PROTECT YOURSELF FROM COVID-19

ACTIVE CASES MONDAY, JANUARY 11, 2021 TOTAL CASES WHERE IS SL BLEEDS OVER PLAYER THREATENS 48,376 AUNTIE? RS. 965 M IN 2021’S TO HOLD UP TENNIS DEATHS RECOVERED FIRST WEEK NATIONALS 6,822 THE ABOVE STATISTICS ARE CONFIRMED UP 232 41,325 »SEE PAGE 7 »SEE PAGE 4 »SEE PAGE 11 UNTIL 7.00 P.M. ON 10 JANUARY 2021 SOURCE: HEALTH PROMOTION BUREAU Visakha JAFFNA UNIVERSITY MONUMENT issue to be Demolition raises investigated concerns in the South BY HIRANYADA DEWASIRI investigate into what was reported BY HIRANYADA DEWASIRI Speaking to The Morning yesterday (10), Federation as a threat to inter-ethnic harmony inside the university to be inappropriate behaviour on of University Teachers’ Associations (FUTA) President could lead to unnecessary conflicts. An investigation is set to the Principal’s part as well as into Members of the university student Prof. Shyama Banneheka, Inter University Students “The monument was not physically affecting the be launched by the Ministry whether the Principal’s initial community, university teacher community, Federation (IUSF) Convener Rathkarawwe Jinarathana harmony of student groups, but the statement released of Education to look into the request to not transfer the said and Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), Thera, JVP former MP Nalinda Jayathissa, and Centre by the University Grants Commission (UGC) might alleged refusal of Visakha teacher to Visakha Vidyalaya and civil society activists have expressed for Policy Alternatives (CPA) Executive Director have an impact. This is our worry,” said the FUTA Vidyalaya Principal Sandamali was reasonable. their concerns over the demolition of Dr. Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu cautioned that these President. Aviruppola to allow a transferred “It was reported that the the University of Jaffna monument that steps may lead to racial discord and disturb existing UGC Chairman Prof. Sampath Amaratunga released male teacher to assume duties at Principal of Visakha Vidyalaya memorialised those killed in Vellamullivaikkal harmony between ethnicities. a statement on Saturday (9) stating that the monument Visakha Vidyalaya, Colombo 4. behaved in an inappropriate during the final stages of the war. Prof. Banneheka told The Morning that the demolition could act as an obstacle to the process of reconciliation. Speaking to The Morning manner during this encounter. of the monument and the branding of such monuments Contd. on page 2 yesterday (10), Ministry of We will be investigating that,” Education Secretary Prof. Kapila Prof. Perera said. Perera said that the Ministry will Contd. on page 2 TODAY’S SAFETY... DEATH OF RETURNEE Exams Department Husband to sue going digital BY HIRANYADA DEWASIRI staff, for the purpose of Kandy hotel modernising the examinations The Department of Examinations process. BY DINITHA RATHNAYAKE not because I want compensation, but in order is in the process of introducing “Digitisation has enabled to prevent such an incident happening again digital technology to automate the Department to expedite its Following the death of a woman, who had to any returnee,” the deceased’s husband stages of the examination process functions without needing more returned to Sri Lanka for treatment, while in Indunil Preethi Kumara (50) told us. and evaluation system that were staff members. The digital system quarantine at a hotel in Kandy, the deceased’s The mother of one, who lived in Italy for previously conducted manually, has also enabled candidates husband plans to initiate legal action against the past seven years, came to Sri Lanka on 17 The Morning learnt. to obtain documents such as the hotel, The Morning learnt yesterday (10). December for medical treatment since she was The Department’s examination applications and “The hotel took full responsibility for my suffering from mental health issues, according Commissioner of School certificates from the convenience wife since she was under quarantine. We to Kumara. He alleged that his wife died due Examination Evaluation Pushpa of their home.” were told that she was under good care and to not being given proper medical treatment Wijesooriya told The Morning The 18 islandwide branches medical treatment. while she was under hotel quarantine. last week that the Department of the Department, which deal “I will take legal action against the hotel, Contd. on page 2 has taken steps to introduce with about 700,000 General digitisation to various stages of Certificate of Education (GCE) the examination process since Ordinary Level (O/L) Examination 2019. candidates and 350,000 GCE In October last year (2020), Advanced Level (A/L) Examination Cabinet approval was granted candidates annually, are planned to SJB to ‘protect’ to purchase new equipment be linked through an online system, including internet facilities, and Wijesooriya said. for the training of Department Contd. on page 2 Harin 24/7 BY PAMODI WARAVITA on 9 January. In his letter sent yesterday (10), Fernando complained to the IGP about remarks Batticaloa Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) and made by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on 9 Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has said January in Ampara. that he pledges to protect the life of MP Harin “In his remarks, the President refers to me protests Tamil Fernando at all times, in reference to a letter by name and addresses the speech made by me sent by Fernando to IGP C.D. Wickramaratne in Parliament in which I referred to him by his claiming he fears for his life. first name, Nandasena. During the speech, the “As the Leader of SJB, along with our entire President clearly insinuated that he is capable farmer assault The Senior DIG’s Office distributed books to school children under the theme team of parliamentarians, I unconditionally of having me ‘killed like a dog’ if I continue BY PAMODI WARAVITA ‘Safe Tomorrow’, at a ceremony held at the Gangaramaya Temple yesterday stand for Harin Fernando’s life. I stand for the saying things that displease him,” Fernando Weerasiri said that all 10 (10). Minister of Public Defence Sarath Weerasekara graced the event security of his life, 24 hours of the day, all 365 alleged in his letter. A peaceful protest was farmers who had been involved PHOTO KRISHAN KARIYAWASAM days,” said Premadasa, speaking at an event Contd. on page 2 conducted yesterday (10) in in the incident had been arrested front of the Karadiyanaru Police by the Mahaoya Police and later ANTIQUITIES ORDINANCE CHANGES Station, against an assault on released on bail. The chena Saturday (9) by chena cultivators cultivators had been arrested Overstaying Nigerians towards six Tamil cattle farmers on assault charges, whilst the ‘Destroyer- in Divulpathana, The Morning cattle farmers had been arrested learnt. because they had let their cattle “Four Sinhalese farmers had wander into the farmland of the arrested for cybercrimes pays’ principle initially kidnapped two Tamil chena cultivators. cattle farmers and assaulted Furthermore, one cattle BY SUMUDU CHAMARA According to Police Spokesperson “It has also been reported that them on Saturday, and assaulted farmer had been admitted to DIG Ajith Rohana, the two suspects these scammers ask their victims to proposed four more farmers later on,” IG the Mahaoya Hospital due to The Police arrested two Nigerian had, using emails and social make an advance payment/deposit, BY RUWAN LAKNATH JAYAKODY Chandana Weerasiri from the injuries he sustained during the nationals yesterday (10) in the Mount media platforms, deceived people which is lower than the alleged Mahaoya Police Station told The assault. Lavinia area on cybercrime-related claiming they had won prizes prize, in order to receive the prizes,” Morning yesterday. Contd. on page2 charges, before discovering they had on their birthdays and wedding the Police added. The Department of Archaeology has also been overstaying their visas. anniversaries. Contd. on page 2 recommended making those who put up unauthorised constructions on archaeological reserve lands to pay out of their own pockets for their demolition and removal, and also for Crucial week for SriLankan-pilots dispute the restoration of any artifact destroyed by them. The recommendation was inspired by the BY PAMODI WARAVITA while on duty with the related be readily available in the event the virus whilst on duty. “On proven by means of a government or “polluter-pays” principle, which is the commonly medical expenses covered by the Flight Crew Members (FCM) test Duty” includes the possibility of Medical Officer of Health (MOH) accepted practice that those who produce pollution The Airline Pilots’ Guild of Sri management, which are the pilots’ positive. being infected in the transport, the contact tracing mechanism that the should bear the costs of managing it to prevent Lanka (ALPGSL) is tentatively primary demands. Provide a laid-down procedure in airport, inflight (cargo and passenger FCM contracted the virus from the damage to human health or the environment. scheduled to meet the SriLankan Responding to a company co-ordination with the authorities as flights), during a layover, in the community and not while on duty, This and other changes have been proposed Airlines management today (11) communique sent on 9 January to how the said FCM will be taken simulator, and any other points of only medical expenses to up to the as amendments to the Antiquities Ordinance as and Wednesday (13) to resolve a by the SriLankan Airlines care of, from the time he/she tests contact, for work-related matters. maximum entitled hospitalisation amended, which are scheduled to be submitted highly public dispute revolving management, the ALPGSL has positive till he/she is released back The family members of the limit as per the company medical to government authorities soon, according to an around crew members who test scheduled the aforementioned to duty, inclusive of transport to and FCM who are affected shall also insurance scheme will be covered officer involved in legal affairs at the Department positive while on duty. meetings. from the private medical facility. be entitled direct and unrestricted by SriLankan Airlines. who spoke to The Morning last week. The ALPGSL is hoping the The conditions put forth by the All expenses inclusive of access to the private medical The ALPGSL has stressed that The officer also noted that the subject Minister, national carrier’s management ALPGSL are as follows. quarantine/medical facility, antigen/ facility in the event that they test the condition that the expenses Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, had last agrees to provide private medical Establish the company-facilitated PCR tests, and transport to be borne positive subsequent to an FCM be borne by the employer is non- week requested that the Department consider any facilities for flight crew members private medical facilities with by the employer, as the presumption testing positive. negotiable. additional new proposals to amend the said law. who test positive for Covid-19 acceptable standards that shall is made that the FCM contracted However, if it can be indisputably Contd. on page 2 Contd. on page 2 2 the morning NEWS Monday, January 11, 2021

Contd. from page 1

“Because of Covid-19 and the travel restrictions said that currently, the management had its constituencies. the Opposition is claiming there is a threat to Visakha... that ensued, we allowed school principals to provided a hotel in Hikkaduwa for Covid- “The Government must take responsibility Fernando’s life due to ulterior political motives. He mentioned that prior to the appointment, download their results sheets in an excel sheet 19-positive flight crew members. However, and ensure that this does not happen again,” Aviruppola had written to the Ministry requesting format,” Wijesooriya said, speaking further he said that he cannot comment on whether he said. not to send this male teacher to her school. about the digitisation of the process of releasing the expenses of family members of flight A tense situation erupted outside the gates ‘Destroyer-pays’... “We produced this letter to the Teacher Transfer examination results. crew members would also be covered by of the University of Jaffna on Friday (8) night, Another key change mooted by the Department Board, but the Board still decided that the teacher Issuing examination certificates and conducting the company. as a backhoe was deployed to demolish a war is to amend the law to allow for any equipment, should be sent to Visakha Vidyalaya.” the confirmation and verification process of a “We are still considering that issue, as we memorial inside university premises erected including machinery and tools used in the Our sister paper Aruna reported last Thursday candidate’s examination results through an online have to think about all our staff members,” by the students in 2019 to commemorate those unauthorised digging of artefacts and national (7) that Aviruppola had refused the appointment system has also been enabled, said Commissioner Pathirage added. killed in Vellamullivaikkal during the final treasures, to be confiscated and kept in state of a male teacher who was transferred to Visakha Wijesooriya. The ALPGSL decided on Friday (8) that its stages of the war. custody. Vidyalaya to teach Sinhala and claimed that the “This system will also verify if the certificate and membership would refrain from undertaking Protestors gathered outside the university In addition, stringent punishments in the form Principal had “thrown the transfer letter at the results are true and detect fraudulent certificates, flights on days designated as “off days” in gates, protesting the removal, and Police and of both increased fines and terms of imprisonment said teacher claiming that a male teacher is not which was previously done manually, and required the current roster after some crew members military personnel were deployed to disperse have been proposed by the Department for those suitable to teach Sinhala language and literature people to travel long distances.” had been sent to quarantine facilities of poor the crowds. Two students were arrested during who commit offences under this law. at a girl’s school”. Candidates can also apply for their examinations quality, following which the SriLankan the incident and were released on bail. However, a point of contention has arisen Speaking to Aruna the following day (8), certificates online and make a card payment for Airlines management had been accused of not Tamil civil society groups, political parties between the proposal made by the Department Aviruppola had claimed that the Director of the one-day service. taking proactive measures to ensure adequate and Jaffna University student unions have concerning the grant of bail for suspects Teacher Transfers, Dhammika Jayanetti had “The certificate will be printed, and we have facilities for crew members who test positive called for a hartal to be observed today (11) in apprehended under the said Ordinance as “overstepped” the Ministry Secretary’s directive signed an MoU with the Sri Lanka Post to for Covid-19 while on duty. Northern and Eastern provinces, to condemn amended, and another proposal concerning and appointed this teacher to Visakha Vidyalaya deliver these certificates within 24 hours,” said This was in response to a statement by the demolition of the memorial. the same, submitted by the Ministry of Justice. when the Ministry Secretary had requested him Wijesooriya. the SriLankan Airlines management in The officer at the Department observed that to be appointed to a different school. Also, the Department of Examinations is which it accused the Executive Committee the power to enlarge suspects arrested and/ However, when we inquired from Ministry working with the Department of National Archives of the ALPGSL of launching trade union Husband to... or remanded under the law on bail should be Secretary Prof. Perera whether he had made such to digitally archive old examination records from action, thereby causing severe disruptions, When The Morning contacted the Police to vested with High Courts (HCs), as opposed a request, he said that if he had done so, that too as far back as 1950, it is learnt. jeopardising the airline, and putting the determine the cause of death, Police Media to Magistrate’s Courts. According to him, the could be investigated. “We are taking all these steps to ensure that development efforts of the country at risk. Spokesman DIG Ajith Rohana said: “The law at present was silent on the matter of bail. “I will also investigate if the Principal’s request the examination process is a fast one that allows “Jointly, the Board, management, and postmortem confirmed that Dhammika Perera “Suspects should be made to spend at least was a fair one or whether the objections were students to complete their school education soon. dedicated employees of the airline vehemently died of a heart attack.” three months in remand custody, which in based on personal reasons,” said Prof. Perera. The rest remains in the hands of the universities condemn these untimely and selfish actions Kumara told us that Perera could not sleep due itself would serve as a deterrent punishment, as He added that these regular teacher transfers – whether or not they are ready to admit students of the ALPG,” SriLankan said. to the cold weather in Italy and had consequently otherwise, if they are arrested and immediately should be allowed to take place. soon.” SriLankan claimed that the “self-centred” suffered “a mental breakdown”. The Italian released on bail, the situation would be akin Speaking to The Morning yesterday, Aviruppola Executive Committee of the ALPG was forcing doctors had advised her to return to Sri Lanka to having committed a minor traffic offence, said that there are no vacancies at Visakha its members to refrain from consenting to for treatment as she would be better able to where the suspect would be free and roaming Vidyalaya. Batticaloa... report to work on rostered off days by refusing express herself in Sinhala, instead of attempting in no time,” he opined. “Even if the appointment is completed and I “The chenna cultivators who are growing the duty-call or by remaining unresponsive. to communicate with Italian doctors in Italian. However, Ministry of Justice Chief Legal am requested to accept the transfer, I would not corn and maize are troubled by the cows of According to Kumara, almost 5,000 Sri Advisor Udaya Rohan De Silva PC, speaking be able to, as there are absolutely no vacancies the cattle farmers who eat their crops,” added Lankans living in Italy have requested to return to The Morning last week to explain their for an Advanced Level Sinhala teacher at the Weerasiri. Demolition... to Sri Lanka but only those who apply for hotel proposal, noted that they were in complete school,” she said. Speaking to The Morning, Illankai Tamil “The decision made by the Vice Chancellor quarantine are permitted to travel to the island agreement with the other amendments proposed In the same interview with Aruna, she claimed Arasu Kadchi (ITAK) MP Shanakiyan to remove this monument was a timely one. and the others are added to a waiting list till there by the Department relating to the reforms to that the teacher had acted in an inappropriate Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam accused the We need monuments of peace instead of war is space to accommodate them in government the Ordinance as amended, but that the law manner when teaching the female students at Government of allowing chena cultivators to monuments,” he claimed. quarantine centres. in question prohibited the granting of bail to his previous school, St. Paul’s Girls’ School illegally encroach upon grazing land in the Attempts by The Morning yesterday (10) “I had to pay Rs. 217,890 for a one-way suspects. This, he deemed to be a fundamental Milagiriya, and that the teachers and students had Mayilathamadu District, traditionally used to contact the UGC Chairman for further SriLankan Airlines ticket and Rs.16,000 for two legal error, bordering on illegality. complained about this to the school authorities. by the cattle farmers during the months of comment proved futile. PCR tests, and the hotel payment, which was “Currently, if someone digs a hole at However, Prof. Perera said that the Ministry October to February. Commenting on the demolished monument, Rs.175,000 for 14 days, was made upon arrival.” a particular place, the Police go to the had not received such a complaint from any of the “The State is completely responsible for FUTA President Prof. Banneheka said that All people who came on the flight were location and state that the hole has been dug teacher’s previous schools or previous students’ the assault that occurred yesterday as the the physical monument had not affected the taken to the Kandy hotel despite Dhammika on land coming under the purview of the or their parents, and if such a complaint was Mahaweli Authority has allowed people to harmony among student groups. Perera requesting to be quarantined closer to Archaeology Department. When the relevant received, that too would be investigated. capture land for farming purposes without “What teachers say is that that they are Colombo, as she was from Maharagama and in suspect is produced before a Magistrate’s Court, paying adequate heed to the 200,000 cattle building a very conducive environment for consideration of her health condition. the Magistrate states that he/she has no power that use the land for grazing and produce all students to go there and learn and the “My wife was not comfortable with the place concerning bail,” he explained. Exams... 17,000 litres of organic milk daily,” said monument had not affected this.” due to her psychological situation. She requested “Further, the court has to await the Archaeology “This is to ensure that problems such as Rasamanickam. Speaking to The Morning, IUSF Convener a hotel from Colombo. Since it did not work out, Director General’s report, which would take candidate detail duplication do not occur during Rasamanickam alleged that the Government Rathkarawwe Jinarathana Thero said that the she asked to share a room with another returnee time, sometimes months, as a team from the the examinations process due to the large number is actively encouraging disharmony between demolition of this monument would intensify as she was uneasy about staying alone due to Department would be sent to the site in question, of candidates we have.” communities by fostering an environment conflict, and not minimise them in any way, her mental state. However, this request was where the observations they make would then She also said that applications for public where the illegal encroachment of land can and that they stand with the University of denied by the hotel management. We couldn’t have to be relayed to the Department’s head examinations, such as for the GCE O/L and occur. Jaffna Students’ Union. He added that the reach her for a few days, so I sent some of my office in Colombo prior to the preparation of A/L, and the Grade Five Scholarship, were also Lawyers representing the family members IUSF is preparing a statement condemning relatives to pay a visit. Again, this was stopped the said report.” sent to schools through an online system. of the assaulted cattle farmers allege that the the actions of the University authorities. by the security. However, I managed to call her Therefore, what the Ministry is proposing “We were concerned whether certain schools Karaniyadura Police Station, the closest police “We see that racism is promoted by university over the phone with the help of the management is that in a case where excavation had been would be able to obtain these applications because station to the cattle farmers, had initially authorities in universities such as Jaffna and and to get a glimpse of my wife through a video conducted by an outsider to the area where the of technical difficulties, especially rural schools. been reluctant to record the complaints of the north-eastern university, in order to divide call. I was not aware at the time this would be dig was conducted, they should be produced But the system was successful and there were no the farmers. The lawyers further alleged that students along ethnic lines. This is to prevent the last time I’d see her.” before a Magistrate, while if the case involves issues,” she said, adding that private candidates they had to communicate with the Human students from organising as a unified collective According to Kumara, she was unstable a resident of the area where the dig took place, were also able to obtain their admission cards Rights Commission for the Police to take against the authorities.” during her stay in the hotel and was not having then they should be produced before a HC judge through this online system. the complainants seriously. Finally, it had Jinarathana Thero said that every person has her meals regularly. She had been wearing the to be enlarged on bail only under exceptional With Covid-19 travel restrictions, students been the Mahaoya Police that had recorded a right to commemorate the dead, regardless of same dress she had worn on her flight; it had circumstances. were unable to reach their schools to collect the statement, although they had also taken whether they are Sinhala or Tamil, and that the been over two weeks. When questioned about “Of course, if the Department is of the view their examination admission cards, so this online the cattle farmers in as suspects. demolition of the monument is unacceptable. this after the video call, the management’s reply that the offence is of a serious nature in either system was helpful for them, Wijesooriya said. The Human Rights Commission Regional “These monuments commemorate the was that she is fine and having her meals daily. of the circumstances, such offenders should be “We had this system in place before the Covid- Co-ordinator for the Batticaloa Region Abdul common man, those who were close to these “My wife came on 17 December and was subjected to conviction, be fined, and jailed,” 19 pandemic related restrictions were imposed.” Latif-Izadeen told The Morning that he would students – their friends, family, loves ones. So the expected to leave on 2 January after quarantine. De Silva added. Speaking of the plans to introduce digitisation officially call for reports from both the monument won’t cause discord among students, However, the hotel management wanted us to Sri Lanka has, in recent times and as far back to the evaluation process, Wijesooriya said the Karaniyadura and Mahaoya Police Stations but exercises of force such as this might.” take her home on 1 January around 8 p.m. We as the past couple of years, experienced a spate Department hopes to purchase optical character today (11). He had also requested the victims’ JVP former MP Dr. Nalinda Jayathissa claimed were supposed to come and take her. Since I was of incidents involving – in some cases, the recognition (OCR) and intelligent character families to lodge a complaint with the HRCSL that this is the Government’s way of “distracting not in Sri Lanka at the time, I told my relatives wanton and willful, in certain cases, negligent recognition (ICR) equipment and software worth Batticaloa office. the public from their failures”. to attend to this matter. However, they got a call and apathetic, and in others, ignorant and Rs. 100 million to expedite the process of marking “The OIC of the Mahaoya Police assured “Racism is the Government’s final trump card, from the hotel on 1 January morning saying simpleminded – destruction of artefacts from multiple choice questions. me that he would conduct an impartial and we see that the Government is harassing the my wife had passed away. It was horrifying.” various parts of the country, all of which constitute “We are planning to make the purchase this investigation into the incident,” said Izadeen. Tamil and Muslim communities and calling for According to the postmortem, she was Covid- a vital part of the national heritage. year, but it depends on whether we get the funds.” Rasamanickam claims that the disputes a response for that to get a reaction for it from 19-negative and the cause of death was a heart The incumbent administration appointed The Department also plans to expedite the began when the incumbent Government took the Sinhala society. We ask the public not to attack, Kumara added. a Presidential Task Force for Archaeological process of obtaining marks from examination the decision to boost food production and fall for these tactics.” When reached for comment, the Front Office Heritage Management in the Eastern Province, evaluation centres after the exams, Wijesooriya allowed the Mayilathamadu District grazing He said that it has been about one and a half Manager of the hotel in Kandy told us that the which however has come under fire from certain said. land to be used for human settling under the years since this monument was erected, and if General Manager of the hotel had refused to quarters for a perceived ethnic and religious bias “From this year, evaluation centres will be Mahaweli Authority. This had essentially left any tensions were to be caused by this monument, comment on the matter. in its composition. Regardless, media reports given a total of 1,500 tablet computers, which 200,000 livestock astray, he stated. they should have taken place during this period. All attempts to reach the National Operations of such incidents seem to indicate an upward will enable the marks to be sent to the Department “It is difficult for us to believe that such Centre for Prevention of Covid-19 Outbreak trend in the phenomenon, and the authorities on a daily basis,” she said. tensions would arise now after it has survived in (NOCPCO) and the Kandy Public Health are seen more to be responding after the fact The current system requires a centre’s evaluation Crucial week... a multi-ethnic environment for so long already.” Inspector (PHI) for comment proved futile. (destruction), as opposed to taking preventive process to be concluded to send the manually- Speaking to The Morning yesterday (10), He claimed that those who demolished the measures. prepared mark sheet to the Department. SriLankan Airlines Chairman Ashok Pathirage monument would have been aware of the repercussions of such an act. SJB to ‘protect’... “It would cause unrest among students; Tamil Premadasa condemned the remarks of the Overstaying... Cartoon of the day parties in the North would intervene; and there President, saying that the President and the The two suspects had been arrested based would be a tense situation in the North to Government are solely responsible for the life on a tip-off received yesterday, the Police said. which South India and the global Tamil of MP Fernando from the moment the President The Police further cautioned the public to be diaspora would intervene. This would allow made his speech. vigilant when using online banking services, the Government to claim that the Rajapaksa In a statement released yesterday, MP particularly when using passwords. Government needs to be protected, as the Eran Wickramaratne stated that as the main “Scammers can even steal or transfer money nation needs to be protected from the threats Opposition, the SJB requests the Police to from your bank accounts,” the Police stressed. of the diaspora.” tighten security for Fernando as he believes that The Police cautioned the public about rising The manner in which the decision to take there is a greater threat to his life following the cybercrimes in Sri Lanka. In the past few years, the monument down was carried out needs President’s remarks. Sri Lanks’s law enforcement agencies have to be looked at again, said CPA Executive The comments in question were made by the arrested several foreign nationals, including Director Dr. Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu. President while participating in the “Discussion Nigerian nationals, for engaging in various “The sensitivities of the locals have been with the Village” programme in Lathugala, forms of crimes, including Automated Teller very badly affected. It was quite unacceptable.” Uhana on Saturday. Machine (ATM)-related crimes in Sri Lanka. He claimed that relations between “Recently, a parliamentarian called Harin Information Technology Society of Sri Lanka communities will suffer due to actions such Fernando referred to me as ‘Nandasena’ in (ITSSL) Chairman Rajeev Yasiru Kuruwitage as this, and that there are certain elements Parliament. But Nandasena Gotabaya has Mathew said that even though cybercrime is not that do not want people to live in harmony two personalities. I can be Defence Secretary a new issue, various new forms of cybercrimes and understanding. “It’s not a post-conflict Gotabaya too. Did you see what happened surface from time to time. situation; we continue to allow the conflict to to Prabakaran who bombed me when I was He added people’s personal details are usually go on, and we nurture it through these kinds Defence Secretary? It finished with him being used for marketing purposes, but they can also be of incidents.” killed like a dog. I can be ready for anything.” used for scams very easily. He also emphasised the Dr. Saravanamuttu also insinuated that the When contacted by The Morning yesterday, importance of people verifying the authenticity of Government is taking deliberate steps to allow Presidential Spokesman Mohan Samaranayake emails, text messages, and social media/internet conflict to continue, to distract attention from said that he is unable to comment on the links they receive, before making any payment its inability to respond to the expectations of President’s remarks. However, he said that or responding to them. the morning 3 Monday, January 11, 2021 NEWS DRUG USER DEATHS IN CUSTODY Go to the village, Inmates to be sent Prez tells officials President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has emphasised the need for government officials not to confine to rehab prisons themselves to their offices, but to go to the BY RUWAN LAKNATH JAYAKODY residence at a local community villages and identify camp), and community genuine problems faced A mechanism has been outreach-based. by the people and provide introduced by the This programme also solutions. National Dangerous includes an MoU signed with “People living in Drugs Control Board the National Youth Corps to villages see the problems (NDDCB) to transfer provide vocational training faced by them from one to prevent relapse due to angle. The way officials prisoners in remand President Gotabaya Rajapaksa addressing the ‘Discussion with the custody for drug use- unemployment post-sobriety. look at the issue is Village’ programme in Lathugala, Uhana in the Ampara District related offences to Under this, a three-month different from that. The designated prisons residential programme opinion of people living Uwa Wellassa rebellion. speedily. The work of the imparting soft skills will be in Colombo is even more Now the village has 231 Lathugala-Bokkabedda- with drug rehabilitation conducted, after which the contradictory,” he said. families with a population Athuloya, Bakmitiyawa- programmes in place. participants will be given The President made of 783. Pannalgama, and This mechanism has been conducted of the Mahara Prison can accommodate 64 persons scholarships for courses of these comments whilst Chena cultivation Mahaoya-Krunduwinna formulated with a view to in the wake of the first wave is scheduled to be opened their liking (hospitality, sound participating in the utilising rainwater is the roads was also ordered reduce the incidence of deaths of the Covid-19 pandemic. at the same location as the engineering, etc.). “Discussion with the main source of livelihood to be completed soon. of drug users while in the Subsequent events, including Nawadiganthaya Treatment Other NDDCB programmes Village’’ programme of the people in Lathugala Plans are underway to custody of the Prisons authority, the second wave of Covid-19, Centre in Urapola, Nittambuwa, include the Drug Free Sri in Lathugala, Uhana and surrounding villages. develop 1,150 km in the as well as overcrowding within the change of the State Minister where they also plan to Lanka mobile application, in the Ampara District They cultivate maize, Ampara District under the prisons, according to the in charge of the subject, and construct another donor-funded which is an information on Saturday (9), the cowpea, sorghum, and programme to develop NDDCB. the Mahara Prison incident facility that can house 1,000 portal, a YouTube channel that President’s Media Division vegetables, and are 100,000 km of roads. The An officer involved in of November last year, meant persons. allows for conversations with (PMD) announced severely affected by the President also instructed research at the NDDCB, that the mechanism was not Furthermore, a community- counsellors, a social media yesterday (10). This marks menace of armyworm that the road development speaking to The Morning on implemented. In this regard, it based rehabilitation programme campaign (a Facebook account the fifth in the series of caterpillars. work be handed over only 8 January, said that under the is learnt that the NDDCB has for those on the lower scale in on being drug-free whilst “Discussion with the Among the other major to contractors who can proposed mechanism, drug written to the Department of terms of drug dependence is under quarantine), the 24-hour Village” programmes issues faced by the people carry it out responsibly. users in remand custody would Prisons, and that the matter is planned to be commenced from counselling helpline 1927, and attended by the President. of Lathugala is their The President directed be screened on the level of once again being co-ordinated Colombo. The latter programme the training of school teachers He added that the expulsion away from the relevant parties to drug use, and subsequently for implementation. will have three counsel, and prison officers. political culture of traditional farming lands expedite the reconstruction categorised on the level Meanwhile, the officer treatment, and follow up-related Last year, when the Covid-19 forgetting the village due to marking them as of the Kotapathdamana of dependence as severe, further elaborated on current components: home-based pandemic was raging, Sri Lanka after winning power has reserves during wildlife tank as a remedy to the moderate, and lower. Based on and future programmes (officers such as those handling reported a number of incidents been changed and that the and forest conservation shortage of water which the categorisation, they would of the NDDCB under the Samurdhi, vocational training, of prisoners, who were problems identified while surveys.The President is a major obstacle to be transferred to one of the 10 upcoming new national drug- and youth affairs attached to the experiencing drug withdrawal in the Opposition will be informed the people that a agricultural activities. designated prisons with existing related programme covering relevant Divisional Secretariat symptoms whilst in the custody addressed and sustainable policy decision has been President Rajapaksa drug rehab programmes. prevention, enhanced treatment will visit the drug user at home of law enforcement authorities, development will be taken to allow farmers paid special attention This pilot mechanism was capacity, and rehabilitation. and address factors associated dying in prison cells, police achieved in every village. to engage in traditional to the drinking water formulated by the NDDCB In this connection, a donor- with the drug use), community holding cells, and even while in The “Discussion cultivation activities in problem of people. subsequent to an assessment funded treatment facility that camp-based (10-14 days in hospital. with the Village” all villages of the country Issuing instructions to programme commenced without undue restrictions lay pipelines along the by on 25 September 2020 imposed by wildlife roads in Lathugala, the at Welanwita in the or forest conservation President called for an Trump first outgoing Haldummulla Divisional activities or any other immediate solution to the Ranjan accused of Secretariat Division of institute.The government drinking water problem. US Prez to miss the Badulla District. The agents and divisional It was agreed to supply excessive spending second of the series was secretaries were requested water to Padiyathalawa inauguration in 150 years held in Himbiliyakada in by the President to act from the Rambakan However, when the Wilgamuwa Divisional accordingly and assist the Oya Reservoir and to BY DINITHA RATHNAYAKE questioned by The Morning, US President Donald Wilmington, Delaware, at Secretariat Division public. provide water to several The Nawa Sinhale Ramanayake refuted the Trump has announced a news conference after in the Matale District People are presently villages including that of National Organisation allegations. that he would not attend he introduced his Cabinet while the third was in forced to go to the Uhana Tampitiya, Poonawali, and lodged a complaint with “Priyasad himself came President-elect Joe Biden’s nominees. “He exceeded Rawanakanda, Imbulpe Dispensary, 16 km away, Mullaitivu. Several tanks the Criminal Investigation and asked for money from inauguration on 20 January, even my worst notions in Balangoda. The fourth or to the Ampara Hospital, including Yodakandiya, Department (CID) against me. He has also taken which would make him only about him. He’s been an programme was held 24 km away, for treatment Kotapathdamana, a number of politicians, money from me when he the fourth US President embarrassment to the in Kodigahawewa in due to lack of facilities in Lathugala, Hulannuge, and including Samagi Jana came to watch my movie to boycott his successor’s country, embarrassed us Kebithigollewa last week. the vicinity. To rectify this Handapadagama will be Balawegaya (SJB) ‘Dr. Nawariyan’. I have inauguration, and the first in around the world. He’s not The village of Lathugala situation, the President renovated soon. Parliamentarian Ranjan recordings to prove this,” more than 150 years to do so, worthy to hold that office.” in the Uhana Divisional instructed to set up a It was also advised Ramanayake, alleging said Ramanayake. according to CNN. Biden will be sworn in Secretariat located 24 Primary Healthcare Center to construct a fertiliser excessive spending in their “I was not involved in The last instance of a on 20 January as the 46th km away from Ampara in the Bokkabedda Village storage in Lathugala. election campaigns. any of the production work similar boycott was when President of the US, and city was chosen for to serve the people of President Rajapaksa Speaking to The Morning at EAP,” he further claimed. Andrew Johnson did not the oldest at the time of Saturday’s discussion. many surrounding villages. handed over three on 7 January, a member The ETI organisation attend Ulysses S. Grant’s inauguration, at 78 years of The public gathering took It was decided to computers to the principals of the said organisation, is presently embroiled inauguration in 1869. age. place at the playground construct a new building of the Lathugala and Dan Priyasad, said that in a legal quagmire over “To all of those who have After a months-long of the Lathugala Primary and a playground at the Vidyaloka Vidyalayas, Ramanayake’s name financial impropriety. asked, I will not be going to campaign to cling to school in Varanketagoda. Lathugala Primary School donated by Mobitel. was in the complaint Four former Directors the Inauguration on January power, Trump on Thursday Villagers from several and to provide a solution State Minister along with seven other of ETI Finance Ltd. – 20th,” Trump wrote on recognised his defeat for the surrounding hamlets to the prevailing teacher Wimalaweera politicians, claiming that Jeewaka Edirisinghe, Twitter on Friday (8). The first time in a two-and-a- including Uhana, shortage issue. The Dissanayake, Eastern Ramanayake was involved Anjali Edirisinghe, Asanka announcement came two half-minute video posted on Damana, Galapitagala, President advised officials Province Governor in alleged malpractices that Edirisinghe, and Nalaka days after a violent mob Twitter. While accepting that Gonagolla, Padiyathalawa, to address the problem Anuradha Yahampath, occurred at Edirisinghe Edirisinghe – have been of the President’s loyalists a “new administration will be Dehiaththakandiya, of shortage of teachers MPs W.D. Weerasinghe, Trust Investments (ETI) remanded till 12 January, stormed the Capitol in an inaugurated on 20 January”, Mahiyanganaya, at Uhana Vidyaloka Thilak Rajapaksha, Holdings. after being arrested last effort to overturn the result he also refused to give up his Bandaraduwa, Vidyalaya, Walagampura and A.L.M. Athaullah, “I have evidence to prove week by the Criminal of the November Election, in claims that the election was Mahakandiya, and Vidyalaya, Uhana Principal Advisor to that eight politicians who Investigation Department an attack that left five people stolen from him. Bokkabadda gathered Waranketagoda Maha the President Lalith took part in a recent election on the directive of Attorney dead. Citing the importance of there to present their Vidyalaya,Negethenna, Weeratunga, political misused public money. I General Dappula de Livera, His decision was welcomed keeping with “historical grievances to the President and Uhana Thissa representatives in the will make these accusations on charges of criminal by the President-elect, precedents”, Biden said he seeking redress. Ampara National Schools area, ministry secretaries, at a media briefing. The misappropriation, fraud, who termed it a positive would be “honoured” to The area of Lathugala expeditiously. and heads of several relevant officials have to money laundering, and development. have Mike Pence attend his is nine sq. km. Villagers Instructions were government institutions take action,” he further other offences at ETI “It’s a good thing, him inauguration, though the say the settlement was also issued to complete were present during the claimed. Finance. not showing up,” Biden vice-president’s plans remain started by 15 families the construction of “Discussion with the told reporters Friday in unclear. who survived in the Ampara, Lathugala road Village” programme.

Indian HC Defence Mediation Wing officers call on Boards resume operations SL Defence hierarchy Mediation Boards, which were closed in Defence Wing officers of Defence Staff Gen. Shavendra Defence Advisor Capt. September 2020 due to the second wave of the the Indian High Commission Silva on 6 January 2021. Vikas Sood, along with the Covid-19 pandemic, resumed operations on 9 Colombo called on the senior The Assistant Defence Assistant Defence Advisor, January 2021, the Justice Ministry said. hierarchy of Sri Lankan Advisor communicated also called on Sri Lanka State The Mediation Boards Commission, taking Defence on several occasions congratulatory wishes of the Intelligence Service Director into consideration the prevailing Covid-19 during the first week of 2021. High Commissioner and the Maj. Gen. T.S. Sallay, on 8 situation in the country, has decided to resume High Commission of India Defence Wing to both officials January 2021, and National operations of Mediation Boards located Assistant Defence Advisor on their promotion to the rank Intelligence Chief Maj. Gen. islandwide, except those in high-risk areas. Lt. Col. Puneet Sushil paid of General. He also held a (Retd.) Ruwan Kulatunga, on Members and chairmen of Mediation a courtesy call to Defence cordial discussion to further 7 January 2021. Discussions Boards have been issued instructions regarding Secretary Gen. (Retd.) Kamal strengthen and enhance the on topics of mutual interest resuming operations in accordance with Gunaratne on 8 January ongoing bilateral defence and areas of co-operation Covid-19 health guidelines, the Justice Ministry 2021, and Sri Lanka Army co-operation between the two between the two countries Chief of Defence Staff and Army Commender Lt. Gen. Shavendra Silva (left) and High further added. Commander and Chief of countries on multiple domains. were held during the meeting. Commission of India Assistant Defence Advisor Lt. Col. Puneet Sushil 4 the morning Monday, January 11, 2021

SLbusiness bleeds over Rs. 965 m in 2021’s first week By the end of the first week foreigners, while the rest of the NFOs of the new year, the Colombo were from the CSE. Stock Exchange (CSE) had NFOs during this period were recorded a net foreign outflow substantially higher than the Rs. 72 (NFO) of Rs. 964.65 million, billion overall NFOs reported from 1 with Rs. 1.52 billion worth January-20 December 2019, during foreign sales being reported which period the Easter Sunday from the CSE against foreign incident shook the country’s economy. Dialog completes purchases reported as Rs. 2020 marks the third consecutive 563.62 million during this year that the CSE is recording NFOs, as the last net foreign inflow CSE period. recorded was in 2017, which was H One acquisition However, domestic purchases Rs.17.65 billion. In 2018, NFOs exceeded domestic sales during reported from the CSE were Rs. 23.2 Dialog Broadband for Microsoft Solutions and the week, as domestic sales and billion, which reduced by about 50% Networks (Pvt.) Ltd., a have partnered with many purchases were recorded as Rs. to Rs. 11.8 billion in 2019 amidst wholly owned subsidiary of wonderful customers over 32.09 billion and Rs. 33.06 billion, the first week of this year, with the the USD as at 31 December 2020. the Easter Sunday incident and the Dialog Axiata PLC, last week the years. I am grateful to respectively. selling rate of a US Dollar (USD) The lowest value the rupee hit in Presidential Election. completed the acquisition the Hirdaramani Board for Meanwhile, Treasury bills and reaching 190.89 on last Friday (8), 2020 was Rs. 200.4 against the US However, in 2020, outflows of H One (Pvt.) Ltd., by the vision, trust, and support bonds held by foreigners recorded from 189.80 on 1 January, according dollar, on 8 and 9 April. intensified, with NFOs totalling entering into a share sales and in scaling this business to NFOs of Rs. 0.75 million during this to data from the Central Bank of Sri NFOs recorded from the equity Rs. 50.6 billion up to 31 December. purchase agreement. where it is today. The team period, as bills and bonds depleted Lanka. and bond market in 2020 stood at Issuing a statement, the CSE stated “The acquisition of H One and I look forward to joining to Rs. 6,874.09 million from Rs. The LKR witnessed a depreciation about Rs. 148.44 billion as of 31 that the net foreign outflow is largely by Dialog would supplement the Dialog family, where 6,874.84 million. of 3.29% in 2020, compared to an December, out of which Rs. 97.84 in line with the foreign fund outflow Dialog’s expansive suite of we hope to rapidly scale the The Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR) appreciation of 0.7% in the previous billion comprised NFOs from the trend recorded in emerging and enterprise solutions and would business in the region whilst has depreciated by over 0.6% in year. The rupee was at Rs. 189.18 to Treasury bills and bonds held by frontier markets. facilitate acceleration of the maintaining the close-knit digital transformation of Sri customer-centricity and DNA Lanka’s enterprise sector. that has made us an award- The combination of Dialog’s winning team,” said H Once expertise in advanced Chief Executive Officer digital technologies and the (CEO) Samath Fernando in Thailand to focus on SL leading-edge capabilities of December last year. H One will create a centre This acquisition by Dialog of excellence for the scaling in light of H One’s experience of Microsoft platforms and in modern cloud solutions enterprise solutions,” stated signals its intention to scale investment opportunities Dialog Axiata PLC Group their digital infrastructure Chief Executive Supun and ramp up their mobile Ambassador of Thailand the sectors of training, Weerasinghe in late December telephony services, helping in Sri Lanka Chulamanee exchange of knowledge, 2020. Sri Lanka step into the future. Chartsuwan noted that and Buddhism, the Minister The transaction is at a Dialog Broadband Thailand has potential stated that agriculture purchase consideration of Networks (DBN) featuring to invest in Sri Lanka, and training provided by between Rs. 300 million to the group’s Fixed especially in the plantation Thailand has been productive Rs. 350 million on a cash Telecommunications, and agricultural sector, for Sri Lanka. free-debt free basis. Broadband, and International during a farewell call to Minister Gunawardena At present, H One is the Businesses segments recorded Foreign Affairs Minister remarked that Buddhism largest reseller of Microsoft revenue of Rs. 8 billion for Dinesh Gunawardena on 8 is the main linking force (MSFT) enterprise solutions Q3 2020 up 10% year-on-year January 2021. between Thailand and Sri in Sri Lanka and offers a (YoY) while the revenue was In this meeting, both sides Foreign Affairs Minister Dinesh Gunawardena (left) and Ambassador of Thailand in Sri Lanka Lanka, and observed that wide range of services which recorded at Rs. 23.3 billion endorsed the importance Chulamanee Chartsuwan (centre) many Sri Lankans visit include business analytics, for the nine months ended of finalising the Free signed in 2018. during her tenure. Multi-Sectoral Technical and Bangkok for tourism and cloud computing, Microsoft 30 September 2020 up 13% Trade Agreement (FTA) to The Ambassador, Minister Gunawardena, Economic Co-operation). business and noted that licensing, security, and digital year-to=date (YTD). DBN spearhead bilateral economic expressing her compliments emphasising the friendly The Ambassador assured the growing relationship advisory services among Earnings Before Interest, and trade relations. In to the Foreign Minister, relations between the Thailand’s support for Sri between Sri Lanka and others. H One was founded Tax, Depreciation, and regard to trade relations, said that she has served in two countries, thanked Lanka in its Chairmanship Thailand is a merit to their in 2008 as a subsidiary of Amortisation (EBITDA) the Minister noted that Sri Lanka for three years Thailand for the support of BIMSTEC. As a Kalyana relations. Moreover, he Hirdaramani Group and recorded a growth of 11% there is much potential and and seven months and she extended to Sri Lanka at Mitra nation, Thailand has noted the visits of high- reports an annual turnover of YTD to reach Rs. 7.6 billion hoped that these areas will feels privileged to have built international forums such stood with Sri Lanka in ranking officials in the past circa Rs. 1.6 billion. for the nine months ended 30 be rejuvenated and geared excellent relations, promoted as the UNHRC (United difficult times. which have inspired and “It has been an exciting September 2020. Net Profit through the implementation mutual interests of Sri Lanka Nations Human Rights Thanking the strengthened Sri Lanka- journey so far at H One. After Tax (NPAT) reached Rs. of the Strategic Economic and Thailand, and built Council) and BIMSTEC developmental co-operation Thailand relations and hoped We’ve become the largest 626 million, up 8% YTD for Partnership which was people-to-people contacts (Bay of Bengal Initiative for extended to Sri Lanka in that such visits will continue. enterprise player in Sri Lanka the first nine months of 2020. Panasian Power Pradeep Edward wins CEO of the Year award The Executive Director/Chief three Fellowships from the Charted Executive Officer (CEO) of Sadaharitha Institute of Marketing, Institute of withdraws ICRA rating Group of Companies Ltd., Dr. Pradeep Management Specialist-UK, and the Edward was presented with the “CEO Marketing Institute of Malaysia. He Panasian Power PLC has decided to power plants, amounting to power generation of The Year” award at the recently is a life member of Sri Lanka Institute withdraw the rating of SL (A-) with a Stable capacity of 7.25 MW. concluded Sri Lanka Brand Leadership of Marketing (SLIM) and the former outlook that was issued to the company by The company fully owns the Rathganga Awards 2020. This award comes across President of both SLIM and the Pharma ICRA Lanka in August 2019. MHPP and Manelwala MHPP whilst the as a major milestone achievement in his Promoters Association of Sri Lanka. The decision was taken as the company Padiyapellela MHPP is operated as a 83%- journey as a corporate leader. The year He has also held the General Secretary has no immediate fundraising requirements owned subsidiary. The company also intends 2020 saw him reaching newer heights position in Sri Lanka Chamber of the in the next 12 months, the company noted in to expand its MHPP portfolio with the in his corporate career, unleashing his Pharmaceutical Industry (SLCPI). a disclosure to the Colombo Stock Exchange addition of Padiyapellela Phase II (2.4 MW) full potential, which entitled him for Furthermore, he has been involved as a (CSE) last week. As per ICRA Lanka’s rating and the proposed Medakumbura MHPP (2.5 this award during his tenure as the Chief judge and speaker at several local and policies, an Issuer Credit Rating which is not MW). Moreover, PAP has commissioned Executive Officer of Lanka Hospitals international events and he has bagged applicable to any specific debt obligation can rooftop solar power plants through wholly Diagnostics. the Deshamanya Award for his priceless be withdrawn at the request of the rated entity. owned subsidiary Panasian Investments (Pvt.) The Sri Lanka Brand Leadership services to the nation. Panasian Power said that it will review the Ltd., with installed capacity of 6 MW (of Awards is an annual awards accolade Sadaharitha Group of Companies Ltd. Presently, he holds the posts of decision to withdraw the rating in the future if which 2 MWp capacity is under joint venture organised by the World Marketing Executive Director/CEO Dr. Pradeep Edward Secretary General of the Asia Marketing fundraising is required. [JV] levels) and another on the ground solar Association and CMO Asia, a premium Federation (AMF representing 18 Meanwhile, ICRA Lanka also recently power plant with total installed capacity of platform that recognises outstanding I dedicate this award to all my fellow countries in Asia), and Chairman of reaffirmed the Issuer Rating of (SL)A- with 1.25 MW. contributions of the marketing staff who extended their fullest support the Management Club – Colombo. He Stable outlook assigned to Panasian Power Moreover, PAP has a pipeline of ~12 fraternity. Held this year as a virtual to achieve my objectives staying with was recently appointed as the Head of and has withdrawn at the request of the MW of ground and rooftop solar projects event, Sri Lanka Brand Leadership me even during hard times. All these the panel of judges for the Asian Youth company and in accordance with ICRA which are expected to be commissioned Awards 2020 recognised the best achievements are a result of a team Awards and Women’s Awards. Under his Lanka’s Withdrawal and Suspension Policy. during FY2021/22. With these power plants, organisations, brands, and individuals effort and I am proud to lead such a guidance as the CEO, Lanka Hospitals Incorporated in 2002 as a Board of the company has four subsidiaries, four for their commitment towards branding, dedicated and hardworking team.” Diagnostics in the year 2018 has Investment (BOI) venture, Panasian Power sub-subsidiaries, and two JVs. By the end consumer engagement, and making a Dr. Edward has over 25 years of achieved an 18% growth on revenue and PLC (PAP) constructs, operates, and of FY2020, PAP’s total installed power social change through impact-driven corporate experience in both local and 49% growth of profitability and most maintains MHPPs as well as rooftop and generation capacity stood at 14.9 MW with contributions. multinational companies, with over importantly, achieved 100% profitability ground solar power plants. PAP operates three an estimated energy potential of 44.5 GWh. Commenting on the award, Dr. 20 years of experience at management targets in 2019 with a growth of 9% mini hydropower projects (MHPPs) with The company’s diversification aims to Edward said: “It’s an honour to be level and 10 years at board level, in the and 18% in its top line and bottom an installed capacity of 8.9 MW along with achieve installed power generation capacity recognised as the ‘CEO of the Year’ capacity of Chief Operating Officer line, respectively, even after the Easter a combination of rooftop and ground solar of ~30 MW by FY2022. by one the world’s top awards events. and Chief Executive Officer. He holds Sunday attacks. the morning 5 Monday, January 11, 2021 International

By Karen Hapuarachchi and landed dummy passengers, amending and pushing its human space travel start Elon Musk’s inception in date into late 2018. Moreover, it was accelerating the world’s transition to later announced that Bezos had priced sustainable energy with advanced commercial spaceflight tickets from technology, development of How Elon Musk $200,000-300,000 per person in 2018. artificial intelligence (AI), and the human colonisation of Mars Elon Musk’s wealth and early life has brought him success, as he The centi-billionaire was born on 28 became the richest person in June, 1971, in Pretoria, Transvaal, South the world, with a net worth of Africa to Canadian-South African model and dietician, Maye Musk, and Errol Musk, $ 209 billion. In addition, by became the a South African electromechanical engineer. surpassing $ 188 billion, Musk During his childhood, Musk was an avid dethroned Jeff Bezos from the reader. position as of January 2021. At the age of 10, he developed an interest in computing while using the Commodore Elon Musk is a business magnate, VIC-20. Musk learned computer industrial designer, and engineer, who holds world’s programming using a manual and, by the the present position of SpaceX Founder, age of 12, sold the code of a BASIC-based CEO, CTO and Chief Designer; Tesla video game he created called Blastar to CEO and Product Architect; The Boring PC and Office Technology magazine for Company Founder; Neuralink Co-Founder; approximately $ 500. and OpenAI Co-Founder and initial While Musk’s success is globally Co-Chairman of OpenAI. recognised, the achievements of the other richest man members of the Musk family are also His business career and vision highlighted internationally. Firstly, while As CEO and Lead Designer at SpaceX, being the mother to Elon Musk, Kimbal Musk oversees the development of rockets Musk, and Tosca Musk, Maye Musk holds a and spacecraft for missions to Earth’s record of 50 years in the modelling industry, orbit, and ultimately to other planets. In appearing on the covers of magazines, 2001, Musk conceptualised “Mars Oasis”, including a Time magazine health edition, a project to land a miniature experimental Woman’s Day, and Vogue. greenhouse containing seeds with The family patriarch Errol Musk is a dehydrated gel on Mars, to grow plants on South African electromechanical engineer, Martian soil. who also has multiple careers as pilot, sailor, Musk ultimately founded SpaceX in 2002 consultant, and property developer. Kimbal with the long-term goal of creating a true Musk, younger brother to Elon Musk, is a spacefaring civilisation, after the rejection to South African-born restaurateur, chef, and purchase refurbished Dnepr Intercontinental entrepreneur. He also owns the Kitchen Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs) that could send Restaurant Group, is Founder and Chairman the payloads into space, from Moscow of Square Roots, and currently sits on the companies, NPO Lavochkin and Kosmotras. boards of Tesla Inc. and SpaceX. Further on, “Mars & Beyond” was Finally, the younger sister Tosca Musk initiated by Elon Musk and SpaceX as is a South African filmmaker, Co-Founder a development programme to facilitate of streaming service Passionflix, and an the eventual colonisation of Mars. The Executive Producer, Producer, and Director programme includes reusable launch of feature films, television programs, and vehicles, human-rated spacecraft, on-orbit web content. Her work also includes K. propellant tankers, rapid-turnaround launch/ Bromberg’s Driven, Rachel van Dyken’s landing mounts, and local production of Matchmaker’s Playbook, and her web rocket fuel on Mars via in-situ resource series, Tiki Bar TV. utilisation (ISRU). Prior to the launch of Musk’s billion- SpaceX’s aspirational goal has been to dollar companies Tesla and SpaceX, land the first humans on Mars by 2024. Musk and his brother Kimbal, along with However, in October 2020 Elon Musk Greg Kouri, started Zip2, a web software announced 2024 as the goal for an uncrewed company, with money raised from a small mission, with a crewed mission to follow group of angel investors. The company later in the future. The SpaceX Starship, photo credits getty images developed and marketed an internet city a fully reusable super-heavy lift launch guide for the newspaper publishing industry, vehicle under development since 2018, with maps, directions, and yellow pages. is a key element of the SpaceX Mars cousins Lyndon and Peter Rive co-founded its support for the “development of safe that utilised their inception and dreams to Their efforts materialised when the Musk programme. in 2006. Musk announced that SolarCity artificial intelligence to benefit humanity”. achieve success while serving as powerful brothers obtained contracts with The New Furthermore, SpaceX intends and Tesla would collaborate to use electric innovators, international contributors to York Times and The Chicago Tribune, and to concentrate its resources on the vehicle batteries to smooth the impact of Enhancing connectivity on-planet societies, and significant philanthropists. persuaded the board of directors to abandon transportation part of the Mars colonisation rooftop solar on the power grid in 2012, Furthermore, Elon Musk launched The In 2014, Bill Gates, best known as the plans for a merger with CitySearch. In project, including the design of a propellant with the programme going live in 2013. Boring Company, after being inspired Co-Founder of Microsoft Corporation, February 1999, Compaq acquired Zip2 for $ plant based on the Sabatier process that will SolarCity was the second-largest provider while stuck in traffic. Musk tweeted: “I surpassed Carlos Slim and family to become 307 million in cash, while Musk received be deployed on Mars to synthesise methane of solar power systems in the United States am going to build a tunnel-boring machine the richest man in the world. He has been $ 22 million from the sale for his 7% share. and liquid oxygen as rocket propellant, by 2013. and just start digging ...” The company included in the Forbes list of the world’s In March the following year, Musk from the local supply of atmospheric carbon In addition, Tesla produces three energy began digging a 30-foot (9.1 m) wide, wealthiest people since 1987, and held the co-founded X.com, an online financial dioxide and ground-accessible water ice. storage products, the Powerwall home 50-foot (15 m) long, and 15-foot (4.6 Forbes title of “richest person in the world” services and e-mail payment company, with The first collaboration between NASA battery, the Powerpack commercial-scale m) deep “test trench” on the premises of for four years from 2014-2017. $ 10 million from the sale of Zip2. One year and Spacex happened in 2006, when NASA battery, and Megapack, which is designed Space X’s offices in Los Angeles, since the Moreover, Microsoft Corporation went later, the company merged with Confinity, announced that the company was one of two for utility-scale installations. In 2016, construction requires no permits. A tunnel on to become the world’s largest personal which had a money-transfer service called selected to provide crew and cargo resupply Tesla became the world’s first vertically- beneath the Las Vegas Convention Centre computer software company. In his time PayPal. The merged company focused on demonstration contracts to the International integrated sustainable energy company with was completed in early 2020. Local officials of being the “richest man in the world”, the PayPal service and was renamed PayPal Space Station (ISS). Moreover, starting the acquisition of SolarCity, the leading have approved further expansions of the Bill Gates excelled by being one of the in 2001. in 2011, SpaceX received funding under provider of solar power systems in the tunnel system. best-known entrepreneurs and pioneers Elon Musk’s plans for the future as NASA’s Commercial Crew Development United States, and in 2017, released Solar The centi-billionaire also unveiled a of the microcomputer revolution of the the richest man in the world includes a programme to develop the Dragon 2 crew Roof: “a beautiful and affordable energy concept for a high-speed transportation 1970s and 1980s, having pursued a number series of plans involving SpaceX and its capsule. A contract to provide crew flights generation product”. system incorporating reduced-pressure of philanthropic endeavors, and making programmes for space exploration, and to to the ISS was awarded in 2014 tubes, in which pressurised capsules ride donations to various charitable organisations further advance technology in production Melding man and machine on an air cushion driven by linear induction and scientific research programmes through in his companies. In addition, he hopes Closer to the ground Musk co-founded Neuralink, a motors and air compressors, in 2013. As the the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, of human colonisation of the planet As Tesla CEO/Co-Founder, Musk neurotechnology startup aiming to integrate alpha design for the system was published reported to be the world’s largest private Mars as soon as 2024 through his Mars leads all product design, engineering, and the human brain with AI in 2016. The in a whitepaper posted to the Tesla and charity. programme in Spacex. global manufacturing of the company’s company is centred on creating devices SpaceX blogs, the document scoped out Jeff Bezos is best known as the Founder, In the process of colonising Mars, Musk electric vehicles, battery products, and that can be implanted in the human brain, the technology and outlined a notional CEO, and President of the multinational aspires to increase the temperature of solar energy products. Tesla’s mission has with the eventual purpose of helping human route where such a transport system might technology company Amazon. The first the planet by nuking the planet’s poles, a been to accelerate the world’s transition beings merge with software and keep pace be built: between the Greater Los Angeles centi-billionaire, he surpassed Bill Gates by statement with which NASA disagreed. to sustainable energy since the company’s with advancements in AI. Area and the San Francisco Bay Area, at an $ 22 billion to become the world’s richest Additionally, Musk not only aspires to inception in 2003. These enhancements could improve estimated total cost of $ 6 billion. man in 2017. Moreover, the company, create colonies, but cities on the planet. The first Tesla product, the Roadster memory, or allow more direct interfacing Musk’s proposal, if technologically which began as an online bookstore, Furthermore, the centi-billionaire also sports car, debuted in 2008, followed by with computing devices. Furthermore, at a feasible at the costs he has cited, would has since expanded to a wide variety of plans to ultimately provide a means of the Model S sedan, which was introduced live demonstration in August 2020, Musk make Hyperloop travel cheaper than any other e-commerce products and services, travel that should be able to exceed in 2012, and the Model X SUV, which described one of their early devices as “a other mode of transport for such long including video and audio streaming, cloud 1124 km/h, all underground. At present, launched in 2015. Model S received Fitbit in your skull”, which claims to cure distances. Musk had envisioned the system computing, and AI. two routes are in development – between Consumer Reports’ Best Overall Car award paralysis, deafness, blindness, and other in approximately 2011, and assigned a Amazon is currently the world’s largest Los Angeles and San Francisco, and and has been named the Ultimate Car of the disabilities. dozen engineers from Tesla and SpaceX, online sales company, the largest internet between New York and Washington Year by Motor Trend, while Model X was Musk also announced the creation of who worked part-time for nine months, company by revenue, and the world’s largest D.C. – and once completed, trips should the first SUV ever to earn five-star safety OpenAI, a not-for-profit AI research establishing the conceptual foundations and provider of virtual assistants and cloud take no more than 30 minutes using ratings in every category and sub-category company. OpenAI aims to develop creating the designs that resulted in the 2013 infrastructure services through its Amazon Hyperloop. in the National Highway Traffic Safety artificial general intelligence in a way whitepaper. Web Services branch. As the richest person in the world with a Administration’s tests. that is safe and beneficial to humanity in In addition, he announced a design Following his success, Bezos and net worth of $ 209 billion, Musk’s electric Musk favoured building a more affordable December 2015. By making AI available competition for students and others to build current “richest man in the world” Elon car company Tesla has surged in value Tesla model; this led to the Model 3, which to everyone, OpenAI wants to “counteract Hyperloop pods to operate on a SpaceX- Musk share the passion for space travel this year, and hit a market value of $ 700 was unveiled in 2016 with a planned base large corporations who may gain too much sponsored mile-long track in a 2015–2017 and the development of human life in the billion (£ 516 billion) for the first time on price of $ 35,000. In 2017, Tesla began power by owning super-intelligence systems Hyperloop pod competition. The track was solar system. After the 18-year-old Bezos 6 January 2021. It is the fact that Tesla’s deliveries of Model 3, a mass-market devoted to profits, as well as governments used in January 2017, and Musk also started stated that he wanted to preserve Earth share price has increased more than seven- electric vehicle with more than 320 miles of which may use AI to gain power and even building a tunnel. from overuse through resource depletion, fold in the past year that has sent Elon range, and unveiled the Tesla Semi, which is oppress their citizenry”. Furthermore, Hyperloop One, a company Jeff Bezos founded Blue Origin, a human Musk’s fortune rocketing past that of Jeff designed to save owners at least $ 200,000 Musk has stated he wants to counteract unaffiliated with Musk, announced in July spaceflight startup company in September Bezos. over a million miles based on fuel costs the concentration of power. In 2018, Musk 2017 that it had its first successful test run 2000. Additionally, SpaceX is presently valued alone. left the OpenAI board to avoid possible on its DevLoop track in Nevada, which had Blue Origin’s New Shepard space vehicle at $ 46 billion. His wealth has been driven As of March 2020, the Tesla Model 3 is future conflicts with his role as CEO lasted 5.3 seconds and reached a top speed successfully rocketed into space and reached by meteoric stock price of Tesla, SpaceX, the world’s best-selling electric car, with of Tesla, as Tesla increasingly became of 70 mph. In July 2017, Musk claimed its planned test altitude of 329,839 feet and the cumulated wealth generated from more than 500,000 units delivered. In 2019, involved in AI through Tesla Autopilot. In that he had received “verbal government before executing a vertical landing back at Zip2 and X.com. Additionally, when Tesla unveiled Cybertruck, which will have an interview with Joe Rogan in September approval” to build a hyperloop from New the launch site in West Texas in November addressed by the group Tesla Owners of better utility than a traditional truck and 2018, Musk expressed his concerns York City to Washington, D.C., stopping in 2015. The centi-billionaire has repeatedly Silicon Valley (@teslaownerssv) of being more performance than a sports car, as well about the dangers of developing artificial both Philadelphia and Baltimore. called for increased inter-space energy and the richest man in the world on Twitter: as the Model Y compact SUV, which began intelligence indiscriminately. industrial manufacturing to decrease the “@elonmusk is now the richest man in the customer deliveries in early 2020. In January 2019, Mark Harris of The World’s billionaires negative costs associated with business- world”, Musk replied with “How strange”, Musk provided the initial concept and Guardian noted that the Musk Foundation During the last decade, the title “Richest related pollution. followed with another tweet that stated financial capital for SolarCity, which his had added a line to its website, stating man in the world” has involved individuals The New Shepard successfully flew “Well, back to work”. 6 the morning CORPORATE Monday, January 11, 2021 EO partners with Softlogic Life to boost young entrepreneurs The Entrepreneurs’ Organisation (EO) Sri Lanka recently entered into a partnership with life insurer, DIMO Group CEO Gahanath Pandithage receiving the ‘Overall Winner’ award Softlogic Life, to launch the Global Student Entrepreneur Awards INTEGRATED REPORTING AWARDS (GSEA) in an effort to inspire and ignite a culture of entrepreneurship among students and young people DIMO recognised as in Sri Lanka. GSEA is the premier global competition for students who own and operate a ‘Overall Winner’ for business while attending college or university. Founded in 1998 by Saint Louis University, GSEA is now an EO 6th consecutive year programme. EO GSEA supports student entrepreneurs who seek global exposure, DIMO has been awarded the “Overall Therefore, winning it six consecutive recognition, and connections to take their From left: Softlogic Life Vice President – Marketing Kavi Rajapaksha, Softlogic Life Executive Winner” award for the sixth consecutive times is an incredible achievement that businesses to the next level of success. Vice President – Alternate Channels Piyumal Wickramasinghe, EO Sri Lanka Chapter GSEA Chair year at the Integrated Reporting Awards, speaks volumes of DIMO’s commitment Commenting further, EO Sri Lanka Jithendran Gajendran, EO Sri Lanka Chapter Strategic Alliances Chair Tarindra Kaluperuma, and EO at the recently concluded 2020 edition to integrated reporting and our team’s President Revantha Devasurendra said: “EO GSEA Sri Lanka Country Consultant Mohammed Fawaz of the prestigious “CMA Excellence in outstanding efforts in adhering to the Sri Lanka and GSEA were launched with a role in the development and prosperity entrepreneurs to participate in GSEA if they Integrated Reporting Awards” organised high standards. We are always searching commitment to strengthen our immaculate of communities and the country, this are eligible by signing up on the GSEA by the Institute of Certified Management for new ways to review and adopt best home-grown entrepreneurial ecosystem. partnership aims to uplift the lives of all website. Nominees will compete against Accountants. In addition to this main practices in both local and international Over the years, it has been truly inspiring Sri Lankans by discovering and nurturing their peers from around the world in a award, DIMO also won the “Special reporting and disclosure guidelines in both to witness the grit and determination of the dreams and innovations of promising series of local and/or national competitions Award for Best Concise Integrated financial and non-financial aspects so that young entrepreneurs who are working young entrepreneurs across the island. to qualify for GSEA finals. Report”, “Award for the Ten Best information of the highest quality is given towards scaling innovative solutions that Building an entrepreneurial platform in Sri Lauded for being “the ultimate toolbox Integrated Reports”, and “Special Award to all stakeholders.” aim to shift paradigms and create real value Lanka is critical to grow entrepreneurship in for entrepreneurs” by Forbes magazine, for Integrated Thinking”. Integrated thinking refers to the in society. We believe our partnership with Sri Lanka. The percentage of entrepreneurs EO has been helping entrepreneurs DIMO Group Chief Executive Officer manner in which organisations consider an institution such as Softlogic Life, that in the country is low and much more needs achieve transformational growth since (CEO) Gahanath Pandithage and Senior different elements that affect value has always been at the helm of supporting to be done to make conditions conducive for 1987. Worldwide, EO’s member base Accountant Ishara Danansooriya attended creation and their inter-dependencies immense growth in Sri Lanka, will help us entrepreneurs along with access to finance, is clocking median sales of $ 5 million the event which was held recently. and interconnections, when managing take this venture a step further, particularly technical and marketing knowhow, and the and counts 14,000-plus members having DIMO Chairman and Managing the organisation. In an integrated report, at a time such as this when entrepreneurship necessary support from the Government and 4.1 million-plus employees across 198 Director Ranjith Pandithage stated: this thinking needs to be articulated by must be supported to catalyse overall the industry. The aim of EO Sri Lanka is to chapters, located in 62 countries. EO also “Winning the most prestigious award the management in their management economic growth and resilience.” fuel budding entrepreneurs so that they go on has a vibrant Sri Lanka chapter as well, of the night once is tough enough given discussions and by demonstration of In the new normal, where start-ups to establish businesses and scale up. which was established in 2017, and now the high standards we have to achieve alignment of strategy throughout the are playing an increasingly impactful EO Sri Lanka encourages young counts 34 members. and the intense competition out there. report. Cinnamon Life Ceylinco Life donates medical lights up for 2021 Cinnamon Life, equipment to Jaffna hospitals an upcoming mixed development project, Lifesaving medical equipment to end non-invasive ventilators to the marked the dawn of the value of Rs. 2.5 million has been Government to support efforts to the New Year with a donated to two hospitals in Jaffna’s treat people infected by Covid-19. message of optimism, Vadamarachchi region by Ceylinco Earlier this year it also donated a lighting up its residential Life in tandem with the opening of fully renovated and re-equipped tower (The Suites at the company’s new branch building day chemotherapy unit for the Cinnamon Life) with in Nelliady. treatment of cancer patients to “Hope 2021”. This is The company donated two YP-920 the Trincomalee General Hospital the first development in infant incubators to the Base Hospital and had previously donated fully Sri Lanka to light up a in Point Pedro where premature equipped and furnished High building in a unique way births average approximately 5% Dependency Units (HDUs) to five to dawn the New Year, of deliveries, and a Rad-97 Pulse government hospitals – the Lady and it was visible from CO-Oximeter® with SpO2 sensor, Ridgeway Hospital (LRH), the most parts of the city. pulse rate monitor, perfusion index, National Hospital of Sri Lanka, According to the displays for continuous end-tidal the Jaffna Teaching Hospital, the John Keells Properties carbon dioxide values, and an M20 Colombo South Teaching Hospital team, construction has patient cable – all essential for the in Kalubowila, and the Kandy progressed at a steady treatment of dengue patients – to the Teaching Hospital. pace despite numerous Valvettithurai Divisional Hospital. Ceylinco Life was ranked the obstacles over the An indispensable medical facility “Most Valuable Life Insurance Brand past year due to the pandemic. Cinnamon Life is now visibly in the Jaffna peninsula, the Point in Sri Lanka” by Brand Finance last nearing completion with the office and one of the residential Pedro Base Hospital provides health- year and declared the “Peoples Life towers slated to be handed over within the next few months. related services to a population of Insurance Service Provider of the A “city within a city”, this iconic project will redefine 150,000 in the areas of Point Pedro, Ceylinco Life Directors led by Chairman R. Renganathan and MD Thushara Ranasinghe Year” for the 14th consecutive year Colombo’s skyline and deliver a vibrant lifestyle experience Karaveddy, and Marudankeni and at the presentation of essential medical equipment to the Valvettithurai Divisional at the 2020 SLIM-Nielsen Peoples at every touchpoint. Set to be the heartbeat of the city whilst has reported that it had an urgent Hospital (top) and the Base Hospital in Point Pedro (below) Awards. The company was ranked making its mark as Colombo’s lifestyle capital, the property need for incubators. With 292 beds, in its Emergency Treatment Unit peninsula and treats approximately among the 10 “Most Admired will feature an 800-roomed luxury “Cinnamon” hotel, premium 40 doctors, 68 nurses, and 112 health (ETU), said the Rad-97 Pulse 6,750 patients a month. Companies” in the country by the residential apartments, retail and entertainment mall, state-of- staff, the Point Pedro Hospital treats CO-Oximeter® will help remedy this The donation of the medical International Chamber of Commerce, the-art office spaces, and many other attractions to set the stage an average of 13,000 patients a situation and offer comprehensive equipment to these hospitals Sri Lanka (ICCSL) in 2019 and in as the entertainment hotspot in the Indian Subcontinent. The month. treatment to its dengue and was attended by Ceylinco Life the same year was named the “Best development’s iconic design by Cecil Balmond will span across The Valvettithurai Divisional emergency cases. On average, 25 Chairman R. Renganathan and Life Insurer in Sri Lanka” for the 4.5 million square feet and is envisioned to be the epicentre of Hospital which hitherto had to patients are admitted to its ETU senior management of the company sixth consecutive year by World modern South Asia. The residential apartments are priced at transfer approximately 15 patients every month. Established in 1947, as well as staff in the Jaffna Finance, and ranked sixth overall in $ 395,000 upwards. to other hospitals on a monthly the Valvettithurai Hospital is ranked region. In April last year, the life the Business Today ranking of the basis due the lack of equipment fifth among all hospitals in the insurance leader donated two high- country’s top 30 companies. Sophos publishes new research into SystemBC malware Sophos, a global leader in next- provides attackers with a persistent (TTPs). For instance, in some of the used in combination with other scripts and generation cybersecurity, published new backdoor that automates a number of key Ryuk attacks investigated SystemBC was malware to perform discovery, exfiltration, research into the SystemBC malware, activities so that operators can launch deployed alongside Buer Loader malware, and lateral movement in an automated way titled “Ransomware operators use multiple attacks without the need for while other attacks in the same campaign across multiple targets. SystemBC RAT as off-the-shelf Tor hands-on-keyboard activity. It can execute used Bazar or Zloader. The Egregor These SystemBC capabilities were backdoor”. The research shows how Windows commands passed over the attacks that Sophos investigated used originally intended for widespread SystemBC has developed into a fully Tor connection, as well as deliver and SystemBC together with Qbot. commodity malware, but they have now fledged remote access tool that acts execute scripts, malicious executables and “We are increasingly seeing ransomware been folded into the toolkit for targeted as a Tor proxy and is being used in dynamic link libraries (DLLs). operators outsource the deployment of attacks – including ransomware. ransomware-as-a-service attacks for Sophos’ research is based on ransomware to affiliates using commodity “The use of multiple tools in communications, data exfiltration, and investigations into recent ransomware- malware and attack tools,” said Spohos ransomware-as-a-service attacks creates the download and execution of malicious as-a-service attacks involving Ryuk and Senior Security Researcher Sean Gallagher. an ever more diverse attack profile that is modules. Egregor, which all deployed SystemBC. “SystemBC is a regular part of recent harder for IT security teams to predict and SystemBC was first discovered in 2019, The investigations show that SystemBC ransomware attackers’ toolkits – Sophos deal with. Defence-in-depth, employee operating like a “virtual private network” is used in combination with different has detected hundreds of attempted education and human-based threat hunting via a SOCKS5 proxy. A year on, the commodity tools, creating a diverse profile SystemBC deployments worldwide over are essential to detecting and blocking upgraded version analysed by Sophos of tactics, techniques, and procedures the last few months. The backdoor can be such attacks.” 7 the morning Monday, January 11, 2021

Tracy Chapman Quote for wins lawsuit against the day Nicki Minaj "This life is mine Singer-songwriter Tracy Chapman has won alone. So I have her case against hip-hop star Nicki Minaj stopped asking over Chapman’s claims that Minaj took people for her work without permission. According directions to to documents filed in California’s Federal places they've Central District Court on Thursday (7), never been." Chapman has accepted Minaj’s offer – Glennon Doyle of judgment in the case, and she will receive $ 450,000 from Minaj. brunch Travelling in 2021 Where is Auntie? What should it look like? ‘Travelify’ by AIESEC in University of Colombo BY DIMITHRI WIJESINGHE AIESEC in the University of Colombo premiered its highly anticipated virtual event titled “Travelify”, from 7-9 p.m. last evening (10). The event was made available both via Zoom and Facebook livestream. The event was launched under the organisation’s “Impactful Traveller” Nadi Haputhanthri and Chiranthana project, which focuses on travelling in the Arsakulasooriya of Binario 12 new normal. The audience in attendance was largely young volunteers from Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority different parts of the world who plan to (SLTDA) Director for Tourism Planning, volunteer in Sri Lanka, and local youths Development, and Investor Relations Unit interested in volunteering in other countries Dr. Prasad Jayasuriya; and international in the future. With this participation of travellers/content creators Chiranthana local and foreign travel lovers, as well Arsakulasooriya and Nadi Haputhanthri, as guest speakers and famous YouTube/ a husband and wife duo known as Instagram influencers, the event attempted “Binario 12”. Written and illustrated by Monica M. Hernandez S. to create a conversation to bring focus Speaking with one of the panellists, towards travelling in the new normal. Binario 12, who currently reside in Italy Animated by Bilen Getachew Haile Happening for the 10th consecutive and are maintaining several travel-related time, Impactful Traveller is a project content pages on Instagram based on the eighth and YouTube, shared their Sustainable Development thoughts on travel in 2021. Goal – Decent Work Being in the thickest and Economic Growth – If we travel, we have to of it during the time when initiated by AIESEC in travel with much more the pandemic hit, especially ‘Where is Auntie?’ Colombo Central (in the responsibility. In 2021, with Italy suffering quite Discovering Sri Lanka with Monica Hernandez University of Colombo). we plan to make a lot notably during the earlier AIESEC is the of trips for our projects, days of the pandemic, the world’s largest youth-led It is an island located in the so we hope the global duo shared that they were BY VENESSA ANTHONY Indian Ocean that had many organisation advocating situation improves able to see firsthand how the names. In the journals of for youth leadership travel industry – which was ancient travellers, it was Chiranthana Where is Auntie? is an interactive book penned by through cross-cultural something anyone would S e r e n d i b w h i l e y o u r Arsakulasooriya and grandparents might have exchanges. AIESEC have bet on as a sure thing – Monica Hernandez, to discover Sri Lanka through Nadi Haputhanthri of known it as Ceylon. It is now in the University of crumpled to the ground. They its people, wildlife, traditions, culture, food, history, called Sri Lanka. Binario 12 legends, and sports. Colombo is a part of spoke of how they too felt the AIESEC in Sri Lanka cold fear of not being able to My name is ... that is working towards travel, which would greatly Monica came to Sri Lanka way. Him being an only child realising the AIESEC goals and providing affect their freedom of creating content. from Colombia back in 2016, locked down in an apartment Friends and family also call me ... leadership opportunities to undergraduates We asked the duo to share with us and stayed on because of the without his daily childhood in the University of Colombo to make their personal experience in adapting to wonderful experience of the activities due to the pandemic a positive impact on the Sri Lankan the “new normal”, to which they said that, country she was welcomed gave us the motivation to community as well as the world. as we could imagine, whilst they had the in. She told us that she moved make this book for him even The organisers shared that in freedom to go and make videos quietly pre- to Myanmar for a year, and more than ever.” putting together this event, they took Covid, the situation is different now. when the pandemic happened, She added that she really into consideration the very real and “When we are on a journey and we chose to return to Sri Lanka. wanted him to understand that unfortunate circumstances that have want to resume, we have to be very careful, Having studied literature the diversity of the world is befallen our country’s economy, as very often we cannot stop for long in the in depth in many countries, wonderful, and not something during the period of the pandemic, we same area; even inside the restaurants and her passion for writing stems to shy away from. are currently facing one of the worst bars, there is no possibility to stay long to simply from her love of She used the time she economic downturns, with tourism being make a video. In airports and bus stations reading. She added that the had on her hands due to the among the most affected sectors. there is always the same thing; certainly the books are not just about the lockdown to come up with With tourism being one of the major rules must be respected for the safety of all. text; it's to tell a story with the innovative ways to portray segments contributing to Sri Lanka’s So you have to be very agile and accurate animations and illustrations. her new life. She told us that economic growth, they shared that it is when recording,” they said, shedding Her inspiration for the the creative process began a vital challenge to bring tourism back light on the unique struggles experienced series of books came from her while she was at home with on track, and therefore their goal via this by content creators when capturing their desire to show her five-year- nothing to do. “I started project is to promote sustainable tourism footage, and how they would ordinarily opt old nephew, who resides in drawing and coming up with and local industries in Sri Lanka, while for multiple takes to capture the optimum Colombia, about the wonders animations for the book, all has no boundaries. “You can promoting local culture and products. footage – but they are no longer afforded of the country that she was by hand, to tell the story of fly through the hoops of life The virtual event included two that luxury. in. “I wanted to show him my experience.” She also did if you want to. We are so sessions, including health protocols and They also shared that the other the place where his auntie some research on publishing different, but we have many travelling, and the event, moderated main difficulty is the wearing of masks, lived in a fun and interactive houses in Sri Lanka, and after points that we can relate to, by Sharon Mascarenhas, featured a another technical element, where they the lockdown, she published and that's what makes us distinguished panel of experts including have to remove the mask to speak her book. human.” Government Medical Officers’ clearly and ensure that their audio is Her book talks about Association (GMOA) President Dr. The books were initially not distorted. Once again, this is a what she likes about the available only online, where Anuruddha Padeniya; Sri Lanka Police challenge, as they are very much aware We decided to go country: the people, the food, one could see the animations, Deputy Director – Administration DIG of the risks and importance of safety, further and experiment the culture, and everything Ajith Rohana; University of Colombo but once the print versions especially considering that they are with sounds, she experienced. One can Department of Community Medicine Head, were published, they came travellers and are “perhaps more likely animations, and then experience Sri Lanka through Specialist in Community Medicine, and with areas for kids to write, to infect others and ourselves by going interactivity to keep her eyes. Senior Lecturer Prof. Manju Weerasinghe; children, as well as their draw, and colour their from one place to another”. We asked her what she The duo stated that they hope parents, engaged as they main characters, an electrical responses into. She also asks thinks makes Sri Lanka feel in sharing their experiences though traversed through the and a sound being, and the her readers questions with her so homely. “It's living on programmes like Impactful Traveller, different versions worlds from which they came. writing, to invoke curiosity an island with the people they are able to get the word out about of our books She revealed: “Although we and creativity in these of the country. There's a responsible and sustainable traveling, Monica Hernandez always had the idea to merge children's minds. “We decided huge difference from living and share our two cultures “because the game changed with this in Colombia. Everyone to go further and experiment written by our four hands, pandemic situation. If we travel, we have here is super easygoing and with sounds, animations, and how to present it to readers to travel with much more responsibility. welcoming. They make me then interactivity to keep In 2021, we plan to make a lot of trips was not clear to us until my feel at home.” She continued: children, as well as their for our projects, so we hope the global partner Bilen had a very vivid “Even during the pandemic, parents, engaged as they Chiranthana Arsakulasooriya and Nadi Haputhanthri situation improves.” everyone was organised dream, showing him the story traversed through the different and careful. There was a we were about to start telling.” versions of our books,” she lot of human interaction The second series, Fly said. which made me feel like I With Your Imagination, is a In 2021, she hopes to belonged.” fully illustrated and animated venture more into science Her first series of books, discovery of a new land fiction in her writing, and start Open Your Imagination, through many aspects of the with the creations of worlds covered a galactic science country, like its rich history in her books. She also wished fiction adventure revolving and fascinating legends, to travel more and write about around two characters, which without having to leave your more countries, like Japan are solely based on her diverse home. and Singapore, because of Afro-Latin background. The The message she wants their rich culture and heritage. first of this series, Origin, her readers to take away from “I want to keep sharing my introduces the reader to its two her writing is that the world stories with the world.” 8 the morning CAUSE Monday, January 11, 2021 Have a wonderful

Animal welfare activists at the silent vigil New Year wonderful planet of ours for our children and grandchildren By and great grandchildren? Anusha Don’t we want to live in peace David and harmony in a stress-free, Remembering pollutant-free world? Here’s to a happy and Then let’s do it – together. prosperous new year to all. Animals and humans have Free from Covid, free from evolved together and grown stress and strain and hardship together and their histories the lives of are entwined. Let’s work on – and what better way to stay safe and happy than by this together, guys. And what adopting one of the less- better time to start than the fortunate strays? If you can’t new year? elephants lost adopt a dog or an elephant, well a squirrel or a cat would Animal welfare activists hold silent vigil do just as well, or you could just feed a stray outside your gate. TEXT AND PHOTOS BY NAVEED ROZAIS You know the year the perahera – is actually a sign of gone by has been so hard for A vigil was held on 9 January at the Viharamahadevi Park to mark the lives “stereotyping”, a way of elephants everyone worldwide, but for of elephants who died in captivity in 2019 and 2020. Sri Lanka, whose showing they are in mental distress, the animals, it’s just been the population of captive elephants currently numbers approximately 200, or “zoochosis”. pits. is one of the few countries in the world that possess these magnificent The way we keep captive They’ve been creatures roaming around our wilds. abandoned, brutalised, Truepanion elephants is unacceptable: While being a disastrous year for humans, had to be taken back to the Pinnawala starved, killed – you name it, it’s happened to them. Here in our beautiful 2020 has also been a terrible year for the Sri Lankan Elephant Orphanage. Despite this, Rukshan Jayawardene Sri Lanka, we have so much Naturalist and Environmental It shouldn’t be that way. elephant, with more than 400 elephant deaths being he was returned to the Devalaya, going for us. Beautiful Foundation Ltd. (EFL) Director We all need to live together on reported over the course of the year, and human- and in the following decade, ended beaches, verdant forests, lush Rukshan Jayawardene, who attended this wonderful planet of ours. elephant conflict escalating to unprecedented levels. up killing five of his mahouts. In mountainsides, bountiful the vigil, shared with The Morning We need each other. We are 2019, Saman was taken back into the oceans – let’s please preserve Brunch that in today’s context, with interdependent – fact. Take Heartbreaking stories custody of the Pinnawala Elephant them. Don’t cut down the knowledge and resources we have one of us out of the equation This weekend’s vigil, held by Rally for Orphanage following appeals by animal habitats; instead, at our disposal on the psychology and and what happens? Chaos. Environmental Rights (RARE), Animals & Us, animal rights activists, but never fully To justify elephants work around them. We all behaviour of elephants, we simply We have all been hearing so and the Animal Rights Protection Force, saw a few recovered from his wounds. RARE being used in peraheras know development must take cannot continue to keep elephants in much about global warming; dedicated naturalists and animal welfarists coming shared that he had been treated so and religious events place, but not in the wake of captivity. well if so many of the animal together to mark the lives of the captive elephants badly, he no longer had a tail when he on religious grounds is destruction. “We as Sri Lankans need to species and their habitat had who have most recently departed from this world. was returned to Pinnawala. contradictory, especially Be kind to animals, they accept and understand from the not been destroyed, global The vigil took place in the wake of a recent Perhaps the most famous captive in Buddhism. Given have feelings and emotions grassroots level up that the way warming would be a figment controversy that took place when a video showing elephant of recent history who was the compassion that too. They get hungry and we keep and maintain captive of someone’s imagination. captive elephant Myan Prince being abused at the remembered at the vigil was Tikiri, the Buddha showed all lonely and scared. All they elephants is simply not acceptable,” Instead, what do we have? Bellanwila Raja Maha Viharaya temple began who died in 2019 aged 69. Tikiri animals, no justification want is recognition that they Jayawardene said. “To justify doing Melting glaciers and icebergs, recirculating last week on social media, following became famous and an icon of sorts is possible for any kind too have our place on this so in the name of culture and tradition forest fires, vanishing species, Myan Prince’s recent return to the temple after some for the plight of Sri Lankan captive of cruelty or oppression, planet and need to be treated cannot be accepted anymore, and Covid-19 and all it’s ghastly time away. elephants when she was spotted at or causing mental with love and respect. to justify elephants being used in variants, and who knows what A spokesperson from RARE shared with The the 2019 Esala Perahera in emaciated distress Property developers, peraheras and religious events on else is in store for us? Morning Brunch that according to recent data, there condition by Save The Elephant EFL Director economists, statesmen, all religious grounds is contradictory, As Sir Richard are approximately 200 captive elephants in Sri Foundation Founder Lek Chailert. Rukshan Jayawardene decision and policymakers, especially in Buddhism. Given the Attenborough said: “It seems Lanka. Of these, 100 elephants are in the custody of After animal welfarists the world do factor the animals into the compassion that the Buddha showed to me that the natural world the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage, the Dehiwala over raised concern about an elephant equation and be more mindful all animals, no justification is possible for any kind is the greatest source of Zoo, or the Ridiyagama Safari Park, approximately of Tikiri’s age and condition being in the perahera, of them. We need each other, of cruelty or oppression, or causing mental distress. excitement; the greatest source 40 are in the custody of religious establishments and Tikiri was removed from the perahera, and died a we need to co-exist if we want “Using Buddhism as an excuse or reason is of visual beauty, the greatest temples, and approximately 60 are privately owned. few weeks later. our species to continue and out. I speak as a Buddhist. It is very sad that many source of intellectual interest. The vigil remembered the lives of captive The vigil also called for ending animal slavery, prosper. elephants still in captivity are still associated with It is the greatest source of so elephants Kanakota (aged 18), Ranmenika (aged and appealed for Myan Prince to be released from “Ever since we arrived on temples. This is something all Sri Lankans need to much in life that makes life 65), Abhaya (aged 13), Tikiri (aged 70), Jayanthi the custody of the Bellanwila Raja Maha Viharaya. this planet as a species, we’ve think about.” worth living.” (aged 65), and Saman (aged 45-55). An argument put forward for elephants being in cut them down, dug them up, Jayawardene further explained that keeping Then why are humans RARE shared that many of these elephants peraheras and processions in Sri Lanka is that they burnt them and poisoned them. elephants captive is cruel regardless of how the destroying it, and animals, and who recently died in captivity led lives of quiet, form an integral part of Sri Lankan culture, coupled Today we’re doing so on a elephant is being treated, because elephants in themselves? It just doesn’t and, sometimes not so quiet, distress. Kanakota, for with the assertion that the elephants themselves greater scale than ever,” said captivity are always subject to distress because they make any sense. Don’t we example, died at the tender of 18 after taking part enjoy being part of the procession. Scientific studies Sir Richard Attenborough. are wild animals being held against their will. all want to preserve this in a perahera for two consecutive nights, walking on elephants in recent years have consistently This has to stop. Commenting on the future, Jayawardene shared all the way back to his riding camp and then doing shown that elephants in peraheras are often in In our weekly column, his hope that there would be resistance to elephants four elephant-back rides for tourists the very distress, and that the shaking of their we are going to discuss in captivity going forward and an end to the practice next day, before ultimately collapsing on the heads – commonly issues pertaining to our furry in his lifetime. He explained that despite elephants fourth ride. regarded by humans friends, how we can be kind being a part of our culture since ancient times, the Another elephant whose story RARE as enjoyment of and considerate as humans fact that we now know more about what captive highlighted was and learn to live with them in elephants go through and are followers of Gautama Saman, whose peace. Buddha, who practised compassion above all else, exact age was Until next week, will lead us to understand that we cannot justify unknown, but Happy 2021, folks. who died aged cruelty in his name. between 45 and Jayawardene further explained that many 55 (fairly young practices for keeping captive elephants hark back for an elephant), to generating revenue and that many of the global had a history of standards for dealing with elephants in captivity being abused. In were set in the 1950s when our relationship with 2008 or 2009, he animals and our understanding of them was very was wounded so different, and that globally, these standards began What better badly while in the evolving for the better 25 years ago, adding that way to stay safe and custody of the Sri other countries have long since stopped holding happy than Sumana Saman elephants in captivity. “Our relationship with captive by adopting Devalaya in elephants is not good,” Jayawardene said, adding: one of the The vigil was held to remember less-fortunate Ratnapura that he the lives of captive elephants “The practice needs to be completely phased out.” strays?

Steeped in irrational stigma, Additionally, the company is also twist; a heady formula primarily the topic of menstruation is often encouraging its customers to get made of cranberry seed oil from considered taboo in even the more involved. Throughout December 2020 North America. The Winter Jasmine educated circles in Sri Lanka. As a The Body Shop launches and January 2021, those looking to offering, the fresh and light, wintery result of the cultural shame attached fly the flag of women empowerment white floral collection formulated with to the subject (period shaming), the even higher can also opt to donate jasmine extract from India, is sure to underlying dilemma of accessibility Rs. 50 and above, independent of any bring back all those X’mas feels. to education on proper menstrual campaign with Oxfam purchase. All funds collected will Customers can opt to either hygiene is not given the platform for go towards providing Dignity Kits “Create Your Own Gift Pack” from discussion it deserves. Women are Invites customers to join fight (each consisting of disposable sanitary any of the products above, or choose then not afforded the opportunity to pads, underwear, rubber slippers, from The Body Shop’s pre-packed air their grievances around the issue, facemasks, a towel, an educational Christmassy Body Butter Trio, Body let alone solve it. against period poverty in Sri Lanka menstrual hygiene leaflet, and a Butter Collection, and Hand Cream The term “period poverty” calendar) to those women and girls sets. Either way, a most thoughtful are hindered from going to school, refers to the lack of access to affected the most. To make the cause gift for your loved ones, or the perfect work, and contributing productively sanitary products owing to financial all the more worthy, The Body Shop’s prezzie for yourself! to society. As much as it has been constraints, and has long been a latest collection makes gift giving a dedicated advocate for animal, prevalent problem in Sri Lanka twice as nice! These special edition worker, and environmental rights, where commercial locally produced scents range from body yoghurts to Shop the new seasonal lineup The Body Shop has also been long and more from The Body Shop sanitary towels typically sell lip scrubs, hand creams to shimmers invested in gender equality and outlets in Colombo (flagship between Rs. 120-175 a pack, and Oxfam conducts awareness programmes in schools in Nuwara Eliya, Matale, and and mists. A contemporary twist female empowerment. The Body store on Bagatale Road, imported brands for about Rs. 350. Monaragala on sexual and reproductive health, the menstrual cycle and menstruation, on the classic Warm Vanilla range, Shop has joined forces with Oxfam myths related to menstruation, and menstrual hygiene Colombo City Centre, and at With a large segment of society not this seasonal favourite is brought in Sri Lanka in the fight against reduce stigma and shame around the As an initiative to ensure women Odel Alexandria Place) and being able to afford basic menstrual back with a rich, warm, sweet, period poverty and period shaming. topic, and encourage education about in Sri Lanka are given the right to Kandy (Kandy City Centre). hygiene products, and additionally and gourmand range of products Through education and advocacy, menstruation; specifically directed human dignity, The Body Shop will Contact 0115 765 656 for unaware of the repercussions of formulated with vanilla extract from the popular British beauty brand towards vulnerable school-going girls be donating Rs. 5 towards the cause delivery to Colombo and improper usage on health, many Madagascar. The Festive Berry lineup hopes to greatly improve access and tea-plucking labourers in the tea from every transaction made at any suburbs, and 0774 476 170 for women and girls across the country is deliciously fruity with a tangy to hygiene facilities and products, estates and rural sectors from Hatton. of their stores across the island. Kandy and suburbs. the morning 9 Monday, January 11, 2021 Lifestyle What is

Akash and Dan Laustsen sharing some Junkyard Theory? Hollywood moments graduating to higher profile guests who Currently, Akash has conducted 12 branch of filmmaking the guest is part of, and also reaching out to potential guests By Fred Fernando from High for Season 2. School Junkies sometimes needed a bit of convincing. He sessions, which he fondly refers to as be it cinematography, editing, writing, shared: “There were times I had to reach Season 1. Akash enables guests etc. Almost all our guests are He also revealed that the next guest for Junkyard Theory would be Robert Amidst the multiple lockdowns of out month after month and sometimes joining the live stream to pose filmmakers from Hollywood. deal with PR in order to book a session. questions. In their most recent And we plan to bring on some Dalva, an 2020 and a pandemic in full swing, American film creatives all around the world were Even with a pandemic, filmmakers are interview with Fabian Wagner of these guests as speakers for busy!” (cinematographer of Justice the online courses that we plan editor who was forced into their dens. And with Notable guests on Junkyard Theory League: The Snyder Cut and to begin later this year. This is nominated for it, came all kinds of creations. The have included Academy Award-nominee Game of Thrones) there not something that you can find a Best Editing High School Junkies (HSJ), known Dean Cundey, cinematographer of was quite a viewership and in any local film school,” he Oscar in 1980 for their short films on social media Jurassic Park and the Back to the Future engagement. stated. for his work platforms released an action- trilogy; Academy Award-winner Paul As to where Junkyard Akash states that there is a on The Black musical called The Knight Out, a Hirsch, editor of Star Wars and Mission Theory will go in 2021, Akash growing market for film education Stallion. He also directed time-looped action comedy titled Impossible; and Academy Award-winner states that his plan is twofold. The in Sri Lanka and there have been Dan Laustsen, cinematographer of The live sessions would continue queries about pathways into its sequel, The Cake lE,a,, and jxl rgd, a music Black Stallion video for popular Sinhala-rapper Shape of Water and John Wick 2 and 3. on social media, and the industry. Together he already has with filmmaker Returns (1983) Ravi Jay. At the same time, they and served also ventured into something quite a lineup of Andrew Sean guests for the and long-time as the editor different. first quarter. cinematographer for Captain HSJ Founder Akash Sunethkumara Secondly, Kasun America: The started a project called Junkyard Theory, Akash aims to Rathnasiri, First Avenger Akash and Don Sylvester a webinar series where he goes live with fill the gap in Akash (2011), Jumanji filmmaking personnel from around the film education conducted (1995), and world. The initiative also commenced in Sri Lanka two online Jurassic Park III (2001). The session amidst the first lockdown when Sri Lanka by bridging Sri webinars where will be live-streamed via the HSJ and had its first wave of Covid-19 cases. Lankans with they shared Junkyard Theory Facebook pages on 15 Akash shared that he saw a lot of people accessibility to the basics of January at 8.30 p.m. going live, talking about various issues world-renowned filmmaking Akash believes that Junkyard that had not received much exposure filmmakers who with an Theory is his way of giving back to the before. And since everyone was confined willingly share their enthusiastic community. “I wish I had this type of to their homes, a new audience had knowledge. audience. opportunity growing up. The internet has opened up, and he thought that it would be “All the Also a lecturer in literally bridged everyone everywhere and an ideal time to introduce a series where interviews are his spare time, Akash you can learn anything you want. And veteran filmmakers could come on board streamed for shares that juggling with Junkyard Theory, it’s an opportunity and share their knowledge. an approximate film education with to learn from the best in the field.” Akash said that most filmmakers duration of an his film projects is All past episodes can be found on the on the other side of the globe were hour, and it’s no easy task. He is Junkyard Theory YouTube channel. under lockdown at the same time as completely free. HSJ Founder Akash Sunethkumara currently redrafting well, so it worked beneficially for both Each episode his first feature with Catch the High School Junkies’ new parties. Akash initially reached out to his is pretty much the team, working on column on The Morning Brunch, connections in the industry and started a masterclass pre production for going live on Instagram, eventually every Friday starting this week. Akash and Dean Cundey on whatever another short film

Aaraa & Aati launches Exclusive Ceylinco Healthcare invests Rs. 15 m Club for its valued members to upgrade brachytherapy system Aaraa & Aati – Sri Lanka’s The Ceylinco Radiation catheter sets, and the Fletcher- homegrown luxury jewellery brand Treatment Centre, the only Williamson applicator sets were – launched the “A&A Exclusive private hospital in the country also replaced with the upgrade, Club” for its VIP members in the to offer Brachytherapy (internal the centre said. hope of giving back to its loyal radiation) for the treatment of With the upgrade, cancer customers. The Exclusive Club cancer, has announced upgrades patients can experience more launch took place on 8 January at to its treatment planning and precise treatments offered by Aaraa & Aati’s brand-new retail delivery systems to further the new software which has 3D space located at 29B, Marine Drive, improve accuracy and efficiency. contouring and margin tools Colombo 3. An investment of Rs. 15 The brachytherapy machine for anatomy definitions and The retail space is small, trendy, million, the upgrade offers Elaborating on the upgrade, image registration, fast catheter and conveniently located in the heart consultant oncologists and the centre said the installation of reconstruction algorithms for of Colombo. All consultations will medical physicists involved in new Treatment Planning System implant reconstructions, dose be high-end and appointment-based treatment planning enhanced (TPS) hardware using the latest point optimisation, and geometric – where the customer can walk in capabilities to plan and Oncentra Brachy 4.6 version optimisation. Plan analysis after booking an appointment via deliver the required precision upgrade and a treatment delivery tools such as synchronised plan the website or hotline – and soon treatments, the centre said. system upgrade with the newest evaluation for comparison are enough, Aaraa & Aati transforms Aaraa & Aati’s new store Brachytherapy is a treatment Treatment Console System also an advantage. dreams into reality. What’s truly opportunity to reflect on the way that involves placing radioactive (TCS) hardware running on the Owned and managed amazing is that the customer is forward and, with perseverance material in the body of the MHDR V3 TCS 3.1.6 upgrade, by Ceylinco Healthcare part of the entire process – right and divine intervention, managed cancer patient. It is used for was undertaken by DIMO, the Services Ltd. (CHSL), the from discussing jewellery and to weather the storm. During treating cervical and endometrial local agent for Elekta Medical Ceylinco Radiation Treatment design ideas to bringing the custom this period, all customers cancer as well as oesophageal, Systems of the Netherlands. Centre has a Selectron HDR masterpieces to life. were encouraged to use online head and neck, vaginal, rectal, Components such as the Brachytherapy System which Aaraa & Aati holds years of communication channels to discuss and lung cancers. GYN transfer tube sets, x-ray was installed in 2007. professional experience in exporting jewellery ideas, and Aaraa & Aati world-class, ethically-sourced successfully managed to serve its gemstones to the West, and is customers in the comfort of their dedicated to offering impeccably own homes. tailored wedding and engagement Furthermore, the “Surf rings that are a true epitome of Collection” – Aaraa & Aati’s elegance. With the goal of delivering value-for-money collection that was bespoke luxury experiences for its Aaraa & Aati Co-Director Fahmy Rahman ‘Good PR’ blazes a new trail conceptualised during the pandemic clientele, Aaraa & Aati’s Exclusive Co-Director Fahmy Rahman. – was listed in Daraz.lk, making it Good PR, a new agency has already grown with the Club is an amalgamation of He further added: “At Aaraa possible for the company to keep its which has been created to latest addition to the team being personalised experiences, rewards, & Aati, we offer our customers the audience engaged and also helping provide Sri Lankan companies Nicholee Rosayro who functions loyalty programmes, exclusive enthralling experience of crafting them to keep celebrating their special with a personalised service as Director – PR and Events. events, and much more! their own tantalising jewellery moments at home even if they were that meets their requirements, “I am grateful to be a part of “Our primary goal is to through our years of industrial under a lockdown. recently celebrated its first a team that communicates good connect people over jewels that knowhow and professional acumen. Aaraa & Aati has slowly ventured anniversary. Despite the values and is committed to helping they want and love together. The Our specialisation lies in all kinds to serve its customers in Singapore. extremely challenging economic companies achieve their goals,” A&A Exclusive Club helps create of sapphires which we intricately The plan for this year is to really take circumstances, Good PR’s ability said Rosayro. “At Good PR we are that exclusive environment where tailor for those who wish to treasure the luxury customer experience to to not just survive but thrive Good PR Founder Good PR Director all treated with love and care and friendships can be made, and ideas their life-changing moments. Our new heights. Aaraa & Aati seeks to reflects the youthful energy Nevindee – PR and Events give the same to our clients, as we and interests can be shared. It is Amarasinghe Nicholee Rosayro exquisite collection of gemstones set the benchmark in the jewellery and dedication of its Founder, work with the belief of making a the perfect platform where a sense also reflects our attention to detail industry while serving its wonderful Nevindee Amarasinghe. in the country,” she said. “I difference in the industry.” of community, connection, and and commitment to international clients in Colombo and Singapore. A born marketer, believe that to manage public Good PR also gave collaboration can be established quality standards.” Amarasinghe has an intuitive relations effectively, you need recognition to their partners Sri through networking opportunities Aaraa & Aati, like many other understanding of her clients’ to really understand clients Hela Studios Sri Lanka headed by and social events. Our customers businesses, had to adjust and adapt PR requirements and believes and their business. At the same Bhanuka Srihela, Shadowdesign have played a significant role in our to the new normal that was set in www.aaraa-aati.com in offering services with a time, companies need to have – Malta headed by Ravindu journey thus far and this initiative is motion by the pandemic. Although personal touch. “My vision for confidence that their PR is in Dabarera, and Suresh Ginige our humble way of honouring their the management was put to the Good PR is to make it one of the safe hands.” In order to meet (content writing) for their immense loyalty!” commented Aaraa & Aati expanding demand, Good PR test, the company saw this as an 0770 218 384 most powerful PR influencers contribution. the morning 10 Monday, January 11, 2021 SPORTS

A great pull by Rohit Sharma at Sydney Cricket Grounds; the same shot, however, resulted in the aggressive batsman’s dismissal shortly before end Australia of day’s play yesterday (10) near 2-1 series lead! z Australia vs. India 3rd Test, day four

In what seemed for the most part a dominant day for Australia, India battled hard in the final session of the fourth day’s play to reach 98/2 by stumps, still trailing by 308 runs, facing the improbable match- winning target of 407.

India weren’t helped by their fielding, fuss, but with Ravindra Jadeja unable to said icc-cricket.com, adding that Hanuma bat, India essentially have seven wickets Vihari dropped a straightforward chance left to battle through day five and eke to dismiss Marnus Labuschagne off the out a draw. second ball of the day. The day started with Australia asserting their authority. Marnus Labuschagne and Good opening stand Steve Smith, who had looked imperious There would be more reprieves handed during the final session of the third day, out to the home batsmen throughout the carried on from where they left off, day, as Australia posted 312/6, declaring extending their partnership to 103 runs. their second innings with a mammoth Labuschagne, overnight on 47, went on to lead of 406, the above report remembered. post 73 before edging one from Navdeep With Australia declaring their innings Saini to the substitute wicket-keeper SCORECARD at tea, after Cameron Green had scored Wriddhiman Saha. a 132-ball 84, the Indian batsmen had Australia first innings 338 to see out a whole session. For the most Hosts in commanding India first innings 244 position part, it went to plan, with Rohit Sharma AUSTRALIA 2ND INNINGS (OVERNIGHT 103/2) and Shubman Gill putting on India’s best The wicket of Matthew Wade, two overs opening stand in the series so far – their later raised Indian hopes of triggering a David Warner lbw b Ashwin 13 71-run partnership held Australia at bay slide, but Smith did the real damage at the Will Pucovski c sub (Saha) b Siraj 10 for nearly 23 overs. other end. He went from his overnight 29 Marnus Labuschagne c sub (Saha) b Saini 73 not out to 81, with Green offering good Steve Smith lbw b Ashwin 81 Rohit Sharma fell to a trap support at the other end. The duo added Matthew Wade c sub (Saha) b Saini 4 The duo combined resistance with 60 for the fifth wicket, taking the Cameron Green c sub (Saha) b Bumrah 84 aggression, overturning a couple of total past 200, but Ravichandran Extras (nb 3, b 1, lb 4) 8 dismissals on the way via the DRS. As Ashwin got his man once again, Total (for 6 wickets in 87 overs) 312 far as India were concerned, things would when Smith missed the turn and Did not bat: Tim Paine (Captain/wk), Pat Cummins, have been ideally placed, had the two was trapped in front. Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, and Josh Hazlewood been able to see through the day unbeaten. The hosts were already in a Fall of wickets: 1-16 (Pucovski, 5.5 ov), 2-35 Unfortunately, Gill, having looked good commanding position. It meant (Warner, 9.2 ov), 3-138 (Labuschagne, 46.1 ov), for most of his 64-ball knock, edged one their Captain Tim Paine could 4-148 (Wade, 48.6 ov), 5-208 (Smith, 67.4 ov), behind off Josh Hazlewood. come in and get on the attack, 6-312 (Green, 86.6 ov) Rohit Sharma was joined by Cheteshwar along with the well-settled Bowling: Bumrah 21-4-68-1, Siraj 25-5-90-1 (nb1), Pujara thereafter, with the opener Green. It was their 104-run Saini 16-2-54-2 (nb2), Ashwin 25-1-95-2 increasingly looking fluid and playing stand –off just 116 balls– his strokes. He reached his half-century that really deflated Indian INDIA SECOND INNINGS (TARGET 407) with a boundary – his sixth overseas in Test hopes, and put Australia cricket and his first as an opener – but then in a position from which Rohit Sharma c Starc b Cummins 52 paid for his enterprise, attempting a pull off they have a realistic Shubman Gill c Paine b Hazlewood 31 Pat Cummins, only to find Mitchell Starc chance of taking an Cheteshwar Pujara not out 9 stationed at deep backward square leg. unassailable 2-1 lead Ajinkya Rahane not out 4 in the four-match Extras (nb 1, lb 1) 2 Aus asserts their authority series. Total (for 2 wickets in 34 overs) 98 It meant Ajinkya Rahane, the Captain, Did not bat: Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant (wk), was in the middle to fend off the last Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah, few overs of the day along with Pujara, Mohammed Siraj, and Navdeep Saini in circumstances almost similar to what Fall of wickets: 1-71 (Gill, 22.1 ov), India faced in the first innings. Rahane and 2-92 (Sharma, 30.2 ov) Pujara saw through the day without much Bowling: Starc 6-0-27-0, Hazlewood 8-3-11-1, Cummins 9-1-25-1 (nb1), Lyon 9-3-22-0, Green 2-0-12-0

AGNES KELETI CELEBRATES 100TH BIRTHDAY 100th b’day for oldest Olympic champion

Hungary’s Ágnes Keleti, the world’s oldest Your unique career fills every member of the inducted into the International Gymnastics living Olympic champion, on Saturday (9) Hungarian Olympic family with great pride.” Hall of Fame in 2002. celebrated her 100th birthday, receiving a call from the President of the International Fleeing Budapest during war Fair Play Career Award Olympic Committee (IOC), Thomas Bach as Due to the Second World War, Keleti She is the most successful female Jewish part of the occasion. could not compete at the Olympics until athlete in Olympic history, with only one Jewish Winning 10 Olympic medals in gymnastics, she was 31 years old. athlete – swimmer Mark Spitz – having won she is the most successful Hungarian female She was part of the only Jewish more Olympic medals. athlete at the Games, winning five gold, three gymnastics club in Budapest, and looked To mark the occasion, the International Fair silver, and two bronze medals at the Helsinki to be part of the Tokyo 1940 Olympics Play Committee (CIFP) also presented Keleti 1952 and Melbourne 1956 Olympics. before it was cancelled due to the conflict. with the Fair Play Career Award. President of the Only three Hungarians are more successful During the war, she was forced to flee CIFP, Jenő Kamuti, presented her with the award than her, all from winning medals in fencing. Budapest due to threats to Jewish people, at the Rumbach Street Synagogue in Budapest. She won the floor event at the 1952 Games having previously been expelled from her PHOTOS IOC AND MOB and defended that title in 1956, Michael club due to her religion. Keleti was then Houston of Inside the Games said in a report an alternate for the London 1948 Games, on Saturday (9). making her Olympic debut in 1952. Bach’s remarks Hall-of-Famer in 2002 Agnes Keleti was joined by delegates of the Hungarian Olympic Committee for her 100th birthday Keleti also won the team, uneven bars, and Surviving the war after using a fake balance beam golds in Melbourne to make Olympic champion. As an Olympian, your 10 Champions Club President György Nébald, identity and marrying fellow gymnast her one of the most successful Olympians medals, five of them gold, are truly amazing. I and Hungarian Gymnastics Association István Sárkány, she came out of the conflict from the country. am sure that had you competed at the Olympic Secretary General Sándor Altorjai. and back into gymnastics, resulting in After cross-country skier Lydia Wideman Games London 1948, you might even have her winning her first Central European died in April 2019, Keleti became the oldest had more.” Great pride Gymnastics Championship in 1947. living Olympic champion. As well as cake and flowers, Keleti also Her father and uncles were among IOC President Bach spoke over the phone Hungary salutes the champion received a copy of the victory medal of 550,000 Hungarian Jews killed during to Keleti to wish her well. Hungarian Olympic Committee (MOB) Hungary’s first modern Olympic champion, the Holocaust. Along with her Olympic “Heartfelt congratulations and best wishes President Krisztian Kulcsar handed over a Alfred Hajós. heroics, she won the 1954 world title in for your birthday,” said Bach. gift to Keleti on behalf of the IOC, who could “You have come to a wonderful anniversary uneven bars. After Melbourne 1956, she “Your story is truly inspirational. You not visit her in person due to the Covid-19 that is given to a few,” Kulcsar has said. sought political asylum in Australia after have demonstrated the power of strong pandemic. “We are grateful for all you have done the Soviet Union invaded Hungary. She determination and courage to overcome MOB Secretary General Bálint Vékássy during your rich life for both your homeland, later emigrated to Israel and coached the tragedy. These are the attributes of a great was also present, as was Hungarian Olympic the Olympic movement, and your own sport. national gymnastics team. Keleti was Agnes Keleti turned 100 on 9 January PGA Series-China Dilshan for cancelled Dandenong The Professional Golf Association Former Sri Lanka cricketer (PGA) Tour’s “Series-China” Tillakaratne Dilshan, 44, has been cancelled for 2021 is back in the competitive amid uncertainty over the game. He was in a Victorian coronavirus situation in Premier League match the country. The PGA Tour played in Australia, his claimed the situation in current residence, on Asia was “not showing Saturday (9). He made 53 significant improvement”, runs for Dandenong against adding they also attempted to find Casey-South Melbourne, a way to play events in China, but which incidentally featured determined that the obstacles are another former Lankan rep “too difficult to overcome”. Suraj Randiv. Monday,sports January 11, 2021 Player threatens to hold up Tennis Nationals z Men's singles player suspended from the event

As the year’s most significant domestic tennis Open singles match the same day. the player concerned tournament, the Sri Lanka Tennis Nationals 2020, which The player has alleged that he was agreed to change the was postponed from last year due to the pandemic, denied to play his first-round match court owing to the wet continued on its second day yesterday (10) at the Sri on a proper court and he was forced conditions that prevailed Lanka Tennis Association (SLTA) hard courts in Colombo, to play on a tar court, instead of a on Saturday, and he there was an alleged attempt by one of its participants to proper hard court, that had been started to make complaints “unsuitable” to play on. in the first set only when he take an injunction order from courts to hold up the event. "I was forced to play under was going to lose the match. protest," the player told The Morning The game was halted midway A player who took part in the Men’s particular player has threatened Sports on Saturday (9). "When I of its first set due to the situation. Open category was suspended by the legal action against the tournament protested, I was suspended from the The player used abusive language Tournament Referee on disciplinary organisers for the “injustice” that tournament unlawfully," he added. during the match and therefore he grounds on Saturday (9) and the happened to him during a Men's But the referee is of the view that was suspended from the tournament, giving away the victory to the opponent, a source attached to the SLTA told The Morning Sports yesterday. “The player was suspended from the tournament. The case is now before the Disciplinary Committee (of the SLTA) which will sit down soon and take the final decision on the issue,” a representative of the current SLTA committee said. This year’s Tennis Nationals will go on till 24 January under the Health Ministry guidelines on conducting sporting competitions during the spread of Covid-19. PHOTOS ISHAN WANNIARACHCHI RESULTS Men’s Open: Prasanna Athauda beat Nadun Senadeera 6/0, 6/1 Vichintaya Nilaweera beat Ramith Herath 6/0, 6/3 Dilvan Herath beat Heshika Perera 7/5, 6/1 Kavisha Ratnayake beat Manesh Kajan 6/4, 1/6, 10/6 Women’s Open: Neyara Weerawansa beat Prasanna Athauda Dewmini Weerawansa 6/1, 6/0 Neyara Weerawansa

alleged abuse. Six people were subsequently the Australian Open in Adelaide, rather than said they had reached the maximum number postponed to 16 January after the Emirates In Brief 10 JANUARY 2021 ejected from the grounds. CA and New South the tournament’s host city Melbourne. Novak of people they were able to quarantine in Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed that another Wales Police are investigating the incident. Djokovic and Serena Williams are among Melbourne. one of their players --Alishan Sharaful-- has BADMINTON NATIONALS IN MELBOURNE IS FULL those set to compete in an exhibition event in THREE UAE PLAYERS tested positive for Covid-19. This is in addition FEBRUARY official complaint after day three on Saturday (9) FOR AUS OPEN! Adelaide in the lead-up to the opening Grand TEST POSITIVE to two other players, Chirag Suri and Aryan that bowlers Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Slam of the season. The one-off competition, Lakra, testing positive on 7 and 8 January Sri Lanka Badminton (SLB) announced Siraj had received racial abuse, and yesterday The top three men’s and women’s tennis players scheduled for 29 and 30 January, has been Yesterday’s (10) cricket ODI between United respectively. The rest of the series appears to yesterday (10) that their premier event, the (10), play was halted for 10 minutes after more in the world will undergo their quarantine for arranged after Australian Open organisers Arab Emirates (UAE) and Ireland has been be going on as scheduled with only a minor Badminton Nationals, will be held behind change; the third ODI on 12 January now closed doors from 10-14 February at the SLB becomes the second ODI and the fourth ODI and Mercantile Badminton Association (MBA) Six spectators were on 14 January becomes the third, with the courts in Colombo. The event normally draws ejected from the SCG postponed ODI wrapping things up on 16 in an excess of 1,000 participants but this year’s yesterday (10) for January. directing racial abuse event will be restricted to competitors over 15 FIVE DEBUTANTS IN SA TEST years of age, who will be accommodated in the towards Indian players, halting play for 10 SQUAD Open category. The reigning men’s champion minutes Niluka Karunaratne will take time off from South Africa will receive a boost as Kagiso his Olympic qualifying campaign to defend Rabada and Dwaine Pretorius return after his crown while Dilmi Dias will seek to retain recovering from injuries while the spin attack is her hard-won women’s title, returning to the strengthened by the inclusion of Tabraiz Shamsi game after a lay-off to focus on her studies. and George Linde. As many as five members of Entries close on 29 January at SLB headquarters the 21-member squad could make their Test at Maitland Place, Colombo 7. The draw is debuts in Pakistan. Seamers Ottniel Baartman scheduled for 6 February. and Daryn Dupavillon receive their maiden RACIAL ABUSE IN SYDNEY call-ups for Tests, while batsmen Sarel Erwee and Keegan Petersen are both yet to make their Cricket Australia (CA) has apologised to India and Proteas debuts in any format. Kyle Verreyne is investigating claims that visiting players were has only appeared in ODIs to date. Quinton subjected to racial abuse by spectators during de Kock’s side will visit Pakistan after 14 years the third Test, now on in Sydney. India made an where they will play two Tests.