... 5.8...... 0 Ceybank Gilt Edged Fund (B Series) 10.9167...... 10.9167 BALANGODA...... 348,652...... 17.1...... 17...... 17.9...... 16.5...... 17.5...... 0.4 WATAWALA...... 63,951...... 63.2...... 64...... 65.1...... 64...... 64.7...... 1.5 Ceybank High Yield Fund 13.7693...... 13.7693 BUKIT DARAH XD...... 6,801...... 410.5...... 419...... 419...... 383...... 391.75...... -18.75 YORK ARCADE...... 4,636...... 264.25...... 279...... 325...... 211.75...... 280.75...... 16.5 Ceybank Surakum Fund 12.361...... 12.361 C M HOLDINGS...... 34,793...... 120...... 121...... 122...... 118...... 118...... -2 SECOND BOARD Ceybank Unit Trust 27.77...... 26.06 C T HOLDINGS...... 271,427...... 181.5...... 187...... 193...... 185...... 186.5...... 5 ABANS FINANCIAL...... 2,826...... 28.1...... 28.1...... 28.1...... 27.5...... 27.9...... -0.2 Ceylon Dollar Bond Fund (in $) 0.7348...... 0.7311 CARGILLS...... 387,658...... 230...... 235...... 240...... 232...... 235.25...... 5.25 AMBEON CAPITAL...... 668,748...... 6.8...... 6.9...... 6.9...... 6.1...... 6.4...... -0.4 Ceylon Financial Sector Fund 7.19...... 6.9 CARGO BOAT...... 44,912...... 70.1...... 71.9...... 72...... 69...... 70.1...... 0 ARPICO...... 591...... 202...... 210...... 210...... 199...... 200...... -2 Ceylon Income Fund 22.1137...... 22.1137 CARSONS...... 4,202...... 398.75...... 400...... 400...... 370...... 376.5...... -22.25 ASIA CAPITAL...... 68,436...... 6.8...... 7...... 7...... 6.8...... 6.8...... 0 CEYLON Index Fund 52.15...... 50.03 CDB...... 40,458...... 129.75...... 130...... 130...... 121.75...... 127...... -2.75 BROWNS BEACH...... 5,102...... 13.6...... 13.5...... 14...... 13.3...... 13.5...... -0.1 Ceylon IPO Fund 5.72...... 5.61 CDB [CDB.X0000]...... 10,304...... 95.5...... 97.9...... 97.9...... 92.5...... 93.9...... -1.6 COMM LEASE & FIN...... 486,911...... 8.5...... 8.6...... 8.9...... 8.2...... 8.3...... -0.2 Ceylon Money Market Fund 17.2629...... 17.2629 CENTRAL FINANCE...... 337,176...... 107...... 107...... 109.5...... 105.5...... 106.75...... -0.25 DIALOG FINANCE...... 1,000...... 54.7...... 54.5...... 57...... 54.5...... 57...... 2.3 Ceylon Tourism Fund 3.96...... 3.81 CENTRAL IND...... 164,380...... 137.25...... 139...... 139.5...... 131.5...... 133.5...... -3.75 DISTILLERIES...... 497,368...... 24.1...... 24.3...... 24.5...... 23.5...... 23.7...... -0.4 Ceylon Treasury Income Fund 6.16...... 6.16 CEYLINCO INS...... 231...... 2000...... 2,100.00...... 2,100.00...... 2,010.50...... 2,010.50...... 10.5 FIRST CAPITAL...... 68,046...... 59.3...... 60...... 60.8...... 58.5...... 58.9...... -0.4 Comtrust ADL Mudarabah Fund 11.6652...... 11.6652 CEYLON GUARDIAN...... 32,526...... 164.75...... 165.5...... 169.75...... 152...... 155.25...... -9.5 GOOD HOPE...... 19...... 1121.9...... 1,139.50...... 1,139.50...... 1,060.00...... 1,121.90...... 0 Comtrust Equity Fund 19.62...... 18.75 CEYLON INV...... 260,995...... 90.8...... 92...... 92...... 87...... 87.7...... -3.1 INDO MALAY...... 2...... 1123.2...... 1,210.00...... 1,210.00...... 1,210.00...... 1,123.20...... 0 Comtrust Gilt Edged Fund 10.4319...... 10.4319 CEYLON TOBACCO...... 1,180...... 1120...... 1,118.00...... 1,120.00...... 1,101.25...... 1,103.00...... -17 KELSEY...... 3,367...... 37...... 35.9...... 38.5...... 35.2...... 37.6...... 0.6 Comtrust Money Market Fund 11.843...... 11.843 CHEMANEX...... 27,665...... 93.5...... 95...... 95.5...... 92...... 93.1...... -0.4 KOTMALE HOLDINGS...... 452...... 248.5...... 249...... 249...... 235...... 238.25...... -10.25 First Capital Equity Fund (FCEF) 1,434.23...... 1,362.52 CHEVRON...... 150,796...... 113.5...... 113.75...... 114...... 112.75...... 113.25...... -0.25 LOLC DEV FINANCE...... 3,186...... 125.5...... 122.75...... 133...... 115.5...... 115.75...... -9.75 First Capital Fixed income Fund 1,851.14...... 1,851.09 CIC...... 970,378...... 67.5...... 67.5...... 68.2...... 66...... 66.2...... -1.3 LOLC FINANCE...... 3,791,110...... 8.6...... 8.6...... 9...... 8.1...... 8.5...... -0.1 First Capital Gilt Edged Fund 1,492.77...... 1,492.77 CIC [CIC.X0000]...... 2,187,691...... 55...... 55...... 55.5...... 54.3...... 54.7...... -0.3 MADULSIMA...... 10,800...... 10.2...... 10.5...... 10.5...... 9.9...... 10...... -0.2 First Capital Money Market Fund 1,905.20...... 1,905.20 CITRUS LEISURE...... 272,264...... 10.9...... 11...... 11.7...... 10.8...... 10.9...... 0 ODEL PLC...... 1,474...... 21.1...... 21.5...... 22.2...... 21.2...... 21.3...... 0.2 First Capital Wealth Fund 1,129.66...... 1,129.63 COLD STORES...... 5,389...... 725...... 725...... 725...... 710...... 710...... -15 PDL...... 720...... 122.75...... 124.5...... 124.5...... 122.75...... 122.75...... 0 Guardian Acuity Equity Fund 19.8614...... 19.4847 COLOMBO CITY...... 770...... 1507.5...... 1,500.00...... 1,500.00...... 1,300.00...... 1,326.00...... -181.5 SELINSING...... 1...... 915.2...... 875...... 875...... 875...... 915.2...... 0 Guardian Acuity Money Market Fund 20.27...... 20.27 COLOMBO LAND...... 125,393...... 31.5...... 32.5...... 32.9...... 31.2...... 32...... 0.5 SERENDIB LAND...... 56...... 1812.5...... 2,259.00...... 2,260.00...... 2,259.00...... 1,812.50...... 0 JB Vantage Money Market Fund 27.5534...... 27.5534 COMMERCIAL BANK...... 3,747,035...... 100.75...... 103...... 103.5...... 100...... 100.5...... -0.25 SHALIMAR...... 37...... 1203.2...... 1,170.00...... 1,249.75...... 1,156.25...... 1,203.20...... 0 JB Vantage Short Term Gilt Fund 14.8761...... 14.8761 COMMERCIAL BANK [COMB.X0000].95,908...... 89.9...... 91...... 91.5...... 88.7...... 89.2...... -0.7 SINGER SRI LANKA...... 180,738...... 77.2...... 78.8...... 78.8...... 75...... 75.3...... -1.9 JB Vantage Value Equity Fund 27.81...... 26.15 CONVENIENCE FOOD...... 138...... 1614...... 1,632.00...... 1,632.00...... 1,415.25...... 1,448.75...... -165.25 DIRI SAVI BOARD NAMAL Bank Fund 9.9124...... 9.5342 DANKOTUWA PORCEL...... 817,622...... 14.1...... 14.2...... 14.5...... 14...... 14.3...... 0.2 AGSTAR PLC...... 73,310...... 8.3...... 8.4...... 8.4...... 8.1...... 8.2...... -0.1 NAMAL Growth Fund 149.066...... 139.1306 DFCC BANK PLC...... 988,862...... 79.7...... 80...... 80...... 75.5...... 77.6...... -2.1 ALUMEX PLC...... 1,461,276...... 27...... 27.5...... 27.5...... 26...... 26.5...... -0.5 NAMAL High Yield Fund 24.7135...... 24.7135 DIALOG...... 1,075,831...... 13...... 13...... 13...... 12.8...... 12.9...... -0.1 AMANA LIFE...... 1,200...... 8.9...... 9.1...... 9.1...... 9...... 9...... 0.1 NAMAL Income Fund 14.3899...... 14.3899 DIMO...... 1,885...... 637...... 650...... 655...... 617...... 626.75...... -10.25 AMANA TAKAFUL...... 5,702...... 10.8...... 10.8...... 10.8...... 10.2...... 10.3...... -0.5 National Equity Fund 36.5027...... 34.1465 DIPPED PRODUCTS...... 1,100,731...... 686.75...... 700...... 750...... 700...... 728...... 41.25 AMBEON HOLDINGS...... 762,110...... 24.9...... 25...... 25.9...... 24.2...... 25.6...... 0.7 NDB Wealth Gilt Edged Fund 18.6895...... 18.6895 DOCKYARD...... 19,335...... 93...... 93.1...... 93.5...... 90...... 90.3...... -2.7 AMF CO LTD...... 150...... 344.5...... 359.25...... 359.25...... 359.25...... 359.25...... 14.75 NDB Wealth Growth & Income Fund 49.05...... 47.4 DOLPHIN HOTELS...... 43,821...... 24.6...... 25...... 27...... 24.6...... 27...... 2.4 ARPICO INSURANCE...... 13,038...... 23.6...... 25...... 25...... 24...... 24.9...... 1.3 NDB Wealth Growth Fund 11.56...... 11.05 ASIA SIYAKA...... 1,344,840...... 3...... 3...... 3.2...... 2.9...... 3...... 0 NDB Wealth Income Fund 15.989...... 15.989 DURDANS...... 4,602...... 105...... 105.25...... 105.5...... 105...... 105.5...... 0.5 BANSEI RESORTS...... 15,759...... 9.4...... 9.2...... 9.3...... 8.9...... 9.1...... -0.3 NDB Wealth Income Plus Fund 17.0414...... 17.0414 DURDANS [CHL.X0000]...... 600.00...... 100.00...... 96.2...... 96.7...... 96.2...... 96.3...... -3.7 BERUWALA RESORTS...... 356,692...... 1...... 1...... 1...... 1...... 1...... 0 NDB Wealth Islamic Money Plus Fund 16.2905...... 16.2905 E B CREASY...... 388...... 6001...... 6,000.00...... 6,000.00...... 5,790.00...... 5,801.25...... -199.75 NDB Wealth Money Fund 20.6072...... 20.6072 BOGALA GRAPHITE...... 10,943...... 25...... 25.10...... 25.70...... 24.70...... 25.40...... 0.4 EAST WEST...... 229,099...... 13...... 12.8...... 12.9...... 12.5...... 12.7...... -0.3 BOGAWANTALAWA...... 8,179...... 13.8...... 13.9...... 13.9...... 13.6...... 13.8...... 0 NDB Wealth Money Plus Fund 23.5298...... 23.5298 EASTERN MERCHANT...... 82,466...... 7.1...... 7.1...... 7.2...... 7...... 7...... -0.1 Premier Growth Fund 7.02...... 6.67 BPPL HOLDINGS...... 1,129,452...... 16.6...... 16.7...... 17.1...... 16.2...... 16.3...... -0.3 EXPOLANKA...... 22,651,088...... 61.9...... 64...... 64.6...... 60.1...... 61...... -0.9 Premier Money Market Fund 18.6142...... 18.6142 BROWNS...... 885,826...... 211...... 215...... 224.5...... 199...... 215.5...... 4.5 FORT LAND...... 170,251...... 17.7...... 17.5...... 17.7...... 16.7...... 16.9...... -0.8 Softlogic Equity Fund 127.356...... 121.0604 BROWNS INVSTMNTS...... 41,242,324...... 7...... 7...... 7.1...... 6.8...... 6.9...... -0.1 Softlogic Money Market Fund 104.1384...... 104.1384 GESTETNER...... 1,311...... 134...... 134...... 134...... 118...... 119.25...... -14.75 C T LAND...... 7,116...... 30.5...... 32...... 33...... 30.6...... 31.5...... 1 GRAIN ELEVATORS...... 155,201...... 150.5...... 155...... 155...... 145.25...... 146.5...... -4 C.W.MACKIE...... 226...... 53.1...... 52.50...... 52.50...... 52.00...... 52.50...... -0.6 Unit holders can contact relevant Fund Managers to obtain Unit Prices for redemptions within HAYCARB...... 141,121...... 1270.25...... 1,299.00...... 1,380.00...... 1,275.00...... 1,288.75...... 18.5 CEYLON BEVERAGE...... 167...... 754...... 777...... 784...... 756.25...... 779.75...... 25.75 short duration from the date of investment where exit fee is applicable. HAYLEYS...... 585,754...... 793...... 798.75...... 839...... 789...... 792...... -1 CEYLON TEA BRKRS...... 288,460...... 4...... 4.2...... 4.2...... 3.9...... 4...... 0 HAYLEYS FABRIC...... 1,873,540...... 36.9...... 37...... 37.5...... 36.2...... 36.3...... -0.6 CFI...... 11,326...... 108.75...... 110.5...... 132.75...... 110...... 127.5...... 18.75 HAYLEYS FIBRE...... 28,290...... 242...... 248...... 248...... 235...... 236.75...... -5.25 CIT...... 3,667...... 165.25...... 185...... 206.5...... 159...... 203...... 37.75 HDFC...... 15,310...... 46.8...... 47...... 47.8...... 45.1...... 46.7...... -0.1 CITRUS HIKKADUWA...... 67,886...... 6.2...... 6.3...... 6.3...... 5.9...... 6.1...... -0.1 Ex­change Rates 26 Jan. 2021 HEMAS HOLDINGS...... 426,312...... 104.5...... 104.75...... 104.75...... 100.00...... 101.00...... -3.5 CITRUS WASKADUWA...... 88,033...... 3.8...... 3.9...... 4...... 3.9...... 3.9...... 0.1 (1) The average rates of the following (2) The approximate exchange rates HNB...... 2,354,480...... 151.75...... 152.75...... 158.5...... 152.75...... 154...... 2.25 COM.CREDIT...... 45,575...... 26.5...... 27...... 27.3...... 26...... 26.3...... -0.2 currencies quoted by commercial of GULF currencies based on previous HNB ASSURANCE...... 338,762...... 62.6...... 62.8...... 64...... 62.4...... 63.3...... 0.7 COMMERCIAL DEV...... 32,780...... 132.75...... 133...... 135...... 129...... 134.25...... 1.5 banks in Colombo for Telegraphic Trans- day’s market weighted average rate for HNB [HNB.X0000]...... 1,061,508...... 126.5...... 126.5...... 128...... 123...... 124.5...... -2 fers (TT) at 9.30 a.m. are as follows. the US$ are as follows. DILMAH CEYLON...... 86...... 681.75...... 699...... 700...... 679...... 681.75...... 0 HORANA...... 51,120...... 24.6...... 24...... 24...... 23.5...... 24...... -0.6 CURRENCY BUYING RATE...... SELLING RATE COUNTRY CURRENCY...... INDICATIVE RATE E - CHANNELLING...... 44,082...... 6.9...... 7...... 7.1...... 6.9...... 6.9...... 0 Australian Dollar 148.3272...... 154.4088 Bahrain Bahrain Dinar...... 520.2209 HOTEL SIGIRIYA...... 201...... 67.1...... 67.10...... 67.10...... 65.00...... 66.10...... -1 EDEN HOTEL LANKA...... 158,922...... 13...... 13...... 13...... 12.4...... 12.6...... -0.4 Canadian Dollar 150.7027 ...... 157.1589 Kuwait Kuwait Dinar...... 647.8364 HOTELS CORP...... 2,160...... 12.7...... 12.7...... 13...... 12.7...... 12.8...... 0.1 ELPITIYA...... 148,955...... 53.9...... 54.2...... 54.5...... 53...... 53.3...... -0.6 Chinese Yuan (Renminbi) 29.7574 ...... 30.9596 Oman Oman Rial...... 509.4722 HUNTERS...... 709...... 1040...... 1,077.00...... 1,077.00...... 805.00...... 922.00...... -118 FORTRESS RESORTS...... 32,281...... 12.2...... 12.4...... 12.7...... 12.3...... 12.4...... 0.2 Euro 234.5731 ...... 242.1688 Qatar Qatar Riyal...... 53.8620 INDUSTRIAL ASPH...... 464,934,580...... 1.2...... 1.3...... 1.5...... 0.8...... 0.9...... -0.3 GALADARI...... 109,182...... 10.2...... 10.2...... 10.2...... 10...... 10.1...... -0.1 Japanese Yen 1.8654 ...... 1.9257 Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabian Riyal...... 52.2995 JANASHAKTHI INS...... 713,871...... 30.1...... 31...... 32.4...... 31...... 32...... 1.9 Singapore Dollar 145.8945 ...... 150.5752 UAE UAE Dirham...... 53.4015 GUARDIAN CAPITAL...... 7,036...... 37.4...... 38...... 39.5...... 36.6...... 36.9...... -0.5 Sterling Pound 265.0271...... 272.8418 JKH...... 2,829,674...... 181.25...... 181.25...... 182...... 170...... 172.75...... -8.5 HAPUGASTENNE...... 3,851...... 18.7...... 18.5...... 18.7...... 17.8...... 18...... -0.7 Swiss Franc 216.0970 ...... 225.4489 KANDY HOTELS...... 12,303...... 5.5...... 5.6...... 5.6...... 5.5...... 5.5...... 0 HARISCHANDRA...... 918...... 4376.75...... 4,221.00...... 4,400.00...... 4,100.00...... 4,400.00...... 23.25 US Dollar 192.4000 ...... 198.8000 KEGALLE...... 8,838...... 168...... 170...... 170...... 157.5...... 159.25...... -8.75 HATTON...... 32,201...... 9.8...... 9.8...... 10...... 9.8...... 9.8...... 0 KELANI CABLES...... 6,775...... 180...... 184...... 184...... 172...... 172...... -8 HNB FINANCE...... 65,458...... 9.9...... 10...... 10...... 9.8...... 9.9...... 0 KELANI TYRES...... 277,304...... 105.75...... 106...... 106...... 102.5...... 104...... -1.75 HNB FINANCE [HNBF-X-0000]...... 5,800...... 8.7...... 8.6...... 8.6...... 8.5...... 8.6...... -0.1 Market Indicators 25 Jan. 2021 KELANI VALLEY...... 34,061...... 94.1...... 97.9...... 97.9...... 93...... 93...... -1.1 JETWING SYMPHONY...... 54,425...... 10.1...... 9.8...... 10.4...... 9.5...... 9.8...... -0.3 KINGSBURY...... 52,008...... 14.5...... 14.5...... 14.5...... 13.9...... 14...... -0.5 JOHN KEELLS...... 2,542...... 72.4...... 72...... 72...... 70...... 70.1...... -2.3 Price indices Today...... Previous day KOTAGALA...... 143,551...... 6.9...... 7.2...... 7.2...... 6.9...... 6.9...... 0 CSE ALL SHARE INDEX 8,694.35...... 8,463.43 KAHAWATTE...... 100...... 30.9...... 30.9...... 30.9...... 30.9...... 30.9...... 0 S&P SL 20 INDEX 3,500.82...... 3,312.35 L O L C HOLDINGS...... 4,560,243...... 381.25...... 385...... 437...... 363...... 417.25...... 36 KEELLS FOOD...... 3,518...... 153.5...... 148.5...... 149...... 148...... 148...... -5.5 TRI ON ALL SHARES *********...... ********* LAKE HOUSE PRIN...... 200...... 157...... 160...... 160...... 160...... 160...... 3 KEELLS HOTELS...... 742,494...... 12.1...... 12.1...... 12.1...... 11.2...... 11.4...... -0.7 TRI ON S&P SL SHARES 5,749.79...... 5,440.23 LANKA ALUMINIUM...... 72,104...... 146.75...... 146...... 150...... 145...... 146...... -0.75 LANKA CERAMIC...... 12,460...... 176.75...... 177...... 178...... 170.5...... 178...... 1.25 EQUITIES : LANKA ASHOK...... 56...... 900...... 886...... 886...... 881.25...... 900...... 0 LANKEM CEYLON...... 1,276...... 33.3...... 34...... 34...... 31.6...... 31.8...... -1.5 VALUE OF TURNOVER(Rs.) 14,990,056,385...... 12,848,534,999 LANKA HOSPITALS...... 9,842...... 53.5...... 53.5...... 53.8...... 53...... 53...... -0.5 LAUGFS POWER...... 27,251...... 12.5...... 11.9...... 12.3...... 11.5...... 12.1...... -0.4 LANKA IOC...... 426,277...... 27.9...... 28...... 28...... 26.2...... 26.7...... -1.2 DOMESTIC PURCHASE 14,769,981,918...... 12,610,085,443 LAUGFS POWER [LPL-X-0000]...... 134,115...... 8.4...... 8.5...... 8.5...... 7.9...... 8.3...... -0.1 DOMESTIC SALES 14,015,933,745...... 12,027,347,322 LANKA REALTY...... 7,880...... 39.8...... 38.1...... 38.2...... 38.1...... 38.1...... -1.7 LIGHTHOUSE HOTEL...... 917...... 37...... 36...... 36...... 35.1...... 35.9...... -1.1 FOREIGN PURCHASE 220,074,467...... 238,449,556 LANKA TILES...... 333,968...... 257...... 265.25...... 290...... 252...... 274...... 17 LOTUS HYDRO...... 244,133...... 11.1...... 11.2...... 11.4...... 10.6...... 10.8...... -0.3 FOREIGN SALES 974,122,640 ...... 821,187,677 LANKA VENTURES...... 7,365...... 55.9...... 57...... 58...... 55.5...... 55.8...... -0.1 MAHAWELI COCONUT...... 1,634...... 28.5...... 28.5...... 29.2...... 28.5...... 29...... 0.5 VOLUME OF TURNOVER(NO.) 995,565,572...... 590,369,415 LANKA WALLTILE...... 534,152...... 252.25...... 260...... 289...... 255...... 272.25...... 20 MAHAWELI REACH...... 1,429...... 15.7...... 15.5...... 15.5...... 13...... 15.4...... -0.3 DOMESTIC 985,748,589...... 583,846,852 LAUGFS GAS...... 248,721...... 30.1...... 29.9...... 30...... 28...... 29...... -1.1 MARAWILA RESORTS...... 599,316...... 2.3...... 2.3...... 2.3...... 2.2...... 2.2...... -0.1 FOREIGN 9,816,983...... 6,522,563 LAUGFS GAS [LGL.X0000]...... 198,684...... 24.2...... 24...... 24.1...... 22.5...... 23.9...... -0.3 TRADES (NO.) 69,332...... 67,846 MASKELIYA...... 34,308...... 14.5...... 14.6...... 14.6...... 13.6...... 14.2...... -0.3 LAXAPANA...... 133,768...... 14.9...... 14.8...... 14.9...... 14.8...... 14.8...... -0.1 DOMESTIC 68,353...... 67,114 MILLENNIUM HOUSE...... 91,722...... 6.8...... 7...... 7...... 6.8...... 6.8...... 0 FOREIGN 979 ...... 732 LB FINANCE...... 61,321...... 231...... 231...... 236...... 231...... 232.5...... 1.5 LEE HEDGES...... 9,438...... 80...... 80...... 81.5...... 80...... 80...... 0 NUWARA ELIYA...... 100...... 1145.25...... 1,199.00...... 1,199.00...... 1,199.00...... 1,199.00...... 53.75 LISTED COMPANIES (NO.) 283 ...... 283 ON’ALLY...... 9,063...... 40...... 35.7...... 46...... 35.7...... 42.9...... 2.9 TRADED COMPANIES (NO.) 280...... 278 LION BREWERY...... 10...... 621...... 620...... 620...... 620...... 621...... 0 LMF...... 129,478...... 197.5...... 200...... 201...... 188...... 191...... -6.5 ORIENT FINANCE...... 251,433...... 15.1...... 15...... 16...... 15...... 15.4...... 0.3 MARKET PRICE EARNINGS RATIO(PER) 14.4595...... 14.0754 PALM GARDEN HOTL...... 11,416...... 30...... 32...... 32...... 28.1...... 28.3...... -1.7 MARKET PRICE TO BOOK VALUE (PBV) 1.4402...... 1.4019 LVL ENERGY...... 782,743...... 10.3...... 10.4...... 10.5...... 10.1...... 10.1...... -0.2 MARKET DIVIDEND YIELD (DY) 2.1...... 2.1 MALWATTE...... 16,950...... 13.5...... 12.8...... 13.8...... 12.8...... 13.1...... -0.4 PEGASUS HOTELS...... 117...... 35.5...... 35.5...... 35.5...... 35.5...... 35.5...... 0 MARKET CAPITALIZATION (Rs.) 3,800,635,251,682...... 3,699,692,269,341 MALWATTE [MAL.X0000]...... 44,399...... 9.3...... 8.90...... 9.30...... 8.90...... 9.20...... -0.1 PEOPLE’S MERCH...... 31,188...... 9.3...... 9.5...... 9.5...... 8.8...... 9.1...... -0.2 MELSTACORP...... 3,998,924...... 73.4...... 74...... 75.9...... 70...... 71.6...... -1.8 PRIME FINANCE...... 14,036...... 13.5...... 13.5...... 14...... 13.5...... 13.7...... 0.2 RAIGAM SALTERNS...... 224,730...... 6.6...... 6.5...... 6.9...... 6.5...... 6.9...... 0.3 1. Overnight Money Market Transactions MERC. SHIPPING...... 94...... 92.6...... 94.1...... 94.2...... 94.1...... 92.6...... 0 MERCHANT BANK...... 32,228...... 8.6...... 8.9...... 8.9...... 8.4...... 8.6...... 0 RAMBODA FALLS...... 3...... 19.1...... 18.6...... 18.6...... 18.6...... 19.1...... 0 Call Money Market...... Repo Market MULLERS...... 456,536...... 1.3...... 1.4...... 1.5...... 1.3...... 1.4...... 0.1 RENUKA CAPITAL...... 943,972...... 10.1...... 10...... 10.2...... 9.4...... 9.5...... -0.6 Weighted Average Rate (%) 4.54...... 4.55 NAMUNUKULA...... 5,232...... 199.75...... 200...... 200...... 195...... 199.75...... 0 RENUKA HOTELS...... 100...... 70.1...... 70.2...... 70.2...... 70.1...... 70.2...... 0.1 Minimum Rate (%) 4.52...... 4.53 NAT. DEV. BANK...... 386,309...... 102.25...... 103.50...... 105.00...... 101.00...... 102.25...... 0 RICH PIERIS EXP...... 16,323...... 411...... 415...... 440...... 405...... 429...... 18 Maximum Rate (%) 4.55...... 4.60 NATIONS TRUST...... 179,443...... 67...... 67.2...... 67.3...... 65.9...... 66.1...... -0.9 ROYAL PALMS...... 4,632...... 18.2...... 18.2...... 18.5...... 18.1...... 18.2...... 0 Total Gross amount (Rs. million) 30,500...... 16,417 NAWALOKA...... 92,329...... 5.9...... 5.8...... 6...... 5.8...... 5.8...... -0.1 SATHOSA MOTORS...... 521...... 250...... 256.25...... 256.25...... 245.25...... 246.5...... -3.5 Total Net amount (Rs. million) 30,500...... 16,417 NESTLE...... 73...... 1271...... 1,270.00...... 1,294.75...... 1,265.00...... 1,271.00...... 0 SERENDIB ENG.GRP...... 645,081...... 8.1...... 8.3...... 8.7...... 8.2...... 8.3...... 0.2 2. Use of the CBSL Standing Facility OVERSEAS REALTY...... 3,126,442...... 15.3...... 15.5...... 16.3...... 15.4...... 15.7...... 0.4 SERENDIB HOTELS...... 5,120...... 17...... 17.9...... 17.9...... 16.9...... 17...... 0 Standing Deposit Facility (Rs. million)...... 124,924 PAN ASIA...... 1,978,368...... 17.1...... 18...... 18.4...... 17.1...... 17.8...... 0.7 SERENDIB HOTELS [SHOT.X0000]....15,400...... 10.6...... 10.3...... 10.6...... 10...... 10.1...... -0.5 Standing Lending Facility (Rs. million)...... - PANASIAN POWER...... 1,863,827...... 4...... 4.1...... 4.1...... 3.9...... 4...... 0 SINGER IND...... 4,739...... 120.75...... 124...... 129.5...... 116...... 118...... -2.75 SINGHE HOSPITALS...... 380,757...... 3.1...... 3.1...... 3.1...... 3...... 3...... -0.1 3. CBSL Treasury Bill/Bonds Holdings PEOPLE’S INS...... 1,354,051...... 31.9...... 32...... 34...... 32...... 33.6...... 1.7 PEOPLES LEASING...... 1,091,248...... 14.8...... 15...... 15...... 14.6...... 14.6...... -0.2 SINHAPUTHRA FIN [SFL.P0000].....50,414...... 4.6...... 4.70...... 4.80...... 4.30...... 4.70...... 0.1 Face Value (Rs. million)...... 724,246.88 SOFTLOGIC...... 196,380...... 13.9...... 14...... 14...... 13.5...... 13.5...... -0.4 Book Value (Rs. million)...... 710,845.75 PIRAMAL GLASS...... 8,040,936...... 10.4...... 10.6...... 10.9...... 10.4...... 10.7...... 0.3 PRINTCARE PLC...... 1,004...... 35...... 35...... 35.1...... 35...... 35...... 0 SOFTLOGIC CAP...... 514,654...... 4.3...... 4.3...... 4.5...... 4.3...... 4.3...... 0 R I L PROPERTY...... 1,634,072...... 8.3...... 8.4...... 8.5...... 8.1...... 8.2...... -0.1 SOFTLOGIC FIN...... 47,967...... 12.7...... 13...... 13...... 12.2...... 12.3...... -0.4 TOP 10 GAINERS REGNIS...... 43,911...... 141.5...... 144...... 144...... 131.25...... 133...... -8.5 SOFTLOGIC LIFE...... 248,847...... 33.9...... 34...... 34.8...... 34...... 34...... 0.1 TAL LANKA...... 18,642...... 16.6...... 16...... 16.5...... 16...... 16...... -0.6 Company VWA VWA Change Change RENUKA AGRI...... 888,173...... 4.9...... 4.9...... 5...... 4.7...... 4.8...... -0.1 RENUKA CITY HOT...... 8,588...... 278...... 275...... 288.75...... 275...... 284...... 6 TRANS ASIA...... 53...... 64.5...... 64.5...... 67...... 64.5...... 64.5...... 0 Prev. Close Days Close (Rs.) % UDAPUSSELLAWA...... 7,676...... 28.9...... 29...... 30...... 29...... 29.8...... 0.9 S M B LEASING 0.8...... 1...... 0.2...... 25 RENUKA FOODS...... 46,860...... 18...... 17.8...... 18.2...... 17.6...... 17.8...... -0.2 S M B LEASING 0.4...... 0.5...... 0.1...... 25 RENUKA FOODS [COCO.X0000]...... 13,661...... 14.2...... 14.5...... 14.5...... 14.1...... 14.1...... -0.1 UNION ASSURANCE...... 7,394...... 313...... 313...... 320...... 313...... 314.75...... 1.75 CIT 165.25 ...... 203...... 37.75...... 22.84 RENUKA HOLDINGS...... 1,284,095...... 20.7...... 21...... 21.7...... 20.8...... 21...... 0.3 VALLIBEL ONE...... 7,718,158...... 54.6...... 54.9...... 59.9...... 54.7...... 57.6...... 3 ABANS 148...... 177...... 29...... 19.59 CFI 108.75 ...... 127.5...... 18.75...... 17.24 RENUKA HOLDINGS [RHL.X0000].444,538...... 15...... 15.1...... 15.6...... 15...... 15...... 0 WATCH LIST TESS AGRO 0.6...... 0.7...... 0.1...... 16.67 RESUS ENERGY...... 10,169...... 27.3...... 27.1...... 27.1...... 26.6...... 26.8...... -0.5 ANILANA HOTELS...... 1,662,706...... 1.3...... 1.3...... 1.4...... 1.3...... 1.3...... 0 ROYAL CERAMIC 303.25 ...... 351.75...... 48.5...... 15.99 BIMPUTH FINANCE...... 30,144...... 9.3...... 9.3...... 9.6...... 9.1...... 9.4...... 0.1 TESS AGRO 0.7...... 0.8...... 0.1...... 14.29 RICHARD PIERIS...... 3,739,955...... 16.6...... 16.7...... 17.2...... 16.5...... 17...... 0.4 DOLPHIN HOTELS 24.6 ...... 27...... 2.4...... 9.76 ROYAL CERAMIC...... 1,351,183...... 303.25...... 320...... 378.5...... 319.5...... 351.75...... 48.5 BLUE DIAMONDS...... 5,251,498...... 0.8...... 0.8...... 0.9...... 0.7...... 0.8...... 0 L O L C HOLDINGS 381.25...... 417.25...... 36...... 9.44 S M B LEASING...... 33,143,400...... 0.8...... 0.9...... 1.2...... 0.9...... 1...... 0.2 BLUE DIAMONDS [BLUE.X0000].14,545,608...... 0.4...... 0.3...... 0.5...... 0.3...... 0.4...... 0 HVA FOODS...... 411,188...... 6.3...... 6.3...... 6.4...... 6.2...... 6.3...... 0 TOP 10 LOSERS S M B LEASING [SEMB.X0000].67,594,579...... 0.4...... 0.5...... 0.6...... 0.4...... 0.5...... 0.1 SAMPATH...... 1,249,126...... 171.5...... 174.5...... 175...... 169...... 170.25...... -1.25 LANKEM DEV...... 363,496...... 4.7...... 4.7...... 4.8...... 4.7...... 4.7...... 0 Company VWA VWA Change Change SAMSON INTERNAT...... 233...... 159.75...... 157...... 157...... 154...... 155.75...... -4 MACKWOODS ENERGY...... 424,787...... 3.5...... 3.5...... 3.5...... 3.3...... 3.3...... -0.2 INDUSTRIAL ASPH. 1.2 ...... 0.9...... -0.3...... -25 COLOMBO CITY 1,507.50 ...... 1,326.00...... -181.5...... -12.04 SANASA DEV. BANK...... 165,547...... 65.3...... 66...... 66.5...... 64...... 64.9...... -0.4 MULTI FINANCE...... 40,091...... 8.7...... 8.6...... 8.6...... 7.9...... 8...... -0.7 HUNTERS 1,040.00 ...... 922...... -118...... -11.35 SEYLAN BANK...... 320,916...... 63.4...... 65...... 65...... 60...... 61.7...... -1.7 NATION LANKA...... 883,499...... 1...... 1...... 1...... 0.9...... 1...... 0 GESTETNER 134 ...... 119.25...... -14.75...... -11.01 RADIANT GEMS...... 5,641...... 30.2...... 31...... 33.9...... 29.2...... 29.6...... -0.6 CONVENIENCE FOOD 1,614.00 ...... 1,448.75...... -165.25...... -10.24 SEYLAN BANK [SEYB.X0000].....1,460,135...... 54.3...... 54.2...... 56.5...... 53.7...... 54.3...... 0 MULTI FINANCE 8.7 ...... 8...... -0.7...... -8.05 SEYLAN DEVTS...... 99,251...... 17.5...... 17.5...... 17.5...... 15.5...... 16.2...... -1.3 SINHAPUTHRA FIN...... 4,978...... 8...... 8.1...... 8.7...... 8.1...... 8.5...... 0.5 LOLC DEV FINANCE 125.5 ...... 115.75...... -9.75...... -7.77 SIERRA CABL...... 4,673,357...... 9.4...... 9.7...... 9.7...... 8.9...... 9.4...... 0 STANDARD CAPITAL...... 245...... 92.3...... 87.20...... 91.50...... 87.00...... 89.90...... -2.4 SEYLAN DEVTS 17.5 ...... 16.2...... -1.3...... -7.43 AUTODROME 88 ...... 82.4...... -5.6...... -6.36 SIGIRIYA VILLAGE...... 14,660...... 38.9...... 36.3...... 41...... 36.3...... 39.2...... 0.3 TESS AGRO...... 45,926,914...... 0.7...... 0.7...... 1...... 0.6...... 0.8...... 0.1 REGNIS 141.5 ...... 133...... -8.5...... -6.01 SINGER FINANCE...... 182,542...... 18.6...... 18.5...... 18.8...... 17.7...... 17.7...... -0.9 TESS AGRO [TESS.X0000]...... 7,851,925...... 0.6...... 0.7...... 0.9...... 0.6...... 0.7...... 0.1 114 Wednesday, January 27, 2021 „„ www.themorning.lk

Keira Knightley has THOUGHT FOR THE DAY a new rule about filming sex scenes “Without British actress Keira Knightley has a music, life changing attitude to filming sex scenes, would be a and has a new stipulation in her contract. mistake.” Speaking about her career on the new −FRIEDRICH Chanel podcast, Knightley said that she is NIETZSCHE no longer willing to partake in sex scenes, particularly with male directors, and has added a “no nudity” clause into her contract. brunchPeople believe those in prisons are evil: Ambika Satkunanathan Are prisoners’ rights human rights?

BY DIMITHRI WIJESINGHE Today, 27 January, the Sri Lanka Students for Liberty and the South Asia Students for Liberty will be hosting an online Zoom event titled “Are Prisoners’ Rights Human Rights?” The organisers have been facilitating the conversation around prisoners’ rights and prison conditions for some time now, and today’s event will further the in the least positive due to conversation, featuring Ambika this chauvinistic attitude

Satkunanathan. and misogyny that has been People believe that those in cultivated in the minds of many Former Human Rights prison are evil people, but Commissioner of Sri Lanka ‘SHE WAS men.” more often than not, they are and current Chairperson of the She further highlighted persons who could not afford that this issue is going to affect Neelan Tiruchelvam Trust, to pay a fine – sometimes as Satkunanathan is a lawyer and us economically as well, if we small as Rs. 3,000 – and are don’t get our act together soon. human rights advocate and has imprisoned for six months ASKING FOR IT’ worked with HRCSL from 2015 of discrimination and equality to 2020, where she led the first- Former Human Rights Filing complaints And other persistent misconceptions in Sri Lanka. ever national study of prisons. Commissioner of should be Sexual harasemnt can The study was conducted in Sri Lanka and current Neelan BY VENESSA ANTHONY be verbal, non-verbal, and made easier 20 prisons around the country, Tiruchelvam Trust Chairperson physical, and catcalling does Attorney-at-Law Ermiza which consisted of inspections Ambika Satkunanathan This week, a tweet circulated the internet portraying fall into the realms of sexual Tegal informed us that of prisons, administering two women, one in a crop top and the other in a harassment and initimidation. according to Section 345 of questionnaires, and conducting burka, with the caption objectifying the lady in the De Alwis noted that the fact the Penal Code (Amendment) interviews with prisoners. crop top. The accompanying text in the tweet was that we have laws that infer Act No. 22 of 1995, whoever Interviews were also conducted prisoners with disabilities – are questioning the public as to whose price they would that these people should be sexually harasses another with prison officers from each more vulnerable than others, held accountable and that person by the use of words prison as well as external providing that the specific ask if they saw these two women walking the road, the government has done or actions causes sexual stakeholders involved in the challenges they face must be inferring that one was a sex worker. nothing by way of public annoyance or harassment to criminal justice and correctional considered in policymaking in Slut-shaming seems to be It’s not your fault service announcements or any such other person commits the process, including state actors order to ensure they have equal part of our ingrained culture Hearing crude comments initiative to sensitise or educate offence of sexual harassment from all relevant ministries. and equitable access to a chance and has settled into the minds while innocently walking people and children on these and shall on conviction be Based on the information for reform. of many as acceptable to the down the streets can have issues lead to the point that punished with imprisonment gathered, the conditions of Satkunanathan said that point that the line between a long-term psychological we continue to dwell in a very of either description for a prisons and treatment of there are foreign nationals who shaming and harassment has impact on women. General regressive country. term, which may extend to five prisoners were evaluated are prisoners and that they are become blurred. Sir John Kotelawala Defence “I’ve seen many disturbing years, or with fine or both and within the fundamental human also at a particular disadvantage The Morning Brunch as they are in a foreign country; University (KDU) senior posts on social media, and I may also be ordered to pay rights standards outlined in the spoke to some women on lecturer Tina Solomons said: Constitution of Sri Lanka and they do not know the legal continue to see articles on the compensation of an amount their thoughts about catcalling “If catcalling and harassment the domestic legal framework system or the language, are media stating that it’s time determined by court. in Sri Lanka and how we can happens repeatedly, people can regulating the administration unable to gain access to lawyers, we stop this nonsense, but we However, in order for prevent it. develop long-term trauma. Not of prisons, as well as relevant etc. She said that we must don’t,” she shared, adding that action to be taken, one must all women progress into having international human rights question our understanding of Education is key now it’s high time for the State report the crime with the trauma, but there is always a obligations of the state. the justice system, “of crime PR consultant Jessica to move in and do something location and all the details significant psychological impact Speaking to The Morning and punishments, and of Fernando stated that as someone about this because Sri Lanka required. on each one’s minds.” Brunch, Satkunanathan shared imprisonment and harm”. who is passionate about is increasingly gaining a “The prevention part of this This kind of harassment with us that those who will “People believe that those in women’s rights, she firmly worse reputation. issue comes from education; can also cause issues like be joining in on the event can prison are evil people, but more believes harassment and slut- De Alwis also observed that there’s a lot of work that needs anxiety and low self-esteem, look forward to a discussion often than not, they are persons shaming women boils down to slut-shaming and harassment to be done in terms of socially which should not be the case as on the findings of the national who could not afford to pay a our education system. can also affect our economy in making it unacceptable to women should have the right study on prisons, published fine – sometimes as small as Rs. “We have primarily a very the long run. “We’re trying to behave in a manner like this,” to be able to walk in public by the HRCSL, to understand 3,000 – and are imprisoned for segregated education system. improve our tourism right now; she noted, adding that she also without having to fear being the compatibility between six months,” she said, adding We’ve been brought up being we’re spending to get tourists believes it is a matter of making subjected to harassment, despite our current prison system that we must re-evaluate how constantly taught that boys to come to Sri Lanka because it easy for women who face whatever clothes she has on. and Sri Lanka’s human rights our penal system, our criminal will be boys and girls need to we depend on forign harassment or anyone to report She added that sometimes, obligations, as well as to identify justice system is implemented. act and dress a certain way in income, but Sri Lanka these crimes to police stations. although catcalling may sound the underlying issues that impact Satkunanathan shared that order to be accepted and be has a reputation with “I know a couple of innocent, there is no such thing the rights of prisoners in the particularly during this current successful in life.” women around instances where these things as “minor harassment”; if you island. situation in the midst of the These thoughts will the world have happened, where feel uncomfortable, then it is all She shared that the pandemic, we can take a look at resonate within us as adults, so which is not the women had to harassment. findings and recommendations these longstanding systematic unless one is a critical thinker catch hold of their There does not seem to address the knowledge gap and structures and attempt to reform and tend to question these perpetrator and be a change in the system, and attempt to increase the general them, adding that we must also beliefs that have been drilled take them to catcalling is seemingly getting understanding of the prison take a long and hard look at to us, there will be no change. the police worse by the day. Commenting system in the hopes to also whether the prison system is still “Even if we were to be critical station in on how women can prevent highlight the shortcomings of the doing what it originally set out to thinkers, there have been many order to get them themselves from agonising framework. do and whether we need to have moments that I would have Shanuki de ALwisapprehended.” over these comments, Audiences will garner a it in place. thought very judgemental. I It should not Solomons said: “In greater understanding of the Together with the research would think to myself, ‘did be up to the woman to order to handle treatment and conditions in in furthering conversation I get catcalled or harassed apprehend their perpetrator. these situations, prisons and of prisoners, with regarding the prisons and because I wore this?’” The law enforcement needs to women need reference to the communities that prisoners rights, Satkunanathan She noted that it is all start taking such complaints to generate are most affected, particularly said they hope to encourage rooted in our internalised seriously so that the number positive those from marginalised authorities to engage in the misogyny, and education is the of cases will reduce thoughts to ward communities. She provided that formulation and implementation forefront of change. significantly, as the fear off the negative. It Jessica Fernando via the study, the Commission of better practices and policies Adding to her previous of being arrested will is important that they observed that certain categories in order to protect and promote statement, she also indeed prevent don’t take these passing of prisoners – such as prisoners prisoners’ rights and strengthen emphasised that this education harassment of comments to heart and believe on death row, women, young the correctional system. needs to be taught from any form. them to be true.” offenders, prisoners detained Visit the Sri Lanka childhood, as it is difficult – Each She strongly emphasised under the Prevention of Students for Liberty Facebook and sometimes impossible woman that it is never the woman’s Terrorism Act (PTA), and page to watch the event. – to change the mindset of an is brought fault, and understands that they adult. She urged anyone who Ermiza Tegalup differently; are being harassed, so they has a tendency to slut-shame, can prevent themselves some people are whether a man or a woman, to from blaming comfortable with put themselves in the woman’s themselves. reporting these crimes shoes and see how they would to the Police, but there are feel about it, personally. Long-term many who don’t feel that “Women should also think way. Having public discourse if they are wearing what they effects on around this topic while making want to wear for comfort’s sake, economy it unacceptable, calling it out, or if they just want attention,” Talkshow Tina Solomons bystanders should also help in she said, adding that even if it host and women’s these situations. “As a society, is a desire for attention, then it rights advocate Shanuki we have a responsibility to is the woman’s right to want de Alwis stated that she address it and spread that attention without needing to be doesn’t see the State taking we don’t find this behaviour slut-shamed for it. any initiative to reduce this kind acceptable at all,” she concluded. 124 brunch „„ www.themorning.lk { FOOD } Wednesday, January 27, 2021 ‘A REIMAGINING OF BREAD’ Bread is but a vessel ferrying curry from your plate to your mouth – but no more

A selection of the additive-free handmade breads on offer at Bread.lk

people who find commercially bread bloating, or harder to digest. Everyone blames baker’s yeast, but really the issue is the sheer amount of yeast. He said that there are bales to buckets of sourdough starter in one teaspoon given the right amount of time, adding that bread has been the core of civilisation for the longest time, and that the issue here is not the yeast, but rather the concentration; cure, the be-all-and-end-all to their bread to a select few cafés around faster it stales. Their brioche is the BY DIMITHRI WIJESINGHE what we see is the use of an absolute ailments, and others thinking it’s a Colombo, including The Grind, Seed same, but is able to stay good for nuclear amount of yeast chucked into boujie attempt with no real substance. Café, Kumbuk – which is currently in two days because it’s not made with Bread.lk is a specialist bakery one loaf of bread. About all of this, Hettiarachchi the process of making their comeback sourdough culture, which naturally making great handmade bread With regards to their operation, shared that they often do get a host of – and Kiku. keeps bread fresh longer. in Colombo. Working with Hettiarachchi spoke fondly of his expectations from people who have As for those trying the bread for For Sri Lankans, what Bread.lk is staff. He said their talent hires have natural sourdough, the bakery never tried it before, but who they the first time, Hettiarachchi said doing is “a reimagining of bread”, been mostly about capability rather doesn’t use any additives, do often end up catering to are an that what gets them interested is the because for Sri Lankans, bread is often than their qualifications, especially affirming that most of their enthusiastic group of loyal customers health benefits – they do not use merely a vessel in which you ferry considering how those who have bread is made with just flour, that have particularly sought them any chemical additives commonly good curry from your plate to your done bakery courses are all taught water, and salt. out. found in all your commercial mouth. but Hettiarachchi said that Sri how Sri Lankan bread-makers Hettiarachchi shared that what they and supermarket bread. Shelf life Lankans do love a rustic loaf, because approach bread, and they need them Using techniques like long slow have going is that rustic ideal – the extenders, bread emulsifiers, bread even today they don’t prefer the pulun to unlearn all of that; Hettiarachchi fermentation to get the best flavour small regional bakery model – adding improvers, dough conditioners, paan and prefer the kadé paan instead. has an assistant who shadowed him and nutrition from the grain, their that their customers often tend to release agents for bread – they use Hettiarachchi said that Sri Lankans and for two years, and got their hands sourdough bread is made with naturally be those who have either lived their none of it. Vietnamese have the closest palettes on a loaf for the first time only occurring wild yeast, and unless stated lives next to nice bakeries and are Hettiarachchi said that their when it comes to the bread that is in last week. Currently a small-scale clearly in the contents, like a little bit of seeking it out, or have fond memories sourdough will last two to four days Europe. Hettiarachchi furthered that operation, Hettiarachchi said that honey in a fruit loaf, none of their bread with sourdough from a point in their outside a freezer if properly stored their bread beats commercial yeasted Bread.lk is indeed limited; they have has added sugar. lives. in the brown paper bag, in another breads on taste and smell every limited chiller space and are therefore Bread.lk Baker/Founder Harean Hettiarachchi said that they have plastic bag, or sealed box in a cool time, the long fermentation process restricted in their production. They Hettiarachchi shared with us that a couple of customers who are from room. The warmer your environment, unlocks more vitamin B, and makes cannot handle more than a specific running a specialty bakery, while it France, and who have expressed that the faster it loses moisture, and the the bread potentially more suitable for may appear daunting, has garnered the bread they make reminds them number of orders, but they are some great feedback and the responses of what they would get in the French looking to scale up. have been positive. “We never went out countryside, which is now harder and to become something for everybody. harder to get even back home. www.bread.lk It’s a specialty item that we produce, You can have Bread.lk bread and we try to make it as honestly delivered to you within Colombo as possible to what the product 1-10, Nawala, Nugegoda, Rajagiriya, [email protected] should be,” he said. Considering the Dehiwala, and Mount Lavinia, or you multitude of mismatched information can choose to collect your order on floating around with regards to the day from their collection points facebook/bread.lk fermented foods nowadays, there’s an at Park Street Gourmet, Dolce Italia, overwhelming mix of people ranging Kopi Kade, The Good Market Shop, @bread.lk from those expecting a miracle and Motive.lk. They also supply their ‘I cook with my feelings’ Ceylon Curry Club Svanika de Silva of Taku Treats shares her story offers free delivery Ceylon Curry BY VENESSA ANTHONY In a mouth-watering detailing of this pudding, she said: “Topped Club, Sri Lanka’s latest fusion food fad, recently Svanika de Silva is an with a layer of white chocolate shavings, it’s decadent and gooey implemented its own aspiring chef de partie who direct free delivery service dreams of manning a kitchen with white chocolate oozing between the layers. The biscuit to better serve customers one day. She set the stones for within a radius of 10km her culinary journey ahead by base is just the right balance between crunch but soft; it’s of Colombo 01, on 20 taking hospitality courses at January 2021. Customers the Sri Lanka Institute of Hotel so good that it melts in your mouth!” After that description, can now order lunch Management (SLITHM). After packs with free and safe completing her studies, she went how can anyone resist trying it out? delivery, between 10 a.m. on to industrial training, which to 3.30 p.m. unfortunately came to a stop De Silva also has experience in private catering. She started Inspired by Sri due to the pandemic and the Lanka’s culinary heritage, lockdowns that were taking place. out cooking for her mom’s friends, and they loved it so the Ceylon Curry Club Her passion for cooking, and the offers eight lunch packs free time she had on her hands, much that she garnered a network of contacts that allowed for customers. Priced led her to start up an online shop at Rs. 450 and Rs. 530, for her cooking. her to start off on catering. Her first-ever catering spread was a customers can enjoy Her Instagram shop “Taku She shared that all her of both, she ventured into fusion chicken in red curry with Treats” was derived from the feast for the gods – roast chicken, recipes have their own unique cuisine, again with her own eggplant, served with served with garlic rice and Club aims to take Sri word “Otaku”, which is what veggies and herbs, a variety of twist to them, adding: “I cook twist. “Cooking is my escape. yellow peanut rice and spicy pineapple chutney, Lankan fusion food to an anime enthusiast is called. carbs, and of course, her biscuit with my feelings and instincts. It’s always been something I puhul chutney, or mustard and mutton curry with the next level, where “Anime is what inspired me to pudding. She told us that she I’m not someone that follows a really loved doing – it was never and lemongrass infused chickpea and spinach the distribution of lunch become a chef actually; I was loves cooking savoury items, but recipe. I always eyeball it while a chore. I know most people find fish curry with capsicum served with cumin and packs stand as a stepping watching quite a lot of cooking she enjoys the fun that comes cooking; I’ve found that it adds it tiresome, but the kitchen is my and tomato, served with coriander infused curd stone for the anticipated anime around the time I was in with making desserts. more flavour to the dish and my happy place.” eggplant tahini savoury rice and green tomato opening of the Ceylon school, and looking at all that She plans on continuing her clients can really experience For now, her Instagram page rice and green tomato chutney. Curry Club restaurant. delicious food and the way that studies in 2021, while gaining something special.” focuses on her signature white chutney. The egg option By supporting the Ceylon the characters were so involved more experience in the industry She discovered her love for chocolate biscuit pudding. She Seafood lovers will includes boiled eggs with Curry Club, customers in what they did, really solidified to up her cooking skills. She the culinary arts at a very young explained how this creation came enjoy the calamari fried fried onion, garlic, curry can enjoy free delivery my desire to become a chef.” hopes that in 2021, she’ll be able age, by cooking for her older to be: “Everyone loves a classic and tempered with spicy leaves and spicy coconut with a generous portion Talking about her experience to learn more and with her latest brother. Once she began tossing chocolate biscuit pudding; but onions, garlic and a gravy, served with cumin of their protein of choice, in the few months of industry venture, understand the industry and throwing ingredients together not many people have heard of a touch of coconut milk, and coriander infused paired with a variety training that she underwent, she better. to create her masterpiece, she white chocolate biscuit pudding.” served with garlic rice curd rice and green of flavoursome rice told us that the most significant Even though her Instagram was struck with how much So, she thought to herself, “why and bilin chutney; or tomato chutney, whereas and accompaniments factor she learned was exemplary page currently only has biscuit she enjoyed it. Over time, she not do something innovative?” spicy tempered prawns the vegetarian option curated to complement hygiene. “I learned how to be pudding on offer, you can drop began experimenting with more and thus the white chocolate with fried onion, garlic includes a combination of each flavour profile. The super hygienic, and now even her a message with your requests intricate dishes, and joked that biscuit pudding was born. She and curry leaves, served eggplant, fried soya, green Ceylon Curry Club’s at home, I go through the same and she’s able to make it for you. she was shocked that it turned out told us that no batch is ever the with garlic rice and spicy beans and okra cooked lunch packs are also procedure I learned at the hotel. I She’s also available for private edible. After trying out the classic same, because she doesn’t stick pineapple chutney. in mustard and coconut, available on Uber Eats, learnt the right and wrong way of catering functions. Sri Lankan dishes, she learned to measured out ingredients, but The Ceylon Curry served with yellow rice PickMe Food, Meal First, doing things, that made cooking a how to cook western dishes as the one thing that they all have Club also prepares black and green tomato chutney. and Foodie apps, between lot less hectic.” @takus.treats well; once she mastered the art in common is that it’s delicious. pork curry with kalu pol, Ceylon Curry 10.00 a.m. and 3.30 p.m. brunch 134 Wednesday, January 27, 2021 { LIFESTYLE } „„ www.themorning.lk makers prefer to flog the same dead with more power. To be someone horse, aspiring to achieve the same else’s tool of exploitation. outcome, without tilting the ship and Take “ragging culture” as an disrupting even the most embittered example. An occurrence in universities process. and schools islandwide where as an initiation ritual it is deeply ingrained It’s been a hard day’s night and I into every senior batch to abuse, am working like a dog humiliate, and harass junior and new Take the entertainment industry students. And while in some cases it is at large. Like dogs for a bone, many a harmless custom, a sort of welcoming talented artists and musicos spend a and solidifying of one’s place as part of lifetime often fighting for the same a new sub-cultural phenomena or social scraps tossed at them by pubs, clubs, body, it has evolved into a violent, and the industry. One entity trying sadistic, hedonistic, and abusive avenue to outdo the other with simulated of power and seniority. repertoires, a paint-by-the-numbers It is not expunged on account of sound, no image, and no real it transpiring clandestinely under the personality or individuality, let alone radar, unbeknownst to custodians and passion for the craft. administrative bodies in campuses But the necessity to earn consistent and colleges. It is evidently a criminal revenue having long outweighed the act, associated with a broad spectrum merits of chiselling out a creative path of physical, cerebral and emotional for themselves with their own canon harm with psychological roots in social and legacy of work is extraordinary. ignorance and power play. It happens Let’s be very clear – there is nothing simply on account of the baton having wrong in having to make a living. But been passed and the rationalisation that it does become an issue of proliferating “it was done to us, therefore it should a state of mundane complacency. be passed on”. A sort of perpetual grind, like the monotonous routine experienced by textile workers. A prognosis of habit. An endeavour of need. After Covid-19 disrupted and dismantled the entertainment business globally, though all musicians and From here to creative types have been affected, is it not true that those who have worked strenuously towards originality have found it easier to adapt, adjust, and evolve to flourish in this brave new world? Besides, the entire model of the entertainment industry has long since evolved, and if one seeks to sustain oneself, you need to constantly innovate and integrate new mechanics of revenue streams into your work eternityThe uroboros is perhaps the ethic (merchandise, SEO [search oldest (if not one of the oldest) engine optimisation] and social media allegorical alchemical symbols marketing, brand endorsements, that represents the endless only, truth be told, this was a trend now collaborations, entrepreneurship cycle of eternity and return. for sometime. It’s just that over here avenues, etc). The age of just churning This is depicted as a giant snake in Sri Lanka, many refused to see the out quality music with a marketing And this primary justification (sometimes dragon) eating signs and forecast adaptive strategies plan and letting someone else produce, seems to be the divine quotient rule that lies at the crux of most things in our its own tail, epitomising the to evolve as a result of being “stuck promulgate, and disseminate your in their old ways”. Add also that as ineffable bubble of convenience. We beginning and the end. The music while you just focus on your a lavish backwater paradise, we tend artistry is a mindset of a bygone era. just follow blindly, adhere obediently, eternal loop that humanity is to lag behind the rest of the world at and condone customs, habits, and subject to. a snail’s pace, denigrating cultural cultural practices as a cause and effect While uroboros is Greek for “tail- appropriation, languishing all the while perpetuation. devourer”, its origins can be traced by idolising the developed world, so The old “if it ain’t broke don’t fix to ancient Egypt. The oldest visual very complacent and content in our it” shtick. Except back here it’s like representation found in a golden shrine little comfort zone pond. “even if it is broke, why fix it aney? of Tutankhamen, in 13th-Century BC Rain rain go away, come again another Egypt. Here it stood for the mystery of One-trick ponies and day”. cyclical time, which flowed back into dead horses With reference to uroboros. I am itself. What stunts the growth and not sure the repetitive cycle of the propensity for longevity? We see above-mentioned is necessarily healthy, Renewal, repetition, brands and services being safe, productive, or useful to us as a nation. regeneration predictable, one-trick ponies, milking Not if we so choose to not eternally Much to contrary notion, us their clientele for all it’s worth with remain in the same rut, stuck in this Lankans espouse our island mentality fervently taking two steps forward and the same tenebrous onus, outdated same devil-damned loop. Uroboros is with such zeal, it’s to a fault. We vehemently taking 10 steps back. methodologies, the same old clichés, also a symbol of life, death, and rebirth. love our little bubble, don’t we? It’s and languid objectives used to exploit The organ-grinding monkeys So what say we do away with the old a convenient excuse when things go The great regression customers, clients, and consumers. The thing is this: Customs and and usher in the new, and transmigrate sideways and a mutually exclusive Look at what plagues the corporate Brands that with no shame will spend traditions are not negative things. They and metamorphose into reshaping our safety net when we need to justify sector and industries here, save for incomprehensible sums of money are in fact the cornerstones that keep destiny and changing our course of our ignorance, petty-mindedness, and a precious few. Look at the local endorsing the same overexposed faces us grounded when the machinations infinity? Yet somebody needs to toss regressive ideologies. advertising industry. Once a glorified and so-called celebrity influencers as of convention capitulate us. Subjugate a wrench into the grinding wheel of Yes. For all intents and industry, now a quagmire of repetition, brand ambassadors, when they really us. Bastardise us. Yet there are many convention and be prepared to disrupt purposes we love to employ re-hashed ideas, internal organisational have no statistics to justify the reach caveats concerning the benefits of the system. Just seize and make the braggadocio to shout competitiveness, and a cash-cow and frequency and ROI (return on succumbing to traditions and customs most of every moment. That’s a start. out from rooftops, as necropolis pivoted on a fulcrum of investment) on plastering the same for the mere sake of doing so. “Eternity is hidden in every it were, that we are fractured organisational frameworks mugs across the gamut. Where do we draw the line exactly moment. And eternity consists of the wisely independent, and “systems” that have tumbled The means are justified by the where we can with an instilled sense of moments that create it.” irrefutably during the global pandemic. ends, with overexposed and hacked virtue or principle and move forwards – Andrzej Sapkowski, progressive, and Plenty will complain that clients no household names brandished for without becoming that famous organ- The Lady of the Lake incomparably longer spend money on above-the-line their commercial appeal, while grinding monkey? You know, the Suresh de Silva is the frontman contemporary – advertising (TV, radio, print, outdoor, not offering any exclusivity to the unbelievably talented creature who and lyricist of Stigmata, a creative when in truth, we etc.) when in actuality, the world has brands. Sometimes these ambassadors is the star attraction, show-stopper, consultant and brand strategist by cling onto our archaic not so much as tilted but leaned heavily simultaneously endorse multiple and money-maker – but holds no profession, a self-published author traditions and customs, towards digital media. And the global brands within the same industry. This real power over him/herself, only and poet, thespian, animal rescuer, and bask in nostalgia, whilst pandemic may have exacerbated it, is often because certain decision- performing at the behest of someone podcaster, and fitness enthusiast.

OPPO announced the gives it a 89% screen-to-body launch of the OPPO A15 ratio to allow immersement smartphone model in Sri in games or videos, combined Lanka. The phone’s key with its HD+ screen that Justice for Animals to features include an AI triple sports a resolution of 1600 x camera and 6.52” display, 720. allowing for clearer photos The OPPO A15 also and more screen space, comes with features that hold fundraiser sale alongside its lasting battery ensure optical comfort, Justice for Animals, life and ample storage space. including eye comfort filters, a registered non-profit “We are glad to introduce which can effectively filter born in 2019 and formally OPPO A15, which offers out harmful blue light and registered in 2020, is the essential features users alleviate eye strain. The holding its second “Aluth need to satisfy their mobile sunlight screen brightens the Pola – a market for a cause” lifestyle,” said Xinda Lanka screen so the phone may be on Sunday 31 January at (OPPO Sri Lanka) CEO Bob viewed even under sunlight Body Bar from 10 a.m. Li. “With OPPO A15, you without squinting, while the to 5:30 p.m. to help raise can take great photos with the OPPO launches AI brightness feature adjusts funds for its 2021 spay- Puttalam, Anuradhapura, introduce their products. AI triple camera, enjoy the the screen’s brightness by neuter-vaccinate-treat Thanthirimale, and Vendors will be selling HD+ display on the 6.52” big learning the user’s luminosity animal health camps. , plants, baked goods, vegan screen, all the while enabling A15 model in preferences. Justice for Animals to name a few. This year’s cheeses and dips, food- you to stay connected with The OPPO A15 was is dedicated to creating a market features several savoury and sweet treats, your friends and family.” launched in Sri Lanka on more compassionate and small businesses and two books, jewelry, art, clothing, The OPPO A15 features 16 January, and will come just world for animals. In other registered charities: and bath products. People a 13MP main camera, a Sri Lanka in two colours including 2020, it conducted 4,169 Emerge Global and Simply are invited to drop in on 2MP macro lens to capture the OPPO A15 also offers natural beauty, to smoothen Dynamic Black and Mystery vaccinations and spayed/ Women. The Aluth Pola is Sunday and support “Aluth close-up shots as close as 4 AI scene enhancement, out a diverse range of skin Blue. All these colours will neutered 3,456 animals meant to act as an affordable Pola – a market for a cause”, cm, and a 2MP depth camera which can beautify up to 21 tones and facial features, all come with 3GB of RAM and in several cities/districts/ place for charities to sell at Body Bar, No. 3 Jawatte to add more depth to portrait different styles of landscape of which are tailored to the 32GB of storage. The OPPO provinces around Sri their fundraising materials, Avenue, Colombo 5. photos. By combining its and scenic shots. The OPPO subject’s gender, age, and A15 will be available for Lanka; namely Kalutara, and as an entry point for “Dazzle Colour” feature A15’s 5MP front camera also ethnicity. purchase at a retail price of Ratnapura, Chilaw, home based entrepreneurs to @thealuthpola with AI scene recognition, offers options to enhance The phone’s 6.52” screen Rs. 29,990. 144 sports „„ www.themorning.lk { SPORTS } Wednesday, January 27, 2021 Qu te Two UAE cricketers found from a legend What’s happened has happened, guilty of corruption so what can we do to make it better z for tomorrow and Attempted to fix World Cup qualifiers in 2019 Two senior international the day after? cricketers from the United That’s why we’re Arab Emirates (UAE) were here. found guilty yesterday (26) of attempting to fix T20 World Cup qualifying matches in (Born on 24 November 2019. 1955, Ian Botham is a Mohammad Naveed, the UAE Captain, and their batsman Shaiman former English cricket Anwar Butt were both found to Captain, leading fast have breached two rules in the bowler, commentator, International Cricket Council and member of the (ICC) Anti-Corruption Code after House of Lords. He is being charged in October 2019, hailed as one of the days before the start of qualifying, greatest all-rounders in reported Times of India. the history of the game Abu Dhabi T10 League of cricket) too involved The specific matches in question were not disclosed. Naveed and Anwar Butt remain suspended and sanctions will follow, the ICC said. Naveed, a fast-bowler, was also found guilty of attempting to fix a match or matches in Abu Dhabi’s T10 League in 2019. The ICC Articles breached Meanwhile Times of India further added: “Following a hearing by an independent anti-corruption tribunal, both cricketers have been found guilty of two offences each. The pair remain suspended and sanctions will follow in due course,” quoting the ICC. The report further mentioned the following Articles: Naveed, then Captain of the UAE, and Shaiman have been found guilty of: Article 2.1.1 – for being party to an agreement or effort to fix or contrive or otherwise influence improperly the result, progress, Mohammad Naveed was UAE Captain conduct, or other aspect(s) of a UAE batsman Shaiman Anwar Butt match or matches at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Qualifier 2019. at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup guilty of breaching the following to an agreement or effort to fix or Article 2.4.4 – failing to Article 2.4.4 – failing to disclose Qualifier 2019. two counts of the Emirates Cricket contrive or otherwise influence disclose to the ACU full details to the ICC Anti-Corruption Unit Board Anti-Corruption Code for improperly the result, progress, of any approaches or invitations (ACU) full details of any approaches In the 2019 Abu Dhabi Participants of the T10 League conduct, or other aspect(s) of a received to engage in corrupt or invitations received to engage in T10 League 2019: match or matches at the T10 League conduct under the Code at the corrupt conduct under the Code Naveed has also been found Article 2.1.1 – for being party 2019. T10 League 2019. South Africa seize first day’s honours zPakistan vs. SA 1st Test at Karachi – day one The Test series between South Africa and SOUTH AFRICA 1ST INNINGS Pakistan got off to a thrilling start yesterday Dean Elgar c Azam b Ali 58 (26) with the match evenly poised at stumps Aiden Markram c Butt b Shah Afridi 13 on the first day in Karachi. Rassie van der Dussen run out (Azam/Rizwan) 17 South Africa were shot out for 220 by Faf du Plessis c Rizwan b Yasir Shah 23 the Pakistan spinners, but the visitors then Quinton de Kock (Capt.) c Butt b Ali 15 reduced the home side to 33/4 by stumps, a Temba Bavuma run out (Ali/Rizwan) 17 deficit of 187. George Linde c sub b Hasan Ali 35 Kagiso Rabada, the express South African Keshav Maharaj b Yasir Shah 0 paceman, returned 2/8 to ensure he finished Kagiso Rabada not out 21 the day just a wicket short of reaching the Anrich Nortje b Yasir Shah 0 200-Test wickets landmark, reported icc- cricket.com. Lungi Ngidi lbw b Shah Afridi 8 The day began with Quinton de Kock, the Extras (b 5, lb 1, nb 7) 13 South Africa Captain, opting to bat, and when Total (all out in 69.2 overs) 220 Aiden Markram and Dean Elgar hit Hasan Fall of wickets: 1-30 (Markram, 4.6 ov), 2-63 (van der Ali for five-fours between them in the first Dussen, 15.2 ov), 3-108 (du Plessis, 28.3 ov), 4-133 (de few overs, it seemed the visitors had come Kock, 35.2 ov), 5-136 (Elgar, 37.4 ov), 6-179 (Temba, in with their plans set. 54.3 ov), 7-179 (Maharaj, 58.2 ov), 8-194 (Linde, 61.2 South Africa went into lunch on the happier ov), 9-195 (Nortje, 64.3 ov), 10-220 (Ngidi, 69.2 ov) side, despite losing two wickets. Markram, Bowling Shaheen Shah Afridi 11.2-0-49-2 (3nb), Hasan having edged Shaheen Afridi to slips, was Ali 14-5-61-1 (2nb), Faheem Ashraf 5-0-12-0, Nauman dismissed for 13, and Rassie van der Dussen Ali 17-4-38-2 (1nb), Yasir Shah 22-6-54-3 (1nb) was run out for 17 after setting off for a quick single, only to see his partner had not PAKISTAN FIRST INNINGS reciprocated. Imran Butt c sub b Rabada 9 Despite that, with Elgar looking in good Abid Ali b Rabada 4 nick, and quite comfortable facing the spinners, Azhar Ali not out 5 South Africa had posted a hefty 94/2 by lunch. Babar Azam (Capt.) lbw b Maharaj 7 However, on the first ball after resumption, Shaheen Afridi b Nortje 0 Faf du Plessis was dropped, but South Africa Fawad Alam not out 5 couldn’t capitalise on the reprieve with du Extras (nb 3) 3 Plessis falling to a leg-break from Yasir Shah. PHOTOCRICINFO Captain de Kock then symbolised South Total (for 4 wickets in 18 overs) 33 Africa’s aggressive, but risky, approach Dean Elgar (left) on his way to a fighting fifty yesterday (26) in Karachi as Pakistani wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan looks on Did not bat: Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Faheem Ashraf, to spin when he scooped one off debutant Yasir Shah, Hasan Ali, and Nauman Ali Nauman Ali straight to mid-wicket for 15. slide. Bavuma was dismissed for a 67-ball 17 admirably with the ball in the 18 overs that Keshav Maharaj trapped the Pakistan Fall of wickets: 1-5 (Ali, 4.1 ov) , 2-15 (Butt, 6.4 ov) , 3-26 When Elgar, easily the South African batsman – disastrously run out attempting a second run were remaining in the day. skipper in front with a quicker delivery. (Azam, 15.3 ov) , 4-27 (Afridi, 16.2 ov) most comfortable against spinners, became – and South Africa promptly lost four wickets Rabada provided the early breakthrough, Azam reviewed, but replays suggested that Bowling: Kagiso Rabada 6-3-8-2 (2nb), Anrich Nortje Nauman’s second wicket, the visitors were for 16 runs. Had it not been for an adventurous taking out the openers within seven overs. He umpire Aleem Dar had made the right call, 7-2-20-1, Lungi Ngidi 3-0-5-0 (1nb), Keshav Maharaj reduced to 136/5. last-wicket stand of 25 between Lungi Ngidi first had Imran Butt, the debutant, dismissed and Pakistan lost their best batsman. 2-2-0-1 It needed a 42-run partnership between and Kagiso Rabada, South Africa would not for nine after extracting extra bounce, and When Afridi, the Nightwatchman, followed Toss: South Africa, who chose to bat Temba Bavuma and George Linde to stem the have made it past 200. then had Abid Ali bowled for four in his suit in the next over, bowled for nought by Test Debuts: Imran Butt and Nauman Ali of Pakistan flow of wickets. The duo lasted 102 deliveries, next over. Anrich Nortje, South Africa were firmly in Umpires: Ahsan Raza and Aleem Dar and ensured the momentum Pakistan had South Africa fight back Azhar Ali and Babar Azam were in control. gained from those dismissals had been drained. As insufficient as that total may have thereafter, attempting to see the day through, The visitors will hope to keep the TV Umpire :Asif Yaqoob However, a wicket triggered another seemed at the time, South Africa battled back but things took a turn for the worse when momentum going on the second morning. Reserve Umpire: Rashid Riaz sports 154 Wednesday, January 27, 2021 { SPORTS } „„ www.themorning.lk SRI LANKA JUNIOR TENNIS NATIONALS 2020 Savini and Luca clinch major titles

ON THIS DAY – 27 JANUARY

1974 – a Sri Lankan sporting hero was born. That man was Chaminda Vaas. He is one of best fast-bowlers Sri Lanka produced. He helped Sri Lanka win a World Cup in 1996 and carried the country to many heights in both Test and ODI cricket as a true servant of the game.

1979 – the birth of New Zealand’s best left-arm spinner, the bespectacled “Harry Potter” Daniel Vettori. “His scruffy, studenty appearance suggested the Italian-origin Daniel Vettori would have been better off studying sociology,” said one report.

2018 – fast-bowler Shehan Madushanka took a hat-trick on debut to give Sri Lanka a 79-run win in the final of a tri-series in Bangladesh.

ICCWTC TABLE AFTER ENGLAND’S ‘GALLE WASHOUT’ TEST TEAM RANKINGS

RANK TEAM RATING 1 [-] NEW ZEALAND 118.44

2 [-] INDIA 117.65

3 [-] AUSTRALIA 113

4 [-] ENGLAND 108

5 [-] SOUTH AFRICA 96 PHOTOS ISHAN WANNIARACHCHI Luca Knese, who won the Sri Lanka Junior Nationals boys’ under-18 championship Savini Jayasuriya, who won Sri Lanka Junior Tennis Nationals U-18 girls’ singles title at 6 [-] SRI LANKA 83 yesterday. He beat Chathurya Nilaweera in the finals SLTA, Colombo yesterday (26) 7 [-] PAKISTAN 82 Top-seed Savini Jayasuriya beat third-seed Oneli Perera 6/1, 6/0 to quarters, and Sethmi Sumanaweera 6/0, the eighth-seed Jaitra De Saram clinch the coveted Under-18 title in the girls’ segment of the 2020 6/2, 6/1 in her semi-finals. 6/4, 6/2 in his quarter-finals, and Kiran 8 [-] WEST INDIES 77 Sri Lanka Junior Tennis Nationals, now being played at the Sri Lanka Luca Knese wins Boys’ Vairavanathan 7/6 (7/3), 6/1 in his Tennis Association (SLTA) hard courts at Green Path, Colombo. semis. 9 [-] BANGLADESH 55 The Junior Under-18 age category respectively beat Saajida Razick 4/6, U-18 title On his way to the finals, the third-seed is traditionally considered the most 6/1, 10/4, Nesangi Hemakumara 6/1, Meanwhile in the boys’ U-18 singles Nilaweera had got the better of Thushan With the victory Joe Root’s England Test side recorded on Monday (25) significant age group in the annual 6/1 in the quarter-finals, and Dewmini category, top-seeded Luca Knese beat Senanayake 6/2, 6/0, Hasal Ahangama over fancied hosts by five wickets in Galle to seal the two-match series Junior Nationals and their girls and Warnasuriya 6/2, 6/0 in the semis on Chathurya Nilaweera 6/2, 5/7, 10/3 in 6/2, 6/4, Hesara Kuruppu (seed 11) 6/3, 2-0, they gained 60 crucial points in the current International Cricket boys champions are simply called Sri her way to the finals. a hard-fought final contest. 6/2 in his quarter-finals, and fancied Council (ICC) World Test Championship (WTC) standings. England are Lanka’s “junior national champions.” Perera beat Arella de Zoysa 6/1, 6/0, Knese beat Vinuja Wijebandara 6/0, second-seed Thehan Wijemanne 7/6 now in the fourth spot, just 0.5% behind third-placed Australia In a 16-player draw, Jayasuriya Ashanthi Seneviratne 6/0, 7/5 in the 6/0, Harieshwar Parameshwaran 6/0, (7/3), 6/2. SOURCE ICC-CRICKET.COM ‘Off-field’ discipline in sports: Fact or fiction? the following season. He was signed 2019 in a UEFA Europa League match sports watch by his hometown club Sunderland for against Astana, in which he scored to £ 10 million in 2012. Johnson played become the club’s youngest-ever goal at various levels for England, earning scorer in European competition at the BY DINITH PATHI 12 caps at senior level. age of 17 years, 353 days. But in 2015 he was arrested in Greenwood made his debut for Recently there was a report connection with sexual activity with England Under-21 in the qualifying regarding some in-discretionary a 15-year-old girl. England’s age of for the 2021 UEFA European Under- behaviour in the Sri Lanka cricket consent is 16 years old. In 2016, he 21 Championship. He made his senior team during the just-finished Test pleaded guilty to two charges against international debut in September series against England. There was him, and was subsequently sacked by 2020. also a report regarding some such Sunderland. But it was revealed that after that behaviour in the earlier South Africa In March 2016, Johnson was particular match, he and another series as well. found guilty of sexual activity with player, Phil Foden, 20 years, had This article will not try to discuss a child and sentenced to six years sneaked in girls to the team hotel the factual correctness of these in prison. He was released in 2019 and they were sent back home in reports. Nor is this article intended after serving half his sentence. Ever disgrace. to discuss the moral correctness of since his release, Johnson has been such actions either. This writer does trying to rehabilitate himself. But What the players not have the right or the power to he was hounded at every turn and it need to do decide those things. does not look as if he will ever play And, although Foden has been picked That aspect is best left for officials at the highest level again. A great for the England team later, Greenwood and the other related parties of the talent wasted. has still not got his second chance and he Sri Lanka Cricket Board. But what has also failed to hit the heights of last this article will try to do is to discuss Mason Greenwood season with his club as well. But with certain incidents of such happenings and his future age on his side and the club Manager in the sports world and how it has After the above two examples, the Ole Gunnar Solskjaer saying: “He is affected the sports person concerned. Manchester United Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said of their young prodigy Mason Greenwood thus: “He is still a baby. They example of Mason Greenwood is still a baby. They will make mistakes. will make mistakes. It is up to us as adults to correct them” an interesting one. He is a current It is up to us as adults to correct them,” Tiger Woods incident footballer at Manchester United. indicating being firmly on his side, Tiger Woods is undoubtedly next decade of his life was beset again to the No.1 ranking between Adam Johnson and his And as any regular reader of this there is certainly hope for a player the best golfer the world has seen by personal and off-field marital March 2013 and May 2014. destiny article knows very well, this writer considered one of the best finishers in in recent times. He has achieved problems stemming from his various It took him until 2018 to win his is a diehard Man United fan. As such world football at the moment. multiple records in the golfing alliances with women other than next major championship. He has Adam Johnson made his football this writer has been following the These are just three such examples world. He turned pro in 1996, at his wife. won 15 professional major golf debut in a Union of European Football progress of this player since he was of talented sports people going down 20 years old, and won multiple championships, trailing only Jack (UEFA) Cup match at the age of 17 about 14 years old. the “garden path” and suffering the championships. Who is to decide..? Nicklaus, who leads with 18. But years. A product of the Middlesbrough Last year, in the pandemic-hit consequences. In some cases, they In fact, by 2010 he had won 13 Woods admitted to multiple who is to say that if he did not have Football Club youth academy, he season he was elevated to the United have had life altering consequences. major titles and was well on his way infidelities, and the couple to go through all his “off-field” made 120 appearances for the club. first team and played in numerous Therefore, the players need to to becoming the best golfer in the eventually divorced. Woods fell to issues in that crucial period of his In February 2010, he moved to matches scoring 17 goals. In fact understand this reality and make history of the sport of golf in terms number 58 in the world rankings in life, he would not have broken that Manchester City, where he won the FA Greenwood made his first start for sure that they discharge their duties of major championships. But the November 2011 before ascending record already? Cup in 2011, and the Premier League Manchester United in September and responsibilities accordingly. „„ www.themorning.lk Wednesday, January 27, 2021 On Jayaratnes and Gayan Fernando Rajapaksas in US squad Jerome Jayaratne’s appointment Sri Lanka player Gayan as Sri Lankan cricket team Manager Fernando has been included for the tour of the West Indies in the 44-member US national raised many eyebrows on Monday cricket pool for this year, (25). The anti-government media which was named recently. went to town remembering the An alumnus of Pannananda Government’s pre-election promise Maha Vidyalaya at Raddoluwa, that there would be no relation Fernando, 30, has played for of the ruling Rajapaksa family first-class clubs here such as appointed to top positions of any Saracens, Ragama, and Lankan institution. Are those promises being as a right-arm medium pacer forgotten by the Government after who can also bat. Another they came into power, or is Jayaratne Sri Lankan, Roy Silva too has the best candidate for the job? The featured in the US squad some proof of the pudding is in the eating, time before. – Chathura the wise men have said. Ranasinghe

FOREIGN sportsSPORTS IN BRIEF Is Shanaka Sri Lanka’s next T20I captain?

Chelsea sacked their Head Coach Frank Lampard zA player revolt is imminent if yesterday (26) a certain player is made the  Chelsea sacks Lampard Chelsea Football Club parted company with their Head Coach Frank Lampard, 42, former midfielder of the club yesterday (26). Many had Skipper! thought earlier that it could be Ole Gunnar Solskjær, the Manager of Manchester United, who would win “the sack race” in British football. Prominent short-format all-rounder of the After last week’s defeat at Leicester City —having won once in their past five league matches— Lampard left the club ninth in the English country Dasun Shanaka will most likely be Premier League table. Man United reached the top on their way. “This the next T20 International (T20I) Captain has been a very difficult decision, and not one that the owner and of Sri Lanka, The Morning Sports learnt the Board have taken lightly,” a statement from Chelsea said. “We are yesterday (26). grateful to Frank for what he has achieved in his time as Head Coach of the Club. However, recent results and performances have not met the National Selection Committee Head Ashantha Club’s expectations, leaving the Club mid-table without any clear path de Mel said they will make the final call on the to sustained improvement,” the statement stressed. appointment of the T20I Captain when his committee “He (Lampard) is a man of great integrity and has the highest of meets next time. Sri Lanka’s next tour to the West work ethics. However, under current circumstances we believe it is best to change managers,” said Russian-Israeli billionaire businessman and Indies will have three T20I games, along with two politician Roman Abramovich, who owns Chelsea. Tests, and three One-day Internationals (ODIs). Meanwhile Lampard expressed his disappointment at not being “We are yet to sit for the selections. He (Shanaka) given time to succeed after being sacked. Former Paris Saint-Germain is a good player and was the Captain in a successful boss Thomas Tuchel is set to take over his post. Lampard led Chelsea to tour of Pakistan earlier. At the same time, our regular a fourth-placed Premier League finish and the F.A. Cup final in his first season in charge. However, the club spent a reported Sterling Pounds T20 Skipper Lasith Malinga is not involved in his 220 million (Rs. 59.3 billion) on new players in the summer transfer practices now. But we will decide on the appointment window. of the Captain only when we sit next time for the “I am disappointed not to have had the time this season to take selections (for the West Indies series),” de Mel said. the club forward and bring it to the next level,” Lampard said on his Instagram account. Yet, de Mel denied that there could be a player revolt if another strong candidate for the job is appointed as Sri Lanka’s next T20I captain. This particular player, who is allegedly playing a dominating role due to his strong political affiliations with both the ruling party and the Opposition, is becoming unpopular among his juniors, our sources said. Appointing him could trigger a player protest, they added. “I don’t know about any player revolt. We have Dasun Shanaka successfully captained Sri Lanka in a historic away series against Pakistan in 2019 not made any decision regarding the captaincy as yet,” said de Mel.

 Tokyo Olympics 2020 Greece’s Olympic pole vault champion Katerina Stefanidi, who Ashantha de Mel answers his critics urged the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to postpone Tokyo 2020 last year, has supported the staging of the Games this z Rubbishes ‘Born z National players z Was not witness z Don’t dominate z I don’t use either year. Stefanidi, who is standing for election in the IOC Athletes’ Again’ allegation are involved to the alleged others in the selection Facebook or Twitter. Commission (AC), claimed the majority of athletes wanted the Olympics to open on 23 July. This is despite increasing speculation saying some in paid social misbehaviour committee. Captain’s Started using about the staging of the Games as the Covid-19 pandemic shows no people cook signs of receding. But Britain’s two-time Olympic triathlon champion media campaigns involving and Coach’s opinion WhatsApp only Alistair Brownlee, another candidate for election in the IOC AC, has stories for their against their own Wanindu have bigger weight after becoming SL urged organisers to not rush into a decision regarding the Olympics, which are scheduled to close on 8 August. own benefit team-mates Hasaranga when series is on Manager Meanwhile Tokyo 2020 faced further uncertainty due to the Japanese Govt.’s Covid-19 vaccination plans, with its rollout not BY REVATHA S. SILVA expected until late February. Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga suggested in a speech last week that vaccines are a “clincher”, Ashantha de Mel is now the main and promised to start vaccinations as soon as late February, with target of every cricket lover here. The the Health Ministry expecting to approve the Pfizer vaccine by reason is the Galle debacle. Many then. This would mean Japanese citizens would only start to receive would believe he is the main culprit vaccinations five months before the Games. of Sri Lanka’s continuous four-Test loss. Astounding selections, they say. Here is Sri Lanka’s present national selection committee head de Mel’s own views and responses to those allegations. ‘Born Again’ allegation It’s a baseless accusation. I don’t consider anyone’s religion in the selection of the national team. It’s total rubbish. Some people cook these stories on social media for their own benefit. They said I had three “sons”, Lahiru Thirimanne, Kusal Mendis, and Niroshan Dickwella, whom I was said to have favoured. Two of them played well in Galle and one was excluded from the squad to get back to his form. Now they can’t say anything about those “sons”. Players in social media campaigns Sri Lanka’s national cricket selection committee head Ashantha de Mel There are certain players who are involved in their own social media On the ‘Wanindu playing cards while the first Test was But once the series is on, one of us things much. I don’t even have LeBron James campaigns. These things happen to Hasaranga incident’ on, were reprimanded by me. In fact, is there with the team. There I have a Facebook or Twitter account. give a wrong impression about our I didn’t make any complaint about they were not inside the dressing to give prominence to the opinions I recently got WhatsApp only  LeBron James sets record on selections. the incident to Sri Lanka Cricket room. They were in a different section of both the captain and the coach because I needed it as the team eve of Kobe Bryant’s first death We played good cricket in the (SLC). I was not witness to such an of the pavilion and were not direct because they are the ones who Manager. anniversary series against England but were incident. I don’t think the players’ members of the playing squad for make all the strategies. The captain We need to look at the things LeBron James became the oldest LA Lakers player to score 40 points not consistent. We had very good social media behaviour needs to be that occasion. is the one who leads the side into that happened in Galle more in a game since Kobe Bryant’s farewell appearance in 2016 as the sessions in the second Test where regulated. It’s their freedom. But the middle. objectively. I was in the selection Lakers beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 115-108 at the National Basketball Dominating the selections League (NBA) yesterday. The 36-year-old, playing on the eve of the first we could have capitalised on and they need to use it in a responsible Are you very active on committee for over ten years. anniversary of Bryant’s death, finished on 46 points. It was his second- won the game. There were two bad way. As a selection committee we There were good performances highest total as a Laker and the most against his first NBA team. He batting collapses in two innings that After the incident, some members always make collective decisions. social media? in recent times, and there were added eight rebounds, six assists, two steals, and two blocks. caused us to lose the two matches. of the squad who were seen on TV We sit together and pick the squads. No. I don’t associate those issues too, to be addressed.

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