A DIVIDED HAMBANTOTA PORT LEASE OPPOSITION BILLIONS OFF GEARS FOR FINANCIAL POLLS RECORDS

RS. 80.00 PAGES 64 / SECTIONS 6 VOL. 02 – NO. 38 SUNDAY, JUNE 14, 2020

ALOYSIUS TRYING SPECIAL CRICKET TO ‘RECLAIM’ PRICE CAMPUS MENDIS Rs. 60.00 STUMPED? »SEE PAGES 8 & 9 »SEE BUSINESS PAGE 1 »SEE PAGE 7 »SEE PAGE 5

COVID-19 LOCAL CASES COVID-19 CASES For verified information on the GENERAL PREVENTIVE GUIDELINES coronavirus (Covid-19) contact any of the IN THE WORLD following authorities ACTIVE CASES TOTAL CASES 1999 TOTAL CASES Health Promotion Bureau 1877 7,667,394 Suwasariya Quarantine Unit 0112 112 705 Ambulance Service Epidemiology Unit 0112 695 112 Wash hands with soap Wear a commercially Maintain a minimum Use gloves when shopping, Use traditional Sri Lankan Always wear a mask, avoid DEATHS RECOVERED Govt. coronavirus hotline 0113071073 for 40-60 seconds, or rub available mask/cloth mask distance of 1 metre using public transport, etc. greeting at all times crowded vehicles, maintain DEATHS RECOVERD 1990 hands with alcohol-based or a surgical mask if showing from others, especially in and discard into a lidded instead of handshaking, distance, and wash hands 11 1196 425,788 3,882,805 PRESIDENTIAL SPECIAL TASK FORCE FOR ESSENTIAL SERVICES handrub for 20-30 seconds respiratory symptoms public places bin lined with a bag hugging, and/or kissing before and after travelling Telephone 0114354854, 0114733600 Fax 0112333066, 0114354882 670 Hotline 0113456200-4 Email [email protected] THE ABOVE STATISTICS ARE CONFIRMED UP UNTIL 2.00 P.M. ON 12 JUNE 2020

CENTRAL BANK REFINANCING SCHEME Private banks given only Rs. 6 b

BY SKANDHA GUNASEKARA “The Central Bank told me that as of The refinancing scheme was the Cabinet of Ministers last week as well. So that issue will also have to today (12, Friday), they had released initiated to help banks provide urgent approved an additional Rs. 100 billion be addressed before the monies can be The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has released around Rs. 6 billion to private banks. working capital loans to support for the refinancing scheme. released,” the Treasury Secretary said. only Rs. 6 billion of the Rs. 50 billion allocated for the This is not sufficient, but we hope they businesses hit by the Covid-19 “The Central Bank has agreed to In addition, Attygalle said that refinancing scheme announced in March for private will streamline the process as soon as pandemic. put Rs. 150 billion in total, but not he expected the process would be banks, according to Ministry of Finance and Treasury possible,” Attygalle told The Sunday Despite the lack of transmission all of it has been released. Also, they expedited this week. Secretary S.R. Attygalle. Morning on Friday. of this facility to the private banks, have to find a way to get this money Contd. on page 2

ERRANT LEASING COMPANIES Keeping the faith Govt. to begin crackdown Dr. Jasinghe The Government asserted that it “Registered leasing companies would crackdown on unregistered would have given the moratorium leasing companies. of three months. It is the Secretary to the Ministry unlicensed and unregistered contradicts of Finance and Treasury S.R. companies that are causing the Attygalle said that it was problems,” he told The Sunday unregistered leasing companies Morning. police claim that were breaking the law. Contd. on page 2 z Contradicts Police statement quoting him

BY SARAH HANNAN as long as protestors adhere to FIND YOUR DAILY health guidelines. Contradicting statements He said that the ability to ESSENTIALS THROUGH made by the Police quoting protest is a democratic right and him, Director General of that right should be granted to Health Services (DGHS) Dr. the citizens of Sri Lanka, even Anil Jasinghe said that there is at a time of a pandemic. no ban on organised protests Contd. on page 2 topads.lk VISIT Polls cost over Rs. 6 b The upcoming 2020 Adhering to the strict health guidelines given by the Director General of Health Services for reopening 15 more mock polls places of religious worship, St. Anthony's Church in Kochchikade opened its doors to the public www.topads.lk parliamentary election yesterday (12) is said to cost over Rs. The Election Commission (EC) PHOTO ESHAN DASANAYAKA 6 billion, following said that a total of 15 more mock the implementation of polls, excluding the one already the Covid-19 health guidelines conducted in Ambalangoda, would issued by health services, The be conducted and concluded within Temp sick rooms Sunday Morning learnt. the coming week. Gag order Contd. on page 2 Contd. on page 2 for schools STEPS Schools that reopen are to make use of any available extra space to set up a sick room Search for the product NOROCHCHOLAI BREAKDOWN on Police to temporarily hold children that may fall Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) C.D. ill, until they are transferred to a hospital or you need on topads.lk Wickramaratne issued a gag order over police handed over to a parent/guardian, the Ministry officers providing information and statements of Education stated. No power cuts to print, electronic, TV, and web media outlets Contd. on page 2 Contact the mobile The second silo of the without the need for any power as well as hosting media briefings in their Norochcholai power plant will cuts in the interim, The Sunday respective police divisions. number mentioned be repaired by this Tuesday (16), Morning learnt. Contd. on page 2 SETTLING WATER BILLS Contd. on page 2 ‘Statement by below the product Colombo Port back to normal Bandula invalid’ Get it delivered to your BY MAHEESHA MUDUGAMUWA has now been cleared and the issue for years but the problem remains The National Water Supply and Drainage home through the seller Port has already started the usual the same. This delay is not because of Board (NWSDB) has dismissed Minister Weeks after restarting economic operations. However, speaking to the coronavirus,” Abdeen stressed. Dr. Bandula Gunawardena’s comment on activities, operations at the Colombo The Sunday Morning, All Ceylon The Colombo Port is packed with over allowing a grace period of one year to settle Port are returning to normal, despite a Container Transport Employees’ 40,000 containers after the coronavirus water bills. few issues raised by several importers Union (ACCTEU) General Secretary crisis disrupted economic activities NWSDB General Manager R.H. Ruvinis, and container handlers regarding the B.I. Abdeen said that although the in April. However, three container speaking to The Sunday Morning, said that delay in container clearance. containers stuck due to the coronavirus terminals at the Port have been operating the decision of giving the consumer a grace As learnt by The Sunday Morning, have been cleared, the usual delay is throughout the crisis at full capacity, but period to settle their bills should be decided the container backlog at the Colombo still there when releasing the containers. vessel calls have started to decrease. by the NWSDB and the Minister in Charge. #stayhome #staysafe #groceryitem #vegetables Port, due to the coronavirus lockdown, “We have been talking about this Contd. on page 2 Contd. on page 2 #fruit #deliveredtoyourdoorsteps 2 the sunday morning NEWS Sunday, June 14, 2020

WITH OUR READERS’ HEALTH IN MIND A SPECIAL ANTIMICROBIAL INK HAS BEEN USED IN THE PRINTING OF OUR NEWSPAPER Contd. from page 1 the protest activities to safeguard the public to fix and restart the second unit of the without being cleared due to the coronavirus Private banks... as well as the protestors. We informed the Norochcholai power plant. Gag order... curfew in the country. But after the curfew “Yes, I would like to see more money protestors about the court decision, but they “Engineers first have to wait till it cools The directives were issued to all police was lifted, the blockage has been cleared,” he going out, but the process has to be continued with their protest,” he said. down before any repairs can be attempted. stations through a circular last Wednesday noted. streamlined and expedited. I believe by next The Police said that the arrests were Thereafter, it takes time for the plant to be (10), following concerns that were raised According to Mahagamage, commercial week, it’ll be done quicker,” he said. made for violating the court order, heated back up to the required temperature. by Ministry of Defence Secretary (Rtd.) activities are not fully operating at the Port. Meanwhile, several officials from private violating the Quarantine Act, and for The whole process will take about a week,” Major General Kamal Gunaratne, who noted As of the second week of April, the banks told The Sunday Morning that they disrupting Police duty. he said. that by sharing information and hosting capacity at terminals at the Colombo Port are unable to provide the working capital Moreover, he added that there were no media briefings, various police officers have reached its maximum capacity with over loans without the funds being released by issues of power cuts as there was enough caused a serious breach within the Police 26,000 freight containers and was facing the CBSL. “We cannot provide customers Polls cost... power supply due to lowered demand as a Department. issues with regard to space as sea freight with a 4% (interest) working capital loan Election Secretariat Chief Accountant result of the Covid-19 lockdown measures. “From here onwards, only the Director is continuing as usual. The Port requested without the Central Bank releasing the funds G.R.A.K. Gamlath, speaking to The Sunday Furthermore, he assured that there would of the Police Media Division and a few importers to take away their freight to us. The Government should take up the Morning, said that they estimate to incur Rs. be no power cuts till the end of the year at authorised police personnel will be permitted containers as soon as possible to avoid any issue with the Central Bank, and not us,” a 6,250 million to conduct the general election, least. to give statements to the media. Necessary inconveniences. head of a private bank who wished to remain which is to be held on 5 August. “Several new power plants are to action will be taken against any officer Meanwhile, Sri Lanka Customs told The anonymous told The Sunday Morning. “The previous election cost Rs. 4,575 be commissioned. Uma Oya will be who breaches this regulation. Any sort of Sunday Morning that their operations have President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Thursday million. The target for this election was Rs. commissioned at the end of the year, which communication will be released through also returned to normal. (11) warned that he would not hesitate to 5,500 million, but with the Covid-19 health will provide 120 MW, and the wind farm in the Police Media Division to the respective Speaking to The Sunday Morning, Sri remove officials of the CBSL or state banks guidelines, this amount would increase Rs. Mannar, which will give 100 MW, will be media outlets as required,” Police Media Lanka Customs Deputy Director Aqthar from their positions if they failed to take steps 6,250 million,” he said. He said that Rs. 5 commissioned in August,” he said. Spokesperson SP Jaliya Senaratne noted. Hassen noted that Customs operations are to implement the guidelines formulated by billion had been allocated in the Interim – Skandha Gunasekara The letter issued by the Acting IGP stated conducted in the usual way at present. the Government. Budget from June till August. that it has been observed that officials of According to Sri Lanka Customs, a All attempts to reach CBSL Senior “Rs. 5 billion has been allocated in the various levels are providing information to strict and systematic arrangement for the Deputy Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe Budget for these three months. We have Temp sick... the print and electronic media, contrary to the immediate release of essential commodities were unsuccessful. been promised another Rs. 2 billion after the Instructions had been set out spelling the provisions of the Establishments Code. from the Port premises itself has been August Budget.” need for a sick room facility in schools, – Sarah Hannan prepared. He said Rs. 5 billion would be sufficient for according to the health guidelines issued to However, the operations are being Govt. to... the three months and that additional funding enable the commencement of schools amid conducted subject to health and safety He said that there was a leasing mafia and would be released through the new budget the Covid-19 pandemic. ‘Statement by... measures notified by the Government, that they were operating illegally. after the election. However, when The Sunday Morning Therefore, the comment that was made by especially to minimise human congregations, “We have to clearly stop these things “We have allotted Rs. 1 billion for contacted Ministry of Education Secretary Minister Dr. Gunawardena on Thursday (11) according to Customs. from happening. There is a mafia as recent institutions outside of the Election Secretariat N.H.M. Chithrananda, he said that the will not be accepted. In addition, Customs is expected to events have shown. That market (leasing) is such as the Police, Postal Service, and the construction of new buildings for a sick “Consumers need not worry about being facilitate online information dissemination regulated by the Central Bank. Most of the Government Press. We expect to utilise room in each school would not materialise. overcharged. The bills will be made on an and payment processing to minimise the unregistered leasing companies are going the remaining Rs. 4 billion in these three “Schools are already short of funds to average usage cost for the two months that crowd arriving at the Customs Headquarters. ahead with operations under the Business months,” Gamlath said. even fix adequate handwashing stations have lapsed. While water meter readings However, a representative of the businessmen Registration of the Companies Act,” He said that expenditure for June would and purchase soap, cleaning fluid, and were not taken in the Colombo and Gampaha will be present at the container testing sites. Attygalle said. He then said that it was high amount to Rs. 750 million while Rs. 1,500 disinfectant. They have been instructed Districts due to travel restrictions, we have While around 200 to 300 containers a day time the Central Bank took action against million would be required in July and Rs. to manage with the little amount that has been able to issue monthly water bills to all are being released by Customs, priority will such errant companies. 1,750 million in August, for expenses. been allocated, which is about Rs. 20,000 other districts,” Ruvinis said. be given to containers of essential goods such “If they are operating similar to a finance “The shortfall (in) finances will be given per school. We have therefore informed the Ruvinis further stated that the consumer as food items, perishable goods, medicines, company without proper accreditation, then after August, so some officials will only be school principals that they would have to can send a text message (SMS) mentioning medical devices, and related items with the the Central Bank can take action. Something paid in September and October; this would use any available space; teachers’ quarters, their water account number as indicated on objective to provide essential items to the must be done about this issue; it has gone too amount to around Rs. 3 billion.” staff room, empty classrooms, or a corner their bill to 0719 399 999 to obtain details of public without delay. far,” he stressed. He said the amount was inclusive of of a school hall/classroom, to set up a sick how their bills are calculated. He noted that The release of other bulk items, – Skandha Gunasekara expenses being incurred for the mock polls to room facility.” even if the reading is taken after two months, commodities, or raw materials intended be held in the coming week. Chithrananda said that the Ministry of the bill is to be calculated on the average to be used for essential services or the “We started election-related activities from Education is not in a position to make large usage units. manufacturing of essential goods such as gas, Dr. Jasinghe... the beginning of March, so we predict that allocations to build new rooms in schools “Should a consumer need an explanation, petroleum, fertilisers, cement, etc. will also “As long as these protestors adhere to from that point on, the expenditure for the at the moment, and if schools are looking at our officers will be more than willing to be facilitated, subject to approval. the health guidelines that have been issued election would be Rs. 6.2 billion,” he said, building such facilities, they should inform explain to them how the bill is calculated. However, the Sri Lanka Ports Authority for the purpose of public gatherings, like adding that a breakdown of the Covid-19- the provincial secretariat of the relevant Anyone finding it difficult to settle their (SLPA) last month decided to charge a late wearing masks, maintaining physical related expenses had not been calculated as district secretariat’s education department water bills immediately can contact our area fee to clear containers stuck at the Colombo distance, and practising good hygiene, they the Secretariat had still not decided on certain and seek funds from well-wishers to build offices and arrange for instalment payments.” Port. A concessionary period granted by should be allowed to stage protests. While aspects such as how many masks, gloves, etc. such facilities. – Sarah Hannan the Government to clear the containers had we discourage large gatherings taking place would be required. “The school will not need a sick room expired on 7 May and a late fee would now at this moment, they can use a minimum – Skandha Gunasekara with medical equipment as it is to be used be charged. It has been suggested that the number of participants for this purpose,” to isolate a child or staff member who Colombo Port... charges will be doubled if late fees were not Dr. Jasinghe told The Sunday Morning on shows symptoms, until they are transferred With lockdown restrictions being eased paid within eight days. Friday (12). 15 more... to seek medical attention. Therefore, a by the Government on 11 May, the shipyard, Meanwhile, the importers affected by the Earlier this week, Police Media Spokesman “The 15 mock polls are being held from space to temporarily hold them till medical which had been operating at a 20-30% delay in releasing containers are now saying SP Jaliya Senaratne had quoted the DGHS Saturday (13). They will be held in Gampaha, assistance arrives should be set up with the capacity, providing only essential repair their containers are being released by the to have said that protests were not allowed Jaffna, Ampara, Kilinochchi, Negombo, available space in the school,” Chithrananda services and completing vessels undergoing ports according to the usual process and there due to the Covid-19 pandemic still being a Nuwara Eliya, Badulla, Haputale, two in opined. repairs in the yard, is now returning to was no delay at present like a few weeks ago. looming threat to public health. Colombo, etc. Each trial will see around 200 When asked whether schools have already normal levels. Speaking to The Sunday Morning, Sri SP Senaratne noted that the public has been voters taking part,” Elections Secretariat started building handwashing stations and Even though operations have returned to Lanka Trade Development Council (SLTDC) critical about the actions of the Police since Chief Accountant G.R.A.K. Gamlath said. fixing the necessary water supply facilities, normal, All Ceylon Port General Workers’ Chairman Roshana Waduge said that the the arrests were made. he revealed that school academic and non- Union (ACPGWU) General Secretary importers had to face real difficulty over “Our officers had informed the academic staff will be called into schools Chandrasiri Mahagamage said that only the the past few months due to the delay in Magistrate’s Court about the protest that No power... a week prior to the reopening date to make essential containers were currently being releasing their containers. “But now, the was to be held on Tuesday (9), and given the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) Chairman arrangements and prepare for the safety received by the Port and therefore, there situation has returned to normal. There present pandemic situation in the country, Vijitha Herath, speaking to The Sunday measures that need to be followed. wasn’t any blockage as such at the Port. was no considerable delay in releasing the the Magistrate issued a court order to halt Morning, said that it would take a week – Sarah Hannan “Earlier, the containers were stuck at the Port containers,” he stressed.

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䌀䠀䤀䔀䘀 䔀堀䔀䌀唀吀䤀嘀䔀 伀䘀䘀䤀䌀䔀刀 䌀䠀䤀䔀䘀 䔀堀䔀䌀唀吀䤀嘀䔀 伀䘀䘀䤀䌀䔀刀 the sunday morning 3 Sunday, June 14, 2020 NEWS FEATURE

WITH OUR READERS’ HEALTH IN MIND A SPECIAL ANTIMICROBIAL INK HAS BEEN USED IN THE PRINTING OF OUR NEWSPAPER MOUNT LAVINIA BEACH From ‘malnourishment’ to garbage BY AGRA RANASINGHE Katuwawala commented on how Mount Lavinia the water is filled with trash. If you stand on the to do this clean-up on a weekly basis,” he added. Beach has changed with the impact of the marine beach when one wave comes, when that wave Floating marine debris can impact not only Marine trash left on beaches or trash. “It was horrible to see an immense amount goes back, the back of your leg is covered with humans but animals as well. Seabirds, turtles, disposed of into waterways that lead of pollution crashing onto the beach. If one visits plastic bags. Quite literally, only 5% of the garbage marine mammals, and fish can mistake floating to the sea or in the sea itself can have the beach at around 6 a.m., all the matter left in the is on the beach and the other 95% is probably on trash for food and it can harm their digestive a huge impact on the environment night can be seen on the beach. When our volunteers the seabed and the ocean. It has a massive marine systems. According to research, more than 260 and the natural ecosystem. In Sri went to Mount Lavinia Beach, we cleaned from impact. We feel that all the garbage in the canals species are known to have ingested or have been Lanka, everything from plastic, one corner to the other, and ironically, the trash had has been piling up on the western coast and now entangled by plastic debris. Marine debris can paper, and wood to metal and other crashed through the waves onto the beach again. it is gushing back onto the beach. The two main also impact the economy of the country and the manufactured materials can be found It seems to be a never-ending issue, at least for a materials we come across are polythene and plastic. productivity of coastal regions in the tourism, on beaches. while,” Katuwawala noted. There have been other organisations helping us as recreation, and seafood industries, adding more A cleanup carried out at the Mount Lavinia Beach “The worst part is seeing how the top layer of well, along with the residents, and we are trying costs to them. PHOTO SAMAN ABESIRIWARDANA This issue came to the forefront yet again last week when, on 4 June, large amounts of garbage were found on Mount Lavinia Beach, which was anyway surrounded by controversy over the Government’s beach nourishment project carried out recently. Throughout last week, clean-up activities at Mount Lavinia Beach carried on with the participation of Navy officers, the Police, Municipal Council employees, private environmental organisations, and residents as well. Some people expressed doubts that incidents like this may be the doing of some unknown groups. Investigations commence However, when contacted, Police Media Spokesperson SP Jaliya Senaratne said that the Police have not revealed any suspects as of yet, but that the investigations are continuing. “We have still not found any suspects or organisations that have done this. Navy officers, the Community Policing Unit, and some other community members and residents have joined in cleaning up the area. Since this issue was reported, we have started our investigations,” he said. Municipal councils take important decisions on behalf of the communities they represent. They decide which services are most urgently needed and where to allocate limited resources. Each municipal council must ensure that the decisions it takes aim to meet the needs of the local community and benefit the local area. It must also be accountable to local residents for the decisions that it takes and for the way in which it spends public funds. Municipal councils must ensure that local residents have a say in the decisions they take. They should encourage the involvement of communities and community organisations in the governance of the local area. Concerning the issue that residents in the Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia area face, Dehiwala- Mount Lavinia Municipal Council Commissioner W.T.I. Manel said that they are doing their part to solve the issue while supporting all the responsible authorities. “What we can do is allocate our workers to collect the garbage. On the day that there was a clean-up in the area, our workers joined with the Navy and Police officers to clean the area. As the responsibility of that area is borne by the Department of Coast Conservation and Coastal Resource Management, all we can do is render our fullest support in every way possible,” she said. Harmful effects Floating marine trash often accumulates in particular regions due to the wind patterns and currents known as gyres. Ingestion of plastic and polythene trash can transfer harmful chemicals through the food web into species eaten by humans and, according to the statements given by environmentalists and doctors, it can increase the risk of birth defects, cancers, and many more. However, as the Department of Coast Conservation and Coastal Resource Management is more concerned about such issues which affect the lives of the people, Department of Coast Conservation and Coastal Resource Management Director Gamini Hewage told The Sunday Morning that they have taken all necessary actions to solve the issue of the gathering of garbage at the Mount Lavinia Beach. “We started a beach nourishment programme with Cabinet approval at the beginning of the year from Calido Beach up to Mount Lavinia Beach. We identified these beaches as severe coastal erosion areas in the country. We then carried out another master plan for coast conservation and tourism in the coastal zone. We identified that this area should be nourished, and then recently, we ended the programme. Anyway, last week, we came to know that garbage had collected on the sand, especially on Mount Lavinia Beach. When we checked the garbage items, we found that there were only plastic items and polythene. We think that this is a result of people disposing garbage to rivers and water tanks, which can finally result in harming the beach. With the support of the Police, we cleaned the area successfully. Finally, we arranged a meeting with the Secretary of the Defence Ministry to discuss this matter, get some precautionary measures, and evaluate how we are going to deal with it in the future,” Hewage noted. Worsening situation Without restricting the responsibility of the environment just to the government bodies, there are many private organisations that are interested in bearing the responsibility and taking action – one such organisation being The Pearl Protectors, which is an environmental conservation organisation. When contacted, The Pearl Protectors Co-ordinator Muditha 4 the sunday morning INSIGHT Sunday, June 14, 2020

WITH OUR READERS’ HEALTH IN MIND A SPECIAL ANTIMICROBIAL INK HAS BEEN USED IN THE PRINTING OF OUR NEWSPAPER SALVAGING TOURISM Rebuilding Ravi Jayarathna (centre) with his team Adventure sports sector greatly affected: White Water’s Edge Proprietor Ravi Jayarathna Our sector was greatly affected by the to make do with local tour groups, we do not constitutional crisis of 26 October 2018 and see how our sector will be able to handle the the nation then the Easter Sunday attacks of 21 April tours while sticking to the health guidelines. 2019; and just when we thought we were off Moreover, we can earn a considerable to a good start to rebuilding our businesses income from local tour groups only when the this year, we were hit by a pandemic. corporate sector organises outbound training Kitulgala thrives on direct and indirect programmes, but I doubt that companies will employment opportunities created by the be able to make allowances in their budgets adventure sports business, and is home to for such activities due to the current economic about 40 such establishments that offer conditions they are facing. rafting and adventure water sports-related I have been told that some of the other activities. The majority of our income comes water sports businesses in the area are now from foreign travellers who visit the area to offering rafting and water sports activities engage in water sports. at very low prices; when that happens, we Out of all the establishments in the area, will not be able to sustain our businesses or I am the only person registered with the retain our employees. SLTDA; the rest of the businesses are all The SLTDA should look at setting pricing small enterprises which have been built on standards for services that are on offer by the owners’ personal investments. the subsectors, as each business now charges When the travel and tourism sector opens whatever amount they please, and some tour up in August, we will still have to struggle guides/drivers too are misusing this by selling to source financial support in order to repair our services at a higher rate to travellers. our dilapidated boats and gear. At present, about 1,000 people in Kitulgala PHOTO SAMAN ABESIRIWARDHANA Our sector has been completely neglected; have lost their source of income. since Kitulgala does not have a people’s Even if tourism-related activities are to representative elected to Parliament or resume, with the mini hydro power plant BY SARAH HANNAN Minister of Tourism and Aviation Prasanna anyone serving in the Cabinet of Ministers projects coming up in the area, we will yet Ranatunga proposed that Cabinet approve of the incumbent Government, the people again face a crisis when the water runs dry With the Covid-19 pandemic still a tourism relief package entailing a loan of of this area did not even receive the Rs. 5,000 and our businesses face closure. posing the threat of a second wave Rs. 15.8 billion to pay salaries to a total of relief that was distributed to low-income We hope that the authorities will closely in the country, the Government’s 131,497 persons employed in Sri Lanka Tourism families as relief for the public. assess the impact of such projects in areas decision to resume socioeconomic Development Authority (SLTDA)-registered Even after travel and tourism commences that are tourist hotspots and support us in activities is still being criticised. businesses and 9,216 tour guides and drivers. in August, we will not be able to start our retaining the businesses which generate The loan will cover a payoff of Rs. 20,000 operations as we cannot expect foreigners income for and improve the livelihoods of Keeping the country’s activities restricted per staff member per month for a period to travel to Sri Lanka this soon. Even if we are Kitulgala residents. for too long would cause it to descend into of six months in hotels, tour management a more chaotic situation, with the state and companies, and tour agencies, while staff private sectors running out of money to keep members employed at eateries that cater to the paycheques going out. tourists, wellness centres, and spas are to Although Sri Lanka’s tourism industry only receive a payoff of Rs. 15,000 per month for contributes about 12.5% of the country’s GDP a period of six months. (gross domestic product), many view it as the Tour guides and drivers registered under the quickest method to kickstart the economy. SLTDA will be granted a one-time allowance Although the tourism industry of Sri Lanka is of Rs. 20,000 and Rs. 15,000, respectively. permitted to commence operations from August These loans would be made available through under strict health and safety conditions, this government banks at an interest rate of 4%. move is not viewed favourably by industry Industry players will get a grace period of two experts. years for repayment and would be required to Just last week, seven families in Jaffna pay back the loan amount within five years. were instructed to self-quarantine after a saree While the above loans will only cover merchant from India who had visited the town SLTDA-registered businesses, it should be noted to sell the goods, interacted with these seven that several businesses that aren’t registered with families. Later, upon his return to India, it was the SLTDS provide services to keep tourists Thousands have lost jobs: learnt that he had contracted Covid-19. entertained during their stay in Sri Lanka; How such situations will be managed once these businesses provide direct and indirect Yala Safari jeep driver Lahiru Sanjeewa Sri Lanka opens for tourists in August, is a employment to people living in such areas. There are about 1,000 safari jeeps that question we need to ask. The Sunday Morning spoke to some SLTDA- operate in the Yala National Park and the Moreover, will the general public be ready to registered service providers as well as those businesses that have been built around the welcome tourists with the same hospitality and from other subsectors which contribute towards national park too have lost their income as Experiential tourism the way forward: warmth as before, given that some countries keeping the country’s tourism industry running, a result of the travel restrictions. Although Fun Holidays (Pvt.) Ltd. Managing Director in Europe and the Americas are yet to bring about whether these concessions and loans the parks would reopen on Monday Nalinda Perera the pandemic under control? would be of any help to them in rebuilding (tomorrow), we can only expect local In an attempt to salvage the tourism industry their businesses and keeping their staff in tour groups over the weekend, which Currently, most of the service-oriented which is currently on a downward spiral, employment. will leave us with no income during the industries around the world have come to week, as there are no foreign tour groups a halt due to restrictions on mobility. Out of in the country. the lot, tourism is one of the most affected With economic activities shutting down sectors since strict health measures have Tours burdened with obstacles: Tourism Organisation of for nearly three months, our industry has heavily impacted international travel. Professionals President Manoj Maddage become the worst affected; as international The tourism industry in Sri Lanka had travel will not resume immediately, we Government has promised for the tourism to face two blows within a period of 12 By the time we commence operations, the industry would by the accommodation provider, for which the tourists would would have to bear this for a good six to industry will not reach us, as we have not months; first, the 21 April Easter attacks and have been closed for four-and-a-half months. probably have to pay. If in the country for more than 10 days, 10 months in total. been included in the mix. now, the Covid-19 pandemic. The industry The proposed payoffs suggested in the cabinet paper will they will have to undergo a third PCR test, possibly on the eighth During the lockdown, all the campsites Rebuilding our sector will take at least was gradually recovering from the negative not be sufficient for most of the professionals and the one-time day after arrival; if they test positive for Covid-19, they will be had to layoff temporary employees as another year and we cannot expect local impact after the former, and we were all set allowance that is granted to the tour guides placed under quarantine, which would they could not afford to pay their daily tourism to have much of an impact in for a high volume of tourist arrivals during and drivers seems to be an unfair amount. span 14-21 days. wages due to the lack of income. These improving our cash flow at this moment. the last four months of the 2019/20 winter We requested the President and the Even if we start receiving tour groups people will never get their jobs back. Even Leisure travel will be the last thing on their season, which is from January 2020 to April where you’re required to go on 14 days of SLTDA to offer us a soft loan of up to Rs. 1 in September, the health guidelines that when the tourism sector reopens, we will minds as many in the local workforce too 2020. quarantine upon arrival. million, so that when we have to restart are in place and the stigma surrounding have to attend to repairing our vehicles are facing pay cuts and job losses. However, with the emergence of the The MICE (meetings, incentives, our operations, the drivers would be able tourists from certain countries will pose a and making sure these are in a suitable The campsites too are facing issues as Covid-19 pandemic in late December 2019, conferencing, exhibitions) sector will not to carry out the necessary repair work on challenge for us as well as the travellers in condition to transport people. many who have taken huge loans to invest arrivals started to reduce slowly. The Chinese operate either as most of the corporates their vehicles in preparation to transport accessing wayside services. With the vehicles remaining stationary in their businesses have ended up with no Spring Festival holiday period from late around the world have been badly affected; tourists safely when they arrive in Sri Lanka; Then, we will also have another issue. for over three months, the batteries have income. These people are unable to pay January to mid-February is considered this included the regional MICE sector (80% that amount will also cover our vehicle lease Once we finish the tour, we will have to died, engine parts have eroded, and the their loan instalments, let alone restart one of the busiest periods each year, as we India) as well, which will severely affect payments to an extent. self-quarantine at home and would have tyres too will have to be replaced. their businesses when the country opens see a large number of Chinese arrivals. The hotels in Colombo. The tour guide lecturers mainly handle to possibly wait for at least three weeks to The concessions and loans that the its doors for tourist arrivals. breakout of the virus in China during this We don't predict any activity over the next tour groups from Germany and the US, and receive the next tour group; we too would very period severely affected the industry six to eight months at least, irrespective of given the present climate, we are doubtful have to undergo PCR testing, although no in Sri Lanka as Chinese operators and local whether we are considering the holidaymaker that tourists from those countries would be travelling this soon. clear instructions have been given in this regard. travel agents started cancelling bookings. or business traveller. Most countries still have heavy travel restrictions in place and Operation guidelines issued by SLTDA indicate that after we Sports clubs reopen This resulted in a nearly 80% drop in Chinese Until a vaccine is found for Covid-19, the are discouraging group travel. finish the tour, we should do the following: arrivals during this period. industry will have to look at its business from While we do understand that the conditions for travel yy Leave belongings outside, before entering the Sports clubs around Sri Lanka finally received the green light Subsequently, other key markets a whole different perspective. Mass tourism stipulated by our tourism authorities are required to ensure the residence after a tour; any items that need to be taken to open their clubhouses and restaurant services to patrons with started cancelling bookings too, and after will no longer attract anyone or rather no health and safety of the traveller and are taken as preventive inside the house immediately should be disinfected effect from last Tuesday (9). the Government imposed curfew from one will seek it due to health concerns that measures, we feel these need to be revised, as we see that some with alcohol-based sanitiser or exposed to heat However, they are required to limit the capacity of patrons to 20 March, the entire industry came to a arise as a result of mass gatherings at tourist conditions are not favourable to the traveller. 50%, and insist that members and their families make advanced standstill. attractions and hotels. yy Enter the house only after taking a bath with water For instance, when tourists arrive in the country, they have reservations to enjoy lunch or dinner at their favourite clubs. This has brought most of the independent The way around this would be alternative and soap to spend one day either in Negombo or Colombo until they get The patrons are also required to follow the general health and some small and medium-sized travel tourism where we promote the destination their PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test results. Currently, this yy If feeling sick or weak after the tour (with or without guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health and the sports club agents to their knees; as they were already to niche markets and also promote more process takes up to 24 hours. So from the required minimum high temperature/respiratory symptoms), seek staff too is to adhere to the same. suffering from the aftermath of the 21 April experiential tourism. Health, wellness, five-night stay in the country, one night will be spent in Negombo immediate medical attention or call 1390/1999; if During the extended curfew period, many of Colombo’s sports attacks, some businesses had no choice but Ayurveda, and spiritual tourism will be the or Colombo, which will limit tourists’ travel itinerary to four considered by medical experts as a Covid-19-suspected clubs made their popular menu items available on food delivery to close down. way forward. nights/five days. case, report immediately to the local MoH (Ministry apps such as PickMe and UberEats and also arranged their very Considering the current world situation, To be frank, there are many other concerns They are then required to take another PCR test on the fourth/ of Health) office and also inform the SLTDA by calling own delivery services to cater to club members’ needs. it's not realistic to expect any business by before we open the country for tourism; the fifth day of being in the country, which needs to be arranged 1912 July. Nobody wants to go on a holiday truth is, we are not 100% ready to open. the sunday morning 5 Sunday, June 14, 2020 SPOTLIGHT

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PHOTO © SRI LANKA FOUNDATION

HAMBANTOTA PORT LEASE Billions off financial records z Auditor General warns of diplomatic row over issue

BY SKANDHA GUNASEKARA Authority as well,” the report states. their financial records. The AG’s remarks in the annual repayment under the Treasury, the records Furthermore, monies for an additional “They had struck off the loan from their report of the Ministry of Finance too ought to be with the Treasury. Government liabilities with regard 148 loan agreements realised in the years books soon after the Hambantota Port lease also pointed out the fact that the “This is a controversial matter and the to the repayment of the loan 2018 and 2019 were also not recorded. agreement to China was signed. That is not loan procured for Phase II of the Ports Authority has had several discussions procured from China to construct “Sums of Rs. 176,844 million and correct. They cannot do that as the asset Hambantota Port Development regarding it. The Relief Agreement the Hambantota Port has not been Rs. 33,345 million relating to 129 and is still with them and the loan is yet to be Project in 2019 was also missing states that the Treasury undertook the listed in the financial records of the 19 foreign loan agreements realised fully repaid,” he stressed. from the financial statements of the responsibility of repaying the loan. relevant government institutions Treasury Operations Department respectively during the year 2019 and He then said that he would instruct the Therefore, loan records should be in the or the Sri Lanka Ports Authority during the year 2018 or previously had SLPA in writing to remedy their mistake, Treasury and had already been utilised. Treasury books, and not with the SLPA,” (SLPA), with the Auditor General’s totalled Rs. 210,189 million, had not also noting that the money for leasing the Meanwhile, the SLPA charged that as SLPA Additional Managing Director Upali (AG) Department warning of been accounted for as foreign borrowing Hambantota Port had been received by the the 2017 Relief Agreement brings the loan de Soyza told The Sunday Morning. even by 31 December (sic),” the AG’s possible diplomatic issues with Department noted. China over the matter. The balance payment of Rs. 172,717 million for the loan is not recorded in the financial statements of any government The Treasury is repaying the loan, institute. This fact was highlighted in the but the SLPA has not put it in 2019 Annual Report of the Ministry of their books. They have the asset, Finance by the AG’s Department. so they have to have it in their “Out of the borrowings made by the books. We are paying back the loan Government for the construction of the accordingly; the problem is that it is Hambantota Port, a sum of Rs. 172,717 not being recorded in the financial million represents the balance payable as books of the SLPA at 31 December 2019. The approval of Secretary to the Treasury and Ministry the Cabinet of Ministers for the Cabinet of Finance S.R. Attygalle Memorandum No. MPS/SEC/2017/32 dated 20 July 2018 named ‘Hambantota Port Relief Agreement’ presented by the Passing the buck Ministry of Port and Naval Affairs in this Additional AG Sudesh Rohitha, connection had been granted on 4 August speaking to The Sunday Morning, said 2017. that despite a cabinet decision taken “Accordingly, the General Treasury in 2017 for the Treasury to take over had undertaken the responsibility for the responsibility, there was no record in the settlement of the remaining balance of the Treasury books. debts made by the Sri Lanka Government “A cabinet decision had been taken for the construction of (the) Hambantota that the Treasury would take over the Port so as to be effective from the date of repayment of the loan account, but neither enforcement of the said relief agreement, the Treasury books nor the Sri Lanka whereas the debt balance had not been Ports Authority books have the loan included in the financial statement of the amount. It had been deleted from the Ports Government. Moreover, the above balance Authority books it seems in 2017, soon had also been eliminated from the financial after the port was leased to China,” he statements of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority informed. as at 31 December 2019,” the AG’s He warned that if China was to inquire, Department had noted. Sri Lanka would have no records to show the massive loan taken from that country for the construction of the Hambantota Port. Furthermore, Rohitha said that ideally, The Treasury and the Central Bank the Treasury should be handling the entire are liable and responsible for debt account. management. So it is clearly the “The Treasury and the Central responsibility of the Treasury. We Bank are liable and responsible for believe that since the Treasury is debt management. So it is clearly the making the payments, it is best if responsibility of the Treasury. We believe the records are maintained by the that since the Treasury is making the Treasury and not the SLPA payments, it is best if the records are Additional AG Sudesh Rohitha maintained by the Treasury and not the SLPA,” Rohitha pointed out. Nevertheless, Secretary to the Treasury The AG’s remarks in the annual report and Ministry of Finance S.R. Attygalle of the Ministry of Finance also pointed out said that the fault lies with the SLPA. the fact that the loan procured for Phase “The Treasury is repaying the loan, but II of the Hambantota Port Development the SLPA has not put it in their books. Project in 2019 was also missing from They have the asset, so they have to have the financial statements of the relevant it in their books. We are paying back the government institutions. loan accordingly; the problem is that it is “The foreign loan of Rs. 8,159 million not being recorded in the financial books received during the year 2019 under the of the SLPA,” he reiterated, adding that in Debt Number 2012033 and Phase II of the the months of January and July each year, Hambantota Port Development Project the Government pays a tranche of the loan had not been included in the financial to China. statements of the Government or in the Attygalle further said the SLPA had financial statements of the Sri Lanka Ports errantly removed the loan details from

PHOTO © ECONOMY NEXT 6 the sunday morning FOCUS/SPOTLIGHT Sunday, June 14, 2020

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BY SKANDHA GUNASEKARA The financial debacle at The Finance Company PLC does not seem to have an end in sight with depositors and employees charging that the Central Bank’s financial mismanagement could lead to fraud and that even with liquidation, its 145,000-odd depositors would not be fully compensated. The Finance Company, one of the oldest financial companies with a history of 80 years, has been a sinking ship in the last decade following its takeover by the Central Bank. Soon after the financial crisis in 2009, The Finance Company was FINANCIAL DEBACLE AT THE FINANCE brought under the purview of the Central Bank and was managed by a Board of Directors appointed directly by the Central Bank. The Finance Company Employees Union Secretary Depositors paying price for Shanaka Silva, speaking to The Sunday Morning, said the company had a total of Rs. 36.7 billion in assets while liabilities were around Rs. 35.54 billion in 2009, when it was taken over by the Central Bank. “This left a positive value of Rs. mismanagement 1,427 million,” Silva said. He said that as the Central Bank z and the company management had zGovt. blames Central Bank for failure Customers to pay contractual obligations: CBSL continued to assure deposit holders of the stability and credibility of business had stopped. That meant in May that they would liquidate will be needed to completely pay that is the option we can go for. the institute, and a majority of there was no income whatsoever the company. This is totally off the depositors. Where will this The Prime Minister has made depositors – around 75% – had for The Finance company, but they unacceptable,” he said, noting that money come from? This is fraud,” a statement to the effect that an continued to maintain their accounts continued to pay interest.” There are other options and depositors and employees of the Silva charged. inquiry should be initiated, which and deposits at the failing company, Owing to financial they would come to light in the company were in distress. The Finance Company could give us more options.” keeping their faith in the regulator mismanagement and inefficiencies coming weeks. Once the Rs. He said that of the 145,172 Chairman Wasantha Kumarasiri He said that he hoped another even after the 2009 fiasco. of the Board of Directors in charge 600,000 (to the) depositors is depositors, 135,000 were those said the depositors would be solution apart from liquidation “Most of these depositors are of the company, it started incurring paid, the total liabilities will who had deposited up to Rs. compensated. would be found. pensioners and the elderly,” Silva heavy losses since 2009; its net go down and then we can see 600,000, while 10,072 depositors “As you know with the current “There are other options and said. assets reduced to Rs. 9.5 billion what can be done. We are still had deposited Rs. 600,000 and situation of regulatory action – the they would come to light in the In January 2019, The Finance while liabilities had shot up to Rs. in the process of returning the more. cancellation of (our) license – we coming weeks. Once the Rs. Company Executive Director N. 29.3 billion by the end of January monies The Central Bank had are returning the depositors, of 600,000 (to the) depositors is paid, The Finance Company Mamaduwa had initiated a month- this year. Chairman Wasantha announced that it has taken steps up to Rs. 600,000, their money, the total liabilities will go down long campaign to attract new “This was allowed to happen Kumarasiri to pay compensation up to Rs. via the Central Bank (Deposit) and then we can see what can be depositors to boost assets, which despite annual, biannual, and even 600,000 to insured depositors Insurance (and Liquidity Support) done. We are still in the process of resulted in a cash inflow of Rs. 943 quarterly monitoring by the Central as per the regulations of the Fund. After that, the Central returning the monies.” million. Bank. This resulted in a Rs. 19.7 “On 6 March this year, we met Sri Lanka Deposit Insurance Bank will make an assessment on Nevertheless, Treasury and “Just a month later however, billion difference in the balance with the Prime Minister. He too and Liquidity Support Scheme. how to deal with the rest of the Ministry of Finance Secretary regulatory action was taken, sheets of the company. Within just agreed that the Central Bank had The balance amount if any, will matters. It is too early to make S.R. Attygalle said that the Central freezing all activity at the company. 11 years, the positive net assets made a mess of things and assured be settled after liquidation of a comment because there are so Bank had failed to take crucial No one could withdraw or deposit. had become Rs. 20 billion in us that the company would not be properties belong to The Finance many indications in the market steps to find an investor early. All accounts were frozen. The liabilities,” Silva said, noting that liquidated. He said that an inquiry Company, the Central Bank said. including the statement by the “The Central Bank should have whole financial structure crumbled it is the only financial company could be initiated and a solution The Sri Lanka Deposit Prime Minister, so there may be found an investor before letting it as a result,” Silva said. in the entire country that was found.” Insurance and Liquidity Support other actions that are possible.” go this far. Now it will be easier to He said that since February 2019, controlled by the Central Bank. However, just two months Fund amounts to Rs. 11 billion. find an investor as everything has no activity had taken place at the later, the Central Bank abruptly Silva shared that the company ‘Liquidation most definite been cleared. That option is also company except for the payment False hope announced that The Finance had Rs. 27 billion in liabilities, option’ being looked at.” of interest, which amounted to Rs. Then in March this year, Prime Company would be liquidated after taking into account its assets. He said that there were He went on to say that the 4 billion. Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa had and pledged to repay 93% of the “As anyone can clearly see, several options confirming that company had the required assets “Rs. 4 billion was released in assured depositors and employees depositors. there will be a gap of Rs. 16 liquidation was the final option. to pay off all depositors even if the the last 14 months as interest to alike that the company would not “Even after the Prime Minister billion. The assets of the company “One of the options is to go Deposit Insurance and Liquidity depositors without any activity be liquidated and a solution would had given his assurance to us, the would only (bring in) Rs. 8.5 for liquidation. That is the most Support Fund was insufficient. happening at the company. All be found. Central Bank suddenly announced billion. That means Rs. 8 billion definite action. If everything fails, Contd. on page 7

KALAWEWA FOREST RESERVE LANDS FOR MANGO CULTIVATION It was reported that in the early 1900s, an estimated 10,000 to 15,000 elephants roamed wild in the country. However, poaching and the loss of habitat due to human activities such as deforestation for farming, have taken a heavy toll on them. Evaluating the increasing number of elephant deaths as resulted from the human- A JUMBO elephant conflict, environmentalists stressed that planting a commercial crop while blocking elephant corridors would further worsen the conflict, resulting in the loss of many elephant lives. Many lives at risk ISSUE Meanwhile, another prominent z z No proper EIA, allege Mahaweli Ministry environmentalist alleged that the lands environmentalists to probe issue have already been released by the authority, which is totally illegal as they cannot do so cultivations, it should be done after carrying alone. Furthermore, at least 150 elephants without conducting a proper EIA. out a proper EIA. have been reported killed in Sri Lanka so far Environmental Conservation Trust (ECT) “We don’t advise the Government to go this year. Executive Director Sajeewa Chamikara said PHOTO RAJIV WELIKALA ahead with this project as even if we ask In Sri Lanka, the annual elephant death that if the Government goes ahead with the them to conduct an EIA, they would do so toll is between 200 and 250, while human project, it would pose a huge threat to the and justify the handing over of the lands,” deaths due to elephant attacks are between elephants in the North Central Province. BY MAHEESHA MUDUGAMUWA “The area is a high breeding ground of he stressed, pointing out that the identified 60 and 90. The number of property damages “Elephants in the North Central Province elephants and around 250 elephants usually lands are in an elephant corridor and caused by elephants in a year is around gather in Kalawewa in the months of July, Controversy surrounds lands in the gather in this area. If a commercial crop is therefore, the Government should not justify 1,200. According to the Department of August, and September every year. This area Kalawewa Forest Reserve that have been planted in this area, an electric fence would the project by any means. Wildlife Conservation (DWC), the human- is their breeding ground,” he stressed. allegedly handed over by the Mahaweli not prevent elephants from encroaching. elephant conflict is reported from 123 He alleged that the MASL had also Authority of Sri Lanka (MASL) to a private Since mango is their favourite crop, the use In Sri Lanka, the annual elephant divisional secretariat (DS) divisions in 18 handed over lands in the Kahallapalla and company for mango cultivation. of an electric fence to protect the crop will death toll is between 200 and administrative districts of Sri Lanka. Kiralawa Forest Reserves. As alleged by environmentalists, the not be helpful,” Centre for Environmental 250, while human deaths due to Last year, at least 253 elephants were “This area is to be gazetted and surveys private company is to cultivate mango as a Justice (CEJ) Executive Director Hemantha elephant attacks are between 60 killed and 84 people lost their lives due to have already been completed. This act of commercial crop in around 100 acres of land Withanage told The Sunday Morning. and 90. The number of property the human-elephant conflict. In 2016, the land-grabbing is occurring before the land is and the MASL is to handover around 25 damages caused by elephants in a total number of elephants and human deaths declared in the gazette,” Chamikara alleged. acres to the said private company. Worsening existing issues year is around 1,200 were recorded at 279 and 88, respectively. He said that there were several such Environmentalists alleged that the According to him, the commercial crop Gunshots, “hakka patas”, electrocution, attempts over the past few years to distribute authority has no right to grant such lands that is to be planted in this area would only Shrinking of natural habitat has resulted poisoning, and train accidents are the most lands in elephant corridors to political owned by the latter without carrying out a create another human-elephant conflict. in elephants and other wild animals common causes of death of elephants. supporters and that this is one such incident, proper environmental impact assessment Therefore, environmentalists urged the venturing into human habitats, leading to The first national survey on wild also pointing out that the Ministry of (EIA). Government to immediately stop the project casualties on both sides. elephants was conducted in 2011 and the Mahaweli Development and Environment They also claimed that planting a and first conduct a proper survey across the According to government figures, some country has a population of around 5,879 should immediately intervene in the matter commercial crop in an elephant sanctuary country into the lands owned by the MASL, 1,177 elephants have been victims of wild elephants. The figure includes 122 and stop this devastating attempt to offer would aggravate the human-elephant also noting that if the Government is keen poaching, train-related accidents, poisoning, tuskers – male elephants with tusks – and lands for mango cultivation. conflict. on distributing such lands for commercial and electrocution in the past five years 1,107 calves. Contd. on page 7 the sunday morning 7 Sunday, June 14, 2020 SPOTLIGHT/FOCUS

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SRI LANKA CRICKET SPENDS MILLIONS Cricket campus stumped? z SLC blames former Govt. for delays z Questions raised by former COPE

BY MAHEESHA MUDUGAMUWA also the transactions which occurred adopting systematic methodologies of 2017, Godaliyadda explained, course-related modules are currently compensation. “These are little- while obtaining the land for the by conducting a substantial adding: “SLC decided that the being prepared by the SLC. known facts and these issues made Concerns have been raised construction of the building. study, and action should be taken campus should be established in “The board can offer International the SLC think about establishing the over the million-rupee cricket As it was reported, the National to accomplish the objectives Kandy as we have the Dambulla and Cricket Council (ICC)-accredited campus,” he clarified. campus project in Kandy Audit Office of Sri Lanka (NAOSL) expeditiously. Pallekele cricket stadiums. However, training programmes. Hence, the Highlighting the financial which has been delayed for has also recommended strict However, the payments made by after the SLC took the decision, the proposed campus would be an allocations and future plans of years. adherence to procedure when the SLC to the Malwathu Chapter next step was to search for a proper internationally recognised one,” he the project, the SLC noted that implementing the proposed SLC have also been questioned by the land.” noted. the building plan had already Allegations have been levelled campus project in Kandy. COPE. “In Kandy, it was very difficult As explained by the current been approved by the Urban against the project for the delay in Responding to the various to find a land. Then the Malwathu administration of the SLC, the Development Authority (UDA) and commencing, to which the Sri Lanka Admin change reason for allegations levelled against the Chapter offered the land owned construction had begun once again the Phase I of the project would Cricket (SLC) had already spent Rs. delay SLC’s proposed cricket campus, by the temple in Katugastota and in 2019 when the new administration be completed at a cost of Rs. 114 26.25 million in 2018, according to a The project has been launched SLC Executive Committee Member the land is very close to the main came into power. million. forensic audit (FA) report. by the SLC to improve the overall and Secretary of National Projects road. It is an ideal location and the When asked for the reason and Commenting on the handwritten The report also questioned the standards of the game in 2017 Sujeeva Godaliyadda told The board agreed to go for a lease. The necessity of having an internationally cheque highlighted in the audit million-rupee worth of payments by setting up a million-rupee Sunday Morning that the project board could also save a huge sum of recognised cricket campus in Sri report, Godaliyadda stressed that made with a handwritten cheque as campus on a land leased from the was delayed as a result of the money as the land was offered for Lanka, the Secretary of National the cheque had to be handwritten against the approved procedures. Malwathu Maha Viharaya in Kandy. administration change in May 2018. Rs. 250,000 per year on lease and Projects of SLC stressed that the because the name of the temple It has also been revealed that However, the project had not been For nine months, the board did not initially the board made a donation country did not have an institution couldn’t be printed by the machine the SLC had failed to obtain the commenced after an administration take any initiative and the cricket to the temple as we obtained the land to look after their players when in three paras. He went on to say the approval from the Ministry of change in May 2018. With the delay campus project was also delayed for at a very cheap rate,” Godaliyadda allegations have been levelled by the SLC spent on legal fees to prepare Education. In the audit report, it in commencing the project, the nine months, he said. noted. ICC. the lease agreement. was further mentioned that the SLC NAOSL had recommended the SLC “In 2018, the SLC administration Highlighting the incident of Meanwhile, when contacted had continued its payments for the do a systematic feasibility study was removed and the board was Much-needed Kusal Janith Perera where he was by The Sunday Morning, SLC preliminary work as well as other before the commencement of the under Secretary to the Sports representative institute banned from playing by the ICC, Secretary Mohan de Silva stressed purposes. progressive activities of the project. Ministry Kamal Padmasiri. Then As explained by Godaliyadda, the Godaliyadda stressed that by that that the damage caused to the However, the Committee on Public It has been recommended that Minister was Faiszer Musthapha. For proposed project was a campus but time, there was no government cricket industry, particularly to Enterprises (COPE) headed by the SLC systematically decide these nine months, the board did not not a university and once completed, institution to defend the cricketer. the SLC, during the nine-month former Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna institutional facilities, course do anything,” Godaliyadda stressed. it would offer educational certificates However, it was the SLC that filed period under then Sports Minister (JVP) MP Sunil Handunnetti at subjects, and syllabuses required for The project is the brainchild of for completing courses. “This is not a case against the laboratory which Musthapha and Ministry Secretary the time had questioned the delay the establishment of the university. former SLC President Thilanga a degree-awarding institution and had conducted the test for the local Padmasiri couldn’t be recovered and in constructing the cricket campus As mentioned in the audit report, Sumathipala. therefore is not a university,” he player and Sri Lanka won the case. the long-delayed cricket campus initially begun by the board and the project should be commenced by The project was begun at the end said, pointing out that the necessary Ultimately, the ICC had to pay was one of those losses.

Contd. from page 6 Depositors paying... “If they cannot pay through the support applicable for the priority of claims. scheme, then they will have to liquidate All customers who have obtained all assets and then settle the depositors,” loans and advances from The Finance he said. Company are required to pay their contractual obligations to the company in Central Bank statement accordance with the terms and conditions The Central Bank, in a statement, in their agreements through the relevant said the licence issued to The Finance bank accounts. Company PLC to carry on finance­ Such customers are also requested business has been cancelled with effect to mention the contract number of the from 22 May 2020, in terms of Section relevant lease/loan/advance facility or 37 (3) of the Finance Business Act No. the contact details (telephone number) of 42 of 2011 by the Monetary Board of the the customer while making the payment Central Bank of Sri Lanka. Accordingly, to the relevant bank accounts in the The Finance Company is not authorised reference field of the bank slip. to carry on finance­ business with effect Any customer who fails to pay their from 22 May 2020. contractual obligations through the Furthermore, a notice of cancellation aforesaid bank accounts will be able to of the Certificate­ of Registration of settle their dues through the designated The Finance Company as a registered employees of The Finance Company who finance leasing establishment under the carry a special identity card authenticated provisions of the Finance Leasing Act by the members of the Management No. 56 of 2000 has been issued with Panel appointed to The Finance Company effect from 22 May 2020. by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka. The Sri Lanka Deposit Insurance and Furthermore, all customers are advised Liquidity Support Scheme of the Central to obtain receipts from such employees Bank will take necessary actions to pay for the repayment of loans and advances compensation up to a maximum of Rs. to The Finance Company. Customers are 600,000 per insured depositor under the also advised to verify the authenticity applicable laws and regulations. Further of employees from the members of the information regarding the payment of Management Panel. Further, necessary compensation will be communicated legal action will be taken against in due course. The remaining deposit the customers who fail to pay their balance of all other depositors may contractual obligations in accordance be recovered during the process of with their agreements, the Central Bank liquidation subject to the legal provisions said. A jumbo issue... Elaborating further on the human- place to place and find food and water. elephant conflict, Species Conservation Hambantota, Sooriyawewa, Galgamuwa, Centre (SCC) Director Pubudu the North Central Province, Dambulla, Weerarathna told The Sunday Morning and Polonnaruwa are among the worst- that human-induced pressures have affected areas due to the human-elephant reduced the forest peripheries, in turn conflict. reducing the buffer zone the elephants use regularly. All the small gaps in the Political games? corridors have been closed by human n response to the allegation circulated habitation. on social media recently, Minister of He believes that conflict situations Mahaweli, Agriculture, Irrigation, and arise as developments projects have Rural Development Chamal Rajapaksa, taken place without clearly understanding in a social media post, said that he will the intricacies of elephant movements. launch an investigation into this. Elephants travel in a fixed path, which is “We want this project completely the path their mothers taught them, and stopped. I got to know that officials have this is imprinted in the elephant’s memory, already started to measure the 100 acres he explained. for the plantation. If this goes forward, the “During the last 10-20 years, the villagers have said that they will protest forests were destroyed for the sake of this.” development and as a result, elephants Environmentalists allege the lost their habitats as well as food and involvement of political supporters of water. Therefore, they started to come Minister of Environment and Wildlife into nearby villages in search of food and Resources S.M. Chandrasena in handing water,” Weerarathna stressed. over said lands to the private company. He noted that immediate action should Unfortunately, attempts made by The be taken to clear the elephant corridors Sunday Morning to contact Chandrasena as well as to let them move freely from were futile. the sunday morning Sunday, June 14, 2020 EDITORIAL/POLITICS

WITH OUR READERS’ HEALTH IN MIND A SPECIAL ANTIMICROBIAL INK HAS BEEN USED IN THE PRINTING OF OUR NEWSPAPER The perfect storm 5 AUGUST GENERAL ELECTION ANNOUNCED With the Election Commission (EC) announcing that the long-delayed general election will finally take place on Wednesday, 5 August, the battle cries that were being raised against the Commission have finally abated. The outspoken Head of the Commission, Mahinda Deshapriya, took great pains to explain why the election had to be postponed and the many new measures that will be in place for the first time at the August poll. Today marks the beginning of the 50-day countdown to what will be A divided Opposition gears for polls a defining election in Sri Lanka’s post-independence history. It will be defining in the sense that it will be the first election in 72 years where the two main parties that have dominated the post-independence political The 2020 parliamentary 5 August as the date to hold the landscape will be relegated to bystander status. The forthcoming election election, which was election, was made. will herald the unveiling of a new political order that could potentially postponed twice due to be dominated by the two offspring of the main parties – namely, the the Covid-19 pandemic, is Tension at Sirikotha Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) offspring the Sri Lanka Podujana scheduled to be held on 5 With election heat gathering Peramuna (SLPP) and the United National Party (UNP) offspring the August, according to the the momentum, the United National Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) – with the two parent parties consigned Election Commission (EC). Party (UNP) headquarters, to the shadows. black box Sirikotha, became a hive of activity Ironically, the architects of the downfall of both the UNP and the SLFP EC Chairman Mahinda on Monday (8) when a group of have been their respective leaders, who today are not only the biggest Deshapriya said that its members by Capt. Vasabha the party’s trade unionists voiced liabilities of these two parties, but who also stubbornly refuse to accept unanimously decided objections against the party or acknowledge the fact. to hold the general leadership and seniors. The manner in which UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe has presided election on 5 A meeting of the Jathika over the disintegration of what was once a grand political edifice and August. Sevaka Sangamaya (JSS) Maithripala Sirisena’s leadership of the crumbling SLFP are eerily similar, Last Tuesday representatives was held but what took the cake in the form of the mother of all political disasters (9), the EC issued at Sirikotha on Monday was when these two individuals were put together in the Yahapalana the Gazette morning under the experiment. The less said of that the better. Nonetheless, the question indicating the patronage of UNP Leader will always be asked whether it was these leaders who failed their parties preferential Ranil Wickremesinghe. they represent or whether it was the parties that failed their leaders. numbers of the The tense situation was Today, both Wickremesinghe and Sirisena remain steadfast in their candidates and the reported when a group of refusal to accept ownership for the chaos they have collectively caused designated polling UNP members representing their respective parties – and by extension the country – owing to nothing stations islandwide. the JSS had raised else but individual as well as collective incompetence. It has been said The objections over the conduct over the years that Wickremesinghe was never thought of as leadership parliamentary polls of the party higher-ups. material and was only thrust into that position by default, owing to the were initially to be The trade unionists had assassinations of party stalwarts Lalith Athulathmudali and former held on 25 April but charged that the party President Ranasinghe Premadasa in 1993, followed by the assassination had to be postponed had failed to support the of UNP presidential candidate Gamini Dissanayake in 1994. due to the outbreak trade unions even while in Twenty-six years later, his dismal record of leadership speaks for itself of the Covid-19 Government and had now and has proven the critics right. Wickremesinghe now has a date with pandemic. Later, turned a blind eye to the SJB Leader and former Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe destiny when Ranasinghe Premadasa’s son becomes his political nemesis the EC postponed problems faced by them PHOTO KRISHAN KARIYAWASAM over and above the others in the fray on 5 August. If Premadasa’s upstart the poll to 20 June, since the conclusion of the SJB polls more votes than the UNP, then for all intents and purposes but it was again presidential election. Wickremesinghe’s goose is cooked. If by chance the UNP polls more deemed not suitable “The party leaders are the inclusion of former MP Arjuna than the SJB, then Wickremesinghe will be on life support to blunder to hold an election. too busy fighting with Ranatunga as an advisor of the UNP on for another three years as party Leader when his term comes to an However, the the UNPers and striking and invited him into the UNP’s end in 2023. EC last Sunday (7) deals with members of the main decision-making body. Such a prospect will largely depend on the benevolence of voters held a mock poll in Government. They have Therefore, Ranatunga will be a towards the grand old party and therefore should not by any measure the Galle District to test the failed to address the likely inclusion at the UNP’s next be construed as a vote of confidence in Wickremesinghe’s leadership Covid-19 health guidelines issues faced by the trade WC meeting. abilities which have been equally disastrous, both in opposition as and its preparedness for the unions,” several trade As for discussions on appointing well as in government. He is probably the only elected leader who has parliamentary polls. The Black Box which was published on 24 May unionists had shouted new electoral organisers and failed to complete a full term every time he was given the opportunity, The first mock poll was during the meeting. replacements to the positions which has been few and far between – in 2001 and 2015. No doubt, held at the Ambalangoda Vilegoda cast each vote while sticking to the UNP General Secretary fallen vacant after the suspension Wickremesinghe has been easy prey for opposition parties given his Dhammayukthikarama Temple. guidelines. Akila Viraj Kariyawasam said that of 99 party members, the WC had inherent reluctance to put up a fight. The main aim of the exercise was According to EC member Prof. by spying on the trade unionists, decided to defer the discussion and Sirisena for his part is a different kettle of fish, although his failures to identify the challenges that could Ratnajeevan Hoole, the advice the party had determined that the decision to the next meeting. are as monumental as Wickremesinghe’s. Sirisena has a lot to answer emerge in a live poll setting and given by health authorities, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) The UNP has already appointed for over matters of commission and omission during his tenure as the making the necessary arrangements including the World Health had been behind the commotion at a four-member committee to President of the Republic. It is a matter for regret that he is seeking to address them while conducting Organisation (WHO), is positive. Sirikotha. spearhead the party’s general election to Parliament when none of the questions that are crying out the polling in line with the health The WHO has given the green “We sent people to follow these election campaign. for answers have been answered. It would not be wrong to state that regulations. light to hold the election, but has trade union members and observed The four-member committee the root cause of much of the political and financial issues facing the The simulation was a success also urged caution and stressed the that the members went straight comprises former MPs Karunasena country today are the singular result of Sirisena’s reckless actions during according to Commissioner General importance of following all relevant to the SJB Headquarters from Kodituwakku, Ruwan Wijewardene, his stewardship beginning with the controversial and arbitrary arrest of of Elections Saman Rathnayake. public health guidelines. Sirikotha,” he noted. Prof. Ashu Marasinghe, and Sudath DIG Nalaka Silva who at the time was in hot pursuit of Zahran Hashim, He said the mock elections ran Furthermore, a concern was The meeting was adjourned due Chandrasekara. the leader of the radical Muslim extremist group Thowheed Jamath, on smoothly and did not take as much raised at the meeting regarding the to the tense situation. Chandrasekara, who served yet unproven charges of an assassination conspiracy. time as anticipated. inability to take legal action against Meanwhile, former UNP as a Private Secretary to the With the Police effectively off his back following the DIG’s arrest, “The mock election was held those who violate the guidelines parliamentarian Palitha Range UNP Leader, was the Director of Hashim was provided the space to put together his team of suicide today (7) to ascertain variables such issued by the health authorities Bandara had assured the trade Operations for UNP presidential cadres that wrecked the country on Easter Sunday, the repercussions of as how long voters would take at while preparing to hold an election. unionists that a meeting had been candidate Sajith Premadasa at the which are still being felt. In October 2018, Sirisena arbitrarily dismissed a polling booth while adhering to “The health guidelines given organised with the Party Leader the last presidential election. He has Wickremesinghe’s Government ostensibly because he simply didn’t like health guidelines,” he said. by the health authorities clearly following evening to resolve their now returned to the mainstream his face. This singular action caused markets to tumble and investors Rathnayake said within two mention that the maximum number grievances. UNP fold and is once again aligned to flee with the country’s Parliament being reduced to a violent circus. hours, 240 persons were able to of people that could attend a with Wickremesinghe. Although subsequently a no lesser entity than the Supreme Court declared vote. He explained that two voters meeting is 100. But it has not UNP takes in Arjuna Sirisena’s action illegal, neither Wickremesinghe nor his Government were able to vote within a minute as mentioned what action the Police After the tense situation resulted UNP’s defeat at SC thought it fit to call for Sirisena’s resignation. opposed to 2.3 voters recorded in a can take against those who violate in the end of the JSS meeting, Meanwhile, last Monday saw Barely six months later when the Easter tragedy took place, Sirisena, normal scenario. that guideline,” Prof. Hoole the UNP Leader convened the the Colombo District Court turning who had taken under him the entire defence establishment including the He added that the number of stressed. previously scheduled meeting of the down a request by the SJB to issue Police, was away in Singapore on a private visit. Going by the revelations officials at a polling booth may Therefore, Prof. Hoole noted Working Committee (WC). an enjoining order preventing the being made at the Presidential Commission of Inquiry, which is currently have to be increased by one. that the Commission had decided However, the WC meeting that UNP from suspending members inquiring into the matter, the defence establishment was aware of the He said members of the Sri Lanka to make a formal request from the day did not see any major decisions who have extended support to the impending attacks. But all that Sirisena has said so far is that he knew Medical Council (SLMC) also Government to gazette all health being taken since the discussions SJB. nothing of it. If that indeed was the case, it is a serious indictment on participated to observe the mock guidelines under the Quarantine and were focused on the JSS meeting The motion was filed by his level of competence in the job. election. Prevention of Diseases Act. that had turned sour a few hours SJB General Secretary Ranjith Given that it is these same failed actors who are trying to make a According to Deshapriya, there The next EC meeting was earlier. Madduma Bandara. comeback to Parliament in probably the most crucial period of the will be several more mock polls scheduled for Wednesday (10) Trying to move on with usual The enjoining order was sought country’s history, it is time for the people to decide on their own destiny. soon to estimate the time needed to when the final announcement of business, the WC had discussed against the suspension of 99 In the backdrop of the Covid-19 pandemic, Sri Lanka has an members from the UNP. Due to unprecedented fight on its hands purely for economic survival. This the short notice of the petition, the extraordinary situation calls for extraordinary leadership from the new presiding judge had ruled that the Parliament that should ideally be well versed in the matters at hand. Sri request could not be accepted. Lanka can no longer afford the luxury of having school dropouts and The judge had however requested political riff raff in its Parliament, if it is to weather the storm ahead. that the UNP file a Limited To put what is at stake in perspective, Sri Lanka risks an unprecedented Objection by Friday (12) so that recession if it does not diligently handle what’s in store in the aftermath a final verdict regarding the case of Covid-19. According to World Bank data released last week, the could be issued tomorrow. country’s economy will shrink by a whopping 3.2% this year and is During the hearing, the lawyers expected to stagnate at zero growth in 2021. The last time this happened appearing for the UNP have was in 2001 under Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga. The bank informed court that those members has cited various reasons for its forecast such as the combination of who had been suspended had been falling tourism earnings and muted industrial and manufacturing activity provided with one-month notice to caused by lesser demand from the West coupled with lesser demand for respond to their suspensions. services, which will be impacted further by a significant drop in foreign The UNP had further argued that remittances from workers in the Middle East. bypassing the appeal process with All things considered, the conditions are just about right for the perfect the party's disciplinary committee storm. That storm is already hitting the man on the street as well as the and seeking a court ruling is one sitting in plush corporate offices. It is up to these very same people contrary to fair justice. to now elect the captains who will weather the storm and deliver them However, the UNP’s negative safely to the other side. streak continued on to Tuesday (9) as well when the Supreme Court No 91, Wijerama Mawatha, Colombo 7. (SC) dismissed the petition filed Fax - 011 2 673 441 on behalf of the party seeking General - 011 5 200 900 the cancellation of nominations Director Sales & Marketing - 077 3 866 143 submitted by the SJB. Circulation Manager - 011 5 978 987 / 076 1 367620 The Supreme Court bench E-mail - [email protected] comprising justices Buwaneka Aluwihare, L.T.B. Dehideniya, and Preethi Padman Surasena issued the 9 EDITORIAL/POLITICS

WITH OUR READERS’ HEALTH IN MIND A SPECIAL ANTIMICROBIAL INK HAS BEEN USED IN THE PRINTING OF OUR NEWSPAPER 5 AUGUST GENERAL ELECTION ANNOUNCED A divided Opposition gears for polls

eighth Parliament. united principles and policies within The UNP has already in 'deal politics' can try to portray The petition, filed by parliamentary politics, with the appointed a four-member this as a ‘deal’. However, I had Vidanapathirana Associates objective of raising the standard of committee to spearhead informed Sajith Premadasa and Lawyers, stated that after the living of all citizens of Sri Lanka, the party’s general election Ranil Wickremesinghe separately dissolution of the eighth Parliament, as well as forging reconciliation and campaign. The four-member before announcing my decision on the EC decided to hold the election enhancing a sense of humaneness. committee comprises 9 June. I joined the UNP because for the ninth parliament on 20 June He stated that during this time, he former MPs Karunasena of the confidence I had in Ranil and pointed out that the election succeeded in achieving progress Kodituwakku, Ruwan Wickremesinghe. As such, I have date was after three months from the for Matara as well as the country at Wijewardene, Prof. Ashu a duty to make him aware of my date of the dissolution of Parliament large, yet a lot more still remains to Marasinghe, and Sudath political stance. When I met Ranil and the decision of the EC was be done. Chandrasekara Wickremesinghe, I did not seek illegal. He emphasised that it is necessary advice but explained my political The petitioner stated that the to initiate a movement towards a messages sent through some stance. He had nothing to do with new parliamentary party should progressive political trajectory in of Samaraweera’s aides to stop my decision. The UNP has no be summoned not less than three Sri Lanka in partnership with the supporting and defending former future as long as there are ‘dealers’ months after the dissolution of people in this country who respect Minister and Leader of the All like Vajira. I am truly sorry that a the Parliament, but the failure to democracy, and the different social Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC) great party like the UNP has had do so and the absence of the old identities and cultural traditions in Rishad Bathiudeen against to accommodate these kinds of Parliament is a violation of the the country, and people who are government persecution, since rogues,” Samaraweera had said. Constitution. not overwhelmed and consumed by defending Bathiudeen was seen The petitioner had also noted hatred towards one another. as offensive to the extremist and SLPP gains momentum that according to the Constitution, He urged the people in this hardline vote bloc that the SJB was As the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana the new parliament should be country who are not governed seeking to win over. Peramuna (SLPP) continues to grow summoned not later than three and guided solely by their racial, However, the final straw for in strength and influence, division months after the dissolution of caste, religious, ethnic, and gender Samaraweera was when gossip appears to be the theme of the Parliament and failure to do so and identities at birth and those who are columns started publishing news of Opposition, since the dissolution of not reconvening the old Parliament free of political, cultural, and social former Minister and Jathika Hela Parliament. was a violation of the Constitution. hypocrisy, to come together and join Urumaya (JHU) General Secretary From the early dreams of a forces for this purpose. Patali Champika Ranawaka raising wide-ranging UNP-led alliance Mangala’s bombshell Soon after Samarweera announced objections over Samaraweera’s that would encompass the UNP, While the UNP has been engaged his decision, the SJB appointed comments and the eventual clash Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna SJB Leader and former Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe PHOTO KRISHAN KARIYAWASAM in trying to minimise the continuous former MP Buddhika Pathirana as of certain sections of the Buddhist (JVP), and all major Tamil and negative impact suffered by the the SJB’s Matara District Leader. clergy with SJB Leader Premadasa. Muslim parties in a common front party, the SJB’s internal rift brewing The SJB senior in turn against the Government, what order to dismiss the petition filed by Former Minister Samaraweera within the new kid had tried to explain is left is complete disarray and UNP Colombo District candidate has continuously been on on the block, to Samaraweera, fragmentation. Oshala Herath. the receiving end due to erupted with the the need to “lay First, the UNP was decimated Herath had named the three his liberal and vocal stance withdrawal of a low” until polls by nearly 100 of its 109 MPs members of the EC, Leader of the against any form of racism in senior political are over. decamping from the party to form SJB former MP Sajith Premadasa, the country. This stance had figure from the Samaraweera the SJB. Then, the Tamil National SJB General Secretary former MP posed a challenge for some election race. finally decided Alliance (TNA) and JVP made it Madduma Bandara, Our National of the senior members of Former UNP that if he was clear they were going their own Front party Chairman Senaka the SJB, who are eyeing the Minister Mangala unable to stand way. Haripriya de Silva, and Secretary Sinhala-Buddhist majority Samaraweera last by his beliefs This left the SJB to lead an Diana Gamage as respondents. vote bloc for their electoral Tuesday dropped and engage in alliance that included the Sri Lanka When the petition was taken victory a bombshell with principled politics Muslim Congress (SLMC), ACMC, up last Tuesday, Deputy Solicitor the announcement while being part and most upcountry Tamil parties General Nerin Pulle, appearing Premadasa as its Chairman and of his decision to of the SJB, it bar the Ceylon Workers’ Congress for the EC, had said the point of Ranjith Madduma Bandara as step down from would be better (CMC). As time wore on and the the petition was interference in General Secretary was illegal. the politics of to stay out of the Government mounted the pressure the internal affairs of the EC and President’s Counsel Romesh de being a member of electoral political on ACMC Leader Bathiudeen, in terms of Section 8 (3) of the Silva appearing for the SJB Leader Parliament. process and take arresting his brother, and hauling Parliamentary Elections Act, even and former Opposition Leader Sajith He had addressed to a more public the former MP himself repeatedly the SC cannot interfere in the Premadasa and its General Secretary two letters to UNP platform together before the Criminal Investigation internal affairs of the Commission. Ranjith Madduma Bandara had then Leader Wickremesinghe with the public. Department (CID), the SJB grew Pulle had further told the court told the court that the petition had and SJB Leader Premadasa, cold feet and distanced itself from that the EC must accept when a no legal basis and requested the informing them about his decision Mangala Bathiudeen, leaving him to fend recognised political party informs bench to dismiss the petition. to refrain from contesting in the The Black Box which was published on 7 June exposes ‘dealers’ for himself. The move sent a signal the Commission of amendments to After considering the submissions, parliamentary election. Meanwhile, Samaraweera also to other minority parties that if the its Constitution in terms of Section the three-judge SC bench decided to Accordingly, he requested the Racism in the SJB fired another salvo and this time at Government came after them, the 8 (3) of the Parliamentary Elections dismiss the petition. people of Matara to refrain from However, Samaraweera’s exit a senior UNPer – former Minister SJB would hang them out to dry. Act. casting their preferential votes for from the SJB’s election race and Vajira Abeywardena. But with nominations locked in The EC has no powers to UNP withdraws him at the upcoming 2020 election, the SJB itself was a long time in the Samaraweera claimed that UNP place, they are electorally left at the investigate the truthfulness Also on Tuesday, UNP General although his name appears in the making. Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe had mercy of the SJB. of information or the party’s Secretary Kariyawasam withdrew electoral list as a candidate from the Former Minister Samaraweera has been confined to political isolation Now the SJB itself has begun to internal affairs and the SC had no a fundamental rights (FR) petition SJB. continuously been on the receiving due to conspirators who have splinter, first with Samaraweera’s jurisdiction to hear the petition filed by him challenging the Samaraweera also held a end due to his liberal and vocal thrived on “deal politics” like Vajira decamping, and later by the in terms of the provisions of the dissolution of Parliament. meeting on Tuesday at his Matara stance against any form of racism in Abeywardena. departure of Galle District Constitution, the Deputy Solicitor Accordingly, the SC two-judge residence with local government the country. This stance had posed He charged that it is the likes of candidate Major (Rtd.) Denat General had noted. bench comprising Justice Vijith representatives from Matara and a challenge for some of the senior Abeywardena who has also deprived Paniyandoowage, who publicly Attorney-at-Law Neranjan de Malalgoda and Justice Murdu briefed them regarding his decision. members of the SJB, who are eyeing sincere and efficient people within lashed out at the SJB leadership, Silva appearing for the petitioner Fernando ordered the dismissal of Expressing his views at this the Sinhala-Buddhist majority vote the UNP of the opportunity to quit the party, and thereafter, Oshala Herath had noted that the petition. meeting, Samaraweera charged that bloc for their electoral victory. contest under the party and instead pledged support to the SLPP at the according to the Constitution of Counsel who appeared on behalf President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s It is reliably learnt that have left them no choice but to official residence of Prime Minister Our National Front, a person who is of the petitioner sought the court’s leadership has been inefficient and Samaraweera was constantly under contest separately from the SJB. Mahinda Rajapaksa. a member of another party cannot permission to withdraw the petition short-sighted, and that this has been pressure to stop making statements Samaraweera had made With barely eight weeks to obtain the membership of the party. stating that the petitioner is not proven within a brief span of six against racism and from standing up this statement in response to a go before the general election, De Silva has told the court that the expecting to proceed with the months. to what he claimed to be the “racist statement by Abeywardena on it is clear that the electoral letter issued by the EC on 12 March, petition. He further alleged that under and fascist” elements in the hardline social media that he had launched prospects of the ruling SLPP changing the name of Our National The Attorney General (AG) President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Buddhist clergy. a political campaign with UNP will be directly tied to the public Front to Samagi Jana Balawegaya submitted to court that the petition ethnic, racial, and religious divisions In some instances, even the SJB Leader Wickremesinghe to get perception of the Government’s and accepting Sajith Premadasa as could not be maintained since the among the people of the country Leader had discussed the issue with Samaraweera removed from the handling of the Covid-19 and its Chairman and Ranjith Madduma SC had already made a ruling in are being widened while the state Samaraweera, saying that while he SJB’s Matara District list. economic crises that have Bandara as its General Secretary, this regard after dismissing eight FR is being militarised, and that the endorsed Samaraweera’s stance and “The decision that I took to step paralysed the country. is not in accordance with the party petitions filed over the same issue. Opposition does not seem to have a agreed with it, there was a need for down from parliamentary politics What remains a mystery, as the Constitution. The UNP General Secretary, in clear understanding of what its role the firebrand southern politician to is a well thought out political Opposition continues to disintegrate, The petitioner’s counsel has the petition, requested the SC to and duty should be at a time when appease the hardline monks until the move. Certain experts engaged is where the other votes will go, further noted that although issue an injunction invalidating the the nation is faced with such grave conclusion of the general election. and how the new MPs will align .ව දඹ槊 ප්රකොට කක ව엊ව ක槊ව කට冭ම කළ冭ම themselves in the new parliamentגaccording to the Constitution of Gazette notification issued by the challenges. Meanwhile, there were also ජන 쇒ඳ뗔වරණප්රඹ엊 ලද ඳර ජඹ ආ ප්‍රභොප්‍රහොතක කඹ කප්‍ර් ප්‍රනොǓ ප්‍රඵ뷓 ප්‍රව엊Ǔභහප්‍රේ, 䦺ඳ槊ෂප්‍රේ අවභ ක ඹබ රඹ ද 엒ි Our National Front, the powers of President on 2 March dissolving the Samaraweera stated that, in අ冭엊 ඉ鷔 ප්‍රනොවන තිනකට ඳ뗊ව 뗔�භ කණග 鷔වට කණ槒. න뗊 䦺ඳ槊ෂප්‍රේ ශ槊뗔භ뗊 භගප්‍රඳ엊Ǔභ槊 ප්‍රනොභි뗔ව ǔවද අද අප්‍රේ රටᇔණඳඇ뗔 භ ස 6槊 වි엒 ප්‍රක鷒 ක ලඹ槊 මළ, ප්‍රේ රට ප්‍රගොඩනි䆂Ǔභට නව ජන 쇒ඳ뗔වරඹ ඇමᗔ බරකර ප්‍රේද엓ඹ ත뗊뗊වප්‍රඹ엊 රට ප්‍රගොඩගත 冭ම ඵව뗊, 엒විර뷒 දි槊භ뗊රᇒ amending the Constitution of the his view, if our nation is to be ආ귊ꗔවට 槒ි뷔 ස ධ엓ඹ විඩ퇒ᗒප්‍රවල槊 ප්‍රනොභි뗔 ඵව සන ථ කර ඇත. ඒ ද귔 ආ맒ක භද ස භි뗔මභ ඳ ලන රට ව ප්‍රවන් ස角뗊 ප්‍රේ ඳහ 엒ඹ槊 엒භ ණඹ 槒뗊භ뗊, ප්‍රේ රප්‍රේ වයව්ථ වද උල䆂නනඹ කර 妽ලය කට冭ම ග엒엊 䦺ඹ න ඹක ි鷓. කඹ ඇතිේ 䦺ට冭ම සභ ඵව뗊 ජ භ ධය party have been vested upon the resurrected, it is necessary that අ뗊තප්‍රනෝභ뗔ක ප්‍රලස හුව엊 뗔�භ뗊, ජ 뗔ව දඹ හ ආගේව දඹ සභ ජඹ 퇔ර ව퇔ර엊 ප්‍රේශඳ ලන 䦺ඥ නඹ槊 සᇒත �ේ쇒භ뗊 ජනත ව ප්‍ර뗊ේ අ ද හ엊 ඇත. මේ රට මභවත엒 බඹ නක මේශඳ ලන භහස엊쇒ඹක ත අ뗊තප්‍රනෝභ뗔ක සභ燒 ජන ඵලප්‍රේගඹ ට ආඥ ද ඹක ඳ ලනඹකට අවිි ඵල වයේ뗔ඹ ක්‍රභප්‍රඹ엊 ප්‍රගොඩනි䆂Ǔභට කට冭ම 槒뗊භ뗊, මව엊Ǔ 䦂鷓භ අ䦭ශඹ මේදව චකඹ槒. හරහ ද 䦺䦺ධ 퇒 සහ 퇔ව뗊 හරහ ද සභ ජඹට WC of the party, the the fundamental ආ귊ꗔප්‍රේ ප්‍රනොහි槒ඹ ව엊 වස ගි엓භ ප්‍රව엔ප්‍රව엊 엒ර엊තරප්‍රඹ엊ධය භ ඉ뷒ප්‍රේ ප්‍රඵො ප්‍රගග ඒ 엒ස භ ප්‍රේ රප්‍රේ අන ගතඹ ප්‍රව엔ප්‍රව엊 න뗊 ǒඳ槊ෂමේ ශ槊䦭භ뗊 භගමඳ엊Ǔභ槊 මනොභත䦭ව ǔවද අද අමේ රට ᇔණ ඳ ස角뗊 ප්‍රේභද ස භි뗔මභ귒, , ප්‍රේ රප්‍රේ ග ල 䆂ප්‍ර槊ඹ ඇ䦭 මේද엓ඹ ත뗊뗊වමඹ엊 රට මගොඩගත 冭冸 ඵව뗊, 엒වතර뷒 අතරභහව දත槊භ뗊 රᇒ සභ ජගත කරන ආ귊ꗔප්‍රේ ආර槊ෂකප්‍රඹෝ සභ ජඹ ඉ뷒ප්‍රේ අ뗔ශඹහසයට ල槊ප්‍රව엊 ජ 뗔ඹ ප්‍රගොඩනග ග엊න තිනකට

䦭�ඹ뷓 අඳ ඳ槊ෂඹ මඵ뷓 , ඒ ප්‍රගǔ귔 සෑභ ප්‍රභොප්‍රහොත槊භ කිඳකප්‍රේ ප්‍ර뗔ඳ뗊뗔 䦺රᇒතබ වඹ හ 엓뗔ඹ ප්‍රනොසලකහි뗊තෑ � වසරකට අ쇒ක ක ලඹ槊 amendment භ䦂හහ භත䦭冸භ මකම් න뗊 ඳ槊ෂ ල හඡනඹ භත ඇ䦭 Ǖ මඵ뷓භ 엒ස භ අද අඳ ඳ槊ෂමේ ස භ අ뗊තමනෝභ䦭ක角කඹ엊 ඳ ලන රට ව මවන් values and 뗔්වසරකට අ쇒ක ක ලඹ槊 ප්‍රේ රප්‍රේ ඳ ප්‍රේ엊ම ප්‍රේශඳ ලන ස엊දබඹඉ뗔හ මළප්‍රනො�췔귔 සප්‍රේ කවරද කව뗊 නි뗔 ආක රප්‍රඹ엊 ර ජඳ槊ෂල ප්‍රේ ආ귊ꗔව 퇒ᇓභකට ඳ뗊වඇ뗔 , 엒්කභ දශභඹ槒엊 ප්‍රහෝ ඉහළ නි䆂Ǔප්‍රේ ග ර엒 ǒක්‍ර එ槒මනක ට ප්‍ර䦂ේ쇒මේ ඳහරගස ග엊න ත뗊뗊වඹකට ඇද වත鷓භ 퇒ᗒඵ඲�ේ쇒භ뗊 භභ ජනත ව ම뗊ේ ග엒엊 සහ觓වනඹ 뗔ප්‍රඵන ර ජය 퇒ඹවර ගත ප්‍ර뗔ඳ뗊뗔ඹ槊 ප්‍රව엔ප්‍රව엊 කට冭ම, කළභ වට퇒ට ව槊 හප්‍රේ ද අඳ ඳ槊ෂප්‍රේ ඇති엊 ක槒ප්‍රනක ට ඳහර ගස ග엒엊 සිඵෑසමර අ퇒ට භගහි귔, න ඹක සහ 퇔ව뗊 හරහ ද සභ ජඹට ද හ엊 ඇත. ඹ හ කᇒ ආඹතන ක්‍ර 冭මඹ. 뷕ෂණඹ කණග 鷔 මව. කර ගත 冭මඹ. ඒ ි ඹ 槒뗊භ 엒ස ජර 觓ණ ත뗊뗊වඹකට ඳ뗊ව � had not been ǒඹ 冭冸 ඵව뗊 principles 觓ව뗊වන ිඹ 엒ු엊ප්‍රේ 觓වන ඹ භගහිර ප්‍රහෝ හ췔න ගි엓භට අසභ뗊 Ǔභ 퇒ᗒඵ඲ව ද භ අ뗔ශඹ කණග 鷔 ප්‍රව. , අක ඹ槊ෂභත ව එ槊ස뗊 ජ 䦭ක ඳ槊ෂඹ 䦂鷓. එඹ ඇතතේ ǒට සභ ජ භ ධය භඹ ප්‍ර뗔엒භ ණඹ 槒뗊භට ප්‍රතමවන ප්‍ර , ව දඹ槊 මකොට එක ව엊ව එ槊වඒ 엒සකට冭冸 භ මේ රමේ අන ගතඹ මව엔මව엊 මේශඳ ලන ǒඥ නඹ槊 සᇒත ප්රජ ත엊්ර ඹල කළ 冭මව 뗔ප්රඵ엊ප්ර엊 ප්රේ රප්රේවයגජන 쇒ඳ䦭වරණමඹ엊 ලද ඳර ජඹ ආ , 엒්කභ ල䆂ක 엒දහ් ව දඹට අ엔槕ලව ඹ. ග න ඹක冸භ엒 , ඒ මගǔ귔 සෑභ මභොමහොත槊භ, භගහත귔, ත අරණ ඇ뗔වඹ. ඒ ප්‍රව엔ප්‍රව엊 ඹේ විඩප්‍රකොටස槊 ප්‍රහෝ ස ථක කරගි엓භට엒දහස හි槒ඹ වලි�귔 ලඵන 䦺ට ශ්‍රී ල䆂ක ව අිඹ 엔 රටව අතර සභ ජ ආ맒ක තලප්‍රේ ඉහᗒ엊 뗔� න뗊 , සහ觓වනඹකළ冭冸 මභොමහොතක එඹ එම් මනොǓ මඵ뷓 මව엊Ǔභ හමය, ǒඳ槊ෂමේ අවභ made. � හරහ ද ǒǒධ 퇒 of the ඳ槊ෂඹ뗊 ප්‍රභොනභ ඵ ධ ව槊 භධය 뗔ස䆂්කරණ ඇ뗔 ක ඹබ රඹ ද 엒䦂 අ冭엊 ඉ鷔 මනොවන තතනකට ඳ뗊ව 䦭�භ කණග 鷔වට කණ槒.뷕ෂණඹ ල හම槊ඹ න뗊 තව뗊 ප්‍රඵොප්‍රහෝභඹ槊 දෑ කළ冭මව ඇ뗔 ඵව 퇒ᗒග엒. ට අ쇒ක ක ලඹ槊 엒දහස ලි� වසර 73කට ඳුව අද රට 뗔ප්‍රඵ엊ප්‍ර엊 ඉත භ뗊 අව සන ව엊ත හ ප්‍රේදජනක 䦭්වසරකට අ쇒ක ක ලඹ槊 මේ රමේ ඳ මේ엊冸 මේශඳ ලන ස엊දබඹ 冸ළ , අක ඹ槊ෂභත ව ජ 䦭ඹ මගොඩනග ග엊න තතනකට 16ක ව්ථ වට 䦭ඳ뗊䦭ඹ槊 මව엔මව엊 කට冭冸 කළ භ 엒ස ජර 觓ණ ත뗊뗊වඹකට ඳ뗊ව 䦭මඵන ර ජයහත뗊තෑ වසරකට අ쇒ක ක ලඹ槊 භ වසර තǔ엊ට ප්‍රහට දවස槊 ප්‍රේ 퇒ᗒඵ඲ව ǔවද අවභ කඹ ප්‍රේඵල ප්‍රඳොප්‍රරො뗊මව槊 රප්‍රේ 䶩ඩ වට ඳ뗊 ප්‍රහෝ엒ු엊 ප්‍රව엔ප්‍රව엊 ඉ뗔ව엊ප්‍ර엊 කවි엒සභජ කළ冭මවඇත. ව හඹට ක槊Ǖ 엊 ඳු ක槓 ඳ槊ෂප්‍රේ , 엓뗔ඹට හ මනො�췔귔 ප්‍ර භ ස 6槊 වත엒 මක鷒 ක ලඹ槊 冸ළ, මේ රට මගොඩනතහǓභට නව ජන 쇒ඳ䦭වරඹප්‍ර ඇ冸ᗔ , ප්‍ර䦭ඳ뗊䦭 ǒරᇒතබ වඹ හ 엓䦭ඹ මනොසලක � 1989 뷓 ග ිභ ප්‍රවෝ ඵ귊ඩ රන ඹක භි뗔귒ඹප්‍රේ න 2005ඹක뗊වප්‍රඹ엊 冭뗊ශ්‍රී ත뗊뗊වඹකඹ. However, , මේ රමේ 觓ව뗊වන 䦂ඹ 엒ු엊මේ 觓වන ඹ 䦭엒භ ණඹ 槒뗊භට මත冸වන ප්‍ර UNP are ප්‍රේ엊ම ප්‍රේශඳ ලනප්‍ර වට퇒ට වක ඳභ귒. කතඳකමේ බ රක ර ආ귊ු වට 槒䦂뷔 ස ධ엓ඹ වතඩ퇒ᗒමවල槊 මනොභත䦭 ඵව 冭冸වසන ථ 䦭මඵ엊ම엊 කර ඇත. ඒ මේ රමේ වය ඳ  ලහක 퇒ඹවර ගත අ퇒ට ඳ槊ෂප්‍රඹ엊, දශක හත槊 퇔ර වට ප්‍රේ ප්‍රේදව චකප්‍රේ ප්‍ර뗔පලඹ槊 ප්‍රලස ශ්‍රී ල 䆂槒කඹ ජ 뗔, ආගේ වශප්‍රඹ엊 දශභඹ槒엊 මහෝ ඉහළ නතහǓමේ අරණ ඇ䦭වඹ. ඒ මව엔මව엊 ඹේ වතඩමකොටස槊ද귔 ආ맒ක මහෝ ඳහ 엒ඹ槊 엒භ ණඹ 槒뗊භ뗊, මේ රමේ වයව්ථ වද ්ලහනනඹ කර වණත වඹ엊 ප්‍රකප්‍ර නි冻 Ǖ න ඹක뗊වඹට ට අ쇒ක 䦭සහ්කරණ ඇ䦭 කර ගත 冭冸ඹ. ඒ 䦂 冭冸ඹ. ප්‍ර뗔ඳ뗊뗔 ගක ප්‍රේශඳ ලන ගභනක 엒රත 䦺ඹ. න뗊 뗔ඳ뗊뗔 භත 퇒ᇒට කද ඒ අරණ ප්‍රව ලය16 ක කට冭冸 අ뗊තමනෝභ䦭ක මලස හුව엊 䦭�භ뗊, ජ 䦭ව දඹ හමභොනභ ආගේව ඵ ධදඹ ව槊 භධය ඹ හ එᇒ ආඹතන ක්‍ර සභඟ , ආ맒ක ප්‍ර when no ස ථක කරගත엓භට හත槒ඹ ව ලත�귔 න뗊 තව뗊 මඵොමහෝභඹ槊 භ දෑ කළ冭冸වවසර ඇ䦭 ව්ථ වට ඹ 槒뗊භ activated. ජ 뗔ව 뷓 ප්‍රභ엊භ ආගේව 뷓ප්‍ර , සභ ජ ප්‍රඵ뷓 ප්‍රව엊Ǔ ි鷓.අද සභ්ත සභ ජ ප්‍රේශඳ ලන ඳේධ뗔ඹ뗊, රප්‍රේ ආ맒කඹ뗊 ීග්‍රප්‍රඹ엊 ද귔 엔ප්‍රව엊 භ ප්‍රේ ඉ뷒 觓䦺ත ක ලඹ 퇔ර ඇඳ කිඳ Ǔ� කළ冭冸ව ඇත. ඔǔ엊ට මහට දවස槊 퇒ᗒඵ඲ව, අවභ ඵල මඳොමරො뗊冸ව槊 මහෝ , වන අතර 엊 ඉ뷒ඹට ඵව 퇒ᗒග엒. ව හඹට එ槊Ǖ සභ ජඹ 퇔ර ව퇔ර엊 ට ආඥ ද ඹක ඳ ලනඹකට අවත䦂 ඵල වයේ䦭ඹ ක්‍රභමඹ엊 엓䦭ඹට හ ප්‍ර අ뗊තප්‍රනෝභ뗔ක මේ ǔවද එඹ මේ රමේ 䶩ඩ වට ඳ뗊 엒ු엊 මව엔මව엊 භඹ �඲ වි鷓භකට ල槊ප්‍රව엊 ඳිව뗔ඹ ද 䦺ඳ槊ෂප්‍රේ අ퇒 කඹ 엒විර뷒ව වටහ ප්‍රගන ප්‍රනොභි뗔ඵව වණත වඹ엊 ඉ䦭ව엊ම엊 එවත엒 සභ ජ වට퇒ට වක ඳභ귒. ජ ත엊්ර , හිභද භ 䦺׊ව ස කළ ප්රේශඳලන ප්රලස .뷓 ග 䦂භ මවෝ ඵ귊ඩමේ엊冸 රන ඹක මේශඳ භත䦭귒ඹමේ ලන ප්ර න ඹක뗊වමඹ엊 冭뗊මගොඩනතහǓභට ශ්රී කට冭冸, 槒뗊භ뗊, ආ귊ු මය මනොහත槒ඹ ව엊 වස ගත엓භ මව엔මව엊 ව දඹට අ엔槕ලවඹල ඹ. කළ , භ 䦺׊ව ස ප්රභභ නව ගභ엊භ엊ත්රී භප්රේ 퇒ඹවර ති�භට අදහ් කර formal 1989 , ඳ  He therefore කප්‍රරᇒව භ ඳිහි뷒ඹ. ප්‍රේශඳ ලනප්‍රඹ엊 ඵිහිරව ඵᇔජන ප්‍රේශඳ ලන� ප්‍ර䦭ඳ뗊䦭 ගක මේශඳ ලන ගභනක 엒රත엒ර엊තරමඹ엊 ǒඹ. න뗊 භ ධය ඉ뷒මේ මඵො මගග සභ ජගත කරන ආ귊ු ඒමය අරණ ආර槊ෂකමඹෝ මව ඹ 槒뗊භට ඵල ප්‍රඳොප්‍රරො뗊ම 엒දහ් ඳ槊ෂමඹ엊 , ජ 䦭ව 뷓 මභ엊භ ආගේව 뷓 ප්ර ආ귊ꗔ ඳ槊ෂප්රඹ엊 ඉව뗊 Ǔභට 뗓රණඹ කප්රළ. භ 䦺׊ව ස කරන ප්රේශඳ ලන 妽ලධභඹ엊 ප්රඵොප්රහෝ 䦺ට ක槊ස뗊 ජ 뗔ක ඳ槊ෂප්රේ妽ක � ඳ槊ෂඹ뗊 සභඟ , හතභද භ ǒ׊ව ස කළසභ මේශඳ ජඹ ඉ뷒මේලන අ䦭ශඹ හ සයට ල槊මව엊 ඉ䦭හ සමේ කවරදඵල කව뗊මඳොමරො뗊冸 නත䦭엔මව엊 භ මේ ඉ뷒 觓ǒත ක ලඹ 퇔ර ඇඳ කතඳ Ǔ ක ලඹ槊 ස ද, තනම ිඹල අ뗊හළ භ 䦺ඳ槊ෂප්‍රේ අු엊 ග뗊ප්‍ර뗊 අඳ රප්‍රේ සභ්ත සභ ජඹභ ප්‍රවල ග뗊 ස䆂්කෘ뗔ක 槔හක뗊වඹට කප්‍රරᇒව වප්‍රේභ සිඵෑ ආක රමඹ엊 ර ජඳ槊ෂල මේ ආ귊ු ව 퇒ᇓභකට ඳ뗊ව ඇ䦭 වට퇒ට ව槊 හමය ද අඳ 뷓 ඇභ뗔 වරප්‍ර ප්‍ර뗔ඳ뗊뗔 ක රණ වන ප්‍රහ䦱엊 ක槊ස뗊 ජ 뗔ක ඳ槊ෂ ස භනය announcement 엊 ඳු එ槓 ඳ槊ෂමේ අ뗊තමනෝභ䦭ක මේශඳ ලන � වන අතර 엊 ඉ뷒ඹට expressed 2007 ඹ ක 뗊කප්‍රඹ槊 2005 කද ප්‍රඵෞේධඹ槔 වශප්‍රඹ엊 ප්‍රභොනභ ආක රඹ槒엊 ප්‍රහෝ අ뗊හළ ප්‍රනොහි槒 ප්‍රඵෞේධදශනප්‍රේ ඳ槊ෂමේ ඇතත엊, භ එ槒මනක ට ඳහර ගස ග엒엊 සතඵෑ ස冸ර භගහතර මහෝඹ ක 뗊කමඹ槊 මලස ඉ뷒ඹට뗊 කට冭ම කරන අතර ප්‍ර .භ ǒ׊ව ස කරන මේශඳ ලන ලධභඹ엊 මඵොමහෝ ǒට එ槊ස뗊 ජ 䦭ක ඳ槊ෂමේ කද භට ශ槊뗔ඹ槊 Ǖ ඵව 槒ව 冭මඹ මකම නත Ǖ න䦭ඳ뗊䦭 ඹක뗊වඹට භත 퇒ᇒටඑමරᇒව එද භ ආ귊ු ඳ槊ෂමඹ엊 ඉව뗊 Ǔභට 䶻රණඹ භ엊ත්රී කළ ප්රේශඳ ලන ප්ර뗔ඳ뗊뗔ඹ ඳභණ槊 භ ස엊තකප්රේ තඵ ප්රගනඹ. භ සම퇒ᇓභට ආ뗊භ 䦺׊වසඹ කප්රරᇒව භ 䦺ි엊 නඟන ලද 䦺ල ඳඹ අඳ ඳ槊ෂප්රේ ඇති엊ට ඵරඳතලප්ර׊නඹ槊 ආ맒ක ප්‍ර හ췔න ගත엓භට අසභ뗊 Ǔභ 퇒ᗒඵ඲ව ද භ අ䦭ශඹ කණග 鷔 මව. මභභ නව ගභ엊 භමේමේශඳ 퇒ඹවර ලනමඹ엊 තත�භට ඵතහතරව අදහ් ඵᇔජන කර. ප්‍රේ ආර ධන ව භත භභ ක槊ස뗊 භත 퇒ᇒට නව ඵᇔජන ප්‍රේශඳ ලන � සභ ජ, ක ප්‍ර had been made 䦭ඳ뗊䦭 ක රණ වන මහ䦱엊 එ槊ස뗊 ජ 䦭ක ඳ槊ෂ ස භ නය ඹ 槒뗊භට his deep සහ භ ව 䦺׊ව ස කළ ප්රේ රප්රේ ජනත ව භි䆂හ භි뗔මභ ඵවට ඳ뗊Ǔභ භ ඊට ක뷒භ උද හරණඹ槒. න뗊 ප්රේ රප්රේ ප්රඵෞේධ දශනප්රේ ආර槊ෂව ජ ත엊්ර 엒දහස ලඵන ǒට ශ්‍රී ලහක ව අ䦂ඹ 엔 රටව අතර සභ ජ ආ맒ක වශමඹ엊තලමේ ඉහᗒ엊 ඉ뷒ඹට뗊 䦭� කට冭冸 කරන අතර ප්‍ර කට冭ම කර. ව දඹ, කමළ. ස ද, තන冸 䦂ඹල අ뗊හළ භ ǒඳ槊ෂමේ අු엊 ග뗊ම뗊 ග ර엒 䦺ක්ර කමභ ප්රකප්ර ති� 䦺׊ව සඹ භතඹ. ඒ ස䆂ᇒ췒ඹ ව ස䆂වධනඹ ස ඹන භ 角කඹ槔 妽ක 槔ᗔ귔 වශප්රඹ엊 එද භටන뗊 ශ槊䦭ඹ槊 엒දහස Ǖ ලත� ඵව වසර 73කට ඳුව අද රට 䦭මඵ엊ම엊 ඉත භ뗊ක අව 槔ᗔ귔සන ව엊ත හ ප්‍රව엔ප්‍රව엊 සභ ජ ස䆂්කෘ뗔ක අනනයත ු䆚槓භ ප්‍රව엔ප්‍රව엊 ප්‍රේශඳ ලන ව ිප්‍රව엔ප්‍රව엊 ඹ ද භඹ ප්‍රේ රප්‍රේ ජනත ව සභග ක槊ව ප්‍රගොඩනි䆂Ǔභට 2007 뷓 ඇභ䦭 වරප්‍ර 䦭ඳ뗊䦭ඹ ඳභණ槊 භ ස엊තකමේ තඵ මගනඹ. භ ස冸 කප්‍ර් කට冭ම කරන අතර regarding the එද මේදජනක ත뗊뗊වඹකඹ. සභග එ槊ව මගොඩනතහǓභට冸න කට冭冸 කර. regret at the 뗔ඳ뗊뗔 퇒ᗒඵ඲ව භන ඳිහි뷓භ槒엊 冭මවඹ. කප්‍ර්භ ඉ뷒ප්‍රේ ඳිවි뗊Ǔභට 엒ඹත භත 퇒ᇒට නව ඵᇔජන මේශඳ ලන � ප්‍රනොව රප්‍රේ ඹහඳිවි뗊භ ප්‍රව엔ප්‍රව엊 භ නඟන හඩ 槒ි뷔 ඵලඳෑභකට ඹටකළ ප්‍රනොහි槒ඵව뗊 ජ 뗔ක ඳ槊ෂඹට සේඵ엊ධ Ǔභට 뗓රණඹ කප්‍රේ ᇔප්‍රද槊 ක槊ස뗊 ජ 뗔ක මන .ǒ׊ව ස කළ මේශඳ ලන ප්ර ජ ත엊්ර ඹ ක 뗊뗊වඹ හ ඵර ප්ර ඉප්රභ엊 විල槓 ි鷒 දශක හත槊 퇔ර වට මේ මේදව චකමේ ප්‍ර䦭පලඹ槊 මලස ශ්‍රී ලඑම්භ හ槒කඹ ඉ뷒මේ ජ 䦭, ඳතවත뗊Ǔභට ආගේ 엒ඹත ව දඹ, ඳු燒ඹ ක ලඹ 퇔ර ප්‍රහටට뗊 කඹ කප්‍ර්භ ි뷔කරන ඵව뗊 槒ව 冭මඹ. , �ආ뗊භ ǒ׊ව සඹ සහ භ ව ǒ׊ව ස කළ මේ රමේ ජනත ව සහᇒ췒ඹ ව සහවධනඹ ස භ 角කඹ槔 ඹන මභ ප්රේ ප්රේශඳ ලන ක ි뷔කර ිඹ ප්‍රදන ක槊Ǖ භහ භි뗔වරණප්‍රේ අප්‍රේ槊ෂකඹ槔 ǔවද භ ඡ엊දඹ amendment වශමඹ엊 මඵ뷓 මව엊Ǔ 䦂鷓. අද සභ්ත සභ ජ මේශඳ ලන ඳේධ䦭ඹ뗊,ඉමභ엊 රමේ වතල槓ආ맒කඹ 䦂鷒.뗊 division that ඳභණ槊 ප්‍රව엔ප්‍රව엊 බ 䦺ත කභප්‍රනොකරන 엒ස භ ප්‍රේ ප්‍රලස뗊 ආදර귓ඹ කඹ ප්‍රේ භ තර ජනතරප්‍රේ වප්‍රග අ엊තව දඹටකප්‍රරᇒවසභජසව鷒න ඡ엊දඹ භ 槒ව 冭冸ඹ. ඹ ද භඹ මේ රමේ ජනත ව ජ 뗔ක ඳ槊ෂ සභ 角කඹ槔 වන භප්‍රවන්කේ 䦭ඳ뗊䦭ීග්‍රමඹ엊 퇒ᗒඵ඲ව ද귔 භන �඲ වත鷓භකට ල槊මව엊 ඳතව䦭ඹ ද ǒඳ槊ෂමේමව엔මව엊 අ퇒 එඹ බ ǒත 엒වතර뷒ව මනොකරන මලස뗊 එඹ මේ රමේ අ엊තව දඹට එමරᇒව සභ ජ ප්‍රභව엊 ඵරඳතල අ�දක 뗊 ත뗊뗊වඹ槊 엒භ ණඹ Ǔ ඇ뗔 රටක, මප්‍රන엊 ප්‍රව엔ප්‍රව엊ප්‍රදප්‍ර槊 ඵලඹ槊 බ 䦺ත කරන ප්‍රලස뗊 ඉල ි鷓භට ඵල ප්‍රඳොප්‍රරො뗊ම ප්‍රව. එභ 엒ස භ මේභහ ආදර귓ඹ භත䦭වරණමේ භ තර අමේ槊ෂකඹ槔 ජනත වමග ව鷒න ǔවද ඡ엊දඹභ ඡ엊දඹ භ අදට뗊 ක槊ස뗊 එම් කට冭冸 කරන අතර ඔඵ冸භ මේ ආර ධන ව භත භභ එ槊ස뗊වටහ ජ 䦭ක මගන ඳ槊ෂඹට මනොභත䦭 ඵව ඳතහත뷒ඹ. ස ධ රණ뗊වඹ මව엔මව엊 බ ǒත කරන මලස뗊 ඉල 䦂鷓භට ඵල මඳොමරො뗊冸 මව. සᇒත ආ귊ꗔ槊 ඳ뗊කර ගි엓භ ප්‍රහෝ ට ආඥ ද ඹක ඳ ලනඹකට අවක ශ සිලීභ ඹ엔 ඹ ක 뗊뗊වඹ හ ඵර ප්‍ර එජ ඳමේ �췓භ槊 ඇ뗔 ප්‍රනොවන ප්‍රලස කᇒ අවශය of the party සේඵ엊ධ Ǔභට 䶻රණඹ කමේ ᇔමද槊 ඔඵ冸භ මකම තත� ǒ׊ව සඹ භතඹ. ඒ has occurred in ඳ槊ෂප්රේ භ ප්රේ ප්රේශඳ ලන , ඳු燒ඹ අඳ ක ලඹරමේ 퇔ර සභ් ත සභ ජඹභ මවල ග뗊 සහ්කෘ䦭ක 槔හක뗊වඹටභ මේ එමරᇒව මේශඳ වමේභ ලන සතඵෑ ඹ ප්‍රේශඳ ලන ඵලප්‍රේගඹ槊 ප්‍රලස ප්‍රගොඩනි䆂Ǔභට උ뗊ස හ槒ි뷔 කළක ආක ඵවඳ槊ෂප්‍රේ රඹක තඵමභ දප්‍රහො඲엊භ ප්‍ර ප්‍රඹෝ燒ක 䦺ස췔භ槊 ප්‍රනොවන ඵව뗊, ඒමᗒ엊 ි뷔ව엊ප්‍ර엊, ප්‍රභභ අ�දඹ엊 තව ඔඵ冸භ මේ මේශඳ ලන � සක්‍රි ක槊ස뗊 ජ 뗔 ප්‍රකොට සලක. 觓䦺තඹට ප්‍රභප්‍රත槊 䦂뷔කරමඵෞේධඹ槔 䦂ඹ මදනවශමඹ엊 එ槊Ǖ මභොනභ ආක රඹ槒엊 මහෝ අ뗊හළ මනොහත槒ඉත අමේ මඵෞේධ මකොට දශනමේ සලක.觓ǒතඹට මභමත槊 තව뗊 뗓ව්‍රතඵමභර කර엊 රට 䦺න ශ යඹට ඇද දි䶸භ槊ඹ ඹන ප්‍රප뗔හ ික ප්‍රේශඳ ලන සතයඹ ප්‍රේ ධ රණ뗊වඹ Constitution, ඳතහත뷓භ槒엊 冭冸වඹ. ඳභණ槊 the party. ද엊න කණ槒. භස䆂හ භි뗔මභ ඉ뷒ප්‍රේ뷓 තඵමභ ලඵ 뷔엊 සහප්‍රඹෝගඹ ජ 䦭ක ඳ槊ෂ සභ 角කඹ槔 මවන්කේ වන භ 퇒ᇓභට එමරᇒව භ ǒ䦂엊 නඟන ලද ǒල ඳඹ අඳ ඳ槊ෂමේමව엔මව엊 ඇතත엊ට ඵරඳතල ග ර엒 䦺ක්‍ර ප්‍රනොභද සහප්‍රඹෝගඹ ද නව ප්‍රේශඳ ලන 퇒ඹවර ස ථක කරගි엓භ ප්‍රව엔ප්‍රව엊 ඔඵ冸භ මේ ඔඵ冸භ ලඵ 뷔엊 සහමඹෝගඹ රප්‍රේ ිඹ 퇔රවිිඹ엊 වටහ ගත 冭මව ඇත. .අදට뗊 එ槊ස뗊 ප්ර׊නඹ槊 ඵවට ඳ뗊Ǔභ භ ටට ක뷒භ ්ද හරණඹ槒. න뗊 මේ රමේ මඵෞේධ දශනමේ ඉ뷒මේ뷓 쇒ක 뗊 භ귊ඩලඹට ලඵ ප්රදන ප්රලස ඉල ි鷒 ව දඹ භභ ඉත අප්රේג뗖䦭䦱. මනොභද සහමඹෝගඹ ද , ආ් නව මේශඳ ලන 퇒ඹවර ස ථක කරගත엓භ ක槓 අර귒엊 冭මව වප්‍රරක කළිප්‍රමන භ, භහ භි뗔වරණඹ අඳ ඳ槊ෂප්‍රේ ස඲හ ප්‍රවනභ කෘතය ස엊ධ නඹ槒엊 ්뗖뗔䦱. the decision of �췓භ槊 ඇ䦭 මනොවන මලස එᇒ අවශය ආර槊ෂ ව මව엔මව엊 සභ ජ සහ්කෘ䦭ක අනනයත ු䆚槓භ මව엔මව엊 මේශඳ ලන , Speaking ි鷒ඹ뷓භ අප්‍රේ රට ප්‍රභවි엒 බඹ නක ප්‍රේශඳ ලන භ䆂ස엊쇒ඹක අතරභ䆂ව 뗔�ඹ뷓 අඳ ඳ槊ෂඹ ප්‍රඵ뷓 ප්‍රව엊Ǔ ව දඹ භභגභද ස ආ සක්‍රිඹ මේශඳ ලන ඵලමයගඹ槊 මලස මගොඩනතහǓභට ්뗊සක ඳ槊ෂමේහ කළව 䦂 ඵවමව엔මව엊 න ඔඵ冸භඹකඹ මනොවවශමඹ엊 ද රමේ ඹහඳතවත뗊භ මව엔මව엊 භ නඟන퇒ටඳ뗊: හඩ 槒䦂뷔 ඵලඳෑභකට ලඵ මදන මලස ඉල 䦂鷒. න ඹකඹ වශප්‍රඹ엊 වශප්‍රඹ엊 ඉ뷒ඳ뗊 කළ冭ම ඵව ි鷓භ අ뗔ශඹ ප්‍රේදව චකඹ槒. 퇒ටඳ뗊: තඵමභ ප්‍රේ මහො඲엊භ ද엊න කණ槒. ඔඵ冸භ එ槊ස뗊 ජ 䦭 ඹටකළ මනොහත槒 අඳ ඳ槊ෂමේඵව뗊 මහටට뗊 එඹ එම්භ 䦂뷔කරන ඵව뗊 槒ව 冭冸ඹ. අගභි뗔 අප්‍රේ槊ෂකඹ the EC to change 1. අ槒ල ǒර 觊 ක ඹවසේ further, the මභව엊 ඵරඳතල අ�දක 뗊 ත뗊뗊වඹ槊 엒භ ණඹ Ǔ ඇ䦭 රටක, 冸මන엊 මදම槊 ප්‍රඹෝජන කප්‍රළ. ඒ අඳ ඳ槊ෂප්‍රේ 槒ිව槔 ප්‍රඵ뷓 ප්‍රව엊ව ප්‍රනොඹ ක槊ස뗊වකට冭මකළ冭ම එ槓 අර귒엊 冭冸ව වමරක භ , වශමඹ엊 ඉ뷒ඳ뗊 කළ冭冸 ඵව 1. ර䆂角뗊 භේ뷔භ ඵ귊ඩ ර භහත එළතමමන භහ භත䦭වරණඹ ස඲හ මවනභ ස엊ධ නඹ槒엊 ස角뗊 මේ 엒ස භ අද අඳ ඳ槊ෂප්‍රේ ස භ 角කඹ엊 䦂鷒ඹ뷓භ ඵලඹ槊 සᇒත ආ귊ු 槊 ඳ뗊කර ගත엓භ මහෝ ට ආඥ ද ඹක ඳ ලනඹකට අවක ශ භහත ඵි䦺엒. අගභත䦭 අමේ槊ෂකඹ - භහ මකේ ඇ뗔 Ǖ ප්‍රඵ뷓භ භභ කණග 鷔 ප්‍රව. the name of the සතලීභ ඹ엔 槒䦂뷔 ආක රඹක ප්‍ර මඹෝ燒ක ǒස췔භ槊 මනොවන ඵව뗊, ඒ 冸ᗒ엊 䦂뷔ව엊ම엊, former Minister භත䦭冸භ - එ槊ස뗊 ජ 䦭ක ඳ槊ෂඹ ඳ槊ෂ ල 䆂ඡනඹ භත - භහ ප්‍රකේ 쇒ක 뗊 භ귊ඩලඹට මඹෝජන කමළ. ඒ අඳ ඳ槊ෂමේ 槒䦂ව槔 මඵ뷓 මව엊ව කෘතය මභභ අ�දඹ엊 තව තව뗊 䶻ව්‍රර කර엊 රට ǒන ශ යඹට ඇද දත䶸භ槊ඹ ඹන ප්‍රකප්‍ර් න뗊 ස ග엊න ත뗊뗊වඹකට ඇද වි鷓භ 퇒ᗒඵ඲ - සභ燒 ජන ඵලප්‍රේගඹ ිේ쇒ප්‍රේ ඳහරග party to Samagi මනොඹ එ槊ස뗊ව කට冭冸 කළ 冭冸 ඵතǒ엒. මප䦭හ 䦂ක මේශඳ ලන සතයඹ මේ රමේ 䦂ඹ 퇔රවත䦂ඹ엊 වටහ ගත 冭冸ව ඇත. said that for ක槒ප්‍රනක ට ප්‍ර Jana Balawegaya over 30 years, he Letter sent by Mangala Samaraweera to SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa and to accept Sajith Letter sent by Mangala Samaraweera to UNP Leader Ranil Wickremesinghe worked towards 10 the sunday morning FOCUS Sunday, June 14, 2020

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BY SARAH HANNAN Responder description – virus, while operations allowed geographical spread for essential services. 53% of the Covid-19 has taken the world In total, 2,764 establishments responded establishments have by storm, challenging most responded to the survey; 58.29% closed their businesses, 44% of aspects of life. The pandemic of the responders were from the them are partially operational, brought to a standstill Colombo District and 15.27% whilst only 3% of the total almost all the economic from Gampaha District that were responded establishments were activities of Sri Lanka, placed under extended curfew functioning with full capacity. impacting the labour market in order to contain the spread of Status of business and all its participants in A matter of concern is the operation multiple ways. inability of at least one 29.69% of the establishments The Department of Labour, organisation in the transport that have closed their businesses observing the multiple challenges and storage sector to be belong to the “other service faced by the labour market of Sri in full operation, despite activities” category. Similarly, Lanka since early March 2020, essential goods transport and 23.07% of the establishments in conducted an e-survey to gain storage being encouraged the “manufacturing” industry have some much-needed insight into and promoted throughout closed their businesses. the actual situation of the labour the crisis management period Contd. on page 13 market. COVID-19 AND BEYOND The objective of this survey was Status of employment in comparison to industry to gather information on private Number of % of not in % from the sector establishments affected due Industry Nature employee employee work in employment to Covid-19, which will be used in February from total May 2020 in February to provide effective, targeted, and 2020 employment well-designed policy responses by Impact on Manufacturing 376,388 63.15% 263,612 70.04% the Government. Alarmingly, the statistics for Other service activities 64,188 10.77% 37,109 57.81% the “manufacturing” industry According to Commissioner Wholesale and retail General of Labour A. indicates a much higher trade, repair of motor 32,849 5.51% 20,048 61.03% Wimalaweera, a total of 2,764 percentage of employees – vehicles and motor cycles 37.84% – who are included respondents took the survey; the SL labour Agriculture, forestry and 30,268 5.08% 4,026 13.30% high response rate has allowed the in the unable to pay salary fishing category. These 99,753 Department to gauge the actual Accommodation and 24,324 4.08% 19,730 81.11% situation of the labour market employees comprise 26.50% food services activities accurately, he said. of the total employment in Financial and insurance 14,478 2.43% 8,937 61.73% Public sector institutions the manufacturing industry activities including statutory bodies and market state defence apparatus were private sector employs almost 3.5 Information and 14,015 2.35% 2,834 20.22% z communication not included as this respective million people whilst own account Survey report of the e-survey on private employment is not covered under workers amount to 2.7 million. It is Administrative and 11,447 1.92% 6,911 60.37% sector establishments – May 2020 support service activities labour enactments. This online noteworthy to mention that 81.3% survey was conducted from 26 of the private sector employees and without any form of social security, the spread of Covid-19. In this Construction 8,509 1.43% 7,463 87.71% April to 15 May 2020. 57.3% of own account workers are making them highly vulnerable in context, employment protection Education 6,589 1.11% 2,967 45.03% Below are excerpts from the employed in the non-agricultural the event of loss of income. has been threatened and the loss Transportation and 4,741 0.80% 3,303 69.67% survey report: sector. The report further indicated of income and businesses has storage the high occurrence of informal Impact of Covid-19 threatened business continuity. Labour market of Sri Lanka preventive measures on Human health and 2,526 0.42% 1,844 73.00% sector employment as well, which Since 85.7% of the employers social work activities DCS data in the Quarterly constitutes more than 3.3 million the labour market are in the non-agriculture sector, Professional, scientific 2,166 0.36% 1,632 75.35% Report of the Sri Lanka Labour of the employed population of the The labour market of Sri Lanka the extent of the vulnerability and technical activities Force Survey for the fourth country. Furthermore, a significant suffered a similar fate to that of and the resulting impact on the quarter of 2019 indicates that the cohort of the working population is other countries fighting to contain employment can be grave. Real estate activities 1,390 0.23% 1,259 90.58%

Fund) and ETF (Employees’ Trust Fund) a portion of “lost paid hours without the rest of the world. This will create Recommendations contributions to be continued during work” in future having consent with significant additional employment The uncertain manner in which Covid- Short-term recommendations: To ease this time, guaranteeing continued social trade unions or relevant parties opportunities which could mitigate 19 is evolving does not leave room the financial burden on the employers that security the increased unemployment due to to prepare concrete plans for revival will sustain the businesses. 2. Establishments to be allowed to prorate Medium-term recommendations pandemic and positive impact on the of industries in the country. Yet, it is 1. Retaining of employment, with deducted payments according to the number of 1. Establishment of a comprehensive external sector of the country essential that immediate steps are taken salaries for those who have been made hours worked by each employee, if integrated social security scheme 3. Strengthen social dialogue mechanism at to minimise the threat to the labour to stay at home due to non-availability losses of business/social distancing including an unemployment benefit enterprise and sectoral levels to mitigate market, which is essential in the revival of work/short-term layoff strategies requirements have resulted in lower scheme linked to re-skilling, the negative impact of the labour market, process of the country. Therefore, twofold which ensure return to work to full-time hours of work per employee re-employment, and upskilling leading to industrial peace recommendations are made; both short positions within a six-month period 3. Continue the granting of loans to 2. The Covid-19 pandemic has provided 4. Exploring and adopting strategies to term and medium term. As the impact of with the payment of certain percentage provide working capital to the businesses an opportunity to create Sri Lanka as modernise and diversify agriculture Covid-19 has not reached equilibrium, of wage instead of terminating them. at lower interest rates a health and education hub catering (including fisheries), apparel and textile long-term recommendations are not made. Both, the EPF (Employees’ Provident 4. Allow for the employers to recover not only for local demand but also for industries, and the tourism sector

SINGAPORE AND VIETNAM COVID RECOVERY The takeaways for Sri Lanka BY AGRA RANASINGHE

At a time when the whole world grapples to respond to the unique Covid-19 pandemic The emphasis is really on the safety of We are testing how to return to and its impact on livelihoods, economy, the population. They (Vietnam) are normalcy and/or whether it will lead tourism, politics, and almost all sectors, strongly promoting domestic tourism to a ‘new normal’. I’d like to highlight Vietnam and Singapore successfully and they are still far from thinking that prevention and humanitarian responded to the pandemic, being extremely about opening the country for tourists. aspects are the cornerstones of our Further, they are strongly promoting policy on Covid proactive. Dr. Sarah Bales Hanaa Singer Among the countries of South Asia, e-commerce and electronic transactions Additional Secretary to the President because that reduces any kind of for Foreign Relations Admiral Prof. Vietnam and Singapore proved that a Jayanath Colombage government’s success in flattening the curve exposure is a result of well-organised administration Hanoi University of Public Health Visiting Professor Dr. Sarah Bales and leadership regardless of the nature of the about possible new cases. regime. “The emphasis is really on the safety of On 10 June, the UN in Sri Lanka generation on emerging vulnerabilities, the population. They are strongly promoting convened experts from Vietnam and also helped in spotting strategic pathways, domestic tourism and they are still far from Singapore to tap into insights and to as Sri Lanka dynamically corroborated thinking about opening the country for promote learning from public policy its own response. In the webinar, Dr. Dr. Anil Jasinghe tourists. Further, they are strongly promoting interventions through the webinar series Bales explained what measures Vietnam The first webinar – ‘First responses by Vietnam and Singapore’ – of the series ‘Covid-19 Asian e-commerce and electronic transactions “Covid-19 Asian Recovery Stories”. This implemented, the contextual factors Recovery Stories’, hosted by the UN in Sri Lanka, took place on 10 June because that reduces any kind of exposure. platform made space for the media and that supported the intellectuals, and the after initiating national social distancing, the Vietnam had cultured and isolated the new They also export products in high demand the public to join together, and its aim was prospects to move forward. Government had lifted internal restrictions SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus in February. globally, such as personal protective to connect academics, policymakers, civil and by mid-May, they had been able to Vietnam developed its own PCR and ELISA equipment (PPE), test kits, and food,” Dr. society, and the private sector to share Measures Vietnam implemented lift most internal restrictions and maintain test kits from March to June and now Bales added. emerging insights from Asia. Dr. Bales explained how Vietnam quarantine procedures of incoming flights. exports them globally, and in May, Vietnam In the first webinar, “First responses by achieved success since the first Covid-19 Using the same strategies that were utilised began its first phase in animal testing of a Differences and similarities Vietnam and Singapore”, Hanoi University case was reported on 23 January. by other countries as well, Dr. Bales vaccine against Covid-19. Large numbers of Dr. Dinusha Panditaratne of the of Public Health Visiting Professor Dr. Sarah Since its first case, Vietnam divided the explained the underlying reasons that gave people, communities, and a major hospital Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute pointed out Bales, international consultant Dr. Patrick cases into two categories – cases brought them immediate success. being put under enforced quarantine, as in the webinar that one of the differences Daly, whose research focuses on long-term in on flights from other countries and cases Taking advantage of domestic well as the Government’s daily transparent between Vietnam and Sri Lanka is that human environmental relationships, and Dr. where Covid-19 was transmitted from such biotechnology capacity testing, which was communication campaign have contributed Vietnam had the previous experience of Reuban Ng who’s trained as a behavioural imported cases to people in the community. started early and done comprehensively, to the fight. National social distancing was controlling SARS in 2003. scientist at the National University of “Once they saw that there was a cluster, also put in place once the community spread When she questioned Dr. Bales on Singapore, University of Oxford, and Yale they immediately locked down the entire happened. whether the political economy model University, discussed important learning, community and that helped to stop the Vietnam has also taken measures to help ensures better approaches to pandemics or data, and questions that can be applied in spread,” Dr. Bales said. I think the difference between Vietnam the poor; one such measure being “Rice whether it is a certain aspect or detail about public policy interventions in Sri Lanka. By 18 March, the Government of Vietnam and Sri Lanka was that Vietnam ATM” which feeds Vietnam’s poor by the Government, regardless of the political Vietnam has a large population of over had stopped all foreigners from coming in used home quarantine and our main distributing rice. They have also reduced model, that helped, Dr. Bales said that it is 97 million people and it was surprising and had quarantined all the foreigners who mode of quarantine was institutional the price of electricity and gas, set up hard to untangle the two. that it could successfully respond to were already in the country. By enforcing quarantine hand washing stations, and given loans to “People always connect Vietnam with the pandemic with less than 350 cases national social distancing from 1 April, the Director General of Health Services small and medium enterprises. She further China but China’s transparency of information and no deaths. Singapore, with a highly Government of Vietnam has been able to Dr. Anil Jasinghe explained that as Vietnam is reviving its was really the opposite,” said Dr. Bales. sophisticated approach of constant evidence slow down the spread quickly. Three weeks economy, it remains cautious and vigilant Contd. on page 13 the sunday morning 11 Sunday, June 14, 2020 FOCUS

WITH OUR READERS’ HEALTH IN MIND A SPECIAL ANTIMICROBIAL INK HAS BEEN USED IN THE PRINTING OF OUR NEWSPAPER

2020 GENERAL ELECTION CMEV National PAFFREL Executive MDL Co-ordinator Co-ordinator Manjula Director Rohana Padmini Weerasooriya Gajanayake Hettiarachchi Monitoring bodies gear

CaFFE Acting Executive NPOC National Director Ahamed Organiser Rasanga Manas Makeen Harischandra for polls

BY SARAH HANNAN the election complaint mechanism as Health guidelines to be followed by political parties, voters, and polling centre officials transparent as possible with the assistance The date for the prolonged of the Police and are checking whether parliamentary elections of 2020 It is important to practise they could take prompt action against such is finally set and with it, violence basic measures to protect complaints. Despite the pandemic, we against political parties was everyone from this disease still have to ensure that all regulations are reported mid-week with a political such as: wearing a face mask, followed as per previous elections. party office being set on fire in maintaining a distance of one Additional precautions will be taken Gannoruwa and the Peradeniya metre from others, washing to ensure the health and safety of our Police commencing investigations hands with soap and water observers and we are looking at keeping on the incident. or sanitising as frequently as everyone in a location where they possible, covering coughs and could find easy accommodation whilst The Election Commission (EC), with sneezes with elbow or tissue, maintaining adequate physical distance the guidance of the Ministry of Health, and avoiding touching the face, three days before starting during their duty period. We are going to earlier this week, published the guidelines nose, mouth, or eyes. the meeting speakers participate in this activity reduce the use of public transportation as for each stakeholder that will be involved much as possible by adopting this method. in the upcoming elections. This time, in Guidelines for yy All participants shall wear yy Duration of the meeting yy Everyone participating A health officer has already been employed addition to carrying out their observation political parties face masks at all times and shall be restricted to shall wear masks and by PAFFREL for a period of two months to duties during the pre-election period, Propaganda meetings chairs shall be arranged in three hours to minimise maintain one-metre monitor the body temperatures of our staff on the day of elections and during the such a manner to maintain exposure distance with each other and provide advice when needed. y post-election period, the monitoring y It is recommended to one-metre distance with yy The person/organisation at all times As a member of ANFREL, I have also use print and electronic organisations too have pledged to adapt to each other while seated who organises the yy The person distributing suggested that we at least bring in 10-15 the health guidelines issued by the EC and media, especially election observers from ANFREL member yy A spacious venue shall be meeting shall keep the the bills shall sanitise have published their own code of conduct. television for election countries. However, this is still under selected so as to maintain names, addresses, and hands before and after Furthermore, the monitoring bodies are propaganda, and minimise discussion and if they come in, this will the required distance and telephone numbers of all each session also tasked with making observations on physical meetings to avoid be the first time during a pandemic that adequate ventilation in the persons attending whether political parties and candidates exposure yy Entering into houses a country would be bringing in foreign venue Distribution of by the propaganda are following the guidelines that have been yy If propaganda meetings election observers. team members is not issued by the EC to monitor whether they are held, the number yy Speakers shall also propaganda materials We have also raised concerns with the recommended abide by the Quarantine Act. of participants shall be maintain one-metre to households EC and the Police on the enforcement of The Asian Network for Free and Fair limited to a maximum of distance with each other y yy A record of the route the law on every political party in an equal Elections (ANFREL), the Movement y It is recommended to limit manner. Action needs to be taken against 100 persons yy Distribution of handbills the number of visitors to visited with details of for Free and Fair Elections (MFFE), the roads and byroads must them if they are in violation of the health yy Processions are not is discouraged during three persons at a time Centre for Monitoring Election Violence be recorded and kept with and election guidelines that are issued. recommended meetings (CMEV), the People’s Action for Free yy Any person with fever the office of the candidate and Fair Elections (PAFFREL), Mothers yy Microphones shall be MDL Co-ordinator Padmini yy Organisers shall inform with or without respiratory Weerasooriya and Daughters of Lanka (MDL), the the area MoH at least disinfected between symptoms shall not Contd. on page 14 Campaign for Free and Fair Elections Our organisation was given the (CaFFE), and the National Polls opportunity by the Elections Secretariat Observation Centre (NPOC) endorsed and will be provided guidance on how to still a threat of Covid-19 spreading in the duties too will increase this time as we to conduct election monitoring activities the code of conduct and indicated that wear one properly. society. Therefore, all the organisations need to take these additional measures. in 2003 when elections were held in the they will remain committed to the highest 6. They will instruct staff members and will have to ensure that each staff member Apart from this, we are looking at Northern and Eastern Provinces amidst a standards set by international and regional volunteers to limit their use of public is briefed accordingly and that they will bringing in observers on a rotation basis, civil war. A total of 100 female election instruments for their line of work. transportation as much as possible. stick to the guidelines issued by the health where they will have to carry out their observers took part in the first observation However, to ensure that election Private vehicles will be disinfected authorities and the EC, as well as adhere pre-election observation duties every other activity in 2003. observation takes place in the safest before and after use. to our code of conduct. day. So, we will be splitting our team to Since then, we have mainly conducted possible manner and does not adversely 7. Their staff members and volunteers Discussions are still underway on two and bringing in only 50% of them on monitoring activities in selected districts impact voters, polling staff, or other will be mandated to keep a daily journal whether we should bring in foreign rotation. and for the Presidential Election 2019, electoral stakeholders, they jointly of their activities, including places election observers. The initial plan was we covered observation duties in prepared the following guidelines to be visited and persons met, to provide to bring in a team of foreign election PAFFREL Executive Director eight districts – Gampaha, Colombo, implemented throughout their respective health authorities with the information observers. However, the decision was put Rohana Hettiarachchi Kurunegala, Kandy, Batticaloa, election observation activities: needed for contact tracing, should it be on hold since the date for elections was We have already deployed 160 Polonnaruwa, and Galle. 1. Organisations are committed necessary. postponed. In the event we do bring in a long-term observers since Parliament We have a really good working to following Covid-19 policies 8. They will strive to provide staff team, we will ensure that they undergo was dissolved. We are also looking at relationship with the rights organisations, implemented by health authorities, the members and volunteers with PCR testing upon entry to the country deploying one observer per grama nildhari especially in the Northern and Eastern EC, and other government agencies. adequate health insurance coverage. and will require them to be placed under division, 1,000 postal observers, 3,000 Provinces and with the assistance of these They will ensure that their staff members Their health situation will also be quarantine for 14 days. stationary observers, and another 1,000 for organisations and the Catholic and Christian and volunteers behave accordingly, and regularly monitored with the help of About 3,000 local observers will mobile observation units. clergy, we have been able to successfully will keep them periodically updated. health professionals, and any person be stationed at polling centres on the While we hope that on the day of the carry out voter education over the years. 2. They will prioritise online forms experiencing symptoms of Covid-19 day of the elections, and during the elections the activities can be carried out While on-ground observation teams of communication to limit as much will be required to self-isolate. poll tabulation process about 200 local in a peaceful manner, all the organisations would gather their observations in as possible, the need for in-person Speaking to The Sunday Morning, observes will be deployed to counting will closely monitor as to whether all their respective electorates, we have meetings. CMEV, PAFFREL, MDL, CaFFE, and centres. One hundred mobile units will be political parties are given a level-playing two officers in our Colombo office 3. Their staff members and volunteers NPOC informed that they will appoint used to conduct election observations in field to carry out their pre-election to collate all information and send it will be instructed to maintain a social units to closely monitor activities on the vulnerable locations. campaigns, for example, whether they are across to the EC, where two more of our distance of at least one metre at all ground as well on social media platforms. During the pre-election time period, given an opportunity to come up with their representatives, posted at the EC during times. They will make the necessary about 160 observers are to be deployed for own policies and create awareness about the election period, co-ordinate with the arrangements to avoid physical contact CMEV National Co-ordinator each electorate. their preferential numbers. relevant authorities. as much as possible. Manjula Gajanayake However, we are faced with a challenge As there are about 7,000 candidates, Accordingly, this election too, we are 4. Their staff members and volunteers In the last week of May, we had a joint due to the present pandemic situation; we are a bit sceptical as to how many of looking forward to carrying out monitoring will be instructed to wash their hands discussion with all the election monitoring the monitoring organisation will have to these candidates will be given an equal duties. Our MDL branch offices will regularly and thoroughly with soap or organisations in the country and prepared provide observers with health insurance amount of prominence to reach the public be called in for a meeting by the end of hand sanitiser. a set of guidelines and a pledge which was along with the necessary personal through their online, on-ground, print, and this month to discuss how we would be 5. Their staff members and volunteers will to be read and signed by each organisation protective equipment (PPE) as per electronic media campaigns. carrying out our activities. be required to wear face masks in public present. We are fully aware that there is requirements. The cost of observation We are also looking into making Contd. on page 14 12 the sunday morning VIEWS Sunday, June 14, 2020

WITH OUR READERS’ HEALTH IN MIND A SPECIAL ANTIMICROBIAL INK HAS BEEN USED IN THE PRINTING OF OUR NEWSPAPER PROTECTOR OR PERPETRATOR? Public exposing abuse of power S. Kokulraj – Eastern University of Sri Lanka medical student The incidents that occurred recently regarding the ill treatment of two 14-year-old boys in Sri Lanka have sparked public outcry on social media against police brutality in the wake of an already mounting protest against police brutality in the US. This act of violence by the Police is rather deplorable and those who were involved in this unlawful act should be held responsible. Regrettably, there was no governing/ supervising body of the Police that raised concerns or took action, until it was brought up on social media, following the release of the video which depicts how the boy was brutally handled. This drew attention from many social activists across platforms, who demanded justice. It’s only after this public outcry that the Police took up the issue and ordered an investigation. The policemen involved in the assault of Thariq were suspended after investigation. The most alarming and disturbing fact was that the Police Spokesperson explained the GROWING matter, stating that they were suspended as they “failed to arrest the boy”. This exposes COMPLAINTS major drawbacks within the Police and the Members of the Frontline Socialist Party violated court orders judicial system, specifically, the lack of and held a protest in front of the US Embassy in Colombo on AGAINST accountability mechanisms and impunity. 9 June, demanding justice for George Floyd. Pictured is the No actions were taken against the policemen chaos which ensued when the Police intervened for the attack on Thariq and they leveraged PHOTO SAMAN ABESIRIWARDANA POLICE impunity to escape the consequences of their brutal actions with minimal punishment of suspension. There was no transparency in BY DIANDRA ANNE Enforcing law Under observation the investigations made and no policemen Sanuja Vitanachy – entrepreneur were held accountable, except for their failure he year 2020 started off rather poorly, with the spread of a and order through to arrest. It’s clear that there is no proper pandemic. Lives were lost and fear was struck in the hearts of Police officers represent the civil supervising body that is capable of holding many. Just when things seemingly could not get any worse, peace and comfort authority of each government. the Police accountable for their wrongdoings The Police are responsible for the within the legal framework and unfortunately the death of a 46-year-old Black man, George Floyd, instilled Manjula – maintenance of public safety by it’s the public that shoulders the burden of more fear within society. His life was lost at the hands of police IT business professional enforcing the law and preventing exposing the culprits within the system. Tofficers. The incident garnered a lot of attention globally; rightfully so. Well, I believe that law enforcement any sort of criminal activities. These To end the abuse of power, there should be However, issues of this nature are not limited to overseas, as even here needs to take certain matters seriously, functions are known as policing. The a proper supervising body within the legal in Sri Lanka, incidents of police harassment occur. especially the state and the mentality of Police are entrusted with the protection framework and it should be established to the persons they are dealing with. Violence of us civilians. The recent incident ensure transparent and unbiased investigations with Thariq shows that the Police have on crimes committed by the forces and The latest incident which has been had allegedly been taken to the police is not the best way to enforce law and order, but peace and comfort is. The misused their powers by manipulating to hold any culprits accountable for their spreading through social media like station by the Police as his father, who the system. With similar incidents which actions. Child protection and human rights wildfire was the assault of Thariq was required for questioning, was not at Police should behave in a way that will comfort the public and earn their trust so have happened in the past, it shows organisations should actively get involved in Ahamed. According to local reports, home. They only released the child after that people will comply. In this particular us how important it is to monitor the bringing justice to victims of power abuse. the 14-year-old autistic boy had been the father had come to the police station. case, Thariq's voice needs to be heard and behaviour of the frontline police officers harassed by certain police officers at These allegations against a few police an example should be made. It is the right and give them proper training on self- the police checkpoint at Ambagaha officers have tarnished the image and time to act; not only in Sri Lanka, but all discipline. To avoid such incidents in Junction in Dharga Town, during great efforts put in by the law enforcement over the world. the future, while “policing the Police”, curfew. Video footage from cameras officials during the Covid-19 pandemic, it is also important that government representatives, and other high-ranking revealed the situation where police which is truly unfortunate. To get more officers too, abide by the country’s law. officers harassed the child. This, insight and perspectives on this situation, unfortunately, is not the only case of The Sunday Morning asked the general abuse reported. public for their take on the incidents and Recently, yet another child had been questioned them as to who is “policing the allegedly harassed in Elpitiya. The child Police”.

from bad to worse. I do not know for what From bad to worse reason they did it; it may have been due to Herman S. Gonsal – senior inefficiency, and to make their life easier, hotelier and senior housing and they take whoever is around and go. The fundamentals are in shambles. A lack of apartment developer Furthermore, very strict action should What the Police did to that child in be taken against these officers. They need understanding Elpitiya was completely unfair. No matter to respect human beings. Of course, that Jeevan – general manager what mistake the father made, they should is not to say that the police force is filled Empathetic not have dragged in an innocent child. I did with these types of people. There are in fact The recent incidents regarding Thariq as not see many incidents like these when I good people. However, a few rotten eggs protectors well as the 14-year-old taken to the police was younger, so I believe things have gone ruin everything. station without his father are both issues that Namila Dammalage – Offering a solution are part of a much larger problem; primarily, in order to factor in a reform. It's important Dai Lanka Auto Enterprises S.I.M. Minzar – media personnel whilst the Police are there to maintain law that other government organisations (Pvt.) Ltd. Director and order, they should not be allowed to act and social activist with impunity and get away with it. This is a follow a similar process in understanding I remember how once a friend of mine the strategy they need to be using to keep The attack on Thariq on 25 May drew systemic issue which is not limited to just Sri told me a story of police injustice, where public outrage through social media. Two Lanka (case in point, the US today). their police departments in line. Sri Lanka, the Sri Lankan law enforcers were, in fact, unfortunately, is yet to take massive strides contradictions had been made according to The issue with Thariq, where the police the ones breaking the law – simply because print media; the alleged officers have been officers justified the attack by claiming in revamping how its Police go about the suspect in this case was from an Islamic carrying out their duties. While there is a suspended versus the alleged officers have they thought he was a drug addict, clearly background. Ever since then, I’ve always been interdicted. shows that there is a significant lack of lot of good that's happening with the Police lent an ear to cases of injustice and brutality. or Army, there's also police brutality going I strongly believe the National Child understanding of issues like autism and an This particular case is another reminder Protection Authority (NCPA) must carry all-too-easy need to jump to “rough” people around in Sri Lanka that we shouldn't for us Sri Lankans to understand that the be overlooking. In the past few months, out a separate investigation with regard up and even police brutality. Whilst we hear people who are meant to protect us won’t to this incident, since it is an independent much of good policemen, issues like this curfew violators have been heavily beaten always be up to the task. It’s a reminder of up before being arrested and the Police in authority which could talk on behalf of the cropping up and the lack of a proper follow- how police brutality is not just happening victims and assist in such incidents. up, beyond an “inquiry being opened up”, Sri Lanka showed no restraint. in the West or in movies, but is a very Thariq faced the brunt of police brutality I earnestly request the NCPA to ends up leaving black marks on the actual prominent issue in our own motherland. intervene in the matter and assist the good work done by the forces. Following their earlier on. Isn't it the police department’s In my opinion, the local authorities need responsibility to help keep us safe and victim and his family by providing to be held accountable when it comes to psychological treatment, which will be a footsteps away from harm's way? Isn't it the police their actions, and to do that there needs to department’s responsibility to weed out relief to the boy and his family. Dewni Chirathma – marketing be an overarching authority that looks into Among the officers (including the harmful people from society and help them matters pertaining to the Police, at a far Bad customer care executive and artist rehabilitate? What happens when they Sub-Inspector), it is clear that there is a more microscopic level. dereliction of duty that has taken place Chandima* For the longest time, police brutality bring harm to society? And how do you Officers should never be allowed mitigate this? One thing's for sure. None during the attack. I believe that the reason these officers received little to no attention from to take the law into their own hands The Sub-Inspector was not able to acted out in this way is because they are not authoritative figures. But with the recent of us are going to continue sitting back, and measures must be put in place to letting police brutality take over. I strongly identify if the boy was under the influence trained to handle their customers, which is tragic incident with African-American ensure they don’t abuse their position of of drugs or judge his mental stability, and us. These officers need to be disciplined and citizen George Floyd, police brutality is believe the Government needs to reform power. My only hope is that through the police strategies regarding curfew violators when the Police referred him to the JMO given specialised training on how to handle now in the spotlight and citizens from all exposure of such incidents, the lawmakers (Judicial Medical Officer), the JMO had situations and people. First and foremost, over the world are taking to social media and understand and implement scenarios will realise the growing importance of in which the Police can resort to force. made a racial utterance against the victim. they need to be trained on how to talk and to express incidents of police brutality that surveillance of the individuals who are It is a case of gross negligence on the address people. If they cannot handle the they have either experienced or witnessed. Further, when allowed to use force, it must meant to protect us, and those unfit for also be decided as to what extent internal part of the Government and a lapse in civilians in a civilised manner, then what is Government figures are forced to duty should be identified and replaced their official conduct and responsibility. the point? The Government should look into re-strategise and take immediate action, investigations (daily/weekly) and follow-up with more empathetic, responsible procedures regarding police members can Hence, I urge the NCPA to provide justice this a bit more. for example the Minneapolis City Council officers who will think twice before to Thariq and his family and bring the promised to dismantle its police department be carried out, to weed out individuals that beating up a 14-year-old autistic boy. *Views have been given on condition of don't belong in the force. perpetrators to book. anonymity the sunday morning 13 Sunday, June 14, 2020 FOCUS

WITH OUR READERS’ HEALTH IN MIND A SPECIAL ANTIMICROBIAL INK HAS BEEN USED IN THE PRINTING OF OUR NEWSPAPER CONDUCT OF THE POLICE FORCE

THEz HEATz IS ON NCPA and NPC probe on Aluthgama and Elpitiya incidents Police deny assault or any failure to act with decorum BY SKANDHA GUNASEKARA the official police probe. the time of the incident. “The Police are conducting the “It was during curfew. He is a mature child, With global focus on police brutality, investigation into the incident. However, the almost as big as an adult. The officer had Sri Lanka Police too have come under moment we feel that particular local police assumed that he had appeared to be under heavy criticism in recent weeks for station is unable to handle this case or they’re the influence of narcotics,” the Police Media multiple incidents including those not investigating up to the expected standard, Spokesman said. involving children, with the National then we will send our own police unit and reinvestigate. But we have not reached this Police brutality publicly Child Protection Authority (NCPA) displayed? charging that action must be taken level yet.” if the Police were found to have used Furthermore, Prof. Vidanapathirana noted On Tuesday (9), footage emerged in the excessive force or broken the law, that he could not comment on the treatment of media of a violent suppression by the Police the child as that could only be done by a court of a peaceful demonstration carried out in although the Police insist that they of law following a thorough investigation, Colpetty in protest of police brutality which had acted accordingly. adding that the Police however, must be caused the death of George Floyd in the US. On 25 May, a 14-year-old autistic boy had penalised if any wrongdoing was found. This included assaults on the Frontline wandered out of his house on his bicycle “We only saw the video footage, and Socialist Party (FSP) protestors, which and made his way towards the Ambagaha the video footage alone is not enough. A included an elderly lady being thrown to Junction in the Dharga Town in Aluthgama proper investigation must be carried out with the ground by police officers. However, the during curfew hours. eyewitness accounts being sought before that Police were adamant that no excessive force The Colpetty protest on Tuesday (9) The boy in question, Thariq Ahmed, had PHOTO SAMAN ABESIRIWARDANA can be determined and a conclusion made was used during the protest. been stopped at a checkpoint manned by about the treatment of the child. Nevertheless, “The Police didn’t use excessive force. several police officers who had stopped legally provided to do so. have to look into that. A family report must if there is excessive force used, the police They acted accordingly in response to those the minor, pushed him off his bicycle, and “Police officers can arrest children only be taken and a social report from a regional officer must be interdicted.” resisting arrest,” he said, despite video violently assaulted him. under two circumstances. One, is if a child officer must be sought. evidence proving the contrary. warrants care and protection, the Police can “The child also must be sent to the Police officers suspended Meanwhile, the National Police Strongly condemned online take that child into police custody – not arrest Judicial Medical Officer and a psychiatrist. for ‘not arresting’ Commission (NPC) said that it was too The incident in Aluthgama drew heavy the child. The second instance is if the child Thereafter, it must be determined to With regard to the incident in Elpitiya, the early to pass judgments on incidents criticism from politicians and celebrities has violated the law of the land, then the child whom the care of the child should go. If NCPA was critical of the arrest of the child. until investigations were carried out and alike, including cricket legend Kumar can be arrested by the Police,” he said. the Magistrate or the case conference has “We must look at the circumstances that completed. Sangakkara who took to the social media He said the legal provisions for this are in confidence in the competence of the father, allow the Police to take a child into custody. Secretary to the NPC Nishantha platform Twitter to express his concern. the Children and Young Persons Ordinance. then the child can be returned to him. If not, Did that child need care and protection? Had Weerasinghe said the Aluthgama and Elpitiya “Absolutely disgusting act. It has to be “The legal basis for this is the (National) they will have to look for a government-run he broken the law? I don’t agree with that incidents were currently being investigated. investigated and prompt action taken against Child Protection Authority Act which also home – a child development centre – to look arrest. It is up to the courts to decide whether “There is an investigation currently the perpetrators. Any and all such acts cannot includes the Children and Young Persons after the child.” the Police had strayed,” he noted. underway regarding the Aluthgama incident. be permitted or tolerated,” Sangakkara said. Ordinance.” Thereafter, he pointed out that it also He said that the NCPA was closely The relevant officers have been interdicted Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Prof. Vidanapathirana then pointed out that seemed the child had broken the law by monitoring the issue. He said the NCPA and we are awaiting the final report. With member and former parliamentarian Namal there were key conditions to take into account violating curfew. has informed the regional child protection regard to Elpitiya incident, an investigation Rajapaksa also condemned the attack. when a child is taken into custody or arrested “Next, we have to see if the child had officers and are keeping a close eye on the for that too is underway and the IGP “I strongly condemn those involved in by the Police. violated the law of the land. The child had investigation, adding that they will take over (Inspector General of Police) has been the abuse of #ThariqAhamed and support a “One is that they must explain the reasons been travelling during curfew. There is clear if a proper inquiry is not carried out. notified of this as well. We must see what the full inquiry into the matter. It’s sad that the for the arrest, which is the offence he/she evidence of the violation of the law of the The Police however were not of the view findings are before deciding on whether to excellent work done by @SriLankaPolice2 has committed. The second is that the child’s land. There is an indication for an arrest as that there had been any assault on the child. take action or not,” he said. during the #COVID19SL pandemic is now dignity cannot be tarnished. These provisions well as to take (the child) into the custody of In fact, the police officer who was However, with regard to the assault on questioned after this,” Rajapaksa said on are given in Section 40 of the United Nations the Police.” interdicted had disciplinary action taken protestors on Tuesday, Weerasinghe said that Twitter. Convention on the Rights of the Child He said the NCPA had jumped in to take against them not for their treatment of the no complaints had been lodged with the NPC On 6 June, another 14-year-old boy was (CRC).” action as it was made aware of the incident. child, but for failing to arrest the boy. over the incident or serious incidents being arrested by the Elpitiya Police. The Elpitiya Examining the case of the autistic child “When we heard of this incident, we “The officers failed to make the arrest. reported in the media. Police had arrested the boy after they had in Aluthgama, Prof. Vidanapathirana said informed the regional child protection Instead, they had released him upon the He went on to say that these three incidents arrived at the house looking for his father. that it appeared the child had needed police officer to monitor this incident – whether the father’s arrival. They had neglected their alone should not tarnish the image of the The 14-year-old was solely arrested as a protection. police officers do their job, how the child is duty to write an entry about the arrest and Police. measure to lure his father who was wanted for “We must ask ourselves whether this child treated, etc. Then we will inform the district therefore, have been suspended,” Police “Three incidents should not determine the questioning by the Police. warrants care and protection. This child psychosocial officer who will look into the Media Spokesman SP Jaliya Seneratne said. performance of the entire force. We have to is an autistic child, so it warrants care and psychosocial aspect. Thereafter, we refer With regard to the alleged assault, SP investigate each incident and decide how each Legal aspects of arresting minors protection of an adult. In this case, the child is to our Police who will refer the case to the Seneratne said that CCTV footage didn’t incident took place and if the Police were at NCPA Chairman Prof. Muditha under the custody of the father. The father has relevant police in Aluthgama.” show any evidence of assault, although he fault. Right now, we cannot say anything, as Vidanapathirana, explaining to The Sunday neglected his duty. He has not given proper However, he said that the NCPA was acknowledged that force was used. the results of the final reports are not out. We Morning instances a child could be taken attention. The child was allowed to take a empowered to carry out its own investigation In addition, he said the Police had not cannot condone the behaviour of the Police into custody, said that only two reasons were bicycle and travel on the road alone. We if they believed there were shortcomings in been able to identify the boy as autistic at till the investigations have been completed.”

Contd. from page 10 establishments that have responded have 58.12% of these establishments are in the managed to conduct their business in the “full manufacturing and “other services” category, Impact on... operation” level indicates the huge potential indicating the need of prioritising these sectors The takeaways... Comparing the numbers of closed this industry has in sustaining the “new for industry-level relief. The total employment Commenting on the similarities with Sri perspectives on Singapore’s Covid-19 businesses within the industry itself reveals normal” future. Out of the 90 establishments included in this cohort is 160,645, which is Lanka, Director General of Health Services “circuit breaker” measures. He explained that that 75% of the establishments in the that have responded in this sector, only 22 26.95% of the total employees included in this (DGHS) Dr. Anil Jasinghe said that Sri this includes strict border restrictions, closure “education” industry are closed, whilst 68.87% businesses have managed to continue their survey. Lanka had taken similar actions. of non-essential businesses, work from of “wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor operations at under capacity level. It is observed that the employment “As of today (10 June), Sri Lanka has home and home-learning concepts, isolation vehicles and motor cycles” establishments protection of this cohort of employees and the had 1,859 cases. Out of these, 903 were of migrant worker dorms, mandatory have also closed. Status of employment social protection and welfare needs of a larger from Navy clusters, which was actually face masks, temperature screening, and Furthermore, it is observed that the A total of 596,022 workers have been cohort of the population are at risk due to the unfortunate. There is also another factor contact tracing. The Government has percentage of closed businesses is more than employed in the respondent establishments employers’ inability to pay salaries. that I believe Vietnam considered; a large given financial support to households and 60% in the industries of accommodation in February 2020, whereas this number has 7.84% of the 1,084 establishments who population of the country lives overseas. We businesses, subsidised Covid medical care, and food services activities, wholesale reduced to 213,011 by May 2020, indicating cannot pay salaries are in the accommodation had to open the country for them. I think the and distributed masks and sanitisers, just and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles that 64.26% of employees are not in work and the food services industry. The statistics difference between Vietnam and Sri Lanka as Sri Lanka undertook, and it has helped and motorcycles, construction, education, by May 2020. 63.15% (376,388) of the indicate that 19,730 (81.11%) employees was that Vietnam used home quarantine Singapore’s Covid-19 “circuit breaker” to professional, and scientific and technical employees who were captured through this in this industry are not in work, with only and our main mode of quarantine was successfully fight against the pandemic. activities. This indicates the need for the survey were from the manufacturing sector, of 5,726 (29.02%) of the not in work employees institutional quarantine,” said Dr. Jasinghe. Throughout Dr. Daly’s explanation, introduction of sector-targeted interventions to which 263,612 were not in work by May 2020. being included in the establishments which Answering a question presented by a it emerged that a majority of the public revive businesses. The percentage of employees who are in are unable to pay salary. In comparison to the senior journalist, Dr. Bales said that the are willing to accept burden mitigation The agriculture, forestry, and fishing the “not in work” category in comparison February employment level, 5,726 employees Vietnamese Government was concerned measures and place high levels of trust in industries indicate the highest percentages to the total employment in February 2020 account for 23.54% of the respective industry about a second wave and that they are being the Government, media, and public health for both the “in operation with under is a staggering 64.26%. Repeating the employment. extremely cautious. “I saw that Sri Lanka has professionals. He also stated that many are capacity” and “in full operation” categories previous trend, the manufacturing sector has Alarmingly, the statistics for the plans to carry out safe international tourism willing to continue circuit breakers even after of businesses, indicating a higher level recorded the highest volume of “not in work” “manufacturing” industry indicate a much with international quarantine hotels and when the Covid-19 period. of resilience during this period, 72.73% employees. higher percentage of employees – 37.84% – I asked Vietnam whether they are interested Additional Secretary to the President for and 14.55%, respectively. A similar Consideration of employee percentages who are included in the “unable to pay salary” in it too, they said that they are not ready,” Foreign Relations Admiral Prof. Jayanath trend is observed in the “information and within the industries indicates that the “real category. These 99,753 employees comprise Dr. Bales noted. Colombage said that even three months communication” industry with the percentage estate activities” category has the highest 26.50% of the total employment in the after the World Health Organisation (WHO) of establishments in operation with under percentage of “not in work” employees – manufacturing industry. This number accounts Singapore’s ‘circuit breaker’ declared that Covid-19 was a pandemic, we capacity being 49.22%, and the percentage for 90.58% (it should be noted that the industries for 37% of workers not in the work category Dr. Reuben Ng is an expert in measuring are still finding answers for the social and “in full operation” being 10.16%. with less than 1,000 total employment in in that particular industry. Exploring both the social perceptions, teaches policy innovation economic impacts on the country. A matter of concern is the inability of at February 2020 have been disregarded for manufacturing and the accommodation and at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, “We are testing how to return to normalcy least one organisation in the transport and this purpose), followed by construction, food services sectors further, it is indicated that and leads a research programme at the LRF and/or whether it will lead to a ‘new normal’. storage sector to be in full operation, despite and accommodation and food services. around 60% of workers have the possibility Institute for the Public Understanding of I’d like to highlight that prevention and essential goods transport and storage being Agriculture, and forestry and fishing has of getting their salary (full, basic, or some Risk. humanitarian aspects are the cornerstones of encouraged and promoted throughout the crisis recorded the lowest percentage of “not in percentage) for a couple of months, may be up Joining the webinar and explaining the our policy on Covid. We are now discussing management period. work” status, at 13.13%. to the end of June 2020, even though they are measuring of societal perceptions and our economic model because we were It should also be noted that “manufacturing” The information and communication not in work. Yet, the fact that employers will narratives, he said that they created a global having an import-based model. I think these and “other service categories” have had a industry has also recorded a low 20.22% of not be able to continue this for a longer period narrative platform with a 10 billion-word are common to many countries,” said Prof. significant percentage of the establishments “not in work” employees. Both these sectors must be kept in mind, whilst the introduction online database with sources from more than Colombage. in “operation with under capacity”. Yet, as indicate higher levels of job security owing of a suitable relief package is essential to 7,000 newspapers and magazines across 20 At the end of the webinar, discussions a percentage of total establishments, these to the nature of the business, and the essential ensure business continuity. countries, over 10 years. He further said that were held between experts from Sri Lanka, two industries account for 56.33% of closed nature of the industry during the pandemic Despite “accommodation and food it is essential for governments to own and Vietnam, and Singapore. Dr. Indrajit businesses, indicating the impact these sectors situation in the country. services” having significantly lower levels shape the narrative during a pandemic. Coomaraswamy, Prof. Saroj Jayasinghe, and are having on the total employment and the of business operations in comparison to the Dr. Patrick Daly who has worked Dr. Dilhan Fernando also participated and economy. Payment of salary manufacturing industry, employees in the extensively on issues of recovery and commented on how Sri Lanka undertook A point of concern again is the limited A total of 1,084 establishments that took part manufacturing industry are being subjected to reconstruction in the aftermath of both measures to fight Covid-19 and how the percentage of industries in the education in the survey indicated that they are unable more vulnerability with regard to loss of direct human and natural disasters, joining with Government is leading the society to a new sector in operation. The revelation that two to pay salaries to their employees currently. income. his research team, presented resident normal. 14 the sunday morning OPINION/FOCUS Sunday, June 14, 2020

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Contd. from page 11 Disentangling Monitoring bodies... CaFFE Acting provincial journalists who have districts for this election and in Executive Director been trained to recognise and addition to that, we will have Ahamed Manas Makeen report such incidents. Once they a team to monitor social media CaFFE has already appointed report a complaint, we also cross- platforms and government- 26 district co-ordinators to carry observe the situation through owned print, TV, and electronic the tax web out monitoring duties, one for our long-term observers and media channels, as per the BY AMANI PILAPITIYA AAL LLB (HONS.) applicable when issuing the Tax deductible unless this consent is each district, with the exception district co-ordinators. Short-term guidelines issued by the EC. Clearance Certificate. given. of the Ampara District where observers will be employed to Our teams will also closely This brief note encapsulates For this purpose, the bank we posted two – one to monitor carry out monitoring duties on the monitor whether political parties the guidelines under the or financial institution making When should the deduction the Sinhala administrative day of the elections, for which the are adhering to the health circular issued by the the interest payment may direct be made? region and another for the numbers will be decided during guidelines that were issued. Department of Inland the individual claiming such In order for the AIT to be Tamil administrative region. All next week’s meeting based on the We are also keen to see how Revenue dated 8 June a concession to obtain a tax deducted, the resident person may complaints that are gathered by instructions that we are to receive campaigning activities will be 2020 further to the clearance certificate from the make a declaration expressing his/ these district co-ordinators are from the EC. carried out by the candidates changes proposed by the Inland Revenue Department, after her consent to the said deduction, sent across to the EC and the We will be deploying another and whether certain candidates Commissioner General of which WHT shall be deducted after which AIT shall be deducted relevant departments for entry unit, especially to monitor social will have an unfair advantage Inland Revenue on 6 April accordingly. from payments derived from any and action. media platforms and posts, to based on their election financing bank or financial institution which is Misuse of state property is ensure that defamatory posts capabilities. Some candidates 2020 (Reference No. PN/ Special circumstances either interest, discounts, or income sent to the EC and the head of are not shared against a political will make use of all available IT/2020-03 [Revised]) in line In addition, gross interest or from Islamic transactions, and which the relevant department, i.e. if a party or candidate. Screenshots channels to carry out their with instructions stipulated similar payments are considered as has its source in Sri Lanka. post office is being misused, the will be taken of the said posts campaign activities, and since by the Ministry of Finance. sources of interest income, which EC and the Postmaster General and be forwarded to the EC, the door-to-door campaigning is are subject to WHT deductions. How should the deduction will be alerted. We are looking at concerned parties, and the Police restricted to only three persons The guidelines set out how Any amount considered to be be made? employing an adequate number for action. Meme pages/posts and rallies being limited to Withholding Tax and Advance in excess of the original payment The rate of deduction in the case of officials for the task and a too will be looked into and the 100 persons according to the Income Tax shall be deducted shall also be subject to such of a resident person shall be such decision will be made next week necessary measures will be taken guidelines, some candidates from payments such as interest, deduction. Moreover, if a bank that the AIT shall be deductible on the exact numbers. by the relevant authorities based might not be able to reach the discounts, and income payable or financial institution wants to from any amount of interest At least three long-term on our reports. public conveniently. from Islamic financial transactions pay the total due interest to any received by that person from the observers will be deployed Candidates would be switching to to any deposit holder. non-resident person, the said total bank or financial institution at a in each district to gather the NPOC National sponsored ad promotions on social amount sought to be paid will tax rate of 6%, 12%, or 18%. The complaints for the pre-election Organiser Rasanga media platforms and there might be A. Withholding Tax (WHT) be treated as the “net amount” tax rate most appropriate should be period. Complaints are collected Harischandra an unfairness on those platforms, From whom should the (i.e. an amount already subject to declared by such an individual in through our on-ground election The NPOC will be deploying as some might not be able to spend deduction be made? tax deductions) and the relevant his declaration. observers, political parties, and 3,000 observers to cover all much on boosting posts. The important point to be noted WHT should be deducted based In contrast, where the declarant here is that WHT will only be on the “grossed-up amount” (i.e. is a resident person other than a deducted from interest or similar the amount prior to such tax resident individual, the AIT shall kinds of payments made by banks deductions). be deductible at certain tax rates or financial institutions to non- Alternatively, where a depending on the type of entity resident individuals. For further declaration is made in terms concerned. For instance: Health guidelines to be followed... clarity, these payments are detailed of interest payments due for I. Partnership – 6% in the circular as being in the investments that are owned jointly, II. Charitable institution – 14% Guidelines to conduct the gloves and thoroughly and dispose of it to a closed form of either interest, discounts, interest payments to such joint III. Employees trust funds, postal votes wash their hands with soap bin. Alternatively, a drop of income received from Islamic owners should be apportioned in provident fund, pension fund, or and water immediately paint could be placed on the yy Arrange postal voting for financial transactions “which has accordance with the individual’s terminal funds – 14% afterwards fingertip health staff that would originated (source) in Sri Lanka”. interest. Where such interests IV. Other resident entities including monitor the Covid-19 yy All furniture tops and other yy Sanitise the voting box each The rate of deduction of WHT cannot be clearly identified, resident company – 24% control activities during the utensils shall be disinfected hour, including the pen used shall thereby be 5%. payments to such joint owners will election if it does not require for voting be made equally. Common guidelines for yy All above instructions are amendments of the relevant When should the deduction WHT and AIT to be communicated to all yy Employ a separate worker to acts be made? Exemptions When should the tax be voters before starting the push the ballot papers into The circular further presents The circular furthers its scope deducted? The tax should be yy Consider granting postal postal voting session and the ballot box with a ruler. details as to the conditions to illustrate circumstances deducted at the time that the voting for all health staff if also displayed onsite If the ruler or the person changes, the ruler shall be applicable in the case of non- where WHT deductions shall be bank or financial institution pays, possible yy Responsible officers shall resident individuals who are exempted. For instance; credits, re-invests, accumulates, sanitised yy Heads of institutions/officers be appointed to supervise citizens of Sri Lanka. If the a. If the interest is received by a capitalises, or makes available the appointed shall ensure that the health measures during yy All hand washing points individual’s aggregate interest person outside Sri Lanka for a relevant amount to the person. a spacious place (e.g. a hall) the whole process of postal shall be provided with income or similar kind of payment loan granted to a person in Sri How will the deducted tax be is selected for the casting voting tissues to wipe hands from a bank or financial institution Lanka or to the Government of paid to the Department of Inland of votes to ensure physical exceeds Rs. 250,000 per month Sri Lanka, WHT deductions are Revenue? Upon deducting the Guideline for officers at yy Provide adequate numbers of distancing of one metre with or Rs. 3,000,000 per annum, exempted WHT or AIT, the bank or financial polling centres bins (with a polythene bag each person inside the room inside the bin) to discard the WHT is deductible from that b. If the interest is received by a institution making the said y y y Arrange the polling booth in used tissues income. The circular outlines that person to whom the amount lies deduction shall pay the relevant y Reduce the number of agents such a way that voters enter for the purpose of identifying to his credit in foreign currency amount to the Commissioner from political parties to the from one entrance and exit yy Medical Officer of Health whether an individual’s assessable in a foreign currency account General of the Inland Revenue minimum from another side if possible (MOH) staff shall sanitise income exceeds this limit or not, which is in a commercial/ Department within 15 days after yy All voters shall be informed the centre after voting is over a declaration must be obtained by specialised bank as approved by the end of each calendar month. yy Limit the number of agents that if anyone is having fever the bank or financial institution the Central Bank of Sri Lanka What proof shall be available at a polling booth to the Conducting election in with or without respiratory from that individual or their c. Where the income is earned by that the said taxes have been paid? minimum the quarantine centres symptoms to report for authorised agent, thereby being a non-resident person through The bank or financial institution The following additional voting as the last voters in a yy Mark one-metre distance able to determine whether the WHT either an interest, discount, deducting the WHT or AIT must measures will be observed: particular session points in the queue on the deduction is necessary or not. or realisation of any gain issue a certificate relating to floor both in and outside yy All officers shall wear full on a sovereign bond (can be the relevant deduction to every yy Ask the voters to form a protective PPE (surgical How should the deduction denominated in local or foreign person. The certificate shall cover queue at least one metre yy Make a transparent mask, gloves, face shields, be made? currency) a calendar month and should be apart and arrangements protective screen (maybe full body cover, and boots) Whenever any bank or d. Where the income is earned served within 30 days after the shall be made to get them thick polythene) between the before entering the election financial institution receives a by any person, either by the end of the month or as approved batch-wise to minimise voters and the officials with declaration to deduct the WHT, payment of an interest or by the Commissioner General of overcrowding openings below for official yy Agents shall wear face the deduction should be made on discount on any sovereign bond Inland Revenue. transactions shields in addition to the face yy All officers and voters the amount stated therein. The denominated in foreign currency. Consequences of false or mask and keep a two-metre should wear masks yy Keep the maximum possible circular expressly stipulates that This may also include Sri Lanka misleading statements – any distance with voters instead distance between officers this deduction should be made development bonds issued by or declaration, statement, or certificate y of one metre y One-metre distance shall be and the voters irrespective of whether or not the on behalf of the Government of provided to a bank or financial maintained between voters, yy All sides of the ballot box assessable income exceeds the Sri Lanka institution should be accurate, since officers, and any other yy Arrange a polling agent area shall be sanitised after the aggregate of Rs. 3,000,000 for the e. If the amounts have been penalties can be imposed for false persons present within the with one-metre distance session and then sealed and year of assessment. derived by a foreign country or misleading material. premises among themselves and one put in a polythene bag In all other circumstances, the to the extent specified under a y metre behind the voters’ queue WHT should be deducted based diplomatic immunities law Are there any responsibilities y All voters shall wash or yy The queue of the voters Election officers, upon the total gross interest f. Where amounts have been imposed on banks or financial sanitise their hands before should be arranged in such a agents, and other staff payment. derived by an international institutions? entering the voting place way as to not get too close to upon returning home organisation to the extent Responsibilities would include y y The identity of the person officials or other voters from election duty Are there any concessions specified under a diplomatic when deducting any WHT or shall be checked without available? immunities law or any AIT; they must be a registered touching the identity card yy Voters shall be provided with yy Must wash their hands A concession may be obtained agreement between that Withholding Agent under the and if touched, the officer hand washing facilities at the thoroughly with soap and for the deduction of WHT if organisation and the Commissioner General of Inland should sanitise his hands entrance and all voters shall water before entering the the provisions of any relevant Government of Sri Lanka Revenue, and if they are not so immediately thereafter wash or sanitise their hands house Double Tax Avoidance Agreement g. Exemptions shall also apply registered, they must obtain a before entering the polling yy Must remove their clothing between Sri Lanka and the country where an issuer of any sovereign registration number form the yy Voters shall be encouraged booth, and wear masks and shoes/slippers and leave of residence of the non-resident bond denominated in foreign Commissioner General at least to use their own pen or yy them outside, and wash them individual concerned provides for it. currency on or after 21 October 30 days before commencing the pencil to mark the vote All officers shall wear masks before taking them inside or In brief, a Double Tax Avoidance 2008 by or on behalf of the deduction of the WHT or AIT. y and wash their hands before y The voting cubicle shall be entering the polling booth wearing them again Agreement would essentially Government of Sri Lanka, pays However, in respect of deducting sanitised every hour provide relief to individuals, in an amount equal to the interest, AIT, separate registration is y yy Must leave all their y y Officers shall not touch the that they would be exempt from discount paid, or allowed to any not required; being a registered y All voters shall wash or identity card or the polling belongings outside. If any taxes twice, for the same income. non-resident person or a licensed Withholding Agent would suffice. sanitise their hands after card of the voter; instead, item is taken inside the Thus, in terms of WHT deduction, commercial bank in Sri Lanka Such registered agents are further leaving the voting box shall ask the voter to show house, either wash it with the individual concerned may pay B. Advance Income Tax (AIT) required to maintain proper yy Those voters who have fever it. If touched, sanitise hands soap and water or disinfect the lower WHT rate when the records in accordance with the with or without respiratory immediately thereafter sanitiser (this applies to their two relevant rates are compared. From whom should the given formats and furnish them at mobile phones, spectacles, symptoms should be allowed yy If finger-marking is Whoever makes the payments deduction be made? the request of any tax official for to vote at the end of the wristwatches, etc.) thereafter upon comparison, In terms of AIT, it is important inspection. Schedules to the annual practised, ask the voter to session. After such voter(s) yy Must go to the bathroom will be required to obtain a Tax to note that it shall be deductible statements should also be submitted hold the fisted left hand with cast(s) vote(s), without touching anything Clearance Certificate from the from any interest payment made on WHT and AIT deductions. the little finger out without inside the house and take a Department of Inland Revenue and to a resident person. However, it (The writer is a legal officer yy All the officers who attended touching the table. Paint bath the lower rates will be taken into is subjected to the consent of that at Capital Law Chambers and to the voter(s) shall remove the finger with a cotton bud consideration, if they are deemed person and as such would not be Corporate Consultants) the sunday morning 15 Sunday, June 14, 2020 SPORTS

WITH OUR READERS’ HEALTH IN MIND A SPECIAL ANTIMICROBIAL INK HAS BEEN USED IN THE PRINTING OF OUR NEWSPAPER EXCLUSIVE NO EXCUSES! z All Blacks new Coach Ian Foster exclusively interviewed by Shanaka Amarasinghe

an Foster is the current Head Excerpts follow: Given that England, South Africa, Part of the art of coaching is to deliver Coach of the All Blacks. He is and (until very recently) France were information in a way which makes the a former rugby union player Many congratulations on the job Ian! intent on packing their sides with complex simple and it empowers the making 148 appearances How was your state of mind during big players in order to expose the players to make decisions and doesn’t bog – a union record – for New the head coach selection process? less physical teams, do you think it them down. It is our job as coaches to build IZealand’s Waikato Rugby Union. Did the continuity the New Zealand is possible to coach with a different confidence to get them to make decisions He also played 28 games for the Rugby (NZR) have been looking to philosophy if you are constantly – right or wrong – and when they make Chiefs. build, make you a slight favourite, coming up against bigger – but not a wrong one, they don’t feel smacked by perhaps? correspondingly better – opposition? it but learn from the experience. That’s a In 2012, Foster became an Assistant I had no idea whether I was a favourite It is critical that the philosophy that huge challenge for us as coaches. There Coach and selector for the All Blacks. or not. My state of mind was with eight we have is deliverable with the skill set is no doubt about that. In December 2019, Foster was named years as an assistant and (a) mindset – and the physicality of the players that the new Head Coach of the All Blacks, what do I need – to grow the current we have. We fundamentally play a skill- How much do you think the game replacing Steve Hansen. environment, and I came up with a plan based/decision-based game, but the game will change this year because of the In this exclusive interview with The to present. It was about keeping some is getting more physical and the players effects of Covid-19? How quickly Sunday Morning Sports, Foster explains things and growing others. bigger and stronger. We just have to keep do you think the game will bounce the excitement and the responsibility adapting and adjusting our philosophy. back? coming with one of rugby’s hottest What’s the most daunting thing With our opposition, we just have to keep Covid-19 has had a massive impact positions during our times. about becoming the Head Coach studying how they want to play. It’s an on schedules, there is no denying it. The after a long stint as Assistant? Do ongoing focus. 2020 calendar will be very different to you change a lot, or is the whole what we had planned. We are constantly point that you keep doing what has With the departure of players like having to adjust our thinking as things brought an approximately 90% Ryan Crotty, Ben Smith, and Kieran are rapidly changing. I do think the game success rate? Read, what is it in the All Blacks will bounce back. We still want rugby to I do think the game The buck stops with the Head Coach and group that makes the transition be a physical contest. The last decade will bounce back. We there is no escaping that simple truth, and seamless in terms of new leaders? has shown that the world still loves the still want rugby to be that can be daunting, or it can be exciting. Every RWC (Rugby World Cup), we game and it is enjoyed by many. It will It’s daunting if I think if I’m the only one in lose leaders. It is part of the natural cycle, bounce back and the players are really a physical contest. charge, but it’s really exciting for me that but the planning is in place to ensure we excited about that. The last decade has I can drive a collaborative approach that have leaders that are committed to taking shown that the world suits the team and the calibre of players and the team through the next few years and is Given the amount of time you have management that we have at the moment. part of (the) selection criteria, and I think had apart from the players, and out still loves the game that the transition to new leaders might of watching Super Rugby, how have and it is enjoyed by You had a long playing career for look seamless but we put a lot of effort you used that time to make sure you many. It will bounce Waikato. How does that experience in this space. We are very conscious of hit the ground running? help you as a coach? the importance of players as leaders and It has been difficult not having rugby to back and the players I think every experience helps and makes therefore, we have a deliberate strategy watch and players missing opportunities to are really excited you grow. For me, I loved playing for to ensure people in the team grow on a grow their game and skillsets, but everyone Waikato and the Chiefs, and I had a lot constant basis. is in (the) same boat. We are really excited about that of different coaches over a long period, about Super Rugby Aotearoa starting and that exposed me to different styles A complaint I have heard from soon. We know that international season of coaching that I learnt from. I was many coaches in the last few years will be later in year. Being optimists, we probably never good enough to play as at every level is that “players don’t have a new coaching group and we’ve an international and I had to work really play what’s in front of them”. been working on how that fits with the hard as a player and I also had to do a lot Do you think that is true even at existing management group and using of thinking about the game. I think that international level to the extent that the time to grow in our understanding of is one of the attributes that really helps it is possible to over-coach a player so each other. It has been a really key time me as a coach. you take away their creativity? for us and we’ve used it well. The proof It is possible to over-coach a player will be in the pudding. As someone who played at a time and it is an ongoing challenge as a coach. We’ve been talking lots and doing when rugby was less physical and It is not over-coaching in terms of telling experiential learning, and bouncing ideas had less of an attritional element, is what to do, but we sometimes try to heap of each other. It has been a valuable time there part of you that yearns for that too much information onto them; fill their in many ways. It is not ideal but we have again? heads with so much clutter that they can’t made the most of it. There won’t be any No. make the decisions they need to make. excuses when we come out of this.

䌀䄀䰀䰀䤀一䜀 ᠠ䔀堀倀刀䔀匀匀䤀伀一 伀䘀 䤀一吀䔀刀䔀匀吀ᤠ ⠀䔀伀䤀⤀ 䌀䄀䰀䰀䤀一䜀 ᠠ䔀堀倀刀䔀匀匀䤀伀一 伀䘀 䤀一吀䔀刀䔀匀吀ᤠ ⠀䔀伀䤀⤀ 䘀伀刀 䘀伀刀 ᠠ伀䘀䘀䤀䌀䤀䄀䰀 䔀一䔀刀䜀夀 䐀刀䤀一䬀 倀䄀刀吀一䔀刀ᤠ ᠠ伀䘀䘀䤀䌀䤀䄀䰀 䌀䄀匀唀䄀䰀 䌀䰀伀吀䠀䤀一䜀 倀䄀刀吀一䔀刀ᤠ

䌀漀洀瀀愀渀椀攀猀 爀攀氀愀琀攀搀 琀漀 䄀氀挀漀栀漀氀 ⠀猀甀爀爀漀最愀琀攀搀 愀渀搀 渀漀渀ⴀ猀甀爀爀漀最愀琀攀搀⤀ 眀椀氀氀 渀漀琀 戀攀 攀氀椀最椀戀氀攀 琀漀 瀀愀爀爀挀椀瀀愀琀攀 椀渀 琀栀椀猀 䔀伀䤀 倀爀漀挀攀猀猀⸀ 一漀琀栀椀渀最 椀渀 琀栀椀猀 椀渀瘀椀琀愀愀漀渀 椀猀 琀漀 戀攀 挀漀渀猀琀爀甀攀搀 愀猀 挀爀攀愀愀渀最 愀渀礀 戀椀渀搀椀渀最 挀漀渀琀爀愀挀琀 愀渀搀 漀爀 最椀瘀攀 爀椀猀攀 琀漀 愀渀礀 爀椀最栀琀 ⠀攀砀瀀爀攀猀猀 漀爀 椀洀瀀氀椀攀搀⤀Ⰰ 戀攀琀眀攀攀渀 匀䰀䌀 愀渀搀 愀渀礀 愀瀀瀀氀椀挀愀渀琀Ⰰ 甀渀渀氀 匀䰀䌀 愀渀搀 琀栀攀 愀瀀瀀氀椀挀愀渀琀 攀渀琀攀爀 椀渀琀漀 愀 ǻ渀愀氀Ⰰ 戀椀渀搀椀渀最 挀漀渀琀爀愀挀琀⸀

匀䰀䌀 爀攀猀攀爀瘀攀猀 琀栀攀 爀椀最栀琀 琀漀 挀愀渀挀攀氀Ⰰ 愀洀攀渀搀 漀爀 瘀愀爀礀 琀栀椀猀 椀渀瘀椀琀愀愀漀渀 昀漀爀 䔀伀䤀 愀琀 愀渀礀 洀攀 愀琀 椀琀猀 猀漀氀攀 搀椀猀挀爀攀攀漀渀Ⰰ 眀椀琀栀漀甀琀 愀猀猀椀最渀椀渀最 愀渀礀 爀攀愀猀漀渀 眀栀愀琀猀漀攀瘀攀爀⸀

䌀䠀䤀䔀䘀 䔀堀䔀䌀唀吀䤀嘀䔀 伀䘀䘀䤀䌀䔀刀 䌀䠀䤀䔀䘀 䔀堀䔀䌀唀吀䤀嘀䔀 伀䘀䘀䤀䌀䔀刀 the Sunday morning 16 Sunday, June 14, 2020 sports My son is a ‘thug’ NFL, racism, and Rs. 46 billion F1 gets infected! Former International Association of Athletics The National Football League (NFL) The Japanese, Singapore, and Federations (IAAF, now named World Athletics) in the US has pledged $ 250 million Azerbaijan Grands Prix were President, the disgraced Lamine Diack, 87, has (Rs. 46 billion) over a 10-year period cancelled on Friday (12) because criticised his son Papa Massata on Thursday to help combat systemic racism in the of the coronavirus pandemic. (11), saying he is a “thug”, in Diack’s corruption country. The fund, as it announced on Formula One tried to find a way trial now being heard in Paris. The Senegalese Friday (12), will “support the battle to hold the races in 2020 but IAAF boss from 1999-2015 now faces 10 years against the ongoing and historic announced that it was not possible in jail for various corruption charges. injustices faced by African-Americans”. in the uncertain global situation.

WITH OUR READERS’ HEALTH IN MIND A SPECIAL ANTIMICROBIAL INK HAS BEEN USED IN THE PRINTING OF OUR NEWSPAPER Harsha de Silva shown the door z Performance of SL women’s cricket Head Coach unsatisfactory: SLC

BY REVATHA S. SILVA Continuous poor performance The present Head Coach of the Sri Lanka women’s Under de Silva, Sri Lanka last national cricket team Harsha de Silva will be asked to played in the 13th ICC T20 World leave his job, The Sunday Morning Sports reliably learnt Cup in February and March in on Friday (12). Australia. They managed to beat only Bangladesh in that tournament “Yes. We are not going women’s side, from 2010-13, before being eliminated from the to extend his contract. It is before former first-class batsman first round. expiring this August. The reason Hemantha Devapriya took his Sri Lanka’s poor performance is his performance, which is position. De Silva was again signed in women’s international cricket unsatisfactory,” an ex-co member up as national women’s Coach for has been a talking point over the of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) told a two-year term in August 2018. years, with them being unable The Morning Sports on Friday on His tenure is to lapse in August to make any notable stride for condition of anonymity. this year. De Silva is currently over a decade or so. Presently, residing in Australia. Sri Lanka is ranked poorly at Former coach for eighth place in both ODIs and three years Mahesh and Lanka emerging and Under-19 teams. career in his school St. Joseph’s T20Is. However, here and there, De Silva, 48, a former first-class interim coaches They will look after the main College, Colombo and later they have produced notable cricketer for Colts Cricket Club, “Both Mahesh Weerasinghe national side too for the time coached two club cricket teams, individual performers such as earlier completed a three-year and Lanka de Silva are currently being,” the official added. including a women’s one in Shashikala Siriwardene and tenure as Coach of the Sri Lanka coaching the national women’s De Silva began his coaching Queensland, Australia. Chamari Atapattu. Harsha de Silva

Mental planning for a tennis match PART 2

The last column discussed the necessary aspects for was discussed in the last column. Discussing self-mental consideration. mental preparation for a successful tennis match. The toughness, the five aspects given below were discussed as yy Preference of the opponent regarding the baseline preparation for the mental aspects is an area of tennis which contributing to self-confidence as well as mental toughness and the net is very widely neglected. And because of the very fact that of any player. yy Preference of the opponent regarding the height of it is neglected so much, any player prepared well in these yy Solid technique aspects would always be at a great advantage. the ball yy Solid second serve and return of serve yy Preference of the opponent regarding power In this regard, it was also discussed that the following yy Solid fitness points need to be taken into consideration and prepared If the player has been able to go into the match with for before the match: yy Solid defence his self-mental toughness and confidence at the highest yy Having that “extra” something. possible level and has been able to gauge the opponent SL’s Sharmal Dissanayake (in blue t-shirt) being greeted by yy Self-mental toughness well during the warm up, the player is now well placed Thai tennis legend Paradorn Srichaphan after the former beat Therefore, it is important that players understand that to start the match on a good footing. Thai No. 1 Puriwat Chatpatcharoen in the 2016 Davis Cup yy Analysing your opponent encounter played in Bangkok. Dissanayake won in five sets being ready with mental toughness is a matter of the player In today’s space below, the rest of the points which after being two sets down in a nervy clash yy Overcoming your nerves working hard and improving these points. contribute to mental preparation for any player in any yy match will be discussed. The points that will be discussed times during the shots. While the above points might sound Playing crucial points better Analysing the opponent today are: rather elementary, the problems arise because of the fact that yy Making the opponent play worse It was discussed that in analysing an opponent the player yy Overcoming the nerves during the match most players would forget those points when the player gets has never seen or heard of before can be done during the nervous. Therefore, it is important that the players do the yy Playing the crucial points well Self-mental toughness warm up. In gauging the opponent, the points given below above discussed points consciously. Self-mental toughness and analysing your opponent and discussed in the last article should be given special yy Making the opponent play worse Playing crucial points better Overcoming the nerves A little-known fact about Roger Federer’s grand slam record underscores the importance of playing the crucial At the beginning of this particular point, what is most points better. Up to the time that he won 17 grand slam important is that the players understand that all players titles (at the time of writing this article he has won 20), he should be nervous to a certain degree during any match. had won 22 of the 25 tie breaks that he had played in those It has been scientifically proven that the nervousness of finals. Imagine how it would have impacted his record and any player is manifested through the increasing of the his prestige if he had won a lesser number of those tie breaks. heartbeat. But it has also been proved His record and prestige as a great player that if a player is to perform at an optimal would certainly suffer without a doubt. level, that player should have an elevated Dinith The success behind winning heartbeat to a certain level. The problem Pathiraja those crucial points is very simply is that if the player is too nervous, then “visualisation”. Players need to visualise the heartbeat is elevated too much and playing the crucial points in a match this will work against that player. ON COURT before going into it. On the other hand, With the above facts in mind, if the if a player is visualising a tie-break, it players are to overcome the nerves is important that the player visualises during a match, the following points need to be done playing a point and losing it as well as winning it. This consciously. would be the closest thing to realistic match visualisation yyBreathing consciously as possible. In those situations, since the player has been through those mental situations before, when it happens in the yyKeeping the feet moving match, the player will be well versed in how to respond to it. yy Keeping the eyes on the ball longer Making the opponent play worse yyKeeping the hands relaxed Having prepared mentally for all of the above aspects, it is also important to be ready mentally to make the opponent Since it was explained earlier that the manifestation of play worse. All players play well when they get rhythm. nervousness is through the elevation of the heartbeat, the Therefore, what is important is to make sure the opponent way to bring it down and to keep it at an acceptable level does not get rhythm. How a player can deny an opposing can be done through conscious breathing. The player should player’s rhythm is by making sure the points, tactics, and pace inhale through the nose and exhale through the mouth. of each rally is being mixed up at every possible opportunity. When the player does this a few times, automatically the This can be done by using the slice, the drop, the loop, heartbeat rate will come down. change of pace, and various other methods. These are It is a well-known fact that another of the first things only some of the tactics that can be used. But what is that happen when a player is nervous is that the feet stops important is that the player needs to go into the match with moving. Therefore, the player needs to keep his feet moving the understanding that it has to be done during the match. at all times. This can be done in the form of bouncing in All of the above points discussed are easy to practise, easy the same place between points as well as bouncing on your to understand, and easy to be ready for. But what is most toes in between shots during a rally. Allied to that would important is that the players understand the importance of be the fact that the player needs to keep the eyes on the these aspects and be consciously ready to put them into ball longer and make sure that the hands are relaxed at all practise in the match.

Printed by the Kalukodayawa, Malwana Press & Published by Liberty Publishers (Pvt.) Ltd. 91, Wijerama Mawatha, Colombo 7 HOW THE PRESIDENT COULD START ‘CHANGING THE SYSTEM’ »SEE PAGE 3

WHERE SHOULD SRI LANKA PLACE ITS BETS? »SEE PAGE 5 Sunday, June 14, 2020 businessWITH OUR READERS’ HEALTH IN MIND A SPECIAL ANTIMICROBIAL INK HAS BEEN USED IN THE PRINTING OF OUR NEWSPAPER Aloysius trying to ‘reclaim’ Mendis z New management obtains enjoining order z Next hearing on Tuesday BY CHARINDRA CHANDRASENA interfering in the management of assert himself over Jayasiri Holdings developing W.M. Mendis, particularly instructed by Attorney-at-Law W.M. Mendis. by constantly entering the premises since its liquor license was cancelled Dhammika Jiminige. The case is to Controversial businessman Aloysius is the central figure in located in Welisara and interfering in and the company had gained a bad be taken up again on Tuesday (16). Arjun Aloysius is attempting the infamous 2015 Bond Scam, for the affairs of the management. reputation. The expenses borne by Aloysius gained control of W.M. to reclaim the management of which he spent nearly a year in remand As the ownership of the company Jayasiri Holdings in settling overdue Mendis in 2011 when his company alcohol producer W.M. Mendis custody, and is the owner of primary still lay with Aloysius, this created staff payments, the reactivation Perpetual Capital Ltd. acquired & Company, a mere two years dealer Perpetual Treasuries. He is the several complications, both legal of the liquor license, and general a controlling stake in the popular after handing it over to a son-in-law of former Central Bank and interpersonal. Furthermore, the improvements to the company had by liquor producer for reportedly over company for a 10-year term, Governor Arjuna Mahendran. controversy surrounding Aloysius and then amounted to over Rs. 800 million. Rs. 1 billion. It was at the time the The Sunday Morning Business Aloysius was arrested in February his company Perpetual Treasuries had Jayasiri had then resorted to legal most significant acquisition made by learns. 2018 and in April 2018, he signed an resulted in bad publicity for W.M. action and sought an injunction against Aloysius. agreement with Jayasiri Holdings, Mendis, with rumours spreading that Aloysius entering the business premises W.M. Mendis is one of the four This has come to light with an giving over the management of W.M. Aloysius had taken back control of and interfering in its affairs in violation players in the alcohol industry, enjoining order being obtained by the Mendis to the latter for a 10-year the company. of the agreement. M.U.M. Ali Sabry which is led by the Distilleries said company, Jayasiri Holdings (Pvt.) period. However, a short while after At this point, Jayasiri Holdings PC with Attorneys-at-Law Buddhika Company of Sri Lanka and also Ltd., on 9 June from the Commercial he was released on bail in January 2019, had made millions of rupees worth Illangatillake and Samhan Munzir includes Rockland Distilleries High Court to prevent Aloysius Aloysius had repeatedly attempted to of investments into reviving and appeared for the plaintiff company and IDL. Apparel sector still GLOBAL TOURISM CAMPAIGN awaits promised loans Tender evaluation z Only one factory received working capital loan stage underway BY MADHUSHA THAVAPALAKUMAR BY MADHUSHA THAVAPALAKUMAR

Cash-starved apparel companies are The Government is currently desperately awaiting the concessionary evaluating tenders it received for the working capital loans announced for planned global tourism promotional their industry by the Government, campaign with plans of launching a as their survival beyond August and post-pandemic campaign within the September hinges on these loans. next three months. Speaking to The Sunday Morning Ministry of Tourism and Civil Business, Sri Lanka Apparel Exporters’ Aviation Secretary S. Hettiarachchi Association (SLAEA) Chairman told The Sunday Morning Business Rehan Lakhany stated that so far that the Technical Evaluation banks have either rejected or kept Committee (TEC) is currently loan requests from the apparel sector reviewing the bids, after which it in the pending list. will be submitted to the Cabinet- “Working capital loans have appointed Procurement Committee. not been given to the factories. “Once the Technical Evaluation Only one factory has received the Committee (TEC) submits their confirmation for the working capital recommendation to the Procurement loan. Everybody else is just waiting,” Committee, a final decision will Lakhany noted. businesses while a number of factories Worsening the struggles further, be taken by them. After that, the A working capital loan at a are on the verge of bankruptcy, adding personal protective equipment (PPE) decision along with the necessary Greece’s new post-covid 19 tourism campaign that was unveiled earlier this month 4% interest rate per annum was that the worst is yet to come. orders that kept several factories up documents will be sent to the Cabinet announced soon after the nationwide “We are expecting the real downturn and running despite lockdown is for their approval,” Hettiarachchi Sri Lanka Tourism Development following the local spread of Covid- curfew was imposed in March in from August and September onwards. coming to an end, now with only stated. Authority (SLTDA), due to the 19 and a resultant closure of the order to help businesses pay their All of this is minute compared to what few orders being left to complete in He said that Cabinet approval is unprecedented nature of Covid- Bandaranaike International Airport employees. The apparel sector is one we will go through. We all talk about the next two weeks’ time. expected by next month if all goes 19 and its impact on international (BIA) for tourists. amongst five sectors that have been small factories suffering, but even the In the backdrop of such situations, according to plan. tourism and the global economy. The Even before the closure of the granted the Government’s six-month large factories are struggling now. It is apparel businesses have had no The industry has been awaiting a targeted tourist arrivals through this airport, Sri Lanka was struggling moratorium and working capital going to be difficult. We have to find option but to layoff their employees. global tourism promotional campaign campaign and the cost are yet to be to attract tourists, mainly due to loan. However, the sector has been ways of surviving through this. We However, that too is a challenge for five to seven years under two disclosed by the Ministry. stringent travel restrictions imposed struggling to obtain the said loan for need the loan immediately,” Lakhany according to the country’s labour governments, but has undergone Several European countries that in China in the early weeks of this weeks now. stressed. laws which cannot be adapted in an several delays, particularly following depend on tourism earnings for a year to mitigate the spread of the Due to the failure in obtaining President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on exceptional situation like the ongoing the Easter Sunday attacks and more considerable percentage of their virus. China is one amongst the top the working capital loan, the sector Thursday (11) said he will remove pandemic, according to Lakhany. recently, the coronavirus outbreak. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) have five tourism-generating markets of is urging the Government to issue officers from public and private banks He stressed the importance of The campaign which came closest already launched tourism campaigns. Sri Lanka. proper direction on this loan scheme. if government relief measures are not bringing in new labour laws and to being launched was set to be Greece, one amongst such countries, However, now with the easing Lakhany noted that they have raised transmitted to businesses. introducing a completely different conducted for a period of five years, launched the “Restart Tourism” down of travel restrictions both this issue even through the Joint “Private and state banks have been system where employers do not need to and was aimed to bring in six million campaign, as its borders will be globally and locally, the sector is Apparel Association Forum Sri Lanka criticised severely for not executing award large compensation for layoffs, tourists by 2025. opened for tourists from 15 June. preparing to be back in business (JAAFSL), but there has not been any Covid-19 relief measures taken by pointing out that some countries have However, Hettiarachchi stated Sri Lanka’s tourism sector, and the Government has unveiled a positive response so far. the Government,” Rajapaksa said introduced new labour laws following that this campaign will be unlike one amongst the top three foreign plan to restart international tourism He added that several small-scale during a meeting at the Presidential the Covid-19 pandemic. any previous campaigns planned or exchange-earning sources of the from 1 August onwards. factories have closed down their Secretariat. Contd. on page 2 conducted by the Ministry and the country, came to a complete deadlock Contd. on page 2 Companies reduce office space Dockyard sailing Several large companies only two floors out of their have reduced their office space 15-storied Head Office located utilisation in a bid to cut rental at Union Place, where only towards better days costs and save on overheads, essential staff report to work; which are a significant portion this plan is expected to continue Colombo Dockyard PLC, the largest of a company’s expenses. at least until August. and oldest shipbuilding company in Sri This trend is due to the work “We have cut space and are Lanka, has started receiving new inquiries from home (WFH) concept that using just two floors now, from the for its shipbuilding, ship repairing, heavy both the private and public sectors earlier six floors. As a result, we engineering, and general engineering have been following since the local are saving electricity expenditure segments after a standstill of over two months, spread of Covid-19 in March and which would be several hundred the company said. the resultant prolonged curfew, thousand rupees on any normal Dockyard Chief Operating Officer (COO) The Sunday Morning Business day,” our source said. Benny Fernando and Chief Financial Officer learnt. Even though their Head Office (CFO) P.D. Gihan Ravinatha, in a disclosure on foreign customers, had a significant Interestingly, these space- building is not a rented out space, to the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) noted negative impact on its operations due to cutting measures have remained with WFH arrangements. Ltd. (CAL) have given up or this concept has helped them cut that the company has also started production travel embargoes between countries and the in place despite Colombo This trend is not limited to reduced their office spaces. down expenditure on electricity, work of four of its ongoing shipbuilding closure of international ports and airports officially returning to work in particular industries either, as Sources at Dialog Axiata PLC parking area maintenance, and projects. since March. mid-May, due to many offices companies as varied as Dialog told The Sunday Morning elevator maintenance. Dockyard, which is heavily dependent Contd. on page 2 and employees opting to continue Axiata PLC and Capital Alliance Business that Dialog is utilising Contd. on page 2 2 the sunday morning business NEWS Sunday, June 14, 2020

WITH OUR READERS’ HEALTH IN MIND A SPECIAL ANTIMICROBIAL INK HAS BEEN USED IN THE PRINTING OF OUR NEWSPAPER Foreign Ministry helps exporters overcome Covid-19 impact Comprehensive measures taken by Exports which accounted for $ 277 well as opportunities to regain the markets successfully co-ordinated sourcing raw as well as opportunities into account. As the Ministry of Foreign Relations, million in April 2020 had increased to $ 606 for traditional Sri Lankan exports such as materials for the production of PPE, thus a way forward, webinars and virtual B2B in close co-ordination with the key million in May, and is expected to grow in tea, rubber, and fresh/processed food. catering to the rising demand from many (business-to-business) meetings are being government economic agencies the coming months, in line with the revised As a result of the evolving global countries. Fifty-three potential suppliers for planned by the EDB for priority sectors and the private sector to address projections. Covid-19 situation, Sri Lanka has also specific raw materials were identified. with increased demand including Ayurveda and mitigate the impact of Covid- The Additional Secretary said since the been able to target new products and In the context of the post-Covid-19 and herbal, ceramic and porcelain, boat and 19, particularly on Sri Lankan outbreak of the Covid-19, the Ministry’s markets, particularly for personal protective environment, the Ministry together with ship-building, and electronics and electrical exports, has helped in sustaining “Economic Diplomacy Programme” has equipment (PPE) and rubber-based products the EDB have additionally identified 15 sectors. and regaining lost markets for been playing a pivotal catalyst role in (face masks – 12 markets, protective gowns potential sectors with a view to capture The Ministry, missions abroad, and partnership with agencies such as the Export – 17 markets, rubber gloves – 12, and hand new markets and strengthen the demand in the private sector are also working in traditional Sri Lankan exports, while Development Board (EDB) and the Tea sanitiser – 12). existing markets. Comprehensive measures collaboration with SriLankan Airlines, enabling new opportunities. Board, in facilitating Sri Lankan exporters Interventions made by the Ministry targeting coconut, processed food, seafood, which has been one of the few carriers This observation was made by Foreign to overcome the adverse impact of Covid- saw 344 MT and 220 MT of Ceylon Tea spices and concentrates, electronics and which has continued to operate cargo flights Ministry Additional Secretary/Economic 19. exported to Turkey and Egypt, respectively, electricals, logistics, printing, ceramic internationally. The viability of these flights Affairs P.M. Amza during an interview Despite the challenging circumstances, and 30 MT of frozen food to Oman, under and porcelain, Ayurveda and herbals, has been enhanced, where possible, by also on Ada Derana on 10 June 2020, held to including disruptions to the global supply challenging circumstances. wellness, ICT/BPM, marine and offshore bringing back Sri Lankans overseas seeking discuss the economic impact of Covid-19, chains and logistics, the proactive stance of At the request of the Joint Apparel Forum engineering, construction, and boat and to be repatriated, making both passenger and its demands and challenges for Sri the Ministry and missions abroad has seen of Sri Lanka (JAAF), the Ministry together ship-building sectors are being mapped out and cargo transport more cost effective to all Lanka. the emergence of new market destinations as with the Sri Lankan missions, have also taking the current constraints, challenges, parties.

Contd. from page 1 Tender... compared to the previous fiscal year. The apparel sector showed a Amana Bank introduces As the free visa on arrival 41% decline during the month of programme reached expiry early March 2020 compared to the same this year, the Government has month in the previous year. There imposed a flat visa fee of $ 100; have been tax cuts across the this is mainly to discourage industry, mainly for employees Special Deposit Accounts backpackers coming in groups, above the lowest pay grades. according to sources. Amana Bank recently introduced need, we are happy to be a part Further, to encourage more an inward remittance-based Special of this national effort with the tourists into the country, Dockyard... Deposit Account in line with the introduction of the Special Deposit several hotels have adopted a This was further supported by direction of the Government and Account.” free cancellation policy which a prolonged local lockdown since the guidelines of the Central Bank Customers willing to obtain facilitates tourists to cancel their mid-March until May. of Sri Lanka (CBSL) to manage the this service may contact their bookings without having to pay As a result, during this period, financial and economic challenges relationship manager or call the penalties, even on the day of the the ship repair segment operated of the Covid-19 outbreak. bank on +94 11 7 756 756. arrival. at around 20-30% of its normal The Special Deposit Account Amana Bank is the country’s first Tourism arrivals were gradually capacity while other segments is introduced to all Sri Lankans and only licensed commercial bank recovering after the Easter attacks were below 5%, as the company living in or outside the country, dual to operate in complete harmony and the reported arrivals into the performed only essential ship citizens, citizens of any other state with the globally growing non- country stood at 1.9 million in repairing and maintenance with Sri Lankan origin, non-national interest-based people-friendly 2019, compared to 2.3 million in activities. According to Fernando residents in or outside Sri Lanka, banking model. With the mission of 2018. This year, January arrivals and Ravinatha, a dramatic low in corporate bodies, funds, associations “Enabling Growth and Enriching were 228,434, a year-on-year drop operations is expected to report incorporated/registered outside of Lives”, the bank reaches out to of 6.5%, while February arrivals losses in the group’s revenue for Sri Lanka, and well-wishers to remit its customers through a growing were 207,507, a year-on-year drop both first and second quarters of their foreign currency earnings, network of branches and self of 17.7%. March arrivals dropped this year. savings, and investments, thereby banking centres spread across the to 71,370 compared to the 244,328 Nevertheless, the expected investing towards the prosperity country while having access to arrivals during the same period last normalisation of international and development of the country. 4,500-plus ATMs for withdrawals year. port and airport activities and The Special Deposit Account can be and 700-plus Pay&Go kiosks for improvements in supply side opened in either Sri Lankan rupees investments. Customers can also constraints are expected to improve or any designated major currency. benefit from an array of customer Apparel... the third quarter revenue of the The Special Deposit Account, conveniences such as internet and According to news reports, company. which is available in six-month mobile banking, Saturday banking, India has proposed amendments “Though the overall trend of and 12-month tenures, offers a extended banking hours, 24x7 cash to its labour laws after considering Covid-19 is still unclear to a higher profit-sharing ratio in line investment machines, and banking the impact of Covid-19 on their greater extent, the management with the Government’s direction. units exclusively for ladies. country. expects improvements in revenue In May 2020, the bank paid a Amana Bank PLC is a standalone “The Government has to allow and financial results from the third profit of 9.15% p.a. and 6.97% p.a. institution licensed by the CBSL layoffs. Companies can’t keep quarter of 2020. We are confident (AER 7.09%) for Sri Lankan rupee and listed on the Colombo Stock paying big compensation packages that Colombo Dockyard PLC will one-year and six-month maturity Exchange with Jeddah-based for laying off their employees bounce back stronger,” Fernando accounts, respectively, while paying IsDB Group being the principal under these circumstances,” he and Ravinatha added. out a profit of 5.75% p.a. and 4.10% shareholder having a 29.97% added. Meanwhile during the p.a. (AER 4.14%) for US dollar shareholding of the bank. The On a further note, Lakhany lockdown period, the company one-year and six-month maturity of a dedicated relationship manager, Commenting on the introduction IsDB Group is a “AAA”-rated stated that even though a slight also opted for a number of cost- accounts. At maturity, customers especially for those customers of the Special Deposit Account, multilateral development financial improvement has been witnessed in reduction measures including have the option of repatriating living abroad. Amãna Bank offers a the Bank’s VP (Vice President) institution with a membership of new orders, there is a huge drop in the implementation of stringent the funds to the country of fund dedicated service platform for expat – Retail Banking and Marketing 57 countries. Amãna Bank is a the number of orders and therefore cost-reduction initiatives without origination. customers under the proposition Siddeeque Akbar said: “In standalone entity which does not factories are finding it extremely compromising the company’s Customers opening the Special “Expat Gold”, which provides a host addition to providing a host of have any subsidiaries, associates, hard to retain 100% of their engineering capabilities, Deposit Account at Amãna Bank of special privileges and benefits, banking conveniences and relief or affiliated institutions, other than employees and pay them salaries. postponement of repayment will also benefit from the services making banking from abroad easy. to customers at this hour of the OrphanCare Trust. “If factories face a massive of working capital loans under shortage of orders and still keep the available debt moratorium their workers, without doubt they schemes, pausing non-urgent REGULATORY ACTION AGAINST FINANCE COMPANIES will end up bankrupt. Some of capital expenditures, and ruling out the companies keep 70% of their new recruitments for this year. employees and pay salaries with According to the company, it the hope of getting new orders in is operating within its normal Central Bank assures safety the next three months, but there borrowing limits with adequate will be a percentage they have to funding facilities, and the lay off because there is a reduction management does not forecast any in orders,” he added. significant cash flow issues in the Apparel manufacturers were short run. of customer deposits evaluating whether they should Dockyard services over 200 Amidst doubts created by that it will continue to take financial sector depends sector credit and overall capital adequacy ratio adopt the prorated salary scheme ships annually and has a strategic the closure of The Finance all possible measures to on the survival and growth economic activity. By above 16%, net stable formulated by the Government advantage to conduct both dry Company and regulatory ensure the safety of public of domestic businesses. the time of the pandemic funding ratio above 130%, or choose to pay their employees dock and afloat operations. A action against other finance deposits,” CBSL Governor The Government and impact, the Government liquidity coverage ratio in full, as The Sunday Morning state-of-the-art engineering entity, companies, the Central Prof. W.D. Lakshman said the Central Bank have and the Central Bank had above 175%, and statutory Business reported on 31 May. Colombo Dockyard PLC operates Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) in a media statement issued therefore requested the taken decisive measures liquid asset ratio above Nevertheless, as Lakhany noted, four graving dry docks with a has assured the general yesterday (7) evening. financial sector, particularly to revive the economy 32%. The non-performing the scheme too has been tough on maximum capacity of 125,000 public that it will ensure The following is the rest the banking sector on the including the establishment loans ratio has shown employers given that the promised deadweight (DWT) and extensive safety of customer deposits. of the statement reproduced back of its inbuilt balance of a more conducive some decline while the working capital loan is yet to reach repair berth facilities. “There has been by Prof. Lakshman, sheet strength, to continue tax regime and a more provision coverage ratio them. – Madhusha Thavapalakumar speculation by various unedited. to support the economy in favourable monetary policy also picked up during The apparel sector is the largest groups and individuals “The Covid-19 pandemic various ways, while the stance, supporting growth the first quarter of 2020. contributor in the country’s that Sri Lanka’s financial and the resultant slowdown Central Bank is providing of the real economy. We Benefitting from the new export basket. It is estimated Companies... system and financial in the domestic as well the necessary liquidity and are confident that, despite tax regime, profits after tax that the apparel sector provides Similarly, CAL has rented out institutions are in a weak as the global economy regulatory support to the the temporary setback of the banking sector for for the livelihood of around one one floor of their office space. position and that the have created a challenging financial sector to meet caused by the Covid-19 the first quarter of 2020 million employees and contributes This trend is expected to be general public is at risk environment for the these challenges. pandemic, the Sri Lankan were considerably higher over 44% of the national export a severe hit for office space of losing their deposits operations, not only of the “Even prior to the economy and the financial than in the same quarter revenue. providers such as the World Trade made at those institutions. financial sector but also onset of the outbreak, sector continue to remain last year. With these The sector has been severely Centre (WTC), Parkland Building, As the regulator of both for all types of economic going back to 2018 and dynamic and resilient. performance indicators, I impacted due to the prevailing and Regus. All our attempts to banking and non-bank activities in the country. 2019, there was a rise in Conditions would become do not think anyone needs pandemic, with JAAFSL reach Overseas Realty (Ceylon) financial institutions that The performance of non-performing loans in stronger in the period an additional assurance foreseeing an immediate PLC, the company that owns and accept public deposits in the real economy and both banks and non-bank ahead as the economy on the current strength of contraction of $ 1. 5 billion in Sri manages WTC, to ascertain the the country, the Central the financial sector are financial institutions, recovers. the banking system, which Lankan apparel exports during the impact on them and their outlook, Bank of Sri Lanka wishes closely intertwined. The particularly due to the “The banking sector accounts for 62% of Sri three-month period ending in June, proved futile. to assure the general public future performance of the sluggish growth in private remains strong with total Lanka’s financial sector. the sunday morning business 3 Sunday, June 14, 2020 ECONOMY

WITH OUR READERS’ HEALTH IN MIND A SPECIAL ANTIMICROBIAL INK HAS BEEN USED IN THE PRINTING OF OUR NEWSPAPER

By Dhananath Fernando How the President could

A day has 24 hours but the clock ticks faster in some countries, and Sri Lanka is certainly one of them. We start ‘changing the system’ have many things to get done, but time is running z out and the conditions are 4 reforms that will bring benefits within 5 years right to brew the perfect In an age where Google provides storm. Our economy’s live updates of real-time traffic fundamentals have been movement at our fingertips, we Sri in poor shape for a few Lankans cannot spend anymore time without a digital land registry, decades. The country’s with the decades-old land registry economic growth was 2.3% at government offices wasting in 2019, a budget deficit of our precious time. As long as we 8.5% in comparison to the continue with the unresolved land GDP of 2020 is expected by issues, which are to an extent this year, and we are already connected to our judiciary system, on an IMF (International Sri Lanka will not see a connection Monetary Fund) bailout to the Fourth Industrial Revolution. programme. There is nearly is ticking at a faster pace, we need Above are the big four insights $ 7.2 billion as reserves in to identify a few major reforms the present Government should Treasury coffers, but debt that could generate faster results focus on. In my humble opinion, a and meaningfully benefit the four-year time frame (calculating servicing payments account people of Sri Lanka. for many unexpected events in for nearly $ 6 billion up to Below are a few areas the the global context) is a reasonable December 2021. President could focus on in period to achieve reasonable Amidst these conditions, a carrying out major reforms through progress. Even more importantly, pandemic was the last thing we which an impact would be visible people across Sri Lanka will needed and its abrupt arrival within his five- year tenure. KPIs can be published before the investment issues. One main issue time for contract enforcement is experience a tangible difference damaged the main economic election in selected SOEs as there every individual goes through 1,318 days and it’s just 22.8% of if the above reforms take place. engines of Sri Lanka on a larger 1. Governance structure would be less reluctance from the every morning and evening is the claim value. Furthermore, except for e-courts scale than ever before. Tourism, and KPIs for SOEs newly appointed ministers when public transportation. Regardless An e-court is a system of and land reforms, the other two which brought in $ 4 billion The big gaping hole in our they take over the job. In terms of of whether they travel in their own services that ensures minimum big reforms are comparatively less revenue in 2018, and the export national account is the losses of management, it would be easier car or via bus/train services, the use of paper during the course of investment-driven. industry were severely impacted, state-owned enterprises (SOEs). In to get the consent for already experience is essentially the same. a court proceeding with digitally If less complicated cases and the unfolding events in the 2018 itself, 54 strategic SOEs out established guidelines rather than In this regard, re-implementing captured information, an unbroken are moved to e-courts, US, which is the market for 37% of 527 SOEs made a Rs. 28 billion imposing guidelines after they take the bus lane structure is a positive chain of data exchange, readily there will be space for more of our apparel exports, are not loss and received government up the job. move. Removing the route permit available case histories, electronic complicated cases to proceed in our favour. The impact on the budgetary support of Rs. 58 billion. structure and having a more open fee payments, and an overall with the physical presence. Middle East will not only bring The total of these two figures The big gaping hole in our and competitive system is an streamlining of court proceedings. Isn’t this the main mandate down nearly $ 7 billion worth of is almost two times the entire national account is the losses easy and quick way of improving Since a plan already is in place of the Minister of Justice remittances, but will also result allocation of the Samurdhi fund. of state-owned enterprises the public transport system to digitise Sri Lanka, a two-year and Legal Reforms after the in job losses and the repatriation The initial attempt to appoint a (SOEs). In 2018 itself, 54 before moving on to large-scale time frame is more than enough election? of Sri Lankans due to the global separate panel to appoint qualified strategic SOEs out of 527 infrastructuring projects, given the to establish a functioning e-court economic contraction. members for state institutions was SOEs made a Rs. 28 billion tight public finance situation. A with necessary legal reforms, given Most of the leaders who take up In that context, it seems commendable, but it had its own loss and received government period of four years is a good time the Covid-19 social distancing the challenge to lead the country President Gotabaya Rajapaksa will challenges. budgetary support of frame to showcase improvements guidelines. If less complicated cases find themselves preoccupied with have to sacrifice nearly nine to 10 Since a new Cabinet and new Rs. 58 billion on public transportation, and are moved to e-courts, there will be micromanagement, appearing months of his five-year tenure to ministers are to be appointed these reforms are fairly easier to space for more complicated cases to in one meeting after another or address unexpected challenges. post general election, if we are If we have the political capital, implement especially as Covid-19 proceed with the physical presence. one ceremony after another. In He has been pushed to a difficult able to set key performance we can consolidate a few institutes has given the perfect opportunity. Isn’t this the main mandate of building the needed political corner with many restrictions from indicators (KPIs) for SOEs at the early on and publish the plan Buses are already operating the Minister of Justice and Legal capital, we should not misread the the system itself (postponement of soonest time as the first step at to facilitate the appointment of only under the capacity of the Reforms after the election? President’s mandate to “change elections, etc.) to convert decisions the year end, then the President members for all 527 SOEs, of number of seats and we expect the system” and his voter base into actions. Leaving this gloomy can evaluate the performance which the total number of people that the University of Moratuwa 4. Land reforms appears to be measuring him based story aside, let’s unpack a few of SOE boards and make them in the boards alone would be a would release official data on the Land is the most precious on the execution of his big ideas opportunities hanging around to accountable accordingly. When factory of senior people. When improvement in average speed resource in Sri Lanka and it’s rather than the traditional political get things done along with priority every minister is given their the governance structures are in with the new bus lane system. very limited given the size of our micromanagement. actions to be taken during this appointment letters when the place, performance will improve This is a golden opportunity to country. Most of our economic I hope the current Government difficult time up until the general new Parliament is appointed in and losses in turn will decrease. implement the long-awaited plans bottlenecks have a greater is reading the peoples’ mandate election in early August. a grand red carpet ceremony at Therefore, the changes will be of reformation with the blessings bearing on land titling. We should correctly and would not drift away the Presidential Secretariat, every visible to showcase to the people, of the people and the industry. not forget that land is a stable and lose sight of it after the general Reforms through structural minister receives an additional and it will bring significant relief capital asset and only 18% of it election on 5 August. I hope... changes file listing the institutions under to the Treasury. At the same time, 3. Establishing e-courts is owned by our people whereas (The writer is the Chief Considering our public finances their purview and indicators it is easier to identify the poor- Another hassle for a majority of the rest (82%) is owned by the Operating Officer of the are weak and the spending capacity under which the minister will performing institutes and so the Sri Lankans is the delay in court government. It is well documented Advocata Institute and can is limited, we have a grand be monitored along with their boards of those can be shuffled cases. The outside of every court how badly we have managed even be contacted at dhananath@ opportunity to make structural respective institutes’ boards. based on meritocracy. is fully crowded on weekdays our forest cover and sanctuaries advocata.org. Learn more changes to the system rather In the list of deliverables, we with disappointing faces seen in which account for 30% of our about Advocata’s work at www. than investing our time on micro can start with including basic 2. Public transportation every direction due to a completely land. Most of the bottlenecks advocata.org. The opinions management. The President’s requirements such as presenting an As highlighted in “The inefficient system. Mostly, the in agriculture and investments expressed are the author’s own mandate was to “change the annual report with profits, losses, coordination problem” column poorest in society have fallen prey are due to our land concerns. views. They may not necessarily system” within a democtratic and employment for each institute earlier, public transportation to this problem and the problem Investment is slow (investments reflect the views of the Advocata framework and set up a new, so as to ensure the newly appointed bottlenecks are mainly caused extends to prison and every sector from Sri Lankans) and technology Institute, or anyone affiliated functional system. Since the clock boards are accountable. Ideally, the by structural issues rather than of the economy. In Sri Lanka, the is not entering our shores. with the institute)

Conformity assessment database to facilitate export compliance The Sri Lanka Accreditation Board (SLAB) has launched an interactive website embedded with a search engine for a database of accredited conformity assessment services. This has been launched with the support of the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) within the framework of the European Union (EU)-funded EU-Sri Lanka Trade- Related Assistance project of € 8 Minister of Higher Education, Technology, UNIDO International Technical Specialist Dr. Jairo Andres Villamil-Diaz and EU Ambassador to Sri Lanka and the Maldives Denis Chaibi launching the new million. and Innovation and Information and EU Ambassador to Sri Lanka and the Maldives Denis Chaibi handing over the SLAB website. Also seen (from left) Government Information Director General Mass Media Dr. Bandula Gunawardana appreciation plaque from UNIDO and the EU to SLAB Chairman Dr. Sampath Wahala Nalaka Kaluwewa, Ministry of Higher Education, Technology and Innovation The launch took place when speaking at the event Secretary Anura Dissanayake, SLAB Director/CEO Chandrika Thilakaratne, and SLAB the SLAB joined the world continued education for standards and certification to demonstrate Chairman Dr. Sampath Wahala community on 9 June 2020 to user experience and touch points bodies, accredited bodies, CABs, that the services delivered are mark World Accreditation Day, for greater client engagement to and regulatory agencies and for competent and impartial in all parts food seriously. And food safety importance to Sri Lanka in trading a global initiative established help industries choose the right customer education on relevant of local, national, and international even more seriously! Europeans with the EU.” by the International Laboratory conformity assessment service accreditation and certification food chains. want to import Sri Lankan food A joint statement released Accreditation Co-operation (ILAC) for their business. This database processes. Transparency across supply products that are good and safe. by the chairpersons of the IAF and the International Accreditation includes more than 150 accredited Accreditation bodies assess chains depends on CABs that are And they also want to export to and the ILAC introduced the Forum (IAF) to promote the value conformity assessment services CABs providing conformity accredited to issue certifications to Sri Lanka, European products importance of accreditation in of accreditation. Building on World over 120 conformity assessment assessment services against a specific standard. Regulators and that are good and safe. For that, food safety, noting how it ensures Accreditation Day 2019, which bodies (CABs) covering 12 voluntary international standards, businesses rely on certified supply we need to do testing and have competent and impartial inspection, highlighted the role of accreditation sectors. The aggregation of the developed and set by the chains for the demonstration of good accredited labs that are certification, and testing services in adding value to supply chains, range of services in one database global community through the compliance. internationally recognised to in all parts of local, national, and this year spotlights the role of streamlines the matching of International Organisation for Speaking at the event, EU perform them in Sri Lanka and in international food chains. In doing accreditation in facilitating the conformity assessment-related Standardisation (ISO) and the Ambassador to Sri Lanka and the the EU. For this, I congratulate the so, accreditation supports the UN confidence of consumers, suppliers, demand and supply. This website International Electrotechnical Maldives Denis Chaibi stated: Sri Lanka Accreditation Board, Sustainable Development Goals regulators, and specifiers in the not only facilitates access to Commission (IEC). These standards “If there is one of many common which is taking these vital steps to (SDGs), particularly Goal 3: Ensure safety and quality of food. pertinent data, but also serves as cover accreditation activities such points between Sri lanka and ease the process of accreditation, healthy lives and promote well- The website offers an enhanced an online training platform for as testing, calibration, inspection, Europe, it is that we each take as accreditation is of paramount being for all. 4 the sunday morning business EDITORIAL/RATING Sunday, June 14, 2020

WITH OUR READERS’ HEALTH IN MIND A SPECIAL ANTIMICROBIAL INK HAS BEEN USED IN THE PRINTING OF OUR NEWSPAPER The wrong colonial hangovers Black Lives Matter (BLM) protests have taken many forms as to warn public servants to refrain the on-camera death of George Floyd at the hands of police from engaging in political work brutality reverberates around the world. An attempted during the upcoming campaign protest in Colombo was quelled, ironically, with considerable for parliamentary elections. But he police force purportedly because the attendees were defying must know as well as we do that a court order. Be that as it may, of more interest to this column many of these men and women are is the British form of the BLM protests which saw protestors bound more to the service of those politicians who created undeserved tearing down statue after statue of slave traders of the past. public careers for them. The escalating war on British lives – statues and monuments, THE Even as the woke world monuments, many of them street names, grand but dilapidated restarts the conversation around featuring key figures of Britain’s buildings, beautiful bungalows, HEADLIGHT colonialism, slavery, and racism, imperialist project is a moment of now on the wane. The far more in Sri Lanka we should also use reckoning for the Empire. It brings valuable part of the legacy includes Weerakoon, Ronnie de Mel, Sarath this moment to question how ready to the fore the inherent racism, the roadways, railways, and Amunugma, C.P. de Silva, and we are to truly shed our past and inequity, and exploitation that the bridges that form the backbone Ponnambalam Arunachalam. The become a force to be reckoned with Black Lives Matter protesters tear down a statue of 17th century slave trader colonised had to endure. Slavery of internal transportation, the tea Edward Colston in Bristol, England stature of these men contrasts in post-Covid Asia. We must break may have ended decades ago, but that is so integral to our economy, dramatically with what we free of the image that the Empire the wounds of descendants remain and even democracy and human the centralised bureaucracy that the of the 1970s that truly transformed have on offer in the Sri Lanka built for us – a dreamy, languid raw, especially with mounting rights. The more toxic parts of the British designed to run the affairs it from an independent bureaucracy Administrative Service today. place of obedient locals that offered awareness of the very deliberate colonial legacy were the race-based of Sri Lanka. Public administration to a more politicised one. An efficient and professional a great break for the Coloniser. endeavour to build British power delineations that were often made was envisioned to be a politically The post-colonial transformation public service is a crying need of the A good place to start is to fix our and wealth while colouring the according to the economic calling of neutral establishment that would of public administration has Sri Lanka we want to become. The bureaucracy – to infuse greater colonies as backward and inferior the Empire. Those remain structures remain unchanged even as political descended rapidly over the last common problems of overstaffing, respect to public service through – a legacy many of those nations that impact lives to this day – and leadership changed hands. The few decades to a steeply politicised weak capability, and poor financial de-politicisation and empowerment; struggle to leave behind even today. promote the inequalities that often Ceylon Civil Service (CCS) formed one, often seen as inefficient performance are all driven by a making public administration a As a nation that was once a part become points of contention. in the early 1830s, was tinkered and lethargic. Notable members historical culture of appointments well-oiled machinery replete with of the British Empire, vestiges of The one thing we should have with in every constitutional reform of the old CCS were respected made for political favour. Just this educated youth who reflect Sri our colonial past litter our everyday held on to from our colonial past is since. However, it was the changes civil servants such as Bradman week, the President himself had Lanka’s growth ambitions. Fitch revises ratings on 11 financial institutions Fitch Ratings on 10 June yy Richard Pieris Finance Ltd. to and Sanasa Development Bank Leasing and Finance, and Abans revised the National Long- A-(lka) from BBB+(lka) PLC Finance Term Ratings of Sri Lankan yy Fintrex Finance Ltd. to B+(lka) yy People’s Leasing and Finance yy Risks to the rest of the Sri financial institutions from B(lka) PLC Lankan financial institutions’ following the recalibration The National Ratings of Bank yy Dialog Finance PLC National Long-Term Ratings SLI only insurer are most likely to arise from a of the agency’s Sri Lankan of Ceylon (BOC) and People’s yy Central Finance Company PLC, weakening in their standalone national rating scale. This Bank (Sri Lanka) (PB) have been LB Finance PLC, Senkadagala credit profiles. This could be due has resulted in the upward affirmed at AA+(lka) but the Finance PLC, and Mercantile with Fitch ‘AAA to a deterioration of the operating Outlook remains Negative. The Investments and Finance PLC revision of the National environment, which could be Long-Term Ratings of 11 Outlook on the National Ratings of CB and HNB are also Negative. yy Singer Finance ( Lanka) PLC triggered by a further weakening (lka)’ amidst Covid banks and non-bank financial The Negative Outlooks are aligned yy Abans Finance PLC of the economy beyond our Sri Lanka Insurance (SLI), rating is an affirmation to institutions. with the Negative Outlooks on both The Outlook on Mercantile base-case expectations, leading the pioneer of the insurance our unparalleled financial The recalibration is to the sovereign rating and Sri Lanka’s Investments and Finance and Abans to additional weakening of industry, has emerged as the stability and impeccable reflect changes in the relative operating environment mid-point. Finance remains Negative. key credit metrics, particularly only insurer in Sri Lanka to insurance expertise, which creditworthiness among Sri Lankan They reflect our expectation of Fitch has taken corresponding their financial profiles, and/or a maintain its National Insurer makes us superior in the issuers following Fitch’s downgrade sovereign support benefitting rating action on the financial weaker operating environment Financial Strength (IFS) industry.” of the sovereign rating to “B-“/ BOC’s and PB’s overall credit institutions’ national scale senior if the potential impact of the rating of “AAA (lka)” with a SLI CEO Chandana L. Negative from “B”/Negative on 24 profiles while CB’s and HNB’s debt ratings, where assigned. The coronavirus pandemic becomes Stable outlook amidst these Aluthgama said: “In light of April 2020. Revision ratings are ratings are constrained by the senior debt ratings are at the same more severe or lasts for longer turbulent times. the Covid-19 outbreak, we used to modify ratings for reasons sovereign’s credit profile. level as the National Long-Term yy Debt ratings would be This makes SLI the only were compelled to operate that are not related to credit quality The Outlook on Serendib Finance Ratings. Fitch has also taken downgraded if the National insurer to secure this robust in a volatile economic in order to reflect changes in the and HNB Finance reflect the rating action to widen the notching Long-Term Ratings were financial rating for the environment. As the national national rating scale. Negative Outlook on the ratings of relevant subordinated debt downgraded second consecutive time insurer, we had to come National scale ratings are a risk of their respective parents, CB and ratings following the application and reflects the favourable forward and fulfil our ranking of issuers in a particular HNB. The Outlook on Sampath of Fitch’s updated Bank Rating Factors that could, individually or business profile, strong responsibility during this market designed to help local Bank, Seylan Bank, Cargills Bank, Criteria. National Ratings assigned collectively, lead to positive rating financial performance, national emergency with our investors differentiate risk. Sri Amana Bank, Siyapatha Finance, to Tier 2 issues are two notches action/upgrade: and capitalisation of the prudent risk management Lanka’s national scale ratings are Richard Pieris Finance, and Fintrex below the National Rating anchor yy Upside to the National Long- company maintained over policies and strategic denoted by the unique identifier Finance is Stable. ratings. Fitch said this is driven Term Ratings of BOC, PB, time within a challenging practices. Given the current “(lka)”. Fitch adds this identifier Concurrently, Fitch has also taken by the change in Fitch’s baseline Commercial Bank of Ceylon, business environment. economic outlook and to reflect the unique nature of the the following rating actions, driven notching for loss severity to two and HNB is limited in the near The company said market challenges, this is Sri Lankan national scale. National by changes in the issuers’ credit notches, from one, for this type of term due to our assessment this rating bears witness a great achievement and scales are not comparable with quality and the rating relativities debt and our expectations of poor of the sovereign rating and to the “unmatched honour for the organisation. Fitch’s international rating scales or under the recalibrated national recovery. Fitch has not applied the operating environment protection provided to the Fitch’s assessment is based with other countries’ national rating scale: additional notching to the notes for outlook. There is limited scope policyholders” and is “a on SLI’s diverse portfolio scales. yy DFCC Bank PLC’s National non-performance risk, as they have for positive rating action on reflection of Sri Lanka across the life and non-life The National Ratings of the Long-Term Rating was no going-concern loss-absorption Serendib Finance, HNB Finance, Insurance’s superior ability sectors, stable business Sri Lankan banks consider their downgraded to A+(lka) from features, in line with Fitch’s Abans Finance, Mercantile to meet the long-term focus, and operating scale. creditworthiness relative to AA-(lka); Outlook Stable criteria. Investment and Finance, and insurance obligations to This also comes down to other issuers in the country. The yy The Outlook on National Bimputh Finance in light of the its policyholders despite our financial strength and recalibration of the Sri Lankan Rating sensitivities Development Bank PLC’s Negative Outlooks placed on challenging times”. fiduciary management National Rating scale has resulted The National Ratings National Long Term Rating of these institutions Fitch assesses SLI’s practices.” in the upward revision of the are sensitive to a change in A+(lka) was revised to Stable yy The parents’ increased business profile as SLI has continued National Long-Term Ratings of the financial institutions’ from Negative propensity to provide support “Favourable”, compared to maintain its life and the following Sri Lankan financial creditworthiness relative to to their subsidiaries could with other Sri Lankan general regulatory risk- institutions: yy AMW Capital Leasing and other Sri Lankan issuers and the lead to positive action on the insurance companies, based capital (RBC) ratios Finance PLC’s National Long- sovereign rating. Factors that could, National Long-Term Ratings due to its business profile (a measurement of its Banks Term Rating was downgraded individually or collectively, lead to of Dialog Finance, Serendib comprising leading business capitalisation) at 434% and yy Commercial Bank of Ceylon to BBB(lka) from BBB+(lka); negative rating action/downgrade: Finance, and HNB Finance. The franchising, well-diversified 208%, respectively, which PLC (CB) to AA+(lka) from Outlook Negative yy Pressure on the National Long- parents’ increased ability and participation in business is well over the industry AA(lka) yy Bimputh Finance PLC’s Term Ratings of BOC, PB, propensity to provide support to lines across life and non- average and also above the National Long-Term Rating was yy Hatton National Bank PLC Commercial Bank of Ceylon, their subsidiaries could lead to life insurance sectors, regulatory minimum of downgraded to B+(lka) from (HNB) to AA+(lka) from AA- and HNB could stem from a positive action on the National stable business focus on 120%. The company has BB-(lka); Outlook Negative (lka) deterioration in Sri Lanka’s Long-Term Ratings of Cargills established product lines, also consistently maintained yy Sampath Bank PLC to AA-(lka) yy Ideal Finance Ltd.’s National sovereign rating. A sovereign Bank, Siyapatha Finance, and its favourable domestic its non-life combined ratio from A+(lka) Long-Term Rating was upgraded rating downgrade to CCC+ Richard Pieris Finance, AMW operating scale. below 100% for the past five to BB-(lka) from B+(lka); Rating or below would make it Capital Leasing and Finance, and SLI Chairman Jagath years, which attributes to the yy Seylan Bank PLC to A(lka) from Watch Positive unlikely that we would factor Abans Finance. Upside for the Wellawatta said: “Sri Lanka company’s scale advantage A-(lka) in expectations of support to National Long-Term Rating of Insurance, being backed and prudent underwriting yy Cargills Bank Ltd. to A+(lka) Key rating drivers any bank in Sri Lanka and it Ideal Finance could stem from up by strong government practices. from A-(lka) Fitch has affirmed the National will likely also constrain the a change in shareholding and ownership, has been in The state-owned insurance Long-Term Ratings of the yy Amana Bank PLC to BB+(lka) standalone credit profiles of increased probability of support the industry for the last giant also has the largest from BB(lka) following Sri Lankan financial domestic banks 58 years. Despite any asset base of over Rs. 205 institutions and the Issuer Default yy Positive action for the rest yy The parents’ weaker ability and/ negativity and challenges in billion, the largest life fund Non-bank financial Rating of People’s Leasing and of the Sri Lankan financial or propensity to provide support the sector, the company has of the industry in excess of institutions Finance PLC. institutions’ National Long-Term to their subsidiaries could lead to stood tall and managed to Rs. 116 billion, Sri Lanka’s y Ratings is limited due to the y Serendib Finance Ltd. to AA- yy BOC, People’s Bank, Nations negative action on the National achieve resilient outcomes highest life insurance elevated downside risks from the (lka) from A+(lka) Trust Bank PLC, Pan Asia Long-Term Ratings of Dialog while building trust bonuses declared every year, operating environment yy HNB Finance Ltd. to AA-(lka) Banking Corporation PLC, Finance, Serendib Finance, amongst its customer base. and a Rs. 1.5 billion life yy Debt ratings will move in from A(lka) Union Bank of Colombo PLC, HNB Finance, Cargills Bank, For Sri Lanka insurance and general insurance claim tandem with the National-Long y Housing Development Finance Siyapatha Finance, Richard customers, the AAA (lka) settlement per month. y Siyapatha Finance PLC to A(lka) Term Ratings from A-(lka) Corporation Bank of Sri Lanka, Pieris Finance, AMW Capital the sunday morning business 5 Sunday, June 14, 2020 GEOPOLITICS

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BY MADHUSHA THAVAPALAKUMAR Indian Prime Minister 560 million is purely in grants. The most Narendra Modi and US notable projects by India in Sri Lanka are Sri Lanka’s systemic weaknesses President Donald Trump the 1990 Emergency Ambulance Service and a history of failed policies have and passenger coaches for Sri Lanka’s made its unhealthy reliance on Railway Department. world powers inevitable. Any plans More recent investment projects by India for self-sufficiency can only be for in Sri Lanka comprise the joint venture the long run, due to Sri Lanka’s project of the Eastern Container Terminal import dependence. Therefore, it (ECT) at the Colombo Port and a tripartite makes no sense to ask the question LNG (liquefied natural gas) plant that was whether Sri Lanka should rely on signed under the previous Government. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi other countries or not, but rather has the closest diplomatic relations with Sri which countries it should rely on, Lanka than any other Government. This, as especially following the impact of economists say, is to ensure that India has the Covid-19 pandemic that shook more influence on Sri Lanka than China, the the world. latter of which has been financially assisting Sri Lanka in many notable infrastructure Economic diplomacy of Sri Lanka projects as part of its Belt and Road Sri Lanka has been engaged in extensive Initiative (BRI). diplomatic contact with other countries Soon after Sri Lanka’s presidential following Independence in 1948, with India election in November 2019, Modi and China securing prominent places in that announced a $ 400 million loan to Sri Lanka list. for infrastructure projects. Meanwhile, even The other important countries include the before the local spread of Covid-19, Prime United States of America (US), Singapore, Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, during an Japan, Thailand, Bangladesh, Pakistan, official visit to India, requested from Modi a South Korea, and the European Union (EU). three-year moratorium on loan payments. Sri Lanka seems to have developed close In 2020 alone, Sri Lanka’s debt servicing economic ties with some of these countries, amounts to $ 5 billion. even though it is committed to follow a non- aligned policy. CAN WE RELY ON INDIA EVEN AFTER COVID-19? China and Sri Lanka Even though ties between Sri Lanka and China is undoubtedly one of those India are almost unbreakable, given the close allies. Sri Lanka’s ties with China impact of the pandemic in India, their ability were renewed back in 1957, and were to help or engage in trade might come into strengthened more recently in 2009 after the question in the short or medium term. civil war, owing to western countries being CHINA VS. US + INDIA India’s economy might not be performing increasingly critical and complaining over as smoothly the US or Chinese economies how Sri Lanka handled the war. after recovery from the pandemic. India’s Following Prime Minister Sirimavo economy took a massive hit following Bandaranaike’s visit to China in 1957, the over two months in lockdown as the both countries entered into the Economic unemployment rate shot up to a dramatic and Technical Co-operation Agreement 26% in April from 6.7% in mid-March that same year. Through this agreement, this year. A May Bloomberg survey of Sri Lanka received financial assistance economists estimates GDP contraction of to construct the Bandaranaike Memorial Where should 1.9% in the current fiscal year while the International Conference Hall (BMICH). Bank of India predicts economic growth to The Sri Lanka-China Joint Commission contract by over 40% in the first quarter of was formed in 1991 which extended loan 2021. facilities for various developments in Sri Before the lockdown, India’s gross Lanka, and the Sri Lanka-China Business savings rate dropped to 30% in 2019, the Co-operation Council (SLCBCC) was lowest in over a decade, as companies and established in 1994 to further improve trade the Government splurged. However, Indian and investment relations between the two Sri Lanka economist Pranjul Bhandari stated that a rise countries. in savings during the lockdown period could China further enhanced its bilateral help India curtail its current account deficits. relations with Sri Lanka under the Even though India was constantly Government headed by current Prime seen helping other countries, particularly Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa. There were during the pandemic as the country was several high-level visits under Rajapaksa’s sending humanitarian aid in the form of regime which continued even during the pharmaceuticals, it is still unclear whether Government led by former President place its bets? India could afford to keep financially Maithripala Sirisena. During these two assisting countries like it did before the regimes, China extended financial assistance DOES CHINA’S FUTURE LOOK pandemic. for a number of infrastructure projects in PROMISING? Chinese President Xi Jinping However, on a positive note, the country Sri Lanka, including the Hambantota Port, Weeks prior to the Covid-19 pandemic is a new home for Japanese companies and Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport, outbreak in China, US Senator of Utah Mitt factories that have been evacuating China Moragahakanda Multipurpose Development Romney stated that China is mostly likely following the Japanese Government’s Project, Colombo-Katunayake Expressway, to become the sole global superpower by directive to do so. This is expected to bring and many more. mid-century due to its “comprehensive significant foreign direct investment (FDI) and rigorous strategy to achieve global into India. CURRENT RELIANCE ON CHINA: domination”. In terms of trade, according to local BIG DEBT AND LEASED PORT Before Covid-19, China was an exporters, they are receiving new orders Substantial financial assistance obtained economic powerhouse, being a major from the country as business is returning from China led by Sri Lanka’s increased consumer and producer of goods and to normal in India, one of the top export financial dependence on them, has resulted services. In the last two decades, China markets of Sri Lanka. in a massive pile of debt for our country; the saw an average economic growth of around most recent loan obtained from China is just 9% each year. US and Sri Lanka weeks old. However, the pandemic which originated The US and Sri Lanka have a very After the spread of Covid-19 in Sri Lanka, in China forced the country to suffer its favourable relationship, especially in terms and the destruction caused to the economy worst economic contraction since the of promoting economic co-operation and due to it, the Government decided to borrow 1970s; the economy shrank by 6.8% in the exchanges in maritime security and safety. another $ 500 million from the Chinese first three months of this year, compared According to the American Embassy in Sri Government, which was followed with a to the size of the economy during the Lanka, US assistance to Sri Lanka totalled decision to borrow $ 80 million more from same period last year. China’s retail sales more than $ 2 billion since Sri Lanka’s the China Development Bank to improve plummeted by 15% in March this year, Independence in 1948 and the US has made roads. It is not only to the Government of while unemployment reached almost 6% substantial investments in Sri Lanka since China that Sri Lanka owes money, but also that month. The pandemic, in tandem with Amidst this, the Chinese Government for the year 2020, according to the local as well. Following the April 2019 Easter the EXIM (Export-Import) Bank of China. its internal issues, was a severe blow to unveiled a larger fiscal deficit target for export industry. attacks, the US sent FBI (Federal Bureau As of November last year, China’s share China’s economy. this year and off-budget measures to of Investigation) experts to support the in Sri Lanka’s total external debt was 9% Last year, the National People’s shore up economic growth and support India and Sri Lanka investigation. as estimated by the Central Bank of Sri Congress of China introduced a draft to put employment. According to analysts, Sri Lanka’s ties with India, its closest The US and Sri Lanka were also Lanka (CBSL), whereas a report by the in place laws and enforcement measures in the size of the total fiscal stimulus will neighbour, span over 2,500 years. India discussing a $ 480 million Millennium International Monetary Fund (IMF) states Hong Kong to safeguard national security, amount to around 7% of Gross Domestic developed closer relations with Sri Lanka Challenge Corporation (MCC) compact that as of November 2019, Sri Lanka owed outlawing any act of secession, subversion, Product (GDP). during the final stage of Sri Lanka’s civil supporting Sri Lanka’s economic about 15% of its external debt to China. or foreign interference, and this triggered Nevertheless, China has been war, as India supported the Sri Lankan development which is yet to be signed by The most notable project financed riots. announcing assistance including Government’s right to act against terrorist the Sri Lankan Government. by China in Sri Lanka was the Port in Protests that began in Hong Kong spread donations of healthcare supplies for forces. Sri Lanka has long been a priority The US is Sri Lanka’s largest export Hambantota, known as the Magampura around the world, especially to campuses countries even after the Covid-19 destination for direct investment from India market and accounts for nearly $ 3 billion of Mahinda Rajapaksa Port, that was built in Canada and New Zealand, but tensions outbreak, and predicts a quick recovery of and is one of India’s largest trading partners the $ 11.7 billion in goods Sri Lanka exports utilising Chinese financial assistance to the of riots that spread in Taiwan were much their economy. in the South Asian Association of Regional annually. US goods imports from Sri Lanka tune of $ 1.5 billion. higher, given its unique history as a self- Former CBSL Monetary Policy Co-operation (SAARC). totalled $2.7 billion in 2018, down 6.4% The port that was opened for operations governed island that China claims as its Consultative Committee Chairman The India-Sri Lanka Free Trade from 2017. US exports to Sri Lanka in 2018 in November 2010 is said to be the second own. These riots portrayed the aggressive Sirimal Abeyratne had recently told Agreement of March 2000 helped bilateral were valued at $ 372 million, up 10.7% largest port in Sri Lanka. However, it wasn’t side of China to other countries. Nikkei Asian Review that if the Sri trade between the two countries grow from the previous year. Exports from Sri fruitful for the Government as the port made As The Diplomat notes, in response to Lankan Government is turning to China rapidly. As Sri Lanka Customs data reports, Lanka to the US mostly comprise apparel, an operating profit of just $ 1.8 million in those protests, the US Congress passed for further financial assistance, there bilateral trade in 2018 amounted to $ 4.93 but also include rubber, industrial supplies, 2016, even after six years of operation. the Hong Kong Human Rights and might be good reasons for that as well, billion. Exports from India to Sri Lanka gemstones, tea, and spices. This made Sri Lanka’s debt repayments Democracy Act, threatening sanctions because China is now in a better position amounted as $ 4.16 billion while exports In addition, Sri Lanka is a strategically to China extremely difficult to fulfil. As against China and tying US economic to help as it has already brought Covid- from Sri Lanka to India amounted to $ 767 important country for the US, given its such, in July 2017, then Prime Minister relations to Hong Kong with its continued 19 under control and borrowing might be million. unique geographical location in the Indian Ranil Wickremasinghe signed a 99-year high degree of autonomy. quicker under favourable conditions. In the past decade, several Sri Lankan Ocean and that the natural harbour in lease agreement with China Merchant Port Given the pandemic, domestic conflicts, In terms of trade, during the peak of companies including Brandix, MAS Trincomalee is one of a kind. The Status of Holdings for $ 1.12 billion. It is notable that and international sanctions, China’s Covid-19, the Sri Lankan export sector Holdings, John Keells Holdings, and Aitken Forces Agreement (SOFA) with the US is a this amount is lower than the sum obtained economic outlook is facing significant was suffering due to the inability to secure Spence entered the Indian market. perfect example of the US’s interest. from China for the construction of the port, challenges which are in dire need to raw material from China, the biggest raw Sri Lanka is also among the major According to The Diplomat, a section of and the money was not used to repay the get sorted. On 22 May, this year, China material importer to Sri Lanka, as Chinese recipients of development assistance from Sri Lankan analysts believe that should the loan but rather for some short-term external announced the removal of its traditional factories were closed for over two months the Indian Government. According to Sri US lose its naval base in Diego Garcia, it financing. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, annual economic growth target at to mitigate the spread of the virus. Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, India’s will require an alternative base, which could who was elected in November last year, the opening of the National People’s Lanka had no option but to look for other overall commitment to Sri Lanka stands be Sri Lanka.. intends to renegotiate this agreement. Congress. import markets and slash its export targets close to $ 3 billion, out of which around $ Contd. on page 6 6 the sunday morning business TOURISM Sunday, June 14, 2020

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Contd. from page 5 MOST IMPORTANT POST-COVID TOURISM MARKET Where should... Is the U.S. reliable amidst same at its outset. its domestic issues? Meanwhile, according to the BBC, China’s watching the recent Digital marketing The US is the worst affected protests led by Floyd’s death in by the ongoing pandemic in terms the US with particular interest. of the number of confirmed cases This is because Washington was which runs into the millions supporting last year’s Hong Kong and virus-related deaths into pro-democracy demonstrations. the hundred thousands. The In fact, Chinese state media had to capture China US economy is facing its worst extensively covered the protests economic contraction in over a showcasing the instability in the However, a range of additional channels are this FIT group who prefers to book trips using decade. According to the Federal US. By available for businesses to use in China for mobile phones. Reserve Bank, the US economy is Nevertheless, several US Dr. Nicholas Ruwan digital marketing. As they have strong digital literacy skills, expected to shrink by 42.8% from economists are of the view that the Dias and Niresh China’s social media has enormous reach, mobile phones are a big planning tool before, April through June. US needs China more than China Eliatamby given the size of the population and their during, and after their travel. This was also According to the US needs them. China is an export- general familiarity with technology. People the main reason why they were more likely to Congressional Budget Office, oriented economy and the US is in China spend a significant amount of their change their routes while travelling. According the virus will adversely impact its biggest export market, even yy China is the least affected by Covid among daily lives social networking, especially to the CTA, 43% of the Chinese FITs are most the economy through much of though it has been declining over the world’s major tourism markets on WeChat. The number of active WeChat likely to plan to travel for two weeks and 26% the next decade, cutting some $ 8 the past few years. The constant yy Almost every other major tourism market accounts have steadily increased and about most likely to do so for one month because of trillion from GDP over that period. sanctions imposed on China by the including the US, the UK, France, Germany, 1.2 billion active monthly users from different their spontaneous decision-making. Chinese The number of people making US, as global economists reported, Italy, and Russia have been devastated ages were identified in WeChat in the first FIT outbound travel grew by 18.8% during initial filings for unemployment can be endured by China, but the yy Chinese took 149.72 million overseas visits quarter of 2020. It’s not just WeChat, however; 2019’s Chinese New Year holiday, compared to insurance surged to 3.3 million in US depends heavily on China for in 2018 (China Daily) that’s now one of China’s most competitive the equivalent holiday period in 2018. mid-April, then 6.6 million in late providing low-cost goods, and marketing channels. Mobile payment has been a regular practice yy The Chinese travel market with its April. the US also depends on China to in China for the past few years. According population of nearly 1.5 billion is largely American financial columnists support its own exports. Chinese equivalents of to a survey, the most common payment form untapped, although growing fast. Currently, Pam Martens and Russ Martens American analysts note that the western social media used by 92% of Chinese city residents in 2018 120 million Chinese citizens hold passports stated that the first death in China US depends on China to provide Westen Chinese was WeChat Pay and Alipay. In rural areas, – about 10% of the population – compared to was reported on 11 January 2020, funding for its budget deficits. It Social Social Remarks the same phenomenon occurs: 47% of rural 40% of Americans and 95% of Brits Media Media but the signs of an economic is the largest foreign holder of US inhabitants in China use mobile payments meltdown started on 17 September Treasury securities and America yy 52% of Chinese tourists booked through Facebook WeChat Connect with friends, family, regularly. The People’s Bank of China (PBOC) 2019. In fact, the Federal Reserve depends on China because of online travel agencies (OTA) and other people released statistics early in 2020, which indicates gave primary dealers a whopping a fundamental weakness in the yy Japan received 8.13 million Chinese visitors Twitter Sina Weibo From breaking news and a 6.3% rise over the same period in 2018 in $ 6.6 trillion before the first death structure of the US economy. in the first 10 months of 2019, up 13.5% entertainment to sports and the amount of electronic payments processed politics, get the full story from Covid-19 was reported in Chinese debt in the US year-on-year (Japan National Tourism with all the live commentary by country’s banks. 62.1 billion electronic America. amounted to $ 1.08 trillion in Organisation) payments, including 30.7 billion mobile WhatsApp Tencent QQ Instant messaging app “By the end of January 2020, March 2020. yy Chinese have gained a reputation as high- transactions, have been reported, reflecting the Fed’s balance and repo market “President Donald Trump spending tourists worldwide YouTube Tencent Online video platform a 73.6% annual increase. Around 83% of all spreadsheets had indicated the continues to single out China as Video payments were made via mobile payment. yy Chinese ecommerce spend by travel Central Bank injected $ 6.6 trillion the villain in the great American Amazon Baidu Tieba A search engine forum (including accommodation) $ 228.5 billion to private institutions and there tragedy, when in fact he should Lessons from Japan’s popularity Reddit Douban Lifestyle discussion platform were no US coronavirus deaths at take a careful look in the mirror,” Going by current global statistics on Covid- among Chinese tourists this time,” Martens stated. a Bloomberg article reported early 19, China is likely to be the largest and most TikTok DouYin The short-video app taking For Chinese tourists, Japan is the most While the US economy is this year. stable tourism-generating market for some the world by storm attractive location all year round. It has been suffering like this, the death of an However, another set of US time, as western markets such as Europe and Yelp Meituan- User reviews and the favoured destination for Chinese family unarmed Black man as a result of economists are of a contrary view the US are staggering due to the pandemic. So Dianping recommendations trips for comfort and health reasons. One- of best restaurants, a police officer holding a knee on as they say that China would need it may make a lot of sense to have China as the shopping, nightlife, food, third of those who applied for a Japanese his neck for over eight minutes the US as opposed to the other way main target market, instead of scattering your entertainment, things to visa through Ctrip were travelling with their in Minneapolis, has caused mass around, owing to the potential of marketing efforts across the world. do, etc. families. protests across many cities in the US sanctions on China to cause Ctrip analysed the tour products booked America, raising more domestic millions of losses in jobs. China at a glance Chinese tourism statistics 2019 by Chinese travellers and ranked the various issues for the Government to Total Mobile Internet Active activities they have to do. The first and second The big question mark population subscriptions users social deal with. Protests have been media places went to checking cherry flowers and continuously going on for over a Amongst these three countries, users maple leaves, then enjoying the thermal springs week. This is expected to delay the the US and China are bigger and ski pistes. Increasing momentum is seen 1.44 1.61 854.5 1.04 US’s Covid-19 recovery, making it economies than India. Even though billion billion million billion in trying out kimonos and sushi sampling. more difficult. India officially claims that it China’s top outbound tourism destinations in Tourists would prefer to explore local culture Meanwhile, major Wall Street follows a non-aligned policy, it has Urbanisation vs. penetration penetration 2019 were Vietnam, Thailand, Japan, Indonesia, and flavours and do not like sightseeing or population banks are expecting US GDP to been closer to the US than China. Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Philippines, shopping. plunge by more than 30% during China, which has mostly been 59% 112% 59% 72% Cambodia, and Macau. The visa application for Chinese tourists the second quarter. aggressive as news reports say, in Japan has been simplified further since According to reports on US’s does not have powerful allies as The following factors make digital marketing High-spending tourists January 2019. The second reason is transport economic outlook, the number of most European countries and India ideal for marketers to make an impact on the The Chinese spend significantly on travelling convenience. In winter 2019, there were unemployed will rise to 26 million are closer with the US than they Chinese market: as personal disposable income increases every 1,406 daily flights between Japan and China in the near term while GDP growth are with China. Analysts state yy 72% use social media year and China’s demand for tourism is steadily in the winter and a 224 rise over the summer, is expected to be 1.9% in 2021 and that as far as European countries growing. It is expected that China’s overall according to estimates by the Japanese Ministry yy 59% are active on the internet 1.8% in 2022. However, it is likely are concerned, they tend to back tourism expenditures will hit $ 178.4 million by of Land, Infrastructure, Transportation, and that the US will continue providing the US rather than China due to yy Mobile penetration is 112%, or 1.12 for each 2022. Tourism. Chinese routes comprise 27% of assistance for countries, as they are possibilities of getting sanctions person in the population Japan’s international flight routes. Chinese yet to make any announcements on imposed on them if they opt for Top 10 destinations during cities of the second and third tier, including cutting aid. China over the US. Chinese New Year Nanjing, Xi’an, Hefei, Ningbo, Haikou, Meanwhile, in terms of trade, However, according to the Helpful hints Thailand, Japan, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Daliano, and Chongqing, have been opened to US imports fell by 13.7% in April World Bank’s International yy Chinese tourists tend to book trips about Singapore, Cambodia, Malaysia, the new routes from Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, and compared to March this year. Comparison Programme, China’s three months in advance Philippines, the US, and Indonesia are the 10 elsewhere. Nevertheless, according to Naroff total real income is larger than yy Bookings are made mainly by women most popular countries for the Chinese New Economic Advisors, imports are that of the US, and in terms of Year. 65% of visitors prefer short trips to Japan Conclusion expected to pick up sooner than purchasing power parity, China’s yy Chinese tourists prefer destinations with and Southeast Asia because of their small The continuous and rapid growth of the exports and this is expected to give 2017 GDP was $ 19.61 trillion direct flights from their city in China holidays. Chinese OTA industry increases demand, some hope to Sri Lankan exporters. whereas the US’s was $ 19.5 yy Localise content of your campaigns into allowing companies and countries to take billion. Mandarin or the language of the region Chinese OTA market in 2018 advantage of this huge market. This especially How much leverage do As far as future outlook of these you are targeting, including your website Agent Logo Market share applies to Asian countries, the leading region these three have over each economies is concerned, Deutsche yy Enlist Chinese OTAs to promote your Ctrip 36.6 for most tourists in China. Clearly, enterprises other? Bank’s Chief Economist and business that want to tap into this wide audience will Being in the same region as Head of Research for Asia Pacific benefit from a strong online presence. A well- yy Ensure your presence on Chinese search Qunar 16.5 China, India always ensures its Michael Spencer stated that conceived, Chinese-friendly online marketing engines competitiveness, at the very least China’s economy is recovering campaign would therefore be crucial. Ctrip yy Participate in online Chinese travel Fliggy 14.3 especially in the case of Sri Lankan at an impressive pace and the continues to dominate the OTA market while affairs. Even though India and country’s exports have also been discussion forums new entrants and existing competitors are China currently face a Himalayan better than expected. yy China has different holidays to the West. Tuniu 3.4 certain to offer a fluid tourism industry the right border dispute, both countries try According to Spencer, the US’s Target Chinese National Day holiday opportunities. their best to not to create conflict. plans to open up the economy “Golden Week” in October 2020 and Meituan 3.4 Chinese tourists are very advanced with Nevertheless, with regard to too soon might trigger a second Chinese New Year in February 2021 regard to technology and prefer electronic the Himalayan border issue, wave of the pandemic which yy CRM – reach out to the hundreds of Others 25.8 transactions as much as possible. Thus, it tensions escalated in the recent might result in the US economy thousands of Chinese who have already is vital that Sri Lanka’s tourism marketers weeks, which led soldiers from struggling more. visited and ask them to recommend the Trip.com, or Ctrip as it was originally upgrade the various aspects of their products either side facing off just a few However, on a positive note, island to friends and relatives known, is one of the largest OTAs in the world. to seamless and paperless operations. These hundred metres from each other. the US stock market, an ideal Listing 1.2 million hotels in 200 countries, would include payment gateways, booking yy Chinese tourists seek destinations for Considering the bitter relationship reflection of the actual economy, it has 400 million members, with its flight engines for all aspects including air tickets/ rest and relaxation; nature, culture, and they have with China, the US has has been positive in the recent booking routes connecting over 5,000 cities. It hotel bookings/attractions, mobile applications history; and shopping come to the rescue of India. The days despite internal tensions. The had over 45,000 employees and a turnover of $ and QR codes, and ewallet. US has also held China responsible S&P 500 closed last Tuesday (9) yy They also require safe and politically 5.12 billion in 2019. Dr. Nicholas Ruwan Dias is a Digital for creating the border issue in the at the highest level in nearly three stable destinations with low population, Ctrip has also branded its mobile app trip. Architect at Aegon Asia based in Kuala first place and stated that China is months. Nevertheless, several nature features, and landscapes com and it has over one billion downloads. Lumpur. He holds a BSC in Computing from being aggressive here. American think tanks are of the yy FIT travellers prefer shorter distances, Visitors will book and follow flights on the go the University of Greenwich, a Master’s The US and China, an view that the US would take years four to six nights, and customised with the Ctrip application. The trip.com app is in Computer Software Engineering from economic superpower and a to recover from the enormous itineraries available in Chinese, English, and seven other Staffordshire University, and a PhD from the “wannabe” economic superpower, damage Covid-19 has caused its yy They also have a preference for Chinese- languages, which is partly why it is so popular University of Malaya. He is completing a respectively, have been in conflict economy. speaking guides and other persons to among travellers. second doctorate (DBA) from Universiti Utara over the past years and sanctions As far as Sri Lanka is interact with Malaysia. have been the result. Tension concerned, no matter which Free independent travellers (FIT) Niresh Eliatamby, MBA, LLM, is a specialist heightened with the outbreak country it chooses to align itself As the latest data from the China Tourism in destination marketing and lectures travel of the pandemic in Europe, and with over the next few months, it Digitally marketing Academy (CTA) and Ctrip show, 31% of trade management and hospitality management American President Donald is imperative that the relationship Sri Lanka in China China’s outbound population were young and in Sri Lanka for London Metropolitan Trump was furious over China for is mutually beneficial and not a Marketers must understand that western well educated, mostly in the 27-37 age bracket. University. He was a consultant for SriLankan hiding the true number of cases one-sided arrangement that could social media sites that are most used worldwide 77% of China’s FITs hold undergraduate or Airlines, Editor of a travel magazine, and pertaining to the pandemic and be detrimental to the Sri Lankan for marketing purposes, such as Facebook, university degrees. As young people, they are authored several books related to Sri Lanka’s supressing information relating to economy. YouTube, and Twitter, are prohibited in China. also very technologically savvy, particularly tourism industry. the sunday morning business 7 Sunday, June 14, 2020 MARKETING

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BY UWIN LUGODA In order to counter this, Fernando suggested educating the sellers and Covid-19 has left many Sri also helping them improve their Lankan small and medium- products in terms of packaging and sized enterprise (SME) how they present their products business owners battling on online because at the end of the day, multiple fronts, including they are competing with all the other sellers from around the island. He supply chain disruption, explained that there is also a lack of reduced local and overseas resources and information, which demand, and a serious government authorities can help the depletion in workforce. sellers with. These market challenges He made an example of China, have accelerated the need where Alibaba, Daraz’s parent for sustainability and new company, started a programme solutions in order to continue called “Taobao Villages”, a model in the new world Covid has where they went to the provincial created. and suburban areas of China and developed digital micro A webinar titled “Overcoming ecosystems. Fernando explained Market Challenges” was conducted that the programme got the biggest on 6 June for SMEs by the Sri Lanka businessmen or village elders to be Chamber of Small and Medium a representative of the company, to Industries together with Blue Lotus create a physical presence for the 360. Among the main areas of e-commerce platform, and to get discussion at the webinar was the comfortable for people to interact topic of “Leveraging on Digital with. Platforms”. “When a seller is selling The panellists were National something online, they go through Enterprise Development Authority that representative, so that they have (NEDA) Chairman/Director General a physical point of contact, and (DG) Anushka Gunasinghe, Daraz. Fernando, who added that they products to the local consumers. The the current market and what the we are currently trying to replicate lk Managing Director (MD)/ have seen a 40% recovery and are Government is of a similar mindset demand is for whatever product or the same here in Sri Lanka, which Country Head Rakhil Fernando, seeing people go online even for and even released a gazette banning service,” he added. is called “Daraz Doors”. We have and LankaClear (Pvt.) Ltd. General non-essential items such as toys and many imports in order to support the The last couple of months have already started this in a small scale Manager (GM)/CEO Channa electronics. However, he explained local market,” he noted. forced people to buy online Beyond Colombo and currently have around 400 stores de Silva, and the discussion that while consumers are going Gunasinghe stated that the and through this, they have Fernando also stated that growing who are our physical representatives. was moderated by management online, many of the local sellers NEDA has already been given experienced e-commerce and this ecosystem is one of Daraz’s So a buyer or seller can go into the consultant, senior chartered outside the Western Province are yet directions by Minister of Small and realised that it is a trustworthy main priorities as well as for their store and ask questions regarding accountant, and HCP Consulting to adopt a digital approach. Medium Business and Entrepreneur system. So now it is up to us to local consumers to depend more how to sell or buy,” he informed. (Pvt.) Ltd. Chairman Chaaminda Development, Industries, Supply see how we can get local SMEs to on local sellers and less on foreign Furthermore, Fernando stated that Kumarasiri. Age and digital literacy Management Wimal Weerawansa, adopt it as well sellers. He noted that as it stands, Daraz also released other stimulus Gunasinghe stated that one of the who had told them to cease the Daraz.lk MD/Country Head 70% of transactions on the Daraz packages for local SMEs a couple of Rakhil Fernando Forced digitisation main issues faced by entrepreneurs importation of products such as platform is between local consumers weeks ago, which saw them remove According to NEDA Chairman/ outside of Colombo is that most of brooms and ekel brooms within the and sellers, while only the remaining all commissions and fees from SME DG Anushka Gunasinghe, promoting them are from older generations and next four months. He stated that Gunasinghe further explained 30% is between local consumers sellers. He went on to state this was local SMEs to go digital and getting therefore are less technologically the organisation has now begun that in order to help SMEs in Sri and foreign sellers. However, he done to remove all barriers and local buyers to support them will literate. He explained that most work to help broom manufacturers Lanka, government authorities have explained that these sellers were help businesses to explore this new create sustainability and help in of them have trouble building in Sri Lanka evolve so that they introduced mechanisms down to the mostly concentrated in the Western channel. facing new market challenges. their online accounts, listing their can compete with the imports. This smallest stakeholder to help them Province, despite them having “The last couple of months have “During the lockdown period, products, and collecting payments plan also includes introducing these create their own digital platforms customers islandwide. forced people to buy online and we saw a lot of people moving off online platforms. manufacturers to online platforms or get on already existing platforms He stated that the development through this, they have experienced businesses online out of desperation, Taking a “kithul” seller as an in order to open them up to bigger like Daraz. He stated that while of sellers is stronger in this region e-commerce and realised that it is so we have to sustain that transition example, he stated that the NEDA markets. the country has around two million due to the theme being comfortable a trustworthy system. So now it is and give more SMEs the knowledge looks to train them to move their He also pointed out that SMEs SMEs and entrepreneurs, the NEDA selling online and being willing to up to us to see how we can get local to move online,” he said. products online and to teach them could even use digital mediums to wants to bring new ones aboard to make the move. This is due to sellers SMEs to adopt it as well. We want According to Gunasinghe, while how they can collect and transport reach out to other businesses and cater to the demands of the country. in other regions finding it difficult the smallest seller in the most distant Covid has had devastating effects on their products to other parts of the start B2B (business-to-business) “We do not live in a world where to sell online due to educational part of the island to be able to sell local industries, it has also seen an country. He went on to state that transactions instead of just selling we can just provide services and barriers, not knowing how the to the wealthiest buyer elsewhere. increase in the country’s e-commerce, promoting local SMEs will also help to the end consumers. He explained products that we want to the market, payment system works, and/or being The traditional brick and mortar as the pandemic forced consumers to Sri Lanka get out of the mindset that that this could also be beneficial for but instead have to cater to the hesitant to upload their products ecosystem does not support those search online to fulfil their needs. e-commerce is only for imported the buyers as they can opt to buy demand of the market. We want to to an online platform because they two people meeting; technology is This point was supported by products. from several sellers simultaneously promote this and also look at giving think their products are not good the only thing that will enable that,” Daraz.lk MD/Country Head Rakhil “We want to promote local to meet their quantity requirements. local entrepreneurs the analysis of enough. he pointed out.

The Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing (SLIM) announced last week that it will introduce the South Asian Journal of Marketing (SAJM), a peer-reviewed open SLIM Restart Sri Lanka to launch access journal in July 2020 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the institute. SLIM said it firmly believes that it is their responsibility and obligation to produce and South Asian Journal of Marketing disseminate research and knowledge that has an impact on the marketing fraternity. SAJM to its diverse stakeholders. Therefore, we is a dynamic platform to publish valuable are pleased to introduce SAJM as one insights and innovative knowledge in the of the first-of-its-kind initiatives taken field of marketing, which encompasses to disseminate industry and academic a vast field of study including marketing knowledge,” said SLIM Vice President – management, marketing theory, consumption Education Nuwan Gamage. and consumer practice, marketing and Sharing his opinion, SLIM Honorary society, service marketing, and B2B Treasurer and SJAM Editor-in-Chief (business-to-business) network marketing. Dr. Jayantha Dewasiri commented: “We “SAJM is driven by the impetus of envisage this journal to be one of the providing a forum for scholars to publish insightful and well-reviewed journals in the authoritative and well-researched articles field and in the South Asian region as it’s in marketing-related areas and issues. headed by an eminent advisory board and The innovations and research papers appraised by an experienced editorial board. published in SAJM will not only improve The next step of the journal is to collaborate the knowledge of marketing researchers with a global publisher while proceeding and students of academia, but also assist a SLIM Vice President – Education Nuwan Gamage SLIM Honorary Treasurer and SJAM SLIM President Roshan Fernando with global indexing and rankings. SLIM is Editor-in-Chief Dr. Jayantha Dewasiri wider international readership in and outside honoured and privileged to embark and be the region to enable them to sharpen their of becoming one of the most sought-after University (Nepal), Royal Bhutan new collaboration brings more knowledge a part of the field of academic research to knowledge on research-based advancements academic journals of international repute. University (Bhutan), and a few other local to all SLIM students with unlimited access mark its 50th year of marketing excellence in the field. SAJM developed a double- SAJM comes with uncomplicated visual and international universities. Furthermore, to Emerald Journals from 1 June 2020 in Sri Lanka.” blind peer-reviewed process and it carefully and audio options, making it user friendly. an advisory board comprising local and onwards. Moreover, SLIM Chief Executive concerns itself with all aspects of marketing Also, SAJM features an open-access format global academic professionals will bring Commenting on the launch of SAJM, Officer/Executive Director Sanath practices and theory in the South Asian that ensures enhanced visibility and global immense knowledge and expertise to SLIM President Roshan Fernando Senanayake stated that SLIM is proud to context: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, exposure,” SLIM noted. research journals and publications. said: “We are elated to launch SAJM in commence work on research journals and India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri The Editorial Board of SAJM, chaired In order to create awareness about commemoration of SLIM’s golden jubilee. the publication arm, which is the newest Lanka. by Dr. Jayantha Dewasiri, consists of research and journals, an insightful As a part of the Restart Sri Lanka national addition to the SLIM portfolio. SAJM is one “The intellectual contributions of the nine members who bring with them many webinar themed “A Scientific Evaluation initiative, SLIM aims to build and boost a of the key efforts initiated to widen SLIM’s journal aim at enhancing the existing decades of experience and expertise in of Research for Scholarly Journals” was knowledge-driven economy through new capacity in empowering the Sri Lankan knowledge of marketing management, the field, locally and internationally. For organised by SLIM in collaboration innovation, entrepreneurships, and new marketing fraternity through creating a while simultaneously subjecting research instance, the editorial comprises marketing with Emerald Publishing. The keynote learnings on marketing management.” knowledge-based economy. that takes marketing management and the professors from the Delhi University speaker of this webinar that was held in “The sole purpose of SLIM`s innovative SLIM is the national body for marketing managerial agenda of marketing thought as (India), GIFT University (Pakistan), Dhaka May was GIFT University in Pakistan endeavours is to always provide in Sri Lanka and has been promoting an object of intellectual scrutiny with the aim University (Bangladesh), Kathmandu Assistant Prof. Muhammad Kashif. The opportunities and a wealth of knowledge marketing since 1970. 8 the sunday morning business TECH Sunday, June 14, 2020

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BY UWIN LUGODA The days of print and radio job ads are slowly dying away, with most businesses serious about hiring Rooster struts into digital top-notch talent moving their recruitment ads online. This has given rise to hundreds of job boards as well as apps, aggregators, social media channels, networking groups, recruitment space and staffing company websites for short weeks, we have now got about 100 corporations and job seekers. opportunities listed with a majority in the While most of these platforms exist, technology space.” they rarely give companies the type of According to Harischandra, the site is compatibility they look for and the level of location-agnostic and therefore is open transparency many job seekers want. This to any business in the world to use their is where Rooster Jobs comes in. recruitment software to streamline the Billed as “the future of recruitment”, company’s hiring. He stated that as of Rooster is a Sri Lanka-based start-up that now, the site has got businesses across helps bring compatibility, balance, and eight different countries, with about 70 transparency into the recruiting process jobs active and several other businesses According to Rooster Jobs Founder currently inactive. Bhanuka Harischandra, the concept “Most importantly, we have 95 behind Rooster was inspired after he had businesses that believe in the values we experienced the struggle when it came to have, and we have more joining us every Rooster Jobs Founder Bhanuka Harischandra recruiting. He explained that job boards He stated that they had been working on hiding information from their employees. day.” As for revenue, he explained that the only look at the number of CVs and jobs, Rooster’s job portal in under 60 seconds. Rooster for several months but only went Talking about your salary is taboo and platform will always be free for start-ups which really does not address the core of As for job seekers, Rooster has taken a live on 11 May. Despite being only about money is an ugly subject. We’re working and small businesses, and will only charge the problem. transparent and “candidate first” approach a month old, he claimed that they have on changing this because it helps everyone $ 20 per month from businesses that are “Businesses need to find good, by giving the candidates a positive generated over 20,000 page views across benefit.” hiring multiple roles. compatible talent and it should be focused experience by always letting them know 4,000 visitors. Harischandra stated that their features “Our pricing structure is also incredibly on a good candidate journey while helping what stage of the recruitment process they The site is location-agnostic and cater to both the employer and candidate. fair; you do not pay for job posts or any businesses process candidates’ efficiently are in. These include letting them know therefore is open to any business in Employers can manage and sort out large amount of CVs. You are paying to license using technology. Fortune 500 companies if they have passed the initial screening the world to use their recruitment groups of candidates with automated hiring the technology and you can use it with no use a category of products called process, if they have been shortlisted, and software to streamline the workflows while connecting a single restrictions,” Harischandra added. ‘Applicant Tracking Technology (ATS)’. even if they have been rejected during any company’s hiring. As of now, the platform to their website’s careers page. He However, due to the current economic So we wanted to be able to give the stage of the process. Harischandra stated site has got businesses across eight stated that Rooster is automatically synced environment caused by Covid-19, same kind of tech to smaller companies,” that this level of transparency is one of the different countries, with about 70 so that any HR professional can manage Harischandra stated that they have decided Harischandra said, speaking to The Sunday main reasons for them to stand out from jobs active their jobs without speaking to IT. to keep the platform free until April 2021. Morning Business. the rest of the platforms. “We have visitors from all over the As for the candidates, he explained that He went on to state that they were going ATS is a software application that “Candidates often go to interviews and world as we are primarily a technology they can search for job openings from to do this using data generated by the site, provides recruiting and hiring tools for wait for months without any feedback. We platform; we are not really focusing on wherever they are and filter based on such as those answering questions like how companies. These systems collect and sort want to change this and enforce a level serving any specific region. As long as the industry. Every job available on the many applications does a candidate have to thousands of resumes before sending them of transparency. Rooster automatically you need help tracking and managing your website is live and relevant with businesses send to get hired? How does that change in directly to a recruiter or hiring manager. notifies the candidates if they have been hiring pipeline, you can use Rooster.” that are responsive and do not take the industry and geography? How do they help Rooster uses ATS to help businesses rejected while giving businesses the ability Harischandra explained that candidate’s time for granted. match organisations together and build source, screen, and get onboard their to give constructive feedback so they know their primary aim is to help reduce “To use Rooster effectively, you need something of true value? next best performers by managing all why they did not get selected. We believe unemployment in the local economy and to be open-minded, transparent, and “We are really looking at understanding candidates, automatically sending pre- this can help cut down the lag time from believes that transparency is the way to go. progressive as a business. This is why we the behaviour of employers and candidates built messages to their applicants, and application to decision and that’s incredibly “The Sri Lankan job market is very initially started working with technology to build a better experience for them,” he integrating the business’ career page with important.” opaque with employers getting away by companies in Sri Lanka. In the three concluded. Uber unveils new safety features for ‘new normal’ As millions of Sri Lankans start moving again, Uber Sri Lanka last week announced the launch of a range of Covid-19-specific features and policies to set the Dialog, Samsung highest safety standards for riders and drivers. These include an interactive Go offer Sri Lanka’s first Online Checklist for both riders and drivers, a mandatory mask foldable smartphone policy for riders and drivers, pre-trip mask verification selfies Dialog Axiata PLC has have the added benefit of for drivers, an updated post-trip partnered global smartphone redeeming their loyalty discounts feedback mechanism, and a giant Samsung for the latest on purchase. An exclusive cancellation policy. Galaxy Z Flip, Sri Lanka’s limited-time offer, the Samsung Aimed at building a new first foldable smartphone. Galaxy Z Flip is made available product experience during Dialog last week announced to purchase from 10-14 June challenging times, these new the purchase availability for the at the Dialog Iconic Customer features are formulated to help latest Samsung Galaxy device Experience Centre. However, the protect everyone, every time they Go Online Checklist Mask Verification at the Dialog Iconic Customer device is currently available from use Uber. example, if a user is not wearing Experience Centre for a limited 8 June onwards at the Dialog Moreover, riders and drivers a mask or face cover time period. Iconic Customer Experience will see a number of new y The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip Centre, giving customers an additions in the app such as: y New seat limits: To allow space between the driver and rider is an avant-garde in technology exclusive preview and first-hand yy Go Online Checklists: Before a during an Uber ride, Uber has making its mark in history as experience with the product. driver can go online, they’ll be advised riders to sit in the rear Sri Lanka’s first, commercially Launched by Samsung, Sri asked to confirm, via a new Go seat. Only two riders will be available foldable device. Lanka’s number one smartphone Online Checklist, that they’ve allowed in a car, other than the In a twist of innovation brand, in network partnership taken certain safety measures driver partner and design, this pioneering with Dialog Axiata, Sri Lanka’s and are wearing a face mask. A y similar checklist has been built y Ride-share health safety device caters to the needs of number one network, the education: Working with elite smartphone enthusiasts Galaxy Z Flip is the precursor for riders. Before every trip, they must confirm that they’ve taken global and local public health who revel in the breakthrough of the new foldable era and precautions such as wearing authorities, Uber has compiled technology of its proprietary exhibits a compact and iconic a face mask and washed or safety tips and recommendations Ultra-Thin Glass (UTG) and design to meet the on-the- sanitised their hands that will be sent to all riders and drivers hideaway hinge and is enabled go communications needs of yy Mask verification: Before drivers with VoLTE, Vo-WiFi, and eSIM. millennials. The foldable design are able to start accepting trips, Announcing the new features, Available in limited-edition sets the owner of the new Galaxy they will be asked to take a selfie Uber India and South Asia colours, Mirror Black and Z Flip apart as adventurous, bold, with a mask on. Uber’s new Central Operations (Rides) Head Mirror Purple, the Samsung and accustomed to exclusive technology will verify that the Pavan Vaish said: “Over the last Galaxy Z Flip will be priced experiences allowing a full-size driver is wearing a mask three months, our global tech and at Rs. 293,990. Customers display (approx. 4 inches when yy Accountability for all: The safety product teams have been who purchase the device from closed and 55% of its unfolded addition of new options for working overtime to build a new the Dialog Iconic Customer size) to fit comfortably into a feedback, for example, if a rider product experience for riders and Experience Centre will be customer’s pocket. An authorised or driver is not wearing a mask drivers. Now, as Sri Lanka gets Rider Awareness and Feedback Tags eligible to receive up to 24 partner of Samsung, this launch or face cover moving again, it’s important that months 0% interest instalment further facilitates Dialog’s loyal yy Updated cancellation policy: we take all necessary precautions These new features and policies and revising them as needed, to plans with leading credit cards. customers with its promise of Drivers and riders can cancel to help keep ourselves safe and have been rolled out globally ensure a safer product experience Dialog Club Vision members delivering “The Future. Today”. trips if they don’t feel safe, for to make the next trip safer for all. and we will keep enhancing for all.”

Printed by the Kalukodayawa, Malwana Press & Published by Liberty Publishers (Pvt.) Ltd. 91, Wijerama Mawatha, Colombo 7 VIRTUAL TRAVEL THE NEXT BEST THING? »SEE PAGE 2

LET’S TALK ABOUT COLOURISM IN SRI LANKA »SEE PAGE 4

Sunday, June 14, 2020 brunchWITH OUR READERS’ HEALTH IN MIND A SPECIAL ANTIMICROBIAL INK HAS BEEN USED IN THE PRINTING OF OUR NEWSPAPER PHOTO ANNA KUCERA THE BEST WAY TO LEARN TO COOK IS TO EAT O TAMA CAREY Founder of Sydney-based eatery Lankan Filling Station talks food and the new normal

BY NAVEED ROZAIS Lankan Filling Station is a casual eatery in Sydney, Australia that serves food inspired by traditional Sri Lankan recipes with an Australian twist. The Sunday Morning Brunch chatted with O Tama Carey, the Founder of Lankan Filling Station, to find out what it is about this quirky establishment that is capturing the hearts of Sydney foodies. Becoming O Tama Carey chef started rather accidentally. On Carey grew up in Adelaide in graduating high school, Carey and South Australia before moving west her mother took an extended trip to to Sydney with her family in her Sri Lanka, spending about six weeks mid-teens. She is of Australian and there surrounded by friends, family, Sri Lankan heritage (her mother is and food. It was Carey’s first long Sri Lankan). Food was a big part visit to Sri Lanka and is a trip she will of her life, but Sri Lankan food always remember. was something that only came out Her ambitions after visiting were at parties or special occasions, or to travel further, and the next step in something she learned about when her grand voyage took her to London; visiting her grandmother who lived in a teenager fresh out of high-school, Perth. Soon, Sri Lankan food found a Carey decided to work in London for special place in Carey’s heart. a bit to get some money together for Carey’s journey to becoming a the next step in her tour. ││Contd. on page 2

SCIENCE WITH RU

I have received ‘Science with RU’ messages from parents, (one of whom) shared that Busting myths with science their child, who would otherwise BY DIMITHRI WIJESINGHE in association with National groups of animals in Sri Lanka Geographic and numerous are snakes, many of which never spend time outside, wanted to Ruchira Somaweera, a others, he has decided to are falsely believed to be embark on a brand new venomous or aggressive and make a video of a Sri Lankan herpetologist (a bird that came to zoologist who studies reptiles YouTube journey in his near- as a result, are often killed on nonexistent spare time. sight. his backyard and and amphibians), recently send it to me launched his YouTube Ruchira shared that he channel “Science with RU”, Launch of the channel wrote multiple books on amazing a considerable The channel was reptiles which address such viewership consisting of Sri originally launched in the mythologies, and he has Lankans across the island. hopes of busting popular always had an interest in Well known for his myths and debunking myths sharing how these beliefs contributions in Sri Lanka, about nature and wildlife can be explained through Ruchira currently lives in that continue to hold sway in science to the general public. Australia where he is involved Sri Lanka. He said that like Following the Covid-19 in multiple projects. While everywhere else in the world, shutdown, he finally found working with the Australian in our country, there are some time to get started on National Science Institute endless beliefs and folklore reaching people through a (CSIRO) mentoring several which incite unwarranted different platform such a PhD students as well as doing killings of reptiles. Among YouTube. field work for various projects the most misunderstood ││Contd. on page 2 2 the sunday morning brunch PEOPLE/EXPERIENCES Sunday, June 14, 2020

WITH OUR READERS’ HEALTH IN MIND A SPECIAL ANTIMICROBIAL INK HAS BEEN USED IN THE PRINTING OF OUR NEWSPAPER

BY DIMITHRI WIJESINGHE Curfew has been relaxed in Sri Lanka. However, the rest of the world is still largely under VIRTUAL TRAVEL lockdown and the pandemic remains very much a major threat. While being temporarily grounded is for the better, there the next best thing? are those who cannot help but feel wanderlust rearing its curious the curfew is relaxed in Sri Lanka, it is not Shenelle Rodrigo and Shehan Thahir head. Some people are just so in other places. This is also comforting wired that way and while it is still content which is good for people’s mental world and nature as much as possible, even not quite safe to set off into the health as well,” she shared. via the internet, so that we don’t forget all sunset, humankind – as they often We also spoke to Long the beautiful things that are out do – have found an interesting Weekend. The man behind there waiting for us when we alternative. the channel actually vlogged can finally safely go out,” he his travel experience from said, adding that he strongly The internet, with its infinite last weekend where he It may not be ideal, but believes in this, which is opportunities, now offers “virtual travel”. visited the South. He shared it’s still a way for people why he continued to post of curated experiences hosted by various This has been interpreted in many ways with us his take on virtual to feel connected to one travel content throughout local personalities. but at its core, it allows you to experience travel. “While virtual travel another and experience the lockdown everyday Brindley Wijeysooria and Udaya the great outdoors and the faraway from does take away the benefits, something together. so that “we can keep Wickramage, who launched Sensory the comfort of your own home, with social and thrill and adventure of At a time of isolation ourselves motivated for the Indulgences, shared that it will be a while distancing being very much adhered to. conventional travel, I think and social distancing, things outside that we can before the global tourism industry bounces Virtual travel has manifested in many Sinbad Travels it is also a positive thing something like this can be experience when we can go back from the effects of ways, one being virtual tours given the current situation very helpful to someone out; it’s to be hopeful”. Covid-19; travel restrictions pre-recorded sessions including yoga, surf, that can take you pretty much because travel is not just who is suffering through We also reached out will hinder free travel fitness movies, food, chats, etc. to replicate anywhere. Some such tours about going to new places anxiety or someone who to Sinbad Travels. The for some time to come, our retreats in real life as much as we can.” are in the form of 360-degree and exploring; it’s about really needs a break from man behind the channel I think it is a they opined. Taking into They also shared that they will be donating VR (virtual reality) movies people, interaction, and the mundane routine organises large groups of wonderful concept, consideration this delay in 10% of the proceeds to a chosen cause. from the Japan National experiences. That’s what Long Weekend travellers for guided tours and I do believe that the travel industry picking With these various interpretations of Tourism Organisation; the VR we enjoy the most when we in addition to vlogging travel blogging falls up for six months at the very virtual travel, we posed the question to tour of the coasts of Northern travel – the company, and his experiences. He shared under virtual travel, least, the team at Sensory persons who’ve been doing it for years Ireland at the Giant’s Port, the idea of community, friendship, etc. So that with regard to the concept of virtual which is content that Indulgences, together with – travel bloggers; people who have built the hexagon-lined coast if currently people are unable to do that travel, what vloggers have been doing is allows people to either Leopard Trails, hopes to add an audience consuming virtual content on of the Grand Causeway; a due to Covid-19, then this is the next best somewhat similar to what you get these travel vicariously or value to the local travel scene travel. virtual hike of the Great Wall alternative,” he shared. days with regards to VR excursions, and help better plan their with their contribution. We spoke to Shenelle Rodrigo, of China for which the tour “It may not be ideal, but it’s still a way while it would likely never replace real spans six-and-a-half miles of next trip Soul & Surf, Ahangama, who is currently sharing her epic Bali Shenelle Rodrigo for people to feel connected to one another life travel which comes with its own set a yoga and surfing company experience on her YouTube channel. She the wall between Jinshanling and experience something together. At of challenges unique to each location with branches in India, Sri shared her thoughts on virtual travel and and Simatai; download Chile a time of isolation and social distancing, you chose to tackle, you are allowed the Lanka, and Portugal, is also whether this concept is essentially similar 360, a free app that will help something like this can be very helpful to opportunity at least curb your wanderlust contributing to the virtual travel concept to what travel vloggers do. “I think it is a you virtually explore wonders from the someone who is suffering through anxiety long enough till you can finally step out. with their “Pause Weekends” – a two- wonderful concept, and I do believe that Torres del Paine to the Atacama Desert to or someone who really needs a break from Virtual travel may sound like a new day virtual holiday where the company travel blogging falls under virtual travel, Easter Island; and numerous others. the mundane routine. It’s not ideal, but it’s concept, but it has been around for a while. offers a schedule of live online yoga and which is content that allows people to In addition to virtual tours, there are not a bad thing. Just as long as people don’t And while social distancing remains the cooking classes as well as surfing tutorials. either travel vicariously or help better plan also those options where travel experiences think that this is permanent and stick to safest way to contain the virus, all those Speaking on the programme, the Soul their next trip. are shared, such as the efforts by Sensory this; I see it more as a temporary solution to bitten by the travel bug will have to & Surf team said: “The programme will “If people cannot step out, then Indulgences in association with Leopard satisfy a need that we are facing currently. make do with virtual travel for the near Trails where they offer a small portfolio include around 10 live sessions and five naturally they look for content online and right now it is safer to stay home. While “We need to stay connected to the foreseeable future.

with professionals who are actual PHOTO NIKKI TO authorities on the subject. Asked about The best way... ‘Science... the possible growth and expansion with regard to his series, Ruchira said that Contd. from page 1 Another favourite of Carey’s – a dish that Contd. from page 1 NatGeo has shown interest in making it she loves cooking and eating – is crab curry. a regular series, rather than have it being Through a friend, she found herself Lankan Filling Station offers a special crab “It is really a low-end production by discussed. They would want to go in the working at a small kitchen in London curry banquet on the last Sunday of every necessity as it is my 4.30 a.m. project that field and showcase these topics, but he called The Good Cook. It was here that month, giving customers the chance to enjoy I do because of a personal interest,” he said this is far down the line. Carey discovered a passion for cooking the culinary adventure of eating traditional said, adding that the only way it can be professionally, and though she didn’t know crab curry. sustainable is if it remains a low effort. Inspiring the younger generations it at the time, it was the start of a career in Charmaine Solomon was an influence On a logistical level, that is the best he is For now, the feedback he has cooking spanning more than 20 years. Staying in Carey’s life when she was first getting able to do right now. received has been fantastic. He shared in London for a year (a lot longer than Carey into South Asian cooking. Solomon is a Sri that his alma mater, Trinity College, had anticipated), she went back home to Lankan-born chef and author who has made a Reaching out to many, consistently has contacted him and proposed that the The programme is conducted in Sydney for her mother’s 40th birthday. mark in Australian culinary circles, being one students take on a project where they Sinhalese, the reason being that the After securing herself a position at the of the first to introduce South Asian cooking, add subtitles in English and Tamil for people he wished to reach with this Billy Kwong restaurant in Sydney, Carey flavours, and techniques to Australia. the videos as an activity. Ruchira said decided to give cooking as a career a proper information would essentially be limited that this is a great initiative as adding try, and she hasn’t looked back since. The Sydney and Lankan Filling Station in if he did it in English. The structure of subtitles would require the students to intervening years saw her work at multiple in terms of engaging with customers and the show is: Ruchira hosts a discussion go through the material discussed in the restaurants learning to cook various cuisines the wake of the pandemic having a clear message about what your with fellow scientists in Sri Lanka, each The Covid-19 pandemic has hit Australia videos and therefore they would end up including Chinese, French, Japanese, and business does. The pandemic has turned an expert in their respective field, to hard. Though they have had a relatively small learning about the topics. Italian cuisine. Carey gained recognition in this concept of consistency on its head, tackle the myths in easy-to-understand number of cases starting in early March, Additionally, Ruchira’s two Sydney for her inventive cooking style as demanding restaurants constantly change and language. He said that he has been able restrictions gradually increased to the point wonderful children are currently hosting the Head Chef at the Italian restaurant Berta adapt. It is now important to re-evaluate what to reach out to his peers and colleagues where pubs and bars were asked to close, and a YouTube channel named “Backyard before deciding to strike out on her own and you’re doing very frequently and make sure who were either schoolmates or restaurants could only function for takeaway Creatures” with his assistance, where cook Sri Lankan food professionally. your customers are aware of what you are university batchmates who are experts in and delivery. Lockdown was pretty heavily they explore their surroundings and doing and why. This concept of agility and their respective fields to discuss and shed implemented, and even though things have discuss the various creatures they Creating Lankan Filling Station adaptability in business is something that she light on misconceptions through science. been easing out over the last few weeks with encounter. Ruchira said that several The name “Lankan Filling Station” was thinks will become a practice that restaurants As his channel has grown, the pubs and restaurants being allowed to open, schools have circulated the videos and suggested by Carey’s partner on a previous around the globe, even in Sri Lanka, will content soon started to there are strict rules in place that all businesses it has been promoted on visit to Sri Lanka. Based on signage for Sri need to consider moving forward in the “new evolve and Ruchira said that NatGeo. Lankan petrol stations which read “filling must follow. currently, he has projects normal”. “I have received stations”, the idea of Lankan Filling Station, After closing for three or four weeks with five continents, allowing It is far more messages from parents, (one with its association to a place where people at the start of the lockdown, Lankan Filling What’s next for Lankan Filling Station? him a lot of travel to many Station resumed operations with takeaway convincing to of whom) shared that their come to fuel or re-energise through her The future is both exciting and uncertain. different locations; often in child, who would otherwise food, appealed to Carey. Australia uses the and delivery menus, and have now opened his travels, he would take see either your While Carey has many plans, the economic peers like two never spend time outside, terminology “petrol station”, and “filling for customers again with appropriate health impact of the pandemic is going to be felt for short video clips for his own and safety guidelines in place, making sure kids your own wanted to make a video of a station” is not a term Australians are familiar some time to come, and recovery is Lankan interest and recently, a Sri bird that came to his backyard with. customers are safe. Lankan friend who saw the age or myself talk Filling Station’s top priority. about these topics and send it to me,” he said, After a few years cooking at pop-ups During the pandemic, Carey took part in In addition to serving delectable Sri clips had suggested that he a food series called Takeaway, an initiative than a television sharing that “these are the and market stalls, Carey decided to take the Lankan cuisine, Lankan Filling Station also will put them together to sparks” that inspire another plunge and start her own restaurant. Finding that was designed to help food venues (big create something cohesive to presenter who is hopes to open up a spice shop and sell more paid to do a job younger generation to get into a small space in the city and working with and small) across Australia create small, Sri Lankan goods. They already sell some share on his channel. inexpensive paperbacks that can be shared science. David Mitchell Architects to create a chic, Sri Lankan spices and ingredients out of the Since then, Science with “It is far more convincing modern eatery with an open kitchen, Carey with people who love what they do. Carey has store, and Carey has begun importing her own RU has been featuring two sections: put together a little book that speaks of spices, to see either your peers like two kids your opened the doors to Lankan Filling Station rice directly from Sri Lanka. Carey is hoping “Fiction to Fact” and “On a Critter own age or myself talk about these topics just under two years ago. with a little bit of history and some stories, to expand on this concept, which will give Hunt”, the latter of which consists of ideas on flavours, and one real recipe. This than a television presenter who is paid What sets Lankan Filling Station apart her a good excuse to visit Sri Lanka more clips from the field of various reptiles to do a job,” he said, and so the formula is that there aren’t any other restaurants book is being presold on the Lankan Filling frequently for purchasing, making it a win- he has encountered. He said that he Station website and is published by Somekind appears to be quite ideal. that make high-quality meals that are Sri win in her eyes. is hopeful this would encourage early As for the future of Science with Lankan and incorporate traditional Sri Press. The silver lining of the pandemic is that researchers and university students to be lots of little changes are happening to create a RU, Ruchira shared that he did not by Lankan flavours and techniques while also Keeping that passion alive inspired to go into the field. any means start it with the intention more supportive and positive environment in For new chefs and food enthusiasts trying accommodating the Australian point of view Speaking about the current success of becoming a “YouTuber” and so it Australia, with people from all industries and to make their mark in the culinary world, and palate, which is quite sophisticated and of his channel, he said that it really will have to remain in this sustainable businesses coming together and supporting Carey shared that in her experience, the best has lots of influences from all over the world isn’t big on numbers but he believes format, where he shares information at each other. way to develop and nurture passion, talent, that come into play. The fare at Lankan it has reached those who will benefit his own pace and style. However, he and skill in food and cooking is by eating. Filling Station is traditional in terms of flavour from it. Sharing that while there are hopes that it continues to reach those Adapting to the ‘new normal’ Trying different kinds of foods frequently as are a lot of the dishes. The mainstay of plenty of videos online of people who need to hear and see it, and he will Speaking about how restaurants can and experimenting with different flavours is Lankan Filling Station is hoppers with their sharing their opinions with regard to continue to do it as more than anything, adapt to recovering faster post pandemic, key to improving skill and enriching culinary accompanying curries and sambals. Part of these myths and reptiles, he wished it serves him the self-satisfaction of Carey explained consistency was very experience. Carey’s reasoning behind opening Lankan to add to the conversation from a sharing his passion and knowledge with important in the restaurant business – not Carey commented: “The best way to Filling Station was to have a place that served subjective and scientific point of view, anyone who cares to listen. hoppers all the time. It is her favourite food. just in terms of the quality of food, but also learn to cook is to eat.” and involve people in a conversation

the sunday morning brunch editorial [email protected] 011 5200900 the sunday morning brunch 3 Sunday, June 14, 2020 CAUSE

WITH OUR READERS’ HEALTH IN MIND A SPECIAL ANTIMICROBIAL INK HAS BEEN USED IN THE PRINTING OF OUR NEWSPAPER Recognising and responding to autism What you should know about autism spectrum disorder

many children (and adults) with ASD Parents are key to helping may display behaviours such as: a child with ASD achieve yy Heightened awareness of information  we process through the senses, such their full potential; parents as increased sensitivity to sound, need to be pillars for the child, smell, or touch. This, in turn, affects finding the right teachers and one’s ability, for example, to function creating the best environment effectively in a crowded space where possible for their child to grow noise levels, smells, and sights are amplified people with ASD. yy Repetitive behaviours such as hand Reach Beyond was founded by four flapping, humming, or repeating a line mothers of children with ASD, who ‘Becoming Highly Effective’ teacher workshop they heard in a movie found it difficult finding support and guidance for their children. Coming Therapies are yy Restricted interests such as a passion together, they launched Reach Beyond to individualised to suit the for dinosaurs, ceiling fans, trains, or a give parents as well as those with ASD specific needs of the child and PHOTOS REACH BEYOND specific movie somewhere to turn and people to lean often include speech therapy, yy Difficulties with executive functioning, on. Reach Beyond also moves to initiate changes on awareness at the grassroots occupational therapy, and which involve skills such as planning, functional academics BY NAVEED ROZAIS organising, and problem-solving and policymaker levels and influence social and national policies to improve that information on special needs and Imagine you visit an everyday place – the supermarket, for example – and yy Difficulty regulating emotions and education, employment, safety, and disabilities is only relevant for teachers, very suddenly you see something that upsets you. What you see is nothing behaviour. For example, happiness inclusion of individuals with disabilities. Jenorge explained. Meaningful provisions at seeing an ice cream cone may be sinister; it’s something simple like a sight, a smell, a touch, or a sound, but Speaking with Co-Founders Tharsiny for individuals with special needs ought to expressed through laughing, jumping Markandu and Nelun Guruge along with be made an important agenda on a much still something that you are very sensitive to. Why you are sensitive to this, up and down, and rolling on the floor Directors Rajeeka Jenorge and Dilrini you couldn’t say. But once you see this, you are unable to keep calm. You broader level; from general industries with glee Dolapihilla, we learned that many parents to lawmaking, legal enforcement, and are unable to explain what or how you’re feeling. yy A need for sameness and routine find it difficult to accept their children’s law enforcement protocol, there needs to diagnosis, particularly when their child be more awareness on how to deal with You start to react. You make a noise. The highly variable nature of ASD y Your mother is with you and tries to calm means that not everyone on the autism y Heightened anxiety looks healthy physically. special needs and disabilities, as well how you down, but she can’t. You become spectrum will display challenges in all It is very important to understand the to include those with special needs in louder. You become overwhelmed. of these areas. Some people may have struggle of parents of children with autism, general society. You’re upset and you just don’t know significant difficulty in these areas, while particularly in the face of stigma and the Reach Beyond aims to create how to understand and cope with what for others, the level of difficulty is less incorrect assumption that ASD is a disease. awareness through support groups, you’re feeling. You can’t calm down. You pronounced. Parents are key to helping a child workshops, and their intervention centre can’t explain. All you can do is react. An important thing to keep in with ASD achieve their full potential; that provides effective, co-ordinated, and This is an indication of what someone mind is that although most people with parents need to be pillars for the child, holistic treatment and therapy services. on the autism spectrum may go through autism will display some of the features finding the right teachers and creating the Reach Beyond also drives the Change for when they are outside of their comfort discussed above, no two people with best environment possible for their child Autism movement, conducting workshops zone. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is autism are the same. This is why it is to grow. It is very difficult for parents to for teachers, parents, and professionals a developmental disability characterised referred to as the autism spectrum. do this when they have to deal with the across Sri Lanka on inclusive education by deficits in social communication as While many of those with ASD are stigma and fear of being judged by their for special needs children as well as well as a myriad of other areas. unable to live independently peers or even their own families because practical strategies for parents and The incident between and will always need something is “wrong” with their child. children. the Police and a 14-year-old support, there are people The key to working with Furthermore, Reach Beyond also boy with autism on 25 May with ASD who can function children with autism is to supports parents through their Parents as has sparked national scrutiny, independently and live normal be open, understanding, and to Partners support group, which is linked with the police personnel in or near-normal lives. Some to a similar support group in the UK, and question currently being under of our brightest minds like get to know your students lets parents of those with ASD know that investigation. Bill Gates and Nikola Tesla The incident has also are on the autism spectrum. brought to attention the lack of Satoshi Tajiri, the creator of Examples of visual schedules awareness of ASD among the Nintendo’s Pokemon, is also general public and figures in on the autism spectrum. While these behaviours are not authority – a sentiment shared It is important to note that definitive signs, noticing one or more of by University of Kelaniya there is no known cure for these behaviours is a good cause to pay a Department of Disability Dr. Nimisha Muttiah ASD. Rather, children on the little more attention and care to the person Studies speech therapist and spectrum are provided with you’re dealing with as it is likely that they senior lecturer Dr. Nimisha therapy and support to enable may have ASD. Muttiah. them to live comfortable and fulfilling lives. Therapies Managing autism as educators What is ASD? are individualised to suit the Many teachers do not receive focused Autism is a highly specific needs of the child training on recognising children with variable neurodevelopmental and often include speech autism and other learning disabilities. disorder. Neurodevelopmental therapy, occupational therapy, A lot of these teachers will come across disorders are disorders that and functional academics. children with ASD in their classes, as affect the development of the Treatment for ASD is mostly a large portion of children with autism, nervous system and how the behavioural therapy focused particularly those who function at a brain responds to situations, and highly individualised, higher level on the spectrum, are never The Reach Beyond team. From left: Tharsiny Markandu, Nelun Guruge, Rajeeja Jenorge, and Dilrini Dolapihilla which may affect one’s based on the specific needs of diagnosed and are easily dismissed as emotions, learning ability, the patient. difficult children. The most powerful way around they are not alone and that they can seek self-control, memory, and The Sunday Morning The key to working with children stigma is through awareness. Guruge help and support with how to manage explained that very often, once people social communication skills. Jumana Mohemadally Brunch reached out to special with autism is to be open, understanding, their children. Social communication skills education teacher Jumana and to get to know your students, learn what ASD is and what it means, and their associated skills are Mohamedally to learn about Mohemadally explained. Observe your they automatically lean towards being Compassion is key something we as humans take for granted the most common behaviours of children student, learn about his/her interests, and more helpful and supportive. The fact The team at Reach Beyond – things like talking to other people and with ASD and how to recognise and work out how best to communicate and that ASD affects approximately one in explained that the most important thing understanding what they are saying, respond to these behaviours. connect with a student. 54 children in the US alone (as reported the public can do when dealing with making eye contact, and picking up clues Mohamedally shared that in addition Consulting with your students’ by the Centers for Disease Control and people with ASD and other special on how other people are feeling. to challenges with social communication, parents and bringing in professional teams Prevention) means that there is much to needs conditions is to be kind. Small to optimise the process is a very important do in terms of building awareness. acts of compassion and understanding step. Speech therapists, occupational It is a common misconception make a big difference. therapists, special education teachers, and general education teachers are all professionals to involve when dealing with autistic students. Minimise verbal instructions and use tools such as pictures and videos to teach and communicate. Use schedules to create stability and give time for students to comprehend and respond. Building awareness and overcoming stigma The Sunday Morning Brunch reached out to Reach Beyond, a not- for-profit organisation that focuses on building autism awareness, holistic Autsim Awareness Walk by Reach Beyond intervention, and support services for PHOTO RAMITH SAMARANAYAKE Inclusive Education workshop in Jaffna 4 the sunday morning brunch CAUSE Sunday, June 14, 2020

WITH OUR READERS’ HEALTH IN MIND A SPECIAL ANTIMICROBIAL INK HAS BEEN USED IN THE PRINTING OF OUR NEWSPAPER Let’s talk about

colourismin Sri Lanka

BY MAHIKA PANDITHA Colourism has been prevalent for decades and decades. The very sentiments of prejudice are deep- seated not only in our society, but around the world. The idea that a darker skin tone is less attractive or less worthy of being beautiful is one of the most distorted opinions that has clouded the minds of a myriad of people, so much so that children are discriminated against before they say their first words. The sad fact is that colourism is all around us – in our beauty products, our advertisements, our workplaces, and sometimes even in our own homes. It is no secret that there are naturally unattainable standards of beauty promoted on various social media platforms. But the real question is: Why is skin tone a determining factor of beauty? There have been countless situations over the years and still to this day, especially in Sri Lanka, where known brands and different individuals have been colorist. Considering everything that is happening around the globe and the recent incident that sparked debate right here in Sri Lanka, we’ve been reminded that change has to begin somewhere. In light of this, The Sunday Morning Brunch spoke to some prominent influencers including model, small business owner, and consultant Kalpanee Gunawardana; professional hair and makeup artist Omesh Wijeratne; lawyer and iProbono Equality Director Aritha Wickramasinghe; and PhD student in social psychology Misha’ari Weerabangsa. Combatting colourism PHOTO ©ROXANNE DESGAGNÉS/UNSPLASH Kalpanee Gunawardana shared that colourism and racism have its roots in On companies that capacity to have product lines or services and not accessible to everyone. At times, institutional and systemic structures and that support and uplift many, and many a people of colour struggled to find the issues. “A large majority of those impacted support colourism narrative. Consumers in smaller economies foundation and concealer that matched Gunawardana eagerly made the are already marginalised, for example, are also limited by choice, either via their skin, a lipstick that would complement distinction between supporting colourism due to their ethnicity, gender, race, or availability or access. More often than them, a blush that would suit their skin passively through silence or lack of social class. More often than not, from my not, the users of products that reinforce tone, etc. Most of these brands relate only to representation and actively reinforcing experience and knowledge, there would be colourism are already impacted or white females.” and profiteering off colourism. “If, as a multiple intersectional factors that reinforce influenced by other existing harmful, unjust Commenting on Sri Lankans, Wijeratne company, you support colourism by your or uphold the discrimination faced by structures and narratives.” said that we don’t have accessibility to silence or via selling only on a particular the victim such as poverty, patriarchy, or She further explained that there’s diverse and inclusive makeup products, narrative, then listen to the world; sexism,” she explained. a social currency attached to being of a pointing out that beauty companies are apologise, grow, make amends, change.” She feels that what we need is certain skin colour in our society. “The unapologetic and the general community She furthered that if, as a company, institutional and systemic change and fairness industry is a multibillion rupee has normalised that concept. He said that you reinforce colourism and profit off it, conversation – whether it’s within your market in Sri Lanka; there is a clear Sri Lankans use the word “white” as a then the incentive is low towards listening family, peers, workplace, or Parliament. demand and a consumer. So aside from term of endearment. “There is a belief to concerns “and we have seen that they do “When we look at racism in particular, we the case of the minority that have the that a person with lighter skin is far more not”. must question entrenched institutions such There is a belief that a capacity to raise a voice or empower desirable, talented, or superior than a person “Here, if it is a multinational company as government organisations, policies, and person with lighter skin is far others, we must look beyond the consumer with a darker complexion. One of the most with multiple product lines, then I would law – or lack thereof – in the specific case (be it direct or indirect via other product trending procedures available at cosmetics more desirable, talented, or ask the consumer to question their of colourism,” she added. lines). There is capacity for self- spas and med spas are glutathione IV superior than a person with purchasing choices and their silence, if governing regulatory institutions such as treatments and topical treatments at higher a darker complexion they have the privilege to raise their voice. in advertising or governmental action via prices.” Omesh Wijeratne It is complicit behaviour and silence which law.” Another industry benefiting from this allow the business entity to operate without However, citizen lobbying, according idealism, according to Wijeratne, is the As we create a strong society that will not heeding to the developing narrative,” she to Gunawardana, is more often than not bridal beauty industry. Girls are forced be oppressed, we realise that companies stressed. required for such a change. She believes to endure dangerous skin-lightening have been benefiting from colourism. The that solutions lie in dismantling existing procedures, and some stylists are famously force of the oppressed itself is powerful prejudicial systemic structures via action on known to give oral supplements without to shut companies that support colourism. multiple levels as identified above. prescriptions. Topical skin bleaching and We must urge for diverse representation in “I thoroughly believe that consumers countless procedures come with a price, mainstream media, companies to appreciate have choice and that humans have a he stressed. “Most bridal make-up artists diversity in their campaigns, and most wide array of expression; if one wants to would charge obscene amounts of money importantly call out anyone every time cosmetically become blue that they can, from families to make them look whiter colourism is observed,” Wijeratne pointed but it should not be because of a privilege on the day of their wedding. Most bridal out. attached to being of a certain skin colour. stylists are known to refuse girls with dark Aritha Wickramasinghe feels that We all have a lot of reflecting, learning, skin and only accept light-skinned, or only anyone facing colourism and/or being and unlearning to do; the time for this was white-painted brides will be featured on It is complicit behaviour discriminated against because of their skin yesterday,” Gunawardana concluded. their social media. The industry has become and silence which allow the colour or tone shouldn’t be afraid to call out Wijeratne shared that most companies a mafia in itself.” business entity to operate the people who are discriminating them. are not blindly supporting colourism, but Wickramasinghe shared that to “Even when you hear someone say are rather using colourism as a marketing companies that support, profit, and without heeding to the something like ‘she is dark but beautiful’, tool, adding that by the year 2019, the perpetuate colourist ideas, he would say the developing narrative don’t stay silent. Ask them why skin colour global beauty industry was worth $ 532 time’s up. “The world is rapidly moving determines beauty. Isn’t beauty determined Even when you hear someone Kalpanee Gunawardana say something like ‘she is billion. “Knowingly or unknowingly, we away from the backward, neocolonial, by their features and face shape rather than contribute to this industry and benefit from white supremacist ideology that they skin colour?” he questioned. Gunawardana said that the onus is on dark but beautiful’, don’t it on different levels. In 2017, Rihanna are exploiting and profiting from. These Misha’ari Weerabangsa doesn’t believe us – the reader, the friend, the lawmaker – to stay silent. Ask them why skin launched Fenty Beauty. It instantly became companies can choose to either be on it is up to an individual who is facing understand, question, and combat colourism, a phenomena, but the most notable aspect the wrong or right side of history. Their colourism to take on the burden of educating colour determines beauty adding: “It is not on the individual that was its 40 shades of foundations – different whitening products have no place in modern everyone. “This is a societal problem that Aritha Wickramasinghe already lacks a privilege that you or I may shades from the lightest to darkest – an civilisation and definitely not in 2020.” needs a societal solution. But it is important have.” especially diverse range of dark foundation Weerabangsa too urged companies to that those who face colourism should speak Gunawardana also believes that we Omesh Wijeratne believes that as a shades that represented every woman and “do better”. “Educate yourselves, educate up about it, if they are willing, and that those must holistically look at the situation, country with endless space to develop, man of colour.” your employees, evaluate your company's of us who aren't subjected to it do too.” especially in a country the size of Sri the first step is to create awareness about He believes the success behind the practices for embedded colourism. There According to Weerabangsa, we have Lanka. “Companies of scale employ what colourism is and as to why it’s wrong company is diversity and inclusivity. are a multitude of free resources available to “call it out when you see it and push for tens of thousands, either due to genuine and not okay. “Nothing is going to work “Although there are other brands with whereby these issues can be tackled – make non-discriminatory practices as much as or ingenuine reasons; they also have the until you know you are a part of an issue. shades of inclusivity, it wasn’t affordable use of them.” possible”. the sunday morning brunch 5 Sunday, June 14, 2020 HEALTH

WITH OUR READERS’ HEALTH IN MIND A SPECIAL ANTIMICROBIAL INK HAS BEEN USED IN THE PRINTING OF OUR NEWSPAPER

Mount Lavinia Beach PHOTO ©ABDUL HALIK AZEEZ, 2020 Microplastics neurobehavioral and immunological changes in children, reduced fertility in women, miscarriage, and cancer. The silent killer yy Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) – latest studies have found out BY DR. DINESHANI HETTIARACHCHI SIRISENA that it may lead to cancer and further studies are ongoing regarding the Over recent years since the advent of “plastics”, there has been a consistent penetration capacity of the microplastics. annual increase in its global demand. In 2018 alone, global plastic Certain studies have shown that production surpassed 360 million tonnes. A few years ago, it was estimated nanoscaled nanoplastics have penetrated that approximately 6,300 metric tonnes of plastic waste had been the placenta and entered the fetus. Also, generated, out of which around 9% had been recycled, 12% incinerated, there is evidence that nanoplastics and a staggering 79% used in landfills or dumped into the sea. appear in breast milk. Furthermore, Plastics that eventually end up in found in our oceans, rivers, soil, and air, there are proven studies that these the environment get weaker over time, and most importantly are contaminating microplastics travel through our leading to fragments that are less than the food we consume. Its ubiquitous nature intestinal wall, enter the bloodstream, 5 mm in size, which are then called hasn’t left any stone unturned. As a result, and end up in the end-organ tissues. microplastics. These are not a particular we have been exposed to microplastics Plasticised food chains type of plastics as many believe, but through ingestion, inhalation, and skin What can we do to prevent rather are smaller fragments of any type contact over many years, thus leading to exposure to microplastics? of plastic material. They can be produced eventual internal toxicity if we don’t take Reduce, reuse, and recycle plastics. due to environmental degradation or by steps in the right direction. Also, try to refuse plastic use as much as intentional manufacturing such as in the possible and opt for more environmentally cosmetic industry, be it as tiny Birth of microplastics sustainable alternatives. Rethink before beads in exfoliants or in other Plastic waste takes aeons using plastics and redesign eco-friendly consumer processes such as to decompose – an estimated products. clothing and industrial processes 400-650 years or more. As Going forward, youth engagement is where they are called primary a result of their longevity, of paramount importance in taking the right microplastics. The vast majority they are exposed to various steps. We spoke to Muditha Katuwawala, of materials used to make environmental conditions such the Co-ordinator of the youth organisation plastics, such as ethylene and as heat, rain, UV radiation, The Pearl Protectors. They volunteer to propylene, are derived from and mechanical degradation. keep our pearl of the Indian Ocean clean fossil hydrocarbons. None of These processes contribute Microplastics distribution around Sri Lanka and free of any plastic. the commonly used plastics to its fragmentation and the “The Pearl Protectors is a volunteer- are biodegradable and their eventual birth of secondary consume these marine animals and plants, chemicals and heavy metals. When these it can have an impact on us. particles enter the human body, it starts based organisation that advocates for the accumulation in the environment microplastics, which are visible conservation and protection of the marine leads to human exposure. to us. However, they can be Microplastics found in agricultural releasing the harmful chemicals into the Dr. Sajith Edirisinghe environment. By providing a platform To understand its long-term further broken down into soil, dust, and groundwater may contribute human body. These chemicals can cause to its toxic effects as well. In a recent cancers, mutate/alter genes, and lead to for passionate individuals to volunteer, impact on human health and microscopic pieces. the organisation also encourages youth disease, we spoke to an avid educator on study, a quarter of the marine fish sampled many other diseases such as Alzheimer’s from markets in Indonesia, California, disease. Some of the commonest contributions towards the mitigation of the the harmful effects of microplastics, Dr. Microplastics and the ecosystem many threats faced by sensitive marine and Sajith Edirisinghe, who is a lecturer at the Owing to its versatility and low and the US were found to have plastic chemicals that are absorbed into these debris. Fibres from textiles in their guts microplastics are listed below with the coastal ecosystems owing to anthropogenic Department of Anatomy of the Faculty of cost, most conventional materials such activities. as glass, metal, and paper were replaced are the best example of a “plasticised possible disease. Medical Sciences at the University of Sri y Jayewardenepura (USJ). with plastic alternatives. However, its food chain”. The effects of microplastics y Dioxin – long-term exposure to dioxin derogatory nature only came to light many include toxicity, oxidative stress, and can cause cancer, reproductive and years later. Nearly a third of all plastics inflammation. Inflammation may lead to infertility problems, miscarriage, are converted into consumer packaging cancers and may contribute to a disruption developmental problems in children, material including disposable single-use of immune function and neurotoxicity. interference with the body’s natural items commonly encountered as beach Besides seafood, emerging evidence hormones, and damage to the immune debris (Figure 1). It is estimated that 80% shows that the microplastics, especially system. of the seabeds in the Western Province of synthetic fibres, have been detected in a yy Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) – Sri Lanka is heavily polluted with this type variety of food including drinking water, exposure to POPs may cause endocrine Plastic partials in seafood of single-use plastic waste. However, it is beer, honey, sugar, and table salt. These disruption, decreased comprehension, Microplastics (luminous green colour) in the liver, not surprising that 80% of this pollution microplastics are also found freely floating lead to birth defects, and lead to cancer. kidney, and gut (Source – 10.1038/srep46687) in the air. When inhaling the polluted air, The local situation is not poles apart. originates on land. High concentrations may even cause “Since its inception in 2018, The Pearl We are among the top five countries that Our monumental overuse of plastics the microplastics might enter the human death. body. According to the study conducted Protectors have initiated various activities mismanage plastic use. This is estimated to has a devastating impact on the ecosystem. yy Polybrominated diphenyl ethers by the University of Newcastle, Australia, and projects that are focused on reducing be 300 g of plastic waste per person living Since the oceans are the world’s largest (PBDEs) – exposure to PBDEs can act currently each human consumes 5 g of marine pollution. Some of the most in Sri Lanka per day. The preliminary sink for microplastics, the biggest impact as endocrine disruptors and may cause plastic per week (irrespective of age and significant projects include the launching results show that waters on the west coast is seen here. This has now become a liver, thyroid, and neurodevelopmental gender). In reality, it is the size of an ATM of the ‘Pearl Protector-Approved’ are more polluted with microplastics persistent pollutant one that is difficult to dysfunction. certificate which promotes restaurants to remove and is distributed widely across card, stated Dr. Edirisinghe. compared to the east coast, with the highest yy Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) pledge to accommodate a dining culture abundance in the north west (0.85 particles/ the globe. Research has shown that this free of single-use plastics, the PET bottle particulate matter has toxic effects on Microplastics and disease – long-term exposure to high levels m3). The central east is slightly more These microplastics are like magnets. of PCBs can cause respiratory tract Christmas trees created out of discarded polluted (0.27 particles/m3), compared to freshwater plants, invertebrates, and plastic bottles to raise awareness of the several species of fish and when we During their travel through water sources/ symptoms, developmental defects, the north east (0.18 particles/m3) and the drains, they can absorb many harmful liver and gastrointestinal effects, severity of plastic pollution, and eco-bricks south east (0.25 particles/m3). workshops that educate and encourage Microplastics found in the southern children to take action in preventing waters were as low as 0.12 particles/ plastic waste from ending up in landfills,” m3. The overall average abundance of Katuwawala stated. microplastics in Sri Lankan waters was estimated to be 0.31 particles/m3 of surface water. The majority of microplastics were fragments whereas the second and the third most abundant contaminants were thread- like microplastics from fishing nets and foam, respectively. Microplastics are now Primary microplastics Microplastics

Secondary microplastics

About the writer The writer, Dr. Dineshani Hettiarachchi Sirisena, is a family physician with a special interest in rare genetic diseases and regenerative medicine currently working as a lecturer at the Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Mismanaged plastic waste in 2010, seen around the Eastern part of the world including Asia (Source – Decomposition rates of marine debris (years) (Source – US National Park Service; Mote Marine Lab, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka. Jambeck et al; 2015) Sarasota, FL; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Marine Debris Programmer) 6 the sunday morning brunch ENVIRONMENT Sunday, June 14, 2020

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BY CHENELLE FERNANDO Collars are installed with PHOTO KRISHAN KARIYAWASAM programmes that receive A statement was made recently and emit GPS points, and points by Minister of Environment per day will be transferred and Wildlife Resources S.M. to satellites via satellite Chandrasena about a programme communication. Researchers for the allocation of Global are able to receive data under Positioning System (GPS) tags numerous methods such as or collars on elephants which satellite phones, GSM, and even would enable officials to ascertain directly to the CPU the animals’ whereabouts. The programme was said to Battery lifespan have started last Monday (8) in The lifespan of batteries has often Anuradhapura and was directed been subject to contradiction. Dr. Fernando towards tracking wild elephant stressed that while the collar remains useful movement to minimise human- in obtaining positions nearly every minute or so, the technology is battery-intensive, elephant conflict (HEC). hence it loses its battery life fast. Dr. The attachment of tracking collars Prasad explained that when a collar is in has taken place for years on all kinds of use, it could only last two years, where the animals by researchers for the purpose of load of data would ascertain the battery life studying animal migration patterns. of the collar. This is subject to change as The news piqued our interest in the battery will utilise less battery power unfolding exactly how the GPS collar upon retrieving less data, where the battery would curb matters in the long run, and in could possibly last for five to six years. getting closer to uncovering the truths of Reiterating on the battery’s lifespan, these mighty beasts roaming our forests. Dr. Prasad said: “It is not perfect, but it’s The Sunday Morning Brunch spoke to average.” Department of Wildlife Conservation The collar emits data on battery (DWC) Wildlife Health Director Dr. voltage; certain collars attached onto Tharaka Prasad, who explained that the smaller animals fall off when the battery data uncovered would provide detailed falls below a certain amount of voltage, information on the migration patterns of the collar automatically triggers the animals. lock to come off, and the collar detaches itself from the neck. This is not however How the GPS collar works the same with elephants, Dr. Prasad While researchers of wildlife deciphered. conservation retain basic information on home ranges of animals such as the reason Is it practical? for movement to a specific place, why they However, Dr. Fernando does not view turn at certain points, why they show slow GPS tracking such collaring to be a practical method in movement in certain points, etc., which the solution to persistent issues such as can be viewed through computers, the GPS the HEC. Tagging an elephant alone is collar would enable the collection of more one hard and complicated operation which in-depth data which will be redistributed poses risks to both the life of the elephant amongst range officials based on their as well as the people who are engaged in interests. This includes the existing home conducting it. range, the number of elephants inside Dr. Fernando explained: “It is a parks, water sources, etc. According to Dr. on elephants complicated process. For example, the Prasad, collaring programmes have been Department (of Wildlife Conservation) conducted even before 1996. got 40 collars more than two years A viable method to unearth wildlife secrets? ago, and they have been able to attach Important research tool 20-something collars.” Speaking to Centre for Conservation Additionally, he stressed that while and Research Sri Lanka Chairman, the number of elephants that can be Trustee, and Scientist Dr. Prithviraj become familiar with year after year. will know where the message came from motionless state for 18 hours or more is an collared remains limited, the number of Fernando, we learned that GPS tracking Although home ranges extend between along with target points. We will then indication of a deceased animal. elephants actually causing trouble is high. has been conducted in Sri Lanka in the 50-600 km², on average it would be 200 inform the officials,” Dr. Prasad added. Collars are installed with programmes Knowledge of an elephant’s past where the organisation has tagged km². “Some elephants retain home ranges Following this, officials will conduct that receive and emit GPS points, and whereabouts might also not be viable in nearly 80 elephants. According to him, that are inside protected areas, whereas operations and alert residents of possible points per day will be transferred to certain instances such as when an elephant GPS tagging is an important research tool some are entirely outside. Some use elephant encounters. satellites via satellite communication. has already entered a village. Researchers, which provides basic information such protected areas as well as outside areas,” Researchers are able to receive data such as Dr. Fernando have raised concerns as an elephant’s position every six hours, Dr. Fernando explained. Sensory mechanism under numerous methods such as satellite over the possibility of elephants entering i.e. whether the animal is inside or outside The collar also helps officials uncover The collar itself comprises a GPS phones, GSM, and even directly to the a village and raiding it, despite efforts to a park. He said: “(It) can be used as a geofences which contain real-world tracker and battery which can be placed CPU (central processing unit), although chase elephants away. “So even if you guideline. Which is what we have been geographic data. For instance, white either on the top or bottom of the neck officials currently resort to satellite phones have a collar on such an elephant, you doing for many years.” and brown dots may resemble human of the animal, although the GPS unit, as due to the inability to obtain uniform have to still confront the elephant, come The organisation has tracked around settlements and greenery, forests, and Dr. Prasad indicated, is always attached GSM coverage. Dr. Prasad indicated that into conflict with it, and chase it away. 80 elephants and one of its main findings paddy fields. Separation between human on the top. Researchers are often able to currently, the Faculty of Engineering of the So how practical is this going to be? is that Sri Lankan elephants do not settlements and forests will alert officials identify whether animals are deceased University of Moratuwa has developed a Because the more you do that, the more retain a migratory pattern. Instead, they through an SMS when and if an elephant or not depending on sensors attached collar which is awaiting approval, and will aggressive the elephant is going to get,” are bound by home ranges which they enters a village. “When this happens, we to the collar which detect movement; a be utilised for future use. he commented.

BY JITHENDRI GOMES In celebration of World Ocean Day , voluntary-based organisation The Pearl Protectors hosted a live online symposium discussing a wide range of subjects on 7 June What of our oceans? at 5 p.m. via their Facebook page. The symposium began with eye- World Ocean Day symposium conducted by The Pearl Protectors opening footage of plastic collected among all entities working for the wellbeing of coral bleaching that could kill a reef. It and buried in coral reefs around of the ocean rather than separate ad hoc is a direct result of global warming and a our island and along our shorelines. interventions and projects, along with phenomenon now experienced all over the Failure to implement the plastic creating awareness among the public. world. An entire reef can get completely ban after three attempts was bleached in two weeks and die off in a specifically highlighted, capturing Ranil Nanayakkara couple of months. The rapid pace in which it With this World Ocean Day focusing the audience’s attention and happens is even more horrifying. A research on endangered marine species, Nanayakkara she was a part of found that 90% of the establishing the need for radical gave the audience an understanding of the shallow reefs were dead in the Bar Reef of change to protect our oceans and current overview, conservative efforts, and Kalpitiya. Within a year, algae has covered seabeds. threats faced by these species. The dugong, the entire reef and smaller species found The panel consisted of four the finless porpoise, and the Indo-Pacific close to the reef were absent. individuals who are well established humpback dolphin are threatened species in She further stated that on a global scale, and respected in their respective areas this region. All these species share a habitat we are to expect many marine heatwaves of expertise, namely: Blue Oceans with the fishing industry so they get caught and thus more coral bleaching incidents Trust Co-founder and marine biologist unintendedly and also fall victim to unethical in the near future. These heat waves are a Nishan Perera, University of Peradeniya fishing practices. As a result, their habitats direct consequence of global warming. If Zoology Department lecturer Chathurika get destroyed in the process. In general, the it escalates as predicted, she stated that in Munasinghe, Marine Environment threats faced by marine mammals are ship the next 10 to 20 years, we will experience Protection Authority (MEPA) General much we can remove with our carrying say the issue of overfishing is driven by the strikes, being bycatch, contamination of a significant loss of our coral reefs around Manager Dr. P.B. Terney Pradeep capacity within a certain period of time export-oriented market. the habitat due to fuel dumps, and habitat the world. In Sri Lanka, there has been Kumara, and Biodiversity Education without depleting the resource to a point degradation, out of which bycatch, both a bleaching incident in the east coast as and Research (BEAR) Co-founder that it cannot recover is what is important. Dr. P. B Terney Pradeep Kumara accidental and intentional, is the biggest recently as 2019. The threat is real. Ranil Nanayakkara. With each panellist Along with identifying this capability, Dr. Kumara shared the current status contributor. And these threats are also The panel discussion that went on highlighting equally important issues, this it is also important to identify the impact of the ocean environment around our relevant globally and to Sri Lanka as well. for over two hours was truly informative. article will summarise the main discussion dynamite fishing and fishing trawlers country, which is supposed to be eight The video recording is available on The while also sharing what they exclusively have on the marine environment which times larger than the landmass of the island. Chathurika Munasinghe Pearl Protectors Facebook group and is shared with The Sunday Morning Brunch. brings destruction upon the habitat. These However, the environment is degrading, Factors contributing to the depletion definitely worth your time. The focus on our practices will also destroy juvenile fishers with anthropogenic activities contributing of coral reefs in Sri Lanka together with marine environment has been gaining some Nishan Perera and untargeted species, so there is a adversely. Improper fishing practices, factors that contribute to climate change momentum over the last couple of years. Speaking of the issues regarding tremendous waste. In the long term, this high volumes of tourist activities, harbour were discussed by Munasinghe. She too Although the incident of the Mount Lavinia fisheries and the importance of seeing will have a negative impact on the fisheries expansions, and underwater explosions are emphasised the impact of unethical fishing Beach filling was discouraging, we hope that what is more ecological and economical industry as well. Even a simple practice identified as the most contributory factors. practices and sedimentation that contributes as the panellists advocated, the authorities for the future, Perera said that fisheries in like spearfishing being commercialised These further contribute to the increase in to the turbidity of water and deformation of would come together and form a combined itself is not harmful as long as it is done in Sri Lanka has a negative impact on the temperatures and depletion of coral reefs. the coral reefs’ growing capabilities. Apart and focused effort in conserving our oceans in a sustainable way. Understanding how ecosystem. Apart from this, he went on to He saw the need for a common voice from these direct impacts, she also spoke and beaches. the sunday morning brunch 7 Sunday, June 14, 2020 GAMES/TOONS

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13 Passed, as bad checks 66 Block an access road SOLUTION FOR 31 MAY 14 Machinery noise between hills? Crossword 15 Boo 68 “SNL”-like show that CROSSWORD CLUES 51 Withdrew 105 Big name in Marvel 16 Called the game spawned many comedic 52 Have trouble with Comics history 17 App buyer careers Across Sisyphus? 106 “Toodles” 18 “Creations from la cocina” 69 Start of a pirate chant 1 Brings from novel to 55 Arranges for party chefs? 108 Butler in literature brand 74 Intermission screen 58 Friend of Genie in 109 Pursue 22 What a nervous director 76 Once-a-yr. reason for 7 Like some captioning “Aladdin” 111 “Sick” insult may do? oversleeping? 13 Energy bill letters 59 Dobrev of “The Vampire 112 Inability to smell 24 __ browns 79 __ pad 16 See 117-Across 114 Emulate a Jedi? 29 Many profs. 80 Bane of Sideshow Bob Diaries” 32 “Woodstock” quartet, 81 Wells’ fruit eaters 19 Victim of Perseus 60 Chaos 117 With 16-Across, 20 MLB call-up, often elaborately designed initially 82 Rose’s Broadway beau 61 “__ in!” 33 Plentiful supply 83 Verizon subsidiary 21 “With any luck” 65 Celtics star Walker decoration 23 Fault a rearrangement of 118 SoCal locale in a 1987 34 Rashida Jones facial 84 Game with Skip cards 67 Crafty site? feature 85 Lawmaking century infielders? 70 Vision starter Cheech Marin title 25 “Mean Girls” writer and 119 Harm’s way 36 Iodine source 88 Frankfurter’s exclamations 71 Lucy’s sitcom pal 37 Source of many dramatic 91 Beethoven’s 32 for piano co-star 72 Henry James, for much of 120 Sounds of disgust 26 McCann of country 121 NBA’s Cavs, on scoreboards quotes: Abbr. 93 Spare no expense his life 38 Licks 94 Strong-armed 27 Sahara respites 73 Inside job 122 Prepares (oneself), as for a 28 Mixer knob crisis 39 Mars: Pref. 95 Some operate remotely 75 Big ref. volumes 40 Issa of “Insecure” 97 Montreal’s prov. 30 Michael who played 77 Link letters 123 Stable animals Juno’s love interest in 41 Since Jan. 1, to CPAs 98 Lets loose 78 Masters yoga? Down 44 Take from a sale 99 Patronizes, as a diner “Juno” 82 Cruising 31 Priest who reared Samuel 1 Unhurried bunch 46 “Criminal Minds” org. 100 Snack 83 Freud’s homeland 2 Biblical betrayer 47 Tin-eared 101 Suit fabrics 32 Swear 86 __ cords 3 2015 romantic fantasy 49 At the drop of __ 103 Honorific for Macbeth 33 Like the Sisters in 87 Brutal act of Brutus role for Blake Lively 50 Golfer Ballesteros 106 Bygone recording medium “Macbeth” 89 Equal share, maybe 4 Yellowstone predator 52 Canoeing venue 107 One way to start 34 “__ cryin’ out loud!” 90 Cupid counterpart 5 “Old Possum” monogram 53 Curly-horned goat 108 Dough in Tehran 35 Gives surf ratings? 92 “The __ Kid”: 1950s TV 6 Took a pass 54 Cesspool 109 A step down from 39 Way to one’s heart? Western 7 Pungent greens 56 Author with three 5-letter “Funny!” 42 “Lucas” co-star 96 In need of companionship 8 Give the slip to names 110 Setting of many a “Far 43 Former Arthur Ashe 97 Ask, “You sure this is 9 Impressed crowd sounds 57 Dash alternative, perhaps Side” comic Stadium neighbor diet?”? 10 Emulate Olympians Miller 59 Seven and eleven, in craps 111 __-tired 44 Ready, as a range 102 Some H.S. classes and Vonn 62 Like so 113 Karaoke aid 45 Uber alternative 103 Sushi fillings 11 Statue of Liberty architect 63 Simply 115 Leeds-to-London dir. 48 Collection of maps 104 “__ as good a time ... ” 12 Fine point 64 First name in jazz 116 “__ chance!”

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WITH OUR READERS’ HEALTH IN MIND A SPECIAL ANTIMICROBIAL INK HAS BEEN USED IN THE PRINTING OF OUR NEWSPAPER ‘Smile Within’ your duty as a Sri Lankan Sri Lanka Telecom and Mobitel in collaboration overcoming the current with Manusath Derana carried out their “Smile situation. Encouraged by Within” campaign through which they distributed the response of the public, one million facemasks and conducted an Manusath Derana and awareness programme on the importance of Sri Lanka Telecom and wearing protective gear such as facemasks in Mobitel together with Sri Lanka Police have decided order to curb the spread of coronavirus. The to take this initiative initiative was supported by Sri Lanka Police. further as they will They shared that it is by committing to such a continue to distribute face the duty of all citizens to simple act, they can aid in masks at various locations wear the masks as a service the country’s progression throughout the country. to their community, and towards eventually PHOTOS ESHAN DASANAYAKA

The Wildlife and Nature Horton Plains Advisor, UK Department Ministry Of Crab introduces new Protection Society (WNPS) (©) GEHAN DE SILVA W of Environment, Food and Monthly Lecture will be Rural Affairs; and Strategic going online again this month Director for the Tyndall Centre, health and safety programme and will be delivered by University of East Anglia, UK. one of the most influential He ‘Keep Clean And Crab On’ environmental scientists chaired, co- worldwide, Sir Robert Watson. chaired, or Watson is the former Chair directed the of the Intergovernmental WMO/UNEP Science-Policy Platform on stratospheric Biodiversity and Ecosystem ozone Services. The topic for this depletion WNPS Monthly Lecture goes online month is “Biodiversity, climate assessments, Sir Robert Watson change, and land degradation: Global What is happening, why should Biodiversity Assessment, we care, and how should we Biodiversity, Millennium Ecosystem respond”. Assessment, UK National Ministry of Crab, government regulations. government regulations. We have both a scientific Ecosystem Assessment, and its Colombo recently reopened The comprehensive health Among the more unique and social emergency. Climate Follow-on, Intergovernmental their doors to the public, and safety guideline focuses steps in the programme are change, loss of biodiversity, climate change, Panel on Climate Change, the with the introduction of on three pillars:Safety, individual sterilised and and land degradation are not Intergovernmental Assessment their new health and safety infection prevention, and sealed eco-friendly cutlery only environmental issues but of Agricultural Scientific and programme titled “Keep an engineering perspective. packs and personal refuse are development, economic, and land Technology for Development, Clean And Crab On”, This would serve to ensure bags to dispose of used crab social, security, moral, and and the Intergovernmental modelled on its iconic the wellbeing of all those shells, used facemasks, and ethical issues. Human- Science-Policy Platform for “Keep Calm And Crab On” present at the restaurant other personal items. The induced climate change, loss Biodiversity and Ecosystem slogan. premises. restaurant is also equipped degradation of biodiversity, and land Services. Prior to their With the establishment with sanitiser on every degradation are undermining Current government and economic implications, the Awards include a Knights reopening, the restaurant of “Keep Calm And Crab table, masks/glove stations human wellbeing; these need to private sector actions are totally consequences of climate Bachelor in 2012, Companion consulted a team of medical On”, Ministry of Crab has for guest use, a designated be addressed together – now. inadequate to meet the Paris change and loss of biodiversity of the Order of Saint Michael experts, which consisted trained their staff rigorously entrance and exit, and both (Agreement) climate targets are even more serious for the and Saint George in 2003, of occupational health and on the operational protocols digital as well as disposable or the Aichi Biodiversity globe. Fellow of the Royal Society in safety, industrial hygiene and has made changes menus. Targets. Climate change, 2011, member of the American specialist Dr. Aseni to their restaurant layout Commenting on “Keep loss of biodiversity, and Sir Robert Tony Watson, Philosophical Society (2020), Wickramatillake (MBBS, to accommodate social Clean And Crab On” and land degradation undermine UN Champion of the World MPH), and infectious distancing. They have also welcoming guests back to CMG, FRS the United Nations (UN) for Science and Innovation in diseases, infection introduced several other Ministry of Crab, Co-owner His career has included Sustainable Development 2014, the Asahi Glass Blue prevention and control, safety measures for guests, Dharshan Munidasa said: being the Scientific Advisor Goals (SDGs). Transformative Planet Prize in 2010. outbreak response specialist such as temperature checks “Our priority is to keep staff, in the Office of Science and changes are needed and Technology Policy (OSTP), Dr. Changa Kurukularatne on entering, contactless guests, and the restaurant cost-effective and socially (MD, FAMS) to help sinks, and sanitising safe in accepting the new White House; Chief Scientist, The lecture is scheduled acceptable response options World Bank; Chief Scientific create the safest and footbaths in line with norm and moving forward.” are available, if there is the for 18 June at 6 p.m. cleanest possible dining and political will. While Covid-19 online via Zoom and working environment for is a serious pandemic with Facebook Live. guests and staff in line with 077 0024823 [email protected] Biodiversity, Climate Change significant loss of life and forms.gle/i1HJAioKMutRmoWu7

Golden Key Hospital has for ultrasound by 92% and saves and optoelectronics, founded in acquired two of the latest models patients’ time. Jena, Germany in 1846 by optician of ophthalmic equipment in the Golden Key Hospital The device is also useful in Carl Zeiss. It develops, produces, market to enhance the quality of detecting unusual eye geometries and distributes highly innovative diagnostics and treatment at its raises bar in eye care and poor fixation, eliminating solutions for industrial metrology eye clinic, especially its cataract refraction surprises and and quality assurance, microscopy surgery procedures and post-care with latest devices from unsatisfactory postoperative visual solutions for the life sciences and capabilities. experience by enabling visual materials research, and medical The hospital said the ZEISS measurement verification. technology solutions for diagnostics VISULAS YAG III, a fully Golden Key Hospital also and treatment in ophthalmology and integrated laser workstation, is used installed a visual field eye microsurgery. to perform “Yag capsulotomy”, investigation machine in 2018 Golden Key Hospital is the a special laser treatment carried IOLMaster and YAG Laser to enhance the efficiency of its only private sector hospital in Sri out to improve vision after ZEISS eye investigation unit and reduce Lanka that is a centre of excellence cataract surgery, while the ZEISS is known to focus the optimum IOL polishing. The ability to adjust to measure both eyes in less than the waiting time of patients. The dedicated and equipped for all eye IOLMaster 700 enables fast and amount of laser energy directly to energy levels also means ample 45 seconds while its Alignment machine is used to detect dysfunction and ENT-related investigations, accurate measurements of the the target, which results in a gentler flexibility for different treatment Assistance function makes the in the central and peripheral vision treatment, and surgery. The hospital eye length and surface curvature laser treatment while providing techniques. results largely independent of the which may be caused by various is backed by a team of experts that is necessary to determine maximum ease of use with the The IOLMaster 700 enables user and therefore easy to delegate. medical conditions including and nursing staff with specialised the intraocular lens (IOL) power lowest possible amount of patient surgeons to replace assumptions It is also proven to achieve a glaucoma, stroke, pituitary disease, training in eye and ENT. The used during cataract and lens stress. Besides capsulotomy, it can with measurements, thanks to the cataract penetration rate of more brain tumours, or other neurological hospital features a 24-hour general implantation surgery. be used for applications such as latest update – Total Keratometry than 99% following a comparative deficits. OPD, laboratory, pharmacy, and VISULAS YAG III is the latest iridotomy, a surgical procedure to (TK®). Its built-in SWEPT source clinical study with more than ZEISS is a German ample parking for up to 80 vehicles version of the Yag Laser series and treat angle closure glaucoma, and biometry makes it fast and easy 1,200 eyes. This reduces the need manufacturer of optical systems at a time.

Articles to check out The rising risk Corporates or 1. Protecting Sri Lanka’s wildlife: of losing Sri consumers: Who’s An uphill battle 2. Ruki talks about recruitment in the age of Lanka’s leopards contaminating our Covid-19 Log onto our oceans? 3. Coconut lime chicken YouTube channel Log onto our YouTube 4. Thalana batu curry 5. Best hip hop and rap beats now on Island Pulse for the full video channel for the full video 6. We’re on Twitter! THIS WEEK ON Facebook: slpulse Instagram: @pulse_lk YouTube: Pulse.lk

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