Price of 18-Litre Tuesday 20 JULY 2021 gas cylinder Latest Edition fixed at Rs 1150 Vol: 10/157 Price : Rs 30.00 By W. K. Prasad Manju In Sports The Cabinet has granted approval for the newly introduced 18-Litre cylinder of domestic Batting in Focus as gas to be sold at Rs 1,150. The Cabinet meeting had been held last Wounded SL Aims evening (19) under the leadership of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the Presidential to Level Series Secretariat. Minister of Trade Bandula After a humiliated 7 wicket defeat in the Gunawardena, on this occasion, had presented first ODI, Sri Lanka team led by new skipper the proposal regarding the 18-Litre cylinder of Dasun Shanaka will look to bounce back domestic gas. hard and level series when they take on India Previously, this 18-Litre cylinder of gas had in the second ODI at RPS, Colombo today. been sold at Rs1,395. A16

Premier intervenes Marikkar allowed to read NCM against Gammanpila President By Gagani Weerakoon and Methmalie Dissanayake

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday (19) requested the Speaker to permit SJB MP S.M. Marikkar to read the No-Confidence Motion (NCM) against Minister Udaya Gammanpila as he failed to read it at the commencement of the debate. to Seek Story Continued on page 2 MP Tiran Alles questions Second SJB’s motives Is NCM an attempt to derail Gammanpila’s plans for country? By Gagani Weerakoon and Methmalie Dissanayake

SLPP National List MP Tiran Alles yesterday (19) in Parliament Term questioned whether the SJB was President Gotabaya Rajapaksa yesterday (19) gave a attempting to jeopardise Energy conclusive hint that he was prepared to go for a second Minister Udaya Gammanpila’s plans term and would therefore contest the next Presidential for the country’s development,... Poll. “To fulfil my agenda for this country and its people, Story Continued on page 2 not only the next three years but a further five years will be available,” he said.

SJB’s No-Faith Motion against Story Continued on page 2 Gammanpila A/L, G5 Scholarship Bonds scam case Ranil proposes Mahendran to be implicating exams pushed back to Nov By Thameenah Razeek tried in absentia By Hansi Nanayakkara entire Cabinet The Government yesterday (19) postponed two major By Gagani Weerakoon and Methmalie exams based on health experts’ recommendations in The Attorney General’s Dissanayake view of the on-going pandemic. Department yesterday informed The Education Ministry decided to postpone the the three-Judge Bench of the UNP MP Ranil Wickremesinghe, yesterday Grade 5 Scholarship and GCE A/L examinations until Colombo High Court, if they were (19), proposed several amendments to the 14 and 15 November, respectively. According to unable to bring down accused No-Confidence Motion (NCM) tabled against Professor G.L. Peiris, Minister of Education, the GCE ex-Governor of the Central Bank Energy Minister Udaya Gammanpila in A/L Examination, scheduled to take place in October, of Sri Lanka (CBSL) Arjuna Parliament by the SJB. will now take place from 15 November to 10 December... Mahendran to Sri Lanka,...

Story Continued on page 2 Story Continued on page 2 Story Continued on page 2 COVID cases increase after travel NCM against Gammanpila curbs eased SL cannot Two SJB MPs Death of Bathiudeen’s maid NHSL’s oxygen escape Delta Court orders requirement doubles to vote against Motion threat By Dilanthi Jayamanne telcons to By W.K. Prasad Manju – Prof. Jayasumana The oxygen requirement for Minister of Agriculture Mahindananda release records By Dilanthi Jayamanne COVID-19 patients at the National Aluthgamage told Ceylon Today that By Hansi Nanayakkara Hospital Colombo (NHSL) had when voting takes place for the doubled recently, Physician at NHSL, No-Confidence Motion against Minister of The Health Ministry is doing everything it Colombo Additional Magistrate Rajindra Dr. Upul Dissanayake lamented. Energy Udaya Gammanpila this evening can to control a surge of the Delta variant of Jayasuriya, yesterday (19), ordered several Addressing the Media in Colombo, (20), two members of the Samagi Jana COVID-19, State Minister of Production, telecommunication firms to furnish telephone Dr. Dissanayake said yesterday (19) Balawegaya (SJB) are ready to support Supply and Regulation of Pharmaceuticals, conversation details pertaining to the spouse the number of COVID-19 patients... the Government to defeat it. Prof. Channa Jayasumana said. of All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC)...

Story Continued on page 2 Story Continued on page 2 Story Continued on page 2 Story Continued on page 2 A2 Tuesday 20 July 2021 News Software Engineer Found Malwatte Prelate appeals to teachers to call off strike

Dead in Thalahena By KL Suraweera-Kandy months, the education of students had suffered due to the closure of By Jayasinghe - Colombo Police said the victim had resided Police said blood had oozed out Anunayake of the Malwatte Chapter, schools to curb the spread of COVID- in the ninth floor of the housing from a side of the victim’s head while Ven. Dimbulkumbure Wimaladhamma 19 and noted that under such The body of a software engineer, a complex along with his mother and he had also suffered serious injuries Thera said, teachers who conduct circumstances the only remedy was resident of a luxury housing complex sister. According to Police,the to a leg and an arm. online classes for students should online lessons. at Orchid Gardens, Halbarawa, victim’s mother had received a call Police added that they are reconsider their decision to strike and Hence, the Thera urged teachers to Thalahena, was found yesterday on her mobile phone that her son conducting investigations to return to teaching. They should take reconsider their decision to strike and (19), Mulleriyawa Police said. was lying unconscious near a tree at determine if the death had been a into consideration the plight faced by resume online education taking into The deceased had been identified the housing complex and later the murder or a suicide and noted that scores of students with schools being consideration the predicament faced by as a software engineer attached to a victim’s mother and sister had found ongoing inquiries revealed that the shut due to the COVID-19 spread. students who have to sit a number of private firm in Malabe. the corpse. victim had been addicted to drugs. The Thera said that for nearly 24 decisive examinations.

GI pipes case, further Demanding promotions and recognition Nurses warn of more TU action proceedings on 1 September By Dilanthi Jayamanne within a lesser number of years. Nurses were awarded their Grade II promotion only after 10 By Hansi Nanayakkara filed against Rajapaksa and another suspect Nurses warned they would resume trade union years and to be promoted they had to serve for 20 relating to the purchase of GI Pipes action if the Health Ministry failed to issue the two years. By the time many of them completed 20 years DSG Sudarshana de Silva yesterday amounting to Rs 3.6 million from funds circulars related to their promotions and in service they had either retired or were due to informed Colombo High Court Judge, Namal belonging to the Divi Neguma Development re-awarding of staff grade recognition to the service. retire. The union demanded that the number of Ballalle that discussions were being held by Department and distributed to Local President of the Government Nursing Officers’ years be reduced to five years for Grade II the Attorney General’s Department Government bodies in the lead up to the Association (GNOA), Saman Ratnapriya, said promotions and for Grade I, a period of 12 years, in concerning a request made by lawyers for Presidential Poll six years ago, was taken up. yesterday (19) there was a delay in sanctioning service, Ratnapriya said. the Minister of Finance, Basil Rajapaksa, on Further proceedings were fixed for 1 approval from the Public Service Commission (PSC) He said they had written to the Health Secretary the continuation of the case filed against September. The other suspect in the case is and the Ministry of Public Administration for the warning that his outfit would stage further strikes if him pertaining to GI Pipes. ex-Director General of the Divi Neguma two circulars. Fielding questions, he said the Health the Ministry failed to abide by its pledge to the He made this submission when the case Development Department, Amila Ranawaka. Ministry had agreed to give nursing promotions nursing service.

Continued from page 1 President... A/L, G5 ... Ranil proposes...... based on advice by experts, to avoid any The NCM which was presented Gammanpila and all other Ministers The President had reportedly made these comments unfairness on students, given the current health against Gammanpila over the recent in the Cabinet to function as Cabinet during a meeting convened with heads of media conditions. fuel price hike was taken up for Ministers any longer.” institutions held at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday. He also said that all school principals have been debate yesterday (19) and will In accordance with Standing Order Rajapaksa, who contested the 2019 Presidential Poll, as instructed to give special attention, so that lessons are conclude today (20). According to 43, the MP gave Notice of the a non-partisan candidate, was elected as the country’s conducted with social distancing according to health Party sources, Wickremesinghe had following amendments to the ninth Executive President with an overwhelming majority. guidelines and that Grade 5 Scholarship exam will handed over the amendments to the No-Confidence Motion in The President while striving to fulfil the policies take place on 14 November. NCM in writing to Secretary-General Gammanpila: “In line 37 (of the contained in his election manifesto titled ‘Vistas of Due to the inability to conduct practical tests in of Parliament Dhammika NCM), delete the word ‘Energy’ and Prosperity’ is presently taking great pains to overcome the aesthetic subjects in time, the results of 622,000 Dasanayake, yesterday (19) morning. add the words ‘Energy and all other COVID-19 pandemic which has ravaged the globe since students who sat for the GCE O/L examination in Wickremesinghe noted in the Ministers in the Cabinet.’ In line 37, last year. 2020 has been delayed. Therefore, the practical tests proposal “Parliament resolves that it delete the words ‘Cabinet Minister’ for 169,000 students who sat for aesthetic subjects has no confidence in the competence and add the words ‘Cabinet are set to take place from 28 August to 8 September, of Minister of Energy Udaya Ministers’.” with results expected soon after. “Pre-training activities for pupils will begin in schools on 26 July and they will be called to school for Mahendran to be... a month in accordance with the comprehensive health recommendations. The principals have called the Two SJB MPs to...... they will consider commencing the trial against him in subject’s teachers and made preparations for the absentia in the case of misappropriation of Rs 688 million training. In this context, the Director General of Two SJB Parliamentarians have come forward to defeat the No-Confidence during the CBSL Treasury Bonds auction held six years Health Services has given his formal approval,” he Motion filed by the SJB and it is expected that over 155 votes from people’s ago. said. representatives in Parliament will be received, Minister Aluthgamage added. The case was called before a Bench comprising Judges He went on to say that, despite the deadline for He further said it is not the confidence in Minister Gammanpila that has Champa Rajaratne and Namal Balalle. Senior Additional submitting applications for One Grade admissions for been eroded, but that it is the confidence in Opposition Leader Sajith Solicitor General, Priyantha Nawana, made the submission. the year 2022 was set for 31 July, the deadline has Premadasa that has been seriously affected. He said in the future more The AG’s Department indicted 10 accused before the High been extended to 7 August. Parliamentarians will leave the Opposition and join the Government Court besides Mahendran. The Additional Solicitor General as a result. Nawana told the Bench the AG’s Department was currently Minister Aluthgamage said the Government, which is moving forward while holding talks with the Attorney General of Singapore to successfully facing the challenge of COVID-19, will grant relief to members of extradite first accused Mahendran where he is a fugitive in the public at the first possible opportunity regarding fuel prices and that they that country. He added that to date documents had been intend to grant more subsidies to citizens as well. exchanged between officials of the Attorney General’s NHSL’s oxygen... Departments of Sri Lanka and Singapore in this regard. The Attorney General informed Court that if these talks fail, ...requiring oxygen at the NHSL at the time travel the case will be carried forward with Mahendran in absentia. restrictions were imposed was 160, while the number Considering the submissions, the Bench deferred further had declined to 100 during travel restrictions. hearing of the case to 22 September. “However, the requirement doubled after SL cannot escape... restrictions were lifted with the number of patients increasing to 200,” he lamented. Speaking to the Media, Prof. of Health, Colombo Municipal He urged the public to be cautious and adhere to Jayasumana said, yesterday (19), Council (CMC), Dr. Ruwan COVID-19 guidelines and regulations. the Delta variant was fast-spreading Wijayamuni said there was no “There was a slim possibility of persons in the world. “Therefore, there evidence to say that there were 30 Marikkar allowed... contracting the virus from unknown people or at seems to be no possibility of Sri per cent cases of the COVID-19 The debate on the NCM realised his mistake but their homes. The virus is more likely to be Lanka becoming the only country to Delta variant in Colombo. against Energy Minister Minister Wimal Weerawansa transmitted at work as people take their masks off escape. According to scientists, the Fielding questions during a Media Udaya Gammanpila over the objected to the move. to have their meals. If COVID-19 infected persons public also had a special briefing at the Health Promotion recent fuel price hike At this juncture, the are among those having meals, there is more immunisation against the Delta Bureau (HPB), Dr. Wijayamuni said commenced yesterday (19) Premier intervened and likelihood of transmission,” the NHSL Physician variant of COVID-19 with all the percentage was in reference to and will conclude today (20). requested Weerawansa to observed. coronavirus vaccines that were sample testing conducted in a 37 Marikkar who moved the permit Marikkar to read the Chief of the Public Health Department of the being administered under the square metre area of Aramaya Place motion, failed to read it and Motion. He requested Colombo Municipal Council (CMC PHD), Dr. Ruwan Health Ministry’s vaccination drive. and Albion Road, from where the instead made a speech Speaker Mahinda Yapa Wijayamuni, said the Council had been able to It would help minimise the initial COVID variant was detected. against Gammanpila and Abeywardena to allow vaccinate 80 per cent of its over 70 population. Also, possibility of death and Dr. Wijayamuni said 15 cases of the Government. He Marikkar to read it, saying it had vaccinated 65 per cent of its over 30 complications of the infection just the Delta variant had been identified attempted to speak for a the Government was ready population. “We hope to complete vaccinating the like in the case of the Alpha variant within Colombo city limits. Giving a second time when he to face the NCM. over age 30 people living in the CMC area by the end of the virus,” he said. breakdown, he said of them five of this month, he said. The PHD Chief said there is Also, the Ministry and the State cases had been from Aramaya Place, also a mobile ambulance service to carry out Ministries were keeping a watchful three from Albion Road, and two vaccinations of those who could not travel to eye on the spread of the Lambda from a popular construction site in vaccination centres. variant of COVID-19 first detected Colombo 2, and another five from The Council had also inoculated 70 per cent of the in Peru, South America and the another construction site in MP Tiran... people living in tenements buildings. most recently detected Epsilon that Kettaramaya. Dr. Wijayamuni said that out of 107,025 of people was detected in California, United He said the CMC Public Health ...by moving a the PM, decided to increase who had received the first dose of the Oxford States. Department (PHD) had obtained No-Confidence Motion fuel prices. It is a common AstraZeneca COVID-19 COVISHIELD jab, 20,000 had Jayasumana pledged that the special permission following the against him. sense that a single person received the second dose while there were another Health Ministry was vigilant and detection of the Delta variant and Speaking during the cannot increase fuel prices. 88,000 pending recipients for the second dose. “The was taking all possible preventive carried out vaccination of all those debate on the NCM against The President, in a jab would be administered as soon as we received the and control measures against even who were 18 years and above in Gammanpila, over recent statement clearly said, he vaccine doses which are scheduled to arrive in these new variants. tenements, construction sites, and fuel price hike, Alles said was also a part of the entire another week,” he said. Elsewhere, Chief Medical Officer garment factories within the city. throughout the history process of increasing fuel patriotic leaders were prices,” he said. subjected to mudslinging He added that a national campaigns and Gammanpila newspaper recently reported has also become a victim of that foreign Ambassadors in that. Sri Lanka tried to exert Court orders... “The people know this fact pressure on Gammanpila, in very well. It is a tragedy that order to obtain tenders. ...Parliamentarian Rishad Bathiudeen deceased had been sexually exploited, the wife, the broker who had brought the maid the Opposition always tries “But, he never surrendered and three others, to aid the probe Court ordered the telecommunication to the Parliamentarian’s house, and an to attack leaders like to such pressure. Therefore, conducted by Borella Police, into the recent companies to comply with its order. uncle of the Parliamentarian. Gammanpila who want the it seems that many factions death of the maid who had been working at Police prayed Magistrate Jayasuriya to The Court also ordered a bank to submit best for the country. The want to remove Gammanpila the MP’s house. Having perused a Motion issue an order to the companies concerned account details of the person who had Cost of Living Committee, from the ministerial filed by Borella Police that they seek to to furnish them with phone details brought the victim to Bathiudeen’s house, headed by the President and portfolio,” Alles said. investigate during which period the concerning Parliamentarian Bathiudeen’s following a request by Borella Police. news tuesday 20 july 2021 A3

Work on ‘Sowpakya’ SLPP decided to Speaker signs village begins defeat NCM against By M.A.P. Deen – Ampara Gammanpila Correspondent Convention Against By Faadhila Thassim The ‘Sowpakya’ Production Village, aimed at President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s encouraging The SLPP Parliamentary Group decided Organic fertiliser islandwide is being to defeat the No-Confidence Motion (NCM) Torture, CCP implemented all over the Island. against Minister of Energy Udaya Under the programme, work on the Gammanpila, in a bid to oppose the By Gagani Weerakoon and Other Cruel, Inhuman or the Constitution. production village for the Alayadivembu Opposition’s attempt to weaken the and Methmalie Degrading Treatment or Convention against Torture Divisional Secretariat area was ceremonially Government, SLPP General Secretary Dissanayake Punishment (Amendment) and and Other Cruel, Inhuman or inaugurated at traditional ancient village Sagara Kariyawasam said. the Code of Criminal Degrading Treatment or ‘Alicumbe’ utilising all resources found in the He said, the standpoint of the party, as Speaker Mahinda Yapa Procedure (CCP) (Amendment) Punishment (Amendment) and area and converting it into a most resourceful expressed through an official statement, Abeywardena, yesterday (19), on 15 July. Code of Criminal Procedure village with the intention of affording the was that Gammanpila did not take informed Parliament that he He further stated that the (Amendment) were passed in villagers a comfortable life. The ceremony necessary steps to avoid circumstances placed his signature on signature was placed in Parliament on 6 June without presided over by the Divisional Secretary leading to the rise in the price of fuel due Convention against Torture accordance with Article 79 of a vote. P.Pabakaran was attended by the Digamadulla to which he should voluntarily step down, District MP and the Chairman District adding that however, the party would not Coordinating Committee W.D. Weerasinghe as support the Opposition’s attempt to the Chief Guest. forcefully dismiss Gammanpila by way of MP Weerasinghe addressing the villagers said an NCM. that a sum of Rs 10 million has been set apart According to Kariyawasam, the internal SL Govt fails to curb official for the selected villagers of Alicumbe to engage decision of the party requesting them in the Goat Farming Project and take into Gammanpila to step down and dismissing consideration of the urgent need of the villagers him through an NCM are two different complicity in trafficking– Report on priority basis. They should also engage in things and the SLPP, as a responsible other food crops activities utilising Organic party, will not give way to petty barriers By Paneetha abuse, possibly involving child overseas and sought refuge at fertiliser. He assured that the connecting roads that the Opposition is attempting to erect. Ameresekere sex trafficking, persisted, it said. Sri Lankan Embassies, to the village would be immediately attended Following a meeting of the SLPP Officials report that the reported that certain Sri while other needs of the village would be Parliamentary Group at the President’s Concerns about official Police arrested the head of an Lankan consular officers sent attended thereafter. residence on 18 July, the decision to complicity in trafficking orphanage, one of its staff female trafficking victims Advising the villagers, MP said President defeat the NCM was taken. remained and the Sri Lankan members and the probation back to their exploitative Gotabaya Rajapaksa has gone all out to provide Kariyawasam previously stated that the Government did not make commissioner with oversight employers and ‘sold’ other a comfortable life to every citizen of this country Party stance on Gammanpila having to sufficient efforts to investigate all of the orphanage. According women back to their and its their bounden duty to extend to him their take full responsibility for the recent fuel allegations or report any to officials, no elements of sex exploitative employment whole-hearted support for the country to achieve price hike and to step down remains prosecutions or convictions of trafficking were found during agencies or new employers for peace and prosperity. unchanged, and that this stance was allegedly complicit officials, the the investigation. financial gain, the report said. Deputy Predeshya Sabha Chairman, Victor taken only for the benefit of the public US State Department’s ‘Global The Sri Lankan Government According to a July 2019 Jegan, Accountant of the DS Office who have already been immensely Trafficking of Persons 2020 did not report efforts to international organisation K. Pragaspathi, Coordinating Officer to the MP affected by COVID-19 and not in any Report’ stated. investigate past allegations report, some migrant workers P. Sinthuja and several others attended the manner to strengthen or in support of the The Sri Lankan Government reported in international bribed officials to obtain ceremony. Opposition. investigated allegations of sexual organisation reports, that fraudulent ‘family background exploitation of children at some male and female Sri reports’ and pre-departure orphanages, but some Lankan trafficking victims, training certificates required for allegations of child sexual who fled abusive employers legal migration.

Greenhouse gases SL releases least amount But in top 10 countries affected by climate change When compared to other Climate change, he said, is a country that releases countries in the world, Sri without a doubt the world’s immeasurable amounts of Lanka releases the least most pressing environmental greenhouse gases into the amount of greenhouse gases issue now. The recent atmosphere, its pledge to that cause climate change, but devastating floods in Europe further cut emissions will serve it is one of the top ten countries highlight the fact that we are all as an example to the rest of the in the world that has been feeling the effects of global world,” he said. affected by climate change in warming, regardless of how big In conclusion, Dr. Jasinghe the last three years, Dr. Anil or small, developed or stated that the President’s Jasinghe, Secretary to the developing our countries are. decision is a significant step Ministry of Environment stated. More than 190 people have toward achieving the enormous Dr. Jasinghe noted that the been killed in Germany alone, challenge of creating a green President’s recent decision, not with many more missing or economy by meeting domestic to build any new coal power injured. Property damage is also energy demand as much as plants in Sri Lanka, is a significant. possible through renewable decision that deserves the “In such a situation, the energy sources, as stated in the attention and gratitude of all President’s action sends a policy statement ‘Vistas of those concerned about the powerful message to all other Prosperity and Splendour’. environment. Governments on the planet. As (TR)

Woman missing after fall from atop Devon waterfall By Naalir Jamaldeen intention of watching the fall There is a large rock at the from there, according to Police. bottom of waterfall, the lower A 19-year-old woman who fell One of them had tried to wash part of it is said to be a rocky from the top of Devon Waterfall, her feet in the water on the top area. The water level of fall has along the Hatton - Nuwara Eliya of the waterfall and she been very high for the past few Road, has gone missing, the unexpectedly slipped and fell days. The Dimbula-Pathana Pathana Police said yesterday from a height of 97 metres, the Police are conducting a search (19). Four young women, who Police noted. operation in lower part of the fall visited the Devon Waterfall, had The victim has been identified with the assistance of Army, Air gone to the top of it with the as a resident of the Lindula area. Force and STF.

Country won’t face tea-plant shortage By Naalir Jamaldeen Tea Small Holdings Development Authority’s – Kanaka Herath The country will not face a (TSHDA) project to establish 500 shortage of tea plants in tea tea nurseries to meet the million tea plants per year can plantations, Kanaka Herath, demand for tea plants in tea be met through the State Minister for Plantations, plantations. establishment of 500 tea plant assured yesterday (19). Despite the fact that the nurseries. The State Minister According to him, the annual annual requirement for tea pointed out there will be no requirement exceeds 50 million plants is nearly 50 million, only shortage of tea plants in the plants, and a tea nursery project 25 million have been produced country in the future. Tea plants is being implemented with the to date, and thus 25 million tea can be produced by nurseries assistance of the State Ministry plants have been reported every approximately twice a year. of Plantations to meet this. year. As a result of this situation, Tea nurseries can also sell The State Minister went on to the Ministry of Plantations has their tea plants directly to tea say that the project of taken steps to establish 500 tea growers or the TSHDA and tea establishing 500 tea plant nurseries in tea-growing nurseries will incur no economic nurseries is successfully districts, according to the State loss at any time, Herath said distributing 25 million tea plants Minister. While accepting the adding that steps have been to tea plantations annually. private sector’s contribution to taken in accordance with this Herath said that the tea plants the establishment of 500 tea programme to distribute tea produced under the first phase nurseries, TSHDA has provided plants to farmers through tea of the project were recently necessary technical advice on plant nurseries being distributed to farmers in greenhouses, water pumps, and established in other districts. Karapitiya, Galle at a simple other infrastructure facilities for Steps have been taken to add ceremony presided over by him, the establishment of 500 tea 25 million new tea plants to tea with Plantations Minister Dr. nurseries. The Ministry has plantations for next year, and he Ramesh Pathirana also in provided at least Rs 500,000 in expressed confidence that 25 attendance. financial assistance for a tea million tea plants can be added He added that 25 million tea nursery of 25,000 or 50,000 to tea plantations every year plants will be distributed to plants each, he said. with the establishment of 500 farmers each year through the The target of producing 50 tea plant nurseries. A4 tuesday 20 july 2021 news

Proliferation of obscene websites Private Bus Unions Magistrate upbraids TRC Lament State Apathy, Deputy Director, bail for suspects dismissed Demand Relief By Hansi Nanayakkara does not make specific the TRC was concerned had mention on the action that still not become an important By Nabiya Vaffoor employees were without a it is impossible to give a salary Colombo Additional should be instituted against issue that needed serious source of income and nearly to these employees. The NTC is Magistrate, Lochani those who operate obscene or consideration. Private Bus Trade Unions 60,000 were suffering as a not bound to pay salaries to Abeywickrema yesterday vulgar websites and hence, Magistrate Abeywickrema lament about unavoidable loss result. The National Transport any private bus entity,” added informed Court that the case sought more time from Court ordered the TRC to make in the bus industry and Commission (NTC) charges a Miranda. related to the proliferation of to complete the task. submissions with regard to demand relief from the fee from bus operators, Meanwhile, the Lanka Private obscene websites was not a At this stage, Magistrate measures they intend to Government. therefore the Government Bus Owners Association serious issue as far as the Abeywickrema stated that the take to curb the spread of The All Ceylon Private Bus should intervene and provide a General Secretary, Gamunu Telecommunications Court had summoned the these types of websites. Owners Association requests monthly salary,” added Wijeratne said the Government Regulatory Commission Deputy Director to enlighten Meanwhile, bail sought the Government to pay a Priyanjith. was planning to dismantle the (TRC) was concerned. Court with regard to by two suspects who have monthly salary of Rs 15,000 for When Ceylon Today spoke to present public bus industry She made this remark measures they intend to take been jailed in connection at least two months to NTC Director General, Nilan and convert the Sri Lanka when the case pertaining to to monitor the content of with the case were employees. Miranda, he said funds in this Transport Board into a the sexual exploitation of a websites in question and not dismissed by the Court on General Secretary of the regard have not been collected profitable venture. minor by advertising on the just to hear her trot out the grounds that their Association, Anjana Priyanjith since March 2020. He added that they only internet was taken up for excuses for failing to look into release could not only said many in the bus industry “Since, we have stopped requested a Rs 100,000 perusal. it. hamper ongoing have lost their source of income collecting funds due to the compensation for buses that TRC Deputy Director, The Court further said that investigations into the case due to COVID-19 restrictions. COVID-19 outbreak, the NTC were not insured, though this Attorney-at-Law, Silva it was clear from the as well as lead to public “Currently, only 20 per cent faced a loss of Rs 500 million. request was a reasonable Guneratne stated that the submissions, that the topic of riots and were ordered to be of buses were operating. He said, private buses don’t request, the Government was TRC was currently examining the proliferation of harmful further remanded till 29 Around 40,000-50,000 come under the NTC, therefore turning a blind eye. the TRC Act in detail as it and vulgar websites as far as July.

NAITA begins Advanced Telecom Tech Course President joins International Cultural Jamboree

The International Cultural “In addition to today’s problems The President and Chief Scout build and the connections they Jamboree organised by the Sri such as conflicts and the of Sri Lanka, Gotabaya make will stand them in good Lanka Scout Association was pandemic, issues such as the loss Rajapaksa, was speaking at the stead for the future as truly graced by President Gotabaya of biodiversity, environmental opening ceremony of this virtual global citizens,” President Rajapaksa on Friday virtually. degradation, food security, access Global Cultural Jamboree, at the Rajapaksa added. Due to the prevailing COVID-19 to water, and climate change are Presidential Secretariat, on Friday For the first time in World situation, for the first time in challenges that will need to be (16). Scouting history, more than World Scouting history, the Sri overcome in the future,” the “This forum will enable 20,000 Scouts and Scout The National Apprentice and Industrial Training Lanka Scout Association has President said and added that the participants to learn more about Leaders have registered for the Authority (NAITA) and private institutions jointly began made arrangements to conduct a World Organization of the Scout the issues and opportunities that Virtual Global Cultural the Advanced Telecommunication Technician Training Virtual Global Cultural Jamboree Movement and similar entities exist in various regions of the Jamboree, said Attorney Course at the Orugodawatta reconstructed training from 16 to 18 July with the must equip young people with the world. It could also help lay the Janaprith Fernando, a Member centre recently. participation of more than 100 skills they need to face these foundations of future global of the World Scout Committee A state-of-the-art laboratory for indoor and outdoor National Scout Organisations and future challenges with confidence. action regarding them,” the and the Deputy Chief practical training, as well as a training course for 30 over 20,000 Scouts. “I commend the Sri Lanka Scout President said. Commissioner of the Sri Lanka apprentices, has been constructed by the NAITA of the The Global Cultural Jamboree Association for taking this “I hope that during the course Scout Association. State Ministry of Skills Development, Vocational which was organised under the initiative in light of a global of these three days, all Chairperson of the World Education, Research & Innovation. The course was theme of ‘Culturally One Scout pandemic that has forced us to participants will make full use of Scout Committee Craig Turpie designed to equip new apprentices and field technicians World’ has made arrangements to change the way we live. In that this forum to learn about the was the Special Guest at the with skills. It comprises comprehensive theoretical and showcase a wide range of diverse context, this initiative symbolises different cultures and traditions event, which was attended by practical training in telecommunication systems, as well global cultural programmes for the great value of the simple, but that comprise and shape our the Heads of the World Scout as maintenance and safety instructions. The theoretical the benefit of Scout members, the deeply profound motto of the world, as well as about and from Association, global leaders portion lasts six months, while the practical training who are confined to homes due to Scout movement: ‘Be Prepared’,” each other. including scout commissioners lasts a year. the prevalent pandemic situation. President Rajapaksa further said. I hope that the bridges they from other countries.

Weerasekara tells critics UNP Chair visits Sasanodharama Temple of Police

UNP Chairman Vajira Abeywardena Suggest a better recently paid a visit to the Hiniduma Sasanodharama Temple and received blessings from the Maha Sangha. way to arrest Abeywardena participated in the Idda Mal Pooja at the temple after quarantine violators obtaining blessings from the Chief Incumbent of the Mallika Maha By Keerthi Mendis Viharaya, Ven. Batuwangala Vijitha Nayake Thera, and the Chief Minister of Public Security Sarath Weerasekara has Incumbent, Ven. Kadihingala urged those who criticise the actions of the Police to Vineetha Thera. suggest a better way to arrest quarantine violators. The annual Idda Mal Pooja is being He said the Police had acted on an order by Director held for the seventeenth time. This General of Health Services, Dr. Asela Gunawardena, Idda Mal Pooja was conducted in to ban all protests and demonstrations due to the accordance with health guidelines spread of COVID-19. and was attended by Galle District Weerasekara said violators had been packed off to Parliamentarian Sampath Athukorala quarantine centres not at the behest of the Inspector and former Minister Piyasena General of Police (IGP), but due to written requests by Gamage. Public Health Inspectors (PHIs).

Hope4 Sri Lanka’s start-up programme Those over 18 in New Chinmaya Cheques, proximity to tourist Lane in Colombo 3 The Colombo Municipal Ramboda. The Chinmaya Council has named a Mission Sri Lanka led by certificates awarded destinations to section of 10th Lane, Sri. D. Eassuwaren and Colombo 3 as ‘Chinmaya other devotees built a Lane’ due to efforts made temple here. This temple to winners receive jab - Namal by Gayathri in a picturesque setting Wickramasinge who has facing the kotmale dam is By Nabiya Vaffoor interviews, and five days of been a long- term devotee now a monument where a entrepreneurship training By Nabiya Vaffoor use of vaccines fast adding of the Chinmaya Mission. 16ft statue of Hanuman is ‘Hope4 Sri Lanka’ is a would be given to those that today; Sri Lanka is the She went door-to-door to the Moola Moorthi. nationwide programme to selected. Applicants must be Reiterating that the fastest growing vaccinated convince the people about Meanwhile, Gayathri create at least 50,000 young between 18 and 45, have a Government will be able to country in South Asia, while Pujya Gurudev Swami participated in the entrepreneurs annually, Youth recognised higher education vaccinate everyone over the also being transformed into Chinmayanandaji. They international conference Minister Namal Rajapaksa level or a certificate of age of 30 within the next one that uses the best consented to the name for overseas Indians in said. professional competence, and two months, Minister of vaccines accepted globally. change and it was Guadalope, South America He gave cheques and have a clear vision for their Youth and Sports and State Meanwhile, Minister gazetted. where she received the certificates to winners of own business,” he said. Minister of Digital Namal Rajapaksa spoke of Ex-President of the Mahatma Gandhi award Hope4 Sri Lanka’s start-up It is also stated that the Technology and Enterprise the importance of reopening Chinmaya Mission of Sri for deserving youth programme as well as other intermediary in the Development, Namal the country, adding that it Lanka, Mahenthiran, the working in community documentation needed to project is YouLead, a USAID Rajapaksa said individuals was not done for political resident Acharya Swami development. She was the obtain bank loans for small affiliate. YouLead’s Sri Lanka over the age of 18 who work reasons. Gunatitananda ji and other only participant to be businesses. branch has taken the near tourist destinations “All decisions are made executive members of the selected by the “Apprentice entrepreneurs responsibility to provide free would be vaccinated soon. with the concurrence of the mission appreciated her Government of India for will be selected at District level training to entrepreneurs Referring to the Ministry of Health. The efforts. the ‘Know India to strengthen the local involved in the Hope4 Sri vaccination programme for Ministry informed us that if Gurudev Swami programme’. The Indian economy and create small and Lanka project. YouLead also tourists in the Ella area, vaccination was successful, Chinmayanandaji’s High Commission in its medium-sized businesses. provides a 60 per cent Minister Rajapaksa said Sri we will be able to gradually Sankalpa, when he visited journal ‘Sandesh’, Accordingly, youth will be guarantee on loans to Lanka has turned out to be open the country,” he Sri Lanka in 1980 set up a published her article on selected from district-level apprentice entrepreneurs. a country that has made added. spiritual centre in her Indian experience. focus tuesday 20 July 2021 A5

By Charani Patabendige must be preserved by the criminal justice system. Article 4(1) of the The Prevention of Terrorism Act PTA ICCPR is noteworthy; it States that (PTA) came into effect in 1979 as a even in such a declared state of temporary measure during the emergency, where states may derogate separatist war and later made from certain other rights, such permanent in 1982. Since the derogation must be temporary and enactment of the PTA, it was criticised only what is strictly required by the as a brutal piece of legislation. The exigencies of the emergency. In criticism of PTA is not only by locals essence, it suggests the importance of but also by other Nations. The Act has rights, which is enshrined in the both strengths and weaknesses. The Balancing Constitution and the need to prevent challenge concerning the PTA is to their infringement. balance individual rights and national The warning on removing GSP plus security interests while adhering to cannot be taken mildly, that does not international standards. mean that we have to hold heartedly The European Parliament resolution and passively accept all the changes of 10 June 2021 for Sri Lanka, in suggested by the international particular, the arrests under the PTA community. Thus, the way towards (2021/2748(RSP)) was passed with an success is accepting flaws, mending overwhelming majority. This will exert Conflicting mistakes. Do we have to repeal the pressure on the European PTA as a whole? The answer is no, the Commission, the executive branch of rationale is Sri Lanka underwent the European Union which is terrorism and fought a war and responsible for determining which regained peace, it was during war and countries get the Generalised Scheme aftermath of war the Act became of Preferences Plus”. Irrespective of the assistance to penalise the fact the resolution is not binding we perpetrators, without the said Act we cannot exclusively negate its impact. Interests will never be able to penalise the In reality, it is authoritative. The loss terrorists, nor we will achieve freedom. of GSP plus will be injurious to Sri When looking at countries like Lanka’s economy. On the other hand, Switzerland, the counter-terrorism law there are discriminatory provisions in grants Police enormous powers in the PTA, which are pointed out in the interest of national security. resolution. As per the resolution, PTA With that when we move on to the should be repealed as Police have harsh reality, the Act has broad powers to search arrest, and discriminatory provisions and needs detain civilian suspects. It further revisiting. The right to a fair trial must states that there are human rights be addressed leading to an effective violations of detainees by torture, remedy; prolonged detention without a sexual abuse, forced confessions, and reason must not be tolerated. Access systematic denial of due process. It is to health care, access to loved ones pivotal to protect human rights and must not be taken as insignificant uphold rule of law whilst deterring requests. Most importantly, Act needs violence. to include rehabilitation, as a measure There are flaws in PTA; It infringes to combat terrorism, as penalising is constitutionally vested rights insufficient; reintegrating a person is a including freedom from right to be free prudent choice as it gives a second from torture, arbitrary arrest, chance to the victim. Furthermore, it detention and punishment, and the is important to de-radicalise the right to a fair trial. Certain perpetrators of terrorism to ensure Fundamental Rights can be restricted peace in society by prohibiting the in the interests of national security revival of terrorism. Most importantly, and public order. Therefore, human it is imperative to be sensitive to new rights must not be breached. Another threats such as acts of terrorism by drawback in the Act is, coerced social media, which is discreet and confessionary statements elucidated harmful. by suspects, which is against the law. The unforgettable lesson Sri Lanka The burden vested on the accused to learned is from the Easter Sunday prove he is not guilty is criticised Attack, which was inexcusable, is the immensely. The Government is duty- security failure of the country that bound to balance civil liberty and LTTE child Soldiers: Is the Government taking the blame for the heinous war crimes committed by the LTTE against the Tamils? resulted in irreparable damage. This national security interests. It is reiterates the point of significance on crystalline that national security, done to the person. It is imperative to terrorism cannot be achieved terrorists, they can gather people national security, which means which is the security of the majority, PTA to ensure rehabilitation and overnight. Terrorism does not always unlike in the past where ideologies will national security must always get due must always take the upper hand reintegration centres are not a appear from weapons and bullets. be preached in gatherings. Therefore, to recognition and national security, when compared to one individual. platform of violence. The PTA must Modern warfare is now heading PTA must have laws to penalise cannot be taken simply. It is high time Nevertheless, the challenge is to strike have assurance, that detention towards information, where offenders who use hate speech, false to revisit the Act as we have an old Act a balance. centres are not a harbour to share extremists, as well as terrorists, are information to promote extremism and that does not address modern threats The loopholes in the Act fail the information and tactics of terrorism using and manipulating, fabricating, terrorism. and requirements. Therefore, it is purpose of the Act. The Act does not and radicalise themselves, nor should concealing information. This is severe Swiss counter-terrorism law appreciated to take a step back, accept define terrorism as resulting in it be a place where perpetrators are than traditional warfare where the the mistakes, and mend them. In vagueness. As per PTA, the Minister is abused. There must be a monitoring results are seen after a long duration PTA must be in line with essence, national security must be given the power to make regulations. mechanism to guarantee nonviolence. by then the situation is irreparable. It international standards. Sri Lanka is a given priority whilst adhering to Regulations No. 01 of 2021 on 9 March Preserve human rights goes beyond traditional warfare where State party to the International international standards, rule of law, 2021 expanded the PTA allowing for humans are killed and property is Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and international human rights law is two years of detention without trial for The problem arises whether PTA is destroyed; here the mind game is (ICCPR), as well as the Convention mandatory. causing ‘religious, racial, or communal exclusively adverse. The strictness of strong it encroaches past, present as against Torture and Other Cruel, (Charani Patabendige is an disharmony or feelings of ill will law when searching terrorists and well as future. Usage of social media is Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Associate Research Fellow at the between communities to be terrorists suspect, seizure of goods vast and information can be Punishment. Both these conventions Institute of National Security ‘rehabilitated’ at ‘reintegration comes handy in times of terror. disseminated easily with less cost. advocate rights including the right to Studies (INSS), the premier think centres’. Such prolonged detention is However, the hurdle is to achieve With the usage of social media such as life. Counter-terrorism law must be tank on National Security unreasonable, if the person is nonviolence in the meantime to Twitter, WhatsApp, Tik Tok, and sensitive enough not to breach established under the aegis of innocent it is an irremediable injustice preserve human rights. Combating Facebook by extremists, as well as international standards. Rule of law the Ministry of Defence.) Democracy, Peace and Stability

By Prof. Wickramabahu will consequently lead to uprisings He addressed the growing issue of Katunaratne and violent conflicts as can be seen in double standards between various history. nations concerning human rights. In Modern day democracy and respect Hence, there are 2 dilemmas: this regard, he affirmed that the US for human rights is considered unique 1) the disconnect between human and Europe have lost credibility as since it represents the highest rights as international discourse, and protectors of human rights, “because achievement of human civilisations . 2) political practices. the standards used to measure them Many who give a comprehensive in one country must be the same used analysis of the role that human rights Moreover, he specified in another, even if one is an ally and and democracy’s role plays on that the disconnect has 2 the other an enemy”. Hence, this maintaining peace and stability constitutes another discontinuity that worldwide accept this view. They further facets: threatens the universality of human tackled issues, including recent 1) the discourse of the UN, Western rights, since all states should events, such as COVID-19 and the Governments, and academics, as guarantee freedom to allow societies to decrease of democracies, human opposed to the experienced reality; change and improve internally. rights and the many dilemmas which 2) which can be seen in regimes that Moreover, he stated that he believes in surround them; including the double are good at rehearsing their human human rights but that “it’s also standards, the relationship between rights discourse, which is used as a important to address the social and democracy and human dignity, and smokescreen for systematic violations. political realities that undermine their what the Oslo Center is contributing Therefore, we have to move on from universality and critically assess our to this issue. the historical ties of human rights own discourse, we must relentlessly One intellectual continued his and place them in a contemporary breach the gap”. lecture by stating that, in general, over political and human experience He tackled democracy more the past 30 years democracies have context and become much more in-depth and stated that “it is the been on the rise, but as of recently worried about their universality”. consequence of the fundamental value they have seen a rapid decrease which He stated that, “human rights are that is human dignity”. He elaborated can be interpreted as a direct threat to seen to be only relevant and feasible on the previous statement and peace and stability. This is because in mature democracies where power described fragile States and weak according to him, lasting peace holders can be held accountable, democracies as having internal depends on real democracy and otherwise, they may only be seen as a conflicts characterised by political, human rights as well as the nature of theoretical construct and theme for ethnic, and religious divides as well as inclusive societies. International conferences”. Therefore, frail state policy. Moreover, weak With this in mind, presented two the lack of correspondence between States have coalition governments dimensions which are the key in Notwithstanding, building this international institutions and discourse and practices that is which are the result of political preserving democracy, peace, and framework is a challenge and it all cooperation is extremely important for present nowadays is what has led to a compromises which lack a common stability in future: depends on how local communities the overall well-being. moral and credibility crisis for political platform, and so, they often “1) Build up strong politically and other institutions are organised. Then, a politician, addressed on international human rights. To solve have short histories of political democratic institutions that are He stated that this issue was human rights and the many dilemmas this, he affirmed that a step in the cooperation and democratic sustainable and not dependent on one emphasised by the COVID crisis surrounding them and the disconnect right direction would be the governance. Thus, “it is extremely or few strong political leaders, and because it created a debate concerning in the international discourse. He improvement of effective assessment important to promote cooperation 2) create more inclusive societies national and international institutions stated that abuse of human rights, and credible tools for human rights because it may serve as a pre- where different groups are included and their responsibilities. This authoritarian and totalitarian regimes, and the prosecution of their violations condition or successful post-conflict and the civil society is strengthened”. concluded that strengthening of and encroachments of human dignity and violators. reconciliation”. A6 tuesday 20 july 2021 EDITORIAL

Ceylon Newspapers (Pvt) Ltd. No: 101, Rosmead Place, Colombo 07. Editorial Tel: 0117566522, 0117566526, 0117566527 Fax: 0117566545 Marketing Manager: 0117566550, 0117566551 Circulation Manager: 0117566580, 0117566581 E-mail : [email protected] Delta... Relocate Man, Not Elephant

A seemingly unique suggestion has been made to mitigate human-elephant conflict (HEC). The suggestion is to relocate villagers living in sparsely populated areas, subject to HEC, to urban settings. The study titled ‘HEC Management in Hurulu, Kaudulla and Kantale (HKK) Landscape in the Dry Zone of the Mahaweli River Basin’ dated October 2020, which made this recommendation, suggested that instead of pushing elephants into protected areas in HKK, it would be easier to relocate some of the sparsely populated human communities into urban areas where there are no elephants. HKK is an area subjected to HEC as recently as on Sunday, Police reported that two farmers aged 61 and 63 at Kahatagasdigiliya, Anuradhapura, an area that comes under HKK, were killed by a marauding wild elephant when they tried to drive it away from their chena. The farming communities are generally poor, especially in the study area. The profits that they make are very marginal, the report said. Meanwhile, the HKK study area completely falls within the elephant home range which accounts for 14 per cent The America of the total elephant range in Sri Lanka, the report said. Within this 5,289 square kilometres (km2) comprising the HKK study area, 673 km2 fall under protected area. This amounts to only 13 per cent of the study area which includes Somawathiya, Minneriya and Kaudulla National Parks, it said, where the largest annual gathering (‘The Gathering’) of Asian elephants happens from July to November, a tourist attraction, in which that Israel and industry a number of youth in the village are employed. Meanwhile, the report quoting the Wildlife Department said that in the year 2019, 122 humans were killed by wild elephants, while in the obverse, 406 wild elephants lost their lives. In 2011, a nationwide elephant survey conducted by the Wildlife Department found that there may be a minimum of 6,000 elephants in Sri Lanka, it added. Palestine Need In order to mitigate HEC, the DWC has erected nearly By Mohamed Elbaradei 4,000 kilometres of electric fence countrywide to separate the wild elephants from humans, their For many generations of Arab youth, properties and cultivation. Despite all this effort, HEC in mine included, studying and working in Sri Lanka is showing no decline, the report said. the United States was a coveted Sri Lanka has the highest density of Asian elephants opportunity to experience freedoms, per square km (0.15/km2) in Asia. possibilities, and the sense of However, the human density within the HKK is very egalitarianism that the American way of low, the study said. The Anuradhapura District (APD) of life embodied. It was a doubly enriching the HKK Complex has a very unusual elephant sex ratio experience for those of us raised in where it was 1.5:1 in favour of males. This indicates authoritarian or conservative societies. It heavy traffic of male elephants moving around between was thrilling to be able to think and act habitats through the APD of the HKK complex, the independently, without societal pressure. I report said. was excited to take home some of the Notably, out of 89 males, 23 are tuskers, which is 26 lessons I learned from a functioning per cent of the total male population. This high democracy, not least the vital role of proportion of tuskers in the Anuradhapura District is freedom of expression, the importance of unique when compared with only 11 per cent in the civil society, and the exceptional benefits whole country. Thus highest priority should be given in of empowering people. this regard for elephant conservation in the APD of the Of course, I was also aware of the US HKK, the study said. system’s failings, and in particular the Meanwhile, 87 per cent of the study area falls into the perpetuation of racism and inequality. I elephant range outside protected area. The 2011 remember the Jim Crow laws enforcing elephant survey conducted by the Wildlife Department racial segregation in the former recorded 1,213 elephants in the study area. This is Confederate States, and the assassination nearly one-fifth of the total island’s elephant population of Martin Luther King, Jr., who articulated as a result of US-led wars in the Middle around in an attempt to prevent further in 5,289 km2 area which, however is only 14 per cent of African-Americans’ dreams of equality and East, and hit rock bottom with President violence in Gaza, without making any the elephant range, vis-à-vis their totality of the range, human decency. But I was hopeful that Donald Trump’s Muslim travel ban and his effort to address its root causes. There is countrywide. This gives a crude density of 0.23 America’s democratic system had the tools “Deal of the Century” to secure peace in increasing fervour in the Arab and Muslim elephants/km2 in the study area, higher than the it needs for self-correction. I remain so, the region – an offering to the Palestinians world for militancy against Israel’s national average of 0.15/km2. based on the major transformations in that deepened mistrust by being far worse occupation, and extremism is on the rise. In the last couple of years there were suggestions values, laws, and mindsets that I than any that had come before. As I think of all this, and of the 67 children made to push/drive the existing elephants into the witnessed. The latest outbreak of Israeli-Palestinian who lost their lives in the most recent nearby protected areas and enclose them with electric What shocked me most was how the US, violence again brought to the surface the violence, I cannot help but feel almost fences. If this is the case in HKK, then nearly 1,300 a country that prides itself on its love of deep-seated sense of humiliation and rage overcome with despair. elephants will have to be pushed into an area of 1378.5 freedom and justice, could all too often harboured not only by Palestinians in the But I still sense a glimmer of hope, and a km2. This will end up in a crude density of almost one pursue a hegemonic and repressive foreign occupied territories, but also among Israeli widespread acknowledgment that a return elephant per km2 which will be five times higher than policy, from its appalling wars in Vietnam Arabs and across the Arab and Muslim to the status quo ante and the hellish cycle estimated elephant population density in the early 19th and Iraq to its support of ruthless world. For the first time in a long time, of violence is not viable. I also sense the Century, the report warned. dictators. Regardless of its cause, the there was overwhelming popular support beginning of some soul-searching inside The Anuradhapura District which includes disconnect between America’s self-image around the world – especially among Israel, among the Palestinians, and across Kahatagasdigiliya has a land extension of 2029.3 km2 in and its foreign policy fuelled a confused young people – for Palestinian rights. the Arab world to find new ways forward the HKK Complex. HKK has a comparatively lower perception of the country in the Arab world It was widely hoped that US President based on coexistence and mutual human density and high elephant density. The HKK is and elsewhere. Joe Biden’s administration would make acceptance. the home for two world famous National Parks, the While many young Arabs wanted to the promotion of democracy and human I have worked closely with Israelis and Kaudulla and Minneriya national parks and where the become US citizens, almost all of them rights central to its foreign policy. But this Palestinians, and have seen how all sides world’s largest Asian elephant gathering takes place, the loathed US foreign policy. hope quickly dissipated when the US grossly mismanaged the Middle East report said Arabs and Muslims saw the Israeli- Government simply repeated the familiar conflict for decades. Nonetheless, I still It is the electric fence that can be used effectively to Palestinian conflict as Exhibit A in the mantra that “Israel has the right to defend hope that the US will seize this mitigate HEC if the fences are properly built and case against America. They found it itself” without mentioning the elephant in opportunity and put its weight behind maintained, it said. People/villagers must believe in difficult to grasp why a sense of empathy the room: Israel’s crawling expansion of applying the rule of law that America holds electric fences. In fact, they admit that it is the electric for the Jewish people – which was fully settlements in occupied Palestinian sacred – and whose cardinal importance I fence that can be used effectively to mitigate HEC, the justified, given the horrible atrocities territory, its policy of discrimination, and learned as a student at New York study said. committed against them – should its denial of the Palestinians’ right to an University School of Law – equally to In general, people living in the HKK area were not somehow translate into injustice against independent State. On a personal level, Palestinians and Israelis. satisfied with the function of the electric fence, it added. the Palestinians. This US bias in favour of this was profoundly disheartening. Over A more even-handed US approach would Meanwhile, relocating villagers, even though they may Israel has become, over time, a matter of five decades, I have seen how the US help the Palestinians, Israel, the region, be sparse, may be a politically painful exercise. But consensus in American politics; for many approach to upholding Palestinians’ rights and the world. If Biden can manage the considering the fact that it’s in the HKK area that the lawmakers, support for Israel is has become almost apologetic. Today, I necessary shift in US foreign policy, then famous ‘Elephant Gathering’ takes place during this synonymous with the fight against anti- contemplate in disbelief how the Jewish America truly will be back. time of the year and where a number of villagers live off Semitism. people, who suffered so much for so long, (Mohamed ElBaradei, Director both domestic and foreign tourism, the Government of Even more dangerous was the conflict’s are capable of inflicting on another people General Emeritus of the International Sri Lanka will have to take a decisive decision in this religious dimension, which added to a some of the same atrocities previously Atomic Energy Agency, is a Nobel Peace regard. creeping schism between the Muslim and committed against them. Prize Laureate). Western worlds. Relations soured further Meanwhile, the US is throwing money (Courtesy-www.project-syndicate.org) COLUMN TUESDAY 20 JULY 2021 A7 Inching Towards an X’ian Party? were cheating the world and cheating the community that justifiably feels communities in the Tamils, Muslims themselves. victimised, and that successive and Upcountry Tamils with near- The way the Catholic Church is going Instead, the reality of statecraft is Governments have not addressed their similar complaints for long. about with their own follow-up on the much different from the preaching of a call for Justice. Lesser blame, they When they levelled similar ‘Easter blasts’ investigations and religious order. One cannot do justice to should apportion, at least at this stage complaints against the Sri Lankan prosecution, there may be something your subjects, both under the divine on the incumbent dispensation – as State, the Sinhala Church especially for the Tamil and Muslim victims of law and also all the man-made rules of much of its time and energy were taken was looking the other way, all along. physical assaults on the respective ruling, if he were to let dacoits loot his in by the unanticipated and But the Tamil-speaking Catholics, communities to learn from. In a way, subjects, rapists indulge in their unprecedented havoc caused by COVID who dominated the denomination in the National Catholic Committee (NCC), obsessions and ruffians rule the pandemic. the North and the East, and also such under Malcom Cardinal Ranjith, has streets. The same cannot be said of the other Christian denominations, stood gone one up on the Presidential Until the British colonial masters predecessor regime, yes. But then, you away and aside of their Tamil- Commission of Inquiry (PCoI), brought all parts of the island under do not expect the President and Prime speaking Hindu brethren. Rather, it appointed by then incumbent, the Union Jack, there were separate Minister of the day to quit their elected was an ethnic issue, not a religious Maithripala Sirisena, by finding fault kingdoms, which fought with one offices and hand themselves over to the issue. It remain so, when it is about with the work of the PCoI on specifics, another – at times taking the help of Police, to be arrested. Yes, the PCoI the Tamil concerns since even while endorsing its findings neighbours and distant rulers alike. Report became available only after they Independence. otherwise. They all violated the words of Buddha’s had left office, but then even at the If you add all three minority The NCC has since shot off a 20-page words of love and kindness. time, both the Church and the rest had communities and now add the missive to President Gotabaya In the Tamil kingdoms, their rulers begun finger-pointing in their case. Sinhala Christians, there are about Rajapaksa, signed by the good Cardinal too did precisely that, not that their Yet, none of it means that the Sri 60 MPs in a total of 225. That is not a and a host of other Catholic Bishops, gods asked men to kill others. The Lankan State could initiate criminal small number in an Election mostly from the ‘southern’ Sinhala belt. Dutch, French and the British rulers, proceedings against either, again at this uninfluenced by electoral events of They have asked why no action has all swearing by the Book, carried the stage of judicial processes. The courts the Easter blast kind. been taken against President Sirisena, ‘Sword’, too, in the other hand. have recently commenced hearing in It’s more than the number of Tamil- who was named by the PCoI. They have Today, with a series of messages near-similar cases of culpable speaking MPs cutting across party also asked why action could not be since the ‘Easter blasts’ in 2019, the responsibility viz then Defence Minister and ethnic lines, when then President initiated against then Prime Minister Catholic community leadership in the Hemasiri Fernando and then Inspector- Mahinda Rajapaksa was reportedly Ranil Wickremesinghe, under relevant country seems to be crossing the General of Police (IGP) Pujith considering the late Jeyaraj provisions of law. Rubicon, slowly but surely from one Jayasundara. Fernandopulle for prime minister. He In short, the Church does not want world of theology to the world of It may or may not be the was a Tamil, so to say, and the anyone even remotely associated with statecraft. One is humane, the other is Government’s intention, but it is not rumours were enough for the LTTE to the perpetrators of the act, or anyone in human. That seems to be the only unlikely that it may want to wait until assassinate him lest there could have authority whose actions and/or difference. after the judicial processes had been been a challenge to Prabhakaran’s inactions could have facilitated the Going by the past pronouncements of completed in the case of these true, to hegemony. Or, so it seems from this blast. This is a part of the post-War the Church and the Cardinal, they see if any such criminal case would distance in time. western concept of ‘closure’ based on seem to be deliberating about the stick on the other two, who are political Going by available figures, there are ‘transitional justice’ or whatever. future course, too much and too masters, with a relatively better mass- 165 Sinhala-Buddhist MPs, 20 The two Great Wars of the previous frequently, that they may be the only base. Muslims, 16 Christians and a century, especially the Second World repository in the country, of all If nothing else, a section of the polity combination of 24 Hindus, comprising Malcom Cardinal Ranjith War, taught the Christian West when, available information and analyses of and civil society nearer home and the Sri Lankan Tamils and Upcountry where and how to cross the invisible the post-blast probes and their international community elsewhere Tamils, taking the total to the existing line drawn by Jesus, in the name of directions. Their deliberations, it would would cry ‘Foul’ if in particular the Parliament’s strength of 225. The Love. In all such cases, the fable of seem, have been leading them to take incumbent Rajapaksa leadership were minority MPs in terms of ethnicity Christ asking to show the left cheek if one deliberate step after another. to initiate criminal proceedings thus add up to 60. In a normal hit on the right cheek has remained a Thus far, all such deliberate and Instead, the against the Sirisena-Wickremesinghe election year, if the majority Sinhala fabulous fable. deliberated steps have stopped with the duo. The fact that the Nation has voters were to split, the ‘minorities’, The good Cardinal, his Bishops – and issuance of one statement after reality of consumed them to the electoral Sinhala-speaking and Tamil-speaking by extension, the community that they another, one media event after another, dustbin since then should be an could decide the victor. This may not shepherd – want the ‘Sinhala-Buddhist’ for all of the nation to see and hear. statecraft is eyeopener. be so for the presidential polls – but Sri Lanka to practise that. Before him, This time round, Cardinal Ranjith has much different This is how culpability of the could still be a possibility. the West as nation-States has been told President Gotabaya that the political class has been judged in Through the past decades of ethnic pressing the Sri Lankan counterpart to Government would have to ‘face the from the most cases of this kind – which are war and violence, the Tamil-speaking do it in the case of ‘Tamil victims’ of the consequences’ if justice was not done to unlike anything like corruption and Christians have all along identified separatist war against the LTTE, and the victims of ‘Easter blast’. preaching of a nepotism. It is also not unlikely that a with their ethnicity and not religion. It more recently, against the Sinhala- Sure enough, the Cardinal’s justice is case can be made out in this way has been so with the Sinhala Buddhist perpetrators of the nation’s not the Justice that awaits all humans religious order. unless new laws are passed and new Christians, too. They have remained Muslim community, in the post-war in the other world – to whichever faith judicial mandates given. This is what more Sinhalese and less Christians. era, especially. and religion they belong to while born One cannot do the international community has been In fact, Cardinal Ranjith’s writ does They may have a point. Since at least on earth. Instead, his demand, and that justice to your demanding for ‘war crimes probe’. not run in the Tamil-speaking areas the Independence, this Land of of his fellow-Christians is for justice of Political means, and the ‘Tamil churches’, so to say. Buddha, who preached universal peace the human, less humane kind, so to subjects, both Imagine a future and futuristic and harmony, love and forgiveness, has say. electoral process alliance where these communities are been practising everything other than From that kind of justice, they do not under the divine able to come together first within these stellar qualities in men and their want anyone excluded. In the land of What does it all mean for the themselves and then with one another rulers. The last such ruler was born in the good Lord, Justice is rendered law and also all ‘threat’, if any, that the Church has – and create a ‘national minority front’ the battlefield of Kalinga in differently. Or, so do gospels of every held out at the Government of some kind. A Sinhala challenger to neighbouring India. religion tell us. That’s what makes the the man-made leadership? It needs to be measured the ‘Sinhala throne’ would need to get Emperor Ashoka sent his message of difference between Man and God. That rules of ruling, if in political terms, to be executed only 55 MPs on his own – but then he Peace, Buddhism and Peace through difference still remains. through the electoral process. One could well be a ‘minority within a Buddhism, to the country, and he was Inevitable future he were to let could be the existing Government and minority’. For such calculations to the last such ruler anywhere to follow the ingrained polity forcing the hand commence, the Sinhala-speaking the Buddha’s diktat. His choice of In this hoary and holy background, dacoits loot his of these men of god to enter politics, Christians have to form a political sending his own son Mahinda there is the inevitable ‘what if’ question directly or indirectly, and hold out grouping of whatever kind. If that is (Mahendra) and daughter Sangamitta about the Catholic Church’s caution to subjects, rapists their threat by floating a political the message on the ‘consequences’ (Sangamitra) for taking Buddhism to the Government that it would have to party, of the Christian community, by from the Church, that is saying a lot, Lanka might not have had anything to ‘face the consequences’ if it did not act indulge in their the Christian community, for the yet not saying anything! do with his love towards this land. But on their 20-page letter or, otherwise Christian community! (The writer is Distinguished it had everything to do with his love for ensure justice for the innocent blast obsessions and At last count there are 16 Members Fellow and Head-Chennai Buddha’s preaching. victims. They had no reason to die other ruffians rule the of Parliament belonging to the Initiative, Observer Research None of it meant that any ruler in the than they were at the wrong place at Christian community. If the Foundation, the multi-disciplinary country, even in the days of the wrong time on a right day. Easter is streets community’s grouse is about the Indian public-policy think-tank, Sangamitta, followed the good words of the day of Christian Redemption, and State meting out justice for the Easter headquartered in New Delhi. the Lord. Nor has anyone since followed yet, it happened…. blast, there are email: sathiyam54@ in Ashoka’s footsteps. It’s not that they Multiple options are available before other minority nsathiyamoorthy.com) Strait-Jacket – Crawford as an axe murderess Robert Bloch scripted this horror film man, Michael Fields, but his respectable for Joan Crawford by updating the Lizzy parents are against the marriage Borden story and letting her do her self- because of Joan’s incarceration. parody thing in the style of a 1940s film While schlock director Soon after Joan’s arrival axe murders actress. start happening, as Joan starts While schlock director William Castle William Castle calms hallucinating again thinking she’s losing calms down from his trademark her mind. This falsely leads the viewer to gimmicky approach but still uses some down from his believe Joan is at it again. It all leads to of his usual cheap tricks in advertising: trademark gimmicky a surprise ending. Not a good film, but viewers of the film’s original run were Joan goes onto acquit herself well and given small cardboard axes as souvenirs. approach but still uses plays up her situation in a pleasing The previews for this film used the line some of his usual cheap campy way. This film is strictly for Joan “Just keep saying to yourself it’s only a Crawford fans. movie, it’s only a movie.” Joan is Lucy tricks in advertising: The story was campy than scary or Harbin. She was sent to the asylum for intense, and too derivative of Psycho and 20 years after axing her husband and viewers of the film’s Whatever Happened to Baby Jane to be his mistress to pieces in her bed in a original run were given really fresh. George Kennedy is good in a moment of passion, as her 3-year-old supporting role as a deranged hired daughter witnessed the incident. small cardboard axes hand whose attempt at blackmail takes When released she comes to live on her as souvenirs a fatal turn. The film’s best scene has brother’s farm with her now grownup Joan dreaming of the dismembered daughter Carol (Diane Baker). The heads of her husband. daughter is anxious to wed a nice young (JK) A8 tuesday 20 july 2021 Asia Foreign Missions in Afghanistan Call for Taliban Ceasefire

Fifteen diplomatic missions and the Clashes were going on there on NATO representative in Afghanistan Monday. urged the Taliban on Monday to halt Reuters could not independently their military offensives just hours verify the information provided by the after the rival Afghan sides failed to military. agree on a ceasefire at a peace meeting President Ashraf Ghani on Monday in Doha. visited the provincial capital of Herat A delegation of Afghan leaders met Province in the west. The Taliban have the Taliban’s political leadership in the captured all 17 of the province’s Qatari capital over the weekend but districts in recent days, barring the the Taliban, said in a statement late on capital, Herat city, which is under Sunday (18), made no mention of a siege. halt to Afghanistan’s escalating In Doha, political leaders and the violence. Taliban discussed a political “This Eid al-Adha, the Taliban settlement to end the conflict, the should lay down their weapons for Chairman of a council for peace, good and show the world their Abdullah Abdullah, who took part in commitment to the peace process,” the the talks, said on Monday. 15 missions and the NATO “We agreed to continue the talks, representative said, referring to seek a political settlement to the Tuesday’s Muslim holiday in current crisis, avoid civilian casualties, Afghanistan. facilitate humanitarian assistance and The statement was supported by medical supplies to tackle COVID-19 Australia, Canada, the Czech pandemic,” he said on Twitter. Republic, Denmark, the European In a statement late on Sunday, the Union delegation, Finland, France, Taliban said: “Both sides agreed upon Germany, Italy, Japan, Korea, the the need for expedition in the peace Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Britain talks, in order to find a fair and and the United States and NATO’s permanent solution for the current senior civilian representative. issue in Afghanistan as soon as Over recent Eid holidays, the Taliban possible.” have called short ceasefires, saying Peace talks between the Taliban and they wanted to let Afghans spend them prominent Afghans from the in peace. Government side - the militants have This time there has been no such refused to recognise or talk to the U.S.- Humvees that belong to Afghan Special Forces are seen destroyed during heavy clashes with Taliban fighters during the rescue mis- announcement as the Taliban make sion of a police officer besieged at a checkpoint in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, 13 July 2021. (Reuters) backed Government - started in swift territorial gains in near- September last year but have failed to unprecedented levels of fighting make any progress. nationwide as U.S.-led foreign forces outlets in areas recently captured by Kabul, after heavy clashes with wrest Dara-e-Sof Bala District back The Taliban’s spokesman in Doha, complete their withdrawal after 20 the Taliban. The militants have Government forces the previous night. from insurgents, the military in the Mohammed Naeem, denied Media years of fighting. previously denied such actions. Provincial officials confirmed the area said, adding that 24 Taliban reports that the insurgent group had Monday’s (19) statement also The Taliban said on Monday they Taliban advance. fighters, including a shadow district agreed to an Eid ceasefire in exchange condemned rights violations, such as had captured the Dehrawood District In the Northern Province of governor and two commanders, had for the release of its prisoners. efforts to shut schools and Media in Uruzgan Province, southwest of Samangan, security forces managed to been killed. (Reuters)

Shanghai, China Jakarta, Indonesia Two dams in Inner Trust in President’s handling of Mongolia collapse after pandemic falls - Survey

Trust in Indonesian President said Djayadi Hanan, LSI’s to control the outbreak. torrential rain Joko Widodo’s ability to handle the executive director, adding trust in Elina Ciptadi, a risk pandemic has fallen sharply the government was important to communications specialist, said to Two dams in China’s northwestern to worries about climate change. among the public, a survey enforce programmes such as win back trust the president region of Inner Mongolia have Hulunbuir’s city Government said showed, as authorities struggle to vaccinations and movement curbs. should take on a direct role in collapsed after torrential rain, the on its WeChat account that 16,660 contain a wave of coronavirus The findings of the survey, which communications to ensure Water Ministry said on Monday (19), people have been affected, with infections that has pushed covered 1,200 respondents, uniform and fact-based highlighting the safety risks posed by 326,622 mu (53,807 acres) of hospitals to breaking point. showed overall trust in the messaging. ageing infrastructure during the farmland submerged. Bridges and Fuelled by the spread of the president’s response still “If government officials all say summer flood season. other transport infrastructure had more virulent Delta variant, outweighed distrust with 22.6 per it’s under control, but facts on the The dams, in the Inner Mongolian also been destroyed. Indonesia has reported more new cent not trusting his actions and ground are that hospitals are city of Hulunbuir, collapsed on Footage posted on Chinese social COVID-19 cases than any country 32 per cent neutral. overloaded and people get turned Sunday (18) afternoon. They had media showed one of the dams being in the world, according to the Asked for comment on the down, they lose credibility,” she formed reservoirs with a combined completely swept away by the water, latest seven-day average from a survey, a spokesperson for the said. water storage capacity of 46 million inundating nearby fields. Reuters data tracker. It was President said he has not studied Indonesia imposed its strictest cubic metres, the Ministry of Water China has more than 98,000 second only to Brazil in terms of the poll. measures to contain the virus on 3 Resources said. reservoirs used to regulate floods, the number of deaths. The Government has faced July and the Government is People living downstream were generate power and facilitate The opinion poll by The criticism in some Media of its considering whether to extend evacuated, with no casualties shipping. More than 80 per cent of Indonesian Survey Institute (LSI), handling of the pandemic with the them when they expire on Tuesday reported, it said. them are four decades old or older, which was conducted in late June Jakarta Post running an editorial (20). The ministry said that on average, and some pose a safety risk, the before the worst of the current on 3 July entitled ‘They did not Authorities have also called on 87 mm of rain fell in Hulunbuir over government has acknowledged. outbreak, showed trust that the have to die’, blaming a delay in people in the world’s largest the weekend and as much as 223 mm A lack of financial resources means president can handle the bringing in restrictions for Muslim-majority country not to at the Morin Dawa monitoring that nearly a third of the total pandemic fell to 43 per cent unnecessary deaths. gather in crowds to celebrate the station. number have not had mandatory compared with 56.5 per cent in a Meanwhile, the publication Eid-Al-Adha festival on Tuesday, Extreme weather has hit several safety appraisals completed, Wei poll in February. Tempo in an editorial on Monday when Muslims slaughter animals parts of the world in recent weeks Shanzhong, deputy Water Resources “Trust in the president’s ability (19) said a denial of the gravity of and share the meat among family with flooding in Europe and Minister, told a briefing this year. to overcome the pandemic declined the situation had prevented and the poor. heatwaves in North America, adding (Reuters) steeply in the past four months,” officials from taking the decisions (Reuters)

Singapore Tokyo, Japan Singapore advises unvaccinated people ‘Plague of oysters’ threaten to stay home as cases rise key Olympic venue

Singapore’s Health Ministry on Sunday (18) ‘strongly’ advised unvaccinated individuals, especially the elderly, to stay home as much as possible over the next few weeks, citing heightened concerns about the risk of community spread of COVID-19. The country reported 88 new locally- transmitted coronavirus cases on Sunday, the highest daily toll since August last year, driven by growing clusters of infections linked to karaoke The Sea Forest Waterway has a weighty and expensive problem. (BBC) bars and a fishery port. Though Singapore’s daily cases are Officials in Tokyo are nervously back across the water and on to only a fraction of the number being eyeing the waters at a major the athletes. reported among its Southeast Asian People who had visited a mall which became a COVID-19 cluster, queue up for their Olympic venue where an unwanted The oysters were discovered neighbours, the jump in infections is a swab tests in Singapore, 20 May 2021. (Reuters) visitor has cost USD 1.28 million in when puzzled officials began setback for the Asian business hub, might continue to spread within our of the elderly vaccinated, as those emergency repairs. investigating why the floats had which has successfully contained its community. The porous nature of wet above 70 years of age have the lowest The Sea Forest Waterway in started sinking. earlier outbreaks. On 10 July, it had markets makes contact tracing and take-up rates at about 71 per cent. Tokyo Bay which will host the Solving the problem has been a reported no new cases. isolation less straightforward,” the The rising cases prompted the City- canoeing and rowing events was huge and time consuming task. As a precaution, authorities on Health Ministry said in a statement State to tighten some restrictions on ready ahead of schedule. Equipment laid over a span of Sunday shut fresh fish and seafood late on Sunday. social gatherings from Monday just a But the one thing no-one 5.6 km (3.4 miles) either had to be stalls in markets across the City-State About 73 per cent of Singapore’s 5.7 week after easing them. However, it counted on was oysters. dragged ashore and repaired, or as it tested fishmongers for COVID-19. million population has received the has more lenient rules for those who Massive numbers of them had cleaned in place by teams of divers. “We are concerned that there remain first dose of a COVID-10 vaccine, but have been vaccinated. attached themselves to floats In total, they removed 14 tonnes of cryptic transmission chains which the government is pushing to get more (Reuters) intended to stop waves bouncing oysters. (BBC) WORLD TUESDAY 20 JULY 2021 A9

Paris, France Oil producing Pegasus: Spyware sold to Governments nations agree deal ‘targets activists’ Rights activists, journalists and Android devices to enable operators lawyers around the world have been to extract messages, photos and targeted with phone malware sold to emails, record calls and secretly to control prices authoritarian governments by an activate microphones. Israeli surveillance firm, Media Forensic tests on a few phones reports say. They are on a list of up with numbers on the list indicated to 50,000 phone numbers of people more than half had traces of the believed to be of interest to clients of spyware. the company, NSO, leaked to major Some 180 journalists are said to news outlets. be on the list, from organisations It is not clear where the list came such as Agence France-Presse, CNN, from - or whose phones had actually the New York Times, Al Jazeera and been hacked. many other news outlets. NSO denies any wrongdoing. They also include two women close It says the software is intended for to the murdered Saudi journalist use against criminals and terrorists Jamal Khashoggi and a Mexican and is made available only to journalist named Cecilio Pineda military, law enforcement and Birto, who was murdered at a intelligence agencies from countries carwash. with good human rights records. The wider list also includes Heads In a statement, it said the original of State and Government, members investigation which led to the of Arab royal families and business reports, by Paris-based NGO executives. Forbidden Stories and the human More details about who has been rights group Amnesty International, targeted are expected to be released was ‘full of wrong assumptions and in the coming days. uncorroborated theories’. WhatsApp sued NSO in 2019, The allegations about use of the alleging the company was behind software, known as Pegasus, were cyber-attacks on 1,400 mobile carried on Sunday (18) by the phones involving Pegasus. Washington Post, the Guardian, Le At the time, NSO denied any Monde and 14 other Media wrongdoing, but the company has Oil producing nations have agreed to countries and threatening to put the Higher output quotas have also been organisations around the world. been banned from using WhatsApp. increase their output, with the aim of brakes on the global recovery. agreed for several members from May Pegasus infects iPhones and (BBC) reducing prices and easing pressure on Oil producers have been seeking to 2022, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, the world economy. ease the cuts, but a row between Saudi Russia, Kuwait and Iraq. The OPEC cartel and partners such Arabia and the United Arab Emirates The cartel said it would phase out by as Russia will boost supply from August threatened to derail the plans earlier in September 2022 oil production cuts after prices climbed to two-and-half- July. that were brought in last year. year highs during the pandemic. Abu Dhabi had blocked a proposal by Russian Deputy Prime Minister The move should have an impact on Riyadh and Moscow to extend output Alexander Novak told public television petrol prices at the pump, which have curbs to 2022 after they rejected its channel Rossia 24 that the members also rocketed. demand to produce more oil. had been ‘constructive’ and found The price of Brent crude oil is up 43 The unusually public dispute between ‘consensus’. per cent this year to almost USD 74 a the close allies had raised fears about "The pandemic is not yet overcome, barrel. Last year, OPEC and its partners the stability of the ‘OPEC +’ cartel, but we are seeing that thanks to cut production by a record 10 million which controls more than 50 per cent of vaccination all over the world, demand barrels per day (bpd) amid a pandemic- the world's oil supplies. for our production is recovering as is the induced slump in demand and Under the new deal, OPEC and use of cars and air planes," he said. collapsing prices. partners have agreed to increase supply "It is therefore very important for us to However, this year the price of oil has by a further two million barrels per day fulfil our responsibilities and allow a surged as economies have reopened, from August until December 2021 to recovery of the world economy." contributing to rising inflation in some help stabilise the market. (BBC)

Brasilia, Brazil Nairobi, Kenya Bolsonaro leaves hospital after Fuel tanker treatment for blocked intestine explodes killing Brazilian President Jair response to the COVID-19 at least 13 Bolsonaro has been released pandemic. from hospital four days after After two-and-a-half years of At least 13 people were A lorry carrying milk being admitted with serious a controversial presidency, killed when a petrol travelling in the opposite intestine problems. Bolsonaro is under growing tanker overturned and direction had collided Bolsonaro, 66, had been pressure over his handling of caught fire in western with the petrol tanker. suffering persistent hiccups for the pandemic. Kenya at the weekend. Witnesses said several 10 days. At the beginning of the The truck collided with motorcycles were found There have been concerns month, tens of thousands of another vehicle on a smouldering close to the about the far-right leader's people took to the streets to highway between Kisumu crash site. health since he was stabbed in protest over the corruption and Busia late on One of the injured, the intestines while allegations. Saturday (17). Witnesses Wycliffe Otieno, told AFP campaigning in 2018. The Brazilian Leader has described the crash scene news agency how he and Bolsonaro was seriously been heavily criticised for the as a "huge fireball". others had arrived with wounded in the attack and lost lack of a national response to People had rushed to jerrycans when the 40 per cent of his blood. He has the crisis and his scepticism the scene with jerrycans spilled fuel around him had several operations since. toward vaccines, lockdowns to siphon off fuel from the ignited. After treatment for an and mask-wearing. overturned tanker before "I was able to run to The President promised to be back at work on Monday (BBC) obstruction to the intestine, Last month, COVID deaths it exploded. safety. I just don't know which did not need surgery, he "I wanted to leave from day his former Health Minister over surpassed 500,000 - the A local Police Chief said how lucky I was, because promised to be back at his one, but they didn't let me. I negotiations to purchase second-highest in the world 24 people were in hospital I have been told the office on Monday (19) morning. hope in 10 days I'll be eating overpriced coronavirus after the U.S. with serious burns and people we were with did "Only God can remove me barbecued ribs, eating vaccines. Bolsonaro himself caught said children were among not survive," Otieno said from that chair," Bolsonaro anything," he added. The allegations are part of a COVID-19 a year ago but has the injured. from his hospital bed. said upon leaving hospital, in He also rejected recent major congressional inquiry fully recovered. Investigators are still Footage posted on social reference to the Presidency. corruption accusations against into the Brazilian government's (BBC) searching the scene and media showed the fiery warned the death toll wreckage lighting up the could rise. local sky as survivors "We will require a stood nearby.Road proper examination to accidents are not Cairo, Egypt determine if there were unusual in the East people burnt completely Africa nation, where at the scene, where bones lorries and other vehicles Notable activist released from prison were found," Chief often speed along single Charles Chacha said. carriage highways - some Esraa Abdel Fattah, one of the crackdown on dissent. It took two hours for unlit at night, says the most prominent faces of the 2011 He has been in power since firefighters to reach the BBC's Mercy Juma in revolution in Egypt, has been leading the military's overthrow scene, near the town of Nairobi. released from jail. in 2013 of Egypt's first Malanga, about 320 km About 3,000 people die The 43-year-old activist and democratically elected President, north-west of the capital, in road collisions in journalist had spent almost two Mohammed Morsi. Nairobi. Kenya each year. (BBC) years in detention after being Abdel Fattah claimed she had arrested in October 2019. been tortured by Security Forces She had been charged with while in custody and went on a ‘spreading false news’ and hunger strike in protest. collaborating with a terrorist Her arrest and alleged group. treatment attracted international Her lawyer confirmed on condemnation. Sunday (18) that Abdel Fattah A number of other prominent was out of prison, hours after the journalists and opposition surprise decision to release her. figures, including activist Gamal Esraa Abdel Fattah has a long Esraa Abdel Fattah became known as “Facebook Girl” for her online el-Gamal and Abdel Nasser videos (BBC) history of activism and played a Ismail - leader of the Popular prominent role in the 2011 government demonstrations, pre-trial detention since being Alliance party - were also freed protests which helped topple the earning her the nickname taken into custody amid a wave this weekend. decades-long rule of the regime of "Facebook Girl". She was later of arrests back in 2019. However the releases come Hosni Mubarak. nominated for the Nobel Peace Egypt's current leader, days after U.S. officials voiced She was one of the first Prize and named a Woman of the President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi, fresh concerns after another Officials warned the death toll Egyptian activists to use social Year by Glamour magazine. has overseen what human rights prominent activist was indicted from the crash could rise (BBC) media to help organise anti- Abdel Fattah had been in groups say is an unprecedented in Egypt. (BBC) B10 tuesday 20 july 2021

To Extend Urgently-Needed Relief to Industry Stakeholders SLTDA to Request Debt and Interest Waivers from CBSL The Sri Lanka Tourism tourism establishments registered lease rentals was obtained; recognised that there were many Development Authority (SLTDA), with the SLTDA until 31 December provisional registration to support unregistered guides who were not yesterday (19), stated that they 2021 with the hope that it will informal sector was structured; able to garner the support have decided to request the decrease the burden facing loan and refinancing schemes to extended during a time of crisis, Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) tourism establishments presently. the value of Rs150 billion for hence, steps were taken to register to write-off outstanding debts or The validity of Tourist Guides affected industries which included Provincial Guides and grant them interest waivers in order to sustain licences has also been extended tourism was provided and a a one-off payment of Rs 15,000. stakeholders who would otherwise until later on this year. Memorandum of Understanding Further, Provincial licences were have to shut down operations in When the borders initially with the Vocational Training issued to the accommodation the absence of tourists. opened in January 2021, in order Authority (VTA) to provide island- providers for the first time. “With the third wave of the to ensure both large and small wide training for Tourist Drivers Sri Lanka Tourism will Monday Markets pandemic severely affecting the tourism establishments and was facilitated. The authorities continue to assist all industry, tourism authorities have stakeholders are supported, Sri additionally provided the stakeholders who have been requested new relief from the Lanka Tourism introduced the opportunity to convert existing gravely affected by the onset of CSE starts week Green CBSL in addition to the extended Safe and Secure certification in accommodations to Safe and the pandemic, by liaising with debt moratorium from banks and adherence to health protocols after Secure Level 1 and Level 2 hotels relevant line agencies, while finance companies, as well as an audit by KPMG and Ernst and and intermediary care centres continuing to explore new ASPI hits new concessionary working capital Young. while the liquor licence fee was markets and promotional which was arranged for the This certification which was waived for 2021. channels to attract the ‘new 5 ½-month high industry in 2020/2021,” the offered as a complimentary service With the outbreak of the normal’ traveller to ensure the SLTDA stated in a Media release. to the industry has helped even pandemic in 2020, Sri Lanka revival and sustainability of the By Mario Andree It also stated that with the smaller establishments and travel Tourism took the initiative to industry.Concurrently, the tourism sector being one of the guides benefit from tourism expand the support provided to tourism authorities are taking Despite showing some negativity on the most severely impacted industries activities conducted under the bio- stakeholders previously measures to ensure that all previous day, the Colombo Stock Exchange in Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka Tourism bubble concept. overlooked, and reached out to tourism industry employees are (CSE) started the new week on a high note has continued to support the Further, the authorities secured Tour Guides, including National vaccinated by October as part of as the benchmark index gained on a higher industry stakeholders through a VAT exemption for the tourism Guides, Chauffer Guides, Area the concentrated and systemic turnover to record a new five-and-a-half- host of measures to help tide over industry by lobbying for tourism to Guides and Site Guides, trained vaccination drive carried out by month high on Monday (19) despite the crisis. be classified as an export and registered with the SLTDA and the Government, the Sri Lanka continue foreign exits from the Colombo In its latest initiative, the industry;12-month instalment provided relief totalling Rs40.52 Tourism Development Authority Bourse. tourism authorities have extended facility for utility payments and million. Additionally, as COVID-19 statement said. The benchmark All Share Price Index the validity period of licences of all six-month grace period for vehicle support; Sri Lanka Tourism (IG) (ASPI), which started the day at 7,966.95 points, rose to 8012.16 points during the opening hour but latter crashed to 7,970.62 points during mid-day. The index peaked to 8033.43 during the latter part of the day before settling at 8,022.55 points, Moody’s places Sri Lanka’s Caa1 rating JAT gaining 55.60 points (0.70 per cent) compared to the previous day’s close. This is the highest index value since 8 February under review for Downgrade Holdings’ this year. Moody’s Investors Service payment risks. Extremely weak takes into consideration the high Expolanka Holdings, LOLC Holdings, (‘Moody’s’) yesterday placed the debt affordability – with interest level of external indebtedness and Browns Investment, John Keells Holdings Government of Sri Lanka’s Caa1 payments absorbing a very large the risk of transfer and IPO opens and Vallibel One pushed the index up, foreign currency long-term issuer share of the government’s very convertibility restrictions being while LOLC Development Finance, Nestle and senior unsecured debt narrow revenue base – imposed given low foreign today Lanka, Carson Cumberbatch, Distilleries ratings under review for compounds the debt repayment exchange reserves adequacy, with Company and Cargills (Ceylon) dragged the downgrade. challenge. some capital flow management JAT Holdings, Sri Lanka’s index. The decision to place the The rating review will focus on measures already imposed. These trusted industry leader in The more liquid S&P SL20, which started ratings under review for assessing whether the sovereign ceilings typically act as a cap on finishing and furnishing, will the day at 3,030.27 points, also showed downgrade is driven by Moody’s is able to use a period of time the ratings that can be assigned commence its highly awaited some volatile movement during the day. assessment that Sri Lanka’s provided by its current foreign to the obligations of other entities Initial Public Offering today. This The index peaked to 3,084.29 points during increasingly fragile external exchange reserves and bilateral domiciled in the country. action will enable the public with the latter part of the day before settling at liquidity position raises the risk arrangements to implement Sri Lanka’s low and declining the timely opportunity to make a 3,081.94 points, gaining 51.67 points (1.71 of default. This assessment measures that widen and foreign exchange reserves secure and highly lucrative per cent) compared to the previous day’s reflects governance weaknesses increase its financing sources for adequacy, limited and narrowing investment in JAT, which has close. in the ability of the country’s the medium term, and thereby set of external financing options proved its resilience and stability The day’s turnover neared Rs 6.22 billion, institutions to take measures avoid default for the foreseeable for the government, and the throughout 28 years of higher than the Rs 3.07 billion recorded that decisively mitigate future. extremely large share of operations. Since its during the Market’s previous day’s trading. significant and urgent risks to the Sri Lanka’s foreign currency government revenue taken up by establishment in 1993, the Shares of 270 listed companies were balance of payments. country ceiling has been lowered interest payments raises the risk company has also grown, traded during the day of which 99 were Although the government has to Caa1 from B3, while the local of debt default. The increasing exponentially and successfully losers comfortably ahead of 84 winners. secured some financing, mainly currency country ceiling remains fragility of the situation and expanded its footprint across More than 439 million shares changed from bilateral sources, its unchanged at B1. The three- continued worsening of credit South Asia. hands during the 33,928 trades that took financing options remain narrow notch gap between the local metrics without decisive actions Managed by CAL and NDB place. with borrowing costs in currency ceiling and the are indications that institutional Investment Bank, JAT Holdings’ Foreigners continued to exit the CSE. The international markets still sovereign rating balances credibility and effectiveness have IPO aims to raise Rs 2.2 billion net foreign outflow (NFOs) during the day prohibitive. Absent large and relatively predictable institutions weakened compared with Moody’s by offering 82,904,846 ordinary amounted to Rs 1,007 million as foreigners sustained capital inflows through and government actions against prior assessment. In contrast to voting shares to the public. The sold shares worth Rs1,021 million as a credible external financing the low and declining foreign the urgency of the situation – and IPO price per share of Rs 27.00 against purchases worth Rs14 million. strategy, Moody’s expects Sri exchange reserves adequacy that notwithstanding the offers an immediate upside of 21 The top ten winners during the day were: Lanka’s foreign exchange reserves raises macroeconomic risks as government’s stated commitment per cent to an incoming investor Expo Lanka Holdings, Multi Finance, to continue declining from well as the challenging domestic to repay its debt – Moody’s on the value per share of Samson International, Mahaweli Coconut already low levels, further eroding political environment that weighs expects a credible and durable Rs 32.70 derived from a Plantations, Sinhaputhra Finance (P), its ability to meet sizeable and on policymaking. The three-notch financing strategy to only combination of discounted cash Mercantile Shipping, Kegalle Plantations, recurring external debt servicing gap between the foreign currency materialise over a number of flow (DCF)and forward-earnings Lighthouse Hotels, Browns Investment and needs, and increasing balance of ceiling and local currency ceiling years. ratio (PER) valuation methods. Vallibel One. The top ten losers were: The Kandy Hotels Company, LOLC Development Finance, Beruwela Resorts, Anilana Hotels, Gestetner, Ramboda Falls, Nuwara Eliya Hotels Company, Colombo Investment Shippers’ Council Committed to Provide Trade Facilitation Trust, Kotmale Holdings and Aitken Spence Hotel Holdings. By Ishara Gamage The council will engage all stakeholders concerned, to The Sri Lanka Shippers’ minimise these challenges for the Council will do its utmost to get benefit of all concerned and the the trade facilitation and the country at large. MPBCs Sharply Fall National Single Window agenda to Therefore, he requested that the the top of the list along with other Government looks favourably at By Paneetha Ameresekere critical needs for the trade,newly the needs of the exporters and elected Chairman of the Council, importers, by realigning its Government of Sri Lanka’s (GoSL’s) Russell Juriansz said. foreign exchange policy, granting money printing borrowing costs (MPBCs) The Sri Lanka Shippers’ incentives to increase their sharply decreased by Rs 462.62 million Council held its 51st Annual capacity and to conduct business (2.20 per cent) to Rs 20,602.81 million General Meeting on 14 July. with ease. The council is already yesterday (19) led by uncertainty, with Considering the prevailing engaged and greatly appreciates market preference to invest in riskless, low situation in the country, this the efforts of the Sri Lanka returns Treasury (T) Bills and T Bonds in year’s AGM was held as a virtual Customs Modernisation secondary market trading, rather than lend meeting connected through Programme and The Director to the high returns private sector. Microsoft Teams. Merchant Shipping declaring a GoSL’s non demand pull inflationary face Russell Juriansz was elected as sealing of maximum delivery value (FV)MP debt increased by Rs 8,028 the Chairman and Imalka within the first fifty.” now relaxed certain restrictions order charges, time line to refund million, therewith its FVMP debt as a whole Kumarapeli and Trisherman The Sri Lanka Shippers’ Council on the Nation, we believe in being container deposits and a by 0.84 per cent to Rs 965,459.42 million Frink were elected as the 1st Vice is one of the most powerful ‘safe rather than sorry,’ hence mechanism for arbitration to give yesterday. GoSL’s FVMP debt has been over Chairman as the 2nd Vice associations and apex body for our decision to hold this relief to imports, which has Rs 0.5 trillion for a record 171 consecutive Chairman respectively for the shippers which covers imports prestigious event virtually.We do already been achieved to name a market days to yesterday. year 2021/2022. and exports, with a specific focus not know for how long this few that the council has reached Liquidity sharply fell by Rs 16,202 million “In this context, we hope to on Exports, which is the most pandemic will prevail and out for the benefit of all (USD81.05 million) led by the settlement/s work more closely with the crucial activity that this country adjusting to this new normal stakeholders. of GoSL’s foreign debt servicing policymakers in order to support needs now more than ever. quickly, is our strength to lead “Seen that complaints are commitments and/or Central Bank of Sri the Government’s vision of Vistas So, the Council will be the council and deliver results to growing, it is the duty of the Lanka’s (CBSL’s) U.S. dollar sales and/or of Prosperity and Splendour,” the shouldering this challenge all stakeholders during this policymakers to ensure that the swaps with GoSL and/or CBSL’s swaps new Chairman said. together with the authorities with difficult period.” decisions are implemented legally with the market during yesterday’s trading. “Not stopping there, we will a clear vision to boost the exports According to him, some of the and to transform the wrongdoers The interbank foreign exchange (FX) drive the collaboration agenda in the country. In doing so, the challenges our exporters and in the right direction for the market was ‘dead’ for the 55th consecutive with all other agencies and Sri Lanka Shippers’ Council is importers are facing are need of benefit of the trade,” he said. market day to yesterday due to CBSL/ association in order to collectively committed to identify the major good equipment due to the drop On behalf of the importers and GoSL continuing to fix the benchmark ‘spot’ achieve benefits for the Trade in challenges that the shippers are in imports due to restrictions, exporters in the country, the Sri price at an unrealistic rate Rs 202/203 to Sri Lanka, enabling the country facing and propose pragmatic space, delays in vessel schedules, Lanka Shippers’ Council is the US dollar in two way quotes amidst to move up in the Ease of Doing solutions to suit the modern-day higher freight rates, and an acute committed to prioritise some key depreciative pressure. Business index from its current business module. shortage of foreign exchange in issues which have been long ranking of 99th position to be “Although the Government has the country. overdue for many years,he said. Merchandise Exports - Jan-June 2019 - 2021 5,929.74 6,000 5,561.72

5,000 4,362.34 4,000

Mn

$ 3,000 Merchandise Exports - Jan-June 2019 - 2021

US 5,929.74 6,000 2,000 5,561.72

5,000 1,000 4,362.34 4,000

0 Jan-June 2019 Jan-June 2020 Jan-June 2021 Mn

$ 3,000 US 2,000

1,000

0 Monthly Merchandise ExJan-poJurtne Pe 20rf19ormanceJan- 2Ju019ne 20 –2021(JanuaJan-ryJune-J un2021e)

1,200

1,000

Monthly80 Me0 rchandise Export Performance 2019 –2021(January-June)

1,200 600

1,000 400

800 200 2019 2020 2021 Economy TUESDAY 20 July 2021 Ceylon FT b11 600 Merchandise Exports - Jan-June 2019 - 2021 5,929.74 0 6,000 JanFeb MarApr MayJun JulAug SepOct NovDec Merchand5,561ise Ex.72po rts - Jan-June 2019 - 2021 2019 1,038.1981.1 1,136.9798.1961.0 1,084.0998.51,033.3 952.1977.3 978.81,000.8 5,929.74 400 5,000 6,000 5,561.72 4,362.34 2020 1,004.99Export88.5 656.22 Performance82.3586.7 894.11 ,085.0for 947.June21,000.0 2021854.37 and83.7 Period964.5 January – June 2021 4,000 5,000 4,362.34 2021 936.7951.7 1,093.8818.2891.7 978.2

200 2019 2020 2021 Mn 4,000

$ 3,000 Mn US

$ 3,000 2,000 0 US JanFeb MarApr MayJun JulAug SepOct NovDec 2,000 June Exports 1,00Up0 9.41% 2019 1,038.1981.1 1,136.9798.1961.0 1,084.0998.51,033.3 952.1977.3 978.81,000.8 1,000

2020 1,004.9988.5 656.2282.3586.7 894.11,085.0 947.21,000.0 854.3783.7 964.5 0 Jan-June 2019 Jan-June 20200 Jan-June 2021 Table 1:2021 Merchandi936.79se Ex51.7port Pe1,093.rformanc88e 18. 2891.7 978.2 Jan-June 2019 Jan-June 20 20 Jan-June 2021

Values in US$ Mns % % Jan-June Jan-June Jan- June June June Exports of Goods Growth Growth to2019 2020 2021US$ 2020 2021 978.2 Mn (20-21) (20-21) AsAp paperre thel latest statistics 2,752.58 1,936.66 2,478.32 27.97 402.04 414.14 3.01 Monthly Merchandise Export PerforMomannthlcey Me2019rchandi –2021se(J Exanuaportry Pe-Jrfunormane) ce 2019 –2021(January-June) released by the Sri Lanka Merchandise Exports - Jan-June 2019 - 2021

Tea 684.94 571.67 5,929.650.74 54 13.80 114.93 123.91 7.81 1,200 Customs,Table 1: Methe rcexporthandi sesector Expo rt Performance6, 000 1,200 performance has been able to 5,561.72 Rubber- based pr oducts 457.09 349. 17 Va519.lues 96in US$ 48Mn.9s1 68.89 95.50 38.63 maintain its upward trend in 1,000 5,000 1,000 June Coco 2021nut-ba withsed prexportsoducts 314.04 281.59 387.80 %37 4,.7362.2 34 65.01 70.61 % 8.61 increasing by 9.41 % to US$ Jan-June Jan-June Jan- June June June GemsEx &po Jertwes lleof ryGo ods 157.78 4,00710 .17 127.06 Grow78th.5 3 10.13 20.33Gr ow100.th 69 800

978.2 Mn compared to June 2019 2020 2021 2020 2021 800

2020.ThisElectrical upward& Electr onitrendc was Mn (20-21) (20-21)

195.35 $ 3,00144.0 10 201.95 40.15 31.06 37.67 21.28 evidentCo Apmppaonere year-on-yearl nts for the 2,752.58 1,936.66 2,478.32 27.97 402.04 414.14 3.01 600 US last four months. 600 Food Tea & Beverages 684.193.9405 2,571.00156.0 6728 650.174.5437 1311.8.50 8 114.3193.6 1 123.26.9170 7.-1815. 53 Sri Lanka’s merchandise 400 exportsSpi Rucesbbe r-&inba Cothesend cenfirst productr athalfests of the 457.144.0906 349.114.1747 519.197.9666 4872.9.61 7 6831.89.7 1 95.35.5066 3812.63.4 6 year 2021 was US$ 5,561.72 1,000 400 Million, DiCoamconuond ant-,ba increaseGesemsd pr &oduc Jeofwets lery 314.157.0480 281.7159.17 387.127.8037 3778.7.92 7 6510.01.1 3 70.20.6133 100.8.61 69 200 2019 2020 2021 27.49% over US$4,362.34 0 SGeeafmsood & Jewellery 157.143.7859 7199.1.172 Jan-Ju127.ne106. 20061938 78Ja.57.n-332Ju ne 20102024.13.3 2 Jan-20.Ju15.33ne 77 2021 100.-3695. 16 200 Million in first half of the year 0 2019 2020 2021 Electrical & Electronic 8.01 6.38 6.70 JanFeb MarApr MayJun JulAug SepOct NovDec 2020. Ornamental Fish 195.35 144.10 201.95 40.15.502 31.01.698 37.670.77 21-6.21.8 11 Co“Ourmp oneappreciationnts goes to 2019 1,038.1981.1 1,136.9798.1961.0 1,084.0998.51,033.3 952.1977.3 978.81,000.8 Vegetables 15.93 12.85 10.97 -14.63 3.17 1.41 -55.52 0 the exporters who are digit growth compared with US$ 95.5 Million, 9.8% of JanFeb MarApr 2020Ma1,004.yJ99un88.5 Ju656.lA2282.ug3586.7SepO894.11ct ,085.0NovD947.21ec ,000.0 854.3783.7 964.5 Food & Beverages 193.05 156.28 174.37 11.58 31.61 26.70 -15.53 2021 936.7951.7 1,093.8818.2891.7 978.2 contributingFruits their maximum 21the.14 month 17 of.7 June4 2020.17.80 In 0.34total merchandise3.55 2.97 exports -16. 34 2019 1,038.1981.1 1,136.9798.1961.0 1,084.0998.51,033.3 952.1977.3 978.81,000.8 toSpi theces economy, & Concen despitetrates the 144.addition,06 114. on47 year-on- 197. year66 72.67 improved31.71 by 35.38.63%66 12.46 2020 1,004.9988.5 656.2282.35 86.7 894.11,085.0 947.21,000.0 854.3783.7 964.5 severeOther thirdExport wave Crops of covid19, 14basis.38 exports39.1 6of Apparel,26.64 Tea -31.97 Coconut7.47 products,2.25 US$-69. 88 Diamond, Gems & Jewelery 157.80 71.17 127.37 78.97 10.13 20.33 100.69 2021 936.7951.7 1,093.88 18.2891.7 978.2 amidst Flower manys & Fo restrictionsliage andMo nthl10andy .0Me9 Coconutrchandi6.se63 basedEx port productsPe7.rf16or man ce7. 20199970.61 –2021 1.Mn,(J48anua 7.2%ry-J1.un of49e) total 1.36 obstacles. Seafood The results are due 143.increased59 99 by.12 3.01%, 106. 7.81%38 7.32 merchandise24.32 15. exports77 -3 5.16 Boat Building 63.34 1.36 2.53 86.03 0.03 1.05 3400.00 to the sector specific 1,8.and20010 8.61%6. respectively.38 6.70 increased by 8.61% interventions Ornamental Fi ofsh all 5.02 Electronics1.98 0.&77 Electronic -61.11 of 2020, following increased Table 1: Merchandise Export Performance Petroleum Products 165.Major56 170.exports65 in64.4 3 -62.24 29.64 13.31 -55.09 stakeholdersVegetables and the 15.93 12.85 10.97 -14.63 Components,3.17 1.US$41 37.67-55.52 Mn, exports of Rubber-based Values in US$ Mns 1,000 Government, Others along with the 431.June01 2021:312.17 454.08 45.464.8% 56of.9 total5 merchandise94.33 65.6 4 products, Electronics & % % Jan-June Jan-June Jan- June June June Fruits 21.14 17.74 17.80 0.34 3.55 2.97 -16.34 Exports of Goods Growth Growth commitment of our exporters” exports increased by 21.28% ElectronicTable 1: Me Components,rchandise Export Performance 2019 2020 2021 2020 2021 (20-21) (20-21) The OtTo heExporttarl Ex Mepo rcDevelopmentrt handiCropsze Expo rts 5,929.14.380Apparel,7480 4,362.39 .1valued346 5, at561.26 .6472 -3271.97.4 9 Spices894.7.47 1and Concentrates,2.978.25 2 -69.9.8841 Spices and Concentrates as Values in US$ Mns Board (EDB) Chairman, US$ 414.14 Million and US$ 35.66 Mn, 3.6% of total shown in the table below. Apparel 2,752.58 1,936.66 2,478.32 27.97 402.04 414.14 3.01 Flowers & Foliage 10.09 6.63 7.16 7.99 1.48 1.49 1.36 Tea % 684.94 571.67 650.%54 13.80 114.93 123.91 7.81 Suresh D. de Mel opined. constituted 42.3% of total merchandise exports Export earnings from Jan-June Jan-June Jan- June June June Exports of Goods Rubber-based products Growth 457.09 349.17 519.Grow96 th 48.91 68.89 95.50 38.63 Boat Building 63merchandise.36040 1.36 exports2. 53 86.03 increased0.03 by 12.46%1.05 3400 .00 Rubber & Rubber finished2019 2020 2021 2020 2021 Export Performance increased by 3.01% from products increased by 48.91 Coconut-based products(2 0-21) 314.04 281.59 387.(20-8021 ) 37.72 65.01 70.61 8.61 Petroleum Products 165.June56 2020.170.65 64.43 -62.24 Major29.64 exports13.31 in-55. 09 % to Ap US$parel 519.96 Mn in Jan-2,752.58 1, 936.Gems66 & Jewe2,478.llery32 27.97 157.402.78 04 71414..17 14 127.063. 01 78.53 10.13 20.33 100.69 in Major Sectors 400 Tea 684.94 El571.ectri67ca l & El650.ectroni54c 13.80 114.93 123.91 7.81 To Otphe 10rs Export Destinations Tea exports recorded value January-June 2021: June 2021 due to the better 195.35 144.10 201.95 40.15 31.06 37.67 21.28 431.01 312.17 454.08 45.46 56.95 94.33 65.64 Components In June 2021, exports of of US$ 123.91 Mn which performance Rubber-based profoduc exportsts of 457.09 349.17 519.96 48.91 68.89 95.50 38.63 Food & Beverages 193.05 156.28 174.37 11.58 31.61 26.70 -15.53 Rubber Total Mebasedrchandi products,ze Expo rts 5,929.constitutes20740 4,362. 3412.7% 5,561. of total72 27.49 For894. the1 period978.2 20of 19 January9.41 20 to20 Industrial20 Co21conut-ba &se dSurgical products Gloves314. 04 281.59 387.80 37.72 65.01 70.61 8.61 Electrical & Electronic Jan-Junemerchandise Jan- June exports % Gr owth JuJunene 2021,J unemerchandise % Gr owth of Rubber (78.49%) and Spices & Concentrates 144.06 114.47 197.66 72.67 31.71 35.66 12.46 Country Gems & Jewellery 157.78 71.17 127.06 78.53 10.13 20.33 100.69 Components, Spices & 2020 increased2021 by 7.81%from(20-21 June) 2020exports increased2021 by (227.49%0-21) Pneumatic & Re-treaded Diamond, Gems & Jewelery 157.80 71.17 127.37 78.97 10.13 20.33 100.69 Electrical & Electronic Concentrates and Gems & 2020.0 to US$ 5,561.72 Million Rubber Tyres & Tubes 195.35 144.Seafood10 201.95 40.15 143.5931 .06 99.137.2 67 106.2138.2 8 7.32 24.32 15.77 -35.16 1 United States 1,147.45 1,Ja355.nF14 eb 18Ma.1rA0 pr 242.Ma36yJ un 221.Ju43lA ug -8.64Se pOct CoNompvDonents ec Jewellery recorded double- Rubber based products, compared to the same period (50.43%). Ornamental Fish 8.01 6.38 6.70 5.02 1.98 0.77 -61.11 2 United Kingdom 361.60 2019 1,038.444.1918 81.1 1,136.22.8974 98.196561.0.39 1,084.0977.6698.51 ,033.318.7952.6 1977.3 Food978. &81 Beve,000.8rages 193.05 156.28 174.37 11.58 31.61 26.70 -15.53 Earnings from all the major Vegetables 15.93 12.85 10.97 -14.63 3.17 1.41 -55.52 2020 1,004.9988.5 656.2282.3586.7 894.11,085.0 947.21,000.0 854.3783.7 964.5 3 India 277.52 361.05 30.10 57.00 58.43 2.51 categoriesSpices & Co ofncen Coconuttrates based144. 06 Fr114.uits47 197.66 72.67 21.1314 .71 17.735.4 66 17.8120.4 6 0.34 3.55 2.97 -16.34 Top 10 Export Destinations 2021 936.7951.7 1,093.8818.2891.7 978.2 4 Germany 250.27 350.92 40.22 54.42 64.91 19.28 products Diamond ,increased Gems & Jewe leduery to 157.80 Ot71he.1r Ex7 port Cr127.ops37 78.97 14.3108 .13 39.120.6 33 26100..64 69 -31.97 7.47 2.25 -69.88 the Simprovedeafood performance143. in 59 Fl99ow.1er2s & Fo106.liage38 7.32 10.0249 .32 6.6315. 77 7.-3165. 16 7.99 1.48 1.49 1.36 5 Italy Ja182.n-June98 Jan-274. June86 % Gr50ow.21th Ju47ne.3 2 June48.84 % Gr3.ow21th Country export Orna meofnt Coconutal Fish Oil, 8.01 Bo6.at38 Bu ilding 6.70 5.02 63.341. 98 1.360. 77 2.-6531. 11 86.03 0.03 1.05 3400.00 6 Netherlands 2020110.34 2021193.71 (20-7521.56) 202022.1 7 202131.61 (20-4221.5)8 Desiccated Coconut, Vegetables 15.93 Pe12tr.8ol5eu m Produc10.9ts7 -14.63 165.563. 17 170.651. 41 64-5.45.3 52 -62.24 29.64 13.31 -55.09 71 BeUnlgitedium St ates 1,122.147.5745 1,355.159.1455 1830.1.10 7 242.2836.22 221.27.4336 -8.6-34.0 5 Coconut Milk Powder, Liquid Others Fruits 21.14 17.74 17.80 0.34 431.013. 55 312.172. 97 454.-1086. 34 45.46 56.95 94.33 65.64 8 Canada 88 .30 142.07 60.89 16.38 27.09 65.38 Coconut Milk, Coconut 2 United Kingdom 361.60 444.18 22.84 65.39 77.66 18.76 Other Export Crops 14.38 To39ta.1l 6Me rchandi26.6ze4 Expo-3rt1.s 975, 929.747. 474, 362.342. 255, 561.-6729. 88 27.49 894.1 978.2 9.41 Table 1: Merchandise Export Performance cream, Cocopeat,Mattress 93 ChIndiinaa 277.89.3526 361.140.0568 3057.1.40 3 5718.0.10 5 58.23.4372 2.3051.6 9 Values in US$ Mns Fiber, Flow &ers Activated& Foliage Carbon. 10.09 6.63 7.16 7.99 1.48 1.49 1.36 104 AuGermstraanliay 250.72.3279 350.117.9247 4062.2.22 7 5416.4.72 3 64.20.9145 1922.28.2 4 Meanwhile Boat Building earnings from63 .34 1.36 2.53 86.03 0.03 1.05 3400.00 % % Sri Lanka’s Export Jan-June Jan-June Jan- June June June export of Electrical and due to the export of Apparel 5 UnItalityed States 1,182.659.9856 Ex ports of274.2, 022.Go86od09s 5021.2.81 4 47325..32 96 Grow48.376.th84 70 3.1521.5 7Gr owth Petroleum Products 165.56 170.65 64.43 -62.24 29.64 13.31 -55.09 2019 2020 2021 2020 2021 Electronic Components ToPerformancep 10 Export Destinations in and Liquid Coconut Milk and 6 Netherlands 110.34 193.71 75.56 22.17 (20-31.21)61 42.58 (20-21) Others Total Merchandise (EEC) increased by 40.15%431. 01 312.17 454.08 45.46 56.95 94.33 Industrial65.64 & Surgical Gloves 4,362. Appa34re l 5,561.72 2,752.2758.4 9 1,936.66 894.2,478.132 27.9978.7 2402. 04 414.9.1441 3.01 Jan-June Jan- June % Growth June June % Growth 7 Belgium 122.57 159.55 30.17 28.22 27.36 -3.05 MajorCountry Markets Exports to US$ Total 201.95Merchandi Mnze Ex inpo rtthes 5, 929.74 4,362. 34 5,561.72 27.420209 894.1 2021978. 2 (2of0- 21Rubber.9.)41 (20-21) Tea 684.94 571.67 650.54 13.80 114.93 123.91 7.81 2020 2021 period of January to June 1 StrongUnited Stat Exportes Growth1,147.45 1,355.14 18.1On0 a region242.36 wise221. 43 -8.64 8 Canada 88.30 142.07 60.89 16.38 27.09 65.38 9 China 89.3 Ru6bbe r-based pr140.oduc68ts 57457..4093 349.17 18.1519.5 96 4823..9172 68.89 3095..6509 38.63 2021 compared to the 2 recordedUnited Kingdom for top 10361. export60 444.18 comparison22.84 65.39 exports77.66 to all 18.76 Coconut-based products 314.04 281.59 387.80 37.72 65.01 70.61 8.61 corresponding period of 3 marketsIndia in the period277.52 of 361.05 other30.10 regions57.00 increased58.43 except2.51 10 Australia 72.39 117.47 62.27 16.73 20.45 22.24 Gems & Jewellery 157.78 71.17 127.06 78.53 10.13 20.33 100.69 2020. Export of Insulated 4 JanuaryGermany to June 2021.250.27 350.92 African40.22 Countries54.42 64. and91 CIS19 .28 Top 10 Export Destinations 5 Italy 182.98 274.86 50.21 47.32 48.84 3.21 United States 1,659.Elect56ri cal & El2,ec022.tronic09 21.84 325.96 376.70 15.57 wires increased by 62.74 % The single largest export regions during the period of 195.35 144.10 201.95 40.15 31.06 37.67 21.28 6 Netherlands 110.34 193.71 75.56 22.17 31.61 42.58 Components in during the period of destination of United States of January to June 2021 Total Merchandise Jan-June Jan-7 JuneBelg ium% Growth 122.June57 159.June55 %30 Gr.17ow th 28.22 27.36 -3.05 4,362.Food34 & Beve5,rage561.s 72 27193..4059 156.28894. 174.1 37 11978..58 2 31.61 9.26.4170 -15.53 JanuaryCo unttory June 2021 to America recorded US$ compared with the 2020 20218 Ca nada (20-21) 88.30 142.07 (260.80-921 ) 16.38 27.09 65.38 Exports 1,355.14 Mn worth 2020 of exports2021 Spices & Concentrates 144.06 114.47 197.66 72.67 31.71 35.66 12.46 US$1 34.16United MnStates compared 1,147. 45 1,9355. 14Ch ina 18.10 242.89.3366 140.221.6843 corresponding57-8.4.63 4 18.15 period23.72 of the30.6 9 with the corresponding 10in Authestra periodlia of January72.39 to 117.47 previous62.27 16year..73 20.45 22.24 Diamond, Gems & Jewelery 157.80 71.17 127.37 78.97 10.13 20.33 100.69 2 United Kingdom 361.60 444.18 22.84 65.39 77.66 18.76 period of previous year. In JuneUnited 2021– States a significant1,659.56 year2,022. 09 21.84 325.96 376.70 15.57 Seafood 143.59 99.12 106.38 24.32 15.77 -35.16 3 India 277.52 361.05 30.10 57.00 58.43 2.51 Export Regions 7.32 addition, export of other onTo yeartal Me increaserchandise of 18.1 % in Export of Services 4 Germany 250.27 350.92 40.22 4,54362..4234 5,561.64.9172 2719.4.29 8 894.1 978.2 9.41 Ornamental Fish 8.01 6.38 6.70 5.02 1.98 0.77 -61.11 Electrical & Electronic comparisonExports to US$ 1,147.45 The services exports Jan-June Jan- June % Growth June June % Growth 5 Italy 182.98 274. 86 50.21 47.32 48.84 3.21 Region Vegetables 15.93 12.85 10.97 -14.63 3.17 1.41 -55.52 Products increased by 41.11 Mn recorded in 2020. estimated by EDB which 2020 2021 6 Netherlands 110.34 193.71 75.56 22.17 31.61 42.58 Fruits 21(2.10-4 21)17.74 202017.80 0.202134 3.55 (20-2.2197 ) -16.34 % during7 Belg iuthem period of 122.57 159.55Exports 30 .1to7 United28 .2Kingdom2 27. 36 includes-3.05 ICT/BPM, EU excluding UK Ot948.her Ex78po rt Crops1, 385.38 14.3468 .02 39.16 206.2683.6 4 -3249.1.97 39 7.47 20.2.5825 -69.88 January8 Cana toda June 2021 to88 .30 142.as07 the second60.89 largest16.3 8trading 27. 09 Construction,65.38 Financial Flowers & Foliage 10.09 6.63 7.16 7.99 1.48 1.49 1.36 US$9 108.16China Mn compared89.3 6 140.partner68 recorded57.43 an18.1 increase5 23. 72 services30.69 and Transport & United States 1,147.45 1,355.14 18.10 242.36 221.43 -8.64 with the corresponding of 22.84% to US$ 444.18 Logistics show exports of US $ Boat Building 63.34 1.36 2.53 86.03 0.03 1.05 3400.00 10 Australia 72.39 117.47 62.27 16.73 20.45 22.24 SoutExpoh rtAsi Rea gions 422.68 550.98 30.35 89.55 95.10 6.20 periodUn ofit edprevious States year.1,659.56 2,022.Mnduring09 21 .8the4 period325. 96of 376.70 1,587.7515.57 Mn for the period of Petroleum Products 165.56 170.65 64.43 -62.24 29.64 13.31 -55.09 Export earnings from ExJanuaryport Region tos June January to June 2021 ASEAN Countries 139.3 135.23 -2.92 21.00 22.72 8.19 Total Merchandise Others 431.01 312.17 454.08 45.46 56.95 94.33 65.64 4,362.34 5,561.72 27.49 894.1 978.2 9.41 Jan-June Jan- June % Growth June June % Growth Spices and Essential Oils 2021compared withJa then-June Jan- June %compared Growth Ju tone US$Ju 1,323.93ne % Grow th CIReSgi Conoun tries 128.05 127.02 -0.80 25.09 24.45 -2.55 Exports Region To2020tal Me rchandize202 Ex1po rts 5,929.(20-7421 4,) 362.34 20205,561. 72 272021.49 894.(21 0-21978.) 2 9.41 increased significantly in the corresponding period2020 of 2021 Mn(20- 21recorded) 2020 in the2021 (20-21) African Countries 107.06 153.59 43.46 26.27 29.96 14.05 period of January to June EUprevious excluding UK year. 948.78 1,385.38 corresponding46.02 206.83 period249.39 of 20.2020.58 EU excluding UK 948.78 1,385.38 46.02 206.83 249.39 20.58 Middle East Countries (Excl. 2021 compared to year 2020 UnitedFurther, States Exports to1,147. 45 1,355.14 Estimated18.10 242. service36 221. exports43 -8.6 4 United States 1,344.147.8545 1,355.383.1428 1811.1.10 4 242.6536.9 9 221.7243.9 7 -8.610.4 58 due to the better SoutNetherlandsh Asia increased422. y-o-y68 550.98 increased30.35 89 by.55 19.9295.1 0% in 6.the20 Cyprus & Egypt) performance in all the sub ASbyEA 42.58%N Countries in June 2021139.3 with135. 23 first-2.92 half 21of.0 the0 year22.72 20218. 19 South Asia 422.68 550.98 30.35 89.55 95.10 6.20 CIS Countries 128.05 127.02 -0.80 25.09 24.45 -2.55 Others To1,p124. 10 Ex17po rt De1,st471.inatio10ns 30.86 217.01 262.18 20.81 categories; Cinnamon, cumulative increases of compared to the ASEAN Countries 139.3 135.23 -2.92 21.00 22.72 8.19 African Countries 107.06 153.59 43.46 26.27 29.96 14.05 pepper, cloves, nutmeg, 75.56% during the period of corresponding period of 2020. Jan-June Jan- June % Growth June June % Growth Middle East Countries (Excl. ToCISta Cl Meountrrciehandis se Exports 4,128.362.Co05unt34 ry 5,127.561.0272 -027.8.40 9 25894..09 1 24978..45 2 -2.59.541 essential oils and Oleoresins, January to June 2021.344. 85 383.28 11.14 65.99Sri Lanka72.97 Export10.58 2020 2021 (20-21) 2020 2021 (20-21) Export Regions Cyprus & Egypt) African Countries 1107. Un06ited States 153.59 1,147.4543 .46 1,355.14 26.2718 .10 29242..96 36 14.221.0543 -8.64 etc. OtGrowthhers of the Netherlands1,124.17 is1, 471.10 30.86 217.Development01 262.18 20.Board81 Jan-June Jan- June % Growth June June % Growth 2 United Kingdom 361.60 444.18 22.84 65.39 77.66 18.76 Region Total Merchandise Exports 4,362.34 5,561.72 27.49 894.1 978.2 9.41 Middle East Countries (Excl. 2020 2021 3344. Indi85a 383.28 277.5211 .14 361.05 65.9930 .10 72.9577.0 0 10.58.4358 2.51 (20-21) 2020 2021 (20-21) Cyprus & Egypt) EU excluding UK 948.78 1,385.38 46.02 206.83 249.39 20.58 4 Germany 250.27 350.92 40.22 54.42 64.91 19.28 Others 51, 124.Ital17y 1,471.10 182.9830 .86 274.86 217.0150 .21 262.4718.32 20.48.8481 3.21 United States 1,147.45 1,355.14 18.10 242.36 221.43 -8.64 6 Netherlands 110.34 193.71 75.56 22.17 31.61 42.58 South Asia 422.68 550.98 30.35 89.55 95.10 6.20 Total Merchandise Exports 4,7 362.Belg34ium 5,561.72 122.5727 .49 159.55 894.130 .17 978.282.2 2 9.27.4136 -3.05 ASEAN Countries 139.3 135.23 -2.92 21.00 22.72 8.19 8 Canada 88.30 142.07 60.89 16.38 27.09 65.38 CIS Countries 128.05 127.02 -0.80 25.09 24.45 -2.55 9 China 89.36 140.68 57.43 18.15 23.72 30.69 African Countries 107.06 153.59 43.46 26.27 29.96 14.05 10 Australia 72.39 117.47 62.27 16.73 20.45 22.24 Middle East Countries (Excl. 344.85 383.28 11.14 65.99 72.97 10.58 United States 1,659.56 2,022.09 21.84 325.96 376.70 15.57 Cyprus & Egypt) Total Merchandise Others 1,124.17 1,471.10 30.86 217.01 262.18 20.81 Offers for4,362.34 1825,561.72 27.49 894.Day1 978.2 9.41 Maturity Rejected Exports

Total Merchandise Exports 4,362.34 5,561.72 27.49 894.1 978.2 9.41

By Paneetha Ameresekere yesterday’ auction because the maturities; those have not been distortion in the market, led by 364 day tenure yesterday was market was asking for higher allowed to be fully subscribed GoSL borrowing ‘short’ to 5.26per cent, whereas the Yesterday’s(19) weekly Treasury yields. because of market demand for repaymaturing ‘long term’ (364 weighted average yield fetched for T-Bill primary auction for the This is because Central Bank of higher yields. and 182 day) debt. this parcel was an record issue of Rs 64,000 million Sri Lanka (CBSL)/Government of However, the 91day maturity Yesterday’s low returns riskless administratively low of 5.25 per Treasuries saw only 0.56per cent Sri Lanka (GoSL) wants to once more uplift sales, where T-Bill auction saw CBSL selling a cent. (Rs 112 million) of the ‘longExpo term’rt Regi ons maintain an artificially low interest 191.8per cent (Rs 46, 033 million), total amount of Rs 46,145 million Meanwhile, maturing T-Bills 364 day (one year) T-Bills allowed rate regimeJan-June to minimizeJan- June %GoSL’s Growth June comparedJune % to Gr theowth original parcel of (72.10 per cent of the original totalling Rs 57,229 million have Region to be sold to the market from a borrowing2020 costs and2021 to spur(20- 21) 2020 a mere2021 Rs (224,0000-21) million on offer, offer) worth of Treasuries offered also to be settled during this total of Rs 20,000 millionEU excluding UK growth despite948.78 distorting1,385.38 the46.0 2 206.83 was249. finally39 20.sold58 to the market at for sale, aided once more by period. Those comprise, of 91, originally offered, due to Unsustainedited States market 1,in147. the45 process.1,355.14 18.10 242.36 an221. unwritten43 -8.6 maximum4 selling an excessive amount of 91 182 and 364 day maturities of demand for higher yieldsSout ledh Asia In the 422.last68 20 weekly550.98 T-Bill30.3 5 89.55 administered95.10 6.20 yield (MAY) of 5.22 day maturity stock, equivalent to values Rs 34,915 million; byuncertainty and inflation,ASEA byN C theountri es auctions139. to3 yesterday, 135.23 of the-2.9 2 21.00 per22 cent,.72 up8. one19 basis point (bps) 71.93 per cent of the original Rs 5,000 million and Rs 17,314 market. Meanwhile, offersCI Sfor Coun thetrie s parcels on128. 05offer, in127. particular02 -0.80 the 25.09 week24.4 on5 week-2.5 5(WoW) to yesterday, Rs 64,000 million issue. million; respectively. CBSL is the 182 day maturity were rejectedAfrican C ounattr ies one year107. and06 six 153.months59 (18243.46 day) 26.27 leading29.96 to the14.05 continuance of a The written MAY fixed for the steward of GoSL debt. Middle East Countries (Excl. 344.85 383.28 11.14 65.99 72.97 10.58 Cyprus & Egypt) Others 1,124.17 1,471.10 30.86 217.01 262.18 20.81 Total Merchandise Exports 4,362.34 5,561.72 27.49 894.1 978.2 9.41

B12 Ceylon FT tuesDAY 20 july 2021 Economy Frontier Market Countries’ Inflation Rates Still Rising

The trend of rising inflation in New Guinea, but also other FM recent months has also been seen countries, such as Armenia, in Frontier Markets (FM), fuelled by Belarus, Paraguay, Senegal, Sri higher commodity prices, supply- Lanka and Tunisia. chain pressures and the gradual Fitch’s quarterly ‘Frontier Vision’ lifting of restrictions to curb the chart pack tracks high-frequency COVID-19 pandemic, says Fitch macroeconomic data for the Ratings in its latest ‘Frontier Vision’ countries included in the Next chart pack. Generation Markets (NEXGEM) Consumer price inflation continues Index. The charts cover five years to rise on a year-on-year basis of historical data and the choice of among many frontier economies data series has been harmonised including Angola, Azerbaijan, as far as possible across all Belize, Cote d’Ivoire, El Salvador, countries to facilitate Ethiopia, Georgia, Iraq, Jordan, comparisons. The index Mongolia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, comprises countries representing Vietnam and Zambia among others Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin – this mirrors the global picture of America, the Caribbean, the rising inflation rates among many Middle East and North Africa, major economies covered in Fitch’s Europe, Asia and Oceania. Global Economic Outlook report. Following are the economic data Simultaneously, international trade charts published in the relevant has rebounded, in particular ‘Frontier Vision’ chart pack among commodity exporters, such regarding Sri Lanka. as Azerbaijan, Mongolia and Papua (Fitch Ratings) Pandemic Debt Impact Varies Widely Across APAC Sovereigns Pandemic-induced fiscal responses and economic contractions have led to a sharp rise in public debt among rated sovereigns in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, but there is significant variation between individual sovereigns’ performance, says Fitch Ratings. Healthcare expenditures among APAC sovereigns have increased, and to varying degrees authorities have spent heavily to mitigate the shock to household and corporate balance sheets associated with the crisis, on measures ranging from furlough schemes to stimulus payments. Revenues have meanwhile been hit by the pandemic-driven drop in economic activity, along with temporary tax cuts and deferrals. The resulting increases in general government (GG) debt have nevertheless varied widely. Between 2019 and 2021, GG debt/GDP is projected to rise by around 45pp in the Maldives and 27pp in Japan, but by just 3.0pp in Vietnam and 1.2pp in Taiwan. Much of the variation in the ratios can be accounted for by either the extent of the fiscal response (affecting the numerator), or changes in nominal GDP (the denominator) - or both. Relative success in containing the The increase in Japan’s GG debt, to pandemic. pandemic with low GG debt/GDP support programme means that its GG pandemic has both bolstered GDP and a forecast 258 per cent of GDP in New waves of COVID infections levels relative to their respective rating debt/GDP levels have moved from reduced the pressure on governments 2021, also reflects a weak GDP continue to pose further fiscal risk, peers, including New Zealand, being broadly in line with peers to to provide support, helping to limit performance in 2020-2021. The rise is particularly in the majority of APAC Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, being higher than them. increases in GG debt/GDP ratios over notable, given that it already had the sovereigns where vaccination Vietnam and Bangladesh. Over 2020- Among the few APAC sovereigns 2019-2021 in places like China, Hong highest debt/GDP ratio of any Fitch- programmes are not well advanced. 2021, that gap has widened in where GG debt/GDP was already high Kong, South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan rated sovereign prior to the pandemic. Illustrating this, governments in India, Vietnam and Bangladesh, but has relative to peers prior to the pandemic, and Vietnam. Among emerging markets, strong Malaysia, Taiwan and Thailand have narrowed in New Zealand and the the differential has widened in India However, some countries where nominal GDP growth in 2020-2021 announced additional fiscal stimulus Philippines - though in neither of the and more significantly in Sri Lanka, COVID case counts have been and relative fiscal restraint help to in recent weeks in response to rising latter two has debt risen above the but narrowed in Malaysia and more relatively low have still seen debt/GDP explain why GG debt/GDP ratios have numbers of COVID cases in their peer median. substantially in Pakistan. In the rise by more than the median for risen more slowly in Bangladesh, jurisdictions. Partly as a result, we In China and Taiwan, headroom Maldives, GG debt/GDP surged during APAC, due partly to generous stimulus Pakistan and Vietnam, than in have widened our projections for fiscal relative to rating peers, which was the crisis, which contributed to the and support packages. This includes sovereigns like the Maldives, the deficits in Thailand and Taiwan in our marginal in 2019, has widened over deterioration in its rating, to ‘CCC’ at developed markets such as Australia, Philippines and Thailand, where latest quarterly forecast update. the course of the pandemic. By present, from ‘B+’ in 2019. Japan and New Zealand. tourism sectors suffered in the Many Asian sovereigns entered the contrast, Australia’s generous fiscal (Fitch Ratings) Corporate tuesday 20 july 2021 A13 ACCA Outlines ESG Role in Investor Confidence Recent research has alluded just dwell on then umbers, but Head of ACCA Sri Lanka,. to emerging evidence that a underst and the business and Nilusha Ranasinghe said, “We better ESG (Environmental, seek positive returns based on believe that Corporates should Social, and Governance) is society and environmental be integrating ESG elements becoming increasingly relevant aspects of the business, which into their business models to to Sri Lankan corporates given in turn encourages an achieve sustainable long-term their international stakeholder organization to focus on the goals. Focusing on managing networks across multiple business case of what is right ESG issues and mitigating industries, it’s time now to for its long-term survival.” related risks can address ramp up on efforts to be He added that in the current stakeholders’ concerns while globally competitive and pandemic context there is a creating corporate value. As attractive to investors, who are natural tendency for such, companies must now not only interested in the organisations to dwell on have a more serious focus on financial outcomes of short-term profits, but it is ESG, so they can eventually investments but are equally important to strike a balance enjoy higher valuations. This is concerned about the impact of between keeping your head why ESG is addressed across their investments and the role above the water in the short- all the areas of our their assets can have in term while at the same time qualification.” promoting global issues, such investing in the long-term, Moiz Rehmanjee Jonathan Arnold Devruwan Fernando The overall take is that as climate action. around sustainability and despite some challenges in Another demographic that is governance as a means of minimizing environmental such as promoting health and Management at Dialog Axiata incorporating ESG, it’s more particularly attracted to ESG boosting stakeholder liabilities, lowering costs and safety, encouraging labor- PLC, Devruwan Fernando said important than ever before for investing is millennials who are confidence. increasing profitability through management relations, another important challenge is organisations, as investors are more likely to trust a company Explaining this concept energy and other efficiencies, protecting human rights and governance risks, which now looking more closely at or purchase a company’s further ACCA Member and reducing regulatory, focusing on product integrity. addresses corporate brand companies that are consciously products when the Jonathan Arnold, Internal litigation and reputational Social positive outcomes independence and diversity, invest in sustainability. organization has a reputation Auditor at Union Assurance risk”. include increasing productivity corporate risk management Therefore formulating ESG of being socially or PLC said “ESG factors include He said, “Given the prevailing and morale, reducing turnover and excessive executive goals is only the first step. For environmentally responsible. managing resources and COVID-19 pandemic, many and absenteeism, and compensation, through these to be effective and Group CFO at Hela Clothing preventing pollution, reducing organisations in the country improving brand loyalty, company governance activities meaningful, organizations will and an ACCA Member, Moiz emissions and climate impact, today are also faced with particularly in large-scale such as increasing diversity need the leadership drive to Rehmanjee said, “The real and executing environmental certain social risks that can manufacturing facilities across and accountability of the inculcate these into their value a finance professional reporting or disclosure. impact the communities they Sri Lanka.” board, protecting shareholders culture so these will eventually can bring to the table is Environmental positive operate in. They are addressed ACCA member and Manager and their rights, and reporting translate to solid bottom-line intaking the initiative to not outcomes include avoiding or by company social activities, Governance and Vendor and disclosing information. results,

Combank.lk Gets Tri-Lingual Facelift Enhancing local The Commercial Bank of deposits and withdrawals, Ceylon has announced that Cash Deposit Machines, itswebsite, now an everyday banking branches, agri businesses: indispensable tool for millions supermarket banking of customers and information branches, and Saturday or seekers, has been Sunday banking branches, DFCC Bank unveils re-launched as a trilingual closest to them. resource, with a series of Besides information on the cutting-edge enhancements. Bank’s products and services The new and enhanced and location details, the ‘Krushibala’ loan Commercial Bank corporate website also features current website has been launched rates and tariffs, news and with access to content in publications, periodical scheme English, Sinhala and Tamil, financial reports, and anultra-smoothinterface with Commercial Bank Managing Director S. Renganathan (seated), application forms to apply for In its next step to advance agriculture / export agriculture interactive multimedia Chief Operating Officer Sanath Manatunge (right) and Deputy services online. economic development and fulfil its crops, organic farming/ nursery/ material, enhanced General Manager – Marketing Hasrath Munasinghe at the launch The modern design and pledge to contributing to a resilient seed production, drip irrigation, of the Bank’s new trilingual website navigation, experience- new look complemented by Sri Lanka, DFCC Bank announces tissue cultureetc.) and introducing customisation, smarter multimedia content such as the ‘DFCC Krushibala’ credit / capacity enhancement of organic search options and tools, and Commenting on the The redesign also took into animation, images, and video scheme, introduced exclusively to fertiliser manufacturing. resources that make it extra re-launch of the website, consideration analytics and enhance customer assist SMEs and Corporates The Bank is committed to support user-friendly and informative. Commercial Bank’s Deputy research findings which engagement while the user- engaged in the local Agricultural the organic fertiliser manufacturing A stand-out feature of the General Manager – assisted us in identifying the friendly navigation options and related sectors. through this scheme at a historic re-launched website isthe Marketing, Hasrath most popular pages and across all product pages Thenew ‘DFCC Krushibala’ credit time when the country is option of browsing in the Munasinghe said: sought-after services which make for convenient scheme introduces loan facilities of transforming to organic farming. language a visitor is most “Commercial Bank has been we have attempted to feature information absorption. The up to Rs 100 million, with payment Therefore the financial support to comfortable in, the Bank a leader in technology- prominently, for ease of website enables visitors to periods of five to sevem years based entrepreneurs and enterprises that said. enabled convenience in the access.” In improving the adjust the font size and on the type of loan, at a are venturing out to meet the With enhanced responsive banking sector. With the utility value of the site, the customise the mode between concessionary fixed interest rate of demand of organic fertiliser is technology facilitating access re-launch of our website, we revamp enables customers to day and night to further seven per cent per annum. The core crucial at this juncture. to the site via desktops of all are not simply maintaining locate and obtain contact enhance and personalise objective of the scheme is to enable DFCC Bank firmly believes that it sizes as well as mobile this status in terms of the details of the nearest service their experience online. and empower SMEs in the is of paramount importance to phones and tabs, the technology deployed but are points through a featured list Furthermore, strategic agriculture and related sectors and introduce such concessionary revamped website offers enhancing our customer or map. With this feature, positioning of call-to-action build a strong platform through financial schemes to uplift local further convenience to the service by providing access to users can easily discover tabsthat prioritise product which they may work towards industries to secure economic growing number of customers information in a simplified Commercial Bank branches, sign-ups easily lead users to overcoming and rebounding from growth and financial stability. The visiting the site through their manner and by enabling Automated Teller Machines the information they are the difficulties faced due to the lack of access to sources of capital, devices for speedy and visitors to customise their for cash withdrawals, Cash looking for without losing on-going COVID-19 pandemic. and severely restricted cash flows smooth banking operations. experience online with us. Recycler Machines for cash their way on the platform. Loans under this scheme can be due to stagnant economic obtained for cultivation (tea/ conditions have proved to be a rubber/ coconut / floriculture/ significant hurdle in the path of rotational crop cultivation/inter economic development. Keeping cropping), livestock, dairy, this in mind, the credit scheme and agriculture processing (rice milling, fund allocation to the agricultural Visa appoints Avanthi Colombage as grain legume processing, fruit and sector, which employs a significant vegetable processing, dehydration percentage of the local population, etc.), warehousing and enhancing and accounts a heavy portion of the Country Manager for SL and Maldives storage facilities, development of local GDP, stands to have crucial, commercial agriculture and hi-tech noteworthy, positive consequences Visa Inc. (NYSE: V), the reach and relationships with regulators actively encourage agriculture (control environmental for all stakeholders involved. world’s leader in digital key decision-makers and Sri Lanka’s shift towards a payments, announced the industry stakeholders, digital economy, through appointment of Avanthi spanning across banks, programmes such as Cash Colombage as Country fintechs, marquee merchants Wadhe; we look forward to Manager – Sri Lanka and and regulatory authorities. Avanthi and the larger Visa Maldives for Visa. Avanthi Avanthi was also appointed team partnering all will head the operations of by the Central Bank of Sri stakeholders towards this the company in the two Lanka as a member of the mission.” markets from Colombo and Open Banking Working On her appointment, be a part of Visa’s leadership Committee for 2020-21 to Avanthi Colombage, Country team in the region. She create a collaborative Manager – Sri Lanka and replaces Anthony Watson, framework for sharing open Maldives said, “I am excited who has transitioned to lead data. to have been chosen by Visa Visa’s business in New TR Ramachandran, Group to lead our business in the Zealand. Country Manager, India and region. Across Sri Lanka and Avanthi joined Visa in 2017 South Asia, Visa said, “We Maldives, we are on the cusp and has been responsible for are delighted to announce the of a significant opportunity to client relationships and appointment of Avanthi drive greater financial driving business growth for Transactional Banking, Card Colombage as our new inclusion through digital Visa and its clients. In her Products and Loyalty, Direct Country Manager for Sri payments. As the pioneering client relationship role at Channels and Digital Lanka and Maldives. A well- digital payment network in Visa, Avanthi has been Banking, and had also led the known professional in the these markets, Visa is best instrumental in managing Cash Management vertical in banking and financial placed to leverage these various long-term clients of the Maldives. During her stint services industry, Avanthi opportunities alongside our Visa and in forging new at HSBC, Avanthi was also has played a crucial role in clients. Working closely with partnerships, driving new the Head of the Issuing strengthening our business our clients, the regulator and payment flows and engaging Forum of the PCIASL relationships in the region. business partners, I am keen with fintechs across the (Payment Card Industry The Sri Lankan market holds to build on the good work The first ‘DFCC Krushibala’ loan was presented to Saman Udayakumara, an market. Prior to joining Visa, Association of Sri Lanka). significant growth potential done over the years and bring energetic entrepreneur from Wellawaya. From left to right – Dinith Gunarathne Avanthi was with HSBC for Avanthi’s in-depth for digital payments – the best of digital payments (Credit Officer – DFCC Wellawaya Branch), Saman Udaya kumara (Proprietor), 17 years in various roles experience in Sri Lanka will particularly as the from across the world to Sri Chandana Garusinghe (Vice President/Regional Manager), Amila Denipitiya spanning Commercial aid Visa in deepening its Government and the Lanka.” (Branch Manager – DFCC Wellawaya Branch) A14 tuesday 20 july 2021 sports Amid lacklustre support in Japan Olympic Sponsor Toyota to Skip Games TV Commercials Tokyo 2020 sponsor as Japan has succeeded in Toyota will not run getting most of its Olympics-related TV vulnerable elderly commercials amid population vaccinated with Milka only SL lacklustre public support for at least one shot, although the Olympics, with two- only 32% of the overall thirds of Japanese doubting population has so far athlete to compete in organisers can keep the received one. Games safe during the OTHER HEAD- COVID-19 pandemic, gymnastics in Tokyo according to a local media ACHES poll. Chief Executive Officer of Olympic organisers on By Wichithra Toyota Motor Corp, Akio Monday rebuffed calls for Weerasinghe Toyoda, and other the dismissal of Olympic executives will not attend composer Keigo Oyamada The only Sri the opening ceremony for controversial comments Lankan who has either, Toyota said on he made in the 1990s. qualified to compete Monday. Oyamada, who is involved in in gymnastics at the "It is true that Toyota will infection rates in Japan's would not be able to preparations for the opening 32nd Olympic Games not be attending the opening capital and introduce compete. Olympic officials ceremony, talked about is Milka Gehani de ceremony, and the decision variants that are more and individual event bullying a disabled Silva. 2003, Milka was 13 Afterwards she had was made considering infectious or deadlier. organisers have contingency classmate in an interview She thus becomes when she qualified to represented the various factors including no International Olympic plans to deal with infections published in a magazine. the only Sri Lankan compete at the country at the Junior spectators," a spokesperson Committee President among athletes. A Tokyo Other officials have stepped athlete to compete in Junior Asian Gymnastic said. "We will not be airing Thomas Bach has said he 2020 spokesperson said the down in the run-up to the this discipline at the Commonwealth Championships held any commercials related to hopes the Japanese public village was a safe place to Games for inappropriate Olympics. Games held in in 2017 and 2018. the Games in Japan," she will warm to the Games once stay, adding that the comments, including former Born on 24 April Namibia in 2016. added. competition begins and as infection rate among head of Tokyo 2020, Yoshiro Some 60 Japanese Japanese athletes begin athletes and other Games- Mori, in February and the corporations who have paid winning medals. The Tokyo related people visiting Japan creative director for the more than $3 billion for Olympics run 23 July was nearly 0.1%. On opening and closing sponsorship rights to the through 8 Aug. Sunday six British track ceremonies, Hiroshi Sasaki, postponed 2020 Olympics "We will continue to and field athletes along with in March. now face a dilemma over co-operate and work closely two staff members were In the political arena, Czech beach whether or not to tie their with organisers such as forced to isolate after South Korean President brands to an event that has Tokyo Metropolitan someone on their flight to Moon Jae-in said he would so far failed to win strong Government, Tokyo 2020, Japan tested positive. not visit Japan for the public backing. and the IOC to ensure we "Many athletes may have Games or a first in-person volleyball player With just four days before have a safe and secure parties or ceremonies before summit with Prime Minister the opening ceremony in environment for the Games," they go to Tokyo where there Yoshihide Suga after media Tokyo, 68% of respondents Government spokesperson, may be cheering or greeting. reports cited a senior in an Asahi newspaper poll Chief Cabinet Secretary So they may also have a risk Japanese diplomat making expressed doubt about the Katsunobu Kato said at a to get infected in their own offensive remarks about tests positive ability of Olympic organisers regular briefing. countries," said Koji Wada, a him. to control coronavirus COVID CASES professor at Tokyo’s For Tokyo residents, travel Czech beach volleyball player is still fresh information and infections, with 55% saying International University of on their city's roads became Ondrej Perusic has returned a everything is evolving quickly. We they were opposed to the Games officials on Sunday Health and Welfare and an more difficult on Monday as positive COVID-19 test at the are solving details, including the Games going ahead. reported the first COVID-19 adviser on the Government’s the city readied for the start Games Village in Tokyo, the sport impact.” Three-quarters of the case among competitors in coronavirus response. The of the Olympics with new country’s Olympic Committee said Perusic, 26, was due to play his 1,444 people in the the athletes' village in Tokyo latest surge in cases in traffic restrictions, including on Monday. first match on 26 July, which the telephone survey said they where 11,000 athletes are Tokyo comes after four reserved lanes for Olympic On Saturday, the team had said a team said was now unlikely due to agreed with a decision to expected to stay during the earlier waves, the deadliest officials, athletes and staff member had tested positive for isolation requirements. ban spectators from events. Games. Since 2 July, Tokyo of which was in January. journalists. COVID-19 after arriving in Tokyo on Postponed for a year due to the As COVID-19 cases rise in 2020 organisers have New COVID-19 cases in Transport authorities also a charter flight from Prague. global pandemic, the Games are Tokyo, now under its fourth reported 58 positive cases Tokyo reached 1,410 on hiked toll charges by 1,000 “Unfortunately, beach volleyball being held mostly without state of emergency, public among athletes, officials and Saturday, the most since the yen ($9) for private vehicles player Ondrej Perusic has a positive spectators and under tight concern has grown that journalists. start of the year, with new using the network of finding from a sample taken during quarantine rules. Most athletes are hosting an event with tens of Any major outbreak in the infections exceeding 1,000 elevated expressways that daily testing in the Olympic village starting to arrive for the Olympics, thousands of overseas village could wreak havoc on for five straight days. snake through the city in a on Sunday,” Martin Doktor, Sports which run from 23 July through 8 athletes, officials and competitions because those Most of those new cases bid to reduce traffic during Director of the Czech Olympic Aug. journalists could accelerate either infected or isolating are among younger people, the Games. (Reuters) Committee, said in a statement. “It (Reuters)

Perenara recalled to All Blacks Tashiya, Junior TT after ‘tracking well’ in Japan

Experienced scrumhalf TJ 60-13 in Hamilton on unlucky to miss out ... We Perenara has been recalled Saturday to sweep their two- certainly believe there’s to the All Blacks squad for test series and next face going to be ample champion of USA the Rugby Championship Australia at Eden Park on opportunity for him later after returning to New Aug. 7, the first match of this year,” said Foster. Parents too former Sri Lankan TT champions Zealand from a fruitful stint their annual Bledisloe Cup “We were delighted with in Japan. series. Samisoni at the weekend, Tashiya Piyadasa, who is of In addition, Tashiya has also table tennis champions Thilina The 29-year-old, who The All Blacks then travel how could you not be? But Sri Lankan descent, has won been selected to the under-13 Piyadasa and Rifkaa Kameel. generated headlines for to Perth for the Rugby at the end of the day it the Under-11 USA Nationals National team, where she is Their younger daughter, 9-year- considering a move to Championship opener wasn’t Asafo’s fault he was Girls' Singles table tennis ranked No.5. old Tiyana Piyadasa, is also an Australia’s National Rugby against Australia two weeks injured and couldn’t play.” championship. She is ranked Tashiya is the eldest daughter accomplished TT player and League earlier this year, later, which doubles as the No.1 in this category. of two proud Sri Lankan former qualified for the quarter-finals, joins Aaron Smith and Brad second Bledisloe test. All Blacks squad: where she lost to the eventual Weber as the three Foster has recalled Forwards -- Asafo Aumua, runner-up in the series. scrumhalves in Ian Foster’s loosehead props Ofa Dane Coles, Codie Taylor, Thilina won a number of 36-man squad. Tuungafasi and Joe Moody, Nepo Laulala, Tyrel Lomax, national table tennis Perenara was unavailable and hooker Asafo Aumua, Joe Moody, Angus Ta’avao, competitions during his time, for selection during the with all three front rowers Karl Tu’inukuafe, Ofa while Rifka was another well- recent home test wins recovering from injuries. Tuungafasi, Scott Barrett, known national table tennis against Tonga and Fiji due Perenara, Moody and Brodie Retallick, Patrick player who helped the country to his contract with Osaka- Aumua will miss the Eden Tuipulotu, Tupou Vaa’i, gain international recognition. based Red Hurricanes. Park test and instead Sam Whitelock (capt), Ethan In 1997, she was the first female But Foster said selectors develop match fitness in Blackadder, Shannon from the Muslim community to had been impressed with the New Zealand’s provincial Frizell, Akira Ioane, Luke captain the Sri Lankan table 69-test veteran’s work in competition before coming Jacobson, Dalton Papalii, tennis team at a Junior Japan. into the selection frame, Ardie Savea, Hoskins Sotutu tournament in Dhaka, “He’s an experienced Foster said. Backs -- TJ Perenara, Bangladesh. international nine for us,” Scrumhalf Finlay Christie Aaron Smith, Brad Weber, Thilina, who studied at Foster told New Zealand and young prop Ethan de Beauden Barrett, Richie Vidyartha College, Kandy, won media on Monday. “He went Groot have been cut from Mo’unga, Braydon Ennor, the national title for the first to Japan for a reason and we the squad, while hooker David Havili, Rieko Ioane, time as a 15-year-old schoolboy gave him a clear work-on Samisoni Taukei’aho, who Anton Lienert-Brown, Quinn in 1995, and emerged national there in terms of the speed scored two tries against Fiji Tupaea, Jordie Barrett, champion 8 times (1995, 1997, to the ball and to make sure on his debut off the bench George Bridge, Will Jordan, 1998, 1999, 2001,2003, 2005 that part of his game was on Saturday, will make way Damian McKenzie, Sevu and 2006). (IR) tracking well.” for Aumua after Eden Park. Reece The All Blacks beat Fiji “Ethan de Groot is (Reuters) sports tuesday 20 july 2021 A15

‘Told everyone I will hit first

ball for a six’ Sanija Galkotuwa Rejinikanth Rithikashamy Online Rapid National Chess – Kishan Championship Cycle 2021 Galkotuwa and India batsman Ishan that he had told everyone decided beforehand,» Kishan made his ODI he was going to hit the first Kishan said. Rejinikanth win debut on Sunday against ball for a six. «I told him [Dhawan] to Sri Lanka at R. Premadasa «Actually, everyone knew just forget all that and just Sanija Galkotuwa (Dharmaraja College) and Stadium in Colombo. The it. Inside also I had already give me the strike. If I am Rejinikanth Rithikashamy (Singing Fish Chess left-handed batsman got told everyone that once I able to hit it, why not Club), won the men’s and women’s (Novices off to a sensational start go, wherever the first ball continue hitting,» Kishan Division) championship at the Online Rapid National on debut, scoring 59 runs is, I will hit it for a six. signed off. Chess Championship Cycle 2021 held recently. in 42 balls. Kishan became Because the odds were in India took a 1-0 lead in Galkotuwa won with a better tie breaker after the first India batsman to my favor - birthday plus a the three-match series tying with four more players, all of whom had 6 score fifties on debut in good pitch and I was against Sri Lanka. The points out of 7 games to win the Gold Medal. both T20Is and ODIs. playing my first ODI and I 2nd ODI will be Deeptha Ekanayake (Dharmaraja College) came His blistering knock felt I could target him,» he played on Tuesday. second, Dumindu Edirisinghe (St. Anthony’s relieved pressure off said. (Agencies) College) third, Dinod Abeyratne (fourth) and DDB captain Shikhar «The most special thing Rajanayake (fifth). Dhawan after Prithvi was that it was my Rejinikanth (from Northern Region), also won on a Shaw›s dismissal. Dhawan birthday and I was playing better tie breaker after tying with Uthayan went on to register an my first ODI. Everyone Suvarnika of Jaffna College, to win the Gold Medal. unbeaten-86 runs to help asks for a return gift, so I Both scored 6 points. Suvarnika came second and P. India chase down the total always wanted to give it by Thishanuga J (Wembady Girls High School) was of 263 with 7 wickets in playing a good knock and third with 5 ½ points. hand. helping the team win,» he The Novices Division has been planned to be held Kishan›s confident added. in 7 regions. The top 22 players of the Central knock was summarised by Kishan also revealed Province Open and the Top 15 players of the the fact that despite that coach Rahul Northern Women will qualify to the appropriate playing his first ODI, he Dravid had told him before Majors Division Chess Championships to be held smashed the first ball he that he would be batting at from late August 2021. faced in the match for a no. 3 position. (IR) six. He came to bat in the «Dravid Sir had already 6th over after Prithvi told me during the practice Shaw was dismissed, and sessions that I will bat at he struck Dhananjaya de No.3. So whatever practice Silva for a big one. I had to do with the new Speaking to former India ball, obviously I was doing England level T20 cricketer Ajay Jadeja after for a long time. It was not the match on Sony Sports something that we decided series as Network, Kishan revealed during the match, it was spinners shine Ishan Kishan in action during the first ODI match England’s stand-in skipper Jos Buttler top-scored with 59 before their spinners ripped through the Pakistan batting unit to seal a 45-run win in the second Twenty20 International and level the series at 1-1 on Sunday. Lewis Hamilton has been After British GP Chasing 201 runs to win at Headingley, Pakistan›s subjected to racist abuse openers made a bright start with the bat, but lost online after winning Sunday’s their way after England fast bowler Saqib Mahmood British Grand Prix, British Hamilton subjected dismissed captain Babar Azam (22) in the sixth media reported. over. The seven-times world England tightened their grip in the middle overs champion celebrated a record to racist abuse online as leg-spinner Adil Rashid removed Mohammad eighth win at the race after post by his Mercedes team on he was inspired by the Rizwan and Sohaib Maqsood in his second spell. fighting back from a Instagram. reaction of England soccer Off-spinner Moeen Ali removed Mohammad 10-second penalty for a first- Instagram, which is owned players to racist abuse after Hafeez and Fakhar Zaman cheaply as Pakistan were lap collision that sent title by Facebook, did not their penalty shootout defeat left tottering at 95-5. rival Max Verstappen to immediately reply to a to Italy in the European Azam Khan was stumped off Matt Parkinson›s leg- hospital. Reuters request for comment. Championship final. break, before Mahmood returned to rip through the Sky Sports Hamilton has been a vocal British Prime Minister Boris lower order and restrict the tourists to 155-9 in 20 reported Hamilton, 36, was advocate for social justice and Johnson met social media overs. targeted online hours after among the supporters of the firms last week to ask them Earlier, Buttler marked his return to the national the victory, with racist ‘Black Lives Matter’ step up the fight against team with his 14th T20I fifty as England were messages including monkey movement. online abuse. bowled out for 200 with a ball to spare. emojis sent as replies to a He said before the race that (Reuters) Buttler was declared fit after a calf injury and took the captaincy as Eoin Morgan chose to rest himself in a bid to rotate his squad ahead of this year›s T20 World Cup. After the hosts lost Jason Roy and Dawid Malan in the opening three overs, Buttler and Ali Yeti joins SL Squash as official drinks partner restored order with a brisk 67-run partnership. Sri Lanka Squash (SLS) has sports isotonic products. Yeti revealed this during the Captain) and officials from SLS Ali eventually fell for 36, scooping fast teamed up with renowned Yeti is scientifically formulated official ceremony held at the Yeti and Yeti also participated in this bowler Mohammad Hasnain to isotonic sports drink to help meet the hydration and Head Office in Colombo. event. mid-off, but Buttler accelerated manufacturer ‘Yeti’’ as their fueling needs of sportsmen and Suren Kohobange, President Yeti isotonic has been the England run rate official sports drink partner. As women, which help them get the SL Squash, Eranga Alwis approved by the Sri Lanka Health alongside the hero of the part of the partnership, the most out of their Secretary SLS, Fathum Issadeen Ministry and Sri Lanka Sports last match Liam Livingstone. National Squash Team will have performance. Dr. Dilshan (Sri Lanka Women’s Captain), Ministry. Buttler picked out mid-off access to the elite Yeti portfolio of Balasuriya, Managing Director of Ravindu Laksiri (Sri Lanka Men’s (IR) for Hasnain›s second wicket of the innings, but Livingstone, fresh from scoring England›s fastest ever hundred, went on to produce another entertaining innings for the home supporters. Livingstone managed the biggest hit of the day, tonking Haris Rauf›s delivery straight over the newly built Football England’s Stand. Jos Buttler in The right-handed action Action batsman was run out for 38 off 23 balls before the lower order added another 35 off the last four overs to take England›s score to 200 for the second consecutive game - this time to secure victory. Both teams now head to Manchester for the series decider on Tuesday. Brief scores: England 200 in 19.5 overs (Jos Buttler 59; Mohammad Hasnain 3-51) beat Pakistan 155/9 in 20 overs (Mohammad Rizwan 37; Saqib Managing Director Dr. Dilshan Balasuriya (centre) handing over the official T-shirt to the captain of the Sri Lanka women’s squash team Fathum Mahmood 3-33, Adil Issadeen. Suren Kohobange, President, SL Squash, Eranga Alwis, Secretary SLS, Ravindu Laksiri (Sri Lanka Men’s Captain) and officials from SLS and Yeti are Rashid 2-30) also in the picture (Agencies) A16 tuesday 20 july 2021 sports

India tour of Sri Lanka Batting in Focus as Wounded SL Aim

Sri Lanka skipper India skipper Dasun Shanaka to Level Series Shikhar Dhawan

After a humiliating 7-wicket defeat their fielding was poor, with two injuries. With the quick turnarounds trio served as a perfect template in played breathtaking strokes on the in the first ODI, the Sri Lankan team chances going down on the with this series though, Sri Lanka that context. off-side, but missed out on a big led by new skipper Dasun Shanaka boundary; and while Dushmantha run the risk of him picking up Their sensational batting also score. It is something he would like will look to bounce back hard and Chameera was good again with the niggles. As he is one of the few reinforced the might of India's to correct on Tuesday. level the series when they take on new ball, they need to find a more performing players in the side, they bench strength with ODI debutants It was good to see Kuldeep Chahal India in the second ODI at RPS reliable seam-bowling partner than can't really afford to leave him out Kishan and Yadav bossing the and Yuzvendra Chahal bowl in Colombo today. Isuru Udana, who was taken apart in either. opposition from ball one. tandem after a long time, and they During the first ODI the the powerplay and bowled only two On the other hand, India's young Sri Lanka bowlers also made it proved once again that they perform inexperienced team showed it has overs. guns will get another opportunity to easier for the marauding Indian better as a pair. the talent to compete with the Dushmantha Chameera didn't get flaunt their exceptional talent and batters who romped home to the win With spinners bowling the bulk of opposition, if not win. Most of the any wickets on Sunday, and yet, secure a series win against a hapless in the 37th over. the overs, star all-rounder Hardik batsmen got starts but could not made several Indian batters Sri Lankan outfit. India are unlikely to make Pandya showed promise in the five convert. It is something they will uncomfortable with his pace. While Skipper Shikhar Dhawan was left changes as they would like to pocket overs he bowled. have to fix to test India. Kishan was walloping everyone else, in complete awe at the other end, as the series before giving chances to Senior pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar If Sri Lanka want to push India on Chameera was the one bowler who the likes of Prithvi Shaw, Ishan other youngsters in the squad. did not have the best of days, but Tuesday, there are a giant list of seriously tested him, peppering him Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav The only one feeling the heat trust him to be back in his element things they must correct. Their with short balls. Chameera has been made batting look ridiculously easy would be Manish Pandey, who in the next game. inability to rotate the strike against one of Sri Lanka's few positives from in the first ODI on Sunday night. laboured to a 40-ball 26 in the It will take a special effort from the the spinners held them back during the recent tour of England, and has In the long run, India want to play series opener when others were at struggling Sri Lankan side to pull the middle overs, as batters played finally built up some rhythm after more aggressively in the shorter their fluent best. one back against the rampaging laboured block-or-bash innings; years of his career was frustrated by formats and the performance of the Shaw, in his comeback game, visitors.

Karunaratne One or two bad games can't finish backs SL you, says Kuldeep Yadav India spinner Kuldeep Yadav against Sri Lanka in the first playing, as self-doubts creep in. begs to differ from sceptics who ODI on Sunday. A lot of people want to help you, were ready to write his cricketing "One or two bad games doesn't speak to you, but when you batters to post epitaph after a few bad finish one's career. I believe all speak to too many people, you performances, but feels self- who have played the game and create new type of doubts," said doubt does creep in when a have knowledge of the game are the man, known for his straight 300-plus scores player is being overlooked for aware about that fact. talking. long periods. "The track in Pune (during However, he accepts that in Kuldeep, who was an England series) was very good team sport one has to be patient, automatic choice till the 2019 for batting and spinners didn't as chances might not readily World Cup, is not in the main have much help. It can happen come one's way. team's scheme of things at the that wicket doesn't suit you," He was under pressure before moment. Many felt that his said Kuldeep, who has 107 the first ODI, but coach Rahul 0/84 against England in Pune wickets from 64 ODIs. Dravid's words of wisdom helped earlier this year, had spelt doom But sport can be lonely, him soothe his nerves. "Pressure for the 26-year-old from especially in COVID times and in and nervousness will always be Kanpur. bubble life, when one is there when you play after a long "I never felt that my white ball spending long time in a closed time, and I was playing after a career was finished after that environment and not getting long time. It happens as you are England game. There are times chances. keen to do well. Initially, Rahul that you will go for runs. I have Kuldeep has been in and sir backed me a lot, motivated had four and five wicket hauls around the squad without much me, told me a lot of things, but and it would be better if people game time and that does have its most importantly, that I needed start talking about those ill-effects. to enjoy my game. I am happy achievements too," Kuldeep told "It's a difficult life in bubble, that it worked." media after an impressive 2/48 and more so when you are not (Agencies) Kuldeep Yadav

Prior to Super League second phase National Golf trials FSL looking to get Sensational start players vaccinated for Chanaka By Special Correspondent Although none of Sri Lanka's batters hit a half-century in the Football Sri Lanka (FSL) is first ODI, the team has the ability to put up scores that will reportedly looking to get Young golfer Chanaka Perera challenge India - something beyond 300. This was what players vaccinated against was in outstanding form and allrounder Chamika Karunaratne said following Sri Lanka's COVID-19 prior to the second ended on top at the trials held drubbing in the match. Karunaratne had top-scored from No. 8, phase of the inaugural Super for National Golfers for selection hitting 43 off 35 balls, but five other Sri Lanka batters had made League, which is scheduled to to the national and development scores greater than 20. resume in mid-August, squads. The trials took place at Karunaratne said the fact that most of the batting order had sources confirmed. the Royal Colombo Golf Club got starts was encouraging. “We have already requested (RCGC) over the last 4 days. "A lot of our batsmen got good starts, but a lot of us weren't to get our players vaccinated Chanaka started with a score able to continue," he said. "We were trying to play longer innings prior to the second phase of of 68 and totaled 285 over the 4 - even when I was batting with Dasun Shanaka in the 42nd or the inaugural Super League. days. Chalitha Pushpika 43rd over I asked him if I should go for some big shots, but he Hopefully we will be able to followed in second place with a Reshan Algama the told me to wait until the 45th over. If more of our batsmen had vaccinate our players by the score of 294. Meanwhile, youngest at 13 been able to bat longer, we could have attacked earlier and gone end of this month or may be another sensational youngster for a bigger score. We do have the ability to get to 300 or 350, the first week of August. from the Central Hills, Haroon and hopefully that will happen in the next games." However, there are positive Aslam, tied with U. A. Ranasinghe in 6th position. Sri Lanka's innings had been beset by slower-than-ideal signs that we can administer the COVID-19 vaccine to the participating The youngest in the event, 13-year-old Reshan Algama, batting and the team had especially struggled to rotate the players and resume the second phase without a hitch,” the FSL source played extremely well during the last 3 days to claim the strike against the spinners through the middle overs. They added. No.13 position. played out 159 dot balls through the course of their 50 overs. After a lengthy period of almost seven months as to when the calendar will In the Girls event, Taniya Balasuriya had an "This wicket was playing a bit slow, so we did talk during our resume, the commencement of the tournament sparked a return of football outstanding 4 days ending on top at 295 followed by innings about putting the ball into gaps and running hard a action in Sri Lanka, but unfortunately dark clouds are looming once again Kaya Daluwatte (300) and Sherine Balasuriya (323). little bit more," Karunaratne said. "But they also bowled really over the most anticipated high-profile league with Sri Lanka battling with a well. They bowled in good areas and their captain managed the third wave of COVID-19. Top 15 Boys field well." Earlier, the Super League was hit when six COVID-19 positive cases were Chanaka Perera (285), Chalitha Pushpika (294), On the field, Sri Lanka were essentially blown off the park. detected before the Defenders FC vs Up Country Lions clash, which was Danusha Perera (297), Januka Dilshan (298), Lamidu They conceded fifty runs inside the first five overs, and 100 later postponed. Ranika (306), U.A. Ranasinghe and Haroon Aslam (both inside 13 overs. Karunaratne said India's rapid scoring rate was The Super League first phase from 19 April to 2 May saw three weeks of at 309), K. Danushan, G. Dilranga and Nirekh Tejwani partly down to Sri Lanka going in search of wickets as well. action with 15 matches being played before the international break. (all three at 310), Yannik Kumara (311), Roshana Prasad "We tried to get wickets rather than bowl dot balls. We tried to Since the coronavirus pandemic took over in 2020, the deadly virus has and W. Waidyarathna (both at 314), Reshan Algama use our bouncers and our pace. They are a top team and we affected the whole world, and has also changed the football scene (321) and R Sureshan (322) knew they would attack us. If we'd taken wickets we would have dramatically. From playing in empty stadiums to sitting in the dugout with been able to pull them back. We were able to get one in the facemasks on, football has had to do its fair share of adjustment to continue Girls powerplay, and if we'd had another one or two in the powerplay to function. Taniya Balasuriya (295), Kaya Daluwatte (300) and we would have been able to change the game a little bit. " (MS) Sherine Balasuriya (323)

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