THE CONSEQUENCES OF A NEGATIVE UNHRC VOTE MARCH 26 - 28, 2021 GIANT SHIP BLOCKING SUEZ VOL: 4- ISSUE 240 A LOVED BEYOND . CANAL COULD TAKE ‘DAYS, 30 EVEN WEEKS’ TO FREE COMPREHENSION HOT TOPICS PAGE 05 COMMENTARY PAGE 08 LITERARY LIVES PAGE 11

Registered in the Department of Posts of Sri Lanka under No: QD/130/News/2021 UK and US sanction military-owned Myanmar conglomerate LONDON- Britain and the United States on Thursday (25) an- nounced sanctions against military-owned conglomerate Myan- mar Economic Holdings Ltd (MEHL) as part of "further meas- ures" targeting the regime after a coup. "Today's sanctions target the military's financial interests to help drain the sources of finance for their campaigns of repres- sion against civilians," British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said in a statement. Washington announced shortly afterwards it was imposing sanctions on MEHL and also the Myanmar Eco- nomic Corporation Limited (MEC). The Myanmar military "controls significant segments of the country's economy through these holding firms," said a treasury department statement. The companies dominate many key sec- tors of the economy, including trading, natural resources, alco- hol, cigarettes, and consumer goods. "These sanctions specifically target the economic resources of Burma's military regime, which is responsible for the overthrow of Burma's democratically elected government and the ongoing repression of the Burmese people," said the US. "These sanctions are not directed at the people of Burma." Britain said the designation came in response to evidence that the MEHL contributed funds to support the country's armed forces "in their campaign on ethnic cleansing against the Roh- ingya in 2017". The new sanctions follow last month's designation of nine members from Myanmar's ruling military junta who Britain said were directly responsible for human rights violations com- mitted by the police and military during the recent coup. -AFP

- Petros Giannakouris/AFP/Getty Pfizer begins testing its Members of the Presidential Guard parades and ceremonies attended children in traditional costumes in 1830 after nearly a decade of make their way to the Parthenon by foreign dignitaries, though the from the 1821 conflict and other warfare against overwhelming odds. vaccine in young children before a flag-raising ceremony pandemic forced officials to scale wars. French Rafales and American Americans, including a nephew of WASHINGTON - Pfizer has begun testing its COVID-19 vac- marking the 200th anniversary back events. In a sunny interlude F-16s were also part of the show, George Washington, were among cine in children younger than 12, a significant step in turn- of the 1821 revolution and war of to cloudy weather that later turned while a cannon on Lycabettus Hill volunteer combatants. At the time, ing back the pandemic. The trial’s first participants, a pair of independence on Thursday (25). to snow, a parade of tanks, artillery overlooking Athens had earlier fired a the Ottoman Empire extended 9-year-old twin girls, were immunized at Duke University in Greece celebrated 200 years and overflying jets and helicopters salute of 21 shots. Britain, France and through the Balkans and modern-day North Carolina on Wednesday (24). since the start of its independence marked the occasion in the capital, Russia were instrumental in helping Turkey to North Africa, the Arabian Results from the trial are expected in the second half of the war with the Ottoman Empire with alongside mounted troops and Greece attain its independence peninsula and the Caucasus year, and the company hopes to vaccinate younger children early next year, said Sharon Castillo, a spokeswoman for the pharmaceutical company. Moderna also is beginning a trial of its vaccine in children 6 months to 12 years of age. Both com- panies have been testing their vaccines in children 12 and older, World’s poorest face vaccine delays and expect those results in the next few weeks. AstraZeneca last month began testing its vaccine in children six months and older, and Johnson & Johnson has said it plans to extend trials of its vaccine to young children after assessing through Covax program its performance in older children. Immunizing children will help schools to reopen as well as Some of the world’s poorest countries was not immediately clear how those deliv- March and April,” the UNICEF spokesper- help to end the pandemic, said Dr. Emily Erbelding, an infec- have been warned to expect delays in the eries would be affected. son said. Covax – a collaboration between tious diseases physician at the National Institutes of Health who delivery of COVID-19 vaccines through the “The Covax facility has informed par- UNICEF, the World Health Organization, oversees testing of COVID-19 vaccines in special populations. UN-backed Covax program after a double ticipants allocated volumes of the [Oxford/ the vaccine alliance Gavi and the Coalition An estimated 80% of the population may need to be vacci- blow of technical problems at a South Ko- AstraZeneca] vaccine produced in South for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations nated for the United States to reach herd immunity, the thresh- rean manufacturing plant and setbacks in Korea that shipment volumes will be lower – uses purchases by wealthier nations to old at which the coronavirus runs out of people to infect. Some securing export licences from the Indian than planned in March,” a UNICEF spokes- fund vaccine supplies to poorer and mid- adults may refuse to be vaccinated, and others may not produce government, UNICEF has said. person said. dle-income countries. a robust immune response. Up to 90m doses of the Oxford/Astra- The UN organization said it was working It has so far distributed 28m doses of Pfizer had initially said it would wait for data from older chil- Zeneca vaccine may be affected by the to confirm whether doses from the Serum the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine manufac- dren before starting trials of its vaccine in children younger twin issues, which came after reports on Institute of India, the largest supplier to tured by the Serum Institute, and said it than 12. But “we were encouraged by the data from the 12 to 15 Wednesday (24) that India had put a tem- Covax, were subject to an export ban but was expecting an additional 40m doses to group,” said Castillo, who did not elaborate on the results so far. porary hold on vaccine exports amid a rise said it understood there had been a “set- be available in March and up to 50m doses -New York Times in new cases there. back in securing export licences”. in April. Some of the countries expecting doses “We understand that deliveries of COV- The Serum Institute is contracted to sup- through Covax over the next week are ID-19 vaccines to lower-income economies ply 1bn vaccine doses to Covax this year, South Sudan, Mauritius, Iraq, Bosnia and participating in the Covax facility will likely and received $300m in funding support Herzegovina and Yemen, where the gov- face delays following a setback in securing from Gavi and the Gates Foundation to as- Fire at Saudi oil terminal after ernment on Wednesday declared a health export licences for further doses of COV- sist it in expanding its capacity. emergency as a second wave of infections ID-19 vaccines produced by the Serum In- -The Guardian projectile hit takes off. UNICEF said on Thursday (25) it stitute of India expected to be shipped in -Read more on page 4 RIYADH - A fire broke out at an oil terminal in southern Saudi Arabia after it was hit by a projectile, the energy ministry said Friday (26), the sixth anniversary of a Riyadh-led military inter- vention in Yemen. "A projectile attack on a petroleum products distribution ter- Quote for Today minal in Jizan... resulted in a fire in one of the terminal's tanks," Trending News the ministry said in a statement published by the official Saudi Idealism increases in direct proportion to Press Agency, adding that no casualties were reported. USA: Confronted by North Korea’s defi- survived a nerve agent poisoning, has one’s distance from the problem. It did not say who was behind the strike on Thursday (25), but ant missile tests and continued nuclear deteriorated rapidly in recent days with -John Galsworthy it comes as Yemen's Huthi rebels increasingly mount attacks on program, President Joe Biden is weigh- undiagnosed back pain and numbness Word for Today the kingdom's energy installations. ing whether to step up pressure or to in one leg, his lawyers claim. The attack comes after Saudi Arabia on Monday(22) offered open a new diplomatic initiative. Concatenation [kon-kat-n-ey-shuhn] the Huthis a "comprehensive" UN-supervised ceasefire, as part Mauritania: An intruder tries to seize -Homes and businesses in Alabama are -noun - a series of interconnected or inter- of a series of fresh proposals aimed at ending the catastrophic a plane at the airport in the country’s dependent things or events six-year conflict. damaged and some even levelled as a capital Nouakchott before being ar- But the Huthis swiftly dismissed the initiative as "nothing tornado touches down near Birmingham, rested,, with the man’s family saying he Today in History new" as they reiterated their demand that a Saudi-led air and leaving residents to contend with piles of dreamed of studying in the US. sea blockade on Yemen be completely lifted. debris and loss of electricity and authori- 1971 - East Pakistan declares its independ- ties to assess the severity of the devasta- Ukraine: The country registers a re- Riyadh led a military coalition into Yemen in March 2015 to ence from Pakistan to form Bangladesh and prop up the internationally recognized government, but it has tion. cord number of coronavirus deaths for the third straight day. the Bangladesh Liberation War begins struggled to oust the highly motivated rebels. EU: Chief Ursula von der Leyen says As- The coalition says it enforced a naval and air blockade to pre- traZeneca cannot export its COVID-19 UK: A British watchdog says it is inves- Today is... vent the smuggling of weapons to the rebels from Iran -- allega- vaccine doses out of the Union until it tigating former prime minister David tions Tehran denies. makes good on its promised deliveries to Cameron over possible breaches of lob- Purple Day Yemen on Friday marks the sixth anniversary of the Saudi- the bloc. bying laws in his role as an adviser to led military coalition's involvement in the disastrous war, which A day aimed at raising worldwide awareness Russia: The health of Alexei A. Navalny, bankrupt financial firm Greensill Capi- of epilepsy, a neurological condition that af- has left the country broken and on the edge of famine. tal. -AFP the imprisoned opposition leader who fects over 65 million people globally 2 MARCH 26 - 28, 2021 WEEKEND EXPRESS BUSINESS

As coronavirus hits Vatican revenue, pope cuts pay for By Elizabeth Paton H&M faces high-ranking clerics boycott in China ROME — In an effort to contain costs on other employees at higher pay grades. the costs of personal medical care or that an absolute monarch he has everything at and save jobs amid a slump in tourist The pandemic has “negatively influenced of close family members. his disposal and nothing at his disposal,” over stance on dollars and donations as a result of the all sources of income for the Holy See and Of the roughly 5,000 people employed Muolo said. coronavirus pandemic, Pope Francis has Vatican City State,” Francis wrote in an in the Roman Curia, the administrative “He doesn’t need an income because he treatment of ordered across-the-board pay cuts for the apostolic letter. “A sustainable economic institutions of the Holy See, and in Vati- has everything that he needs.” cardinals and other higher-ranking cler- future requires today, among other deci- can City State, cardinals have the highest The economic fallout of the corona- ics working in the Vatican. sions, adopting measures that also con- monthly salaries, varying between 4,000 virus pandemic has “heavily impacted” Uighurs Cardinals will see their income trimmed cern employee salaries.” to 5,000 euros, ($4,700 to $5,900), ac- revenues, the Vatican’s Secretariat for the Fashion retailer H&M is fac- by 10%, according to a decree published The cuts, which go into effect on April cording to Mimmo Muolo, the author of Economy wrote in a note in February. ing a potential boycott in China Wednesday (24). The superiors of Vati- 1, affect only the employees of the Holy the 2019 book ‘The Church’s Money’. The The 2021 budget approved by Francis after a statement the company can departments will have their salaries See, Vatican City and associated institu- Vatican does not make salaries of officials projected a deficit of 49.7 million euros. made last year expressing deep reduced by 8%, while 3% cuts will be ap- tions, including the Vicariate of Rome. public. Personnel expenses account for about concerns over reports of forced plied to upper-level priests and nuns. A They will not apply to Vatican personnel The pope will not be affected by the cuts half the budget. labour in Xinjiang stirred a social two-year salary freeze has been imposed who can prove that they cannot sustain because he does not receive a salary. “As -New York Times media storm this week. A similar statement from Nike Sri Lanka was also attracting criticism on Oil falls as demand concerns outweigh Suez Wednesday (24), a sign that West- ern clothing manufacturers could COPE orders investigation into dodgy Canal disruptions face growing hostility in China for LONDON - Oil prices fell on Thursday (25) product travelling through the Suez Canal to their public stances against forced Ilmenite sale as a new round of coronavirus restrictions in the Europe and the United States should not labour in Xinjiang and for halting COLOMBO– The COPE committee even the Cabinet of Ministers. It was Europe revived worries about demand for oil have a prolonged impact on prices in those cotton sourcing from the region. has ordered an investigation into how also revealed that the current price of products, even as tug boats struggled to move markets. The oil market was more worried The H&M statement, which can Lanka Mineral Sands Ltd sold 85,000 a metric tonne of ilmenite is close to a stranded container ship blocking crude oil about the prospect of extended lockdowns in be found on the website of the metric tonnes of Ilmenite for a third- US$ 240. The committee focused on carriers in the Suez Canal. Europe and disruptions to the distribution of Swedish retailer, was posted in placed bidder and not the highest bid- the decline in sales in 2020 compared Brent crude slid 62 cents, or 1%, to $63.79 coronavirus vaccines. September after growing global der a parliamentary press release said. to the total sales in 2018 and 2019. a barrel at 1048 GMT. US West Texas Inter- India reported its highest one-day tally of scrutiny around the use of Uig- The Chairman of the Committee It was revealed that 85,000 metric mediate (WTI) crude dropped by 79 cents, or new coronavirus infections and deaths and hurs in forced labour in Xinjiang. on Public Enterprises (COPE), Prof tonnes of ilmenite, which were sold 1.3%, to $60.39 a barrel. said a new "double mutant" variant had been In it, H&M said that it was Charitha Herath, requested the Sec- to a buyer in October 2020, are still Both contracts jumped about 6% on found. "While the focus was on Europe, we “deeply concerned by reports retary to the Ministry of Industries, stored in the Pulmudai, which is caus- Wednesday (24) after a ship ran aground in also have rising COVID-19 cases in places like from civil society organizations Anusha Pelpita, to immediately inves- ing a loss to the company due to lack the Suez Canal, one of the world's most im- India and Brazil, developing economies which and media that include accusa- tigate and submit a report on the ten- of storage facilities. portant oil shipping routes. The Suez Canal are really critical to the story for sustainable oil tions of forced labour and dis- der. According to the press release the Officials of Lanka Mineral Sands Authority said on Thursday it had suspended demand growth," said Commonwealth Bank crimination of ethno-religious third-placed bidder had paid US$ 147 Limited said the deadline for the re- traffic temporarily while eight tugs work to commodities analyst Vivek Dhar. minorities” in Xinjiang and that per MT while the highest bidder had moval of the consignment has been free the vessel. "We believe that the incident Given the persistent demand worries and it had stopped buying cotton from offered US$ 165 per tonne. The sale extended due to the prevailing Covid mostly creates noise in the market, and should falling prices, expectations are growing that growers in the region. had also been approved by a Cabinet situation. It was revealed that pay- remain without any lasting fundamental im- the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting More than eight months later, sub-committee. ments had been made for only 65,000 pact," said Norbert Rücker, analyst at Julius Countries and allies, together called OPEC+, in the wake of sanctions by West- The COPE members who drew their metric tonnes from this stock and Baer bank. "Usually, similar incidents last will roll over their current supply curbs into ern countries against China for attention to this issue said that the payment for another 20,000 metric days rather than weeks." May at a meeting scheduled for April 1, four its treatment of Uighurs, H&M officials of the Lanka Mineral Sands tonnes is to be recovered. Wood Mackenzie's vice president Ann-Lou- OPEC+ sources told Reuters. is facing online backlash from Limited have taken steps to mislead -economynext.com ise Hittle said a few days of delays in crude or -Reuters Chinese consumers. The outrage has been stoked by comments on platforms like the microblogging Sri Lanka site Sina Weibo from celebrities and groups like the Communist Rupee closes steady at Youth League, an influential Communist Party organization. 199.50/200.50 to the one “Want to make money in China while spreading false rumours and boycotting Xinjiang cotton? week US dollar Wishful thinking!” the group COLOMBO – Sri Lanka’s rupee closed steady at said in a post, echoing one of the 199.50/200.50 to the one week US dollar on Thursday (25), People’s Liberation Army’s state- while yields remained unchanged in dull market, dealers ments that called H&M’s stance said. Trade minister Bandula Gunewardene told Parlia- “ignorant and arrogant.” On ment this week the rupee exchange rate was controlled at Monday (22), Britain, Canada, the 200 levels with great difficulty and if allowed it could hit European Union and the United 300-350 levels given past trends. However, he did not give States announced sanctions on a timeline of Rs 350. In the secondary market bond yields Chinese officials in an escalating are flat in dull market trade, dealers said, adding that the row over the treatment of Uighurs market was waiting for the Rs 60 billion bond auction to be in Xinjiang. Roughly 1 in 5 cotton held on March 29. The debt office is selling Rs 60 billion garments sold globally contains split into Rs 25 billion bonds maturing on 15.11.2023, Rs cotton or yarn from the region, 20 billion maturing on 15.01.2026 and Rs 15 billion bonds where authorities have used co- maturing on 01.05.2028. Meanwhile, two bond maturing ercive labour programs and mass on 15.12.2022 and 15.11.2023 closed flat at 5.80/85%, and internment to remould as many 6.25/35% respective, and a bond maturing on 01.12.2024 as one million Uighurs, Kazakhs closed at 6.60/65% down from 6.63/70% the previous day. and other largely Muslim minori- A bond maturing on 01.05.2025 closed at 6.75/90% , ties into model workers obedient steady from 6.75/95% and a bond maturing on 15.02.2026 to the Communist Party. closed at 7.05/15%, up from 7.02/10% while a bond matur- Nike could be next. The com- ing on 15.08.2027 closed at 7.45/55%, up from 7.40/55% pany posted a statement on its on the previous day. A bond maturing on 01.05.2029 closed website expressing concerns at 7.98/10%, down from 8.00/20% the previous day, while “about reports of forced labour in a bond maturing on 15.05.2030 was quoted at 8.00/25%, and connected to” Xinjiang. “Nike steady from 8.00/30%. does not source products” from -economynext.com the region, and “we have con- firmed with our contract suppli- Infotainment ers that they are not using textiles or spun yarn from the region.” LANKA IOC Commissions Huang Xuan, a Chinese actor who had a menswear contract with New SERVO Lube H&M, posted a statement say- ing he would quit the deal, add- ing that he opposed “slander and Distributor in Kottawa creating rumours” as well as “any COLOMBO – LANKA IOC, Sri Lanka’s No. 1 listed en- attempt to discredit the country.” ergy company, continues its growth trajectory, with the Singer and actress Victoria Song commissioning of a new SERVO Lube Distributor in the — who used to endorse H&M — High Level Road, in the Kottawa area, taking its total lube also released a statement, saying Channel Partner network to 27 across the island. The new- that she no longer had a relation- est outlet was inaugurated by Manoj Gupta, Managing ship with the brand and that “na- Director LIOC. In terms of market share in lubricant seg- tional interests are above all else.” ment, SERVO currently occupies the No. 2 position in Sri By Wednesday evening, at least Lanka and the new expansion plans aimed at propelling it three major Chinese e-commerce towards being a market leader. LIOC has also appointed platforms — Pinduoduo, Jin- seven new SERVO Lube Distributors in various districts gdong and Tmall — had removed across the Island, making it convenient for customers to H&M from search results and source SERVO lubricants. withdrawn its products from sale. LANKA IOC manufactures automotive, industrial and The actions underscored the pres- marine SERVO lubricants at its state of art plant in Trin- sures faced by foreign companies comalee. In a statement released, the company affirmed its doing business in China while commitment to the development and economy of Sri Lan- navigating political and cultural ka, noting that the entire ranges of SERVO Lubricants are debates like the country’s sover- locally manufactured. LIOC is the first licensed lubricant eignty and its chequered human company in Sri Lanka to bring in DEF by grade name IOC rights record. Clear Blue used in SCR After Treatment Systems. This is an On Wednesday night, H&M Ad Blue certified product meeting ISO 22241 specifications China responded with a post on Lanka IOC also hope to start manufacturing grease lo- the Sina Weibo microblogging cally by end of mid 2021, in line with government’s vision site, saying the company did not – ‘Vistas of Prosperity & Splendour’. “represent any political position.” “H&M Group respects Chinese consumers as always,” the state- ment said. “We are committed to long-term investment and de- velopment in China.” H&M is the world’s second-largest fashion retailer by sales, after Inditex, the LIOC Managing Director, Manoj Gupta Inaugurating owner of Zara, and China is its the New SERVO Lube Distributor - M/s. Kottawa Lanka fourth-biggest market. Filling Station -New York Times WEEKEND EXPRESS MARCH 26 - 28, 2021 3 GLOCAL

Express Newspapers (Cey) Pvt. Ltd., 185, Grandpass Road, Colombo 14, Sri Lanka UN resolution a victory Telephone: 0117 322 705 (Editorial) 0117 322 731 (Advertising) 0117 322 789 (Circulation) for victims Email – [email protected]/[email protected] Says HRW, expressing concerns Epaper - http://epaper.newsexpress.lk Facebook –News Express Sri Lanka of government retaliation against rights advocates Sri Lanka has enough COVISHIELD till May NEW YORK – The United Nations Human Rights Council resolution on Sri Lanka is a vic- tory for victims of abuses to help them obtain Half a million more due from Serum; India’s export ban won’t affect Sri Lanka, says State Minister information, accountability, and justice, Hu- man Rights Watch said on Thursday (25), call- COLOMBO – India’s decision to COVISHIELD stocks will be adminis- April, international media reported Province had received the AstraZen- ing on UN and member countries to empha- temporarily hold all exports of the As- tered as the second dose for frontline Thursday morning. The Serum Insti- eca vaccinations, as a mass scale inoc- size to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa that any traZeneca COVISHIELD vaccine will worker who received their first jab in tute of India (SII) which manufactures ulation program was underway since reprisals against activists who campaigned for not immediately affect Sri Lanka, as late January and early February. the AstraZeneca vaccine under the early February after vaccinating front the resolution would have serious consequenc- the island has enough doses till the He urged people not to panic over brand ‘COVISHIELD’ has agreed to line workers and health workers. Ini- es. Resolution 46/1, adopted on Tuesday (23), end of May, State Minister Prof Chan- the export suspension announced by produce one billion doses for the CO- tially 500,000 doses of the AstraZen- establishes a powerful new accountability pro- na Jayasumana said on Thursday (25), India, noting that Sri Lanka had re- VAX facility to be distributed among eca vaccines arrived from India in late cess to collect, analyze, and preserve evidence adding a further 500,000 doses owed ceived over 1.2 million doses of the low and middle income countries. Ac- January and a further 500,000 doses of international crimes committed in Sri Lanka to Sri Lanka are expected to arrive as vaccine. cording to reports, the export restric- arrived in February. for use in future prosecutions. The Sri Lankan scheduled. Increased domestic demand in In- tion will affect some 190 countries un- Sri Lanka received 264,000 doses of government vigorously opposed the resolu- Jayasumana, the State Minister of dia for the vaccine due to rising cases der COVAX. the AstraZeneca this month under the tion, and there have been numerous reports of Production, Supply and Regulation of of the virus has prompted the Indian Sri Lanka's health authorities, on WHO's COVAX facility, which is being threats and harassment against rights activists Pharmaceuticals told a local television government to halt all exports of the March 17 said that over 800,000 local administered to those above 60. in recent months. channel, starting April 11, Sri Lanka’s AstraZeneca vaccine until the end of citizens in the island's main Western -economynext.com/Xinhua “The Human Rights Council’s landmark resolution on Sri Lanka shows that if justice is denied, the UN will act to provide accountabil- Navy arrests 54 Indian fishermen ity for atrocities,” said John Fisher, Geneva di- rector. “When governments fail to respect their international law obligations, as Sri Lanka has, poaching in Sri Lankan waters it’s crucial for the Human Rights Council to re- spond with substantive measures like these.” Indian HC says informed of arrests, working with Families of abuse victims have struggled for years to learn what happened to their loved SL Govt. to secure consular access ones and to see those responsible held to ac- count. The resolution was adopted in response COLOMBO - The Sri Lanka Navy on part of the island,” the media unit said, to a devastating report in January by the UN Wednesday (24) arrested 54 Indian noting that the Navy has previously in- high commissioner for human rights, Michelle fishermen poaching in Sri Lankan wa- formed the Indian authorities when Bachelet, on the failure of successive Sri Lan- ters and detained five boats, the Navy similar incidents of trawling reported. kan governments to provide justice and ac- media unit said on Thursday (25), not- The Navy said the patrols were car- countability. It establishes a dedicated new ing the arrests were made in separate ried out adhering to safety and health capacity within the Office of the UN High Com- areas in the Northern seas. It said Navy guidelines in place for the prevention of missioner for Human Rights “to collect, con- units attached to the Northern Naval the spread of the coronavirus. solidate, analyse and preserve information and Command nabbed a large Indian fishing Meanwhile, the Indian High Commis- evidence” of gross violations of human rights vessel with 14 personnel onboard, about sion in Sri Lanka, in a statement issued or serious violations of international humani- three nautical miles off the coast of Ko- on Thursday said it had been informed tarian law committed in Sri Lanka, and “to vilan, Jaffna, adding that the seized ves- about the apprehension of 54 fishermen advocate for victims and survivors, and to sup- sel, had a 75ft long, 22ft wide steel hull, and five boats from India by Sri Lanka port relevant judicial and other proceedings, was powered by a 280 hp engine and Navy, reiterating that issues associated - LAKRUWAN WANNIARACHCHI / AFP including in Member States, with competent was capable of harvesting a huge fish with Indian fishermen are to be dealt in jurisdiction.” After many years in which there A man belonging to the Vedda tribe, the island's aboriginal inhabitants, takes stock with its motorized trawls. The me- a humanitarian manner. “Providing im- was barely any progress on accountability, this part in a demonstration in Colombo on Wednesday (24), against the rapid dia unit said 1030 kgs of illegally caught mediate consular access and emergency measure brings justice closer for international deforestation and destruction of wildlife reserves fish and fishing gear were also seized by supplies to apprehended fishermen are crimes committed in Sri Lanka, Human Rights the Navy. of prime importance,” the statement Watch said. The high commissioner is man- The North Central Naval Command, said, adding that the High Commission dated to deliver a report to the Human Rights had detained two more Indian fishing was working with Government of Sri Council after 18 months, including “options for UNP charges withdrawal from vessels with 20 fishermen about seven Lanka for expeditiously securing consu- advancing accountability.” nautical miles off Pesalai, Mannar and lar access for the fishermen. In her January report, the high commission- previous resolution led to 5 nautical miles off the Iranativu Island, It also noted that bilateral mecha- er also warned of “clear early warning signs of a while the Eastern Naval Command, had nisms were in place to comprehensively deteriorating human rights situation and a sig- seized two fishing vessels with 20 fisher- address all matters related to fisheries. nificantly heightened risk of future violations.” Gevena outcome men about 7.5 and 8.5 nautical miles off Recalling that the Fourth meeting of Since coming to power in November 2019, the COLOMBO - Sri Lanka’s decision “According to the resolution spon- Mullaitivu. “The illegal entry of foreign the Secretary-level JWG held on De- administration of President Gotabaya Raja- to withdraw from the previous Unit- sored by the UNP Government, Sri fishermen into Sri Lankan waters and cember 30, 2020 through virtual mode paksa has targeted vulnerable minorities with ed Nations Human Rights Council Lanka would adhere to a domestic the use of prohibited fishing methods it said follow-up measures on the basis discriminatory laws and subjected victims’ (UNHRC) resolution resulted in the mechanism. We did not agree to any like bottom trawling to catch even very of discussions which took place during groups, human rights defenders, and civil so- fresh resolution that was passed in foreign involvement beyond observ- small fish has seriously threatened the the meeting need to be taken forward ciety groups to a renewed climate of fear and Geneva this week, the United National ers”, he said, adding that the govern- marine ecosystem and endangered the quickly. intimidation. Gotabaya Rajapaksa was defence Party (UNP) said on Thursday (25). ment should explain what domestic livelihood of fishermen in the northern -CG/ENCL secretary in the government of his brother, for- Calling the outcome in Geneva a mechanism Sri Lanka is now going to mer president (now prime minister) Mahinda colossal failure, the UNP said the follow. Rajapaksa, between 2005 and 2015. Sri Lan- government’s reversal of the UNP- “Under the UNP Government it was JVP questions privatizing management kan government forces and the separatist Lib- led government’s co-sponsorship of the local courts which would inves- eration Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) commit- the previous resolution in 2015 left tigate allegations of war crimes and of Independence Square arcade ted numerous war crimes and human rights Sri Lanka with the support of just 11 decide on the innocence or guilt of abuses during the civil war that ended in 2009. countries. those accused. This government has COLOMBO - Sri Lanka’s opposition the Arcade Shopping Complex,” he said. The Rajapaksas and other senior members of UNP Chairman Vajira Abeywardena rejected that procedure by withdraw- Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) He questioned whether there was cabi- the current government were implicated in al- told reporters it was then President ing from the resolution,” he said. questioned the 10-year lease of a gov- net approval for the deal. leged war crimes, particularly during the final Mahinda Rajapaksa in 2009 who en- Abeywardena also said it was the ernment shopping arcade to a private Dissanayake also took a swipe at the months of the conflict. The government has tered into an agreement with the then UNP’s ability to positively engage with firm for management, asking to reveal ruling party over privatizing the man- also blocked accountability for other serious UN Secretary-General. the international community that se- whether open tenders were called. agement of the shopping arcade, which violations, including extrajudicial killings and “Former President Mahinda Raja- cured Sri Lanka the GSP+ concession JVP legislator Anura Kumara Dissan- he claimed went against its political enforced disappearances. paksa undertook a joint agreement from the European Union in 2017, ayake told Parliament the Independence platform that opposed giving state as- The core group of states that brought this with former UN Secretary-General adding that Sri Lanka now has until Square Arcade was built at the cost of Rs sets to private companies. resolution – the United Kingdom, Canada, Ban Ki-moon, which is something no 2023 to win back the confidence of the 700 million in tax payer money as part A government statement Wednesday Germany, Malawi, Montenegro, and North Sri Lankan president had done before. international community, before the of beautifying Colombo city. (24) said the Arcade Independence Macedonia – have stood in support of human It is now the duty of the government GSP+ comes up for renewal. However it was now making losses Square shopping complex which was rights and accountability in Sri Lanka, and up- to uphold the obligations the former He also noted that it was UNP leader and was being given on a 10-year lease under the Urban Development Author- held the credibility of the Human Rights Coun- president signed,”he said. and then Prime Minister Ranil Wick- Sri Lanka’s Softlogic group. He ques- ity has been handed over to the Softlogic cil by advancing justice for serious violations of Explaining the reasons for his gov- remesinghe’s decision to not sign the tioned the process behind the Urban Holdings PLC under a 10-year- lease international law, Human Rights Watch said. ernment’s decision to co-sponsor the Rome Statue which ensured no citizen Development Authority, which comes agreement.The ownership will remain Altogether 22 Human Rights Council members resolution, Abeywardena said they of Sri Lanka would be taken before the under Minister Nalaka Godahewa, say- with the UDA. The UDA refurbished voted for the resolution, while 11 voted against, were simply adhering to the condi- International Criminal Court, despite ing the state minister should make a several historic building dating back and 14 abstained, more than 40 countries co- tions the former president agreed to the government claiming otherwise. statement to Parliament on whether an from the British period into arcade. sponsored the resolution, which remains open on behalf of the country. -economynext.com open tender process was called to lease -econonomynext.com for co-sponsorship. Among the countries that voted in favor or co-sponsored the resolu- tion are Sri Lanka’s largest trading partners, COPA reveals including the United States and members of the European Union. The resolution was in- troduced by the United Kingdom, which is Sri More than half the Arts graduates unemployed Lanka’s largest source of foreign direct invest- ment. These governments should continue to COLOMBO– Parliamentary Com- of the relevant ministry and all par- the teaching of technology. Students use their influence to press for the protection mittee on Public Accounts (COPA) ties when formulating the policy. should be provided with alterna- of human rights in Sri Lanka, including respect on Wednesday (23) called for urgent It said University Vice Chancellors tive routes and streams of choice for minorities and religious rights and an end action to reform the Arts stream in attending the meeting emphasized to choose from while they are still to threats and intimidation against victims’ the country’s universities as more that special attention should be paid in secondary school, the committee groups and human rights activists. than half of the graduates are unem- to the elimination of harassment and had noted, bringing to the attention UN member states should now follow ployed. ragging within the university system of the educational authorities the through and ensure that the high commis- A statement from Parliament said in the formulation of the new Na- importance of further strengthening sioner’s recommendations are carried out, COPA members who were discussing tional Policy on Education. the teaching of English in order to including by imposing targeted sanctions on an audit report on education under Given that the general education facilitate the development of com- those allegedly responsible for grave viola- the Arts Stream and the Unemploy- system is an integral part of the na- munication skills in schools and uni- tions and pursuing justice for international ment of Arts Graduates, had pointed tional development process affect- versities. crimes in national courts under the principle out that the unemployment rate of ing the lives of all Sri Lankans, the The Committee had also informed of universal jurisdiction. “The Human Rights Art’s graduates should be looked at, Committee r had recommended the the officials that in order to make the Council resolution is an important step toward and “appropriate remedial action National Policies on School Educa- best use of the human and physical delivering justice for terrible crimes, but it’s be taken”. COPA Chair Prof Tissa tion be revised, amended and im- resources available in the Univer- critical to remain focused on the violations be- Vitarana directed the Ministry of plemented expeditiously, especially sities, the traditional methods of ing committed in Sri Lanka today and the clear Education and the relevant authori- at a time as such where acceleration pursuing degree courses should be risk of future abuses,” Fisher said. “Victims’ ties to submit a report governing the of the economic development is ex- changed and higher education op- groups, civil society, and minority communi- new National Policy on Education by pected. The Committee had also em- portunities provided by those insti- ties still need support and protection through May, the statement said, adding that phasized the need to provide human tutions should be increased to enable sustained international engagement to uphold Vitarana urged the National Educa- and physical facilities as required in more students to enter universities. human rights in Sri Lanka.” tion Commission to seek the support all parts of the country to promote -economynext.com -HRW 4 MARCH 26 - 28, 2021 WEEKEND EXPRESS SRI LANKA FOCUS

Amnesty International on By Ryan Hyland UN Resolution Stop the Spread A crucial turning How Rotarians, Rotaractors, and point on justice and Interactors worked together in a accountability nationwide project that promoted LONDON - A new UN resolution on Sri behaviour change and initiated Lanka is an important step forward and of- fers renewed hope of long-awaited justice safety standards for businesses for victims of the country’s 30-year civil conflict, said Amnesty International, fol- Rohantha Athukorala felt helpless. It was April lowing its adoption by the Human Rights 2020 when Sri Lanka was on lockdown due to the Council (UNHRC) on Tuesday (23). coronavirus pandemic, and he wanted to do some- The resolution not only ramps up inter- thing immediately to help the country slow the national monitoring and scrutiny of the spread of virus. human rights situation in Sri Lanka, but “The lockdown was so sudden and absolute. It also mandates the UN human rights of- was hard not being in control of what you can and can’t do,” says Athukorala, a member of the Rotary fice to collect, consolidate and preserve –J. Sujeewakumar/ENCL evidence for future prosecutions and make Club of Colombo Reconnections, Sri Lanka. “Espe- recommendations to the international Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena addresses a press conference in Colombo, shortly after cially for us Rotarians, who pride ourselves on help- community on steps they can make to de- the UNHRC vote in Geneva on Tuesday (23) ing our communities in desperate times.” liver on justice and accountability. But sheltering in place had its advantages, he “This is a significant move by the Hu- By Arjuna Ranawana says, providing the time and opportunity to con- man Rights Council, which signals a shift nect with fellow members online. Their discussions sparked ideas about what they could do to help peo- in approach by the international com- Explained munity. Years of support and encourage- ple understand how to stay safe from the corona- ment to Sri Lanka to pursue justice at virus. the national level achieved nothing. This Promoting safety though social media resolution should send a clear message to perpetrators of past and current crimes Effects and implications of the Athukorala started by contacting club and district that they cannot continue to act with im- leaders, talking with government officials, and lis- punity,” said Hilary Power, Amnesty In- tening to business leaders. In late April, he launched ternational’s representative to the UN in Stop the Spread, a comprehensive effort to reduce Geneva. UNHRC resolution on Sri Lanka new infections through behaviour changes. “While an important first step, the real He asked the more than 5,000 Sri Lankan In- COLOMBO – The result of the to healing and reconciliation. The Question: Will Sri Lankans be teractors to lead the campaign and be community impact of further monitoring and report- passing of a resolution concerning Resolution urges the government charged by the International ing will rely on other UN member states advocates for specific behaviours such as wearing Sri Lanka in Geneva at the United to implement recommendations Criminal Court (ICC)? masks, washing hands, and social distancing. In- using the resolution as a basis for concrete Nations Human Rights Commis- already proposed by multiple com- action, including investigations and pros- Answer: No teractors used their social media networks to blast sion (UNHRC) has left many ask- missions appointed by the Mahi- daily messages about staying safe from the virus, ecutions under universal jurisdiction and ing questions as to how it will im- nda Rajapaksa administration. The old claim made by the cur- a possible referral to the International rent government’s supporters that and posted relevant communications from the Min- pact the country and its future. The report presented by the UN istry of Health. Criminal Court.” Here are answers to some fre- High Commissioner for Human Sri Lanka’s “war-heroes” will be The resolution was adopted in light of taken to the electric chair is ab- To complement the Interactors’ communication, quently asked questions. Rights Michelle Bachelet also ad- Athukorala worked with the country’s Ministry of what the UN human rights chief described dressed the overtly anti-minority solutely incorrect, and pure mis- as “insurmountable barriers for victims to Question: Will there be sanc- information used for propaganda Sports and the National Olympic Committee to get actions of the current administra- top athletes to become ambassadors for Stop the access justice” at national level, and the tions against Sri Lanka as a tion. purposes, former parliamentarian “inability and unwillingness” of the Gov- result of the passing of the Dr. Jayampathy Wickremeratne Spread. More than 280 athletes — including stars ernment to prosecute and punish perpe- Resolution? Question: Was it a diplomatic said. in cricket and rugby, as well as Olympians — par- trators of crimes under international law. failure? The ICC, Fonseka pointed out, ticipated in videos and graphics that were posted on Answer: No social media. The resolution comes in the wake of Answer: Yes “acts only when the domestic judi- damning reports by the UN Office of the As Senior Researcher at the Cen- cial process is unable to deal with Stop the Spread also promoted safety protocols High Commissioner for Human Rights tre for Policy Alternatives in Co- Despite the government’s claim a matter,” noting the domestic set- through a certification process for businesses. (OHCHR), Amnesty International and lombo Bhavani Fonseka pointed that the country “won” on the up has to detain and hand over the Athukorala and fellow Rotary members created the others, condemning Sri Lanka’s ongoing out, the UNHRC does not have the premise that abstentions equal person for trial. The ICC, she said, certification with the Sri Lanka Standards Institu- refusal to address historic crimes and ex- power to impose sanctions. “Only support, some of our staunchest has no mandate to enter a country tion that enabled companies that are compliant pressing alarm over the deteriorating out- the UN Security Council has that allies, such as India and Japan, to carry out an arrest. with certain safety guidelines to be certified as a look for human rights in the country. kind of power and that is an en- who have contributed hugely to No action can be taken without COVID-19-controlled environment. Protocols such As the resolution was being negotiated tirely different process.” our economic and political devel- the cooperation of the Government as mandatory mask wearing, temperature checks, in Geneva, Sri Lanka continued to issue However, Fonseka said “individ- opment did not oppose the resolu- of Sri Lanka, she added. and social distancing had to be in place in order blanket denials and reject the findings and ual countries may impose targeted tion. Instead, India used the occa- to receive the certification. Nearly 300 businesses, legitimacy of the UN report. In the mean- sanctions such as travel bans on sion to reiterate at the debate on Question: So what is the effect educational institutions, supermarkets, and other time, at home the authorities continued certain persons.” the resolution that it had the inter- of the Resolution, will it affect retailers have passed the program’s rigorous au- to prove the concerns valid, passing new Countries or groups such as the ests of the Tamil minority at heart. the country immediately? dits and received certification, allowing customers regulations that target minorities. European Union – which sup- Dr. Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu, Answer: No and students feel safe while supporting these busi- ported the resolution may with- Executive Director of CPA called it nesses. When the lockdown order was lifted in early “We urge Sri Lanka to engage construc- The immediate action is to pass tively with the OHCHR, to implement draw special concessions such as “a diplomatic fiasco.” May, Interactors fanned out across their communi- the GSP+ which gives Sri Lankan Sri Lanka has in recent months funds to create an office that will ties to visit businesses, homes, and public transport the recommendations of the report and investigate, collect and preserve to allow full and unfettered access to the exports a monetary advantage in spoken in favour of North Korea to give people educational materials and safety those markets. That concession and Eritrea at the UNHRC making evidence of alleged War Crimes guidance. They became leaders in helping schools country. Failing this, the Human Rights and Crimes against Humanity Council may take more robust action, which had been withdrawn previ- it impossible for Japan and South implement COVID-19 safety protocols, which al- ously was restored after the 2015 Korea as well as many African committed in Sri Lanka during the lowed schools to open in early July. including the establishment of an inde- war. pendent accountability mechanism,” said Presidential Elections. countries to support Colombo’s “Our Interactors have been fantastic and made a Opposition Member of Parlia- stand, some observers have said. Amnesty noted that the “reso- real difference in getting crucial information out to Hilary Power. The resolution responds to lution not only ramps up inter- an OHCHR report released in January, ment Eran Wickramaratne ob- The hard core vocal LTTE sup- the public,” Athukorala says, who was chair of the served: “An urgent fresh appraisal porters, mostly concentrated in the national monitoring and scrutiny Sri Lanka Tourism Bureau and served as the chief which warned that Sri Lanka’s persistent of the human rights situation in failure to address historic crimes is giv- is needed to minimize the negative West, had a muted celebration as business development officer for Sri Lanka at the economic consequences of the res- the resolution condemned the Ti- Sri Lanka but also mandates the United Nations. ing way to ‘clear early warning signs of a UN human rights office to collect, deteriorating human rights situation and olution. We must not risk legal bat- gers for preventing civilians from tles in foreign jurisdictions, travel leaving the warzone following its consolidate and preserve evidence Tools and technology a significantly heightened risk of future for future prosecutions and make violations,’ and made concrete recommen- bans, economic and trade embar- long-term strategy of using people To encourage hand washing, local Rotary clubs goes. The economic consequences as a human shield. recommendations to the interna- worked with S-lon, a plastic water pipe company, dations for “preventive action” for the Hu- tional community on steps they man Rights Council, including enhanced will be catastrophic.” Amnesty International com- and PickMe, a transportation organization, to build mented that the “resolution re- can make to deliver on justice and nearly 2,000 mobile hand washing units that attach monitoring and reporting, and the collec- Question: Did Sri Lanka win accountability.” tion and preservation of evidence, which sponds to an OHCHR report re- to three-wheel bikes. Riders are encouraged to wash or lose in Geneva? leased in January, which warned Its representative in Geneva, their hands before and after using the bikes. The have been mandated by this resolution. Hilary Power, was quoted as say- Prior to the UNHRC session, Amnesty Answer: We lost the vote that Sri Lanka’s persistent failure aim is to promote hand washing hygiene in public to address historic crimes is giving ing: “This is a significant move by spaces and increase hand washing rates, which is International published an assessment This is not a zero-sum game. To the Human Rights Council, which of the situation in Sri Lanka, setting out begin with, the Resolution did not way to ‘clear early warning signs of one of the best protections against COVID-19 infec- a deteriorating human rights situ- signals a shift in approach by the tion. clear expectations for UNHRC action. Am- target Sri Lanka as a nation or its international community. Years nesty International also released a report general public. It equally pointed ation and a significantly height- The Rotaract Club of Kelaniya created a mobile ened risk of future violations,’ and of support and encouragement app, Track the Spread that allows Sri Lankans to in February, Old ghosts in new garb: Sri fingers at some members of the to Sri Lanka to pursue justice at Lanka’s return to fear, which details the Sri Lankan Military and the Lib- made concrete recommendations log symptoms and register positive tests. The app for “preventive action” for the Hu- the national level achieved noth- is integrated with local hospitals and health centres authorities’ renewed crackdown on dis- eration Tigers of Tamil Eelam for ing. This resolution should send sent and obstruction of efforts to deliver gross Human Rights violations man Rights Council, including en- so medical professionals can identify hotspots and hanced monitoring and reporting, a clear message to perpetrators of communicate with people about their symptoms. It justice for conflict-era crimes, and a state- such as War Crimes and Crimes past and current crimes that they ment in March around the worrying trend against Humanity. and the collection and preserva- also allows people to purchase goods online from tion of evidence, which has been cannot continue to act with impu- grocery stores, pharmacies, retail shops, and even of increased marginalization and targeting It calls for transparent investiga- nity.” of Sri Lanka’s Muslim community. tions and a process that would lead mandated by this resolution.” pay utilities with the app, while allowing people -economynext.com to stay home and thus contain the spread. “This is helping commerce continue,” Athukorala says. The government of Sri Lanka is now testing the app for widespread adoption across its health de- HRW urges Sri Lanka to withdraw BIMSTEC invitation to Myanmar partments. COLOMBO - Human Rights Watch which was deposed in a military coup tally beaten many of those they have bour for unlimited periods of time, or The next phase (HRW) in an open letter to Dinesh on February 1, 2021. detained,” it states, pointing out that the most severe sentence authorized As vaccinations are increasing in the country, Gunawardena, Minister of Foreign Detailing the national election re- as of March 22, the Myanmar secu- under existing law,” it states. more than 800,000 doses have been administered Affairs, dated Thursday (25), has sults and events leading up to the rity forces have killed more than 250 The letter also highlights Foreign so far, Rotary clubs have also worked with local urged the Sri Lankan government to military coup, the ensuing detention people, and arbitrarily detained more Secretary, Adm. (Ret.) JayanathCo- health officials to support vaccine sites including immediately withdraw the invitation of the leaders of the National League than 2,600 people. lombage’s , response to criticism of logging data. to the representative of Myanmar’s for Democracy, including President The letter goes on to point out that the invitation to WunnaMaungLwin, Clubs worked with the World Health Organiza- military junta, to participate in the Win Myint and State Counsellor the SAC, whose representative the that “unless BIMSTEC expels Myan- tion and Ministry of Health to develop a booklet for April 1 virtual meeting of the Bay of Aung San Suu Kyi, and the ongoing Sri Lankan minister has invited to at- mar, Sri Lanka has no mandate to ex- Parliament representatives and religious and com- Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral nationwide protests organized by the tend BIMSTEC, has also ordered the clude them,” and sates, Sri Lanka can munity leaders to facilitate a successful vaccination Technical and Economic Coopera- national Civil Disobedience Move- shutdown of mobile data and public choose whom it treats as the legiti- program. The printable booklet has information on tion (BIMSTEC). ment demonstrating widespread Wi-Fi, and has placed areas of the mate representative of the country. different vaccines, safe practices, and key messages The letter, signed by HRW’s Asia opposition to military rule, the let- country under martial law. “In the However, it warns that accepting the that leaders can use to better inform people about Director Brad Adams, notes that by ter notes the junta’s response to the areas where martial law is imposed, junta’s representative, the Sri Lan- the COVID-19 vaccines. including Wunna Maung Lwin, the largely peaceful protests has been in- protesters, other opponents of mili- kan government is telling the people More than 88,000 cases of COVID-19 have been military junta representative, in the creasingly brutal. tary rule, and journalists will face of Myanmar that it sides with the confirmed as of mid-March, with over 530 deaths. meeting, the Sri Lankan government “Security forces have unneces- trials in closed military courts under generals who are responsible for the “We have done a great job at keeping COVID-19 is lending unwarranted legitimacy sarily used rubber bullets, tear gas, unfair trial procedures, with no right shooting of protesters in the streets, at bay, but our next focus is making sure Sri Lanka to the junta’s State Administration water cannons, and live ammunition to appeal. According to a SAC order, rather than the representatives of the can adequately provide vaccinations to its people,” Council (SAC) instead of Myanmar’s against peaceful protesters, engaged those convicted by military courts government Myanmar’s people voted Athukorala says. democratically elected government, in extrajudicial executions, and bru- may be sentenced to death, hard la- for in November 2020. -rotary.org WEEKEND EXPRESS MARCH 26 - 28, 2021 5 HOT TOPICS

India delays vaccine exports as By Anne-Laure Mondesert and cases soar Dave Clark NEW DELHI - India appeared Thursday (25) to have put EU leaders wrestle the brakes on exporting COVID-19 vaccines as it battles a new wave of infections at home and a faltering inoculation drive. with vaccine woes as India recorded more than 50,000 new coronavirus cas- es on Thursday for the first time since November, while Biden dials in its aim to inoculate 300 million people by August runs be- BRUSSELS – An expected cameo ap- hind schedule with 53 million shots given so far. pearance by US President Joe Biden did India is a major vaccine supplier to other nations, par- little to distract from the danger of Eu- ticularly poorer ones, including under the Covax global in- rope’s looming third wave of coronavirus oculation program led by the World Health Organization infections at Thursday’s (25) EU video (WHO) and the Gavi alliance. summit. So far it has sent more than 60 million doses to 76 The US president was set to address countries, mostly AstraZeneca shots manufactured by the the 27 EU leaders by video-link later in Serum Institute of India (SII), the world's largest vaccine the day in a show of mending transatlan- tic ties after the diplomatic battles of the maker by volume. - Suez CANAL / AFP On Thursday the Gavi alliance said deliveries of vac- Donald Trump years. cines to lower-income economies "will face delays" be- A part of the Taiwan-owned MV Ever Given (Evergreen), a 400-metre (1,300-feet)-long and But, as the EU leaders’ talks started, it cause of a "setback" in Serum obtaining export licences 59-metre wide vessel, lodged sideways and impeding all traffic across the waterway of Egypt’s was clear Biden’s intervention would be from the Indian government. Suez Canal just a brief respite from the main subject: A Gavi spokesperson said the delays in granting the How to outpace the resurgent pandemic when vaccine deliveries to the bloc have licences "are due to the increased demand of COVID-19 By Vivian Yee vaccines in India." come up short, and jab campaigns are get- "Covax is in talks with the government of India with ting off the ground slowly? a view to ensuring deliveries as quickly as possible," the Host Charles Michel, president of the spokesperson said, without giving further details. Giant ship blocking Suez Canal European Council, had hoped to hold a "SII has pledged that, alongside supplying India, it will face-to-face summit but was forced to ac- prioritize the Covax multilateral solution for equitable dis- cept a stripped-down video conference tribution. Covax is in talks with the government of India because of travel curbs. with a view to ensuring deliveries as quickly as possible." could take ‘days, even weeks’ A key summit topic is the European anger over UK-based pharma giant As- The Indian government and Serum were not immedi- traZeneca failing to meet vaccine delivery ately available for further comment. promises while ensuring smooth supplies "It is not clear how long it will take to resolve the de- to free to former EU member Britain. lays," an industry source told AFP. EU countries are also squabbling India, home to 1.3 billion people, was this month over- CAIRO — As tugboats Kaisha, acknowledged in a ship is stuck. “The more deep- amongst themselves over how to share taken by Brazil as the second-most infected country after strained against the weight statement on Thursday that ly the ship is stuck, the harder vaccines, and not all are happy with a cases dipped in December and January from a peak of of the mammoth ship and the situation was “extremely it is to lose weight, the more beefed-up European Commission move nearly 100,000 a day in September. dredgers worked to clear sand difficult” and apologized for time it will take to free it,” Ber- that could block some vaccine shipments But recent weeks have seen an uptick, with health min- and mud, a salvage company the disruption caused by the dowski said. to countries like Britain which produce istry data on Thursday showing almost 54,000 new infec- working on the operation episode. “We will continue to The ship’s manager has said jabs but don’t export them. tions over the previous 24 hours, the most since October. warned on Thursday (25) that do our utmost” to move the in a statement that a prelimi- Draft conclusions seen by AFP support India's strict lockdown has been steadily eased over the releasing the container vessel ship, it said. nary investigation found that the EU export authorization scheme while past year and in recent months most activity, including blocking traffic in the Suez Peter Berdowski, chief exec- the vessel grounded because urging Europe to step up vaccine produc- weddings, religious festivals and some cricket matches, Canal could take days or even utive of Royal Boskalis West- of strong winds, not because tion. returned to normal. weeks. minster, which has been ap- of mechanical or engine fail- “We underline the importance of trans- Now many regions are re-imposing curbs, particularly Dozens of ships laden with pointed by Ever Given’s owner ure. The company said that parency as well as of the use of export au- in the hard-hit western state of Maharashtra where offi- oil and goods destined for to help move the vessel, told all 25 crew members, who the thorizations,” the draft says. cials have launched random virus checks in crowded areas ports around the world are Dutch current affairs program ship’s owner said were all In- “We reaffirm that companies must en- in the local capital Mumbai - with those tested having to stranded in the canal, and Nieuwsuur on Wednesday dian citizens, were safe and sure predictability of their vaccine pro- pay. with each passing hour, the (24) that the operation to free that there were no reports of duction and respect contractual delivery "Just to enter a mall, you have to give 250 rupees economic cost of the disrup- the ship could take “days, even injuries, pollution or cargo deadlines.” ($3.50) over here, (and) that too with a queue of one tion grows more consequen- weeks.” damage. French President Emmanuel Macron hour," said Mumbai resident Mohit Jain as he lined up to tial. Berdowski, whose company The global shipping and admitted on the eve of the summit that enter a shopping mall. The stuck ship, the Ever has been involved in expand- supply industry — already Europe had lacked ambition while the "It will cause a lot of inconvenience for the malls as well Given, has been wedged in the ing the Suez Canal, said that battered by the surge in orders United States, in particular, forged ahead as for the customers also," he told AFP. canal since running aground Ever Given was stuck on both caused by the coronavirus with its inoculation drive. The country's known coronavirus cases are approaching amid the heavy winds of a shallow sides of the V-shaped pandemic and recent disrup- “We weren’t quick enough, strong 12 million, with more than 160,000 deaths. sandstorm Tuesday (23). Its waterway. Fully loaded with tions at factories in Japan and enough on this,” he told Greece’s ERT The health ministry said Wednesday (24) that the vari- bow is lodged in the canal’s 20,000 containers, the ship Texas — waited to see whether television. “It’s quite true and we thought ants first detected in Britain, South Africa and Brazil have eastern bank and its stern in “is a very heavy beached the disruption from the traffic that the vaccine would take time to take been found in India, but not in "numbers sufficient to ei- the western bank. whale”, he said. jam would amount to a couple off.” Germany’s Chancellor Angela Mer- ther establish (a) direct relationship or explain the rapid Eight large tugboats were Authorities had first tried of days’ minor inconvenience, kel defended Europe’s pooled-purchasing increase in cases in some states". attempting to push and drag to float the vessel using tug- or something worse. strategy, telling German lawmakers: “I Meanwhile, India this week decided to allow all over- the ship from its unintended boats, a model that worked to The canal, from which wouldn’t like to imagine what would hap- 45s to be inoculated as it attempts to vaccinate 300 mil- berth, the Suez Canal Author- free the CSCL Indian Ocean, a Egypt derives much of its rev- pen if some member states had vaccines lion people by August. ity said in a statement Thurs- similarly sized container ship enues and geopolitical signifi- and others not. That would shake the in- "(It) would be good if the government decides to stop day, but at about 1,300 feet that became stuck in the Elbe cance, handles about 10% of ternal market to its core.” the export and look after its own Indian citizens first," long — roughly equivalent to River in 2016, near the port of all global trade. By connecting A European official described the EU Delhi resident Beulah Pillay, 62, said as she received her Hamburg, Germany. Salvag- the Red Sea to the Mediterra- export authorization mechanism as “a the height of the Empire State loaded gun under the table”. It is widely first dose. Building — and weighing ing that ship took 12 tugboats nean, the canal offers a short- - Agence France-Presse seen as a means to pressure AstraZeneca around 200,000 metric tons, and three attempts, and part cut worth about 10 days of to boost deliveries. dislodging the Ever Given is of the sandbank where the sailing time to ships carrying But Ireland, Belgium and the Nether- proving challenging. ship ran aground had to be oil and cargo from Asia to Eu- lands are among countries wary of any By Subrata Nagchoudhury, Devjyot Ghoshal An attempt to extract the dredged. rope and beyond. More than move to block exports from vaccine pro- ship at around 8:00 a.m. Berdowski said that the 50 ships pass through it on an ducers such as Pfizer/BioNTech, which Thursday did not succeed, Ever Given was too heavy for average day. supplies both the EU and UK. Modi pushes to win forcing salvagers to try again tugboats alone, adding that Egypt opened a new lane If global vaccine supply chains are dis- later in the day, the ship’s salvagers might need to ex- in one section of the canal in rupted, many countries could lose out, as West Bengal technical manager, Bernhard tract fuel, pump out water 2015, an $8 billion expansion both British Prime Minister Boris John- Schulte Shipmanagement, from the ballast tanks and re- that the president, Abdel- son and EU Commission chief Ursula von KOLKATA - The populous Indian state of West Ben- said in a statement on Thurs- move some of the containers Fattah el-Sissi, heralded as a der Leyen accept. Their administrations gal has emerged as a key battleground for Prime Minis- day. The company said that to make the ship lighter and historic national accomplish- issued a joint statement saying: “We are ter Narendra Modi’s party, which is looking to extend its a specialized suction dredger therefore easier to move. And ment. But the Ever Given is all facing the same pandemic and the national domination and dislodge one of Modi’s sharpest had arrived to help dig the the dredging may require ex- sitting diagonally across an- third wave makes cooperation between critics. ship out. tra equipment, he said. other section of the canal, one the EU and UK even more important.” To win power in the eastern state, where a month- The Japanese company that Everything depends on how that has only one lane. They are in discussions about how “to long election begins on Saturday (27), Modi’s right-wing owns the ship, Shoei Kisen deep the massive container -New York Times create a win-win situation and expand Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has deployed its formidable vaccine supply for all our citizens” but election machinery, backed by deep pockets. have yet to come to agreement on how to The party brass – including Modi and his powerful home share AstraZeneca doses. minister Amit Shah – has also been relentlessly campaign- By Choe Sang Hun The firm has delivered only 19 million ing, flanked by local leaders poached from the Trinamool of the 30 million doses it had promised Congress (TMC), which has ruled the state since 2011 and to the EU in the first quarter - a pledge is headed by firebrand Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. ‘Power for power’ already radically reduced from a contrac- The BJP currently controls a dozen of the country’s 28 tual 120 million doses. states, with alliance partners in several others. But it has North Korea returns to a show of force Much of the focus of Brussels and Lon- never won power in West Bengal, whose 90 million people don is on an AstraZeneca plant in the make it the fourth most populous state. SEOUL — North Korea is- the country was once again re- The Biden administration Netherlands producing doses which both “A victory in Bengal would mean that they are closer to sued warnings for more than a sorting to a show of force, rais- has been reviewing whether sides claim should be theirs. their one-nation, one-party ambition,” said political ana- week. It swore that the Biden ing tensions to gain leverage to deal with North Korea’s A European diplomat told reporters lyst NilanjanMukhopadhyay. administration would pay a as the Biden administration growing nuclear and missile that an acceptable compromise would be Winning states is key to controlling the upper house “price,” accused it of raising “a finalizes its North Korea policy threats with more sanctions, a the UK and the Commission agreeing to of the federal parliament whose members are elected by stink” on the Korean Peninsula review. The test was also seen new round of dialogue or a mix equally shoulder the AstraZeneca short- state assemblies. The BJP already has a huge majority in and called Washington’s effort as a signal to Washington that of both. As the policy review fall. Another sensitive issue is the distri- the lower house of parliament and will be in a better posi- to open a channel of communi- Pyongyang will carry out more continues — and the possibil- bution of vaccines which Europe has al- tion to enact legislation through parliament, analysts say. cation a “trick,” vowing to deal provocative tests, involving ity that the Biden administra- ready received. Victory in West Bengal could also weaken political op- with the United States “power longer-range missiles, if it de- tion will abandon the summit A group of smaller states led by Austria for power.” cides Biden’s policies are un- diplomacy of former President is demanding a revision in the divvying- position against the government’s recent moves, includ- Now, it appears that North reasonable. Donald Trump grows — North ing a months-long farmers agitation over new farm laws, up method after they missed an earlier Korea is done talking. “North Korea uses weap- Korea appears to be “return- opportunity to secure a bigger share of Mukhopadhyay said. On Thursday (25) it de- ons tests strategically, both to ing to a familiar pattern of us- “It will be an endorsement of Modi’s politics and poli- costlier vaccines by betting on the cheaper livered its latest warning by make needed improvements ing provocations to raise ten- - but unreliably supplied-- AstraZeneca cies through the pandemic,” he said. launching two short-range bal- to its weapons and to garner sions,” Lee said. one. Against this backdrop, Biden’s ap- But the BJP faces a formidable opponent in Banerjee, listic missiles off its east coast global attention,” said Jean The North’s manoeuvres pearance offers a positive note, with Eu- the incumbent chief minister who has been campaigning — the first such test by the H. Lee, a North Korea expert leave the Biden administration ropean officials delighted with the new US from a wheel-chair after a recent accident. country in a year and its first at the Woodrow Wilson Inter- with a difficult choice. Even if administration’s warmer tone. “Do not look at individual candidates, cast your vote for significant provocation against national Center for Scholars. it engages North Korea with Just before the summit started, Biden’s me,” Banerjee says in her public rallies. Her centrist party the United States under Presi- “With the United States hint- another round of negotiations, top diplomat Antony Blinken wrapped up came to power when it ousted the Communists who had dent Joe Biden. ing that it will seek to tighten there is no guarantee that the a two-day visit to Brussels that included ruled the state for more than 30 years. The launch, which defied the sanctions regime, North country will give up its nuclear talks with NATO ministers and top EU Opinion pollsters have predicted a close race, despite the UN Security Council’s ban Korea will be looking to ex- arsenal, which has continued officials in which close coordination was the BJP making rapid gains against the state’s ruling party. on ballistic missile tests by pand its arsenal by ramping up to expand in recent years. pledged. -Reuters North Korea, indicated that testing.” -New York Times Agence France-Presse 6 MARCH 26 - 28, 2021 WEEKEND EXPRESS REALITY CHECK

By Natasha Frost By Vera Kraft Bereavement leave Goodbye letters in coffins New Zealand approves How the pandemic has changed paid leave after grieving miscarriage, stillbirth The shadow of death has rarely fallen so per- sistently on our lives as in recent months. AUCKLAND — New Zealand’s Parlia- Every day brings an update of how many ment on Wednesday (24) unanimously more people have been taken by COVID-19. approved legislation that would give cou- One was Andre Schneider’s father, who passed ples who suffer a miscarriage or stillbirth away in a German hospital’s intensive care three days’ paid leave, putting the country unit on December 9. in the vanguard of those providing such How can the bereaved take final leave of benefits. loved ones amid coronavirus restrictions on Ginny Andersen, the Labour member of travel, social gatherings and physical contact? Parliament who drafted the bill, said she How can they mourn together when funeral had not been able to find comparable leg- receptions and embracing are largely out of islation anywhere in the world. “We may bounds? well be the first country,” she said, adding, Schneider, whose real name has been “But all the countries that New Zealand is changed, says his father, 68, was diagnosed usually compared to legislate for the 20- with COVID-19 in late October and hospital- week mark.” ized. He was short of breath and his blood oxy- Employers in New Zealand, as in some gen levels kept dropping, so only brief phone other countries, had already been required -Ro Yassin Abdumonab/REUTERS conversations were possible. Doctors urged to provide paid leave in the event of a still- that he be moved to intensive care, and he fi- birth, when a foetus is lost after a gesta- People search for their belongings on Tuesday (23), after a fire burned down all the shelters in a part of nally agreed, telling his family, “I want to live.” tion of 20 weeks or more. The new legisla- the Rohingya refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh He was put into a medically induced coma tion will expand that leave to anyone who and placed on a ventilator, after which fam- loses a pregnancy at any point, removing ily members could only speak with his doc- any ambiguity. The measure is expected to tors. “There were ups and downs,” Schneider become law in the coming weeks. By Irwin Loy recalls. Hopes rose when his father’s oxygen “I felt that it would give women the con- levels did, and sank when they fell. fidence to be able to request that leave if “It’s much more difficult now to visit pa- it was required, as opposed to just being tients who are dying,” notes Jan Moellers, a stoic and getting on with life, when they Berlin-based funeral director and cultural sci- knew that they needed time, physically or ‘There was nowhere to run’ entist. Hospital visitor rules have become very psychologically, to get over the grief,” An- restrictive in many places, and it’s often hard dersen said. for family members to meet in person to talk The new law does not apply to those Barbed-wire fences blocked escape for thousands fleeing the Rohingya and make plans. But Moellers says people are who terminate pregnancies, Andersen finding new ways to say goodbye. added. New Zealand decriminalized abor- camp fire If visiting the hospital or hospice is no tion last year, ending the country’s status longer possible, family members can ask the as one of the few wealthy nations to limit Kilometres of barbed-wire long time,” said the 26-year-old, also transferred thousands of nursing staff to place a phone next to the dy- the grounds for ending a pregnancy in the fencing surrounding Bangla- who asked not to be named as he Rohingya to Bhasan Char, a ing person so that they can speak to him or her first half. desh’s Rohingya camps may considered the issue to be sensi- flood-prone island on the Bay of one last time. In Australia, people who miscarry are have blocked people from fleeing tive. Bengal. Most Rohingya say they They can write a letter with everything they entitled to unpaid leave if they lose a foe- a massive blaze that burnt thou- “People could not get near the want to return home to Myan- wish they had said and have it placed under tus after 12 weeks, while in Britain, would- sands of shelters to the ground, fire because of the wire fence,” mar, but it’s unsafe to do so – es- the person’s pillow, or later in the coffin or be parents who experience a stillbirth after witnesses say. he said. “When people could not pecially since a 1 February mili- container for cremation, suggests grief coun- 24 weeks are eligible for paid leave. The Aid groups are still tallying the get to the fire, then how could tary coup that has destabilised sellor and author Mechthild Schroeter-Rupie- United States does not require employers destruction from the March 22 they save their neighbours?” the country. per, who says symbolic closeness is important to provide leave for anyone who suffers a fire, which spread rapidly across John Quinley, a rights special- Monday’s blaze was the lat- too. miscarriage. bamboo-and-tarpaulin tent ist with Southeast Asia-based est – and by far the largest – to Symbolic closeness is currently playing a Up to 20% of all known pregnancies in homes in parts of four conjoined Fortify Rights, said aid workers hit different parts of the camps greater role at the end of people’s lives because the United States end in miscarriage, ac- camps at the sprawling Kutupa- and Rohingya also told him the in recent months. A January fire “internments have fundamentally changed cording to the Mayo Clinic. In New Zea- long complex near Cox’s Bazar. fences made it difficult to evacu- destroyed 550 shelters home to during the coronavirus crisis,” says Elke Her- land, whose population is 5 million, the Early assessments on Tuesday ate, though it wasn’t yet clear some 3,500 people, aid groups rnberger, spokeswoman for the Federal Asso- Ministry of Health estimates that one to (23) found 15 people died, at least how significant an obstacle they reported. ciation of German Funeral Directors (BDB). two pregnancies in 10 will end in miscar- 10,000 homes were destroyed or were. The cause of Monday’s fire is Funeral attendance is severely limited and so- riage. damaged, and more than 45,000 “At minimum, it created a still under investigation. An ear- cial distancing rules must be observed. The charity Sands New Zealand, which people were displaced. Two chil- backlog to people leaving the ly report from BRAC suggested The restricted attendance often forces supports parents who have lost a preg- dren are among the dead, ac- camps,” he said. an exploding gas cylinder may the bereaved to make a painful decision on nancy, says 5,900 to 11,800 miscarriages cording to aid agency BRAC, and Even before Monday’s fire, have been responsible. Rohing- whom to invite - and whom not to - points out or stillbirths occur each year. More than casualties are expected to rise. the fences and checkpoints often ya households receive cylinders Moellers. Live-streams or videos of burials 95% of the miscarriages occur in the first At least 400 people were initially made it harder to reach health of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) have now become common to allow mourners 12 to 14 weeks of pregnancy, according listed as missing. clinics or other aid services, and for cooking fuel as part of their who can’t be physically present to be virtually to data from the New Zealand College of Mujif Khan, a 24-year-old liv- there were calls from Rohingya aid supplies. so. Some people include a precise schedule of Midwives. ing in a nearby camp, said he and rights groups to remove Aid groups say the fire de- the burial in the death announcement so that, A miscarriage or stillbirth remains a rushed to the fire on Monday them. stroyed a number of facilities, for example, all of the mourners can listen fraught and painful topic, one that is diffi- (22), trying to douse the flames “Women that need to go to including several health clinics, to the same song at the same time, whether cult to talk about publicly or seek support with other volunteers. hospitals to give birth are having food distribution centres, and they’re in attendance or not. “The first time I for, health advocates say. “When the fire caught the to cross checkpoints while preg- a market. The UN’s migration experienced this, I had a feeling of profound “If you ring the hospital saying, ‘I think shelters, the children and older nant, and having to negotiate agency, IOM, said its largest intimacy,” Moellers remarks. I’m miscarrying my baby,’ so many wom- people couldn’t run out of the with the military or police to get health clinic in the camp was He says an increasing number of people are en will say, ‘I felt like I was the first per- camps due to the fencing,” he services in clinics and hospitals “completely destroyed”. The also distributing little bags at burials that con- son in the world to be miscarrying,’” said told The New Humanitarian by across the street,” Quinley said. World Food Programme said tain things such a photograph of the deceased Vicki Culling, an educator about baby loss phone. “There was nowhere to Myanmar’s military is accused two of its nutrition centres and and recipe for a “decentralized wake”. who has pushed for better support for be- run.” of genocide for its persecution of a food distribution site were Accepting that we’re living through a pan- reaved parents in New Zealand. Rights groups say the gov- the Rohingya, including the vio- “burnt to the ground”. demic and a lot is temporarily impossible can “The foundations of your world just ernment has erected at least 28 lent purge of more than 700,000 The fire left tens of thousands be helpful in finding new ways to pay one’s last crumble, because you expect to have this kilometres of barbed-wire fenc- people in 2017. Bangladesh’s homeless overnight. Some have respects, Moellers says. beautiful baby, and when that baby dies, ing and watchtowers around the government has offered safety taken shelter with friends or Schroeter-Rupieper agrees. “We’ve got to whether it’s in utero or soon after birth, largest parts of the camps, which to Rohingya for decades, but im- family in neighbouring camps, be creative in times like these,” she says. “And everything is shattered.” are home to some 900,000 Ro- poses heavy restrictions aimed and aid groups have opened up we’ve got to learn to find the right words again Culling applauded the New Zealand leg- hingya refugees originally from at preventing them from inte- other facilities to house others. - we’ve become so speechless.” islation as a first step but said there was Myanmar’s Rakhine State. grating. Rohingya aren’t allowed On Tuesday, many families Many people believe that an embrace says more to be done. The fencing also slowed help to work or attend formal schools, returned to salvage what they more than a thousand words, but now they “You get three days’ paid leave, maybe from arriving, said another Roh- and are barred from leaving the could from the charred remains have to do without physical contact to express you bury your baby or you have a service, ingya refugee who witnessed the camps without permission. of their homes, said the 26-year- their condolences at a funeral service. and then you go back to work, and you blaze. He said there were few en- “The main objective of erect- old Rohingya refugee, who had “Showing empathy at the moment is only carry on — and then what? That’s my con- trances or gates in the section he ing the fences is to ensure that come to offer help. possible by speaking and writing,” Schroeter- cern,” she said. was at, which meant desperate the Rohingyas do not leave the “People lost all their belong- Rupieper says. So instead of embracing, we “I’m celebrating it, but I want to see us relatives and Bangladeshi fire camp and join our communi- ings – everything,” he said. have to fall back on an alternative: “Saying, keeping this compassion going and look- services had trouble getting in. ty,” Bangladesh’s home affairs “They’re running around from ‘Feel hugged,’ also expresses your desire to ing further into the needs of these par- “It was difficult for the fire minister, Asaduzzaman Khan, here to there. The fire has left comfort.” Schneider’s father had already lain ents.” services to enter the camps. The told reporters last year. In re- these people homeless.” four weeks in the intensive care unit when the -New York Times gate was really far, so it took a cent months, authorities have -thenewhumanitarian.org senior physician phoned to say there was no longer a chance of recovery and, for ethical reasons, treatment therefore couldn’t be con- By Jalees Andrabi tinued. “The meaning of that has to sink in first,” Scheider says. “It means that [life-sustaining] Indian coin hunters dive for fortunes in the sacred Ganges equipment must be switched off.” HARIDWAR - As a stream of was eight when he arrived in the city “We always believe that Ganga is part in the ritual during one day in Schneider, his brother and mother were al- Hindu devotees dip themselves in as a runaway boy after hearing tales our mother and she will never let her March. lowed one last visit. Wearing protective suits, India’s sacred Ganges River for a of underwater treasures. children sleep hungry,” he said. Underwater treasure hunters use they spent about two hours with their father ritual believed to purify their souls, Yadav - nicknamed ‘Jhinga’ “The pilgrims are back and we are their feet to feel out for the precious and husband. The hospital chaplain said a a young boy plunges into the water (shrimp) for his swimming prowess happily diving again.” metals on the riverbed, or dive in prayer with them, and then the doctor turned to find his fortune. - literally struck gold six years ago Rivers play a central role in Hindu and search with their naked eyes. the ventilator dial regulating oxygen supply. Rahul Singh is one of dozens of when he found a necklace he was religious rituals, with devotees toss- A one-day haul of coins adds up The patient’s heart rate dropped, and within a coin pickers making a living by re- told was worth $1,300. ing in offerings of money, clothes to 300-400 rupees ($4.15-5.50) for minute he was dead. trieving offerings thrown into the Now 22, he leads a team of 15 and ornaments into the waters to each boy, although that soars up to “You could see life leave him,” Schneider re- waterway by pilgrims visiting the picker-boys including Singh. show gratitude for sustaining life. 1,000 rupees during Kumbh Mela, calls. northern holy city of Haridwar. Last year’s national coronavirus In the Ganges, some immerse Yadav said. Only close family members were present at Every day for six hours, the lockdown saw visitors to Haridwar the ashes of deceased relatives to Merchants pocket a 20% commis- the burial, and they all stood well distanced 13-year-old scours the chest-deep dry up for several months, leaving achieve ‘moksha’ - liberation from sion in exchange for currency notes, from each other. Friends came later to throw a water with a magnet attached to a Yadav’s team struggling to survive reincarnation. while black-market buyers take flower into the grave, Schneider says. long stick, as hymn-chanting crowds on their meagre savings. During the bathing festival of jewellery at half of retail price, and He expressly noted his father’s cause of toss in valuables. “It needs a lot of But like the pilgrims, Yadav had Kumbh Mela, immense crowds copper and steel utensils are sold death in the obituary, wanting to show that effort but I enjoy doing it,” Singh unflinching faith in the river god- throng the Ganges in the world’s as scrap. The boys pick up coconuts the daily statistics on COVID-19 deaths aren’t told AFP, after fetching 30 rupees dess, and travellers returned this largest religious gathering. This year and religious paraphernalia to resell merely numbers: Behind each one lies a fam- (45 US cents) worth of coins. Watch- year, undeterred by a recent surge it is taking place in Haridwar, where if there aren’t enough coins. ily’s sorrow. ing him closely is Raja Yadav, who in cases. more than three million people took - Agence France-Presse -dpa WEEKEND EXPRESS MARCH 26 - 28, 2021 7 RETHINKING AMERICA

By J. David Goodman and By Nicholas Kristof Ed Shanahan Biden plots a revolution Cuomo’s family is said for America’s children to have received The most revolutionary part of President Joe Biden’s agenda so far is his focus on a constitu- ency that doesn’t write whiny op-ed columns, special access to doesn’t vote, doesn’t hire lobbyists and so has been neglected for half a century: children. virus tests Biden’s proposal to establish a national pre- Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s administration K and child care system would be a huge step arranged special access to government- forward for children and for working parents run coronavirus testing for members of alike. It would make it easier for moms and his family and other influential people as dads to hold jobs, and above all it would be a the pandemic swept into New York last lifeline for many disadvantaged children. year, according to two people with direct Imagine: You drop a kid off at a high-quality knowledge of the matter. prekindergarten program in the morning and The move to make testing of people pick the child up on the way home from work. closely tied to Cuomo a priority was car- That’s how it is in many other advanced coun- ried out by high-ranking state health offi- tries and in the US military. cials, one of the people said. It came as the When my wife and I lived in Japan in the seriousness of the virus was still becoming late 1990s, we sent our kids to one of these clear to the broader public and testing was nurseries, and they were a dream. not widely available to most people. But the United States never developed such Among those who benefited from the a system, because for half a century as other special treatment was the governor’s countries were investing in children, the Unit- brother, the CNN anchor Chris Cuomo, ed States was stiffing them. Today one of our - Anna Moneymaker/The New York Times and his family, who were tested several Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) addresses a Senate Committee on Rules and Administra- saddest statistics is this: American children times in the pandemic’s early phase, this tion hearing in Washington on Wednesday, (24), regarding the ‘For the People Act of 2021’ ages 1 to 19 are 57% more likely to die than person said. The governor’s mother, Mat- children in other rich countries. ilda Cuomo, and at least one of his sisters Some of those kids die because the United were also able to take advantage of the States doesn’t provide universal health care state-administered tests, the two people By Nicholas Fandos to children — only to senior citizens, who vote said. and thus are a priority. Some die because the Chris Cuomo announced on March 31 United States tolerates some of the highest last year that he had tested positive for the child poverty rates in the industrialized world. virus. A CNN spokesperson did not imme- And some die because the United States just diately respond to a request for comment. Democrats escalate doesn’t have programs to support children That the governor’s administration ef- that are routine in Canada and Europe. fectively let well-connected people cut the So the most historic part of the Biden agen- line to determine whether they had been da, to me, is a determined effort to invest in infected with a deadly virus that was rav- America’s kids and reverse decades of child aging the state was reported earlier by The voting rights drive, neglect. Just as Franklin Roosevelt revolution- Times Union of Albany, New York, and ized conditions for the elderly by instituting The Washington Post. Social Security, Biden may be able to do the The revelation comes as Andrew Cuomo same for children. confronts the most significant crisis of his Biden’s $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan political career, with many of his fellow targeting GOP restrictions included monthly child allowances and other elected New York Democrats calling for elements that other countries have used to him to resign in the face of multiple sex- Democrats began pushing on Senate majority leader. “Today, that the Democrats’ proposal reduce child poverty. A Columbia University ual harassment allegations and questions Wednesday (24) for the most in the 21st century, there is a could lead to rampant fraud, study estimated that these programs, if sus- about his administration’s handling of the substantial expansion of voting concerted, nationwide effort to which experts say has never tained, could reduce child poverty by about virus-related deaths of nursing home resi- rights in a half-century, laying limit the rights of citizens to vote been found to be widespread. half. dents. the groundwork in the Senate and to truly have a voice in their “This is an attempt by one Much of the attention on Biden’s next step The state Assembly opened an impeach- for what would be a fundamental own government.” party to write the rules of our po- is on infrastructure and climate change, and ment investigation this week to examine change to the ways voters get to Schumer’s rare appearance litical system,” said Sen. Mitch they are critical. But still more important for both issues, while the state attorney gen- the polls and elections are run. at a committee meeting under- McConnell of Kentucky, the Sen- America’s future, in my view, will be the ele- eral has started a separate inquiry and At a contentious hearing on scored the stakes, not just for the ate Republican leader, who has ments focused on children. While plans are federal prosecutors are investigating the Capitol Hill, Democratic leaders election process but his party’s spent much of his career oppos- still being developed, it appears that Biden will nursing home matter. made a passionate case for a bill own political future. He called ing such changes. propose: Richard Azzopardi, a spokesperson for that would mandate automatic the proposed voting rollbacks “Talk about ‘shame,’” he add- — Making his child allowances permanent. the governor, did not explicitly deny that voter registration nationwide, in dozens of states — includ- ed later. — Expanding home visitation programs that the administration had extended special expand early and mail-in voting, ing Georgia, Iowa and Arizona Some Republicans resorted to help at-risk moms and dads from pregnancy treatment to anyone while also seeking to end gerrymandering that skews — an “existential threat to our lies or distortions to condemn through early childhood. These lower foetal dispute the notion. congressional districts for maxi- democracy” reminiscent of the the measure, falsely claiming drug and alcohol exposures, curb lead poison- “In the early days of this pandemic, mum partisan advantage and Jim Crow segregationist laws of that Democrats were seeking to ing, encourage parents to read to their children when there was a heavy emphasis on curb the influence of money in the past. cheat by enfranchising undocu- and reduce domestic violence and child abuse. contact tracing, we were absolutely going politics. He chanted “Shame! Shame! mented immigrants or encour- Home visitation programs like Nurse-Family above and beyond to get people testing,” The effort is taking shape as Shame!” at Republicans who aging illegal voting. Sen. Ted Partnership have been rigorously tested and he said, adding that the effort included “in Republicans have introduced were promoting them. Cruz of Texas said the bill aimed greatly improve outcomes. some instances going to people’s homes more than 250 bills to restrict It was the start of an uphill to register millions of such im- — Working toward universal access to high- — and door-to door-in places like New voting in 43 states and have battle by Senate Democrats, migrants, although that would quality pre-K for 3- and 4-year-olds. Rochelle — to take samples from those continued to spread false ac- who have characterized what remain unlawful under the — Ensuring high-quality affordable day care believed to have been exposed to COVID cusations of fraud and impro- they call the For the People Act measure. The clash laid bare just for parents, with costs not to exceed 7% of in- in order to identify cases” and to prevent priety in the 2020 election. It as the civil rights imperative of how sharply the two parties have comes for most parents. others from developing the disease. comes just months after those modern times, to overcome di- diverged on the issue of voting One model the White House is studying is He added: “Among those we assisted claims, spread by President visions in their own ranks and rights, which attracted biparti- the excellent day care system offered by the US were members of the general public, in- Donald Trump as he sought to steer around Republican oppo- san support for years after the military, because the armed forces don’t want cluding legislators, reporters, state work- cling to power, fuelled a deadly sition to shepherd it into law. civil rights movement but more to have to deal with the child care crises that ers and their families who feared they had riot at the Capitol on Jan. 6 that Doing so may require them to recently has become a bitter parents routinely face in the civilian world. contracted the virus and had the capabil- showed how deeply his party change Senate rules to eliminate partisan battleground. At times, Can we afford this Biden revolution in child ity to further spread it.” had come to believe in the myth the filibuster, once used by seg- Republicans and Democrats ap- programs? It will indeed be expensive. And Early last year, with the federal govern- of a stolen election. regationists to block civil rights peared to be wrestling with ir- there is a perennial debate over whether it’s ment scrambling to meet the demand for Republicans were unapolo- measures in the 1960s. reconcilably different views of better to have programs that are targeted at testing and New York becoming the US getic in their opposition to the Republicans signalled they the problems plaguing the elec- the neediest (which are more cost-effective) or epicentre of the pandemic, the state-run measure, with some openly were ready to fight. Conceding tion system. those that are universal (which are politically Wadsworth Centre in Albany was for a arguing that if Democrats suc- that allowing more people to With Republicans unified more sustainable). time the only laboratory in the state that ceeded in making it easier for vote would probably hurt their against them, Democrats’ best But I’ve written about the heartache in my was approved to perform virus tests. Americans to vote and in enact- candidates, they denounced the hope for enacting the legislation hometown in rural Oregon: More than one- Even then, the Wadsworth laboratory ing the other changes in the bill, legislation, passed by the House increasingly appears to be to try quarter of the kids on my old school bus are only had the capacity to process a few it would most likely place their this month, as a power grab by to leverage its voting protections dead from “deaths of despair”: drugs, alcohol hundred samples. Lab capacity in the party permanently in the minor- Democrats intent on federaliz- to justify triggering the Senate’s and suicide. Taxpayers spent huge sums incar- state increased quickly last March but re- ity. ing elections to give themselves so-called nuclear option: the cerating my former classmates when the funds mained limited by late in the month, when “Any American who thinks a permanent political advantage. elimination of the filibuster rule would have been far better spent reducing foe- Chris Cuomo was tested, according to one that the fight for a full and fair They insisted that it was the right requiring 60 votes, rather than tal alcohol exposures and tackling childhood of the people with direct knowledge of the democracy is over is sadly and of states to set their own election a simple majority, to advance trauma, illiteracy, failure to graduate from matter. sorely mistaken,” said Sen. laws, including those that make most bills. high school and a lack of job skills. -New York Times Chuck Schumer, D-NY and the it harder to vote, and warned -New York Times One reason our efforts to fight poverty haven’t achieved more is that we often start too late. For some of my middle-aged friends wrestling with homelessness, mental health crises and decades of addiction, with more of a By Annie Karni criminal record than an educational record, it may not be possible to turn lives around. For their kids and grandkids, we have to try. White House weighs executive orders on gun control Many early childhood programs pay for WASHINGTON — With Con- ment opposition from Republi- background checks system, accord- the recent shootings in Atlanta and themselves when aimed at the most disadvan- gress unlikely to move quickly on cans. Jen Psaki, White House press ing to congressional aides familiar Boulder, Colorado. taged, notes Nobel-winning economist James gun legislation, the White House is secretary, said that legislation was with the conversations. With the National Rifle Associa- Heckman, because they reduce spending on pressing ahead with plans for a se- necessary to make permanent Aware that any executive actions tion, once the most powerful lob- criminal justice, special education, health care ries of executive orders that Presi- changes. But she also suggested on guns will face legal challenges, bying organization in the country, and other services. One study by Heckman dent Joe Biden expects to roll out in that the executive actions under the White House Counsel’s Office tied up in bankruptcy and spending found that programs for vulnerable young the coming weeks as a way of keep- consideration could be a realistic has also been vetting those actions more money on legal fees than on children generated a 13% annual rate of re- ing up pressure on the issue. starting place. to make sure they can withstand ju- fighting the White House or Con- turn. A day after Biden called on the For now, administration officials dicial review, officials said. gress, Biden could have more room So, please, President Biden, push on. This Senate to pass a ban on assault have been reaching out to Demo- During his campaign, Biden to manoeuvre. is about America’s future. This is your chance weapons and strengthen back- crats in the Senate to consult with promised to enact universal back- In an interview Wednesday with to preside over a Rooseveltian revolution that ground checks in response to a pair them about three executive actions. ground check legislation, prohibit ‘CBS This Morning’, Vice Presi- sprinkles opportunity and averts tragedies for of mass shootings in the past week One would classify as firearms so- all online sales of firearms and ban dent Kamala Harris said, “This is decades to come. that left 18 people dead, White called “ghost guns” — kits that allow the manufacture and sale of assault not about getting rid of the Second The question isn’t whether we can afford to House officials said Wednesday a gun to be assembled from pieces. weapons and high-capacity maga- Amendment. It’s simply about say- invest in children and break cycles of poverty, (24) that while moving legislation Another would fund community zines. But Biden has acknowledged ing we need reasonable gun safety educational failure and substance abuse. It’s on gun safety remained a goal, it violence intervention programs, that he does not know what legis- laws.” whether we can afford not to. would take time, given the vehe- and the third would strengthen the lation might be possible, even after -New York Times -New York Times 8 MARCH 26 - 28, 2021 WEEKEND EXPRESS COMMENTARY

Editorial of The Hindu President Gotabaya Ra- By Savitri Hensman japaksa (R) elder broth- er Mahinda Rajapaksa A resolution for UN Human Rights (L) extend traditional Council resolution on greeting after the latter protecting Sri Lankans was sworn in as Sri Lan- Sri Lanka ka’s new Prime Minister The United Nations Human Rights at the sacred Kelaniya Council (HRC) passed a resolution on Raja Maha Buddhist promoting reconciliation, accountabil- Tactical ity and human rights in Sri Lanka de- temple August 9, 2020. spite government opposition. This will abstention The Rajapaksas are yet allow ongoing monitoring of a situation to understand the full that has grown worse over the past year, By abstaining from the vote on import of West Europe’s especially for minorities and dissidents, the UN Human Rights Council sentiments on human as well as putting the spotlight on past resolution on Sri Lanka, India rights, flowing from their abuses and the needs of the bereaved has signalled its unwillingness experiences during the and survivors. to upset its neighbour. At the Second World War era A Core Group made up of Canada, same time, it does not want to - J.Sujeewakumar/ENCL Germany, Montenegro, Malawi, North- be seen as ignoring Sri Lanka’s By N. Sathiya Moorthy ern Macedonia and the UK drew up reluctance to meet the politi- the resolution. Twenty two countries cal aspirations of the Tamils or voted in favour, with 11 against, includ- endorsing the country’s stub- ing China, Russia and Pakistan, and 14 born refusal to ensure any sort abstentions including India. This fol- of accountability for its war- The consequences of a negative lowed intensive lobbying both by the Sri time past. It may be easy for the Lankan government, which had hoped political opposition to dismiss for a majority against, and some dias- India’s abstention as showing pora groups which had wanted stronger intent to shield Sri Lanka from UNHRC vote wording. Earlier attempts to persuade a credible investigation into al- President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s regime legations of war crimes. A more to cooperate in developing an approach reasonable assessment would be Why the Rajapaksas need to acknowledge the existing reality and which would offer citizens greater pro- that India seems to have utilized tection against rights violations had the opportunity to preserve its evolve their future strategies accordingly failed. Those for and against greater diplomatic space and to contain State accountability had sought India’s the pervasive influence of China As expected, the UNHRC has voted ing Rajapaksas need to analyze and human rights, flowing from their experi- against Sri Lanka on a resolution moved acknowledge the existing reality and ences during the Second World War era. support. In a statement before the vote, over Sri Lanka even while main- the Indian delegation expressed its sup- taining its support for the Tamil by the Core Group, headed by the UK evolve their future strategies accord- and which included Germany and Can- ingly. The Rajapaksas have lost three Easy on India now port for both the unity, stability and minority to achieve equality, territorial integrity of Sri Lanka and for justice, dignity and peace. ada. But, it has technically given Co- resolutions in a row, from 2012-14—and A touch-and-go vote would have pres- lombo time till September 2023 to make with the traditional Indian support too. sured New Delhi to choose between its addressing Tamil concerns and guar- India has not been comfort- anteeing fundamental freedoms and able with externally mandated amends for past laxity and/or adaman- Against this, the predecessor govern- Sri Lankan neighbour and its post-Cold cy. Again, as expected, India abstained ment of Prime Minister Ranil Wickrem- War western allies. This is so despite the rights for all. investigative mechanisms. Even In a brutal civil war that ended in when it voted in 2012 in favour from voting, despite the prime movers esinghe (2014-19) managed to stave off fact that India had outlined its approach amending their ‘zero draft’ to include the UNHRC opprobrium by co-sponsoring at the High-level Dialogue on the ‘zero 2009, both state forces and the Tigers of a credible investigation into had committed multiple abuses. A human rights, India had got the Indian reference to the 13th Amendment a resolution with the West. However, draft’ or the first draft, presented at the to the Sri Lankan Constitution, facilitat- the government initiated only cosmetic commencement of the session on Febru- highly critical report in January 2021 resolution to incorporate the (updated in February) by the UN High need for Sri Lanka’s ‘concur- ed by New Delhi in 1987, but which has changes without taking up the substan- ary 22 and introduced the first reference been followed only in the breach. tive clauses—but the West did not ques- to power-devolution for the Sri Lankan Commissioner for Human Rights, Mi- rence’ to any assistance that the chelle Bachelet, pointed out that “Near- Office of the High Commission- It should come as a satisfaction for Sri tion the then rulers about what looked Tamils, through the 13th Amendment to Lanka, as the results showed only 22 of like wanton laxity and delay. the Sri Lankan Constitution. ly 12 years since the end of the war, do- er for Human Rights may offer mestic initiatives for accountability and in such a probe. In this session the 47 members voted for the resolution, Both President Gotabaya and PM Ma- followed by 14 abstentions, including Powerful message hinda were in constant touch with Indi- reconciliation have repeatedly failed to and just ahead of the vote, In- produce results, more deeply entrench- dia stressed on both meaningful India and Indonesia, amongst others. Shorn of the details, and the ‘power- an Prime Minister Narendra Modi over Then came the ‘nay’ votes, adding up to ful message’ that it entails, Tuesday (23) the past several weeks. Yet, India denied ing impunity and exacerbating victims’ devolution to meet Tamil aspi- distrust of the system. Sri Lanka re- rations and the unity and integ- 11. If the resolution won, it owed to tech- vote has also actually given Sri Lanka any firm commitment after Sri Lanka nical reasons as 14 abstentions reduced time till the 51st session of the UNHRC, Foreign Secretary Jayanth Colombage mains in a state of denial about the past, rity of Sri Lanka — aspects that with truth-seeking efforts aborted.” it believes are not an ‘either-or’ the valid votes to 33 (47-14), and 17 be- in September 2023, preceded by a writ- claimed that India had promised sup- came the half-way mark. With 47 votes, ten report at the 49th session in Sep- port. PM Modi was under domestic pres- What is more, over the past year there choice. had been “clear early warning signs of The resolution comes amidst it would have been at least four votes tember 2022. That is the kind of time sure, too, from southern Tamil Nadu, short, but then that’s how the cookie the Wickremesinghe government, too, where assembly polls are due on April 6. a deteriorating human rights situation disturbing signs that Sri Lanka and a significantly heightened risk of is regressing into the days of crumbles. got through the 2018 resolution. The Both the Opposition DMK and alliance- Western-bloc nations have voted on current regime of President Rajapaksa, partner PMK have publicly urged him future violations.” She called for “strong democratic deficit seen prior to preventive action.” the 2015 elections. Unfortunate- expected lines. Latin America did not commencing November 2019, enjoyed to vote against Sri Lanka, at times going stand by the traditionally left-leaning at least half the reprieve. By giving Sri beyond what the Core Group wanted. In the weeks that followed, although ly, the present regime withdrew the cruel ban on burials for Muslim from the commitments made Third World nation from South Asia, Lanka a long rope again, the interna- Otherwise, barring rare occasions as as Colombo had thought. It owed this tional body seems to want to play fair in 2012-13 on Sri Lanka, New Delhi has COVID-19 victims was finally lifted, in to the UNHRC by its predeces- an obvious bid to win over potential sor on constructive engage- to the personality of UNHRC chief, Mi- by political rivals in the country, who re- invariably not taken sides with country- chelle Bachelet, President of Chile from placed each other at the helm. specific resolutions of the kind in the critics in the international commu- ment with the international nity, other aspects of the human rights community, and the consen- 2006-10, who continued in active poli- Going by the text on which the vote past. tics before taking up the current assign- was taken, the “resolution requests the situation have got worse. The dramatic sual resolution on justice and Neighbourhood First expansion of prevention of terrorism accountability. The UN High ment in 2018, Bachelet wields clout in Office of the High Commissioner for the region. The UNHRC statement, on Human Rights (OHCHR) to enhance The Sri Lankan hurt now about India’s legislation to allow up to two years de- Commissioner’s report raises tention on the vague grounds of causing concern over increasing mili- which the resolution is based, stands in its monitoring and reporting on the abstention would take time to be touched her name. situation of human rights in Sri Lanka, and felt. But bilateral ties may have al- “religious, racial, or communal dishar- tarization, heightened surveil- mony” was a further sign of an increas- lance against rights defenders The Rajapaksa regime’s more recent including on progress in reconciliation ready nosedived prior to this, following targeting of the nation’s Muslims on the and accountability, and to present an the Colombo-torpedoed tri-nation ‘ECT ingly dictatorial approach. and NGOs, interference with the Against that background, the reso- few prosecutions in emblem- burial/cremation of COVID-19 victims oral update to the Human Rights Coun- deal’ (Eastern Container Terminal), despite a WHO advisory that the COV- cil at its forty-eighth session, as well as also involving Japan. In this case, even lution underlined the need for human atic cases from the past, and rights and democracy, including state the dangerous anti-minority ID dead could be buried, and threat of a written update at its forty-ninth ses- if India had voted for the resolution, Sri a burqa-ban were both ill-timed. This sion, and a comprehensive report that Lanka would not have made it. Inciden- accountability for its past and present rhetoric. India’s concerns in Sri actions. Fulfilment of commitments Lanka have always been differ- resulted in the Islamic bloc not voting includes further options for advancing tally, Japan, too, abstained from voting. together. Bahrain and Indonesia ab- accountability, at its fifty-first session, If, however, the West amended the zero to devolution, equality and justice was ent from the rest of the interna- emphasised. The High Commissioner tional community, informed by stained. Obviously, Sri Lanka allowing both to be discussed in the context of an draft to include reference to amendment the burial of COVID dead and clarifying interactive dialogue”. 13-A, it was only to ensure that India, the was asked to keep monitoring the situa- a sense of the long-term well- tion and report to the next few sessions being of the Tamils, and that that the burqa ban was only a proposal By the same token, the “resolution ‘regional power’, too, signed up on their were too little, too late. However, Co- also encourages the Office of the High side. By abstaining still, India has taken of the HRC. power-sharing does foster rec- If matters become even worse, it is onciliation. Hence its empha- lombo receiving Pakistan Premier Im- Commissioner and relevant special pro- an independent stand. Yet, in terms of ran Khan and Prime Minister Mahinda cedure mandate holders to provide, in PM Modi’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy, possible that more drastic measures sis on devolution rather than will be called for, although protection accountability. It is clear that Rajapaksa travelling to Bangladesh did consultation with and with the concur- New Delhi stands apart from two of the ensure that those two Muslim nations rence of the Government of Sri Lanka, three voting members from among the by some of the Sri Lankan government’s India has its own limitations in overseas allies may shield it from some expressing disappointment over voted in favour of Sri Lanka, and against advice and technical assistance on im- total eight SAARC nations. Alongside In- the resolution. plementing the above-mentioned steps”. dia, Nepal abstained, while Bangladesh consequences of mistreating the people the island nation’s move away who it is meant to protect and serve. from reconciliation and devolu- Going by the wording of the current All this does not automatically mean and Pakistan voted against the resolu- resolution, Sri Lanka has time till Sep- that Colombo may be changing tact and tion. The passing of the resolution is a ma- tion. It continues to be weighed jor diplomatic defeat and puts the spot- down by the Chinese presence in tember next year, to re-evaluate the track in the coming months to be able to India ceases to be voting member domestic approach of the incumbent appeal to the West’s sensitivities. through the next two years, when Sri light on the regime in a way that will be the region. Even the need to be uncomfortable. The vote may encour- in accord with sentiment in Ta- government under President Gotabaya These sensitivities are driven as much Lanka will continue to come up be- Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahi- by the ‘China angle’ as by allegations of fore the UNHRC. Yet, with President age the government at least to slow the mil Nadu in the midst of an elec- pace of the downward slide from basic tion was not motivation enough nda, his brother and war-time President war crimes and human rights violations. Biden’s US declaring its desire to re-join (2005-15). On the external front, Colom- Also, independent of the Tamil Dias- the Council after predecessor Donald norms of human rights. However, a key for India to change its position issue is whether the ruling elite can per- from tactical neutrality to one of bo also has time to re-evaluate its over- pora influence and their vote overseas, Trump had walked out in a huff, New dependence on China—and to a lesser there is a huge human rights constitu- Delhi could still have greater leverage, suade a majority of Sinhalese Buddhists open support for the resolution. that it really cares about their interests, When pragmatism and principle extent, Russia—at the UNHRC, where it ency across the western hemisphere. behind-the-scenes, to help Colombo, if has not worked, and not just once. Sri Lanka, especially the inward-looking the latter is so desirous and also be ac- especially amid the social and economic were needed in equal measure, problems made worse by the pandemic. the Centre seems to have chosen Given their equations with the West, Rajapaksas are yet to understand the full commodative on the domestic front. and India to a lesser extent, the rul- import of West Europe’s sentiments on - orfonline.org Against this background, a key chal- abstention as an easy way out. lenge for those defending human rights in Sri Lanka and their allies across the world will be to take a consistent ap- By Eran Wickramaratne proach to human rights for all, pointing out that violations leave all but the most powerful vulnerable. This means taking Prepare for catastrophic economic consequences on the board the varied economic and social as well as political and cultural If government fails to manage UNHRC resolution properly rights that have been eroded recently or are under threat; breaking down barri- This government is stumbling from rights of the past 16 months over the consequences of the resolution. We Arriving at the truth is an essentials ers that divide and highlighting the hu- one crisis to another. Poor economic issues pertaining to the military con- must not risk legal battles in foreign part of the healing and reconciliation man cost to those still waiting to find management, dismal management flict that ended over a decade ago. jurisdictions, travel bans, economic process. out what happened to loved ones, or of COVID-19, and now to disastrous The government has compounded and trade embargoes. The economic This coupled with a fresh diplomatic feeling insecure, is important. Rights management of foreign diplomatic its policy failures by appointing the consequences will be catastrophic. initiative could avert a further eco- are not just about principles but about relations… The vote on the Sri Lanka wrong persons for defined tasks. The A fresh approach will require the nomic and financial crisis within the people. resolution at the UNHCR showed how COVID-19 virus containment should implementation of human rights ini- next couple of years. The HRC’s decision opens up possi- few friends we have retained. have been led by health profession- tiatives as identified in Sri Lankan We in the opposition will support a bilities. The challenge is to find ways to This is the lowest point in foreign als and scientists from the outset. Our commission reports, where investiga- progressive fresh initiative in the in- defend the democratic space which re- policy management since the end of diplomatic initiatives should have tions and accountability are dealt with terest of all our people. mains and seek to build wide commit- the conflict. The present resolution is been led by foreign policy profession- by domestic mechanisms that meets - Eran Wickramaratne is the ment to a more compassionate and just heavily weighted towards the correc- als. An urgent fresh appraisal is need- the concerns of the international com- former State Minister of Finance and Sri Lanka. tion of the infringements of human ed to minimize the negative economic munity. a member of the current Parliament -groundviews.org WEEKEND EXPRESS MARCH 26 - 28, 2021 9 GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE

By Patrick Kingsley and Adam Rasgon Israel’s election ended

Supporters of Islamist in another mess party Tehreek-e-Lab- baik Pakistan shout slo- Could an Arab party break gans during a protest the deadlock? against the reprinting of cartoons of the JERUSALEM — After a fourth Israeli Prophet Muhammad by election in two years appears to have ended French magazine Char- in another stalemate, leaving many Israelis lie Hebdo, in Karachi on feeling trapped in an endless loop, there was September 4, 2020 at least one surprising result Wednesday (24): An Arab political party has emerged as a potential kingmaker. Even more surprising, the party was Raam, an Islamist group with roots in the same religious movement as Hamas, the militant group that runs the Gaza Strip. For years, Raam was rarely interested in working with the Israeli leadership and, like most Arab parties, was ostracized by its Jewish counterparts. - AFP / Asif Hassan But according to the latest vote count, Raam’s five seats hold the balance of power By Jonathan Gornall between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanya- hu’s right-wing bloc and the motley alliance of parties that seeks to end his 12 years in power. The vote tally is not final, and Raam has previously suggested it would only sup- The hypocrisy within ‘freedom of speech’ port a government from the outside. Still, even the possibility of Raam playing Those who defend ‘free speech’ that both publications were, of course, who killed a dozen people, including sad shaking of the head. Yet the re- a deciding role in the formation of a coali- targets minorities often are less tol- aware that doing so would offend Ahmed Merabet, a Muslim police of- sponse to the attacks in Paris in 2015, tion government is making waves in Israel. erant of attacks on their own elites Muslims, for whom depictions of any ficer. The following day, AmedyCou- although provoked by the actions of a An independent Arab party has never been Freedom of speech is a funny old of the prophets – even respectful il- libaly, a Malian-French acquaintance mere handful of people, was aimed, part of an Israeli government, although thing. You offend roughly two bil- lustrations – are considered forms of of the brothers, killed a policewom- without logic or justification, at all some Arab lawmakers supported Yitzhak lion Muslims by publishing a series idolatry, forbidden in Islam. an in a Paris suburb. The next day, Muslims, in much the same way that Rabin’s government from the outside in the of crass drawings of the Prophet Mu- At the time, French president Coulibaly took hostages at a kosher the offensive cartoons were calculat- 1990s. Suddenly in a position of influence, hammad and the Western world’s Jacques Chirac condemned the pub- supermarket, killing four before he ed to offend all Muslims. Raam has promised to back any group that media rush to your defence, uphold- lication of the cartoons as an “overt was shot dead by police. At almost The Western media’s response to offers something suitable in return to Isra- ing your right to insult whomever provocation,” adding that “anything the same time the Kouachi broth- the Charlie Hebdo tragedies exposed el’s Arab minority, who are descended from you choose. that can hurt the convictions of ers, holed up on an industrial estate a moral vacuity. the Palestinians who stayed after Israel’s Publish a cartoon showing Queen someone else, in particular religious northeast of Paris, died in a shootout. Many media outlets, including The creation in 1948 and who today form about Elizabeth of Britain kneeling on convictions, should be avoided.” The rush to express solidarity with Washington Post, chose to reprint 20% of the population. the neck of actress-turned-duchess Freedom of speech, in other words, Charlie Hebdo and to uphold the the offensive cartoons, arguing that “I hope to become a key man,” Mansour Meghan Markle, however, and your is not the same as the freedom to of- “right” to freedom of speech was ex- not to do so was to “give in” to what Abbas, the party’s leader, said in a televi- former allies turn on you en masse, fend gratuitously. pressed in all-encompassing terms was widely represented as an as- sion interview Wednesday. In the past, he howling “outrage” and labelling the In November 2011, Charlie Hebdo that served mainly to underline the sault on the precious principle of free added, mainstream parties “were exclud- illustration “appalling”, “disturbing was at it again, renaming itself ‘Char- “them and us” attitudes toward mi- speech. This was a worse-than-vac- ing us, and we were excluding ourselves. … and wrong on every level”. ia Hebdo’ for one edition, featuring a norities that lurk just beneath the uous stance, the product of a failure Today, Raam is at least challenging the po- Even the schoolboy humorists at new cartoon of the Prophet Muham- surface of most Western societies. to define the fine line between free litical system. It is saying, ‘Friends, we exist French satirical magazine Charlie mad on the cover. Its offices were “We” – that is, the white and (largely speech and a gratuitous offensive- here’.” Hebdo, who are used to upsetting firebombed. In September 2012, it notionally) Christian majority – will ness that can serve no purpose other The party is not in “anyone’s pocket”, he all and sundry, must be wondering responded to international outrage not give in to “them” – the Islamic than the perpetuation of bigotry and added. “I am not ruling out anyone, but if where all that ‘Je suis Charlie’ cama- over the release of the anti-Islamic extremists who are threatening “our” racial hatred. someone rules us out, then we will of course raderie went in the wake of its recent film Innocence of Muslims by print- way of life. Now, at least, the Western media rule him out.” cover depicting the allegations of ing a further series of offensive de- Except, of course, there was, and are united in their understanding Either way would make for a strange racism and schisms within the UK’s pictions of the Prophet, again to of- is, no such threat. that the cartoon depicting Queen partnership. House of Windsor. ficial approbation. The “threat” was posed by just a Elizabeth kneeling on Meghan Mar- If Raam backed Netanyahu’s opponents, Clearly, Western satirists are much “In France, there is a principle of handful of deluded, radicalized men kle’s neck, evoking the death in 2020 it would likely need to work with a right- more likely to be celebrated as cham- freedom of expression, which should and, in any case, was in no real sense of black American George Floyd un- wing opposition leader, Avigdor Liberman, pions of free speech for attacking not be undermined,” said then-for- any kind of a threat to the fabric of der the knee of a Minneapolis police who has described some Arab citizens as minorities within their communities eign minister Laurent Fabius. “In the Western society. officer, is an outrage that simply goes traitors and called for them to leave the than for picking on one of Europe’s present context, given this absurd Muslims, en masse, were in no way too far. country. wealthiest and most privileged elites. video that has been aired, strong trying to undermine “our way of life.” Time for a new Internet meme, If it supported the Netanyahu-led bloc, Charlie Hebdo first began insulting emotions have been awakened in The vast majority of Muslims – and then, surely? “Je suis Charlie – as Raam would be working with a prime min- Muslims in February 2006, when it many Muslim countries. Is it really the vast majority of all minorities long as he’s picking on Muslims.” ister who enacted legislation that down- chose to reprint a series of cartoons sensible or intelligent to pour oil on in Western states – wish only to as- Jonathan Gornall is a British graded the status of the Arabic language depicting the Prophet Muhammad the fire?” similate and to improve their lives journalist, formerly with The Times, and said that only Jews had the right to that had been published the previ- Finally, on January 7, 2015, the and the lives of their children. Their who has lived and worked in the determine the nature of the Israeli state. In ous year by the Danish newspaper magazine’s offices in Paris were at- response to the cartoons was the re- Middle East and is now based in a previous election, Netanyahu warned of Jyllands-Posten, adding some of its tacked by Said and Cherif Kouachi, sponse of all minorities reminded of the UK, and this is a Syndication high Arab turnout as a threat to encourage own for good measure. The staff of two French-born Algerian brothers their marginal status in society – a Bureau article his own supporters to vote. Raam would also be cooperating with an alliance that includes far-right politicians By P. K. Balachandran who want to expel Arab citizens of Israel they deem “disloyal” to the Israeli state. One of those politicians, Itamar Ben Gvir, Realpolitiks and the compliance of UN resolutions until recently hung in his home a picture of As early as 2002, the UN correspond- forces from Western Sahara and al- But even those which are biding are and backward countries which have a Jewish extremist who murdered 29 Pal- ent of the Los Angeles Times, Mag- low a referendum there on self-deter- either imperfectly implemented or no political influence in the world. estinian Muslims in a West Bank mosque gie Farley, noted that more than a mination. not implemented at all .The Security Thus far, 45 individuals have been in 1994. But Abbas is prepared to consider hundred UN resolutions were being The UN Charter authorizes military Council is charged with the mainte- indicted in the ICC. The list includes these possible associations because he be- violated,and that in many cases, en- action for the enforcement of Chap- nance of international peace and se- Ugandan rebel leader Joseph Kony, lieves it is the only way for Arab citizens forcement of resolutions was blocked ter 7 resolutions. But military inter- curity. The UNSC comprises 15 mem- former Sudanese President Omar to secure government support in the fight by the US or its allies. ventions have proved to be difficult bers, five permanent (Russia, the UK, al-Bashir, Kenyan president Uhuru against the central problems assailing the She made this observation based on because of inadequate commitment France, China and the US) and ten Kenyatta, Libyan leader Muammar Arab community — gang violence, poverty a 15-year review of compliance with from member states. The UN action non-permanent members, elected Gaddafi, Ivor Coast President Lau- and restrictions on their access to housing, UN resolutions done by the Universi- in Bosnia-Herzegovina proved to be on a regional basis to serve two- year rent Gbagbo, and DR Congo Vice- land and planning permission. ty of San Francisco Professor Stephen disastrous because of this. terms. Permanent members can veto President Jean-Pierre Bemba. The In the past, “Arab politicians have been Zunes, who had concluded that com- The UN has also shown its incompe- any substantive UNSC resolution. over-representation of Africa and the onlookers in the political process in Israel,” pliance depended on the influence of tence in implementing resolutions on Security Council Resolution 1373, total absence of the developed coun- he said in an interview with The New York each State and its backers. The more North Korea. In their article in jour- which was adopted unanimously on tries in the ICC cases are noteworthy. Times in February. Today, he added, “Arabs powerful the backer, the less the nal of the ‘Institute for Science and September 28, 2001, was a counter- While on the one hand, Western na- are looking for a real role in Israeli politics.” chance of compliance, he said, noting international Security’ in 2018,David terrorism measure passed following tions are itching to prosecute soldiers The move would mark the culmination the countries which did comply were Albright, Sarah Burkhard, Allison the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the Twin from the developing countries on war of a gradual process in which Arab parties made to do by a powerful country or Lach, and Andrea Stricker say that 52 Towers in New York. The resolution crimes charges, they themselves are and voters have grown incrementally more a set of powerful countries through countries were involved in violating was adopted under Chapter VII of the enacting laws to prevent the prosecu- involved in the electoral process. sheer coercion, economic or military UNSC Resolutions on North Korea UN Charter, and is therefore binding tion of their soldiers for war crimes Raam, a Hebrew acronym that stands or both. throughout most of 2017. on all UN member states.If the US committed abroad. for the United Arab List, is affiliated with For a start, UN resolutions are not US President Donald Trump threat- has been complying with this, it is be- The British House of Commons a branch of an Islamist movement that for binding, and if they are, as in the case ened to withhold “billions” of dollars cause it is directly affected by terror- recently adopted a Bill to prevent years did not participate in Israeli elec- of some Security Council resolutions, of US aid from countries voting in fa- ism since the 9/11 attack. ‘vexatious’ prosecutions of British tions. Raam was founded in 1996 after the powers-that-be might not enforce vour of a UN resolution rejecting his The International Federation for military personnel and veterans over some members of that movement voted by them for economic, political or geo- recognition of Jerusalem as the capi- Human Rights (FIDH)has beenun- war crimes allegations. The prosecu- a narrow margin to run for Parliament, an political reasons. Between 1967 and tal of Israel. But despite the warning, successfully trying to extend the ju- tion of British soldiers for alleged past event that split the movement in two. The 2002, Israel had violated 31 resolu- 128 members voted to maintain the risdiction of the International Crimi- crimes in Northern Ireland, and more other branch, which Israel has outlawed tions. Twelve of them related to the longstanding international consensus nal Court (ICC) to Sri Lanka, which is recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghani- and whose leader it has jailed, does not par- ‘Fourth Geneva Convention for Oc- that the status of Jerusalem (claimed not a signatory to the Rome Statute. stan, has dogged the country’s mili- ticipate in elections. Raam later joined the cupying Powers’ on deportations, as a capital by both Israel and Pales- However, a Sri Lankan human rights tary and government for years. Sri Joint List, a larger Arab political alliance demolitions of homes and seizure of tine) can only be settled as an agreed violation case can be brought to the Lanka is contemplating a similar pro- that emerged as the third-largest party in property. final issue in a peace deal. Neverthe- ICC if the UN Security Council re- tective law in view of the UNHRC’s three recent Israeli elections, in a sign of While the US went to war with Iraq less, despite the UN resolution, in solves to do so. But in the UNSC, Sri bid to prosecute its soldiers, Educa- the Arab minority’s growing political sway. for violating UN resolutions, it would May 2018, the US went ahead and re- Lanka is by supported two veto wield- tion Minister and Sri Lanka Podujana Recognizing this increased importance not envisage war against Israel to en- classified its Jerusalem Consulate as ing powers, China and Russia. Peramuna (SLPP) spokesman, Prof. of Arab voters, Netanyahu canvassed hard force the same. In fact, the US had the US Embassy in Jerusalem. It is pointed that following the re- G.L.Peries, told the media recently. for their support during the recent election used the veto several times to block The US also vetoed a UN Security cent UNHRC resolution against Sri campaign. resolutions on Israel and in 2018,quit Council resolutionthat condemned Lanka, any member State can file a Analysts had long predicted that an Arab the UNHRC complaining against its Israel’s use of force against Palestin- case against a Sri Lankan national on party would eventually end up working bias against Israel. ian civilians. At least 116 Palestin- human rights or war crimes grounds. in or alongside the government. But few When Turkey was an ally of the ians were killed by Israeli forces in But here again, it is argued that the thought that an Arab party would counte- US, it was able to defy UN Security Gaza border protests since the end of political interests of nations will play nance working with the Israeli right. Fewer Council resolutions on its troop de- March 2018. a determining role. still imagined that party would be a con- ployment in Cyprus. Morocco flouted Any UN body can pass a resolution. It is noteworthy that most cases servative Islamist group like Raam. resolutions seeking withdrawal of its But they are generally not binding. brought before the ICC relate to poor -New York Times 10 MARCH 26 - 28, 2021 WEEKEND EXPRESS GENDER PERSPECTIVE

And when her work is acknowledged Sunimalee Madurawala, Research Econo- mist and Specialist in Gender Studies, Insti- tute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka answers four pertinent questions on why social per- ceptions on the role of women must change. Question 1: How has the COVID-19 out- break impacted women and SDG5 on gender equality from both a global and local perspective? Answer: The COVID-19 pandemic has dis- rupted the lives of people across the world but not everyone has been affected in the same way. Past experiences of disease out- breaks and other crises show that men and women, boys and girls are affected differ- ently. In most contexts, women and girls are disproportionately impacted, and girls and women pay a higher social and economic toll. This is mainly because of their relatively dis- advantaged situation, and distinct social ob- ligations and responsibilities. The COVID-19 pandemic is no exception and is exacerbating existing gender inequalities in many areas. The effects of the pandemic have already derailed progress made towards achieving gender equality (SDG5). The labour market, health, education, nutrition and food secu- rity, and safety are some of those areas facing setbacks due to the pandemic. The negative - feminisminindia.com impacts can be expected to widen (i.e., more individuals are affected) and deepen (i.e. the conditions of some individuals worsen) the already unfavourable situation. Question 2: Although women account for 52% of the population, Sri Lan- ka’s female labour force participation Disparate housewives (FLFP) rate has stagnated at between 30-35% for the last two decades. What does this low FLFP mean in terms of fe- The Sri Lankan woman and unpaid care work male empowerment, and also from an economic point of view? Women make up 52% of Sri Lanka’s There needs to be a redefining of Answer: FLFP is important for an economy population, out of which, according to what realistically constitutes the labour for many reasons. It indicates the utilization the Census and Statistics Department force, and also highlighting the fact that Raising awareness through media: of labour in an economy and it also acts as (2019), only 35.4% are considered to men must take more responsibility for a signal of the economic empowerment of be ‘Economically Active’ and included work in the home. While both men and women. in the labour force. Of the 73.7% of women contribute to the development Short Films and Childrens’ Art The low level FLFP rate and higher female women who are considered to be ‘Eco- of the country, unpaid care work must The Women and Media Col- In order to start discus- unemployment rate imply that the economy nomically Inactive’ or not contributing be given a higher recognition in soci- lective (WMC) carried out a sions on this theme, the art is not utilizing its economic resources (la- to the national economy, 62.4% are ety and that change needs to begin at scriptwriting competition un- competition invited the age bour) at full potential and the investments categorized as ‘Engaged in Housework’ home. der the themes ‘Housework is groups 8-10, 11-13, and 14- made on them do not generate the expected and are not recognized as contribut- The extent and nature of a woman’s Work: Value the Unpaid Care 16 to submit their art work. economic returns to the country. ing to the economy. The labour force unpaid care work depends on factors Work done by Women’ in WMC received almost 200 Research indicates that eliminating gen- is defined by an assessment of an indi- such as the community, city or village 2020. This included a work- submissions from children der discrimination in job opportunities and vidual’s labour that contributes to the she lives in, the number of members in shop for selected scriptwrit- around the country. pay increases not just women’s income but economy of a country. Work performed the household, elderly and/or differ- ers, followed by a short film A prize-giving for the win- also national income. Raising female employ- in one’s household, housework, is not ently-abled members in the household, competition based on these ning contestants of these ment levels has a direct, positive impact on recognized as being of economic value. number of children and household in- film scripts. competitions will be held GDP. Further, women who are better educat- Even though these household activi- come level. Availability of social ser- Men and women from all on Monday (29) at the Sri ed, healthier, and have greater control over ties directly or vicariously contribute vices and support systems that women, ethnic and religious com- Lanka Foundation Institute household financial resources are also more to the economic status and develop- and men, can access are also important munities had an opportunity from 2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. likely to invest in their children’s health and ment of the families and of the country, factors. to start a discussion on gen- – where WMC will screen the education—an investment in the workforce of mainstream economic institutions that Hence, recognizing unpaid care der equality and unpaid care shortlisted short films, and tomorrow. measure labour force participation do work, and creating change in society work through these competi- display the winning submis- Sri Lankan women are well equipped not take these factors into considera- accompanied by investment in the pro- tions. sions at an art exhibition. with the skills to contribute to the country’s tion. vision of care services will contribute In addition to this, an Art These events will be fol- economic growth. They are highly literate, Care work is essential for the well-be- to the social, economic and political Competition for Children was lowed by the screening of comparatively more educated, and healthy. ing of a country’s citizenry and its eco- upliftment of many women. If women also held on the theme ‘How I a Malayali film by Director Despite this, their economic participation nomic development. However, it can be are unable to attend to care work for understand Housework’. The Jeo Baby ‘The Great Indian levels and their contributions to the coun- seen that a majority of the unpaid care any length of time, its effect on the fam- COVID-19 pandemic forced Kitchen. try’s growth is not on par with their potential. work is shouldered by women. Child- ily, the community, and the country’s children to stay at home for All those interested are Removing the barriers that prevent women’s care, education, eldercare, caring for economy is something to reflect upon. a long period of time. Dur- welcome. Entrance is free economic participation is pivotal to create an the sick, home gardening, cooking, col- If a maid is employed to attend to ing periodic lockdowns, most and strict Covid health ‘enabling environment’ for women so that lecting materials essential for cooking household work, she is paid a wage and household members had to guidelines will be followed. they could participate more in economic ac- such as water and firewood are all done as an employee, defined as contribut- stay at home. These factors In order to register for this tivities. mainly by women and girl children. ing to the economy, included the labour resulted in women having event, please register through All work such as these, done without a force. However, a woman, whether she to shoulder an even a higher this link- https://forms. Question 3: Women currently repre- monetary value assigned can be consid- is in paid employment or not, but fulfils burden of the care work at gle/7Ez5PwyJzVXD7a6j7 sent a mere 5.3% – 12 out of 225 legis- ered unpaid care work. While it is the all the care work in her home for her home. lators – in the Sri Lankan Parliament. majority of women who engage in and family, she is not included in the labour What explains the gross under-repre- expend their labour towards unpaid force, and her efforts are written off as sentation of women in policymaking care work every day in their households her ‘responsibility as a woman’. This is and leadership positions? and communities, this factor is not giv- not to say that work in the home should Answer: Despite women’s the gains in edu- en due recognition by our society. necessarily be compensated monetarily cation and employment over the years, men It is problematic that this work done but rather that it needs to be assigned still outnumber women in leadership, espe- by women is neither recognized for an economic value and these women cially in top positions. This can be observed its economic value nor is it assigned a need to be included in the labour force. from the local to the national level. There are monetary value by relevant authorities. By signing on the Sustainable Devel- several reasons for this gap. Historically, girl children have been opment Goals (SDGs), the Sri Lankan The widespread public perception that trained and moulded to do household government agreed to recognize unpaid politics is a male domain and that a woman and care work far more than their male care work included in Goal 5. In 2020, entering politics is transgressing her proper counterparts. This is a result of the the Department of Census and Statis- role in society is the main reason. Other rea- male dominant and patriarchal struc- tics released a report of a study on Time sons include the lack of recognition for fe- tures that have continued to this day. Use Survey. male leadership, lack of support from family Through this, girl-children are often The study recorded that it is indeed members and community, inability to spend brought up to give priority to compe- a much larger number of women, com- enough time and space on public affairs due tency in housework over other skills pared to men, who spend more time in to family responsibilities, reluctance to spend and interests. household work. However, there has money on politics as women mostly occupy Over the last six decades, despite the been little or no policy or public discus- jobs that tend to have a lower status and pay, fact that more women have been taking sion on these findings. and the climate of violence characterised by on self-employment or ventured out of Sri Lanka currently does not have a thuggery and intimidation discourage wom- the home and engaged in paid labour, Cabinet Level Ministry or Minister for en from entering politics. they are still expected to shoulder un- Women’s Affairs, which would be the paid care work at home. highest level institution to take forward Question 4: What strategies, mecha- Although these women may receive the women’s rights and gender equality nisms or policies can be implemented some help from their husbands or fam- agenda. to advance gender equity in the coun- ily members from time to time, most For example, even though many try? men and boys are not socialized to en- women spend up to 18 hours a day en- Answer: Strategies, mechanisms or policies gage in household work. gaged in unpaid care work, there is little that are ‘gender transformative’ are needed. Where males, husbands or sons do focus on directing government funds or This means that having policies which ad- share housework, instead of appreci- for public private partnerships to be- dress the causes of gender-based inequali- ating this engagement, society tends gin the work of providing accessible, ties and work to transform harmful gender to look at them with disdain. What is affordable and adequate day-care cen- roles, norms and relations. It is also impor- overlooked is the fact that household tres, eldercare centres, and other public tant to recognise and accept the differences work or care work is not the responsi- services to lessen the burden that these of women from different backgrounds and to bility of one sex or the other but that it women bear. acknowledge the fact that a blanket approach is the responsibility of all individuals There is also poor investment in sup- is not effective in solving their problems in and is a life skill that we must all pos- port services for families with disabled the long run. sess. adults or children. - ips.lk WEEKEND EXPRESS MARCH 26 - 28, 2021 11 LITERARY LIVES

Honoré de Balzac - May 1799 – August 1850 By Bruce Weber RIP George Segal, the A loved beyond comprehension durable veteran of

Sir Christopher Ondaatje concludes his two part series that brings to life the passions of the 19th drama and TV comedy George Segal, whose long career began in se- century French novelist and playwright, best known for his linked fictions La Comédie Humaine rious drama but who became one of America’s most reliable and familiar comic actors, first in that presented a panorama of post-Napoleonic French life, with an edited version of one of his best the movies and later on television, died Tuesday loved short stories – A Passion in the Desert - an unusual love story between man and beast (23) in Santa Rosa, California. He was 87. The cause was complications of bypass sur- gery, according to his wife, Sonia Segal. Sandy-haired, conventionally if imperfectly handsome, with a grin that could be charming or smug and a brow that could knit with sincer- ity or a lack of it, Segal walked a line between leading man and supporting actor. To younger people, he was best known for his work in comedy ensembles on prime-time net- work shows, playing the publisher of a fashion magazine on ‘Just Shoot Me!’ and a frolicsome grandfather on ‘The Goldbergs’, a raucous fam- ily show set in the 1980s. But decades earlier, when he was a rising young actor, a handful of dramatic roles placed him on the verge of A-list stardom. In 1965 he starred as a conniving American corporal in a Japanese prisoner-of-war camp in ‘King Rat’, a grim survival drama based on a novel by James Clavell. The same year he played an idealistic painter whose agonizing and prob- ably doomed love affair with a beautiful bour- geois young woman (Elizabeth Ashley) was one of several plotlines in Stanley Kramer’s adapta- tion of Katherine Anne Porter’s novel ‘Ship of Fools’, which places a buffet of class and ethnic - Wikipedia conflicts aboard a German passenger ship on a An 1850 Caricature of Balzac by Nadar trans-Atlantic crossing in the 1930s. From 1966 to 1968, Segal starred in three dramas adapted for television. In ‘The Des- - sedifmovie.it perate Hours’, he played Glenn Griffin, an es- A scene from the movie version of A Passion in the Desert starring Ben Daniels as the Provencal caped convict who holds a family hostage, a role made famous by Paul Newman on Broadway and Humphrey Bogart in the movies. In John Steinbeck’s ‘Of Mice and Men’, he was George, the itinerant farm-worker who looks out for his Part ll stroke the hair on her feet she drew her claws in or whether, because she found abundant food friend Lenny (Nicol Williamson), a childlike “True love is eternal, infinite, and always like carefully. in her predatory excursions in the desert, she behemoth. And he was Biff Loman, the elder itself. respected the man’s life, he began to fear for it son of Willy Loman (Lee J. Cobb, repeating his It is equal and pure, without violent demon- The man, keeping the dagger in one hand, no longer, seeing her so well tamed. He devoted Broadway role), in ‘Death of a Salesman’, Ar- strations: thought to plunge it into the belly of the too con- the greater part of his time to sleep, but he was thur Miller’s masterpiece of a warped and failed It is seen with white hairs and is always young fiding panther, but he felt in his heart a sort of obliged to watch like a spider in its web that the American dream. in the heart.” remorse, which bid him respect a creature that moment of his deliverance might not escape him. In his best-remembered and best-rewarded - Honoré de Balzac had done him no hard. He thought of his first dramatic role, Segal played Nick, the young sweetheart, ‘Mignonne’, because she was so atro- It was during the long hours, when he had husband in the film ‘Who’s Afraid of Virginia When he felt sure of having extinguished the ciously jealous all the time of their love. abandoned hope, that he amused himself with Woolf?’ (1966), adapted from Edward Albee’s ferocity of his capricious companion, whose the panther. He had come to learn the different gruelling depiction of marital combat. hunger had so fortunately been satisfied the day This memory of his early days suggested to him inflections of her voice, the expressions of her The movie, directed by Mike Nichols, fa- before, he got up to go out of the cave; the pan- the idea of making the young panther answer to eyes; he had studied the capricious patterns of all mously starred Richard Burton and Elizabeth ther let him go out, but when he had reached the this name. At last his companion had got into the the rosettes which marked the gold of her robe. Taylor as an embittered, long-time campus summit of the hill she sprang with the lightness habit of looking up at him whenever he cried in a Mignonne was not even angry when he took hold couple harbouring a mutual delusion who en- of a sparrow, and rubbed herself against his legs, falsetto voice, “Mignonne”. of the tuft at the end of her tail to count her rings, gage in a scabrous war of words over the course putting up her back after the manner of all the those graceful ornaments which glittered in the of a long, boozy night in which they entertain a race of cats. Then regarding her guest with eyes At the setting of the sun Mignonne gave, sev- sun like jewellery. It gave him pleasure to con- newly arrived biology professor (Segal) and his whose glare had softened a little, she gave vent to eral times running, a profound melancholy cry. template the supple, fine outlines of her form, the wife (Sandy Dennis). All four actors were nomi- that wild cry, which naturalists compare to the “I’ll let you go to bed first,” he said to her, count- whiteness of her belly, the graceful pose of her nated for Oscars, Segal for the only time. (The grating of a saw. ing on the activity of his own legs to run away as head. But it was especially when she was playing women won.) quickly as possible, directly she was asleep. that he felt most pleasure in looking at her; the Beginning in the late 1960s, however, Segal’s He was bold enough to play with her ears; he agility and youthful lightness of her movements gift for comedy, especially social satire, redi- caressed her belly and scratched her head as hard The soldier waited with impatience the hour were a continual surprise to him; he wondered at rected his career. He spent most of the decade as he could. When he saw that he was successful, of his flight, and when it had arrived he walked the supple way in which she jumped and climbed, as a leading man in films aiming at both hu- he tickled her skull with the point of his dagger, vigorously in the direction of the Nile; but hardly washed herself and arranged her fur, crouched mour and poignancy in their observations on watching for the right moment to kill her, but the had he made a quarter of a league in the sand down and prepared to spring. However rapid her romance, marriage, friendship, class and the hardness of her bones made him tremble for his when he heard the panther bounding after him, spring might be, however slippery the stone she meaningful life. success. It suddenly occurred to the soldier that crying with that saw-like cry more dreadful even was on, she would always stop short at the word In ‘Bye Bye Braverman’ (1968), directed by to kill this savage princess with one blow he must than the sound of her leaping. “Mignonne”. Sidney Lumet, Segal played a public relations poniard her in the throat. man in the throes of contemplating mortality, “Ah!” he said, “... she has never met anyone be- But there was such youth and grace in her one of four Jewish intellectuals attending a mu- He raised the blade, when the panther, satis- fore, and it is really quite flattering to have her form! She was beautiful as a woman! The blond tual friend’s unexpected funeral. fied no doubt, laid herself gracefully at his feet, first love.” That instant the man fell into one of fur of her robe mingled well with the delicate In ‘No Way to Treat a Lady’ (1968), an arch and cast up at him glances in which, in spite of those movable quicksand’s so terrible to traveller tints of faint white which marked her flanks. thriller, he played a detective being pestered their natural fierceness, was mingled confusedly and from which it is impossible to save oneself. by his mother (Eileen Heckart) to get married a kind of good will. The poor Provencal ate his Feeling him caught, he gave a shriek of alarm; the The profuse light cast down by the sun made as he tracks a mother-obsessed serial killer dates, leaning against one of the palm trees, and panther seized him with her teeth by the collar, this living gold, these russet marking, to burn in a (Rod Steiger). And in ‘Loving’ (1970), one of casting his eyes alternately on the desert in quest and, springing vigorously backwards, drew him way to give them an indefinable attraction. his many films in which adultery was a theme, of some liberator and on his terrible companion as if by magic out of the whirling sand. he played a freelance illustrator in career and to watch her uncertain clemency. The man and the panther looked at one anoth- marital crisis. “Ah, Mignonne!” cried the soldier, caressing er with a look full of meaning; the coquette quiv- Segal was among Hollywood’s busiest and She examined the man with an almost com- her enthusiastically; “We’re bound together for ered when she felt her friend stroke her head; her most recognizable actors in the 1970s, appear- mercial prudence. However, this examination life and death!” and he retraced his steps. eyes flashed like lightning – then she shut them ing in films whose comedy and outlook, some- was favourable to him, for when he had finished tightly. times strikingly out of whack with today’s sensi- his meagre meal she licked his boots with her From that time the desert seemed inhabited. It * * * bility, were characteristic of the decade. powerful rough tongue, brushing off with mar- contained a beast to whom the man could talk, “But how did two so well adapted to under- He starred with Ruth Gordon in ‘Where’s vellous skill the dust gathered in the creases. and whose ferocity was rendered gentle by him. stand each other end?” Poppa?’ (1970), Carl Reiner’s outlandish farce Great as the soldier’s desire to stay upon guard, about a man determined to rid himself of his The soldier began to measure curiously the he slept. On awakening he could not find Mi- They ended as all great passions do end – by a mother; opposite Barbra Streisand as a neb- proportions of the panther, certainly one of the gnonne; he mounted the hill, and in the distance misunderstanding. bish writer involved with a prostitute in ‘The most splendid specimens of its race. She was saw her springing toward him after the habit of Owl and the Pussycat’ (1970); and with Robert three feet high and four feet long. The cold cru- these animals, who cannot run of account of the The Provencal didn’t know if he hurt her, but Redford in a manic crime caper, ‘The Hot Rock’ elty was dominant, but there was a vague resem- extreme flexibility of the vertebral column. Mi- the panther turned round, as if enraged, and with (1972). blance to the face of a sensual woman. gnonne arrived, her jaws covered with blood; she her sharp teeth caught hold of his leg – gently, In ‘Fun With Dick and Jane’ (1979), Segal and received the wonted caress of her companion. but thinking she would devour him – he plunged Jane Fonda starred as a pair of odd anti-heroes, The soldier tried if he might walk up and down, his dagger into her throat. She rolled over, giv- an affluent married couple whose debt-depend- and the panther left him free, contenting herself “Ah! Mademoiselle, you are a nice girl, aren’t ing a cry that froze his heart; and saw her dying, ent life together is threatened when he loses his with following him with her eyes, observing eve- you? Aren’t you ashamed of yourself? So you still looking at him without anger. He would job as an aerospace engineer and they turn to rything and every movement of her master. have been eating some Arab or other? That have given all the world to have brought her to crime to support the budget to which they had doesn’t matter. They’re animals just the same as life again. It was as though he had murdered a grown accustomed. When he looked around, he saw the remains you are. real person; and the soldiers who had come to his ‘Dick and Jane’ underscored Segal’s strength of his horse; the panther had dragged the carcass assistance, found him in tears. as a comic actor; he was at his best in give-and- all that way; about two thirds of it had been de- Some days passed in this manner. This com- -End take roles, as a co-star. voured already. panionship permitted the Provencal to appreci- George Segal Jr. was born in New York City ate the sublime beauty of the desert; now that he on Feb. 13, 1934, to George and Fanny (Bodkin) He returned to her, and had the unspeakable had a living thing to think about, alternation of Segal and grew up in Great Neck, on Long Is- joy of seeing her wag her tail with an almost im- fear and quiet, and plenty to eat. land. perceptible movement at his approach. He sat His father was a malt and hops dealer. Young down then, without fear, by her side, and they be- At last he grew passionately fond of the pan- George played trombone as a boy and was pro- gan to play together; he took her paws and muz- ther; for some sort of affection was a necessity. ficient enough on the banjo to play in jazz bands zle, pulled her ears, rolled her over on her back, in college and afterward. He also performed and stroked her warm, delicate flanks. She let Whether it was that his will powerfully project- magic tricks at children’s parties. him do whatever he liked, and when he began to ed had modified the character of his companion, -New York Times 12 MARCH 26 - 28, 2021 WEEKEND EXPRESS SPORTS

COUNTER PUNCH By Andrew Fidel Fernando By The Line Judge Pathum Nissanka Who is running cricket in the country - Namal or Mahela? defies the odds in A former Sri Lanka rugby star confid- be overstepping their boundary and cricket headed by another former Sri called smaller clubs with a promise of his biggest test ed that the previous National Sports causing a conflict of interest especially Lanka great Aravinda de Silva. This national representation. The delay in Okay stop. Inhale. Pinch yourself. Council (NSC) was just a talking shop when it comes to matters related to panel has been absorbed by SLC as finalizing the national selection com- where proposals were discussed but cricket. their Cricket Committee. mittee may be a result of arm-twisting There are stories of a megaship stuck no follow-up action taken declaring it It is an open secret that cricket icons But the national cricket selection going on between the leading club and sideways in the Suez Canal. Niroshan was a waste of time. In contrast, the Jayawardene and Sangakkara have a committee is like a headless chicken SLC. Dickwella has batted responsibly. And current NSC headed by former Sri love-hate relationship with the admin- following the resignation of Ashan- Sports Minister Rajapaksa is privy to a Sri Lankan debutant has hit a Test Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardena istration of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), tha de Mel after their defeats in four the tug-o-war between Mahela and the hundred. It’s been a weird day. Is any and comprising another cricket legend which is not a paragon of virtue. But a consecutive Tests against South Africa SLC but is reluctant to appoint an in- of this real? Are we in a fever dream? Kumar Sangakkara, in addition to sev- national sports federation needs some and England. Nominations for the va- terim committee to administer cricket Sri Lanka batsmen fresh out of the eral eminent personalities related to independence if it is to run smoothly or cant slot made by SLC have not been despite Colts and Bloomfield protest- domestic system just don’t do things sports, have infused a dynamic hands- be held accountable for their failures. approved by the minister. It begs the ing that the administration has run like hit hundreds away from home in on approach. Their main task is to ad- Constantly interfering in the way SLC question who is responsible for the se- its term, ostensibly declaring that he their second Test innings. They are not vise Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksa is managed undermines the authority lections made for the ongoing series in doesn’t want to politicise cricket. On equipped to. on matters connected to developing of individuals running the sport. the Caribbean. the contrary, SLC is steeped in politics The island’s first-class structure is a sports in the country. Accepted there is a need to restruc- The conflict of interest has also with vote-buying going on apace in the monument to incompetence and self- The NSC which also comprises ture SLC and the first-class system arisen because NSC chairman Ma- guise of development ahead of annual serving administration - obese with swimming legend Julian Bolling, in the country. But adhoc tinkering hela is Director of Cricket of premier elections in May. By delaying key ap- 24 teams, beset by pitches on which double international Kasthuri Wilson with decisions made by the SLC espe- club SSC, which still wield influence pointments such as selectors it is the finger spinner’s pile up wickets like and international lawyer Rowena Sa- cially with hustings around the corner when it comes to national selections, performance of the national team that gardeners raking leaves after an af- marasinghe among others have been smacks of politicking. Mahela seems although they are not the top perform- will suffer. Otherwise the ministry and ternoon thunderstorm, strung up oc- appointed for two years. But in their to be calling the shots, getting his way ing team in the domestic circuit. There the NSC should allow SLC to run its casionally by fixing allegations, and eagerness to fast track sports develop- in advising the minister to appoint have been accusations that SSC are course without pulling the rug. weakened by an annual exodus of sen- ment in the country, the Council may a Technical Advisory Committee for poaching outstanding players from so- -ENCL ior pros preferring to try their luck in clubs overseas. For years, young Sri Lanka batsmen have been complaining that the gap between domestic cricket and interna- tionals was an ever-widening chasm. It had been 20 years since Sri Lanka had a debutant centurion (Thilan Sa- maraweera having been the last, in 2001). And yet, there Pathum Nissanka was, through the end of day three and much of day four, quelling the kind of pace-heavy attack he would almost never have faced at home, defusing the Dukes ball’s seam movement on a quicker, bouncier track than he is accustomed to, trusting his defence, riding out spells, picking his scoring opportunities. It had to have helped that of all the batsmen who have graduated from domestic cricket, Nissanka has had the best recent track record - his first- class average of 67.54 not just the best among Sri Lanka batsmen, but the best in the world among current Test cricketers. Still, this is not a Shield average, or a Ranji average or even a county aver- age. Decent batsmen score heavily in Sri Lanka’s Premier League Tourna- ments. This is not new. Then they ar- rive at the top level and well… it’s usu- ally not pretty. Early in this Antigua innings, Ni- ssanka was fixated on survival. He didn’t score until he faced his 21st ball, and he proceeded with extreme, self- denying caution after that, making just 18 from his first 70 deliveries. Only when West Indies’ bowlers erred seri- ously in line, did he venture bounda- ries - all square of the wicket - and only six in total, in a 252-ball stay. Even this was a departure; a mature acknowledgement that he wasn’t flay- ing spin at the Nondescripts Cricket Club grounds anymore, because al- though his defence is highly rated, he is far from dour in domestic cricket - his strike rate up at 69 in the last first- class season; 76 the season before that. In both those seasons he had averaged around 90. Even when he became more com- fortable at the crease, Nissanka was aiming for immovable, rather than dominant. There were occasional close calls: one under-edge against Shannon Ga- brial bounced centimetres short of the wicketkeeper’s gloves, plus at least two edges wide of slip. But although West Indies rifled through several plans of attack, Nissanka was never shaken out of his single-mindedness. Through the course of his 179-run sixth wicket stand with Dickwella, Nissanka fre- quently seemed like the senior part- ner. It is tempting to crown him Sri Lanka’s next great batting hope, the way Dinesh Chandimal, or Kusal Men- dis once had been. But now that he is known in Test cricket, tougher exami- nations of his technique are about to begin. His weaknesses, of which there are bound to be some given the system from which he hails, will be exposed. It’s too soon to get hype, even if there was a promise of more to come in his no-big-deal century celebration. For now, it’s enough that Nissanka has had a taste of success at the high- est level, And that in Antigua he has set his team up to push for a win. -Andrew Fidel Fernando Sri Lanka corresponded for ESPNcricinfo where this article was originally featured

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