Sunday 8 AUGUST 2021 Latest Edition Vol: 10/35 Price : Rs 70.00 Inside Story Did Lackadaisical Attitude Cause Hospital Overcrowding?

With the overcrowding of hospitals and the shortage of oxygen in India owing to the increasing number of COVID-19 patients, countries have been cautious with regard to See on measures to be adopted in the event of an page A16 unpredicted spike in the number of patients. A4

2019 Easter attacks Kochchikade bomber’s Hospital Morgues father released Indictments to be handed to Pujith, Hemasiri on 27 August Overflowing with By Hansi Nanayakkara Colombo Chief Magistrate Buddhika Sri Ragala yesterday released from all charges, Ahmed Alawdeen, the father of the suicide cadre who blew himself up at the... COVID Bodies Story Continued on page 2 Poses serious health As COVID-19 spread increases risk to workers New curbs on Kalutara crematoriums weddings, events announced to operate 24 hours By Dilanthi Jayamanne

By Jayasinghe (Colombo) discussion with Kalutara District Further amendments were introduced on midnight Secretary Prasanna Ginige. Friday (6), on restrictions for weddings and other In an attempt to reduce congestion Dr. Rathnayake added the Local ceremonies, taking into consideration the prevailing... in hospital morgues, all crematoriums Government Commissioner was also in the Kalutara District are to be informed in writing regarding the Story Continued on page 2 operated round the clock. decision. Kalutara Regional Director of Health Meanwhile, sources at the Panadura Services, Dr. Udaya Rathnayake, said Base Hospital stated that due to the the number of patients dying of pile up of 45 corpses at its mortuary, COVID-19 has increased rapidly, including 22 corpses of people who overcrowding hospital morgues. had succumbed to COVID-19, a The decision was taken following a nauseating smell had begun to...

Story Continued on page 2 Intelligence Units inform President SL Police now a 120 protests Three more MPs ‘Jungle Police’ test COVID-19 – Anura Kumara held last month positive By Gagani Weerakoon and Intelligence Services on Friday (6), informed Methmalie Dissanayake President Gotabaya Rajapaksa that a total of 120 Ranjan also tests positive protests had been held across the country last Jathika Jana month and at least 1,500 people had taken part in By Gagani Weerakoon and Balawegaya (JJB) each of these protests. Methmalie Dissanayake Leader Anura People getting together in this manner, without Kumara Dissanayake following health guidelines, had led to the rapid Three more MPs have tested positive on Friday (6), claimed spread of COVID-19 across the country, they had for COVID-19, Serjeant-at- Arms that Sri Lanka Police pointed out. Narendra Fernando said on Friday (6). is now becoming a SLPP MPs Janaka Tissa Kuttiarachchi ‘Jungle Police’. Story Continued on page 2 and Rohana Dissanayake and SJB MP Speaking in Dilip Wedaarachchi have been tested Parliament, Dissanayake questioned positive for the virus. Public Security Minister Rear Admiral (retired) Sarath Weerasekara as to... X-Press Pearl wreck Story Continued on page 2 Story Continued on page 2 will be removed in October IUSF Convener, J’pura – MEPA Chairman student activist remanded By Sulochana Ramiah Mohan By Thameenah Razeek Bill, were remanded till 11 August by the Kaduwela Magistrate’s Court. Following the directive by the Merchant Shipping Convener of the Inter-University Police Spokesman SDIG Ajith Rohana Secretariat to the owners of the MV X-Press Pearl Students’ Federation (IUSF) Wasantha said, the arrests were made in the ship to remove the wreckage at the earliest Kumara and President of the Sri evening of 5 August. possible, including underwater containers, the Jayewardenepura University Students’ In addition, the drivers of three vans, ship owners said they would commence the Federation Amila Sandeepa, who were that transported protesters from process in October, said Chairperson, Marine arrested over their participation in the various parts of the island, were Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) protest, near Parliament on 3 August, arrested by Police and charged with Dharshani Lahandapura, in an exclusive interview against the General Sir John Kotelawala violating travel restrictions. They were with Ceylon Today. National Defence University (KNDU) granted bail.

See more on page 2 Story Continued on page 2 A2 sunday 8 august 2021 news

Following COVID cases at Immigration, Emigration Dept Issuing Ordinary Passports Halted By Sulochana Ramiah Mohan contracting COVID-19. PCR tests privately are waiting for However, the officials will be COVID-19 control policy along with According to the Department’s results as well, he told Ceylon Today. operating as an essential service to the Health Ministry’s The Department of Immigration and spokesman, eight officials had Due to potential risks, the Department issue passports in case of urgent and advice,”Department said and added Emigration has temporarily halted the undergone PCR tests out of which six says they are operating with a slim staff emergency needs. that these decisions will change service of issuing ordinary passports have contracted with the virus. and so has decided to halt issuing the “These measures were taken by the according to the COVID-19 situation from Friday (6) owing to six officials Many other officials who have done ordinary passport for a while. Government in consultation with the in the country.

Weerasekara challenges Bandara in Parliament: ‘Prove that I gave a bag of clothes to a woman’ By Gagani Weerakoon Nalin Bandara to prove his in front of the Parliament’s played a Media stunt by should prove this allegation. the case for me,” the Minister and Methmalie allegation that Weerasekara entrance with a bag of ladies saying that he was denied to If he does that, I will step asserted. Dissanayake or one of his close family clothes’ on his head for five give a bag of clothes to a down from my post as an MP. In response to Weerasekara, members had provided minutes, Weerasekara who group of teachers who were However, I will not say Bandara said that he would Public Security Minister clothes to a woman who was raised a question of privilege arrested after a protest. He Bandara to step down from provide a video recording in Rear Admiral (retired) Sarath arrested by Police. in Parliament on Friday (6) accused me of providing his post, because I know which the said woman Weerasekara challenged If Bandara failed to prove stressed. clothes to a woman who was people like him do not have thanked Weerasekara for Samagi Jana Balawegaya MP the allegation, he would stand “Bandara, on Thursday (5), earlier arrested by Police. He many things. But that is not sending her clothes.

Continued from page 1 New curbs on weddings,...... COVID-19 situation in the country, seating capacity for less than 500 Department of Immunology and Hospital Morgues.... Head of the National Operation Centre people. Molecular Medicine Sri for Prevention of COVID-19 (NOCPCO), General Silva said a decision had also Jayewardenepura University, Dr. ..emanate, posing a serious mortuary or on trolleys. General Shavendra Silva said. been taken to permit only 25 people at a Chandima Jeewandara, warned of a health risk to the hospital’s They added, besides the 22 He added that decision has been given time at funerals. wide spread of the delta variant in workers. corpses of those who had perished taken to allow only 150 guests at He further said instructions had been Colombo. In a tweet he said based on Sources said, the mortuary from COVID-19, a further weddings or other functions held at issued to heads of Government variant PCR sampling at the University’s refrigerator could only store 12 unidentified five corpses and 19 halls or ballrooms which have a seating institutions to decide on the number of lab, the delta variant had spread from corpses and they noted that all other corpses had piled up at the capacity of 500 people. He also said only employees required to carry out daily 19.3 per cent during the first week of other corpses are kept outside the hospital premises. 100 guests will be permitted to attend work. July to 75 per cent during the last week weddings where the venues have a Meanwhile, Director of the of the same month.

Kochchikade bomber’s...

...St. Anthony’s Church, received from the Attorney taking further action against prevent the 2019 Easter Patabendige and Mohammad to grant the prosecution Kochchikade during the General, who had informed the suspect concerned. Sunday terror attacks and Izardeen. sufficient time to examine the Easter Sunday attacks in Court, that he does not wish Meanwhile, the three-Judge complicity to murder, to be The Court, having ordered the charges to be included in the 2019. to further sustain the trial Bench of the Colombo High recalled on 27 August to hand two accused to be released on indictments against the accused Alawdeen had been in against the suspect as there Court yesterday ordered the over the indictments to the duo bail, ordered that a report on duo. remand for over two years. was insufficient evidence to case against former IGP Pujith who have been released on bail. their fingerprints be submitted. Later, the Bench ordered the The Court decided to release implicate him in the crime. Jayasundara and ex-Defence The case was taken up before DSG Dileepa Peiris appeared case to be recalled on the the suspect from the case The CID had previously Secretary Hemasiri Fernando, a Bench comprising Judges on behalf of the AG and the aforesaid date and ordered based on submissions sought advice from the AG on on charges of failure to Namal Balalle, Adithya prosecution. He urged the Court that the indictments be filed.

X-Press Pearl... Three more She pointed out that the experienced at present oil slick seen from the in the oil tanks, as per their owners of the Ship have removal of the wreckage will wreck, she said they have preliminary observations. appointed Resolve Marine, a be commenced in October.” directed the owners, Salvage Subsequently, the P and I MPs test... USA based-Company to Giving her views on the Company and the P and I Club have sent a letter of carry out ship surveys and large number of marine Club to provide us an comfort stating that there is Earlier, Minister of that three members of the underwater surveys, and animal deaths and whether assessment. no oil, and if any oil spill is Agriculture Mahindananda Parliament staff have also this process is continuing. it was related to the fire that “We stressed this during a detected they would take Aluthgamage tested positive tested positive for the virus. They have subcontracted engulfed the ship, she noted series of discussions, and the responsibility. for COVID-19. Meanwhile, former MP this to Deep BV, a Dutch that they have observed then ITOPF (International “However, as the MP Wedaarachchi was Ranjan Ramanayake has company that produces that there ‘seems to be a Tank Owners Pollution mandatory agency, we seen attending Parliament tested positive for COVID-19 world-renowned underwater correlation between the fire Federation) and GSC insisted and were able to get sittings on Tuesday (3), and is currently receiving inspection equipment under that occurred aboard the (Global Salvage down high-tech oil spill Wednesday (4) and Thursday treatment at the the brand name of Sub Sea. cargo ship MV X-press Pearl Consultancy) sent two prevention equipment from (5). Angunakolapelessa Prison She said, “They have and the death of marine written documents Singapore through OSRL, to The Serjeant-at-Arms said COVID-19 Treatment Centre. indicated that due to the creatures’. confirming that they believe face a bunker oil spill,” she rough seas being Speaking on the constant no bunker oil is contained said. SL Police now...... why teachers and to a particular woman. But while they were returning t-shirts. How can a Police principals, who were arrested that is not the main concern home after protests.” check buses like this and by various Police stations, here. The main concern is as Dissanayake further said arrest persons in this manner? after their protests, were to why teachers and principals that in another incident, Police This is really serious. What moved together to the Harbour who were arrested by various officers attached to Mirihana could we do when underworld IUSF Convener,... Police. Police stations were moved Police Station, who were not in gangsters also start abducting Weerasekara, who raised a together to the Harbour Police. the uniform, tried to arrest a people?” he queried. SDIG Ajith Rohana During the protest question of privileges, denied If a person is arrested by a Lecturer at University of Sri Opposition Leader Sajith stated that people had against KNDU Bill on 3 allegations of an SJB MP that Police station in particular Jayewardenepura. Premadasa also raised the been transported from August the Maharagama he provided clothes to a area, that person is detained “They had stopped the bus same concern after Medirigiriya, OIC was seriously injured popular woman who was at that same station. But in this lecturer and students Dissanayake. Tissamaharama, and during a scuffle that arrested by the Police for this scenario, arrested were travelling in after a Weerasekara said that if the Peradeniya they and had erupted and the road was violating quarantine rules. teachers and principals had protest and tried to arrest the MPs make an official request, violated the provincial damaged when protestors Speaking after Weerasekara, been moved together to the lecturer. How can Police he would respond after travel restriction. set fire to a casket. the JJB Leader said, “You are Harbour Police. Also, they had behave like this? They were consulting the relevant talking about providing clothes been arrested and detained not in uniform, but casual authorities.

120 protests... This was informed to the President that they should not be State Ministers and Health Officials to Government is even prepared for a will help minimise the risk of during a meeting held with the Special inconvenienced due to the congestion directly intervene to create a proper third dose. However, Consultant contracting the virus. Committee on Prevention of COVID-19 that occurred in diagnosing such method to avoid any inconvenience to Neurosurgeon Dr. Prasanna Gunasena Ministers Gamini Lokuge, Bandula Outbreak, on the vaccination drive and patients. the public at the hospital level. said it was disappointing to note the Gunawardana, Keheliya Rambukwella, its future plans, at the Presidential Intermediate treatment centres have President Rajapaksa further stated lack of support from the public to Rohitha Abeygunawardena, Ramesh Secretariat. been set up in several major cities that it is the responsibility of health prevent the spread of the virus. Pathirana, State Ministers Sudarshani During the meeting, President since a few months ago. The centres professionals to constantly advise the Many of the personnel who are Fernandopulle, Sisira Jayakody, MP Rajapaksa instructed the Heads of were designed with the objective of public, through the media, to avoid involved in the operations to contain Madhura Withanage, Senior Advisor to Health Services not to allow any preventing infected people from being contracting the virus. the COVID-19 virus spread take the President Lalith Weeratunga, patient coming to hospitals with inconvenienced in any emergency It was also decided to provide indigenous medicines daily. It has Health Secretary Major General Dr. COVID-19 symptoms to be situation, the President pointed out facilities for anyone over the age of 30 greatly contributed to enhance Sanjeewa Munasinghe, Health inconvenienced. and added those who show symptoms to receive the first dose at any of the immunisation, Indigenous Medicine Services Director General Dr. Asela There has been an increase in the need to be referred to the Intermediate vaccination centres that administer Promotion State Minister Sisira Gunawardane, Commanders of the number of patients being treated at Treatment Centres first and then to the second dose. Jayakody stated during the meeting. Tri-Forces, the Inspector General of hospitals in several major Cities the hospitals after monitoring the Vaccines have been ordered to He said that even if the vaccine is Police and the Heads of Health and including Colombo due to COVID-19 patient’s condition. provide both doses to all citizens over administered, taking in indigenous Security sectors were also present at symptoms. The President emphasised The President instructed Ministers, the age of 18 before September. The medicines daily and steam inhalation the meeting. FOCUS SUNDAY 8 AUGUST 2021 A3 Should Kids be Vaccinated Soon? Rising COVID cases among children, delta variant causing major concern

By Dilanthi Jayamanne vaccine. He said however, that the final decision remained with the What was once significantly Advisory Committee on Communicable associated with werewolves and candy Diseases (ACCD) and medical experts. have now taken a more sinister and deadlier appearance as viral variants; Vaccines and Examinations sending chills down the spines of us Exams have been postponed; insignificant humans. something that would have instilled joy Having been seriously affected by the in the hearts of students if they were alpha variant - better known as the not forced to remain at home British variant, following April’s New indefinitely. But unfortunately it Year celebration, the cases being cannot be said for the GCE O/L and recorded had barely reduced below A/L examinations. The Government 1,000 when new cases, alleged to be continues to setback examinations propelled by the delta variant first while children have virtually lost two detected from India, started to rise years of their lives to online education. which increased COVID infections Therefore, perhaps it is time that this from 1,310 on 23 July to 2,370 six Government considers vaccinating at days later. The numbers have not least those students who are to sit for dropped below 2,000 since then. two of the most decisive examinations of their lives; namely O/L and A/L, Escalation of new COVID ensuring that the future generation, cases and fatalities which it professes to care about, can proceed with their lives. According to the Director of the With no definite schedule during Operations and Clinical Services at term illnesses who should be was some uncertainty regarding the which the country will see the decline Allergy Immunology and Cell Biology considered at-risk. However, it would availability of vaccines and on how of this deadly virus, the Government Unit, Sri Jayewardenepura University, depend on the amount of vaccines the soon they would arrive. The adult and education authorities better make Prof. Chandima Jeewardara, the delta country is to receive. Even in the case population had the priority as the up their minds as to whether children variant had spread rapidly in Colombo. of pregnant mothers, priority was virus mainly affected them. Thereby are going to continue with the “online Commenting on PCR test data received State Minister of given to those with high-risk teachers and non-academic staff of learning” and “online exams” farce from his lab at Sri Jayewardenepura pregnancies at the beginning as there schools have received the COVID indefinitely. University, Dr. Jeewandara lamented Production, Supply that what had been only a 19.3 per and Regulation of cent spread during the first week of July had increased to 75 per cent of Pharmaceuticals, the District by the last week of that month. Prof. Channa Also much concern has been Jayasumana said expressed by health authorities regarding the number of COVID- that the State deaths being recorded. On Wednesday health service was (4) alone the number of COVID deaths reached a startling 94 while on the also paying previous day they topped 80. Vice President of the Sri Lanka attention to Medical Association (SLMA), Dr. administering the Manilka Sumanatillake said there are at least three COVID deaths every COVID-19 vaccine to hour, according to the latest data. children Startling revelation about Children

Health Minister, Pavithra spreading delta variant if stricter travel Wanniarachchi also made a startling restrictions are re-imposed for a short revelation in Parliament on Thursday period. Sri Lanka’s daily COVID-19 (5). She said that the three COVID-19 cases count could be several times waves had seen 19,688 children under higher than official figures as the the age of ten and 26,143 adolescents current number of cases are only being between the ages of 10 and 18 test detected due to increasing PCR and positive for COVID-19. antigen testing. “It looks like the virus Adults; especially those above the was ahead of the race despite the age of 60 and those suffering vaccination process being expedited,” comorbidities, pregnant women have SLMA’s vice president, Dr. Manilka been considered among the high-risk Sumanatillake said. group. Children and youth below the age of 30 have been classed as the Measures to Vaccinate category that had greater chances of Children survival owing to their immunity levels and less exposure since schools had With the COVID situation in Sri been closed for the better part of two Lanka rapidly worsening and it is in years with no tuition classes officially the best interest of the country’s child been held. population that they be considered However, the number of children eligible for the vaccine. testing positive for the coronavirus at State Minister of Production, Supply the Lady Ridgeway Hospital for and Regulation of Pharmaceuticals, Children (LRH) is increasing. At least Prof. Channa Jayasumana said that 20 children were being admitted with the State health service was also COVID-19 to the Lady Ridgeway paying attention to administering the Hospital per day with the virus. COVID-19 vaccine to children. Measures were taken to send some of Prof. Jayasumana, touring in the patients to the Rajagiriya Ayurveda Anuradhapura, said the Government Hospital. and its Health Ministry are focusing their attention on administering the Government’s vaccination Pfizer vaccine to adolescents between programme 12 and 18 years of age in the near future. This is probably one of the main But Deputy Director General, Dr. reasons for health authorities and the Hemantha Herath when questioned as country’s leadership to give to why the Health Ministry was prominence towards vaccinating the delaying in giving approval to elderly population, those with immunising children against COVID, comorbidities and pregnant mothers, said that cautious measures should be etc. taken when administering the vaccine With talks of reopening of schools to those below 18 years in Sri Lanka. this month measures have also been “We cannot simply vaccinate our taken to administer the coronavirus children against the virus because it is vaccine to school teachers and non- being practised in the West,” he academic staff. As of Thursday (5) 87 observed. per cent (254,263) of the teacher Local experts in the field are population had received at least one reviewing available data on the Pfizer dose of the COVID vaccine, according vaccine’s effects on the below 18 group to the Education Secretary, Prof. he said, “They are assessing the safety Kapila Perera. and efficacy of the vaccine on children. Sri Lanka will start vaccinate those Warning from SLMA and below 18 years of age based on healthcare specialists recommendations it receives from the expert committee”. The Sri Lanka Medical Association Secretary of the Sri Lanka College of (SLMA) and specialists in the medical Paediatricians (SLCP), Dr.Channa de field have warned however that the Silva said SLCP had appealed to the Government and the Epidemiology Health Ministry to commence Unit’s vaccination programme could immunisations by vaccinating some only win the race against the fast 2,000 children suffering from long- A4 sunday 8 August 2021 Focus

Pix courtesy Hasitha Perera’s social media account

COVID-19 spike Did Lackadaisical Attitude Cause Hospital Overcrowding?

By Faadhila Thassim uncontrollable increase in the COVID-19 patients in a critical treatment and thereby make room for number of those who tested positive condition to such hospitals while symptomatic patients and avoid With the overcrowding of hospitals for COVID-19 few other wards will directing admission of patients to overcrowding in hospitals. All and the shortage of oxygen in India also have to be allocated to treat district and divisional level hospitals. individuals with a positive COVID-19 owing to the increasing number of COVID-19 patients. Deputy Director of Health Services test will require immediate isolation COVID-19 patients, countries have According to Acting Director of the Dr. Hemantha Herath stated that an for the interruption of the disease been cautious with regard to Teaching Hospital Karapitiya, Dr. emergency was declared in the two transmission. measures to be adopted in the event Shelton Perera, the decision to hospitals because of the increasing Appropriate risk Appropriate risk assessments will of an unpredicted spike in the declare an emergency had been taken number of COVID-19 cases and that allow timely intervention to prevent number of patients. as there was an increase not only in in a general emergency within a assessments will complications and help detect those However, with certain hospitals the number of patients at the hospital, a disaster management allow timely patients with deteriorating clinical having reached maximum capacity, hospital, but also in its Intensive plan would be established adding symptoms and signs of the virus and having been forced to declare an Care Unit (ICU). Dr. Perera had that such plan has been made intervention to during the period of home stay and emergency, this raises the question issued an internal circular in this applicable to these hospitals in the they will be admitted for institutional as to whether Sri Lanka was too regard to all medical officers and Unit current situation as well. prevent healthcare for further management. cautious of a possible increase in the Heads, requesting them to inform the He added that if there is an complications and According to the WHO, although number of cases and delayed area Medical Officers of Health unmanageable increase in the caring for an infected person in their providing for the needs of such (MOHs) and Regional Epidemiologists number of cases these efforts will not help detect those home, rather than in a medical or patients. and make room for patients without be effective and that public must patients with other specialised facility, increases Several social media posts on the COVID-19 complications or without understand the current situation, the risk of transmitting the virus to overcrowding of patients in the breathing difficulties to be provided support the health authorities by deteriorating others in the home, such isolation Colombo South Teaching Hospital homecare till they are transferred to adhering to the health regulations can make an important contribution (Kalubowila) and the Ragama interim care facilities. irrespective of whether they are clinical symptoms to breaking the chains of Teaching Hospital circulated over the vaccinated or not. and signs of the transmission of the virus. recent past with patients lying on the Solution to overcrowding, Meanwhile, Minister of Health Thereby Wanniarachchi stated that floors and corridors and seated shortages Pavithra Wanniarachchi stated that virus during the the pilot project to treat COVID-19 outside of the hospital waiting for although Sri Lanka currently has period of home asymptomatic patients within the their chance to be moved to a bed in President of the Government sufficient oxygen supply and two Western Province will be carried out the ward while beds were also shared Medical Officers’ Forum, Dr. companies to fulfil the demand, stay and they will in other provinces as well with effect by a number of patients. Rukshan Bellana stated that owing to the increase in the number be admitted for from 9 August. Overcrowded hospitals measures that could be adopted to of COVID-19 patients, Cabinet While the health authorities are avoid overcrowding at teaching approval has been obtained to institutional trying their utmost to facilitate and and shortage of facilities hospitals is by only directing positive increase the supply including that of treat the increasing number of importing liquid oxygen cylinders. healthcare for COVID-19 patients, two important While the Ratnapura hospital and She added that health authorities measures that need to be adopted in the Karapitiya Teaching Hospital have been instructed to allocate further light of the overcrowding of hospitals have both declared emergency normal hospital wards to provide for management and shortage of facilities is that of situations in their premises owing to the increasing number of COVID-19 formulating a plan to deal with a the increase in the number of cases. sudden spike in cases including that COVID-19 patients, several hospitals of effectively implementing treatment have also faced shortages in facilities According to Director Homecare for at home for asymptotic and minor required to treat COVID-19 patients. of Ragama Teaching asymptomatic/minor symptomic patients while the public Wards that have been allocated for has to support the efforts of the the treatment of COVID-19 patients Hospital, Dr. Liyanage symptomatic patients health authorities by abiding by have also reached maximum capacity Ranasinghe, because Homecare for COVID-19 mild or health guidelines. with the number of COVID-19 cases asymptomatic patients is a system rising to over 1,500 on a daily basis. of the huge spike in adopted in several countries According to Director of Ragama the number of COVID- including the United Kingdom and Teaching Hospital, Dr. Liyanage the United States to ensure that Ranasinghe, because of the huge 19 positive patients, treatment centres and hospitals are Health Ministry guidelines spike in the number of COVID-19 wards were allocated not crammed up while positive patients, wards were simultaneously ensuring that there for home care allocated solely to treat such patients solely to treat such are sufficient resources for the while patients with minor symptoms patients while treatment of those who need it most. The Health Ministry, in – 1390, patients will be observed are advised to home quarantine, State Minister of Primary Health consideration of the overcrowding by the Patient Home Isolation and those with more severe symptoms are patients with minor Care, Epidemics and COVID Disease of hospitals decided to only admit Management System (PHIMS) directed to hospitals situated in symptoms are Control, Sudarshani Fernandopulle COVID-19 patients to hospitals and they could obtain treatment areas such as Kandana and said that as a measure to tackle the on a priority basis upon the through the call centre and the Minuwangoda. The remaining advised to home concerns of overcrowded hospitals isntructions of President medical care team for 14 days. In patients are admitted to the ward quarantine, those and treatment centres, COVID-19 Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Minister the event of complications, allocated in the Ragama Teaching asymptomatic patients will be of Health Pavithra information will be obtained and hospital. with more severe requested to get treatment at home. Wanniarachchi. steps will be taken to hospitalise He added that owing to the symptoms are While these patients will be Thereby guidelines for the the patient. shortage in the number of beds, monitored by the National Operations treatment of asymptomatic Asymptomatic and patients patients are compelled to sleep in the directed to hospitals Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 COVID-19 patients and patients with mild COVID-19 symptoms corridor until beds are made Outbreak (NOCPCO), she added that with mild symptoms at their should express their consent to available. Dr. Liyanage stated that situated in areas such steps will be taken to transfer such home under the observation of be subject to home care and their the hospital does not only treat as Kandana and asymptomatic patients to hospitals doctors was issued which details will be registered. COVID-19 patients but also operates or treatment facilities if they develop specified measures to be adopted Meanwhile, Physician Dr. Upul as a treatment centre for other Minuwangoda. The complications later. when such patients develop Dissanayake stated that general illnesses as well and that as a remaining patients While a pilot project was carried complications which is when they measures that should be adopted healthcare institution, the staffs are out in the Western Province to treat should be hospitalised. by those subject to home care doing their utmost to ensure that are admitted to the asymptotic COVID-19 patients and The Director General of Health whilst being under observation is patients receive the required medical ward allocated in the those with minor symptoms in their Services, has taken steps to refer that of recieving a good rest, care. homes, the Government Medical such guidelines to heads of drinking water and ensuring that He stated that thereby in Ragama Teaching Officers’ Association (GMOA) urged health institutions including the the level of oxygen does not drop consideration of the spike in the hospital the Ministry of Health to expand the Directors of Provincial and below that of 96 per cent adding number of COVID-19 cases, more pilot project to other provinces as Regional Health Services. that the oxygen can be measured wards with over 100 beds are well. Through the 24-hour call centre by way of Pulse Oximeter. currently under construction adding This process will ensure early that if in the event there is an detection, get the necessary news sunday 8 august 2021 A5 SLFPA and NAC sign MOU Woman’s Body Found in Sack

For the signing ceremony, SLFPA was represented by its President Nishan Perera, Secretary –Aruna Senanayake and Immediate Past President Sarath Alahakoon, while NAC was represented by its Two persons arrested President Aruna Weerakoon, Secretary Prasad Senadheera, Treasurer Jayantha Rajapakse, Gajaba de Silva and Tissa Warnasuriya By Thameenah Razeek Police raided the shop and According to reports, the A Memorandum of chain from the level of farmer With signing of the new inspected the two sacks. They woman left the house saying Understanding (MOU) up to the processors and vice MOU, Three Past Presidents The discovery of a woman’s found one had contained she was going to the bank but between Sri Lanka Food versa. It is the belief of both of the SLFPA will get a seat body, in a sack inside an manure and the other a she did not return. Processors Association parties that workshops and each in the Executive aquarium shop in woman’s body. As a result, the shop’s owner (SLFPA) and National Agri seminars can be conducted Committee and the board of Valachchenai, led to the arrest Police Spokesman SDIG Ajith and a three-wheeler driver have Business Council (NAC) was at the level of the farmer so trustees. With the help of the of two persons. Rohana, on 6 August, said a been arrested in connection signed on 3 August 2021 at that expectations of food new board, NAC is looking Valachchenai Police received 55-year-old woman had gone with the woman’s death. The the Board Room of the Ceylon processors such as hygiene, forward to doing the information that there were two missing in Valachchenai and it post mortem and magisterial Chamber of Commerce. seasonal, delivery constitutional change to sacks of fertiliser at the shop. is believed that it was her body inquiry into the woman’s death The MOU will mainly allow requirements can be shared make it better in both, As that raised suspicions, the that was in the sack. took place on Saturday (7). the two entities to work with them. Also, use of new operational as well as together to connect the Food technology, importance of structural stability. Then Processors with the back-end keeping updated/accurate NAC will be able to stand community of Farmers so information and using them strong representing entire that valuable information is can be communicated more agricultural system and Upgrading 130 km of Northern Railway Line shared throughout the value effectively. related industries. SLMU wants President to revise agreement By Thameenah Razeek to everyone that a dual to take steps to remedy it,” railway line would have to be he said. Cabinet Paper soon to ban eight The Sri Lanka Station built from Mahawa to at least Furthermore, he stated that Masters’ Union (SLMU) has, Anuradhapura, if the project building a new railway line, in a letter, urged President was to cater to commuter while the old one is harmful items – Amaraweera Gotabaya Rajapaksa to revise demands. He said that the operational, as well as a the agreement on upgrading officials of the Railway comprehensive makeover of No Lunch sheets from 1 Sept the 130-kilometer-long Department, who initiated the railway stations, will Maho-Omanthai section of the project did not work for contribute in the Minister of Environment pointed out that many Anil Jasinghe stated that the Northern railway line, the dual railway project and development of the country Mahinda Amaraweera said a environmental problems are Local Government which is more than 100 years later resumed the by developing another route Cabinet Paper will be arising in the society due to Institutions have a great old and to vest the project construction of the project to that will benefit commuters. submitted to ban eight items the improper disposal of the responsibility in this regard. power in a committee, if cater to commuter demands. He said, “However, we that are harmful to the masks used in connection The Committee paid possible. He claimed that the clearly underline the benefits environment. He stated that with the current COVID-19 special attention to the To make the process more Omanthai and of being able to use the other these include polythene pandemic. unauthorised construction open, the committee could Kankesanthurai trains ran lane on one blockage, as well bags, plastic hopper holders, The Central Environmental of a hotel along the Mahaweli include officials from the at 100 Kilometers per hour as the ability to avoid plastic dishes, plastic cups Authority (CEA) has River in the Gannoruwa Railway Department as well and that the facilities had inconvenience,” and plastic spoons. informed the Committee that area. MP Wasantha Yapa as members from the not been thoroughly The Sri Lankan Addressing the Ministerial a guideline on the proper Bandara stated that this has Transport Ministry, according examined. “Today, the Government and India’s Consultative Committee on disposal of masks has been been constructed by a to the letter. absence of parcel IRCON International Limited Environment, he stated that introduced and has been powerful businessman in the The General Secretary of transportation services for agreed to spend USD 91.26 the law banning lunch submitted to the Ministry of area and as a result many the Sri Lanka Station people in the North is also a million to upgrade the sheets will be strictly Health for approval. environmental problems Masters’ Union Kasun serious concern, and the 130-kilometer-long Maho- enforced from the 1 Amaraweera also have cropped up. He further Chamara, said it was obvious railway authorities have yet Omanthai rail line. September. He instructed his acknowledged that the stated that the failure of the officers to increase the public should be more relevant institutions to take number of raids with regard careful when disposing of appropriate action in this to that. masks. connection is also a serious MP Madhura Withanage Environment Secretary Dr. problem. A6 Sunday 8 august 2021 focus

By Sulochana Ramiah Mohan Lanka’s marine environment from similar disasters. When compared to Marine Environment Protection countries such as the U.S., which Authority (MEPA) Chairman, Attorney- imposes heavy fines on cargo feeders at-Law Dharshani Lahandapura, in an for violating sea regulations, Sri Lanka exclusive interview with Ceylon Today, has to make several improvements to said they have observed a correlation reach a similar state. However, this between the MV X-Press Pearl fire and incident is an eye-opener so that we the mass death of marine creatures will be able to benchmark some of the following the disaster. better legal systems and incorporate Lahandapura, an experienced legal provisions to strengthen our maritime consultant with a demonstrated laws history of working in the fields of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has corporate social responsibility, instructed to finalise the concept and communication, corporate initial work to set up a maritime communications, contract disaster response centre. The Foreign management, and sustainability, has Ministry is taking the lead role by been engaging with her team at MEPA securing the required expert to bring practical solutions to many assistance while other institutions will marine related disasters. contribute in their own capacities. “The cargo ship MV X-Press Pearl, carrying chemicals, caught fire off the Q: MEPA or NARA had not coast of Sri Lanka leading to a confirmed whether there is maritime disaster. Although the fire oil in the tank of the now has long been subdued, the resulting sunken ship. Why the delay maritime disaster is far from over and and when will you confirm? continues to impact both humans and environment alike. MEPA, as the We have directed the owner, the regulatory body, has been salvaging company and the P&I Club coordinating with various parties who to provide us with an assessment of oil are probing this marine disaster,” she contained in the tanks. We stressed said. Second Interim Claim from shipping this during a series of discussions, and then ITOPF (International Tank Excerpts of the interview: Owners Pollution Federation) and GSC Q:Can you confirm that the company submitted to AG (Global Salvage Consultancy) sent two sea creatures that died in the written documents confirming that past few months (beginning they believe no bunker oil is contained in the oil tanks, as per their from the day the ship caught preliminary observations. fire on 19 May 2021) were Subsequently, the P&I Club has sent a due to the X-Press Pearl X-Press Pearl letter of comfort stating that there is shipwreck/oil and chemical no oil and that they will take leak?All those animals were responsibility should there be any oil subjected to autopsies. What spill. did the reports say? However, as the mandatory agency, we insisted and were able to get down Since the ship caught fire on 20 Wreckage will be high-tech oil spill prevention May, there have been reports equipment from Singapore through regarding several sea creatures that OSRL, to handle a bunker oil spill. had died and washed ashore. The Wildlife Department is in charge of Q: There is an oil slick still conducting post-mortems on these seen around the ship but animals. The process involves is unconfirmed where it is collecting carcasses of the marine Removed in Oct from. Can you elaborate on species and producing them before the this please? local Magistrate Court to obtain an order to conduct a post-mortem. The Yes. There is an oil slick still seen Government Analyst’s Department – MEPA Chair around the ship and it is most conducts the post-mortems. Some of probably coming from the wreckage. these reports have been received, But we have not seen the exact area of however with the on-going Court case State institutions and losses to the selected an international legal firm to the wreck it is emanating from. This the full information can only be made fisheries community for the 20 May to obtain expert advice. Therefore, we are sheen appears for about 1 nautical available to the public after it is filed in 3 June period, including some confident that we are in a good mile and disappears. We believe that Courts. It will then become a public forecasted losses. Government position to pursue the claim with this is due to evaporation. The sheen document. However, we have observed agencies are in the process of sending regard to the environmental damage. is too thin and we are unable to deploy that there seems to be a correlation the required information. MEPA has any oil spill prevention equipment due between the fire aboard the cargo ship already submitted the relevant Q:The ship captain and to the prevailing rough sea conditions. MV X-Press Pearl and the death of information to the Attorney General the crew who are detained Since the depth is less than 25m, we marine creatures. (AG). claimed that they had cannot use chemical dispersant also, Simultaneously, work continues to informed Express Feeder’s since it would be more harmful than Q:What is the cause of the finalise the second interim claim, local agent. Ports in India the spill. Therefore, what we have done fire on the ship? which will cover the period from 3 and Qatar avoided the is carry out a mechanical dispersant The cause of the fire on the ship is June to 31 July. The required through the caretaker - Resolve currently under investigation by the information will be forwarded to the disaster. What is your Marine. CID as well as the Chemical and Oil AG in a couple of days. opinion and who do you As per the directive issued by MEPA, Pollution Assessment Committee of think are the culprits? Resolve Marine got down some ROV the Expert Panel which conducts Q:What about the You will get the answer once legal (Remotely operated vehicles) from the environmental damage assessments. environmental damage proceedings are completed. Until such Netherlands to carry out underwater and the compensation for time we cannot comment who the surveys. With this we will be able to Q:What was found from that? Will that be a separate culprit is. get some idea about the area where oil the Voyage Data Recording claim? is emanating from the wreck. (VDR)? Q:However, as MEPA protects Apart from that, MEPA conducts VDR is with the CID and they will There will be few interim claims in Sri Lankan waters from daily observations and collects take necessary information from it. the future apart from the pollution, the country has samples for testing while weekly joint The information will also be available environmental damage, which is being inadequate laws to deal with inspections are conducted by sea and to the public once it is filed in Courts studied by our expert panel. The offences; imposing both aerial observations. Drone footage and then the information will be expert panel comprises 41 criminal and civil liabilities reports are provided twice a day from shared in the public domain. professionals who are working under OSRL and Resolve Marine. The 11 thematic areas to finalise the for offenders and there are situation is continuously monitored to Q: We received a preliminary claims. Some of the thematic areas some serious loopholes. What deploy equipment obtained from OSRL compensation of Rs 7.2 are as follows: are you going to do about it? if any bunker oil spill is reported or million that has been Environmental Impact Assessment In order to avoid such maritime observed. distributed to the affected Root Cause, Chemical/Dangerous disasters in our waters in the future, The Marine Q:Will the wreckage be fishermen. Have you come to cargo and Oil assessment strict measures need to be adopted removed at any point? Will a conclusion on how much Biodiversity Impact Assessment Pollution Prevention including improved legal systems, Air Impact Assessment international protocols and you order the owners to more compensation we would Water and Sea Shore Impact Act No. 35 of 2008, conventions signed and more remove it? get and what categories for Assessment has not been amend- importantly the capacity of all which we are liable to claim Health Impact Assessment stakeholders involved in SLPA, MEPA, Merchant Shipping secretariat has compensation? Socio-Economic Impact Assessment ed for many years. and Coast Guard etc., should be given directives to the owners to The preliminary compensation of Aquatic Resources Impact It has some strong improved. remove the wreckage at the earliest USD 3.6 million amounting to Rs 720 Assessment The Marine Pollution Prevention Act possible including under water million for the period from 20 May Waste Management Impact provisions with No. 35 of 2008, has not been amended containers. The owners have 2021 to 3 June 2021 had been Assessment regard to maritime for many years. It has some strong appointed Resolve Marine, a U.S.- received. With this preliminary Economic Valuation Impact provisions with regard to maritime based company to carry out ship compensation, Rs 400 million has Assessment disasters; however, disasters; however, we have also surveys and underwater surveys, and been allocated for the fisheries The expert panel has been provided we have also identi- identified several areas for this process is on-going. They have community and Rs. 200 million for a terms of Reference (TOR) for three improvement and further subcontracted this to the Deep BV, a MEPA to continue clean-up months to complete the first draft of fied several areas strengthening for MEPA to protect Sri Dutch company that produces world- operations. the damage assessment. The panel is for improvement Lankan waters from pollution and to renowned underwater inspection Insurance companies have nearing completion in most areas of deal with offences, imposing both equipment under the brand name of requested further evidence to complete work and reporting reasonable and further criminal and civil liabilities for Sub Sea. They have indicated that due balance payments of the first interim progress. Daily and or weekly strengthening for offenders. to the rough sea, removal of the claim for the expenses incurred by meetings are held, physically and We identified the weaknesses in the wreckage will commence in October virtually, to discuss matters. The MEPA to protect Sri current provisions and drafted this year. process undertaken by the experts is amendments prior to this incident. on track to deliver, based on the Lankan waters from There are international conventions agreed timelines. pollution and to deal and protocols that SL has to be a party In addition, the Government has with offences, to in order to further protect Sri imposing both crimi- nal and civil liabili- ties for offenders focus sunday 8 august 2021 A7 National Child Protection Policy an Urgent Need

By Methmalie National Centre for Missing the said public views in the Dissanayake and Exploited Children, to National Policy, had been One of the monitor pornographic video forwarded on 6 September “The true character of a clips and images related to 2019 to the Secretary to the society is revealed in how it misconceptions children. He said the Police Ministry of Women and Child treats its children.” among Sri are always scouring online to Affairs seeking the approval – Nelson Mandela keep an eye on occurrences of the Cabinet of Ministers. Lankans about involving pornography in The Cabinet Memorandum During the past few months, connection with children. No. MWCADD/CM/2019/14 a number of Media reports, child abuse is that Furthermore, modern dated 26 September 2019 had regarding child abuse cases, they think the technology has been used to been submitted by the shook Sri Lanka to the core. identify the person or parties Minister of Women and Child Although many discussions abuse is only that post child pornographic Affairs and Dry Zone were held, immediately after video clips and images. Development and the Cabinet those incidents, on how we related to sexual “Persons spreading child approval had been granted should protect our children acts. However, pornographic video clips and therefor on 29 October 2019. from monsters, the gravity of images are committing a This matter was raised national database on child mobile app named ‘SL Child such discussions withered out there are four criminal offence under Section again at the Committee on abuse. The Committee Protection App 1929’ for the with the passage of time as it types of child 286A of the Penal Code Public Enterprises (COPE) directed that steps be taken to public to lodge complaints nearly always does. (obscene publication, Sitting in February when the develop a more formal regarding child abuse. Types of child abuses abuse which are exhibition relating to NCPA was summoned before database as formal data is The NCPA hotline is also children). it. essential for future child open for the public to lodge One of the misconceptions categorised as “We’ve deployed special The Committee pointed out abuse prevention complaints with the NCPA. among Sri Lankans about physical, neglect, Police teams to track down that the implementation of a programmes. It should be noted that child abuse is that they think individuals who upload them, national policy has been During a recent media without implementing a the abuse is only related to sexual and as well as those who share delayed for 21 years and briefing, held at the proper long-lasting policy, sexual acts. However, there emotional such content,” he further emphasised the importance of Department of Government which does not change with are four types of child abuse said. He added the CID and expediting the implementation Information, NCPA Chairman governments, protecting which are categorised as Child and Women’s Bureau of the national policy which Prof. Muditha children would be very physical, neglect, sexual and are conducting a joint has been approved already. Vidanapathirana said that the difficult. emotional. “Today, children are being investigation into criminal It was also revealed, during NCPA has finalised a five-year A national policy is a Physical abuse happens subjected to abuse from their activities involving children. the meeting, that the legal action plan to implement the guideline to protect the when a child has been hurt or closest family members. A Decades long delay department of the NCPA, National Child Protection children in the country. It is a injured, and it is not an majority of children do not comprising two people, is Policy. collective mechanism starting accident. Physical abuse does reveal the details about these of implementing struggling with the current Furthermore, he said that from educating the public. Let not always leave visible marks abuses. This is a tragedy and workload. To date, there are the NCPA will be able to us hope that the authorities or injuries. Physical abuse the Media and Paediatricians National Child 40,668 unresolved complaints uncover the national database would be able to pull can include hitting, shaking, should collectively raise their Protection Policy at the NCPA. on child abuse by the end of themselves together to choking, smothering and voices regarding this matter,” Although the NCPA has data this month. implement the national policy throwing, burning, biting, he pointed out. The National Child on complaints, the committee Apart from these, the NCPA to protect the children at least poisoning and using physical Speaking to Ceylon Today, Protection Authority (NCPA) also noted the lack of a recently came up with a at the end of this year. restraints. Dr. Channa de Silva, was established in the year Child sexual abuse happens Consultant Paediatrician at 1999 under the National Child when an adult, teenager or the LRH, also confirmed Dr. Protection Authority Act, child uses their power or Perera’s statement. He said No.50 of 1998 for the purpose authority to involve another that, even without presenting of formulating a policy on the child in sexual activity. the numbers, an increase in prevention of child abuse and Emotional abuse happens such cases can be seen. the protection and treatment when a child is treated in a “One of the main things is, of children who are victims of way that negatively impacts many children are mentally such abuse. their social, emotional or stressed as well. Some The Auditor General, in his intellectual development. children come to the hospital special report on the NCPA in Emotional abuse can be with symptoms like throat 2020, stated that although the caused by rejection, name ache difficulty to breathe. approval of the Board of calling, teasing or bullying, When we check them, we see Directors had been obtained yelling, criticism, isolation or that there is no problem with for the said policy after a lapse locking a child up for them. This is due to the of 20 years from the said year, extended periods and mental stress the children the Authority had failed to exposure to domestic and have gone through during implement the said policy family violence. COVID-19 pandemic. These effectively even by the date of Neglect happens when a days, children and parents are the report. child's basic needs are not equally stressed. In a It should be noted that even met, affecting their health and situation like this, they now, the NCPA has failed to development. Basic needs sometimes tend to fight with implement the said policy. include food, housing and parents and parents tend to The Auditor General said clean living conditions, health react. Some such situations that the formulation of the care, adequate clothing, go to extremes,” he said. said Policy had commenced personal hygiene and Elaborating further he said after lapse of 10 years of adequate supervision. that the closure of schools has establishing of the Authority When we look at these affected the mental health of as per instructions given by aspects, it is clear that the children as well. the Committee on Public children in the country are “Schools have been closed Enterprises held on 6 January being abused more than we for about one and a half years 2009 and the Committee had think. now. School is not about advised the Authority to In a conservative society like covering syllabus. Syllabus complete it within three Sri Lanka, many adults are of can be covered online. But the months. the belief that beating and social skills developed by However, the formulation of giving other kinds of schools cannot be gained a “National Child Protection punishment, which could online. Associating with other Policy” had again commenced severely affect the children, students and teachers is in the year 2013 without are their right because such necessary for the children to taking action to amend the things make the children grow up. As a result of the said Policy of which the better persons. When the shutdown of schools, children formulation was commenced children grow up and become have to stay at home in the year 2009. The said parents, they also continue continuously for months. This new Policy had been the same old punishment really affects their mental formulated and submitted to methods which they were health and they could be the Cabinet and subjected to as children. This stressed because of this. The subsequently, the Cabinet vicious cycle has been going parents should be aware of had informed on 18 December on for generations and it is this situation and create a 2014 that the Policy should be really hard to break it unless safe and sound environment again formulated in there are massive reforms in for children at home.” consultation with all relevant the education sector of Sri institutions and submitted Lanka. Danger of child within three months. Consultant Paediatrician at pornography Furthermore, formulation of Lady Ridgeway Hospital for another policy had again Children Dr. Deepal Perera Meanwhile, over 17,000 commenced in 2015 by had recently noted that there videos and photographs neglecting the said policies. are tens of thousands of connected to child According to the Board of children who have been pornography had been Directors’ Paper No.168/4, abused in Sri Lanka. uploaded to the Internet from submitted for the 168th “Children who have broken Sri Lanka via various devices Meeting of the Board of bones due to hitting, children between 17 June and 28 July. Directors, held on 30 March who were burnt with cigarette According to Police 2017, it had been indicated butts and children who were Spokesman, SDIG Ajith that this draft Policy is the 5th subjected to sexual abuse are Rohana, in this period, 17,629 Draft National Policy. coming to the LRH on daily videos and images were The said draft Policy had basis. We see at least two to posted to cyberspace from been referred in March 2017 three children like this per computers, desktops, mobile to obtain public views thereon day. This is an unfortunate phones, and tablets in Sri and public views so received, situation,” Dr. Perera told a Lanka. had been summarised by national daily newspaper. Last month, the Child and September 2018. The National He noted that some of the Women’s Bureau in Colombo Child Protection Policy, abuses are not even reported. set up a special unit, the formulated with the inclusion A8 sunday 8 august 2021 Editorial Editorial sunday 8 august 2021 A9 Bathiudeen Uses Parliament Ceylon Newspapers (Pvt) Ltd. No: 101, Rosmead Place, Colombo 07. Editorial Tel: 0117566522, 0117566526, 0117566527 Fax: 0117566545 Marketing Manager: 0117566550, 0117566551 Circulation Manager: 0117566580, 0117566581 E-mail : [email protected] Privileges in His Defence The Government at the to get the second dose of health institutions islandwide. been informed that the investigation Secretary Palitha Range Bandara, with loan facilities that could be paid beginning of July 2021 AstraZeneca. It is a great relief Meanwhile, due to the overnight is still ongoing.” Sagala Ratnayake, and others. back later, and the last suggestion For Love declared that it would be able Kiriella: “There should be a clear Wickremesinghe then inquired was that civil servants be admitted to the people who were increase in COVID-19 infected to roll out 10 million jabs, of expecting the second dose of patients, the wards set aside at State reason to arrest someone. Have you about the party’s anniversary based on their Z-Score rankings. the various COVID-19 the vaccine to have received it hospitals for treatment had reached been informed as to why he was preparations and new plans from Recognising the critical importance of Shaping vaccines, among those aged from the Government of maximum capacity and it is reported arrested? This is a common concern Range Bandara, and latter then of addressing issues relating to above 30 years by 1 August Japan.” presently hospitals are struggling to for both the Government and delivered a report, after which the university level education, 2021. The Japanese Government cater to the increasing demand day in Opposition.” group discussed how to carry the particularly for those who have been While reaching this target, donated 728,460 doses of and day out. The Speaker, however, did not give party ahead by bringing in new faces denied admission to State universities Future Minds the support extended towards Oxford-AstraZeneca. The World It is stated that at hospitals such as an answer to this claim. Although Wickremesinghe, and strengthening existing groups. and are seeking admission to the vaccination drive from the Health Organization, UNICEF Colombo National, Colombo South Kiriella tried to speak further, his Range Bandara said that the task of universities in other countries, the About a month ago, Government teachers and three Armed Forces had been and the COVAX Foundation Teaching Hospital (Kalubowila), microphone was taken away. who is the former completing the party seat organising SLFP has proposed the formation of a principals withdrew from online teaching, in commendable and on 29 and were instrumental in obtaining Karapitiya Teaching, Gampaha, Chief Government Whip Johnston committees has begun and that Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) protest of Kotelawala National Defence University 30 July and on 1 August a total this number of doses, Minister Ratnapura, Kegalle, Colombo North Fernando then requested the Speaker Prime Minister, Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene to examine the issue at hand within a Bill and urging immediate solutions for long- of 1.4 million jabs of COVID-19 The vaccination drive has Wanniarachchi said, when (Ragama) in one bed at least three to move the floor for the proceedings said he was visited Badulla last weekend and specific time frame. standing salary anomaly issues. vaccines had been rolled out. been targeted at several receiving the consignment of COVID-19 patients had been put up of the day. learned that the party’s efforts were However, the SLFP believes that the Just like with any other issue, this matter too, is Hence, around 86 per cent of segments of society, age-wise vaccines at the BIA. for treatment for want of beds. “Kiriella is shouting without a summoned to the successful. above-mentioned four modifications multi-faceted. Although many sympathise with the the country’s population aged and job-wise and presently it The Army set up several It is said the situation at Ragama microphone. You dare to talk about PCoI and after In response, Wickremesinghe stated should be included if the Government issue of low wages of teachers, organising massive above 30 had been provided has become a resounding The officials are walk-in vaccination centres to Hospital had reached its breaking privileges now. When we were that Wijewardene told him after wants to move the Bill from gatherings in times of a raging, oftentimes fatal, with the jabs by 1 August success due to the concerted administer the AstraZeneca point. Sources said around 500 arrested during your Government’s having attended, conversing with him that there is a Parliament quickly. pandemic and withdrawing from online teaching under the supervision of efforts of all those involved in looking to jab. They include the COVID-19 infected patients are time, the Speaker was not informed.” he was informed huge awakening in the Badulla The SLFP expects President when students have been deprived of proper President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. this process. complete the task Viharamahadevi Park for 24 treated there and the majority of them At this juncture, Bathiudeen District, and that the monks enjoyed Gotabaya Rajapaksa to pay special schoolroom studies for nearly one-and-half years, Following a written request The Health Ministry, in hours open for vaccination, had been forced to lie on mattresses requested a minute to speak from that he was not Wijewardene’s coming. attention to the suggestions have failed to garner public sympathy to their made to the Japanese Prime collaboration with the Sri of administering Bodirajaramaya Panagoda, in the hospital corridor, waiting for Fernando. The Speaker then gave the being treated as a Range Bandara went on to say that presented, Siyambalapitiya has cause. Minister by the President, the Lanka Army, was able to roll both doses of Army Hospital Narahenpita, their chance to occupy a bed in the microphone to Bathiudeen. the Abeywardene will be in charge of mentioned in the letter. Much has been said about the on-going strike by Japanese Government had out the second dose of the Kotelawala Defence Hospital wards which had been filled to Both President Gotabaya Rajapaksa respondent but the Southern Province, while party The Government, meanwhile, teachers since early July 2021 with Cabinet agreed to send across 728,460 Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, vaccines to at and Sri Lanka Army Medical capacity. and Prime Minister Mahinda only as a witness, Assistant Leader Akila Viraj decided to postpone taking up the Minister Keheliya Rambukwella calling them doses of AstraZeneca vaccines after its arrival on Saturday least 50 per cent Corps, Werahera. Meanwhile, a few patients alleged Rajapaksa were present in the Kariyawasam will be in charge of the General Sir John Kotelawala National kalakanni, which briefly translates to useless/ to the country which would (31), to members of the public Meanwhile, Regional that even bodies of COVID-19 dead Chamber when he was speaking. due to which he North-Western and North-Central Defence University (KNDU) Bill for worthless group, and gave momentum to teachers’ enable scores who had received who were kept waiting for over of the population Epidemiologist of the Colombo had been placed in the hospital “I was arrested in April and after was led to believe Provinces, and that the factions will debate in Parliament on Friday (6), campaign. Rambukwella however, later clarified its first dose to receive the six months. here before the Municipal Council (CMC), corridor, without disposing it, which that I was questioned for only five be separated into these provinces. Minister Chamal Rajapaksa informed that his statement was taken out of context. second dose as well. The Health Ministry’s Dr.Dinuka Guruge, said could also be a serious health risk to days. Following this, nothing has that no Ratnayake remarked that following Parliament. The Government on the other hand said they Furthermore, with the Epidemiology Unit by end April end of this 88,000 Colombo City dwellers all concerned. happened until now. There is no recommendations the party’s anniversary, members Rajapaksa said so in response to a cannot provide instant solutions to this 24-year- coordination of the three 2021 had administered month. Around awaited the second dose of They also charged that toilet probe against me. I am not lying. You should focus on forming constituency question raised by UNP MP Ranil old salary anomaly and will take it for Armed Forces, a 24-hour 925,242 jabs as the vaccine’s AstraZeneca. However, to facilities at the Ragama Hospital were can come and see whether I am lying. would be made groups and conducting a Media Wickremesinghe. consideration at the next Budget preparation as it vaccination drive was initiated first dose, after Sri Lanka 5,000 soldiers of ensure that the relevant also not up to the standard and when When I asked why I was arrested, the against him and campaign, and everyone agreed. Wickremesinghe queried whether requires over Rs 50 billion in funds. at Viharamahadevi Park in received its first consignment section of the public who contacted regarding the allegations OIC said it was due to a telephone Wickremesinghe asked the Minister the Bill would be taken up for debate However, this is the first time teachers engaged Colombo to administer the of COVID-19 vaccines from the the SL Army are received their first dose of the the Director of the Hospital, Dr. conversation between me and then that no material of Health about the COVID-19 in Parliament on Friday (6). in this kind of strike in Sri Lanka ever since formal second jab of the AstraZeneca Government of India. The engaged in vaccine between February and Liyanage Ranasinghe had this to say Ministry Secretary Balasubramaniam. will be collected to situation in the country during a The Minister said the Government education was introduced. More often than not, vaccine. country received a total of May received the recommended “Our Hospital is the only Teaching That telephone call only lasted for Parliamentary Session on Tuesday, hopes to postpone the debate on the they have expressed their solidarity with the Also similar centres were set 500,000 doses of the Oxford- carrying out this second dose, the CMC would Hospital available in the entire about one and a half minutes. That his detriment and requested that the Ministry of Bill, giving the public more time to on-going trade union actions by other professions up in Colombo, Gampaha and AstraZeneca Covishield vaccine undertaking provide the vaccine only on Gampaha District. For over a year was the only reason behind my Health submit a report on COVID-19 express their views on the matter. in the past. We have witnessed generations of Kalutara to roll out the second on 28 January 2021 as a ‘appointment basis,’ she now the number of COVID-19 infected arrest.” when the Parliament meets on Ranil goes to courts teachers who join sick-note campaigns by applying dose of the AstraZeneca donation from the Government while they are stressed. The date, time and patients being admitted here had Then the microphone was taken Tuesdays every week, as other leave and would still come to the classroom to vaccine. of India. Since then, the backed by 50 venue would be given then, shown a marked increase and we away from him. Bathiudeen requested Governments do in other parts of the UNP MP Ranil Wickremesinghe has teach students to cover the syllabus on time. This Under the President’s country purchased another Dr. Guruge added. decided to set aside 10 of our wards more time, but the Speaker denied his world. filed a Writ Application, before the is because teachers considered their role as a supervision, during the past 500,000 doses of the specialist doctors However,due to a sudden for treatment. Our Wards 26 and 30 request. During the four days that Court of Appeal, seeking an order, in service and not necessarily as a mere employment. week, Sri Lanka had taken the AstraZeneca jab which arrived and 300 doctors spike in COVID-19 cases, some have been allocated towards the Fernando: “I request the Speaker to Parliament was in session, the nature of a Writ of Certiorari, We completely disagree with anyone who refers lead globally in the on 25 February 2021 and hospitals have reached treatment of these patients who are continue the proceedings. Bathiudeen Wickremesinghe visited Parliament quashing the recommendations made to teachers as worthless group. In fact, we still administration of COVID-19 received another 264,000 more maximum capacity, and have admitted here daily. We categorise is speaking about Balasubramaniam. and met members of the Government against him, by the Presidential would like to look at teachers as divine souls. vaccines. doses of the same under the been forced to declare an these patients under three segments Where is that person now?” day the domestic aide was subjected and Opposition. A group of new MPs Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) Therefore, we request the President Gotabaya As part of this rapid COVAX facility on 7 March Epidemiology Unit decided to emergency by mid-week. and they are all subjected to rapid The inquiry into the death of the to burn injuries in an attempt to also briefed Wickremesinghe about appointed to probe political Rajapaksa and PM Mahinda Rajapaksa-led vaccination drive by mid this 2021. However, with India’s mix and match vaccines owing Most hospitals have run out antigen tests. Following this, those 16-year-old domestic aide, who died indicate she set herself ablaze. Ministers’ and MPs’ attempts to have victimisation of Public officials during Government to look at every possibility of fulfilling month at least one individual rising number of COVID cases, to the crisis. Thereby, a of the facilities available to who show minor symptoms are at the residence of SJB MP Rishad Parties discuss KNDU Bill speeches delivered in Parliament to be the tenure of the former Government. the teachers’ demand to resolve their salary from the population here would and the fire that erupted at the decision was taken to treat COVID-19 infected advised to undergo home quarantine. Bathiudeen, has now shifted to a given to the heads of Media Wickremesinghe, who is the former anomalies and give whatever other perks due to have received at least a solitary Serum Institute, India was administer the Pfizer vaccine to people, and sources said due to Any other patients who show serious phrase reportedly written by her, in UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe organisations. Prime Minister, said he was them. dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. unable to send more vaccines those who awaited the second a sudden spike in people symptoms are sent to hospitals the room she was residing, according visited UNP Headquarters to meet When Wickremesinghe said, “A summoned to the PCoI and after However, we would also like to emphasise the The officials are looking to to Sri Lanka. dose of Oxford-AstraZeneca, infected with COVID situated in areas such as Kandana to Police. academics from the Federation of relative of mine owns a Media outlet, having attended, he was informed need of stringent regulations or a strong system to complete the task of The Epidemiology Unit was amid doubts regarding pneumonia the ICU facilities and Minuwangoda. The remaining The phrase, ‘En Sawukku Karanam,’ University Teachers’ Associations so I need to ask if we can obtain that he was not being treated as a ensure that teachers are paying fullest attention to administering both doses of only able to vaccinate 385,885 immunity levels that this had also become scarce. patients are admitted to Ward 7 and translates to ‘The reason for my (FUTA) to discuss the Kotelawala another newspaper to fulfil these respondent but only as a witness, due each child in their class, syllabus is covered on vaccines to at least 50 per cent second doses of the Oxford- section of the population may Hence, health authorities they are sent there depending on the death’. Police said officials, including National Defence University Bill. demands,” the crowd burst out to which he was led to believe that no time and exams are held in a manner to assess of the population here before AstraZeneca Covishield have against the Coronavirus, warned the rate of deaths from number of beds.” the Government Analyst, are paying The professors initially pointed out laughing. recommendations would be made child’s knowledge and not how good they are at the end of this month. vaccine, by 23 July 2021, after the lapse of several the illness could increase Bathiudeen’s privileges close attention to it. the imperfections of Sri Lanka’s Other passers-by joined the crowd against him and that no material will reciting what was poured into them. Every child Around 5,000 soldiers of the leaving 539,357 persons months. alarmingly in the coming days As a result, despite the fact that the university education system and how in laughter as a group of politicians be collected to his detriment. should be taught equally at schools and only at SL Army are engaged in awaiting the arrival of more Health Minister Pavithra and weeks. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on phrase is written in Tamil language, it it needed to adapt to the modern clapped in the lobby. They also spoke He added that in such school with a system to pay special attention to carrying out this undertaking vaccines to obtain the second Wanniarachchi, addressing the It is further claimed the Wednesday (4) visited Parliament and contains English letters and she had world, to which Wickremesinghe with Wickremesinghe about the circumstance, he gave evidence and children who would be considered as ‘weak’ while they are backed by 50 dose of the Oxford-AstraZeneca gathering on Saturday (31) impending COVID-19 situation attended proceedings. used a pen. responded by explaining how COVID-19 problem and the economic no charges or complaint was served compared to others in the class. specialist doctors and 300 vaccine. The Sri Lankan said, “There was a large crowd could also seriously and He arrived in Parliament at around The Police, CID, and Government university education has changed in crisis, as well as the fertilizer issue. against him, and that the nature of In fact, we want a system to end a vicious cycle doctors. Government and the in the Western Province hoping adversely affect the staff of 11:15 a.m. and was escorted to the Analyst are all conducting South Asia and Europe. Members of the Government and the complaints against him, if any, that has been created by teachers over the years Chamber by Leader of the House investigations to see if the phrase was The discussion was followed by a Opposition praised Wickremesinghe’s were not disclosed. that have left almost every family in the country in Dinesh Gunawardena, along with written before or after the death, and debate on the Bill, during which the remarks in Parliament on Thursday, Wickremesinghe stated that a worthless situation. State Ministers Kanchana Wijesekera if it was written to deceive the lecturers discussed the likelihood of saying he had clarified the country’s thereby, the recommendations, made Many may have not yet realised how the income and Indika Anuruddha. investigations. university militarisation as well as the true condition. Due to the current in relation to him, contained in the of each family was put at risk, interestingly and The President then entered the After getting treatment for 12 days establishment of private schools and emergency, he urged Parliament to report are vitiated by bias and is in unfortunately by the acts of teachers and the Chamber accompanied by Prime at the Colombo National Hospital, the higher education institutions under pass a budget for COVID-19 expenses breach of his legitimate expectation. education system over the years. Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa. 16-year-old girl died of serious burn this university, as well as their and to eliminate the import of “The Anti-Corruption Committee In order to excel in exams in this competitive He remained in the Chamber until injuries on 15 July. She had been opposition to the bill. pharmaceuticals and medical and the Secretariat was established education system where teachers, over the years, around 12:00 noon during the Oral sexually assaulted for a long time, The leader, who was interested in equipment from the procurement consequent to the approval of the have failed to teach the full syllabus to students, a Questions Round. according to the post-mortem report. hearing the perspectives of the procedure. Cabinet of Ministers while culture of tuition was created. Today, parents are During his stay in the Chamber, the A few schoolbooks that had been lecturers, allowed the party Wickremesinghe also told the expenditure was made according to taking their children to tuition classes from President was seen in a deep used by Ishalini were submitted to the Chairman, Vajira Abeywardena, to Parliament that they are waiting to law,” he said adding that the said Grade I or even at Kindergarten level. It is pathetic conversation with the Prime Minister, Government Analyst for handwriting convey the party’s viewpoints, see what happens now. Secretariat only provided a that the same teacher, who failed to teach the full Gunawardena and Minister Johnston analysis. explaining how the decision to SLFP writes to President mechanism for expeditious syllabus at the school classroom, give it best to the Fernando. This was following the discovery of a establish the KNDU and its objective investigation and disposal of children who come to the tuition class. Meanwhile, a tense situation phrase written on the wall of her came about. In light of the controversy complaints and did not in any way In their bid to make sure their children are not erupted in Parliament when Chief cooped-up room. Wickremesinghe noted that, the surrounding the KNDU Bill, the Sri contribute to a legal impediment to left behind and educated well the parents are Opposition Whip Lakshman Kiriella They said in her phrase the victim Government wanted the Bill to be Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), one of the direct invocation of the powers of committed to send them to tuition classes where alleged that SJB MP Rishad had stated “the reason for my death.” brought in quickly and passed the Government’s key factions, any authority. half of their income is invested in. With having to Bathiudeen’s parliamentary privileges According to the Police, the victim had quickly. “The Government did not go formed a committee chaired by Further it was stated that the shuttle between schools and tuition classes have been violated, as he has been written her comment in English, for a vote on the KNDU Bill in the face Deputy Speaker Ranjith relevant authorities, including the parents, especially mothers are left with little time detained for over 100 days without denoting a Tamil meaning, and hence of opposition from all parties and, at Siyambalapitiya to analyse the Bill Police, Attorney General’s Department to concentrate on their jobs or in preparing charges. they had decided to hand over books the end of the debate, the Government and suggest revisions. and the Judiciary investigated healthy meals to feed children and family. Instead, “Why was he arrested in the first that had been used by the deceased had to agree to the UNP’s proposal to The party consulted the SLFP complaints and took decisions to junk food or fast food is considered the easiest place? Now he is being detained on for inspection by the Government return the Bill to the Committee on Parliamentary Group as well as a prosecute and carry out prosecutions option to match the busy life of both children and Detention Orders. There are no Analyst. Higher Education to obtain further number of other stakeholders before in all cases and that he did not parents. This has led to a nation of an unhealthy charges filed against him either. The The Police believe that following recommendations,” reaching an agreement on the KNDU interfere with the investigations or the generation. Court was ready to hear his case on handwriting analysis by the The academics then praised Bill. authorities. A recent survey among 5-18 year olds in urban four occasions, but it was postponed. Government Analyst A, they would be Wickremesinghe’s vision for university The SLFP made a copy of its letter to He stated that such Sri Lanka showed an obesity prevalence of 10.3% This is a violation of parliamentary able to determine whether the education and thanked him for the President and published, which recommendations could affect his and overweight prevalence of 11.3%. privileges. According to the comment had been written by the standing with the UNP and FUTA’s was signed by Siyambalapitiya. legal rights, and/or his reputation It is no doubt that Sri Lanka’s education system parliamentary privileges, the Speaker deceased or someone else to lead opinion. A university lecturer claimed Accordingly, the committee’s letter adding that findings are ultra vires needs sweeping reforms; it needs to drop some should have been informed as to why investigators on a wild-goose chase. that this conversation had improved to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on 3 the powers and mandate of the practices stemming from colonial times; it should a particular MP was arrested.” The brother of maid Ishalini says his team’s expertise. August said that the SLFP would Commission. be updated to match long strides taken by Leader of the House Dinesh that his sister had studied up to He stated that they discussed the support the proposed KNDU Bill if the It was further stated in the Petition education systems adopted by other countries Gunawardena, who intervened at this Grade VII at the Tamil MV, same issue with other party leaders, Government met the party’s four that thereby there is a complete such as Japan and Finland; it is a must to point, stressed that as the matter Puwakpitiya, Avissawella. but that those leaders dropped their conditions, the most important of violation of the rules of Natural reassess our syllabus, understand the psyche of related to Bathiudeen is sub judice, it The victim’s brother said according heads and simply agreed, adding that which was to keep KNDU within the Justice and no proper hearing was children and so the list goes on. should not be discussed further. to his knowledge his late sister had Wickremesinghe offered fresh points State university system. given to him thereby making the However, in the same vein, we also need to “I have the right to disturb you. It is not been versed in English, to write to their knowledge with which they Their first suggestion was that recommendations unreasonable, reassess the role of our teachers; while giving the a sub judice matter. We cannot stop anything in that language. can proceed. KNDU be placed under the University irrational, arbitrary and with no profession the respect and the recognition it an investigation against an MP. The He added that he cannot comment Following a conversation with the Grants Commission (UGC), the basis. deserves, we also need to focus attention on Speaker has given permission for him further on anything that had been professors, Wickremesinghe second was that those outside the Wickremesinghe thereby also producing quality teachers, who will not join the to attend Parliamentary Sittings.” written on the wall of the room where summoned party officials to discuss military be admitted based on Z-Score requested for an interim order service as a last resort after failed attempts of job Speaker Mahinda Yapa his sister had lived. the 75th UNP Convention, which will rankings, the third was to take into suspending the operation of the hunting in other more lucrative sectors, for the Abeywardena: “I have been informed Bathiudeen, meanwhile, used be held on 6 September and the account that undergraduates had to findings contained in the report love of shaping future minds. that Bathiudeen was arrested along Parliament Privileges to explain events discussion were joined by pay for their education at KNDU and against him until the final with some facts related to that. I have that took place at his house on the Abeywardena, Party General make arrangements to provide them determination of the Petition. A10 sunday 8 august 2021 interview Give Me the Mandate to Implement 13A – Douglas Devananda

Fisheries Minister commissioned by the Sri Lankan Douglas Devananda has Government and it’s for purely economic reasons. On geopolitical been struggling to enter grounds both India and China may have their own agendas but Sri Lanka ‘clean politics’ while should not give room for their representing the Tamils agendas. We need to balance them, is my view. They are worried about their of the North and East, security and they have the right to but his dreams have beef up their security. never been realised. He What happened to the three says the Tamil people solar power projects by the Chinese to be implemented have always been misled in the Northern Province? and turned against him The bids were called and India and by Tamil politicos, which China were the bidders. The Chinese is why he has no bidders won and the projects were awarded to them. India was not the mandate to implement top bidder it means they were ‘not up what he thinks is right to the mark’. However, the Government has halted the procedure for the Tamil people. over a technical fault. Most probably “When I returned from the Indians will get the project. I also feel that the project should be given to India I came to be part of India and that is my stance. There is a the national efforts in technical default in the Chinese tender. building reconciliation How can such faults be and was committed to Democratic Party (EPDP), for the your meal, another person cannot eat blaze while they were setting fires. As I detected after winning the my moral obligations for last 30 years, has reiterated that we it for you. told before, the Tamil people should bid? the Tamils, but the Tamil will resolve the political aspirations have given me the mandate, and had of the Tamils. However, as soon as Well you were also a Cabinet they done that, we would have been in It is said, I have no more polity did not allow me.” the polls were announced, the other Minister before. Why didn’t a different level in terms of development information on that. political parties in the North were you implement it? and prosperity. A single Cabinet In an exclusive interview sure that issues will be resolved if The Tamil people voted for others to Minister cannot bring about changes. I Did the Government give with Ceylon Today the the people voted for the EPDP; lead the community. It is them who joined the Government because I want permission for a private which was taboo for them. They should implement it. national reconciliation between all and Chinese company to engage Minister shared his wanted the problems to continue to inculcate the understanding between in sea cucumber farming in You could have joined the opinions on local politics, without any solutions so that they southerners and northerners. I’m doing the Northern Province? can have a say over the people. Government, taken advantage all that I can as the Minister of geopolitics and the They cry sour grapes because they of the situation and made 13A Fisheries. Beginning of 2017, there had been a fishermen’s issue. don’t have the capabilities to solve a reality? contract signed between China and the issue, neither do they want to What is the role of the newly Sri Lanka; two private parties for a Excerpts of the interview: solve the issue. No. People did not give me the appointed Chief Secretary joint venture. The former good mandate to implement it. In 2008, the of the Northern Province, governance Government had issued India also wants the PC polls By Sulochana Ramiah Mohan Eastern Provincial polls were held and in Saman Bandulasena? the licenses. The company obtained a to be held and for 13A to be 2013 the Northern Province polls were four blocks of land for the hatchery on implemented so that Tamils held which are partly of the 13A. But It’s was the President’s decision to a lease. They started the nursery In Are you in favour of the will have equality, justice, the rest were not handled well. appoint him. If his appointment is Ariyalai. But the Chinese company Government holding the misused or exploited, I will not turn a could not reap the benefits. So they peace and dignity within Can it be implemented now? pending Provincial Council a united Sri Lanka. What’s blind eye. I will correct the mistake or approached the Gowadarimunai (PC) elections? I will not blame successive will bring someone new to that fisher community and with their your take? Governments on 13A. It’s our mistake. position. There are Chief Secretaries support, they started a trial farm. It is It should be held on time; We need to seek an internal solution Once we found fault with the system in all Provinces, by the way. a Chinese investment; running with respecting democracy and the and it is not India or the intentional and then demanded PC and the 13A their technical know-how. It turned to rights of the people. But with the community that can solve it. They are and led a struggle to achieve it. It is us What do you think of the be good and we are thinking of current pandemic and the spread of acting like midwives trying to deliver who misused the opportunity. People geopolitical scenario Sri expanding sea cucumber farming. the virus, it is causing concerns. So other countries’ babies as theirs. We say we need a political solution and this Lanka is in while located in The license will be issued to local we need to analyse the situation. have to deliver our own babies. The (13A) is the political solution and we a strategic position: Do you fisher societies. My view is that it should be held Tamil politicos acting like surrogate need to take it forward by holding PC consider China, U.S., India Are the Chinese only when the time comes. mothers using those midwives to polls. If we want to swim we should get and Japan have a better deliver babies for us says that they into the water. conducting trials and Is the Government ready are incapable of delivering their own understanding with us? teaching how to run sea to hold the PC polls, post babies. All these years the So, what is your proposal There are conflicts between China cucumber farms? While the pandemic? international community had been now? and India but Sri Lanka is a tiny solar power project is on They are exploring how to hold PC saying the same thing, but why didn’t I need the mandate of the Tamil people island, we need to embrace all hold due to India’s concerns, elections. There are around 300 PC they do it? It is because the Tamil to implement it. I’m anticipating it. I can countries for investment. In this members in the country and there politicos disliked it. do it if people are willing to cast their context, China has come to support wouldn’t the Chinese in the is a colossal expenditure involved in votes and support me with more seats in us with mega project and looking to north create tension too? holding PC polls. When Mahinda Shouldn’t the majority of the Northern Provincial Council. I have benefit from them, too, at the same We need investment. We have also Rajapaksa was in power he held all the country approve the reiterated this stance for many years. time. They are not going give anything called India to invest in projects. the elections promptly but ones who implementation of PCs and for free. They came here seeking to postponed it was the Yahapalanaya 13A? Why are Tamils rejecting make revenue, gain benefits Did you call India for sea Government. The environment we you if you want to do a noble geopolitically. As we take loans from cucumber investment? are in now is not conducive for The 13A is in our Constitution. So service to them? China, there are commitments No, it’s for many other projects. polls. why should we go to the majority to Some are in the habit of pulling the endorsed too. Once the loan is settled, They always say they will come but get a mandate? The 13A had nothing strings and stirring an anti-EPDP we retake the commitment we have they don’t show up. India was invited However, Minister Public to do with the Sinhala majority. It is stance. During those two polls in the with them. There is a give and take to start aquaculture programmes and Security, Retd Admiral already a law. It is in our hands. From North and East I told the people, “If you policy. Even the U.S. has to engage in development projects but Sarath Weerasekara was 1987, the 13A mandate is in our give me the mandate, we will promptly acknowledged China’s growth despite they are not yet ready but only of the view of scrapping hands. How did we get it? We got it solve the Tamil issue”, but others have their conflict. interested in sending those Indian through our Tamil struggle and been instigating against me. In 1990, I bottom trawlers. the PC polls if the people However, India has upped didn’t want it, which raised sacrifices. LTTE leader Prabhakaran returned from India, without migrating. got the mandate but he discarded it I returned because I was a senior its maritime security due to There are speculations that concerns among the public. for his political goals. Then the EPRLF member of the struggle. I came back China’s strong presence in the Chinese are in the habit What are your thoughts? with Varatharaja Perumal and Suresh because I had a moral right to Sri Lanka and recently and of registering businesses but The Tamil leadership past and Premachandran had it but they implement many things that the people Indian Air Force chopper in fact, they are operating present were not willing to resolve exploited the mandate. So there is no had lost. I wanted to join the democratic flew over the Manner basin though front companies run the Tamil people’s issues so they link whatsoever to the Sinhala path, to enter Parliamentary democracy, by Sri Lankans, is that true? can be re-elected again and again majority. It was the Government of to engage in national reconciliation path. with a top Air Force officer. while pointing out the same Sri Lanka and India that signed the I wanted to find a solution. Prabhakaran These are new security China is buying our sea cucumber problems. They growl only when the Pact and the Pact is active. called it treachery including those who measures taken by India. and no one else. We need to exploit polls are close by and stir negative were part of the struggle but later turned What’s your reaction this market to strengthen sentiments among the people. When Then why is it not to politics, namely the; Tamil Congress, regarding this new kind livelihoods. It’s a good business. we held PC elections in the implemented? You were also Thamilar Viduthalai Kootani, and the of threat India is seeing Only few Chinese are in the North. Northern Province, the TNA and with the same Government Illankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi, whose because Sri Lanka has China is only doing business with other politicos said that the before and why did not you leaders were killed by Prabharkaran. So embraced China? locals and they are working under national problem cannot be implement it? in fear, they all supported Prabhakran the Ministry of Fisheries. If they are resolved at the polls. They were on selfish grounds. We wanted to take No one should fear China’s Port City upto some mischief then I will watch against it. We the Eelam People’s If you are hungry you should eat the democratic path and douse the in Sri Lanka because it is over them. focus sunday 8 august 2021 A11 Ministry of Energy releases outline map for oil and gas exploration Tapping into Sri Lanka’s Untouched Petroleum Resources By Thameenah Razeek

The Ministry of Energy recently released the outline map of the Petroleum Resources Exploration Blocks for Issuance of Petroleum Resources Exploration and Development Permits and Combined Studies in Sri Lanka. The announcement was published in the Gazette on 22 July. According to the Ministry of Energy, the Petroleum Resources Development Secretariat created these maps to include regions identified and explored for oil and gas resources currently in Sri Lankan territorial seas. This map has 873 blocks, including 15x15 km of small blocks that will aid investors in choosing places for gas and oil exploration. Sri Lanka’s three Offshore Basins Where is oil and gas? Geological cross-section: Mannar Basin discoveries so far Director General of Petroleum Resources Development Secretariat (PRDS),Surath Ovitigama said that the presence of oil and gas is considered deep underground, beneath the seabed, in the seas all around Sri Lanka, and that these offshore areas are primarily characterised as three separate geological ‘basins’ based on how they were formed millions of years ago. These are the Cauvery Basin to the north-west and north, the Mannar Basin to the west and south-west, and the Lanka Basin to the north-east and south-west. The Director General noted that the PRDS has maintained a block map accurately demarcating separate areas by Global Positioning System (GPS) Udaya Gammanpila Surath Ovitigama coordinates in order to manage oil and gas exploration activity on behalf of the start. Gammanpila said his Ministry than a decade through international Government of Sri Lanka. will call for open bids in order to select exposure and expert guidance. In the international oil and gas investors for oil and gas exploration Minister Gammanpila commented on industry, the general practice in adding that if an investor is successful this, stating that a lack of expertise in demarcating blocks has been to size it in a slot created by the Sri Lankan the field was one of the reasons why relatively, based on the amount of data Government, the investor will receive previous plans to explore for oil and gas available. As a result, the larger the 70 per cent of the authority over the failed. He acknowledged the Director block size, the less data available, and explored gas or oil, while the Sri General’s statement and said that they this was clearly reflected in their Lankan Government will receive 30 per are confident in the current expertise previous block map, which was used cent. with which they are dealing. from 2011 to July 2021. He said that this is a worldwide norm However, in order to systematically Previously, oil companies preferred that Sri Lanka is willing to embrace in build local confidence and competence, larger exploration areas to increase order to achieve long-term development the proposed new Petroleum Resources their chances of success. and prosperity. Act includes a provision for the However, by 2021, he claimed that According to Ovitigama, it potentially establishment of a ‘National Oil and both Sri Lanka and the oil and gas represents a 20+ year contract worth Gas Operating Company,’ which would industry will have advanced,“We have over a billion USD, and awarding these be a joint venture partner to more data across a larger area, contracts has been a complex, international oil companies investing in including two gas discoveries, while the expensive, and drawn-out process. As a Sri Lanka. industry’s technology is much more result, PRDS intends to depart from the sophisticated and allows for more convention of traditional bid rounds Technical expertise targeted exploration. We’ve also noticed and offer newly demarcated blocks In terms of technical assistance, over the years that potential investors continuously under ‘Joint Study’ Ovitigama stated that at this early have different areas on the map they’d contracts. The Joint Study contract stage, Sri Lanka requires foreign like to explore”. essentially amounts to a two-year technical expertise in almost all aspects Furthermore, the COVID-19 exploration and study programme in of oil and gas exploration and Hydrocarbon Exploration Block Map of Sri Lanka pandemic has decimated available collaboration with the Government. production. exploration budgets, forcing oil If the exploration results are Seismic data processing, the country’s quick and early success Lanka could not even guarantee to an companies to be much more selective in promising at the end of this period, the interpretation, data management, field with the Mannar Basin discoveries in investor that the country was where they invest; he added that a new investor may negotiate with the and infrastructure development, 2011, the majority of Sri Lanka’s committed to transitioning from coal and still under-explored region like Sri Government for a ‘Development subsea applications, oil and gas offshore acreage was still not and liquid fuels to natural gas. Lanka must therefore be more creative License’ to bring the oil and gas processing, drilling technologies, sufficiently explored to reduce The third constraint was the Activity and flexible in investment offering. discoveries to production. If not, they reservoir engineering, petroleum investment risk. Unlike Cairn Energy, Constraints: an out-of-date exploration Similarly, Minister of Energy Udaya may hand over the data and return the economics, petroleum law, and so on no other oil company was willing to block map and only complex and long- Gammanpila said that when oil and gas block to the Government, which is then are examples. take such a risk during the industry’s term contracts (of 20 years or more) exploration first started, investors free to re-market. prolonged downturn. As a result, a available in our Mannar and Cauvery found it difficult to mine due to the He also stated that plans are being The Firsts major impediment was a lack of Basins. enormous blocks that were introduced made for an international marketing Speaking of the past and the day we sufficient data. When asked how confident he is in at the time. As a result, he believes that campaign to inform the industry about began to search for gas and oil, he However, there were many structural the project that will begin after the introducing more than 800 blocks will these new opportunities in Sri Lanka explained that Sri Lanka first began oil issues in the legal, fiscal, policy, and mapping of oil and gas exploration, he help to attract investors. prior to the Government calling for exploration in the late 1950s, which regulatory framework highlighted by noted that several renowned oil The PRDS reviewed international Expressions of Interest (EOI), and that continued intermittently until the mid- potential investors that needed to be companies are already waiting in the block demarcation practices, consulted this will be done for both oil and gas 1980s, and exploration was then addressed before moving forward, wings until the new Petroleum Act is in potential investors and exploration exploration. limited to shallow sea areas in the which he classified as ‘Above Ground place and when Sri Lanka’s partners, and considered economic and Investors and Explorers to north-west due to technological issues.’ international marketing begins. industry trends in order to create a new limitations at the time. As Ovitigama explained, taking Contingency Plans block map for Sri Lanka, which was examine However, there were signs of oil and advantage of the lull in exploration gazetted on 22 July, 2021. gas, but the technology was not yet activity by the global oil and gas “We have previously made two gas The PRDS redrew the map using Fortunately, Sri Lanka has been able mature enough for further exploration industry during the COVID-19 discoveries that will be subject to a much smaller blocks on a 15 x 15 km2 to persuade any investors or explorers and analysis. According to Director pandemic, the Ministry of Energy and specific marketing campaign to attract grid pattern. The primary goal is to give to visit the Sri Lankan basins and General, the modern era of exploration the PRDS have worked tirelessly over a reputable, experienced, and oil companies the flexibility to group examine these blocks. All of these new began in 2001 and culminated in two the past year to resolve almost all competent deep-water operator to these smaller blocks together to match strategies, according to Ovitigama, were gas discoveries in a deep water (1.5 km remaining ‘above-ground’ obstacles expedite production. The PRDS, like all their targeted areas for exploration, developed in consultation with potential water depth) Mannar Basin block in through a National Policy of Natural previous exploration activity, imposes rather than taking on large areas, with investors, as well as PRDS and Minister 2011. Gas and the proposed new Pegasus stringent health, safety, and their limited exploration budgets. This Gammanpila. In 2013, Sri Lanka also hosted an oil pipeline. Through their multi-client environment requirements and also benefits the Government because “We also have a partner in the top and gas symposium, which drew the partners and data licensing monitoring. These include it encourages more potential investors oilfield services company for multi- majority of the world’s top oil and gas agreements, the PRDS has been international standard Emergency to explore in a smaller area, resulting in client data acquisition and data operators at the time. Around 30 oil continuously improving the National Response Plans and Pollution faster data acquisition and more marketing. Because of their reputation companies have studied the Sri Lankan Petroleum Database. All of this comes Prevention Plans, which are revenue and opportunities for Sri and international reach, they have petroleum data in total. at no cost to the Sri Lankan implemented and tested prior to Lanka. already piqued the interest of several Why couldn’t we just keep Government. operations beginning. The PRDS has Proceeding with the new major oil companies in entering Sri Recognising the flaws consistently collaborated with our Lankan oil and gas exploration in the it going? environmental protection agencies, the approach near future,” he said. Commenting on what happened to tri-forces, and local communities to However, the problem is that if we the old system and what needs to be ensure complete alignment on When asked how they plan to proceed Insufficient competence had good plans before, why couldn’t fixed, Ovitigama stated that one of the priorities,” he said. with this approach in the future, he When asked if we have enough we follow through on them? He key factors is leadership, which has Finally, he concluded saying that emphasised that traditionally, oil and competence, or if any country has explained the first issue as the Cairn increased their confidence in exploring and producing our own oil gas exploration blocks in Sri Lanka offered to do the exploration, he Energy withdrawal, stating that exploration, adding that PRDS were and gas resources would be a game were offered on a Production Sharing stressed that because this is a new despite exploration success and an not always led by experienced changer for Sri Lanka. Even without a Contract (PSC) basis through periodic industrial sector for Sri Lanka, we do investment of more than USD 250 professionals from the international global pandemic, the path to achieving bid rounds. According to PSC not have enough competence to million, Cairn Energy’s new parent oil and gas industry. Mutual trust, this is difficult, and it necessitates a regulations, these blocks are licensed to perform this type of high-risk capital company withdrew from all foreign professionalism, and confidence long-term, systematic, and professional investors for a period of three to eight E&P programmes on our own without operations, including Sri Lanka, in building among peers are critical in strategy with the unwavering support of years via an ‘Exploration Licence.’ international expertise. 2015, at the height of a massive the global oil and gas industry. the entire Government and the public. However, in the event of a commercial It was noted that the PRDS’s role is to downturn in the global oil and gas The second issue was the gas policy: “The PRDS, for its part, is committed discovery, oil and/or gas production promote and regulate this sector, for industry. There was no national policy on the use to carrying out the mandate in a safe, terms for a ‘Development Licence’ are which they have a team of competent The second problem that has arisen of natural gas, nor was there a domestic sustainable, and beneficial manner for also negotiated and included from the officers who have been trained for more is a lack of data. He noted that, despite natural gas market, without which Sri all citizens of this country,” it said. A12 SUNDAY 8 AUGUST 2021 FOCUS Demystifying Abortions Ishani Ishani (25), firstly opposed legalising abortion, but once we explained the terms By Nabiya Vaffoor she thought it is extremely reasonable to legalise abortions Abortion or a termination of a pregnancy is a on those grounds. criminal offence in Sri Lanka, as set out in Section 306 “Yes, it is of the Penal Code. reasonable because a “Whoever, voluntarily causes a woman with child to sexually abused miscarry shall, if such miscarriage be not caused in victim’s future is insecure and good faith for the purpose of saving the life of the expecting them to take care of a baby woman, be punished with imprisonment of either just adds to the burden. It can ruin description for a term which may extend to three years, everyone’s future involving the or with fine, or with both; and if the woman be quick innocent baby. Why does the baby with child, shall be punished with imprisonment of have to face all the criticism as an either description for a term which may extend to seven illegitimate baby because of some years, and shall also be liable to fine.” heartless perpetrator? I don’t support However, the recent outbreak of increasing sexual illegal abortions, but if the abuses and rape cases involving minors, as well as Government takes steps to legalise it instances of serious foetal impairment, has brought on behalf of rape victims and for the topic of legalising abortions or termination of a serious foetal impairment I would pregnancy to the limelight again. definitely support it.” Therefore, Ceylon Today recently weighed public opinion on the topic, which is currently stirring society’s attention. (Pix by Laksiri Rukman) Mohommed Muzammil Tissa Ekanayake Kalinga de Silva Mohommed Tissa Ekanayake (60), society. They even face Kalinga de Silva diseases or that is much better to have Muzammil (59), is says abortions are backlash more than the (40), says abortion Sexually such things under a legal concerned about the important, as it would have predator which ruins the should be legalised Transmitted framework which can victim’s family and a huge impact on the future future of the victims. Some even if it’s not Infections’ because actually ease such the shame that they of the sexual abuse victim’s may emphasise the solution under such terms there are no situations and it will be will have to undergo life. It would at least spare of admitting them in a and condition standard much safer for future if the victim has to them being scarred, by centre, but even such because abortions sanitation generations.” take care of the baby getting rid of the unwanted solutions are questionable are anyway taking procedures When asked about the of the abuser. pregnancy. since the protection of these place even though followed in those religious leaders’ resistance, “Most of the time “I think it’s important to centres isn’t very convincing. they are illegal or illegal abortion Silva added that religions woman or the girl-child who gets legalise abortion on these Their life’s future would at not. centres.” are nothing but political subjected to sexual abuse reveals it to two terms, because victims least be uncomplicated by “Since its illegal, abortions He also argued that sex is props these days. her mother or a closest female relative. of sexual abuse fall into a getting rid of the unwanted take place without any a human necessity at a “If the religion is such an Anyway, the mother or the relative try crucial state in the eyes of pregnancy.” standards. There are places specific age and that important thing for the their best to hide it in order to protect where they use barbed wires youngsters tend to resort to citizens and they live the dignity of their family but if such for abortions, without it as the urge drives them to according to the ethics and incidents result in pregnancies they qualified doctors or any it. Even though it’s a teachings of the religions, have no other option, but to go for the Hashini Wathsala clinical facility. The woman physical, emotional, our country would be all the harmful illegal abortion clinics to stop who desperately undergoes biological need, yet there better for it. Religions are losing their dignity of their family, A 19-year-old since has lost her such dangerous procedures, isn’t any proper sexual nothing but political props therefore, it’s better to legalise teenager, Hashini right to education for whatever the reason, is education, whereby some these days. The politicians abortions in such cases. Most of these Wathsala, says, with the putting her life in severe have to face issues such as create controversies and use cases weren’t reported due to dignity “I’m 19 years old discrimination of danger. There are abortion unwanted pregnancies. them according to the and respect of the family, and the now, and facing an the society and cases which have caused “They might take extreme situation. None of these abused easily the victim, will have to interview today, but struck with the severe injuries in the womb decisions to secure their controversies were spoken get struck with the child and that can still I have to get my stigma of an and the victim has bled to future and end up paying Rs and solved after the lead to family members committing mother to unwanted death. There are cases 20,000 – 25,000 to an illegal elections or once they get suicide than having to face shame and accompany me for pregnancy inflicted where the victim will lose her abortion clinic and face their benefits. It’s the public criticism from society. If such things my safety because on her by the chance to become a mother much worse complications who suffer because of their were legal they would have a standard we are terrified by perpetrator in such again or pelvic inflammatory as I said before. Therefore, drama.” at least, and be safe.” listening to all the situation, that recent sexual abuses. It is proves that Wathsala was terrible how all the victims right, the fines, fall in to a very dreadful compensations and state in front of the whole imprisonment was never I.M.P. Jayasinghe society with unwanted even equivalent to the pregnancies. They were shame, criticism and However, 57-year-old I.M.P. Ambassador of a thing called not a valid reason to kill the looked down as if they are depression the victims go Jayasinghe vehemently country or a better unwanted foetus which was blessed to be criminals, but the actual through. opposed the idea of legalising social figure. We have pregnancy,” he born into the world. The child criminals were sometimes “Abortion may be abortions comparing it to cold no right to decide added. can turn out to be a beggar, let free since the legal considered as a murder in blooded murders. “We know whether it’s supposed “How many families robber or a politician later on, procedure to confirm the the womb, but in such such things happen but its to live or not.” who beg, living on the we can’t judge that. That’s how convict guilty takes a very circumstances that can better kept illegal. We as When Ceylon Today streets have children, the society is just because there long time and the fines, ruin many lives and leave country should not bear the questioned Jayasinghe they cannot even isn’t much facility doesn’t mean compensations and many helpless, therefore, it cost of a bigger crime such as about what if the child afford to get basic the child who was raised in imprisonment was never is reasonable to legalise in abortion by legalising it. gets discriminated first aid for any type shanties will end up becoming even equivalent to the the case of rape/sexual Actually, it is worse than because of the of illness but they a thief and the ones who rose in shame, criticism and abuse and in the case of murdering a fully grown man, unfortunate situation its aren’t dead. There are a better environment will end up depression the victims go serious foetal impairment. If it’s a harmless, helpless living mother went through and how majority of low wage earners being CEOs. Even those child through.” any organisation, party or foetus. This foetus no matter hard it can turn out to the who still live in shanties. Even rape cases occur because of According to what Government come up with a how it was created, it is waiting mother to take care of a child their children study well and carelessness of the victim’s Wathsala pointed out, programme to legalise to see the world it knows and raise it after facing such an get into better positions. The parents, that’s why they end up perpetrators get abortion under these terms, nothing and it hasn’t done unpleasant experience, woman might get in vulnerable situations, for if imprisonment of up to 20 It would help many women anything wrong to be killed. It Jayasinghe continued, “Such uncomfortable after going they were careful enough such years and or including fines to get out of this miserable might be an unwanted things don’t happen all alone. through such an unpleasant things won’t happen.” and compensations. But fate, I as a woman definitely pregnancy, but God knows At a point even the woman situation and yes it’s hard to He also added that abortion what if the victim was a support it without a second whether that foetus will be the stops resisting and lets it find a way of living and get the is not even an option in serious 13-year-old child, who thought,” Wathsala added. next President or an happen. So, there is no such life back to normal but that’s foetal impairment.

Anodhi Lakshani

Anodhi (36), thinks that Government and Judiciary sensational news. Some Lakshani (42), says on subjects that we cannot let opposing the final and is there to be a helping may ask is the ultimate the same topic: “It is the it overtake our cultures desperate solution; hand to the ones who need solution to stop unwanted weakness of our society and religions, but the abortion, that the victims aid. Victims of sexual pregnancies caused by that they can’t even get world is changing and the have, doesn’t help anyone. abuses and mothers who sexual harassment is to the most important thing needs of people changes “If there was as much as are suffering from find a way to stop sexual that we need to secure our society is not facing culture and spirituality in pregnancies with serious harassments. Indeed, it is the future for the next simple issues as if in old the society as the foetal impairments are the the ideal way but when generation at least. We times where the cultures politicians and religious ones who need this aid Ceylon Today spoke about could be considered as a and religions were created. leaders shout about right now. this topic many refused to society which is If legalising abortion is the unfortunate situations abusers and make a system Though sexual abusive even respond, after hearing backwards in terms of solution for illegal harmful such as sexual abuses to stop such unfortunate incidents occur every day the word ‘Sexual Abuse.’ this issue. This is a very basic abortions and brings justice for would not take place. If incidents”. the attention of the society How are we supposed to right that we may win according sexually abused victims and they are really concerned Societies are always a only turns when the victim fight against sexual abuse to civil rights, but all things have helpless mothers who have to about the culture so much, collective of various ideas was murdered or when the and demand for better been complicated by the citizens give birth to babies with serious they should amend the law and personalities. We suspect of the abuse is a solutions when we live in a because we had to include and foetal impairment knowing that and take severe and rapid cannot expect everyone to famous figure. But yet it society which even refuses make everything about religion, their baby might die, I would actions against the sexual agree on everything but the just fades away as to talk about it? culture and politics. There are definitely support that decision.” focus Sunday 8 august 2021 A13 Prosperity Through Innovation Taking a look at strides taken by SLIC to uplift local inventors

By Eunice Ruth spaces are a few constraints that with Panacea Solutions (Pvt) Ltd. occur in the implementation of the Panacea Solutions (Pvt) Ltd is the The Sri Lanka Inventors Commission inventions. Siemens Digital Industries Software (SLIC) provides technical, legal, and partner in Sri Lanka. The YIELD financial support for local inventors, by ‘Tea Talk’ programme consists of a school nurturing innovative ideas and The industrial sector in Sri Lanka is competition where schoolchildren will be gradually developing them up to a an effective way to make a direct invited to submit hand-drawn sketches practical level, and finally elevating contribution to the local economy. SLIC of their inventions and innovative them to a commercial-scale product, has focused on implementing effective product design ideas and convert them contributing to the national economy. innovation programmes aimed at the into digital computer-aided designs, When an idea is converted to an industrial sector and as its first phase, whereby they will be exposed to new invention, the invention needs to be the Commission is planning to launch a technologies and trained for the Fourth secured with intellectual property programme called 'Tea Talk' to address Industrial Revolution. rights by applying a patent and also issues affecting the tea industry, which The four incubation centres of SLIC further testing and development needs has a significant place in the local and SLIC Idea Incubation will get the to be done to convert them into a economy. While providing innovative industrial level Siemens Solid Edge CAD successful innovation. However, amidst solutions to the problems of the tea software free for a period of one year and the COVID-19 pandemic, with limited industry, steps are being taken to bring at a subsidised rate thereafter and human resources, the SLIC has those innovative solutions to market as technological support for the YIELD supported the inventors to reach this products. As a first step, Tea Talk programme will be provided free by process and to link up with various identifies technical issues affecting the Panacea Solutions (Pvt) Ltd. people as well as funding sources. industry with the involvement of According to the 2021 Progress industry insiders and then seeks to find ‘Nipayumani’ Young Report of SLIC, the commission has innovative solutions to these problems Inventors Clubs and collaboratively worked with several from inventors. ministries as well as many public and alarms will be automatically activated Those innovative solutions are judged People’s Bank Sponsorship private institutions, to uplift the depending on the distance of the by the intervention of experts in the field, The Young Inventors Club programme inventions of local inventors. Every elephant and possible HEC incidents. who work to improve the quality of the was initiated by SLIC in collaboration sector in the country needs innovation products on the contribution of the with the Ministry of Education (MOE) for their processes and it enhances ‘Zero to Hero’ Project Commission. It will then be directed to with the objective of creating an efficiency. Therefore, the SLIC links the The programme was implemented by the commercialisation process under innovative culture among private sector with the State sector to the Commission to turn inventors into the guidance of the Commission and the schoolchildren. People’s Bank joined bridge the existing gaps, by providing entrepreneurs and the aim of this series intervention of investors as well. hands with SLIC to strengthen the innovative ideas and inputs for further of programmes was to empower the innovative culture in Sri Lankan enhancement of their competitiveness local economy with local inventions. In ‘Sahasak Nimavum’ schools. As the first initiative, financial and sustainability at local and this process, arrangements were made Competition assistance of Rs 2 million for 200 School international markets. Thereby, several to find markets for inventors, to provide Young Inventor Clubs was allocated and projects were conducted by the print and electronic Media support for SLIC has organised the ‘Sahasak will benefit islandwide with financial aid Commission. the socialisation of the invention, and to Nimavum’ competition with the to innovative ideas from talented commercialise it by introducing this project is to supply electricity to the objectives of providing opportunities for student inventors for the betterment of Mitigating Human- inventions to the investors. National Grid. inventors to present their inventions at the innovative future of Sri Lanka. Elephant Conflict (HEC) an international level, while providing SLIC formed ‘Young Inventors Clubs’ Renewable Energy Project Waste Upcycling Project opportunities to meet investors, to build in all 39 Technical Colleges and more For over two decades, the Department SLIC is willing to implement a Currently, Sri Lanka produces up market demand, to win national than 270 School Young Inventor Clubs of Wildlife Conservation (DWC) has sustainable environmentally friendly 8,000 metric tonnes of waste per day awards, to share ideas of fellow by conducting awareness sessions in used almost all other solutions electricity generation system in and among them, 1,000 metric inventors, and to make good Polonnaruwa, Puttalam, and Ratnapura including electric fences to reduce collaboration with the Sri Lanka tonnes is produced by Gampaha relationships with each other, to obtain Districts in 2019 and set up 100 Young conflicts between humans and wildlife Sustainable Energy Authority and with District population. This number societal respect for the winning Inventor Clubs in the Southern and and all these were imported. The main Sri Lankan inventors. This task is has been significantly increasing inventions which have the potential for North Central Province in 2021. reason for this was the lack of high-tech based on renewable energy and due to the higher rate of commercialisation. SLIC relied solely on equipment manufactured locally to currently, the electricity requirement in urbanisation and population. A the State Treasury until 2019, but Agriculture Related meet such needs. However, with the Sri Lanka is around 37.7 GWh and 82 prompt solution is needed to generated income afterward. The Inventions intervention of SLIC, came the per cent out of the total requirement address this burning issue in order Commission has been able to generate introduction of locally produced comes from non-renewable energy to protect and manage the revenue by strengthening domestic SLIC is jointly involved with the inventions, such as elephant radio sources. Burning fossil fuel causes environment sustainably. SLIC has income through the registration of local Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) for a collars and multi-purpose electric global warming. The price of fossil fuel intended to provide a solution to this and foreign inventions of ‘Sahasak programme to evaluate agricultural energisers. is rising day by day because of its issue with the contribution of local Nimavum’ 2019 - 2020 Competitions. innovations and commercialise those The Commission guided and scarcity in nature. Renewable energy inventions. SLIC has collaborated Therefore, the Commission has been new inventions and innovations for facilitated Sri Lankan inventors to power plants are beneficial in many with the Waste Management able to assist the State Treasury in issues in the agriculture field. Five major locally manufacture the innovative ways and their installation cost and Authority (WMA-WP) to create a generating revenue. There were categories were considered in this remote sensing elephant collar with operating cost are very low. As it uses a platform for local inventors to make inventors from over 15 countries and programme and they are eco-friendly batteries and dual-frequency two-way renewable source of energy, there is a necessary trials and further 538 local inventors competed. organic and chemical fertilisers and communication. This is a water- possibility to produce electric power at developments of their inventions Meanwhile, due to the COVID-19 agrochemicals, the introduction of resistant and shockproof collar and by a low price. Also, there aren’t any other related to waste management with pandemic, SLIC has decided to take the agricultural machinery to make using this collar wild elephants can be hazardous constructions like dams and the close monitoring and supervision ‘Sahasak Nimavum’ 2021 International agricultural farms more efficient, monitored in real-time and warnings this also reduces the installation cost, of the experts of the WMA-WP to Inventions and Innovations Competition minimisation of animal damage in and emergency notifications can be using the most efficient power create a sustainable eco-friendly online. agricultural lands throughout Sri coordinated 24x7 from the Central generation method of converting solution by resolving the issue in Lanka, minimisation of post-harvest Monitoring Station to be set up at the potential energy of renewable energy Western Province. Young Inventor damages and manufacturing of value- Wildlife Department Headquarters. into the airflow, water flow, and rotating The inventions related to waste Entrepreneur Lead added local agricultural products, and Also, the behaviour of wild elephants the turbine. Therefore, this project is a management have several using innovative applications for can be monitored via Portable more efficient, reliable, sustainable, practicalities that need to be Development Programme development of agriculture field. SLIC Monitoring Units and the unit will warn environmentally friendly power addressed while developing the SLIC has started the Young Inventor contributes to invention evaluation, threatened villages around the forests extraction procedure from a renewable invention. The odour, microbial Entrepreneur Lead Development monitoring, commercialisation, and for via Village Alert Units. Different levels of source of energy. The ultimate result of environment, spread of insects and (YIELD) programme in collaboration future development under this project.

Germany concerned about revival of Islamist Terrorism

By a Special Correspondent a “13 per cent increase over the year before,” the returning home after getting radicalised in Syria or report said, adding: “More than 90 per cent of those some other countries where the terror groups hold Germany is on alert for Islamist terrorism since a crimes were linked to Islamists; however, many training camps. In the last decade, at least 1,100 lone attacker went on a stabbing spree in the were non-violent. The 33 crimes that resulted in ‘Islamists’ may have gone to Iraq and Syria and a Bavarian city of Wurzburg, killing three people and death marked a 20 per cent drop over 2019 figures.” third of them may have returned to Germany. injuring seven. The reduction in Islamist crimes since 2019 is Germany has a recorded history of Islamist terror The man was identified as a Somalian whose attributed to more alert policing. The report said since 2005. A 2011 research article by counter- asylum application was rejected. He shouted an “sophisticated attacks plotted from abroad were terror author Sajjan Gohel, ‘Germany increasing a Islamic religious phrase before attacking the people conceivable at any point.” centre for terrorism in Europe’, appearing in the near a market square. The authorities are silent to The Islamist strategy in Europe differs from how Combating Terrorism Center journal, gives a date, either about the motive or the probability of the terrorist groups plan their attacks in Asia and precise, year by year, figure of identified Islamist Islamist terror links. All they would say is the Police Africa. Nearly all the attacks are carried out by terrorists since 2005. “The majority of the radicals are probing his potential links to violent Islamism. the Berlin attack, “the Moroccan secret service had individuals, called ‘lone wolfs’ by the Germans are centered in Berlin, Hamburg, and North Rhine- This is the first time since 2016 that Germany is contacted both the BND (the Federal Intelligence because they are easier to execute and difficult for Westphalia. Five would-be extremists leave once again debating over Islamist extremism and Service) and BKA (Federal Criminal Police Service ) the individuals to come under the Police radar. The Germany on average each month to go to one of the religiously and politically motivated violence. Five seeking to convey information on Anis Amri's targets are, however, pre-determined so that they militant training camps in Pakistan.” years ago, a Tunisian youth, later confirmed to be Islamist extremist activities.” It was found that the are "meaningful for the goals of terrorist groups". The article says most German-based radicals an Islamist, Anis Amri, committed the worst information did not find its way to the domestic In 2020, during the lockdown because of the associated themselves with Islamic Jihad Union, Islamist attack in Germany to date when he drove intelligence authorities in time. Covid-19 pandemic, the German Government Al-Qaeda, and a few other groups that encouraged into the Christmas market on Breitscheidplatz in The media reported on the details of the probe: claimed “it is aware of 240 Islamists who are at large ‘lone wolf activities’. It gives details of a large number Berlin. “Anis Amri was even on the radar of the central anti- and could potentially pose a threat.” Of these, of radicals converting to Islam by the time they He drove a truck he stole after killing the driver terror center GTAZ in Berlin. That is where the around 135 have German citizenship while the rest returned to Germany. The article quotes German into a Christmas market in central Berlin on 19 federal intelligence agencies and those of the 16 belonged to other countries. The maximum, 41, authorities giving the example of three women December. Eleven people died and 60 were seriously German States pool their resources and share came from Syria. Another government statement is coverts who had “travelled to the Pakistani tribal injured. The killer managed to escape and travelled information. Amri was discussed there several quoted by Deutsche Welle as saying that “nearly areas with their husbands”. through Europe before he was shot dead by the times. In retrospect, the coordinator for the 700 people are classified as potential perpetrators The German intelligence officials are currently Italian Police on 23 December in a confrontation in intelligence agencies, Klaus-Dieter Fritsche, and are under surveillance in Germany…Most of leaving no stone unturned to ensure that the latest Milan. admitted before the inquiry committee that one had them are suspected of having the potential to carry Berlin attack is not repeated somewhere else. Their The German Government ordered a national to know that the situation was extremely out crimes due to their religious fervour, largely concern stems from the fact that, to quote from probe into the incident, determined to root out dangerous. The agencies were aware that the Islamist in nature.” Gohel’s article, “the original starting point was the Islamist terrorism. The involvement of the Islamic so-called Islamic State (IS) was planning attacks on The German Government is currently scrutinising northern city of Hamburg, where the plot for the State (IS) was not ruled out. The terror outfit had year-end festivities in Europe.” all applications for asylum and other kinds of visas 9/11 terrorist attacks was hatched…Hamburg cell claimed it was planning attacks on Christmas According to Germany’s latest intelligence report, from people who fit a type of a profile. It is based on consisted of several people, but most notably the markets across Europe. published in June, security authorities “tied 409 their knowledge that youth living in Germany, three suicide pilots Muhammad ‘Atta, Marwan Deutsche Welle reported that a few months before crimes to ‘religious ideology’ in 2020.” That marked whether citizens or not, could be going abroad and al-Shehhi and Ziad Jarrah”. A14 SUNDAY 8 AUGUST 2021 FOCUS

Amidst COVID-19 vaccination drive Tri-Forces Come in for Much Praise

By Saman Priyankara Nammunige

The night wore on even past midnight. Though it was tiring it was decided to keep pace with the work considering the good work done by soldiers of the SL Army. A middle aged man who walked by was heard saying that if it was known that the vaccination drive was being conducted so smoothly he should have brought along his vaccination card. Hence we decided to talk with him and seek his views on the vaccination drive undertaken by the tri-forces. views expressed by him could Silva. Hence the programme was Army Musical Group. The people “I live in Malabe. I received suffice to give a clear impression expedited to be carried out on a who were intently listening to it the first dose of the vaccine of the services that are rendered daily basis at two venues namely were those from the Colombo from a temple situated close to by the tri-forces during the Viharamahadevi Park and District who had either received my house. On that day I ongoing COVID-19 vaccination Diyatha Gardens in Battaramulla. the second dose of the experienced many a hassle. I drive initiated by the AstraZeneca vaccine or were was forced to put up in a queue Government. 24-hour operation about to receive its second dose. for hours and it is only then It is true that lately there had This vaccination drive which that this vaccine was been much criticism related to was kicked off on 2 August was No hassle administered to me. this vaccination drive from many then expanded to be carried out A resident of Colombo Considering the inconvenience parts of the country. That was on a 24-hour basis. At the time of explained to us, “I came here to that I had to put up with, this due to the intervention of writing a majority of residents in get the second dose of the place looks like heaven. Look, politicians with that drive. And the Western Province had visited vaccine. There was no hassle there is no hassle and they had having realised its many at least one of the two whatsoever. People are not even provided chairs for the shortcomings the President aforementioned venues to receive trampling over one another to public to sit. The service is entrusted the task of carrying the second dose of the vaccine. It receive it. It is being done in a swift. There is no criticism out this drive to the tri-forces must be mentioned that similar very coordinated manner. There about the work as it is done under the supervision of Army facilities have been made are also seats here and now after effectively,” said Jayasiri. The Commander General Shavendra available at Narahenpita Army I received the second dose I Hospital premises as well. decided to listen to a bit if music However, the aim of this article is before heading home.” He to convey to our readers the further said “We must commend immense efforts that are put into the tri-forces people for having this drive by our tri-forces taken this drive under their personnel to make it a success. command if not it would not During the recent past most of have succeeded. We saw what those who were members of the transpired in other places with National Center for the politicians being at the helm. I Eradication of COVID-19 were am not afraid to say that politics from the health sphere. The is the bane of this country and I Army or the tri-forces only went take my hat off to the forces for onto to help them in their tasks. running this programme so In this endeavour the work efficiently.” rendered by the SL Army must be The benevolence of the forces emphasised in glowing terms. was evident during the height of Last but not least the work done the war. During that final phase by both the SL Air Force and the of the war we saw how the forces SL Navy also has to be personnel helped scores of commended as they conducted innocent Tamil civilians and vaccination programmes of their how they catered to their needs own. when the LTTE had ruined their Army personnel for instance lives. And with the COVID-19 were seen helping disabled pandemic having begun to members of the public who were ravage this country the forces unable to walk. A female army once again volunteered during a officer said that they were happy time of need to serve the people to assist members of the public of this land sans any differences. being treated had conveyed merit she was unable to walk, had throughout and that they had not A few forces personnel related to the tri-forces people for the fine carried her to the spot where the enforced any rigid rules on them their experiences to us. “On job done by them. We just looked jabs were being administered and under any circumstances. There some days around 3000 to 4000 at the watch. had brought her back to her were large seating arrangements people arrived at this venue to three-wheeler after it was over. put up at Diyatha Uyana to cater be vaccinated. People began to Tireless She profusely thanked the forces to the large numbers that arrived stream in until about 3 am on The time was at 1.56 am. Even personnel for their magnanimous at the venue to receive the jabs. certain days. Among these at that time the tri-forces gesture. Furthermore to cater to people were Buddhist monks, personnel were hard at their work She further said that if a similar emergency situations other religious leaders and those without showing any tiredness service is rendered in this country ambulances were kept on who are disabled etc. In fact and that alone was enough to elsewhere this country could be standby. A few forces personnel people from all walks of life came indicate the commitment turned into heaven. At the time of stated that all those who were here. exhibited by them all to their writing this piece around 200,000 administered the jabs were told to We treat everyone equally and work. We asked from a nearby had received the second dose of be seated for a 20-minute period some of our female personnel soldier whether it was not tough the AstraZeneca vaccine and the and during that time they were helped mothers who were to be wearing the same uniform reason being the sterling efforts of provided with music to listen carrying toddlers to receive their for hours on end. He said having our forces personnel. while being served with a cup of dose of the vaccine. Also scores spent years in dense jungles The SL Air Force had also tea as well. They said that the of elderly people were also during the war being dressed in a conducted the vaccination drive Army Commander had advised administered the vaccine in the uniform for hours was not much during daytime in Katunayake, them to carry out their duty sans most humane manner.” At both of an issue to him. He said that Ratmalana, Colombo Air Force a hitch as it has been entrusted the Viharamahadevi Park and at despite whatever task that is camps, BMICH premises, to them by the President. From Diyatha Uyana the vaccination entrusted to them they are used Hingurakgoda Air Force camp, Diyatha Gardens we then drive was spearheaded entirely to carry it out to the letter sans Ekala, Ja-Ela, Koggala, travelled back to the by the medical corps attached to any complaints and this Katukurunda, Kalutara and Viharamahadevi Open Air the tri-forces without the vaccination drive was one such Wattala. Similarly the SL Navy Theater where the COVID-19 involvement of any officer from occasion. had contributed their input to vaccination drive was in full the health sector and that was We managed to get the views of this drive in several places in swing. Before entering that evidence to suggest of their an elderly woman who had Colombo, Ragama and premises we heard some soothing versatility in the task. Many received the second dose of the Uswetakeiyyawa. All-in-all a music and we soon realised that forces personnel told us that vaccine. She said that the forces commendable job by our it was being dished out by the SL many elderly people who were personnel, having realised that tri-forces personnel. sports sunday 7 april 2019 A15 German Ambassador We Let Messi Go donates chess equipment to Save the Club – President Barcelona was forced to let Argentina superstar Lionel Messi leave the club because his wage demands would have jeopardised the club’s future, President Joan Laporta said on HE The German Ambassador handing over chess equipment to President, SLCF. Also in the picture Friday. are members of the SLCF who accompanied the President The club and Messi had both wanted to sign a new contract, German Ambassador Holger Seubert Lanka. The President of SLCF thanked His but the Argentine’s deal would donated 8 Electronic Chess Equipment to the Excellency for the support extended to the have taken salaries to 110% of Sri Lanka Chess Federation (SLCF), and Chess Federation. Chess in Sri Lanka has the club’s earnings, a handed over the equipment to the President at spread island wide, and the thinking of Chess financially risky move given his residence. Federation is to spread the game among the impact of the COVID-19 The donation aims to assist the promotion of different communities. He added: “While pandemic, Laporta said. Joan Laporta Lionel Messi chess within disadvantaged groups in Sri thanking them once again, I wish to invite “The club is above everything Lanka. The state-of-the-art equipment worth everyone to join us to develop the Nation using - even above the best player in association with the club at solely in order to secure 1.5 million LKR, has been designed to cater for Chess as an educational tool.” the world,” Laporta told a news the end of June, and is Messi’s future. handicapped persons in particular. President Luxman Wijesuriya is also the conference. Without Messi’s currently a free agent after his “In order to meet FFP, Barca During the handing over ceremony, General Secretary of the South Asian Chess wages, salaries would account previous contract expired. had to agree to an operation, Ambassador Seubert declared that the Council and Commonwealth Chess for 95% of Barcelona’s income, Messi’s last contract, signed essentially re-mortgaging the donation is a result of an initiative by the Association, as well as one of the Vice he said. in 2017, was the most club, which would affect us for President of SLCF Luxman Wijesuriya, and President of Asian Chess Federation. “Last season will end with lucrative in world sport the next 50 years in terms of Germany is delighted to support this valuable Malith Akalanka, Secretary General, double the losses that we according to a January report TV rights, and I had to make and praiseworthy initiative. On a personal Rajeendra Kalugampitiya (Vice President), predicted - over 400 million in newspaper El Mundo. the decision.” note, the Ambassador added that being an Women International Master, Sachini (euros),” he added. Forbes has listed him as the Laporta said that the avid chess player himself, he is particularly Ranasinghe and National Champion, Ranindu Laporta said salaries should athlete with the world’s coronavirus-impacted 2020-21 impressed by SLCF’s charitable work and its Liyanage were present on the occasion along ideally account for 65%-70% of second-highest earnings in season’s financial losses would firm commitment to promote chess in Sri with media representatives.(IR) the club’s income, “so there’s 2021, at $130 million. be double what had been still a lot of work to be done.” “To suddenly end like this expected. Messi has been at the club when you thought he was “We need to move on. We for all of his playing career, already contracted again: it’s won’t just try to meet FFP but Barcelona announced on really sad, really really sad,” criteria by putting the club at Thursday that the six-time said 36-year-old student and risk for the next 50 years,” he Ballon d’Or winner would leave Barca fan Jose Rivero earlier, told reporters. Women’s marathon to after 18 years. standing on the street in the The Barca chief lamented the Laporta told a news Catalan capital. financial situation that he had conference the club and Messi Laporta said the club had inherited from former Club had both wanted to sign a new lined up two new deals with President Josep Maria start one hour early contract, however. Messi, firstly a two-year deal Bartomeu, describing it as “We reached agreement but made payable over five, and “far, far worse” than The Olympic women’s marathon will start The International Olympic Committee couldn’t formalise it, because then a separate five-year deal. anticipated. at 6.00 a.m. in Sapporo on Saturday, one decided in 2019 to move the marathon to of the club’s economic But he said that they were “I don’t want to go on and on hour earlier than initially planned due to the northern city of Sapporo to escape the situation, which means we unable to get either deal done about the situation we the ‘weather’, a Tokyo 2020 official said on worst of Tokyo’s summer heat. But Sapporo can’t register the player due to because of La Liga’s Financial inherited, and the awful Friday. was just as hot as Tokyo on Friday with the salary limits,” he said. Fair Play (FFP) rules, and that decisions that were made in There is no change at this stage to the mercury hitting a high of 35 degrees Barca’s all-time top scorer he was not willing to agree to the past. We have gone from men’s start time of 7.00 a.m. on Sunday, Celsius. and appearance maker the league’s proposed private bad to worse,” he said. the official added. (Reuters) technically ended his 21-year equity investment from CVC (Reuters) A16 SUNDAY 8 AUGUST 2021 SPORTS

Nationals postponed Miller-Uibo wins once again; Athletes frustrated The second stage of the National Athletics Championship which was set to be held on 9 and 10 August has been postponed once again by Sri Lanka Athletics (SLA). women’s 400m “We kindly inform you that the above event has been postponed due to the prevailing situation in the country. Bronze for Felix New date will be announced soon. Regret any inconvenience caused to Athletes & Coaches,” said SLA in a press release. This left several National Athletes and coaches frustrated once again, as it marked the fifth time since 2020 a National Athletics event was postponed just before a competition after athletes had achieved their peak performance level ahead of the competition. Hasaranga pulls out of CPL 2021 Shaunae Miller-Uibo Allyson Felix Wanindu Hasaranga has pulled out of the Caribbean Shaunae Miller-Uibo of the to win back-to-back Olympic Felix’s bronze made her the greats, Friday’s performance Premier League 2021, which Bahamas won the titles in the event since France’s most decorated woman in capped a remarkable saga for is scheduled to be played from women’s 400 metres in 48.36 Marie-Jose Perec in 1996. Olympic track and field history, the 35-year-old, after she gave 26 August – 15 September, seconds on Friday, retaining her She finished more than eight edging ahead of Jamaica’s birth to daughter, Camryn, via due to national duties. Olympic title, as American tenths of a second faster than Merlene Ottey. an emergency C-section in Sri Lanka is set to play 3 Allyson Felix took bronze, her Paulino, her place on top of She also equalled compatriot 2018. ODIs and 3 T20s against record 10th Olympic medal. podium seemingly never in Carl Lewis’s Olympic medal It was another speedy event at South Africa in that period, Marileidy Paulino of the doubt. count and is widely expected to the Olympic Stadium, where thus Wanindu will miss out Dominican Republic took silver. It was the fastest performance contend in Saturday’s 4x400m records have fallen in a dazzling his first international league Miller-Uibo wrested control of of the season in the event, after relay final for one more shot at athletics programme, as Paulino experience. The premier leg- Wanindu Hasaranga de Silva the lead on the second bend and Miller-Uibo set the previous the podium in her fifth and final set a national best to finish spinner was signed by St. delivered her trademark final season’s best 49.08 in Eugene, Games. second. Kitts and Nevis Patriots for the surge to become the first woman Oregon, in April. Already one of the sport’s (Reuters) first time to play in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) T20 Cricket Tournament in the draft held in June 2021. Thisara Perera and Isuru Udana have also been picked for this year’s CPL. Thisara has been drafted by Barbados Tridents, while recently retired all-rounder Udana has been picked for the Dimuth to play Trinbago Knight Riders Team. county cricket Tortu breaks British hearts help Italy win men’s 4x100m relay

Briana Williams, Elaine Thompson-Herah, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Shericka Jackson of Jamaica celebrate Jamaican women Dimuth Karunarathne Lorenzo Patta , Lamont Marcell Jacobs, Eseosa Desalu and Filippo Tortu of Italy celebrate with national flags Sri Lanka Test Captain fastest to do so in terms of underline sprint Italy’s Filippo Tortu ran a for Italy who won the one-lap Dimuth Karunaratna is matches played. breathtaking final leg to help relay sprint in 37.50 seconds. scheduled to represent He was controversially them win the men’s 4x100 Mitchell-Blake was gutted Nottinghamshire CC in the removed from Sri Lanka’s metres relay gold at the Tokyo to lose out at the end for ongoing English County ODI captaincy in May. dominance Olympics on Friday. Britain, who had won the Championship. According With Sri Lanka not playing Jamaica surged to an emphatic Fraser-Pryce and Shericka With Lamont Marcell Jacobs, event by the same margin in to sources, he is awaiting any Test Cricket until win in the women’s 4x100m relay Jackson delivered again, after the individual 100m champion 2004 against the United his visa clearance to travel December, Dimuth is on Friday, posting a national Briana Williams had done her job in Tokyo, running second States. to UK. expected to complete the record 41.02 seconds to finish on the opening leg. for Italy, Tortu made up almost Canada did not look to be in Earlier this year, final rounds of the county well clear of the United States and It was Jamaica’s first gold in the a metre on Britain’s Nethaneel the reckoning for a medal at Dimuth became the 10th championship games. Britain. event since 2004, after back to Mitchell-Blake and beat him on the turn but a brilliant sprint Sri Lanka batsman to Nottinghamshire has four Elaine Thompson-Herah, who back silvers behind the U.S. in the line as the team won by by new 200m champion Andre score 5,000 runs in Test more matches to be played now has all three available sprint London and Rio. one-hundredth of a second. de Grasse sealed the bronze cricket, and the fourth starting 30 August. golds at Tokyo, Shelly-Ann (Reuters) It was a new national record medal for them.

An unbeaten 39 by Shehan ‘Army Commander’s League’ T20 2021 - 2nd Edition IN THE FINAL Fernando and four wicket haul Super Fashion North Warriors by Gayan Chandraboos helped won by 64 runs Seekkuge Prasanna lead Super Super Fashion North Fashion Northern Warriors to Northern Warriors champs Warriors: 142/7 (20) (Ashan emerge champions by beating Event Randika 23, Shehan Fernando 39 TV Western Warriors by 64 runs in n.o., Pathum Kumara 35, Nuwan the finals of the 2nd ‘Army Seekkuge Prasanna adjudicated player of the tournament Pradeep 3/38, Shehada Zoysa 1/2) Commander’s League’ T20 Cricket Commander of the Army, Mohan de Event TV Western Warriors: 78 tournament held at Army grounds Silva, Secretary of Sri Lanka (16.1) (Thisara Perera 21, Malka Dombagoda yesterday. Cricket, Cricket legend Aravinda de Madhusanka 20, Gayan Chasing Northern Warriors 142, Silva, Chairman of Technical Chandraboos 4/16, Ashan Western Warriors were bowled out Committee SLC, Cricket legend Priyanjan 3/23, Seekkuge for just 78 in 16.1 overs with slow left Sanath Jayasooriya, Major General Prasanna 2/10) arm orthodox Gayan Chandraboos Priyantha Perera, Chief of Staff of the going through the Western Warriors Sri Lanka Army, Major General Awards line up to seal them the title. W.A.S.S. Wanasinghe, Adjutant Best Fielder - Gihan Koralage Earlier, Event TV Western General of Sri Lanka Army and (Event TV Western Warriors) Warriors won the toss and elected to Chairman of Army Best bowler - Seekkuge field first, and soon had Northern Cricket Committee, Former Prasanna (Super Fashion Northern Warriors in trouble, capturing five for Chairmen of Sri Lanka Army Cricket Warriors) 55 by the 10th over. It was Shehan Committee Rtd. Major General Best batsman - Upul Tharanga Fernando and Pathum Kumara (35) Priyantha Jayasundara, Rtd. Major (Event TV Western Warriors) who salvaged the inning with a 61 Seekkuge Prasanna, skipper Dinesh Perera, right arm off break wickets for 133 runs with 14.78 General Bimal Vidanage, Major Man of the final - Shehan runs stand for the 6th wicket in 8.1 and right arm leg spinner of Super of Dimo Southern Warriors average. General Shiran Abeysekara, Fernando (Super Fashion Northern overs to guide them to a decent total. Fashions Southern Warriors, was claimed 10 wickets for 139 runs Prasanna was adjudged player of Director General Finance and Warriors) Fernando’s unbeaten 39 came in the leading bowler of the with 13.90 average. Rajinda the tournament as well as best Rehabilitations of Sri Lanka Army Player of the tournament 34 balls with 4 boundaries while tournament. He took 13 wickets Punchihewa, right arm medium bowler. and Vice President of Army Cricket - Seekkuge Prasanna (Super Kumara’s 35 came in 32 balls with for 145 runs in 7 matches. He paceman of Batsman.Com Lieutenant General Shavendra committee and many other officials Fashion Northern Warriors) one boundary. maintained an 11.15 average. Eastern Warriors claimed 9 Silva, Chief of Defence Staff and the were present to witness the final. (IR)

Published by Ceylon Newspapers (Pvt) Limited, 101, Rosmead Place, Colombo 7 and printed at its press at No. 302/1A, Minuwangoda Road, Ja-Ela.